Freemasonry In Torquay.

until it was brought down to £ 300 , the amount now resting as a mortgage on the premises . The anxious desire of every member of the Lodge undoubtedly assisted the Building Committee in its responsibilities and labour ; but the chief portion of the financial efforts emanated from that Committee . The erection of the Masonic Hall

appeared to usher iu a new era , for we soon found the number of members so increased that within ten years from that event the numerical position of the Lodge had wonderfully improved . This fact suggested the desirability of opening a new Lodge , that should be an

additional source of strength to St . John ' s Lodge , by occupying the premises as tenants , and thus paying an annual rent , thereby diminishing the liability on the building . The scheme , at first , was regarded by some of the members as being inimical to the interests of the

Lodge ; while others took a wider range of thought and regarded the step as being not only safe , but one which would develop the best interests of Freemasonry . Among the latter , the Eev . John Huyse Prov . G . M . gave the benefit of his influence . The distinctive feature of the proposed new Lodge pointed out most conclusively that the second Lodge was not intended as a rival Lodge ,

although some of the members regarded the new effort as boding no good for St . John ' s Lodge ; yet , after the subject had been discussed for several months , it was adopted , and the petition for the Jordan Lodge , 1402 , was signed , also granting the use of the building and furniture for a stated sum at a yearly rental . This was carried

nem . con ., 15 Brethren voting for the resolution and not one against it . A fortnight after this meeting the Secretary read in open Lodge a resolution from the founders of the new Lodge , in which they tended their thanks to St . John ' s Lodge for the Masonic and Brotherly

feeling in granting the use of their Lodge room and furniture . Had this fraternal spirit been encouraged all round , there might not have crept in the slightest friction . I can testify to the fact that the originator and father of the new Lodge never used one unfraternal

expression or forfeited his loyalty to St . John s Lodge . What a marked improvement has taken place in the Lodge since the formation of the second Lodge , for among the 60 members on the roll of St . John ' s Lodge we find several clergymen , a number of Brethen in the

medical and legal professions , schoolmasters , and those holding a high social position , as well as respectable tradesmen who would be a credit to any worthy and

warranted Lodge of Freemasons . The fiery ordeal of a new Lodge , considered by s * me as calculated to be injurious to St . John ' s , has only proved to me that it has risen Phoenix-like from the ashes that were to consume

it , and now it ranks as one of the most important Lodges in the Province . While dealing with the labours of our Brethren during the past 84 years , and marking their steps , we must not close this condensed historical record without noting the efforts of the Lodge with regard to the Masonic Charities .

The Lodge and the members together hold nearly 500 votes in the Provincial and great Masonic Charites .

This is a proud position which is only held by one or two Lodges in the Province . It only remains now to chronicle the effort that has just been inaugurated for the total extinction of the mortgage on the building , by donations and a grand Masonic Ball , which is to be held

during the coming season . Masonic Charity Balls , under the banner of St . John ' s Lodge , reach over a quarter of a century , and have contributed very substantial sums to our charities . Let us hope that the coming ball may realise more than its predecessors , and crown the efforts of the Brethren to clear the debt that remains on this

building . The resume of tbe historical record of St . John ' s , No . 328 , points most unmistakably to the fact that , by exercising a strict supervision with regard to candidates for initiation , the Lodge has held its own when the

within the ancient landmarks of our Order , the Lodge has successfully grappled with its financial affairs , so that its future prospects are most bright and promising ; that , actuated by the true spirit of Masonic charity , not only in thought and word , but in deed , the Lodgo and

number of its members was few , and that eventually by that course it has risen to a position in the Craft of which its sixty members have reason to be proud ; that , by patient perseverance in well-doing ,

Freemasonry In Torquay.

its members have , by their united efforts , been able to secure nearly 500 votes in the Masonic Charities ; and that , from a L" > dge in its 85 th year , where there has been displayed such tokens of true Masonic zeal and

ability , there should be no difficulty in tracing its ultimate success . Let us hope , therefore , that the benign influence of those grand principles of our sublime Order may shed their hallowed rays over this Lodge in the future , to enlighten it in the paths of virtue and

. At the conclusion of the lecture , the W . M . and several Brethren expressed their warm appreciation of the efforts of Bro . Chapman , for his excellent history of the Lodge , and , in passing a unanimous vote of thanks ,

desired him to publish the fruits of his efforts in an unabridged statement of the interesting and instructive facts they had had the pleasure of listening to that

evening . The Lodge was then closed , and the Brethren retired for refreshments , that had been provided by the W . M ., under the care of Mr . Oliver , of Victoria Parade . — " Devon County Standard . "

There is no more vital principle in Masonry than the truly Christian one of charity . It is the chief virtue of the Order , one in which the Craft , delights , and of which it has given many conspicuous examples .

Masons know no geographical limits . Necessity is the sole requirement to awaken in them , or rather to stimulate sentiments of the truest kindness and sympathy . We have before us at this moment an apt illustration of

the fact . It will be remembered that about a year and a half ago extensive floods devasted Southern Australia . Immense property was destroyed . Amongst the sufferers were many Masons , and in their behalf a special

appeal was made to the Brethren generally of this country . In Enniskillen the appeal was generously responded to by Lodge 891 , which is ever sensitive to , and liberal in meeting every real deserving demand

made upon its consideration and resources . Yesterday morning the post brought to the popular Secretary of the Lodge an unexpected and very gratifying recognition of its individual help as well as of the substantial assistance

forwarded by the home Brethren . The letter , which is dated Brisbane , 25 th April , states : " The very generous andliberal response made by the Grand Lodge of Ireland , the Eoyal Arch Chapters , the Craft Lodges , and

individual Brethren to the appeal from this Provincial Grand Lodge , has been of infinite benefit to many of our Order , their wives and children , a number of whom were literally left by the floods with only the clothes thev

stood in . The moral effect on the community has been marked , and the estimation in which the Order is held very much enchanced by the prompt and generous aid afforded by our Brethren ' across the sea . ' " In the

report which accompanies the letter , and which contains a history of the application of the fund , it is stated that the contributions from Masons under the Irish

Constitution amounted to £ 519 14 s 6 d . The total estimated loss of the Brethren by the floods was £ 23 , 000 . — " Fermanagh Times . "

The Scottish Grand Lodge Annuity Board have had to consider the desirability of delaying grants of further annuities until uext January , by reason of the state of the funds .

o o o We were wrongly informed as to the opening of the Charles Edward Keyser Lodge , which will not be

consecrated by the Grand Secretary , but probably by the Grand Master of Hertfordshire . We believe the inauguration will take place on Friday , the 29 th inst .

o o o The first meeting of the London Professional Masonic Lodge of Instruction was held in the Lodge

room at the Crown ( opposite Lambeth Palace ) , Lambeth Eoad , S . E ., on Wednesday of last week , and meetings will be held each Wednesday , at 3 p . m . The Honorary Secretary is Brother Maccanu , 92 Kennington Eoad , S . E .