Masonic Gathering At Brigg.

all do differently . This Avorld of ours Avould bo almost transformed ; and if they all . carried ont the grand principles of Freemasonry thoy Avould want no other , and no better , religion ( applause ) . If , as they invested themselves , and studied tho beautiful ritual of the Craft , their better nature assorted itself , and they resolved to observe and carry ont those principles , thoy would achieve a glorious Avork . If

thoy could , all of them , through tho length and bread of tho land , cany ont the tenets of tho profession of Masonry , then tho Craft would riso hig her and higher in usefulness and popular esteem . Some time ago ho read of a man who had fallen to tho lowest depths of poverty and degradation . That man Avas a Mason , but had never entered his Lodgo for years . One day , turning over some old things ,

ho came across a package Avhich contained his Masonic apron , and tho sight of it so filled his mind with past recollections , what he had heard and learnt in tho ancient charges , and when ho had acquiesced in tho tenets and principles inculcated in his Lodge , that he was filled with remorse . Tho grave question came to him , " How havo I fulfilled the pledges I then made ? and how havo I striven to emulato

the ennobling principles of Freemasonry ? " Ho put asido his apron , and resolved to lead a UOAV life ( applause ) . So , whenever thoy invested themselves with tho emblems of their profession , let them observe in their hearts Avhat thoy signified ; and theu might they truly follow out the principles so nobly dictated to them by the Craft ( cheers ) .

Brother W . Pigott next proposod " Tho Installing Masters , " in doing Avhich he observed that the brethren of tho Ancholme Lodge were deeply indebted to tho brethren from a distance , who camo annually to assist them in the ceremony of installation . Brother Copeland had installed most of tho Masters of this Lodge , and with his name he wonld couplo tho toast Avhich had been entrusted to him . Every ono present

most have enjoyed the efficient way in Avhich Bro . Copeland had conducted tho ceremony ; and this day he had been ably assisted by their own immediate Past Master . He lived in hopo that in years to come they might have other Past Masters able to assist in that interesting ceremonial ; but that as long as he was able to come amongst them , he

trusted , for the sake of " Auld Lang Syne , " that Bro . Copeland would strain a nerve to be present amongst them on all such occasions . ( Applause . ) He had many matters concerning the Craft upon Avhich he desired to speak ; but , as the visitors Avould have to leave by an early train , he Avould content himself Avith simply proposing the toast he had named . ( Cheers . )

Bro . W . W . Copeland , remarking that " time , tide , and trains wait for no man , " said he would bo brief in responding to tho last toast , which had been so cordially received . He Avas extremely obliged to his esteemed friend on tho left for so kindly coupling his name with the toast , and for tho complimentary observations that had fallen from his lips . He had pleasure in assisting at the consecration of

the Ancholme Lodge , when it Avas formed , some years ago ; and today's ceremony made the fifth of its kind in Avhich ho had taken a part . To-day it afforded him much gratification to have been so ably assisted by their own Immediate Past Master , aud echoed tho sentiments of Bro . Pigott , who desired to see the past officers taking a more active part in such ceremonies . However , he had pnt off au

important engagement in order to bo present to-day ; for he hold it to be a duty to assist , if he could , any Lodgo which might be desirous of such help . He hoped he should live to assist at many more such ceremonies in the Ancholme Lodge , and to do Avhat little he Avas ablo in furtherance of Freemasonry in Brigg . ( Applause . ) There wero many old and pleasant associations surrounding this town , and it afforded

him peculiar pleasure at all times to come aud try to be of service to tho brethren here . He Avished especially success and happiness to the newly-elected officers , and trusted that tho W . M . might not be in fear of any such troubles coming upon him as Bro . Fryer had in his year of office . ( Laughter , and hear , hear . ) Ho hoped all would go amicably and smoothly Avith tho Lodge , and that it would continue to

prosper and become more extensively useful in the district . If anything pleased him to-day it Avas the tribute of respect and esteem Avhich the brethren had presented to their Avorthy Immediate Past Master . He felt that the subject of that testimonial was tho right man in the right place ; and he was glad they had recognised the fact

by the beautiful present , which must have been to Bro . Fryer a source of immense pride and gratification . Ho trusted the newly-installed Master had a very pleasant year before him , and that , under his judicious and Avise ruling , it Avould continue to be in tho ascendant . ( Applause . )

Bro . Thomas Marns , m giving the "healths of tho Visiting Brethren , " said it Avas always a pleasure to see brethren from other Lodges visiting the Ancholme ; and thoy valued greatly the interchange of good feeling which was thus engendered . Their motto Avas brotherly love and charity , and they should do their utmost to cultivate that intimate acquaintance and friendship Avhich tended to

promote tho principles of Masonry . Thus they would form a column of mutual support and strength , and would do much to further tho interest and welfare of the Craft , tie trusted the new year had dawned upon this Lodge Avith increased happiuess and prosperity , and that they might experience uo serious drawbacks . He thought Bro . Fryer might look back upon his year of office with satisfaction , knowing that all the troubles Avhich at ono time seemed hanging over the Lodge had

boon dissipated like clouds before the wind . He had worked the Lodge with credit to himself , and satisfaction to the Avholo of the brethren , aud ho had also rendered very valuable assistance to the sister Lodges in tho proviuce . He had been the mainstay of the Ancholme Lodge , and uo doubt he Avould Avell support the new W . M . AA'ho had been installed this day . Bro . Marshall , P . M . of the Pelham Pillar Lodge , responded on behalf of the visitors .

Bro . T . Fryer then proposed "The Worshipful Master of the Ancholme Lodge , " a toast Avhich ho felt sure they would all receive with acclamation . Bro . Hodgson had been hi 3 S . W ., and during his year of office had always shown himself to be a most efficient officer . Ho was convinced that iu him tho Aucholme Lodge would have n W . M . who we'dd do iiis ' . k'c to it , 'or Uo hi'd . j-dgnKa ' .. {•; r \ h : i-i : i : > . . ,. u . | , ¦! : ;!;! ; . . .:

Masonic Gathering At Brigg.

execute his duties . ( Applause . ) Ho exhorted the brethren to bo punctual and regular in their attendance at tho Lodge meetings ; and to mako such study as Avould euablo tho Master to look with confideneo to each and all of them in case their assistanco might be required . Their W . M . Avas so efficient that there need be uo fear for the popularity and progress of tho Lodgo during tho ensuing year :

and ho trusted he might bo supported by every officer and brother in tho Lodgo . ( Cheers . ) The Worshipful Master , who Avas most cordially Avclcomed , said ho felt excodingly tho high honour they had conferred upon him thi 3 day ; and ho did not believo any man could bo mado Master of a Lodgo without feeling what an important—and he might say

solemnplace he had to fill . He need hardly say that ho had always looked upon Freemasonry , not merely as a a vehiclo for convoying charities to other people , but also as an instrument for improving themselves . ( Hear , hear . ) As a minister of religion himself , ho regarded Masonry as second only to religion itself in conveying truth toothers . He must confess that , although in his younger days ho never aspired

to any office liko this , yet ho had great pleasure now m accepting it . Still ho considered it was far better for ono Avho aspired to tho Master ' s chair to work up through every office ; and ho could have wished that he had had another year of study beforo he accepted that responsible position . HoAvover , ho Avould do his best , Avith tho aid of his Past Masters , to see that all the ceremonios wero carried out as they should bo ; and he trusted thoy might havo a satisfactory and

successful year . Once more ho returned them his grateful thanks for having raised him to . tho honourable position ho now hold . ( Cheers . ) Several other toasts wore honoured , including " The officers of the Aucholmo Lodge , " " Tho Masonic Charities , " the " Ladies , " & c , and with some excellent singing tho evening was spent pleasantly , Bro . Jonathan Spring rendering valuable assistance as accompanyist , on . tho pianoforte .

Testimonial To Bro. Seaton, M.D., P.M. 857.

TESTIMONIAL TO BRO . SEATON , M . D ., P . M . 857 .

A NUMBER , of tho brethren gathered at the hospitablo rcsidenco of Bro . J . Soaton , M . D ., P . M . 857 , at Haliford , on Tuesday , 4 th of January , fcho occasion being tho birthday of their kind entertainer , and advantage was taken of the event to present him with a handsome portrait that had been subscribed for by them . Flys had been placed at their disposal at Sunbnry Station , and thoy wero

conveyed to Haliford House , where a most excellent dinner was provided , and a kindly welcome . After the cloth had been removed , the picture was presented by Bro . AVynn Williams , M . D ., 857 , who , in a few well-chosen words , expressed the pleasure tho brethren felt in wishing their esteemed host happy returns , and presenting him Avi'h

the testimonial portrait , a mark of their appreciation of his conduct as a Mason . Bro . Seaton replied in feeling terms . Tho health of the artist , Bro . Frances Pile , was duly given aud responded to . Tho

portrait ( in oil ) was much admired , and reflects great credit on the artist . Tho necessity of being in time for tho return train shortoned au evening ' s enjoyment , but tho brethren will long remember tho pleasant hours spent on tho 4 th of Januarv , at Haliford House .

TEACHING A CHILD IIOAV TO SWIM . —Bro . Captain Webb Avritcs in Cassell ' s Family Magazine , for January : —It is the duty of every parent to insist on his sons learniug to swim . NOAV , to teach a very young child to swim , the bust place of all is a large puddle iu tho sauds at low tido . Tho child , like a puppy , will begin by paddling . If you throw a cork into the water , you will see tho puppy run in up

to Ins depth , and give a short bark ; and tho chances are , especially if thcro is a grown-up dog ihat can swim to set him an example , that iu a day or two ho will take his pluugo of his own accord , and very proud he Avill be of his first success ; only here , again , don't overdo it ; as soon as the puppy has been iu , walk away and call bim , and he will bo the more anxious to go into tlio water another time . The principle » somewhat similar to Sam Wellor's letter : " She'll

vish there wos more , and there ' s the great art o' letter-writin ' . " Now , pity your child liko your puppy ; entice him in , and if you can get some older child who can swim to go iu Avith him , all the better , but let the child do just as he likes . Perhaps the first day he will bo afraid to go into the water deoper than his knees . Hero again a little artifice may bo employed . Get two children to play at splashing one another—they will enjoy the fun , and , gradually getting excited , Avill very likely vei ^ nro in deeper and deeper .

COURTESY TO STRANGERS . —The manner of receiving visitors in tho Lodge , Chapter and Commundory va ; L . > . not only according to lines of latitude and longitude , bnt according to the individual ideas of those who for the time may havo the direction of affairs iu these bodies . We have visited Lodges far distant from home , whero although unknown and lacking a personal introduction to the brethren , wo havo

been given so Avarm and cordial a greeting that AVO almost forgot we wore strangers iu a strango land . In a few cases AVC have been hold at . arms length , as it were , and havo been made to feel almost as though we wero intruding upon our brethren in asking admi . sion to their assemblies . Doubtless there aro some impostors , some heedless and designing members of tho Order , whom to bar ont faro

Masonic intercourse aud sympathy would bo no groat wrong . But because of these characters , Avith which all Lodges have . to deal , -ind tlio remembrance of whoso visit 3 is never altogether pl-asaut , it should not be forgotten that one of our grand watch words is " Fraternity , " and that courtesy and hospitality to strangers aro especially called for both by the letter and tho spirit of Masonry . " Be not forgot " , fill to entertain strangers : fur thcvliv ¦ nm \<; - . have enWVUUUCd an- "¦ ¦ :-. :