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It has been the custom, too much so, of the press to rely almost exclu-
sively upon its own knowledge and power-to arrogate to itself or its members
more of omnipotence and omniscience than has been accorded to mere mortals.
It may be that that position has been forced upon them-rendered necessary in
fact by having to lead opinions upon subjects which, though common and open
to all men, they have mastered to a certain extent by application and intense
study, and therefore feel qualified to speak upon with some authority to masses
not so well informed as themselves, and whose co-operative assistance is conse-
quently comparatively useless. We are placed in a different position. We have
endeavoured in an accompanying article to set forth clearly our views and
objects: on some of them we feel at home, and able, without aid, to fight our
battle. Statistics relating to sanitary matters, and the means of forming a cor-
rect judgment with regard to the principles upon which sanitary systems should
be founded, are open to us; so also are the usual channels of information with
regard to monetary and commercial affairs. With those subjects we may fairly
presume that we are as capable of dealing as ordinary journalists, though, as
we do not pretend to infallibility, information and suggestions will be thank-
fully received; but with regard to the special subject of Insurance, we are
aware that, among others, we are addressing, in Managing Directors, Actuaries,
and Secretaries, a body of gentlemen who must be well-versed in its principles,
and whose position proves that they have more than ordinary talent, applica-
tion, and influence. To them, upon their own ground, we instinctively feel
that it would be unwise and impolitic, at once arrogant and impotent, to ad-
dress ourselves in the dictatorial tone which is assumed by writers under cover
of the mysterious "we." We know that those gentlemen are at least our equals
in point of knowledge and of intellect, our superiors in point of practical expe-
rience, and we aspire not to control or to lead them, but, side by side, or, if our
exertions may win so far, a little in advance, to go on with them, helping in

our proper sphere to extend the benefits of Insurance, by developing its capa-

bilities and demonstrating its advantages. We feel that their interests are our

interests-we believe, too, that our interests are also theirs-and we could not

let this opportunity pass without endeavouring to come to a fair understanding

with the best informed and most talented class of those whom we address.

With these views, we at once frankly say to all gentlemen practically engaged

in the working of Insurance Companies, that we know our success (if success

is to be our fate) will be mainly owing to their co-operation and assistance; and

we offer them a channel through which they may express their opinions. Any

hints and suggestions with which we may be favoured shall, in so far as we are

able without the sacrifice of independent habits of thought upon our part, be

embodied in the editorial articles which will appear. Space will be furnished

for the correspondence of all whose position entitles their opinions to respect,

whether such opinions are or are not adverse to our own; and any reports of

proceedings which it may be deemed advisable to make public, shall appear in

all their integrity. It is by such assistance that we hope to make the "General

Assurance Advocate," at the same time, the source of useful information to the

general public, the forwarder of the spread of Insurance, and the organ of well-

informed opinion, and thus to render it worthy of extensive and permanent

support; and we feel satisfied that consideration will show the managers of

Insurance Companies that both they and we are working for a common good,

and that any assistance they may think proper to render, will be operative for

the advancement of their own objects, as well as useful to

Their humble Servants, the Conductors of the

"GENERAL ASSURANCE ADVOCATE.”

Extracted from the advertising columns of the Leeds Mercury, of December 16, 1848.

A RITUAL OF FREEMASONRY,

200 ENGRAVINGS-FOURTH THOUSAND.

All seems to be thrown open to view-the sight is one at which the heart sickens.-Meth. New Conn. Mag.

This exposure will go far to annihilate their disgraceful existence. -Christian Advocate.

We recommend the reflecting public to read it soon.-Universe.

We were not prepared for such a picture of profanity and folly. -Christian Record.

If one half of this book be true, Freemasonry is one of the most unblushing_abominations that ever imposed upon the credulous.— Christian Examiner.

The abduction and murder of the Morgan referred to, which occurred in 1826, created a great sensation, not in America only, but in this country and over Europe, and induced many persons to leave a society which was stained with such a crime.-Bradford Observer.

We had no idea that Freemasonry was such a compound of folly and profaneness.—Christian Witness.

Sent post free by J. Thorne, Shebbear, Devon, on receipt of thirty postage stamps.

[Bathos is at fault, or surely some lunatic has escaped from the asylum provided for the unfortunate. Be it as it may, in giving further publicity to the periodicals herein named, we may hope to direct their attention to a more Christian practice than that of bigotry and intolerance.-ED. F. Q. R.]

OXFORD.-A Prov. Grand Lodge was held on the 6th of November, and interesting meetings of the Apollo and Alfred Lodges have been held during the last quarter.

GRAND STEWARDS' LODGE, Dec. 20.-Public Night.-The second and third lectures were delivered by Bros. Tomkins, Emly, Cox, J. Udall, Hodgkinson, Gibbins, and Norris.

EMULATION LODGE OF IMPROVEMENT, Dec. 22.-The report of the annual meeting reached us too late for insertion; we can merely state that the brethren passed a very happy meeting. In a short time a testimonial will be presented to Bro. Mountain, the indefatigable Secretary.

OBITUARY.-Dec. 21.-Bro. THOMAS SOUTH, æt. 49, surgeon, Juddstreet, late of the Grand Master's Lodge.

THE

FREEMASONS'

QUARTERLY REVIEW.

SECOND SERIES-MARCH 31, 1848.

THE GRAND MASTER A SELF-CONSTITUTED TRIAD. JUDGE!-ADVOCATE!!-PARTIZAN!!!

"Mourn Judah! mourn."

THE Mason's widow must still linger on the "hope deferred that maketh the heart sick."

The conscientious Mason must seek, in the solace of his own thoughts, for relief from the agony which the thoughtlessness of the Grand Master has caused him to endure. Oh how doubly bitter is the sorrow caused by ingratitude-how dishonourable in those placed in high places, and with confidence and trust reposed in them, to be regardless of promises solemnly made.

"Verba animi preferre, et vitam impendere vero.

The late Royal Grand Master died on the 21st April, 1843; the event, with an extended biography of the illustrious brother, was the subject of a supplementary number of the "Freemasons' Quarterly Review," on the 15th of May, in which the following few words

occur:

"The Earl of Zetland-whom God preserve! as Pro-Grand Master, now rules the United Grand Lodge of England until the next period of election."

The masonic interregnum was a period of probation for the noble Pro-Grand Master; he had a very delicate course to steer; there was a sacred obligation to maintain the chart marked out by his illustrious predecessor in such a manner that the memory of a Grand Master, who had for nearly thirty years filled the masonic throne, might not suffer in the estimation of the Craft by the sudden introduction of popular measures, or by the contrast of coercive regulations. We at the time entered into an elaborate examination of the general position of the English Grand Lodge, and without fear or hesitation delivered our opinion freely and at length. It is not too much to say that the inde

VOL. VI.

B

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