Reports Of Meetings.

is so well known as a first class professional , was highly complimented . Bro . Nickols also rendered some excellent songs , and Bro . Andrews J . W . 16 5 recited " Told at the Falcon " in good style . The Tyler's toast brought la . very pleasant evening to a conclusion .

Provincial.

PROVINCIAL .

Union Lodge , No . 12 7 . THE Masonic duties of this famous old Lodge , which was established in 176 3 and has proved uninterrupted working ever

since , thereby entitling its members to the privilege of wearing a Centenary jswel , were continued on Wednesday , at the Masonic Temple , New Cross Street , Margate , and proved alike interesting and instructive on that occasion . The meeting was held under the presidency of Bro . E . Tomlin

Bugden W . M ., who was supported bv Bros . E . L . Dixson P . M . 429 P P . G . D . C . S . W ., F . Bennett P . M . 7 S 7 P . P . G . A . D . C . Derbyshire as J . W ., F . Stanley P . M , S . W . 2753 P . P . G . S . of W . Sec , J . Plosking P . M . 127 2753 I . P . M ., J . Brig hurst P . M . 127 and 2753 P . P . J . G . W . as S . D ., W . F . Franklin P . M . as J . D ., Lt .-Col . H . W . H , mW P A < 1 a ? If , H Wnntton P . M . P . P . G . D . C . D . C ., W .

Burnham and F . J . Doughty Stewards , Geo . Laurence Tyler ; W . Doughty , J . Hay , Boulanger , G . Saxby , F . S . Perrins , W . Bourchietr , Ernest Andrew Borg , and others . The Visitors included Bros . T . Hill 131 , D . A . Romaine P . M .

239 6 , J . Wynman , & c . The Lodge having been formed , the minutes of the last regular Lodge and of a Lodge of emergency held on 14 th August were confirmed . Lodge was then advanced to the second degree and Bro . E . A . Borg was examined as a candidate for raising . He was

entrusted and subsequently raised in a Lodge of Master Masons to the dignity of that degree , the Immediate Past Master Bro . Plosking g iving the explanation of the Tracing Board in excellent style , and affording especial pleasure to those Brethren who arc accustomed to hear that time does not permit of the completion of the work in this particular .

The Lodge was resumed to the first degree , when Bro . Stanley ( the Secretary of the Lodge ) referred to the fact that at their last meting it had been unanimously decided to provide a brass memorial , to be placed on the Lodge wall , to the memory of the late Bro . E . Crosier P . M ., and which , he said , would shortly be ready . At the same time he was exceedingly sorry to be called upon to" propose that a similar memorial should be erected to the memory of the

late Bro . George Chexfield P . M . and Organist of the Lodge . He highly eulogised that Brothers ability and said no better man had ever carried out the duties of a Past Master in the Craft , and while he desired that a tribute should be paid to his memory he very much regretted that the occasion had arisen for the proposition he submitted . The vote was seconded and carried unanimously , after which the Lodge was closed , and an hour was spent in social intercourse .

Bro . D . A . Romaine P . M . 239 6 seized the opportunity of congratulating the W . M . on his working . Pie felt sure that Bro . Borg-, who had been raised that day , must highly appreciate the impressive manner in which the ceremony had been performed by the W . M . and Bro . Hosking . The evening was shortly afterwards brought to a close in Masonic form .

********** Lewises Lodge , No . 1209 . A HOST successful meeting was held on Wednesday , 14 th inst ., at the Royal Hotel , Ramsgate , when several Brethren of various London Lodges staying at that glorious seaside resort paid the Lodge a visit to witness the working of Bro . Dr . C . H . Tamplin Worshipful Master .

Those present included Bros . F . W . Pointer I . P . M ., A . W . Larkin S . W ., T . Sinclair Chagney acting J . W ., S . R . Wilson P . M . Secretary , Gay B . Courtney P . M ., W . F . Gadd P . M ., A . Digcrson Sackett S . D ., J . J . Roach J . D ., J . W . Woodhall I . G ., G . J . Beer Tyler , G . Buttery H . Brinkler , S . R . Port , J . W . Adams , G . E . Crow , R . Temple , E . Banwell , S . S . Cutler , E . A . Rumney , T . Thearle .

Visitors : Rev . S . J . Rocco P . M > . 1540 , Crawford Thompson P . M . 2410 , J . J . Whiffen ( I . C . ) , F . R . Fletcher 429 , and others . The Lodge being formed , the minutes of the last regular meeting were read and confirmed . The Lodge was opened in the second degree and Bro . Richard Temple being present , answered the questions leading to the third . This having been done to the satisfaction of the W . M . he was entrusted and retired . The Lodge

was opened in the third degree and that Brother having been re-admitted was in due course raised to the sublime degree of Master Mason . The Lodge was resumed to the first degree , and Dr . John Joseph Hemming was introduced , the ballot having been taken on' his behalf at the previous meeting , and having proved unanimous in his favour . He was dul y initiated into the mysteries of Ancient Freemasonry .

Both the ceremonies , including the traditional history of the former degree , and the explanations of the latter , were faultlessly rendered , and were highly appreciated by the Visitors . The Rev . Bro . Rocca personally complimented the W . M . on his excellent working , and hoped to attend again on a future occasion ; the other visitors , also declared they had received a real Masonic

. A gentleman was proposed by the W . M ., as a candidate for initiation , and other Masonic business having been disposed of the Lodge was closed with solemn prayer until the second week in September .

The Mission Of Freemasonry.

THE MISSION OF FREEMASONRY .

THE Institution of Freemasonry , next to the church of the living God , is the grandest power for good the world has ever seen . Divine in her origin , sublime in her principles , and grand in her mission , she came into the world in answer

to man ' s cry of distress , as he wandered in moral darkness . No blare of trumpets heralded her coming , but silently , gently as the dews distilled upon Hermon , she came from

the living God to take her place in the moral kingdom as one of his mighty factors to raise man from the " dead level " where sin had laid him low , to a living perpendicular of truth and righteousness .

Her principles are pure as the crystal waters that flow from the glaciers of the Alps , Her monuments more enduring than brass or marble , more imperishable than the

Pyramids of Egypt , for her monuments are human hearts shaped and fashioned by the matchless power of her sublime principles into perfect ashlars , fit material for the Master Builder ' s use in that house not made with hands , eternal in

the Heavens . The mission of Masonry is character building , faith in God , the " chief corner stone . " What wonderful , mysterious power there is in faith ; who can measure the height , fathom the depths or grasp the boundless scope of . its influence . The

trusting heart breathes its wishes ; quicker than electric flash it flies along tire golden wire of faith to the loving heart of God . In quick response the gates of pearl are wide open thrown , that His messengers on angel ' s wing may bear his answer to the prayer of faith . It was the wonderful ,

mysterious power of faith that nerved the arm of the father of the faithful in that hour of supremest test on Mount Moriah ' s brow . It parted the waters of the Red Sea that the children of Israel might have safe passage out of the land of bondage . It was a pillar of cloud by day and of lire by night as they

wandered for forty years . Its mysterious healing power was felt as they looked upon the brazen serpent uplifted in the wilderness . It gave courage to the Prophet Daniel to defy the mandate of the King and thrice daily turn his face

towards Jerusalem and his heart towards God in prayer . It threw its mysterious' shield of protection about the forms of the three Hebrew children as they walked unscathed amid the fierce flames of the seven times heated furnace .

Its sweet influence is felt as it flows in rhymic measure through the songs of the sweet singer of Israel , and like the threads of gold it will be woven in the robes of righteousness we shall wear as we stand before the throne of God . — " Masonic Herald . "

********** Reading makes bright Masons ; only bright Masons become enthusiastic , and only enthusiastic Masons make useful and working members . —Orlando Sheppard , South Carolina .

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