Too Much Charity!

Devonshire , of the existence in our midst of too much Charity , and although the English Brotherhood has much to be very thankful for in this direction , we can but express the opinion that much more might be done

with the money so freely and willingly subscribed than is at present accomplished . There should certainly be some better use for the subscriptions of the Brethren than hoarding up immense sums for no practical

purpose , as the little produced in the way of dividend is not , to our way of thinking , a sufficient return for the money given for the express purpose of educating , clothing and feeding the orphans of the Craft . But

beyond all this , as the action of Devonshire towards the Mark Benevolent Fund so aptly illustrates , the danger we have often commented upon , of having too much capital , actually exists , and may prove the source of serious trouble if allowed to go on unheeded .

Hasty Admissions.

HASTY ADMISSIONS .

WE thought our Scottish Brethren had seen the error of their ways in the matter of wholesale initiations , and hasty conferring of degrees , but it seems the two evils are by no means overcome across the border , as the accompanying paragraph , cut from

the " Square and Compasses " column of the " Glasgow Evening News , " so amply demonstrates . We have nothing whatever to say against the twelve gentlemen therein referred to as having been received in such

a wholesale manner , but the principle of the thing is so opposed to English ideas of Masonic decorum that one can hardly repress a shudder of disapproval on

reading the account , and ask the question whether any permanent good is likely to accrue to the Masonic Institution from such hasty procedure in the all important work of initiation , passing and raising ?

It is admittedly very difficult to write in general terms on any subject with some special meeting or occurrence standing prominently out as the text , so to speak , and for this reason we feel unable to fully

express our views on the all important principles of the Craft—from our English standpoint—which have been violated on this occasion : the rule which prohibits the initiation of more than five gentlemen at one

meeting , and that which prevents the conferring of degrees at a less interval than twenty-eight days , but we cannot help again raising our voice in protest against systems which are regarded as detrimental to

the best interests of Freemasonry , in nearly every Jurisdiction save that of Scotland , and which , we had hoped , were doomed to extinction there also , in

deference to the expressed wish of most of the leading Masons of the country . The following is the paragraph from our contemporary to which we refer :

The twelve members of the Barnum and Bailey Greatest Show , who were initiated at the Dramatic Lodge , 571 , at the end of last month , were received in the F . C . on Friday last at Aberdeen , the R . W . M . Brother James Robertson , of the

Bon Accord Lodge ( 669 ) , having kindly undertaken the duty on behalf of 571 . A special meeting of the Dramatic will be held on the 29 th of this month to put the Brethren through the concluding ceremony .

The Old Masonians Football Club has secured a convenient ground at East Finchley , near the station , and are anticipating a successful season . They have entered for the London Junior Cup , and , in addition , have arranged a

good list of fixtures . All old boys desirous of joining are cordially invited to send in their names to R . H . McLeod , the Hon . Secretary , 2 Hilldrop Road , Camden Road , N ., who will be pleased to furnish fuller particulars .

East Lancashire.

EAST LANCASHIRE .

THE installation of Lord Stanley , M . P ., as Provincial Grand Master of this important Province will take place at the Free Trade Hall , Manchester , on 3 rd November next .

Consecration.

CONSECRATION .

AMBLESIDE LODGE . A CONSIDERABLE number of Brethren from different . parts of the country assembled at the Queen ' s Hotel , Ambleside , on Saturday , 9 th inst ., to take part in the inauguration of this Lodge , No . 2745 , when the ceremony of consecration was performed by the Provincial Grand Master the Right Hon . Lord Henry Cavendish Bentinck , M . P .,

assisted by the Deputy Provincial Grand Master Colonel Sewell , and other distinguished Officers of the Provincial Grand Lodge of Cumberland and Westmorland . The consecration was followed by the installation of the first Worshipful Master Bro . Thomas Taylor , who appointed

and invested his Officers for the ensuing year . The business of the Lodge concluded , the Brethren adjourned to the Pavilion , where a splendid banquet was

served to upwards of one hundred guests , the Worshipful Master presiding , supported by the principal Officers of the Province and those of the Ambleside Lodge . The usual Loyal and Masonic toasts were duly honoured .

Amongst the Brethren present were several Grand Officers of England , representatives of the Provincial Grand Lodges of Plants and Isle of Wight , West Yorkshire , West Lancashire , Norfolk , Cheshire , Derbyshire , Leicestershire and Rutland , and numerous Provincial , Grand Officers of Cumberland and Westmorland .

The banquet hall and tables were beautifully decorated with plants and flowers , and Mrs . Howson , the manageress , and her large staff , executed their trying duties with admirable proficiency . At about seven o ' clock this important and most successful function concluded in the customary Masonic manner .

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— : o : — DEVONSHIRE . THE Provincial Grand Mark Lodge is to assemble on Tuesday , 26 th inst ., at Exeter . The Hon . Sir Stafford Northcote , C . B ., M . P ., Prov . G . M . M . will open the meeting at 4 p . m . The business is of the ordinary character , save a motion by Bro . E . H . Shorto Past Prov . J . G . W .,

respecting the undesirabihty of voting any more sums for the time to the Mark Benevolent Fund of England , as there is such a large unused balance in hand . Some feel that it would be a pity to pass a vote of such a kind under present circumstances , as if the members do not wish to pass any

grants to such Fund they need not do so , and do not require such a resolution to enable them to ignore the appeal for funds for that ably-managed Institution . On the other hand , Devon has received much more from the Mark Benevolent

Fund than it has contributed . It is hoped the matter may be arranged without going to the vote , the proposer being such a warm and respected supporter of the Degree and Fund . The Officers will be appointed for the ensuing term , and the Provincial Grand Treasurer elected . Liberal

arrangements have been made with the two Railway Companies for the Brethren to attend the meeting , and as there are twenty-four Mark Lodges in the county there should be a large gathering . — "Western Morning News . "

Lancashire.

LANCASHIRE .

A MEETING of the Provincial Grand Lodge of Mark Masons of Lancashire was held on Tuesday , at the Freemasons' Hall , Cooper Street , Manchester , for the purpose of installing the Earl of Lathom Prov . G . M . West Lancashire ( Craft ) as Provincial Grand Master of Lancashire Mark Masons . Upwards of 200 members of the Degree were present .