New Hall At Amlwch.

NEW HALL AT AMLWCH .

IN connection with the St . Eleth Lodge , No . 1488 , a new Masonic Hall , situated on the Bull Bay Eoad , opposite the National Schools , Amlwch , was formally opened on the Sth . The Lodge room measures 34 ft . long by 24 ft . wide , and is well lighted and ventilated . The smoke room and the dressing rooms are light and spacious , and other accessories are proportionately well arranged .

The visiting Brethren were numerous , representing nearly every Lodge in the Province , all of whom , with the members of the Lodge , were entertained to dinner at the new Hall . The Lodge having been opened , a number of Provincial Grand Officers escorted the Deputy-Provincial Grand Master Bro . Colonel Henry Piatt P . G . D . of England into the Lodge . The inaugural address was delivered by the D . P . G . M .

The W . M . Bro . John Hughes , Frondeg , went through the initiation ceremony , and Bro . T . Williams P . P . G . D . C raised three candidates in his usual efficient manner . Before the close of the Lodge , Bro . Smith , Ehosybol , P . P . G . Chaplain complimented the two Brethren most actively employed in the erection of the new Hall , viz ., the W . M . Bro . John Hughes and Bro . Wm . Jones P . M . P . P . G . P .

Subsequently sixty Brethren sat down to a sumptuous repast . During the evening the usual Loyal toasts were proposed and duly honoured . The W . M . proposed a cordial vote of thanks to Bro . E . G . Thomas P . P . G . P ., for the assistance he rendered in supplying plans for the Hall . —" Liverpool Courier . "

New Hall At Lyme Regis.

NEW HALL AT LYME REGIS .

THE Worshipful Master and Brethren of the Montagu Lodge , No . 665 , began a new epoch in local Masonic history on Monday , 11 th inst ., when they had the good fortune to move into a brand new hall , pleasantly situated on the south side of Malvern House . Just forty-one years ago the late Mr . J . M . P . Montagu , then residing at High Cliffe , founded a Lodge for the

fraternity , at the Eoyal Lion Hotel . Mr . T . E . D . Philpot , joining in 1890 , determined to offer the Brethren a more comfortable and exclusive meeting place than the one then at their disposal , well knowing that the Provincial Grand Master seriously objected to any body of Freemasons doing Masonic

business at an hotel . Accordingly Mr . Vialls ( architect ) prepared plans and Mr . Eandall ( builder ) went to work , with the result that one of the best halls in the county now stands in Lyme Eegis . The building is nothing architecturally pretentious without , but within it is characterised by substantiality , and a real embodiment of comfort .

The Eev . the Chaplain ( Eev . E . Hill ) very reverently and very solemnly led the Brethren in dedicating this new building to the glory of the Creator , and for the better service of the Brethren , one of another and also of themselves . The music was very impressive and breathed acknowledgments to the Most High , the Queen , and the Craft .

Subsequently the ordinary Lodge business was proceeded with , and the usual Christmas supper partaken of . A number of visitors from Seaton ,. Chard , and Devonport added to the enjoyment of the evening . The usual Loyal and Masonic toasts were given , and Bro . Host Grove thanked for an excellent supper . — " Bridport News . "

The third annual supper and Ladies night of the Citadel Lodge of Instruction , No . 1897 , is arranged to be held at the Holborn Eestaurant , on Friday , 19 th prox ., at 7 p . m . sharp , when Bro . Fred Dunstan P . M . 1326 P . A . G . D . C . Middlesex Preceptor of the Lodge will occupy the chair .

The Jersey Lodge, No. 2163. Bro. A. L. Butters W.M.

THE JERSEY LODGE , No . 2163 . BRO . A . L . BUTTERS W . M .

THE SIXTH . A . ItT 3 ST XJ J ± L IM ! . A S O : LT I G B ^ LLL Will be held on Tuesday , 16 th February 1897 , at the Lyric Hall , Ealing , in aid of the Masonic Charities . Dancing from 8-30 p . m . to 2-0 a . m .

The band will be supplied by Bro . H . R . Lancaster , and the Refreshments by Bro . E . Stephens . Tickets , which will include refreshments , to admit Lady or Gentleman , 7 s 6 d . Application for Tickets should be made to Bro . W . Freemantle , Eailway Hotel , Sonthall ; to any of the Stewards ; or to the Secretary , on or before Tuesday , 9 th February 1897 , after which date the price of Tickets will bo raised to 10 s 6 d . Brethren are requested to appear in full Masonic Clothing . The Green , Southall . G . HABPEB P . M . Secretary .

Masonic Shams.

MASONIC SHAMS .

l ^ / TASONEY a synonym dealing , honesty of purpose , J 3 L L not only in our intercourse with each other as Masons , bufc in the world at large . . . It teaches that we should " always act upon the square , " and do unto others as we would wish to be done by . It places all men upon an equality . Worldl y

wealth , rank or station are ignored by it ; true merit being the standard by which it measures all claims to distinction . When a man enters a Masonic Lodge he is at once the peer of all who have gone that way before him . The king and his subject , the prince and the peasant , the high and the low , the rich and the poor , here meet on a common level , for as Bro . Morris says :

" For one must leave his diadem outside the Mason's door , And the other finds his true respect upon the checkered floor . " Can there be , then , such a thing as a Masonic Sham ? It would seem not . And yet , paradoxical as it may appear , they are numerous . Not exactly Masonic shams , but , more correctly speaking , unmasonic shams . We are not quite sure we have

selected the proper word to designate a class of individuals we have in our mind's eye . A sham , Webster says , is " that which deceives expectation , any trick , fraud , or device that deludes and disappoints ; delusion , imposture , feint , humbug . " There is a great deal of meaning in this short word of four letters . If you wish to describe a person , handsome perhaps in appearance

seemingly honest in profession , wise in experience , truthful in speech , sincere in devotion , and earnest in every good word and work , but which you know to be the antipode of all these characteristics , all you have to say is sham ! and the brand shines forth like a transparency in the blackness of the night , or dazzling light of the sun at noonday . The description is perfect .

The poverty of language fails not . You behold the picture and recognise it at once . It is not necessary , like the showman , to explain which is Daniel and which the lion . Did you ever see a sham ? There are many kinds of them , and the world is full of them . They abound everywhere , and in all sorts of places where you least expect them . Upon the bench and among the

bar , in the pulpit and among the congregation , among those who govern and those who yield a willing obedience , in kingly robes and peasants' garbs , and it is not strange that they are occasionally found upon the dais and around the Lodge room . Human nature is the same everywhere . While Masonry may exert a powerful influence over the " sons of light , " it does not make a man perfect . If he is a sham before he enters the

Lodge , the chances are he will remain one , even if seated in the chair of the Worshipful Master . He may endeavour to conceal the brand while there are honours to win , or some selfish end to accomplish , but let him be disappointed in these , and the mask is pretty sure to fall . In place of an active , zealous member , he becomes at once a drone . His zeal has vanished , and with a dimit in his pocket he absolves himself , so far as in his power , from all his duties and obligations as a Mason .

Masonry is loaded down with this class of Masons . The great mistake vvas made when they were admitted . As there appears no way of removing the load , the only thing that can be done is to prevent its increase . This can be accomplished by a closer scrutiny of the qualifications of those who seek admission .

Eeceive none into the Order who have not already established a reputation upon which there is not a shadow of suspicion . Try the experiment of making Masons of those who have already been admitted , and it will be found more profitable in the end than taking in new members . — " Masonic Advocate . "

We may remind our readers that the twelfth annual North London Masonic Benevolent Ball takes place on Thursday next , 28 th inst ., at the Freemasons' Tavern , Great Queen Street , dancing to commence at 8 . 30 p . m . The gathering will be under distinguished patronage , including that of the Earl of Mount-Edgcumbe and other members of Grand Lodge . Last year no

less than £ 84 was subscribed to the three Institutions as the result of this annual ball , and it is intended the profits arising from this year ' s event shall , as heretofore , be given to the Masonic Charities . The price of tickets , including supper and light refreshment , is 12 s 6 d . Bro . Herbert Sprake , Islington Green , N ., is the Hon . Treasurer , and Bro . F . Humphreys , 16

Clerkenwell Eoad , E . C , the Hon . Secretary .

However our forefathers may have wrought and achieved , however much we may have done for ourselves and others , there ought continually to be before us something nobler to be accomplished , and therefore aspiration expresses to me the spirit of

our Fraternity . We are not perfect . We have not completed anything . The fact of the matter is the cornerstone is somehow missing . It will be found by and by , and , though it may have been rejctedefor a time , will be the head of the corner . —Exchange .