Preface.

PREFACE .

\ A / E have again the satisfaction of presenting to our readers a fresh volume of the Freemason , and again offer to them our sincere thanks for the

large and increasing support they have extended towards this Journal during the past twelve months . This support justifies us in the belief that our efforts to

promote , as far as in us lies , the well-being of the Craft have been appreciated , and that having steadfastly observed the rule we have always prescribed for

ourselves of regarding increased encouragement as a stimulus to increased exertions , we now stand higher in the estimation of our brethren , and are therefore in a

better position to continue and even enlarge our operations than we were at the corresponding period of 1885 . We have endeavoured to make this Journal more

and more worthy of the Society it represents . We have met the wishes of our Subscribers and Contributors , both individually and collectively , to the best of our ability , and in repeating our promise to pursue in the future the course we

have followed in the past , we ask no more of our supporters than that they will extend towards us , only in an increased degree if possible , the kindness they have

so uniformly shown us heretofore . We wish them all a Happy New Year , and sincerely trust there will be the same friendly relations between them and us at the close of 1887 as prevail now .

16 & I 6 A , GREAT QUEEN STREET , LONDON , W . C , Sth January , 1887 .