Contents.

CONTENTS .

EDITORIAL . : "A GRAIN OK MUSTARD SEED" .. Front p < uj <\ LODGE OFFICERS : THE SENIOR DEACON .. .. iio RITUALISTIC NUTS TO CRACK .. .. .. ., i ; a THE MASONIC POET ' CORNER .. .. .. .. iii

OUR TRESTLE BOARD .. .. .. .. .. ci REPORTS OF LODGE AND CHAPTER MEETINGS .. .. r .- 2 REPORTS OF LODGES OF INSTRUCTION MEETINGS .. ( i . 'S ORIGINAL CORRESPONDENCE AND ANSWERS .. ..

METROPOLITAN LODGE . & C , MEETINGS FOR PHKSEXT WEEK lid HIGH TWELVE . THEATRICAL ANNOUNCEMENTS .. ii 7 DRAMATIC NOTES AND OBSERVATIONS .. .. .. ii 7

PROVINCIAL LODGE MEETINGS FORTHCOMING .. .. ( is METROPOLITAN LODGES OF INSTRUCTION FORTHCOMING ... ( ill ADVERTISEMENTS .. .. Front com : . " . 8 . (> +, 71 . 72

"A Grain Of Mustard Seed."

"A Grain of Mustard Seed . "

E are taught by the doctrines contained in that GREAT LIGHT upon which is founded the Grand Principles of our Order , that " if ve have faith as a grain of mustard-seed .

nothing shall be impossible unto you . " And this direct encouragement to laudable effort is further endorsed

m Freemasonry by the assurance that Faith and Hope " will ultimately overcome all difficulties . " It is in sincere and humble reliance on these virtues in relation to

Masonic obligations , and not , for our present purpose , in connection Avith their theological meaning—wherein , without doubt , they are of vastly greater importance to all

men , —that we have undertaken the somewhat bold venture of completing the trio of Masonic journals in this country . We are as yet but as " a grain of mustard-seed ; "

nevertheless , if the Craft are true to the promises they have each and all made to support laudable endeavours , and particularly such as would advantage the Order , we may

become—let us say it with all possible reverence—" a great tree , shooting out great branches . " We have Faith in the oft-repeated assurances that we can supply a

long-needed want ; and Hope in the members of the Fraternit y that they will be as true to us as we are and shall be true to them . Our best friends could not wish us better or more

gracious expiessions of satisfaction than have already reached us , and if there be—all men and measures havim * O « ome objectors—a coterie who think not with us , they have

"A Grain Of Mustard Seed."

in a most brotherly spirit adopted that excellent virtue which is enjoined upon the Craft when the " tongue of good report" cannot be exercised with honour and propriety . We evidence in this number of THE MASONIC HTAR our desire to improve its appearance and its increased usefulness

and importance Avithout m any degree diminishing the volume of information which we have decided is as large as Ave can , for some time at least , promise ; and Ave HOAV ask further support by subscriptions and advertisements to encourage us to continue as Ave have begun . It has been

suggested to us that Ave should have chosen a someAvhat later period of the year , say about now , for our introduction to the Craft , this being in Masonic as in social and commercial circles the " silly season . " But Ave are not only satisfied that Ave Avere not so silly as the season in

forestalling the resumption of business m our several Lodges ; but also Avith the unmistakable evidence of the general support we shall receive Avhen throughout our Masonic Empire all good men and true go to labour . And Ave should have missed many advantages , knoAvn only to

ourselves , had Ave deferred our appearance beyond the date borne by our first number . We are IIOAV known by direct introduction to over tAventy-five thousand officers and members of Lodges in England , India and the Colonies ; have perfected , or very nearly so , our arrangements for

management and nurture ; and IIOAV only aAvait the favouring influences of the gentle deAV of sympathy and the sunshine of brotherly regard to grow as does the " least of all seeds , Avhich Avhen it is gro . vn is the greatest among herbs and becometh a tree . "

There is no desire on our part to reiterate for the mere purpose of extolling ourselves the statement that Ave are and purpose to continue an independent journal , Avithout bias or prejudice , and devoted to the best interests of the Craft ; Avith our pages at their command for all

controversies and discussions conducted Avith propriety and decorum . Nevertheless , Ave are bound to submit that sentimental vieAvs must give Avay to commercial interests in

order to secure that independence so absolutely necessary in the exponent of varied opinions . Our Brother , Robert Burns , has taught us in his exquisite poetic language IIOAV necessary it is to

" Catch Dame Fortune s golden smile . Assiduous wait upon her . And gather gear by every wile That's justified by honour !

Not for to hide it in a hedge . Not for a train attendant ; But for the glorious privilege Of being INDEPENDENT ! "

And so must Ave " gather gear" if Ave are to be of that sendee to Masonic literature and progress Avhich Ave are encouraged to belieA e Ave may become , and to have that fortitude of disposition Avhich does not hesitate to speak out Avhenever occasion demands .

But one or tAvo words more : —That independence cannot be gained Avithout first securing the strength Avhich numbers can give . We therefore suggest " to all Avhom it may concern" the advisability of increasing , in our interest , our subscription list , notwithstanding its present satisfactory

position ; and to such of our brethren as advertise their Avares , the necessity , in their OAVH commercial interests , oi using our advertising columns for the spreading abroad of their names over the Avorld , even as the grain of mustard seed , after having groAvn into a tree , spreads forth its branches .