Church Services.

CHURCH SERVICES

A MASONIC service in connection with the Longsight Lodge , No . 2464 , took place at the Wesleyan Chapel , Stockport Boad , Longsight , on Sunday afternoon , 12 th inst . A dispensation had been obtained for the Brethren attending to wear Craft clothing , and shortly before 3 o ' clock nearly the whole of the Officers of the Longsight Lodge , together with members of various

Manchester and neighbouring Lodges , to the number of about eighty , assembled in the Lecture Hall adjoining the chapel , and , headed by Bro . E . Barlow P . M ., who carried the Volume of the Sacred Law , a procession was formed , the same being a matter of great interest to a crowd of onlookers .

The Brethren occupied seats in the centre of the chapel , whilst the remaining seats were very well filled by members of the congregation , and others who had probably been attracted thither by curiosity .

The musical portion of the service was under the direction of Mr . William Ashton , Organist of the chapel , who had the valuable assistance of Miss Jessie Moorhouse soprano , Mrs Harding alto , Brother J . Tumor Grimshaw tenor , Mr . W . T . Pendlebury bass ( all of Manchester concerts ) , and of the choir .

Bro . Henry Grimshaw W . M . read the lesson proper , which was followed by a quartette ( unaccompanied ) , from Sullivan ' s " Light of the World , " this being immediately succeeded by a capital sermon , delivered by Bro . the Eev . T . W . Johnstone , of Trinity Chapel , Stockport , who took for his text I . Corinthians ,

xvi . 14 . The preacher , after pointing out the analogy between the Masonic symbols and the cardinal virtues , referred to the example of Jesus Christ , showing how he had gone about doing good by reason of his love of humanity . The philosophy of selfishness , as indicated by the obscure teachings of the Pagans , had

been superseded by a new philosophy , which inculcated a love of our neighbours . It was a law of benevolence , the broadest form of charity—a legislation impregnated by human sentiment which

God gave to Jesus by Moses . Benificence was sometimes limited and restricted by geographical prejudices , but no flaws or oppressive contradictions were found in the Christian teaching . He also reverted to the fact that the Eomans at the

commencement of the Christian era had displayed great genius for architecture , and although they had studied works which might have had a tendency to benefit the health of the people , yet their morals were lax , pity being an unknown quantity , as evidenced by the cruel sports of the day . In Eome , where shocking

inhumanities were being indulged in , the Apostle Paul raised his voice against them , claimed that tenderness should be shown , and denounced the barbarism which was being universally practised . He lived for the good of others , and in the advocacy of his principles was ready to sacrifice even life itself .

Bro . Johnstone spoke of the advent of Christ , who , though no rival to Csesar , declared himself a king , substituting hope , faith , temperance , and charity for the evils abounding . Of the great virtue charity , he said that it should be considered as a rule of life ; men were to regard themselves as of one family , bound together to do good , to feed the hungry , and help the sick .

In dilating upon the present laws for the prevention of cruelty to children and animals , he said they were a gratifying testimony to the benevolence which is extant , and which moves in various grooves . There were the ragged schools , the hospitals ,

and the various charities , which claimed attention , and one could not live in vain who did his duty in this respect . Bro . Johnstone concluded by making a powerful appeal in favour of these Institutions , the sermon being listened fco by the congregation with rapt attention .

We have reason to believe that through the medium of this service a very substantial sum will be handed over to the Masonic Charities . Conspicuous among those who attended were the following ,

viz ., Bros . Aid . Lloyd Higginbottom J . W ., Councl . Thomas Uttley I . P . M . P . P . G . A . D . C , Fredk . G . Berry P . M . Treasurer , Councl . John Phythian P . M . P . P . D . D . C . Secretary , E . H . Eitson Assist . Secretary , Henry Sheard S . D ., Wm . Henry Wilson J . D ., C . S . Cotton I . G ., T . T . Jones Organist , F . W . Lean P . M .

P . P . S . G . D . D . C , Thos . Plumpton , Wm . Henry Peak P . M . 993 P . P . A . D . C , J . Hallam P . M . P . P . G . P . Past Masteis : —W . H . Bibby 993 , E . E . Walker 993 , Jas . Eobinson 1219 , W . T . Allitt 993 , W . J . Melling 2185 , Thos . E . Eigby 1055 , Ed . Eoberts 1459

( FBEEMASON s CHRONICLE * , Geo . Mc Williams 1055 , Jas . Hurst W . M . 2109 , Harry H . Ward S . W . 815 , B . Witwam S . W . 1219 , H . Clulow J . W . 993 , S . A . Lever J . W . 2482 , Wm . Coffey J . W . 2109 , T . H . Stott J . D . 2449 , Alfred Pearce S . D . 993 , W . Eostron

S . D . 2185 , Sam Luke I . G . 2363 , W . A . Boyer 317 , J . Laycock 852 , Geo . Boden 992 , Fred Bagshaw 1083 , Alex . Eeid Wells 1459 , T . Shelmerdine 1852 , H . C Pmgstone 2109 , Harry G . Walker 2185 , and S . Harold Stubbs 2363 . UNDEE the auspices of the Starkie Lodge , a Masonic service was held at St . Paul ' s Church , Eamsbottom , on Sunday afternoom , 12 th insfc , Lodge was opened afc the Grant Arms

Church Services.

Hotel , after which the Brethren assembled at St . Paul ' s School and walked in procession to the church . Bro . S . Porritt was the Director of Ceremonies . The service was conducted by the

Eev . J . J . Lewis , and the Eev . C . A . Clements , and the sermon was preached by the Eev . A . E . Bigoe Bagot , rector of Beswick Past Provincial Grand Chaplain of East Lancashire and Cheshire .

In the course of his sermon Bro . Bagot said that nearly all the cathedrals and stately buildings of Europe , and probabl y of the east as well , were the works of our ancestors in the Masonic Craft . The Masons of the present day had as good a claim as Brethren of old to be regarded by the Christian Church as her

faithful handmaid and supporter . An unreasoning prejudice caused one great branch of the Church catholic to look at the members of the Craft as little better than Pagans . It was true that among foreign Freemasons could be found principles bordering on Anarchism and Socialism , but among all

Englishspeaking Masons there was but one common sentiment of reverence to the Almighty , and of loyalty and devotion to the Government of whatever country they called their home . The evidences of Christianity received wondeful independent witness

and support from the truths and principles of the Masonic Craft . Faith in the Being of God and other high Christian doctrines were symbolised and suggested by many of the ceremonies of Masonry .

To the true Mason death has no terror equal to the stain of wrong-doing , and the Brethren were constantly enjoined to remember thafc the day could not be far distant when they would be called upon to render an account to the Great Architect of the Universe . The highest morality and charity were taught , and

fche principles of the Craft were an important guarantee for social order , uprightness of life , and large-hearted liberality . What nobler aims could any society have for their watchwords than to be the helper and educator of the young , fco assuage sorrow , and to assist those in distress ? These were truly Christian doctrines .

In their Order social distinctions were forgotten , they stood as man to man , sharers of the same nature , endowed with no wealth but nature ' s wealth as they stand before God . The magnificent benevolent and educational institutions of Masonry

were the secret and method of its success , and the powerful magnet which attracted to its ranks all grades of society and sectional characteristics of mankind , from the future King of England to the humblest subject of the Queen .

A collection taken on behalf of the East Lancashire Systematic Masonic Educational and Benevolent Institution amounted to about £ 20 . After service the Brethren marched back to the School , and afterwards adjourned to the Grant Arms , where 120 visitors had tea . — " Accrington Gazette . " THE following letters have appeared in the columns of our contemporary , the " Manchester Courier . "

To the Editor of the " Manchester Courier . " SIR , —I have just seen in your impression of the 13 th inst ., an account of a Masonic service held in St . Paul's , Ramsbottom , on the 12 th inst . It seems an extraordinary thing that the system of Freemasonry , which offers np on altars throughout the world , corn , wine , oil , salt , and incense , should be admitted into any building used for Christian purposes ! There aro many heathen , Mahometan , and Jewish Lodges of Freemasons , which their

MASONIC SEEVICES IN CHUECH .

" Cosmopolitan Calendar" gives lists of . We could understand heathens offering the offering of the first murderer Cain , namely , " the fruits of the ground which the Lord hath cursed ; " but for Christians of any denomination to do so , is a portentous sign of these times . I have met some Jews who denounce Freemasonry , I rejoice to say . I happened to ask a Rabbi I mot in Limerick some time ago if he belonged to it . " I couldn't , " he replied . "Why ? " I asked . " Because , " said he , " I have some religion , and they have none . "

Yours , See ., R . H . COTTER , Clerk , Incumbent of Ardcanny Ardcanny Glebe , Kildimo , County Limerick ,

To the Editor of the " Manchester Courier . SiR ,--In your issue of the 18 th inst ., I noticed a letter from a clergyman in Ireland alluding to a Masonic Service conducted at St . Paul ' s Church , Ramsbottom , on the 12 th inst . Your correspondent intimates that Freemasonry is not so harmless as it professes to be . I have heard this before , and have seen printed extracts from a book entitled " Light on Masonry ,

and published in America years ago by a numbers of seceders from the Craft , who brought charges of the most serious nature against the society , whicb charges , as far as I am aware , have neither been denied or proved to be false . Possibly Masonic affairs may be differently conducted in different countries , but I presume that Freemasonry is looked upon as one Brotherhood members

in whatever part of the world it may exist , in which case English are morally responsible for the conduct of their Brethren abroad , by the support their membership confers upon the society . It would be satisfactory to hear from some Mason of authority that the charges brought against them in " Light on Masonry , " as also the drawbacks mentioned by your Irish correspondent , can be proved to be groundless . Yours , & c , NOBBIB H EATON .