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Article AFFILIATION FEES. Page 1 of 1 Article RAILWAY TRAFFIC RETURNS. Page 1 of 1 Ad Untitled Page 1 of 1 Ad Untitled Page 1 of 1
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Affiliation Fees.
AFFILIATION FEES .
THERE are a great many wise sayings going round the world in books and in the months of tho people which would effect considerable good if only people would mind them , but the trouble is that too many of ns are satisfied with commending them to our neighbours and paying little or no attention to them ourselves . Masons will recognise the following , from tho charges of 1721 : " A lodge is a place where Masons assemble and work ; hence , that
assembly or duly organised society of Masons is called a lodge , and every brother onght to belong to one , and to bo subject to its by-laws and the general regulations , " as containing a principlo so entirely sound that no one ever has or probably ever will dispute it , for if such were not the clear duty of Masons , then our organisation is not worth a rush , and it being a mere matter of taste whether a brother bolonjj
to a lodgo or not , our organisations would disintegrate , and tho whole system , built - up with such infinite labour , and throngh so many years , in spite of so many chauces and changes , woald bo scattered to tho winds . Nevertheless thore are many thousands who have been regularly made Masons , and who have subsequently dnpped out of the circle
of active labourers , notwithstanding their admitted duty and pledges to the contrary . This well known disposition has long been a subject of anxiety to Grand lodges and well-disposed craftsmen , and has led to a series of legislative experiments , none of which have proved satisfactory in abating the trouble , much less leading to its abrogation . The experiment now being tried in New York is based on an
extreme view of tho case , but so far as wo havo been able to judge , its principal effect has been rather to embitter and render more obstinate , than to conciliate and win back tho class against which it is directed . This , however , we may remark , in passing , is the ordinary result of such enactments , tending as they do to stimulate tho pugnacity of those opposed to them , and hence evoking an opposition based
not so much on principle—for the principlo is the other way—as upon sheer opposition , right or wrong . Admitted , then , that every Mason ought to belong to somo lodge ; admitting the equally indisputable fact that a great many entirely neglect this duty who could much better afford to attend to it than some who are always at their posts , the result seems to take tho form
ot a disease , for which , in all reason , there onght to be somo possible remedy . Considering all that has been done up to this lime , our own reflections have led ns to beliove that we have stopped throwing tufts of grass too soon , and resorted to stones without sufficient deliberation , and that there is yet time for mitigating coercion with some milder suggestion in the way of persuasion .
Tho policy of the Grand Lodge is that which , upon careful examination , will tend to tho best interest of the ledges under its direction . ai \ d tho policy of tho lodges is to strengthen themselves by the adhesion and labour of all the brethren within the circlo of their influence . That this may be accomplished , affiliation onght to be made as easy as possible , and in no case ought the disposition of au unaffiliate
to resumo labour be hindered or impeded by merely money considerations . No brother in this jurisdiction becomes a non-affiliate until he has paid the initiatory fees and ono year ' s dues , which amount may range anywhere from 30 to 110 dollars . This payment admits him not alono to membership iu a particular lodgo , but makes him also a member of tho great Masonic familv , and yet , according to the
practice of a large majority of our lodges , if one of these brethren , by reason of a change of dwelling , or other reason sufficient to himself , wishes to remove his membership from one lodge to another , he must pay an additional fee , ranging from 50 to 25 dollars , It is respectfully submitted that this is not equitable , and that the only foe charged should be the nominal one required bv the Grand Loda ; e for the
necessary change of entries iu its books . Greater still is tho need of reform in this particular when wo desiro to win back thoso who have fallen ont of the ranks , but who hesitate to pay an affiliation fee equal to that paid for their initiation for the privilege of coming back . Every nnn-affiliate who returns to active duty is oue moro to help bear the heat and burden of the day , one moro whose annual dues will help to
meet the annual expenses , and therefore every encourage men t ought t > bo offered to snch to return , while iu a still stronger light is the raqnirement that overy active brother should have the facility of Belacting and joiuing with the lodge in which he feels he can best work and best agree . For these reasons we aro full y and clearly of opinion that our lodges will all have done a good thing for themselves when thoy abolish affiliation fees . —Nev : York Dispatch .
THE MASONIC BANNER . —As the standard or banner of Freemasonry is made np of and derived from the banners of tho four leading tribes of Israel , it may be interesting to learn what was the symbolic meaning given by the Hebrews to these ensigns . Vatablns quotes a Jewish writer as saying , " that the man in tho banner of Reuben signified religion aud reason ; the lion in that of Judah denoted po . ver ;
the ox in that of Ephraim represented patience and toilsome labour ; and the eagle in that of Dan , betoken wisdom , agility and sublimity . " But although such may have been the emblematic meaning of these devices among the Isralites , the combination of them in the Masonic banner is only intended to indicate tho Jewish origin of onr institution from Solomon , who was the last King of Israel under whom tho twelve tribes were united . —Jewish Chronicle .
WHAT NEXT ?—It seems that | the Quakers of a Western town , desirous of doing something to distinguish themselves , lately refused to permit oue of their number to be interred with Masonic form , as he had requested previous to his death , and as his family also desired . When the funeral cortege arrived at the ceineterv , the
brethren wore obliged to wait outside while the hearers took the body and placed it in the grave . It occurs to ns that if we had been Master of the Lodge we would have formed the brethren in due order on the highway , and in the presence of such of the friends as chose to assist , have complied with tho dying reqnest of the departed .
Railway Traffic Returns.
RAILWAY TRAFFIC RETURNS .
The following statement shows the receipts for traffio on tha undermentioned railways for the past week , as compared with the corresponding week in 1875 : — Miles open . Receipts . Railway . 1876 1870 1875 A A
Caledonian 739 57 , 288 47 , 129 Glasgow and South Western . . 315 £ 18 , 172 16 , 474 Great Eastern .... 763 43 , 504 39 , 926 Great Northern .... 611 48 , 720 41 , 482 Great Western .... 1 , 53 l £ 97 , 819 87 , 606 Lancashire and Yorkshire . . 431 63 , 222 59 , 161
London and Brighton . . . 3704 31 , 572 27 , 609 London , Chatham and Dover . . 153 V 16 , 4 S 6 14 , 057 London and North Western . . 1 . 586 J- 161 , 432 145 , 006 London and Sonth Western . . 623 36 , 713 30 , 516 London , Tilbury and Southend . 45 1 , 137 — Manchester and Sheffield . . 2593 r 31 . 0 S 7 26 , 166
Midland 975 ; 101 , 962 96 , 788 Metropolitan 8 10 , 368 9 , 113 „ „ District ... 8 5 , 445 4 , 915 „ „ St . John ' s Wood . . If 501 483
North British 811 } 47 , 961 43 , 586 North Eastern .... 1 , 400 ^ 116 , 588 100 , 348 North London .... 12 7 . 36 S 6 , 271 North Staffordshire Railway . . 191 10 , 498 9 , 418 Canal . 118 1 , 216 294 South Eastern .... 350 32 , 015 29 , 306
THE CRAFT in Ontario , Canada , laid tho corner-stone of the new Methodist Episcopal Church , at Belleville , on 17 th November ult . Tho edifice is to accommodate 1 , 200 persons , and cost 30 , 000 dols . Deputy Grand Master , Bro . W . If . Weller , officiated , assisted by tho Grand Officers . From his ablo oration delivered upon that occasion we tako tho following extract : —
From time immemorial , it has been customary whenever Masons have been held in good repute , to seok their assistance in the erection of buildings of a public character ; and on no occasion havo Masons moro cheerfully rendered snch assistance than at the erection of an edifice to be devoted to the worship of God , —the promulgation of His just , wise , and beneficent laws , and tho
proclaiming His most inexhaustible mercies . Wo havo been requested by the clergymen and Building Committee of tho Episcopal Methodist congregation , to lay tho corner-stone of this church , and by the direction of the Grand Master , I have convened here to-day a special meeting of Grand Lodgo to perforin that ceremony according to tho ancient usages arid established customs among Masons . As
Masons bound to obey the moral and civil law , to fear God , to honour the Queen and assist in tho preservation of peace and good order among men , wo feel that it is pccnliarily fitting that we should assist at the inception of a building intended for the public worship of the Most High aud the propagation of that religion which bringoth " peace on earth and good-will to men . " Masonry deals not with any particular
form of religious belief ; claiming only human origin , human aims and purposes , it can at best be but tho handmaid of religion , and must perforce by the true Craftsman bo held secondary to his religious belief and his obedience to the laws of his conntry . To you , Reverend Sir , and the building committee of this Church , I must say that you are to be commended for the zeal and energy yon havo displayed in undertaking tho
erection of this building , which , when completed , will not only he a commodious place of worship , bnt will also , as I sue by the design snbmitted to mo , prove an ornament to the town in whoso prosperity we are all so mnch interested . We sincerely t rust that you may in everyway bo able fully to cany out your designs , .-rid that this building may ever bo a place for good de . ds and the promotion of Christianity and brotherly love . " —Key stow :
Ad01402
" A suitable nift fronh a Matter to Ma Lodae . " NEATLY BOUND IX CLOTH , PRICK 8 s Gd EACH , Till' FIlfri ^ iMvflftrV % l \ UWm \ r \ V SHE imLLLmmmm d bmvJmbLL } VOLUMES I . and II . Sent , Carnage Paid , to any address in ( lie United Kingdom , on receipt of Cheque or P . O . O . London : — "VY . W . ' ALOUC . VN ' , (> 7 Barbican , E . C . Cloth Cases for Binding can bo had from the Offices , price ls 6 d each .
Ad01403
Agents , from whom Copies can always be had : — Messrs . CURTICE and Co ., 12 Catherine Street , Strand . Mr . T . DIUSCOLL , 87 Farringdon Street . Mr . G . W . JORDAN , 169 Strand . Messrs . A . D . LOKWENSTARK & SONS , 26 Great Queen Street , and 210 Strand , W . C . Messrs . MARSHALL and SONS , 125 Fleet Street , E . C . Mr . M . J . PARKINSON , 114 Goswcll Road , E . C . Mr . H . SIMPSON , 7 Red Lion Court , E . C . Messrs . SMITH and SONS , 183 Strand . Messrs . SPENCER aud Co ., 23 A Great Queen Streot , W . C . Messrs . STEEL and JONES , 4 Spring Gardens , Charing Cross . Mr . G . VICKEKS , Angel Court , 172 Strand . Mr . H . VICKERS , 317 Strand .
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Affiliation Fees.
AFFILIATION FEES .
THERE are a great many wise sayings going round the world in books and in the months of tho people which would effect considerable good if only people would mind them , but the trouble is that too many of ns are satisfied with commending them to our neighbours and paying little or no attention to them ourselves . Masons will recognise the following , from tho charges of 1721 : " A lodge is a place where Masons assemble and work ; hence , that
assembly or duly organised society of Masons is called a lodge , and every brother onght to belong to one , and to bo subject to its by-laws and the general regulations , " as containing a principlo so entirely sound that no one ever has or probably ever will dispute it , for if such were not the clear duty of Masons , then our organisation is not worth a rush , and it being a mere matter of taste whether a brother bolonjj
to a lodgo or not , our organisations would disintegrate , and tho whole system , built - up with such infinite labour , and throngh so many years , in spite of so many chauces and changes , woald bo scattered to tho winds . Nevertheless thore are many thousands who have been regularly made Masons , and who have subsequently dnpped out of the circle
of active labourers , notwithstanding their admitted duty and pledges to the contrary . This well known disposition has long been a subject of anxiety to Grand lodges and well-disposed craftsmen , and has led to a series of legislative experiments , none of which have proved satisfactory in abating the trouble , much less leading to its abrogation . The experiment now being tried in New York is based on an
extreme view of tho case , but so far as wo havo been able to judge , its principal effect has been rather to embitter and render more obstinate , than to conciliate and win back tho class against which it is directed . This , however , we may remark , in passing , is the ordinary result of such enactments , tending as they do to stimulate tho pugnacity of those opposed to them , and hence evoking an opposition based
not so much on principle—for the principlo is the other way—as upon sheer opposition , right or wrong . Admitted , then , that every Mason ought to belong to somo lodge ; admitting the equally indisputable fact that a great many entirely neglect this duty who could much better afford to attend to it than some who are always at their posts , the result seems to take tho form
ot a disease , for which , in all reason , there onght to be somo possible remedy . Considering all that has been done up to this lime , our own reflections have led ns to beliove that we have stopped throwing tufts of grass too soon , and resorted to stones without sufficient deliberation , and that there is yet time for mitigating coercion with some milder suggestion in the way of persuasion .
Tho policy of the Grand Lodge is that which , upon careful examination , will tend to tho best interest of the ledges under its direction . ai \ d tho policy of tho lodges is to strengthen themselves by the adhesion and labour of all the brethren within the circlo of their influence . That this may be accomplished , affiliation onght to be made as easy as possible , and in no case ought the disposition of au unaffiliate
to resumo labour be hindered or impeded by merely money considerations . No brother in this jurisdiction becomes a non-affiliate until he has paid the initiatory fees and ono year ' s dues , which amount may range anywhere from 30 to 110 dollars . This payment admits him not alono to membership iu a particular lodgo , but makes him also a member of tho great Masonic familv , and yet , according to the
practice of a large majority of our lodges , if one of these brethren , by reason of a change of dwelling , or other reason sufficient to himself , wishes to remove his membership from one lodge to another , he must pay an additional fee , ranging from 50 to 25 dollars , It is respectfully submitted that this is not equitable , and that the only foe charged should be the nominal one required bv the Grand Loda ; e for the
necessary change of entries iu its books . Greater still is tho need of reform in this particular when wo desiro to win back thoso who have fallen ont of the ranks , but who hesitate to pay an affiliation fee equal to that paid for their initiation for the privilege of coming back . Every nnn-affiliate who returns to active duty is oue moro to help bear the heat and burden of the day , one moro whose annual dues will help to
meet the annual expenses , and therefore every encourage men t ought t > bo offered to snch to return , while iu a still stronger light is the raqnirement that overy active brother should have the facility of Belacting and joiuing with the lodge in which he feels he can best work and best agree . For these reasons we aro full y and clearly of opinion that our lodges will all have done a good thing for themselves when thoy abolish affiliation fees . —Nev : York Dispatch .
THE MASONIC BANNER . —As the standard or banner of Freemasonry is made np of and derived from the banners of tho four leading tribes of Israel , it may be interesting to learn what was the symbolic meaning given by the Hebrews to these ensigns . Vatablns quotes a Jewish writer as saying , " that the man in tho banner of Reuben signified religion aud reason ; the lion in that of Judah denoted po . ver ;
the ox in that of Ephraim represented patience and toilsome labour ; and the eagle in that of Dan , betoken wisdom , agility and sublimity . " But although such may have been the emblematic meaning of these devices among the Isralites , the combination of them in the Masonic banner is only intended to indicate tho Jewish origin of onr institution from Solomon , who was the last King of Israel under whom tho twelve tribes were united . —Jewish Chronicle .
WHAT NEXT ?—It seems that | the Quakers of a Western town , desirous of doing something to distinguish themselves , lately refused to permit oue of their number to be interred with Masonic form , as he had requested previous to his death , and as his family also desired . When the funeral cortege arrived at the ceineterv , the
brethren wore obliged to wait outside while the hearers took the body and placed it in the grave . It occurs to ns that if we had been Master of the Lodge we would have formed the brethren in due order on the highway , and in the presence of such of the friends as chose to assist , have complied with tho dying reqnest of the departed .
Railway Traffic Returns.
RAILWAY TRAFFIC RETURNS .
The following statement shows the receipts for traffio on tha undermentioned railways for the past week , as compared with the corresponding week in 1875 : — Miles open . Receipts . Railway . 1876 1870 1875 A A
Caledonian 739 57 , 288 47 , 129 Glasgow and South Western . . 315 £ 18 , 172 16 , 474 Great Eastern .... 763 43 , 504 39 , 926 Great Northern .... 611 48 , 720 41 , 482 Great Western .... 1 , 53 l £ 97 , 819 87 , 606 Lancashire and Yorkshire . . 431 63 , 222 59 , 161
London and Brighton . . . 3704 31 , 572 27 , 609 London , Chatham and Dover . . 153 V 16 , 4 S 6 14 , 057 London and North Western . . 1 . 586 J- 161 , 432 145 , 006 London and Sonth Western . . 623 36 , 713 30 , 516 London , Tilbury and Southend . 45 1 , 137 — Manchester and Sheffield . . 2593 r 31 . 0 S 7 26 , 166
Midland 975 ; 101 , 962 96 , 788 Metropolitan 8 10 , 368 9 , 113 „ „ District ... 8 5 , 445 4 , 915 „ „ St . John ' s Wood . . If 501 483
North British 811 } 47 , 961 43 , 586 North Eastern .... 1 , 400 ^ 116 , 588 100 , 348 North London .... 12 7 . 36 S 6 , 271 North Staffordshire Railway . . 191 10 , 498 9 , 418 Canal . 118 1 , 216 294 South Eastern .... 350 32 , 015 29 , 306
THE CRAFT in Ontario , Canada , laid tho corner-stone of the new Methodist Episcopal Church , at Belleville , on 17 th November ult . Tho edifice is to accommodate 1 , 200 persons , and cost 30 , 000 dols . Deputy Grand Master , Bro . W . If . Weller , officiated , assisted by tho Grand Officers . From his ablo oration delivered upon that occasion we tako tho following extract : —
From time immemorial , it has been customary whenever Masons have been held in good repute , to seok their assistance in the erection of buildings of a public character ; and on no occasion havo Masons moro cheerfully rendered snch assistance than at the erection of an edifice to be devoted to the worship of God , —the promulgation of His just , wise , and beneficent laws , and tho
proclaiming His most inexhaustible mercies . Wo havo been requested by the clergymen and Building Committee of tho Episcopal Methodist congregation , to lay tho corner-stone of this church , and by the direction of the Grand Master , I have convened here to-day a special meeting of Grand Lodgo to perforin that ceremony according to tho ancient usages arid established customs among Masons . As
Masons bound to obey the moral and civil law , to fear God , to honour the Queen and assist in tho preservation of peace and good order among men , wo feel that it is pccnliarily fitting that we should assist at the inception of a building intended for the public worship of the Most High aud the propagation of that religion which bringoth " peace on earth and good-will to men . " Masonry deals not with any particular
form of religious belief ; claiming only human origin , human aims and purposes , it can at best be but tho handmaid of religion , and must perforce by the true Craftsman bo held secondary to his religious belief and his obedience to the laws of his conntry . To you , Reverend Sir , and the building committee of this Church , I must say that you are to be commended for the zeal and energy yon havo displayed in undertaking tho
erection of this building , which , when completed , will not only he a commodious place of worship , bnt will also , as I sue by the design snbmitted to mo , prove an ornament to the town in whoso prosperity we are all so mnch interested . We sincerely t rust that you may in everyway bo able fully to cany out your designs , .-rid that this building may ever bo a place for good de . ds and the promotion of Christianity and brotherly love . " —Key stow :
Ad01402
" A suitable nift fronh a Matter to Ma Lodae . " NEATLY BOUND IX CLOTH , PRICK 8 s Gd EACH , Till' FIlfri ^ iMvflftrV % l \ UWm \ r \ V SHE imLLLmmmm d bmvJmbLL } VOLUMES I . and II . Sent , Carnage Paid , to any address in ( lie United Kingdom , on receipt of Cheque or P . O . O . London : — "VY . W . ' ALOUC . VN ' , (> 7 Barbican , E . C . Cloth Cases for Binding can bo had from the Offices , price ls 6 d each .
Ad01403
Agents , from whom Copies can always be had : — Messrs . CURTICE and Co ., 12 Catherine Street , Strand . Mr . T . DIUSCOLL , 87 Farringdon Street . Mr . G . W . JORDAN , 169 Strand . Messrs . A . D . LOKWENSTARK & SONS , 26 Great Queen Street , and 210 Strand , W . C . Messrs . MARSHALL and SONS , 125 Fleet Street , E . C . Mr . M . J . PARKINSON , 114 Goswcll Road , E . C . Mr . H . SIMPSON , 7 Red Lion Court , E . C . Messrs . SMITH and SONS , 183 Strand . Messrs . SPENCER aud Co ., 23 A Great Queen Streot , W . C . Messrs . STEEL and JONES , 4 Spring Gardens , Charing Cross . Mr . G . VICKEKS , Angel Court , 172 Strand . Mr . H . VICKERS , 317 Strand .