Of Lodges To Be Visited Is Largo, With Days Of Meeting Spread Over A Long Period. However, The Provincial Grand Master Who Will Preside On Tuesday Next Has Availed Himself Of The Best Resources At His Command, Setting A Good Example To Those From Whom He Invites Support.

take part in that contest , while in the case of the Old Men there are at present six vacancies , to be divided among fifty-one candidates . These figures , whioh together show thirty-one vncanoies available for ono hundred

and twenty-eight candidates — are no doubt very disappointing to a large section of the Craft , more particularly those who are personally seeking the benefits of the Institution , or who have a direct interest in one

or other of the candidates . Nevertheless , disappointing as they perhaps are , they are simply marvellous in view of what is already being done in the way of annual allowances to the annuitants on the funds of the Institution ,

together with the difficulty which is recognised on all sides of raising money to meet the ever-increasing claims of the needy . It is , comparatively speaking , but a few

years since the number of annuities provided by the Institution has bpen doubled , while a considerable increase has also been made in the annual amount allowed to the two

classes of recipients . If we take this fact in association with the number of annuitants at present on the Funds—Otic hundred and seventy-three men , each receiving an annual allowance of £ 40 : with two hundred and three

widows , to each of whom a sum of £ 32 per annum is granted—we can form some idea of the enormous additions which have recently been made by the Freemasons of England to their annual expenditure in the cause of Charity ,

as represented by this Institution alone , while we can also recognise the difficulties which stand in the way of a yet farther extension of the much coveted benefits . Yet an addition , a very large addition , has been agreed to b y the

Committee of the Institution , who feel justified , in view of what they hope is in store for the Charitv , thus still further to enlarge its sphere of usefulness . We trust the events of the next few days may warrant the step thev

have taken , more particularly as they have gone perhaps further than they would have done under ordinary circumstances in view of the fact that the present year is the Jubilee of our gracious Sovereign , whose long , happy

reign will thus be marked in the annals of the Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution by the admission of a large number of additional female annuitants , not only for the year of the Jubilee itself , but during the whole remaining term of their lives .

We feel sure enough has been said here , or iu previous issues of the FREEMASON ' CHRONICLE , to satisfy our readers that additional aid—even at this eleventh hour—is most urgently needed to ensure the full success of this year ' s

Festival . What the result of next Tuesday ' s celebration may be it is impossible to say—it is even unwise to conjecture—for with so many influences at work tending to lessen the flow of subscriptions as now exist , the total may

fall wofully short of what is anticipated . On the other band , pressure is being applied in various quarters , which should have a beneficial tendency . Among these latter considerations are three to which we have already referred ,

although it may be we have not mentioned them strictly in order of precedence . The pressure the Chairman is applying to his Province , firstly by setting the members thereof a noble example , secondly by personally urging

them to do their utmost ; the enthusiasm of Masons , in company with other sections of the community , in connection with the jubilee of Her Majesty ' s accession to the throne , together with the enormous excess of eligible

candidates over the number of vacancies to be filled ; are all matters which should have a good effect on the ultimate result of the Festival , while there are doubtless many reasons , equally good , which might be urged why the

present year ' s Festival should be an exceptionally brilliant one , exceptional both in regard to the amount announced thereat , as well as in regard to the number of those who contribute thereto .

In conclusion , we once again urge on our readers the desirability of carefully considering the present state of affairs in connection with this Institution ; of weighing the claims it has on their benevolence ; of taking into account

the exceptional event of the year ; together with the means at their disposal . If , after they have done all this , they Still feel themselves unable to spare a contribution in aid of the Old Folks , neither we nor any other brother will

question their decision ; we onl y ask for Masonic benevolence , which allows a Mason to give only so far as his circumstances in life fairly warrant . If , on the other hand , tbey find there is a margin available to allow them to help provide for tbe wants of others , then we assure them it will be most thankfull y received by the Benevolent Institu-

Of Lodges To Be Visited Is Largo, With Days Of Meeting Spread Over A Long Period. However, The Provincial Grand Master Who Will Preside On Tuesday Next Has Availed Himself Of The Best Resources At His Command, Setting A Good Example To Those From Whom He Invites Support.

tion , while they may rest content it will be faithfull y applied . The result of the Festival will be known throughout the land on Tuesday night ; it will then be too late to increase

the announcement—which is really the event of the yearbut till then even the smallest contribution will help to swell the total , which we sincerely hope will be the largest ever known in connection with the Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution .

Is Masonry Cosmopolitan ?

IS MASONRY COSMOPOLITAN ?

IN looking over the published orations , discourses , lectures , and what not of tbe last generation of Masonry , we find that they all present three topics for discussion ; first , the great antiquity of tbe Fraternit y ; second , an excuse for its secrecy ; and third , an apology to

the ladies ; and these points furnished the staple of articles in the Masonic publications of the day . In the present generation the literature of tho Craft has certainl y attained a wider range and a more elevated level of thought ,

showing a better degree of education and a more extensive and varied course of reading among those who have the courage to rush into print , and expose their thoughts to public appreciation . Of the addresses and other publications of

the last twenty years but few will be found in which the author is not at some pains to point out and dwell upon the universality of the Institution—the fact that it neither inqnires into nor offends the religious or political

convictions of its adherents—that it is in fact a platform , a retreat where the dividing influences of sect , creed , and prejudice have no placo , and can exercise no influence . The assertions thus made are founded in truth , because the

landmarks and fundamental doctrines of the society expressly declare that it only recognises that universal religion in which all men agree , leaving each individual member to enjoy his own particular opinion . The

universal religion , we need hardly add , is the belief in the existence of one ever-living and true God , the Creator and Ruler of the Universo , and the immortality of the soul doctrines which were taught in the ancient Mysteries , and

which maintain their ascendancy in the present day of general light and education . These speakers and writers tell us , what indeed is self-evident and known to reasoning men , as it were , instinctively , that but for these doctrines

Masonry could never have attained its present wide-spread popularity , nor have united in the bonds of friendshi p so many men who would otherwise have remained at a distance from each other . But for them tho antagonistic

views and prejudices which are constantl y setting up their barriers between men , and keeping up the sentiments of prejudice , selfishness , and division , would have made Masonry but the echo of that sect which , for the time beino-•1 . - » . yi &>

* * might have the greatest number of representatives ; and but for them the institution which to-day displays its banners in every land on the globe , aud teaches its humanizing precepts to every kindred and people , would long

since have been consigned to the reliquaries of the dead past where lie entombed so many evidences of the great struggle for a purer light and a better civilization , which is the history of humanity .

We all know , or at least ought to know , these principles are tbe very basis and vitality of the Craft , its arms and cognizance , inscribed on its banners , emblazoned on its shield , and so interwoven with its life and practice that to

remove them is to shear its locks , put out its eyes , and make it grasp the pillars and pull down the temple on its own head . And yet , we ask , is Masonry Cosmopolitan ? We have shown in the preceding statement that its

doctrines are purely so , and we are happy to add that , very generally , the practice of Lodges and Masons conforms to the theory . But we cannot shut our eyes to the fact that the spirit of sectarianism is constantly seeking to find a

lodgment in our sanctuary , and to sow its seeds in the broad and inviting fields so many centuries have contributed to form , and we esteem it a duty we owe to Masonry to say that unless the attention of the brethren is awakened

to this source of danger the seed will take root , and growing into maturity , over-shadow and destroy our temples and turn back the wheels of progress we have so lon » and earnestly striven to move forward . The apprehension of danger arises from two causes : one the thoughtlessness and apathy of the masses , the