Analysis Of The Returns.

SUFFOLK , which has 21 lodges , and , like its immediate neighbour , Norfolk , is almost entirely agricultural , had been wanting in its duty to this Institution if it had absented itself from this Festival . Last year it subscribed no less than £ 1048 17 s . 6 d ., of vvhich the Old People received £ 326 us ., the Girls' School , for vvhich Bro . Lord Henniker undertook to act as Chairman , £ 577 19 s . 6 d ., and the Boys' School £ 144 7 s . 6 d . In 1888 it raised still more— £ 1105 12 s . —of which £ 517 12 s . vvas subscribed for

the Girls' Centenary ; and in 188 7 , £ 794 16 s ., the total for the three years being £ 2949 5 s . 6 d ., or at the rate of very nearly- £ iooo a year . After a period of such successful activity , the Province might justly have claimed a respite , yet it sent up four Stewards , of whom one acted for the Province and its second senior lodgethe Doric , No . 81 , Woodbridge—the sum of their lists being the very useful addition to the General Total of Wednesday of £ 211 15 s . The Province of

SURREY had two Stewards unattached and eig ht others acting as representatives for seven of its 43 lodges , and the result of their labours appeared in the list on Wednesday as £ 217 13 s . 6 d . Last year it distributed £ 49 6 4 s . among the three Charities , of which the Benevolent Institution had the good fortune to secure £ 255 8 s . 6 d ., while the Girls' and Boys' Schools vvere favoured with £ 138 13 s . 6 d . and . £ 102 2 s . respectively . These sums do not perhaps represent a high figure for so strong and

influential a Province , but it must be remembered that in the preceding three years it had worked very hard , the total of its subscriptions in 1888 being £ 1298 14 s . —including £ 1147 18 s . for the Girls' Centenary—in 188 7 , £ 797 13 s . 6 d . ; and in 1886 , when the late Bro . General Brownrigg , P . G . M ., presided at the Girls' Festival , a fraction over £ 1829 , of which the favoured Institution received nearly r £ i 34 < 5 . Of the 27 lodges on the roll of

SUSSEX , seven vvere represented by half-a-dozen Stewards , Bro . H . E . Price , M . D ., doing duty forthe Earl of Sussex Lodge , No . 2201 , Brighton , and another , to the capital tune of £ 41 19 s . The other sums received make the total for the Province £ 247 5 s . Last year Sussex gave its services to this Institution and the Boys' School , the

latter obtaining £ 390 17 s . 6 d ., and the former £ 229 ios . 6 d ., the total being £ 620 8 s . In 1888 , it raised in all £ 946 13 s ., of which £ 884 9 s . vvas included in the Girls' Centenary Returns , while the small balance was about equally divided between the other Charities . In 188 7 it raised £ 317 2 s ., and in 1886 £ 542 ios ., but in 1885 , when the late Bro . Sir W . W . Burrell , Bart ., P . G . M ., was Chairman for the Girls' School , its contributions amounted to £ 1923 ios .

It was only a day or two before the Festival that three members of the Athol Lodge , No . 74 , Birmingham , sent in their names as Stewards , and so removed their Province of

WARWICKSHIRE from the list of absentees . Their contributions amount so far to £ 21 , but the fact of their assisting on this occasion enhances the credit of their lodge , which , during the last three or fouryears , has done such excellent service . The very

last occasion on vvhich this Province figured in a list of Festival Returns was at that of the Benevolent Institution in February , 188 9 , when 14 members of the same Athol Lodge made up a joint list of £ 147 . In 1888 , too , it gave £ 1440 6 s . 6 d . to the Girls' Centenary , and then 30 members of the same lodge were included amongst its representatives , their joint list being £ 315 .

WORCESTERSHIRE , with its 12 lodges , had a solitary representative in the person of Bro . T , R . Arter , who has acted in a like capacity at several previous Festivals , and who , on Wednesday , made a personal donation of £ 10 ios . But Worcestershire , though figuring to a small extent only on this occasion , has been mindful of its duty to

our Charities . In June last , its five Stewards made up a total of £ 252 , and in the previous February and May it sent up smaller lists , the total for the year being £ 365 16 s . In 1888 its total , including £ 6 95 18 s . for the Girls' Centenary , was £ 8 4 8 3 s ., and in 188 7 and 1886 it raised £ 280 and £ 413 respectively . On this occasion the strong Province of

WEST YORKSHIRE was represented by 17 Stewards , and the total contributed was £ 525 . Last year it raised £ 415 for this Institution in February , £ 225 15 s . for the Girls' School in May , and £ 770 for the Boys' School the month following , the total for the year , amounting to £ 1410 15 s ., being , however , below the annual average . But this is

not surprising , seeing that in 1888 its subscriptions reached £ 3362 8 s . of which the Girls' Centenary absorbed £ 2702 8 s ., while in the year of the Jubilee they reached £ 3800 , inclusive of the purchase money— £ 2100—for two Perpetual Presentations to the Widows' Fund of this Institution . Indeed , the average annual amount of the contributions from West Yorkshire during the last 15 years has been over £ 2200 .

Welcome , Bro . Stranger ! must have been Bro . Terry ' s exclamation when it was announced to him that the Channel Islands had remitted him , per Bro . William Stranger , the useful sum of £ 60 for the purposes of this Institution . Not that the body of lodges thus grouped together are by any means a stranger at these festive meetings , so that their appearance on Wednesday is as creditable to them as it must have been gratifying to the Secretary of the Institution .

J ERSEY very comfortably completes the array of represented Provinces , Bro . P . G . Hamilton being the Steward , and the amount of his list £ 110 15 s . The last occasion on which the Province vvas represented was at the Boys' Festival in 1888 , when Bro . Col . Malet de Carteret , P . G . M ., vvas President ofthe Board of Stewards , and his list amounted to £ 215 5 s .

CONCLUDING REMARKS . We have now gone carefully through the list of Returns , which amount to a far higher sum than we could possibly have expected from the comparative paucity of Stewards at Christmas , and vvhich , though less than vve had been led to

anticipate , will materially assist in keeping this valuable Institution on a firm footing during the present year . The Returns , at all events , vvill have the effect of removing the fears which may have been felt in some quarters as to the ability of the Institution , to pay its way ivithout trenching upon its invested capital , for a further period of 12 months .

Consecration Of The Fidelity Chapter, No. 269, At Blackburn.

CONSECRATION OF THE FIDELITY CHAPTER , No . 269 , AT BLACKBURN .

The 39 th chapter in the Province of East Lancashire vvas consecrated on the 2 ist ult ., in the Masonic Rooms , Olcl Bull Hotel , Blackburn , in the presence of a large assemblage of Royal Arch Masons by Comp . Col . Le Gendre N . Starkie , Grand Superintendent of the province , assisted by Comps . J . H . Sillitoe , P . D . G . D . of C . Eng ., P . G . H . ; and the Rev . E . Bigoe Bagot , who at short notice took the nlace of Comp . A . Clegg , P . G . J . ; with Comps . W . H . Cunliffe , P . P . G . D . C , and G . N . Blakie , P . A . G . D . C , as Directors of Ceremonies . The musical arrangements wore under the direction of Comp . Lamb , P . G . Org .

Consecration Of The Fidelity Chapter, No. 269, At Blackburn.

A chapter was opened by the Grand Superintendent and presiding Principals at which were present—Comps . Edmund Ashworth , P . G . S . B . Eng . ; John Chadwick , P . G . Std . Br ., P . G . S . E . ; E . G . Harwood , P . G . S . N . ; W . S . Barlow , P . G . P . S . , * N . Dumville , P . G . S . B . ; Jas . Newton , P . A . G . S . E . ; Col . J . S . Aspland , P . P . G . Registrar * John Booth , P . G . 1 st Asst . Soj . ; Franklin Thomas , P . P . G . J . ; W . Lamb , P . G . Organist ; S .

Goldstone , P . P . G . S . B . ; Edwin Halliwell , P . P . G . Org . ; T . Higson , P . G . Janitor ; John Rigby , P . Z . 345 ; W . G . Thackeray , M . E . Z . 345 ; L . Haworth , P . Z . 345 ; W . VVhalley , 345 ; Reuben Cook , P . Z . 53 ; S . H . Shorrock , ist A . S . 37 ; T . Cotterall , 345 ; J . Harling , P . Z . 2 S 6 ; Richard Loynd , H . 369 ; G . W . Whewell , 369 ; John Blezard , 3 69 ; Nicholas Gillett , 345 ; T . B . Parker , 345 ; H . A . Spurr , 139 ; James Hillgrave , W . T . Holland , C . H . Woods , and W . H . Green ,

345-The following founders were also present : Comps . T . Preston , Z . designate ; Henry Croasdale , H . designate ; G . H . Openshaw , J . designate ; Henry Robinson , Lucas Edleston , T . P . Wilson , T . Standen , John Fawcett , Joseph Pollard , W . H . Cunliffe , S . L . Buckley , P . P . G . Treas . ; and W . H . Peel . Apologies for non-attendance were received from Comps . T . T . Mercer , P . Z ., and J . Heap , who are also founders of the new chapter .

After prayer had been offered up by the acting J ., the GRAND SUPERINTENDENT addressed the companions on the nature of the meeting , and called upon Comp . Chadwick , P . G . S . E ., to state the wishes of the companions . The founders of the new chapter vvere arranged in order , and the P . G . S . E . read over the petition and the charter .

The GRAND SUPERINTENDENT having received from the founders their approval of the officers appointed to preside over them , he requested Comp . J . H . SILLITOE to deliver an oration on the objects and aims of this Supreme Degree , vvhich was as follows : — M . E . Grand Superintendant and Companions , —In attending here to-day to consecrate this new chapter , the youngest at the present moment on the Registry of the Grand

Chapter of England , vve are reminded of the fact that vve are in a district vvhich may well be considered the cradle of Royal Arch Masonry . Some of the earliest records of this Supreme Degree are to be found in the archives of the old Anchor and Hope Lodge , at Bolton , where early in the last century it vvas worked in connection with the Craft . While out of the nine first charters ever issued b y the Grand Chapter of Compact , being in the year 176 9 , four of them were for Lancashire , and three out of the four at present existing

are being worked in our own province , viz ., at Bury , Burnley , and Colne . Phis Degree is more august , sublime , and important than those vvhich precede it . It is considered to be the summit and perfection of Freemasonry ; it brings to light many essentials of the Craft vvhich are traditionally reported to have been buried in darkness for a very long period , and without vvhich , vve are told the Masonic character cannot be considered complete . The important lessons vvhich are taught in the Royal Arch ceremonies lead us

to contemplate with gratitude and admiration the sacred source from whence all earthly comforts flow , also to continue steadfast in the discharge of our respective duties , and not only to promote each other's welfare , but to prevent approaching danger by giving in the most gentle manner advice and admonition . The symbols and ornaments vvhich we see around us , and vvhich are so fully explained in the various lectures pertaining to this Supreme Degree , all tend to instill into our hearts those lessons of

exalted morality vvhich , as Royal Arch Masons , vve are bound to practice towards each other , while the explanations of the mysterious words and characters inscribed upon our pedestal and banners should inspire us with increased reverence of that Supreme Deity , the Incomprehensible Jehovah , whose Omnipotence , Omniscience , and Omnipresence we continually acknowledge . The irradiated ribbon vvhich forms the sash vvhich vve wear is not only a sacred emblem , but it also denotes justice tempered with mercy , and in that

sense reminds us of the great mercy of our Heavenly Father , and also teaches us to be merciful towards our fellow creatures should their conduct be such as to merit reprehension and blame . The jewel vvhich we wear upon our breasts being an emblem of eternity , and triunessence of the Deity , should inspire us with profound veneration for that Incomprehensible Being whose infinite wisdom directs , and whose unspeakable goodness preserves and blesses every work that has proceeded from His hands . In order that harmony

and peace may be enjoyed at your meetings you should be careful to submit the character of every candidate for admission to your chapter to the most scrutinising examination , and by doing so you may further hope to find none amongst you but such as vvill promote the great aims and objects of our ancient and honourable Institution . The anthem , " Behold how good and joyful , " was sung by the musical companions , and after the first portion of the dedication prayer by Comp . G . H . Openshaw , the Grand Superintendent delivered the invocation .

The consecrating elements vvere carried in procession and properly applied , after vvhich the Grand Superintendent dedicated the chapter in the usual form , and the acting J . having rehearsed the remaining portion of the dedication prayer , the choir sang the 122 nd psalm , also the anthem , " Glory to God on high . " The consecration ceremony vvas concluded with the patriarchial benediction .

Comp . J . H . Sillitoe , P . G . H ., at the request of the Grand Superintendent , installed Comps . Thos . Preston as Z . ; Henry Croasdale , H . ; and Comp . G . H . Openshaw as J ., and , after having been duly elected , he invested Comps . Henry Robinson , S . E . ; Thos . Standen , S . N . ; T . P . Wilson , P . S . ; Lucas Edleston and W . H . Peel , Asst . Sojs . ; S . S . Buckley , Treasurer ; and John Fawcett , Janitor .

A vote of thanks vvas proposed and carried with acclamation to the M . E . Grand Superintendent and the Provincial Grand Officers for their attendance and services , vvhich was acknowledged by Col . Starkie , Grand Superintendent . Several companions were proposed as joining members , also three brethren for exaltation , after vvhich the chapter was closed .

At the banquet which followed , in consequence of the illness of the newlyinstalled M . E . Z ., the Grand Superintendent presided in his usual kind and genial manner , vvhich at all times adds so much to the enjoyment of those present at such social gatherings . The usual loyal and Masonic toasts were dul y honoured , and being interspersed with some excellent music , the evening passed off most pleasantly .

Candidates For Masonry.

CANDIDATES FOR MASONRY .

Connected with the working of the Institution , perhaps there is no subject that has been more often referred to in the addresses of Grand Masters , reports of Correspondence Committees , and the Masonic Press , than the careful selection of material to be admitted to membership . The Craft have been admonished from time immemorial how important it is that care should be taken that no one be admitted without the most careful scrutiny ; and yet it always has been , and most probably always will be , a fact that a large share of lodge troubles arise from carelessness at this very initial step .

A brief reference to this important subject , if not of interest to older brethren , vvill , at least , be of interest to those who are commencing their Masonic life-Among the earliest landmarks and the printed Constitution of Anderson , 17231 provides that "No man can be made or admitted a member of a particular lodge without previous notice one month before given to said lodge , in order to make due inquiry into the reputation and capacity of the candidate ; " from which we perceive that the Craft of those earl y days were fully impressed with the idea that an evil

tree cannot bear wholesome fruit , nor a bad man make a good Mason . The third of the " Ancient Charges" declares that "the persons admitted members of a lodge must be good and true men , free-born , and of matured , discreet age ; no immoral men , but of good report . " Wholesome as this regulation unquestionably is , it must be admitted that there has been a culpable negligence in some lodges in enforcing it . It may be true , that with the best intentions , a committee or a lodge may be imposed upon by some of the many who seek admission to our Institution . New York Dispatch .