Installation Meetings, &C.

the 14 th July 1887 , stated : — " I believe tbat Freemasonry represents an almost primeval craving for relief from that whioh human selfishness had made intolerable—a craving to draw together , man to man , and heart to heart , for mutual sympathy , mutual friendship ; in a word—Brotherhood . That each should look at hia fellow , not aa

his enemy , his rival , his tool , but his Brother . One witb him in common interests and common aims , in mutual protection and advancement , of which tbe individual welfare of each was tbe best promoted and secured . " Were I to attempt to answer fully and categorically this question— " What is Freemasonry ? "—it would

take more time than we have at our disposal this afternoon , and I must therefore only attempt to do it in part , in outline thafc is to say . If I asked any Brother in this room , " What is Freemasonry ? " I should have the prompt reply , "A beantiful system of morality , veiled in al'egory and illustrated by symbols . " True , but it is evident

that this condensed description of Freemasonry , though suitable enough for a short examination , does not profess to give ( nor does it in effect give ) a full solution of the query , " What ia Freemasonry ?" Freemasonry is best ancl most fitly described as a world-wide Guild , Fraternity or Brotherhood—bound together by certain leading

principles , and fixed on an immutable basis , so that it is able to onfclive fche passing away of kingdoms and dynasties , " to survive fche wreck of mighty empires , and resist the destroying hand of Time . " Its abstract or foundation principles may be said to be—Fraternity , Human Sympathy , Love of Truth ; while its concrete or active

development is to be found in its respect for Law and Oder , its toleration , its reverence for religion , its illimitable charity or Brotherly Love . In its Fraternity , it seeks to enrol a phalanx of persons of different countries , sect- * , opinions and colours , in one firm bond of living union and concord , for the great aim of " being happy nnd

communicating happiness to others ; all permeated and influenced by good-will one to another , kindness and humanity for the children of dust , mutual respect , mutual confidence , mutual support , practical Brotherhood . Such a confederation has been objected to on varions grounds . Tbe Roman Citholic Church has formally excommunicated ,

Brfc only Roman Catholic Freemasons , bat all Freemasons , ou the ground that by thn * obliterating the limi's of different denominations and ignoring sectional distinctions , a sort of natural religion is set up . Such is fche idea nnd scope of the famous B ill of Clement in 1738 , and such is the teaching of the Church of Rome to-day . There

are others , of various bodies , who see in the non-u * se of Christian prayers , as in England , what they term a mere Theistic avowal . But such is not the case . In Scotland and Ireland Christian prayers are used . There is no law to prevent a Chaplain using a Christian prayer . But since 1730 , and notably since 1813 , universal prayers have been

undoubtedly used , which , as we use them , are perfectly sound , enlightened , rational , reverential and charitable . There is , therefore , no valid objection to the basis on which Freemasonry rests ; a band of good men and trne , of different countries and denominations , all acknowled ging , however , a Divine Creator ; united in the noblo cause

of increasing the happiness , " relieving the distresses , soothing tho afflictions , " and succouring tbe necessities of one another . In its expressions of human sympathy , it would enforca what is really the great aim of life , as John Wesley pnfc ifc , "to leave the world better than we fonnd it , " by infusing in all around , and extending on every

side of ns , those kindly and engaging sympathies of the human heart and affection , which always seem to remind ns of a Divino Original , and which , when dnly cultivated and religiously directed , tend more than anything else to the happiness of society , the welfare of our race , and the civilisation of mankind . In Lovo of Truth , Freemasonry

proclaims the solemn reality—thafc there is suoh a thing as Truth ; and tbat whether in its more dogmatic form or in its practical development by ns , in a hatred of hypocrisy , of insincerity , and ol treachery , ifc is one of the noblest characteristics of the human mind , and conduct . When we come to the concrete virtues or graces which

Freemasonry professes to recommend to its votaries , time fails me , on tbe present occasion , to enlarge upon tbem fully . Iu its respect for Law and Order , Freemasonry in our favoured land declares loyalty to our Sovereign tho first duty of every citizen and Freemason ; forbids all participation iu revolutionary societies ( the

enemies of true liberty ) , and while ifc enjoins obedience to the laws of onr own country , enlightened and admirable as tbey are , also enjoins us to obey the laws of any land " which for a timo may become tbe place of oar residence or alford us its protection , " an peaceful citizens , travellers or sojourners . In its toleration , ifc knows

nothing of the controversies or the divergencies of the human mind , the often angry utterances of bitter partisans , or those unhappy divisions which seem to separate Brother from Brother . It bids all its members meet as Brethren , work as Brethren , be social aa Brethren , part aa Brethren , and to forget for a few peaceful hours

all those inevitable and inherited severances , which in the world withont often seem to divide us into contending hosts . Freemasonry , though not a religion in itself , is ever mont reverent in respect of the nnd-iiibted claims of religion on man ' s best feelings , and ever ready to assist in all that tends to illuminate the minds , satisfy the needs

extend the benefits of culture and civilizing influences in all directions and among all classes . It may be remembered , to its praise , that it never begins or closes its work without priyer , aud that the Bible , the "u'reat liuhr , of Freem'tsonry , " is ever open iu our midst . All its utterances brenthe a spirit of reverential piery and true morality ,

and ar >* alike beautiful in prec 'pt , in purity , and religious feeling . S nv * nf us rem-tuber those words spoken by the Marquis of Rip-m , when Grand Mast' -r , i : i Grand Lodge , on the 4 th o Mutch 1874 : — "Remember , the strength ot our Order

Ii- ' - - not in tiip mi'tiber of our Lodges , or in the increasing f • ' ¦ " -e- 'ib'T- * , bnt in the friiWnnl spirit by which the inenib- r' ¦ rh lives . 'incl hr-: ith '" J in otw L'idgps . " A"i ) " ' ¦ ¦ «»•! f ? * f I ii'i-n't ili e . in ili : it , i' i r -il v ¦ -. V 11 I V • u . . i - . i y-. I' iki-. »» . „«»« . »»« - < -u , u oiiui'ituble iusDHutiuiiH , with an income of more i

Installation Meetings, &C.

than £ 50 , 000—the interest on a million of money at 5 per cent . — whereby it educates , olothes , and feeds 258 boys and 240 girls ; succours the aged and infirm , by granting annuities fco 405 old men and widows ; take again our own local charity iu Leeds , —whioh though so recently established , has been fche means of educating

39 orphan children , who otherwise wonld have been debarred the benefit of a sound education . These and countless other good deeds may truly be considered those distinguishing badges which do honour to its own professions , and best characterise its useful and beneficent existence . " Preemasonryjis an Institution founded opon ' and growing

out of the necessities of men , as social , as intellectual , and as religions beings . It has demonstrated its capacity for adapting itself fco these wants in all ages of human experience . Amid the rivalries and antagonisms of active life tbere is a longing of the soul for Union and Brotherly love , and for such relations as will satisfy the

necessities of our social nature . It is npon this principle that our Order is founded , hence ifc cannot fail to exist ; it must grow and pr isper necessarily with the growth aud development of man ' s better sentiments . It is not aggressive , it ia uot obtrusive . It makes no issues , it sets up no rivalries wifch other Institutions , but

gathering up the ages it recognises the inner cravings of the soul and tbe universal brotherhood of man , forgetting all else in its devotion to his higher and better deeds . " The writer of the article on

" Freemasonry , ' in the Encyclopaedia Britannioa , in bis concluding paragraph , uses these words . * " As regards tbe future of Freemasonry , it is impossible , at least for outsiders , to say mnch . The oelebration of the universal Brotherhood of man and the celebration of

universal goodwill in fche abstract seem rather indefinite objects for any Society in this imaginative age . " The Dean of Christ Church , Oxford , when addressing the Mayor and Corporation , and people of Oxford on their Jubilee Festival fche other day , used these words : " The great lesson , after all , to lay to heart is , that the future is very

much what we individuall y shall make it , and if we do not play our parts amiss the results we may in faith leave to God . " Aud so may we say of the Future of Freemasonry ; if we make that a living reality ; if we perform onr dnties aright , act np to tbe great principles of our Order , love mercy , do justice , forget self , and devote our

whole energies iu promoting the weal of our common Brotherhood , by diligently and faithfully performing the duties of our several avocations of life , liberal benevolence and diffusive charity ; by constancy and sincerity in our friendships , by a uniform , just , good and virtuous deportment , prove to the world

the happy and beneficial effect of our Ancient and trul y honourable Society , so that when a man is said to be a Mason " the world may know him to be one to whom the burdened heart may pour forth its sorrows ; fco whom distress may prefer its suit ; whose hand ia guided bv Justice , and whose heart is exoanded by Benevolence . " If

such principles as these guide onr lives and actions as men and Masons we need have no fear of the future of our Order , but wifch all confidence safely leave ' t in the Hands of Him who is the Great Father , who rules all things both in Heaven and Earth . So , then , let us rejoice to call ourselves English Freemasons , and in thia Lodge

' Prudence" Jet us hope that the true and distinguishing principles of Freemasonry will ever accompany its onward career , and that when we , its Founders and earliest members , shall have passed away , other faithful brethren will stand firm to the Banner of

English I reemasonry , and to those sacred and elevating principles of thought , duty and action which justify its mission , and render ill useful and beneficial to ourselves and to the world in which we live .

ST . MICHAEL'S LODGE , No . 211 . A MEETING , the first of the new session , was held on Tuesday , the llfch inst ., afc the Albion , Aldersgate-street , Bro . T . F . Bennett

the W . M . presided , aud was supported by Past Masters Alfred Green ( Treasurer ) , W . Radoliffe ( Secretary ) , A . Withers ( Director of Ceremonies ) , Usher Back , John Laver , Dr . Waters , F . J . Hentsch , W . W . Morgan , T . H . Peirce , & c , & c . There were present aa Visitors Bros . Pocock W . M . 265 , 0 . Coombs W . M . 780 , Jennings and Collings . Lodge

was opened , and the minntes of last meeting , with those of three emergency meetings held during the recess , were read and confirmed The Bye-laws were read . Bro . Harrison , whose name appeared on the agenda as a candidate for the second degree , was unable to be

present . Some routine work was considered , and with hearty good wishes from the Visitors , Lodge was closed . An elegant banquet followed , and tbe after proceedings were enlivened by some capital singing , Bros . Horscroft , Green , Hunt , Challen , Withers and others exerting themselves moat auccessfnlly .

Koyal Commemoration Lodge of Instruction , ? 7 o . 1585 . — On Monday , 10 th instant , afc the Railway Hotel , Putney , Bros . Bugler W . M ., Sapsworth S . W ., Langley J . W ., Bond Treas ., Grundy Sec , Radclyffe J . D ., Radford P . M . D . C , Vernon I . G . ; Past Masters Bros . Featherstone aud Collick . After

preliminaries , tbe ceremony of initiation was rehearsed , Bro . Collick candidate . The auditors' report was received and adopted . Bro . Grundy reported the result of the negotiations with the host regarding the further teuancy of the room , and several brethren residing in Putney promised fco seek for a suitable room , and fco report at nexfc meeting . Bro . Sapsworth was elected W . M . for ensuing week .

HotcowAi- ' s Ora'TMEyr \ xo Pitts . —Pr ' or to the discovery of these remedies , an er-. sy , ready and reliable remedy for outward disfigurations and inward O'lmnlirations was , practically speaking unknown . No one need now be at a loss if they should unfortunately suffer from pi e . s , ulcers , sores , tumours , boils , biuisi-s , snriins , & c . ftnveloping Hollowav ' s medicines are very intellig'h ' e

p inter ) directions for using them , which should be attentively studied ana i'iim"diiitely to lowed by all who resort to his treatment . Sooner or later the - 'iff TIT "ill ussinelly triumph over r . he worst diseases . This searching Ointnipnt < li-pe' > e- < all those malignant humours which a gravate disease .- ^ oi the -kin , prevent the cicatrization of ulcers , and excite inflammatory tendencies in the system .