Contents.

CONTENTS .

LEADERS " Consecration by H . R . H . the Duke of Connaught of a New Rose Croix Chapter at Mcerat •' S 2 Royal Masonic Institution for Boys 12 Lodge Libraries 12 Grand Lodae of South Australia 12

Twelfth Night Entertainment at the Girls ' School 13 Destruction of Bro . Carson ' s Library 13 Jottings from the Antipodes 13 Ked Cross of Constantine 13 CoRRESl'ONllEXCEThe Red Apron Lodges lj Masonic Mendicancy ij

CORRESPONDENCE ( Continued ) The Installation of the District Grand Master of Victoria i s Notes and Queries 1 3 REPORTS OF MASONIC MEETINGSCraft Masonry 16 Instruction 18

Royal Arch 18 Mark Masonry 18 The Craft Abroad 18 New Year ' s Entertainment at the Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution 18 The Theatres 19 Masonic and General Tidings 20 Lodge Meetings for Next Week Cover .

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THE Seventeenth Volume of the Freemason is now completed , and all who are connected with its management can look back with satisfaction and pride on the constant and consistent advance of that journal since it was originally founded . At the present moment , the Freemason occupies a position of prestige in the

contemporary Press rarely conceded to a Masonic journal . At home and abroad its contents are noted , repeated , and reproduced . Abroad t he compliment is paid to it of being frequently republished with expr essions of encomium , but as often with no acknowledgment at all . We are frequently amused at seeing the leaderettes of the Freemason reproduced as original

contributions in American publications . Well , we do not complain . The Freemason is issued with a sincere desire to advance the best interests of the Order , and is a perfectly independent member of the Masonic Press . It leans to no party , and favours no clique . It has never sought to undermine authority , or be a " fautor " of grumbling , nor does it sympathize at all

with " grievance-mongers . " If fair questions of complaint or doubt arise , if special movements affect the Craft passingly , it always seeks to speak with moderation and modesty , reticence and caution , and yet with clearness and courage . It has led the way as regards archaeological enquiry , and has ceaselessly advocated the great cause of Masonic Charity . Under these

circumstances , it is not at all surprising that we can regard with entire satisfaction its past career of utility and Masonic principle , while we can equally look forward with confidence to the friendly and Masonic support of a large and increasing circle of readers and friends in all quarters of the globe . In 1885 we trust that the great banner , which the Freemason

has consistently unfurled , of Charity , Loyalty , Toleration , and Peace , may float in peaceful progress over this good Craft of ours , wherever on the earth ' s surface Freemasons do congregate , and wherever the living and beneficent principles of Anglo-Saxon Freemasons are honestly avowed and duly carried out .

*» IT is asserted , in the very magniloquent language of some zealous supporters of the Grand Lodge of Quebec , that it is grievously affected in its sovereign rights , & c , by the existence of three English lodges within its jurisdiction . Let us try and realize the whole facts of the case , alike in their

truth and clearness , their effect and bearing , their certainty and their absurdity . The Grand Lodge of Quebec is a " swarm , " be it never forgotten , from the Grand Lodge of Canada , and was for a long time practically excommunicated by the Grand Lodge of Canada itself as a rebellious body of schismatics . A concordat was entered into subsequently

between high contracting parties , and during its negotiations the question of the English lodges was treated and touched upon ; but nothing was then said as to their actual illegality , un-Masonic status , their interference with sovereign rights , etc ., but power was reserved and taken by the Grand Lodge of Quebec to endeavour , by peaceable

negotiations , to obtain their incorporation in the new jurisdiction . It remained for a bright genius to discover that the existence 01 the three English lodges constituted an infringement of the American State . Masonic law of Grand Lodge sovereignty , though

whether that discovery occurred before the overtures for recognition by the Grand Lodge of England , or immediately after , does not quite clearly a Ppear . Neither is it absolutely patent so far , when the discovery was made , that the Grand Lodge of Canada and Grand Master WILSON

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committed mexcusaole " laches " in recognizing the absolute right of the English lodges to a choice of jurisdiction , which he did most loyally and clearly in a well-known printed correspondence . However , the discovery was made , and since that preposterous claim has been put forward everything has gone wrong . Precedent is ignored , common sense is put on one

side , and hopeless assertions of impossible claims and childish arguments of a Masonic code of repudiation are ostentatiously proclaimed , and to use an expressive term , " crammed down our throats " with a perseverance and energy worthy of a better cause . The American law of recognition suits the exigencies and situation of the American Grand Lodges , —

it is unknown in England and Europe , and we feel sure never will be acceded to by the English Grand Lodge . The parties really most to be pitied are the members of the loyal English lodges in Canada . They have committed no offence , Masonic or civil ; they have brought themselves under the provisions of no known section of local or

Masonic enactment . They are simply punished for their loyalty . They have , for reasons of their own , —and it is not for us to dictate to them , —preferred the jurisdiction of the " old mother country , " and so long as they express that wish and conform to our laws of legal Masonic existence and adhesion , we should be the veriest cravens on the earth ' s soil , and rightly

forfeit our high prestige , if for any threats whatever , if for any outflow of almost unprecedented ignorance of Masonic law and precedent , if for all the "tall talk" in the world , we gave up brethren who alike deserve and demand our zealous sympathy and our honourable support , and whose legal position was distinctly

recognized and openly admitted to the Grand Lodge of Canada , We have reason to believe that the members of the English lodges in Canada can compare with any similar body of Masons any . where for Masonic zeal and Masonic energy , for firm adherence to the principles of Freemasonry in the abstract , and practical effect to the

concrete work of our beneficent Order , so needful to place its professions in' a true light before a doubting or a scoffing world . Their unity , their harmony , their cultured sympathies , and their thorough effectiveness are , we are assured , very striking , while they are never backward in relieving local claims of want , and distressing evidences of calamity and misfortune . And

here we leave the matter . The Freemason has more than once pointed out the only true path to pursue , the only one which can give any hope of an eventual amicable settlement . To use the words of the GRAND SECRETARY . must leave to the " efflux of time" the healing of wounds and the

smoothing of difficulties , which , if once treated in a violent , or bullying , or a vulgar spirit of senseless animosity , will widen and widen until the sore becomes chronic , and the division perpetual . " Verbum sat " to all wise , prudent , considerate brethren in the Jurisdiction of Quebec . * * *

IT would almost seem , from an extract published in our last issue from a Canadian paper . as if our brethren of the Quebec Grand Lodge were intent on " trying conclusions " with the Grand Lodge of England , and having recourse to that very peculiar process of "boycotting" and " excommunication , " so hateful just now , for many patent reasons , to all minds reasonable , patriotic ,

and Masonic . It seems to us to betray the great and inherent weakness of their case svhen papers , duly prompted and specially posted , indulge in the tall talk and vulgar violence we have lately been compelled , unwillingly , to peruse . In the present use of grandiloquent verbiage and the excited state of mind manifested by some good brethren of ours across the little "

millpond in Canada we see the development of the agitation wave , we behold the outcome of an unreasonable impatience . If the Grand Lodge of Quebec does what its admirers and unsafe advisers urge it to do , after the distinct and unanimous declaration of the Grand Lodge of England , it will render a peaceable solution of the difficulty almost impossible—it will , at any rate ,

postpone it to the " Greek Kalends , " and it will inevitably raise up certain issues which may result in consequences not even now anticipated in any measure by the brethren in Quebec . The Grand Lodge of England is the most peaceable and least combative body in the world ; but there

are certain limits even to the most courteous forbearance , the most Masonic endurance of unmerited insults and disloyal ingratitude . We can only once again offer to our brethren in Canada a few words of sympathetic counsel , kindly interest , and friendly warning .

* * » WE deeply regret to announce the somewhat sudden and lamented death of the Bishop of LONDON . We allude to this eminent prelate ' s decease , because he has on more than one occasion expressed the most kindly and sympathetic feelings towards Freemasons and Freemasonry . He will truly be a very missed man in his large and most important Diocese .