The Masonic Charities.

majority of the members of our Order , those particular which by their zealous service , expenditure of money , and general observance of masonic principles they Avere justly entitled to be placed in possession of , has not benefitted the Order generally , and certainly not the institutions in

particular . These are our A'ieAvs , and it remains to be seen hoAv far they are shared in by other brethren . At any rate , at the present moment , it looks as though there Avere many besides those Avho have spoken Avho Avould desire to speak their minds on the matter .

AVe honestlv believe that the ordeal to which we feel the

Charitable Institutions of the Order Avill be presently subject Avill prove to their ultimate advantage . There will be a clearer and more healthy atmosphere after the storm ;

and though perhaps m some particulars losses may be sustained , the general result will be to place our charities nearer to the hearts and affections of our , at all times and in all places , most charitable brethren . So mote it be !

Freemasonry In The West Of England.

FREEMASONRY IN THE WEST OF ENGLAND .

SMHE CRAFT IN DEVON AND CORNWALL has not made any i /? I ( vJ very brilliant strides during 1888 , but has done much good 6 _ H _ s work , which will be to its credit as the years roll onward . The new Masonic Hall , at Plymouth , the first stone of which was laid with due ceremony by Lord Ebrington , M . P ., as Prov . G . M ., on 28 th December , 1887 , was completed a few months since ; Harmony Lodge , No . 156 . having been the first to use it on October 1 st , 1888 .

It will generally be used by the lodges and other Masonic bodies ; the building also being fitted up as a club . The company bids fair to be very successful , financially and masonically . The large hall Avas dedicated to the purposes of the Craft oh the 2 nd January , 1889 , by the Prov . Grand Master , a Prov . Grand Lodge meeting being convened for that object , and likewise to confirm an alteration in

one of the bye-laAvs . The banquet Avas served in the new buildings on that occasion , the arrangements of the club portion , at Princesssquare , being such as to provide for all festive occasions , as well as the ordinary assemblies . The music for the odes at the dedication Avas specially composed by Bro . W . S . Hoarder . Prov . G . O ., the appropriate " dedication ode " being' composed and Avritten by Bro .

F . J . W . Crowe , organist of No . 2 , 18 !) , Ashburton . The Prov . G . Lodge for Devon Avas held at Ilfracombe on the 13 th June , and Avent off most satisfactorily , all the reports being of a favourable character , and the arrangements for the central Masonic charities being such as to lead all to look fonvard ( now that all the debts are paid ) to many candidates being elected as eligible opportunities offer .

Ihe Prov . G . Lodge for Cornwall Avas held at Camborne on the 23 rd August , and AV . IS one of the most successful ever held in the county . The reception tendered to the Earl of Mount Edgcumbe and the members of the Province was most enthusiastic , and so lavish in character Avere all the arrangements that the meeting Avill long be remembered most gratefully by the large number who attended .

Many of the halls in the Three Towns have been considerably beautified by the presentations of pictures hj Bro . the Rev . T . W . Lemon , M . A . The hall for tho use of the two lodges in Torquay has also been decorated and much improved . Tho new Masonic Hall at Ilfracombe has been occupied from July last , and is an ornament to the town .

Ihe annual assembly of the Mark Prov . G . Lodge for Devon was held at Rose Ash , Southmolton , the selection being due to the decision of the W . Bro . C . Spence Bate , F . R . S ., to lay the corner stone of Rose Ash Church , on its being restored . This Avas the first ceremony of the kind in England . The committee appointed to provide a suitable memorial to the memory of the late Colonel J .

lanner-Davy , Prov . G . M . M ., had decided in favour of a mural tablet being erected in this church , and but for the delay in the restoration the loving tribute would ere then have been put in position . No . 383 St . George ' s Lodge , Stonehouse , and No . 372 De la Pole Lodge , Seaton , have been consecrated by the D . Prov . G . M . M ., and also the Jordan Lodge of R . Ark Mariners , No . 31 'J , at Torquay .

Mark Masonry is very popular in both counties , and the membership is still on the increase . On the whole , Royal Arch Masonry has also been well sustained , but as respects the ' ¦ higher degrees ' " they remain as before , with but feAV adherents . In the charities there has been no lack of interest exhibited , but nothing like the material . support requisite for the great amount

being received from such sources . Locally , the educational institutions in Devon and Cornwall are liberally patronised , and as all the moneys thus contributed are spent in the neighbourhood , this system of aid is becoming increasingly popular . The Cornwall Masonic Association in aid of tho central charities is still pursuing its most useful work , and has been the means of raising large sums

on behalf of the institutions . The great event of the year . Masonically for Devon , Avas the fact that the esteemed Prov . G . M . ( Lord Ebrington , M . P . ) presided at the '' Boys " Festival , the province subscribing over . C 8 U 0 in honour of the occasion . The anniversary , however , Avas the lowest in amount of the three , owing to the 100 th festival of the girls , which

produced over £ 50 , 000 . and the Benevolent Avas first in the field for 1888 , with over . 1115 , 000 . The Board of Benevolence of the Grand Lodge during the year has distributed upwards of . c 10 , 000 in grants to needy brethren and widows , so that with provincial charities the total sum devoted to benevolence in England , for 1888 , Avill far exceed £ 100 , 000 . — Western . Times .

The Ritual.

THE RITUAL .

CONTINUATION OF CHAP . V . OF BRO . H . J . WHYMPER ' " RELIGION OF FREEMASONRY . "—( See page 2 S 8 . ) § jg | ga | HE Ritual explains the allegory to a certain extent , stating H m that Father Lord , Word Lord and Spirit Lord are contained H H | in it . To this explanation , none other than a Christian iliyill interpretation appears possible . But Ave know that a purely Jewish meaning has been attached to the discovered word .

Whether , in a system which , it is generally admitted , leads up to a pure Christianity ( if it does not typify Christian life itself ' . ' ) , there be not retrogression when a Jewish interpretation crowns the edifice , Ave leave others to decide . We are , hoAvever , justified in asserting that no system can be made more universal , than a Christian one , by adopting a Jewish interpretation . Christianity

is at least more generally prevalent than its forerunner . Judaism , and possibly more acceptable to those Avho are at present of neither persuasion . Overlooking this very self-evident fact , Freemasons have been content to allow that to be variously expounded which should be carefully preserved as a Christian allegory . Accept a JeAvish exposition and Universality must go to the Avinds . It is

not our Avish to say anything Avhich could give the least offence to our Jewish Brethren , but , it is our duty to point out , that the most exclusive religion in the Avorld is not likely to satisfy aspirations of Universality . We trust it may not be imagined that Ave attach any serious importance to the particular word supposed to be discovered in the

Royal Arch Degree . Our belief in the matter is , that for Masonic purposes it might just as Avell be any other word . It may , or may not be . capable of the interpretation attributed to the combinations formed from it ; this is of no importance : its use is to convey an idea , and this idea is not solely and entirely the Unity of God . An advance has been made in Masonic belief , and we now find

Masonry teaching a more important doctrine than that which Avas required of the Candidate for the First Degree . Masonry here shoAvs itself progressive . All Royal Arch Masons know that a certain explanation of the combinations which it is thought possible to form out of a single name is given in this Degree , and that this explanation marks an advance on a mere doctrine of

unity . The English Avords which are employed denote in the plainest manner that the primary Masonic belief has developed into something higher . Admitting therefore , for argument , that the primary belief is universal , we have now to consider Avhether this supplementary doctrine is also capable of being universal ?

It is conceivable , for instance , that there is nothing in the lower Degrees of Masonry which could not be , by the adoption of certain renderings , received by a Mahommedan , but we are unable to imagine hoAv any doctrine which specifically advances beyond a precise recognition of the unity of the Godhead can be acceptable to him . Certainly he cannot acquiesce in any form of Trinitarian

belief . If the Royal Arch Degree taught a doctrine of divine duality , no one Avould care to assert that this would obtain the concurrence , after clear explanation , of a Mahommedan . It requires no argument to SIIOAV that the teaching could not be received ; the ability to accept it Avould not exist . The Royal Arch Degree does not teach

a doctrine of duality , but Avhat it does teach is even more unacceptable to such a one than duality Avould be . Each Degree in Masonry is a part of the system , and if any Degree be liable to rejection , then the system is not Universally applicable . The acquiescence of a Mahommedan in this Degree can only arise from not comprehending Avhat is taught , for if every allusion

to Christianity were ignored , there must yet remain in this Degree points which conflict with the Mahommedan faith . It should be remembered , but it is sometimes forgotten , that there are several Degrees in Freemasonry Avith pecular secrets attached to each . Together they form one harmonious whole . These Degrees are only supposed to be conferred according—firstly ,

to merit ; and , secondly , to ability . " Every Mason is familiar with this old laAV , indicating that it was foreseen that some would not possess the ability to take successive Degrees . If there be in the religious belief of a brother some main principle which conflicts Avith the teaching of a Degree , inability to proceed becomes selfevident . In order to advance in Masonry certain articles of faith

are necessary , which are supplementary to those originally insisted on . If these are not possessed by the Brother he has not the requisite ability . It therefore logically follows that it is an anomaly to confer a Degree in which the teaching is known to be contrary to the Candidate's religious belief . If he believes one thing and the

Degree teaches another , he does not possess the required Masonic ability to advance . The most complete admission of this logical principle distinguishes the First Degree in Masonry . In the Royal Arch , as in the case of Craft Lodges , Ave think the name selected for the first chapter is not a little significant . It Avas " The Rock and Fountain Shiloh . " We do not ourselves think

that any but a Christian interpretation of this is possible . The distinct manner in Avhich the Triune character of the Deity is emphasised in the Royal Arch Degree is its most remarkable feature . Without any argument from us , most Masons will admit that the triple T is an emblem of salvation and eternal life .

Brother Nash says , with regard to the triangle , " the equilateral triangle viewed in the light of the doctrines of those who gave it currency as a divine symbol , represents the Great First Cause , the creator and container of all things , as one and indivisible , manifesting himself in an infinity of forms and attributes . " *

* llackcy . ( To be , continued ') .