At The Sign Of The Perfect Ashlar

to have in his heart the love of charity and the charity of love , so that when he steps to the greater centre and selects his doctrine and denomination , he cannot , if he be a true Mason , be a partisan , for true Masonry conserves and preserves true religion . "

Those who are prone lo believe what they read in the daily papers , may take pleasure in the thought , that Masonry exists in some form or other in every country of the globe—even in China . The general press makes frequent reference to " Chinese Freemasonry , " and one might infer that the secret organization dignified by this name bears a

striking resemblance to Freemasonry . Such , however , is not the case . It is said that by those who have taken the trouble to investigate the ceremonies of Chinese secret societies that , while some forms are used which are common to practically all secret societies , the Chinese have nothing which at all resembles the Masonry we know . There are , of course ,

Masonic bodies in China , but they are chiefly of American and English constitution and their membership correspondingly of English and Americans .

<& <& c It is characteristic of our American brethren , and perhaps a sign of the times of more than passing moment , that almost the first number of the new American Journal , the Tvler-Keyslonc , should be wholly devoted to articles on and

reports of the proceedings of the Order of the Eastern Star which , as our readers are aware , admits ladies to membership and indeed is worked and controlled by the gentler sex . The Order is apparently growing rapidly both in numbers and inlluence , and bids fair to become an integral part of

American Freemasonry . To English freemasons oi the orthodox type who are stupid in the traditions and customs of the past such an organisation is hardly conceivable , but without expressing an opinion as the merits of the movement we will venture to predict that its counterpart will not be seen in Great Britain during the lifetime of the present generation of masons .

The Beckenham Lodge , No . 2047 , held its installation meeting at the Public Hall , Beckenham , on Thursday , the 1 2 th October , when \ Y . Bro . Edwin J . 'Lumber ( to whom a Past Master ' s Jewel was presented ) retired from the chair , and W . Bro . Henry William Clarkson , P . M . of Lodge '' Honor and Generosity , " No . 165 , was installed as Worshipful Masler

ior the ensuing year . The ceremony was performed in a most charming manner by Sir Edward Letchworth , Grand Secretary , who also accepted the position as lion , member of the lodge . The company present included the Grand Secretary ; W . Bro . Albert E . Neville , Dcp . Grand Direclor of Ceremonies ; W . Bro . Henry Lovegrove , P . G . S . B . ;

W . Bro . Lake , Assistant Grand Secretary : and a large number of members and visitors . The Worshipful Master having performed one of the ceremonies in an able and impressive manner proceeded to invest the following officers : W . Bro . E . j . Tuinber . I . P . M . ; Bros . Dr . Welpton . SAY . ;

Yernon W . Ledger , JAY . ; Henry Lovegrove , D . C . ; G . j . Hall . S . D . ; Thos . W . How , J . D . ; R . Boulcott Newth , Organist ; and A . Studholm , I . G . The occasion was rendered particularly interesting from the fact that the lodge had now completed its 21 st year . The meeting was acknowledged bv

all to be a record gathering for the lodge , and many were the words of encouragement and appreciation which were oliered to the new W . M . in recognition of the manner in

which the arrangements had been made for this special evening , and the thanks of the lodge were heartily presented to Sir Edward Letchworth for the honour conferred by him upon the lodge . i © < s » & A movement is on foot among the brethren of South

Africa to establish a local institution for the relief of indigent Masons and widows , and a home for the care and education of Freemasons' children . A subscription has been opened at Johannesburg and other places in South Africa for the purpose .

< s > & « s > An interesting feature in the Church Congress last month was a great Masonic meeting , held under the auspices of All Souls Lodge , No . 170 , which was attended by a large number of the clergy , several bishops regretting their inability to

attend owing to previous engagements . A most acceptable and historically interesting paper was read by Bro . John Angel Sherrin on the subject of " The Church Debt to Freemasonry . " o « u Among the most successful of the older London lodges is

the St . Luke ' s , No . 144 , which celebrated its 140 th anniversary at the Holborn Restaurant , on Monday , October 25 th .. This ancient lodge not only maintains its old reputation for excellence of work , but is apparently as vigorous as ever , certainly it is not a sign of decadence , when at installation meeting it can muster a company numbering 125 out of a

. o . s . :.. s . membership of something like 100 , as it did on this occasion The new Master , W . Bro . G . S . Ellis , was ably installed In the outgoing W . M . ; and the officers appointed were : Bros . C . L . Wright , SAY . ; G . W . Dausou , P . M ., JAY . ; Col

J . G . Unite , P . M ., Treas . ; F . Stutlield , P . M ., Sec . ; S . C . Montague-Austin , P . M . D . C . ; W . Bowles , S . D . ; C . Jordan . J . D . ; W . G . Grauel , I . G . ; J . T . Matthews , F . Franklin , \\' y llie Price , Stewards ; G . H . Butcher , Org . ; and T . Bowles , Tyler , Subsequently two candidates were initiated into Freemasonry .

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