The October Election Of The Girls' School.

incnpncftod , of Prince Leopold Lodge , No . 1445 , London . No . 19 , Edith Fanny Tanner , has a brother in the Boys ' School . She and hvo other children are still left to the care of their widowed mother . The father ' s Lodge was the Earl of Carnarvon , No . 1642 , London . No . 12 .

Florence Eleanor Rplph , was a candidate in April last , on which occasion she had 502 votes polled on her behalf She is one of two children now dependent on a widowed mother , and is accredited to tho Joppa Lodge , No . 188 , London . Her father had also held Provincial rank in the

Proviuce of Kent . No . 18 , Rose Adelaide Marsac Smith , has a sister in the Institution , and is herself one of two children still dependent on her parents , both of whom are alive . The father , however , is described as incapacitated , a term which , under the special circumstances of this case ,

should be properly defined . This is one of the instances in which wo must offer our protest against the insufficiency of the information given in the ballotting papers . No . 10 , Olive Ann Hurst , appears to belong to a fortunate family . She has a brother in the Boys' School , and is herself the only

child now dependent on a widowed mother . She was a candidate in April last , when 714 votes were recorded on her behalf , a total which , if repeated , will go far to place her maintenance outside the pale of further anxiety .

No . 16 , Lilian Christine Reeves , a first application case , is also an only child dependent on her mother , who was left a widow in January 1878 . The case is accredited to the Province of North and East Yorkshire .

Having thus briefly reviewed the several candidates , we may add , in conclusion , that the list does not appear to present any features of more than general importance . As usual , we have to notice the lack of particulars afforded by the Institution , and can but again express the hope that

ere long it may be deemed desirable to enter more fully into details . Particularly should this be the case in those instances where one of the family is already a scholar in either of the Masonic Institutions , as although these families may be really deserving of first consideration , we

should much prefer to see the benefits of our Schools distributed as widely as possible ; besides which , we have always thought that if Freemasonry provided for one of a

family , that should be considered sufficient—especially when we remember the large number of applications which are regularly received from those seeking to participate in the benefits offered .

The Sounding Of The Gavel.

THE SOUNDING OF THE GAVEL .

THERE is no working-tool in Masonry that can make music like the Gavel . When it strikes the ashlar , the Craft is instantly energised . Its echoes awaken thoughts of the highest import to Freemasons . For the two month s just closing as we write , the Gavel has not been sounding in many of our Lodges , which had been " called off" in June

until September . The vacation ends with the present week , and on the following Monday begins the Autumn round of labour . On Wednesday next the regular Quarterly Communication of the Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania will be held , and on the following day that of the Grand

H . R . A . Chapter , when brethren from all portions of our jurisdiction will be gathered together , for fraternal consultation and action . Tbe summer is ended , prolonged Refreshment is over , and now we shall have again mainly Labour , alternated with such brief Refreshment as shall be

needed by the Craft . Who among us will not hail the ringing of tbe Gavel with joy ? Pleasant as our sojourn may have been by seaside , lake or mountain , there is nothing so pleasant , after all , as to greet our brethren within tbe charmed circle of the Lodge , to assemble in our

" old home , " and to extend the privileges of Masonry to those candidates whose characters have previously vouched for their fitness to receive Masonic Light . We know not whether the poet , Longfellow , had in thought the harmony that prevails in the Lodge Room , as the Gavel makes music for the Craftsmen , when he wrote :

" The night shall be filled with music , And the cares that infest the day Shall fold their tents like Arabs , And as silently Bteal away ;"

but we do know that this is an apt description of the happy state of mind of all brethren as they assemble in the Lodge at the close of the day , its business cares over , they freed from all anxieties , with leisure to enjoy fraternal converse ,

The Sounding Of The Gavel.

and hearken to tbe inculcation of the sublime truths which Freemasonry teaches all of its initiates . Let us joyfull y hail , then , the close of the Summer Refreshment , and the opening of the Autumn Labour . Brethren , even the Lodge "furniture" will welcome

yon to your old home . The first Great Light of the Craft will be open , and therein you may read a promised blessing to all good and faithful brethren . Tho Compasses will be open , to warn against that liberty that degenerates into licence . The Square nm » t be open , ever teaching fresh

lessons of virtue . In one phrase , THE LODGE IS OPEN , and this phrase speaks volumes . It implies a regular monthl y or more frequent gatheriug of the Craft . It tells us that the social and couvivial features of Freemasonry are once more prominently to be exemplified ; that fraternal charity

is again to be statedly and liberally dispensed to all worth y brethren who are in distress ; that the portals of Masonry are open to those who have sought Masonic Light , and been approved and found worthy to be encircled by the

Mystic Tie ; and that again , for a long season without intermission , Truth shall be taught Masonically to many candidates , whom we trust will continuously prove to be perfect ashlars , and shining lights in the Craft .

We ALL are " called on to Labour "—not merely the Masonic triad of W . M ., S . W ., and J . W ., but every member of every Lodge . Especially do we hope to see , this season , an outpouring of the noble army of Past Masters and life members . No brother , physically able , has the right to

consider himself past obligation to minister to the strength and growth of his Lodge . The Masonic body that made him a Mason , or with which he has cast his lot , has the right to expect it shall receive his earnest , cordial , fraternal support . It is entitled to his personal presence , his

council , his pecuniary aid if need be , and his assistance as a " recommender . " The Lodge is his Lodge , his Masonic home , to be to him , next after the home abont which cluster his domestic affections , the dearest spot on earth .

He may not neglect it with impunity . Above all , he should not neglect it who has received all of its honours , been elevated to its highest official station , and by age , experience and Masonic office , been qualified to be most helpful to it in any and every emergency .

Let the work go bravely on . Let every officer of a Lodge , elected and appointed , see that he is skilled in the performance of his duty . It should be remembered that Masonic work is a mosaic , and one imperfect part mars the whole . Let no one take it for granted that he will act

well his part , but let him prove this , in advance to his own satisfaction . It is not easy to perform Masonic work in a workmanlike manner . Such work is tbe exception , not the rule . There must be both study and enthusiasm , the letter and the spirit . The letter may all be there , and yet

fall dead because it lacks the spirit . It is the spirit that giveth life . We have no hesitation in saying , that in every Lodge in which all tbe Officers pride themselves on the correct and impressive manner in which they render

the ritual , there is activity , there is prosperity , there is the best fraternal feeling . In some hands there is no music in the Gavel—not so in the hands of him who is trnly a Master .

That Lodge is to be sympathised with that habitually meets only to open and close . There must be a screw loose somewhere . Either the Officers are not efficient , the members are not attentive , or there are differences of opinion that have engendered unfraternal feelings . Now

is the time , as we all are " called on to Labour again , to abolish all impediments to Masonic prosperity . Every one can contribute something to this end . A regular and punctual attendance , a careful attention to the business of the Lodge , a diligent preparation for the Labour of the

evening , each and all of these are of great importance . A Lodge can never rise above the status of its members—it will be precisely what the average of them are , no better , no worse . Every member exercises an influence , it may be silent , but real . His presence or absence tells on the

Craft . Above all , every Officer , elective and appointed , should see to it that nothing short of absolute necessity prevents him from attendance at his Masonic

meetings-He is doubly obligated to the performance of this duty , and it should be to him a matter of pride to regularly and ably perform his official functions . Let us have true music everywhere with the sounding of the Gavel . —Keystone .