The Present Position Of English Ereemasonry.

high place , and to lend authority to personal rule . Long known as a most succesful P . G . M ., having presided over a Province which is in the highest state of Masonic efficiency , and which may be said to have shown an example to all

other Provinces as regards the great central Masonic Charities , the Marquis of Ripon seems to claim , not only from his past services and Masonic knowledge , but equally from his high personal qualities and distinguished abilities , the heartfelt confidence and loyal support of the Craft at

large . Probably , few elections to the high office he now so ably fills , have been hailed with more sincere unanimit y by the Order generally , than , was Lord Ripon's nomination and elevation to the Grand Mastership .

Perhaps one great reason for the universal approval of the Craft may be found in this , that , all equally are convinced , under his constitutional rule , the Order will continue

to juogress , alike in peaceful develoj > ment and fraternal unanimity . Educated in the best school of Ereemasonry , our Grand Master has more than once most eloquently proclaimed his clear conviction , that in order to preserve the great outer

framework of oiu- Masonic building in thorough repair , and the various portions of its inner machinery in working order , a firm while considerate maintenance of our Lex scri pta and our Lex non scripta , is that which most surely best accords with the hi ghest interests of the Fraternity , and with its truest progress , and the due maintenance of its

influence amongst men . Everything seems to augur ; that , under our present Grand Master , Freemasonry in England will continue to preserve its present undoubted position of social elevation , upholding ever those great and immutable jn-inciples which

constitute alike its honour and its happiness , its ornament and its value , its distinctive features and its most admirable characteristics . Of late years we have welcomed amongst

ourselves with universal congratulation , the advent of our royal and illustrious brother the Prince of "Wales . The English Freemasons ( though having nothing to do -with politics per se ) ,

have always been a loyal body , and as Freemasons we profess ever to remember the allegiance due to the Sovereign of our native land , as well as the respect demanded by the wise and well devised laws

of our own country , or by those of any State which may for a time become the place of our residence , or afford us its protection . Freemasons in this country at any rate , are always to he found on the

side of _ order and civil tranquility , and opponents to disorder and revolution . Indeed it is almost self-evident , that to

disorderly tumults and hurtful commotions Ereemasonry can never under any circumstances be a friend , inasmuch as it ever seeks to cultivate and propagate the healing message of universal sympathy and peace , and goodwill , which naturally

finds its safest and happiest enunciation and developement , amid the settled tranquility of order and of law , of good government and of legitimate authority . "When then , we call to mind to-day that with us , and of us , we gladly hail , the eldest

son of our august Sovereign , when also we remember how many great and noble , how many gifted and intellectual brethren grace and distinguish our English Freemasonry we surely may deem it a matter of honest congratulation to our Order and ourselves .

The quaint words of a former generation recur at once to our memories , in illustration of all that has now been said , " Great Kings , Dukes , and Lords , Have laid by their swords , Our myst ' ry to put a good grace on ;

And ne ' er been ashamed To hear themselves named "With a Free and an Accepted Mason . " May we not believe then fairly , that as well socially as materially , the present position of our English Freemasonry is