P.G.M. Parvin's Address.

masonry is an Institution of man , originated by man and designed for and adapted to the wants of man . It is , as has so often benn declared , a society of ceremonies , forms and symbols , by which it is distinguished and known from all other societies . It is more , much more , it is a living , moving , pervading Institution , manifesting itself in much purity and great power through tho beautiful old language

aud material emblems , devised by man and designed to elevate his character , and bring him into a closer communion with Him in whom all wisdom , and power , and worship are centered . " It is one thing to be a Mason by virtue of initiation into its mysteries , and another to imbibe the spirit of its sublime teachings . It has been truly said that wo may know its history and traditions ,

its achievements and jurisprudence ; we may wander through its mysterious chambers , understanding and interpreting its symbolism ; we may be learned in its lectures and masters of its secret work , and yet the volume of Masonry bo to us a sealed and silent book . We may know its requirements and disregard them—understand the duties it enjoins and not observe them . We may admire

its spirit , aud refuse that spirit a dwelling place within our souls . Its lessons may have fallen on our hearts like grateful rains upon the vast Sahara—producing no fruits , but leaving behind only the desolate waste of former years . We may have appreciated and admired the beauty , symmetry and perfections of its ceremonies , its lectures and its laws ; but if we have failed to observe that these are

but the avenues which lead up to the moral edifice beyond , that they are only emblems of the like qualities in tho spiritual structure—Masonry itself—then indeed our lessons and our toils have been in vain . But the kindly spirit , the sentiment , the charity , the emotion of heart which leads us up with pity , tenderness and love , and pi-ompts and commands us to do good for the love of doing it , and of being

just and generous—the power which imbues with the essence of divinity—which expands and purifies , elevates and ennobles the soul , and fills it with the presence of the Infinite—which lifts us upward and onward , and assimilates our natures to the spiritual character of the Heavenly Master , and fits and prepares us for the society of tbe angels—this is Masonry ; all else are but the agencies through

which it toils and triumphs . This is the divinity which dwells within your temples ; aud if it dwell not also in your hearts , then you are but whited sepulchres , bearing the name but mocking the spirit and purpose of your Fraternity . , But this is the testimony of one who has practised its rito 3 and felt its influence , hear what an outside observer has to say : —

"Although I am not ( ho says ) a member of the ancient aud honourable order which traces its origin through the annals of authentic modern history into the region of dim and misty tradition , I am not so careless of what has passed in the world , but I can recall the services which it has rendered to civilization , to freedom , to law , to the elevation of man and the worship of God .

" Beginning at the remote period , when intercourse was mfrequent , aud communication difficult , when science was occult aud little cultivated , when the arts were in their rude and feeble iufauoy , when rank and privilege asserted an inviolate ascendancy over mind , intellect and culture , too often over right and justice , this order established a general brotherhood , not recognizing outward station , nor

limited by political or geographical lines , getting strength as it went on , it hsis extended throngh the countries and spread over the world , not stopping for race or language or form of government . It flourishes alike on the glaciers of Switzerland and beneath tho palms of Oriental despotism , in free and enlightened America and England , and in supertitious and bigoted Spain and Portugal . Wherever it

has gone , if I read history aright , it has carried the principles of fraternity and the practise of charity . It has mitigated the horrors of foreign war , aud ameliorated tho cruelties of civil strife . Its banners have been erected between the camps of hostile armies , and men who were to meet on tho morrow in the struggle of life and death , have exchanged Knightly courtesies , and have softened their personal

asperities beneath the mystic symbols . It has experienced the vicissitudes that are inseparable from human institutions—it has tasted tho sweets of power and has eaten tho bitter bread of exile . To-day princes aud nobles have been proud to wear the insignia of its officers—to-morrow its camps have been burned at the stake . Undor these varying fortunes it has preserved its principles and

magnanity . It has borne prosperity with moderation , and adversity with fortitude . It has loomed loftier through the mists of error , and gleaned brighter in the fires of persecution . " Such , my friends and brothers , is the Institution of Freemasonry as portrayed by a looker-on of candid judgment and impartial views .

May it ever be our lot , Companions and Sir Knights , to preserve it untarnished from the world , aud yours , fellow citizens of Iowa , to commend the good , uphold tho right , and prosper on their way those whose mission it is to honour God , serve the brotherhood , and benefit the world at large .

The 15 sections were worked by the undermentioned brethren of the Salisbury Lodge of Instruction ( presided over by Bro . Mander W . M . 1201 ) at the Faith Lodge of Instruction , 2 Westminster-chambers , on 2 ndinsfc ., viz ., Bros . W . T . Morphew , G . W . Reed , A . Stewart , D . M . Belfrage ,

J . H . C . Watts , — Tolmie , T . Cull , G . Bubb , J . Wheeler , W . S . Lee , A . Boehr , P . Honeyman , A . C . Bun-oil , E . Farwig . The meeting was eminently successful and satisfactory , there being eighty-five brethren present . Yotes oi

thanks were unanimously accorded to Bro . Mander for presiding , and to the brethren who had so efficiently worked the sections . Bro . Cottebrnne Preceptor , and the brethren of the Faith Lodge are to be congratulated upon the substantial addition to the Lodge funds .

Correspondence.

CORRESPONDENCE .

We do not liold ourselves responsible for the opinions of our Cor * respondents . We cannot undertake to return rejected convmunications . 47 . 1 Letters must bear the name and address of the Writer , not necessarily for publication , bxd as a guarantee of good faith .

With reference to the correspondence about the Boys' School and its Management , we have received a letter , inserted hereinafter , the writer of which suggests that we should only insert letters if paid for beforehand as advertisements . This to us privately , but in his

public letter he expresses an opinion that the point at issue should be inquired into and settled off hand . We think something of this kind should be done . At all events , so far as our columns are concerned , we shall put an end to the controversy next week . We may possibly offer a few further remarks at the same time .

Advertisement. Masonic Boys' School.

ADVERTISEMENT . MASONIC BOYS' SCHOOL .

To the Editors of THE FREEMASON ' S CHRONICLE , and FREEMASON . SIRS , —I see with very great regret a correspondence in your papers of a most un-Masonic character , in reference to the Boys ' School management . What has become of our grand principles , " Brotherly love and

charity ? " they appear to be converted into envy , hatred , malice and all uncharitableness . The course of action now taken can never bring about a satisfactory settlement of the question . It is a most unjustifiable course on the part of Bros . Tew and Perrott to publish , as they did , an " ex parte "

statement to all the outer world . Why Brother , Biuckes should have been attacked so personally I cannot see , except to satisfy the spite of a disappointed clergyman . His question had been decided by the House Committee , and they , not Bro . Binckes , are the responsible parties if injustice has

been done . One or two brethren should be selected by each party to investigate and set at rest the whole question privately , and report result of their enquiries , and not , as is now being clone , holding up the Craft to the ridicule of all its enemies .

I would advise Bro . Binckes to kcop quiet , and not lay himself open to be " shot at " as he is now . I think it will be quite time enough to get up a testimonial to Bro . Perrott after the Report is out , and when it is found tho amount of injuries he has done to the Charities of our Order .

Yours truly , JOHN SUTCDIMI ; , Grimbsby , 10 th November 1875 .

To the Editor of TnE FREEMASON ' S CHRONICLE . DEAR SIR AND BROTHER , —I venture to avail myself of your kind intimation that correspondents may have an opportunity of expressing their opinions in your valuable paper on the controversy now going on respecting the management of the Boys' School . My own opinion , arrived at from a calm and impartial

consideration , both of the Pamphlets issued by Bros . Tew aud Perrott , and the attempted replies on the part of Bro . Binckes , is , that for the welfare of our uoble Institution , the general committee should at once call a special general court for investigation , and the result be mado known to the subscribers . It is only fair that we should know officially , and in a straightforward manner , whether or not these

charges are true ; and if it be true ( as I confess it appears to me to be ) , that a most extravagant system of management has been in force , then by all means let it be changed , and without delay . Freemasons want no parsimony , no contemptible sordidness in the management of this or any other of our noble charities ; what we want is this , that the very best possible for the money shall be

obtained , and that those dear boys , the orphans of our departed brethren , shall reap to the fullest extent the benefit of our Masonic alms . Magna est Veritas . If the statements of Bros . Tew , Perrott and others can be so easily refuted , there should be no time lost , for an impression is daily obtaining that the Institution must seriousl y suffer nuless this be done .

On pp . 29 and 30 of Messrs . Tew aud Perrott ' s Pamphlet , I notice that it is stated that the sum of £ 141 15 s is " not accounted for , " and " missing . " If Bro . Binckes cau account for the expenditure , as it is to be hoped he can , why does ho not do so ? He rushes to the conclusion that he is charged with misappropriation , and then goes on to indignantly deuy a "foul calnrrrny , " which , to my mind , has not been even insinuated . Snrely when he commits himself to

print he should be more circumspect and careful of his words , for when a man repudiates a charge which has never been made , it reminds one of the adage , "A guilty conscience ncedeth no accuser . " Qui non novit tacere , nescit loqui . Of course Bros . Mallam , Tew and Perrott are able to take their owu course and to treat Bro . Binckes ' s letter with every consideration it deserves , they need no champion ; but I maintain there is no spirit of brotherly love , no Masonic charity iu the concluding words