The Boys' School Election.

Institutions to the best of their ability . Another point which also calls for attention here is , the short connection many of the fathers had with the Order . Should not some minimum be established which would exclude the children of Masons of some four or five months standing from taking equal advantages with those who subscribed for years ?

In our analysis of the list of candidates for the Girls ' School Election , in our last issue , we made a remark in reference to case No . 12 , Kathleen Alice Gibson , which was based on the published particulars of the several cases . A well known brother , personally interested in

Gibson s case , calls our attention to the matter , and points out that the father was formerly ( twenty years ago ) " in HM . Customs , " but for some years , although living , has practically been dead as to family ties . From our

correspondent ' s explanation the circumstances of the case are certainly distressful ; and we regret that the absurd incompleteness of the printed list led us , and doubtless others , to a different conclusion .

The Common Gavel.

THE COMMON GAVEL .

THERE is a fund of amusement to a careful observer who notes the peculiarities of character which our Institution has a tendency to develop . To be Master of a Lodge is a just and laudable ambition , provided , always , that the brother whose glances are turned to the East

understands the responsibilities of official station , and is willing to assume the labour of preparation for , as well as the honours of , official position . All who succeed in reaching this point in the Masonic horizon are by no means prepared for the duties they expect to discharge , and when

they commence operations there is often occasion for a quiet smile . Some of them appear to think that dignity is measured by the quantity of sound they can make when occasion calls for the use of the gavel . They grasp it with nervous energy , and switch off the end of it with

astonishing celerity . Others , again , like old Billy Peters , of Beechnut Lodge , seem to approach it with awe , lift it reverently up , and apply it to the ashlar as though they were moved by clockwork , and could only sound a certain note by the nicest attention to the laws of propulsion and

resistance . We know one worthy brother -who invariably lifts it above his head and brings it down again with a force of sixty pounds to the square inch , making a racket to

which moderate thunder is child ' s play ; and another who invariably rises , bends forward and sharply inspects his work , as if there were a small nail to be accurately hit upon the head at each blow .

We have often been amused at these eccentricities , and have always believed them indications of character . Thus the man who breaks a gavel every time he presides we take to he a person of hasty temper ; who would push toward any end he might have in view without regard to

impediments in the way ; who would drive a horse to death to reach a given point at a certain time when he mi ght ] ust as well walk at his leisure , for any practical good to be accomplished by his haste . Uncle Billy is the type of a class of easy goers who believe in doing what is to be done

according to the rules in such cases made and provided ; who give themselves up to the minutest detail as thou gh a legion of spies were waiting to pounce upon the slightest omission and inflict upon their victim the direst pains and

penalties . This good brother will give you the lecture and monitorial to the uttermost syllable , and gravely read you the charge at closing as though it were the last act of a long and eventf al life about to be brought to a solemn and imposing end .

The brother who wields the gavel as a stalwart helper might swing a sledge hammer is evidently of a haughty and imperious temperament , filled with a sense of his own importance and dignity , and expressing * in every crash of the

innocent wood and stone , " I am Sir Oracle ; when I speak , let no dog bark . " Such a man thinks a great deal more of impressing the people with a sense of his personal dignit y than of illustrating the tenets of our fession .

pro The careful inspector is the symbol of those who look after the tithes of mint , anise and cnmnun to the neglect of the weightier matters of the law . Thus we see that the

The Common Gavel.

lesson set down for ns in the symbol of the stone hammer has a wider significance than is given in the monitorial explanation , and that there are few , if any of us , who might not apply it to our own cases Avith benefit to ourselves and with honour to tho Craft . —Masonic Review .

Society And Solitude.

SOCIETY AND SOLITUDE .

MAN was not made to dwell or walk by himself , and it 13 impossible for him to realize the highest good of being in a condition of isolation . He cannot keenly enjoy unless there be others to share his satisfaction ; he cannot well endure the ills which enter into present experience except as he is assured of the sympathy of friendly hearts . It is through the varied relations of society that he ^ finds the sweetest zest of life , whilst he also obtains from the same

source some considerable alleviation of the ills and pains of this mortal state . Sooiety answers to human needs and instincts in manifold ways . It affords both mental and moral stimulus impelling men to do the best of which they are capable , by reminding them now others of their race have nobly toiled and grandly succeeded . It makes a

kindredness of relation with great sonls to be felt by those low down , and so these latter , regarding the examples set by their illustrious brothers , are spurred to effort in the same direction . Thus , as in other ways , it supplies the incentives to best endeavours . Society has a refining influence . It gives a polish to the individual life . As metal plates rubbed together in the sand are brightened by

the process , and their rough edges worn away by such contact , so are individuals brightened and helped by the relations which society imposes and the offices that it performs . Thus it is the angular characteristics of the personal nature are cut down , and human life presents itself in more agreeable forms of expression . Beyond this line , however , the helpfulness of society is seen ,

inasmuch as it provides the field wherein the higher nature of man may be exercised in the way of a true service . It is in performing the duties of related life that the moral faculties find their best expression . Sooiety calls upon men to recognise the ties of fellowship , to strike hands together in the spirit of sympathy and co-operation , and to help and cheer each other along the pilgrim way of earth Only as they do this—only as they conform to the conditions of

associated life , can they produce a type of character stamped with moral excellence , or garner the rich fruitage of blessings promised to those who are ruled by the law of mutual love and service . When , however , a due presentment of man ' s social needs has been made , and the duties and privileges of related life have been taken into account , there yet remains a snfficient basis on which to rest a very strong plea for the occasional refreshing influences of anlitnrlfi .

Human nature is very curiously compounded of diverse elements , While , therefore , the general tendencies of man ' s nature incline him to society , there is yet an instinct in his constitution which points to solitude—which disposes him occasionally to go apart from the multitude in his search after help , strength , and rest . One does not like always to keep step with a crowd . It is pleasant to be alone sometimes , to get away from the wearing world and indulge in a profitable self-contemplation . What saith quaint George Herbert ?

"By all means use sometimes to be alone . Salute thyself . See what thy soul doth wear . Dare to look in thy chest , —for 'tis thine own , — And tumble up and down what thou find'st there . " But solitude , to be pleasant and profitable , must not be sought in the spirit of the misanthrope . If one is in a morbid and unhealthy

mood , and only looks for seclusion that he may get away from disagreeable people and interests , he will not be likely to be much helped by his retirement from the busy world . It has well been said that a man must love society if he wishes to enjoy solitude . We believe this proposition to be true , and we hold , therefore , that occasional periods of seclusion and meditation are most wholesome

to those who realise the fact that the trne life of man is in society . For a little time one may go apart from his fellows to commune with bis own soul , with nature , and with God , and he shall find strength and refreshment in so doing , bnt if he has the true idea of life he will not long separate himself from the fellowship and the duties for which society prepares the way . —Freemasons' Repository .

A SILVER EULE . —You all know the golden rule : " Do unto others as you would wish them to do unto you . " Here is a rule which is almost a part of the golden rule , bnt which we will put by itself , and because of its value call it the silver rule : " Think and say all you oan of the good qualities of others ; forget and keep silent concerning their bad qualities . " You cannot conceive how much such a coarse

will heighten yonr own happiness and raise you in the esteem of your companions . Did yon ever think any more of a boy or girl because he or she found fault with others ? Never call your schoolmates or playmates ugly or cross to their faces or behind their backs . If they are ugly , or stingv , or cross , it does not make them better for you to

talk or think about it , while it makes you love to dwell upon the faults of others , and causes your own soul to grow smaller and become like the foul bird that prefers carrion for food . Bather tell all the good yon can , and try to think of some good quality of your mates . —Frp . emas ¦ ns' Revnsitory .

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FUNERALS . —Bros . W . K . L . & G . A . HUTTON " , Coffin Makers and Undertakers , 17 Newcastle Street , Strand , W . C . and 30 Forest Hill Eoad , Peekham Bye , S . E ,