Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Turkey.
operation of the ministers of religion , and sustained by our own long-earned reputation for loyalty and good conduct , and by the well founded respect of our fellow citizens . There our labours are relatively small , and our responsibilities light , while we can , in the full light of day , and with tiie patronage of the authorities , civil , military , and ecclesiastic , lay the foundation stones of edifices of religion aud benevolence , or pay the tribute of personal respect to our living members and our dead . There
the town hall is offered for our meetings , and the church is devoted to our special service . Pomp and display , and the testimonies of honour and respect , may invite to us the weakminded , even if they fail to influence the man of earnest convictions and of deeply-seated benevolence . Here , it must never be forgotten , we are regarded by the mob of high and low with hatred , and by the charitable and intelligent with suspicion . By
our own carriage and conduct we have to meet these misconceptions , and to create a reputation , correspondent with that wo possess at home . AA e must in conformity with the ancient charges and constitutions , adhere the more firmly to the precepts and ¦ principles of Masonry , discountenancing innovations and new inventions in the body of Masonry , We must not as Masons be under-the suspicion of having any connection with politics , or be offensive to any man ' s religious convictions ; naywe must be
, ¦ careful of offending the social prejudices of those among whom Ave live . AVe must be particularly cautious in the choice of our members , cautious in the parade of our own connection with Masonry . AVe must not seek proselytes . 3 nglish brethren cannot be too cautious in designating other persons as Masons . An English or American Mason may make a chivalrous protestation of his connection with Masonry , because he runs not the least risk of any evil consequences , but there is no true courage
in this , and no beneficial assertion of principle on the other hand , the ungual ded committal of a . native brother , some of whom are now actually under persecution , may bring upon him the social proscription of an ignorant or bigotted family , deprive him of his professional business connection , or damage his political position . Nothing can be worse founded , and nothing more unjust than the prejudices of ignorant Mussulmans , because as the more learned and more pious knew there is a very intimate association in principle , and a close resemblance in
practise between Masons and the more spiritualistic and devout Mussulmans . This gives us comfort and assurance that we shall in the end receive justice from our Mussulman friends in this country as elsewhere , and the time may not be far distant , when , as in India , the most illustrious , the most pious , and the most learned of the Mussulmans may seek in Masonry a noble privilege . In the meanwhile we cannot be too cautious until we haveby our own good conductlaid assured foundations for
, , confidence and respect . With regard to the various jurisdictions , there are many reasons why it was desirable the whole of the lodges should have continued under the Grand Lodge of England . This is not so , and in the nature of things other jurisdictions have conferred warrants . In our colonies and in India it happens naturally that our three Grand Lodges have offshootsand it is so here . AVe havehowever " repvesentatives
, , , of foreign Grand Lodges' Our conduct is clear , to give every brotherly assistance to all generally as Masons , but at the same time to be cautious to enter into no close and intimate association with bodies whose principles are either unknown to us or are known to be different from ours . In the lodges and brethren of the Grand Lodges of Scotland and Ireland we shall find co-operators in the promotion of ancient Masonry
, and even if any { temporary conflict of jurisdiction shall take place , I pray all to maintain that triple alliance which has for so long a period of time bound us together at home . AA e shall be safe on the ancient basis of Masonry upheld by these three columns , and let us keep them together . Speaking the same language , possessing the same traditions , and adopting the same principles , we have a natural basis of alliance which
cements us together , and which differences of language and of practice do not allow in the case of foreign lodges . On that \ ery account it is the more incumbent to profit by every legitimate oecasion for exhibiting symyatby with our foreign brethren on common ^' grounds . Thus our R . W . Prov . G . M . assembled together in one reunion all the various lodges of Constantinople on tho last St . John's Dayand thuson the approaching
, , St . John ' s Day , will those of Smyrna join in one common celebration . Let us be friends to all and enemies to none , even to those who unjustly revile us . Let us overcome those who assail us , as we have done in long time , epoch after epoch , man after man , by good conduct in ourselves , and by charity
Turkey.
towards others . Above all , let there be no real ground for mistake about Masonry . Masonry cares nothing for political or party progress , for upsetting , for innovating , for reconstituting . AA o offer no man a new religion , nor dowe interfere with his own . The only progress we are concerned in is the progress not of our own brethren only , but of all mankind in true religion , in virtue and in learning , that all may be the better enabled to do their duty towards their Maker and those
whom He has created . In this work wo have been aided hymen of all political and religious opinions , whom we . have invited to the task , by the absolute power and by the elective chief , by AA ashington as by Frederick tho Great , by the monarch on his throne , and by the poor scholar labouring for his daily bread . Masonry in common with all other temples of God receives all good men of whatever politics , and within onr walls the prayers of all good men are acceptable ; and
Masonry can no more denounce any form of political opinion that aspires to good than it can any form of religions belief which acknowledges the existence of the Most High . Masonry discountenances dishonesty and immorality of all kinds ; it discountenances anarchy , atheism , irreligion , and ignorance .. Under such circumstances we can confidently persevere in our task , in the full assurance that the writings , the intrigues , the denouncementsand the persecutions of no manno community
, , , no church , no sovereign , aud no nation ever have prevailed against Masonry or ever will . They may have created a prejudice for a brief time , but as truth has long become the stronger , all such efforts have proved impotent , ami so they must be so long as the conduct of Masons gives no countenance to them , but gives effective disproof . If we are regarded in our own families as good and honest men , in our own communities , and by our own nation , if we are protected by our laws , and
countenanced by our social institutions , we can afford certainly to await the verdict of ignorant strangers . They will learn that Masonry does not , as some have held forth , profess or promote anarchy or irreligion , but that it acts in aid of the precepts of religion to strengthen family ties , ' to improve the social relations , and to promote patriotism at home , and the fraternity of nations—peace , charity , and goodwill—abroad . The District Grand Lodge was then closed in form and with solemn prayer .
Notes On Music And The Drama.
NOTES ON MUSIC AND THE DRAMA .
An interesting theatrical ease was tried m the Court of Queen's Bench , Mr . Swanborough , the manager of the Birmingham Theatre , being plaintiff , and Mr . Sothern ( Lord Dundreary ) the defendant . It seems that Mr . Sothern engaged Avith Mr . Swanborough to perform for seventeen nights at
Birmingham ; he afterwards Avished to alter the time , but Mr Swanborough Avould not consent . He arrived in Birmingham on the first night in a state of health too ill to appear ; a quarrel ensued , and though Mr . Sothern did aftmvards perform for some nights , his
illness and the ill-humour between the parties broke out again , and the engagement was broken . The plea of the defendant Avas that his illness quite incapacitated him from performing . The jury found for the plaintiff , but they only awarded damages to the
extent of £ 50 , Mr . Sothern having proved that for a considerable portion of his stay in Birmingham , he Avas not able to appear upon the stage . The new sacred work of M . Gounod ' s " Tobias , " Avill be performed at one of the "West End Halls on
Shrove Tuesday , under the superintendence of Mr J Benedict . At the same time will be sung the two new psalms by the same composer , " Babylon ' s Wave /' and "Bethlehem . "
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Turkey.
operation of the ministers of religion , and sustained by our own long-earned reputation for loyalty and good conduct , and by the well founded respect of our fellow citizens . There our labours are relatively small , and our responsibilities light , while we can , in the full light of day , and with tiie patronage of the authorities , civil , military , and ecclesiastic , lay the foundation stones of edifices of religion aud benevolence , or pay the tribute of personal respect to our living members and our dead . There
the town hall is offered for our meetings , and the church is devoted to our special service . Pomp and display , and the testimonies of honour and respect , may invite to us the weakminded , even if they fail to influence the man of earnest convictions and of deeply-seated benevolence . Here , it must never be forgotten , we are regarded by the mob of high and low with hatred , and by the charitable and intelligent with suspicion . By
our own carriage and conduct we have to meet these misconceptions , and to create a reputation , correspondent with that wo possess at home . AA e must in conformity with the ancient charges and constitutions , adhere the more firmly to the precepts and ¦ principles of Masonry , discountenancing innovations and new inventions in the body of Masonry , We must not as Masons be under-the suspicion of having any connection with politics , or be offensive to any man ' s religious convictions ; naywe must be
, ¦ careful of offending the social prejudices of those among whom Ave live . AVe must be particularly cautious in the choice of our members , cautious in the parade of our own connection with Masonry . AVe must not seek proselytes . 3 nglish brethren cannot be too cautious in designating other persons as Masons . An English or American Mason may make a chivalrous protestation of his connection with Masonry , because he runs not the least risk of any evil consequences , but there is no true courage
in this , and no beneficial assertion of principle on the other hand , the ungual ded committal of a . native brother , some of whom are now actually under persecution , may bring upon him the social proscription of an ignorant or bigotted family , deprive him of his professional business connection , or damage his political position . Nothing can be worse founded , and nothing more unjust than the prejudices of ignorant Mussulmans , because as the more learned and more pious knew there is a very intimate association in principle , and a close resemblance in
practise between Masons and the more spiritualistic and devout Mussulmans . This gives us comfort and assurance that we shall in the end receive justice from our Mussulman friends in this country as elsewhere , and the time may not be far distant , when , as in India , the most illustrious , the most pious , and the most learned of the Mussulmans may seek in Masonry a noble privilege . In the meanwhile we cannot be too cautious until we haveby our own good conductlaid assured foundations for
, , confidence and respect . With regard to the various jurisdictions , there are many reasons why it was desirable the whole of the lodges should have continued under the Grand Lodge of England . This is not so , and in the nature of things other jurisdictions have conferred warrants . In our colonies and in India it happens naturally that our three Grand Lodges have offshootsand it is so here . AVe havehowever " repvesentatives
, , , of foreign Grand Lodges' Our conduct is clear , to give every brotherly assistance to all generally as Masons , but at the same time to be cautious to enter into no close and intimate association with bodies whose principles are either unknown to us or are known to be different from ours . In the lodges and brethren of the Grand Lodges of Scotland and Ireland we shall find co-operators in the promotion of ancient Masonry
, and even if any { temporary conflict of jurisdiction shall take place , I pray all to maintain that triple alliance which has for so long a period of time bound us together at home . AA e shall be safe on the ancient basis of Masonry upheld by these three columns , and let us keep them together . Speaking the same language , possessing the same traditions , and adopting the same principles , we have a natural basis of alliance which
cements us together , and which differences of language and of practice do not allow in the case of foreign lodges . On that \ ery account it is the more incumbent to profit by every legitimate oecasion for exhibiting symyatby with our foreign brethren on common ^' grounds . Thus our R . W . Prov . G . M . assembled together in one reunion all the various lodges of Constantinople on tho last St . John's Dayand thuson the approaching
, , St . John ' s Day , will those of Smyrna join in one common celebration . Let us be friends to all and enemies to none , even to those who unjustly revile us . Let us overcome those who assail us , as we have done in long time , epoch after epoch , man after man , by good conduct in ourselves , and by charity
Turkey.
towards others . Above all , let there be no real ground for mistake about Masonry . Masonry cares nothing for political or party progress , for upsetting , for innovating , for reconstituting . AA o offer no man a new religion , nor dowe interfere with his own . The only progress we are concerned in is the progress not of our own brethren only , but of all mankind in true religion , in virtue and in learning , that all may be the better enabled to do their duty towards their Maker and those
whom He has created . In this work wo have been aided hymen of all political and religious opinions , whom we . have invited to the task , by the absolute power and by the elective chief , by AA ashington as by Frederick tho Great , by the monarch on his throne , and by the poor scholar labouring for his daily bread . Masonry in common with all other temples of God receives all good men of whatever politics , and within onr walls the prayers of all good men are acceptable ; and
Masonry can no more denounce any form of political opinion that aspires to good than it can any form of religions belief which acknowledges the existence of the Most High . Masonry discountenances dishonesty and immorality of all kinds ; it discountenances anarchy , atheism , irreligion , and ignorance .. Under such circumstances we can confidently persevere in our task , in the full assurance that the writings , the intrigues , the denouncementsand the persecutions of no manno community
, , , no church , no sovereign , aud no nation ever have prevailed against Masonry or ever will . They may have created a prejudice for a brief time , but as truth has long become the stronger , all such efforts have proved impotent , ami so they must be so long as the conduct of Masons gives no countenance to them , but gives effective disproof . If we are regarded in our own families as good and honest men , in our own communities , and by our own nation , if we are protected by our laws , and
countenanced by our social institutions , we can afford certainly to await the verdict of ignorant strangers . They will learn that Masonry does not , as some have held forth , profess or promote anarchy or irreligion , but that it acts in aid of the precepts of religion to strengthen family ties , ' to improve the social relations , and to promote patriotism at home , and the fraternity of nations—peace , charity , and goodwill—abroad . The District Grand Lodge was then closed in form and with solemn prayer .
Notes On Music And The Drama.
NOTES ON MUSIC AND THE DRAMA .
An interesting theatrical ease was tried m the Court of Queen's Bench , Mr . Swanborough , the manager of the Birmingham Theatre , being plaintiff , and Mr . Sothern ( Lord Dundreary ) the defendant . It seems that Mr . Sothern engaged Avith Mr . Swanborough to perform for seventeen nights at
Birmingham ; he afterwards Avished to alter the time , but Mr Swanborough Avould not consent . He arrived in Birmingham on the first night in a state of health too ill to appear ; a quarrel ensued , and though Mr . Sothern did aftmvards perform for some nights , his
illness and the ill-humour between the parties broke out again , and the engagement was broken . The plea of the defendant Avas that his illness quite incapacitated him from performing . The jury found for the plaintiff , but they only awarded damages to the
extent of £ 50 , Mr . Sothern having proved that for a considerable portion of his stay in Birmingham , he Avas not able to appear upon the stage . The new sacred work of M . Gounod ' s " Tobias , " Avill be performed at one of the "West End Halls on
Shrove Tuesday , under the superintendence of Mr J Benedict . At the same time will be sung the two new psalms by the same composer , " Babylon ' s Wave /' and "Bethlehem . "