Consecration.

who shares the spoils . Our immortal dramatist has put the whole case well" Who steals my purse , steals trash : . . . But he that filches from me my good name , Robs me of that , which not enriches him , And makes me poor indeed . "

Alas ! it is too true that there is in most communities a certain set or coterie of persons who , so far from loving mercy , are whisperers loving to separate chief friends , and whose moral

constitutions are markedly predisposed to catch any scandalplague that may be hanging about their neighbourhood . These are not peace-makers worthy to be called Children of God , these are not of the merciful who shall obtain mercy .

What a contrast to that charity that thinketh no evil , and that rejoiceth not in iniquity . Again , an open enemy may be met , but a lurking foe eludes the grasp , aud is the meanest of cowards .

One thought more , my Brothers , it is not for us to arrogantly usurp the prerogative of God— " Who art thou that judges another man ' s servant , to his own master he stands or falls . "

Brethren , we know as Master Masons we are specially pledged by our Masonic vows to maintain a Master Mason ' s honour and carefully preserve it as our own , not to injure him ourselves , nor suffer it to be so done by others if in our power to prevent it , but on the contrary to boldly repel the slanderer of his good name .

Our Grand Master Solomon says , "These six things doth the Lord hate ; yea , seven are an abomination unto him : A proud look , a lying tongue , and hands that shed innocent blood , an heart that deviseth wicked imaginations , feet that be swift in

lunning to mischief , a false witness that speaketh lies , and he that soweth discord among brethren . " Let us then not only do justly , but love mercy , and cultivate that divine charity which mver faileth in earth or heaven .

Finally , to walk humbly with our God is manifestly our duty , our interest , and our glory . Before honour is humility , and it is especially to be borne in mind in this day of rebuke and blasphemy , when so many openly deny the God by whom they live and work , and have their being . To frame the life and

conversation as in His sight and hearing who made the eye and planted the ear , to pay respect to His divine will and commands , rejoicing in hope , patient in tribulation , constant in prayer , this is indeed to have peace with God , and the surest way to possess love one to another . When we consider the glorious heavens , the

works of His hands , and the thousand other marvels of Almighty wisdom and power , when we regard ourselves so fearfully and wonderfully made , the revolving seasons , the storehouses of His bounty filling our hearts with food and gladness , the powers of

intellect , the gift oi reason and the bright promise of rest and happiness , when the labourer ' s task is done , surely we are constrained not only by Godly fear , but by adoring love to walk humbly with that gracious God before whom angels bow , and whose majesty and beneficence fill the world .

This is the Foundation Stone of our Masonic Temple , and on this foundation may this Lodge stand fast , and may justice , love and humility distinguish its members from geneiation to generation .

The Honours Of Official Positions.

THE HONOURS OF OFFICIAL POSITIONS .

nnHLRE was a time , and it is within the memory of many I living Masons , when to be a Grand Master of Masons was regarded as the highest honour that could be conferred upon one who was so fortunate as to be selected for that high distinction among his fellows . This distinguished honour then came

unsought , in recognition of the highest attainments in the esoteric work of Masonry , and a recognised ability to become the managing head in the government of the great Brotherhood of Free and Accepted Masons . There was then no electioneering for office , nor solicitations for an appointment leading up to an

election that would place the aspirant in the line of promotion and so secure this most exalted station . The Brother honoured with an appointment or election to office was usually the most surprised individual in the Grand Body , and often reluctantly accet ted the honour thus conferred on him , or positively declined

it , from an instinctive idea that he did not possess the requisite qualifications to discharge the duties thus imposed on him . Under sush conditions , when a Grand Master had served the full te : m for which he was elected , and had proved an eminent fitness

for that most responsible station , he was continued there for two or more terms , and until the Brethren were fully satisfied that another could be elected to succeed him who was worthy and well quallied to govern the Craft . A Grand Master in those days migl ; t well feel that the highest honours iu Masonry were his to enjoy . We have no doubt the reader has already anticipated the

The Honours Of Official Positions.

thought uppermost in our mind , that there has been a lessening in the honour , dignity and importance of the office of Grand Master . In the multiplicity of Fraternal Orders , all more or less fashioned after the plan of Masonry , many Masons connected with them and interested in their work have apparently become

so strongly imbued with their methods and ways of doing business that they sometimes forget that Masonry is established on an entirely different platform , and is controlled by a system of laws peculiar to itself . Instead of waiting for a recognition of their fitness for official position , as was the case in years gone by

they not only seek office , but are frequently found electioneering for themselves for official positions . In this way Brethren very poorly qualified to become the chief Officers sometimes secure a place iu line , and their promotion thereafter is almost sure to follow until the highest honours are attained . Thisuu-Masonic method

of securing office has been carried to that extent in some jurisdictions , that Grand Lodges have been compelled to legislate against it , even to the disfranchisement of those so offending .

Such political methods have detracted from the high honours once connected with the office of Grand Master of Masons , by creating a road to them not based on actual merit . — " Masonic Advocate . "

"A Sprig Of Acacia."

"A SPRIG OF ACACIA . "

BROTHER JOHN LAURENCE MATHER , a Mason who for many years past had been a prominent figure in London Masonry , passed away on Sunday , ' 7 th inst ., and was buried the following Wednesday . Bro . Mather ' s initiation dated back to 1860 , when he was received in the Prosperity Lodge , No .

65 , in which he speedily attained the office of Treasurer , relinquishing it a few years later in order to fill the more important post of Worshipful Master . But Bro . Mather did not confine himself to his mother Lodge alone ; he took an active

interest in Masonry in many directions , working as Founder of six or more new Craft Lodges , and ultimately rising to the * distinction of Grand Lodge honours , being appointed premier Assistant Grand Director of Ceremonies on the occasion of the

Queen s Jubilee in 1887 . He was equally active in the Royal Arch , Mark and other degrees of Masonry , and was generally regarded as a most exemplary member of the Order . His zeal on behalf of the Institutions was also a notable feature with him —he gave largely of his means , both in his own name and in that

of his wife , and served a considerable number of Stewardships for all of the Funds , usually taking up a good number of contributions from friends with which to supplement his personal donations . We long enjoyed the pleasure of numbering Bro . Mather among our friends in the Ciaft , and desiie to add our tribute of regret at his decease .

THE Concord Lodge , No . 1534 , has lost one of its influential members by the death of Bro . Alexander Allan , which occurred at his residence , Thorn Hill , Prestwich , on Sunday , the 14 th inst . We have previously reverted to the fact that our

deceased Brother was in failing health , and that he had many ' times sought the recuperative effects of a foreign climate , and to this may be attributed the fact that for some time he had not taken any very active part either in his Masonic Lodge , or in the doings of a local political club to which he was attached .

Bro . Allan was connected with the firm of Kearns , Allan and Co ., Turkey Red Dyers , Baxenden , Accrington , and at the funeral , which took place on the 16 th inst ., the firm in question was represented , not only by one or more of his partners , but by

various sections of the workpeople , and nine foremen , the latter assisting in carrying the last mortal remains . The deceased Brother had rendered himself very popular in Prestwich , as was testified by the drawn blinds , the flags at half-mast en route , aud the large number of people who lined the streets .

The funeral cortege was met by the Revs . Hargi eaves Heap and J . G . Knowles ( curate of Prestwich ) , the chief mourners being Messrs . W . aud T . Allan , sous of the deceased , H . Allan , James Allan , Ashworth , Barnes , J . Gray , J . P ., Grindrod , Grimshaw , Hanson , the Rev . Stephen Hartley , E . H . Hilton ,

Kearns , Lees , Magnall , Preston , Smith , Hartley Smith , Brother Dr . Stephenson , medical officer of health , and many otheis , some of whom represented the local political club previously referred to . The Concord Lodge was represented by Bros . William B .

Midgley W . M ., Edwin S . Done S . W ., John Wardle P . M . Sec , J . E . Lightbown Std ., John Walkden P . M ., Edward Hilton P . M ., R . Hothersall P . M . P . P . G . D . D . C ., Edward Roberts P . M . 1459 ( FBEEMASON ' CHKOXICLE ) , and B . Mallinson . Bro . Alien Mercer 1170 was also in attendance .

The floral tributes were very numerous , including one from the W . M . and Brethren of Concord Lodge , No . 1534 . The interment took place at the Prestwich church , the funeral arrangements being under the capable direction of Messrs . John Leach and Sons , Warwick Street .