Cheshire Educational Masonic Institution.

CHESHIRE EDUCATIONAL MASONIC INSTITUTION .

THE twenty-fourth annual report of the Committee of this valuable Institution , the object of which is the education and advancement in life of the children of distressed and deceased Freemasons , has just been issued ,

and although its general tone is somewhat disappointing , yet the Committee state that , notwithstanding very exceptional depression in mercantile circles , the income of the Institution has "fairly met all its requirements /'

Taking all things into consideration , this may be regarded as matter for congratulation , for when we hear of the results of our great Masonic Festivals suffering in consequence of the extraordinary demands made upon

the benevolent during this Jubilee year , it can hardly be wondered at that local associations must share in the same falling off . Thirty-four children have been educated , at an expense of £ 227 17 s lid ; of these , five retire by

rotatation , and there are six applicants for election . The initiation and joining fees , as recommended by Provincial Grand Lodge to be contributed by Lodges , have materially decreased , owing no doubt to the number of initiations

having been less than last year ; but donations have so far made up the deficiency as to leave the funds of the Institution virtually intact . Regret is expressed by the Committee that so many of tho Lodges in the

Province do not support the Institution in the way they ought to do , considering the very great assistance fcheir nominees receive from it . One or two Lodges endeavoured to promote the interests of the Institution by

entertainments , but the proceeds do not appear to have come up to the expectations of the generous brethren who originated the idea . The Committee conclude with the very sound intimation tbat unless the Worshipful Master of every

Lodge can pick out from the members of his Lodges an energetic brother to represent the value of the Institution aud get the support of his Lodge , it will decrease in power , instead of increasing , as it is essential it should do . They

add , " If there is anything that fche majority of our Lodges can suggest that would promote the prosperity of this truly home Charity , do let them come forward and help your Committee in promulgating this very desirable way

of helping those who , through the ardent competition of modern days , have lost opportunities which their position justified . Such an appeal can hardly fail to reach the hearts of the brethren in the Province , and we trust the response may be such as will enable the Committee to present us with a much more cheerful report next year .

With very pleasant recollections of the Domatic Summer Banquet last year , at Kempton Park , we note that the Directors have again given the free use of their charming place in the Thames Valley , for the " Victorian Jubilee

Festival , " on Tuesday , the 19 th inst . As before , the Park of over three hundred acres , together with the pavilion and grand stands , will be at the exclusive use of the Visitors . It should be borne in mind that this Festival is not

restricted to Freemasons , but is for brethren and their friends , while members of others Lodges are cordially invited . In the early part of fche afternoon there is to be a variet y entertainment , and the band of the 10 th Hussars will plav

on the lawn throughout the day . The banquet will be served ia the pavilion at four o'clock , and when we know the arrangements are in the hands of those well-known caterers Messrs . Bertram and Co ., little further need be

said to assure our friends of an excellent repast . Immediately after the banquet a concert will be given in a tent , under the direction of Bro . Carl Reichelmann , Organist of the Lodge , and the festivities will wind up with

a grand ball in the pavilion . There are many of us who vividl y recollect the round of enjoyment which characterised last year ' s Domatic outing , and will eagerly look forward to this event , which promises to be one of a varied

and interesting character . It goes without saying that , with such a body of Stewards as usually carry out the arrangements on behalf of tho " good old Lodge 177 " ( which last year celebrated its Centenary ) , headed bv

Brokers Abel Simner W . M ., Harry Nelson Price I . P . M ., Geo . -Everett P . M . Treasurer , and others , nothing will be wanting to ensure a thoroughly happy and successful gatheringprovided , of course , the weather is fine , which everybody topes it may be .

Cheshire Educational Masonic Institution.

The Annual Provincial Grand Lodge of Kent is fixed to take place on Wednesday next , at the Bull Hotel , Dartford ,

under the presidency of Bro . the Earl of Amherst Prov . Grand Master . The agenda contains some very important items of business , after the transaction of which the brethren will attend special service at the parish church ,

and the banquet is fixed for four o ' clock , at the Conservative Hall , Spital-street . Special arrangements have been made with the S . E . R . and L . C . and D . R . Companies

for the conveyance of brethren to and from Dartford , from London and all parts of the Province , and a large gathering is anticipated .

It is a well recognised fact that the result of the recent Festival of the Royal Masonic Institution for Boys was

disastrously affected by the difficulty that encompassed Bro . Binckes , almost to the eleventh hour , in his not being in a position to announce who would be his President . On the next occasion this difficulty will not have to be

encountered , inasmuch as the Right Worshipful Provincial Grand Master of Devon , Viscount Ebrington , M . P ., has given his consent to the announcement being made that he will preside afc the Ninetieth Anniversary Festival , that for 1888 . Doubtless the members of the Province

of Devon will support their chief in a manner that will be satisfactory to all who desire the progress of this excellent Institution .

The meetings of the Royal Jubilee Lodge of Instruction , No . 72 , held on Wednesday evenings , afc the Mitre , Chancery Lane , are adjourned until the third Wednesday in September next .

WHAT IT MEANS TO BE A MASON . —When an individual ia infcrodnced to us as a Brother Mason , we have reason to feel thafc we have formed the acquaintance of a good and upright man . Of course we know nothing of the person just named , but we are aware of the engagements that he ha . entered into , of tbe solemn obligations

that he has assumed , and when we consider all the surroundings , and what such a one should be , we assume that we have formed the acquaintance of a good man . To make Masonry a good Institution the men who compose its membership should be above reproach . In plain words , all Masons should be good men . And this condition in

life can be achieved if the Fraternity will closely observe its lessons and teachings . We do not admire half-way Masons or partial ones . We believe iu being pure , absolute Craftsmen . Do just whafc the admonitions of our ritual tell us to do . Study well the creed and follow it to the letter . This is the kind of Masonry that we admire , and it ia the kind that ia easily accomplished . —Illinois Freemason .

Miss Grace Hawthorne , finding it impossible | fco produce "Theodora "' before the Autumn , announces that she will inaugurate her lessee , ship and season at the Princess's Theatre on Thursday , 14 th July , with a melodrama by Messrs . Joseph Jefferson and L . R . Shewell , entitled " Shadows of a Great City . " Miss Hawthorne has secured the services of a strong company , while new scenery is being prepared .

Notes For Masonic Students.

Notes For Masonic Students .

— : o : — 1 . —NORTON ' S ORDIHAIL . SOME discussion has lately arisen among Masonio students in America and England in respect of that curious poetic Hermetic Treatise whioh appeared for the first time iu print in the " Theatrum Chronicam" of Elias Ashmole , in 1652 . Ashmole , like other Hermetic writers , was regarded with some little doubt and hesitation , especially as to the genuineness and authenticity of this and other

" Poetical Pieces " on " the Hermetique Mysteries . " Such doubts and hesitation were however unfounded , the more so as Norton ' s Ordinall was alluded to in other Hermetic works . Mr . B . Quaritoh , the eminent collector , of 15 Piccadilly , has now a very valuable and unique MS . of the " Ordinall of Alchemy , "

with six drawings on vellum and illuminated , and of transcription circa 1650 . Tho interest of this work to Masonic students consists in the fact it mentions " Freemasons . " The Ordinall is itself of much earlier date , and some have thought that it contains the first reference to Freemasons as a body . If its

actual date be approximate to that which Ashmole originally seemed to ascribe to it , in 1612 , then it may well be that this is the first distinct reference to the body qua a Fraternity or Institution . But there are very early uses of the word Freemasons singly , which seem to demonstrate the undoubted existence of such a body of men .

It is just possible , if we follow up all such quotations and indicia , carefully , and collect and collate them , we may find a closer connection existing between Freemasons and Hermetios than has hitherto been deemed either possible or probable . SPEED .

[ We have great pleasure in printing the above communication of our correspondent " SPEKO , " and will readily find space for similar ' * ideas" from other Masonic Students . —ED . F . C . ]