Provincial Grand Lodge Of South Wales (Western Division).

he passed from his apprenticeship to the Fellow Craft Degree ? Even this is not without its lesson ; and the lesson of it is that life is an uphill journey , that knowledge and wisdom are but slowly acquired , that there is no royal or magic road to skill and learning , that the structure of a good and worthy life can only be built up by a fixed determination at its very outset to act honestly and " on the

square , " and by unceasing industry and perseverance . Only to the industrious and persevering searcher will nature yield up her secrets , and science—which is knowledge -take up her abode in our understanding . I pass still onward to the day that saw us raised to a higher degree yet . Any disappointment we may have felt when we were passed was now amply atoned for . How great the solemnity

with which we were now taught the new great lessons of Faith and Hope . How much f aller an idea of Charity or Brotherly Love was set forth , extending even to the laying down of life for tbe brethren , the most extreme case of Christ ' s royal law " To do to others a 3 we would they should do unto us . " I have said we were now taught Faith . At an earlier stage we had been taught to rely and depend

on God in the affairs of life ; but who oan go on doing so if all is dark around him , if adversity defeats all his industry , if all friends fail , and death itself looms before him ? The fidelity of many a good man to God , to purity , and to , rhis fellow-man , has brought him in tbis world no recompense save suffering , and even in some cases , torturing death . How , in spite of these proofs to the

contrary , can he still rely ou God ' s rewarding him ? Ah ! if death bounded all , and the compass of man ' s tbongbts would open no further than the brink of the grave , this could not be Faith in God , and hope of happiness would in that case necessarily perish when death was seen approaching . But from beyond the grave God draws us towards Himself . God illumines death itself with light , " Though

I pass through tbe valley of tbe shadow of death , 1 will fear no evil , for Tbou art with me . " This is the Mason ' s Faith . But he has more than Faith , he , like the Christian , has hope of Immortality , hope of Resurrection . Bro . Mason , this hope of a life beyond the grave , a life that will give to all who died here unrewarded , the full reward of their toils , ay ! far more than any of us deserve , to those who have really learned to live in Faith in God , this hope , I say , of which Masonry and

natural religion in every land teaches something , is made by tbe gospel of Christ into a sore and certain expectation . For Christ has risen from the grave . The Most High has thereby set His seal to all that Jesus taught . We know from Christ ' s own lips that He who was thns raised from tbe dead to His Father ' s right hand will take to Himself and to the Father ' s presence all that put their trust in Him . Amen .

The collection amounted to £ 5 15 s 6 d . A vote of thanks was passed to the Rev . James Boaden for the use of his ohurch , and the amount collected was placed in the hands of a committee of the St . David ' s Lodge for disbursement . After several other matters had received consideration Provincial Grand Lodge was olosed .

CLARENDON LODGE , No . 1769 . fPHE annual election meeting of tbis popular and eminently practical -L Lodge was held on Tuesday evening last , at tbe Guildhall Tavern , Gresbam-street , when there was a goodly muster of members and visitors , under the presidency of BrO . John Soper , the genial Worshipful Master . Amonarst those present were Bros . H . W . Mayes S . W ., George Croxton J . W ., J . Stanley TreasnrerJames Cooper P . M .

, Secretary , T . B . Lioscott S . D ., Thomas Grove P . M ., Charles Thompson LP . M ., E . Aberorombie , M . Ker , C . Thomas Prov . Grand Tyler for Herts T yler . The Visitors included Bros . J . Farraaner P . M . 28 , J . Jackson 1287 , W . Grix 28 , and others . Lodge having been opened in accordance with ancient rites , tbe minutes of last meeting were read and oonfirraed , after whioh Lodge was advanced to the second

degree , and Bro . Walter Oris , of Durham , Natal , who had been ini-Rated into the Old King ' s Arms Lodge , No . 28 , was passed to the degree of Fellow Craft , tbe working being exeouted in masterly manner by tbe Worshipful Master , assisted by bis Officers . The voting subsequently took place for W . M . for the ensuing year , and the choice of the brethren fell unanimousl Bro . H . W . Mayes

y npon , whose zeal and ability in the discharge of duty in the minor chairs was suitabl y and deservedly acknowledged . Bro . Stanley was requested to continue in office as tbe Secretary of the Lodge , an office he has filled with so much satisfaction to all concerned , and Bro . Stanley accepted the renewal of confidence with a few well-expressed words of encomium which had been proffered to him for his little

services . _ He begged the Lodge ' s acceptance of a case in which the nooks might be more conveniently kept , and this was received 7 tne brethren with applause , with a resolution that a vote ot thanks be recorded on the minutes , acknowledging the handsome present which had been made to the Lodge . Bro . C . Thomas Prov . G . lyler Herts , was nnanimously re-elected Tyler , and an Audit

Committee was appointed . After tbe transaction of some formal business , Hi if clo 3 ea atma < st an abundance of hearty good wishes , and 6 brethren and visitors adjourned to the banqnetting-room , where a sumptuous repast was served , in a style which has made Bros . •Kitter and Clifford famous at this old established City resort . The arrangements were under the personal snoerintendance of Brother

. £ Mills , and elicited expressions of unqualified satisfaction . Alter dessert , the customary Loyal and Craft toasts were hononred , \\ ° * TO gD 1 ' tio 11 De * S given to the valuable sevvicea rendered by the ^•ost Worshi pful Grand Master the Prince of Wales , and the other raiers of the Craft . Brother C . Thompson I . P . M ., in proposing tho

sh 11 T ? the Wor 3 bi P faster , said tbi 3 was the last time he one tlle nononr' of discharging that congenial duty , and in sav f ^ he mn 3 t confes 3 na wa 3 rather sorry for it . He could ouly in a tbeir excelleufc Worshipful Master had discharged his duties m mo 8 * able manner during the year , and that under his rule hary au " good feeling bad pervaded everything appertaining to the

Provincial Grand Lodge Of South Wales (Western Division).

Lodge . It was most satisfactory that the brethren had voted to him a Past Master ' s jewel on his retirement from the office he had so well and worthily filled , for no man more richly deserved such a recognition of services rendered to bis Lodge . They all trusted that Bro . Soper might be spared many years , not only to favour the Lodge with his presence , but that he miaht have good health aud Jong life to

wear the jewel which had been so deservedly voted to him ou his retirement from the chair . The W . M . in acknowledging the very cordial manner in which the toast had been received , said he feared at one period that ho should have to go through his year of office without any work to do , * bat thanks to his friend , Brother Grove , who had found him some employment this evening , his fears had not been

realised . Although the work was not done quite to his own satisfaction , yet he had done the best he could , and trusted the brethren would kindly overlook any little shortcomings of which he might have been guilty . He assnrerl the brethren he had the true interest of the Clarendon Lodge closely at heart , and he shonld do all he could in the future , as he had done in the past , to advance its prosperity .

In a small and select Lodge like this , there was a difficulty in obtaining employment sufficient to keep tbe Master and his Officers always in a state of ready proficiency ; but he hoped bis successor wonld have a few candidates , and that his year of office might be a happy and successful one . He then proposed the health of the Visitors , to whom he extended a most hearty and cordial welcome .

The Visitors briefly responded , uniting in expressions of pleasure at the reception they had met at the hands of the brethren , and tbeir appreciation also of the working they had witnessed in the Lodgeroom . The W . M . next gave the healths of the Past Masters , thanking them for their uniform courtesy and kindness , and for tbe valuable assistance tbey had rendered him daring his year of office .

Bro . T . Grove P . M . in tbe coarse of a happy speech , referred to the laudable ambition which prompted every Mason to pass the chair of his Lodge , and expressed the pleasure it afforded him to stand in the ranks of the Past Masters , although he had now responded to the toast so many times that he had very little to say in relation to it . He hoped to live many years to enjoy that esteem which

be felt he now possessed , and those good wishes which were so frequently expressed towards bim . He could assure them he shonld do the best be could to deserve their good wishes , and that his interest in tbe well-being of the Lodge was unabated . Tbe Immediate Past Master also replied , echoing the sentiments whioh bad fallen from Brother Grove . To be a Past Master of the Clarendon Lodge was

one of the chief pleasures of his life . The Past Masters were at all times pleased and willing to do anything in their power for the furtherance of the Lodge , and for the assistance and instruction of the brethren . They were glad to be called upon at any moment , shonld an Officer , through any cause , be absent from his post , aud be hoped he might live to see all the brethren now present passing to

the highest position to be obtained in the Lodge . The Worshipful Master then proposed the healths of the Treasurer and Secretary ; in doing which he referred to the suit and service rendered by Brother Stanley as Treasurer , and jocosely expressed his belief that that brother had a wonderful amount of money now in hand . He only hoped that a considerable portion of those funds would be devoted to

charity . Their Secretary was also most indefatigable in the performance of his duties , and well looked after the interests of the Lodge . Brother Stanley , in responding , said it was a pleasure to fill the post of Treasurer to the Clarendon Lodge , and he knew they would believe bim when be said he was desirous of saving himself as much trouble as possible . Being one of tbe founders of the Lodge , ho looked upon it as one of bis family , and he only hoped be might live to see

it crowned with every success . The W . M . then proposed the healths of the Officers of the Lodge , alluding to tbe zealous and useful ser . vices rendered by all those who held positions of responsibility below the obair . Bros . Hayes and Croxton responded , the latter in a characteristically humourous speech ; and the official list was closed in befitting manner by the Tyler . The proceedings were interspersed with some excellent singing , and a most harmonious , and enjoyable evening was passed .

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AMERICANORGANS, CHEAPEST AND BEST , BY the STERLING ORGAN CO ., DERBY , CONK ., U . S . A ., ab Low Prices , with Twenty-Five per cent . Co-operative Discount for Cash ( or on tho THREE YEARS' SYSTEM , from 10 a 6 d per Month . SEND FOR ILLUSTRATED LIST TO CHAS . STILES and CO ., 42 SOUTHAMPTON ROW , HOLBORN , LONDON , W . C . These Organs are eminently suited for use in MASONIC LODGES .

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BORD'SPIANOS. CHAS . STILES & CO ., the well-known Importers of these celebrated Pianos , have Removed to 42 Southampton-row , Holborn , London , W . C . Where may be seen a largo and varied assortment of Instruments , o £ Now and Artistic Design , at Low Prices , with Twenty-Five per Cent . Co-operative Diset . for Cash , OB 0 ! T T HE THREE YEARS' SYSTEM , From 15 s per Month . SEND FOR ILLUSTRATED LIST . Second-Hand Pianos on tho Three Years' System , from 10 s 6 d per Month Full Value allowed for Old Instruments of any kind in Exchange .

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FUNEBALS .-Bros . W . K . L . & G . A . HUTTOW , Coffin Makers and Undertakers , 17 Newcastle Street , Strand , W . C . and 30 Forest Hill Eoad , Peekham Bye , S . E .