Our Twentieth Year.

OUR TWENTIETH YEAR .

HAVING passed out of our " teens" with the close of 1893 we deem the present moment an opportune one for inaugurating some new features we have long desired to see introduced in connection with

the FREEMASON S CHRONICLE . We commence our twentieth year in a new dress , and although we are loth to depart from old associations we have decided on the

change in deference to the dictates of fashion , which have long ordained that a paper such as ours should appear with a cover . We have also decided to introduce

other improvements in the general appearance of tha

paper during this twentieth year of its existence , and hope we may likewise be able to advance its editorial reputation in the opinion of our supporters , and of the Craft in general .

We do not purpose to give any detailed programme of our intentions for the future , further than to assure our readers we shall endeavour to act in the interests of the Craft at large and keep the FREEMASON ' CHRONICLE

as far as possible up to the requirements of modern times ; if we succeed in these endeavours we are convinced we shall receive a fair share of the patronage of the members of the Craft for whose interests we wholly devote ourselves .

The Outlook.

THE OUTLOOK .

THE new year seems to promise a plentiful crop of events interesting to the general body of English Freemasons , and it is fair to predict even at this early season of the year that 1894 will be by no means behind its predecessors in general progress .

It is satisfactory to know that the three Institutions have been fortunate enough to enlist the services of distinguished Chairmen for their respective Festivals , the brethren who have undertaken the duties being in

each case so well known as to warrant the belief that exceptional results will accrue on behalf of the funds for which they will individually plead . Without intending any disrespect to the noble Craftsmen who will preside

for the Benevolent in February , and for the Boys in June , we may reasonably say that the Girls School stands first favourite for the year , having the advantage of the services of the Pro Grand Master of England as

its chairman . Apart from Lord Lathom ' s influential position as chief of the important province of West Lancashire there remains the fact that he occupies the

premier position m English Freemasonry after that of the Grand Master himself , while there is the further special advantage that this year marks the completion

The Outlook.

by his Lordship of twenty-one years service as a Provincial Grand Master , a fact that we have already spoken of as calling for more than local celebration—it

is an event of so much importance in view of Lord Lathom ' s position in Freemasonry as to warrant a really national recognition .

Apart from these special features the Girls School would find itself hardly pressed by the companion Educational Institution , which has been so fortunate as to enlist the good offices of the new Provincial Grand

Master of West Yorkshire , Bro . W . L . Jackson , M . P . The loyalty of the West Yorkshire brethren towards the Charities of the Order is too well known to leave any doubt as to the way in which they will support their

chief—they may be relied on to do their utmost , and we have had experiences in the past as to what that means . But beyond all this there is the fact that the brethren of West Yorkshire will , on that occasion , have the first

prominent opportunity of showing regard for their new Master , and that consideration alone warrants us anticipating an exceptional return from the district , so that we may regard the outlook in the case of the two Schools as particularly bright .

Turning to the third of the central Institutions , we may also offer congratulations , inasmuch as the Benevolent will enjoy the presidency of Bro . Gerard Noel Money , C . B ., Grand Master of Surrey , and the support

of that important Province . Here , also , we may look back on the records of the past and guage from them the probable prospects for the future—the result of doing so being that we may safely reply on a large measure of support from this Chairman ' s Province .

On the whole , then , the outlook so far as the Charities is concerned is most satisfactory , and in other matters , as we have already said , the future of English Freemasonry appears likely to call for further expressions of congratulation and satisfaction .

Dismissing for a moment the feelings of regret that are associated with the recent deaths of the Provincial Grand Masters of Cumberland and Westmoreland , and the Eastern Division of South Wales , we may look

forward to early rejoicings in those districts , on the occasion of the installation of their new rulers , for Freemasonry does not allow its important offices to remain long open ,

and fully recognises the principle ; " the King is dead , long live the King . " We may therefore expect early interesting and important gatherings in connection with

these appointments . We need not touch more fully on the general outlook so far as English Freemasonry is concerned . The steady flow of prosperity that has marked its career in recent

years seems to be continuing in full force , and everything appears to point towards a successful and prosperous future—a condition of affairs which we hope is in store