Freemasonry In Other Countries.

FREEMASONRY IN OTHER COUNTRIES .

Our article of last week , in which we drew attention to tlie principal events that happened in connection with Freemasonry and its Institutions during the past year , was too long to permit of any reference being made to thc proceedings of thc Craft in other countries . Yet such a reference can hardly be dispensed with . To the world generally we arc a Society

which claims—and rightly claims—that our ramifications extend everywhere , nor is there , perhaps , a single civilised country in which Freemasonry has not succeeded in establishing for itself a more or less firm foothold , and in which it does not enjoy a greater or less immunity from the interference of constituted authority . But if we are everywhere one and the same

society , which has adopted for its guidance certain fundamental principles , it cannot be a matter of indifference to us when we hear , as we do from time to time on authority which cannot be called in question , that however seriously we may profess to be actuated by a certain community of principles , there is a marvellous diversity

of practice among our constituent branches . It is little or no good our claiming that Freemasonry keeps strictly aloof from every kind of political and religious controversy , when indisputable evidence is continually being brought forward that in this or that country our organisation has been diverted from its original purpose to those of political or

religious partisanship . In the United Kingdom , which is thc original home of our modern system of Freemasonry , thc principles on which it was founded have been always , and still arc , most religiously observed ; but in France , into which it was introduced directly from this country , there is , wc fear , no reason to doubt that its organisation into lodges and chapters is made use of

by members for the promotion of their political aims and objects . The works of beneficence which may bc traced to the action or influence of Freemasonry in that country are well nigh innumerable , but , at the same time , no secret whatever is made of the political or religious partisanship of Craftsmen . In Germany , wh ch is also indebted to the United Kingdom for

its Freemasonry , the lodges arc no doubt uninfluenced by the spirit of partisanship , but there is not always or everywhere the same complete spirit of toleration towards members of every political faith ; while in Italy , though things have mended since the whole country became united under the sovereignty of Victor Emmanuel of Savoy , there is still to be found in

parts something of that spirit of opposition to constituted authority which existed in the days when Italy was a mere geographical expression and resistance was latent , and where it dared to make itself publicly felt , patent against the wretched tyrannies into which nearly thc whole of the country was parcelled out . But after all it is to the United States of North America

that our thoughts must be most naturally directed , when we give our attention to Freemasonry as it is in other countries than our own , and here , wc rejoice to say , the original principles upon which the Order was founded are both scrupulously and conscientiously observed . A considerable amount of parade has bcen engrafted upon American Freemasonry , but its heart is true notwithstanding .

In some jurisdictions it may be doubted if overmuch respect is paid to thc ancient usages and established customs of the Order , when we read of Masters of lodges being publicly installed in oflice , and one of our most impressive ceremonies being given as a dramatic representation . But care is taken in all jurisdictions that the principles of the Craft shall bc strictly

observed , and among the brightest jewels to be found in American Masonry , arc the loyalty which the brethren entertain for constituted authority , and the Charity they unfailingly exhibit towards all sorts and conditions of men . There is then much to hope from the future of the Society in the United States , and from the influence it cannot lail to exercise on the outside world .

It has prospered in the past , and it depends upon its own acts rather than upon external influences and opinions , as to whether or not it shall be still more prosperous in the years to come . It is hardly needful to say that at all times , and under all circumstances , it has our heartiest good wishes for its continued well-being .

Grand Lodge Of Ireland.

GRAND LODGE OF IRELAND .

The Grand Lodgeof Ireland met , for the 163 rd time , in annual communication on St . John's Day , 1 S 93 , for the purpose of saluting and proclaiming the Grand Oflicers in accordance with ancient custom .

Ihe Deputy Grand Master , Bro . R . W . Shekleton , Q . C , was on the throne , attended by the Grand Treasurer , Bro . J . C . Meredith , I . L . D ., and the Senior Grand Deacon , Bro . Chetwode Crawley , D . C . L ., as acting Grand Wardens . Before thc close of Grand Lodge , the DEPUTY GRAND MASTER made fraternal reference to the Masonic jubilee of Bro . Kivas 'fully , Representa-

Grand Lodge Of Ireland.

tive of Ireland at the Grand East of Canada ( which has been alread y reported in thc Freemason ) , and invited thc brethren to salute their distinguished and veteran brother in due form . The salute was most heartily given , and the Grand Lodge of Canada , in whose honour the departure from standing usage was made , will , no doubt , appreciate thc fraternal courtesy , inasmuch as there is no previous record of any brother , save the actual Grand Oflicers , being saluted at the St . John ' s Day communication of the Grand Lodgeof Ireland .

1 he following were the Grand Oflicers proclaimed for the ensuing year : Bro . His Grace the Most Noble the Duke of Abercorn M . W . G . M . ,, Robert Wm . Shekleton , O . C , J . P . ... ... Dep . G . M . ,, Most Hon . the Marquis oT Hcadforl , D . f S . G . W . „ Right Hon . Lord Arthur W . Hill , M . P . ... J . G . W . ,, James C . Meredith , LL . D . ... ... G . Treas . ,, Right Hon . the Earl of Bandon ... ... G . Sec . ,, Right Hon . and Most Rev . Lord Plunket ( Arch- **) bishop of Dublin ) ... ... . ... I G . Chaplains . ,, Rev . Beniamin Gibson , M . A . ... ... J

„ W . J . Chetwode Crawley , LL . D . ... ... S . G . D . ,, Frederick R . Pirn , LL . D . ... ... J . G . D . „ Wm . Spence , CE . ... ... ... G . S . of W . „ William M . Battcrsby , J . P . ... ... G . D . of C . „ William G . Huband ... G . Stwd .

,, William Comyns ... ... ... G . S . B . ,, Thomas R . G . Joze , Mus . D . ... ... G . Org . „ George Drury ... ... ... G . LG . „ W . J . Chetwode Crawley , LL . D . ... ... G . Sec . L . of I .

„ Archibald St . George , J . P . ... ... ( ' . y * bcc * and " ¦ * ** " J < . ireas . ,, Henry E . Flavclle , ... ... ... G . Asst . Sec . ,, Richard L . Stevens ... ... ... G . Tyler . „ John Frost ... ... ... ... Asst . G . Tyler .

Masonic Benevolence In 1893.

MASONIC BENEVOLENCE IN 1893 .

We have received from thc Secretaries of our several Masonic Institutions the annual statements , in which are set forth under their proper heads , the amounts received by them during the year , which for business purposes terminated on Saturday last . That there would be a very considerable diminution in the totals of these returns , as compared wilh those of 1 S 92 , was

generally expected . We do not , however , imagine there were many who could have realised to themselves that , notwithstanding thc certainty of this great diminution , the totals from all sources would have proved so favourable . In 1892 the amounts of the receipts were as follow : Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution , £ 61 , 849 2 s . 6 d . ; Royal Masonic Institution for Boys , £ 15 , 837

18 s . ; and Royal Masonic Institution for Girls £ 12 , 778 2 s . id ., making the grand total of £ 90 , 465 2 s . 7 d ., or about £ 7500 more than had ever been received before , even the total of the year 1 S 88 , in which the Girls' School celebrated ils Centenary , having yielded no more than £ 82 , 904 is . iod . This is of course to be explained by 1892 having been thc year of thc Benevolent Jubilee , when £ 69 , 000 was raised at the Festival

in commemoration ot that event . In 1 S 93 ,. however , there has not only been no Jubilee celebrated , but the Festival returns which constitute the bulk of the income in the case of all three Charities have suffered , so far as those of the Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution are concerned , by the re-action which is almost certain to follow after a

supreme effort . Yet , in spite of this re-action , the Festivals of 1 S 93 gave the following results : Benevolent Festival in February , £ 8 , 855 "Ss . 6 d . Girls' School , in May , £ 14 , 011 3 s . 6 d . ; Boys' School , in June ( as announced ) £ 21 , 340 us . 6 d , thc ultimate total in the last case being , as far as we are able to gather , in excess of rather than under £ 22 , 000 . However taking

thc Returns of the three Festivals as wc have stated them , they reach the highly satisfactory sum of £ 44 , 207 13 s . 6 d . Nor shall we be greatly over-statin" * thc case , if inking into account the additions which we know have bcen made to the Boys' School total as it was announced at the Festival itself , we set down thc average for each Festival in 1893 at £ 15 , 000 . There is one other

point to which it is our duty to draw special attention . The receipts entered under the head of " Donations and Subscriptions , " which , as we have before said , constitute thc bulk of the total income are as follows : Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution , £ 12 , 989 10 s . iod . ; Royal Masonic Institution for Girls , £ 14 , 643 ns . id . ; Royal Masonic Institution for Boys , £ 10 , 892 as .

3 d . ; giving a total received by the three Charities of £ 47 , 525 4 s . 2 d . Thus the donations and subscriptions received during thc year exceed the amounts set forth in the Festival Returns as paid and promised to bc paid b y £ 3307 ios . 8 d ., the Benevolent Institution having received £ 4133 12 s . 4 d . and the Girls ' School £ 632 7 s . 7 d . more , and the Boys' School £ 1448 9 s . 2 d . less than the