Masonic Titles.

to the mushroom organisations , which are every day springing up , the sole use of lofty and meaningless official designations ?—Geo . H . Burnham , in " Freemasons Repository . "

Masonry's Genius And Effects.

MASONRY'S GENIUS AND EFFECTS .

MASONRY has not its limits in any particular country , bufc flourishes wherever freedom unfurls her banner , and the ensigns of liberty unfold fche genius of the arts and sciences . Ifc has enjoyed the approbation of the wise and virtuous of the human race , and has withstood the ravages of time ' s unsparing hand , triumphing over fche maddening rage of infuriated bigots ,

and the persecuting zeal of proud and haughty tyrants . It has outlived the billowy flood of ancient days , witnessed the downfall of unstable kingdoms , and chanted the requiem of dissolving empires . In every age of the world , and in every country , its principles have been the same , and in the effects which its moral influence has produced upon mankind there has always existed a striking similarity .

Had Masonry been a system of monopolising influence , calculated fco rivet the chains of poverty , ignorance , and slavery , upon a portion of our race ; had its genius beeu such as to abridge the rational enjoyments of any part of the community , or corrupt the morals of society , it would long since have been

abandoned as an innovation upon the rights and happiness of mankind , and left destitute of any supporters who are worthy of having their names enrolled in the archives of fame . The virtuous harbinger of Immanuel , aud the beloved disciple of the immaculate Saviour , would have frowned indignantly upon it had they have found , beneath the cloak of fair pretence , either

wickedness or mere frivolity . From its remote antiquity and the incalculable number of philanthropic men who have patronised and encouraged the Institution , and even suffered torture and death in its defence , we may assert without ostentation that Masonry had its origin in virtue , and , for its object , the improvement , interest and welfare of mankind .

The peaceful genius of Freemasonry is a strong evidence of the purity of the Institution . In the dark ages of the world , when the means of knowledge which we so amply share were beyond the reach of the multitude , Masonry diffused its influence to perpetuate friendship , to

neutralise the poison of envy , and to soften the virulence of vindictive passion . Never did it raise the unhallowed standard of persecution , or grasp the reins of civil Government in any nation , or attempt to dictate a religious creed to man . Never has it opposed itself to the legal authorities of any country ; but in all kingdoms , and under all governments , its submission ,

docility and peaceful character have been marked with astonishment . While nations have been struggling for liberty , and tyrants , to ascend the thrones of state , have waded through seas of blood , Masonry has stood firm upon its ancient and imperishable foundations , and bade defiance to the wild commotion of falling kingdoms and crumbling empires .

While a part of the nominal Christian world has been stained with the blood of unhappy victims of its persecuting rage Masonry has stretched forth the hand of charity for the relief of the suffering and the oppressed , and applied the balsam of healing to the wounds of bleeding humanity . But Masonry ,

which has ever proved the faithful friend of the unfortunate , and the kind angel of condolence , has not escaped the iron rod of religious intolerance . In Spain it has long groaned beneath the disgraceful burden of despotic arrogance , and in different kingdoms it has alternately been the subject of jealousy and oppression . Such persecution and oppression would be less

intolerable were it administered by the hand of the idle and openly profane ; but when men professedly engaged in promoting the benevolent religion of Jesus Christ resort to fche bloody engines of persecution , reason stands aghast , religion drops the tear of regret , and philanthropy discovers in the semblance of Chrisbianity fche rugged features of the apocalyptical beast I

We have seen the rise and progress of Masonry , and we have beheld , in times of peril and danger as well as in prosperity and security , the peaceful paths which its votaries have pursued . We now turn to consider the benefits derived from a strict adherance to the principles of the Institution . ( To be continued . )

When You Travel Abroad.

WHEN YOU TRAVEL ABROAD .

WE are so often asked the question as to the requirements for American Masons travelling abroad , that the writer gives his experience in various countries . In England and the British possessions generally there are to be found three different

When You Travel Abroad.

grand bodies : The United Grand Lodge of England , the Grand Lodges of Scotland and Ireland . Canada and some other provinces have Provincial Grand Lodges , but they all sprang from these mother grand bodies . The fact is that a greafc deal of trouble is experienced by travelling Masons from the fact thafc

there is no Grand Lodge of the United States , and no uniformity of diplomas . But you must have a diploma of some kind , and of course wifch fche Lodge seal ; then be sure and have the same certified to by the Grand Secretary of your Grand Lodge , whose gold seal goes a great way . The title " Grand " abroad covers

a multitude of red tape . A recent ; letter received by the writer from , the Grand Secretary of England states that the diploma is indispensible , as we knew , but in addition they also require now personal identification of fche holder . On the continent there are a number of grand bodies , especially in Germany . They are

all , however , legitimate , and the various Lodges can be visited on your diploma , and usually there are always present somebody who speaks English to examine it . In Norway , Sweden and Denmark the Brethren are very hospitable , and require only the main signs of recognition . They are oufc of fche way of much

imposition and credit you in full faith . In Russia it is best nofc to seek a Lodge . A Masonic charm or pin will bring some one to see you and greet you outside of police espionage , which is very rigid . In Austria Masonry is forbidden , but Lodges exist there cautiously guarded . In Italy you will find very pleasant

friends and many courtesies . In . Constantinople , once known , you are the care of the Craft , which flourishes there in luxurious ease , and through them you will be able to visit places closed to the ordinary traveller . In Egypt a Mason is never lost sight of ; your rooms are kept fragrant with flowers ; you are the guesfc of

those hospitable Brethren ; excursions are planned , entertainments of all kinds are gotten up , a visit to the Pasha is arranged , and even a peep into the harem is permitted . On the Nile they keep you company , lunch you amid the ruins of Luxor , and help you climb the Great Pyramid . — " American Tyler . "

Fire At A Masonic Hall.

FIRE AT A MASONIC HALL .

A DESTRUCTIVE fire occurred at the Masonic HaU , Kidderminster , in the early hours of the 19 th . On the previous evening Bro . E . Bennett , Chief Constable of Kidderminster , vvas installed as Worshipful Master of the Hope and Charity Lodge , and there was a large assembly at the ceremony and at the banquet which followed . Some hours after the gathering had broken up , Sergeant Mason , who was in the Bull Ring , perceived a smell of burning , and after some difficulty discovered that the fire was in an

anteroom at the Masonic Hall . He quickly summoned the fire brigade , and the fire was soon got under , but not till considerable damage had been done to the building , and a large quantity of valuable regalia had been destroyed , including a set belonging to the Mayor ( Colonel Talbot ) . The extent of the damage is at present unknown , as it has not been ascertained how many of the Brethren and Visitors took away their regalia from the hall . The cause of the fire is believed to have been the heating apparatus . — " Birmingham Gazette . "

Epping Forest Musical Society.

EPPING FOREST MUSICAL SOCIETY .

THIS society , of which the Provincial Grand Masters of Sussex and Essex are Presidents , and to whioh several well-known Brethren belong , gave a " Bohemian " Concert at the Royal Forest Hotel , Chingford , last Saturday . In spite of the wintry weather the arrangements made by the Committee were excellent , and a large number of people were able to be present . Bro . William Shurmur P . P . G . T . presided , and among the more prominent Freemasons who attended wore Bros . Nathaniel Fortescue , J . H . Wildash ,

J . R . Roberts , S . Fortescue , & c . The concert was of high order , and the artistes included such well-known names as Madame Belle Cole , Miss Jessie Hotine , Bro . Harrison Brockbank , Mr . Herbert Emlyn and Mr . Gurney Russell . During the evening a silver tea service and kettle , subscribed for by members of the Society , were presented to Mrs . Alexander Gordon , the amiable and obliging hostess , in recognition of her assistance for some time past .

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THE JERSEY LODGE , No . 3163 . BRO . A . L . BUTTERS W . M . THE SIXTH . A . IST IIST TT J ^ !_ ¦ MASOHIO B . A . !_ . I _ i Will be held on Tuesday , 16 th February 1897 , at the Lyric Hall , Ealing , in aid of the Masonic Charities . Dancing from 8-30 p . m . to 2-0 a . m . The band will be supplied by Bro . H . R . Lancaster , and the Refreshments by Bro . E . Stephens . Tickets , which will include refreshments , to admit Lady or Gentleman , 7 s 6 d . Application for Tickets should be made to Bro . W . Freemantle , Eailway Hotel , Southall ; to any of the Stewards ; or to the Secretary , on or before Tuesday , 9 th February 1897 , after which date the price of Tickets will be raised to 10 s 6 d . Brethren are requested to appear in full Masonic Clothing . The Green , Southall . G . HARPER P . M . Secretary .

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MASTER Mason , age 24 , desirous of going abroad , is open to accept any situation , highest refeienees . —I . c / o Editor , FREEMASON ' S CHRONICLE ,