Degree Of Past Master.

features from the Masonic institution in order that its true g lory may appear and its highest mission be fulfilled . Brother Rico , editor of the Masonic Advocate , has been expressing his opinion in criticism of the Pasfc Master ' s degree , which , he woll snys , is " lacking in thoso elements

that shall entitle it to a place in the series of degrees now incorporated in the beautiful system of York Rite Masonry . Its allegorical allusion to King Solomon in his infirm age is an absurdity . That Solomon died in the prime of

manhood is historically established beyond a doubt , and his alleged infirmity is a myth without the semblance of reality . Besides , tho Past Master ' s degree is a sort of nondescript affair , having no connection with what precedes or follows ifc . "

In pronouncing against the conferring of fche degrees npon a newly elected Master , by a " Convocation of Past Masters , " editor Rico declares that whatever of wholesome instruction or suggestion belongs to it should be given in an open manner to the newly elected Worshipful Master .

" The instruction and reminders should be made a parfc of the installation ceremonies , and given in the presence of all tho members of the Lodge . In fact , most of them aro worthless if nofc made known to the members , and there is nothing in them that might nofc be said in the presence of

even those who are not Masons . Then why not adopt the better plan of obligating and installing the new Master in the presence of all the brethren , that they may learn how to submit and obey while he is being taught how to rule and govern ? We can see no good reason why this should nofc be done . "

Further on in the article to which wo refer , mention is made of the fact that formerly the degree in question was conferred only npon Master Masons elected to preside in a Lodge . So far as the Graud Lodge recognises the degree , this is still the rule . Grand Chapters , however , have

abolished this prerequisite , and every Mason who joins a Chapter has the degree conferred upon him . Hence , concludes the Advocate , " Grand Lodges can , wifch equal propriety , confer ifc upon all Master Masons , or abolish ifc so far aa pertains to Lodges , as they may deem best . "

We are quite in agreement with the several conclusions put forth by the Masonio Advocate on this matter . Onr thought is that the Past Master's degree is in no sense helpful to the interests of the Craffc . We would have it thrown out by Grand Lodge nnd then eliminated from the

Capitular system . Such of its obligations and lessons as are deemed appropriate to the installing of a Worshipful Master of a Lodge may find use in a service of that nature . Tho rest is surplus material—weak and frivolous—and had better be discarded . —Freemasons' Repository .

Sincerity Chapter. No. 189.

SINCERITY CHAPTER . No . 189 .

I * HE installation meeting was held on tbo 26 th inst ., afc the Sincerity Masonic Temple , St . George ' s Hal ) , Stonehouse . A brother having been exalted , ex-Cut-ops . Hendry as Z ., Moulder Jan . as IL , and Thomas as J ., were installed in the respective chairs , the work being most ably carried ont by ex-Comps . Rae P . Z . P . P . G . 3 rd P ., Croydon P . Z ., White P . Z ., and the Rev . Dr . Lemon P . Z . P . P . G .

3 rd P ., all of 189 . The Officers invested -were : —Ex .-Comps . Dunsterville I . P . Z ., Rae P . Z . Sc . E ., Comp . Dnnsterville Sc . N ., ex-Comp . White P . Z . Treas ., Comps . Stowell P . Soj ., Harrison 1 st Assist . Soj ., Major May 2 nd Assist . Soj ., ex-Comps . Croydon P . Z . Dir . of Cer ., the Rev . Dr . Lemon Org ., and Comp . Dnfl' Steward .

The Mark Master Masons of the East End of London will be gratified to learn that the Deputy Provincial Grand Master for Middlesex and Surrey ( Bro . Charles Hammerton ) , accompanied by some of his Provincial Grand

Officers , will visit the Temperance in the East Lodge , No . 350 , at Poplar , on Wednesday , Ilth February , on the occasion of its installation meeting . As this will be tho first visit of the D . P . G . M . to the East End of London

since his appointment to that office , he will , no doubt , be supported by a large number of M . M . M . We observe wifch pleasure tbat in the distribution of Grand Mark Lodge honours , as well as those of Provincial Grand . Lodgethe

, Temperance in the East Lodge , No . 350 , stands well to the fore , no less than three of the P . M . ' s being Grand Lodge Officers , while several of the members hold Provincial rank .

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The Theatres. &C.

THE THEATRES . & c .

Globe . —Mr . Norman Forbes has entered upon his duties aa manager of this theatre with a liberality that will certainly commend itself to the playgoing public . Tha house has been prettily redecorated , the electric light substituted for gas , and altogether it presents a bright and comfortable appearance . Farther , the obnoxious fee system is abolished , programmes and cloak rooms

being alike gratuitous . Mr . Forbes proves his versatility by appearin- * as Gringoire in Mr . Vi ills' pathetic version of Theodore de Banville ' s play of that name , and iu a farcial comedy , entitled " AU the Comforts of Home . " It must be confessed that he is seen to greater advantage in the first piece , though repeated performances in the latter will doubtless add to his rendering the necessary lightness to

the character ho assumes . The performance of "Griugovre waa indeed perfect , Mr . Forbes playing the part with a force and pathos that speedily mot with recognition by the audience . Mr . Jan Robertson , a ** Louis XI ., showed the varions phases of the oharacfc * r with admiiablo skill , Miss Mary Ansell waa charming as Louise , while Messrs . George Bernage and S . De Lange as Simon and Oliver assisted

materially in filling in the picture . The scene , after a painting of tho period ( 1649 ) by Mr . Edwin Abbey , enables ua to follow the details of the story with greater accuracy , and mast be specially noticed . The farce suffers from the usual malady of pieces of this description by being too long drawn out , and starts off afc snob a rapid rate that tho pace cannot be maintained . The fun is caused by

Alfred Hastings , the impecunious nephew of a peculiarly jealous man , being left in charge of his uncle ' s house while his relative takea his young wife abroad , to escape , as he imagine *? , tho attentions of au admirer . Being pressed for money he determines to raise the wind by letting the house off in famished apartments , and an incongruous company is scon assembled . There is a musician , a ballet girl , a retired grocer with his witb and daughter , and a hard-up swell , who

subsequently get mixed up in a most extraordinary manner . Tha story of coarse does not bear criticism , bnt the roars of laughter witb which the play is greeted proves that it was to the taste of the audience . The burden of the pioce falls on Mr . Forbes as Hastings , Mr . Harry Paulton , who once more comes among ns , Misa Fanny Coleman , Misa Ansell , Miss Lily Linfield , and Mr . W . Phillips , all of whom work hard to achieve the desired end . If good wishes be of any avail Mr . Forbes will have a successful career .

Oa the 22 ud inst ., the members of the Leeds Amateur Operatic and Dramatic Society repeated n performance of Gilbert and Sullivan ' s famons comic opera , " H . M . S . Pinafore , " given by them the previous night , in aid of the Workpeople's Hospital Fnnd . The Victoria Hall was again crowded . The proceeds of this second night ' s entertainment will bo added to the funds of the Leeds

Masonic Educational and Benevolent Institution , whose object is the formation of a Charity Fund amongst the Leeds Lodges for the education , partial maintenance , and advancement in life of the orphans of deceased brethren and of the children of brethren who have become incapacitated by . sickness or accident from properly providing for their families . According to tho last report , the capital account of tbe Institution stands at - £ 1650 , and there are on

tbe fnnds ten children . By the performance a considerable addition will be made to tbe fund , and Mr . W . Warren , who is the President of the Institntion , took an opportunity daring the evening of cordially thanking all present for their patronage , aud the ladies and gentlemen who took part in the opera for their valuable services . Mr . Warren was probably not far wrong when be declared tbat it was tbe finest amateur interpretation which " H . M . S . Pinafore " had yet received .

The Barnato Ball , which is to be given by Bro . E . J . Aoworth W . M . and the members of the Barnato Lodge at the Hotel Metropole , on Thursday , tho 12 th prox ., promises to be a brilliant success . Among those who have recently accepted invitations to be present are Bro . Sheriff Augustus Harris G . T . and Mrs . Harris , Bro . Edward Terry P . G . T . and Mrs . Terry .

On Wednesday , the 21 st inst ., a ball was held in the Assembly Rooms , Malton , under the auspices of tho W . M . and brethren of the Camalodunum Lodge , No . 660 . The ball proved qnite a success , nearly 100 people being present , including visitors from York , Driffield , Hovingham , and many places in fche district .

A ball in connection with the Parrett and Axe Lodge was held afc the Georgo Hotel , Crewkerne , on Thursday , 20 tb insfc ., in aid of the Masonic Charities , about fifty attending . Cheek ' s band from Taunton supplied the musio . The ball-room was nicely decorated and the floor in capital condition . The catering of Mr . and Mrs . Harrison gave great satisfaction .

Ou ' . the 23 rd inst ., the brethren of the Harrogate and Claro Lodge , No . 1001 , held their annual ball at the Queen Hotel , Harrogate , under the presidency of Bro . Geo . Thompson W . M . Upwards of 120 guests were present . Bro . J . M . Pratt Secretary acted as M . O ., being assisted by the other Officers of the Lodge as Stewards .

The Boyal Savoy Mark Lodge , No . 355 , will hold ita installation meeting afc the Criterion , Piccadilly , on Tuesday , 3 rd February , afc 6 o'clock . Bro . George Mordey is the W . M . elect .

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FUNERALS properly carried out and personally attended , in London and Country , by Bro . G . A . HUTTON , 17 Newcastle Street , Strand , W . C Monuments erected , Valuations made .