Report To Grand Chapter Of Prince Masons, Ireland.

Croix Chapters in Ireland , no less than eight are in Dublin . As regards this increase , however , Judge Townshend utters a note of warning , which may be heeded equally by other sections of Masonry . He remarks , " the increase of this Order may be either a subject of congratulation or very

much the contrary . It is true of it , as of the human frame , —the cessation of its growth may be taken to indicate the first beginning of its decay , yet it may grow too fast , or grow too large , to be in a perfectly healthy condition . " Mere numbers , in fact , though oftentimes a subject of

congratulation , as indicative of strength , are not necessarily so . Judge Townshend considers it but just that the Rose Croix Chapters should not be precluded from extension while the general body of Masonry is increasing in numbers ; but he is very properly anxious that this extension should

be regulated judiciously , so that the high character of the Order may experience no detriment . As to the number of Chapters there were seven in 1854 , and there now thirteen , but no new warrant has been applied for since 1872 . Here again , Judge

Townshend , quoting a statement of his in a former address to Convocation , cautions Grand Chapter against too great facility in granting new warrants . " I should have you , " says he , " grant new warrants with a very cautious hand ,

having regard to a great many circumstances which would not be taken into account if you were to grant them merely to gratify a few individuals , however estimable in character or anxious for the extension of the Order . We must not

either withhold promotion from men who deserve it , nor make promotion too cheap , too easily had , too common to be thought very well worth having . I have stated this much for your consideration , knowing , as I do , that I incur the risk of displeasing many who may hear me , because it is my

duty to point out a danger , and it will be yours to avert it , if you can , by good sense , discretion and circumspection . " These are words of wisdom , on which it behoves every branch of Masonry to reflect . It is far more important that our brethren should be good representative

members , who will spread the fame of our Order , and make it respected in the outer world than that we should aim at securing mere numerical strength . The next point to which the President reverts is the possibility , that as Grand Chapter has now become a numerous body , and is generally

well attended , an attempt may be made to entrust a portion of its business to a committee . To this he thinks there is no valid objection , but he expresses a hope that the important trust of passing candidates will never be thus delegated . Once already , he notes , such an experiment had

been tried , and proved a signal failure , Grand Chapter having very speedily taken back this most important duty under its own immediate superintendence . For though , as Judge Townshend argues , Grand Chapter may not be infallible , yet there is greater likelihood that , by its strict

examination into the character and fitness of all candidates , the purity of the Order will be maintained than if these inquiries were entrusted to a committee , or left to subordinate Chapters . The latter are represented in Grand Chapter , and hitherto the system has worked admirably .

Thus it is from no distrust of Subordinate Chapters that the President favours the retention of the present system , but evidently the maxim , " Leave well alone , " has a strong influence upon the mind of our distinguished brother , and very properly so say we .

As to the relations presently existing among the several Chapters , these , we are told , are perfectly harmonious , there having been no complaint whatever raised by any single member of any one of them . What interchange of communication with Chapters of the Order in other

countries there has been , has been of the friendliest character . Financially , too , the Order is in excellent plight . There now stand to the credit of Grand Chapter over £ 200 of Government Stock . The year 1875 opened with a cash balance in hand of £ 98 17 s . while of a further sum of

£ 7 G 15 s then due to it , over £ 25 have been since paid to its account . Of the stock , £ 100 was invested last year , while as to the cash balance , it is considerably more than double what it was in the year 1872 . Grand Treasurer , Bro . Charles T . Walmisley , who has resigned the office of

Assistant Secretary General , but still retains his Treasuryship , announces also that all claims made upon Grand Chapter have been satisfied , that there are none

outstanding , or if they are , they are of very trifling amount , and have not been settled onl y because they have not beet , presented for payment . In other words , there is no debt impending over the Order .

Report To Grand Chapter Of Prince Masons, Ireland.

Bro . Townshend next points out that a Revised Code of rules for the governance of the Order has been under consideration for some time past , but that it is not yet finally arranged . A few insignificant alterations in the existing code will be introduced , but "those relating to the 15 th ,

16 th , and 17 th Degrees of tho ' Ancient and Accepted Rite '" will be of greater importance , involving , as they will , fresh arrangements , by means of which " Chapters will be enabled to qualify candidates for future elevation to

our own ranks . " Any opinion upon the propriety of the new regulations had better perhaps be reserved till the Code is actually promulgated . We shall than be in a position to judge of the nature of these changes as well as of their probable influence over the future of the Order .

With the remarks on Masonic ceremonials , and the necessity there is for studying them thoroughly , we concur most fully . Too many of us are content to observe them outwardly , but are careless about penetrating the beauties they are intended to symbolise . A thorough Mason is one

who can read and convey to others , if necessary , the hidden meaning * of our symbols . Brother Townshend further notes that the compact of 1836 , " by which the several governing bodies of the Masonic Order had agreed to recognise and act upon each other ' s orders of suspension or

expulsion " no longer exists , and a brother suspended or expelled by the Rose Croix Grand Chapter may yet " enjoy all the privileges of fraternity in a Master ' s Lodge . " On the wisdom of this step Bro . Townshend offers no opinion . With regard to that portion of his concluding

remarks , in which the President almost apologises for holding that distinguished position , we may at least remark , that if the present address were the only evidence before the world of Bro . Townshend ' s fitness for so hi gh a position , we should still esteem it a piece of good fortune

in the Rose Croix Grand Chapter that it is presided over by so able and so earnest a ruler . Judge Townsend nofc only has a sense of his important duties , but he fulfils them admirably , and none , we think , who read this address of his will come to any other conclusion .

Fatalism.

FATALISM .

A FRAGMENT FKOM THE ISLE OF MI . VDOKO . A PERI in a Nautilus-shell floats o ' er a placid sea , Gently wafted along by the swell of zephyr minstrelsy ; In her fragile conch , at ease reclined , the broad expanse she views , Where ripples flow and sunbeams glow in pearl and opal hues .

To the balmy wind that wafts behind two tender sails are spread , Above the nnde and polished hood , which arches o ' er her head , Whilst tiny feelers trail beneath to warn that none intrude , Ready to shrink to parent sheath before encounter rude .

The sunbeams gleam in a sparkling dream , the ocean lightly heaves , Or wavelet breaks upon foamy flakes that drifting seaweed leaves ; The boat is borne in Orient morn , ' mid islets in verdure spread , Where seabird-flocks on the coral rocks and the face of the cliffs are bred .

But when noon is past and the evening blast troubles an angry sky , When a haze is shed o ' er the sunset red , and clonds come drifting by , Ere the chills of eve come shuddering up , she folds each silken sail , The Nautilus closing its open cup , contracts its feelers frail ,

And sinks down deep to the ocean-bed where no tidal current flows ; There iu the dome of her pearly home the Peri enjoys repose , And anchored safe in nether groves or in white basaltic cave , The winds howl o ' er their booty fled and the upper surges rave .

' Tis thus the Peri ' s journeys are , so fair and bright and free , ' Mid heav ' nly scenes and sounds upon the bosom of the sea : Never a fear of danger there , nor care for future day , But lapt in sweet serenity she floats and dreams away .

0 Man ! Allah Akbar has aye a Providence for thfie . Life , Light and Love on thee bestowed transcend all ills that be . Enjoy the calm , sleep through the storm , nor dream of anght but

bliss ! The sun is bright , thy blood is warm , what wonld ' st thon more than this ?

Or if the hurricane should burst and Nature roar in pam , ' Tis Allah ' s will that on thee soon the sun shall shine again : The morrow brings its own resource , and Time is ever new , Life , Light and Love are ail of course , then trust in Allah too . yfmisa . SPENCXB .