Church Service.

M . A ., P . P . G . Chaplain , and the second by Bro . the Rev . F . W . Pawson P . P . G . Chaplain . The preacher was the Dean , Bro . the Very Rev . E . R . Currie , D . D ., who , before announcing his text , referred to the lamented death at Rye the previous day , of Bro . W . G .

Rubie , in the following sympathetic terms : —On this day of our rejoicing , when we are met together to thank God with Te Deum and hymns of praise , there steals over our joy a shadow of sadness . We cannot forget the sad event of yesterday ; that one who had intended to be with us to-day ,

has , in God ' s mysterious wisdom , been called hence ; and we , I am sure all of us , will most sincerely sympathise with the Wellington Lodge in the loss of their Immediate Past Master , and still more with the sorrowing family of him who has been suddenly taken from us .

An eloquent and powerful discourse , founded on the text Revelations xxi . 16 followed , and in conclusion the preacher said , When we speak to-day of ideals , there is one , of course , which is specially present to us . We are met together to-day to celebrate the Soth birthday of our Most Gracious Majesty

the Queen . And truly , all through her life , has not her ' s been the following of a grand ideal ? Has it not been a life , as wife , as mother , and as Queen , we might say almost blameless . True and perfect perfection is , of course , beyond the reach of human attainment , but she who has lived all

these years in that fierce light which beats upon the throne , has been , throughout all those long years , without reproach . It seems to us marvellous how one woman should have lifted the tone of society around her , and elevated the whole atmosphere of the court into a higher and purer sphere .

Whatever may be our differences ; however , we may be divided in matters religious , political or social , we are all oneman , woman and child throughout this land—one in loyalty and devotion to her who , throughout her long life and her

long reign , has shown herself a pattern to her people , not least in this , in the true womanly sympathy , which has ever been ready to rejoice in her people ' s joys and to sorrow in their griefs .

The offertory was in aid of the Royal Masonic Institution for Widows of Freemasons , and whilst this was being collected , the National Anthem was sung with magnificent

effect , and this was followed by the Masonic hymn " Now the evening shadows closing . " The blessing having been pronounced , Dyke ' s Te Deum was also sung , the recessional hymn being "O God our help in ages past . "

Bros . F . G . Ticehurst and T . W . Avis , as Directors of the Ceremonies , contributed much to the success of the arrangements , which were perfectly carried out , and much praise is due to Bro . R . Goss Custard , A . R . C . O ., who had

so admirably trained the choir for the occasion , the music being splendidly rendered . His brother , Mr . H . Goss Custard , Mus . B ., organist of Holy Trinity , Hastings , presided at the organ with marked ability . — "Hastings Times . "

A fund has been started to present a testimonial to Bro . Sir Albert W . Woods , Garter , P . G . W . Grand Director of Ceremonies of England , in appreciation of his connection

with the Craft , and his valuable services as G . D . C ., it being fifty years since he was initiated in the Old Union Lodge , London . He succeeded in i 860 to the office of G . D . C ., long before filled by his father Sir William Woods , Garter .

The gathering of Freemasons at the Public Hall , Preston , on Thursday , 1 st inst ., was one of the most influential that has ever been held in the history of the Craft in the Western Division of Lancashire . The attendance , which numbered something like 2 , 000 , included members

from every place in the Division , for when the roll was called every Chapter was found to be represented . At any time such an assemblage of men would appear imposing , but on this occasion the scene was especially impressive , for it included all that was best and foremost in the ranks of the

Fraternity . It was no haphazard meeting . Its purpose was to give honour to Lord Lathom on the occasion of his installation , and the presence of such large numbers must have proved a source of much satisfaction to the subject of the proceedings . The greatest enthusiasm prevailed , and

that circumstance will give the noble gentleman the greatest encouragement to persevere in the position of great delicacy and responsibility that he has undertaken . We question very much whether a more suitable Mason could have been selected by His Royal Highness the Prince of AVales for the office rendered vacant by the death of the late Earl of

Church Service.

Lathom . His wide range of social intimacy and acquaintance , his practical knowledge of the management of business , the sound , good sense and moral qualities that find expression in the graceful dignity of his manner , are all outward signs of his fitness to govern this important Division

of Freemasons . In a large degree he has inherited . the intellectual qualities of his father , and it will indeed be surprising if he does not adorn the position equally as well as his progenitor . In the meantime we are sure that we are

only putting on record the hope that is general to all Freemasons , that he will be spared to achieve as important a series of noble works as distinguished the tenure of his predecessor and father . — " Preston Herald . "

The Duties Of A Mason.

THE DUTIES OF A MASON .

MASONRY commoves the whole world by its eminently moral and magnificent effects , because it . does not belong to one locality , nor a province , as it likewise does not obey one nation , nor is it limited to one epoch . Masonry is a more elevated Institution , its ends are greater ; the space it embraces , like the

brightness of noon , has no limits ; it is universal , it has a home in all the world , and it may be said that it enjoys the gift of ubiquity because it is to be found everywhere . There is no town , province , state or continent where Masonry has not extended its roots ; there is no place , however recondite or forgotten it may be ,

where our Institution has not made its wholesome strength felt , where its beneficial light does not penetrate , and where its pious principles do not convey consolation , and love , thus extending itself wherever there is suffering , ignorance to enlighten , and tyranny to conquer . Its dominion is gentle , because where there is a worthy action to be performed Masonry shows its sublime

moral ; where charity has to fulfil its noble and high mission'is where the splendour of its greatness shines completely ; where there are tears to wipe it appears with its invisible grace alleviating profitably , developing its magnificent virtues , and lavishing abundantly the purest and holiest sentiments , that . is , those of charitv and love toward our fellow creatures .

The Mason , after being bathed in the divine and holy light that illumes the arches of our temples , and finding himself in front of our symbolic altar , promises and solemnly swears to keep secret the mysteries of our Order , consecrating himself to the service and prosperity of the human race , and to his own perfeetionment ;

recognises that humanity is equal in all their rights , imposing on themselves duties that do not transgress the corresponding limits . To attain such ends infinite means present themselves afforded by enlightenment , modesty and charity inexhaustable founts which T . G . A . O . T . U . has given him , so that with these virtues he

may conduce his fellow men to perfection . The Mason should be —and is thus taught— reserved and humble towards others , his breast being always disposed to good actions , his heart constantly sensible to doing good to him who requires it , and he who thus acts experiences a great pleasure , because there is none greater

than when either of these great virtues of humanity are practiced within the sacred precincts of silence . This is the greatest quality , and most commendable in any Mason ; he should be discreet with the nicety with which the chaste and virtuous damsel keeps her charms on the altar of the most modest illusions .

The Mason attends his Lodge to give rough blows against his passions , learning to moderate these ; to study , leaving the stormy sea of ignorance to walk the beautiful and fioriferous field of useful and solid knowledge for the good of humanity . With labour , instruction and advancement in the sciences , the Mason attains the most beautiful moral perfection .

The Masons are united by an indestructible chain whose strong links are broken only when one of the Brethren ceases to exist , being immediately joined more potently—stronger than previously . Those links are never interrupted ; they bind and cement our souls in such a manner that they are made one ,

harbouring in our minds the same idea and in our hearts the same sentiment . From the moment that the initiate enters our temples he sees but objects that dazzle his sight , emblems and allegories that astonish bim , and each object and each emblem is a mystery that carefully covers our institution , and which every

Mason would be careful not to reveal to the profane world , because these emblems and these allegories say much to the heart of a studious Craftsman . Directing his sight to above the place where the Master oE the Lodge takes his seat , he will see a resplendent triangle , surrounded by lights ; that impressive sign is the origin of all that is great , of all that is powerful in the

universe ; it is living nature , complete wisdom , creative will , sovereign and active force that with its breath alone vivifies all things ; that brilliant symbol is God , represented by the clearest emblem , because without His will nothing would exist . The sun would not give light , the earth would not fecundate , and the air would not give comfort ; and without His power , that work we call