Notices Of Meetings

Mc Donald P . G . 3 rd S . J ., J . M . Oliver P . G . St . B ., and J . B . Hardie P . G . Janitor . The Chapter having been opened by the Z ., Comp . DeNeef , with Comp . Wm . McAlister H ., A . Love J ., Wm . Gunn T ., J . Qnigley Scribe E ., and other Officers ; there being also present J . 0 . Scott Past Z . ' s . The P . G . Superintendent congratulated them on the state of the books , and the general work of tho Chapter ; they had

exalted seven Companions , not so many as in former years , bnt he looked to the quality of the members rather than to their numbers , and it was pleasant to find the Chapter working so harmoniously and well . Comp . De Neef thanked the P . G . S . and his Officers for their visit , and also for the kind words ho had spoken to them j they

wonld try in the next year , if possible , to do better than in the past . Comps . H . and J . Park J . S . proposed that those of the deputation not already members should be made honorary members . Comp . J . 0 . Park P . Z ., at the request of the Z ., then conferred that honour on Comps . S . McDonald P . Z . of 73 , and J . M . Oliver S . E . of 79 .

Scotia Lodge , No . 178 . —Celebrated their 86 th anniversary on Friday . Bro . Wm . Hart R . W . M . presiding , assisted by his principal officers . Amongst the visitors were the Masters of the following Lodges , accompanied by a deputation—D . Ronald 275 , J . Molnnis 408 , J . B . MoNaught 556 . Bro . Hart gave an interesting

aynopsia of tbe history of the Lodge , which ia now in a highly flourishing state . He feelingly alluded to the death of Bro . Joseph Singleton , their late P . M ., stating that the monument to his memory , subscribed for by the brethren , was now nearly completed . The Rev . J . C . Stewart Chaplain , also addressed the meeting at some length , with good effect .

Percy Lodge of Instruction , No . 198 . —Held at the Jolly Farmers , Sonthgate-road , Islington , on Saturday , 31 sfc March . Bro . Anshell W . M ., Halford S . W ., Brasted J . W ., Fenner S . D ., J . Lorkin J . D ., Baxter I . G . Tho Lodge was opened in the nsual manner , the minntes of previous meeting confirmed . The ceremony of initi - tion was rehearsed , Bro . Hewlett as candidate . The . W . M . vacated the chair , which was taken by Bro . Killick , and the ceremony

of raising rehearsed , Bro . Bedwell candidate . The W . M . resumed the chair , and closed down . Bro . J . Hill W . M . 228 was elected a member , and Bro . Halford chosen as W . M . for the ensuing week . The Fifteen Sections will be worked by Bro . Hewlett ' on the 28 th of April , further particulars of which will duly appear . A vote of thanks to the W . M . ( this being the first occasion on which he had presided ) brought the proceedings to a close .

Eosslyn Chapter , No . 199 . —At the regular meeting on 2 nd April , Comp . G . Thallon opened in the Mark degree , with Comps . Hogg as S . W ., and Wm . Dobbie aa J . W . Comp . Wheeler Z . 73 asked the Chapter to kindly exalt a Companion for them , as the gentleman was leaving for America before his Chapter would meet . This was readily granted , and Comp . Thallon , having illness at home , vacated

the chair , asking Comp . Wheeler to preside , which he did , and gave the Mark degree to Bro . Jas . Davison , of the Union Lodge 332 . He then opened a Lodge of Most Excellent Masters , and requested Comp . T . M . Campbell Z . of 69 to work that degree , which he did in his usual excellent style . The Chapter was then opened by G . W .

Wheeler as Z ., J . Hogg H ., and T . M . Campbell Z . 69 as J ., W . Dobbie P . Z . acting Scribe E ., R . Tranven 1 st S . of 67 1 st S ., J . Molnnis 1 st S . of 69 as 2 nd , and J . Brand 3 rd . After the close of the proceedings , Comp . Wheeler returned tho thanks of Chapter 73 to the Rosslyn for their kindness in allowing him to exalt his member in their Chapter .

Dalhousie Lodge of Instruction , No . 860 . —This Lodge held its weekly meeting on Tuesday , the 3 rd inst ., at Bro . Allen ' s , Royal Edward , Triangle , Hackney . Present—Bros . Wallington W . M ., Lovelock S . W ., Barker J . W ., E . T . Worsley Secretary and J . D ., Dallas S . D ., and Bonner I . G . Visitors—Bros . Saunders , Christian , Defriez , & c . The Lodge was opened . The minutes of the lsst

meeting confirmed . The ceremony of initiation was rehearsed , Bro Defriez acting as candidate . Bro . Worsley worked the first , second , and third sections of the lectnre , assisted by tho brethren . Bro Haines , of Euphrates Lodge 212 was unanimously elected a member . Several of tho regular attendants were absent , wo suppose in consequence of its being holiday time . Bro . Wallington will go through the installation ceremony on Tuesday next , previous to his installing

the W . M . in his mother Lodge on the 12 th instant . Wo hope there will be a good muster present , as his rendering is very perfect and pleasing . The Secretary stated that P . M . Bro . T . J . Barnes had kindly undertaken to work the Fifteen Sections on the 24 th instant ; ho will be assisted by P . M . Bro . Thomas Austin as S . W . and P . M . Bro . W . H . Wallington as J . W . A full list of the brethren who will work the sections will be given in this paper the week previous .

Erme Lodge , Ivybridge , No . 1091 . —This Lodge held its annual meeting at the Masonic Rooms , Erme House , on Wednesday , 28 th March , amongst those present being W . Bro . J . H . Toms W . M ., W . Boxall I . P . M ., Henry Colo P . M . and T ., S . Sandovor S . W ., T . Searle J . W ., J . P . Sawyer J . D ., Coleman , Grills , Scobell , Arthurs , Mackay , Lasens , and Ford . Visitors—W . Bros . E . A . Davies P . M .

1099 , P . P . G . S . Works , J . B . Gover P . M . 70 , P . P . G . A . D . C , R . Rodd P . M . 189 , P . P . G . R ., H . W . Thomas P . M . 70 , J . Y . Avery W . M . 156 ,

Jaa . Gidley P . M . 1205 , J . Hill 1205 . The minntes having been con . firmed , Bro . S . Sandover , Master Elect , was presented for installation . This ceremony was admirably conducted by W . Bro . H . W . Thomas , ably assisted by W . Bros . J . Y . Avery , Gidley , and Gover , The following officers were appointed : —Bros . James Toms I . P . M ., Thos . Searle S . W ., J . P . Sawyer J . W ., H . Cole P . M . Treas ., John P

Notices Of Meetings

Sawyer Sec , W . H . Mackay S . D ., R . Lavers J . D ., T . Barons D . C , M . Bager A . D . C , W . Arthurs 0 ., G . Grills I . G ., W . Trenernan S . S ., R . King jno . J . S ., Thos . Ford Tyler , H . Cole Representative Com , Petitions . Some routine business haviner been transacted , the brethren adjourned to Bro . Tom's , King's Arms Hotel . After the banquet ( which was an excellent one ) , the nsual Loyal and Masonio toasts

were given from tho chair , and heartily responded to . Bro . Toms I . P . M . proposed the health of tho W . M . He said he possessed the entire confidence of the Lodge , was worthy of his position , and predicted for him a very successful year of office . Bro . Sandover , in reply , said he should constantly endeavour to merit their good opinion by doing his duty faithfully and to the best of his ability . He

thanked them most cordially for the way in which they had alwaye received him , and more especially for the prond position he now occupied . Bro . J . Y . Avery proposed the healths of the I . P . Master , Treasurer , and late Secretary . The Lodge was much indebted to these officers for their energy and perseverance when it was not so prosperous , and they were respected and esteemed for their valued

services . Bros . Toms , H . Cole , and Boxall replied in suitable terms . The W . M ., in proposing the healths of the Senior and Junior Wardens , expressed his conviction that from their known ability , and love of Masonry , he should receive valuable aid from them during the year . Bros . Searle and Sawyer thanked the W . M . for their positions , and the brethren for their kind reception , as did also the Assistant

Officers , whose healths were proposed by Bro . Gover . Bro . Cole proposed the Visitors , saying how glad they were to receive them at all times , and thanking them for their assistance . Bros . H . W . Thomas , R . R . Rodd , and E . A . Davies eloquently replied . Bro . Gover , in a speech full of humour , introduced the important toast of the Ladies

making especial referenee to the kind attention and thoughtful catering of the hostess , Mrs . Toms , to whom they had been indebted on many occasions for their comfortable and enjoyable social comforts . Bros . Toms and Sawyer having responded , the Tyler ' s Toast was given , and brought a profitable and pleasurable day to a happy conclusion .

Supports Of Masonry.

SUPPORTS OF MASONRY .

AN ORATION DELIVERED BY DR . SHAFFER , OF KEOKUK , IOWA .

WISDOM , strength and beauty are the supports of the Masonio institutions . Wisdom may design , strength may establish ; there remains beauty to adora . Wisdom may suggest never so wisely ; strength may support never so firmly , but without beauty to attract , both are voiceless and silent . The pillars of the inner porch of the Temple , constructed with skill , designed after the sriotest principles of geometry or architecture , strong in their might to

sustain the vast weight resting upon them , would—and rightly , tophave been lost to tradition if wisdom and strength were their only attributes . The soul of the thoughtful Mason warms as he contemplates the chapiters crowned with lily-work , net-work and pomegranates . These strike a chord responsive in his heart of hearts . These , wrought by the

graving-tool of the cunning artisan , carry him beyond the master whose wisdom contrived , and link him with the humble fellowcraft whose name is long ago lost . In fancy he revives the memory of the faithful workman , who , from the rough ashlar , surmounted the columns of strength and establishment , and with his chisel and mallet wrought images of beauty that speak lessons of joy and

gladness to the succeeding ages . There is within us a certain awe of the wisdom of our ancient Grand Masters . There is a certain admiration for the genius of those who set up tho tabernacle , and placed the Ark of the Covenant in the Holy Seat , for those who built and afterwards rebuilt the Temple . Both Ark and Temple live in the dim shadows of history .

Bnt the blue , the purple , the scarlet , the fine twined linen—the tessellated floor—tho costly , because beautiful ornaments of Temple and tabernacle are a gracious remembrance—a sweet-smelling incense which time only deepens and intensifies . It is well that it is so . Our lives are far too short to be wasted on wisdom and strength alone . Neither of these elements , nor both of

them , can do that for human character which the Supreme Grand Master has designed . Fill the mind with all science , if that be possible , at least let a perfect knowledge of some one division of some one of tho sciences bo achieved . Let there be strength , force , material , moral , mental and spiritual , and the outgrowth is but a miserable abortion of character , apart from a just appreciation of

beauty . That element of attraction towards symmetry , form , colour , harmony and taste , is what makes human character perfect . The chemist who does nofc revel with delight in the shapes , lights , shadows , proportions and oven the seeming irregularities of the products of his magic art is not half a man , though he have boundless knowledge of the material substance in the universe . Tho mechanic

who fails to seo and to cultivate tho beautiful in the work of his hand , is bnt a machine having strength and endowed with wisdom . The farmer who looks out upon his fields , green , or golden , or tinged with many coloured hues , as the representative of so many dollars and cents only , is not far removed from the cattle that feed at his crib , in every element of perfected character . The mason who works in

the quarries and has wisdom and strength to earn his bread , unless he may read " Sermons in Stones , " unless he may see the beauty of harmony that lies lurking everywhere about him , is but little more conscious of tho bright , though buried glories of his own existence , than is the fossil which is exposed by bis drill . The good

and zealous craftman as he performs his labour in the broad field of speculative Masonry may have all ritualistic knowledge ; but it is " sounding brass and a tinkling oymbal" if he has failed to drink in and appropriate the enrapturing beauty that everywhere reveals itself to the eye whioh is open and ready to see .