-
Articles/Ads
Article OPENING OF A FREEMASONS' HALL AT DOVER. Page 1 of 1 Article DEVON MASONIC EDUCATIONAL FUND. Page 1 of 1 Article MASONIC READING. Page 1 of 1 Article MASONIC READING. Page 1 of 1 Article MASONIC "AT HOME." Page 1 of 1 Article MASONIC PRESENTATION AT BINGLEY. Page 1 of 1 Article Obituary. Page 1 of 1 Article The Craft Abroad. Page 1 of 2 →
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Opening Of A Freemasons' Hall At Dover.
OPENING OF A FREEMASONS' HALL AT DOVER .
An event of considerable importance to the Craft at Dover took place on Monday evening , the 20 th ult ., when the first meeting was held at the newly-acquired premises Snargate-street . The two Craft lodges , Peace and Harmony , 199 , and the Corinthian , 120 S , together with the Royal Arch Chapter , ion , and the Mark Master Masons '
Dover and Cinque Ports Lodge , 152 , have hitherto met at different hotels in the town , and , although several attempts have been made to obtain premises which could be dovoted entirely to Masonic purposes , it was not until the present year that the growing desire to get away from licensed premises has been accomplished by a suitable building being secured for a Freemasons' Hall . The premises , which are well adapted lor the purposes for which they are
required , consist of the hall , used as a lodge room , with three ante-rooms , lavatory , & c . The hall has been very tastefully decorated and handsomely furnished , and contains , besides several other gifts from the brethren , three stained-glass windows , presented respectively by the W . M . of 199 , the W . M . of 120 S , the First Principal of Chapter 199 , and the W . M . of M . M . M . 152 . These windows add very much to the beauty of the hall , whether viewed from
the interior or exterior . A very large number of the officers and brethren of the local lodges assembled at the opening hour , 6 p . m ., on Monday , it being the first monthly meeting this session of the Corinthian Lodge , No . 120 S . The W . M ., Bro . Woldemar O . Kennett , presided , and was supported by the W . M . of Peace and Harmony Lodge , No . 199 , Bro . Rev . V . S . Vickers , P . P . G . C ; and Bros . J . D . Terson
P . P . G . S . D . ; I . Bordeaux , P . P . G . S . D . ; Dr . Fenn , P . P . G . J . D . ; VV . Prescctt , P . G . J . D . ; J . M . Browning , P . P . G . S . Wks .,- T . J . Perkins , I . P . M . ; and several Past Masters of 199 and 1208 , together with Bros . Colonel Cuming , P . P . G . S . Sussex ; J . A . Hendy , 655 ( Australia ); J . W . Bussey , W . M . 199 ; J . H . Higgins , 31 ; E . Buss , 1 S 4 ; H . Cruttenden , P . M . 503 ; besides others from the district .
During the evening , Mr . Martyn Mowll was initiated in a very impressive manner by Bro . W . O . Kennett , the W . M ., who afterwards gave the charge . The ceremonies were musically performed , the choral service by Bro . J . Plant ( of Canterbury Cathedral ) , P . G . Organist , being used , and was very effectively rendered by Bros . Plant , Igclesden , Bordeaux , and Higgins , Bro . Charles Winterbon
conducting and presiding at the organ . The lodge having been closed , the brethren then sat down to a supper provided by Bro . Oldfield , P . M . The usual toasts and a very cordial vote of thonks to the W . M . were afterwards given , and duly honoured . During the evening a programme of glees and songs was performed by the brethren who had assisted at the choral
. The brethren afterwards separated , and it was felt that a decided step in the best interests of Freemasonry had been most successfully inaugurated .
Devon Masonic Educational Fund.
DEVON MASONIC EDUCATIONAL FUND .
tn response to a circular issued by Bro . J . B . Cover , P . M . and Sed . of Lodge St . John , P . P . G . A . D . C , the energetic Hon . Sec . of the Devon Masonic Educational Fund , a number of brethren met at the Huyshe Masonic Temple , on Saturday evening , the 25 th inst ., to devise
further means than already exist whereby the funds of this excellent Institution may be materially benefitted . As the result of the lengthy and practical discussion it was decided to ask Bro . Hearder , P . M ., to arrange a popular concert at an early date , to take place in the Plymouth Guildhall . Mr . Lohr , the conductor of the Plymouth Vocal Association , and Mr . Weekes , the conductor of the Choral Society ,
are being communicated with with a view to one or the other of the societies giving a high class conceat in aid of the Institution . It was also resolved that Bro . Hughan , P . G . S . D . of England , be asked to arrange a Masonic Exhibition of curios , relics , interesting documents , and such like , to take place at the Huyshe Masonic Temple at a convenient date . It is proposed to hold several concerts in aid of the Devonshire Educational Fund during the winter .
Masonic Reading.
MASONIC READING .
There are very many valuable Masonic newspapers published all over the world . There is much printed and sent broadcast regarding Masonry , in book-form . There are a number of histories of the fraternity . There are voluminous proceedings of Masonic Grand Bodies . The world is full of books on the subject of Masonry , yet there is very
little _ known of thc true essence of the Craft-teachings . The fact is , there is very little Masonic literature that is read . A Mason thinks because he is a Mason he must have some history of the Order in his library , just as he thinks he must have some diploma or Masonic chart framed or hung over the mantle in the front parlour . The book adorns the . shelf as the picture adorns the wall , a matter
of ornament merely , not to be consulted for information And then some Masonic widow or orphan comes around with "Adison's Knights Templar , " "Mackey's Cycloprcdia , " or some other good work , and out of sympathy and may be , a real desire to help a worthy sister , or what is more likely just to get rid of the agent , he buys the book , never opens it , except to read the title page , puts it away and forgets it .
There are various reasons for all this . The first and greatest reason perhaps is the brother does not feel that deep interest in the Masonic fraternity that he thought he did . For , after all , the number of really interested Masons in the vast army of five hundred and ninety-six thousand that the United States contains , to say nothing of the rest of the world , is very small . They are ignorant of what M has beenwhat it is to
asonry , -day , in organization , i ? " ( r a <> d benefit . Many , perhaps the vast majority join Masonry out of mere curiosity , and when that curiosity is gratified by the Degrees they take , they have all j ?« " Masonry , never attend lodge meetings , never read a Masonic book and never take a Masonic journal Uthers join because it has pleasant social advantages , and they enjoy the lodge , take delight in helping to confer the imrd Degree , without realizing what the great , under-
Masonic Reading.
lying , fundamental principle of the drama is . They never read , only to be posted about the ritual of the Degrees , so that the few who remain , whose interest is sufficient to lead them to search the records and read the current literature , must support the publications themselves . The complaint comes from ail over the world that Masons do not read , that they do not support the publications of the Order . From India , from New Zealand , from Canada ,
from our own country , every where the same cry goes up . This , of course , ought not to be so . Every Mason should be an intelligent Mason , and if he fails to avail himself of the many opportunities for gaining knowledge , he is culpably negligent . There is also another side of the question . Brethren ought not to be expected to read everything that is found in Masonic periodicals , for there is much printed that is the merest trash . There should be , on the part of
those who publish Masonic newspapers , an effort to have the tone of the paper very high . Low , scurrilous articles ought to be excluded . Only the pure and beautiful should be published . Masonry is a system of beautiful symbols , and around it should be gathered everything that will bring out clearly and distinctly every hidden glory , and nothing that will tarnish or destroy . There should be variety , not strained monotony . There should be freedom , not stilted
stoicism . All should be just such as would appeal to the nobler , higher , purer instincts of the man . Long , prosy articles on some exploded theory that may be very be beautiful to stand off and look at , are a burden , and make a magazine heavy and never read . There has been very much of this in Masonry , too much , and it has been a direct injury to all Masonic publications . Many of the periodicals , as they are published to-day ,
are unworthy the names they bear . They are nothing but the scrapings , the peeling , while the fruit has been thrown away . There is a great deal of genuine talent in Masonry , and the very best of it should be employed on the . literature . The trash should be weeded out , and only the true stuff should be preserved . Then the publication ought to be presented in an attractive form , good type , clear and plain , good paper , and the whole workmanship should
exhibita master workman . Let those who essay towritebecarecareful to give only their thoughts , carefully prepared , and those who print , do it in a workmanlike manner , and it may be , some of the trouble will be removed . There are some Masonic publications in the world whose very appearance would create a feeling of disgust rather than admiration . The type , the paper , the whole " get up " is so careless and uninviting that you would expect to find the matter
inside equally distasteful . This corrected and then the matter carefully prepared , so that one may " pick something out of everything he reads , " and the cry of want of support will be lessened , and the ignorance of the Craft will be supplanted by knowledge , and the tenets of the Order will be understood and more widely practiced , and the grand mission of our noble Institution made secure beyond a peradventure . —New York Dispatch .
Masonic "At Home."
MASONIC "AT HOME . "
On Friday evening , August the 20 th , the brethren of the British Kaffrarian and Memorial Lodges entertained a large party of their friends at a dance in the Odd Fellows ' Hall , King William's Town , Cape of Good Hope , the walls of which were decorated with the banners of the two lodges , the 12 bannerets of the Royal Arch , and the tracing boards
of the Craft , whilst across the proscenium of the stage other five bannerets of the Royal Arch were hung . The stage was prepared as a drawing room , and made a pleasant lounge for those who did not dance . The retiring rooms on either side of it were used respectivel y for cards and for tea and coffee , and supper was served in a temporary room , formed by enclosing the verandah , the lodge room
usually appropriated for this purpose being set aside on this occasion for dancing . Masons are famous for the cheeriness of their hospitality and for their zeal in promoting the enjoyment of their guests , and well did they maintain their reputation that evening , no one willing to dance being allowed to sit for want of an introduction ; for instance , we noticed in one of the sets of Lancers especially that every
lady who had been seated in the body of the hall was taking part in the dance , and it is this kind attention and looking after their guests that always makes Masonic parties so thoroughly enjoyable . The brethren who are to be specially thanked for this are the Masters of Ceremonies , Bros . VV . F . Sissing , D . G . S . ; J . S . F . Johnson , P . D . G . S . B . ; W . G . Smith , D . G . T . ;
the Stewards , Bros . T . W . Robertson , D . G . S . W . ; J . Clarke , P . D . G . S . B . ; W . Lord , G . A . Hay , E . E . Wellbeloved , and Dr . Hartley , V . C . ; and the Honorary Secretaries , Bros . C W . Bluhm and W . H . Potts . At the opening of the party the brethren formed up and received the R . W . D . G . M ., Bro . Dr . Egan , and the D . D . G . M ., Bro . G . P . Perks , accompanied by the Masters of the two
lodges—Bros . Sissing and Smith—and the District Grand Master then welcomed the guests , and expressed the hope of himself and his brethren that they would thoroughly enjoy themselves , which hope was evidently realised , the party passing off splendidly . The music was supplied by bandsmen of the 'CM . Riflemen , and was very bright and in good time .
Masonic Presentation At Bingley.
MASONIC PRESENTATION AT BINGLEY .
On Wednesday evening a large gathering of the Freemasons of the Bingley , Keighley , and Haworth lodges took place at the Fleece Hotel , Bingley , for the purpose of presenting a beautifully-illuminated and congratulatory address to Past Master John Craven Taylor , of Bradford .
Bro . Taylor was appointed the Master of the Scientific Lodge , No . 439 , in the year 1 S 36 , and the meeting was held for the purpose of celebrating his 50 th year . He has been connected with the lodge half-a-century , and is held in high esteem by all Freemasons . He has filled several important offices in the higher branches of Masonry , and has been a subscribing member ever since the lod ge was
commenced . The presentation was made by Bro . T . W . Tew , Prov . Grand Master of VVest Yorkshire . The Mayor of Bradford , Alderman Thomas Hill , was present , and Bro . Henry Smith , D . Prov . G . M . There were all the local lodges represented , and hearty congratulations were given to Bro . Taylor .
Obituary.
Obituary .
BRO . J . PEARSON BELL , M . D ., P . G . D ., PAST D . P . G . M . AND PROV . G . SUPERINTENDENT NORTH AND EAST YORKSHIRE . Bro . J . Pearson Bell , M . D ., of Hull , whose death occurred on Sunday last in the 78 th year of his age , and who—as we mention in our editorial remarks—was one of the foremost among our English Masonic luminaries of the present day , was initiated in the Humber Lodge , 57
, on the 16 th October , 1 S 3 S . Two years later , he became J . W ., and in 1 S 41—on the occasion of the late Duke of Sussex , then M . W . G . M ., visiting the Province of North and East Yorkshire—the minor distinction of a Prov . Grand Stewardship was conferred upon him . In the year following he was elected to the chair of his lodge , and thenceforward the honours conferred upon him fell thick and fast , so that in a very short time Bro . Bell became the right hand man
of the late Earl of Zetland , G . M . of England , and Prov . G . M . of North and East Yorkshire , as we know he has been of his nephew and successor in the latter office , the present Earl . In 1 S 43 , he was invested Prov . G . S . B . ; in 1 S 49 , and again in 1 S 50 , he was appointed Prov . G . J . W . ; and in 1 S 60—on the death of the late Bro . Jeremiah Stark —he was specially invited by his late chief to undertake the difficult and oftentimes thankless task of Provincial Grand
Secretary . In 1866 , Bro . George Marwood , Deputy Provincial G . M ., died , and since then till quite recently our deceased brother had continued in that post , the able supporter of his late and present chief ' s dignity , and the friend of all their subordinate brethren . In R . A . Masonry , of which he was the Grand Superintendent of his province , Comp . Bell was M . E . Z . of the Humber Chapter , No . 57 , in IS . ^ , and a second time the
year following , and in 1858 he accepted the same position in the chapter attached to the Minerva Lodge , No . 250 , which about that time he had helped so materially to reconstitute . In 1859 he was re-elected Z . of the same chapter , and was appointed Third Principal in the Prov . G . Chapter . Seven years later he was chosen Prov . G . Superintendent , and in the 20 years that have since elapsed had done more than any other Mason on behalf of this
branch of Constitutional Masonry . But these represent only a part of his labours . During his Prov . G . Secretaryship ^ compiled a new code of bye-laws , which afterwards received the approval of the province . He was also the founder of the Provincial Grand Lodge Benevolent Fund , which has a handsome sum invested , and is able not only to relieve the wants of many local brethren , but also to remit , from time to time , a considerable amount of support
to our Central Charities . He has likewise , as may well be imagined , taken a leading part on several occasions in the Masonic ceremony of laying foundation-stones , and has more than once been presented with the trowel for his services . There is also another field of Masonic labour in which our late brother occupied a high position , namely , as a literary member of our Order , and for his valuable services as a lecturer on R . A . Masonry , as the historian of
his province , and as the author of the chart , entitled " The Stream of English Freemasonry , " Bro . Bell will always be remembered with respect . He was likewise a supporter of all the Institutions , and the recipient of many testimonials from his Yorkshire brethren , notably in 1872 , when , to commemorate his appointment to the Grand Senior Deaconship of England , they presented him with a silver epergne and salver , value 250 guineas ; and again , early in the
current year when , on the occasion of his golden wedding , Mrs . Bell received ^ from them a bust of him whom she had been united with in marriage for half a century . Such a Masonic record as this , so varied in its features , and yet so pre-eminent in its claims on the affection and respect of all Masons is by no means frequent , and our sorrow at his loss is proportionate to our knowledge of the rare merit he had shown in all the positions of distinction and trust he had been called upon to fill .
The Craft Abroad.
The Craft Abroad .
ANNIVERSARV OF THE OPENING OF LODGE STAR IN THE FAR SOUTH , PAPAKURA . The anniversary of the opening of Lodge Star in the Far South was celebrated in the lodge room , Protestant Hall , Papakura , on June 18 th . It was decided to give the affair the character of a social gathering , embracing Masons belonging to the lodge and their friendsand to
, commence the proceedings with a kind of " high tea . " At the lodge meeting held a few weeks previously a Committee was appointed , consisting of Bros . Walker , D . Wilson , S . Walker , B . R . Brown , Clark , E . VV . McLennan , and G . Willis , to carry out the necessary arrangements , and , aided by Mesdames J . Walker , D . Wilson , S . Walker , Brown , the Misses McLennan , Willis , and other ladiesthe
Com-, mittee brought their arrangements to a most successful issue . About nine o ' clock the hall was cleared for the subsequent entertainment , which the R . W . M . of the lodge prefaced by an address on the principles of the Order of Freemasonry . After the address the lengthy dance piogramme was commenced , Mr . W . Wilson ably undertaking the duties of M . C . The dancing was interspersed with
excellent songs rendered by Bro . Dr . Erson , R . W . M . Lodge Wairoa and W . M . Lodge Harmony , Bro . Hunt , and Messrs . Shanaghan , W . Simms , and W . J . Wilson ; and choice readings and recitations from Bros . Dr . Erson and S . Walker . During the evening Bro . Slator , P . M ., and Prov . G . Sec . N . I . N . Z . ( S . C ) , delivered an appropriate address , which was well received . The proceedings continued with unflagging zeal until four o ' clock a . m .
LODGE ARA , No . 348 ( I . C ) , AUCKLAND . On June 24 th , being St . John's Day , the brethren of this lodge , with numerous visiting brethren , assembled at the Freemasons' Hall , Princes-street , Auckland , New Zealand , for the annual ceremony of installation of VV . M . The lodge having been opened in due form by Bro . J . R . Hanna , the retiring W . M ., the minutes of the preceding meetimr
were read , and the routine work gone through , after which Bro . Alfred Kidd was presented to the W . M . and the lodge as the VV . M . elect , and the obligation duly taken . The lodge having then been raised , a Board of P . M . ' s proceeded to install the W . M . with customary ceremonies , after which he was introduced and saluted by the assembled brethren in the three Degrees . The VV . M . next proceeded to invest his officers with the insignia of their respective offices as
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Opening Of A Freemasons' Hall At Dover.
OPENING OF A FREEMASONS' HALL AT DOVER .
An event of considerable importance to the Craft at Dover took place on Monday evening , the 20 th ult ., when the first meeting was held at the newly-acquired premises Snargate-street . The two Craft lodges , Peace and Harmony , 199 , and the Corinthian , 120 S , together with the Royal Arch Chapter , ion , and the Mark Master Masons '
Dover and Cinque Ports Lodge , 152 , have hitherto met at different hotels in the town , and , although several attempts have been made to obtain premises which could be dovoted entirely to Masonic purposes , it was not until the present year that the growing desire to get away from licensed premises has been accomplished by a suitable building being secured for a Freemasons' Hall . The premises , which are well adapted lor the purposes for which they are
required , consist of the hall , used as a lodge room , with three ante-rooms , lavatory , & c . The hall has been very tastefully decorated and handsomely furnished , and contains , besides several other gifts from the brethren , three stained-glass windows , presented respectively by the W . M . of 199 , the W . M . of 120 S , the First Principal of Chapter 199 , and the W . M . of M . M . M . 152 . These windows add very much to the beauty of the hall , whether viewed from
the interior or exterior . A very large number of the officers and brethren of the local lodges assembled at the opening hour , 6 p . m ., on Monday , it being the first monthly meeting this session of the Corinthian Lodge , No . 120 S . The W . M ., Bro . Woldemar O . Kennett , presided , and was supported by the W . M . of Peace and Harmony Lodge , No . 199 , Bro . Rev . V . S . Vickers , P . P . G . C ; and Bros . J . D . Terson
P . P . G . S . D . ; I . Bordeaux , P . P . G . S . D . ; Dr . Fenn , P . P . G . J . D . ; VV . Prescctt , P . G . J . D . ; J . M . Browning , P . P . G . S . Wks .,- T . J . Perkins , I . P . M . ; and several Past Masters of 199 and 1208 , together with Bros . Colonel Cuming , P . P . G . S . Sussex ; J . A . Hendy , 655 ( Australia ); J . W . Bussey , W . M . 199 ; J . H . Higgins , 31 ; E . Buss , 1 S 4 ; H . Cruttenden , P . M . 503 ; besides others from the district .
During the evening , Mr . Martyn Mowll was initiated in a very impressive manner by Bro . W . O . Kennett , the W . M ., who afterwards gave the charge . The ceremonies were musically performed , the choral service by Bro . J . Plant ( of Canterbury Cathedral ) , P . G . Organist , being used , and was very effectively rendered by Bros . Plant , Igclesden , Bordeaux , and Higgins , Bro . Charles Winterbon
conducting and presiding at the organ . The lodge having been closed , the brethren then sat down to a supper provided by Bro . Oldfield , P . M . The usual toasts and a very cordial vote of thonks to the W . M . were afterwards given , and duly honoured . During the evening a programme of glees and songs was performed by the brethren who had assisted at the choral
. The brethren afterwards separated , and it was felt that a decided step in the best interests of Freemasonry had been most successfully inaugurated .
Devon Masonic Educational Fund.
DEVON MASONIC EDUCATIONAL FUND .
tn response to a circular issued by Bro . J . B . Cover , P . M . and Sed . of Lodge St . John , P . P . G . A . D . C , the energetic Hon . Sec . of the Devon Masonic Educational Fund , a number of brethren met at the Huyshe Masonic Temple , on Saturday evening , the 25 th inst ., to devise
further means than already exist whereby the funds of this excellent Institution may be materially benefitted . As the result of the lengthy and practical discussion it was decided to ask Bro . Hearder , P . M ., to arrange a popular concert at an early date , to take place in the Plymouth Guildhall . Mr . Lohr , the conductor of the Plymouth Vocal Association , and Mr . Weekes , the conductor of the Choral Society ,
are being communicated with with a view to one or the other of the societies giving a high class conceat in aid of the Institution . It was also resolved that Bro . Hughan , P . G . S . D . of England , be asked to arrange a Masonic Exhibition of curios , relics , interesting documents , and such like , to take place at the Huyshe Masonic Temple at a convenient date . It is proposed to hold several concerts in aid of the Devonshire Educational Fund during the winter .
Masonic Reading.
MASONIC READING .
There are very many valuable Masonic newspapers published all over the world . There is much printed and sent broadcast regarding Masonry , in book-form . There are a number of histories of the fraternity . There are voluminous proceedings of Masonic Grand Bodies . The world is full of books on the subject of Masonry , yet there is very
little _ known of thc true essence of the Craft-teachings . The fact is , there is very little Masonic literature that is read . A Mason thinks because he is a Mason he must have some history of the Order in his library , just as he thinks he must have some diploma or Masonic chart framed or hung over the mantle in the front parlour . The book adorns the . shelf as the picture adorns the wall , a matter
of ornament merely , not to be consulted for information And then some Masonic widow or orphan comes around with "Adison's Knights Templar , " "Mackey's Cycloprcdia , " or some other good work , and out of sympathy and may be , a real desire to help a worthy sister , or what is more likely just to get rid of the agent , he buys the book , never opens it , except to read the title page , puts it away and forgets it .
There are various reasons for all this . The first and greatest reason perhaps is the brother does not feel that deep interest in the Masonic fraternity that he thought he did . For , after all , the number of really interested Masons in the vast army of five hundred and ninety-six thousand that the United States contains , to say nothing of the rest of the world , is very small . They are ignorant of what M has beenwhat it is to
asonry , -day , in organization , i ? " ( r a <> d benefit . Many , perhaps the vast majority join Masonry out of mere curiosity , and when that curiosity is gratified by the Degrees they take , they have all j ?« " Masonry , never attend lodge meetings , never read a Masonic book and never take a Masonic journal Uthers join because it has pleasant social advantages , and they enjoy the lodge , take delight in helping to confer the imrd Degree , without realizing what the great , under-
Masonic Reading.
lying , fundamental principle of the drama is . They never read , only to be posted about the ritual of the Degrees , so that the few who remain , whose interest is sufficient to lead them to search the records and read the current literature , must support the publications themselves . The complaint comes from ail over the world that Masons do not read , that they do not support the publications of the Order . From India , from New Zealand , from Canada ,
from our own country , every where the same cry goes up . This , of course , ought not to be so . Every Mason should be an intelligent Mason , and if he fails to avail himself of the many opportunities for gaining knowledge , he is culpably negligent . There is also another side of the question . Brethren ought not to be expected to read everything that is found in Masonic periodicals , for there is much printed that is the merest trash . There should be , on the part of
those who publish Masonic newspapers , an effort to have the tone of the paper very high . Low , scurrilous articles ought to be excluded . Only the pure and beautiful should be published . Masonry is a system of beautiful symbols , and around it should be gathered everything that will bring out clearly and distinctly every hidden glory , and nothing that will tarnish or destroy . There should be variety , not strained monotony . There should be freedom , not stilted
stoicism . All should be just such as would appeal to the nobler , higher , purer instincts of the man . Long , prosy articles on some exploded theory that may be very be beautiful to stand off and look at , are a burden , and make a magazine heavy and never read . There has been very much of this in Masonry , too much , and it has been a direct injury to all Masonic publications . Many of the periodicals , as they are published to-day ,
are unworthy the names they bear . They are nothing but the scrapings , the peeling , while the fruit has been thrown away . There is a great deal of genuine talent in Masonry , and the very best of it should be employed on the . literature . The trash should be weeded out , and only the true stuff should be preserved . Then the publication ought to be presented in an attractive form , good type , clear and plain , good paper , and the whole workmanship should
exhibita master workman . Let those who essay towritebecarecareful to give only their thoughts , carefully prepared , and those who print , do it in a workmanlike manner , and it may be , some of the trouble will be removed . There are some Masonic publications in the world whose very appearance would create a feeling of disgust rather than admiration . The type , the paper , the whole " get up " is so careless and uninviting that you would expect to find the matter
inside equally distasteful . This corrected and then the matter carefully prepared , so that one may " pick something out of everything he reads , " and the cry of want of support will be lessened , and the ignorance of the Craft will be supplanted by knowledge , and the tenets of the Order will be understood and more widely practiced , and the grand mission of our noble Institution made secure beyond a peradventure . —New York Dispatch .
Masonic "At Home."
MASONIC "AT HOME . "
On Friday evening , August the 20 th , the brethren of the British Kaffrarian and Memorial Lodges entertained a large party of their friends at a dance in the Odd Fellows ' Hall , King William's Town , Cape of Good Hope , the walls of which were decorated with the banners of the two lodges , the 12 bannerets of the Royal Arch , and the tracing boards
of the Craft , whilst across the proscenium of the stage other five bannerets of the Royal Arch were hung . The stage was prepared as a drawing room , and made a pleasant lounge for those who did not dance . The retiring rooms on either side of it were used respectivel y for cards and for tea and coffee , and supper was served in a temporary room , formed by enclosing the verandah , the lodge room
usually appropriated for this purpose being set aside on this occasion for dancing . Masons are famous for the cheeriness of their hospitality and for their zeal in promoting the enjoyment of their guests , and well did they maintain their reputation that evening , no one willing to dance being allowed to sit for want of an introduction ; for instance , we noticed in one of the sets of Lancers especially that every
lady who had been seated in the body of the hall was taking part in the dance , and it is this kind attention and looking after their guests that always makes Masonic parties so thoroughly enjoyable . The brethren who are to be specially thanked for this are the Masters of Ceremonies , Bros . VV . F . Sissing , D . G . S . ; J . S . F . Johnson , P . D . G . S . B . ; W . G . Smith , D . G . T . ;
the Stewards , Bros . T . W . Robertson , D . G . S . W . ; J . Clarke , P . D . G . S . B . ; W . Lord , G . A . Hay , E . E . Wellbeloved , and Dr . Hartley , V . C . ; and the Honorary Secretaries , Bros . C W . Bluhm and W . H . Potts . At the opening of the party the brethren formed up and received the R . W . D . G . M ., Bro . Dr . Egan , and the D . D . G . M ., Bro . G . P . Perks , accompanied by the Masters of the two
lodges—Bros . Sissing and Smith—and the District Grand Master then welcomed the guests , and expressed the hope of himself and his brethren that they would thoroughly enjoy themselves , which hope was evidently realised , the party passing off splendidly . The music was supplied by bandsmen of the 'CM . Riflemen , and was very bright and in good time .
Masonic Presentation At Bingley.
MASONIC PRESENTATION AT BINGLEY .
On Wednesday evening a large gathering of the Freemasons of the Bingley , Keighley , and Haworth lodges took place at the Fleece Hotel , Bingley , for the purpose of presenting a beautifully-illuminated and congratulatory address to Past Master John Craven Taylor , of Bradford .
Bro . Taylor was appointed the Master of the Scientific Lodge , No . 439 , in the year 1 S 36 , and the meeting was held for the purpose of celebrating his 50 th year . He has been connected with the lodge half-a-century , and is held in high esteem by all Freemasons . He has filled several important offices in the higher branches of Masonry , and has been a subscribing member ever since the lod ge was
commenced . The presentation was made by Bro . T . W . Tew , Prov . Grand Master of VVest Yorkshire . The Mayor of Bradford , Alderman Thomas Hill , was present , and Bro . Henry Smith , D . Prov . G . M . There were all the local lodges represented , and hearty congratulations were given to Bro . Taylor .
Obituary.
Obituary .
BRO . J . PEARSON BELL , M . D ., P . G . D ., PAST D . P . G . M . AND PROV . G . SUPERINTENDENT NORTH AND EAST YORKSHIRE . Bro . J . Pearson Bell , M . D ., of Hull , whose death occurred on Sunday last in the 78 th year of his age , and who—as we mention in our editorial remarks—was one of the foremost among our English Masonic luminaries of the present day , was initiated in the Humber Lodge , 57
, on the 16 th October , 1 S 3 S . Two years later , he became J . W ., and in 1 S 41—on the occasion of the late Duke of Sussex , then M . W . G . M ., visiting the Province of North and East Yorkshire—the minor distinction of a Prov . Grand Stewardship was conferred upon him . In the year following he was elected to the chair of his lodge , and thenceforward the honours conferred upon him fell thick and fast , so that in a very short time Bro . Bell became the right hand man
of the late Earl of Zetland , G . M . of England , and Prov . G . M . of North and East Yorkshire , as we know he has been of his nephew and successor in the latter office , the present Earl . In 1 S 43 , he was invested Prov . G . S . B . ; in 1 S 49 , and again in 1 S 50 , he was appointed Prov . G . J . W . ; and in 1 S 60—on the death of the late Bro . Jeremiah Stark —he was specially invited by his late chief to undertake the difficult and oftentimes thankless task of Provincial Grand
Secretary . In 1866 , Bro . George Marwood , Deputy Provincial G . M ., died , and since then till quite recently our deceased brother had continued in that post , the able supporter of his late and present chief ' s dignity , and the friend of all their subordinate brethren . In R . A . Masonry , of which he was the Grand Superintendent of his province , Comp . Bell was M . E . Z . of the Humber Chapter , No . 57 , in IS . ^ , and a second time the
year following , and in 1858 he accepted the same position in the chapter attached to the Minerva Lodge , No . 250 , which about that time he had helped so materially to reconstitute . In 1859 he was re-elected Z . of the same chapter , and was appointed Third Principal in the Prov . G . Chapter . Seven years later he was chosen Prov . G . Superintendent , and in the 20 years that have since elapsed had done more than any other Mason on behalf of this
branch of Constitutional Masonry . But these represent only a part of his labours . During his Prov . G . Secretaryship ^ compiled a new code of bye-laws , which afterwards received the approval of the province . He was also the founder of the Provincial Grand Lodge Benevolent Fund , which has a handsome sum invested , and is able not only to relieve the wants of many local brethren , but also to remit , from time to time , a considerable amount of support
to our Central Charities . He has likewise , as may well be imagined , taken a leading part on several occasions in the Masonic ceremony of laying foundation-stones , and has more than once been presented with the trowel for his services . There is also another field of Masonic labour in which our late brother occupied a high position , namely , as a literary member of our Order , and for his valuable services as a lecturer on R . A . Masonry , as the historian of
his province , and as the author of the chart , entitled " The Stream of English Freemasonry , " Bro . Bell will always be remembered with respect . He was likewise a supporter of all the Institutions , and the recipient of many testimonials from his Yorkshire brethren , notably in 1872 , when , to commemorate his appointment to the Grand Senior Deaconship of England , they presented him with a silver epergne and salver , value 250 guineas ; and again , early in the
current year when , on the occasion of his golden wedding , Mrs . Bell received ^ from them a bust of him whom she had been united with in marriage for half a century . Such a Masonic record as this , so varied in its features , and yet so pre-eminent in its claims on the affection and respect of all Masons is by no means frequent , and our sorrow at his loss is proportionate to our knowledge of the rare merit he had shown in all the positions of distinction and trust he had been called upon to fill .
The Craft Abroad.
The Craft Abroad .
ANNIVERSARV OF THE OPENING OF LODGE STAR IN THE FAR SOUTH , PAPAKURA . The anniversary of the opening of Lodge Star in the Far South was celebrated in the lodge room , Protestant Hall , Papakura , on June 18 th . It was decided to give the affair the character of a social gathering , embracing Masons belonging to the lodge and their friendsand to
, commence the proceedings with a kind of " high tea . " At the lodge meeting held a few weeks previously a Committee was appointed , consisting of Bros . Walker , D . Wilson , S . Walker , B . R . Brown , Clark , E . VV . McLennan , and G . Willis , to carry out the necessary arrangements , and , aided by Mesdames J . Walker , D . Wilson , S . Walker , Brown , the Misses McLennan , Willis , and other ladiesthe
Com-, mittee brought their arrangements to a most successful issue . About nine o ' clock the hall was cleared for the subsequent entertainment , which the R . W . M . of the lodge prefaced by an address on the principles of the Order of Freemasonry . After the address the lengthy dance piogramme was commenced , Mr . W . Wilson ably undertaking the duties of M . C . The dancing was interspersed with
excellent songs rendered by Bro . Dr . Erson , R . W . M . Lodge Wairoa and W . M . Lodge Harmony , Bro . Hunt , and Messrs . Shanaghan , W . Simms , and W . J . Wilson ; and choice readings and recitations from Bros . Dr . Erson and S . Walker . During the evening Bro . Slator , P . M ., and Prov . G . Sec . N . I . N . Z . ( S . C ) , delivered an appropriate address , which was well received . The proceedings continued with unflagging zeal until four o ' clock a . m .
LODGE ARA , No . 348 ( I . C ) , AUCKLAND . On June 24 th , being St . John's Day , the brethren of this lodge , with numerous visiting brethren , assembled at the Freemasons' Hall , Princes-street , Auckland , New Zealand , for the annual ceremony of installation of VV . M . The lodge having been opened in due form by Bro . J . R . Hanna , the retiring W . M ., the minutes of the preceding meetimr
were read , and the routine work gone through , after which Bro . Alfred Kidd was presented to the W . M . and the lodge as the VV . M . elect , and the obligation duly taken . The lodge having then been raised , a Board of P . M . ' s proceeded to install the W . M . with customary ceremonies , after which he was introduced and saluted by the assembled brethren in the three Degrees . The VV . M . next proceeded to invest his officers with the insignia of their respective offices as