Church Service.

of disinterested love in the case of individuals , it is interesting to note its transforming effects on associations of one kind or another . Around us are many organisations , which are now purely philanthropic and benevolent , which were called into existence for the mutual benefit of the original members , and the benefit confined entirely to themselves . Their transition is like

the transition of the changed man , who has experienced the change from the earth earthy to that Lord from Heaven . Our Order , in one sense , has , more or less , passed through that progress ; at least is in a state of transition . So far as I can understand the history of our Order , it sprang into existence from the necessity of protection and assistance of the builders of the

middle ages , whose grand work , still standing , is an evidence of faith , patience , and skill which compel the reverence and admiration of even the flippant and superficial smartness of the holidaytrippers . These men , in the pursuit of their calling , had to go into strange lands and live for a considerable time amongst strangers . They had many interests in common , as well as

common dangers , and the advantage of combination would be so evident that they formed themselves into guilds , which would secure certain important advanages to their members . These guilds of highly-trained and skilled workmen would be honourable ; an exalted position amongst them in a rude and illiterate age would be distinctions naturally desired , as the theoretical

and operative masons would be bound together ; the architects with the busy brains who planned and devised the noble minsters that dot our land , and the highly-skilled and clever workmen who crystallised , as it were , the architects' thought in stone . The association would become so powerful and honourable an " imperium in imperio " that to become members of it would be

desired by the most noble ; and the nature of the works on which these guilds were principally engaged—the great cathedralswould turn the mind of the members by a natural process to a mightier edifice than ever was made or conceived by the hand or mind of man . The order and beauty rising out of confusion , the materials brought from different quarters , combining to produce

the noble edifice to the Glory of God , illustrated the history of that world of which they were a part . The minster , which was the expression of the architect ' s idea , pointed to the world as the embodied idea of God ; and they recognised the hand of the " Great Grand Master , the Architect of the Universe . " Here speculative Masonry becomes associated with theoretical and operative .

In addition to the recognition of the presence and purpose of the great Architect , another thought , I am confident , began to grow in their minds . Not only is the world the creation of the intellegent mind of a personal God , but they must have begun to perceive He was also in it , building to Himself a temple of which they were the living stones as well as the masons . With this

thought their whole lives began to be intelligible , and their work became eloquent ; and not only in the great corporate body did they see tbe likeness , but each individual would see it in himself , a microcosm of the whole . He would see in the tapering spire , gilded with the glory of the sun , above the dust and squalour of the street , the glory of a life with God . He would see in the

broken arches supporting the fretted roof reconciliations and purposes of the disappointed hopes of humanity below . He would see in the beautiful carvings the effects of the hammering and chipping of the workshop ; and he would understand why the iron of sorrow and the hammer of affliction is permitted to break and buffet the lives of men , and he would understand how

Chiistlike graces are developed in suffering . He would see in the lofty pile of building , whose beauty had but a short time before been hidden in a forest of scaffolding that was necessary to its erection , but whilst up hid its beauty , the glory of the life of man beyond when the scaffolding of this body , with its circumstances , now so necessary , but so confusing , are removed

—yes , " when man shall see even as he is seen , and when he is like Him at his appearing . " And as each man would express his thoughts , as his work would begin to explain them to him , he would develop more and more the school of speculative Masonry ; and the necessity for mutual support and defence in their ordinary avocations would decline , and the greater diffusion

of knowledge following the revival of learning would increase ; the guild , so far as dealing with operative Masonry , would decay whilst the study of speculative Masonry would naturally increase ; so that at the present day in practice there is no connection between one and the other . Operative Masonry has ceased to be part of the Masonic constitution , which entirely devotes itself to speculative Masonry and the benevolent

and philanthropic efforts which follow from it . " That Christ may be formed in you" is the prayer of the apostles for His converts . As each Christlike grace is developed , as the practice of Divine love becomes more the inle of our lives , as in the struggle we conquer self , rise above the carnal nature , we are being prepared by Divine grace , like stones in the quarry are prepared by the workman , for our place in that ter . ple that is being reared above ; and we have the promise by the Master ,

Church Service.

" To him that overcometh will I make a pillar in the temple of my God . " — " Belfast News-Letter . "

The Masonic Church Festival at St . John the Evangelist , Knotty Ash , under the auspices of the Bootle Wilbraham Lodge , in aid of the funds of the Alpass Benevolent Institution , which takes place on 13 th September , promises to be highly successful ,

says the " Liverpool Mercury . " The Bight Hon . the Earl of Derby , G . C . B ., Past G . W . and P . D . P . G . M . of West Lancashire , gives his patronage , and the sermon will be preached by Bro . the Bev . 0 . E . Hyde , LL . D ., Chaplain 1756 , vicar of St . Matthew ' s , Scotland Boad .

Eeferring to the proposed " International Anti-Masonic Congress" to be held next month , the " Tablet " says : — "The Congress marks a revival of spirit against the tyranny of the Craft which promises much . " This is a particularly vague way of putting it , as our contemporary omits to say who is to benefit from what is promised . We should by no means be surprised if

the " Anti-Masonic Congress" ultimately proves to be of considerable advantage to Freemasonry and the mission of fraternity it seeks to advance among all classes . Its principles are not usually advertised throughout the world , and we shall be disappointed if the publicity given to its work by this Congress does not bear good fruit , from a purely Masonic point of view .

Freemasons And Town Matters.

FREEMASONS AND TOWN MATTERS .

THE following was addressed to the Editor of the " Longton Times and Echo . " SIR , — " An Old Fentonian " commented in your paper upon some remarks made by tbe Chairman of tbe Fenton Urban Council , and then proceeded to give bis views upon the close connection between the Freemasons and municipal bodies , a connection—in his opinion—not at all good for the latter .

I do not know m what position your correspondent stands , but I take it he does not belong to the esoteric circle , but is rather an exoteric . Hence he is scarcely qualified to give an opinion . I would point to Longton as a wellgoverned town ; in the management of its affairs there is less self-seeking , less personal advantage than in any municipal body with which I am acquainted ; the good of the mass seems to be the guiding principle of our

local legislature , and yet the majority of its members are , I believe , Freemasons . Again ! look at the magisterial bench . Where in the Potteries will you find a more intelligent , more honourable , more upright , or more moral body of men than our borough magistrates are—taken collectively ? Yet they are also in this case , mainly Freemasons . Take another place—the

Cottage Hospital . The Board of Directors carrying on this benevolent work , taking upon themselves the responsibility and labour of adminstration without troubling the outside public ( except for subscriptions)—nearly all Freemasons . They are to the front in every good and noble work , and do not deserve the sneers of " An Old Fentonian . " Yours truly , YOUNG LONGTON .

is brought within three hours of the metropolis , and similar fast trains run at frequent intervals to Yarmouth , Lowestoft , and other parts . This district has long been among the best patronised of the health resorts of the country , and with the comfortable and time-saving trains of the Great Eastern Company , is likely to become increasingly popular year by year .

THE Great Eastern Railway Company is running a splendid service of trains to the favourite holiday resorts of Essex , Suffolk and Norfolk , and the promise of finer weather that seems likely to be realised will no doubt attract many holiday makers to avail themselves of the facilities provided . Cromer

A SYNDICATE has beon formed to acquire and develop a block of Gold claims , 118 in number , situate on the Farm Hex Rivier , in Heidelberg , South African Republic , and the public is invited to provide a capital of

£ 60 , 000 , in shares of £ 1 each , of which £ 25 , 000 is to be reserved for working capital . Some very favourable opinions of the property have been expressed by mining experts , and great success is anticipated to follow the operations of the Company , the Offices of which are at 31 Lombard Street , E . C .

THE free Burglary insurance given to subscribers of " Cassell ' s Family Magazine" is proving useful to its readers , a subscriber having lately been reimbursed his loss through a burglary .

"A Sprig Of Acacia."

" A SPRIG OF ACACIA . "

SYMPATHY is expressed with Bro . George Eichmond Dix , of the Kingsland Lodge , No . 1693 , in the heavy bereavement he has suffered by the death of his wife , Mrs . Frances Ann Dix , after an illness protracted through nearly seven years . Mrs . Dix had only reached the age of thirty-eight years , and was much esteemed . The interment took place m the private grave at Finchley Cemetery , in the presence of a large number of relatives and friends .