Holiday Masonry.

HOLIDAY MASONRY .

RE FERENCE to other parts of our present issue provide ample evidence of the enthusiasm with which Masons in all parts of fche country seek to associate the Holiday season wifch their Masonry .

In all directions we hear of picnics , or proposals for them , and in most cases we have evidence of enjoyable meetings taking place , which are generally regarded as proving ,

not only a source of pleasure for those who participate in them , but an ultimate advantage to the Craft at large , the peculiar features and characteristics of which are thus brought under the notice of a new section of the community .

As has been previously argued in the pages of the F REEMASON ' S CHRONICLE , these holiday trips are useful , because they afford Brethren the opportunity of inviting their wives to a participation in the pleasures of Freemasonry ,

and so tend to remove a part of that feeling of selfishness which is often associated with the Order , by reason of its prohibiting ladies from taking any active part in its working . Of course a Masomc picnic has very little actual

connection with Freemasonry , as generally understood by those initiated into the mysteries of fche Craft , but it serves a very good purpose , and is likely to still further benefit the Institution of which we are so proud of being members . It is hardly

too much to say that these pleasurable occasions have laid the foundation of fche interest now being displayed by ladies in the charitable work of the Order , not the least active feature in this direction being fche rule adopted by the Boys School

some years back of providing for the attendance of ladies at the same tables as the Brethren afc fche Anniversary Festivals , an arrangement that will be again put to the test on

Wednesday next , when the Ladies will have the opportunity of once more taking part in one of the greatest events of the year in the way of Masonic Holidays .

The Boys Festival.

THE BOYS FESTIVAL .

IT is hardly necessary to remind our readers that the Anniversary Festival on behalf of fche Eoyal Masonic Institution for Boys takes place on Wednesday nexfc , at Brighton , to be proceeded , the day before , by the visit of Stewards to the

Institution at Wood Green , when the prizes won by the pupils will be presented , and an entertainment given by a number of the lads . We heartily wish a full measure of success for the two gatherings .

Mark Benevolent Fund.

MARK BENEVOLENT FUND .

THE twenty-seventh Anniversary Festival of this Fund will be held on Wednesday , 10 th July , under the presidency of Lord Skelmersdale Past Grand Warden in both the Craft and Mark Degrees , on which occasion we hope a large amount of subscri ptions will be announced .

One notable feature in connection with this Fund , and which entitles it to special consideration at the hands of Mark Masons , as we _ have frequently mentioned in our columns , is that immediate relief has always been given to every deserving

Mark Benevolent Fund.

applicant , without waiting for the usual delay , and frequent disappointment , of contested elections . Let us hope the same happy condition of affairs may always be associated with this most useful adjunct of the Mark Degree .

East Lancashire Charity.

EAST LANCASHIRE CHARITY .

OUR Brethren of the East Division of Lancashire will celebrate an event on Wednesday next that will probably have a marked effect on the future of Masonic Benevolence , as dispensed through regularly organised Institutions . A special effort has

been in progress for some time past on behalf of the East Lancashire Systematic Masonic Educational and Benevolent Institution , and this will culminate on Wednesday next , when a Festival will be held on behalf of the Institution .

The number of Stewards working for the cause exceeds 350 , while most of the Lodges in the Province have given official support to the project , so that an exceptional result seems

probable , and one that will place the eastern division of the county in a really unique position . But , it may be asked , what will be the ultimate effect of this gathering on the older Institutions in London ?

Hampshire And Isle Of Wight.

HAMPSHIRE AND ISLE OF WIGHT .

THE annual Provincial Grand Lodge is to be held in the Guildhall , Winchester , on Friday , 9 th August at 3 p . m . During the lengthened tenure of office of Brother W . W . B . Beach , M . P . as Provincial Grand Master , the numerical strength of the Graft has largely increased , the register of the Province now containing the names of 3 , 503 members .

As evidence of the wide differences of opinion existing in different parts we may refer to the action of the Provincial Grand Superintendent of Stirlingshire , who has resigned his appointment

because he does not approve of the offices of Provincial Grand Master and Superintendent being vested in the one Brother . In this country the holding of either office is generally regarded as a special qualification for the other .

The true Mason , that is one who understands its beautiful teachings and endeavours to live by them , will never be found back-biting his Brother or sowing seeds of discord among the young members of the Fraternity , or trying to poison their minds against men and things they know nothing about . If you

are ambitious , suppress it until the time comes to gratify your ambition ; if you are jealous , choke its very appearance , especially in presence of fche young . Never try to worm yourself into the good graces of your Brothers by pulling down the reputation of others , or unjustly criticising their actions . It is

right and proper that you should have an opinion of your own , but never let that opinion be so bigoted as to lead you into un-Masonic ways ancl cause you to give utterance to language that if made in the presence of those at whom you are spiteful would call forth a rebuke , or perhaps even worse—a feeling of

enmity . Remember , that if you cannot have things your own way , it is wholly un-Masonic to try and crowd your opinion upon others . To say that you are right and all others are wrong is but to arrogate unto yourself the wisdom of God . If you are this kind of a man you are not a good Mason , neither indeed

can you ever be , unless it were possible for you to be made over again , and probably taught that which you have never learned—Masonry . Young Masons should hold themselves aloof from the assembling of such men , and give them to understand that Masonry teaches you higher and nobler things . — " Freemasons ' Repository . "