A Welcome To Strangers

A WELCOME TO STRANGERS

WHEN a brother seeks to visit a Masonic Lodge the way should bo made easy and pleasant to him , nnd so soon as his Masonic character becomes sufficiently authenticated ho should be welcomed as is tho stranger guest in tho well-ordered home . Tho compliments of civility , tho courteous attentions of thoughtful regard , do not cost much , but thoy will touch the heart of a brother who finds himself

among strancora , aud attract him most powerfully to the organisation which thus illustrates the grace of hospitality . A visitor who is received ns though ho was a friend—who is treated as though ho was welcome in tho Lodgo—will think moro of Masonry from that timo forward , and will better appreciate tho meaning of tho word Brotherhood . And tho Lodge that accords this reception to the stranger

within its gates will not only put itself on the ground which tho courteous host should always occupy , but it will dignify itself by snch kind attentions to tho visitor , and will show forth the spirit that is inseparable from gonnine Masonry . That visitors aro treated differently in different localities ia evident to all who havo had experience in this respect . It depends upon tho

• placo and tho snrrourulincs—npon tho character of tho mon that make np the body , and especially upon tho kind of man that sits in tho Master's chair—as to what tho treatment of visitors will bo . In some places an applying visitor is looked npon as an intruder ; at the best ho is merely tolerated . Ho is allowed to stand around in the anto-room , or find a seat for himself as best ho may . Only by asking

question 1 " can ho acquire any information that ho wonld liko to obtain . Not tho slightest interest is shown in him , nnd very likely he is kppt waiting a considerable timo after his application is sent into tho Lodge before tho examining committee waits upon him . Then , perhaps , he is treated as though ho was an impostor , examined nt greifc length by a committee who rlcsiro to show their own smartness (?) nnd finally , vory likely just ns the Lrdgo is closing , ho is introduced

within the Body in a sort of informal manner , to bo left quite to himself for the remainder of the evening . This kind of ordeal is not much relished by a brother of sensitive feelings and therefore it is that t . hn practice of visiriurr serins going out of vogue , except when tho visitor is personally known to somo member or members of tho Body into which admission for an evening is desired . There aro Lodges , however , that havo a well deserved reputation for their courteous and fricndlv attentions to strangers . Wo recall

a visit made to a Lodgo in a foreign jurisdiction . Wo wero far away from home , nnd bad no friends to introdnco us to tho Lodgo wo desired to visit . With some effort we mustered sufficient courage to . approach tho ante-room , whero wo wero at onco accosted in a kindlv way by an officer in charge , who invited us to the " strangers' room , " an apartment well lighted and warmed , hung about with several fine

pictures , and having a goodly nnmber of recent Masonic publications on ono of the tables . Tho attendant took our curd and soon returned with two brothers , who greeted ns with cordiality , and announced that they waited on us ns tho examining committee of the Lodge . They looked at onr certifica ' o of Masonic good standing , asked a few test questions in tho most quiet and affable manner , and then , having

furnished us with proper clothing , they conducted us into open Lodge and presented us to tho Master , from whom we received a word of gracious welcome , while lie commended tho stranger visitor to tho kindly offices of the brethren present . Nor was this the end ; for later in tho evening wo received the greetings of many who were present , while especial pains were taken to show tlie mannerof work

nnd management in this Lodge so distant from our own Masonic home . A stranger in a strange land , wc yet felt we were among brethren and friends that night ; nnd tho remembrance of the hours thus passed lingers in our soul even now , a most inviting memory . It lias well been said that " tho small courtesies sweeten life , and

the greater ennoble it . " Tho genius of Masonry calls for the practice of both the lesser and tho greater , nnd this in respect to all classes and conditions of men . Let affability and kindness be shown oven to tho stranger and tho sojourner , that so tho noble character of our great Fraternity may bo made evident , while its blessed influence shall be moro widely extended . —Freemason ' s Repository .

A Welcome To Strangers

Kilburn Lodge of Instruction , No . 1 , 608 . —The regular meeting of this Lolge , now comfortably established at Bro . Walton ' s Hotol , 46 South Molton St ., Oxford St ., W ., was hold on Monday , first inst . Lodgo was opened in due form at 7 . 30 , by Bros . T . B . Linscott W . M ., 0 . L . Latreiilo S . W ., Festa J . W ., Langdon S . D ., Lister J . D ., and Walton I . G . There were also present Bros . Bird , Brooks , Smith ,

J . Soper , Willey , Hurdell Preceptor , and Cuff Hon . Sec . Tho ceremony of initiation was rehearsed , Bro . Willie acting as candidate . Tho second section of the lecture was worked , Bro . Latreiilo , and the third and fourth by Bro . Hurdell Preceptor , assisted by tho brethren . Bros . Smith , of the Rothesay Lodge , and Willey No . 9 . were duly elected members . Bro . Latreiilo S . W . was elected W . M . for the ensuing week . Bro . Hurdell next proposed a voto of

thanks to Bro . Linscott tho W . M ., for his ablo rendering of tho ceremony thafc evening . It was tho first occasion that brother had worked in this Lodge or elsewhere . This was carried unanimously . Bro . Linscott having acknowledged the vote , Lodgo was closed and adjonrned , until the eighth inst . Wo aro pleased to seo thisyonng Lodgo so well established in its new quarters . Tho room is comfortable and the Lodge appointments admirable .

We are pleased to herald the foundation of another Lodge of Instruction , especally as the brethren who havo worked for its formation are well known for their ability in tho teaching of our Ritual . Tho first meetins of the new Lodge , which will assemble under the sanetion of the New Finsbury Park Lodge , will be held on Monday next , at the Plimsoll Arms ( Bro . Purkiss ' s ) , St . Thomas Road , Finsbury Park , one minute ' s walk from tho Station . Meetings will bo held ou each succeeding Monday at ei * ht .

Tho Kingsland Lodge of Instruction , No . 1693 , will be inaugurated on tho 15 th inst ., Bro . Jas . Terry P . P . G . J . W . Herts will rehearse tho ceremonies of consecration and installation , at the Canonbury Tavern , Canonbury , N . Proceedings to commence at seven o'clock . Brethren to appear in Craffc clothing . Bro . Alfred Trowinnard P . M . 1693 Hon . Sec .

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FURNITURE FOR LODGE OF INSTRUCTION . —Complete Ret , nearly new , for Rale . . Artilress . J . W . II ., " Fuuiiitisox' . s CUKOXICLK " Office , 23 Great Quoon Street , Loudon , W . C .

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R @ CH ® © ® ® < ft ? A ill JfV fl n ^ k 1 H 13 iti M * " ' " ' * If f 1 / \ LATEST MOVELTY . MASONIC CHARM FOU CHAIH . The whole of tho working Tools coranleto as ahovo . MOUNTED IN GOOD COLD AND ORNAMENTALLY ENGRAVED . To bo hurt of tho maker on receipt of 23 a . E . PELIKAN , Manufacturing Jeweller , No . 102 St . John Street Road , London , E . C . P . O . O . to ho mado payable at tho St . John Street Road Office .

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-d k * 1 VOBT 33 T-a-XI 5 BBT 7 SHES uj S o Mirrors & all other Ivory Toilet Articles , m a £ _ ^ - ^ _ y » ^ 3 Sf ? p ffl € S 5 = ° tmm \( $ ) i e ^^ P fB 2 5 ' 2 2 « . « &&& f * = ^ ^ sSm \ V © SfgFr _ - » ;* ffi ^ ftjaais" ^ r ? . d- ^ & IVOBT GOODS msr GKs : r > r : E : R _ A _ : c ,, " g g Q Wholesale & for Exportation & the Trade only , g g % I liHS ^ SiSSS > £ ¦ k MM , ^ C ^\ ^ y f $ \ % & ni ^ g § go \ M ^ K ^ = atm O HiSS ^ S" 8 o ^ _ . T HEirosriGf- BEOS . Ivory Works , 2 ^ pj 11 , HIGH STREET , LONDON , -W . C . p ,

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CANNON STEEET HOTEL , CANNON STREET , LONDON , E . C . Has been thoroughly renovated ; the Hail way advantages , in dirert communication with tbe Hotel , render this establishment unequalled in the Metropolis for MASONIC BANQUETS , PUBLIC & PRIVATE DINNERS , BREAKFASTS , & G . DRAMATIC ENTERTAINMENTS , PUBLIC MEETINGS , ARBITRATIONS , & o . THE LAIIGE HALL 13 CAPABLE OF SEATING- UFWAKDS OF TWELVE HTJWDEED PEOPLE . V ISITORS AND F AMILIES visiting LONDON , for LO . \ O or SIIOKT PKKIODS , will find the APPOINTMENTS , and ACCOMMODATION UNRIVALLED . E . H . RAND , MANAGER .

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LADBROKE HALL , NQTTING HILL , LONDON , W . ( Opposite the Netting Hill Station of tho Metropolitan Railway , from which Trains run every few minutes to all parts of London , and in connection with the principal Lines of Railway . ) THE ACCOMMODATION PROVIDED FOR LODGE MEETINGS IS UNEQUALLED BY ANY ESTABLISHMENT IN THE DISTRICT . LARGE TJODGKE ATSTD 33 . A ^ QUIET EOOMS , WITH EVERY ICOjSTVEiSrilffiSrCE . THE HALL HAY BE ENGAGED for BANQUETS , WEDDING EHEAKFASTS , DINNERS , PTJBL ' . C or PK 1 VITE ENTERTAINMENTS , & c . Apply to Bro . J . LINSCOTT ( at the Hall ) , 14 Ladbroke Grove Eoad , London W .