Living On Capital.

LIVING ON CAPITAL .

/^ PINIONS are divided advisability , even as *** to the legality , of paying the current expenses of our Lodges or Chapters out of initiation or exaltation fees . There are many who think that these fees should be kept entirely distinct from ordinary subscriptions ,

and , perhaps after the payment of Grand Lodge dues , and certain fixed charges , should be used for purposes of Charity alone , or allowed to accumulate so as to form a Lodge Benevolent Fund , or a means of meeting

the proverbial rainy day , should it unfortunately come . These argue that the custom of paying Hotel bills and other such charges out of the fees paid by newly admitted members of the Fraternity is bad , as it opens

the door to abuses in many ways , and often makes it absolutely necessary for Lodge or Chapter members to search around for candidates , so as to keep the finances on the right side , or obviate the necessity of

curtailing the pleasure of the social board , or some other feature which may be regarded as a personal enjoyment rather than a part of pure Freemasonry . This question is touched upon in the extract we print

elsewhere in this issue from our Australian contemporary " Masonry , " the writer in which goes over well trodden ground , and makes out a good case , were it not for one most important consideration . Freemasonry is

not a benevolent society , and there is no obligation on its Lodges or Chapters to do anything more than pay their way ! Of course it is gratifying to find Lodges with substantial balances in hand , and we must here

confess we think it would be better for the English Craft if Grand Lodge had some little power conferred upon it , to keep a check on the financial arrangements of its subordinates , none of whom should be allowed

to exist with a debit balance , without some strenuous effort being made to adjust it , but as no such power exists we think it is quite safe to leave members of individual Lodges to do as they please with their Lodge funds , no matter from what source they arise .

In taking this line , however , we recognise the necessity of exercising that caution in the admission of new candidates which is so continually urged upon the Craft . Initiates should never be encouraged for the

purpose of creating a credit balance in the Lodge accounts , but with the sole object of making them more extensively useful to themselves and their fellow creatures . We admit it is a sore temptation to a

Lodge with a depleted exchequer to refuse a candidate for initiation , even though a few of the members may regard him as unsuitable material to introduce , but the

necessity should be honestly faced , and if it is , there need be no fear of being accused of working one ' s Lodge by living on its capital .

The installation meeting of the Chough Lodge was held on Thursday , at the Cannon Street Hotel .

Worcestershire.

WORCESTERSHIRE .

Hp HE annual meeting of this Provincial Grand Lodge I was held on the 25 th , at the National Schools , Hales Owen , and there was a large attendance . Bro . Sir A . Frederick Godson , M . P ., Provincial Grand

Master was unable to be present , and the Deputy Prov . Grand Master Bro . William Thomas Page P . P . G . Sec . presided . Bro . A . Green acted as Deputy Prov . Grand Master .

It being the fiftieth anniversary of the Perseverance Lodge at Hales Owen , the Lodge was opened by Brother George Henry Dunn , and the Provincial Grand Master and his Officers were received with the customary honours . Reports were presented showing that Freemasonry was

making great progress throughout the Province . The report of the Masonic Charity Organisation Committee showed that the receipts amounted to ^ 362 , and that £ 42 had been given to the Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution , £% i to the Institution for Boys , and ^ 284 to the Institution

for Girls . The accounts were adopted , and on the proposition of the Deputy Prov . G . M . it was decided to give £ 10 1 os from the Provincial Grand Lodge Funds of Benevolence in aid of the Royal Masonic Institution for Girls .

The Deputy Provincial Grand Master invested the Officers for the ensuing year . It was decided , on the invitation of the members of the Godson Lodge , to hold the annual Provincial Grand Meeting at Oldbury next year .

The Brethren subsequently attended the Parish Church . Bro . the Rev . T . H . Tatham , M . A ., Assistant Provincial Grand Chaplain , and Bro . the Rev . J . C . Hill , M . A ., Prov . Grand Chaplain , officiating . In the evening a banquet was held at the Drill Hall .

Consecration.

CONSECRATION .

ABIFF LODGE .

A PROVINCIAL Grand Lodge of Suffolk was held in the Juvenile Oddfellows' Hall , Saxmundham , for the purpose of consecrating this new Lodge . The Deputy Provincial Grand Master Bro . Rev . C . j . Martyn P . G . C . presided , and there was a large attendance of Provincial Officers and other Brethren .

Lodge having been opened in due form , the acting Prov . Grand Master addressed the Brethren on the motive of the meeting , and the Founders of the new Lodge were arranged , as follow : —Bros . G . Ii . Garrett P . M . P . P . T . G . W . W . M ., PI .

Calver P . M . P . P . G . A . P . S . W ., R . J . Carthew P . M . P . PJ . GW . H . Wright P . M . P . P . G . D . C , G . Andrews P . M . P . G . S . B D . C ., A . F . Penraven P . M . P . P . AsstG . D . C , T . E . Key , J

C . Ryder Richardson J . W ., J . Wint S . D ., J . H . Pearson J . D ., A . S . Greene I . G ., A . Parry Sec , W . Busby Organist , M . ,. Woodard , F . B . Fisher , G . Pybus , G . B . Block . The Petition and Warrant having been read , the

Brethren signified their approval of the Officers named therein in Masonic form . An oration was delivered by the Chaplain , on the nature and principles of the Institution , and the Deputy Provincial Grand Master subsequently performed the ceremony of consecration .

Bro . G . H . Garrett was installed W . M . of the Lodge , and the proceedings terminated with a banquet , excellently served by the Misses Sillett , at the White Hart Llotel .