A Special Masonic Service At Beswick, Manchester.

i rnnferred the adoption of sonship and acceptance b » t a t fVmilv of Christ , the preacher contended that the into the ta ™ * of Christ had through all her history Ca thol'C j support from the independent witness ^ Mnsonic Craft . To believe in God as the authorand of If all created things , to fear His name , to honour ...

source . WQrk rlghteousness , was the design His S „ f the Craft . Faith in the Great Architect , an ,- f ° ; n the Trinity , the efficacy of prayer , the power and be •tion of the Scriptures were all witnessed to by the jnspiraii j / jasonry . The truth of the Incarnation was P n ' rized in the universality of Masonry , which brushed M the surface distinctions which separate men one from t thet and went down to the central identities in which ' Vere all alike , teaching us that we were all sprung from f « .-lock , were sharers of the same nature , and par-* ££ rf the same hope . The Church taught us thatta « Death is but a covered way

That leadeth into light , " Thnt we must rise again , and that the corruptible must put incorruption , and this mortal put on immortality ; J ? , * - the righteous shalt shine as the firmament , and the , P Soldiers of the Cross shall receive their eternal tru ' Thm sneaker continued : We , as Masons ,

' r f reminded that to the just , and upright death h « no terrors equal to the stain of falsehood and dishonour , and that in every human frame there lives Se principle and germ of immortality . We are warned ' . u „ RiWo nf iudement to come , when every man shall

rrt-eive the reward of the things done in his body , whether raod or evil . Masons were instructed that hereafter they must "ive an undisguised account of their lives and actions ' to the Divine Being ; that every stone of the sacred temp le shall be examined : that wages shall be meted out in due proportion to the faithfulness and M . litv of the workmen ; and that no imposture or

imperfection shall pass muster on that great and awful dav There is a Divine dissatisfaction in the heart of man and Scripture tells us that all man's misery , all the immense ennui of life , all that wretchedness of satiety which makes man from time to time , and now more than ever , ask _ " Is life worth the living ? " is the sublime discontent of

the soul , which was made to find its rest in God in the infinite presence of its Maker , and therefore cannot rest in the finite ? Are we not told in our Masonic ceremonies of that spirtual tracing board on which the Great Architect of the Universe with His own Divine pencil had traced His own Divine laws and moral plans for the happiness and peace

of mankind , ever teaching us that were we conversant ( herein and obedient thereto we would be brought to a mansion not made with hands , eternal in the heavens , where ive would find the fruition of all our yearning affections , the realisation of all our noble ideals ? St . Paul insists on all

honour and glory to God when he vindicates His attributes in the magnificent burst— " Oh ! the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and of the knowledge of God—how unsearchable are His judgments and His ways past finding out . " Freemasons place the being and attiibutes of Gjd in the forefront of all their proceedings ; they never meet

without paying homage to His name , and when we were disposed to pay court and homage to those invested with high position , and to bend before them with gratitude for their work , we were reminded that honour belongeth to God alone and exhorted ever lo say "All glory to the most High . " When we were

told in many voices , speaking sometimes in tones of scorn , sometimes in tones of sorrow , that Christianity was dead , that science had shattered its faith in the supernatural , that criticism had sapped the bases of its narrative , and that the philosophy of history had accounted for its conquests ; when morality was depreciated , and the public

prints of the day contained the records of impurity , dishonesty , and vice ; when political strife was becoming more fierce and absorbing , and sectarian bitternessshowing itself in its sad and angry development , we should be eager to establish and secure upon more firm ground a great Society which is essentially of a religious character , and was a great and important guarantee for social order ,

morality , and large-heartednes ; . With the intrigues of party , the contentions of factions , the strife of cliques , Masonry held no part nor lot . Its motto was "Come out from among them , " but in its highest and truest sense it was intensely political . Its members were taught to be peaceable subjects of whatever country they •" •gilt reside in , to obey the laws of the State , to maintain the fabric of social order and

decorum , to honour all men , to love the brethren , to tear God and honour the King . In a commercial community , where nearly every one lived by trade , or was more ° l n , ^ ' ed by its progress , no better working principle could be found to act upon than that impressed upon every Mason , that all his conduct and dealings with his fellow men

snould be of such a character that he could always meet "Pon the level and part upon the square . The magnificent benevolent and Educational Institutions of Masonry were " secret and method of its success , and the powerful ™ agnet which attracted to its ranks all grades of society jno sectional rVinm ^ i-orict ;^ « t „ -, „! . ; .,, i r , « m n , » f ...,., „ mt l \ JL III U 1 I 1 \ 11 11 LllULUlb

Kin C C " .. m . m ^ ., a ... m , m , UHI . m ' ng ot England to the humblest subject of the Oueen . ne powers which make for righteousness in this land were n p P y " ndebted to the Order ; and thebearingand attitude " ail true citizens to the Craft should be those of gratitude thr-ml Spect ' * ^ ' own interest should ever prompt „ ° strengthen her cords and lengthen her stakes . The friends thou hast , and their adoption tried , Grapple them to thy soul with hooks of steel . "

Star Chapter Of Instruction, No. 1275.

STAR CHAPTER OF INSTRUCTION , No . 1275 .

berwd ? D J , ° y al Arch companions resident in Camfelt Th ^ e ™ am > Brixton , and the neighbourhood have Paninn * r I 1 a cha Pter of instruction . Certain combe rlrVn . ' 3 . a Committee to see if something could not Hilton ^ 1 " 11 " * 3 , direction . Comps . Grummant , P . Z . ; P -Z' & y ° y > P Z- ; Cowley , P . Z . ; Terry , 12 ? 5 , ? H £ - - Z W Addington , H . 1275 ; Tuck , ] . Latham pi St 0 n , f' £ -N . 1275 ; North , Bryant , Martin , ¦ tlS ' ™ . C . Woods , Murche * , Woodwell . and

for awar , » ? A' declded 'o apply to the Star Chapter most 2 " ? . rm such *" * ¦ chapter . This request was Thg ^' y complied with . Castle Hrf ^ i £ apte f of Instruction meets at the Stirling ™ w » , Church-street , Camberwell , on Friday even-

Star Chapter Of Instruction, No. 1275.

ings , at eight o'clock , and already the attendance of companions at the meetings shows that this step was not taken before it was needed . One of the first duties , after electing Comp . F . Hilton , P . Z ., as Preceptor ; Comp . R . J . Voisey , P . Z ., as Treas . ; and Comp . C . H . Stone , S . N . 1275 , as S . E ., was to confer the honorary membership of the chapter upon Comps . F .

Hilton , P . Z . ; Terry , P . Z . ; and Stone , S . E ., to show the appreciation of its members of the great interest they had shown in the foundation of the chapter . The interest of the Preceptor , Comp . F . Hilton , P . Z . 1275 , will readily be seen when it is mentioned that not only is he ready to undertake the instruction of the companions in the beautiful ritual , but lhat he has presented the chapter with a very valuable copy of the Sacred Law of historical interest ;

that the warrant from the Star Chapter is a most beautiful work of art , and that the chapter is also indebted to him for the same ; and , added to this , that he has regularly placed a copy of the current number of the Freemason on the table of the S . E . for the perusal of members who may happen to be present . The chapter has been furnished in miniature by Comp . George Kenning .

The Fourth City Masonic Benevo Lent Association.

THE FOURTH CITY MASONIC BENEVO LENT ASSOCIATION .

This Association , which is the fourth of a series established in conjunction with the Sincerity ( No . 174 ) Lodge of Instruction , held its first meeting on the 25 th ult ., when 67 shares were taken up and the first ballot of 10 guineas was drawn . The report of the previous Association show that it has been instrumental in obtaining for its members 100 Life Governorships , thus adding 1000 guineas to the

funds of the Masonic Institutions . Bro . John Newton is President , Bro . F . Brown , Vice-President , Bro . Geo . Ward Verry , Treasurer , and Bro . Hugh M . Hobbs , Hon Sec . of this Association , having filled the same offices in the last , and a very influential Committee has heen elected , consisting of Bros . Arthur Adams , J . J . Berry , F . Houlton Bishop , W . T . H . Causton , J . S . Fraser , L . C . Haslip , G . Jones , C . Lacey , J . D . Langton , J . R . Large , H . Magee , C . W . Mapleton , G . F . Marshall , C . H . Webb , and C . VV .

C . Webb . On the above date the brethren celebrated the successful termination of the third City Masonic Benevolent Association by a supper at the White Hart , Abchurch-lane , when most of the above-named brethren and others were present . After the toast of "The Queen , " Bro . VV . VV . MORGAN proposed , in eloquent terms , "Success to the Fourth City

Masonic Benevolent Association . " He congratulated the biethren on the increase ot the last , over the two preceding Associations , the amounts collected by them being over £ 700 , £ 800 , and £ 1000 respectively , and hoped the one started that day would eclipse them all . Bro . J N EWTON , in response , referred to his long connection with these Associations , having been Secretary

of the first , and President ol all the others . Thetoastof "The Vice-President" was next given , to which Bro . F . B ROWN replied , and then in a humorous speech proposed "The Committee , " for which Bros . C . LACEY , C . H . WEBB , J . S . FRASER , and L . C HASLIP responded . Bro . LACEY , referring to the usefulness of these

Associations , stated that by their aid he had become a Vice-President of all the Charities . The toast of " The Treasurer and Secretary " followed , and those brethren replied , Bro . VERRY expressing the great pleasure it gave him to be Treasurer of this , as he had been of the former Associations . In response to the toast of " The Visitors , " Bro . W . VV . MORGAN assured the brethren of the gratification he felt

at being present on this occasion , as he had been four years ago at a similar gathering when the preceding Association terminated , ln the course of his speech he referred to the high appreciation in which the services rendered by these Benevolent Associations were held by the Secretaries ot the Institutions , and by all who take an interest in our Masonic Charities . __ A cordial vote of thanks was passed to Bro . G . Anderson for the excellent supper provided .

Bro. Dr. Haskins's Concert.

BRO . DR . HASKINS'S CONCERT .

Bro . Dr . J . F . Haskins gave a benefit concert before a crowded audience at the Shoreditch Town Hal ) , on Thursday evening , the 26 th ult ., commemorating his 30 years ' residence in this locality as one our best known musicians . With a programme running to nearly 30 numbers , and most of these of the very best , there was enough and to spare , and the audience were appreciative to a degree , bestowing

encores liberally and yet with wise discrimination . Madame Edith Wynne was in splendid voice and deservedly rewarded for her " Heaven and Earth " with a recall , when she gave , to the general delight , "The Maid of Arcadee . " Miss Ethel Winn sang in her usual winning manner , and secured not only an encore but a rapturous reception . Miss Emilie Davies ' s rendering of "Kathleen Mavourneen "

enjoyed a like favour , as did Miss Lavinia Walker ' s for "Should be upbraid . " Bro . F . F . Clive's splendid rendition of "The Friar of Orders Grey" and "Father O'Flynn" won him encores , and his "Drinking" song was equally well given . Bros . Arthur Thomas , Alfred Alderton , W . Dawson , A . G . Pritchard ( with a musical sketch , " My Neighbours , " ) and J . Kift ( humorist ) also

pleased immensely . Miss Clara Titterton's violin solo , and the pianoforte performances by the Misses Walden , Annen , Van der Meulen , Alice and Kate Van der Meulen , Maud Lathan , and Bro . Dr . Haskins were loudly applauded . The elocutionary line was sustained by Bro . John Evelyn and little Miss Lilian Deane in a scene from " King John , " and a recitation , "The Spanish Mother , " by Bro . Herman

Vexin . Bro . Herman Vezin was certainly the draw of the evening , and the applause from 1500 people after his recital was something to be remembered ; of course , he had to give another short piece . Other items were equally commendable . Bros . Dr . J . F . Haskins and Kift were the

conductors of the concert , and the stage management devolved upon Bro . Henry Prenton , the secretariat being undertaken by Bro . Herbert Grant ; whilst the comfort of the company was attended to by a competent body of Stewards under the direction of Bro . Albert Ogan . The platform was made gay with floral decorations .

The Theatres.

THE THEATRES .

" Ariane" continues to draw big houses at the Opera Comique , and seems likely to run to the end of the present season . Many are glad to see Mr . Edward Russell one more before the public , he being so well known as one of the most courteous acting managers .

We beg to call attention to the fact that Bro . Wilson Barrett has resumed the performances of that healthy drama , "The Silver King , " which had such a long run at his old theatre , the Princesses , some few years ago . Many like ourselves regretted Bro . VVilson Barrett's desire

to leave that form of dramatic art for tragedy and romantic plays . We welcome him back to his old love , and we are sure the public will welcome " The Silver King . " VVe are glad to say that Miss Eastlake and Mr . George Barrett are again delighting every one with their rendering of the parts respectively of Nellie Danvers and dear old Jakes .

# # » Mr . Edgar Bruce and Miss Edith W ' oodwarth opened the Globe , about the Sth prox ., with " Bootle ' s Baby , " by John Strange Winter , whose proper name is Mrs . Arthur Stannard . If the play is as good as the novel it ought to do well . Mr . Edgar Bruce has usually been fortunate in his venture . " The Colonel , " to wit . He

will be well represented by Mr . vV . H . Griffiths as manager . Mr . Gilbert Farquhar will be in the cast . " Bootle ' s Baby" will be played b y pretty little Minnie Terry , daughter of Mr . Charles Terry , acting manager of the Compton Comedy Company , and niece of Misses Ellen and Marion Terry . Minnie Terry made a great hit recently at the Haymarket in "Partners , " and shows great

aptitude for the stage , of which she ;**> one of the youngest members , being only six years of age . Apropos of her re-appearance , Messrs . Elliot Fry have just published some excellent photos of the little actress in various posirions and costumes . All seems alike excellent , and do justice both to the sitter and to the artist . Being a very pretty child , her photo ought to command a sale .

* We are surprised that "The Wife ' s Secret " has had such a short run at the St . James ' s Theatre . To our mind it is an interesting , amusing , and beautiful play , and it is needless to say splendidly acted by Bro . and Mrs . Kendal , Mr . Mackintosh , and Miss Fanny Brough . Ho . vever , for some reason not easy to decipher , the public do

not care for it , and last Saturday "The Iron-master too . < its place . It will be recollected this piece was produced at the same theatre some three years since , when it had a very long and successful run . This should bs the case again if Messrs . Hart and Kendal can allow it to remain on the boards . But as this is the last season of their joint management it is possible they may wish to play a round

of pieces as a farewell . In " The Iron-master" Bro . and Mrs . Kendal are seen at their best . VVe fully expected last Saturday night , at the St . James ' s , vvould be like a first night of a new play , and it was so . The cast also includes Mr . Mackintosh , Mr . Waring , Mr . H . Kemble , Mr . Lewis Waller , and Mr . R . Cathcart . Misses Fanny Brough and Blanche Horlock , and Mrs . Gaston Murray . That Mr . Hare is not in the play is the one regret .

* * * Those who were present on Friday , the 27 th ult ., at the Gaiety will not forget very easily the farewell psrformance of "Frankenstein . " Having "assisted" on Christmas eve at its production , we took a special interest in seeing the piece wind-up , and bidding farewell and bon voyage to the talented company , who the next day left our

shores for Australia . After a stay of several months in the Antipodes , they will visit the chief cities of America , and return to their old home next April . On Friday the performance went better than ever . The theatre was filled to excess with an appreciative audience . At the close the company on the stage joined hands , and sang "Auld Lang Syne , " the company in the front in every part of

the house at the same time standing and joining in the leave takings . Waving of handkerchiefs and hearty good byes followed . Many eyes were filled with tears amongst the audience , so popular have Miss Farren , Miss Marion Hood , Miss Sylvia Grey , and Bro . Fred . Leslie become . Miss Farren went into hysterics , and even

Bro . Leslie , though called upon to make a speech , could only say he thanked the audience for their kindness to the Gaiety company , and so overcome was he that he did not bid farewell . We wish them every possible success , and hope to be amongst those to welcome them back next spring .

«*¦*»*» Some changes having taken place in the cast of ' Two Roses , " we paid yet another visit to the Criterion to see Miss Ellaline Terriss ( daughter of Mr . VV . Terriss and Miss Fanny Moore , sister of Miss Mary Moore ) play the title role . VVe must congratulate Miss Terriss on her decided success . She is , we believe , but seventeen years of

age , and has only recently gone on the stage . VVe welcome such talent as hers . No doubt she has been carefully tutored for years by her father . This young lady seems free from nervousness and quite at home on the stage . She gives a delightful rendering of the part of Ida . Miss Terriss is fortunately also possessed of a good presence , sweet face , and pleasant voice . Bro . Wyndham has

engaged her for three years , and she is selected as understudy for Miss Mary Moore . Mr . C . VV . Somerset has succeeded Mr . W . Farren as Digby Grant , and very well he plays the character . We think he tries to introduce some of Bro . Henry Irving ' s style , that gentleman having been the original Mr . Grant . Mr . Emery has succeeded Mr . George Giddens as Caleb Decies . He also gives every satisfaction .

This charming English comedy is played every VVednesday afternoon . We need scarcely say that the Criterion is still crammed every night with audiences assembled to see Bro . C . Wyndham and Miss Mary Moore in "David Garrick . " It is scarcely likely any change will be made in the programme this season . The lessee has decorated the vestibules and staircases with pictures and wreaths he brought away as trophies from Russia and Berlin during his recent visit , where he met with such brilliant receptions .