Young Masons As Teachers.

YOUNG MASONS AS TEACHERS .

LODGES of Instruction , which are admittedly of great service to Freemasonry , aud are deservedly popular ia all parts , often present some strange anomalies , in the form of juvenile instructors , or Masons comparatively new to the

art laying down the law and expounding the ritual to Brethren much their seniors , both in regard to age as well aa association with Freemasonry , by virtue of the power with which

they are for the time invested ; and we are told there are some among the older and more dignified members of the Craft who will not associate themselves with Lodges of Instruction because of this , to them , objectionable feature .

At first blush there would seem to be no particular harm in this , but we have heard old Past Masters argue that it is inconsistent , and really detrimental to the interests of the Order , for the reason that it occasionally happens a young Mason , by

diligent attention to work in the Lodge of Instruction , and his perhaps greater aptitude for learning , soon knows more of the ceremonies and ritual than his elders , who are apt to be looked upon with a certain amount of contempt when they flounder

through a ceremony which perhaps half a dozen of the younger members of the Lodge could work with accuracy , and no little dramatic effect . But who is to blame for this ? Lodges of Instruction have taught us that it is possible for Brethren with

ordinary ability to shine as exponents of the ritual , provided they give a fair amount of attention to the work , and if some of the older " fogies " will not take the necessary trouble fchey must not object to be out-distanced by those who do , be they younger or older members of the Craft .

We ma " y here admit that it may sometimes be galling to Brethren who have spent many years in the Craft to find themselves cut out by their juniors , but the older members should bear in mind the fact that in many cases juniors can more easily

acquire ability in the ritual of the Order , just as younger men are supposed to be more apt at learning anything else of a similar character , probably because they are in better practice than their seniors ; and though the elders may envy the greater

proficiency of younger men they have no cause for actual complaint when they see others surpassing them , either in form of delivery , or knowledge of the actual ritual , for they either have

themselves to blame , for not giving more attention to the work ; or are physically incapable of appearing to equal advantage with the ones they criticise .

We think it would be a misfortune if the Offices in Lodges of Instruction were to be closed to young Masons , who , in the opinion of some , should not be allowed to rehearse ceremonies above their position in Lodge . Such a course would materially

interfere with the good work that is now being carried on in our midst . Happily there is very little fear of such a result , and as a consequence some of our older members must continue to put

up with the inconvenience of seeing younger men than themselves excelling them in the work of the Craft , or adopt more vigorous measures in acquiring proficiency for themselves .

Board Of Benevolence.

BOARD OF BENEVOLENCE .

rriHE Board of Benevolence met on Wednesday evening at the JL Freemasons' Hall , Bro . Bobert Grey President in the chair . The Junior Vice-President Bro . C . A . Cottebrune acted as Senior Vice-President , and Bro . C . J . B . Tijou Past Asst . G . P . performed the duties of Junior Vice-President .

The meeting was numerously attended , among Past Grand Officers present being Bros . Col . George Lambert , John Chadwick , Henry Garrod , D . D . Mercer , T . W . Whitmarsh , and S .

Vallentine ; and among the elected members of the Board Bros . William Vincent , George B . Chapman , William Fisher , George E . Langley , R . H . Evans , W . Kipps , George Graveley , James Bunker , and E . C . Mulvey .

Other Brethren present were Bros . Frederick Thomas , Henry T . Simon , G . H . Newington Bridges , Dick Radclyffe , William Radcliffe , Charles P . Bellerby , John W . Shackleton , C . Mansfield , Major C . W . Carrell , Henry J . Moxon , H . Massey , Albert Clark , W . Caslake , G . E . King , W . Adams , E . W . Jeffery , 0 . H . Webb ,

Thomas Grammant , Layton Richardson , W . Cleghorn , J . H . Neville , W . F . Hughes , G . R . Hoare , J . W . Robinson , Charles Henry Stone , Sidney W . Larkin . The Grand Secretary ' s Department was represented by Bros . Letchworth G . S ., W . Lake Asst . G . S ., W . Dodd , and W . H . Lee .

Three recommendations of £ 30 each made at last meeting to the Grand Master were confirmed . Of thirty-six cases ou the new list , two were deferred and one was dismissed . The cases on the new list hailed from Lodges in the London District , and at Paignton , Bromley ( Kent ) , Sunderland , Eccles ,

Monkwearmouth , Mussoone ( E . L ) , Peterborough , Ilford , Ross , Newcastleon-Tyne , Calcutta , Oxford , Valparaiso , Boston , Gibraltar , Longton , Rochdale , Hampton Court , Newport ( Mon . ) , Leeds , and Newton Abbot . The total grant made to thirty-three cases

was £ 805 . Grand Lodge was recommended to grant £ 50 to one petitioner , and the Grand Master was recommended to grant five petitioners £ 40 each , ten £ 30 each , and two £ 25 each . The Board made grands of £ 20 in six instances , and granted one case £ 15 , giving also six petitioners £ 10 each , and two £ 5 each .

West Lancashire Educational Fund.

WEST LANCASHIRE EDUCATIONAL FUND .

AT a largely attended meeting held at the Masonic Hall , Hope Street , Liverpool , on the 18 th , for the purpose of making preliminary arrangements for the annual festival and ball in aid of the funds of the West Lancashire Masonic Educational Institution , early in the coming year , Bro . A . Stoddart P . M . 32 P . P . G . W . was voted to the chair .

It was unanimously resolved to hold the ball afc the Town Hall early in January , the exact date being subject to the new Lord Mayor ' s convenience , and Bros . E . Paull , J . Houlding , Dr . Clarke , Dr . J . Kellett Smith , and the executive Officers of the Institution were appointed a deputation to wait upon the new chief magistrate immediately after his election .

The meeting on Friday resolved to ask Bro . Dr . Crawford P . P . G . Treasurer to accept the position of chairman of the ball committee , Bro . W . Rawsthorne P . M . 1182 was elected vicechairman , Bro . G . Broadbent P . M . 1013 Hon . Secretary , and Bro . A . E . Povey W . M . 241 Hon . Treasurer . A vote of thanks fco Bro . Stoddart closed the proceedings . —" Liverpool Mercury . ' '

A writer in the " Glasgow Evening News " says ladies are now so much in demand for fche laying of foundation stones that a female Masonic Order is imminent . Although we do not expect ladies to be admitted to our Lodges—at least during the lifetime of the present generation—we have no doubt they will ere long have an association , on somewhat similar lines to Masonry , for themselves , and hope they will benefit accordingly .