Church Services.

CHURCH SERVICES .

r | ~ lHE annual Masonic service of Lodge Kildalton , No . 552 _ J _ ( S . C ) , whose habitat is Islay , was conducted in Killarow Parish Church , Bowmore , on Sunday , 14 th ult ., the preacher being the Eev . John MacLaehlan , Kilmeny . The members of the Craft marched in procession from the Hall to the Church .

The Preacher took as his text I Kings vm , 29 : " My name shall be there , " and at the close of an eloquent and impressive address , Bro . MacLaehlan , in making special reference to the occasion , remarked : — " Perhaps some of you may expect from me to-day an elaborate defence of Freemasonry—if it needs

defence ; but I wish to state briefly that I do nofc intend to trouble you with anything so harrassing to many , at the close of a service sufficiently long already . Ifc is no doubt true that it is ' the centre of union between good men and true , and the happy means of conciliating friendship amongst those who must otherwise have

remained at a perpetual distance . Its true socialism is what makes it so attractive to the liberal-minded , aud the students of the liberal sciences . Thetit , we might say that if we assert that there is nothing wrong in Freemasonry , we are not by such an assertion , by any method of fair interpretation , setting ourselves

in any self-righteous attitude towards , or in questionable good taste above , our fellows , for whom we cast no light by so saying upon the mystic teaching of our Order . But surely we may be pardoned if we admire the principles which seek in compassion ,

sympathy and love , to help the oppressed , defend the helpless , and comfort the sorrowing , by the means which true charity prescribes . A science which aims at promoting peace , cultivating harmony , and inculcating living in concord and brotherly love , deserves well of all good men and true .

And now , Brethren , to whom our Order is no mystery , and whose mystic influence has , I hope , on more than one occasion , served you well , let me say a word in conclusion , such as the confidence you have reposed in me demands from me this day . Cultivate faithfully and earnestly the spirit of those principles

which , our Order recommends , or rather , I should say recommends with authority . It is a generous , forbearing , and liberal spirit . Let nothing—no trial , however trying—tempt you to depart from it , nor lead you to wander outside its compass Hoes . Seek to have the circle of truth , light and love limiting all

your actions ; to be established in the strength of the beauty of holiness , and to mark well the bearing of your every act upon the honour of our Order . Let the Craft be recommended by the virtue , the noble morality , and the generous and self-denying actions of your lives . Remember , above all things , that Masonry

seeks to kill selfishness at the centre of our being . By your reverent truth-seeking attitude and regular attention to the services of the Sanctuary , strive with all your hearts to honour the Great Creator of the Universe . If we cultivate brotherly love ,

which is the foundation and copestone , the cement and glory of the true temple , then ultimately we shall enter the Temple that is above , were God the Father is the centre of all truth , light , love , and power . So may be it . "

ON Sunday evening , 14 th ult ,, the annual service in connection with St . John's Lodge No . 39 ( S . C ) , Kilsyth , was conducted in Banton Church . A number of the Brethren of St . John met in the Lodge Room , Kilsyth , where Bro . John Morton W . M . opened the Lodge . An adjournment then took place to the

School , Banton . There other brethren joined , and preceded by Banton Brass Band , under the leadership of Bro . Duncan M'Farlane , the Brethren , some fifty in number , marched to the Church .

Bro . the Rev . T . A . Morrison , Kirkintillock , occupied the pulpit and conducted the service , Bro . the Rev . John Livingston , minister of Banton , and Chaplain of St . John ' s reading the

lessons . Bro . Morrison found his text in I Peter ii , 17 . Having enlarged upon the thoughts suggested by the text , Bro . Morrison specially addressed the Masonic representatives :

The belief that mankind will one day be fused into a universal brotherhood is one that lies near the hearts of all wise and earnest men . Our Lord and his apostles impel us to labour to bring about this desirable end . They have taught us the great principles of brotherhood— " Do to others as ye would fchey should

do to you" ; " Bear ye one another ' s burdens , and so fulfil the law of Christ . " The words of our text were not penned at a time when Christians enjoyed protection from those in authority , but at a time when the organised force of a mighty empire was abetted against them . The early Christians were looked upon as

innovators in religion and disturbers in the state . The apostle repelled this charge and impressed upon his followers fche necessity of submitting themselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord ' s sake . In the face of dreadful persecution he said " Honour all men . " This general precept was followed by its three divisions"Love the brotherhood , fear God , honour fche King . "

Church Services.

Christianity , as a mighty revolution , has been spreading itself through , society , revealing to men their own nature , and teaching them to honour all who are in possession of it . The aposfcle would have us honour all men according to the honour due in each case . Christ took upon himself a human body and

thus dignified humanity , and made it more worthy of honour than it ever was before . He would have us honour all men , and love the brotherhood . The Christian church is a great brotherhood made up of many members . From Christ they receive every pulsation of the Christian life , and without him they would

perish . His love for the brotherhood led Him to Calvary , and He says " Love one another as I have loved you . " In His spirit we labour to bring about the time when men shall be as eager to find out some basis of sympathy as they now are to find some ground of opposition and dislike . The true members of this brotherhood must have their hearts filled with the spirit of

forbearance and goodwill and labour to remove the discordant elements which tend fco drive men asunder . Their living bond of union is Jesus Christ . He is fche man of no party , the citizen of no country , the embodiment of no sectarian feelings . He is the universal man—the man fit to bind nations and individuals together . Every nation , tongue , and people , the moment they

come to know Him claim Him as their own . Our Society , Brother Masons , has in modern times been influenced by the example and teaching of Jesus Christ . I have great pleasure in meeting with you this afternoon and in setting before you some of the high and holy precepts of our faith . On

the part of the uninitiated there is at times a tendency to look upon us with a jealous eye , and to brand our Fraternity with the vile societies of the distant past . There are , however , brotherhoods which exist for a good purpose and do a noble work in the world . No Forester , Shepherd , or Free Gardener , and certainly

no Freemason , is ashamed or afraid to avow himself a member of his particular society . Indeed , I usually find them rather proud of the facfc , and why not ? In our membership may be found many of the greatest , noblest , and most honourable citizens of our

land . Our Society exists for a noble purpose . We have impressed upon our Brethren the necessity of usefulness , benevolent impulse , and charitable deeds . In England , Ireland , and Scotland thousands have reason to be thankful for their connection wifch the Craft .

As individuals , we confess our belief in God , the Almighty Maker of us all , in a future state in which we will be rewarded or punished for tbe deeds done in the body , and we have promised before God and our Brethren to practice the highest virtues . In his daily walk and conversation the true Mason must be diligent ,

prudent , and temperate . He has promised to befriend and assist bis deserving fellowmen , and more particularly his Brethren of the Craft . Such benevolence is of the highest importance and must be undertaken by every true Mason . Our aim is to make men better , subjects better , citizens better . There are among us

men strong in the Lord and in the power of His might . The strong must support the weak . Let us realise , my Brethren , that a man may require the helping hand not merely when starvation stares him in the face bufc also when , by a course of sinful action , he has ventured upon the slippery by-path which leads to disease , degradation , and ruin . As a Chaplain of your Fraternity , I would .

not merely impress upon you fche necessity of baking part in these works of love , but also lead you into holy communion with the great Saviour of mankind—the Brother of us all . He waits to be gracious fco you . He made propitiation in His death for your sins , and not for yours only , but also for the sins of the whole world .

A collection was taken in aid of the Masonic Benevolent Fund . Headed by the Banton Band , the Masons returned to the Schoolhouse , where Bro . Livingston expressed the thanks of the Brethren to Bro . Morrison for his excellent discourse , and Bro . Morton conveyed to the deputations from sister Lodges the appreciation of the Brethren of No . 39 of their kind countenance .

How To Make Meetings Interesting.

HOW TO MAKE MEETINGS INTERESTING .

The Fifty Dollar Article . THB effort now being made by the Secret Society Publishing Company to increase the interest in and usefulness of Fraternal Societies is a highly commendable one , and cannot fail to result in good .

If this is to be accomplished , ib must be done through the membership , and the membership can only be reached through the Lodges . There is no surer or better way of doing this than by increasing the interest in Lodge meetings , hence the question , How can this be done ? goes at once to the heart of the subject .

" How is quite a small word ; a very easy question asked , but sometimes it is large in its comprehension and difficult bo answer ; it is in this instance , bub I believe it can be answered . Lodge meetings can be made interesting , and if they are