At The Sign Of The Perfect Ashlar.

the work is Joseph E . Morcombe , historian of the Grand Lodge of Iowa , whose well-developed historic instinct has made such an ideal history possible . The committee in charge have spared no pains to put the story iu proper dress and it appears beautifully printed on deckle-edged paper specially made for the edition , illustrated with over fifty portraits and views and bound in dark green with paper labels . <» < o > o

Ihe writer goes on to say—We would like to call attention to the method adopted bv this lodge for preserving its record of existence . It is the most complete and extensive system of which we know . One of its features is a scrap book kept constantly up to date , containing everything printed of the lodge or any of its members ,

advertisements of all members in business and every possible item of interest , from a lost dog to an election as senator . Annually there is prepared a chapter covering the year ' s work . This includes activities of men and descriptions of events , record of lodge work , biographies of the dead and activities of the

members . Each chapter is in such shape that it can be published without revision or change . It is sealed and docketed and placed in the lodge vault . The next year another chapter is prepaied and so on . When another history is to be published , the historian has all necessary

material at hand . Such a system covers the field so thoroughly that it seems to forget nothing of possible value . We refer to it as a suggestion for all Masonic bodies engaged in similar work .

© « s > o Two stories of visiting brethren have reached us from foreign parts . The District Grand Master it appears had heard reports of a certain lodge under his jurisdiction , which made him think it desirable that it should be visited by

himself or some one deputed by him . Not being able to go in person , he sent a P . D . G . W . of unblemished Masonic repute , but who was unfortunately unknown personally "b y any one in the lodge he was going to visit . Arrived there , he was proceeding to make a state entry , but was checked

on the threshold , by a request for his G . L . certificate . As the document in question was hanging up framed in the visitor ' s sanctum 300 miles away , this was impracticable , and so , consenting to waive this , an examination was suggested . Smothering his indignation , the distinguished visitor consented

to be led to an ante-room , where he was put through his Masonic facings , and showed himself so lamentably ignorant of the first principles of the science , that the Worshipful Master said that conformity with his obligation would not allow him to give the visitor permission . At the same lime

the secretary was directed to write to head quarters and state that a brother describing himself as a District Grand Officer and arrayed as such , had come demanding admission iu the name of the D . G . M ., but that the result of the strict examination he was subjected to left no doubt but that he was a cowan . & < 5 » < 2 »

In the other case , the visiting brother had been turned over to the proper officer for examination , but himself began proceedings by asking to see the lodge warrant . Not having any precedent to guide him . the W . M . feebly allowed the warrant to be brought for his inspection , and when the

brother had satisfied himself that it was a properly warranted lodge he proposed to visit , he then wanted to see the

G . L . certificate of the brother deputed to examine him . As that brother had not seen it himself for twenty years , the examination came to a standstill , until a brother was found who might chance to have his with him . This happily accomplished , the visitor allowed himself to be examined , but insisted on making the examination a mutual one .

Needless to say he was not asked to take part in the mysteries of the fourth degree which was worked at a later liour .

€ > © © A quarterly communication of the Grand Lodge of Scottish Freemasons was held in the Freemasons' Hall , George Street , Edinburgh , on February 2 nd ., Hon . C . M . Ramsay , Grand Master , presiding . Charters were granted

to the following new lodges : —Granite , Mareeba , North Queensland ; Macabean , Port Elizabeth , Cape Colony ; and Nerang , Nerang and Southport , Queensland . The resignation of Bro . John Fraser , District Grand Master of Natal , was accepted , and he was thanked for his services . Bro . Andrew

Barr was appointed District Grand Master of the Golcliields District of Western Australia , and Bro . James Gordon was appointed District Grand Master of Newfoundland . The Grand Committee reported that the small committee which had been appointed to consider how best the Grand Lodge could secure more adequate hall accommodation had made

their report . They stated that the present premises in George Street were built forty-seven years ago , and were then , no doubt , sufficient for Grand Lodge requirements . They , however , fell far short of that now . Another suitable site in a good position , they said , would be difficult if not impossible to secure at a moderate price , owing to the area

of unrestricted ground required . The alternative seemed to them to be to endeavour to utilise more fully the present site , and they were satisfied that all requirements for many years to come could be fully met by rebuilding on the present site . The estimated cost of the rebuilding they set

down at £ 21 , 000 . It was resolved by the Grand Lodge to remit the whole question of accommodation to a meeting of the Grand Committee to be held for that purpose , their report to be made to the Grand Lodge at a quarterly communication in Mav .

© © < 2 > An interesting statement as to the attitude towards relations with other countries of that section of French Freemasonry which in some degree desires to adhere to the ancient landmarks was made by M . Mesureur , Grand Master

of the Grand Lodge of France ( Scottish Rite ) , at the annual banquet of the Anglo-Saxon Lodge recently . After a sympathetic reference to the entente cordiale , M . Mesureur said French Freemasons , though second to none in their desire for peace , did not think nations should disarm or cease

to be vigorous and active . They would prefer to see amongst the Great Powers that frank and friendly spirit which took pleasure in the prosperity of others . Let nations be strong and powerful , and let their friendships be the same . French Freemasonry was working for the peace and union of which

the Anglo-Saxon Lodge had given so eloquent an example , and it was glad to join with all the nations represented in Ihe common effort towards progress and civilisation . OOO The Anglo-Saxon Lodge , which was founded in Paris six years ago , has now become a flourishing institution possessing

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