Colonial And Foreign.

In the early days of the colony of Queensland , a large majority of the members of an Irish Lodge became desirous for its extension , and it was voted to send back the warrant . The Master , however , kept things safe by sewing the warrant in the ticking of his bed , and in this receptacle it remained until happier times . The Lodge is now , through the care and determination of the venerable Past Master , one of the most flourishing in Queensland . * # *

The annual reunion of the several bodies of the A . & A . S . Rife , of Canada , viz ., Mutual Lodge of Perfection , Hamilton Sovereign Chapter of Rose Croix , Moore Sovereign Cons . S . P . R . S . 32 , has been fixed for the 22 nd , 23 rd , and 24 th days of January , 1 S 90 . A large meeting of the committee was helel the other evening , when J . W . Mitrton , 33 degrees , was electee ! Chairman of the General Committee ; W . G . Townsend , 32 degrees , was elected Secretary . Sub-Committees for the various duties to make a success of this reunion were also appointed , and steps are now being taken to carry out all the details .

In view of the war among the Masonic Rites now being waged against the acts of the Grand Lodges of Massachusetts , Ohio , Iowa , Pennsylvania , New Hampshire , Colorado , and some minor States , "declaring in favor of the American doctrine including ' Cerneau Masonry , '" a decided sensation has been created throughout the Craft in the United States and Canada regarding the history of the so-called Ancient York Rite , which arrogates to itself

exclusive control of Masonry in America , and is at this moment endeavoring to exercise that authority . As far as Symbolic Masonry is concerned , that is to say , the three fundamental degrees , Yorkism has been tacitly admitted to be the only legitimate system to be practised by the English-speaking race in America , although its ritual is far different from that observed in Great Britain and her colonies . In America it was formularised , presumptively by

Thomas Smith Webb , in the early part of this century , who extended it , and entitled his work the "American York Rite , " so as to comprise Royal Arch Chapters and Commanderies of Knights Templar . As its name indicates , this Masonry is peculiarly American , and is confined to the United States , as the Templarism of other countries is utterly distinct from the American .

* * * The Grand Lodge of York , said to have been held by Prince Edwin in the month of June , A . D . 926 , at which were promulgated certain constitutions under which Masonry in America is claimed to be governed , proves to be a historical fiction derived from a document written during the reign of Edward III ., that is to say , about the year 1350 . The story , with which few Masons are

familiar , runs that Athelstane , grandson of Alfred the Great , constructed numerous edifices and bestowed special protection upon the Freemasons . He summoned to England many Members from France and created them Wardens , charging them with collection of the statutes , regulations , and obligations governing the Roman colleges and in force among the Masons of Europe , so that they might guide those in England . With this aim he convoked the Grand Lodge at York , placing his son Edwin over it as Grand Master . Edward III ., 424 years afterward , is said to have revised these statutes , whose text is reported to have been destroyed in 1720 .

* Masonic circles throughout New York are greatly excited over the mysterious disappearance of one of the foremost members of the Order in the West . The wanderer is Bro . John A . Greenlee of Kearney , Neb . On May 6 last he left Belle Plains , Iowa , for Des Moines , in the same State , intending to go to his home in Kearney . Since he left Des Moines he has disappeared ,

and all traces are lost . All the Lodges in this city were notified . Photographs were also forwarded , and circulars sent out signed by the Secretary of Robert Norris Lodge , No . 46 , of Kearney , Neb . L . H . Thome , of 333 , Bowerj ' , saw one of the circulars and photographs . He recognised the man as one who called on him on Sept . 16 , in ragged clothes , and asked for five cents to pay for his lodging . The stranger said , " I would tell you more , but I don't

know that you ' re a Mason . " While speaking the stranger continually pressed his hand to his forehead . He said he had come from a foreign country , and his money there was worth only thirty cents on the dollar . After Thome helped the stranger the latter left , and has not been heard of since .

Books And Periodicals Received.

BOOKS AND PERIODICALS RECEIVED .

[ Owing to pressure on our space , " Reviews of Rooks " stand over for our next number . ' ] Handy Book to the List of Lodges . By J OIIH LANE , F . C . A ., P . M . ( London : George Kenning ) . History of the Afiollo Lodge . By W . J . HUGHAN ( London : George Kenning ) . A Hardy Norseman ( London : Hurst

& Blackett ) . Cap and Gown , or Three Centuries of Cambridge It'll ( London : Kegan Paul , Trench , & Co . ) . Men and Women of the Day , for November ( London : Richard Bentley & Son ) . The Freemason . Freemasons' Chronicle . Home and Abroad . The Tyler . Keystone .

Answers To Correspondents.

Answers to Correspondents .

BRO . GEORGE SEVACK ( Glasgow ) . —We thank you for your letter and enclosure , the main facts of which appeareel in our last . If you have any more pictures for presentation , Bro . J . D . Langton , of yj , Queen Victoriastreet , London , will accept them for the Boys' School , at Wood Green . " A COUNTRY MASON . "—We have already expressed our views on the whole matter . Our knowledge of all the issues leads us to form a judgment

not quite in accordance with either side , but that judgment is at least impartial and unprejudiced . We think the whole thing is a terrible mistake , and that the Craft will painfully admit it later on . If the brother in question had the opportunity of retaining his position , it would be impossible for him to do so unless he admitted the impeachment . Your intention is a good one , and , if you succeed , you will have clone much good .

REV . T . W . —We answered you through the post , but do so here as others may like to know that the Christmas number is sent to subscribers without further charge upon subscription of 7 s . 6 d . per annum . "NOVICE . "—We do not accept anonymous communications . If you are the gentleman who , at the mature age of twenty-one , published strictures upon freemasonry under this nom-dc-plumc in a contemporary , after that memorable

Quarterly Court of the Boys' School , we advise you to forward a copy of your present communication to the same source . WINDSOR CASTLE STEWARD . —You can always find such information in the Freemason ' s Calendar . He succeeded the Marquis of Downshire in 1 S 68 . The portrait of Sir Daniel Gooch and some interesting particulars of his career appear in the present issue .

THOMAS CORDINGLEY . —Whatever we may in good humor say of our contemporary , the Freemason , we have no wish for such personal details as you send us . You get a wonderful amount of printed matter for your threepence , and , as far as you are concerned , ought to be satisfied . It is quite true what you say , but why should you complain if Mr . Kenning doesn't ?

" 2265 . "—You must be a better judge than us , though you may safely leave the honor of the Craft in our hands . The story is in print , and we promise you will be interested . J AMES ELLIS , P . M . —We are sorry to have hurt your feelings ; it is our first offence . Our connection with Masonry does not reduce our business obligations , and we are bound to treat our " customers" upon the same

business standing as we ourselves are treated . A subscriber is not a subscriber until his subscription is paid ; therefore , a copy of No . 4 was not sent you because we had not the honor of your support . E . W . GRANT ( Bromley ) . —We are very much obliged to you . If what you promise will be duplicated for other journals , it will be useless to us . REV . T . W , HOUGHTON , H . WINKLEY , W . STILES , and " 1001 " answered through the post .

We in Canada and in the States have a peremptory method of dealing with the tramp through the medium of the General Board of Relief of the United States and Canada . This Association is comprised of representatives from all Grand Lodges and local Boards of Relief that affiliates in this Association on payment of one-halfpenny per head for the entire membership . Thus , the Grand Lodge of Canada , with 20 , 000 members , pays 200 dols . per year .

When brethren who are unworthy apply , we take their names , ages , and description . This is sent by the Secretary of the local Board to the General Secretary at Baltimore , U . S . This officer then sends out monthly to all subscribing members a printed circular , with a list and accurate description of all the tramps for the month . In three years we have caught about Soo , and in that time we estimate we have saved the Craft by our

warnings the sum of 20 , 000 dols . We have so few tramps calling now at Toronto that we hope in a year to take the photograph of "the last Masonic tramp" to keep as a souvenir of , as we call him , " the Masonic tourist . " But I am wearing out my welcome , and you are so patient and appreciative that in closing , I know it will please English Masons to know that in twenty-five years we have expended nearly 200 , 000 dols . in the relief

of the widows and orphans of those of our Brethren who have passed away It is our pride to think that these beneficiaries have a claim upon us , for have they not been left to us as a sacred charge for the Craft to shield ? Many Brethren are sometimes inclined to minimise the influence of the Craft . The work of Masonry is , however , not seen to its best advantage in the days of peace and prosperity , but the darker the night of human sorrow the brighter

shines the light of the Craft . We arc earnest in our work , and if we cannot pour the oceans of gold into the lap of Charity , as the generous Craftsmen of England do , we give as we arc able , and in our gifts we try to remember the lesson taught us in the Book of Books , " that he who shutteth his ear to the cry of the poor and needy , shall cry himself and not be heard . "—Ross Robertson , Dep . P . G . M . Canada .