Extension Of The Craft.

EXTENSION OF THE CRAFT

A FEW years back we were accustomed to hear a great deal about the necessity for exercising the greatest caution in regard to the granting of Warrants for new Lodges , and it was frequently stated that no new Charters should be issued , it being deemed by those in

authority that the Lodges already existing were sufficient to meet all requirements for very many years to come . To such an extent was this restriction being

carriedespecially in the Metropolitan district—that open discontent was expressed , and questions were asked whether it was really justifiable to refuse to grant the prayer of a proper Petition , bearing the signatures of well known Brethren .

Whether the objection to new Lodges at that time came direct from the Grand Master , or from his advisers at Grand Lodge , it is hardly necessary to discover ; certain it is that a change of front has taken place , and

to-day we see the natural growth of the Craft allowed to take its course , although in saying this it must not be supposed we imagine there is any diminution in the care and enquiry exercised . before a decision is arrived at , as

to the granting of a new Warrant . It seems natural in this age of progress that Freemasonry should advance as rapidly as anything else ; and not only is it reasonable to expect an extension of members , but equally so an extension in the number of Lodges .

In our present issue we record the formation of a Lodge that supplies indisputable evidence of the need that does , and must exist , for the occasional granting of new Warrants . The Victoria Diamond Jubilee Lodge—the one

to which we refer—starts with a list of no less than sixty-three Founders , among whom are many Brethren who have already won distinction in the Craft . Would it have been fair or reasonable to refuse them their

Warrant , on the plea that there were already enough Lodges in London ? We think not , and we hope this recent addition may prove that there is no harm in allowing for a reasonable increase of Lodges .

Board Of Benevolence.

BOARD OF BENEVOLENCE .

I IHE monthly meeting of the Board of Benevolence was JL held on Wednesday evening , at Freemasons' Hall , Bro . j . H . Matthews President occupied the chair , and Bros . D . D . Mercer and C . A . Cottebrune the Senior and Junior Vice-Presidents held the positions of their respective ranks .

The Board of Masters , which was first held , had submitted to them the paper of business for Grand Lodge of 1 st December , and at the Board of Benevolence , on the

motion of Bro . Mercer , seconded by Bro . Henry Garrod , a complimentary vote to Bro . Matthews as President of the Board for the last twelve months , for the way in which he had discharged his duties , was passed .

The Board dealt with forty-five petitions for assistance by postponing three , and voting £ 1 , 080 to the others , in two sums of £ 50 , eight of £ 40 , ten of £ 30 , two of £ 25 , twelve of - £ 20 , six of TIO , and two of /" 5 each .

Herefordshire.

HEREFORDSHIRE .

Ab recorded in our last issue there was a special service at Hereford Cathedral on the occasion of the annual Provincial Grand Lodge on the 8 th inst ., when the Dean of Hereford preached the sermon , on I . Peter ii ., 17 . He said : —Brethren , we are met here to-day as representatives of a large and influential body of God-fearing ,

peaceable , charitable and loyal men and citizens , who are bound by fraternal sympathy to help each other in all parts of the world ; and I do not know of any exhortation more suitable to the occasion than those familiar words of the Apostle Peter which I have selected for my text , and which

were addressed by him to his Christian converts , for they represent exactly the rules by which every good and faithful Brother should regulate his conduct . In old days the Brethren were practical as well as theoretical Masons , as the walls of this grand old temple of the Almighty bear witness .

It is much to be regretted that in restoring the walls of this sacred edifice a good deal of the surface of the old stonework with the Masonic marks was obliterated , but still you may see in the south and south-east transepts signs of the Craftsmen ' s work on the ancient stones .

We owe a great debt of gratitude in this country to the Masonic body , for the glorious work which each man took a delight in doing , and which consequently was executed in a thorough , solid and substantial manner . No doubt in other countries and in other days Freemasons had much also to do

with the erection of these magnificent cathedrals , but in the country which I have just returned from visiting , I mean Italy , I could ascertain nothing concerning their work , and the reason is plain , viz ., on account ofthe bitter animosity that exists between the ecclesiastical authorities and the body of Freemasons .

No doubt there have been faults on both sides , and it is clear that the Freemasons in Italy have allowed themselves to be diverted from the original principles of their Order and to become political agitators and secret plotters against the ecclesiastical authorities . They certainly have not followed

out the principles of the injunction of St . Peter , otherwise this wide gulf of separation would never have been made . Happily we are in a very different position in this country . We are not a political society ; there is no animosity shown between the Church and our Order , and we , above all

things , desire peace and goodwill towards all . There may be a few who regard with certain suspicion Freemasonry , but this is because they are ignorant of its precepts and look upon it only as a secret society of little benefit to the world in general . Wherein , then , is contained the beauty and

excellence of Freemasonry ? It is chiefly in that virtue so much dwelt upon by the early preachers of Christianity when dwelling upon the great advantages of the religion of

their Lord and Master . The chief ornament of our Craft , be it known , is charity . It never faileth , but is inexhaustible , opening the rich treasures of its stores to the earnest enquirer after its mysteries .

Freemasonry is not , as some would insinuate , a mere convival club of choice spirits met together for eating and drinking . It is not a mere secret institution to be suppressed as dangerous . It is not even a society merely for the distribution of alms , although this is one of its noblest

features . What is it then ? Freemasonry is a society of enlightened men inculcating pure and active virtue on the sacred principles of Gospel truth . Its design is to instil into the minds of its members a series of useful and interesting

precepts , and to promote benevolence , philanthropy , and brotherly love ; and it ought to be the endeavour of every honest and true Mason to keep up this high standard ; for upon the action of each individual Brother must depend the