Rome And Freemasonry.

ROME AND FREEMASONRY .

¦ pOR some time past a number of letters have * appeared in the columns of the " Catholic Times , " in regard to' Freemasonry and the ban placed upon it by the Romish Church . We have reprinted many of these letters , and we think those of our readers who

have perused them must be struck , as we have been , with the almost general tendency of the writers to favour our Craft . It is true a few of the letters have been written in the fanatic intolerant spirit we had come

to be accustomed to expect among Romish writers when dealing with the subject of Freemasonry , but the majority of them most certainl y display a more rational sentiment , and would seem to call for friendly and courteous consideration at the hands of members of

the Craft , who , almost for the first time in the history of the opposition of Rome to our doings , appear to be regarded more as fellow subjects , than as murderous infidels intent on the overthrow of reli gion , and every form of legal authority throughout the world .

The old fashioned arguments of Roman Catholic writers—that Freemasonry is bad , because it is bad , and that it is terribl y wicked because the heads of their Church have said so—have , for the first time in

our experience , been challenged by Catholicswho appear to have an opinion of their own , and do not hesitate to express it ; and we can but acknowledge a feeling of satisfaction that it is so—for we are firmly convinced

that once Roman Catholics have the pluck , or secure the necessary permission , to examine Freemasonry for themselves , they will soon find it is by no means ' the

" bogey " they have always been taught to consider it , and a better understanding all round must necessarily result .

This correspondence has brought to the front members of the Romish Church who boldl y ask why they are prohibited from joining an Institution which

has the support and patronage of the hi ghest in the land , and which professes and practices the best princi ples of their reli gion ; and more than one of the writers has evinced a determination to over-ride

priestl y interference in this particular , and go straight to the head of their Church for an explanation of the prohibition , and , it may almost be expected , a thorough enquiry into the whole matter under the admitted altered conditions of the age .

It seems to us so absurd that two great organisations , both professing to work for virtually the same objects , should be so widely separated as Freemasonry and the Church of Rome have so long been ,

and it is only on the princi ple that reli gion has been the cause of the most bitter and the most terrible disputes in the history of the world , that one can even

excuse the gulf which exists at the present day between them . Are we on the verge of a reconciliation ? We sincerel y hope so , but if it 'does not come just yet we can but regard the candid expressions of

Rome And Freemasonry.

opinion on the part of many of our contemporary ' s correspondents as a most gratifying step in the right direction . We only ask for a fair and free consideration of our position—as opposed to the fanciful picture conjured up in the minds of our rabid opponents in the Romish Church .

Board Of Benevolence.

BOARD OF BENEVOLENCE .

rriHE July meeting of the Board of Benevolence was held JL on the 19 th inst ., at Freemasons' HaU , the President ' s and Vice-Presidents' chairs being occupied respectively by Bros . D . D . Mercer , Henry Garrod , C . J . R . Tijou , and George Graveley . The Grand Master having approved of grants to the

amount of £ 200 recommended at the June meeting for his sanction , they were confirmed . Thirty petitions were on the new list , but two of these were withdrawn by the petitioners after presentation . _ Four others were deferred until next meeting for certain particulars

to be supplied , to Grand Lodge were referred two grants of £ 50 each for approval , and to the Grand Master seven of £ 40 each , and four of £ 30 each . Eight grants were made of £ 20 each , and three of £ 10 each . Among the relieved was the widow of a Brother who was lost in the " Stella " wreck .

The petitioner had since given birth to a child . A very liberal grant was made , although the deceased had been a . Mason two years only .

Royal Arch.

ROYAL ARCH .

KENT .

THE annual convocation of the Provincial Grand Chapter was held by the Grand Superintendent Earl Amherst , on Friday , 14 th inst ., at the Freemasons' Hall , Mount Pleasant , Plumstead . The Companions assembled at three o ' clock , and gave a cordial greeting to Lord Amherst upon his entry into the Chapter Room .

The minutes of the last Provincial Meeting were read and confirmed , after which the roll of the Chapters in the Province was called , and all were found to be represented . The Audit Committee presented their report , which was received and adopted . Comp . William Russell was re-elected as Provincial Grand Treasurer , and the following Officers were invested :

Comp . James S . Eastes 503 ( re-appointed ) - H . Abel Penfold 913 - - - - 3 . Alfred Spencer 829 ( re-appointed ) - - Scribe E . Woldemar O . Kennett 199 - - Scribe N . Frank Hitchens 829 ... Registrar George H . Denne 784 ... Principal Sojourner

William Pannell 158 ... 1 st Assistant Sojourner Arthur Henry Bateman 1973 - - 2 nd Assistant Sojourner William A . Phipps 2404 - - - Sword Bearer Charles Hind 1837 - - - - 1 James W . Nash 1050 - - - I Standard Bearers ' Claud A . Hooper 2147 - - -

Thomas Easton 31 - - - - Director of Ceremonies Henry Forss 483 - - - - ) W . B . Kennett 558 ... - Assistant Dirs . of Cers . James S . White 2099 - - - ) John B . Groom 2046 - - - Organist George E . Nicholls 913 - - - Assistant Scribe E . John Cooke -- --- Janitor .

There being no other business relating to Royal Arch Masonry in the Province , the Chapter was closed in solemn form , with the customary ceremony . The Companions afterwards dined together , and the usual complimentary speeches were made .