Mark Grand Lodge.

3 . A Motion will bo made that the Report be taken as read . 4 . A Motion will bo made that tho Report bo received and entered on the Minutes . 5 . Recommendation arising out of the Report : — Fund of Benevolence -Grant recommended :

£ 25 to the Widow of a Brother of the Henniker Lodge , No . 315 . 6 . A Motion will be proposed that tho Report be adopted . 7 . Presentation of Charity Jewels to the Stewards of tho last Benevolent Fund * Festival .

New Hall At Langholm.

NEW HALL AT LANGHOLM .

ON Thursday of last week a Masonic demonstration took place at Langholm , the occasion being the inauguration and consecration of a new Masonic Hall for the town , and the opening of a bazaar in aid of the building fund by the Duchess of Buccleuch . The proceedings began at noon , with a procession , in

which a large number of Brethren of the Grand Lodge of Scotland , the Provincial Grand Lodge of Dumfriesshire , Carlisle , Dumfries , Melrose , & c , took part ; amongst those in the

procession being Sir Charles Dalrymple , Bart ., M . P ., Grand Master of Scotland , Colonel Campbell G . S . W . Scotland , the Bev . George Dunn Grand Chaplain Scotland , Bro . Johnstone-Douglas Prov . Grand Master of Dumfriesshire , & c .

The consecration of the hall afterwards took place , Sir Charles Dalrymple taking the leading part in the ceremony . A very largely-attended luncheon followed in the Buccleuch Hall ,

Bro . Graham , of Holmwood , Master of the Langholm Lodge presiding , supported on the right by Sir C . Dalrymple and the Duke of Buccleuch , and on the left by Lord Henry Scott and Colonel Campbell .

After lunch the Chairman gave the Loyal toasts , and then proposed in suitable terms the health of the Grand Master Mason of Scotland . Sir 0 . Dalrymple said he had travelled from London to take part in the proceedings , but he had not done so by one of the

racing trains , and had enjoyed a good night ' s sleep . He had frequently to travel long distances in connection with Masonry , and he was thankful that he had now had occasion to visit the beautiful district of Eskdale . He urged the local Freemasons

not to rest satisfied with what they had achieved , and advised them to get as many young men to join the ranks as possible . He did not know if his noble friend the Duke of Buccleuch could be induced to become a Freemason , but at least he hoped that a member of his family might join their Brotherhood .

Other toasts followed . In the afternoon a great crowd assembled at Langholm Public School , where the Duchess of Buccleuch opened the bazaar in the presence of a large company . The Duchess was accompanied to the platform by the Duke of Buccleuch , Lady Katharine Scott , Ladv Constance Scott , Miss

Thynne , Sir C . Dalrymple , and Bro . Johnstone-Douglas , who , in introducing her Grace , said they could not have secured anyone to open the bazaar more calculated to cause it to pass off successfully . He was sure no lady was more highly thought of in that district or throughout Scotland .

The Duchess , who was warmly greeted , expressed the pleasure she had in being present and her regret at the recent decease of a well-known Langholm Freemason , Mr . Scott , of Ashley Bank , whose many unostentatious acts of kindness would

cause his memory to be long cherished in the district . The ladies of the neighbourhood had been kept very busy for several months preparing for the bazaar , and she trusted their exertions would be amply rewarded . — " Scotsman . "

The bazaar was opened on the second day by Sir Charles Dalrymple , Bart ., M . P ., Grand Master of Scotland , who in his speech said that the Province of Dumfries was specially distinguished in having so many halls of their own for Masonic purposes , which was more desirable than being indebted to

temporary quarters or the shelter of a licensed house . In these circumstances the erection of a Masonic hall in Langholm was specially gratifying to him . He had seldom seen a Hall better suited for its purposes or more graceful and becoming in proportion . The Duchess of Buccleuch ancl Lady Katharine Scott were again present . Wednesday ' s takings were £ 247 .

The bazaar closed on Saturday evening . It proved a great success , all the articles being cleared off at an early hour on Saturday . The total receipts amounted to £ 543 19 s 4 d , and a sum of £ 23 was received as the proceeds of a concert in aid of the

scheme , making the aggregate receipts £ 566 19 s 4 d . The cost of the building is expected to be over £ 1 , 000 , but as there was a large sum in hand from subscriptions , and as the proceeds of an Art Union , the building is now nearly free from debt .

The new volume of " CasselFs Pocket Library " is from the pen of Mrs . Gertrude Atherton , It is entitled " A Whirl Asunder . "

Correspondence.

CORRESPONDENCE .

We do not hold ourselves responsible for the opinions of our Correspondents . All Letters must bear the name and address of the writer , not necessarily for publication , but as a guarantee of good faith . We cannot undertake to return rejected communications .

ADVERTISING FEEEMASONEY .

To the FREEMASON ' S CHRONICLE . DEAR SIB AND BROTHER , —I do not think it is at all unusual to hear tho most startling utterances from those in high places , and on that account I am not so much surprised at reading the words of tho Provincial Grand Master of Cheshire , reported in your last issue , in regard to the advantages of Freemasonry , as I should have been if those same remarks had been made

by an ordinary individual at a private Lodge meeting . Lord Egerton of Tatton is reported as having said " He felt sure that the number of members of the Order would increase more largely than it did if tho advantages of Freemasonry were more widely known . there were distinct advantages in the matter of provision for the aged and infirm , and the education of the young . "

Now I venture to think this remark was most unwise , and as I have seen it quoted in more than one of the local papers , I fully believe it is calculated to do more harm than good . In plain English it implies that Freemasonry is a Benefit Society pure and simple , and it invites outsiders to join the Craft for the " distinct advantages in the matter of provision for the aged and infirm , and the education of the young . "

Such a lino of argument is not only wholly in direct opposition to the principles of the Craft , but would , I venture to assert , prove most illusory in practice . I am aware that Cheshire does much for the relief of tho aged and the education of the young , but I think few will venture to assert that the Province can deal with every case of distress within its borders , much less afford to attract new members with the promise of caring for the aged and infirm , and paying for tho education of tho young , who in years to come might be left by theso new members .

I have had the pleasure of listening to Lord Egerton of Tatton as President of more than one meeting at which I have been present , and I have the greatest respect for his Lordship , but like most mortals I presume he is liable to err , and I think it must be admitted he has erred in this respect , not perhaps so much in the actual words he has used , as in the construction that may be put upon them by some of the Brethren under his rule , who , it seems to me , should be warned not to advertise Freemasonry on the lines set out by thoir chief at the recent Provincial meeting .

Lord Egerton also referred to the " advantages arising from the good fellowship which Freemasonry brought about , " and in doing so pointed out a feature of the Craft which might legitimately and widely be used to popularise it in our midst , although I am one of those who believe that

Freemasony will extend best if allowed to take its course , without any puffing on the part of its members , and particularly without any promises as to the relief of distress thafc may unfortunately occur among its members in years to come . Yours , & c , ON THE BOAD . Manchester , 27 th August 1895 .

Progress Of The Arch Degree.

PROGRESS OF THE ARCH DEGREE .

To the FREEMASON ' S CHRONICLE . DEAR SIR AND BROTHER , —The letters of your two correspondents last week under this heading are interesting , as each contains a review of the case ; and a suggestion . In the one letter " C . W . " is of opinion that the highest Offices in our Chapters should be thrown open . to active members of

the Arch Degree , without tho qualification of having passed the chair in a Craft Lodge , and he certainly makes out a good case . In the other letter " P . S . " is of opinion the Degree might be improved by more frequent meeting of the different Chapters , so that the various Officers might have more opportunities of displaying their knowledge of the ceremonies .

Both may bo described as good suggestions , and if the Royal Arch Degree is really in so bad a state as some seem to imagine , they may justifiably be considered in any enquiry that may be deemed necessary in / egard to its present and future conduct . It seems to me that as any Master Mason is eligible ior admission to tlic Royal Arch Degree , any Master Mason should also bs eligible for Office in his

Chapter , without any outside qualification or restriction such as is now imposed , and I could quote instances where apparent hardship has resulted from the present system , just as " G . W . " does , for it is by no means an easy matter for every Brother who desires it to have the opportunity of passing the chair in the Graft . I am not an Office seeker , and on that account probably it was my own fault my chance went by in my Lodgo , with tho result that I am now out of running for Office , and sec no chance of passing

the chair in the Craft . But as a member of a small Chapter I was asked to take a minor position , accepted , and have gradually risen until now I lind myself in regular order for thc third Principal ' s chair—but I am not an Installed Master in tho Craft , so I presume I shall have to stand aside , in order that a formal ceremony may be observed . I do not quarrel with the Regulations , only endorse what " U . W . " has said on this point , and support him in tho opinion that an alteration of the law might add to thc success of thc Arch Degree .

As far as " P . S . " is concerned , I have already said his suggestion is a food one—there ought to be more meetings each year if popularity is aimed at , but in this respect I think he and the members of his Chapter are the best judges of what best suifs their requirements . Let him suggest a greater number of meetings in his own Chapter , and if it is agreed to , and success results I havo little fear but that the example will be followed elsewhere . Yours , & c ., ROYAL ARCH .

Mr . Stanley Weymau's now book , entitled " From the Memoirs of a Minister of France , " will be published by Messrs . Cassell and Company on Monday , 2 nd September .