Multum In Parbo, Or Masonic Notes And Queries.

3 rd . —The Clergy . As our institution is grounded on the immutable doctrines of religion and mortality , may the ambassadors of Christ without the pale of the fraternity be charitable in their sentiments . 4 th . —The Widow ' s Son . May all Masons be faithful , and , if necessary , suffer martyrdom in defence of a good life .

jth . —The Virtuous Fair . As they appear to Masons as so many Queens of Sheba , may Masons be viewed by them as so many Solomons . 6 th . —All Distressed Brethren . In every brother may they find a protector , and in every misfortune the balm of charity .

7 th . —May every Free and Accepted JIason rise in the East , find refreshment in the South , be dismissed in the West , and then admitted into the middle chamber to receive the reward of a good man . 8 th .-. May the fragrance of a good report like a sprig of Cassia bloom over the head of every departed brother . [ Can any brother tell us where Hollowell is ?—J . H . T . ]

Grand Lodge.

GRAND LODGE .

A SKETCH .

By our V . P . C . * " What ' s in a name ? " But , before proceeding to press so obviously pertinent a question , it would be as well , perhaps , to answer another that has , or might have been .

put to the Editor of the journal to which I have the honour of forwarding these occasional jottings , as to whatever earthly ( or unearthly •"¦) reason there should be for thti appearance at all when there is so lucid a repoit given by the ( other ) regular contributor to the journal in question ?

Well , it is for that very identical reason—that it is so lucid—that this other report is compelled to see the light . Whether tbe London fog is to blame is not yet precisely ascertained , but there can be but little doubt that it is the active cause of this present necessity . A thing that is outside cannot at the same time be in ,

and"Nice or nasty , Vicey-Varsey , " as the sublime poet has remarked . Consequently , the reporter ' s head in | London , having ! fog outside , is pieternaturally clear within , and the proceedings represented by him , whilst understood by his London

brethren , are not always so clear to us in the country , who have no fog without , and , consequently , plenty ; but perhaps I have said sufficient on this score to make my meaning pleasantly clear to all as to the appearance of these sketches , and I will therefore proceed to again put tbe question , " What ' s in a name ? "

to which , this time , instead of digressing , 1 most truthfully answer— " Ah ! what , indeed ? Surely"The Clothes + by any other name would look as sweet , But parallels ( however far and in whatever direction ) produced would never meet ! " I don't know who said this , but it exactly expresses what I

mean—namely , meet thc approbation of everybody , which brings me to the consideration of a most important discussion recently started in your correspondence columns respecting the levels , perpendiculars , or taus-t ' -other-wayup , on our aprons -, or , what is the same thing at this present juncture , what came of it .

I feel sure that the wotthy brother who started that discussion was quite right , and thc Constitutions , antiquated as they are , quite wrong ; because what is level must be perpendicular to something , but then only when it is the other way round , or else it would still be level ; so I got my housekeeper to carefully turn mine the other way

up , thinking that if Grand Lodge did not know what was right , I would show them . I did'nt a bit mind au absurd conundrum of some profane brother , — " Why is our brother ' s apron like a certain advertised economical com"Vodity ? " Answer : "Because it ' s compressed T ' s " ( of fliich absurdity he gave , as explanation , that the T's bad

4 ch compressed tails ) . But coubl it be believed || that those iscrutinising " gentlemen , chosen for their nice discrimidation , insisted on my apron being restored to its normal fcndition ? It was useless remonstrating that I did not , ish to state that its name or mine was either Normal or iven Nerval - ' equally fruitless to point out that , looking at | t from my point of view ffi ) thc T's were all right , and Jiat if the objectors put themselves in the same position

, 't would be the same to them . Nothing would do but tllat it must be alteied . Wasn ' t there just a hunt for pins ? and won't those scrutineers who see to the hats , & c , remember me ? that ' s all ! However , at last I got in , but only to find standing room , and barely that ; aud it was quite evident that

something of an unusual character was about to occupy the attention of the brethren . The election of our revered and beloved Prince as Grand Master was of course unanimous ; but I was shamefully cut out from making a speech that it bad taken me at least a mo ith to compose , and six weeks more to learn for the occasion . I tried in vain to catch the eye of

somebody or otl'er who might give the Chairman a hint that a really coemtry brother wanted to have a share in the talking , but I could not succeed . However , the speech will do for some other occasion , and when I come to think of it , I mig ht say with our own immortal one ( I mean respecting the eulogy I should have uttered)—" To paint mosaic gold , Gild the tip-tilted petal of the lily pure ,

Grand Lodge.

Wash white the leopard , take ink spots from the nigger , Restore the elephant his teeth decay'd , Letting ' I wish' wait on ' I couldn't if I would , ' Like the cat i' the attics !" and a lot more of the same lofty sentiments . My reason , if you would like to know it , that I really wanted to say something , was because Jones of our lodge said

that P . Pry Smith ( meaning me ) was like the sailor ' s parrot—might be " a beggar to think , " but stopped at that , for he hadn ' t much to say . Doubtless it ' s just as well as it is , for if I had succeeded they might have quoted somebody else , and declared that I , like a good many other speakers , could only" Grate on my scrannel pipes of wretched straw

Whilst th' hungry sheep looked up and were not fed . " That , however , won't hold true so long as this old mill can grind up the aforesaid " wretched straws " into anything like toothsome " chaff . " We soon after this got tothe main business of the evening , the confirming the minutes about our Grand Master ' s

Memorial , when the entire assembly was so unanimous that I could only exclaim " Othello ' s occupation ' s gone , " and make up my mind to bury my bauble , or warhatchet , or thyrsus , or tomahawk , or calamus , or pipe , or stylus , or—ah ! the last is about my style I think , so I'll e ' m stick to that .

But this retirement I soon found to be denied me , for in an appeal case the Board of General Purposes found it necessary to become particular as to what peculiar kind of cases their attention could be generally called . And then an old friend made an awfully generous proposal , to build a temple that would hold everybody , and

please everybody , in or out of any given number of years , at any cost , without putting anybody to any expense ; it was to be on the Thames Embankment , or anywhere else . I was going to propose Goodwin Sands as an eligible and easily accessible spot , and one , too , susceptible of a good deal of solid improvement ; but as nobody seconded my friend ' s proposal it fell to the ground , into

"Thebasement story of a vision , And left not a wreck behind : " It was a pity my amendment couldn ' t have been put in its place , for the spot I've mentioned would have at least made the wished for " wreck . " Another brother was for tacking on a wing to somebody else ' s house , by way of dissipating a little spare cash -, to whicli said dissipation Grand Lodge was in far too

proper a frame of mind to lend an car , and so having closed in proper shape we broke up and retired , feeling if not " sadder , " most certainly " wiser men" than on previous occasions , to describe the work and talk of which accurately makes me fain to use the words of honest Jack Falstaff , " What ! only a ha ' porth of sack To all this bread ?"

The Langthorne Masonic Charitable Association.

THE LANGTHORNE MASONIC CHARITABLE ASSOCIATION .

The first anniversary meeting of this prosperous association was held at the Swan Hotel , Stratford , on Wednesday , the 28 th ult . The annual report and balance sheet disclose the simple tact , that in the first year o ! tbe operations of this association the large sum of £ 241 bas

been presented to the charitable institutions through its agency . Bro . J . G . Stevens , the President , in his opening remarks , explained the objects of this , and kindred associations , to be that every member , by subscribing is . per week for something like 4 years , would become a Life Governor of one of the charities . The appropriations in this particular

association have averaged two per month since its formation , and such a result must be highly gratifying to the charities , and equally so to all those who have obtained a Life Governorship through its instrumentality . The working expenses of this , the most expensive year of the association ' s operations , have amounted to only £ 4 14 s . od . ; the committee arc to be congratulated on

having achieved so grand a result at so small an outlay . The committee and ofiicers were unanimously re-elected , and after two ballots being taken adjourned to dinner , presided over by the working President , J . G . Stevens , the vice chair being occupied by the Vice President , W . A . Thorp , the Chairman being supported by the Treasurer , Bros . C . Lacey , Binckes , Sec . R . M . I . B ., and Terry , R . M . B . I . ; and a company of over 30 members of the

Craft 111 the neighbourhood . After the usual toasts , the President proposed the toast of the evening , " Success to the Langthorne Masonic Charitable Association , " coupling Jthe name of the Treasurer , Bro . Chacey , who duly responded , and remarked upon the advantages to be derived through its agency -, as a fact he had himself been enabled to become Vice-President of one and Governor of the two other charities by such

means . The next important toast was " Thc Charities , " and In proposing it the President paid a high tribute to the three Secretaries , more especially to Bro . Terry , who had obtained the splendid sum of £ i , * i , ooo at his last festival , and the President further stated that he hoped Bros . Binckes and Little would not be downcast at such a grand result

but woulel go in and get if possible £ 20 , 000 each . , Bro . Binckes being obliged to leave , Bro . Terry responded for the three Charities , and was warm in his commendations of the association under whose auspices they had met , relating his experience while Hon . Secretary of three similar associations , and trusted that the brethren

would rally round and bring this to a successful termination ; and as an encouragement to brethren in all positions in life he would state , as a fact , that a most distinguished peer of the realm thought it not beneath his dignity to subscribe his is . per week to one of these associations . He also said the popular opinion is that Freemasons are a

The Langthorne Masonic Charitable Association.

selfish race of men , but the proposals now under consideration for commemorating the safe return of our M . W . G . M . from India is sufficient answer to this , and abundantly shows the catholicity of Freemasons . The toasts of "The Chairman , Vice-Chairman , Hon . Sec , " and others , brought this , the first annual meeting , to a conclusion .

Consecration Of The Croydon Mark Master's Lodge, No. 198.

CONSECRATION OF THE CROYDON MARK MASTER'S LODGE , No . 198 .

An important addition to the number of lodges on the roll cf the Grand Mark Lodge of England was made on Friday , the 9 th inst ., at the Greyhound Hotel , Croydon . On the strong recommendation of thc R . W . Provincial Grand Mark Master for Middlesex and Surrey , Bro . Col .

l-rancis Burdett , a charter , or warrant , was granted to several members of the Macdonald Mark Lodge , No . 104 , whose residences aie in the locality of Croydon , and the V . W . Bro . Frederick Binckes , P . G . W . and Grand Mark Secretary , was appointed by the M . W . G . M . M . to consecrate the new " Croydon " Alark Lodge , No . 198 . An influential gathering of distinguished , members

of the Order attended to support the Consecrating Officer , amongst whom were the V . W . Bro . Frederic Davison , Dep . Prov . G . M . M . ; the V . W . Bro . Thomas Meggy , P . G . M . O ., and P . M . 104 ; the V . W . Bro . James Stevens , P . G . I . O ., P . M . 104 and 139 ; thc V . W . Bro . B . C . Dibdin , P . G . O . ; the W . Bro . W . H . Binckes , Asst . Grand Sec . ; W . Bros . Spencer , Poore , F . Cozens , G . Yaxley , J .

Close , J . K . Pitt , and G . Lilley . Past and Present Grand Officers ; Bros . Sheadd , Nicholls , Brown , Griffiths , Legg , Pocock , Purvis , Long , Lake , Haddock , and others . The brethren having assembled in the lodge-room , Bro . Binckes , as W . M ., appointed Bros . Meggy as S . W ., and Stevens as J . W ., and proceeded to open a Mark Master ' s Lodge , and then called upon the Assistant Grand Secretary

to read th _ new warrants and inform the brethren as to the proceedings taken in respect of the formation of the lodge . The principal officers designate having been approved of by those present , Bro . Binckes in his customary effective style performed the full ceremony of consecration , and completed his work by formally dedicating and

constituting the Croydon Lodge to the purposes of Mark Masonry . Bro . F . H . Cozens , Grand Organist , then played the concluding ( Hallelujah ) chorus . After a brief interval thc ceremony of installation was commenced , and Bro . George Yaxley , the W . M . designate , was duly installed into the chair of A . by Bro . Binckfe . The S . VV . designate , Bro . John Close , and J . W . designate ,

Bro . J . K . Pitt were severally invested , and the offices of Overseers and Deacons were filled . Bro . Thomas Meggy assisted the Installing Master in the delivery of the addresses to the ofiicers . A list of thirteen candidates was placed on the summons , of whom nine brethren were in attendance , and these were introduced , and , at thc request of the W . M .,

advanced to the honourable degree by Bro . James Stevens , with full ceremonial and musical accompaniment . The whole of the impressive business of the consecration , installation , and advancement was carried out with all that perfection which the well-known working ability of Bros . Binckes , Meggy , Stevens , Poore , and Dibdin would ensure , and the satisfaction of the brethren of the

new lodge was not only heartily expressed in words , but was confirmed by the unanimous election of those brethren as honorary members . The presence of the Deputy Prov . G . M . M . was suitably acknowledged , and Bro . Davison received a cordial Masonic salute . The thanks of the lodge were voted to Bro . H . W .

Binckes for his services as acting Secretary . Several propositions for advancement were received , and after some few matters of routine business had been disposed of , the brethren adjourned to partake of banquet , under the able presidency of tbe W . M ., Bro . Yaxley . The usual loyal and Masonic toasts were duly honoured , and a very agreeable evening spent by the numerous brethren who had the good fortune to be present on this auspicious

. The increase of lodges connected with the Order of Mark Masonry has been , under the genial sway of several noble and eminent Grand Masters , very great during the past few years , and from the zeal and efficiency of the Master and Wardens of the Croydon Lodge , we augur that the new addition to the strength of the Order , though the last on the minute roll , will not be the least in point of importance for thc degree .

The Exclusion Of The Hebrew's.

THE EXCLUSION OF THE HEBREW'S .

We have been requested to publish the following communication : — 8 , Bloomsbury Place , London , W . C , 5 th March , 1877 . Dear Sir and Brother ,

A Committee having been appointed by the Montefiore Lodge , No . 1017 , to carry out the objects mentioned in the accompanying resolutions , I beg to enclose herewith a copy of the petition , and respectfully request you will submit it to thc consideration of the members of your lodge . Should it meet with their

approval , I shall be glad if you will sign the same and return it to me at your earliest convenience . Yours fraternally , S . V . Abraham , P . M . Resolved unanimously : —

1 . That it appearing by the Book of Constitutions of the Three Grand Lodges of Freemasons in Germany > held at Berlin , that those only professing Christianity are eligible to become members of the Craft , or to join the subordinate lodges in Germany , this Lodge ol