The Tyler's Sword.

sword . When the beastly , brutal butcher-knife , m the form of a cavalry snbie , was first introduced is now unknown , but is evidently a Telic remaining from the cruel wars of Europe and tho r . ecessity of being armed

¦ with practical weapons readv for defence against the bloodthirst v enemies of tho Ord « T of olden times . But the Tyler ' s sword is not fully understood in its metaphorical significance , and ours i . ^ tlv ; duty of calling attention to its origin , form and use .

First—The sword should represent a flame of fire . The Masonic Lodge is intended to represent Paradise , at tho gate of which was placed an angel with a flaming

sword to " keep off all cowans and eavesdroppers . We read that this sword twisted and turned in every direction and represented a flame of fire . Hence its similitude in the sword of the Tyler should have a gilt winding blade .

Second—The sword of the Tyler was sheathless , because always presumed to be on duty . It is more what its name impliep , " an implement of office , " than for any effective

purpose . As is the wand of office to the Deacons ' and Stewards so is the sword to the Tyler , indicative of his duty and place . Therefore it should be as near as possible in harmony with the original idea which gave it birth .

Lastly—Will Masters who delight m a preservation of the unities make a note of this criticism and seek to

provide the Tyler with ft Sword in keeping with the facts in the case . And will those Masters who conduct a model Lodge and seek to see their Officers suitably and handsomely robed , aproned or otherwise dressed iu appropriate regalia , give a thought to the Tyler ' s sword ,

and , finally , will manufacturers of Masonic swords strive to introduce the one appropriate for tho Tyler of a Blue Lodge ? It will be found far more ornamental and just as useful as the cavalry weapon now in use in many Lodges . —American Tyler .

Belfast Masonic Charities.

BELFAST MASONIC CHARITIES .

ON Sunday afternoon , tho 8 th inafc ., ia St . Enoch ' s Presbyterian Chnrcb , Belfast , the Rev . W . J . M'Can !? han preaohed a special sermon on behalf of the Belfast Masonic Charities . There was a very largo attendance , including six or seven hundred of the Masonic Order , who wore their regalia . The prrceesion , which was marshalled by Bro . Henry J . Hill P . P . G . S . W . entered the chnrch in tbe fol - lowing Order : — Craft Mason ? , Royal Arch Masons , Knights

Templars , Prince Masons , Officers of the Charity , Prov . G . Officers . Rev . Mr . M'Canghan preached from John x'ii . 14 , ond at the con elusion of his sermon said tho object of their colt ction was BO well known that it needed no words to commend it to ( hem . Any brother or brother ' s wife or family that happened to bo in want , it mattered not who be was or who he had been , the Masonic Charities were ever

ready to render him all the assistance in their power . They could not contribute to any object more worthy thnn these charities , and he hoped the collection that evening would folly satisfy the worthy brethren who took tbe management of these affairs in hand . The collection having been made , the following gentlemen officiating—Dr , Brica Smith , Messrs . Wm . Johnson , M . P ., J . Adams , J . Nugent , W . J . Robertson , D . Corbefct , S . Gregg , J . Forsyth ** , J . Johnston . D .

Henderson , J . Yonng , and Vv . J . Shields—the Rev . Mr . M'Canghan prononnoed the benediction , nnd the procession was re-formed , the Knight Templars forming in line upon either ride , while tbe other members passed out . In marshalling tbe procession Bro . Hill P . G . Director of Ceremonies was assisted by Bros . Wm . Staufield P . G . S . D ., J . Orr P . P . G . I . G ., R . B . Andrews P . P . G . S . B ., Wm . Bryson P . M ., and A . Nixon Reg . R . A . C .

The Board of Benevolence met on Wednesday evening , at Freemasons' Hall , Brother Robert Grey President in tbe chair , and Brothers James Brett and C . A . Cottebrune in the Senior and Junior Vice-President ' s chairs . The Grand Secretary , the Assistant Grand Secretary , and

Brothers W . Dodd and W . H . Lee represented Grand Secretary ' s office . There was a large attendance of members of the Board . The Presideufc wished all tbe rrerrbers a Merry Christmas , and hoped its brightness would be enhanced by the recollection that they had spent

many hours at tbe hoard during tbe year in endeavouring to relieve the wants of others . Brother James Brett . Senior Vice-President thanked the President for his good wishes , which he heartily reciprocated . The brethren then

confirmed recommendations of tbe November meeting amounting to £ 265 , and afterwards took up tbe new list , consisting of thirty-niue cases . The total amount voted during the sitting was £ 83-5 . Fonr cases were dismissed and three deferred . The amount voted was composed of

recommendations for £ 50 ( 2 ) , £ 40 ( 9 ) , and £ 30 ( 4 ) , and grants , £ 20 ( 10 ) , £ 15 ( 1 ) , £ 10 ( 2 ) , and £ 5 ( 4 ) .

Masonic Sonnets.—No. 28.

MASONIC SONNETS . —No . 28 .

BY BRO . CHAS . F . FORSHAW , LL . D ., 24171214 , 761 ( S . C . ) — : o : — Christmas .

At this glad season of the worn-out year Let ua extend to all men Sympathy ; That chief of Foeinl virtues , Charity , Which to true Mnsoiib' hearts is over dear Let us in all things ever be Sincere j This is the sign of noblest

Masonry—The pathway leading to Moralit )* , Shining , like meteor , sparkling , full and clear . Faith , Trust , and Hope will take us by tbe hand ; Justice will guide ns wheu wn ' re prone to stray j Till in an atmosphere serene and grand She leads us by that good Masonic way , To tbe rich glories of that Beanteous

Land—To the Bright Realms of Everlasting Day Winder House , Bradford . 22 nd December 1892 .

Yorkshire.

YORKSHIRE .

BY 'irri ? REV . DR . J OHN W . KAYE , D . D ., RECTOR OF DBRRYBRUSK , ENNISKILLEN . AN ODE TO BRO . DR . CHAS . F . FORSHAW

There ' s grandeur in tbe wild old Yorkshire bills j There ' s beauty in her rivers , brooks and rills 5 There ' s mystery in her ancient rocks and caves , Her rude old Cromlechs and her barrotred graves . There ' s mnsio in her woods and flowery dell ? , Her gurgling streams , cascades and dropping wells ;

And in her Abbeys , Minst 3 rs , Castles , alt—Though clinging ivy crowns each crumbling wall , We sea and read , with thoughts that make us start , Historio scenes , and skill in antique art , — All these , as with a living sunset glow ,

Have filled thy soul to running overflow 5 And fanued to flame the true poetic fire That lingered , slumbering , in thy tuneful lyre . Sing on—and may the Naiads and the Nine Attnne thy heart to swell with tones divine .

The Committee of Management of the Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution held their regular monthly meeting at Freemasons' Hall , on Wednesday , the 14 th inst . Bro R . Turtle Pigott presided , and there were present Bros . H . J . Strong , James Brett , T . B . Daniell , C . A . Cottebrnne ,

Robert D . Cummings , Charles Lacey , C . H . Webb , S . Cochrane , S . 0 . Haslip , H . Y . Thompson , Hugh Cotter , J . Newton , the Rev . J . N . Palmer , R . Greggs , J . Barnett , Charles Kempton , W . J . Murlis , A . Durrant , J . Harrison , J . Bonlfcon , W . Belcbamber , E . Terry , W . H . Hnbbert ,

R . P . Stevens , and James Terry ( Secretary ) . The minutes of the previous meeting having been read and verified , the Secretary reported the death of four male and one widow annuitant , and one approved widow candidate . The Warden ' s report for the past month was

read . Letters were read from Bro . Cama , enclosing cheque for 60 guineas , to be divided between the two highest unsuccessful candidates at the next election as a Christmas gift , and from Bro . J . L . Mather , saying he had sent six brace of pheasants for the residents at Croydon . The

illuminated address on vellum , very handsomely bound in album form , which had been voted to Brother Dr . Strong , in recognition of his services as Hon . Surgeon to the inmates of the Asylum at Croydon , and on his appointment as Hon . Consulting Physician , was presented by the

Chairman in a brief complimentary speech , and suitably acknowledged by the recipient . The Committee then took into their consideration the petitions of ten men and four widows , with the result that all were accepted , with the

exception of one male deferred and one male rejected . The names of the approved candidates were accordingly ordered to be placed on the lists for the election in May 1893 , and the Committee adjourned , with the usual compliment to the Chairman .

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