Common Sense Not Yet Extinct Among American Masons.

declaring that some portions were false , or of speaking contemptuously of it . Upon the trial the accused was found not guilty of the specification of atheism , and not guilty of all the rest of the specifications save one , and that

one was one form of specifying that he had cast ridicule and contempt upon the Bible . Failing to agree upon any punishment for the specification upon which he was convicted , the presiding District Deputy immediately closed

the Lodge , aud the Grand Master immediately suspended the charter . Meanwhile , the accused preferred charges against the Master , for allowing a sectarian question to be presented to the Lodgo for consideration , which charges

were curtly dismissed by the Grand Master . The section under which the charge was brought against the Master is to be found in Article 11 , part third , defining Masonic offences . It is the 3 rd section , and reads as follows : ' The

Master of any Lodge shall not permit any charges or specifications , or any other subject matter , either written or oral , involving questions of political or sectarian character , to be read in , or in any manner presented to the Lodge . '

" Language could not make plainer the prohibition aimed at , precisely the character of matter introduced in this case , and which was first disobeyed by the Master and afterwards ignored by the Grand Master . To yoar Committee

it seems impossible to deny that in permitting the introduction of the sectarian pamphlet , and also of some , if not all its specifications , the Master very squarely disobeyed the unmistakable letter of tho law . But your Committee

find on referring to the Grand Master ' s report , that in permitting this matter to be introduced he was acting undei such advice from the Grand Master as he might well be excused for considering an order , or at least a direction ;

and from the statements of the Master in its presence it was impressed with the belief that he would not intentionally defy the laws of the Grand Lodge , and that he might safely be again entrusted with the custody of the charter of Vienna Lodge .

The acquittal of the acensed of the charge of atheism shows that there was nothing that could afford the least shadow of excuse for defying the plain letter of the law , and therefore no possible excuse for now insisting that the Lodge should

inflict punishment pursuant to a verdict found in a trial void on its face , because held in violation of law . On the other hand , there is nothing to be gained in inflicting punishment upon those who have broken the law , at all

comparable to the mischief of continued agitation of a question so dangerous to the peace of the Fraternity , one of which , as the Grand Lodge long ago foresaw , can bear only the bitter fruits of strife , alienation , and discord . Your

Committee , therefore , recommend that the whole proceeding be regarded in fact , as it was in law , abinitio , leaving all parties enjoying the same status as before the mischievous proceeding was begun . " ( Illinois Proc . 1837 , pp 48 and 157 . )

I shall only add , that our zealots value the phrase about the Bible in the ritual , not on account of its moral teachings , but because it furnishes them an assumed right to ventilate their favourite dogmas in the Lodge . Hence , it is no

wonder that disbelievers in the said dogmas are sometimes provoked to retaliate outside the Lodge , by saying or writing something which is very disagreeable to those who set themselves up as being holier than other men . The

Illinois committee , therefore , deserve the thanks of every jnst minded Mason , for courageously expounding the just basis of "Masonic universality . " But as long as the American continues to demand from the officers of a Lodge

veneration for Christian saints , & c , & c , so long must American pretension to Masonic universality be regarded and denounced as a mere swindle , and what is worse , it is a useless swindle ; for offensive phrases may insult , but they will not convert . BOSTON , U . S ., 8 th February 1888 .

A Masonic Ball in aid of the Building Fund of the Freemasons' Hall , Brixham , was held in the new Market Hal ] , on the 11 th inst . Under a dispensation granted by the Prov . Grand Master of Devon , Viscount Ebrington , M . P ., members of the Craft appeared in full Masonic clothing , Nearly one hundred ladies and gentlemen were present .

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DC A C Vii P aSo book on DEAFNESS , Noises in the ™ *¦ * Head . How relieved . Price 3 d . Address , Dr . Nicholson , 15 Camden Park Eoad , London . N . W .

Antigua.

ANTIGUA .

AT a Stated Communication of St . John ' s Lodge , on the 27 th January , Brother E . R . Hall W . M . in the chair . After the u ^ nnl business * , Bro . Higham advanced to the pedestal and addressed the W . M . H = follows : — " Words not ending in deeda are idle and sinful waste of speech . Accomplished deeda have a language of their own , speaking directly and effectively to the heart , causing

vibration of its chords , which awaken , as I trnsb in this instance , very pleasurable emotions . Worshipful Sir—I am sure yon will feel that this your first ant is a very delightful one , it is as it were crowning your predecessor with the wreath which Masons one and all havo contributed to procure , au imperishable wreath , one which

will gladden the members of his home , one which will be his passport perhaps iu lands beyond ; one the possession of which can never bo absent from tho mind , and which will be as the widow ' s cpose—the unfailing medium for the supply to his Masonio Lamp ,

which I trnst he wi 1 keep brightly shining to the end of his career . May it not also act powerfully as an incentive to yourself and those who folloiv alter ? I feel ple . ised with the cheerful response of the numerous brethren which enabled me to obtain these beautiful

tokens of our affection , aud I am thankful to our brother Garry Thibon foe requesting me to co-operate with hitn in this laudable duty , but I do not know whether to thank him for slipping his harness after a day or two , leaving me to draw alone , not the Juggernaut Car , but the Chariot of love , to this its Masonio home ,

for transfer of its freight at your hands to our worthy Brother Este , who takes pleasure in designating me his MaBonic father or sponsor . I trust he will not be dissatisfied with these proofs of my love , esteem , and earnest effort to convince him that his Masonic career has gladdened my heart in these closing days of life ; and I trust

to see the true spirit of our Order revive in our midst—that Masonic Charity may regain and preserve its renowned and universal fame . Worshipful Sir , permit me to hand to yon this testimonial , jewel and ring , purchased by contributions of the Masons who have subscribed their names , that yon may ask onr

brother , the immediate Past Master , to accept as tokens of our high appreciation of his successful work in the chair daring the two years ending 1887 . " The W . M . in handing the testimonial , ring and jewel sairl : — " Bro . Este , —It is indeed a pleasant duty which devolves oa mo to ask your acceptance of these beautiful memorials ,

procured with our united contributions , placed in my hands by Bro . Higham , which I am sure yon will receive as tokens of our united appreciation of the truly valuable services rendered to our Lodge during yonr two years occupancy of the chair . I feel that the able words Bro . Higham has uttered will make an impression on yonr

heart , needing no enforcement from me . I therefore perform most heartily this pleasant task , the opening act of my Masonic duties in the chair , and I would fain hope that T . G . A . O . T . U . will enable me to perform my allotted work as Master of this Lodge so worthily that I may gain , at least , the approbation of the brethren , though . I

may fail to merit such tangible recognition as it is my privilege to bestow upon you . Wishing you lon <; life aud prosperity in whatsoever sphere it may pleaso T . G . A . O . T . U . to place you . " Bros . C . P . Chambers of Athol Lodge , No . ' 138 , C . W . Farquharof the Harmonic Lodge , No . 358 , and Bro . J . W . G . Thibou , having addressed the

brethren in support , Bro . Este replied : —Worshipful Sir and Brethren , —I am deeply sensible of the high honour which you have been good enough to confer on me in the presentation of an address , accompanied by so valaablo a Past Master's ring and jewel . I appreciate it , as a mark of very great esteem , confidence and

aflecfcion . —I view it especially as an expression of the goodwill and kindly feeling entertaiued towards mc by each and every individual member of this Lodge , and the value of the gift is farther increased by the fact that its cost was contributed in small sums , given by all the brethren , attached and uuattached , thus rendering it a most

gratifying memento of a most int"resting occasion in my life . Yon may rest assured , brethren , that I shall continue my efforts to sustain the prestige and usefulness of the Lodge . It is not my intention to pass into the idle stage now that I have left the chair , bub I shall

strive earnestly in the future , as I have done in the past , to forward tbe interests of the St . John's Lodge , and to assist to the utmost of my power in carrying out the great work to which we have all set our hands . In all my Masonic working I have been guided by the beautiful words of Eliza Cook : —

" Should ye see afar off that worth winning Set out on the journey with trust ; And ne ' er heed if your path at beginning Should bo among brambles and dust . Thongh ' tis by footsteps ye do it ,

And hardships may hinder and stay , Walk with faith , and bo sure you'll get through it , For where there ' s a will there ' s a way . " During my term , brethren , I have only done my duty , as every Master should , ' and my work in connection with the Lodge during

that term has been truly a labour of love . I am proud to think that my humble efforts to advance its interests have been so highly appreciated , I am unable to find words in which to express my sincere thanks to Brother Thibou , and my highly esteemed and respected friend and veteran Brother Higham , for the special

interest and zeal manifested by them , and to you , brethren , for the great , the undeserved , and in the history of this Lodge , the unprecedented honour , you have conferred on me . The Lodge was then

closed according to ancient enstom . The address is on illuminated vellum , in gilt frame 24 by 10 , and does credit to Bro . H . T . Lamb , of St . John ' s Square , Clerkenwell , to whom Bro . Higham entrusted the order .

' ¦ Illustrations" is to be conducted by a Limited Company , with . Mr . Francis George Hcatb , it 3 founder , aa managing director .