Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Contents.
CONTENTS .
L EADERS 3 S 1 Supreme Grand Chapter 3 S 2 Provincial Grand Lodge of I lertford > hire 3 82 Provincial Grand Mark Lodge of Devon ... 383 Provincial Grand Mark Lodge of Berks and Oxon 3 S 3 CORRESPONDENCEWhich shall ) it be— "Charity" or "Dinners ? " 3 S 4
Reviews 3 ^ S Notes and Queries 3 S 6 REPORTS OF M ASONIC MEETINGSCraft Masonry 3 S 6 Instruction 3 S 6 Royal Arch 3 S 6 Mark Masonry 3 87 Red Cross of Constantine 3 S 7 South Africa 387 Provincial Grand Mark Lodge of Natal ... 387 District Grand Lodge of Natal 3 S 7
Royal Masonic Institution for Boys 3 S 7 Annual Outing of the Royal Clarence Lodge , No . 68 3 S 7 Summer Picnic of the Honor Oak Lodge , No . igS 6 3 S 7 Annual Summer Ranquet of the Merchant Navy Lodge of Instruction , No . ; 8 r 3 S 7 Laying Corner Stones of a Church in Leeds 3 SS Laying a Corner Stone at Castleford with Masonic Ceremonies 38 S
Hanquet to liro . Uarasha Kataujec Chichgnr 3 S 8 Laying tiie Corner Stone of the New Hall , Wood Green 3 S 9 Annual Address of the Grand Master of Canada 389 North Wales and the Masonic Charities 380 The Theatres 389 Obituary 3 S 9 Masonic and General Tidings 390 Lodge Meetings for Next Week Cover .
Ar00101
WE trust the gathering of Tuesday next , when the Baroness BURDETTCOUTTS will lay the corner-stone of the New Hall of the Royal Masonic Institution for Boys , at Wood Green , will prove worthy in all respects of the occasion , the School , and the lady who has so kindly undertaken to bear the chief part in the ceremony . The occasion is one which necessarily
presents itself but seldom . Even in Freemasonry there must be a limit sometime to the work of enlarging the scope of its Institutions , and as regards the Boys' School , the record of what has been done in this direction during the last 27 or 28 years is simply marvellous . The changes that have taken place during that period remind us of the wonderful transformations we
read of in the " Arabian Nights' Tales , " where a sterile region is suddenly converted into a land flowing with milk and honey , a land rich in gold , silver , and precious stones ; where virtue in all its many phases reigns triumphant , and vice , or even the semblance of vice , is unheard of . But even the resources of the Royal Art are not , as we have said , illimitable .
The School that was not has developed into a School of the foremost rank , with a muster-roll of hale and healthy boys residing within its hospitable walls far more numerous than the founders , even in their most sanguine moments , could have dreamed possible . But a third considerable enlargement within the space of thirty years must be looked upon as the last of the
series , and the ceremony of Tuesday next should prove all the more attractive , as it is not likely to be repeated , at all events for a long time to come . As regards the Institution , it will be difficult to find one which better fulfils the purposes for which it was established . There is no School in England that is better managed , none that is more successful in its educational work .
The conduct of the Institution and its excellent results are the best evidence we can have—indeed , the only evidence that is needed—that the funds expended upon the School are well and judiciously laid out . Thus the brethren and their guests who will take part in the ceremony of Tuesday next will have the satisfaction of knowing that the Institution they are
desirous of promoting is worthy of their aid . What it has done in the past it is capable of doing , and by the blessing of the G . A . O . T . U . it will do in the future . Lastly , the lady who will play the chief part in Tuesday ' s ceremony has shown herself a staunch friend of our Society , and is known everywhere by her lifelong devotion to the cause of philanthropy . It is not
now and again that Lady BURDETT-COUTTS exerts her influence for the good of others . Benevolence and beneficence are a part of her being . She can no more suspend or dispense with them than she could speak without
the organ of speaking , or hear without the sense of hearing ; and for her sake , as well as in the interests of the Institution , we trust the event of Tuesday next will be as signal a success as the gatherings of a similar character which have preceded it under the auspices of Freemasonry .
# * # WE called attention in our last issue to the wild proposal of a foreign Mason to do away with all annual subscription to lodges , and to make the enlry payment a nominal one . And this , too , on the absurd and illogical plea that the diminution of enforced payments would lead to larger voluntary
efforts on extraordinary appeals . The whole tenour of our Masonic experience is against such a mistaken theory and such a childish proposition , in that we know it is this very " sine qua non " of lodge subscription which makes our English Freemasonry so real , so living , so active , and so beneficent . Indeed , there are many of us who think that our payments are pitched on too low a scale altogether . VVe do not indeed go with those
Ar00102
who think that high payments , intended to keep up a tone and temper of exclusiveness , are conducive to the best interests , or the " good form" of Free , masonry . But we take a " via media , " as we said last week , in accordance with the views , as we believe , of the vast majority ol our Order . Wc do not desire that entrance fees should be prohibitory or extravagant , but that they should
be fair , considerate , and proportionable . The annual subscription depends on the requirements and arrangements of each lodge , and cannot legitimately be controlled by " sumptuary laws , " or even Grand Lodge edicts , except for very special causes . Grand Lodge might if it thought fit , indeed , as indeed it does , affix a minimum of initiation
fees , and , as many Provincial Grand Lodges do , to take lodges out of the old ruck and groove of benefit societies and benefit clubs , a minimum annual subscription . Grand Lodge , however , wisely leaves all the London lodges to full liberty in this respect , and there can be little doubt that under the present liberal and tolerant system
Metropolitan Freemasonry has progressed and thriven amazingly , and has led the way in all charitable efforts , and even now developes the most re . markableenergy and almost startling results in this " good old cause , " In the same way provincial lodges are governed by the regulations of their o Wn Provincial Grand Lodges . Whether or no there might be more spent on pure
Chanty , and less on creature comforts , we deem it unwise to consider or discuss here . Lodges with low annual subscriptions , whether Metropolitan or provincial , depend entirely for charitable efforts on the zeal and energy and liberality of individual members . A large number of London lodges , whose " pro rata" subscription is as a rule high comparatively ,
and some lodges of instruction , give , in addition to the munificent donations of individual Stewards , considerable donations from the lodge funds an . nually . There are , then , two sides to this and every other question , and it seems impossible to-day to lay down dogmatically a system of subscription and social arrangements suited to all lodges alike . But one thing is clear ,
—the salt of the whole English system , Attic or Masonic , as you will , is tho lodge subscription ; and that which gives cohesion to our whole Order , and controls and directs our vast machinery , in beautiful unity of action and movement , is that very reality of lodge payments annually , which places the Grand Lodge of England in a position , financially , to be admired and
even envied , —if envy indeed were a Masonic characteristic , —by all other jurisdictions on earth . Where lodge subscriptions are lax or wanting , there we see Freemasonry comparatively in a dormant , and decadent , and do . caying position . It may be famous , indeed , for genial gatherings , comfortable orations , and attractive symposia ; it may be noted for long speeches ,
and abounding " windbags ; " it may be distinguished by a tendency to discuss matters alien to Freemasonry proper ; it may even be degraded by infidel theories , political aspirations , socialistic leanings , and communistic tendencies , that abiding curse and disgrace of Freemasonry everywhere , but its Masonic character is weakened and gone , and the confidence of its
members is utterly betrayed . Loyalty and Charity , its ever abiding characteristics , are altogether wanting , and it often ends in being suppressed by the Civil Power , as obnoxious to order and law , and inimical to Society
and the State . From which untoward position may English Freemasonry be ever preserved , and may it speed on its useful arid beneficent and loyal career in the true pride and confidence of its own members , and the benefactress and consolatress of mankind .
* * * THK proceedings with reference to Bro . MUGGERIDGE are not a little noteworthy , and deserve a kindly and appreciative recognition in the Freemason , Bro . MUGGERIDGE , better known by his familiar and friendly appellation , has been one of the hardest workers English Freemasonry has ever seen .
For more years than we care to count he has been happily to the fore wherever English Freernasony is , and this is a friendly " souvenir " of " Old Mug . " The Stability Lodge of Instruction has long been an institution of Metropolitan English Freemasonry , and long may it so continue . It and the
wellknown Emulation Lodge have been the two great contemporary and kindl y rivals in the dissemination of Masonic lore , the preset vation of Masonic ritual , and the due observance of all those generalities and particularities which constitute the essence of Eng lish Masonic work , and render our lodge ceremonial so effective , so welcome , arid so important for us all alike .
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Contents.
CONTENTS .
L EADERS 3 S 1 Supreme Grand Chapter 3 S 2 Provincial Grand Lodge of I lertford > hire 3 82 Provincial Grand Mark Lodge of Devon ... 383 Provincial Grand Mark Lodge of Berks and Oxon 3 S 3 CORRESPONDENCEWhich shall ) it be— "Charity" or "Dinners ? " 3 S 4
Reviews 3 ^ S Notes and Queries 3 S 6 REPORTS OF M ASONIC MEETINGSCraft Masonry 3 S 6 Instruction 3 S 6 Royal Arch 3 S 6 Mark Masonry 3 87 Red Cross of Constantine 3 S 7 South Africa 387 Provincial Grand Mark Lodge of Natal ... 387 District Grand Lodge of Natal 3 S 7
Royal Masonic Institution for Boys 3 S 7 Annual Outing of the Royal Clarence Lodge , No . 68 3 S 7 Summer Picnic of the Honor Oak Lodge , No . igS 6 3 S 7 Annual Summer Ranquet of the Merchant Navy Lodge of Instruction , No . ; 8 r 3 S 7 Laying Corner Stones of a Church in Leeds 3 SS Laying a Corner Stone at Castleford with Masonic Ceremonies 38 S
Hanquet to liro . Uarasha Kataujec Chichgnr 3 S 8 Laying tiie Corner Stone of the New Hall , Wood Green 3 S 9 Annual Address of the Grand Master of Canada 389 North Wales and the Masonic Charities 380 The Theatres 389 Obituary 3 S 9 Masonic and General Tidings 390 Lodge Meetings for Next Week Cover .
Ar00101
WE trust the gathering of Tuesday next , when the Baroness BURDETTCOUTTS will lay the corner-stone of the New Hall of the Royal Masonic Institution for Boys , at Wood Green , will prove worthy in all respects of the occasion , the School , and the lady who has so kindly undertaken to bear the chief part in the ceremony . The occasion is one which necessarily
presents itself but seldom . Even in Freemasonry there must be a limit sometime to the work of enlarging the scope of its Institutions , and as regards the Boys' School , the record of what has been done in this direction during the last 27 or 28 years is simply marvellous . The changes that have taken place during that period remind us of the wonderful transformations we
read of in the " Arabian Nights' Tales , " where a sterile region is suddenly converted into a land flowing with milk and honey , a land rich in gold , silver , and precious stones ; where virtue in all its many phases reigns triumphant , and vice , or even the semblance of vice , is unheard of . But even the resources of the Royal Art are not , as we have said , illimitable .
The School that was not has developed into a School of the foremost rank , with a muster-roll of hale and healthy boys residing within its hospitable walls far more numerous than the founders , even in their most sanguine moments , could have dreamed possible . But a third considerable enlargement within the space of thirty years must be looked upon as the last of the
series , and the ceremony of Tuesday next should prove all the more attractive , as it is not likely to be repeated , at all events for a long time to come . As regards the Institution , it will be difficult to find one which better fulfils the purposes for which it was established . There is no School in England that is better managed , none that is more successful in its educational work .
The conduct of the Institution and its excellent results are the best evidence we can have—indeed , the only evidence that is needed—that the funds expended upon the School are well and judiciously laid out . Thus the brethren and their guests who will take part in the ceremony of Tuesday next will have the satisfaction of knowing that the Institution they are
desirous of promoting is worthy of their aid . What it has done in the past it is capable of doing , and by the blessing of the G . A . O . T . U . it will do in the future . Lastly , the lady who will play the chief part in Tuesday ' s ceremony has shown herself a staunch friend of our Society , and is known everywhere by her lifelong devotion to the cause of philanthropy . It is not
now and again that Lady BURDETT-COUTTS exerts her influence for the good of others . Benevolence and beneficence are a part of her being . She can no more suspend or dispense with them than she could speak without
the organ of speaking , or hear without the sense of hearing ; and for her sake , as well as in the interests of the Institution , we trust the event of Tuesday next will be as signal a success as the gatherings of a similar character which have preceded it under the auspices of Freemasonry .
# * # WE called attention in our last issue to the wild proposal of a foreign Mason to do away with all annual subscription to lodges , and to make the enlry payment a nominal one . And this , too , on the absurd and illogical plea that the diminution of enforced payments would lead to larger voluntary
efforts on extraordinary appeals . The whole tenour of our Masonic experience is against such a mistaken theory and such a childish proposition , in that we know it is this very " sine qua non " of lodge subscription which makes our English Freemasonry so real , so living , so active , and so beneficent . Indeed , there are many of us who think that our payments are pitched on too low a scale altogether . VVe do not indeed go with those
Ar00102
who think that high payments , intended to keep up a tone and temper of exclusiveness , are conducive to the best interests , or the " good form" of Free , masonry . But we take a " via media , " as we said last week , in accordance with the views , as we believe , of the vast majority ol our Order . Wc do not desire that entrance fees should be prohibitory or extravagant , but that they should
be fair , considerate , and proportionable . The annual subscription depends on the requirements and arrangements of each lodge , and cannot legitimately be controlled by " sumptuary laws , " or even Grand Lodge edicts , except for very special causes . Grand Lodge might if it thought fit , indeed , as indeed it does , affix a minimum of initiation
fees , and , as many Provincial Grand Lodges do , to take lodges out of the old ruck and groove of benefit societies and benefit clubs , a minimum annual subscription . Grand Lodge , however , wisely leaves all the London lodges to full liberty in this respect , and there can be little doubt that under the present liberal and tolerant system
Metropolitan Freemasonry has progressed and thriven amazingly , and has led the way in all charitable efforts , and even now developes the most re . markableenergy and almost startling results in this " good old cause , " In the same way provincial lodges are governed by the regulations of their o Wn Provincial Grand Lodges . Whether or no there might be more spent on pure
Chanty , and less on creature comforts , we deem it unwise to consider or discuss here . Lodges with low annual subscriptions , whether Metropolitan or provincial , depend entirely for charitable efforts on the zeal and energy and liberality of individual members . A large number of London lodges , whose " pro rata" subscription is as a rule high comparatively ,
and some lodges of instruction , give , in addition to the munificent donations of individual Stewards , considerable donations from the lodge funds an . nually . There are , then , two sides to this and every other question , and it seems impossible to-day to lay down dogmatically a system of subscription and social arrangements suited to all lodges alike . But one thing is clear ,
—the salt of the whole English system , Attic or Masonic , as you will , is tho lodge subscription ; and that which gives cohesion to our whole Order , and controls and directs our vast machinery , in beautiful unity of action and movement , is that very reality of lodge payments annually , which places the Grand Lodge of England in a position , financially , to be admired and
even envied , —if envy indeed were a Masonic characteristic , —by all other jurisdictions on earth . Where lodge subscriptions are lax or wanting , there we see Freemasonry comparatively in a dormant , and decadent , and do . caying position . It may be famous , indeed , for genial gatherings , comfortable orations , and attractive symposia ; it may be noted for long speeches ,
and abounding " windbags ; " it may be distinguished by a tendency to discuss matters alien to Freemasonry proper ; it may even be degraded by infidel theories , political aspirations , socialistic leanings , and communistic tendencies , that abiding curse and disgrace of Freemasonry everywhere , but its Masonic character is weakened and gone , and the confidence of its
members is utterly betrayed . Loyalty and Charity , its ever abiding characteristics , are altogether wanting , and it often ends in being suppressed by the Civil Power , as obnoxious to order and law , and inimical to Society
and the State . From which untoward position may English Freemasonry be ever preserved , and may it speed on its useful arid beneficent and loyal career in the true pride and confidence of its own members , and the benefactress and consolatress of mankind .
* * * THK proceedings with reference to Bro . MUGGERIDGE are not a little noteworthy , and deserve a kindly and appreciative recognition in the Freemason , Bro . MUGGERIDGE , better known by his familiar and friendly appellation , has been one of the hardest workers English Freemasonry has ever seen .
For more years than we care to count he has been happily to the fore wherever English Freernasony is , and this is a friendly " souvenir " of " Old Mug . " The Stability Lodge of Instruction has long been an institution of Metropolitan English Freemasonry , and long may it so continue . It and the
wellknown Emulation Lodge have been the two great contemporary and kindl y rivals in the dissemination of Masonic lore , the preset vation of Masonic ritual , and the due observance of all those generalities and particularities which constitute the essence of Eng lish Masonic work , and render our lodge ceremonial so effective , so welcome , arid so important for us all alike .