Freemasonry At Present.

is a fundamental principle of tho Craft , and when practiced eilhet- by those known to be Masons or by the great world without , is no loss a Masonic virtue . And ho who follows this principle fully , " doing unto others as he would that

they should do unto him , " cannot materially err m Ins duty to mankind . There are more Masons outside the groat brotherhood than within ifc . Religion nnd Masonry go hand in hand in demanding a reverence for tho Cod of

tho Bible , and for the Bible of God . They alike teach a dependence upon tho Creator , from whose bountiful hand every blessing comes ; they inculcate a pure morality , a firm adherence to right , a fulfilment of every vow . Pure

morals and pnro Freemasonry are synonymous terms , and the man who embodies them in his daily lifo is already prepared in heart to receive those minor lessons that bind the Craft into one common band of brothers . Thus

Freemasonry influences society , and unperceived sows the seed that brings forth fruit in wholesome laws and righteous enactments . It upholds the right , relieves the distressed ,

defends tho weak and raises the fallen . So , silently but surely and continually , it builds into the great fabric of human society .

As a circle around the globe tho indissoluble chain of fraternal affection extends , and wherever the heart has been properly prepared , and tho ear received the mystic word , there is found a chord that responds in harmony to

every call a brother makes . Love forges the links that bind heart to heart , aud duty clasps them in one unending chain . At no period of the world ' s history , perhaps , was there as wide-spread a knowledge of the esoteric principles

of Freemasonry as at present . Its influence is , therefore , greater than ever before , and the good that must follow the practice of its teachings must of necessity become more and more manifest . Never was there more purity in

Freemasonry and never—paradoxical as it may seem—was there more impurity . When the Sons of God assembled—Satan came also . In the purity of the Garden of Eden , fresh from the Creator ' s hand , evil enshrined itself , and

the slime of the serpent is trailed upon the earth from that day to this . No virtue is secure from the attacks of vice . Virtue may successfully resist , but the purer the life thc moro beautiful the character , the fiercer and more

determined will be tho onslaught of impurity . Among toe twelve chosen followers of the Great Teacher was found one who " basely violated his vow and betrayed his trust . " In the purest society in tho world will be found the

unworthy . Within the sacred desk aro those who * ' wear the livery of heaven to serve thc devil in . " Therefore it should not surprise us to find bad and evil disposed men among the " Sons of Light . " Virtue is timid and shrinks

from public gaze . Merit is patient and often suffers in silent neglect . The true Mason is found in tho quieter walks of life . His life is as tho peaceful river that flows on and on , blessing every shore that it touches . If the

true Mason is elevated to a high station he boars hi 3 honours modestly , and is respected for the practice of those lessons he learned in the Lodge room . It sometimes happens that the unworthy are elevated to high and

honoured stations , and , being seen from afar , are injurious to the Craft and to the world . They do not possess the spirit of true Masonry . Beneath the lambskin is concealed the tiger's claws , and in the white gloved hand the

scimitar of bitter hatred , and within the unfaithful breast that unbelief that makes men but whited sepulchres . Freemasonry in its teaching is as pure to-day as it ever was . Its lessons are God-breathed and should bo found

only in the pure in heart . Freemasonry itself is not injured by contamination wth evil , no moro than the pearl can be marred by the filth of tho gutter . Ifc will shine amidst it all .

Freemasonry at present is stronger for good than it ever was . Its quiet , unobtrusive work is being manifested on every hand . Nofc an Asylum rears its turrets to heaven but is an exemplification of its teachings . Nofc a refuge

for the fallen , the sick and abandoned , but is built upon the principle of brotherly love . Not a haven of rest for the aged and feeble but proclaims the influence of Masonic doctrine . As towers and monuments that will lasfc through

the ages , rise the institutions of Masonry itself . There are homes for thc homeless , and asylums for the afflicted . There are kind hands and loving hearts ready to minister

to tho little ones bereft of tender friendships . These are but the tangible forms of the foundation principles of Freemasonry . This is Freemasonry at the present time and as the world looks upon these manifestations of the

Freemasonry At Present.

tenets of our profession , they aro impressed with its grandeur and purity , and whether they will or not , they are influenced by their presence . Tho towering walls casting a shadow upon the passer by , lead him to thank the hands that reared them .

Let us , then , be proud of tho position of Freemasonry at the present time , and so live that we may reflect tho beauty of its purity , and become fitted for that Grand Lodgo above where the Great Architect of tho Universo presides , —Voice of Masonry .

Royal Masonic Institution For Boys.

ROYAL MASONIC INSTITUTION FOR BOYS .

A QUARTERLY General Court of the Governors and -O L Subscribers of this Institution was held in tho Hall , Freemasons' Tavern , on Friday , for the transaction of the ordinary business of the Institution . Bro . Edward

Terry , Grand Treasurer , having been voted to the chair , the usual preliminaries were observed , after which tho following Report of the Provisional Management Committee was formally submitted : —

The committee lias sineo its appointment on 6 th Juno 1889 , held twenty-two meetings ? , several of these at Wood Green . Iu uccordanco with instructions given to tho Committee at tho Quarterly Court , held on Friday , 26 th July last , an efficient Matron has ben appointed .

With regard to tho Medical Officer , thirty-seven applications wore received and the Committee carefnlly considered and examined iuto tho qualifications of tho soveral candidates . At a subsequent meeting tho numlor of candidates was reduced to fifteen , then to ten , and afterwards to six , as those from whom a final selection should bo

made . On the 20 th September , the six gentlemen attended the Committee at tho Institution , when it was unanimously resolved that Mr . W . E . Porter , M . B ., CM . Edin ., M . 'R . O . S . Lon ., should be recommended for the appointment , afc a salary of £ 80 per annum . The Committeo acting npon the authority given to ifc at fcho last

Qnarfcerly Court to confer with the Secretary , Bro . Binckes " as to the terms of his retirement and to arrange them if possible " has , after deliberation arranged with him that ho shall retire from the office of Secretary at tho end of tho present year 1 S 89 npon a retiring allowance ) of £ 350 per annum for life . This arrangomenfc received

the almost unanimous approval of tho General Committee on lOch Au < j ; nst last , and this Committee now asks the General Court to sanction and confirm tho same . A Sub-Committee has beon appointed to consider a general revision of tho Laws of tho Institution . The report will bo presented in duo

courco to a Quarterly General Court . Tho General Committee having , on the 5 th inst ., resolved to ter minute the engagement of the present Head Master—this Committeo has under consideration fcho course most advisable for the

appointment of a successor . This Committeo since its formation has added to its number , now comprising thirty-two members . A Sanitary-Sub-Committeo has been nominated which is zealously pursuing its important investigations .

By order of tho Provisional Management Committee , EnwABD TKHIIV , Grand Treasurer , Chairman , pro tern 23 rd October 1889 . The report was taken as read , and formally accepted . The election of Medical Officer followed , the choice of

thc meeting falling on Mr . W . E . Porter , tho gentleman recommended by the Provisional Committee . Bro . Richard Eve ' s proposition , made on behalf of the Provisional

Committee"That in accordance with tlio recommonilation of tho Provisional Mnnngcrucutr Committee , adopted by tltc General Committee on Saturday , loth August 1 SS 9 , im allowance of Ji > ~ > 0 per annum , for lifo , IJO rntule to Bro . Frederick Binckes on his retirement from the oflicc of Secretary sifter a service of upwards of 28 years . "

was then brought forward and elicited considerable discussion . Several amendments were proposed , all of which were fully considered in turn . The result was that the recommendation of thc Committee , that Bro . Binckes bo

awarded a retiring pension o ' i £ 'lo 0 per annum , was carried , the majority in favour being , however , a very small one . The proposal of Bro . Masters , made on behalf of tho Sanitary Hub-Committee of tho Provisional

Committee"That the Provisional Management Committee bo authorised to expend a sum not excelling , CW 00 to provide iuVlitional Baths in the School liuiidings , and lor general Sanitary requirements . Also , that the Committeo be authorised to expend a sum not exceeding £ 2500 in tho erection of a Swimming Bath . "

was agreed to , subject to specifications for thc proposed swimming bath being submitted to a subsequent Quarterly Court . Bro . W . H . Saunders having withdrawn tho proposals standing in his name , the business was brought to a conclusion . In accordance with our suggestion of lasfc week arrange-