Appreciated Masonry.

APPRECIATED MASONRY .

MASONRY in its essential teaching haa always been the same . Whatever of change may have been wrought from time to time in ceremony and organisation , the fundamental principles upon which the great fabric rests remain unaltered . There are two doctrines , oft repeated , and so often , too , as to almost lose their proper influence upon fche mind , which

aro the basis of all landmarks , and the foundation of all lessons . Indeed , if there are any landmarks aside from these two grand principles we are at a loss to know what they are . These principles are the Universal Fatherhood of God , and the Universal Brotherhood of Man . These two truths , great pillars of Truth , support the whole Temple of Masonry . They stand at the doorway and

between fchem must every votary pass . Through them we may look into the grand council chamber , and behold arranged along the grand corridor the graud figures of Truth that scintillate from the divine source of all light—Brotherly love , relief , fortitude , prudence , temperance , justice , purity of life , uprightness of conduct , forbearance and every virtue that adorns the heart and ennobles the life of man .

Much has been written from the time when Masonry first took an organised form , about the landmarks of the Institution . The only landmark that deserves the name is the practice of the virtues embodied in the two fundamental principles of the fraternity—one God , and one family of Man .

A great deal is continually said about the selfishness of Masons , and the fact that men join the fraternity "to feather their own nests , " and to promote their own selfish ends . Such men are decried and are unmercifully condemned . They ought to be , for a mercenary Mason fails to appreciate the true position he occupies in the Society , and does not understand the

lessons he has been taught . But while there are too many of them in the fraternity , yet they are not so numerous as the world would be led to suppose , by the undue importance given to them . One black sheep in a flock is just one too many , but the one black sheep should not receive more attention than fche whole flock beside . His blackness is sufficient warning to all

with whom he may associate . "Why not praise the hundreds who really appreciate the doctrines of Masonry , and by showing the beauties of their appreciation , command admiration and respect ? Why not point out the good traits of the great majority of the membership , rather than parade the shortcomings

of a few . The whole race of man would be vastly better in every way if " fche good that men do " was made the theme of discourse and conversation , and the evil were consigned to unbreakable silence . If the murder and robbery committed by the few fallen men and women were hidden behind the veil of

the pure and noble actions , which , if given the same prominence would over-shadow fche bad , there would be less murder and robbery . And so , if the good men , who really make up the Society of Freemasons , were more continually held , up to view , we would all be influenced by the beauty of their lives .

Men join Masonry because they h » ve a good opinion of its teaching and the men who compose its membership . The mercenary Mason will soon find his place among those who have tired of good works and are outside , so that we may lefc the black sheep alone—he will find his proper place .

But there is a certain benefit that a man has a right to expect in fche fraternity and from his Brethren . It may be called selfishness , mercenary or for self-aggrandisement , but it is none of these . We have a right to expect from those within the Lodge a certain reciprocity , which should be borne of the confidence -begotten by the sacred family ties that bind the

members together . Why should you not expect good service , better service if anything , from a Brother who is a physician ? Why will not a lawyer who is connected with you by the ties of Masonic kinship be as faithful , aye , a little more so , to your interests , as one who never had the same claim upon your friendship ? And if you expect such treatment , why has he not

the right to expect a return of confidence ? There is a mutual interest in our Lodge relations that should nofc bejignored . No man—doctor , lawyer , or merchant—ever joined ; the fraternity with the expectation and intention of increasing his business but was disappointed . Business does not come that way . Many a man has been surprised at an increased popularity for

himself , and profit in his business , which came from his appreciation of Masonry and practice of its principles in an unostentatious manner , and without any thought of gain ; it is the reciprocity of Masonry which every good Mason will enjoy and has a right to expect , and he rightly appreciates the fraternity if he seeks to prove his regard by his actions . — " New York Dispatch . "

Owing to the exertions of Bro . William Shutm-or P . P . G . T . Essex , two new bells have been added to complete the peal

Appreciated Masonry.

at the Parish Church , Walthamstow , and the entire belfry has beea re-constructed afc a cost of upwards of three hundred pounds .

Correspondence.

CORRESPONDENCE .

We do not hold ourselves responsible for the opinions of our Correspondents . All Letters must bear the name and address of the writer , not necessarily for publication , but as a guarantee of good faith . We cannot undertake to return rejected communications .

OUR CHARITIES—PAYMENTS AND DRAWINGS .

To the Editor of the FBEEMASON ' S CHRONICLE . DEAB SIB AND BBOTHEK , —With this I am sending you a copy of to-day ' s " Western Morning News , " wherein is an account of a meeting of the Prudence Lodge , No . 1550 , of Plymouth , at which Bro . F . B . Westlake appears to have made some very interesting remarks in regard to the Masonio Institutions , and fche parfc Devonshire plays in association with them .

I am quite aware the Charities of Freemasonry are not supposed to be conducted on a strict " give and take " principle , but I think it will be a surprise to many to learn—as Bro . Westlake stated—that Devonshire has nine Brethren and eleven Widows as Annuitants of the Koyal Masonic Benevolent Institution , which means an annual grant of £ 712 , while its contributions to that Fund " scarcely ever reached £ 200 a year . "

I do not blame Devonshire for the tremendous advantage it appears to secure , but I think London might well ponder over the statement , and arouse itself to some form of combination , for I believe it must be conceded that Devonshire has secured this very disproportionate result by reason of the care taken of its votes , and the strict organisation that has so long existed among its members .

It is very certain Devonshire gets more than its share ; the question is , who " pays the piper , " and as I think there are many other Provinces equally alive to their own interests as Devonshire undoubtedly is , 'I think there can be no question that tha " smart Londoners " must again admit themselves beaten by the " unsophisticated yokels . "

Yours , & c , ON THE EOAD . Exeter , 6 th January 1897 .

Royal Arch.

ROYAL ARCH .

DUKE OF FIFE CHAPTER , No . 2345 . THE December Convocation of this flourishing Chapter was held at Anderton ' s Hotel , on Wednesday , 9 th ult ., Comp . A . Harvey M . E . Z . The ballot was taken for and proved unanimously in favour of Bros . 3 . A . Barton 72 , F . W . Sinclair 2345 , G . Taylor 2345 , and F . J . Beckwith 2345 , as candidates for exaltation , and they were impressively exalted . All business being ended , the Convocation was closed , after which the Companions dined together .

In proposing the toast of the exaltees , the M . E . Z . pointed out tha advance in Masonic education of the four who had that evening joined the Degree . Comp . Barton , in response , said he had been deeply impressed with Craft Masonry , and could from his short experience say that this was

truly a sublime degree . He felt that every B . A . Mason must be abetter man for the impressive lessons that had been inculcated . Ho had hardly thought it possible that such beautiful language , such impressive sentiments , such useful lessons , and such strong incentives to good life could have been collected together in . one degree of any order .

Comps . Sinclair , Taylor , and Beckwith also responded , each expressing sentiments similar to those spoken hy Comp . Barton . The M . E . Z . proposed the Visitors , welcoming them to the Chapter , and hoping that the visit would lead to others equally edifying to all concerned . He was delighted that they had come on a " record " night . Comp . Pugh M . E . Z . 2346 was delighted with the excellent exposition of B . A . Masonry .

Comp . Stone P . Z . 1275 considered that the close connection of the Chapter and the Lodge -was an excellent idea , likely to lead to greater goodfellowghip and benefit to the members . Comp . Grummant P . Z . 1275 said that it -was a pity so few Masons took that degree , " the Climax of Freemasonry , " which was so very beautiful , as well as dear to its exponents . Comp . Major Vincent , V . D ., P . P . G . Std . Br . Middlesex , said that his visit had been one of edification and enjoyment .

Comp . Ellis had come to see Comp . Barton exalted , and was glad to come into such a Chapter . Comp . W . St . Kidson , as a very young K . A . Mason , assured the members that he was so impressed with the working that , although less than twelve months a member of the Order himself , he was very delighted that his own son would be exalted next week .

In response to the toast of the P . Z . s , Companions Folkard , Wyer , and Voisey responded . Comps . Woods S . E ., Bonner S . N ., Mitchell lst A . Soj ., Morris 2 nd A . Soj ., and Fitch acting Std . also responded in due course . The harmony of the evening was increased by songs and recitations , contributed by Comps . Stone , Bonner , Ellis , Sinclair , Grummant , Kidson , Barton , Voisey , and Vincent .

The first annual report of the London Lifeboat Saturday Fund has just been issued . From it we learn that a total of £ 4 , 091 3 s 6 d " was received in connection with the London Lifeboat Saturday of 1896 , of which £ 588 8 s 6 d was expended on printing , stationery , advertising , rent , & c , the balance of £ 3 , 502 15 s being paid over to the Central Committee of the Fund , which has the Duke of York as its President , the Duchess of York as President of Ladies' Auxiliaries , and Lord Charles Beresford as Chairman . The offices are at 3 Adelphi Terrace , London . The date of the second Lifeboat Saturday in London is fixed as 15 th May next .