Masonic And General Tidings

MASONIC AND GENERAL TIDINGS

The Cheshire Masonic Benevolent Institution will hold its first annual festival on June 13 th at the Prince of Wales Hotel , Southport . The Musical Times for June has completed the 50 th year of its existence . It will contain special articles of historical interest and a number of engravings reproducing illustrations of the events of ^ o years ago .

Baron De Hirsch has sent the handsome sum of £ 500 to the British Home for Incurables as a contribution to the fund being raised so as to enable the new quarters at Streatham to be opened free of debt . We are informed by Bro . Richard Newhouse , P . G . Sec , that the Prov . Grand Mark Lodge of Cheshire will be held on the 23 rd instant at the Town Hall , Altrincham , when the Prov . Grand Alaster , Bro . the Hon . Alan De Tatton Egerton , will preside .

The St . James s Union Lodge sustained another loss last month through the death of Bro . H . B . Miners , S . W ., after a very short illness , who was universally esteemed by all tbe members . It yvas only on the 5 th of Alay he attended the funeral of Bro . Bateman , P . M ., the highly respected Treasurer of his lodge . Both brethren leave a wife and children to mcurn their loss .

Bro . Henry Cross , A . R . C . M . ( P . M . W . S . Orpheus Chap . Rose Croix , No . 79 ) , baritone , St . Andrew's , Wells-street , and Westminster Abbey choirs , will give his 15 th annual concert at the Steinway Half on Monday evening , the 18 th inst ., at which he will be assisted by many artistes of high standing , amongst whom are Bros . Ed . Branscombe , Harper Kearton , Herbert Schartau , and A . E . Izard . A

varied and attractive programme will be provided . Bro , Cross has given much pleasure by his excellent vocal powers at many Masonic banquets . The Duke and Duchess of Fife entertained at dinner on Thursday evening , at their residence in Portman-square , the Duchess of Saxe-Coburg , Prince and Princess Edward of Saxe-Weimar , Prince and Princess Louis of Batienberg ,

the Russian Ambassador , the Duke and Duchess of Devonshire , the Alarquis of Lome , the Alarquis and Alarchioness of Lansdowne , the Marquis and Alarchioness of Londonderry , Earl and Countess Spencer , Lord and Lrdy Carrington , Sir Henry and Lady Loch , Air . and Airs . J . Chamberlain , Baron Ferdinand de Rothschild , Sir Horace Farquhar , Sir Charles Hall , and Alajor Seymour Finch .

After dinner her Royal Highness and the Duke of Fife had an evening party . The Alasonic Temple at Chicago has been figuring as one of the wonders of the world for the past year or two , but its appallation is likely soon to be a misnomer . The Chicago Times says : " We are sorry to lose good tenants , but if the Alasonic lodges wish to leave the Masonic Temple building I know of no reason why they should not do so , "

said Harvey Weeks , yesterday . " The Alasonic Temple , so called , is a business building over which the Alasonic order has no control . Only about S 100 , 000 stock is held by the Masonic bodies in their corporate capacity . " It is said that other lodges may follow the Apollo , which has taken a five years' lease of the preceptory of the Scottish

rite in the American Express building . " If they do , " said Secretary Gilbert VV . Barnard , " it will be because they will get better quarters . The old consistory I consider the finest lodge-room in the country . The Apollo commandery yvas never satisfied with its quarters in the Alasonic Temple , and did not want to go in . "

TRADING ON FREEMASONRY . —John Murphy , 51 , a pensioner , was charged at Portsmouth with obtaining alms by means of false pretences last week . Mr . Henry Percy Boughey , a cashier , employed by Mr . J . D . Morant , of Palmerston-road , who prosecuted , said that on the nth ult . prisoner came to the shop and asked to see Air . Morant , handing in a letter . Witness was deputed to see

prisoner , and to him the man told a pitiful story , saying he was a Freemason of 20 years' standing , and had lately come into Portsmouth . He said he had tried for a situation as a labourer in the Dockyard , but could not go on to work until the end of Alay . In pathetic tones he told of a wife and seven children , who were starving at home . Moved by prisoner's story , witnessed advanced him five shillings , as

he thiught it a very hard case . Air . Jas . Crockerell , builder , of Alilford-road , said that prisoner , on the 4 th ult ., wrote him a letter commencing " Dear Sir and Brother , " and asking for work . Witness engaged him as a labourer , and he promised to go on to yvork the next morning . To this witness also prisoner pleaded a tale of poverty , and he was

advanced a shilling . Subsequently prisoner wrote another letter , saying he would come to work on the following Monday , but up to the present had not fulfilled his promise . Detective Tucker said that prisoner had seven children , but four of them were in work . Air . Boughey said he did not wish to press the charge , and prisoner was discharged on promising not to repeat the offence .

Bro . William Joll , of Stoke House , Devonport , and a Justice of the Peace for the borough , died at his residence on the 27 th ult ., after an illness of about two months' duration . The . deceased was about 74 years of age , having been born at N ' ewpassage in 1820 . He was a very constant supporter of Freemasonry , with which he was connected for many years , and was a Past

Master of the Order . Bro . Joll yvas one of the founders of the Devonport Alercantile Association in 1870 , and to the last took a lively interest in its management , only last year retiring from the office of Treasurer , which he had held for several years . For some years past he devoted much time to the Royal British Female

Orphan Asylum , acting as Honorary Treasurer and upon the Alanaging Committee . As a borough magistrate he was remarkable for bis attention to duty , and in addition to being a liberal supporter of all the charitable institutions of the town , was ever ready to lend a sympathetic ear to the suffering or misfortune brought to his notice . His loss will be deeply felt in Stoke and the neighbourhood .

Masonic And General Tidings

The casket to be presented to Sir George Williams with the freedom of the City is being manufactured by Bro . George Kenning of Little Britain . The handsome donation of £ 231 ios . has been sent by Sir S . Montagu and Lady Montagu to the treasurer of the London Hospital . Of this amount £ 200 is Sir Samuel ' s contribution to the Sir Andrew Clark Memorial Fund .

In conformity with their annual custom , the members of the Aldersgate Lodge , No . 1657 , have invited their W . M ., Bro . E . F . Brewster Fuller , I . P . M ., and Mrs . Fuller , to a complimentary banquet at the Hotel Metropole , Northumberland-avenue , on the 30 th inst . The visitors on these occasions are not restricted to brethren .

A lady ( who does not wish her name to be published ) has generously offered to contribute £ 100 to the funds of the Metropolitan Drinking Fountain and Cattle Trough Association , 70 , Victoria-street , on the condition that from four other friends similar donations , making with her gift a sum of £ 500 , are received before June 21 st . Just now the association stands in dire need of assistance , the coffers being absolutely empty .

The Prince of Wales , accompanied by the Duke and Duchess of Sutherland and others , paid a visit on Thursday afternoon to Lichfield Cathedral . His Royal Highness was escorted over the building by the Bishop and Dean , with whom was the Earl of Dartmouth , Lord-Lieutenant of tbe county . The Prince returned to Marlborough House in the afternoon .

Mr . Alban Gibbs , ALP ., in taking the chair at the anniversary dinner in connection with the Royal Hospital for Incurables , held at the Albion Tavern on Thursday , pleaded the cause of a charity which for 40 years has been carefully administered , and with whose objects all must sympathise . It was pointed out that there are at present some 220

inmates and over 600 pensioners , and that to maintain unimpaired the usefulness of the charity , in connection with which a seaside home is also supported at St . Leonards , funds are greatly needed , the expenditure being in excess of the income . The pleasant announcement was made that the company had subscribed over X 2000 .

'The Duchess of Teck , as president of the Workhouse Nursing Association , yvas present at the soiree arranged by its committee at the Nineteenth Century Art Galleries , Conduit-street . Its object is to substitute trained and qualified nurses in the London and provincial poor-houses for the incompetent attendance too often deemed good enough for the sick and aged inmates , and by special favour its members are called the " Alary Adelaide Nurses . "

The Duchess , who was accompanied by Lady Wantage , was received on arrival by Lady Knutsford , Lady Belhaven and Stenton , Miss Louisa Twining , Aliss C . J . Wood , Sir Edward Sieveking , and Miss Wilson ( Hon . Sec ) , and was escorted to a small dais from which she presented the medals and gratuities to those entitled to receive them . Alasonry is so old , has so much of the antique in its makeup and so much of old customs and phraseology that

sometimes monumental nonsense is heard and is often repeated by the thoughtless or careless . For instance there is that very old saw , "Once a Mason , always a Alason , " which the unaffiliated like to tell us of , with so much unction . This probably held good when wages was a " penny a day , " and was deemed good wages at that , when the world was young and new and a person could live on nuts , dates , and a good cold running water . But in

these hard , degenerating days when the heartless landlord demands rent for his house , and the stony coal dealer expects pay for his coal and the dealers in all sorts of wares demand hard , cold cash , and when every hand is stretched forth to grasp the root of all evil , a man must be in good standing in his lodge to be a good Alason , and to be that he

must pay , must pay his dues and his share toward Ihe maintenance of the lodge , must contribute toward the relief of a worthy distressed brother , and if he neglects or refuses this small aid to the Craft , then he can no longer be called a Mason , the old saw notwithstanding . —New York Advertiser ,

PRESENTATION TO BRO . G EORGE READ , G . STD . BR . —The many Masonic friends of Bro . George Read determined to show their appreciation of the honour that had been conferred on him by his recent appointment to Grand Office , and their regard for his personal worth , by asking him to accept at their hands a full suit of clothing in connection with the office . For the purpose of the formal presentation , a dinner was arranged to be held at

Anderton's Hotel , Fleet-street , the company including numerous representatives of the five lodges with which Bro . Read was more intimately connected , viz ., Zetland Lodge , No . 511 ; Hyde Park Lodge , No . 1425 j Londesborough Lodge , No . 1681 j Kensington Lodge , No . 1767 j and Hammersmith Lodge j and included in the lengthy list of guests were the following notabilities of the Craft : Bros . D . P . Cama and S . Cochrane , Past Grand Treasurers ; and

several other distinguished brethren . Bro . Laundy , W . M . of the Londesborough Lodge , presided , and was ably supported at the various tables by the Masters of different tables by the Worshipful Masters of different lodges , Bro . J . VV . Barker , P . M ., fulfilling the duties of Hon . Secretary and Treasurer with the greatest satisfaction . Eighty-six brethren were present . The Chairman , in making the presentation , referred to the many excellent qualities of

their esteemed brother , and of the universal and sincere affection felt for him throughout the Cratt , in proof of which he stated that the testimonial had been subscribed for by 27 S brethren , only two not responding because they were away . Bro . Read , in thanking his friends , referred to the different lodges he had been connected with for so

many years . It had been a labour of love to him , and as long as he was spared the brethren might still rely on his assistance in every shape and form . Thanks yvere voted to the Committee , and the remainder of the evening was spent in pleasant harmony , the musical arrangements being under the direction of Bro . Past Alaster Oliver .

ANANCHIST ATmirriiHS are becoming more numerous every day , anil the indignation of every honest person is roused . These wicked and foolish men fancy they can remove troubles and abuses of our social system by deeds oi violence . What a mad idea . One miirhtas well expect to cure our bodily ills in the Mme way . Hut it we are troubled by any ) x > ilily complaint

—What do w-c du ? Why , we choose mild and gentle methods to put ourselves ri ^ ht . We turn to Holloway ' s Pills and Ointment and we find relief . There is no anarchical ftrocity about their methods , and what is the consequence ? Simply this—they never fail , they never miss their mark . Sickness and misery fly out ol the window , and briuht , cheery health comes in at the door .

Masonic And General Tidings

Bros , the Lord Mayor , Sir James Whitehead , and Col , George Lambert were amongst the company present at the reception the Countess of Kimberly held on Saturday at the Foreign Office in celebration of the anniversary 0 f the Queen's Birthday .

We are asked to state that the Peckham Lodge of Instruction , held at the Lord Wellington Hotel , Old Kentroad , has ceased to meet until the 5 th Sept ., when the meetings will be resumed at eight o'clock every Wednesday evening .

By the request of the Prince of Wales , Admiral Henry Erben , Capt . A . Maham , and other officers of the U . S . cruiser Chicago , now lying in the Thames , are to be presented to his Royal Highness by the American Ambassador at a levee at St . James's Palace on Monday .

Brethren are invited to send for the list of Masonic Books published at the office of the Freemason . Many works of interest both to the Masonic student and [ general reader have recently been added , and the publisher will gladly forward a copy to any address on receipt of a post-card .

The Crown Prince and Princess of Roumania honoured Alessrs . Dowdeswell ' s Galleries with a visit on Thursday to inspect their exhibition of pictures by early English masters . Their Royal Highnesses also viewed Mr . Beadle's pictures of "Military England of To-day" at the Galleries of the Fine Art Society , New Bond-street .

Mr . Chamberlain presided at the Newspaper Press Fund ' s annual dinner , which took place in the Whitehall Rooms . About 200 gentlemen were present , including Sir A . Borthwick , M . P ., Sir E . Lawson , Sir Eyre Shaw , Mr . B . L . Cohen , M . P ., Mr . Wootton Isaacson , M . P ., Mr . Walter Wood , the Rev . Canon Browne , Mr . Hyde Clarke ( treasurer ) , Professor Bridge , and Air . Thornton Sharp ( secretary ) .

The Countess of Dudley opened a sile of work in connection ivith the Juvenile Thrift and Thrive Needle Drivers ' Band , at the Great Assembly Hall , Alile-end . All the work had been executed by the children . The company included the Earl of Dudley , the Hon . Mary VValdegrave , Lord Radstock , and Mrs . Strickland ( the founder of the movement ) . The Countess , in declaring the sale open , explained that the society had been in existence four years , and its membership had been rapidly increasing .

Bro . Sir John Gorst , yvho has been devoting some weeks to a personal study of the poorest paits of the East-end , says he has been much surprised by the temper of the poor amongst whom he has been staying . There is , he has told a Pressman , much less active discontent than I expected to find . Most of them seem to regard their hard lot as inevitable , and are disposed to make the best of it . Complete apathy , rather than struggle , appears to be the mood of the majority .

MASONIC SERVICE AT GUILDFORD . —A special Alasonic service was held on Sunday last in St . Paul's Church , Guildford , under the auspices of Gilford Loyal Lodge , No . 145 , the preacher being the Rev . Dr . Murphy , rector of St . George ' s , Belfast . There was a very large attendance

of the brethren from the adjoining towns and of the general public The reverend brother preached an eloquent sermon , and concluded by making a special appeal on behalf of the Alasonic Orphan Schools at Uublin , and the offertory was devoted co that deserving institution .

The Star and Garter Hotel , at Richmond , which has been the scene for so many generations past of counties , festive gatherings , is still one of the most attractive and charming of the many hotel palaces in the country . Apart from its many historic associations there is no nure lu / ely site and surroundings in all England . Ihe natural beauty and freshness of the position on Richmond-hill is unqujstioned .

Ihe hotel , in itself a magnificent structure , is now in the hands of a proprietary which bids fair to restore to it more than its former prosperity . At the present time the arrangements have been so far modified that families can find sumptuous and comfortable suites of rooms under its hospitable roof on the most moderate terms , either eu ( tension or otherwise . The hotel is noiv under the capable management of Bro . James .

MASONIC SERVICE AT CLERKENWELI . PARISH C HURCH . —In aid of the Funds of the Masonic Charitable Institutions , a special Alasonic service was held in St . James , the Parish Church of Clerkenweli , last Wednesday evening . A special dispensation , to enable the brethren to wear Masonic clothing was granted . The body of the church was reserved for the members of the different lodges who

had availed themselves of the invitation , viz : the Crusaders Lodge , C eat Northern Lodge , and the Clerkenweli Lodge , and the service was conducted by Bro . the Rev . J . H . Rose , M . A ., vicar of the parish , LP . M . Crusaders Lodge , and who preached an eloquently illustrative sermon . The reverend gentleman , in illustrating his text , dwelt with

much emphasis on the important lessons that Freemasonry taught . Relief and truth pervaded all their actions , and their three great Institutions pointed clearly out that the brethren exercised that practical benevolence which had full exemplification . With several other illustrations , the reverend gentleman concluded an earnestly practical address .

Bro . Supt . Sherstone , whose death took place last week , was buried on Friday , the 25 th ult ., at St . Stephens-by-Saltash . In Launceston nearly all the shops were partially closed , and along the rou . e the blinds in the private houses were drawn . On the coffin of polished oak lay beautiful wreaths sent by the Chief Constable , Colonel Gilbert , and others .

Members of Dunheved ' s Lodge -preceded the hearse , and Col . Gilbert , C . B ., Superintendents Beare , Barnes , Phil p , Newcombe , and Coombes , six inspectors , and So rank and file under Sergt .-Major Nicholls , preceded the hearse ; and among those who followed were the Alayor , and members ot the Corporation , county and the the

borough magistrates , and leading tradesmen of borough . Rev . AL H . Fisher read the service in the church , and Rev . A . Hayvken , vicar of Laneast , at the graveside . Bro . Dr . Ross conducted the Masonic service , and the brethren dropped sprigs of acacia in the grave .