Contents.

CONTENTS .

LEADERS 251 Provincial Grand Lodge of East Lancashire 252 Provincial Grand Mark Lodge of Leicestershire , Northamptonshire , and Derbyshire 253 Consecration of ihe [ ilectric Lodge . No . 2087 253 Consecration of Castlebergh Lod No .

ge , 20 or , at Settle 2 S 3 Hoard of Benevolence 253 CoRRESl'ONnExefc—Proposed Northern Counties Lodge 25 $ The Consecration nt Lodges 355 The Recent Festival of the Royal Masonic [ nstitution for Girls 2 < i

Reviews 255 REPORTS OF MASONIC MEETINGSCraft Masonry 256 Instruction 35 g Royal Arch 259 Cryptic Masonry 2 bo

Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution 260 New Masonic Hall at Melbourne 261 The Craft Abroad 261 Obitnarv , 362 The Theatres sfij Masonic and General Tidings 26 3 Lodge Meetings for Next Week Cover .

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WE are in a position to announce that the only lodge of the English Constitution ( viz ., No . 1207 , Mount Gambier ) , which has hitherto held aloof from the movement for establishing a Grand f . odge of South Australia , has resolved on joining with its sister lodges , so that all the English lodges have

now given in their adhesion , and peace and harmony prevail in every sense of the term . It is right we should add , however , that the " Grand Lodge of South Australia " fully recognised the right of any lodge to continue under its parent Grand Lodge .

* * * THE two leading successful candidates for the Widows' Fund at the last election were Mrs . MARSH and Mrs . COOKE . They represent the Drama and Literature , and seem to us not inaptly to point to the thoroughly aesthetic and genial temper of Freemasonry . Bro . MARSH was , as " j . MARSTON , "

well known in his day on the English stage . Bro . MATTHEW COOKE WHS equally before us as a conspicuous contributor to Masonic literature . We are glad to think that in our world-wide and tolerant Order talent of all

kind is regarded and esteemed , and we trust that whatever changes Time , which upsets so many theories and destroys so many results , may have in store for our Fraternity , it will never be able to rob it of its largehearted , sympathetic , and liberal characteristics .

*»* THE annual meeting of the members of the Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution took place on Friday the 15 th inst ., at Freemasons' Tavern , when a very large gathering assembled , and a very animated scene was presented in the Great Hall all the afternoon . The annual Report of the Managing

Committee was received and approved of , and carried amid much applause , the more so as it announced 24 men were to be elected out of 38 candidates , leaving only 14 unsuccessful candidates ; and 26 widows out of 76 , leaving , we regret to add , 50 unsuccessful applicants . But this sensible increase seemed to go as far as prudence would suggest , and foresight could commend .

However philanthropic and extended the view might be which suggested that all the candidates should be elected , yet it was quite clear that the authorities would not be justified , with present receipts and income , in placing such an additional strain on the resources . Increased straitness in mercantile circles , or a gloomier aspect of business affairs , may result in

an unsatisfactory result of the Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution Festival in 1886 , and then where would the Institution be ? This increase of numbers to be elected , and the large margin on the Widows' list , rendered the voting very close , though ,, to use technical language , well-known elsewhere , widows were "in demand , " and certainly " had the pull . " The highest

successful male candidate polled 2973 votes , and the lowest 614 . The highest successful widow polled 2018 , and the lowest 1396 . There were 44 . 153 votes polled for the successful male candidates , and 2069 for the unsuccessful , and 2047 votes left unpolled for any one , as there were 48 , 26 9 votes to deal with . For the widows 43 , 510 votes were polled for the

successful , and 13 , 948 votes for the unsuccessful , and 5956 votes left also unpolled for any one , there having been 63 , 414 votes brought forward and 'ssued . 169 men ' s voting papers were rejected for various causes , and 269 widows' voting papers , a result which almost seems unaccountable to those who take part in the elections habitually .

* * * ONE of the most characteristic features of English Freemasonry has now Passed away for six months , namely , our Elections for the Charities . Other jurisdictions may have , we do not deny , marked excellences and developments , foreign bodies , that is , bodies extern to ourselves , may

have special forms of usefulness and activity ; but English Freemasonry f ° r some time past has devoted itself to exemplify before an often startled public the excelling grace of Charity . Our very gatherings in Freemasons ' favern , for the elections to our useful and energetic Charities , seem to cam a striking light on the reality of the professions and practice of English

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Freemasons . Brethren , intent on only one object , full of one idea alone , meet , greet each other , and disperse , having by their very presence and activity endeavoured to demonstrate the vital and upholding powers of Freemasonry . For , say what we will , the Charities arc like the apex of a pyramid , they crown the whole Masonic edifice , and best seem to control

and compact after all , its workmanship , its cohesion , and its idea . Whatever was the original outward symbolism of the form of the pyramid , Freemasonry , like to it , permeated by the Divine essence and truth of Charity , constitutes not only a lasting landmark in the great desert of time , but becomes in its mysterious unity and contour both a pride and

a marvel to mankind . And therefore it is , as election time follows on election lime , legularly and statedly , we feel , if ever wc allow ourselves to think , what a wonderful commentary this charitable activity of English Freemasonry , and Masonic teaching , and this evidence of Masonic reality suggest to all who value Freemasonry , not so much for what it

is , as for what it seeks and proves itself to be . It is true that in other spheres and jurisdictions Freemasonry may be more or less emotional , more or less realistic , more or less active ; but there are very few indeed on the earth ' s surface in which the unchanged lesson of Freemasonry proper has been so taught and so mastered as in this old land

of ours . It may be taken , we think , as a Masonic axiom , alike safe and abiding , that , wherever Freemasonry is truly nourishing , it is most truly evidenced by the active exercise of the great principle and virtue of Charity . We may observe here and there , indeed , to-day , loud professions , but small results , " much cry , but little wool ; " a claim to affiliation with a

worldwide Masonic family , but little evidence of a kindred spiiit or a common aim ; and we begin at last to realize a truth , —too often ignored or put on one side altogether , —that there are " Freemasons and Freemasons , " just as there is " Freemasonry and Freemasonry , " and so that in cases where all activity of Charity is missing or wanting , we may fairly doubt whether that body

or jurisdiction which is so dormant or so apathetic can fairly claim the honoured name of Freemasonry . At this moment we could put our fingers on one or two corners on this wide earth where Freemasonry , however much it talks , is doing nothing for Charity ; however loudly it dons the robe and invokes the genius of Freemasonry as its peculiar patron , has no

distinguishing virtue to recommend itself to its brethren and to mankind further than a noisy utterance of certain stereotyped formula ; , further than a mischievous acquaintance with some alleged principles of Freemasonry . If , for instance , you know of any Masonic jurisdiction which is encouraging discussions in its lodges on all questions but those of Freemasonry , you may be

quite convinced that if you ask for any living proof of its zeal , reality , and energy , you may ask in vain ; if you look to see how the old English proverb is verified , that " the proof of the pudding is in the eating , " your search must result in hopeless disappointment . The more and closer modern Freemasons keep to the old true Masonic model , the greater will be their

love of , the more persistent will be their work for Masonic Charity . Up to date , the charitable impetus of English Freemasonry , despite hard times and dolourous days , has experienced no check , testifies of no abatement . The wonderful achievements of Bro . TERRY are confirmed in measure by the striking results of Bro . HEDGES , and we doubt not that Bro . BINCKES

will manifest in due course that the energy and activity which have distinguished his long and zealous Masonic career are still , happily , to the fore ; still as realistic and as conspicuous as ever . But if we thus can speak of the organizers , what may we not say of the organized in their goodly labours of Charity ? Do not our warm-hearted

brethren deserve some words of encomium and congratulation ? We venture to think they assuredly do . When we recall to-day what is done by other good societies , when we know how much in various other ways and forms Freemasons also give , we cannot be otherwise than proud of that loyal , peaceable , useful , benevolent Order of ours , which keeps up , year

after year , with unflagging energy and undiminished sympathy , its mighty outcome of real and worthy Masonic Charity . We may require a little more systematic developement of lodge and chapter Constitutions , as an aggregate , but the zeal and liberality of Masonic individualism are tin < quailed , as far as we know , in England or elsewhere , to-day , and deserve

the greatful recognition of all who strive faithfully to record the onward and triumphant progress of English Freemasonry . So long as Charity is the key-note which dominates all its professions and practice , its social circles , and its ceremonial gatherings , so long will English Freemasonry

flourish and abound , not the plaything of the frivolous , or the " output" of some lower ideas of thought and action altogether , but a reality and a blessing for the world in which we live , proclaiming and practising , east , west , north , and south , its own fragrant and healing message of Brotherly Love , Toleration , Charity , and Loyalty .