Royal Masonic Institution For Girls.

ROYAL MASONIC INSTITUTION FOR GIRLS .

J he monthly Meeting of the General Committee of this Institution was held on Thursday afternoon , at Freemasons' Hall , Col . J . Crealon , Grand Treasurer , in the chair . There were also present Bros . Frank Richardson , A . H . Tatlcrshall , H . A . Dubois , E . M . Money , H . Massey , C . H . Webb , James V . Corben , Charles Ptig . sley , and F . R . \ V . Hedges ( Secretary ) .

After the reading & and confirmation of the minutes , the Chairman was authorized to sign cheques for £ 1247 , and one candidate was placed on the list for next election in April . This was the only petition , the candidate being the daughter of the late Bro . Turner , of Driffield , and of the Camalodunum Lodge . 660 , Malton . A vote of thanks to the Chairman closed the proceedings .

Presentation Of The Portrait Of Comp. Glaisher, F.R.S., To The Britannic Chapter, No. 33.

PRESENTATION OF THE PORTRAIT OF COMP . GLAISHER , F . R . S ., TO THE BRITANNIC CHAPTER , No . 33 .

The banquet of the Britannnic Chapter , on Friday , the 21 st inst ., was marked by a very pleasing incident . Comp . Glaisher , one of the oldest and most esteemed members of the chapter , had , in July last , completed another year of office as M . E . Z ., when , in token of the regard in which he was held by the officers and companions of the chapter , he was invited to sit for his portrait to one of their own body , Comp . James Ricks , an artist whose

reputation as a portrait painter is steadily and deservedly increasing . The invitation cordially given was most generously responded to , and the result of many days of conscientious work was seen when the finished portrait was unveiled . In a speech abounding in the happiest references to Comp . Glaisher ' s distinguished Masonic career ; and to his well-won popularity in

the Britannic Lodge and Chapter ; to the marvellous skill with which the artist had preserved not the features-only , but also the intellectual expression of his subject ; and to the true Masonic spirit by which the memorial had been conceived , proposed , and worked out within the circle of the chapter , the M . E . Z ., Comp . Webb , formally appropriated the portrait as the property of the chapter , to be placed in the room at all future meetings .

Comp . GLAISHER replied with much feeling to the speech of the M . E . Z ., and Comp . Ricks was warmly congratulated by all present on the success of his work .

Masonic History And Historians.

MASONIC HISTORY AND HISTORIANS .

BY MASONIC STUDENT . I said that this point in respect of seventeenth century Masonry was a most important one , and how it is so I propose now to seek to establish . Masonic History is confronted with this great difficulty , —How can you

establish the continuity at Freemasonry , going backwards through the " stream of time , " as before 1717 especially' ? The moment wc seek to illustrate or prove either the statements of Anderson and Preston , or the assertion of " Muita Paucis , " and even Findel , we have this " Crux" to get over . Where arc the proofs of Freemasonry existing before 1700 in England' ? evidences

" You have no minutes , " Objector says j " you possess r . o which show the identity of 1717 Frcem isonry with pre-i 70 : » Masonry , if such a thing really was . You have , I admit , certain gild legends , which Anderson gave in English prose , and which you have adopted , but which may pomt ' to anything or nothing , inasmuch as the ' onus probandi ' lies upon you to prove historically and rationally that you speculative Masons b

have anything to do with the operative Masonry , except y adaptation Admitted , if you like , that the operative gilds had their old legends , ' quod est demonstrandum ' is , that you and the operative gilds represent one and the same system in any sense ,--and stand to each other in the relation of ' cause and effect . ' " The Masonic Student of to-day replies , — " I do not deny the diffieultv , but here is my reply . Non-Masons , like Dr . Plot , admit a system of Masonry in io 8 ( 5 , and that you may fairly push back a generation to

10 , 0 , and when Ashmole records his initiation in 1046 , he practically throws back the existence of lodges to the first ' decade' of the seventeenth century . " What then were these lodges ' ? Were they mainly operative , or mainly speculative ? Were they operative with the admixture of speculative members ? Were they speculative with the concurrence and existence of speculative members' ? Have we in them a relic of the gild system , or have wc in them the " outcome " of an hermetic association ? Now , on the answer to

these queries a great deal hinges . If wc have in these " lodges " a continuance of a gild system by a gradual absoq ^ tion and preponderance of the speculative clement , we possess thus the result of a more elaborate and educated revival of ancient gild fraternities , with a mystic ritual , secrets of trade , and a trade union all combined . We have a very mtural explanation , a very easy transition irom the gradual decay of all actual gild system into the revival of a body which , though it

contained operative members , as in 1717 , became eventually almost entirely non-ope-ative and speculative . If indeed we could establish the fact to which Plot seems to point , that lodges like ours really were in existence in this country in the seventeenth century , of course a great deal of difficulty is removed , though I fear at present , except upon his " ipse dixit , " we shall look in vain for proofs of the the statement , or traces of the lodges , though thev may have existed . Indeed , this point requires much careful research .

" It may also be here observed that " Plot ' s Evidences , as well as the " Sloane MS . " if of seventeenth century archaism , seem to bring before us still the " preponderating existence of an operative fraternity . " I stop here to-day , as the other " Crux " to which I wish to call attention requires a longer space than I can fairly ask in these crowded pages .

Dunedin New Masonic Hall.

DUNEDIN NEW MASONIC HALL .

Through the active interest taken by many leading brethren of Dunedin , the Fraternity in this cilv can now lay " claim to a hall that reflects credit on I he ( Yal ' l , it being . 1 freehold , centrally situated , in Moray-place , and possessing every necessary convenience . Tile main part of the building was formerly the Synagogue , purchased by the Dunedin Freemasons' Hall Co ., at a cost of £ i \ s " . 'Uid improvements and additions have been made at an

outlay of £ <)<)<)¦ . . The total area occupied by the building , on a quarter-acre section , is 33 U . by 86 ft . The structure is three storeys high at the front , the principal hall

Dunedin New Masonic Hall.

being at the back . On the ground-floor is an entrance-hall ; a room for banqueting and other purposes , 29 ft . by 19 ft . ; with lavatories and other conveniences . A substantial staircase leads to the second floor , on which is a large landing , oft . 6 in . by 9 ft . 6 in . j a prcparing-room , 12 ft . by 9 ft . 6 in ., leading into an ante-room , 30 ft . by 19 ft ., from which is ( he entrance to the main hall , a room 30 ft . by 19 ft ., with a height of 20 ft . The hall is plastered ,

has pilasters on the walls on cither side , with bold cornices , is well ventilated , and lighted by two sunlights . It has also semi-circular windows , hung to open , at the top of the walls , and provision has been made for a movable stove on each side of the hall , by means of flues in a pilaster of each wall . A raised platform for two rows of scats runs along each side of the hall , connecting with the dais in the East , and at the corner to the right of the

S . W . ' s chair another platlorm is set apart for the organ and choir . In the East is a tastefully decorated recess , having- emblematical desig -ns and suitable inscriptions , in gold and colours , the artistic work of Bro . Leves , painter , Moray-place . On the upper floor there is a large landing ; a preparingroom , 17 ft . Oin . by yft . Oin . ; and a lodge-room , 13 ft . by 19 ft . ; all of which will , we believe , be set apart for the working of the higher degrees .

The building , which is of bnoi with a slate roof , is a most substantial structure , and the improvement and additions have been faithfully carried out by the contractors , Messrs . Anderson and Godso , under the supervision of the architect , Bro . David Ross , F . R . I . B . A . Gas is laid on in all the rooms , and ever ) - attention has been paid to the provision of necessary fittinsrs—such as hat and coat pegs , & rc . —for the accommodation of a large

number of brethren . The hall is provided with comfortable chairs for the officers , has three rows of cushioned scats on either side , is carpeted , and the furniture throughout—procured by the directors from Bro . Kenning , of London—is of good quality , but scarcely in keeping with the chaste decorations in the East . The walls and the ceiling—which is , much to the dislike of many brethren , a fiat one—have not yet been decorated , owing to the plaster being in an unfit state . —New Zealand Freemason .

Officers Of Lodges.

OFFICERS OF LODGES .

How few seem to realise the importance of selecting the right men to fill the several offices of a lodge ! And of those who are selected , how few seem to at all realise the responsibility resting upon the officers of lodges ! And yet it is true that the success of a lodge depends largely upon the officers selected to preside over it . Into their hands is placed for the lime being not only the business interests of their lodge , but on them depend

the peace , harmony and prosperity , yea , we ma } ' add , the respectability of the Craft in their locality . This is especially true of the Presiding Officer . He is necessarily the most prominent , and is looked upon by not only the members , but by the profane world as well , as the leader and representative of the Craft . If he be an ignorant , stupid fellow , his influence would extend no further than to the same class without . If he be a profane , irreligious

libertine , he may draw to the lodge such characters as himself ; but the better part of community would shun both him and his associates , and look with contempt upon his lodge . But if he be a man of education , of refined manners , and unimpeachable morals , he will command the respect of Masons , and also the uninitiated , and the influence of such a leader cannot be otherwise than salutary . All will delight in and honour such a Master ,

and support him in his endeavours . It is necessary that the Master of a lodge should study the ritual and work of the Craft , and be master of it . He should likewise be well posted ) n the rules of order which have been adopted for the government of public assemblies . These do not always apply in the government of a Masonic lodge , yet a knowledge of them will be of great aid to him . He should give much attention to the study of

Masonic jurisprudence , and especially to the edicts and regulations of his Grand Lodge . He should read the copies of the Annual Transactions of that Body , and all new enactments and important decisions he should have read in open lodge , for the propsr instruction of the Craft . He should subscribe for at least one Masonic periodical , giving preference to the one issued in his own jurisdiction ; and also use his endeavours to induce his members

to become subscribers ; for Masons should be reading , intelligent men , and especially should they support the literature of the Fraternity . And in selecting a Senior Warden it is important that one should be chosen who is capable of taking the Master ' s place in his absence , and of filling it with credit to himself and profit to the Fraternity . In case of the death or removal of the Master the important duties of the chief station

fall upon him , and he becomes Worshipful Master . But at all times he is expected to assist the Worshipful Master , and it is very necessary that he be qualified for his position as assistant . In true dignity he should endeavour to be the equal of the one whom he is expected to aid and support in work and counsel .

And what is said of the Senior may apply with almost equal force to the Junior Warden . In case the Master and Senior Warden are absent , then the Junior is expected to assume the East . and he should be qualified to do so . He is expected also to be an example of integrity , for in his charge the Craft are especially placed during the hours of refreshment . How is it expected that a drunken Junior Warden will prevent the Craft from intemperance or excess ? Admonitions from such an one would be too much like Satan

rebuking sin . TheSccretary should understand the peculiar duties of that office , and he promptly on hand at the commencement of all meetings , prepared to record , in a plain , legible , and business-like manner all the proceedings of the lodge . He should attend to his business promptly ; and especially keep his money records clear and capable of being understood at a glance by all parlies concerned . To him all moneys should be paid . These he should pay over to the Treasurer without delay , taking his receipt therefor , which

should be placed on file , and an entry also made of the transaction , giving date and sum received , and the name of the party paying , so that the record will prove the entire transaction . More trouble has arisen to lodges from the bungling , unbusiness-like methods of dull , unqualified Secretaries than from any other source . And it is so all-important that a lodge have a good one , that it is best to keep a qualified one at fair wages as long as possible .

The Treasurer should be an honest , business man , who will keep securely the funds placed in his hands , and be ready at all times to meet all the calls upon him to the extent of the ability of the lodge . He should never use lodge funds in his private business . In a word , the officers of a lodge should be zealous , refined , educated Masons . They should be dignified in manner , and capable oi serving the lodges over which they are elected to preside . They should be an honour to the Craft , and then the Craft will hoiioifrthcm . —Freemasons' Monthly .