Correspondence.

otherwise assisting in hospital work , and it would be well if the Knig hts Templar generally could emulate the zeal for good works shown by the Anglican League of the Knights Hospitallers . The incident at Lichfield seems to point out how my brother Knight Templars may worthily assist in

restoring those historic fanes , some of which existed when the Order was in all its glory—and the Templars mig ht often have opportunities of helping the Church in other ways as good Christian soldiers—if they would only seek to be of use . Whilst on the subject of Freemasonry and church

restoration , it may be well to remind our younger brethren in the Craft that during the last 20 years or so Masons have in many places worthily aided the Church in this way . I well remember the first great ceremony of note , when the reredos of Gloucester

Cathedral was presented by the Freemasons of the province , at a cost of , I think , £ ^ 400 , and unveiled with stately ceremony at a magnificent and never-to-beforgotten service in the presence of the Bishop , Lord Sherborne , the Prov . Grand Master , and some 700 brethren .

When I visited Chester Cathedral lately I was delig hted to hear the verger inform the party he was taking round after the service that the sedilia and pulpit , both elaborately sculptured works of art , were presented by the Freemasons . The west front of Bath Abbey , with a very curious antique representation of St . Jacob ' s ladder and the

angels ascending and descending , was also partially restored by the Freemasons at very considerable costsomething like £ 3000 I have heard . The Lady Chapel at St . Mary Redcliffe Church , Bristol ; St . Alban ' s Abbey ; Worcester Cathedral ; Durham Cathedral ; Tewkesbury Abbey ; and , I think , Peterborough Cathedral , have also been beautified and adorned by gifts from the Freemasons .

Everyone remembers the magnificent spectacle of the laying the foundation of Truro Cathedral by the Prince of Wales and the Grand Lodge of England some years since , but I believe the Grand Lodge has never g iven one penny towards the building , which at present is sorely in need of funds .

When the Prince of Wales returned from India £ 4000 was given as a thank-offering to the National Lifeboat Institution . Now that our Brother , Prince Albert Victor , is touring in India , and running considerable risks no doubt , like our beloved Grand Master , one ' s thoughts naturally turn to his

anticipated return in peace and safety . When , by the blessing of the Great Architect of the Universe , he is once more amongst us , is it too much to ask that the Freemasons may again propose to give some thank-offering to the Almighty for the safety

afforded to the heir to the throne ; and what more pleasing in His sight than a noble contribution towards the building of the beautiful Gothic cathedral in Cornwall erected to His glory and for His worship ?—Faithfully yours , EMRA HOLMES , K . C . T .

February . MASONIC BENEVOLENCE IN PENNSYLVANIA .

To the Editor of the "Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , Among the many-sided benefactions of Freemasonry , none more deserve the sympathy and support , of the Craft than the Benevolent Institutions , which provide a home of rest for worthy , aged , but impoverished brethren , and afford provision for the support of

their widows . Of this sacred duty I have , as the Masonic representative in England of the Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania , received a conspicuous example from Bro . Charles E . Meyer , himself an active and a distinguished member of that Grand Lodge , well-known to many brethren on this side of the Atlantic .

The purport of his communication is to announce that Bro . Thomas R . Patton , Grand Treasurer of the Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania , who is , moreover , the accredited representative there of the United Grand Lodge of England , has handed over to the trustees for investment ( of which Bro . C . E . Meyer is one ) the

sum of . £ 5000 as a free gift to his Grand Lodge , the interest en which is to be applied for the relief of the widows of Master Masons above the age of 45 years . The scheme is this : £ 100 of the interest is to be distributed each year to deserving widows . The balance of accruing interest to be added to the principal and

re-invested until the fund amounts to £ 10 , 000 ; then £ 300 per annum is to be thus applied , the balance of interest again allowed to accumulate , until the principal sum , the corpus of the fund , reaches £ 20 , 000 ; thenceforth and for ever the whole produce of the investment is to be distributed among the widows . The

first payment is expected to be made next July . This munificent gift is a memorial fund in remembrance of Bro . Patton ' s deceased wife . Outside contributions to it are , therefore , not acceptable . I cite this princely example ( notwithstanding the Republic ) of true Philadel phian benevolence in the

hope that on the eve of the festival of our own " Royal Benevolent Institution for Aged Freemasons and their Widows , " the English Craft may to some extent emulate the noble example of our own kith and kin across the Atlantic , the claims of which Institution were so forcibl y urged by Bro . Lord Euston at the recent Mansion House banquet for the installation of

Correspondence.

our distinguished brother the Lord Mayor as Master of the Drury Lane Lodge , who will preside at the approaching festival of the Institution . 1 may add that at the instance of the trustees of Bro . Patton ' s Fund , our energetic Secretary , Bro . James Terry , has been good enough to forward to them a copy of the rules and

regulations governing our own Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution , which has been duly appreciated , and will serve to assist the trustees in framing analogous laws for the appropriation of the fund . The characteristics of Freemasonry are of no country , creed , or colour , nor have they any politics or party spirit .

This is not the only fountain of Masonic benevolence in the City of Brotherly Love . There is , in addition , the " Stephen Giraud" charitable bequest of many years since for the relief of poor and distressed Master Masons , without regard to nationality or jurisdiction . Originally £ 4000 , by judicious management , the fund

has increased to about , £ 14 , 000 , and there is the" Grand Lodge Charity Fund , " now amounting to £ 14 , 400 , for the relief of widows of Master Masons in distress . The annual interest on both these funds are applied as indicated . It has been justly considered that in old age the means of earning a livelihood , however scanty , is more restricted for women than for men .

AH honour to Thomas Ranken Patton , our Representative at the Grand Lodge of the State of Pennsylvania ! BRACKSTONE BAKER , P . G . D ., Grand Representative of Pennsylvania . February 17 th .

Reviews

REVIEWS

MARK GRAND LODGE CALENDAR FOR 1890 . This very handy guide is in its fifth year of issue , this last being the best of the valuable and most useful series . Being edited by Bro . C . Fitzgerald Matier , P . G . W ., Grand Secretary , one naturally looks for perfection in such a work , and , what is still more , finds it ,

for we fail to see how it can'be improved or added to , having in mind the object of its issue . So far as we have tested it , this neat and well got-up publication has been found to be absolutely correct , notwithstanding that the details have a very wide range , the lists including not only the Mark lodges "in and near London , "

as the title-page indicates , but also the Craft lodges and other bodies assembling in the Mark Masons ' Hall , so that the work is quite a Masonic vade mecum for that building , and certainly an indispensable companion for those who belong to such lodges , & c , that assemble in that commodious

and convenient home . It is , however , much more than this , as it appeals to all members of the Mark Degree , providing as it does a complete roll of all the Grand Officers from the inauguration of the Mark Grand Lodge in 1856 to now . It is remarkable that throughout that long period there has only been one

Past Grand Master died , viz ., Bro . Canon Portal , and only one Past D . G . M ., viz ., Bro . W . R . Callender . All the Prov . Grand Masters from 1857 are duly noted , as also the D . Prov . G . Masters , exhibiting , when required , years of decease so far as known . Some , however , are not filled in , and we feel assured Bro . Matier

would be glad to have the years of decease of the following brethren , viz .: Kent , Charles Purton Cooper , Prov . G . M . ; Wales ( S . W . Division ) , Edmund S . Stanley , Prov . G . M . ; South Australia , Benjamin A . Kent , Prov . G . M . ; Devonshire , Rev . P . H . Newnham , D . P . G . M . ; Sussex , Dr . J . M . Cunningham , D . P . G . M .

There are also a few dates to be supplied relative to Past Grand Officers deceased . A new feature is the " Special grants b y Grand Lodge for Special Purposes" ; and the numerous tables , brought down to date , respecting the receipts and expenditures of

various funds , numbers of certificates issued from year to year , and very many other particulars , prove how thoroughly well has the editor done his work . The Freemason Printing Works may also be credited with the excellent typography of this most welcome annual .

Masonic Guide For The County Of Yorkshire.

MASONIC GUIDE FOR THE COUNTY OF YORKSHIRE .

This wee book , ably compiled , carefully condensed , and literally crammed with information , is now in its 14 th year of publication , and , from first to last , all the copies have been circulated at Bro . Whytehead's expense , who is thus both editor and donor . For N . and E . Yorkshire there are 30 lodges , with 2022

subscribing members , and 16 chapters , with 614 members , the former being an increase of eight , and the latter a decrease of three from the last return . In West Yorkshire there are 75 lodges , having 347 1 members ( increase of 55 ) , and 3 8 chapters , with 118 9 members ( decrease of six ) ; so that in Yorkshire there are 105

lodges , with a roll of 5493 subscribing members . Full particulars are afforded of the places and times of meeting of all these lodges , chapters , & c , and the wonder is that in such a small space there is to be found so much relating to the Craft . We should much like to see

that the three Mark lodges in Hull had joined the Prov . G . Lodge for that Degree , as " unity is strength , " even if it costs a little to render that union complete . We tender our thanks , as per usual once a year , to the editor for his most acceptable g ift , and much wish his example was contagious .

Lane's Handy Book To Lists Of Lodges.

LANE'S HANDY BOOK TO LISTS OF LODGES .

Bro . John Lane , of Torquay , England , the patient , persevering , skilful and scholarly author of Masonic Records , 1717-1886 , and other works , has just issued "A Handy Book to the study of the Engraved , Printed , and Manuscript Lists of Lodges ( Moderns and Ancients ) from 1723 to 1814 . " * This work opens up a subject which is of large interest to Freemasons . Bro .

Lane is described as " the most competent critic of Masonic lodge lists in the world ; " and the appreciative review concludes as follows : " We cordially com mend Bro . John Lane ' s Handy Book to the Lists of Lodges to American Freemasons interested in lodge enumeration , and especially to Pennsylvania Freemasons , & c . "—Keystone , Nov . 30 th , 1889 .

Reports Of Masonic Meetings.

REPORTS OF MASONIC MEETINGS .

Craft flDasonrv .

METROPOLITAN MEETINGS .

Fidelity Lodge ( No . 3 ) . —This ancient and prosperous lodge held its installation meeting at Freemasons' Hall , Great Queen-street , on Wednesday , the 12 th inst . The lodge was opened by Bro . S . Cochrane , W . M ., and was supported by Bros . Jno . Larkin , S . W ., W . M .

elect j S . K . Lovett , J . W . j Geo . Low , P . M ., Ireas . ; Jas . W . Squire , S . D . ; W . D . Townsend , J . D . ; W . H . Herryman , P . G . P ., D . C . ) R . Sebastian Hart , P . M ., P . P . G . Org . Surrey , Org . ; A . W . Weeks , P . M . ; Chas . Terry , P . M .: A . H . Larcombe , P . M . ; C . ChalUin ,

P . M . ; J . W . Block , P . M . ; Geo . Cordivell , P . M . ; H . M . Phillips , P . M . ; Thos . Kayler , P . M . ; W . A . Crage , P . M . ; Thos . Barrett , P . M . ; and a large number of members . Visitors : Bros . T . H . Tayler , 2146 ; A . E . Thomson , 172 ; J . T . Salmon , P . M . 917 ; A . F . Clifford , J . Simpson , 77 ; Jno . Barnett , jun ., W . M . elect 2191 ; K . C . Sudlow , P . M . 263 , P . P . G . D . Kent ; W . H . Kirby ,

J . W . 1965 ; G . Wallace , P . M . 907 ; Jno . Nicholls , 475 ; Geo . Everett , P . M . 177 ; J . W . Dixon , P . M . 27 ; Chas . Lee , J . W . 1624 ; E . Y . Jolliffe , P . P . S . G . W . Middx . ; Geo . Mickley , J . W . 63 ; W . Belchamber , 193 ; W . Lloyd , VV . M . 145 ; J . C . Jones , P . M . 2099 ; E . Wilding , VV . M . 1541 ; A . Camp , P . M . 1056 ; A . b . Medwin , S . W . 1657 ; C . F . Hogard , P . G . Std . Br . ; Frederick Binckes ,

P . G . S . B . ; J . Terry , P . G . S . B . ; G . A . Streeten , 2022 ; J . J . Jones , J . D . 92 ; E . Brooks , S . W . 7 65 ; P . Phillips , S 20 ; J . Weiss , P . M . 1491 ; Lovett King , 2190 ; and W . VV . Lee , 1 S 97 . The minutes were confirmed , and Mr . Frank Feller was initiated into Freemasonry . Bro . E . Shand , 79 , was elected a joining member , and Bro . Skilbeck Wood passed to the

Second Degree . The installation ceremony was next proceeded with , and Bro . John Larkin was duly installed into the chair as W . M . for the ensuing year b y his immediate predecessor , Bro . Cochrane , I . P . M . The following officers were appointed , and , with two exceptions , were invested : Bros . Dr . Lovett , S . W . ; Townsend , P . M ., J . W . ; Low , P . M ., Treas . ; Squire , P . M ., Sec ; Kinsey , S . D . ;

Wellcome , J . D . ; Sebastian Hart , P . P . G . Org . Surrey , Org . ; Perryman , P . M ., P . G . P ., D . C ; Dr . Sanberg , l . G . ; and Potter , Tyler . Bro . Squire , P . M ., Sec , was absent through ill-health . An effective rendering of the three addresses by the Installing Master , Bro . Cochrane , I . P . M ., concluded the ceremony . £ . 15 was voted from the Benevolent Fund to a brother in distress , and a petition

signed to the Board of Benevolence . I he newly-installed W . M ., who is already a Vice-Patron of the K . M . B . I ., having signified his intention of serving another Stewardship on its behalf , and having started his list with a princely donation of 60 guineas , the sum of five guineas was voted from the lodge funds to further increase his total . £ 2 10 s . was voted towards the scheme for ensuring a pension to Bro . Binckes ,

Sec . R . M . I , for Boys . A notice of motion respecting the fee for joining members was unanimously carried , and the lodge was formally closed . ' lhe brethren adjourned to the Crown Room , Freemasons ' Tavern , where an excellent banquet was admirably served . Bro . Fredk . Binckes , P . G . S . b ., replying for "The Grand Officers , " said that if in his attempt to respond to the

comprehensive and important toast , the Worshipful Master had just submitted for the reception of the numerous body of brethren assembled , he should indulge in apologetic remarks for the want of finding new words or fresh language in which to clothe his reply , he would be only using the plea of anyone called upon to respond for any one of their Masonic toasts , inasmuch as they were all

of a routine character , and must be more or less familiar to all . If it be accepted as an axiom , and he apprehended it must be so , that those upon whom honours were bestowed were sensible of the responsibilities , he hoped and trusted , with reference to the Grand Officers , no matter how exalted or humble , there was no one , while appreciating the honour , was not thoroughly sensible of his responsibility .

With reference to the first portion of the toast , it would be impossible for any one to say anything fresh with respect to the recognition of the great , long-continued , and important services of the two illustrious noblemen—the Pro G . M . and the Dep . G . M . Their names were household words throughout the Craft , and those who had had frequent opportunities of observing the manner in

which they discharged their duties , and the admirable assistance rendered to H . R . H . the M . W . G . M . in supervising and ruling the best interests of the Order , could best testify their worth . With reference to that numerous body —the Grand Officers—he hoped tnat , while acknowledging

the honcur conferred , they would never be unmindful of their responsibilities . He was sure they who were honoured would always endeavour to do whatever duty devolved upon them to the best of their ability , and he trusted sincerely that whatever duty they were called upon to discharge they might at least endeavour to merit the