Gloucestershire.

If dark days of strife fall on us , our Brotherhood of Masons will surely be a noble bulwark of order , for we form a numerous company and a strong one ; a company welded together by bands forged in no easy workshop ; a company made up of all sorts and

conditions of men , from the princes of the House of England , down to the toiler living on a daily wage . With us every rank and condition , every age is represented . Each city has its Masonic garrison , each district its faithful Lodge of Masons .

What a mighty influence will the Order exercise if days of trouble and anxiety come upon us ! Please God the lowering clouds which threaten Europe and England will get dispersed , and the shadow flee away . But , Brothers , let us be ready , standing shoulder to shoulder , quietly giving , resolutely teaching

order and obedience , reverence for all that is higher , better , nbbler , than ourselves ( ehrfurcht is that splendid German word , better than our own ) , holding fast those sublime teachings we Masons know so well , and prize so highly . Living up , as best we can , to that high Masonic ideal which ever sets before us

selfsacrifice for others , loyalty to our Queen , patriotism to our country , and above all clinging to that pure and simple religion which our forefathers have taught us , and which alone has made our England free and great and strong . Then in coming days , whether of sunshine or of clouds , of quiet prosperity or of stress

and storm , will you be the noblest , truest patriot army of which men have ever dared to dream . Surely has Masonry before it a great and a blessed future . Turn we then with heart and soul to that great Architect of the Universe whom we adore , and pray we , God ' s soldiers , in these anxious troublous days .

" Sound the loud trumpet of God , come forth great Cause to array us , King and Leader of men , Thy soldiers sorrowing seek Thee . " - "Gloucester Chronicle . "

Dublin Masonic Schools.

DUBLIN MASONIC SCHOOLS .

THE one hundred and third annual distribution of prizes in connection with these Schools took place at the commencement of last month , under the presidency of the Deputy Grand Master of Ireland , Bro . R . W ? Sbekleton , Q . C ., who said he much regretted the duty of presiding on that occasion devolved upon him , as his Grace the Duke of Abercorn Grand Master was

not well enough to be present . They had also to regret the ¦ absence of the Duchess of Abercorn , who took such a deep interest in the Schools . They had present on that occasion , however , Lady Templetown , the wife of their newly-elected Grand Junior

Warden , who had kindly undertaken to distribute the prizes . He was glad to say that the School was in a flourishing condition . They had just completed a new drill hall , which was a credit , not only to those who had designed it and those who had built it , but on the Order who had subscribed to it .

At the close of the musical performance by the pupils , Lady Templetown distributed the prizes . At the close of the distribution , the Chairman said that some of the Girls , instead of taking their prizes in books , preferred to take them in money , which was placed from time to time in the

Savings Bank . Bertha Gwynne , to whom the prize last given was awarded , was now leaving the School , having completed the period of seven years in which children were taught in the Institution . She had now to her credit in the Savings Bank , to be given to her on leaving , a sum of £ 314 s lid , the value of prizes she had received .

Bro . J . Creed Meredith Grand Treasurer said he had been entrusted with the task of proposing a resolution which he was perfectly certain would meet with the unanimous approval of that vast assemblage . The Gra , nd Lodge of Ireland felt that a debt of gratitude—and he was perfectly certain that

every member of the audience would concur with them—that they were under a debt of gratitude to Lady Templetown for the trouble which she had taken in coming there that evening , and for the part which she had so gracefully played in the performances of the evening . He was aware that neither Lord

Templetown nor his consort thought it any trouble to take part in any good work in Ireland . Lady Templetown , too , no doubt , felt that to some extent she was discharging her duty in comin » there with the Junior Grand Warden to take her place in distributing the prizes to the children . He thought he might

say that Lady Templetown had been pleased with what she had seen that evening , and he hoped that it would not be the last time they would have the privilege and the pleasure of having her to take a part in such a gathering as that . He believed he

was right in saying that a journey was undertaken specially for the purpose of being there that ni ght , but that journey was undertaken willingly , and , might he say , with a true Irish heart . At any rate he was perfectly certain that they would all give Lady Templetown a hearty Irish welcome .

Bro . Thomas Valentine , J . P ., Deputy Provincial Grand Master of Antrim seconded the resolution , which was carried by acclamatiou . and

Dublin Masonic Schools.

The Chairman conveyed to Lady Templetown the thanks of the assemblage . He might add , what the proposer and seconder of the resolution were not aware of , that it was against medical advice that Lady Templetown had corns there that night , and she deserved the more gratitude at their hands .

Lord Templetown acknowledged , on Lady Temp letown ' s behalf , the very kind vote of thanks accorded her . He said : As my words to you on this happy occasion must be few , I make no excuse for saying at once that the school claims not only our moral support , but generous and sustained financial aid Tn

asking for this support from all who can afford to give it , I am not pleading for a new improved institution , as this is the 103 rd anniversary of the Female Orphan School , which provides for and educates 97 children from all parts of Ireland . I am simnly

asking you to cast your bread upon the waters in perfect faith that your reward must come to you in God ' s good time . Surely there can be no question that caring for orphans is one ' s first duty .

The Chairman said that after what they had seen of the children he thought they ought not to allow the proceedings to close without expressing their appreciation of the efforts of the matron ( Mrs . Neale ) , the head governess ( Miss Triggs ) , and the other governesses of the school . He was proud to say that in

the whole 103 years of the existence of the school they had never had to hang their heads for shame at the after career of any of the scholars . Their interest in them did not cease when they left school , but wherever they went correspondence was always kept up with them , and an interest taken in their success in life .

This terminated the formal proceedings , after which dancing commenced , and was kept up until half-past eleven o ' clock , when the proceedings concluded with the playing of the National Anthem . —" Irish Times . "

An Old Lodge.

AN OLD LODGE .

A CORRESPONDENT of the " Dundee Advertiser " writes : —A Brechin Masonic Lodge book contains the following :

— " Att Brechine , the 28 th day of February , 1740 years , John Spence , Commissary Clerk of Brechin , Master . Compeared Alexander Andrews , Mason and Deput Master of the Right Worshipful the United Lodge of the Holy Apostle St . John

Brechin and Fordoun , who by the powers given him by the Honourable and Renowned and Right Worshipful Lodge of Brechine and their Grand Master had admitted the persons afternamed in their several stations under written freemen to the

foresaid Lodge of Brechine , to witt , Robert Reith , mason in Bankhead of Glenfarquhar ; David Andrew , Tennant in Drumellie ; William Smith , hammerman in Auchinblae ; Robert Findlay , aprentice mason in Tipertay ; John Mason , merchant in Auchinblae ; Alexander Hamilton , surgeon and apothecary in

Fordoun ; John Findlay , mason in Tipertay ; David Campbell junior , Mill of Glenbervie ; George Scott , farmer in Candie ; Hugh M'Bean , in Townhead of Boghall ; James Farquharson , in Tipertay . The whole of the above-named persons to the abovenamed Robert Findlay being free masters' apprentices only .

Excepting those persons after-named—John Ross , officer of His Majestie ' s Excise at Fordoun , who were and hereby are admitted , received , and erected freemen of the said Lodge , with full power to them and each one of them in their several stations to exert , use , bruik , and enjoy the whole liberties , immunities ,

and privileges of the Lodge in their several stations as fully and freely in all respects and conditions as any other freemen of the said Lodge does or may doe the same . In witness whereof these presents written by James Doig , merchant and late Dean of

Guild of Brechine , are subscribed by the Master upon this and the preceding pages , place , day , month , and year foresaid . " [ Our contemporary asks : Can any of our readers give any information regarding this old Fordoun Masonic Lodge ?]

The First Masonic Law Case.

THE FIRST MASONIC LAW CASE .

THIS action , the first after the amalgamation of the two Grand Lodges of England , was tried in the Palace Court , Westminster , wherein Thomas Smith was plaintiff , and William Finch defendant . The plaintiff was a copper plate printer , aud the action was brought to recover £ 4 . 2 s , being the amount of work done for the defendant . A plea was set up by Finch , stating that the plaintiff was indebted to him £ 1 G 19 s Gd for making him a Mason ,

and giving him instructions in the various degrees in his Independent Lodge , at his own house , near Westminster Bridge . It was proved by the evidence of Eev . Dr . Hemming Past Senior Grand Warden , as well as of Mr . White and Mr . Harper joint Secretaries to the Grand Lodge , that the defendant was not authorised to make Masons ; on the contrary , that his whole system Tiro o nn i » vi r » rtc . t f-tntt r \ it 4-Vin TinvtinD nrl » rt wmvet cr \ Annn ' tvnA Kv lllTTl ( 1 . 11 ( 1 LllfLt ) D " IMliO lilt lUl l llUH Vl * UlltJ UlVlbO IHiW IUi t ) V * JI \*\ LJ \\ JL * JJ Ji "J —~

( . ^ U ^ ^> »> - . SJI « — — , J man had a right to make Masons for private emolument . The trial occupied a considerable portion of time , and after an excellent charge from the Juogei stating that from the whole evidence it appeared that Finch ' s conduct was altogether unjustifiable , that he could not either make Masons nor procure them admission to any Lodgo , and that he was totally disavowed by toe fraternity , the jury without hesitation gave a verdict against Finch , to tne lull amount of the printer ' s demand . —Exchange ,