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Article FREEMASONRY IN SPAIN. ← Page 2 of 2 Article FREEMASONRY IN SPAIN. Page 2 of 2 Article ROYAL MASONIC INSTITUTION FOR BOYS. Page 1 of 1 Article THE WEST LANCASHIRE MASONIC EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTION. Page 1 of 1
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Freemasonry In Spain.
rators entirely by surprise , for they were all of them monarchists and not republicans , and not only monarchists , but loyal Isabellinists ; and thus it was neither their intention , nor was it their desire , to drive Queen Isabel from her throne , or to disestablish the Bourbon regime in Spain . Thc Ouecn had only herself and her Court favourites to blame for the final catastrophe . If she had boldly returned to her capital ( she was at the moment taking the waters in
the north of Spain ) all would have gone sin novedad , as the Spaniards say , or , in other words , the Brabo ministry would simply have been supplanted by Serrano , Topete , and Prim , and the Queen would have remained firmly seated on her throne . But when thc Brabo forces under Novaliccs were routed by Serrano , at the now historical bridge of Alcolca , which spans the river Guadalquivir , not far from Cordova , the
frightened Queen took to flight , and crossed over the Bidasoa to " France , never again , wc trust , to return and misgovern her countrymen . We have said that the cx-Quecn Isabel voluntarily went into exile , and thus virtually abdicated thc throne ; humanly speaking this was so , but may we not see in this apparently accidental circumstance the Hand of the G . A . O . T . U . specially stretched out in His all-wise
Providence , so to guide the course of events as to deal still another blow at Jesuitism , and again to restrain the monster of Ultramontamsm from its work of merciless suppression of every loyal instinct of the human heart ? The sudden transition from monarchy , directed by an autocratic ministry , to republicanism , pure and simple , was effected without a sign of popular licence or disorder . How easily Spaniards can be governed was amply demonstrated
after Isabella took to flight , for everything went on as peaceably and tranquilly as if no change whatever had occurred . Even the Dcscamisados ( the " shirtless ones , " the sans culottes of Spain ) were on their good behaviour ; and fewer crimes were committed , fewer misdemeanors of the minor class , which wccall police cases , than perhaps at any other period of Spain's history . To this most notable fact the writer can bear personal testimony , as he was at the
time travelling in Spain . Thus , we repeat , it was an easy matter for those who had the reins of power thrown into their hands in so unexpected a manner to carry on the nominal government of the country without a Oucen , or other recognised head . Their first care ( to their credit be it said ) was to summon a popularly elected Cortes , or National Parliament ; and their next to revise the old constitutions , and remodel the laws of thc
land on the basis of the most complete civil and religious liberty . We use the plural , when speaking of old constitutions , advisedly , for Spain was at the time in possession of several model constitutions conferred and piomulgated by Bourbon hands—codes which ( barring the question of religious liberty ) would have left little to have been wished for by orderly law-abiding citizens , if only any one of them bad been honestly put in force .
But the constitution of iSfwjwas a very radical affair : it gave comp lete liberty of conscience , and the right of public meeting ; and thus , for the very first time in the history of their country , our Spanish brethren were able , openly , and lawfully , to practise their rites , and carry on their work of good fellowship and charity . And many were the brethren , initiated previous fo the last period of suppression in 1 S 4 S , who now came to the
front . Several members of the Supreme Grand Council which had remained dormant for twenty years , lost no time , and spared no pains , in re-organizing the ancient landmarks of the Order . Their first care was to elect a worthy brother as their chief , and their choice fell on Bro . Ruiz Zorrilla , who was unanimously accepted as their Grand Commander . His election took place on the 20 th day of July , 1 S 70 . Very shortly afterwards he was also elected
Grand Master over the Symbolic Degrees , the laws and regulations which govern English Craft Masonry having been adoptcdunanimously by the newly constituted Grand Lodge of Spain . Before the close of the year 1 S 70 , the roll of Grand Lodge in Madrid included the names of more than eighty properly constituted Craft lodges , oyer whom capable and thoroughly loyal Masons were placed in charge ; and two years later ,
when the vacant throne was filled by our Royal Bro . Amadcus , Duke of Aosta and Prince of Savoy , the greatest harmony and unity prevailed amongst our brethren in Spain . The Worshipful Masters exercised a strict supervision over candidates proposed for acceptance within our Order , seeking only to lay carefully selected corner stones , and thus to raise our symbolic superstructure as far as possible perfect in its parts , and an honour to the founders ,
but always in the name and to the glory of the G . A . O . T . U . The close of the year 1 S 74 witnessed a fresh reverse of free-Masonic fortune in Spain . The abdication—entirely voluntary on his part—of our Royal Bro . Amadcus the First , the truly kingly scion of thc House of Savoy , _ was followed by a period of republican propagandism during which too zealous patriots of the ultra-Radical school shaped out quixotic and transcendental forms
of " cantonal" self government for the Communes of the Peninsula , which not only proved utterly impracticable in themselves , but served to pave the way for the restoration of the Bourbon regime , in the person of Alphonso VII ., who now occupies the throne of Spain . The writer was always ( irmly convinced ( hat this restoration was the only solution " possible for Spain , but he desired that the Liberal party should themselves have
rallied round the young Prince of Asturias , and not have left it for the Ultrainontanes and Moderado . sof the Narvaez school to place him on the throne . Unfortunatel y for Spain , and most unfortunatel y for the young and goodhearted King himself , he was from the first surrounded by unconstitutional advisers , and , despite the well-known fact that he himself desires to become a truly constitutional Sovereign , and to rule for the good of his people and for the
furtherance of their true welfare , he has as yet had no chance given him . He \ s now unpopular , not from , or lliroiigh , any f ; tuH of his own , but entirely in consequence of the arbitrary and autocratic conduct of those who have got him in their clutch—the Moderado party , the reactionary party of Spain . I'he very first thing these unpatriotic politicians did was
to dissolve the really popular Cortes , and to get re-elected "i their stead a packed Parliament , composed of their own political retainers and nominees . This new Chamber of IJeputies immediately proceeded to undo all the good work ° } its predecessors . They abolished the Liberal Constitution of 1 SO 9 , and re-enacted in its place one of the least liberal of those promulgated in Ouecn Isabella ' s days . The
Freemasonry In Spain.
right of conscience was suppressed , as also that of public meeting . The Jesuits were again permitted to reside in the country , and one of their first and most arbitrary decrees was directed against Ruiz Zorrilla , Grand Master of the Freemasons in Spain . He was exiled , politically proscribed , professedly because he declined to accept Don Alphonso as king , but really because he was supposed to be the head and soul of the rapidly extending Masonic movement in
Spam . On Grand Master Zorrilla's expatriation his rank as Grand Commander of the Supreme Council of the 33 ° in Spain was delegated to Bro . Juan de la Somera , who assumed the duties thus conferred upon him at a special assembly of the Council held for that purpose . But Bro . Somcra ' s advanced age and his feeble state of health obliged him to resign office , after having ruled over
the Masons of Spain for little more than a year . On the 27 th of December he formally resigned his two high offices of Grand Commander of the Ancient Scottish Rite and Grand Master of the Symbolic Degrees . Within a fortnight of this resignation , viz ., on the seventh day of January , 1 S 7 C , the Grand Council at Madrid elected by a very large majority of votes ( but , unfortunately , not unanimously ) one of tbe most zealous and distinguished
Masons of Spain , His Excellency Don Praxcdes M . Sagasta , ex-President of the Council of Ministers and ex-Secretary of State for Home Affairs , who had already proved himself during thc short time that he had filled the highest office in thc Craft to be a thorough Mason at heart , and ready to serve our Order in every possible way . His Excellency Bro . Sagasta is at the present moment the acknowledged chief of the "Constitutional" Liberal
party in Spain—a party which includes within its ranks most of the matured liberal intelligence of the country , who , whilst thoroughly loyal subjects of His Majesty King Alphonso VII ., and firm supporters of the dynasty , as represented in his person , yet desire to see their young King become a truly constitutional Sovereign , and return to the spirit , at least , of the Constitution of 1 S 69 , which gives such true liberty to thc people . Thc firm idea of thc writer is
that King Alphonso himself will be first to rejoice when the present dominant party can be compelled by public opinion , or by a powerful combination formed by the various political parties of Spain , to relinquish its grasp on both the King and the country , in which case Sagasta will most surely be placed in the responsible post of Prime Minister in Spain . Wc have already said that His Excellency Praxcdes M .
Sagasta was elected Sovereign Grand Commander over thc Supreme Council of the 33 , and two months later , viz ., on the Gth day of March , 1 S 7 C 1 , he was also elected by a large majority as Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of Madrid . But Bro . Sagasta ' s Grand Orient docs not , unfortunately , at the present time include all the Masonic bodies now working in Spain . More than one rival " Grand Orient" claims to be entirely independent of his jurisdiction . These ,
however , are rather offshoots from the United Body over which Bro . Ruiz Zorrilla , and after him Bro , Juan de la Somera , presided , with an undivided authority , from 1 S 70 to iS 7 f > inclusive , and they are not ( we trust , and believe ) destined much longer to divide the future unity of Freemasonry in Spain . Every body claiming to sovereign ri ghts or independent jurisdiction , except the Grand Lodge presided over by Bro . Sagasta , has been essentially self-constituted , and is entirely without that prestige and eclat which direct
succession to an acknowledged and duly constituted authority must necessarily give , and Bro . Sagasta alone can claim direct succession to the chair of Ruiz Zorrilla , who was elected unanimously as Grand Master of the Orient of Spain after the Masonic revival of 1 SG 9 . We shall in due course refer to each of tbe independent Masonic associations in Spain who have not yet officially acknowledged Bro . Sagasta as their chief . At the present moment we can only name them in tbe order in which they deserve to rank .
lurst comes the so-called "Grand Orient , " presided over by Bro . Juan Antonio Perez , a former member of the Grand Council presided over by Bro . de la Somera . Bro . Perez is entirely unknown out of his own small circle . Secondly must be ranked those lodges who have affiliated themselves to the Grand Orient of Portugal , with whom , however , they have little in common . Thirdly may be mentioned what is called the "
Aiidalucian Masonic Confederation , " who have obtained official recognition ( without actual affiliation ) from the Grand Council of Lausanne , in Switzerland . These brethren art waiting " unattached" until such time as foreign Grand Lodges may decide whether Bro . Sagasta or Bro . Perez is to be officially recognised as the legitimate successor to Bro . Ruiz Zorrilla . When such official recognition takes place these unattached will join their recognised brethren .
Fourthly come a mere handful of brethren who desire to see Bro . the Marquis de Scoane elected to supreme command . Fifthly are those who have never accepted the resignation of Bro . ex-Grand Master de la Somera , and who still pretend to be under his Masonic jurisdiction . But the only serious rival to Bio . Sagasta is Bio . Perez , and his jurisdiction is of a very limited kind . Of those
lodges which appear upon his roll a considerable number exist on paper only , whilst others are already disorganised , and destitute of qualified Masters or officers . Bro . Perez is without Masonic prestige , and , in point of fact , a very large proportion of the brethren now working under him are doing so only until such time as the Grand Orient of Sagasta shall have been officially recognised in London ; whilst as regards those brethren who work under the
protection of flic Grand Orient of Portugal and the Grand Council of Lausanne , we may almost say that the whole of them are not only ready , but really anxious , to affiliate themselves to a united and essentially national Grand Lodge , such as that presided over by Bro . Sagasta undoubtedly is . They only await the signal from the chief of all Masonic authorities ( in their eyes ) , that of London , to give Bro . Sagasta ( heir loyal and undivided support . ( To he continued . )
For the convenience of the public , Kingston s Railway Office , Southampton-street , lutzroy-square , will be open late every evening next u'eek for the sale of Great Western Railway excursion tickets to Rath , Bristol , Cheltenham , Exeter , Manchester , Liverpool , Plymouth , Worcester , & c , also L . B . and S . C . R . to Brighton and Crystal Palace ,
Royal Masonic Institution For Boys.
ROYAL MASONIC INSTITUTION FOR BOYS .
The following circular has been issued by Bro . Binckes : The present is considered—it is hoped not erroneousl y— . a fitting occasion on which to address to the Craft an appeal , somewhat perhaps out of the usual course , but justified , it is believed , by circumstances to which distinct
reference is unnecessary . When the present Secretary accepted office as the result of a specially-appointed Committee of Enquiry , he pledged himself to spare neither time nor exertion in endeavouring to raise this Institution in the estimation of the Order , and to render it more full y adequate to meet thc rapidly developing needs of the day , stipulating for liberty of action
in carrying out his duties . At that time—June , 1 SC 1—the income of the Institution was about £ 2000 per annum ; the number of boys clothed and educated , seventy . When the erection of a new bidding for one hundred boys—with capability of extension—was determined on , the entire - Funded Stock , £ 13 , , was sold to assist in defraying the cost . ' '
In undertaking to raise the amount requisite for the work , and to recoup the stock so sold , the Secretary fully appreciated thc responsibility and wei ght of the task . His anti- . cipations , however , have been entirely realised , and it is with intense gratitude that he acknowledges the value of
the aid , and the warmth of the sympathy , accorded to his efforts during the last nineteen years . During this period the building has been erectedfrom time to time enlarged—and there are now 215 sons of Freemasons maintained , clothed , and educated within its walls .
The cost of the building has been fully met , thc amount expended from 1 SG 2 to 1 S 79 being £ 02 , 485 is . 2 d . The funded property has been restored to the extent of £ 10 , 000 . To entirely redeem the pledge given in 1 S 61 , there remains only the investment of £ 3100 , and this it is earnestl y hoped may be accomplished by the result of the approaching festival , to be held under the presidency of a distinguished ruler in the Order , than whom none can be more popular or or held in higher esteem and regard .
The West Lancashire Masonic Educational Institution.
THE WEST LANCASHIRE MASONIC EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTION .
The Honorary Secretaries of this noble Institution ( Bro . Richard Brown , P . M . 241 , and Bro . G . Broadbridge , P . P . G . D . C . ) have recentl y issued the annual report , from which we gather that the Charity , thanks to the fostering care and enthusiastic support of thc brethren in the province , is making substantial headway . The report , addressed to
Bro . the Earl of Lathom , D . G . M ., P . G . M ., President of the Institution , and to thc Vice-Presidents and Life Governors , is as follows : — On behalf of the Committee , wc have pleasure in placing before you thc annual report and statement of accounts for the past year , upon reference to which it will be found that there is great cause for congratulation , inasmuch as during no previous year have the donations and subscriptions from
lodges and brethren reached so large an amount ; and , on the other hand , in no former year has the amount paid for education , & c , been so large as in 1 S 79 . The Sub-Committee appointed to revise the bye-laws brought their labours to a close , and the new bye-laws , as submitted by them , were passed at a Special Court of Governors held on 21 st November last , and now only wait thc confirmation of another Court of Governors and
approval of thc Provincial Grand Lodge before they come into operation . By the new regulations , the children will be placed upon thc foundation at the age of six instead of eight , and may remain till fifteen instead of fourteen as at present Several other advantages are secured to the children , which will no doubt necessitate increased expenditure in the future .
I he brethren are therefore earnestly entreated not to relax their efforts on behalf of the Charity . The Treasurer and Secretaries desire to express their thanks for the promptitude with which the returns have been sent in , and thc completeness of the lists and addresses . This has enabled them to issue the report at a much earlier date than has been the case during the past few years , besides considerabl y lessening the labour connected
therewith . 1 hey venture further to express a hope that similar arrangements will be made for the future collection of subscriptions and sending in returns . Your Committee earnestly pray that the success which has attended past operations of the Charit y may be continued in the future , and that the blessing of the Great Architect of thc Universe may rest upon thc labours of all for the advancement of its interests . <
From thc statement of accounts , prepared by Bro . R . Wilson , the Hon . Trcasurer . it appeared that the balance at the end of last financial year was £ 329 12 s . f > d . ; the proceedings of tbe ' 79 ball were £ (> o 4 s . 4 d . ; tbe sum of /¦¦ Ml 3 S . fid . had been realised as interest on Mersey Dock Bonds ; £ 100 from the interest on mortgage of Masonic Hall ; £ 10 . 1 for the P . G . Lodge Charity Fund ; and £ 701 7 s . yd . from the donations and subscriptions of trn >
brethren . The sum of £ 060 1 is . 7 d . had been paid during the year for the education and advancement in life of children , and there remained a balance in hand at the close of the year of £ 783 12 s . 101 I . It appeared that nearly 100 children were on the foundation of the Institution , which , it ought to be stated , is carried on without one farthing of expenditure for official work in connection with its organisation . 'I'he total investments on behalf of the charity now
amount to upwards of £ 15 , 361 . A special court of Governors of the excellent Masonic Charity was held 011 Friday evening , thc 30 th 11 IL , at thc Masonic Hall , Hope-street , Liverpool , under the presidency of Bro . R . Wylie , P . P . G . S . D . There was a large attendance of Governors , including the honorary secretaries ( Brot . R . Brown , P . M . 241 ' . and G . Broadbridge .
P . P . G . D . C . ) I hirteen children were elected on the foundation of the Institution for education , and two received money grants for their assistance and advancement . The new bye-laws , adopted at a special court , on the 21 st November last , were unanimously confirmed , on the motion of Brother Cottrell , seconded by Brother Bromley . The proceedings closed with a vote of thanks to thc chairman .
WORDSWORTH ' S "COCA PILLS , " the successful remedy orf sleeplessness , neuralgia , and hav fever . 2 s . per box . Hofnceo . yathic Cnemist , 6 , Sloane-street , London , —[ Aim , ] ''
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Freemasonry In Spain.
rators entirely by surprise , for they were all of them monarchists and not republicans , and not only monarchists , but loyal Isabellinists ; and thus it was neither their intention , nor was it their desire , to drive Queen Isabel from her throne , or to disestablish the Bourbon regime in Spain . Thc Ouecn had only herself and her Court favourites to blame for the final catastrophe . If she had boldly returned to her capital ( she was at the moment taking the waters in
the north of Spain ) all would have gone sin novedad , as the Spaniards say , or , in other words , the Brabo ministry would simply have been supplanted by Serrano , Topete , and Prim , and the Queen would have remained firmly seated on her throne . But when thc Brabo forces under Novaliccs were routed by Serrano , at the now historical bridge of Alcolca , which spans the river Guadalquivir , not far from Cordova , the
frightened Queen took to flight , and crossed over the Bidasoa to " France , never again , wc trust , to return and misgovern her countrymen . We have said that the cx-Quecn Isabel voluntarily went into exile , and thus virtually abdicated thc throne ; humanly speaking this was so , but may we not see in this apparently accidental circumstance the Hand of the G . A . O . T . U . specially stretched out in His all-wise
Providence , so to guide the course of events as to deal still another blow at Jesuitism , and again to restrain the monster of Ultramontamsm from its work of merciless suppression of every loyal instinct of the human heart ? The sudden transition from monarchy , directed by an autocratic ministry , to republicanism , pure and simple , was effected without a sign of popular licence or disorder . How easily Spaniards can be governed was amply demonstrated
after Isabella took to flight , for everything went on as peaceably and tranquilly as if no change whatever had occurred . Even the Dcscamisados ( the " shirtless ones , " the sans culottes of Spain ) were on their good behaviour ; and fewer crimes were committed , fewer misdemeanors of the minor class , which wccall police cases , than perhaps at any other period of Spain's history . To this most notable fact the writer can bear personal testimony , as he was at the
time travelling in Spain . Thus , we repeat , it was an easy matter for those who had the reins of power thrown into their hands in so unexpected a manner to carry on the nominal government of the country without a Oucen , or other recognised head . Their first care ( to their credit be it said ) was to summon a popularly elected Cortes , or National Parliament ; and their next to revise the old constitutions , and remodel the laws of thc
land on the basis of the most complete civil and religious liberty . We use the plural , when speaking of old constitutions , advisedly , for Spain was at the time in possession of several model constitutions conferred and piomulgated by Bourbon hands—codes which ( barring the question of religious liberty ) would have left little to have been wished for by orderly law-abiding citizens , if only any one of them bad been honestly put in force .
But the constitution of iSfwjwas a very radical affair : it gave comp lete liberty of conscience , and the right of public meeting ; and thus , for the very first time in the history of their country , our Spanish brethren were able , openly , and lawfully , to practise their rites , and carry on their work of good fellowship and charity . And many were the brethren , initiated previous fo the last period of suppression in 1 S 4 S , who now came to the
front . Several members of the Supreme Grand Council which had remained dormant for twenty years , lost no time , and spared no pains , in re-organizing the ancient landmarks of the Order . Their first care was to elect a worthy brother as their chief , and their choice fell on Bro . Ruiz Zorrilla , who was unanimously accepted as their Grand Commander . His election took place on the 20 th day of July , 1 S 70 . Very shortly afterwards he was also elected
Grand Master over the Symbolic Degrees , the laws and regulations which govern English Craft Masonry having been adoptcdunanimously by the newly constituted Grand Lodge of Spain . Before the close of the year 1 S 70 , the roll of Grand Lodge in Madrid included the names of more than eighty properly constituted Craft lodges , oyer whom capable and thoroughly loyal Masons were placed in charge ; and two years later ,
when the vacant throne was filled by our Royal Bro . Amadcus , Duke of Aosta and Prince of Savoy , the greatest harmony and unity prevailed amongst our brethren in Spain . The Worshipful Masters exercised a strict supervision over candidates proposed for acceptance within our Order , seeking only to lay carefully selected corner stones , and thus to raise our symbolic superstructure as far as possible perfect in its parts , and an honour to the founders ,
but always in the name and to the glory of the G . A . O . T . U . The close of the year 1 S 74 witnessed a fresh reverse of free-Masonic fortune in Spain . The abdication—entirely voluntary on his part—of our Royal Bro . Amadcus the First , the truly kingly scion of thc House of Savoy , _ was followed by a period of republican propagandism during which too zealous patriots of the ultra-Radical school shaped out quixotic and transcendental forms
of " cantonal" self government for the Communes of the Peninsula , which not only proved utterly impracticable in themselves , but served to pave the way for the restoration of the Bourbon regime , in the person of Alphonso VII ., who now occupies the throne of Spain . The writer was always ( irmly convinced ( hat this restoration was the only solution " possible for Spain , but he desired that the Liberal party should themselves have
rallied round the young Prince of Asturias , and not have left it for the Ultrainontanes and Moderado . sof the Narvaez school to place him on the throne . Unfortunatel y for Spain , and most unfortunatel y for the young and goodhearted King himself , he was from the first surrounded by unconstitutional advisers , and , despite the well-known fact that he himself desires to become a truly constitutional Sovereign , and to rule for the good of his people and for the
furtherance of their true welfare , he has as yet had no chance given him . He \ s now unpopular , not from , or lliroiigh , any f ; tuH of his own , but entirely in consequence of the arbitrary and autocratic conduct of those who have got him in their clutch—the Moderado party , the reactionary party of Spain . I'he very first thing these unpatriotic politicians did was
to dissolve the really popular Cortes , and to get re-elected "i their stead a packed Parliament , composed of their own political retainers and nominees . This new Chamber of IJeputies immediately proceeded to undo all the good work ° } its predecessors . They abolished the Liberal Constitution of 1 SO 9 , and re-enacted in its place one of the least liberal of those promulgated in Ouecn Isabella ' s days . The
Freemasonry In Spain.
right of conscience was suppressed , as also that of public meeting . The Jesuits were again permitted to reside in the country , and one of their first and most arbitrary decrees was directed against Ruiz Zorrilla , Grand Master of the Freemasons in Spain . He was exiled , politically proscribed , professedly because he declined to accept Don Alphonso as king , but really because he was supposed to be the head and soul of the rapidly extending Masonic movement in
Spam . On Grand Master Zorrilla's expatriation his rank as Grand Commander of the Supreme Council of the 33 ° in Spain was delegated to Bro . Juan de la Somera , who assumed the duties thus conferred upon him at a special assembly of the Council held for that purpose . But Bro . Somcra ' s advanced age and his feeble state of health obliged him to resign office , after having ruled over
the Masons of Spain for little more than a year . On the 27 th of December he formally resigned his two high offices of Grand Commander of the Ancient Scottish Rite and Grand Master of the Symbolic Degrees . Within a fortnight of this resignation , viz ., on the seventh day of January , 1 S 7 C , the Grand Council at Madrid elected by a very large majority of votes ( but , unfortunately , not unanimously ) one of tbe most zealous and distinguished
Masons of Spain , His Excellency Don Praxcdes M . Sagasta , ex-President of the Council of Ministers and ex-Secretary of State for Home Affairs , who had already proved himself during thc short time that he had filled the highest office in thc Craft to be a thorough Mason at heart , and ready to serve our Order in every possible way . His Excellency Bro . Sagasta is at the present moment the acknowledged chief of the "Constitutional" Liberal
party in Spain—a party which includes within its ranks most of the matured liberal intelligence of the country , who , whilst thoroughly loyal subjects of His Majesty King Alphonso VII ., and firm supporters of the dynasty , as represented in his person , yet desire to see their young King become a truly constitutional Sovereign , and return to the spirit , at least , of the Constitution of 1 S 69 , which gives such true liberty to thc people . Thc firm idea of thc writer is
that King Alphonso himself will be first to rejoice when the present dominant party can be compelled by public opinion , or by a powerful combination formed by the various political parties of Spain , to relinquish its grasp on both the King and the country , in which case Sagasta will most surely be placed in the responsible post of Prime Minister in Spain . Wc have already said that His Excellency Praxcdes M .
Sagasta was elected Sovereign Grand Commander over thc Supreme Council of the 33 , and two months later , viz ., on the Gth day of March , 1 S 7 C 1 , he was also elected by a large majority as Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of Madrid . But Bro . Sagasta ' s Grand Orient docs not , unfortunately , at the present time include all the Masonic bodies now working in Spain . More than one rival " Grand Orient" claims to be entirely independent of his jurisdiction . These ,
however , are rather offshoots from the United Body over which Bro . Ruiz Zorrilla , and after him Bro , Juan de la Somera , presided , with an undivided authority , from 1 S 70 to iS 7 f > inclusive , and they are not ( we trust , and believe ) destined much longer to divide the future unity of Freemasonry in Spain . Every body claiming to sovereign ri ghts or independent jurisdiction , except the Grand Lodge presided over by Bro . Sagasta , has been essentially self-constituted , and is entirely without that prestige and eclat which direct
succession to an acknowledged and duly constituted authority must necessarily give , and Bro . Sagasta alone can claim direct succession to the chair of Ruiz Zorrilla , who was elected unanimously as Grand Master of the Orient of Spain after the Masonic revival of 1 SG 9 . We shall in due course refer to each of tbe independent Masonic associations in Spain who have not yet officially acknowledged Bro . Sagasta as their chief . At the present moment we can only name them in tbe order in which they deserve to rank .
lurst comes the so-called "Grand Orient , " presided over by Bro . Juan Antonio Perez , a former member of the Grand Council presided over by Bro . de la Somera . Bro . Perez is entirely unknown out of his own small circle . Secondly must be ranked those lodges who have affiliated themselves to the Grand Orient of Portugal , with whom , however , they have little in common . Thirdly may be mentioned what is called the "
Aiidalucian Masonic Confederation , " who have obtained official recognition ( without actual affiliation ) from the Grand Council of Lausanne , in Switzerland . These brethren art waiting " unattached" until such time as foreign Grand Lodges may decide whether Bro . Sagasta or Bro . Perez is to be officially recognised as the legitimate successor to Bro . Ruiz Zorrilla . When such official recognition takes place these unattached will join their recognised brethren .
Fourthly come a mere handful of brethren who desire to see Bro . the Marquis de Scoane elected to supreme command . Fifthly are those who have never accepted the resignation of Bro . ex-Grand Master de la Somera , and who still pretend to be under his Masonic jurisdiction . But the only serious rival to Bio . Sagasta is Bio . Perez , and his jurisdiction is of a very limited kind . Of those
lodges which appear upon his roll a considerable number exist on paper only , whilst others are already disorganised , and destitute of qualified Masters or officers . Bro . Perez is without Masonic prestige , and , in point of fact , a very large proportion of the brethren now working under him are doing so only until such time as the Grand Orient of Sagasta shall have been officially recognised in London ; whilst as regards those brethren who work under the
protection of flic Grand Orient of Portugal and the Grand Council of Lausanne , we may almost say that the whole of them are not only ready , but really anxious , to affiliate themselves to a united and essentially national Grand Lodge , such as that presided over by Bro . Sagasta undoubtedly is . They only await the signal from the chief of all Masonic authorities ( in their eyes ) , that of London , to give Bro . Sagasta ( heir loyal and undivided support . ( To he continued . )
For the convenience of the public , Kingston s Railway Office , Southampton-street , lutzroy-square , will be open late every evening next u'eek for the sale of Great Western Railway excursion tickets to Rath , Bristol , Cheltenham , Exeter , Manchester , Liverpool , Plymouth , Worcester , & c , also L . B . and S . C . R . to Brighton and Crystal Palace ,
Royal Masonic Institution For Boys.
ROYAL MASONIC INSTITUTION FOR BOYS .
The following circular has been issued by Bro . Binckes : The present is considered—it is hoped not erroneousl y— . a fitting occasion on which to address to the Craft an appeal , somewhat perhaps out of the usual course , but justified , it is believed , by circumstances to which distinct
reference is unnecessary . When the present Secretary accepted office as the result of a specially-appointed Committee of Enquiry , he pledged himself to spare neither time nor exertion in endeavouring to raise this Institution in the estimation of the Order , and to render it more full y adequate to meet thc rapidly developing needs of the day , stipulating for liberty of action
in carrying out his duties . At that time—June , 1 SC 1—the income of the Institution was about £ 2000 per annum ; the number of boys clothed and educated , seventy . When the erection of a new bidding for one hundred boys—with capability of extension—was determined on , the entire - Funded Stock , £ 13 , , was sold to assist in defraying the cost . ' '
In undertaking to raise the amount requisite for the work , and to recoup the stock so sold , the Secretary fully appreciated thc responsibility and wei ght of the task . His anti- . cipations , however , have been entirely realised , and it is with intense gratitude that he acknowledges the value of
the aid , and the warmth of the sympathy , accorded to his efforts during the last nineteen years . During this period the building has been erectedfrom time to time enlarged—and there are now 215 sons of Freemasons maintained , clothed , and educated within its walls .
The cost of the building has been fully met , thc amount expended from 1 SG 2 to 1 S 79 being £ 02 , 485 is . 2 d . The funded property has been restored to the extent of £ 10 , 000 . To entirely redeem the pledge given in 1 S 61 , there remains only the investment of £ 3100 , and this it is earnestl y hoped may be accomplished by the result of the approaching festival , to be held under the presidency of a distinguished ruler in the Order , than whom none can be more popular or or held in higher esteem and regard .
The West Lancashire Masonic Educational Institution.
THE WEST LANCASHIRE MASONIC EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTION .
The Honorary Secretaries of this noble Institution ( Bro . Richard Brown , P . M . 241 , and Bro . G . Broadbridge , P . P . G . D . C . ) have recentl y issued the annual report , from which we gather that the Charity , thanks to the fostering care and enthusiastic support of thc brethren in the province , is making substantial headway . The report , addressed to
Bro . the Earl of Lathom , D . G . M ., P . G . M ., President of the Institution , and to thc Vice-Presidents and Life Governors , is as follows : — On behalf of the Committee , wc have pleasure in placing before you thc annual report and statement of accounts for the past year , upon reference to which it will be found that there is great cause for congratulation , inasmuch as during no previous year have the donations and subscriptions from
lodges and brethren reached so large an amount ; and , on the other hand , in no former year has the amount paid for education , & c , been so large as in 1 S 79 . The Sub-Committee appointed to revise the bye-laws brought their labours to a close , and the new bye-laws , as submitted by them , were passed at a Special Court of Governors held on 21 st November last , and now only wait thc confirmation of another Court of Governors and
approval of thc Provincial Grand Lodge before they come into operation . By the new regulations , the children will be placed upon thc foundation at the age of six instead of eight , and may remain till fifteen instead of fourteen as at present Several other advantages are secured to the children , which will no doubt necessitate increased expenditure in the future .
I he brethren are therefore earnestly entreated not to relax their efforts on behalf of the Charity . The Treasurer and Secretaries desire to express their thanks for the promptitude with which the returns have been sent in , and thc completeness of the lists and addresses . This has enabled them to issue the report at a much earlier date than has been the case during the past few years , besides considerabl y lessening the labour connected
therewith . 1 hey venture further to express a hope that similar arrangements will be made for the future collection of subscriptions and sending in returns . Your Committee earnestly pray that the success which has attended past operations of the Charit y may be continued in the future , and that the blessing of the Great Architect of thc Universe may rest upon thc labours of all for the advancement of its interests . <
From thc statement of accounts , prepared by Bro . R . Wilson , the Hon . Trcasurer . it appeared that the balance at the end of last financial year was £ 329 12 s . f > d . ; the proceedings of tbe ' 79 ball were £ (> o 4 s . 4 d . ; tbe sum of /¦¦ Ml 3 S . fid . had been realised as interest on Mersey Dock Bonds ; £ 100 from the interest on mortgage of Masonic Hall ; £ 10 . 1 for the P . G . Lodge Charity Fund ; and £ 701 7 s . yd . from the donations and subscriptions of trn >
brethren . The sum of £ 060 1 is . 7 d . had been paid during the year for the education and advancement in life of children , and there remained a balance in hand at the close of the year of £ 783 12 s . 101 I . It appeared that nearly 100 children were on the foundation of the Institution , which , it ought to be stated , is carried on without one farthing of expenditure for official work in connection with its organisation . 'I'he total investments on behalf of the charity now
amount to upwards of £ 15 , 361 . A special court of Governors of the excellent Masonic Charity was held 011 Friday evening , thc 30 th 11 IL , at thc Masonic Hall , Hope-street , Liverpool , under the presidency of Bro . R . Wylie , P . P . G . S . D . There was a large attendance of Governors , including the honorary secretaries ( Brot . R . Brown , P . M . 241 ' . and G . Broadbridge .
P . P . G . D . C . ) I hirteen children were elected on the foundation of the Institution for education , and two received money grants for their assistance and advancement . The new bye-laws , adopted at a special court , on the 21 st November last , were unanimously confirmed , on the motion of Brother Cottrell , seconded by Brother Bromley . The proceedings closed with a vote of thanks to thc chairman .
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