Our Thirtieth Volume.

OUR THIRTIETH VOLUME .

WE issue the first number of a new Yolume of the FREEMASON ' S CHRONICLE under exceptional circumstances . This is the first time since this Journal was established—nearly fifteen years sincethat we have fully realized the fact that the Grand Institution of Freemasonry is in a divided condition ; that party feeling is in the ascendant , and that many of the best friends of the Institutions that

we have been so boastful of are foregoing or curtailing their labours and exertions ior their success . We are fully alive to the fact that many will argue

that the services of the old fogies who have hitherto " had things all their own way" can be dispensed with , and that there are plenty of youngsters ready to come to the front and do good service in carrying on the work . Well , we will not attempt to discuss this question here .

We are not of the iconoclastic breed , nor do we wish to paint things worse than they absolutely are . We are told , almost daily , that the Masonic Craft is not adequately represented by the

journals tnat are supposed to be specially devoted to its welfare ; and we are forced to the conclusion , in the majority of cases where this doctrine is urged ,

that we have failed to realise each individual speaker ' s idea of what a Masonic Journal should be . We will not attempt to refute the assertions made , but will reiterate what we have said

time alter time . Hie columns ol tne . b REEMASON s CHRONICLE are open to all who desire to ventilate a grievance ; the only stipulation we make is , that in all debatable questions courtesy be exercised , and where

cliiierences of opinion exist that the first obligation shall be to try the principle of adjustment . When these efforts fail , we will readily give support to any views that will advance' the grand principles we are all pledged to support , these are—Brotherly Love , Belief and Truth .

The Craft And The Approaching Royal Marriage.

THE CRAFT AND THE APPROACHING ROYAL MARRIAGE .

^ 1 VH E annual meeting of the Freemasons of Suffolk - ¦* - was held on Wednesday , at Beccles , under the presidency of Lord Henniker , Past Grand Warden , Provincial Grand Master . Referring to the approaching marriage of Princess Louise of Wales , Lord

-tlenniker said all must be glad that the eldest daughter of the Grand Master was to be married to a British subject , and that it would not be necessary for her to leave her native shores . Lord Henniker moved a vote of congratulation to the Prince and Princess of Wales , in the following terms : —

" The Freemasons of the Province of Suffolk , in Provincial Grand Lodge assembled , offer His Royal

The Craft And The Approaching Royal Marriage.

Highness the Grand Master and the Princess of Wales their heartfelt congratulations on the approaching marriage of H . R . H . the Princess Louise and Lord Fife , with the hope that the Great Architect of the Universe may bless the union and grant them all the happiness and prosperity which the world can afford . "

The proposition was heartily received , and carried with acclamation . The other business of the day comprised the appointment of the Provincial Officers , the voting of various sums to the Masonic Charitable Institutions , and the general work of the Province for

the year . The brethren afterwards attended divine service , and in the evening a banquet was held , presided over by the Rev . C . J . Martyn , Deputy Grand Master of the Province . We shall give a full report of the proceeding's next week .

Masonry's Work.

MASONRY'S WORK .

An extract from an Address by Rev . Alfred Manchester at the Laying of the Corner-Stone of the Public Library Building in Barrington , Rhode Island , Uth September 1887 .

FREEMASONRY has always been and is always willing to show its interest in all that pertains to human welfare and to throw its influence npon the side of truth and virtue . It is a secret society , but it is much more . Its

noble principles and good deeds are known and read of all men . But any man who will read what is printed for the public eye , any man who will observe the course of life among men , may , in our records and from our actions ,

which are open to the world , draw material for the formation of an opinion that is favourable to our Order . The inuer working of an institution of learning is practically a profound secret to those who have never had experience

within its walls . But tho man who is ignorant of the method knows how to appreciate the result which appears in the life of those to whom the method is familiar . Any man of proper mental powers can learn how to walk the hidden

paths of wisdom . So any man of upright character and noble purpose may learn the secret process through which Freemasonry preserves its existence and does its work in the world . Secrecy is not the end of Masonry . The

world at large may rest assured that with the darkest shadow of mystery which appertains to this institution there exists not the least element of anything which would

bring n . jury to the purest mind to which it might bo revealed . Every social fellowship has the right to state the terms of its membership which shall be accepted by those who are identified with it .

The great end in view among Masons , as may be plainly seen , is social enjoyment and practical beneficence among brethren who are bound together in the application to life

of certain noble principles which lie at the foundation of all human welfare . An attempt is here made to put in practice within a limited circle a certain type of life which no man can afford to neglect .

Masonry is not usurper of the rites and privileges of the Church . It does not aspire to be the perfect embodiment of the religious life of humanity . There are limitations to its fellowship , which ifc recognises to be inconsistent with .