Let The Mill Grind.

youth of Masonry , to draw the line , and say , thus far and no farther , the same right exists to-day in all the American Grand Lodges , subject to the Ancient Landmarks and Constitutions . And , if they possess this right , does it not logically follow that all so-called Masonio degrees not thus recognised , stand as impostors and clandestine organisations , having no claim to Masonio relationship save

in the fact that their membership is limited to Masons ? The converse of these propositions would seem to be that Grand Lodges should exorcise constant vigilance in repressing and branding as clandestine and un-Masonio whatever may come into conflict with pre-existing conditions , or in any manner weaken or diminish the vigour , harmony or usefulness of the Fraternity .

The action of the Grand Lodge of Massachusetts is not a new departure . It is but a repetition of what Illinois has done , and is a healthful sign that the great body of the Craft are loyal to old landmarks and principles . It is full time that a halt should be called , and the overshadowing and superfluous tinsel decorations stripped from our temple and

buried in the Masonic potters' field . The Craft have slumbered quietly , secure in the consciousness of strength , while these enoroaohments have been going on , tamely submitting to see the sublime funeral ritual appropriated almost literally by one of the socalled higher bodies , and it is indeed time that the Craft should awake to its rights and proteot them . If those who claim to be

Masons are so wedded to their idols that they prefer the Golden Calf to the Living Word , they must , like the children of Israel , suffer the consequences . There should be in Masonry no " Let Ephraim alone , he is joined to his idols , " but the Masonio Ephraim should be made to realise that he must get out of his father's house , and move into one of his own , bearing a different name , if he will not be governed by

the rules and regulations of his forefathers . " Nor is this running after strange gods the only evil to be feared . The same love of the sensational , of scenio decoration and dramatic accessions , is gradually working its way , like leaven in a loaf , into Symbolic Masonry ; and in the home of the Voice of Masonry , and perhaps others of our large cities , rich costumes and dramatic

accessories of various kinds are becoming fashionable , and it is not impos . Bible , should this straining after sensational effeot be tolerated , that , in course of time , we may find our country Lodges , who cannot afford these expensive outfits , under the necessity of keeping up with the times by employing some Star performer , who has provided himself with the necessary paraphernalia , to visit them and confer the

sublime degree in modern theatrical style . The true idea of these practices was tersely expressed by Past Grand Master Josiah H . Drummond , who , being asked for his views on this subject , replied that he " hoped never to see Masons in any other disguise or costume than that of gentlemen . " In the editorial comment of the Voice of Masonry on the

Massachusetts question , Bro . Brown says : " We think it forbodes a complete dictatorship over all degrees ( Masonio ) , by Grand Lodges , and in the ultimate , the abolition of all other Grand Bodies , " & o . This wonld seem rather a far . fetched conclusion . Grand Lodges , as a rule , have enough of their own business to attend to , and , being composed of the bone and sinew of the Craft , are possessed of the oharity

necessary to subdue and keep in oheok all selfishness or desire for aggrandisement at the expense of the rights of others . Symbolio Masonry , though not quite Quakerism , is never aggressive , seeks only to be let alone , and to protect itself in its legitimate and timeconceded rights , but not to build itself or strengthen itself by the destruction of , or interference with , any other association of men .

The foreboding thought , however , may be construed as a virtual admission of the inherent power of G . Lodges to do what is thus vaguely suggested as a remote possibility . There is , however , no desire on the part of Symbolio Masons to abridge the ambitions of the " Jiners , " who , from whatever oause , may desire to "jine " allthe secret orders in existence , and though it may sometimes sound rather

unfraternal to hear the remark , "Oh , he ' s only a Royal Arch , " or " only a Master Mason , " as the case may chance to be , by those who append 32 ° , or more , to their autographs , yet they can well afford to ignore it , knowing that they are only such from their own choice , and from no demerit on their part . One of the possible contingencies suggested in the Massachusetts

report , that of a conflicting allegiance , is hardly probable by any association styling itself Masonic , and the true Mason would hesitate and promptly refuse to take upon himself any obligation which might conflict with paramount or rather pre-existing dnties . It is no warfare on Masonic principles , but it is an affirmation of Masonio sovereignty over Masonry ; of its power for self protection , and Massachusetts , as the mother Grand Lodge of America , is opportune

m setting a wholesale example , to crush effectually those mercenary adventurers who , like Ramsay , Cagliostro , and Marconis , are prostituting the name of Masonry , as a means of personal gain ; free lances and freebooters who , though perhaps skilful in the use of their weapons , wield them not from principle but for lucre . There can be no doubt as to the good result . The voice of the Craft , and probably the Voice of Masonry , will in due time proclaim , Well done , old Bay State ; let the mill grind .

A Convocation of the North London Chapter of Improvement was held on the 10 th inst ., at the Alwyne Castle Tavern , St . Paul ' s Road , Canonbury , N . Companions Dean M . E . Z ., Gregory H ., Strugnell J ., Radcliffe S . N ., Knight P . S . It was resolved , at a late Convocation of this

Chapter of Improvement , that a complimentary banquet should be given on Thursday , the 7 th February next , to Companion Preceptor T . C . Edmonds . This will take

place at the Holborn Restaurant , at seven o ' clock punctually . Any Companion desirous of being present will please communicate with Comp . J . B . Sheffield , 67 Grosvenorroad , Highbury New-park , N . Tickets 4 s 6 d each .

Reviews.

REVIEWS .

All Books intended for Beview should be addressed to the Editor of The Freemason ' s Chronicle , Belvidere Wovks , Hermes Hill , Pentonville , London . N . Freemasons' Calendar and Pocket-Book for the year 1884 . Published

for the benefit of the Charity Fund under the sanction of the United Grand Lodge of England , and by command of tho M . W . Grand Master . London : Spencer ' s Masonio Depot , 23 A Great Queen-street , W . C .

THE Calendar Committee of the Board of General Purposes are to be congratulated on the progress they aro making in the work of compilation . The roll of Grand Officers since 1814 has been extended in the present issue by the addition of the Pro Grand and Deputy Grand Masters , whilo that portion of the Calendar which is devoted

to the Provinces has been strengthened by the insertion of the list of brethren who since 1717 have held the supreme direction of affairs in the Proviuces into which the country is sub-divided . Another improvement is the omission of the magical letters " T . I . " from Lodges Nos . 3 , 5 , 7 , 9 , 11 , and 13 , to which they had no claim whatever . Perhaps ,

in a year or two more the Committee will have mustered up courage enough to insert the dates of oonstitution , whioh cannot be very much earlier thau 1751 , instead of leaving them without dates altogether . The dates in the " Cosmo , " as supplied , we believe , by Bro . Hughan , are No . 3— " 1755-84 , " No . 5— " 1752 , " No . 7— " 1751 , "

No . 9—" 1751 , " No . 11— " 1751 , " and No . 13— " 1761-85 . " We know there is a difficulty in fixing the dates of constitution of the so-oalled " Ancient" Lodges , but , according to Bro . Gould , on the 17 th July 1751 , the Masters of Nos . 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 , 6 , and 7—present Nos . 3 , 5 , 7 , 9 , 11 , and 13— " were authorised to grant dispensations and

warrants , and to act as Grand Master . " Though , therefore , the constitutions of these Lodges may , for the sake of convenience , be deemed to " range beyond historical investigation , " still , as the Sohisra did not begin till about the year 1738 , and as the genuine " T . I . " Lodges , Nos . 2 and 4 , are the only ones which work without

warrants , further investigations on the part of the Calendar Committee may some day enable them to decide for themselves , if only approximately , when these said Lodges came into being . One other matter deserves to be mentioned . The Committee persist in setting down the days when Lodges meet as " 2 nd Thursday , " " 1 st

Monday , " & c , when , as they cannot fail to know , a vast number of Lodges meet only six or seven times in the course of the year ; at all events , not regularly every month , as is implied by the entries as now worded . We lay some stress on this point , as brethren rightly look to the Grand Lodge Calendar "for accurate information , and , in this particular , it is not forthcoming .

The Cosmopolitan Masonic Calendar , Diary , and Pocket Book for 1884 . Fourteenth year of publication : Second Edition . London : George Kenning , 16 and 16 A Great Queen-street , Lincoln ' s-Inn-Fields ; 1 , 2 , 3 and 4 Little Britain ; 195 , 196 and 197 Aldersgate . street , & c , & c , & c .

THE appearance of a fresh issue of this useful , we may venture to correct ourselves and say indispensable , Masonic publication is always most welcome . The information it contains as to the different Masonio bodies at home and abroad is very nearly as complete as it can be made , and , what is of still greater significance , it is sur .

prisingly accurate , considering the great difficulties there are in the way of obtaining accurate returns about Lodges , Chapters , Conclaves , and the like . No new feature has been introduced this year , because so many have been introduced in previous issues that the list of new features must have been pretty well exhausted by this time . But

endeavours have been successfully made to strengthen , as far as possible , the . value of the " Cosmo " in its character of a guide as to the days and places of meeting of the different Masonic bodies , supreme and subordinate ; while , as far as we have had an opportunity of judging , the matter relating to Masonry abroad is , if anything , rather

more , comprehensive than it was last year . In short , the " Cosmo , " retains all its old points of excellence , while it does not materially differ from what it was iu 1883 , only because there was little , if any , room left for the introduction of material changes , at least in the way of improvement .

Irish Freemasons Calendar and Directory for the year 1884 . Published under the sanction of the Right Worshipful the Grand Lodge of Ireland . Dublin : Printed by S . Underwood , for the Grand Lodge of Ireland , and to be had at Freemasons' Hall , Molesworth-street .

THE Irish Masonic Calendar is a model of neatness and conciseness as regards the arrangement of its contents and their sub-division among the different bodies which flourish in Ireland in spite of the antagonism with which they are unceasingly confronted . As to the accuracy of the information furnished we are not in a position to say

more than that almost every page affords evidence of the care bestowed on the . compilation . There appears to be a great amount of unwillingness on the part of Irish Lodges and brethren to allow any of their doings to appear in the Masonio journals of this country . Why this should be the case is an enigma we shall make no attempt

to solve . But in the absence of snch occasional intelligence , we have no means of testing the value of the particulars stated as to dates , places of meeting , & c . All we can say on this head is , that the details given have every appearance of being trustworthy , while the manner in which they are put together is well worthy of commendation . Several Lodge reports are unavoidably held over .