Contents.

CONTENTS .

EDITORIAL : PENSIONS 2 !) 1 PROVINCIAL GRAND LODGE AND CHArTER OF SURREY ... 292 INSTALLATION MEETING OV THE LEBANON LODGE . XO . 132 ( 5 2 ! I 2 MASONIC POET ' CORNER— "THE NOBLE ORDER "— "HAIL . MASONRY , THOU GLORIOUS ART ! " 203 FREEMASONRY IN PERSIA 293 INSTALLATION MEETING OP THE MENTURIA LODGE . NO .

418 , HANLEY 21 ) 3 NOTIFICATIONS 203 ¦ O RIGINAL CORRESPONDENCE 201 & 295 OUR TRESTLE BOARD 2 !) . ") REPORTS OK LODGES , & C 2 % & 297 METROPOLITAN LODGE AND CHAPTER MEETINGS FOR THE CURRENT WEEK 200 ADVERTISEMENTS Front cover , 200 , 207 , 298 , 200 , 300

Pensions.

Pensions .

E are in receipt of a number of letters from

brethren who appear to be greatly exercised in their minds with respect to the ultimate issue of the labours which the Provisional

Committee of Management of the Eoyal Masonic Institution for Boys has undertaken . Some are disposed to think that those labours will not result in general satisfaction ,

but will rather be productive of partizanship ; whilst others desire at once to publicly champion individuals connected with the past management . It is suggested in one direction

that the Masonic press , itself somewhat divided on the question of responsibility of managers and officials , has not fairly represented facts : and in another that one or

other of its journals has been the mouthpiece of those implicated , and not bold and outspoken on behalf of the important interests of the Institution . We have

before us one epistle censuring ourselves for setting before our readers comments upon indisputable facts , and another condemning us for not more strenuously attacking

individual reputations in connection therewith . There can be no doubt that the late unfortunate—or shall we say fortunate ?—occurrences have assisted to create parties

amongst the brethren and the subscribers to our masonic charities , and that it will not be an easy matter , if time is wasted before a decision is arrived at , to effect

reconciliation . In a recent issue of this journal ( July 11 th ) we wrote "And now would it not be as well to do no more than ' watch and wait' for a reasonable space of time ,

during which the arrangements of the Provisional Com mittee might be matured . " We again repeat that observa ^ fcion , and also that " no good whatever can accrue by furthei

publicity in connection with the past . " Our attention is directed to existent abuses elsewhere ; and , moreover , it

would be graceless and ill-advised to intrude " opinions " upon the acting Committee of the Boys' School at the present juncture .

Pensions.

We shall therefore ask to be relieved from any requests to continue controversy in regard to matters relating to the Boys' School antecedent to the last General Court which approved of the preliminary report of the Provisional

Committee of Management . And as we suspend agitation , so v , e would respectfully urge upon our readers that they should suspend judgment until the opportunity for the

fullest acquaintance with all details of the past mismanagement and of the proposed reformation shall have been , as they surely will be , submitted to an ensuing Special Court of the Governors and Subscribers .

Dealing generally , however , as it does , with the system of pensions , and merely soliciting information thereon , we insert in another column a communication from a

correspondent which may be answered without reference to the matters now . sul jwlice . It raises a simple but very important question—Can pensions or annuities be granted from funds expressly given and received for the relief of

particular persons whose necessities and requirements of aid are especially defined ? In other words , can any sum obtained upon a representation that it is to be aj > plied to a particular purpose , subject only to the reasonable cost of

such application , be devoted to any other purpose without infringing the moral law which the Craft prescribes in all its teachings , the " giving unto every one his just due and that without distinction ; " and the law of the land which

protects the wronged and can punish the wrong doer ? What may very consistently be done with accumulated funds provided for general management of a Society or Institution , such , for instance , as those which accrue from

enforced payments by Lodges to the Craft " Fund of General Purposes , " cannot , in our opinion , and certainly should not , be done with special gifts for charitable purposes , such , as for instance , the " Fund of Benevolence , "

to suggest a pension from which , to executive officers , would be the height of absurdity . However much , therefore , it may be desired on the part of many brethren who would greatly regret that valuable services rendered

in the past should be unrecognised by provision in the future , —and we ourselves are amongst that number , —the risk attendant on a diversion of donations and subscriptions from the direct purpose for which they

were made and collected , should be well considered before final decision . Our correspondent points out the direction in which opposition to any resolution to divert any portion of the funds' entrusted to tho stewards , and by them

transferred to tho proper authorities for distribution , might take ; and we have full assurance that what is by him merely sufi'ffested is a fixed resolve in the minds of others should

necessity arise . Cannot the generous impulse of those who would be grieved to see a most serviceable career , during