An Anti-Masonic Circular.

AN ANTI-MASONIC CIRCULAR .

We have thought it well to publish the following- extraordinary production which we have received from a most respectable householder , a great friend of our own , living near Tavistock-square , as having been left at his house . He says , " 1 think you ought to know what is left at our houses . " Wc therefore call the attention of our Craft to this outcome of aberration and malignancy combined :

" READ THIS AND PASS IT TO YOUR FRIEND . " We are all familiar with what is commonly known as Freemasons' processions and we ail know that Freemasonry has played a prominent part in support of Protestantism and Protestant institutions , and we think it quite in keeping with the course of things to see them laying the foundation stone of our great public buildings ; and we that are not members of that Order never put the question to

ourselves , are these men really Freemasons ? 1 tell you , who has suffered at their hand , that as a rule , they are not . They are nothing more or less than ( Jesuits ) and are bound to support the Pope and to sacrifice everything under the penalty of death , by their own laws , which set at open defiance our own national laws , while the people of this country who are not members of this Order are not aware of it . They are in New York making an open boast that

the whole country is Jesuit , both women and men , and that the doctor works the country ; this is true to a greater extent than we realize . Every doctor is a Jesuit I was told , ' and it is impossible for . any young man to graduate as a doctor of medicine until he allows himself to be roped into this Order , from which he can never come out unless by almost certain death at the hands of his brethren . They have such easy methods of putting people to death and

never leaving a trace behind , and the doctors , who are all in it , return a certificate of death by heart disease or consumption ; and people who are not members of this damnable Order go and come from their business every day never dreaming that such things are going on around them . At the head of all our public affairs , both in the city and in the provinces , are members of this Order , and woe betide the unhappy mortal who , if he finds out

anything dare lift up his voice against them . They can kill a rat or a cat 40 yards distant ; all that you can see is that it drops down , and they have as much consideration for human life as for a rat or a cat when it is set against the interests of their Order . Prussic acid is put on a piece of cotton wadding and fired at the feet of the victim or past his nose , and the least breath of it causes the person to drop and death from heart disease is the result . Another

way is to damp an old cheese and put it in a warm place , and the vapour that arises from it is caught in a rubber bag . This sprayed into a room where any one is sleeping , the animalcula that is in the vapour at once attacks the lungs , causing consumption , and hundreds of people have died in this way because they have said or done something to people that they thought were quite friendly , but who were really reporting everything they were saying at their

meetings . Members of this Order have made a boast that you could not get a magistrate to convict them for faults done by command of the Order , or even a policeman to take them up , as when anything is going to happen of a serious nature they are all apprised of it . It is time the public were made aware of these facts , and cause an investigation of a searching nature to be made . "There is in this country such a thing as Freemasonry ,

but it is nothing in comparison to this sham Freemasonry and sham Orange Association that exist in the country . If a man wants to join a Protestant Association or the genuine Freemasons , the chances are ten to one that he is roped into the Jesuit Order . I hope that those who chance to read this may have it printed and circulated afresh , for

since the Reformation in this country , people that gave up the Roman Catholic religion were unable to give up this Order , and so things have gone on from generation to generation , gaining strength from year to year , so much so , that unless we do something to prevent its dirty workings the country will have a rude surprise . "

Liverpool Magistrates And The Late Bro. H. S. Alpass, J.P.

LIVERPOOL MAGISTRATES AND THE LATE BRO . H . S . ALPASS , J . P .

At the usual quarterly meeting of the Liverpool City Justices on the 24 th ult ., Mr . T . S . RAFFLES , stipendiary magistrate , who presided , said that the magistrates had , since the last meeting , lost two colleagues , whose removal , ,

though they had not been long on the bench , would , he was sure , be very much regretted—namely , Mr . Alpass and Mr . Cope . ( Hear , hear . ) They were both gentlemen who had taken an active part in public life—Mr . Alpass in connection with local boards and other public bodies , and Mr . Cope perhaps more in connection with philanthropic institutions . ( Hear , hear . ) After moving a voteof condolence with Mrs .

Cope , Mr . Raffles proposed the following resolution : I Hat the bench of magistrates of this city , in quarterly meeting assembled , desire to place on record their deep sense of the loss they have sustained in the death of their late colleague Mr . Horace Seymour Alpass , who had diligently and ably performed the duties of a magistrate for about two years and a half ; to testify their appreciation of his efficiency in

other public duties with which he was connected ; and to convey to Mrs . Alpass their sincere sympathy with her in the great loss she has sustained by his death . " Bro . Alderman LIVINGSTON seconded the resolutions , which were supported by Mr . W . C ROSFIELD , and also by Sir J AMES PICTON , who remarked that it was a pleasure to reflect that the two magistrates whose deaths they

lamented were all men of hig h characters and pure lives , reflecting credit on the bench of magistrates amongst whom they were enrolled , and he thought the public could not but feel that , as long as such men occupied the magisterial bench in that city , the public interests would be protected , and public morality and progress be promoted . ( Hear , hear . ) . The resolutions were carried unanimously .

By permission of Major General J . T . Boileau , RE 100 orphans , children of soldiers killed in action , were ' kindly entertained by Bro . John Welford , P . M ., of the Warwick Farm Dairies , Maida Vale , at the Health Exhibition yesterday ( Friday ) , when the Rev . Arthur Robins , M . A ., Chaplain to the Queen and to H . R . H . the Prince of Wales , also to the Troops at Windsor , kindly gave each little girl a suitable present .

The Craft Abroad.

The Craft Abroad .

THE GREAT PRIORY OF CANADA . Col . MacLeod Moore , Great Prior of Canada , in his Allocution at the meeting of the Great Priory of Canada on the 4 th July last , was at the trouble of explaining his views as to the expediency of the Great Priory severing its connection with Convent General in England , and obtaining a release from its allegiance to the Prince of Wales as Supreme Grand Master of the Order of the Temple . These

views are so worthy , and so accurately describe the relations ordinarily existing between Masonry in the British Colonies and at home , that we think it worth while reproducing them in our columns . Said the Great Prior—¦ " I do not hestitate to say that I never could see the necessity for wishing to be absolved from our allegiance to his Royal Highness as Supreme Grand Master of the Order . He never assumed control over , or interfered with , the

independent position sought for by the nationalities ; so that , in the most minute affairs of government , it could not be said that the National Great Priory of Canada had been coerced by any outside governing authority , and to all intents and purposes was perfectly independent ; it being understood that it was not necessary to consult H . R . Highness in the local government of the Order ; therefore , our relations under his supreme authority were only technically

objectionable as regards entire independence . At the same time , it created so many doubts in the minds of our sister jurisdiction of the United States of America , that when your Committee recommended an humble petition to be forwarded , asking to be absolved from our vows of fealty , I felt that the time had arrived , and , putting aside my own personal feelings , agreed for the good of the Order in

Canada to recommend the prayer of the petition ; but I certainly , in the first instance , was not prepared for the final decision of Great Priory to declare independence , and then ask to be absolved . However , the magnanimous action of H . R . Highness in so readily acceding to the request of Great Priory removed all difficulties , and is only in accord with his generous and princely character . "

DISTRICT GRAND LODGE OF CANTERBURY , NEW ZEALAND . The regular Quarterly Communication of this District Grand Lodge was held at the Saint Augustine Freemasons ' Hall , Christchurch , on Thursday , thc 17 th July last . Bro . H . Thompson , D . D . G . M ., presided as D . G . M ., and was supported by Bro . W . Deamer , P . D . G . S . W ., as D . D . G . M ., the majority of the D . G . Officers , and representatives of several lodges . The first business brought before the

brethren was a resolution of condolence with the widow and family of the late Bro . W . Donald , who had filled the oflice of D . G . M . since 1 S 6 S . The resolution , which was passed unanimously , was as follows : " We , the District Grand Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons of Canterbury , under the E . C ., in open Grand Lodge assembled , desire to express our fraternal and heartfelt sorrow at the loss of our much lamented brother , your late husband , Dr . Wm . Donald .

The distinguished position of D . G . Master , which he has so long occupied in our Order , and the admirable manner he has discharged the duties pertaining thereto , have won for him the love and esteem of the whole Craft ; and we trust the knowledge of this will afford you some consolation in your great affliction . To yourself and family we tender the support of our prayers , that He , who cares for the fatherless and the widow , may have you ever in His holy keeping ,

and , after happy and honoured lives on earth , you may be reunited in the home beyond the grave , there to shine as the stars for ever and ever . " It was further agreed that the D . G . Secretary should instruct the lodges in the district to go into mourning , out of respect to their late chief , for a period of three months from the 17 th July . The Treasurer ' s

statement showed a balance to the credit of D . G . Lodge amounting to close on £ 541 . The Standing Committee's report , in the first clause of which it was recommended , for certain reasons , not to recognise a proposed Masonic journal , having been considered , and the other business transacted , District Grand Lodge was closed with the accustomed formalities . 1

CONSECRATION " NEW ROYAL ARCH CHAPTER ( S . C . ) AT AUCKLAND . At the Masonic Hall , Auckland , on Tuesday , the ceremonies in connection with the consecration and dedication of a new Royal Arch Chapter under the Scotch Constitution took place . The chapter is numbered ig 7 on the roll of the Supreme Grand Royal Arch Chapter of Scotland , and its charter was received by M . E . Comp . W .

McCullough , P . Z . of the Abbotsford Chapter , Thames , and the officer appointed to constitute the new chapter . The event had been looked forward to with interest by members of the Arch Degree for some time , as it was known that particular care was being taken to comply with all the ancient usages and customs of the Order , and also that on the occasion a companion high in rank—M . E . Comp . Wm . Tebbs , of St . Matthew ' s—had promised an oration upon

the "Object and Scope of Royal Arch Masonry . " The hall on the evening presented a more than usually pleasing appearance from the number and variety of Masonic symbols , emblems , banners , curtains . Sic , mostly those peculiar to the Royal Arch Degree , which were either tastefully arranged around the walls , or placed in order upon the centre floorcloth . Vases of flowers helped further to set off the whole , while the scarlet , blue , and white robes

of the office-bearers gave additional brightness and colour . The attendance was very large , including all the officebearers and Principals of the Ara , Auckland , and Remuera Chapters . The presiding Principals were M . E . Comps . W . McCullough , Z . ; W . Lodder , H . ; and W . Tebbs , J . ; while occupying seats on the dais were M . E . Comps . Dawson , La Roche , Clarke , Cooper , Levy , Sloan , Kitt , Skinner , and Nelson . M . E . Comp . Bennett acted as S . E .

during the consecration ceremony , and under the direction of so well-informed a companion the proceedings advanced with becoming order . The oration by M . E . Comp . Tebbs came fully up to the anticipations of all who attended with the hope of hearing a masterly dissertation on Royal Arch Masonry . The commenced with review

speaker a of the institutions and work of Masonry generally as the custodian of the truth and the promoter of obedience to the Hivine behests and of the brotherhood of man . He then passed on to an historical sketch of Masonry , showing its gradual development and growth , concluding by shadowing forth its glorious consummation in the acknowledgment of the brethren as members of the spiritual temple of the new Jerusalem .

The Craft Abroad.

Thus , the historic teachings of pure and ancient Masonry , in its entirety , were pointed out in marked language , presenting a picture to the mind not easily forgotten by all who had the pleasure of hearing the well * thought-out oration . In the course of this address , to which thc companions listened to the end with unabated interest and the most profound attention , the speaker said , " If you then ask me ' What good is Masonry ? and what its objects and

scope ? I reply , to keep that alive in the present and future which it has fostered and cherished in the past . The work , then , of Masonry has been to preserve the knowledge of God amidst unfavourable surroundings ; to hide it and bury it if needs be in the very depths of human consciousness , far from the reach of harm , until the time should have arrived for its revelation and redevelopment ; and further , to preserve and hand down inviolate the all

oowerful name of the Most High—that name , or word , of pardon and salvation Man , says the volume of the Sacred Law , was made in God ' s image ; into his nostrils God breathed of His Spirit the breath of life , and so he became a living soul . It is to teach us to restore the freshness and beauty of this image , bodily , mentally , and spiritually , that is the true object and scope of all the labour of this our holy band of brotherhood . " The ceremonies of consecration being ended , Comps . McCullough ,

Dewar , and Nichol were installed respectively as First , Second , and Third Principals , and the other oilicers were duly invested . After this a special vote of thanks was passed to Comp . Tebbs for his assistance , and to other visiting companions for their sympathy and attendance . The chapter was subsequently closed in ancient form , and the visitors , having partaken of the hospitality provided , dispersed , with very good wishes for the success and prosperity of the newly opened chapter . —Ne-. n Zealand Herald , August gth .

Scotland.

Scotland .

GRAND LODGE OP SCOTLAND . There was presented by the Grand Secretary at the meeting held on the 4 th July last , of the Grand Committee of Grand Lodge of Scotland , a tabular statement showing the number of intrants , or as we call them , initiates , into Freemasonry for every year from 1 S 00 to 1883 , both inclusive . From this statement it appears that the total number thus

received for the whole S 4 years is 179 , 327 , giving an average per year of close on 2135 , but Grand Secretary was careful to point out , that owing to the loose system that prevailed among the lodges during the first half of the present century several thousands of intrants had never been repotted for registration . The lowest number for any ono year was in 1 S 32 , when the cholera visited the country for

the first time ; only GGi were admitted . Other years in which the numbers were low were 1 S 04 , S 99 intrants ; 1 S 05 , 914 intrants ; 1 S 09 , 97 S intrants ; 1 S 35 , 794 intrants ; 1 S 37 , S 05 intrants ; 1 S 3 S , S 51 intrants ; 1 S 40-1-2-3 , 84 G , 703 , 824 , and 943 respectively ; and 184 G-7-S , S 61 , 942 , and SGo respectively . The year of the highest number was 1 S 77 , when the intrants mustered 5365 ; this was the year in which

the work of re-organising the business departments of Grand Lodge was undertaken . Since then , the intrants have been ( in 1 S 7 S , 3955 ; 1 S 79 , 3971 ; 1 SS 0 , 3763 ; iSSl , 3914 ; 1882 , 4530 ; and 1883 , 4743 . The statement of account for the quarter ending 26 th July , 1 SS 4 , shows receipts , principally fees of different kinds and rents ( £ 309 12 s . ) , amounting together to (

. , 1014 17 s . 2 d . ; while the expenditure , the principal items of which were salaries , £ 249 3 S . Cd ., and Benevolent Fund , £ 147 17 s . 3 d ., reached ^ 601 15 s . 3 d ., leaving a balance to the credit of Grand Lodge amounting to £ 413 is . 1 id . It further appears from the report of the proceedings at the same Grand Committee that the Grand Lodge of Scotland has determined on following the example of the Grand

Lodge of England , and issuing a new edition of its Book of Constitutions and Laws . At all events , it is recorded in the official minutes of the meeting that " in obedience to instructions of Grand Committee , approved by Grand Lodge at last Quarterly Communication , Grand Secretary submitted note of alterations on the Constitution and Laws suggested by members of Grand ' Committee in view of the

lorthcoming issue of a new edition . Grand Committee , in consideration of the importance of the subject , appointed Bros . William Officer , Major John Crombie , Alexander Hay , George Fisher , David Hume , J . Dalrymple Duncan , Dr . John Falconer , John Caldwell , John Wilson ( No . 33 6 ) , James Crichton , and Dr . James Middleton , as a Special Committee to carefully consider the suggested alterations

on the existing code of laws , submitted under remit by Grand Secretary , and any other suggestions that may be made , and to submit a report on the same to Grand Committee at their meeting in September . Further , that such suggested alterations on the Constitution as are

recommended by Grand Committee be printed in the circular summoning the Quarterly Communication for Gth November next . And , further , that Grand Lodge be respectfully recommended at their meeting on the said Cth of November to suspend their standing orders as to the alteration of laws and to give effect to such alterations and additions as may be recommended by Grand Committee , should Grand Lodge so determine . "

Birth, Marriage, And Death.

Birth , Marriage , and Death .

BIRTH . WOOD . —On the 28 th ult ., at Palm-grove , Birkenhead , tho wife of G . W . Wood , of a son .

MARRIAGE . HERRIES—HILL . —On the 30 th ult ., at Holy Trinity Church , Micklegate , York , by the Rev . G . M . Straffen , rector of Tillington , Sussex , Lieut .-Col . Frederic Stansfield Herries , second son of the late Lieut .-Gen . Sir William L . Herries , K . C . H ., C . B ., to Susanna Mary , widow of the late John W . Hill , Esq ., of Millbrook , Ilkley , Yorkshire , and daughter of the late Rev . Henry Harris , vicar of Horbling , Lincolnshire .

DEATHS . BIRKIN . —On the 28 th ult ., Bro . John Birkin , late Captain 4 th Battalion the Royal Fusiliers ( City of London Regiment ) , aged 70 . Initiated in Lodge 2 G 2 , in the year 1 S 41 . Deeply lamented . BIKKIN . —On the 2 Gth ult ., John Dexter Birkin , grandson of the above , aged one month .