Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Ar00700
EMULATION LODGE OF IMPROVEMENT .
Under the sanction of the Lodge of Unions , No . 256 . Meeting at Freemasons' Hall on every Friday Evening at Six o ' clock , excepting in the months of July , August , and September . STEWARDSV . W . Bro . THOMAS F EKIT , Pres . Bit . Geu . Purps ., Treasurer .
H W . Bro . Sir J . B . Monckton , P . G . W . Viv , „ Fred . A . Phil brick , Q . C ., ( i . Keif .
„ Col . S . H . Clerke , G . Sec . „ Robert Grey , Pres . Bd . of Ben . w „ H . J . P . Dumas , P . G . D . „ C . A . JIurton , P . G . D .
J . ( J . Parkinson , P . G . D . „ Frank Richardson , P . G . D . „ Felix Sumner Knyvett , P . G . D .
Bro . 0 . Bassano , P . M . fill „ J . J . Black , P . M . mid Sec . 15 ( 11 „ C . W . Blaxland , AV . M .
701 ); See . 125 Lennox Browne , 1 \ M . 2108 , 2318 ; P . Prov . S . G . AV . Essex " „ A . Stewart Browne , W . M . 708 ; P . M . 2183
„ G . AV . Carter , P . M . 263 „ Charles K . Cussal , AV . M . 1115 ; S . W . 1971 „ , T . S . Cumberland , P . M . 1611 , 2128 „ B . P . Debenham , W . M . 1479 ; P . Prov . G . Reif .
Herts „ II . C . G . Dumas , P . M . 410 ; Prov . J . G . W . Surrey „ H . G . F . Dumas , P . M . 410 „ T . H . ISdmauds , P . G . Steward
„ Jas . P . Fitzgerald , P . M . 1304 , 21 US „ J . AV . Gaze , l . P . M . 1708 „ A . C . Goodiuge , 1818 „ J . D . Graham , l . P . M . 15 " 9 „ G . B . Iteming , P . M . 25 « „ A . C . A . Higcrty , I ' . M . and Sec . 00 ; P . M .
1711 ; P . Prov . J . G . D . Surrey „ H . H . Hyde Clarke , W . M . 2233 ; S . W . 1091 „ F . L . Jermyu , J . D . 2005 „ Jas . Jemiiiigs , W . M . 228 „ Geo . L . Keunaby , AV . M . 203 ; " l . P . M . 1120
„ * AV . Geo . Kentish , P . M . 1293 , 1758 „ W . H . Kirby , S . AV . 19 U 5 „ G . F . Lancaster , P . M ., Prov . Asst . G . See . Hants and I . of AV . „ J . Lancaster , P . M . and Sec . 531
AV . Bro . Jas . H . Matthews , P . D . G . D . C . ,, „ AV . G . Lemon , LL . B . Asst . G . D . C .
„ „ J . A . Farnfleld , P . Asst . G . D . C . „ „ Fred . Mead , P . G . S . B . „ „ * Robt . Clay Siullow , Grand Std . Br . ,, ,, Henri But ! , Past G .
Std . Br . „ ,, Charles F . Matier , P . G . Std . Br . ,, ,, Henry Sadler , G . Tyler .
Bro . C . AV . Mapleton , AV . M . 256 „ Temple Chevalier Martin , S . D . 1768
„ Albert Mai-vin , P . M . 1708 „ T . de Courcy Mende , AV . M . 112 „ K . M . Money , AV . M . 23 ; P . M . 28 ; G . Steward „ , 1 . C . Mortimer , 1044
„ R . C . Mount . P . P . S . G . AV . Berks and Bucks „ G . A . Nock , 1896 „ AV . A . Pocock , J . AV . 59 ,, Henry Pritchard , P . M . 1415 ; See . 203 ; Prov . G . Treas . Middx .
„ John Pullman , AA . M . 8 „ F . F . Remfrey , P . M . 1529 ; P . P . G . Purst . S . AVules West „ AV . P . Reynolds , AV . M . 7 „ AV . O . Robinson , P . M . 1973 „ J . Russell , 8
„ * F . T . Rushton , P . M . S ; P . G . Stwd . ,, Major-Gen . F .. C . Sim , 1383 „ AVm . Smallpiece , P . M . 7 , 1395 , & c . „ * F . R . Shaull . P . M . 1124 , 1768 ; P . Prov . G . Reg . Salop „ H . R . Summers , J . D .
1820 „ Edwd . Swain , AV . M . 1293 „ James E . Terry , P . M . 1904 „ A . T . Trchcarne , AV . M . 057 „ — Treudell , P . M . 29 , 210 S ; P . G . Steward
„ C . AV . A . Trollope , P . M . 1826 ; P . Prov . S . G . D . Surrey „ H . S . AVelleome , S . D . 3 „ Stephen BartonAA'ilson , P . M . and Treas . 59
* Members ot the Committee . THE ANNUAL FESTIVAL of the Lodge will take place AT FREEMASONS' HALL .
On Friday Evening , the 27 th of February , 1891 , on which occasion THE RIGHT HONOURABLE LORD CREMORNE , Past Senior Grand Warden , HAS KINDLY CONSENTED TO PRESIDE . I he Lod ge will be opened at Six o ' clock p . m . precisely . Bro . THOMAS FENN , President Bd . Gen . Purps ., Treas ., as W . M .
THE FIRST LECTURK AVILL BE AVOKKED . 1 st Section by Bro . J . C . Mortimer , 1011 . aud „ „ AV . H . Kirby , S . AV . 1965 . 3 « t „ „ Jno . Pullman , AV . M . 8 . Wli „ „ W . P . Reynolds , AV . M . 7 .
5 tU „ „ i . j . Black , P . M . & Sec . 1564 . 0 th „ „ Temple Chevalier Martin , S . D . 176 S . 7 th „ „ ( j . - \ v . A . Trollope , P . M . 1820 . TICKETS for the SUPPER , including admission to the Lod ge , 5 s . each , may be had of the Stewards , or of the ^¦ "etary , Bro . W . G . K ENTI SH , 5 , Laurence Pountney
Ad00705
MEW VOLUME OF THE "FREEMASO N . " NOW READY , bound in cloth , lettered , price 9 s ., Vol . \ XV . of "The Freemason . " London : GEORGE KENNING , IG & iCA , Gt . Queen-st ., W . C .
Ad00706
PlRST PRIZE MEDALS . " *¦ Adelaide Jubilee Exhibition , 1887 ; Sydney Centenary Exhibition , 1888 . MASONS' CERTIFICATES , & c , FRAMED TO ANY DESIGN . H . MORELL , ' 7 & 18 , GREAT ST . ANDREW ST ., BLOOMSBURY , LONDON , W . C . DP a " ^ . ctur er and Importer of all kinds of Picture Frame and rem , ! ¦ ' , ? Mouldings ( Two Million feet always in stock ) . Every PatJi , f " the Trade and Exportation . Illustrated Book of "ems , 85 n ; , gCS ^ dCmy , tCvit-cd for iSyi , prs-t free for three penny stamfF .
Ad00701
ADVERTISEMENT SCALE OF
"THE FREEMASON . " Per Insertion . SINGLE COLUMN per inch £ 0 5 0 ONE PAGE 10 0 0 ONE COLUMN 3 10 o PUBLIC COMPANIES' & PARAGRAPH ADVERTISEMENTS , IS . PER LINE . WANTS , & C , FOUR LINES , 2 s . 6 d ., and 6 d . PER LINE additional .
To Correspondents.
To Correspondents .
The following communications unavoidably stand over : CRAFT LODGESUnion , No . 38 ; King ' s Lynn Philanthropic , No . 107 ; Harmony , No . 309 ; Wes-tbourne , No . 733 ; Hornsey , No . 8 qo ; Doric , No . 933 ; Square and Compass , No . 1336 ; Friendly , No . 1513 ; Arlecdon , No . 1660 ; Brixton , No . 1949 ; Fairfield , 2290 ; and Warrant Officers , No . 2346 . Rov . u .
ARCHKennington Chapter , No . 1381 . MARKTristram , No . 34 6 . Provincial Grand Chapter of Hampshire and the Isle of Wight Crowle Masonic Ball . Masonic Entertai nment at the Bolton Theatre . Masonic Entertainment to Old People at Northampton . New Masonic Hall at Wadebridge .
Ar00707
Masonic Notes.
Masonic Notes .
SATURDAY , FEBRUARY 14 , 1891 . . « . We understand that the inauguration of the Girls ' School Centenary Hall by the Prince of Wales , M . W . G . M . and President of the Institution , will fake place either towards the end of the current month or on some
day at the very beginning of March , the precise date not having yet been fixed . This will widen the interval between the opening ceremony and the anniversary festival , but it will still be possible for the Committee in charge of the arrangements for the former to regard
it , as we suggested , a fortnight since , " as a kind of introduction" to the latter , to be utilised for the purpose of promoting its success . This , in effect , is the opinion we expressed when we learned that his Royal Hig hness had graciously consented to open the Hall ,
and the more carefully we consider the matter , the more convinced are we that if the opening ceremony is not turned to some account in the manner we have indicated , it will seriously endanger the success of this year ' s Festival .
It is satisfactory to know that substantial progress in strengthening the Board of Stewards for the approaching Festival of the Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution was made last week , when as many as 26 brethren were added to the list , so that , after deducting the
withdrawals , there were on Saturday last over 290 brethren who have volunteered their services for the 25 th instant . Since then the Board has been further increased , and , at the time of writing , is just 300 strong . Last year Bro . Terry secured the services of a Board of 330
Stewards , so that we may anticipate the number on this occasion will be almost as great . As to the amount which may be forthcoming , we shall wait till the day itself before , hazarding a guess as to the total which Bro . Terry will be in a position to announce .
While we are on the subject of this particular Festival we may as well say a few words generall y as to the withdrawals of brethren from a Board of Stewards , to which reference has been made in the preceding paragraph . When a brother enters himself as a Steward
Unattached for one of our great Festivals , and subsequently , finding himself prevented by illness or other causes from fulfilling his engagement , withdraws his name , no great harm is done . He has undertaken to represent nobod y in particular , and in all probabilit y ,
when his health is restored or the other difficulty is removed , he will tender his services to act at some future anniversary . But when a brother undertakes to represent a lodge or chapter some four or five months before the appointed time , and after receiving the usual
circulars and forms for canvassing , withdraws two or three weeks before , or even on a shorter notice still , considerable harm is done . The Secretary interested solicits no aid from the lodge or chapter because he
believes it will be forthcoming b y the hands or the brother who has promised to represent it , and when the withdrawal takes place , there is little or no time to find a substitute .
Masonic Notes.
The responsibilities which devolve on the Secretaries of our Institutions are neither few nor lig ht , and that of obtaining the services of brethren as Stewards for the annual Festivals is by no means the least exacting . Their duties also are arduous , and they deserve better
treatment than to be left in the lurch in the manner we have indicated . They are the executive officers through whom the governing bodies look to obtain the necessary ways and means from year to year . In the case of the Benevolent Institution , the sum to be raised annuall y is
close on ^ 15 , 000 , while the Schools require each of them about £ 11 , 000 or £ 12 , 000 . There is difficulty enough in raising these large sums without—as we regret to say is sometimes the case—having the difficulty enhanced by the default of brethren .
* The circular letter addressed by Bro . Col . Gough , P . G . M . , to the lodges in his Province of Staffordshire —copy of which we acknowledged we had received last week—is well worth study ing . Its object—to secure as
far as possible a uni . ormity of ritual throughout Staffordshire—is most laudable , and the means by which he proposes to attain this desirable consummation most reasonable and , if adopted , well calculated to secure its attainment .
* * * Bro . Gough very sensibly points out that no one Mason , however gifted , can claim to speak authoritatively on this important subject ; that is to say , there is no brother , however qualified an exponent of our ritual
he may be , can venture to say absolutely of his version of it—This is the ritual of Masonry as it was agreed upon at the Union of the two English Grand Lodges in 1813 , and as it has been handed down pure and undefiled through successive generations of Preceptors
to me—this it is and none other is worthy of acceptance . He illustrates this point b y his own case . He states that at the commencement of his Masonic career 3 6 years ago , and subsequently he studied under '' Bros Harris , Warner , and Lewis—the first of whom had
received his instruction direct from Bro . Honey , " who , after the Union had been effected , had been sent from headquarters into Staffordshire to propagate a knowledge of the ritual as then "approved and adopted . " But as he subsequentl y tells us , he has discovered that there are Masons " as old as and older
than himself whose memories as to certain more or less important details do not accord" with his own . Under these circumstances he feels that he dare not claim for his own version that pre-eminence in accuracy which a standard ritual should possess . * * *
Again he lays stress on the fact that though uniformity of ritual mig ht be attained without serious difficult y in any one Province , it might be found on comparing it with the ritual in force elsewhere that the two systems were at variance with each other in points
of detail . Theiefore , as affording a means of escape from the endless difficulties which would thus arise , he proposes that what is commonly known as the '' Emulation Working" should be adopted generall y throughout
his Province , this being the working which is recognised and adopted by the Grand Master " in his own lodge , the Royal Alpha , and b y the officials in or connected with the Grand Lodge of England , or any of its Boards or Committees . "
* * * The means by which Bro . Gough looks to attain the object he has in view is that every lodge in his Piovince shall establish a lodge of instruction , and appoint for a period or term of three years some
brother who is known to be a competent exponent of our ritual according to the " Emulation Working " as a Preceptor . He further proposes that the Preceptors thus appointed shall meet together under his presidency at an early date , so that a uniform mode of
procedure may be adopted . We strongl y commend the subject which Bro . Gough has so ably set forth in his letter to the consideration of brethren in other provinces besides that of Staffordshire .
One of those pleasing Masonic functions which are termed " ladies' ni g hts" took place at the Inns of Court Hotel , on Wednesday , in connection with the Montague Guest Lodge . An excellent dinner , short speeches , and a most enjoyable concert in the
drawingroom very p leasantl y filled the hours allotted for the entertainment , and about 60 brethren and ladies were present , and the greatest satisfaction was expressed at the proceedings . Unfortunately , the programme
was shorn of an interesting item , viz . , the presentation of a testimonial to Bro . and Madame Festa , owing to the fact that our worthy brother had been obliged to journey to-a more genial climate in search of health which we trust he will bring back with him .
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Ar00700
EMULATION LODGE OF IMPROVEMENT .
Under the sanction of the Lodge of Unions , No . 256 . Meeting at Freemasons' Hall on every Friday Evening at Six o ' clock , excepting in the months of July , August , and September . STEWARDSV . W . Bro . THOMAS F EKIT , Pres . Bit . Geu . Purps ., Treasurer .
H W . Bro . Sir J . B . Monckton , P . G . W . Viv , „ Fred . A . Phil brick , Q . C ., ( i . Keif .
„ Col . S . H . Clerke , G . Sec . „ Robert Grey , Pres . Bd . of Ben . w „ H . J . P . Dumas , P . G . D . „ C . A . JIurton , P . G . D .
J . ( J . Parkinson , P . G . D . „ Frank Richardson , P . G . D . „ Felix Sumner Knyvett , P . G . D .
Bro . 0 . Bassano , P . M . fill „ J . J . Black , P . M . mid Sec . 15 ( 11 „ C . W . Blaxland , AV . M .
701 ); See . 125 Lennox Browne , 1 \ M . 2108 , 2318 ; P . Prov . S . G . AV . Essex " „ A . Stewart Browne , W . M . 708 ; P . M . 2183
„ G . AV . Carter , P . M . 263 „ Charles K . Cussal , AV . M . 1115 ; S . W . 1971 „ , T . S . Cumberland , P . M . 1611 , 2128 „ B . P . Debenham , W . M . 1479 ; P . Prov . G . Reif .
Herts „ II . C . G . Dumas , P . M . 410 ; Prov . J . G . W . Surrey „ H . G . F . Dumas , P . M . 410 „ T . H . ISdmauds , P . G . Steward
„ Jas . P . Fitzgerald , P . M . 1304 , 21 US „ J . AV . Gaze , l . P . M . 1708 „ A . C . Goodiuge , 1818 „ J . D . Graham , l . P . M . 15 " 9 „ G . B . Iteming , P . M . 25 « „ A . C . A . Higcrty , I ' . M . and Sec . 00 ; P . M .
1711 ; P . Prov . J . G . D . Surrey „ H . H . Hyde Clarke , W . M . 2233 ; S . W . 1091 „ F . L . Jermyu , J . D . 2005 „ Jas . Jemiiiigs , W . M . 228 „ Geo . L . Keunaby , AV . M . 203 ; " l . P . M . 1120
„ * AV . Geo . Kentish , P . M . 1293 , 1758 „ W . H . Kirby , S . AV . 19 U 5 „ G . F . Lancaster , P . M ., Prov . Asst . G . See . Hants and I . of AV . „ J . Lancaster , P . M . and Sec . 531
AV . Bro . Jas . H . Matthews , P . D . G . D . C . ,, „ AV . G . Lemon , LL . B . Asst . G . D . C .
„ „ J . A . Farnfleld , P . Asst . G . D . C . „ „ Fred . Mead , P . G . S . B . „ „ * Robt . Clay Siullow , Grand Std . Br . ,, ,, Henri But ! , Past G .
Std . Br . „ ,, Charles F . Matier , P . G . Std . Br . ,, ,, Henry Sadler , G . Tyler .
Bro . C . AV . Mapleton , AV . M . 256 „ Temple Chevalier Martin , S . D . 1768
„ Albert Mai-vin , P . M . 1708 „ T . de Courcy Mende , AV . M . 112 „ K . M . Money , AV . M . 23 ; P . M . 28 ; G . Steward „ , 1 . C . Mortimer , 1044
„ R . C . Mount . P . P . S . G . AV . Berks and Bucks „ G . A . Nock , 1896 „ AV . A . Pocock , J . AV . 59 ,, Henry Pritchard , P . M . 1415 ; See . 203 ; Prov . G . Treas . Middx .
„ John Pullman , AA . M . 8 „ F . F . Remfrey , P . M . 1529 ; P . P . G . Purst . S . AVules West „ AV . P . Reynolds , AV . M . 7 „ AV . O . Robinson , P . M . 1973 „ J . Russell , 8
„ * F . T . Rushton , P . M . S ; P . G . Stwd . ,, Major-Gen . F .. C . Sim , 1383 „ AVm . Smallpiece , P . M . 7 , 1395 , & c . „ * F . R . Shaull . P . M . 1124 , 1768 ; P . Prov . G . Reg . Salop „ H . R . Summers , J . D .
1820 „ Edwd . Swain , AV . M . 1293 „ James E . Terry , P . M . 1904 „ A . T . Trchcarne , AV . M . 057 „ — Treudell , P . M . 29 , 210 S ; P . G . Steward
„ C . AV . A . Trollope , P . M . 1826 ; P . Prov . S . G . D . Surrey „ H . S . AVelleome , S . D . 3 „ Stephen BartonAA'ilson , P . M . and Treas . 59
* Members ot the Committee . THE ANNUAL FESTIVAL of the Lodge will take place AT FREEMASONS' HALL .
On Friday Evening , the 27 th of February , 1891 , on which occasion THE RIGHT HONOURABLE LORD CREMORNE , Past Senior Grand Warden , HAS KINDLY CONSENTED TO PRESIDE . I he Lod ge will be opened at Six o ' clock p . m . precisely . Bro . THOMAS FENN , President Bd . Gen . Purps ., Treas ., as W . M .
THE FIRST LECTURK AVILL BE AVOKKED . 1 st Section by Bro . J . C . Mortimer , 1011 . aud „ „ AV . H . Kirby , S . AV . 1965 . 3 « t „ „ Jno . Pullman , AV . M . 8 . Wli „ „ W . P . Reynolds , AV . M . 7 .
5 tU „ „ i . j . Black , P . M . & Sec . 1564 . 0 th „ „ Temple Chevalier Martin , S . D . 176 S . 7 th „ „ ( j . - \ v . A . Trollope , P . M . 1820 . TICKETS for the SUPPER , including admission to the Lod ge , 5 s . each , may be had of the Stewards , or of the ^¦ "etary , Bro . W . G . K ENTI SH , 5 , Laurence Pountney
Ad00705
MEW VOLUME OF THE "FREEMASO N . " NOW READY , bound in cloth , lettered , price 9 s ., Vol . \ XV . of "The Freemason . " London : GEORGE KENNING , IG & iCA , Gt . Queen-st ., W . C .
Ad00706
PlRST PRIZE MEDALS . " *¦ Adelaide Jubilee Exhibition , 1887 ; Sydney Centenary Exhibition , 1888 . MASONS' CERTIFICATES , & c , FRAMED TO ANY DESIGN . H . MORELL , ' 7 & 18 , GREAT ST . ANDREW ST ., BLOOMSBURY , LONDON , W . C . DP a " ^ . ctur er and Importer of all kinds of Picture Frame and rem , ! ¦ ' , ? Mouldings ( Two Million feet always in stock ) . Every PatJi , f " the Trade and Exportation . Illustrated Book of "ems , 85 n ; , gCS ^ dCmy , tCvit-cd for iSyi , prs-t free for three penny stamfF .
Ad00701
ADVERTISEMENT SCALE OF
"THE FREEMASON . " Per Insertion . SINGLE COLUMN per inch £ 0 5 0 ONE PAGE 10 0 0 ONE COLUMN 3 10 o PUBLIC COMPANIES' & PARAGRAPH ADVERTISEMENTS , IS . PER LINE . WANTS , & C , FOUR LINES , 2 s . 6 d ., and 6 d . PER LINE additional .
To Correspondents.
To Correspondents .
The following communications unavoidably stand over : CRAFT LODGESUnion , No . 38 ; King ' s Lynn Philanthropic , No . 107 ; Harmony , No . 309 ; Wes-tbourne , No . 733 ; Hornsey , No . 8 qo ; Doric , No . 933 ; Square and Compass , No . 1336 ; Friendly , No . 1513 ; Arlecdon , No . 1660 ; Brixton , No . 1949 ; Fairfield , 2290 ; and Warrant Officers , No . 2346 . Rov . u .
ARCHKennington Chapter , No . 1381 . MARKTristram , No . 34 6 . Provincial Grand Chapter of Hampshire and the Isle of Wight Crowle Masonic Ball . Masonic Entertai nment at the Bolton Theatre . Masonic Entertainment to Old People at Northampton . New Masonic Hall at Wadebridge .
Ar00707
Masonic Notes.
Masonic Notes .
SATURDAY , FEBRUARY 14 , 1891 . . « . We understand that the inauguration of the Girls ' School Centenary Hall by the Prince of Wales , M . W . G . M . and President of the Institution , will fake place either towards the end of the current month or on some
day at the very beginning of March , the precise date not having yet been fixed . This will widen the interval between the opening ceremony and the anniversary festival , but it will still be possible for the Committee in charge of the arrangements for the former to regard
it , as we suggested , a fortnight since , " as a kind of introduction" to the latter , to be utilised for the purpose of promoting its success . This , in effect , is the opinion we expressed when we learned that his Royal Hig hness had graciously consented to open the Hall ,
and the more carefully we consider the matter , the more convinced are we that if the opening ceremony is not turned to some account in the manner we have indicated , it will seriously endanger the success of this year ' s Festival .
It is satisfactory to know that substantial progress in strengthening the Board of Stewards for the approaching Festival of the Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution was made last week , when as many as 26 brethren were added to the list , so that , after deducting the
withdrawals , there were on Saturday last over 290 brethren who have volunteered their services for the 25 th instant . Since then the Board has been further increased , and , at the time of writing , is just 300 strong . Last year Bro . Terry secured the services of a Board of 330
Stewards , so that we may anticipate the number on this occasion will be almost as great . As to the amount which may be forthcoming , we shall wait till the day itself before , hazarding a guess as to the total which Bro . Terry will be in a position to announce .
While we are on the subject of this particular Festival we may as well say a few words generall y as to the withdrawals of brethren from a Board of Stewards , to which reference has been made in the preceding paragraph . When a brother enters himself as a Steward
Unattached for one of our great Festivals , and subsequently , finding himself prevented by illness or other causes from fulfilling his engagement , withdraws his name , no great harm is done . He has undertaken to represent nobod y in particular , and in all probabilit y ,
when his health is restored or the other difficulty is removed , he will tender his services to act at some future anniversary . But when a brother undertakes to represent a lodge or chapter some four or five months before the appointed time , and after receiving the usual
circulars and forms for canvassing , withdraws two or three weeks before , or even on a shorter notice still , considerable harm is done . The Secretary interested solicits no aid from the lodge or chapter because he
believes it will be forthcoming b y the hands or the brother who has promised to represent it , and when the withdrawal takes place , there is little or no time to find a substitute .
Masonic Notes.
The responsibilities which devolve on the Secretaries of our Institutions are neither few nor lig ht , and that of obtaining the services of brethren as Stewards for the annual Festivals is by no means the least exacting . Their duties also are arduous , and they deserve better
treatment than to be left in the lurch in the manner we have indicated . They are the executive officers through whom the governing bodies look to obtain the necessary ways and means from year to year . In the case of the Benevolent Institution , the sum to be raised annuall y is
close on ^ 15 , 000 , while the Schools require each of them about £ 11 , 000 or £ 12 , 000 . There is difficulty enough in raising these large sums without—as we regret to say is sometimes the case—having the difficulty enhanced by the default of brethren .
* The circular letter addressed by Bro . Col . Gough , P . G . M . , to the lodges in his Province of Staffordshire —copy of which we acknowledged we had received last week—is well worth study ing . Its object—to secure as
far as possible a uni . ormity of ritual throughout Staffordshire—is most laudable , and the means by which he proposes to attain this desirable consummation most reasonable and , if adopted , well calculated to secure its attainment .
* * * Bro . Gough very sensibly points out that no one Mason , however gifted , can claim to speak authoritatively on this important subject ; that is to say , there is no brother , however qualified an exponent of our ritual
he may be , can venture to say absolutely of his version of it—This is the ritual of Masonry as it was agreed upon at the Union of the two English Grand Lodges in 1813 , and as it has been handed down pure and undefiled through successive generations of Preceptors
to me—this it is and none other is worthy of acceptance . He illustrates this point b y his own case . He states that at the commencement of his Masonic career 3 6 years ago , and subsequently he studied under '' Bros Harris , Warner , and Lewis—the first of whom had
received his instruction direct from Bro . Honey , " who , after the Union had been effected , had been sent from headquarters into Staffordshire to propagate a knowledge of the ritual as then "approved and adopted . " But as he subsequentl y tells us , he has discovered that there are Masons " as old as and older
than himself whose memories as to certain more or less important details do not accord" with his own . Under these circumstances he feels that he dare not claim for his own version that pre-eminence in accuracy which a standard ritual should possess . * * *
Again he lays stress on the fact that though uniformity of ritual mig ht be attained without serious difficult y in any one Province , it might be found on comparing it with the ritual in force elsewhere that the two systems were at variance with each other in points
of detail . Theiefore , as affording a means of escape from the endless difficulties which would thus arise , he proposes that what is commonly known as the '' Emulation Working" should be adopted generall y throughout
his Province , this being the working which is recognised and adopted by the Grand Master " in his own lodge , the Royal Alpha , and b y the officials in or connected with the Grand Lodge of England , or any of its Boards or Committees . "
* * * The means by which Bro . Gough looks to attain the object he has in view is that every lodge in his Piovince shall establish a lodge of instruction , and appoint for a period or term of three years some
brother who is known to be a competent exponent of our ritual according to the " Emulation Working " as a Preceptor . He further proposes that the Preceptors thus appointed shall meet together under his presidency at an early date , so that a uniform mode of
procedure may be adopted . We strongl y commend the subject which Bro . Gough has so ably set forth in his letter to the consideration of brethren in other provinces besides that of Staffordshire .
One of those pleasing Masonic functions which are termed " ladies' ni g hts" took place at the Inns of Court Hotel , on Wednesday , in connection with the Montague Guest Lodge . An excellent dinner , short speeches , and a most enjoyable concert in the
drawingroom very p leasantl y filled the hours allotted for the entertainment , and about 60 brethren and ladies were present , and the greatest satisfaction was expressed at the proceedings . Unfortunately , the programme
was shorn of an interesting item , viz . , the presentation of a testimonial to Bro . and Madame Festa , owing to the fact that our worthy brother had been obliged to journey to-a more genial climate in search of health which we trust he will bring back with him .