Staffordshire Charity.

STAFFORDSHIRE CHARITY .

PEIOE to the consecration at Sroethwick reported last week , several Brethren who take a warm interest in the success of the Staffordshire Masonic Charitable Association met to consider a proposal ior oenencmg tne oenevoient iund m connection with the attainment by the Association of its twenty-fifth year . Among those present were Col . Bindley , Bros . Bodenham , Mat— . as Barker , J . B . Ashwell , E . V . Greatbatch , T . Taylor , and H . Percy Smith Secretary .

Bro . Barker suggested the holding of a pic-mc , to which Brethren should bring their wives and families . He thought that the fund would greatly benefit , and that a gathering of the kind , which would also include a luncheon , would lead to an enhanced interest being taken in the charities generally .

Bro . Greatbatch expressed his opinion that the subscriptions to the benevolent fund were capable of considerable increase , and that money was to be tapped in this way which would not come in to the other charities . After some discussion , it was provisionally arranged to hold

a gathering in Trentham Park , subject to the kind permission of His Grace the Duke of Sutherland being obtained , and each Lodge in the Province will be invited to appoint one Steward to take part in the arrangements . The project will be further considered at a meeting to be held at Stafford .

Bro . George Abbott , the district superintendent of the South-Eastern Eailway at Charing Cross and Cannon Street , entered on his fiftieth year of service on Monday last . During this long period Bro . Abbott has filled every grade in the coaching department . When the Cannon Street terminus was opened , in

September 1866 , he was appointed stationmaster , and he has ever since occupied that position . In February 1890 the charge of Charing Cross terminus was also added to his duties . Bro . Abbott , although well on in years , has no present intention of retiring from the office he has so honourably filled , says the " City Press . "

The members of the Atlingworth Lodge , No . 1821 , of which Bro . A . P . Dollman is the W . M . were , on Thursday , 13 th inst ., the hosts of a large company at the Royal Pavilion , Brighton , where they invited them to participate in the enjoyments of a dance . About S 50 invitations were sent out , and the majority

of these responded gladly , with the result that complete success attended the ball . It was a most enjoyable function , and from a Masonic point of view had its special features of interest . Every Lodge in Brighton was represented , and a marked " Craft " flavour was imparted to the gathering by the plentiful wearing of insignia .

The Masonic ball held at the Town Hall , Cardiff , on Wednesday , 12 th inst ., under the auspices of the Tennant Lodge Charity Association was attended with a success that must have been highly gratifying to the promoters . The ball was under the nominal patronage of the Prov . Grand Master Lord Llangattock , and the personal patronage of Bro . Marmaduke Tennant D . P . G . M .

The thirteenth annual banquet and ball in connection with the Charity Lodge was held on the 13 th , at the Grand Hotel , Colmore Eow , Birmingham , at which over 300 Brethren and friends assembled under the presidency of Bro . E . E . Wattis Worshipful Master .

On Wednesday , 12 th inst ., a grand Masonic ball was held at the George Hotel , Bangor , in aid of the funds of the Masonic charities , under the patronage of Lord Harlech Prov . G . M ., and many of the leading Masons of the district .

The annual ball under the auspices of the Albert Edward Lodge was held in the Town Hall , Hexham , on Thursday , 13 th inst ., and proved very successful , about 160 ladies and gentlemen being present .

Masonry And The Secular Press.

MASONRY AND THE SECULAR PRESS .

WE rise to a question of privilege . We may be ruled out of order for presumption in calling attention to a subject which seems to have gone outside of Freemasonry in its anxiety to tell the profane what the " Sons of Light " are doing , and how they do it . ' The " Tyler , " in entering its protest against the promiscuous publication in secular papers of matter purely Masonic and not intended for the perusal of , the profane , seeks to

Masonry And The Secular Press.

butter no parsnips for itself . It has all it can do from week to week in placing matter pertinent to Masonry before Masonic readers , and we think the same rule will truthfully apply to all Masonic exchanges . But a change has come o ' er the spirit of our dream in these halcyon days , and we feel like saying with humph-backed Dick : " We'll entertain a score or two of tailors ,

now that we have crept in favour with ourselves . * * * Shine out , bright sun , 'till I do buy a glass , that I may see my shadow as I pass . " The time is not far distant when to give the details of a Masonio gathering to the world was considered un-Masonic . Even yet old-time Masons look with horror on conduct " far too open . " Tc-day , however , the

Tyler slumbers and Ahasher snores . The morning paper presents the doings of the night previous in some Masonic gathering as a matter of general or local news , and it has become one of the prerequisites on the staff of a secular paper that one of its members be a Mason , and the "higher up " the bettor , so that his paper can present to the world what was transacted

behind closely tyled doors , who was passed , raised , knighted , together with their names and social standing in the ranks of the profane . This may sound like an envious snarl to some , but that some will be found to consist of a class in Masonry having the maggot of popularity eternally biting them , and an overwhelming appetite for public recognition of their diversified gifts .

They are not content with the appreciation and applause of their Brethren over the song , musio or banquet speech they gave utterance to , but if the same can be read broadcast in the daily paper it is a sweet and satisfying morsel to the hungry Cereberus of their egotism . This is not the true spirit of Freemasonry , and should be frowned down upon . The true Mason has

ever with an honourable anxiety to do all in his power to further the interests of Masonic philosophy , and is ever ready to respond to all calls of a legitimate character . But he will seek to avoid publicity which presents him as a Mason at work to the gaze of the profane . There is far too much of this kind of departure from the ancient landmarks , and we accordingly make

our protest—although well aware that it will produce no effect in remedying the fast growing evil , But it will be advanced that the columns of all Masonic journals , such as " The Tyler , " contain reports of like Masonio doings . To this we answer that the Masonic press is in the exclusive interest of Freemasonry . It is presumed to be read and patronised by the Craft alone . The profane take but little or any interest in a society organ , but

when the daily paper they pay their penny for in the hotel , car or on the street , blazes up before them with its " scare head " and three-columns tail , couched even in language special to the Craft , then the Masonio convocation is read alike by saint or sinner . The distinction between the two classes of journalism is broad and clearly defined . In one the work is that of Freemasons and in the interests of Freemasonry , in the other the world at large is its oyster , and all is grist that comes to its mill .

Freemasonry calls for decided legislation on this subject , and a halt ba called upon this departure from ancient usages and rules . The information necessary should be withheld from the profane . Masonry does not require this description of advertising and it is nothing more or less than a method of soliciting " material , " and is undue in character and un-Masonic in conclusion . — " American Tyler . "

"A Sprig Of Acacia."

"A SPRIG OF ACACIA . "

WE regret to announce the death of our highly esteemed Bro . Ernest Farwig P . M . and P . Z . 180 , which took place on the 13 th inst . Our late Brother was for many years the valued Preceptor of the St . James Union Lodge of Instraction , and was held in high estimation by Masons from all parts . He was laid to rest on Tuesday last , in Norwood Cemetery , in the presence of a numerous company of relations and personal friends .

Amongst his Masonic friends we noticed Bros . H . EobinsonP . M . 180 , G . J . Taylor I . P . M . 180 , W . C . Parsons P . M . Sec . 180 , J . E . Shand P . M . P . Sec . 1563 , F . Hill P . M . 1563 , W . C . Smith P . M . Sec . 1563 , M . A . Krellwitz W . M . 511 , J . E . Harnell P . M . 511 , J .

Hampton P . M . 145 , F . Honeyman P . M . 1238 , C . F . Poupard P . M . 1446 , J . Moss S . D . 141 , A . Bayfield Stewd . 145 , and several other Brethren , who laid their sprigs of acacia on his coffin , floral offerings being declined , by his own request . rTlHE members of the Province of Durham especially will

1 learn with regret of the death of Bro . Thomas Dunn , of Ellerslie House , Bishop Auckland , which took place at his residence on the 16 th , after a comparatively short illness , from typhoid fever . Bro . Dunn was Director of Ceremonies for the Province , having fulfilled the duties with great ability since 1892 .

In 1889 he was W . M . of the Marquess of Granby Lodge , Durham ; in 1893 he filled the First Principal ' s chair in the Concord Chapter , Durham ; and took part as D . C . in the consecration of the Balliol Chapter at Barnard Castle on 17 th

January . In 1893 he was W . M . of the Dunholm Mark Lodge , at Durham . He was quite in the prime of life , and prior to this illness was a man of robust health and active habits , and was held in very high esteem by his Brethren .

BEO . T . C . LEWAENE P . M . Charity Lodge , No . 223 and a Past Provincial Officer , of Treville Street , Plymouth , on Saturday evening left his house for a short walk . He had not gone far before he was seized with illness , and on being carried home died before medical aid could be obtained .