The Equality And Universality Of Freemasonry.

bv their actions in theirxespective Lodges prove that they are sincere in their professions and take as much interest in practising the ritual and ceremonies of

Freemasonry as any member of the Order ; indeed , considering the multifarious calls on tlie time of our miblic men thev show an even greater enthusiasm

than ordinary members when they perform their share of the work of Freemasonry , and we should on that account be more ready to accord them the

recognition which is their due . We shall not attempt to give any details here of the actual working of the Lodge on the occasion of Lord Hamilton's installation ; a report of the proceedings

will be found elsewhere m our columns , out we cannot omit a word of thanks to his lordship for having devoted sufficient attention to the subject as to allow

him to perform his own share of the work of the Lodge . In doing so he was , of course , only doing his duty as a Master in the Craft , but how easy it would

have been to depute some one else to perlorm the routine portions of the ritual , and how much labour he might have saved himself by such a course . But , like many who have gone before him , and no

doubt as an example to some of those who will follow , he comes down from the eminence of his outside position and , on terms of equality , takes his place in his Lodge and works side by side with those whom

Freemasonry has made his brother workers . It is such actions as these which are the natural outcome of the teachings of Freemasonry , and it is such actions which lead to the success and universality of n 1 i ii * ii i i lacit

J . reemasonry , wmcn , we sincerely nope , wm never exponents of its grandest principles , and above all its characteristic of consistent Equality .

Does Freemasonry Advance Or Retrograde ?

DOES FREEMASONRY ADVANCE OR RETROGRADE ?

THE close of the year 1888 disposes all thoughtful Craftsmen to consider what the Masonic Institution has gained or lost during this period of twelve months .

Has the organisation made advances , or has it lost ground ? We think the former can be shown to be the fact . Freemasonry never flourished more abundantly in the things of outward manifestation than during the year now ending :.

It was never established on so firm a foundation as now . Its influence was never so great before . Surely we have cause for congratulation as we consider the progress and

prosperity of the Craft during this period , and for what has been done in the strengthening of the Masonic Institution , and in the carrying forward of enterprises of benevolence and social good .

During the year 1888 a vast sum of money has been collected and paid out nnder Masonic auspices . It is difficult to even approximate the aggregate of expenditures in all branches of the Craft , but the figures given in published Proceedings and Reports show the outlay to have been

large—brobabxy in excess or any previous year . Many costly edifices have been dedicated to Masonic uses during fche last year , and other spacious and expensive structures are now building . There have been many removals of

Lodges and other Masonic organisations from small and poorly furnished apartments to better quarters , and such new departures have been the occasions for refnrnishings ,

renttings , < s _ c ., involving a very considerable expense . There have been heavy outlays in this direction , not in one section only , but all over the country wherever

Freemasonry has been established . An expenditure of this sort indicates tbe growing numerical strength of fche Craf fc and a still greater increase of means and liberality . We think , too , that more money has been expended ,

during the last year , on the Masonic Institutions of benevolence , the Homes , organised Charities , & c , than in any other like period . Our English brethren have given

generously to the support of their three most prominent institutions , while they have by no means neglected other lesser establishments that minister help to the poor and the afflicted . Very large sums have also been raised and contributed to Lodge charities , while offerings have been

Does Freemasonry Advance Or Retrograde ?

made to help forward the work of various philanthropic enterprises not distinctly connected with our Fraternity .

In this country there has been a considerable expenditure of means in the way of establishing Masonio Homes , helping them to an enlargement of their good work by means

oi an increased endowment , and in providing better facilities for the doing of other charitable work . The prevalence of the yellow fever in Florida called out

The recently organised home iu Philadelphia has increased its accommodations during the year 1888 , and is now prepared to gather a larger family within its hospitable doors than ever before .

generous contributions from Masonic organisations in aid of the stricken communities . Large sums have also been raised and distributed in some localities to sustain the ministries of benevolence that have been kept from the

observation of the public . In other jurisdictions collections have been made to pay debts , thereby lifting heavy burdens that have rested upon tho Craft and interfered with the usefulness of tho Fraternity . Under the auspices

of the Grand Lodge of New York , a work of such debtpaying , began two or three years ago , has been carried forward successfully , and the hour of complete deliverance is close at hand . With the removing of the heavy indebtedness there has also been oratheriner a fund for

" Asylum" purposes , and the seventy-five thousand Masons of New York will no doubt rejoice together at an early date in the establishment of a large and well

appointed Home which shall minister to the relief of human needs and be a notable sign of Masonic benevolence .

In all these respests , and in others , the Masonic organisation has evinced its strength , and shown its faithfulness to the principle and precepts that are fundamental to its system . Speaking in a general sense we may say

that Freemasonry was never expressed in a better way than now , and its distinctive objects and aims were never more clearly manifested . Its requisitions upon the

intellectual and moral life of its members have not been reduced , and the character of the Masonic membership is such as to be a cause of justifiable pride . A look backward discloses many lines of glowing illumination , in the

light of which we can trace the advances of Freemasonry during the year 1888 , and see the promise there is for better work and results in 1889 . Of course there are some things not so pleasant to consider in the retrospective view . The Craft has suffered

losses by the death of those prominent in its ranks , who have rendered an excellent service of teaching and leadership . By reason of the taking away of the honoured and

great , nnd by the influence of other forces and conditions , clouds may have gathered in some portions of the Masonic firmament where before the sky was clear . Thus our German brethren no longer enjoy the full sympathetic

favour of their Sovereign , the present Emperor being disinclined to look upon Freemasonry as did his father and

grandfather who were identified with its interests . In this country there are " some spots on our feasts of charity" —some stumbling blocks in the way—growing out of unseemly rivalries and strife regarding the so-called " higher degrees , " whose relation to the Craft degrees and

work has often brought confusion and divisions . In some jurisdictions the situation is far from pleasant , and in the strife which exists between organisations and brethren there is much to deprecate , however we may regard the issue wnicnever

questions au , or wron party we may juage the right to be . Surveying the whole field , however , and taking all things into account , we have great cause to be thankful for the advancement of Freemasonry in 1888 , and

to look hopefully to the future , which will most surely give it broader and better opportunities to fulfil the great mission with which it is charged . —Freemason ' s Repository .

Messrs . Dean and Son ( 160 a F leet-sfcreefc , London , E . O . ) are about to issne the 1889 edition of " Debrett ' s Peerage , Baronetage , Knightage , and Companionage . " From this old-established reference book , which has reached its 176 th year , we gather that 17 Peers , 12 Peeresses , 37 Baronets , 34 Knights , and 47 Companions , died in

1888 j also that the oldest Peer of the realm is Baron Cottesloe , aged 90 , while the youngest is H . B . H . the Dnke of Albany , aged 4 ; that Sir Henry Chudleigh Oxenden , aged 93 , is the oldest Baronet , the youngest being Sir Stewkley Frederick Draycott Shuckburgh , aged

8 ; and that Admiral of the Fleet Sir Provo William Parry Wallis , G . O . B . ( cr . K . O . B . 1860 , G . O . B . 1873 ) , aged 97 , is the oldest , while Sir Edgar Vincent , K . C . M . G . ( cr . 1887 ) , aged 31 , ia the youngest Knight .