Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Contents.
CONTENTS .
LEADERS 143 Masonic History 144 The Royal Arch in America 145 Masonic Historyand Historians 745 CORRESPONDENCERoyal Masonic Benevolent Institution ... 146 New Chapter Warrants 146 Roval Masonic Institution for Girls 146 Reviews 146
Masonic Notes and Queries 146 Royal Masonic Institution for Boys 147 Lodge of Benevolence 147 Ravcnsbourne Lodge Ball , No . 1 G 01 147 Masonic Ball in Liverpool 147 Provincial Grand Chapter of Hertfordshire " . 147 Tottenham , Enfield , and Edmonton Masonic Charitable Association 148
The West Lancashire Masonic Educational Institution 148 Consecration of the Wallington Lodge , No . 1893 148 Consecration of the Humphrey Chetham Chapter , No . 64 $ 149 Metropolitan Chapter of Improvement 149 nhitnarv lAa
REPORTS OF MASONIC MEETINGSCraft Masonry ijo Instruction 151 Royal Arch ijii Masonic Tidings ^ 152 General Tidings iJJ Lodge Meetings for Next Week ....: I . Knights Templar I . Amnsements I . Advertisements II ., III ., IV ., V ., VI .
Ar00101
WHAT a change , we often think , has come over the outward demeanour , the inner life , the actuality of Freemasonry , let us say twenty years ago . Those of us who remember what Freemasonry in its normal aspect and attitude then was will rejoice to think how many of the little drawbacks of those days have passed away . There can be no doubt—indeed , we speak from
distinct realization of the fact—that many worthy men were kept out of Freemasonry a generation ago by the far too social character it had taken up —the prevalence of the Fourth Degree . We have undoubtedly got the better of most of the carelessness and indifference of an earlier generation to Masonic asstheticism , to careful and seemly lodge arrangements , but we
seem to be on the eve of another great mistake . We are too fond of publicity . We use terms , and employ phrases in print , which ought not to be used except in the lodge , and there seems to be a growing tendency to desire to make the outward world , in even Masonic papers , acquainted with our words and ways , our system and our doings . All this is wrong , because it
is a yielding to a mistaken theory or a perverted taste , and we trust , therefore , that we shall adhere strictly to our own wise rules and regulations , and as we rightly discountenance all " pretenders " in respect of the good oldfashioned plan of Freemasonry , so we shall set our faces against " innovations , " which are only the product of excitement or frivolity , and have no
claim either on the sympathy or support of any "bright Mason " or any " true expert" amongst us . Freemasonry like other institutions has , as of necessity , some who are merely ornamental and useless members of our great confraternity . Wehave here and there "drones , " hereand there " charlatans , " as always in the history of society , but by keeping the " even mean , " and by
adhering to the sound principles of "thorough " and veritable Freemasonry , we shall avoid mistakes on either side , and aid in spreading more widely and founding more firmly among men that really heavenward building which stands erect on the sacred and immovable basis of our kindly , sincere , sympathetic , and tolerant Order .
* * WE regret to hear that owing to some oversight when the foundation of the Alexandra Wings of the Girls' School was laid , a "land spring" was not properly secured , the consequence being that the " basement" became very damp indeed , and some considerable expense will have to be incurred in order to put a stop to the present inconvenience .
* * * WE have been requested by an esteemed brother and correspondent from Hertfordshire to rectify "two slight inaccuracies" to which he fraternally calls our attention in our analysis of the returns for the Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution . The first is , that Bro . TERRY is put down for a list
of ^ 315 , whereas the proper return should be , our correspondent assures us , " £ 160 odd . " The second is , that Bro . WALDRON is credited with a list of £ 133 17 s ., as coming next , whereas the correct return should be , Bro . J . E . DAWSON , No . 40 , £ 212 us . 6 d . Bro . J . E . DAWSON is a well known and worthy brother in Hertfordshire , active and zealous in Freemasonry , and was
the representative of the Watford Lodge , a distinguished lodge of forty-five members . Thus the fact remains that Hertfordshire was No . 2 on the list of provinces , and Bro . J . E . DAWSON * was No . 2 as regards individual lists .- We hope that our rectification of an unintentional error will be satisfactory to our excellent correspondent .
* * WE published last week an interesting account of four days' work in York . We are truly glad to note so much zeal and energy in the old metropolis of Freemasonry . * *
WE call attention elsewhere to the German Statistics of Population and Freemasonry , and should be obliged to any brother who will send us similarly comparative statements . We should be glad to have such statistics from
Ar00102
Canada , from France , from Denmark and Sweden , from Italy , and from our Colonies and Dependencies , from Greece , and the East , indeed universally , as all such figures interest Masonic students . After our own census is over , we should like to have , if it be possible , a similar clear return for Great Britain .
* * WE have been requested to state that the " canard " going about that the candidates on the list of the London Masonic Charity Association are chosen by a little select committee , in fact a " clique , " is a " weak invention of the enemy , " to use a popular saying . All the members of the
Association form the electing body , and the duty of the " Sub-committee annually elected for the purpose of the election is merely to carry out the decision of the entire body . If any reader wishes to have the Laws and Rules , hecanhave
them by applying to Bro . TISLEY , I , Clifford's Inn , Fleet-street , E . C . We agree with our correspondent that it is a pity some worthy brethren have nothing better to do than circulate idle , and childish , and hurtful reports in respect of a useful , a needed , and successful Association .
* * WE notice two reviews elsewhere in reference to the report of the Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania and Indian Freemasonry , both of which deserve perusal by those who are interested in the life , and work , and
expansion , and reality of our great Order " all the world over . " Nothing in its annals is so remarkable as the universality of Freemasonry , and we . think that even the most prejudiced opponent would be able from such " facts " to discover both its " raison d ' etre , " and its real good and usefulness for our brotherhood and mankind .
* * * AN American brother slightly misinterprets our remarks , which the context might perhaps have convinced him had not the meaning he assigns to them . We did not allude to Craft duplicate or triplicate entries , & c , but to such
as arose from the Royal Arch , Templar , and High Grade lists . We gave the Craft numbers as in themselves nearly correct , knowing that our English system of numerous memberships of lodges does not prevail as with us , in America . We hope , therefore , that we have satisfied the little " exception " of our worthy correspondent .
* * FREEMASONRY in West Yorkshire has to deplore the loss of a very zealous and respected member of the same in Bro . MANOAH : RHODES , universally respected alike for his upright and honourable character as a citizen , and his truly Masonic sympathies and services . His decease will be
deeply lamented by his many friends and brethren in West Yorkshire , and the name of MANOAH RHODES will long be warmly remembered and fraternally cherished . His work in Masonry commenced originally with that distinguished lodge the Lodge of Hope , Bradford , No . 302 , which has enrolled so man } ' good men and worthy Masons in its ranks , but he was
well-known and widely respected beyond the limits of Bradford by the whole of West Yorkshire . He was a most liberal supporter of the Charities , and gladly gave of his ample means to further the kindly efforts of true Masonic benevolence . A very large gathering of the brethren was
anticipated at the Undercliffe Cemetery , Bradford , on the 23 rd , to do honour to his memory as a citizen and a friend , and to record the universal sense of the West Yorkshire Craft as regards his "bright" Masonic career . We shall hope to publish a report in our next .
* * ' BY a review of the Proceedings of the Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania elsewhere , it will be seen that no less than 6331 dollars in round numbers were granted in Masonic Charity by the " Almoners " and the Grand Lodge in twelve months .
* * BY a casual oversight , the question about Lodges of Instruction was answered mistakenly , the fact being that , in the haste of editorial work , the point of its
being a query relative to "lodges of instruction , " was not realised . It is undoubtedly the custom of "lodges of instruction " more or less universally , to charge a small sum for the admission of visitors to help to defray the expenses of the evening . There is nothing unreasonable or improper in the custom .
* * * WE have received the " Bye-Laws of the Dorset Masonic Charity , " established 1880 , to which we will call attention next week . We are glad to see that the provinces are forming charitable funds of their own , as there is no doubt need just now of such useful and valuable associations .
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Contents.
CONTENTS .
LEADERS 143 Masonic History 144 The Royal Arch in America 145 Masonic Historyand Historians 745 CORRESPONDENCERoyal Masonic Benevolent Institution ... 146 New Chapter Warrants 146 Roval Masonic Institution for Girls 146 Reviews 146
Masonic Notes and Queries 146 Royal Masonic Institution for Boys 147 Lodge of Benevolence 147 Ravcnsbourne Lodge Ball , No . 1 G 01 147 Masonic Ball in Liverpool 147 Provincial Grand Chapter of Hertfordshire " . 147 Tottenham , Enfield , and Edmonton Masonic Charitable Association 148
The West Lancashire Masonic Educational Institution 148 Consecration of the Wallington Lodge , No . 1893 148 Consecration of the Humphrey Chetham Chapter , No . 64 $ 149 Metropolitan Chapter of Improvement 149 nhitnarv lAa
REPORTS OF MASONIC MEETINGSCraft Masonry ijo Instruction 151 Royal Arch ijii Masonic Tidings ^ 152 General Tidings iJJ Lodge Meetings for Next Week ....: I . Knights Templar I . Amnsements I . Advertisements II ., III ., IV ., V ., VI .
Ar00101
WHAT a change , we often think , has come over the outward demeanour , the inner life , the actuality of Freemasonry , let us say twenty years ago . Those of us who remember what Freemasonry in its normal aspect and attitude then was will rejoice to think how many of the little drawbacks of those days have passed away . There can be no doubt—indeed , we speak from
distinct realization of the fact—that many worthy men were kept out of Freemasonry a generation ago by the far too social character it had taken up —the prevalence of the Fourth Degree . We have undoubtedly got the better of most of the carelessness and indifference of an earlier generation to Masonic asstheticism , to careful and seemly lodge arrangements , but we
seem to be on the eve of another great mistake . We are too fond of publicity . We use terms , and employ phrases in print , which ought not to be used except in the lodge , and there seems to be a growing tendency to desire to make the outward world , in even Masonic papers , acquainted with our words and ways , our system and our doings . All this is wrong , because it
is a yielding to a mistaken theory or a perverted taste , and we trust , therefore , that we shall adhere strictly to our own wise rules and regulations , and as we rightly discountenance all " pretenders " in respect of the good oldfashioned plan of Freemasonry , so we shall set our faces against " innovations , " which are only the product of excitement or frivolity , and have no
claim either on the sympathy or support of any "bright Mason " or any " true expert" amongst us . Freemasonry like other institutions has , as of necessity , some who are merely ornamental and useless members of our great confraternity . Wehave here and there "drones , " hereand there " charlatans , " as always in the history of society , but by keeping the " even mean , " and by
adhering to the sound principles of "thorough " and veritable Freemasonry , we shall avoid mistakes on either side , and aid in spreading more widely and founding more firmly among men that really heavenward building which stands erect on the sacred and immovable basis of our kindly , sincere , sympathetic , and tolerant Order .
* * WE regret to hear that owing to some oversight when the foundation of the Alexandra Wings of the Girls' School was laid , a "land spring" was not properly secured , the consequence being that the " basement" became very damp indeed , and some considerable expense will have to be incurred in order to put a stop to the present inconvenience .
* * * WE have been requested by an esteemed brother and correspondent from Hertfordshire to rectify "two slight inaccuracies" to which he fraternally calls our attention in our analysis of the returns for the Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution . The first is , that Bro . TERRY is put down for a list
of ^ 315 , whereas the proper return should be , our correspondent assures us , " £ 160 odd . " The second is , that Bro . WALDRON is credited with a list of £ 133 17 s ., as coming next , whereas the correct return should be , Bro . J . E . DAWSON , No . 40 , £ 212 us . 6 d . Bro . J . E . DAWSON is a well known and worthy brother in Hertfordshire , active and zealous in Freemasonry , and was
the representative of the Watford Lodge , a distinguished lodge of forty-five members . Thus the fact remains that Hertfordshire was No . 2 on the list of provinces , and Bro . J . E . DAWSON * was No . 2 as regards individual lists .- We hope that our rectification of an unintentional error will be satisfactory to our excellent correspondent .
* * WE published last week an interesting account of four days' work in York . We are truly glad to note so much zeal and energy in the old metropolis of Freemasonry . * *
WE call attention elsewhere to the German Statistics of Population and Freemasonry , and should be obliged to any brother who will send us similarly comparative statements . We should be glad to have such statistics from
Ar00102
Canada , from France , from Denmark and Sweden , from Italy , and from our Colonies and Dependencies , from Greece , and the East , indeed universally , as all such figures interest Masonic students . After our own census is over , we should like to have , if it be possible , a similar clear return for Great Britain .
* * WE have been requested to state that the " canard " going about that the candidates on the list of the London Masonic Charity Association are chosen by a little select committee , in fact a " clique , " is a " weak invention of the enemy , " to use a popular saying . All the members of the
Association form the electing body , and the duty of the " Sub-committee annually elected for the purpose of the election is merely to carry out the decision of the entire body . If any reader wishes to have the Laws and Rules , hecanhave
them by applying to Bro . TISLEY , I , Clifford's Inn , Fleet-street , E . C . We agree with our correspondent that it is a pity some worthy brethren have nothing better to do than circulate idle , and childish , and hurtful reports in respect of a useful , a needed , and successful Association .
* * WE notice two reviews elsewhere in reference to the report of the Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania and Indian Freemasonry , both of which deserve perusal by those who are interested in the life , and work , and
expansion , and reality of our great Order " all the world over . " Nothing in its annals is so remarkable as the universality of Freemasonry , and we . think that even the most prejudiced opponent would be able from such " facts " to discover both its " raison d ' etre , " and its real good and usefulness for our brotherhood and mankind .
* * * AN American brother slightly misinterprets our remarks , which the context might perhaps have convinced him had not the meaning he assigns to them . We did not allude to Craft duplicate or triplicate entries , & c , but to such
as arose from the Royal Arch , Templar , and High Grade lists . We gave the Craft numbers as in themselves nearly correct , knowing that our English system of numerous memberships of lodges does not prevail as with us , in America . We hope , therefore , that we have satisfied the little " exception " of our worthy correspondent .
* * FREEMASONRY in West Yorkshire has to deplore the loss of a very zealous and respected member of the same in Bro . MANOAH : RHODES , universally respected alike for his upright and honourable character as a citizen , and his truly Masonic sympathies and services . His decease will be
deeply lamented by his many friends and brethren in West Yorkshire , and the name of MANOAH RHODES will long be warmly remembered and fraternally cherished . His work in Masonry commenced originally with that distinguished lodge the Lodge of Hope , Bradford , No . 302 , which has enrolled so man } ' good men and worthy Masons in its ranks , but he was
well-known and widely respected beyond the limits of Bradford by the whole of West Yorkshire . He was a most liberal supporter of the Charities , and gladly gave of his ample means to further the kindly efforts of true Masonic benevolence . A very large gathering of the brethren was
anticipated at the Undercliffe Cemetery , Bradford , on the 23 rd , to do honour to his memory as a citizen and a friend , and to record the universal sense of the West Yorkshire Craft as regards his "bright" Masonic career . We shall hope to publish a report in our next .
* * ' BY a review of the Proceedings of the Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania elsewhere , it will be seen that no less than 6331 dollars in round numbers were granted in Masonic Charity by the " Almoners " and the Grand Lodge in twelve months .
* * BY a casual oversight , the question about Lodges of Instruction was answered mistakenly , the fact being that , in the haste of editorial work , the point of its
being a query relative to "lodges of instruction , " was not realised . It is undoubtedly the custom of "lodges of instruction " more or less universally , to charge a small sum for the admission of visitors to help to defray the expenses of the evening . There is nothing unreasonable or improper in the custom .
* * * WE have received the " Bye-Laws of the Dorset Masonic Charity , " established 1880 , to which we will call attention next week . We are glad to see that the provinces are forming charitable funds of their own , as there is no doubt need just now of such useful and valuable associations .