Grand Lodge, Massachusetts.

GRAND LODGE , MASSACHUSETTS .

THIS Grand Lodge held its Quarterly Communication on the 8 th ult ., M . W . G . M . Percival Lowell Everett , numerously supported by tho brethren , presiding . Having been opened in ample form ab 2 p . m ., a very finely executed square and compasses of solid silver wero presented , through the Recording Grand Secretary , by R . W ,

Bro . George William Sutton P . G . W ., and on tho motion of R . W . John T . Heard P . G . M ., the thanks of Grand Lodge were voted to Bro . Sutton for his elegant and acceptable gift . The present having been duty received and adjusted in its place on the Great Light , the Records of

the Annual and Stated Communications of December 1875 , as well as of the Special Communication of 9 th Februaiy , were approved , those of the former being taken as read . Bye-laws and amendments to Bye-laws , from a number of Lodges , were submitted for approval , and referred to the

Committee on Bye-laws . Subsequently the Committee reported favourably both of the full codes of laws and of the amended codes , and recommended them to Grand Lodge for approval . The proceedings of Star Lodge , Athol , re the trial of a brother , were submitted for

examination and approval , ' and wero referred to the Committee on Trials . The Committee having duly examined the proceedings drew up their report , recommending that the action of Star Lodge , in expelling the brother in question be approved and confirmed , and it was approved and

confirmed accordingly . The charter of Aconcagua Lodge , Valparaiso , Chili , having been destroyed by fire , it was voted unanimously , on the motion of the Grand Secretary , that a new charter , signed by the present Grand Officers with the date of this Order , but in all other respects an

exact copy of the original charter , be issued . The thanks of Grand Lodge to Bro . D . Z . Smith , Salem , for having , at the last Grand Festival , presented an ancient pitcher covered with Masonic emblems , were voted unanimously . The roll of Lodges having been called , a vote of thanks to Grand

Lodge from Washington National Monument Society for its subscription voted at the last Annual Communication was read and recorded . The Committee to whom the Grand Master ' s Annual Address had been referred then presented their report , in which they fully endorsed the

Grand Master ' s statements . The Committee to which had been recommitted certain proposed amendments to Article IV ., Part III . of the Grand Constitutions on the subject of Trials , Suspensions , and Expulsions , submitted an additional amendment , which was unanimously adopted by

Grand Lodge . On the proposed article , as amended , beiu « then submitted to Grand Lodge for its final approval , a full discussion ensued , and ultimately a division was taken , when the new article was declared to be adopted by an overwhelming majority , the total yeas being 208 , and

total nays 59 . The Committee on Healing havino- submitted two reports referred to them for the adoption of Grand Lodge , the reports wero adopted accordingly . A Committee having , at the request of the Grand Master been appointed to investigate certain matters of

complaint made relative to the proposed trial of a sojourning brother , and the Commissioners of Trials under the new article of the Constitutions having been appointed , further time was granted to the Committees not yet able to report and as there was no further business to be considered ' Grand Lodge was closed in ample form at 6 p . m .

The Study Of Masonry.

THE STUDY OF MASONRY .

WE have many times congratulated our readers on tho recent extension of the Craft in this and other countries . We have spoken more than once of the greater influence it now wields . Even the paltry abuse of a particular sect of Christians has answered no other purpose than that of raising us in the good opinion of our fellows .

Indeed , they who contemn us sink lower and lower , while we who are contemned rise higher and higher in public estimation . But let not brethren imagine that , because tho horizon is now clear , and there is nowhere visible a single threatening cloud , even so big as a man ' s hand , a time of

trial—when the stuff we are made of will be severely , nay even rudely , tested—will never come . It is in human nature that a prosperous man should raise up to himself enemies . Not all at Once , it is true . The less prosperous are , first of all , a trifle jealous , then spiteful , then malicious , then open

and declared enemies . Thus the more brilliant our position and prospects , the more needful is it we shonld be mindful of the old adage about being forewarned , and consequently forearmed . For tho day may come when Freemasonry , now so prosperous everywhere , may have to combat not

one , but a host of enemies , and to put forth its whole strength in order to overcome them . We have no manner of doubt that it will prevail in the future , as it has ao-ain

and again prevailed in the past , but it rests entirely with Craftsmen , individually and collectively , whether tho victory shall be gained easily , or only after a serious and prolonged conflict .

So grave an opening may induce some of our readei's to believe that we are about inflicting on them a series of very lacrymose vaticinations as to the future of our Order . We have no such intention ; indeed , there is no reason wh y we should do so . As far as can be judged at present , there

are hardly any grounds for anticipating that Masonry , if true to itself , will have other than a prosperous career . But there are dangers threatening us , and these from within rather than from without the pale of Masonry . We are numerically stronger , and our influence proportionately

greater , but are the efforts we make to consolidate our strength in a just proportion ? We invite none to join us , but do the new members who flock daily , and of their own free will , to our standard , appreciate fully what it is to become a Mason , and what are a Mason ' s duties ? They

cannot , of course , help knowing , when they enter the precincts of the Lodge , and submit themselves to the grave ordeal of initiation into our mysteries , that they take upon themselves , voluntarily , certain solemn obligations . But it is almost needless to pomt out that the nature and extent of

these obligations are differently interpreted by different brethren . A regular and periodical attendance at the meetings of their Lodge , a strict observance of certain forms and ceremonies , a never-failing presence at the banquet , and a just homage to the Masonic sentiments that

customarily succeed the banquet—these , in the minds of some , are the alpha and omega of the obligations they have bound themselves to fulfil ; and they fulfil them accordingly , con gusto . Others , less rigidly observant of these ritesif we may call them such—consider Masonry a mere Charity

organisation , and that when they have contributed according to their means to the various institutions it fosters , they have discharged themselves of their duty . Some there are who take a higher , more glorious , and we may pertinently add , a juster view of the real scope of our Order . Of course , it is creditable to a member that he should