Hiram Lodge.

possession of a legal Charter , but blasts them as an unauthorised organisation , destroys and poisons their reputa tion , and needlessly so ! Ancl this is the boasted wisdom of Grand Lodge law ! The best they have as yet done .

Surely this is not because of malice , or any deliheratr purpose or desire to inflict injustice , but in part because of the insidionsness of the lust of power , in part because of the lack of opportunity or attention to grasp and

comprehend the situation , and in part , in some cases , because of an inability to understand and provide legal constitutions necessary for the complex relations into which the multiplied Masonry of to-day has come . Certainly it is

time some new legislation was had to conserve these chartered ancl lawful rights , and also the interests of the new Grand Lodge , ancl hold them both away from contention , and the problem would seem to be a not difficult

one . But power is easier than wisdom , and might sometimes mon .- attractive than right . The one is summary

and takes no thought , it is all in a single brute blow . The other is careful , thoughtful , slow to move , considerate of all relations , and looks for the affiliations of truth and

justice . But we have not yet reached the whole of the folly and the wrong of this Grand Lodge position . The Masonic position of these Bodies is not yet defined .

The Lodge whose seven members do not choose to surrender to the new Grand Lodge , and whose charter the old Grand Lodge will not or does not arrest or revoke are left , how ? Why , of course , a regularly constituted

body in every respect , as much so as any Lodge in the Universe ; members regularly made and clothed with Masonic powers and authorities , rights and prerogatives conceded to be legitimate the world over : —acting in the

presence , and under the authority of a charter lawfully granted by a Body authorised to grant it , and carefully preserved as the accredited symbol of Masonic right . Do they commit any crime ? Any Masonic offence ? It is

not necessary even that they should know that anything was doing , or had been done adverse to their interests , when , lo ! of a sudden , they as a Masonic Body are murdered , by the blind and unexpected blow of , shall we

say , an assassin . They as Masons are robbed of character aud rights ; like those of old , stricken with leprosy , they are denied the society , converse , charity , humanit y of their brethren . And it does not answer the position to

say or suggest , thafc other Grand Lodges will be watchful to consider all circumstances , and see that no injustice is done , for it is not true , it is not inevitable—it is no law that requires they shall be guarded and defines the

precaution , —it is chance , and the reliability of representations , ancl the interest of adverse parties , and a thousand elements of doubt and uncertainty that may prevent their

receiving justice , without an expenditure of time , reasoning and pleading which they can neither give not afford .

Even Massachusetts , that was so prompt to announce her position , ancl to leave ber chartered children to the uncovenanted mercies of the Masonic world , has never yet said what they shall be , or what their rights should be , or how their interests should be conserved . All this is

an unsettled case , without an adjudication so far as we find , without even a pronouncement by any Grand Lodge . There is no law . It is a case waiting for wise , considerate , just law . It is time for the formulation of

such a law , that shall not crush to atoms the innocent and faithful , and despoil their covenanted rights , bufc shall adjust and conserve , aud award their Masonic preferences ancl instincts , according to general , wise and equitable

provisions . But the absurdity of the Grand Lodge position is not yet fathomed . We have Lodges that by wisdom and forecast

and self-denial have accumulated quite considerable amounts of wealth , in Masonic libraries , in funds whose incomes are to be disposed of in charity for the relief of distressed brothers , their widows and orphans .

Now this same Grand Lodge law says that when the charter of such a Lodge is surrendered or taken away by the Grand Lodge , new or old ( and notice the inducement

for doing- ifc ) , all the regalia , furniture and ' properly of the subordinate Lodge shall go to the Grand Lodge , and without limitation of its use by them .

The Constitution of Connecticut requires to be surrendered " the charter , boohs , papers , jewels , fit , miiure , funds and other property of such Lodge . " And it is made

Hiram Lodge.

the duty of the Grand Secretary "to demand and receive " " the effects of all Lodges whose charters may have been , ot- shall become forfeited , annulled , or revoked by the

Grand Lodge . " "And any member of the Fraternity who -shall refuse to surrender tho same , or any part thereof , when so demanded , shall be expelled from all tho privileges of Masonry .

The present status of Grand Lodges therefore not only sanctions abandonment and injustice , but exposes an inducement for fraud and greed . And we see rig ht here that Masons are not above the frailties and lusts that are

incident to unmasonic human nature . The condition of these Lodges , thus left , is in law a casvs omissus , and is not met by any principles as yet established , indeed their condition does not seem to have received consideration .

But there is still one step further in this descent of obloquy . A Lodge may have a charter and ancient pererogatives that it is nofc willing to , and will not , surrender , because it has distinguished ability of members

that it cannot control , and large wealth that it is unwilling to submit to the more general purposes of a Grand Lodge , possibly covered with trusts that it cannot abrogate , and because its parent power has vanished , returned to

its source , or is so far remote as to render Masonic privileges and fraternities with it of but little avail . And in such case the neglect and arbitrary attempts of Grand Lodges towards it are still more unreasonable , illegal , and

. Audit would seem , in the light of justice and reason , and as a conclusion of other well established principles of Masonic law , that they would be justified , in the

cases under consideration , to assume their independent and original lives , und carry them to such lengths of defence and support as Masonic usage and precedent and law will justify , and that , we submit , is clearly not only the right and power of self-existence , but of propagation . JUSTITIA .

The following is a copy of the Masonic address , presented on Wednesday , to Prince Oscar of Sweden , in view of His Royal Highness ' s wedding , which took p lace at Bournemouth , on Thursday : — "To Uis Royal Highness Princa Oscar of Sweden and Norway ,

the Moat Eminent Ordens-Statthalter of the Grand Lodge of Sweden , —We , tho Masters , Past Musters , and Officers of and representing Lodges llengist 195 , Bosoomba 2158 , and Hor . ^ a 2208 , of Free and Acciuit'd Ma-sous of England , beg to offer yoa

fru . teri . al greeting on yonr visit fco oar town aud on such an auspicious occ ision . We would beg to tender yon onr sincere and hearty coiiL'ratulationa on yonr approaching marriage , and to express a fervent wish that , with the blessing of the Great Architect of the Universe , you may enjoy many years of health aad happiness . " The address is signed by the W . M ., the I . P . M ., the S . W ., aud the J . W . of each of the above-named Lodges .

The following is a copy of the Address presented by the Freemasons of Sussex : — To the M . W . the Grand Master H . E . H . the Prince of Wales , K . G ., & c . & o . & c . We , the Freemasons of Sussex , who have the privilege of being

presided over by H . R . n . the Duke of Connaught , at whose installation you graciously officiated , desire to offer to your Eoyal Highness and to that gentle lady who , as daughter , wife , and mother , will ever be held in esteem by the wives and daughters of Masons , onr respectful and sincere congratulations on the happy anniversary of

March the Tenth . May tho Great Architect of the Universe shower blessings on the Eoyal House , to which we , as faithful Masons and loyal citizens , give trne and hearty allegiance .

That this Silver Wedding may mark a happy and prosperous epoch in the life of our Moat Worshipful Grand Master and the Princess his wife is the humble and earnest prayer of each and all of your Royal Highness ' s devoted servants ,

THE MASONS OF SUSSEX . EICIIARO PIDCOCK Prov . G . Registrar . GERARD FOKD P . G . D . Dep . Prov . G . Mastor . Y . P . FREEMAN P . G . D . Prov . G . Secretary . 10 th March 1888 .

The Argonauts Lodge , " No . 2243 , Was consecrated on Monday , at the Cromwell Hall , Putney , by thc Grand Secretary of England , Bro . Col . Shadwell H . Clerke , who was assisted b y Bro . E . Letchworth P . G . D . as S . W ., Lord

John Taylonras J . W ., G . W . Weldon G . Chap , as Chaplain , Frank Eichardson P . G . D . as D . C , and J . H . Matthews P . G . S . B . as T . G . Wc regret that illness prevented our attendance .