Historical Sketch Of Masonic Events During 1864.

one excerpt is sufficient to show their general character . Bro . Findel saj's : " A reform in the constitution of Masonry is not intended for the purpose of creating any new nor demolishing any existing institutions ; it only purposes to complete

the original plan , the inherent idea , according to the spirit of the Confederation , to embellish , purify , and render it more effective . The chief object of all reformatory endeavours must consist in regegerating the lodges from within— -to cause the real

and genuine Masonic spirit to dwell therein—that our sublime Art may be professed with earnestness and enthusiastic resignation . " It is an undoubted fact that more and more lodges are awakened to new spirit ; that intellectual

life , far from having decreased in our Federation , has been advanced especially by the furtherance of scientific education in all classes , the more so as the Craft encompasses them all , thus strengtheningmore and more the foundation upon which alone

the progress and future of Masonry must rest . The defects in the constitution of the Masonic cono-regations are due to the defects inherent to the former brotherhood . They will become more

patent by the intellectual progress of society , by education and instruction , and will be eradicated and vanish as soon as they have proved untenable , in face of the irrestible progress of mankind . The number of lodges in Germany has increased

by no more than three , amongst which the Kaiser ' s Lantern Lodge is particularly remarkable . Masonic associations , however , have become very numerous , and they contain the real germ for the formation of new lodges . Besides , the large

number of new temples inaugurated last year proves the consolidation of the visiting lodges . In Goerlitz , the celebration of the centenary of the lodge afforded a suitable occasion for the inauguration of the new building . A similar festivity

in Weimar was marked by the gift of a fund of 500 thalers towards the relief of indigent sisters . Man 3 large contributions for similar purposes were made at various anniversaries and jubileesamongst other gifts of 1 , 000 thalers , at the Fifty

Years' Jubilee of Bro . Oberbergrath Bresthaupt , of Freiberg , 600 thalers at the Fifty Years' Jubilee of Bro . Superintendent of Forests Maron , of Oppelu . A Sixty Years' Masonic Jubilee was celebrated by Bro . Grebe I ., of Hildesheim .

Besides these , we may name a fund of 3 , 000 thalers , subscribed by the Wurzen Lodge towards the relief of the silent poor , and of 100 , 000 thalers

Historical Sketch Of Masonic Events During 1864.

appropriated by Bro . Gerstkamp , of Dresden , towards the support of indigent pupils of the Dresden Polytechnic Institution ( a real Masonic action ) . We augur a great benefit for the future of the Craft from the gatherings of lodges and brethren

for mutual transactions and festivities . Various meetings of this kind have taken place during the past year , both in North and South Germany— . amongst others , the Kosen May Meeting and the Meeting of German Masons at Hamm , which gave rise to various peculiar transactions . { To he continued . )

Concerning Stained Glass.

CONCERNING STAINED GLASS .

IN your impression of the loth instant you insert a few " Queries concerning Stained Glass , " and appear desirous that they should lead to " some useful expression of views . " I have given the subject of stained glass some serious attention , and therefore trust my following remarks may be

found worthy of insertion in your pages ; and although they may not be considered useful in themselves , yet they may prove so by leading to the expression of others more valuable . Bearing in mind the great demand upon ycur space , I shall endeavour to condense my remarks as much as possible . I shall take the queries seriatim . 1 . " What is the object of stained glass : is it an effect of colour ?"

Stained glass is obviously a decorative medium , and it is unquestionably the most splendid ornamental adjunct ' ever dedicated to the service of architecture . As a decorative medium it depends ujoon two things , i . e ., colour and form ; and in a truly good work both must be present in equal degrees .

Stained glass cannot be said to be an effect of colour only , or to depend for its beauty or value on colour alone . It is capable of displaying the greatest efforts of the artist , and of being made a genuine and perfect work of art . If it depended upon colour only , we should find perfection in a

properly arranged mosaic window , for in it effect of colour can be developed to any extent ; but we do not consider mosaic glass , however good , highly artistic , because it is mechanical in design and systematic in colour . 2 . " What is good colour in stained lass : loud

g and flaring , or quiet and cool ?" This query is not one which admits of a ver } - definite answer , owing to the diversity of tastes and opinions regarding colour , and because in all cases the same class of colouring will not apply . The saying" circumstances alter cases , " applies

to stained glass as forcibly as to other things . I think , however , that we may safely say that good stained glass work should never be "loud and Having , " for those words imply the very richest colours associated inharmoniously . A rich effect ,