Fraternity

FRATERNITY

To us the great charm of Freemasonry has alyvays been the genuine spirit of fraternity that it engenders and perpetuates . In the profane world , love both blesses and curses ; it is the parent of peace and good-will , but also of strife and jealousy . It ruined Troy , and it ruins many a household at the present day , in every part ofthe world .

The bone of contention is the bone that was taken from Adam ' s side . That bone is forbidden entrance into the lodge , of Freemasonry—a woman cannot be made a Mason . Therefore yve have exemplified among us a love that is undefiled , a love that blesses and curses not . A Lear is impossible in Masonry ; his field of operation is in the kingdom , or queendom , of

the " Eastern Star . " There is even rarely found thc smaller jealousy of place , for usually there are honours enough to go round , and rapid rotation in office creates such frequent vacancies that there are sometimes more places than there are competent ambitious brethren to fill them . We arc a band of brothers , and yve exemplify continually the spirit of true fraternity .

Freemasonry is many sided , but not equilateral . Fraternity is its broadest and longest side . Charity too is a long sielc , but not the longes * . Faith in God is one of the boundaries of the Craft ; belief in the immortality of the soul is another . But the most objective , and the most valuable of all , is the spirit of fraternit )' . The Church teaches , yvith us , belief in God and the immortality of the

soul , but it cannot equal us in diffusing the principles of brotherhood . We are fully persuaded that there is no society in the yvorld , yvhether of divine or human institution , that so exemplifies the spirit of fraternity as does Freemasonry . Theory and practice do not always go together in this life . There is more preaching that practising . The two

ought never to be divorcetl , but they are . If the Church had alyvays peiformed its full duty , we do not know that this would have prevented the institution of Freemasonry , but it would have retarded its growth . Our Craft was not created for moral purposes ; it grew out of an operative brotherhood ; it built temples before it built men . But as wc have said , it is many-sided . It is now moral , religious ,

charitable , fraternal . It is the champion of symbolism . It is full of legends and history . There is a lifetime ' s study in it , and it affords thc truest pleasure and the largest instruction to thc painstaking * student . But , back of all its rich possessions , and underlying its past , present and future , is the heart-poyvcr that manifests itself in its genuine fiaten . al spiri 1- . Freemasons are unmistakably

brethren . When you enter a lodge , yvhat is it that is most patent to your vision ? Is it not the throng of individuals of differing creeds , politics , nationality and position in society , all , for thc time , upon the level , all mystically united into a single family ? Do not , at times , hands universally clasped indicate oneness of heart , and that Masons go

hand-in-hand together for the accomplishment of all laudable objects!?—Does not charily itself spring solely out of brotherhood ; do wc not help a brother in distress for the same reason that we yvould help ourselves ? Freemasonry puts one brother iu anothci's place most effectually ? it unifies all interests ; it unites all hearts . Suppose that all men were brethren I To our minds the

precepts of the Bible and the practice of Masonry , both are striving to achieve this end , and yvill one day be successful . It is the chief purpose of religion to restore men to their true relation to their Maker ; it is the great purpose of Masonry to restore them to their true relation to each other ; and when this latter object is accomplished , it will

not Le difficult to establish the filial one ; in other yvords , when men acknowledge themselves and act toyvards each other as brethren , they will naturally honour love and obey their common Father . Freemasonry is the handmaid of religion , in that it teaches the biotherhood of man and the fatherhood ol

God . When so much is to be gained in profiting by thc spirit of fraternity , it is not surprising that there should be false brethren , as there arc in the yvorld and the church wolf in sheep's clothing . We cannot successfully exclude all of thc unworthy . The black ball does it work well , but it is not the infallible remedy ; yet if yve would keep the

Fraternity pure in the midst of an impure yvorld , we must scrutinize most closely the character of every applicant for initiation . If the mystic tie encircle false brethren , the very brolheihood itself is imperilled . A weak link in the fraternal chain endangers the whole . Selfish greed or lack of moral principle , introduced through individuals into

the Craft , may come in ever so easily , but it exercises an influence as baneful as it is powerful , and once in , it is difficult to eliminate . We can best exhibit our regard for the master-spirit of fraternity that distinguishes Freemasonry above every other institution among men , by rigidly excluding all unworthy persons from sharing in its blessings . —Masonic Eclectic .

Among the many different annuals published is the Cosmopolitan Masonic Calendar . Few persons are cognisant of the difficulties attending the compilation of a work of this kind . What with the frequent changes in the times of meetings of lodges , chapters , eVc , and the indifference manifested by Secretaries in furnishing

information , much anxiety is occasioned in the task . The present volume contains , we are pleased to find , copious and reliable information , and deserves all the support that can be awarded it by the Masonic body . —Sunday Times . — Post free to any part of the United Kingdom on receipt of stamps or P . O . O . value 2 / 2 . Address . —Publisher Freemason , 198 , Fleet-street , London . —Advt . Bro . Alderman D . H . Stone , was on Wednesday elected treasure *; of St . Thgmas ' s Hospital .

Masonic And General Tidings.

Masonic and General Tidings .

On Tuesday , the 6 th inst ., at the drill-room , Preston , Bro . Major Turner , P . G . Treas ., West Lancashire , distributed the prizes yvon by members of thc 48 th ( Prescot ) L . R . V ., at the competition which took place last September at thc Altcar prize meeting . KNIGHTHOOD FOR THE EX-MAYOR OF LIVERPOOL . —An official announcement has been made

that her Majesty has been graciously pleased to confer the honour of knig hthood on Andrew Barclay Walker , Esq ., the ex-Mayor of Liverpool . At present hc has received no intimation from the Privy Council that this honour has been conferred upon him , but there is no doubt of the fact that his worship yvill be known in future as Sir Andreyv Barclay Walker , Knight . Few men , during a brief

career of public life , have done so much for the people of Liverpool as his worship . The Walker Art Gallery is a monument of princely liberality , and a desire to elevate the taste and advance the moral condition of the people ; and the inhabitants of the toyvn generally will concur in congratulating him upon this well-deserved mark of distinction conferred by sur Sovereign . As the crowning act

of his two year ' s office as chief magistrate , Mr . Alderman Walker gave a fancy dress ball , at the Toyvn Hall , on Wednesday , the 7 th inst ., which yvas attended by about 1000 guests . The gathering was probably the most brilliant ever witnessed at the Toyvn Hall . The Ceremony of Installation will be rehearsed in the Wellington Lodge of Instruction , at thc White

Syvan , High-street , Deptford , on Monday next , thc igth inst ., by Bro . John Shayv , P . M . 79 . Lodge will be opened at 8 o ' clock precisely . The first annual banquet of the London Masonic Club Lodge of Instruction is to be held on Thursday , the 29 th inst ., at the Club , IOI , Queen Victoria-street . Bro . C J . Hogg , Past Grand Steward , yvill take the chair

at 6 . 30 p . m . Brethren desirous of attending should communicate with Bro . J . E . Shand , 101 , Queen Victoriastreet , City . The Christmas number of the Alasonic Magazine will be ready on or about the 15 th of December , and will consist of 96 pp . of letter-press , in addition to a handsome illuminated wrapper . Thc contributors to this

special number include the names of many of the most celebrated Masonic yvritcrs cf the present day . Full particulars , with table of contents and list of contributors will duly appear . Orders should be given at once . Price to non-subscribers One Shilling . The annual festival of the Emulation Lodge of

Improvement yvill take place at Freemason ' s Hall , on Friday evening , November 23 rd , on which occasion Bro . the Right Hon . the Earl of Donoughmore , R . W . Past Senior Grand Warden , has kindly consented to preside . Bro . C . A . Murton , Past Grand Deacon , will take the chair of thc lodge , yvhich will be opened in the Grand Hall , at six o ' clock precisely .

The " Gossips' Boyvl" is the title of the Christmas number of the Illustrated Sporting and Dramatic News . Miss Braddon writes the leading story , entitled "Thou Art the Man . " The illustrations will include a colour-printed double-page supplement , from a painting by J . T . Lucas , entitled "Chips ol the Old Block , " and engravings after works ( specially provided for this

number ) , by P . R . Morris , A . R . A . ; Waiter Ouless , A . R . A . ; Fred Barnard , George Holmes ( painter of " Can't You Talk ? " ) , John Sturgess , and other artists . LITERARY PENSION . —Dr . George Macdonald , the author of" Alec Forbes " and many ncvels and poems ,

has been awarded a pension of yfjioo a year on the Civil List . The Fifteen Sections will be worked in the Southern Slar Lodge of Instruction , No . 1158 , on Thursday , the 22 nd inst ., at seven p . m . The numerous Masonic and other friends of

Bro . W . J . Ashcroft , a member of the Upton Lodge , No . 1227 , who is known almost universally as "the Solid Man , " has just returned from America , yvill be pleased to hear that he has been completely restored to good health , and for the last fortnight he has been fulfilling one of the most successful engagements on record at the New Star Music Hall , Liverpool , so

admirably managed by Bro . D . Saunders , Lodge 1609 ( Dramatic ) . The Mayor of Hastings , Bro . Alderman Howell , in proposing " The I lealth of the Prince and Princess of Wales , and the rest of the Royal Family , " at the Mayor's banquet , on Nov . 9 th , said— "All who knew how admirably the Prince'had performed bis duties , and

how the Princess won golden opinions from all sides , and endeared , in fact were the whole of the Royal Family to the hearts of Englishmen . For himself he yvas proud to say that he was one of those yvho could call Albert Edward not only prince but brother . Hc had thc honour of assisting at the great gathering at which the Prince presided at the head of English Masonry . In these

days , when they heard so much of the dangers abroad from secret societies , they could point to England , with the future King at thc head of Masonry , and the highest nobles of the land among thc members . " On Monday last the Rev . Dr . Brette , P . M ., No . 1460 , and Past Provincial Grand Chaplain , Middlesex , was unanimously elected Worshipful Master of the

Aidersgate Lodge , Nt ) . 16 57 . MASONIC SONGS . —A selection of Masonic Songs set to popular airs , written by Bro . E . P . Philpots , M . D ., F . R . G . S ., is now ready , forming a handsome volume , bound in cloth , with gilt edges , 3 s . Sent post free from the office of this paper on re : eipt of stamps or post-office order value 3 s . 3 d . —Advt ,

Masonic And General Tidings.

The Lord Mayor acknoyvled ged on Tuesday last the receipt of £ 4 6 s . Cd . from thc Freemason Indian Famine Fund . IMPERIAL LODGE , NO . 1694 . — -The consecration of this lodge , yvhich yve understand is to be a private

one , took place on Wednesday last , at tbe Cadogan Hotel Sloanc-strect , S . W . The consecrating officer was Bro ' Hervey , G . S ., yvho yvas assisted by Bro . the Rev . j {_ j Simpson , P . G . C , and Bro . H . G . Buss , Assistant G . S The officers appointed were—Bros . P . H . Jones . P . M fj-g " W . M . ; Blennell Pollard , S . W . ; and C . H . Reid Todd '

J . W . The Lord Chancellor has issued an order authorising the closing of the county courts on the 22 nd the 24 th , and 26 th of December . We hear that some popular Ballad Concerts

are about to be given at thc Angel Toyvn Institution , Brix . ton , every Saturday evening , commencing Sth December . Some well-knoyvn artistes yvill appear . The concerts will be under the management of Bros . T . Turle Lee , and Wm Worrell .

Royal Masonic Boys' School.

ROYAL MASONIC BOYS' SCHOOL .

MASONIC F . C , v . BUXTON COLLEGE . These clubs met for the first time this season on Wednesday last , on the Masonic ground at Wood Green Thc home team having won the toss chose to kick off , yvhich was done by their captain . The forwards folloyving up the ball well , the next five minutes yvas

occupied by scrimmages 111 all of which the Masonic gained ground . Mr . Gardner by a pass from Godsmark then succeeded in obtaining a try , yvhich however he failed to convert into a goal . After some excellent play on the part of the forwards of both teams and several good runs by the school which yvere stopped by the good collaring of the Buxton men , Mr . Kelly after a splendid run obtained

a try , which enabled Mr . Gardner to kick a goal . Before " half-time " yvas called Mr . Gardner got tyvo other tries and in both cases kicked the ball tiver thc cross-bar . Shortly after " half-time , " Howard by folloyving up a good kick got a try , which however did not result in a goal . From this point till " time " three other tries yvere obtaine ; ' , Scurr succeeding in kicking one goal and a postern . For

the Masonic Messrs . Gardner , Kelly , Hoyvard and Parker , while for the Visitors Messrs . Domcncck , Meakin , and Williams played yvell , Williams being particularly distinguished for collaring . When time was called the Masonic were the victors by 4 goals , 3 " tries , " a " ojterii " and tyvo " touch-downs " to nil . MASONIC . —Hart , ( back 1 try ) , Messrs . Gardner , ( 4 tries )

and Kelly , ( 1 try ) (* , backs ) , Parker and Ellis ( 4 backs ) , Godsmark , ( capt . ) Surr , Davies , Molineaux , Howarel , ( 2 tries ) , W . Sparkes , H . Wood , Eastland , Mr . Humphrey and Mr . G . Gardner ( forwards ) . BUXTON . —Rundle , ( back ) , Domeneck and Webb , ( i backs ) , Meakin and Williams ( J backs ) , Duncan , Davies , Dupuy , Wcsham Cave , Edwards , Hicks , Clarke , Brancombe and Ethcrton ( forwards ) .

BEES V . MASONIC F . C . In somewhat boisterous weather , the above clubs met for the first time on the ground of the Bee's , at Finsbury Park , the ground being in a lamentable condition yvhich made it almost an impossibility to stand . The Masonic having won the toss , chose to play against thc wind , then blowing almost a gale . The leather yvas put in motion

by the Bees' captain , at 3 . 55 ; the first fifteen minutes play was occupied chiefly in scrimmage , when Kelly got away and after a good run , obtained a try for the yisitors , which Mr . Gardner converted into a goal ; before half-time three other tries were obtained , only one of which , however , resulted in a goal , as Kelly's punt from the goal line in one case was a failure . During the second half-time three

more tries were obtained , from yvhich the ball yvas once placed over the tape by Scuir , it being really a difficult matter to kick with anything like precision owing to the mud and wind . For the Masonic Messrs . Gardner , Kelly , Godsmark , Parker , and Ellis played well , yvhile for the Bees Messrs . Weir , Chant , Booth , anil Greengrass did their best to avert defeat , Greengrass being especially

conspicuous as quarter-back . When time was called the Masonic were winners by three goals and four tries to nil . BEES . —W . Weir , ( back ) , J . Chant , R . Booth , ( halfbacks ) , Greengrass , J . Weir , ( quarter-backs ) , VV . Mason , G . Smith , G . Storey , W . Callings , R . Reid , VV . Whiteside .

F . Pilon , C . Baker , Powell and J . Chant , ( forwards ) . MASONIC . —Hart , ( back ) , Messrs . Kelly , ( three tries ) , and Gardner , ( two tries ) , ( half-backs ) , Parker and Ellis , ( quarter-backs ) , C . Godsmark , ( one try ) , F . Godsmark , Messrs . Bassey , Scurr , Davies , Eastland , H . Wood , Howard , W . Spaikcs , ( one try ) , and Molineaux , ( forwards ) .

THE REMOVAL or TEMPLE BAR . —Late on Thursday afternoon , at a meeting of the Court cf Common Council , a repoit was brought up from the City Lands Committee , by ' Mr . Rudkin , on the subject of Temple Bar , recommending that the structure should be forthwith removed , with the exception of the abutment on the northern side , which will remain until the negotiations

between the government and the Corporation respecting the width of the pavement there are completec . . Messrs . Child , the bankers , had liberally aided the Corporation in the improvement in this spot by voluntarily giving f "" ' feet six inches along the whole line of their frontage into the public way . This yvill enable a foot-path of 10 feet

to be constructed on thc southern side , and a wide / oadway * for four carriages ; in the middle of yvhich roaihvay it is contemplated to erect a pillar or obelisk to mark the site of the old Bar , with a rest for pedestrians crossing the Strand . The report was carried without opposition , — Evening Standard ,