The Province Of Dorsetshire.

THE PROVINCE OF DORSETSHIRE .

Bro . MONTAGU J . GUEST , Prov . Grand Master of Dorsetshire , had an easy and a pleasant task before him when he presided at the annual meeting of his Provincial Grand Lodge , at Beaminster , towards the close of last month . It was clear from the

various reports which had been prepared for submission to the brethren that , in respect of numerical strength and as regards its pecuniary position , as well as from the activity and general attention to duty shown by the lodges , the province had well

maintained its position during the past 12 months . Dorsetshire is by no means a strong province , the lodges on its roll being onlv 13 in number , but it has nevertheless acquitted itself admirably in the various spheres of Masonic duty , while the

support it periodically renders to our principal Charitable Institutions would be highly creditable even if the province contained more lodges , and the roll of its subscribing members was longer . Its local Charity also , for the establishment of which we are in

the main indebted to the generosity and energy of the Provincial Grand Master , is well organised , has a fair amount of accumulated capital , and has already been enabled to give valuable help to the local brethren and their families . Under these

circumstances , therefore , it is not surprising that the address delivered to the brethren assembled in Provincial Grand Lodge by Bro . GUEST should have been almost from beginning to end a record of thanks ancl congratulation

on the general character and result of the year ' s proceedings , the whole concluding with the expression of a hope—in which we most cordially join—that the reports of future years may show that Freemasonry in Dorsetshire had maintained and even

improved upon its present position and prospects . One subject of regret was mentioned by the Provincial Grand Master—that Bro . S . R . BASKETT , one of the principal candidates at the recent election of a new Secretary lo the Royal Masonic

Institution for Boys , had not been successful . Bro . GUEST , however , consoled himself and the Province at large with the reflection that a good man had been elected in Bro . MCLEOD , and trusted that the new Secretary would prove himself to be an energetic

and capable officer . Nor were the claims of Bro . BASKETT overlooked to a more solid consideration than mere sympathy and thanks , a contribution of - £ 35 being unanimously voted by the brethren present towards lhe heavy expenses incurred by him

during his recent candidature . In addition to this , he had the satisfaction of being presented with the Charity jewel , to which he had become entitled by his services as Stewaid to the Girls' School in 188 5 , the Benevolent Institution in 1888 , and

the Boys' School in 1889 , the rule being , in accordance with a resolution passed by Provincial Grand Lodge at its meeting at Bridport , in 1881 , lhat all brethren , en becoming entitled to three distinctions , should have them provided out of the funds of the

Provincial Grand Lodge . The resolution to admit ladies to the annual banquet of the brethren was referred to in our " Notes " of last week , and we need say nothing further now than that we hope the Committee to which the question—which was carried

by a small majority only—has been referred , will report in favour of the resolution being carried into effect . Certain formal business brought the proceedings of the day to a clote , and the brethren adjourned to the festive boaid , at which , in the

unavoidable absence of the chief , Bro . J . M . P . MONTAGU , P . G . D . and P . D . P . G . M ., presided . We heartily congratulate Bio . GUES'J and the ledges and brethren of the province en the success of their recent meeting under the banner of the Beaminster Manor Lodge , No . 13 6 7 , the junior ledge in Dorsetshire .

The Source Of Masonic Symbolism.

THE SOURCE OF MASONIC SYMBOLISM .

A South African paper reports that a successful attempt has been made to establish on the Diamond Fields a " Local Correspondence Circle" in connection with the Lodge Quatuor Coronati , No . 2076 , London , which was established in London in January , 1886 , with the object of encouraging and advancing

Masonic and archaeological research . At the first meeting of the Kimberley Correspondence Circle which was held in the Masonic Temple , under the banner of the Cosmopolitan Lodge , with Bro . W . F . Cranswick presiding , Bro . Da Silva , who will be remembered by many of our readers as an active Metropolitan Mason ,

read a highly interesting paper on " The Source of Masonic Symbolism , " in the course of which he said : — "In this age of progress , when the pursuit of science is the aim of almost every portion of civilised society , the study of a science that tends to consolidate ancl intensify the spirit of religion ancl the true

essence of divinity , should be the one most studied by the grand majority . The various theories that have been put forward of . late years by professed philosophers , such as Tyndall , Spencer , Huxley , Darwin , & c , have tended in some degree to destroy the true and absolute religious belief of many ; and the theory of

evolution by itself must be considered a direct attack on biblical history . Is it , therefore , to be wondered that a science such as Freemasonry , whose aim it is to ' beautify and adorn the inward man / should at the present day be making such vast strides in its work of propagation ? Freemasonry

raises itself as a barrier against infidel science in aid of true religion , and by its teachings serve to prepare the mind of man for the due appreciation of the infinite . Many of the uninitiated look upon Freemasonry as a kind of solemn farce , combined with fantastic orgies ; but we who are initiated into its mystery

know that it is a system full of intellectual beauties and moral precepts , and there are again many among us who , looking deeper below the surface find in all its symbols greater beauties ,

greater truths , and still greater virtues . When the neophyte standing at the threshold acknowledges the belief in a divine creator , the spirit of religion is aroused which is continued through each gradation of the mystic ceremony .

" Mysticism in every form , from the earliest days has been associated with the propagation of religious ideas and theories . And there can be no doubt that Symbolical Freemasonry , as a mystic science , has been brought down from the various mystic doctrines of the Tenth to Thirteenth Centuries The studies of

the Pythagoreans , as also the Eleusinian doctrines had as their primary object , the adoration of a supreme being . The great secret society of Islamism in the Twelfth Century called the 'Assassins' had the worship of Allah continually enjoined on them . The Pythagorean theory , or rather belief , was that all

things are number , or that number is the essence of everything . Aristotle says ' the Pythagoreans seem to have looked upon number as the principle and so to speak the " matter" of which existence consists . ' They supposed the elements of numbers to be the elements of existence , and pronounced the whole heaven to be

harmony and number . In addition , they believed in a peculiar system of astronomy , basing their ideas on the existence of a central fire , round which moved the ten heavenly bodies known to science in those days . The principal object by which the Pythagorean theory is known in these days was their belief in

the transmigration of souls ; this , however , need not concern us here this evening . The Eleusinian Rites were held at Athens to commemorate certain events in Grecian mythology . They had one great feature , apart from the most inspiriting mysticism in the dramatic symbolism which described the revivication of the

earth after the death of winter . This symbolism assumed forms which would explain their meaning even to the uninitiated . The grand ceremony of initiation , & c , into these mysterious rites lasted nine days , and were attended only bv those who had been previously initiated into the lesser mysteries . The whole of the inhabitants of Athens attended some further ceremonies which