Tenure Of Provincial Grand Masterships.

often purchased at the cost of great suffering , sometimes at tlio expense of the life of the reformer himself , but none the less taken full benefit of by the present generation , which , in turn , is working to

improve the position of those to follow . Freemasons are proverbial for their dislike of any change , but thero are many matters of daily moment to the Craft which seem to offer ample scope for

improvement . Among them may be included the subject we have devoted attention to in our present remarks , and which , sooner or later , is likely to push itself prominently before the Brotherhood .

At Home In A Strange Lodge.

AT HOME IN A STRANGE LODGE .

MASONRY ia an institution of universal limit . In every clime , under every sun , its language is spoken . And it haa a language peculiar to itself . There ia a magnetic charm about ita mystic circle that binds its members with indissoluble ties . In a strange city or a foreign land ,

when we meet one who has travelled the Mason ' s road , and has learned to speak the Mason ' s language , a feeling of kindsbip comes over us , and wo feel no longer as a stranger . We can talk together of our own peculiar home scenes ,

and , as we converse , a thrill of pleasure comes to us , and we aro led to look with greater love and reverence upon that Institution , in which " the fatherhood of God , and the brotherhood of man , " are acknowledged as fundamental doctrines .

When tho beautiful symbols and peculiar signs are known , there is implanted in the heart a feeling of affection , born of mystery— -a recognition of equality , that leads us to believe that he who has heen instructed in theso things has passed the trying ordeal of inspection , and having been

counted worthy to bo admitted to the north-east corner of the Lodge-room , is entitled to , and should receive , our love and confidence . We aro bound by the same tics . We havo been brought to light in tho same way . We have beheld the great lights upon the same altar . Have listened

to the samo words of wisdom , and participated in tho samo ceremonies . Thero is no difference . The language of Masonry is the same the world over . It is the language of tbe pure heart instructed in divine principles . It speaks

in the eye that beholds the sign , in the tongue that speaks the word , and in the hand that feels the grip . The heart is borne in the hand , and when clasped , the hearts beat in unison of brotherly love .

Masonry then is one universal family . For convenience and from necessity it is divided into small families called Lodges . A Mason , whoso footprints are in the right path , who is entitled to a recognition by his own Lodge , should

bo welcomed wherever he go « . Not only in the hour of distress , but in the hour of pleasure , should his sign bo answered . In visiting a Lodge he shonld be made to feel that the spirit of kinship exists among the members of the Fraternity in every Lodge .

We had occasion to visit a Lodge not long ago , where there seemed to be a kind of selfishness in every one present . We knew no one personally in the Lodge room . Once seated we looked about us . No wonder there were

so few present . The room was cold , and a chill was cast over the feelings , too . The members were like marble statues in some art gallery , speechless and without emotion . There was no revealing of secrets there or anything else . Silence , cold and mysterious , pervaded the whole room .

In one corner the organist , after a time , tiring of the monotony of his position , struck the keys of his instrument , trembling as though fearing to arouse some spiritless spirit of the past , and played in a soft minor key some part of a forgotten funeral dirge .

We certainly felt out of place . No one , Master , Wardens , or Brethren spoke one word to us . Wo felt the grasp of no brother ' s hand . We received no word of welcome from any one . It was natural that we should wonder where the Masonic lessons of these brethren

had been learned . They had no word of welcome for the stranger , hardly an expression of pleasure among themselves . No wonder , we say , there were few present . It is unpleasant to visit such a Lodge . The fault is with the brethren themselves . They need a galvanic battery to start the proper circulation .

At Home In A Strange Lodge.

Those families of Masons where a stranger is made to feel at home are always cheerful , and , without an exception , they will be found to be prosperous . The Treasury is full and is used for the good of the need y . Tho knock at the inner door is heard at every meeting .

The influence from it goes beyond the circle of its membership to the world without , and the stranger to Masonic language desires to learn the strange and mysterious tongue that binds those brethren "together in unity . " Tho influence of such a Lodge is carried by tho stranger

who visits it to other circles of our great brotherhood and as the ripples widen in the sea until they reach the most distant shore , so that influence spreads until it ig felt far and near . On this subject we find the Keystone speaking in beautiful admonition , and with its words wo close .

" There is no greater pleasure in Freemasonry than to visit a Lodge in which you are heartily received and welcomed . You then experience Freemasonry in actionnot precept , but practice . You realize that the Craft doe-j not consist of isolated Lodges , but comprises ono great

Fraternity . We aro all one . Lodge lines aro swept away . Even jurisdictions aro forgotten . The universal brother , hood is everything . Tylers , Worshipful Masters , and brethren , cannot too faithfully perform their duties in thia regard , thereby causing their Lodges to be noted for their fraternal reception of Visitors . " —W . Y . Despatch .

Last Week's Festival.

LAST WEEK'S FESTIVAL .

THE congratulations we were last week ablo to offer to tbe English Craft , in connection with tho Anniversary Festival of tho Royal Masonic Institution for Boys ,

havo lost none of their force when viewed from the distance which the interval has provided . The applanse which followed the actual announcement mado by Brother McLeod as to the financial outcome of tho Festival haa

been re-echoed throughout tho country , and enthusiasm has increased rather than diminished since tho result has been published to tho world . This is very gratifying , and

must afford additional evidence to thoso who aro intimately associated with tho School that the future of the Charity is likely to bo even more brilliant than the past , and will no doubt lead them to make more strenuous efforts to

extend its usefulness and promote its welfare . It must have been a considerable gratification to tho Chairman to see his own Province taking so prominent a place among tho contributors . As we said last week , thoso who work with Lord Lathom are never satisfied with

secondary honours , and the efforts of the West Lancashire brethren in support of their Provincial Grand Master will ever stand out as a prominent example of what is possible in tho Masonic Order when a number of brethren unite to give tangible proof of loyalty to their chief , and desire to

show respect for a most popnlar Craftsman . The district was represented by no less than 134 Stewards , and their joint contributions reached tho handsome total of £ 6 , 030 , a result which may be more fully appreciated when set in comparison with the outcome of the Girls' School Festivals

of the past three years , whicb show an aggregate of £ 24 , 976 9 s , or an average of £ 8 , 325 10 s each . West Lancashire has thus set a record it will be very difficult for any district to equal , much less exceed , but with snch good feeling towards the Charities as seems to be in favour

just now , and with the important celebration in connection with the Jubilee of the Benevolent Institution next year in prospect , there is no knowing what is in store for the Craft . West Lancashire has won the proud distinction of contributing tho largest sum over received from a Province ,

but the members are not covetous , and would willingly resign their title to premier rank at the earliest possible date to any province who could secure a better record than they have just made . The total will be a hard one to beat , but there is always room at the topand we believe the

, earnest wish of all interested in the achievement ot last week is to see some district beating them at the Jubilee Festival of the Benevolent Institution , to be held next February , and the same may bo said in regard to all

who were associated with the snccess of the Festival as whole . What has been achieved for the Boys' School is regarded as most satisfactory , and it will lose none of " ** splendour if it is put wholly in the shade by the result ot