True Men Wanted.

generations have come and gone , and Masonry still lives to continue its errand of mercy , while each recurring year finds its numbers largely augmented . Its columns were

never more compact and united , and its beneficent influences were never more widely recognised than at the present time .

Intelligent people are slow to believe that an Order which has embraced such men as Washington , Garfield , and many of our prominent statesmen and eminent divines , can be the closely-knit band of conspirators which certain self-styled reformers have painted them .

With people blinded by bigotry and fanaticism we cannot argue . Proof cannot demonstrate . Disbelief in any good in Masonry is a special habit with them . The logic of events teaches them to reject accepted truths and to accept improbable ones .

Reason never convinces such people . Argument with them is a lever without a fulcrum . Try to snow-ball

the man in the moon , to level the Rocky Mountains , to chain the Mississippi in its onward course to the sea , but never try to reason with fanatics—better spend your time counting the stars of heaven or the sands of earth .

Morbid curiosity excites a suspicion in such people which they accept as proof . Unused to the habits of industry or benevolence , they judge other natures by their own . Such

people consume , but do not create ; like bears on the market , they pull down but never lift up . They prefer to be vandals , rather than architects .

Were our doors thrown open to such people , no good could be accomplished . Such a current would corrupt the whole stream , as tho dark-blue waters of the river fthine

are discoloured and polluted by the muddy Arve . That evil communications corrupt * good manners is no less a truism than that he who associates with the vicious and low descends

to their level . No society can be prosperous which does not select its own members with a regard to their qualifications and fitness . To admit all persons to a society merely because it is useful would be what lawyers call felo de

seself-destruction . Such a society would be without cohesion ; with no fraternal ties , no bond of union , no power of strength . A society will be judged by the character of its members , and it must itself determine who

these shall be . Brethren , let us look within the temple and see if there is not room for improvement . Perfection for the Order cannot be claimed ; this is seldom attained in this world .

Our veneration for this ancient society may well inspire us , under the favourable auspices which surround us , to resolve anew that by no act of ours shall its high standard be lowered . We shall not shoot higher than we aim , for the

missile never gravitates upwards . We are not to relax our hold upon the ancient landmarks ; and strict observance of the principles of the Order will elevate the membership and indirectly benefit the community in which we

live . A mere repetition of forms and ceremonies will accomplish little . The benevolent , fraternal , and charitable objects are to be kept constantly in view . The Book of Books—the rule and guide of our faith —& constant

companion , will inspire us to better deeds . Remembering that he who performs a noble deed is himself ennobled ; a blessing conferred is a blessing to him who confers it . Numbers do not necessarily add strength , and unsound

material weakens rather than strengthens . The black-ball is a useful implement , and unworthy material should be rejected and thrown in the rubbish . Ignorance and vice have no place in the temple . No person should be allowed

admittance who has not the capacity , the intelligence and moral worth to profit by the noble lessons he shall receive . A Lodge which has time only to discipline its members will accomplish but little . Harmony and unity are not best

attained by an unseemly scramble for office . The be 3 b results can be accomplished by adhering to the established principles and pursuing the well-defined paths of our ancient brethren . Trained and skilled minds are needed

to direct na- —men of moral worth who understand the lessons of history , who imbibe the spirit of the noble lessons taught , and who have the courage of manly convictions ; men whom the spoils of office cannot buy ; men

who profess opinions and a will ; men who have honour and will not lie ; men who can stand before a demagogue and scorn his treacheries and flatteries without winking ; tall men , sun-crowned , who live above the fog in public duty and in private thinking . As truth is eternal , so the mutations of the centuries may not eradicate the principles upon which this fair fabric

True Men Wanted.

is erected . An enlightened membership must keep pace with advancing civilisation . Ceremonies and ritualistic work may not change , but permanent and useful results are best attained through intelligent action and an enlightened conscience . As we travel the beaten paths of

our ancient brethren , we may lift the standard which has been temporarily placed in our hands to a still higher plane of usefulness . True nobility of character may be well exemplified in the practice of that friendship , fidelity , and brotherly love which our Order promotes .

And finally , as the gentle hand of time leads us steadily on , and gray hairs silently remind us that we are approaching the end of our journey , may we not draw a little

nearer together , and , in close communion with kindred spirits , feel the blessed consolations of that friendship and brotherly love as we take our departure to that bourne whence no traveller returns .

The consecration of the Masonic Hall , Te Aroha , N . Z ., erected by Lodge Te Aroha , No . 697 S . C ., took place on the 2 nd March last . There was a strong muster of members of tho Lodge , and a number of visiting brethren were

also present . The P . G . Lodge was represented by P . G . S . M . Brother M . Niccol , and P . G . Sec . Brother J . Slator . The consecration ceremonies were conducted by Brother Niccol , in able and impressive style , and the whole proceedings passed off most satisfactorily .

At the meeting of the Alliance Lxlge , No . 1827 , held on the 2 nd inst ., the Lord Mayor , and Major and Sheriff Davies , J . P ., were ballotted for as j lining members .

At the usual monthly meeting of the Dunheved Lodge , No . 789 , held on Tuesday , 24 th ult ., Bro . Charles Parsons P . M . P . G . J . W . was elected Treasurer in the place of the late much respected Bro . H . M . Harvey .

Bro . Dr . J . P . Haskins' Concert . —We are able to congratulate Bro . Dr . J . F . Haskins upon the marked success which attended his beuefit concert on 26 th ult ., at the Shoreditch Town Hall . A crowded , select and appreciative audience assembled . The vocalists were Madame Edith Wynne , Miss Emilie Davies , Miss

Lavinia Walker , Miss Henrietta Faye , Miss Ethel Winn ; Bros . Arthur Thomas , W . Dawson , Alfred Alderton , F . Franklin Clive , A . G . Pritchard ( buffo ) , and J . Kifc ( hnmourist ) . All were in good voice and form , and the audience would not be content until they had secured an encore from Madame Edith Wynne . Miss Ethel Winn

also gracefully consented to sing again . Especial marks of favour were accorded Bro . Franklin Olive for his rendering of "The Holy Friar" and "Father O'Flynnj" Bro . Pritchard for his mnsical sketch ; and to Miss Clara Titterton for her violin solo . A capital introduction to the programme was the overture "Zampa , " which

Bro . Dr . J . F . Haskins had specially arrauged for pianofortes aud harmonium ; it was performed , on two of Broadwood ' s grands and one of Cbappell ' s harmoniums , by Misses Van Der Meulen , Alice Van Der Meulen , Kate Van Der Meulen , Maud Latham , and Bro . Haskins . A prominent feature in the programme , which was a long one , was

the recital , by Bro . Hermann Vezin , of " The Spanish Mother , " this was a masterly performance and created a profound impression . Misses Anning and Walden performed S . Smith's duet , " The Maypole dance , " with charming effect . Bro . Albert Ryan was the acting manager , and Mr . Herbert Grand the secretary to the Committee , one and all of whom exerted themselves to the utmost to make the concert a success .

ANCIENT WINES . —We know from Pindar , and from the epigrams of Martial , that old wine was esteemed better than new in classic times . But an Athenian would have thought sixteen years a great age . What then would he have said to wine 318 years old , dating , that is to sav , from 1540 , the period of Henry VIII . ? This is one

of the vintages , duly authenticated , which Messrs . Spiers and Pond have secured from the cellars of the Late King of Bavaria , who , some years ago , sold off his old wines , and they may be obtained at the East Room in the Criterion . The wine of 1540 is Steinwein , and there is also a Leistenwein of 1631 , the Reign of Charles I .

Steinweiii of 1731 , Johnnnisberg of 1811 , and Rudesheim and Hockheimer of 1822 . These ore of a beautiful golden colour , and perfectly clear , and eveD the oldest retains considerable bouquet . It is suid there is

no wine in existence of this age , except in the municipal cellars of Bremen . Tbe firm also offers some of the Duke of York ' s port , vintage nnkuown , bnt bottled in 1798 . It is a great curiosity , aud in very fine preservation .

HoLtovrAi ' s PILLS . —Counsel and Comfort . —A disordered stomach throws the whole system out of gear , and renders us unfitted both for work and amusement . A few doses of these strengthening and purifying Pills , taken according to the accompanying directions , will , however , speedily restore order , and re-enable the stomach to digest its food without difficulty . These the

excellent Pills are suitable alike for the peer as peasait , the soldier and the sailor , and particularly for home and foreign colonists . Holloway ' s Pills are very useful in checking feverish attacks , bilious complaints , and inflammation ; they have also made the most signal cures in cases of dropsy and disease of the kidneys , heart , and lungs , when the sufferers seemed past the aid , of medicine .