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Article THE APPROACH OF THE HOLIDAY SEASON. Page 1 of 2 Article THE APPROACH OF THE HOLIDAY SEASON. Page 1 of 2 →
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The Approach Of The Holiday Season.
THE APPROACH OF THE HOLIDAY SEASON .
THE mere mention of tlio month of May is sufficient to kindle that excitement which invariably attends the prospect of well-earned rest from labour . The season of Masonic activity , which set in with its wonted vigour last autumn , is rapidly approaching to a close , and with the
exception of a few Lodges , as well as but occasional gatherings , the Craft , in London , at all events , will be in a state of quiescence . Of course , there are certain events which yet remain to be accomplished ere tho present working year is brought to a conclusion , and certain of these arc of the
very greatest importance . There is , for instance , the Anniversary Festival , on "Wednesday week , of the Royal Masonic Institution for Girls , when the chair will be taken by Sir M . Hicks-Beach , Bart ., M . P ., Provincial Grand Master of Gloucestershire , and a numerous and active
Board of Stewards will , we trust , be successful in causing a liberal array of donations and subscriptions to find their way into the coffers of that Institution . It is needless to say , after our article of last week , that we sincerel y hope the Craft will behave with its accustomed generosity . Two
days later—that is , on Friday , the 20 th instant—will be held the Annual General Meeting of the Governors and Subscribers of the Koyal Masonic Benevolent Institution , and sundry annuitants on the Male and Female Funds will be elected to fill the vacancies which death has caused
during the past twelve months among our Old Folk . Having regard to the magnificent success of the last Festival , let us hope the meeting will resolve on makinoan addition , more or less considerable , to the number of those who are chosen to receive the benefits of this Charity .
Later still there is the Anniversary Festival of the Eoyal Masonic Institution for Boys . The Marqness of Londonderry , K . T ., Provincial Grand Master of Durham , has , with a view to signalise his appointment to that office , very kindly consented to preside , and we may be sure the
interests of " Our Boys " will be well looked after , under the auspices of so distinguished a Mason , both by the Craft generally and by the Province which has the honour to acknowledge him as its Chief , And still later , there will be held the Anniversary Festival of yet another Masonic
Charity , to wit , that of the Mark Benevolent Fund , which , though as yet small by comparison with our Central Charities , is worthy of all encouragement and support , and one day no doubt will assume greater proportions . But when Ave have enumerated these , we have about completed
the list of events which are likely to prove of general interest , and we may look to the season from now to mid-September or October as being wholly given up to rest , with an occasional interlude in the form of an excursion by land or water to some chosen resort of pleasure . To this form of entertainment we propose to devote a small
space . We have , on more than one occasion ore now , expressed ° wr opinions on the subject of excursions , and the best way of turning them to good account . It is proper , as well as pleasurable , for members of a Lodcre to meet toerether and
en , loy themselves at these festive gatherings . So much is constantl y said and written as to Masonry and its duties , Mat people are apt to lose sight of the fact that one of the
Tttost satisfactory of its characteristics is that , it is essentiall y a social . institution . Free and ancient Masonry maybe defined , and very properly , as including no more than three degrees , with the Royal Arch , and the learned among us may
The Approach Of The Holiday Season.
exercise their minds as to the origin aud significance of those degrees , whether their existence is coeval with that of Masonry , or whether one of them may not havo been erected in order to give greater completeness to tho system . But whatever differences of opinion may exist on
these and other points of moment , there is no doubt as to the social clement being a very appreciable part aud parcel of the Craft . Being a morality , ono of its principal aims is to promote good-fellowship , and how can this bo done better than by including in the programme of our regular
and holiday gatherings , a hearty and energetic discussion of tbo good things of this life ? It is all very well for people to look aghast at so audacious a proposition ; men and women were not created only in order to meet together in conclave , and solemnly discuss the serious questions
which affect all communities alike . Tho ' good things of life were meant for their use and enjoyment , and the abuse , by abstinence therefrom , is doubtless , in the eyes of the Creator , as great a sin as is the too reckless and
extravagant indulgence in them . The man , be he a Mason or not , who has honestly clone his work , is entitled to a rest and to something in the way of enjoyment , and that is what very many among us are now looking forward to with so
much zest . But though we are entitled to this sort of recreation , there is no reason why we should be called upon to pay for it an outrageous price . We have again and again pointed out , and we shall keep on pointing out , that the idea by
which many would seem to be actuated , to wit , that the measure of enjoyment depends on the sum expended , is altogether an erroneous one . There are those who think a banquet cannot possibly be enjoyable unless a few cases of champagne are disposed of , or that an excursion into the
country is likely to be of no account whatever , unless it necessitates a large expenditure of money . But just as there are people who are sensible enough not to despise a thing because it is purchasable for a modest sum , so there are those who do not think it smacks of meanness
or narrow-mindedness , if some regard is paid to the cost of an entertainment . We are not all of us so fortunate as to be indifferent to money , and if the tariff of charges is fixed too high in the case of our Snmmer Excursions it follows logically that some will have no option but
to forego the pleasure of participating in them or to pinch themselves in their ordinary mode of living . Now we have known people enjoy themselves for the outlay of a few shillings as much as , and possibly even more than , those who have believed the expenditure of a few pounds
was necessary to that end . Champagne-cup is very pleasant , but so is cider-cup , and there is a slight difference in the cost of the two beverages . A dinner at two guineas is doubtless a very grand affair , yet it is possible to supply a varied and liberal bill of fare for a crown—a bill of fare that
even a Crcesus might not disdain to partake of . There is nothing reputable in the lavish expenditure of money , and a great deal of enjoyment is to be got at a moderate outlay , if the Stewards of an entertainment are people of experience . On the other hand , there is little pleasure to be
anticipated from an excursion when people are afraid , every time there is a call upon them for some contribution , that their purses will be emptied before the day is over ; but while people ought not to be lavish , they need not
exhibit niggardliness . There is such a thing as economy to be considered , and economy does not moan cheeseparing any more thfin it grudges the use of what is right and proper . If our Lodges will but bear these things in mind when they are organising their Summer excursions
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
The Approach Of The Holiday Season.
THE APPROACH OF THE HOLIDAY SEASON .
THE mere mention of tlio month of May is sufficient to kindle that excitement which invariably attends the prospect of well-earned rest from labour . The season of Masonic activity , which set in with its wonted vigour last autumn , is rapidly approaching to a close , and with the
exception of a few Lodges , as well as but occasional gatherings , the Craft , in London , at all events , will be in a state of quiescence . Of course , there are certain events which yet remain to be accomplished ere tho present working year is brought to a conclusion , and certain of these arc of the
very greatest importance . There is , for instance , the Anniversary Festival , on "Wednesday week , of the Royal Masonic Institution for Girls , when the chair will be taken by Sir M . Hicks-Beach , Bart ., M . P ., Provincial Grand Master of Gloucestershire , and a numerous and active
Board of Stewards will , we trust , be successful in causing a liberal array of donations and subscriptions to find their way into the coffers of that Institution . It is needless to say , after our article of last week , that we sincerel y hope the Craft will behave with its accustomed generosity . Two
days later—that is , on Friday , the 20 th instant—will be held the Annual General Meeting of the Governors and Subscribers of the Koyal Masonic Benevolent Institution , and sundry annuitants on the Male and Female Funds will be elected to fill the vacancies which death has caused
during the past twelve months among our Old Folk . Having regard to the magnificent success of the last Festival , let us hope the meeting will resolve on makinoan addition , more or less considerable , to the number of those who are chosen to receive the benefits of this Charity .
Later still there is the Anniversary Festival of the Eoyal Masonic Institution for Boys . The Marqness of Londonderry , K . T ., Provincial Grand Master of Durham , has , with a view to signalise his appointment to that office , very kindly consented to preside , and we may be sure the
interests of " Our Boys " will be well looked after , under the auspices of so distinguished a Mason , both by the Craft generally and by the Province which has the honour to acknowledge him as its Chief , And still later , there will be held the Anniversary Festival of yet another Masonic
Charity , to wit , that of the Mark Benevolent Fund , which , though as yet small by comparison with our Central Charities , is worthy of all encouragement and support , and one day no doubt will assume greater proportions . But when Ave have enumerated these , we have about completed
the list of events which are likely to prove of general interest , and we may look to the season from now to mid-September or October as being wholly given up to rest , with an occasional interlude in the form of an excursion by land or water to some chosen resort of pleasure . To this form of entertainment we propose to devote a small
space . We have , on more than one occasion ore now , expressed ° wr opinions on the subject of excursions , and the best way of turning them to good account . It is proper , as well as pleasurable , for members of a Lodcre to meet toerether and
en , loy themselves at these festive gatherings . So much is constantl y said and written as to Masonry and its duties , Mat people are apt to lose sight of the fact that one of the
Tttost satisfactory of its characteristics is that , it is essentiall y a social . institution . Free and ancient Masonry maybe defined , and very properly , as including no more than three degrees , with the Royal Arch , and the learned among us may
The Approach Of The Holiday Season.
exercise their minds as to the origin aud significance of those degrees , whether their existence is coeval with that of Masonry , or whether one of them may not havo been erected in order to give greater completeness to tho system . But whatever differences of opinion may exist on
these and other points of moment , there is no doubt as to the social clement being a very appreciable part aud parcel of the Craft . Being a morality , ono of its principal aims is to promote good-fellowship , and how can this bo done better than by including in the programme of our regular
and holiday gatherings , a hearty and energetic discussion of tbo good things of this life ? It is all very well for people to look aghast at so audacious a proposition ; men and women were not created only in order to meet together in conclave , and solemnly discuss the serious questions
which affect all communities alike . Tho ' good things of life were meant for their use and enjoyment , and the abuse , by abstinence therefrom , is doubtless , in the eyes of the Creator , as great a sin as is the too reckless and
extravagant indulgence in them . The man , be he a Mason or not , who has honestly clone his work , is entitled to a rest and to something in the way of enjoyment , and that is what very many among us are now looking forward to with so
much zest . But though we are entitled to this sort of recreation , there is no reason why we should be called upon to pay for it an outrageous price . We have again and again pointed out , and we shall keep on pointing out , that the idea by
which many would seem to be actuated , to wit , that the measure of enjoyment depends on the sum expended , is altogether an erroneous one . There are those who think a banquet cannot possibly be enjoyable unless a few cases of champagne are disposed of , or that an excursion into the
country is likely to be of no account whatever , unless it necessitates a large expenditure of money . But just as there are people who are sensible enough not to despise a thing because it is purchasable for a modest sum , so there are those who do not think it smacks of meanness
or narrow-mindedness , if some regard is paid to the cost of an entertainment . We are not all of us so fortunate as to be indifferent to money , and if the tariff of charges is fixed too high in the case of our Snmmer Excursions it follows logically that some will have no option but
to forego the pleasure of participating in them or to pinch themselves in their ordinary mode of living . Now we have known people enjoy themselves for the outlay of a few shillings as much as , and possibly even more than , those who have believed the expenditure of a few pounds
was necessary to that end . Champagne-cup is very pleasant , but so is cider-cup , and there is a slight difference in the cost of the two beverages . A dinner at two guineas is doubtless a very grand affair , yet it is possible to supply a varied and liberal bill of fare for a crown—a bill of fare that
even a Crcesus might not disdain to partake of . There is nothing reputable in the lavish expenditure of money , and a great deal of enjoyment is to be got at a moderate outlay , if the Stewards of an entertainment are people of experience . On the other hand , there is little pleasure to be
anticipated from an excursion when people are afraid , every time there is a call upon them for some contribution , that their purses will be emptied before the day is over ; but while people ought not to be lavish , they need not
exhibit niggardliness . There is such a thing as economy to be considered , and economy does not moan cheeseparing any more thfin it grudges the use of what is right and proper . If our Lodges will but bear these things in mind when they are organising their Summer excursions