Monthly Masonic Summary.

Monthly Masonic Summary .

OUR Royal Grand Master has returned to us , much benefitlcd by his short visit to " Foreign Parts , " aud has since presided Avith much effect , and amid much loyal enthusiasm , at the Licensed Victuallers' Festival . It does

indeed , hoivevcr , seem a reproach to our ago to note that increasing tendency to MaAVAvormism and Stigginism amongst us , Avhen Ave can be told that H . E . H . received 200 petitions from friendly fanatics , not to to preside at the gathering of " Avicked

Licensed Victuallers . " Are AVO reaching reaching a time Avhen religion is to become sentiment , and charity is to evaporate into unreality ? Avhen Ave shall absolutely forget that there is such a thing in this world as the abasement of all intellect , the submission of our reasoning poAvcrs to a noisy irreligion 1 to a mournful fictitiousness of erratic intolerance 1

The Annual Festival of Grand Lodge has taken place , Avith great eclat , and the Craft has been pleased Avith the appointment of two Eoyal Grand Wardens . Such an event recalls to Masonic students the time Avhen five Eoyal Brothers honoured the English Grand Lodge Avith their genial

presence ! The appointments of the other officers are very satisfeetoiy , as sliOAving that Masonic services are not overlooked by our Grand Master , nor Masonic work forgotten . We have but little else . to report , except the onward prosperous

march of English Freemasonry . In France , the struggle goes on , and though Ave cannot say that Ave have much

hope , yet there is a faint glimmer just noAv of a reasonable reaction . Wc cannot overlook the seriousness of the contest , especially as regards Freemasonry . But as good ahvays comes out of evil here beloAvif our Avorst fears are

, realized , then amid this " Debacle " and " Dobandado" of Fiench Freemasonry some profit may accrue to numerous English Freemasons in France and Belgium , Avho are noAv practically shut out from Freemasonry and Masonic Life .

If Bro . Grimaux is ri ght in his Masonic Jurisprudence , English Masons might IIOAV meet Avithout any reference to the Grand Orient of France , but such a position would not natarally accord witli our English notions of legality and order . If ,

however , these tAvo Grand Orients leave , as it Avere , Universal Freemasony , in order to carry out some chimeras , or pander to some intolerant rhapsodies of their OAVII , the position of English Freemasons in France and Belgium may perhaps be reconsidered , Avith a vicAv to give them such , " relief" as the circumstances of the case Avill permit .

We republish another of those most interesting papers on "OperativeMasonry , " Avhieh are from the pen of our gifted Confrere Clifford P . McCalla , editor of the Keystone , and Avhich Ave are happy to see are about to ajipear in a volume form . We ahvays read the Keystone Avith pleasure and profit .

The Anniversary Festival of the Girls ' School , under Lord Suffield ' s able presidency , has taken place , and nearly £ 10 , 000 have been returned by the Stewards . 2 Q