Masonic Notes And Queries.

In this connection the following extract from the New York "Mercury" of July 2 , 1753 , published herein verlatim et literatim , may be of interest : " Sunday , the 24 th ult ., being the Anniversary of the Festival of St- John the BAPTISTS , the Ancient and Riht Worship ful Society of FREE AND

ACg CEPTED MASONS , of this city , assembled at Spring Garden the next Day , and being properly cloathed , made a regular Procession in due Form , to the King ' s Arms Tavern in Broad Street , near the Long Bridge , where an elegant Entertainment was provided ; and after drinking his Majesty ' s , and several other

Healths , the Day was concluded in the most social manner , and to the entire Satisfaction of all the Company . —Cosmopolitan . Interesting as is the address communicated to the Ct Freemasons' Magazine " by " A Masonic Inquirer , '' it is but fair for Masonic Students to remark that it

is neither new or unknown to them , since it is in truth the oration delivered by our learned brother , Francis Drake , the well known antiquary and historian of York , and afterwards Grand Master of the York Masons , delivered by him to the Grand Lodge when one of the Grand "Wardens . —A MASONIC STUDENT .

Masonic Sayings And Doings Abroad.

MASONIC SAYINGS AND DOINGS ABROAD .

Under the auspices of the grand bodies of Tennesee has been inaugurated a movement which bids fair , as we learn from the "Record , " and from other sources , to become wi fait accompli ere very long . It is no less than the founding of an Orphans' Home , on

the plan , we suppose , of those in England , which have done so much to rescue the Craft from the charges made against them by anti-Masons . One of the circulars of the managers of the fund thus sets forth the objects proposed to be accomplished : — " This institution , regularly chartered , has been

organized for the purpose of founding an asylum or home , in Avhich the orphans of deceased Masons , and the children of indigent members of the Order , may he reared , educated , and maintained without cost to them . It is intended to be a free-will offering on the part of the Masonic Fraternity of Tennessee to its

orphans and indigent children . Every dollar paid into the treasury , after defraying the necessary expenses of an economical administration of its affairs , will be sacredl y devoted to the promotion of the charitable design in view . The endoAvment fund is to be raised by donations from lodges and other Masonic

bodies , and from individual members of the Order . An investigation of its objects and merits is earnestly invited . "

The Grand Chapter of Iowa met in the hall of Keystone Chapter , at Clinton , Saturday , October 15 , M . E . Comp . P . C . Wri ght , Grand High Priest , presiding . Thirty-eight chapters were represented . The

School of Instruction , which began on Thursday , preceding the annual gathering , was quite largely attended , and held morning and afternoon busy sessions , the eA enings to be devoted to work on actual candidates , in exemplifications of the teachings of the

day . The first day of the Grand Chapter was devoted to the opening ceremonial , the annual address , the appointment of committees , and the annual election . The annual address of the Grand Hi gh Priest was a

plain common-sense one . A variety of topics were discussed . One topic was a most fraternal and feeling reference to the long illness of Deputy Grand High Priest Rollin , and to the circumstances in which he is placed thereby . A just tribute was paid to his

Masonic enthusiasm , and his faithful service , which did credit to the head and the heart of Grand High Priest Wright . The Grand High Priest reported that he had warranted nine new chapters during the

capitular year . During the session , twelve chapters received charters . The income of the Grand Chapter was 5 , 000 dols . Of this amount 4 , 750 were expended , a very large amount of local business was done , and the session was quite a harmonious , as well as a very busy one .

A Past Grand High Priest's jewel , to cost not less than 100 dols ., was voted to the retiring Grand High Priest , Comp . Wright , as a testimonial of the respect and esteem in which he is held by the body , over which he has ably presided . The proposition submitted by Comp . Crawley , to make suitable proficiency

a condition precedent to advancement in subordinate chapters , was defeated by a large majority . The next meetings of these associate grand bodies will occur at Council BlufE ., iu IS 71 , as follows , viz . : —The Grand Commandery on the 15 th and 10 th October ; Grand Chapter on the ISth and 19 tb , and the Grand Council on the 17 th of the same month .

Several prominent Masons in Canada are agitating the subject of a Masonic Mutual Benefit Association for the New Dominion . A proposition is also made to get up a Masonic Asylum , similar to that of England .

Efforts are being made to have tho Couucil work in Canada correspond with the work in the United States . An attempt was made at the last quarterly meeting of the Grand Lodge of Nova Scotia to reconsider the

vote passed at the annual communication recognizing the Grand Lodge of Quebec . The secession of the Quebec faction of the Grand Lodge of Quebec threatens to do serious injury to Masonry in Canada .