The Future Of Freemasonry In Ireland.

to the trunk of the tree , the branches which spring out of it , and derive their substance through it must die . If the foundation be removed the edifice must fall . But a branch may be lopped off , and the trunk will still live ; the cap-stone may be taken away , but the foundation

will remain intact . "So Symbolic Masonry , the Masonry of the lodge , is the trunk of the tree , the foundation of the whole Masonic edifice . The Masonry of the chapter or the council is but the branch which springs forth from the tree , and receives all its

nourishment from it . It is the capestone which finishes and ornaments the building that rests upon Symbolic Masonry . Hence there is an evident dependence of the hig her on the lower degrees , while the latter are wholly independent of , aod may exist without the former .

"Again , from the very organisation of the two institutions , a chapter is not recognisable as a Masonic body by a Symbolic lodge . A Master Mason knows , technically , nothing of a Royal Arch Mason . In the language of the Order ' he may hear him so to be , but he does not know him

so to be ' by any of the modes of recognition used in Masonry . ' We cannot conceive , ' says the Committee of Correspondence of the Grand Lodge of Texas , ' by what sort of legerdemain a lodge can take cognisance of the transactions of a chapter , an entirely independent body . ' But

chapters , on the other hand , are necessarily cognisant of the existence and the proceedings of lodges , for it is out of the lodges that the chapters are constructed . And if a Master Mason were expelled from the rights and

privileges of Masonry , and if this expulsion were not to be followed by a similar expulsion from the chapter , then all Master Masons who should meet the expelled Mason in the latter body would be violating the law by holding Masonic communication with him .

Lastly , under the present organisation of Masonry , Grand Lodges are the Supreme Masonic tribunals over all Master Masons , but exercise no jurisdiction over chapters , councils , or encampments . If , therefore , expulsion from either of these bodies involved expulsion from

the lodge , then the right of the Grand Lodge to hear and determine causes , and to regulate the internal concerns of the institution , would be interfered with by an authority outside of its organisation , and beyond its control . "The law may , therefore be explicitly stated in

these terms : —suspension or expulsion from a chapter , council , or encampment , does not involve a similar sentence from a Symbolic lodge . But suspension or expulsion from a lodge carries with it , ex necessitate , suspension or expulsion from every higher degree . "

I shall not occupy space by re-stating what has been so admirably put by our Bro . Mackey , but may mention that in the recently confirmed new laws of the Grand Royal Arch Chapter of Ireland , which came into operation on the ist of Jul ) ' last , the above principle has been adopted ,

and the former compact with the Templars , Prince Masons , & c , no longer exists . It will be well if Grand Lodge follows the example . It would I think 'be very desirable , if Grand Lodge would also adopt another rule recently

enacted in the Royal Arch Order , and would prohibit its subjects from wearing , at any meetings of surbordinate lodges , whether for labour or at refreshment , any apron , device , or decoration , other than those permitted to be worn in Grand Lodge .

By this means we would be assimilated on that subject with the English practice . Our memberswould not be so anxious to obtain "high degrees" for the purpose of gratifying the unmasonic vanity of flaunting their jewels in

the presence of those whom they profess to meet "on the level . " And other brethren would not be likely to be tempted to go to " a foreign jurisdiction" to obtain degrees , the insignia of which they would not be permitted to wear at any purely Masonic meeting .

In conclusion , let me express an earnest hope that when we meet next month , for our most important purpose , we shall have well considered and duly weighed the bearing of the various matters under discussion , that the good of Free-

The Future Of Freemasonry In Ireland.

masonry , pure and simple , will be our leading desire , that neither time-serving nor expediency will be suffered to interfere with principle , and that those who have the power , will exercise it well and wisely , for the general welfare of our Institution .

" May Prudence direct us , temperance chasten us , fortitude support us , and justice be the guide of all our actions . " So mote it be . J OSEPH H . WOODWORTH , P . M . Commercial Lodge No . 245 . Dublin , Oct . 12 , 1873 .

Provincial Grand Lodge Of Norfolk.

PROVINCIAL GRAND LODGE OF NORFOLK .

The annual Grand Lodge of the Freemasons of the province of Norfolk was held at Yarmouth , on Friday , the 10 th inst ., and the day being beautifully fine , there was a numerous attendance of brethren in full Masonic Craft

clothing , at the Hospital School , at half-past n . At high twelve the lodge was opened in due form by Bro . the Hon . F . Walpole , D . P . G . M . The lodge was in mourning in consequence of the death of the late Grand Master of all England , the Earl of Zetland . Among the

brethren of the province present , in addition to the Worshipful D . Prov . G . M ., Bro . F . Walpole , M . P . ; Bro . Major Penrice , S . W . ; Bro . G . W . F . Loftus , and Bro . A . M . F . Morgan , Secretary } there were Bros . G .. Brittain , H . J . Mason , J . Scott , R . Gunn , J . A . Gore , J . E . H . Watson ,

G . Kersey , T . Lord , F . Wright , R . J . Lord , G . Baxter , H . J . Martin , R . Kiddell , F . W . Lock , G . Green , C . T . Love , G . T . Furse , J . E . Bane , J . F . Boswell , F . Mills , P . Soman , A . Hanlon , G . B . Mickleburgh , J . H . Martin , G . Plumstead , A . T . Death , E . Beeston , W . Standley , C .

Palmer , J . H . Christopher , H . Howlett , W . G . Greenwood , H . S . Campling , H . A . Campling , R . Chadwick , G . S . Woodlark , E . Bostock , J . Hodges , F . Mills , H . Bly , D . R . Fowler , J . N . Palk , G . A . Ashlev , W . Barnard , T . White , G . W . Pretty , F . Da ' nbv Palmer , E . Barwell , J .

Hammond , J . W . Smith , C . Bonfellow , H . Brand , C . Chipperfield W . L . Palmer , J . G . Franklin , G . Harvey , C . Clarke , and others . The visiting brethren were numerous . Those from Suffolk included Bro . the Rev . C . J .

Martyn , Prov . G . Chap ., and there were also present : —Bros . W . A . Bowler , W . W . Walesby , T . C . Blanchflower , G . Fenn , J . F . Hills , J . S . Sterry , G . H . Cooper , S . Pike , and many others . The following are the appointments made by

the Deputy Grand Master : — Sir W . Bagge , Prov . G . S . W . R . Cates , Prov . G . J . W . J . R . Chadwick , Prov . G . Reg . Rev . T . White , Prov . G . Chap .

J . Barwell , Prov . G . Treas . A . M . F . Morgan , Prov . G . Sec . A . Hanlon , Prov . G . S . D . G . Plumstead , Prov . G . J . D .

G . O . Last , Prov . G . S . of W . H . J . Mason , Prov . G . D . of C . George Baxter , Prov . G . A . D . C . G . PJumstead , Prov . G . S . B . George Brittain , Prov . G . O .

John Franklin , Prov . G . Purst . R . Gunn , Prov . G . Tyler . T . H . Gaze , Prov . G . Steward . Rev . J . P . Deacon , „ „ „ T Parke j . iiiifcv ., „ „ „ S . like , ,, „ „

At half-past two o ' clock the brethren attended divine service at St . Nicholas Church . There was a large congregation . The sermon was preached by the Prov . G . Chaplain , Bro . the Rev . T . White , ALA ., in aid of the Yarmouth Hospital . The service was full cathedral . The

rev . brother selected as his text Proverbs , 111 . 6 , " In all thy ways acknowledge Him and He shall direct thy paths . " In commencing his sermon the rev . gentleman dilated upon the wisdom of Solomon , whom he characterised as

being one of the greatest Masters of Masonry , and , whose noble intellect had been tutored by the Almighty until it became the wonder of his own day and the admiration of succeeding ages . Of this divine wisdom and of all Solomon ' s morality , the foundation had been the maxim

Provincial Grand Lodge Of Norfolk.

embodied in the text . Among Freemasons the Book of Proverbs was highly valued , and he would not be revealing their secrets if he said their Order was founded upon the acknowled gment of God in all things , and that this was the starting point of all the ceremonies and the

keynote to all its ritual . He urged the brethren to practise what they professed , for without God human enterprise was futile and human philanthropy abortive . Experience and God ' s worth both proved that their efforts could onl y be crowned with success when they put their trust

in Him . Without this acknowledged dependence on infinite wisdom and love , it mattered not what designs were set on foot , they would meet with failure , but if they adopted this princi ple they would be , like wise builders , laying down a strong corner stone . The merest tyro in

Freemasonry knew that their ancient and honourable Order rested on the fullest acknowledgment of the sovereignty of God . He then referred to the universality of this belief , and dilated upon the connection which this belief in God had with the leading principles of

Freemasonry , and urged the brethren to divulge their mysteries only by truth , comparison , and religious devotion . They were assembled in a Christian church ; they had joined in solemn praise to Almighty God ; there was no antagonism between Christanity and their art ; the best Christians would make the best Masons .

Hecompared Freemasonry to a rainbow encircling the earth , beautiful even to those who knew nothing of its formation , but far more to the scientific student . " He is not a Jew who is one outwardly , but he isa Jewwho isone inwardly . " Let truth be their guiding star on the voyage of

life , for this principle alone would enable them to lay out their lives according to the Masonic rule . There was everything in their art to impress upon their minds the truths of reli gion and morality , and Masons would never forget it was God who had stretched forth the heavens as

a canopy and planted the earth as His footstool . They were urged to copy love , because He had so loved them ; and pity , because of His infinite mercy towards them . The sick and suffering would never appeal in vain to Masons , and in contributing towards the funds of the hospital

they would not forget that " The liberal soul deviseth liberal things . " It was not necessary to urge this upon Masons , for none better understood that " The quality of mercy is not strained ; " their guiding motive was the doing of

good . Let them imitate their gracious Lord , who went about doing good , by showing mercy to all in need ; and let them carry into their lives those virtues they were taught assiduously to cultivate .

The collection on behalf of that excellent institution , the Yarmouth Hospital , amounted to £ i 3 4 S . $ d . The brethren having returned to the schoolroom , some further business was transacted , and the Grand Lodge having been closed in due form ,

an adjournment was made to the Town Hall , where Bro . Franklin supplied a magnificent banquet , the hall and the tables being beautifully embellished . In addition to the brethren already named , there were present Bros . Sir . E . H . K . Lacon , Bart , AI . P ., Captain Dods , and Captain

Coleman . Altogether 147 sat down . The chair was of course taken by the Worshipful Deputy Provincial Grand Master . In proposing the toast of " The Queen , " the Chairman said he was sure it would be most heartily drunk by the brethren of the Craft , as it ought to be by all men

who valued public worth or esteemed private virtue ( cheers ) . "The Grand Master of England the Most Noble the Marquess of Ripon , " was honoured in the usual way , and the Chairman next proposed " The Health of P . G . M . H . R . H . the Prince of Wales , Lord Carnarvon ,

and other Past Grand Officers , the toast being acknowledged by P . G . C . the Rev . C . J . Martyn who eulogised the personal and Masonic good qualities of the Prince , and the great distinction of the D . G . M . ( Lord Carnarvon ) both as a

statesman , and a Mason . The Chairman then gave "The Health of the venerable Provincial Grand Master , Bro . Benjamin Bond Cabbell , " who has so eminentl y cultivated the first great principle of Freemasonry—charity . Bro . Sir