Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Scotland.
seen their beauty marred and their solemnity turned into almost the ridiculous through their being administered by those destitute of the true spirit of Freemasonry , and who , it may be , cannot speak even a single sentence grammatically [( hear , ihear ) . These are among the reasons why the Freemasonry of Scotland has fallen into such disrepute , why for some time it has been at such a low ebb , and
why a Scotch Mason is sometimes treated with distrust and suspicion , nay even with contempt , by his brethren and Fellow Craftsmen in sister countries . And is this much to be wo . ielcred at when I tell you that I have been in a lodge ( not very far distant ) , where 1 saw n batch of candidates receive what its members were pleased to call their three degrees in something little over
an hour!—and that , too , amidst the most boisterous hilarity and to the seeming great amusement of those present . ( Hear . hear ) . That such scenes as these arc rare 1 sincerely trust ; but , were I tc ask as to their being so , I fear me as to the answer . That we have brethren amongst us well qualified to administer our degrees and lodges where the true spirit of Masonry—that spirit of love
and brotherly kindness and chanty , is fostered and taught as it ought to be , I am well aware ; but why such brethren and such lodges should be few , I really do not know . Why they are , I believe I can in some measure tell you . Freemasonry is too cheap ; at all events , the Freemasonry of Scotland is too cheap . Now , I say this guardedly and advisedly . I have given the subject my very careful consideration , and this is the conclusion which I have
conscientiously arrived at . I am sure you will all agree with mc when 1 say that it is not politic to place precious privileges within the reach of those who will not only use but abuse them . What we want is a number of gentlemen who will not allow the interests of the Craft to suffer . To attain to this , they must be men of sterling principle , and endowed with an abundance of firmness and good common sense . Far be it from me to seek to exclude from a
participation in our privileges those among the humbler classes of society ; but , surely il these privileges are worth having , they are worth paying for . How it can raise the status of the Craft , has , I believe , been for some considerable time one of the great aims of the Grand Lodge . Now , I am but a young man , and , comparatively , a younger Mason ; still , 1 am at liberty to give utterance to
my opinion . I believe , Sir , wc can materially assist in furthering this end by raising our fees . To those in whose case curiosity is the only motive which impels them to seek admission into our Order , money may be an object of the first importance , and the cheaper that curiosity can be satisfied , the better for them ; but to those who are actuated by a sincere desire to become members of the oldest
and most honourable fraternity in the world , for the sake of that honour and the privileges it may confer , money will , I am certain , be only a secondary consideration . In most cases , what wc pay most for is most valued ; what we can pick up for a trifle , is often triflihgly thought of . Let the Commercial act up to that example which she has always shown . Some time ni ^ o our fee's were raised ,
and I have to ask how it fared with our cxche <] uer ? Raise them again : 1 have little fear as to the result . I am sure no member would recommend for initiation among us any gentleman who would grudge an extra guinea . And then there never was , I believe , a perioil in the history of the lodge when it could better afforel to try such an experiment . We have a few hundred pounds at our bankers ,
and though 1 should little like to see that touched , still , n needs must , we could fall back upon it without , I trust , tloing ourselves any very material injury . And suppose that we did suffer from a diminution of the number of our candidates , what we lacked in e ] uantity—and this with deference to those already members—we would gain in quality . Sir , I am proud of being a member of the
Lodge Commercial , to say nothing of the pleasure I have in being its Deputy Master ; and I hope the time will soon come , if it be not now , when she shall stand second to none in broad Scotland . 1 have , therefore , much pleasure in moving " That , on and after the ist of February , 1875 , the fees of the Lodge Commercial shall be , for initiation , £ 4 4 s ., and for the affiliation of a Master Mason , £ 1 is . ;
and I resume my seat , thanking you for your attention , and without the slightest concern as to the ultimate fate of my motion . At the close of Bro . Lamb ' s remarks , there was much applause , which was again and again renewed when Bros . Davidson and Brodc , both Past Masters of the loelge , successively expressed their determination to do what in them lay to uphold and maintain the honourable
position always held in the province by No . 3 60 . In accordance with the bye-laws of Granil Lodge , Bro . Lamb ' s motion was held over in the meantime . Bro . Thos . Laird , of St . John ' s Operative Lodge , Rutherglen ( 347 ) , was then affiliated a member of 3 60 , Bro . Brode officiating . Thereafter , on the motion of the R . W . M ,, a cordial vote oi thanks was passed to P . M . Bro . John Davidson
for services done to the lodge ; and it was agreed that the same be recorded in the minute-book . There was no further business before the brethren . In ordinary course , the next meeting of the loelge would have been held on ist proximo , but that being New Year's Day , it was agreed to hold it over until the Friday following , 8 th instant . LODGE ST . VINCENT ( NO . 553 ) . —A highly successful
harmony meeting of this young and most thriving loelge was helel in their temporary hall at 102 , Kent Road , on Thursday , the 17 th ult . The R . W . M ., Bro . Robert McDougall occupied the chair , supported by Bros . Malcolm Stork , D . M . ; John Walker , S . M . ; and other officebearers • while among visiting brethren were Bros . John
Baird , P . G . S . W . ; Kingborn , P . G . J . W . ; John Imne , B . W . M ., 86 ; Wm . Phillips , R . W . M ., 55 6 ; C . 1-1 . Mc Naught , P . M ., 275 ; Julius Brodc , P . M ., 3 60 ; Alexander McDougall , P . M . ' , 419 ; Wm . Taykr , No . 1 , ( St . Mary ' s Chapel , Edinburgh ); Fitzroy , 131 , St . George ); Dr . Busscl , D . M ., 556 , ' ( Clydesdale ); G . B . McNaught , S . W ., K ; fi ; Sic , cic . The lodge met an hour previous to enter-
Scotland.
ing ujion harmony , for the dispatch of business , when one candidate for admission into the Order was initiated , and two visiting brothers duly affiliated members of No . 553 . Thereafter a very large gathering sat down to an excellent entertainment , the preparation and serving of which rcflcctcel all credit upon the powers in purveyorship of Bro . Pultency , Chief Steward of the lodge . This having been so
far disposed of the chairman proposed in succession " The Queen and the Craft ; " " The Prince of Wales , a patron of Scottish Masonry ; " " The Princess of W ales , Duchess of Edinburgh , and other members of the Royal Family ;" and the "Three Grand Lodges , " all of which were duly and Masonically honoured . The Chairman next gave " The Provincial Grand Lodge of Glasgow , " but for whom
their own lodge would not have been that day in existence , and with the toast he begged to couple the name of Bro . John Baird , P . M . of Loelge 3-J-, S . W . of P . G . L ., and whom he thought at 110 distant day they should see occupying a much higher position . Bro . Baird , in briefly acknowledging the compliment , referred to the gratifying progress made of late years by the Provincial Grand Lodge , more
particularly in the ac < iuisition of funds for charitable purposes . They had now upwards of £ 400 invested , and it was no uncommon thing for them to give a relief sum of £ 5 , or even more than that . Moreover , they hoped that in the course of a very few years their means would have increased to the extent of enabling them to establish a permanent fund to aid the necessities
01 members requiring it . Bro . Baird then referred to the annual visitations maile by the P . G . L . throughout the province , and counselled 553 to have their house in oreier against the time the visitors should come , and show by their good condition the necessity there had been for a lodge such as theirs being established in the locality . Before sitting down he bcggeel to propose "The
Continucd Prosperity of Lodge St . Vincent . " The chairman , in replying , said that the teiast came very well ineleed off the hands of Bro . Baird , who had from the outset been exerting himself on their behalf both inside the lodge and out of it . He trustcel their brother had found that his efforts had not been thrown away , but rather that their success was in some measure a recompense to him for the
trouble he had been at . In concluding , the chairman said he might state that during th ; few weeks they had been in existence they had made no less a number than fifty Masons . This , he should think , augured well for the future , and also argued that the P . G . Lodge had done rightly in granting them a charter . The toast of " The Visiting Brethren" followed , coupled in the first place with
the name of Bro . Wm . Taylor , of Lodge No . 1 ( St . Mary ' s Chapel , Edinburgh ) , who briefly replied , but acknowledged also by representatives of Lodges No . 3 J ( St . John ' s ); No . 4 ( Glasgow Kilwinning ); No . 27 ( St . Mungo ); No . 86 ( Navigation , Troon ); No . 87 ( Thistle ); and several others . Thereafter , Bro . A . McDougall , P . M . 419 , proposed the health aud prosperity of the R . W . M . of No . 553 ,
which was pledged with much cordiality . The chairman , in replying , stated that he could not but say that he appreciated the toast the more in coming from his late Master in Lodge Neptune , No . 419 . He had always taken great pleasure in his connection with that lodge ,
than which not even No . 553 held a higher place in his affections . One or two other toasts were given subsequently , the proceeelings throughout having been agreeably varied by an occasional song or recitation from brethren more qualified in this way to entertain the meeting . We have but to repeat that the occasion was altogether a distinct
success . ROYAL AUCH CHAPTER , GLASGOW ( No . 50 ) , held their monthly meeting on Thursday , 10 th ult ., when the following three brethren received the Mark , Ext ., and R . A . elegrees : —James Baikie , builder ; Daniel Leeds , wright and builder ; and Robert Morrison , master plasterer ; all Master Masons of Loelge Athole , No . 413 . The Mark
degree was given by Comp . John Miller , the recently installed 1 st P . Z ., in a most elaborate , instructive , and finished style ; no part of the beautiful ceremony being either omitted or slurred over . The Excellent and Royal Arch degrees were conferred by Comp . Jas . Duthie in his well-known careful manner , and Comp . McKcnzie , as ist S ., seems to be still studying his part and perfecting minor details , indceel the whole work of this Chapter is admirable .
HELENSBURGH . ST . GEORGE ' S LODGE ( No . 503 ) . —The annual supper of the Helensburgh St . George ' s Lodge ( No . 503 ) Freemasons took place last Monday evening in the Queen ' s Hotel , Helensburgh . About forty of the brethren sat down to partake of the sumptuous repast provided by " Mine Host" of the Queen ' s ( Mr . Williamson ) , and which was
served up in his very best style . The duties of the chair were ably discharged by Bro . Dr . Gibb , P . M ., whilst Bro . Waters , D . P . M ., officiated as Croupier . The following deputations were present : St . John ' s Kilwinning ( No . 18 ) , Dumbarton , Bro . Councillor Barr , R . W . M ., and Bro . M'Arthur ; No . 117 , Glasgow , Bros . Wallace and Wyllie ; and St . John ' s ( No . 17 ^) Largs , Bro . A . Barclay . Supper
having been partaken of , the chairman read letters of apology for absence from the following brethren , viz ., Archibald Orr Ewing , Esq . M . P . for Dumbartonshire ; Alex . Smollett , Est ] ., Cameron House , P . G . M . ; Sheriff Steele , Dumbarton , Provost Bennett , Dumbarton , William Paterson , and John Babtie , Dumbarton , and Captain Manners , Helensburgh . The following is a copy of Bro . Orr Ewing ' s , Bro . Smollett ' s , and Sheriff Steele ' s letters , which
explain themselves : Ballikinrain Castle , Killearn , N . B ., nth Dec . 1874 . Dear Sir and Brother , Unless the snow is so far gone as to permit mc to elrive over on Monday night , I will not be able to be with the members of the St . George Lodge on Monday night , as I . must be at home that night . Yours fraternally , " AHCHU . ORR EWING .
Scotland.
Cameron House , Alexandria , N . B ., nth Dec , 1874 . Dear Sir and Brother , I regret extremely that it will not be in my power to have the pleasure of accepting the invitation which your Right Worshipful Master and " the brethren of Lodge St . George , No . 503 , have elonc mc the favour to send me to their annual supper , on Monday next ,
14 th ult . I am sorry to say that I have been confined to the house for upwards of a fortnight by a severe and obstinate attack of cold and sciatica , from which I am suffering very great pain and annoyance ; and I feel satisfied , from theliltle improvement I have undergone during t the last two or three days , that it will be quite out of my power to think
of being able to go about sooner than the middle of next week , if even then . In these circumstances , I have no alternative than to return the ticket so kindly forwarded to me . I remain , yours truly anil fraternally , A . SMOLLETT .
Westonlee , Dumbarton , 8 th Dec . 1 S 74 . Dear Sir and Brother , I have had the pleasure of receiving your invitation to be present at the meeting of your Lodge on Monday the 14 th ult ., but regret that my engagements will prevent me from availing myself of your kindness . Yours fraternally ,
W . C . STEELE . In proceeding to the business of the evening , The Chairman gave the "Three Grand Loelgcs of Scotland , England , and Ireland , " This toast required no recommendation on his part amongst brethren of the Craft . He only wished the morality of the world was carricel out more in consonance with the teachings oi
Masonry , when there would uniloubtcdly be a happier and better state of things in existence . ( Cheers ) . The Chairman then gave in succession the usual loyal toasts . In proposing " The Queen" he said that for a great many generations in succession there had not been a Queen on the British Throne to equal Victoria . Whether they regarded her as Queen or mother , she always set an
example worthy of being imitateel either by her subjects oilier family ( cheers ) , and elischargcd her duties to the satisfaction of the country . ( Loud cheers . ) In regard to the Prince of Wales , he had no doubt that with such an example as that of his mother , he had learned to outlive the sins of his youth , whatever they may have been , anil that they would find in him a good and righteous
monarch . ( Cheers . ) The Chairman then gave the " Army , Navy , and Auxiliary Forces . " He would not recall any of the historic deeds of the Army—they were well known ; neither would he repeat the feats of valour performed by the Navy—they were of worhl-wide fame . ( Hear , hear . ) But in regard to the Volunteers , it was a section of the service with which
he was proud to have an intimate connection for some time past . It was a pleasant relief after a day ' s labour to turn out to drill , which besides producing a bracing anil manly effect , helped to train them in a practical manner that could not otherwise be attained . He hoped when the hour arrived , which he trusted would not be for a long time , when their services would be required , that they would
be found ready and useful in the field of battle . ( Applause . ) He coupled the toast with the name of Bro . Sergeant Marsland , of the ist D . V . R . ( Loud cheers . ) Sergeant Marsland , in reply , thanked the company for the manner in which they had responded to the toast . The Army , he remarked , was always ready , and wherever they went always proved the Army in truth . The same
might be said of the navy , as a more manly and kindlier hearted class of tars could be found nowhere than those who manned our British men-of-war . ( Loud cheers . ) In regard to the auxiliary forces , he did not quite agree with the sentiments of the chairman . The drill ground should not be looked upon as a place of recreation , but with feelings of pure patriotism . ( Applause . ) It should be looked
upon as a place where they were being trained in a systematic manner to defend their hearths and homes . ( Loud cheers . ) He thanked them again for the enthusiastic manner in which they had drunk the toast . The Croupier gave " The Craft the World over . " He remarked that as yet he was not a very old Mason , but , nevertheless , he had experienced the benefit of being
connected with the Craft . The farther one goes from home the more this is experienced , as wherever they went they were sure to meet with brothers who were ready to treat them in a brotherly as well as a gentlemanly style . ( Hear , hear . ) Masonry was like the family circle . Although at times they might differ among themselves as to non-essentials , yet if the stranger ventured to interfere they were
found to be one harmonious whole . ( Applause . ) The principles and teachings of the Craft he looked upon with great veneration , and held that , like the Masonic law , it was almost impossible for members to walk up to them in their integrity . ( Hear , hear . ) He begged to couple the toast with the name of Bro . Wallace , whose reputation as a Mason was wide-spread , and for whom he entertained
the most cordial esteem . ( Cheers . ) Bro . Wallace thanked them for coupling his name with this toast . He could not say he hael been . over all the world , but still he had great pleasure in responding . Freemasonry was fast finding its way over all the world , and although there was no doubt it contained some bad men , still its teachings were felt for good wherever it had found
a home . ( Applause . ) When a brother requireel aid then and only then he found Freemasonry to be an institution . It was not like " water" spilt upon the ground , but was a tangible institution of which they could justly feci proud . ( Laughter and cheers . )
Bro . Marsland then gave the " Visiting Brethren , " who were all at once good men and gooet Masons . ( Hear , hear . ) He was sure they were all glad to see them present , and would willingly join with him in drinking a bumper to their health . He coupled the toast with the name of Bro . Councillor Barv . ( Applause . )
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Scotland.
seen their beauty marred and their solemnity turned into almost the ridiculous through their being administered by those destitute of the true spirit of Freemasonry , and who , it may be , cannot speak even a single sentence grammatically [( hear , ihear ) . These are among the reasons why the Freemasonry of Scotland has fallen into such disrepute , why for some time it has been at such a low ebb , and
why a Scotch Mason is sometimes treated with distrust and suspicion , nay even with contempt , by his brethren and Fellow Craftsmen in sister countries . And is this much to be wo . ielcred at when I tell you that I have been in a lodge ( not very far distant ) , where 1 saw n batch of candidates receive what its members were pleased to call their three degrees in something little over
an hour!—and that , too , amidst the most boisterous hilarity and to the seeming great amusement of those present . ( Hear . hear ) . That such scenes as these arc rare 1 sincerely trust ; but , were I tc ask as to their being so , I fear me as to the answer . That we have brethren amongst us well qualified to administer our degrees and lodges where the true spirit of Masonry—that spirit of love
and brotherly kindness and chanty , is fostered and taught as it ought to be , I am well aware ; but why such brethren and such lodges should be few , I really do not know . Why they are , I believe I can in some measure tell you . Freemasonry is too cheap ; at all events , the Freemasonry of Scotland is too cheap . Now , I say this guardedly and advisedly . I have given the subject my very careful consideration , and this is the conclusion which I have
conscientiously arrived at . I am sure you will all agree with mc when 1 say that it is not politic to place precious privileges within the reach of those who will not only use but abuse them . What we want is a number of gentlemen who will not allow the interests of the Craft to suffer . To attain to this , they must be men of sterling principle , and endowed with an abundance of firmness and good common sense . Far be it from me to seek to exclude from a
participation in our privileges those among the humbler classes of society ; but , surely il these privileges are worth having , they are worth paying for . How it can raise the status of the Craft , has , I believe , been for some considerable time one of the great aims of the Grand Lodge . Now , I am but a young man , and , comparatively , a younger Mason ; still , 1 am at liberty to give utterance to
my opinion . I believe , Sir , wc can materially assist in furthering this end by raising our fees . To those in whose case curiosity is the only motive which impels them to seek admission into our Order , money may be an object of the first importance , and the cheaper that curiosity can be satisfied , the better for them ; but to those who are actuated by a sincere desire to become members of the oldest
and most honourable fraternity in the world , for the sake of that honour and the privileges it may confer , money will , I am certain , be only a secondary consideration . In most cases , what wc pay most for is most valued ; what we can pick up for a trifle , is often triflihgly thought of . Let the Commercial act up to that example which she has always shown . Some time ni ^ o our fee's were raised ,
and I have to ask how it fared with our cxche <] uer ? Raise them again : 1 have little fear as to the result . I am sure no member would recommend for initiation among us any gentleman who would grudge an extra guinea . And then there never was , I believe , a perioil in the history of the lodge when it could better afforel to try such an experiment . We have a few hundred pounds at our bankers ,
and though 1 should little like to see that touched , still , n needs must , we could fall back upon it without , I trust , tloing ourselves any very material injury . And suppose that we did suffer from a diminution of the number of our candidates , what we lacked in e ] uantity—and this with deference to those already members—we would gain in quality . Sir , I am proud of being a member of the
Lodge Commercial , to say nothing of the pleasure I have in being its Deputy Master ; and I hope the time will soon come , if it be not now , when she shall stand second to none in broad Scotland . 1 have , therefore , much pleasure in moving " That , on and after the ist of February , 1875 , the fees of the Lodge Commercial shall be , for initiation , £ 4 4 s ., and for the affiliation of a Master Mason , £ 1 is . ;
and I resume my seat , thanking you for your attention , and without the slightest concern as to the ultimate fate of my motion . At the close of Bro . Lamb ' s remarks , there was much applause , which was again and again renewed when Bros . Davidson and Brodc , both Past Masters of the loelge , successively expressed their determination to do what in them lay to uphold and maintain the honourable
position always held in the province by No . 3 60 . In accordance with the bye-laws of Granil Lodge , Bro . Lamb ' s motion was held over in the meantime . Bro . Thos . Laird , of St . John ' s Operative Lodge , Rutherglen ( 347 ) , was then affiliated a member of 3 60 , Bro . Brode officiating . Thereafter , on the motion of the R . W . M ,, a cordial vote oi thanks was passed to P . M . Bro . John Davidson
for services done to the lodge ; and it was agreed that the same be recorded in the minute-book . There was no further business before the brethren . In ordinary course , the next meeting of the loelge would have been held on ist proximo , but that being New Year's Day , it was agreed to hold it over until the Friday following , 8 th instant . LODGE ST . VINCENT ( NO . 553 ) . —A highly successful
harmony meeting of this young and most thriving loelge was helel in their temporary hall at 102 , Kent Road , on Thursday , the 17 th ult . The R . W . M ., Bro . Robert McDougall occupied the chair , supported by Bros . Malcolm Stork , D . M . ; John Walker , S . M . ; and other officebearers • while among visiting brethren were Bros . John
Baird , P . G . S . W . ; Kingborn , P . G . J . W . ; John Imne , B . W . M ., 86 ; Wm . Phillips , R . W . M ., 55 6 ; C . 1-1 . Mc Naught , P . M ., 275 ; Julius Brodc , P . M ., 3 60 ; Alexander McDougall , P . M . ' , 419 ; Wm . Taykr , No . 1 , ( St . Mary ' s Chapel , Edinburgh ); Fitzroy , 131 , St . George ); Dr . Busscl , D . M ., 556 , ' ( Clydesdale ); G . B . McNaught , S . W ., K ; fi ; Sic , cic . The lodge met an hour previous to enter-
Scotland.
ing ujion harmony , for the dispatch of business , when one candidate for admission into the Order was initiated , and two visiting brothers duly affiliated members of No . 553 . Thereafter a very large gathering sat down to an excellent entertainment , the preparation and serving of which rcflcctcel all credit upon the powers in purveyorship of Bro . Pultency , Chief Steward of the lodge . This having been so
far disposed of the chairman proposed in succession " The Queen and the Craft ; " " The Prince of Wales , a patron of Scottish Masonry ; " " The Princess of W ales , Duchess of Edinburgh , and other members of the Royal Family ;" and the "Three Grand Lodges , " all of which were duly and Masonically honoured . The Chairman next gave " The Provincial Grand Lodge of Glasgow , " but for whom
their own lodge would not have been that day in existence , and with the toast he begged to couple the name of Bro . John Baird , P . M . of Loelge 3-J-, S . W . of P . G . L ., and whom he thought at 110 distant day they should see occupying a much higher position . Bro . Baird , in briefly acknowledging the compliment , referred to the gratifying progress made of late years by the Provincial Grand Lodge , more
particularly in the ac < iuisition of funds for charitable purposes . They had now upwards of £ 400 invested , and it was no uncommon thing for them to give a relief sum of £ 5 , or even more than that . Moreover , they hoped that in the course of a very few years their means would have increased to the extent of enabling them to establish a permanent fund to aid the necessities
01 members requiring it . Bro . Baird then referred to the annual visitations maile by the P . G . L . throughout the province , and counselled 553 to have their house in oreier against the time the visitors should come , and show by their good condition the necessity there had been for a lodge such as theirs being established in the locality . Before sitting down he bcggeel to propose "The
Continucd Prosperity of Lodge St . Vincent . " The chairman , in replying , said that the teiast came very well ineleed off the hands of Bro . Baird , who had from the outset been exerting himself on their behalf both inside the lodge and out of it . He trustcel their brother had found that his efforts had not been thrown away , but rather that their success was in some measure a recompense to him for the
trouble he had been at . In concluding , the chairman said he might state that during th ; few weeks they had been in existence they had made no less a number than fifty Masons . This , he should think , augured well for the future , and also argued that the P . G . Lodge had done rightly in granting them a charter . The toast of " The Visiting Brethren" followed , coupled in the first place with
the name of Bro . Wm . Taylor , of Lodge No . 1 ( St . Mary ' s Chapel , Edinburgh ) , who briefly replied , but acknowledged also by representatives of Lodges No . 3 J ( St . John ' s ); No . 4 ( Glasgow Kilwinning ); No . 27 ( St . Mungo ); No . 86 ( Navigation , Troon ); No . 87 ( Thistle ); and several others . Thereafter , Bro . A . McDougall , P . M . 419 , proposed the health aud prosperity of the R . W . M . of No . 553 ,
which was pledged with much cordiality . The chairman , in replying , stated that he could not but say that he appreciated the toast the more in coming from his late Master in Lodge Neptune , No . 419 . He had always taken great pleasure in his connection with that lodge ,
than which not even No . 553 held a higher place in his affections . One or two other toasts were given subsequently , the proceeelings throughout having been agreeably varied by an occasional song or recitation from brethren more qualified in this way to entertain the meeting . We have but to repeat that the occasion was altogether a distinct
success . ROYAL AUCH CHAPTER , GLASGOW ( No . 50 ) , held their monthly meeting on Thursday , 10 th ult ., when the following three brethren received the Mark , Ext ., and R . A . elegrees : —James Baikie , builder ; Daniel Leeds , wright and builder ; and Robert Morrison , master plasterer ; all Master Masons of Loelge Athole , No . 413 . The Mark
degree was given by Comp . John Miller , the recently installed 1 st P . Z ., in a most elaborate , instructive , and finished style ; no part of the beautiful ceremony being either omitted or slurred over . The Excellent and Royal Arch degrees were conferred by Comp . Jas . Duthie in his well-known careful manner , and Comp . McKcnzie , as ist S ., seems to be still studying his part and perfecting minor details , indceel the whole work of this Chapter is admirable .
HELENSBURGH . ST . GEORGE ' S LODGE ( No . 503 ) . —The annual supper of the Helensburgh St . George ' s Lodge ( No . 503 ) Freemasons took place last Monday evening in the Queen ' s Hotel , Helensburgh . About forty of the brethren sat down to partake of the sumptuous repast provided by " Mine Host" of the Queen ' s ( Mr . Williamson ) , and which was
served up in his very best style . The duties of the chair were ably discharged by Bro . Dr . Gibb , P . M ., whilst Bro . Waters , D . P . M ., officiated as Croupier . The following deputations were present : St . John ' s Kilwinning ( No . 18 ) , Dumbarton , Bro . Councillor Barr , R . W . M ., and Bro . M'Arthur ; No . 117 , Glasgow , Bros . Wallace and Wyllie ; and St . John ' s ( No . 17 ^) Largs , Bro . A . Barclay . Supper
having been partaken of , the chairman read letters of apology for absence from the following brethren , viz ., Archibald Orr Ewing , Esq . M . P . for Dumbartonshire ; Alex . Smollett , Est ] ., Cameron House , P . G . M . ; Sheriff Steele , Dumbarton , Provost Bennett , Dumbarton , William Paterson , and John Babtie , Dumbarton , and Captain Manners , Helensburgh . The following is a copy of Bro . Orr Ewing ' s , Bro . Smollett ' s , and Sheriff Steele ' s letters , which
explain themselves : Ballikinrain Castle , Killearn , N . B ., nth Dec . 1874 . Dear Sir and Brother , Unless the snow is so far gone as to permit mc to elrive over on Monday night , I will not be able to be with the members of the St . George Lodge on Monday night , as I . must be at home that night . Yours fraternally , " AHCHU . ORR EWING .
Scotland.
Cameron House , Alexandria , N . B ., nth Dec , 1874 . Dear Sir and Brother , I regret extremely that it will not be in my power to have the pleasure of accepting the invitation which your Right Worshipful Master and " the brethren of Lodge St . George , No . 503 , have elonc mc the favour to send me to their annual supper , on Monday next ,
14 th ult . I am sorry to say that I have been confined to the house for upwards of a fortnight by a severe and obstinate attack of cold and sciatica , from which I am suffering very great pain and annoyance ; and I feel satisfied , from theliltle improvement I have undergone during t the last two or three days , that it will be quite out of my power to think
of being able to go about sooner than the middle of next week , if even then . In these circumstances , I have no alternative than to return the ticket so kindly forwarded to me . I remain , yours truly anil fraternally , A . SMOLLETT .
Westonlee , Dumbarton , 8 th Dec . 1 S 74 . Dear Sir and Brother , I have had the pleasure of receiving your invitation to be present at the meeting of your Lodge on Monday the 14 th ult ., but regret that my engagements will prevent me from availing myself of your kindness . Yours fraternally ,
W . C . STEELE . In proceeding to the business of the evening , The Chairman gave the "Three Grand Loelgcs of Scotland , England , and Ireland , " This toast required no recommendation on his part amongst brethren of the Craft . He only wished the morality of the world was carricel out more in consonance with the teachings oi
Masonry , when there would uniloubtcdly be a happier and better state of things in existence . ( Cheers ) . The Chairman then gave in succession the usual loyal toasts . In proposing " The Queen" he said that for a great many generations in succession there had not been a Queen on the British Throne to equal Victoria . Whether they regarded her as Queen or mother , she always set an
example worthy of being imitateel either by her subjects oilier family ( cheers ) , and elischargcd her duties to the satisfaction of the country . ( Loud cheers . ) In regard to the Prince of Wales , he had no doubt that with such an example as that of his mother , he had learned to outlive the sins of his youth , whatever they may have been , anil that they would find in him a good and righteous
monarch . ( Cheers . ) The Chairman then gave the " Army , Navy , and Auxiliary Forces . " He would not recall any of the historic deeds of the Army—they were well known ; neither would he repeat the feats of valour performed by the Navy—they were of worhl-wide fame . ( Hear , hear . ) But in regard to the Volunteers , it was a section of the service with which
he was proud to have an intimate connection for some time past . It was a pleasant relief after a day ' s labour to turn out to drill , which besides producing a bracing anil manly effect , helped to train them in a practical manner that could not otherwise be attained . He hoped when the hour arrived , which he trusted would not be for a long time , when their services would be required , that they would
be found ready and useful in the field of battle . ( Applause . ) He coupled the toast with the name of Bro . Sergeant Marsland , of the ist D . V . R . ( Loud cheers . ) Sergeant Marsland , in reply , thanked the company for the manner in which they had responded to the toast . The Army , he remarked , was always ready , and wherever they went always proved the Army in truth . The same
might be said of the navy , as a more manly and kindlier hearted class of tars could be found nowhere than those who manned our British men-of-war . ( Loud cheers . ) In regard to the auxiliary forces , he did not quite agree with the sentiments of the chairman . The drill ground should not be looked upon as a place of recreation , but with feelings of pure patriotism . ( Applause . ) It should be looked
upon as a place where they were being trained in a systematic manner to defend their hearths and homes . ( Loud cheers . ) He thanked them again for the enthusiastic manner in which they had drunk the toast . The Croupier gave " The Craft the World over . " He remarked that as yet he was not a very old Mason , but , nevertheless , he had experienced the benefit of being
connected with the Craft . The farther one goes from home the more this is experienced , as wherever they went they were sure to meet with brothers who were ready to treat them in a brotherly as well as a gentlemanly style . ( Hear , hear . ) Masonry was like the family circle . Although at times they might differ among themselves as to non-essentials , yet if the stranger ventured to interfere they were
found to be one harmonious whole . ( Applause . ) The principles and teachings of the Craft he looked upon with great veneration , and held that , like the Masonic law , it was almost impossible for members to walk up to them in their integrity . ( Hear , hear . ) He begged to couple the toast with the name of Bro . Wallace , whose reputation as a Mason was wide-spread , and for whom he entertained
the most cordial esteem . ( Cheers . ) Bro . Wallace thanked them for coupling his name with this toast . He could not say he hael been . over all the world , but still he had great pleasure in responding . Freemasonry was fast finding its way over all the world , and although there was no doubt it contained some bad men , still its teachings were felt for good wherever it had found
a home . ( Applause . ) When a brother requireel aid then and only then he found Freemasonry to be an institution . It was not like " water" spilt upon the ground , but was a tangible institution of which they could justly feci proud . ( Laughter and cheers . )
Bro . Marsland then gave the " Visiting Brethren , " who were all at once good men and gooet Masons . ( Hear , hear . ) He was sure they were all glad to see them present , and would willingly join with him in drinking a bumper to their health . He coupled the toast with the name of Bro . Councillor Barv . ( Applause . )