The Press And Freemasonry.

But it is not fair a whole county should suffer because one or two of its members make themselves conspicuously prominent , and this may be said to be particularly applicable to Warwickshire , where the work of the Provincial Grand

Lodge is usually so satisfactory as to bear the scrutiny of the outside world so far as is permissible through the medium of a general newspaper . The publication of brief details of good work can hardly be expected to do any harm , while it may

prove an incentive to others—both inside and outside of Freemasonry—to go and do likewise . We hope the worthy Brother who in vears gone by won from us the title of " Our noble

critic , may ere long modify his ideas as to what may be judiciously published in regard to the work of his Provincial Graud Lodge , and supply a reasonable permit to the press .

Going further afield we may congratulate our Australian contemporary , " Masonry , " on the action of the G . L . of New South Wales , which has given official permission for the publication in its pages of affairs of Lodges under the New South Wales

Constitution . This permission was held on the establishment of the Journal , but was withdrawn in the early part of 1894 . Since fchat time the steady progress of the paper has been most marked , and the Board of General Purposes of the colony ,

in advising the Grand Master to re-issue the permit , has virtually recognised the impartial , active and admittedly useful character of the paper . A cbai-acteristic of our contemporary is its outspokenness on any subject it deems deserving of

criticism , and bearing this in mind it is particularly gratifying to find the authorities of New South Wales boldly endorsingthough perhaps in a very indirect manner—the action of its conductors . Men of the world appreciate honest criticism , and

generally set about remedying any defect that is brought under their notice , and these are the men who should have the control of Masonic affairs , rather than narrow minded individuals who look upon all outside interference as

illegitimate , and try to silence criticism by attempting to crush the mediums through which the critics seek to express their views . In this direction the Masonic press serves a useful purpose , especially when conducted with fearless impartiality , and any

official recognition of its work is all the more appreciated , because , in many instances , it almost seems that the heads of the Craft aro the most likely to be called to account in connection with any departure from established custom , or encroachment on the rights of individual members .

The Danger Of Popularity.

THE DANGER OF POPULARITY ,

"V " I EVER was anything by the wit of man devised that could XN not be abused . Detractors of institutions and societies fix upon abuses and often forget the uses of the movements they criticise . The wiser course , generally , is to find out the elements of strength and goodness , and endeavour to turn them to account .

That is what the Earl of Mount-Edgcumbe sets us an example of doing with regard to Cornish Freemasonry , and tbe high principles , the generous aud gentlemanly character of action his Lordship sets before them as their Provincial Grand Master does not fail of good effect upon the whole body . Freemasonry does

not pretend to be a religion , but a system of morals , and a corporate way of inculcating and practising virtue . But , as was shown in the sermon preached at Saltash on Monday , and the delightful little speech in which Lord Mount-Edgcumbe presented Bibles to the four lads who had carried the open Bible in

procession , only a good man can really be a good Mason . The danger which besets the Craft in these days is its popularity , and a desire for the mere success of numbers at the expense of that discipline which excludes the unworthy . This is a point which was alluded to bv the Provincial Grand Master . It is not a

mere question of the ability of a man to pay fees—of social status—but rather of character and motives . In this wicked world the evil is ever mingled with the good ; and if there are men who bring discredit upon Free masonry , so there are men

who make great profession , and then , through the weakness of human nature , bring discredit upon religion itself . It is needful that every man should take heed to his own ways . — " Cornwall Gazette . "

Durham.

DURHAM .

ON Tuesday , 24 th , the annual meeting of fche Provincial Grand Lodge of Durham was held in the Mechanics ' Institute , Jarrow , when there was a large attendance of Provincial Officers , and the Masters and Officers of Lodges . Sir Hedworth Williamson , Bart ., P . G . M . occupied the chair , and in fche unavoidable absence of the Rev . Canon Tristram , D . D .

D . P . G . M ., Victor Williamson P . G . W . acted in that capacity . The Lodge was opened by the Provincial Grand Master , and after formal business the Treasurer ' s statement was read by Bro . F . Wade , and adopted . Bro . Victor Williamson P . Prov . G . W . presented the report of the Fund Committee , which , after recommending certain

individual grants to widows of deceased Brethren in distress , and to fche orphan of a deceased Brother , proposed that 60 guineas be voted to the Royal Masonic School for Boys , a like sum to the Royal Masonic School for Girls , and 70 guineas to the Benevolent Fund for Aged Freemasons and Aged Widows . Ifc also recommended that the fees of honour be voted to the Durham Masonic

Education Fund . The report was adopted . The report of the Charities Committee , presented by the chairman Bro . Thomas Coulson , was seconded by Brother C . S . Lane , and was supported by Bro . R . Luck , who referred to the excellent results of the efforts of the past year . The amount contributed was the largest sum since the Durham Masonic Educational Fund was founded . The report was adopted .

The roll of Lodges was then called , when reports were presented by the respective Masters . The Provincial Grand Masfcer , in his address , complimented the Jarrow Brethren on the arrangements they had made for the meeting of Provincial Grand Lodge , and proceeded to allude to

the losses by death which they had sustained during the year . He was happy to be able to inform them that Bro . Lord Barnard was sufficiently recovered to be able to leave Raby , and they hoped he would shortly be able to return to them in a condition enabling him to discharge all his duties , Masonic and otherwise . The Provincial Grand Masfcer then invested the following as

the Officers for the ensuing year : — Bro . H . L . Pattinson 375 - - - - Senior Warden John C . Moor .... Junior Warden B « v . F . H . Webb . Pe loe 1970 - - ] . lains Rev . L . J . Wilkinson 1121 - - - j R . S . Benson 1379 - Treasurer

Robert Purvis jun . 240 - - - Registrar R . Hudson ( re-appointed ) - - - Secretary Edward Jepson , MD ., 1334 - - } Senior Deacona C . W . Anderson 1418 - J ?•* : Moffitt 424 - - - - I Junior Doacolia William 940

Hodgson - - - J " James Robinson 1119 - - - Superintendent of Works Thomas Dunn .... Director of Ceremonies W . J . Sanderson 1932 - - - Deputy Director of Cers . Alfred Grundy 97 - - - - Assist . Director of Cers . H . 0 . Marston 531 - - - - Sword Bearer

KR . Dav . es 949 - Standard Bearers W . R . Legg 1274 - - - - ) L . Winston 1170 - Organist John Joel ----- Assistant Secretary

&^* JS . nro 1648 oi " ' ' -Pursuivants W . D . Thompson 94 - - - J William Watson 94 - - - Thomas Prudames 940 ... M . Bradley 1650 ... - I dg J . J . Clegg 1643 ....

J . J . Runcieman 1970 Thomas McCarthy 2462 - - - / Thomas Grieve .... Tyler . Brothers S . M . Thompson of the Restoration Lodge , and Edward Ensor of the Marquess of Ripon Lodge , were elected auditors .

Provincial Grand Lodge was then closed in due form . The annual banquet afterwards took place at the Ben Lomond Hotel , Jarrow . — " Newcastle Journal . " Referring to this meeting , the " Sunderland Herald " of 24 th inst . says , it is 102 years ago to-day since the foundation stone

of Wearmouth Bridge was laid , on " which occasion the Prov . Grand Lodge of Freemasons in the county of Durham took part . A Grand Lodge was opened in ample form in the Phoenix Hall , by the late William Henry Lambton , Esq . Provincial Grand Master , assisted by about 200 Brethren clothed in the badges ,

jewels , and other insignia of the different orders of Masonry . Being joined by the magistrates , commissioners , and others who were not Masons , at the gates of the hall , conducted by one of the stewards of the day , they went to church ( whetherby Pewterer ' s Laneor Queen Street and the Back Lonninor by High Street

, , and Church Street , is not recorded ) , through an immense crowd of spectators ; the magistrates and commissioners occupying the body of the church , and the Brethren the galleries , according to their several ranks and degrees in Masonry . After a sermon by

the Rev . Mr . Heskett , the procession moved from tne cnurcu through the town by way of the Low Street , passing what was called the Manor house—in which the celebrated Colonel John Lilburn was born—through Panns , passing the house in which