Prov. Grand Lodge Of Hertfordshire.

beeu only nino had it not been that nine additional admissions had beon placed npon tho list . With respect to the boys , at tho next election thoro wonld bo 72 candidates and only 16 to be elected . In tho Benovolent Institution , which he trusted was not the least important , thero would be , he was afraid , a list of something like SO candidates , and at the present time thero was the prospect of

only 16 vacancies . During the last five years this Province had taken a position it had never assumed iu the Craft , and he attributed it to their being presided over by their present Prov . Grand Master . During that time he had bad the honour of seeing two Lodges added to tho roll ; and this , when they remembered the peculiar position in which Herts was placed , unlike tho populous manufacturing

districts , was very satisfactory . Thanks to the energy of their Proy . G . Master and the brethren who took the position of Stewards , this Provinco stood No . 1 in the list of subscriptions this year for the Girls' School . He hoped and trustod this might go ou . Thero wero 207 girls being clothod , fed , and educated in their magnificent Institution at Battersea Rise ; 217 boys wero in liko manner being

edncated at Wood Green ; and under tho Benevolent Institution there were 303 annuitants . Theso Institutions needed and deserved a great amount of support , aud he was happy to say that notwithstanding tho depression in trade , tho support accorded to them during tho past few years had in no way diminished , but had actually increased . He concluded by urging tho brethreu to support their Deputy Grand Master in his position as Steward next year . Tho

Lodges of tho Provinco was then given , coupled with tho name of tho W . M . of Berkhampstead Lodge , who responded , and tho official list closed with tho Tyler ' s toast . Tho speeches of tho evening wore interspersed with vocal and instrumental selections of mnsic , given in admirable stylo by Bros . Seymour Smith , IJpstone and Lord . This part of tho day's arrangements was under the direction of Ero . J . F . Haskins .

Non-Affiliation.

NON-AFFILIATION .

FROM THE "MASONIC NEWSPAPER . "

"OROBABLY no spectre has ever arised which threatens to do so A much towards disturbing tho harmony , and even endanger the life of the institution , as this one of " non-affiliation for non-payment of dues , " and still by a singular exhibition of blindness to its best interests , this evil has its origin , and receives its nourishment , from within " the household of the faithful . " That it w . ts the evident design of tho originators to render tbe

institution a blessing , and not a burden to its votaries , no ono well read in Masonic history will for an instant question ; and how far that amiable purpose has been distorted , we call upon all thinking members of tho Order to " Read , Consider and Digest . " In the oldon time this question of annual duos was an unknown quantity in the great problem of Masonic life , the Lodges being regarded in tho

light of social and charitable clubs , supported by the voluntary contributions of the brethren , and by small fines imposed for non-attendance or breaches of tho bye-laws , which were paid cheerfully . From this fund the debts contracted by tho Lodge were paid , leaving a handsome margin from which charity was dispensed , and that , too , with no niggard hand . "Boards of Relief" wero unheard of , and

Freemasonry made rapid strides npon tho highway to success and prosperity . Freomasonry grow and flourished , until the year 1 S 73 fonnd it in this country and state , and from that time until tho present , all who read Masonic journals are familiar with tho difficulties which it has been called upon to encounter .

Where , or at what time , the present system of annual dues originated , histey does not inform us , so we feel obliged to consider it " an invention of the enemy , " for its influence has been evil , and its result promises to be disastrous to the Fraternity in this and every similarly burdened jurisdiction ; like "tho old man of the mountain , " it is tightening a fatal grasp round the neck of one of

•tho grandest institutions ever devised for the benefit of nian , and unless , like Sinbad , tho Fraternity fling off this incubus , who shall [ predict its fate ? It is a well-known fact that the great mass of those who make up the "Masonic Fraternity in the State of New York are far from being ¦ millionaires ; they are , on the contrary , hard-working men who , in

i the main , depend upon their daily labour for support . That this 'class forms also the most desirable material for out * Lodges must be u fact , patent to every observing brother . Since the stagnation of business in 1873 , many worthy and deserving brothers have , from causes over which they have no control , been gradually getting into arrears with their Lodges , and perhaps also Chapters ,

Commanderics , Councils , and Scottish Rito Bodies , until to removo the load proved a task beyond their means . These unfortunate brothers may havo occupied positions of honour iu the several bodies with which they were connected , performing their tasks with dignity , and in a manner which reflected credit upon the Fraternity ; does this fact assist them in tho hour of necessity ? Not at all ; had they been

drones , instead of the busy bees which they were , the consequences would have been none the less harsh . In the midst of domestic misfortune or financial oppression comes additional adversity , aud that , too , from au unexpected quarter . Throughout tho grand principles of Freemasonry we find tho beautiful sentiments of " brotherly love , relief , and truth " held up , not

only for the admiration of an unbelieving world , but for tho consolation of unfortunate members ' of tho Society . Tho sentiments in themselves are truly grand , and certainly God-inspired , for they teach lessons derived from tho known " Word , " the " Great Light" of the Institution . Let us consider , however , tho wide difference which exists between profession and practice , as hero plainly exemplified , and following out our suppositious case , state that the brother holds

Non-Affiliation.

membership in Lodge , Chapter , Comraandery nnd Council , and is equally enthusiastic and delighted in his connection with all of theso bodies . His dues accrue , and at the samo time house reut becomes due , or somo little bill for household necessities demands payment , and here comes tho difficulty . In tho struggle between his Masonic pride and zeal and tho home demands , naturally—for the Institution

teaches that " a man must be a kind husband and an indulgent father" —he satisfies tho cravings of hi 3 family , and receives a summons from the Craft to pay his dues or show cause why he should not bo thicken from the roll . Hi 3 feelings are hurt , and in many cases the warm partisan is transformed into either a cold , careless unaffiliate or an outspoken

opponent of the once beloved Order . What should he have done ? —gono before tho several bodies where ho had once served long and faithfully , and humbled still further the little honostprido left within him for an institution which dealt a death-blow to an already wronged aud injured brother ? We say no—a thousand times no ! Better sever at once the connection , and bury tho past than ash for that

charity which is plainly taught by tho institution a 3 belonging lo him of right , and which is wrongfully withheld by a perversion of the landmarks of Freemasonry . The brother , to maintain his dignity , suffers himself to be stricken from the roll , tho voting being done , perhaps , by brethren fresh from tho preparation room , and who are consequently in ignorance of tho time , labour and

substance which he had expended to give them the privilege which they so wofully misused . Look at the consequences of this action , and compare tho Masonic status of this unfortunate brother with that of the wrongdoer , ono who had been expelled from the Order : the one suffers for his poverty equally with he who had violated his solemn engagements . The

expelled brother is permitted , according to tho laws of Now York , to potition for restoration , aud can then affiliate with any Lodge upon tho payment of a small feo ; tho un-affiliato can rejoin his Lodge , but must pay all his indebtedness from the time . « t which he was "dropped" up to his re-affiliation ; thus plainly paying for all the timo during which ho suffered by the denial of "Masonic rites and .

benefits . That this is unjust , is , in our opinion , to put . it very mildly . The resnlt of this perrersion of Masonic doclino is that with overy year tho institution loses , instead of gaining strength ; old war-horses are led out to die in the cold , and desirable material from which to make Masons become frightened off by tho exhibition of unkindncss so plainly seen npon every side . This is all -wrong ; it i 3 tin-Masonic

and uncharitable in tho highest degree ; it makes poverty not a misfortune , but a crime , for which additional punishment must be heaped npon tho offender , and Masonic landmarks perverted iu order that ho maybe made to feel the hoinousness of his gnilt . Tho " Great Light " declares " Woe unto Mm- who shall remove a Landmark , " and we add woe unto Freemasonry unloss this great wrong is righted , and that speedily .

The Theatres, &C.

THE THEATRES , & c .

ROYAL ITALIAN OPERA . COVENT GARDElf .-Tl . is Evening , at 3 , IL'KTOILE DU NORD ( last night of the season ) . HER MAJESTY'S THEATRE . — This Morning , AIDA . This Evening , It FLAUTO MAGICO . On Monday , CABMEN . On Thursday , It TALISMANO . On Wednesday , AIDA .

GLOBE .-At 7 . 15 , DON QUIXOTE JUNIOR . At 8 . 5 , LES CLOCHES DE CORNEVILLE . HAYMARKET .-ROMEO AND JULIET , or AS YOU LIKE IT . STRAND . —At 7 . 15 , RUTH'S ROMANCE . At 8 . 0 , MADAME FAVART . GAIETY .-At 7 . 30 , OPERETTA . At 8 . 15 , STAGE STRUCK . At 9 . 15 ,

PRETTY ESMERALDA . VAUDEVILLE .-At 7 . 30 , ONCE AGAIN . At 8 . 0 , THE GIRLS , and A HIGHLAND FLING . PRINCE OP WALES'S . — At 8 . 0 , HEADS OR TAILS . At 8 . 15 , SWEETHEARTS and GOOD FOR NOTHING .

ADELPHI .-At 7 . 30 , Nc . 1 ROUND THE CORNER . At 8 . 0 , AMY ROBSART . OL YMPIC .-At 7 . 30 , THE LAUGHING HYAENA . At 8 . 15 , THE WORSHIP OF BACCHUS . LYCEUM :. —This evening at 8 , EUGENE ARAM .

PRINCESS'S .-At 7 . 15 , DRINK . OPERA COMIQ , T 7 E .-At 7 . 1 , 5 , CUPS AND SAUCERS . At S . 30 H . M . S . ¦ PINAFORE , etc . ROYALTY .-At 8 . 0 , CRUTCH AND TOOTHPICK . At 10 , VENUS . FOLLY—At 7 . 15 . FARCE . At 8 . 20 , THE FIRST NIGHT . At 9 . 30 , ANOTHER DRINK .

CRITERION . —At 7 . 30 , MEG'S DIVERSION . At 9 . 0 , TRUTH . On Monday , JILTED . IMPERIAL .-At 7 . 10 , SHE STOOPS TO CONQUER . At 10 . 10 , LADY OF LYONS ( last night ) . ALHAMBRA . —At 7 . 40 , FARCE . At 8 . 15 , VENICE .

STANDARD . —At 7 . 15 , EUGENE ARAM and THE OSTLER'S VISION . CRYSTAL PALACE . —This day , CONCERT . On Thursday , FIREWORKS . Open daily . Aquarium , Dr . Carver , & c . ALEXANDRA PALACE . —This rtav , CIRCUS , PROMENADE CONCERT , fee . On Monday , SUNDAY SCHOOL FESTIVAL . Open daily . VOKES FAMILY , & c . '

EGYPTIAN ( LARGE HALL ) . —MASKELYNE AND COOKE . Every Evening at 3 . Tuc $ j * ys , Thursdays , and Saturdays , at 3 and 8 . EOYAL POLYT" * BH | itC . —METEMPSYCHOSIS ; THE FAIRY DELL TUB ELECTRJHKWHT ; GAS , what it docs and ran do . THE STEAM ENGlJMUS : HE ' AVlhv ^ - VOYAGES IN THE A IK , unit THE WOSagSgfcOF MODERN SCIENCE . STOKES ON MEMflilY . LEOTARDSfR : Automaton . Diver , Diving TielU , Ac—Admission Is , Opon at 12 and 7 . Carriages at 5 and W .