Blessings Of The Lodge.

BLESSINGS OF THE LODGE .

AT the dedication of the new apartments of a Lodge in his jurisdiction , Most Worshipfnl Abraham H . Hovvland jnn . Grand Master of Masons in Massachusetts , delivered the subjoined beautiful portrayal of the Blessings of the Lodge :

" These apartments , worthy of the Craft , should be occupied by those who strive to walk uprightly , to work diligently , live creditably , and act honourably by all men . From this altar should go forth such as are not only

imbued with loyalty to country , and snch as are strong in the principles of freedom and equality , but such as are imbued with loyalty to truth ; such as are strong in the permanent and hopeful principles of onr Constitutions ; and

such as realise the opportunities to affect the universal good by striving for tho physical , mental and moral welfare of the entire people . ' The world is the field . ' Upon yon rests the great responsibility of

bearing the radiance of onr Great Lights into the business , pleasure , and struggle of life . Tours it is to exemplify those tenets which have survived the centuries , and which have ever tended to the peace , progress , and happiness of

our race . Youi's it is , walking fearlessly in the path of duty , to seek humanity ' s good , which is one of the principal objects of onr Order . Let the light of the United Brethren shine in making others happy ; in shunning hate , vengeance ,

vice , and crime ; in respecting wisdom , virtue , and innocence ; in sharing other ' s adversity , sorrow , and defeat , and in avoiding all things that dishonour the body and stain the soul . * * * * *

" The opportunity of renewed interest is now presented , and npon you , brethren , rests the responsibility of recognising and discharging it . Excepting your own trne and priceless homes , what place has more tender bonds and

associations ? "Where are we brought more directly to consider present duty and present responsibility ? Where is the jar of the world less felt and the voice of temptation less audible ? Tired with

the business whirl and ceaseless warfare , wonld you rest ? Are you desirous of communing with wisdom , truth , love and friends . This very place is consecrated to all these , and urges you to share its blessings .

" The opportunity is now presented of frequent fraternal concourse of renewed works in behalf of the deserving brother , his widow or orphans , of listening to a service that has charmed an innumerable company , and of teaching

by symbols those truths npon which the present and future welfare of mankind depends . Let not such opportunities pass unheeded , but seize them with true Masonic fervour , thereby discharging your responsibility and

exemplifying the brotherhood of our Order . Such duties are yours . Such benefits are within your reach . To such high purposes has this hall been dedicated . 'To the full

possession of them every member of this Lodge is called . To have them , to keep them , to increase them , and to lead others to possess and enjoy them , is the reason for the existence of this Lodsre . To

reject these opportunities by absence from the meetings , indifference to the work , violation of obligations and an un-Masonic walk in the world , is to defeat in a measure its purpose and the benefits of its principles .

" The spending of the evening in this consecrated place , in the enjoyment of Brotherly Love aud concord , is infinitely preferable to passing it in frivolity and idleness . Here one retires from the noise and conflict of life , and is

refreshed by the rich lessons our ritual presents . The carpet , canopy ; altar , lights , furniture , with the ever impressive ritual , pour unmeasured benefits into the receptive fflind . The post with its history , written and unwritten ,

the present with its opportunities , responsibilities , and promises , and the future with its hopes are here unfolded . Symbols , that generations of mankind have venerated for centuries , here disclose their hiddon tru ' . h . The great :

drama of human life—youth , manhood , and age—passes in tenderness and power , teaching the frailty of the flesh aud the hope of immortality . Is ifc not beneficiul Lo enlarge and stimulate the mind by teaching these trnths ? Is it not beneficial to soften tho heart and

increase human sympathy by teaching such lessons r Like other sources of great good , Masonry is too often neglected . Its opportunities are too often unheeded , its responsibilities shunned , and thereby its benefits lost . Tet in its truth there are snpi'eme possibilities . It will despoil old habits ,

Blessings Of The Lodge.

conquer vice , allay strife , upbuild manhood . It stands as a beacon light on the shore of time , casting its beams over the dangers around us and through the darkness before us , lighting up the pathway that leads to health and happiness , peace and love . "—Voice of Masonry .

Notices Of Meetings.

NOTICES OF MEETINGS .

— : o : — GREENWOOD LODGE , No . 1982 .

IN these days , when pastoral plays are becoming the rage , and the grandest thoughts of our best poets are listened to by delighted audiences " ' neath the greenwood tree , " we often wish that the installation ceremonies of some of our " summer" Lodges could similarly be performed in the open air , under a leafy canopy . But so far , we

believe , arrangements have not been perfected for snoh a gathering in this country , and it would almost ; appear that the difficulties ia the way of being " close tiled " present an almost ; insurmountable obstacle . This wish was foremost in our thoughts on the occasion of the installation meeting of the above Lodge , which took place on the

24 fch inst ., but the Pubho Hall , Epsom , being the Masonio home of the Greenwood brethren , the gathering took place there . If there ia a spot in Surrey the sun delights to warm , it would seem to be this quaint old town , a fact fully realised by those who visited it on Saturday . At the appointed hour a goodly nnmber of the members '

and visitors assembled , amongst them being tho W . M ., Bro . S , Pidcock , with P . M . ' s J . Steele P . P . G . Std . Br ., C . E . Ellis P . P . G . S . B ., H . E . Francos P . P . G . D ., H . J . Levett S . W . W . M . eleofc , T . Squire J . W . P . P . G . P ., H . H . Greenwood S . D ., W . H . Down J . D ., Nathan I . G . The honorary members presont were : Bro . C . Greenwood D . P . G . M .,

T . Vincent P . P . G . S . B . ; while Bros . Minns , Smyth , Carter , Eev . G . A . McDonnell , M . A ., and A . Ro 3 enbaum , represented the members . The visitors were Bro . G . Whifc-3 P . P . G . W ., J . Rhodes P . P . G . O ., H . Slyman P . G . D . C . Midx ., C . M . Ohren P . M . ' 152 , and E . Stenson P . M . 15 . The initiation of another of the sons of the worthy and

honoured brother whose name the Lodge bears , Mr . Climson Greenwood , with two of his personal friends , Messrs . Dakin , M . D ., and Baillie , M . R . C . S ., was an interesting event in the evening ' s business , though the low tone of voice in which the W . M . delivered the ritual , together with the bad acoustic qualities of the hall , somewhat marred

the ceremony . The chair was then taken by Bro . Prances , who was better heard . Bro . Rosenbaam was passed , and Bros . Carter , Smyth , and McDonnell , were raised . Bro . Levotfc was presented for installation , and the ceremony was ably performed by Bro . Frances ; the addresses being well rendered by Bro . Ellis P . M . The officers

appointed were : Bros . T . Squire S . W ., H . H . Greenwood J . W ., Down S . D ., Nathan I . G ., Rev . G . A . McDonnell , M . A ., Chaplain , Steele P . M . Treasurer , Frances P . M . Secretary . A jewel was presented to tho retiring W . M ., and the Lodge closed . At the banquet , which took place at the King ' s Head Hotel , tho usual toasts wero

given by the W . M . in brief , comprehensive , and eloquent terms . Bro . 0 . Greenwood D . P . G . M ., in returning thanks for the Province , spoko of his long connection with it , and the deep interest he took ia its present and future welfare . Bro . Frances proposed the health of the W . M ., alluding to him as one qualified in every way to do tho

work of tho Lodge , conversant with the ceremonies , and to whom nature had given great histrionic powers , which he knew well how to u ? o . The toasfc was received with great enthusiasm , and ably replied to . The initiates were also received with acclamation . Bro . G . White P . P . G . D . responded for the Visitors , testifying to the excel .

lence of working and the cordial hospitality . Bro . Ellis replied in an eloquent manner for the P . M . 's ; Bros . Steele P . M . and Frances P . M . for tho Treasurer and Secretary , and Bro . Squire for the Officers . The pleasures of the evening were much enhanced by the singing of Bro . C . M . Ohren P . M . 452 , who to an excellent voice unites a refined

taste and exquisite feeling . Bro 3 . Ellis , Minns , and Slyman , also contributed to the harmony , Bro . Rhodes P . G . O . putting to good use tho piano , which the host had thoughtfully provided . When the Tyler ' s toast brought ; the meeting to a conclusion , each and all admitted that a most delightful day had been spent .

Fidelity Lodge of Instruction , Ho . 3 . —Afc the usual weekly meeting ou Wednesday , tho 21 st instant , held at tho Alfred Tavern , Roman-road , Barusbury , Brother Bleakley occupied tho chair , supported by Bros . Ferguson Preceptor , Ross , Anient , Mosser , Silvester Treasurer , Dimsdalo Secretary , & a . After

Ledge had been opened in due iorm , and tbo minutes of the previous meeting read and confirmed , tho W . M . opened iu tho second aud third degree . ! , aud Bro . Ferguson worked tho second and third seotir-iH of tho third leetnre . Lodiro was resumed

to the third degree ; Bro . Ferguson acting as candidate for raising was examined and entrusted . Tho W . M . rehearsed the ceremony of raising in an impressive manner . No further business ottering . Lodge closed in due form . Bro . Ross was unanimously elected W . M . for the following week .

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