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to join in the procession . The Brethren -wore full Craft clothing , and shortl y after half past 2 the 500 or 600 Masons formed themselves into procession and crossed Palace Green

into the Cathedral , where they filled a large portion of the seating space in the central aisle , the Officers of the Provincial Grand Lodge being accommodated with seats in the choir stalls .

The clergy present were the Dean of York ( Dr . Purey Cust ) , the Rev . Canon Tristram , the Rev . G . W . Anson Firth ( Sacrist ) , and Minor Canon Bennet . Canon Tristram read the lessons , and the anthem was "The Hallelujah Chorus" from Handel ' s "Messiah , " very effectively rendered by the choir .

The Dean of York preached an instructive and eloquent sermon from Psalms cxxxiii , 1 , " Behold , how good and joyful a thing it is : brethren , to dwell together in unity . " He said the words of the text were no mere abstract

thesis , which he was to endeavour to elaborate for the satisfaction of those present , no mere truism -which all admitted , and which would become a mere platitude , but an existing and living reality which they were there to

demonstrate by their presence and he by his words . In these days of division and unrest , when political , religious , and social discords seemed to be raging with unwonted fury , when all the conventional ties which united men to each

other seemed strained nigh unto breaking , when old bonds appeared likely to be severed , and so many people associated together were at war amongst themselves , there was a ring of harmony in the words . of the text which expressed the yearnings of their hearts , and , however impossible or

however improbable it might seem to the world at large , the Masonic Brethren were the exponents at once of the existence and of the value of that dwelling together in unity . His Brethren of the Craft were no mere gathering of men of like occupations or identical opinions . They were enrolled

from no one particular class or nation . There were men of all ranks amongst them , from the immediate heir to the throne to the humblest member of some commercial calling . There were men of all professions amongst them—grave judges , learned lawyers , skilful artists , brilliant musicians , popular actors , keen financiers , brave sailors , gallant soldiers ,

noble lords , honourable councillors , reverend ministers—men , indeed , of every political , social , and religious complexion . Their ranks included men of almost every nationality . They had members of their body in every quarter of the worldmen of wealth , men of poverty , men of business , men of

pleasure , men of ease , and men of activity—an exceeding great multitude which no man can number . And it was a good and pleasant thing to behold them , for they dwelt

together in unity . They had no parties or divisions , or schisms amongst them , no agitators endeavouring to upset the existing order of things , no reformers attempting to tamper with their ancient constitution .

Their unity was joyful because it had no settled element of discontent lurking within , no individuals envious of others ' positions , no suspicions as to their purposes or intentions , no doubt as to the authority with which they might be invested , and no resentment as to the exercise of those powers . The

discipline of the Lodges was almost , if not altogether , unblemished . The Worshipful Master commanded respect and obedience , which were cheerfully and readily accorded . The subordinate officers knew their duties and fulfilled them , and the members contentedly occupied the positions accorded

them . The constitution of the central hierarchy , at which the Lodges had their representation , commanded the confidence of all , and its decisions and directions were accepted with no murmurings and little hesitation by anybody . There was no questioning of the authority there

wielded , tor it emanated from the body corporate and was representative rather than autocratic . The highest positions were conferred not by favour but by election . In more than fifty years' experience he had never heard any disloyal expression concerning the Grand Lodge , nor depreciatory

imputations concerning those who constituted it , nor wishes that their places were occupied by others , nor a desire nor an attempt to make it other or different from what it is . Their object was two-fold . It was social and it was practical . It was social because they deemed it no matter of small

importance that men should be brought into friendly and brotherly intercourse one with another . It was no trifling matter that men who occupied widely different positions , and

cherished widely different sentiments and sympathies should be brought into close and harmonious contact ; for the Lodge was neutral ground wherein the differences of the world could not enter , and where the only social distinctions recognised

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were those conferred by the body corporate , and not those conferred by the powers that be outside . Divergencies of opinion in politics or in religion had no place in the Lodge . Prejudices or sentiments must there be kept in abeyance . One term was common to all—Brother—and social

status or personal proclivities outside had no concern within . They asked only that each man should be honest and of good report . Surely this was of no little value in these distracted and divided times . It was something—nay it was very much —to be drawn from those outer circumstances which , by

their very nature , rendered men strangers , if not antagonists . It was something to find that , without any compromise of opinion , they could meet together on common ground—on the common ground of humanity—and find causes for mutual respect , and then pass outside and express their

beliefs , not less freely , nor less boldly , but without the leaven of bitterness or the dislike which so often aggravated and distorted them and rendered them injurious alike to themselves and the whole community . A community of one mind and one opinion did not and probably never would

exist . But there were always some redeeming points even in those who differed the most widely . But the object of Masonry was not only social but practical . A mere interchange of amenities would come to nothing very soon . There must be a common object and a common motive , and

a definite purpose for their meetings—and the best of all purposes—was benevolence . They were no : mere benefit society , the members of which had an ulterior consideration for their own advantage . They did not ask themselves : " What can I gain for myself ? " but " What can I do more

for the welfare of those who need it ? " The world in general was little aware of the amount that was done in that respect . In the Boys School and the Girls School hundreds of children were receiving instruction and the kind of

nourishment of the body which they needed to render them capable citizens of the empire , -while there were subordinate funds for the due preparation of those at present too young to enter therein , and whose parents were incapable of providing for them .

At one gathering in London , not long ago , no less than £ 150 , 000 was raised to provide a more suitable building for the accommodation of the boys . Then they provided for the relief of those bearing the burdens and heat of the day , in adversity and bereavement or in care by an active Board of

Benevolence , which disbursed some £ 6 , 000 a year amongst the necessitous and indigent , while for those who were in the evening of their days , and who were exposed to the chilling influences of loneliness and poverty , there were almshouses , in which they might patiently and honourably await their

call to the Grand Lodge above . He had no time to enter into figures , but it was difficult to exaggerate the amount that was spent on practical benevolence , which was the quiet and unostentatious outcome of the philanthropy and activity of those thus associated together . Finally , there was an element

in their proceedings which was essential to their unity , which was often misrepresented and condemned—it was in a certain sense a secret society . But it was a society that was known by its fruits , and its loyalty was unimpeached and unimpeachable by anyone save that singularly misinformed person , the

Pope . It was no mere childish game of mystery in any sense , but it was from a true knowledge of human nature that their proceedings were for the most part veiled in secrecy and took part principally among themselves . For the most part they paraded neither their sayings nor doings before the world . No doubt to many their dress appeared fantastic , their

phraseology was archaic , and there were things which might arouse the criticism of superficial observers . But they were understanded of the people . Freemasons knew the meaning and significance of them . They understood and appreciated them . They were precious to them from

their origin , they were cordially approved and endorsed by all , and they forbore from allowing them to become the mere object of censorious observation to which mere idle curiosity might subject them . They asked no one to cast in his lot with them , but to all those who did those things were

exhibited , explained , and justified , and were thereby understood and appreciated . To his Masonic Brethren he said , in conclusion , let them hand on to those who came after their inheritance , not diminished , but in increased efficiency .

Let them remember the words which were written in the Word of God , which ever lay open in their Lodges , "It is God that maketh man . " He it was who was the source , the guide , and the strength of their unity . Let them recognise and act up to His adoption of them as sons that they might realise , yea perpetuate , their fellowship as brothers one with