Our Fund Of Benevolence.

explained fully prove , have met all requirements and prevented the sale of any portion of the stock . Indeed , it would have provided that small increase which we

maintain is , in the prospect of future contingencies , absolutely necessary . But , although it appeared to meet the

wishes of the London brethren , it was opposed strongly by members of Provincial Lodges , who attended in force and defeated the proposal .

We do not submit that the proposal we have referred to , or any one of the others which have been suggested to us , is the best that could be found . In our

connection with the Craft , through the pages of this journal , we shall refrain from putting forth or attempting ourselves to discuss any vwdus operandi , as a panacea

for existing evils . We shall be content with stating facts and making our own comments on things as they are , and leave it to others to debate on propositions for

amendment . This question is therefore left for the consideration of the many intelligent and earnest Freemasons who are the salt of the Order , by reason of their desire to see its

truest principles maintained . But , m closing this article , we cannot refrain from saying , and we do say , that the boasted prosperity of the Order will not be exemplified

very grandly by the exhaustion of its most important fund ; and there must be something wrong somewhere if we get

so much as we do from amongst us for the three charitable Institutions and leave the oldest and most masonic fund to die out .

Lodge Officers.

Lodge Officers .

THEIR QUALIFICATIONS , DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES .

®^ Jxttrtor W > mttm .

0 LTHOUGH the responsibilities of the Junior Deacon in a Lodge of Freemasons are certainly not very great , the qualifications for the performance of the duties attached 1 to the office in a perfect manner are by no means slight . We have always held to the opinion that it rests with the Junior Deacon to produce that necessary solemnity which shall impress the initiate with a deep sense of the importance of the business upon

which he is entering , and even more than , perhaps , in any other portion of the beautiful ceremony , is the opportunity afforded , whilst the candidate is in his charge , for laying that foundation in the novitiate ' s mind which shall make him either a bright or careless workman in his future Masonic career . It would not be fitting that we should be more explicit in our remarks on this head , but such of our brethren as can and will reflect upon

their introduction into Freemasonry can easily understand the allusions we make without extended observations on the Junior Deacon ' s duty towards the candidate for our mysteries . To perform that all-important duty well and thoroughly requires careful preliminary preparation , and herein lies that one essential qualification for the office , without which no member of a Lodge should be offered , or , if offered , accept the position . It is not necessary that the Junior Deacon should have filled anv other office in the

Lodge before accepting such position , and it should therefore be the aim and desire of each and all of the Lodge members not yet selected for office not only to emulate each other , but to strive to excel in efficiency . Those 'W orshipf . nl Masters do the most good to the Order who , on their installation into the chair of K . S ., select and reward by promotion , without reference to rota , the brethren

who may enjoy the reputation of having made themselves thoroughly acquainted with our ritual and ceremonial by means of attendance in Lodges of Instruction or the services of a qualified Preceptor . We repeat , and cannot too often do so , that the capable Junior Deacon is not only very frequently the making or otherwise of the new material , but , when the time arrives , proves to be

the most fitted for the rule and government of the Lodge . The Junior Deacon is the medium of communication between the Senior and Junior Wardens , and his duty is to assist the Senior Deacon in all matters relating to the Master ' s commands . The remarks we have made in the article on the Senior Deacon apply equally to the Junior , and not in any diminished degree , in relation

to the peace , order , and regularity of the Lodge and its appointments . As in former days the Senior Deacon had to " see that the pillar of strength in the west was elevated whilst the Lodge is at labour , " so it was the Junior Deacon ' s duty to see that the pillar of beauty , the Junior Warden ' s column in the south , was " not elevated at any time but when the Lodge is at refreshment , "

Lodge Officers.

neither before nor after . And as the symbolical meanings of those emblems have not in any way been disturbed since they were first expressed , so should the ancient custom still be retained in its integrity . The jewel of the Junior Deacon is the same as that of the Senior , and the like characteristics attach to the emblem . In the Greek Church the Deacons were always 2 >>/ lori , or doorkeepers .

and we may still further and consistently extend the meaning of the symbol to the reception of the novitiate within the peaceful walls of a Mason's Lodge . There is one matter which Ave take this opportunity to impress upon the Junior Deacon of every lodge , small as it may possibly be considered by many , but very important in connection with the

landmarks of the Order . It is that of prompting the answer to a solemn and most important question addressed to the candidate by the W . M . in the early part of his reception . We quote from a recent work : — " The required reply should never be prompted . The enquiry itself leads up to the expected answer , and , following on the solemn appeal which has preceded it . a short pause would , in

the great majority of instances , ensure a satisfactory and indeed the only and proper admission . If not then forthcoming the enquiry should be repeated with much rmpltaxix , and the reply awaited . Without a spontaneous acknowledgment there is no evidence of that deep-seated reverence and dependence which alone renders a candidate suitable for admission to our Order . A

prompted reply is worthless m this instance . " We commend these words to the parties concerned , agreeing with them in every respect , and believing that the practice enjoined is not only beneficial but such as we are bound to pursue if we would consistently discharge our Masonic duty . We have not much more to add as to the qualifications and duties of the Junior Deacon which could be published . here without betrayal of lodge working ; and shall be content to conclude in the words of an address to that officer

m use some half century ago : — ' ¦ What is delivered to you in the Went faithfully carry to the South . To that which is more immediately your care be particularly attentive . Prepare duly . Lead upon the Square , and prompt like a workman . Your regular and early attendance upon the lodge is highly necessary . "

AX INTERESTING EXTRACT FROM LES MEMOIRES DE J . CASANOVA .

QConnnunicateil . ) [ I find in a contemporary a reprint of a letter signed ' Jachin . " which purports to have appeared in the Gentleman . ^ Magazine in April , 1737 . It may interest your readers if you will reproduce in your i

columns enclosed translated extract from Les Memoires de Jacques Casanova de Seingalt , " written by himself . Casanova was one of the most noted personages in Europe during the eighteenth century . He was born at Venice . April 2 nd . 172 . ") , and made his historic escape

by the leads from the secret prison in that city in the year 17 r > . "j . Probably the following was written by him in about the year 17 "> 0 . In itself , emanating from such an author , it is a curiosity ; but . besides this , a very useful lesson may be learnt by a careful perusal of the digest of a notable character's views of Freemasonry in ( I

years ago . ] HiT was at Lyons that a gentleman whose acquaintance I made j at Mr . R ' s house , procured for me the honour of being admitted to the sublime " bagatelle " of Freemasonry . J Arriving in Paris " Apprentice , " some months afterwards . I there became Companion ( F . C . ) and Master . The Master ' s is certainly the supreme degree of Freemasonry , for

all the others , which I took in due order , are nothing better than pleasing inventions , which , though good as symbolic , add nothing to the dignity of that of the Master . There is no one in the world who can possibly attain to the knowledge of everything ; but every man who feels that he has faculties , and who knows how to

render an account to himself or his moral powers , ought to endeavour to acquire the utmost knowledge possible . A young man of good birth , who wishes to travel and know the world and what is called " society , " who does not wish to find himself in certain cases in an inferior position amongst his equals , and thus lie

excluded from participation m some of their pleasures , ought to get himself initiated into what is called Freemasonry , even though it be only for the purpose of knowing , superficially , what it is . Freemasonry is a charitable institution , which at certain times , and in certain places , has served as a pretext for intrigues both

criminal and subversive to order . But what has not been so abused . ' Have we not seen the Jesuits , under the sacred ajgis of religion , arm parricidal blind enthusiasts to strike kings . ' Every man of any position—I mean to say anyone whose social existence is marked by merit , knowledge , or fortune—can be a Mason .

and many are . How can it be imagined that meetings , at which all the members impose on themselves the law never to speak with closed doors , either of politics , religions or governments ; who only occupy themselves with either moral or puerile emblems ; how can it be supposed . I say , that these meetings , where governments can

have their agents , can offer any dangers of a kind to cause Sovereigns to proscribe , and Popes to amuse themselves by excommunicating them . ' Moreover , it is to miss the object ; and the Pope in spite of his infallibility , cannot prevent persecution

creating an importance for Freemasonry which it would , perhaps , never have acquired without it . Mystery is a part of man's nature , and everything presented to the crowd under a mysterious aspect will always excite curiosity and be sought after , no matter