Gothic Architecture—Let It Be Pure.

One of the fruits of this stupid prejudice was the Greek Episcopal Throne in the choir of Winchester Catherdral . About half a century ago people began to come to their senses , and to perceive and admit the merits of early English literature , and the matchless beauty and grandeur of our old

Gothic cathedrals and churches . Then it was soon seen that a p iece of classic architecture looked as much out of place in a Gothic structure , as Avould a modern fine gentleman among a band of old steel-clad knights . As a matter of course the Greek throne was speedily removed , and something more appropriate substituted .

NOAV , it appears to me that most of the improvements , Avhich some brethren seek to effect in speculative Masonry , are just as much out of p lace as was that Greek throne in that old Gothic church . There are many things which are Avorthy of all admiration

in those institutions to which they legitimately belong , but which have no connection or affinity whatever with Masonry . Our system of morality and philosophy has its OAVH peculiar character ,

' and our Fraternity is just as distinct from all other associations , religious and benevolent , as Avas the Gothic architecture of our operative predecessors from every other order , either ancient or modern .

Consequently , when anything pertaining to some different school of moral architecture is introduced into our spiritual temple , it is found to be totally out of harmony with its surroundings . The Masonic body is composed of men of various

denominations and of almost every shade of religious belief ; and , such being its composition and character , it is very clear that discourses vvhich Avould be quite proper and commendable , if given in a church or at a missionary meeting , may be both inappropriate and offensive Avhen delivered before an assembly of Craftsmen .

The same objection applies to lectures on total abstinence , prohibition , and kindred themes , patriotic orations and political speeches , because the Masonic Fraternity embraces all nations and all parties , and does not make the abstaining from meat and drink of any kind a test of fitness in a candidate for admission .

Customs and regulations , also , Avhich have been found to work Avell in other societies are , for the most part , found entirely inap p licable to the Masonic system , because , while these societies act on the principle of giving a money return for a money payment , Masonry insists that all who enter its portals should be

influenced by pure and unselfish motives only , that their acts of benevolence tOAvard their brethren should spring from the free , spontaneous impluses of a heart inspired by brotherly love and compassion , and that the amount bestoAved should not be determined by any fixed rule , but merely by the requirements of the case and the ability of the giver to give .

Masonry is not a church . It is not an institution which seeks to make converts to any sect whatever , or to interfere with the religious opinions of its members in the slightest degree . It is not a temperance teetotal society . It is not a benefit club .

Let those who would seek to improve it keep these truths in view , and remember the Greek throne , which the Aviseacres of a past age set amid the Gothic arches and the mullioned Avindows of William of Wyckham ' s cathedral . —New York Dispatch .

Provincial Grand Chapter Of Middlesex.

PROVINCIAL GRAND CHAPTER OF MIDDLESEX .

The annual meeting of the Provincial Grand Chapter of Middlesex was held at the Greyhound Hotel , Hampton Court , on Saturday , the 13 th inst ., when there was a good attendance . Present : Bros . Col . Sir Francis Burdett , Bart ., Grand Superintendent ; R . H . Thrupp , Prov . G . H . ; J . F . H . Woodsvard , P . G . Std . Br ., as Prov . G . J . ; VV . H . Lee , Prov . G . S . E . ¦ ] . Hamer Owen , Prov . G . Treas .,- R . AV . Bilby , Prov . G . Reg . ; Capt . A . Runacres , Prov . G . S . B . ; H . Higgins , Prov . G . D . C ; H . Dickey , Prov . A . G . D . C ; AV . I . Porter . Prov . G . Org . ; J . Gilbert , Prov . G . Janitor ; D . P . Cama , P . G . Treas . ; AV . G . Kentish , P . P . G . Std . Br . ; E . H . AVebb , P . P . G . Std . Br . ; T . C Walls ,

P . P . G . P . S . ; Col . Gordon , P . P . G . S . B . ; J . Tickle , P . P . G . J . ; J . T . Briggs , P . P . G . P Soj ., G . L . Wingate , P . P . A . G . Soj . ; Bentley Haynes , P . P . A . G . Soj . ; W . R . Shut :, 1549 ; W . W . Leonard , 1777 ; F . W . Levander , 204 S ; J . Gordon Langton , 1104 ; J . P . Houghton , 3 S 2 ; H . C . Wild , 1237 ; J . D . K . Tarr , 1293 ; H . Sapsworth , 1 793 ; R . H . Blatchford , 1549 ; S . Jacobs , P . Z . 94 6 ; A . Toulmin , 1503 ; F . A . Jesvson , 1549 ; G . R . Langley , H . 1326 ; A . Blenkarn , P . S . 1326 ; H . Hooper , M . E . Z . 1326 ; John Bott , S . E . 1326 ; Frank Richardson , G . D . C . ; Col . Shadsvell H . Clerke , G . S . E . ; Major Geo . Lambert , P . G . D . C ; H . J . Wicks , P . Z . 126 9 ; W . H . Matthesvs , 1423 ; and W . W . Lee , 1524 .

The Provincial Grand Chapter having been opened , the roll of chapters vvas called , and the minutes confirmed . The report of the Audit Committee was received and adopted . Comp . Raymond H . Thrupp was re-appointed Prov . G . H ., and Comp . H . C . Wild , 1237 , was installed as Prov . G . J . Comp . F . W . Levander was unanimously re-elected Prov . G . Treasurer and

the list of appointments for the ensuing year vvere—Comp . Raymond H . Thrupp ... ... ... Prov . G . H . „ H . C . Wild , 12 37 ... ... ... ... Prov . G . J . ' „ W . H . Lee , 1423 ... ... ... ... Prov . G . S . E . „ J . Gordon Langton , 11 34 ... ... ... Prov . G . S . N . „ F . W . Levander , 2048 ( elected ) ... ... Prov . G . Treas . „ W . A . Prince , 1691 ... ... ... Prov . G . Reg .

Provincial Grand Chapter Of Middlesex.

Comp . W . H . Matthews , 1 423 ... ... ... Prov . G . P . S . „ J . D . E . Tarr , 12 93 ... ... ... Prov . G . ist A . S . ,, R . H . Blatchford , 1549 ... ... ... Prov . G . 2 nd A . S . „ H . Hooper , 1326 ... ... ... ... Prov . G . S . B . „ W . V . Leonard , 1777 ... ... ... Prov . G . Std . Br .

„ H . Sapssvorth , 1 793 ... ... ... Prov . G . D . C . „ S . Jacobs , 946 ... ... ... . •••Prov . A . G . D . C . „ W . J . Potter , 1793 ( re-appointed ) ... ... Prov . G . Org .

„ Gilbert ... ... ... ¦••Prov . G . Janitor . Comps . Woodward , Capt . Walls , Langton , Bilby , Kentish , and Shutt were elected on the Audit Committee , and the Prov . Grand Chapter was then closed . The companions having partaken of an excellent banquet , served under the personal superintendence of Comp . Pratti , the usual toasts were honoured .

The GRAND SUPERINTENDENT , in giving "The Grand Officers , " said they all had the greatest respect for the members of that body , for they performed their duties in a most satisfactory manner . He was happy to say they had amongst them that evening several Grand Officers , and hoped many around him would arrive at that position in Grand Chapter . Comp . Col . SHADWELL H . CLERKE , G . S . E ., thanked the Grand Superintendent very much for the kind , genial , and fraternal way in which he had referred to the Grand Officers , and vvas sorry there were not more distinguished members of Grand

Chapter present to return thanks . They vvere always very pleased and gratified at the kind recollections of the positions they held by the will of the M . E . the First Principal , and always did what they could to deserve those positions . They vvere delig hted to be present to visit the Prov . Grand Chapter of Middlesex , which they in London knesv so well to have been conducted by the Grand Superintendent for 20 years , and which they knew stood so hi g h on the roll . They were obli ged for the kind svay the Grand Superintendent had proposed the toast , and vvere delighted to attend once again on that very auspicious occasion of the annual meeting of the Prov . Grand Chapter of Middlesex .

The GRAND SCRIBE E . then said he rose to perform a very pleasant and honourable duty , having been permitted the gratification of proposing a toast which they vvould be delig hted to receive and honour . It vvas that of " The Grand Superintendent of the Province , " and it vvould be a great impertinence on his part to take up their time by telling them of Sir Francis Burdett ' s many excellencies as a gentleman , a soldier , and a Mason . The companions knew their Grand Superintendent so well and appreciated him so thoroughly , that no words

he could use vvould be of any value on that occasion . Their dear old friend—if he mi ght be permitted to call him so—had presided over Middlesex with so much ability and geniality , and in such a charming svay , that he was beloved by every member . He was sure he expressed the feelings of all vvhen he expressed the hope that the Grand Superintendent would long be spared to preside over the

province . Sir Francis Burdett was arriving at his Masonic majority as a Provincial Grand Master and Grand Superintendent , for it vvas in 1871 he svas appointed , and during his reign there had not been a single unpleasant matter to mar his success , but any question that had arisen had been settled at once in his charming way . The province was fortunate in having such a Grand Superintendent , and long might he continue to preside .

Comp . Col . Sir FRANCIS BURDETT , Bart ., G . Supt ., said it vvas very difficult to respond for the toast so ably put before them by the Grand Scribe E ., and the difficulty had been increased by the manner in vvhich it had been received . He kneiv he did not deserve all that had been said , but still he had endeavoured to gain their good svishes and good feelings during the time he had held the position , and as long as he could retain that position , they could depend upon his

doing all he could to meet the wishes of the companions . He was a very old member of the Order and an old Grand Superintendent , but so long as he svas able he svould do svhat he could for the province . He had been so ably supported by his officers and members of the Royal Arch Degree that he had been able to conduct the province to their satisfaction . He thanked them for the kind manner in which they had received him on all occasions , and he hoped to experience the same amicable feeling in the future that had existed during the last 20 years .

The GRAND SUPERINTENDENT then proposed "The Visitors , " who , by their presence , had added to the happiness and conviviality of the meeting , and expressed the p leasure it afforded him to see them present . Their meeting were held but once a year and they alsvays gladly welcomed visitors . There was one visitor

svhom they all appreciated—Comp . Major Lambert—svhom they all knew so svell and svho was almost beyond praise in the estimation of the members of the Order . Comp . Major GEORGE LAMBERT , P . G . S . B ., on behalf of the visitors returned sincere thanks . They vvere not forgetful of the time when Comp . Little determined to bring forward the Province of Middlesex , and since that time the present Grand Superintendent had had the direction of its working . They felt

it was a right step in the ri g ht direction , and hoped the duties had been most agreeable to the Grand Superintendent . He returned grateful thanks on behalf of the visitors , amongst svhom vvas the Grand Scribe E . He could go back in his memory 50 years , and could say that during that time they had never had a more kindly and genial Scribe E . than the present occupant of that ofiice . They had had evidence that evening of the progress of the province , and were g lad to accept their kind hospitality .

" The Provincial Grand Officers " was next given by the G RAND S UPERINTENDENT , who said he could not have performed his duties but for the manner in which he had been supported by his officers in tlieir various positions in Provincial Grand Chapter , and without their assistance he would have been a mere unit in the Masonic svorld . He would couple vvith the toast the name of Comp . Thrupp , vvho had alsvays supported him in every svay , and with whose assistance he hat been enabled to carry out his duties . wha

Comp . RAYMOND THRUPP , Prov . G . H ., in response , said he did not know a unit was to the star of the universe , but he knew the officers of Provincial Gran 1 Chapter looked up to the Grand Superintendent as a shining planer , and revolve round him , and tried to emulate him , and shine to the best of their ability , the Provincial Grand Officers must put forth all their strength to support their ' * T in carrying out his duties , and that they vvere always pleased to do . As far as was personally concerned he felt it an honour to do some of the hard svoik in province , and carry it out in the way the Grand Superintendent wished . The janitor ' s toast was then given , and closed a pleasant meeting .

Provincial Grand Mark Lodge Of East Anglia.

PROVINCIAL GRAND MARK LODGE OF EAST ANGLIA .

A meeting of this Provincial Grand Mark Lodge was held at the Mas Hall , Bury St . Edmunds , on Friday , the 12 th inst ., under the banner ot ^ Freeman Lodge , No . 105 . The Prov . Grand Master , Lord Henniker , r . w- -j presided , and was supported by the D . P . G . M . , Bro . the Rev . C . J . Martyn . ^ brethren oresent included Bros . A . H . Moves . P . S . G . W .: I . P . Lewin , i- '

Treas . ; W . Sowman , P . J . G . O . ; Jas . Flintham , P . G . R . ; C . D . Leach , r . ^ D . of C ; W . B . Hanson , P . A . G . D . of C . ; W . Chapman , P . G . S . B . ; J- ^ Harvey , P . P . J . G . W . ; N . Tracy , P . G . S . ; E . Sparke , W . Armstrong , J j p {_ Shepherd , C . 1 . Norman , W . I . Pashler , R . C . Poppleton , A . J . H . Ward , j .

Vaux , W . H . Francis , Fred . C . Atkinson , and others . . .. past The Treasurer ' s report shosved that the income of the province during . year amounted to £ 41 5 s . gd ., and the expenditure to £ IQ 4 s . j d ., leaving a . jance in hand of £ 22 is . 2 d . The statement of assets and liabilities shovve ^ Sj in in favour of the province of £ 11 7 s . gd . The Board of General Purp