Necessity Of Libraries.

NECESSITY OF LIBRARIES .

MASONRY has ever been a patron of knowledge , and has deemed it not only a duty , but a privilege , to foster the liberal arts and sciences '> and , as the handmaid of the Divine Teacher , has ever taught men to believe in the immortal doctrine of the " fatherhood of God and the Brotherhood of man . " We claim that our order is " ancient and honourable " ; and if we

are proud of its past history , it certainly behoves its votaries to make use of all honourable means attainable to make sure that our society , which has stood the test of time , shall move forward in the future in all things which tend to the improvement and advancement of our brotherhood . The history of Masonry proves that its votaries have ever been the promoters of progress

and improvement , and that the human race has received and derived great benefit from the existence of our order . No organisation which history records can lay claim to preserve the rights of the individual as does our institution ! As the roots of a thrifty tree stretch out into the earth as widely as do its branches into the air , and so come into relation with their surroundings , so does Masonry interlace with and take its form and pressure ,

its growth and bent , from contemporaneous matters . The need of Masonic books , to obtain a comprehensive knowledge of the origin and progress pertaining to our institution , and to learn of its growth and development , make apparent the necessity for the collection of Grand Lodge libraries , that members of our order can look into the medium of the printed page , which the authors and writers of the past and present , making history , leave to the fraternity for each generation .

That place that does Contain my books the best companion is , To me a glorious court , where hourly I Converse with the old sages and philosophers .

Although our ritual has been transmitted orally through many centuries yet , to the student , Masonry , as a science , and its early history can only be imparted and transmitted through the books of our libraries . Unless it be the State or National libraries , which are supported by liberal appropriations , the students of specialties and reference look to the valuable libraries of institutions specitally devoted to the consideration of subjects in which they

are in quest of information and directly interested . To the enlightened Mason knowledge is of the first importance . A library , such as this Grand Lodge possesses , embodying the highest theoretical and practical principles of our order , which can be said to constitute the existence of Masonic literature and its science , should be preserved and fostered for all time , and made a source of value to the fraternity . —Herman G . Carter , Grand Lodge Librarian , New York , in " Voice of Masonry . "

The section of the Congress presided over by Canon Didiot , after hearing addresses by Pere Regnanet ( of the Society of Jesus ) and Pere Edmond ( of the Assumption ) , adopted the following resolutions on the proposal of Pere Durand : '' The National Congress of Rhiems , considering with the Anti-Masonic Congress at Trent that Freemasonry is the great enemy of the Church and of all Catholic works , considering also that the Eucharistic devotions are of all the most essentially and most radically

Anti-Masonic , holds ( 1 ) That all Catholics should encourage to the utmost of their power the movement of souls toward the Eucharist , and should strive to multiply more and more demonstrations of faith , love , and reparation in respect of this Sacrament , the chief object of the terror and hatred of

Freemasons , but the supreme honour and joy of the children of God and the assured pledge of their victory over all their enemies , visible and invisible ; ( 2 ) That among works of reparation they should set their hearts especially on sustaining that whose object is to have Masses daily said in atonement of the profanation of this sect . "— " Catholic Times . "

After the usual monthly meeting of the Lodge of Repose , at the Masonic Hall , Derby , on the 15 th ult ., a conversazione was held in the supper room , and was largely attended by Brethren and visitors , including a number of ladies . Dr . F . S . Rowan the Worshipful Master was present , and a capital musical

programme was gone through , the pianists being Bros . Dodd and Thompson . Refreshments were supplied during the evening , and the gathering was so successful that no doubt the innovation

will be tried again in the near future . It is the first time , the " Derby Express " believes , in the Province of Derbyshire , that a conversazione of this kind has taken the place of the dinner which usually follows the meeting of Lodge .

The Earl of Yarborough Provincial Grand Master of Lincolnshire honoured the Ancholme Lodge , No . 1282 , Brigg , with his presence on Tuesday , 20 th ult ., and congratulated the Worshipful Master , Officers and Brethren of the Lodge on the

admirable manner in which they discharged their various duties . A banquet was afterwards held at the Angel Hotel , at which the Earl was present , and the loyal and Masonic toasts were duly honoured .

Necessity Of Libraries.

A deputation from the Thomas Valentine Lodge , No . 21 ( I . C . ) , under the leadership of Bro . J . M'Alpine W . M ., left Belfast a few days back for Ayr , where , according to arrangements previously made , the deputation intended visiting Newtonon-Ayr St . James Lodge , No . 125 ( S . C . ) , with which they were connected through the honorary membership of Bros . Sterling

P . M . and R . B . Andrews P . M . It may . be mentioned that just two years ago this Scotch Lodge visited Lodge No . 21 , and ever since close fraternal friendship has existed . The party arrived in good time in Ayr , where they were met by the reception Committee , ' and accorded a hearty and enthusiastic welcome to the

" auld toon o' Burns , " and , having been seated in well-appointed brakes , were conducted to a commodious hotel , where ample provision had . been made for refreshing the inner man . The remainder of the visit was spent in various forms of enjoyment and entertainment .

COMPLIMENTARY BANQUET AT LIVERPOOL . A NUMEROUS and thoroughly representative assembly of the leaders of the Order took place on Thursday evening , 29 th ult ., at the Masonic Hall , Hope Street , Liverpool , when Bro . E . R . Latham Past Master of the Downshire Lodge , No . 594 , was entertained at a banquet , the compliment being extended to him in recognition of his personal worth and his valuable services in connection with the Order .

Between seventy and eighty Brethren of varied ranks sat down to dinner , under the presidency of Bro . Dr . G . Johnson P . M . 1182 ( Chairman of the Committee of arrangements ) , with whom were associated Bros . C . FothergiU P . P . G . D . and F . Wilkinson P . M . 594 ( Vice-Chairmen ) , ) Bro . R . G . Bradley P . P . D . G . D . C . ( Treasurer and D . C . ) , Bro . S . L . Fraser P . G . S . of W . ( Secretary ) , assisted by a strong staff of Stewards .

The Chairman proposed in appropriate terms the toast , Our Guest Bro . E . R . Latham P . M . 594 , and Bro . Latham , in reply , said he would continue to endeavour to merit their friendship and respect . — " Liverpool Mercury . "

EXMOUTH MASONIC CLUB . THE third annual meeting of the shareholders of this Company was held at the Club on Wednesday , 28 th ult ., at which there was a fair number of directors and shareholders present , under the presidency of Bro . J . T . Foster , who , in congratulating the shareholders on the continued

success of their undertaking , announced a balance in hand of £ 70 4 s lid , as against £ 40 16 s lOd last year . The sum of £ 24 10 s was required to meet dividends due on preference shares , and the directors again recommended a dividend of 5 per cent on the ordinary shares held by the Sun Lodge , the balance to be carried forward . The results were considered highly satisfactory .

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GAIETY EESTAUEANT , STiR ^ nsr iD . LUNCHEONS ( HOT and COLD)—At Popular Prices , in BUFFET and RESTAURANT ( on 1 st floor ) . Also Chops , Steaks , Joints , Entrees , & c , in the GRILL ROOM . AFTERNOON TEA — Consisting of Tea or Coffee , Cut Bread and Butter , Jam , Cake , Pastry , ad lib , at 1 / - per head ; served from 4 till 6 in RESTAURANT ( 1 st floor ) . DINNERS IN RESTAURANTFrom 5-30 till 9 at Fixed Prices ( 3 / 6 and 5 / - ) and a la Carte . In this room the Viennese Band performs from 6 till 8 . Smoking after 7-45 . AMERICAN BAR . THE GRILL ROOM is open till 12-30 . PEWATE DINING E 00 MS FOR LAEGE AND SMALL PAETTEB . SPIEBS AND POND , Ltd ., Proprietors .