Thankofferings.

THANKOFFERINGS .

BKO . HAVEES'S AND THE EEV . BEO . SIMPSON'S PEOPOSALS .

OUR readers , doubtless , have seen the letter published last week , from Bro . Constable , and likewise the report quoted from our Masonic contemporary by the Daily Neivs , which formed the subject of our esteemed brother ' s denunciation . Those of them who have the entree to Grand Lodgo know also , by this time , that two

propositions are included in the agenda paper for the Quarterly Communication of Grand Lodge , which will be held on Wednesday , the 7 th inst . These propositions emanate from Bros . John Havers and the Rev . R . J . Simpson respectively , the motive in each case being the same ,

namely , to give substantial evidence of the real and unaffected joy which Masonry feels at the safe return home from India of the Prince of Wales . The manner , however , in which it is proposed to convey that evidence differs materially in the two resolutions . Bro . Havers invites

Grand Lodge to devote a sum of £ 2 , 000 , "in aid of the restoration of the two churches which are most intimately connected with the history of Freemasonry in England , " that is to say , £ 1 , 000 towards the restoration of St . Paul ' s Cathedra ] , and £ 1 , 000 towards that of St . Alban ' s Abbey .

Bro . the Rev . R . J . Simpson will move that a service of thanksgiving be held by the Craft , in St . Paul ' s Cathedral , on some convenient day , and that £ 1 , 000 be voted from the moneys of Grand Lodge towards the funds of such charitable object in India as may be recommended by the

Grand Master . It was the latter part of this second motion which evoked , from Bro . Constable , an objection so instant ; and having given admission to his strong

expostulation against our Rev . Brother ' s idea , we purpose , on the present occasion , offering a few remarks on the subject of Grand Lodge Charity , and these proposed exceptional applications of its funds .

In the first place , we recognise the propriety of Grand Lodge , as the Diet of English Freemasons , expressing officially its hearty congratulations at the safe return , from foreign travel , of the Prince who presides over that Diet . In the next place , we see no well founded objection to the

rejoicing at so auspicious an event taking a substantial turn ; or , in other -words , to a sum of money , more or less considerable , being voted from Grand Lodge funds towards some charitable object , as a meet token of the joy we experience , that His Royal Highness has been restored to

us in full and vigorous health , after accomplishing so successful a progress through the Indian dominions of the Queen , his mother . There , however , Ave fear our accord

with either Bro . Havers or his Reverend Grand colleague is , in some measure , at an end . In dealing with the proposed motions , we- shall give priority to that of Bro . Havers . It is first in order of the business to be transacted

next Wednesday , and our comments on it will be briefer than on its rival , Bro . Simpson ' s motion . Assuming that our Charitable Institutions are sufficiently well provided with money to meet all requirements , actual and prospective , and that there is a large surplus at the

disposal of Grand Lodge , with no imminent chance of any demand being made upon it ; assuming , further , that , as far as human foresight can suggest , there is little likelihood

of Grand Lodge available funds being reduced in the future , but rather a hope that they may go on increasing , then we say , we know of no worthier object to which English Freemasonry can contribute than towards the

Thankofferings.

restoration of our metropolitan Cathedral of St . Paul ' s , or rather—and we presume this is the real aim of Bro . Havers ' s motion—the completion of its original designs , as contemplated by the great architect , Sir Christopher Wren , Without committing ourselves to an opinion as to whether

Wren was a Mason in the sense in which we use the word now , we think there is little doubt that , but for his very advanced age , he would have played a prominent , perhaps the most prominent , part in the revival of Masonry as a speculative science . He was a great architect , a man of

great scientific attainments ; moreover , he was a good man . He was certainly a prince among architects and geometricians , if not a master of our Craft in a speculative sense ; and as such he is worthy of all the honours which modern Freemasonry can bestow upon his memory . The

completion of St . Paul ' s Cathedral according to his design may be regarded almost as a national work , and Freemasonry must not lag behind the rest of the world in contributing

to works of national importance . Assuming then that there are , momentarily , no worthier objects on which Grand Lodge can expend its surplus funds , wo see no reason why so much of Bro . Havers ' s motion as relates to the Cathedral

of St . Pauls should not find favour , nor do we think £ 1 , 000 too large a sum to vote for such a purpose . As regards the restoration of St . Alban ' s Abbey , we are not of the same mind as Bro . Havers . That St Albans is a very ancient town , that its Abbey dates back to very early

times , and that the Abbot thereof was granted precedence of all other Abbots in England , we have seen stated in historical works more or less trustworthy . Whether , however , there really ever was a St . Alban , who was a worthy Knight and Steward to the King , and had the making of

the Town Walls of verulam , since named after him , St . Albans ; whether he loved Masons well and cherished them , paying tliem " every week three shillings sixpence to their double wages , " and obtaining for them " a Charter of the King , " and gave them " Charges ; " whether , we say , a

St . Alban ever lived , and if so , whether he did or did not do all these things which are ascribed to him—these are points we decline , on the evidence of a few MSS . of indeterminate value , to accept . We have a deep reverence for the past , but we do not " swallow " unproven all that

is said or written about it . From a Masonic point of view , perhaps , there is no great harm done if we set down St . Alban as our first Grand Master of England . It is a pretty name , and the story reads prettily enough ; but we must be careful to make mention , be it sportive or serious ,

of this interesting myth only among ourselves . If we announce publicly that we have voted £ 1 , 000 towards the restoration of St . Albans Abbey , because of a connection with our Order which never existed , the world , perhaps , may cynically quote a well known proverb , about fools and

their money being soon parted ; and , worse still , we shall deserve the rebuke . If , however , Bro . Havers can prove that St . Albans Abbey is one of "the two churches which are most intimately connected with the history of Freemasonry in England , " we should be inclined to add a rider

to his resolution , to the effect that a sum of £ 1 , 000 be presented to him for having made so wonderful a discovery . So much for Bro . Havers ' s motion . Let Grand Lodge satisfy itself there is no place within the domains proper of Masonry which stands in need of charity , and no

likelihood of a call upon its funds for such purpose being made in the immediate or more distant future , and then , if it seem fit , let it vote £ 1 , 000 towards the completion of Wren ' s great masterpiece ; but with the St . Albans part of his proposition , we have little , if any , sympathy .