The Old Charges.

Lodge of England , and it had developed to what it was at the present time . It was termed on a cosmopolitan basis . The Christian foundation was altered to a general religious basis , so that anyone could be admitted , irrespective of his Religion , so long as he was of good moral character . The

Grand Lodge formed in 1717 was the parent directly and indirectly of all the other Grand Lodges in the Universe , whether in Europe , Asia , Africa or America . It was undoubtedly the largest , oldest and most benevolent Grand Lodge

under the sun . Even in charities the Masons spent at least £ 300 a day in this country . Still charity was not the object of Freemasonry ; it was Fraternity ; and if anyone got in trouble their axiom was to help .

The Grand Lodge formed other Grand Lodges , their influence had been a powerful factor in this country and also abroad . No Society at the present time was doing so much to bridge over the differences existing in India as Masonry . In India , Jews , Mohammedans , Christians , Parsees and

Hindoos all fraternised in the Lodge , and whatever differences they had—whether religious or political—were left outside . This had a very humanising tendency , and on international grounds they were doing great good throughout the world .

The Brethren were spread throughout the civilised world , and whatever situation they were in , and whether they were white or black , they were virtually one . There were something like 2 , 000 , 000 members . In the United States the Brethren had done their best to

produce good feeling between that country and ours , and to cement the union and foster and maintain the relationship between the Anglo-Saxon Race throughout the world—a Race that was going to win in the long run—and had put off any idea of war between those two great countries . He had

that morning received an intimation that His Majesty the King—whom might God long preserve—had graciously accepted a copy of the last reproduction of one of the old manuscripts , thus showing that the value of such a study was recognised by Royalty . As the Mason ' s motto was " Fear

God and honour the King , " they had a right to live . The lecturer concluded by referring to the fact that in one of the old manuscripts there was the phrase , " he or she that is to be admitted a Freemason . " The manuscript was in the possession of the York Lodge . That had given rise to the opinion that

women were initiated as well as men . It was , however , an entire error , for the quotation was simply an erroneous translation of a Latin clause , the translator having made a mistake in the last letter . Sometimes in old manuscripts instead of writing " he or they , " the Scribe omitted the last letter " y , "

and so made it read " he or the . " The translator , owing to the formation of the letters , mistook the " t" for a " s , " and so concluded that it must be " he or she " that was meant . It was certain that women were never made Freemasons , but

when a Mason ' s widow was left unprovided for , she was allowed to continue the business . In Mexico there were several female Lodges , although there had no business to be , and he did not think they would last long .

Questions being invited , one of the Brothers asked when the old Grand Lodge of York amalgamated with the Grand Lodge in London ? The lecturer replied that the old Lodge of York did not amalgamate with the Lodge in London . There was an old

Lodge meeting at York , with Records from 1712 , but it did not become a Grand Lodge until 1725 . When the York Lodge heard of the formation of the London Lodge they decided to start one as well . They did so , but it eventually died out , and left no representative . Before 1751 the Grand

Lodge was too strict for some of the Brothers , and because of that several of them in that year started another Grand Lodge in London , styling themselves "The Ancient York Masons , " but they never had any connection with York . In 1813 the Duke of Sussex and the Duke of Kent agreed

to a union , and from that time the two Grand Lodges united as one Body . The Chairman proposed , and Dr . Grimbly seconded , a vote of thanks to the lecturer , which was unanimously carried , and acknowledged by Bro . Hughan .

* ************** Bro . Sergeant R . C . Butters , serving in South Africa with his regiment , the Royal Scots Greys , sends a letter of inquiry for his mother Lodge—Clydesdale , No . 556 . He has not , he

The Old Charges.

writes , had a chance of visiting any Lodge lately , having been among the hills , but , if possible , he intends visiting Lodges in Pretoria and Johannesburg . Fie has met a number of the Craft out there , and he has always been received heartily . " It is pleasant , " he adds , " to meet them , when in a lonely

place ; it puts new life into you . " Of the war he says small attacks are being made daily by the wily Boer , but very little damage they do now . His letter is dated the end of March , and the horses of their column he speaks of as looking poor , and the men not very fit . Weather was wet , and they were

still sleeping in the open . To get wet two or three times a day is quite usual . They were continually making captures . The Kaffirs , Bro . Butters mentions , are loyal , and about 18 th March drove twenty Boers and a quantity of cattle into the British camp . — " Glasgow Evening News . "

u » m uu H Ttltlt KKT * n XI * Early in the year the Woodgrange Lodge , No . 2409 , advertised a ball in aid of the West Ham Hospital , which had to be abandoned owing to the Queen ' s death . In order that the hospital should not suffer by the ball not taking

place , a subscription was made amongst the members of the Lodge , with the result that forty guineas has Been sent to the hospital . The Worshipful Master Bro . J . Stewart and Bro . F . G . Searle were nominated for the Life Governorships .

Votes of thanks to Bros . T . M . Heselum and R . J . Tucker jun ., the Hon . Secretaries , Bro . A . Trew P . M . Hon . Treas ., and to the Chairman were passed at a recent meeting of the Lodge .

********** The £ 500 voted at last week ' s meeting of United Grand Lodge to the National Memorial to Queen Victoria has been acknowledged from the Mansion Flouse , and increased the total of the contributions to £ 111 , 500 .

****************** ROYAL ARCH . Hornsey Chapter of Improvement , No . 89 O . Ox 31 st ult ., at the Prince of Wales Hotel , Eastbourne Terrace , Bishops Road , Paddington , W ., Comps . J . Bailey P . Z .

1602 M . E . Z ., A . F . Hardyment J . 14 S 9 H ., E . Lloyd H . 8 90 J ., H . Dehane P . Z . 8 90 Scribe E . P . P . G . P . S . Essex , W . J . Lewis N . 890 Scribe N ., H . Foskett 8 90 M . E . Z . 88 5 Treas ., F . Marchant P . S . S 90 P . S ., - AV . Smith-Rose First Assist . 8 90 First A . S ., R . N . Larter H . 1 S 6 , H . J . Dunaway 69 , E . Stevens 733 , A . L . Butters J . 890 , AV . Hallett 733 , J . M . Huish H . iS ; .

The Chapter was opened and the Companions admitted . The minutes of the last convocation were read and confirmed . The ceremony of exaltation was rehearsed , Comp . Dunaway candidate . A vote of thanks was passed to Comp . Hardyment for the manner

in which he had rehearsed the duties of 2 nd Principal for the first time , which compliment was duly acknowledged . A communication re election of Capt . Barlow as Grand Treasurer was read , and met with much approval . The Officers were elected for the ensuing two weeks , Comp . Bailey M . E . Z . It was arranged that the annual supper take place on 21 st instant .

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