Freemasonry In Hungary.

the E . A . being of rough silver suspended from white leather ; that of the F . C . of smooth silver suspended from a blue ribbon , and that of the M . M . of gold from the same colour . M . M . ' s also wore ivory keys attached to lig ht blue ribbons . The members ofthe G . Orient lodges wore a medal suspended from variously coloured ribbons on the left breast , and M . M . ' s wore a blue ribbon , red edged , from the rig ht shoulder to the left hi p ; but since the Union all these decorations are abolished except the medal .

The aprons are rounded instead of square , as with us , and have no tassels , being made of plain kid edged with blue , and bearing three rosettes , there being no difference of clothing even for the Grand Master in this respect . As regards lodge membership the Hungarian rule is different from that of Eng land and rather resembles the American custom , in that a brother can only be an active member of one lodge at the same time . He can be an honorary

member of any number of lodges , but only member of one . All the Grand Officers are elected by Grand Lodge at the annual general meeting , the Grand Master having no power to appoint any officials . The governing body consists of the Grand Office Bearers , and 30 " members of the Council of the Order , " of these the Deputy Grand Masters ( two ) are elected for one year only ; the Grand Master and remaining Grand . Officers for three years ; whilst of the 30 members of the Council , ten retire in rotation each year but are elig ible for re-election . The

" Annual General Meeting" is composed of the W . M . of each lodge , and elected representatives . Each lodge of 50 members , or less , elects one representative ; if there are from 50 to 100 members two are elected , and if any greater number three are allowed , but no more . These Masters and Representatives are not to be instructed by their lodges how to vote , but must use their own discretion . The Grand Officers at this meeting as such have no votes * although they occupy their p laces , unless they should be also W . M . ' s or elected Representatives . This applies even to the Grand Master .

The interior arrangements of Hungarian lodges are considerably different to those of English lodges , and as in most matters concerning modern Hungarian Masonry , these also must be considered during three periods , viz . —( 1 ) St . John ' s Grand Lodge , 1870—1886 ; ( 2 ) Grand Orient of Ancient and Accepted Rite , also 1870—1886 ; ( 3 ) Symbolic Grand Lodge of Hungary since the Union—18 S 6—of the first two mentioned bodies . Although the essential elements were everywhere

the same , still there were , and are yet , noteworthy differences in furniture , clothing , rituals , and so on . Since the Union a common ritual has been elaborated , which combines the two former rituals ; but , in spite of this , there is not uniformity between the former Johannite and Scottish lodges , nor even between new lodges founded since the Union , which follow generally the traditions of their respective mother lodges . In the following notes we will speak about the lodge furniture ,

and will begin with the common features , and then pass to the differences . The lodge room is an oblong square , with the entrance on one of its broad sides . The part of the room just opposite to the entrance door is called the " East , " although not always coinciding with the true east of the place . This dais ( that is to say that part of the lodge through its whole breadth ) is elevated generally on three steps . In the midst thereof is the chair of the Worshipful Master

under a canopy , and before a table called the " altar , " on which must be placed at least the following objects—a flaming sword , a pair of compasses with the points towards the Worshipful Master , a square , and Book of Constitutions , and one or more candlesticks . On the left of the Worshipful Master is the place of the Deputy Worshipful Master . On the right and left are places for the M . W . G . M ., D . G . M ., Grand Officers , members of the Council of the Order , representatives of

foreign Grand bodies , and W . M . ' s and their deputies of other lodges . All these brethren if visiting any lodge have seats in the east . The official place of the Secretary is in south-east , and the Orator of the lodge sits in north-east . Both have smaller tables before them . Returning to the entrance door , which naturall y is at the west , we perceive two pillars towering up to the ceiling . On entering , the right one bears the letter J

the left one the letter B . ( There is no difference as to these between the Rites ) . Should a lodge not be able to afford the expense of the pillars , it is permitted to have them replaced by two miniature pillars , placed on the " altars " of the Wardens . The floor of the lodge is a tesselated pavement . The ceiling is always vaulted , and always light blue , studded with golden stars . As for the places of the Wardens , there was a difference between the Rites . In the St .

John ' s Rite the S . W . sat in the west , just opposite the W . M ., and the J . W . sat in the south ; both on elevated places with "altars" before them . In the Grand Orient ( Ancient and Accepted Rite ) the S . W . sat on the left hand from entrance , and the J . W . on the ri ght hand , close by the pillars , so that the entering brethren had to pass between the two Wardens . The latter situation has been adopted by the Symbolic Grand Lodge also , and is now generally accepted . Close to the Orator ( but not at the East ) is the place of the Treasurer .

As to the other officers : In the St . John ' s lodges the Almoner sat in a distinct place in the north , opposite the Junior Warden , close to the Secretary ; and opposite the Treasurer sat the Senior Deacon or Steward ; all these officers had also tables before them . Behind the Senior Warden , and on his right hand , the Junior Deacon or Steward . Near the door were the places of the Director of Ceremonies ( right hand ) and Inner Guard ( left hand ) . In " Scottish " lodges there

were , the Almoner , who sat opposite the Treasurer ( close by the Secretary ) ; on the ri ght hand of Treasurer the Standard Bearer ; on the left hand of the Almoner the Sword Bearer . Behind the pillar J , Director of Ceremonies , behind the pillar of B , the Great Expert . On each side of the two pillars the two Experts . Just before the door the Inner Guard . It may be noted that in " Scottish ** private lodges there was a Great Expert , elected as were nearly all officers , and

besides there could be ( as his helpers ) two Experts , who , however , were ^ pointed , as well as the Standard and Sword Bearers , the Master of Banquets , and Inner Guard , by the W . M . In Johannite lodges all officers were elected , and so they are at present everywhere . Each lodge has its banner , which is generall y of triangular ( equilateral ) shape , being of white silk , trimmed with gold , and bearing on one side the name of the lodge , and on the other the date of

foundation , both in golden embroidery . The pole is nicely carved , and nas gilt ornaments . On the top of it is a gilt globe or sphere , and from under it nangs a large silken ribbon , bearing some proper dedication in gold embroidery ( generall y a lady ' s gift ) . The colour ofthe ribbon differs , it being light blue or red on the standard of the former Grand Orient , but in the present Grand Lodge it is , 'ght orange . One noteworthy difference , too , is that all the altars and other tables are quadrangular or square in the St . John ' s lodges , and were triangular in the Scottish

¦ lodges . In the latter the canopy of the W . M . 's chair also is of this shape . just behind the chair , at the background of the dais , is a representation of the un , on a radiant delta , with the proper letters according to the Degrees of acn working . The candlesticks and candelabra used in lodges must be triple as 0 number of lights , and triangular in shape . To return to the lodge under con-„' , er ? tl ° n > ' > n the midst of the tesselated pavement lies the tracing board , or . ^ pis ' as it is called generally , the colour of its background beino * mostlv blue

Ih ° » i ! *^ * J ' s lodges , red in former Scotch ones . Round the " tapis " stand ne three great candlesticks . In John ' s lodges they stood N . E ., N . W ., and S . W . " Scottish lodges they stood S . E ., N . W ., and S . W . In Scottish lodges at the . * ,, 'he tapis there stood , and stands even now , in a socket resembling a . cllestick , the standard or banner of the lodge . t- he . east is always , and the other walls of the lodge are sometimes , painted or ^ Pestned with blue in the John ' s lodges , and red in " Scottish " lodges . After the

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Union , the combined new ritual orders them to be blue . Still , in spite of it , some lodges , even new ones , descending from " Scottish " lodges , work in red lodge rooms . All the covers of tables , chairs , seats , and benches , as well as the carpet of the east , and the canopy of the W . M . 's chair were in John ' s lodges , and are , or ought to be in all present lodges , blue ( with silver adornments , if any ) in " Scottish " lodges , they were , and are even now in lodges descending from

Scottish lodges , red with gold . Here we must mention that after the Union the St . John ' s Grand Lodge left their former meeting place ( which , of course , was " blue " ) , whilst the new Symbolic Grand Lodge sits in the meeting place of the Grand Orient , which was , and isevenyet , temporarilym * "' . It remains to be mentioned that down the long sides of the lodge room are the benches or seats for the brethren , in two or three rows on either side . In the first row on the north side are the places for E . A . ' s ; in the first row on the south side those for F . C . ' s ;

in the remaining ( elevated ) rows on both sides alike are the places of the MlM . ' s . Guests , if M . M . ' s , but not entitled to seat at the east , generally sit also in the first row in the south . This will give a general idea of the furniture of a modern Hungarian Masonic lodge room . The ante-chamber from which we step into the lodge room is called " Hall of the lost steps" ( " Salle des pas perdus" ) . * The following statistics will show the present strength of the Order in Hungary :

Number of lodges in active work 37 ,, „ dormant , but not erased 9 Total 4-5 Number of active members on the roll 2099

When we consider that Hungary is a Roman Catholic country , and that consequently the Order is banned by the clerical powers , the foregoing figures show a considerable amount of prosperity , and evince a strong love and reverence for the great Brotherhood of Freemasonry in those who have to suffer for its sake . Neither must we forget that Freemasonry has not become a semi-political organisation in Hungary , as in some other European countries , and is therefore worthy of warm friendship and support from the Craft in every land . FRED . J . W . CROWE . LADISLAS DE MALCZOVICH .

The New Masonic Home At New York.

THE NEW MASONIC HOME AT NEW YORK .

A great gathering of Masons took place at Utica , State of New York , on the occasion of the laying of the corner-stone of the Masonic Home . The procession stretched to about two miles in length , and amongst the eloquent speeches delivered on the occasion was the following address by Grand Master VROOMAN : — "The faith of a devoted brotherhood is to-day lost in sight . The hope of a

century is to-day ending in fruition . The Charity so long looked for is to-day cheering the heart of the needy brother , the unhappy widow , the helpless orphan , soon to enter this haven of fraternal affection . We are to-day proving that a Mason's Charity begins with faith , continues in hope , is perfected in works , and will extend through the boundless realms of eternity .

" We welcome , in the name of 723 lodges and more than 77 , 000 members , the power of the Empire State , represented here by its military and by many of its chief officials . Centuries ago Freemasons were charged to be peaceful subjects to the civil powers , and never to be concerned in plots or conspiracy against the nation , and we are pledged to be true to our Government , just to our country , and

to submit to legal authority . We welcome , thrice welcome , our friends of the city of Utica , whether in official station or private life . The inhabitants of this beautiful ' City of Philanthropy' are endeared to the Masonic heart of this great jurisdiction , because they have , one and all , g iven substantial aid and sympathy in promoting this beneficent enterprise .

"The plan and purpose of this asylum was not born in a day ; it had its small beginning . Eighty-three years ago 20 lodges , representing a few hundred members , assembled in Grand Lodge communication in the city of New York . A resolution was then adopted , ' That a Committee be appointed to devise and report a plan for the education of children of poor Masons . ' A'few months later that

Committee reported' That they are of opinion that a fund may be raised sufficient to defray the expense of an establishment to consist of 50 children ; and in order to ascertain the probable expense of education , including all articles necessary for that purpose , your Committee applied to the Trustees of the free school incorporated in the year 1805 , who have agreed to educate in their seminary 50 children constantly for $ 300 annually . '

"The report was adopted , and on the 27 th day of December , 1810 , the School Commiitee delivered over to the Trustees of the New York Free School 50 children . Mention is made from time to time of the progress of the scholars ; their physical comforts were duly cared for by the brethren , and much good seems to have been accomplished . Without further detail concerning this , our first Masonic home and school project , I will briefly state that record was made from time to time of its existence until June 4 th , 1819 , when it appears that this most worthy Charity in behalf of children came to an end .

"The seed sown by our Masonic fathers did lie dormant from 1819 to 1842 , when it again took root in the hearts of Greenfield Pote , James Herring , and other noble workmen , who will be for ever remembered by a grateful brotherhood for bringing to Masonic light that most wonderful memorial , which prayed for the building of a hall and ' the founding of an asylum for worthy , decayed Masons ,

their widows , and orphans . ' The historic fact should be recorded that this memorial was conceived and written by James Herring , Grand Secretary , and the first subscription of $ 1 was made and paid at that time by Greenfield Pote , Grand Tyler . Therefore , we properly claim that the Hall and Asylum Fund had its ori gin in the year 1842 , although the interesting document did not officially reach the Grand Lodge until the Sth day of June , 1843 .

Forty-nine years have passed since that memorable event : years full of marvellous growth and improvement . The small beginnings of 1808 and 1842 have developed into the broad and grand field of May 21 st , 1891 . The seed sown by the original Charity fund of $ 300 was scattered broadcast throughout this grand jurisdiction , and none of it has ever fallen on unfruitful ground . It has brought

forth a hundred , aye , many hundred fold . Among other good things , it has brought forth in money , $ 3 , 514 , 359 . 50 , which has builded and furnished a Masonic hall , paid a debt , purchased these broad and beautiful acres , placed in bank on the ist of the present month § 226 , 464 . 16 , a sum more than sufficient to erect and equip this asylum , the corner-stone of which we have just placed with loving hands and grateful hearts . "

SISTERS OF THE GUILD . —At one time the widows of Freemen of the Guild were permitted to carry on the work of their deceased husbands , being Masters , and to retain apprentices . Allusions are frequently made to the " Dame . " Of course the " Dame " was not a member of the actual Mason Guild , but might be united to the Guild just as in many Guilds men and women were admitted . She would be sworn to keep the " secret " of the " mystery ; " and we see no reason to doubt but that was so . —Kenning ' s Cyclopedia of Freemasonry .