At The Sign Of The Perfect Ashlar

formed of brethren interested in the welfare of the Foundling Hospital . Previously to his accepting his position at the Foundling he edited The Record , and he is author of several books of theology and fiction as Avell as being a contributor to the magazines . Our reverend brother this year occupies the Junior Warden ' s chair of the Buckingham and Chandos Lodge No . 1130 , of which the late Bro . Sir John Monckton was the first Master .

<& < # © A memorial service or funeral lodge for Bro . Burgess , a much respected member of Lodge Cannongate Kilwinning , took place in the Freemasons' Hall , Edinburgh , on the 21 st May , and was attended by about 350 brethren , including deputations from Berwick-on-Tweed , Innerleithen , Grantown ,

Crieff , Glasgow , Dumfries , Lanarkshire , and other parts of the country , and also from Norway and Sweden . Bro . Burgess was a native of Grantown , and was educated at Aberdeen University , and at Corpus Christi , Cambridge , where he took very high honours in mathematics and natural

philosophy . He Avas a foremost scientist and took special interest in electrical science , in which he Avas an expert . After leaving Cambridge he took a position as mathematical master in Merchiston Castle , Edinburgh , where he laboured for about twenty-one years . At his death he was vicemaster of the school . He Avas deeply interested in physical

training and Avas a prime favourite with the boys . As captain of the cadet corps , he had the smartest company of the Queen's Edinburgh Rifle Volunteers .

€ f « 9 © He was initiated in Mary's Chapel Lodge in 1900 , but immediately afterwards joined Lodge Cannongate Kilwinning , to which he formed the deepest attachment . He AA-as elected Right Worshipful Master on St . John's Day in summer , 9 , and died almost at the end of his second year of Mastership .

He was a magnificent ritualist , both in the Craft and in the Royal Arch as Avell as in the Templar Bodies , to which he also belonged , and IAVO years ago when he was admitted to the Royal Order of Scotland , he delivered , on the anniversary of Bannockburn , one of the finest speeches on the Scottish nation and

character which has ever been heard . He will long be remembered in the lodge to which he belonged , not only for his manly and upright character , but also for the spirit of energy and thoroughness which he infused into the Avhole proceedings of his lodge .

- ©> > $ > © A very appreciative illustrated biography of Bro . C . E . Keyser , M . A ., P . G . D ., the popular squire of Aldermaston , appears in the April issue of The Biographisl and Review , which has for a frontispiece a charming view of Aldermaston Court from the south-west . The biography deals at length Avith

Bro . Keyser ' s career as a country gentleman , as a politician , as a churchman , as an archaeologist , as a sportsman , as a Freemason , as an horticulturist , and the many other aspects of his versatile character .

© < s > © The splendid contribution made b y the Craft to the funds of the senior Charitable Institution in this Coronation year registers the high-water mark of Masonic munificence in connection Avith English Masonry , and naturally gives rise to a feeling of pride in our beneficent system , which , under much

adverse criticism from our friends and calumny from our avoAved enemies , continues to exhibit such unmistakeable signs of vigour and usefulness .

- < s » * ® Our excellent contemporary , Tlie American Tyler , in a recent issue , quotes a press despatch from Nebraska , stating that William J . Bryan , the defeated candidate at the last election for the presidency , was elected a member of the Order a short time since , and that " not a single blackball was cast

against him , although the lodge was largel y republican . " We must confess to a feeling of surprise that this fact should be considered anything but ordinary , for Ave had fondly imagined that our American brethren were entirely free from political prejudices in all pertaining to Masonrv , but it is

made clear to us that this is not the case , for the Tyler goes on to suggest that the lodge on account of the prominence of the candidate , " forgot for the time their political affiliations Avhen balloting for him , " adding that " members of a lodge as a rule cast their votes strictly on party lines . "

" Mallet , " in the Glasgow Evening Xews , has something to say about the brother who is indifferent as to his Masonic attainments . " Too often a brother visits a lodge , AVIIO , on examination , is found very deficient , but is dealt with lenientl y and admitted and received cordially , which is right—but is it right for a stranger thus to impose on lodges ? One ,

although a bona-fulc Mason and entitled to those privileges and courtesies , is morally not entitled to any consideration which he does not deem important enough to obtain b y merit—if he deems it not his duty to cultivate Masonic knoAVledge sufficiently to work his way into a lodge duly and truly .

"A good speaker , prominent 111 the community , but who seldom , if ever , visits a lodge , is usually made much of at special occasions and listed prominently on a programme , when another speaker , who is regular in attendance , is either ignored or given a minor part . In no way should the outside prominence of a man , when he neglects all lodge duties , be

allowed to hold him prominent in the lodge-room . He will not feel it necessary to be a good Mason , as he has all the honours the craft can bestoAV on him anyway . This is the experience of our American brethren . HOAV applicable it is to the Mother Country , where seats in high places are too often reserved for brethren who , if treated on the level , should Masonically take a very IOAV place in our assemblies . "

s £ » " 8 » ' &' The Masonic tramp has been much in evidence during the past feAV months , and several convictions for obtaining money under false pretences have been reported in the press . It may be taken for granted that ninety-nine out of a hundred

of the Fraternity who attempt to obtain relief from members of the Order to whom they are personally unknoAvn are not only unworthy of relief , but in many cases fraudulent imposters . The organisations at present existing in almost every province and district , to say nothing of the central

Board of Benevolence , are equal to the requirements of almost every- deserving applicant , and Ave cannot too strongly impress on our readers IIOAV undesirable it is to encourage this class of mendicant , whether he may present himself as a " brother " or as an ordinary tramp .

© •«» <& It is quaint to note , remarks the Westminster Gazelle , the very various directions in which the influence of the new reign and the anticipation of the coming Coronation are having their effect . Seeing the position the King has long held in Freemasonry- —for over a quarter of a century as

Grand Master and now as Protector of the Order—it is not surprising that in the Masonic world this should be specially marked ; for within the past three months the Duke of Connaught , as Grand Master of the Free and Accepted Masons of England , has issued warrants for the creation ,

among other lodges , of a Royal Edward Lodge at Liverpool , a King Edward VII . Lodge at NeA \ biggin-by-Sea in Northumberland , and a Coronation Lodge in London . But the chronicles of Masonry in this phase are accustomed to be an abstract and brief chronicle of the time ; and , for instance ,

for some IAVO or three years after the present monarch and then Prince of Wales was put forward as ( hand Master , lodges named Albert Edward , after himself , and Alexandra , after his gracious consort , were of somewhat frequent institution—the Duke of Cornwall as the Grand Master ' s " born "

title not being forgotten- —while one new London lodge of that period even successfully claimed to be called " Bertie , " which may have been thought to be in the Heir-Apparent ' s honour . It is hardl y necessary to remark that our contemporary ' s little joke is much too far fetched to have any point , even for our youngest reader .