Contents.

CONTENTS .

NULLI SECUNDUS 17 1 FRATERNITY 18 RouNn AND ABOUT . I 5 Y " THE DRUID" is THE SENIOR WARDEN 20 A GOLDEN WEDDING 21

MASONIC MEMS 22 EMINENT MASONS AT HOME : No . 2 . —MR . GEORGE EVERETT { with a Portrait ) 24

MARK GRAND LODGE 26 ROVAL MASONIC INSTITUTION FOR BOYS 26 PROVINCIAL GRAND LODGES AND CHAPTERS 27 COLONIAL AND FOREIGN ... 29

GATHERED CHIPS 30 REVIEWS 32 ANSWERS TO CORRESPONDENTS 32

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WE have but one alteration to make in the programme set forth in our previous number . The care with which we print , and the time necessary for the proper reproduction of the photograph presented with each "Eminent Mason at Home , " necessitates the publishing of THE MASONIC REVIEW on the 7 th

instead of the 1 st of each month . We have received the unanimous good opinion of one hundred and sixty-four journals published in London and the United Kingdom—there are many , perhaps , we have not seen—and have earned the bad opinion of but one . Ab uno discc omncs .

We may take this earl y opportunity of assuring our readers that THE MASONIC REVIEW has come to stop . The united circulation of the three Masonic papers published in this country , proves that less than one per cent , of the Brethren of the United Kingdom purchase them . Our field of work is with this ninety-nine per cent ., which

we attack purely on our merits ; but , to induce those merits to be tested , we hereby undertake to subscribe the sum of TWO HUNDRED GUINEAS PER ANNUM , FOR FIVE YEARS , to the three Masonic Charities directly our circulation is increased to 10 , 000 copies . If each of the Brethren already on our subscription-list will secure two subscribers , and each of those secure one other , the thing is more than accomplished .

Nulli Secundus.

NULLI SECUNDUS .

" The very able manner in which the ceremonies have been ferjormed leave Utile if anything to be desired , and it may be said that in that respect this Lodge is second to none . " THESE words , or ones of similar import , seem to form a portion of the after-dinner speech-making of our Lodge meetings , when an opportunity arises for remarks of an adulatory

character , by those to whose Jot it may fall to respond to the toast given on behalf of the visitors . Without in any way calling in question the motives which may dictate such remarks , or doubting that when enunciated they are thoroughly genuine , so far as they go , it is thought that in many instances this sort of

laudation is , to say the least of it , a good deal overdone . It may be a desire to say something pleasant after sumptuous refreshment , or a motive of personal friendship winch causes words of such all-embracing flattery to be used , but to any one who has anything approaching an extended knowledge of the v . irio . i . s workings of our Craft Lodges , such statements are apt to cause an ill-concealed smile , while the tyro in the science is frequently

Nulli Secundus.

non-plussed to discover the whereabouts of those points of superexcellence , whicli cause this particular Lodge to be described in such eulogistic terms . Leaving aside the question of glib recital of a certain number ot set sentences , it may be asked upon what basis is this " Order of

Merit " awarded . It is a well-known fact that many differences in working exist , not only between London and Provincial Lodges , but also in those included in the Metropolitan ( Masonic ) area . In our Lodges of Instruction , which are the schools where the ardent Craftsman receives his tuition , much variety is in vogue , in fact , so

much does this obtain that a clever worker in one Lodge , when visiting another , is often hopelessly stranded , and unable to perform the functions he flattered himself he was thorough master of . This difficulty has been mentioned to Brethren of high standing in the Craft , and has obtained for reply a shrug of the shoulders and " Yes ,

I know all you say is perfectly true—what is really required is one uniform ritual . " Whether this will ever be ordained time alone will prove ( at present it seems as remote as the Greek Kalends ) , but until something of the kind does obtain the statement that this , that , or tJie other Lodge is " Second to none " is windy nonsense . Be this

as it may , however , something more is required than mere perfection in knowledge of the verbiage of our beautiful ritual ; in fact , this is but a primary duty , incumbent upon all who accept an official position . Such studious application should be made to the ritual as will enable officers to perform their allotted tasks decorously and respectfully to those associated with them , bearing in

mind that , strictly speaking , very little praise is their due , however well they may discharge them . But , beyond all this , to a thinking man it must be very palpable that the Alpha and Omega of Freemasonry are not comprised in any knowledge of the formalities and phrases as practised in our Lodges . There is a deeply-hidden meaning , besides a cunningly devised symbolic

reference , in all that pertains to our Craft which no excellence of memory will aid the seeker to apprehend . The mental effort which is required to fix upon the mind the verbal intricacies and details of our ritual is really no better than wasted if the moral esoteric teachings have not touched the heart . Ability to rattle off and

perform , in many cases in a perfunctory and parrot-like manner , the whole of the ceremonial of the various degrees is far too often looked upon as a sign of wonderful skill and erudition , and the desire to do likewise is but too frequently the predominating wish of a hearer's heart . A careful study of the lectures of our various

degrees demonstrates how curiously the emblems , which form a most important part of our ceremonies , are interwoven with the thoughts and actions of everyday life , and how forcibly many of them point out our duty to God , our neighbours , and ourselves . It is a matter for regret that in many instances these lectures arc a

closed book to many a worthy brother ; but , wherever it may be possible to take advantage of attending them , we arc convinced that each and all should do so , as much may by their aid be made clear , which without it would remain to some minds for ever obscure . The major portion of post-prandial orator ) ' at our Masonic gatherings partakes of the nature of a Mutual Admiration Society . At