Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Contents.
CONTENTS .
LEADERS 5 1 Supreme Grand Chapter £ 2 Consecration of thc Urmston Chapter , No . 1730 , at Urmston 52 Annual Festival of the Brixton Lodge of Instruction , No . 1949 53 Masonic Balls 53 The Masonic Craft S 3
CORRESPONDENCEThe Revised Constitutions 54 Eleusinian Mysteries—Papal Bulls 54 The Eleusinian Inscription 54 Volunteering and Freemasonry 54 Royal Masonic Institution for Girls 54 City Masonic Club S 4 The Sons of George the Third 55
Reviews 55 Masonic Notes and Queries 55 Merchant Taylors Company 5 C REPORTS OF MASONIC MEETINGSCraft Masonry 5 Instruction 5 q Royal Arch 6 c Mark Masonry 61
Ancient and Accepted Rite 61 Knights Templar 61 Royal Ark Mariners 61 Australia 61 West Indies 62 Obituary Oa Masonic and General Tidings 6 3 Lodge Meetings for Next Week 6 4
Ar00101
WE believe that we are betraying no secrets when we say , that owing to the enormous number of amendments as suggested for the Revised Constitutions , it is deemed utterly impossible to dispose of the questions necessarily raised thereby at a special Grand Lodge , at any rate at present . It will then be
proposed , we understand , to refer all the amendments with the revised draft back to the Bo 3 rd of General Purposes , with instructions to report thereon fully at the Quarterly Communication in March . We think that such is a very seasonable and prudent suggestion , and one that will commend itself
to all members of Grand Lodge . For this course of procedure may simplify the matter greatly before Grand Lodge and be the saving of a vast amount of valuable time . It will probably be the case , that the Board of General Purposes will adopt several of the amendments suggested , and introduce
some of their own where blots have been hit ; and at the same time no one will be precluded at the proper time from putting any favourite idea , or ventilating any proposed amendment , if he still thinks either worthy of deliberate discussion . There are of course " amendmentsand amendments , " but we are
bound to give the Board of General Purposes and its distinguished chairman full credit for an honest and impartial desire to render this revision of the Book of Constitutions alike clear and condensed , satisfactory and lasting .
# * # OUR readers will note with pleasure Bro . J OSHUA NUNN ' S announcements at the Board of Benevolence last week , that some of those who had received liberal grants from the Board of Benevolence had returned thanks for the
same ; that the Grand Lodge of Illinois had passed a vote of thanks for grants to destressed brethren under that Grand Lodge ; and that a brother at Chicago , L nited * States , had sent a letter of warm recognition for the
£ 10 granted to him to enable him to go to America , and had returned the £ 10 when at Chicago . All this is very pleasant and noteworthy , and creditable to all concerned .
* * Two notices of amendment of the Book of Constitutions on a very important point have been announced . One is a proposal by Bro . WOODFORD , P . G . C ., sent in a week ago to the GRAND SECRETARY , to increase the
minimum of qualification lodge subscription for the Board of Benevolence to "four" years instead of "two . " The other is notice of a proposition by Bro . J OSHUA NUNN to increase the "two" to " five . " That there must bean increase we think isclear ; ~ what that increase oughtto be , must be left to the wisdom of Grand Lodge .
4 * BRO . SMALLriECE has given notice of an intended increase to the Board of Benevolence Funds , by making all registered members pay four shillings alike in metropolis and provinces to the Fund of Benevolence . But Bro .
SMALLPIECE seems to forget that then the provincial brethren will pay compulsorily six shillings per annum to the central and the provincial funds . " Prima facie " it would seem fair , that if the provincial brethren obtain benefits from the Fund of Benevolence , they should pay an equal amount
towards it ; but then this proposition is counter balanced by a fact which stands out clear and certain , that the net contributions of the provinces far exceed the amount paid by the metropolitan brethren , and that relatively to the number of Freemasons in the metropolis and provinces respectively , the proportion of applicants relieved from the provinces is not in excess of what
Ar00102
they might reasonably claim from their own contributions sent up to the Fund of Benevolence . For all these reasons we think the matter , at present at any rate , had better remain where it is . If we are to have an alteration we think some contribution ought to come from colonial lodges , as just now we have many claimants from them . And , therefore ,
grants during 1882 and 18 S 1 have been out of proportion to the ri ghtful claims of the case , and only served as an inducement to draw out a large number of very questionable claims indeed . We are equall y persuaded that if our worthy brethren will put a restraint on their generous and kindly tendencies , and reduce carefully the standard of giving , they will not onl y
bring about easily an equilibrium in the finances of the Board of Benevolence , but they will check the influx of a large class of the very shadiest claims , and prevent that dreadful tendency to a mere benefit order-idea , which has taken possession of the minds of so many in Masonry and out of Masonry just now .
H . R . H . the Duke of ALBANY , Provincial Grand Master for Oxfordshire , will install Lord BROOKE , M . P ., as Provincial Grand Master of Essex today ( Friday ) , at Colchester . A large gathering is expected . We shall give a report of the meeting in our next .
* * * THE Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution has a very great claim on all the lodges and brethren of the English Craft . It gives to the Worshipful Masters of lodges certain official privileges , which are very valuable , and to our brethren generally it commends itself very greatly by its wise and liberal
management , its practical and commendable utility . We say boldly and distinctly we know of no existing Charity in England which is better managed , more simple and yet more effective , or does more real good than that excellent Institution of our Order , which often is such a needful help and such a long blessing to manypoor brothers of ours and their widows . We who
live in the metropolis , have in one sense a clearer perception , a more abiding sense of its need and utility than others , that is to say , it is nearer to our doors , it is in our very midst . Owing to the serious and imperative claims of distance and the like , the great majority of its Managing Committee necessarily live in London , and the metropolitan brethren have
a full share of its remarkable benefits . A good deal has lately been said , though in a very proper and kindly spirit , of the exertions of our metropolitan and provincial brethren on behalf of the Charities . Such a pleasant and praiseworthy contention is but an honest rivalry as to who can do the most and the best on Masonic principles for a good cause , may the noblest cause
in the world , Charity . It has occured to us , and we beg most respectfully to commend the idea to our excellent London brethren , those who have supported the Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution so well in the past , and we doubt not will do in the future , that it would be a very grand fact in itself , and might materially reduce the terrible list
of vainly applying candidates , if every metropolitan lodge would endeavour to send up this year a Steward for the Festival . We venture to say that it would be the proudest day in Bro . TERRY ' S active life , if he could announce at the Festival that every metropolitan lodge was represented by a Steward for this very useful and benevolent Charity . That the provinces will do their
duty in this respect , we also assume and feel convinced before hand . We write , as all are aware , insincere regard for our Order and the Charities of our Order , and because we believe in Masonic profession , and stand b y Masonic teaching . We are proud to range ourselves under the tolerant and gracious banners of Freemasonry in its hourly contest , so to say , with intolerance ,
injustice , fanaticism of every kind , and therefore as we feel we write , what we put forth we honestly entertain . Let none therefore hastily assume that we seek to be dictatorial or dogmatic in what we now venture to suggest . We write simply as " amicus curiai" in its fullest meaning and widest extent , and
trust that the " idea " we have thoughtfully and deliberately put forward may commend itself to many loyal and sympathetic minds amongst us , and in some form bear fruit for the good of that great Charity we wish honestly to serve . If so , our unpretending and fraternal words will not have been penned in vain .
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Contents.
CONTENTS .
LEADERS 5 1 Supreme Grand Chapter £ 2 Consecration of thc Urmston Chapter , No . 1730 , at Urmston 52 Annual Festival of the Brixton Lodge of Instruction , No . 1949 53 Masonic Balls 53 The Masonic Craft S 3
CORRESPONDENCEThe Revised Constitutions 54 Eleusinian Mysteries—Papal Bulls 54 The Eleusinian Inscription 54 Volunteering and Freemasonry 54 Royal Masonic Institution for Girls 54 City Masonic Club S 4 The Sons of George the Third 55
Reviews 55 Masonic Notes and Queries 55 Merchant Taylors Company 5 C REPORTS OF MASONIC MEETINGSCraft Masonry 5 Instruction 5 q Royal Arch 6 c Mark Masonry 61
Ancient and Accepted Rite 61 Knights Templar 61 Royal Ark Mariners 61 Australia 61 West Indies 62 Obituary Oa Masonic and General Tidings 6 3 Lodge Meetings for Next Week 6 4
Ar00101
WE believe that we are betraying no secrets when we say , that owing to the enormous number of amendments as suggested for the Revised Constitutions , it is deemed utterly impossible to dispose of the questions necessarily raised thereby at a special Grand Lodge , at any rate at present . It will then be
proposed , we understand , to refer all the amendments with the revised draft back to the Bo 3 rd of General Purposes , with instructions to report thereon fully at the Quarterly Communication in March . We think that such is a very seasonable and prudent suggestion , and one that will commend itself
to all members of Grand Lodge . For this course of procedure may simplify the matter greatly before Grand Lodge and be the saving of a vast amount of valuable time . It will probably be the case , that the Board of General Purposes will adopt several of the amendments suggested , and introduce
some of their own where blots have been hit ; and at the same time no one will be precluded at the proper time from putting any favourite idea , or ventilating any proposed amendment , if he still thinks either worthy of deliberate discussion . There are of course " amendmentsand amendments , " but we are
bound to give the Board of General Purposes and its distinguished chairman full credit for an honest and impartial desire to render this revision of the Book of Constitutions alike clear and condensed , satisfactory and lasting .
# * # OUR readers will note with pleasure Bro . J OSHUA NUNN ' S announcements at the Board of Benevolence last week , that some of those who had received liberal grants from the Board of Benevolence had returned thanks for the
same ; that the Grand Lodge of Illinois had passed a vote of thanks for grants to destressed brethren under that Grand Lodge ; and that a brother at Chicago , L nited * States , had sent a letter of warm recognition for the
£ 10 granted to him to enable him to go to America , and had returned the £ 10 when at Chicago . All this is very pleasant and noteworthy , and creditable to all concerned .
* * Two notices of amendment of the Book of Constitutions on a very important point have been announced . One is a proposal by Bro . WOODFORD , P . G . C ., sent in a week ago to the GRAND SECRETARY , to increase the
minimum of qualification lodge subscription for the Board of Benevolence to "four" years instead of "two . " The other is notice of a proposition by Bro . J OSHUA NUNN to increase the "two" to " five . " That there must bean increase we think isclear ; ~ what that increase oughtto be , must be left to the wisdom of Grand Lodge .
4 * BRO . SMALLriECE has given notice of an intended increase to the Board of Benevolence Funds , by making all registered members pay four shillings alike in metropolis and provinces to the Fund of Benevolence . But Bro .
SMALLPIECE seems to forget that then the provincial brethren will pay compulsorily six shillings per annum to the central and the provincial funds . " Prima facie " it would seem fair , that if the provincial brethren obtain benefits from the Fund of Benevolence , they should pay an equal amount
towards it ; but then this proposition is counter balanced by a fact which stands out clear and certain , that the net contributions of the provinces far exceed the amount paid by the metropolitan brethren , and that relatively to the number of Freemasons in the metropolis and provinces respectively , the proportion of applicants relieved from the provinces is not in excess of what
Ar00102
they might reasonably claim from their own contributions sent up to the Fund of Benevolence . For all these reasons we think the matter , at present at any rate , had better remain where it is . If we are to have an alteration we think some contribution ought to come from colonial lodges , as just now we have many claimants from them . And , therefore ,
grants during 1882 and 18 S 1 have been out of proportion to the ri ghtful claims of the case , and only served as an inducement to draw out a large number of very questionable claims indeed . We are equall y persuaded that if our worthy brethren will put a restraint on their generous and kindly tendencies , and reduce carefully the standard of giving , they will not onl y
bring about easily an equilibrium in the finances of the Board of Benevolence , but they will check the influx of a large class of the very shadiest claims , and prevent that dreadful tendency to a mere benefit order-idea , which has taken possession of the minds of so many in Masonry and out of Masonry just now .
H . R . H . the Duke of ALBANY , Provincial Grand Master for Oxfordshire , will install Lord BROOKE , M . P ., as Provincial Grand Master of Essex today ( Friday ) , at Colchester . A large gathering is expected . We shall give a report of the meeting in our next .
* * * THE Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution has a very great claim on all the lodges and brethren of the English Craft . It gives to the Worshipful Masters of lodges certain official privileges , which are very valuable , and to our brethren generally it commends itself very greatly by its wise and liberal
management , its practical and commendable utility . We say boldly and distinctly we know of no existing Charity in England which is better managed , more simple and yet more effective , or does more real good than that excellent Institution of our Order , which often is such a needful help and such a long blessing to manypoor brothers of ours and their widows . We who
live in the metropolis , have in one sense a clearer perception , a more abiding sense of its need and utility than others , that is to say , it is nearer to our doors , it is in our very midst . Owing to the serious and imperative claims of distance and the like , the great majority of its Managing Committee necessarily live in London , and the metropolitan brethren have
a full share of its remarkable benefits . A good deal has lately been said , though in a very proper and kindly spirit , of the exertions of our metropolitan and provincial brethren on behalf of the Charities . Such a pleasant and praiseworthy contention is but an honest rivalry as to who can do the most and the best on Masonic principles for a good cause , may the noblest cause
in the world , Charity . It has occured to us , and we beg most respectfully to commend the idea to our excellent London brethren , those who have supported the Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution so well in the past , and we doubt not will do in the future , that it would be a very grand fact in itself , and might materially reduce the terrible list
of vainly applying candidates , if every metropolitan lodge would endeavour to send up this year a Steward for the Festival . We venture to say that it would be the proudest day in Bro . TERRY ' S active life , if he could announce at the Festival that every metropolitan lodge was represented by a Steward for this very useful and benevolent Charity . That the provinces will do their
duty in this respect , we also assume and feel convinced before hand . We write , as all are aware , insincere regard for our Order and the Charities of our Order , and because we believe in Masonic profession , and stand b y Masonic teaching . We are proud to range ourselves under the tolerant and gracious banners of Freemasonry in its hourly contest , so to say , with intolerance ,
injustice , fanaticism of every kind , and therefore as we feel we write , what we put forth we honestly entertain . Let none therefore hastily assume that we seek to be dictatorial or dogmatic in what we now venture to suggest . We write simply as " amicus curiai" in its fullest meaning and widest extent , and
trust that the " idea " we have thoughtfully and deliberately put forward may commend itself to many loyal and sympathetic minds amongst us , and in some form bear fruit for the good of that great Charity we wish honestly to serve . If so , our unpretending and fraternal words will not have been penned in vain .