Review Of "An English View Of American Freemasonry. "

more social companions . Another object , scarcely secondary to the former , is the relief of the distressed , the accumulations of the lodge are a trust fund , which it has no right to spend for any other than charitable purposes . The large size of a lodge is no obstacle to the first purpose , but rather gives a wider field of labour ; and for the second purpose , the larger the lodge , the greater is the surplus over expenses to go into the charity fund .

It is true , however , that the attention given to these objects has led to the neglect of cultivating sociability ; while our English brethren have apparently gone to one extreme , we have gone t 03 far in the opposite direction . But recently this has been called to the attention of the Craft , and there is a growing disposition to cultivate the social qualities , but not to the extent of having a meal " washed down with beer and whiskey , " as Bro . Speth says is the custom in England .

It is history , and , therefore , proper to bs stated here , that the great cause of abandoning refreshments was that very " washing down "; it developed into excesses in violation of the tenets of Masonry ; and it is the overwhelming sentiment of the Masons of this country that if a man can be held in the institution only by "beer and whiskey , " it is best for Masonry that he shall go out ; and I do not believe that a single Grand

Lodge in the United States would tolerate their use in Masonic rooms during , or immediately after , the meeting of a lodge . But it has been discovered that their use is not necessary to the cultivation of social intercourse at Masonic collations , and the great mass of Masons , si far as my acquaintance extends , do not want them on their ovyn account , to say nothing of the consideration that almost always a few weaker brethren will indulge to an extent that is an excess for them .

That we have many unaffiliated , or ( as Bro . Speth calls them ) " unattached " Masons , is . true ; but that we have a larger percentage than they have in England , I am not sure ; in fact from the best information I can obtain , I do not think we have . The Grand Lodge of England publishes no statistics and , as I understand collects none ; so I doubt if our English brethren have any more reliable information than we have .

But whatever the fact may be as to the comparative numbers , it is true that in many of our jurisdictions , we make more fuss about them . In England , apparently , when a Mason ceases to be a member of a Iodge , he practically ceases to be a Mason ; he so understands it , and accepts the situation ; the Craft also accepts it , and he is let alone .

In Maine and many other jurisdictions , we also let him alone ; if he is worthy , we would be glad to have him come back and he so understands it . We recognise , however , that he is still a Mason , and that we are at liberty to treat him as such . In other jurisdictions , financial considerations control and efforts are made to compel him to join a Iodge or at least to pay the same dues as if he were a member , and failing that , to deprive him entirely of his Masonic character—a thing , which I hold no Grand Lodge has the

rightful power to do for such a cause . The alleged reason is that these brethren avoid all the financial burdens of the Craft , and then , when they fall into distress , demand relief . However , there is no " trades-unionism " about it ; " unattached Masons " are simply told , you must be a member of a Iodge , or practically cease to be a Mason—precisely as is done in England , only here ( in some jurisdictions ) literally a fuss is made about it , and there , there isn ' t .

The existence of the " Shrine is not an acknowledgment that the Craft feel any want whatever . The only thing Masonic about it is , that only Masons are eligible to it , and I am sorry to say that in many places our best Masons are exceedingly sorry that there is even that reason for holding Masonry responsible for it . Then as to jurisdiction over rejected candidates : the difference in views

and practice in this country and England in relation to this , is a natural consequence of the difference of views as to the proper office of the lodge . In England where the object is to cultivate sociability , the refusal to admit a person as a member , means nothing that should prevent another lodge from receiving him ; but in this country the admission of a profane is a very serious matter ; it is almost universally held that we are admitting a man

into a great Fraternity , whose interests must be guarded with the utmost care , while his becoming a member of the lodge is secondary . The question is not " Will he make an agreeable member of my lodge ? " but " Will he make a good Mason and be an honour to the whole Craft ? " It is held that every Mason is interested in the character of every initiate and in some jurisdictions every Mason present , whether a member of the lodge or

not , is invited to ballot upon the petition of a candidate for admission to the Fraternity . So that it is held that when a man is rejected by one lodge he shall not be admitted by another into the Fraternity against the opinions and wishes of the members of the lodge which rejected him . It is held here ( and in England , too , I believe ) that an unwelcome member shall not be forced into a Iodge , lest its harmony be impaired ; we go a little further—a natural result of our views in relation to the admission of a profane—and

hold that an unwelcome membir shall not be forced into the Fraternity and thus destroy its harmony . But "the proof of the pudding is in the eating of it ; " the only tests ol the success of a system are results , and while I do not claim that the English system does not work well in England , it is certain that the results of our American system are such that it would be criminal folly to attempt to substitute the English system for it . —American Tyler .

Rifle Match—South Middlesex Volunteer Rifles.

RIFLE MATCH—SOUTH MIDDLESEX VOLUNTEER RIFLES .

MASONS v . NON-MASONS . On Wednesday , the 28 th ult ., the annual match was shot at Caterham between teams consisting on the one side , of members of the 2 nd ( South ) Middlesex Regimental Masonic Lodge and Freemasons in the regiment , and on the other of non-Masons in the corps , for a silver challenge bowl presented by the South Middlesex Lodge , No . 858 .

The shooting was at 200 , 500 , and Coo yards , any position—teams eight aside six to count—Armourer-Sergt . Hobbiss , P . M ., was Captain of the Masonic team ¦ "¦ nd Colour-Sergt . Barrett ( who curiously enough spent some of his early days at lhe Royal Masonic School ) was Captain of the non . Masonic team . , An interesting match resulted in the victory for the non-Masonic team by 24 Points—a much smaller majority than last year owing to the fact that a few of the " ¦ en winners have since joined the Craft .

Rifle Match—South Middlesex Volunteer Rifles.

Refreshments were provided an the range by the brethren , and the arrange ments were admirably carried out by the regimental messman , Bro . Price , late Sergeant of the Somerset Light Infantry . We append the counting scores . It will be seen the winners made the srlendid average of 90 points per man : Non-Masons—Private Christian , 94 ;

Private Brooks , 94 ; Colour-Sergt . Barrett ( Captain ) , 92 ; Private Tanner , 89 ; Corporal Walden , 88 ; and Sergt . Pocock , 83 . Total , 540 . Masons—Armourer-Sergt . Hobbiss , P . M ., 92 ; Sergt .-Bugler Matthews , 90 ; Bro . Surrey , W . M ., 87 ; Col . Reid-Todd , I . P . M ., 86 ; Private Landryan , 84 ; and Sergt . McHuccheon , JJ . Total , 516 .

Craft Masonry.

Craft Masonry .

Stamford Lodge , No . 1045 . The regular meeting of this lodge was held at the Town Hall , Altrincham , on Monday , the 3 rd inst . The following were present : Bros . I . Davenport , W . M ., P . A . G . D . C : Richd . Newhouse , P . M ., P . G . Sec ., P . G . S . B . Eng . ; F . Broadsmith , P . M ., P . P . G . Stwd ., P . P . G . R ., P . P . S . G . W . j Dr . W . A . Renshaw , P . M . P . P . S . G . W . ;

James Hamilton , P . M ., P . P . G . S . of W . ; Joel Foden , P . M ., P . P . S . G . D . ; W . K , Blunsum , P . M ; J . W . Byrom , P . M ., P . G . Treas . ; J . Hawker , J . W ., P . P . G . Stwd . ; James Parker , Org ., P . G . O . ; W . Dykes , I . G . P . P . G . Stwd . ¦ James Ferguson , Asst . Sec , P . G . Stwd . ; J . Mainwaring , P . G . Stwd ., * Thos . Nicholson , J . D . ; J . S . Derbyshire , G . T . Johns , W . Walkden , David Morrison , and Hy . Stanley , Stwds . ; Wm . Alwood . and A . W . Boucher . Bros . Geo . J . Critchley , 1161 , and Donbovand visitors

were . The lodge was opened , and the minutes of the last meeting were read and confirmed . The ceremony ol raising was postponed owing to the candidate being unable to attend . It was unanimously decided to have a social evening , consisting of members and lady friends at the next meeting of the lodge , and a Committee vvasformed tocarry out all arrangements . This being the first time the lodge had met since the recent Provincial Grand Lodge meeting , Bro . Broadsmith , P . M ., & c , on behalf of the brethren , congratulated the

newly-appointed Provincial Grand Lodge Officers , Bros . J . Davenport , W . M . ; J . W . Byrom , P . M . ; James Parker , J . Ferguson , and J . Mainwaring , on the honour they had had conferred upon them . Bro . J . Davenport , W . M ., responded in a brief but eloquent manner . After Bro . J . W . Byrom , P . M ., & c , had been re-elected Charity representative , the lodge was closed . The usual Masonic toasts were duly honoured at the social board and the harmony of the evening was contributed to by Bros . Derbyshire , Parker , Ferguson , Nicholson , and Donbovand .

Villiers Lodge , No . 1194 . A very successful meeting was held in connection with this lodge at the Mitre Hotel , Hampton Court , on Saturday , the ist inst . Bro . Charles Djdd was succeeded by Bro . W . Aitken Clark , who is a first class exponent of the ritual and under whose auspices a continued period of prosperity for the lodge is assured . The members present included Bros . C . Dodd , W . M . ; W . Aitken Clark , S . W ., W . M . elect : Alex . Harris , I . W . ;

Wm . Vincent , P . M ., P . P . G . S . B ., Treas . ; W . Dodd , P . P . G . D ., Sec . ; Leonard Cook , I . G . ; E . Monson . G . J . Thomas , and P . Monson , P . P . G . Supts of Works ; E . Peachey , P . M . ; E . Francis , I . P . M . ; VV . Collinson , Prov . G . S . of Works ; and many others . Visitors : Bros . J . Lancaster , 15 S 6 ; G . J . Wooldridge , J . D . 2317 ; E . P . Delevanti , Org . 2021 ; R . G . Klyne , P . M . 2266 ; A . E . W . MacCawley , S . W . 1585 ; W . G . King , 2417 ; F . W . Miller , 1858 ; W . W . Lee , P . M . ; and others .

After the opening of the lodge , and transaction of formal business , Bros . T . C . Walters and W . S . Martin were raised to the Third Decree . Bro . C . Dodd then concluded an excellent year ' s work by ably installing Bro . W . Aitken Clark as W . M . The officers invested were Bros . A . Harris , S . W . ; A . Davis , J . W . ; W . Vincent , P . G . S . B ., Treas . ; W . Dodd , P . P . G . D ., Sec . ; W . Tomes , S . D . ; Leonard G . Cook , J . D . ;

Wm . G . Vincent , I . G . ; E . Monson , P . G . S . of W ., D . C ; A . J . Hill and B . H . Griffiths , Stewards ; and J . Gilbert , Tyler . Messrs . F . G . Rice and A . J . Philcox were then initiated into Freemasonry by the W . M ., the ancient charge being given by Bro . Francis , P . M . A satisfactory audit report was adopted , and the Iodge was closed .

ihe banquet which followed fully sustained the reputation of the hostelry , and the usual toasts were afterwards honoured . Bro . W . Vincent , P . G . S . B ., replied for "The Grand Officers , " remarking that the proudest moment of his life was when that lodge did him the honour to present him with his Grand Lodge clothing a year ago . He wis proud to be a member of that lodge , where such harmonious feelings existed among all the members . " The Provincial Grand Officers " was next given , the W . M . referring to the fact that two members attained provincial rank during the past year—Bros . T . L . Green . • •

Prov . G . Treas ., and Collinson , Prov . G . S . of W . Bros . Collinson and Wooldridge returned thanks . Bro . C Dodd , I . P . M ., proposed "The Health of the Worshipful Master , " and said he could truly say they were to be congratulated upon their present Master—Bro . Aitken Clark—who had been during his membership a consistent , steady , and faithful worker , and who had by this means attained the position of W . M . The W . M ., moreover , was courteous in manner and was in every way fitted to take charge ot the lodge during the next 12 months . They sincerely hoped he would have health and strength to carry out his duties .

Bro . W . Aitken Clark , W . M ., said he had been deeply touched by the extremely kind manner in which the LP . M . had proposed the toast . Since he had taken up Masonry he had made it his duty to stud y it and do his work as well as he could . If he had succeeded it was largely due to the time he had given to study , not only at lodges of instruction—which was the surest and safest way to success—but also in quiet thought at home . He stood before them as the last recruit in the long line of Masters of the Villiers Lodge . It was a position of responsibility and pride . Of course he was oroud .

for every Mason must be proud , to attain the top ol the ladder which he had gone up step by stf p and rung by rung , but this did not relieve him from the care and responsibility during the coming year . He felt sure that any shortcomings would be pardoned and the knowledge that he had their support and co-op-ration immensely lightened the responsibility . He trusted , with the kindness and support of the membjrs , to steer the lodge through a prosperage voyage during the next year and he thanked them heartily for the way in which they had received the toast . "The Initiates" and "The Visitors" followed , after which "The Installing Mister and Past Masters

, " was proposed by the W . M ., who presented Bro . C Dodd , I . P . M ., with a Past Master ' s jewel which he had well earned by an excellent performance of all Ihe duties pertaining to the Master ' s chair . Bros . C . Djdd , I . P . M ., and Francis , P . M ., responded , and Bro . G . J . Thonus , P . P . G . Supt . of Works , acknowledging "The Misonic Charities , " urged the extreme importance of Middlesex brethren supporting the Provincial Charity Committee at the forthcoming School Elections . Other toasts were given before the proceedings closed .

Bro . Delevanti presided atthe pianoforte , and was assisted by Bros . W . G . Vincent , Cormack and Percy Griffiths .

Liberty of Havering Lodge , No . 1437 . The pretty little town of Romford , in Essex , famous for its mirket , and especially so for its " nut brown ales , " is the centre of a gathering of local and provincial Masons of no ordinary eminence . The above lodge , which is held at dear old Bro . Peter Reynolds ' famous hostelry , the Golden Lion there , is not only one of the most popular but one of the strongest in the province ; celebrated for its excellent working and its munificent

hospitality ; but above all for its persistent efforts in the cause of the Masonic Charities ; one of its esteemed Past Masters , Bro . F . A . White , P . P . G . R ., being a Vice-Patron of all the Charities , and one of the special representatives of the Provincial Charity Committee since 1892 ; while its Masonic Charitable Association has done and is still doing good suit and service in the cause of Masonic Charities . lhe installation meeting of the lodge took place on Thursday , the 22 nd ult ., and a goodly assembly of the brethren of the lodge and visiting brethren attended to assist at