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Contents . PAGE JFBEEHASONS' MAGAZINE .- — Charitable Institutions in India 81 The Mystic Beauties of Freemasonry 82

The Spurious Chapter of Antiquity 82 History of Indefatigable Lodge \ o . 237 83 Address at the Laying the Foundation Stone of the Masonic Hall at Hassekeui 85 Masonic Jottings—No . 79 87 Masonic Notes and Queries 87 Correspondence 88 Masonic Sayings and Doings Abroad 89

MASONIC MIEEOE : — Masonic Meins 91 CEAPT LODGE MEETINGS : — Metropolitan 91 Provincial 91 Royal Arch 94 Mark Masonry 94

Ancient and Accepted Rite 94 Masonic Festivities 96 Obituary 96 The Mark Degree in England 97 Notice to Correspondents 100 List of Lodge , & c , Meetings for ensuing week 100

Charitable Institutions In India.

CHARITABLE INSTITUTIONS IN INDIA .

LONDON , SATURDAY , JULY 29 , 1871 .

The " Masonic Record of Western India " publishes the prospectus of the scheme for the establishment of the Punjab Masonic Institution for educating children of Indigent Freemasons , proposed by W . Bro . Major G . H . Basevi , Deputy-District Grand Master . The earnestness and

generous spirit in which the matter has been brought to the notice of the Craft by this distinguished and warm-hearted brother will , we feel , ensure for it every success . In establishing schools for the instruction of the

children of Masons , the Craft evince how much they are disposed to carry out practically those tenets of universal benevolence and fraternal

affection which are indisputably the leading characteristics in their theory of Masonry . The formation of charitable establishments , under the operations of which the orphan offspring of Masons may be instructed in the varied duties of

the several situations to which they have been destined by Providence , and by which they may be rendered , through His blessing , patriotic citizens and exemplary Christians , is a reflection replete with delight to the heart capable of feeling ,

and to the head capable of appreciating in their extended sense , those great cardinal virtues , Faith , Hope , and Charity . Where is the man , with " soul so dea 6 / who can regard Avitli heart

unmoved and eye unmoistened , the glowing spec tacle witnessed at the anniversary meetings in England and Ireland , when hundreds of untainted innocents are presented to vieAv , to whom the invaluable benefits of such institutions have been

widely and liberally extended . And if by the " uniniated or popular world , " —to whom all the rich mysteries of the Fraternity are " a sealed book " ;—if by them the success of those societies has been regarded as another link in the

adamantine chain of philanthropy and real patriotism , how can he who has spent a life amidst the bounties of those mysteries , watch with mere cool and calculating eye , the progress of opinions which demonstrate to all mankind the practical

excellence of Masonry ? Well may it be said in the language of the Poet : —

" The orphan ' s blessing rest on thee ; The heart , unaltered iu its mood , That joys alone in doing good , And follows in the heavenly road , And steps where once an angel trod

The joys within such hearts that burn , No loss can quench , nor time o ' erturn ! The stars may from their orbits bend . The mountains rock , the heavens rend , The sun's last ember cool and quiver . But these shall glow and glow for ever , "

Bengal and Madras have each their Charitable Institutions , and Bombay alone , with its boasted progress in Freemasonry , is behind hand in this good work . Not that we are deficient in deeds of charity , for there is abundant proof of this in the

numerous calls that have always been promptly and liberally met ; but what we contend for is a local institution of our own ; and we earnestly appeal to the heads of the Order ( English and Scotch ) , to make a movement towards attaining this most desirable object .

The following is the prospectus referred to : — PUNJAB MASONIC INSTITUTION EOB E DUCATING CHIXDEEN OE INDIGENT JFBEEMASONS . Children of both sexes to be eligible for admission into the Institution , at the age of six years , and continue therein until

they have attained the age of fifteen years . Elections to take place at a General Meeting ; votes by proxy to be allowed . 'The funds of the institution to be devoted solely to the board and education of Children in Schools in India . A General Meeting of Subscribers to be held twice in the year , in April and JNovember . The general conduct of the affairs of the Institution to be entrusted to a Committee to consist of the President , Vice-