Invasion Of An Oxford Freemasons Lodge.

good part . When the undergraduates had withdrawn to tho street there was a little banter between them and the waiters , who doubtless felt vexed at the affair having blown over so easily . Several members of the Apollo Lodge were present at the banquet , and seemed thoroughly disgusted with the performance of the intruders . " It appears that after wandering about for a time the party found themselves in the " High , " where a passing tramcar attracted their attention ,

which they boarded . One or two attempted to execute a step-dance on the footboard , making the car rock in alarming fashion , and the brake catching the eye of the lively sparks efforts were made to stop the vehicle . The car was pulled up on two occasions , but one man received a blow in the abdomen from the brake handle . When the conductor ( Beckley ) ascended to collect the fares , another opportunity of showing their ingenuity was given the " boys , " who made soveral playful attemps to pitch him into the road . The

car having passed Carfax a second effort at collecting was made on the part of Beckley . During their stay on the car the party succeeded in pulling the backs from two seats , and also tore off tho sign board . xVt the terminus they tried to have some fun with the horses , and then repaired to the railway station , whore they indulged in various athletic exercises , and having made off with the station bell and damaged a case of views , the property of the company , the men returned to the tramcar , the bell having been taken from them . They travelled by the car as far as the " High . "

On Saturday morning soveral of the roysterers had to appear before' the University authorities at the Clarendon Buildings , and were confronted with Beckley and some other accusers , the first-named being able to indentify six of those present as participators in the " sport . " What punishment has been meted out to the guilty has not transpired , but they have doubtless found by this time that they cannot conduct themselves in the towdy manner described with impunity . — " Oxford Chronicle . "

Church Service.

CHURCH SERVICE .

ON Sunday , 13 th inst ., Rev . Dr . Rankin , of Muthill , preaching a special sermon in West Parish Church , Crieff , to the local Lodge , said an ideal was discernible in Masonic emblems . The chief of these were the level , square , and plumb , to which might be added two pillars , the winding stair and the piercing eye . It would be a very great commendation of the whole system

if it helped men in their conduct and motives always to go on straight lines , whether level , upright or parallel . If it helped at all the help teemed rat bur blender , for he had never been able hinisi-b to di .-covt i much uifftreiice in this respect between Masons and non-Masons . He had knuwn some of the Craft

whose main emblem seemed the winding stair , which was often subterranean as well as winding . Let them not hurry to the conclusion that this was hard and uncharitable . The same thing held of the Christian profession . Did all ministers or elders practice as they preached ? Was it

not an established fact and piinciple that a man needed to mount hig h in religious popularity before he could come out as a finished scoundrel ? Had not the greatest frauds and crimes of the last penp . i at . ion heen dnnp hv those who oa . ve f' / iOO snhsnrintinris hr > ~ j ¦¦—

o ~ o ~ ~ ' r ~ - - ~ build a kirk , or who speechified at May meetings in London , and who made warm motions in favour of some public charity ? Dr . Rankin referred to the mutual benefits to be derived

from the Masonic body , and remarked that Masonry well managed was a system capable of sweetening and calming general society . A pacific ocean was too much to hope for in this life for a very long time to come , but if they could get a few specimens

of pure and stormless water even the size of Loch Turret , great would be the boon . For practical attainment of a few figurative Loch Turrets , he would rather trust a dozen Masonic . Lodges than any dozen chuiches , each different from the other .

He commended the benevolent fund , and pointed out the peculiar Deed of defence for the working classes against pawnshops , the instalment system of purchase , and against credit

m the shape of what was called " menage . " Few things weie more urgently required than the cheapening and shortening of all documents relating to the transfer of small pieces of property . This would open to working people the most natural and safe of

Church Service.

all investments , and at their own doors . What was so pitiable as the succession of circulars of idiotic aud knavish limited liability companies which he received week by week , angiing for victims . Probably one-half of these company mongers and prospectus men deserved two years at Perth or Peterhead , for misdirected ingenuity . — " Kirkintillock Gazette . "

R. M . I. Boys.

R . M . I . BOYS .

J 3 EOFESSOR Bertram favoured the Boys School with an excellent conjuring entertainment on Friday , 18 th inst . Perhaps the most wonderful parts of the programme were the " Obedient Cards " and the " Mysterious Envelope ' s . " The cards were apparently passed from one person ' s breast pocket to

another s , without being touched by anyone or anything . The envelopes were mysteriously made out of a sheet of paper , and a marked coin was found sealed up in the innermost one . Then the envelopes were turned back again into the original sheet , by

simply stroking with a magic wand . The way in which halfcrowns were caught by Professor Bertram as they wandered in the air , or were collected from the hats of ladies , or the beards of members of the Board of Management , made us all feel a distinct use of the possession of an aerial mint like this .

Theu there was the great Indian Mango tree trick , which supplied many of those present with button holes of flowers grown under their very eyes ; the most wonderful feats of palmm ' g '; and the ' perfect skill displayed in the uniting and disuniting of the mystic Zulu wedding rings . . . . . L .

After two hours had been spent in this pleasant way the entertainment closed with a promise from Professor Bertram to pay another visit to the Institution , which will be looked forward to most anxiously by the pupils . The entertainment was really brilliant in every respect , and Bro . Bertram received a hearty round of cheers for the great expense and trouble to which he had gone for the School . - - - • ; - ' ' '

Amongst the visitors were Bros . Glass , Langton , Scurrah , Spaull , Pritchard , Cummings , Fitzgerald , McLeod , 0 . Philippe , F . A . White , Mrs . White , Mrs . Hebb , Mrs . McLeod , Miss George , Mrs . Hassell , Miss Franklin , Mrs . Morgan , & c . " "

The Committee of the Societe NatioDale des Professeurs de Francais - en Angleterre beg to announce that the" eighth Cinderella , which will be the last of the season given by the Society for the benefit of the Free Lectures Fund , will take place on Saturday next , 5 th March , at the Westminster Town Hall

( Large Hall ) . Owing to the great success of the previous dances the Committee trust they will have again the advantage of the kind co-operation of all those who have supported them since the foundation . Tickets , which are limited in number , may be had

of any member of the Committee , among whomis Bro . C . Ash , 2 Queen ' s Buildings , Tottenham Court Road , W . C ., while cards of admission for the Lectures may be obtained on application to the Hon . Secretary , 20 Bedford Street , Strand , W . C .

A number of Nottingham Brethren recently visited Leeds , in response to a cordial invitation from Bro . H . B . Abbott and the members of Prudence Lodge , No . 2069 , the visit being in return for one paid by the Leeds Brethren to Nottingham about three months ago .

BOOKBINDING in all its branches . Prices on application . Morgan , " Freemason ' s Chronicle " Office , New Barnet .

Ad00804

Royal Masonic Institution for Girls . 1913 Girls haPe been provided With Education ^ . Clo thing , and Maintenance , the full number of Girls now ? receiving its benefits being 267 . The iioth Anniversary Festival will take place on Wednesday , iSth May next , under the Presidency of . ALDERMAN SIR REGINALD HANSON , BART ., SVI . P ., LL . D ., P . G . W ., Patron and Treasurer of the Institution . The names of Brethren ttfilling to seriSe as Stewards are earnestly solicited . F . E . W . HEDGES , Secretary , 5 FREEMASONS' HALL , LONDON , W . C ;