New Grand Lodge Officers.

NEW GRAND LODGE OFFICERS .

THE agenda for next Wednesday's meeting of United Grand Lodge explains the desire of the Grand Master to extend the number of offices in Grand , Provincial and District Grand Lodges . We can imagine the proposal to be then submitted to the

ruling body of the Craft will be hailed with satisfaction , as for some time past there has been a growing desire for further offices , so as to provide honours for the ever increasing number of distinguished

Craftsmen deemed worthy of some special recognition for their services to Freemasonry . So far as Grand Lodge is concerned it is proposed to create a new office , by the appointment of a Grand Chancellor , " whose duties

shall be those at present assigned to the Grand Registrar , " but nothing is said as to the future of that official . We hope the time honoured title of Registrar it is not to be abolished , even in favour of the more pretentious designation of Chancellor , yet the duties

having been assigned to another there would seem to be no need to re-appoint a Registrar , unless other duties are to devolve upon him , in which case we should have imagined provision would have been

made for them in the Constitutions , at the same time as " the other alterations ' were suggested . The other new Grand Officers proposed are four additional Grand Deacons , and a Deputy Grand Sword Bearerappointments which explain'themselves , while as regards subordinate Grand Bodies the suggesstions of

the Grand Master are'of * a -similar character where the Private Lodges ruled over number not less than 100 , with minor '* concessions in cases where fewer Lodges are concei'hed . I 3 yen with these fresh offices the honours to be conferred by rulers of the Craft will be very limited , in view of the many claims they must have for preferment , but the additions will afford some little relief , and on that account will be heartily welcomed by all owing allegiance to the Grand Lodge of England .

The coming meeting of Grand Lodge will also have to consider another message from the Grand Mastera proposal to vote three hundred gniribas to the Mansion House Fund on behalf of the sufferers by the disastrous fire at St . John ' s , Newfoundland . It is not often that the Grand Master monopolises so much of the business of our' Quarterly Communica-I

tions , and the fact of his doing so on the present occasion is evidence of his great interest in the affairs of Freemasonry , and an additional incentive to mem- ; bers of the Order to follow , as far as possible , in his footsteps . The gratification of the Craft at being able to show practical sympathy ' with their fellows in Newfoundland will find expression on this occasion .

and will doubtless assist iri cementing the friendship already existing between the two sections of the Empire , both from a general and a Masonic standpoint . The other business to Be ' brought before Grand

New Grand Lodge Officers.

Lodge may be explained as being of a formal character , full details being given in the agenda , of which we give a copy in our current issue .

Religion In Masonry.

RELIGION IN MASONRY .

Extracts from an address by Rev . Bro . W . E . Mumford , before the Grand Lodge of Georgia , 27 th October 1891 .

HOWEVER much I may , by the profane , he classed in my calling as a sectarian priest or a partizan advocate of a theory of religion , the truth remains , if I am possessed of partizan feeling or sectarian attitude *? , on the threshold of these portals I mnst doff all semblance of the

same , and in this significant presence stand stripped of everything that narrows my life to creed or plants by being in the limited confines of partizanship to a theory or adherence to exclusive personal opinion , lest I mar the beauty of delightsome unity , despoil the blending of hearts

agreed , or smother the sounds of sweetest harmony . Here , in this sacred brotherhood , aa Masons , we aro taught to know no man ' s party , to pin our faith to no one creed divergent from our own , but to meet around a common altar , where peasant is as great

as prince , where Christian , Jew and Mohammedan , of whatever faith or order , banish dogmas , creeds , theories , vain disputings and theological differences , to greet each other as the children of a common Father , linked in heart and soul by the silken cords of God's holy

love . When , on bended knee , we bow to God and talk to Him , all our differences cease . It is only when we talk to one another that we differ . Here , then , is one spot , one grand altar , where God alone is known and obeyed as the

One Supreme Grand Master above . Such principles , such truths as these are the towers of strength of this grand and noble Order . In these teachings is grounded all that has made Masonry solid and enduring .

On these sublime principles is our magnificent Fraternity builded . And all this was enough to for ever settle the truth that between religion and Freemasonry—between the church and Freemasonry—there is not the slightest discordant element . Masonry is everywhere the friend

and helper of all that tends to make men better or relieve suffering humanity . Not enmity for that which is good , and for the upbuilding of the human race , is the meaning of our existence as a band of brethren , but cordial sympathy , assistance and support to everything looking in

that direction . Wherefore , then , should Masonry have an enemy in the ranks of the pure and the good ? And , wherefore , should any man or Mason ever for one moment contend that in Masonry there is no religion ? Let all

such views be banished from our minds and conscience *? , and let the man who wonld attempt to promulgate them understand that that he is not in harmony with the purest doctrines of our benevolent creed . There is religion in Freemasonry .

If to believe in and hononr and revere an All wise God as the Supreme Architect of the Universeand the Guiding Power of all existences—if this be religion , then there is religion in Freemasonry . The profaning the name of God , the dragging of tbat holy name down into onr own filth'and