Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Contents.
CONTENTS .
LEADERS G 6 e United Grand Lodge 666 Royal Masonic Institution for Girls 667 Provincial Grand Lodge of East Lancashire 667 Provincial Grand Lodge of Leicestershire
and Rutland . ' 667 Provincial Grand Lodge of Northumberland 668 Annual Festival of tlie Emulation Lodge of Improvement 6 G 0 Opening of a New Organ in the Masonic Hall , Nottingham 66 9
CORRESPONDENCEOld Royal Arch Charters 671 Neptune Lodge , No . 1264—Benevolent l *' und 671 Provinciai Preferment 671 An Impostor 671
Reviews 671 Masonic Notes and Queries 671 Opening of the Zetland Masonic Club , salford 672
South Africa 672 REPORTS OF MASONIC MEETINGSCraft Masonry 675 Instrnction 67 * 6 Royal Arch 677 Mark Masonry 677 Ancient and Accepted Rite 677
The Theatres 678 Music 678 Science and Art 678 Masonic and General Tidings 670 Lodge Meetings for Next Week 680 Historical Calendar 681
Ar00100
THE agenda paper is before us , and there is a good deal to do and talk over . We have the nomination of a GRAND MASTER , about which there is no doubt . We are very fortunate in having the Prince of WALES as our head , and having two of his Royal brothers rulers amongst us . Long may it so continue . In all probability Bro . J OSHUA NUNN will be re-appointed President of the
Board of Benevolence , whose routine of business he understands so well , and over which he presides so efficiently . Our old friend , Bro . J AMES BRETT , it is certain must be Senior Vice-President , and there are nominated for Junior Vice-President four well-known brethren , Bros . CHAS . ATKINS HENRY GARROD , GEORGE P . BRITTEN , and COTTEBRUNE . Without at all
affecting to anticipate the decision of Grand Lodge , we think that Bro . CHAS . ATKINS , for various reasons , seems to claim a large amount of support . Bro . BRITTEN will , we think , be much more useful in his position as an independent member of the Board . Bros . GARROD and COTTERUNE are most regular attendants , and have many friends . There are
fourteen Past Masters nominated , of whom twelve will have to be elected . Wc recommend our readers to scan the names . Some recent grants of the Lodge of Benevolence will have to be confirmed . "The Board of General Purposes very properly calls attention to the proceedings of a nameless Provincial Grand Lodge , which has been guilty of most irregular
and unconstitutional conduct on the strength of a private bye-law . We almost wonder that the Board was not not more severe in its expressions . The financial report is very satisfactory . On the report of the Colonial Board , four Egyptian lodges are to be struck off the roll of Grand Lodge , unless mitigating circumstances can be produced . There
are three appeals from the colonies , which will be duly adjudicated upon . Bro . CLABON renews his motion ; but we venture to express a hope that our distinguished brother will withdraw his resolution , inasmuch as we apprehend the feeling of the Craft is diametricall y opposed to it . It seems to us an unseasonable motion in Grand
Lodge , moreover now , inasmuch as the matter can be fully gone into at the revision of the Book of Constitutions in February . Bro . SUDDEN ' S motion will no doubt receive full consideration by Grand Lodge , and will we feel certain be ably recommended by him . There are however , we do not conceal from him , several considerations , especially Masonical ones , which
require close attention , and concerning which we apprehend there exists great difference of opinion in the Craft . But the fact that the proposal comes before us in support of a movement which has the special sanction of H . R . H . the GRAND MASTER , will secure for it respectful attention and friendly sympathy . Bro . J . STEVENS ' new motion concludes the agenda paper . We allude to it in a special leaderette .
_ . _ Bro . J AMES STEVENS , wise by experience , has avoided the patent constitutional "Scylla and Charybdis" of his previous motions . His new proposal , though much , no doubt , may be said for it , still is open lo serious constitutional objections , when we consider it calmly and
thoughtfully , i . It is quite clear that the " motive " power of all Provincial Grand Lodge Districts is the GRAND MASTER thimself . He it is who has inherent power alone to form , reform , enlarge , diminish , the various Masonic districts , and we are aware of no precedent for any such question ever coming before Grand Lodge . 2 . In the next place , has Bro . J . STEVENS
the authority or approval of the Provincial Grand Masters for Middlesex , Herts , Essex , Kent , and Surrey for his proposal ? Because , if not so , he is again impinging on the undoubted prerogatives of the five Provincial Grand Masters named . They , too , have prerogatives , just as their Provincial
Bodies have a right to expect to be taken into council , because these enlargements , by vote of Grand Lodge , may seriously affect the districts alloted by the GRAND MASTER " pleno jure , " and some of long-standing , and continuous with Parliamentary boundaries , more or less . We do not wish to seem to be captious or hypercritical ; but , simply writing for the Craft at
Ar00101
large , we deem it well to say what we really think about all such matters , in all good feelings to others , and not the least to Bro . J AMES STEVENS . AS we have often said , our opinions only are put forward " quantum valent . " '
BY one of those singular little mishaps and mistakes , for which no one is to blame , we are made in our first " leaderette " last week to ignore the presence of our esteemed M . E . Comp . W . J . HUGHAN at the Bath Royal Arch Centenary Festival . We are very sorry for the omission , which was on ' v
realized too late to remedy in our last issue . As we are all aware , no one lias rendered higher services to Royal Arch Masonry than Comp . HUGHAN , no one is more a Master of its recondite lore ; while his knowledge ot the
history of its chapters is only equalled by his remarkable acquaintance with the past existence and fortunes of our lodges . So we feel quite sure he will put down the unintentional omission of his respected name to a purely accidental oversight .
IT will be noticed with fraternal pleasure that H . R . H . the Duke of ALBANY attended the last meeting of that distinguished body the Jerusalem Lodge ,
presided over most ably , as is his wont , by \ V . Bro . E . LETCHWORTH . His Royal Highness was warmly received by the brethren present . Bro . IRVING , the well-known reviver and personifier of SHAKESPEARE ' S great characters , was passed in the presence of our Royal brother to the Second Degree .
WE congratulate the W . M . and brethren of St . Mary Abbotts Lodge on their happy emergence from many difficulties and trials . It is now , humanly speaking , on the high road to prosperit }* . That lodge has an energetic
W . M ., well up in his work ; zealous and attentive officers , young members of much zeal and promise ; its roll is continuously increased by good material ; and we venture to believe that it has in it all the elements of vitality , harmony , and success .
* * SOME very remarkable statistics were recently announced by Bro . DUCHERY , to which Bro . DICK RADCLYFFE justly takes exception in our last , and for which we are not aware that there is the slightest available authority . With all due deference to Bro . DUCHERY , we do not profess to guess ,
much less to understand , whence he has drawn his figures , or on what "tables" he bases them . If any such exist , they arc altogether unknown to us . We have paid much attention to the subject , and closely scan all possible sources of information , but have not ourselves the slightest notion that any such results are true or proveable . We think it a great pity , in
even an after-dinner speech , ( for which allowances may be fairly made ) , to announce exaggerated estimates of Masonic income and influence , inasmuch as such statements only increase the animosity of our opponents , and are no encouragement to our friends . Any assertion which has not truth for its foundation , positive abstract truth , sooner or later " comes to grief , "
and does more harm than good by the * " *¦ process of reaction . " We apprehend that Bro . DUCHERY is entirely wrong both as to the number of lodges and their financial returns . And for this reason , he assumes as his "factor" apparently , that all lodges , under all jurisdictions , are organized according to our English system . But he forgets one main point . A great part
of the lodges in existence have no distinct annual subscription , as with us . They pay entrance and joining fees , registration fees , and , in some instances capitation fees , but nothing more ; and if there is one fact more patent than
another , it is the want of charitable efforts , distinctly year by year , in a large proportion of extern jurisdictions . We shall be curious to see how Bro . DUCHERY supports his position , very ably assailed by Bro . DICK RADCLYFFE in our last .
¦ r , * WE deem it well to call attention , as we do elsewhere , to the seasonable appearance ofthe " Freemason ' s Calendar and Pocket Book" and the " Cosmopolitan Calendar and Pocket Book . " To all who need information as to Craft and Chilvalric Massnry , these two handbooks are alike valuable and indispensable .
THE little controversy about "Lewis" in our Notes and Queries columns shows how much of the curious and archaic has to be dealt with in Masonic investigation . Such matters are , happily , removed from the arena of controversy and the struggles of personality , and demand , as they will , we hope , receive always in the Freemason , careful , cautious , searching , exhaustive treatment .
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Contents.
CONTENTS .
LEADERS G 6 e United Grand Lodge 666 Royal Masonic Institution for Girls 667 Provincial Grand Lodge of East Lancashire 667 Provincial Grand Lodge of Leicestershire
and Rutland . ' 667 Provincial Grand Lodge of Northumberland 668 Annual Festival of tlie Emulation Lodge of Improvement 6 G 0 Opening of a New Organ in the Masonic Hall , Nottingham 66 9
CORRESPONDENCEOld Royal Arch Charters 671 Neptune Lodge , No . 1264—Benevolent l *' und 671 Provinciai Preferment 671 An Impostor 671
Reviews 671 Masonic Notes and Queries 671 Opening of the Zetland Masonic Club , salford 672
South Africa 672 REPORTS OF MASONIC MEETINGSCraft Masonry 675 Instrnction 67 * 6 Royal Arch 677 Mark Masonry 677 Ancient and Accepted Rite 677
The Theatres 678 Music 678 Science and Art 678 Masonic and General Tidings 670 Lodge Meetings for Next Week 680 Historical Calendar 681
Ar00100
THE agenda paper is before us , and there is a good deal to do and talk over . We have the nomination of a GRAND MASTER , about which there is no doubt . We are very fortunate in having the Prince of WALES as our head , and having two of his Royal brothers rulers amongst us . Long may it so continue . In all probability Bro . J OSHUA NUNN will be re-appointed President of the
Board of Benevolence , whose routine of business he understands so well , and over which he presides so efficiently . Our old friend , Bro . J AMES BRETT , it is certain must be Senior Vice-President , and there are nominated for Junior Vice-President four well-known brethren , Bros . CHAS . ATKINS HENRY GARROD , GEORGE P . BRITTEN , and COTTEBRUNE . Without at all
affecting to anticipate the decision of Grand Lodge , we think that Bro . CHAS . ATKINS , for various reasons , seems to claim a large amount of support . Bro . BRITTEN will , we think , be much more useful in his position as an independent member of the Board . Bros . GARROD and COTTERUNE are most regular attendants , and have many friends . There are
fourteen Past Masters nominated , of whom twelve will have to be elected . Wc recommend our readers to scan the names . Some recent grants of the Lodge of Benevolence will have to be confirmed . "The Board of General Purposes very properly calls attention to the proceedings of a nameless Provincial Grand Lodge , which has been guilty of most irregular
and unconstitutional conduct on the strength of a private bye-law . We almost wonder that the Board was not not more severe in its expressions . The financial report is very satisfactory . On the report of the Colonial Board , four Egyptian lodges are to be struck off the roll of Grand Lodge , unless mitigating circumstances can be produced . There
are three appeals from the colonies , which will be duly adjudicated upon . Bro . CLABON renews his motion ; but we venture to express a hope that our distinguished brother will withdraw his resolution , inasmuch as we apprehend the feeling of the Craft is diametricall y opposed to it . It seems to us an unseasonable motion in Grand
Lodge , moreover now , inasmuch as the matter can be fully gone into at the revision of the Book of Constitutions in February . Bro . SUDDEN ' S motion will no doubt receive full consideration by Grand Lodge , and will we feel certain be ably recommended by him . There are however , we do not conceal from him , several considerations , especially Masonical ones , which
require close attention , and concerning which we apprehend there exists great difference of opinion in the Craft . But the fact that the proposal comes before us in support of a movement which has the special sanction of H . R . H . the GRAND MASTER , will secure for it respectful attention and friendly sympathy . Bro . J . STEVENS ' new motion concludes the agenda paper . We allude to it in a special leaderette .
_ . _ Bro . J AMES STEVENS , wise by experience , has avoided the patent constitutional "Scylla and Charybdis" of his previous motions . His new proposal , though much , no doubt , may be said for it , still is open lo serious constitutional objections , when we consider it calmly and
thoughtfully , i . It is quite clear that the " motive " power of all Provincial Grand Lodge Districts is the GRAND MASTER thimself . He it is who has inherent power alone to form , reform , enlarge , diminish , the various Masonic districts , and we are aware of no precedent for any such question ever coming before Grand Lodge . 2 . In the next place , has Bro . J . STEVENS
the authority or approval of the Provincial Grand Masters for Middlesex , Herts , Essex , Kent , and Surrey for his proposal ? Because , if not so , he is again impinging on the undoubted prerogatives of the five Provincial Grand Masters named . They , too , have prerogatives , just as their Provincial
Bodies have a right to expect to be taken into council , because these enlargements , by vote of Grand Lodge , may seriously affect the districts alloted by the GRAND MASTER " pleno jure , " and some of long-standing , and continuous with Parliamentary boundaries , more or less . We do not wish to seem to be captious or hypercritical ; but , simply writing for the Craft at
Ar00101
large , we deem it well to say what we really think about all such matters , in all good feelings to others , and not the least to Bro . J AMES STEVENS . AS we have often said , our opinions only are put forward " quantum valent . " '
BY one of those singular little mishaps and mistakes , for which no one is to blame , we are made in our first " leaderette " last week to ignore the presence of our esteemed M . E . Comp . W . J . HUGHAN at the Bath Royal Arch Centenary Festival . We are very sorry for the omission , which was on ' v
realized too late to remedy in our last issue . As we are all aware , no one lias rendered higher services to Royal Arch Masonry than Comp . HUGHAN , no one is more a Master of its recondite lore ; while his knowledge ot the
history of its chapters is only equalled by his remarkable acquaintance with the past existence and fortunes of our lodges . So we feel quite sure he will put down the unintentional omission of his respected name to a purely accidental oversight .
IT will be noticed with fraternal pleasure that H . R . H . the Duke of ALBANY attended the last meeting of that distinguished body the Jerusalem Lodge ,
presided over most ably , as is his wont , by \ V . Bro . E . LETCHWORTH . His Royal Highness was warmly received by the brethren present . Bro . IRVING , the well-known reviver and personifier of SHAKESPEARE ' S great characters , was passed in the presence of our Royal brother to the Second Degree .
WE congratulate the W . M . and brethren of St . Mary Abbotts Lodge on their happy emergence from many difficulties and trials . It is now , humanly speaking , on the high road to prosperit }* . That lodge has an energetic
W . M ., well up in his work ; zealous and attentive officers , young members of much zeal and promise ; its roll is continuously increased by good material ; and we venture to believe that it has in it all the elements of vitality , harmony , and success .
* * SOME very remarkable statistics were recently announced by Bro . DUCHERY , to which Bro . DICK RADCLYFFE justly takes exception in our last , and for which we are not aware that there is the slightest available authority . With all due deference to Bro . DUCHERY , we do not profess to guess ,
much less to understand , whence he has drawn his figures , or on what "tables" he bases them . If any such exist , they arc altogether unknown to us . We have paid much attention to the subject , and closely scan all possible sources of information , but have not ourselves the slightest notion that any such results are true or proveable . We think it a great pity , in
even an after-dinner speech , ( for which allowances may be fairly made ) , to announce exaggerated estimates of Masonic income and influence , inasmuch as such statements only increase the animosity of our opponents , and are no encouragement to our friends . Any assertion which has not truth for its foundation , positive abstract truth , sooner or later " comes to grief , "
and does more harm than good by the * " *¦ process of reaction . " We apprehend that Bro . DUCHERY is entirely wrong both as to the number of lodges and their financial returns . And for this reason , he assumes as his "factor" apparently , that all lodges , under all jurisdictions , are organized according to our English system . But he forgets one main point . A great part
of the lodges in existence have no distinct annual subscription , as with us . They pay entrance and joining fees , registration fees , and , in some instances capitation fees , but nothing more ; and if there is one fact more patent than
another , it is the want of charitable efforts , distinctly year by year , in a large proportion of extern jurisdictions . We shall be curious to see how Bro . DUCHERY supports his position , very ably assailed by Bro . DICK RADCLYFFE in our last .
¦ r , * WE deem it well to call attention , as we do elsewhere , to the seasonable appearance ofthe " Freemason ' s Calendar and Pocket Book" and the " Cosmopolitan Calendar and Pocket Book . " To all who need information as to Craft and Chilvalric Massnry , these two handbooks are alike valuable and indispensable .
THE little controversy about "Lewis" in our Notes and Queries columns shows how much of the curious and archaic has to be dealt with in Masonic investigation . Such matters are , happily , removed from the arena of controversy and the struggles of personality , and demand , as they will , we hope , receive always in the Freemason , careful , cautious , searching , exhaustive treatment .