Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Contents.
CONTENTS .
LEADERS 23 } Anniversary Festival of the Royal Masonic Institution for Girls 23 J The Stewards' Visit and Distribution of Prizes , Royal Masonic Institution for Girls 242
Ancient and Accepted Rite 242 Annual Meeting of the St . Barnabas Lodge , No . 94 8 , Linslade 243 Temperance Freemasonry in the West 343 Provincial Grand Mark Lodge of the Mediterranean 243 The Theatres 243
CORRESPONDENCEThe Principle of the Ballot 24 S Notes and Queries 245 Reviews 245 REPORTS OP MASONIC MEETINGSCraft Masonry 246 Instruction 248
Royal Arch 249 Allied Masonic Degrees 249 Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution 249 Annual Dinner of the Robert Burns Lodge of Instruction , No . 25 249 Masonic and General Tidings 250 Lodge Meetings for Next Week Cover .
Ar00100
THE Festival of the Girls' School for 18 S 5 took place under the distinguished presidency of Sir VV . VV . BURRELL , Prov . G . M . for Sussex , at Freemasons ' Tavern , on Wednesday last . There were 273 Stewards ; of these 131 were metropolitan and 142 provincial . The aggregate result ol their
exertions amounted to £ 14 , 187 us . Gd ., and of this sum ^ 6226 14 s . 6 d . was contributed by the metropolitan lodges and brethren , and 7970 17 s . by the provincial . The latter sum includes the "Sir H . Edwards Presentation Fund . " We congratulate sincerely Bro . HEDGES and all concerned on this most striking return . * _ *
WE cannot let the opportunity pass without expressing our de : ; p regret at the ] death of R . W . Bro . Sii VV . WILLIAMS-WYNN , Bart ., M . P ., Prov . Grand Master of North Wales and Salop . Our respected brother ' s health had been failing for some time past , but the event had not been anticipated , it being only a ver } ' short time since he received as guest at Wynnstay , the
leader of the political party to which he belonged—the Marquis of SALISBURY . Sir WATRIN was the senior of our Prov . Grand Masters , his patent bearing date the 13 th January , 1852 , and he was also the senior Prov . Grand Superintendent of R . A . Masonry , having held the ofiice since September , 1859 . His funeral was fixed for Friday , the 15 th inst ., and we shall therefore reserve our brief sketch of his Masonic career till next week .
* # * THE more we think over a recent complaint from America as to the purely local and jurisdictional character of the hebdomadal contents of the Freemason , the more we seem to discover how difficult is the " role " of a Masonic newspaper , and how still more impossible is it to hope to please all
readers , to satisfy all critics . Some of the greatest drawbacks and dangers of the Masonic press are to be found in its prosiness , its discursiveness , its high flown didactics , its tendency to visionary theories , and magnificent , if meaningless deliverances . It is surely a feather in the cap of the Freemason , that , eschewing these bye-paths , it has sought loyally in the narrow
groove , comparatively speaking , of Masonic domestic life and normal experience , to set before its readers an every-day Freemasonry , and has succeeded , more or less , in interesting many readers at home and abroad . As we open' the Freemason week by week we find a true , matter of fact , commonplace , and humdrum if you like to say so , —
portraiture of our contemporary English Freemasonry , and , to some extent at any rate , of our Cosmopolitan organization . And why in the name of common sense , should it not be so ? Why is the Freemason to be blamed , because it endeavours to confine its work and limit its aims to the dictates of common sense , and by the principles of
commercial reaiity ? It puts its wares before the Craft and in the open market , without dogmatism and without pretence . No one is compelled to buy who does not want the article , and so long as it thus continues in its useful and sympathetic career who can properly blame its outcome or condemn its proclivities ? Abstract theories are ail very well to amuse an idle hour , or
to gratify the tastes of those who always do prefer what is fanciful and imaginative and showy , to what is real , lasting , and substantial . We have also to deal to-day with a large class of sciolists , empirics , and charlatans , for whom reality and scholarship are dangerous things , disagreeable facts , and to whom the high-flown assertions of the inaccurate , the pleasing
sophistries of the uncritical , and the colourable fallacies of the credulous . seem to have more attraction than the painfulyl-arrived-at conclusions of the careful student and the evidence-weighing historian . In Freemasonry , as in all other organizations , quacks and impostors have always abounded , and still do abound " my masters , " and they of course prefer the easy and unaccredited
dicta of peaceful sheepwalking , and the . arbitrary assertions of unrealistic writers , to that severer and closer , and verifying study of documents and annals , which have destroyed so many dear Masonic delusions ,
and will assuredl y yet dispense with many more . As we look back to-day on the history of Masonic literature , and the study of Masonic archaeology , we "ink we discern how ignorance and a want of critical discernment have perpetuated many deplorable errors , and have antagonized seriously honest
Ar00101
research . Too often the " wish has been father to the thought" in things Masonic , and without any further or closer study of the facts of history , or the claims of individuals , than the mere partizan necessities of the hour permitted , facts have been dogmatically proclaimed facts , figurative suggestions have been asserted to be real , without any other real basis of unity or authority
than a popular , worthless myth , or a superstitious acceptance of some one ' s authority as infallible . Many of the questions on which Masonic writers like most seemingly to dilate , are in themselves utterly worthless , hardly deserving of thoughtful consideration at all , and unlicensed theories and ridiculous hair-splitting have done an infinity of damage to the sober , truthful , critical ,
and realistic character of Masonic writers . We therefore prefer in England , and rightly so , the plain unvarnished tale of Masonic life at this hour , amongst us and in the world at large . It may not be very sentimental , or very sensational , or very striking , or very marvellous ; let us hope that it is neither weird nor grotesque , but marked by common sense , governed by
Charity , controlled by brotherly love , and permeated by truth . Under these conditions it will survive to-day , as it has in the ages past and gone , the attacks of the censorious , and the sneers of the unjust . It will undoubtedly still outline as it has age after age , the passing away of mighty empires , and even the encroaching and destroying hand of time .
The Freemason will , we venture to add , still continue to uphold its character and position as really and truly one of the leading Masonic Journals in Masonry . We rejoice to note how , despite the foolish and unreasonable criticism to which it has latel y been subjected , it is so largely read and quoted in America and in the Antipodes . And this we flatter ourselves , arises from this one fact alone , —that , notwithstanding
allowable differences of opinion , the inevitable clashing of antagonistic ideas , and the honest warfare of free thought and convictions , it is accepted as a true , honest , and reliable representation of Freemasonry as we have it now , whether in its weakness or strength , its ill or good , its rapid growth or ennobling principles , amid the complaints of its enemies , the admiration ot its friends , a real , living , and lasting blessing and utility to the world in which we live to-day .
Anniversary Festival Of The Royal Masonic Institution For Girls.
ANNIVERSARY FESTIVAL OF THE ROYAL MASONIC INSTITUTION FOR GIRLS .
The 97 th anniversary Festival of this Institution was held on Wednesday evening , at Freemasons' Tavern , Sir Walter W . Burrell , M . P ,, Provincial Grand Master for Sussex , presided . He was supported on his ri ght by Sir Francis Burdett , Provincial Grand Master for Middlesex , and on his left by Bro . Scott , P . G . D ., Deputy Provincial Grand Master for Sussex . Nearly 300 brethren sat down .
The CHAIRMAN , in proposing the first toast , said : It is my duty and privilege to propose a toast that is always drunk with the
greatest enthusiasm amongst Masons . It is that of " Our most gracious Queer ., the chief Patroness of this Institution . " ( Cheers . ) Long
may she live to reign over us , and long may we have the honour and pleasure of drinking her health as the Patroness of Freemasons . ( Cheers . )
The CHAIRMAN , in giving the toast of " His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales , Most Worshipful Master ,
Grand Patron , and President of the Institution , the Princess of Wales , Grand Patroness , and the other members of the Royal Family , " said : I
am sure , brethren , you will all have felt pleasure in reading of the reception which has recently been given to their Royal Highnesses the Prince and Princess of Wales during their tour in Ireland . We have rejoiced at the loyal reception given to their Royal Highnesses , and we are thankful
that they have returned in safety . ( Cheers . ) I am sure we must all appreciate the exertions of His Royal Highness our Grand Master , and I am certain that whatever he does , he does with heart and soul , and that he is always determined to do his best for Freemasonry * ( Cheers . )
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Contents.
CONTENTS .
LEADERS 23 } Anniversary Festival of the Royal Masonic Institution for Girls 23 J The Stewards' Visit and Distribution of Prizes , Royal Masonic Institution for Girls 242
Ancient and Accepted Rite 242 Annual Meeting of the St . Barnabas Lodge , No . 94 8 , Linslade 243 Temperance Freemasonry in the West 343 Provincial Grand Mark Lodge of the Mediterranean 243 The Theatres 243
CORRESPONDENCEThe Principle of the Ballot 24 S Notes and Queries 245 Reviews 245 REPORTS OP MASONIC MEETINGSCraft Masonry 246 Instruction 248
Royal Arch 249 Allied Masonic Degrees 249 Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution 249 Annual Dinner of the Robert Burns Lodge of Instruction , No . 25 249 Masonic and General Tidings 250 Lodge Meetings for Next Week Cover .
Ar00100
THE Festival of the Girls' School for 18 S 5 took place under the distinguished presidency of Sir VV . VV . BURRELL , Prov . G . M . for Sussex , at Freemasons ' Tavern , on Wednesday last . There were 273 Stewards ; of these 131 were metropolitan and 142 provincial . The aggregate result ol their
exertions amounted to £ 14 , 187 us . Gd ., and of this sum ^ 6226 14 s . 6 d . was contributed by the metropolitan lodges and brethren , and 7970 17 s . by the provincial . The latter sum includes the "Sir H . Edwards Presentation Fund . " We congratulate sincerely Bro . HEDGES and all concerned on this most striking return . * _ *
WE cannot let the opportunity pass without expressing our de : ; p regret at the ] death of R . W . Bro . Sii VV . WILLIAMS-WYNN , Bart ., M . P ., Prov . Grand Master of North Wales and Salop . Our respected brother ' s health had been failing for some time past , but the event had not been anticipated , it being only a ver } ' short time since he received as guest at Wynnstay , the
leader of the political party to which he belonged—the Marquis of SALISBURY . Sir WATRIN was the senior of our Prov . Grand Masters , his patent bearing date the 13 th January , 1852 , and he was also the senior Prov . Grand Superintendent of R . A . Masonry , having held the ofiice since September , 1859 . His funeral was fixed for Friday , the 15 th inst ., and we shall therefore reserve our brief sketch of his Masonic career till next week .
* # * THE more we think over a recent complaint from America as to the purely local and jurisdictional character of the hebdomadal contents of the Freemason , the more we seem to discover how difficult is the " role " of a Masonic newspaper , and how still more impossible is it to hope to please all
readers , to satisfy all critics . Some of the greatest drawbacks and dangers of the Masonic press are to be found in its prosiness , its discursiveness , its high flown didactics , its tendency to visionary theories , and magnificent , if meaningless deliverances . It is surely a feather in the cap of the Freemason , that , eschewing these bye-paths , it has sought loyally in the narrow
groove , comparatively speaking , of Masonic domestic life and normal experience , to set before its readers an every-day Freemasonry , and has succeeded , more or less , in interesting many readers at home and abroad . As we open' the Freemason week by week we find a true , matter of fact , commonplace , and humdrum if you like to say so , —
portraiture of our contemporary English Freemasonry , and , to some extent at any rate , of our Cosmopolitan organization . And why in the name of common sense , should it not be so ? Why is the Freemason to be blamed , because it endeavours to confine its work and limit its aims to the dictates of common sense , and by the principles of
commercial reaiity ? It puts its wares before the Craft and in the open market , without dogmatism and without pretence . No one is compelled to buy who does not want the article , and so long as it thus continues in its useful and sympathetic career who can properly blame its outcome or condemn its proclivities ? Abstract theories are ail very well to amuse an idle hour , or
to gratify the tastes of those who always do prefer what is fanciful and imaginative and showy , to what is real , lasting , and substantial . We have also to deal to-day with a large class of sciolists , empirics , and charlatans , for whom reality and scholarship are dangerous things , disagreeable facts , and to whom the high-flown assertions of the inaccurate , the pleasing
sophistries of the uncritical , and the colourable fallacies of the credulous . seem to have more attraction than the painfulyl-arrived-at conclusions of the careful student and the evidence-weighing historian . In Freemasonry , as in all other organizations , quacks and impostors have always abounded , and still do abound " my masters , " and they of course prefer the easy and unaccredited
dicta of peaceful sheepwalking , and the . arbitrary assertions of unrealistic writers , to that severer and closer , and verifying study of documents and annals , which have destroyed so many dear Masonic delusions ,
and will assuredl y yet dispense with many more . As we look back to-day on the history of Masonic literature , and the study of Masonic archaeology , we "ink we discern how ignorance and a want of critical discernment have perpetuated many deplorable errors , and have antagonized seriously honest
Ar00101
research . Too often the " wish has been father to the thought" in things Masonic , and without any further or closer study of the facts of history , or the claims of individuals , than the mere partizan necessities of the hour permitted , facts have been dogmatically proclaimed facts , figurative suggestions have been asserted to be real , without any other real basis of unity or authority
than a popular , worthless myth , or a superstitious acceptance of some one ' s authority as infallible . Many of the questions on which Masonic writers like most seemingly to dilate , are in themselves utterly worthless , hardly deserving of thoughtful consideration at all , and unlicensed theories and ridiculous hair-splitting have done an infinity of damage to the sober , truthful , critical ,
and realistic character of Masonic writers . We therefore prefer in England , and rightly so , the plain unvarnished tale of Masonic life at this hour , amongst us and in the world at large . It may not be very sentimental , or very sensational , or very striking , or very marvellous ; let us hope that it is neither weird nor grotesque , but marked by common sense , governed by
Charity , controlled by brotherly love , and permeated by truth . Under these conditions it will survive to-day , as it has in the ages past and gone , the attacks of the censorious , and the sneers of the unjust . It will undoubtedly still outline as it has age after age , the passing away of mighty empires , and even the encroaching and destroying hand of time .
The Freemason will , we venture to add , still continue to uphold its character and position as really and truly one of the leading Masonic Journals in Masonry . We rejoice to note how , despite the foolish and unreasonable criticism to which it has latel y been subjected , it is so largely read and quoted in America and in the Antipodes . And this we flatter ourselves , arises from this one fact alone , —that , notwithstanding
allowable differences of opinion , the inevitable clashing of antagonistic ideas , and the honest warfare of free thought and convictions , it is accepted as a true , honest , and reliable representation of Freemasonry as we have it now , whether in its weakness or strength , its ill or good , its rapid growth or ennobling principles , amid the complaints of its enemies , the admiration ot its friends , a real , living , and lasting blessing and utility to the world in which we live to-day .
Anniversary Festival Of The Royal Masonic Institution For Girls.
ANNIVERSARY FESTIVAL OF THE ROYAL MASONIC INSTITUTION FOR GIRLS .
The 97 th anniversary Festival of this Institution was held on Wednesday evening , at Freemasons' Tavern , Sir Walter W . Burrell , M . P ,, Provincial Grand Master for Sussex , presided . He was supported on his ri ght by Sir Francis Burdett , Provincial Grand Master for Middlesex , and on his left by Bro . Scott , P . G . D ., Deputy Provincial Grand Master for Sussex . Nearly 300 brethren sat down .
The CHAIRMAN , in proposing the first toast , said : It is my duty and privilege to propose a toast that is always drunk with the
greatest enthusiasm amongst Masons . It is that of " Our most gracious Queer ., the chief Patroness of this Institution . " ( Cheers . ) Long
may she live to reign over us , and long may we have the honour and pleasure of drinking her health as the Patroness of Freemasons . ( Cheers . )
The CHAIRMAN , in giving the toast of " His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales , Most Worshipful Master ,
Grand Patron , and President of the Institution , the Princess of Wales , Grand Patroness , and the other members of the Royal Family , " said : I
am sure , brethren , you will all have felt pleasure in reading of the reception which has recently been given to their Royal Highnesses the Prince and Princess of Wales during their tour in Ireland . We have rejoiced at the loyal reception given to their Royal Highnesses , and we are thankful
that they have returned in safety . ( Cheers . ) I am sure we must all appreciate the exertions of His Royal Highness our Grand Master , and I am certain that whatever he does , he does with heart and soul , and that he is always determined to do his best for Freemasonry * ( Cheers . )