Church Service.

apocalypse of futurity . In what burning words did he remind them in the text that God was the source of all light to the soul , and that divine light alone could dispel the darkness of men , and that the earnest seeker after light should assuredly find it . He ¦ would direct their atteution to the nature and scriptural meaning

of li ° ht , and to the importance of making the search after light the great object of their existence . Let them in the first place think of the creation of light as the first recorded work of the Great Architect of the Universe . " Fiat Lux , " " Let there be light . " This is the very first divine utterance recorded in the sacred

volume , the event from which they dated their Masonic epoch , not " Anno Mundi , " the year of the world , but " Anno Lucis , " the year of light . The Eev . gentleman referred to the wonderful properties of light , and said it was so important to health and vitality that both animal and vegetable life pine and suffer from

its being withheld . Having dealt at length on the spiritual meaning of the word light as the symbol of the Diety , and also of the Bedeemer of the world , the preacher said that it should be

their effort and their study throughout their whole lives to reflect the lustre of that glorious Being by Whom they had been enlightened , in acts of humility , piety , benevolence and sympathy . «< Berkshire Chronicle . "

An exciting scene occurred in New York at the funeral of the late Gustav Brdelyi , who was at the time of his death the editor of a Hungarian paper called the " American Guard . " The deceased was a Soman Catholic , and also a Freemason , and in consequence of this latter fact three priests who were asked

to officiate at the funeral refused to do so . Madame Erdelyi therefore called on a clergyman of the Episcopalian Church , who consented to conduct a service at her house . In the middle of the service one of the priests entered the room and , going up to the coffin , denounced the conduct of the late editor , concluding

his remarks with the words , " You have died , but the world does not lose much by you . " On hearing these words Madame Erdelyi sprang forward , and seizing the priest succeeded in pushing him out of the room and out of the house . Then she returned , and going to the coffin , which had not yet been screwed

down , took the crucifix which lay in the hand of the corpse , and throwing it on the floor stamped upon it . Both Madame Erdelyi and her friends who were present when the unfortunate incident occurred said later in the day that they intend to leave the Soman Catholic Church and join the Episcopalian . —" Dalziel . "

I have repeatedly advocated the necessity of Lodges of Instruction with the object of securing rhythm in Lodge work , and with increasing experience the necessity of such institutions , in however humble a way , becomes more apparent . However well grounded in the " work , " without opportunity of becoming

familiar with the modus by rehearsal , such as is got in a Lodge of Instruction , the lessons lose much of their consistency and much of their interest to the candidate . The Order , too , loses much of its importance in the eyes of the applicant for Masonic privileges . In no two Lodges does one find the same procedure ,

and the more Lodges a newly-elected officer has visited before his appointment , the more confusion is created in his mind as to the proper line to follow . The result is necessarily unsatisfactory . The remedy naturally rests with the E . W . Masters , who should take an early opportunity , after the election , of meeting their fellow Officers to see that all understand their duties . —" The Mallet . "

In Spanish Lodges the Worshipful Masters are appointed by Grand Lodge on the recommendation of the members of each Lodge , and they usually hold office for an indefinite time , whilst

the remaining officers are elected annually , but in some Lodgesnotably in Bilbao—the W . M . also is annually recommended and appointed , thus giving more zest to the work , from the infusion of new blood .

During the Medical Congress which was held recently in Borne , the Lodges there had special meetings to receive the delegates who were members of the Craft . Every possible

attention was shown to the visitors , and their stay was made exceedingly pleasant by the hospitality shown to them by their Roman Brethren .

In view of the present unsettled state of society throughout Europe , the M . W . Grand Master of Italy has issued a circular to all the Lodges under his jurisdiction , pointing out to the Brethren tae position which he expects them to take up to assist in ¦ maintaining law and order . — " Canadian Craftsman . "

Hull Masonic Club.

HULL MASONIC CLUB .

A VERY successful smoking concert , for which Bro . J . Y . Torr P . M . was the entrepreneur , was hold at the Hull Masonic Club , on Saturday , 2 Gth ult . A numerous company of Brethren supported Bro . J . G . Wallis P . M ., the chairman of committee , who presided , and who , during the evening made a presentation on behalf of the Masonic Brethron associated with the club to Bro . Frederick Blackburn P . M ., on his retirement from the chairmanship of the club—a position which he has filled with signal success since the inauguration of the club , five years ago .

In making the presentation , which consisted of a handsome marble clock , Bro . Wallis paid a high tribute of rogard to Bro . Blackburn , who , ha said , was not only respected by the members of the Craft , but by the members of his profession and the Rifle Volunteers , of which he was an esteemed member . He regretted that illness has caused Bro . Blackburn to retire from

active management of the club , of which he was one of the founders , and whose success was in a large manner due to his untiring labours . Brother Wallis concluded by wishing him restored health and a long life of happiness . Colonel Wellstead and Bro . Peck also spoke in eulogistic terms of Bro . Blackburn's personal worth and business ability .

Bro . Blackburn , whose health was drunk with the singing of " For he ' s a jolly good fellow , " in reply , said that his reasons for resigning the chairmanship of the club must be his reason for asking them to accept very brief thanks indeed . He had resigned the position with feelings of very great regret , inasmuch as he was the first chairman of the company—a position whioh he

still held , and which he hoped he would continue to do . He thanked them most sincerely for the presentation and their kind expressions of regard . His son had received his baptism in the Craft , and he trusted that when that clock should be inherited by him he should be stimulated to follow the example of his father , and merit the respect , not only of his fellowmen , but tho Brethren of the Masonic body . — " Eastern Morning News . "

Plymouth Masonic Hall.

PLYMOUTH MASONIC HALL .

r I lHE seventh annual meeting of the shareholders in the Devon and JL Cornwall Freemasons' Hall and Club Company was held on the 31 st ult ., at tho Club , in Princess Square , Plymouth . Bro . J . R . Lord , Chairman of Directors , presided , and there was a good attendance . The Directors in their report congratulated the shareholders on the faot that the accounts showed a continued increase in the business of the Club . The number of members had slightly decreased , but this they attributed to

the action taken by the Inland Revenue in insisting that all members must be shareholders . They confidently hoped , however , that this temporary difficulty would ultimately result in permanent benefit to the club , by giving every individual member a voice in the management , and they were glad to see that there had been a . ready response by the members in taking up

shares . The usual dividend of three per cent , on the preference shares had been paid , and the directors recommended that a dividend of four per cent , be paid on the ordinary shares , a substantial balance being carried forward to the credit of the next account . The directors added that the perfect catering of the club steward and stewardess ( Brother and Mrs . Harvey ) continued to give every satisfaction .

Australian Irrigation Colonies.

AUSTRALIAN IRRIGATION COLONIES .

A LARGE audience assembled in the sale room of Bro . Hudson , at the Railway Gates , Queens Road , Brighton , on the 24 th ult ., to hear a lecture by Bro . James Stevens , on the subject of " Fruit growing in Australia . " Bro . C . W . Hudson occupied the chair , and briefly introduced Bro . Stevens , who was cordially received , and interested his audience in the subject with which he has now so long been associated as representative of

the Irrigation Colonies Company . At the conclusion of the lecture the chairman proposed a vote of thanks to Bro . Stevens , and said he had himself spent a very enjoyable evening and gained a considerable amount of instruction . The vote of thanks was carried with acclamation and suitably acknowledged by Bro . Stevens .

It is not often we find Masonic matters in the law courts , but an action to recover damages for libel , which was contained in a letter sent to the Secretary of a Lodge , was recently decided in the Court of Queen ' s Bench , whon , after a trial lasting tho whole of a day , the jury returned a verdict for the plaintiff , and assessed the damages at twenty shillings . Judgment was therefore entered for the plaintiff , with coats .

The Royal National Life-Boat Institution has now 306 Life-Boats under its charge , and last year it granted rewards for saving 778 lives from shipwrecks on our coast . At the present time pecuniary aid is especially needed to assist the Committee in maintaining its great Life-saving fleet in a state of thorough efficiency , which can only be effected by a large and permanent annual income .

Sincerity Chapter, No. 189.

SINCERITY CHAPTER , No . 189 .

THE regular quarterly meeting was held at the Town Hall , Stonehouse , on tho 28 th ult ., Comp . C . F . Dunsterville acting as Z . Comp . R . H . Rae was elected H . in the place of Comp . Wood , who was duly elected in October last , but who ,- on account of his sudden removal to Aldershot , was unable to carry out the duties of the Office . The ceremony of installation was then proceeded with .

During the evening Bro . Seargant , of Lodge Sincerity , was duly exalted to the Sublime Degree . At the close of the Chapter tho Companions adjourned to the refectory for refreshments .

EBORACUM CHAPTER , No . 1611 . THE installation meeting was held on Tuesday , 5 th inst ., at York . Comp T . B . Whytehead P . Z . was the installing Officer , and the new principals installed were Comps . H . Longford ( Thirsk ) Z ., G . Lamb ( York ) H ., and W . Storey ( York ) J .