Freemasonry In The United States.

FREEMASONRY IN THE UNITED STATES .

NEW JERSEY TO THE FORE . There assembled at the Temple of Hiram Lodge , No , , 7 , F . and A . M ., upwards of thtec hundred Masonic Masons to hear read the lodge history embraced between 1841 J the year of its birth—and i 860 . It was an assemblage

noted on account ofthe many prominent men and shining lig hts of the fraternity present . In the east sat W . Bro . Jennc , flanked on cither side by R . W . Bros . Hamilton Wallis , Senior Grand Warden ; Marcus Higginbotham , District Deputy Grand Master ; M . M . Droham , Junior Grand Deacon ; Past Masters Hilton , Alexandra ( the first Mason ever made in Hudson county ) , Crawfoid , Dickson ,

and Mellor , of Hiram Lodge , No . 17 ; W . Bro . Seymour and Past Master Page , of Enterprise Lodge ; Past Junior Grand Warden Chase , of Enterprise Lodge ; W . Bro . Tilden , of Rising Star Lodge ; Past Masters Doggett of Bergen , and Chambers , of Manhattan Lodge , of New York ; W . Bro . Buruay , of Pentalpha Lodge , New York . Before the commencement of the

reading of the history , Bro . W . C . Brown , of Varick Lodge , created a surprise by presenting to the lodge a beautiful set of emblems , mounted on a handsomely enamelled frame , illustrative of the " Work" in the several degrees . They were accepted on behalf of the lodge by R . ' W . Bro . Hamilton Wallis . After the presentation , W . Bro . Jennc proceeded to read the history , which consumed

the greater part of an hour , and was replete with interest and valuable information , especially to the brethren of Hiram Lodge , the " old Mother of Masonry in Hudson county . " A letter was received from M . W . Grand Master Marshall B . Smith , regretting his inability to be present . Among thc charter members of old Hiram present , were , Bro . Andrew Cleik , its first Secretary , and

Bro . Grinnell , its second Treasurer . It is hoped the brethren of Hiram Lodge will take measures lo have the history printed in book form , for its better preservation , as its compilation represents a vast amount of labour . We unilei stand that it is the intention of W . Bro . Jennc to continue his good work and write up the history to as late a date as 1870 . —Xeic York Dispatch .

On The Mountain.

ON THE MOUNTAIN .

In October , 1875 , Virginia Lodge , No . 3 , of Nevada , held a meeting on the summit of . Mount Davidson . The meeting referred to was a Stated Communication of Virginia Lodge , No . 3 , and was held on thc Sth day of October , 1875 . The Masonic Hall in Virginia was humeri in May ; the lodges then removed to Odd Fellows '

Hall , which was burned a few days before the meeting on Ihe mountain . Bro . Albeit Hires , the Worshipful Master of Virginia Lodge , at the solicitation of the Grand Master , W . M . Robert W . Bullen , notified thc members to meet in regular communication on the summit of Mount Davidson , which is seven thousand eight hundred and twentyseven feet above the level of the sea , and nearly seventeen

hundred feet above the cily of Virginia . The summit of the mountain is a pointed mass of broken gianite , yet almost upon the wry apex , and a little west of it , where there is a sort of basin , suirounded by cliffs , the lodge was held . A rude altar of stone had been erected , whereon rested the three great lights ; rude chairs of rough granite had also been built for the Master

and Wardens , while the brethren found ample accommodations in the way of seats by availing themselves of stout- slabs and boulders which Nature had profusely there provided . Around that altar were gathered over three hundred Masons , who , in the heat of the mid-day sun , had toiled up the rugged mountain side to witness ami assi-t at the

opening of a Masonic Lodge at a place so unusual in our time ; and there , overlooking a city of twenty thousand people , on a summit from which the country forthe radius of perhaps a hundred miles is visible , with its towns , lakes , mountains , valleys , hoisting works , quartz mills and railroads , the lodge was opened and its regular business was transacted . The M . W . Grand Master , by special

invitation , presided . A row of pickets , designated by white badges on their left arms , were sUtioned all around the summit . They were near each other , so that none could pass or repass without permission . In that way thc approach of cowans and eaves-droppers was effectually guarded against . As the lodge was opened , the white emblem of the Craft was

thrown to the breeze from the fiag-slaff on thc summit , and as tie wind unrapt its folds , and displayed the square , compasses and the letter G , thereon emblazoned , il was greeted by three cheers that rang out upon the clear air like clarion blasts . An opening ede was sung by the lodge quarter , composed of Bros . E . J . Passmore , George N . Edis , C . L . Foster and G . W . Doiwin , and a

brief prayer was offered by Rev . Bro . J . D . Hammond . The Grand Master made a very feeling address , thankthe brethren for the invitation extended to him to preside on the occasion . He gave accounts of some preliminary meetings which had been held on the coast and on thc tops of hills ; of one near Raglown , where brethren had come together in that way to raise money and provisions

for suffering emigrants , and over which meeting he hail the honour to preside , of a similar gathering in 18 3 8 , ill Eureka , and of another at Auburn , California . But none of these were gatherings like the present , and he again thanked the brethren that he had been called upon to

preside over their deliberations . After the regular business of the loilge had been transacted , and under the head of Good of Masonry , Bro . Charles E . de Long , late United States Minister to Japan ( who died October B 6 , 1876 ) , was called upon , and responded very happil y . He sketched the surroundings within which

On The Mountain.

they had erected their altar . Beneath them was the wealth of the Ophir , and around them the tumultof trade , & c , & c . He told them how in Japan he had assisted in wedding thc link in Masonry which had made the chain comple ' . e around thc world . Up to that time there had been one land where the Craft was not known . Now there was

none . Masonry belted the globe . The lights of the altar had been lighted , and now there were six lodges in the empire , and the institution was rapidly spreading . Bro . H . Taylor , to whom a subpoena duces tecum had previously been directed by thc Worshipful Master , was

then called upon , and responded by reading the following : The Lord unto the prophet said , " Upon the mountain ' s topmost round , Far as its breezy limits spread , Shall be most holy ground . "

' Neath God s blue dome , on lofty hills , Whose crests first catch the morning heat—Whose heights the evening glory fills—The Craft were wont to meet . There , far above the busy mart , And from its care and turmoil free , They learned Ihe lessons of the heart , To " work" and to " agree . "

Oh ! sacred hills of olden time , Whose hoary crags resist the gale , Ye have a history sublime- , The ages cannot pale ! . Again , to-day , the sons of light , As did their sires of olden days , Upon the mountain ' s dizzy height , Their mystic banner laisc .

Again , above the busy marts , Where human feet have seldom trod , We raise our voices and our hearts In reverence to God . Almighty Father ! by whose will

The mountains rise , and worlds do move , Thy blessing grant ; descend and fill Each Mason ' s heart with love . Bros . E . A . Sherman , Thomas H . Williams , R . M . Daggett , W . M . John C . Currie , and M . W . George W . Hopkins , followed in brief and happily expressed remarks .

A touching prayer was then offered by Rev . Bro . S . P Kelly ; "Auld Lang Syne " was sung in full chorus ; the lodge was closed , and at about five o ' clock p . m ., thc concourse wended their way down the mountain side . And though doubtless weary upon arriving at their homes , all agreed that they had enjoyed and been benefitted by the exercises of the day , which , with its many pleasant incidents , will never be by them forgotten—New York Dispatch .

The Masonic And General Life Assurance Company, Limited.

THE MASONIC AND GENERAL LIFE ASSURANCE COMPANY , LIMITED .

The annual general meeting of this company was held at their offices , 9 , New Bridge-street , London , on Thursday , the 13 th inst ., and it is with pleasure that we note the salisfaclory report of the year ' s business . Bro . Torkington , the Managing Director , will afford every

inhumation to applicants , we therefore content ourselves by giving the report in full , which is as follows : The Diiectors have much pleasure in laying before their co-proprietors their ninth annual report and balance sheet . The number of proposals received during the year was 295 , to assure £ 83 , 710 ; of these 72 , representing £ 24 , 050 , were declined or not completed , leaving 223 policies ,

assuring ^ 59 , 660 . This result shows an increase of thirty-one policies , and of £ 15 , ( 10 5 in sums assured , over the preceding year , and when it is borne in mind that the generally depressed state of trade throughout the country has materially interfered with the progress of life assurance , the increase of new business during the year cannot but be regarded as very satisfactory .

Thc Directors have given their usual assiduous attention to thc selection of proposals , and have maintained their determination not to increase thc business by assuring doubtful lives . It is also satisfactoiy to note that the working expenses have been reduced , but it is ui questionable that any office , a large proportion of whose business consists of new

policies , must necessarily incur a heavy expenditure ; the ratio of expenditure to premium income , however , cannot be talen as the criterion by which to gauge the stability of a life oflice . A solvent life assurance company is one in which the present value of its future net premiums , together with its available assets , will more than cover the present value of the sums assured . The Masonic and

General Life Assurance Company , Limited , is in this sound position ; moreover , thc amount of capital uncalled is £ 11 , 37 6 , therefore this item ( as with every proprietary company ) forms a guarantee fund forthe security of policy holders , but theie is no likelihood or probability of such guarantee fund ever having to be utilised . There having been no necessity for any increase of

capital , no effort has been made during Ihe year to issue more shares , ami the Directors have determined to make no further allotment , except under special or exceptional circumstances . The amount paid in claims during the year was £ 1433 ios ., raising the total amount of claims paid since

the commence * .: ient of the office to £ 10 , 998 . It is a far ! woithy of note that a large proportion of this sum \ vn paid to the representatives of assured members whose . .. tales were sworn under such small amounts as justify t' e . directors in stating that the office has been a substantia' relief to the Masonic Charities , for had it not been for t ! . j life policy many a widow and orphan would

The Masonic And General Life Assurance Company, Limited.

have had no other hope than relying upon the charities . Unfortunately , the applications for relief to the Masonic Institutions have always been more numerous than they could deal with , notwithstanding their most earnest endeavours . The retiring Directors are Captain Bennett , J . P ., and W . L . Nash , Esq ., who , being eligible , offer themselves for re-election .

The retiring auditors , Frederick Binckes , Esq ., and Wm . Burnett , Esq ., also offer themselves for re-election . In conclusion the Directors rely on the shareholders rendering every assistance to the executive to increase the business of the company during the current financial year . By order of the Board , J SUN-LEY , Chairman .

Red Cross Of Rome And Constantine.

RED CROSS OF ROME AND CONSTANTINE .

The Red Cross of Rome and Constantine is probably the most ancient Order of Christian knighthood . It is conferred in the Baldwin Encampments of Bristol , London , Bath , anil York , England , and the date of its introduction into that country is said to bc coeval with the return of Richard

Cceur de Lion from the Holy Land , A . D . 1195 . The seven Orders of Chivalry conferred in these Ancient Encampments are : First , Red Cross ( of Constantine ) ; second , Knight Templar ; third , Knight of Malta ; fourth , Knight of the Holy Sepulchre ; fifth , Rosa Cruris ; sixth , Templar Priesthood ; seventh , Commander Elected Knight Kadosh . It is claimed that this Order of Knighthood , coming as it

does from Greece and Constantinople , is the ancient and original Order of the Temple . It is still conferred by the Prince Rhodocanakis , the Byzantian Representative , as a civil Order . The Order of Knight of the Holy Sepulchre is conferred at the present day in Palestine on Roman Catholics of noble birth . The requisites of admission are very rigid , and the ancestry must be marked . The Order

of St . John of Palestine is the ancient Order of Knights who claim to po-scss the true secrets of the Orderof the Temple . At the union of the two Grand Lodges in England , in 1813 , several of the Orders of Chivalry were dropped , viz . the first , fourth , fifth , sixth , and seventh , and hence they became local . This was revived on a permanent basis by the Earl of Bective , in Lonelon , by the organisation of the

Grand Imperial Council of England and English possessions , and is now flourishing as a separate and distinct Order of Christian Masonic Knighthood . The moral qualifications and social pisition of candidates are insisted upon . It was incorporated in the Masonic body in the middle of the last century , when the desire for the degrees of Knighthood in the higher branches of Freemasonry

induced not only the formation of many Masonic degrees quite unknown except to Masons , but also the attributing of Masonic secrets and ceremonies to military Orders which those who originally instituted them never intended . The civil Order of Red Cross of Rome and Constantine belongs to Greece , " and the Prince Rhodocanakis claims to be the true Grand Master , and can alone , as a civil Order ,

confer it . The Prince has been lately initiated into the mysteries of Freemasonry in Scotland , and is a member of the "Scottish Older of the Temple . " What action he will take as regards the English Masonic Red Cross Branch has not transpired . The Order was introduced in the United States by Sir W . J . B . McLeod Moore , of Canada , in 1869 , and into Illinois by

Sir J . J . French in 1871 . As promulgated in the United States the Older is composed of three working and three official degrees . The first , or Red Cross , is confeired in a body styled Conclave , and on Master Masons . All business is transacted in this degree . The second and third graeles are conferred on Red Cross members who are

Royal Arch Masons , and in bodies styled Sanctuary and Commandery respectively . There is one official degree each to be conferred on the first and second officers of the Conclave . The highest official rank , or Knight of the Grand Cross , is only conferred in the Grand High Chapter , U . S . A ., upon the payment of £ 100 , and only in annual session .

I he officers of the Sovereign Grand Council , U . S . A ., elected at thc last annual session in the city of Rochester are -. Sir C . F . Knapp , Pennsylvania , Sovereign Grand Master ; Sir J . J . French , Chicago , Socereign Deputy Grand Master ; Sir R . B . Smith , Illinois , Sovereign Grand Viceroy ; Sir J . H . Willard , Indiana , First Lieut . ; Sir E . C . Meyer , Pennsylvania , Second Lieutenant ; Sir R . B ,

Caldwell , Kentucky , Grand Treasurer Genera !; Sir Alfred Creigh , Pennsylvania , Grand Registrar General ; Sir J . L . Young , Pennsylvania , Right Reverend Prelate ; Mr J . H . Drummond , Maine , Grand High Chancellor ; Sir G . O , Tyler , Vermont , Grand Seneschal ; Sir J . Haigh ,

Massachusetts , Gram ! Prior ; Sir G . V . Howk , Indiana , Grand Chamberlain-, Sir J . 1-1 . Miles , Chicago , Grand Standard Bearer ; Sir J . U . Williams , New York , Grand Marshal ; Sir H . C . Field , Rhode Island , Grand Herald ; Sir T . Ballanlyne , Georgia , Grand Captain of Guards . — /' * oice if Masonry .

Constitutions of the Ancient Fraternity of Free and Accepted Masons , containing the Charges , Regulations , E . A . Song , etc . A copy should bc in the possession f . f every brother . It may bc obtained for 2 s . at the oflice of the Freemason , or will sent post free , to any part of the United Kingdom on receipt of twenty-five

penny stamps . Address , Publisher , 198 , Fleet-street , London . —AUVT . The novelty of the Metamorphoses in Dean ' s New Surprise Picture Books , " Puss in Boots , " and "Dame Wondei ' s Changing Characters , " equals , if not surpasses , those issued last year .