The Graft In The United States.

Examinations in open lodge . " As for Bro . J . S . AlURROW , on whom devolved the task of preparing the report on correspondence , we imagine he must be a very determined kind of person , when in respect of what are called cases of discipline ,

he tenders such advice as this— " Take up every brother guilty of violating our laws , especially moral laws , and try them swift and sharp , and punish them kindly , firmly . " Though we arc

second to none in our claim that laws , and especially the moral law should be obeyed , this advice , to punish all sinners swiftly and sharply , strikes as being slightly contrary to the spirit of

Masonry . We o'ladly recognise the existence of a considerable amount of common sense among the members of the Grand Lodge of Colorada when we find them amending their law as to "physical

qualification , " in such a manner "that a candidate who is accidentally maimed after he has received the Entered Apprentice Deoree , and whose faculties are unimpaired , shall not be denied the privilege of advancement ; " but we fail to understand the full

meaning of the sentence— " By a candidate s initiation his dedication and devotion to the Lord is accomplished , and the symbolism of same is completed . " On the other hand , we consider it contrary to good policy and sound reason that

the-Grand Lodge of Montana should request " that banquets at annual communications be dispensed with , as they do not materially add to the good of Masonry , but do interfere with the work ofthe Grand Lodge , and place an unnecessary burden upon the Craft in the cities in which the annual sessions are held . "

However , let us hope that these and similar eccentricities to which we have had occasion to refer in this and other articles as characteristic of American Freemasonry will disappear , and that the brethren in that country will gradually bring themselves to

recognise that Masonry is none the worse if its members are left free to exercise their own judgment , and do not lind themselves hampered in all directions by laws affecting everything and everybody .

The Official Grand Lodge Calendar.

THE OFFICIAL GRAND LODGE CALENDAR .

I consider the " Freemasons' Calendar and Pocket Book " the best Masonic annual of the kind published by a Grand Lodge , and in the later issues , as a compilation , it is about as perfect as can well be . It is possible to suggest one change that would be for the better , but that would not add to the bulk of the

hand y wee volumes , though it would certainly increase the labour of editing , at least for a year or two . I refer to the desirability of altering several of the years of origin of the lod ges prior to the Union of December , 1813 , so as to accord

with the actual facts of the case . There does not appear to mc to be any valid reason why incorrect dates should be given in an official publication , for surel y the difficulties incident to a

decision would not be urged , and when it is remembered that the "Ancient" lodges are not alone affected thereby , it is all the more needful the matter was taken in hand and decided on

with all the care , tact , and judgment that characterise the management . The " Royal Athelstan Lodge , " No . 19 , secured their right date being inserted , viz ., 1769 when No . 159 though , in the

, , plan at present followed , it should be credited with the year ' 75-, being the period of origin of the No . 10 , which the lodge obtained b y warrant in 1792 . If it is-thought unfair to quote

the actual years of origin of the existing lodges without mentioning the dates of the original warrants , then both might be given , e . g .

101 , Iemple Lodge , 1765—1813 * 1 * the dagger still being inserted as a good method of indicating that it was formed under " Ancient " auspices ; the first warrant n S 3 th May , 1765 , which lapsed and the present one genteel on 2 nd July , 1813 , there being no meetings of the No . i

* . - » Ancient" between 1770-1813 . fo , ! hen 0 tc at lhe head of the " List of Lodges , " which appears (( ° , the first time in the issue for 18 9 6 , states most correctly loda yCa * ° 0 ngin cloes not aIwa >' indicate the age of the and ' ' several insta"ces the original lodges have died out , C Were £ ub sequentl y represented by others bearing the same

The Official Grand Lodge Calendar.

numbers ; but wh y not give the correct years and ' render such an intimation unnecessary ? Bro . John Lane ' s massive volume * ( the most extraordinary work of the kind ever published ) , "Masonic Records , 1717-1894 , " supplies an immense quantity

of material to render decisions generally possible , and in the event of doubts arising as to some , the records of the lodges might be consulted . Jf I am told such an investigation will mean " time and expense , " my answer is , Certainly , ancl let Grand Lodge have it done , once and for all .

The present issue , being for 1 S 9 6 , has been prepared ou nearly the same lines as its immediate predecessors , and is wonderfully accurate , as well as most ably edited and arranged

throughout . The . only difference or alteration I have detected is that brethren appointed to Past rank are dul y described as such , so as to distinguish them from the oflicers of any particular year ; a decided advantage .

I . he _ Calendar for 18 95 ended with No . 253 S , that for 18 9 6 concluding with 2590 , being an increase of 52 new warrants , The net increase , however , is not quite so many , as at page 242 I am glad to find the exact particulars ;

London Lodges 425 Country do . 1275 Colonial do . 44 G 3 t 4 G The figures for 1 S 95 showed a total of 2107 , so the real

addition to the list is 39 . In the Colonial total the three military lodges are included . This is the largest number yet reached , and proves how prosperous is the Grand Lodge of England , it being still the largest as well as the oldest Grand Lodge in the

world . As compared with 18 74 , when H . R . H . the Prince of Wales became our beloved Grand Master , the net increase is represented by considerably over 700 lodges , and assuredly as a body , the Craft was never more united and efficient than now .

Some of the Provincial Grand Lodges are almost embarrassingly large and unwieldy , and yet they are so well managed that the business is transacted without friction , and there is no talk of division . Lancashire has over 220 lodges , the Province of West Lancashire having 112 , lodges , and East Lancashire

in . That is , the numbers were thus in the Calendar for 18 9 6 , but they are still on the increase ! Yorkshire numbers no lodges , 77 being in the West Riding and 33 in the North and East . Then there are 12 Provinces with 30 or more lodges in

each , Kent having 62 , Devon 52 , and four have over 40 each , Many of the Districts are also very large , Queensland being well to the fore with 4 6 , followed very closely by Bengal with 44 lodges .

In the East Indies there are so many as 128 lodges under the English Constitution , and I believe that in no country is the beneficent character of the Fraternity likely to do more good and be more , influential , amidst so many races and religions , than in India , where the principles of the Craft have already been most

warmly received and fostered . Our lodges have rather dwindled away in New Zealand , owing to their predilection for a Grand Lodge of their own ; but , even then , we have 62 lodges ; and in

Australia , with its new and most active Grand Lodges , we have still some 61 on our roll . South Africa makes a grand total of 92 lodges , without taking into account those of other Grand Lodges .

In Royal Arch Masonry there is also an increase , the net total being 810 , as compared with 799 in the previous year , 170 being in London , 509 in the Provinces , and 131 in the Colonies ,

& c , the proportion being more favourable at home than abroad , the working of that ceremony doubtless being beset with manv difficulties in sparsely-populated districts . The laws might well be relaxed in some respects .

The information else is both varied and interesting , exhaustive and suggestive , and the Calendar Editors may well be congratulated on such an excellent and most useful compilation . It has been well printed by the Publisher , Bro . George Kenning , from whom copies may be had , as usual , the neat volume being indispensable for all who desire such a handy and reliable guide . VV . J . HUGHAN .

Supreme Grand Chapter Of England.

SUPREME GRAND CHAPTER OF ENGLAND .

The following is the business to be transacted on Wednesday , the 5 h inttant : The minutes of the last Quarterly Convocation to be read for confirmation . THK REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE OF GENERAL PURPOSES .

To the Supreme Grand Chapter of Royal Arch Masons of England . The Committee of General Purposes beg to report that they have examined the accounts from the i 6 ih October , 18 95 , to the 14 th January , 18 96 , both inclusive , which they find to be as follows i