Church Service.

CHURCH SERVICE .

A UNIQUE service was witnessed at St . Michael ' s Church , Southfields , on Monday evening , 30 th ult ., when a Masonic Service was conducted in the presence of a large number of Masons and the public . The weather was most inclement , but the large congregation was a tribute to the energies of Brothers Clark and Teidemann , who made all the necessary arrangements for the

comfort of the company . As the clock struck eight the Masons solemnly filed into the church , wearing their aprons and various other badges of Office , all appearing in Masonio mourning owing to the death of the Earl of Lathom . There were nearly two hundred Masons present .

The evening service was read by the Vicar ( the Eev . E . A . Dobson , M . A . ) , the opening hymn being " Blessed City , Heavenly Salem . " The Psalms chanted were , " I was glad when they said unto me " and " Behold how good and joyful a thing it is . "

The special lessons were from Haggai ii . 4-10 , and Eevelation xxi , which were read by Brother the Eev . E . G . Gordon , Vicar of St . Mark's , Battersea , Chaplain of the Wandsworth Lodge . The hymn before the sermon was , " Lift the strain of high thanksgiving . "

Brother the Ven . Archdeacon Sinclair , D . D ., Past Grand Chaplain preached a highly intellectual and interesting sermon from II Peter i . 7 , " Add to godliness brotherly kindness . " In the course of his observations he said all were brothers , so said our Lord ; and wherever the gospel of Christ had been faithfully

preached and truly understood , there the great doctrine of the brotherhood of man , especially the brotherhood of Christian men amongst themselves , had silently and surely taken its place . When , for instance , in the early days of the history of this country , Edward the Confessor uttered such expressions of human

equality as were recorded in the year 974 , we might be sure the idea of Christian brotherhood had begun to penetrate barbarian society . That monarch said " We know through God ' s grace that the labourer has become the noble , that the agriculturist has become the squire , and the scribe the Bishop . " These

were noble words indeed , and showed that ancient society was entirely with the spirit of the gospel . It was so at the present time amongst them as Masons . Were we not creatures of one nature , of one decisive form , made in one mould , saved by one redemption ? All were alike , perhaps

holding different views on religion , but all Brothers . The French revolution of a hundred years ago gave us an awful example of the mistake of endeavouring to bring about a brotherhood of mankind by decrees and punishments , instead of allowing it gradually to grow in their minds . Brotherhood could not be forced on man

by law . Men must be persuaded by truth and beauty and the exceeding happiness of the idea , by teaching and by example . Brotherhood had brought forward all that was admirable in mankind . It had been preached since the early times , and had often been repeated in the history of the world . It was one of the

delightful characteristics preached by Freemasonry , that it materially helped the Christian religion in realising Fraternity . Unlike the Continental Freemasonry , the Freemasonry of Great Britain was founded upon tbe principles of religion , their coat of arms being comprised of the emblems of the

four evangelists . Their meetings and deliberations were guided by sacred rites , whilst every ceremony was profoundly and solemnly religious . But it was to the principles of the Brotherhood he would like to direct their attention . Every member of the Craft felt a warm sympathy with his Brother in all his ways .

They needed no introduction to each other , and were all on terms of friendship , whilst all were equal . Afrer every meal the box went round for charity , and it was pleasing to see the Lodgea vieing with one another in the amounts they could collect for

charity . He could not help thinking that if the same spirit pervaded the members of our churches , much more good would be done by Christianity . In conclusion , he made a very tender allusion to the much lamented death of the Eight Hon . the Earl of Lathom , G . C . B ., Most Worshipful Pro Grand Master .

The hymns after the sermon were " Now thank we all our God " and " All people that on earth do dwell , " during the singing of which a collection was taken on behalf of the Boyal Masonio Benevolent Institution for Aged Freemasons aud Widows of Freemasons . The Benediction , pronounced by the Vicar , closed the service . — " Putney News . "

Lord Kitchener is no mere ornamental Freemason , but has found time to devote some of his spare energies to making himself an expert in the Craft ' s " work , " having founded two strong and prosperous Lodges at Suakim and

at Berber , of both of which he was the first Worshipful Master , and which are to-day flourishing , with a goodly roll of members , and in excellent working order . It says something for the prescience of the authorities of the Masonic

Church Service.

world that these and other valuable Masonic services were recognised in the Diamond Jubilee year by the selection by the Prince of "Wales of Lord Kitchener { then Sir Herbert Kitchener ) to the exalted Masonic rank of Past Grand

Junior Warden of the Grand Lodge of England . This is the highest office to which a Commoner is appointed ; the Senior Grand Wardenship , according to a rule which is almost without exception , being conferred each year upon some noble lord . — " World . "

The Grand Master s Mark Lodge of Instruction meets at Mark Masons' Hall , Great Queen Street , London , on the first and third Fridays in the months of October , November , December , January , February and March in each year . The

Lodge is opened at 6 p . m . punctually . Bro . John Smith P . M . P . G . Stwd . ( 4 The Crescent , Bedford ) is the Secretary , Bro . J . Reynolds Green PastG . Deacon the Preceptor , and Bro . C . F . Matier P . G . W . G . Sec . the Treasurer .

CHRISTMAS AND NEW YEAR CARDS . WHEN we said last week , in briefly referring to the Christmas Greeting Cards produced this season by Messrs . Raphael Tuck and Sons , that their newest designs were really works of art , it was no mere figure of speech , as an examination of their numerous handsome designs amply demonstrates .

The Platino Panels ( on India ) , orignaliy introduced by Messrs . Tuck some three seasons back , are growing in popularity , and no wonder , the specimens we have seen of this year's work being superb . They indeed form most charming little gifts for Christmas , and specially appeal to those who love art in its highest form , and would hesitate to send a friend a seasonable token of mere ordinary merit .

Among the " mechanical and hand-painted celluloid cards " are to be found some of the most luxurious and effective gifts of the firm ' s collection . The specimens of this department which we have seen are beyond ordinary praise , and may be quoted as examples of the highest skill in the very large field which is open to the manufacturer . The " Novelty " calendars this season are of themselves worthy of special mention , many of the designs being unique and forming handsome decorations for the wall .

In book , booklets , and toy books and Calendars we have a separate department to which Messrs . Tuck have devoted considerable attention , and are as successful as in their otlier branches . _ or a particular novelty we commend the " Umbrella" series , which , while being more particularly intended for the amusement of '< the younger folk , are yet suitable'for table decorations and odd corners desired to be made attractive and appreciative for the older among us .

In conclusion we may add a word as to the variety and wide range of Messrs . Tuck ' s productions this season—amply demonstrated when we record the fact that their collection of cards numbers upwards of 1 , 400 sets of entirely new designs , embracing within its scope every class of subject , from grave to gay , from lively to severe ; all reproduced in the most approved styles of colour , tone , and black and white .

THK Great Western Eailway Company announce that several excursions will be run during Christmas week to their various Stations in the West of England , including Bristol , Bath , llfracombe , Exeter , Torquay , Plymouth , & c , the tickets being available for 5 , 6 , 7 , 8 , or 9 days at chea p rates . At

excursion will also be run to Guernsey and Jersey on each of the three days preceding Christmas , to return within fourteen days , at a return fare of 25 s . Full excursion programmes can be obtained from tbe chief office an Paddington , or at any of the local offices and Stations .

THE December number of Cassell ' s Magazine is a double part , excellent alike in its illustrations and text . A feature is made of somo coloured plates , appropriate to the season , and all the best features of the popular monthly are well maintained side by side with the special fare provided for Christmas reading .

OUB evening contemporary , the " Echo , " celebrated its 30 fch birthday on Thursday , and marked jthe event by the issue of a double number , containing some most interesting particulars of the foundation and growth of the journal . We congratulate our esteemed Bro . Passmore Edwards , the third editor and present proprietor of the paper on the splendid record he has created , and the brave show he is now making with the earliest of our halfpenny evening papers .

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