Status Of Past Masters.

remark on this matter are worth quoting . They will be found on pngo 43 of the little work I have spoken of , and are as follows : — "It were as well perhaps if the Bale stated authoritatively tho position to be ocoupied by the rnling Warden , and also if , in respect of Lodges in remote districts , especially in the colonies and foreign countries , somo conditional latitude were allowed for the

initiation of candidates for M isouio light , and the conferring of degrees by a Warden . It must bo remembered that in India , South Africa , and our Australian Colonies , for instance , there are Lodges in very out-of-the-way places , and by no means easily accessible . In such cases , in the absence of the Master and Past Masters , which might easily happen , neither initiations could take place nor degrees

be conferred , and worthy men or members might be very seriously disappointed , and perhaps even disgusted , at the very outset of their career , because the Master chanced to have a sharp attack , say , of influenza or gout , and the bnsiness obligations of the Past Masters preoluded them from acting in his steal . ... Dr . Oliver . . . in his ' Jurisprudence , ' remarks that in the case of such Lodges ,

initiation and the conferring of a degree by a Warden would not be viewed with disfavour by the authorities . Moreover , it would be easy to provide safeguards against the abuse of such relaxation . " I differ , toto ccelo , both from Dr . Oliver and yourself , and contend that to permit a Warden to confer degreps would be a lowering of the office of Master , a maiming of the Rites , and a desecration of the sanctity

of the Craft . Better let the new , Rule stand than introduce so destructive a custom . There is no need for either course if private Lodges are left to themselves under broad and liberal , though well defined , regulations . I should like to see the question discussed upon the lines laid down by Bro . Brownrigg , and I venture to think , Sir , that if the brethren generally were to get your pamphlet and

carefully study it they would be better prepared to give an intelligent reason for the faith that is in them than they are now . I find it extremely useful for reference , and in years to come it will be cherished as one of the best landmarks used in a controversy involving such momentous issues as the alteration of the Constitutions of the noblest human

institntion in the world . I do not think the brethren generally realise the grandeur of the Order to which they are privileged to belong , and I very muoh fear that they do not study the literature of Freemasonry . This is folly , and little less than a crime . I sincerely trust that the head will not be altogether neglected while the heart is being generously cultivated and the body perhaps unduly feasted . Yours fraternally , AN I . P . M .

Accommodation At The Freemasons' Hall And Tavern.

ACCOMMODATION AT THE FREEMASONS ' HALL AND TAVERN .

To the Editor of the FREEMASON ' S CHRONICLE . DEAR SIR AND BROTHER , —Before any contract is entered into for the re-arrangement of the hotel and cuisine department of Freemasons ' Hall , would it not be well that inquiry should be made into the present accommodation , and somo guarantee secured that the future

prospects will be better than the present . In a future letter , with your permission , I shall deal more fully with this subject ; just now , I shall content mysolf with asking whether it is correct that some Lodges and Committees , holding their meetings in rooms in the Hall , hired for the purpose , should feel it necessary to go elsewhere to dine , or to get such refreshment as they may deem necessary ? I think

this question important , because upon an answer will , I think , depend the prudence or otherwise of incurring a large expenditure of money . We might endnre the receipt of a small per centage upon the outlay of oar capital could we be assured the Craft would be served quite as well and as cheaply . as they are elsewhere . I throw out the hint now in order that the matter should be thoroughly ventilated before the time for action , comes . Yours fraternally , A FREQUENT VISITOR AT THE HALL .

The members of the Metropolitan Chapter of Improvement will commence the session on Tuesday , 2 nd October , at the Jamaica Coffee House , St . Michael ' s-alley , Cornhill .

Bro . Wm . Purkiss announces the second anniversary gathering of his supporters , for the 3 rd October , at the "Royal , " Holborn . Since Bro . Purkiss commenced his spirited propritorship be may be congratulated on having

introduced to his numerous friends and the public many novelties ; hence his success . It is expected a numerous attendance will be present on the occasion referred to above .

Madame Worrell announces that her annual evening concert will take place at Brixton Hall , Acre-lane , near Brixton Chnrch , on Thursday , 11 th October . Madame Worrell has secured for this occasion the services of the following artistes : —Miss Matilda Roby and Miss Maud Cameron ; Madame Osborne Williams and Miss

Annie Bntterworth ; Mr . Henry Guy and Mr . Fred H . Cozens : Mr . Frederick Bevan and Mr . James Budd . Violoncello , Mons . Albert , Conductor , Mr . Tnrle Lee . Tickets may he obtained of Madame Worrell , 52 Knowle . road , Brixton-road ; Mr . John Feuton , Post Office , 304 Brixton-road , or of Mr . H . Cox , Hall keeper , Brixton Hall ,

Accommodation At The Freemasons' Hall And Tavern.

The General Committee of the Royal Masonic Institution for Girls met on Thursday afternoon , at Freemasons' Hall . There were present—Col . Creaton Past Grand Treasurer ( in the chair ) , John , A . Rucker , Webb , Tattershall , Matthews , Gladwell , Colonel Peters , Massey , Perceval ,

Money , and Hedges ( Secretary ) . After the reading and confirmation of the minutes of the former meeting , and the reading of the minutes of the House Committee for information , Brother J . H . Matthews moved , in accordance with a recommendation of the House Committee , that the

sum of £ 7 10 s each be granted to a pupil named Gardiner and another pupil named Meacock , to enable them to attend German classes at the Crystal Palace for one year . Brother Gladwell seconded the motion , which was carried . Brother Matthews moved that the sum of £ 70 a year be

paid for church accommodation at the church at Clapham , for the children of the School , in lien of the £ 35 a year honorarium to the chaplain hitherto paid . The Institution , he said , occupied 250 seats at the church referred to , and remarks had been made that the Institution paid very

little for church accommodation . Colonel Peters seconded this motion . Brother Webb asked whether this chnrch was a ritualistic chnrch ? jColonel Creaton said he did not think it was either high church or low chnrch , bnt

moderate church . The motion was agreed to . Three candidates were placed on the list for election in April next . Brother Matthews gave notice of the following motion for the next Quartery Court in October : —

" That the sum of £ 50 . be granted to Miss Davis , the head governess , towards reinbnrsement of the very heavy medical and other expenses incurred by her during her late severe illness , which necessitated her absence from her duties from January to July last . " Brother Colonel Creaton said he had a small matter now

to bring forward , which was nevertheless very agreeable . He hed been going through the financial position of the Institution , and he found that the funds would admit of a sum of £ 2 , 000 being invested . He therefore proposed

that £ 2 , 000 be now invested in Three per Cent . Reduced . Bro . Col . Peters seconded the motion , which was therefore put and carried . The proceedings closed with a vote of thanks to the chairman .

The Earl of Mar and Kellie , Grand Master Mason of Scotland , laid the foundation stone of the new Sailors ' Home , at Leith , on Thursday , 20 th September . Notwithstanding wet weather an immense crowd of people assembled . After the ceremony a cake and wine banquet took place in the Assembly rooms . The buildings will cost about £ 9 , 000 .

With the present week the dull season of English Freemasonry terminates . The month of May sees the hardest part of the working year of Masonry through ; and though there is a large amount of bnsiness done in the remaining months between that time and October , the account of labour and profit could pretty easily be then balanced as far as London is concerned . But there remain the

meetings of the Provincial Grand Lodges , which usually take place in the summer and early autumn , and they , as a rule , are an important factor in the formation of the sum total of the doings of Masonry . The General Committee of tbe Girls' School meets this afternoon ( Thursday ) , and beyond that there is not much to record for the last week in September : but even now

some Lodges have resumed work , and they make a pretty fair show in Masonic doings , with three Lodges and one Chapter on Monday , four Lodges and a Chapter on Tuesday , five Lodges and two Chapters on Wednesday , seven Lodges and a Chapter on Thursday , and two Lodges and two Chapters on Friday . October opens on Monday with the meetings of seveu Lodges and three Chapters ;

Tuesday s meetings are fourteen Lodges and two Chapters ; Wednesday's are five Lodges and two Chapters ; Thursday ' s are twelve Lodges and two Chapters ; Friday's are six Lodges ; and Saturday ' fl i four Lodges and a Chapter , on which day also the General Committee of the Boys' School will meet . The following week ' s list is fuller still , and the election for the admission of children to the Girls '

School closes the week ' s work . There is great activity just now with regard to the elections to both the Schools . aud the subscribers are being reminded of the claims and the miseries of orphan and destitute children of the Fraternity . To place the merits of each case before the subscribers would be invidious ; they all have claims , and , no doubt , all have merits , but almost all have strong and vigorous advocates and canvassers , who have been at work for a long time , and

it is to these advocates and canvassers they must look for snccess . Whatever the claims and merits may be , it is to be hoped that the most deserving and the most pitiful will be elected . The season will open very well , and when May 1881 is passed , the brethren , it is to be hoped , may be congratulated on having performed more solid work than has yet been recorded in the annals of the Order . — Evening News