Church Services.

CHURCH SERVICES .

AN altogether unique ceremony , so far as Hampstead or its immediate neighbourhood is concerned , took place on Sunday afternoon , 23 rd ult ., at the Church of St . Martin , Gospel Oak . A handsome chancel screen and brass lectern had been

subscribed for by the Brethren of the Hampstead and Loyalty Lodges , and other Freemasons , and the occasion was the dedication of that Masonic offering , and an offertory to clear off the deficiency in the amount required for the work .

Brethren to the number of over 200 assembled in the school room , robed there , and , in procession , walked across to the church . The perfect arrangement and order of this processioi * was due to Bro . James Terry P . G . S . B ., whose great knowledge and experience in such matters resulted in that success in the

church itself which may be well described as " absence of confusion . " It would be extremely difficult to find a better Director of Ceremony than Bro . Terry , and equally difficult to

select a worthier coadjutor than was supplied-in Bro . N . Hahhar't D . G . of the Hampstead Lodge . Most valuable assistance in the details of arrangement in the church was afforded by Bro . Dr . P : H . Gervis I . P . M . of the Hampstead Lodge .

It need scarcely be said that such a procession as was seen on Sunday caused considerable excitement in the neighbourhood , and indeed the rich regalia and clothing of the Clergy / 'Grand Officers , and Brethren , were strikingly impressive , and gave rise to much comment and friendly criticism . The Hampstead Lodge was , naturally , well represented .

The musical portion of the service was splendidly performed , and especial thanks are due to Bro . Beginald V . F . Seton P . M ., choirmaster of St . Martin ' s , and to Bro . Frank S . N . Isitt , Organist of the Hampstead Lodge , who so ably presided at the organ .

The local clergy were well represented , amongst the Bev . Brethren being Bros . G . C . Blaxland , vicar of St . Andrew ' s ; P . D . Jones , curate of St . Andrew ' s ; G . A . Herklots , vicar of St . Saviour ' s ; C . H . Venning and E . Dakin , curates of St . Martin ' s . The Bishop of Marlborough , who was to have preached , was

unfortunately prevented by illness from attending . Bro . the Bev . Dr . Seaver P . M . 36 acted as Chaplain and preacher . The services were read by Bro . the Bev . W . Harrison , and the lesson was read by Bro . the Eev . W . H . W . Casely P . P . G . C . Herts . ' The

initiation of the ceremony , and the earnest and hard work in earring it through to so successful an end , must be placed at the door of the Bev . T . H . Bussell , vicar of St . Martin ' s , and Chaplain of the Hampstead Lodge .

The edifice itself is one of remarkable architectural beauty , full of originality of detail and composition , erected from the designs of the late E . B . Lamb . The church , schools , vicarage , and endowment owe their origin to the almost princely liberality of the late Bro . Derby Allcroft , the present patron being Mr ,

Herbert Allcroft . The history of the church , immediately preceding the induction ofthe Bev . T . H . Bussell , was lamentable , but , thanks to the efforts of earnest workers , the church is now restored to decency , and the various architectural alterations made are satisfactory and lend additional charm to the edifice

The effect on Sunday , when the church was filled to overflowing with earnest worshippers , heightened by the Masonic clothing and jewels-of the Brethren , was most impressive , the body of sound sent forth in the singing of the favourite . old hymns , " All people that on earth do dwell , " and " 0 God our help in ages past , " being particularly striking .

We have already expressed regret at the absence of the Bishop of Marlborough , but a treat was in store for those who appreciate a good sermon . Bro . the Bev . Dr . Seaver was called upon , at about two hours' notice , to fill the place of the Bishop , and he took as his theme the stone quarry from which was taken

the material for building Solomon ' s Holy Temple . Beautiful imagery and food for sublime thought were opened up by the preacher in his eloquent address . The various blocks of stone in the quarry were described , with their symbolic representations , the one worked by the skilful mason for the " pinnacle" the

, admired of admirers ; another for the less prominent but equally useful " ashlar " ; another roughly hewn , but strong , sturdy , and honest , for the foundation of the edifice , and so on . Then the preacher , with singular oratorical skill , turned to the stones

rejected by the builder , and conveyed a long to be remembered lesson when he pictured those rejected ones left after so many centuries in the quarry itself as unworthy of forming any part of the magnificent Temple . — " Hampstead Express . "

THE seventh annual service for Freemasons and their friends will be held at St . Paul ' s Church , Morice Square , Devonport , to-morrow ( Sunday ) , at 3 . 30 p . m ., when the preacher will be Bro . the Bev . H . V . Bickersteth , M . A . ( domestic chaplain to the Lord Bishop of Exeter , and Proviucial Grand Chaplain of Devon ) . The collection will be given to the Boyal Albert

Church Services.

Hospital . Bro . J . W . Wmgate has kindly promised to play a violin solo , and Bro . C . F . Hocking will sing a solo . The circular is signed by Bro . Andrew J . Hamlyn I . P . M . 954 P . Prov . G . Chap ., vicar of St . Paul ' s , Devonport , and it is confidently expected the response will be both hearty and generous .

Reports Of Meetings.

REPORTS OF MEETINGS .

"We shall be pleased to receive particulars of Masonic meetings for Insertion in our columns , and where desired will endeavour to send a representative , to report Lodge or other proceedings .

CRAFT : PROVINCIAL

ANGEL LODGE , No . 51 . THB members of this old Lodge celebrated the 163 rd anuiversay at Colchester , on Thursday , 27 th ult ., when there was a large attendance , Bro . H . G . H . Elliott W . M . presiding . Tho principal business was the installation of tho W . M .-elect Bro . Thomas Gilbert , the ceremony appertaining to which was very ably performed by the retiring W . M . . ¦ " .,.. ¦ .. ., ;¦ :

At the : elose- of the ceremony a , hearty vote of thanks was passed to fche Installing Master . Bro . Joseph Grimes P . M . P . P . G . S . of Wks . having been re-elected to represent the Lodge on the Provincial Charity Committee the Lodge was closed . Between forty and fifty Brethren dined together at the Cups Hotel , an excellent repast being well served by Mr . and Mrs . Woodward . After dinner

the usual Masonic toasts were duly honoured . The fine string band of the 7 th Dragoon Guards was in attendance , and played a choice selection of music , under tbe direction of Mr . Willie , bandmaster , and during the evening Mr . Hilliar gave a drawing-room entertainment , whilst songs were sung by Bro ; F . J . Motum P . M . 697 P . P . G . O ., and vocal quartettes by gentlemen of St . Mary ' s choiri ' 'Colchester : ' The musical arrangements were under the direction of Bro . C . Osmond P . M ., and were much appreciated .

Letters expressing regret at their inability to attend were received from Bro . Col . Lockwood , M . P ., D . P . G . M ., Claude , E . Egerton-Green P . M . P . P . S . G . W ., Sir Weetman Pearson , Bart ., M . P ., N . Tracy Prov . G . Sec . Suffolk , & o .

UNITY LODGE , No . 71 . ON Thursday , 27 th ult ., the installation of Bro . Thomas Home as Worshipful Master , in succession to Bro . A . H . Hunt , took place at the Suffolk Hotel , Lowestoft . There was a large gathering of Brethren . During the evening Bro . Hunt , who was recently married , was presented with a handsome solid silver salver , which was thus inscribed : —

" Presented to W . BBO . A . H . HDNT , by the Past Masters , Officers , and Brethren of Lodge Unity , 71 , on the occasion of his marriage , October 1 st , 1898 . "

LODGE OF HOPE , No . 433 . BY dispensation from tho Prov . G . M . tho Earl of Warwick thc installation meeting of this Lodge was'held in the Foresters' Hall , Brightlingsea , Essex , on Monday , 24 th ult ., and was very largely attended . In the unavoidable absence of Bro . Claude E . Egerton-Green P . M . 51 P . P . S . G . W . the ceremony of installing Bro . Wm . Eieldgate as W . M . was performed by the Provincial Grand Secretary Bro . T . J . Railing .

As representative on tlie Charity Committee of the Province , Bro . R . D . Poppleton P . M . P . P . G . D . was unanimously re-elected , with thanks for his past services . The W . M . then presented to the retiring W . M . Bro . James Chaplin a handsome Past Master ' s Jewel , which had been subscribed for by the members , at the same time wishing him long life to wear it .

Bro . J . Chaplin acknowledged tbe gift , expressing great pride and pleasure in having received so unexpected and handsome a testimony of the esteem of the members . A hearty vote of thanks was passed to Bro . Railing for his kindness in performing the installation ceremony , and on the motion of the Secretary , seconded by the W . M ., he was unanimously elected an Hon . Member of the Lodge , a compliment which Bro . Railing duly acknowledged .

Between fifty and sixty Brethren afterwards dined together at the Duke of Wellington Inn , a capital dinner being well served by Bro . Pitt , the hist . The usual Masonic toasts were honoured , and several Brethren contributed to the harmony of the proceedings by some excellent songs .

LODGE OF FAITH , No . 581 . WHAT wo may presumably call thc last mooting of this Lodgo to bo hold in Openshaw took placo at tho Gransmoor Hotel , on Wednesday , 19 th ult ., Bro . Robert Aldshead W . M .

There was a very good attendance , both of members and visitors , one of the latter ( Bro . W . M . B . Boyd J . D . 1166 ) delivering a lecture ou the " Origin of the Legend " in the third degree , which was listened to with great interest by an appreciative audience . For tbe benefit of our readers we may publish a synopsis of the same at an early date .

ST . CUTHBERT LODGE , No . 630 . THE annual meeting was held at Howden , on tho 27 th ult ., when Bro . W . H . Rylatt was installed . After the Lodge a banquet was held , which was numerously attended .