Women As Masons.

adding that she had had " considerable experience with the

trowel . " Upon the ears of an audience that was composed almost entirely of non-Masons the remark fell merely as a little piece of pleasantry , but to some who were present , and

who have watched Bro . Marshall ' s career in Freemasonry , there was a twofold significance in the remark . It would be difficult to enumerate all the works of a similar nature

which our Past Grand . Treasurer aud Mrs . Marshall have performed in aid of benevolent and philanthropic institutions , both in connection with the Craft of which he is so distinguished an ornament , and outside its pale as well ;

but we know enough to endorse most fully the sentiments that their " experience with the trowel " has been of the most extensive and useful kind , in the laying of foundation stones upon which are to be raised superstructures that

shall be perfect in their parts , and honourable to the builders . But the little speech in reply to the vote of thanks did not end in sentiment merely , —Bro . Marshall does not do things by halves . After expressing his heartiest

sympathy with the object of the mission , and raising a ripple of pleasant laughter by alluding to his estimable wife as an " operative Mason , " there came the practical exemplification of that charity which is so

distinguishing a characteristic of a Freemason ' s heart , and sympathy was backed up with a substantial gift of one hundred pounds towards the building fund . This , given on behalf of Mrs . Marshall towards so laudable an object fully entitled her to a Past Master ' s — or Past

Mistress s degree—in operative Masonry , and is only another example of the happy blending of practical sympathy with practical help which we have so often seen practised of late . There was something eminently Masonic in the

manner in which the whole matter was put before the audience , and so gracefully was the speech delivered that it made the gift of especial value . The thought aroused by this episode in the career of our Past Grand Treasurer is

that although the gentler sex are of necessity excluded from the inner life of speculative Masonry , yet they can make themselves most useful in the operative part of a

work which their husbands and relatives are called upon to perform . By kindly encouragement and co-operation in deeds of philanthropy and benevolence many a brother has been stimulated to activities that mfo-ht

otherwise have lain dormant ; and I draw this unique and charming little picture of " mutual help and support" which came under my observation on Saturday last , as a means of suggesting to other ladies attached to

the ranks of Freemasonry how they may well play their part in the social system by aiding , in kindly and gentle manner , those who are engaged in works of benevolence and charity . In that sense woman appears in her proper

sphere , and let us hope there are many who , emulating the excellent example of the wife of Bro . Marshall , are doing good work in the cause of charity , and thus making

themselves more extensivel y useful to their fellow-creatures . On the following Tuesday , Brother and Mrs . Marshall were following up their accustomed avocation at Brixton ,

when the foundation-stone was laid of the new School

room , dormitories and other buildings in connection with the Brixton Orphanage for Fatherless Girls , which took place in the presence of a large concourse of sympathising spectators . Although the events to which we refer are

outside the pale of the Craft , we think allusion to them in our columns is by no means inappropriate , inasmuch as they testify to the Catholicity of the chief actors in them , aud point a moral which should adorn the tale of doing in whatever

good shape the opportunity may be presented . When the ceremony of laying the foundation-stone , "in the name of the Great Architect of the Universe , " was completed , the response was an audible " So mote it be "

sio-nihcantly indicating the Masonic composition of the male portion of the audience ; and we could not fail to recognise amongst the many ladies present the wives and sisters of wellknown members of the Craft , who had thrown in their lot

with those who were " doing good " in a manner thoroughly consonant and in harmony with the truest principle ! of Freemasonry . The feeding , clothing , and educating of a couple of hundred poor orphan girls is a gigantic

undertaking for one individual to undertake , although there may be prospects of plenty of support behind ; and the utmost credit is due to Mr . and Mrs . Montague for their

selfdenying and humane exertions in behalf of a peculiarly helpless and deserving class . It is not a Masonic Institution , pure and simple , but the principle is the same , and if we are not mistaken the chief promoter is not unknown in the

Women As Masons.

ranks of the Fraternity . Anyhow , there was a very strong Masonic tinge upon the whole of the interesting proceedings , and Bro . Marshall , iu his address to those assembed was eminently in keeping with the spirit of the Craft in

which he has so distinguished himself . As a " working Mason , " he spoke of the value of such Institutions as these , whose object was to care for the helpless and the indigent , and referring generally to the subject of charity

he unhesitatingly pronounced his " horror and detestation " of allowing any buildings that were erected for religious or philanthropic purposes being in debt . He pointed out that "thesilverandgoldis the Lord ' s , " and observed that he could

prove in a minute that there was plenty of money in the treasury of the Great Architect of the Universe at the present moment . With pardonable pride he referred to the privilege he had enjoyed only a few days before , as

Treasurer of the Royal Masonic Institution for Girls , situated not far from the spot on which he then stood—at Battersea Rise—when he received as a free will offering of the brethren of Freemasonry the magnificent sum of

£ 14 , 187 lis 7 d , an amount exceeding the annual requirements of that charity , and gathered from the brethren without any effort , certainly without any appeal to the outside public . " Now , " said he , " if the Masonic fraternity , which

labours at the present time under the direct excommunication of , and assailed by the fiercest anathemas from the head of the Church of Rome , could flourish—and it does

flourish , particularly in respect of its Charities—if it can flourish under the direct antagonism of a certain section of the Christian Church , surely an Institution like this , which has the direct sanction and support of

every Christian denomination , with scarcely an exception , ought to flourish still more . " And then , after expressing the joy it afforded him in taking part in this labour of love . " Bro . Marshall wound up in his accustomed

munificent style by contributing a couple of hundred pounds to the fund required for the new enterprise . Such acts as these are most cheering to all whose hearts are touched with the tenets and principles of our Craft , and it is a part

of Masonry in which women may exercise their enormous powers of usefulness and expend their peculiarly potent sympathies . I congratulate our Past Grand . Treasurer upon several additions during the last week or two to the " silver trowels " with which he and his estimable wife

have had so much " experience , " every one of which is a jewel of far greater price than any that could be bestowed upon him for " valuable services rendered" in the

ordinary acceptation of the term , inasmuch as it denotes the beginning of good work the influence of which is widely spread over a great and truly beneficent cause .

Obituary.

Obituary .

BRO . C . W . THOMPSON . WE regret to record the death of Bro . C . W . Thompson , the Officer for letting vacant City lands , which occurred at his residence , Clock House , Catford Bridge , on Monday morning . His death was by no means sudden or unexpected , for daring the past two or three years Bro . Thompson has been suffering greatly from illness , yet ; he fulfilled the duties of his office with skill and energy until

within a few days of his death . Since his appointment in 1871 Bro . Thompson had gradually won his way in civic and other circles by the able and intelligent conduct of his duties , by the untiring energy which he displayed in all matters in which he was interested , and perhaps more than all , by the unvarying affability by which he was

characterised . In works of charity and benevolence Bro . Thompson always played a leading part . His connection with the Dramatic Fund and other institutions having a similar object , will be long remembered and valued . By his death the City has lost a hardworking and conscientious officer , Freemasonry a prominent

member , and the officers of the Corporation a valued friend . Brother Thompson was a member of the Court of the Loriners , Patten makers , and FanmakeiV Companies , and a liveryman of the Upholders' Company . He had served the office of Master of the Pattenmakers' Company , and was next in rotation for

that dignity in the Fanmakers' Company . In Freemasonry he w » 3 equally distinguished . He was a founder of the Eavensbourne Lodge , a founder and Past Master of the Maybury Lodge , and a member of the Emulation Chapter . He was 42 years of age , and leaves two daughters and one son . The funeral took place on Thursday last , atLewisham cemetery . — City Press .

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