Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Contents.
CONTENTS .
LEADERS £ 8 ; The Hughan Testimonial 588 Consecration of the Chiswick Lodge , No . 20 H 588 Provincial Grand I . odge of Wiltshire 590 Provincial Grand Mark Lodge of North and Fast Yorkshire < ao
The Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution ( Continued ) £ 91 CORRESPONDENTSStatus of Past Masters S 93 Immediate Past Masters—Balloting for Candidates—A Query $ 93 Thc Ancient and Primitive Rite of Memphis and Mizraim ... 593 The " Cosmo" S 93
Reviews £ 93 Notes and Queries S 93 I . odge of Benevolence 593 The Progress of Mark Masonry in North Wales S 93 Consecration and Dedication of a New Masonic Hall at Marlborough , Wilts J 94
REPORTS OF MASONIC MEETINGSCraft Masonry 594 Instruction 59 8 Royal Arch S 99 Mark Masonry J 99 Royal Ark Mariners 599 Rosicrucian Society 599 The Theatres 599 Masonic and General Tidings 600 Lodge Meetings for Next Week ... Pages Cover .
Ar00101
A VERY successful gathering took place at Chiswick on Friday last week , when the new Chiswick Lodge , No . 2012 , whose first W . M . is Bro . GEORGE EVERETT , P . M ., was consecrated by our Grand Secretary , Bro . Colonel SHADWELL H . CLERKE , with his wonted efficiency , ability , and urbanity .
The day ' s proceedings , which went off without a hitch , left a most pleasureable remembrance on the minds of visitors and members alike , and we feel sure , from what we noticed at Chiswick , that this new lodge is likely to be a thoroughly good working lodge , and to reflect equal honour on its founders and consecrators .
# * # AMONG the numerous lodge gatherings of last week we think it ri ght to call special attention to the short account elsewhere of the installation meeting of the Sphinx Lodge . That " well-conditioned" lodge is marked by three great features , —most admirable working , most genial hospitality , and
continuous support of the Charities . No doubt in these respects many other lodges in our good Craft , alike in town and country , are equally conspicuous , and some among the younger lodges , like the Earl of Carnarvon , the Aldersgate , & c , in respect of charity , deserve always especial praise . The "Sphinx" habitually sends to the three Charities annually about /* 45
amongst them , and we need hardly say that if every lodge and chapter habitually did the same , we might even dispense with our annual festivals . But this subject would land us far from our immediate object , and we will , therefore , only further say , that still gratefully remembering the work , the hospitality , and the habitual kindly gifts of the Sphinx Lodge to the
Charities , we would urge upon all and every body of English Freemasons which still needs the reminder and the stimulus , to " go and do likewise . " Under the presidency of its very able W . M ., Bro . A . MIDDLEMASS , P . M ., the Sphinx Lodge is pretty certain to uphold its " prestige , " and probably add to its popularity .
# * # WE hope that we are well informed when we are told that there is a great probability of the Building Committee asking the permission of Grand Lodge to withdraw its first report , and proposing to present a second report at a Special Grand Lodge ( with the sanction of His ROYAL HIGHNESS the
GRAND MASTER ) simply on the lines of reconstructing the hall with theamount of the Insurance . Nothing is wiser in principle or more graceful in feeling than for a Committee , be it what it may , when a slight mistake in judgment is shewn by universal disapproval , than at once to withdraw , whether it be an untenable proposition or an unwelcome report . There is nothing so foolish or
perverse as the obstinacy of " red tape , " the argument that you have made a blunder , and that you cannot go back , and therefore you must adhere to it at any cost , however much it may annoy and anger others 1 Our rulers are not likely to fall in with such shortsighted weakness , such un-Masonic feelings . We believe we are expressing the unanimous feeling of the great
majority of town and country Freemasons when we say that the report of the Building Committee , is in their opinion inadequate , unsatisfactory , incomplete , and fundamentally unsound , and that it is impossible io carry it to Grand Lodge . Curiously enough we have never yet heard a word said in its favour or support , If even the Craft were prepared ( which we
apprehend it is not ) to make great sacrifices of its funds , it is not likely that it Would consent to do so for others and not lor the fraternity . Independently of the financial proposals which to our mind are both extravagant in themselves and absolutely impossible for men of business to accept , the further question has arisen , Have we any right to decide the question of " locale , "
and settle it for two generations , and practically put it out of the power of Grand Lodge hereafter for 50 years , however obvious the need or pressing the necessity , to reconsider the point of the best site for Freemasons' Hall ? Six years hence , when BACON ' S lease has run out , things may have greatly altered , and we may see clearer on
the point than we do or can do now . The Grand Lodge six years hence may decide to stay on the old historic spot , or it may wish to " make 'racks , " and it has the right to do so , and its liberty of action and judgement ought to be safeguarded by us carefully and deliberate ! }' . We have no warrant in legislating thus decisively and irrevocably for our successors . They are as capable as we are of legislating for themselves , and , there-
Ar00102
fore , we believe that in December the Grand Lodge , while it will hail with acclamation the withdrawal of an impossible report , and approve the suggestion we have sketched out above , will itself " proprio motu "
terminate the discussion , by insisting on the simple reconstruction of Freemasons' Hall , and the surrender of any graver scheme of serious expenditure or financial "largesse , " especially for our own property and to our own lessees .
# * # BRO . J AMES TERRY at the Strand Lodge on Saturday mentioned the fact that tli'e number of Stewards for the annual festival of the Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution was as yet far below the usual figure , and we feel therefore bound to call attention in the Freemason to the very pressing
claims on us all of that excellent , wc may fairly say invaluable , Institution which he so ably represents . We all know how well managed it is and what positive good it really does , and we feel sure that our many readers will excuse us if we say that as regards especially sending in the names of Stewards "bis dat sui dat cito . " The straightforward forwarding of the names of
willing Stewards as soon as may be saves an enormous amount of trouble and correspondence in the office and is by all the Secretaries gratefully acknowledged and warmly appreciated . Had Bro . BINCKES or Bro . HEDGES been present they might probably have replied to Bro . TERRY ' S ingenious and humourous suggestion that without the " old people " the Schools would
not be needed at all , and that therefore , ( admirable , most admirable is the TERRYAN climax ) , the " old people" had the first claim . Bro . BINCKES would probably have had an equally effective answer and explanation ready to hand . But without joining in the deeply metaphysical and other grave questions involved in so abstruse and philosophic a speculation on the part of
our worthy Bro . J AMES TERRY , we will say this . We trust that the friends of " our old people" will not forget how many are the candidates , how urgent the needs , the Royal Masonic Benevolent seeks to aid and cheer . Bro . TERR - has no " double votes " to offer to his numerous supporters and , kind patrons , but he has the inherent excellency of this cause and the abiding
pressure of "old age and infirmity" to urge on behalf of that noble Charity he so energetically serves . At the approach of our winter season our thoughts naturally revert to old friends and old age , and the feeling that any old brother Masons whom we once knew and sat by happily and genially in
lodge , or their widows , are wanting sometimes the very necessaries of life , must " dispose our heart to relieve their distresses and succour their necessities" in fraternal good will and truehearted Masonic sympathy . We shall all hope that when we next hear Bro . TERRY speak on the subject we may listen to a more cheering and satisfaciory report .
# ' # IT IS , we understand , quite certain now that three candidates , perhaps four , will be presented to Grand Lodge in March for the office of Grand Treasurer . In this " embarras des richesses , " the " wisdom of Grand Lodge , " so often appealed to , will probably extricate us from this
" multitude of counsellors' and the " impatience for the purple , " of which some Masonic speakers complain . We wish to see the " right man in the right place ; " but not to put " the round men into the square holes , and the square men into the round holes . " So we await the ultimate decision of Grand Lodge in fortitude and faith .
# # WE understand , and the subject will be of much gratification to many old friends and admirers , that Bro . J HAVERS , P . G . W ., hopes to take a more active part in Grand Lodge business than he has been able to do of
late years , and by his presence and advice there aid in the discussion of our " agenda papers " and the satisfactory settlement of several important and pressing questions . Bro . HAVERS , as some may know , has just returned to England after a short visit to the United States .
* # » IT IS said , we hope without any foundation in fact , that the success of the double votes in the Boys' School for 1883 will probably affect the receipts of the Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution and those of the Girls' School for 1884 . We trust sincerely that this will not be so , though nothing is so
" successful as success , " and , though from the first ' we have never denied the abstract right of the Boys' School Committee to have recourse to thc " double votes " for a specific purpose , yet we have always felt , because we seemed to foresee it , that the success of the double votes might impair the prosperity of the single . Some remarks of ours in this respect , on a former occasion , have
been misunderstood . When we recommneded the energetic SECRETARIES of the Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution and the Girls' School to " follow suit , " and "strike " in with Bro . BINCKES' bold " lead , " we had heard numerous reports of the possible want of want of funds for building purposes , in
consequence of the requisitions of rail way companies for thesites ofthe respective , buildings . But we never contemplated "double votes "as a normal procedure , as every one can easily see , that four votes are preferable to two , and must 'draw " thefunds , especially of lodges andbodies . History alwaysrepeats itself ,
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Contents.
CONTENTS .
LEADERS £ 8 ; The Hughan Testimonial 588 Consecration of the Chiswick Lodge , No . 20 H 588 Provincial Grand I . odge of Wiltshire 590 Provincial Grand Mark Lodge of North and Fast Yorkshire < ao
The Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution ( Continued ) £ 91 CORRESPONDENTSStatus of Past Masters S 93 Immediate Past Masters—Balloting for Candidates—A Query $ 93 Thc Ancient and Primitive Rite of Memphis and Mizraim ... 593 The " Cosmo" S 93
Reviews £ 93 Notes and Queries S 93 I . odge of Benevolence 593 The Progress of Mark Masonry in North Wales S 93 Consecration and Dedication of a New Masonic Hall at Marlborough , Wilts J 94
REPORTS OF MASONIC MEETINGSCraft Masonry 594 Instruction 59 8 Royal Arch S 99 Mark Masonry J 99 Royal Ark Mariners 599 Rosicrucian Society 599 The Theatres 599 Masonic and General Tidings 600 Lodge Meetings for Next Week ... Pages Cover .
Ar00101
A VERY successful gathering took place at Chiswick on Friday last week , when the new Chiswick Lodge , No . 2012 , whose first W . M . is Bro . GEORGE EVERETT , P . M ., was consecrated by our Grand Secretary , Bro . Colonel SHADWELL H . CLERKE , with his wonted efficiency , ability , and urbanity .
The day ' s proceedings , which went off without a hitch , left a most pleasureable remembrance on the minds of visitors and members alike , and we feel sure , from what we noticed at Chiswick , that this new lodge is likely to be a thoroughly good working lodge , and to reflect equal honour on its founders and consecrators .
# * # AMONG the numerous lodge gatherings of last week we think it ri ght to call special attention to the short account elsewhere of the installation meeting of the Sphinx Lodge . That " well-conditioned" lodge is marked by three great features , —most admirable working , most genial hospitality , and
continuous support of the Charities . No doubt in these respects many other lodges in our good Craft , alike in town and country , are equally conspicuous , and some among the younger lodges , like the Earl of Carnarvon , the Aldersgate , & c , in respect of charity , deserve always especial praise . The "Sphinx" habitually sends to the three Charities annually about /* 45
amongst them , and we need hardly say that if every lodge and chapter habitually did the same , we might even dispense with our annual festivals . But this subject would land us far from our immediate object , and we will , therefore , only further say , that still gratefully remembering the work , the hospitality , and the habitual kindly gifts of the Sphinx Lodge to the
Charities , we would urge upon all and every body of English Freemasons which still needs the reminder and the stimulus , to " go and do likewise . " Under the presidency of its very able W . M ., Bro . A . MIDDLEMASS , P . M ., the Sphinx Lodge is pretty certain to uphold its " prestige , " and probably add to its popularity .
# * # WE hope that we are well informed when we are told that there is a great probability of the Building Committee asking the permission of Grand Lodge to withdraw its first report , and proposing to present a second report at a Special Grand Lodge ( with the sanction of His ROYAL HIGHNESS the
GRAND MASTER ) simply on the lines of reconstructing the hall with theamount of the Insurance . Nothing is wiser in principle or more graceful in feeling than for a Committee , be it what it may , when a slight mistake in judgment is shewn by universal disapproval , than at once to withdraw , whether it be an untenable proposition or an unwelcome report . There is nothing so foolish or
perverse as the obstinacy of " red tape , " the argument that you have made a blunder , and that you cannot go back , and therefore you must adhere to it at any cost , however much it may annoy and anger others 1 Our rulers are not likely to fall in with such shortsighted weakness , such un-Masonic feelings . We believe we are expressing the unanimous feeling of the great
majority of town and country Freemasons when we say that the report of the Building Committee , is in their opinion inadequate , unsatisfactory , incomplete , and fundamentally unsound , and that it is impossible io carry it to Grand Lodge . Curiously enough we have never yet heard a word said in its favour or support , If even the Craft were prepared ( which we
apprehend it is not ) to make great sacrifices of its funds , it is not likely that it Would consent to do so for others and not lor the fraternity . Independently of the financial proposals which to our mind are both extravagant in themselves and absolutely impossible for men of business to accept , the further question has arisen , Have we any right to decide the question of " locale , "
and settle it for two generations , and practically put it out of the power of Grand Lodge hereafter for 50 years , however obvious the need or pressing the necessity , to reconsider the point of the best site for Freemasons' Hall ? Six years hence , when BACON ' S lease has run out , things may have greatly altered , and we may see clearer on
the point than we do or can do now . The Grand Lodge six years hence may decide to stay on the old historic spot , or it may wish to " make 'racks , " and it has the right to do so , and its liberty of action and judgement ought to be safeguarded by us carefully and deliberate ! }' . We have no warrant in legislating thus decisively and irrevocably for our successors . They are as capable as we are of legislating for themselves , and , there-
Ar00102
fore , we believe that in December the Grand Lodge , while it will hail with acclamation the withdrawal of an impossible report , and approve the suggestion we have sketched out above , will itself " proprio motu "
terminate the discussion , by insisting on the simple reconstruction of Freemasons' Hall , and the surrender of any graver scheme of serious expenditure or financial "largesse , " especially for our own property and to our own lessees .
# * # BRO . J AMES TERRY at the Strand Lodge on Saturday mentioned the fact that tli'e number of Stewards for the annual festival of the Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution was as yet far below the usual figure , and we feel therefore bound to call attention in the Freemason to the very pressing
claims on us all of that excellent , wc may fairly say invaluable , Institution which he so ably represents . We all know how well managed it is and what positive good it really does , and we feel sure that our many readers will excuse us if we say that as regards especially sending in the names of Stewards "bis dat sui dat cito . " The straightforward forwarding of the names of
willing Stewards as soon as may be saves an enormous amount of trouble and correspondence in the office and is by all the Secretaries gratefully acknowledged and warmly appreciated . Had Bro . BINCKES or Bro . HEDGES been present they might probably have replied to Bro . TERRY ' S ingenious and humourous suggestion that without the " old people " the Schools would
not be needed at all , and that therefore , ( admirable , most admirable is the TERRYAN climax ) , the " old people" had the first claim . Bro . BINCKES would probably have had an equally effective answer and explanation ready to hand . But without joining in the deeply metaphysical and other grave questions involved in so abstruse and philosophic a speculation on the part of
our worthy Bro . J AMES TERRY , we will say this . We trust that the friends of " our old people" will not forget how many are the candidates , how urgent the needs , the Royal Masonic Benevolent seeks to aid and cheer . Bro . TERR - has no " double votes " to offer to his numerous supporters and , kind patrons , but he has the inherent excellency of this cause and the abiding
pressure of "old age and infirmity" to urge on behalf of that noble Charity he so energetically serves . At the approach of our winter season our thoughts naturally revert to old friends and old age , and the feeling that any old brother Masons whom we once knew and sat by happily and genially in
lodge , or their widows , are wanting sometimes the very necessaries of life , must " dispose our heart to relieve their distresses and succour their necessities" in fraternal good will and truehearted Masonic sympathy . We shall all hope that when we next hear Bro . TERRY speak on the subject we may listen to a more cheering and satisfaciory report .
# ' # IT IS , we understand , quite certain now that three candidates , perhaps four , will be presented to Grand Lodge in March for the office of Grand Treasurer . In this " embarras des richesses , " the " wisdom of Grand Lodge , " so often appealed to , will probably extricate us from this
" multitude of counsellors' and the " impatience for the purple , " of which some Masonic speakers complain . We wish to see the " right man in the right place ; " but not to put " the round men into the square holes , and the square men into the round holes . " So we await the ultimate decision of Grand Lodge in fortitude and faith .
# # WE understand , and the subject will be of much gratification to many old friends and admirers , that Bro . J HAVERS , P . G . W ., hopes to take a more active part in Grand Lodge business than he has been able to do of
late years , and by his presence and advice there aid in the discussion of our " agenda papers " and the satisfactory settlement of several important and pressing questions . Bro . HAVERS , as some may know , has just returned to England after a short visit to the United States .
* # » IT IS said , we hope without any foundation in fact , that the success of the double votes in the Boys' School for 1883 will probably affect the receipts of the Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution and those of the Girls' School for 1884 . We trust sincerely that this will not be so , though nothing is so
" successful as success , " and , though from the first ' we have never denied the abstract right of the Boys' School Committee to have recourse to thc " double votes " for a specific purpose , yet we have always felt , because we seemed to foresee it , that the success of the double votes might impair the prosperity of the single . Some remarks of ours in this respect , on a former occasion , have
been misunderstood . When we recommneded the energetic SECRETARIES of the Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution and the Girls' School to " follow suit , " and "strike " in with Bro . BINCKES' bold " lead , " we had heard numerous reports of the possible want of want of funds for building purposes , in
consequence of the requisitions of rail way companies for thesites ofthe respective , buildings . But we never contemplated "double votes "as a normal procedure , as every one can easily see , that four votes are preferable to two , and must 'draw " thefunds , especially of lodges andbodies . History alwaysrepeats itself ,