Audi Alteram Partem.

AUDI ALTERAM PARTEM .

ONE of the earliest lessons impressed on our mind , by a ' tutor who has long since gone over to the great majority , was to the effect that a man knows nothing who is only acquainted with , his own side of a story . Mauy men , he used to tell us , who might have won distinction in different walks of

life , failed afc the critical moment because they would not recognise the possibility of their being wrong—were , in fact , so wrapped up in their own ideas , as to turn a deaf ear to argument or opposition—and , though the obstacle over which

they tripped may have been very small , and easily removed by one of different temperament , their first slight reverse proved fatal , as they lost heart or otherwise failed to recover their place in the fierce struggle for position always existing among the

human race . The lesson has bad a lasting effect upon us , and much of the work we have set ourselves to accomplish has been based upon the wish to discover what is possible in opposition , or the desire , in the words of our title , to hear the other side .

It is on such a principle thafc we have lately devoted a considerable portion of our space fco fche reproduction of different articles and letters that have appeared in the Eoman Catholic press , or of statements made in regard to the

Craffc by leaders of that religion ; and in doing so we have raised a storm of opposition for ourselves which certainly surprises us , and convinces us thafc the ordinary member of the Craffc is

not possessed of thafc liberal spirit which we . thought was all but universal in our midst , and which would prompt our Brethren to give a full and impartial hearing fco the other side of any controversy concerning the Masonic Order .

Ifc is a matter of considerable surprise Co us thafc so few members of fche Craffc have taken upon themselves fche work of replying fco the attacks made in fche quarters we have just referred to , and which of late have been so frequently

repeated in the newspapers of the country as to meet one at almost every turn . Probably few members of the Order think the matter worthy of notice , bufc in this we deem them

mistaken , for , as might be expected , frequent repetition without contradiction has been taken as implication of impossibility to meet the assaults made upon the Craft .

As we have said we felt it our duty to put as much as possible of the evidence adduced by our opponents before our readers , in order thafc they might have an opportunity of studying the case , and learn the exact charges made against

them ; the result is , that we are accused of being " a snake in the grass , " and are told we are violating our Masonic Obligation . We are very sorry to have done anything fco

bring such charges upon ourselves , but more sorry for those narrow minded members of the Fraternity who are afraid to allow the strong light of publicity to shine on the Craft .

Our Order is far more likely to suffer if every charge made against it is ignored , because secrecy in regard to fche work of the Craft is enjoined on its members , than would be the case if some definite action were taken in order to meet some of the absurd statements put forth by our opponents .

Centenaries.

CENTENARIES .

SOUTH SAXON LODGE . — - . o : —

THE members of the South Saxon Lodge had good cause to assemble and exchange hearty congratulations on Monday , 30 th ulfc ., on the occasion of fche anniversary of fche first meeting of the Lodge 100 years ago . The Lodge has recently obtained a Centenary Warrant , and in view of the probability of a favourable answer being received from H . E . H . the Duke of

Connaught , to whom an invitation was sent last August , the Brethren have deferred the celebration of the Centenary of the founding of the Lodge , pending a reply from H . E . H . The occasion was , however , of too much importance to be passed over in silence , and the function , albeit on a moderate scale , was one of great enjoyment .

A special Lodge was held in fche afternoon , under the presidency of Bro . J . Peters W . M ., who was supported by a large number of members and visitors . The minutes of fche first meeting , 30 th November 1796 ; the Jubilee meeting of the Lodge , in 1846 ; and the Centenary

Warrant granted by and bearing the signature of H . E . H . the Prince of Wales G . M , were read ; the W . M . gave a few brief extracts bearing upon the early history of the Lodge , then proceeded to decorate the Brethren with the Centenary jewel , permission to wear which has been granted by Grand Lodge .

Brother E . W . S . Wieksteed P . P . G . W . Somerset then presented the Lodge with a large framed portrait of fche late Bro . J . C . Lucas Treasurer of the Lodge , for which he was heartily

thanked . The Lodge room had been tastefully adorned with foliage plants lent by Bro . A . Eussell , and fche many objects of Masonic antiquity ifc contains were viewed with much interest by the visitors .

The company afterwards adjourned to the White Hart Hotel , where a recherche supper had been prepared by Bro . Tuff . The W . M . presided , having Bro . H . C . Eichards , M . P ., on his right , the I . P . M . Bro . G . Lloyd on his left , and supported by the Brethren , about 50 in number .

The usual Loyal and Masonic toasts were given and honoured .

Bro . G . Holman , who proposed continued prosperity to the South Saxon Lodge , gave some interesting and amusing details of the early history and troubles in connection wifch fche Lodge , and expressed the satisfaction all experienced in being able to celebrate the completion of the 100 th year of its existence , and

in obtaining from Grand Lodge the much coveted Warrant , especially as about 13 years ago there appeared no probability of their being able to do so , owing to the want of documentary evidence fco substantiate their claim . . By a singular circumstance he was , however , the medium by which the first minute book ,

together with numerous interesting relics of the last century , were brought to light , after being lost for years , aud they were fortunate in now possessing a complete record of its formation and history . He trusted thafc as the Lodge had been formed

and perfected with such unanimity and concord , that ifc might long continue , and he would ask two of the oldest and mosfc respected Past Masters to reply , Bro . E . Turner and Bro . Briscoe , both of whom suitably responded .

Bro . Every introduced , in sympathetic terms , the toasfc of the Founders of the Lodge and all departed members , expressing the reverence and gratitude due to those who had , wifch so much

care , thought , and labour , steered the Lodge through troublous times in the past , and to whom they were indebted in having handed down the traditions of fche Order , pure and unsullied . The toast was honoured in silence .

Bro . H . C . Eichards , who was called on to respond for fche visitors , gave utterance to the pleasure he experienced in being present on such au unique occasion , and trusted that the interesting revelations of the past history of the Lodge , briefly given by the W . M ., Bro . Holman and Bro . Every , would be bu .