New Hall At Minehead.

NEW HALL AT MINEHEAD .

A SPECIAL Provincial Grand Lodge was held at Mmehead , on the 18 th ult ., for the purpose of opening a new Masonic Hall , erected for their use by the members of theExmoor Lodge , No . 2390 . The building was designed by Bro . F . W . Boberts P . G . S . W ., Taunton , and is a handsome structure in the Benaissance style , containing a Lodge Boom 30 ft . by 20 ft . and

16 ft . high ; robing and ante-rooms ; and other conveniences . The proceedings commenced with divine service at St . Andrew ' s Church , the sermon being preached by the Provincial Grand Chaplain ( the Bev . E . A . Sandford , of Henbury , Bristol ) . The opening ceremony was performed by the Bt . Hon . Viscount

Dangarvan Prov . G . M . of Somerset , assisted by Bro . B . C . Else D . P . G . M . P . G . D . England . A banquet was subsequently held at the Plume of Feathers Hotel , to which about 110 sat down . All the Lodges of Somerset , with the exception of seven , were represented at the ceremony . — " Bristol Times and Mirror . "

Lord Amherst Provincial Grand Superintendent of Kent has appointed Comp . Alfred Spencer as Prov . Grand Scribe E ., in the place of Comp . T . S . Warne , lately deceased . Comp . Spencer has been Prov . Grand Secretary for many years .

o o o In the current issue of " The Graphic , " at page 768 , is a

picture which should be of much interest to Freemasons , though the artist does not appear to realise its importance . The scene represents two Egyptian soldiers on horseback looking at certain signs on the ground , and the following description is given of the picture : — " The scouts of the Egyptian Cavalry , when tracking

the enemy , came across hexagonal signs made on the sands , or on trees , by the Dervishes . The signs convey no meaning to the Egyptians , but are looked upon by all as signifying defiance . " Members of the Craft will not be so ignorant as the Egyptian scouts , though if this account be correct it is somewhat

extraordinary , as the signs took their rise in that country . Still , the description is erroneous . The signs are not hexagonal , but quinquangular , and are used in Freemasonry to denote the F . P . of F . It is hardly likely therefore that they should be used as signifying defiance ; and we put it to the Brethren serving with

the forces in Egypt , of whom there must be several , that an entirely different interpretation should be given of the signs . Might they not be placed on the sand by friendly tribes , or by certain persons in the enemy ' s camp who are anxious to impart their good will , but who are unable by force of circumstances to escape from their position or betray their fellows ?

We should often think of our duties to one another as Brothers . It is one of the grandest features of our organisation that no political discussions or controversies can ever enter our Lodge Booms . Even when differing widely , always treat one another fairly . Never speak of a Brother behind his back what

you would not say to his face . We would not , if we could , have all think alike or think as we do , but we can be-true Brothers all the same . This part and teaching of Masonry is as good out of the Lodge as in . We violate no obligation , and keep the spirit of all by gentlemanly and generous speech and deportment .

Bemember , further , that false and malicious statements about a Brother who happens to think differently from you injure yourself more than him . Not only is honesty the best policy ,

but so is generous charity . ' Envy and malice pucker up the soul in which they find entertainment . Try to remember how good you felt when you were conscious of having done a noble thing , and try to feel that way all the time . — " Minstrel . "

It has been decided to continue the meetings of the Citadel Lodge of Instruction , No . 1897 , at the Farleigh Hotel , Amhurst Boad , N . ( near West Hackney Church ) , during the summer months , and it is hoped members and their Masonic friends will

attend as often as possible . The meetings are held every Friday , at 8 o ' clock , for rehearsal of Ceremonies and Sectional Working , and on the last Friday in every month a meeting of the Masonic Charities Association is held .

Form Of The Lodge.

FORM OF THE LODGE .

T the last monthly meeting of the Board of General Purposes held in - £ - Wellington , a resolution was adopted having reference to the many errors of construction in connection with the erection of Masonic Halls . The practical effect of the resolution is , that all Masters of Lodges outside the principal towns of the colony be asked to submit the plans of any proposed new Lodge building to the Superintendent of the district for his assistance and advice , and this advice will in all cases refer to the form and situation

Form Of The Lodge.

of the Lodge , not the technical construction . The reasons for excluding the principal towns will be obvious . First , that in all , substantial buildings have been erected . Second , that owing to the value of land area , the conditions are not always applicable or possible . And , thirdly , it is presumed that when there are councellors in plenty there will be wisdom in abundance . It is

somewhat singular that in the erection of Masonic edifices , especially in country districts where land is comparatively inexpensive , and consequently not a factor in the consideration , so little attention should be paid to those conditions which are not only sanctioned by custom and tradition , but are necessary for the proper illustration of true Masonic teaching . In the

explanation of the tracing board of the first degree , the form of the Lodge is laid down as " an oblong square , "—the correct term would be a " rectangular oblong "—and its situation is described as being due " East and West , " the reason for which being fully explained . In a Smost ^ excellent work on the "Etiquette of Freemasonry" we find the following dictum laid down in

reference to this especial question : — " It is highly desirable that these two conditions should be literally fulfilled whenever and wherever it may be possible . It is very desirable that the door of entrance should be in the West or quasi-West , and , if possible , on the left of the S . W . ' s chair . In this position there are several advantages . The position of the J . D . being on the

right of the S . W ., if the door be on his right hand also , the J . D . and I . G . will be thrown too nearly together ; whereas if the door be on the left hand , then the J . D . on the one side and the I . G . on the other balance each other . The door being' on the left of the S . W ., the J . W . and I . G . are within clear view of each other , and members of the Lodge and visitors are , immediately

on their entrance , brought under the direct notice of the J . W . If the candidate be admitted on the left of the S . W ., he is at once in proper situation for proceeding with the ceremony ; but if he enters on the right of the S . W . chair he has to pass it twice , in direct contravention of the theory of passing through three door-ways—one real and two imaginary . "

It will be probably said that this is unimportant , and no matter where the East is placed it is always the East with respect to Freemasonry . This may offer some excuse where there are insuperable land objections ; but it is false reasoning where no such difficulties are presented , and it is eminently desirable from every point of view that in the erection of Masonic structures ,

Masonic law and custom should take precedence of individual idiosyncracies and eccentricities . As an example , we have two cases in point in our mind ' s eye . In the first , the dimensions of the room are three or four feet more between North and South , than from East to West . On entering one is inclined to wonder if it has been subjected to hydraulic pressure and squeezed

the wrong way . In the second instance the geography of the rooms throws the visitor off his balance , as it entirely reverses his anticipation , and to complete his mystification the entrance is on the right of the S . W . It is interesting to watch the stranger on entry and note his momentary gaze of vacuity , and invariably , if proceeding to the East , he salutes on the wrong

side of the S . W . and works his way against the sun . The resolutiou of the Board of General Purposes , though late , is essentially a step in the right direction to remedy these defects in the future . We are convinced that the laches of the past are due to want of consideration , and a word of advice in

due season would have effected the desired result . We would impress on Lodges that the operation of the resolution will not be mandatory , but advisory , except in cases where any proposed building will abut on a public place , to the detriment of all secrecy .

If building Lodges accept the resolution in the spirit which has dictated its adoption by the Board , and take the advice of the superior Officer of their district , much good will result ; but if they decline to receive such counsel , legislative enactment must be obtained . — " New Zealand Craftsman . "

[ We are far from endorsing all that is said above , and look upon the resolution of the Board referred to as evidence of a mistaken idea of . duty . It is the observarce of the spirit of

Masonry that is so essential for the good of the Institution , far more than a strict adherance to mere words or ceremonies , both of which latter were intended to be applied in their symbolic sense , rather than taken literally . —Ed . F . C . I

Masonic Visit To Ireland.

MASONIC VISIT TO IRELAND .

SEVERAL well-known Brethren connected with the Freemasons of Hull have just returned from Ireland , after a most hospitable reception given in their honour by Bro . Sir Charles Cameron P . M . and Secretary of the Duke of York Lodge , No . 25 , Dublin . Amongst the Hull visitors were Bros . James Wildbore P . M . 57 , Dr . F . Wilson P . P . G . O . 57 , James Baynes , F . C . S ., Borough Analyst , 57 , F . W . Bailey 250 , J . W . Tindell P . M . 1605 P . G . Sw . B ., W . Hunt , Londesborough Lodge , F . G . Palethorpe 250 . The party , on

arrival at Dublin , were met by Sir Charles Cameron ( who visited the Hnmber Lodge at the Hull Sanitary Conference last year ) , who entertained them at his residence . A pic-nic party was also arranged and attended by the wives and Brethren of the Lodge , and a most enjoyable trip through charming scenery in County Wicklow took place , the party dining in recherche style at Jordan ' s famous Royal Hotel , Glendalough , now conducted by a former Hull man , Bro . Maydew . The Isle of the Seven Churches , and the visit to the cave of St . Kalvin will not readily be forgotten . On another occasion the

visitors were shown over the Bank of Ireland , and witnessed the manufacture of the £ 5 bank notes ( which , by the way , were not passed round for inspection ) , Guinness ' s Brewery , the Royal College of Surgeons , Phcenix Park , & c . The piece de resistance was , however , the Masonic banquet given in their honour , and attended by several noblemen . The compliments paid to the Yorkshire Brethren will never be forgotten , and will constitute the red-letter page in their Masonic chronicles . The trip across the Irish Channel , however , placed , with one exception , the Brethren hors de combat , and this , too , will be remembered . — " Eastern Morning News . "