Hasty Initiation.

HASTY INITIATION .

OUR Scottish contemporaries are just now exercised in reference to some strong remarks made by the Toronto " Freemason , " which regards Scotland as often guilty of the offence of " rushing" candidates , and

instances two cases which had come under its observation , where members were initiated but a few hours before taking ship to cross the Atlantic .

Of course in these particular instances there may have been no cause for complaint , but if it is true , as our Canadian contemporary states , that cases have been known in New York of men who have been made

Masons in the beginning of the month in Scotland being before the Board of Belief in America before its close , then there is very good ground for protestation , while

it is but rational that more caution should be demanded from those who do not take sufficient care as to the class of men they introduce into Freemasonry . It is a painful fact , argues the Canadian writer

but one capable of demonstration , that the larger number of Masons who seek relief in the United States hail from Grand Lodge of Scotland , and this being so , it is hardly

to be wondered at that a strong feeling exists across the water that men who have been rushed through Masonry as is done in some quarters , but particularly in Scotland ,

should not be permitted to join Lodges there . Continuing the subject , it is urged that in Holland a Brother is not permitted to take the Master ' s degree until he has served twelve months as a Fellow Craft , and not even then without proving himself worthy of

the advancement ; but there is little probability of so strong a regulation being introduced into the laws of either Scotland or England . Indeed , we have but very recently seen a similar regulation , that formerly guarded

the portals of Royal Arch Freemasonry , swept away , in favour of the shorter probationary period of one month . The question is one of great importance , and will no doubt be discussed in some official way ere long . We

regret that on the present occasion other claims on our space prevent our giving further attention to it , but we shall revert to the subject at no very distant date .

Guernsey And Alderney.

GUERNSEY AND ALDERNEY .

AN event that has been looked forward to by the Masonic fraternity in Guernsey and Alderney , and Jersey , took place in the Masonic Temple , St . Peter Port , Guernsey , on 23 rd inst ., with great success , viz .: the formation of a Provincial Grand Lodge for Guernsey and

Alderney . For many years the various Lodges in these two Islands have belonged to no province , apparently preferring to remain so . However , it has been decided at la & t to form a province of their own , and it has pleased

Guernsey And Alderney.

H . E . H . the Prince of Wales to appoint Brigade-Surgeon J . Balfour Cockburn as Provincial Grand Master . This worthy Mason has been long known both in Guernsey and Jersey for the tact and energy with which he has carried out the various functions which he has been called upon to perform in both Islands . Bro . the Eight Hon . the Earl of Euston Prov . Grand

Master of Northampton and Huntingdon , accompanied by Lord Dungarvan Prov . Grand Master of Somerset , Col . E . Malet de Carteret Prov . Grand Master of Jersey , Bro . Col . Cook P . G . D ., Bro . F . Eichardson P . G . D .,

Bro . C . F . Matier P . G . S . B . and other Grand Officers arrived in Guernsey to perform the ceremony . The ceremony , which is a function seldom witnessed by the majority of Freemasons , took place at St . Julian ' s

Hall with great pomp , and can only be realised by those who have had the privilege of witnessing it ; the principal Officers invested being Bro . C . Ozanne , H . M . Solicitor-General of Guernsey , as Deputy Prov . G . M ., Col . Guion , commanding Eoyal Fusiliers , as P . G . S . W .,

Bro . Gardiner as P . G . J . W ., Bro . Eev . Jesse P . G . Chap . The ceremony concluded , the Brethren adjourned to the Lyric Hall , where a banquet had been provided , and

to which about 100 sab down . Dr . Cockburn was in the chair , his Deputy Bro . Ozanne on his left , and the Earl of Euston , Col . M . de Carteret and Lord Dungarvan in order of seniority on his right .

The banquet being over , the Prov . G . M . proposed the toast of the Queen and Prince of Wales , which was drunk with applause . He then proposed the Grand Lodge , which was responded to by Col . de Carteret and Lord Dungarvan , and next the Installing Master ( who

was much cheered ) . The Earl of Euston responded in a most able manner , explaining the great pleasure it gave him to be able to be present to instal the first Prov . G . M . of Guernsey and

Alderney . Lord Euston then proposed what he considered the

toast of the evening : Dr . Balfour Cockburn , the first Prov . G . M . of the Province , than whom no better Mason could be found , be having served his country in many

lands and risen to the head of his Department , who having learned to obey was well able to command . He trusted the newly-formed Province would follow him loyally and well .

Dr . Cockburn responded in feeling terms , and proposed the health of his Deputy and Officers , which was responded to by Brother Ozanne in an eloquent

speech . The Prov . G . M . then proposed the Visitors , and explained what pleasure it gave him to see so many Jersey Brethren present who had ever met him in that true fraternal spirit which should always characterise Freemasons . Dr . J . Le Cronier responded .

The Charities was then proposed and responded to by Bro . E . Eve , Chairman of the Masonic Boys School , and Bro . F . Eichardson , Chairman of the Masonic Girls

School , the former in a most eloquent and fluent oration demanding that " Charity" was the main object of Masonry , and calling upon the Brethren to support by every means in their power , the Aged , the Widows and the Orphans .

The assembly broke up at 11 p . m . after a clay which will long be remembered by the Masons of these Islands . — " Jersey Times . "