A Sermon. By Bro. Dr. J. C. Stewart.

A SERMON . BY BRO . DR . J . C . STEWART .

A SPECIAL divine service was recently conducted iu St . Bernard ' s A Parish Church , in commemoration of the Centenary of Lodge Scotia , No . 178 ( S . C . ) There waa a large conjugation , the body of the church being occupied by the brethren of the Craft , aud the galleries by the general public . Rev . Dr . Alexander lloseuspitz , of Oregon , read the Old Testament lesson . An ode , written for the occasion by Or . Stewart , was sung as a quartette to music composed

by Mr . T . R . Henderson , A . Mus ., T . C . L . The sermon waa oo the text—Matthew xxii . 37— " Thou sbalt love tbe Lord thy God with all thy heart , and with all thy son ) , and with all thy mind . * ' Thia is the first and great commandment . And the second is like unto it" Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself . " My dear brethren , said the preacher , a great problem with men in all ages has been to

reach the Divine . That sad transaction in the Garden of Eden , whioh bronght about the expulsion of the Eden family from their early home , was just an indication of the same desire which holds sway iu the human breast . The tree was something to be desired to make men wise . It was knowledge that they sought after . The men of Babel who thought to reach the abode of Deity by building

an immense tower were only following the natural bent of the human mind in all the oges before their time , aud the same tendency has been manifested ever sinco their time . The temples etected and dedicated to the gods in what are known to ns as hoatbon nations were just the ontcome of the same overmastering doairo ou the part of these blind leaders of the blind . Even the grand temple whioh

David planned and which Solomon built at Jerusalem was jnst a further development of the supreme instinct in the human bosom . Indeed , all onr grandest institutions , both religious and moral , are tho outcome of this heavenly aspiration to rise np to the Divine , to approach the throne of wisdom , strength , and beauty ; and the science of Masonry is no exception . Tbe grand Masonio Temple is

essentially a moral and religions institntion , founded upon tho most sacred principle ? , and reared by virtuous und chivalrous men for the very desirable purpose of keeping prominently before our minds the most sublime truths and the most sacred beauties in the midst of brotherly intercourse , innocent pleasures , and social enjoyments . The four principal pillars ot our Order are Love , Liberality , Charity ,

and Chastity . Our Order knows nothing of politics aud nothing of sectarianism . It is tbe science of universal brotherhood , morality , and religion . It is a science of universal language , because its symbols are the samo everywhere . In our Order we aro all upon a level , and every man is to contribute his own share of good ideas or good works in helping to perfect this glorious temple for the Supreme

and Divine Builder . Every member of our Craft is expected to help iu perfecting the ceremonies and symbols , und in strengthening tho pillar of truth in the nniversal temple which will one day embrace within its ample bosom tho entire family of mankind . Masonry is the earliest of all sciences . In the dark ages of antiquity , when the rude manners of men debarred them from that knowledge which wo

possess , this institution was a grand centre of light and beneficent influence . Under its benign and fostering sway soionco advanced , arts flourished , civilisation spread , and tho gloom of ignorance and tho cruelties of barbarism wero swept away . Onr symbols and signs are the same in all countries , and they have become the only nniversal language . The unapproachable Chinese , tho wild Arab ,

the Bedouin in tbe desert , tbe American savage , will embrace a brother Briton , and will understand that beyond the ordinary ties of humanity there is still stronger obligation laid upon him to treat his fellow craftsman with kindness , and hospitality , and other friendly offices . From what I have now told you of our Order , men of candid minds may judge and come to the conclusion that ours is a great nnd

sublime institntion , worthy of its past tradition and history , and claiming tho support of honest and virtuous men . The grand binding principle which forms the web , the warp , and the woaf of our Order is brotherly love . The one article in onr Constitntions whioh contents and holds ns together is tho bond of affection . Such , brethren , is tbe nature of that sublime Order , which has ofttimes been slandered and

maligned , and which even many of its members never tried properly to understand . The Lodgo itself is a mere symbol of that grander temple which is confined to no spot on earth , but with loving charity includes the world of mankind . From what I havo now said yon csvn see how much our institution resembles the morality and the religion of the New Testament . Any system of morality and religion whioh

makes men sympathetic , kind , and generous—any institution whioh can show the fruits of genuine brotherhood , in efforts to feed tho hungry , clothe the naked , and take the houseless wanderers in , must be worthy of our highest respect aud warmest support . We have St . James asking tbe question—If a brother or sister be naked and destitute of daily food , and one of you say nolo him , " Depart iu

peace aud be ye warmed and filled , " notwithstanding ye gnvo them not those things whioh are needful for the body , what doth it profit ? St . John tells us that the leading principle of the Gospel is to " Love one another . " He says whosoever doeth not righteousness lovetb nofc God , neither he that loveth not his brother . From all this it is manifest that true religion generates a holy life , on affectionate

nature , and a generous heart . There are many ways in whioh we might bo able to make religion attractive and impressive , yet above and beyond all these aids in religion we should try tq have onr lives adorned with purity and cliarity . True religion should teach ns that wo aro all God ' s children , that his Fatherly eye is ever watching ovtr us , and that the neglect of so many that are poor and needy , of so many that are weak nnd foolish , of BO many that have '' illen in the

race , of so many that were deficient in sustaining power , of so many that wore handicapped hy sickness , will not be allowed to pass unpunished by Him . Compassion for the poor and miserable , charity xor tbe down . trodden and the distressed , shonld form a very important part of every man ' s religion . To visit tbe fatherless and the widows in their aftliction is the highest aud purest and noblest outcome of the religion of Jesus Christ . Now , looking over life as yie may see it around ns evory day , we ask—Where does this equal

A Sermon. By Bro. Dr. J. C. Stewart.

love for our neighbour appear Y Solomon says— "He that hath pity on the poor lendet h to tho Lord . " And 1 am bound to say that such lending wonld bo a very safe investment . We are often hearing of the bursting of some of thoso bubble schemes which the crafty prepare for tho unwary that may bo caught with tha prospect of a big dividend , and many of our brothers and sisters aro landed in beggary

by the catastrophe , but hero you have at least ono safe investment aud one safe bank . Wo are very fond of hoardiug up wealth . Here , then , is a splendid opportunity . No moth or rust cau corrupt this . No thieves can break through aud steal this . This id the only safe investment . There can be no charity where there is no help given to the poor and needy . I , for one , do not believe in that religion which exhausts itself in preaohing and praying . I have a strong

conviction that ready help is one of the fruits of God ' s spirit . I know that a man is not saved by works alone , but I ( irmly believe he will not bo saved by faith alone . I believe aud I preach that faith without works is a delusion aud a snare—a monstrous falsehood generated in the meanness of a narrow heart . I maintain , with the Apostlo Paul , that faith without works is dead Tho highest and tho uoblest fruit of religion tha J I believe iu and preach is love :

Royal Masonic Institution For Girls.

ROYAL MASONIC INSTITUTION FOR GIRLS .

IN consequence of numerous applications to view the new premises , the Honse Committee considered it advisable to throw tbem opon for an afternoon , and this was done on Saturday last . The visitors began to arrive about three o ' clock , and were received by Bros . Frank Richardson ( Chairman for the month ) , Sir John Monkton , Thomas Fenn , Edward Letchworth , Peter do Lande Long , Charles Hammerton , . Robert Grey , and J . H . Matthews . Amongst the visitors

were Lord Justice Fitzgibbon , Lady Morris and Misa Morris , all from Dnblin , General Laurie M . W . G . M . of Nova Scotia and Mrs . Laurie , Sir George Harris and Lady and Miss Harris , General Mioklem and Mrs . and Miss Mioklem , Eev . G . W . Garrod , Charles Barry P . G . S . Works , Col . Noel Money , the newly-appointed Prov . G . M . for Snrrey and Mrs . Money , Mrs . Edward Terry and daughters , Captain and

Mrs . Philips , Colonel and Mrs . Doncaster and Miss Doncaster , Bro . Keyser and Mrs . and Miss Keyser , & o ., & c , & c . The children went through their oulisthenic exercises and marching , and then , accompanied by Mrs . Eowarth , the teacher of singing , gave some part songs , muoh to the gratification of all present , which was admirably expressed to them , first by General Laurie , and then by Lord Justice

Fitzgibbon ; the latter in his congratulations with respect of the improvements , and tho admirable manner in whioh the drill wonld now bo conducted , through tbe liberality of the Centenary Stewards , drew attention to the fact that the Dublin Freemasons' Girls' School ( of whioh Committee he is ono of the most active and energetic members ) would celebrate their Centenary next year . Misa Davis , the Head Governess , was heartily congratulated upou the perfection

to which sho had brought the children in their exercises . The visitors wero afterwards conducted round tho promises by tho prefects and Cambridge girls , and , after a modest cap of tea with Miss Buck , the conrteoua Matron , retired , nil expressing themselves extremely pleased with thoir visit and everything thoy had seen . We may mention that tho Head Governess , as well as her First Assistant at the sister establishment in Dublin , wore both educated uuder the care of Miss Davis .

MASONIC MBKTINO AT STAVIOKD . —On the 7 th inst ., at tbo Vino Hotel , Stafford , a meeting of preceptors and representatives of Lodges was held for th * purpose of transacting business relating to the different ceremonies , the W . M . ' s chair in the different degrees being taken by Bros . J . Wooldridgo P . P . A . D . C , J . F . Pepper P . P . G . S . W ., aud J . B . Ashwell P . G . D . Thoro were present tho

K . W . P . G . M . Bro . Foster Gongh LL . D . ( by whose desire tho meeting had been convened ) , the V . W . D . P . G . M . Bro . Col . Bindloy , Bodenham P . P . G . S . W ., and representatives of Lodges in Stnfford . shire , Warwickshire , Worcestershire , and Shropshire . Bro . Sudlow , Grand Standard Bearer England , Deputy Chairman of tho Emulation Improvement CommitteB , attended , and acted SIB Preceptor , and

imparted useful instruction with regard to the different ceremonies * , which will ba communicated to the Lodges by their representatives . Before the completion of tho business , the brethren adjourned " from labour to refreshment , " and sat down to an excollont dinner , which wag provided by Bro . Bennett , tho chair being occupied by tie P . G . M . Tho tonst list was a briof ono , coriimoncinc , ' , of course , with

tho customary manifestation of loyalty . Bro . Sudlow , in ncknow . lodging tho toast of his health , expressed the pleasure whioh ho fe'L ou finding himself surrounded by so many thoroughly earnest nn I experienced Masons , ft was always a sonrco of delight to-him tn help any brethren in their efforts to perfect thempolves in tho detai s of Masonic work . Ho was grateful for the kind reception he had mf-t

with . The D . P . G . M . then proposed the health of the P . G . M ., observing that they were aware of tho enormous amount of trouble which Col . Gongh had taken iu bringing about euch a feeling of unanimity in the Province . " Suaviter in mndo , " while "fnrliter in re , " ho swayed thorn in the direction be wished them to go , and ho encouraged fchem by his own enthusiasm to take a c !» ep interest i > i

the wolfuro of the Craft , The toast , WHM drunk nruwt heartily . Col . Gough thanked tho brethren sincerely for tho earnest manner in which thoy had supported him on this and other occasions . Havin " onco put hia hand to tho plough , he hud aofc the slightest intention tn lookback " . Von sum quails emm ; " but still ho felt bound to tell

them that their splenrli . i support in this new d"pnrfcnro had infos •