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and the Lord do that which seemeth him good . " II . Samuel x . 12 . Appropriate hymns were sung , and an anthem very creditably rendered by the choir , Mr . Edgar presiding at the organ . The first lesson was read by the Vicar , and the second by the Rev . W . Bracecamp .

The Vicar , before proceeding with his sermon , apologised for the absence of the special preacher who had arranged to be present that evening . He was under an engagement to preach somewhere else the same evening , and as it was made first it had to be kept . He ( Bro . Percival ) wished to make

an explanation of a personal character . He was Chaplain to the Lodge , but he regretted that sickness had prevented him attending regularly . He was , however , happy to be able to tell them that since he had visited the Canary Islands he had

felt a great deal better , and he thought that under God ' s blessing the improvement would be continued , and that he would be restored to health and strength . He had no doubt about it . He was in the hands of God , and He would do what was best for him .

Proceeding with his sermon , our reverend Brother elaborated four principles which were , in his opinion , entirely in accordance with those of Freemasonry . There was , first ,

mutual helpfulness . God had so ordered it that they were mutually dependent one upon another . Throughout life they must realise that some were stronger than others , and it was , therefore , the duty of the strong to help the weak .

Then there was manly heroism . They . must be of good courage and behave themselves valiantly . How much they admired men like Gordon , that good and great soldier who led his troops through the Chinese rebellion . On one

occasion when endeavouring to take a fortress , the bullets of the enemy were so thick that the invaders were about to retire , when Gordon took a cigar out of his pocket , cooly lit it and commenced to smoke . That gave his men courage , the battle was resumed , and victory was the result .

Then there was true patriotism . The nature of selfinterest should not influence them . At the present moment the English were at war with a race a long way off , and he must confess that he had no sympathy with those men who told them that our Government sought the war on the ground

of self-interest , or that they were seeking gold and territory . He believed they were fighting for principles" which this nation had fought for in ages long gone by—principles he hoped they would fight for in the years to come . As long as England stood true to those principles of equality for every

man , liberty for every man , justice and righteousness for every man , it would maintain the position it now held amongst the nations of the world , and it would deserve to extend its borders . Whilst he was in the Canary Islands he met a member of the Legislative Council , and he was a most

loyal Englishman , and he told him distinctly " You must not call me anything but an Englishman . I long for England to extend its rule , as the English are the only people who do justice to a nation . I see a difference between the treatment of England and that of France and Germany . "

The present war was not a question of Jingoism , but of principle , and he trusted that God would give that grace and strength to our generals and soldiers which would enable them to come out of the war with a happy issue . The Government had not the slightest idea of the wonderful

preparations which had been made by the Boers , who were a great nation , so to speak , a very strong power ; but as long as they had right on their side they need fear no foe from any quarter . It mattered not if the whole world defied them ,

they would fight for their liberty . It was because England had stood so well morally that she had stood so well physically , and it was the duty of all of them to set others an example in their daily life that might be followed with advantage .

In conclusion the speaker spoke upon the necessity for genuine piety , and mentioned the fact that he had conversed with some of our officers while away in Africa , and was delighted to find that they were good Christians and

Godfearing men , who were not afraid to go down on their knees as Gordon used to do in days gone by . There were officers to-day in South Africa who knew what it was to go down on their knees and ask God ' s blessing on the battle , and he was sure He would grant their request . — " Warrington Guardian . "

The indefatigable Secretaries of the Egerton Lodge Masonic Ball , Bros . Albert Bamer and John Ashely , are sparing no efforts towards making the fourth annual ball of the Lodge an enormous success . The arrangements are on a most elaborate plan , and the latest reports point to a

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complete success . A very strong list of patrons is submitted , the elite of the county having warmly responded to the requests of the Secretaries ; the Officers of the Provincial Lodges of Cheshire and West Lancashire have unanimously

tendered their support . The musical arrangements have been left in the capable hands of Bro . Granville Bantock , and he has arranged a programme that will delight all lovers of terpsichore . A special boat will leave New Brighton for

Liverpool at 2 . 30 on the morning of Saturday , 6 th January , this giving facility for friends from that side to visit . The catering has been given into the capable hands of Bro .

Rollwagen , who has in preparation a most recherche menu , so that , taken altogether , the success of one of the most enjoyable functions of the district will be achieved in a manner worthy of the efforts that have been put forward .

On Thursday , 30 th ult ., the annual ball arranged by the West Ham Abbey Lodge , on behalf of West Ham Hospital , took place at the Town Hall , Stratford . The spacious hall was attractively arranged , and the floor had been well

prepared for dancing . There was a large and influential attendance , and a long programme of dances was gone through with much spirit . The amount handed over to the

hospital last year was £ 105 . It is hoped that this year there will be an even larger sum available for this excellent institution . The duties of Secretary were efficiently carried out by Bro . W . H . Ridgley . of Ilford .

There are peculiar customs in some English Lodges , says the " Indian Freemason . " At an installation in Essex a short time since the newly-installed Master ' s health was drunk in the Lodge room , in the installed Master ' s Lodge .

Immediately after he had been saluted the Secretary produced a case of champagne , which was successfully discussed before the re-admission of the other Brethren . —[ We

have often wondered what some of the outsiders thought of this "inner" working . Here is an expression of opinion which can hardly be set down as commendatory . —Ed . F . C ]

Last week we referred our readers to our report of the Gallery Lodge installation , as possessing features of exceptional interest ; this week we can with equal justice point to an account of the doings at the Manchester Lodge , the special

feature of the meeting referred to being the initiation of Mr . Charles Neufeld , the "Prisoner of the Khalifa . " Bro . Neufeld was able to interest the members of the Lodge and

several visitors by a brief account of his memorable captivity , and no doubt the summary we are able to give of what he said will prove equally interesting to our readers .

For those who have a liking " to see themselves as others see them , " we commend the article we reproduce elsewhere from the "Indian Freemason . " The writer in our far away contemporary is not the first who has been surprised and

disappointed at the way in which the affairs of Grand Lodge are conducted , and we congratnlate him on thus publicly directing attention to some matters that are distasteful to many others besides himself who attend Grand Lodge .

The Joppa Lodge of Instruction , No . 188 , has been removed to the Globe , 11 and 13 Finsbury Pavement , E . C , where the regular weekly meetings will in future be held every Tuesday , at 7 . 30 p . m .

''A Sprig Of Acacia. "

''A SPRIG OF ACACIA . "

rjlHE remains of the late Bro . George Williams jun ., who JL was to have been appointed to the office of Secretary of the Anfield Lodge , No . 2215 , were interred at the Everton Cemetery , Fazakerley , on Saturday , 9 th inst . The officiating

clergymen were the Rev . Canon Tyrer , vicar of St . Saviour ' s , Everton , and the Rev . Samuel Gasking , Chaplain of the Lodge . The Anfield Lodge was represented by several of its members .

THE remains of the late Bro . Crosby Leighton , who died at Bootle , in the sixty-ninth year of his age , were interred at Toxteth Park Cemetery , on the nth inst . The Neptune Lodge , No . 1264 , of which the deceased was Past Master and Secretary , was represented by the Master and several other members .