Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Contents.
CONTENTS .
L EADERS 339 Provincial Grand Lotlge of Kent 339 Provincial Grand Lodgeof Berks and Bucks 340 Freemasonry in Hampshire 341 Laying the Memorial Stone of the New Assembly Hall . Wood Green 342
The Mark Benevolent Fund Festival 343 Masonic Charity in . West Lancashire 343 Royal Order of Scotland 343 Royal Masonic Institution for Boys 343 Laying the Foundation Stone of a New Masonic Hall 343
CORRESPONDENCEThe Provinces and the Metroplis 34 S Royal Masonic Institution for Boys 345 * The Recent Boys'School Festival 345 Notes and Queries 345 * REPORTS OF MASONIC
MEETINGSCraft Masonry 346 Instruction 34 * 7 Red Cross of Constantine 347 Masonic and General Tidings 348 Lodge Meetings for Next Week Cover .
Ar00101
ALL our brethren will rejoice to note that our esteemed and distinguished Pro G . M ., Uro . the Earl of CARNARVON , has been well received by all classes at his State entry into Dublin , as Viceroy of Ireland , and will heartily wish him health and happiness , and success , in discharging the serious and significant duties of his high and arduous office .
* * * WE regret to notice in the "Echo du Nord" ( Lille , France ) of July 2 nd , kindly forwarded to us by a fraternal correspondent , the account of a very foolish ceremony , performed at Paris by the " Loge d' Amide , " termed a Masonic Baptism— " Bapteme Maconnique . " We always deplore such perverse and
unmeaning Masonic proceedings , and on this occasion , weare still more sorry to note , the unprecedented fact that two English brethren are said to have assisted at such inane proceedings . We , however , suppress their names , for the " honour and dignity " of our good English Craft . There does not , happily ,
appear to have been any parody , as is sometimes alleged by Ultramontane writers of the baptismal ceremony ; but the whole affair is silly , childish , and meaningless in the highest degree , no doubt offensive to many serious persons , and ought to be suppressed in future by the French Grand Orient . We shall probably recur to the subject next week .
* # * RECREATION banquets are many , and English Freemasonry , with a last spasmodic exertion , seems dropping , as the French put it , into temporary " sommeil "—slumber . Like as in the palace of the SLEEPING BEAUTY , which the poet's genius and power have put before us in vivid , unforgetable
words , it would almost seem as if a magic slumber had surprised them all of a sudden , to wake up on some future day , when " Prince PERFECT , from the Emerald Isle , " is to dissolve the charm , and arouse the sleepers to life and reality again . We regret we confess to notice how little substantial
progress the movement has made to invite ladies to some of our recreation gatherings . A few good lodges do it here and there , few and far between , and always with pleasure and improvement to themselves . No lodge that tries the experiment ever regrets it , or gives it up . Let some of our worthy brethren realize this fact .
* # * MASONIC statistics are very good things , though very difficult to obtain in accuracy and reality . Yet , as the late Prince CONSORT so well pointed out in one of his remarkable addresses , in the world in which we live we have to depend a great deal on statistical information and figures , and facts ,
whether for positive conclusions or realistic results . In Freemasonry it is the same . Many of the austere and repelling questions which try Masonic students much on the threshold , and frighten them away , would disappear , and cease to have any meaning or effect , if confronted and explained by the light of statistical accuracy . The " Frauspia" of old days and the careless
induction of Masonic sheepwalkers have hitherto prevented any reliable statistical information as regards Freemasonry as a whole being attained or collected . That tendency to exaggeration and unreality , that tone of mystery and frivolity combined , to which human nature and Masonic are equally subject have been the obstacle hitherto of any one careful and reliable authority
to which we might appeal , in regard of the vexed question of Masonic members . They vary according to the taste of the writer , the powers of reasoning or the pen of a ready writer , the prevalence of fanaticism or perversity , or insanity . Figures as regards the totality of Freemasonry vary from one hundred millions to one million . "We always speak hesitatingly on
the subject , the more so as we believe the real number may be approximatel y and safely stated as between 1 , 500 , 000 and 1 , 700 , 000 . We do not know whether it has struck others as it often has ourselves , the extraordinary rise of the English jurisdiction . In 1815 ( using some figures prepared ori ginally by our lamented Bro . J HERVEY , then G . S . ) , we find that in
1 ° 5 the combined list of Antients and Moderns reached the modest number of 6 5 S * Note this . In 1843 when the Duke of SUSSEX died , the number of lod ges had increased to 723 , and increase of 68 only between 1815 and * f 43 . a period of 28 years , not 30 years . Between 1 843 and 1844 , when Lord
ZETLAND was installed G . M ., an increase of 12 had taken place , and already " * om 1844 the number was 733 . The year of Lord ZETLAND ' S retirement opened with a total of 1299 and closed with a total of 1344 , and we were then " minus" the Canadian Lodges . In 1855 , a . . -, >«» * < ti
Ar00102
period of another 15 years , our G . S ., Col . SHADWELL H . CLERKE , announces a grand total of considerably over 2000 names , though this number must fairly be reduced somewhat by vacant numbers and dormant lodges . And yet it will be observed at once what a leap , what a bound , English Freemasonry made as between 1843 and on the appointment of Lord RIPON , and what a still greater advance English Freemasonry has made since the
auspicious hour of the Prince of WALES s election to the G . Mastership . It has nearly doubled itself . Indeed it is impossible to day to predicate what will be its eventual extension or practical numeration . The increase is still going on , and we are among those , and always shall be , who , the needful canons of caution and carefulness being observed duly by those in authority over us , can see no possible or plausible reason even
why English Freemasonry should not be necessarily affected by an almost universal law prevalent just now , of prosperous progress and steady increase in all organizations , good , reasonable , and beneficial to mankind . We laugh always out loud when we hear the jeremiades of the querulous , or the maunderings of some habitual PETER GRIEVOUS . The idea that new lodges weaken old lodges has long been given up ; the
theory that " swarms destroy the parent hive is known to be unsound and untrue ; and English Freemasonry , if it be as real , and sound , and true as we believe it to be , must yield to the normal and even abnormal conditions of increase , developement , and expansion . It cannot stand still , if it does it must go back . Non-progression is retrogression always , and nothing that is worth anything at all in this active period of Society and
the world but yields to the law of our being , and , however we may object or resist advances towards perfection . We hail then , under due safeguards and proper provisions of course understood , the increase of our lodges , and the striking , even startling , onward movement of English Freemasonry . But we still think this year or the next a re-numbering of our lodges should take place , vacant numbers should be filled , our ranks closed up , our
position distinctly put before the Masonic world . We are not insensible to a good deal which our Bro . HENRY SMITH advances with his usual force and ability , but we think the temporary inconvenience of lodges must give way for the general good . It seems to us in this epoch of realisms a most unreal thing , —in fact , a state of things unworthy of the Grand Lodge of England , —that we shall have a nominal list of lodges , which if touched
by the wand of truth and accuracy must shrink greatly and be greatly affected . The secession and independence's sanctioned by the Grand Lodge recently , of so many Antipodean lodges gives us an opportunity much to be desired for an operation , which , however disagreeable or temporaril y inconvenient to some , is demanded in the best interests of truth and realitv for
all . The only question is one of time and opportuneness . As we cannot forecast or control the future , it may be wise to " wait a little longer , " so that when the re-numeration does take place it may be really and truly " up to date , " coverall recent movements and secessions , and last for some years , another generation , at any rate , as a truthful record of the loyal lodges of that great body entitled the Grand Lodge of England .
* * * OUR many readers will be much amused with the following piece of intelligence taken from a contemporary . It will strike them , we think , as so absurd as hardly worth even " noting . " Will the authorities of the Church of Rome ever realize to what ridiculous length a childish and grotesque intolerance must lead them ? Worthy Freemasons all , read and think over
the following " morceau " : — "It will be news to most brethren of 'the mystic tie ' that many good members of the Roman Catholic faith regard Masonic membership as a greater obstacle to marriage than even heresy , Freemasons being regarded by them as banded together for the destruction of Christianity , and whose secret plots are revolutionising every country in Europe . The Sacred Congregation of the Holy Office has been appealed to for guidance in the matter , andhas answered that as long as thc Hol y See
had not published a general decree on the subject , parish priests must act in the marriage of Freemasons with great discretion and prudence . Rather than lay down a hard and fast rule , they must take such measures as will best serve the honour and glory of God and the good of souls . But the celebration of the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass , unless circumstances direct otherwise , should be omitted . " Poor Freemasons ! What very wicked men they are ! " Risum teneatis amici et fratres ? "
Provincial Grand Lodge Of Kent.
PROVINCIAL GRAND LODGE OF KENT .
The magnificent gathering of Kentish Masons at the Town Hall , Gravesend , on Wednesday , the 1 st inst ., to celebrate their annual Provincial meeting , shows unmistakably the immense and deserved popularity which the Grand Master , Lord Holmesdale , has among his brethren of the province , and the sight presented when by upwards of 270 brethren he was saluted with grand honours , will not soon be forgotten by those privileged to witness it . The following is a correct return of those present , as well as we were able to gather from the attendance book and personal
observation : — Bros . Lord Holmesdale , P . G . M . ; King-Barman , P . G . M . Meath ( I . C ); ] . S . Eastes . D . P . G . M . ; R . T . Tatham , G . S . W . ; Kev . V . S . Vickers , G . Chap . ; B . K . Thorpe , P . G . Treas . ; A . Spencer , P . G . Sec . ; T . R . Champion , G . S . D . ; T . "Watson and F . Klatt . G . J . D . ' s ; R . Durtnell , G . S , of Works ; J . Wyer , G . D . D . C . ; J . T . Reeves
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Contents.
CONTENTS .
L EADERS 339 Provincial Grand Lotlge of Kent 339 Provincial Grand Lodgeof Berks and Bucks 340 Freemasonry in Hampshire 341 Laying the Memorial Stone of the New Assembly Hall . Wood Green 342
The Mark Benevolent Fund Festival 343 Masonic Charity in . West Lancashire 343 Royal Order of Scotland 343 Royal Masonic Institution for Boys 343 Laying the Foundation Stone of a New Masonic Hall 343
CORRESPONDENCEThe Provinces and the Metroplis 34 S Royal Masonic Institution for Boys 345 * The Recent Boys'School Festival 345 Notes and Queries 345 * REPORTS OF MASONIC
MEETINGSCraft Masonry 346 Instruction 34 * 7 Red Cross of Constantine 347 Masonic and General Tidings 348 Lodge Meetings for Next Week Cover .
Ar00101
ALL our brethren will rejoice to note that our esteemed and distinguished Pro G . M ., Uro . the Earl of CARNARVON , has been well received by all classes at his State entry into Dublin , as Viceroy of Ireland , and will heartily wish him health and happiness , and success , in discharging the serious and significant duties of his high and arduous office .
* * * WE regret to notice in the "Echo du Nord" ( Lille , France ) of July 2 nd , kindly forwarded to us by a fraternal correspondent , the account of a very foolish ceremony , performed at Paris by the " Loge d' Amide , " termed a Masonic Baptism— " Bapteme Maconnique . " We always deplore such perverse and
unmeaning Masonic proceedings , and on this occasion , weare still more sorry to note , the unprecedented fact that two English brethren are said to have assisted at such inane proceedings . We , however , suppress their names , for the " honour and dignity " of our good English Craft . There does not , happily ,
appear to have been any parody , as is sometimes alleged by Ultramontane writers of the baptismal ceremony ; but the whole affair is silly , childish , and meaningless in the highest degree , no doubt offensive to many serious persons , and ought to be suppressed in future by the French Grand Orient . We shall probably recur to the subject next week .
* # * RECREATION banquets are many , and English Freemasonry , with a last spasmodic exertion , seems dropping , as the French put it , into temporary " sommeil "—slumber . Like as in the palace of the SLEEPING BEAUTY , which the poet's genius and power have put before us in vivid , unforgetable
words , it would almost seem as if a magic slumber had surprised them all of a sudden , to wake up on some future day , when " Prince PERFECT , from the Emerald Isle , " is to dissolve the charm , and arouse the sleepers to life and reality again . We regret we confess to notice how little substantial
progress the movement has made to invite ladies to some of our recreation gatherings . A few good lodges do it here and there , few and far between , and always with pleasure and improvement to themselves . No lodge that tries the experiment ever regrets it , or gives it up . Let some of our worthy brethren realize this fact .
* # * MASONIC statistics are very good things , though very difficult to obtain in accuracy and reality . Yet , as the late Prince CONSORT so well pointed out in one of his remarkable addresses , in the world in which we live we have to depend a great deal on statistical information and figures , and facts ,
whether for positive conclusions or realistic results . In Freemasonry it is the same . Many of the austere and repelling questions which try Masonic students much on the threshold , and frighten them away , would disappear , and cease to have any meaning or effect , if confronted and explained by the light of statistical accuracy . The " Frauspia" of old days and the careless
induction of Masonic sheepwalkers have hitherto prevented any reliable statistical information as regards Freemasonry as a whole being attained or collected . That tendency to exaggeration and unreality , that tone of mystery and frivolity combined , to which human nature and Masonic are equally subject have been the obstacle hitherto of any one careful and reliable authority
to which we might appeal , in regard of the vexed question of Masonic members . They vary according to the taste of the writer , the powers of reasoning or the pen of a ready writer , the prevalence of fanaticism or perversity , or insanity . Figures as regards the totality of Freemasonry vary from one hundred millions to one million . "We always speak hesitatingly on
the subject , the more so as we believe the real number may be approximatel y and safely stated as between 1 , 500 , 000 and 1 , 700 , 000 . We do not know whether it has struck others as it often has ourselves , the extraordinary rise of the English jurisdiction . In 1815 ( using some figures prepared ori ginally by our lamented Bro . J HERVEY , then G . S . ) , we find that in
1 ° 5 the combined list of Antients and Moderns reached the modest number of 6 5 S * Note this . In 1843 when the Duke of SUSSEX died , the number of lod ges had increased to 723 , and increase of 68 only between 1815 and * f 43 . a period of 28 years , not 30 years . Between 1 843 and 1844 , when Lord
ZETLAND was installed G . M ., an increase of 12 had taken place , and already " * om 1844 the number was 733 . The year of Lord ZETLAND ' S retirement opened with a total of 1299 and closed with a total of 1344 , and we were then " minus" the Canadian Lodges . In 1855 , a . . -, >«» * < ti
Ar00102
period of another 15 years , our G . S ., Col . SHADWELL H . CLERKE , announces a grand total of considerably over 2000 names , though this number must fairly be reduced somewhat by vacant numbers and dormant lodges . And yet it will be observed at once what a leap , what a bound , English Freemasonry made as between 1843 and on the appointment of Lord RIPON , and what a still greater advance English Freemasonry has made since the
auspicious hour of the Prince of WALES s election to the G . Mastership . It has nearly doubled itself . Indeed it is impossible to day to predicate what will be its eventual extension or practical numeration . The increase is still going on , and we are among those , and always shall be , who , the needful canons of caution and carefulness being observed duly by those in authority over us , can see no possible or plausible reason even
why English Freemasonry should not be necessarily affected by an almost universal law prevalent just now , of prosperous progress and steady increase in all organizations , good , reasonable , and beneficial to mankind . We laugh always out loud when we hear the jeremiades of the querulous , or the maunderings of some habitual PETER GRIEVOUS . The idea that new lodges weaken old lodges has long been given up ; the
theory that " swarms destroy the parent hive is known to be unsound and untrue ; and English Freemasonry , if it be as real , and sound , and true as we believe it to be , must yield to the normal and even abnormal conditions of increase , developement , and expansion . It cannot stand still , if it does it must go back . Non-progression is retrogression always , and nothing that is worth anything at all in this active period of Society and
the world but yields to the law of our being , and , however we may object or resist advances towards perfection . We hail then , under due safeguards and proper provisions of course understood , the increase of our lodges , and the striking , even startling , onward movement of English Freemasonry . But we still think this year or the next a re-numbering of our lodges should take place , vacant numbers should be filled , our ranks closed up , our
position distinctly put before the Masonic world . We are not insensible to a good deal which our Bro . HENRY SMITH advances with his usual force and ability , but we think the temporary inconvenience of lodges must give way for the general good . It seems to us in this epoch of realisms a most unreal thing , —in fact , a state of things unworthy of the Grand Lodge of England , —that we shall have a nominal list of lodges , which if touched
by the wand of truth and accuracy must shrink greatly and be greatly affected . The secession and independence's sanctioned by the Grand Lodge recently , of so many Antipodean lodges gives us an opportunity much to be desired for an operation , which , however disagreeable or temporaril y inconvenient to some , is demanded in the best interests of truth and realitv for
all . The only question is one of time and opportuneness . As we cannot forecast or control the future , it may be wise to " wait a little longer , " so that when the re-numeration does take place it may be really and truly " up to date , " coverall recent movements and secessions , and last for some years , another generation , at any rate , as a truthful record of the loyal lodges of that great body entitled the Grand Lodge of England .
* * * OUR many readers will be much amused with the following piece of intelligence taken from a contemporary . It will strike them , we think , as so absurd as hardly worth even " noting . " Will the authorities of the Church of Rome ever realize to what ridiculous length a childish and grotesque intolerance must lead them ? Worthy Freemasons all , read and think over
the following " morceau " : — "It will be news to most brethren of 'the mystic tie ' that many good members of the Roman Catholic faith regard Masonic membership as a greater obstacle to marriage than even heresy , Freemasons being regarded by them as banded together for the destruction of Christianity , and whose secret plots are revolutionising every country in Europe . The Sacred Congregation of the Holy Office has been appealed to for guidance in the matter , andhas answered that as long as thc Hol y See
had not published a general decree on the subject , parish priests must act in the marriage of Freemasons with great discretion and prudence . Rather than lay down a hard and fast rule , they must take such measures as will best serve the honour and glory of God and the good of souls . But the celebration of the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass , unless circumstances direct otherwise , should be omitted . " Poor Freemasons ! What very wicked men they are ! " Risum teneatis amici et fratres ? "
Provincial Grand Lodge Of Kent.
PROVINCIAL GRAND LODGE OF KENT .
The magnificent gathering of Kentish Masons at the Town Hall , Gravesend , on Wednesday , the 1 st inst ., to celebrate their annual Provincial meeting , shows unmistakably the immense and deserved popularity which the Grand Master , Lord Holmesdale , has among his brethren of the province , and the sight presented when by upwards of 270 brethren he was saluted with grand honours , will not soon be forgotten by those privileged to witness it . The following is a correct return of those present , as well as we were able to gather from the attendance book and personal
observation : — Bros . Lord Holmesdale , P . G . M . ; King-Barman , P . G . M . Meath ( I . C ); ] . S . Eastes . D . P . G . M . ; R . T . Tatham , G . S . W . ; Kev . V . S . Vickers , G . Chap . ; B . K . Thorpe , P . G . Treas . ; A . Spencer , P . G . Sec . ; T . R . Champion , G . S . D . ; T . "Watson and F . Klatt . G . J . D . ' s ; R . Durtnell , G . S , of Works ; J . Wyer , G . D . D . C . ; J . T . Reeves