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Ad Untitled Page 1 of 1 Ad Untitled Page 1 of 1 Ad Untitled Page 1 of 1 Ad Untitled Page 1 of 1 Ad Untitled Page 1 of 1 Article Untitled Page 1 of 1 Article Original Correspondence. Page 1 of 1 Article Original Correspondence. Page 1 of 1 Article REVIEWS Page 1 of 1 Article Masonic Notes and Queries. Page 1 of 1 Article REPORTS OF MASONIC MEETINGS. Page 1 of 4 →
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Ad00804
J . B . KORNER , WHOLESALE & RETAIL CHINA & GLASS WAREHOUSE , 351 late 302 , OXFORD STEBET , LONDON . W . Merchant Shippers , Hotel Keepers and the Trade SUPPLIED AT WHOLESALE PRICES . A large assortment of Gas and Lamp Globes . Goods Packed for all parts of the Globe .
Ad00805
ARTIFICIAL TEETH y » xJ Sueli : is liave broil foiiml to lie the ino > l useful * > £ L . : iml durable , SUPPLIED by the nctuiil mnkors * . Ov * ^ from 'Js . Oil . eiu'b ; : m upper or lower set from V > \} Qy 25 s . upwards . Teeth extr ; ieteu by gas . Vi ' nr-V > MCS * C > renlM to j * ive perfect snlisfcietinn . No r > mii C ~ y A 1 y ^ > jriveii . Advice free . Mr . STKXT , T > enl ; il -r J * * C > Surgeon , " ,, Coventry Street , W ., : md . > t ~ , Fulliam . V > llu : i ( l , S . W . KstJiblished m years . Numerous V ( ivstiiuoniiils » ia . y be seen from ladies and # en' tlemcn .
Ad00806
Naval , Military , and Tropical ^ - ^ - ~" ~ BOOTMAKEKS , ^^ C' S & S ^ -r ^ L 0 ^^ ^ Oj ^^ , _ - —'' " ^ PICCADILLY , LONDON , W
Ad00807
OUR EYES . lust Published , Third Edition . HOW to USE OUR EYES , and HOW to PRESERVE THEM , from INFANCY to OLD AGE , with Special Information about Spectacles . By JOHN BROWNING , F . R . A . S .. F . R . M . S ., & c . With 54 Illustrations . Price is . ; cloth , is . Gd . " How to Use our Eyes , " by John Browning-, I-. K . A . b ., is a thoroughly practical little manual . "—Graphic . " Gives many a useful hint to those who enjoy ( rood eye _ sight and w sh to preserve it , and gives the advice of an occulist to those obliged to wear spectacles . "—Pail Mall Gasette . Chatto and Windus , Piccadilly , London , W ., and all Booksellers . Sent free for is . 2 d . by the Author , John Browning , 63 , Strand , London , W . C .
Ad00808
INVENTIONS EXHIBITION-GOLD MEDAL AWARDED . nTTlSJT'Q NEW ILLUSTRATED Lf Hi IN J . O CATALOGUE of HIGH-CLASS rn-A rp / rrnriQ WATCHES and CLOCKS at WiiJ . Ori £ lD . REDUCED PRICES , sent post ^^ V ^ free on application to E . DENT <& y ^ vk and c ° - ' ' < crs tc tnc Queen ) ^ nrMT xT' 6 l » STRAND , LONDON , W . C , S UE . WI X or 4 , ROYAL EXCHANGE .
Ar00809
® o Correspondents ,
The first List of Members of the Bear and Harrow Lodge promised by Bro . Sadler is to hand , but too late for insertion ; it will appear next week . The following communications stand over : — CRAFT : — Faith Lodge , No . 141 . Masonic Women . Devon Masonic Educational Fund .
BOOKS . & c , RECEIVED . " Proceedings of the District Grand Lodge of Bombay , " " Die Bauhiitte , " " Uucher-Verzeichniss , " " Cadiz Masonica , " " El Taller , " "Illustrated Naval and Military Magazine , " "Liberal Freemason , " " Freemasons' Repository , " " Bolctin Masonico , " " Proceedings of the Grand Lodge of Manitoba , " "The Organists ' fluartcrly | ournal of Original Compositions , " " Centenary of the ' i ' yrian Lo * dge , " " Western Uaily Mercury , " " Le Moniteur de la Chance Universelle , " " Proceedings of the Grand Lodge of
Pennsylvania , " " Yorkshire Gazette , " " Le Monde Maconniquc , " Citizen , " "Sunday Times" ( "London ) , " Masonic Era and Analcctic , " "Sunday Talk , " "Court Circular , " "The Freemason" ( Sydney ) , " Bath Chronicle , "" Jewish Chronicle , " " New York Dispatch , " "Masonic Record , " " Loomis' Musical and Masonic lournal , " "Texas Masonic Journal , " " Proceedings of the Grand Commandery of Knights Templar of Nebraska , " " Cuba
Masonica , " "The Watchman " ( Boston ) , " Rcvista Masonica , " " Hull and East Yorkshire Times , " "Allen ' s Indian Mail , " "The Canadian Craftsman , " " Sunday Times" ( New York ) , " Cassell ' s National Library , " "Keystone , " "Piano , Organ , and Music Tradis Journal , " " Liuht , " "Voice of Masonry and Family Magazine , " " Freemasons' Journal" ( New York ) , "La Chaine d'Union , " and " Effective Advertiser . "
Original Correspondence.
Original Correspondence .
S SATURDAY , APRIL 10 , 1886 . , jSrgSas ^
[ We do not hold ourselves responsible for , or even approving of IheopinionBexpressedby ourcorrespondents . but we wish in a spirit of fair p layto all to permit—within certain necessary limits—free discussion . ] PAST MASTERS . To the bailor of the " Freemason . " Dear Sir and Br other , Will you kindly permit me through the medium ol your widely-read and much valued columns to ask the attention of Freemasons generally , and of members ol Grand Lodge in particular , to what I consider an anomal y in the state of our laws and our practice as regards the clothing of Past Masters ? The " apron " is similar to the Master ' s ( see Article 310 , paragraph 4 ) , though according to ' paragraph 3 it may be presumed he can have , as a past officer , the similitude of a Past Master's jewel , depicted in silver or white in the .-centre of bis apron . Would it not be better to state the
Original Correspondence.
fact distinctly ? Paragraph 13 of Art 310 also says : "In private lodges gauntlets of light blue silk with silver embroidery may be worn by the officers . " The embroidery here referred to possibly means that the officers in private lodges may have the emblems of their respective offices embroidered in silver . But note—it is only officers , not past officers , nor even Past Masters , who may liave gauntlets , and even officers can only wear these in private lodges—not
in Grand Lodge , nor Provincial , nor District Grand Lodges . A Past Master has no gauntlets anywhere , therefore only actual officers of private lodges wear gauntlets , and that only in their official capacity in their own lodges . I think this is the clear inference . In the Constitutions of 1 S 15 there is no mention of gauntlets at all , possibly because the fashion of that time would scarcely admit of such an addition to attire , with
propriety , but if the gauntlet now permitted is an allowable innovation , why confine it to actual officers in their own lodges ? Why not permit Past Masters to follow suit , and further , if considered a suitable adornment in private lodges , why not permit it in Grand Lodge , & c . ? Article 307 describes the collars of officers of a private lodge , but past officers have no collar , not even a Past Master , and yet a Past Master , according to the custom of
Grand Lodge , must have a collar , on or he cannot be admitted . Why does Grand Lodge insist on this i Is it an order of Grand Lodge ? If so , does it not contravene Article 2 SS ? If a P . M . has no collar why is he compelled to wear one in Grand Lodge ? He cannot be an officer , for Article 129 describes the officers , both regular and permissory , and a P . M . is not one of them . But if Articles
307 and 30 S had included Past Masters as well as officers , even then , according to 30 S , a P . M . could only wear a collar in his own lodge or when representing his lodge in Grand or Provincial or District Grand Lodge . Supposing a P . M . attends Grand Lodge by virtue of his right under Article 9 , he is not then a representative , and consequently has no collar . Is this what was intended ? If not , would it not be advisable to have certain rules redrafted ?
According to Art . 300 , Provincial and District Grand Officers attending Grand Lodge must wear their collars and jewels of the lodges and offices respectively , in right of which they attend as members of the Grand Lodge , over their Provincial or District Grand Lodge collars . If a Master or a Warden , he is an officer , and can cover his purple with his blue collar ; but if a P . M ., he is not as such an officer , and has no collar : therefore , what has he to
cover his purple with ? Would it not be desirable to introduce a new rule in the Constitutions—say after 306—something as follows ?—"Past Masters of private lodges wear a collar of light blue ribbon , four inches broad , with a silver cord in the centre , in all Masonic meetings . " Having individual rights as a member of Grand Lodge , he certainly should be distinguished in some such way above
a representative , not that I see any reason why a Master or a Warden , being also members of Grand Lodge , should not also have the right to wear their collars in all Masonic meetings ; but I | think , as Past Stewards have been given a silver cord , so Past Masters ought to have one also as a distinction of past rank ; but if , with all the lavish insignia granted to Grand and Provincial and District Grand Offi cers , Present and Past , this simple silver cord cannot be
granted to Past Masters , then we can do without it if the words " Past Masters and " are inserted in Rule 307 before the word " officers , " in order that Past Masters may have a collar of some sort , so as to be able to comply with the standing custom of Grand Lodge to require a collar to be worn as a necessity to gain admission . Andin Rule 30 SI beg tosuggestthat the word " assistant " be inserted in line 1 , before the word " officers , " and that
the last three lines be expunged ; or if the word " assistant , " as applied in the opening ceremony , is not inclusive enough to embrace the officers named in Law 129 , then the words "below the rank of Wardens " could be inserted in line 1 , Rule 30 S , after the word "officers , " and the three last lines expunged ; but , as the entire rule is an innovation and contrary to Article 2 S 8 , I would be glad to see it all expunged . What harm can it do if all officers go visiting
in their official collars ? The officers and members of the lodge they visit cannot mistake them , and it is no business of other visitors . I rather think it would tend to good ; it would show that officers of other lodges were fulfilling the fraternal injunction to visit for the purpose of assisting to maintain uniform practice and ritual , and , besides , it is a mark of respect to the lodge they visit . If invited to dinner
or to an evening party at a f riend s house , I would consider I would be doing disrespect , not only to my friend and his company , buteventomyself , if I attendedinordinary walking attire ; and have Masonic officers no way of showing deference to lodges they visit for official purposes and fraternal intercourse ?—Yours very fraternally , P . M .
SUPPERS FOR AUDIT COMMITTEES . To the Editor of the "Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , I shall be very glad if you or any of your readers will kindly inform mc what is the usual refreshment ( if any ) allowed by a lodge to the Committee of Reference or Audit Committee at their annual Audit meeting ? I may inform you that in my mother lodge the said
Committee consists of at least 12 members , and the sum ol £ 10 is charged in the accounts of the lodge for their supper . On enquiry I am _ informed that the charge is the usual one , and is made in other lodges , as I shall find . I may add that I happen to belong to another lodge where the charge I have named is not made at all . I speak with authority—being one of the Audit Committee ; and if
my brother Auditors and myself require any refreshments while performing our arduous (?) duties , we put our hands in our ov » t pockets to pay for what we require . 1 have no doubt that I shall learn through your columns that the practice 1 have alluded to is not so general as the officers of my mother lodge seem to think . —Yours fraternally , AUDITOR .
Bro . the Lord Mayor presided at the annual festival at the Albion , Aldersgate-strcet , on Friday , the 2 nd inst ., of St . Mary ' s Hospital , Paddington . In the course of the evening the Secretary announced subscriptions to the amount of £ 2600 , as well as the fact that Bro . J . D Allcroft , Past . G . Treas ., had endowed the new wing of the Hospital , containing 24 beds , with ^ 2000 a year for the next two years .
Reviews
REVIEWS
FREEMASONS' CALENDAR AND DIRECTORY FOR THE PROVINCE OF GLOUCESTER . The editor of this most useful 'itlle volume' is Bro . R . V . Vassar-Smith , the able Provincial Charity Secretary , who has done his work so well as to leave little to be desired . Not only is Gloucestershire fully represented , but the neighbouring provinces of Berks , Bristol , Hereford ,
Monmouth , Oxford , Somerset , Warwick , Wilts , and Worcester , are all carefully described as respects the numbers , names , and places of meetings of their several lodges , chapters , & c , so that the brochure , printed at the worldrenowned press of John Bellows , Gloucester , is a veritable multzim in parvo . A capital index of the contents adds , much to the practical value of the compilation , but the
special feature of the Directory is the care and attention devoted to "the characteristic of a Freemason ' s heart , " the Charities , both local and general . The Charity Committee for Gloucester makes an imposing list of names . The rules of the Charity Association embrace three objects . ( A ) Increase of the subscribers to the " Royal Masonic Charities . " ( B . l The education and advancement
in life of the children of distressed or deceased brethren of the province , and ( C ) to aid in the elections ; an excellent mode of representation being provided for , all being allowed " to have a finger in the pie" who subscribe not less than a guinea to A fund , or half a guinea to the objects B and C . It is not , however , a complete organization in name , and nothing more , for the work done is most
gratifying , and exhibits a most cheering progress year by year . Only fancy , some of you backward provinces ? Out of a total of 14 lodges and 605 members , the number of votes held by the subscribers amounts to 3109 in the three Institutions , inclusive of Prov . Grand Lodge Ladies and
Lewises , being an increaseof 620 , compared with 1 S 84 ( to 31 st Dec ) , and of 1646 as compared with the year 1 SS 0 . After this we need not add a single word in panse of Bro . Vasaar-Smith ' s efforts and his noble committee of zealous workers save to express the hope that others will be led " to go and do likewise ; " and beat the record if possible .
Masonic Notes And Queries.
Masonic Notes and Queries .
656 ] ANCIENT SCOTCH MASONIC MEDAL . The following extract from a Scotch paper describes an ancient medal in the British Museum , which I believe is the oldest known Masonic medal . It is not described by Marvin : — "IMPORTANT TO THE MASONIC ARCHAEOLOGIST . — Mr . R . W . Cochran-Patrick , of Woodside , the historian of the coinage and medals of Scotland , has made an important discovery , interesting to the Masonic archaeologist , as well
as the members of Mother Kilwinning and her ancient daughter Canongate Kilwinning , Edinburgh . The Masonic ' find' is in the British Museum , and said to be a ' silver medal' nearly i £ inch in diameter , belonging to the * Kilwinning Lodge of Freemasons , ' and of date 1677 . It is thus described by the compiler of the recently-issued museum catalogue : — ' Between two upright pillars the shield of the Kilwinning Lodge within two thistle branches ,
above Eye of Providence , clouds and sun , and the inscription Post Nubila Phoebus ( after clouds come sunshine ) . Leg . Canongate Kilwinning instd . 1677 . Rev . Oak wreath . 1 " 45 inch . MB , AR . Ring for suspension . The Kilwinning Lodge , the oldest in Scotland , in 16 77 issued a warrant to certain Craftsmen in the Canongate of Edinburgh to enter
and pass Masons in the name and on behalf of the Lodge of Kilwinning ; but it was not till 16 79 that the Mother Lodge began to grant charters of erection . This medal was worn by members of the new lodge , and the recipient ' s name was inscribed on the reverse . ' It is noteworthy that the legend on the medal is the Canongate Kilwinning Lodge motto at this day . " JAMES NEWTON .
Reports Of Masonic Meetings.
REPORTS OF MASONIC MEETINGS .
( Craft JEasonrg
STRONG MAN LODGE ( No . 45 ) . —A meeting of this lodge was held on Thursday , the 1 st inst ., at Masons' Hall Tavern , Basinghall-street , when there were present Bros . H . T . Nell , W . M . ; L . S . Fountaine , S . W . : R . E . Hunt , J . W . ; H . Follett , P . M ., Treas . ; Jno . N . Healc , Sec ; T . Bolt , J . D . ; G . G . Symons , P . M ., D . of C . j r . C . Cubbon , I . G . ; J . H . Smethurst . Stwd . ; E .
Mallett , Tyler ; F . W . Driver , M . A ., P . M . ; G . H . T . Dyer , P . M . ; W . A . S . Humphries , P . M . ; W . H . G . Ball , P . M ; G . Ayres , W . H . Liddall , A . Whitby , A . M . Whitby , W . Smith , A . Mace , E . H . Dove , C . H . Dowsett , W . F . Bruty , S . Wood , and VV . Sammes . Visitor : Bro . G . W . Finlay , 579 . Lodge having been opened , the minutes of the previous
meeting were then read and confirmed . Bro . Sammes was then raised to he Sublime Degree of M . M . The next business was the election of W . M . and Treasurer for the ensuing year . The ballot having been taken , was declared unanimous in favour of Bro . L . S . Fountaine , S . W ., and Bro . H . Follett , P . M . The W . M . elect , in thanking the brethren for the high honour they had conferred upon him ,
hoped nothing would prevent him doing his best to carry out the duties of his office to their satisfaction . Bro . Follett , P . M ., also thanked the brethren for the confidence they had in him on again for the sixteenth time electing him as Treasurer . It was then proposed by Bro . F . W . Driver , P . M ., and duly seconded , that a P . M . 's jewel be presented to Bro . H . T . Nell for the very able and kindly manner in which he had filled the office of W . M ., and carried out the duties of that office for the past year . This
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Ad00804
J . B . KORNER , WHOLESALE & RETAIL CHINA & GLASS WAREHOUSE , 351 late 302 , OXFORD STEBET , LONDON . W . Merchant Shippers , Hotel Keepers and the Trade SUPPLIED AT WHOLESALE PRICES . A large assortment of Gas and Lamp Globes . Goods Packed for all parts of the Globe .
Ad00805
ARTIFICIAL TEETH y » xJ Sueli : is liave broil foiiml to lie the ino > l useful * > £ L . : iml durable , SUPPLIED by the nctuiil mnkors * . Ov * ^ from 'Js . Oil . eiu'b ; : m upper or lower set from V > \} Qy 25 s . upwards . Teeth extr ; ieteu by gas . Vi ' nr-V > MCS * C > renlM to j * ive perfect snlisfcietinn . No r > mii C ~ y A 1 y ^ > jriveii . Advice free . Mr . STKXT , T > enl ; il -r J * * C > Surgeon , " ,, Coventry Street , W ., : md . > t ~ , Fulliam . V > llu : i ( l , S . W . KstJiblished m years . Numerous V ( ivstiiuoniiils » ia . y be seen from ladies and # en' tlemcn .
Ad00806
Naval , Military , and Tropical ^ - ^ - ~" ~ BOOTMAKEKS , ^^ C' S & S ^ -r ^ L 0 ^^ ^ Oj ^^ , _ - —'' " ^ PICCADILLY , LONDON , W
Ad00807
OUR EYES . lust Published , Third Edition . HOW to USE OUR EYES , and HOW to PRESERVE THEM , from INFANCY to OLD AGE , with Special Information about Spectacles . By JOHN BROWNING , F . R . A . S .. F . R . M . S ., & c . With 54 Illustrations . Price is . ; cloth , is . Gd . " How to Use our Eyes , " by John Browning-, I-. K . A . b ., is a thoroughly practical little manual . "—Graphic . " Gives many a useful hint to those who enjoy ( rood eye _ sight and w sh to preserve it , and gives the advice of an occulist to those obliged to wear spectacles . "—Pail Mall Gasette . Chatto and Windus , Piccadilly , London , W ., and all Booksellers . Sent free for is . 2 d . by the Author , John Browning , 63 , Strand , London , W . C .
Ad00808
INVENTIONS EXHIBITION-GOLD MEDAL AWARDED . nTTlSJT'Q NEW ILLUSTRATED Lf Hi IN J . O CATALOGUE of HIGH-CLASS rn-A rp / rrnriQ WATCHES and CLOCKS at WiiJ . Ori £ lD . REDUCED PRICES , sent post ^^ V ^ free on application to E . DENT <& y ^ vk and c ° - ' ' < crs tc tnc Queen ) ^ nrMT xT' 6 l » STRAND , LONDON , W . C , S UE . WI X or 4 , ROYAL EXCHANGE .
Ar00809
® o Correspondents ,
The first List of Members of the Bear and Harrow Lodge promised by Bro . Sadler is to hand , but too late for insertion ; it will appear next week . The following communications stand over : — CRAFT : — Faith Lodge , No . 141 . Masonic Women . Devon Masonic Educational Fund .
BOOKS . & c , RECEIVED . " Proceedings of the District Grand Lodge of Bombay , " " Die Bauhiitte , " " Uucher-Verzeichniss , " " Cadiz Masonica , " " El Taller , " "Illustrated Naval and Military Magazine , " "Liberal Freemason , " " Freemasons' Repository , " " Bolctin Masonico , " " Proceedings of the Grand Lodge of Manitoba , " "The Organists ' fluartcrly | ournal of Original Compositions , " " Centenary of the ' i ' yrian Lo * dge , " " Western Uaily Mercury , " " Le Moniteur de la Chance Universelle , " " Proceedings of the Grand Lodge of
Pennsylvania , " " Yorkshire Gazette , " " Le Monde Maconniquc , " Citizen , " "Sunday Times" ( "London ) , " Masonic Era and Analcctic , " "Sunday Talk , " "Court Circular , " "The Freemason" ( Sydney ) , " Bath Chronicle , "" Jewish Chronicle , " " New York Dispatch , " "Masonic Record , " " Loomis' Musical and Masonic lournal , " "Texas Masonic Journal , " " Proceedings of the Grand Commandery of Knights Templar of Nebraska , " " Cuba
Masonica , " "The Watchman " ( Boston ) , " Rcvista Masonica , " " Hull and East Yorkshire Times , " "Allen ' s Indian Mail , " "The Canadian Craftsman , " " Sunday Times" ( New York ) , " Cassell ' s National Library , " "Keystone , " "Piano , Organ , and Music Tradis Journal , " " Liuht , " "Voice of Masonry and Family Magazine , " " Freemasons' Journal" ( New York ) , "La Chaine d'Union , " and " Effective Advertiser . "
Original Correspondence.
Original Correspondence .
S SATURDAY , APRIL 10 , 1886 . , jSrgSas ^
[ We do not hold ourselves responsible for , or even approving of IheopinionBexpressedby ourcorrespondents . but we wish in a spirit of fair p layto all to permit—within certain necessary limits—free discussion . ] PAST MASTERS . To the bailor of the " Freemason . " Dear Sir and Br other , Will you kindly permit me through the medium ol your widely-read and much valued columns to ask the attention of Freemasons generally , and of members ol Grand Lodge in particular , to what I consider an anomal y in the state of our laws and our practice as regards the clothing of Past Masters ? The " apron " is similar to the Master ' s ( see Article 310 , paragraph 4 ) , though according to ' paragraph 3 it may be presumed he can have , as a past officer , the similitude of a Past Master's jewel , depicted in silver or white in the .-centre of bis apron . Would it not be better to state the
Original Correspondence.
fact distinctly ? Paragraph 13 of Art 310 also says : "In private lodges gauntlets of light blue silk with silver embroidery may be worn by the officers . " The embroidery here referred to possibly means that the officers in private lodges may have the emblems of their respective offices embroidered in silver . But note—it is only officers , not past officers , nor even Past Masters , who may liave gauntlets , and even officers can only wear these in private lodges—not
in Grand Lodge , nor Provincial , nor District Grand Lodges . A Past Master has no gauntlets anywhere , therefore only actual officers of private lodges wear gauntlets , and that only in their official capacity in their own lodges . I think this is the clear inference . In the Constitutions of 1 S 15 there is no mention of gauntlets at all , possibly because the fashion of that time would scarcely admit of such an addition to attire , with
propriety , but if the gauntlet now permitted is an allowable innovation , why confine it to actual officers in their own lodges ? Why not permit Past Masters to follow suit , and further , if considered a suitable adornment in private lodges , why not permit it in Grand Lodge , & c . ? Article 307 describes the collars of officers of a private lodge , but past officers have no collar , not even a Past Master , and yet a Past Master , according to the custom of
Grand Lodge , must have a collar , on or he cannot be admitted . Why does Grand Lodge insist on this i Is it an order of Grand Lodge ? If so , does it not contravene Article 2 SS ? If a P . M . has no collar why is he compelled to wear one in Grand Lodge ? He cannot be an officer , for Article 129 describes the officers , both regular and permissory , and a P . M . is not one of them . But if Articles
307 and 30 S had included Past Masters as well as officers , even then , according to 30 S , a P . M . could only wear a collar in his own lodge or when representing his lodge in Grand or Provincial or District Grand Lodge . Supposing a P . M . attends Grand Lodge by virtue of his right under Article 9 , he is not then a representative , and consequently has no collar . Is this what was intended ? If not , would it not be advisable to have certain rules redrafted ?
According to Art . 300 , Provincial and District Grand Officers attending Grand Lodge must wear their collars and jewels of the lodges and offices respectively , in right of which they attend as members of the Grand Lodge , over their Provincial or District Grand Lodge collars . If a Master or a Warden , he is an officer , and can cover his purple with his blue collar ; but if a P . M ., he is not as such an officer , and has no collar : therefore , what has he to
cover his purple with ? Would it not be desirable to introduce a new rule in the Constitutions—say after 306—something as follows ?—"Past Masters of private lodges wear a collar of light blue ribbon , four inches broad , with a silver cord in the centre , in all Masonic meetings . " Having individual rights as a member of Grand Lodge , he certainly should be distinguished in some such way above
a representative , not that I see any reason why a Master or a Warden , being also members of Grand Lodge , should not also have the right to wear their collars in all Masonic meetings ; but I | think , as Past Stewards have been given a silver cord , so Past Masters ought to have one also as a distinction of past rank ; but if , with all the lavish insignia granted to Grand and Provincial and District Grand Offi cers , Present and Past , this simple silver cord cannot be
granted to Past Masters , then we can do without it if the words " Past Masters and " are inserted in Rule 307 before the word " officers , " in order that Past Masters may have a collar of some sort , so as to be able to comply with the standing custom of Grand Lodge to require a collar to be worn as a necessity to gain admission . Andin Rule 30 SI beg tosuggestthat the word " assistant " be inserted in line 1 , before the word " officers , " and that
the last three lines be expunged ; or if the word " assistant , " as applied in the opening ceremony , is not inclusive enough to embrace the officers named in Law 129 , then the words "below the rank of Wardens " could be inserted in line 1 , Rule 30 S , after the word "officers , " and the three last lines expunged ; but , as the entire rule is an innovation and contrary to Article 2 S 8 , I would be glad to see it all expunged . What harm can it do if all officers go visiting
in their official collars ? The officers and members of the lodge they visit cannot mistake them , and it is no business of other visitors . I rather think it would tend to good ; it would show that officers of other lodges were fulfilling the fraternal injunction to visit for the purpose of assisting to maintain uniform practice and ritual , and , besides , it is a mark of respect to the lodge they visit . If invited to dinner
or to an evening party at a f riend s house , I would consider I would be doing disrespect , not only to my friend and his company , buteventomyself , if I attendedinordinary walking attire ; and have Masonic officers no way of showing deference to lodges they visit for official purposes and fraternal intercourse ?—Yours very fraternally , P . M .
SUPPERS FOR AUDIT COMMITTEES . To the Editor of the "Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , I shall be very glad if you or any of your readers will kindly inform mc what is the usual refreshment ( if any ) allowed by a lodge to the Committee of Reference or Audit Committee at their annual Audit meeting ? I may inform you that in my mother lodge the said
Committee consists of at least 12 members , and the sum ol £ 10 is charged in the accounts of the lodge for their supper . On enquiry I am _ informed that the charge is the usual one , and is made in other lodges , as I shall find . I may add that I happen to belong to another lodge where the charge I have named is not made at all . I speak with authority—being one of the Audit Committee ; and if
my brother Auditors and myself require any refreshments while performing our arduous (?) duties , we put our hands in our ov » t pockets to pay for what we require . 1 have no doubt that I shall learn through your columns that the practice 1 have alluded to is not so general as the officers of my mother lodge seem to think . —Yours fraternally , AUDITOR .
Bro . the Lord Mayor presided at the annual festival at the Albion , Aldersgate-strcet , on Friday , the 2 nd inst ., of St . Mary ' s Hospital , Paddington . In the course of the evening the Secretary announced subscriptions to the amount of £ 2600 , as well as the fact that Bro . J . D Allcroft , Past . G . Treas ., had endowed the new wing of the Hospital , containing 24 beds , with ^ 2000 a year for the next two years .
Reviews
REVIEWS
FREEMASONS' CALENDAR AND DIRECTORY FOR THE PROVINCE OF GLOUCESTER . The editor of this most useful 'itlle volume' is Bro . R . V . Vassar-Smith , the able Provincial Charity Secretary , who has done his work so well as to leave little to be desired . Not only is Gloucestershire fully represented , but the neighbouring provinces of Berks , Bristol , Hereford ,
Monmouth , Oxford , Somerset , Warwick , Wilts , and Worcester , are all carefully described as respects the numbers , names , and places of meetings of their several lodges , chapters , & c , so that the brochure , printed at the worldrenowned press of John Bellows , Gloucester , is a veritable multzim in parvo . A capital index of the contents adds , much to the practical value of the compilation , but the
special feature of the Directory is the care and attention devoted to "the characteristic of a Freemason ' s heart , " the Charities , both local and general . The Charity Committee for Gloucester makes an imposing list of names . The rules of the Charity Association embrace three objects . ( A ) Increase of the subscribers to the " Royal Masonic Charities . " ( B . l The education and advancement
in life of the children of distressed or deceased brethren of the province , and ( C ) to aid in the elections ; an excellent mode of representation being provided for , all being allowed " to have a finger in the pie" who subscribe not less than a guinea to A fund , or half a guinea to the objects B and C . It is not , however , a complete organization in name , and nothing more , for the work done is most
gratifying , and exhibits a most cheering progress year by year . Only fancy , some of you backward provinces ? Out of a total of 14 lodges and 605 members , the number of votes held by the subscribers amounts to 3109 in the three Institutions , inclusive of Prov . Grand Lodge Ladies and
Lewises , being an increaseof 620 , compared with 1 S 84 ( to 31 st Dec ) , and of 1646 as compared with the year 1 SS 0 . After this we need not add a single word in panse of Bro . Vasaar-Smith ' s efforts and his noble committee of zealous workers save to express the hope that others will be led " to go and do likewise ; " and beat the record if possible .
Masonic Notes And Queries.
Masonic Notes and Queries .
656 ] ANCIENT SCOTCH MASONIC MEDAL . The following extract from a Scotch paper describes an ancient medal in the British Museum , which I believe is the oldest known Masonic medal . It is not described by Marvin : — "IMPORTANT TO THE MASONIC ARCHAEOLOGIST . — Mr . R . W . Cochran-Patrick , of Woodside , the historian of the coinage and medals of Scotland , has made an important discovery , interesting to the Masonic archaeologist , as well
as the members of Mother Kilwinning and her ancient daughter Canongate Kilwinning , Edinburgh . The Masonic ' find' is in the British Museum , and said to be a ' silver medal' nearly i £ inch in diameter , belonging to the * Kilwinning Lodge of Freemasons , ' and of date 1677 . It is thus described by the compiler of the recently-issued museum catalogue : — ' Between two upright pillars the shield of the Kilwinning Lodge within two thistle branches ,
above Eye of Providence , clouds and sun , and the inscription Post Nubila Phoebus ( after clouds come sunshine ) . Leg . Canongate Kilwinning instd . 1677 . Rev . Oak wreath . 1 " 45 inch . MB , AR . Ring for suspension . The Kilwinning Lodge , the oldest in Scotland , in 16 77 issued a warrant to certain Craftsmen in the Canongate of Edinburgh to enter
and pass Masons in the name and on behalf of the Lodge of Kilwinning ; but it was not till 16 79 that the Mother Lodge began to grant charters of erection . This medal was worn by members of the new lodge , and the recipient ' s name was inscribed on the reverse . ' It is noteworthy that the legend on the medal is the Canongate Kilwinning Lodge motto at this day . " JAMES NEWTON .
Reports Of Masonic Meetings.
REPORTS OF MASONIC MEETINGS .
( Craft JEasonrg
STRONG MAN LODGE ( No . 45 ) . —A meeting of this lodge was held on Thursday , the 1 st inst ., at Masons' Hall Tavern , Basinghall-street , when there were present Bros . H . T . Nell , W . M . ; L . S . Fountaine , S . W . : R . E . Hunt , J . W . ; H . Follett , P . M ., Treas . ; Jno . N . Healc , Sec ; T . Bolt , J . D . ; G . G . Symons , P . M ., D . of C . j r . C . Cubbon , I . G . ; J . H . Smethurst . Stwd . ; E .
Mallett , Tyler ; F . W . Driver , M . A ., P . M . ; G . H . T . Dyer , P . M . ; W . A . S . Humphries , P . M . ; W . H . G . Ball , P . M ; G . Ayres , W . H . Liddall , A . Whitby , A . M . Whitby , W . Smith , A . Mace , E . H . Dove , C . H . Dowsett , W . F . Bruty , S . Wood , and VV . Sammes . Visitor : Bro . G . W . Finlay , 579 . Lodge having been opened , the minutes of the previous
meeting were then read and confirmed . Bro . Sammes was then raised to he Sublime Degree of M . M . The next business was the election of W . M . and Treasurer for the ensuing year . The ballot having been taken , was declared unanimous in favour of Bro . L . S . Fountaine , S . W ., and Bro . H . Follett , P . M . The W . M . elect , in thanking the brethren for the high honour they had conferred upon him ,
hoped nothing would prevent him doing his best to carry out the duties of his office to their satisfaction . Bro . Follett , P . M ., also thanked the brethren for the confidence they had in him on again for the sixteenth time electing him as Treasurer . It was then proposed by Bro . F . W . Driver , P . M ., and duly seconded , that a P . M . 's jewel be presented to Bro . H . T . Nell for the very able and kindly manner in which he had filled the office of W . M ., and carried out the duties of that office for the past year . This