Contents.

CONTENTS .

L EADERS 289 Provincial Grand Lodge of Middlesex 290 Provincial Grand Chapter of Snft ' olk 291 Provincial Grand Chapter of Oxfordshire 291 Consecration o £ the Hailesden Lodge , No . 2098 291 Consecration of the Bramston Beach Lodge , N 0 . 2101 202

The Approaching Boys' School Festival and the New Hall at Wood Green 292 Review 293 Notes and Queries 295

REPORTS OF MASONIC MEETINGSCraft Masonry , 20 j Instruction , 396 Royal Arch 296 Mark Masonry 295 Rosicrucian Society 297 Fmieral of the Late Dr . Hopkins 297 Provincial Grand Mark Lodge of Middlesex

and Surrey 297 Royal Masonic Institution for Boys 297 Masonic Charity in Hampshire 297 Masonic and General Tidings 298 Lodge Meetings for Next Week Coyer .

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THE recognition of the Grand Lodge of South Australia is a proof , if proof were needed by any , with what fairness and dignity , and how in harmony with Masonic law and precedent , the Grand Lodge of England always acts . How far the multiplication of Grand Lodges is a good or an evil Time only

can show . There are confessedly two views on the subject , and further and beyond there is the grave question of "localself-government , " and the advance of prosperous colonies into great and independent communities . So long as all matters proceed in due Masonic form and loyal adherence to the

enactments of the Book of Constitutions , so long as a clear majority of English lodges and brethren in a district at a distance from the mother country expresses a desire for independence , the Grand Lodge of England , true to its principles and practice will accord a friendly . and Masonic recognition to those

who feel and think themselvesstrong enough to form an independent Grand Lodge . But it naturally objects to and repels hasty schemes and ill-matured plans , too often the outcome of private ambition , petty cliques , and personal egotism , and , holding firmly by concordats and

understandings legitimate and honest , it seeks to proclaim to the world that by no body of men are the mere acts of underhand agitation or abnormal chicanery so opposed and disavowed as by loyal Freemasons , and especially by that Mother Grand Lodge of Cosmopolitan Freemasonry , —the Grand Lodge of England .

* # * THE study of Masonic archaeology is progressing , if slowly , amongst us , and the value of Masonic literature seems to be rising , as they say , in the "home market . " It takes a great deal to overcome the apathy and

obscurantism of years . Masonic studies never have been popular even in our good Order , and there are those worthy brethren of ours who discourage all labour but that connected with ceremonial , who put on one side all aesthetic and literary tastes except those which serve to develope the

tone and the finish of the " Menu . " It has always seemed to us there is room for all these things and a good deal more . Ceremonial is good and improving , the social circle is desirable and pleasant , but why stop here ? Why should we not offer a field for the ingenuity of the thinking , the

studies of the antiquary Freemason ? Why confine ourselves to a repetition and a reiteration , which sometimes must pall on the senses and tastes of our Fraternity ? There are many portions of our wonted work in lodge which require happy illustration or elaborate explanation ; and lodge lectures often

serve to dispel the mere tedium of sameness , and to impart fresh ness , vigour , reality , and life to matters which may often drift into dead routine or careless acquiescence . We ought always to have a reason for our faith . Bro . GOULD in his amusing onslaught on those who differ from him on

certain important or unimportant point of Masonic history , offers them for a motto the paradoxical one , " Credo quia incrcdibile est . " But the truth is , that the faith of the bulk of Masons as regards their Order is not even built on any exercize of the reasoning process . " It is because it is , " said to be

our fair sisters' general system of induction , is the far too favourite conclusion of a large class of us all . We venture to think that Masonic life and energy will never find their fullest vent amongst us until the true position of

Masonic literature and the increase of libraries and museums display the laudable intention of the Craft to progress with the times . Of course , we are aware how different in practice is the theory , however good and pleasant to contemplate . Many of our lodges find it easier and more convenient

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by the hire of a room for the evening only , and the use of the accommodation of a hall or hotel , to supply all their wants , carry out their ceremonial work , and enjoy the amenities of the social circle . Masonic halls are very expensive adjuncts to a lodge , and the only possibility of their success ,

except in rare instances , appears to be where two or more lodges combine to make a central home for Masonry . We acknowledge the difficulties , and yet many would be the advantages of a more cultured Freemasonry amongst us . The possession of a library and a museum would create an interest

where often now little exists , would remove apathy , would incite energy , would enlist in our service many of archaeological tastes , and the whole government of Freemasonry would receive both a strengthening and a

bracing up , which , we feel sure , would do it good . Let us hope that the time is not far distant when the movement in favour of lodge libraries and museums will receive a decided impulse , and become a marked feature of our Masonic generation .

* * * THE loss of worthy brethren week by week is a matter of sincere regret to the thinking Freemason . We part with them in lodges sometimes to meet no more , and a pleasant intercourse is ended , a life friendship is closed .

Hardly a Freemason appears which does not announce the death of some old friend , whose services to Freemasonry have been many and great , whose warm heart was always open to a plea for Charity , and whose love of

Freemasonry lingered with him to the last , as he slowly passed onwards , after a long and well-spent life , "to the majority , " leaving behind him thegraciousness of a well-known name , much Masonic desert , and a void in the hearts of many Masonic friends , associates , and brethren ,

* # * THE grant of £ 1000 to Grand Lodge for the internal fittings of the Preparatory School for Boys is not only an earnest of the interest of the Craft generally for what is confessedly a great and useful Institution , but will

serve as an incentive to the many friends of the Institution to make the approaching Festival a reality and a success . The Boys' School has prevailing claims on the Craft , in that it is likely to be more required and useful as years succeed to years , and the needs of our body seems always

on the increase , in respect of educational aid and eleemosynary assistance . The school is well managed on a large and liberal plan , fully subserves its " raison de etre , " and under its head master has latterly taken a high placo

in the arduous race of competitional examination and scholastic efficiency . We fuel sure that increased utility and future successes will be its characteristic .

* * * OUR attention has been specially called to a statement in the last report of the General Board of the Grand Mark Lodge , which appeared in the Freemason for June 6 th , p . 279 . It is there averred that "the Grand Lodges of

Britain and Ireland have always been guided by the principle , that the Mark Degree " ought not to be compulsorily merged into the more modern Degree of Royal Arch Masons . " Though we quite agree with the report in feeling that there is no necessity or propriety in merging the " Mark

Degree in the Royal Arch , " we cannot confess to understand , actually or historically , these specific statements and allegations , for in truth they are contradictory of all published history . Doubtless we think it right to add they repose on some foundation , or they would not have been inserted in the

report of the General Board of Mark Masters . Still , the facts alluded to being unknown to us , and new to the majority of Masonic students , we think some authority for such averments should be offered us , and some indication of books or MSS ., where the subject can be looked up and studied ,

would be very desirable . Recent investigations serve to enhance considerably the antiquity of the Royal Arch Grade , while , as far as England is concerned at any rate , the early history of Mark Masonry is very hazy indeed .

There may , however , be sources of information unknown to us and Masonic students generally , but open to the writer of the report , and we should be truly glad to be permitted to be acquainted with such very important evidence , whatever form it takes .