A December Night In The Temple

A DECEMBER NIGHT IN THE TEMPLE

IN the jurisdiction of Pennsylvania , and in a number of other Masonic jurisdictions , the night fixed for the election of officers for the ensuing Masonic year is the stated meeting occurring next before St . John the

Evangelist ' s Day , 27 th December . At the same meeting various other important Masonic duties are performed , so that the December meeting is by all odds the most important one in the year , and it is often styled the annual meeting , because of the annual election of officers at that time . We

purpose taking a hasty view of the enlivening scenes which at this season occur in every Masonic Temple and Lodge Room in Pennsylvania , as well as elsewhere . The first thinu- that strikes a brother on enterinp ; the

Temple is the blaze of light which streams from every hall and room . Were an ancient Sabian from Persia to enter at this time , he would probably conclude that wo wero fire worshippers , so general and brilliant is the illumination . Once within the walls the stir is found to be universal .

Brethren are passing in throngs into the various halls , exchanging fraternal greetings with old acquaintances , making new ones , and then passing on to their several Lodge , Chapter or Commandery rooms . The election is tho first business which excites universal

concern . Interest in this has drawn a number of Brethren out who have not been accustomed to he regular attendants at the monthly meetings . Either through curiosity or solicitation , many old members , and not a few careless

younger ones , come out at the December meeting only , and hence we may likou them to annual plants which flower but once a year . They are welcome , of course ,

thrice welcome , but why do they not come of tener ? The Lodge needs them , and they need the Lodge . Each can do the other good . Let them be seen of tener together .

Any election is interesting . Somehow or other the average humau mind i * excited if there be an element of uncertainty , hazard , chance in any contention , fraternal or otherwise . There is , of course , each one ' s peculiar interest

in behalf of the success of his personal friend ; hut over and above this there is the reeling of concern in the result of the teller ' s report on the election of each of the

candidates . Uncertainty is an element which enters into almost every election , and so the interest in the result is one of the primary feelings which actuates every brother who is p"ppent with his Masonic body at its December meeting . There is an event that occurs sometimes in which all

take a melancholy interest , and that is the suspension from membership of a brother for non-payment of dues . We may say , however , that this never occurs whore a brother is unfortunate and unable to pay his dues , and makes his

situation known through any member of the Lodge . It is only where he pays no attention to the summons sent him ( and remember the character of a summons , which he is in duty bound to obey ) , or where he is known to be unworthy ,

that he is cut off from membership , The Craft always exercises , or should exercise , charity towards its distressed worthy brethren , and it is ready to forgive them their dues

if they are unable to pay , and ask to bo forgiven , just as it is willing to actively contribute to their wants when in need of fraternal aid .

Ihe election over , and the other regular business disposed of , the installation of Master and Wardens next engrosses attention . These are always interesting ceremonies . They occur so rarely that the closer attention is

paid to them . Whether it be the advancement of new officers or the re-installation of the present ones , all behold the ceremonies with rap t , attention ; the obligations are

serious , solemn and binding , and a pride is felt by all in the Officers assuming them , who are to preside durino- tho coming Masonic year over tbe body of which they are members .

The Lodge , Chapter or Commandery having closed , the brethren proceed to the banquet hall . Let us suppose that one enters the Temple about ten o ' clock p . m ., just after all the brethren have been seated around the festive board .

From all sides there come voices of merriment . There is not a plaintive tone to be heard , there is music and song , there is conversation and laughter , there is the rattle of dishes and the clinking of glasses . All is hilarity and

mirth . Verily , the Craft has gone from Labour to Refreshment . Wc entered the Temple a few nights since while five banquets were in progress . Turn which way we would the sounds of fraternal festivit y greeted our ears . From

A December Night In The Temple

one direction came the eloquent voice of a brother responding to a toast , from another the melody of the human voice in song , from another a lively recitation , and from still another such a round of innocent mirth that we

thanked tho Grand Architect that we were members of a Fraternity which could produce so much social and healthful enjoyment , and unite together in fraternal bonds so many of the children of men . With the lights blazing ,

the music playing , the human voico divine being heard high above all , and the Gavel of the Master commanding attention whenever it fell , the scene was one never to be forgotten . Such scenes can bo observed as a rule only

during one month in the year , and in this jurisdiction that month is December . Merry December , which includes not only a merry Christmas , but at least one merry Masonic

gathering for every member of the Craft . All hail this g lorious prelude , which leads rip to St . John the Evangelist ' s Day ! December , all hail!—Keystone .

The Theatres, &C.

THE THEATRES , & c .

Driiry Lane . —Onco more Mr . Augustus Harris has shown us what kind of pantomime we may expect while ho is lo 3 see of " Old Drury . " That his latest one is a success we need hardly mention ; what with the amusing story that has been written , by Mr . B . L . Blanehard ; the happy selection of popular tunes for the different

songs , by Mr . Walter Slaughter ; and last , but not least , the stage management of Mr . Angnstus Harris , everything is up to the standard . One foature that is of arlvautage is that tho pantomime ia funnier than its predecessors , more atteution having been directed , so as to make both young and old amused . Perhaps our best way to

describe the many beautiful scenes that have been provided will be to give a description of the story . After an overture , comprising the latest mnsic hall songs , the curtain goes np , and we are introduced to the den of the Demon Lawyer ( Mr . J . B , Gordon ); this gentleman has for attendants a number of fiendish clerks . The lawyer

pretends fco have a will made out in his favour by a miller , two of whose lazy Bons tho lawyer has b ? en making drunk . Another son , Jocelyn ( Miss Lily VVadman ) , has , however , resisted the temptation . This young gentleman Cupid ( Miss Jenny Dawson ) promises to protect . Cnpid declares that she will guard Jocelyn against the

lawyer , and to do thi 3 sets to work , in scene the second—The Milleries , a most realistic picture . Hero wo are introducod to the two other brothers , William ( Mr . Lionel Rignold ) and 'Enry ( Mr . Charles D . inby ) . It is clearly to be seen that the lawyer has managed to get a firm grip on these young gentlemen . They are

constantly meeting an old man and his donkey ( tho Brothers ' Griffiths ) , and this can so a immense fun . It is in thu act that we first see Puss ( Mr . Charles Lanri Jan . ) , who is constantly in attendance on his yon eg master . Songs and dances take place , after which a royal htnitinjj party arrive ? , at the head of which is the

Princess ( Miss Letty Lind ) . Jocelyn falls in love with the Princess , and receives much encouragement in his suit . In the next scene Jocelyn and his cat go to sleep , and here again the Princess appears , and after going through a most graceful dance , she kisses the sleeper . Cnpid now puts in au appearance , and provides Puss with

a pair of boots , of which tho oat makes very funny use . Later on we are introduced to the King ( Mr , Herbert Campbell ) and Queen ( Mr . Harry Nioholls ) , who give one of their topical songs . This waa well received , and then follows one of the prettiest ballets over seen at , Drury Lane . This has been arranged by Madame Katfci Lanner .

and is executed by the children of tho National School of Dancing . ' Needless to say it was highly appreciated . The Princess then proceeds to interview some of her admirers , but she refuses them all , her love having been secretly given to Jocelyn . A gorgeous procession follows , the dresses being most sumptuous . Puss

puts in an appearance , aud invites the royal party to the palace of hia master . This they consent to visit , and during the journey to the castle we are shown some pretty scenery , representing the Park , the Vineyard , the Hayfield , the Giant ' s Stronghold , Love ' s Labyrinth , and then the Armouries . This latter set is the scene of

the pautomimp , all kinds of armour being displayed , the different patterns taking up the entire space of the stage . When all are grouped ' . ^ gether we have a mast effectivo sight . The Princess having married Jocelyn , the breakfast is g iven , during which the antics of the King and Queen cause roars of laughter . Jocelyu ' s

happiness having now been secured , anl the deunn lawyer having been overcome , wo are shown a magnificent transformation scene , with au immense fan of lace in the background . The Harlequinade , with Mr , Harry Payne as Clown , is amusing , and is sure to please the youngsters . In conclusion , we may repeat that the action is

funnier than any of its pmlecessors , while the scenery and dresses are as gorgeous ao ever . The scenery has been paiutid b y Messrs . Henry Eniclen , W . Perkins , W . It . Beverley , E . T . Ilyan , and W . Telbin . The orchestra is under tho direction of Mr . Walter SI inghter .

Globe . —In deciding that "The Golden Ladder" should inaugurato his management at this theatre , Mr . Wilson Barrett has acted widely . A drama not without its humorous side , and yet possessing stirring and touching incidents , is sure to find favour in

tho eyes of a Loudon audience ; indeed of any audience . Such characteristics are to be found iu "The Golden Ladder , " which waa produced for the first time on Thursday of last week . The drama is written by Messrs . G . E . Sims and Wilson Barrett , and extends through live long acts . Mr , Sima' recoguised ability aa a dramatist