St. James's Lodge, No. 482.

itself afc the Handsworth Commercial Schools , and the excellence of their culinary arrangements . But it would bo unpardonable omission on onr part if we did nofc congratulate onr worthy and hospitable brethren of the St . James ' s Lodge on tho commodionsness of the premises they havo been fortunate enough to secure . Not only is the cubic capacity of tho Lodgo room ample , bufc the whole snito of apartments is most conveniently arranged .

Visitation Of Grand Lodge Of Scotland To Aberdeen.

VISITATION OF GRAND LODGE OF SCOTLAND TO ABERDEEN .

THE Aberdeen City Province of Freemasons was honoured on Wed . nesday by a visitation of tho Most Worshipful Grancl Master of Scotland ( Sir Michael R . Shaw-Stewart ) , and a deputation from Grand Lodge . The brethren of the City Province , to the number of over a hundred , assembled afc tho Masonic Hall , Exchange Street , at a quarter to four , when the Lodge was opened by tho Acting Provincial Grand Master ( Brother Savage ) , the other office-bearers being :

—Bros . John Crombio P . G . S . W ., J . Murch P . G . J . W ., Charles Wilson P . G . S . D ., J . M'Connachie P . G . J . D ., W . Daniel P . G . I . G ., Innes Outer Guard . The deputation from Grand Lodge was received with the usual honours , the organ being played by Bro . Kirby , P . G . Organist . The members of the deputation accompanying the Most Worshipful Grand Master , were : —

Bros . Wm . Mann acting D . G . M ., William Officer acting S . G . M ., F . A . Barrow P . S . G . W ., R . F . Shaw-Stewart J . G . W ., William Boyd P . G . M . Aberdeenshire East , Murray Lyon G . Secretary , James Webster Acting S . G . D ., Robert Morrison Acting J . G . D ., William Hay G . Architect , A . D . Cairns Acting Grand Sword Bearer , R . S . Brown Acting President of Grand Stewards , John Fleming Acting

Vice-President , and the following Grand Stewards : —Bros . Peter Sinclair , William Edwards , John S . Mathieson , Frederick Hard ( Acting ) , ancl Bro . W . M . Bryce Grand Tyler . The deputation having taken their places , the Sub . Prov . Grand Master gave up the badge of his authority to tbe M . W . Grand Master , who returned it , with an ex . pression of confidence in the Master of the Lodge , after which the

ceremony of initiation was gone through , Bros . M'Kenzie Fraser Master of St . George ' s and Charles Shepherd Master of St . Andrew ' s , taking parfc in the working of the degree . At the conclusion of the ceremony , the Most Worshipful Grand Master expressed the pleasure he felfc in being present and seeing the excellent manner in which the Aberdeen City Province was conducted , and

congratulated the newly-initiated brother . The brethren of the Craft afterwards dined in the Palace Hotel , under the presidency of the genial Substitute Provincial Grand Master , the Most Worthy Grancl Master and the other members of the deputation from Grand Lodge bein ° - guests , and the whole company numbering ono hundred . Mr . Mann supplied an excellent dinner , the menu including a fine haunch of

venison , the gift of Colonel Farqnharson , of Invercauld , the Substitute Grand Master of Aberdeenshire West . Tho toasts of the Queen , the Prince of Wales ( the Grand Patron of Masonry ) , fcho Princess of Wales , ancl other members of the Royal Family , wero given by the Chairman ; the Navy , Army , and Auxiliary Forces was given by Brother J . Murch

Provincial Grand Junior Warden , ancl responded to b y Captain R . F . Shaw-Stewarfc , and Capt , F . F . Maitland Moir . The Chairman proposed " Tbe Grand Locige of Scotland , " which was acknowledged by Brother Sir Michael R . Shaw-Stewart , who stated thafc the last grancl visitation to Aberdeen was mado in December 1851 , by his Grace tbe Dnko of Athole . To show the progress that

Masonry had mado since that time , ho stated that in 1857 the number of initiates was 12 , while in 1879 they numbered 151 . The clear value of tho funds of Grand Lodge in 1851 was £ 2 , 129 ; in November 1879 they amounted to £ 16 , 702 , besides £ 5 , 845 of a fund for benevolence . In 1857 , the income for the year was £ 1 , 229 ; in 1879 it was £ 4 , 822 . The entrants recorded in Grand Lodge books in 1851 numbered 1429 , and

in 1879 they amounted to 3985 . The youngest Lodge on tho roll in 1851 was No . 362 , and in last November tho number of the youngest Lodge was 647 . He concluded by proposing "The Provincial Grand Lodgo of Aberdeen , " ancl thanking the Freemasons of Aberdeen for the support they had given in the past to Grancl Lodge , and for the kindness and hospitality" they had shewn himself and Grand Lod- * e

on this occasion . Brother Savage responded , ancl gave tho toast of the " Grand Lodges of England and Ireland , " coupled with Brother Colonel Williamson , member of the Provincial Grand Lodgo of Cheshire . Brother Dr . F . F . M . Moir proposed " The Nei ghbouring Provincial Grand Lodges , " to which Brother W . Boyd P . G . M . Aber deenshire ( East ) replied , remarking that to attend a meeting of Lodges

m the Province of the City of Aberdeen was , as regards Masonry , equivalent to a liberal education . Brother Officer , Edinburgh , proposed « The Colonial Provinces , " ancl W . Mann Proxy P . G . M . of Hindostan , replied . Tho health of the Grancl Secretary of the Aberdeen City Province ( Bro . Dr . White ) , and tho Acting Senior Warden ( Bro . John Crombie ) , were drunk ; the Architect ( Bro . Hay ) , who

proposed the latter , stating that ho intended to propose the Grand Lod ge do hold its meetings periodically in tho principal towns of Scotland by rotation , which he thought would tend to the good of Masonry in Scotland . The proceedings , which were throughout of a very interesting , edifying , and enjoyable character , were brought to a close with the toasfc of Bon-Accord and the singing of Anld lang syne . Aberdeen Free Press .

THE BOYS' NEWSPAPER . —We understand that this newspaper , the first number of which is announced to appear on the 15 th , will have a wide and varied range , embracing the news of the week ( specially adapted to the requirements of boys ) , narratives of voyages , travels , and adventures , news from schools at home and abroad , reports of all kinds of athletic sports and games , together with practical papers , entertaining stories , and new schemes for puzzles .

The Element Of Secrecy In The Masonic Institution.

THE ELEMENT OF SECRECY IN THE MASONIC INSTITUTION .

IX the minds of some persons it is enough to condemn any organiza - tion that the element of secrecy enters into its system ancl proc eedings . Snch persons make no discrimination between one secret s"ciety and another ; for to their inconsiderate or prejudiced thought a'l associations that exclude the world at large from a full knowledge of their doings are unworthy ancl dangerous . The assumption is that wherever thero is anything concealed there is evil ; and , therefore ,

the very moment that any number of men unite together in a secret association it is held to be tho natnral inference that they are engaged in some work which will not bear the light of day . Thus it is argued that tho element of secrecy in any organization is quite sufficient to justify an unfavourable opinion of its purposes and work . That there is neither logic nor fairness in such judgment is frequently

shown . Thero is always some danger of reaching a false conclusion when a person generalizes from particular and special cases , yet it is by snch a process of reasoning that all secret societies are frequently included nnder a sweeping case of condemnation . The Jacobin Clubs that afflicted France in the last centnry were composed of disloyal ancl designing men who plotted tho overthrow of the

e-overnment . They made use of secrecy to cover fcheir base purposes . The Communists and Nihilists of the present day aro supposed to be united for political purposes by a strong bond of secrecy , and it is assumed that they are thus associated because of certain objects which they have in view—objects against the peace and good order of society . But because there have been aud are snch organizations

enveloped in mystery , it by no means follows that all secret societies are engaged in plotting treason ancl are alike dangerous to the community . A discrimination shonld be made , and every organization should be judged on its merits . Most certainly ifc will nofc do to assume thafc secrecy is always a cloak for baseness ancl wrongdoing . In the home , in business relations and enterprises , in many matters

pertaining to the church and the state , there is action taken of which , tho world afc large may nofc be informed . Secrecy of itself , within proper and well defined limits , ought not to excite hostility . It is only when such secrecy passes the lines of propriety , and becomes a means to unworthy ends , that ifc deserves to be treated as a dangerous element .

In this line of thought we may come to the enquiry—In what sense is Masonry a secret society ? There is no mystery aboufc its objects and purposes . Its moral and benevolent character has been signified to the world by manifold declarations and by practical deeds . Masonry affects no concealment of the objects it has in view and the work it is trying to do . Ifc publishes the times of its various meetings ,

its general transactions , the full lisfc of its members ; and whoever is curious enough to read or enquire may ascertain what Masonry stands for and what it is doing . Let ; it be remembered that the Masonic Institution , in English-speaking nations at least , is not surrounded by any snch impenetrable veil of mystery as has been made nse of to shroud from the eye those associations and combinations already

alluded to . The secrecy of Masonry is legitimate and harmless . It holds its rites and ceremonies to itself . It cherishes tho means of recognition , by which members of tho Brotherhood can make themselves known to each other , and does nofc impart these signs and tokens to the world : bnt these secrets , let it be kept in mind , aro

within tho reach of any man of intelligence and good moral character who desires to obtain them , and who will conform to the ancient ancl well defined way of procedure . Secrecy is an element of the Masonio Institution ; bnt it is only that secrecy which wc believe to be honourable ancl justifiable . The general character and work of Masonry may bo known and read of all men . —Repository .

The Mohawk Minstrels.

THE MOHAWK MINSTRELS .

THE eighth annual benefit of Bro . W . Francis , one of the proprietors of this most popular troupe of Negro Minstrels , took place on Wednesday afternoon . A special programme of a varied character was provided , and the public evinced their good taste , as well as their appreciation of the efforts of the Mohawks to please them , by filling the Hall to overflowing . In the temporary absence of Mr . Harry

Hunter , Mr . John Kavanagh presided as interlocutor , ancl , in honour of the occasion , some of the old favourites made their re-appearance , in the persons of Messrs . Vincent Layton , Ted Snow , and F . Duriab . The programme was rightly described as being replete with novelties , for every number was , to tho best of our belief , new to the audience , and previously unsung . But new or old , they all went admirably ,

both the side-splitting humorous songs and tho pathetic . The beneficiary is to bo congratulated on his successful appearance as " Chirgwin tho White-eyed Musical Kaffir . " His brother , Mr . James Francis , made a grand hit in " The Gallant Fire Brigade . " Tho second portion of the programme was equally effective with the first , and included a performance on the piccolo , by Mr . J . Harrington

Young , who unquestionably deserves the highest encomiums ifc is in cur power to pass upon him . Mr . W . Freeman ' s new ancl ori ginal banjo song , " The March of the Men of Garlick , " was most grotesque ; and the Grecian favourite , Mr . Harry Nicholls , in his various " Characterisations and Impersonations , " was most deservedly applauded . Mr . Celian Kofctaun , the solo cornet of the Brighton

Aquarium Band , made so successful a first appearance that we trust wo may have the opportunity of welcoming him on many future occasions . To conclude onr remarks , the evening was one of tho most gratifying it has been our good fortune to bo present at , ancl wo ¦ ire confident the other gala nights of this Company will bo equall y successful .