Australia.

of many of the guests . At the banquet covers were laid for 1 , 070 , and every seat was occupied . The R . W . District Grand Master presided , and was supported on the dais by the chiefs of the neighbouring colonies and their officers . Dr . H . John Clarke , D . D . G . M ., was absent through indisposition , to the general regret of everybody . The CHAIRMAN having given the toast of " The Queen and the Craft , " which vvas enthusiastically received and

heartily applauded , and honoured with a triple round of Masonic " fire , " proceeded to propose " The Three Grand Masters , " which he said was the most important , and at the same time the most extraordinary toast of the evening . It was the health of the three Grand Masters of the three Constitutions of Masonry , viz ., the Prince of Wales , the Duke of Abereorn , and the Earl of Mar and Kellie . ( Cheers . ) The extraordinary ' part of this toast was the

fact of the health of the Prince of Wales being drunk with the other two Grand Masters . ( Hear , hear . ) It was , indeed , the first time the Prince ' s name had been used in conjunction with other people except in company with the Royal Family . ( Cheers . ) On the other hand , it was not at all an extraordinary matter when it was considered that it was the Prince of VVales who elected to place himself on an equal footing with those of the other Constitutions , it being

. his desire to make . Freemasonry the same all the world ' over . He ( the Chairman ) was more than honoured by the distinction that had been shown him ; but , at the same time , he felt that it was onl y right that he should explain that he had accepted the position of District Grand Master of the three Constitutions at the request of the Prince of Wales . ( Continued cheers . ) The R . W . D . G . M . of New South VVales proposed the

next toast "The District Grand Master of Victoria . " He felt sure that through Sir VV . J . Clarke ' s urbanity of manner and genial disposition he possessed an unparalleled fitness for the position to which he had been elected by the Masonic body of Victoria . ( Loud cheers . ) The toast was drunk vvith Masonic honours . The CHAIRMAN was received with loud cheers on rising to respond . He said he had great pleasure in responding

to a toast which had been drunk with so much enthusiasm . It was certainly a very proud thing to know that in the most gracious manner he had been elevated to the high position he now occupied . He thoroughly understood his inability to perform the duty of the high office to which he had been chosen . ( "No , no . " ) He vvas cheered in the belief that in the performance of that duty he would find himself surrounded by a number of true men . ( Cheers . )

He knew from personal knowledge that Masons had no self-seeking ambition for . their own promotion , except for the sake of Masonry . ( Loud cheers . ) He firmly believed that Masonry was instituted for the benefit of mankind . ( Loud cheers ;) He had onl y to thank the brethren for their presence that day , and he believed that Masonry in the Australian colonies meant their well-being and prosperity . ( Loud cheers . )

The remaining toasts were " Thc District and Provincial Grand Masters of Sister Colonics , " by'the Chairman , responded to b y the District Grand Masters of Queensland and Tasmania ; "The Deputy District and Provincial Grand Masters of Victoria and their Officers , " by the Chairman , Bro . Baker , the Deputy Prov . Grand Master , I . C ., briefly replying ; " Thc Past District and Provincial

Grand Officers , " by Bro . K . M . James , D . G . S . W ., Bro . C . Shaw responding ; " Our Visitors from the Neighbouring Colonics , ' b y Bro . G . Baker , to which Bro . J . G . E . Willmott responded ; " The Worshipful Masters of the Lodges of the Three Constitutions , " proposed by Bro . [ oscph Cahill ; " Thc Press , " by Bro . W . Shaw ; and the Tyler's toast by Bro . A . I . Clarke . The proceedings terminated shortly before midnight .

Presentation To Bro. G. Davis, P.M., Preceptor 1642.

PRESENTATION TO BRO . G . DAVIS , P . M ., PRECEPTOR 1642 .

On Monday , the 26 th ult ., a number of members of the Earl of Carnarvon Lodge of Instruction , No . 1742 , and their friends met at Ladbroke Hall , Notting-hill , the occasion being the presentation to Bro . Davis , P . M . 167 , P . Z . 185 , Preceptor , of a testimonial in consideration of his long and

valued services . The presentation was preceded by a dinner , which having bcen done justice to , the usual loyal and patriotic toasts were given and responded to . The Chairman , Bro . F . C Frye , then proceeded in eulogistic terms to state that Bro . Davis , after his indefatigable exertions in connection with the lodge had been deemed by the brethren worthy of some substantial mark of their

approval . A committee was formed , and a subscription ' started which was confined to members of the lodge of instruction , with scarcely an exception contributed . In presenting Bro . Davis in the name of the lodge with a handsome piano , by Broadwood , he need not mention the pleasure it afforded him . He only hoped he would not stay at home to practice music instead of attending lodge

meetings in future . Bro . DAVIS , whose rising was the signal for a perfect ovation , thanked the brethren for their great kindness in entertaining him that evening , and presenting him with such a handsome testimonial . Although Bro . Frye regretted the post of Chairman that evening had not fallen into more able hands , he ( Bro . Davis ) would like to say that their Worshipful Master was one of thc most anxious

of Masons , who wished to discharge the duties of the high office to which he has been elected , to the best of his ability . In accepting their kind acknowledgment of his services , he felt proud of being the Preceptor , of a lodge that stood so high in the estimation of Freemasons for its

good working . He loved the Lodge of Instruction , and would do all he could to assist those who sought to acquire their beautiful ritual . Bros . Murlis , Parkhouse ( Treasurer ) , Smout ( Secretary ) , spoke in the highest terms of the zeal of Bro . Davis for Freemasonry ; he vvas always ready and willing to give

instruction . Responding to the toast of "The Committee , " Bros . Gillingham , Rogers , Bartle , Webster , and Wood each eulogised the good qualities of their Preceptor . Bro . M . S . Rubenstien presided very ably at the piano during the evening , and afforded the brethren an

opportunity of judging the qualities of the beautiful instrument , which bore the following inscription : " Presented to Bro . G . Davis , P ^ M ., by the members of the Earl of Carnarvon Lodge of Instruction as a mark of esteem and in appreciation of his valuable services as Preceptor for a period of six years , "

The Pope's Encyclical Letter "De Secta Massonum."

THE POPE'S ENCYCLICAL LETTER "DE SECTA MASSONUM . "

( Continued from page 271 . ) But the Materialists go further . For in most important matters having boldly started on a path of error they are hurrying headlong to an extremity , either from the weakness of human nature , or by the design of God who

is exacting the just penalty for pride . Hence it results that for them not even those things remain sure and fixed which are perceived by the natural light of reason , such in truth as the following , that there is a God , that the souls of men are separated from all matter ( ab omni materia ? concretionc ) , and that these souls are immortal . However , the sect of Freemasons is cleaving to those very dangers

by a similar course of error . For in spite of their general profession that there is a God , they are themselves witnesses that this belief is not fixed and settled firmly and indisputably in the minds of individuals . For they do not conceal that this question about a God is especially the fount and cause of dissension among themselves ; indeed , it is well known that there has recently been no slight

contention among them on this very point . But in truth the sect grants great license to its initiates , allowing them to defend either position , that there is a God , or that there is no God : and those who resolutely maintain that there is none are initiated as easily as those who think indeed there is a God , but hold about Him views as depraved as are those of the Pantheists , which is nothing else than to retain

a certain absurd likeness of the divine nature , but to cast away the truth . This great foundation having been overturned and weakened , it follows that those princi p les also are tottering which are recognised by the monitions of nature , viz ., that all things have existed by the free will of God the creator : that thc world is ruled b y providence that there is no death of souls : and that this life of men

which is spent on earth will be succeeded by another and that an everlasting one . But on the abandonment of these beliefs , which arc as it were the first p rinciples of nature , most important to know and to use , it is abundantly plain of what sort private and public morals would become . We pass over the more divine virtues , which no one can exercise or attain without the especial grace and gift of God : of which ncccsssarily no trace

can be found in those who despise as unknown the redemption of the human race , the favour of heaven , thc sacraments , and the happiness to be obtained above . VVe speak of those duties , which are deduced from a natural sense of honour . For the architect of the world and its provident ruler is God : there is an eternal law bidding natural order to be preserved , and forbidding its

disturbance : a final end for men far higher than human affairs has been arranged beyond this earthly place of sojourn : these . beliefs are thc founts , these are the principles of all justice and honour . If these beliefs be abandoned , as they are by both Materialists and Freemasons , at once the knowledge of right and wrong will have no standing-ground , and no means whatever to protect itself . And in truth the

system of morality , which alone is approved by the body of l ' recmasonsand b y which they maintain that the young should be trained , is one which they call "Civil " ( civicam ) and " Unfettered" ( solutam ) and" Free" ( liberam ); in which forsooth no religious opinions are included . But how contemptible that is , how weak , how easily swayed by any breath of passion , is clear enough from those shameful

fruits , which already to some extent appear . For where it has begun to reign more freely , there , vvith the expulsion of christian principles , good and sound morals quickly die out : horrible and monstrous opinions gain strength : and criminal audacity progresses with rapid strides . And this indeed is a matter of common complaint and lamentation : ami many of those who would least wish it arc not unfreauentlv

compelled by truth itself to give similar evidence . Furthermore , since man's nature is stained with thc taint of original sin , and on this account is far more prone to vice than to virtue , to restrain thc unbridled emotions and to render the appetites obedient to reason , is very requisite for an honourable character . And in this struggle a contempt for human affairs must very often be displayed , and

the greatest toils and hardships must be endured , that reason may ever retain its rule unconquered . But Materialists and Freemasons , refusing credence to those matters which we know on the authority of God , deny that the parent of the human race committed sin : and therefore they think free will to be in no degree " viribus allenuaturn et inclinatum" ( Cone . Trtd . Sess . vi . De Justif .

e . 1 ) . Nay rather exaggerating the virtue and excellence of nature , and placing in it the principles and precepts of justice , they are unable even to reflect that to calm the emotions and to rule the natural appetites a constant effort and the utmost firmness is required . Hence we see that many incitements to the passions are commonly supplied to men : that their papers and documents are without

moderation or modesty : that their stage plays are conspicuous for their license : that the subjects of their works of art are wantonly sought from the laws , which they call the laws of " Realism " ( Verismiis ) : that the artificial luxuries of an effeminate life are cleverly invented : in fine that all the blandishments of pleasure have been sought out , by which a lanquid virtue may be lulled to sleep . And in this their

conduct is infamous , but quite consistent , as they abandon the expectation of heavenly blessings , and degrade all happiness to the level of mortal affairs and as it were bury it in the earth . But our account can be confirmed by the following circumstance , at which we can feel no real surprise . For since hardl y anyone is wont to serve crafty and cunning men so submissively , as those whose minds are

weakened and shattered by the tyranny of their passions , persons have been found in the sect of Freemasons , to declare and publish that their object is to endeavour by every cunning device to satiate the multitude vvith boundless opportunities for vice -. for by this means they consider that they will easily have such control over the people as to make them dare anything . As for domestic intercourse , the whole system of the

Materialists is nearly as follows : Marriage they say belongs to the class of contracts : it can lawfully be rescinded at the will of the contracting parties : and power as regards the marriage tie is in the hands of the civil rulers . In educating children they consider that no religious instruction should be given according to any fixed and determinate purpose : it is to be open to each , when grown up , to follow what religion he may prefer . Freemasons moreover clearly

The Pope's Encyclical Letter "De Secta Massonum."

assent to these very principles : and not only do they assent , but they are , and have long been , anxious to introduce them into habit and usage . Already in many regions , and those , too , belonging to the Catholic faith , it is decided that no marriages shall be deemed lawful except those contracted by the civil rite -. in some places divorces are allowed by law : in other places efforts are being made that they should be so allowed as soon as possible . Thus what they are hastening

to is that the nature of marriage may be converted into unstable and temporary unions , which passion may form , and passion again dissolve . However , vvith the utmost harmony of intentions the sect of Freemasons has this also in viewto seize for itself the education of youth . For that soft and flexible age they feel they can easily mould at their will , and pervert to their own ends : and they think no means more suitable than this for producing such a race of

citizens as they are planning . Wherefore in the education and teaching of boys they allow the ministers of the Church no share in direction or watchfulness : and already in several places they have gained their point , that the whole training of youths should be in the hands of the laity 1 and also in forming their characters there should be no mixture of those great and most holy duties which unite man to God . Next come their principles of statesmanship . And on this

matter the Materialists decide that men have all the same rights , and that their condition is equal in every respect ; that each is free by nature : that no one has the right of giving orders to another : moreover that to wish that men should obey anyone's authority , derived from an external source , is , in truth , to use violence . They maintain therefore that all things are vested in a free people : that power is held by the order or permission of that people , so that ,

if the popular pleasure change , princes may be degraded from their rank even against their will . They assert that thc source of all laws and civil duties is cither in the multitude , or in the power that rules the State , and this when formed by the newest teaching . Moreover that a country should be without a God : that in the various forms of religion there is no reason why one should be preferred to another : they should all be reckoned equal .

Now that these very sentiments are equally pleasing to the Freemasons , and that they wish to arrange States after this likeness and pattern , is too well known to need demonstration . For long indeed they have been openly working for this object with all their strength and resources ; and by this they are opening the way for many bolder persons who are hastening to worse ends , like those who purpose equality and communism , after having abolished all distinction of

rank and fortune in a State . It is therefore sufficiently clear from the matters whicli wc have briefl y touched upon what thc sect of Freemasons is , and what is thc path it is entering upon . Their own chief tenets are so far and so obviously discordant with reason , that nothing can be more perverse . To wish to overthrow religion and thc Church , which God himself founded , and which hc , too , guards for immortality , and to

recall thc morals and manners of pagans after an interval of eighteen centuries , shows a wonderful folly and most audacious impiety . Nor is this less horrible or more tolerable , that thc blessings graciously obtained through Jesus Christ should be repudiated not only by individual men , but by those joined by tics cither of family or of community of State : which blessings are reckoned by the very judgment and evidence of their enemies to be most important . In a

mad and foul desire of this sort it almost seems that one may recognise that very implacable hatred and lust for vengeance , with wliich Satan burns against Jesus Christ . In like manner that other great object of Freemasons , to overturn the chief foundations of right and honour , and to furnish aid to those who , like the brute beasts , would wish whatever pleases them to be allowed , is nothing else than to drive the human race with ignominy and disgrace to destruction . ( To be continued ) .

Masonic Funeral:

MASONIC FUNERAL :

The mortal remains of a greatly respected member of the Craft , Bro . Matthew Pearson , l . W . 10 S 6 , Liverpool , who died in harness after a long and painful illness , on the 23 rd ult ., at his residence , Seaforth , were interred at Anfield Cemetery , on Wednesday , the 28 th ult ., in the presence of a large number of sorrowing relatives and friends . The

deceased was a prominent member of the congregation of Seaforth Parish Church , as well as a teacher in Sunday School , and on the route to the grave many shops were partially closed by their proprietors as a mark of respect . The funeral service was impressively performed by the vicar of Seaforth , the Rev . R . F . Smethwick , Si . A . The body was met at the cemetery gate by a larce number of

brethren . Among those of No . 1086 were Bros . W . Wilkinson , VV . M . j VV . Roberts , S . VV . ; Frank Ewart , Sec . j George E . Hanmer , P . M ., Treas . ; John Lunt , P . M ., P . P . G . D . C ; John J . Savage , P . M . ; J . P . McArthur , P . M ., P . P . G . J . W . ; Joseph Ellis , P . M . ; Joseph Shields , S . D . ; ' Isaac Evans , J . D . ; Richd . Hall , l . G . ; Joseph Unsworth , S . S . ; Frank Mansley , VV . VV . Thomas , R . E . Roberts , Lawrence , Thomas Maxwell ,

John Pennington , VVilliam Timothy , Bro . Robert Copland , Thomas Haslam , Joseph Dickenson , M . Williamson , Thomas Lewis , Henry Walker , Robert Davidson , Richard Beckett , George Reeves , Rogers , and H . J . Rose . Of other lodges there were Bros . J . J . Smith , S . VV . 1035 ; Thomas Salter , P . P . G . J . D ., 241 ; W . Parry , J . W . 1305 ; Joseph Croxton , Treas . 175 G ; R . | . Britten , S . D . 175 G ; James Grierson , P . M ., and

T . Molyneux , 175 6 ; Isaac Platts , S . W . 1473 ; John R . Roberts , John VV . Edington , and John Price , 1356 ; James Tatlock , 1393 ; J . D . Griffiths and John Molloy , 249 ; John Boyle , 1325 ; j . B . Greaves , 56 ; James Sharpies , Sec . 724 ; Ios . Macartney , 149 ( Scotland ); VVilliam Crossfield , 673 ;

Jos . Rees , 203 ; James Lawson , 1570 ; Dr . A . F . Graham , and others . 'The cofiin was completely hidden with wreaths , one of the most beautiful being sent by the members of the 'deceased brother's mother lodge . This is the second serious loss the " Walton " has sustained during the current year , the last being that of its I . P . M .

" During 40 years ' usage of DR . I . OCOCK ' S PULMONIC WAFERS by mc for Coughs , Colds , and Inllamed Lungs , always in the worst attacks , before taking two complete small boxes I have been a || right . " . Signed ; ABRAHAM HOI . IH-A , Mill Manager , Gorton Villa , Gorton , Manchester . DR . I . OCOCK ' S WAI ERS instantly relieve and rapidly cure Asthma , Consumption , Bronchitis , Coughs , Colds—and taste pleasantly , Sold at is . i _ d ., ss . 91 I ., per box bv all Druggists . —[ ADVT , ]