An Old Sermon.

squaring you actions by the eternal rule of equity and duo propirtion ; measuring your designs by that ratio of analogy given you by Him who set his compass upon the fa ? o of tho deep ; and not forgetting to use the helps that patience offereth in leveling your desires with your

circumstances ; so that , at last , when beauty , sticngth , and order of the earthly edifice shall give way to that of the heavenly ; when tho destroyer , Death , in virtue of his

delegated power , shall dash in pieces the earthen vessel which contains our jewels of science and immortality , — your victory over the enemy shall , like that of Gideon , be complete .

Now , unto Him who always worketh by love , end hath promised to build us up into eternal life—tho Great Architect of tbo Universe , Jehovah Blohim , trinity of persons in unity of essence , —be ascribed , by mon and angels , all glory , hoo < v , dominion , aud praise , now , henceforth and forovermon . ! AMEN .

A Beautiful Tradition.

A BEAUTIFUL TRADITION .

THERE is a tialition among Freemasons that the site upon which tlio Temple of Solomon was built was owned in commen by two brothers , ono of whom had a family , the other none . On the evening after harvest tho elder brother said to his wife : " My younger brother

is unable to bear tho heat and burden of the day . I will arise , take some of my shocks , and p lace them without bin knowledge among his shocks . " The younger brother , being actuated by similar kind motives , said within himself

"My brother has a family , and I have none . I will contribute to their support . I will take of my shocks and place them with his without his knowledge . " Great was the astonisment of both when , on the following morning , they found their shocks undiminished .

This happened several nights in succession , when each resolved to stand guard and solve the mystery . They did so , and on the following night the two brothers met half way between their respective shocks , with arms full of golden grain .

Upon ground hallowed by such associations was the Temple of Solomon erected—that Temple so spacious , so magnificent , the admiration and wonder of the world . It is only on ground hallowed by love that any enduring

structure can be built . On no other basis can peicc and goodwill , justice and righteousness be established among men for all generations . Other foundations for all . the interest of mankind can no one lay than those which aro laid in the best affections of the heart .

The Temple of Solomon has long ago crumbled to ruin ? , and the placo where it once stood can hardly be pointed out to tho pious pilgrim ; bnt Freemasonry , which exemplifies the beautiful tradition of tho location of tho Temple , and transmits the legend of its building , has

defied the ravages of time and the persecutions of ignorance , bigotry , and intolerance , and survives in all the plentitude of youthful vigour and activity . Malignant priests may fulminate , and harmless popes may howl , but Freemasonry , whose foundations are laid deep in tho

Godgiven principles of Brotherly Love , Relief , and Iruth , whose empire is tho world , aud whose covering is the clouded canopy or star-decked heavens , to be reached by the theological ladder of Faith , Hopo and Charity , will live " as long as the cloud shadows shall rest on the mountains and the rivers roll to the sea . "

Masons have just cause to love and reverence their ancient and honourable Fraternity . The eyes of tho world are upon them . For untold generations they have ^ been the friends and defenders of civil and religious freedom ,

and for this they havo suffered persecutions and tortures . Duty still bids them be true to tho eternal principles they profess , —The Rough Ashlar .

An Anglo-Indian Freemason At Didsbury.

AN ANGLO-INDIAN FREEMASON AT DIDSBURY .

rpiIE subject of our brief [ sketch is Bro . Frederick Stretch , who JL was boin " where the stream rnna rippling by" afc Brentford , Middlesex , in 1844 . In 1857 he entered the railway service , and in 1865 , by reason of his romaikuble energy , was promoted to an important post in India . His services wore DO highly valued that hu

was further promoted by being made district traffic superintendent . lie was in charge of the royal train during the visit of the Prince of Wales , our M . W . G . M ., . to India . He al = o accompanied the Duke of Edinburgh from Jubbleporo to Bombay iu tho year 1870 . Being

An Anglo-Indian Freemason At Didsbury.

anxious for the lights of Freemasonry he was duly initiated in Lodge Emulation , No . 1100 , Bombay , rcma ning a member sis year * . In 1872 he became a joining member of Lodgo Alexandra , No . 1605 , and in the third year of membership was appointed Senior Warden . Ho was also unanimously elected lo the chair of K . S ., but was nnablo to accept the dignity owing to his transference to Sholopnr , a distance

of 1 , 000 miles . Arriving nt Sholopnr ho imroediht > ly joined tho Pleiad's Lodge , nnd in a very short time became S . AV ., hut was again disappointed of Mastership owing to his services being required at Bombay , a distance of somo 400 miles . In 1870 he returned to England with the mist cordial best wishes from all who he came in contact . Arriving iu his native hind he p * o 'ooded to Barnsley , and was

elected a member of the Friendly Lodgf , No . 1530 , and remained S 3 until ho was appointed tho first Master , ntfc of a Masonio Lodge , bnt of the central station , Manchester . Thereupon he resigned his Lodge at Barnsley and affiliated l . imsalf to the Urmston Lodge , No . 1730 , but although as a Past Senior Warden he was eligible for the chair , be was reluctantly compelled to decline office of any kind owing to

tbe Lodgo meeting night bi ing unsuitable fco his duties afc the central station . These dnie . » , however , he resigned in tho Jubilee year . He received many hands mio lestin ooiala of his ability as a public servant , and of bis m . iform gotiility as a man . Being then able to take a step at Urmslon ho was invested ns D . C , fallowed by J . D ., S . D .. and he is now J . W . of a Lodge of which ifc will to seen he has

been a member 14 yeirs . Iu 1 S 90 he marked his Masonic onreor by becoming No . 3 on fche list of founders of tho Dorio Lodge , No . 2359 , and in its third yenr our icspcctod and deserving brother , after twenty-two years cf Masonry , received his reward by bscoming Worshipfnl Master , a position that he filled with credit to himself , with pleasure to tho brethren , aud with honour to the Dorio Lodge . In 1890

ho was exalted in the Urmston Chapter , No . 1730 , Wl is tbo p esstt D . C . In 1890 he was advanced in the Sfc . Andrew Mark Lodge , of which he is S . O . This event was followed by his besoming a Royal Ark Mariner , a Knight of Constantino , a Knight of St . Lawrence , also a Knight of fc ' ie Rod Cross of Babylon . By a strango co noidence

it will be found by a brief calculation of the above facts that Brother Frederick Stretch has beon practically a subscribing Freemason forty-nine years , therefore so from his bitth . In conclusion , he was a filial ! on , a faithful servant a true Mason and one who deserves the happiness he onj > yi > , surrounded as he is by a devoted wife and family . —[ Indian papers please copy . —ED . F . C ]

Masonic Sonnets.—No. 64.

MASONIC SONNETS . —No . 64 .

BY BRO . CHAS . F . FORSHAW , LL . D . — : o : — " *' CULTIVATING BROTHERLY LOVE .

No wrath , no rancour , e er shonld find a rest Within the portals of a Mason ' s breast . No hateful malice ever should abide ; No slander slon'd his tongue attempt to say ; lie tl . ould I ) - ? manly , with no fulsome pride To take his steps from olTtho beaten way . Scorning ail wrong nmo g tho Brotherhood ,

IIf > ctill must stondfatt bo in all hia woiks ; E'er proniulg-ting deeds that tend fcigood , Remembering Right wherein no danger lurks . This tho foundation is of onr blest creed—The copeston ? , tho ccmcu * , t lies building whole , By which we rear in that ccle .-tiul mead , A habitation for tho deathless soul . Winder House , Bradford , 3 rd Augusi 1893 .

Obituary.

Obituary .

— : o : — BRO . WILLIAM LONGMIRE P . M . 1561 . PROV . A . G . D . O .

WE regret to have to announce the death of Bro . William Longmire , proprietor of the King ' s Arms Hotol , Morecambe , which took place on Tuesday , 1 st inst ., from an attack of pneumonia . Bro . Longmire was widely known

amongst visitors to Morecambe , and had an excellent reputation as a public caterer . He was a prominent member of the Masonic Fraternity , occupying at the time of his decease the office of Assistant Director of Ceremonies in

the Provincial Grand Lodge of West Lancashire , aud vvas Past Master and Treasurer of the Morecambo Lodge , No . 1561 . Deceased , who was only forty-four years of age , had been in indifferent health for some little time , but on Saturday last was actively superintending the

catering for a large dinner party . While thus engaged ho contracted a chill , was seized with inflammation of thclangs :, which developed into pneumonia , and his condition was regarded as hopeless from the first . He leaves a widow find a numerous family . The funeral took placo on

Thursday , at Morecambo Cemetery , amid a large concourse of sorrow ing friends and relatives , tlio funeral cortege being followed by the brethren of the Morecambe Lodge , who at the grave side paid the last Masonic tribute of respect to their departed brother .