Outside Views Of Freemasonry.

OUTSIDE VIEWS OF FREEMASONRY .

IT is seldom the outside press devotes so much attention to the Masonic Order as is the case just now , when two questions of public interest are being widely commented upon , the one a proposal to hold a special Masonic meeting in

association with the annual Church Congress to be held at Shrewsbury ; the other the forthcoming " Anti-Masonic " Congress summoned for the 26 th to 30 th September , at

Trent . It is unnecessary to quote all the press comments in regard to these matters , but we made a selection from the many that have come under our notice , aud give them in another part of this issue .

Our Rulers.

OUR RULERS .

THE Quarterly Communication of United Grand Lodge , and also of the Grand Lodge of the Mark Degree , will be held next week , and judging from the Agendas of Business , which we publish in our present issue , the meetings will be particularly tame—there being little or nothing to call for discussion or comment .

The Craft Grand Lodge will have to consider the proposed alterations in the rules of the Benevolent Institution , but we do not anticipate any opposition to the proposed new reading of the law , so that matter should not delay the proceedings . We

would , however , suggest the addition , towards the end of the rule , of the words " and Chapters " before the words " recorded in the Freemasons' Calendar , & c . " The meaning is quite obvious , we agree , but in these matters it is best to provide for all contingencies .

Grand Lodge Of Scotland.

GRAND LODGE OF SCOTLAND .

THE revised edition of the Constitution and Laws of the Grand Lodge of Scotland , the issue of which has been so long looked for , says the " Mallei , " in " Glasgow Evening News , " is now an accomplished fact , and , as in former editions , the Grand Master enjoins all members of Grand Lodge , and of daughter Lodges , immediately to provide themselves with copies , and to

give due obedience to the laws in all points . The volume , as was expected , is a great improvement on the old edition , being more concise and almost free of the verbosity which formerly made many of the laws perplexing . The additional information , too , given by the Grand Secretary enhances its value and increases its usefulness .

Like the 1848 edition of the Constitution and Laws , the present edition contains the roll of Lodges holding under the Grand Lodge of Scotland , giving in tabulated form the numbers

and names from No . 0 to 830 ; the date on which each Lodge was instituted ( or as near as possible ); the date of the annual election of officers in each Lodge , and the colour of clothing worn .

In a list of 26 military Lodges which formerly existed , chartered between 1747 and 1856 , it appears that the Scots Greys had a Lodge attached to the regiment from 1770 till 1816 ; and a Lodge existed in the old 42 nd regiment from 1811 till 1848 .

The first code o £ laws for the government of the Craft in Scotland was issued in 1804 . They were afterwards revised and published in 1836 , and , says the Grand Secretary in Appendix 1 , there have been editions issued in 1848 , 1863 , 1866 , 1868 , 1871 , 1874 , 1879 , 1881 , and 1886 .

Dorset.

DORSET .

THE annual meeting was held under the genial presidency of Bro . Colonel W . E . Brymer , M . P ., Provincial Grand Mark Master , at Weymouth , in the presence of a large and distinguished body of members of the Degree . The usual routine business was transacted , and the Officers

appointed for the year , these including Bro . H . T . George , who again undertook the position of Deputy Grand Mark Master ; Bro . G . Habgood , re-elected as Treasurer ; and Bro . Hains , who was again chosen as Prov . G . Mark Tyler . We hope to give a list of the other Officers next week .

The business being over , the Brethren adjourned to the dining hall , where the usual Mark toasts were given . Bro . Colonel Brymer , M . P ., the populer P . G . M . presided , and sent some splendid fruit from his Ilsingfcon gardens for the table , which was much admired and duly appreciated by the guests . — " Southern Times . "

The statement copied into our last issue from the " South London Press , " referring to Bro . Harry F . Bussey ' s connection with the newspaper press , was incorrect as to Bro . Bussey being the first Master of the Gallery Lodge . Bro . Bussey was the first Senior Warden , being designated as such in the Warrant .

The Lodge was consecrated in August 1881 , and in November 1882 he was elected W . M . of the Lodge . The mistake in the " South London Press " no doubt arose out of a printed circular

which was lately sent round asking for subscriptions to a testimonial to Bro . Bussey , to mark his fifty years connection with the press . In that circular among Bro . Bussey ' s other eminent distinctions he is stated to be the " first elected Master of the

Gallery Lodge . o o o The Masonic Festival held at Knutsford , on Saturday , 25 th ult ., was one of those impressive and imposing functions which those outside the magic circle of the Craft must view with curious wonderment , not unmixed with admiration . It was the

celebration of the amalgamation of the Educational and Benevolent Institutions in the Province , which go so far to prove the unity and sturdiness of the Brotherhood which Freemasonry recognises , and " the stranger without the gates" has but to read the proceedings of the meeting over which Lord Egerton of

Tatton so ably and so graciously presided , to perceive that there is in the principles of the Order a moving spirit which commands a reverential esteem . When we hear of thousands of pounds being voted for educational purposes , and hundreds oi thousands for the relief of suffering humanity , we realise the

practical good Freemasonry sets itself to do , and when we see such a body of men as those gathered at Tatton Park emulating with their generous head acts of unostentatious charity , we are impressed with the sanctity of the secret bond . Unhappily , the weather interferred to some extent with the

pleasure to be derived from a visit to the gardens at Tatton , and in alluding to this fact it will be noticed that Lord Egerton observed that at some other opportunity the invitation would be renewed . Naturally , the promise was received' with enthusiastic applause . The meeting was also invested with special interest

because of the part the Hon . Alan de Tatton Egerton was assigned in the programme . The opportunity to give him a hearty welcome home after his dangerous exploits in South Africa was not to be lost by his Masonic Brethren , and that he was touched with its warmth and earnestness , expressed in more

than speech , was evident to all who heard the unadorned recital of his experiences in the Gwelo citadel and his expression of thanks for his safe return . To the Masonic Brotherhood his

recital of the progress of Charter in South Africa must have afforded much satisfaction . There is hope for any country in which Freemasonry is an active principle . — " Stockport Advertiser . "