Early Masonry.

EARLY MASONRY .

ALTHOUGH the final and absolute cessation of Operative Masonry in Great Britain has been assigned to the early part of the fifteenth century , yet there is no doubt but that centuries before that time Masonry , or that system out of which Freemasonry was constructed , had had a moralistic character . Its cohesive force was its ethical nature . Progress in art culture

was sought along the lines of mutual dependence and reciprocal obligation . The highest development of art was sought for in the most perfect development of the artisan . The living , vital principle , which quickened and unified a membership , scattered over the then known world , was the recognition of the fact of brotherhood .

The code imposed certain moralistic duties which the operative owed not only to his companions , but to himself . It not only enjoined certain obligations towards each other , but went further and recognised the duty of all , to those in whose service they were engaged and to the service itself . An infraction

of duty toward the employer was subjected to a discipline as rigorous as though the offence was against a companion . •Culture , advancement , proficiency , industry , temperance ,

rightdoing , were their watchwords . With them work was worship . Carlyle says : " Older than all preached gospels is this unpreached , inarticulate but uneradicable , forever enduring gospel : work and therein have well being . "

Here , then , was a labour organisation formed , not upon narrow lines , but upon broad , equitable principles—seeking the best interests of the operation along the lines of the best service . It is not strange that while under the surveilance of such an organisation , architecture , and plastic art reached a stage of

development and advancement not since surpassed . Nor is it singular that these organisations became so strong and acquired such a monopoly in the arts that by statute in Great Britain and by imperial degree in France and Germany , conventions of

Freemasons as artificers were prohibited , and the practice of the arts in the secret recesses of the Lodges was interdicted . It was such a system that Speculative Masonry succeeded . It was from such material that centuries ago our moralistic system was formulated .

Society is an association of persons , each having certain rights defined by the general law or common usage . A community of persons is an association having common rights , privileges , or interests , determined by rules and regulations adopted by the persons associated .

A Masonic Lodge is something more than either . In its very constitution it embraces not only persons with warrant of authority issued by a power having regulations covering a limited range , but it has other essentials to its composition . There must be present with every legislative act , present

with every executive order , present when we sit in judgment , and in the discharge of every duty and obligation , not only the square and compass , symbols of an unwritten code , but underlying these the Holy Bible—unread , it may be , and uninterpreted , but still symbolical of Divine Presence , as was the Shekinah of

old ; a recognition of the existence of a Supreme Lawgiver and a higher law . These are the fires which illumine the altar of Masonry . The poet of incense is there , and he doeth well who attunes his senses to its presence . Masonic duty involves the interpretation of the signification of these types .

Masonry is not a mere pastime ; not a mere amusement ; It is an active , living principle . Its ritual , its symbolism , its drama are not mere empty mummeries , but they contain and

exemplify important truths . Masonry may be said to teach two great truths , really but one , for one is but a deduction from the other , viz . : The Fatherhood of God and the Brotherhood of Man . —J . W . MCGBATH , in "Voice of Masonry . "

Royal Arch.

ROYAL ARCH .

DE GREY AND RIPON CHAPTER , No . 1356 . THE installation meeting was held at the Masonic Hall , Hope Street , Liverpool , on Wednesday , 5 th inst ., under the presidency of Comp . W . F . Ferguson . Comp . R . Tunnicliffe was installed Z . in an effective manner by Comps . W . F . Ferguson and T . J . Jarnian ; Comp . E . Collester-Jones being installed H ., and Comp . W . Rawsthorne J .

A vote of condolence with Comp . Goodacro in connection with the recent death of his son was passed , after sincere expressions of sympathy .

For some time past arrangements have been in progress for holding a Royal Arch Chapter in Newbury , a number of the local Brethren having for many years belonged to Chapters at Reading , Basingstoke , and elsewhere . The consecration of the new Chapter will take place in a few weeks .

Correspondence.

CORRESPONDENCE .

We do not hold ourselves responsible for the opinions of our Correspondents . All Letters must bear the name and address of the writer , not necessarily for publication , but as a guarantee of good faith . We cannot undertake to return rejected communications .

ADDRESSING THE CHAIR .

To the FREEMASON ' S CHRONICLE . DEAB SIR AND BROTHER , —I have recently noticed different Brethren addressing the Master in Lodge as " Worshipful Sir , " although they were not themselves Installed Masters , and being somewhat of a disciplinarian I have pointed this out to some of the Brethren concerned , and thought of addressing you on the subject , but I dismissed the matter as being , nerhans . too trivial

for reference in your pages . Now , however , I find the matter editorially referred to in an Australian paper I occasionally see , and think there is good reason for asking you to ventilate the point . I think it will be admitted the proper way of addressing the occupant of the chair is " Worshipful Master , " and I think a little supervision on the part of those in authority in our Lodges might judiciously be directed to the somewhat prevalent error I refer to . Yours , & o . EX-COLONIAL .

Ye Olde Friends Smoking Concert . —The well known firm of Messrs . Spiers and Pond , whose branches , like Freemasonry , are spread all over this kingdom , naturally employ an enormous staff of managers , and it has been their custom of late years to meet together to enjoy a pleasant evening to the mutual advantage of the firm and themselves . One of these festive occasions took the shape of a Smoking Concert , which was held on Friday of last week , ad the Freemasons' Tavern , Great Queen Street , W . C .,

the great hall boins : crammed with a numerous assembly of " Ye Olde Friends . " Mr . J . M . Freshwater , one of the Directors , occupied the chair , and , though the contents of the bottles before him proved that his name was somewhat anomalous , kept the programme going in capital style . The Committee presided at various tables placed about the hall , where they welcomed their friends and promoted general good fellowship . They were T . M . Brownrigg Chairman , G . Ashton , W . Blanchette , H . Cheeseman , H . Cross

Secretary , M . Fournier , J . H . Gerard , C . James , F . R . Janetsky , G . T . King , O . Luer , L . Mantell , T . Platten , H . Reed , L . Schmidt , S . F . Vandyke , R , Vorley , G . A . Wells , C . H . Wohlschlager , F . Williams , and E . E . Curling Honorary Treasurer . We wondered what were the duties of the last named gentleman , until we were informed that last year he was able to collect a sufficient sum to enable the Committee to give a Tea , Entertainment and Gifts to about three hundred poor children . We sincerely hope that this year his duty may be made more onerous . The concert was most enjoyable ,

the artistes including the names of Jos : O'Mara , Richard Green , Wallis Arthur , Bob Rae , G . T . Miles , Dudley Canston , Fred Frampton , the Queen ' s Glee Singers , and the Viennese String Band . During the evening Mr . Browning proposed a vote of thanks to the Chairman , which was carried with musical honours . Mr . Freshwater in his reply referred to the good work done by the Committee , and his keen appreciation of their efforts . He was sure that all present would re-echo his opinion that they had been provided with a very pleasant evening . Renewed cheers expressed the thanks of the visitors .

NEWS of Nansen and the " Fram " is confidently expected during this year by the Danish explorer's friends , and preparations for this summer ' s Swedish Balloon Expedition to the Pole under Herr Andree are already far advanced . Under these circumstances the Editor of " Cassell ' s Magazine " has been taking the opinion of experts in travel and exploration upon this

" Race for the Pole , " and in his February number will be found letters from Mr . H . M . Stanley , M . P ., Sir Martin Conway , the President of the Royal Geographical Society , Admiral Sir Leopold McClintock , K . C . B ., and Mr . Henry Coxwell , in answer to the question , " Can Nansen or Andree reach the Pole ?"

"A Sprig Of Acacia."

"A SPRIG OF ACACIA . "

ON Friday , 31 st ult ., the remains of the late Brother Henry Thomas Nell , Studley Royal , Grove Road , South Woodford , were interred in the churchyard of St . Peter ' s-on-the Forest , Walthamstow , in the presence of a large assembly . The service was conducted by the Rev . M . Rees , assisted by the Rev . A . Garthwaite , curate of St . Mary ' s , Woodford , while Brother

Walter Latter Grand Organist of Essex presided at the organ . The congregation included from fifty to sixty Brethren , amongst those present being Bros . Langdon , William R . Hunt , J . Skeggs , G . Manuelle , Lindus , Taylor , J . Pick , T . Macklin , T . Taylor , T . A . Burgess , and A . V . Medcalf .

THE funeral of the late Bro . J . W . Belsham W . M . 1614 P . M . 733 took place at Kensal Green Cemetery , on the 11 th inst . Our worthy Brother , who had been ill for several weeks with heart complications , bronchitis and pneumonia , breathed his last on the 6 th , and was followed to the grave by his widow ,

two sons , and two daughters , all of whom in a marked manner displayed by their grief the love they bore to the husband and father , as also did many other relatives . Brother Belsham was W . M . of the Covent Garden Lodge , and was to have installed his successor on the day of his funeral . He was also P . M . of the Westbourne Lodge , and a Companion of the Westbourne