Notes On American Freemasonry.

the performance of every good work and cluty ; and to this end let us determine that we will brighten the endless Masonic chain so that the mystic master-spirits of the future shall shed no tear over the wreck of the order , hut its glory continue until time shall be no more . So mote it be . " Among other business transacted by the Grand Loclge , was the dedication of the north wing of the Masonic AVidows' ancl Orphans' Home and Infirmary . The several addresses delivered

on the occasion were impressive and eloquent . AVe are sorry that want of space forbids our quoting from each , as many , or at least some leading Masons in this jurisdiction no doubt feel an interest in their Alma Mater (?) tlie Masonic University of Kentucky . AVe give the last bulletin , relative to her classic health , wealth , and strength : — " Your Committee would recommend that Bros . Swigert and

Hodges , who were appointed by this Grand Lodge two or three years ago , be required to carry out the design of that former resolution , viz .: ' To sell or give it away , so that this Grand Loclge be exonerated from all future care or oversight . '"

Number of Lodges , 504 . MAINE . The Grand Master , in his address , speaks thus of" side degrees . " " I have heeu frequently asked , whether halls dedicated to Masonry should be used for conferring what are popularly known

as ' side degrees , ' ancl have answered that they should not . These ' degrees' have no connection with Masonry , and are not acknowledgad by this Grand Lodge . If wise and beneficient , they should be recognized by Grand Bodies and taught to Masous , otherwise they may only tend to create paiuful doubts as to the honesty of an applicant for assistance . The wife of a Mason may be far from home and in distress . She understands enough of Masonry to know that she has a claim upon tho

fraternity for protection , and naturally seeks aid from that source . If she has received one of these fancy degrees , and tbe brethren have not , she attempts to convince them of her sincerity by methods they know not of . Doubts at once arise , and , although she may receive assistance , it is given with coldness when it should come with that spirit of cheerfulness which gives to such deeds their principal value . I am aware that many have indulged iu these amusements , and do not consider

them au injury to the fraternity . It seems to me , however , that he who confers them upon his female friends , as a part of Masonry , is guilty of deception , no matter how honourable his motives , or how sincere he may be in his desire to promote a kindly feeling towards the fraternity . Occasional social gatherings , in which females may participate , are unquestionably beneficial ; but let us leave off all attempts to deceive them with degrees which are the creation of some over-zealous brother , and without the sanction of Grand Bodies . "

Humber of Members , 14 , 726 . MAE . YLAND . The Grand Master ' s address closes as follows : — " Masonry is gradually increasing in our jurisdiction , and I am glad to say that private worth ancl character stand most prominent among the pre-requisites necessary for admission into our Order ; and so long as our portals are thus guarded , the

character of our fathers will be reflected by their sous . " I have endeavoured to fulfil , to the extent of my ability , the duties devolving upon the very high place of the Grand Master of Maryland , and it would not be becoming iu me to say more than that , except to add that wherever shortcomings or imperfections shall be found , I must ask you to remember that these are inevitable in all human agencies , and to you I look , not only in the hope of approval for what shall have been rightly done ,

but also for just allowance whenever that which has been done shall seem to be short of what was properly expected . " From tbe statements and data which I have presented , you wilt learn the present condition , the past efforts , and the duties for the future of our Order in this jurisdiction . They encourage us to go on . AVe are allowed time only for ' refreshment , ' before we are again ' called to labour . ' Let us go on then with willing hearts and hands . Let us rear the structure still higher , proving it as we rise , with the plummet and the line , and hy the level and the squ ire . " Number of Lodges , 76 ; Members , 5 , 161 .

Notes On American Freemasonry.

MASSACHUSETTS . The Grand Lodge held three quarterly Communications , respectively on March 9 th , June Sth , and September 14 th , 1870 . One Special Communication , October 5 th , 1870 ; one Annual Communication , December 14 th , 1870 ; and one Stated Communication , December 27 th , 1870 . At the Stated Communication , the Grand Master , in his

address , reports having granted dispensations for the formation of thirteen new lodges . One thing we notice about these new lodges , the petitions-were all signed by a large number of brethren , the smallest number being fifteen ; from that up to fiftyfive . Eight new Masonic halls were dedicated , and two Lodges of instruction established . The Grand Master closes his address with this eloquent peoration : —

" Brethren , through the kind providence of the Grand Architect of tbe Uuiverse , we have heeu brought to this one hundred and thirty-seventh anniversary of our Grand Lodge . God has mercifully spared the lives of all our Grand Officers during the past year ; blessed us with health , prosperity , and peace , and showered down upon our subordinates and their members , in unmeasured supply , the Corn of nourishment , the Wine of refreshmentand the Oil of joy . It is meet and that we

, proper dependent beings should acknowledge the goodness of God in thus preserving and protecting us . Let us join with all those throughout the wide world who , at this festive season , are singing songs of thanksgiving and praise to the Great Author and Giver of our blessings and comforts . , Humber of Lodges , 190 ; Members , 20 , 253 .

THE FREEMASONS' LIFEBOAT . —The National Lifeboat Institution has just sent a new lifeboat to North Berwick , in Scotland , in the place of the boat stationed there some years since , which had become unfit for further service . The new boat is 30 fb . long , 7 a feet wide , and rows ten oars double banked . It was built by the Messrs . Forrestt , of Limehouse , and is provided with a new transporting and launching carriage admirably suited to its purpose . The expense of the new boat and

equipment has been defrayed from a collection made among the Freemasons' of England , through the Lodge of Faith , Ho . 141 , hold in the city , Mr . S . Davis , of Whitechapel , being the original promoter of the collection . The boat had its harbour trial a few days since in the Regent ' s Canal Docks , Limehouse . The trial was attended by a large number of Freemasons and their friends . The Rev . D . Shaboe offered up a prayer on the occasion for the success of the lifeboat , and the

boat having , in the usual manner been named the " Freemason" by Mr . J . Ii . Stebbing , the Deputy Provincial Grand Master of Freemasosn in Hampshire , and formerly Mayor of Southampton , ifc was then launched from its carriage into the dock basin , when the usual qualities of stability , sell-righting , and self-ejecting of water , were fully and satisfactorily tested . The water shipped , when the boat was capsized by means of a crane , was self-ejected in about 20 seconds . The interesting trial gave much satisfaction to the numerous spectators . The boat is to be publicly launched at its station at North Berwick to-day ( Saturday ) .

Cricket.

CRICKET .

ALBION CRICKET CLUB , AVOODGREEN , V . FREEMASONS' SCHOOL . Tbe return match between these clubs was played at the Alexander Park Ground , en Saturday , 9 th instant , and resulted in a victory to the Freemasons' School . The score is as follows : ALBION . EREEMASONS . Ashby , run out 1 Bowles , b C . Dawson 2 Salmonb Becknell 6 Atkinsonb EDawson 0

, , . ... C . Dawson , c Earle 10 Mould , b E . Dawson 0 C . Dewing run out 4 Everist , c H . Bird 29 Kemplen , notout 9 Boivcock , run out 1 T . Bird , b Bryant 0 Bryant , b C . Dawson 0 H . Bird , c Atkinson 6 Earle , c Dewing 9 C . Bird , c Earlo 3 Becknell , b 0 . Dewing ... 5 M . Barnard , c Kecknell ... 3 Millboum , c Kemplen 0 Dawson , e Bryant 1 AVheeler , not out 2

Battam , b Becknell 0 Hennis , c Salmon 4 Extras , 2 Extras , 7 Total , 45 Total 5 Q