The Proposed Boys' Sohool Inquiry.

There are other matters in connection with the Masonic Charities—or at least tho two Educational Institutions—besides their actual cost , which might well form the object of special inquiry , and notably among them is the question as to who is

eligible for the relief they afford . In the case ol the Benevolent Institution there is a well defined limit , which precludes any one in receipt of an income of - £ 40 a year from becoming a candidate , while

another law gives the Committee ol Management the power of suspending or reducing an annuity if at any time the Annuitant becomes possessed of an independent income of _ £ 40 a year . These figures apply to the . Male _ branch ; ± du

on the Widows side the limit m each case is per annum , and as a consequence the subscribers to the Benevolent Institution are in the position of knowing exactly the class of candidates they are providing for , ie

and the position m hie oi those who periodically - ceive the annuities which the Institution dispenses . Why cannot some such limit be adopted in the cape of the two Educational Institutions ? At present it is

possible , as we have often pointed ont , for the child of a widow comparatively well off not only to secure , but to retain a home in one or other of the Schools . Indeed it has been decided that the possession of means is not a bar against admission , provided

the mother can be described as not in such good circumstances as was formerly the case . We have previously argued against this ruling , but it still holds good , and we do not think there is any wish among

the supporters of the Institutions to alter it . It is not for us to say what is or is not the desire of the subscribers , there are the rules , and if the general body of supporters felt they needed addition or amendment we suppose alteration would be regularly proposed , it is to

but it certainly seems an anomaly to us , as others , that persons apparently in possession of a fair share of this world ' s goods should be allowed to secure for their children a home in one or other of the Masonic Institutions , and to retain the benefits of

free education , clothing , and maintenance , no matter what good fortune may subsequently attend their efforts . We have no objection , as we said years ago , to see even children of the nobility educated at the expense of the Craft , provided that it is the nobility who

provide the funds for so doing , but as the rules at present stand we do not think they allow of a fair distribution of the benefits among the class which provides the bulk of the monev . We are aware that those who

think no limit should be enforced in the case of the Schools , as is the case with the Benevolent Institution , have a very strong argument in support of their view . It is very certain that no candidate can be __¦» * - ]__»__ - _ - > 4 . _ . __ _ r-J _ .. * 4 > I- \ n 1-t _ . _•_! rt _ n 11 __<•_> __ - \ *~« __ " » rt rt- « . 4- __ . -i __«__ ¦* - * 1-i fV » I"V At » _( " »__ TTA T _ T _ i (__ vviuiiuuu it ui

__ c- U _ . u _ . __ eu Beuiuiiig __ ;__ i >_ . m ____ u _ u __ - vuuco , and if any widow can collect a sufficient number , either personally or by her friends , that is a definite proof that a large number of subscribers consider the ease worthy of assistance . It is to be presumed that

those who acquire votes m exchange for their personal donations know the class for whom they intend the relief , and this argument certainly appears to remove all objection against the admission of well-to-do

candidates , but it does not deal with those who , alter the election of their children , become possessed of means sufficient to meet all their requirements . It may be

said that where good fortune does attend the mother of a Masonic pupil she might be expected to withdraw her child from the School , but experience proves that

fortunate mothers do not consider this a part of their duty . Should not the subscribers then take the matter in their own hands , and reserve the right of calling for the removal of any child whose parent ' s

position has materially altered since her petition was deemed worthy of reception ? If such were the case we venture to think the two Schools would show a

larger number of vacancies year by year than is at present the case , and we should be spared the any-

The Proposed Boys' Sohool Inquiry.

thing but gratifying references which have recently appeared in the outside press , where strong comments have been made in regard to a child at present under Masonic care .

Masonic Thought.

MASONIC THOUGHT .

Thought to the man that never thinks may seem As natural as when asleep to dream ; Bnt reveries ( for human minds will act ) , Spacions in show , impossible in fact ,

These flimsy webs that break as soon as wrought , Attain not to the dignity of thonght ; aSTor yet the swarms that occupy the brain Where dreams of dress , intrigue , and pleasnre reign . "

TO rightly understand Masonry there must be thought —careful , painstaking thought . It is a sad fact that there is too much superficial Masonry , too many

" Swarms that occupy the brain Where dreams of dress , intrigue and pleasure reign . " and not enough careful meditation upon the great truths taught in the several degrees . In our day there is too

great haste to make Masons . A candidate is initiated , passed and raised , and before the beautiful allegories cf symbolic Masonry are in the least appreciated , he is hurried through the Chapter into the Commandery and the

Consistory , and when he is through he boasts the possession of thirty-two degrees , possibly , without having thonght of the object of one of them . The Maltese Cross dangles from his watch-chain , the ring ornaments his third finger ,

and he is a full-fledged Mason—full of degrees , but of very little else . He meets his Brethren on the tesjella ted floor , passes them in the middle chamber , attends the beautiful ceremonies in the Master ' s Lodge , without realising that

there now exists , or should exist , a bond of union that death alone can sever ; that he has assumed the keeping of his Brother , and should be thoughtful in the discharge of this duty .

Four things , Max Midler says , are necessary in thought — " sensations , precepts , concepts , ancl names . " These he calls " the constituent elements of thought . " Thinking is an exercise of the mind . The sense must be aroused , an

impression must be made , we must perceive iu the mind that something exists , we must conceive it possible , and in order to do so we must name the article , and then we have thought . How few attempt to analyse thought , to think

of thinking , to realise what it is ! We can never thoroughly enjoy anything without a knowledge of what it is . It must have a name , else it has no existence to us . We must conceive its existence , perceive its beauties , ancl

feel its influence . There may be a sort of sentimentalism which is for the time agreeable , but there is no real downright enjoyment in anything superficial , neither is there much good to be got in that way . The great treasure

houses of the earth lie buried deep in the mountain side . That which appears on the surface only indicates what may be obtained below by hard work , patience , and perseverance . The growth of knowledge is necessarily slow .

A man cannot jump at one bound into a profound mathematician . The school boy must plod along day by day , patiently studying letter by letter and studying with

thoughtful reverence at the feet of his teachers . Much of the trouble in the world—aye , the most of the trouble and sins—come from careless thoughtlessness .

Thought reveals the hidden beauties of any study , as tho pick and spade reveal the treasures in the bowels of the earth . Each day some new truth is discovered to the thinker . Every day some new jewel is revealed to the

digger . In Masonry the same rule applies . Thonght , meditation ( not parrot-like memorizing on the degrees , one after the other ) will disclose beauties never dreamed of , and the one who will think this will surely be led to a

better life . Masonry will thus become a portal through which he will pass to the more glorious , noble edifice erected by the Grand Architect of the Universe Himself , and will lead to a practice of those virtues that will be a

sure passport to the ineffable glories of the eternal Grand Lodge on high . Without thought—careful , painstaking thinking , Masonry is a myth , and the time spent in it is wasted .

Let us think . Masonry is a beautiful and symmetrical edifice . How do we live iu it ? Do we adorn it by a virtuous life ? Think .