Freemasonry's Inception.

JL ' _ _ successive generations and nations ; that in the lapse of a ^ es it became , under the providence of God , tho inheritance of the Anglo-Saxon race , who , after perpetuating it for centuries as they received it , finally ,

under the inspiration of genius , following the example of others , remodelled and reconsecrated it , giving it its Christian character , and yet , in tho broadness of its

charity and the glory of its philanthropy , not excluding any one who , believing in tho true God , has tho other necessary qualifications for initiation .

While contending , therefore , that Masonry antedates the Christian era , and clearly is nofc Christian in it . inception , ifc is further claimed that not only is there nothing anti-Christian about it , but that Christianity is its necessary

complement and perfection , engrafting , as it does , upon Masonry the idea of spiritual regeneration and pointing the way , through the Church , to the Lamb of God , the Saviour of the world ; yet not requiring a belief in thafc

Saviour , nor an acceptance of Him , as a prerequisite for admission into the mysteries of the Fraternity , but welcoming every sincere believer in the one true God ,

whether he be our elder brother , the Jew , or our younger brother , the Mahometan , or a purified heathen , led by natural religion through nature up to nature ' s God ancl Maker , as well as the enlightened believers and followers of Christ . —Voice of Masonry .

Obituary.

Obituary .

BRO . GEORGE HUGGETT .

WIT H extreme regret we have this week to record the death of Bro . George Huggett , P . M . of the Tredegar Lodge , No . 1625 , and P . Z . of the Sincerity Chapter , No . 174 , which took place on the 3 rd inst , in the 42 nd year of his age . Bro . Huggett was initiated into

Freemasonry in November 1868 , in the Lodge of Prosperity , No . 65 . He was one of the Founders of the Tredegar Lodge , being nominated in its warrant as Senior Warden , and regularly served that office . He was subsequently elected " to the

office of W . M ., and acted in that capacity in a most satisfactory manner . He remained a subscribing member of the Lodge until his death . He was exalted into Royal Arch Masonry in the Sincerity Chapter , and there attained

the honour of the chair of Z . In public life Bro . Huggett filled the appointment of Assistant Clerk of Poplar Union , a post he occupied for a term of twenty-two years , only relinquishing his duties seven days before ' his death

, although in delicate health some time previously . During hi p long association with the district , he had made many friends in Poplar , ancl was respected by all the inhabitants by whom he was known . He leaves a widow and three

sons—aged seven , nine , and eleven years respectively—to mourn his loss . His funeral took place at Ilford Cemetery on Thursday , and was attended by a large number of his brother Masons , among whom were

of handsome wreaths , sent by his brother Officers and other sorrowing friends . A melancholy feature at the grave was the appearance of the threo sons of our deceased brother , each with a basket of flowers to scatter over the remains of their parent .

Bros . Hubbard W . M ., Verry P . M ., Deason P . M , Anning -P-M . Treasurer , Lacey P . M ., Kendall P . M ., Sly S . W . ( all of 1625 ); also Bros . J . J . Berry , G . Graveley , 0 . H . Webb , Tippetfc , Maloney , Stunt , T . B . Daniells Treasurer ' » 1 , and several other brethren . The coffin bore a number

Bro. Dr. Joseph J. Pope.

BRO . DR . JOSEPH J . POPE .

ASOTIIEP . old friend , ancl a well known brother , has passed ^ vay m the person of Bro . Dr . Joseph J . Pope , who died of t-yncope on Monday , the 6 th instant , Bro . Pope was initiated in March 1879 , in the Lodge of Sincerity , and ' itenvards became a join . njr member of No . 046—tho

strawberry HiH Loclge > Twickenham . Bro . Pope was d popular member of the medical profession , ancl a surgeon hirn milltarv train and artillery . His geniality secured rem - many friencls in tn e circle in which he moved . His o ' c toJd int 81 Tecl afc Abney Pfirk Cemofcei 7 ' 12 J

Bro. Dr. Joseph J. Pope.

The monthly meeting of the General Committee of the Royal Masonic Institution for Boys took place at Freemasons' Hall on Saturday , the 4 th inst , under tho

presidency of Bro . Edgar Bowyer P . G . Std . B . The minutes having been confirmed , those of the House Committee on the 20 th ancl 24 th ult . were read for information . Three

petitions ou behalf of candidates were submitted , considered , and accepted for tho October Election . Grants of £ 5 each , towards outfit , wero voted to four former pupils of the Institution , ancl it was ordered that

£ 3000 India Four per Cent . Stock should be sold on account of the Preparatory School Building Fund . The handing in of notice , of motion for the Quarterly Court of the 13 th instant , and a vote of thanks to the Chairman , concluded fche proceedings .

The Committee of Management of fche Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution met on Wednesday , the Sth instant , at Freemasons' Hall , under the presidency of Bro . H . B .

Marshall , Grand Treasurer . The customary formalities having been disposed of , Bro . Terry , the Secretary , reported the death of four annuitants , three males ancl one female , and then read a letter from the solicitor fco the estate of tho

late Gilbert C . Harris , of Clifton , announcing that a legacy of £ 100 had become due to the Institution , fche former tenant for life having recently died . Letters were also read from Brother Vassar-Smith , of Gloucester , and

Brother G . S . Recknell , acknowledging the compliments paid io them afc the last meeting of the Committee . The reports of the Warden and of the Finance Committee were submitted . The latter shows that there is now a

balance of £ 9076 6 s Id in favour of the Institution , made np as follows : Balance brought forward on Male Fund , £ 486 10 s lOd ; subsequent ; receipts , £ 3985 5 s 5 d ; total , £ 4471 16 s 3 d ; expenditure , £ 1921 3 s 4 cl ; balance on Male

Fund , £ 2550 12 s lid ; balance brought forward on Female Fund , £ 2075 9 s lOd ; subsequent receipts , £ 6224 6 s 9 d ; total , £ 8299 16 s 7 d ; expenditure , £ 1872 lis ; balance on Female Fund , £ 6427 5 s 7 d ; and balance on Sustentation Fund . £ 98 7 s 7 d . Tho

investment of £ 2000 , from the Widows' Fund balance , in East India Four per Cents , and the depositing of £ 5000 at . the Bank on call was recommended by the Finance Committee , and after formal proposition

was agreed to by the Committee of Management . Ihe receipt of a petition from the Fishmongers' Company , to be presented to Parliament , against the Corporate Property Security Bill , was announced , but on Bro . Terry explaining

that ifc did not in any way affect the Benevolent Institution , it was resolved not to take any action upon it , The appointment of Brother James Terry jun . as clerk in the office , in room of Brother Recknell , resigned , was

confirmed , the commencing salary being fixed at £ 130 per annum . The preparation of the annual report of the Institution was entrusted to a Committee , consisting of Bros . Farnfield , Lacey , and Newton , and it was resolved that the Stewards of the late Festival should be invited

to visit the Institution at Croydon . The proposition was then brought forward to present to Brother James Terry the sum of one hundred guineas , in recognition of his exertions in connection with the late Festival . The

motion stood in the name of Bro . Edgar Bowyer , and was formally moved by him . It was seconded by Brother Hogard , and , after some discussion , was carried . An amendment , proposed by Brother Charles Lacey , and

seconded by Brother Henry Moore , thafc Brother Terry be presented with the Vice Patronship of the Institution , in lieu of the one hundred guineas as proposed , was lost , the

original proposition being carried by 17 votes to 9 . The proceedings were brought to a conclusion by the passing of a vote of thanks to the Chairman .

We congratulate the brethren of the Tyriau Lodge , No . 253 , on the eminent success that attended the celebration of their Centenery , on Thursday . Their arrangements were happily conceived , and were carried out with a

liberality that shews that nt Derby the trne spirit of Freemasonrv is prevalent . We feci that onr esteemed Bro . Thomas Cox P . M . P . P . S . G . W , P . G . Treasurer , tho

present Master of this flourishing Lodge , will ever look back on this meeting as one of the most pleasant he has been associated with . We hope to give a full account in our next issue .