Music, Masonry, And Charity.

consequences are before us . Due care may not always have been observed in the admission of candidates , but I question very much whether the temptation to enter has arisen so much from tbe nature and extent of the Charities , as from tho social enjoyment that was anticipated , and which anticipations the festive doings of some Lodges are calculated to foster .

It might fairly be asked—Has there been such an absence of care in the admission of candidates as to warrant tbe conclusion that any appreciable number of those who have sought , or are now seeking relief , ought never to have been permitted to enter tho Order ? It would be exceedingly difficult to addnce proof of such a contention . It is really one of thoso assumptions that passes current and is

accepted without thought . My experience leads me to conclude that the want of care in the admission of candidates app lies more to their mental and moral unfitness than to their social position . Men too often enter Freemasonry without duly appreciating its spiritual character ; indeed , tbe inner life , tho glory aud strength of the Craft , is rarely thought of , and I do not think I am uncharitable when I say that social enjoyment , and not the cultivation of the mental and

moral faculties , is the leading motivo in the minds of most of the brethren . If I nm right , then it is time to define what true Masonry is , and in this labour I confidently claim that voice in your contemporary which has proclaimed the pitiable condition of many now looking for that help which shall rescue them from starvation , and which only a few days ago made known tho fact that the Craft " seek- * to set before tho world at largo at all times , and in all places , reverence for

God and love for man . " I am , Dear Sir and Brother , Yours fraternally , I . P . M .

Rebuilding.

REBUILDING .

To the Editor of the FREEMASON ' S CHRONICLE . DEAR SIR AND BROTHER , —I was much interested some weeks back by your olaborato description of the Old Freemasons' Hall , and am somewhat surprised that amongst your many able correspondents no one seems to have thought it worth while making an effort to prevent the " wiping out" of a structure so unique in itself , and so

replete with Masonic reminiscences . Is it not possible to re-construct the Temple on tbe present lines , and yet give increased accommodation for tho members of G . Lodge ? I think it is ; what has become of the galleries , " capable of containing 300 spectators exclusive of tbe band of music ? " Could they not be restored and be made available on extraordinary occasions ? According to the report of the Special Building

Ocinmittee the present hall would hold about 750 persons ; surely that should be amply sufficient for the purposes of legislation , not to mention the increased accommodation to be derived from the galleries . I am no advocate for the " patching up " policy so strongly urged by somo of the Provincial Grand Lodges , nov can I support tbe unnecessary and very costly alterations suggested by the Special Building

Committee , bnt , having given the subject my serious consideration , I am firmly convinced that the best course is , to rebuild the Temple on tho old lines or nearly so , making use of all available space for seating accommodation , give increased facilities for entrance and exit , do away with all adjoining flues , and render the building as nearly as possible fireproof . Yours fraternally , E . P . W ., P . M .

The Prestonian Lectures.

THE PRESTONIAN LECTURES .

To the Editor of the FREEMASON ' S CHRONICLE . DEAR SIR AND BROTHER , —I read in the Freemasons' Calendar and Pocket Book , published " under the sanction of the United Grand Lodge of England , and by command of tho M . W . Grand Master , " under tbe head of " Remarkable Occurrences in Freemasonry , " that in 1819 Brother William Preston , of the Lodge of Antiquity , author

of the " Illustrations of Masonry , " bequeathed , amongst other Masonic gifts , £ 500 Consols to the Fund of Benevolence , and £ 300 Consols for the Prestonian Lecture . Now , Sir , I believe it is about twenty years since the Prestonian Lecture was delivered ; tbe last time by Bro . Henry G . Warren . Can any of your readers inform me what , if anything , is done with the principal or interest on tbe £ 300 Consols , which must have been accruing for so long a period ? It

would also be worth while to know what has become of the MSS . of tho lecture or lectures as they were given in the three Craft degrees . For many years these lectures were delivered annually , but for a long period they appear to have been altogether forgotten . I have listened to them with great pleasure , and I have no doubt many of our younger brethren would do the same if they had the opportunity of doing so .

I am , Dear Sir and Brother , Yours fraternally , 2 Gth November 1883 . P . M .

The Percy Lodge Of Instruction.

THE PERCY LODGE OF INSTRUCTION .

To the Editor of the FREEMASON ' CHRONICLE . DEAR SIR AND BROTHER , —In a late number of the FREEMASON ' S CHRONICLE , I noticed that some doubts were expressed as to whether tho late Bro . Stephen Barton Wilson was a member of the PeTcy Lodge of Instruction . Now I can unhesitatingly answer the question in the affirmative , that he was not only a member , but its able and talented Preceptor aud Instructor . The Lodgo used to meet at the

The Percy Lodge Of Instruction.

Falcon Tavern , Fetter-lane , every Saturday uisht , where Bro . Barton Wilson was always present , and often have I listened with greatest interest and pleasure to that information and explanation of different parts of our ritual which he was so eminently qualified to afford . As ono who profited by his teaching , I have great satisfaction in now rendering my humble tribute of respect to his memory .

I remain , Dear Sir and Brother , Yours truly and fraternally , H . TnoMPsox 1426 . and P . M . 177 and 1158 .

Installation Meetings, &C.

INSTALLATION MEETINGS , & c .

STOUR VALLEY LODGE , No . 1224 . — : n : —

npHE fifteenth anniversary and installation meeting of this Lodge , - »•which now numbers sixty-three members on its books , waj held at the Lodge room , Masonic Hall , Sudbury , on Friday , tbe 16 th nit . Present—Bros . Ardley W . M ., Jennings S . W ., Grimwood J . W ., Rev . Wilkinson Chaplain , Hill P . P . G . J . W . Suffolk Treasurer , Wheeler P . P . G . Reg . Suffolk P . M . Secretary , Alston S . D ., B . H .

Hirst Organist , Piatt I . G ., J . George Steward , W . H . Smith I . P . M ., Emmerson P . M ., Rev . C . J . Marfcyn D . P . Gr . M . Suffolk , Brothers Joslin , Wells , Reid , Revolta , Murrells , Lilley , Fenn , Havard-Jones , Whittle , Row , Kilpaok , Mauldon , Aprile , Sewell , Mason , Wells , Joslin , Walford , and Sholl . Visiting Brothers—George J . Paine W . M . 1008 , J . G . Oliver I . P . M . 1008 , A . E . Smith W . M . 1983 , R .

Titlow 1983 , J . Oakley Green 388 , P . N . Canova 1983 , J . G . Mills I . P . M . 697 P . G . P . Essex , E . W . Moore 388 , A . Norman 697 , W . J . Browne 1983 , H . Cullum 1663 , J . M . Canova P . G . S . W . Suffolk P . M . 1983 , F . Grimwood I . G . 114 , George Thompson P . M . 1008 . The Lodge was opened in the three degrees , aud Bros . Wells and Sewell were raised to the sublime degree of M . M ., the ceremony

being performed by the W . M . Tbe Installing Master tbe Rev . C . J . Martyn D . P . G . M . took the chair , and after explaining the second portion of the traditional history and working tools to tbe newly made M . M . ' s , Bro . Jennings S . W " . was presented by the W . M . as Wor . Master elect . He having taken the customary obligation , a Board of Installed Masters was formed , and Bro . Jennings was

i duly installed into the chair of K . S ., the ceremony being most ably : rendered by the D . P . G . M . The W . M . then appointed his Officers as ' . follow : —Bros . Grimwood S . W ., Alston J . W ., Pratfc S . D ., Tilley J . D ., ' Mason I . G ., Hills Treas ., Wheeler Sec , Rev . J . F . Wilkinson Chap ., { Hurst Organist , George Steward , Maceldon M . C ., Sholl Tyler . I Bro . Wm . Inglis Mason , M . D ., I . G ., who had recently presented to

, the Lodge a very beautiful organ , in a handsome rosewood case , ! with gilt pipes , which had rendered goodly service during the recent j ceremony , and whose rich tones had been much appreciated , was 1 then presented , by Bro . Martyn , with a beautifully illuminated vote i of thanks on vellum , signed by the Officers and memberB of the Lodgo , < and framed in a rich gilt frame , with Masonic emblems . Bro . Martyn ,

i in making tbe presentation , said tbe heartfelt thanks and j gratitude of the Lodge were due to Brother Mason for the i handsome and most useful present of the beautiful organ which he •had so kindly and generously given to the Lodge . After this very ' gratifying ceremony , tbe newly-installed W . M . presented to the j Lodge a beautifully painted banner on silk . The D . P . G . M . then

¦ proposed a hearty vote of thanks to Bro . Colonel Shadwell Clerke ' . G . S . and Capt . Phillips P . G . D ,, for the kind support and assistance j they rendered in securing the election to the Boys' School of tho son | of tbe late esteemed Bro . Orlando Steed . This was seconded by the | W . M ., and carried unanimously . The Charity Column having j been passed round , it produced £ 1 5 a 6 d . The Lodge was then

j closed , and the brethren adjourned , to the number of about forty , to the Rose and Crown Hotel , and partook of a most snmptuous banquet provided by the host , Bro . George , the j W . M . occupying the chair , supported by the Installing Master , Rev . 1 C . J . Martyn , Thompson P . M . 1008 , & o . Conspicuous among the

! Visitors were several members of the Martyn Lodge , 1983 , South-¦ ' wold . The usual Loyal and Masonic toasts were duly given and honoured ; some excellent songs were sung , accompanied on the piano j by the Organist Bro . Hurst . Some good recitations were also coni ' tribnted . After spending a most enjoyable evening the brethren 11 separated , at 11 o'clock .

CASTLE LODGE , No . 1621 .

A REGULAR meeting of the members of this Lodge was held at tho Crown Hotel , Bridgnorth , on Friday , 23 rd November 1883 . Present—Bros . T . Whitefoot jun . W . M ., W . L . Southwell S . W ., J . H . Cooksey J . W ., H . E . Roberts Secretary , T . F . Nock S . D ., W . W „„„ r , 4-t T T > "Pow X > T IT T . n / uia ntio . nln . in -T Hnwoll Ortmnisfc . H «

J . Skelding and A . Betheil Stewards , G . Westcott I . G ., W . Simtns

P . M ., T . Pratt P . M ., E . J . Chittey P . M . P . P . A . G . D . C , A . Pitt , A . S . Trevor , Thomas Whitefoot , J . Galley Secretary 823 , and H . Goodall Tyler . Tho Lodge having been opened , and the minutes of las * regular Lodge and Lodge of Emergency , held 26 th October , confirmed , Bro . Dr . Lucas was duly proved in proficiency previous to

being passed to the degree of F . C ., and he withdrew . Lodge was advanced , and the ceremony of passing Bro . Dr . Lucas was performed and Lodge reduced . Mr . Thomas Bromwich , of Bridgnorth , p hotographer , who had previously been unanimously elected by ballot , was then admitted and initiated . The W . M . then proposed that Bro . P . M . Joseph Stokes P . P . G . R . be elected an honorary member of the Lodge , as a mark of the esteem of the brethren , and in recognition _ ot tho essential services rendered by him as the Founder of the Lodge aud its first Master . In doing so he commented upon the great