Masonry's Grandeur And Goodness.

Bat , p laced together , they are suggestive of an august fact . They are symbols of the mosfc stupendous event in the great moral world , the sacrifice on the cross ; thafc sacrifice redeemed the world , introduced into it a vast spiritual power , gave a higher character to human relationships ,

and made charity or love the bond of all virtues ; the divine power which holds the brotherhood of man to tbe central truth that of one blood God made all men , and was the grandest revelation of the everlasting Father .

In the changes of time tho compasses and squares took fche form of the cross of the Greek , or of Rome , with its transverse and upright beams . That which was once tbe badge of abamo became , by thafc sacrifice on it , tho most

magnificent symbol of all symbols . The instrument of Roman punishment and Roman torture wrought the sublimest revolution in human affairs , and , as it stands in the Holy Bible , is prophetic of the highest reward man can accept or receive—tho crown of life immortal .

The cross , as it ia tho most magnificent symbol , js also the most universal . In all ancient mysteries it is found in somo form . Ifc has a place in all creation . Common life is illustrated by it through every age even the wild bird , as ifc flies through the air , pictures the cross to the vision .

The trees which spread abroad their branches assume its shape , and on the lonely sea the vessel which amounts the waves presents it in its yard and tapering mast . All this is not the dream of the imagination , but tho recognition that the cross was to be the symbol of some great purpose of God for man whom He created .

The compasses and square , in their moral significance , mean the control of the passions and the command of the body . As such they are the well known badge of fche Master in the Fraternity * and , foreshadowed by the blood sprinkled on the door posts and lintel in Egypt , through

which Israel passed in safety , they have assumed the form of the Tau , and as a triple Tau or Cross , have become the badge of the Royal Brotherhood . Thus the compasses and

square possess all the mystery and marvel of man s moral and bodily nature , and occupy a splendid position in the regard of the members of that society whose symbols are laws and illustrations of divine truth .

Symbols have a vast power over the human mind . An incident , simple but touching , will attest this fact . Ifc is related by a writer who witnessed it in a children ' s hospital in an English city . The child ' s faith spoke more beautifully in it than it could have spoken in words . In one of the

rooms of the hospital there was a little one awaiting an operation by the surgeon which meant life or death , bufc which meant suffering first . The other little sufferers in the room had agreed among themselves to p lead , for her

that she might be spared the pain . But how shall the angel of God know this little one from those in the neighbouring beds , when he comes to visit her ? How can thoso little maimed and wounded children meet that

difficulty ? At length a way is found . The sufferer is placed in a position for sleep , and the tiny withered arms are folded in the form of a cross . The feeble prayer that broke from the lips and hands of the patient was heard , and before the morning dawned on thafc pale and wasted face ,

the angel of death came and took the little one to walk in the Paradise of God , no longer halt and lame . How beautiful , how appealing the trust of her tender companions . How simple and yet how grand was fcheir choice in the sign they made for the visiting angel ! the sign which

reveals the infinite love of the Father •, the symbol of his 'measureless pity for the sorrows and sufferings of humanity , ilt was a sublime exhibition of faith ; a splendid manifestation of the power of symbols , though it came not from the mature heart of the stronger man , but only from the gentle pitiful heart of a little child .

Through symbolism the Mason enters the gates of the imperial brotherhood * through symbolism he views the glory of the temple , and receives the treasures from the altar , and through symbolism he beholds , with opened eye , the mysteries which burn behind the veils . ( To be continued ) .

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Crown 8 vo , Is Paper Covers ; ls 6 d Cloth Lettered GOSSI P ABOUT FREEMASONRY ; its History and Traditions . A Paper read by Bro . S . VAILESTIITE , P . M . andZ . No . 9 , to the Brethren ot tho Albion Lodge of Instruction , 2 nd November 1889 . 1 ' reeby post o £ W . W . JIOROAK & So <* , Belvidere Works , Homos Hill , Pentonville .

Notices Of Meetings.

NOTICES OF MEETINGS .

— : o *—GRAFT.

PROY . GRAND LODGE OF NORTH AND EAST YORKSHIRE .

ON Wednesday , the 5 th inst ., the annual gathering of the Freemasons of the Province of North and East Yorkshire took place afc Beverley . The event was a redletter day to the Beverley brethren as the Constitutional Lodge , No . 294 , is now celebrating its Centenary , having been founded on fche 17 fch June 1793 , and ifc was at the

brethren ' s invitation that fche Marquess of Zetland , Provincial Grand Master of the Province , decided that Provincial Grand Lodge should be held this year afc the old minster town . A more important event was the holding of Provincial Grand Lodge on the eve of the marriage

of the Duke of York , son of H . R . H . the Prince of Wales tho Mosfc Worshipful Grand Master . We do not know whether this approximating date to the royal wedding was designedly fixed or not , but in any case it was a very pleasing coincidence , and one which the noble Marquess

took advantage of in his brief allusion to the happy event . Tho gathering took place in the spacious Assembly Rooms , the Masonic Hall not being large enough to accommodate the numbers attending the interesting occasion . In the enforced absence of the popular Worshipful Master elect ,

Bro . the Earl of Londesborough , the officials of the Lodge were assiduous in their attentions to the comfort and convenience of the influential brethren attending the meeting , and it mast ; be a matter of gratification to fchem , as also to the esteemed Provincial Grand Secretary ,

Brother M . C . Peck , thafc everything passed off so satisfactorily . An interesting event has taken place in connection with this hundredth anniversary , which exhibits in its truest aspect the fraternal aud kindly feeling existing between fche English and American brethren . The

members of the Beverley Lodge , also held afc Beverley ( Mass ., United States ) , had recently forwarded to their brother Freemasons at the East Yorkshire town a magnificent three-handled solid silver cup , weighing 52 ounces ,

artistically designed , decorated aud suitably inscribed as a memento of this Centenary Festival . It is almost needless to say that the Beverley brethren appreciatively accepted tho gift , and immediately sent a cablegram expressing their sincere flunks .

The proceedings commenced shortly after two o ' clock , the entre of the Marquess of Zetland being of a very enfchusiasfcic character , his first appearance afc Provincial Grand Lodge , after his retirement from his arduous duties as Viceroy of Ireland , giving additional

eclat to fche festive gathering . Thc Lodge having been opened according to ancient custom , the Provincial Grand Secretary , Brother M . C . Peck P . G . Standard Bearer England , read various letters , and fche minutes of the litfc meeting . The annual report of the Btard of Benevolence ,

of the Charities Association , and of the Educational Fund , were duly presented and adopted , being of a very satisfactory character . The Provincial Graud Master having fittingly acknowledged the honorary services rendered to the Craffc for upwards of a quarter of a century by tho

Provincial Grand Secretary , Bro . Peck , Brother J . Todd ( York ) P . P . G . S . W . moved certain alterations in the rules of tho Educational Fund , which were agread to . Brother T . B . Whytehead P . G . S . B . of England P . P . G . W . then moved the following resolution landing in his name , which was carried unanimously , viz . : —

1 . " That tho York Lodge , No . 236 , be requested to permit tho Ancient Eolls of Constitutions , in its possession , to be re-priuted , with photo-lithographio illustrations , in a uniform manner with

those lately published by tbe Provincial Grand Lodge of West Yorkshire , in order that the whole of suob documents , at ptesent known to exist in fche country , may form one volume available to Masonic students . "

2 . " That a sum nofc exceeding £ 40 be voted from the funds of Provincial Grand Lodge for the purpose of defraying the cost of such publication . "

3 . " That a Committee , consisting of the Worshipful Master of the York Lodge , Bro . J . Todd P . P . G . W ., the Provincial Grand Secretary , and the mover , be appointed to superintend the publication . " The Grand Lodgo Oharity jewels were duly presented