Masonic Templarism.

The first Triennial of the Grand Encampment , held in New York , 1819 , was attended by lawful representatives from only two grand bodies , albeit there were visiting Knights from several localities where the Order had become known . For forty years the General Grand Encampment continued to live and act under

the constitution that was formulated at New York in 1816 . Within that period but few amendments were made in the governing law . During the first decade after the formation of the national body there was a steady increase in the membership and influence of the Order , but when the anti-Masonic storm swept

over the land it suffered a serious retrogression . The General Grand Encampment , however , maintained its organisation , exercised a wholesome supervision over its subordinates , held its Triennial meetings and waited for the revival to come . The Triennial Conclave held at Hartford , Conn ., in 1856 , may be

regarded as the turning point m the fortunes of Masonic Templarism . Eminent Masons and Templars brought their best thoughts to bear upon the work of revising the constitution , adapting and directing the Order as to bring it to a larger measure of blessing and accomplishment .

From that time forward , progress and prosperity have marked the way of the Templar Institution . The Order has a present membership of some 110 , 000 . There are forty Grand Commanderies which acknowledge the authority of the Grand Encampment of the United States ; and these Grand

Commanderies include 950 subordinates . Besides these there are some thirty other local Commanderies which hold a relation of direct allegiance to the Grand Encampment . The progress of the Order since the formation of the National Body in 1816 , when there were but eight or ten Templar organisations in the land ,

with a total membership not exceeding 500 , is , indeed , wonderful to consider . The growth and prosperity of the Templar Order are attested not only in a numerical increase of membership , but in augmented resources and a broader sweep of opportunity and usefulness for the institution .

If a specific statement of the purposes and mission of the modern Order of Templars is requested , attention may be directed to the printed proceedings of Templar bodies ; to the requirements which are known to be laid upon all who seek admission to the Order , and to tbe expression of the letter and spirit of

Masonic Templarism , as its character and aims are set forth by those who may rightly claim to be expositors of the system . By such testimony it will appear that the Templar Order is pledged to charity and good works in the things of related life ; that it seeks to bring generous and large-minded Brethren into the

fellowship of a noble and magnanimous Order , to be therein reminded of their common vows and pledged faith in one Divine Lord ; to look upon the same well understood signs of Christian truth and redemption , no less than to cultivate the courtesies and enjoy the festivities which brighten and sweeten this world of oUrs , and augment the zest of human living .

Masonic Templarism represents much of moral thought and practical service in the interests of human well being . It calls its members to exercise kindly , chivalric spirit , and to cultivate generous sentiments . It teaches the lessons of forbearance , forgiveness , and fraternal helpfulness . It proffers some of the ministries by which the hearts of men are blessed in cordial

fellowship , and by which they are moved to recognise the " one touch of nature which makes the whole world kin . " Masonic Templarism incites its members to wholesome and hearty living , not despising this present world , while it bids them to confidently look forward to the celestial land where the best aspirations shall be realised in the light and joy of heaven . — " Freemasons ' Repository . "

"A Sprig Of Acacia."

"A SPRIG OF ACACIA . "

WE were very pleased to see the general expression of regret that appeared in the daily and other papers last week , at the death of Brother James Stevens , one particular point in whose career we omitted to refer to . He is believed to have been the oldest volunteer in England , having enlisted in a Clapham company in 1859 . He afterwards became the

" Father " of the 1 st Surrey Corps . He retired about eighteen months ago , after upwards of thirty-three years' uninterrupted service , when he was presented with the long-service medal . His funeral took place at Norwood Cemetery on the 23 rd ult ., and was numerously attended by Volunteer , Masonic and other friends .

BRO . BENJAMIN BRIERLEY , of the Arthur Sullivan Lodge , No . 2156 , ( " Owd Ben ") , or using his familiar pen name " Ab-o ' -th ' -Yate , " by which he had become endeared to Lancashire folks , was removed from us a fortnight to-day at

the age of seventy-one years . Born in a very humble sphere , at a time when ' wark " meant " wark , " he laboured first at one menial job and then another until he became what is termed a " middle piecer" in a cotton factory . But an insatiable love of study caused him to rise superior to all surrounding circum-

"A Sprig Of Acacia."

stances , and he launched into a literary career at an early period of life , obtaining , however , for many years only a local celebrity . Bro . Ben once told us that he attributed the wider recognition of his talents to an adverse article which appeared in the " Athenaeum , " when he got what is termed in the vernacular " a

slating" on account of his " Daisy Nook Sketches . " At a time when various writers were endeavouring to prove that the Lancashire dialect was a thing of discord , and ought to be lost in oblivion , rather than perpetuated by authors like Edwin Waugh and Ben . Brierley , the latter loyally took up his pen in its

defence ^ Ben was a prolific writer , and his Irkdale , Fratchingtons of Fratchingthorpe , Cotters of Mossdale , Marlocks of Merriton , and Ab-o ' -th' -Yate Sketches will not soon be forgotten , for those who have perused these works must necessarily cherish pleasant memories of his portrait power and graphic descriptions ,

which are ashine with pathos and humour , for there is an individuality about his characters sufficient to convince readers of the fact that his work was genuine and faithful , though it might lack elaborate construction or detailed finish . Although his modesty of demeanour caused him to be deficient in the

single stimulus of ambition which might have made him famous , yet he was rarely endowed , and intensely and efficiently active in weaving , by simplicity of style , many admirable sketches of country life . He told his ' story in the unlaboured dialect of nature rather than in that of polished elegance , and spoke to the

heart in words that stirred the feelings by reason of his exquisite intertexture of the humorous with the pathetic and quaint . Brother Brierley was interred at the Harpurhey Cemetery , on Wednesday , the 22 nd ult ., tbe funeral being attended by a large number of people , chiefly of the labouring class , who by their

quiet and orderly demeanour testified to the respect in which they had held the deceased . Members of the Manchester Literary Club , of which Bro . Brierley was a founder , led the procession . Among its members were Messrs . George Milner

( President ) , Albert Nicholson , 0 . W . Sutton , W . E . A . Axom , John Mortimer and Abraham Stansfield , all popular writers of the day . Then came members of the Wilton , Arthur Sullivan , and other Lodges , as also representatives of various societies and public institutions . Bro . Brierley leaves a widow .

QIR JOHN HAYES , Bart ., Grand Chaplain from 1844 to lO 1846 , whose death is just reported , was something more than the oldest clergyman of the Church of England and the oldest Freemason , says the " Morning Leader . " He was at once the most interesting as he was one of the most picturesque

men in Berkshire . For seventy years certainly he had been known in county society , and he could tell stories of three generations of squires and parsons . For over forty years he was rector of Aborfield , a quiet little village whose life he directed in a paternal fashion that was at least interesting

to see , and the career of every inhabitant was known to him and had been watched by him . He used in his nonagenarian garrulity to tell of the incidents of his youth that seemed to him in their importance to infinitely transcend modern events . He had been eleven years a rector when the unexpected death of his

brother elevated him to the baronetcy . He was then—this was in 1851—still mourning the death of his young wife . He resolved to make no difference in his life , and so for nearly another thirty years ho continued to fulfil his unostentatious clerical duties .

rpHE funeral of the late Bro . William Challans , of the White I Hart Hotel , Boston , who died on the 23 rd ult ., aged fifty years , took place on the 25 th , amid many signs of sympathy and respect . The deceased was a member of the Franklin Lodge , of which he was a Past Master , and also of the St . Botolph

Chapter , in which he had held office , and about forty of his Masonic Brethren took part in the service . A Lodge of Emergency was opened immediately before , and was closed directly after the ceremony , and the Masonic hymn , " Now the evening shadows closing , " was sung in the church .

ON Saturday , 25 th ult ., at the Masonic Temple , Hope Street , Liverpool , Bro . Eobert B . Burgess , the well-known House Steward of the Temple , died , after suffering from ill-health for a considerable time . The deceased was well-known in Masonic

circles of the West Lancashire and Cheshire Provinces , and was much admired , respected , and esteemed for his genial and sterling qualities . He had occupied many offices in the Craft , and was a Past Master of the Stanley Lodge , No . 1325 , where he won for himself the noble character of being " a true man and a Mason . "

THE death is announced of Bro . John Symonds P . A . G . D . C . in the Craft and P . G . Sd . B . in the Arch , who was one of the most zealous supporters the Masonic Institutions have ever had , and did much for them in the time of his activity , his interest in the different Funds being particularly marked some forty years back .

THE death is announced of Bro . Thomas Jackson P . M . and Treasurer of Peckham Lodge , No . 1475 .