Bro. William Stephens' And Mrs. Stephens' Silver Wedding.

BRO ViTILLIAM STEPHENS' AND MRS STEPHENS' SILVER -WEDDING .

The celebration of the completion of twenty-five years f mar " - ' '' ' ^ ^ ^ ' William Stephens , Past Master of 0 Clapton and Marquis of Ripon Lodges , with Mrs . cteDhens , took place on Tuesday at the Metropolitan Societies' Asylum , Ball's Pond-road , when , in addition to f ur daughters and one of the sons of Bro . and Mrs . eighty ladies and brethren present

Step hens , some were . At the dinner , which was graced by a magnificent wedding ] cc Bro . S . H . Parkhouse , W . M . Earl of Carnarvon Lodge , No . 1642 , took the chair , and Bros . W . J . Muilis and W . Grist the vice-chairs . After the dinner the Chairman , in a felicitous speech , resented the gift of the Earl of Carnarvon Lodge , which

consisted of a handsome silver tea and coffee service , wetghine i °° ounccs - ^ ' presented the gift of the Marnuis of Ripon Lodge , consisting of an elegant bronze ( lining-room clo ; k and pair of vases . Bros . James Terry and Thos . Cubitt presented a dozen silver dessert knives and forks ; On the presentation of each of these gifts

congratulatory spe'ehes were made . There was also presented a n address on vellum in illuminated writing , framed and ulazeel , setting forth Bio . W . Stephens' well-known Masonic career as follows : Earl of Carnarvon Lodge , No . 1642 , to Bro . William Stephens , P . M ., P . Z ., & c , & c . Dear Sir and Brother ,

We the undersigned , on behalf of the brethren of the Earl of Carnarvon Lodge of Ancient Free and Accepted Masons , having been associated with you in the mysteries of the Craft for a number of years , avail ourselves with p leasure of this opportunity of paying to you personally a slig ht tribute of our sincere regard and esteem . There are among us many who have been associated with you

during the whole period of your Masonic career , and others vvlio have known you only since the period of their introduction to the Craft , but we are unanimous in feelings ol appreciation and admiration of the generous bestowal of your Masonic gifts ir . the interests of the Earl of Carnarvon Lodge , and ot your substantial support of the various Masonic Benevolent Institutions , which are the means of

affording such great assistance and relief to the poor aii'l necessitous of the Order ; we therefore beg your acceptance of the accompanying silver tea and coffee service , on the occasion of your Silver Wedding , as a slight token of our regard , and fervently hope that the Great Architect of the Universe may grant you many years of health , prosperity , and domestic felicity .

Samuel Henry Parkhouse , W . M . j Edward M . Lander , S . W . ; Samuel Smout , J . W . ; George Pcnn . Treasurer ; W . J . Murlis , Hon . Sec . London , 6 th May , 1879 . Bro . W . Stephens , in acknowledging the various presents , said : Brethren and ladies , I hardly know how to find words to adequately thank ye u for the kind expressions

you have thought fit to use in proposing the health of myself and wife , and the kind reception you have given our names . 1 will take this occasion of saying that if I fail to sufficiently thank you for your kindness it is not in lacking gratitude , but for want of words to convey to you my feelings on the present occasion , I am so familiar with the kindness I receive fiom all I see around , and knowing

how little I have ever done to merit these compliments , to express my deep obligations to you for these superb presents . It is an event in my life that will never be forgotten , and believe me when I assure you these are not merel y idle words , but cxpresiions from the depths of my heait , that I could not have supposed I lived so much in the esteem of my brethren as to merit this gencrosi ' . y . I am sure I

cannot tell in what way I can make a fitting return for this kindness , I can only promise to faithfully carry out the duties of Masonry according to its teachings , and devote my energies for the good of those who are less fortunate than myself . You have been good enough to mention in this address my connection wiin the Charities of our Order ; I have devoted some time and a little money—at

any rate , as far my circumstances have permitted , I have done my best to carry out those duties ; and , if pleasurable to me to receive this mark of your esteem , it has also been a source of pleasure to me , in my humble way , to assist in alleviating the distress of those less fortunate than myself . Again thanking you for myself and wife , 1

trust these handsome presents will be handed down as heirlooms in my family , and be considered and appreciated by my children as we appreciate them on the present occasion . Bros . Pushman , Grist , and High , and the Misses Battle , t » e Misses Stephens , anil Miss Smout sang several songs and duets . A most delightful evening was passed by the company assembled , who did not separate till a late hour .

great beauty , anil will well repay a visit to their cstahlish-•"mts at 36 , Strand , London , W . C ., where there arc to he e « n 1 some really very beautiful patterns of tiles . These . [ ' ^ si gned by arli-ts , gentlemen of cultivated tastes and gh education , who by no means consider their talents

The strides taken by art in what used to be considered minor matters is very noticeable , and extremely Praiseworth y . We are now specially alluding to the v » ry tastefu l garden border tiles and stable pavings produced Dy Messrs . Muir and Co ., of the Strand , whose terra-cotta , encaustic tiles , & c , are produced in infinite variety and

r ° wn away upon these matters , which many persons are Prone to despise as being unworthy of consideration . We ' S' ^ d to learn that Messrs . Muir's contributions to art ^ •ucation in small matters are as successful fro m a busi' s point of view as they certainly are from the icsthetic "and potnt . th ihe Marquis of Hartington has written to say >< r ne wil 1 be happy to join and co-operate with the uc ° rge Smith of Coalville Fund " Committee ,

Masonic Notes And Queries.

Masonic Notes and Queries .

PROCEEDINGS OF THE GREAT PRIORY OF CANADA IN 1878 . I have been favoured with a copy of the " Proceedings " of the " Templars " for Canada by the distinguished Freemason-archaeologist , the R . W . Bro . Col . W . J . B . Macleod Moore , who is the Great Prior for that Dominion . The pamphlet is most interesting , and to do it justice should

almost begiven entire . The National Great Priory assembled in the city of Montreal nth day of October , 1878 , and from the account sent in it is evident that the meeting was a success . Indeed , with such a President we could not anticipate any other result , for Col . Moore gives his whole heart to the Order , and endeavours to incite in others somewhat of the enthusiasm enkindled in his own , as well as

to lead the members to a more careful study of the past history of the society . The proceedings were conducted with great dignity , and certainly if the Templars of the present day are the actual descendants or lineal representatives of the . fratres of old , which , as the Rev . Bro . Woodford says , remains to be proved , then the dignity was well ordered .

The address by the Great Prior , to my mind , is one of his happiest efforts , and , in the attempt to show " what the Order really is , " he has conferred a boon on many students of itsfhistory . The " encampment" and " commandery" style of nomenclature receives hard blows . The independence of Canada as much as England and Ireland , Masonically , and in Knights Templar , is not only

plainly stated , but is proved , for it as a peer of the other contracting parties , that Canada appears on the roll of the Convent General . In that spirit Canada protests against certain alterations in the statutes , " at the same time the Great Piiory can still adhere to her own views of the question without departing from the federation of the whole bony . " The chief point of the objection is to the term

" Eminent Commander , " which the Canadian Knights Templar deem an unhistorical designation for the chiel of a preceptory . The question of " past rank " also is an objection in some respects , as the fratres of Canada only care for it in a limited or restricted sense , not wishing foi a multiplication of honours to such an extent as to lessen their value .

The revision of the ritual having become necessary , so to '' assimilate with historic truths and the changes that have taken place in the Constitution , " the ritual of the Templar Order as revised by Convent General , with certain alterations made by the Committee of Great Priory of Canada , was confirmed , adopted , and exemplified at the assembly . The officiating preceptory was the " Richard

Cceur de Lion , " the Preceptor being Bro . McMinn . 1 he Great Prior expressed his approval of the excellent work and correct rendering of " the beautiful and impressive ceremony which Great Priory had that day proclaimed . " Colonel Moore remains a firm adherent of the present qualifications for admittance to the Order , and speaks most forcibly against fanciful pre-requisites . The action taken

at the last triennial meeting of the Grand Encampment of the U . S . A . is not at all relished by the Great Prior , as it seems our American fratres declined to accept Canada as its peer on the representative question . The scope of the changes made of late in the Templar body is clearly exhibited in the address , and proves that the originators of the scheme had a large field in view for their operations .

T hat the Great Prior of Canada appreciated the great aims of the Convent Gsneral will be seen from the following " The object was to form the nucleus of a cosmopolitan chivalric fraternity , which it was hoped all English speaking Templars would gladly join , acknowledging H . R . H . the Prince of Wales as the only Grand Master . " The United States Templars , however , do not fancy such an absorption ,

and practically the plan is not feasible , however beautiful it looks on paper . It is interesting to note that our able brother remarks on the K . T . in U . S . A ., " The earliest Grand Encampment , that of New York , was chartered by a Consistory 3 z ° , " thus " receiving its first impetus from the S . C . of the Ancient and Accepted Kite . The Order with them is therefore peculiarly American , derived from the

Kadosh * * * , on which the death of the last Grand Master , De Molai the Martyr , is commemorated . * * * It is an ably foimed organisation . * * * Whatever the practices of the United States may be , they form no rule for the British Branches of the Order . Appearing in public with Templar or Masonic emblems of any kind is opposed to our customs and long established usages , and contrary to th ' . wish nj

our Royal Grand Masttr . " As Templars it would be well if this advice were always followed , but as a matter of fact , in England we have known a procession take place when the muster roll did not number 50 , and a sorry exhibition it was a few years since in a country town , affording amusement to the crowd , but a source of grief to earnest brethren . Under the heading Historical References , Bro .

Moore alludes to the charter granted by the " Mother Lodge Kilwinning , " Scotland , to certain brethren in Dublin , A . D . 1779 , styling themselves the High Knights Templars ' Lodge . Our learned brother handsomely acknowledges his indebtedness for correct information as to this matter to R . W . Bro . James Horner Ncilson , a well known Masonic antiquarian of Dublin , who has fully elucidated the whole

subject . Bro . Moore thinks the petitioners must have been Templars before they applied for the warrant , and he is doubtless correct , and though the authority was simply foi the Craft Degrees , we know often the presence of such a charter was all that was needed in the eyes of our brethren of the last century to assemble in any Masonic degrees .

The Canadian . Craftsman contains several articles of late by Colonel Moore , Gieat Prior , on the " Modern Order of Knights Templar " and other chivalric subjects , which though txo long and important for brief notice here should be carefully studied by all interested in the subject . The author docs not think it likely that the high degrees were all invented and sprung suddenly into existence at the

Masonic Notes And Queries.

commencement of the last century , without some feasible foundation of long standing to warrant their introduction , though he is " free to confess it is not easy to acsount satisfactorily for the absence of all records to show any connection with Freemasonry from the time of the Reformation , when the combined Orders of the Temple and Hospital disappeared , and were not again heard of until

the Masonic revival in the last century . " I quite agree with him in the assertion as to titles , that " the addition Sir , as a title to the name , we , as Masons , have no claim or right to whatever , and although the pretentious compound word of two syllables—Sir Knightis now commonly adopted , it seems to have been unly applied occasionally in former times when speaking of ,

not to , a person . " Why wish , I ask , for more than the title brother ? What can be more expressive or Masonic ? Surely the time has gone when Freemasons desire t o pass for actual knights , and , therefore , the prefix Sir is out of place , and altogether as unnecessary as objectionable . A few years will witness the dropping of many absurd titles in connection with our society , and then I shall hope to see

more attention paid to the duties of the brotherhood . The admirable address concludes with the appropriate words , " May the Lord bless us , and show us the light of His countenance , and be merciful to us . " A circular was issued by the Great Prior of Canada on

9 th January , 1878 , expressive of the great sorrow felt in that Dominion on the decease of Bro . Richard Wolfe ( Woof ) , F . S . A ., the representative near the Great Priory of England . The page devoted to his memory in the ' •Proceedings " is thus arranged : —

In Mcmoriam . The Frere Chevalier RICHARD WOLFE , F . S . A ., & c , Registrar of the Order of St . John of Jerusalem in England , Representative of the Great Priory of the Unitetl Orders

of the Temple anil Malta for Canada , near the Great Priory of England . A faithful brother , who , taking the warmest interest in the prosperity of the Order in Canada , helped still more to strengthen the tics that bind them to the parent body . Born Died 15 th December , at Worcester , England , 1821 . 16 th December , 1877 .

This appropriate and kindly reference to our dear and lamenteel friend , Bro . Wolfe , will be esteemed by his many fratres in England . Bro . Emra Holmes , K . C . T ., an enthusiastic Templar , was elected in his place to the honourable porition of representative , which was so ably filled by the English historian of the Templars . The representative

for Ireland is our esteemed brother , the Hon . Judge Townshcnd , LL . D ., K . C . T ., & c . These two distinguished brethren are honorary members of the Great Priory , as are also Dr . Rob . Morris , Dr . Alfred Crcigh , General Albert Pike , Bros . T . B . Whytehead ( of York ) , and G . O . Tyler , of Vermont , U . S . A . WILLIAM JAMES HUGHAN .

MASONIC WORKS IN THE BRITISH MUSEUM . I find that the April number of the Masonic Magazine contained the commencement , or first parr , of the li , t of Masonic Woiks in the " British Museum , " and not , as I surmised , the whole of the list obtained by the brother who had so kindly furnished it for the information of the Craft universal . The list bids fair to be a most useful compilation .

and already I have had enquiries about several works which were hitherto unknown to general readers of the Freemason , though they occuned at a sale of the large collection of Masonic works of the late and lamented Bro , Richard Spencer . Bro . Lamonby ' s reference , if not a typographical error , is not correct as to Hutchinson ' s "Spirit of Masonry . " The first edition of 1775 was

sanctioned by the Gtand Lodge ( orthe M . W . G . M . ) 111 that year , not in 1766 . Lord Petre was not the M . W . G . M . until 1772 , and continued in office uniil 177 6 . His lordship was a most energetic and able President of the society , and a much respected Roman Catholic nobleman . Under his rule , Preston ' s " Illustrations , " and Hutchinson ' s " Spirit of Masonry , " received the sanction of the Grand Lodge .

W . J . HUGHAN . P . S . In a catalogue by Bro . Spencer we sec that 1766 is stated as the year when the "Spirit" was sanctioned . It may be that 177 6 was intended .

India.

India .

BOMB AY . —Keystone Chapter ( No . 757 , E . C ) . —The regular meeting of this chapter was held at the Masons' Hall , Nesbit-lane , Byculla , on Monday , the 13 th of January . Present : —M . E . Comps . Counsell , P . Z . ; Watson , P . H . ; Cooper , P . J . ; Barrow , P . P . Z . ; Rowe , P . P . Z . ; McKenzie , P . P . Z . ; Comps . Tomlinson , S . E . ; Kapadia , S . N . ; Armstrong , P . S . ; Brennan , 1 st Asst . S . ; Jones ,

2 nd Asst . S . ; Robinson , Treasurer ; Seager , Janitor . The summons convening the meeting was read . Tne minutes of the last eonv . cation were read and confirmed . The minutes of the Permanent Committee were read and adopted . M . E . Comp . P . Z . then informed the companions present that the business of the evening was of a pleasing nature—it was to present M . E . Comp . Barrow , P . P . Z ., with

a jewel of the chapter pattern , for the lung and valuable services he had rendered to the chapter . The jewel was then attached with a few neat and appropriate remarks . M . E . Comp . Barrow replied in suitable terms . Read a letter from V . E . Comp . Mitchell , who was compelled to leave Bombay through sickness , and consequently tendered his resignation , which was received with regret . Read a letter from M . E . Comp . Hussey , D . G . S . E ., asking the