Provincial Grand Lodge Of Hampshire And The Isle Of Wight.

Bro . LE FEUVRE , in response , expressed his hearty thanks for the reception accorded him , and said from the time of his initiation at Oxford , close on 511 years ago , he had always taken the utmost interest in Freemasonry , and would ever continue to devote his energies to the work of the province .

Bro . T . A . BRAMSDOX , P . S . G . W ., in a humorous speech , proposed "The Visitors , " which was acknowledged by Bro . J . HEALY , a Provincial Grand Officer of Ireland . Bro . the Rev . C . E . CROWLEY submitted "The Lodges of the Province , " and the meeting was brought lo a conclusion .

The Late Bro. G. C. Connor. P.G.M. Tennessee.

THE LATE BRO . G . C . CONNOR . P . G . M . TENNESSEE .

The proceedings of the Grand Lodge of Tennessee contains some touching mementos of the late Past Grand Master and Chairman of the Committee of Correspondence of that jurisdiction , Bro . G . C . Connor . Our late brother , who was well known to the leading members of the Fraternity in England , both by correspondence and personal communication , and by his visits to this country , was justly esteemed one of the most able and zealous workers in the United States . So late as December ist in Inst year , Bro . Connor wrote as follows in a preface to his Annual Report :

Thc Chairman began this Review early in August , but soon he fell before the assault of what he fears is an incurable disease . Little by little I struggled on , never losing sight of the probability that this might be the last work I would be permitted to do for my brethren . The clouds have slowly lifted and the burden is not quite so heavy to-day . Rut there were days when I caught glimpses of the

Pearly Gate and heard footfalls beyond the boundary of the other world . I toiled because I knew I had the sympathy of my brethren , and that what I wrote would live when I was gone . 1 struggled against pain because the glory of the Masonic Fraternity enlists every power of my heart and soul in these my declining years .

In speaking of the Grand Lodge of England Bro . Connor says : The printed minutes of this mother Grand Lodge are very brief , and of no general interest , save the exhibits of money collected and disbursed for the education of orphans of Freemasons , and other charitable purposes . In this glorious field England is peerless .

In previous reports we have referred in a general way to the work Freemasonry has assigned itself in Great Britain , and though we have the desire , circumstances deny us the opportunity to go into details now . It is indeed an honour to be a Freemason in the British Isles , not merely because the Crown Prince is Grand

Master , and many noblemen wear the lambskin , but because the scholars and thinkers , writers and antiquarians of that great Empire find pleasure in its associations . The class of men who turn away from us in America cling to the Ancient Fraternity in England , and on the Continent . Wish we understood what is necessary to a like popularity in the United States .

The Lodge Quatuor Coronati has done much to thresh out the vast heaps of so-called Masonic literature , and thereby separate the wheat from the chaff . The ridiculous performances of wordful orators and uninvestigating writers no longer disturb the Craft on the Isles . The paradise of such writers and orators is now in the jurisdictions of the United States . And from the evil effects of such orations we devoutly pray , Good Lord , deliver us .

Some correspondence appears in reference to the oft-disputed point as to the existence of more than one Degree before 1717 , and a letter from Bro . Gould , which should be convincing on the point , does not appear to have commended itself to Bro . Connor ' s judgment , but the following extract shows how highly liberal and tolerant he was of the opinions of others , and how highly he valued the labours of our English writers :

In reproducing this letter , I have omitted matters personal to ourself ; and before commenting on Bro . Gould ' s views beg leave , in this public way , to express my high appreciation of the cordial message sent therein from the thoughtful , scholarly Rylands , England ' s greatest antiquarian , as well as to offer the devout prayer that I may again meet him and the host of English brethren who made my visit of i . Sgo a continued delight . And because of my admiration and love for Gould and Rylands , I venture to differ with them on any subject with the greatest timidity .

I shall impatiently await the receipt of the new History , and until then may not be able to concede what Bro . Gould so earnestly claims for the Third Degree . I consent to the claim that the right of the Scottish Rite to confer the Third Degree rests upon the accuracy of General Pike ' s claim that it was invented after 1717 . Nor is the "evening dress" illustration sufficient , unless I can crossexamine the witnesses as to the secure closing of the repository . But of all this hereafter .

We cannot better close this brief notice of our late brother than by quoting the last words of the very able and exhaustive resume , extending over 110 pages , of Masonry in Tennessee , in which the premonitions of a speedy departure are plainly manifest .

Farewell ! Aye , it may be for ever ; the Father alone knoweth . But if we meet no more here , may wc meet beyond the river where the waves of sorrow serge no more . Yes , the Pearly Gate comes nearer , and the light from its wicket streams down to us along the highway . The burden remains , but it grows lighter every year .

Here we see the faults of each other magnified , entirely because we do not know each other ; but we will know each other there ; yea , in that bright and shining land where the weary and the misunderstood are at rest for ever . Here we lay up both earthly and spiritual treasures ; the former to discharge our obligations , the latter that we may honour God and elevate mankind . Such living , laying up and trustfulness make up the life of a true Freemason .

Many of the beloved have crossed over the river since last we reported . They are not absorbed in the fountain of Nirvana , as the Buddhist dreams ; they have gone home to the besom of their God . They live because God lives , and through the mercy of God we shall meet them there . Ah ! how precious the

thought—So star by star declines , Till all are passed away . Nor sink those stars in empty night , But hide themselves in Heaven ' s own light . In the londs of the Brotherhood . G . C . CONNOR , CHAIRMAN

The Genius Of Freemasonry.

THE GENIUS OF FREEMASONRY .

Masonic orators and writers often use this phrase . It sounds well . It serves to adorn a period , and has a sort of indefinite impressiveness which the average Craftsman is quick to recognise . It would be difficult , however , for him to tell exactly what constitutes "The Genius of Freemasonry . "

Press hard the question thus suggested and much confusion of thought would be found to exist regarding the subject . There is no one definition of the " Genius of Freemasonry " that makes an accurate and complete descri ption of what the words imply . They have a significance which extends far beyond any literal and formal statement of this meaning .

But the phrase is worthy of profound thought ; it is suggestive in manifold ways as indicating the purpose and scope of the Masonic Institution , and likewise as pointing out the princip les which are fundamental thereto and which constitute the moving forces of its expression . To consider these elemental principles and forces is an exceedingly profitable study . Only

by some careful thought and searching can Masons come to apprehend the character of the Institution in which they have membership , and have respect for it according to its merits . Alas , that so many content themselves with a careless look and a superficial examination , never reaching a

comprehension of Freemasonry in its most essential features as related to philosophy , science and religion ! Alas , that so few , comparatively , give attention to the intellectual and moral import of its ceremonials and symbols !

The Genius of Freemasonry springs from a loving heart and a benevolent purpose . The animating spirit of the Masonic system and association is love—that love which is the fulfilling of the law , and which worketh good and not evil continually . It is the disposition of fraternity ; an impelling force to influence men on the higher side of their natures and make them

more companionable , more forbearing , more helpful to each other , and to the human world about them , than otherwise they would be . Freemasonry justifies itself on these grounds of close companionship and practical helpfulness . Its genius is in the enfolding and expression of truths and principles that bear the stamp of love . It is more than love for the Masonic

brotherhood that is thus to be recognised as the animating spirit of genuine Freemasonry ; for while there is a special interest in and care for members of the Masonic household which ought to be observed , there is a broader lovea more blessed Charitv—inculcated by Freemasonry , which opens heart and

hand to all men who are in need . "The Genius of Freemasonry centres in principles and forces of love—love towards God and love towards menlove that sweeps over all barriers in seeking to answer the calls of human weakness and to alleviate the sorrows of men .

There are accessories of Freemasonry ; these belong to its festival and sportive side , and may be recognised in their proper places and under due limitations . The Institution will deteriorate , however , whenever its followers

shall seek to elevate these lesser things to the place of chief importance . If Freemasonry has no other province but to amuse , its province becomes at once greatly lowered and restricted . If moral elements constitute its essential life , then is its glory abiding and sure . —Freemasons' Repository .

Freemasonry And The Great Pyramid.

FREEMASONRY AND THE GREAT PYRAMID .

BY H . R . SHAW . ( Continued from page 66 . ) III . —KEYSTONES . Symbolism , as Mr . John Chapman remarks , reaches back into the far past , long before language had developed into a science , and has ever impressed the mind of man with facts , before the light of science was discovered .

One of the symbols of Freemasonry frequently found displayed before the world is the keystone , often worn as a small jewel , but about whose Masonic virtues we have here no explanation to offer , although , of course , its application to operative Masonry is sufficiently obvious . A keystone is the

finishing item in the structure of the arch , and it is true we have knowledge that there is a Degree or Order in Freemasonry known as the " Royal Arch , " of which we may perhaps presume that the keystone forms a portion of some importance .

Now , at first blush , the Great Pyramid seems a most unlikely place at which to look for arches or keystones , symbolical or literal ; there are , with the exception of the three small semi-circular hollows in the antechamber ' s western wainscots , and perhaps the upper outline of the Boss in the same room , absolutely no curved lines within the building , and consequently no

arches ; indeed , according to Piaz > : i Smyth in "Our Inheritance , " the Pyramid was erected at least a thousand years before the invention of archbuilding ; and fortunately for thc stability of the structure was this the case , for though , by itself , if formed of sound material and in quiescent times , no doubt the arch would be good ; yet , on occasions of earthquakes , the arch

which is said never to sleep , is in an instant antagonising its buttresses and all about it , to the ruin of many a building of antiquity in the East ; wherefore the architect , foreseeing this danger , provided long beams of granite or other stone for ceiling his chambers , lightening the load of the immense superincumbent mass sometimes , as in the cases of the King ' s and Queen ' s Chambers , by a topmost rcofing of opposed sloping plates of stones .

Nevertheless , although there may be no arches at the Great Pyramid , we shall have to submit that there are many keystones , or rather that there were many keystones , which have now all vanished , once forming the whole of thc outer casing work of fine Mokatt . im stone , with , perhaps , the exception of the finishing crown or capstone , which could not very well be a keystone , since it did not side with any other stones , and was indeed in pointed