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"It reading this , the first declaration in the Irish Record . Freemasonry . The writer also says that " its chiefs make now but l'ttle effort to conceal what was all along felt by the Church to be a certainty , that its deadly warfare is with tholicity -, its doctrines and morality ; its spiritual head Ca earth ; ' and those members of it who practice its

precep ts . What can any one say to such a falsehood ? It is really absurd that it seems childish to desire a confutation . I have visited lodges a few times , but never heard Roman Catholicism referred to , and I believe our experience im-ees with many whose widespread knowledge of the Order dwarfs my limited acquaintance with the Society ,

ind suggests our silence on such a subject . ' Occasionally at a banquet a speaker indulges in a little innocent mirth by making known a few of the latest objections of the Roman Catholic Priesthood to the Society , but that is only when thc more serious business of the Order has been attended to , and certainly if so doing means being open to the charge of engaging in deadly

warfare with the Roman Church , the assertion is true ! Then , again , a wonderful discovery is made and ushered in with the following startling words : — " Freemasonry , even amongst ourselves , where it does not dare to put itself forlh in all its native deformity and abomination , means nothing less than a battle against Catholicism , and a perpetuation , though under another

name , of the ascendancy that for so many generations sat , like a dismal and torturing nightmare , on the energy , the industry , the intellectual vigour , and the freedom of the Catholic people of Ireland . " Then to complete the discovery , and prove thc simplicity of the writer , there follows this declaration : — " We should bc a marvellously simple , or a marvellously

stupid race , if in thc presence of the recent history of Freemasonry , we had failed to reach to this appreciation of the objects ofthe organisation . " Were it not that I am again reminded in our " ancient charges " already alluded to , that " Craftsmen are bound by peculiar ties to promote peace , cultivate harmony , and live in concord and brotherly love , " I should

be inclined to agree with the writer that he must bc either " simple , or marvellously stupid , " or most likely both . We are gravely told that Freemasonry "keeps the mastery wherever it can , and holds up the temptation of advancement in professional life , of success in trade , of social recognition here at home , and social greeting abroad , as lures to catch Catholics within its toils . But

its efforts have been comparatively fruitless , for catholics are staunch against the proffered bribe . " Such a disgraceful misrepresentation of the Masonic Society cannot mislead thc Craft , because they know otherwise , but it may possibly lead some to have doubts of the Order , there being a popular notion of such worldly advantages in connection with the fraternity .

No one can join our lodges without pledging himself to exactly the reverse of the foregoing description , so wc leave it to any sane man to form his own opinion on the subject . Should any such beings as the worthy alluded to obtain a footing in our Order , and their practices be be discovered , all wc can say is , they arc sure to meet with thc treatment they deserve . Any anxious to bc Freemasons with any such appreciations as the Roman

Catholic writer holds out , and will pass over our threshold by telling deliberate lies , may rest assured that ultimately their low-minded and selfish propensities will be exposed , and held up to the scorn and contempt ef all right thinking , pure-minded Masons . But we are not only told what we know not of Freemasonry , but are treated to statistics . " At the close ol last year there were no less than eight millions of Freemasons in the world !! " This will be news for the

Editor of the Freemason and ourselves , who from trustworthy documents , had come to the conclusion that there were about one million of contributing members , and probably about as many more unaffiliated ! Of these " eight millions " it appears , but few know anything of the real objects of the society , the maximum of thc fully informed , not exceeding " five hundred

thousand ! " Then follows the charitable remark , that if the Craftsmen were asked to do " what the oath of Masonry pledges every man who takes it , " in reference to any conceivable business or engagement of life , " they would look upon the man as an idiot , or more likely as a rogue and a scoundrel , fit for the attention and primitive administration of the nearest policeman . "

Idiot" or " scoundrel " are the terms he uses , but they arc mild compared with those which he deserves , who has put together such trash , unless indeed he is but the tool of his party , and has , alas , sold his conscience and his mind to an intolerant , persecuting , and unscrupulous sect ! We leave this part , fully agreeing with the writer , that he is

a rogue , an idiot and a scoundrel , who accepts this statement of what Freemasonry is . The author of " Freemasonry " says , " It is idle to speak of the possibility of genuine Catholicity co-existing with Masonry , " and yet , soon after , he actually finds fault with the Monde Macminiqitc for declaring : "One cannot be at thc same time a Mason and a Catholic . " We do not accept the teachings of the Monde Maconniiiue

ps rightly illustrative of Freemasonry , in fact many of "s statements are at variance with our princi ples , both in this country and the Uniled States , and generally throughout Germany ; but in this instance the magazine has the support of the Irish Record , and in condemning it , the latter condemns also itself . Towards the end , the motive which prompted the article being written is seen . " The heir apparent of the . "• • nglish throne , the Grand Master , " is grouped with other "' ustrious personages to prove that Protestantism has

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yielded , and now the " Catholic Church is the only religious institution that dares to do battle with Masonry . " Ride , si sapis !

LONG LIVE THE PRINCE . This popular song , one among many in the " Freemason ' s Liber Musicus , " will be sung by Bro . George Perrcn , at the installation Banquet on the 28 th inst . The song having met with so great a success , the Composer Dr . Wm . Sparks has been induced to issue it in a separate form , with music , price 3 s .

LONG LIVE THE PRINCE . Oh ' . Masonry , our hearts inspire , Warm us with thy true sacred fire , Our Piince obedient to thy laws With joy we hail him to the cause , Oh ! may our greatest pleasure be

To greet him Prince of Masonry , For it , and virtue are the same Loud then wc ' 11 hail his glorious name . Chorus Long live our Prince , Just , true , and wise , God bless thc Piince

Masonry cries ! We are obedient to our laws , Zealously to support our cause , Like him we feel a brother's woe And feeling comfort we bestow ,

Letting no brother draw the sigh His grief unnoticed pass him by Oh may he , as a brother true The paths of Masonry pursue . Chorus

Royal Masonic Institution For Girls.

ROYAL MASONIC INSTITUTION FOR GIRLS .

The April Quarterly Court of Subscribers to this school , was held on Saturday last , in the Board-room , Freemasons ' Hall . Bro . Major John Creaton was called 011 to preside , and among thc brethren who supported him , and who were very numerous , were Bros . I lugh D . Sandeman , A . H . Tattershall , John Symonds , S . Rawson' Capt . Henry

Smith , ( West Yorkshire ); Robert B . Webster , Walter Wellsman , 11 . Massey ( Freemason ) , Edwd . Harris , W . F . Smith , Fred . Tyerman , W . F . C . Moutrie , F . Adlard , F . Davison , Owen James Grace , Jesse Turner , Thomas W . White , Samuel May , George Bolton , Raynhani W . Stewart , Edwd . Cox , Thomas Fenn , E . S . Snell , Charles Coote , Dr . Ramsay , Quarter Master Samuel Cole , R . E .,

Aldershot ; II . Ebsworth , John Coutts , C . A . Coltebrune , George Snow , II . M , Levy , W . Stephens , Owen J . Carter , ( Strood ); John Read , W . Smead , and R . W . Little , ( Secretary ) . After the minutes ot former meetings had been read , and confirmed , Bro . John Symonds proposed , and Bro . S . Rawson seconded thc election of Bro . Samuel Tomkins , ( Grand Treasurer ) , asTreasurer of this institution ,

and Bro . Tomkins was therefore elected unanimously . Bro . II . M . Levy was elected a member of thc general committee of thc school , and the court after appointing scrutineers of votes , proceeded to the election of thirteen girls , out of a list of thirty-two candidates . At thc de . claration of the poll the following candidates were declared duly elected , by the number of votes placed

opposite to their respective names : — Bingham , Mabel Ellen 1284 Stransom , Laura Sophia 1270 Owens , Elizabeth 1080 Case , Emily 1029 Rogers , Mary Sarah 1018 Scott , Annie Eliza 097 Phillips , Minnie 040

Craig , ranny 927 Trumble , Elizabeth 885 Tipper , Emma Elizabeth 811 Christie , Ellen Sophia 809 Barsby , Mary Emma 806 Kite , Ada Elizabeth 759 Votes of thanks to the scrutineers and chairman , closed the proceedings .

Royal Masonic Institution For Boys.

ROYAL MASONIC INSTITUTION FOR BOYS .

The Quarterly Court of Governors and Subscribers to this institution was held on Monday last , at Freemasons ' Hall . Bro . John Symonds , vice-Patron and Trustee , occupied the chair , and among the brethren present were Bros . Major Creaton , Charles Cobb , Capt . Henry Smith ( West Yorkshire ); S . Rawson , H . Massey , Dr . Ramsay ,

Charles Greenwood , Hugh D . Sandeman , Thomas Smith , L . Finch , Sidney R . Brooks , Thomas W . White , Robert B . Webster , J . L . Hine , James A . Birch , W . F . C . Moutrie , Jesse Turner , F . Adlard , W . Lane , Joseph F . Starkey , J Terry , J . M . Chadwick , J . Macdonald , Raynham W , Stewart , S . Rosenthal , John Muggins , Alfred A . Pendlebury , A . D . Loewenstark , Wm . Smeed , E . Cox , Thomas

Price , L . Stean , J . M . P . Montagu , John Marson , James Kidner , A . GreatRex , R . Harland Whiteman , E . Spooner , F . B . Davage , George M . E . Snow , E . Coste , W . B . Baylis , Alfred Avery , Wm . Stephens Page , of Maidstone ; and F . Binckes , Secretary . Bro . Major Creaton proposed , and Bro . Charles Greenwood seconded , the re-election of Bro . * , George Plucknctt as

I reasurer . Bros . Henry Law and William Blackmur were elected to fill two vacances' which have occurcd , one by death , and the other by qualification as life governor , on the General Committee . Lord Skelmersdale and Bro . Bentley Shaw were elected Trustees of thc General Fund , and Lord Skelmersdale and Major Creaton , Trustees of the Sustentation Fund . Scrutineers of votes were then appointed ,

Royal Masonic Institution For Boys.

and the election of eight boys , out of a list of forty-eight candidates for admission to thc school was proceeded with . At half-past four o ' clock , Bro . S . Rawson , Chairman of the Scrutineers , came into the board-room with the Scrutineers and announced the result of thc election , and the following boys were declared successful : —

Davies , James Sanders 2 I , n Armitage , Charles Edgar . Ssi Swallow , John Tom " xgig Pilling , Thomas Smith ' m _ - Buttrey , James Armytage 1 J 40 Marks , James Thomas , f ., »

Jackson , William Henry ,- * ,,, Kerr , Arthur David j-- , Capt . Smith proposed , and Bro . Edwd . Cox seconded a vote of thanks to the Scrutineers , which was carried unanimously , and Bro . S . Rawson responded . A vote of thanks to the chair was passed , and Bro . Symonds , in acknowledging it , said that they had been

able that day to admit but very few boys to the school , which must be a great disappointment . But he hoped it would be a further incentive to the supporters of this institution to give and get still greater subscriptions , that its benefits might be extended , and that there might bc less and less distress , consequent on unsuccessful candidates being thrown out . This closed the proceedings , and the brethren separated

Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution.

ROYAL MASONIC BENEVOLENT INSTITUTION .

The Committee of this Institution met on Wednesday at Freemasons' Hall , Major John Creaton in thc Chair . There were also present Bros . Joseph Smith , John Constable , C . A . Cottebrune , Thomas VV . White , James Brett , W . Stephens , W . Hilton , John G . Stephens , H . M . Levy , Griffiths Smith , John Bellerby , Thomas Cubitt , J . Newton , K . Stean , C . Lacey , C . F . Hogard , and James Terry ,

Secretary . There was but little business before the brethren . The minutes were read , and cenfirmed , and the announcement was made of the death of Bro . Osment , of Sherborne , Dorset , at the age of 100 years , and that he had received , while he had been a recipient of an annuity from this Institution , the amount of between £ 500 and £ 600 from its funds .

the Collector ofthe Institution , Bro . VV . Lane , having volunteered , by letter read to the committee , to make a reduction in the amount of his commission on sums collected by him , thc same was agreed to with the thanks of thc Committee .

Bro . Griffith Smith asked whether the list of subscribers & c . could not be published every year instead of every two years . At present , the names of subscribers of last year were not to be found in the list , but only those of the year before . Thc Chairman , having enquired of the Secretary how

this matter stood , Bro Terry said that the -joo books that were printed lasted for two years , and no new book was published until the old stock was exhausted . It was then arranged that a smaller number should be printed , and that a new list should bc published every year . Thc Committee then adjourned .

Presentation To A Past, Grand Chaplain.

PRESENTATION TO A PAST , GRAND CHAPLAIN .

The brethren of West Lancashire , have again done themselves honour by recognising the valuable and hearty services renderedjto the Craft by a distinguished member of the fraternity . Every brother in West Lancashire must have , on more than one occasion , admired the singular enthusiasm , cordiality , and invariable geniality with which

Bro . thc Rev . J . F . Goggin , M . A ., performed the important duties of Prov . Grand Chaplain during his tenure of office ; and now that he is numbered amongst the Past P . G . Chaplains , the recognition of his excellent services was a natural result . This took place on Saturday last , when an interesting presentation of a handsome gold hunting watch , accompanied by a suitable address , was made to Bro .

Goggin at his residence , Rafford Rectory , near Ormskirk . The subscriptions were given by the brethren in the province , Bro . thc Right Hon . Lord Skelmersdale , Deputy Grand Master England , Prov . Grand Master West Lancashire , being the President of the committee . The watch

bore the following inscription : — " Presented to the Rev . J . F . Goggin , J . P ., Past Prov . Grand Chaplain , by his Masonic brethren of West Lancashire , with their fraternal regards in recognition of past services . " The address was as follows : — "To the Rev . J . F . Goggin , J . P ., Past Prov . G . Chaplain ,

W . L ., Rufford Rectory . Reverend and Dear Sir and Brother , —Thc brethren of the province of West Lancashire present you with the accompanying gold watch on your retirement from office as Prov . Grand Chaplain , in testimony of the high esteem in which you are held by those brethren , the kind and considerate manner in which you have discharged your

important duties , thc many admirable sentiments conveyed to them in the various special prayers and orations prepared by you with so much care and ability , and delivered so impressively , and of their heartiest wishes not only for your happiness and welfare , but lhat you will continue to take an active part in their Masonic institutions . —Wc are , reverend and dear sir and brother ,

yours very faithfully and fraternally , SKELMERSDALK , President , Dep . G . M ., England , Prov . G . M ., W . L . GEORGE TUIINEH , Secretary and Treas ., P . M . 86 , 823 , tic , PZ . 86 , 216 , 823 . Bro . Captain Turner ( in the unavoidable absence of Lord Skelmersdale , Prov . G . M ., president of the fund , on