Masonic Light And Truth.

MASONIC LIGHT AND TRUTH .

fBIHERE is to be found no greater field for active thought J _ and work than in Masonry . The brightness of her deeds can never be dimmed by any investigation . Hei ' code of ethics has taught man to be noble , true , and faithful , has assisted in driving superstition from the minds

of mon , has closed the doors of immorality and vice , and opened tho avenues of intellectual freedom . Her enemies are slanderers and bigots , her friends aro those who love the human family , tjnlike other Institutions which havo enslaved their worshippers , the teachings of Freemasonry

have always tended to render man moro independent , to cultivate a broader manhood and develope a deeper intellectuality . Sho has never enslaved a human being , but has laboured for man ' s prosperity in every relation of human existence . Masonry is light , the light of scientific

thought , the light that man needs for a successful ¦ guide , and in greafc measure thafc ho may enjoy fche full fruition of a well-spent life , ancl some results of a happy destiny . Ifc

denies every mythological and superstitious idea of man ' s creation , existence , and destiny , but with impressive ceremony acknowledges God , the Creator of all things , and solemnly recognises our dependence upon Him .

Masonry is truth . We are taught " that truth is a divine attribute , " yet , like other virtues , is within the reach of man , and may be appropriated to his use . It is sometimes difficult to distinguish it in these days of tinsel and gloss , bnt upon this rock we profess to build Masonic character .

Masonic light cannot illuminate that which is false . When in the creation God commanded " Let there be light , " and the light was given , it served to make truth visible , the

truths of creation . The analogy is plain . When first we opened our eyes we learned that Masonic light was given to read the " Word of Truth , " that should prove a lamp to our feet .

He who thinks that he has accomplished all there is fco be learned in the entire field of intellectual and moral teaching of Fieemasonry deceives himself . The best educated among us has gained but a superficial view , while he who has learned the simplest lessons taught by

the tenacity of the acacia , has linked his soul to the Infinite , and built a temple therein whose corner-stone is taken from the quarries of . Eternal Truth , and whose timbers are stronger than the Cedars of Lebanon . Masonry is the religion of education under forms and

ceremonies . It pays homage to no other system , and , because of its independence , it has life . If education has no religious tendency , then is onr civilisation a failure , and all instruction goes for nought . Better for man to remain iu slavery and degradation than

to uso the forces of education which result in nothing bat barren hopes aud fruitless endeavour . Happily , wo experience a different result . The forces of education have elevated man to the moral and intellectual being of to-day . Among these forces we recognise Masonic knowledge ,

which has participated in this gieafc work , until now we fiud the test of true Masonic character applied to the hi ghest type of developed manhood . Unmasonic conduct must , therefore , be the resultant operation of an impure mind , a soul devoid of true manhood , and influenced by unhol y desires and passions . —Exchange .

Correspondence.

CORRESPONDENCE .

THE ANTIQUITY OF MASONIC DEGREES .

To the Editor of the FREEMASON ' S CnRONiCLE . lf . Slu AND BROTHER , —In your last issne there is an article \ f " < j wLluh J egress my belief that it is tbe wish of Bro . Jacob -orton " to baae his conclusions in all cases upon the best evidence " UlUi la nr « . » . r . » .. l . l _ >> ¦

. '"' ' ^ " •" ¦ 'JIU . tIl , p P * ° i however , 1 mnst now qualify , as he again trots out , ) t . ? ~ - ,, ' alifcat ' ious of 1738 , by way of invalidating the precise test-mony Ul no Grand Lodge Minutes ot A . D . 1725 . .... r - Ander 8 rm vvas uot present iu Grand Lodgo when O . li . XIIE .

' epealed ( 1725 ) , nor , if he had boon , would his recollection of the in-u ] * tl , nSi ' ' '" 173 S ' ° ofaDy VillU 8 at u 11 cora P f" utl with the <« it . rv - e in the G . L . Minutes at the time by the Grand Secretary . * , . " ' c !« aioc , us it seems to me that no good purpose will be served I bo " i '" iltion of the controversy between Bro . Norton and myself , B S > therefore , to retire from it accordingly .

Yours fraternall y , I « , } , Q . , " ' B . F . GOULD . I < " & September 18 U 0 . I

Notice Of Meetings.

NOTICE OF MEETINGS .

SOUTHWELL LODGE , No . 1405 . ^ jPHE members assembled in considerable numbers at the Masonio X . Hall , Nottingham , ou Friday , tho 5 th inst ., to assist at the installation of Bro . John Severn . Among the many visitors present were : —Tho Eight Worshipful Bro . Eev . F . V . Bussell , M . A ., Deputy Provincial Grand Master , Bros . Spalding P . G . J . W ., Dr . Hatherley P . G .

Secretary , Stnbba Assistant P . G . Secretary , and « averal W . Masters and Past Masters of the Province . The ceremony of installation was performed by Bro . A . T . Mitchell P . P . G . D . C . P . P . G . S . D . The Worshipful Master invested hia Officers , as follow : —Bros . G . S . Green I . P . M ., Edwin Clarke S . W ., H . Gibbings J . W ., Alderman

Blackburn Treasurer , H . Clarke Secretary , Cooper James S . D ., J . S . Farr J . D ., G . W . Downing D . G ., G . Esses Organist , A . W . Adis I . G ., H . Heath and T . Smith Stewards , 0 . H . Benbara Tyler . The I . P . M . Bro . G . S . Green was presented by the Lodge with a very handsome Past Master ' s jewef Immediately after closing the Lodge the brethren sat down to a banquet , prepared by Mrs . Simpson , the Stewardess of the hall .

SACKVILLE LODGE , No . 1619 ]

THE installation meeting took place on Tuesday , 2 nd inat ., when Bro . W . H . Browne ( Three Bridges ) was ably installed in hia office by the outgoing Master , Bro . W . George Mitchell . The Officers selected were Bros . G . Wilson S . W ., F . J . Budd-Budd J . W ., E . A . Head Treasurer , A . M . Betohley Secretary , G . Mitchell I . P . M ., W . Hosken D . C , T . Smith S . D ., A . Eoberts J . D ., R . G . Payne I . G ., Jas .

Pickard Steward , S . R . Schofield Organist , J . Chitty Tyler . A splendid installation banquet was provided by host Underwood , afc the Crown Hotel . The market-room had been prettily decorated with coloured panels of bunting , and the tables were tastefully laid out . The Worshipful Master ( Bro . W . H . Brown ) presided , and the

members of the Lodge present included Bros . Anscombe , Freeman , Clows , Mitchell , Woolgar , Smith , Betohly , Calway , Head , T . Mitchell , Jaker , Roberts , Lark , Glover , Budd-Budd , Payne , Schofield , Gale , Cooper , Wood , R . White ; and the Visitors—Bros . Bligh , Seeks ,

Roberts , Maser , Syckelmoore , Cantle , Harker , Gcdfroe , Gunwell , Tanner , Wilson , Sturgeon , Fits-mauriee , Broad , Hudson and Wright . The usual toast list was gone through , aud an excellent programme of music , sustained by Bros . R . H . Davis , G . H . Cantle , T . H . Roberts , W . Syckelmoore , N . Gunnwell , J . G . Lark and others , was provided .

PORTSMOUTH TEMPERANCE LODGE , No . 2068

THE monthly meeting was held on Monday , the 16 fch ult ., at the Soldiers' Institute , High Street , when there was a very large asE 3 mb ! y of brethren , including Bros . P . H . Emanuel W . M ., G . Miller I . P . M ., G . Williams S . W ., E . R . Fisher J . W ., J . Palmer P . M . P . P . G . Steward Treasurer , G . Boyd Secretary , W . Porter S . D ., J . Making J . D ., W . Merrifield Organist , T . H . Biggs I . G ., II . Boyce and A . Guy Stewards , T . Tufnell P . M . P . A . G . P ., Captain E . Haldane

P . M . P . P . G . J . D . Monmouthshire , J . H . Wiudrura P . D . G . Reg . Hong Kong and South China , T . Batchelor P . M ., J . Gouldsworbh P . M ., J . Cuaudler , W . J . Over , H . King , A . II . Conway , W . 15 . Freaks , A . D . Miller , 0 . Lacey , G . Rayment , A . Grigaby , W . Moid'au , II . G . I'ithor , W . V . Lane , F . Rycroft , H . Sheppard , C . H . Hoper , J . E . Allen , T . H . Brown , G . VV . Biles . VV . W . Conk , G . Reading , W . Ccote , J . H .

Martin , T . Luigmaid , H . Stanton , J . Guy , J . Prior , G . S . VVooclthorpe , VV . Robinson , G . C . Williams , T . Mycin , G . 11 . Freake , 0 . Morris , G . Woollett , G . Cvouin , W . Andrews , G . Grossmith , W . E . Green , C . Fontaine and others . Tho Lodge was opened , and the uiinutoa of tho last regular meeting woro rsad and confirmed . A letter was read from Mias Robinson , Honorary Superintendent

of the Soldiers' J'istitnte , intimating that the rooms occupied by the Lodge would be required , and asking them to leave at Christmas , or before the end of September if possible . After a lengthened discussion a notice of motion was given by Bro . Wiudrum P . M ., and secended by Bro . H . Sheppard— " In accordance with Rule 167 , Book of Cous'itntious , and signed by eight members ,

to the effect that the Worshipful Muster should convene a spacial meeting relative to tho removal of the Lodge to other suitable premises , " the Worshipfrl Master promisrd to call a meeting the following week , and a Committee was formed to visit other buildings in tho borough , and report at the special meeting the most desirable placo for the Li Jge to be held . A circular was read from Bro . G . F .

Lancaster P . M . P . P . G . Reg . Prov . A . G . Sec , Hon . Secretary of the Hampshire and Islo of Wight Masonic Educational and Benevolent Institution , announcing that tho annual festival would take place iu December , and asking for a Steward to bo appointed . On the proposition of Bro . Ilaldaue , P . M ., seconded by Bro . E . R . Fisher J . W ., tho W . M . was elected to represent the Lodge on that

i ; casion . Tho Worshipful Master said he was very pleased to see such a gathoiing that evening , and he felt sure that Bro . Tufnell wonld also appreciate tho attendance as they had ; he took it that they had como to bid him God-spocd upon his leaving tho town . Bro . Tufnell , who was the original founder of tho Lodgj , had done a great deal for its prosperity , and , in feat , he was oue of the mainstays

co it . Bro . Tufi . e' 1 waa about to leave them , not in spirit , he felt iHiile sure , bat in peison , and he ( ihe VV . M . ) proposed that the •ollowing address bo s ^ ned by tlio W . M ., Senior and Junior Wardens , Trcasnier , and S . eroU . ry , eogiuscd , aud presented to Bro . Tufnell , aud that the samo be entered upon the minutes : " To

Worshipful Bro , T . Tufnell P . M . Prov . Assistant Grand Pursoi . wit : —Dear Sir aud Brother , —We , tho Officers and Members of the Portsmouth Temperance Lodge , No . 206 S , having learnt that you are about to leavo the ancient town of Portsmouth , desire to express onr tiigh appreciation of the valuable services which you have rendered to Fn-envasoury as founder of thia Lodge , aud by the unvarying aud gone .