Months Masonic Summary.

Months Masonic Summary .

THE progress of our Royal Grand Master in India continues to attract the attention and interest the sympathies of our English Craft . His visit to India seems to have been a very great success , and the effect upon the native populations can hardly be over-estimated . Wherever he goes he is

received not only with the loyal enthusiasm of Englishmen , but Avith unmistakeable proofs of the devotion and attachment of the native population to the English " Baj . " We sincerely trust that he may have all health given him by a favouring

Providence to continue his long journey and each arduous day ' s Avork , in all of health aud strength ; and that after a very successful visit to our greatest of dependencies he may return to loving and expectant hearts at home in all of happiness

and peace . The daily papers have been so full of telegraphic accounts that Ave cannot even give a summary , and our readers are referred to the " Freemason " for a

weekly narrative of his travels and his reception . The struggle with Roman Catholicism and Freemasonry goes on , but Ave think Ave see already that the fury is slackening , the tide returning . It is quite clear that the position of Rome is untenable in the

matter , and will have to be abandoned by her authorities . The views of a large number of Roman Catholics are not in accord Avith their spiritual guides in the matter , and many of the " faithful laity " and even the Roman Catholic Clergy , as

Ave knoAv , take a much more tolerant vieAv of the subject privately . Indeed , it is and must be " a deductio ad absurdum" for them , to hear and read , or aid to promulgate these ecclesiastical '' ballyraggings" Avhich call Freemasons

hard names , and consign them " ad inferos , " whereas they knoAv them all the while to be friendl y neighbours , good citizens , upright characters , and loyal subjects . But Freemasons rmist take care lest tiiey fall into the same mistake on the

other side . There is a tendency to make the present contest a struggle as betAveen liberality and illibcrality , truth and falsehood , lig ht and darkness , loyalty and revolution . No doubt the Romish Church throws down the gauntlet , but there is no

" force majeure " on Freemasons to take it up . Freemasonry does not profess to be , or Avish to be in a position of hostility to any religious body , or religion anyAvhere;—it does not seek or desire to be considered

a Quixotic asserter of liberal ideas any-Avhere , Avhatever they may be . On its OAVU good teaching , and in its own peaceful sphere , it advocates unceasingly , and always -will do , but in opposition to no one , and no religious body

above all , the great aud . immutable truths of reason aud common sense , the undying principles of toleration and liberty of conscience . We have to note great activity in our Order , in the consecration of New Lodges and Masonic Halls . Our Grand Lodge

calendar is rapidly approaching to the amount of 1 , 600 lodges on our roll call . We are fully in favour , Avithin certain well defined principles and distinct limits , of the increase of our lodges , as AVO know many places where another lodge is imperatively needed . We knoAv one

toAvn of 70 , 000 inhabitants , Avhere a fourth lodge could work , but cannot obtain a Avarrant . Its promoters are , unfortunately for themselves , only respectable tradesmen . We have to deplore the loss of tAvo very Avorthy brethren Avell-known in

Metropolitan and Provincial Freemasonry , Bro . John SaA'age , of London , and Bro . James Franklin , of Halifax . At the last Lodge of Benevolence a sum considerably exceeding £ 800 Avas voted for the relief of distressed brethren

and their Avidows . This is a large sum . It is impossible not to feel a little anxious at the serious amounts voted monthly , the more so , as there seems just now to be a great strain on the funds of Benevolence . We hope that our good brethren are not over-doing it . Q