Expansion Of Our Girls' School.

together when living and learning under the same roof . Bro . Webb , in opposing the resolution , advanced a somewhat adverse opinion , and pointed out that it was

questionable whether any advantage was gained by two children of tho same family being educated together , inasmuch as the benefits derivable from our Masonic

Institutions should be distributed as widely as possible . Another argument was that the experience gained by friends and supporters of a candidate iu the working of an election gave them an advantage over those who had

acquired no such experience ; probably there might be something in this , but ifc hardly militates against the general question . The other argument—that the most deserving candidates do not receive the largest amount of

support—is almost too ridiculous to be entertained for a moment ; and it was no wonder it fell flatly on the ears of the Court . Strength , like water , will always find its level , and so it will prove in all such cases as that now

under consideration . If a man is in possession of a hundred votes he has not obtained them surreptitiously , or by any unfair or indirect means ; and he is perfectly at liberty to utilise them , if he pleases , on behalf of two

members of the same family , just as he might for two strangers , provided the candidates are deserving . If a brother can secure the support of those who hold the motive power of admission to the School , we see no ground

upon which such action can be challenged . Bro . Binckes , Secretary of the Boys' Institution , taking up the argument , said he should not have intruded upon the attention of the Court but for certain tendencies in the discussion which

foreshadowed a bearing upon the rules of the other Institution , with which he was himself more intimatel y associated . If this resolution were carried in the Girls' School a similar one would necessarily be brought forward in

reference to the establishment at Wood-green ; and consequently he felt bound to say a word upon the question , although he refrained from doing so under ordinary

circumstances . In his opinion it was a question that should not be too hastily decided . The laws were carefully considered and revised five years ago , when the decision was arrived afc that it was not advisable to receive

more than one member of a family into the School . He therefore suggested , as a saving clause , that a limitation should be made where the number of a family was large , and in this matter all who are interested in our

Educational Institutions will concur . For example , if there are only three children in a family , it would be inexpedient , or considered unfair , if more than one were admitted to the School . But where there are nine or ten ,

or even twelve , "olive branches" left dependent , the circumstances should be fairly taken into consideration . The poor widowed mother might be a deserving object ; her husband might have done credit to the Institutions

during his lifetime , but iu the end perhaps the result mig ht be the leaving of a numerous progeny . Is the widow to be precluded from the benefits of the School because she has already one little daughter a pupil in the

Institution ? For the purpose of the argument we may fairl y reckon that in very few families would there be more than six children of ages that render them dependent upon the mother : and if the line were drawn that one in three

should be elig ible for candidature , we think that is an equitable solution , and a sound basis on which to act . On these grounds , and without suggesting to the management , Bro . Binckes was evidently of opinion that the

matter should be referred to a joint Committee of the Boys' and Girls' Schools for consideration , and that a report should be presented by them , say in six months time . A resolution might in that way be formulated for

acceptance at the Election Court in Octobernext . Bro . Grey gracefully fell in with the views expressed by tho Secretary of the Boys' Institution ; and it was afterwards moved by Bro . Horace Brooks Marshall , C . C ., Past Grand

Treasurer , that ifc should be referred to the October Quarterly Court , when the conclusions of the joint Committees of the two Schools miyht be laid before the Subscribers for their approval . Those who attended the

Election would then be in a position to deal with the question thoroughly and finally . Of course the Subscribers would be afforded every facility of having the views of such special

Committee before them , and in this way an amicable and workable settlement of the whole quest ion might be arrived at . Taken as a whole , some very excellent work was done at Monday ' s Special Court , from which sound practical results may confidently be looked for .

Above Superstition.

ABOVE SUPERSTITION .

" "VX 7 "E are all superstitious , " said a distinguished author VV in the early part of this century . This is a stinging truth that few like to admit , yet , when closely examined , it is found to be true . To free one from himself is the

vvoi-k of a life-time , and even then it cannot be done always . It matters not how the streak of superstition crept into the soul , ou certain occasions it will , in spite of all we can do , crop out .

There is a superstitious awe pervading the minds of many in regard to the overpowering influence of the devil . Under the old mythology , two opposing powers or forces were contending against each other for the dominion over

men s souls ; the one force was good , the other evil ; one power the Creator and Preserver , the other the Destroyer ; one the angel of life , the other the swift-winged messenger of death . Man was to placate the one , and to avoid the

other . One is God , the Only , the other the Devil . To be led captive by the latter was to suffer all the terrible agonies of a burning hell , filled with blue blazes , sulphurous fumes , and the shrieks of the lost . As men received more lisrhfc

fchey mounted higher than the literal flames , and bid defiance to such awful scenes . Not hell-scared nor hellbound frightened them so much as the subordination of their own intellects , the dethronement of reason to passion .

Life at once became something to live for . It meant something to do for self and for others . In short , it was putting the devil and hell down in himself , and placing the rational man on top—the crowning act of true manhood . This is a

battle against superstition , against priestcraft and a defunct theology , that humanity is rapidly outgrowing . Man changes his body , flesh , skin and bones , almost as rapidly as he does his garments . These coverings are only the garments of his soul , which outlives and outlasts them all .

To find out how far we have marched up the road of progress , ancl at every weary step how many old , worn out garments of superstition have been thrown aside along that

dreary march , it is only necessary to compare our present stock of absurd ideas of fche great forces that surround us with the fnil invoice of the barbarous nations of the earth .

Much has been dropped , and more will be thrown overboard in due time . Men have written large treatises on this subject , without exhausting it , so wide spread is this net which has enveloped the whole human race .

As hig her ideas ot duty have become better known to the masses , and juster views more widely disseminated in regard to the p henomena of nature , the cloud mist of ignorance and superstition pushed backward to the more

benighted regions of the earth , the people , like a slumbering giant aroused to consciousness at last , have put their

heads above the darkness which has so long enveloped them . The clearer atmosphere enables them to brush away the shadows , and look at objects in a clearer light .

But only portions of the race have emerged into this upper element , while the larger bulk are surging , and striving , and groping in darkness below . They cannot see because screens are placed close to their eyes . All light is

cut off . Darkly they walk , and more darkly do they think . Clinging to them closely are the old garments of a dead past . To get out of this wilderness has been the work of ages , and

nations have passed from infancy to old age , died , and been almost forgotten , in attempting to reach a more exalted position .

In this utilitarian age , should each one ask himself what superstitious ideas he carries about with himself , he would probably be astonished at the number which makes up such a large per centage of his feelings and emotions .

Selfinspection is the only means by which these inherited tendencies may be overcome . In our actions , modes of thought , and associations , they hang to us with a tenacity that defies reason and education . By day aud by night

they are with us . As we pass the church , or the graveyard , the roaring waterfall , or tbe pebbly brook , that same indescribable feeling , that unaccountable dread of displeasing some hidden power , dogs our footsteps every moment

It travels with all , the brave and the timid , high and low , one and all , it leaves not off only as the mind rises to the contemplation of higher themes than those of mere dread and awe . —Kansas Light .

The Revised Boo-k of Constitutions ; Critically Considered and Compared with , the Old Edition . London : Simpkin . Marsball & Co . 4 Stationers' Hall Court , B . C . Sent on receipt of stamps , One Shilling , by W W . Morgan . Freemason ' s Chronicle Office . Belvidere Works . Hermes Hill ,. Pentonville .