Is Masonry A Designing Imposition?

These many virtues are illustrated by appropriate emblems teaching visible truths , designed to lead to man ' s highest happiness , they are forcibly impressed upon the mind , and will remain to brighten man ' s pathway throughout the ages to come . The Earl of Durham , for more than 20 years a distinguished

officer of the Grand Lodge of England , has left on record the following : " I have ever felt it my duty to support and encourage the principles and practices of Freemasonry because it powerfully developes all social and benevolent affections , because it

mitigates without and annihilates within the virulence of political and theological controversy , because it affords the only -neutral ground on which all ranks and classes can meet in perfect equality and associate without degradation and mortification , whether for the purpose of moral instruction or for social intercourse . "

An eminent American Mason has said that Masonry owes her progress to her perfect freedom of thought politically and religiously , and that nowhere on this green earth does Masonry so proudly triumph over bigotry and superstitution as in " The land of the free and the home of the brave . " The centuries that

have passed since the birth of Masonry have written upon their bosom mighty changes that have marked the pathway of human progress ; an ever present witness , she has beheld the fall of empires and the convulsions of human society ; she has beheld monarchy surrounded by her pomp and magnificence swallowed

up in the dark gloom of tyranny and oppression ; she has beheld the rule of the bigoted priesthood , whose iron grasp fettered social order and progress , and seemed to shut out all hope of a

free manhood ; she has lived through all , and at last beheld civil liberty emerge from darkness of human oppression , and to-day her banner floats on high in every clime where civilization dwells .

To do this she has employed no agency , nor followed the dogmas of either church or state , and yet the exalted and honoured , the autocrat and the artisan and men of all the professions of life have of their own free will and accord crowded

around her altar , where they meet on a common level , pay the same obedience to her precepts , pass through the same ordeal , and learn the same sublime lessons of truth , morality , and brotherly love . —The Herald of Masonry .

United Grand Lodge Of England.

UNITED GRAND LODGE OF ENGLAND .

The following is the business to be transacted in Grand Lodge on Wednesday next , thc 2 nd prox . 1 . The minutes of thc Ouarterly Communication of the 3 rd June for confirmation . 2 . Report of the Board of Benevolence for the last quarter , in vvhich are recommendations for thc following grants , viz .:

A brother of the Arnold Lodge , No . 1799 , Waltonon-the Naze ... ... ... . £ 100 o o A brother of the Buckingham Lodge , No . 591 , Aylesbury ... ... ... 50 o o A brother of the Montefiore Lodge , No . 1017 , London ... ... ... 50 o 0

A brother of the Socrates Lodge , No . 373 , Huntingdon ... ... ... 50 o o A brother of the Samaritan Lodge , No . 3 68 , Sandbach ... ... ... 50 o o A brother of the Peace and Harmony Lodge , No . 49 6 , St . Austell ... ... ... < £ > o 0

A brother of the High Cross Lodge , No . 754 , Tottenham ... ... ... 50 o 0 A brother of the Humphrey Chetham Lodge , No . 645 , Manchester ... ... ... 60 0 o The widow of a brother of the Lebanon Lodge , No . 1326 , Feltham ... ... ... 50 o 0

3 . REPORT OF THE BOARD OF GENERAL PURPOSES . To thc United Grand Lodge of Ancient Free and Accepted Masons of England . The Board have to report that vacancies have occurred in the list of Trustees of the real property of Grand Lodge by the deaths of Bros , the

Karl of Carnarvon , Lord Tenterden , K . C . B ., John Havers , Samuel Leith Tomkins , .-Eneas J . Mclntyre , Q . C , and John Anthony Rucker . The . surviving trustees being Bros , thc liar ] of Lathom , the Ear ] of Donoughmore K . C . M . G ., Sir AlbcrfW . Woods , K . C . M . G ., C . B . ( Garter ) , Sir John B ! Monckton , and Frederick Adolphns Philbrick , O . C .

Vacancies have also occurred in the list of Trustees of the personal property of Grand Lodge hy the deaths of Bros , thc Earl of Carnarvon and Samuel Leith Tomkins . The surviving Trustees being Bros , thc Earl of Lathom and the Duke of Abereorn , C . B .

the B . ard , therefore , recommend that the following brethren be now appointed to ( ill these vacancies : For thc real property—Bros , the Earl of Mount Edgcumbe , thc Earl of Limerick , the Earl of Euston , and Bro . Thomas Fenn . For the personal property—Bros , the Earl of Mount Edgcumbe and the liarl of Limerick . ( Signed ) THOMAS FENN , President . Freemasons' Mall , London , W . C , 1 Sth August , 1891 .

I o the report i . s subjoined a statement of the Grand Lodge accounts at thc last meeting of the Finance Committee , held on Friday , the 14 th day of August instant , showing a balance in the Bank of England ( Western Branch ) of £ 9043 4 s . 3 d ., and in the hands of the Grand Secretary for petty cash £ 100 , and for servants' wages £ 100 , and balance of annual allowance for library £ 33 ios . iod .

United Grand Lodge Of England.

4 . APPEALBy the Worshipful Master and brethren of Lodge La Cajsaree , No . 590 , Jersey , against a sentence of suspension passed on the lodge by the R . W . Provincial Grand Master of the Province of Jersey for wilful and deliberate disobedience of his orders .

N . B . —The papers relating to this appeal will be in the Grand Secretary ' s office till the meeting of Grand Lodge , and open for the inspection of the brethren during office hours . List of lodges for which warrants have been granted by the M . W . Grand Master since thc last Quarterly Communication of Grand Lodge—¦ No . 2405 , The Ionic Lodge , St . Helens , Lancashire .

2406 , Thc Amatole Lodge , Alice , Victoria East , South Africa ( E . D . ) 2407 , The Hicks-Beach Lodge , Stroud , Gloucestershire . 2408 , The Hampstead Lodge , South Hampstead , London . 2409 , The Woodgrange Lodge , Forest Gate , Essex . 2 4 10 , The Esculapian Lodge , Regent-street , London . 2 4 11 , The Clarence and Avondale Lodge , Leytonstone , Essex . 2 4 , The Ashfield Lodge , Sutton-in-Ashfield , Nottinghamshire .

Masonic Carnarvon Memorial Window In Wrea Green Church.

MASONIC CARNARVON MEMORIAL WINDOW IN WREA GREEN CHURCH .

The stained glass window inserted in St . Nicholas ' s Church , Wrea Green , to the memory of the Earl of Carnarvon , Pro Grand Master of England , was unveiled on Thursday afternoon , thc 20 th inst ., by Bro . Sir Matthew White-Ridley , M . P ., P . G . M . Northumberland . Wrea Green is a typical English village , lying between Kirkham and thc sea . It is complete in rural simplicity . The church , whose new steeple overtops the village

buildings , is on the edge of the green , and forms one of the most picturesque pieces of church architecture in this county . In recent years especially there has bcen a close affinity between the church and local Masonry , and the beautiful window and thc function of Thursday , thc 20 th instant , were unmistakeable proofs of the great interest which the members of thc secular body take in thc Church of England . Desiring to honour thc

memory of the late Earl of Carnarvon—a great Statesman , a foremost Mason , and a Christian p hilanthropist—the members of some Lancashire county Masonic lodges subscribed for a cathedral glass window to be inserted in thc west wall of Wrea Green ' s pretty little parish church . Messrs . Shiglcy and Hunt , Lancaster , were commissioned to produce the window , which consists of two figure subjects—St . John the Baptist and St . lohn thc Evangelist . The window is a valuable addition to the church

ornaments . It is , moreover , a permanent testimonial to the generosity of Lancashire Masons , and a worthy memorial of one of the greatest Masters of English Freemasonry . Interesting information in connection with the inception of the window scheme together with the inscription of the work of art will be found in the eloquent sermon preached by Bro . T . B . Spencer , P . G . Chap . England , Prov . G . Chap . West Lancashire , and given in exfenso below .

The occasion was one of great interest to the villagers . It also drew together a good number of Freemasons from different parts of the county , The tuneful bells in the steeple of St . Nicholas Church were rung in merry style ; but just before the commencement of the service there came from thc belfry the mournful music of " A few more years shall roll . " The villagers

secured seats at the back of church , an augmented choir and thc clergy occupied the chancel , and the Masons filled the body of the building . Prior to the service thc Masons assembled at the schoolroom , where they arrayed themselves in Masonic clothing . They marched in procession to thc church , and were met at thc entrance by the clergy and choir . Sir Matthew White-Ridley was ( according to thc official list ) accompanied by the following :

Bros . Rev . T . Barton Spencer , M . A ., vicar of St . James's , Preston , England , P . P . G . C ; Thomas Forrester , P . M . 730 , Sec . 2349 , P . P . G . D . West Lanes ., and P . G . S . B . England ; Thomas R . Jolly , Treas . 113 ; W . W . Elton , P . M ., P . D . G . D . C ; E . Barber , P . M . 113 ; S . Fisher , J . D . 1061 ; William G . Wray , P . M . 1070 ; J . P . Jarman , 1061 ; James Fish , S . W . 2349 ; Joseph Turnbull , P . M .

703 , P . P . G . S . B . West Lanes . ; W . Speak , 1061 ; Rev . H . B . Hawkins , 1061 ; W . G . Terry , J . W . 113 ; R . Stirzaker , P . M . 1620 ; Whittaker Bond , P . M ., Treas . 950 ; J . Robertson , P . M . 950 ; L . Collier , P . M . 1357 , 1061 ; J . A . Nicholson , P . M . 1070 ; J . S . Slater , 1610 and 1061 ; Joseph Hudson , 1061 ; Robert Jones , S . D . 113 ; E . D . Hindle , J . D . 113 ; E . Alston , W . M . 333 ; Rev . Ralph Sadler Stoney , P . G . Chap . ; John R . Knowles , Treas . 1061 ; and others .

1 he prayers were read by the Rev . E . G . Reeve , vicar of Fleetwood . Canon Hawkins read the prayer after the third collect . The first lesson was read by the Rev . W . G . Terry . The Rev . J . Kirby , read the second lesson . Thc vicar of Wrea Green ( Bro . the Rev . R . S . Stoney , S . W . ) , also took part in the service . Most of the clergy wore insignia of the Masonic Order .

Bro . thc Rev . T . BARTON SPENCER preached from the text— " The righteous shall be held in everlasting remembrance , " Psalm cxii ., 6 th verse . We have met together this afternoon , he said , to witness the uncovering and dedicating to the glory of God a stained-glass window which has bcen erected by the Freemasons of Preston and the F ylde in memory of the late M . W . the Earl of Carnarvon , Pro Grand Master of England , who was worthy of

such an honour . In the unavoidable absence of the present Pro Grand Master of England , our beloved Provincial Grand Master , the Earl of Lathom , thc ceremony of unveiling the window will having becoming dignity conferred upon it by the Right Worshi pful Sir Matthew White-Ridley , the Provincial Grand Master of Northumberland , who is so highly respected not only in this district , but in the legislature of this country . And in selecting '

this church as thc place for the memorial thebrethren wished to signify theirgratification that the R . W . Prov . Grand Mark Master has conferred upon thchighlyesteemed , and , in the best sense of the word , popular vicar of this parish , the office of Prov . Grand Chaplain in Mark Masonry for this year . Now , I think the erection of a stained glass window , or whatever else is needed to complete and adorn a church , is a very right ancl ac-propriate manner of

keeping in remembrance those who have died "full of works and of faith . When the memorial is placed within the sacred edifice , those who , having " served their generation " " do rest from their labours , " are brought to the remembrance of the congregation each time they assemble to worship God ; thc name of the memorial is handed down , as it were , bv tradition from one

generation to another , and thus the name and memory of those who have been righteous and beneficent is preserved for ever . And the late Earl ot Carnarvon will be held in remembrance in this church by that beautiful memorial window ; in thc Order by many lodges that bear his honoured name , as " one of the brightest characters in the annals of Free-