Next Week's Festival.

NEXT WEEK'S FESTIVAL .

THEEE is an old and a true saying to the effect that " nothing succeeds like success . " On this

principle we may be excused making any lengthy remarks as to the prospects of the Festival to be held on Wednesday next , on behalf of the Eoyal Masonic Institution for Boys . So far everything in connection

with the event has been a success , and we have every reason to expect that those working on its behalf will succeed in achieving a grand result , not , perhaps , as a

natural consequence , but rather because so much enthusiasm has been introduced into this year ' s celebration on behalf of " Our Boys . "

The most tangible evidence it is possible to adduce at the present time in support of the cheering prospect we are looking forward to is the fact that the Board of

Stewards is exceptionally numerous , having grown to nearly 600 strong ; and includes several ladies who are working most zealously on behalf of the orphan boys for whose benefit the Festival is being organised . With so

large a Board we are not disposed to hazard any guess as to the ultimate result , but we are of opinion that a fair average will be secured , and such being the case an exceptionally large total will follow ; one which the

Craft will be justified in referring to with pride and satisfaction . The arrangements for the Festival are well known to those who are likely to be present ; suffice it to say that every effort has been made to secure the comfort of the

guests and the general success of the day ' s proceedings , and we anticipate satisfactory results under this head also , for by this time the Executive Officers of the Boys School have learnt from experience what is necessary in

order to secure the enjoyment of the large parties of Ladies and Brethren who attend the annual Festivals of this charity . In many quarters , indeed , it is to the fact that Ladies are able to participate in the annual

celebrations that the success of the Institution is in a measure attributed , but whether this is the case or not it is very certain that most enjoyable gatherings have

resulted from similar arrangements in years gone by , and there is no reason to expect this year ' s gathering will be any exception in this respect . The names of some eminent Masons have recently

been added to the list of Honorary Presidents of the Board of Stewards , among whom are now included the Et . Hon . the Lord Llangattock , the new Provincial Grand Master of South Wales ( Eastern Division ); the

Eight Hon . the Lord Ampthill , chief of the Masonic Province of Bedfordshire ; and Sir Eeginald Hanson , Bart ., M . P ., Past Grand Warden of England , a most consistent supporter of the Masonic Institutions . In conclusion we may again express our . very besfc

Next Week's Festival.

wishes for a spendid result , and conclude with the hope that next week we may be called upon to chronicle a record contribution on behalf of this most deserving Charity .

Church Services.

CHURCH SERVICES .

ACHOEAL SEEVICE for Freemasons will be held ( by permission and with the co-operation of Bro . the Eev . John Parry , M . A ., Vicar of the Parish , and Chaplain 1805 ) to-morrow ( Sunday ) , commencing at 3 . 30 in the afternoon , in the old Parish Church of

Bromley St . Leonard , High Street , Bromley , when Bro . the Ven . Archdeacon of London , Grand Chaplain , has kindly promised fco preach . A collection will be made on behalf of the Victoria Park Hospital for Consumption . The Grand Master has granted dispensation authorising

Craffc and Eoyal Arch clothing and jewels . The Grand Prior of England has also given his sanction for Knights Templar . Brethren will assemble in fche schools at 3 p . m . ( entering from the churchyard ) . Brethren will be admitted on production of regalia .

o o o To-morrow ( Sunday ) , a Masonic Service will take place at Perry Street , a suburb of Gravesend , when the sermon will be preached by Bro . the Eev . Augustus Jackson , M . A ., Prov . Grand Chaplain of Kent .

o o o As announced in our advertisement lasfc week a Masonic Service in connection with the Doric Lodge , No . 2359 , was held afc Emmanuel Church , Barlow Moor .

Didsbury , on Sunday . It was under the patronage of Bro . J . W . Maclure , M . P . ( Sfcrefcford Division ) , Junior Grand Deacon of England . The musical portion was carried out by the Emmanuel Choir , assisted by members of the Withington Church Choir . By kind permission of

the Eev . 0 . Fynes-Clinton , M . A . Bro . the Eev . Hugh Bethell Jones , M . A . ( Whalley Eange ) , Past Provincial

Grand Chaplain occupied fche pulpit , and preached a very excellent sermon , taking his text from Sfc . Matthew vi , 10 . Bro . Jones expatiated upon the form of the Lord ' s

prayer , and the necessity of understanding its use ; and referred to the different interpretations put upon it by various sects and classes of society . He naively approached fche crucial point of his sermon , by adverting

to the teachings and actions of Our Saviour as being largely symbolical , and objectively taking away the hindrances to daily life , such as deafness , lameness , sickness , and other afflictions . The good He wrought in this manner was explained by the preacher , who admonished his hearers to go and do likewise . Bro . Jones explained that Masonry promulgated all that

was good , being founded primarily upon religion and belief in God , and instanced some of its fundamental principles , such as Brotherly love , relief , and truth . Of the rise and progress of the various Masonic Institutions he spoke at length , giving some very interesting details ,

and concluded by asking for liberal donations , which he hoped would be tendered in a spirit of Brotherhood . Considering fchat the afternoon , which followed a morning of sunshine , was characteristic of the 1894