United Grand Lodge.

the several points we raised , and we are told that many of our suggessions have received attention at tho hands of tbe Revising Committee . Doubtless , when tbe alterations now under consideration are definitely settled , an

opportunity may offer for an opinion to be given , but wo feel wo have already done our share , and consequently are content to leave to others any further discussion as to points of detail .

We will now merely state that satisfactory progress may bo reported , inasmuch as 184 of the rules submitted for approval -were passed by Grand Lodge .

* The Kevised Book of Constitutions ; Critically Considered , and Compared with the Old Edition . London : Simpkin , Marshall & Co ., 4 Stationers' Hall Court , E . G . Sent on receipt of stamps . One Shilling , hy "W . "W . Morgan , Freemason ' s Chronicle Office , Belvidere "Works , Hermes Hill , Pentonville , London , "N * . —( ADVT ) .

The Girls' School.

THE GIRLS' SCHOOL .

AT the last meeting of tbe General Committee of the Royal Masonic Institution for Girls it was reported that an offer had been made to the Executive of the Institution "whereby they might secure the purchase of about nine acres of freehold land immediately adjoining their own premises . It appears that the owner of this desirable

plot , which forms the boundary of two sides of the present grounds owned by the Girls' Institution , has declined to divide his property , and names an amount of £ 4 , 000 per acre as the lowest sum at which he may be induced to transfer bis title . Col . Creaton , with wise forethought ,

and with the consent of his colleagues , has obtained a promise that the said land shall not be sold until the next Quarterly Court has been held , when tbe views and opinions of the Governors and Subscribers as to the desirability of acquiring this property shall be elicited .

We are perfectly in accord with tbe Committee , -who seem to havo taken it into consideration that if tbe said

land were sold to a third party it might be dealt with in a manner prejudicial to the School , and that if it be purchased by the Institution a certain portion or portions of it as may not be required for their purposes might be re-sold ; and we agree with them tbe -whole question demands and should receive careful consideration .

It will be borne in mind by many of our readers that when the purchase of Lyncombe House was projected we were strongly in opposition , from the fact that we entertained the belief that the purchase money demanded on that occasion was far in excess of the value of the property

offered for sale . However , our views were not fully endorsed ; in due course that purchase was effected , and we readily admit that to tbe present time -we have seen no legitimate reason why we shonld say those who differed

from us on that occasion were not in tbe right . In the present instance an undoubtedly valuable property is about to be placed on tbe market ; that its acquirement will be of immense value to the Institution whose interests we are

all anxions to advance is unquestionable , and we sincerely trust tbe whole question -will receive careful consideration , and that if the purchase money demanded is reasonable , steps may be taken whereby the property may be secured for

tbe nse of the Institution , or for such other purposes as the Committee in their wisdom may see fit to adapt it to . The Quarterly Court where this question will be taken into consideration is to be held at Freemasons' Hall on Saturday next , the 14 th inst ., at twelve o ' clock noon .

The Charitable And Social Aspects Of Freemasonry.

THE CHARITABLE AND SOCIAL ASPECTS OF FREEMASONRY .

TO the uninitiated Freemasonry has always been a subject of curiosity . The secret signs and solemn rites are stumbling blocks to the outside world ; mysterious somethings , a knowledge of which is desired and sought for with a persistence and vigour rarely manifested in the

merely curious . The position the Craft holds in the estimation of the world , tbe belief that its symbols aro known to , revered , and recognised by all peoples , wheresoever scattered over land or water , invest it with an interest to that only felt for the Gospel . Men pant to know what is forbidden them except through the proper

The Charitable And Social Aspects Of Freemasonry.

channel . They are affected by a spirit of curiosity , and seek to gratify ifc by means thatj are not always creditable , and never wholly successful . Eve ' s fatal spirit inspires them , they seek knowledge by illicit means , and although the acquirement of that knowledge does not entail

the punishment that befel Adam , it would bring no blessing , no honest satisfaction to those who unrighteousl y covet other men ' s privileges . It would gratify the pride of most people , but it would sear tbe conscience . Men who choose to band themselves together in the common

association of principles have a right to signify their union by whatever , secret signs and ceremonies they please . No one has a right to say them nay ; even the law cannot interfere unless there is reasonable suspicion thafc secrecy ia used as a cloak for illegal practices . That such inter .

ference does not take place , that the second person in this great empire , and heir to its throne , is at tbe bead of the Craffc , are sufficient to prove that English Freemasonry , afc least , is loyal , and regarded with high favour by those who owe their position to the intelligent submission of the

people . The only justification , then , for prying into hidden mysteries is lacking , and those who are guilty of an improper curiosity come "within another class "who are regarded by honourable minds with contempt . To open other people ' s letters is considered a grave social offence ,

as a sneaking propensity which irritates and disgusts . A minister of the crown who should examine suspected documents as they pass tbrougb the post , would be looked upon with indignation , differing in degree only according to the circumstances of each case , and the position held by the

person or persons outraged . There is some justification , no doubt , for a Government "who resort to espionage in defence of its country—just that kind of justification by which the office of the hangman is vindicated , and the priest tolerated who proclaims the doctrine that the end

justifies tbe means . Viewed as a question of necessity and of priestly arrogance , it may be defended upon grounds that are accepted by a certain , order of minds ; as a rule , however , a spy is an abomination in the sight of most Englishmen , and all honest men . There is no excuse

-whatever for the curious who seek to solve the mysteries of Freemasonry ; it is an unholy desire , and those who attempt to gratify it court the services of blasphemers and renegades . The knowledge -wonld be useless were they to obtain it , it would never pass with those who have been honourably received into tbe Craffc .

This searching after bidden secrets has led to disap . pointments , and to the promulgation of erroneous views with regard to Freemasonry . What little information has been gained has shown the hopelessness of further striving , and has led many persons into the labyrinths of speculation .

Some look upon Freemasonry as an improved Friendly Society , others as a combination of men wbo revel in vulgar show and empty symbolism , wbo sacrifice common sense to fancy . Others , again ,, regard Freemasons as a dangerous body , who , under a mask of social and charitable

purpose , aim at political ends and the subversion of religion . The most common impression is that Freemasonry is only another name for a club , where men meet for selfindulgence , where they invest their proceedings with heathenish forms and ceremonies , and conclude with the

debauch of the table and the nofc of loose tongues . Ifc is unnecessary to defend Freemasonry against the charge of disloyalty either to the throne or to God . The presence in the body of men holding the highest positions in Church and State at once gets rid of any such accusation , and

nothing that could be said here would convince the Roman Catholic Priest of the innocence of the Craft . He demands implicit obedience to mother church , an obedience wbicb Freemasonry cannot yield to any church , but which recognises in the highest degree the head of all religion .

There is the faintest ; tinge of truth in some of the impressions that arc current among cowans . There are Freemasons who do not aspire to office , and , consequently , do not take interest in the ceremonies , wbo become Freemasons for the sake of social position and enjoyment ; men who toil not in

the Lodge , but often spin the web of charity . There are others , perhaps , who prefer the knife and fork to the working or emblematical tools of tbe Craft . These aro not much influenced by the sublimity of tbe ceremonies ; who

probably could not , if they desired , realise the beauty aud truth , and , like the glorious sunsbine , permeate the principles and language of tbe Order . They are governed by their fleshly appetites , and are as incapable of appreciatm-. ' tbe noble spirit of Freemasonry as they would be of receiv-