Masonic Notes.

Passmore Edwards , whose munificence is most gratefully acknowledged throughout the county . A report of the proceedings will be found in another part of our columns . * * # We are glad to be in a position to announce that the two ladies who ( inured in the London section of the

Board of Stewards at the recent Festival of the Royal Masonic Institution for Girls—Miss Cumberland and Mrs . James Stephens—have each of them increased lheir lists by io guineas . Miss Cumberland was Unattached , and now bas to her credit the sum of . £ 5 2 ios .. while Mrs . James Stephens represented the Lodi _; e 0 !

Fellowship , No . 2535 , w ' nicn was consecrated at the Restaurant Frascati in December last , and her list now reaches the large sum of . £ 315 , inclusive of her own personal donation of ^ 52 ios . This is the third time that Mrs . Stephens has acted as a Steward , and taken

up a Return exceeding , £ 300 . lt speaks well for her energy and the kindly consideration she entertains for our Masonic Institutions , and we can only hope that she may have further opportunities of rendering similar services of equal or even greater value .

We have already announced that the Annual Athletic Sports of the Royal Masonic Institution for Boys will be held at Kempton Park on Saturday , the Sth June . The arrangements are in charge of a Sports Committee , of which Bro . George Everett , Past G . Treasurer , is Chairman , and Bro . J . M . McLeod , the

Secretary , and the Rev . H . A . Hebb , the Head Master , are members . The boys and the Board of Management , with their friends , will be conveyed by special train , leaving Wood Green Station ( G . N . R . ) at 11 . 10 a . m ., and arriving at Kempton Park at 12 . 45 p . m ., and will leave the latter on their return home at 7 . 30 p . m .

A special train for the conveyance of friends and visitors will leave Waterloo ( North ) Station , No . S Platform , at 12 . 45 p . m ., and , calling at Vauxhall Clapham Junction , and Richmond , will arrive at Kempton Park Station at 1 . 25 ; returning from the latter at 9 p . m . Messrs . Bertram and Co . will provide

dinner for visitors , at 3 s . 6 d . each person ; tea at is . ; and light refreshments , & c . The sports will commence at 2 . 30 p . m ., and the proceedings will be enlivened by the Band ( 35 strong ) of the T . Division of thc Metropolitan Police . To add to the pleasure of those present

there will be dancing in the Pavilion at 6 . 30 p . m . Tickets admitting bearer and friends may be obtained on application to the members of thc Sports Committee , or to the Secretary of the Institution at the offices , 6 , Freemasons' Hall , W . C .

It will have been seen from our " Note " of last week that the approaching Festival of the Royal Masonic Institution for Boys will be held at the Royal Pavilion , Brighton , on Wednesday , the 3 rd July , this being the third year in succession in which this important anniversary has been held in this favourite pleasure-resort . It has , however , been arranged that

the banquet shall commence somewhat later than on former years , that is to say , at 5 . 30 p . m . instead of at 4 p . m . This will afford thc Stewards and other ladies and brethren who . may attend the gathering thc opportunity of enjoying a few hours in the town or on the pbrs and promenades with which Brighton is so amply furnished . # # #

We shall be only too delighted to assist in any scheme for promoting the interests of Freemasonry , and rendering it still more serviceable to the general community than it is at the present moment . But the suggestion whicli Bro . James E . Carver threw out in his letter a fortnight since , that wc should take upon ourselves

lo act as Secretary pro tern ofthe "Forward Lodge " or Committee , which lie proposes should be formed is out of the question , for the single , but very important , reason that the time at our disposal does not admit of our accepting such a responsible post . We shall , however , be pleased tu place in communication with Bro . Carver any brethren who may be desirous of furthering the purpose he bas at heart .

As regards the suggestion that Bro . J . Wardley was kind L-IIOUI _; II to make in our issue of the 11 th inst ., that a corner of the Freemason should be devoted to the publication of particulars about proved " Masonic Vagrants , " it is undoubtedly well worth considering . But before committing ourselves to a distinct promise , we should like to bear more about

tbe scheme which sundry Provinces seem inclined to adopt with a view tu repressing , as far as possible , the admitted nui' -mce of " Masonic Vagrancy . " We have already . l . ov . 'n , in our article of the . - | i ) lli March last , that we are picpaied to support , as fara , it lies in our power , any well-Ueviscd plan fur the accomplishment of this object .

Correspondence.

Correspondence .

SACKVILLE LODGE , No . 1619 . To the Editor of the "Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , I see in last week ' s Freemason you have an account ot meeting of Sackville lodge , 1619 , on the 7 th inst . Your correspondent pretty accurately describes what took place , in regard to proposed

Masonic Hall . Now that this subject has been ventilated in your columns , I may , without revealing secrets strictly belonging to Sackville Lodge , give you so far as I know thc origin of the movement for building a Masonic Hall . Some three years since my I . P . M ., who held thc office of W . M . for two successive years , promised the brethren that he would give a

piece of land and £ 500 for a Masonic Temple . Causes operated , which I will not enter into here , which caused a delay , and when I took office in September last , I found that no steps had been taken even for the land to be transferred , I had an interview with I . P . M ., Bro . Budd Budd , who has certainly been a very liberal brother indeed , and is , I believe , liberal in his

support of the Chanties , and from what he said I gathered that for the present his very generous offers must remain in abeyance . I then suggested that the brethren should subscribe a sufficient sum to enable them to build , and that the balance could be raised by bonds . He then said be would give a cheque for - £ 100 and the land , if the rest could be raised

Approved plans have been submitted for a building to cost about . £ 600 , and we intended building in January , but Bro . Budd Budd objects to the building being in debt , hence the delay . Bro . Canon Cooper is very sanguine that if our difficulty is known it will be removed by the liberality of the Craft generally . He as well as myself and Past Masters , officers , and

brethren of the lodge would very much like to see the Temple an accomplished fact . I have no doubt every true Mason would rather meet and do the work of the lodge in a building dedicated for that purpose . But , for myself individually , I must own to a certain amount of diffidence in appealing outside our own lodge for this building , as , although it is for the good

of the Craft in general , it is for the benefit of Sackville in particular . I should be sorry if this letter prevents any liberal brother responding to any appeal Bro . Canon Cooper may make to them individually . Sackville Lodge owes him a debt of gratitude for the interest he has taken in the matter . He has the interest of the lodge at heart 1 know , and would like to see

Freemasonry in East Grinstead extend its influence for good . I have , I fear , trespassed on your space . If ycu will kindly insert this in your next I shall esteem it a favour . —Fraternally yours , D . WOOD , W . M . 1619 . Westfield , May 22 nd . P . S . —I may say . £ 250 has already been subscribed .

GRAND LODGE CERTIFICATES . To the Editor of the " Freemason " Dear Sir and Brother , In reply to the inquiry of Bro . James Kaye , P . M . 275 , speaking as a P . M . of many years regular Masonic working , 1 should most certainly hold that the production of the Grand Lodge certificate is quite

indispensable when visiting a lodge for the first time without a personal introduction by one or more of the subscribing brethren of the lodge who can vouch for the brother , presenting himself , as a visitor . We are most of us aware that unfortunately many little mistakes are made through a feeling of kindness or want of discipline on the part of the officers . In years

gone by whenever a visiting brother presented himself in the ante-room , we always met him kindly , but the first question put to the brother , and always by a P . M ., was , "Have you your certificateV" this being produced , the brother was taken into the retiring room for Past Masters , examined as to his knowledge of the Three Degrees , requested to sign his name , the

signature was then compared with the signature on the margin of the certificate , and an obligation administered solemnly stating that the brother was the writer of thc signature on certificate . It bas fallen to my lot many many times to test visiting brethren by this rule , and I can with great pleasure say I never bad a single objection to the giving

of proofs to the best of their ability and to our entire satisfaction . It was our custom to address a short admonition to each M . M . when presenting him with his certificate , and impressing him with the importance of producing his certificate before asking admission as a visitor . Some years ago I had the misfortune to

have my portmanteau stolen ; it contained my dress suit and other personal requirements , one Masonic apron , a Past Master's jewel , and my certificate . The person , or persons , who stole the portmanteau were kind enough to return my Grand Lodge certificate , for which I have ever felt very grateful . Apologising for trosbling you . —Yours faithfully and fraternally , PAST P . J . G . W ., P . P . G . Sec . May Sth .

IT is ANNOUNCED that the Duke and Duchess of York will visit Darlington during the Royal Agricultural Society ' s Show there next month . 'They are expected to arrive in the town on Tues-day , thc z .-lth June , when they will receive an address of welcome from the Corporation . They will then prccetd to Raby Castle , where they will remain as the guest of Bio . Lord Barnard . The following day they will attend the Show , and on thc 27 th will visit Barnard Castle .

Reviews

REVIEWS

"WEST L ANCASHIRE MASONIC CALENDAR , compiled by VV . Bro . VV . Goodacre , Past Grand Sword Bearer , Provincial Grand Secretary , Churchlea , Wigan , 1 S 95-96 . Wigan : Walls and Sons , & c , Wallgate . "—This isa very valuable and interesting compilation , carefully edited by the zealous Prov . G . Sec , Bro . William Goodacre .

The labour to compile the numerous particulars must have been considerable , the book being just such another for size and style as the 32 nd edition of the Constitutions . There arc in lodges in West Lancashire , it and the adjoining Province of East Lancashire making the largest two provinces in England , there being considerably over 200 lodges in the county . There are 46 Royal Arch

chapters in the same Province , the whole of the 157 organisa . tions having their days of meeting throughout the 12 months duly noted in the calendar , Installations being also stated . The calendar runs from April , 1 S 95 , to March 1 S 96 . The report by the Prov . Grand Secretary , presented at Lancaster 19 th September last , is printed , by which we see that 647 candidates were initiated during the year , the

roll of members numbering 7261 , being an average of over 65 to each lodge , or nearly double that of some Provinces . The report of the local Charity Funds is very favourable , 212 children are on the Educational Institution , the annuitants number 30 on the " Alpass" Memorial Fund , and that of the " Hamer" is also doing well , two of these grand societies having incomes of nearly £ 2000 each . As

Bro . Goodacre says most truly , with all this gratifying activity locally , the Central Masonic Charities have been well supported , £ 2500 being contributed to the Royal Masonic Institution for Girls in 1 S 94 , and substantial aid besides . A remarkable record . The officers of the Prov . Grand Lodge and Prov . Grand Chapter are given from

1826 and 1 S 6 7 respectively , as well as the officers , Past Masters , dates of warrants of the lodges , & c , and par . ticulars of the chapters . Besides these , iS Mark lodges , seven Knights Templar preceptories , and three Rose Croix chapters are duly attended to . Undoubtedly Bro . Goodacre makes an excellent Editor , and the Calendar is a most welcome annual .

"VOICE OK MASONRY . " John W . Brown , Editor and Publisher , Chicago , 111 . —The April and May numbers pi this well-known American Masonic monthly are full of interesting matter , the principal attraction being the further papers they contain by Bro . William E . Ginther , of Charleston , Illinois , in illustration of the question— ' * What : s Freemasonry ? " The April number also includes a most

sensible article on " Perpetual Jurisdiction , " by Bro . VV . W . Clarke , Ancient Craft Correspondent for Kentucky , in which that worthy brother utterly demolishes the sophistical arguments by which it is endeavoured in some of the American Grand Lodge jurisdictions to prove that a lodge which has rejected a candidate for Masonry acquires certain rights over him . As Bro . Clarke puts it , * ' by such

rejection an effectual bar is raised to any other lodge , at any place , in any manner , or any time however remote , ever acquiring jurisdiction of a rejected candidate , except alone by permission of the rejecting lodge , in which event the jurisdiction would be acquired not by right , but by grace . " Such a doctrine must seem ridiculous m the eyes of English brethren , but it is seriously maintained in some of the

States in North America . However , as we have said , Bro . Clarke demolishes it by a series of cogent reasonings , which are all the more effective , because they are calmly and dispassionately set forth . In the May number , there is an article headed , " Perpetual Objection , " which deals

with the same subject . Whether this is intended as a reply to Bro . Clarke ' s article or not we are unable to say , but in our opinion it fails to disturb his arguments . Both numbers contain a full store of " Masonic Gleanings , " which furnish much valuable statistical and other information about other Grand bodies in the States .

"MASONIC ADVOCATE . "—Martin H . Rice , Editor Indianapolis , Ind . —The May number includes an article by Bro . Daniel McDonald , P . G . M ., headed " Masonic Reminiscences , " and having especial reference to ' * Military Lodges" which were sanctioned during the great Civil War of 1861-63 . There is also a report of the proceedings of the 41 st annual conclave of the Grand

Commandery of Knights Templar of Indiana , which was held in Indianapolis on the 17 th April last . All the commanderies in the jurisdiction are said to have been represented , and there was a full attendance of Grand Officers , Present and Past . The new G . Commander is Sir Knight Walter M . Hoodman , while Sir Knight William II . Smythe remains at his post of Grand Recorder .

"THE FREEMASONS' REPOSITORY , " Henry VV . Rugs , Editor . E . L . Freeman and Son , Publishers , No . 3 i Westminster-street , Providence , R . I . —Many of the articles in the April number are quoted from other Masonic periodicals , hut those who are interested in the history of the Grand

Encampment of Knights Templar of the United States will find an interesting article on its Organisation fiom the pen of Sir Knight James H . Hopkins , which is intended as a reply to a former paper on the same subject hy Sir Knight Carson . There will also be found a modest budget of " Masonic News , " in which are noted the proceedings of various Grand Bodies .

"THE CANADIAN C RAFTSMAN , " published by 'he Canadian Craftsman Publishing Company of Toronto ( Limited ) , 7 S , Bay , Toronto . —Aput from its Masonic news , there will be found in the April number of this able monthlin the first lacea calmly written article on the

y , p , subject of the " Grand Lodge of ( Juebec v . England , u which we took occasion to refer in our " Notes " of last week , and in the next , a paper on " Freemasonry in tM Continental Army , " by Julius F . Sachse , which is w " worth reading .

"T HE FREEMASON , " Toronto , Canada . —We learn fro '" thc opening paragraph of the April number that our '" ' sake of Toronto last month entered upon the ' 5 ' year of its existence , and wc gladly avail ourselves of o