The Three Rabbonis.

sought to regain the favour of the Almighty by building a house for the Ark of God . " And it came to pass , when tho king sat in his bouse , and the Lord had given him rest louud about from all his enemies ;

"That the king said unto Nathan the Phophefc , See now , I dw < 11 in an honfo of eodnr , but tho Ark of God dwelleth within curt-tins , " ( 2 Sam . vii . 1 , 2 ) . But with David , as it was with Mo .-es , another was destined to complete the work whose foundation he bad

laid , and he learned through the inspired medium that his son aud successor Solomon should bo tho one to fill the measure of Isiael ' s glory . Tho remaining years of his reign were actively employed in extending his kingdom and increasing tbe wealth and power of the nation . All

tbo territory from the Mediterranean to the Red Sea and the river Euphrates was annexed to or became tributary to the Jewish monarchy . David sat on his throne secure in the realization of the assurances Nathan had given : "And thine house and thy kingdem shall be established forever . "

To fulfil this prediction , he made Solomon his successor and placed the sceptre in his hands , although he was not legally entitled to that honour . David was seventy years old when he died , having reigned forty years .

" And he died in a good old age , full of days , riches , and honour : and Solomon his son reigned in bis stead , " ( 1 Chron . xxix . 28 ) . This was the judgment of the Hebrew chronicler , and there is no reason to doubt its correctness . His was a

life of striking vicissitudes . Called from tho peaceful shepherd's avocation to govern a people of turbulent and rebellions disposition , who wero surrounded with warlike and implacable foes , David developed extraordinary qualities of government and consolidated bis power upon a sure and firm basis . His defects of character were so

insignificant when compared with his high and noble conditions that we again apply to him as to his predecessor the title of Rabboni—Most Excellent Master . —Keystone . ( To be continued ) .

Old Warrants.

Old Warrants .

No . 307 "Ancients , " of Bermnda ; No . 390 from . 1814 j No . 271 from 1832 ; and from 1863 No . 224 . The " Atlantic Phrenix Lodge , " of A . D . 1797 .

No . 307 . ATHOLLGRAND MASTER .

, WM . DICKBY , D . G . M . Jos . BROWN , S . G . W . GEO . BOWEN , J . G . W .

* & o nil fohom it man toncem . WE , the Grand Lodge of the most Ancient and Honourable Fraternity of Freo and Accepted Masons , ( according to the old Constitutions granted by His Royal Highness Prince EDWIN , at York , Anno Domini Nine Hundred twenty and six ) , and in ( ho year of Masonry Fonr thousand Nine hundred twenty nnd six , iu ample form

assembled , viz ., Tho Right Worshipfnl The Most Nuble and Puissant Prince John , Duke , Marquis and Earl of Atholl , Maiqais aud Earl of Tullibardine . Earl of Strathtayand Strathardale , Viscount Balquidder , Glenalmond and Glenlyon , Lord Murray , Belveucy and Cask , Heritable Constable of the Castle of Kinelaven , Lord of Man and the Isles , Earl Strange and Baron Murray of Stanley iu the Count * of

Gloucester , & o ., & c , & c , Grand Master of Masons ; The Right Wor-Bhipful Willm . Dickey , Esq ., Deputy Grand Master , the Right Worshipful Jos . Brown , Esq ., Senior Grand Warden , and the Ri » ht Worshipful George Bowen , Esqr ., Junior Grand Wnrder , ( with tbe approbation and Consent of the Warranted Lodges held within tbe Cities and Suburbs of London and Westminster ) Do hereby authorise

and impower our Trusty and Well beloved Brethren viz . The Worpliirfnl Tn ^ r Fisher one of our Master Masons , the Worthipful John MoLaoblan his Senior Warden , and tbe Worshipfnl Adam Brown bis Junior Warden , to Form and Hold a Lodge of Fr e and Accepted Masons aforesaid , at the Town of St . Georges in the Islands of Bermuda upon the first and third Monday in every Calender Month

and on all seasonable Times and lawinl Occasions : And iu tbe said Lodge ( when duly congregated ) to admit anil make FREE MASONS , according to tbe most Ancient and Honoui able Custom of the Royal Craft in all Ages and Nations throughout tho known World . And We do hereby farther authorise and impower our said Trusty

and Well beloved Brethren John Fisher , John McLachlau aud Adam Brown , ( with the consent of the Members of their Lodge ) to nominate , chnse , and install their Successors to whom they shall deliver this WARRANT , and invest tbem with their Powers and Dignities as FREE MASONS , & O . And such Successors shall in like Mtinner nominate , chuse , and install their Successors , & c , & c , & o . Sooh Installations

Old Warrants.

to bo upon ( or mar ) every ST . JOHN ' DAY dining the Confnuance of this Lodge forever . Providing the nbavo iinmed Br . thren and all their Successors always pay due Respect lo this Right Worshipful GRAND LODGE , otherwise this Wuirant to bu if no Forco nor Virtue .

Given under our Hands and ihe Seal of onr OHANU L ODGK HI London , this Ninth day of August , in the Year of our I , « rJ One thousand seven hundred Ninety and Seven and in the year of Masonry Five thousand seven hundred Ninety and Seven .

ROUT . LESLIE , Grand Secretary NOTE . —This Warrant is Registered ~ \ in the Grand Lodge , Vol . 12 , > Letter M . )

. j | i I ¦ « i * ¦ I a & « M © j Seal \ ( ol , ) \ Lodge . / Grand Master .

The above is an exact transcript of the original WARRANT held by 1 Atlantic Phcenix Lodge , " Hamilton , Bermuda , now numbered 224 . F . LENNOCK GODET , Secretary No . 224 , Hamilton , Bermnda , 13 th August 1892 .

[ Bro . F . J . Price P . M . 159 and 106 has just sent me the foregoing , thus making one more addition to tho series of " Ancient , " or " Atholl" Warrants , inaugurated by Bro . John Constable P . M . 185 , on 27 th May 1876 . Since

his regretted departure for tbe Cape I have been anxious to complete the set , and now there are wanting but six . Who will secure transcripts of these , and thus put the finishing touches to a most valuable and interesting collection of existing " Atholl " Warrants ?

Nos . 3 , 101 and 143 London . No . 110 Merthyr Tydvil . Nos . 233 Bermuda and 239 Jamaica

The one now printed is dated 9 th of August , whereas the Register ( so Bro . John Lane informs me ) bears the date 7 th September 1797 . This is a curious fact . ] W . J . HUGHAN . " Danscone , " Torquay , 10 th October 1892 .

The Freemasons' Calendar and Directory for the ProTinoe of Gloucestershire , 1892 , has just been issued to tbe Lodges . Tbe little book presents a record of the Masonio doings of the preceding twelve , months , whioh serves to maintain the continuity of the history of tbe Province of whioh the Freemasons of Gloucestershire havo regularly received an annual instalment for tbe last fourteen

y

Province , such as the late Bros . Newmarsh P . D . P . G . M ., and Gwinnett P . P . G . J ., W . P . Price Railway Commissioner and formerly M . P . for Gloucestershire , and J . J . Powell , Q . C ., judge of Lambeth aud Greenwich County Courts , recorder of Wolverhampton , and also formerly M . P . for Gloucester ; the opening of a new Lodge at Strond ; and , iu Mark Masonry , the installation of Bro . Vassar-Smith as

Prov . G . M . in succession to Bro . the Baron de Ferrieres . The charity record of the year is not unsatisfactory . Notwithstanding the many losses by death , there has been a small increase in the voting strength of the Province upon the three great Masonic Charities , coupled with a decided augmentation of support to tbe Provincial

Charity . The number of votes held in the Province in connection with the Mitsonic Boys' and Girls' SchoolP , and the Benevolent Institution , is 3 , 624 . It is the largest number yet reached , and it compares very favourably with tbe 839 votes held in 1879 . —Stroud News .

Ad00303

FUNERALS properly carried out and personally attended , in London and Country , by Bro . G-. A . HUTTCXN , 17 Newcastle Street , Strand . W . C . Monuments erected . Valuation ! made .