London.

Masonic sentiment be on a different plane from that obtaining in the provinces , the plan suggested would concentrate it , whereas the present large area tends to dissipate it . Within easy reach of one of the finest Masonic libraries in existence , in touch with headquarters and in contact with the

seat of government , London brethren have immense advantages , denied to those who live far afield , and a properorganization with facilities for concentrating and expressing public opinion , would make them a wonderful power . As things are , the power they exert is that of dead weight .

At The Sign Of The Perfect Ashlar.

At the Sign of the Perfect Ashlar .

The Lord Mayor , Alderman Yaughan Morgan , P . G . Warden , will offer the hospitality of the Mansion House to the M . W , Grand Master and a large number of distinguished brethren at a dinner on Friday , May 4 th . It is just a quarter of a century since a similar entertainment was given by Alderman Sir Francis Wyatt Truscott , P . G . Warden , the then Lord Mayor , when the principal guest was the Prince of Wales , now King Edward VII .

< s > o The desirability of closing up the numbers and thus filling up the blanks caused by the erasure from time to time of lodges from the roll of Grand Lodge has often been mooted lately . Such a course was taken in the year 1832 and again in 186 3 ,

since which latter date , although some live hundred odd lodges have dropped out , the remaining 2 , 600 still retain their original numbers . The renumbering , however , would in our opinion be attended by so many disadvantages as to be wholly undesirable . In the first place not only would the books and

stationery of each Lodge require to be altered , but in manycases replaced by new , and the Grand Lodge Registers which are now arranged so that each lodge appears in its consecutive numerical order would require to be entirely

rearranged . As a ready means of identification also the number plays an important part , and lo many thousands of Masons it forms an integral portion of the name or title , any alteration of which would present a strange and unfamiliar aspect . Such being the inconveniences attendant on the change , nothing but the strongest reasons for such a course

would warrant its adoption , but these do not appear to be forthcoming , the only argument adduced being that the number of the newest lodge should properly represent the total number of lodges on the roll , which at present is misleading . This is a " counsel of perfection " which would in all

probability be again disturbed by the dropping out of lodges long before the clerical work in making the change could be completed . All things considered , therefore , we trust no attempts will be made to alter the present numeration .

© < S > < 2 > The sixth Annual Festival of the London Rifle Brigade Lodge of Instruction was held at the Holborn Viaduct Hotel , on Wednesday , 24 th ult ., the work being the ceremony ot initiation . Bros . H . D . Haslewood , SD ., 181 , being the

W . M ; H . G . Cribb , S . D ., 409 , as S . W . ; G . Elliott , S . W ., 33 , as J . W . ; F . H . Hunt , I . G .. 181 , as S . D . ; C . H . K . Gonville , S . D ., 19 62 , as J . D . ; and W . B . Statham , 2661 , as I . G . Bro . Dodson acting as candidate . The whole of the work was excellently carried through , the W . M . giving the charge in

an impressive manner . Bro . Jenks , the preceptor , then assumed the chair with Bros . A . L . Collins , ' as S . W ., and S . W . Heaton , as J . W . ; when Bro . Hermann , W . M . 9 6 , worked the 1 st section of the first Lecture , Bro . Gale , 45 , the 5 th section ,

and Bro . A . P . Crabb , P . M ., 165 , the 6 th section , all being done to perfection . At the conclusion V . W . Bro . the Rev . Sir Borradaile Savory , Bart ., P . G . C ., the President of the evening , proposed a hearty vote of thanks to all the workers for the admirable manner in which all the work had been carried out . The Rev . Chairman was then unanimously

elected an Hon . Member of the lodge , which compliment he graciously accepted . A large number of joining members was then proposed , after which the lodge was closed . The company then adjourned to the large coffee room of the hotel where an excellent banquet was served . The usual loyal and Masonic toasts were duly honoured , the meeting separating at an early hour .

< S > -Tp ¦«> The Hon . C . M . Ramsay . Worshipful Grand Master Mason , opened a bazaar in the Fine Art Institute . Glasgow , recently , for the purpose of aiding the building fund of Lodge St . Vincent , Sandylord ( Xo . 553 ) . In declaring the

bazaaropen , he said that at the present time it was quite agreeable to be at a meeting where everyone was of the same mind , and where no disagreeable questions were likely to be asked . To show what a progressive force Scotch Masonry was , since the foundation of that lodge , thirty-two years ago , lodges and

memberships had gone on increasing , and now the Grand Lodge was able to count over 1 , 000 lodges on the roll . They were most careful as to whom they admitted to their ranks , and they never lost sight of this one object—that , apart from benevolence , they wished to stand well with the community

at large , and it was only by carefully watching their conduct that thev could secure that high place in public opinion that they were entitled to hold .

The '' Lodge History" has now become such an institution with us as well as with our brethren across the seas that any criticism tending to improve ( he literary quality as well as the usefulness of these publications is welcome . The

Tylcr-Kcvslonc , in noticing the publication of one such work has the following pertinent remarks to offer with which we entirely agree . Masonic bodies throughout the country are acquiring the most commendable habit of putting the record of their lives in permanent form , but it has , we believe , remained

for Crescent Lodge , No . 25 , of Cedar Rapids , Iowa , to make nearest approach to the ideal lodge history . Instead of being a mere compilation of dates and statistics , its history is a wellwritten and entertaining narrative , and therein lies , in large part , its superiority . It is not a handbook of reference , but an interesting story presenting the life records of the men who have served the fraternity , and reproducing the times

and environments of the lodge ' s earlier days . It is really only thus that history should be written . The history ot the Cedar Rapids Lodge covers the period from 18 50 to 1905 , and fills a volume of 500 pages . It traces the activities of pioneer Masons and is full of intimate and valuable reminiscences . In depicting the life of the lodge and the

careers of its members , it chaws a constantly changing picture of the city of Cedar Rapids and adds much even of value to the history of the state . A Cedar Rapids paper says that it is "the most valuable contribution to Iowa history ever compiled in the state , " replete with information obtainable

from no other source . This is real Masonic history , of the kind which recognizes that Masonry has been a large factor in the life of the city and the state , and influential in all their affairs . It marks a movement away from the old-time exclusiveness that acknowledged no participation in outside matters—not even that silent but powerful part taken by men strongly organized for attainment of high ideals .

This book is of interest not merely to the members of Crescent Lodge for the wide field it covers , but it is a production of value to every individual interested in Iowa Masonry . Such a book is worthy of being commended to sister lodges in all jurisdictions as a model for their imitation . The author of