What Freemasonry Is.

less aud widows in their affliction and to keep ourself unspotted from the world . " O , Freemasonry is human life in poetry . It is the discordant notes of toil blended into a symphony . Other principles of Freemasonry are found :

3 . In the moral ethics taught the brotherhood ! Freemasonry is not a modern frame structure , builb of unseasoned material , quickly put together , and which rests on the shifting sands of some popular notion . Freemasonry is a fabric of granite . " Truth " is the rock upon

which the builders have erected the towers and pinnacles . Out of thafc truth , as a natural sequence , have risen the mighty walls of ' * Duty to God" and " Love to man . " Then most naturally follows this system of ethical doctrines . Through them Freemasonry aims to present to tne oest oi ic to

tne community type mannooa . seems xuo that if the canvas of " The Virgin at Prayer , " or " Tbe Carpenter of Nazareth" be considered a specimen of artistic skill , thafc Masonry has loffcy " ideals " of which it may be proud . Just think of thafc man who is fit to stand beside the immortal Lincoln ! He who threw his all into the same scale with those struggling colonists of 1776 . when untold

Think ot his hdeiity mngiisn goia was temptingly placed before him . Think of his great noble heart so broken with pity for those starving patriots at Valley Forge , thafc , general though he was , he knelt in the cold snow and prayed for them and their cause . George Washington , the Father of his country , was a Free

and Accepted Mason ! I might mention other names that have been like " Tuscan pillars for strength , " in fche business world—or like ** Ionic columns for delicacy and elegance" in fche social world—or like the " Corinthian pillar for beauty and richness , " in the religious community ; and who were Free and Accepted Masons . I say Freemasonry has an honourable record ! ( To be continued . )

Notices Of Meetings.

NOTICES OF MEETINGS .

ANTIQUITY LODGE , No . 146 . AN innovation in the annals of Bolton Freemasonry was inaugurated on Thursday , the 2 nd inst ., when the brethren invited their lady friends to a social gathering at the house of Bro . Downs S . W . The novelty of the event proved a great attraction , and the company numbered upwards of sixty . The large saloon and entertaining rooms had been specially prepared , and the decorations were neat and

effective . Masonio hospitality is proverbial , and was displayed in its mosfc generous form . His Worship the Mayor ( Councillor Barrett , J . P , ) , who occupies tbe position of W . M . of the Lodge , was present , and the company included several Fast Masters and other Officers . From shortly after 8 p . m . until three o ' clock in the morning song and

dance alternated most enjoyably , the vocal talent being of the best , whilst the dance music , as rendered by Mr . Williams' band , included selections from the latest operas . Bros . W . Harrison , W . Long , and J . Hilton acted as bon . sees ., and it is probable that tbe success ol the gathering will make it the precursor of many similar assemblies .

ST . GEORGE'S LODGE , No . 242 ,

rnHE annual meet ' ng was held on the 3 rd insfc ., afc Doncaster , when -L Bro . W . A . Fretwell was installed Worshipful Maater . The installing ceremony was impressively performed by Bro . F . D . Walker . The Officers for the ensning year were afterwards invested . The annnal banquet was held at the Reindeer Hotel .

FIDELITY AND UNANIMITY LODGE , No . 8-18

ON Tuesday , the 29 th ult ., Bro . H . G . Crowe was duly iostiillud as W . M ., at the Masonio Hall , Tannton . The Installing Maater was Bro . R . G . Else . Tho W . M . afterwards appointed the following Officers : —Bros . VV . Adams I . P . M ., VV . Bidgood S . W ., G . Strawbridge

J . W ., J . Lewis M . O ., C . Barrett S . O ., J . Gill J . O ., J . Showers Treas ., C . R . Humphrey Secretary , F . B . Wickenden S . D ., R . Knight J . D .. J . Vile D . O ., R . U . Hartnell R . M ., T . Chaffin Org ., E . Goodmaa l . G . j and T . Tidbury Tyler .

AMHERST LODGE , No . 1223 .

A LARGE number of brethren assembled on Saturday afternoon , 4 th inst ., at Riverhead , near Sevenoaks , to witness the installation of Bro . Alfred Herbert Lee as W . M . for the ensning year . Tho following were present : —Bros . William Sparrowharfc W . M ., Alfnd Herbert Lee S . W ., John Hamlin J . W ., Richaid Durtnell P . M Treasnrer , J . H . Jewell P . M . Secretary , F . P . Lae S . D ., G . D . Kent

J . D ., W . H . Pascoe Dir . of Cers ., Henry S . Strange Assist . Dir . of Cora ., Charles Hooker I . G , W . Burfoot Steward , A . VV . Dnret P . M ., Edward J . Dodd P . M ., C . J . Birch P . M ., Edwin S . Strange P . M ., R .

Stevenson , N . Strange , C . H . Whitcombe , John Fyfe , L . G . Smith , T . Houldswortb , Josiah Willmot , Thomas Baker , Edwin M . H . State , N . Grunwell , T . H . Knight , S . Newman , George Dixon , A . Wallace Lloyd . Amongst tbe visitors were Bros . W . H . Perrvman 3 . Thomas

Notices Of Meetings.

D . Hayes 913 , John Burton 874 , George Kennedy 1536 , S . W . Sbaw 1965 , J . G . Calway 1619 , F . D . Vine 173 , James Stevens 1216 , VV . H . Cronk 1414 , W . Drewitt 889 , Geo . Gable 902 , Thos . Gibbon 20 , W . D . Keeble 913 , Fredk . Gordon 1063 . H . Pa * ment 700 , Regan Martin 874 , J . B . Groom 2046 , J . W . Jail 1414 , H . Harris 874 , J . M . Broad

2255 , F . Dangerfield 1260 , B . C Colls 874 , G . o . ( ii . va 2250 , J . I . Emberry 2250 , F . Soman 2250 1585 , R . C . Cmrk 874 , G . S . Uunt , J . F . Miles 1585 , Samuel Soovell 319 . Bro . A . VV . Dnret was the installing Master , and the ceremony was performed in evbry respect to perfection . After the readmiaaiou of the brethren the following

Officers were appointed and invested : —Bros . W . Sparrowhawk I . P . M ., Hamlin S . W ., T . P . Lee J . W ., Durtnell Treasurer , J-well Secretary , Kent S . D ., Hooker J . D ., Pascoe I . G ., Strange Dir . of C-rs ., Burfoot Assist . D . C , Dixon and Fyfe Stewards , South Tyler , and Bir . h P . M . member of the Charity Committee . Five gentlemen were

proposed as initiates , and it is understood there are more names to be proposed at fche next meeting . The new W . M . is evidently going to have a busy , and we trust a prosperous year of office . A first-rate banquet was provided by Bro . Waller , and a very enjoyable evening was spent .

ROYAL COMMEMORATION LODGE , No . 1585 .

THE installation meeting of thia popular and prosperous Lodge was held at the White Lion Hotel , Putney Bridge , on Wednesday , 1 st instant . There were present Bros . W . C . Williams W . M ., Wing S . W ., Harding J . W ., Watkins Treasurer , Robinson P . M . Secretary , Sandalls S . D ., Oliver J . D ., Collings P . M . D . C , Stacey P . M , Organist , Gordon Assistant Organist , Page P . M . Steward ,

Coombe I . G ., Walkley and Bowler Tylers . Also P . M . ' s Boehr , Man . sell , Collick and Pardee jun . The Visitors' list was a long one , and comprised several distinguished brethren ; among the Past Provincial Grand Officers were S . Pardee sen . P . M . 511 P . P . G . D ., Higerty P . M . 1044 P . P . G . D ., G . Moorman P . M . 1638 P . G . Pursuivant Surrey ;

P . M . ' s Williams 865 , Causton 865 , Wingfield 1360 , Sims 334 , Frank 1216 , Wilkins 902 , Read 511 , Williams W . M . 2090 , Luokhnrsfc W . M . 1604 , Cochrane W . M . 3 , O'Connell W . M . 2157 , Skar W . M . 1891 , East W . M . 1642 , Foan J . D . 1614 , Robinson J . D . 704 , Hall 1679 , Nicholson 359 , Bond I . G . 1665 , Inglish 901 , West 865 , Higham 2090 , Davis

S . W . 902 and others . Lodge having been duly opened , the minutes of the last meeting were read aud confirmed . A ballot was taken for Messrs . F . Thomas and W . P . Chapman , both proposed by Bro . Cox , and seconded by Bro . Morrisb ; also for Mr . D . Saines , proposed by the W . M ., and seconded by Bro . Harding . The ballot being

unanimous in their favour , these gentlemen were duly initiated by the W . M . Bro . Wing , who at the last meeting had been unanimously elected W . M ., waa obligated , and a board of Installed Masters having been formed he was installed by the I . P . M ., Bro . Williams , in a mosfc masterly and impressive manner . Bro . Wing appointed and invested

his Officers , as under : —Bros . Harding S . W ., Sandalls J . W ., Watkins Treasuror , Robinson Secretary pro tem , Oliver S . D ., Coombe J . D ., Collings D . C , Stacey Organist , Wright I . G ., Grundy Steward , Payers Assistant Steward , Gordon Assistant Organist , Walkley Tyle * . Iu investing the Officers , the W . M . spoke a few apptopriate worts 'o

each , and in the case of the Secretary , Bro . P . M . Robinson , remarked bow sorry the Lodge and himself would be at losing his service . " , but expressing his thanks that Bro . Kobirison h . < d consented to act pro tem , so as to give time to choose his successor . The auditors ' report aa read was adopted , and some routine business having liceti

transacted the Lodge was closed in duo form and adjourned till t . e first Wednesday in October . Afc the bouquet which followed , to which 63 sat down , the toasts of the Queen a . d th M . W . Grind Master were enthusiastically received und accorded musioil honours , Bro . Gordon Assist . Organist accompanying . The next ton *' , that

of the Grand Officers , was followed by a song by Miss Silo ck ( th « daughter of tbe host ) , " Angels , uke me to your care . " Tt . e I . P . M . proposed the W . M ., congratulating him on his accession to office , and wifhtug bim a most hnppy and successful year . Bro . Collick sang " Come into the « -arden , Maud , " after whirh tho . W . M .

responded . The next toast was the Initiates . Miss Greta Williams ( daughter of Bro . R . H . Williams P . M . 865 ) sang " In the Chimney Corner , " accompanied by Miss Silcuck , aud being encored , sang " Woodstock Town . " The initiates briefly responded . Tha W . M ., in proposing the Visitors , remarked upon the number of

visitors and the elevated rank of so many of them , and called upon Bro . Cochiaue Worshipfnl Master No . 3 , and Bro . Read Past Master 511 to respond . Mr . Burn sang "The Distant Shore , " aud the two brethren named responded in a few well chosen remarks , particalarly complim' * ntiog tbe Lodge on having suoh a

genial W . M . and snch an excellent host . Tbe next toast was the Installing Mnster , and as he was also the I . P . M . the toast partook of a dual character . The W . M . expressed his thanks to the I . P . M . for tbe aatisfactory state of the balance sheet . Bro . Heath performed , in masterly style a comet BOIO , " Cavatina , " and Bro . Williams

responded . For the Bust Masters Bro . Buehr responded . The Treasnrer aud Secretary was next given , Bro . Watkins responding , Bro . Robinson having had to leave . The Officers were then complimented , the Senior and Junior Wardens responding . The Tyler ' s toast concluded a most pleasant meeting .

SOUTHGATE LODGE , No . 1950 ,

ON Thursday , 2 nd inst ., at the Railway Hotel , New Southgate , Bro . Alfred Trewinnard , Secretary , was presented with a handsome Secretary ' s jewel . There was a lar ^ e attendance of the brethren and numerous visitors . Bro . VV . Lewis W . M ., in presenting the jewel on behalf of the Lod ^ e , spoke in tbe most eulogistic terms of Bro . Trewinnard , pointing out how much the Lodge owed to their

Secretary for the years of devotion and disinterested service which he bad rendered them , and also referring to the personal regard in which he was held by every member of the Lodge . The Worshipful Master's observations were seconded by Bro . Tibbetta P . M ., who also spoke most highly of the Masonic qualities and high principles