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Article GRAND MARK LODGE. ← Page 2 of 2 Article FREEMASONRY IN THE UNITED STATES. Page 1 of 1 Article FREEMASONRY IN THE UNITED STATES. Page 1 of 1 Article BRO.'GOULEY'S LAST ARTICLE. Page 1 of 1 Article BRO.'GOULEY'S LAST ARTICLE. Page 1 of 1 Article METROPOLITAN MASONIC MEETINGS. Page 1 of 2 →
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Grand Mark Lodge.
¦ ' Jl „ -. _¦ ' " . nf nnerations next door , and there- was another centre centre » £ ns in Golden Square , where many brethren frTbear witness to the excellent service to Masonry C ° h - h Lord Skelmersdale performed . There was also ther part of the kingdom too where Lord Skelmersdale performing si gnal service in Lancashire , and he
WaS I rj- « Tlf .. tJM- r , f T . nTir . a « hir # . _ tn rpcnnn < l h Id call upon Bro . Matier , of Lancashire , to respond . Bro C . F- Matier responded . £ ' s Rawson proposed " The Grand Master in the rhair ' " a " d said that no a P £ y was necessary from Lord nonou ghmore for taking the chair , as he had discharged , he duties of his office admirably . Lord Donoug hmore , in reply , said it was difficult for the he
.. t 0 express properly very great appreciation fit at the kind words that had been used by Bro . Rawn in proposing bis health to the brethren , and of the *? . „ . jlso in which it had been received by all of them . Bro . Rawson was good enough to say that he had soc ' iated with him for the last eighteen months or two as ; n different departments of Masonic work , and he
J i „ .. « l- \ 4-r \ cnpnif in i »*«*\ ir / + mv \ nl « r * i ^ r » fr »»* 'ir # - » t- » "we ? Jpis eood enough to speak in very complimentary terms , more so than he deserved , of their work together . He could only say that from the very beginning he , and he thoucht others , who could look back to the ' old days of the Apollo Lodge , when they were noisy young wild boys at Oxford , to those days when it was his fortune to take Masonry up again after beingout of England many years ,
his labours in Masonry had always been a labour of love . It had been his fortune to meet many whom he should have been sorry if he had not met , and to have known he was not going to meet , to work with those whose good will and good opinion always produced a lasting impression upon his mind . This last rank which the M . W . G . M . M . had been good enough to confer on him
had brought him , he felt , in closer connection with them on the work of the charities . It was his fortune to serve this year as Steward for one charity which it was hoped would be very successful , and he begged to assure Bro . Binckes tbat no efforts of his would be spared to make it successful . The other charities he should also serve , and he hoped to devote his efforts to them on some
future occasion . Bo . F . Davison proposed " The Provincial Grand Masters and Grand Officers . " He remembered that he had been present at a great Mark gatherings in Lancashire under the presidency of Bro . Romaine Collender . He remembered meetings in Birmingham , Bristol , and Leicester , and with many pleasing recollections of those meetings he
proposed the toast . He drew the brethren ' s attention to the fact that Bro . Captain Wordsworth would soon be installed as Prov . G . M . of Yorkshire , and he was sure that Mark Masonry there would succeed in his hands . He coupled Bro . Rawson ' s name with the toast . Bro . S . Rawson responded . Although of old entitled to attend this lodge , to-night was the first time he had
attended . He took his Degree in China , and he conferred tbe Degree there on fifty or sixty brethren . When he returned to England he found he had not been authorised to confer it . After making three efforts to become legal , he had at last taken a step which would render it legal . When one look on the Mark Degree he would not help knowing how the lodge was supported .
Bro . Binckes proposed " Success to the Masonic' Institutions of the Mark Benevolent Fund . " All were so well known that it would not be necessary for him to say anything for them . They had all been well supported , and the Mark Grand Lodge had been engaged in this work for some years . Bro . Meggy said : The Boys' School will be well
supported on the 27 th inst ., and when the brethren knew that Bro . Beach was going to preside , he was sure the brethren of the Mark Degree would strongly support it . He hoped to have Lord Donoughmore as the President ofthe next festival of the Mark Benevolent Institution , which would be held in July . Already the dividends on investments almost paid the grants to cases of distress , and he was sure if Lord Donoughmore would preside at the next
festival the amount collected would enable a sufficient sum to be invested , so that its interest would pay » U the claims of the distressed upon it . lord Donoughmore then consented to take the chair at A ? Mark Benevolent Festival ; and the brethren s » wtl y afterwards separated . ihe musical arrangements , which were excellent , were » " 1 er the direction of Bro . F . Cozens , and were executed / Bros . T . H . Simons , Evison , and Theodore Distin .
Freemasonry In The United States.
FREEMASONRY IN THE UNITED STATES .
GRAND LODGE OF MARYLAND . tondlTf f ^" visit t 0 BaItimore I * week > we bad the fen „ t . u' n S present at the semi-annual communica-- , " ° l this RnnJ r „ J : c .,. _ 1 ... .. 01 ine in tne
'emnlp , """ * - uugc i "i one large rooms R . W , , ln the absence of Grand Master Latrobe , the WJ , " ,. ' Cartar » Sei ) ior Grand Warden , presided Nan ™ r ° 8 ml y and courtesy , and there was a large at-Al th ° P resenta '' ves of lodges . UehrA * Itation of the acting Grand Master , we had rt : u " ° utoi adrirvecinn th . rr— ... i I „ J _ . . r „ .: miuiauu i t
"Uerpil * " 6 . -uugurr euc ijUbsiUJiis ' Aftcr . u" ° £ S'ng : the fraternity . lod ) ' disposition of some routine business , the Grand ^ it ' s rh ¦ re P ort of the committee on correspondence , "Hniserirfh o ' - - J ° - Tyson . unanimously ^¦ edanHi 1 ran < 1 Lod ge of the Island of Cuba , and S D . i- J . saIuted its representative . W . Bro . Hsm . in Ilia .
,, Nsjre J Vlslt ' we had the further pleasure and iSmander Tih J 11 , Br ° ' Albcrt ? iU ' 33 ° ' Grand faction t Supreme Council for the Southern j 1 who , notwithstanding his advancing years
Freemasonry In The United States.
and great labours in the cause of the Institution , still finds time to devote to the furtherance of Ancient Craft Masonry . On the present occasion he delivered a lecture before the Master Masons of Baltimore , occupying a little over two hours in its delivery , the subject being the symbols and their teaching . The scene was a most impressive one .
The large hall was filled with brethren , who listened with the rapt attention of men who desired to learn , and not one moved from his place until the last syllable fell from the lips of the venerable speaker . Seated on the platform , where all could see as well as hear him , he gave his audience the benefit of his long experience , ripe judgment , and profound learning , and we argue that while such
teachers and such pupils can be found , the marvellous growth and stability of the Craft is easily to be accounted for . We had the pleasure of meeting Sir Edward T . Schultz , Grand Captain-General of the Grand Encampment of the United States ; M . E . Comp . Geo . McCahan , P . G . H . P ,
and Wm . A . Wentz , Grand Secretary of the Grand Chapter of Maryland ; R . W . Bro . Jacob H . Medairy , Grand Secretary of the Grand Lodge ; R . W . James W . Bowers , Grand Lecturer ; Stephen C Brush , Grand Marshal ; W . Oilman Meredith ; 111 . Wm . M . Ireland , 33 " , and many others ; to all of whom we are largely indebted for courtesies . —New York Dispatch .
Bro.'Gouley's Last Article.
BRO . 'GOULEY'S LAST ARTICLE .
We take from the Voice , of Masonry , to which he was a regular contributor , the last article written for the press by our departed friend . Like all that he wrote , it will be found plain , practical , and to the point .
MASONRY HAS MANY MISSIONS . It has often been a mystery among thinking people why Freemasonry has held such a firm place in the affections of its votaries , and why , under all systems of opposition in years gone by , when other associations were disrupted and passed out of existence , it alor . e remained in its quiet and solid character as the exponent of human fraternities .
Its answer is simple and yet comprehensive . It is i full sympathy with the highest- aspirations of mankind in all that relates to thc improvement and elevation of human society . It is not confined to the charity of moneyed assistance , but encompasses that higher and grander charity of opinion and judgment . It is not confined to the inculcation of fraternal love , but leads its noviciates into
the sublime paths in search for the truth . It not only recognises and teaches , through His works , the existence and attributes of God , but , being composed , of members having human impulses , it teaches the purest lessons of morality , without which there is no true reli gion . Without being a total abstinence society , it realizes the necessity of temperance in all things—in speech , in acts , in opinions , in resistance to
wrong , in advancing self-interests , in daily work , in sleep , and in eating as well as drinking . It endeavours to impress upon the mind of its initiates at their first instruction the safeguard of prudence in all things j teaching them by emblems the most expressive the importance of upright walk and conversation , governing their entire life by the principles of exact and undeviating justice . It appreciates
the impossibility of such an improved , if not perfect manhood , without also advancing with the age in its development of educated thought , and calls the attention of the iniiate £ 0 the ennobling studies of the liberal arts and sciences . To these lessons , so great and so important , it adds the absorbing problem and demonstration of the immortality of the soul and its relationship to its author , the Great Architect of the Universe .
It is not , and cannot , be expected that all who enter its mysterious portals shall fully comprehend this immense scope of study and practice , but that is no fault of the institution , but due to the frailty of human nature ; and the most that can be expected is that it will make men wiser and better than it found them . Even this it cann . t , do by any power of inspiration , but alone by close attendance ,
study , and reflection . If a'lodge accepts a candidate whose mental structure is deficient , or who by nature possesses none of the higher and holier aspirations of heart and soul or who inherits a base , and low disposition , it has made a mistake for which it cannot always be justly held respon sible . It often has to accept men whom it has not personally known for years , hence its errors of
acceptanceare not to be wondered at when we daily witness the errors committed by men and women on the knowledge of each other ' s character and disposition ^ even after years of intimacy ; also by men of long acquaintanceship forming the most unfortunate business copartnership . Even the Church , with all its sacred surroundings , and with all its impressive sacraments ,
following the most earnest declarations of penitence and reform , has been deceived and disappointed , not excepting its most honoured and trusted priests . Such has been , and will always be , the case as long as man is human . Notwithstanding all this , Freemasonry has stood through its entire history a remarkable association of faithful and moral citizens in all lands and among all men .
Its lodge-rooms afford a quiet retreat from the turmoils and prejudices of daily life , and they are capable of being used for the highest purpose of intellectual improvement . If a lodge has no library , at least some of its members have a collection , which , however small , contains works
from which selections may be made and read , when there is no ritualistic work to occupy the spare hour after regular business is transacted . Readings and lectures need not necessarily be confined to strictly Masonic questions , but topics of scientific interest , of social or artistic culture , or of agriculture , history , geography , discoveries , & c ., with
Bro.'Gouley's Last Article.
which so many valuable' periodicals are replete , are all in order . The general Masonic law of our ancient regular tions only prohibits the introduction of questions the discussion of which may disturb the peace and harmony on the lodge . In this age of general education and cheap publications , there is no excuse for any lodge not alway being fully and satisfactorily entertained at every meeting This is one of the missions of Masonry at this day , and it should at once and everywhere fulfil it .
BANK NOTES . —Few of the persons who handle Bank of England notes ever think of the amount of labour and ingenuity tbat is expended on their production . These notes are made from pure white linen cuttings only , never from rags that have been worn . They have been manufactured for nearly 200 years at the same spot—Laverstoke , in Hampshire , and by the same
family—the Portals , who are descended from some French Protestant refugees . So carefully is the paper prepared that even the number of dips into the pulp made by each workman is registered on a dial by machinery , and the sheets are carefully counted , and booked to each person through whose hands they pass . The printing is done by a most curious process in Mr . Coe's department within
the Bank building . There is an elaborate arrangement for securing that no note shall be exactly like any other in existence . Consequentl y there never was a duplicate of a Bank ol England note except by forgery . It has been stated that the stock of paid notes for seven years is about 94 , , 000 in number , and they fill 18 , 000 boxes , which
, if placed side by side , would reach three miles . The notes , placed in a pile , would be eight miles high ; or , if joined end to end , would form a iibbon 15 , 000 miles long ; their superficial extent is more than that of Hyde Park ; their original value was over £ 3 , , 000 , 000 ; and their weight over 112 tons . —City Press .
Metropolitan Masonic Meetings.
METROPOLITAN MASONIC MEETINGS .
For the Week ending Friday ; June 15 th , 1877 . The Editor will be glad to receive notice from Secretaries of Craft Lodges , Royal Arch Chapters , Mark Lodges , Preceptories , Conclaves , & c , of any change in place o £ time of meeting .
SATURDAY , JUNE 9 . Lodge 176 , Caveac , Albion Tav ., Aldersgatc-st . „ 1361 , United Service , Greyhound Hot ., Richmond „ 1423 , Era , Island Hot ., Hampton Court . „ 1446 , Mourrt Edgcumbe , Swan Tav ., Battersea .
LODGES OF INSTRUCTION . Lily , Greyhound , Richmond . Manchester , 77 , London-st ., Fitzroy-sq . Star , Marquis of Granby , New Cross-rd . Eccleston , Grosvenor Club , Ebury-square , S . W .
MONDAY , JUNE n . Chap 1118 , University , F . M . H . Royal Order of Scotland , P . G . L ., 33 , Golden-square .
LODGES OF INSTRUCTION . Prince Leopold , Lord Stanley Tav ., Kingsland . Strong Man , Jerusalem Tav ., St . John ' s Gate . Sincerity , Railway Tav ., Fenchurch-st . Station . Camden , Stanhope Arms , Up . James-st ., Camden I ' unn . Sastern , Royal Hot ., Mile-end-road St . James ' s Union , Union Tav ., Air-st .
Wellington , White Swan , Deptford . Perfect Ashlar , Victoria Tav ., Lower-rd ., Rotherhithe . Upper Norwood , White Hart Hot ., Church-rd . Marquis of Ripon , Pembury Tav ., 4 mnerst-rd ., Hacknrjy . Loughborough , Warrior Hot ., Brixton . London Masonic Club , 101 , Queen Victoria-st . West Smithfield , New Market Hot ., West Smithfield . Leopold , Woolpack Tavern , Bermondsey-st .
TUESDAY , JUNE 12 . Lodge 167 , St . John ' s , Holly Bush Tav ., Hampstead . „ 548 , Wellington , White Swan Tav ., Deplford . „ 834 , Andrew , Bell and Anchor , W . Kensington . „ 1269 , Stanhope , Thicket Hot ., Anerley . „ 1538 , St . Martin ' s-le-Grand , M . H ., Masons'Avenue . „ 1604 , Wanderers , F . M . H .
LODGES OP INSTRUCTION . Metropolitan , 269 , Pentonville-rd . Yarborough , Green Dragon , Stepney . Domatic , Surrey M . H ., Camberwell New-road . Faith , 2 , Westminster Chambers , Victoria-st . Prince Fredk . Wm ., Lord's Hot ., St . John ' s Wood .
Dalhousie , King Edward , Triangle , Hackney . Prosperity , Hercules Tav ., Leadenhall-st . Constitutional , Wheatsheaf Hot ., Hand-court , Holborn . Israel , Rising Sun Tav ., Globe Road . Royal Arthur , Prince ' s Head , York-road , Battersea .
Beacontree , Red Lion , Leytonstone . Excelsior , Commercial Dock Tav ., Rotherhithe . St . John of Wapping , Gun Hot ., High-st ., Wapping . Islington , Coopers' Arms , Silver-st ., Falcon-sq . Metropolitan Chapter , Jamaica Coffee Ho ., Cornhill .
WEDNESDAY , JUNE 13 . Com . R . M . B . I . at 3 . Lodge 13 , Union Waterloo , M . H ., Wm-st ., Woolwich . „ 708 , Carnarvon , Mitre Inn , Hampton Court .
„ 1017 , Montefiore , F . M . H . „ 1228 , Beacontree , Red Lion Hot ., Le ) tonstone . „ 1260 , Hervey , F . M . H . „ 1302 , St . Marylebone , Eyre Arms , St . John ' s W . xid . Rose Croix Chap . Grand Metropolitan , 33 , Golden-sq .
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Grand Mark Lodge.
¦ ' Jl „ -. _¦ ' " . nf nnerations next door , and there- was another centre centre » £ ns in Golden Square , where many brethren frTbear witness to the excellent service to Masonry C ° h - h Lord Skelmersdale performed . There was also ther part of the kingdom too where Lord Skelmersdale performing si gnal service in Lancashire , and he
WaS I rj- « Tlf .. tJM- r , f T . nTir . a « hir # . _ tn rpcnnn < l h Id call upon Bro . Matier , of Lancashire , to respond . Bro C . F- Matier responded . £ ' s Rawson proposed " The Grand Master in the rhair ' " a " d said that no a P £ y was necessary from Lord nonou ghmore for taking the chair , as he had discharged , he duties of his office admirably . Lord Donoug hmore , in reply , said it was difficult for the he
.. t 0 express properly very great appreciation fit at the kind words that had been used by Bro . Rawn in proposing bis health to the brethren , and of the *? . „ . jlso in which it had been received by all of them . Bro . Rawson was good enough to say that he had soc ' iated with him for the last eighteen months or two as ; n different departments of Masonic work , and he
J i „ .. « l- \ 4-r \ cnpnif in i »*«*\ ir / + mv \ nl « r * i ^ r » fr »»* 'ir # - » t- » "we ? Jpis eood enough to speak in very complimentary terms , more so than he deserved , of their work together . He could only say that from the very beginning he , and he thoucht others , who could look back to the ' old days of the Apollo Lodge , when they were noisy young wild boys at Oxford , to those days when it was his fortune to take Masonry up again after beingout of England many years ,
his labours in Masonry had always been a labour of love . It had been his fortune to meet many whom he should have been sorry if he had not met , and to have known he was not going to meet , to work with those whose good will and good opinion always produced a lasting impression upon his mind . This last rank which the M . W . G . M . M . had been good enough to confer on him
had brought him , he felt , in closer connection with them on the work of the charities . It was his fortune to serve this year as Steward for one charity which it was hoped would be very successful , and he begged to assure Bro . Binckes tbat no efforts of his would be spared to make it successful . The other charities he should also serve , and he hoped to devote his efforts to them on some
future occasion . Bo . F . Davison proposed " The Provincial Grand Masters and Grand Officers . " He remembered that he had been present at a great Mark gatherings in Lancashire under the presidency of Bro . Romaine Collender . He remembered meetings in Birmingham , Bristol , and Leicester , and with many pleasing recollections of those meetings he
proposed the toast . He drew the brethren ' s attention to the fact that Bro . Captain Wordsworth would soon be installed as Prov . G . M . of Yorkshire , and he was sure that Mark Masonry there would succeed in his hands . He coupled Bro . Rawson ' s name with the toast . Bro . S . Rawson responded . Although of old entitled to attend this lodge , to-night was the first time he had
attended . He took his Degree in China , and he conferred tbe Degree there on fifty or sixty brethren . When he returned to England he found he had not been authorised to confer it . After making three efforts to become legal , he had at last taken a step which would render it legal . When one look on the Mark Degree he would not help knowing how the lodge was supported .
Bro . Binckes proposed " Success to the Masonic' Institutions of the Mark Benevolent Fund . " All were so well known that it would not be necessary for him to say anything for them . They had all been well supported , and the Mark Grand Lodge had been engaged in this work for some years . Bro . Meggy said : The Boys' School will be well
supported on the 27 th inst ., and when the brethren knew that Bro . Beach was going to preside , he was sure the brethren of the Mark Degree would strongly support it . He hoped to have Lord Donoughmore as the President ofthe next festival of the Mark Benevolent Institution , which would be held in July . Already the dividends on investments almost paid the grants to cases of distress , and he was sure if Lord Donoughmore would preside at the next
festival the amount collected would enable a sufficient sum to be invested , so that its interest would pay » U the claims of the distressed upon it . lord Donoughmore then consented to take the chair at A ? Mark Benevolent Festival ; and the brethren s » wtl y afterwards separated . ihe musical arrangements , which were excellent , were » " 1 er the direction of Bro . F . Cozens , and were executed / Bros . T . H . Simons , Evison , and Theodore Distin .
Freemasonry In The United States.
FREEMASONRY IN THE UNITED STATES .
GRAND LODGE OF MARYLAND . tondlTf f ^" visit t 0 BaItimore I * week > we bad the fen „ t . u' n S present at the semi-annual communica-- , " ° l this RnnJ r „ J : c .,. _ 1 ... .. 01 ine in tne
'emnlp , """ * - uugc i "i one large rooms R . W , , ln the absence of Grand Master Latrobe , the WJ , " ,. ' Cartar » Sei ) ior Grand Warden , presided Nan ™ r ° 8 ml y and courtesy , and there was a large at-Al th ° P resenta '' ves of lodges . UehrA * Itation of the acting Grand Master , we had rt : u " ° utoi adrirvecinn th . rr— ... i I „ J _ . . r „ .: miuiauu i t
"Uerpil * " 6 . -uugurr euc ijUbsiUJiis ' Aftcr . u" ° £ S'ng : the fraternity . lod ) ' disposition of some routine business , the Grand ^ it ' s rh ¦ re P ort of the committee on correspondence , "Hniserirfh o ' - - J ° - Tyson . unanimously ^¦ edanHi 1 ran < 1 Lod ge of the Island of Cuba , and S D . i- J . saIuted its representative . W . Bro . Hsm . in Ilia .
,, Nsjre J Vlslt ' we had the further pleasure and iSmander Tih J 11 , Br ° ' Albcrt ? iU ' 33 ° ' Grand faction t Supreme Council for the Southern j 1 who , notwithstanding his advancing years
Freemasonry In The United States.
and great labours in the cause of the Institution , still finds time to devote to the furtherance of Ancient Craft Masonry . On the present occasion he delivered a lecture before the Master Masons of Baltimore , occupying a little over two hours in its delivery , the subject being the symbols and their teaching . The scene was a most impressive one .
The large hall was filled with brethren , who listened with the rapt attention of men who desired to learn , and not one moved from his place until the last syllable fell from the lips of the venerable speaker . Seated on the platform , where all could see as well as hear him , he gave his audience the benefit of his long experience , ripe judgment , and profound learning , and we argue that while such
teachers and such pupils can be found , the marvellous growth and stability of the Craft is easily to be accounted for . We had the pleasure of meeting Sir Edward T . Schultz , Grand Captain-General of the Grand Encampment of the United States ; M . E . Comp . Geo . McCahan , P . G . H . P ,
and Wm . A . Wentz , Grand Secretary of the Grand Chapter of Maryland ; R . W . Bro . Jacob H . Medairy , Grand Secretary of the Grand Lodge ; R . W . James W . Bowers , Grand Lecturer ; Stephen C Brush , Grand Marshal ; W . Oilman Meredith ; 111 . Wm . M . Ireland , 33 " , and many others ; to all of whom we are largely indebted for courtesies . —New York Dispatch .
Bro.'Gouley's Last Article.
BRO . 'GOULEY'S LAST ARTICLE .
We take from the Voice , of Masonry , to which he was a regular contributor , the last article written for the press by our departed friend . Like all that he wrote , it will be found plain , practical , and to the point .
MASONRY HAS MANY MISSIONS . It has often been a mystery among thinking people why Freemasonry has held such a firm place in the affections of its votaries , and why , under all systems of opposition in years gone by , when other associations were disrupted and passed out of existence , it alor . e remained in its quiet and solid character as the exponent of human fraternities .
Its answer is simple and yet comprehensive . It is i full sympathy with the highest- aspirations of mankind in all that relates to thc improvement and elevation of human society . It is not confined to the charity of moneyed assistance , but encompasses that higher and grander charity of opinion and judgment . It is not confined to the inculcation of fraternal love , but leads its noviciates into
the sublime paths in search for the truth . It not only recognises and teaches , through His works , the existence and attributes of God , but , being composed , of members having human impulses , it teaches the purest lessons of morality , without which there is no true reli gion . Without being a total abstinence society , it realizes the necessity of temperance in all things—in speech , in acts , in opinions , in resistance to
wrong , in advancing self-interests , in daily work , in sleep , and in eating as well as drinking . It endeavours to impress upon the mind of its initiates at their first instruction the safeguard of prudence in all things j teaching them by emblems the most expressive the importance of upright walk and conversation , governing their entire life by the principles of exact and undeviating justice . It appreciates
the impossibility of such an improved , if not perfect manhood , without also advancing with the age in its development of educated thought , and calls the attention of the iniiate £ 0 the ennobling studies of the liberal arts and sciences . To these lessons , so great and so important , it adds the absorbing problem and demonstration of the immortality of the soul and its relationship to its author , the Great Architect of the Universe .
It is not , and cannot , be expected that all who enter its mysterious portals shall fully comprehend this immense scope of study and practice , but that is no fault of the institution , but due to the frailty of human nature ; and the most that can be expected is that it will make men wiser and better than it found them . Even this it cann . t , do by any power of inspiration , but alone by close attendance ,
study , and reflection . If a'lodge accepts a candidate whose mental structure is deficient , or who by nature possesses none of the higher and holier aspirations of heart and soul or who inherits a base , and low disposition , it has made a mistake for which it cannot always be justly held respon sible . It often has to accept men whom it has not personally known for years , hence its errors of
acceptanceare not to be wondered at when we daily witness the errors committed by men and women on the knowledge of each other ' s character and disposition ^ even after years of intimacy ; also by men of long acquaintanceship forming the most unfortunate business copartnership . Even the Church , with all its sacred surroundings , and with all its impressive sacraments ,
following the most earnest declarations of penitence and reform , has been deceived and disappointed , not excepting its most honoured and trusted priests . Such has been , and will always be , the case as long as man is human . Notwithstanding all this , Freemasonry has stood through its entire history a remarkable association of faithful and moral citizens in all lands and among all men .
Its lodge-rooms afford a quiet retreat from the turmoils and prejudices of daily life , and they are capable of being used for the highest purpose of intellectual improvement . If a lodge has no library , at least some of its members have a collection , which , however small , contains works
from which selections may be made and read , when there is no ritualistic work to occupy the spare hour after regular business is transacted . Readings and lectures need not necessarily be confined to strictly Masonic questions , but topics of scientific interest , of social or artistic culture , or of agriculture , history , geography , discoveries , & c ., with
Bro.'Gouley's Last Article.
which so many valuable' periodicals are replete , are all in order . The general Masonic law of our ancient regular tions only prohibits the introduction of questions the discussion of which may disturb the peace and harmony on the lodge . In this age of general education and cheap publications , there is no excuse for any lodge not alway being fully and satisfactorily entertained at every meeting This is one of the missions of Masonry at this day , and it should at once and everywhere fulfil it .
BANK NOTES . —Few of the persons who handle Bank of England notes ever think of the amount of labour and ingenuity tbat is expended on their production . These notes are made from pure white linen cuttings only , never from rags that have been worn . They have been manufactured for nearly 200 years at the same spot—Laverstoke , in Hampshire , and by the same
family—the Portals , who are descended from some French Protestant refugees . So carefully is the paper prepared that even the number of dips into the pulp made by each workman is registered on a dial by machinery , and the sheets are carefully counted , and booked to each person through whose hands they pass . The printing is done by a most curious process in Mr . Coe's department within
the Bank building . There is an elaborate arrangement for securing that no note shall be exactly like any other in existence . Consequentl y there never was a duplicate of a Bank ol England note except by forgery . It has been stated that the stock of paid notes for seven years is about 94 , , 000 in number , and they fill 18 , 000 boxes , which
, if placed side by side , would reach three miles . The notes , placed in a pile , would be eight miles high ; or , if joined end to end , would form a iibbon 15 , 000 miles long ; their superficial extent is more than that of Hyde Park ; their original value was over £ 3 , , 000 , 000 ; and their weight over 112 tons . —City Press .
Metropolitan Masonic Meetings.
METROPOLITAN MASONIC MEETINGS .
For the Week ending Friday ; June 15 th , 1877 . The Editor will be glad to receive notice from Secretaries of Craft Lodges , Royal Arch Chapters , Mark Lodges , Preceptories , Conclaves , & c , of any change in place o £ time of meeting .
SATURDAY , JUNE 9 . Lodge 176 , Caveac , Albion Tav ., Aldersgatc-st . „ 1361 , United Service , Greyhound Hot ., Richmond „ 1423 , Era , Island Hot ., Hampton Court . „ 1446 , Mourrt Edgcumbe , Swan Tav ., Battersea .
LODGES OF INSTRUCTION . Lily , Greyhound , Richmond . Manchester , 77 , London-st ., Fitzroy-sq . Star , Marquis of Granby , New Cross-rd . Eccleston , Grosvenor Club , Ebury-square , S . W .
MONDAY , JUNE n . Chap 1118 , University , F . M . H . Royal Order of Scotland , P . G . L ., 33 , Golden-square .
LODGES OF INSTRUCTION . Prince Leopold , Lord Stanley Tav ., Kingsland . Strong Man , Jerusalem Tav ., St . John ' s Gate . Sincerity , Railway Tav ., Fenchurch-st . Station . Camden , Stanhope Arms , Up . James-st ., Camden I ' unn . Sastern , Royal Hot ., Mile-end-road St . James ' s Union , Union Tav ., Air-st .
Wellington , White Swan , Deptford . Perfect Ashlar , Victoria Tav ., Lower-rd ., Rotherhithe . Upper Norwood , White Hart Hot ., Church-rd . Marquis of Ripon , Pembury Tav ., 4 mnerst-rd ., Hacknrjy . Loughborough , Warrior Hot ., Brixton . London Masonic Club , 101 , Queen Victoria-st . West Smithfield , New Market Hot ., West Smithfield . Leopold , Woolpack Tavern , Bermondsey-st .
TUESDAY , JUNE 12 . Lodge 167 , St . John ' s , Holly Bush Tav ., Hampstead . „ 548 , Wellington , White Swan Tav ., Deplford . „ 834 , Andrew , Bell and Anchor , W . Kensington . „ 1269 , Stanhope , Thicket Hot ., Anerley . „ 1538 , St . Martin ' s-le-Grand , M . H ., Masons'Avenue . „ 1604 , Wanderers , F . M . H .
LODGES OP INSTRUCTION . Metropolitan , 269 , Pentonville-rd . Yarborough , Green Dragon , Stepney . Domatic , Surrey M . H ., Camberwell New-road . Faith , 2 , Westminster Chambers , Victoria-st . Prince Fredk . Wm ., Lord's Hot ., St . John ' s Wood .
Dalhousie , King Edward , Triangle , Hackney . Prosperity , Hercules Tav ., Leadenhall-st . Constitutional , Wheatsheaf Hot ., Hand-court , Holborn . Israel , Rising Sun Tav ., Globe Road . Royal Arthur , Prince ' s Head , York-road , Battersea .
Beacontree , Red Lion , Leytonstone . Excelsior , Commercial Dock Tav ., Rotherhithe . St . John of Wapping , Gun Hot ., High-st ., Wapping . Islington , Coopers' Arms , Silver-st ., Falcon-sq . Metropolitan Chapter , Jamaica Coffee Ho ., Cornhill .
WEDNESDAY , JUNE 13 . Com . R . M . B . I . at 3 . Lodge 13 , Union Waterloo , M . H ., Wm-st ., Woolwich . „ 708 , Carnarvon , Mitre Inn , Hampton Court .
„ 1017 , Montefiore , F . M . H . „ 1228 , Beacontree , Red Lion Hot ., Le ) tonstone . „ 1260 , Hervey , F . M . H . „ 1302 , St . Marylebone , Eyre Arms , St . John ' s W . xid . Rose Croix Chap . Grand Metropolitan , 33 , Golden-sq .