Table Of Contents.

TABLE OF CONTENTS .

PAGE OPINION OF FREEMASONRY EXPRESSED BT THE LATE LORD DEBET ... 245 OUR EXCHANGES 245 ADDRESS TO H . RH . THE DOKE OP EDINBURGH ... 245

POETRY" What Better Theme Than Masonry ? " ... 245 CONSECRATION OP THE KENLIS LODGE , EGREMONT .. 245 ANCIENT AND MODERN MYSTERIES ... 246 CHAPTER OP PRUDENT BRETHREN , NO . 145 ... 246 CENTENARY OP LODGE SINCERITY , PLYMOUTH , 246 & 247

THE CRAFTMetropolitan 247 Provincial 247 BOYAL ARCHMetropolitan 248

Provincial ... 248 MARK MASONRY Grand Mark Lodge 248 Prov . Grand Lodge of Leicestershire 249 Provincial 249

ORDERS OF CHIVALRYEed Cross of Rome and Constantine 249 Knights Templar 249 BIRTHS , MARRIAGES , AND DEATHS 250 ANSWERS TO CORRESPONDENTS 250

AT HOME AND ABROAD 250 GRAND CHAPTER OP SCOTLAND 251 MULTUM IN PARVO 251 UNITED GRAND LODGE 251 , 252 Sc 253 DEDICATION OP MASONIC TEMPLE AT HALIFAX 253 & 254 MEETINGS POR NEXT AVEEK 254

Opinion Of Freemasonry Expressed By The Late Lord Derby.

OPINION OF FREEMASONRY EXPRESSED BY THE LATE LORD DERBY .

THE motives of the ancient and honourable Order of Freemasons have often been regarded with suspicion by those who do not belong to it , and who have no knowledge of its affairs . It mig ht be supposed , indeed , that the rules aud

princip les of Freemasons were so far known that the public mind should be inclined to regard them with respect , and the character of the members of the Order is generally such as to command respect in all circles of society . All

this , however , does not prevent a feeling of doubt and suspicion on the part of some who can give no reason for it , but who are perhaps ready to entertain such a feeling as to everything beyond the sphere of their own immediate observation .

There are many , however , who do not belong to the Masonic Order who judge more justly , and a strong testimony in favour of its high and estimable character was recently borne by the late Earl of Derby in a speech made by him in tho House

of Lords on the 7 th of June , 1869 . Referring to the Order of Freemasons , he said : — " I am not a member of that body , but I believe that a more loyal , peaceable , charitable , and benevolent body docs not exist . " Higher commendation could hardly

be given , nor could it bo given by one whose opinion is more worthy of respect . Such a testimony borne by Lord Derby cannot but be very gratify ing to the members of the Order of Freemasons , and ought to havo some effect on the

minds of thoso who do not belong to it . Freemasons themselves , indeed , are well aware of the high and noble principles on which their ancient

Order is founded , and of tho excellence of the rules by which it isgoverned—ofthe landmarks in constant adherence to which its true nobility is maintained . Thoso ancient landmarks have not

often been over-looked , aud can never be broken down . Whilst they subsist , and are kept clearly in view by Freemasons themselves , the character

of the Order must appear in the eyes of the world , such as Lord Derby declared it to bo . Loyalty , is , indeed , one ofthe essential principles of Freemasonry ; and a Freemason is bound by

Opinion Of Freemasonry Expressed By The Late Lord Derby.

the most solemn obligations to live as a good member of society , observing the laws of God and of his countiy . Peaceable he therefore must be , whilst these obligations are remembered . As to charity and benevolence , we need hardly

say that Freemasons are distinguished by their readiness to aid any brother in circumstances of want or distress and instances could easily be adduced , in very great number , of the relief of the poor by the Masonic Lodges both of this

and of other countries . Let a brother from any part of the world come to England or Scotland and make himself known , he will find himself amongst brethren , and the money requisite for his relief will be forthcoming , even to a large

amount . There have beeu many recent instances of distressed foreigners—sufferersfrom the political troubles of their native countries , or from other causes—being not only relieved from destitution here , but provided with the means of proceeding

home again , when circumstances became such as to permit it , by contributions from Masonic lodges . Nor are the lodges in other parts of the world less attentive to this great law and duty of charity .

Our Exchanges.

OUR EXCHANGES .

We have to welcome to our desk many valuable Masonic magazines , or newspapers with Masonic departments , from all parts of the world . The United States , as usual , heads the list . We continue to receive the New York Dispatch ,

so ably edited masonically by Bro . Holmes . There is also Fomeroy ' s Democrat , with the political views of which we need not concern ourselves , though anything more piquant or rousing than some of Mr . Pomeroy ' s articles it is

impossible to conceive . He wields a hammer like that of Thor , and every stroke is a thunderbolt . The Masonic department is managed by Pro . F . G . Tisdall , 33 ° , and among other interesting matter

it contains a series of articles on "Masonic Rites , " which we hope to quote from when the pressure on our space of home items becomes less intense .

The Keystone , published at Philadel phia , is another addition to our file , and one at which we rejoice . The number for Nov . 13 is a double one , and replete with Masonic information in the shape

of sketches and news . The paper itself , is a beautiful specimen of typography , and altogether we do not wonder at the popularit y which , it is said the Keystone has achieved in the " City of Brotherly Love . "

Masonic Address To H.Rh. The Duke Of Edinburgh In New Zealand.

MASONIC ADDRESS TO H . RH . THE DUKE OF EDINBURGH IN NEW ZEALAND .

The following address was presented to His Royal Highness Prince Alfred Ernest Albert , Duke of Edinburgh , K . G ., K . T ., & c , when in New Zealand : — " AVe , the District Grand Master , Deputy District Grand Master , and Officers of the Ancient Order of Freemasons in Canterbury , New Zealand , desire ou

behalf of the District Grand Lodge , and of the Masters and members of the various lodges of the district , to express our gratification , as dutiful and loyal subjects of Her Majesty , at your visit to this distant part of her wide empire . '' AVe gladly avail ourselves of this opportunity of expressing our undiminished loyaly to the Queen ,

and our attachment to all the members of the Koyal Family . " We heartily bid your Royal Highness welcome to Canterbury . AVe pray that thc Gieat Architect of the Universe may vouchsafe every blessing and a long life to Her Majesty the Queen , and may conduct you safely through every peril by sea and land , and accord you a brilliant and linppy future . "

NEW ZEALAND . —A Masonic lodge , constituted under a dispensation from the Provincial Grand Master of Canterbury , New Zealand , was opened at

Ureymouth on tlie Queen s birthday . Applications for dispensation and warrant of constitution to open a Masonic lodge at Charleston have been forwarded to Brother Vincent Pyke , R . M ., P . G . M ., S . C . for New Zealand .

What Better Theme Than Masonry ?

WHAT BETTER THEME THAN MASONRY ?

MASONIC SONG . Words by Brother JAMES STEVENS , P . M . 720 , S . AV . 1216 , P . Z . 720 , & c . Music by Brother AVir . irKr . M GANZ , P . M . 435 , Org . No . 4 , and of British Chapter , No . 8 . HOPWOOD AND CREW , Publishers , 42 , New Bond-street , London .

What better theme can claim our lays , Aud lend its aid to Harmony ; What noble art sheds brighter rays Thau glorious Freemasonry ? What other virtues can compare

With those 'tween " compasses and square " ? For Faith and Hope and Charity , Brotherly Love and Unity , With Order , Peace , and Harmony , Are found in true Freemasonry .

When first to us the light is shown That governs true morality Others' distress we make our own In natural equality . Our steps are then taught to ascend

The ladder staves that upward tend—Faith , first upon the muster-roll , Hope , the sheet-anchor of the soul , And Charity , that crowns the whole Foundation of Freemasonry .

When Craftsmen ' s labours we attend We ' w taught the hidden mystery , By science led to comprehend The scope of nature ' s history ; From nature up to nature ' s God

Our minds are raised above the sod , And Wisdom comes to shield from harm , Strength our hurtful passions to disarm , AVhilst Beauty lends a crowning charm To all our works in Masonry .

And next , as Master Masons , we Share tbe sublimest mystery , And prove how potent then can be Fortitude and Fidelity ; The terrors of the darkest hour

Are lessened by the Mystic Power , And Virtue's portal opens wide Our steps to Honour's fane to guide , Whilst Mercy pleads upon our side To Him who rules Freemasonry .

And when , our glorious labours o'er , We meet for brief hilarity , Amidst our joys , our Brethren poor Remembered are in charity : Each thankful heart expands to bless ;

Each willing hand relief will press ; With Temperance God ' s gifts we share ; Prudence extends her watchful care , And Justice , symbolled by the Square , Perfects our works in Masonry .

Consecration Of The Kenlis Lodge, Egremont.

CONSECRATION OF THE KENLIS LODGE , EGREMONT .

The consecration of the "Kenhs" Lodge , Egremont , took place last week , under the auspices of Bro . Whitwell , D . P . G . M . of Cumberland and Westmorland , assisted by Brothers Simpson , Cook , M'Kclvie , Kenworthy , Robertson , Spittal , and others . A large number of thc fraternity from various parts ofthe province were present at the interesting and

somewhat rare ceremony of constituting a new lodge , on thc completion of which Brother Morton , P . P . S . G . W ., was installed us the first Master , the officers selected being Brothers Lawsou , S . W ., Chapman , J . W ., and Sandwith , T . There was not sufficient brethren belonging to the

Kenlis Lodge to fill each office , but such offices as remain unoccupied will be filled by officers from the two lodges at Whitehaven until they have members of their own ; this will soon take place , as there are several who have applied for admission . Thc lodge is in a central position , surrounded by numerous

influential families , and will ere long prove to the Masonic body that it is really tho ' Kenlis Lodge" in the right place . The brethren afterwards partook of a banquet iu the Oddfellow Hall , the newly-installed master presiding , the chair being supported by Bros . Whitwell , Cook . AV . B . Clarke , Puxley , Faithful , M'Kclvie ,

and others . After the usual loyal toasts , several speeches of unusual excellence were given b y the D . P . G . M . and other brethren , the intervals being filled up by some first-class music rendered by Bros . Cook , Glover , and Cooper .

After a most enjoyable meeting the brethren departed for their respective abodes shortly after six o ' clock . Mrs . Roberts , the caterer for the banquet , supplied every delicacy of the season in first-class style . [ A fuller report will appear in our next . ]