Table Of Contents.

TABLE OF CONTENTS .

PAGES REVIEWS gjt PROV . GRAND LODGE or DEKIIVSIIIRI ; ... 651 ct 652 r _ tov . GRAND LODGE OF CUMBERLAND AND WESTMORLAND 652

J ' . G . LODGE OI- ' N . & E . YORKSHIRE 652 & 653 THE CRAFT 653 MARK MASONRY 653 THE " OBSERVER " AND THE CRAFT 654 ILLUSTRATIONS OF THE HISTORY OF THE CRAFT 655 & 656

ORIGINAL CORRESPONDENCE 656 & 657 PROV . GRAND K . T . CONCLAVE FOR DEVON ... 657 THE FAIR SEX AND ADOPTIVE MASONRY ... 637 LODGE OF BENEVOLENCE 65 S THEATRICAL 658 MASONIC MEETINGS FOR NEXT WV . CK . ... 658 & 659 ADVERTISEMENTS ... ' ... 6 49 , 650 , 659 , tk 660

Reviews.

Reviews .

Freemasonry ; What it is not , and what it is . By Bro . the Rev . P . H . NEWNHAM , M . A ., Rector of Fro me Vauchurch , P . P . G . Chaplain Dorset , & c . London : R . Spencer , Great Oucen-street .

To the historian of the Lodge of Hengist , No . 195 , wc are again indebted for an interesting and suggestive contribution to Masonic literature . In common with the increasing , number of intellectual men in our

ranks , Bro . Newnham feels that the stereotyped platitudes put forth respecting the moral advantages of the Craft are not convincing proofs to intelligent minds of its utility and importance . Nevertheless , we are

not prepared to agree with all the conclusions of the reverend author . Even on the principle that the man who causes a blade of grass to grow where none had previously existed , is a benefactor to his race , we hold

that the good achieved by an institution like Freemasonry constitutes one of its chief titles to our regard , and , beyond question , greater good , and upon a more comprehensive scale , can be accomplished by

organized and united action , thanbythedesultory efforts of individuals . howcverwel ! intended . From the presence of certain archaisms in our ritual , as well as from some of the observances of Masonry , Bro . Newnham argues

that " the true light in which we ought to regard these symbols is , that they are , so to speak , tlie original root-words of that one grand universal heart-language of aspiration , adoration , and worship , which God

seems to have implanted , as a necessary instinct , in the bosom of man , Mis last and highest work ; " and expresses the conviction , that " he is the true Mason at heart who attends his lodge as a duty ; who

comports himself , when in lodge , as one who is discharging a duty and who is assisting in the carrying on of a great work ; and who , when the matter is brought before him , is

ready to believe , and to rejoice in the belief , that this our Institution in an heirloom of God ' s handiwork in the hearts of our forefathers ; that it embodies a summary of His scheme for the moral education of the

world ; that it has preserved , in a peculiar manner , the archive ' s of the growth of religious thought in the human species . " This is a really grand conception of the Masonic scheme , and deserves grave and thoughtful

study . For practical purposes , however , we would advocate an earnest and thorough performance of the duties which press home to the heart and life of every sentient being , in preference , even , to the enunciation

of the loftiest theories . We say not this to detract from the merits of Bro . Ncwnham ' s investigations , but merely to vindicate the

teachings of the Order , and we trust that every brother will remember that one of its principal objects is to lessen the aggregate <> f human misery and vice . Bro . Newnham

Reviews.

does not , however , pursue vague theory , as his past career will abundantly testify , and the fact that this little work is published for the benefit of the Masonic Charities , is another proof of his sympathy with the practical aims of the Order .

We have great pleasure in welcoming as one of our exchanges a new and promising periodical — the Freemason ' s Repository , published at Providence , Rhode Island , and

of which the first number has reached us . It is exceedingly rich in choice extracts , one of which so completely tallies with our own views , that we do not hesitate to " annex " it : —

Masonry has a literature that has comedown tous along the ages , gathering to itself , century by century , and year by year , still rarer gems of thought and science and knowledge , until to-day , in this advanced age of progression and learning , we can point to the literature of Masonry as not a whit

behind the progressive wisdom of the nineteenth century . Were Masonry simply a charitable society , whose only attraction consists in well conferred degrees , is it to be supposed for an instant , that this alone would have presented attractions sufficient to bind to the Order the wise and learned

men of the whole world and of every age ? No Were this all there was of Masonry it never could have withstood the ruthless current of time that has swept into oblivion systems , dynasties , and institutions , some of them as ancient as herself . It is because possessed of other virtues that it has come

down to us hoary with age , in imperishable strength and silent grandeur , like the adamantine foundations of earth itself . And this attractive virtue is to be found in its literature ! The wise who have sought its shrine and penetrated its arcana , have been surprised at its fulness , the depth , the beauty of its

science . The moral and religious have lingered with pleasurable emotions over the wealth of virtuous precept and example there taught . The philanthropist receives therefrom a stimulant to greater exertions for the amelioration of mankind . The scientific , the antiquarian and sage , who enter

the temple of Masonic literature find there a rare and inexhaustable intellectual feast . To those , then , who have heretofore considered the acme of Masonry to consist in its charities and the polished workings of its degrees , we recommend that their

intention be turned to its literature , as ihe substance of Masonry , while the workings of the lodge are but its forms . Read , and study it , then—it will ennoble anil polish the man , and fit the mind as a living stone for a place in the great Temple of Souls .

Literature— serene Philosophy—Effusive source of evidence and truth ! Without thee what were unenlightened man ? A savage , roaming through the woods and wilds , Rough clad , devoid of every finer art And elegance oflife . ' " Wc have also received Loomis ' s Musical

and Masonic Journal" of New Haven , Connecticut , a well-written and very interesting magazine . We were somewhat amused , however , to find iu the September number an article on " Freemasonry and Politics , "

which is cleverly compiled from one of our own on French Masonry , the disguise , although skilful , being still rather transparent . Need wc add that wc feel flattered , and hasten to assure our excellent friend

Loomis that he is welcome to use our leaders in any manner that scemeth unto him best . Wc wish his periodical every success .

THK General Grand Conclave of Knights Templar of the United States met at Baltimore , Maryland , on the 19 th tilt ., and subsequent days . Nearly five thousand delegates from the various State encampments and subordinate commanderies attended , and the scene was one of great interest to the citizens . The whole of the knights marched in review order through the streets , and great enthusiasm prevailed .

BREAKFAST . —EPPS ' COCOA . — -GRATEFUL , AND COMFORTING . — " Hy a thorough knowledge of the natural laws which govern the operations of digestion and nutrition , and hy a careful application of the fine propertics of well-selected cocoa , Mr . Epps has provided our breakfast tables with a delicately-flavoured beverage

which may save us many heavy doctors' bills . " —Civil Sendee Gazette . Made simply with Boiling Water or Milk . Each packet is labelled— "J AMES KITS & Co ., Homoeopathic Chemists , London . " Also , makers of Epps ' s Milky Cocoa ( Cocoa and Condensed Milk ) . — [ Advt . ]

Provincial Grand Lodge Of Derbyshire.

PROVINCIAL GRAND LODGE OF DERBYSHIRE .

The annual meeting of the members of the Provincial Grand Lodge of Derbyshire was held in the Assembly Rooms , Derby , on Tuesday afternoon last week , but the attendance was considerably below the average .

The lodge was opened in due form at two o ' clock , by Bro . H . C . Okeover , D . P . G . M ., prayer being offered by Bro . the Rev . A . A . Bagshawe , Vicar of Wormhill , Rural Dean of Buxton , and Provincial Grand Chaplain .

The minutes of the previous Grand Lodge ( held at Ashborne ) were read and confirmed . The Worshipful Masters of the Craft lodges in the province presented their reports , from which it appeared that Masonry

is making steady progress . The report of . the Masonic Hall Committee was read and confirmed . The importance of increased support being given to the charitable institutions of the Order was brought

prominently before the members by the Prov . G . Chaplain , who made an earnest appeal for the Boys' School . Wood Green , London . After an interesting discussion , it was unanimously resolved , amidst considerable

applause , that theProv . Grand Lodge should make Bro . Okeover , D . P . G . M ., a Vice-President of the Boys' School . It was also suggested that at the future meetings ofthe

Prov . Grand Lodge the members should follow the example of other provinces , and attend Divine service at church , a collection , to be made in aid of the Masonic Charities .

On the motion of Bro . H . Carson . P . P . G . J . W ., seconded by Bro . Hewitt , P . P . G . S . W ., Bro . Thomas Cox , P . P . G . S . W ., was unanimously elected Prov . G . Treas .

The D . P . G . M . then proceeded to appoint anj invest the following brethren as his Grand Officers for the year ensuing : Bros . F . Campion , P . S . G . W . ; S . Foulds , P . J . G . W . ; Rev . A . A . Bagshaw , P . G . C . ; T . Cox ,

P . G . T . ; S . Taylor , P . G . R . ; W . Naylor , P . G . S . ; G . T . Wright , P . G . S . D . ; R . A . Grundy , P . G . J . D . ; G . H . Sheffield , P . G . S .

of W . ; R . R . Duke , P . G . D . of C . ; T . R . Gee , P . A . G . D . of C . ; R . S . Potts , P . G . S . B . ; W . H . Marsden , P . G . O . ; J . Worsnop , P . G . P . ; P . Hammond , P . G . S . B . ; T . Slinn , P . G . T . Stewards : Bros . T . Hall , E . Ward , F . H . Witton , J . H . Warner , J . W . Webster , J . M . Moore .

The lodge was closed at 3 . 30 in torm , after solemn prayer . The following , amongst others , were present at tite Provincial Grand Lodge : —

Bros . H . C . Okeover , as P . G . M . ; T . Cox , as D . P . G . M . ; A . Hillam , P . S . G . W . ; R . Darwin , P . J . G . W . ; Rev . A . A . Bagshaw , P . G . C . ; Henry Turner , P . G . R . ; William Naylor , P . G . S . ; E . B . Knobcl , P . S . G . D . ; John Vertigans , P . G . A . D . of C . ; Joseph

Pegg , P . G . S . B . ; W . H . Burton , P . G . P . ; William Webb , P . G . S . B . ; L . L . Simpson , P . G . Steward ; T . L . Gentles , P . G . Steward ; Thomas Slinn , Tyler ; James Crossley ,

P . P . S . G . W . ; Thomas Horsley , P . P . S . G . W . ; Wm . M . Hewitt , P . P . S . G . W . ; Hy . Carson , P . PJ . G . W . ; J . Farnsworth , P . P . J . G . D . ; F . Iliffe , P . P . G . D . of C . ; W . Giles . P . P . G . S . of W . ; R . Waite , P . P . G . S . of W . ; J . H .

Casson , P . P . G . O . ; R . A . Grundy , W . M . 625 ; J . C . Gribble , W . M . 731 ; Samuel Taylor , W . M . 654 ; John Varlcy , P . M . 506 ; W . H . Marsden , 253 ; J . Allen , 1324 ; J . M . Moore , 1085 ; Charles Humphreys , 731 ; J .

McAdam , 654 ; Edmund Grindrcd , 654 ; J . M . Ritchie , 731 ; Fitzhcrbert Wright , 1324 ; F . H . Witton , 731 ; J . C . Merry , 731 ; F . Campion , P . P . G . P . ; G . T . Wright , P . M . 731 ; R . R . Duke , W . M . 1235 ; G . Haslehurst , W . M . 681 ; R . P . Cooke , W . M . 787 ; J .