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Content's . — PAGB FREEMASOKS' MAGAZINE : — The Asylum for Idiots SOl Notes on American Freemasonry 601 Uniformity of Ritual 504 Masonic Jottings—No . 49 505

Fraternity 505 Filial Duty , or Parents' Claims and Children's Liabilities 507 Masonic Notes and Queries 508 Masonic Sayings and Doings Abroad 509 MASOUIC M IRROR : — Masonic Mems 510 Lodge of Benevolence 510 CRAET LODGE MEETINGS ;—

Metropolitan 510 Provincial 613 Scotland 514 India 514 Royal Arch 516 Mark Masonry 516 Knights Templar 517 Obituary 519 Poetry 519 List of Lodge , & c , Meetings for ensuing week 520

The Asylum For Idiots.

THE ASYLUM FOR IDIOTS .

LONDON , SATURDAY , DECEMBER 24 , 1870 .

We gladly find space for a feAV remarks respecting this National Institution at Earlswood , Redhill , Surrey , the claims of Avhich should come home to the heart of every member of the Oraft . The particulars of the features and objects of

the Institution will be found summarized by the Board of Management in their announcement . The mentally afflicted orphans ancl children of Masons are properly excluded from our Masonic Schools . but , to a reflecting mind , the question

arises whither shall these unfortunate children go ? moreover , we are informed by Bro . Nicholas , the Secretary to the Asylum , of the melancholy fact that at every election there are several of these who are candidates for admission . A few ,

only a feAV , lodges are , it appears , annual Subscribers to the Institution j and weare informed that the Secretary of one of those in remitting the usual subscription , remarks " It is strange , very strange , the number of applications for our

votes for Masons '" sons to the Asylum—yet , that lodges as a body , do not become subscribers / ' ' This statement , sad as it is , speaks volumes for the claims which the BarlsAvood Asylum has upon the support of the Craft .

The Earl de Grey and Ripon , M . W . G . M ., and the Earl of Zetland , P . G . M ., have been supporters of the Institution for some time , while His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales , P . G . M ., has just announced that it Avill afford him much satisfaction to preside at the next Anniversary Festival . Funds are , it appears , urgently needed to com

The Asylum For Idiots.

plete the extension of the Asylum Buildings , sn auspiciously inaugurated by H . R . H . the Prince of Wales , in 1869 ; and the board of management issue an appeal to the Masonic body , that they will not suffer the progress of the good work to

be arrested for want of their material support . We heartily endorse this appeal , and Ave commend the helpless children , whom the Institution is intended to shelter , to the warmest sympathy , alike of lodges and individual brethren .

Notes On American Freemasonry.

NOTES ON AMERICAN FREEMASONRY .

( Continued from page 484 . )

NEBRASKA . M . W . C ) . H . Irish , Grand Master , delivered the Annual Address . From , it we quote some of his decisions : First . —It is the right and duty of the

Worshipful Master of the Lodge within whose jurisdiction they reside , to require all persons claiming to be Masons , whether they visit the Lodge or not , to prove themselves to be what they profess . Second . —In default of their ability to do so in a

legal manner , they are to be regarded and treated as impostors . It may be , and often is , necessary for a Master to order the ballots to be passed a second , or perhaps , in exceptional instances , a third time , ivhen he thinks , or has reason to

believe , that a black ball may have been cast by mistake . The result when declared , is the property of the Lodge , and is final . The Grand Master states that he has granted

dispensations for , and instituted , six new Lodges . He says that during the past year he has received a number of applications for dispensations , in reference to the conferring degrees , none of which have been granted .

On the subject of theOrphans' Fund ho remarks . " Whether it is ultimately determined to build au institution devoted to this purpose , or to uso the funds accumulated , in educating tho orphans of deceased Masons in schools already established ,

the object to be attained in either case is one so worthy , as must enlist the active sympathy and earnest co-operation of every worthy Mason , one that will exemplify our pi-inciples by deeds of practical usefulness ancl benevolence . It AVUS true Masonic work to care for the children , AVIIO , in the