Contents.

CONTENTS .

EDITORIAL : OUR INSTITUTIONS AND THEIR CRITICS Frontpage INDIFFERENCE TO ENQUIRY 352 BOARD OF BENEVOLENCE 852 REVIEWS 352 THE MASONIC POET ' S CORNER 353 THE ROYAL MASONIC INSTITUTIONS .. 353

OUR TRESTLE BOARD 353 EMBLEMATIC LODGE , NO . 1 , 321 353 ORIGINAL CORRESPONDENCE 354 , 355 NOTIFICATIONS 355 EVENINGS ABROAD—OUR CITY ARTICLE 356 REPORTS OF LODGES AND CHAPTERS 357 METROPOLITAN AND PROVINCIAL LODGE AND CHAPTER

MEETINGS FORTHCOMING 358 , 359 , 3 ( 50 METROPOLITAN LODGES AND CHAPTERS OF INSTRUCTION 3 ( 51 ADVERTISEMENTS Front cover , 350 , 3 ( 52 , 363 . 304

Our Institutions And Their Critics.

Our Institutions and their Critics .

HE THE R or not correct in all their arguments and assertions , so long as they have been made in good faith , our correspondents have reason to be satisfied that they have

at least secured some attention to their complaints . How far the explanation of one of our contemporaries , —which

may reasonably enough be the result of a very creditable search into particulars on its own account , and quite as reasonably may be taken as the combined inspiration of

others , and those others interested in the management of our Institutions , —will satisfy them and the craft generally , remains to be seen . The " Critics" have thought it

advantageous that sundry objectionable matters should be enquired into , and have expressed their opinions thereanent in the manner most natural to them , and if it should

be that they are to be treated with indifference , or merely receive such information as may be vouchsafed to them in an indirect manner , those who remain reticent may be sure that further attacks will be made .

If we ourselves criticise the explanation now set before rs in the columns of our -contemporary , it Avill be quite ir'Ji'pective of the rights or wrongs connected with the

mamgernent of the Institutions , for each and all of which we eiitertain personally the strongest feelings of regard , and not the faintest desire to do them , or those who direct

or of . ieially conduct their respective proceedings , the slightest injury . We would rather be altogether silent in regard to them , and devote our pages to other masonic

matters , than invite discussion if we thought harm could come of it ; but we cannot believe other than that the result of controversy , kept within reasonable limits , will

Our Institutions And Their Critics.

be for the general good of the Institutions and the increase in number of their supporters . That " those who play at bowls must expect rubbers " is an axiom in the truth of which we feel assured our

contemporary and the " Critics" themselves are alike agreed , There is , however , an equally forcible sporting maxim to the effect that " it is not fair fighting to hit below the belt , " and that is just what those who

have written in our pages complain of , whilst resenting the application to them of derogatory and uncalled-for epithets . For the word '' ignorant" there is no synonym that is not more or less offensive ; for the word " scribbler "

there is , for it is but another name for a scribe , a secretary , or a penman . However , we shall leave our correspondents , designated by our contemporary as " Critics Nos . 1 , 2 , 8 , 4 , & c , " to reply after their own

fashion to' the objections taken in the article referred to ; but must say at once that there does not appear to us anything like a full and sufficient answer given to what they have already advanced . Indeed , we can hardly do

otherwise than look upon the utterances of any journal , distinctly repudiating " inspiration , " as being perfectly valueless for all purposes of explanation , unless the same should bear an official endorsement by those who vimt

know the positive facts , and not have to take second-hand information such as that now offered to the " Critics , " and which , whilst professing a general elucidation , nevertheless leaves quite untouched several burning questions which

have been propounded , and which are far too important in regard to the future well-being of the respective institutions to be so lightly set aside as would seem to

be desired , or to be lost in the whirlpool of personality because writers take such ready offence . We would desire to leave out of our criticism of the

attempted explanations so much as personally affects a very worthy brother , who cannot possibly be blamed for any access of good fortune accruing to him out of increased emolument , consequent on the conditions contained in any

agreement made between his employers and himself ; and we hope that in any further controversy it may be made distinctly understood that no reproach whatever is intended for him , but wholly and solely to the principle involved in

the existing arrangement . All we care to remark on this subject is , that the large amount taken from the gross sum of donations and subscriptions , intended for relief of the infirm and necessitous , represents so much as would

extend our charity , as it is pointed out , to as many as eighteen worthy old people now standing at our gates imploring assistance . If this diversion can be prevented without injustice to any individual , brother it ought to be ;