Random Notes And Reflections.

nntion as to the number of persons who applied for relief , as a fact it is gratifying of itself . We wish we could say the same of the other two admirable Institutions . When we find that only eight out of thirty-two candidates for the Girls' School and twenty ont of sixty-three for the Boys '

School can succeed at the following elections , we are made painfully aware of a lamentable condition of things . We deeply regret the necessity that compels brethren to seek

relief from the burthen of a largo family with bnt limited means at their command . To have to aay non r-onsnmus to a large number of applicants is the most distressing feature in connection with our Charities . We regard with

pardonable pride the noble generosity that characterises our Order , but we look with sorrow upon the growing demands that are made upon some of our Charities . We cannot steel our hearts against the many claims that are made . Those that exist demand our consideration , our

deepest sympathy , and our most anxious and earnest labours . We may , however , suggest that it would be well to reflect upon the future look-out , to endeavour to see whether sufficient care is exercised in admitting brethren into the Craft . We should remember that Freemasonry is not a

primary charitable institution , that after every precaution has been taken there is always certain to be a sufficiently large proportion of candidates for relief to call forth all the energies of the liberal-hearted supporters of the Order .

We should indeed feel proud and grateful if the time arrived when none should be sent empty away , and to make that result possible prudence as well as generosity must play a prominent part .

It is always painful to have to discount a candidate ' s chance . It is a delicate task as well , and one of which we would be gladly relieved . Sometimes circumstances render that duty inevitable , and we must not shrink from discharging it when we are brought face to face with facts .

Last week we printed a letter from Bro . Binckes , the able and esteemed Secretary of the R . M . Institution for Boys , in which he justly and temperately vindicates his

office from what most people will consider a serious charge It appears that a petition was presented in favour of a boy named Edward Bramble Green , but it did not arrive in time to be included in the October list . Notice of the fact

was sent to the representative of the case , and also the intimation that the boy had been accepted as a candidate , and would be placed on the April list . So far the course pursued was regular ; not so that adopted by the friends of the candidate . Tbey issued an ordinary circular , to which

names of brethren of the highest standing in the Craft is attached ; but they added a note , in which they say that "through inadvertence in OFFICE the candidate ' s name was omitted to be placed on the official list . " To this is

added the request that votes shonld be forwarded for the October Election , " so that they may be made available for April 1884 , as this is the only Election the candidate is eligible for . "

To use a familiar phrase , " time is the essence of the contract . " When was the circular issued ? If , as appears evident on the face of it , it was after Bro . Binckes' intimation had been received , then the charge that is implied in the " note " is unpardonable . No official can go beyond

the rules of his office ; he is bound by them , however much he might be inclined to indulge his sympathy . We believe the officials of our Charities , one and all , are anxious that the utility of the means at their command should be as large as possible , but tbey cannot depart from systematic

government . They have no choice as to form , and if Bro . Binckes followed the usual course in the case of the little fellow Green , and there is no reason to think otherwise , then the action of the boy ' s friends is not only unwise but unjust . It may have arisen through a mistake ,

if so tbey ought at once to withdraw the circular , and apologise to Bro . Binckes for the unwarrantable offence they have put upon him . So much for the just ice of the case , which alone ought to determine action . But for the interest of the boy himself , it would be expedient to

withdraw the circular , for the simple reason that the votes given for Green at the October election would be lost . They could not be made available in October , and they could not be carried forward to April . Probably this stubborn fact will have due weight , and result in more prudent action . — : o : —

Random Notes And Reflections.

We cannot too strongly condemn the practice of printing offensive charges , or of implying them in written communications . Wo have had some unpleasant evidences of the latter course , in which brethren assume conclusions that

are too often as uncharitable as they aro untrue . If Masonry teachos anything it is the virtue of charity and forbearance . Even in the caso of an erring brother we are taught | to pity and not condemn , to lift up and not cast

down . When , however , reproaches are made upou unfounded assumptions , the offence is increased tenfold . If certain members of the Craft cannot rise above the vice of suspicion , the selfishness and corruption of the world , then

the sooner they learn the first elementary lessons of the Order , or leave it , the better . Our task in the conduct of the FREEMASON ' CHRONICLE is onerous enough of itself , but to have to submit to unjust inuendoes , and to receive

impertinent letters , is almost beyond endurance . We endeavour to be true to our calling , to be faithful to the Craft , and we have a right to expect , at least , courtesy in return . We cannot , of course , name individuals , nor do

we desire to dwell unnecessarily on the subject ; yet , while we gladly acknowledge the confidence placed in us by the bret hren at large , and the kindness that is so frequently

shown to us , we cannot too strongly denouuee a practice that is degrading to the offender , to the genius of Masonry , and painful to ourselves .

Brother the Rev . John Conder , LL . D ., Rector of Wendy Royston , Chaplain to the Grand Masters' Lodge , No . 1 , has taken up the question that is now agitating many fathers with respect to the future of their boys . Writing to a public print , Bro . Conder saya :

I am on the point of resigning a country living to take a British Chaplaincy at Pray Bentos , with itinerary duty among English settlers and proprietors . For the good of " Our Boys " I promise

to send home particulars of the suitability of the Uruguay for Eng . Hah emigrants as I find it , to any parents ( and particularly Brother Masons ) who will Favour me with their names and addresses .

Many people favour emigration as the readiest and best outlet for the surplus population , and as there seems to be a dearth of employment , and a limited chance for the

young at home , trustworthy information of foreign settlements will be a boon . Bro . Conder has accepted an onerous post . We wish him health , strength , and success in the great work he has undertaken .

The Percy Lodge of Instruction , No . 198 , has an honourable record . We recently printed a summary of work done and the attendances of the members during the year 3 1881-2 , from which it was seen that not only is it now in

a flourishing state , but also that for many years it has held a foremost rank among the labourers in Masonic work . The Percy Lodge of Instruction claims to be one hundred years old , or thereabouts , and to be the oldest Lodge of the

kind in existence . There may be some doubt about this , but none with regard to the excellent workers who have distinguished the body . In consequence of this excellence , brethren have flocked from no fewer than 150 other Lodges

to share in the advantages that the Lodge has imparted , and still continues to impart . In the summary referred to , supplied by an esteemed correspondent , it was stated that Brother the late " Stephen Barton Wilson was identified

with the work of this Lodge of Instruction for many years . " Bro . George Lambert , no mean authority , in a letter now before us , disputes the accuracy of that statement . He says : "Brother Stephen Barton Wilson was

NFVEB identified with the Percy Lodge of Instruction ;" and further on he adds : " I am not aware that Bro . Wilson wa < ever a member , and if I remember rightly , he was

so much afflicted by illness that he neither attended Lodges , or very much to any business ; but I am speaking of forty years ago . "

Two moot points are raised—one as to the age of the Percy Lodge of Instruction , or rather its rank as to age , and the other as to the position , if any , Bro . Wilson held in that Lodge of Instruction . Bro . Lambert confirms the

statement made ra the summary we published on the 11 th August last , in a somewhat modified degree . He writes " A Bro . Whittics was the first Preceptor , I think in 1802 ,

if not during the last century . " Where does Bro . Lambert get his information from ? Would not the same source , if consulted , settle the matter difinitely ? Perhaps he relies upon tradition , and not upon written records . The former