Lodge By-Baws.

very often found that the permission to exclude has given way to a phraseology that makes it compulsory to go to extremes . And there is no necessity to include any reference to Article 210 at all . It provides for very rare occurrences , and when such unhappily do ariseit is much more a

, ¦ tribute to the majesty of the law to proceed under the Constitutions than under the by-laws . Like the moral law , both Constitutions and by-laws are intended to be a lamp to our feet and a guide to our path . They define the bounds within which progress may be made ,

like , for instance , the flags which define a racecourse . But they do not make for progress in themselves . They are like sign posts which indicate the way , but do not go to the place indicated ; and , as Masons , progress is a part of our obligation . Adherence to the routine of regulation and ritual may prevent a man from being a bad Mason , but will not of itself make him a good one .

After the written law , enforcible by penalty , comes that which is unwritten , and it is the observance of this that makes the good Mason . Directly a certain course of conduct becomes legally enforcible it ceases to have any real value . It is for this reason that the old charges of a Freemason have been so wisely prefixed to our Book of Constitutions .

They do not come in as an appendix or a schedule . They have a dignity and an importance which our Grand Lodge rightly considers places them far away in front of any legal •enactment . And with the landmarks as his limitless horizon , lhe Constitutions , both of the Grand Lodge to which he owes

allegiance , and of the lodge to which he owes every Masonic privilege he possesses , marking out for him a safe track from which he cannot wander without danger , and with the charges dear to our brethren in every century to lead him on and provide him with ideals , every brother has it in his power to make the Craft one of the most potent influences for good the world has ever seen .

At The Sign Of The Perfect Ashlar

At the Sign of the Perfect Ashlar

The annual Provincial Grand Lodge of Gloucestershire was held at Mangotsfield on the 14 th May , and although that town was somewhat inaccessible to a large portion of the province , there was an excellent muster , more than 200 brethren being present . Sir Michael Hicks-Beach , the

Provincial Grand Master , was , of course , received with that cordiality which he always experiences from his Gloucestershire brethren , who delight to know that he is devoting so much of the comparative leisure he is now enjoying to the furtherance of the cause of Freemasonry in Gloucestershire .

In the course of the proceedings Sir Michael described the •comprehensive list of lodges he had visited during the past year , and sketched out a formidable programme of engagements which will occupy him up to the end of December , including a promised visit to Avonmouth to consecrate the

Masonic temple now in course of erection by the lodge there . The after-dinner proceedings at the banquet were robbed of some of their customary interest by the regretted absence , through ill-health , of the Provincial Grand Secretary , Bro . Janies Winterbotham , whose graceful and witty speeches are

always a feature of this annual gathering . His Gloucestershire brethren , as well as his many friends outside the province , will unite in wishing him a speedy restoration to health . 000 The annual Provincial Grand Lodge of Lincolnshire was held at Sleaford on Thursday , May 19 th , the Right Hon . the Earl of Yarborough , P . G . M ., presiding . All the 28 lodges

in the province were represented , some 400 brethren being in attendance . The Registrar reported a membership of 1315 in the province , being an increase of 13 in the year . On the proposition of Bro . G . Doughty , P . M ., seconded by Bro . T . Slator , it was agreed to vote 100 guineas to the R . M . I . B ., which is the charity adopted by the province for

the year . The Stewards reported the collections from the lodges during the year amounted to ^ 2447 . The officers for the year were invested , and after the usual routine business . Provincial Grand Lodge was closed . A banquet was afterwards served in the Corn Exchange . Earl Yarborough presided , and the customary Masonic toasts were

honoured . The Chairman notified that he had accepted an invitation from Grimsby to hold the next Provincial Grand Lodge in that town .

< S > iS > € > The Provincial Grand Master of Cheshire , Right Wor . Bro . the Hon . Alan de Tatton Egerton , M . P ., presided recently at the Crewe Arms Hotel , Crewe , over a meeting of the Committee of Benevolence of the Province of Cheshire .

There was a large attendance . The Provincial Grand Master referred to the death of Bro . Henry Jackson , Chairman of the Committee of Benevolence . Bro . Jackson had been one of the mainstays of Masonry in the province , and had rendered excellent service to Masonry in general . He moved a resolution placing on record the great loss the province had

sustained by his death , and expressing deep and sincere sympathy with his family . The Vice-Chairman , Bro . Lilley Ellis , seconded , and the motion was carried in silence . Bro . Lilley Ellis was then unanimously elected Chairman and Bro . J . Cookson Vice-Chairman .

<®> < s > © The Charity Council suggested the adoption of two new divisions in the province , namely , the Sale Division , to consist of Lodges 1126 , 1166 , 1357 , 2688 , 2927 , and 2962 ; and the Wallasey Divisionto consist of Lodges , 15762375 2690

, , , , 2667 , and 2916 . After discussion the recommendation was adopted , with the amendment to alter the name of the " Wallasey" Division to the '' Wirral" Division . Bro . Small was elected Charity Representative for the Sale Division and Bro . Bird for the Wirral Division . Bros . Cookson , Ellis ,

Broadsmith , and Dean , were authorised to examine and revise the by-laws of the Benevolent Institution , and submit any alterations or amendments considered necessary for the approval of the Committee . . Bro . Stephenson , Secretary of the Court of Governors of the Educational Masonic Institution , presented his report , which was adopted , and the Secretary , Treasurer , and other officers were elected .

© <_» © A banquet in aid of the funds of the three great Masonic Charities—the third effort of the kind , the others having been in 1903 and 1901—took place at the " South-Western " Hotel , Southampton , on Saturday , May 21 st , and was attended

with considerable success . The D . P . G . M . of the Province of Hampshire and the Isle of Wight , W . Bro . Goble , presided over a company of nearly eighty brethren , who included the Provincial Grand Secretary , W . Bro . Giles , P . G . D ., Bro . the Rev . Dr . Gaisford Bourne , P . P . G . Chaplain ( Northumberland ) , many past and present officers of the province , and several

visiting brethren from London . It is believed that when the accounts are made up the Charities will benefit to the amount of nearly . £ 150 .

<_ . * 2 « The Provincial Grand Royal Arch Chapter of Staffordshire was held on Monday , May 16 th , at Stafford , when the Most Excellent Companion Lieut-Col . J . A . Bindley , V . D ., presided , supported by Ex -Comps . J . F , Pepper and A .

Dewsbury . The appointment of officers was confirmed , and the Grand Superintendent gave his valedictory address . A banquet was subsequently held . It is understood that the Right Hon . the Earl of Dartmouth is to be the worth y successor to Col . Bindley , and will be installed in the autumn .