The Mission Of Masonry.

THE MISSION OF MASONRY .

MASONRY during the past century has made great progress throughout the world , especially in the Province of Ontario , since its introduction into Upper Canada over a century ago by a few devoted Craftsmen . From a dozen or

more Brethren one hundred and seven years ago in Upper Canada we have to-day in the Province of Ontario in the neighbourhood of twenty-eight thousand affiliated Masons , and the influence and the welfare of the Craft during the next century depends very largely upon the result of our

labours at the present time . We should be careful to guard the interests of our Fraternity in every particular and not allow anything to transpire in our Lodges but that which will tend to cultivate harmony and goodwill between the Brethren . Masonry at the present time is very popular with the people ,

and why should it not be ? We do not know in this practical age a better school for the training of young men who desire to advance in life than that which can be obtained in a Masonic Lodge . At our colleges and universities young men are studying ancient classics , who will , probably at the first

opportunity , cast them aside , but the training received by the ambitious young man in a Masonic Lodge will be useful to him in life . He not only gets good ; experience , but he comes into contact with the brightest intellects of the community where he resides , which must have a beneficial effect

upon him . At the beginning of the present century Masonry played an important part in the development of Canada by bringing men of various temperaments and creeds together . Its mission is the same to-day , and if we will only endeavour

to be as faithful to our Masonic trust as those who preceded us , then will the Brethren at the end of the twentieth century be thankful for what has been done by us to-day in passing the Craft in all its beauty down to them . — " Masonic Sun . "

The Fifteen Sections will be worked at the St . John Lodge of Instruction , at the Camden Head , Islington Green , on the 14 th inst , by Bro . David Moss . Bro . C . Weeden is the Preceptor of the Lodge , Bro . White Secretary , Bro . Ficken Treasurer , and Bro . C . Dearing the host .

•••.. The Lord Mayor of London , the Sheriffs and the Under Sheriffs have accepted invitations to be present at the installation meeting of the Empire Lodge , No . 2108 , to be

held on Tuesday , 22 nd inst , at the Criterion , Piccadilly . The meeting is called for 5 o ' clock , and there is a candidate for initiation to be balloted for , in addition to the installation of Master and investiture of Officers . The banquet will follow at 7 . 30 p . m .

In accordance with their annual custom the Brethren of St . Kew Lodge , Weston-super-Mare , entertained about 300 of the deserving poor of the town to a meat tea and concert in the Victoria Hall on New Year ' s eve . The tea tables were presided over by the wives or other lady friends of the

Brethren , whilst the " waiting - was done by the Brethren themselves . After tea there was a concert and three twentyminute exhibitions of animated photographs . Pipes , tobacco , ale , and non-intoxicating drinks were dispensed during the evening , and at the close there was a distribution of hot temperance " punch , " which was much appreciated .

The total membership of the Quatuor Coronati Lodge , London , numbers 2 , 850 . The Permanent and Audit Committee , in their annual report ( 14 th December 1900 ) includes the following statement : —" During the fourteen years we have been at work , our income has steadily increased year by

year . Even during the last twelve months , in spite of the fact that we have been unable to communicate with at least one hundred of our members in South Africa , whose dues therefore remain unpaid , the increase of income has been

maintained , although not in the same degree as formerly . We are able to present a thoroughly satisfactory balance sheet , which proves the Lodge not only solvent , but well ahead of all of its liabilities . "

The Upton Lodge Ladies night is arranged for Thursday next , and the Worshipful Master Bro . Walter James Carroll has made every possible arrangement to ensure its success

and the enjoyment of all who participate . The Lodge meeting will be held at 5 o ' clock , there being two candidates on the agenda for approval and initiation , and this will be the only business transacted , beyond the confirmation of the

The Mission Of Masonry.

minutes of the last regular Lodge and the emergency held for the purpose of clearing the work for this special meeting The Ladies and other guests will be received at 6 . 15 sharp , and the banquet will be served at a quarter to seven . We are looking forward to a most pleasant and most enjoyable meeting at this usually entertaining Lodge .

Brother D . Murray Lyon , the veteran Secretary of the Scottish Grand Lodge , whom advancing years and many frailties have at length driven into retirement , has well earned his rest . When he assumed the duties of the Grand Secretaryship he was by no means , save relatively , a young

man . He must have seen- well nigh , if not quite , three score years come and go . The task to which he put his hand was not a light one . Financially , Grand Lodge was in a very unsatisfactory condition , and its general business had fallen into serious arrears . For many months Bro . Murray Lyon

worked literally night and day . He spared no pains to bring order out of confusion , and to substitute a credit for a debit balance at the bank ; and , still persevering-, he . exalted the Lodge to the position which it now occupies as the worthy head of the Mason Fraternity of Scotland . Prior to his

appointment Bro . Murray Lyon was a foreman printer in Ayr , but he was already a high authority on Masonic affairs . He had investigated them historically , and he had written of them witH such cultured knowledge that the members of Grand Lodge were fain to see in him the man for the

vacant post . If Masonic affairs constituted the one wing of his lifework , and perhaps the more advanced , the antiquities and the archaeology of Ayr constituted the other . There is somewhere or other an unpublished history of the Auld Toun that ought long ago to have appeared in book form ,

but the clientele for a really valuable history of this kind is comparatively small , and the financial considerations attendant on publication are barriers and not inducements to everybody save the man who is willing not only to write the

book and to issue it , but who must add to authorship and publication the certainty of having to give his work for nothing , and his cash to the publisher . — " North British Daily Mail . "

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