Royal Masonic Institution For Girls.

The Chairman said he would only adei , with regard to the opinion of Bro . Locock Webb , which Bro . Moss said he ( the chairman ) ought lo have read to the meeting , that Bro . Moss took it away with him . It was an impossibility he should have read it to the meeting , because Bro . Moss took it away before the meeting commenced . The amendment of Bro . E . Cox was then put , when there appeared—For the amendment 8

Against oi The amendment was therefore lost , and thc motion to confirm the minutes of the Special Court of thc 3 rd of January was put and carried . The Chairman then gave notice of the following motion : " It being desirable to enlarge the Royal Masonic Institution for Gills by maintaining , clothing , anel

educating twenty-live girls in addition to those already in the institution , the House Committee be directed to make the necessary arrangements to accommodate such twenty-five < "irls , and that such twenty-five girls be elected at the next election after the House Committee shall havc

reported the completion of the anangements necessary for the reception and accommodation for such twenty-five girls . " A vote of thanks to the Chairman , proposed by Bro . the Rev . J . Edmund Cox , D . D ., P . G . C , and seconded by Bro . Mclntyre , Q . C G . K ., closed the proceedings .

A Wesleyan Minister On Freemasonry.

A WESLEYAN MINISTER ON FREEMASONRY .

At the installation meeting of the Cornubian Lodge , No . 450 , Hayle , the following address was delivered by thc W . M ., W . Bro . thc Rev . G . Kennedy : —I am pretty well accustomed to public spi aking , as you know , and contrive , as a rule , to be at home when on my legs . But for

once I feel that your excess of courtesy and kindness has almost taken from me the power of adequately addressing you . My position to-day is somewhat singular . I am , I believe the first minister of our religious body who has occupied a Masonic chair in the British dominions . I need make no apology to the Church with which I am associated nor to society at large for occupying this position .

( Applause . ) I regard myself as being a kind of pioneer , and feel assured that when Masonry is better understood thc unnatural and untrue distinction which at present exists in some men ' s minds between it and religion will be swept away , as something out of place and decidedly in the road of human progress . ( Hear , hear . ) It would be mere affectation to s-ay I am not proud of the position . To

be master of a Masonic lodge is an honour which any true-hcaitcd man may covet . But to be master of suchalodgeas the Cornubian , one of the foremost in the West of England , is a distinction which falls to the lot of ' only a favoured few . Rest assured that I am not insensible ol the honour which you have this day done me . I am no candielate for fancy Degrees in Masonry , and am

inclined to regard them as to s : mie extent rather violating the spiiilof genuine brotherhood and equality ; but shoulel it ever be my fortune to possess the adornments of even the highest grades in our Order , I will never esteem them so highly as I do the Master ' s symbol which you have hung around my neck . ( Applause . ) I take the chair of this lodge under several very favourable circumstances . I

cannot forget , dear brethren , the spontaneity of your action in electing me . I came among you a total stranger , as it were , but yesterday , and you . have accorded to me the highest honour it is in your power to give . I could not , of course ,, in honour , promote my own election , and you did not expect me to stoop to unworthy clinging or canvassing to secure the Master ' s

office ; the brethren will bear me witness that neither by wqrel or hint have I paved the way to my own exaltation . ( Hear , bear , and applause . ) Another very happy circumstance is the unanimity of the vote which has placed me at your head . Unfortunately , sometimes there is a divided vote , which I havc known to rend a lodge in twain , and leave behind " it legacies of heart-burning anel

jealousy , which made harmony impracticable for years . I hold my place to-day without one adverse vote , a circumstance in which I heaitily rejoice . I am happy also in thc recollection of your financial condition . You arc more than solvent , having not only paid all current expenses for the year , but reduced the outstanding debt upon our premises , To keep bur finances in a healthy condition ; to secure a

continuance of perfect harmony in the lc > dge ; to maintain its honour unsullied and is usefulness undiminished , will be the object of my constant care during the year of my incumbency . ( Applause . ) I cannot forget that as Masons we are associated with an institution possessing and exhibiting singular vitality . It reaches , wc know , far back into the hoary past ; and is venerable with age and antiquity .

It comes to us , not with the flush of untried novelty , but with the adjuncts of history , experience , strength , and fruitfuluess . Many institutions which sprang up sielc by side with Masonry have been weighed in the balance of human want , and , being found wanting , have been swept aside in the preigrcss of ages . 1 hey were not bound up , in any vhal sense , with the life and interests of humanity .

But Freemasonry , with its eye undimmed anil its natural strength unabateel , shows no sign of failing energy . On the central y , it bids fair to live as long in the future as it lias done in the past ; an evidence of the soundness of its constitution . It may not be generally known that some twelve hundred lodges have been chartered and consecrated within the past two and forty yeais . Now , I cannot

but ask myself , to what is this vitality and progress owing ? Certainly it is not to any ostentatious parade on our pait . We do not boast , although we might , that our Order has numbered kings and princes by the hundred , and dukes and nobles by the thousand . We are not for ever publishing the fact that , from the middle and upper classes , we attract officers by tens of thousands ,

A Wesleyan Minister On Freemasonry.

and we number faithful brethren all over the world by millions . We do not engage in the work of proselytizing . Freemasonry has no missionaries , no propaganda ; it wins men to it by its own inherent beauty and goodness—a fact which stimulates every Freemason to a life which . shall illustrate and adorn his principles ; and covers every unworthy member of our Craft with shame . It is only too

true that for centuries many have joined the Order to satisfy what , I fear , was little better than an unworthy and prurient curiosity , and having done so , cease to be numbered with us . Nor can we forget that numbers of men bring a reproach upon us , by making Masonry synonymous with idleness , intemperance , and excess . Still Masonry survives and flourishes . Time , which

annihilates so many things , spares it . While other institutions labour to be heard for their much speaking , and make music like that of the cuckoo , always repeating its own name , Masonry , like the lark behiud a cloud , is content to sing unseen , so long as its voice gives greeting at the gate of heaven and falls with a gentle influence upon lonely hearts below . Brethren , Masonry owes its place

and power to the principles upon wbich it rests . It has for its centre , faith , truth , and honour ; it has for its circumference , jirtue , purity , and charity . More pai ticularly , it owes its portion and influence to the true view which it cherishes of our human aspirations . It is in strict harmony with the perennial instincts of the human heart . Look Where we will , humanity shows us one thing

springing like hope within it eternally , the consciousness of , and the desire for , immortality . That there is for man another life when his present existence has run its course Masonry proclaims with no uncertain voice . I regard this primary element in our organisation , this tenacious hold on immortality , as one of its highest and most helpful functions . Take away thc conviction of an after-state ,

and you reduce man to the level of a soulless animal . Strike out of the common heart this conception , and you destroy all intelligent . and operative distinction between vice and virtue ! Practically , you abolish the very spring and icason of moral rectitude in man . Freemasonry is a power just in proportion as it tells us that while we seem to stumble over other men's graves until at last we stumble

into our own , above the emblems of mortality there is an immortal mansion , to which the pure in heart will at last ascend , and in which the just will find their reward , I trust the day will never come when , as Masons , we shall be ashamed of our loyalty to this great vital instinct of the human heart . Freemasonry is powerful also , becauss it arives a true answer to thc deepest of all human needs .

Looking at society , both lu its natural and artificial aspects , we discover one grtat need , thatis God . Every kind of existence has something which is essential to it . Find out that which conduces to its welfare , and you discover what belongs to it . Asceitain what destroys or injures it , and you may conclude that ; whatever that may be , it does not belong to it . Now , brethren , if I look at

society as a political economist , merely seeking to promote the greatest good of the greatest number ; or , if I regard it merely as an artist , having respect to its symmetry and stability , I see no hope for humanity either actual or possible apart from G > d . You can throw no hand around men strong enough to knit them together , save that which unites them to God . Herein Masonry is again strong . It

tells us that men are not poor voyagers ever the sea of life , with no hand at the helm of affairs , and no haven for which to steer . It gives the assurance that our prayers are not idle wails flung to the winds of heaven , but cries which evoke from the heart of the Infinite a quick and sure response . And in these days when the battle is set in array between faith and no faith ; when , after ages of

fencing , we have to face the naked issue , is there a God or is there not , shall we pray or shall we forbear , this institution stands out in direct conflict with Atheism . When men missed those signs by which , from the beginning , the Great Architect of the Universe has announced his existence , and obliterate his hand-writing upon the inner walls of our universal consciousness , Masonry takes its

stand upon the elcad brink of a universe denuded of God , and warns us back . Masonry does all its work beneath the sacred symbol , and its light would be quenched and the glory gone from its scutcheon did our lodges cease to be to us from that hallowed association , Holy ground . Further , Masonry retains its place and power because it holds the onlv Hue and rational conception of human life .

It recognises thc level of equality which runs through life ; the level from which we all alike start . Below that level men may sink , and above it ttiey may rise into rank and eminence . But , in essentials , Masonry contends for manhood , free and equal beneath the canopy of Heaven . It teaches us to see in every man a copy of ourselves , and wc sec in the race one ' s-self only multiplied

by millions . The man , no matter in what lanel he first drew breath , or however mean his garb , who advances to a Mason , thc claim of a common nature is assured beforehand ot a prompt and brotherly respect . In looking at it , Masonry takes into account the accidents and inequalities of lite . We find human beings trampled down by many waysides , and stricken down upon many battle-fields , with

their lives overshadowed with sorrow and overburdened with misfortune . For these , our Oreltr has a voice that cheers and a hand that helps , as witness our magnificent Schools for the orphan , standing side by side with charitable Institutions for the aged , the widowed , and the poor . In addition to this , Masonry contemplates a coming unity when , as Burns , himself a Mason , says—Man to man thc world around ,

Shall brothers be , and a' that . As faithful Craftsmen wc play our part in bringing about this welcome consummation , hut how ? Not by framing a world-wide political programme , or hurling Governments fiom power , nor by formulating a world-wide religious system . In order to blend the race into oneness Masonry confronts thc world with this for its molto everywhere , the

A Wesleyan Minister On Freemasonry.

common Fatherhood of God above , and the common Brotherhood of Man below . It is because our Order cherishes these views of life that the world pays it reverence , and concedes to it its place and power . There are two standing popular objections to Freemasonry . From time immemorial it has been objected to on the score of mystery , and of its symbolism . Upon these grounds , and

specially the first , superstition' has decried our mystic art , and ecclesiastical stupidity has risen in 'wrath to launch its thunders against us ; while the popular mind has judged us with suspicion and disfavour . Now , we frankly admit that our institution has its mysteries . What then ? Is Masonry alone in this respect ? Can we go anywhere without verging upon the region of mystery ? Is not our life

hemmed in with it on every side ? Nature has he mysteries , only frild to those in harmony with herself . Knowledge has its mysteries , only yielded up to patient study . Science has its mysteries , jealously guarded from any but the mort reverent inquirer . Why should not Freemasonry also have its mysteries , kept under wise guardianship from idle and prying eyes ? We keep

our mysteries under seal only from him who exhibits neither the will nor the wotthiness to know them . We use them to inspire that teachability and respect for those who are wiser than ourselves , which it is the purpose of all genuine education to impart . Again , Masonry in its symbolism is equally far from bring singular . The language of signs enters very fieely into human life .

Royalty has its symbolism , with which to impress the common mind . Law has its pageantry , and chivalry its endless devices . Scholarship proclaims itself in hood and degree , and religion itself clings fondly to its symbols Every corporation has its seal ; every city its coat of arms ; and every branch of industry its distinctive badge . Nay , the universe itself shows us but glorious symbols of Him

who piled it in beauty , strength , and wisdom . Our imputed love of what is fantastic and showy in attire is but an illustration to the public eye of what we may not communicate to the uninitiated public ear . In conclusion , brethren , 1 cherish an ambition , a conviction , and a purpose . My ambition is to make the year before us at least equal to all that have preceeded it for rfficient , harmonious , and fruitful Masonic work . My conviction is , that should

divisions arise among us , the same votes which placed me in the chair will sustain me in it , provided that my ruling is for thc wisest ends , and in accord with our constitution My purpose is , if possible , so to bear myself as ycur Master at all times and in all things , that I shall , when my term of office expires , lay down the symbol of my authority , untarnished by one unwise word , or one unworthy act of mine . When the W . M . had resumed his seat , the applause was loud and long-continued .

Supreme Grand Chapter.

SUPREME GRAND CHAPTER .

The following is the agenda paper of the Quarterly Conveication to be held on Wednesday , the 4 th of February next . BUSINESS . The minutes of the last Quarterl y Convocation to be read for confirmation . THE Rr'poriT OF THK COMMITTEE OF GENERAL

Peiu-I ' IISES : — To the Supreme Grand Chapter of Royal Arch Masons ' of England . Tne Committee of General Purposes beg to report that they have examined thc accounts from the 15 th October , 1879 , tothe 20 th January , 18 S 0 , both inclusive , which they find to be as follows : —

£ s . d . To balance , Grand Chapter 1231 4 6 „ „ Unappropriated account ... 170 10 1 „ Subsequent receipts 341 16 it

£ 1743 " 6 By disbursements during the quarter ... £ 251 4 6 „ Balance 1328 6 n ,, „ in unappropriated ace unt ... 164 o 1

,, £ i 743 11 6 Which balances are at the Bank of England , Western Branch . The Committee have likewise to report that they havc received the following petitions : — ist . From Comps . Edward Roscnbusch as Z . ; Charles Edward Coffey as H . ; Harry Gardner as J . ; and twelve

others for a chapter to be attached to the Union Loelge , No . 407 , Malia , to be called the William Kingston Chapter , and to meet at the Masonic Hall , Valetta , Malta . 2 nd . From Comps . Edward Pitt Youell asZ . ; William Dods as H . ; Joseph Tomlinson as J . ; and eight others for a chapter to be attached to the St . Andrew ' s Lodge , No . 1631 , Gorlcston , to be called the St . Andrew's Chapter , and to meet at St . Andrew ' s Hall , Gorleston ,

Suffolk . 3 rd . From Coinps . James Henry Gration as Z . ; Thomas Braithwaite as H . ; John Bustard as J . ; and eight others for a chapter to be attached to the Friendly Lodge , No . 1513 , Barnsley , to be called the Friendly Chapter , and to meet at the King ' s Head Hotel , Barnsley ,

Yorkshire . 4 th . From Comps . William George Lemon as Z . ; the Rov . William Taylor Jones as H . ; Charles William Thompson as J . ; and eleven others to be attached to the Ravensboume Lodge , No . 1601 , Catford Bnlge , to be

called the Ravensboume Chapter , and to meet at the Boaiel of Works Office , Catford Bridge , Lewisham . gth . From Comps . James Terry as Z . ; John Howroyd Sadler as H . j John Edwin Cussans as J . ; and six others for a chapter to be attached to the Highgate Lodge , No ,