R. . W. . BRO. . WILLIAM HORATIO HALL

GRAND SUPERINTENDENT OF SOUTHLAND

R. . W. . BRO. . WILLIAM BEILBY

GRAND SUPERINTENDENT OF HAWKE’S BAY AND GISBORNE

NOTICE !

Intimation was given on the 16th November that MR GEORGE HESCOTT, Travelling

Representative of "THE NEW ZEALAND CRAFTSMAN," was under suspension. I have now

to intimate that Mr Hescott’s connection with "THE NEW ZEALAND CRAFTSMAN” has

entirely ceased.

T. G. DE RENZY.

WITNESS : Fredk. E. Baume, Solicitor, Shortland Street Auckland.

November 30th, 1892.

——————

TO SUBSCRIBERS AND OTHERS.

Subscriptions should be sent to T. G. DE RENZY, Box 444, Post Office, Auckland.

Communications for the Editorial Department should he addressed to the Editor, Box

444, Post. Office, Auckland.

Subscribers are respectfully notified that the correct filling of orders is sufficient evidence

of their receipt.

PAYMENTS OF 7s 6d MADE SINCE NOVEMBER 16TH, 1892.

D. Cattanach, W. Goad, G. S. Clark, S. D. Hanna, Robert Irvine, Lewis Miller

(Wanganui), Pulham, H. D. Pike, Pyne, Purchas, Taylor (Guide '93, 1s), Thos. R. Wilson,

Otto Walters.

PAYMENTS OF 10S AND UPWARDS MADE SINCE NOVEMBER 16TH, 1892.

Auckland Chapter (20s), W. Burton (10s), John Cameron (10s), Harston (10s), W. R. G.

Hay (10s), Lodge Victoria (20s), Lodge Advance (20s), Lodge Feilding (20s), W. F.

McLean (10s), Mair (20s), W. H. Nicholson (10s), Nicholas (10s), Wm. Newman (10s),

Potter (10s). Robins (10s), W. Scott (10s), J. H. Smith (10s), Robt. Smart (10s).

BRO. WILLIAM BEILBY, P.M.

GRAND SUPERINTENDENT OR HAWKES BAY AND GISBORNE.

FIVE-AND-TWENTY years ago R.W. Bro. Beilby was initiated in the Grosvenor Lodge, Birmingham,

England. Nine years later he affiliated to LodgeVictoria1577, E.C., Napier, and in 1878 took an active part in

founding a Lodge at Hastings (Heretaunga, No. 1812), of which he was the first Secretary, and its W.M. in

1881, and again in 1884.

He was appointed to his first office in the District. Grand Lodge of Wellington, E.C. in 1883, and filled

various subordinate positions in that body until 1890, when the late District Grand Master, Bro. Sir Harry

Atkinson appointed him to fill the high position of Senior Grand Warden.

He was installed in 1880 and is now a Past First Principal of the Victoria Chapter, Napier.

—————

FREEMASONS IN RELATION TO THE LAWS OF THE REALM.

THERE was read before the members of Lodge Quatuor Coronati, London, in May last, a paper by Bro.

Fooks, L.L.B., on the above subject. Referring to the time— 1799 A.D.—when Freemasonry may be said to

have received its legislative recognition and sanction, he instanced three sections of the Act of 39, George

III, Cap. 79. This Act, which was an Act to suppress societies established for seditious and treasonable

purposes in substance, provides by the 5th section that the Act was not to extend to existing .Lodges of

Freemasons ; by the 6th, that, two members of the Lodge shall certify that the then existing Lodges are such ;

and by the 7th, that upon evidence that an alleged Masonic Lodge is only a treasonable society, its meetings

may be discontinued.

On the passing of the Statute it was assumed that no new Lodge, could be constituted, and the Lord Advocate

of Scotland gave the following opinion to the Grand Lodge of Scotland, they having consulted him as to

whether they might interpret the Act as applying to Grand Lodges, and therefore enabling new Subordinate

Lodges to be constituted :—

" The words adopted both in the 5th and 6th sections of the Act are so explicit that it does not appear to me

possible to maintain, under any interpretation, that a Lodge of Free Masons, instituted since the 12th of July

last, can be entitled to the benefit of the Statute. I do not know why the Act was so anxiously limited, but the

legal construction of it is unquestionably what I have stated. It is impossible to adopt the interpretation

suggested in the Memorial for this reason that if the Grand Lodges of England and Scotland respectively

were the only Societies to which the legislature alluded, and to whom the regulations thereof apply, it would

follow that all subordinate Lodges were at liberty to disregard these rules altogether, a proposition

impossible to be maintained after perusal of the 6th and 7th sections of the Act, which distinctly .impose

upon every Society or Lodge all over the kingdom the necessity of registering the certificate within the

county or division within which its meetings have been usually held, and renewing the same on or before the

25th of March every year. I am very clearly of opinion therefore, that no new Lodge can be entitled to the

benefit of the Statute ; and that, if it is material for the Memorialists to obtain powers to institute such new

Lodges, to the effect of entitling them to the protection of the Act, it can only be done by an application to

Parliament.

" The Opinion of

(Signed) " R. DUNDAS."

" GEORGE SQUARE, EDINBURGH, 23rd January, 1800."

No application was ever made to Parliament, and as Bro Whymper puts it in his " Acts of Parliament

referring to Freemasonry' I do not know where to find an explanation as to how, after the union of the two

English Grand Lodges in 1813, the difficulty so clearly described by the Scotch Grand Lodge was got over.

New Lodges have been continually formed from the date of the union, and . . .

I do not understand why they were allowed. The Acts make it very clear that the Institution of Freemasonry

was recognised by the Government as a perfectly legal one, but the practice of Freemasonry was restricted to

Lodges in existence in 1799.

In subsequent correspondence with Bro. Fooks this issue was raised by the Secretary of No. 2076. Bro. Speth

wrote :—" There appears to be a general impression among Masons who have looked into the matter, that in

an absolutely strict sense the statute must be so interpreted as to render our Lodges, warranted since 1799,

technically illegal. For practical purposes this is of no moment, as he would be a foolish man who in England

should attempt to question the status of our Lodges."

Those who read in last month's CRAFTSMAN the particulars of the case McCullough and others versus Slater

would no doubt have noticed that the defendant, for a further defence to the action of the plaintiffs, raises this

very issue, we believe, for the first time in the Masonic history of the colonies. Bro. Slator says in

paragraphs:—

33.—The Defendant repeats the allegations contained in paragraphs 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, and 7, of this Statement of Defence,

and says that the said Society is, and always has been., an association consisting of more than ten persons formed, and

having for its object the acquisition of gain by the individual members thereof.

34.—The said Society has never been registered as a company or otherwise under any statute.

And for a further defence —

35.—The Defendant repeats the allegations contained in paragraphs 2, 3, 4, 5, .6, and 7, of this Statement of Defence,

and says that the Society was and is an unlawful combination and confederacy, the members of which are bound by an

oath or engagement not required or authorised by law and is prohibited by Statute of George III, Cap 79.

36.—The said Society has never been registered under the said Statute.

Unfortunately the case has not yet been entered for hearing, and is still sub judice. Were we to comment

upon it, as we would very much like to do, we should be liable to attachment for contempt of .court, we have

therefore to content ourselves, in the meantime, with .giving Counsel's opinion as to the legal position of the

Masonic bodies in New Zealand, and the present position of Lodges of Freemasons in the colony with

respect to property. On the very first opportunity we shall return to the subject, meanwhile our readers can

give due attention to, and seriously take into consideration, the importance of .paragraphs 4, 5, and 6, of the

appended opinion.

DEAR SIR,—I regret, that owing to the urgency of other matters, I have been unable to devote that time and care to the

solution of the questions which have been asked me, by you, which their importance would certainly justify. Still, I do

not think that further investigation would materially affect the opinion I have ,already formed, and as I understand you

are anxious to learn what that opinion is, I have now to state: That in my opinion-

(1) Lodges of Freemasons established in England since the passing of 39, Geo. III, Cap. 79 (1799 A.D.) do not come

within the purview of that act, and cannot claim the Legislative recognition and sanction given thereby to Lodges in

existence at such date.

(2) The above mentioned Act, as also the later Acts relating to the same, are not in force in New Zealand; and,
therefore, even if the English Acts could be held to apply to Lodges created subsequently to their date, no claim to such

recognition and sanction could be set up by any Lodge working in New Zealand, even though under Charter from the

Grand Lodge of England, and a fortiori by any Lodge working under Charter from the Grand Lodge of New Zealand.

(3) On the other hand, 37, Geo. III., C. 123 (The Unlawful Oaths' Act) is also not in force in the colony ; and, therefore,
the New Zealand Lodges referred to in paragraph 2 of this opinion are not being worked in actual breach of the law.

(4) The present position of Lodges in New Zealand with respect to property is analogous to that of a Cricket Club, no
single person or section of persons being recognized in law as the owner of the property of such club; possession being

the real arbiter.

(5) In a case put by you of a lodge working under the Grand Lodge of England, which has accumulated property and 99
per cent. of whose members have transferred their allegiance to the Grand Lodge of New Zealand, there exists no right

on the part of the 99 per cent, to recover from the remaining members any of such property which they may happen to

be in possession of.

(6) Immediate steps should be taken by the ruling Masonic Bodies to obtain Statutory recognition and status, inclusive
of the power of holding and disposing of property.

Auckland, Dec. 13, 1892.

———————————————————————————————————————————

ANTIENT AND PRIMITIVE RITE OF MASONRY.
——————

By the announcement of the Grand Master General of this Rite which appears elsewhere, it would seem as if

this body was about to take a new lease of life in New Zealand. For many years it has had representatives in

the persons of Bros. W. Hill and George Robertson, P.G.S., N.Z.C., of Wellington, and we presume that they

are still connected with it.

As no doubt a few particulars relative to the Masonic standing of its Grand Master will be of interest to our

readers, we here append what we have been enabled to gather from the books at our disposal.

Bro. John Yarker is a Past Master of Lodges Integrity, No. 163, Manchester, and Fidelity, No. 430, Ashton-

under-Lyne. He is a Past Z of two Royal Arch Chapters—Industry, No. 361, Hyde, Cheshire.; and Fidelity,

No. 430—and a member of the Correspondence Circle of that celebrated London Lodge, " Quatuor

Coronati," No. 2076. He is a Past Senior Grand Warden of the Grand Lodge of Greece, an Honorary

Member, with other distinguished brethren — notably the late Albert Pike, the late King of Hawaii, and His

Majesty, Oscar, King of Sweden and Norway—of the Supreme Council 33° Antient and Accepted Rite of

Roumania and Bulgaria ; Sovereign Grand Master of the Grand Lodge and the Temple of the Swedenborgian

Rite of Roumania ; a Past Grand Constable of the Temple, and a member of other Rites and Masonic Bodies

too numerous to mention.

Of the Rite itself, it will be sufficient to say that it is worked in England,—we believe also in Scotland—

Ireland, Roumania, Italy, Egypt, North and South America, Cuba, the West Indies, and other parts of the

world. Oliver says the Rite was founded in 1782, and Dr. Albert G. Mackay, late Secretary-General of the

Supreme Council, 33° Southern Jurisdiction of the United States, states that "From an examination of a part

of its ritual and the perusal of some of its official publications, I am inclined to believe the assertion of its

friends who claim for it an eminently philosophical character."

———————————`

THE DIVISION OF THE WELLINGTON DISTRICT

————

THROUGH inadvertence an editorial note to "Monitor's" letter, which appeared in our last issue, was left out.

The note was to the effect that Grand Master Niccol had not lost sight of the desirability of appointing a

Superintendent for the Masonic District of Taranaki and Wanganui, but that without the sanction of Grand

Lodge, he had not the power to make an appointment.

———————————

A CONTRADICTION.

——————

THE M.W. Grand Master of the New Zealand Constitution authorises us giving an emphatic contradiction to

the statement made concerning him by Bro. George Hescott in his recent circular. In this connection we may

also state that at the last meeting of the Board of General Purposes it was proposed, seconded, and carried,

that the Board decline to receive or recognise Bro. Hescott's circular.

———————————————————————————————————————————

" MASONIC CHARITY."

IN our September issue among " Condensed Editorials," we reproduced an article from the Freemasons'

Chronicle (London), and the New Zealand Tablet (Dunedin) in a note with the above heading thus

blunderingly comments thereon :-

" Our contemporary the N.Z. CRAFTSMAN, says it was pretty generally believed that the opposition of the Papacy

was quietly dying out, and that Catholics who chose to join the Order might do so without being noticed. For our

own part we can hardly fancy how so false a belief could become general. The Church has continued very outspoken

on the matter, and the reigning Pope has repeated, with the force and clearness for which all his utterances are

remarkable, the condemnation passed by many Popes on the Society—making no exception in favour of its English-

speaking branches. What, however, calls out the particular indignation of our contemporary is a letter addressed by

the Archbishop of Dublin to his clergy, on the occasion of a recent celebration which was to take the shape of a

series of fetes in aid of an orphanage whose centenary had just occurred. The Archbishop enjoined his priests to

warn their flocks against taking any part in this matter, and the N.Z. CRAFTSMAN denounces his Grace for a want of

charity, declaring, with exaltation, that reprisals towards Catholic charities are to be taken by Dublin Protestants. But

the Archbishop expressly explains that it is not as a benevolent institution that he withholds his sympathy from the

institution referred to, but as an exclusive establishment intended for the promotion of Masonic interests.

Exclusiveness, moreover, is a characteristic of Freemasonry, and one which might of itself alone condemn it. In this

very number of the N.Z. CRAFTSMAN, for example, to which we refer, we find some cases in point. They are taken

from the experiences of Magician Kellar on his tours in foreign parts. . . . . We have heard such stories before,

exemplifying what capital fellows Freemasons are to one another, but implying how deucedly indifferent they are to

all the world besides . . . . We do not know whom our contemporary alludes to as what he calls "the heads of the

Romish Church." The Church has one visible head, that is the Pope, and the Archbishop, as our contemporary

suspects, had the sanction of His Holiness for the action taken by him. There was no foundation whatever for that

belief alluded to by the CRAFTSMAN—that the opposition of the Papacy to Freemasonry was dying out. The

condemnations pronounced by the Catholic Church never became obsolete."

Don't they ? Well, we had thought that one of the manifest proofs of the consummate wisdom (worldly

wisdom, may be) of the Catholic Church was the ease shewn in almost invariably adapting itself and its

teachings to the changing circumstances around. Compare, for instance, its arrogance where its sway is

almost universal with its meekness in an English town ! Contrast the kind of men selected as priests for

Connemara with those, say, for Christchurch; or its bearing where it controls the education of the people with

its whimpering protests against the " tyranny " of New Zealand legislators who actually refuse public money

for sectarian purposes !

With Roman Catholicism as a religion, needless to say, we have nothing to do ; and its claims to infallibility

as to dogma we do not presume to criticise, such things being as much beside our concern as they are beyond

our comprehension. But when it comes to matters of policy, and policy affecting our institution, surely we

may have an opinion, and may express it ; and we would ask if this claim of rigid unchangeableness on the

part of the Church in matters of this kind is not rather foolish—in fact, just affectation ? The letter of

"William, Archbishop of Dublin, etc., etc.," strikes us of being somewhat of an anachronism, and quite out of

keeping with that wisdom with which we have just credited the "heads of the Romish Church."

In this connection may be noted the strenuous efforts put forth throughout these Australasian colonies to

foster a " national ' spirit—that is, an Irish national spirit—and by every artful means to make their flocks a

"peculiar people," separate and distinct from their fellow-colonists. Herein little account would seem to be

taken of other faithful sons of the Church from England and elsewhere. However, the wisdom or otherwise

of this course will be proved by-and-bye.

———————————————————————————————

MASONIC LECTURES.

——————

(FROM A CORRESPONDENT.)

THE CRAFTSMAN Masonic Lectures, inaugurated at the Thames, have been a great success, Brethren of all

Constitutions uniting to give Bro. Martin a hearty welcome. The interest and sympathy of the fraternity has

been thoroughly aroused, and. a joint committee formed to work up the district and prepare for Bro. Martin's

next visit, which will be looked for with eager anticipation.

Full particulars of the two lectures delivered—one private, and a public one, illustrated by pictures exhibited

by limelight—will appear in our next issue. For the information of those anxiously inquiring as to Bro.

Martin's movements, we may say that he will lecture in Gisborne early in January, and from thence work his

way to Wellington via the East Coast.

———————————————————————————————————————————

LATE LETTER.
———————————————————————————————————————————

To THE EDITOR.

DEAR SIR AND BROTHER,— In your last issue of the CRAFTSMAN, you pointed out the resolution passed by

the Grand Lodge of New Zealand on July 28, 1890, re Grand Orient of France. You say the Grand Lodge of

New Zealand has a duty to perform, will they do it ? I, as a member of the Grand Lodge of New Zealand,

cannot see what action we can take in the matter. It was a foolish proposition to bring before Grand Lodge,

and absurd to carry it, for there is no law in the Book of Constitution to prevent any member or brother from

belonging to another Constitution, and I do not think the members of the St. Andrew Kilwinning, 79, N.Z.C.,

Wanganui, will ever submit to striking off its Lodge roll, Bro. Ballance, simply for being a member of the

Grand Orient of France.

I am a member of the N.Z.C., likewise a member of the French Constitution, and as long as I conform to the

laws of the N.Z.C. and the bye-laws of my Lodge, I feel sure that the members will not strike me off the

Lodge roll.

I am a Freemason, and I intend to be free until the Great Architect of the Universe calls me away from this

selfish humanity.

I remain, Dear Sir and Brother, •

Yours fraternally,

A. WILBY,

Kumara, Lodge Kumara, No 65, N.Z.C.

December 4th, 1892. and L'Amour de la -Write, 0.F.

[Bro. Wilby is arguing on false premises. The Grand Lodge of N.Z., following in the footsteps of all English

speaking Grand Lodges, added a law to its Constitution meeting the case, and both P.M.'s Bros. Wilby and

Ballance will find that freedom, in the sense quoted above, is incompatible with membership in Lodges

under the N.Z.C.—ED. C.]

———————————————————————————————————————————

MISCELLANEOUS.
———————————————————————————————————————————

EUROPEAN FREEMASONRY

————

BY GEORGE C. CONNOR, PAST GRAND MASTER OF TENNESSEE

————

MASONRY IN IRELAND.

I HAD but limited opportunity to study the workings of the Craft on the world-famed Green Isle of the Ocean,

and chiefly because our obliging Grand Representative, Bro. Thomas Brunker, was absent from home while

I remained in Dublin. I was thereby deprived of the " Invitation " so necessary to admission into the inner life

of the Craft at the Capital of Ireland.

By the merest accident I chanced to be in the small interior town of Roscrea on June 24th, St. John's Day. I

reached there at night, and while sipping my coffee was told by the pretty girl who attended us that a Lodge

of Freemasons was in session in the room above. I sent up my card, and the next moment I sat at the festal

board of my brethren, feeling quite as comfortable and welcome as if in the chair of one of the Lodges of my

own pleasant city of the West. 1 was surrounded by true brethren and courteous gentlemen.

Not only in my examination without, but in my intercourse within, especially with Rev. Canon Gillespie, the

rector of Castletown, I discovered that in the main Irish Freemasonry is more nearly akin to the Freemasonry

of this Jurisdiction than is the Scotch or the English. Of this I will speak more in detail when we both sit

within tiled doors.

These brethren sat at the dinner table in full Masonic clothing, The officers wore handsome silk collars with

jewels, and beautifully decorated lambskin aprons. It is worth recording that in the Lodges of the British Isles

each member and officer owns his own apron and jewels, and carries the same with him to and from the

Communications. As none visit these Lodges except on invitation, the keeping of a supply of aprons in the

preparation room is as unnecessary there as it is necessary in America.

I may say with safety, that no stated Communication of a Lodge occurs in that ancient home of the Craft that

is not concluded by a dinner, the Master in the chair, and all in full Masonic clothing. While they dine, they

mingle the esoterics with songs and speeches, cigars and wine. The associations of such dinners are very

pleasant, as I well know by experience, both in Ireland and England.

I mentioned to a brother that I was under the impression that Freemasonry in Ireland was handicapped by

what is called " aristocracy."

" O, dear no," he replied with a smile, "not in Ireland. You will see something of that in England,— perhaps

a good deal,—but not in Ireland or Scotland. True, we may not have the American idea of meeting upon the

Level' to its fulness, but nearly so, Bro. Connor."

I shall never forget that pleasant evening spent with Lodge 307, Roscrea, Ireland. Its Worshipful Master,

Brother R. A. Eaton, was very kind, and so was Rev. Canon Gillespie, but especially so was Bro. Henry M.

White, the son of a gentleman who was known to my boyhood. I desire to place this account of my gratitude

on permanent record.

MASONRY IN SCOTLAND.

My heart throbs while I recall the emotions that stirred it when I stepped from the railway " carriage " that

sunny morning of July 2nd, 1891, into the beautiful town of Ayr; the town where the immortal Burns was

born, and where he is honored as no other English poet is honored. I engaged a "trap," and soon was whirling

over the clean paves and over one of the "Twa Brigs;" out along the smooth white road to the cottage where

Robert Burns, once Worshipful Master of Mother Kilwinning, was born. I stood before the door of the low,

whitewashed, thatched cottage, hat in hand, that I might pay my tribute to a brother's genius and manliness.

And there I quoted, as Bobbie quoted,

" An honest man's the noblest work of God."

MOTHER KILWINNING LODGE.

It was in this Lodge, a few miles north of his home, that Burns was made a Mason, and over it he presided as

a much beloved Worshipful Master. I gained admittance to its sacred precincts through the kindness of dear

Brother Wylie, Provost of the town of Kilwinning, and the attentions of his son and of Brother Jack. I sat in

the same chair that Burns occupied as Master, and scrawled my name upon the Register, and my head grew

giddy when I tried to recall what I had already read of the memories of this venerable Lodge, whose "Work"

has not been changed, even to the dotting of i' s and crossing of t's during three centuries.

How different that room appeared in comparison with one of ours. The Master sits in the middle of a long

dining table that extends North and South. The dignitaries sit on either side of him. Two equally plain and

long dining tables extend, parallel to each other, from this head table to the West. At the farther end of this

right-hand table sits the Senior Warden, and at the farther end of the left-hand table site the Junior Warden.

Seated at these tables are all the members. This is the appearance of the Lodge room

The • represent the members. This is the arrangement during "Work," and it is undisturbed during the dinner

that always follows the work.

In the esoteric ceremonials Scotland and Ireland are closely allied, and both are widely different in the

manner of organisation from England.. Three-quarters of a century ago all three were more nearly like, but

England undertook modifications of ceremonials, and these modifications have been rendered more distinct

by the organization of the Standard Lodge of Instruction in London, known as "Emulation: Lodge."

Our American ceremonials are much more elaborate than are the Scotch in all three degrees, and especially

in the third. Let none suppose that this means that our ceremonials are altogether superior. In some respects

they are, in others they are not. The American Freemason finds no difficulty, however, in visiting a Scotch

Lodge, after he has been invited. Technically all Masons are of right entitled to visit any Lodge in the

jurisdiction, but the custom forbids any one attempting to visit unless he is invited, by card from the

Secretary, issued on the request of a member Then he must bring- his own apron, and his collar, if he is a

Past Master. The form of examination is like our own, but the "Tyler's Test" is not always used.

———————————————————————————————————————————

WHAT THE LANDMARKS OF FREEMASONRY ARE.

———————

J. Q. A. FELLOWS, LOUISIANA.

TRIED by this test, many of the Landmarks given by the authorities are proven to be no Landmarks, but

recent enactments of the Grand Lodges, and of no more force as Landmarks than would be the regulation of

some of our Grand Lodges that "no saloon-keeper shall be a Mason." Such are all of the thirty-nine articles

adopted by the Grand Lodge of England in 1723, and all the constitutions and regulations of that and all

other Grand Lodges since that date.

Anything that can be traced to its origin as a legislative enactment by the Parliament of Great Britain forms

no part of the English common law, and no usage, custom, practice or regulation, which can be traced to

Grand. Lodge enactment, or to the decree or order of any king or potentate who assumed to control the

Masons of a former age, are Landmarks of Freemasonry. They are in the nature of legislative enactments and

which, as Bro. Gould so well says, "are alterable according to the necessities of the Craft."

We take it to be that the idea of "landmarks " is derived from the English ideas of the constitution of Great

Britain, which is that certain fundamental principles lie at the foundation, verified or recognised, it may be,

by repeated acts of Parliament and the decisions of the highest courts of judicature, or as embodied in our

Declaration of Independence. On this idea the Landmarks of Freemasonry are the fundamental, or, as Bro.

Gould says, the ethical principles of the institution, embodying its " spirit," as he terms it, and to be

ascertained by the sound application of our reasoning faculties to the current opinion as expounded by

writers on Masonic subjects, when dealing with the spirit, the ethical principles of the Order, or upon

Masonic legislation ; nor that such legislation or such Masonic disquisition can establish a Landmark, but

simply furnish the means to a Masonic student of ascertaining what the Landmarks really are.

But, these principles must appear as having had an existence prior to and at the time of the legislation, and as

not having had their origin in any known legislative enactment. If there is or can be anything fundamental in

Freemasonry, and hence constituting a Landmark, it must be these principles of right and action which exist

a priori and without any origin in legislation. The Constitution of the United States is a species of legislation

and may be changed by the power that made it or abrogated altogether. In the ethical statements in the

Declaration of Independence, if founded in truth, are to be found the Landmarks of our national existence.

Our national (and State) constitutions are like the act of Parliament. There is something at the back of both

which constitutes the real constitutions of the country, which English common law writers recognize as the

fundamental principles upon which government is founded, the Landmarks ; as Bro. Gould says, the perfect

equality of all its members, etc., is a Landmark.

And so with the Order of Freemasonry. All legislation of every kind, from the days of Athelstan down, are

but regulations, subject to change and therefore not Landmarks. In our search for what they are, we go back

to the "Old Charges of British Freemasonry," " Gothic constitutions," whatever they are called, the first

publication of which are those compiled by Anderson for the newly formed Grand Lodge of England and

published in 1723. Since then some fifty or sixty different manuscripts have been discovered and published,

some of which were undoubtedly used by Anderson in his compilation. In them all is a legend or tradition. of

the Craft from the earliest ages of history ; a statement, more or less explicit, of the ethical principles

governing the Fraternity, and rules, regulations for the conduct of the business affairs of the Order are more

or less mingled together. The mythical legend or tradition, no one pretends, forms any part of the Landmarks,

the legislative portions have been frequently changed, as has ever been thought advisable, but the ethical has

never grown old and has always been followed.. These we may then, without fear of contradiction, class as

the Landmarks of the Order and are found essentially embodied in the "Old Charges," as recognised by our

Grand Lodge in its constitution of 1855.

In the same year our Grand Lodge resolved that it required uniformity in the means of recognition and in the

ties which bind them together as Masons. This was based on the idea of universality as necessary to

Freemasonry. If the means of recognition are not the same, or the ties which bind Masons to each other vary,

the Order is not universal within itself, nor can it be the same everywhere. As an institution its universality

ceases, or, rather, such organizations calling themselves Freemasons, which vary in either of the above

requisites, must cease to be recognised as Freemasonry at all. Each Mason must be able to recognise each

other, and the obligations of each must be the same. From this we naturally infer that obligations, not

necessarily the form, but the substance, must necessarily be the same, and that the same is equally true as the

means of recognition, and that these are of the Landmarks.

The base line, the fundamental (first) Landmark of the Order is, then, the ethical teachings as found chiefly

in the old charges. They embrace all the rights of men, and of duty to God and our neighbor. Or as it is given,

it comprises "the duties we owe to God, our country, our neighbors and ourselves."

If we designate the tie which equally binds us all together as a second Landmark, it may be observed that

there is nothing in it which is not embraced in the Masonic duties just enumerated.

The base line, the fundamental (first) Landmark of the Order is, then, the ethical teachings as found chiefly

in the old charges. They embrace all the rights of men, and of duty to God and our neighbor. Or as it is given,

it comprises "the duties we owe to God, our country, our neighbors and ourselves."

If we designate the tie which equally binds us all together as a second Landmark, it may be observed that

there is nothing in it which is not embraced in the Masonic duties just enumerated.

If we make the means of recognition another, or third Landmark, all these means are found in the

ceremonies, and these ceremonies are devised to teach the ideas, the ethical principles of the Order.

Among those named by Bro. Cunningham, as quoted in our report last year, namely, a belief in immortality;

that there is a life which is a continuation of this. This we may regard as a fourth Landmark, and is taught

most impressively in the ceremonies of Freemasons.

These four, we think, may be safely assumed as those marks by which the whole field of Masonic domain

can be located. All other landmarks are plainly derived from these four, and are but the way-marks of the

surveyed line, all depending upon these four corner stones, and these, comprised in one, the base line of all

our surveys. Tried by these four there is no need of error or want of certainty as to what are the Landmarks.

But we must always be careful first to eliminate all matters of legislation, all things which in turning to their

source we find to be legislative enactments, from our list of landmarks, and we know all there is to be known

of what constitutes the "ancient Landmarks of the Order."

If not included in the four above enumerated, as the chief Landmarks, a fifth should be recognised, which, in

the words of Bro. Gould, is that Freemasonry is founded upon the perfect equality of all its members, and its

governing body is an elective and representative one ; fact that the Craft governs and has the right to govern

itself.

Let us enumerate the general principles.

A belief in God as our Father ; in man as our brother; in the duty we owe to God and man, to love Him

supremely, and our neighbor—our brethren— as ourselves, and all the race as brothers ; in the perfect

equality of all Masons ; that it is a self-governing society, its governing body an elective and representative

one ; that all Landmarks, as stated by various writers, are but the particularising of these-principles, and by

the touchstone of first principles alone can they be established and determined.

————————————————————————————

MASONIC CLOTHING.
——————

BY BRO. FRED. J. W. CROWE, PROV. G.O., Devon.

——————

ALTHOUGH sashes, collars, jewels and gauntlets play such a prominent part in the Masonic clothing of the

present day, there can be no doubt that the original and distinctive badge of a Freemason was the apron, and

the apron only, and to this therefore we first turn our attention. Oliver tell us that the Apron or Girdle in

ancient times was an universally received emblem of Truth and Passive duty, and-speaks of Elijah and S.

John the Baptist as being " girded with an apron of (white) leather." In the Persian Mysteries of Mithras the

candidate was invested with a girdle, a tiara, a white apron and a purple tunic ; and in certain Japanese

initiations the candidate, when approved, was invested with a loose tunic, and a white apron bound round the

loins with a girdle. Oliver also says that "all the ancient statue of the heathen gods which have been

discovered in Egypt or Greece, Persia, Hinsdoostan, or America, are uniformily decorated with superb

aprons. . . . Some were plain white, others striped with blue, purple, and crimson ; some were of wrought

gold, others adorned and decorated with superb tassels and fringes." Hence the antiquity and dignity of this

distinctive badge are beyond question, and its fitness to our order specially undeniable.

Coming from symbolism and tradition to actual history, the immediate ancestor of the present masonic apron

was the long apron of the operative mason, and probably of linen (or leather), although later on and at

present made of the skin of a lamb. In Hogarth's picture of "Night," reproduced in Ars Quatour

Coronatorum, the apron shown is undoubtedly linen, and reaches nearly to the ankles. The apron of the old

Melrose Lodge, now so happily placed in such an honourable position on the roll of the Grand Lodge of

Scotland, is of linen, reaching to the knees (see illustration No. 3), and Brother Matheson, the able Secretary,

informs me that it has always been used as now worn. The apron shown in the portrait of William St. Clair of

Roslyn (1736), Premier G. Master of Scotland, now in possession of Canongate Kilwinning Lodge, and

reproduced as the frontispiece to the 1848 edition of the Scottish Book of Constitutions, is again the long

flowing linen apron of the operative mason. In Picart's "Ceremonies" of 1736, which reproduces Pine's

Engraved List of 1735, the brethren are depicted in long aprons which, by the way they hang, are

undoubtedly of linen, or some other textile fabric, and not of leather. They also wear trowels, which is of

interest in reference to Danish and Hungarian custom noted hereinafter.

A curious point in the evolution of the apron is the tassels. When they were introduced I cannot tell, but

excepting the Australian and Canadian Grand Lodges, which naturally copy us, the Grand Lodges of Great

Britain are, so far as any researches have gone, the only Bodies which wear them, and in the case of Ireland

they are strangely enough omitted in the aprons of the Grand Officers. The material of the apron is more

frequently silk or satin on the Continent, than leather, as I shall show later on.

In Ireland, although the Grand Lodge was formed in 1729, there is not, and Brother A. St. George, Deputy

Grand Secretary, informs me that it is to his knowledge there never has been, any definition of the colour or

pattern of its clothing laid down in its Constitutions, and the first and only authoritative statement appears in

a book entitled "Clothing and Insignia," with coloured plates, published in 1860. Brother F. C. Crossle

mentions an old Irish apron which has stamped on it the arms of the Grand Lodge of Ireland, and also

observes, " that up till very recent times, the Worshipful Master of the Craft Lodges, in his part of Ireland

(Down) at least, in order to be properly clothed, was always attired in a red cloak and a chimney pot hat. Not

only has the oral tradition of my elder Brethren assured me of this fact, but I have seen him so attired myself,

and in all the old Lodge Chests which I have discovered, there has invariably been found the remains-of this

important item of the insignia of the Lodge." The likeness of the Hon. Mrs Aldworth, which is so common in

Irish Lodges, shows her in quite a small apron, with a frilled edging and a circular flap.

In Scotland the clothing of Grand and Provincial Grand Lodge is of white leather, lined and trimmed with

thistle green ; but each private Lodge may choose its own colour at its formation, and also employ a

considerable amount of ornament and embellishment as will be seen in the accompanying illustrations,

differing in this from our own rigid rules. It is worthy of note that the flap of the English apron is triangular ;

of the Irish, triangular for ordinary clothing, but cut off square for the Grand Lodge ; and that of Scottish is

semi-circular. Some of these latter aprons are most gorgeous, notably those of " Montefiore " Lodge, No.

753, which is indentical with the Grand Lodge Clothing of England ; " Caledonian," with its Royal Stuart

tartan ; " St. Nicholas " in green and gold (No 6) ; and "Athole," No. 413, which has a flap of purple velvet,

with G., square and compasses, all in gold, with edging on the apron itself of the Athole tartan, and gold

fringe and tassels.

As to the early records of Scottish Clothing, Lyon's " History of Freemasonry in Scotland " gives some very

interesting particulars. In the " Regulations for the Grand Lodge " in 1736, rule 7 provides that the jewels of

Grand Master and Wardens shall be worn at a green ribbon. This assumption of green, which is not at all a

Masonic colour per se, is very strange, and the only possible suggestion to my mind is that it is the colour, of

the national flower leaf, and also of the mantle and ribbon in the national chivalric Order of the Thistle.

Embroidered aprons with officers' emblems were introduced in 1780, and in 1767 the "garters " (which in the

days of breeches formed part of the clothing) and the " ribbonds for the jewels" were to be renewed. The sash

of office bearers was introduced in 1744, and the jewels began to be worn in 1760. The Lodge of Dundee

used white aprons in 1733, and the Lodge of Edinburgh, in 1739, orders "a new blew ribband for the whole

five jewalls. " Brother Murray Lyon informs me that the custom of varying the colours in the clothing of

Lodges was in vogue prior to the formation of Grand Lodge in 1736 ; and as shown above, from 1733 to

1739, we have at any rate blue, green, and white variously used in the clothing.

Of the old Scotch aprons, illustrations 1 and 2 show two aprons of special interest, being those of the

venerable Mother Kilwinning Lodge. The former, dating from the middle of the last century, is of leather,

edged with dark green ribbon ; and the latter, early this century, of white satin, with edge and flap of green

velvet, the emblems being in gilt embroidery. No. 3 is the Melrose apron of white linen, with rosettes and

edging of light blue ribbon, which has always been similar. All these are noteworthy on account of their

great length, the two former especially, which reach below the knees. No. 4 is of some Lodge unknown to

me. It is painted on a small square of leather in oil colours, the edges being rounded off and a narrow edging

of blue ribbon added. It will be observed that it has no flap. It is very old and very quaint. No. 6 represents a

curious old apron kindly lent me by Brother M. B. Thomson of Ayr. The design is painted in colour on linen,

and the tricolour border of black, red, and blue, evidently indicated that the wearer possessed the Arch and

Templar degrees as well as the Craft. The tesselated pavement shows the same arrangement of colours, as

does the semi-circle of the arch, whilst the pillars are in blocks of red and blue. The lamb and cook are well-

known Templar symbols, and the P.M. and Ark Mariner degrees are also shown. The lower symbol of the

left looks like the "St. Lawrence " degree, and the serpent in the centre is also worthy of note. Another apron

from Ayr, now still used, is of white satin, with edging of a reddish brown and light blue, ornamented with

gold braid and square and compasses, and G on flap, which is pointed ; it is also noteworthy as having no

tassels.

Illustration No. 7 shows a most interesting Royal Arch apron of the " Ancients," in the possession of Brother

Hughan, The edging is of purple and red. On the flap are a bible, square, compasses, levels, maul, sun, moon

and stars. On the body of the apron is printed an elaborate design from an engraved plate. At the top is an eye

in an irradiated triangle, inscribed " Let there be light, and there was light." In the centre are the arms and

motto of the Ancients, and on each side a large pillar; that on the left being surmounted by a figure of Faith,

and bearing the inscription, " Be virtuous, be silent," with emblematical figures of Truth and Justice on the

base ; that on the right surmounted by Hope, and inscribed at three separate points, Wisdom, Strength, and

Beauty. There are also a large number of other devices ; the Temple, Ark, Pyramids ; an angel bearing a

scroll, inscribed "Masonry universal," etc. Standing at the bottom corners are two brethren in clothing, and I

notice that the collars they wear have evidently a band of colour (probably red) down the centre. Brother

Hughan places the date of the apron as circa 1800, in which Brother Rylands, who has seen it, agrees.

Illustration No. 8 shows a very interesting old Royal Arch apron, for which I am indebted to the kindness of

Bro. Forshaw, D. Prey. G.M., Aberdeen City. The flap is of dark blue silk ; the edging and seven rosettes are

of light blue ribbon, and the design painted in gold and colour. On the top of the steps are three curious

blocks of gold, drab, and black respectively. I cannot at all understand what they are, but, being carefully

distinct in colour, they must, I think, be of special importance. Inside the flap is written the following :—" 18

8ber, 1837. Worn in Grand Masonic process : for laying foundation stone, Mar College, Aberdeen, by the

Duke of Richmond, assisted by the Masters of the several Lodges present. Charles Gardiner, Chap : St.

Machors." Bro. Hughan and myself are, however, agreed that the age of the apron is considerably older than

1837.

(To be continued.)

———————————————————————————————————————————

LETTERS.
———————————————————————————————————————————

TO CORRESPONDENTS.

—————

Letters intended for insertion must be accompanied, in all cases, by the real name and address of the writer, as well as

by the name and number of the Lodge to which he belongs, not necessarily for publication, but as a guarantee of good

faith. We do not hold ourselves responsible for opinions expressed by our correspondents.

Correspondence is invited, and Brethren are solicited to forward inquiries relating to any matter of Masonic practice, or

bearing upon the history or expression of the Institution. We only impose these easy conditions :-

Do not write on both sides of the paper.

Do not write on either side unless you feel you must.

Do not write unless you have got something to say.

Do not write for a reply privately, through the post, because we are busy.

Do not write and expect us to endorse your opinions every time, as they may not be our opinions.

Do not not write unless you say what you have got to say in a friendly way, as nothing written in a cantankerous spirit

will appear in this journal if we can help it.

Do not get impatient with us under any circumstances, because we do not deserve it. If you do, in that case, as in every

other one, as BRIEF, and address THE EDITOR.

————————————————

ANSWERS TO CORRESPONDENTS.

———

LODGE SECRETARY, AUCKLAND.—Will notice that provision has been made for printing the statement of receipts and

expenditure of the Thomson Testimonial Fund in the next CRAFTSMAN.

P.M. BRO. CORKILL, NEW PLYMOUTH.—Your letter arrived too late to appear in this issue.

COMP. J. P. D. GRANT, OAMARU—Same remarks apply to you as to Bro. Corkill.

————————————————

PEACE, TOLERANCE, TRUTH.

————

ANTIENT AND PRIMITIVE RITE OF MASONRY

33°-95° Memphis and Mizraim.

OFFICE OF THE GRAND MASTER GENERAL,

Withington, near Manchester, England,

14th October, 1892.

TO THE EDITOR.

DEAR SIR AND BROTHER,—I should take it as a favor if you would notice in your valuable pages, that the

Sovereign Sanctuary of the Ancient and Primitive Rite, in and for Great Britain and Ireland, have chartered a

Chapter of Rose Croix 11-18°, and that other bodies are in course of formation that will carry the rite up to

the 33-95°.

The Chapter meets at the Foresters Hall, Wellington, New Zealand.

Its officers are :—

Bro. Wm. Jos. Meek, 32-94° M.W. S.

Bro. George Nicholas Homand E.G.W.

Bro. John Danks K.S.W.

The presiding officer, Bro. Wm. Jos. Meek, is the Past Master of a Chapter meeting in London, England, and

also a Past Grand officer of the Grand Mystic Temple of Middlesex, 32-94°, and the present representative of

the Sovereign Sanctuary in New Zealand, to whom all applications may be made. Master Masons of any

lawful Grand Lodge are eligible for advancement.

I take this opportunity for returning my thanks to some brother who did me the favor of forwarding a copy of

the Masonic Guide.—Fraternally yours,

JOHN YARKER 33-95°,

Grand Master General,

Great Britain and Ireland.

———————————————————————————————————————————

THOMSON PRESENTATION FUND.

————

MASONIC LECTURER.

————

TO THE EDITOR.

DEAR BROTHER DE RENZY,—Confirming my wire of to-day's date I now enclose statement in connection

with the presentation to M. W. Bro. Henry Thomson, which you kindly offered to publish in the

CRAFTSMAN. The Committee is grateful to you for your fraternal kindness in doing so as it saves a lot of

work and expense in advising each Lodge by circular.

Allow me to congratulate you on having decided to send round a representative who can lecture. I look on

this as a most important step and the beginning of a new order of things. You deserve unstinted praise and

support. I have just returned from a trip in the North, and all the brethren I spoke to highly commended your

innovation.

I am sure you will find that Lodges will gladly avail themselves of Bro. P. M. Martin's services. You know

as well as I do that in the past no attempt has been made except in one or two Lodges, to give brethren any

information regarding Masonic history or tradition. It is, therefore, high time to begin, otherwise ritual work

alone will cease to attract. I should much prefer, and so would many others, a good lecture to all that one

hears in the refreshment room after a lodge night.

I hope Bro. Martin will call on me. If I am in town when he does I will see and arrange for him to give us a

lecture in one of our City Lodges.—Fraternally yours,

GEO. ROBERSTON,

Past Grand Secretary.

Wellington, December 5th, 1892.

[We regret not being in a position to oblige Bro. Robertson this month, but will make arrangements to

publish the Statement in the next issue.—Ed. C.]

———————————————————————————————————————————

"THOSE CHARTERS."

———

TO THE EDITOR.

DEAR SIR AND BROTHER,—Many able brethren, who would otherwise become ornaments and stays to our New Zealand

Constitution, but who, from their lifelong adherence to the " old mother," which in many instances approach a reverence

demanding admiration and respect, are still, through their scrupulous standard of discipline, to be found objecting to the

right of New Zealand having a New Zealand Constitution, and that from a purely technical standpoint. " Those Charters

" are now one of the strongest objections raised, and anything done to assist in setting at rest the scruples of these

worthy brethren, becomes a duty. With your kind permission I quote from C. J. Paton, in his " Masonry and its

Jurisprudence," page 250, who, on dealing with this matter says :—

" In the first place, it is essential that not less than three Lodges shall unite in forming a Grand Lodge, as soon as the

new Grand Lodge is organised it will grant Charters to the Lodges which formed it, to take effect upon their

surrendering the Charters under which they had originally acted to the Grand Lodges from which they had derived

them. There is no regulation prescribing the precise time at which these Charters are to be surrendered ; but it seems

reasonable to suppose that they could not be surrendered before the new Grand Lodge is organised and recognised by

other Grand Lodges, because the surrender of a Charter is the extinction of a Lodge, and the Lodges must preserve their

vitality to give them power to organise the new authority."

This, sir, I should think, would be sufficient for the most-fastidious" Chartist " as I notice nothing gives the wavering

more relief, either one way or another, than a good solid " authority."

Wishing you and the CRAFTSMAN a prosperous new year.—I beg to remain, yours fraternally,

NEW ZEALAND, JUNE.

Waimangaroa, Westland, 28/11/92

———————————————————————————————————————————

GRAND LODGES.
———————————————————————————————————————————

NEW ZEALAND

———

THE next Quarterly Communication of the Grand Lodge of New Zealand will be holden at the City of

Dunedin on Tuesday, the 24th day of January, 1893.

Rt. Wor. Bro. H. J. Williams, Gd. Sup. Wellington will move :—" That the Resolution of Grand Lodge at the

Communication at Christchurch, October 13th, 2891, requesting the Grand Master to retain possession of Charters,' be

rescinded."

V.W. Bro. G. See. will move:—" That the following paragraph in the Minutes Of the Communication of Grand Lodge,

held at Wellington on the 29th July last, viz.: Letter from Bro. A. Gundersen, Secretary of St. Augustine Lodge,

Christchurch, asking that the Charter of the Lodge might be given up to the District Grand Lodge, E.C., Canterbury,' be

expunged from the records of Grand Lodge, as St. Augustine Lodge had made no such request."

Nomination of the M.W. the Grand Master and the Elective Officers of Grand Lodge.

Election of Auditors.

———<>———

NORWAY:

———

WE, Oscar, by the grace of God King of Sweden and Norway, Ruler of the Goths and Wends, High Protector

of the Fraternity of Freemasons, Wise Vicar of Solomon and Grand Master of the IX Province of the Order,

to you, Free and Accepted Masons, in the name of T.G.A.O.T.U., Fraternal Greeting.

Be it known by these presents

That whereas the Chapters and Lodges in our kingdom of Norway which practise the Royal Craft according

to the doctrines laid down in the IX Province of the Order, show such an increase and development, that the

question has quite naturally arisen, whether a more independent position in the Order may be conceded to

them.

And whereas the Provincial Chapter of Norway has petitioned that we should grant it the Constitution of a

Grand Chapter, and therewith consequently that of a Grand Lodge, to the intent that it may rule and govern

thereby the Chapters existing and working in Norway, as also the Scots Lodges of the Order of St. Andrew,

and the Lodges of St. John.

Therefore and in. accordance therewith and by virtue of the Power in the Fraternity of Freemasons vested in

us, have we thought fit to grant unto the Fraternity in Norway the right to found within the Order a separate

Province, which under our sway as Grand Master shall bear the number X among the Provinces of the Order.

Given at Stockholm, in the High Place of the Orient of that Mute, where we are enthroned, this 10th day of

May, 1891.

OSCAR.

A. ECKSTROM, HUGO MARTIN,

Chancellor of the Order. Director of the Chancellery

Norway thus acquires for the first time in history the position of Masonic independence.

———————————————————————————————————————————

SWEDEN

————

ACCORDING to the Berlin Latomia, a candidate for the privileges of the Craft in this country has to answer

the following questions, and his admission depends upon his reply.

1.—To which religious persuasion do you belong, and do you consider it the only true one, or do you profess

it only from habit ?

2.—We also profess a religious belief. Will you accede to it, even though it prove to be contrary to your

conviction ?

3.--A poor widow needs assistance. Will you afford it her, and if so, will you do so this very evening, or to-

morrow ?

It is not generally known that Oscar II., King of Norway and Sweden, besides being Grand Master, is an

enthusiastic Freemason, and that either he or the Crown Prince make it an almost invariable practice to take

the chair at the other degrees.

The Masonic halls at Stockholm number at least half-a-dozen, and are extensive, while the chapel belonging

to the Order of the Temple is in reality a magnificent church, in rich gothic style, with a splendid organ and

gorgeously stained windows. It may accommodate seven or eight hundred persons, and the organ alone cost

over £1,000. The richness of the decoration and upholstery throughout the building is amazing. Only the ball

for the First and Second Degrees and the Templars' Chapel can be seen by the public. The remainder is not

shown except to those who have attained the higher grades of the A. and A.S.R. An inspection of the edifice

is in itself a Masonic education.

———<>——

EGYPT

——

THE Grand Lodge of Egypt is composed exclusively of lodges of Free and Accepted Masons, and has

jurisdiction of only the three Ancient Craft degrees. It has 34 lodges under its jurisdiction, none of which

sprang from the Grand Orient of France, or other (unrecognized or clandestine) Grand Orients. The Grand

Lodges of England, Scot' land and Ireland have officially recognized the Grand Lodge of Egypt and

appointed Grand Representatives near it. Its present Grand Master is Bro. Idris Ragheb Bey, of Cairo, a

gentleman of culture and official standing, who speaks English fluently and correctly.

———<>——

NEW YORK

——

Mø Wø CLINTON F. PAIGE presented the report of the Committee on Jurisprudence at the late session
of this Grand Lodge ; we quote the following as interesting to New Zealand brethren :-

The Grand Lodge of Italy renews its application for recognition and an exchange of representation.

The papers presented, together with a translation of portions of its Constitutions, do not change the opinion of your

committee as reported to the Grand Lodge at our last annual communication declining their application.

We find the Orient is composed of a Supreme Council of the 33° Scottish Rite and the Symbolic Grand Lodge for the

Symbolic Rite,' and Section 12 of their General Constitution declares that:

‘Masonic sovereignty lies with the Masonic people as a whole, and is exerted for the government of the three first

degrees by the ordinary or extraordinary legislative or constructive assemblies, composed of the representatives of all

the Lodges of both rites, actively and regularly working.'

'Sec. 17 provides that charters for the Lodges of both rites are granted exclusively by the Grand Orient.'

This fully confirms the opinion of your committee as expressed last year, that the Grand Orient is a conglomerate body,

composed of a ‘Supreme Council of 33° of the Aø and AøSø Rite, and the Symbolic Grand Lodge of the Symbolic
Rite,' and is the governing body of Lodges of the three first degrees, in either or both rites.

We find in the report of your Committee on Foreign Correspondence of 1892, that no direct communication of their

proceedings have been received from them, but we find from our exchanges that from the last reports the 'Grand Orient

of Italy, at Rome,' comprises one hundred and thirty-two St. John's Subordinate Lodges.

Whenever these Subordinate Lodges unite in forming a Grand Lodge entirely separate and independent of the Supreme

Council of the Aø and AøSø Rite, or any other rite than Symbolic Masonry, this Grand Lodge will cheerfully
receive them into the family of independent Grand Lodges and exchange representatives ; but we are not prepared to

recommend recognition of that Grand Orient composed of bodies of other rites than Symbolic Masonry.

———<>——

CANADA.

——

"BRO. J. ROSS ROBERTSON, who has just retired from the position of Grand Master of Canada, after two

years of unprecedentedly active rule, has delivered a valedictory address which will well repay perusal, even

by those who have no special interest in the jurisdiction referred to, beyond the fact that Freemasonry well

studied, well administered, and well practised is of interest to all true Masons wherever located."

During the past two years, 1890-92, Bro. Robertson visited every Lodge once, and many twice, of the 348 on

the register. To do this he covered about 23,000 miles, and ten months of actual time was occupied in the

work.

Speaking generally, the Grand Master found the condition of the work, more particularly with regard to

ritualistic exemplification, improving. He thinks the average monthly attendance does not exceed 20%, of the

total membership, while this at first view seems discouraging, it must be remembered that fully 20% of the

membership reside out of, or in parts of, the jurisdiction distant from their Lodges, that probably as many

more cannot attend owing to temporary absence, so that there are about 45% who are presumably indifferent

to their Masonic connection and its requirements. We may not go out of our way to find reasons why

organizations suffer from non-attendance. Men are but human, and home, social and business duties are

elements in the routine of life, which with justice require attention if we desire, as we undoubtedly should, to

fulfill our duties in the army of industrials, who have obligations not only at the family circle, but who as

citizens of a great empire are identified with everything that will advance the cause of humanity.

He finds, in a large proportion of Lodges, more care is being exercised as to those who are being admitted,

while in some Lodges anxiety for funds to pay expenses clouds the better judgment, and in a few Lodges no

care whatever is apparently taken. While regretting the loss of those who have been suspended, he asks, why

should we mourn over men, the large proportion of whom perhaps measured their Masonic zeal and

fraternity by the number of ledger accounts opened for Craftsmen, who see in every brother the prospective

purchaser of some of the commodities that help to make life worth living, who use the twenty-four inch

gauge as an aid to business, and the square as a sign that they are ready to exchange experience for money

and that not at the current market price. It is his deliberate opinion—this too endorsed by the voice of the

thinking men in the Craft—that the use of Masonic clothing at other than authorized ceremonials, such as

services over the dead, the laying of corner-stones or ceremonies directly under the supervision of Grand

Lodge, is detrimental to the morale of the Order and repellant to all who regard the Craft as a glorious

companionship that shall encircle the entire of humanity.

Referring to the cheapening of our ceremonies he says :—" Some years ago, when under the instructions of

the then Grand Master, I performed the ceremony, the reverend gentleman who preached charity and

unselfishness in that particular locality, murmured because the offering taken up did not yield enough to pay

for a new pulpit ; indeed he gave me such scant civility that even the Grand Chaplain who officiated, felt a

spasm of muscular Christianity at intervals during the ceremony. In no other jurisdiction on earth has the

corner-stone ceremony been rendered so common as in Canada. The latest scheme, however, which has

developed and is-now in full working order—it may be patented for aught I know—is the quadruple corner-

stones. Three of these stones are laid by members of adherents of the church, and the Craft is graciously

permitted to lay the fourth. Now I yield to no man in my reverence of things sacred. I recognise Masonry as

the exemplification, of the Christianity taught by Him who, eighteen centuries ago, with the music of His

footsteps turned sorrow into joy and gave us the message from the Master, but I, without hesitation, draw the

line and hold my pen when asked to summon Grand Lodge to act as an annex for a purpose which, however

appropriate, yet when taken part in by the Craft, cheapens an impressive ceremony, lowers the dignity of the

Craft and drags it in as the side-show to capture the little spare cash the spectators have left, before they have

even time to recuperate from the exhausting results of their regular contributions."

He says the privileges of representation in Grand Lodge, by proxy, have been and are yet liable to abuse. He

thinks that all Lodges should be represented, if not by W.M.'s, by P.M.'s of the Lodge in question.

In his opinion there is no more effective manner of disseminating correct work than through exemplification

in Lodges by competent officers. He favours the idea of permanent Lodges of Instruction being held, under

careful supervision, once a month in each of the five Canadian centres.

The practice of holding the representation of more than one Grand body does not find favour with him, and

he thinks that an official communication should be sent to Canada from each of its representatives abroad,

and that representatives near the Grand Lodge of Canada should return the compliment.

His attention was called some months ago to the fact that a person who had been made a Mason in a

clandestine organization in this province was not only visiting but had affiliated and had been elected as an

officer of a lodge in the sister Grand Jurisdiction of New York. He directed the Grand Secretary to report the

matter to the Grand Lodge of New York, and he was gratified to learn within a week that the name of the

person complained of had been stricken from the roll of the subordinate lodge in New York. This prompt and

emphatic action, Bro. Robertson says, will add another link to the chain of friendship which binds together

two great jurisdictions.

It appears that some two years ago a Committee on Constitution and Laws was added to the list of

committees which, under the direction of the Board of General purposes, prepare the business for Grand

Lodge. It was understood by Bro. Robertson that the duty of this committee was to see that the proposed

amendments to the constitution were, if passed, incorporated in proper form in the constitution, so that all

would harmonize, and this, he says, was undoubtedly the understanding of many brethren who assented to its

appointment. The committee, however, viewed its duties in a different light. The amendments in the agenda

paper were relegated to the committee, and its report was adopted by the Board and by Grand Lodge. His

impression is that the members on the floor of Grand Lodge scarcely realized the form in which the report

was presented. Every amendment was dealt with in a most decided and emphatic manner. No reasons were

given for conclusions arrived at, and the well-meant efforts of intelligent brethren, whatever merits or

demerits their proposals may have possessed, were not frankly judged by the varied findings that either the

Board " cannot recommend the adoption," or that they "cannot see the necessity for the change." It seems to

the Grand Master that the Board " without due deliberation, dealt with matters beyond its powers and did not

voice the views of Grand Lodge when it gave a bald opinion as to the advisability or inadvisability of the

proposed amendments. The brethren who had interest enough to consider Grand Lodge legislation did not

eertainly dream that their proposals would be prejudiced by an expression from the Board of General

Purposes . . . and it is unquestionably placing them at a disadvantage . . . for to prejudice discussion and in

advance of debate to surround a brother with difficulties, is not in harmony with the hereditary principles and

skilful mechanism upon which the institution is founded, and is far removed from the views of the Craft

pioneers of the old world, who, while recognising constituted authority, swept away, as the leaf before the

storm, any autocracy that would interfere with the sense of fairness or freedom of speech that should be

accorded by man to man in any institution of British origin.

(To be Continued).

———<>———

SCOTLAND.

———

THE autumn meeting of the Grand Lodge of Scotland was held on 4th August, in the Freemasons' Hall,

Edinburgh. The attendance was not large, and in the absence of the Most Worshipful Grand Master, Past

Substitute Grand Master Brother F. Shaw-Stewart occupied the throne. Grand Committee reported their

finding, on the remit from meeting of May 5th, and recommended "That the

MINIMUM FEE .

for initiation be two guineas, and that there be no addition to the contributions at present paid by daughter

lodges to Grand Lodge for registration and diploma upon each entrant." In moving the adoption of the

recommendation made by Grand Committee, Brother George Christie said that an advance in the present rate

in fees was a very desirable thing. Many Lodges were in a state of semi-starvation, and the proposed advance

would put these Lodges in a better position. Grand Lodge did not propose to benefit by the increase, it would

go entirely to the funds of the daughter Lodges. It had long been the aim to encourage Lodges to get lodge-

rooms of their own, and he thought this would be a means of securing this desirable end. In seconding the

motion Bro. Col. Stirling said he had every confidence that the motion was for the good of the Order. He

could speak from the experience of some of the Lodges in his Province which had been bettered by raising

their fees. Bro. Dr. Middleton moved as an amendment that the matter be again remitted to Grand

Committee. He was quite as much in favour of raising the status of Freemasonry in Scotland as any member

of Grand Lodge. He thought, however, Lodges should not exist on their initiation fees, but on the Lodge

annual fees. While Grand Lodge fixed a minimum fee, Lodges could make their fee as high as they pleased,

and he thought it would be for the good of Lodges in the country districts to leave the fee as it stood. He was

of the opinion that the remit had not been sufficiently exhausted by Grand Committee; indeed, one of the

main objects of the original motion had been thrown aside. Brother David Sneddon seconded the

amendment. It was well known, he said, that with the funds at command the Benevolent Fund Committee

were not able to cope with the demand for aid, and were a proportion of this increase brought in to Grand

Lodge the fund would be greatly augmented. A discussion took place on the motion and amendment, Bros.

D. D. Duncan, A, M'Connochy and D. Hume speaking in favour of the motion, and Brothers Caldwell,

Hawick, in favour of the amendment. On the vote being taken 7 voted for the amendment, and 81 for the

motion. The granting of

NEW CHARTERS

as recommended by the Grand Committee was agreed to, namely :—To Lodges St. John, Eltham, Taranaki,

and Hinemoa, Midhirst, New Zealand North ; and Hyderabad, Chudderghaut, India.

————————————————————

BRO. Alfred Kidd, President of the Board of General Purposes of the N.Z.C., told the brethren of Lodge St.

Andrew, No. 8, last night, that Dr. Tarrant, M.L.A. (Pro. Grand Master), A. H. Bray (Grand Secretary), and

other members of the Grand Lodge of New South Wales intend to pay a visit to New Zealand in March next.

———————————————————————————————————————————

LODGE REPORTS.
———————————————————————————————————————————

PROVINCE OF HAWKES BAY AND GISBORNE.

ABERCORN, NO. 30, WAIPAWA.—At our 2nd of November meeting we were honoured by a visit from Grand

Superintendent Bro. Beilby. A sum was voted to the fund in aid of widow and children of the late Bro.

Horrocks Heighten, who had been a member of Pacific Lodge, No 2, Wellington. Bro. Crarer was passed to

the F.C. degree. On 30th November, the Relief Committee reported having assisted a distressed brother of

No. 330, I.C., Brisbane. Bro. Geo. Clarke was elected W.M., Bro, A Todd, treasurer (re-elected), and Bro. A.

Breuer, Tyler (re-elected), for the ensuing 12 months.

RUAHINE, No. 80, WOODVILLE.—On the 8th November there was a very fair attendance at the regular

monthly meeting. Bros. Crimp and Robertson were passed to the Second Degree by the W.M. Bro.

Grinlinton,assistedby Bro. Gothard, J.P.M. The claims of the widow and orphans of the late Bro. Driscoll

then came before the Lodge, a sum of £10 was voted at once, and a letter of condolence ordered to be written

and sent to Mrs Driscoll. It is expected that when the replies to the appeal made by the Lodge come in, that a

goodly sum will be at the disposal of trustees to meet this really deserving ease.

—————————————

PROVINCE OF WELLINGTON

———

MANAWATU KILWINNING, No. 47, PALMERSTON NORTH —The regular monthly meeting took place on

Wednesday, December 7th, a large number of visitors and brethren being present. The business consisted of

passing Bro. Otto Walter to the Second Degree, which ceremony was very ably perforned by the R.W.M.

Bro. W. Dawick. The Working Tools and charges being impressively given by P.M. Bro. W. H. Smith, and

P.M. Bro. W. Rutherfurd. An appeal on behalf of the widow and orphans of our late Bro. C. C. Driscoll of

Ruahine Lodge, and one other in connection with our late esteemed Bro. Daubeney of United Manawatu

Lodge, 1721, E.C., were nobly responded to by the Brethren present. The meetings for the future, of this

Lodge, will take place on the Wednesday before full moon.

ULSTER, No. 62, PETONE.—This popular Lodge at its regular meeting on the 19th of October initiated Mr

Bennett, which was very effectively carried out by the zealous W.M. Bro. Mothes, the ceremony being very

much enhanced by the excellent music discoursed by Bro. Sherwin, the organist of the Lodge. The organ,

which is a very sweet toned and yet powerful instrument, has been kindly lent by the S.W. Bro. Kirk, who is

to be highly commended for his truly Masonic action. A proposition is on the Lapis to purchase the same

upon very easy terms, and we sincerely hope that ere long the Lodge will be in possession of such an

excellent instrument: In connection with this subject a visiting brother offered to present Drew's Masonic

Book of Odes, which will, we hope, be followed by the formation of a choir, as the Lodges possess plenty of

musical talent. Apologies for absence were received from Bros. King (Sec.), Loader (I.G.), and Castles

(Treas.) 'The latter was unable to be present through a severe and sudden attack of indisposition.

WELLINGTON, No. 1,521, E.C.—The business before this Lodge on the 18th November was to ballot for

Bro. Samuel Robinson (lately treasurer), and to pass two brethren to the Second Degree. The meeting was a

hearty and enjoyable one, and the work went very smoothly. There was a fair attendance of members and

several Visitors.

AORANGI, No. 2,300, E.C., WELLINGTON.—On the 25th October, Bro. Gray impressively performed the

ceremony of raising Bro. Smith to the Third Degree, P.M. Bro. Drury giving the charge and lecture. The

proceedings were enhanced by the musical services of Bro. Brooke and his choir. Bro. N. W. Werry, P.M.,

Senior Warden, was unanimously elected W.M., and his installation took place on the 22nd November.

HINEMOA, No. 786, S.C., MIDHIRST, TARANAKI —Under the able direction of W.M. Bro. D'Arcy Hamilton,

the Lodge has made very satisfactory and steady progress during the past six months. There are now 25

members on the roll—mostly " youngsters " in a Masonic sense—and of the right stamp. The Lodges of

Instruction, held weekly; are regularly and well attended, the result being that a thoroughly efficient set of

officers will be ready for installation on the 13th inst. The hall company is sending something like £150 on

improving the building, and in erecting a large ante-room, suitable for banqueting purposes and for Lodge

meetings on winter nights. At the last monthly meeting there were two brethren for passing, and one

candidate for initiation ; unfortunately a chapter of accidents prevented any of them turning up. One of Bro.

Row's family became sick at the last moment ; Bro. Stringer had not returned from the South Island while the

candidate, Mr Griffith Jones, sprained his ankle an hour or two before the meeting in speaking of the success

of the Lodge, I must not omit to mention the work of our euthusiastic secretary, Bro. Schumacher. I am quite

safe in saying that he is second to none in the colony, having those three very essential faculties necessary to

good secretaryship, very largely developed—enthusiasm, punctuality, and affability.

———————————————

PROVINCE OF CANTERBURY.

————

ASHLEY, No. 28, RANGIORA.—A most enjoyable dance was held in the Masonic Hall, Rangiora, on the

evening of the 21st October. About a hundred and twenty persons accepted invitations to be present, and all

thoroughly enjoyed themselves. A strong committee had been appointed to make all preparations, with Bro.

J. W. Bing as secretary. This allotted the work to different sub-committees who must be warmly

congratulated upon the success that attended their efforts. The hall was beautifully decorated, and its

appearance was enhanced greatly by seven large mirrors on the walls, lent for the occasion by Bros. G. F.

Smith, W. A. Taylor, and J. Roberts, and rendered still more effective by being artistically draped. Bro. G. F.

Smith was the leading spirit of the sub-committee who were entrusted with the work of attending to the

decorations, and deserves the congratulations he received. The ante-room was divided into two, one part

forming a ladies' dressing-room, and the other a supper-room. The plot of ground in front of the hall was

covered by a large marquee, which being divided into two, formed a gentlemen's dressing-room and a

smoking-room. The shrubs growing naturally in this extemporised smoking-room looked very pretty. The

floor was temporarily hoarded, and card tables provided for the use of the brethren who were past their

dancing days. Cards, draughts, and rheas, all found votaries here. The music for the dance was provided by

Mr H. Fleming's band, and was greatly to the liking of the dancers. Dancing was kept up vigorously till half-

past three in the morning of Saturday, October 22nd. It is the unanimous opinion of those who were there

that no more enjoyable dance has been held in Rangiora this year, and the W.M. Bro. R. Ball, Bro. J. W,

Bing, secretary of the Committee, and the whole of the Committee are to be warmly congratulated upon the

perfect arrangements and complete success of the dance.

ASHLEY, No. 28, RANGIORA.—The usual monthly meeting of this Lodge was held on Thursday, November

3rd, when, in spite of its being the evening of the Rangiora Show, there was a good attendance of members

and visitors. After the correspondence had been dealt with, the ballot was taken for Mr Samuel Cringlington,

aged 23, farmer, North Loburn, proposed by Bro. E. Feather, seconded by Bro. A. P. Tutton, S.W. with the

result that Mr Cringlington was declared duly elected. Bros. J. Lilly and W. S. Hughes were then passed to

the degree of Fellow Craft Freemason by the W.M. Bro. R. Ball, the charge being delivered by Bro. A. P.

Tutton, S.W. After the Lodge had been closed in the Second Degree, an extremely interesting lecture on

"Brotherly Love " was delivered by Bro. J. Forbes, who was accorded a hearty vote of thanks on the motion

of Bro. T. W. Rowe, seconded by W. Bro. J. Sansom, P.M. Bro. T. W. Rowe gave notice to move at the next

regular monthly meeting of the Lodge "that Lodge Ashley approves of the recommendations made by the

Board of General Purposes; and approved by Grand Lodge, as contained in the circular of the Grand

Secretary, dated September 14th, 1892, to wit, etc." (Referring to fees of honour, travelling expenses of

Grand Master, Deputy Master). It was resolved to contribute the sum of one pound to assist Mrs Heighton,.

whose husband, a member of Lodge N.Z. Pacific, No. 2,. Wellington, was killed at the torpedo explosion in

Shelly Bay. As the next regular meeting of the, Lodge clashed with the installation meeting of Lodge

Southern Cross, No. 6, Kaiapoi, it was decided to meet early on the evening of December 1st, and

immediately to adjourn to enable the brethren to attend the meeting of the Southern Cross Lodge, and to

resume the meeting for the conduct of business on December 8th, at the usual time. Bro. Ivory proposed, and

Bro. Smith, J.D., seconded, as a candidate for freemasonry; Mr George James Walsh, aged 24, stationmaster,

Cust. Bro. T. W. Rowe, librarian, reported that the books belonging to the library would be ready for

distribution next meeting ; the number of volumes given to the library or purchased out of members

subscriptions amounted to thirty-six, and that several subscriptions remained to be collected, while nine

volumes of books, not procurable at present in Christchurch, had been ordered from either Melbourne or

London. Bro. T. W. Rowe also gave notice to move at the next regular meeting (1) That a choir be formed in

connection with this Lodge ; (2) That, if the former motion be carried, the following be a committee to make

necessary arrangements :—Bro. R. Ball, W.M., Bro. A. P. Tutton, S.W., W. Bro. Sansom, P.M., Bro. H.

Jones, S.D., Bro. G. F. Smith, J.D., Bro. A. Aldersley, Bro. A. Templer, Bro. D. McKay, and the mover.

After the Lodge closed, a very pleasant time was spent in the refectory, where the usual toasts were

honoured, and songs contributed by Bros, A. P. Tutton, G. F. Smith, T. W. Rowe, J. Lilly, J. Sansom, and J.

W. Bing.

METHVEN, No. 51.—A most enjoyable Social in connection with this Lodge was held in the schoolroom on

the evening of October 14th. The weather being all that could be desired, a large number of Brethren and

friends in and around Methven attended. The room was tastefully decorated for the occasion by P.M. Bro.

Wrethall. Songs were contributed by Bros. Lyne, Mangin, and Dunn, and by Messrs Walker and Mangin. A

marquee was erected alongside the room, where a very tempting supper was laid out. Altogether a very

enjoyable evening was spent, dancing being kept up with great spirit until 4 a.m. Great credit is due to the

R.W.M., Bro. F. A. Dunn, for the completeness of the arrangements made.

ROBERT BURNS, No. 604, S.C., CHRISTCHURCH.—On the 20th inst. Bro. H. A. Bruce will be installed

R.W.M., and the following brethren will be invested D.M., R. M. Fulton ; S.M., W. F. M'Lean, P M. ;

W.S.W., H. Tuck ; W.J.W. S. G. Male ; Treasurer, W. Barsht, P.M. ; Secretary, W. R. Gahagan ; Chaplain,

Rev. Rabbi Chodowski ; Organist, J. Gilbert ; S.D., W. Powell ;J.D., F. G Saunders ; D.C., B. J. Williams ;

1.G., G. Bean ; Stewards, heave and Fulton ; Tyler, A. Gee. We gather the following items of interest with

respect to the finances from the balance sheet. They commenced the year with a cash balance of £40 5s 2d,

and ended it with a cash credit of £22 7s 4d. They have given away the very decent sum of £15 19s in

charity, £1 1s of which was for the Nurses' Home. They owe £30 5s, and have £140 4s 4d in cash, £40 worth

of clothing and furniture, and £25 subscriptions (good) to pay it with. A very satisfactory state of affairs.

—————————————

PROVINCES OF OTAGO AND SOUTHLAND.

—————

(OWN CORRESPONDENT.)

APARIMA, No. 77, RIVERTON.,-The usual monthly meeting of this Lodge was held on the 18th October, and

was made noteworthy by the visit of Grand Superintendent, Bro. W. H. Hall, accompanied by the W.M. and

officers of Lodge Southern Cross, and some brethren of that and the other Invercargill Lodges, to the number

of: twenty in all: This visit was in fulfilment of a promise made when Lodge Aparima was opened under the

N. Z. C. The party travelled in a large drag, and the afternoon being beautifully fine, enjoyed the outing

immensely. On arrival they were heartily welcomed by several of the Riverton brethren, and had the wants of

the inner man promptly attended to by Host Bro. Patterson.

The Lodge was duly opened at 7 p.m. by W.M. Siddall, of Southern Cross Lodge, assisted by P.M. Sawyer

and several P.M.'s and officers of the Invercargill Lodges. On the Lodge being worked up to the Third, the

Grand Superintendent and Bros. Feldwick, Smith, Sawyer, and Cross, Grand Lodge officers, were received

in due form. The Grand Superintendent then took the chair, and in a few well-chosen words presented the

Grand Lodge Charter, and congratulated the Lodge on the; success it had so far achieved. The Lodge was

then reduced, and W.M. Bro. Siddall resuming the chair, duly initiated two candidates into the ancient

mysteries and secrets, P.M. Cross delivering the ancient charge, and J.W. Bro. Patchett the tracing board

lecture. Afterwards two Brothers were raised to the Third Degree by P.M. Bro. Smith of the Southern Cross

Lodge, N.Z.C., assisted by P.M. Bro. Duplock, of the Victoria J.C. The work was all done with noteworthy

thoroughness and smoothness, and must have proved of much service to the members of the local lodge.

The Lodge was then worked down in due form to the First, and hearty good wishes and congratulations were

received from the G.S. on behalf of Grand Lodge, from Lodges Fortitude, Harvey, and Mokoreta, N.Z.C.,

from Bro. Whitmore, Lodge St. John, S.C., and from T.M. Bro. Duplock, Lodge Victoria, I.C.

An adjournment was made after closing, to Bro. Patterson's hotel where some fifty brethren sat down to the

good things provided by the host, and songs and toasts prevailed for the rest of the evening. The chief toasts

were :—Grand Lodge of N.Z., with response by G.S. Bro. Hall ; Lodge Southern Cross and Visiting Lodges,

with response by W.M. Bro. Siddall, P.M. Bro. Duplock, and Bro. Whitmore. Lodge Aparima, with response

by the W.M. Bro. Patterson, who referred in very eulogistic terms to the Grand Superintendent for the zeal

he had displayed in promoting the interests of the Lodge ; the members had been encouraged, the Lodge had

been made safe from all risk of failure, and was fast becoming a power again for usefulness ; he trusted the

G.S. and officers of the Southern Cross Lodge would endeavour to visit their Riverton brethren at least once

a year, oftener if possible ; the attendance Lodge Aparima had received under the N.Z.C was in marked

contrast with the neglect it had formerly experienced. A feature in the visit that perhaps is worth noting, was

that each member defrayed his own expenses, and thus lodge funds were in no case trenched upon. Shortly

after midnight the visitors, resumed their places on the drag, and were safely bowled along to their homes in

Invercargill.

———————————————

MARLBOROUGH, NELSON, AND WESTLAND.

——

SOUTHERN STAR, No. 735, E.C.—Held its usual monthly meeting on Tuesday, 8th November, 1892, in the

Masonic Hall, Nelson, when there were a goodly number of brethren present, and several visiting brethren

from " Victory " Lodge, No. 40, N.Z.C., " N.Z. Pacific" Lodge, No. 2, N.Z.C., " Golden Bay " Lodge, No.

2194, E.C. etc. One Brother was passed to the Degree of Fellow Craft by the Worshipful' Master Bro.

McEachen, assisted by J.W. Bro. Beacham and P.M. Bro. Baigent, the former giving the address at the S.E.,

and the latter explaining the W.T.'s of this Degree. Another Brother was present for the Sublime Degree, and

was raised by the W.M., who was ably supported by J.P. M. Bro. Baigent and P.M. Bolton, who gave the

lecture on the Tracing Board of the M.M. Degree. A Brother petitioned for affiliation, and at candidate's

proposition was handed in and read: A letter of thanks for donation sent to " Sir Donald McLean " Lodge,

and an application for assistance from another Lodge were read, which brought the meeting to a close.

————————

MANY Otago Brethren will be sorry to hear of the death of Bro. George Harper, P.M., which took place in

South Australia. In the sixties he was a prominent member of the Oamaru Community. In the words of the

South Australian Freemason :--" Bro. Harper had been associated with the Craft for nearly half a life time,

and was a true and genuine Freemason. The teachings and precepts of the Craft were as sacred to him as his

religion."

———————————————————————————————————————————

THE ROYAL ARCH.
———————————————————————————————————————————

AT the Quarterly Communication of the Supreme Grand Chapter of Scotland held at Edinburgh on

September 21st, it was agreed on the recommendation of the Supreme Committee to grant Charters for

(1.) A Chapter to be called " Tasmanian Union," Hobart, Tasmania.

(2.) A Chapter to be called " Marlborough," Blenheim, New Zealand.

————————

HISTORY OF THE FORMATION OF THE SUPREME GRAND CHAPTER OF ROYAL ARCH MASONS OF

NEW ZEALAND,

—————

CHAPTER I.

—————

LODGE HIRAM MARK MASTERS, 272, E.C.

——

THE CAUSES THAT LED TO ITS INDEPENDENCE.

When the Lodge of Otago, No. 844, E.C., Dunedin, transferred its allegiance to the Grand Lodge of New

Zealand, its W.M. Bro. Barth, was Master elect of Lodge Hiram Mark Master Masons, No. 272, E.C., and

Bro. the Rev. William Ronaldson was its W.M.

The majority of the brethren of the Mark Lodge held membership in the Lodge of Otago, and for this reason

the District Grand Mark Master, Bro. T. S. Graham, took possession of the warrant, clothing, and books,

refused to allow the installation of the Master-elect to proceed, and forbade the Lodge to meet in the Masonic

Hall, of which he was chairman of directors.

At this time, Bro. the Rev. W. Ronaldson held the position of District Grand Mark Secretary, and received

from Bro. C. F. Mager, Grand Secretary, London, an important letter which he sent to the D.G.M. for his

attention. Bro. Graham, however, refused to accept the letter, and returned it unopened with the intimation

that unless he was assured by Bro. Ronaldson that his communication did not relate to Masonry he could not

read it. A statement of the case was then made out and forwarded to the Grand Secretary, who, under date of

the 15th September, 1890, acknowledged its receipt, and wrote that he had "communicated with RøWø
Bro. T. S. Graham as to the action taken by him in the matter of which you write."

The Mark brethren did not tamely submit to Bro. Graham's high handed proceedings. They protested against

the closing of the Lodge, the seizing of their warrant and clothing, and the deprivation of their rights without

charge and trial. They tried argument, and they held out inducements, but all to no purpose, he either could

not or would not view the matter impartially. Being members of a Craft Lodge holding allegiance to the

Grand Lodge of New Zealand was sufficient answer, in his opinion, to any objections raised against his

conduct, and with regard to his right and power to close the Lodge and take possession of the warrant,

clothing, and books, was he not District Grand Mark Master ?

Then the brethren decided that, as the Grand Mark Lodge of England had no connection with, and was not

recognised by, the Craft Grand Lodge of England, the District Grand Mark Master's action was

unconstitutional, and that as justice was not to be got within the colony, and most likely not outside of it, that

they were justified, under the circumstances, in proceeding with the installation of their duly elected master,

and continuing to work until such time as a properly constituted body—a Grand Lodge of Mark Master

Masons would grant them protection.

(To be continued)

MANAWATU ROYAL ARCH CHAPTER, N.Z., PALMERSTON NORTH.—The ceremony of constituting this

Chapter took place on November 3rd, the acting Grand officers being Companions H. J. Williams, Z. ; H.

Stevenson, H ; Tubal Fleming, J. ; and T. Young, S.E. The officers installed were :— W. H. Smith, Z.; W.

Rutherfurd, H.; W. Dawick, J, ; Jubal Fleming, P.Z., S.E. ; W. Riley, S.N.; T. D. Brown, Treasurer; S. Neale,

P.Z., P. Soj. ; J. Herbert Hankins, Second Soj.; H. Stephenson, P.Z., Third Soj. The ceremony throughout

was a most impressive one, and was ably conducted by Comp. Williams. Before the Chapter was closed a

large number of M.M.'s were proposed for membership. Among the visitors present were Comps. G. F.

Hawkins, J. C. Mowbray, and H. J. Freeman. The members afterwards adjourned to the banqueting room,

were a substantial repast, provided by Host Wilson, of the Occidental Hotel, was disposed of. Among the

toasts proposed were the following :—" The Installing Officer," proposed by the M.E.Z. This was eloquently

resposed to by Comp. Williams who specially thanked Ex Comp. Jubal Fleming for the help he had given in

the ceremony. The toast of " The Visitors " was proposed by M.E.H. Comp. W. Rutherfurd, and responded to

by Comps. Young, Freeman, Hawkins and Mowbray. The toast of " The newly-installed First Principal Z."

was proposed by Comp. Mowbray, and responded to by Comp. W. H. Smith, who also proposed the toast of

" The First Mark Master," responded to by Comp. J. Herbert Hankins.

" The new Chapter," so says our report, "starts under exceptionally favourable circumstances, and its

membership is expected to include Masons from Bulls, Ashurst, Foxton, Feilding, and all the surrounding

districts. Its charter empowers it to meet at any place deemed convenient, and to confer the whole of the

seven degrees recognised by the Supreme Chapter. The body from which it holds its charter is entirely

distinct from the Craft Grand Lodge of New Zealand."

" The first officers of the Mark Lodge in connection with it will be the following :—J. Herbert Hankins,

W.M.M. ; W. H. Smith, S.W. ; A. Jack, .J.W. ; W. Riley, M.O.; H. Stephenson, S.O. ; W. Dawick, J.O. ;

Jubal Fleming, Reg ; S. Neale, D.; T. D. Brown, I.G. On December 6th the Mark was worked, the degree

being conferred on a number of candidates. The W.M.M. Bro. Hankins was warmly congratulated on the

excellent manner in which he worked the ceremony.

—————————————

EX-COMP. GILLON, writing under date of the 21st November, gives a denial to the following statement made

by Comp. DeRenzy :—" Before leaving the subject allow me to say that, on my arrival in Auckland, I made

it my business to find out what stipulations with respect to the North Otago Chapter, Lodge Oamaru

Kilwinning had made when offering their allegiance to the Grand Lodge of New Zealand. I found none. You

and Companion Gillon assured me in Wellington that the granting of a Chapter Warrant was a sine qua non

in their petition to the Grand Lodge, but I found that they threw themselves unreservedly into the fold." Had

Comp. Gillon been content with giving the statement a contradiction, we should have been pleased to have

published the text of his denial, but when he descends to personal abuse of his opponent., and says he has "a

monkeyish desire, etc." and Is " unrestrained by any considerations for the truth, etc.," the waste paper basket

is the proper receptacle for such an epistle.

MOTHER SOLOMON LODGE.— Some fifteen years ago the Grand Lodge of Canada granted a Warrant for a

Lodge in Jerusalem, to be known as Mother Solomon Lodge, and P.G.M. Bro. Rob. Morris, of Kentucky, by

special dispensation constituted it, the ceremonies being held in Solomon's Quarries. Bro. Rollo Floyd, well

known to many Philadelphia brethren, and now a leading manager of Palestine tours, was the first W.M., and

was continued in office for six years. The present W.M. is Bro. William Kayot, the English Vice-Consul at

Jerusalem. Owing to a lack of interest on the part of its members, and insufficiency of funds, some six

months ago it gave up its place of meeting, and we regret to say the Lodge is now inactive—notwithstanding

Jerusalem, with its suburbs, has a population of 70,00040,000 of whom are Jews. The Jewish population is

continually increasing.

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Installations.
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LODGE ST. ANDREW, NO. 8, AUCKLAND.—Bro. W. H. Cooper, Past Grand Warden, has cordially invited us

to be present on the 16th inst. at the installation of Bro. John Guthrie, and the investiture of the following

officers : — R. B. Symons, D.M. ; J.Anderson, S.M. ; D. H. Ross, S.W.; G. M. Reid, J.W. ; Rev. W.

Ronaldson, Grand Secretary, Chaplain; J . Ellison, P.M. Treasurer; W. H. Cooper, P.G.W., Secretary ; J.

Page, P.M., D. of C. ; Dr. H Walker, G. Organist, Organist; P. A Duncan, S.D. ; J. D. Webster, J.D. ; J. M.

Scott, I.G. ; N. McCulskey, B.B. ; D. S. Hyauiason, S.S. ; C. W. Edwards, J.S. ; E. Tonge, Tyler. We have

much pleasure in accepting the invitation, but as we go to press on the afternoon of the 16th, a full report of

the proceedings will not appear until January.

LODGE MANUKAU, NO. 24, ONEHUNGA.—On Friday, the 9th inst., Bro. E. M. Page was installed W.M., and

the following brethern invested : W. A. Waterman, P.M., D.M.; W. C. Walker, P.M., S.M.; T. Smith, S,W.;

W. F. Massey, J.W. ; Rev. Mulgan, B.A., Past G. Chaplain, Chaplain; W. Dunwoodie, P.M., Secretary; P.

Clark, Treasurer ; B. P. Olesen, S.D. ; C, A. Funke, J.D.; A. E. Byers, SS.; A. Hughes, J.S. ; N. Randall, I.G.

; C. V. Hill, P.M. Tyler. The G.M., Bro. Niccol (who was the first W.M. of the Lodge), and a number of

prominent brethren from Auckland were present. The masters, officers, and brethren of Lodges Ara, .St.

Andrew, United Service, and Ponsonby were present, and representatives from the Provincial Grand Lodge

of Dorset (England), Lodges Scinde, Papakura, Wairoa South, Beta, Coromandel, Sir Walter Scott,

Unanimity, Fortitude, Hokianga, Otago, Lithgow (N.S.W.), and Waitemata (E.C.) Past Masters Bros. W. C.

Walker and John Page were the presenting officers. The W.M. of St. Andrew, Bro. Thomas Thomas

presented the Working Tools of the Third Degree, P.M. Bros. J.W. Ellison, of United Service, presented

those of the Second Degree, and W.M. Bro. George Fowlds of Ponsonby presented those of the First Degree.

The meeting was a very successful one.

HAWERA LODGE, NO. 34, TARANAKI—By dispensation the installation of Bro. J. F. Martin was held on the

29th November instead of the regular date, 1st December. There was a very large attendance of brethern

from all parts of the district. The following officers were invested :—R. H. Nolan, I.P.M.; W. A. Nairn,

S.W.; J. L. Thomson, J.W. ; H. G. Pitcher, P.M., Secretary ; J. W. Kelly, Treasurer ; J. E. Wilson, J.D. ; A,

G. Brett, I.G. ; D. Hurley, Tyler. Bro. J. C. Yorke was elected S.D., but being absent his investiture had to be

postponed. The ceremony was conducted by R.W. Bro. H. J. Williams, Grand Superintendent, Wellington, in

an able and imposing manner, V.W. Bro. H. Caplin, Assistant Grand Registrar, acting as Grand Director of

Ceremonies. A vote of thanks was passed to the installing officers for having come so far to perform the

ceremony. At the conclusion of the installation over forty brethern remained and sat down to a banquet

splendidly laid and served by Bro. J. W. Kelly. The W.M. Bro. Martin was in the chair. A long toast list was

gone through, the speech of the evening was that of Bro. Williams, who was listened to with great attention

on various subjects connected with Masonic matters. Apologies for absence was received from Bro. G.

Robertson, P.G. Secretary, and G. F. Robinson, Past Grand Deacon, and a telegram of congratulation from

the Grand Master at Auckland and the Grand Secretary. During the evening .songs were rendered in

excellent style by Bros. McEwen, Chambers, Brunette, Pitcher, Kowin, and Macmillan.

LODGE NGAMOTU, NO. 48, NEW PLYMOUTH.—The largest gathering of brethren that has taken place for

many years in this district took place on Thursday, 17th November, the occasion being the installation of

W.M., and investiture of officers for the year. There was a large attendance of local brethren and visitors,

among whom were W.M. and brethren of Lodge Sir Donald McLean, 1936, E.G. (Waitara); Past Masters

and officers of Lodge Hawera, 34 ; S.W. and members of Lodge Stratford, 75; and brethren of Lodges

Urban, B.C., St. George's, 1856, E.C., Sutherland Lodge of Unity, 460, E.C., DeBurgh Adams, 446, I.C., St.

Andrew, 8, etc. After the usual routine business had been transacted Bro. Little, the retiring Master, vacated

the chair, and Past Masters Thomas A. Murphy and Duncan McAllum conducted the ceremony of installing

Bro. W. H. Clarke into the Eastern Chair. The following brethren were then invested:— C.W. Hendry, S.W.:

T. Furlong, J.W.; F. P. Corkill, P.M., Treasurer ; Thomas A Murphy, P.M. Secretary; G. H. Foote, S.D.; J. T.

Campbell, J.D.; T. P. Lister, I.G..; Bro. Webb, P.M., Tyler ; G. F. Robinson, P.M., being appointed Director

of Ceremonies, and Bro. Kitchingman, P.M., Organist On P.M. Bro. O'Carroll's motion, hearty votes of

thanks were accorded to the Installing Masters for the manner they had conducted the services of the

evening, and the retiring Master thanked the brethren for the manner in which they had assisted him during

his year of office. At 9.45 p.m. an adjournment was made to the supper room of the Alexandra Hall, where a

supper, which had been kindly supplied by lady friends, was laid out. After refreshing the inner man, toasts,

songs, and recitations occupied the members until after 12.30 p.m.

LODGE PONSONBY, NO. 54, AUCKLAND.—The annual meeting of this Lodge was held on the 6th inst. The

Ponsonby Hall was handsomely decorated with festoons and banners, and a good orchestra was in

attendance, and gave full effect to the ceremonial music. Bro. Alfred Herbert Jones, W.M., opened the

Lodge, and raised it to the third degree, when the Grand Master, M.W. Bro. Malcolm Niccol, and the Grand

Lodge officers were received with due honours. There was a large attendance, nearly every lodge in the

district being represented, making about 100 present, including upwards of twenty installed Masters, on the

dais. Before vacating the chair in favour of his successor, Bro. Jones said it afforded him great pleasure, on

behalf of Bro. Bartlett, to present to the Lodge a handsome silver skirrett. Bro. Bartlett had noticed the want

of this instrument in their furniture, and now gave the present which he placed before them. He had great

pleasure in proposing a hearty vote of thanks to Bro. Bartlett for his interest in their Lodge, and for his

handsome gift. The vote was carried by acclamation. The ceremony of installation was then proceeded with.

Bro. J. W. Ellison, P.M., officiated as Director of Ceremonies, Bros. Hugh Gray and A. B. Burgess, Past

Masters, as Presenting Officers, and Bro. Jones performed the onerous duties of Installing Master in a most

creditable and impressive manner. The working tools in the .several degrees were presented by Bros.

Thomas, W.M., St. Andrew's ; S. D. Hanna, P.M., Ara ; and W. S. Williams, W.M., Eden; and the

M,W.G.M. delivered the address to the newly-installed W.M., Bro. George Fowlds. The other officers were

then invested as follows :—Alfred H. Jones, I.P.M. ; Alex. S. Russell, D.M.; E. V. Johansen, S.W. ; Fredk.

O. Massey, J.W. ; S. J. Dannefærd, Treasurer ; Robert Geddes, Secretary ; Wm. H. Simmonds, D.C. ; James

Coe, S.D.; John R. Sheppard, J,D.; George K. Webb, Organist ; John I. Knight, I.G. , Edmund Dutton, S.S. ;

Joseph Nutt, J.S. : Henry Hoey, Tyler. The address to the wardens was delivered by the M,W.G.M., and that

to the brethern by Bro. George Powley, Past Grand Warden. After the installation ceremony a very

interesting event took place, It was the presentation by the M.W.G.M., Bro. M. Niccol, on behalf of the

officers and members of the Lodge of a P.M. jewel to Bro. Jones, the retiring W.M. The jewel is emblematic

of the New Zealand Constitution, including the leading features of the English, Irish, and Scotch emblems.

Around the rim of the oval ring is the inscription, "Lodge Ponsonby, No. 54, N.Z.C.," and on the other side is

the inscription, " Presented to Bro. Alfred H. Jones by the members of this Lodge in recognition of the able

manner in which he discharged the duties of W.M. during the past year. 6th December, 1892." With this was

also presented to Bro. Jones an enlarged framed photograph of himself, a coloured counterpart of which is to

be hung in the Lodge. The jewel is a beautiful specimen of the craftsman's art, and a credit to Bro. Bartlett,

and the photograph, the work of Mr F. W. Edwards, is artistic and excellent in finish. After the Lodge was

closed, the brethern and visitors adjourned to the supper table, where full justice was done to the good things

provided by the lady friends of the members of Lodge Ponsonby.

LODGE KUMARA, NO. 55, WESTLAND.—The annual meeting of the above Lodge was held in the Masonic

Hall, Kumara, on Friday, December 2nd. There was a large attendance of brethren and visitors. The

ceremony of Installation was ably and impressively performed by our Worthy Past Master, Bro. A. B. Wilby,

Grand Steward. To save the funds the members of the Lodge had decided not to have a banquet. Bro.

Thomas Torrance was duly installed Worshipful Master, and the following brethren duly invested officers

for the ensuing year, viz. George Anderson, S.W. ; Robert Hill, J.W. ; Charles Stockman, Treasurer ; Emil

Peters, Secretary ; Past Master A. B. Willey, Senior Deacon ; John Murchie, Junior Deacon ; Frances

McNeill, Inner Guard ; Henry George and G. Louden, Stewards ; Dominic Solo, Tyler. The balance sheet

and auditor's report showed the Lodge to be in a sound position, having a good credit balance in the bank,

and no liabilities. A hearty vote of thanks was, on the motion of the W.M., accorded to the Installing Master

for the able manner he had discharged his duties. The Lodge having been closed in due form, the Brethren

retired to the refreshment room, and spent an hour in real good fellowship which terminated this most

succesful meeting.

TARAWA, NO. 67, PAHIATUA.—On the 2nd November the W.M. Bro. Stewart installed his successor, Bro. H.

H. Godfrey. The Director of Ceremonies, Bro. Black, P.M., ably assisted. The Grand Superintendent, Bro.

Williams, presented the newly-installed Master with the warrant of the Lodge which he had brought with

him from Wellington, and he also took the opportunity of presenting P.M. Bro. Black with his Patent of

Office as Grand Steward. The officers invested were T. Gregory, S.W. ; A. Bently, J.W. ; A. Black, P.M.,

Treasurer ; F. G. Moore, Secretary ; A. Blair, S.D. ; S. Robertson, J.D. ; J. P. Clark, I.G. ; and H. W.

Godfrey, Tyler. The visitors having given hearty good wishes, the W.M. returned thanks, and made special

reference to Bro. Warren's musical services. The visitors were afterwards entertained at supper. This was

followed by a ball at which some forty-five couples enjoyed themselves.

OTAKI, NO. 72, WELLINGTON —The annual meeting took place on the 4th November. The W.M. Bro.

Franklin ably performed the ceremony of installing his successor, Bro. Charles Tilley, Bro. McCullough, P.

Yr., assisting, Bro. Warren rendered able service in the musical portions of the ceremony. The retiring

Master, Bro. Franklin, was presented with a handsome Past Master's jewel. The visitors haring given hearty

good wishes and Bro. Tilley having returned thanks, the Lodge was closed. The brethren met again in the

Native School-room, which had been handsomely decorated for the ball. Before the dancing commenced,

supper was provided for the brethren and their lady friends. The company broke up in the small hours of the

morning, one and all professing to have thoroughly enjoyed themselves.

LODGE ZEALANDIA, NO. 2072, E.C., WHANGAROA. — The ceremony of installing the officers of this Lodge

took place in the lodge-room, Whangaroa, on Thursday, 3rd November, the change in the date of installation

from May to November having been sanctioned by the D.G. Lodge. Bush roads are better in summer than

winter. The Lodge was opened at five o'clock p.m. by the W.M. Bro. John G. Shepherd, who, after

delivering the ancient charges to Bro. F. Fairborn, the W.M. elect, proceeded to install him into the chair of

King Solomon, assisted by P.M.'s J. W. Williams, C. Gothard, and C. L. White. The newly-installed master

then proceeded to invest his officers as follows:—W. Sefton, S.W.; J. G. Shepherd, P.M., J.W. ; J. H. Mason,

S.D.; D. Molesworth, J.D.; W. H. Sais, I.G. ; R. Shepherd (9th year), Secretary ; James Christie (6th year),

Treasurer ; James Wotherspoon, Tyler. The lodge was closed, after passing a vote of thanks to Bro. Hookey

for presiding at the organ, and accepting Bro. J. H. Mason, late Duke of Albany Lodge, as a member. In the

evening a ball was held to celebrate the occasion, there being about fifty persons present. Many others were

invited, but owing to the threatening weather were prevented from coming. The ball and supper rooms were

tastefully decorated with ferns, flowers, and devices. Dancing began at half-past eight p.m., and was kept up

till nearly five o'clock the next morning, Mr. Gothard making an excellent M.C. The Committee of

Arrangement were Messrs. White and Williams, who worked hard to make the affair a success, in which

they were only enabled to succeed by the valuable assistance given by Mesdames Christie, White, and

Williams. This was the ball of the season, and the visitors are most certainly under a debt of gratitude to the

members of Lodge Zealandia for the invitation to the ball, and the cordial welcome and hospitable

entertainment received.

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Our Exchanges.
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CONDENSED EDITORIALS.

THE Annual Provincial Grand Lodge of Cornish Freemasons was held at the Concert Hall, Truro, on the 23rd

August, and The Wearing was largely attended. The Right Hon. the Earl of Mount

Edgcumbe, Provincial Grand Master, and Deputy Grand Master of England, presided. In

his address the Provincial Grand Master said :

"He had received a good many requests lately for dispensations for wearing Masonic clothing

at balls. Such request caused some little difficulty. It was one of the old and best traditions of

Masonry that they avoided making their distinctive badges and insignia common by parading them in public

except on special occasions. Such dispensations should not be granted that they might have the pleasure of

exhibiting their paraphernalia to their friends and neighbours; the only valid reason was that there was good

ground for supposing that substantial benefit would accrue to some important object of a Masonic character. He

thought be carried the brethren with him in that remark, and also in the requirements that lodges applying for

dispensations should in future show their belief in the benefit that would accrue by guaranteeing a certain sum

beforehand. Except in special cases he thought applications for such dispensations had better be discouraged. That

was the course Masonry was taking in England. Masonic funerals were discouraged now ; and as to requests to

join with friendly societies and other bodies in procession, that was a thing they ought entirely to avoid, and if

ever the Masonic body took part in processions with any other body it was a privilege they had always claimed,

and which be thought lodges should insist on, that no other went before the Masonic body."

The London Freemason comments on this and says :— . . . In the early days of last century, and many years

before the erection of Freemasons' Hall, it was customary, when a Grand Master was to be installed in office,

for the brethren to march in public procession, carrying with them their paraphernalia, and preceded by one

or more bands of music, to the Hall of one of the great City Companies, where it had been arranged the

The Wearing

of Masonic

Clothing

important ceremony should take place. Sober-minded citizens smiled no doubt at these harmless exhibitions

of vanity, though it is more than probable they took their wives and sweethearts, their sisters and daughters,

and country cousins, to view the unaccustomed spectacle, just as they turned out annually, and with the same

impedimenta, to witness the Lord Mayor's show, or a Royal Progress to Guildhall. But the ruder element in

London society must needs caricarture these displays, and hence that " Grand procession of Scald Miserable

Masons.

This open mockery was too much for the dignity of our Order, and no long time elapsed ere public

processions of Masons were forbidden by ordinance of Grand Lodge. Later in the century the custom was

revived by the " Ancient " Grand Lodge in connection with their celebration of St. John the Baptist's Day,

but the " Moderns " adhered strictly to their law. Since the Union, but more especially since the accession of

the Prince of Wales to the Grand Mastership, the law against processions has been strictly enforced, and it

has only been on such important occasions as the laying of the foundation-stones of public buildings, or in

provincial towns, when a Provincial Grand Lodge attends Divine service at its annual meetings, that the

brethren are seen abroad arrayed as Masons ; but on every one of those occasions their appearance in public

is sanctioned and approved by the authorities. So, too, since our Institutions have played so, important a part

in our routine of work, many of our lodges, singly, or in groups of two or more, have combined pleasure with

duty, and have organized balls: or concerts, with a view to benefiting one or two of our Charities, and at

these gatherings it has been usual for the brethren to appear in Craft clothing, the necessary dispensation

having been first applied for, and without difficulty obtained. But as the meetings have of late years ' become

more numerous, and as we are always confronted with the danger, that a practice which, in itself, is not only

harmless, but in. the end beneficial, may be abused, it is just as well that Bro. the Earl of Mount Edgcumbe

should have drawn attention to the subject, though whether it will be possible to adopt his lordship's

suggestion—that lodges applying for dispensations should in future show their belief in the benefit that

would accrue by guaranteeing a certain sum beforehand "—may be reasonably open to question. However,

his lordship, who, it must be remembered is Dep. G. Master of England as well as Prov. G. Master, has

redered an important service to Freemasonry, if only by making it clear to the brethren that he and the

authorities generally are opposed to unnecessary public displays of Masonry, or displays which are proposed

to be made for comparatively trivial objects.

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ENTHUSIASM for Freemasonry, like enthusiasm for anything else, may be carried too far, and instead of ——

providing a benefit may turn out an absolute disadvantage, detrimental to the cause it was

intended to advance, and creating false ideas in regard to the Order which, at all times most

undesirable, may sometimes become even hurtful to members of the Fraternity in distant

parts of the world . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

It is by no means unusual for the United States of America to supply instances of this excessive zeal, and it is

on such grounds we must receive the information which recently appeared in the daily press of this country,

to the effect that " the Masonic Grand Lodge of Mississippi, at its recent session at Viksburg, adopted the

following remarkable resolution :—It shall be an offence against Masonry for any Mason not now so

engaged to hereafter engage in, or for any Mason now so engaged to continue in, the business of selling

intoxicating liquors to be used as a beverage after the 1st day of January next, and the penalty therefore shall

be expulsion." How can such bigotry be excused on behalf of ordinary Freemasons? Here we have a few

over enthusiastic men meeting under the banner of Freemasonry, and introducing into their deliberations

subjects wholly outside the range of the Craft, and legislating in regard to them in a manner which calls forth

the strongest condemnation from all who care to regard Freemasonry as "free" in something more than name.

We must not blame the Masons of Mississippi for making stringent laws if there is an absolute need for them

in their district, but their stringency in Freemasonry should be limited to matters that come within the scope

of the Order, and not made to interfere with the private life of their members. If they made a law prohibiting

the admission of dealers in liquor they would be more within their rights, but to expel old members simply

because the " temperance " craze has taken a severe hold on some of their number is both absurd and unjust,

and deserves the censure of all conscientious and sincere Freemasons ; it is indeed an insult to the Craft at

large, and as such should be resented.—Chronide (London).

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Brief Mention.
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Mistaken

Zeal

THE English Lodge at Queenstown, " Lake of Ophir," has decided to join the Grand Lodge of New Zealand.

ALL members of a lodge are in " good standing " until deprived of their rights by constitutional process, or

by their own conduct.

AN apron worn by George Washington is still in use. The fortunate possessor of this valuable relic is Bro.

Rev. J. T, Smith, of Kansas.

THE Grand Secretary of British. Columbia in his twenty-fifth annual statement to his Grand Lodge,

courteously acknowledges the receipt of the N.Z. CRAFTSMAN.

ONE of the first and most important things for a W.M, to know is to know that he is right. This knowledge

can only be acquired by a continual study and thorough comprehension of the written and unwritten law.

THE cipher ritual or any printed or written document appertaining to esoteric work is under the strictest ban

in the state of Maine ; a proved possession is followed by trial punishable with suspension or expulsion.—

Columbus Chronicle.

IT was a beautiful illustration of the broad liberality of Freemasonry to behold on Tuesday night last in Zion

Lodge, a Jewish Rabbi and a Baptist minister arm in arm in one of the parts of the M.M. degree. Truly,

masonry brings all to the true level of a loving brotherhood.—American Tyler.

THE case of McCullough and others versus Slater, which was to have come before the Judge at the Civil

Sittings of the Supreme Court at Auckland, has not been entered for hearing. The case, we understand, has

not been abandoned, and may possibly be entered in time for the March sitting.

LODGE COROMANDEL, No. 17, objects to the proposal to remit the fees of honour of certain Grand Officers.

The members approve of the Grand Master being provided with his travelling expenses, but they condemn

the proposal to amend (sic) the Constitution by allowing members to be returned in arrears. Our sentiments

exactly.

THE Catholic Times commenting on our article " The Hon. John Ballance" says :—" By which it would

appear there are deeps and lower depths in secret societies, and that the ordinary New Zealand freemason

will not associate with the Tong Beng. The CRAFTSMAN says, " the Grand Lodge of New Zealand has a duty

to perform; will it perform it ?" I reply, "Well, if you ask me. No!" You see Mr Ballance is Premier."

IN response to the toast " The President of the United States," Bro. W. H. H. Russell, of New York, told the

members of St. John Lodge, 209a, Canada, that " the influence of our Brotherhood throughout the world is

becoming more potent in the affairs of nations. When the last war between France and Germany was ended,

one of the leading statesmen in the conference of settlement asked, How shall the matter be adjusted ?' One

of the representatives of the great governments replied, ' Upon the Masonic code of honor.' It was accepted,

because most of the ruling spirits of the governments of Europe are Masons of high rank and standing; and

you may all remember how quietly and peacefully the armies of Germany withdrew from France."

CLARKE, one of the "literary gentlemen" recently sentenced at the Old Bailey, in addressing the jury,

appealed to " the Great Architect of the Universe to enable them to temper justice with mercy." Was this

phrase meant to Show that he was a Freemason, in the hope that some of the jury might also have been

"brethren of the mystic tie " ? — Pall Mall Gazette,

BRO. THOMAS W. ROWE, M.A., of the Rangiora High School, Canterbury writes as follows :—" Will you

allow me, as a very young Mason, to express my warm appreciation of your Journal, and to congratulate you

on its excellence. As a New Zealand-born Mason, I feel it to be a credit to the country of my birth. I trust that

it may continue to be a success in all ways—Masonic, literary, and financial." [Thanks Bro. Rowe. Your

kind remarks are much appreciated by the Editor].

A MEMBER of a lodge in New Mexico was tried by his lodge for un-masonic conduct in writing the

following, and was acquitted :-

"I believe the Holy Bible to be a dangerous book, one that has been directly the cause of more outrages upon

innocence and helplessness than any other cause in the history of mankind. It should be taken from the altars

of masonry as a maligner of the glorious architect of the universe, the God of nature."

The Grand Lodge reversed the decision and expelled him.

MEMORIAL LODGE, 1,800, KINGWILLIAMSTOWN, SOUTH AFRICA. — At the installation of W.M., April

22nd, the preacher (Rev. Bro. J. Gordon) took for his text Job xi., 7, " Canst thou by searching find out

God?" This question he said could be answered in the affirmative, both from the point of view of poetry and

science. After quotations from Hebrew and Greek poetry, he quoted from Sir W. Thompson to show that we

are forced to believe in Creation at an assignable date in the past ; from Tindall to show that Life can only

spring from Life ; from Herbert Spencer, that science compels us to believe in " an uncreated cause, an

Infinite Eternal Living energy which itself has no cause." A personal overruling mind was evidenced by the

existence of order, law, harmony, adaptation, and finality in the Universe. The Unity of the Deity was shown

by the spectroscope ; and by the extraordinary identity of type amid the multitudinous forms of life.

THE Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania issued a warrant to Burlington Lodge, No. 32, on the 26th March. 1781.

The following receipt was given :—" Received March 30th, 1781, from the Worshipful Joseph Ellis, new

installed Master under the jurisdiction of the Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania, number thirty and two, two

thousand one hundred and sixty dollars, the dues to the Grand Lodge for granting their warrant.—JACO.

BANKSON." "2160 doll'rs Con'l Curr'y." This seems to be an enormous sum to pay for a Lodge warrant ; but

when it is remembered that the amount was calculated in Continental Currency, and when it is ascertained

that at a subsequent period when the treasurer was directed to reimburse the members who had advanced the

money for the warrant, an appropriation of six pounds was only required for the purpose, the expense of the

warrant does not seem so disproportionate to the present rates. The fact is interesting to note, as showing the

extraordinary depreciation at that time of the Continental Currency.

AN INTERESTING ISSUE. RAISED.—Grand Lecturer Bro. J. H. Striven, of South Dakota, sends to the Masonic

Tidings an account of a recent experience in visiting a Lodge in the jurisdiction over which he has official

charge. His statement, which we copy herewith, covers an important point ;—" Here I was asked the most

difficult question of my pedagogical career, viz.: When a Brother was told to kiss the Book, he said if it was

a necessary requirement he would do it, but the fact merely of its being the Bible, it had no significance to

him more than any other great book. He is a believer in God, but not in the divinity of Christ or the

inspiration of the Bible. They wished to know what I would do in the matter. I told them if I knew the

candidate to be every other way worthy that I would proceed with him. I fully appreciate the dangerous

ground I am treading on, but as he had expressed a belief in Deity he had fully met our requirements, and we

have no right whatever to investigate his religious views." Technically the decision may be correct, says the

Repository, although we have doubts ; but our thought is that a candidate who kneeling at the altar would

decline to conform to a part of the required ceremony is not of the right material for Masonic acceptance.

LORD BINNING, son of the Earl of Haddington, Grand Master Mason of Scotland, who was married on

September 21st to Miss Katherine Salting, the only daughter of Mr and Mrs W. S. Salting, enjoys the

distinction of being one of the most popular officers of the Royal Horse Guards. As a soldier he has greatly

distinguished himself, and during the Egyptian Campaign, whither he went with his regiment, he was to the

fore in some of the hottest engagements, and right manfully won his spurs in more than one brush with the

enemy. He was in the thick of the fight at Tel-el-Kebir, and had a hair-breadth escape at the struggle at Abet-

Kleti. His wife is one of the wealthiest young ladies in England. It is said that she is worth two millions

sterling.—Record, Scotland.

ONE of those experiences which, though not without precedent, is at least rare in the existence of a Masonic

lodge, fell to the lot of Lodge Dramatic, Scotland, recently, when a "candidate," describing himself as an

"artist," whose petition for membership was presented by a friend of some eighteen years' standing, refused

to proceed beyond the portals just as the inner entrance was to be thrown open. Without experience in such

circumstances, it is difficult to decide at the moment what should be done, as it is not easy to distinguish

between the knave and the fool. So far, however, as the fee is concerned, I give it on the authority of our

much-esteemed Grand Secretary, Brother D. Murray Lyon, that it should be handed in full to the lodge's fund

of benevolence.—Mallet.

Apropos of Freemasonry in the army, which exists in the service, as elsewhere, under perfectly satisfactory

and well-defined conditions, there is an amusing tendency at times on the part of Tommy Atkins to form

secret societies and attend other likewise unauthorised gatherings ; but when discovered, it is always very

firmly suppressed. A writer refers to a case which occurred some years ago in India, when a number of

fantastic garments were found in a disused barrack-room. On inquiry these turned out to belong to a society

evidently quite harmless to all intents and purposes, but, nevertheless, against the rules, so it was, of course,

put down, and the enterprising originator of the society received a very stiff letter on the subject from the

commanding officer.—Court Journal.

THE journal, Philadelphia Keystone, has a long anticipatory sketch of the glories of the triennial meeting of

the Grand Encampment of the Knights Templar of the United States, which was then on the eve of being

held at Denver, Colorado. It seems the municipal authorities had been lending every assistance in their power

in order to make the show a big one, while the citizens are loyally seconding their municipals, and laying

themselves out to entertain the visiting sir knights, who were coming from all parts of the Union, with the

most lavish hospitality. The railways must have had a hard time of it, as our worthy contemporary mentions,

that on one day alone " over 40,000 knights and ladies arrived over the railroads." On Tuesday, the 16th ult.,

at 10 a.m,, the great "triennial parade" was appointed to be held, and in the afternoon Grand Encampment

was to be opened. All this is very fine, and no doubt our American friends enjoy these big affairs hugely, but

there is very little in them of Templarism, and still less of Freemasonry.—London Freemason.

QUEER world this ! A lawyer and an editor stood on a street corner in an Ohio town and saw a man murdered

in cold blood. The murderer is a rich man and after committing the deed he said to the lawyer and editor :

"Here is a thousand dollars for each of you ; defend me before the court and the people for the crime I have

committed." They took the money and defended him in their own way and according to their own

profession—the editor through his paper and the lawyer through his mouth. The murderer, through their joint

efforts, was acquitted. But see the difference ; mark the result. The people said : "The editor is a scoundrel

and did so for pay. Lo ! we will stop his paper and not patronise him." The paper was stopped, the editor

ruined financially and reduced to a pauper. But of the lawyer, the people said : " He is an able man, learned

in the law, and deserves great credit for obtaining the acquittal of a man guilty of murder : We will give him

our law business and pay big fees." They made him a judge, and as such he sent his partner, the editor, to the

work-house, and said he was a bad man and should not only be deprived of the means of living but punished.

We don't endorse the act of an editor in laboring for what is wrong—but how about the lawyer.? — Trestle

Board.

WE were much amused when listening to an Auckland lady, who had " undertaken to say a few words in

defence of " the late Madame Blavatsky, to be told that :— " Another reason, that has not yet been published,

was that it was not simply H.P.B. that was to go on trial, but Theosophy, and she would have been expected

to expose to the vulgar gaze the Divine secrets hitherto revealed only to high initiates. Just fancy our

demanding the Grand Master of the Roy al Arch Chapter of Masons to submit to a common jury to decide if

some of their higher mysteries were true or not WOULD THE MASONS ALLOW IT ?

"SOME short time since," says the Catholic Times, "not having the fear of losing the Department's

(Government Life Insurance) advertisement before our eyes, and caring very little whether we lost it or not,

we referred to the intrigues in the Department in question, and more especially to the peculiar secret society

with which the Department has become unpleasantly but intimately connected. We then received from a high

official in the Department a semi-jocular, semi-earnest, threat that the advertisement would be withdrawn.

This so frightened us that we immediately published some more remarks about the Secret Society and the

Department." In reply to the Commissioner's letter which stated that he had made it clear to the Catholic

Times' canvasser that the Department did not intend to renew the advertisement, the manager stated :—" You

merely temporised with my canvasser. But you made it clear to him that, in return for your advertisement,

you desired an assurance from the Editor to the effect he would not adversely criticise your Department."

Our contemporary adds :—" That had the Commissioner simply withdrawn the Department's Advertisement,

as he had the right to do, we could, or at least should, have expressed no objection. When, however, the

Commissioner makes an impertinent attempt to use his trumpery advertisement as a lever to silence honest

criticism we do object."

THE annual festival of the Anglo-American Lodge, No. 2191, took place at the Criterion, Piccadilly, London,

on Tuesday evening, June 21st. General Carson Smyth, Past Grand Master of Illinois, visited the Lodge. The

Lodge jewel, together with honorary membership was presented to him as a memento of his visit. Bro.

Curson Smyth, in a splendid speech, that almost amounted to an oration, returned his sincere thanks for the

token of esteem and friendship. He had been travelling about for some time to the far East, to Egypt, Turkey,

through France to London. He came here for the first time, but quickly found himself surrounded by friends

ready to extend the right hand of fellowship and brotherly greeting. This was one of the great advantages of

Freemasonry, that a member was always at home wherever he went. In his early growth, if any one travelled

outside his native city, letters of credit and introduction were necessary ; but all was changed now, for any

brother bearing the impress of a gentleman had a passport to every city in the universe, where he would

receive a warm and cordial welcome. Personally he had worked hard for the credit of the Craft for the last

thirty years and had accomplished much. He thought there was no position greater than W.M. of a Lodge,

and only one honour higher, and that was the Grand Mastership. The State of Illinois was a small empire in

itself, being 400 miles long by 200 miles broad, but any English brother would find a welcome there. He was

proud to become a member of the Lodge, and in return he would present the brethren with the semi-

centennial medal of the Grand Lodge of Illinois to be placed in their archives. At the banquet table, Bro. F.

A. Philbrick responded for the Grand Officers, and bore testimony to the work achieved by Grand Lodge. He

also spoke of the great improvement in the general working of the ritual in the various Lodges. The

universality of brotherhood was making itself more known every year, and the enormous increase of its

membership proved its prosperity. He considered that the Anglo-American Lodge was the perfection of

Masonic principles. General Smyth responded for the sister Grand Lodges of the United States and the

Dominion of Canada in a humorous speech that was received with roars of laughter. He produced his

certificate endorsed by Lodges in various parts of the world, one of which was Arabic, and said it might be

stated that Freemasonry precedes civilisation round the globe. As Past Grand Master of the jurisdiction of

Illinois, he gave the company present greeting from over 50,000 brethren and 800 Lodges, and bade them

God-speed in their labours of humanity.