Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Contents.
CONTENTS .
L EADERS ¦•—••• . ' 2 ° Royal Masonic Institution for Girls 130 Royal Masonic Institution for Roys 130 The Recent Festival of the Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution 130 West Lancashire Masonic Educational Institution , 1 SS 4 130 Masonic Hall at Liverpool 131 Masonic Celebration at Altrincham 131 The La Tolerance Lodge Ladies' Banquet
and Ball 131 Royal Masonic Institution for Boys 131 Rovai Masonic Benevolent Institution ... 131 West Lancashire Masonic Educational Institution , 131 C ORRESPONDENCEThe " Principle of the Ballot" 133 The Grand Treasurership ; 133 Missing Jewels 133 Lodges of Instruction 133 The ' Unknown Jewel , 133 The Star in the East 133
CORRESPONDENCE ( Continued ) Masonic Bibliography 133 "In Rebus Masonicls" 133 The Masonic Pulpit at St . Milan's Cathedra ! 133 Festival of the R . M . B . I 133 The Late Bro . Stephens 134 Reviews r 34 Notes and Queries 134
REPORTS OF MASONIC MEETINGSCraft Masonry 135 Instruction 137 Royal Arch 138 Jamaica 138 Western Australia 138 International Masonic Congratulations ... 139 The Theatres 139 Masonic Lecture at Torquay 139 The Craft Abroad 139 Masonic and General Tidings 140 Lodo ; e Meetings for Next Week iii .
Ar00100
THE fact to which Bro . GOLDNEY recently alluded with pardonable pride , that Masonic contributions to Charity during the 11 years of the popular regime of H . R . H . the GRAND MASTER amounted to £ 350 , 000 , is a most striking one in its . way , and deserves the attention both of the friends and foes of Freemasonry in this country . The only little defect in the
statement is , that it understates rather than over estimates the full flow of Masonic beneficence . If everything was tottled up which has been raised and distributed through various channels and in different forms by English Freemasonry , during that period , the amount would certainly exceed half a million of money . We allude to this
reality in no spirit of boasting , neither do we wish to raise needless questions , or " odorous " comparisons . But we think we are warranted in saying this , that our great English Jurisdiction stands out happily to-day from all others , in the extent and realism of its constant and warm-hearted efforts for the elevating and noble cause of Charity . And it is a matter of satisfaction to
all English Freemasons , that eschewing all sectarian , political , and even social questions , our Order simply devotes itself to the developement of the true work and spirit of Freemasonry , a careful rendering of our ancient ceremonial , the agreeable arrangements of an amiable hospitality , and the untiring energy and munificent results of charitable endeavours ,
applied in the truest spirit of unselfish liberality for the happiness and help of the less prosperous members of our brethren , and the education of their orphan children . If any complain of Masonic Charity being confined to Masonic devotees and Masonic claims , all we can say is , " Go and do thou likewise , in your own sphere , and for your neighbours' good . " Why is our
liberty of goodwill to be judged by your indifference to a similar outcome , or even your want of appreciation of our motives and labours P As we said above , our friends may indeed take heart and rejoice when they know and remember how every decennial period witnesses of the advance , expanse , and growth , and utility , and open-handed Charity of English
Freemasonry . As regards our foes , we say to them " si queens , as to what Freemasonry is and means , " circumspice . " But that in 1885 , in this a free land , we should have foes who attack us and insult us , week by week , is matter to the thoughtful mind of marvel and regret . Were not the
incriminations we read , and the views we hear of , so wickedly perverse and so cruelly unjust , instead of heartfelt anger and shame at the prevalence of such vulgar intolerance , they seem to us so grotesquely absurd that they are and can be matter simply for hearty laughter or unmitigated contempt . It is only a short time back that we read in an accredited Roman Catholic serial .
written by a well-known prolessor , to boot , a long tirade against Freemasonry , which , admitting quite sufficient knowledge of its constitution and members to prove that such a deliverance was not an outcome of " invincible ¦ gnorance , " wound up by declaring English Freemasons to be Pagans and profane , bound together for a ceaseless and destructive war against law and
order , morality and Society ; and this in the very face of the admitted realit y , that there is no earthly Society at this hour which is so loyal , reverential , and law-abiding , or doing so much to assuage the sufferings , and a'Q the civilization of the world , as the Brethren of the " mystic tie" in this g ° od realm of England .
*«* l » K "Bulletin du Grand Orient" contains an official report of a correspondence between the Grand Orient of France and our GRAND SECRETARY ? the beginning of this year . It seems that the Grand Orient , tired of ¦ solation , and thinking that a recent alteration in their own Constitutions had
" -ended matters , " applied formally to our Grand Lodge in deprecation of delusion from our lodges , and with a suggestion of Masonic intercourse , ^ a formal withdrawal of the prohibition of reception . It based its ration on these two points , as it asserted , —( 1 ) that its original change ad been misunderstood , and ( 2 ) , that by a recent alteration verbiage , all had been conceded that the Grand Lodge of England had
Ar00101
to expect or desire . To this application our GRAND SECRETARY replied courteously , as is his wont , by order of the GRAND MASTER in effect , that the change alluded to had not removed the objection of English Freemasons to the revolution in the French formularies , which had been mos unwisely . and hastily brought about : that the name of GOD , the
fundamental landmark of Freemasonry , had been , so to say , expunged , and that no professions of toleration , or solidarity , or anything else would supply this mournful and alarming defect . The GRAND SECRETARY might have gone on to say , had not his customary courtesy supressed the fact , that despite this recent change in the Constitution , which says very little ,
and means even less , the position of the Grand Orient of France had gone down from bad to worse rapidly . Its best friends in France regard it with alarm and dismay , and even prophecy an eventual interference by the State , with its now admitted political and irreligious propaganda . It is practically , a secret political society , without any maintainance of Masonic
landmarks , and it may well be doubted whether it can now be treated on account of its terrible and irratic departure from the great tenets of Cosmopolitan Freemasonry as a true jurisdiction , rather if it must not be regarded , as a body owing to its vagaries , " hors de la Loi , " as regards Freemasonry proper . ' It has undoubtedly introduced many innovations
and has rendered itself open to the charges of the French press , of M . ANDRIEUX , and others , of formulating unbelieving professions of individual faith , practising a ridiculous ceremonial , and developeing a childish and fantastic outcome of personal politics . If the French Freemasons could retrace their steps none would hail them more warmly than
the Grand Lodge of England . The position taken up under orders by our GRAND SECRETARY is , in truth , the proper , the safe , the constitutional one to assume , and from it we feel persuaded nothing will ever dispose the Grand Lodge of England to recede . We could wish it were otherwise . At present any " rapprochement" between us and the Grand
Orient of France seems to be out of the question . We say all this indeed more in sorrow than anger . None have a better or a kindlier feeling for the French Grand Orient than we have . We wish it well fraternally , but we desiderate for it a sounder mind . Knowing the difficulties of Foreign Freemasonry in Roman Catholic countries , and
realizing as we do the unchanged " views " of the Ultramontane party everywhere , we had hoped that an " entente cordiale " might have been established between French and English Freemasonry . At present , as we have just observed , it seems hopeless and impossible . Let us onl y hope for a happier change and a brighter day .
% * THE Voting Papers for the Girls' and Boys' School will probably be out this week , and we understand that the polling is expected , as usual , to be very high . One lamentable fact is patent , that a large number of the Subscribers
never vote at all . Votes are kept back each election which could secure and more than secure the election of one or more candidates , and we do urge upon all Subscribers to these useful and needful Institutions to be good enough to condescend to talce the trouble to fill up their Voting Papers for some one good candidate .
* # * AMONG many worthy brethren whose loss we regret week by week to record , we feel right to note our lamented and worthy brother , W . STEPHENS , P . G . P . A zealous and energetic Freemason , most devoted to the cause of Charity , he will be greatly missed by many friends , who admired his activity and recognised his worth .
* # * THE first meeting of the Stewards for the Girls' School Anniversary Festival is fixed for Monday , the 16 th inst . We hope that there will be a good muster , and that Bro . HEDGES may have , as usual , another good success .
* # * IT has not often devolved upon us to announce such glorious news as is recorded in another part of our columns in connection with our two Schools . It is by no means an everyday occurrence that all the candidates from a particular school who present themselves at a particular examination should
succeed in passing the ordeal prescribed . Yet this is precisely what happened in the case of our Masonic School at the Cambridge Middle-class Examinations in December last . The Girls' School sent up 14 candidates —four Seniors and 10 Juniors—all of whom satisfied the Examiners , while of the 10 Juniors one was awarded Second Class and three Third Class
honours . The Boys School sent up 16 candidates—all Juniors—and of these four took First Class , five Second Class , and three Third Class honours , the remaining four being awarded certificates of having satisfied the
Examiners . We take the opportunity of congratulating not only the two Executives , but in an especial degree Miss DAVIS and Bro . Dr . MORRIS , on the very complete measure of success achieved by their respective groups of pupils at this examination .
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Contents.
CONTENTS .
L EADERS ¦•—••• . ' 2 ° Royal Masonic Institution for Girls 130 Royal Masonic Institution for Roys 130 The Recent Festival of the Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution 130 West Lancashire Masonic Educational Institution , 1 SS 4 130 Masonic Hall at Liverpool 131 Masonic Celebration at Altrincham 131 The La Tolerance Lodge Ladies' Banquet
and Ball 131 Royal Masonic Institution for Boys 131 Rovai Masonic Benevolent Institution ... 131 West Lancashire Masonic Educational Institution , 131 C ORRESPONDENCEThe " Principle of the Ballot" 133 The Grand Treasurership ; 133 Missing Jewels 133 Lodges of Instruction 133 The ' Unknown Jewel , 133 The Star in the East 133
CORRESPONDENCE ( Continued ) Masonic Bibliography 133 "In Rebus Masonicls" 133 The Masonic Pulpit at St . Milan's Cathedra ! 133 Festival of the R . M . B . I 133 The Late Bro . Stephens 134 Reviews r 34 Notes and Queries 134
REPORTS OF MASONIC MEETINGSCraft Masonry 135 Instruction 137 Royal Arch 138 Jamaica 138 Western Australia 138 International Masonic Congratulations ... 139 The Theatres 139 Masonic Lecture at Torquay 139 The Craft Abroad 139 Masonic and General Tidings 140 Lodo ; e Meetings for Next Week iii .
Ar00100
THE fact to which Bro . GOLDNEY recently alluded with pardonable pride , that Masonic contributions to Charity during the 11 years of the popular regime of H . R . H . the GRAND MASTER amounted to £ 350 , 000 , is a most striking one in its . way , and deserves the attention both of the friends and foes of Freemasonry in this country . The only little defect in the
statement is , that it understates rather than over estimates the full flow of Masonic beneficence . If everything was tottled up which has been raised and distributed through various channels and in different forms by English Freemasonry , during that period , the amount would certainly exceed half a million of money . We allude to this
reality in no spirit of boasting , neither do we wish to raise needless questions , or " odorous " comparisons . But we think we are warranted in saying this , that our great English Jurisdiction stands out happily to-day from all others , in the extent and realism of its constant and warm-hearted efforts for the elevating and noble cause of Charity . And it is a matter of satisfaction to
all English Freemasons , that eschewing all sectarian , political , and even social questions , our Order simply devotes itself to the developement of the true work and spirit of Freemasonry , a careful rendering of our ancient ceremonial , the agreeable arrangements of an amiable hospitality , and the untiring energy and munificent results of charitable endeavours ,
applied in the truest spirit of unselfish liberality for the happiness and help of the less prosperous members of our brethren , and the education of their orphan children . If any complain of Masonic Charity being confined to Masonic devotees and Masonic claims , all we can say is , " Go and do thou likewise , in your own sphere , and for your neighbours' good . " Why is our
liberty of goodwill to be judged by your indifference to a similar outcome , or even your want of appreciation of our motives and labours P As we said above , our friends may indeed take heart and rejoice when they know and remember how every decennial period witnesses of the advance , expanse , and growth , and utility , and open-handed Charity of English
Freemasonry . As regards our foes , we say to them " si queens , as to what Freemasonry is and means , " circumspice . " But that in 1885 , in this a free land , we should have foes who attack us and insult us , week by week , is matter to the thoughtful mind of marvel and regret . Were not the
incriminations we read , and the views we hear of , so wickedly perverse and so cruelly unjust , instead of heartfelt anger and shame at the prevalence of such vulgar intolerance , they seem to us so grotesquely absurd that they are and can be matter simply for hearty laughter or unmitigated contempt . It is only a short time back that we read in an accredited Roman Catholic serial .
written by a well-known prolessor , to boot , a long tirade against Freemasonry , which , admitting quite sufficient knowledge of its constitution and members to prove that such a deliverance was not an outcome of " invincible ¦ gnorance , " wound up by declaring English Freemasons to be Pagans and profane , bound together for a ceaseless and destructive war against law and
order , morality and Society ; and this in the very face of the admitted realit y , that there is no earthly Society at this hour which is so loyal , reverential , and law-abiding , or doing so much to assuage the sufferings , and a'Q the civilization of the world , as the Brethren of the " mystic tie" in this g ° od realm of England .
*«* l » K "Bulletin du Grand Orient" contains an official report of a correspondence between the Grand Orient of France and our GRAND SECRETARY ? the beginning of this year . It seems that the Grand Orient , tired of ¦ solation , and thinking that a recent alteration in their own Constitutions had
" -ended matters , " applied formally to our Grand Lodge in deprecation of delusion from our lodges , and with a suggestion of Masonic intercourse , ^ a formal withdrawal of the prohibition of reception . It based its ration on these two points , as it asserted , —( 1 ) that its original change ad been misunderstood , and ( 2 ) , that by a recent alteration verbiage , all had been conceded that the Grand Lodge of England had
Ar00101
to expect or desire . To this application our GRAND SECRETARY replied courteously , as is his wont , by order of the GRAND MASTER in effect , that the change alluded to had not removed the objection of English Freemasons to the revolution in the French formularies , which had been mos unwisely . and hastily brought about : that the name of GOD , the
fundamental landmark of Freemasonry , had been , so to say , expunged , and that no professions of toleration , or solidarity , or anything else would supply this mournful and alarming defect . The GRAND SECRETARY might have gone on to say , had not his customary courtesy supressed the fact , that despite this recent change in the Constitution , which says very little ,
and means even less , the position of the Grand Orient of France had gone down from bad to worse rapidly . Its best friends in France regard it with alarm and dismay , and even prophecy an eventual interference by the State , with its now admitted political and irreligious propaganda . It is practically , a secret political society , without any maintainance of Masonic
landmarks , and it may well be doubted whether it can now be treated on account of its terrible and irratic departure from the great tenets of Cosmopolitan Freemasonry as a true jurisdiction , rather if it must not be regarded , as a body owing to its vagaries , " hors de la Loi , " as regards Freemasonry proper . ' It has undoubtedly introduced many innovations
and has rendered itself open to the charges of the French press , of M . ANDRIEUX , and others , of formulating unbelieving professions of individual faith , practising a ridiculous ceremonial , and developeing a childish and fantastic outcome of personal politics . If the French Freemasons could retrace their steps none would hail them more warmly than
the Grand Lodge of England . The position taken up under orders by our GRAND SECRETARY is , in truth , the proper , the safe , the constitutional one to assume , and from it we feel persuaded nothing will ever dispose the Grand Lodge of England to recede . We could wish it were otherwise . At present any " rapprochement" between us and the Grand
Orient of France seems to be out of the question . We say all this indeed more in sorrow than anger . None have a better or a kindlier feeling for the French Grand Orient than we have . We wish it well fraternally , but we desiderate for it a sounder mind . Knowing the difficulties of Foreign Freemasonry in Roman Catholic countries , and
realizing as we do the unchanged " views " of the Ultramontane party everywhere , we had hoped that an " entente cordiale " might have been established between French and English Freemasonry . At present , as we have just observed , it seems hopeless and impossible . Let us onl y hope for a happier change and a brighter day .
% * THE Voting Papers for the Girls' and Boys' School will probably be out this week , and we understand that the polling is expected , as usual , to be very high . One lamentable fact is patent , that a large number of the Subscribers
never vote at all . Votes are kept back each election which could secure and more than secure the election of one or more candidates , and we do urge upon all Subscribers to these useful and needful Institutions to be good enough to condescend to talce the trouble to fill up their Voting Papers for some one good candidate .
* # * AMONG many worthy brethren whose loss we regret week by week to record , we feel right to note our lamented and worthy brother , W . STEPHENS , P . G . P . A zealous and energetic Freemason , most devoted to the cause of Charity , he will be greatly missed by many friends , who admired his activity and recognised his worth .
* # * THE first meeting of the Stewards for the Girls' School Anniversary Festival is fixed for Monday , the 16 th inst . We hope that there will be a good muster , and that Bro . HEDGES may have , as usual , another good success .
* # * IT has not often devolved upon us to announce such glorious news as is recorded in another part of our columns in connection with our two Schools . It is by no means an everyday occurrence that all the candidates from a particular school who present themselves at a particular examination should
succeed in passing the ordeal prescribed . Yet this is precisely what happened in the case of our Masonic School at the Cambridge Middle-class Examinations in December last . The Girls' School sent up 14 candidates —four Seniors and 10 Juniors—all of whom satisfied the Examiners , while of the 10 Juniors one was awarded Second Class and three Third Class
honours . The Boys School sent up 16 candidates—all Juniors—and of these four took First Class , five Second Class , and three Third Class honours , the remaining four being awarded certificates of having satisfied the
Examiners . We take the opportunity of congratulating not only the two Executives , but in an especial degree Miss DAVIS and Bro . Dr . MORRIS , on the very complete measure of success achieved by their respective groups of pupils at this examination .