High Cross Lodge, No. 754.

Dalhousie Lodge of Instruction , No . 860 . —Held at Bro . Smyth's , Sisters' Tavern , Pownall . road , Dalston , on Tuesday , 21 sfc iust . Present—Bros . F . Carr W . M ., Forss S . W ., T . Clark J . W ., Smyth S . D ., Gushing J . D ., Aokhurst I . G ., Wardell Acting Preceptor ; also Bros . Hand , Finch , Christi n , Lorkin , and Wilson . Lodge was opened in due form ; the minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed . Lodge was opened in second degree . Bro . Hand

offered himself a candidate for raising , aud was interrogated and entrusted . Lodge was again advanced , and Bro . Hand was raised to the sublime degree of Master Mason . Bro . T . Clark gave the traditional history . Bro . Lorkin worked the first and third sections of the Lecture , assisted by the brethren . Lod ^ e was regularly closed to the first degree , when Bro . Forss was elected V 7 . M . for the ensuing week . Lodge was then closed aud adjourned .

Eboracum Lodge , U " 0 . 1611 . —The regular meeting of this Lodge was held on Monday , the 13 th instant . Bro . M . Millington W . M . presided , and was supported by Bros . J . Blenkin S . W ., G . Balmford P . M . as J . W ., T . B . Whytehead P . M ., J . S . Cumberland P . M ., and a full attendance of brethren and viskors , amongst whom were Brother Mills S . W . 2 S . C . The business consisted of an

initiation and a passing , after which Bro . Whytehead presented io the Lodge , on behalf of Bro . Buckle P . M . 236 , a set of that brother ' s etchings of the Manor House , York , very artistically grouped in two mounts ; also from Bro Evans a copy of his history of Relief Lodge , No . 42 . The W . M . presented to the Lodge a seal for official use ,

bearing the arms of the Lodge encircled with a band with the name and number . Bro . T . Humphries Secretary , presented a curious Masonio design nearly a century old , painted by hand , figurative of a Lodge and its contents . Votes of thanks were accorded by the brethren for all these interesting and valuable gifts , and the Secretary was instructed to forward letters of thanks .

Agrioola Lodge , No . 1991 . —An emergency meeting of this Lodge was held on Wednesday week last , when the chairs were occupied by Bros . Major McGachen P . M . as W . M ., Captain Cavenagh S . W ., Harding J . W ., T . B . Whytehead as I . P . M ., and other

brethren and visitors . The business consisted of the raising to the third degree of Bro . tbe Rev . D . Soames , Chaplain to the Forces , which was done by Bro . McGachen , assisted by Bro . T . B . Whytehead . Amongst the visitors was Bro . Mills , No . 2 , Canongate , Kilwinning . A pleasant evening was spent , enlivened by singing aud toasts .

The Portsmouth Times says a meeting has been convened at the Fremasons' Hall , Landporfc , to consider the advisability of petitioning for the division of the Province of Hampshire and the Isle of Wighb into two Provinces , viz ., North-West Hants and Sonth-Bast Hants .

The Last Hour With The Consistory.

THE LAST HOUR WITH THE CONSISTORY .

rTlHE brilliancy of the scene at the closing of fche degree of Prince - * - of Mercy , on 30 fch June , causes ns fco revert to tbe incidents that transpired . The exquisite setting of the degree still remained and produced a pleasing Masonic impression . The point within the circle , bordered by two parallel lines , surmounted by a galaxy of

Burning tapers massed in the East , forming a triangle enclosing the open Bible , brought the mind back to the teachings in the Apprentice Degree , which were here fully and completely exemplified by the position of the Officers and brethren surrounding the rising incense , and discussing aud studying the Word of God under the brilliant icueuuon

otaii tne faiths that had ever been formulated by man . The tracing back of this prominent figure in Masonry , to the times nnd creed of the worshippers in East India ages ago , had never struck us with such force and effect before . In a previous issue we referred to the ovation on the above occa .

sion paid to the Commander of the Consistory . In deference to many interested brethren and afc their request , we publish the following Presentation addresses of Bro . George H . Fish and others , which were jnnde immediatel y subsequent to that of M . W . Bro . Roome , and yet interspersed with tho musio of two choirs , one in the east and the other in the west . ' Brother Fish advanced towards the altar and said :

Ont of tbe abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh . ' Yet here are times when tho breast is so filled with pleasurable emotions l > at the heart swells to overflowing and the tongue refuseth to give iterance . I have been requested , as a veteran friend , to supplement ** o . Roome ' s presentation with a few thoughts of my owo , but what nas he left for me to say ? The salient traits of our brother ' s naraeter have been both eloquently and forcibly portrayed . Yefc

In an hundred years no land Shall rear you kinder heart , nor freer hand ! Though envy strive her glories to deface ( No generous foe , but nursed in Nature's base ,

That loves to talk this good man's praise away ) . Yet , as the sand still foils the reckoner's count , Such are the joys we owe him . Who shall say How boundless their amount ? "

of fcn t men are born ** ° , ead * Snch is he of whom ! speak . Full add T " ? . . ' ' Rivalry characteristic of his Southern birth , he has Dior I * : aataral q » ick ins-inctsthe staid , calmer judgment of the W rno ^ I f - ' ate : Nonb * a , ' d has * n its fnIlest SOo P lhatsuamter samo ?¦ ' ^ orixter in re < which afc once commands respect , and at tbe * e time elicits love . Bro . McClanachan , Time—that general ad-

The Last Hour With The Consistory.

juster of human affairs—has given me a chance to repay you in kind for yonr friendly utterances of the 6 th inst ., but General Roome , in the full love of his strong nature , and thafc eloquence born of honest purpose , has so voiced the sentiment of all who know yoa , that to add to his ringing sentences of Truth seems almost needless , bufc » duty I have to perform : —

"I'll climb Song ' s flower prow and thero recite Thy valorous praise . Ever doth martial might Youthful vigour glorify . The prouder , then , thy boast , For not thy worth iu wars alone , Afoot or mounted , thou hast shone ! Bnt riper Wisdom ' s renown is thine , Then fearless flows thy praise , and free . "

" These volumes are for you ; take them—they are yours—an offering of love from the Craft : The Hirers of Life . We know you want them ; for you have said so , and it enhances fourfold the pleasure of this gift , for t he Craft to know and feel that iu their anxiety to show to you their love they are able at the same time to supply a want . You know these books to treat of the various religions of the

world . You will find that charity and abnegation of self are taught ; in all the creeds ; but above all , these volumes tell of the Masons ' God , be it Brahma , Allah , or Christ . Ail sects recognise a source of all power , life , and being , and as above the comprehension of men . It is enough for us to know that this essence is t he God whom all nations are bound to respect and revere ; it matters not by what

name He is known . It is the God of the Hindoo , the God of Mahornet , fche God of the Jew , and the G > d of the Christian : thafc spirit which controls our being , directs our destiny , and assures onr future . I believe that a perusal of this work will only strengthen yon in the conviction thafc all men who believe in a supreme , controlling power are alike eligible to the rights of our Order .

"God bless yon—friend and brother ; and believe mo I never before felt , as now , the true force of that trite aphorism , ' It is more blessed to give than to receive . '" No sooner were these costly works received by , and as , the Commander , and the last notes of the choir dying away , wheu Bro . Charles H . Heyzer advanced , bearing a large basket of roses , banked up in

three colours , resting on the tops of whioh were a pair of Solitaire earrings . He said : — " Bro . McClanachan , yonr brethren have to-night given you a large decoction of your own medicine . I remember bufc a few weeks ago a very pleasant surprise of this kind was inaugurated at your place of business , and no one in that whole company was bettor pleased

with its results than you were ; but , unlike the recipient of that oocasion , you are able to aptly and eloquently respond for yourself , as yoa have dono twice this evening , your brethren , therefore , feel thafc it would be a relief as well as a pleasure to you to be allowed to respond for some one else . While we echo and re-echo the sentiments of our love aud affection for yon , as spoken here to night , still we

know there are others thafc have a greater and deeper love for yon than we possibly can . There is one in particular , sir . I refer to that God-fearing , husband-loving , motherly woman who presides over your paradise of a household . 'Tis true the lady is not personally acquainted with all the members of this organisation , but I will venture to say thafc there is no brother within the sound of my voice who has not heard her praises rang until he feels he has had the

honour of her acquaintance for a series of years . It is this feeling that prompts them to ask you , when you go home , to present to her in their behulf these sparkling gems , and say , thao while we have many times trodden with an iron heel npou her patience , iu robbing her of your companionship , we have not forgotten her . Say , by way of consolation , that through the many sacrifices she has made , we have become wise and better men . As the poet hath well said : —'

' Oh ! woman—mother ; woman—wife ! The sweetest names that language knows , Thy breast with holy motives rife , With deep affection glows , Thou queen—thou angel of this life !'

Say to her , sir , that these two gems , embedded in this basket of ' beautiful flowurs , are bnfc an emblem of the high regard and esteem the members of the Scottish Rite have for that most estimable lady . Say this in substance , sir , for ns . " The applause that followed this well-delivered speech was unmistakable in sentiment , and nearly demoralised the pre-arranged music , the voices of which having ceased , Bro . H . M . Gardner jun ., of Brooklyn , placed a large work on the centre table , and then

said : — " My dear Brother , —It is now my pleasure , as well as my great privilege , as the Secretary of the Committee on Testimonials , and in behalf of my brethren of fche Ancient Accepted Rite , to ask your acceptance of this volume . In it yon will find the names of a large number of those who have contributed to this evening ' s scenes of surprises . That man , sir , amongst his fellows who by his own

kindness and consideration for the wishes of others wins the love and admiration of hia brethren , is a man indeed , and that boon preeminently you have won , and it is yours to wear . " This night yon have beeu tbe recipient of golden jewels and literature for yourself , and precious gems for the wife of yonr love .

I come to you in this volume with sparkling gems of thought , garnered from many and varied minds , bearing to you , on each bright page , iu their own handwriting , their dearest and best benedictions . I feel , sir , that , in the swiftly oncoming years , the thoughts herein devotedly expressed , will be to yoa love ' s sweetest benizon . Take it my

brother' Tis a gift of love that seeks thy good alone , Keep it for the givers' sake , and read it for thine own . ' And may He wbo is the giver of every good and perfect gift hare you and yours for ever in His sacred keeping . " j Tho scene that followed was one the like of which has been witnessed bat by few . — Hebrew Leader .