Contents.

CONTENTS .

T . KA 1 . EKS 1 S 3 Freemasonry in Spain -. 1 S 4 Kxccss of Zeal 1 S 4 Now and Then i . Sj ? Masonic History and Historians 1 S 5 ( . rand Lodge of Pennsylvania from 1730 ... iS < CORRESPONDENCEA Cli . rinii « MnHer VSrt

The Provinces ami the Charities 1 S 6 Dean Swift ' s " Skit " on Freemasonry ... 1 S 6 The Oldest Freemason in England 1 S 6 The Ancient and Accepted Rite 1 S 6 A Query 1 S 6 Reviews 1 S 7 Masonic Notes and Queries 1 S 7 l . odse of Benevolence 1 S 7 ; Consecration of the Chapter of l . oraltv , No . S 97 ' - ¦ ' i « 7 '

The Prince of Wales and Prince LeopoU at Norwich 1 S 7 REPORTS OF M ASONIC MEETINGSCraft Masonry iSS Instruction 1 S 1 ) Roval Arch 1 S 1 ) Mark Masonry jgo Red Cross of Constantine 103

! Scotland too South Africa 190 India 191 Crvptic Masonry ryi Obituary ' . 191 Funeral ' of llro . Wnewell 191 Masonic Tidin ; s 192 General Tidings 192 Loilge Meetings for NcxfWcck I . Advertisements I . to VI .

Ar00101

OUR charitable elections are over until Ma )' , when our good old friend thc Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution will come before us once again , and when many will seek to avail themselves of the great benefits of that excellent Charity . Wc trust that we shall not be deemed too pressing when we venture to repeat the expression of our hope that the Governing Body

may see their way to a considerable increase of annuitants , in recognition of the remarkable results of the last festival , and in gratitude for the abounding manifestation of Masonic charity then so signally displayed by

the Stewards and the Craft . Freemasonry has many claims to our regard and affection , but none , in our opinion , so prevailing as those which demonstrate unmistakeabiy how much the spirit of beneficent charity marks its outcome , and honours its existence to-day .

* * SOME considerations must press upon us in respect of our Charities , which , it appears to us , we ought carefully to " make a note of . " It may be questioned whether there is not a growing tendency to seek Freemasonry for what it gives , for what it does for men personally , rather than for what it teaches ,,

what it actually is , what it ever professes to be . We all declare that we do not enter Freemasonry from " mercenary or other unworthy motives , " but we fear that numerous instances might be given where a lower view of tilings prevails , and where a realization of Masonic principles cannot honestly be said to be the guiding principles of initiates

and " admittces . " If so , it is advisable that wc should carefully guard thc portals of Masonry against all who enter it with the idea of a benefit order , or a hope in a participation of assured grants . Freemasonry itself gives no ground for any such ideas , offers no " colour " to any such aspirations . It nowhere offers grants either in return , or proportion for

money paid . What it does give is olTcred and given in the one true spirit of benevolence to ai ! who truly need help and have a " fair claim" on Masonic charity , intended only for thc really and truly needful . And just as it discourages utterly , from first to last , any aspect of the benefit society

system , so on thc other hand it protests against that trading on Masonry , that Masonic mendicancy and itinerancy , which , in thc hands of professional "beggars , " constitute a slur and a discredit not only on specific localities , but on our whole Masonic body .

* * THE time has come when lodges should sometimes consider a little more carefully whom they admit into their " fold . " It is not because a man is well-to-do , or can pay for his " entrance money , " or can " afford

his subscription , " or is wishful lo " get into Masonry , " that , therefore , he is an eligible , much less a proper , candidate for our lodges . We are admitting many to-day hastily , and admitting them on no known principle of " natural selection , " who , neither by taste , habits , or station of life

sometimes , can possibly , humanly speaking , tend to adorn or elevate Masonry , or become even working " Bees " in our great Masonic Hive .

* * * WF , may be very dense or very pragmatical , but , wc confess , wc cannot see the pressing need of increased expenditure at Croydon , until , at any rate , additional annuitants arc elected into that excellent Charity . To spend more money on bricks and mortar , which is not absolutely essential in any

sense that we are aware of , while wc have a large number of deserving applicants " out in the cold , " appears to us , we say it in all deference , a very Irish way of exercizing Masonic Charily—putting the " cart before the horse " with a vengeance . But as so many brethren do not see the proposal in the light we do , we are quite willing to admit that there are two sides to this as to every other question .

* * WE note the increasing tendency in modern works to confound Freemasonry vy ith the "secret political societies , " which arc both a curse and a degradation to our modern civilization . We beg to protest once more , and once for a " , against a mistake so childish and perverse , against a slander of our peaceful and loyal Order , alike unmerited and unfounded .

Ar00102

THE Girls School Anniversary Festival , which will next in turn attract our attention and sympathy as a " Band of Brethren " animated alike by fraternal goodwill and practical benevolence , deserves the recognition and support of all who are anxious to support a most remarkable and valuable Institution . No establishment for educational purposes seems to us better

adapted to the end in view , or more rich in good results . It affords an admirable education to 225 orphan and helpless daughters of Freemasons , and fits them for the practical duties of life , and the struggles of this rough world , in a thoroughly practical and efficient manner . It is impossible , we think , for any of our Craft to pay a visit to the Girls' School without having

been both pleased with and proud of that most admirable Institution . Indeed , wc may fairly challenge this country to produce its equal in educational value , or actual results , keeping , of course , always clear before us the contracted classes for whom it is intended , and the peculiar nature of the " material " given into our hands to dcvelope and educate . No one

we repeat , when surveying those serried rows of happy , healthy children but must feel persuaded , that the labours of an active House Committee , the skilful and devoted labour of an admirable teacher supported by a staff of effective associates , as well as the superintendence of an experienced Matron , constitute not only a great success , but a satisfactory guarantee

that thc zeal of the Stewards and the liberality of the subscribers will not be offered or demonstrated in vain . We rejoice to be informed that the present returns point unmistakeabiy toagreat successful festival—needed in the best interests of the School to promote its efficiency and extend its almost priceless benefits .

* * ALL Englishmen and all Freemasons will deplore the fact deeply of the deathof agreatstatesman , the EARL OV BE ACONSFIELD . The " bulletins " for the last forty-eight hours had been unfavourable , and the public would not be quite unprepared for this fatal termination of a protracted illness , which ,

at the advanced age of the illustrious patient , was necessarily most alarming . LORD BEACONSFIELD will be a missed man amongst us . Though , as Freemasons , we know nothing of the " shibboleths " of factions , or the " colours " of parties , yet it may fairly bc permitted to us to lament truly and deeply , in common with all our fellow-countrymen , the extinction of mighty powers and

the loss of one of our most " representative" men . The two Houses ol Parliament which , first as Mr . DISRALLI , and latterly as the EARL OF BEACONSFIELI ) , he adorned respectively with his words of fire or his emanations of genius , will long retain a vivid recollection of that gifted and most remarkable personality who held so long a leading position in our public life , and who alter .

nately lead , charmed , amused , and influenced their historic ranks . As a writer , LORD BEACONSFIELD had few equals in his peculiar line , and all England mourns with a common and sympathetic sorrow to-day the death of one whose name will long endure in the proud annals and thesteady and matured progress of our great English people . The historical and political party of

which he was the recognized leader will find it very difficult adequately to fill up the important post thus rendered vacant . He first entered Parliament as M . P . for Maidstone in the year 1837 , and having represented the county of Buckingham from the . year . 1 S 47 , was called to the House of Peers as the EARL OF BEACONSITF . LD in 1 S 76 . In remembering his long political and

literary life , we think , his own words deserve to be remembered : " No one knows better than myself that in the course of an agitated , and now , I am sorry to say , a long political career , I have done many things which I regret , and said many things which I deplore ; but a man ' s career must be judged of by its whole tenour and character . I can say for myself , with the utmost

sincerity , that I have always sought to maintain the greatness of my country ; lhat I have never had one thought of a base or sinister character , or of self-interest ; and lhat thete is no reward which I more desire , and

which I more prize , than thc good opinion of my fellow-countrymen in whatever political party they may be ranged . " Mr . GLADSTONE , with much kindly feeling , has intimated the wish of the Government to offer a public funeral for the noble and departed statesman .

* * WE rejoice to note that Bro . C . E . KEYSER , well-known by his connection with the "St . Alban's Restoration Committee , " and for his Masonic zeal and intelligence , will be installed this week as W . M . of the well-known and

distinguished Watford Lodge , No . 404 . We congratulate the brethren on his selection , and we feel sure that the interests of the lodge over which so many worthy Masons have presided will not fail to prosper under his presidency .

* * * THE controversy relative to the " Oldest Freemason " continues in our columns . We fancy there are a great many old Freemasons in England unknown to fame , and we shall be happy to receive and record their names