Herefordshire Masonic Charity Association.

three Masonic Institutions , and the number of subscribers to the Association is still on the increase . No doubt hundreds of brethren in the provinces would gladly avail themselves of the like easy mode o 5 obtaining Life Subscriberships to our excellent Institutions if the means were at hand ; and we are in a position to say that

Bro . Wm . Earle , Hereford , the Honorary Secretary , will gladly point out the preliminary work to an y one who contemplates the formation of a similar Association . £ i is . is the annual subscription under the rules of the Herefordshire Society , so that five years is the maximum time a member has to wait for his vote , which he may , however , obtain at any of the intervening annual ballots .

The Aberdeen Lodges, Scotland.

THE ABERDEEN LODGES , SCOTLAND .

BY BRO . WILLIAM J AMES HUGHAJC . By order of the " Aberdeen City Provincial Grand Lodge , " the "Aberdeen Musical Reporter" has been published during the last three years under the management of three Past Masters of No . 54 . ! do not know how the members of the province take to the publication , but I

consider the plan excellent indeed , especially as the materials thus accumulated and printed year by year about those old lodges should be the means of enlightening many as to the history and character of the old Society of Free and Accepted Masons . To many we are quite a new Society , while to others our Society is dated back to Noah , Joshua , and David . The

records of previous centuries when examined and made known tend to increase the length and strength of the connecting chain which links our Society to that of the ancient Guilds and operative lodges of Free and Accepted Masons , hence we cannot afford to neglect such registers of really old lodges . The oldest lodge in the Province is called after the name of the city in which it assembles , viz ., The Aberdeen , and

is Number 34 . The Grand Lodge of Scotland officially acknowledges its date to be A . D . 1670 , but it doubtless worked before then , that year being when its Mark book begins , which it still preserved . In its charter of 1743 , the same authority also states , " In the year 1540 there had been a regular lodge formed in Aberdeen , but their records had by accident been burnt . " In the "Council Register "

there is frequent mention made of Masons and the other trades taking part in the annual processions , but not of the lodge ( Luge ) until 1 S 43 at the building of St . Nicholas Church , when a quarrel arose and the magistrates had to interfere ; expulsion from the lodge or fines being threatened if the dispute was not settled . It seems they had a tent in which to assemble as Masons

where " no one could hear or see them . " In 1670 the lodge had forty-nine members , four being noblemen , three ministers , and several gentlemen besides , only eight being operative Masons . This , too , in the 17 th century . An edition of the rules was printed in 16 S 0 or 16 S 2 , but no copy has been traced of late years . By the rules of the lodge the Master must be a gentleman , or geomatic Mason , whilst generally that of Senior

Warden was held by a domatic or operative Mason . The Earl of Kentore was Master from 1735 to 173 S , having been Grand Master of Scotland in 173 S , and of England in 1740 The Commander-in-Chief in Scotland was Master in 1 759 ( Lord Gordon ) , and another nobleman was Master in 1779-S 0 . I hope some day to be able to write a complete history of this old lodge , unless some competent brother undertakes

the duty before my time permits . The records from 1670 are most curious and valuable . The second oldest lodge is St . Machar , No . $ 4 , and takes precedence from the year 1753 . Its origin is , however , not certain , but must have taken place several years before that period . Bye-laws were made by the lodge in 1749 , which proves its existence before the warrant was granted by the Grand Lodge , and

probably it exceeds in age that of the Grand Lodge itself , which was not formed until the year 1736 . There were forty-four members when the charter of 1753 was obtained , and an " old book , " referred to frequently in the records , is , alas ! now missing . The Three Craft Degrees only are mentioned in connection with the lodge , though evidently several of the members

must have been Royal Arch Masons , as there is an entry in an account of laying the foundation stone of a bridge in 17 68 of Royal Arch Masons being present and taking part . In one of the books in custody of the Aberdeen Lodge is a list of members belonging to the Royal Arch , the first being of 1762 and the last of 17 SS . The Degree of Knight Temp ' ar was not worked until the latter part of the last century .

As an instance of the care of the Secretaries , the record is still extant of the Masters from the 17 th century of the Aberdeen Lodge , and before me now is a reprint of the roll of members of No . 54 Lodge from 1 749 to 1 S 7 S . The Lodge 54 confers the Mark Degree for a small fee , to Master Masons , and provides for it accordingly in the

byelaws , confirmed by the Grand Lodge of Scotland . Neither the Royal Arch nor any other Degrees—save the first three—are recognised b y the Grand Lodge . To these and many other old lodges large benefit societies are attached , peculiar to Scotland , and many are very rich in funds . — Voice of Masonry .

PROVINCIAL GUANIJ LODGE OV CORN-WALL . — This active province presents a formidable agenda paper for the consideration of the brethren who will assemble at the annual festival , to be held at St . Ives , on Tuesday next . The business includes the reception of reports from the Prov . G . Treasurer and Prov . G . Secretary , from the Cornwall Masonic Benevolent Fund , from the Committee of Relief , and from Bro . VV . J . Hughan , respecting his

management of the votes for the London Masonic Chanties on behalf of the province . Several applications for grants and annuities have also co be dealt with . These matters , in addition to the appointment of officers and the usual routine business , and the customary sermon and procession to and from church , will afford a day ' s work sufficient to satisfy the most ardent ; but as the lodge is called

for eleven o clock a . m ., and the R . W . the Prov . G . Master , the Earl of Mount Edgcumbc , is well known for his ability to " despatch " business , we have little doubt but that all matters will receive full consideration . We hope to give a full report in our next . Old Matured Wines and Spirits . —J . E . SHANK & Co ., Wine Merchants ( Experts and Valuers ) , 2 , Albert Mansions , Victoriastreet , London , S . W . Price lists on application . —[ ADVT . ]

Jubilee Of Palestine Lodge, Missouri.

JUBILEE OF PALESTINE LODGE , MISSOURI .

Palestine Lodge , No . 241 , A . F . and A . M ., of St . Charles , Missouri , had a jubilee June 17 th . The festivities were a variety of music , a public installation , and addresses . The exercises were held in Mittelberger's Opera House , which was lavishly decorated with evergreens and adorned with Masonic pictures and emblems . The installation

ceremonies were conducted by Bro . Rev . John D . Vincil , Past Grand Master , and now Grand Secretary . He was assisted by Bro . E . J . Tuttle , acting Grand Marshal . It is needless to say that the work was well done , as Bro . Vincil never does poor work . Bro . J OSEPH H . ALEXANDER , Worshipful Master , addressed the audience substantially as follows : This may be considered the sixty-first anniversary of the introduction of

Masonry into St . Charles , the charter for the first lodge here having been granted by the Grand Lodge of Tennessee , October 6 th , 1 S 19 . It authorised Benjamin Emmons as Master , Bennett Palmer as Senior Warden , and John Payne as Junior Warden , to open and govern a lodge at this place . 1 now hold that charter , and though there is a rent in it through which 1 can stick my thumb , it is not the rent that envious Casca made , nor is it one made by the

tooth of time , for the parchment is in as good condition now as it was when signed by those who issued it , and thus apparently imperishable . It symbolises well the principles of the Fraternity which it authorised those brethren to propagate . This lodge wrought under this charter for about two years . Then the Grand Lodge of Missouri was organised , and the lodge yielded allegiance to that body . On the Tennessee registry the lodge was No . 2 S , while on

the Missouri registry it was St . Charles , No . 3 . This lodge continued to work till 1 S 26 , when it became dormant , and for eleven years no Masonic service was performed in this place . In 1 S 37 the Grand Lodge of Missouri chartered Hiram Lodge , No . 23 , authorising Dr . Beriah Graham , Alex . T . Douglass , and John Orrick , as Master andjWardens , to govern it , and practise the rites of Masonry . This lodge ceased to work in 1 S 44 , and from that time till 1 S 49

there was no organised Masonry in St . Charles ; but in the latter year Hiram Lodge , No . nS , was chartered , with Edwin D . Bevitt , Tlios . W . Cunningham , and Jno . W . Robinson , as Master and Wardens , and continued to work till iSfio , when , in consequence of the troubles incident to the beginning of the late Civil War , it ceased operations , and surrendered its charter . After the war , in 1865 , the present lodge was chartered as Palestine Lodge , No . 241 ,

with myself , Judge Edwards , and Edmund Taylor as Master and Wardens . Thus it will be seen that for the last sixty years Masonry in St . Charles has had its " ups and downs , " and , fortunately , one more " up than down . " The same remark applies to the present lodge—it has had its ups and downs , and more of the former than of the latter . In 1 S 71 , being perhaps a little proud , the brethren concluded to abandon their old quarters and seek new ones ; doing

this , 1 remember , against the advice of Bro . Dr . Overall , whose memorial , adopted by the lodge , hangs near me . Everything was done for the best , doubtless ; but the removal and the expense incident to it left the lodge in debt , and it has been in debt ever since , until a few days ago . About a year ago 1 promised the lodge's creditor that by the first day of June , 1 S . S 0 , the lodge should not owe him a cent , and by the blessing of God upon the co-operation and

earnest efforts of the brethren—the latter doubling the dues for the purpose—the pledge has been fully redeemed , and the lodge is out of debt . In consideration of this favourable state of things it was suggested that the lodge should have a jubilee , anil the suggestion has resulted in this gathering . Rev . J . D . VIXCIL was called upon for an address , and , in substance , said : The length of my speech may depend more on the patience and forbearance of the audience than

the possibility of exhausting the subject of freemasonry . I am like an eight-day clock , which , when wound up , will run , and , my hearers , you may felicitate yourselves on the prospect of your [ being in the condition of the Dutchman who went coon-hunting with a friend . They had no difficulty in starting the coon , which was soon " treed " by the dogs . Once there , the Dutchman decided to climb up and catch the coon . This he accomplished without difficulty ,

but when Peter caught the coon the coon also caught him , and for awhile the commotion among the branches was of a livel y character . Hans shouted up from below , " Have you got him , Peter ? " "Oh , yes , " replied Peter . "Then I'd better come up and help you hold hi in , hadn't f ? " " No , " Peter shouted back , " you'd better come up and help me let him go . " So before I conclude my remarks it may be better for you to call on Bro . Alexander to come up and let

me go . 1 rejoice that Palestine Lodge is out of the wilderness of debt and among the hill tops of prosperity . Masonry , however , has a purpose beyond this fact and the mere installation of officers . 1 am well acquainted with the history of Masonry in Missouri for the past twenty-five years , and I know that Masonry in St . Charles has experienced as many " ups and

downs as a modern politician ,. hut , unlike the politician , Masonry outlives disaster . The charter alluded to by Bro . Alexander , as having been singularly preserved , is imperishable , inasmuch as it represents the principles which constitute the life of Masonry . The distinction between the reputation and the character of the Fraternity is the difference between what it is reputed to be and what it really is . This character is

something independent of the written law and of the members of the organisation , and it is losing sight of this fact , and failing to distinguish between the mere numbers of men and what constitutes the organisation itself , that a mistake is made . Theprinciplesof Freemasonry would live if there were no members , and the Institution has character not by these , but by its essential qualities . The character it thus has is what is to be judged of , and by it the estimate of the

organisation must he made . Much has been said and written concerning the Institution , hut at first the ends and aims of the organisation were like those of other societies and unions among men . Masonry originated among the workmen and builders of the Temple of Solomon , and was formed under the direction of that wonderful man . Gradually other ideas were incorporated ,

and the Institution was improved by the introduction of new features , but the leading landmarks have never been trenched upon . When it became more thorougly adapted to the conditions of men , the Order increased in popularity . It was very easy for the mind of King Solomon to make the tools speak with moral lessons and convey moral truths . In

Jubilee Of Palestine Lodge, Missouri.

olden times only an architect was admitted to membership in the Order , but as time wore on and mind flooded the world with light , men were admitted for moral worth , and Masonry became different in character , but still kept up its symbols . It is not necessary for one to belong to a Trade ' s Union to be a member of the Masonic Fraternity , but far more importance is attached to the question" Is he a man ?"

, " Does he possess all the true elements of manhood ? " " Is he a man in all the elevating and ennobling attributes ? " If all questions as to his manhood cannot be answered , then let him go whence he came . Bro . Vincil here alluded to an idea held by boys , that Freemasons are workers in brick and stone , and gave an amusing account of his juvenile experience in that line . He then said :

It is far more requisite that a Mason shall be a gentleman than a member of any trade or profession . A man who is not a gentleman has no more place in a Masonic lodge than a devil in the presence of a pure woman . By a gentleman I do not mean a man with blue blood in his veins , but one that God made . 1 am not a believer in Darwinism , but 1 sometimes see human beings that make me think Darwin is very near right in regard to the missing link .

During the late civil war , as a lover of my country , when the conflict was at its height , I went in search of a place where passion and prejudice did not prevail . I visited the sanctuary in hope of finding peace m the consolations of religion and in the practice of Christians , but , I say it with pain , I did not find peace in the Church , nor anywhere save within the sacred precincts of Masonry .

There the bitterness of conflicting passions did not enter . Masonry is defined to be a system of morality , veiled in allegory and illustrated by symbols , and it is eminently distinguished by its broad and liberal views on the Bible . Were this not so , and were I informed by the authorised exponents of Freemasonry that it had no use for morality or the Bible , 1 would bid it good bye . France is ostracised

by the Masonic world because the Masonic Constitution of that domain declares " There is no God . " I am no prophet , but I venture the assertion that the child is already born who will witness the conflict in this country between the defenders of religion and the powers of darkness , in which conflict Masonry will render great assistance to the defenders of all that is sacred or worth living for .

The address was concluded with an elucidation of the benevolence of Freemasonry . A beautiful bouquet was presented to the speaker and received fraternally . The benediction was pronounced , and one of the happiest occasions ever experienced in St . Charles was ended . There may Freemasonry ever prosper . — Voice of Masonry .

Scotland.

Scotland .

GRAND LODGE OF SCOTLAND . The following is the agenda paper for the Quarterly Communication to be held on the 4 th of November : — 1 . Moved b y Bro . Alexander Hay , Proxy Master No . 34 6 , seconded by Bro . George M'Lcan , Proxy Master No .

515 : — "That the fees erroneously paid for the qualification of brethren as members of Grand Lodge in July and August 1 S 7 S be refunded , in nsoect their qualification was negatived by Grand Lodge , and said brethren were thereby prohibited from voting or having any voice in Grand Lodge business during the currency of the year for which the fees

were paid . " [ The Grand Secretary is authorised to state that motion No . 1 will be withdrawn . ] 1 ( a ) . Moved by liro . James Caldwell , Proxy Master No . 625 , seconded by Bro . George Fisher , Proxy Master No . 533 , as an amendment to the above motion : — " That Grand Lodge having already , on 4 th November , 1 S 7 S , had under consideration a similar proposal , and

refused by a majority of 200 to 30 to authorise repayment of said fees , it is not expedient to re-open the questionmore especially as the brethren whose fees were paid received all the privileges to which by such payment they were under the Constitution entitled , and also because they are not themselves asking re-payment . " 2 . Moved by Bro . V . A . Barrow , Proxy Master No . 252 ,

seconded by Bro . George Fisher , Proxy Master No . 533 : — " That a Special Committee be appointed to investigate and report upon the action of Finance Committee for the past fifteen years—the number of meetings minuted—the accounts passed for payment , and how they were paid : if cheques were given , by whom the moneys were drawn from the bank , and how disposed of ; also , who W'ere members of the Finance Committee during the period referred

to . " [ Grand Secretary is authorised to state that motion No . 2 will be withdrawn . ] 3 . Moved by Bro . F . W . Roberts , R . W . M . No . 392 , seconded by Bro . E . M . Sellentin , R . W . M . No . 3 G : — _ " That it he remitted to Grand Committee to consider and report as to the advisability of revising the laws and

constitutions , more particularly with the object —( 1 ) Of legally restricting the admission to the Craft in Scotland of foreigners and other strangers until after a minimum period of residence in the place such admission is sought , and until the proposers of said strangers shall have acquired personal knowledge of their character and qualifications ; ( 2 ) Of making obligatory on all lodges a minimum annual

test of membership , sufficient at least to cover their necessary annual expenditure independently of initiation fees ; and ( 3 ) Of increasing the now prescribed minimum fee for initiation . " 4 . Moved by Bro . William Mann , Proxy Master No . 65 , seconded by Bro . James Crichton , R . W . M . No . 1 : — " That the exceptions to holding office in Grand Lodge longer than two years consecutively ( section 8 of chapter

3 of the Constitutions ) shall include the Grand Director ot Music and the Grand Organist . " 5 . Bro . James T . S . Elliot , Proxy Master No . 104 , " Will ask the Special Committee on the working of the Provincial Grand Lodge system to report progress on the subject of the motion made by him anent the present designations of the Provinces of Peebles and Selkirkshire !; and Berwick and Roxburghshires , which has been remitted to said Special Committee . "