Edinburgh—A Funeral Lodge.

Selection from Requiem—Mozart—Organ . Anthem . —Holy , holy , Lord God Almighty , who was , ancl is , and is to come . Who shall not glorify Thy name , for Thou alone art holy , thou only art the Lord ! Service and responses by the brethren .

Master . What man is he that liveth and shall not see death ? Shall he deliver his soul from the hand of death ? Brethren . Man walkcth in a vain shadow , he heapeth up riches , and cannot tell who shall gather them .

Master . When he dieth , he shall carry nothing away ; his glory shall not descend after him . Brethren . Naked we come into the world , and naked we must return . The Lord gave , and the Lord hath taken away , Blessed be the name of the Lord . Grand honours .

ORATION , BY BRO . WILLIAM HAY , PM ., Senior Deacon , Grand Lodge of Scotland . Brethren , we are called upon by a most solemn admonition to regard the uncertainty of human life—the immutable certainty of death , and the vanity of all human pursuits . Decrepitude and

decay are written on every living thing . Weakness and imperfection are the incidents of our fallen condition ; the damp dark grave is our destiny and our doom . The cradle and the coffin stand in juxtaposition , and as soon as we begin to live , that moment we also begin to die . What an eloquent

commentary is here exhibited on the instability of every human pursuit , and how strikingly does it echo the sad sentiment of that great preacher who wrote for our perpetual warning the immortal text : " Vanity of vanities , all is vanity . " There is a moment in the performance of one of the most

sublime of all the degrees of Masonry ( the third degree ) that is calculated strongly to impress the mind with the most solemn reflections on thc subject of death : there is a moment also in the experience of every one who has followed the remains of a friend or relation to their long home when

those impressions must be deepened by the solemnnities accompanying the last sad offices paid to the dead- dust to dust—ashes to ashes—when the sound of the falling earth strikes upon the ear with its dull hollow thud , what heart does not beat with bated force ? What soul does not feel a momentary

sympathy with the spirit of the departed ? How eagerly do we desire to think and speak of its worth ? how tenderly do we treat of its foibles and imperfections ? Notwithstanding thc lessons which are inculcated by our most solemn ceremoniesthe constant preaching of religion and science ,

regarding the mutability of nature—the proofs oi all this , which are constantly passing in review , including the scenes of sorrow we daily witness , we arc too apt to forget that we arc born to die . The brother , whose death we are met this evening to deplore , was , only a few weeks ago , in thc

enjoyment of vigorous health . By the sudden attack of a virulent disease , caught , it is believed , in the exercise of his professional duty , his life is ended at the early age of 43 years . Although not long a member of our fraternity , having been initiated in this lodge only three years

ago , his amiable and genial nature soon attracted the notice and secured thc affections of his brethren , as they did also all who came into contact with him . He occupied the chair of this lodge since last St . John's Day ; he entered unon its duties with a true desire to fulfil his obligations to

the best of his ability , and we all know how well he performed his task . Had he been spared he would have been . an ornament to the Craft , but he has been called upon , at the summons of the Great Master , to take his place in the Grand Lodge above , where the wages are jointly and equally paid ,

whether we have wrought here out one short hour or have borne the burden and heat of the day . The life of our late brother was so uniform that it was more like the gentle gliding stream than the rapid and turbulent river . When he completed his medical education , and had taken his degree in the

University of St . Andrews , he practised for twelve years in his native town of Brechin , where he was most useful and greatly respected . He held the office of Medical Director in the Royal Infirmary of this town , as well as secretary to the Literary and Scientific Institute . He removed to Edinburgh

about five years ago , where he continued to practice with considerable success . He was recently appointed Medical Officer to one of the Parochial Boards of this city , and one of his first duties was to attend the family of a poor widow , where six children were ill of scarlet fever . The children had scarcely got well when the poor mother took ill

of typhus . Our late brother's attendance on this poor family was constant and untiring , and his kindness will ever be gratefully remembered I have no doubt by the poor widow and her children , for it may be said to have cost him his life . But he died , we may say , nobly at his post , and there is no greater hero than the physician who hazards his

Edinburgh—A Funeral Lodge.

life for the well being of his kind , and not only his own , but the lives of his family and friends , by the constant clanger of contact with virulent disease . Brethren let us cherish thc memory of a brother so brave and good . Let thc broad mantle of a Mason ' s charity cover his imperfections , whatever they may

have been . Here is a brother dead in the middle of his days—and so have wc seen many others die . Let us take heed that our work be done . The finger on our dial may be approaching the concluding twelve ; our glass may have in it but a little sand ; our sun may be going down . The shadows

of the evening with some of us are already stretched out upon the mountains , and in a few moments it may be night with us , when we cannot work . Let us take heed that when thc grave opens to receive us , that our sins do not lie down with us in the dust .

Brethren . So mote it be . Service , with responses . Master . Let me die the death of the righteous , and let my last end be like his . Brethren . God is our God for ever and ever ; He will be our God even unto death .

Grand honours . Anthem—Kent . O Lord , our Governor , O how excellent is Thy name in all the world . Service with responses . Master . May we be true and faithful ; and may we live and die in love .

Brethren . So mote it be . Master . May we always profess what is good ; and may we always act agreeably to our profession . Brethren . So mote it be . Anthem— " Vital Spark . " Master . May the Lord bless us , and prosper us ; and may our good intentions be crowned with

success . Brethren . So mote it be . Master . Glory be to God on high , —on earth peace , and goodwill towards men . Brethren . So mote it be ; now , from henceforth , and for evermore . Amen .

Grand honours . Bro . the Rev . William Graham , then gave the following address : Brethren , this solemn service throughout has reminded me of the feelings expressed on Tabor— " It is good for us to be here . " The funeral dirge , at all times solemn , but never

more so than in a Masonic assembly . We have the emblems of the grave—the coffin—the darkened room—the black drapery—the deep-toned choruses—and the sacred hallelujah—raising the soul from the sorrows below to the joys above , whither we believe our departed brother has

ascended , by the stary pathway into the presence of thc Great Master , and of the assembled throng . While cherishing his memory of self-sacrificing deeds among the sick and the dying , we forget not in our prayers the widow and the orphan boy . May the Great Architect of the Universe put it

into thc hearts of survivors to be kind to them for the father ' s sake . There is no night of sorrow , however dark , but has some star visible . It is so here to night , above us the stars seem shining ; around us are the Word of God and the square and compasses pointing to the great and the only

true Centre yonder , and the columns of the Great Temple , and the light streaming beyond , the first step into which leads the brother on step by step , through corridors and hall , up to Heaven ' s Temple , in whose Holy of holies , the Great Master sits , Himself the " Locos , " emphatically THE WORD .

With such emblems above , around , and yonder , we are thus able in our mourning to trace upwards , through the skies , the progress of our departed brother , who has found the celestial centre . He is in light . " The vital spark of heavenly flames " is before the great centre sun . May we so walk in the

light here , that when our labours are finished m building thc temple , our dying song may be , " O grave , where is thy victory , O death , where is thy sting ? " and our eternal progress through the stars may be in the midst of light—endlessly—our sun never again going down , and our moon never again

withdrawing her shining , but when THE WORD Himself will be the everlasting light , and thc days of our mourning shall be ended . Prayer by the Chaplain . " Almighty Architect of the Universe , unto the grave has been resigned thc body of our loving

brother , to remain until the day of general resurrection . We earnestly pray thee , at that great and dreadful day to extend thy infinite mercy towards all of us , and to crown our felicity with everlasting bliss in Thy heavenly kingdom . Amen . Grand honours . The Past Master then closed the funeral lodge .

The choral services were under the management of Bro . A . Edmunds , supported by Bro . G . M . Davidson , and a choir of eight voices . Bro . F . W . Bridgman presiding at the organ . The choruses w . ere most effectively and correctly rendered—thc whole ceremony having a most solemn and impressive effect upon all present .

Supreme Council Of Scotland 33°.

SUPREME COUNCIL OF SCOTLAND 33 ° .

At a meeting of the Supreme Council for Scotland of the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite , held in Freemasons' Hall , Edinburgh , on the iSth inst ., there being present—J . Whyte-Melville , Esq ., Bennochy and Strathkinness , M . P . ; S . G . C- the

Right Hon . the Earl of Rosslvn , V . P ., L . G . C . ; Lindsay Mackersy , Esq ., W . S ., 111 . G . G . S ., H . E . ; William Mann , Esq ., W . S ., 111 . G . G . T ., H . E ., and Henry Inglis , Esq ., of Torsonce , III G . S-B . The following 111 . Bros , were admitted to the 32 ( S . P . R . S . ) , viz .: Hector F . McLean , Esq ., of

Carnwath , P . G . M ; Upper Hard of Lanarkshire , and Col . Alex . Wilson , D . P . G . M ., Stirlingshire ; and to the 31 ° ( G . I . I . C ) , 111 . Bros , the Right Hon . the Earl of Arran , and J . Gr S . Coghill , Esq ., M . D . After the meeting the members of the Supreme Council dined together in the Banquet Hall , and

there were also present at the dinner the following members of the other degrees holding of the Supreme Council , viz .: of the 32 ° , Sir Molyneux H . Nepean ; Lauderdale Maitland , Esq ., of Eccles ; W . N . Fraser , Esq ., of Tornaveen ; William Hay ,

Esq ., and Adolph Robinow , Esq ., German Consul . Of the 31 , Alex . Hay , Esq . ; Geo . Murray , Esq ., C . A ., and Alex . Mitchell , Esq . ; ancl of the 30 ° , Major W . H . Ramsay , of Garion ; H . Y . D . Copland , Esq . ; Bailie J . J . Muirhead ; Dr . J . T . Loth , and H . J . Coventry , Esq ., W . S .

Correspondence.

Correspondence .

[ Wc do not hold ourselves responsible for , or ever , as approving of thc opinions expressed by our correspondents , but wc wi > h , in a ;> pirit of fair play to all , to permit—within certain necessary limitsfree discussion . —Ki > . ]

INITIATION FEES . To the Editor of thc Freemason . Dear Sir and Brother , Will you grant space to discuss a subject of a very practical character , viz ., Initiation Fees ? The lodge of which I have the honour to be W . M . has lately revised its bv-Iaws , and on completion of

the revision sent a copy to the proper authorities for approval and endorsement . The said authority took exception to the initiation fee of £ 4 . 4 s ., as being insufficient and less than is required bv the Book of Constitutions—article , "Of Proposing Members , " clause 9 . This clause runs as follows :

" No person shall be made a Mason for less than three guineas , exclusive of the registering fee , nor shall a lodge on any pretence remit or defer payment of any part of this sum . " The aforesaid authority ruled that the term " registering fee"

includes—1 . The Grand Lodge Fee - £ 0 10 6 2 . Certificate Fee - - 066 3 . Prov . G . L . Dues - - 050 ^ 120 The phrase " registering fee" is , however , in the singular , and wherever it occurs in thc Book of Constitutions in connection with initiated members ,

seems always to mean the 10 s . 6 d . for registering in Books of Grand Lodge , and nothing more . Indeed , under thc article " Certificates , " clause 1 , a distinction is expressly made between the registering fee and the fee for certificates , which latter , it says , " may be taken out of the initiation fee . "

This appears conclusive . As to Prov . G . L . dues , under the article " Prov . Grand Lodges , " clause 4 , permission is given to Prov . Grand Lodges to form a Provincial Fund of Benevolence , and to levy dues for its maintenance on the lodges within its province . But I submit

these dues are levied on thc lodges and not on individuals , although , for the purposes there stated and for the sake of equity , the dues assume a cap itular form . Further , the Prov . G . L . " may , " or may not , fix these dues at the maximum there laid down , and has power to charge 5 s ., 4 s ., 3 s ., 2 s ., is ., or os- I

have had some trouble as regards the foregoing , ana hope some Brother with leisure and experience will state his views of the matter . I cannot think the " ipse dixit" of any authority , however high , should impose conditions on a lodge against the wish of its members , unless based on t he clear statements of the Book of Constitutions .

I am , yours fraternally , BKTA , W . M ., P . M ., P . G . S . D . NOTE . —1 . The fee in the old by-laws has been £ 4 . 4 s . for many years . 2 . In London district 21 s . t is the registering fee .