Masonic Persecution.

character was once unfortunately brought before Major Sandes , on the charge of being privy to some misdeeds committed by others , and as nothing could be extracted from him by common examination , he was ordered to be tied up to the halberts . It was in vain he protested his innocence , and therefore he appealed to the Diety , in a manner only known to true Craftsmen ,

exclaiming , " Is it possible that an innocent man should thus suffer ? " The Major , who was a Mason , immediately understood him , and said , " Confound you , why did you not tell me that before ? " He immediately countermanded the punishment , and a very few minutes conversation in private satisfied him of his innocence and procured his release .

A most diabolical act of treachery was practiced against the Freemasons by the Inquisitor of Spain , whose infamous name was Peter Torrubia . This individual , having first made confession , and ' received absolution , became a Freemason , for the express purpose of betraying it , and of handing to the executioner the unfortunate members , before he knew what their deserts might be . He was initiated in 1751 , and immediately made himself

acquainted with the entire ramifications of the Craft , and names of the subscribers . Being unable to accuse them of any malpractices , he named for punishment the members of ninetyseven Lodges , without any pretext whatever ; and as he himself was the accuser , witness , and judge , the whole of them were subject to torture on the rack . — " Freemasons' Quarterly Review , " 1844 , page 16 .

Toleration is the distinguishing badge ( and long may it continue to be so ) of Freemasonry . Freemasonry knows nothing of the political opinions or religious creed of its members . It asks them to meet together on one broad basis , and beyond that utterly ignores any right to interfere with the individual concerned in any degree . It is pleasant to think , when religious sects seem

inclined to run mad , that Freemasonry is absolutely tolerant , and manfully avows the ceaseless need , and the sacred duty of toleration . The great end of Masonry is to promote the happiness of the whole human race . Its creed is " Faith , Hope , and Charity ; " its motto , " Concord , Harmony , and Peace . " And , finally , hear the opinion of our late princely Grand Master , the Duke of Sussex : —

I have endeavoured , all through my Masonic career , to bring into Masonry the great fact that , from the highest to the lowest , all should feel convinced that one could not exist without the other . In my career I have met many and severe trials—trials to which human nature ought to be exposed , and which , as a Mason , I have been able to bear . When the profane , who do not know our mysteries , are carried away by prejudices , and do not acknowledge the value of our society , let them learn , by our conduct , that a good Mason is a good moral man " Masonry . "

Meeting Of Teacher Freemasons.

MEETING OF TEACHER FREEMASONS .

TJAUSni of tne delegates oi tue JN . U . T . who are members of the Craft held a very enjoyable meeting in the Masonic Booms , Brighton , on Tuesday , 7 th inst . The idea of the gathering originated with Bro . G . M . E . Hamilton P . M . Mount Edgcumbe Lodge , No . 1446 , who was assisted in his efforts by Bro . George Cole P . M . St . Cecilia Lodge , Brighton . The latter secured the hearty co-operation of Bro . T . A . Challis W . M . of the Eoyal York Lodge , who kindly invited the Masonic delegates to join the members of the Eoyal York Lodge of Instruction .

The Lodge was opened by Bro . Harry Kent P . M ., the Wardens' chairs being occupied by Bro . G . M . E . Hamilton and Bro . O . Castell P . M . 902 , and there were also present Bros . T . H . Challis W . M ., J . Newberry P . M ., J . Terry P . M ., J . Edwards S . D ., H . Stringer of the Royal York Lodge ; A . J . Crouch 1636 , George Cole 1636 , and the following Masonic delegates , \ iz ., Bros . W . T . Pink P . M . 1963 , J . Tidmarsh P . M . 2163 and 2157 P . P . G . D . Middlesex , M .

Berlyn P . M . 1474 P . P . G . P . Warwickshire , G . Gill P . M . 1963 , J . Williams P . M . 1295 P . P . G . S . Wilts ., E . Stayler I . P . M . 1929 , C . James P . M . 1963 , H . Watling 455 , T . P . G . Dexter J . D . 2513 , T . B . Ellery , J . Eoe 22 , G . Slater 1641 , P . J . Eymer 1269 , G . B . Boyling 523 , H . E . Heasman P . M . 1437 P . P . G . D . Essex , S . Cresvvell 1641 , J . Baldwin 2343 , G . Makin S . W . 273 , H . Lynn P . M . 217 , J . W . Thomas P . M . 98 and 607 P . P . G . S . B . Staffordshire , H . T . Bradley J . W . 445 , B . Genner 455 and 2030 .

On the closing of the Lodge of Instruction , the Masonic delegates sat down to a supper , to which they invited the Brighton Brethren , Bro . G . M . E . Hamilton presiding . Towards the close of the gathering , Bro . G . M . E . Hamilton proposed a hearty vote of thanks to the Brethren of the Eoyal York Lodge of Instruction , and to Bro . George Cole , for their kindness in arranging such a happy

meeting of the members of the Craft present at the Conference . For many years , he said , they had been unsuccessful in endeavouring to promote such a meeting at their annual' conferences , and he hoped the very enjoyable evening they had spent—the first they had been able to arrange—would be the forerunner of a long series of happy gatherings of the Masonic Brethren of the N . U . T .

Bros . Harry Kent , George Cole , H . Stringer , J . Edwards , and J . Newberry made brief replies , all expressing the pleasure they felt in being able to assist Bro . Hamilton in arranging the meeting . So successful was the re-union of the Masonic delegates that Bro . Hamilton was unanimously requested to endeavour to arrange a similar meeting at Swansea , where the next Conference will be held . A hearty vote of thanks to that gentleman brought the evening to a close . — " Schoolmaster . "

THE last Fancy Dress Ball of the season took place at Covent Garden Theatre on Wednesday night , and was as successful as its predecessors . There is little doubt that these entertainments have found favour with the public , and will be resumed next winter under the genial management of Bro . Sir Augustus Harris .

Presentation At Torquay.

PRESENTATION AT TORQUAY .

AN interesting presentation took place at the Masonic Hall , Torquay , on Monday evening , 13 th inst ., when Bro . John Chapman P . P . G . S . D . was the recipient of an illuminated address from the Brethren of St . John ' s Lodge , and also of a Vice-Presidency in the " Fortescue Annuity Fund . " The address , which was beautifully designed in gold and colours , was to the following effect : Sc . John Lodge , No . 328 , Torquay . To BRO . JOHN CHAPMAN P . M . Prov . G . D . P . Z . 189 and 328 P . Prov . G . Sfc . B .

H . E . A . Chapter Devon . Vice-Patron E . M . B . I ., Vice-President E . M . I , for Girls , Vice-President E . M . I , for Boys , Vice-President D . M . E . F ., & c , & c , & c . . W . BBO . JOHN CHAPMAN , We , the Brethren of St . John Lodge , No . 328 , wish to mark our appreciation of your valued services in your very able efforts to write the

History of the Lodge , and of your kindness in printing the same , and presenting a copy to each member of the Lodge ; in addition to other presentations you have made for the beautifying of the several rooms of the Masonic Hall ; and also of your generous offer to reduce the liabilities connected with the building , by a mortgage on a lower scale of interest ; and with other tokens of your fraternal zeal and ability .

Your Brethren , in deciding upon a form of Testimonial to express in some slight degree their estimation of your literary and other valued services to Freemasonry , are led to believe that a Vice-Presidency in the Fortescue Annuity Fund will be more compatible with your wishes than anything of a more intrinsic value , and , in asking you to accept this Lodge token of regard , we feel we shall be promoting the grand Masonic principles you have practised and inculcated , Benevolence and Charity .

May the Great Architect of the Universe guide , guard , and direct you , and give you long life and happiness , and finally raise you to the Grand Lodge above .

Torquay , 13 th April 1896 . George H . Halls W . M . L . Packham I . G . E . C . Atherton P . G . C . I . P . M . J . S . Wolland Steward A . Westley S . W . W . Narracott Steward A . Dolbear J . W . E . D . Eenwick , E . C . P . E . F . Fleming Chaplain _ _

W . S . Wakeham P . P . G . Std . B . Treas . Pasfc Masters : — W . Taylor P . P . G . D . C . Sec . D . J . Allams P . P . G . D . C . W . Brenton S . D . J . Grant P . P . G . D . W . F . Greenslade J . D . E . Eichards F . J . W . Crowe P . P . G . O . Organist H . E . Beer J . E . Smith Assistant Organist T . A . Blackler .

THE Vaudeville opens next Wednesday under the direction of Messrs . A . and S . Gatti , the well-known Adelphi managers , with a farcical comedy , translated from the French of Messrs . Georges Faydeau and Maurice Deavallieres , entitled " A Night Out . " The translators and adaptors modestly conceal their names .

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