Freemasonry In South Africa.

FREEMASONRY IN SOUTH AFRICA .

To the Editor of the " Freemason . '" Dear Sir and Brother , In your issue of November iSth , 1 SS 2 , I find , in reference to French Freemasonry , the following : "We think we note signs of still further departure from the straight path , the old landmarks of true

Cosmopolitan Freemasonry , with a still newer abjuration of those principles on which alone Freemasonry can hope safely or fitly to take its stand , to advance and flourish in the world . " How truly may this now be applied to Dutch Freemasonry in South Africa ? In June last I requested the Dutch Lodge here to submit the following questions to the Prov . Grand

Lodge for decision : ist . Can an Agnostic be admitted to the Craft ? and . If after admissiona Bro . adopts agnostic views , can he retain his membership ? As all matters for discussion in the Prov . G . Lodge must first be submitted to the Board of P . G . Officers ; the following reply has been received . " I am directed

to inform you , & c , & c , was duly laid before the Board of P . G . Officers , at their quarterly meeting , and after due consideration it was thought inadvisable to bring the question on for discussion at the annual meeting , the term Agnostic being so vague , and it was accordingly unanimously resolved to reply -. —That in the unanimous opinion of the Board of P . G . Officers

every candidate for initiation who replies in the affirmative to the question ' Do you believe in God , ' is entitled to be admitted into the Order provided he possess the other qualifications required by the general law . — Yours fraternally , " THOS . H . WAGNER , * ' P . G . Sec . "

If this ruling is correct , then it is not required in the Dutch lodges in South Africa for a candidate to state his belief in God , the G . A . O . T . U ., or in a God in whom , under difficulties and dangers , he puts his trust . If I am correctly informed the United Grand Lodge of England passed a resolution in March , 1878 , viz ., " That Grand Lodge could not recognise as true

brethren any persons admitted in a lodge denying or ignoring a belief in the G . A . O . T . U . " If this is correct , what is now the position of the brethren working in Dutch lodges in South Africa ' : ' In 1770 ( meeting held on the 25 th April ) a compact was made with the National Grand Lodge of the United Provinces ot Holland , upon certain terms enumerated

in a letter from Charles Baron de Bret / . elaer , G . M ., among which was that an annual correspondence should be kept up , " and each Grand Lodge regularly made acquainted , once in every year , with the most material transactions of the other . " Has this been carried out ' If so , why has no notice been taken by the Grand Lodge of England of a resolution taken by the Grand Lodge of Holland in June last , to omit altogether the

first article of its Statutes , describing the aims and princip les of Dutch Freemasonry . Anxiously awaiting to see what steps will be taken by the Grand Lodge of England . —Yours fraternally , J . J . WILSON , P . M ., D . C . 60 , Hon . Member 1832 ( E . G . ) , and 591 ( S . C ) . Jagersfontein , Orange Free State , South Africa . August 23 rd .

Reviews.

Reviews .

"WANDERINGS IN WORCESTERSHIRE : Round about Droitwich : By Road , Rail , and River . " By H . G . Somerville ( Simpkin , Marshall , and Co ., London ) . —This choice little guide is published at the low price of sixpence , and yet is quite an artistic and most interesting production . The remarkable features of Droitwich and neighbourhood are ably pourtrayed , and skillfully arranged in most

tempting tours ; and though all must confess that the old borough town of Droitwich is not the most attractive spot in the universe , it will be admitted that almost within a stone throw of its strange looking houses , there is some of the linest scenery in the country , and as a centre for visiting numerous charming spots of lovely Worcestershire , the railway station is well situated and handy for all parts . Of

course , the extraordinary brine baths are duly referred to for their health restoring qualifications , particularly in relation to rheumatism and loss of nerve po . ver . It is only since 1 S 3 G that these baths have been opened , and now there are ths Royal and St . Andrew ' s , replete with comfort and excellent attendance . The many cures effected tell their own tale in eloquent terms through local mediums ,

and the re seems to be no reason for the " grain of salt" to be bicuijht into requisition , as many of the patients continue to come year by year to renew their health and be braced up for the winter . Copies of these lacy and intiresting " wanderings" may be ordered from any bookseller , or obtained direct from Mr . Taylor , St . Andrew ' s Baths , that gentleman being most courteous and ready to oblige visitors .

"THE ILLUSTRATED AKCII . KOLOUIST , " September , iSy 4 . —This welcome and artistic quarterl y has made its appearance in good time , and continues to fill its particular niche most ably and fully . The editor , Mr . f . Romilly Allen , believes in variety , the present number being quite different as to subjects to any preceding , and will rank as one of the truest to its name . The publisher , Mr . Charles

J . Clark , of 4 , Lincoln ' s-inn Fields , has most thoroughly supported the editor by providing abundant illustrations and excellent typography , the parts one to six issued being models of their kind . Ten shillings per annum , or 15 shillings to now , will secure the four numbers , or all published to

date , and we venture to r < commend our readers to subscribe for this very interesting , instructive , and artistic magazine . The contents of No . 0 cover a wide field ( a ) Ashurbanipul , his Books and Buildings ( the literary Assyrian King ; ( A ) Need—Fire I Fire Drills , tic , of antiquity ); ( c ) Roman Copies and Greek originals ( coins

Reviews.

and imitations ); ( d ) Sussex Iron ( Fire-dogs , Tongs , and Anvils , Firebacks , & c . ); ( 1 ?) Notes on Arcb .-eology and kindred subjects ( down to date and full of interest ) : (/") Notes in the Sale-room ( Sir Francis Drake ' s sword , Sic . ) ; ( if ) Notes on Books ( valuable aid to students ); ( h )

Antiquarian News , Items , and Comments . These are valuable and pre-eminently useful . We trust its success will not only continue , but increase according to its conspicuous abifity , value , and importance , so as to enable the publisher eventually to reduce the price to one shilling , and thus do more to popularise this most readable quarterly .

Craft Masonry.

Craft Masonry .

R^PORT^PA ^BK^II Sl^JMSgfifflBl^i

METROPOLITAN MEETINGS Kensington Lodge ( No . 1767 ) . —The installation of Bro . VV . B , Neville , as W . M . of this lodge , took place in the lodge room , at the Ladbroke Hall , on the 15 th inst . There was a large attendance of the brethren and visitors , the newly-elected W . M . being very popular with the members of the lodge . Among- the visiting brethren

were Bros . D . P . Cama , P . M ., P . G . Treas . ; S . Cochrane , P . M ., P . G . Treas . ; R . D . Mekta , P . G . W . of Bengal ; W . Hillier , P . M . 1366 , W . M . 2000 ; J . T . Hayly , W . M . 1637 ; W . B . Jennis , J . W . Blott , I . P . M . 742 ; T . Simpson , Sec . 2157 ; Rev . C . D . Smith , Chap . 2157 : J . Gartley , P . M . 205 ; W . Bettie , W . M . 95 ; Robt Gaifin , P . M .

1572 ; E . Clare , P . M . S 65 ; I . C . Mander , P . M . 2090 ; Cunningham , E . VV . Dennis , W . M . 210 S ; E . S . Barker , P . M . 1632 ; E . A . Ackerman , G . English , 901 ; R . Mackway , 19 S 7 ; S . Parkhouse , P . M . 1642 ; C . Jacksin , P . AL 1232 ; C . Ortner , 1920 ; H . Es ; ex , 511 ; S . F . Mackway , W . M . 2310 ; J . J . Mackay . I . P . M . ; J . Wiggins , P . M . ; Taylor , Norman , C . A . Walters , Freeman , and Barclay ,

P . M . The ceremony of instillation was performed by Bro . J . J . Mackay , I . P . M ., who had previously performed the ceremony of passing and raising ; Bro . R . H . Williams acting as D . C . The following brethren were afterwards appointed and invested officers for the ensuing year : Bros . VV . G . Vassie , S . W . j 1 . H . Neville , J . W . ; I . W .

Barker , P . M ., ; Treas . ; G . Read , P . M ., G . Std . Br ., Sec .: J . J . Rumball , S . D . ; A . J . Turner , ! . D . ; R . H . Williams , P . M ., D . C . ; Frank Norman , A . D . C . ; Facey , I . G . ; A . Talbot and F . Miller , Stewards ; Oliver , PM „ Org . ; and Lee , Tyler ; after which the I . P . M . gave the addresses , and the W . M . rehearsed the ceremony of initiation . The initiates were Messrs . J . Allen Battersby , W . J .

Chesterfield , J . Ortner , and McKinley . T he ceremony was rendered in a very able manner by the W . M . After the lodge was closed , the brethren adjourned to the large hall , where a very splendid banquet was provided , the tables being artistically decorated with I ) > wers . The usual Masonic toasts were submitted in most appropriate terms , and

The Worshiplul Master replied to the toast of his health in a neat and well-set speech , and promised to carry out the duties of the office to which he had been elected with all the ability and assiduity he could command , and stated that that was the proudest moment of his life . Bro . S . Cochrane , Past Grand Treasurer of England , and Bro . George Read , P . M ., Sec , and Grand Standard

Bearer of England , replied in very euologistic terms on behalf of "The Grand Officers . " Bros . R . D . Metka , Past Grand Warden of Bengal ; W . Hillier , P . M . 13 G 6 end W . M . 2090 ; Rev . C . D . Smith , Chap . 2157 ; Robert Griffin , P . M . 1572 ; E . W . Dennis , W . M . 210 S ; and S . F . Mackway , W . M . 2310 , replied on behalf of " The Visitors . "

The musical programme was under the direction of Bro . Oliver , P . M ., and wascarried out in a most efficient manner . The artistes were , in addition to Bro . Oliver , Miss Kate Cove , Miss Greta Williams , and Bro . Mackway . Bro . Ortner , one of the initiates , also added to the harmony by singing a song , 'l'he songs sung by Miss Kate Cove and Miss Greta Williams were very enthusiastically encored and highly appreciated by the brethren .

Provincial Meetings.

PROVINCIAL MEETINGS .

BIRKENHEAD . Minerva Lodge ( No . 2433 ) . —The session of the above lodge closed on Wednesday , the 12 th inst ., when a large number of brethren assembled at the Masonic Chambers , Hamilton-street , to support Bro . John Armstrong . The session had b » en a most successful one , both

as regards the literary excellence of the papers read and the influential additions made to the membership of the lodge , one of the last to be raised bsing Bro . H . Roberts , J . P ., Warrington . Bro . Armstrong was elected Worshiplul Master with the reputation of being one of the most able members of the Craft in the province , and tha year ' s record of the Minerva fully justified the high expectations

of his ability . The papers read before the lodge were of such an interesting and instructive character that brethren were attracted not only from the neighbouringiprovince of West Lancashire but from a greater distance . Supported by officers of great experience and ability , the macninery of the lodge has run smoothly . At the conclusion of the ordinary business eloquent testimony was rendered by

brethren to the brilliancy of Bro . Armstrong's leadership . As an instance of Bro . Armstrong ' s energy and interest in matters Masonic , it may be mentioned that though he his not yet quilted the chair of the Minerva—he having yet to instal his successor—he was recently installed in the chair of the Fernior Hesketh Lodge , No . 1350 , at Bootle . In addition to these , Bro . Armstrong holds ollice in the Royal Arch and Mark Degrees .

BOOTLE . Fermor Hesketh Lodge ( No . 1350 ; . —The lirst installation meeting of the above lodge , held at the County Hall , since its removal from the Masonic Temple , Hope-street , Liverpool , where the meetings have previously been held since ils foundation in 1871 , took place on Monday , the 10 th inst ., when Bro . John Armstrong , P . M .,

Provincial Meetings.

P . G . Supt . of Wks ., Cheshire , was duly installed in the chair by Bro . Wm . Swift , the retiring Worshipful Master . The lodge was opened with the following officers and brethren present : Bros . Wm . Smith , W . M . ; Wm . Taylor , I . P . M . ; J . Armstrong , P . M ., S . W .: F . J . Billett , I . W . ; Dr . A . Samuels , P . M .. P . P . G . D . ; H . B . Browne , P . M ., Treas .: D . Connor , P . M .. Sec . ; E . { . Robin , S . D .:

E . W . Armstrong , I . G . ; A . H . Baird . S » wd . ; E . A . Davies , Asst . Sec . ; H . Owens , Tyler ; T . II . Gelding , E . II . Jones , Isaac Bolton , W . West , and A . J . Howson . The visiting brethren comprised Bros . R . Rawlinson , W . M ., J . G . Forsyth , P . M .. and S . Pope , P . M . of 1473 ; I . Fletcher , W . M . 2495 , and S . W . 1473 ; G . C . A . Moir , J . W . 2495 , and S . D . 1473 ; S . Jones , P . P . G . D . Cheshire ;

A . Kirkpatrick . P . P . G . S . B . ; Rev . H . King . W . M . 236 9 ; J . Fraser , P . M ., J . II . Jackson , S . W ., and VV . P . Cooper , Org ., of 605 ; Major E . Sherwood , P . M ., and H . Burrows , of 7 S 6 ; H . Greenhough , VV . M . 148 ; B . T . Scott , W . M . 1094 ; I . Cowling , 310 ; T . Moins , 14 S ; Tate , 2433 ; S . Parry , J . B . Gait , D . O . Parry , S . Pope , A . N . Mason , Jackson , W . Baker , W . Chambers , and A . H . Baird . The

VV . M ., Bro . Armstrong , then invested the following officers for the ensuing vear ; Bros . William Swift , I . P . M . ; F . J . Billett , S . W . ; E . J . Robin , J . W . ; H . B . Browne , P . M ., P . P . G . D . Cheshire , Treas . ; E . W . Armstrong , Sec . ; A . H . Baird , S . D . ; W . West , J . D . ; D . Connor , P . M ., D . C ; E . E . Davies , I . G . ; T . H . Gelding , and J . Bolton ,

Stwds . ; and H . Owens , Tyler . The lodge was closed , and the brethren adjourned to the banqueting room , when the usual loyal and Masonic toasts were duly honoured . Bro . Smith , the LP . M ., was presented with a beautiful Past Master ' s jewel as a token of the esteem of the members of the lodge . An excellent musical programme was provided , and thoroughly enjoyed .

CHINGFORD . Thomas Railing Lodge ( No . 2508 ) . —The first election of W . M . for this young lodge took place at the regular meeting on Saturday , the 15 th inst ., when the suffrages of the members unanimously fell upon Bro . E . C . Lewis , the S . VV ., who in feeling terms acknowledged the

crmpliment . Previous to the election Bro . Frank Griffiths was raised to the Sublime Degree of M . M . by the W . M ., Bro . T . J . Railing , P . A . G . D . C , Prov . G . Sec . Essex . During the evening congratulatory telegrams were exchanged with the Lennox Browne Lodge , which was holding its installation meeting at the same time at Buckhurst-hill .

CHORLTON-CUM-HARDY . Chorlton Lodge ( No . 1387 ) . —The regular meeting of this successful lodge was held on Thursday , the 13 th inst ., at the Masonic Hall . There was a very large attendance , including Bros . Wm . Goodacre , P . G . S . B . Eng ., Prov . G . Sec ; George Harridon , P . P . G . Treas . ; J . Richardson , P . P . G . R . ; J . J . Wilson , P . S . G . D . ; J . J . Lambert , P . M ., Prov . G . Reg . ; Charles Heywood , P . P .

G . D . of C ; and G . S . Smith , P . P . G . O . Bro . J . Travers , VV . M ., presided . The minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed . The ballot was taken for a gentleman , and being favourable , he was initiated by the Worshipful Master ii \ an admirable manner . The working tools were explained by the S . W ., and the charge was rendered by Bro . Trevor-Smith , J . VV . The musical portion of the ceremony was directed by Bro . T . M . Ferneley , who also presided at the organ with exquisite skill .

JERSEY . Yarborough Lodge ( No . 244 ) . —The annual installation meeting of this lodge was held in the Masonic Temple , Stopford-road , St . Helier ' s , on Wednesday evening , the 12 th inst . There was great interest manifested on this occasion , it being the 82 nd year of its existence as a modern lodge , and , moreover , by the fact that the W . M .

elect , Bro . C . H . Wilson , jun ., is such a favourite with all the brethren , and has been such a zealous worker in the lodge during the years of his membership , he having filled the various offices . There was a very large assembly of brethren present , as well as a large number of regrets , by letter or telegram , from brethren not being able to be present , through some cause , amongst whom we may mention

Bros . E . C . Malet De Carteret , Prov . G . M . ; Dr . J . be Cronier , D . P . G . M . ; Dr . J . Balfour Cockburn , Prdy . G . M . Guernsey and Alderney ; Viscount Dungarvan , Prov . G . M . Somersetshire ; the Right Hon . the Earl of Yarborough , P . S . G . W . England ; Col . the Hon . W . T . Orde-Powlett , D . P . G . M . North and East Yorks ; and Sir H . Seymour King , M . P .

Alter the opening 01 thelodge the minutes were read ana confirmed . Bro . J . P . Lander was then raised to the Third Degree , the W . M . rendering the ritual in a very impressive manner , being well supported by the various officers . Several items of business were successfully carried through , and two candidates for initiation proposed . Thereafter the W . M , Bro . J . Caton , at once proceeded with the ceremony of

installing his successor , Bro . C . H . Wilson , jun ., into the chair of K . S . The beautiful ritual of installation was well treated by Bro . Caton , and in a manner that must leave a lasting impression on the new W . M . and the brethren who heard him . Bro . C . H . Wilson invested his Immediate Past Master , and the Board of Installed Masters of whom a goodly number were present , was closed . 1 he oliicers for the ensuing year were appointed as follows : Bus .

| . Lesbirel , S . W . ; H . J . Gilby , J . W . j P . G . Hamilton , P . M ., Treas . ; J . T . Baker , P . M ., Sec ; P . F . I . ' Boutillier , S . D . j A . Anslow , | . D . ; C . Baker , P . M ., D . C . ; J . D . Heywood , I . G . ; and G . H . Rogers , Ty ler . Bro . J . Caton was accorded a hearty vote of thanks for his splendid work as Installing Officer , upon the proposition of Bro . L . P . HespiradouxP . M . dulsecondedand

unani-, , y , mously approved . A brother in distress was voted the handsome sum of £ 5 5 s . After "Hearty good wishes from 245 , 491 , 1003 , 590 , S 77 , 95 S , 1016 , 1180 , 884 , 1 C 01 , & c , the lodge was duly closed .

Among those present were Bros . W . R . Pole , S 3 ; J ' McNaught Davis , P . M . 8 S 4 , 1601 ; G . C . Croad , 5 <) ° | uret M . Gallichan , P . M . 491 ; L . P . Hespiradoux , P . M-i Capt . J . C . Barrette , P . M . 244 ; A . B . Burton , P . P . J . G . W- < Warwicks , 101 G ; Major F . J . Godfray , P . M . 1003 ; " ' A . C . Godfray , P . M . S 77 , P . G . Sec . Jersey ; J . E . Palmer-1180 ; E . L . Bisson , VV . M . 491 ; T . Baudains , P . M . >)&• H . M . Walden , P . M . 95 S ; J . N . De La ; Perrelle , S 77 S F . Clearie , S 84 ; Chas . Loweth , C D . Harris , T . Adderson , P . M ., C . Kingsley , J . P . Lander , A . B . Harden , ' Parris , and F . Hamilton M insell , of 244 ; and others . ,, The . brethren adjourned to Bro . Parkinson's splen "'* establishment , the Royal Yacht Club Hotel , * f