" L'An Est Mort; Vive L'An."

have made their mark respectively as ardent supporters of our Charitable Institutions , as

distinguished members ol the Press , as literati ( not the least of whom was our Bev . Bro . A . F . A . Woodford , whose Obituary will be found in another column of

this issue ) , and as most efficient and well-beloved rulers . We make no invidious selection of names ; one and all they were , in their respective degrees ,

useful and very worthy members of our Order , and of each there are certainly some among us who could wish

* ' For the touch of the vanished hand , And the sound of a voice that is still !"

There are other circumstances and events of the past twelvemonths upon which , if it were not that we should exceed the limits of the space at our disposal ,

we might descant ; but none of a more important character than those we have alluded to . It now only remains to give a fitting farewell to a period of time which , though it has undoubtedly brought to many

the failure ol anticipated hopes , has , m a larger number of instances , we trust , been fraught with happiness and comfort . In regard to the first-named , we would wish them stout hearts and sound minds to still look forward , and to have yet further reliance

in that " anchor of the soul , both sure and stedfast , " which may keep them from despondency , and enable them to ultimately overcome all difficulties : and to

the latter a remembrance of the benefits they may have received , and an earnest consideration on behalf of their less fortunate fellow-creatures .

L'An est Mort ! " Bing out the Old . " " Bing in the New . " Vive l'An ! And as the joy bells sound gladly in our ears and

fill our breasts with mingled emotions of regret for what , whether for good or evil , cannot be recalled , "Not Heaven itself upon tho past hath power , "

and of yearning desire for the practical performance of all that is good and true , let us reflect upon the opportunities which lie before us in that direction . Let 1888 see still further progress in the direction

of Masonic benevolence , and the most strenuous efforts made not only to do honour to the Centenary Celebration of the Girls' School , but to provide for

the pressing exigencies of both the Boys' School and the Benevolent Institution . Whilst not for one moment desiring to divert even the smallest subscription from the former Institution , on the occasion of its Hundredth Anniversary , we would urge upon the

brethren generally the necessity for preventing the increase of the number of the aged " poor and distressed " beyond the vacancies at the disposal of the Institution for aged brethren and widows of brethren .

At this moment the disparity is far too great , and it is to be hoped that the new year , before it is nearly old , may see a more favourable state of affairs . Nor should the very discouraging position of the Boys '

School be permitted to remain long unaltered . Our readers have had an opportunity , afforded them lately by ourselves , for a more perfect acquaintance with the history of this Institution and the special reasons for

a renewed appeal for further support , and we trust that the information thus afforded may bear fruit . We have referred in the foregoing remarks to the " Silver Wedding " present to our Most Worshipful Grand Master and Her Boyal Highness the Princess

of Wales . The exact date when that gift will fall due will be on the 10 th March , three days after the Quarterly Communication of Grand Lodge , at which meeting the recent resolutions will require confirmation . If in the meanwhile it may be considered

advisable to meet the wishes of the many who accord agreement to the suggestion for a " silver gift " from each and all members of the Craft , there would yet be time for the authorities to carry out the scheme ;

ana even it it required a slight delay m regard to presentation , which might net however , be the case ,

" L'An Est Mort; Vive L'An."

the increased importance of the gift would justify such delay . We might say much , having regard to the progress

ol Masonic work , m reference to recent correspondence in the CHRONICLE on " Work in Lodges of Instruction , " but must content ourselves by observing that the occasional departure from the hard and fast

regulations as to Instruction work is highly advantageous to those who desire to have acquaintance with hidden meanings of far greater import than thousands amongst us are aware of , and we trust that the new

year may record many more such departures , and the occasional substitution of interesting and instructive lectures and consecration ceremonies .

Again a desire to economise space interferes with a wish to refer to other matters which might be usefully put forward for consideration during the next twelvemonths , and these must have our future comments as lor

opportunity may be anoroeci ns . it win sumce the present to say that as in the past year there have been many things done which have materially advanced the progress of the Order , so in that which is

now about to open to us there will be , we trust , increased energy on the part of zealous Craftsmen to avail themselves of all opportunities which may arise for further promoting its best interests . To such

workers amongst us , as well as to the many who have hitherto assisted us in our journalistic labours , and to the numerous readers who have given us support , we wish in all sincerity " % Iwspenws | tefo gear / '

Hiram Lodge.

HIRAM LODGE .

Hiram Lodge F . A . M . v . G . L . of Connecticut IK A . M . G . L . of Connecticut F . A . M . v . Hiram Lodge F . A . M . [ C OMMUNICATED . ]

( Continued from page 401 . ) SOME Lodges were willing to surrender , and some were not willing ; entirely friendly bub very diverse opiuions prevailed . A feeling apparently not . so especially in opposition to the Grand Lodge , as in favour and protection of themselves aud their ancient privileges .

Experience had , moreover , shown that perfect harmony and co-operation might exist , even where the old Lodges continued under their old charters and without a new one . The acceptance of a new charter even where tbe old one

was retained came therefore naturally and practically to be considered an essential and sufficient acknowledgment of allegiance : at all events it was unwise and inexpedient to

press the matter more urgently . Time and the felicities of the union , it was believed , would accomplish and perfect the consolidation they desired , and who shall say they were not wise in this .

Now the resolution first requires the " production " of the old charter to the Grand Master , that he may be satisfied that they are " regularly constituted Lodges in this State . "

He shall then issue to such Lodgo a new charter . He has no alternative . His action is without condition or

limitation , or the right to impose or require any restriction whatever . Then the old and the new charters shall be recorded together by the Grand Secretary , if the Lodge requires its

old charter to be returned , aud they shall be sent , both the old and the new , to the Lodge ; that is to say , if the Lodge does not require the return , the charter is absolutely . surrendered and impounded ; if it doeti require the return ,

then the charter shall be giver , up with the single limitation that a . certificate of its registration shall be indorsed upon it . In the latter case the Lo ! ge might live and work

under its old charter , as it had been doing , its new one being a charter of recognition , or confirmation of its former power and authority .

Hiram Lodge required its charter to be returned , and about 1796 it was given up , certified according to the Resolve .