Uniformity Of Masonic Ritual And Observance.

UNIFORMITY OF MASONIC RITUAL AND OBSERVANCE .

WHEN we received from Bro . James Stevens his letter of tho 6 th inst ., which was published in onr issue of the 10 th , we could but regret with him that it should bo necessary to write in such strains of his brother Masons . Of course those who oppose his efforts havo a

perfect right to use what means thoy like to strengthen their cause , but we think they go too far when they descend so low as to lay themselves open to the charge of misrepresenting the facta of the case . As Bro . Stevens points out , he has asked for and obtained the sanction of

Grand Lodgo for the appointment of a Committee to make enquiry if there really are any material variations in the working of English Lodges , and if they find there are , they will ) recommend to Grand Lodge what course they

propose in order to prevent a continuance of the deviation . Surely this shonld not be a sufficient reason for disagreement between any brethren or sections of brethren , rather all should be united iu such a cause . So far wo

fail to see any motive for the opposition which should entitle it to a minute ' s consideration . If tho Committee is appointed , wo suppose the meetings of its members will be publicly announced , and that auy qualified brother will be allowed admission to the debates . It will , therefore , be

as easy for the opponents to attend as for those who support the project , and each will then learn for himself the value of the evidence adduced . It may be asked , do the brethren who now . oppose the appointment of the Committee desire that variations should continue—if proved to

exist ? We think not ; we believe that all would prefer the adoption of one uniform system , so far as the main points of our ceremonies are concerned . What , then , can be the reason for trying to prevent the appointment of the Committee to make enquiry ? It is not as though the

Committee were to be entrusted with power to make alterations in the ritual , that would be a matter for tho serious consideration of the Craft , and we should most strongly oppose any such power being given to a few members ; but nothing of the sort is here contemplated ; the work of the

Committee is merely to ascertain if there be any foundation for the remarks of Bro . Stevens . If they find there is , it then becomes a question whether they consider them of sufficient importance to be taken notice of ; but if they find there is not , the whole subject is disposed of , and Bro . Stevens assures us that he will rest content . The real

point which will require consideration at tho hands of Grand Lodge will be to decide what shall be done with the Committee ' s recommendations—provided they may deem it necessary to make any . Until they give their report we cannot see why the efforts of Bro . Stevens , endorsed by

the majority present at a large meeting of Grand Lod ge , should be impeded or ridiculed . No brother need fear that he will bo nominated for the Committee against his vvish , nor do we suppose it will be compulsory for him to attend the meetings even if he is appointed , so that it

cannot be urged that any serious labour will be entailed on any one unless they desire it . It must he admitted by all who are unprejudiced that if divergencies in tho Masonic system , such as were named by Bro . Stevens at the last

meeting of Grand Lodge , really do exist , there is reason iu his endeavour to have the Committee appointed ; and we see no reason to suppose that he has put forward statements that if untrue can easily be proved as such . The first question the Committee will have to decide will be

Uniformity Of Masonic Ritual And Observance.

whether there was any need for their appointment ; and as they will have the means of gathering any evidence they may wish for , it should not be any serious task to decide that point . Having done so , the reception of the evidence follows as a matter of course .

Bro . James Stevens is now actively engaged in the preparation of the list of names which ho has to submit to Grand Lodge at its next meeting . He has sent us a circular letter , a copy of which , he tells us , has been sent to tho Secretary of each of the English Provinces , asking if it be

the wish of their district to be represented on the proposed Committee . By this means Bro . Stevens invites the co-operation of tho whole of the English brotherhood , and it is to be hoped he will thereby secure a good working committee . It is not for him to say who shall be appointed ,

but as he has been called upon to nominate certain brethren , it may be imagined that the task virtually rests with him . It is , therefore , desirable that every facility should be afforded for brethren to be enrolled , and for this purpose we advise Bro . Stevens to invite propositions from

Lodges or brethren who may be interested in the matter . We are sure that no question of feeling will be allowed to interfere with the subject , so far as Bro . Stevens is concerned , and we hope those who now differ with him will , if they continue their opposition , adopt only such measures as become gentlemen and Freemasons .

Projected Extension Of The Girls' School.

PROJECTED EXTENSION OF THE GIRLS' SCHOOL .

THE January Quarterly General Court of the Girls ' School stands adjourned until twelve o ' clock to-day , at which time the minutes of the Special General Court of the 3 rd instant , relating to the vote of £ 6 , 500 for the purchase of Lyncombe House and grounds , will be again put for confirmation . It is imposaible to predict what will be

the result , as both those who propose the purchase , and those who oppose it , seem determined to press their views to the end . If the vote is confirmed to-day , and the pur . chase effected , the brethren will have to submit to it , but we fear that the outlay will prove to be one of the most unfortunate ever undertaken on behalf of our Charities .

In support of their case , the opposers of the grant have sought professional opinions as to the value of the property , and as a result have received the following letters : —> 25 and 26 Bishopsgate-street-wifchout , 11 th January 1880 .

I beg to say thafc tho property in question , afc £ 6 , 500 , ought to produce a rental of £ 325 per annum to pay 5 per cent , on the outlay , and this is calculated upon the mere expenditure of the money , ¦ without taking into consideration any additional expense for law charges , stamps , & c . But should the proposed vendor decide to

carry out his threat in erecting houses upon the present site , he would destroy his own property , represented to be of the above value , and in substitution thereof upon the site could only obtain room enough for somo twenty very small houses , with contracted frontages and depths , which would make the ground rent upon each

house £ 16 Is per annum , and this is presuming it had an available building frontage . But should a road and sewer have to be constructed , this will lessen the number of houses aud increase tho ground rent . I think , under the circumstances , that the Committee

and the Governors of the Charity should not be hoodwinked in this matter , as no man would be insane enough to ruin , in its present form , a valuable property , to erect houses , or shops upon them , at ground reuts that no one would think of taking the land upon .