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Article Masonic Notes and Queries. ← Page 2 of 2 Article ROYAL MASONIC BENEVOLENT INSTITUTION. Page 1 of 1 Article JOHN HERVEY MEMORIAL FUND. Page 1 of 1 Article ANNUAL BANQUET OF THE FRIARS LODGE OF INSTRUCTION, No. 1349. Page 1 of 1 Article THE GREAT CITY LODGE OF INSTRUCTION. Page 1 of 1 Article THE GREAT CITY LODGE OF INSTRUCTION. Page 1 of 1 Article FEMALE FREEMASONS. Page 1 of 1
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Masonic Notes And Queries.
Corinthian capital ; her left arm rests upon an altar , upon which is a closed book ; her right hand closes her lips . In the right foreground , the Bible , smiare and compasses , surrounded by three burning tapers . Between the brethren are a gavel and level lying on the pavement . In exergue-, ' Amicitia virlule et silenlio ' ( by friendship , virtue , and silence ) , in two lines ; size iy . An impression of this curious old Scotch medal , in silver gilt , is in Mr .
Apple-ton ' s collection . It is evidently quite ancient , and is not mentioned by Merzdorf . " At page . 22 S of the same book Marvin says : " This medal must have been struck previous to 175 6 , as the seal of the Grand Lodge of Scotland , on the charter of St . Andrew ' s Lodge of Boston , "sued in that year , has those arms impaled with thc lion jif Scotland . " 1 shall be pleased if any brother can give further information as to this medal . JAMES NEWTON .
"MANCUNIUM " OX THE "THIRD DEGREE . " It is not easy to say exactly when the Master Mason ' s Degree was first worked , though as a separate and distinct Degree it does not appear to rue to date before the second decade of the hist century . The only reference in the lirst Bool ; of Constitutions that I ran lind , which can at all be taken as an allusion to the Third Degree , is at p . 61 ( A . I ) . 1723 ) , viz ., " Apprentices must be admitted Musters
and h ' el ' i . w Craft only here , unless by a dispensation ( i . e . in Grand lodge ) . This may refer , however , to the Master of a lodge according to some views , but 1 think not myself , as the installation of that official in a lodge is provided for in the same work . 'The earliest minute traced of the Degree being worked is of A . M . 1724 ; so it is probable thc statement advanced by " Mancunium " is correct as to the " 'Third Degree not being worked in regular lodges at that date" ( 172 ;) , an opinion held by several brethren . W . I . HUGHAN .
Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution.
ROYAL MASONIC BENEVOLENT INSTITUTION .
The monthly meeting of the Committee of this Institution was held on Wednesday afternoon at Freemasons ' Hall . Bro . Col . J . Creaton , Grand Treasurer , presided , and there were also present Bros . J . II Leggott , James Brett , | . Newton , John Buhner , G . Bolton , Wm . March ,
Wm . Clarke , Charles | ohn Perceval , A . J . Duff Iilcr , Kaynham W . Stewart , " Rev . A . F . A . Woodford , C . A . Cottebrune , ] . R . Gallant , Chailes Daniel , Charles I . acev , C . G . Dillev . ' William Hilton , C . G . Rushworth , Charles Atkins , J . A . Farnlield , Edgar Bowyer , l- ' redk . Adlard , lames 'Terry ( Secretary ) , and 11 . Massey ( Freemason ) . The minute ' s of the meeting of nth January were read
and confirmed , and thc Secretary reported the deaths of three annuitants and an approved candidate for the May ( lection . 'The Warden ' s report was read , and the chairman was authorised to sign cheques for the annuitants and the current quarter ' s account * . The application of two widows for half their late husband's annuities was granted .
'The Si . i'Ki ' . I'AltY submitted a statement of receipts and disbursements , also cf the number of candidates fur next election . Fur the males' annuities there are forty-seven candidates anil sixteen vacancies ; and for the females ' annuities sixty-three candidates and nine vacancies . It was icsolvd to elect nineteen males and twelve females . Of these sktecn men' and nine widows will be elected to the immediate rrciipt of the annuities , and three of each
class will be deferred until vacancies occur after the 19 th of May . A proof of the balloting papers was submitted to thc Committer , after which Bro . I-Uiynhain W . Stewart was appointed solicitor to watch thc interests of the Institution in the two railway bills now before Parliament which affect thc Institution . The Committee then adjourned .
John Hervey Memorial Fund.
JOHN HERVEY MEMORIAL FUND .
A meeting of thc committee took place on the 3 ' > th ult ., when there were present , Bros . Sir John B . Monckton , K . S . A ., P . G . D ., President of the Board of General Purposes , in the chair ; Thomas Fenn , P . G . D . ; C A . Murton , P . G . D . ; | . A . Mucker , P . G . D . ; R . I-:. K . Wilkinson , W . M . No . 7 ; F . Adlard , P . M . 7 ; Henry Greene , P . M . < " - = ;; and K . R . Davis , P . M . 25 " ' , Hem .
Sec . to the Fund . The minutes of the last meeting having been read and confirmed , th-- report of the Auditors' ( Bros . T . Fenn and If . Greene ) was received and ordered to be entered on the minutes . It showed that thc receipts to 31 st December , 1 SS 1 , had amounted to £ 927 4 s . (> d ., cf which the sum of ££ 00 had been invested in thc purchase of £$ o \ is . Kid . New 'Three Per Cent . Stock , in the names of four trustees
and that after payment of expenses for printing and postages there was a balance in the hands of the London and Westminster Bank of £ 75 <¦ .-. _ lod . In order to give effect to the object of the fund at thc earliest date possible' , it was proposed by Bro . Greene , seconded by Bro . Adlard , and resolved , that the dividerds to be recti red in April be applied in giving sums of live pounds each lo the two highest unsuccessful male
candidates , and also to the two highest unsuccessful female candidates at the ne .-: t election of the Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution . 'The following resolution , proposed by Sir John Monckton and seconded b y Bro . I lenvy Greene , was then proposed : " 'That the kind and ready acquiescence of the Publisher
of the Freemason to the request that the names of subscribers to the fund might appear m that paper free of charge , merits the best thanks ot the committee , which are hereby unanimously voted . " Thanks having been tendered to the Chairman the meeting was then adjourned .
Hou . ow . v , s OixrMtvi \ xu 1 ' n . i . s will l , e found the Ust friends to persons atttieteil with ulcerations , had le ;;* , sore * , ah-cesses , nslotas , and oth ^ r painful and complicated complaints . Printed and \ cry plain direction-, for the application of the Ointment arcwrapped round each pot . Hollow ; , ; , ' s altcratite Tills should he taken throughout Ihe progress of Ihe cur-:, to maintain ihe Idood in
a state of perfect purity , anil to pre-. cut the health of the whole body hcilu ; jeopardised hy the local ailments . Had lee , s , ( Jld age ' s great grievances , are thus rc-mily cured , without cnnliuitw the patient to jhed , or withdrawing from him tlie nulritious diet aid eenerous support so imperatively demanded when weakening diseases ait . aek advanced years or constitutions , evincing premature decrepitude . —[ Aijvr . l
Annual Banquet Of The Friars Lodge Of Instruction, No. 1349.
ANNUAL BANQUET OF THE FRIARS LODGE OF INSTRUCTION , No . 1349 .
'The annual winter festival of this prosperous lodge was held at Bro . J . II . Pavitt's , Liverpool Arms , Barking-road , Canning Town , E ., on Tuesday , the 7 th inst . The proceedings were of a decidedly successful character , fully bearing out thc axiom "That nothing succeeds like
success . " ' Pro . W . Musto , P . M . 1349 , the worthy Preceptor of the lodge , presided , and was ably supported by his lieutenants , Bros . W . II . Myers , P . M . S 20 and 1445 , and W . J . Smith , W . M . Stio . 'The company comprised Bros . B . C . Rawc , W . M . 7 S 1 ; A . Peterken . S . W . 134 . ); W . J . Musto , 1349 ; G . Cox , 205 ; C . Winterton , 1340 ; Watkins , Day , Spencer , Wood , C . Fschwege , 1349 ; S . Moss , 212 ; j . Kceble , Easy , Bailey , Hiliom , Koddam , Professor Smith , Hobbs ,
Hatters-Icy , Jones , Byford , Willoughby , J . H . Pavitt , J . D . S 60 ; G . II . Stephens ( Freemason ) , and others . Justice having been done to a really well-prepared repast , lire . Musto said , as in times past , he should couple thc lirst tour toasts in one , as owing to the distance from town their time would be limited , and he had no desire by making long speeches to deprive the brethren of time
which could be more enjoyably spent in harmony . ( Cheers ) . 1 le would , therefore , ask them to drink to " The Queen and the Prince of Wales , as the head of the nation and the ruler of the Cratt . " Uro . Musto said it was as unnecessary for him to dilate upon the many good qualities of Her Majesty the Queen as to tell them how well H . R . IL the Prince of Walcs ' watched over the affairs of the Craft .
He would ask them as loyal subjects to give a hearty response to thc toast . 'This was enthusiastically accorded . The next toast , the President said , was the toast of thc evening , and the one which was thc cause of their assemblage there that evening , namely , " Prosperity to the Friars Lodge of Instruction . " Uu > . Musto made feeling allusion to the absence , through illness , of thc respected lion . Secretary , Bro . K . Worsley . It was thc first occasion
of the kind at which his burly figure was missed . However , when it was the will of T . G . A . O . T . U . to prevent them having the pleasure of a brothel ' s companionship , whether by illness or for good b y the hand of death , they bowed reverently to the will of The Great 1 Am . In Bro . W 01 sley ' s lamented absence , he next came to thc names of two brethren to whom , in no small measure , the success
and establishment of the lodge in its present quarters was mainly due—Bros . Pavitt and Smith . He was sure that in the future , as in the past , they would continue to strive for the gcod and welfare A the Friars Lodge of Instruction , and do their best for all the local brethren , and those who came down from town in the unavoidable absence at times of himself . 1 le coupled the toast with the name of Bro .
Smith . Bro . Smith returned thanks , lie assured the brethren it afforded him great pleasure to be there that night , and also to attend the lodge as often as possible ; in fact he had attended as often as any of its members . He should like to see many brethren come there , for under Uro . Musto ' s teaching they would acquire that correctness of ritual
which was necessary to good working . He ( Bro . Smith ) had attended and profiled by so doing , as all that he knew and whatever proficiency he displayed he had derived from lire . . Musto ' s pieieplurship . Bro . MYKKS , P . NL , next proposed , in eulogistic terms , " The Health of the Preceptor , " whom he hail known for o / er thirty years , and who had not altered , except as lo
improvement . Uro . Ml'STo acknowledged the compliment . He regretted he was rather diat that evening , and had consequent le not taught all the kind remarks of Bro . Myers . Of that brother he could * ay he had known lire . Myers nsarly thirty-live years , and like good wine , he had improved with age . It was very gratifying-, and perhaps the most satisfactory thing , for a Preceptor of a lodge to hear his pupils
who had distinguished themselves come and acknowledge the source where they obtained their knowledge . . Surli was the case . I le could only say if he was severe in his teaching he endeavoured to be so with kindness ; indeed , he regarded it more necessary to be strict in a lodge of instruction lather than in a mother lodge . In the one brethren came to apply themselves that they might obtain
knowledge and instruction , but 111 a mother lodge the opportunities for doing so were far less frequent . The proceedings were rendered more than ordinarily enjoyable by the excellent singing of Bros . W . J . Musto , Ftchwagc , Winterton , Easey , Peterkin , Rowe , Prosscr , and others . An elocutionary treat was also furnished by Bros . C , Fschwege 1 . Kecble , W . J . Musto , and G . II . Stephens .
The Great City Lodge Of Instruction.
THE GREAT CITY LODGE OF INSTRUCTION .
In response to an invitation , a large number of members and visitors assembled at the Great City Lodge of Instruction , No . 1426 , on Thursday evening , the 2 nd inst ., to hear a rcai'ing explanatory of the entire ceremonies of the First Degree , by Bro . James Stevens , a P . M . of the Mother
Lodge . 'J here were present : Bros . R . Baker , S . W . 1527 , as W . M . ; II . II . Room , 1 S 51 , as S . W . ; II . B . White , S . W . 10 :, as J . W . ; G . W . Saul , P . M . 1201 , Preceptor ; C . F . Goodenough , S . D . 174 s ; , Sec . ; C . 'Taylor , W . M . 142 O ; W . II . Paddle , W . M . 1 S 51 ; II . Sibley , 1 S 51 ; W . Kibble , S . W . 1426 ; F . S . C . Kceble , J . W . 1426 ; C . N . Sochin , W . M . 1201 ; G . W . Blackie , P . M . 1426 ; N . B . Hc-adun , P . M . 1426 ; Geo . I . Harney , 511 : Edwin
Storr , E . M . Mallett , J . Noting , 1 745 ; and others . The W . M . brielly introduced Bro . Stevens , who prefaced his reading by an earnest request that the brethren present would criticise to the fullest extent anything he might advance , and favour him with their unbiassed and candid opinions , his only object being to separate , as much as possible , the dross from the gold , to distinguish between the essential and the non-essential , and
thus secure greater uniformity of working . Bro . Stevens ' s reading occupied nearly two hours ; but the interest was unbroken , and the wrapt attention of the brethren was secured as point by point he laid bare the many solecisms , anarchisms , and anomalies with which thc ritual abounds . It was urged that by carefully pruning and grafting the present chaotic ritual might be reduced to something like order and symmetry . From many ot the best standard authorities on historical and other matters it
The Great City Lodge Of Instruction.
was clearly shown that certain points in the ritual had no foundation whatever ; and that so long as' these discrepancies and unwarranted innovations are permitted the seeds of future dissentions are gradually but surely being sown , and may ultimately result in a schism in the Craft . The subject was very warmly received and discussed recently by thc brethren of the Panmure Lodge of Instruction , No . 720 ; and , indeed , the reading furnishes so | much
matter for serious thought and reflection that every lodge in England would do well to hear it . At the conclusion of the read'ng , the W . M . proposed a vote of thanks lo Bro . Stevens for his lecture , evincing , as it did , so much skill and labour in its preparation . He considered the subject matter intrinsically of the utmost importance to all who have thc good of Freemasonry at heart . Bro . GoOBKNOe-GH seconded the motion , which was
earned unanimously . Uro . STEVENS , in acknowledging the vote , thanked the brethren for their kind and patient attention , and said that his aim was to smooth down the many asperities found in the ritual which now so frequently set a lodge at variance , and one brother against another , disturbing the harmony
and peace which ought always to be found in a lodge . At present there is no court of appeal to settle these differences , and their tendency is rather to increase than to diminish . We understand that Bro . Stevens is ' willing to give his reading to any lodge desirous of hearing it . 1 he lodge was then closed , and the brethren dispersed .
Female Freemasons.
FEMALE FREEMASONS .
Our contemporary , the Birmingham Daily Post , has the following humorous article relative to the above subject : — " A French Masonic lodge has not only decided to admit women as members on equal terms , but has , according to the Kappel , already elected one lady , initiated her into the mysteries of thc Craft , and entrusted her with a lirst instalment of ^ those secrets which Mrs . Caudle was so eiger to
discover , and which her sleepy husband dared not divulge . It is not very likel y that the example thus set Uy the Pccq Lodge will be copied in England . We are much too conservative for such a startling innovation to find favour among the brethren ; and even in these days of ' woman ' s rights' there is not much fear of ' the sex ' being successful in passing thc stern Janitor who stands at the lodge portal to keep of all intruders , and of their becoming practically
familiar with the l-. leusiman mysteries of the ' hot poker , ' concerning which the outer world professes to be so wise . The curiosity of the ladies on these grave matters cannot , therefore , be satislied just yet in England ; at any rate not by the legitimate method of membership . Legend has it that one woman did contrive , by secreting herself in a hiding-place in lodge , to learn some of the secrets of thc Craft j and a mysterious shake of the head on thc part of
thc narrators of the story is meant to imply that ' the subsequent proceedings interested her no more . ' If there had been daily journals in those days , a paragraph would have gone the round of the papers , headed 'Mysterious disappearance of a woman . ' " Why women should be excluded from participation in thc benefits of Freemasonry is a bit of a puz / . le to those who impartially enquire into the subject . Some people
say it is because a lad y cannot keep a secret , and thatlf she were entrusted with the signs anil passwords of the Order she would be bound to communicate them to her bosom friend the . very lirst time they met . 'That is very hard on the fair sex . 'They do impart their little confidences , we all know ; and they don ' t like to be uncommunicative when some particular information has been entrusted to their keeping ; but there is no reason why
they should not be as "mum" regarding the secrets of Mascnry as thc most taciturn of men . In some respects , perhaps , the Craft would gain by the introdurtjon of female members . If the principles of Freemasonry arc good for men , it is difficult to sec how they can be bad for women . But then , we selfish creatures like to have some place of well-fenced seclusion to which our women-kind cannot gain admission . Masonry would probably lose half its charm to
a great many men il they knew that they were going to meet their wives at lodge . 'Their Masonic engagements constitute a sort of domestic holiday—a temporary escape from the joke . They know that tire " better half . " cannot follow them ; that they arc safe from intrusion and inleiruption . It is no doubt very bad taste , but this gleeful sense of liberty does undoubtedly exist on the part of some married Masons . If their wives were eligible , these
Benedicts would speedily discover that thc advantages of Masonry had been greatly over-rated , and would become very lax in their attendance . 'The great principles of brotherhood and charity would be found less attractive than they are under existing conditions . " Wc are by no means sure that the Pecq Lodge means to admit the wives of its brethren . 'The lad y initiated a few days ago was a ' mademoiselle . ' Perahns . on the
whole , much of that sort of thing would be rather worse than a liberal allowance of ' madame . ' These venturesome spinsters , who boldly pry into thc dread secrets of Masonry and make speeches afterwards which excite frantic applause , are very much akin to thc ' strong minded women' with whom the satirists have made us familiar . A few of them in a lodge would certainly make it anything but a Paradise . In all likelihood they would very soon
have it all to themselves . But then there happen to be loquacious and self-assertive men who arc , in every respect , as objectionable ; and possibly Masonic Lodges may not be altogether unacquainted with them . We men—it must be admitted with as much candour as circumstances will allow—are not altogether faultless . " Perhaps a judicious blending of thc sexes in a Masonic lodge would have a beneficial effect , when thc novelty of
innovation had once wore off . Masonesscs would be quite as zealous in works of charity as Masons , and possibly tiny would tone down the exuberance which sometimes characterises the ceremonial of ' the Knife and Fork Degree . ' Still , the day is no doubt distant when ' sisters ' will be allowed to take part in English Masonry . There is no more conservative institution in the world , and the very
suggestion of the admission of women , put in any serious way , would probably shake the Grand Lodge worse than an earthquake , and upset the equanimity of all the P . PG . M . ' s and P . W . M . 's , and other alphabetical enigmas of the Order , so that they could not attend banquet for a month . In thc days ot the millennium , when the lion lies down with the lamb , such a thing may be possible , but hardly before , "
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Masonic Notes And Queries.
Corinthian capital ; her left arm rests upon an altar , upon which is a closed book ; her right hand closes her lips . In the right foreground , the Bible , smiare and compasses , surrounded by three burning tapers . Between the brethren are a gavel and level lying on the pavement . In exergue-, ' Amicitia virlule et silenlio ' ( by friendship , virtue , and silence ) , in two lines ; size iy . An impression of this curious old Scotch medal , in silver gilt , is in Mr .
Apple-ton ' s collection . It is evidently quite ancient , and is not mentioned by Merzdorf . " At page . 22 S of the same book Marvin says : " This medal must have been struck previous to 175 6 , as the seal of the Grand Lodge of Scotland , on the charter of St . Andrew ' s Lodge of Boston , "sued in that year , has those arms impaled with thc lion jif Scotland . " 1 shall be pleased if any brother can give further information as to this medal . JAMES NEWTON .
"MANCUNIUM " OX THE "THIRD DEGREE . " It is not easy to say exactly when the Master Mason ' s Degree was first worked , though as a separate and distinct Degree it does not appear to rue to date before the second decade of the hist century . The only reference in the lirst Bool ; of Constitutions that I ran lind , which can at all be taken as an allusion to the Third Degree , is at p . 61 ( A . I ) . 1723 ) , viz ., " Apprentices must be admitted Musters
and h ' el ' i . w Craft only here , unless by a dispensation ( i . e . in Grand lodge ) . This may refer , however , to the Master of a lodge according to some views , but 1 think not myself , as the installation of that official in a lodge is provided for in the same work . 'The earliest minute traced of the Degree being worked is of A . M . 1724 ; so it is probable thc statement advanced by " Mancunium " is correct as to the " 'Third Degree not being worked in regular lodges at that date" ( 172 ;) , an opinion held by several brethren . W . I . HUGHAN .
Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution.
ROYAL MASONIC BENEVOLENT INSTITUTION .
The monthly meeting of the Committee of this Institution was held on Wednesday afternoon at Freemasons ' Hall . Bro . Col . J . Creaton , Grand Treasurer , presided , and there were also present Bros . J . II Leggott , James Brett , | . Newton , John Buhner , G . Bolton , Wm . March ,
Wm . Clarke , Charles | ohn Perceval , A . J . Duff Iilcr , Kaynham W . Stewart , " Rev . A . F . A . Woodford , C . A . Cottebrune , ] . R . Gallant , Chailes Daniel , Charles I . acev , C . G . Dillev . ' William Hilton , C . G . Rushworth , Charles Atkins , J . A . Farnlield , Edgar Bowyer , l- ' redk . Adlard , lames 'Terry ( Secretary ) , and 11 . Massey ( Freemason ) . The minute ' s of the meeting of nth January were read
and confirmed , and thc Secretary reported the deaths of three annuitants and an approved candidate for the May ( lection . 'The Warden ' s report was read , and the chairman was authorised to sign cheques for the annuitants and the current quarter ' s account * . The application of two widows for half their late husband's annuities was granted .
'The Si . i'Ki ' . I'AltY submitted a statement of receipts and disbursements , also cf the number of candidates fur next election . Fur the males' annuities there are forty-seven candidates anil sixteen vacancies ; and for the females ' annuities sixty-three candidates and nine vacancies . It was icsolvd to elect nineteen males and twelve females . Of these sktecn men' and nine widows will be elected to the immediate rrciipt of the annuities , and three of each
class will be deferred until vacancies occur after the 19 th of May . A proof of the balloting papers was submitted to thc Committer , after which Bro . I-Uiynhain W . Stewart was appointed solicitor to watch thc interests of the Institution in the two railway bills now before Parliament which affect thc Institution . The Committee then adjourned .
John Hervey Memorial Fund.
JOHN HERVEY MEMORIAL FUND .
A meeting of thc committee took place on the 3 ' > th ult ., when there were present , Bros . Sir John B . Monckton , K . S . A ., P . G . D ., President of the Board of General Purposes , in the chair ; Thomas Fenn , P . G . D . ; C A . Murton , P . G . D . ; | . A . Mucker , P . G . D . ; R . I-:. K . Wilkinson , W . M . No . 7 ; F . Adlard , P . M . 7 ; Henry Greene , P . M . < " - = ;; and K . R . Davis , P . M . 25 " ' , Hem .
Sec . to the Fund . The minutes of the last meeting having been read and confirmed , th-- report of the Auditors' ( Bros . T . Fenn and If . Greene ) was received and ordered to be entered on the minutes . It showed that thc receipts to 31 st December , 1 SS 1 , had amounted to £ 927 4 s . (> d ., cf which the sum of ££ 00 had been invested in thc purchase of £$ o \ is . Kid . New 'Three Per Cent . Stock , in the names of four trustees
and that after payment of expenses for printing and postages there was a balance in the hands of the London and Westminster Bank of £ 75 <¦ .-. _ lod . In order to give effect to the object of the fund at thc earliest date possible' , it was proposed by Bro . Greene , seconded by Bro . Adlard , and resolved , that the dividerds to be recti red in April be applied in giving sums of live pounds each lo the two highest unsuccessful male
candidates , and also to the two highest unsuccessful female candidates at the ne .-: t election of the Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution . 'The following resolution , proposed by Sir John Monckton and seconded b y Bro . I lenvy Greene , was then proposed : " 'That the kind and ready acquiescence of the Publisher
of the Freemason to the request that the names of subscribers to the fund might appear m that paper free of charge , merits the best thanks ot the committee , which are hereby unanimously voted . " Thanks having been tendered to the Chairman the meeting was then adjourned .
Hou . ow . v , s OixrMtvi \ xu 1 ' n . i . s will l , e found the Ust friends to persons atttieteil with ulcerations , had le ;;* , sore * , ah-cesses , nslotas , and oth ^ r painful and complicated complaints . Printed and \ cry plain direction-, for the application of the Ointment arcwrapped round each pot . Hollow ; , ; , ' s altcratite Tills should he taken throughout Ihe progress of Ihe cur-:, to maintain ihe Idood in
a state of perfect purity , anil to pre-. cut the health of the whole body hcilu ; jeopardised hy the local ailments . Had lee , s , ( Jld age ' s great grievances , are thus rc-mily cured , without cnnliuitw the patient to jhed , or withdrawing from him tlie nulritious diet aid eenerous support so imperatively demanded when weakening diseases ait . aek advanced years or constitutions , evincing premature decrepitude . —[ Aijvr . l
Annual Banquet Of The Friars Lodge Of Instruction, No. 1349.
ANNUAL BANQUET OF THE FRIARS LODGE OF INSTRUCTION , No . 1349 .
'The annual winter festival of this prosperous lodge was held at Bro . J . II . Pavitt's , Liverpool Arms , Barking-road , Canning Town , E ., on Tuesday , the 7 th inst . The proceedings were of a decidedly successful character , fully bearing out thc axiom "That nothing succeeds like
success . " ' Pro . W . Musto , P . M . 1349 , the worthy Preceptor of the lodge , presided , and was ably supported by his lieutenants , Bros . W . II . Myers , P . M . S 20 and 1445 , and W . J . Smith , W . M . Stio . 'The company comprised Bros . B . C . Rawc , W . M . 7 S 1 ; A . Peterken . S . W . 134 . ); W . J . Musto , 1349 ; G . Cox , 205 ; C . Winterton , 1340 ; Watkins , Day , Spencer , Wood , C . Fschwege , 1349 ; S . Moss , 212 ; j . Kceble , Easy , Bailey , Hiliom , Koddam , Professor Smith , Hobbs ,
Hatters-Icy , Jones , Byford , Willoughby , J . H . Pavitt , J . D . S 60 ; G . II . Stephens ( Freemason ) , and others . Justice having been done to a really well-prepared repast , lire . Musto said , as in times past , he should couple thc lirst tour toasts in one , as owing to the distance from town their time would be limited , and he had no desire by making long speeches to deprive the brethren of time
which could be more enjoyably spent in harmony . ( Cheers ) . 1 le would , therefore , ask them to drink to " The Queen and the Prince of Wales , as the head of the nation and the ruler of the Cratt . " Uro . Musto said it was as unnecessary for him to dilate upon the many good qualities of Her Majesty the Queen as to tell them how well H . R . IL the Prince of Walcs ' watched over the affairs of the Craft .
He would ask them as loyal subjects to give a hearty response to thc toast . 'This was enthusiastically accorded . The next toast , the President said , was the toast of thc evening , and the one which was thc cause of their assemblage there that evening , namely , " Prosperity to the Friars Lodge of Instruction . " Uu > . Musto made feeling allusion to the absence , through illness , of thc respected lion . Secretary , Bro . K . Worsley . It was thc first occasion
of the kind at which his burly figure was missed . However , when it was the will of T . G . A . O . T . U . to prevent them having the pleasure of a brothel ' s companionship , whether by illness or for good b y the hand of death , they bowed reverently to the will of The Great 1 Am . In Bro . W 01 sley ' s lamented absence , he next came to thc names of two brethren to whom , in no small measure , the success
and establishment of the lodge in its present quarters was mainly due—Bros . Pavitt and Smith . He was sure that in the future , as in the past , they would continue to strive for the gcod and welfare A the Friars Lodge of Instruction , and do their best for all the local brethren , and those who came down from town in the unavoidable absence at times of himself . 1 le coupled the toast with the name of Bro .
Smith . Bro . Smith returned thanks , lie assured the brethren it afforded him great pleasure to be there that night , and also to attend the lodge as often as possible ; in fact he had attended as often as any of its members . He should like to see many brethren come there , for under Uro . Musto ' s teaching they would acquire that correctness of ritual
which was necessary to good working . He ( Bro . Smith ) had attended and profiled by so doing , as all that he knew and whatever proficiency he displayed he had derived from lire . . Musto ' s pieieplurship . Bro . MYKKS , P . NL , next proposed , in eulogistic terms , " The Health of the Preceptor , " whom he hail known for o / er thirty years , and who had not altered , except as lo
improvement . Uro . Ml'STo acknowledged the compliment . He regretted he was rather diat that evening , and had consequent le not taught all the kind remarks of Bro . Myers . Of that brother he could * ay he had known lire . Myers nsarly thirty-live years , and like good wine , he had improved with age . It was very gratifying-, and perhaps the most satisfactory thing , for a Preceptor of a lodge to hear his pupils
who had distinguished themselves come and acknowledge the source where they obtained their knowledge . . Surli was the case . I le could only say if he was severe in his teaching he endeavoured to be so with kindness ; indeed , he regarded it more necessary to be strict in a lodge of instruction lather than in a mother lodge . In the one brethren came to apply themselves that they might obtain
knowledge and instruction , but 111 a mother lodge the opportunities for doing so were far less frequent . The proceedings were rendered more than ordinarily enjoyable by the excellent singing of Bros . W . J . Musto , Ftchwagc , Winterton , Easey , Peterkin , Rowe , Prosscr , and others . An elocutionary treat was also furnished by Bros . C , Fschwege 1 . Kecble , W . J . Musto , and G . II . Stephens .
The Great City Lodge Of Instruction.
THE GREAT CITY LODGE OF INSTRUCTION .
In response to an invitation , a large number of members and visitors assembled at the Great City Lodge of Instruction , No . 1426 , on Thursday evening , the 2 nd inst ., to hear a rcai'ing explanatory of the entire ceremonies of the First Degree , by Bro . James Stevens , a P . M . of the Mother
Lodge . 'J here were present : Bros . R . Baker , S . W . 1527 , as W . M . ; II . II . Room , 1 S 51 , as S . W . ; II . B . White , S . W . 10 :, as J . W . ; G . W . Saul , P . M . 1201 , Preceptor ; C . F . Goodenough , S . D . 174 s ; , Sec . ; C . 'Taylor , W . M . 142 O ; W . II . Paddle , W . M . 1 S 51 ; II . Sibley , 1 S 51 ; W . Kibble , S . W . 1426 ; F . S . C . Kceble , J . W . 1426 ; C . N . Sochin , W . M . 1201 ; G . W . Blackie , P . M . 1426 ; N . B . Hc-adun , P . M . 1426 ; Geo . I . Harney , 511 : Edwin
Storr , E . M . Mallett , J . Noting , 1 745 ; and others . The W . M . brielly introduced Bro . Stevens , who prefaced his reading by an earnest request that the brethren present would criticise to the fullest extent anything he might advance , and favour him with their unbiassed and candid opinions , his only object being to separate , as much as possible , the dross from the gold , to distinguish between the essential and the non-essential , and
thus secure greater uniformity of working . Bro . Stevens ' s reading occupied nearly two hours ; but the interest was unbroken , and the wrapt attention of the brethren was secured as point by point he laid bare the many solecisms , anarchisms , and anomalies with which thc ritual abounds . It was urged that by carefully pruning and grafting the present chaotic ritual might be reduced to something like order and symmetry . From many ot the best standard authorities on historical and other matters it
The Great City Lodge Of Instruction.
was clearly shown that certain points in the ritual had no foundation whatever ; and that so long as' these discrepancies and unwarranted innovations are permitted the seeds of future dissentions are gradually but surely being sown , and may ultimately result in a schism in the Craft . The subject was very warmly received and discussed recently by thc brethren of the Panmure Lodge of Instruction , No . 720 ; and , indeed , the reading furnishes so | much
matter for serious thought and reflection that every lodge in England would do well to hear it . At the conclusion of the read'ng , the W . M . proposed a vote of thanks lo Bro . Stevens for his lecture , evincing , as it did , so much skill and labour in its preparation . He considered the subject matter intrinsically of the utmost importance to all who have thc good of Freemasonry at heart . Bro . GoOBKNOe-GH seconded the motion , which was
earned unanimously . Uro . STEVENS , in acknowledging the vote , thanked the brethren for their kind and patient attention , and said that his aim was to smooth down the many asperities found in the ritual which now so frequently set a lodge at variance , and one brother against another , disturbing the harmony
and peace which ought always to be found in a lodge . At present there is no court of appeal to settle these differences , and their tendency is rather to increase than to diminish . We understand that Bro . Stevens is ' willing to give his reading to any lodge desirous of hearing it . 1 he lodge was then closed , and the brethren dispersed .
Female Freemasons.
FEMALE FREEMASONS .
Our contemporary , the Birmingham Daily Post , has the following humorous article relative to the above subject : — " A French Masonic lodge has not only decided to admit women as members on equal terms , but has , according to the Kappel , already elected one lady , initiated her into the mysteries of thc Craft , and entrusted her with a lirst instalment of ^ those secrets which Mrs . Caudle was so eiger to
discover , and which her sleepy husband dared not divulge . It is not very likel y that the example thus set Uy the Pccq Lodge will be copied in England . We are much too conservative for such a startling innovation to find favour among the brethren ; and even in these days of ' woman ' s rights' there is not much fear of ' the sex ' being successful in passing thc stern Janitor who stands at the lodge portal to keep of all intruders , and of their becoming practically
familiar with the l-. leusiman mysteries of the ' hot poker , ' concerning which the outer world professes to be so wise . The curiosity of the ladies on these grave matters cannot , therefore , be satislied just yet in England ; at any rate not by the legitimate method of membership . Legend has it that one woman did contrive , by secreting herself in a hiding-place in lodge , to learn some of the secrets of thc Craft j and a mysterious shake of the head on thc part of
thc narrators of the story is meant to imply that ' the subsequent proceedings interested her no more . ' If there had been daily journals in those days , a paragraph would have gone the round of the papers , headed 'Mysterious disappearance of a woman . ' " Why women should be excluded from participation in thc benefits of Freemasonry is a bit of a puz / . le to those who impartially enquire into the subject . Some people
say it is because a lad y cannot keep a secret , and thatlf she were entrusted with the signs anil passwords of the Order she would be bound to communicate them to her bosom friend the . very lirst time they met . 'That is very hard on the fair sex . 'They do impart their little confidences , we all know ; and they don ' t like to be uncommunicative when some particular information has been entrusted to their keeping ; but there is no reason why
they should not be as "mum" regarding the secrets of Mascnry as thc most taciturn of men . In some respects , perhaps , the Craft would gain by the introdurtjon of female members . If the principles of Freemasonry arc good for men , it is difficult to sec how they can be bad for women . But then , we selfish creatures like to have some place of well-fenced seclusion to which our women-kind cannot gain admission . Masonry would probably lose half its charm to
a great many men il they knew that they were going to meet their wives at lodge . 'Their Masonic engagements constitute a sort of domestic holiday—a temporary escape from the joke . They know that tire " better half . " cannot follow them ; that they arc safe from intrusion and inleiruption . It is no doubt very bad taste , but this gleeful sense of liberty does undoubtedly exist on the part of some married Masons . If their wives were eligible , these
Benedicts would speedily discover that thc advantages of Masonry had been greatly over-rated , and would become very lax in their attendance . 'The great principles of brotherhood and charity would be found less attractive than they are under existing conditions . " Wc are by no means sure that the Pecq Lodge means to admit the wives of its brethren . 'The lad y initiated a few days ago was a ' mademoiselle . ' Perahns . on the
whole , much of that sort of thing would be rather worse than a liberal allowance of ' madame . ' These venturesome spinsters , who boldly pry into thc dread secrets of Masonry and make speeches afterwards which excite frantic applause , are very much akin to thc ' strong minded women' with whom the satirists have made us familiar . A few of them in a lodge would certainly make it anything but a Paradise . In all likelihood they would very soon
have it all to themselves . But then there happen to be loquacious and self-assertive men who arc , in every respect , as objectionable ; and possibly Masonic Lodges may not be altogether unacquainted with them . We men—it must be admitted with as much candour as circumstances will allow—are not altogether faultless . " Perhaps a judicious blending of thc sexes in a Masonic lodge would have a beneficial effect , when thc novelty of
innovation had once wore off . Masonesscs would be quite as zealous in works of charity as Masons , and possibly tiny would tone down the exuberance which sometimes characterises the ceremonial of ' the Knife and Fork Degree . ' Still , the day is no doubt distant when ' sisters ' will be allowed to take part in English Masonry . There is no more conservative institution in the world , and the very
suggestion of the admission of women , put in any serious way , would probably shake the Grand Lodge worse than an earthquake , and upset the equanimity of all the P . PG . M . ' s and P . W . M . 's , and other alphabetical enigmas of the Order , so that they could not attend banquet for a month . In thc days ot the millennium , when the lion lies down with the lamb , such a thing may be possible , but hardly before , "