Philadelphia "Mother" Question; Bro. Lane's Theory On.

official engraved Lodge list of 1734 , that Boston had a Warranted Lodge in 1733 . If , then , Bro . McCalla can show equally good evidence that Philadelphia had a

chartered Masonic Lodge before 1733 , I challenge him to produce his evidence . And if Bro . Lane is in possession of any information about the early history of Masonry in Pennsylvania of which I am ignorant , he will much oblige me by publishing that information as soon as possible . BOSTON , U . S . 18 th January 1887 .

Official Visitation Requisite.

OFFICIAL VISITATION REQUISITE .

THE experience of Most Worshipful S . S . Williams , of Ohio , in his official visitation of Lodges is very suggestive . He found a general regret , on the part of the brethren , that Official visitations by Grand Officers

were not of sufficient frequency , and learned that one of the Lodges which assisted at the organization of the Grand Lodge , and furnished ifc one of its first Grand Officers , seventy-six years previously , had never been

visited by a Grand Officer other than the one elected from its ranks . This was astonishing , and doubtless , made him feel keenly how great had been the neglect of duty in the past , and how important was his visit . Just think of it , a Lodge neglected officially seventy-six years , save visits by one of its early members I Is ifc nofc a wonder that ifc lived

so long , with no one to pay it official honour , or encourage it in well doing ? In the face of the joy of fche brethren at his visit , the first of its kind ever known by nearly all of them , is ifc strange that the Grand Master saw and

declared , " that visitations by Grand Officers have a good effect upon Lodges visited , " and desired that the Grand Lodge would devise means by which they might be visited more frequently ? That body did partially wake up to its

duty in this regard , but the work never will be well done so long as the Visitors have to look directly to the Lodges visited for their compensation . All visitation and instruction of Lodges by Grand Officers should be at the expense

of their Grand Lodges , The Visitors should be free to do their duty faithfully and thoroughly , and , consequently , should not be directly dependent on the Lodges for fee or reward . As the Grand Master initimated , the good effect

upon Lodges of proper official visitation will be admitted by all , and he might well have added , Is requisite , and , on no account , to be neglected , if their well-being and permanent prosperity is to be assured . Abundant evidence is

at hand to demonstrate this , and again we affirm that all Masonic Grand Bodies should amply provide for such visitation , and see thafc it is is thoroughly performed . — Voice of Masonry .

Advancement.

ADVANCEMENT .

IT is a vulgar error to suppose that Freemasonry does nofc exist and flourish in what are all but exclusively Roman Catholic countries , or thafc ifc does nofc therein worthily exemplify its cardinal principles of " brotherly loverelief

, , and truth ; " and , as so aptly put by H . R . H . the Prince of Wales , the Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of England , its distinguishing attributes of " loyalty and charity . "

Among the many influential Masonic grand bodies of tbe world , with large numbers of constituent Lodges , are those of Italy , France , Spain , Portugal , Belgium , and

other Catholic countries in Europe ; and those of Mexico , the United States of Columbia , the Empire of Brazil , the Argentine Republic , Uruguay , Peru , Venezuela , Cuba , and other Roman Catholic countries in America .

Nearly all the officers and members of these Lodges are Roman Catholics , and many of them are men of great ability and prominent in almost every walk of life . Very rarely , in these and in some other countries , —an

over-zealous subordinate ecclesiastic , mistaking the real import of superior general declarations , imprudently causes temporary discord and misunderstandings , which however

are in general promptly allayed by authoritative instructions to such that they must devote themselves exclusively to the spiritual duties of their jurisdictions , and let Freemasons alone .

The many obvious inferences from these indisputable facts , are so plain that " he who runs , may read . " —Canadian draftsman .

Installation Meetings, &C.

INSTALLATION MEETINGS , & c .

DRURY LANE LODGE . No . 2127 .

NEVER in tho history of the Ancient Craffc haa there been gathered together a more brilliant or representative body than that assembled at Drury Lane Theatre on Thursday , when Brother Augustus Harris , the popular Lessee of the National Theatre , was installed Master to rule over the destinies of fche Lodge for the

second year of its existence . Prominent members of the Grand Lodge of England , the Grand Lodge of Ireland , and the Grand Lodge of Scotland ; tho leading men of letters at tho present day ; the most distinguished members of the dramatic profession attended . After Lord Londesborongh , the retiring Master , had opened the Lodge , in the

Grand Saloon , the Grand Officers were received wifch dne ceremony , and were conducted in procession by the Master of Ceremonies ( Colonel Hughes-Hallett , M . P . ) to their respective seats . When fully constituted the Lodge-room presented an imposing aspect . Members of the Grand Lodges of the three kingdoms were present , resplendenc

with the badges and jewels of their office , the colours displayed being counterbalanced by the more gorgeous regalia of brethren holding position in the Provincial Grand Lodges . The arrangements made by Bro . A . M . Broadley , the Secretary , were admirable in every respect , and provided for the due effect of the ceremony aa well aa

the comfort of the visitors . After the minutes of the last meeting had been read and confirmed , Bro . Broadley referred to the circular sent out to Masters of Lodges by the Pro Grand Master the Earl of Carnarvon . He ( Bro . Broadley ) thought it would be in the interests of fche Lodge if he did nofc read thafc circular in its entirety , but only

the latter part , which was for the consideration of the members . This having been done , Lord Londesborongh said the proposition had the approval of the Most Worshipfnl Grand Master ,- His Eoyal Highness had shown such a deep interest in theatrical affairs , that he trusted he should have the privilege of communicating the

assent of the Drury Lane Lodge to the proposed Jubilee Festival , Bro . Augustus Harris supported the opinion expressed by the Worshipful Master ,- he was sure ifc would meet wifch fche brethren's ap . proval , and that the Drury Lane Lodge would do everything in its power to carry out the scheme . The Auditors' report was then

presented , received and adopted . The installation ceremony was performed by Bro . J . C . Parkinson P . G . D ., Bro . T . Fenn President Board General Purposes acting as S . W ., and Bro . Eobert Grey P . B . B . as J . W . Bro . Harris having been presented as W . M . elect , by Bro . Lord Londesborough , a Board of Installed Masters was formed ,

and he was impressively installed into the chair . The Officers were invested as follows : —Bros . Sir John Eldon Gorst , Q . C ., M . P ., S . W ., Eev . C . J . Martyn P . G . Chap . Chaplain , J . S . Fleming Treasnrer , A . M . Broadley P . M . 1717 and 1835 P . D . D . G . M . Malta Secretary , James Fernandez S . D ., Squire Bancroft Bancroft J . D ., Harry Nioholla

I . G ., Charles Dickens Dir . of Cers ., Wilhelm Ganz P . G . O . Organisfc , W . A . Baskcomb and T . Catling Stewards , R . Goddard Tyler . Bro . Admiral Sir E . A . Inglefield , C . B ., D . C . L ., being unavoidably absent , fche Worshipful Master asked Bro . Eobert Grey Pres . B . B . to kindly maintain the position of J . W . throughout the evening . The cus .

ternary addresses were then delivered by the Installing Master , whose rendering of the ceremony throughout secured the cordial approval of all assembled . The Worshipful Master ' s first duty was to ask Bro . Lord Londesborough to accept the jewel which had been voted by the Lodge . Bro . Harris said he was sure it must be with

the greatest satisfaction that Lord Londesborough saw present such a large and influential assembly of Masons ; he must feel pride thafc this Lodge , which had been founded under his auspices , shonld have had such a successful first year . All present congratulated him on the improvement of his health , and personally he ( Bro . Harris )

assured him that every member of the Lodge would always look upon the banner he had presented them with pride and satisfaction . Lord Londesborough in reply said he could not find words to express his thanks for the magnificent jewel , and still more for the kind feeling that prompted the gift . The past year had been one of great pride

to him ; he should never forget the kindness of the brethren . He should not easily forget how they evinced their sympathy for him at the consecration , by refraining from smoking . He must thank the Ofiicers for the way in which they had made his task easy ; especially Brother Parkinson for carrying out the duties in his absence . He

wished it was possible to be with them at the banquet table , bnfc , as that pleasure was denied him , he must say a few words with regard fco the Lodge . Ifc was impossible to look round and nofc to feel that it had takf .-a a very high rank in Masonry ; he felt certain under the guidance of Brother Harris it would continue its prosperous career .

Representative as it was of the theatrical profession , he had no doubt tbe ceremonies would be performed in an exceptional manner , and thafc they would always feel as much pride in the Lodge as they now did . For tho magnificent present they had given him he thanked them most cordially . The Worshipful Master then addressed Brother

Parkinson , the Installing Master . He should be dissatisfied with himself on the occasion of his installation did he nofc publicly thank Brother Parkinson for the services he had rendered the Lodge During fche past year fche yonng members had learned some excellent lessons from his perfect working , and every one who had had fche

good fortune to attend the meetings had been struck with the masterly manner in which he had presided . He now asked him to accept the distinctive jewel worn by the founders , hoping he would wear it , as having materially assisted to build up and establish the Drury Lane Lodge . Brother Parkinson expressed his strong feeling of gratitude

for the way in which the brethren had given him this token of their remembrance , one he should wear with great satisfaction . Propositions for initiation were received , including the names of H . H . Prince Ibrahim Hilmy of Egypt , Mr . Beerbohm Tree , Mr . Gilbert Farquhar , and Mr . Arthur Yates ; and amongst those proposed as joining members were Bros , the Eight Hon . the Earl De La Warr , St . John