Royal Arch.

Scribe E ., at once entering upon the duties of the office which Bro . Stevens had vacated ; and Bro . H . Baldwin being invested as N . Tho report of the Audit Committee , with a balance sheet , which was of a favourable character , was received and adopted . Candidates for exaltation and joining were proposed , and after the acceptance of two resignations , with regret , the Chapter was closed , and the Companions

adjourned to banquet . This was well prepared , and served by Bro . Buxton , the new host of the Horns Tavern , and gave great satisfaction . After the cloth was cleared , the customary Loyal and Masonic toasts were duly honoured , and those of tho M . E . Z ., the Exaltee , tlio Visitors , and fche P . Z . ' s met with appropriate responses . Tho social

gathering was enlivened by the vocal efforts of Comps . Voisey , Halsey , Baldwin , Beckley , aud Bickerstaff , and recitations by Companions Stevens and Forbes , and well before the midnight hour the Companions separated , pleased with the successful issue of their nineteenth anniversary .

Eoyal Arch Masonry is making rapid progress in the metropolis , and no recently formed Chapter hns done more to help forward the movement than the Metropolitan , No . 1507 , which has been , and is being , largely recruited from the Savoy Lodge . The popularity of the Metropolitan Chapter is due undoubtedly to the great discrimination shown in the selection of the Principals , and certainly few Masonic bodies have been so successful in the election of their

Officers . ID succession to Companions James Willing , Stacey , Fergnsson , William Mason Stiles , and Hudson , Companion . H . Stiles ( Master of the Metropolitan Lodge ) has been called upon to rule the destinies of the Chapter , and he may safely be trusted to exercise the duties of the exalted position of firsfc Principal with credit to himself and honour to the Companions . Comps . James Willling , Side , and T . C . Edmonds have been elected to important offices in the Chapter . —Evening News .

The Fire At Freemasons' Hall.

THE FIRE AT FREEMASONS' HALL .

We have seen some capital photographs of the " Temple , " taken immediately after the fire . In these Mr . G . W . Parker , of Warwickcourt , Holborn , has to onr mind been the most successful ; the destructive effects of the conflagration are vividly displayed in the several

views he has just published . Bro . Bedford Lemere , of 147 Strand , has also produced some mosfc artistic pictures . As the cost at which these photographs can be secured is bnt trifling , we hope to see them afc many of the Lodge meeting places of our Metropolitan and Provincial brethren .

' Spiers and Pond ( Limited ) have asked the Chancery Division of the High Court of Justice for an injunction against Messrs . Chubb and Sons , lock and safe manufacturers , to restrain them from advertising copies of a letter from the Freemasons' Tavern , signed " Spiers and Pond and Co ., per E . Dawkins , Manager , " attributing the fact that the Freemasons' Tavern had not been burned down to the

valuable services of some iron doors between the two buildings , which were supplied by Messrs . Chubb . Having got a letter from Mr . Dawkins , the defendants had advertised ifc far and wide . The plaintiff company thought the defendant company had no right to publish tho letter ; and , being determined to try the question , asked for an interim injunction over nexfc Monday . The matter came before the Division on Thursday . His lordship said his difficulty was in

granting an injunction ex parte when there was no evidence of injury to the plaintiffs being done . Mr . Napier Higgins said the plaintiff company had a property in fche letter , and Mr . Dawkins had no authority to write it . If his lordship did not see his way to granting an injunction ex parte , he asked for liberty to serve short notice of motion for the following clay . His lordship gavo leave , but said he would not undertake to hear ifc then . —City Press .

The lamentable destruction of our historic hall , following as ifc does in the train of an unparalleled sequence of similar disasters , should stir the public from their supine attitude . as regards the risks of fire which they and their buildings daily run . Science has done its parfc . Effective preventives are to be had , and ifc remains for ns—especially those of ns who are responsible for the safety of important structures

—to avail ourselves of them . One remarkable invention in particular —Asbestos Fireproof Paint—the efficacy of which in resisting fire has been repeatedly proved by the public experiments of the United Asbestos Company , of Queen Victoria Street , is well worth tbe notice of those interested in the construction and preservation of large buildings . Its efficacy has beeu placed beyond all doubt , and its

general adoption cannot be too strongly urged in the interests of public safety . Ifc would be well if the authorities were to inquire into , the virtues of this remarkable substance . The buildings of the great International Fisheries Exhibition have just been made fireproof by its aid , and it might probably be adopted with considerable advantage in the reconstruction of Freemasons' Hall .

Brother James Stevens P . M . P . Z ., will continue his lecture , Explanatory of the Rituals and Ceremonies of the First Degree , in the Loughborough Lodge of Instruction , at the Cambria Arms Tavern , Cambria Road , Loughborough Junction , S . E ., on Monday next , the 21 st instant , at 8 o ' clock precisely .

Brother V . Benoist , of 67 Wigmore-strect , W ., announces that he has purchased tho well known business of Mr . Dumas , French Confectioner and Caterer ( Charcnterie Francaise ) , 19 Wardour-street ( late Princes-street ) . Brother Benoist has gained a large experience , both in London and in the principal Paris houses , and brethren arrang ing masonic , picnic , boating , racing , shooting , and cricket parties , might consult him with advantage .

Practical Masonry.

PRACTICAL MASONRY .

FROM THE FRKEMASO . VS' REPOSITORY IT is often said that Masonry is not sntReontly practical . We hear a criticism frequently made to this effect ; that tho Masonic Institution , with all its prestige of a < ro and rank , its largo and varied resources , fails to be an effective working power in th » world , and to accomplish tho actual irood that might bo expected of such an organization . Nofc from outsiders alono does tho charge como that Masonry

is lacking in practical ministries , but many earnest Brethren give emphasis to such a complaint , while thoy urge greater zeal aud activity on tho part of fcho Craft in discharging fche duties of a generous philanthropy . This age is intensely practical . The world of to-day gives bufc little attention to matters that are merely speculative and fanciful .

Something tangiblo is demanded to signify the worth of ideas and systems . Character rather than profession , works instead of mere words , the actual rendering of somo service in tho way of helping men to better conditions—these aro tho special requirements of onr advanced civilization and moral state . In this practical age Masonry must show its practical side . It must keep pace with human

progress and needs . Ifc must adapt , itself to existing conditionsmust express its genius and power in the rendering of a positive service of helpfulness to those whom ifc is able to reach aud bless . There can be no question that a practical Masonry is called for in this matter of fact and progressive age . While in one sense no change is possible , our Institution being established on certain abiding

principles , ifc is nevertheless eminently proper thafc the Craft should be attentive to the signs of the times—that the } ' should give heed to those moral demands now generally recognized , and seek to make their organization preeminently nsefnl in obedience to such requirements . Failing to perform this benign ministry , Masonry cannot justify its continued existence . It can only prove ifc i right to live

and flourish by responding to the large demands of human need , and doing a work of actual good according to what are its means and its opportunities . Thero is danger , however , of limiting unduly tho definition of practical Masonry . This word practical is sometimes strangely narrowed in its rendering . Ifc is made to signify a single line of

endeavour or accomplishment , rather than a broad sweep of effort in the way of desired good . Thus reference is made to practical business , when only some exceedingly limited methods or plans are held in view , and that which is set aside iu the material undertaking is of vastly more importance . Some people talk about practical education , having in mind merely a limited and imperfect training for

one kind of business oroccupation . All other instruction seems to them unpractical and without value . How different the broad definition of education given by John Milton ! " I hold a complete and generous education to be that which fits a man to perform justly , skilfully and magnanimously all the offices , both private and public , of peace and war . " And this large definition of education is altogether of practical

import , for ifc points to a training calculated to give an adequate preparation for the performance of all required duties , while ifc includes the discipline and use of all the varied faculties of man . Practical Masonry doos nofc begin and end wifch almsgiving , or with benevolent effort of whatever sort it may be . The ministry of usefulness which our Institntion has to perform is nofc limited to a

single department of effort , nor does such a ministry depend upon the constraining of its influence within two narrow bounds . Masonry , like religion , meets life afc nil points . Ifc recognizes the manysidedness of human nature . Ifc has precepts and offerings appropriate to the heart , the mind , and tho son ! of man . Ifc seeks to provide a ministry for the social as well as the ethical nature—to nourish

tbe affections as well as to snppy the intellect—and to delevop symmetrical characters on which true manliness shall be stamped . Ifc points its disciples to tho fulfilment of various obligations , and binds them closely to the practice of many social and moral virtues . In its organic life ifc takes hold of the work which a true regard for the benefit of others prompt--., aud makes expression of itself by

blessed services of love and benevolence . It does something to lessen human suflvring , ignorance and vice , and it contributes some help to the moral stock of the world . AU this is practical Masonry , according to what is its broad and expansive genius of good . We are not to pick out certain lines of its teaching and work , calling these practical , and regarding all else as

unworthy of attention . Wo shall make a grievous mistake if we conclude ^ thafc there is no practical element in Masonry except that which is witnessed iu its chanties . If ifc addresses men on the intellectual sides of their natures , and incites them to earnest thinking , or if ifc brings to them the suggestions of profitable instruction , it is unquestionably practical in such communications .

If ifc ministers to tho social side of human nature , making its power felt in bringing men out of selfish isolation into true fellowship , and by providing means and occasions to augment the zest of life , ifc may well count its offices in this direction to be of a practical character . Masonry is practical in all the influence it exerts , all the work it docs , to develop individual character and give

instruction in the way of upright personal living . Ifc fulfils no small parfc of its roost serviceable mission aa it disposes mon to mako the most and tho best of life , to recognise their relations to each other and to God , and to bo faithful , generous and true , wherever they may be placed , and whatever may be the special call to usefulness . '

Ad00703

DANCING . —To Those Who Have Never Learnt to Dance . —Bro . and Hrs . . TACQTJKS WYNMiVNN "" v . coivo daily , anil undertake to teach ladies and gentlemen , who have never had the slightest previous knowledge or instruction , to so through every fashionable l ;; ill-d : i : eo in a few easy lessons . Private lessons any . hour . "Morning and evening cUssc PROSPECTUS 07 T APPLICATION ACADEMY—74 KEWMAN STREET , OXFORD STREET , W . BRO . JACQUES WYXMANN WILL HE HAPPY TO TAKE THE JTAyAGKMElfT OT MASojaa BAILS . FIRST -CLASS BANDS PROVIDED .