Our Second Volume.

OUR SECOND VOLUME .

WITH the present number of THE F REEMASON ' CHRONICLE , we close our Second Volume . Twelve months since we were just preparing to launch our projected journal . Amid much encouragement , many

predictions of our ultimate success , and numerous promises of help , we ventured to put forth our programme . Some of our critics , pei'haps a few of our enemies , were of opinion that , in that programme , Ave aimed too high , and made

promises which could not be fulfilled . "We were content , however , in spite of the sneers of half-hearted friends , to allow our performances to speak for themselves , and now , with the issue of our fifty-second number ,

we may fairly claim that we have accomplished all we intended . We promised our readers a high-class Masonic journal , which , should inform them , not merely of all the current events of any importance in the Masonic world ,

but which should keep before their eyes the literary and antiquarian lore in connection with the Craft . We promised that while we should carefully veil from the vulgar those things which should not be discussed in a newspaper , we

should approach the consideration of Masonry in no narrow or pedantic spirit . It was our ambition to be the organ of intercommunication between Masons in various parts of the globe , and in this also we have succeeded beyond our

most sanguine expectations . In America and in Australia our articles have been freely quoted by the general press , as well as by journals devoted to the affairs of the Order . We have found many warm friends , and many readers , in

the United States , while at home we have received cordial support from the brotherhood . Our circulation has steadily increased , and it is still increasing . The need of a respectable organ of Masonic opinion was widely felt when

we stepped forward to supply the want , and , notwithstanding the apathy with which Masons have hitherto regarded the journalism of the Order , we have been gladly recognised as an authority , and welcomed as a friend . The apathetic

attitude of Masons with reference to their own press has arisen , we believe , in consequence of the inferior quality of the literary menu with which that press in the past had been content to regale the brethren . Any stale odds and

ends of Masonic news were considered quite good enough for the columns of a Masonic journal , and the literary matter which was served up by some of our contemporaries was generally beneath contempt . Stale platitudes and worn

out truisms may , indeed , content dull minds , and furnish the material for the lucubrations of respectable stupidity , but the Order , which comprises in its ranks the culture and intelligence of the middle and upper classes , assuredly

demands that its representative organs shall , at least , be on a footing of equality with the high class journals which cater for the intellectual aud social wants of the public . What we have done in the past is , at least , a guarantee

that , in the future , we shall not permit ourselves to fall behind our ideal . It will he our aim to make THE FREE - MASON ' CHRONICLE still more widely representative of the opinions and the wants of the Masonic world . Many new

Our Second Volume.

features oi interest will be added to our programme , and tho Masonic Portraits , which have given such general satisfaction , will be continued from week to week . We may say , with regard to this latter feature of our journal , that our aim is to present our readers with faithful literary

sketches of Masons who are widely known , or who have deserved well of the Order . Mere biographical notices of distinguished living persons are almost always unsatisfactory . They are usually written in a flattering style , and often for purposes which are anything but worthy of

respectable journalists . If we have discarded the mere vulgar method of ticketing a man with his name and titles , our readers may feel assured that we have done so for excellent reasons . If our sketches prove to be faithful transcripts of the peculiarities of the persons who ,

figuratively speaking , will honour us with " sittings , " they will speak for themselves . If they be unfaithful or inaccurate , they will , of course , miss their mark , and we , at all events , shall know when and why we have failed . We may add that , although in these papers we shall speak

freely of those whose lineaments we shall attempt to draw , we shall always speak kindly , and shall never permit any feelings that are not Masonic to influence our pen . We shall chide without malice , and praise , where praise is deserved , without one thought of insincerity or flattery .

Having said thus much of the past and future , we may venture . with some show of reason to urge upon our brethren the task of making THK CHBONICLB yet more widely known to the Order . Every one of our readers may render us some service in this respect . They can make us known to those of the brethren who have not

yet looked into our pages . They may help to disabuse the minds of some among us of those prejudices against Masonic journalism , which we are glad to know are slowly giving way before a more enlightened consideration of the scope and duties of the Order . Our brethren on the other side of

the Atlantic have welcomed the Press with open arms . Nearly every district under the government of a Grand Lodge has its Masonic paper or magazine , and the general newspapers devote much of their space to Masonic intelligence . Here , while there is less apathy on the subject of

Masonic journalism than existed a few years since , yet much still remains to be done before the Masonic press of England is placed upon an equality , so far as circulation and influence are concerned , with the Masonic press of the

States . We leave this matter in the hands of our readers , fully assured , as we are , that they will do what is thought just and right . With the close of the year men are accustomed to review their past conduct , and make resolutions for the future . It is a wholesome custom , and one which

commends itself to every mind . We trust that our friends , in their mental examination of duties but half fulfilled , ox claims but tardily recognised , will give some thought to the great task on which we have laboured through the now rapidly fleeting year . Some of them could have lightened

that labour had they chosen . Perhaps the idea of attempting to put a shoulder to the wheel has occurred to many a brother who now regrets that his good intentions were not realised . At this season , when the minds of Christian and Jew alike are chastened by the holiest of associations , the

recollection of duties unperformed is a portion of that religious discipline which is common to every creed . To remember and to amend is the duty of the just man . We

will say no more on this subject , and we now take our leave with hearty wishes that all our readers may spend a jovial Christmas , and may be blessed with a Happy New Tear .