Masonic Notes.

of those he had governed with so much ability and tact . On the nth June , his successor as the representative of her Majesty in New South Wales—Bro . the Earl of Jersey , P . G . Warden of England , and Prov . Grand Master of Oxfordshire , was installed as the

second Grand Master of this young , but flourishing Grand Lodge , in the presence of some 3000 brethren assembled in the Centennial Hall , Sydney . We congratulate his lordship on his elevation to this exalted

ollice , and our New South Wales brethren on their great good fortune in having secured the services of so experienced and distinguished a brother as successor to the ever-popular Lord Carrington .

Bro . the Very Rev . Dean Barnett Clarke , District Grand Master for the Western Division of South Africa , in the very eloquent address he delivered to the brethren in the Cathedral , Cape Town , on the 24 th June last ,

refers to certain men of hi gh distinction who flourished in England " within the thousand years from 597 to 1515 " as having been " Grand Masters in Freemasonry " —namely , St . Augustine , St . Swithin , Dunstan , William of "W ykeham , Archbishop Chichely of Canterbury ,

Bishop Waynfleet , and Cardinal Wolsey . That these worthies , or the majority of them , were patrons of architecture , and in that respect must have done much to encourage the Craft of Masonry is an historical fact , and it is probably in this sense , and this sense only ,

that our rev . brother must intended to have described them , when he declared them to have been " Grand Masters in Freemasonry . " Our rev . brother is doubtless aware that our roll of " Grand Masters "

extends no further back than 1717 . At ail events there is nothing in the way of trustworthy evidence to show that our Order had anything like the organisation it has possessed since the beginning of the Gengian era .

Our attention has been called by our respected Brother Dr . Wendt , to a proposal to celebrate the tercentenary of the birth of John Amos Comenius , who was born in Moravia on the 28 th March ,

1592 , and who as " philosopher and divine" directed the whole energies of his life " towards restraining the wrangling peoples , churches , and classes from the violent utterance of their differences and leading them , on the ground of early Christian views , to

mutual peace and forbearance . " Moreover , as " an educationalist , inspired by Bacon , he successfully asserted the claims of experimental science in the grammar schools of his time ; placed the mothertongue on the list of subjects of instruction , and

included in the conception of the school the idea of physical culture . By his demand of education of all children , including girls who till then had been neglected , he has become one of the fathers of modern elementary education . ' '

The form which the celebration shall take will be determined hereafter , but in thc meantime it has been arranged to establish a " Comenius Society " as a lasting memorial of so worthy a man , and subscriptions are

invited towards this and the tercentenary celebration , to be forwarded to Molenaar and Co ., bankers , Berlin . We are satisfied from the beneficent nature of the

work achieved by Comenius that many of our readers will gladly contribute towards so excellent a proposal , and we shall be happy to render any service in our power towards so desirable an object .

* * * A Brother inquires if there is any regular custom in the case of a W . M . occupying the chair for a second year , to whom a second testimonial is voted by his lodge , as to thc form which such testimonial

should take . We see no objection to a bar being placed on the ribbon of the Past Master ' s jewel he lias already received for his first year ' s service ; or a Life Subscribership or Life Governorshi p to one of the Charitable Institutions might be voted for the

second year . There is no rule absolute in these cases , the plan , as far as we know , being for the lodge to consult the wishes of the brother who is immediatel y concerned . * * *

'Organist" propounds the following query at the instance of a friend who is member of a lodge in New Zealand : " Can a W . M . delegate his authority to a M . M . capable of doing the work , to initiate , pass , or raise a candidate , thc W . M . or a P . M . to be in the

chair while the biother is doing thc work ; '' To this we reply that thc late Bro . Mclntyre , when Grand Registrar , decided that a W . M . could so delegate his authority , provided the chair was occupied by himself or a P . M . In such case the M . M . who does the work is merely the mouthpiece of the chair .

Masonic Notes.

The report and financial statement of the " Old Masonians" for the year ended the 30 th April , 1891 , are on the whole satisfactory . The annual dinner , on the 23 rd May , under the presidency of Bro . James Terry , P . G . S . B ., was a great success , and the balance

on deposit—which is kept as a Benevolent and Grant Fund "—is now ^ 45 , while the balance in hand for working expenses is £ 20 . More members , however , are needed , and greater interest should be taken in the social

gatherings . We trust the efforts of the Committee to arrange with the authorities of the School for the establishment of an " Old Boys' Day" will prove successful . Bro . Major George Lambert , P . G . S . B ., is President for the current year .

Correspondence.

Correspondence .

[ We do not hold ourselves responsible for the opinions expressed by our correspondents , but we wish in a spirit of fair play to all to permit—within certain necessary limits—free discussion . " ]

"ANCIENT HEBREW" CEREMONY . To the Editor of the "Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , In reply to Bro . Jos . L . Carson's account of the above , the only references that can be traced to this is in Genesis ( chap , xv ., v . 10 ) , that when God

made a covenant with Abraham , He ordered him to take several beasts ( a cow , a she goat , and a ram ) to slaughter them , then divide them in the midst into two parts , and lay every half opposite to the other , and then to pass between these pieces . Similar to that we read in Jeremiah ( chap , xxxiv . v . 18 )— " The calf which they cut in two and passed between its pieces . " There it also refers to the covenant God made—or "cut" the Hebrew term runs—with Israel .

It is no doubt that this ancient fashion or ceremony of dividing the animal and passing between its pieces was also in practice when two or more persons entered into a contract or agreement . It signified that the same should happen to the party who breaks or violates the agreement ; therefore the expression " to cut the covenant "

It cannot be found , however , that the observances described by Bro . Carson as " the breast was cut open and the heart plucked out , " & c , took place . They seem to be rather more of a legendary character with regard to that ceremony , which , however , has long ago ceased to be in force among the Hebrews . —Yours fraternally , I . P . M . 2068 .

"THE CANCEAUX "—1768 . To thc Editor of the "Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , I send you for insertion the following transcript of the warrant of the " Lodge on board His Majesty ' s Ship the Canceaux at Quebec . " As the last

of the three sea warrants known to have been granted , it may be of general interest . It also contains several points which may be of special noteworthiness to Bros . Hughan , Gould , Lane , Sadler , and others who have made a special study of " Sea and Field Lodges . "

As I am preparing for early publication a " History of Freemasonry in the Province of Quebec " from the earliest times , I beg your kind permission fraternally to request any brother " at home " or abroad ( to whose notice this may come ) , who may be in possession of aught hitherto unpublished—of particular interest concerning the Craft in the cities of Quebec and Montreal

or elsewhere in the old , or new Province of Quebec ( or in " Lower Canada" during the Masonic regime of H . R . H . Prince Edward , & c , as "Grand Master" of the " Ancients" ) , during the last or early present century , courteously to favour me by forwarding transcript thereof or otherwise , and exceedingly oblige yours fraternally , JNO . HAMILTON GRAHAM , P . G . M . Richmond , Quebec , June 15 th .

TRANSCRIPT . " John Collins , P-. G-M : 0 " To all and every Our Worshipful and loving Brethren , VVe John Collins , Esqr ., Provincial Grand Master of the Most Ancient and Honourable Society of Free and Accepted Masons in the Province of Quebec in North America , Send Greeting .

" KNOW ye that we of the Great trust and Confidence Reposed in our Trusty and well beloved Brethren , William Hogg , John Hill , John Stone and several other Brethren on Board His Majesty's Ship the CANCAUX , DO hereby Constitute the Said Brethren into a Regular LODGE of Free and Accepted Masons to be held in the most Convenient

place Adjacent to the said Ship CANCAUX . And do further at their request and of the Great Trust and Confidence Reposed in every of the said above named Brethren , Do hereby appoint William Hogg to be Master , John Hill Senior Warden and John Stone Junior Warden for opening the said lodge , and for such further Time

only as shall be thought proper by the Bretliren thereof , It being our will that this our appointment of the ofiicers , shall in no wise affect any further Election of ofiicers of the Lodge ; But that such Elections shall be Regulated agreeable to such Bye Laws of the said Lodge as shall be Consistent with the General Laws of this Society

Correspondence.

Contained in the Book of Constitutions , and we do hereb y will and Require you the said William Hogg to takeSpecial care that all and every the said Brethren are or have been regularly made Masons , and that they do observe Perform and keep all the Rules and Orders Contained in the Book of Constitutions ; And further that you do from time to time Cause to be entered in a Book for that purpose an account

of your Proceeding in the Lodge together with such Rules , Orders , and Regulations as shall be made , for the good Government of the same , That in no wise you omit once in Every year to send to us or to our Grand Secretary for the time being an account in Writing of your Said Proceedings and Copiesof all such Rules , Orders , and Regulations asshall be made aforesaid with a List of the Members of the Lodge

, and such a sum of Money as may suit the Circumstances of the Lodge and Reasonably be expected towards the Grand Charity in order for us to remit the same to the Grand Lodge in London . " GIVEN at Quebec under our hands and Seal of

Masonry this Twenty Seventh day of December A : D : 176 S , A : L : 576 S . " Jacob Rowe S : G : W : " Chnr Carleton J : G : W : " Jas : Thompson "G : Secy .

" Registered this 30 th Day of Decemir 17 OS "by Jas . Thompson " G : Secy . "

Reports Of Masonic Meetings.

REPORTS OF MASONIC MEETINGS .

Craft flDaeonrp . PROVINCIAL MEETINGS .

BELVIDERE . Saye and Sele Lodge ( No . 1973 ) . —The installation meeting of this lodge was held at the Masonic Rooms , on Monday , the 20 th ult . The W . M ., Bro . Streeton , opened the lodge , and after the minutes had been read and confirmed , presented a handsome jewel to the Secretary , Bro . Heaps , on his retirement from that

office , subscribed for by the members of the lodge , and engraved with the following inscription : " Presented to Bro . Thomas Heaps , in recognition of six years' faithful and devoted service as Secretary , by the members of the Saye and Sele Lodge , No . 1973 . " The recipient having expressed his appreciation of the compliment in a few wellchosen words , the W . M . called upon the D . C , Bro . A . H .

Bateman , P . M ., to proceed with the ceremony of installation , and Bro . Walter Reeve , S . W . and VV . M . elect , was duly presented and installed in the chair of K . S . The W . M . then appointed and invested his officers as follows : Bros . Heaps , S . W . ; Greenway , J . W . ; Thomas , P . M ., Treasurer ; Elliott , P . M ., Secretary ; Greig , S . D . ; Cohnan , J . D . ; Corbett , I . G . ; Bateman , P . M .. D . C ;

Ruck , Org . ; and Gale , Tyler . The usual addresses having been eloquently delivered , the lodge was closed , and the brethren and visitors adjourned to an elegantly served banquet , at which thc usual loyal and Masonic toasts were duly honoured . Bros . Jamblin and Wood responded for " The Provincial Grand Officers . "

"ihe Visitors was replied to by Bro . Ronaldson and others . Bro . Heaps responded for "The Officers . " The proceedings were enlivened by some good music by Bros . Nichols , P . M . ; Horton ( violin ) , Corbett , and others . Among the visitors , in addition to those already mentioned were Bros . Kingsford , P . M ., P . G . S . ; Lawson , P . M . 913 ; Fletcher , P . M . 33 ; and others .

BROXBOURNE . Kingswood Lodge ( No . 2278 ) . —A regular meeting of this lodge was held on Saturday , the Sth inst ., at the Crown Hotel , the following brethren being present : Bros . J . G . Cobb , P . G . S ., W . M . ; John Petch , P . P . G . Std . Br ., I . P . M . and Treas . ; C . M . Coxon ,

S . W . ; H . T . Nell , P . M ., J . W . ; J . F . Bell , P . M ., Sec ; E . H . Moore , J . D . ; R . W . Nicole , l . G . ; G . T . Chretien , D . C ; T . VVilliams , Tyler ; Wm . Ball , P . M . ; W . C . Pheasant , W . Sammes , A . Ingram , A . J . Robinson , N . Pearce , VV . Kennedy , J . Gravatt , and R . von DerSahl . Visitors : Bros . VV . J . Mason , P . M . 2246 ; J . W . Benningfield , P . M . 15 S 9 ; C . H . Denny , 1 C 71 ; F . Jones , 54 S ;

F . G . Mason , 13 S 5 ; J . Pye , 529 , Newfoundland ; VV . li . Gower , 361 , Montreal ; W . J . Morris , P . M . 403 , P . P . G . P . ; and F . Kicards , 1426 . The lodge having been opened , and the minutes read , Bro . A . Ingram was passed to the Second Degree , and Mr . Robert Von Der Sahl , for whom a ballot had been taken at the previous meeting , was initiated into the mysteries of

Freemasonry . This ceremony was performed by Bro . Ball , P . M ., the candidate being an old friend of his . The sum of five guineas was voted by the lodge as a contribution to the list of Bro . C . M . Coxon , S . W ., a Steward forthe Jubilee Festival of thc Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution . The following letter which had been received from some Canadian brethren who had visited the lodge on

different occasions was then read : "St . John , N . B . "To Bro . J . G . Cobb , W . M . Kingswood Lodge , N 0 . 227 S , Province of Hertfordshire , Eng . "Worshipful Sir and Brother , " Some Masonic brethren on this side of the Atlantic who have had the pleasure of ' sitting- in lodge

with you in England , take the opportunity of wishing you on your accession to the chair of the above lodge all health , happiness , success , and wisdom during your term of ollice and your future life . With very hearty and fra ternal greetings , we remain , Worshipful Sir , yours most truly , " Robt . L . Smith , P . M . Union Lodge of Portland , No . 10 ,

St . John , N . B . " Wm . Ball , P . M . St . John , No . 2 , Halifax , N . S . " VV . T . Lawson , Virgin , No . 3 , Halifax , N . S . "Chas . Dodd , Thos . R . Jolly , P . M ., M . P . Cook , * *> . VV ., T . W . Stoneman , A . M . Payne , Scoiia , No . 3 * > Yarmouth , Nova Scotia .