Circular Charge.

destinies have now conducted us to a theatre for our pursuits , whose beaut ) will exhibit , by contrast , every uepaituru Iiom propriety , in tlie most ouious colours . \\ e have placed tho image oi Masonry , as it were , upon the housetop . If we sully her features , or derange the symmetry of her habiliments , all the world will witness and deride our folly , and the publicity of her exposure will make her deformity an object of universal aversion

and disgust . On the contrary , array ed in her native simplicity of appearance , or ornamented only with the decorations ot " oiden time , " she will attract to the vestibule of this sacred Temple the upright and the good ; your doois will be crowded with visitants , the most desirable , and the votaries of religion and of science will nofc deny their sanction and support in the conduct of your mysteries .

Exulting as we all do in the value of our present attainments , let us beware not only of retrograding into loriner errors , but of resting satisfied with the progress we have made . It we do not mako daily advances we have reaton to distrust our present

foothold—wo may , insensibly to ourselves , slide back to the undesirable position we have left . We have seized this occasion as the most fortunate that will ever offer to impress upon your minds the value of our inestimable Fraternity , and to animate you to renewed efforts for its honour and prosperity .

For the first time , you are assembled as a seUct body of Masons within these walls , and are henceforth to enjoy , *• ixmiuon with the rest of the Craft , all the auvuma-g . o . ; . ^ a union 01 convenience and elegance can afloid you . in u . iuit * no appreiiensions need be entertained , that violence will be ottered to tho feelings and habits of respectable novitiates , by the meanness or

indifference of their reception and accommodation . What remains to be desired ? That such a studied regard to the maintenance of harmony , order and decorum should be unceasingly manifested by all ; so much solemnity , beauty and skill , in the administration if your mysteries be observed by those to whom they are confided , that none shall have their affections cooled and their zeal abated ,

by even occasional exhibitions of a different nature . To accomplish these ends , you have not only to remove whatever is now amiss among you , but to guard with solicitude against external danger . It is lamentable that our Institution should be

sought after by individuals whose characters ought to exclude them from all decent associations of their fellowmen . Yet the fact is not more sorrowful than true . Crowds of apostates from integrity and virtue are constantly endeavouring to provide a shield for their wickedness , in the honorable name of Masons .

A shameful carelessness has been the means of introducing some such within the veil of our hallowed sanctuary . Almost all the injury Masonry has ever received has been from such hands . Let them knock in vain at the door of this Lodge . To their entrance let ifc be an everlasting barrier ; but to tho solicitations of the worthy , lend a willing ear ; and be as ready to grant , as in

future we hope they will be to solicit an interest in your labours . Let unexceptional character and personal ability be the only recommendation to office . Publish , as your Officers , the names of men whose characters have sunk in the general estimation of an enlightened community , and you at once exhibit , not only a monument of disgrace to the Institution , but a beacon which will

prevent all who estimate as they ought their own characters , from exposing them to shipwreck in entering the haven of your Lodge . And whilst it warns such to beware oi danger , it invites men of a different description to desire a connection with a body whose exposure of its imbecility or vice has given promise of an intercourse congenial with their depraved views . On the contrary , hold out to public view as the superintendents of your labours men of

unspotted reputation , whose steps through life , whether mounting up the elevated heights of learning and science , or moving through the humbler but not less honourable paths of common industry , have never deviated into the crooked ways of abused appetite and forfeited integrity ; and you address , by these means , more powerful persuasives to a union with your society than the most laboured eloquence could furnish .

Were 1 to unbosom to you , my Brethren , on this occasion , all the anxious feelings oi my mud en the many interesting topics connected with the design oi these visitations , I should weary your attention . It would also involve me in an unavoidable repetition of the substance of former ccmmunicaticns . One subject , however ,

claims a moment ' s observation , because its importance has , in some instances , not been duly estimated , and the consequences of . this error have leen deeply felt . 1 allude to the proper conduct of " the table of refreshment . I am not an enemy oi Lakonic banquets under proper government and regulations .

The most enlivening pleasures derhable from social intercourse between congenial minds I Lave felt in the swiftly passing moments oi innocent enjoyment with my Brethren at the lestive board . The salutary restrictions imposed on all , during . the hours of labour , require to be followed by these harmless relaxations ; and every Mason , possessed of the genuine feelings of the Cralt , highly appreciates the happiness they bestow . 1 would increase this

happiness by rendering them still more assimilated to the principles of our Institution by giving them a ioim and order that will never debar indulgence , to a rational extent , but will nevertheless curb a disposition to w at der into licentiousness and dissipation . Let the chaims of music Le allowed to give variety to the delights of thete associations . Poetiy has lavished her store oi beauties for the very purpose ; and much may be found adapted to the eulogy of our Fraternity , or tht virtues it pioiesses to inculcate .

If extianeous subjects are resorted to , let a wholesome discipline prevent the introduction of whatever is subversive of the principles of morality or offensive to the cielieaey of a chastened mind . Let the same discipline be exerted , m restricting the duration of the

season of reiresLmcnt within those suitable limits , which have lateiy been prescribed by the Grand Lodge . Respect ior the opinions of ihe world , lor the Masonic Institution , and for the duties we , owe our lamilies , should supersede , on these occasions , any itclination to motiact , unnecessarily , our personal enjoyments .

Circular Charge.

The danger of affecting the morals or the health ot our members , by exceeding the bounds of temperance and moderation , should form another inducement for defining and observing , with invariable strictness , the same precision as to hours which our regulations prescribe , aud which ought never to be neglected for commencing and closing the labours of tho Lodge . And in the midst of all our Masonic recreations within these

walls , let this recollection operate as a talisman , that the sacred Temple which contains us stands dedicated in solemn form to our All-seeing Grand Master , and consecrated to the best interests of Virtue and Benevolence . Never let its precincts be violated by the pollutions of intemperance and vice , nor debased by the intrusion of discord and disorder .

I cannot conclude this charge without renewing my congratulations on the advancing prosperity of our Fraternity . Our Lodges in this city have increased to the number of twenty-one ; and in each particular Lodge ( with one or two exceptions ) the same rapid

accession of members as was noticed last year still continues . This is , on many accounts , an exhilarating circumstance , and in none more so than the assurance it has given us to ground the completion of this building on a loan , in addition to the one formerly effected .

I solicit intelligent Brethren to examine the plan on which thia part of our important undertaking has been accomplished ; and I anticipste from their inquiries a concurrence iu our opinion , that it was the best , if not tne only mode , in which the work could be conducted to a conclusion ; and that tho speedy accumulation of the sinking Fund , for the discharge of our debt , ought now to form the supreme object of attention , not only of the Grand Lodge , hut

of every subordinate member of the great family profiting by the privilege of prosecuting their labours in this place . No ingenuity can separate tho interests of the one from the other . If there be a difference in their degrees , it consists in the superior advantages which the success of our scheme has procured for the subordinate Lodges . These can only be perpetuated by united and vigorous efforts for our emancipation from the burthen which the great extent of the undertaking has unavoidably created .

In earnest solicitude for such exertions as might anticipate the period fixed for its removal , I would fain inscribe , in enlarged capitals , on the portals of every Lodge , an injunction that should constantly be in the full view oi every faithful , zealous Craftsman ; Never consider your duties as a Mason fulfilled , until you have seen the house of your assemblage released from the debt due to those who have enabled you to build it .

When this shall be effected , the Charities of our Fraternity will bo extended beyond all precedent ; tho endowment of a seminary for the education of the children of impoverished or deceased Brethren will be easily effected , and the welfare and respectability of the Craft will be placed upon an eminence beyond the roach of accident .

[ If the counsel in the above Circular Charge , delivered to the Lodges in the aforetime , was necessary in those early days , it is vastly more so now in these later days , when we have so many utilitarians who would advertise , popularise and make Freemasonry a reformatory home , and open wide its portal for the mentally , morally and physically disabled to enter , so that quantity and not quality may be tho decisive question . —Ed . " Keystone . " ]

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CANDIDATES FOR THE INSTITUTIONS . — : o : — Announcements are inserted under this head at the rate of five shillings per inch , to appear each week from the time the ballot papers are issued up to the day of election , for cash with order .

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GIRLS SCHOOL . — : o : — JESSIE RACHEL FJSHER ( Aged 9 ) . Her father , Bro . Heniy James Fisher , Collector for Kent Water Co ., was initiated in the Koyal Oak Lodge , No . 871 , on 23 rd January 1873 , and remained a subscribing member until his death , 26 th November 1893 . He was Organist of the Lodge for some years , and served the several offices up to S . W . Her mother also died 12 th January 1894 , leaving four children . This most distressing case is strongly recommended . Proxies will be thankfully received by Miss Fisher , c / o Mr . Gregory , Shirley Villa , Sidcup .

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BOYS SCHOOL . — : o : — LLEWELLYN BATESON LLOYD ( Aged 7 years ) . His father , Bro . Geo . L . Lloyd , Manufacturer ' s Agent , was initiated in the Shurmur Lodge , No . 2374 in 1891 . In consequence of illhealth ( consumption ) he was recommended a voyage to the Cape , and died on board the ss . Bosslyn Castle , on 1 st January 1894 , after two days sail , at the early age of thirty-three , leaving three young children dependent upon the mother , who is almost entirely unprovided for . He was a subscriber to the Masonic Charities . Proxies will be gratefully received by Mrs . Lloyd , 95 London Eoad , Hastings .

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Votes and interest are earnestly solicited on behalf of FREDERICK SAMUEL LANG ( Aged 9 Years ) . Son of the late Frederick Alexander Giles Woolgar Lang , Master Tailor , of 114 Seven Sisters Koad , Holloway , N ., who was initiated in the New Finsbuty Park Lodge , No . 1695 , on the 17 th of October 18 B 2 , and was a subscribing member to the time of his death , October 1890 . Votes will be thankfully received by Bros . T . G . Hodges , E . T . Mackrill , C . W . Allen , and Mrs . F . Lang , 8 Bird Street , Oxford Street , London , W .