Royal Masonic Institution For Girls.

ROYAL MASONIC INSTITUTION FOR GIRLS .

The General Committee of this school met on Thursday afternoon , at Freemasons' Hall , Bro . Major J . Creaton , V . P ., in the chair . The Committee was also attended by Bros . Raynham W . Stewart , Benjamin Head , Edward Cox , J . R . Sheen , W . H . Hemsworth . W . Farnfield , H . Massey , John

A . Rucker , Joshua Nunn , John Symonds , and E . H . Patten , Secretary . The usual course of reading the minutesof former committees was first pursued , and thc consideration of petitions to be placed on the list of candidates was then proceeded with . E . P . Goodrich was

examined in reading , in which she was found to be very ready , ancl was therefore placed on the list . Three cases stood over for a month for " [ further information , and a letter was read from a relative of an old pupil , inquiring whether there was a fund connected with the institution to apprentice pupils .

The child having been out of the school eighteen months , nothing could be done with this letter . Bro . John Symonds , V . P ., gave notice of motion for a Special General Court on the Sth December , to receive the report ofthe committee on thc

qualifications and privileges of Vice-Presidents and other subscribers , and to receive such notices of motions for amendments and alterations of the laws of the institution as might then be given for future consideration . The committee then adjourned .

Instruction.

INSTRUCTION .

Domatic Lodge of Instruction , A o . 177 . This lodge has for the last three years held its meetings at the Palmerston Arms Tavern , near Grosvenor Park , Camberwell , and it was determined to celebrate that event by a banquet , which took place at the Lodge House , on Tuesday evening , October iSth , which was numerously attended . This lodge was established in 18 42 ,

and some of the best working Masons in the Craft have received instruction in it , and thc ability of its present Preceptor , Bro . John Thomas , is too well known to need any comment . It is also one of the best furnished lodges of instruction , for all the ceremonies are performed with the care and accessories of a regular lodge . Bro . II . Thompson , P . M . of the parent lodge , P . M . and Treas .

of the Southern Star Lodge , No . 115 S , and Hon . Sec . to this Lodge of Instruction , presided ; and there were present Bros . Thomas { Preceptor ) , J . Child , E . Dodson ( W . M . ofthe Jubilee Lodge ) , Allatt , Withall , Squires , Poore , Hodges , Beckett , T . White , J . Ashwell , Shaughnessy , Ross , Wingham and Wingham , jun . ( both of the Robert Burns Lodge ) , II . J . Wright ( S . W . of the

Royal Jubilee Lodge ) , Dann ( Royal Jubilee ) f . Stevens ( W . M . ofthe Macdonald Lodge ) , R . li . ClaVke ( P . M . ofthe Southern Star Lodge ) , Gluckstein ( P . M . 52 , and ofthe Faith Lodge ) , Catherwood ( Constitutional Lodge ) . Messenger and Larlham ( Macdonald Lodge ) , Scard ( Domatic Lodge , No . 177 ) , M'Crae ( Egyptian Lodge ) , Bedolfe and Worrell ( Panmure Lodge , No . 720 ) , and several other brethren .

Ihe supper was provided by Bro . Marshall , and it gave the most entire satisfaction . On the withdrawal ofthe cloth , the W . M . gave " The Queen and the Craft , " which was heartily responded to , followed by the National Anthem , the solo parts by Bros . Dodsoa and Stevens , Bro . Wingham , jun ., presiding at the pianoforte .

The rest of the formal Masonic toasts were then given , and received with all due honours . The W . M . said they had arrived at what might be considered the toast of the evening , which was " Success to the Domatic Lodge of Instniction , " and said it must be highly gratifying to the members of it to see tlie prosperity

it had obtained during the three years they had met at that house—since the resuscitating of the lodge in 1 S 67 . For agreatdealof the prosperity which had attended their labours , they were greatly indebted to those brethren who were at all times ready to assist in the performance of their ceremonies ; but they were more especially indebted to those brethren who were almost constant in their

attendance to impart information and instruction to their younger brethren , and many who were at the present lime enjoying honours in their own lodges were not slow in acknowled ging that they obtained them through ! the instruction they had received in the Domatic Lodge of Instruction . That was something to be proud of , and he ( the W . M ) took the opportunity of impressing upon all

joung Masons that if they wished to enjoy the honours of the Craft they ought lo be frequent in their attendance at lod ges of instruction , so as to qualify themselves ( or any duties they might hereafter be called upon to perform . It was a well-known fact that merit was the great qualification for promotion , and those brethren were the first " ¦ elected for posts of honour who were thc most frequent

ln their attendance at lodges of instniction , where not only the ceremonies were taught , but their meaning was ex-Plained by those beautiful illustrations which were conveyed in their lectures , but were rarely heard in a le gular lodge . The Domatic Lodge of Instruction was n ° w established on a firm basis , and as they were under

deep obli gations to their Preceptor and other brethren , le gave "Success to the Domatic Lodge of Instruction , " coupling with the toast the names of Bros . John Thomas and Stevens . 1 he toast was most cordially responded to . th 1 ' ^ ' Thomas , Preceptor of the lodge , returned auks , and expressed his willingness on every occasion of

Instruction.

their meeting to give instruction , and his desire to impart all the knowledge he possessed to the younger brethren , so that when called to office they might be able efficiently to perform their duties . Bro . James Stevens , W . M . ofthe Macdonald Lodge , said he was for a very brief period entrusted with the W . M . ' s gavel , and the brethren would understand the

use he should make of it . He alluded to the resuscitation of the lodge , and said they were mainly indebted for it to Bro . Thompson , who had laboured hard to bring about that result , and who since then had been most assiduous in performing the duties of Hon . Secretary to the lodge . He was nearly always at his post , and recorded their proceedings , and was ever ready to perform any duty , and

he ( Bro . Stevens ) thought that three years ago Bro . Thompson himself three years ago could hardly have anticipated that they would have such a splendid meeting of influential members ofthe Craft as they had present that evening . He concluded by proposing " The Health of Bro . Thompson , P . M . and Secretary of the Lodge . " The toast was well received .

The W . M . ( Bro . Thompson ) returned thanks , and said when he saw such a gathering as they had that night , anything he mig ht have done towards the resuscitation of the lodge gave liim infinite pleasure , and he hoped and trusted the lodge would go on and prosper has it had done heretofore . He wished all the members health and happiness , trusting to meet them all next year at their festive meeting , and with an increased number of new

members on the roll of the Domatic Lodge . Bro . Stevens th ; n sung " What better theme than Masonry ? " of which he is the author , and it was received with great applause , The W . M . gave gave "The Visitors , " coupling with the toast the name of Bro . Allatt , the worthy host of the Southern Star Lodge , and whose genial and kind nature are well known .

Bro . Allatt returned thanks , and expressed his intention of becoming a member of the lodge . The W . M . said he had already alluded to Bro . Thomas in connection with the lodge , but he thought it right to offer a distinct toast in reference to him as the Preceptor of the lodge . All the brethren present knew the value of his services , and for himself he could say that iu the

early part of his Masonic career he was under great obligations to Bro . Thomas for his instruction , ami he was always ready to give it , not only in the lodge , but out of it , and even at his own residence , where he not only received gratuitous instruction , but was hospitably entertained , and other brethren received the same advantages from Bro . Thomas . He ( the W . M . ) was almost astonished

at thc amount of time Bro . 1 nomas devoted to tne instruction of others , and he asked the brethren to drink his health with all the cordiality it so richly deserved . The toast was most enthusiastically received . Bro . Thomas thanked the brethren for the cordial manner in which the toast had been received , and the fiattering terms in which the W . M . had spoken of him . He should at all times be ready to afford information lo

make young Masons as conversant with the duties as he was himself , and to aid them by every means in his power . The W . M . gave " The Worthy Host ( Bro Marshall ) , and the Stewards ( Bros . Ashwell and White , " and remarked that they had well catered for their entertainment , and were deserving of the thanks of the brethren . ISro . Mni-shall and Bro . While severally returned

thanks . During the evening a number of songs were sung , and it was admitted by all that it had been one of the most pleasing and happy evenings that for a long lime they had spent in Freemasonry .

united Pilgrims Lodge of Instruction , . \<> . 507 . —A large number of the members of the above lodge , as well as numerous visitors met , on the 14 th inst ., at Bro . Timewell's , the Duke of Edinburgh , Shepherd's-lane , Brixton ( present place of meeting for the lodge ) , to witness the ceremony of installation worked by Bro . John Thomas , P . M . and Preceptor of ( he lodge . The ceremony was most ably performed in the quiet and impressive manner

so characteristic of the worthy Preceptor , giving the greatest pleasure to the brethren present . After closing the lodge , the brethren adjourned lo an excellent banquet provided by Bro . Timewell in his usual liberal style , who proved himself on this occasion , as on every other , an excellent caterer for the wants of the brethren . The toasts of" The Queen , " " The Grand Master , " iic ., & c , were duly honoured , and the brethren spent a very agreeable evening .

THE Right Hon . thc Earl de Grey and Ripon , K . G ' ., M . W . Grand Master , having signified his approval of Pro . R . Wentworth - Little as the Consecrating Officer , the Lodge of Asaph , No . 1319 , will be consecrated at Freemasons' Hall , on

Monday , thc 7 th November . Bro . E . Stanton Jones will be the first Master , and Bros . Coote and Chamberlin the Wardens , and thc rest ofthe founders are also members of the musical brethren profession . FAITH LODGE or INSTRUCTION * . — The above Lodge of Instruction is held every Tuesday evening at 8 o'clock , in the spacious and commodious rooms

at hro . Fisher ' s Restaurant , Metropolitan District Railway Station , Victoria , S . W . Ceremonies and lectures worked every Tuesday , except the fourth Tuesday in the month , when thc ceremonies alone arc rehearsed . The DOMATIC CIIAI ' THR OF INSTRUCTION is also held in the above rooms every Friday evening , at 8 o ' clock , from October until April inclusive .

District G. Lodge Of Turkey.

DISTRICT G . LODGE OF TURKEY .

ADDRESS delivered by the Hon . J PORTER BROWN , District Grand Master of Turkey , at a meeting of the District Grand Lodge on the 2 nd of May last . " Brethren , —I desire to avail myself of the

present meeting of the District Grand Lodge to offer you a few remarks , and I , therefore , beg your indulgence whilst I address you on the subject of the peculiar position which we occupy in this country as Freemasons , and the character which we should

sustain 111 it . " Here , we are all in the ' East , ' and each one of us is liable to be questioned on the principles and objects of our beloved Institution . Many grave and deeply erroneous impressions exist here regarding it . Some persons suppose that we desire to

inculcate a new religion ; others imagine that we form a political society of a secret and dangerous character ; and there are again others , I regret to add , who declare that we are all so many Atheists , without any religious faith whatever . " The object of my remarks , therefore , is chiefly ,

to endeavour to define our true position , and to remove , by their publicity , so ignorant and so erroneous a supposition . " Beyond the precincts of the lodges , we certainly represent many of the various faiths and creeds of the world , and the varied nationalities which

unfortunately separate , rather than unite men together ; whilst , within them , these are all forgotten , and we meet here only as so many brothers , with no feelings of superiority either in matters of faith or of nationality : animated only by a sentiment of love for each other , and by a common desire to seek the

promotion ofthe happiness and welfare of all . Per haps it is to this liberality and the total absence of all religious and political discussions , that we may ascribe the aspersions afore-mentioned . ' •Every Craftsman who understands the real purposes and uses of Freemasonry—who rightly

appreciates the nature and value of those intimate relations which it tends to establish between its members—who cherishes , and seeks to render more deep and abiding that true friendship and tender affection by which all Freemasons should ever be united , must derive from any occasion like the present , when

all are alike animated by mutual confidence , esteem and affection , a real happiness , marred by none of those feelings and passion which are too often agitated in thc outer world by religious and political passions , and which should find no place in the thc heart when upon its altar burns the genuine

fire of Masonic Brotherhood . This fact , alone , fully shows the benefits which we derive from not allowing any such questions to be discussed in our lodges . " It is greatly to be desired that the real

principles and objects of our beloved Institution should be better understood here , especially amongst our friends of the Mussulman community , in which a prejudice exists against it to a certain extent , the result , of course , of ignorance and of the absence , also , of all means of procuring positive and reliable information .

' •Freemasonry , as wc all know , originated in the East , ancl I am confident that it will be more appreciated in its native land when it is more properly understood and known , as it fully merits . It is a sad misfortune for us all that there arc many excellent , and , on most other subjects , well informed

persons , who really do believe that to be a Freemason is to be an Atheists or , at least a Materialist How great a calumny this is , you are all aware No one who is an Atheist , or who admits that he is one , can ever be permitted to enter within the portal of a lodge , where the All-seeing Eye of the

Creator of all men penetrates the hearts of every one . Always deeply impressed with this fact , our great principle is the Paternity of God and the Fraternity of all mankind . We leave it , however , to each brother to follow the dictates of his own conscience and thc particular faith of his forefathers

without seeking to control or to convert him to any other . Freemasonry , thus , occupies a 'neutral ground' on which we may all meet together , as so many brethren , without any cause to apprehend offence being given to any one ' s faith , whatever it may be . so long as it fully recognises thc Creator of

all things . Wc , nevertheless , feel a profound interest in thc spiritual as well as the temporal welfare of each one of our brethren , yet without doing more than to remind him , at each one of our meetings , of his duties to a common Creator and to his brethren .

On thc subject of religion , I may here add that a man may be compared to thc stately tree of thc forest . His religious convictions , like its roots , are , often , deeply seated . At an early period both may be caused to take almost any desired

form or shape ; whilst at a later one , the effort becomes so dangerous as even to jeopardise thc existence of both . Thus , what is true in vegetable life is somewhat equally so with regard to the religious ideas of mankind . There are , however , some men who , unfortunately , seem to have no fixed re-