Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Ancient Accepted Rite.
degrees ; as it was at his hands he received the Rose Croix Degree in Newcastle-on-Tync , and , he believed , the Templar Degree some years ago . Bro . Banister stated that it would give him very great pleasure to instal Bro . Emra Holmes , but he thought , as a matter of courtesy , their new Deputy Inspector General , the Rev . A . Bruce Frascr , 32 , whose jurisdiction extended over Oxford , Cambridge and Suffolk , should be first asked , and if he declined , then he
should be extremely pleased to come . The current business of the evening having been disposed of , the brethren retired to the banquctling-rooni , where the usual substantial repast was spread . The regular toasts having been given , and the new chiefs of the Order , the Prince of Wales and the Earl of Carnarvon having been duly honoured , the brethren passed a pleasant evening together , and separated at a reasonable hour .
Red Cross Of Constantine.
Red Cross of Constantine .
BHISTOL . —The annual meeting of the Wm . De Irwin Conclave , and the Munbec ( Military ) Conclave , No . 101 , was held at the head quarters of the 2 nd Glostcr Volunteer Engineer Corps , on Saturday , the 12 th inst . The Sir Knights assembled at 3 p . m . 111 . and Eminent Sir Knt . F . G . Irwin , Inlcndant General of Bristol , occupied the throne . The muster roll being called , the following Sir
Knights answered , viz .: W . Hodges , V . E . ; J . T . Hallam , S . G . ' ; W . Munro , J . G . ; J . M . Hunt , H . P . ; E . E . Honey , Prefect ; M . Ansaldo , S . B . ; W . H . Lane , O . ; A . G . Williams , W . Benham , E . Ware , T . Brooke , W . Kirbcy , J . Collins , W . Richards , B . Gay , No . 17 ; W . A . Scott , M . P . S . ; Major Plant , V . E . ; and Capt . Ward , No . 101 . The Sir Knights under the command of the S . G . and J . G .,
then formed an " Arch of Steel , " and received the Chief Intendant General of Bristol , Glostcr , and Somerset , Major General Gore , B . Munbee , and his Aid-dc-camp . The general having ascended the throne , the minutes of the two conclaves were read , when the M . P . S . said the first business was to instal Bros . D . J . Duttonand J . Naish , as Knights of the Munbec Conclave . At the conclusion of the
ceremony all those Knights below the grade of Viceroy were asked to retire , and a College of Viceroys was opened ; all below the Sovereign Degree retired . A Senate of Sovereigns was formed , and Sir Knts . W . Hodges and Major Plant ; were duly enthroned Sovereigns of their respective conclaves . The Senate being dissolved and a college reopened , Sir Knts . J . T . Hallam , and Capt . Ward , were
placed in the chair as V . E . of the two conclaves , the whole of the ceremonies being performed with the usual ability , which M . General Gore , B . Munbec , displays on such occasions . Sir Knt . W . Hodges ascended the throne , and appointed the- following officers of No . 17 for the ensuing year , viz .: Sir Knts . W . Munro , J . G . ; f . M . Hunt , J . G . ; G . Tonkin , 1 I . P . ; B . Gay , Recorder ; A . G . Williams , ist
Lieutenant ; W . Benham , 2 nd Lieutenant ; W . Richards , Prefect ; M . Ansaldo , S . B . ; T . Brooke , II . ; J . Cole , S . The conclaves were now closed , and the Sir Knights retired to the Grand Hotel , where a sumptuous banquet had been prepared , to which about thirty sat down , presided over by Major General Gore B . Munbec , supported on his right bv Capt . F . G . Irwin , J . T . Hallam , and others
on Ins left by M . A . Scott , P . S ., of No . 101 ; W . H . Davies , of Weston Super Mare ; and others . The usual oasts were given and responded to . The visiting Sir Knights having to retire by an early train , were now compelled to leave . 111 . Sir Knt . Capt . F . G . Irwin , took the chair , and said he was pleased with that day ' s proceedings , ' also w | th the progress of the Reel Cross in Bristol ; it had succceelcd
far beyond his expectations ; it was barely twelve months since it was first established here , anil now the two conclaves number near fifty members ; great praise was due to the members for the zeal and energy they hail displayed during the past year , and he would compliment the officers of No . 17 for the efficient way in which they had performed their duties , anil as a mark of his approbation for
the great interest taken in the Order . In this province he had appointed the P . S . Sir Knt . G . F . Tuckcy to be Deputy Intendant General of Bristol , with full powers to act as such ; in regard to the Munbee Conclave , he would say , it being purely a military conclave , the members were not likely to be so large as that of the Sister Conclave ; still , he was satisfied , from the zeal displayed by those Sir
Knights belonging to it , they were determined to do what they had to do with fervency and zeal . He would always be pleased to confer honour where honour was due—that would be only upon those who worked for it . He was about to form a Provincial Grand Conclave , and no appointment to office in that conclave would be made but to those who , from the attention they displayed to the duties
of their own conclave , showed they were deserving . lie therefore had much pleasure in naming Eminent Sir Knt . M . A . Scott , P . S . of No . IOI , as Provincial Grand Treasurer ; and Sir Knt . J . T . Hallam , P . G . Recorder . As they were about to open another conclave , he would not appoint the other officers till after that event . He would also
say it was his intention , at an early date , to summon a Sanctuary of K . H . S ., and St . John , also a Council of Knights of Constantinople , and he felt certain it would meet with the like success of the Red Cross . The Sir Knights retired at an early hour , well satisfied with the day ' s proceedings .
Scotland.
Scotland .
LODGE THISTLE ( NO . 87 ) . —The regular bi-monthly meeting of this lodge was held in the hall , No . 12 , Tron-Rate , on Tuesday evening , 15 th ult . Bro . J . W . Burns , R . W . M ., occupied the chair , and there were also present , Bros . C . K . Jenkins , D . M . ; James Love , S . M . ; [ ames Booth , S . W . ; William Wilson , J . W . ; Thos . Paton , ' reas . ; D . McDougall , Sec ; and a geiodly number of wethren . The minutes of last meeting having been read ,
Scotland.
and some private matters in connection with the lodge discussed , applications for admittance to the Order were read from four candidates . One of these not being able to be present that evening , the other three were duly initiated into the mysteries of the Order , Bro . Thallon , P . M ., Lodge St . Clair ( 362 ) , officiating in an able manner . There being no further business the lodge was thereafter
closed in due form . LODGE STAR ( NO . 219 ) met in the hall at No . i 2 , Trongate . on Monday , 14 th ult . The R . W . M ., Bro . John Morgan , presided , and the lodge having been opened , he initiated five approved candidates for admission into the Order in a manner so masterly as to surprise experienced brethren who knew or were made aware of the fact that it
was the first time he had so officiated . Thereafter the chair was occupied , pro tem , by P . M ., Bro . Joseph Wilson , and the lodge having been raised to the Fellow-Craft degree , five were advanced to that degree by Bro . Muir , of the Union and Crown ( 103 ) . Subsequently the lodge was raised to the sublime elcgrcc of Master Mason ; and it being a case of emergency , that degree was received by a candidate at
the hands of Bro . G . W . Wheeler . LODGE UNION ( NO . 332 ) . —The forty-fourth anniversary festival of this lodge was held in the Assembly Rooms , Bath-strcct , on Christmas night , when there was a numerous attendance of the brethren of the lodge , together with their wives , sweethearts , and friends , as also visiting brcthlen from sister lodges . The R . W . M ., Bro . J . B . Macnair ,
presided , supported on the platform by Bros . R . Mitchell , P . M . ; Dempster , D . M . ; Dobbic , S . M . ; D . McKcrdy , S . W . ; A . Conochie , J . W . ; A Macnair S . D . ; P . Wilson , J . D . ; Laird , Treas . ; Mclnncs , Sec , txc . After an excellent service of tea , the chairman said : —Ladies , Gentlemen , and Brethren , once more we have met to celebrate our annual re-union , and it is very cheering to see around me so many
faces , known of old , and many strangers , but none the less welcome , brethren from sister lodges , and last , but not least , the wives and sweethearts . The old saying that " Christmas comes but once a year , and when it comes it brings gooel cheer , " is amply borne out by our present meeting . It was considered by some that Christmas was a bad night to hold our annual gathering , but this I consider
erroneous . It is customary in a great many families whose members are scattered hither and thither , that they meet once—Christmas Day—around the family board , and enjoy the society of each other that is denied them through the year . We arc met here to-right , in a homely way , to enjoy the society of each other anel to strengthen and cherish brotherly love . And what night coulel be better
adapted to this purpose—a night associated with the birth of Christianity—a season when the ills and sufferings of those around us are met with kindly aid and advice—a time when our best feelings should be stirred up . Anil I think that from the elements of witchery and grace I see before me , that the fairies , mayhap , favour us with a visit during the night , and skip and dance and astonish even us
poor mortals by their various gifts . I only hope that each and all will endeavour to enjoy themselves , mid make those around them happy . It is not my intention to take up much of your time , the more that you will be anxious to enjoy the harmony that is in store . But , before sitting down , allow me to say a little about lodge matters . The Lodge Union is now in her 44 th year , and let me tell you
that she is not a maiden laily , having changed her name some years ago , and since that change of name she has gone on improving as she grows older , like good wine ; and strange as it may seem , I have 110 doubt that the older she gets , she will give birth to many good and true Masons . Since I entered her house , some ( i years ago , I have found her a good , motherly body , and the family
thought it meet that I should take charge of the household . I now have had chari e of family matters for something like . 3 years , and during that time many additions have bL'en made , to the number of our household , and I may State that we have been , and arc a well rcgulateel and harmonious family . We have our little family jars at times , but we , like good brethren , forget and forgive . It is
strange we are all sons in our family , but , collectively , we make one sister , and her name is Union . She has many sisters in the province , and I have reason to know and appreciate their many sisterly qualities , their kind attendance from time to time , when advice was necessary , and in helping' to wash and keep the house clean . Not a little of the success of our family arrangements is due to this
timely , kind reciprocity between cur own and sister lodges . And let me tell you we have succeeelcel wonderfully , and wc have gathered gear , but in gathering gear we have not done so in a parsimonious way . Wc have had members of the family ill , and have been in a position to attend them ir . their distress , and assist them in their difficulties , and they had this in their own right of brotherhood . And
during the last ten years we have made 350 Masons in the Union , and during that period we have made marked progress in financial matters , and have , at the present moment , a handsome balance in our favour . Also during the year named we have dispensed considerable sums towards benevolent objects , both directly to individuals and to the several benevolent funds connected with our Order .
I hope the bump of benevolence in the Union Lodge will enlarge with her prosperity . Nay , I am confident it will , But I am afraid that I may tire you with family matters . I will not trespass much longer on your patience . Just allow me , before sitting down , to say one or two words , anent some events in Masonic history that have occurcii during the present year . First , the elcath of our much
revered P . G . Master , Bro . the Earl of Dalhousie—a nobleman who worked earnestly and in a singularly able manner for the cause of Masonry—a brother respected r . ot only for the position by birth , but , above all , for his strength of purpose and high mental gifts . He has gone from amongst us , but his memory will be cherished by every good Mason . Scotch Masonry has sustained a loss that cannot be easily replaced . Secondly , we have the
Scotland.
resignation by tile Earl of Ripon of the Grand Mastership of England ; and the cause is now sufficiently well known , and is to be regretted on the ground that he has sacrificed freedom of action in thought . The immediate result of his resignation has been that the patron of Scotch Masonry , the Prince of Wales , has accepted the Grand Mastership of England—a position which we have no
doubt he will fill creditably to himself and to the Order . Wc have had changes in our own Grand Lodge . The Earl of Rosslyn has retired , after a term of services that forwarded and put new life into the internal working of the Grand Lodge , and he has been succeeded by a nobleman whom we have no doubt will do honour to the high position he has been elected to . I am afraid I tire you . I
will now pull up , as the coachman said to himself when he saw a " public ; " but , before getting off the " dickey , " allow me to thank you for the attention you have shown during the stage , and I trust we will have a pleasant evening ' s entertainment together . Ladies , gentlemen , and brethren , I wish you a merry Christmas and a happy New Year . Thereafter a vocal concert programme was entered
upon , in which the lion s share of the work—and rightly , therefore , of the honours—fell upon Bro . James Houston ( 354 ) , a comiquc of the genuine type , who has worked his way up to a proud position in his profession . Later in the evening , Bro . R . Mitchell delivered a brief and seasonable address . He was there , he said , in place of the Rev . Robert Thomson ; but , with all deference , their reverend
brother had not a greater love for Freemasonry than their humble servant , whose sons , he might tell them , were becoming his brothers , so that he should shortly be able almost to hold a lodge in his own family ! The proceedings , as usual , concluded with an assembly , which was kept up with spirit till an advanced hour . LODGE CALEDONIAN RAILWAY ( No . 354 ) . —This lodge
met on Wednesday , lfith ult ., in St . Mark's Hall , 213 , Buchanan-street , the R . W . M ., Bro . James Shaw , presiding . After the reading of the minutes of last meeting , it was proposed by Bro . Dougall , seconded by Bro . Haricy , and agreed to , that there be a committee meeting called for 23 rd ult ., to make arrangements for the annual festival of the lodge . Three candidates were then passed
from the E . A . degree to that of Fellow Craft , and three raised to the degree of Master Masons , the work in each case being efficiently wrought by Bro . G . C . H . McNaught , P . M . Lodge Shamrock and Thistle ( 275 ) . Thereafter a pleasant evening was spent in harmony , in the course of which the toast of the " Visiting Brethren" was given by the chairman , coupled with the name of Bro . McNaught ,
who replied , giving 111 turn " Success to Lodge 354 , " which the R . W . M . suitably acknowledged . LODGE COMMERCIAL ( NO . 3 60 ) . The regular meeting of this lodge was held in their I lall at No . 30 Hope-street , on Friday 18 th inst . There was a very numerous attendance , both of members and visiting brethren . The lochje was opened by the R . W . M ., Bro . John Munro , who was
supported by Bros . John Davidson , P . M . ; D . Lamb , D . M . ; J . M . Olliver , S . W . ; and J . Peters , acting J . W . ; and the other office-bearers in their respective places . The minutes of last meeting having been read and confirmed , Bro . J . E . Spiers , who at the last meeting had been nominated and approved of for the office of S . M ., was duly installed into the same by the R . W . M . The lodge was then raised to the
degree of Fellow Craft , when Bro . McWilliam received that degree at the hands of the R . W . M ., whose admirable performance of the work called forth warmest expressions of commendation from brethren assembled , those from other lodges more especially . There being no further business in this degree , the lodge was reduced to that of Entered Apprentice , after which Bro . David Lamb brought
forward in due form a motion for an alteration in the rate of initiation and affiliation fees at present subsisting in the lodge . In so doing he said : —If there be one thing which we the Freemasons of Scotland ought to feel more proud of than another , it should be , I think , the fact that our country was chosen as the home of the Craft upon its first introduction among the nations of the West , and
that at a period very shortly subsequent to its removal from the East . How it came here , or why Scotland should have been chosen as its great resting place , iit behoves us not presently to relate . Those of you who arc familiar with the history of the Craft know how that from Scotland went forth brethren into almost all the then known world , and , having settled in its most remote comers , applied for
and obtained leave to hold and constitute lodges of their own , binding themselves to acknowledge the Lodge of Scotland as their Great Superior , and its chief for the time being their one and common head . How , further , when a sufficiency of lodges had been established , liberty was granted them , in their respective countries , to constitute Grand Lodges of their own , and that , too , granted by the
management of the Craft in Scotland . As our rites had been taught them at home , so were they practised by them abroad ; and I make bold to say that there are few Masons who arc not able to say that they were initiated into our degrees , and admitted to a participation in our privileges , under what all the broad world knows is the Scottish Ancient and Accepted Rite ( Applause ) . England , Ireland ,
France , India , America—all use , with differences so slight as harelly to be noticeable , the rites practised by our forefathers when they instructed their initiates in their secret sessions in the towns and villages of our native land . Have we not reason to feel proud as to the pre-eminence of our usages and our ceremonies ? Surely , surely ! Ought wc not to be grateful to the country which fostered
and sheltered these ? Surely , yes I Arc we proud ? Arc we grateful ? I am ! Is there a man among you who is not ? ( Applause ) . But , brethren , it sometimes happens that the directions for carrying out a law , or , to apply it to our own case , a ritual , anil the actual performance of the ceremony arc two things altogether distinct and different . The rites which it is our privilege to use are in themselves , sob mn and beautiful , but how often have we
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Ancient Accepted Rite.
degrees ; as it was at his hands he received the Rose Croix Degree in Newcastle-on-Tync , and , he believed , the Templar Degree some years ago . Bro . Banister stated that it would give him very great pleasure to instal Bro . Emra Holmes , but he thought , as a matter of courtesy , their new Deputy Inspector General , the Rev . A . Bruce Frascr , 32 , whose jurisdiction extended over Oxford , Cambridge and Suffolk , should be first asked , and if he declined , then he
should be extremely pleased to come . The current business of the evening having been disposed of , the brethren retired to the banquctling-rooni , where the usual substantial repast was spread . The regular toasts having been given , and the new chiefs of the Order , the Prince of Wales and the Earl of Carnarvon having been duly honoured , the brethren passed a pleasant evening together , and separated at a reasonable hour .
Red Cross Of Constantine.
Red Cross of Constantine .
BHISTOL . —The annual meeting of the Wm . De Irwin Conclave , and the Munbec ( Military ) Conclave , No . 101 , was held at the head quarters of the 2 nd Glostcr Volunteer Engineer Corps , on Saturday , the 12 th inst . The Sir Knights assembled at 3 p . m . 111 . and Eminent Sir Knt . F . G . Irwin , Inlcndant General of Bristol , occupied the throne . The muster roll being called , the following Sir
Knights answered , viz .: W . Hodges , V . E . ; J . T . Hallam , S . G . ' ; W . Munro , J . G . ; J . M . Hunt , H . P . ; E . E . Honey , Prefect ; M . Ansaldo , S . B . ; W . H . Lane , O . ; A . G . Williams , W . Benham , E . Ware , T . Brooke , W . Kirbcy , J . Collins , W . Richards , B . Gay , No . 17 ; W . A . Scott , M . P . S . ; Major Plant , V . E . ; and Capt . Ward , No . 101 . The Sir Knights under the command of the S . G . and J . G .,
then formed an " Arch of Steel , " and received the Chief Intendant General of Bristol , Glostcr , and Somerset , Major General Gore , B . Munbee , and his Aid-dc-camp . The general having ascended the throne , the minutes of the two conclaves were read , when the M . P . S . said the first business was to instal Bros . D . J . Duttonand J . Naish , as Knights of the Munbec Conclave . At the conclusion of the
ceremony all those Knights below the grade of Viceroy were asked to retire , and a College of Viceroys was opened ; all below the Sovereign Degree retired . A Senate of Sovereigns was formed , and Sir Knts . W . Hodges and Major Plant ; were duly enthroned Sovereigns of their respective conclaves . The Senate being dissolved and a college reopened , Sir Knts . J . T . Hallam , and Capt . Ward , were
placed in the chair as V . E . of the two conclaves , the whole of the ceremonies being performed with the usual ability , which M . General Gore , B . Munbec , displays on such occasions . Sir Knt . W . Hodges ascended the throne , and appointed the- following officers of No . 17 for the ensuing year , viz .: Sir Knts . W . Munro , J . G . ; f . M . Hunt , J . G . ; G . Tonkin , 1 I . P . ; B . Gay , Recorder ; A . G . Williams , ist
Lieutenant ; W . Benham , 2 nd Lieutenant ; W . Richards , Prefect ; M . Ansaldo , S . B . ; T . Brooke , II . ; J . Cole , S . The conclaves were now closed , and the Sir Knights retired to the Grand Hotel , where a sumptuous banquet had been prepared , to which about thirty sat down , presided over by Major General Gore B . Munbec , supported on his right bv Capt . F . G . Irwin , J . T . Hallam , and others
on Ins left by M . A . Scott , P . S ., of No . 101 ; W . H . Davies , of Weston Super Mare ; and others . The usual oasts were given and responded to . The visiting Sir Knights having to retire by an early train , were now compelled to leave . 111 . Sir Knt . Capt . F . G . Irwin , took the chair , and said he was pleased with that day ' s proceedings , ' also w | th the progress of the Reel Cross in Bristol ; it had succceelcd
far beyond his expectations ; it was barely twelve months since it was first established here , anil now the two conclaves number near fifty members ; great praise was due to the members for the zeal and energy they hail displayed during the past year , and he would compliment the officers of No . 17 for the efficient way in which they had performed their duties , anil as a mark of his approbation for
the great interest taken in the Order . In this province he had appointed the P . S . Sir Knt . G . F . Tuckcy to be Deputy Intendant General of Bristol , with full powers to act as such ; in regard to the Munbee Conclave , he would say , it being purely a military conclave , the members were not likely to be so large as that of the Sister Conclave ; still , he was satisfied , from the zeal displayed by those Sir
Knights belonging to it , they were determined to do what they had to do with fervency and zeal . He would always be pleased to confer honour where honour was due—that would be only upon those who worked for it . He was about to form a Provincial Grand Conclave , and no appointment to office in that conclave would be made but to those who , from the attention they displayed to the duties
of their own conclave , showed they were deserving . lie therefore had much pleasure in naming Eminent Sir Knt . M . A . Scott , P . S . of No . IOI , as Provincial Grand Treasurer ; and Sir Knt . J . T . Hallam , P . G . Recorder . As they were about to open another conclave , he would not appoint the other officers till after that event . He would also
say it was his intention , at an early date , to summon a Sanctuary of K . H . S ., and St . John , also a Council of Knights of Constantinople , and he felt certain it would meet with the like success of the Red Cross . The Sir Knights retired at an early hour , well satisfied with the day ' s proceedings .
Scotland.
Scotland .
LODGE THISTLE ( NO . 87 ) . —The regular bi-monthly meeting of this lodge was held in the hall , No . 12 , Tron-Rate , on Tuesday evening , 15 th ult . Bro . J . W . Burns , R . W . M ., occupied the chair , and there were also present , Bros . C . K . Jenkins , D . M . ; James Love , S . M . ; [ ames Booth , S . W . ; William Wilson , J . W . ; Thos . Paton , ' reas . ; D . McDougall , Sec ; and a geiodly number of wethren . The minutes of last meeting having been read ,
Scotland.
and some private matters in connection with the lodge discussed , applications for admittance to the Order were read from four candidates . One of these not being able to be present that evening , the other three were duly initiated into the mysteries of the Order , Bro . Thallon , P . M ., Lodge St . Clair ( 362 ) , officiating in an able manner . There being no further business the lodge was thereafter
closed in due form . LODGE STAR ( NO . 219 ) met in the hall at No . i 2 , Trongate . on Monday , 14 th ult . The R . W . M ., Bro . John Morgan , presided , and the lodge having been opened , he initiated five approved candidates for admission into the Order in a manner so masterly as to surprise experienced brethren who knew or were made aware of the fact that it
was the first time he had so officiated . Thereafter the chair was occupied , pro tem , by P . M ., Bro . Joseph Wilson , and the lodge having been raised to the Fellow-Craft degree , five were advanced to that degree by Bro . Muir , of the Union and Crown ( 103 ) . Subsequently the lodge was raised to the sublime elcgrcc of Master Mason ; and it being a case of emergency , that degree was received by a candidate at
the hands of Bro . G . W . Wheeler . LODGE UNION ( NO . 332 ) . —The forty-fourth anniversary festival of this lodge was held in the Assembly Rooms , Bath-strcct , on Christmas night , when there was a numerous attendance of the brethren of the lodge , together with their wives , sweethearts , and friends , as also visiting brcthlen from sister lodges . The R . W . M ., Bro . J . B . Macnair ,
presided , supported on the platform by Bros . R . Mitchell , P . M . ; Dempster , D . M . ; Dobbic , S . M . ; D . McKcrdy , S . W . ; A . Conochie , J . W . ; A Macnair S . D . ; P . Wilson , J . D . ; Laird , Treas . ; Mclnncs , Sec , txc . After an excellent service of tea , the chairman said : —Ladies , Gentlemen , and Brethren , once more we have met to celebrate our annual re-union , and it is very cheering to see around me so many
faces , known of old , and many strangers , but none the less welcome , brethren from sister lodges , and last , but not least , the wives and sweethearts . The old saying that " Christmas comes but once a year , and when it comes it brings gooel cheer , " is amply borne out by our present meeting . It was considered by some that Christmas was a bad night to hold our annual gathering , but this I consider
erroneous . It is customary in a great many families whose members are scattered hither and thither , that they meet once—Christmas Day—around the family board , and enjoy the society of each other that is denied them through the year . We arc met here to-right , in a homely way , to enjoy the society of each other anel to strengthen and cherish brotherly love . And what night coulel be better
adapted to this purpose—a night associated with the birth of Christianity—a season when the ills and sufferings of those around us are met with kindly aid and advice—a time when our best feelings should be stirred up . Anil I think that from the elements of witchery and grace I see before me , that the fairies , mayhap , favour us with a visit during the night , and skip and dance and astonish even us
poor mortals by their various gifts . I only hope that each and all will endeavour to enjoy themselves , mid make those around them happy . It is not my intention to take up much of your time , the more that you will be anxious to enjoy the harmony that is in store . But , before sitting down , allow me to say a little about lodge matters . The Lodge Union is now in her 44 th year , and let me tell you
that she is not a maiden laily , having changed her name some years ago , and since that change of name she has gone on improving as she grows older , like good wine ; and strange as it may seem , I have 110 doubt that the older she gets , she will give birth to many good and true Masons . Since I entered her house , some ( i years ago , I have found her a good , motherly body , and the family
thought it meet that I should take charge of the household . I now have had chari e of family matters for something like . 3 years , and during that time many additions have bL'en made , to the number of our household , and I may State that we have been , and arc a well rcgulateel and harmonious family . We have our little family jars at times , but we , like good brethren , forget and forgive . It is
strange we are all sons in our family , but , collectively , we make one sister , and her name is Union . She has many sisters in the province , and I have reason to know and appreciate their many sisterly qualities , their kind attendance from time to time , when advice was necessary , and in helping' to wash and keep the house clean . Not a little of the success of our family arrangements is due to this
timely , kind reciprocity between cur own and sister lodges . And let me tell you we have succeeelcel wonderfully , and wc have gathered gear , but in gathering gear we have not done so in a parsimonious way . Wc have had members of the family ill , and have been in a position to attend them ir . their distress , and assist them in their difficulties , and they had this in their own right of brotherhood . And
during the last ten years we have made 350 Masons in the Union , and during that period we have made marked progress in financial matters , and have , at the present moment , a handsome balance in our favour . Also during the year named we have dispensed considerable sums towards benevolent objects , both directly to individuals and to the several benevolent funds connected with our Order .
I hope the bump of benevolence in the Union Lodge will enlarge with her prosperity . Nay , I am confident it will , But I am afraid that I may tire you with family matters . I will not trespass much longer on your patience . Just allow me , before sitting down , to say one or two words , anent some events in Masonic history that have occurcii during the present year . First , the elcath of our much
revered P . G . Master , Bro . the Earl of Dalhousie—a nobleman who worked earnestly and in a singularly able manner for the cause of Masonry—a brother respected r . ot only for the position by birth , but , above all , for his strength of purpose and high mental gifts . He has gone from amongst us , but his memory will be cherished by every good Mason . Scotch Masonry has sustained a loss that cannot be easily replaced . Secondly , we have the
Scotland.
resignation by tile Earl of Ripon of the Grand Mastership of England ; and the cause is now sufficiently well known , and is to be regretted on the ground that he has sacrificed freedom of action in thought . The immediate result of his resignation has been that the patron of Scotch Masonry , the Prince of Wales , has accepted the Grand Mastership of England—a position which we have no
doubt he will fill creditably to himself and to the Order . Wc have had changes in our own Grand Lodge . The Earl of Rosslyn has retired , after a term of services that forwarded and put new life into the internal working of the Grand Lodge , and he has been succeeded by a nobleman whom we have no doubt will do honour to the high position he has been elected to . I am afraid I tire you . I
will now pull up , as the coachman said to himself when he saw a " public ; " but , before getting off the " dickey , " allow me to thank you for the attention you have shown during the stage , and I trust we will have a pleasant evening ' s entertainment together . Ladies , gentlemen , and brethren , I wish you a merry Christmas and a happy New Year . Thereafter a vocal concert programme was entered
upon , in which the lion s share of the work—and rightly , therefore , of the honours—fell upon Bro . James Houston ( 354 ) , a comiquc of the genuine type , who has worked his way up to a proud position in his profession . Later in the evening , Bro . R . Mitchell delivered a brief and seasonable address . He was there , he said , in place of the Rev . Robert Thomson ; but , with all deference , their reverend
brother had not a greater love for Freemasonry than their humble servant , whose sons , he might tell them , were becoming his brothers , so that he should shortly be able almost to hold a lodge in his own family ! The proceedings , as usual , concluded with an assembly , which was kept up with spirit till an advanced hour . LODGE CALEDONIAN RAILWAY ( No . 354 ) . —This lodge
met on Wednesday , lfith ult ., in St . Mark's Hall , 213 , Buchanan-street , the R . W . M ., Bro . James Shaw , presiding . After the reading of the minutes of last meeting , it was proposed by Bro . Dougall , seconded by Bro . Haricy , and agreed to , that there be a committee meeting called for 23 rd ult ., to make arrangements for the annual festival of the lodge . Three candidates were then passed
from the E . A . degree to that of Fellow Craft , and three raised to the degree of Master Masons , the work in each case being efficiently wrought by Bro . G . C . H . McNaught , P . M . Lodge Shamrock and Thistle ( 275 ) . Thereafter a pleasant evening was spent in harmony , in the course of which the toast of the " Visiting Brethren" was given by the chairman , coupled with the name of Bro . McNaught ,
who replied , giving 111 turn " Success to Lodge 354 , " which the R . W . M . suitably acknowledged . LODGE COMMERCIAL ( NO . 3 60 ) . The regular meeting of this lodge was held in their I lall at No . 30 Hope-street , on Friday 18 th inst . There was a very numerous attendance , both of members and visiting brethren . The lochje was opened by the R . W . M ., Bro . John Munro , who was
supported by Bros . John Davidson , P . M . ; D . Lamb , D . M . ; J . M . Olliver , S . W . ; and J . Peters , acting J . W . ; and the other office-bearers in their respective places . The minutes of last meeting having been read and confirmed , Bro . J . E . Spiers , who at the last meeting had been nominated and approved of for the office of S . M ., was duly installed into the same by the R . W . M . The lodge was then raised to the
degree of Fellow Craft , when Bro . McWilliam received that degree at the hands of the R . W . M ., whose admirable performance of the work called forth warmest expressions of commendation from brethren assembled , those from other lodges more especially . There being no further business in this degree , the lodge was reduced to that of Entered Apprentice , after which Bro . David Lamb brought
forward in due form a motion for an alteration in the rate of initiation and affiliation fees at present subsisting in the lodge . In so doing he said : —If there be one thing which we the Freemasons of Scotland ought to feel more proud of than another , it should be , I think , the fact that our country was chosen as the home of the Craft upon its first introduction among the nations of the West , and
that at a period very shortly subsequent to its removal from the East . How it came here , or why Scotland should have been chosen as its great resting place , iit behoves us not presently to relate . Those of you who arc familiar with the history of the Craft know how that from Scotland went forth brethren into almost all the then known world , and , having settled in its most remote comers , applied for
and obtained leave to hold and constitute lodges of their own , binding themselves to acknowledge the Lodge of Scotland as their Great Superior , and its chief for the time being their one and common head . How , further , when a sufficiency of lodges had been established , liberty was granted them , in their respective countries , to constitute Grand Lodges of their own , and that , too , granted by the
management of the Craft in Scotland . As our rites had been taught them at home , so were they practised by them abroad ; and I make bold to say that there are few Masons who arc not able to say that they were initiated into our degrees , and admitted to a participation in our privileges , under what all the broad world knows is the Scottish Ancient and Accepted Rite ( Applause ) . England , Ireland ,
France , India , America—all use , with differences so slight as harelly to be noticeable , the rites practised by our forefathers when they instructed their initiates in their secret sessions in the towns and villages of our native land . Have we not reason to feel proud as to the pre-eminence of our usages and our ceremonies ? Surely , surely ! Ought wc not to be grateful to the country which fostered
and sheltered these ? Surely , yes I Arc we proud ? Arc we grateful ? I am ! Is there a man among you who is not ? ( Applause ) . But , brethren , it sometimes happens that the directions for carrying out a law , or , to apply it to our own case , a ritual , anil the actual performance of the ceremony arc two things altogether distinct and different . The rites which it is our privilege to use are in themselves , sob mn and beautiful , but how often have we