The Province Of Surrey.

THE PROVINCE OF SURREY .

It is about twelve months since Bro . Col . G . NOEL MONEY , C . B ., was installed as Provincial Grand Master of Surrey , and it must be a subject of the hig hest satisfaction to him to find that under his guidance the Province has fared so well . That he has taken a deep interest in its welfare is a matter of everyday knowledge . He has attended many , if not all , of the

lodges under his charge . He has headed the list of Surrey Stewards at each of the three Festivals which have been held since his installation , and by so doing has set an example which , though our Surrey brethren needed it not , cannot fail to be productive of results most beneficial to our Masonic Charitable Institutions . He has , indeed , done just those things which are

the most calculated to win the respect and regard of the members of the Province over which he has been appointed to preside . His Deputy , Bro . WEST , has likewise done his duty in a manner which has greatly enhanced his reputation as the foremost of the subordinate officers of the Province , while the lodges and brethren have not spared themselves in their

efforts to promote the general welfare . Under these circumstances it is not surprising that the recent annual meeting at Surbiton of the Provincial Grand Lodge should have passed off so successfully . There was , indeed , one occurrence which excited very general regret . Bro . GEORGE PRICE , whose earliest appointment to Provincial office dates back to the

year 1844 , and who for the last 36 years has uninterruptedly held the important post of Provincial Grand Treasurer , felt it necessary in consequence of advancing age to decline the honour of re-election . There was nothing unreasonable in this . When a man has exceeded fourscore years , it is permitted to him to rest from further care and responsibility , and be

thankful that he has enjoyed health and strength beyond the average of men to fulfil his offices to the satisfaction of his brethren . The Provincial Grand Master , however , did wisely , and well when he had an address of thanks prepared for presentation to Bro . PRICE in recognition of his long and valuable services , and the brethren were equally well advised when they

unanimously adopted as their own the thoughtful act of their popular chief , and joined with him in cordially thanking Bro . PRICE for what he had done in their behalf , and as cordially expressed the hope that he might be spared for many years to enjoy a dignified rest from active Masonic duty . We

notice also with pleasure that Provincial Grand Lodge unanimously resolved , at the instance of Bro . J . D . LANGTON , to establish a Provincial Charity Committee , with full authority to act in the name and on behalf of the Province in all matters connected with the election of Surrey candidates for the benefits of the Masonic Charitable Institutions . The difficulties in

the way of carrying a candidate at any one of these half-yearly or yearly (• lections are greater than they were even a few years since , and there is every reason to believe that these difficulties will be increased rather than diminished as a knowledge of the benefits conferred by our Institutions becomes more widely spread . It is also very generally recognised that

those Provinces are the most successful in overcoming these difficulties which have some kind of Charity organisation , and for this reason Surrey has done well in adopting the resolution proposed by Bro . LANGTON . Lastly , it is gratifying to find that Surrey will be henceforth the fortunate possessor of a Provincial Calendar . These Calendars are invaluable both as works of

record , which exhibit in small compass the constitution of the Provinces they relate to , as well as of the lodges and chapters which each comprises j and as works of reference for people like ourselves , who are being continuall y called upon to furnish particulars respecting the Masonic careers of more or less distinguished brethren . Twenty years ago there was hardly a

Province—with the exception of Cornwall and it may be one or two others —which could boast of having such a Calendar ; now the Province which has none is the exception rather than the rule . But we need not prolong '" is article , the purpose of which is to show that under Bro . Col . MONEY ,

• under the late Bro . Gen . B ROWNRIGG , Surrey is one of the foremost among our Provincial strongholds of Freemasonry . What we have said demonstrates this very clearly , and nothing remains but to express the hope that what it has been and is at the present time , it will remain for many a generation to come .

Courtesy In Argument.

COURTESY IN ARGUMENT .

Bro . the Rev . J . S . BROWNRIGG , P . G . Chaplain , has established a rtfier claim upon our respect by the outspoken manner in which he recently en ounced the utter lack of courtesy , the incerbity , and in far too many , ses , the absolute untruthfulness with which arguments on questions of public crest are nowadays enforced . Taking his cue from the manner in which controversial part of the late elections—which at the time he spoke were

Courtesy In Argument.

the rash and unscrupulous methods of attack which men of all parties and opinions are nowadays not ashamed to use against those who differ from them . It is very easy to see the weak points and inconsistencies of our opponents . It is very hard to realise that ignorance and falsehood and dishonour are not confined to any class of society or any shade of opinion . Hence comes the growing evil . The special danger of the moment to all controversialists on all possible subjects is that they construct almost every argument not upon the sound basis of its own inherent righteousness , but upon that most rotten of all foundations—the imputation to their adversaries of all that is most base and in full career—were being conducted , Bro . BROWNRIGG had no difficulty in showing that the old familiar practice of abusing your opponent ' s attorney , when you have no case , is no longer confined to the courts of law , but that it is being very generally adopted whether you have a case or not . Said he : " The most thoughtful men are becoming every day more and more anxious about

dishonourable . " In Freemasonry we are strictly enjoined against permitting anything in the nature of a religious or political controversy being considered within the precincts of our lodges , and so long as this injunction is observed , there is little or no danger of our falling foul of each other in the manner so truthfully described by our reverend brother . But it must not be

forgotten that controversies are by no means confined to questions affecting religion and politics . It is quite possible for different brethren to favour different policies which are not political , but which may legitimately be discussed within the precincts of our lodges . For instance , the members of one and the same lodge may and frequently do differ as to the policy by

which its affairs should be conducted . If , in all such cases , the brethren will courteously agree to differ ; if , where opinions are pretty equally divided , both sides will consent to sink their differences rather than press them to a direct issue , and by so doing endanger the harmony of the lodge ; if , where there is a decided preponderance of opinion in one

direction or another , the majority will avoid pressing their advantage too summarily—too much on the principle of V < c victis , and the minority philosophically accepts the inevitable , avoiding those petty obstructions and cavillings which have no other effect than to irritate and annoy , there is no danger to be feated to the peaceful career of

Freemasonry . But if the manners which are adopted by the political disputants of our day are imitated in our lodges , if brethren , instead of according to those who differ from them that respect which they justly claim for themselves , set about vilifying those who conscientiously think otherwise than themselves , then there is a serious danger awaiting us , against which it

is the duty of all Masons , both individually and collectively , to combat with all their strength . We have prospered hitherto , because we have forbidden the introduction of religious and political controversies into our lodges , and

have , at the same time , recognised that courtesy in argument and loyalty in accepting the decision as between rival arguments is an essential condition of the existence of every and any Society ; and we shall go on prospering or otherwise , only so long as we observe or depart from this salutary law .

Supreme Grand Chapter.

SUPREME GRAND CHAPTER .

The following is the business to be transacted on Wednesday next : — The minutes of the last Quarterly Convocation to be read for confirmation .

THE REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE OV GENERAL PURPOSES . To the Supreme Grand Chapter of Royal Arch Masons of England . The Committee of General Purposes beg to report that they have examined the accounts from the 20 th April to the 19 th July , 1 S 92 , both inclusive , which they find to be as follows :

To Balance , Grand Chapter £ 325 o S | By Disbursements during the „ „ Unappropriated Quarter ^ 447 S o Account 19 G 12 4 „ Balance 2 ( 17 4 1 „ Subsequent Receipts .. 3 S 1 911 „ „ Unappropriated Account iSS 10 10

) C 9 ° 3 2 11 £ 903 2 11 which balances are in the Bank of England , Western Branch . The Committee have also to report that they have received the following petitions : ist . From Comps . George Dalrymplc , as Z ; John Mills , as IL ; John

Atkinson , as J . ; and seven others for a chapter to be attached to the Whitwell Lodge , No . 1390 , Millom , to be called the McKay Chapter , and to meet at the Masonic Hall , Millom , Cumberland . 2 nd . From Comps . William Pearson Robinson , as Z . ; John Spencer , as H . ; John Bracewell , as J . ; and six others for a chapter to be attached