Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Contents.
CONTENTS .
LEADERS 79 Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution 80 Consecration of the . Strand Lodge , No . 1987 So Consecration of the Molesvvorth Lodge , No . 1934 , at Wadebridge 82 Masonrv in Families 82
New Zealand 83 China « 3 The Lord Mayor amongst the Loriners ... 83 Obituary ^ 3 CORRESPONDENCERoyal Masonic Institution for Girls 8 4 Bro . Mason's Recent Speech S 4 The Grand Lodge of Ireland 8 J Volunteering and Freemasonry 85
CORRESPONDENCE —( Continued)—Railway Facilities 85 Masonic Benevolence and Charity 85 A Sad Case of Sickness and Destitution 85 Reviews 80 Masonic Notes and Queries Sfi REPORTS OF MASONIC
MEETINGSCraft Masonry 86 Instruction ; 8 9 Royal Arch 8 9 Mark Masonry 90 Ancient and Accepted Rite 90 Science and Art 90 The Theatres go Masonic and General Tidings 91 Lodge Meetings for Next Week 92
Ar00101
WE rejoice to hear that at the meeting of the Managing Committee of the Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution it was unanimously resolved to increase the number of elected candidates in May next . There are now , as our readers are aware , fifty male candidates and twelve vacancies . It has
been decided to put on eight extra actually elected , and three deferred , making in all twenty-three . There are seventy widow candidates , and only five vacancies ; but it has been equally decided to elect seven more absolutely , and three conditionally , making fifteen instead of five to be elected .
The cost of this great boon to the Craft will be £ 544 annually to the Institution , giving us a fresh reason why we should bestir ourselves to make the Anniversary Festival a success . Tor it may be well to remind
ourselves that this proposed increase is based on the assumption that the results of the Festival will . warrant this additional charge on the resources of the Institution .
* * It seems to us very hard indeed oh the Managing Committee of the Girls ' School that any attempt should be made , to use a technical expression , to " force their hand " as regards the number to be admitted . It is impossible
for outsiders to know so much of the management of the School as those entrusted with its government , and we deprecate sincerely this attempt from irresponsible personages to urge pressure on the Committee to carry out either a general system of attack , or certain unwise theories as regards the wants
and accomodation of the School . We should greatly object to any such attempt as regards the resolutions of the Committee of the Boys' School and the Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution , and surely the House Committee of the Girls' must be assumed to be the best judges of what is the most advisable
course to adopt in reference to the admission of the proper number of candidates . There must be sanitary difficulties and other important questions which are alone in the power of the House Committee to solve or decide .
We therefore feel bound to express our regret that any such question should be so unseasonably raised , and call attention—special attention—to a very clear statement of the monthly Chairman of the House Commitlee of the Girls' School elsewhere .
* * AT this period of our Masonic year many are the " canards" which fly about , many are the speculations and the hopes as regards Grand office . Indeed to hear some worthy brethren "discoorse" on the subject , you would
be inclined to believe that there was some very " good thing " attached to the appointment . And if numerous are the speculations of the interested and the efforts of the aspiring , how difficult often does the " principle of selection" become for those who have to weigh in the balance contending
claims , and nicely apportion the comparative merit of this or that brother's services . For often the most conflicting claims are made and the most antagonistic reasons are given for Grand Lodge honours . One brother has been so many years a Mason ; another has done so much for the Charities :
another has good social rank ; another has aided to spread Freemasonry ; another has a large circle of admiring friends ; another has shown much zeal and energy in local Freemasonry . We do not say that these are
not good reasons for advancement , even to the highest possible honours of our Craft ; but there are , we venture to think , certain " canons" of such preferment , which it is Well , to prevent disappointment , always to bear in mind , and which always regulate the decision of those whose lot it is to advise
Ar00102
the GRAND MASTER in respect of such claims and such promotions . One of these is length of Masonic service . There are many distinguished Masons who have been in harness 20 , 30 , 40 years , and they certainly " coeteris paribus " must have the pull over those who , though zealous and enlightened and energetic , are in regard to these , their elders in Masonry , but as newly-fledged
Neophytes of our great Order . It is hopeless , we venture to think , except in very special cases , for any to expect or crave for Grand Lodge honours , after a few years comparatively of Masonic service . Were this the case , those who count Masonic efforts by decades of years would see themselves passed by by those whose Masonic zeal and merits are but of a few years' standing . This
shouldnot be ; and all the appointments in Grand Lod ge gave great satisfaction , because evincing the anxiety of His Royal Highness the GRAND MASTF . R , and the careful recommendations of his advisers , to recognize Masonic services , alike in the metropolis and the provinces . The totality of the services of the Grand Officers of last year ' s appointment was very great , and as we have no
reason to believe that any change has taken place in respect to such a proper theory of Masonic promotion , we feel sure that again old and good Masons in metropolis and province will have the satisfaction of feeling and knowing that their long services are not forgotten , their zealous labours are never overlooked .
* * * WHILE we are on this subject we may add that we hear many guesses as to appointment and many suggestions as to claims . But as all such promotions are alone in the province of the GRAND MASTER , we recommend all aspirants to be patient , hopeful , and resigned . Patient they may even well be if
again destined to be disappointed , hopeful of better luck some day , and resigned if once more in the " whirligig" of our Masonic system , they are still undecorated and unblessed . The mystic purple is yet before them , like as in one of the tales of the old Arabian Nights , and if only they will
persevere , if they are neither daunted nor dispirited by rebuff or postponement , when they reach the top of the hill they will find that their assiduous efforts are fully rewarded , their long sustained aspirations are entirely fulfilled . "So mote it be . "
* * THE controversy in respect of Bro . MASON ' remarks on the Girls ' School seems likely to widen . We are a little amused b y the quasi tone of injured innocence and offended dignity assumed by our energetic brother in reference to the report of his speech as it appeared in our columns . Bro .
MASON must be kind enough to bear in mind we can only depend on the accurateness of such reports , and if brethren will speak they are reported , and if they are reported their orations are printed for the information and edification of our many readers . It would seem as if some thought there was a sort of " censorship " over speeches on our part . If brethren complain of
such reports they should either address themselves to the reporter , or send us copies of what they actually said . As a rule the reporters are perfectly accurate , and few speakers remember what they did say , or what they did not say . It surely was quite a gratuitous act on the part of the worthy
collector to make the remarks he did about the SECRETARY and Committee of the Girls' School , but having done so he has no cause to complain of us , no reason to find fault with the admittance of a normal report . We have no reason to doubt but that the report of our reporter is substantially correct .
* , * * THE report of the Girls' School , reviewed elsewhere , is most interesting , and sets before us a tale of well merited prosperity . We rejoice to think that it is alike so largely supported and so well managed , and we would just
remind our readers that in order to keep the School in thorough efficiency and true working order a considerable sum is still annually required from the zealous exertions and liberal sympathies of the Craft . We shall later on call special attention to it .
* * WE have often remarked on the subject before , and it is really and truly an idiosyncrasy and peculiar characteristic of Masonic writers and Masonic controversalists , especially just now , that they can hardly write upon any subject without becoming personal at once . The professions of Freemasonry enounce the unceasing reality of brotherly love and kindly feeling man to
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Contents.
CONTENTS .
LEADERS 79 Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution 80 Consecration of the . Strand Lodge , No . 1987 So Consecration of the Molesvvorth Lodge , No . 1934 , at Wadebridge 82 Masonrv in Families 82
New Zealand 83 China « 3 The Lord Mayor amongst the Loriners ... 83 Obituary ^ 3 CORRESPONDENCERoyal Masonic Institution for Girls 8 4 Bro . Mason's Recent Speech S 4 The Grand Lodge of Ireland 8 J Volunteering and Freemasonry 85
CORRESPONDENCE —( Continued)—Railway Facilities 85 Masonic Benevolence and Charity 85 A Sad Case of Sickness and Destitution 85 Reviews 80 Masonic Notes and Queries Sfi REPORTS OF MASONIC
MEETINGSCraft Masonry 86 Instruction ; 8 9 Royal Arch 8 9 Mark Masonry 90 Ancient and Accepted Rite 90 Science and Art 90 The Theatres go Masonic and General Tidings 91 Lodge Meetings for Next Week 92
Ar00101
WE rejoice to hear that at the meeting of the Managing Committee of the Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution it was unanimously resolved to increase the number of elected candidates in May next . There are now , as our readers are aware , fifty male candidates and twelve vacancies . It has
been decided to put on eight extra actually elected , and three deferred , making in all twenty-three . There are seventy widow candidates , and only five vacancies ; but it has been equally decided to elect seven more absolutely , and three conditionally , making fifteen instead of five to be elected .
The cost of this great boon to the Craft will be £ 544 annually to the Institution , giving us a fresh reason why we should bestir ourselves to make the Anniversary Festival a success . Tor it may be well to remind
ourselves that this proposed increase is based on the assumption that the results of the Festival will . warrant this additional charge on the resources of the Institution .
* * It seems to us very hard indeed oh the Managing Committee of the Girls ' School that any attempt should be made , to use a technical expression , to " force their hand " as regards the number to be admitted . It is impossible
for outsiders to know so much of the management of the School as those entrusted with its government , and we deprecate sincerely this attempt from irresponsible personages to urge pressure on the Committee to carry out either a general system of attack , or certain unwise theories as regards the wants
and accomodation of the School . We should greatly object to any such attempt as regards the resolutions of the Committee of the Boys' School and the Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution , and surely the House Committee of the Girls' must be assumed to be the best judges of what is the most advisable
course to adopt in reference to the admission of the proper number of candidates . There must be sanitary difficulties and other important questions which are alone in the power of the House Committee to solve or decide .
We therefore feel bound to express our regret that any such question should be so unseasonably raised , and call attention—special attention—to a very clear statement of the monthly Chairman of the House Commitlee of the Girls' School elsewhere .
* * AT this period of our Masonic year many are the " canards" which fly about , many are the speculations and the hopes as regards Grand office . Indeed to hear some worthy brethren "discoorse" on the subject , you would
be inclined to believe that there was some very " good thing " attached to the appointment . And if numerous are the speculations of the interested and the efforts of the aspiring , how difficult often does the " principle of selection" become for those who have to weigh in the balance contending
claims , and nicely apportion the comparative merit of this or that brother's services . For often the most conflicting claims are made and the most antagonistic reasons are given for Grand Lodge honours . One brother has been so many years a Mason ; another has done so much for the Charities :
another has good social rank ; another has aided to spread Freemasonry ; another has a large circle of admiring friends ; another has shown much zeal and energy in local Freemasonry . We do not say that these are
not good reasons for advancement , even to the highest possible honours of our Craft ; but there are , we venture to think , certain " canons" of such preferment , which it is Well , to prevent disappointment , always to bear in mind , and which always regulate the decision of those whose lot it is to advise
Ar00102
the GRAND MASTER in respect of such claims and such promotions . One of these is length of Masonic service . There are many distinguished Masons who have been in harness 20 , 30 , 40 years , and they certainly " coeteris paribus " must have the pull over those who , though zealous and enlightened and energetic , are in regard to these , their elders in Masonry , but as newly-fledged
Neophytes of our great Order . It is hopeless , we venture to think , except in very special cases , for any to expect or crave for Grand Lodge honours , after a few years comparatively of Masonic service . Were this the case , those who count Masonic efforts by decades of years would see themselves passed by by those whose Masonic zeal and merits are but of a few years' standing . This
shouldnot be ; and all the appointments in Grand Lod ge gave great satisfaction , because evincing the anxiety of His Royal Highness the GRAND MASTF . R , and the careful recommendations of his advisers , to recognize Masonic services , alike in the metropolis and the provinces . The totality of the services of the Grand Officers of last year ' s appointment was very great , and as we have no
reason to believe that any change has taken place in respect to such a proper theory of Masonic promotion , we feel sure that again old and good Masons in metropolis and province will have the satisfaction of feeling and knowing that their long services are not forgotten , their zealous labours are never overlooked .
* * * WHILE we are on this subject we may add that we hear many guesses as to appointment and many suggestions as to claims . But as all such promotions are alone in the province of the GRAND MASTER , we recommend all aspirants to be patient , hopeful , and resigned . Patient they may even well be if
again destined to be disappointed , hopeful of better luck some day , and resigned if once more in the " whirligig" of our Masonic system , they are still undecorated and unblessed . The mystic purple is yet before them , like as in one of the tales of the old Arabian Nights , and if only they will
persevere , if they are neither daunted nor dispirited by rebuff or postponement , when they reach the top of the hill they will find that their assiduous efforts are fully rewarded , their long sustained aspirations are entirely fulfilled . "So mote it be . "
* * THE controversy in respect of Bro . MASON ' remarks on the Girls ' School seems likely to widen . We are a little amused b y the quasi tone of injured innocence and offended dignity assumed by our energetic brother in reference to the report of his speech as it appeared in our columns . Bro .
MASON must be kind enough to bear in mind we can only depend on the accurateness of such reports , and if brethren will speak they are reported , and if they are reported their orations are printed for the information and edification of our many readers . It would seem as if some thought there was a sort of " censorship " over speeches on our part . If brethren complain of
such reports they should either address themselves to the reporter , or send us copies of what they actually said . As a rule the reporters are perfectly accurate , and few speakers remember what they did say , or what they did not say . It surely was quite a gratuitous act on the part of the worthy
collector to make the remarks he did about the SECRETARY and Committee of the Girls' School , but having done so he has no cause to complain of us , no reason to find fault with the admittance of a normal report . We have no reason to doubt but that the report of our reporter is substantially correct .
* , * * THE report of the Girls' School , reviewed elsewhere , is most interesting , and sets before us a tale of well merited prosperity . We rejoice to think that it is alike so largely supported and so well managed , and we would just
remind our readers that in order to keep the School in thorough efficiency and true working order a considerable sum is still annually required from the zealous exertions and liberal sympathies of the Craft . We shall later on call special attention to it .
* * WE have often remarked on the subject before , and it is really and truly an idiosyncrasy and peculiar characteristic of Masonic writers and Masonic controversalists , especially just now , that they can hardly write upon any subject without becoming personal at once . The professions of Freemasonry enounce the unceasing reality of brotherly love and kindly feeling man to