Opinion Of Freemasonry Expressed By The Earl Of Derby.

benevolence , we need hardly say that Freemasons are distinguished by their readiness to aid any brother in circumstances of want or distress ; and instances could easily be adduced , in very great number , of the relief of the poor by the Masonic

lodges both of this and other countries . Let a brother from any part of the world come to England or Scotland , and make himself known , he Avill find himself amongst brethren , and the money requisite for his relief will be forthcoming , even to

a good amount . There have been many instances of distressed foreigners , sufferers from the political troubles of their native countries , or from other causes , being not only rescued from destitution here , but provided with the means of proceeding

home again , when circumstances became such as to permit it , by contributions from Masonic lodges . Nor are the lodges in other parts of the world less attentive to this great law and duty of charity .

The Palestine Exploration Fund.

THE PALESTINE EXPLORATION FUND .

The second number of the quarterly statement of the Palestine Exploration Fund is just published . It contains , besides the usual packet from Bro . Lieut . Warren , papers from Capt . Wilson , Mr . Deutsch , and others , which it is hoped will

not only prove interesting , but will advance our knowledge of the Holy Land . The main features of interest in the work of the last two months are the excavation at the " Golden Gateway " and " Barclay's Gateway " at

Jerusalem , the discovery in the dome of the rock ( "Mosque of Omar " ) , and Mr . Deutsch ' s report on the marks found at the south-east angle of the great wall of the Harani es-Shereef . It is not the province of the committee to draw deductions

from facts . These are laid before their supporters as found , leaving it for others to make inferences from them . They cannot however , avoid calling attention to the conclusions arrived at by the eminent Semitic scholar just named

from the marks in question , which he examined on the spot , and on which he has favoured the committee with a letter The stones appear to be in situ , some of the marks which they exhibit are similar to those on " absolutely

undoubted antique Phoenician structures in Syria , " while "fantasias , " "identical" with others of the marks , are observed in abundance on the " old Phoenician stones" of the ruined citadel above Saida . It is greatly to be hoped that more marks

will be found , and some nearer approximation to date arrived at . Bro . Lieut . Warren's tracings of those on which Mr . Deutsch has commented may be seen at the office of the society . The shaft at the Golden Gateway has been

abandoned , owing to the danger of continuing the work . One of the chief obstacles , indeed , to the pursuance ofthe galleries is the way in which the shingle sometimes pours into them—not in small quantities , but in a continuous shower , which will

last sometimes for days , choking up the narrow galleries , and forcing Bro . Warren to abandon the . Avork , or to continue it at the risk of life .

The work Avhich has to be done is still very great . It is hoped that permission may be obtained to pursue the tantalising discovery below the surface accidentally made by Bro . Warren at the northern edge of the platform of the dome of

the rock Avithin the Harani Area in December last , and to explore elsewhere within that sacred enclosure ; failing this , reference to the report ' of the last executive committee will show some of the work which yet remains on the hands of

the society . At the meeting of the general committee , held on May 4 th , at the Jerusalem Chamber , the executive committee resigned and a new executive committee were elected for the ensuing

year . Their report Avas read and adopted , the thanks of the committee were passed to Bro . Lieut . Warren , to Mr . G . J . Eldridge , Dr . Chaplin , and Mr . Walter Morrison , M . P ., and ' it was resolved that an annual meeting should be held .

It has long been the desire of the committee to open a Palestine Museum . They are now enabled , by the arrival of several large cases from Bro . Warren , to carry this desire into effect for a short period . At the Dudley Gallery ,

Egyptian Hall , will be found all the objects of interest discovered by Bro . Warren in his shafts , including lamps , pottery , glass , coins , weapons , tesselated pavement , sculpture , sarcophagi , and geological specimens . The tracings also of his

Avork , and those of Capt . Wilson , may also be seen there ; with objects lent by Mr . MacGregor and other gentlemen . To these will shortly be added , it is hoped , the new collection of photographs and antiquities from Sinai , by the kindness of Col . Sir Henry James , Director-General of the Ordnance Survey . The exhibition will