The Concordia Institute.

THE CONCORDIA INSTITUTE .

( COMMUNIQUE . ) At St . Gall there exists an international establishment of education and instruction called the " Concordia , " founded and directed by Bro . J . Bertsch-Sailer . The M . of Lodge " Concordia , " Bro . Scherrer Engler , has warmly rrrnmmcndpd this establishment bv writin < r to several

lodges , after other brothers had convinced themselves of its being in every way worthy of recommendation . Such a document has also fallen ( in what way or by what means we will not examine here ) into the hands of the Ultramontanes . It is true that this establishment has long since been a thorn in the side of this party , because its principal dares lo accept Protestants and " even Jews "

among his scholars , and to teach religion in a tolerant spirit contemporaneously to the members of various denominations , but always in the most considerate and objective manner , and without touching upon those points wherein the different denominations deviate . But as they could not get hold of either the Principal or his school , the indisputable fact of his being a brother offered them

a welcome opportunity for carrying on after their wily and Jesuitical fashion a war of destruction against the Institute " Concordia . " The said letter has appeared in several Ultramontane journals of Switzerland , accompanied by violent and passionate marginal notes , in which the fathers of families are distinctly warned not to sent their sons to be

educated at the Concordia . Furthermore , a kind of lampoon in folio ivas extensively published and sent to tbe " spiritual fathers , " that they might use it for their own purposes , and many copies were even directly or indirectly put into the hands of the parents of some of the Concordia scholars . Where these means were found inadequate , the priests and their abettors called on

the parents of the scholars in order to caution them against this bad establishment . The whole plan was well organized , for they attacked the " Concordia " almost unanimously in Switzerland , in France , and in Italy . And what reproaches are cast against this establishment in these interminable articles ? On what grounds docs this public admonition against the Institute " Concordia" in

St . Gall stand . ' Dr . Bertsch-Sailer isa Freemason and recommended by Freemasons , consequently his school is a danger to morality and religion . That is the quintessence of Ultramontane indignation for which they have wasted so much printing-ink ; this is the crime with which , in a truly priestly spirit , they charge Bro . Dr . Bertsch-Sailer , and propped up by which the Ultramontanes do not scruple to

undermine the scholastic credit of a school which , as is clearly proven by numerous facts , takes the education of youth not merely as regards instruction but also in matters of religion and high moral principles , very seriously . That the newspaper articles in question are written especially against Alasonry and the assaults directed against the Institute "Concordia" as quite secondary , and but the

means to this end , will be evident to any one who has read them . To be sure a by-end is attained j the most zealous propaganda being made in favour of a Jesuitical college oran Ultramontane paper . Unfortunately it cannot be disputed that this priestly manoeuvre has seriously injuredjthc numbers of the Institute "Concordia . " Let us hope however , that fathers will soon come to the conviction that

the Freemasons do as much good to humanity as then antipodes , the Jesuits , do"harm . As soon as the public become aware of this truth , and the prejudices against the Masonic orders have lost ground , an establishment conducted on Masonic , that is to say on humane and enlightened principles , will be preferred to any other , and

especially to one with more or less stiongly pronounced Jesuitical tendencies . Our brethren require no further explanation here , for every Freemason knows that our union is neither dangerous to religion nor to morality , on the contrary that our duty makes us of necessity show the greatest tolerance to every

individual . But the "Concordia" recommends itself the most on acount of the many religious , moral , and good principled Swiss , Italian , French , Spanish , and American youths , who have left the establishment thoroughly fitted to enter upon various professions . We submit it to the judgment of all unbiassed people who know this institute , whether the

Jesuitical establishments have so clear a conscience in this respect as Brother Dr . Bertsch-Sailer , principal of the "Concordia" in St . Gall , and we trust that the future will show the capability of this institute , conducted on Masonic principles , to hold its own against the innumerable clerical establishments , though they are overfilled with

pupils . The fidelity of their convictions , the noble aspiration , the indomitable courage , and the firm union ofthe Freemasons vouch for this result . These attributes of our old and numerous brotherhood , which have manifested themselves so often and in so brillant a manner , will also on this occasion prevent our enemies from blazoning forth a nefarious triumph .

The "Saturday Review."

THE "SATURDAY REVIEW . "

The " Saturday Review " is never flattering to Freemasons , and the following critique on "Masonic Portraits by J . G . " is quite in keeping with its usual tone . We think it well to give it in extenso : — "The general composition of the Freemasons' Society shows that it is Quite possible

to be a Freemason without being a fool , but it is obvious enough that there is a considerable proportion of fools among the body . ' J . G . ' is one of those undesirable members who discredit the brotherhood by a kind of drivelling absurdity which seems to be the natural effect of lodge meetings operating on a weak temperament . ' J . G . ' inorms us that he ' would not have ventured to publish his

The "Saturday Review."

sketches ' of distinguished Masons ' in a permanent form if his own inclination had been consulted , ' but they have been ' favourably received by the Masonic world , ' when they appeared in one of the organs of Freemasonry , and he has been ' constrained ' by the pressure of friends to republish them . He adds that they are ' freed from those blemishes which are inseparable from periodical writing . ' We do not know how far thc original style of these sketches

has undergone a change , but as they now stand they are certainly marked by the blemishes of the lowest penny-alining . Thc work is , in fact , a curious mixture of impudent familiarity and fulsome adulation , and we should imagine that such of the persons here described as have any sense of self-respect must be anything but pleased at finding themselves held up to public view in such a ridiculous light . "

Original Correspondence.

Original Correspondence .

[ We _ o net hold ourselves responsible for , or even as approving of ihe opinions expressed by our correspondents , but we wish , in a spirit of fair play to all , to permit—witliin certain necessary limits—free discussion . —Ho J

FREEMASONRY IN VENEZUELA . To the Editor of the Freemason . Dear Sir and Brother , — I happen to be a member of a committee that takes a deep interest in the progress of South America . One of our representatives there , in writing to announce that the President and Congress of the Ur . ited States of

Venezuela had decided on asserting the independence of the Church of Venezuela , and throwing off the yoke of the Roman Church , writes thus in reference to the remarkable man who is President : — "I consider the President , Guzman Blanco , is a man of great talent and ruling power , and has kept thc country in comparative peace during the last six years . He has suupiesscd all thc monasteiies and

convents in the country , and turned their houses into useful institutions . The other day he inaugurated a magnificent Masonic temple , built at the expense of the State . He is improving the cily and cnunlry wonderfully , and establishing schools throughout ; and last , not least as regards England , he is making anangements to pay interest on the Nationa' Debt . Such are some of the things this extraordinary man is

doing , and the future of this very beautiful and fertile country seems hr peful . Hitherto it was in a state cf chronic revolution . I think it will be interesting to find Bro . President Blanco and his brother Masons doing such truly Masonic work , and making Masonry a blessing and a praise upon earth . Yours fraternally , R . J . SIMPSON .

THE WIDOW OF THE LATE BRO . FARNFIELD . To the Editor of the Freemason . Dear Sir and Brother , — Will you be kind enough lo insert the enclosed letter addressed by me to Bro . il . Green , in reply to his communication of the iSth inst ., which appeared in the " Fieemason " on Saturday last . You will see that I rcouested Bro . Greene to forward inv letter to vou for

publication with his , as 11 was my wish that the two should both appear in the same number of your paper , but I presume , owing to my being absent from town , bro . Greene did not receive it early enough to publish with his on Saturday lab I . Yours faithfully , J . A . KARNIIFIB . The White Hart Hotel , Margate . Sept . 27 , 1876 .

Dear Bro . Greene , — Your letter of the iSth inst . has been forwarded to me here , and as Bro . Davis is at present also staying in Margate , I have taken the opportunity of seeing him before replying to you , and knowing that you were actuated by the kindest motives , I cannot but regret that you feel annoyed at my letter to the " Freemason ; " but when I

was told from more than one source that my brother ' s and my own incomes had been published in order to show that there was no need for the application , and to ground opposition , 1 thought it quite in order that I should disavow any hand in thc motion . Soon after my father ' s death Bro . Davis told me that you purposed appealing to Grand Lodge on behalf of my mother , and I at once stated I did

not wish it , although 1 am bound to say his views throughout have differed from my own excepting as to the terms in which the notice of motion was couched . I heard nothing further , and concluded the subject had dropped until I saw that notice of motion had been given , and Bro . Davis called upon mc , as from you , to know what my father had left . As you had proceeded with your notice

I thought Ihe better way was to give the information which I did , and again repeated to him that I regretted the step about to be taken . With respect to my brother Herbert , it appears that Bro . Davis met him on the steamboat , and casually asked him if hc knew what my father ' s pension from the Government was , and he , having the papers in his pocket ( being on the way to the War Office )

shewed them to him ; but the whole of this took place after the notice of motion was given and made public . The two interviews 1 have mentioned are all I heard of the matter , and I leave it to you to say if 1 am not strictly accurate in my statement to the " Freemason . " If you

decide on publishing your letter , 1 must ask you will do the same by this my reply , Believe me , dear Bro . Greene , yours sincerely , J . A . FAHNIIELD . The White Hart Hotel , Margate , Sept , 20 th , 1876 .

Dedication Of A Masonic Hall At Havant.

DEDICATION OF A MASONIC HALL AT HAVANT .

Monday , September iS , wasj appointed for the dcd . cation by the R . W . the Prov . G . M . of Hampshire and ' the Isle of Wight ( Bro . W . Wither Bramston Beach , M . P . ) of the Carnarvon Lodge , No . 804 , which has been erected in the vicinity of the railway-station at Havant . The

flourishing condition of the lodge induced the members to provide a building to be set apart for the purpose of Freemasonry , and so recently as the 10 th April last the Prov . Grand Master attended at Havant to lay the foundation stone , the ceremony being performed according to the ancient customs of the Craft . The weather was unpropitious , and the result was that the attendance of brethren

on thai occasion was somewhat limited . Since then the work has been pushed on with considerable vigour , under the superintendence of Bro . H . R . Trigg , architect , of Hayling Island , a P . M . of the Carnarvon Lodge , and Past Prov . Grand Superintendent of Works . Tlie building consists of a lofty lodge-room , with retiring-room for the W . M . adjoining , a committee-room and Tyler ' s room

at the entrance , and the usual offices . The contract for its construction was entrusted to Bro . G . Barnes , of North-End , who has carried on the work in the most satisfactory manner . The building of the lodge having been completed nothing remained but to bave it properly dedicated , in order that the Freemasons of Havant may regularly assemble within its walls .

Shortly after three o ' clock the lodge was " close tyled , " and the Provincial Grand Master , accompanied by the Provincial Ofiicers , entered and was received wilh the customary tokens of respect by the brethren . Bro . W . W . B . Beach , M . P ., the Provincial Grand Master , was supported by the following officers of P ; G . Lodge : — Bros . J . E . LeFtuvre , P . G . Sec , as D . P . G . M .: H .

Abraham , S . G . W . ; F . Pinco , J . G . W . ; M . E . Frost , G . Treas . ; E . G . Holbrook , G . Reg . ; S . S . Pearce , G . S . D . ; J . B . Atkinson ( Lymington ) , G . J . D . ; Puntis ( Basing , stoke ) , G . Dir . Cir . ; E . Groves , G . A . D . C . ; J . R . Willson , G . Pur . ; G . Sherman and G . R . Johnson , G . Stewards ; J . W . Pillow , G . Org . ; J . Exell , G . Tyler—with the exception of some of thc Stewards nearly all the Provincial

Officers appointed recently being in attendance . Among the Past Provincial Officers were Bros . H . Ford , P . S . G . W . ] J . T . Kirkman and H . Cawte , P . J . G . W . ; Capt . E . V , Haldane , P . G . S . D . ( Monmouthshire ) ; J . Parkes , P . P . G , S . B . ; J . Maltby , P . P . G . S . B . ; R . Osborne , P . P . G . Org . ; also J . Weeks , W . M . Carnarvon Lodge , and the following P . M . ' s , officers , and members of that lodge ( which was

strongly represented ) : —Bros . J . N . Hillman , J . Purnell , Thos . Francis , Harrison , and H . R . Tiigg , P . M . ' s ; J . Clay , S . W . ; T . P . Hall , J . W . ; G . Carter , S . D . ; C . H . Liddle , J . D . and Org . ; W . Bull , I . G . ; W . King , G . Baines , J . Southwood , R . W . Green , Walter Sims , F . Spurgeon , George Woodman , G . T . Gourd , C . A . Gourd , F . Gourd , C . H . Burr , H . Robins , and Harry Kimber ,

Among the visitors were Bros . J . Whale , W . M . 309 ; L . A . B . Cole , W . M . 29 8 ; W . Edgeler , I . P . M . 928 ; Eugene E . Street , J . D . 56 * , O . N . Wyatt , S . W . 38 ( Chichester ); J . Grant , P . M . 151 ; Joseph Cole , S . W . ; Henry Pierson , J . D . ; and F . C . Masters , I . G ., ali cf 928 ( P . tersfield ); J . R . Hayman , 257 ; H . J . Dowse , 257 ; F . Feltham , 257 ; S , Gamblen , S . D . 309 ; F .

J . Dennis , S . D . 694 ; J . Leggett , J . W . 1428 ; W , Bolton , S . D . 77 ; ( Guilford ); Thacker , ( Minerva Lodge , Hull ); S . R . Ellis , P . M . ; H . J . Guy , S . W . ; W . Payne , J . W . ; W . D . Parkhouse , C . G . Adames , Bacigalupo , E . Smith , A . Ycarworth , E . Bastable , J . L . Edwards , and W . fl . Speering , all of the Royal Sussex Lodge , Portsea ; George Bond , S . W . ; W . Lenanton , George

Arney , T . B . Palsgrave , F . White , and G . L . Green , of the Portsmouth Lodge , No . 487 ; Joseph Hill , 1425 ; J . Gieve , 1069 ; C . B . Whitcomb , P . M . ; John Liddle , G . Foster , W . Scott , M . Dowd , and R . Drover , of Gosport Lodge , No . 90 , *; , The Grand Master i itimated that the Deputy Provincial firand Master . Bro . W . Hickman , was absent in

consequence of indisposition , and hc asked the Prov . G . Secretary , Bro . J . E . Le Feuvre , to act as his substitute , h was then announced that the Grand Master , assisted by his Grand Officers , would dedicate the lodge to virtue , Masonry , and universal benevolence . The opening solu of

and chorale , composed by Bro . C . H . Liddell , organist the lodge , vi as effectively rendered by Bros . Carter , Liddell , Blackmore , and Sperring , Bro . Pillow presiding at the harmonium . The Grand Master then called upon Bro . Henry ForJ , P . P . G . S . W ., to offer some observations upon

Freemasonry . Bro . Ford said that it it weie not his duty to obey th- ' Grand Master ' s command , lie should still have felt ' < a pleasure to take part in the proceedings of the day . '' was no ordinary occasion that brought them together-They were met to consecrate for futurity a building in which he hooed the principles of Freemasonry , without any

admixture , -would never cease to be taught . He beiiev ™ that upon such an occasion it was usual to enter into a disseitation upon Freemasonry , but upon the present occasion he thought he should ill discharge the duty imposed upon him were he to occupy their time for more than a few moments on the subject that was entrusted lo niJ keeping . He could not say that it was difficult to speajj on any Masonic question , or for any one to give a reasoi

lor the hope that was within him , ne oeueveu u > -j he was about to say , divine principles . But on thc P ' sent occasion he should content himself with very " more than a cursory allusion to the characteristics ^ ought to mark Freemasonry wherever it was found , taught loyalty to the throne , it taught them to obey ' nstitutions of the country in which they lived , to rev » r « he laws , and to respect the obligations imposed up g hem , living , as they did , under free institutions ana