Installation Meetings, &C.

following : —Bros . T . Skewes-Cox G . S ., E . D . Kennedy P . Pr . G . D . C . Middlesex , J . W . Marjason 975 , J . MoL' -an P . M . 177 , F . A . Crew 1363 J . M . Lucas 780 , J . W . Sperring 780 , W . Clifford 975 . W . E . Soantlebury 975 , F . C . Mouflet W . M . 1305 , and J . Monro 820 . In each case the result was in favour of the candidate , and thus a goodly muster of worthy Masons has been added to the roll of

members of the Lodge . In addition there were no less than ten candidates who expressed their desire to join the Order . The ballot was taken for there , and with a like successful result . In due course , four of these gentlemen presented themselves to receive the benefits of Masonio Light , namely , Messrs . Aldin , Co veil , Rowland , and Aldridge . In each case the ceremony—in order that it might not

lack impressiveness—was performed separately ; Bro . Blasby exercising his prerogative in favour of the three candidates first named , while Bro . Digby , the S . W ., took the chair and initiated his friend Mr . James Aldridge . We need soaroely add the work was correotly and impressively oarried out . The bye-laws of the Lodge as recommended bv the Committee were approved , aud after routine work ,

hearty good wishes were tendered , and Lodge was olosed . A capital banquet was supplied by Bro . Munro , and after the removal of the oloth the W . M . gave the customary loyal toasts , which were supplemented by the singing of the National Anthem and God Bless the Prince of Wales . In speaking of the toast of the Grand Officers Present and Past , Bro . Blasby referred to the unavoidable absence of

Bro . Joshua Nunn , who had taken so lively an interest in the establishment of the Lodge . On the occasion of the Consecration of the Lodge they were honoured with the presence of a very large number of the representative men of the Craft , and though it could soarcely be expected they would be so fortunately circumstanced at many of their meetings , still he ( the W . M . ) felt he expressed the sentiments

of the members when he stated they hoped those who attended on that ocoasion would repeat their visit . Bro . Blasby then made graceful allusion to the many sterling qualities of the late Duke of Albany , a Past Grand Grand Officer , and one who always evinced a deep interest in all the doings of Masonry . The several Lodges were draped , and the brethren wore the insignia that denoted their

grief , and testified their respect for the late Prince . He would ask the brethren to recognise the toast on this occasion in a snitable manner , but in a suppressed form . After due honours had been done , Bro . Morgan delivered Tennyson ' s " In Memoriam " lines , the effect of whioh was rendered more deeply impressive by Bros . Egbert Roberts and Collings , who played the " Dead March " on the

organ and pianoforte . In replying to the toast of his health , Brother Blasby expressed his gratification at the success that had attended the formation of the new Lodge , and assured the brethren he appreciated the honours they had conferred on him in appointing him its first Master . The Initiates were next toasted , and eaoh in turn acknowledged the

compliment . The Joining Members also received a hearty greeting from the Lodge , and those who were present responded in suitable terms . The proceedings throughout were of a most agreeable charaoter , and some capital singing emanated from Bros . Egbert Roberts , John Probert , Julian Crosev , A . Kent , & c . Bro . J . A . Collings accompanied

throughout the evening , and the meeting altogether was a most agreeable one , the claims of the Charities of the Order being fully recognised , and substantial amounts contributed to the list of the W . M ., who has undertaken the duty of Steward at the approoching Festival of the Girls' School .

Tredegar Lodge of Instruction , No . 1625 . —A meeting was held on Monday , 5 th inst ., at the Royal Hotel , Mile End Road . Present—Bros . Clements W . M ., Sinclair S . W ., Oxley J . W ., B . Stewart Seoretary , Hammond J . D ., Stewart D . C . ; also Bro . Wakeham 1278 . After preliminaries , the ceremony of initiation was rehearsed , Bro Wakeham acting as candidate . Bro . Wakeham answered th 9

questions leading from the first to the second degree . Bro . Sinclair was unanimously elected W . M . for the next Lodge meeting . Bro . Stewart proposed , and Bro . Oxley seconded , that a vote of thanks be recorded on the minntes to Bro . Clements for the able manner in which he had worked tbe ceremony in tbis Lodge . This was carried unanimously .

Kmgsland Lodge of Instruction , No . 1693 . —A meeting was held on Monday , 5 th inst ., at Bro . Baker ' s , Cock Tavern , Highbury , N . Bros . Dixie W . M ., Weeden S . W ., Jones J . W ., Forge Treasurer , Collingridge Secretary , Cosgrove S . D ., Turner J . D ., Isaacs acting Preceptor , Ware I . G . ; P . M . ' s Mullord , Cusworth , Western , and other brethren . Lodge was opened in due form and

the minutes were read . The ceremony of installation was rehearsed by Bro . Trewinnard , Bro . Dixie candidate . The W . M . was saluted in the three degrees , and he invested the Officers , and the Installing Master gave the various addresses in a most efficient manner . The W . M . ( Bro . Dixie ) then rehearsed tbe ceremony of passing . Lodgo was closed in dne form , and adjourned till Monday , 12 th inst ., when Bro . Weeden will occupy the chair .

HIGHBURY QUADRANT HALL . IjN Friday evening , the 2 nd inst ., a most successful concert was > ; given at the above hall by the students of the Highbury and Islington Organ School and College of Music . Miss Berrio Stephens , ine Princi pal of this establishment , is certainly a most persevering

young artist . She has much to congratulate herself upon in the fact that several of her pupils sang with a taste and finish that would have none credit to any vocal academy in EDgland . We tender our most Hearty congratulations to Miss Stephens on the result , and fully recognise the care and attention she must have bestowed in the prouuction of such an array of talent as was placed before her audience ^ upwards of 1000 persons ) on tbis occasion . To see Dr . Stainer ' s sacred Cantata , " The Daughter of Jairus , " as announced to be per-

Installation Meetings, &C.

formed , and the name of so young a lady as Miss Stephens down as the wielder of the baton for the occasion was to us a novelty whioh excited our curiosity . We have come to the decision , however , that in these days of progress the ladies aro certainly capable of even more than hitherto we had given them credit for .

At the North London Chapter of Improvement , on Thursday , 8 th May , at 8 o'clock , Comp . Gregory was the M . E . Z ., Carter H ., Brasted J ., George S . N ., and Shaw P . S . This Chapter of Improvement hold its meetings all throngh the summer season .

Charity.

CHARITY .

" The greatest of these is charity . " THERE is no word in the English language which contains suoh a depth and height of meaning as the word Charity . In its more oommon signification it is used to designate that disposition of mind whioh invites to almsgiving , and he is esteemed a charitable man who " bestows his goods to feed the poor . " But the word is used in a

more comprehensive and exalted sense in the great Light of Masonry . There we read of giving all one ' s goods to feed the poor without having charity . He would be thought a very oharitable man who should bestow all his goods upon the poor , and as a rule such an one would be possessed with this noble principle to a wonderful oxtent . Bnt a man might do this and yet be very uncharitable . He might do it

to increase his fame , in which case he would be muoh more selfish than charitable . He would lack that fervent love of his fellow beings whioh lies at the foundation of all true oharity . And tbe world affords many examples of this kind . Instances are not rare where donations are made in a pompous manner , whioh reveals the animus of the donor . And who has not known people to bestow on strangers

with great liberality when a true charity would have dictated the bestowal of a small moiety , and the appropriating of the remainder upon a destitute family at homo t But to appear generous in tho eyes of the world , causes many to assume the guise of charity , whon they possess little of its genuine spirit . True charity is closely allied to disinterested benevolence . It does

not take time to oatechise the needy , further than to know whether they are worthy of confidence , or , in other words , are not impostors . It asks nothing about party issues or sectarianism . It knows no nationality , but regards the race as the children of a common parent , and , Samaritan like , delights in binding up the wounds and caring for the needy , even though their nationality be unknown . And it

heeds the calls of the destitute as qnickly when alone as when the multitude is present to applaud . Indeed , true oharity is modest and retiring . It prefers that the left hand should not know what is done by the right . And it may be said , without boasting , that Masonry inculcates such charity . Its spirit is the very opposite of that ostentation

which would parade its good works before the gaze of the world . It would rather its votaries should steal away to the homes of the poor , to the couch of the suffering , as quietly as the dew of Heaven falls upon the tender plants , and soothe and refresh by deeds of love and words of kindness . And in these times of parade and show it does seem refreshing to find some of the seeds of true charity germ , inating and springing up into a healthy gro wtheven if unseen

, and unknown to the busy bustling world . It do es afford gratification to know that one Institution at least can dogoofl qnietly and secretly , and can foster a charity which goes even beyon ^ fcDe bestowing of goods upon the poor and suffering of earth , and provides a place where the king has to meet upon the same level with the poor brother who earns a scanty living for his dependent family by his daily toil .

Masonry has no sneers for the poor , no frowns for the hnmble unfortunates of earth . It does not hononr men for their wealth or birth , but rather for their moral worth and intrinsic goodness of life . Its lessons are all grand , bnt none more truly so than its lessons o Charity . —Freemason ' s Monthly .

Ad00703

MA-SOiSriC LECTURE . "KNOBS AND EXCRESCENCES . " BRO . JAMES STEVENS P . M . P . Z . is open to accept invitations for the delivery of this LECTURE in MEIBOPOLIIAN or PsoviyciAL LODQBS , or LODGES OE IXSTRUCTIOK . No Lecture Fee ; travelling expenses oulyaccepted . Address—Clapham , S . W .

Ad00704

INSTALLATION OF H . R . H . THE PRINCE OF WALES As the M . W . G . M . of England , AT THE ROYAL ALBERT HALL , 28 th APRIL 1875 . COPIES of this BEAUTIFUL ENGRAVING by Brother HARTY P . M ., consisting of Artist ' s Proofs , Proofs before Letters , and Lettered Proofs , India Prints , and Plain Prints may be had at Cost Price by applying to Bro . W . R . NORRIS , 29 Southampton Buildings , W . C , London .

Ad00705

BRO . R . HIRST engages to provide , at short notice , an effic ; en t Band for Annual Banquets , Dinners , Excursions and Quadrille Parties . For terms apply to " R . Hirst , The Three Crowns , 237 Mile End Road , E , "