Some Masonic Scraps.

exaggerating their ideas , charge thorn with elevating Masonry above Christianity . Put on yonr glasse .- * aiid re . it 1 . 1 gain , brother : yon wen * mistaken . Blasonry Eliminates CHRIST . "—No , Mr . Anti ! Not to mention the name of a being or person does not eliminate him . Perhaps the p laco yon would have that person named in would bo inappropriate .

One part of Masonry represents an era before CHRIST , whero there being no MESSIAH existing , it was presumed thoy knew Him not . Masonry is consistent with that age . Another part represents a subsequent era whore CUBIST is named , honoured , revered , and adored in the highest sense . Masonry is consistent here also . " But

Masonic Chaplains do not pray in His name . " Yes thoy do , both in His common appellation , and thoso of REDEEMER , MESSIAH , and SAVIOUR , but names and prayer have appropriate places ; and under certain circumstances these latter titles of our Lord are moro appropriate and are used . CHRIST , the REDEEMER , MESSIAH , SAVIOUR is not eliminated .

"Masonry is a Religion . " —No I again . Perhaps a few enthusiasts have said so , but the thinking men of the Order have never claimed ifc , nor do they now . Masonry has no creed , and propagates no such thought . It grows into men's favour ; thoy join , and ifc teaches good principles which it has gotten from the Bible and human experience . Ifc teaches of GOD and CHRIST ; of morality and charity , but has noyet claimed to be a religion .

" Yes , but I know better . I ' ve read its books . " Come , now , be quiet ; yon were never in the Order ; I would wait until I belonged , and knew something about it . " Yes , but I do know . " How does a man feel with the itch ? " Do you mean to insult me ? How do I know ? I never had it . " I presumed you would know as much about the itch , which you never had , as you would about Masonrv , which you never saw .

Masonic Charities— " Masonry , in its charity , proposes to do what the churches do not do , or will not do . Tut ! tut ! Who said so ? Come , now , be easy . " One of your big men said it . He said also thafc if the churches would do their duty , there would be no room for Masonry . "

The churches generally take care of their poor , so do the Masons . " Do the Masons print and circulate the Bible ?" No ; but they teach it in their Lodges , and they build asylums . So do the churches , and they send workers out over the world and preach and bring men to CHKIST . The one does not take the place of the other . Each has a work peculiar to itself , which does not interfere with the other . Their charities are different , but each as perfect as they can make it—full , hearty , and free .

What Mattes You a Mason ?—Your obligation in Masonry makes you a Mason , as your baptismal vow makes you a Christian . But ; the baptismal vow only does a part of tho work . Your subsequent faith and practice make you a Christian ; so it is not merel y your ability to recite your ritual that makes you a Mason . It is the element of a

pure character that makes the real Mason . We talk so much about the work , the Webb work , the ritual , & c , that , perhaps , some think ritualistic work is real Masonry . No ; the ritual is onl y the explanation . True Masonry is the practice of the principles taught in Masonry .

Masonic Reading . —Generally we do not read enough . With no idea beyond the mere work , the young Mason is apt to think thafc to be all there is . But if he reads the Monitor , hears tho lecture , reads Masonic history , learns of Masonic charity , goes into Masonic libraries , he will find that that there is much to read . The Masonic Magazines are full of the finest reading matter , information in history , and a thousand things of interest . Why not have Lodge Libraries

•have evenings for reading •the Lodge always open , with books and papers , and a cheerful light , that the Lodge may be a reading as well as working room ? Our greatest writers have spent years iu gaining their knowledge of which they now write or speak . Educate the younger ones to be reading as well as working Masons . Sometimes ritualism is the highest aim of the novitiate . Why not develop the intellect ; as well as the working element ? Why nob cultivate in this as well as many other things ?

Corresponding Loo . ges . ~ Friends perpetuate friendship by correspondence ; why not promote a union of feeling among Lodges as among friends by correspondence ? Why not , from among the range of topics now and then arising , correspond for tho advice , counsel , or experience of sister Lodges ? Why not devote an evening once a

month for this purpose ? Why havo so much monotony ? " No work ; let us go home . " Is the ritualistic work all ? Wh y not have an evening for correspondence , for reading , for social talk ? Why not have , sometimes , the free familiar chat that we sometimes have in the home parlour ? Thus the cause would be largely promoted .

Who Is My Neighbour ?—The true Mason brings no dishonour upon Lodge , church , self , or GOD . His charity is broad , ; his neighbour is everybod y •his benevolence is not confined to tho narrow limits of tho Lodge ; his heart is touched by tbe woo and sorrow of every ono ' Colour and race draw no line to his charity . He helps his brother first because

he is brother according to the inherent law of humanit y , but sees no one who is not a neighbour , and his neighbourly heart makes friends of those in adversity . Your neighbour is not merel y him of your household or Lodge , but wherever you find suffering you have found your neighbour . The principle underlying the thought of neighbour has no limit .

Masonic Festival Days a Relic of Barbarism . —Is it barbarism to celebrate " Old Dominion Day ? " Does the " Fourth of July " come under that head ? When we celebrate the birthday of onr grandsire , or tne nation ' s great hero , can wo safely be charged with barbarism ?

ft- rf i necessarr thafc tlle name we commemorate be a member ot the Order celebrating . In this note we will claim only that Masons celebrate the Saint Johns ' s Days as to the memory of two great names . _ this there is nothing inappropriate . Christians celebrate great names and como within the range of propriety . If theirs ia not

Some Masonic Scraps.

barbarism , why should om-s be so stigmatized ? Because those who lay the el-nrgo aro ignorant of the character of fho celebration . If a speaker claims llmso distinguished men to be Masons ami proves it , it then becomes a greater reason for celebrating . Tlie names of those great heroic advocates of the cause of CHRIST should always be celebrated by all Christians and civilized nations .

( n'dival I'hmyes . —Masonry is subject to many general charges . It is assailed afc all points , but seldom rises in its own defence . Ifc is nnwarliko , uon-combafcivo ; in principle mcok , rather snlVeving injury than returning a blow . It is tho advocate of no creed nor sect , hence not dangerous to religion ; the advocate of no party , hence not dangerous to government ; limited to no nation or race , hence a grand instrument that might finally bo used in procuring combined action

m many things . Ifc has been advocated that God has , at somo future lime , a grand use for Masonry ; and it is , perhaps , not impossible if it preserves its identity and purity , because ifc has an international bond of union greater than that of any other band of men . Tho many charges that are made against the Order should always bo mot , not in the spirit of defence , bnt in tho form of instruction . Tho opposers of Masonry make their charges through ignorance , and it' they become well informed , that opposition ceases .

Committee Meeting Of The Boys' School.

COMMITTEE MEETING OF THE BOYS' SCHOOL .

There was a meeting of the General Committee on Saturday , the 7 th inst ., when there wore present Bros . H , W . Hunt in tho chair , and Bros . Dewar , R . Stewart , Rosenthal , Ferryman , Webb , Tyrrel , Adlard , Glad well and E . C . Massey . After reading the minutes of the various Committees by the Secretary Bro . Binckes , the snm of £ 5 , 000 was or dered to be invested in India stock , thns raising the funded prope rty to the sum of £ 15 , 000 . A vote of thanks was passed to Bro .

Bjnckes for his untiring exertions to restore tho invested fund which nin eteen years ago ( then amounting to £ 13 , 500 ) was realized for the rebuilding of tho Schools at Wood Green , and ho was congratulated on having more than accomplished thafc object . There were no petitions for names to be placed on tho list of candidates for election in October ; and the granting of three applioa . tions for the usual outfit allowance to former scholars ended tho business of the meeting .

Royal Benevolent Institution.

ROYAL BENEVOLENT INSTITUTION .

THE General Committee met on Wednesday last , when Bro . Lieut . Colonel Creaton presided . There were also present Bros Leggott , Rawson , Brett , J . G . Stevens , J . Bnlmer , J . Quitmann , C Daniel , C . H . Webb , XV . Stephens , C . F . Hogard , E . C . Massey , W Hilton , W . Hole , H . T . S . Burney , T . Cubitt , and Bro . Terry Sec

Three deaths of annuitants wero reported , and candidates petitions from Mrs . Cherrill and Mrs . Laiug wero accepted . Tho signing of tho usual cheques for tho quarter ' s expenses concluded tho proceedings .

Warren Chapter, No. 533.

WARREN CHAPTER , No . 533 .

THE consecration of the Warren Chapter , in connection with Eaton Lodge , No . 533 , took place on Wednesday , the 4 fch of August , in the Masonic Hall , Congleton , Cheshire . The ceremony was solemnly and most impressively performed by the P . G . Superintendent of the Province , the Lord de Tabley ( after whom the new Chapter is named ) , aided by the Provincial Grand H . the Rev . C . W . Spencer Stanhope , and the Provincial Grand J .

Companion Francis Smith P . G . Z ., and Companion G . W . Latham P . G . E ., who had rendered considerable service in the preliminary arrangements of the Charter and tho Chapter , & c . The G . Organist , Companion Kirk P . Z ., conducted the musical part of the ceremony . Tho handsome Temple , dedicated to the ceremonies of the Craft Lodge not long ago , had been decorated and painted , and with the new

Chapter furniture , looked singularly imposing and appropriate to the higher degree in Freemasonry . The Chapter was opened at 2 . 30 p . m . by Companion Bulley , of Liverpool , as Z ., and Companions Stanhope and Smith acting as H . and J . The P . G . S . Lord De Tabley and his Prov . Officers were received in due form and honour , aud after the consecration and dedication ceremony , Companion

Bulley , by command of the P . G . S ., installed in duo and ancient form the Principals designated in the Charter granted by the Supreme Chapter ( and which is signed by H . R . H . the Prince of Wales , the Earl of Lathom , tho Lord De Tabley , Sir F . Wyatt Truscotfc , _ c ) , namely , Companions Dr . Robert Beales P . P . G . A . S . Cheshire P . Z . of Love and Friendship , No . 295 , as Z ., Samuel Francevs Gosling as H .,

and Andreas Edward Cokayne P . P . G . St . B . as J . The Z . then proceeded with the appointment and investiture of Officers , namely , Companions Dr . Beales Tr ., W . Blackshaw E ., S . Blackshaw N ., Furnivall P . S ., John Bradbury A . S ., Daniel Kirk A . S ., Garside J . The Companions after the close of the Chapter adjourned to the dining hall adjacent , where a banquet , prepared in the kitchen

attached to the hall , was well served . The M . E . Z . Dr . Beales presided , supported by the P . G . S . Lord De Tabley , Companions Rev . C . W . S . Stanhope , Bulley , Piatt , Clarke , Dutton , F . Jackson , Bates , the founders of the new Chapter , and other visiting Companions . The usual toasts were drunk , and hearty good wishes for the success of the Warren Chapter were cordially expressed .

The health of the Countess of Carnarvon has undergone material improvement since her Ladyship ' s return to Highclere Castle . The Countess is now able to take daily drives in the park and neighbourhood . Standard .