The Expense Of Aiding The Charities.

important a one as actual cash , and the two taken togethei form a tax which many worthy brethren do not feel dis posed to impose on themselves , and thus the Institutions lose the services of many who would otherwise prov «

themselves of service as Stewards . The Charity jewel itanother item of expenditure which may be considered tinder this head . There is certainly no law which

compels a brother to purchase it , and no doubt there are very many who have qualified who do not wear one , but for all thafc the ontlay is virtually compulsory , and we think it would be well for the Institutions to

devise some means of reducing the expense of aiding the Charities on this head . In many of the Provinces it is the custom for the Charity jewel to be presented by the Provincial Grand Lodge , and we think that Grand

Lodge itself might extend its recognition of the Institutions by some amendment in this respect , bufc it would only be possible to do so in co-operation with the Institutions

themselves , by whom some provision should be made to meet the cost of the Charity jewels—in part if not wholly . The mere fact that the jewels were " presented " through the medium of the Grand Lodsre wonld be a further

attraction for brethren to earn them , even to a greater extent than is the case iu the Provinces where a similar course to that suggested is adopted locally , and where it is

freely admitted that this official recognition of Stewardships has had beneficial results . As we have throughout urged as desirable , the expense of the Stewardships would thus be reduced .

The expenses indirectly charged to the Stewardships are too numerous and too varied for us to attempt their consideration seriatim , but those who have had experience of them , and in calmer moments have had to total them up , will

agree there is ample room for amendment under this head . The Festivals are really entertainments of an expensive character to many London and Provincial brethren , and

like all such entertainments are accompanied b y numerous calls on the finances which would not havo been made without them as the cause . Is it then to be wondered at

that the expense of aiding the Charities is magnified b y brethren who will not define a limit between the outlay actuall y compulsory and that which is indirectly associated with a stewardship ?

In conclusion , we would urge the desirability of recognising as Stewards those brethren who merely act as advocates for the Charities without the implied compulsion of attending the Festival or being obliged to pay towards

the entertainment of others , and if some amendment could be made in regard to the Charity jewel we think benefit would accrue , both to the Institutions , and those who desire to aid them .

Cryptic Masonry.

CRYPTIC MASONRY .

THE Temple of King Solomon was undoubtedly constructed over crypts or vaults , some of which may have served as secret repositories of important treasures , and others as the burial places of the illustrious dead . Various legends of a more or less striking character are

associated with these subterranean recesses . Thus we have an account of the precautions taken b y Josiah , who , foreseeing the destruction of the Temple , commanded the Levites to deposit the Ark of the Covenant in one of the

hidden vaults , where it remained until found by some of the workmen of Zerubbabel at the building of the second Temple . This legend and others of a like nature may not deserve full credit , though in no wise opposed to the

probabilities in the case . Of one thing we may be certain , there were secret vaults beneath the great Temple at Jerusalem , and the Masonic traditions which refer to treasures thus carefully concealed and afterwards brought

to light are by no means as absurd as some writers would make them appear . Historic evidence and modern discoveries show the existence of such crypts , and the inference is natural thafc they were used according to what is the teaching of the Masonic system on this point .

It is the symbolic meaning with which the vault , or crypt , is invested that gives it chief importance in certain portions of the Masonic ritual . Thus in the Royal Arch

Degree much more is signified by tbe secret vault and work therein than merely the recovering of a " lost word . " The moral significance of that part of the ceremony points to the fact that truth does not always appear on the surface , and needs to be persistently sougut after in

Cryptic Masonry.

hidden recesses . There must be an enduring of toil and hardships , a brave confronting of dansrers , for the sake of btaining that knowledge which is of largest value . All his and more of moral suggestiveness is associated with

the " lost and recovered word " of the Royal Arch Degree . In much the same way Cryptic Masonry , in the degrees of Royal Master and of Select Master , presses into service the symbol of the vault . There is tbe same search for

truth indicated , together with an impressive enforcement of lessons that relate to earnest , watchful , heroic living . Then there is an additional drawing from the ancient mysteries as the vault becomes symbolic of death and the

grave—of these not as finalities , but also of what there is beyond in the unfolding of the higher life . Masonically the vault is a prophet of better things—of truth , which

shall come in to take the place of error ; of knowledge , which shall banish ignorance ; of light , which shall drive out darkness , and life victorious over death . No symbolism is more sublime and far reachinsr than what is thus

presented by what is commonly known as the Masonry of tbe secret vault . And yet the organisation of the Cryptic Degrees haa never been strong or complete . It is only in this country

that thi'y have gained any considerable prominence , and here they have had a fluctuating and uncertain life . The degree of Select Master was worked both in Baltimore , Md ., and in Charleston , S . C ., during the early part of the

present century , being regarded as belonging to the system of Royal Arch Masonry , though no great importance seems to have attached to the degree . The Royal Master ' s degree was not recognised until several years

later , when that too came to be conferred as an appellant to Royal Arch Masonry , and a little later by independent Councils organised in several of the more influential jurisdictions . It should be remembered in this connection

that the Cryptic degrees originally belonged to the Ancient and Accepted Rite , or rather , that they were conferred as honorary degrees by the Inspectors of thafc Rite .

The first Grand Council was that of Massachusetts , instituted in 1826 , Bro . Abraham A . Dame being the first Grand Master . He held the office until 1856—thirty years . Other independent governing bodies of the Rite

were formed from time to time , and in some sections considerable interest was manifested in the progress of the degrees . Cryptic Masonry has never flourished , however , as its friends believe it should . A few years ago , under

the lead of Bro . J . H . Drummond , who has worked efficientl y in behalf of the Cryptic Craft , a General Grand Council was formed , this step being taken with the idea of bringing the Cryptic degrees and organisation into a

condition of greater prominence and prosperity . Whether this movement will secure the desired result remains to be seen . The Cryptic degrees are worthy of preservation

and of being embodied as a distinct organisation . The practical question seems to be this : Can room be found for them without crowding upon other interests and branches of the Masonic system ?—Freemasons' Bepository .

It will gratify our readers to know thafc on inquiry yesterday ( Friday ) at the office of tbe Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution we were told there was an improvement in the health of Brother James Terry . We hope soon to be able to report he has completely recovered .

The installation of Principals of the Royal Hanover Chapter , No . 1777 , will be held afc the Town Hall , Twickenham , instead of the Albany Hotel as heretofore , on Saturday , the 25 th instant , at two o ' clock . Ex . Comp . Horace B . Marshall , C . C ., Past Graud Treasurer , is thp retiring First Principal of this Chapter .

Last week we called attention to two excellent photographs , one being a portrait of the late Bro . Levander , aud the other that of Bro . Sir Francis Burdett , Bart ., both produced by Bro Fehrenbach . Unfortunately a similarity

of names led to a confusion of addresoes . Bro . Fehrenbach's studio is afc 13 Pall Mall , and n ,. t iu the Strand . We hasten to make this correction as a matter of justice to an

esteemed brother , and in tbe interest of those who may desire to inspect the productions of an art of which Bro . G . Fehrenbach is so skilful an exponent .