Masonic Notes.

Royal Arch Masonry appears to be advancing slowly but surely in the estimation of the brethren in the District of Bengal . Numerically there are 13 chapters on the roll of the District Grand Chapter . Of these three are in abeyance , but the Grand Superintendent , in his address at the Regular Convocation on the ioth August last , expressed the hope , that as the lodges to which they were severally attached were strong numerically , one , if not more , of the three might be in a position to resume work . Of the 10 chapters at work two

were reported to be in arrear , one for half a year only and the other for a year . However , one of these had subsequently made good its default , so that it was found possible to give a full return of members for nine out of the 10 chapters in actual working . According to these Returns , the aggregate membership of these nine has increased from 323 in June , 1894 , to 357 in December of the same year , and to 393 in June of the current year . An increase of 70 members in one year on so small a total as 323 is a very substantial one , on which we congratulate the Grand Superintendent and District Grand Chapter .

We announce with regret that the Masonic Hall , Boston , Mass ., was almost totally destroyed by fire on 7 th September . According to the Voice of Masonry , it was a handsome building , and formed one of the great attractions of the City . It was erected in 186 7 , and contained " very valuable furniture , regalia , and

paraphernalia , and many priceless Masonic relics . " Some of the property was saved , but all the Masonic bodies which met under its roof have suffered severe loss , the greatest sufferers being the Grand Lodge of Massachusetts and the Grand Commandery of Knights Templar of Massachusetts and Rhode Island . Our brethren of Boston , and of Massachusetts generally , have our sincere sympathy .

Correspondence.

Correspondence .

[ We do not hold ourselves responsible for the opinions expressed by our correspondents , but we wish , in a spirit of fair play to all , to permit—within certain necessary limits—free discussion . J

A GRAND LODGE FOR SOUTH AFRICA . To the Editor of the "Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , 1 noticed some little time back in your columns a reference to a proposed Grand Lodge for South Africa . It may interest your readers to know that there is not the remotest chance of such a project being realised . The matter

was considered and debated , and deliberately rejected by the vast majority of South African Freemasons , acting through their duly accredited representatives . For my own part , I hope that the question is finally closed , and that it will never be re-opened . We have three Constitutions at work in South Africa , the English , Scottish , and Dutch . The lodges working under the G . E . of the Netherlands are the oldest in South Africa , and the warrant of Lodge " Goede Hoop , " in Cape

Town , dates from 1772 , which is 23 years before the first occupation of the Cape by the British in 1 795 . There are certain peculiarities of working under the Netherlands Constitution , which our B . B . of that Constitution would never surrender , although at the present time there is no bilengual difficulty , as I do not know of any Dutch lodge that does not work in the English language . Therefore , even if our Scottish brethren consented to adopt English working ( and there

are strong tendencies in this direction ) , we could never expect the Dutch lodges to conform to Emulation ritual . It may be said with truth that , so long as the landmarks are observed , absolute uniformity of working is not to be expected , but a South African Grand Lodge would be bound to attempt to enforce some uniformity , and the result would probably be a compromise which English Freemasons would much prefer to avoid . There are four English District Grand Lodges in South Africa , namely , the Western Division , of which the Very Rev .

the Dean of Cape Town is D . G . Master ; the Eastern Division , under R . W . Bro . Dr . Egan ; Natal , under R . W . Bro . Francis ; and the Transvaal , under R . W . Bro . Richards . All these District Grand Lodges are working well and prosperously , and our roll of lodges is steadily increasing . The political condition'of South Africa , divided as it is into the two British Colonies of the Cape and Natal , and the two Dutch Republics , gives Englishmen a tendency to drift apart politically and socially .

The Masonic bond which unites our four District Grand Lodges to the Grand Lodge of England is in itself a good thing for English Freemasons , whose ties of citizenship tend to divide them , and a South African Grand Lodge could never supply that central authority and control which the Grand Lodge of England supplies to bind together English Freemasonry in South Africa . It has been said that a South African Grand Lodge would give an impulse to our local Masonic Charities . I do not for one moment believe it . We have no reason to be ashamed

of their present position , and I feel sure that our withdrawal from the Grand Lodge of England , with the splendid example it affords of the organisation of Masonic Charity , would hinder our Charities rather than help thein . —Yours fraternally , A . T . WIRGMAN , D . C . L ., , W . M . of No . 711 , and D . J . G . W . of South Africa ( E . D . ) .

Craft Masonry.

Craft Masonry .

Union Lodge , No . 127 . Great intcrett was attached to the last regular meeting of this prosperous lodge , held on the 16 th inst ., as the occasion of opening thc New Masonic Temple , just erected , the memorial-stone of which was laid on the 6 th of November , 1894 , by Bro . E . Crosoer , the W . M . who has held lhat ollice for two successive years to enable him as the originator of the scheme to be in the chair at its completion . The external appearance of the building is of a quiet character , in red brick with dressings of stone , and is finished in fiont and rear by lofty ornamental gables , relieved in the centre by a square and

compass worked on stone , each gable having large ehptical headed windows glazed with enamelled glass with the emblems of the Cratt in prominence . The entrance is by means of large double doors opening into a lobby artistically paved with black and white maiblc , beyond which is a spacious ante-room 23 feet b y 10 feet , whilst farther on is an apartment for the use of candidates , both rooms beinfr in direct communication with the lodge . The comfort of the brethren has been consulted by well fitted lavatories . The main or lodge room is singularly handsome and commodious , measuring 45 feet by 24

feet , and 16 feet to the roof plates , the root being of open construction of ornamental wood and iron trusses covered with varnished matchlining . Quite a feature arc the gas pendants and brackets of Masonic design , neatly executed in wrought iron and brass , thc whole being set off by the furniture , pictures , and portraits . The architect was Bro . A . Lathom , C . E ., a member of the lodge , and Bro . L . Seager , P . M . 1275 , the builder . The lodge was opened , when there were present Bros . E . Crosoer , P . M ., W . M . ; J . Moore , S . W . ; J . L . Hume , P . M . 144 , J . W . ; Francis W . Willett , P . M .,

P . P . G . D . C , Treas . ; F . Stanley , P . M ., P . G . Supt . of Works , Sec . ; W . F . Franklin , S . D . ; II . Woodward , J . D . ; Leonard Hill , l . G . ; T . Kussre , F . C . O ., Org . ; T . Jephcott , D . C ; ) . J . Hermitage , Stwd . j George Lawrence , Tyler ; A . Wootton , P . M . 127 , i 2 oy , KP . J . G . W . ; J . Brighurst , P . M . ; Lieut .-Col . H . W . Bamber , I . P . M . j G . H . Cluxlield , P . M ., P . P . J . G . W . ; J . G . Henning , P . M ., P . P . G . D . C ; John Healing , P . M . ; H . Price , P . M . ; li . L . Moor , P . M . ; Wm . Bushell , W . H . Hughes , Rev . H . J . Daniell , M . A ., S . Davies , J . B . Friend , j . Phipps , E . L . Dixon ,

Craft Masonry.

W . J . Clarke , P . M . 133 ; W . Bourne , R . Rapson , C . Curtis Gray , H . H . Jones , F . L Pettman , J . W . Sayer , J . M . Munns , A . Lathom , C . E ., J . Hosking , P . M . 1347 ; E , Whitehead , A . B . Pilcher , H . Manning , E . Bush , P . Brown , W . H . Bennett , Thomas Goodyear , and G . W . Macfarlane . Visitors : Bros . J . E . Eastes , D . P . G . M . ; W . Cowell , W . M . 244 S ; T . H . Tomlinson , P . M . 1238 , P . P . A . G . D . C ; George Goble , P . M . 1273 , P . G . D . C ; H . Black , P . M . 1273 , P . P . A . G . D . C ; H . Hooker , W . M . 1273 ; G . 1 . Baldwin , W . M . 1200 ; D . H . Wilson , W . M . 1208 ; R . Gardiner ,

I . P . M . 1273 ; J . Ellcott , LP . M . 429 ; I . F . May , P . M . 429 ; S . Holbourn , P . M . 429 ; A . G . Harvey , P . M . 244 S ; H . Morris , P . M . 1273 ; L . R . Wilson , P . M . 1 209 , P . G . S . ; L . Sealer , P . M . 1273 ; E . H . White , P . M . 2448 ; G . Hiller , P . M . g ; S . H . Hale , P . M . 1209 ; G . Goodbourn , P . M . 429 ; M . H . Gill , P . M . 1209 ; H . Keep , P . M . 1 464 ; R . Marley , P . M . 429 ; R . A . Fawesett , S . W . 2448 ; J . E . French , J . W . 1273 ; F . J . Harding , J . D . 2421 ; N . F . Merriman , R . H . Lovett , W . Pennefather , J . J . Roach , and C . F . J . Briggs , all of 429 ; J . Collins , 120 9 » W . Green , 1 S 24 ; John Bristed , A . Friend . 233 : N . Tannenbaum , 588 ; J . Emery ,

T . P . Swain , W . H . Price , and R . Barlow , all of 2448 ; H . J . West , 1209 ; H . J . Bines , 1915 ; and A . E . Millbourn , 1237 . The minutes of the last meeting having been read and confirmed , Bro . the Rev . H . A . Daniell was invested as Asst . Chaplain . The key of the Temple was next presented to the W . M . by the architect . A deputation of Provincial Officers then escorted the Dep . P . G . M . into the lodge , who was saluted . After a short prayer by the Chaplain , the W . M ., in a brief address , gave the history of the building from the inception of the idea until the realisation , cordially thanking the brethren who so earnestly co-operated with

THE WORSHIPFUL MASTER . him , and whose efforts had assured the success of the undertaking . The lodge had been the recipient of numerous gifts from various brethren , to each of whom a hearty vote of thanks was accorded , which was also extended to the architect and builder , and on the proposition of the W . M ., Bro . L . Seager , was elected as honorary member of the lodge . Then followed the presentation of a jewel to Bro . Stanley as a slight acknowledgment of the valuable services he had rendered as Secretary to the lodge , and also of the Temple Trust . In returning thanks , Bro . Stanley assured the brethren that their atmroval was a great reward in itself , and he had the greatest satisfaction in

thinking that the gift was the outcome of their approbation . Bro . Seager handed the W . M . the trowel which was used in laying the foundation-stone , on which was a silver band , with a suitable inscription . After the report of the Board of Past Masters had been read , and various propositions made , including the names of two candidates for initiation at the next meeting , the lodge was closed . The working throughout was most efficient . The brethren then adjourned to an excellent banquet at the King ' s Head Hotel . The following toasts were ( riven by the W . M .: " The Queen and the Craft , "

" The M . W . the Grand Master , " " The M . W . the Pro Grand Master , and the rest of the Grand Officers , Present and Past , " and "The Prov . Grand Master . " Bro . A . Wootton then proposed " The Deputy Prov . G . M ., and the rest of the Prov . Grand Officers , Present and Past , " coupled with the names of Bros . Stanley , Dixon , Wilson , Willett , and Goble , who each responded . The toast of " The W . M ., " which was proposed by the I . P . M ., Bro . Lieut .-Col . Bamber , met with an enthusiastic reception , and was gracefully acknowledged in

wellchosen words . Bro . A . Lathom replied to the toast proposed by Bro . Reeve , of " The Architect and Builder , " on behalf of himself and Bro . Seager , who was unfortunately compelled to leave earlier in the evening . Bro . J . G . Henning ' s toast of " The Masonic Charities " was answered by Bro . A . Wootton . as the Charitv Representative .

" the Officers of the Lodge " was next given by Bro . Price , who in paying a tribute to the excellent manner in which thc work of the lodge was always done , suggested the desirability of a universal ritual as the one used in the lodge of instruction had been handed down from Preceptor to Preceptor , and which differed in a few instances from the Emulation working . These differences could be obviated by having one ritual . Bro . Price , in conclusion , coupled the names of the S . W ., J . W ., Sec , and Treas ., who each spoke in reply .

A lengthy programme of songs , well rendered by Bros . Bennett , Harding , Henning , Hosking , Stanley , and H . Wootton , and recitations by Bros . Hughes and Macfarlane , greatly contributed to the enjoyment of the evening , which was concluded at a late hour by the | Tyler ' s toast . ¦

St . John ' s Lodge , No . 167 . The installation meeting of this old-established lodge was held on the Sth instant at lack Straw ' s Castle , Hampstead . Bro . H . Hibberd , W . M ., presided , and was supported by Bros . W . B . Morle , I . P . M . ; F . Stansell , J . W . ; J . T . Rowe , P . M ., ?• £ G . D . Herts . Treas . j Edwin Storr , P . M ., Sec ; J . B . Thompson , S . D . ; W . A Scurrah , P . M ., P . P . G . S . of W . Middx ., Vice-Pres . Bd . Gen . Purps ., D . C . ; G . Brown * l . G .: I . Hearsum . P . M .: A . Lane . P . M .: H . C Coffin . P . M .: W . Wilkinson ,

P . M . ; C . H . Fry , P . M . ; W . E . Lane , T . Edinborough , H . C Minnitt , E . Lambert , E . Maas , G . 11 . Whitaker , T . Hooper , and T . Bowler , 'f yler . The visitors were : Br " W . M . Stiles , G . Treas . ; J . j . Thomas , 753 , Prov . G . Treas . Bucks ; Jas . Step hens , P . M . 1425 ; W . J . Mason , 1328 , P . P . G . D . Surrey ; Arthur H Scurrah , P . M . 2 ° f and 2206 , P . P . G . S . of W . Middx . ; ( . M . McLeod , P . P . S . G . W . Derby , Sec . R . M- ' - for Boys ; R . J . Grimwood , 2427 ; R . T . Redfern , P . M . 753 j W . J . Stratton , P- « i " 753 ; ] . F . Forbes , 788 ; R . B . Vick , S . G . Murray , 619 ; H . W . Copleston , W . i » - 704 ; W . Lincoln , 2398 ; J . Swinyard ; J . Carey , 1 G 23 ; Jno . Dale , ' ^' a r , Morgan , 1155 ; J . J . Goode , 1964 ; W . H . Lee Davies , of South Africa ; and l < - West , 1744-