Why Freemasonry Exists.

acknowledge and lament , as tho churches do , that its power for good is not equal to its will and desire ; that it cannot make every one better aud wiser who knocks at itsdoors ; that it cannot always prevent disputes and heal animosities and mako whole again the broken bonds o !

In- Uierly love , or keep every member from bringing reproach upon it by falling into evil courses . But it rarely happens that it excrls no good influence at all upon its members ; and it has never , by its influence or precepts , made a srood man bad , or a bad man worse . It has never

made a man rapacious or cruel , a tyrant or persecutor , a libertine or extortioner , corrupt or dishonest , or false or treacherous . No man has ever beon taught that he could servo Freemasonry by revenge or retaliation , or by any invasion of the rights of other men .

Whatever its shortcomings and deficiencies , it has never anywhere been ashamed of its mission or afraid to avow and vindicate its principles and purposes . Nowhere has it betrayed the truth committed to its keeping , or been false to any trust confided to its hands . Everywhere it has

maintained the chief landmarks planted by tho fathers . Everywhere it has been outspoken on the sido of political emancipation and religious liberty ; everywhere and always tho apostle of free thought and free speech . Everywhere it has encouraged men to assert tho high prerogatives of

their manhood , always to look upward to the sublime heights of human endeavour and attainment , and aspire to tho achievement of better and higher things . It has never exacted of any man , as the price of its aid

or protection , or of investiture with its degrees , the putting of his conscience into its keeping , the abnegation of any conviction , the surrender of any principle , the cession of any right , a blind obedience , or aught else that could lessen his title to his own self-respect .

If it baa ever seemed to be more proud than was becoming or dignified , of being protected and patronised by monarchs and noblemen , and of counting among its members the chief magistrates and senators of republics , it has yet not truckled to power , or feared to speak its

mind openly in the hearing or kings , or by an unworthy subserviency bought immunity and ignobility , but Jus always kept unimpared its estate of independence of thought , and freedom * of action , and plain openness of speech .

It has not sought to imitate in their ambition , luxury and pomp , the great military and priestly Orders of tbe Middle Age . It has not prospered by despoiling and plundering , by contributions and exactions ; nor engaged in any immoral traffic to augment its revenues , but has

always been content with its own modest and decorous way of living at its own expense . It has never permitted wrong to be done , right to be outraged , conscience to be oppressed , cruelty to be perpetrated , by tyrants temporal

or spiritual , anywhere , without protesting against it , and if in its power , endeavouring to prevent it . It has never , by an easy recreancy purchased safety , when duty demanded exposure to clanger .

It has taken no pay for any service rendered to humanity . When it has embraced the cause of a people oppressed or of a race or sect persecuted , it has never done so with a view to its own aggrandizement . It has never claimed for itself , or endeavoured to secure or attempted to use

any powers whatever over men not of its own household . Nor has it ever bargained for civic offices or honours , titles or dignities for its initiates who have been the

benefactors of their country ; but it has always esteemed it their immortal honour and its greatest glory , when , in the cause of human liberty , they have died upon tbe field of battle or on tbe scaffold . ( To be continued . )

Bro . Henry S . Foster , F . B . G . S ., gave a conversazione at the Horns , Kennington , on Thursday , 30 th ult ., which was a great success and was largely attended by his constituents and friends .

The Metham Mark Lodge , No . 96 , has elected Brother W . H . Dillon W . M ., and re-elected Bro . W . J . Stanbury Treasurer , and Bro . J , Bashbrook Tyler .

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New Music.

NEW MUSIC .

All Music intended for review should be addressed to tho Editor of The Freemason ' s Chronicle , Bolvidoro Works , Hermes Hill , Pentonvillo , London , N . — : o : — " Bel Efprit . " Waltz . Composed by Leonard Gantier . " Sweet Faces . " Waltz . Composed by Theo . Bonheur .

" ITark , my Soul , it is tho Lord . " Song . Written by William Cowper , composed by Charles D'Aee . " Love . Dreams . " Song . Written and composed by R . Wallace Pringle . " Kissing goes by favour . " Song . Writton by Knight Summer ? , composed by Henry Pontet .

" Tho Angle of the Wave . " Song . Written by the Rev . Frederick Langbridge , M . A ., composed by Stanislans Elliot . " Weariness . " Seng . Poetry by Longfellow , composed by ITonry Pontet . " Unchanged . " Song . Written by Edward Oxenford , composed by John Pridhnm .

" Silver and Gold . Song . Written by " Nemo , composed by Honry Pontet . " Danco Album , No . 2 . " London : S . J . BREWER AND CO ., 23 Bishopsgate Street Within , E . C . Now that tbe dance season ia in full swing , masters of ceremonies

will do well not to overlook the two waltzes " Bel Esprit" and " Sweet Faces . " They are smooth and tuneful compositions , easy to dance to , with a nice swinging refrain . Both these pieces bnvo been well scored for a band . For more Feiious amusement , "Hark , my soul , it is the Lord " is a beautiful song , with appropriate music

composed by Charles D Ace . ' Love Dreams" is a song that will be popular in the drawing-room ; tho words and music are by R . Wallace Pringle , who has written a bright and melodious melody . Henry Pontet is responsible for the inusio to " Kissing goes by favour , " which is a capital little composition , written by Kuight

Summers . The music is melodiouB and spirited , and quite in tuno with tho verses . " The Angle of the Wave " is of tho nautical type , with words by the Rev . F . Langbridge , M . A ., and music by Stanislans Elliot . The theme is melodious , and shonld become popular . This song has been dedicated to the National Lifeboat Institution .

One of the best songs we have recently beard is "Unchanged " j the melody is so tuneful and bright that great praise is due to John Pridham , the composer ; we may confidently anticipate a success for this piece . " Nemo" and Henry Pontet are responsible for " Silver and Gold , " and they have managed to provide a song that is

so bright and tuneful that it cannot fail to be appreciated . The poetry of Longfellow has been utilised by Henry Pontet for his song " Weariuess , " and he has availed himself of the opportunity so well that the result is a great sucoess . The theme is very taking

and tuneful , and will , we feel sure , be heard frequently . Messrs . Brewer ' s Second Dance Album contains some capital pieces , including two waltzes , a quadrille , mazurka , gavotte , polka , and galop . AH the dances are spirited , and make up a very good selection .

The Theatres, &C.

THE THEATRES , & c .

Westminster Town . Hall . —A most successful entertainment , organized by Bro . Alfred Craven Greenwood , took place at the Westminster Town Hall , on Thursday afternoon , the 30 th nit ., under the patronage of the Duke and Duchess of Westminster , the Duke and Duchess of Wellington , the Earl and Countess of Derby , & c ., & c iu aid of the Endowment Fund of the Albert Institute Baths and

Washhouses , Christ Church , Southwark , before a large and fashion , able audience . The following well-known ladies and gentlemen kindlv gave their valuable services in support of the programme : Miss " Maud Millett , Miss Norreys , Miss Helen Vioary , Miss Vena Galbraith , Miss McGowan , Miss Constance Adair , Miss Kate Phillipg ( Mrs . H . B . Conway ) , & c . ; Messrs . Charles Allan , Ben Webster

W . Graham Robertson , Adrian Pollock , Charles Collettej Stago Manager , Mr . Henry Zimmerman ; Accompanist , Mr . Francois Cramer . Miss Mary Collette was unavoidably prevented from attending . We are pleased to add that after paying all expenses a sum of £ 55 will be handed over to the Treasurer of the Endowment Fund as the amount realised by the sale of tickets , programmes , & c .

Owing to the gratifying reception accorded to Mme . Carette ' a first work , "My Mistress , the Empress Eugunie , " whioh is now in its third edition , Messrs Dean and Son have purchased the English rights of the lady ' s second volume of " Intimate Recollections of tho Court of the Tuilleries . " The authorised translation will be published immediately , under the title of " The Eve of an Empire's Fall . "

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TMPORTANT NOTICE . —Confidential Advice free rer post to all 1 in weak and failing health , with loss of strength and vitality . Fifty years experience in Nervous Ailments . Address , The Secretary , 3 Pitzallnn Scam re ' Sheffield . Form of Correspondence Free . Write to-rnv .