Notes On The Old Minute Books Of The British Union Lodge, No 114, Ipswich. A.D, 1762.

Purposes , another Vice-President , and a third a P . G . Chaplain ( and now Dep . Prov . Gr . Master , Suffolk ) . Several changes have taken place even in so short a time as 4 years , and whilst one or two have resigned or died , 15 have joined in that periodof Avhom five are

, gentlemen of no profession , 2 are doctors of medicine , 1 is a surgeon , 1 a solicitor . There is also a Staff-Commander , R . N . ; a clergyman , Avho is , by the way , a wellknoAvn Suffolk antiquary ; and a merchant . Comparing the present ivith the

pastthere-, fore , one may fairly say the British Union has advanced , and not retrograded ; and if every Lodge were as careful in the admission of members , Masonry would soon take a proud position in this country , and cease to be regarded as it is by a good

many very decent people , both inside and outside the Masonic circle , we are sorry to say , as little better than a Benefit Society , a sort of superior unity of Odd FelloAvs , Ancient Druids , or Free Gardeners . Verburn Sap . AVe recommend to our

brethren generally , and to those in Suffolk particularly , the thoughts which have occurred to us in the perusal of the old Minute Books of this old Lodge .

The history of our centenary Lodges has yet to be Avritten , but there is little doubt much may be learned therefrom . If ive have added but one link to the chain of Masonic knowledge , by the publication of these articles , we are well content . ( Conclusion . )

Social Problems And Their Peaceful Solution.

SOCIAL PROBLEMS AND THEIR PEACEFUL SOLUTION .

BY BRO . REV . AV . TEBES . No . IX . —CHARITY . " Finally , be ye all of one mind , having compassion one of another , love as brethren , be pitiful , be courteous . " THERE is a great deal of misery in the world—there ahvays has been and there always will be ; but yet there is a great deal more , than there is any necessity for ,

if people Avould onl y bestir themselves from their apathetic self-contentment and bestoiv a thought upon the ivell-being of those less favoured than themselves . Misery , hoAvever , there is ; the misery of bereavement , the misery of Avitnessing the

suffering of those dear to us , the misery of sickuess borne by ourselves ; but add to these or any of them the concentrated Avretchedness of penury , aud there is exhibited misery indeed . AVe lose the ones Ave love ; yet Avith the means of

changing the scene and diverting our thoughts from our sorrow , tho sense of past bereavement grows dull and dim , until at last it barel y remains beyond a more recollection of a joy that has been and gone , Our friends may pine and

suffer , or Ave may ourselves be cast upon the bed of sickness and of suffering ; still with the means of obtaining every luxury and obtaining every needful thing for our comfort , the affliction loses half its sting . But take aAvay from a man the

kindred spirit that has shared his load of sorrow , and leave him naught save a blank and empty void in which his soul may gnaw but on itself ; let him see Avife or child

hungry or athirst , perchance Avith an added fever-fire , and be able to afford no help ; let him be cast on the d ying couch , ancl that a couch of Avant , Avith no hand to aid , to lie , to die , forgotten and alone , —and there is misery , nay despair . Well , indeed ,

might ive ask , is there a God ? if this be so , did Ave not remember His own direct assertion , that "The poor shall never cease out of the land . " Seeing then that this misery is GodintendedAve mi ght Avell further ask Avith

, what object is this allowed ? AVhen Ave receive the immediate reply—to afford us our proper sphere of labour , doing true Avork , in which we shall reap an abundant reAA'ard ancl find the poor , what God has described them" Our eternal inheritance . "

, But simply recognizing the fact that " Ye have the poor with you ahvays " will earn us no reward ; so let us betake ourselves to the consideration of active means for the alleviation of as much as possible of this misery .

We have said that the Almighty has Avilled a difference of condition in life , and it does not require a very profound knowledge of Political Economy to see 2 B