The Late Bro. Thomas Valentine, J.P.

blessed of God and the characteristics of which are truth , benevolence , and charity . It had been his privilege on several occasions fco address his Brother Masons in the North of Ireland when assembled for Divine worship . On such occasions there were certain topics

which suggested themselves , and when thinking on what subject he . should address -them that day it occurred , to him that . the topic he should speak on was the one most seldom dwelt upon at a Masonic ceremony—he referred fco the history of the great Brotherhood to which thev belonged . Our Eev . Brother then

proceeded with a historical sketch of Freemasonry from a very early date down to the present time . He said that even in these days what were called fche best buildings they reared were bufc copies of fche grand edifices erected in ancient times in what they

were pleased to call the " dark ages . " At length , in . 1703 , when Sir Christopher Wren was Grand Master " , there was carried out that which paved . the way for Masonry—that was when Masonry was to be no longer confined to Masons , but extended to others .

Hitherto he had said nothing about Irish Freemasonry . Undoubtedly it existed from ancient days , but historical records showed that a Grand Lodge was in existence in 1726 . A Grand Lodge was established in Dublin in 1729 , on the three great principles of their Order—brotherly love , relief , and truth .. In

1789 a school for Masonic orphans was founded m London . Ireland was not long in following that good example , and in 1790 , the year after , when Lord Donegal was Grand Master , a commencement was made in Dublin for little girls . It was a very modest beginning , but soon the movement spread . During the

early years of the century ifc went through many changes . In 1852 Burlington House was opened for pupils , and since then its prosperity had . been assured . Having spoken of its . success , he said ; that led to the erection of the fine building afc Ballsbridge ,

Dublin . In thafc school at present there were 104 pupils , enjoying the advantages of an education second to none in the empire . The Masonic Orphan Boys School was of much later date . In 1867 the idea of a Boys School was mooted in Dublin . Soon nearly £ 2 , 000 was subscribed .

North and South united in that movement , and here he could not but feel keenly the great loss which Freemasonry had sustained by the removal of , one well known to them . all . The . Brother jyho represented the North of Ireland on that Committee , the Brother whose efforts were so unwearied and whose charity , knew no bounds , the Brother who did so much on that occasion was the

late Eight Worshipful Deputy Grand Master Bro . Thomas Valentine . Bufc he did not like the expression their late Brother . When on earth Bro . Valentine was a true Brother of all Masons . Most of them he knew from their Masonic infancy ; but he had been summoned from fche Lodge below to the great Lodge above , where the Great Architect lives for evermore .

In 1885 a house surrounded by twenty-four acres of land was provided for the School , which at present contained eighty-one orphans . As thafc service was on behalf of those Schools , he wished to refer to a point . He had heard ifc stated quite recently that those Schools were monopolised by certain sections of the

community ; that in order to get admission the child must belong to the upper classes . In the Girls School there were 104 children belonging to parents who represented forty-three professions , offices , and trades . These he read over in order to show that from all classes in society children had come . In the Boys School

there were eighty-one pupils , and fcheir parents belonged to a still greater number of professions , trades , and callings . The statements made against the Schools were made by persons entirely in ignorance . In the Schools there was no distinction known but the distinction of necessity . He had heard it stated also that those were Dublin Schools . They were not Dublin

Schools ; they were the Schools of the Masonic profession . It was in support of those Schools that their offerings would be given that day . Some months ago he addressed his Brother Masons in Armagh on behalf of those Schools , and £ 150 was given by a congregation which could be taken out of the great gathering there before him and never be missed .

The Eev . Brother concluded with an earnest appeal to his audience on behalf of the funds of the Masonic Orphan Schools of Ireland . A silver collection was then made . In consequence , however , of the crowded state of the hall , it was found impossible to carry out the original arrangements for taking up the collection , and this the Committee very much regret .

In tribute fco the memory of the late Bro . Thomas Valentine , Beethoven ' s " Bquale" ( No . 1 ) in C minor was performed on brass instruments by the quartet of military bandsmen already mentioned . It was played in one of the corridors , and went

effectively . This composition was given m Westminster Abbey at the funeral of Mr . Gladstone . Bro . Hill also executed , on Sunday afternoon , on the organ , the " Dead March" from Handel ' s " Saul . " The audience then joined in singing Barnby ' s hymn " Sleep

The Late Bro. Thomas Valentine, J.P.

thy last sleep , " after which the benediction was pronounced , and the . service concluded a few minutes past six o ' clock . — " Northern Whig . " 7 '¦ " '

ANNUAL SUPPER OF THE WEST SMITHFIELD LODGE OF INSTRUCTION , No . 1623 . ON , Monday evening this well known and highly successful Lodge of Instruction held its annual supper at the house of fche popular Bio . C . W . Fink , the City Scotch Stores , Knightrider Street , B . C ., when there was a goodly array of Brethren present .

Bro . F . P . Weinel P . M . preceptor of the Lodge presided , and Bro . 3 . Clinch W . M . of the Mother Lodge acted as "Vice-Chairman . Amongst others present there were Bros . Frank Smith , J . F . Bamball P . M . Sec . of the Lodge , J . Hoffman , Hodges P . M ,, C . Biemann , F . A . Smith , Weiste , Hippwell , Linnet , J-. Heinrich , Harper , Howes , Schneider , Sherrington , Ward , & c .

The Visitors included Bro . B . J . Bogers P . M . 733 , Bro . Hutchinson , and others , in all about thirty Brethren sitting down to a mosfc excellent repast , which did great credit to the host and hostess Bro . and Mrs . 0 . Fink ; indeed , in the course of the evening the Chairman bestowed richly deserved praise upon them for their bountiful provision .

After the Loyal toasts Bro . Clinch in most eloquent manner proposed the health of the Chairman , the . popular . iind highly esteemed Preceptor of the Lodge Bro . Weinel , and the toast was received with great enthusiasm . In replying , the Chairman-expressed his-gratification for the evident appreciation of his services as Preceptor . It was a matter for pleasant reflection for him to look back on the goodly number of Brethren who were either Masters of Lodges or held some minor office who had received their Masonic training at that Lodge of Instruction .

The next toast Bro . Weinel had very much pleasure to propose was that of the Vice-Chairman the Worshipful Master of the Mother Lodge Brother Clinch , and in doing so he thanked him for being present , and hoped to have the pleasure of seejng . him , on several other occasions . The toast was most cordially received , and was responded to in a few highly appreciative words , ¦ . ' A The next toast was that of prosperity to the Lodgo of Instruction , which was responded to by Bro . F . Bamball .

Bro . B . J . Bogers P . M . of the JWestbourno Lodge replied for the Visitors , saying he had enjoyed himself very much , and would do himself the ¦ pleasure of attending one of their meetings on a future occasion . He also thanked the Chairman and Brethren for their heartyreception . Other toasts followed and were responded to , the toast of the Brethren who had contributed to the enjoyment of the evening , with their musical talent , being given . Amongst them were Bros . Clinch , Hoffmann , Linnet , Hodges , Heinrich , and others .

The Secretary proposed the health of the pianist , whom the hostrhad so kindly provided for their comfort . Tne host being called upon thanked the W . M . for his many kind remarks concerning his wife and daughter . He was pleased to say his family were delighted that the Brethren had enjoyed themselves .

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