Marriages.

MARRIAGES .

Mr . Thomas Sangster , C . C .. M . Jl . C . V . S ., kc .. of Hay ford House , Kennington . whose name is well known to a large number of our readers in connection with " Ye Autiente Fraternitie of ye Rahere Almoners . " was married on the 27 th inst .. at St . Mary ' s Church . Lewisham , to Mrs . Rosa Riches , sister of Bro . George Skudder . P . M . of the Temperance Lodge , No . 1 . 69 , and of Arundel House . Belmont

Park . Lee . There was a large attendance of relatives and friends of the contracting parties present at the ceremony and subsequent breakfast and garden party which was given at . Bro . Skudder ' s residence . Amongst other members of the Craft present with their respective wives , and in some instances daughters , were Bros . John

Lobb , C . C . : J . Greenaway , C . C . : James Stevens , P . vl . ; Harper . J . Eidmans . kc . A heavy downpour of rain somewhat marred the al fresco portion of the day ' s enjoyment , but in every other respect the newly wedded pair and their numerous guests had reason to be satisfied with all the arrangements made by Bro . Skudder for " communicating happiness . "

Bro . Charles A . Ittcr , J . AV .. of the Cyclist Lodge . No . 2246 . also well-known in swimming circles , was married on Thursday , the 25 th ult .. to Miss Horton , second daughter of Mr . T . G . Horton . of St . Paul ' s Lodge . Camden New Town , in St . Thomas' Church , AVrotham Road . X . W .. . before a large gathering of friends of the

two families , several brethren being also present . At the conclusion of the ceremony , the wedding party adjourned to the residence of Mr . and Mrs . Horton for breakfast , and later in the afternoon the newly-wedded pair left for Lowestoft on their honeymoon .

"White For—Black Against."

" WHITE FOR—BLACK AGAINST . "

JUT ! 11 ' N" a recent issue we made mention of a paper on Voting in IH || j Lodges , bearing the above attractive title , prepared by AV . 11 Bro . E . B . Greatbatch . P . M . 418 . P . P . G . Supt . AVks ., Stafl || y | l ) fordshirc , and read by him . before the brethren of the Menturia Lodge , No . 416 . at Freemasons' Hall . Hanley . on the 14 th May . 1889 , the AV . M ., Bro . H . AVindle , in the chair . By the kind permission of Bro . Greatbatch , we purpose to re-produce this very interesting and valuable address in parts as may be convenient , and of which the following is the iirst : —

There is an old saying that " Familiarity breeds contempt , " and possibly the frequent recurrence of the duty and privilege of Voting in Lodge may have caused us sometimes to cease to remember how much hangs upon what we are then about to do . The constitutions of our Craft lay it down as a law that every candidate shall be submitted to the acceptance or rejection of the Brethren through

the medium of the ballot , or more strictly speaking , " Secret Voting , " by means of two balls , one white and one black , and our traditional style is to proclaim " AVhite for , Black against . " The constitutions further set forth that in every case of three black balls being deposited the candidate shall be rejected , but it is left to each individual Lodge to decide , when framing its bye-laws , whether or not less than three black balls shall establish the

negative . Up to now , in the " Menturia , " two black balls have been held to be sufficient , but I believe some Lodges go a step further and accept one black ball as decisive . This method of Voting was no doubt adopted in order to secure absolute freedom of action on the part of every brother present , so that each might silently record

his vote without necessarily indicating how he voted , and moreover , to prevent any brother being prejudiced by having voted in any particular direction—by this means every man is left to his own course and to his own conscience—the power is absolute and unrestrained , though the effect is great and far reaching . At the outset , brethren , before we consider the effect of our votes .

I think we may study the initial factor , and reasonably submit ourselves—as Voters—to some consideration and thought , because I fear that we do not always remember , whilst we are availing ourselves of the privilege of Voting , that we are performing a Masonic , duty—a duty to the Craft in general . AA'henever a deacon puts in our hands a black and white ball , they are entrusted to us

as / ' reemasons , that is , as " Just and upright men . of sound judgment , mature age and strict morals , " and it is then our bounden duty to vote strictly upon Masonic lines , viz ., " By acting towards our neighbour on the square , and doing unto him as in similar cases we would wish him to do to us . " This power to vote is not accorded to us to be flippantly , lightly , or maliciously used , but calmly .

thoughtfully , honestly and honourably . As members of the great body of Masonry , it calls upon us to decide whether or not—in the case of a proposed initiate , he is a fit and desirable person to become a member of the Craft—as members of an individual Lodge it calls upon us to decide whether or not he will probably strengthen our Lodge and become an advantage to her generally . The Craft calls

upon us . as far as we are able , to restrict her secrets to " AA ' orthy men , and to worthy men alone , "—our Lodge calls upon us to protect her harmony , welfare and prosperity , and to guard her portals against improper admissions , but at the same time we must remember that we owe a further duty to the Craft and our Lodge . AVhilst it behoves each and all of us to keep improper persons

outside the Craft , it is also incumbent upon us not to close the door against any suitable candidate—if we believe Masonry to be good , then we ought to do all we can to extend its borders , on safe and good lines , and gladly to admit to its ranks eveiy person of whom we have reason to believe that " He will ultimately reflect honour on our choice . " As just and upright men we tire bound to exercise our vote fairly and squarely . It is quite true that the black ball

is put into our hands to be used , if circumstances demand it , but it is not to be used for private pique , or without calm deliberation . Each and all of us ought to remember that it is an extremely serious matter to black ball a candidate , and consequently we ought to weigh it over well with ourselves before we proceed to that extreme step—it is our plain duty to black ball an unsuitable Candidate if he is forced upon us , but I think it would be well for

"White For—Black Against."

us to reserve the black ball as a final issue . Certainly , we ought never to use it of malice aforethought , or without carefully remembering that the result of the vote may affect very many besides ourselves : and whilst wo arei bidden to remember "That peculiar moment when we were admitted into ' Masonry , poor and penniless . '"

we might also with advantage think , as we vote , of the time when our name was submitted to a similar ordeal . The vote is ours by right , and the power to use or abuse it rests with us , but when we have put the ball in the box our power over it has ceased . Not so

the result—that may make its mark in a manner totally beyond our ken or desire , and on it may possibly depend the prosperity or misfortune of our Lodge , and whether or not in time to come the genuine tenets and principles of our Order shall be transmitted pure and unsullied through the medium of our lodge . ( To be continued . )

Ad00703

Recommended to the Subscribers to the "Masonic Star . " HOTELS Q TAB AND GARTER HOTEL , KEW BRIDGE , KD Bro . JOHN Bnii . l ., Proprietor . Seven Lodges and Chapters held in the Hotel , which possesses Special Facilities for Concerts , Evening Parties and Ban <| tiets . Scale of Charges on Application .

Ad00704

MAYO'S CASTLE HOTEL , EAST MOLESEY , Hampton Court Station ( adjoining the Railwav and facing the River and Palace ) . Pro . JOHN MAVO has ample accommodation in the new wing for Banquets for any number up to 100 . Spacious landing to River . . Specimens of Menus , with prices , sent on application . Three . Lodges meet at the Castle Hotel , and reference may be made to tlie respective Masters as to the catering , & c .

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BRIDGE HOUSE HOTEL , LONDON BRIDGE , S . E ., PEAHCE Jb Soy , Proprietors . Dinner * , IVedding Breakfasts , Balls , . Soirees , Concerts , Masonic , Public , or Private Meetings , & c . The Suite of Booms for Balls and Concerts includes the Ball Boom , Ante-Boom , Refreshment and Supper Rooms and Ladies' Retiring Rooms . The Masonic Temple will seat -1 ( 1 . Terms on Application .

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BOURNEMOUTH . Board and Residence , south aspect , close to tlie Sea , Pleasure Gardens ; centre of Town ; Home comforts Terms , 30 ' -. Apply M . A . Hood , Caversham , Poole Hill .

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"mHE BEDFORD" FAMILY AND COMMERCIAL _ L HOTEL , PORTSMOUTH . Proprietor , It . P . BIUANT . QEA HOUSE HOTEL , MIDDLE ~ ST ~ BRIGHTON . kJ —THOMAS Gums ( late Supt . Brighton Police Fire Brigade ) . Choicest Wines and Spirits , Fine Foreign Cigars , Billiards , Private Apartments .

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PARSON'S HOTEL , RIO DE JANEIRO , BRAZIL . VV English home comforts , and nil information about Brazil , will be found in this Hotel . W . \ r . D . CARSOX , Proprietor .

Ad00709

Jo the Gorcruors and Subscribers if the ROYAL MASONIC INSTITUTION FOR BOYS , WOOD GREEN , LONDON , N . LADIKS AND GKXTLEMEX , Doctor Hall having resigned the post of Medical Officer to the above Institution , I crave your suffrages for appointment to the vacancy caused thereby . Within the course of a few days I hope to place in your hands , by means of testimonials , proofs of ny abilities . To those whom it may interest , I may state that I am a member of the Craft . I am , Ladies and Gentlemen , Your obedient servant , Lordship Lane , Wood Green , R . F . TOMLIN . M . R . C . S . E .. kc July 31 st . 188 ' . ) .

Ad00710

JUST PUBLISHED . —M . S . BIBL . REG . 17 A ., or REGIUS M . S . O This celebrated poem , the oldest document of the Craft ( late 14 th century ) , reproduced in fac-simile with a glossary , introduction and transcript , by Bro . II . J . Whymper , CLE ., Past . Dep . Dis . G . M .. Punjab , author of " The Religion of Freemasonry , " bound in exact imitation of the original in the British Museum , and deemed by all authorities to be a most beautiful work of art . Price 12 s . ( id ., or in sheets , unbound , 7 s . ( Id . Spencer & Co ., 15 , Great Queen Street . W . C .

Ad00711

W-A . ZSTTIEJD .. SECOND-HAND Lodge Furniture , Oak or Mahogany preferred ; also Clothing . Reply , with inventory , price and order to view , to X ., OHice of this paper .

Ad00712

TO IBIS LET . TO FOUNDERS OF LODGES , CHAPTERS , PRECEPTORIES . kc . The Windsor Castle Masonic Temple to be let . Replete with every convenience ( including Organ ) for Craft Lodges , R . A . Chapters , Encampments , Preceptories , kc . Resident Tyler . Apply to E . GRISBROOK , Windsor .

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AARON , SONS & Co ., WHOLESALE MANUFACTURERS OF UMBRELLAS , SUNSHADES , WALKING STICKS . WRITE FOR PRICE LIST TO 18 , JEWIN STREET , FORE STREET , LONDON , E . C .