Lion And Lamb Lodge. No. 192

LION AND LAMB LODGE . No . 192

A clique in n T . ndj * e is like a skeleton iu a house , it has a chilling effect upon the mass of the member .- ! , and causes mimv who would otherwise take an interest , in Lodtro mutters to absent , themselves from r . odire meetings , ami ultimately to throw themselves into tho ranks of the unaffiliated . C . H . THE installation meeting of this old Lodge would have been held on Thursday , the 4 th inst ., but for certain nu-Mnsonic practices

which appear to have been carried on for somo timo past by a clique . Accordingly , above fifty of the old members attended , and determined to put it down at once ( and we hope for ever ) . The Lodge was opened in dne form , at 3 . 30 p . m ., and the minutes of the last meeting wero read , and submitted for confirmation by tho respected W . M ., Bro . Colin . When tho votes wero called over by tho W . M .,

there were only 9 for tho confirmation and 45 against , so that Bro . Arkell ' s election to the chnir of K . S . was rendered null and void . The brethren also refused to confirm tho election of the brother who had been appointed Treasurer . Among the un-Biasonic practices complained of , are maliciously black-balling two members who wero proposed for initiation by a P . M ., and admitting them at

tho next , meeting when proposed by a M . M ., and seconded by the P . M ., and also turning a deaf ear to tho distress of the widow of an old member , while others , newly-initiated members , havo had immediate relief . These and similar practices havo caused the old members to absent themselves from their mother Lodge . But justice has not been dead ; she has only slept ; the

" Liona" havo been roused , and aro determined to havo no private piques brought into theirLodge ; but to cultivate thatlove and harmony which always existed in former days—in short , tho brethren are determined to havo Masonry pure and simple . Last year , it seems , the brethren presented Bro . J . G . Marsh , P . M . and Secretary , with the sum of fifty guineas for the services lie had rendered to the

Lrdee , as Secretary or the past ten years , and yet , this worthy Mason would have been passed over , and a brother who had only been initiated a year or so appointed in his stead . Again , another most worthy Ma ° on , who has served every office up to J . W ., and has been a great supporter of our Masonic charities , was also to have been left out in tho cold for reasons which it is not worth

while to record . Tho Lodge having being opened to the third degree , the W . M . raised a brother . The Lodge was then resumed to tho first degree , and the case of an old member ' s widow came before the Lodge for the third timo , when Bro . C . Hosgood proposed that the sum often guineas bo immediately given from the Lodge funds . This was unanimously voted by the brethren , of whom above eighty

were pre-ent . Tho brethren then voted a ton-guinea jewel to the W . M ., aud Bro . Hosgood , tho oldest Past Master present , said , when presenting it , in the name of the Lodgo , that ho ( Bro . Cohn ) had , by his many genial and social qualities , as well as by the good working he had displayed , won the esteem and respect of every true Mason . Bro . Colin cordially thanked Bro . Hosgood and the

members for the honour they had conferred upon him , and likewise for the kindness and support ho had received , of which he should ever retain a grateful recollection . Ho hoped that unity and brotherl y love wonld continue , as formerly . The Locige was then closed in duo form , and the brethren adjourned to a banquet , where tho usual Loyal and Masonic toafts were given and responded to . In the hope that

the following lines may bo read over and over again by our erring brothers , we give this short dissertation : — " Slander of a Mason b y a brother Mason . —For such violations of Masonic duty and solemn obligations subordinate Lodges claim the right of expelling an unworthy brother , and the Grand Locige , where the charge was sustained , wonld not hesitate to confirm tho action of its subordinate ;

for Freemasonry , far from encouraging injustice or tolerating prejudices , teaches virtue and science , courage and hope , and , spreading its beneficent light throughout the globe , unites allmen , of all creeds , of all opinions , and of every persuasion . Truth is its centre , tho eternal point whence its radii diverge , pointing out to its disciples not only a knowledge of the eternal Ruler of the Universe , and the

moral laws which He has ordained for our guidance , bnt of those useful arts nnd sciences which alone distinguish civilised man from his uninformed savago brother . In Freemasonry there should be neither first nor last , strongest nor weakest , highest nor lowest . We shonld be all brethren , all equal , all wishing the welfare of one another , all united to enjoy the pleasure and happiness of rectify ing

each , other's hearts , of edifying each other ' s minds , and of promoting as much as possible the social virtues of charity , goodwill , and harmony among ourselves and in the world at large . We would advise these erring brothers at once to discard as their motto , " Vitium sequimiir , virtutem fugimns , " shun their moral blindness , and learn to discriminate between what is lawful and what is expedient , by avoiding that which is evil , ancl doing thafc which is good . "

"And live as ye are taught , thafc men may see What human nature can and onght to be . Then Masonry—the source of truth aud peace , Will spread its influence far , and far increase ; Unfading glory deck the Mason ' s name , While built on virtue stands its spotless fame . "

Among those members present were Bros . J . G . Marsh P . M . and Sec , G . Kenning P . M ., West S ., E . Coleman S ., Fitzjobn , Doublett , Mabey , Elliott , Legge S . D ., Child Past Inner Guard , Layborn , King P . M ., Smith , W . R . Baker , W . Harwood , H . Davis , G . R . Dixon , T . Gardiner , G . Newman P . M ., Hyde , C . Cann , J . Kent , Cohn W . M ., R . Bright , S . Haynes , T . Fisher , S . Lucas D . C , Figes , Follett , J . Curie , Smale , Regan , T . Barker , R . Stubington , C . Scholes , and Edward Jones J . W . —Communicated ,

[ We deeply regret there should have been any grounds of complaint by the older members of this Lodge ao-ainst certain of their fellow members . But those who habitually absented themselves from the Locige in disgust afc the

Lion And Lamb Lodge. No. 192

" malpractices " referred to , must bear in mind they have only themselves to thank for the state of disorder which fell upon their Lodge . Had they fulfilled their duty , by attending tho business of the Locige regularly , it may be taken for granted that the evils complained of -would long

since have been suppressed . We can quite understand the feelings which prompted them to stay away , ancl had it been a matter of feeling only , wo should have sympathised with , and applauded them most heartily . Bnt by their nonattendance , they were permitting Preemasonry to fall more

and more into evil ways , at the same time they rendered it necessary to act more rigorously , when it was found no longer possible to tolerate these scandals . However , on the principle of " better late than never , " tho older members have now resumed their proper plnces in the

Locige , and have promptly put an end to this discreditable state of things . Wo are glad of this—that they havo at length awakened to a dne sense of their responsibilities , and that there is every chance of tho Lodge being henceforth harmoniously conducted . We wish the members a fresh career of prosperity . —ED . FREEMASON ' CHRONICLE . ]

Masonic Popularity.

MASONIC POPULARITY .

IT is an observable fact that Freemasonry is becoming too popular , and the profane world is becoming as familiar with onr Masonic vocabulary , both in . the definition nnd application , as are many Masons themselves . This was not always so ; for we remember when a boy that tho names of Freemason and Lodgo carried with them snch a great weight of mysterious awe as made the young folks bate their breath when passing that seclnded building , and so quiet and

unobtrusive were those brethren of the secret tie that it was scarcely known who of tho community were of its membership . But how changed . Now , there is scarcely a family in any community that is not represented in some Masonic Lodge . Then , Masonry was unpopular , because of its unobtrusiveness and the little that was known of it ; but having permeated all tho better classes of society to

such an extent , it has become tho most popular Order on the face of the globe , and old and young have learned to look npon it with the greatest favour , and to speak of it in the highest praise . A very striking feature of its popularity is , that almost every society that has sprung up in these latter days is dubbed with the dignified and ancient term of Lodge , thus borrowing prestige from

our ancient Institution . Of course , wo appreciate all such special recognition of the high dignity of the Masonic nomenclature , and of the mystic vocabulary , & c , generally , but if those organising these new societies had a better knowledge of our language aud symbolisms , wo think they would not bo so lavish in their appropria . tion of those terms and symbols of which the very use of them

proves them to be ignorant . We beg all such new designers not to be so hasty in their mis-appropriations . Our venerable Institution is hoary with age , but its existence will prove co-equal with its universality , and they will never get even a quit claim , much less a fee simple title to any of our time-worn property . Again , while ou this subject , wo will refer to the fact that Masonry

is becoming too popular , generally , for its own good , and the rush for admission into its fold , just now , is greater than is to be desired . Much of this rush ia tho result of mere curiosity , personal popularity or individual gain , all of which is tho " bias of mercenary motives , " and should be guarded against by the Lodges , as with this flood-tide of petitions much of the above-mentioned drift wood will be sure to

find its way to tho door of the Order . Tbe recent war record of tho Order in this particular should be a sufficient warning ; as it is tenfold easier to take bad material into tho building than to get it out when once there . With these views of the case , the uninitiated will excuse us if wo

do not invite them to join us , or even if wo seem to look upon their applications with distrust . These are rushing times , and Masonry must guard with a jealous eye all material that is presented for our mystic edifice . We enjoin this duty upon all Masons , and those who have taken the impressive Mark Master ' s degree will need no other reminder . —Masonic Journal .

A NEW YEAR ' S Girr TO THE PIMNCE OF WAIES . —A presentation of a superb silver casket was made afc Sandringham , on Now Year ' s Day , to Bro . H . R . H . the Princo of Wales , by the clergy and tenantry of the estate " in commemoration of his safe and happy return to his country home , after a most successful visit to British India . " The casket ( specially designed and manufactured by Bro .

Emanuel , of the Hard , Portsea , ) is in reponssd style , of Oriental design , depicting scenes connected with tho Prince ' s visit , and bears his portrait . H . R . H . is in hunting costume , stirronuded by native attendants , while a number of tents are seen in the background . An elephant , with a howdah on its back , is kneeling to leceive the Princo , who is preparing for the hunt . The likeness is a faithful one of H . R . H . The reliefs aud ornamentations are all sharpl y defined , and

the testimonial itself is a chef d ' eeuvre . Tho presentation , which took place at the Hall , in the presence of the Marquis and Marchioness of Lome and other illustrious guests , was made by the Rev . W . L . Onslow , on behalf of the donors , who were also present on tho occasion . We urderstand that Bro . Emanuel has been highly complimented npon the excellence of the design , and the artistic manner in which it has been executed . — Portsmov . thTimes and Naval Gazette