Obituary.

Obituary .

— : o : — TT is with extreme regret we Lave to record the death of Bro . W . W . Morgan , the founder and proprietor of the FREEMASON ' S CHRONICLE , which sad event took place yesterday evening ,

after a long and painful illness . For the past three months Bro . Morgan had heen confined to his hed , and had fully recognised the gravity of his illness , a fatal termination to which was

almost daily expected . A change for the worse set in at the beginning of the week , and Brother Morgan passed quietly away about G-20 p . m . One

of the last requests of Bro . Morgan was that his friends should he asked not to send any flowers for his funeral , he at all times having a strong aversion to such displays .

Next Wednesday's Festival.

NEXT WEDNESDAY ' S FESTIVAL .

WITHIN a few days the members of the Order will know the result of the efforts made throughout the country to ensure the success of the 95 th Anniversary Festival of the Eoyal Masonic

Institution for Boys , and we can only hope the announcement to be made on Wednesday next will be of so satisfactory a nature as to satisfy and please all who take an interest in the working of the Educational

Institutions . We recently reierred in these , columns to the different claims the Institution has upon the Craft at this time of the year , and there is little fresh to add to-day . There is an excellent Board of

Stewards working in support of Lord Brooke Provincial Grand Master of Essex , as Chairman of Festival , many of whom are old friends to our Charities , —Masons who may be relied upon to do all that lay in their power to secure success in their own

efforts , and set a brilliant example for their fellows . Looking at the state of the case in its entirely , it is but fair to anticipate a satisfactory result for the Festival , for we believe that this year is considered to be the " Boys' Year , " and every endeavour is being

made to make it a success . The general arrangements are in every way perfect , and we feel sure that Bro . J . M . McLeod and his willing band of helpers will be able to make every one as comfortable and as happy as he may wish . Special trains have been

engaged to convey the company to Brighton , and on arriving there ample amusement has been provided for the brethren and their friends in the shape of concerts , music , & c . In conclusion , we trust the

Next Wednesday's Festival.

Festival will prove a great success , and that the subscriptions will be enough to satisfy every friend of the Institution .

Toleration.

TOLERATION .

Oration by Bro . Robert W . Hill , D . D ., Grand Orator , before the Grand Lodge of Indian Territory , at its Annual Communication at Ardmore , 7 th February 1893 .

PERHAPS the most marvellous movement of modern times , that which has most thoroughly affected social , religions and political life , was the Reformation ? Through its inspiration , dignity and power were given to

the common people , and the mind of Europe was freed from the superstitions which had held control for a thousand years . The doctrine which made the Reformation under Luther acceptable to the people and thus a possi .

bility , was the right of private interpretation of the Scriptures , which logically carried with it the great principle of toleration . Religious liberty involved liberty of thought , of speech , of person . When tbe people of

France were listening in dread to the first murmurs of that political storm which ushered in the Constitutional government of France , Rosseau gave the rallying cry which

awoko them to a consciousness of their own power and importance . " Liberty , fraternity , equality , " were magic words , and touched the hearts of all . Up to that time such words had been treason to the State and could

only be voiced in secret . None the less was liberty a natural right of tho people that had been lost for centuries to them through the tyranny of priests and kings . Their heritage was in unfriendly hands , and tho people groaned ,

waiting for tbe day of redemption . Daring all the ages liberty of thought was the natural birthright of every man . Now and again bold spirits enunciated the doctrine , and practiced thedeductionsf rom it in their intercourse with their

fellow men , and sometimes these paid with their lives for their boldness . But tho doctrines of liberty and toleration were fairly taught by allegory and illustrated by symbol long before these great political movements , for Masonry has

always played an important part in all movements , looking toward the improvement of the conditiou of the people , and has ever been a leader in emancipating those enslaved and oppressed .

As in tbe past , it is now the glory of Masonry that ib teaches toleration , and thus encourages activity in all tho regions of legitimate knowledge . Mental activity is stifled when the avenues of expression or belief are closed . To

intimate that some phases of belief will be met with punishment or persecution is to give occasion for such concealment of personal views as will end ultimately either in hypocrisy or mental deadness . There can be no doubt

enlightenment comes from investigation , not that intolerance will prevent inquiry . All tho intellectual quickening of the ages can be traced to tho

struggles of minds dissatisfied with their environments , or unwilling to accept as final the conclusions of others without farther investigation . The so-called " dark ages " were dark because the opportunities for enlightenment were not within the reach of the multitude . When