Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Contents.
CONTENTS .
LEADERS . ' . 615 United Grand Lodge 616 Grand Mark Lodge 618 Royal Masonic Institution for Boys 619 Provincial Grand Lodge of West Lancashire 620 The Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution ( Continued ) G 21
CORRESPONDENCEThe Election of Grand Treasurer 623 Life Membership of Lodges 623 The Allocution of the Great Prior of Canada 623 Reviews 624 Notes and Queries 624 Consecration of the Clausentum Masonic Halt at Woolston 625
The Hnghan Testimonial 625 Annual Banquet of the United Military Lodge of Instruction , No . 1536 ... 625 Bro . H . Jed's and the Corporation of Gloucester 62 3 REI ' ORTS OF MASONIC MEETINGSCraft Masonry 62 C
Instruction 628 Royal Arch 629 Mark Masonry 629 Ancient and Accepted Rite 629 Red Cross of Constantino 629 Rosicrucian Society 630 Obvtuary 630 Masonic and General Tidings 631 Lodge Meetings for Next Week 632
Ar00100
THE Quarterly Communication of Grand Lodge took place on Wednesday last , as will be seen by our report elsewhere , under the distinguished presidency of the PRO GRAND MASTER . Not for many years has so large a muster of the brethren assembled to transact the ordinary business of Grand Lodge . The Great Hall of Freemasons' Tavern was completely packed , as
was also the gallery , and a subsidiary meeting was held in the Zetland Room , and even elsewhere . The revision of the Book of Constitutions was completed . The alteration in the Status of Past Masters was non-confirmed by an overwhelming majority , despite several able speeches ; and the Blue collars are still to be worn over the Provincial collars . The new law
of dues for joining members by lodges not making enquiries was retained by a small majority ( a great mistake , by the way ) , as the alteration will prove to be unworkable ; and , amid loud cheers , the revision ot the Book of Constitutions was formally accepted and confirmed and passed . Our new Book of Constitutions will soon now , therefore , be printed . H . R . H . the
Prince of WALES was renominated as Grand Master , and Bros . J . DERBY ALLCROFT and' HORACE BROOKS MARSHALL as Grand Treasurer . The report of the Building Committee then came up , and Bro . Sir J MONCKTON moved a general approval of the report . Whereon an amendment was moved by Bro . WEBSTER , P . M . A short discussion ensued , in which Bro . Sir J MONCKTON , Bro . J HAVERS , Bro . WEBSTER , and
a brother from East Lancashire took part , when the amendment was carried nearly unanimously . The result is , that the building scheme is given up , and the Hall will be rebuilt from the insurance money , the old Building Committee being reappointed , with three provincial brethren added . Thus ended this important Quarterly Communication of December , 1883 , notable for many reasons , and remarkable for many striking results .
* * WE cannot affect not to rejoice at the decision of Grand Lodge . We never have ourselves approved of the suggestions of the report , and not one voice in Grand Lodge was held up in its favour . Bro . Sir J . MONCKTON did the best he could for a hopeless cause , but the result was evident from
the first . Had the humble advice of the Freemason been taken , tendered in all friendliness , our Executive would have been saved from this very decided refusal of Grand Lodge to endorse their proposals and sanction their plans . A grave blunder has been committed , and while we rejoice in
the result as creditable to the good sense and business habits of Grand Lodge , we most cordially echo in our humble measure the words of our distinguished Pro Grand Master , Lord CARNARVON , when we say that we rejoiced to see the " sea of blue collars" filling the hall , and most gladly welcomed our provincial brethren to take an active share in the deliberations .
# * * W E were very glad to find that what might have proved a very serious difficulty , and a cause of great irritation and disturbance , at the meeting of Grand Lodge on Wednesday night , was met with good tact and promptitude by our PRO GRAND MASTER . Many of our brethren who were fortunate
enough to obtain admission into the Grand Banqueting Room were probably not aware that the vestibule leading to the Great Hall and the corridors were literally crammed by brethren who could not gain admission , many of whom had travelled long distances to take part in the business of Grand Lodge . Under these circumstances , Lord CARNARVON promptly
decided that every one must be allowed to vote , even although they could not take part in the debate . Bro . HAVERS was deputed by his lordship to address the various assemblages , and to inform them that if they would adjourn to the ZETLAND , DALHOUSIE , and other rooms , a Grand Officer should be sent to preside , Scrutineers would be appointed in each room , and
each resolution put before Grand Lodge would be sent to the several rooms , then carefully read over , a vote taken upon each , and the result forthwith communicated to Grand Lodge . This , Bro . HAVERS explained , was the most that could be done under the very unusual circumstances in which they were placed . The brethren received this with satisfaction , and the greatest good humour , compatible with a great disappointment , was manifested on all
sides . The votes of the brethren outside were duly taken ; but the members in waiting gradually diminished as the time wore on , and when the interest in the proceedings began to flag , many brethren left the Hall , and all the remaining outsiders were enabled to obtain admission into it . Thus ended satisfactorily what might have been almost a riot , and would have been with almost any but brother Masons .
Ar00101
IT IS sometimes amusing to note with what pertinacious anxiety , and even unscrupulous energy , as in all earthly honours and good things so in Masonic matters , the distinctions of the Craft and the decorations of the Order are assiduously sought after and eagerly claimed . We should at times be almost inclined to think that a comfortable salary was attached to this honorary
office or that amongst us , from the keen competition and amusing egoism with which Masonic honours , for instance , are sought after , with which the claims of others are discounted , and our own little merits are puffed and published . To the true philosopher , to the serene sage , there is something abnormal and petty in this state of affairs , as far as
Freemasonry is concerned , whether Masonic or non-Masonic . After all , the mere accumulation of honours and decorations count for very little , unless accompanied and dominated by a sense of honest work for the Craft , and the justifiable satisfaction of having obtained the approval and confidence of our brethren . All other promotion , all other rank ,
however elevated or however acquired , when " weighed in the balances " is found " wanting . " The laudations of the many , the applause of the ignorant , are utterly valueless as compared with that honest approbation of good Masons and true , which , after all , mostly accompanies true merit here , and which , neither fearing displeasure nor courting approval , is alike free , manlv
and independent . That is the truest outcome of legitimate public opinion , which entirely ignoring external circumstances , passing conditions , or present influences , encourages the living , cheers the fading hours of our Masonic life with the pleasing memory and realization of fairly gained honour , of lawfully won prestige . No English Freemason can properly affect to
despise the honours of the Craft , and they are a justifiable and reasonable object of honest and resolute ambition . And yet the true Masonic " Didaskalos " of to-day , if he speaks deliberately words of Masonic truth and Masonic wisdom , must often perforce smile at the heated struggles of his contemporaries for the " much-coveted purple , " must often marvel that
rightly educated Masons set so much store apparently by ephemeral honours and sublunary distinctions . There is one good great level of Masonic merit , work done in loyalty and charity , and beyond that no one in tru th need anxiously long , or concernedly seek . The longer we Jive experience will teach us that most things " perish with the using " here , and often the very
honours we excitedly covet or inordinately strive for disappoint us by their very possession , when we find above all that , as always happens " things are not what they seem , " and that one ol the most wonderful facts connected with our human probation is the unsatisfactorinessand shallowness of all which we count the highest or which we regard the most . The true
Masonic Philosophy enforces therefore the " golden mean " on us all alike , and bids us to be neither too anxiously urgent , nor too ostentatiously elate , nor too manifestly disappointed , but to accept promotion when it comes to us with befitting gratitude and pleasure , and to go without it , if need be , with Masonic patience and Masonic resignation .
# # THERE are now two candidates nominated for the Grand Treasurership , and we hear that the contest will be severe .
»* # LET US all rejoice to note a very sensible warning against party interests and sectional movements in our English Freemasonry in a recent circular . The unity and peace of Freemasonry are too serious and sacred things to be affected and tampered with by partizans and wire-pullers , let us hope and trust . Any tendency to create a sort of unseen directory will , we feel sure , be promptly checked and successfully opposed .
WE regret to notice that by the Times' telegraphic despatch from New York on Monday the Masonic Temple in that city has been burned down , ataloss of many thousand dollars to our worth y Craft there . We heartil y sympathize with them in their serious loss .
# * . * WE call attention to a paragraph from the Times elsewhere relative to a Masonic Cremation in Dorsetshire . We shall be glad to hear some explanation of so peculiar a proceeding . The reporter tells us that the " Ritual " used was " very ancient , " and ** has not been employed in England for the past century . " We do not quite understand what these words are intended
to convey . The funeral ritual , as we have it , is purely Prestonian , and was intended for inhumation , not cremation . As at present advised , we do not see , that without a special dispensation any such ceremonial could take place . It is clearly not a Masonic funeral . Is it to be understood that any Prov . Grand Master can have a special service of his own ? Such would be a curious commentary on the somewhat hasty change in our Book of Constitutions . We shall recur to the subject next week .
# * # IT will be seen from the report we publish elsewhere in our columns that the Hughari Testimonial is now fairly launched . The influential brethren , whose names have already appeared in the Freemason , have been formally constituted as a Committee for giving effect to the proposal made in the first instance by Bro . T . B , WHYTEHEAD , that a suitable testimonial should
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Contents.
CONTENTS .
LEADERS . ' . 615 United Grand Lodge 616 Grand Mark Lodge 618 Royal Masonic Institution for Boys 619 Provincial Grand Lodge of West Lancashire 620 The Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution ( Continued ) G 21
CORRESPONDENCEThe Election of Grand Treasurer 623 Life Membership of Lodges 623 The Allocution of the Great Prior of Canada 623 Reviews 624 Notes and Queries 624 Consecration of the Clausentum Masonic Halt at Woolston 625
The Hnghan Testimonial 625 Annual Banquet of the United Military Lodge of Instruction , No . 1536 ... 625 Bro . H . Jed's and the Corporation of Gloucester 62 3 REI ' ORTS OF MASONIC MEETINGSCraft Masonry 62 C
Instruction 628 Royal Arch 629 Mark Masonry 629 Ancient and Accepted Rite 629 Red Cross of Constantino 629 Rosicrucian Society 630 Obvtuary 630 Masonic and General Tidings 631 Lodge Meetings for Next Week 632
Ar00100
THE Quarterly Communication of Grand Lodge took place on Wednesday last , as will be seen by our report elsewhere , under the distinguished presidency of the PRO GRAND MASTER . Not for many years has so large a muster of the brethren assembled to transact the ordinary business of Grand Lodge . The Great Hall of Freemasons' Tavern was completely packed , as
was also the gallery , and a subsidiary meeting was held in the Zetland Room , and even elsewhere . The revision of the Book of Constitutions was completed . The alteration in the Status of Past Masters was non-confirmed by an overwhelming majority , despite several able speeches ; and the Blue collars are still to be worn over the Provincial collars . The new law
of dues for joining members by lodges not making enquiries was retained by a small majority ( a great mistake , by the way ) , as the alteration will prove to be unworkable ; and , amid loud cheers , the revision ot the Book of Constitutions was formally accepted and confirmed and passed . Our new Book of Constitutions will soon now , therefore , be printed . H . R . H . the
Prince of WALES was renominated as Grand Master , and Bros . J . DERBY ALLCROFT and' HORACE BROOKS MARSHALL as Grand Treasurer . The report of the Building Committee then came up , and Bro . Sir J MONCKTON moved a general approval of the report . Whereon an amendment was moved by Bro . WEBSTER , P . M . A short discussion ensued , in which Bro . Sir J MONCKTON , Bro . J HAVERS , Bro . WEBSTER , and
a brother from East Lancashire took part , when the amendment was carried nearly unanimously . The result is , that the building scheme is given up , and the Hall will be rebuilt from the insurance money , the old Building Committee being reappointed , with three provincial brethren added . Thus ended this important Quarterly Communication of December , 1883 , notable for many reasons , and remarkable for many striking results .
* * WE cannot affect not to rejoice at the decision of Grand Lodge . We never have ourselves approved of the suggestions of the report , and not one voice in Grand Lodge was held up in its favour . Bro . Sir J . MONCKTON did the best he could for a hopeless cause , but the result was evident from
the first . Had the humble advice of the Freemason been taken , tendered in all friendliness , our Executive would have been saved from this very decided refusal of Grand Lodge to endorse their proposals and sanction their plans . A grave blunder has been committed , and while we rejoice in
the result as creditable to the good sense and business habits of Grand Lodge , we most cordially echo in our humble measure the words of our distinguished Pro Grand Master , Lord CARNARVON , when we say that we rejoiced to see the " sea of blue collars" filling the hall , and most gladly welcomed our provincial brethren to take an active share in the deliberations .
# * * W E were very glad to find that what might have proved a very serious difficulty , and a cause of great irritation and disturbance , at the meeting of Grand Lodge on Wednesday night , was met with good tact and promptitude by our PRO GRAND MASTER . Many of our brethren who were fortunate
enough to obtain admission into the Grand Banqueting Room were probably not aware that the vestibule leading to the Great Hall and the corridors were literally crammed by brethren who could not gain admission , many of whom had travelled long distances to take part in the business of Grand Lodge . Under these circumstances , Lord CARNARVON promptly
decided that every one must be allowed to vote , even although they could not take part in the debate . Bro . HAVERS was deputed by his lordship to address the various assemblages , and to inform them that if they would adjourn to the ZETLAND , DALHOUSIE , and other rooms , a Grand Officer should be sent to preside , Scrutineers would be appointed in each room , and
each resolution put before Grand Lodge would be sent to the several rooms , then carefully read over , a vote taken upon each , and the result forthwith communicated to Grand Lodge . This , Bro . HAVERS explained , was the most that could be done under the very unusual circumstances in which they were placed . The brethren received this with satisfaction , and the greatest good humour , compatible with a great disappointment , was manifested on all
sides . The votes of the brethren outside were duly taken ; but the members in waiting gradually diminished as the time wore on , and when the interest in the proceedings began to flag , many brethren left the Hall , and all the remaining outsiders were enabled to obtain admission into it . Thus ended satisfactorily what might have been almost a riot , and would have been with almost any but brother Masons .
Ar00101
IT IS sometimes amusing to note with what pertinacious anxiety , and even unscrupulous energy , as in all earthly honours and good things so in Masonic matters , the distinctions of the Craft and the decorations of the Order are assiduously sought after and eagerly claimed . We should at times be almost inclined to think that a comfortable salary was attached to this honorary
office or that amongst us , from the keen competition and amusing egoism with which Masonic honours , for instance , are sought after , with which the claims of others are discounted , and our own little merits are puffed and published . To the true philosopher , to the serene sage , there is something abnormal and petty in this state of affairs , as far as
Freemasonry is concerned , whether Masonic or non-Masonic . After all , the mere accumulation of honours and decorations count for very little , unless accompanied and dominated by a sense of honest work for the Craft , and the justifiable satisfaction of having obtained the approval and confidence of our brethren . All other promotion , all other rank ,
however elevated or however acquired , when " weighed in the balances " is found " wanting . " The laudations of the many , the applause of the ignorant , are utterly valueless as compared with that honest approbation of good Masons and true , which , after all , mostly accompanies true merit here , and which , neither fearing displeasure nor courting approval , is alike free , manlv
and independent . That is the truest outcome of legitimate public opinion , which entirely ignoring external circumstances , passing conditions , or present influences , encourages the living , cheers the fading hours of our Masonic life with the pleasing memory and realization of fairly gained honour , of lawfully won prestige . No English Freemason can properly affect to
despise the honours of the Craft , and they are a justifiable and reasonable object of honest and resolute ambition . And yet the true Masonic " Didaskalos " of to-day , if he speaks deliberately words of Masonic truth and Masonic wisdom , must often perforce smile at the heated struggles of his contemporaries for the " much-coveted purple , " must often marvel that
rightly educated Masons set so much store apparently by ephemeral honours and sublunary distinctions . There is one good great level of Masonic merit , work done in loyalty and charity , and beyond that no one in tru th need anxiously long , or concernedly seek . The longer we Jive experience will teach us that most things " perish with the using " here , and often the very
honours we excitedly covet or inordinately strive for disappoint us by their very possession , when we find above all that , as always happens " things are not what they seem , " and that one ol the most wonderful facts connected with our human probation is the unsatisfactorinessand shallowness of all which we count the highest or which we regard the most . The true
Masonic Philosophy enforces therefore the " golden mean " on us all alike , and bids us to be neither too anxiously urgent , nor too ostentatiously elate , nor too manifestly disappointed , but to accept promotion when it comes to us with befitting gratitude and pleasure , and to go without it , if need be , with Masonic patience and Masonic resignation .
# # THERE are now two candidates nominated for the Grand Treasurership , and we hear that the contest will be severe .
»* # LET US all rejoice to note a very sensible warning against party interests and sectional movements in our English Freemasonry in a recent circular . The unity and peace of Freemasonry are too serious and sacred things to be affected and tampered with by partizans and wire-pullers , let us hope and trust . Any tendency to create a sort of unseen directory will , we feel sure , be promptly checked and successfully opposed .
WE regret to notice that by the Times' telegraphic despatch from New York on Monday the Masonic Temple in that city has been burned down , ataloss of many thousand dollars to our worth y Craft there . We heartil y sympathize with them in their serious loss .
# * . * WE call attention to a paragraph from the Times elsewhere relative to a Masonic Cremation in Dorsetshire . We shall be glad to hear some explanation of so peculiar a proceeding . The reporter tells us that the " Ritual " used was " very ancient , " and ** has not been employed in England for the past century . " We do not quite understand what these words are intended
to convey . The funeral ritual , as we have it , is purely Prestonian , and was intended for inhumation , not cremation . As at present advised , we do not see , that without a special dispensation any such ceremonial could take place . It is clearly not a Masonic funeral . Is it to be understood that any Prov . Grand Master can have a special service of his own ? Such would be a curious commentary on the somewhat hasty change in our Book of Constitutions . We shall recur to the subject next week .
# * # IT will be seen from the report we publish elsewhere in our columns that the Hughari Testimonial is now fairly launched . The influential brethren , whose names have already appeared in the Freemason , have been formally constituted as a Committee for giving effect to the proposal made in the first instance by Bro . T . B , WHYTEHEAD , that a suitable testimonial should