Freemasonry In South Africa.

lodge being called from refreshment to labour , a collection was made as an offertory for the church , and a vote of thanks was accorded to thc clergy . The festival passed off very happily , there not being a single incident to mar the proceedings . There were several sharp showers in the early morning , hut long before noon the clouds had disappeared , and thc day was in

every way suitable for the pageant . 1 hose who know how good and charitable are the principles inculcated by thc ancient and most honourable Society of Free and Accepted Masons must indeed have been gratified to find that the fraternity numbers so many adherents in Griqual and West . Still one looks for practical beneficence , and not merely sentimental utterances , and it is therefore much

to bc regretted that the brethren of South Africa cannot boast of the institutions which are found connected with Freemasonry in other parts of the world . " Brotherly Love , Relief , Truth , " is indeed a noble motto to have adopted , but its very grandeur makes thc neglect which we refer to the more glaring and blameable on the part of the Brotherhood . We saw by announcement in recent issues of the Arxus and the A ' c-u-s that earnest men occupying high

positions in the Order had t :, ken the matter in hand , and were endeavouring to procure the co-operation necessary to bring about a better state of things . We are pained to learn that their efforts have not received in this province the encouragement that was deserved . This is worse than mere apathy ; and so long as the brethren here . fail to make provision forthe orphan , their claims to be regarded as a benevolent society will by the outsider be deemed untenable and groundless . —Mining Gazelle .

The Burdett Coutts Lodge (No. 1278.)

THE BURDETT COUTTS LODGE ( No . 1278 . )

PiiEsi-NT . vnos or CHAIRS BY BARONESS BuBUETT COUTTS . On thc 29 th ult ., a special meeting of this lodge was held at Freemasons' Hall , for thc purpose of receiving at the hands of the Baroness Burdett Coutts the gift of the three principal chairs for the Master and Wardens . At the consecration of the lodge , six years ago her ladyship , then Miss

Burdett Coutts , presented the lodge with a handsome copy of the Sacred Law , and since that time she has never forgotten the lodge which bears her name . Theadditional presentation of chair- ' was indeed a welcome gift , not only as a valuable accession to the furniture of the lodge , hut as showing the excellent feeling which thc Baroness entertains towards the body of Freemasons . In

her mind at least there is nothing 111 the principles of the Order repugnant to religion , morality , or loyalty ; and we suppose no one in the world will question the sincerity of the Baroness either as a religious , moral , or loyal lady . Coming from such a quarter the support of thc Craft has a powerful significance , and we trust that such support may long bc extended to this valuable institution .

The ceremony of presentation was concluded in the Zetland Room , in which the brethren of the lodge and a strong contingent of ladies were assembled . The Baroness was accompanied by her old friend , Mrs . Brosvn , Countess Beauchamp , Lady Augusta Paulett , Lady Charles Wellesley , Miss Wellesley , Mr . and Mrs . Otway , the Hon . H . Ryder , Bro . J . K . Aston , Professor Tennant , Mr . W . II .

Wills , and Bro . G . C . Silk . Bro . James Terry , Prov . G . D . C , Herts , the first W . M . of the lodge , presided , and among the other brethren and ladies present were Col . Burdett , P . G . M . for Middlesex ; Mrs . and Miss Burdett ; H . G . Buss , P . G . Treas . Middlesex ; Major Creaton , P . G . D . ; Joshua Nunn , P . G . S . B . ; John Boyd , P . G . P . ; Thos . Cubitt , P . G . P . ; E . P . Albert , A . G . P . ; F . Binckes

P . G . Steward ; Thos . Lloyd , jun . ; W . II . Gathercole , & c , tic . The chairs were not occupied at first , but Bro . Terry stood on the left of the W . M . chair . ' 1 . ic Stewards for the occasion were Bros . J . G . Harris , W . M . ; W . J . Crutch , S . W . ; W . Toye , J . W . ; Jas . Terry , P . M ., Treas . ; G . Ward Verry , Sec ; C . K . Crouch , S . D . ; W . Christian , D . C . ;

A . Lazarus , I . G . ; Wallington , and Cambridge . While thc procession was entering the room the organ was played by Bro . Miller , Prov . G . Org ., Middlesex . When the procession had entered , the Baroness was placed on the right of the Master ' s chair , after which Bro . Terry informed the company that they were assembled on a very special occasion in the annals of the Burdett Coutts Lodge , viz .,

to receive first of all thc lady after whom thc lodge had the honour of being named , and in the next place to receive from her hands the three chairs which then adorned thc room . He then called upon thc brethren to sing a hymn , which having been done , the Baroness said she begged to present the chairs , and trusted they would be always occupied by brethren as true as those who had already

presided over the lodge . Her ladyship added that she was glad to see on the Master ' s pedestal the volume of the Sacred Law " which she had given them in 1869 . Bro . Terry replied , that o . i behalf of the Burdett Coutts Lodge he formally acccpt < -. d the noble gift , and he could but reiterate the wish she had just so kindly expressed . Then seating himself in the W . M . chair , he called on the Wardens

to take possession ot the other two . This having been done , he called 011 the Secretary to read the address the lodge wished to present to the Baroness . Bro . G . Ward Verry thereupon read the following address , which had been written by Bro . Crouch : — "To the Baroness Burdett Coutts . —Madame , —The Worshipful Master , Wardens , and Brethren of the Burdett Coutts Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons desire to express

their thanks for the interest which your ladyship takes in the lodge , and the patronage which you have extended to it . We thoroughly appreciate your goodness in having conferred upon us a splendid and costly copy of the ' Law of the " . ord , " which is ' light to our feet and a lantern to our way . ' We also gratefully acknowledge your more recent benefaction of three beautiful chairs for the official use ci the principal officers of thc lodge . To your ladyship acts of benevolence are customary and constant , and

The Burdett Coutts Lodge (No. 1278.)

wc trust that you will never have cause for regret for this new direction which you have given then ) . It affords this worshipful lodge thc highest satisfaction to find that a lady of your rank and intelligence is able to set aside thc prejudices which so many entertain towards a society thc most powerful and benevolent , as well as the most honourable and ancient , in the world . We desire to express the

hope that thc example that your ladyship has set in this respect will be followed by other good and kind ladies as it has in so ninny other particulars been happily imitated . As thc Bible always remains open in a Freemasons' lodge we shall be reminded of you by the most sacred associations , and , as our oflicers fill those chairs and ensure law and order , wc shall naturally remember how much you have

done to harmonise all classes of thc people with lawfully constituted authority and in peaceful social fellowship . We sincerely pray that the Great Architect of the Universe may build up for you great happiness , nnd that He who is 'Light' may illumine your path and conduct you to the world where the sun of His glory never sets . " The address was engrossed , and had been placed in a

handsome album . Bro . Crouch , who had written the address , and Bro . Lloyd , thc two Deacons , then presented the album to the Baroness , who replied as follows -. — " Worshipful Master , Wardens , and Brethren , —In tendering you my sincere and hearty thanks for the address you have just read , I must avail myself of thc opportunity offered to express the

grateful pleasure I feel , as the daughter of a Mason , that in the lodge which you have wished should bear my name there will remain embodied the memory of my loyal , truehearted , single-minded father , so long the representative of the liberties of the city of Westminster . In receiving the Bible for the table of your lodge , and in the chairs which I now present for thc use of the officers , you have also conferred a

favour upon me , though , like skilled craftsmen in the art of kindliness , you have made the recipient appear the donor , and the courtesy and hospitality you extend to me and my friends to-day is one more of the many illustrations of the law of kindness which rules your beneficent and ancient society . 1 earnestly reciprocate your wishes for myself , and that wc may rest in Him who is ' Shadow as well as

light ; for the Lord God is a Sun and Shield ; thc Lord will give grace and glory , and no good thing will he withhold from them that walk uprightly . ' " A formal motion having Deen carried that the address and reply be entered on the minutes of the lodge , another hymn was sung , and Bro . Verry having read letters expressive of regret for inability to attend from Lord

Skelmersdale and the Rev . A . F . A . Woodford the proceedings terminated . The whole party then adjourned to an elegant dejeuner at Freemasons' Tavern , at thc conclusion of which the loyal toast was first proposed by Bro . Terry , who presided . After the toast of the M . W . G . M ., Bro . Terry proposed " The Earl of Carnarvon , & c , " for which Colonel Burdett replied , and Bro . Terry then

proposed " The Health of the Baroness Burdett Coutts . " In doing so he said that he felt a great responsibility attached to him as thc representative of the lodge in endeavouring to give utterance to all those kind wishes and good feelings which the brethren had towards the lady wdio was their guest , and if he failed adequately to do so they must attribute it

to the want of power on his part and not to that of will . He would ask them to drink " The Health of Baroness Burdett Coutts , a lady whose name was known throughout the length and breadth of Christendom . Wherever Christianity was , or where a good act had to be carried out , there had been found the name of the Baroness Burdett Coutts . They all remembered that unpareUekd

act of generosity of her ladyship when she gave to one of the bishops a blank cheque , with a request that he would fill it up for any amount he might think fit . Hardly any other lady would have done such an act . By the papers it appeared the great consideration Lady Burdett Coutts was giving to the welfare of poor dumb animals , and a kind feeling or true heart could not be more clearly

exhibited than in pleading for those who could not plead for themselves . If he were to take up thc time of the brethren for a long period he could do no more than say , that in the Baroness Burdett Coutts seemed to be summed up all that was holy and good in womanhood , all that was pure , and that tended to elevate mankind generally . As onr Most Gracious Sovereign had been pleased to confer ,

in the plenitude of her wisdom and power , the dignity of a peeress of the United Kingdom on her , it was a circumstance that Masons rejoiced in , and the brethren were proud that their lodge , which received from her its volume of the Sacred Law , bore her illustrious name . He would only say , that had it not been for thc honour conferred 011 Baroness Burdett Coutts by her Majesty , the Burdett Coutts

Lodge might not at this time have had the honour of entertaining her . He would not detain the company further -. he was not paying any fulsome compliments on their guest , for everything he had said of her was well deserved ; but he would call on all the company present to drink with heartiness and sincerity , and with every good wish and feeling , " Long life , health , and happiness to the Baroness Burdett Coutts . "

I he toast having been drunk with thc greatest enthusiasm , Col . Burdett , who was deputed by her ladyship to respond for her , thanked thc ladies and brethren for the very handsome manner in which her name had been received after the flattering way in which it had been proposed by Bro . Terry . I ler ladyship was much gratified at the style

in which she had been received in the lodge-room , and at the lodge ' s acceptance of the three chairs . She was also pleased that her gift was acceptable to the brethren . She remembered that it was not the first present she had made to the lodge : it was one she had given with good will ; and she felt that the precepts of the volume were followed by thc brethren . She , however , wished him to state that

The Burdett Coutts Lodge (No. 1278.)

whatever generosity Bro . Icrry had credited her with she had never yet given a blank cheque to anybod y that they might fill it up with what amount they pleased . ( Laughter . ) It was an entire mistake , which had arisen from certain circumstances that occurred some years a"o . He knew thc statement had not been made willull y " hy Bro . Terry , and she wished him to correct it , because she had

no desire that her generosity should bc magnified . The Baroness also desired him to state that she was pleased ;\|_ allusion having been made to the subject in which she took peculiar interest , kindness in the treatment of dumb animals . She was president of the Ladies' Committee of the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals , in which cause she had exerted herself in every way she

could . She desired to press this subject on the brethren , and she felt she would have Yheiv support . Col . BvmleU then thanked the brethren on behalf oi the Baroness for the address which they had presented to her , and again thanked them for the reception she had met with . Thc Baroness and party then left , escorted by Bro . Terry and thc Stewards , and on the return of these brethren to

the room , Bvo . Terry informed thc brethren that her ladyship had invited them all , with thc ladies of their families , to her gardf . n party at Holly Lodge on the following Monday . ( Cheers . ) The proceedings shortly afterwards terminated . The arrangements for the successful performance of the whole ceremony reflected great credit on those by whom ihev were managed .

Lodge Libraries.

LODGE LIBRARIES .

The following appears in the correspondence of our ncwly-cstablishcd contemporary , the Masonic Chronicle , of New York : — I have often been surprised at the lack of interest in Masonic libraries , knowing as I do that Masonry has a literature of its own , second in interest only to lhat

of the Christian Church . I can only account for this from the fact that thc collectors of the libraries—if they arc entitled to that name—seem to have had no definite idea o [ the object sought to bc obtained , further than securing a large collection of miscellaneous publications , without order or arrangement , to be placed upon their shelves for the admiration of visitors . We think , however , if the

following plan were adopted by lodges , we would guarantee that every working member would become interested , not only in collecting , but make himself familiar with the contents of each volume added to its number . Start with the determination to secure a complete collection of every Masonic publication of historical importance known to have been published within the jurisdiction

of your Grand Lodge . This will interest every member , and , at the same time , render him familiar with the history and progress of the Craft , not only at home , but much of the same relating to other jurisdictions . The continual discovery , and bringing to light old and forgotten documents , creates an interest in all , and an incentive to further exertion which can scarcely be comprehended ; and

many a valuable document or manuscript will be gathered from the waste-basket or the paper-mill , which , when properly applied to its legitimate place , will supply and repair many a broken link in the chain of the Masonic history of the State . As the various transactions of the day make up the history of a nation or a community , so the various transactions of a society make up its history .

These , to the actors and participants familiar with them , are often lightly estimated , and too frequently thrown asideafter their first perusal -, and thus is lost much of the most valuable matter necessary to fill up and perfect a history , of not only Masonry , but every society or association that has ever been instituted since civilization began . Wc would lay down a few rules for action in the collection and arrangement of a lodge library .

First . —To collect complete files of the proceedings « l thc Grand Lodge . Second . —The same of thc constitutions adoptcil at different times . Third . —All pamphlets issued by the Grand Lodge on the subject of Masonry within its jurisdiction , also all edicts emanating from the Grand Lodge or Grand Master , as well as all circulars from the same and subordinate bodies

in any way connected with the Fraternity . Fourth . —Complete files of all Masonic journals , papers , and magazines . Fifth . —Works on Masonic history , philosophy , law and jurisprudence , works on the ethics , symbolism , and dogmas of our institution , as well as the various monitors or manuals that have from time to . time been compiled ami arranged by many of the brightest members of the Craft , and numerous other works on Masonry of a miscellaneous

character . Sixth . —All " Anti-Masonic " publications . Althou ; j ; li the last-named may not be entitled to thc name of Mason" - ' literature , still Ihey are a part of thc history of the times , and often illustrate the particular phase of society at tlie time better than could be obtained from any other source . If , as will undoubtcdly ' be the case , duplicate works au ui

brought to light , they should be carefully preserved . m exchanged for others needed for the library . All this can bc done with comparatively small expense , if the bretl " ' ' of a lodge can only be made to feel an interest in ""•' matter , as almost every brother has something in his l'" - *** session which he might spare for the purpose of inakin- * up a library , whereby not only the brethren might be entertained and improved , but his own opportunities i' »' use of Masonic literature greatly increased . 1

ANTIO . UA' ) - We most heartily endorse all that our correspondent " ¦* said , and feel that we cannot too strongly recommend ^ careful consideration of thc subject of Masonic llhi' ""*' not only for lodges , but for private use .