Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Contents.
CONTENTS .
LEADERS 70 ( J Lodge of Benevolence 710 Entertainment at the Girls' & Hoys' Schools jio Consecration of the Stanford Lodge , No . 1947 , at Hove 710 Consecration of the Martvn Lodge . No .
1983 , at Southwold jn Consecration of the Arnold Lodge , No . 79 S 1 , at East Molesev 712 Presentation to liro . Terry 713
CORRESPONDENCEProvincial Preferment 714 Bro . Gallon's Motion 714 Provincial Brethren at Grand Lodge 714 A Sad Case of Sickness and Destitution 715
Reviews 7 ' s Masonic Notes and Queries 71 S Scotland T 3 REPORTS or MASONIC
MEETINCSCraft Masonry 7 ! 9 Royal Arch 71 " Instruction 719 Mark Masonry 719 Ancient and Accepted Rite 719 Red Cross of Constaivtine 719 The Theatres 720 Music 720
Science and Art 720 Masonic and General Tidings 721 Lodge Meetings for Next Week 722
Ar00101
BEFORE we again greet our many readers at home and abroad , Christmas Day will have passed over us all still in the land of the living , and we should fail in our bounden duty , as well as in our Masonic feelings , if we forbore to offer oursincere congratulations and kindly remembrances to all old and young friends at this genial and sacred season . Many as are the remarkable
characteristics of the Anglo-Saxon race , none perhaps are so striking or so laudable as the tenacity with which it clings , wherever it be , to the sympathies and associations of Christmas . In whatever clime we find ourselves , in India and in Egypt , in Northern regions and at the distant Antipodes , Christmastide comes before us ever , with pleasant strains and joyous outcome .
It may be that in its close connection with this great world in which we live , some of its surroundings and concomitants are too much of the " earth , earthy ; " but still , despite cynical censures and callous tendencies , we hold strongly that the annual recurrence of the Christmas season is a very good thing for us all alike , be we who we may .
It has been said that we altogether forget the religious in the secular side , and reproduce even in our epoch the merely material and sensuous accompaniments , of an old pagan festival . We , however , utterly deny this allegation . We live in an age of paradox , and this is one ol them . Christmas comes to us all to-day as a pleasant halt amid the
unevitable and unceasing round of business , toil , and worry . It is a time for family assemblies and friendly gatherings : a season when old and young can take sweet counsel together , and find huge consolation in each other ' s fellowship for a few short hours ; a period when the heart of charity is moved , and the strings of counties ; , fuller purses are unloosed for many poor suffering
mortals here . Christmas is a very needful resting place for us year by year on the often rough journey of life , when we count the mile stones and note how many we have left behind . It is good for the old , it is as good for the young . All of us , more or less , look forward to Christmas as a hap py and joyous holiday , and never forgetting its religious message , let us all hope and trust that such may still continue to be our dominant feeling as a people and a race from generation to generation . And therefore to-day , once again , Publisher and Editor beg to offer to many kindly and indulgent most wisnes ior
readers in all quarters ot the world tneir nearty gooa memselves and theirs , and their truest aspirations that the coming Christmas may indeed be a happy one to them , one and all , in all their family circles , in all their domestic aggregations , and in all their various lots and
responsibilities of life . * * There is one thought connected with Christmas we should , however , never leave out of sight or out of mind , namely , that which seems to hallow with its tender memories the scenes and friends of the past . Few of us there are
who do not miss some smiling face , some warm , true heart , from our little family array ; and many are the tender reminiscences of " auld lang syne " which such a season must always conjure up for the thoughtful and the loyal . To-day our memory rushes back , with almost electric speed . to other gatherings and other <> -ay assemblies . The girls and boys who used to muster so
happily and so cheerily , where are they ? Time , as if with an enchanter s wand , seems to repeople our dreary bit of moorland to-day with graceful fairy " forms , and beaming faces . " We hear the old jokes , we listen to the old stories again , the rippling echoes of silvery voices , the sunny laughter of the bold and the fair . Alas 1 Time , in its solemn march , has scattered them far
and wide ; some very far away , and of some , alas ! their place on earth knoweth them no more . And we who survive still , amid life's onward path , can only recall with a sigh days and friends never to return . Such thoughts are good for us all , and let us not deem them misplaced or intrusive . Like wise councillors , they lift us out of ourselves ; they prevent us becoming too
purely material ; they surround the happy associations of the present with something elevating and purifying , and they teach us that great lesson of " moderation " in all things here , which overlooks the mere passing hour and the gayest parap hernalia , yes , and the most innocent enjoyments ; and bids us remember ever that nothing here is lasting or perfect , and that Time must bring to us all , as it has to others , whom we greatly miss to-day , the
Ar00102
cessation of earthly interests , the finale of earthly fellowships , of the inevitable ending ol their long or short voyage of life .
* * We said that we should recur to Bro . C . L . MASON ' clear and able letter this week , in regard to the " benevolent capitation " question , and so we do . We think that Bro . MASON , Past Grand Treasurer for West Yorkshire , ( not the present ) , has put the whole question on a proper basis . It is
quite clear that , though it may be very well off-hand , to speak hastily of the provinces only paying about one-half of the amount returned by the Metropolitan brethren to the Fund of Benevolence , the returns from the provinces , even on a reduced scale , according to specific law , far exceed those of the metropolis . Hence , any change will press
on the provinces , really and truly , far more than on London ; inasmuch as the proportion of payment is now in excess , and would remain so . Bro . MASON ' S figures are very striking and salient . He brings out the facts very well , which deserve , as they will receive at the hands of our London brethren , who are by no means so unanimous on the point as
some seem to assume , thoughtful attention . Wc believe , on the contrary , that the general feeling of the metropolis is to " leave well alone , " and to reduce somewhat the grants , at any rate , above £ wo . The three points Bro . MASON presses upon us are : I . That from July ist , 1 SS 1 , to June 30 th , 1 SS 2 , the contributions to the Fund of Benevolence amounted to £ 740 6 6 s . 5 d ., of which
£ 2587 3 s . fid . were contributed b y Metropolitan lodges , at 4 s . capitationally ; and £ 4 8 94 3 s . ud . by Provincial lodges , at 2 s . capitat ' ronally ; £ 14 19 s . accrue as free gifts from the Colonies and foreign parts . Thus the amount paid by the Provincial lodges , on a half-scale , is nearly exactly double the amount paid by the Metropolitan lodges . 2 . The grants as
made to London and Provincial brethren , though we do not for many reasons lay very much store by the fact itself , were in the following proportion : 41 S 5 to London applicants , and 6020 to provincial applicants . Thus far the provinces have sent in nearl y double , and the payments amount to two thirds ; 3 rd , Bro . MASON points cut further that if town and country
paid alike , the provinces would send up nearly four times as much as London . It is unavoidable , that with the preponderance of Provincial brethren and lodges , applicants should be as about 11 to 7 . Though we may observe all such figures are at the best but approximate , and can only be taken with reserve . We are always sorry to see any such question
raised as between the Metropolis and the Provinces , as all English Freemasons are actuated by the same wish to further benevolence , and feel sure that our equlibrium can be assured as to our benevolent receipts
and expenditure , by keeping in mind that we are not merely to give because we have money in hand , but that we are to give with a due appreciation of need on the one hand , and a fitting realization of economic responsibility on the other .
* * BRO . J AMES STEVENS has written a very clear and effective loller on the other side of the question , and wc feel sure that his words will be duly weighed and thoughtfully perused . We congratulate the writers on the very business and careful tone of their communications .
* * WITH respect to the general question , we feel bound to observe that there are undoubtedly two sides to this , as to almost every subject of discussion ; and as we do not profess to speak dogmaticall y in what we have above said we freely admit that others may take a somewhat different view of this confessedly difficult question .
* * A SOMEWHAT curious commentary on recent discussions was afforded in the Lodge of Benevolence last Wednesday , when out of thirty-six cases twentyfour were Provincial and twelve Metropolitan . * * *
WE shall all be concerned to note the very serious misfortune which has occurred to our valued and distinguished Bro . Lord SVFVIELD , in the sad destruction of the greater part of Gtinton Hall b y fire . The sympathy of the Craft will go with him . Happily aimost all the valuable pictures and furniture were preserved , and there was no loss of life .
WE were very glad to notice at the Board of Benevolence on Wednesday that the words of caution addressed to it by its esteemed acting President Bro . J AMES BRETT , had their proper effect on ( he assembled brethren , and that the standard of grants was nrai-tlmllv nnri m ^^ i . u .. 1 _ , luwcreo
j 1 , wruu i-.. i r " J """ A-wany , witn good results . With a little perseverance in this inevitable and necessary course , the needful equilibrium will be brought about between the receipts and expenditure of the Board of Benevolence . As we have before observed in the Freemason , some of the grants have been far too high , and acted 1 solely as a direct encouragement to brethren for relief .
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Contents.
CONTENTS .
LEADERS 70 ( J Lodge of Benevolence 710 Entertainment at the Girls' & Hoys' Schools jio Consecration of the Stanford Lodge , No . 1947 , at Hove 710 Consecration of the Martvn Lodge . No .
1983 , at Southwold jn Consecration of the Arnold Lodge , No . 79 S 1 , at East Molesev 712 Presentation to liro . Terry 713
CORRESPONDENCEProvincial Preferment 714 Bro . Gallon's Motion 714 Provincial Brethren at Grand Lodge 714 A Sad Case of Sickness and Destitution 715
Reviews 7 ' s Masonic Notes and Queries 71 S Scotland T 3 REPORTS or MASONIC
MEETINCSCraft Masonry 7 ! 9 Royal Arch 71 " Instruction 719 Mark Masonry 719 Ancient and Accepted Rite 719 Red Cross of Constaivtine 719 The Theatres 720 Music 720
Science and Art 720 Masonic and General Tidings 721 Lodge Meetings for Next Week 722
Ar00101
BEFORE we again greet our many readers at home and abroad , Christmas Day will have passed over us all still in the land of the living , and we should fail in our bounden duty , as well as in our Masonic feelings , if we forbore to offer oursincere congratulations and kindly remembrances to all old and young friends at this genial and sacred season . Many as are the remarkable
characteristics of the Anglo-Saxon race , none perhaps are so striking or so laudable as the tenacity with which it clings , wherever it be , to the sympathies and associations of Christmas . In whatever clime we find ourselves , in India and in Egypt , in Northern regions and at the distant Antipodes , Christmastide comes before us ever , with pleasant strains and joyous outcome .
It may be that in its close connection with this great world in which we live , some of its surroundings and concomitants are too much of the " earth , earthy ; " but still , despite cynical censures and callous tendencies , we hold strongly that the annual recurrence of the Christmas season is a very good thing for us all alike , be we who we may .
It has been said that we altogether forget the religious in the secular side , and reproduce even in our epoch the merely material and sensuous accompaniments , of an old pagan festival . We , however , utterly deny this allegation . We live in an age of paradox , and this is one ol them . Christmas comes to us all to-day as a pleasant halt amid the
unevitable and unceasing round of business , toil , and worry . It is a time for family assemblies and friendly gatherings : a season when old and young can take sweet counsel together , and find huge consolation in each other ' s fellowship for a few short hours ; a period when the heart of charity is moved , and the strings of counties ; , fuller purses are unloosed for many poor suffering
mortals here . Christmas is a very needful resting place for us year by year on the often rough journey of life , when we count the mile stones and note how many we have left behind . It is good for the old , it is as good for the young . All of us , more or less , look forward to Christmas as a hap py and joyous holiday , and never forgetting its religious message , let us all hope and trust that such may still continue to be our dominant feeling as a people and a race from generation to generation . And therefore to-day , once again , Publisher and Editor beg to offer to many kindly and indulgent most wisnes ior
readers in all quarters ot the world tneir nearty gooa memselves and theirs , and their truest aspirations that the coming Christmas may indeed be a happy one to them , one and all , in all their family circles , in all their domestic aggregations , and in all their various lots and
responsibilities of life . * * There is one thought connected with Christmas we should , however , never leave out of sight or out of mind , namely , that which seems to hallow with its tender memories the scenes and friends of the past . Few of us there are
who do not miss some smiling face , some warm , true heart , from our little family array ; and many are the tender reminiscences of " auld lang syne " which such a season must always conjure up for the thoughtful and the loyal . To-day our memory rushes back , with almost electric speed . to other gatherings and other <> -ay assemblies . The girls and boys who used to muster so
happily and so cheerily , where are they ? Time , as if with an enchanter s wand , seems to repeople our dreary bit of moorland to-day with graceful fairy " forms , and beaming faces . " We hear the old jokes , we listen to the old stories again , the rippling echoes of silvery voices , the sunny laughter of the bold and the fair . Alas 1 Time , in its solemn march , has scattered them far
and wide ; some very far away , and of some , alas ! their place on earth knoweth them no more . And we who survive still , amid life's onward path , can only recall with a sigh days and friends never to return . Such thoughts are good for us all , and let us not deem them misplaced or intrusive . Like wise councillors , they lift us out of ourselves ; they prevent us becoming too
purely material ; they surround the happy associations of the present with something elevating and purifying , and they teach us that great lesson of " moderation " in all things here , which overlooks the mere passing hour and the gayest parap hernalia , yes , and the most innocent enjoyments ; and bids us remember ever that nothing here is lasting or perfect , and that Time must bring to us all , as it has to others , whom we greatly miss to-day , the
Ar00102
cessation of earthly interests , the finale of earthly fellowships , of the inevitable ending ol their long or short voyage of life .
* * We said that we should recur to Bro . C . L . MASON ' clear and able letter this week , in regard to the " benevolent capitation " question , and so we do . We think that Bro . MASON , Past Grand Treasurer for West Yorkshire , ( not the present ) , has put the whole question on a proper basis . It is
quite clear that , though it may be very well off-hand , to speak hastily of the provinces only paying about one-half of the amount returned by the Metropolitan brethren to the Fund of Benevolence , the returns from the provinces , even on a reduced scale , according to specific law , far exceed those of the metropolis . Hence , any change will press
on the provinces , really and truly , far more than on London ; inasmuch as the proportion of payment is now in excess , and would remain so . Bro . MASON ' S figures are very striking and salient . He brings out the facts very well , which deserve , as they will receive at the hands of our London brethren , who are by no means so unanimous on the point as
some seem to assume , thoughtful attention . Wc believe , on the contrary , that the general feeling of the metropolis is to " leave well alone , " and to reduce somewhat the grants , at any rate , above £ wo . The three points Bro . MASON presses upon us are : I . That from July ist , 1 SS 1 , to June 30 th , 1 SS 2 , the contributions to the Fund of Benevolence amounted to £ 740 6 6 s . 5 d ., of which
£ 2587 3 s . fid . were contributed b y Metropolitan lodges , at 4 s . capitationally ; and £ 4 8 94 3 s . ud . by Provincial lodges , at 2 s . capitat ' ronally ; £ 14 19 s . accrue as free gifts from the Colonies and foreign parts . Thus the amount paid by the Provincial lodges , on a half-scale , is nearly exactly double the amount paid by the Metropolitan lodges . 2 . The grants as
made to London and Provincial brethren , though we do not for many reasons lay very much store by the fact itself , were in the following proportion : 41 S 5 to London applicants , and 6020 to provincial applicants . Thus far the provinces have sent in nearl y double , and the payments amount to two thirds ; 3 rd , Bro . MASON points cut further that if town and country
paid alike , the provinces would send up nearly four times as much as London . It is unavoidable , that with the preponderance of Provincial brethren and lodges , applicants should be as about 11 to 7 . Though we may observe all such figures are at the best but approximate , and can only be taken with reserve . We are always sorry to see any such question
raised as between the Metropolis and the Provinces , as all English Freemasons are actuated by the same wish to further benevolence , and feel sure that our equlibrium can be assured as to our benevolent receipts
and expenditure , by keeping in mind that we are not merely to give because we have money in hand , but that we are to give with a due appreciation of need on the one hand , and a fitting realization of economic responsibility on the other .
* * BRO . J AMES STEVENS has written a very clear and effective loller on the other side of the question , and wc feel sure that his words will be duly weighed and thoughtfully perused . We congratulate the writers on the very business and careful tone of their communications .
* * WITH respect to the general question , we feel bound to observe that there are undoubtedly two sides to this , as to almost every subject of discussion ; and as we do not profess to speak dogmaticall y in what we have above said we freely admit that others may take a somewhat different view of this confessedly difficult question .
* * A SOMEWHAT curious commentary on recent discussions was afforded in the Lodge of Benevolence last Wednesday , when out of thirty-six cases twentyfour were Provincial and twelve Metropolitan . * * *
WE shall all be concerned to note the very serious misfortune which has occurred to our valued and distinguished Bro . Lord SVFVIELD , in the sad destruction of the greater part of Gtinton Hall b y fire . The sympathy of the Craft will go with him . Happily aimost all the valuable pictures and furniture were preserved , and there was no loss of life .
WE were very glad to notice at the Board of Benevolence on Wednesday that the words of caution addressed to it by its esteemed acting President Bro . J AMES BRETT , had their proper effect on ( he assembled brethren , and that the standard of grants was nrai-tlmllv nnri m ^^ i . u .. 1 _ , luwcreo
j 1 , wruu i-.. i r " J """ A-wany , witn good results . With a little perseverance in this inevitable and necessary course , the needful equilibrium will be brought about between the receipts and expenditure of the Board of Benevolence . As we have before observed in the Freemason , some of the grants have been far too high , and acted 1 solely as a direct encouragement to brethren for relief .