At The Sign Of The Perfect Ashlar.

Bro . Arthur Blenkarn , Vice-President of the Board of General Purposes , is a Mason of close on twenty years ' standing . He was initiated in the Duke of Connaught Lodge , No . 155 8 , in February , 188 4 , and became Worshipful Master in 1891 , and is still a full subscribing member . He joined the Earl of Lathom LodgeNo . 1 9 , in 1887 , and

, was installed as Worshipful Master in 1895 . He was a founder and first Junior Warden of the Bushey Park Lodge , No . 2381 ( one of the last lodges consecrated by the late Grand Secretary , Col . Shadwell Gierke ) , became Worshipful Master in 18 93 was elected Treasurer in 18 94 and still holds

, , that position . In recognition of his services in the province , he was unanimously elected Provincial Grand Treasurer in 18 9 6 . He was exalted in the Royal Arch in the Lebanon Chapter , No . 1326 , in 188 9 , became M . E . Z . in 18 93 , and was elected Provincial Grand Treasurer in 18 95 .

liltO . ARTHUR HLEXKARN . Bro . Blenkarn has been many years on the Board of General Purposes , having been first elected in 1892 . He is . the senior of the elected members , has served on all the

Committees , and was voted to the distinguished position of Vice-President in 1902 , and again this year . He is a Vice-President of all three of our Masonic Charities , and has served seven Stewardships . He is also Vice-President and a strong supporter of one of the most successful benevolent

associations in South London , attached to the Brixton Lodge of Instruction , so ably conducted by those well-known brethren , George R . Langley and Herbert Hooper .

© © < 3 > The tendency amongst members of the Craft in the United States towards ornate ritual and the use of robes and other accessories in conferring the symbolic degrees is not looked on with universal favour by the Masonic authorities in

the States , and the Grand Master of Rhode Island has recently forbidden their use . The committee appointed to deal with the subject have expressed the following opinion : — " Your committee have no doubt that there might be many changes and innovations made in the conferring the degrees that might

make the work more elaborate and possibly more impressive to some of the Craft . Lodges that were possessed of abundant means might gratify the taste of the more aesthetic of their membership by using expensive and gorgeous costumes and theatrical properties in profusion ; but would

such an innovation be for the best interests of Masonry ? The costume of a M . M . is dark clothes , with apron and gloves ; this is the most simple yet dignified costume , and accords perfectly with the simplicity of Freemasonry . "

We congratulate the committee of Rhode Island on this eminently common sense pronouncement . Apart from the economic aspect of the question above referred to , there cannot be a doubt that in arraying themselves in the gaudy and extravagant costumes which the weaker minded of the Fraternity have adopted in certain jurisdictions , Freemasonry

suffers a loss of dignity and lays itself open to the derision of the outside world which no amount of argument in support of its true nature and objects will quite succeed in effacing .

© © »© " It was recognised , " remarks the American ' Tyler , '' that it was rather a dangerous proceeding to establish a lodge so widely separated from its governing power . Of course , the Grand Lodge of England has lodges under its jurisdiction

all over the world , but the English system , with its Provincial and District Grand Masters , differs from the American system of Masonic government , and there are many things to be carefully considered before authorising the establishment of a lodge which cannot hope to have the closest connection

and readiest communication with the Grand Body . It is satisfactory that the Grand Lodge of the District of Columbia will not take the step unless it is confident that the proposed body will be a success . "

A correspondent of the Sidney Daily Telegraph utters a strong protest against the indiscriminate publication of Masonic procedings in the public press . A Society , he asserts , which has for its motto " Audi , Vide , Tace , " should

not suffer its meetings to be reported as they now arc in almost every village newspaper . I was taught , he says , that the Society '' did good by stealth and blushed to find it fame . " It would be a telling satire to affirm this now . Not a lodge contributes a guinea to a Charity without the same

being duly announced in the newspapers , and when a considerable sum is voted by the Board of Benevolence the whole Craft through its same mediums whoops its exultation . If a worthy brother be presented with a testimonial the proceedings are publicly chronicled , to the great satisfaction , no doubt , of the recipient and the donors .

© © © His belief is , and that belief we feel sure is shared by the bulk of the Craft , that Freemasonry concerns Freemasons alone , and that this ostentatious procedure is inimical to the best interests of the Order , and contrary not only to its " lex non-scripta , " but absolutely to the strict tenor of its regulations .

»©> »» © The writer is not alone in thinking that this parading of Masonic proceedings before the outside public robs the Order of half its charm , and operates strongly against accessions to its ranks from the educated classes . There is

something which appeals to most men in a clash of mysticism , combined with absolute secrecy , and a slight infusion of the primary colours , the whole being flavoured with high-class philanthrophy , leaving the social aspect out of the question . But when once the mask of secrecy is torn away the attractiveness is in some clanger of going with it .

© © © Intending sea trippers should hurry up ere the season closes , as the New Palace Steamers are announcing their final sailings . The " Koh-i-noor" will sail on her last husband ' s boat trip to Margate on Saturday next , and will

finish her regular sailings to Southend and Margate on Monday , 7 th September . " La Marguerite" trips across Channel terminate on Thursday , 10 th September , on which day she will cross to Calais and back . The " Royal Sovereign , " however , will run on until Monday , 14 th

September , to Margate and back , leaving that place somewhat earlier on the homeward journey , in order to avoid late arrivals back at London Bridge on chilly nights .