One Hundred Years Old.

Upon this it is unnecessary to speak at length . Those who are Masons know whereof I speak , and those who are not Masons can to some extent form their opinions by noting who among your citizens are active members of the Order . I agree with you , that Ancient St . John ' s

Lodge has reason to be proud of the high position it holds among the Lodges in this jurisdiction , and proud also of those distinguished men whose names have been enrolled among its members . Ifc must be a source of pride that you have inscribed upon the rolls of

membership of Ancient St . John ' s the name of such an eminent man as the late Sir John A . Macdonald , one who for weal or woe guided the destinies of our beloved country , and who , I may say , made the history of our Dominion ;

one over whose grave even those who honestly differed from him in his views can drop the tear of regret , and on whose tomb all classes can join in placing the laurel wreath his pre-eminent services fco his country so well deserved .

Need I say a word in praise of my most esteemed friend and dear Brother , the late M . W . Brother Dr . Henderson ? To praise him would be but painting the lily and gilding the refined gold . I know the memory of that kindly , genial good old gentleman will live forever in

your hearts as it does m mine . And if it is permitted that we should know each other and renew our friendships in thafc other world to which we are all so surely drifting what a glorious bit of Heaven ifc will be to see again that welcoming smile and hear that kindly voice we now miss so keenly . Of M . W . Brother Walkem I can say but little . He

is here and he is modest , and I would fain spare his blushes . Did I give utterance to one-half of the kindly things I could say of him , I might be accused of infringing upon the canons of good taste . This much , however , I will say , thafc during his two years of office he presided

over the deliberations of Grand Lodge with such dignity and ability , as won for him the unanimous approval of his Brethren . My only hope is thafc I may in some degree perform the duties of my high and responsible position as he did . If I can succeed , I shall feel that I have discharged my whole duty to the Craft .

To yourself , Sir , and others who have attained distinction in the Craft , I have only time to say that you know how kindly I feel towards you , and that the honours conferred upon you must be looked upon by the members of Ancient Sfc . John ' s as conferred upon the

Lodge itself . But , Sir , the rank and file of Ancient St . John ' s deserve that their merits should be recognised and spoken

of on this occasion . The stately spire reaches heavenwards and adorns and beautifies and renders perfect the whole building , but the bricks and stones of the edifice itself , joined together as they are by the cement of Brotherly love , are just as necessary for the stability

and well being of the structure . I have always thought that the chief beauty of Masonry was that it was a great leveller . It levels up , however , not down . As an old

Yankee Mason once expressed it in my hearing , Masonry is like the old-fashioned pumpkin pies my mother used to make long ago ; large , deep , good all through , and no upper crust .

I thank you , Sir , for your kindly references to myself , and I may say that among fche many pleasant functions I have attended as Grand Master , none has afforded me greater pleasure than the present . The old historic City of Kingston ( the bulwark in the

early days of fchis century of British Institutions and British liberty in Canada ) , has shared in the general progress of the country , and , although our progress may not be rapid enough to suit our Brethren south of the St .

Lawrence , our growth is of the kind which lasts . I understand ifc to be a law of nature that what grows and matures rapidly , decays as rapidly . Our growth is that of the good old British oak , or our own Canadian Pineslow , but sure , solid and lasting .

That most genial of all philosophers , Dr . Holmes , who has lately gone to a better place—let us hope—than even Boston , and I may as well apologise here to all Bostonians for suggesting that there may be a better

place , once said : " Little of all we value here , wakes on the mom of its hundredth year , without feeling and looking rather queer . " That is no doubt due with legard to most things in this world , but it certainly does

One Hundred Years Old.

nofc apply to Ancient St . John s Lodge . You have

prospered during the century that has just passed away , and my sincere wish is that you may prosper even more in the years that are fco come .

After the addresses the programme proceeded , vocal and instrumental music being followed by dancing . — " Canadian Craftsman . "

A very pleasing incident occurred at Freemasons ' Hall , Melbourne , during the last week . A knock was heard at the office door , and in walked " agentleman and a Mason . " You don't know me , do you , he asked , and the A . S . had to confess that he had not that

pleasure . The G . and M . in a few words ( producing a Scotch certificate ) stated that in the year 1892 he made application to the Board of Benevolence for assistance , and they with their usual liberality had voted him a sum of two pounds , he had also made a second

application , which the Board had not entertained . He said he had now called because he had joined the noble order of Benedicts fche night previously , and wished to refund the two pounds , with many thanks , and 10 s interest for the use of the amount . The Brother who has so properly fulfilled his duty as a man has set a most excellent

example fco others who have received donations from Boards of Benevolence and are now perhaps in a position to repay them . — " Masonry . "

0 0 0 It is customary , among the Craft in European Countries , to hold a Lodge of Sorrow once a year in

memory of those Brethren who have passed to the Grand Lodge above . On that solemn occasion the roll of those who have preceeded us to the Unknown Land is called , and the Orator of the Lodge in an appropriate anpfifih . and in a , c , o . c \ r (\ a . np . R with n . s-np . rtin . 1 "Ritnn . l . Invincrlv — V £ VV » »»»»

~ J ~ , — — — W * . ..-. _ « , . ... ____ . _ ., « V . «___ . ^* J speaks of the dead , mentions their virtues and charitable deeds , and finally directs the attention of his hearers to the great lessons which Freemasonry teaches . This practice , which has much to commend it . is one which

might reasonably be followed here . It is unfortunately a melancholy fact that those who have passed away , after serving in the ranks of the Craft , are too soon forgotten , and it would therefore seem appropriate to dedicate an evening annually in our Lodges to recall them to memory . — " Craftsman . "

< J u u From the New Zealand " Craftsman" we learn that in Auckland there is a Masonic Chess Club in full swing . Such an addendum to the Masonic libraries would be advantageous in the capitals of Australian colonies , and if the idea were suggested by any chess-playing Brethren there would soon be formed Clubs that would not suffer lack of membership . — " Masonry . "

o o o The second smoking concert of the winter season arranged by the executive of the Portsmouth Masonic

Club took place on Tuesday , 11 th inst ., there being a remarkable array of talent .

Ar00502

"A SPRIG OF ACACIA . "

THE death of Bro . Wm . Pickford took place at his residence , Clifton Place , Newport , on Friday , 21 st inst . The deceased was 75 years of age , and was a prominent Freemason , having acted as Treasurer of the

Provincial Grand Lodge of Monmouthshire for thirty-one years . He had also been Treasurer of the Silurian Lodge for thirty-four years . Deceased was one of the promoter ! of the Masonic Hall at Newport .

THE funeral of the late Brother Pengelly P . M . 70 P . P . G . A . D . C , who held the office of Treasurer of St . John ' s Lodge , No . 70 , for many years , and who was the

first Preceptor of the Temple Lodge of Instruction , took place at the Plymouth Cemetery , on the 9 th . The deceased Brother was deservedly esteemed and respected by the Masonic body , and , says the " Western Morning News , " there was a large attendance of Brethren and others at the funeral .