Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Gathered Chips.
ends—that its means and appliances are commendable and satisfactory to such as are of a liberal and equitable tendency—and that its regime and authority are of such a nature as to prove highly beneficial and productive of happy results to those who follow its precepts in actual truth and
sincerity . What then is Freemasonry , and wherefore its existence ? Verily an important and serious question , my brethren , and for the rightful answering thereof deserving a treatment which neither the present time nor the ability of your lecturer can provide . But inasmuch
as an answer is demanded , let his very inexperience for the nonce supply the necessity in part , leaving its more ample treatment to the care of able and zealous Craftsmen , who will in the near future , we trust , add their contributions to the already significant weight of
testimony borne by a scholarly and studious past . Briefly and authoritatively stated , Freemasonry claims to be a peculiar system of morality veiled in allegory and illustrated by symbols . This so far has been the recognised definition of its aims and purpose ? Born in the remote past , it
undoubtedly had its origin in the combination of skilled labour for the purpose of cultivating the arts of the mechanic and builder ; but to-day , shorn of its strictly manual and operative character by the improved and different methods whereby the knowledge and craft of the mechanical arts
become disseminated , it has assumed a retrospective character , in which we apply the terms and phrases of the builder ' s art to the cultivation and practice of a moral life . In this garb Masonry presents herself to the world to-day . — J . E . Thomas .
# * * - Masonry teaches this , that the first and last business of every human being , whatever his station , parts , creed , capacities , tastes , duties , is morality . Virtue , virtue , always virtue .
If public opinion be the " nearest approach to irresistible power , " does not the Craft exhibit to-day the spectacle that " Unity is irresistible strength ? " The strength of Masonry lies in the individual opinion of every member's nature to make the philosophy and charity and morality of Freemasonry an educator of his character and a discipline to his mind and heart .
Let novitiates realise that Freemasonry declares itself to be a cosmopolitan , loyal , peaceable , Jehovah-fearing , lawabiding brotherhood , the resort of good men and true , and let Worshipful Masters make the Lodge a centre of intellectual life and devout aspiration after " whatsoever things
are honest , and are of good report , " and then the newlymade intelligent Mason would not find Masonry a weary monotony , or the attendance in his Lodge a misery . In these practical days , men outside our mystic circle estimate value by results , and it remains with us Masons
whether they shall regard our Craft as one " continually given to all good works " or a mere mummery profession and childish playing with things and names , if not something worse ; or they shall be compelled to admit that it is something demanding the approval and confidence of
honest , serious , and intelligent men , who yearn after Masonic brotherhood , love , and friendship . —Thomas W . Tew , P . G . M . i ' s te if The chief secret of comfort lies in not suffering trifles to vex us , and in cultivating an Undergrowth of small pleasures .
Sawdust.
Sawdust .
Bro . W . W . Baker , P . M ., The Abbey Lodge , Westminster , 2 , 030 , has resigned membership , and sailed for America . * * « Bro . Henniker Heaton , M . P ., was among the passengers of the White Star steamship , Majestic , which sailed on the 20 th ult . from Liverpool for New York .
Upon the question of objections to the initiation of an elected member , the Grand Lodge of Colorado decides that an objection after election , and before initiation , should have the same effect as an unfavourable ballot— "The candidate to be declared rejected , and the money returned . "
The Provincial Grand Lodge of Oxfordshire will be held on Monday the 20 th October , and as it will be the last opportunity afforded the members of meeting the P . G . M . the Right Hon . the Earl of Jersey , previous to his departure for South Wales to assume his new duties as Governor , a full assembly of brethren is naturally looked for .
The Right Hon . the Earl of Lathom , Prov . G . M ., has arranged to hold the meeting of the Provincial Grand Mark Lodge of Lancashire on Friday , 10 th October , at Southport . * - * - »
The annual meeting of the Provincial Grand Lodge of West Lancashire will take place on October 1 st at Preston . The Provincial Grand Master , the Right Hon . the Earl of Lathom , will preside , and business of great importance is to be transacted . There will be no fewer than 104 Lodges
represented , the province of West Lancashire being the chief Masonic province in the world , both as regards the number of Lodges and the numerical strength of the members .
Northampton will have reason to be proud of its new Masonic Hall , which approaches completion . It will , when finished , form one of the most perfect buildings of its class , considering the size , in the country . The social aspects of the Craft have not been forgotten , for there are three large
reception rooms , and the floor of the Lodge-room has been specially laid for dancing . 'if The installation meeting of the Ethelbert Lodge ( 2099 ) ,
Canterbury , was held on the 12 th ult . at the Masonic Rooms , Canterbury . Bro . E . A . C . Larkin is the new W . M .
Bro . William Rawsthorne is the W . M . of the Duke ot Edinburgh Lodge ( 1182 ) for the year ensuing . A quarterly communication of Grand Lodge of Scotland was held in the Freemasons' Hall , Edinburgh , on the 7 th
ult . ; Bro . James T . J . Elliot , of Wolfelee , was acting Grand Master in place of Bro . Sir Archibald C . Campbell , Bart ., M . P ., G . M . It was reported that the Lodges in
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Gathered Chips.
ends—that its means and appliances are commendable and satisfactory to such as are of a liberal and equitable tendency—and that its regime and authority are of such a nature as to prove highly beneficial and productive of happy results to those who follow its precepts in actual truth and
sincerity . What then is Freemasonry , and wherefore its existence ? Verily an important and serious question , my brethren , and for the rightful answering thereof deserving a treatment which neither the present time nor the ability of your lecturer can provide . But inasmuch
as an answer is demanded , let his very inexperience for the nonce supply the necessity in part , leaving its more ample treatment to the care of able and zealous Craftsmen , who will in the near future , we trust , add their contributions to the already significant weight of
testimony borne by a scholarly and studious past . Briefly and authoritatively stated , Freemasonry claims to be a peculiar system of morality veiled in allegory and illustrated by symbols . This so far has been the recognised definition of its aims and purpose ? Born in the remote past , it
undoubtedly had its origin in the combination of skilled labour for the purpose of cultivating the arts of the mechanic and builder ; but to-day , shorn of its strictly manual and operative character by the improved and different methods whereby the knowledge and craft of the mechanical arts
become disseminated , it has assumed a retrospective character , in which we apply the terms and phrases of the builder ' s art to the cultivation and practice of a moral life . In this garb Masonry presents herself to the world to-day . — J . E . Thomas .
# * * - Masonry teaches this , that the first and last business of every human being , whatever his station , parts , creed , capacities , tastes , duties , is morality . Virtue , virtue , always virtue .
If public opinion be the " nearest approach to irresistible power , " does not the Craft exhibit to-day the spectacle that " Unity is irresistible strength ? " The strength of Masonry lies in the individual opinion of every member's nature to make the philosophy and charity and morality of Freemasonry an educator of his character and a discipline to his mind and heart .
Let novitiates realise that Freemasonry declares itself to be a cosmopolitan , loyal , peaceable , Jehovah-fearing , lawabiding brotherhood , the resort of good men and true , and let Worshipful Masters make the Lodge a centre of intellectual life and devout aspiration after " whatsoever things
are honest , and are of good report , " and then the newlymade intelligent Mason would not find Masonry a weary monotony , or the attendance in his Lodge a misery . In these practical days , men outside our mystic circle estimate value by results , and it remains with us Masons
whether they shall regard our Craft as one " continually given to all good works " or a mere mummery profession and childish playing with things and names , if not something worse ; or they shall be compelled to admit that it is something demanding the approval and confidence of
honest , serious , and intelligent men , who yearn after Masonic brotherhood , love , and friendship . —Thomas W . Tew , P . G . M . i ' s te if The chief secret of comfort lies in not suffering trifles to vex us , and in cultivating an Undergrowth of small pleasures .
Sawdust.
Sawdust .
Bro . W . W . Baker , P . M ., The Abbey Lodge , Westminster , 2 , 030 , has resigned membership , and sailed for America . * * « Bro . Henniker Heaton , M . P ., was among the passengers of the White Star steamship , Majestic , which sailed on the 20 th ult . from Liverpool for New York .
Upon the question of objections to the initiation of an elected member , the Grand Lodge of Colorado decides that an objection after election , and before initiation , should have the same effect as an unfavourable ballot— "The candidate to be declared rejected , and the money returned . "
The Provincial Grand Lodge of Oxfordshire will be held on Monday the 20 th October , and as it will be the last opportunity afforded the members of meeting the P . G . M . the Right Hon . the Earl of Jersey , previous to his departure for South Wales to assume his new duties as Governor , a full assembly of brethren is naturally looked for .
The Right Hon . the Earl of Lathom , Prov . G . M ., has arranged to hold the meeting of the Provincial Grand Mark Lodge of Lancashire on Friday , 10 th October , at Southport . * - * - »
The annual meeting of the Provincial Grand Lodge of West Lancashire will take place on October 1 st at Preston . The Provincial Grand Master , the Right Hon . the Earl of Lathom , will preside , and business of great importance is to be transacted . There will be no fewer than 104 Lodges
represented , the province of West Lancashire being the chief Masonic province in the world , both as regards the number of Lodges and the numerical strength of the members .
Northampton will have reason to be proud of its new Masonic Hall , which approaches completion . It will , when finished , form one of the most perfect buildings of its class , considering the size , in the country . The social aspects of the Craft have not been forgotten , for there are three large
reception rooms , and the floor of the Lodge-room has been specially laid for dancing . 'if The installation meeting of the Ethelbert Lodge ( 2099 ) ,
Canterbury , was held on the 12 th ult . at the Masonic Rooms , Canterbury . Bro . E . A . C . Larkin is the new W . M .
Bro . William Rawsthorne is the W . M . of the Duke ot Edinburgh Lodge ( 1182 ) for the year ensuing . A quarterly communication of Grand Lodge of Scotland was held in the Freemasons' Hall , Edinburgh , on the 7 th
ult . ; Bro . James T . J . Elliot , of Wolfelee , was acting Grand Master in place of Bro . Sir Archibald C . Campbell , Bart ., M . P ., G . M . It was reported that the Lodges in