Mark Masonry.

Masonry , or indeed to help on every occasion in adding to the harmony of the ceremonies . Before sitting down ho would take the opportunity of proposing the health of tho newly-advanced Brother , congratulating him upon his connection with the Mark degree . Brother Buckley was young , although perhaps not inexperienced , and he would now have an opportunity

0 [ observing and copying many Brethren then sitting around that board who wero a credit to Masonry . Ho spoke as a Mason of twenty-nine years standing , and therefore as one who had some experience . He concluded by say ing that from the energy and enthusiasm displayed by the candidate , he believed Brother Buckley would make a good Mark Mason . Bro . Buckley responded .

Bro . Wagstaffe proposed tho health of tho Visitors . He said that he had frequently met Brother Bee , who was woll known on account of the great interest which he took in tho Craft . Of Bro . Roberts he said that he had never to his knowledge met him before , although ho had often heard of him .

He spoke of tho great influence wielded by the press , and added that through the columns of tho Masonic papers the Brethren were kept an courant of what was taking place . On behalf of the Lodgo he accorded the visitors a hearty welcome , and hoped that this would not be their last visit to Ashton . Bros . Bee and Roberts replied .

Other toasts followed , tho proceedings being enlivened by songs and recitations contributed by various Brethren . We may add that the remarks of Bro . Foreman with reference to Bro . Boyd are , to our mind , quite justified , for tho latter , who is an indefatigable

worker , and unceasing in his researches into Masonio lore , has prepared a series of short papers for delivery in Lodges , which embrace such diverse subjects as a history of Freemasonry ; Certain defects in our present Masonic system ; Tho Masonic Apron ; The Theological Ladder ; the origin of the Legend in the Third Degree , & c . o o o

Instruction.

INSTRUCTION .

FRIARS LODGE , No . 1349 . AT the Plough Tavorn , Bow Road , on Monday , 1 st inst ., there was a large attendance to support Bro . P . M . David Moss , who presided , with Bro . B . Da Costa P . M . 1 S 49 acting as I . P . M . After an instructive evening's work , which included the rehearsal of the fifteen Sections , the I . P . M . proposed the health of the W . M ., and that a hearty vote of thanks be accorded him , the same to be inscribed upon the

minutes of the Lodge , for the excellent manner he had presided that evening . He said how much pleasure it gave him to be in the position that night to do so , in the fact of Bro . Moss being the cause of the knowledge he had in Freemasonry . He also ascribed his position in the Lodge as I . P . M . to Bro . Moss , as in the years gone by , whenever he was invited to work the Sections , he always desired to have him as I . P . M .

Brother P . M . Yotton seconded the proposition , says the " East London Observer , " and said he considered the night was one of welcome to England to Bro . Moss , and he knew he had the feelings of the whole of the Brethren in wishing their Brother , on his return to South Africa , God-speed , health , long life , and prosperity .

Bro . P . M . Eschwege , in supporting , said he was pleased to be present to assist Bro . Moss that night , and it gave him additional pleasure from the fact that he accompanied Bro . Moss on his first journey to South Africa ; and it showed the W . M . ' s love of Freemasonry , for he assisted to work the Sections to the Brethren abroad , on the voyage out . He wished their Brother a safe return , and expected it would not be long before they would again meet in South Africa .

Bro . Stewart P . M ., in announcing to the W . M ., said he was gratified in doing so , having worked together so many years to disseminate thoir knowledge of Freemasonry . He wished to supplement the proposition by adding that tho thanks of tho Brethren bo embodied in a letter to show their appreciation to Bro . Moss , who , during his short stay in England , had given up so much of his time to Freemasonry .

Bro . Moss P . M ., who spoko with some emotion , thanked all present for the support he had received . Everyone acquainted with him knew his lovo of Freemasonry , and he exhorted thc younger Brethren to attend Lodges of Instruction as often as they possibly could , so as to hear and learn tho beautiful ritual . , He had the word of Bro . Torry Secretary of tho funds for tho " old peoplo " that a vory large percentage to the charities came from

Lodges of Instruction . He said Bro . Eschwege was right in alluding to his love of Freemasonry . On his first voyage to Africa , in the ship " Moor , " he soon found that Captain Griffin was a Freemason , and the Sections were worked and impressed the captain , it being the first time he had heard them . He had met the captain since at Natal , and he informed him that he never now missed the opportunity . He also informed the Brethren that he started

a Lodge of Instruction at Johannesborg , though it did not meet with success at first , but he persevered , and since that time a Masonic Temple has been built , and attendances were increasing . The greatest difficulty he had to contend with was the different nationalities , and their imperfect knowledge of English . Bro . MOFS then thanked the Brethren who had assisted him in working the Sections . Bro . Stewart P . M . responded for the workers .

A New Departure.

A NEW DEPARTURE .

A correspondent of the " Weekly Begister " writes as follows : — SIB , —Is it not somewhat odd that the meeting of " The English Church Union , " as reported in your last issue , when Lord Halifax , as President , spoke in such eulogistic terms of Leo XIII ., and in so sanguine a tone as to

the hoi > es of " re-union , " should have been held in " The Freemasons ' Tavern ? " What may follow ? The submission of the English Freemasons to the Pope , with a request that His Holiness should himself be the Universal Grand Master , with Cardinal Vaughan for English Grand Master ,

as Cardinal Wolsey was ? A glorious prospect . The practical Craftsmen m , ght give their manual labour in building the new Cathedral , and tho theoretical Masons could easily supply the funds . Yours truly , HIBAM ABIFF .

A Desirable Publicity.

A DESIRABLE PUBLICITY .

IT is not as an unknown quantity that Freemasonry is represented in its organic life and expression . Its character , purposes , and benign ministries are made known by its laws and approved methods of procedure , over which no veil of secrecy is

thrown . Any persons who have sufficient interest to make a careful examination of printed records , reports , forms , requirements , & c , can satisfy themselves as to the character of the Masonic institution , both as regards the system itself , in its most important features , and the manner in which it is applied and administered as a social and fraternal organisation .

The secrets of Freemasonry are few . It is well that they are no more . It is quite sufficient that there should ba the secret means of identifying members of the Masonic Fraternity among themselves , and a sacred guarding of certain portions of the Masonic ceremonies , which would lose something of their

charm and impressiveness were they proclaimed upon the housetops or enacted in public . Beyond the lines thus indicated there is but little call to secresy . Indeed , as already intimated , there is a desirable publicity for Freemasonry . Not that it should obtrude itself upon the public notice , or seem to compete with the multitude of societies and orders which claim the

attention of the community by frequent announcements in the secular press , and by somewhat wearisome accounts in the daily papers of meetings and work . There is no call for the Masonic

organisation thus to advertise itself . It will do better to follow the long established practice of holding itself in reserve , not seeking to tell to the public the full story of its benevolent ministries—its offerings to the sick and the poor .

But it may and should so declare itself as to make evident the ideas , principles , and purposes , which have prevaling force in the shaping and applying of the Masonic system , together with a sufficient setting forth of what is being done and attempted

under its direction , and by use of its influence and resources . These things should be known ; or , at least , they should be within the reach of all who care to examine Freemasonry as a system and become acquainted with its fruitage . This is desirable publicity .

It is because the character of Freemasonry is so well known by those outside the lines of the Fraternity—because its aims and purposes , so frequently affirmed , are understood and approved by the general public—that the occasional opposition to which our organisation is subjected fails to have much effect . In

America and Great Britain every attempt that is made to show that Freemasonry is an enemy of social order and good government , or an unworthy bond of alliance and protection as applied to its own members , falls ludicrously flat , because the public have enough information regarding the Fraternity to lead them

to form a different conclusion . Sensible people m any English speaking community cannot be brought to believe that Masons meet together to plot against Church or State , or that the " secrets" of the Fraternity pertain to any binding of the

conscience or the will unlawfully . The people know that Freemasonry makes open avowal of its principles and purposes , that in the face of such an avowal , and the general publicity given to the movements of this institution , there can be no conspiracy against the government , or the peace and good order of society . — " Freemasons Eepository . "

A neat little pocket diary has recently been issued by the Boyal Masonic Institution for Boys , compiled by Brother J . Morrison McLeod as a handy reference for subscribers to the Institution . Besides giving the dates of the various meetings , it

affords information respecting the Board of Management , the different Committees , and many items of interest respecting the School , its Officers and the Boys . The diary may be obtained gratis upon application to Brother McLeod , at Freemasons' Hall , London , W . C .

Maria Deraismes , the champion of the rights of women , and who died a few months ago , has been highly honoured by the Municipal Council of Paris . A street in the Saint-Ouen district has been called after her , and her bust has been placed in a public

garden in the same locality . Senators , Deputies , Municipal Councillors , and a host of persons of both sexes connected with the Woman ' s Rights movement attended the baptism of the

street and the unveiling of the bust , which is the work of a lady sculptor , says the " Daily Telegraph . " There were also present the members of the Women ' s Masonic Lodge called the Droit Humain .

M . Louis Martin deftly tries to kill two foes with one stone . His arrow is steeped in Anglophobia and anti-Semitism . He asks : " Is the Englishman a Jew , " and his book is his answer to his title ( L'Anglais est-il un Juif ? Paris , A Savine , 1895 ) . It is