Protecting The Secrets Of The Craft.

ThiB is the rose of roses , * Tbe older she grows , tbe sweeter she blossoms , And her delightful perfnme has made me happy

It has inspired me—has made me tipsy ; And were I not held by the shoulder fast , By the Town-Cellar Master of Bremen , I bad gone rolling over ! The loftiest application of tbo symbolism of the rose is found in the Canticles , where Our Saviour is called " The

Rose of Sharon . " Freemasonry commends to its initiates that Leonine lino of the Middle Ages , Andi , vide , lace , " Hear , see , be silent . " The satirist , Rabelais , said , " Nothing is so

oppressive as a secret ; it is difficult for ladies to keep it long j and I know even in this matter a good number of men who are women . " Ariosto , in bis " Orlando , " describes a Cave of Silence thus :

Silence plays tbe scout and walks his round Equipped with shoes of felfc and mantel brown , And motions from a distance all who meet Him on his circuit , from the dim retreat .

Every initiate in Freemasonry should remember that a Lodge-room is to bim a * ' cave of silence , " where everything is said sub rosa , and over all the walls are , as it were , the invisible words , " Hear , see , be silent . "

One of the deteriorating effects ot tbe reactionary influence of the profane world upon Masonry is the greater freedom now than formerly with which too much of Freemasonry is spoken of in public . Tbe history and tho main

underlying principles of the Craft may be rightfully written about and spoken of , but the secrets of the Lodge-room should be inviolate . The important thing is to rightly discriminate between what is esoteric and exoteric . The

former may not be lawfully alluded to , while the latter is more or less public property . But if we are to err , if error it can be called , let us err in saying too little . The profane have no right to know anything concerning

Freemasonry . It exists for itself alone , for the pleasure and advantage of its initiates ; but sometimes , we fear , its avowed and sworn friends are its unintentional enemies . Let us cry a halt in the ultra-publicity given to Masonic

matters ; let the profane prints drop it from their columns ; let even the Masonic prints be more careful in their deliverances , and so let ns conform to ancient usage in maintaining Silence concerning the secrets of Freemasonry . —Keystone

The annual meeting of the Adair Lodge , No . 936 , was held on Friday , the 13 thinstant , afc Aldeburgb . Bro . F . D . Bright was installed cs Worshipful Master by his predecessor , Bro . Hall , and the Officers for fche year were appointed . A banquet followed , after which the usual toasts were given .

Obituary.

Obituary .

BRO . T . M . HUMPHRIES . IT is with profound regret we have to record tbe death of Bro . T . M . Humphries , which occurred on Friday , the 20 th inst ., under the most distressing circumstances . It appears our deceased brother , who was widely known

both in London and in Provincial Masonry , had recently suffered considerable reverses in business , and this appears to have bad such an effect upon an always excitable temperament as to bring ou a fit of temporary insanity , during

which Bro . Humphries shot himself , at the Royal Hotel , Sutton Coldfield . We feel sure all who knew Brother Humphries will share with us the deepest regret that so sad a fate should have befallen one so universally beloved ;

they will , moreover , with equal readiness tender their sincere sympathy to his widow and son , for whom we hope there is even yet a silver lining to the heavy cloud which at present overshadows them .

BRO . CHAPLIN HENRY

Bro . Chaplin Henry , another well-known Mason , has also passed away . His funeral took place at Nunhead Cemetery , on the 23 rd insfc . A large number of prominent members of the musical profession attended the last rites for our deceased brother , who was universally respected in bis especial circle as well as among his Masonic brethren .

Obituary.

The Old Westminsters Lodgp , No . 2233 , membership of which is restricted fco those who have b < en educated afc the ancient School of Westminster , was consecrated on the 20 th instant , at the Cafe Roya ' , Regent Street , by the

Grand Secretary Brother Colonel Shadwell H . Clerke , assisted by Bro . Hyde Clarke P . G . M . of Columbia , General Randolph , Rev . C . W . Spencer Stanhope P . G . Chaplain , and Frank Richardson P . G . D . ; Bro . H . D .

Sandeman , Past District Grand Master of Bengal , acted as Installing Master . Bros . Victor Williamson P . G . W ., S . Pope , Q . C , P . G . D ., and many other well-known Masons were present . Bro . W . E . M . Toml ' sor , M . P ., was installed as the first Master . Bro . R . J . Mure and Bro . Thomas Wakley jnn . were appointed respectively as

Senior and Junior Wardens and Bro . H . H . Hyde Clarke as Secretary .

Wo hardly recognised the full extent to which Masonio Benevolence is extended to objects outside the Craft wheu we referred to the subject in our early issues of the present year . Hardly a day pas ? es bnt we have an instance

brought under notice where tho best principles of Freemasonry are practised on behalf of thoso who , unconnected with the Order , are reduced to the lowest ebb of poverty or misfortune . Among the more recent events under this

head which we have seen recorded is tho donation , by a member of dfche Union Lodge , at Margate , of 20 tons of coals . These were distributed , through the medium of

the Lodge , among the poor of the town . This may justly be termed a practical illustration of Freemasonry in its brightest aspect .

The Olive Union Lodge , No . 1304 , gave its annual ball on Wednesday , the 18 th instant , at the Corn Exchange , Horncastle , the proceeds being intended for the benefit of one of the Masonic Charities . The ball was well patronised , among those present being the Provincial Grand Master of Lincolnshire , bis Deputy , the Provincial Grand Secretary , and other brethren of distinction .

The installation of Worshipful Master , and investiture of Oflicers of Lodge Unity , at Ringwood , took place at the White Hart Hotel , on Thursday , the 12 th inst ., there being a large attendance , which included visitors from Bournemouth , Wimborne , Poole , Lyndhurst , Lymiogton , & c .

Bro . John Webber , of Bournemouth , was installed by tho D . P . G . M . Bro . J . Le Feuvre . A banquet followed , at fcho Corn Exchange , at which about eighty members and guests were present .

On Monday evening , the 23 rd inst , Bro . George H . Kenning , assisted by a party of ladies and gentlemen , very kindly entertained the residents at the Institution , Croydon , by giving them a capital concert . When all laboured so

well to entertain it would be invidious to particularise , but the singing of Miss Flo Kenning and the recitations of Mr . Herbert Grose merit particular notice . The entertainment , a most enjoyable one , was thoroughly appreciated

by those for whom it was given . At the termination Bro . Terry , in the name of the residents , thanked Bro . George H . Kenning and his friends for their kindness in attending , and for the enjoyment afforded . This was acknowledged by Bro . Kenning , aud after the National Anthem had been sung the Old Folks retired .

A Masonic charity ball , the second of its kind promoted by the Royal Wbarfedale Lodge , No . 1108 , to aid the Masonic Charities , took place in the Mechanics' Institute , Otley , on Monday , the 23 rd instant , and passed off very

successfully . There were upwards of two hundred guests , amongst whom were representatives from a number of Lodges in Harrogate , llkley , Leeds , Bradford , Shipley ,

& c , who , like tbe brethren of the home Lodge , were iu Masonic regalia . There is likely to be a considerable balance available for the benevolent object which the Royal Wbarfedale Lodge desires to further .