Masonry Standing Still.

past from forcibly expressing our views as to what is possible , and even necessary in the way of Masonic reform or advancement , nor closed our columns against any correspondent who desired to lead the way

m necessary reforms , and we therefore hail with . some amount of satisfaction the opinion expressed by our worthy Brother , the Mayor of Hull , that there is nothing so revolutionary as standing still . It follows ,

therefore , that if would-be reformers are traitors , those who oppose progress and natural development are revolutionary , and it is very doubtful if the latter crime is not the more heinous in this respect .

Let us turn to the Province of West Lancashire at the present time for an exemplification of what we mean in this direction . In another column we publish a letter which recently appeared in the " Liverpool Daily Courier , " and a fortnight back we gave one of

similiar import from the " Liverpool Daily Post . Now , who are most to blame , the " traitors " ( as some designate them ) who wrote those letters , or the

" revolutionists" who persist in standing still , and even decline to discuss a matter of natural progress , which affects a body of Masons some 8 , 000 in number ?

The question of a redivision of Masonic West Lancashire has long been mooted , and we believe the late Earl of Lathom , with the liberality of spirit which was his characteristic , was quite prepared to discuss

the matter with his constituents ; but there naturally existed a feeling that is was difficult to upset the existing order of things while he remained at the head of affairs , as of course the desire for a division

necessarily earned with it the necessity for reducing the power of the local head of the Craft . It would have been very bad taste to have taken active steps towards arranging a division , dependent on the late

Earl's death , but the local authorities knew full well , and Grand Lodge must have known full well , that a division was widely desired , and we think that the

views of "A MEMBER , " as expressed , in his letter to the " Liverpool Courier , " have wide sympathy and support in the important Province of West Lancashire . The unfortunate event which robbed the Craft of

its beloved Pro Grand Master afforded a ready means for carrying out a much needed and much desired reform in our internal arrangements , and the fact that the opportunity has been allowed to pass seems to

confirm the opinion entertained in many quarters that Grand Lodge has steadfastly set its face against progress or advancement , in any shape or form , in

sympathy with the spirit of the age , because it must of necessity entail some change in the existing order of things .

We cannot believe any system is right that renders necessary the publication of such letters as those we have referred to , and which we have reprinted from the columns of our Liverpool contemporaries . There

ought to be some better method of airing a grievance on strictly Masonic matters than by addressing anonymous communications to outside newspapers ,

but can the authorities prove that such a course was unnecessary , by pointing out another means of bringing the matter into prominence ?

West Lancashire and two or three large Provinces occupy a special position in Freemasonry , inasmuch as a considerable portion of their funds are annually devoted to the payment of a Provincial Grand

Secretary , who , as a consequence , becomes a very important personage in the district , with vested interests which it is fair to say occasionally make themselves very strongly felt when questions affecting

Masonry Standing Still.

the future of the Province come to the front ; but should such interests be allowed to outweigh all considerations of advancement or progression ? Certainly not , and we think the local authorities , as

well as those to Avhom they are answerable , make a very great mistake when they ignore the wishes of a large section of the Masonic community , and attempt to check progress by high handed procedure and a curtailment of liberty of speech and public action .

The few Provinces which are so out of proportion to their fellows—the two divisions of Lancashire and , perhaps , West Yorkshire—should be dealt with as opportunity arises , and surely there is no better

opportunity for this than when the Provincial Grand Mastership is vacant , and when that step towards keeping pace with modern ideas is conceded there may be a chance for the Brethren of London , very many of

the best of whom are anxious to see the metropolis divided into Masonic divisions , with local chief in each , and local honours available for worthy members , on the same principle as prevails in every other section of English Freemasonry .

' There is nothing so revolutionary as standing still . " How long , then , will our Masonic Authorities stand self convicted , by refusing all and every attempt put forward to advance the English Craft in this and similar directions ?

The annual ball and children ' s entertainments of the Prince of Wales Lodge , No . 16 48 were held in the Bradford Masonic Hall , with the most complete success . There was a large attendance on Thursday night , 12 th inst ., when the Worshipful Master Bro . Herbert W . White and his Brethren

entertained a large number of guests in regal style , Brother F . P . Carter D . C . acting as Master of Ceremonies for the dancers . Many felicitous speeches were made after supper , Aid . Jonas Whitley being particularly happy in his remarks , while Bro . 'James Freeman and others spoke in very

complimentary terms of the esteem in which they held Bro . Dr . White , who presided . The members of the Lodge again vied with each other in making their guests happy on Friday night , the visitors on this occasion being juveniles , who had a variety of amusements provided . There were gramaphone

songs , & c , and Mr . Hibbert ' s fine cinematograph exhibition , including his unique and sensational film of the Spanish bull fight . The dancing was also much enjoyed , tea and supper were capitally managed , and the children carried away handsome presents after a delightful evening .

On Friday evening , 6 th inst ., the Stewards of the Penge Lodge arranged a Cinderella dance , which took place at the Freemasons' Tavern , Great Queen Street . There was a good muster of Brethren , who appeared in full regalia . Dancing commenced at 7 o ' clock , and was continued with much spirit until 11 . 30 .

The West Lancashire Masonic Institution , for charitable purposes confined to the Province , last year received „ 4-35 2 7 5 d- The West Lancashire Masonic Educational Institution has received since it was founded ( 1850 ) £ 60 , 134 7 s 4 < i , for the education and clothing of orphan children .

The Provincial Grand Master of Cornwall the Earl of Mount Edgcumbe Past Deputy Grand Master has requested the Provincial Grand Secretary Bro . Bernard F . Edyvean P . A . G . D . C . of England to warn the Brethren in Cornwall against the admission of unworthy persons , in no respect

suitable for membership m the Fraternity , the society having suffered much in the past in its reputation and happiness by a disregard of the circumstances and character of the proposed ( and elected ) candidates . This timely circular

cannot fail to do good , says the " Western Morning News , " and it is much to be wished its contents might be made public throughout the other Provinces , in order that more care may be exercised in the acceptance of new members ,,