Freemasonry As An Ethical Religion.

" They are borrowed from the Past and both they and the ritual wnich accompanies their use are unalterable . No one can deny that they are well adapted to designate that Ethio Reality which unde-lies all the spiritual beliefs of man . The Light and the Darkness are indicative of change which comes wilh the revelation of the secret , which explains the utterances of all the Scriptures cf the world . It may sound

commonplace enough to-dav , but it was a revelation in by-gone years to learn that when Christ said " Eat my Body . " he no more implied the eucharistic sacrifice than the Divinity who told Jeremiah to " eat the sacred book . " The Ethical key to the Sciipture is worthy of illustration by such sjmbols as alternating light and darkness . Who can fail to see the propriety of the Square ? It is emblematic of Justice and Morality . You have

the Level . It is the type of Equality amongst men—equality between man and man . You have the Plumb , It is indicative of Integrity . Take the Compass . \ t is meant to accurately delimit the duty which one man owes to another . Is not Masonry itself an appropriate symbol of the building up of the spiritual house of Character in the same way as the artificer raises the temple of stone by the skill of his art ? What more natural than the Grip (

A token of fellowship . It designates to the initiated that they are dealing with good men and true , whose characters have been tested by admission into a Lodge . Then , the All-Seeing Eye . Is it not a ceaseless reminder of the reign of Supreme Moral Law , which " slumbers not , neither does it sleep , " while it executes its inexorable judgment upon transgressors ? The

apparel worn by the Masters and oflicers of the Craft are again moral symbols , and are expressly understood as such . The Apron is a general indication of the two-fold nature of man , by the figurative division it makes of his body . It separates in symbol the reason from the emotional element and thus bids him remember to exercise the habit of self-restraint . In

like manner the Gauntlets are intended to remind the Mason to keep his hands clean , and himself , as the language of Scripture has it , " unspotted from the world . " And thus , throughout the known symbols , and others that are unknown to the profane , the intent and purport of one and all is to suggest that " good living , " the promotion of which Emerson indicates as the supreme reason why men should assemble together in religious worship .

Can there be a second opinion about such an Institution which makes Morality the sovereign concern of life ? Of course , dogmatical churches of all colours frown upon it . To act as though conduct alone were a sullicient passport to present or future blessedness , is to remove the priest ' s candlestick out of its place . When Jean Valgean is dying , in tha immortal romance of " Les Miscrabli s , " which he who has not read , let him read

forthwith , his fussy old landlady pushes her head into his attic , and asks : " Shall I send forapriest ? " "I have one , " was Valgean ' s reply . Valgean was a Mason and an Ethicist . He was his own priest—saviour -redeemer . Believe me in truth and in deed , there is , there can be , no other . It is the penalty we pay for being man . The salvation of your souls can only be worked out by } ourselves , individually and alone . Another man can as soon save you as

grow for you . The awful responsibility can be shared with no one . Each one stands , severely , inexorably , alone , where the supreme problem of individual destiny is concerned . And , therefore , I say lhat nothing better could befall a youug man at the threshold of his life , so full of possibilities for good or ill , so p regnant with consequences to himself and others , than that he should fall early under Masonic influences , and imbibe the masculine

gospel of self-dependence and self-reliarce . At the lodge he joins he meets with men who have fought the battle of life and fought it successfully ; he htari their conversaticn ; le observes their demeanour ; and insensibly learns the secret which has enabled them to survive where others have fallen out of the ranks . He discovers that it is not Church , not creed , not sociel status that means success . Many who possess each and every one of these advantages , and who have been blessed by all that extrinsic

qualifications could confer , have been known lo fail . I here is but one talisman of sovereign efficacy—that of Character , ths slow result of a steady and undeviating submission of the will to the holiest of all laws—the Moral Law . He who abides by that law acquires ihe love of freedom ; he learns an intense hatred of all intolerance ; he attains to the highest elicits in the enthusiasm of humanity in deeds of beneficence , and realises the ideal of universal brotherhood based upon the Good , the Beautiful , and the True .

Some hymns were subsequently rendered , and the assembly dispersed , most of these present giving marked expression of their approval of the eloquent lecture to which they had listened . It may be noted in closing that other Sunday lectures are due during the present month , and Dr . Washington Sullivan ' s established reputation is bound to make Sleinway Hall during the forthcoming weeks a gathering ground , not alone for membeis of the Ethical Religion Society , but for many inquiring minds who wish to find a reason for the faith that is within them .

Consecration Of The Comrades Lodge, No. 2710.

CONSECRATION OF THE COMRADES LODGE , No . 2710 .

A new lodge , formed by the Warrant and Non-commissioned ofiicers of ihe Household Cavalry and the Brigade of Guards , was on Friday , the 2 nd inst ., consecrated at the Holborn Restaurant , under the above appropriate title

The consecration was most tfiiciently rendered by Bro . E . Letchworth , F S A ., G . Sec , assisted by Bros . J . II . Matthews , Pn-sident of the Board cf Benevolence , as S . W . ; Col . J . Davis , A . D . C , P . D . G . D . C , as J . W . ; Rev . J . S . Brownrigg , M . A ., P . G . C , as Chap . ; Frank Richardson , P . G . D ., as D . C ; Major J . H . N . Bridges , P . G . S . B ., as I . G . ; and H . Sadler , G . l >! er , as Tyler .

Both in the address and the oration great stress was hid on the aptness of the tide chosen by ihe brethren ; the good fellowship and rivalry which exists between every regiment of h *; r Majesty ' s Forces ; and the great lojahy of all military brethren to the Craft . The founders were Bros . G . IL Lister , P . M . | . * [ , P . P . G . S . l ' .., W . M . de-ignat-r ; J . W . Baldock , id * . ) . ) , S . W . designate ; J . C . Jordan , 2 . |* . ( ,

J . . -grate ; C . E . Harford , . . | , Secretary designate ; J . Carey , P . M . i / ' - , Treasurer designate ; S . Wnght , i . ; . * i ; J . Al . Walker , . -. * | ; G . Lunt , -J-144 ; ' ' - Bungey , . | | | ; E . Daniels , J . | * | ; C . Yeatman , ¦ ' -M 4 ; IJ , xon ' -lll ; . 1- " Br .. wne , ifio | ; If . Corder , 2- ( . ( J ; T . Davie , 24441 C . Lloyd , - . ' * | ; and W . ArmMrong , .. ' | | | . After ihe ceiemony of conseeraticn , Bro . G . 11 . Lister , P . AL , was : initalAdas W . M . ; and Bros . J . W . Baldock , S . W . ; J . C . Jordan , J . W . ; C

Consecration Of The Comrades Lodge, No. 2710.

E . Harford , Sec . ; J . Carey , P . M ., Treas . ; E . H . Bungey , S . D . ; Bro . S . Wright , J . D . ; J . H . Browne , I . G . ; R . Dixon , D . of C . ; G . Lunt , Org . ; C . Yiatman , E . Daniels , and T . Davie , Stwds . , * and C . S . Plant , P . M ., Tyler , invested as the officers for the year . The visitors included

Bros . Col . T . C . Pleydell Calley , 2614 ; Major R . G . Gordon-Gilmour , 2614 ; F . King , P . M . 209 , P . P . G . Std . Br . Berks ; Putman , 2444 ; J . Quigley , 2621 ; A . Leyden , 2621 ; G . Handley , P . M ., Sec . 2444 ; W . Fitch , S . W . 179 ; J . A . Stock , P . M ., Sec . 15 S 6 ; J . C . Chamberlain , 325 ( I . C ); J . W . Harris , 153 ; E . W . Davis , P . M . 1503 ; G . Boulton , P . M . 1604 ; W . G . Vaughan , I . G . 1329 ; W . Hayes , 1331 ; W . C . Jones , 1604 ; A . J . Walklin , 483 ; 0 . P . Bowen , 483 ; Jas . Kew , P . M . 179 , P . A . G . Purst . ; J . Vowles , 1614 ; J . Hewison , 483 ; W . Archibald , 160 ( S . C . ); and W . H . Rowntree , 2621 .

After the consccraticn the brethren adjourned to an excellent banquet , after which the usual toasts were proposed and responded to . The musical arrargements were very ably conducted by Bro . H . W . Schartau , W . M . 1261 , assisted by Bros . Frank Tebbutt , 2098 ; W . Fell , 1766 ; and Geo . Stubbs . 771 , the pieces rendered being highly appreciated .

Ireland.

Ireland .

GRAND LODGE .

Ihe Quarterly Communication of the Grand Lodge of Ireland was held on the 2 nd instant at Freemasons' Hall , Dublin . The following filled the chairs of Grand Lodge : Bros . Jas . Creed Meredith , LL . D ., D . G . M ., on the Throne ; Robert Keating Clay , G . T ., acting G . S . W . ; W . J . Chetwode Crawley , LL . D ., P . G . D ., acting

G . J . W . ; the Rev . B . Gibson , M . A ., G . Chap . ; W . G . Huband , G . S . D . ; George Drury , G . J . D . ; George Scriven , M . D ., G . S . B . ; Wm . McGee , J . P ., G . Stwd . ; T . R . G . Joze , Mus . Doc , G . Org . ; and Jas . Robertson , W . M . 4 , acting G . I . G . Bro . H . Flavelle , D . G . S ., and the Clerk to G Lodge were also in attendance , ' there were also present

Bros . Lieut .-Col . A . V . Davoren , D . L ., Representative from G . Lodge of Spain ; Col . R . Pratt Saunders , R . A ., Prov . G . M . Wicklow and Wexford ; the Right Rev . Lord Bishop of Ossory , Representative from G . Lodge of Manitoba ; Thos . Jones , Representative from G . Lodge of Tasmania ; Win . Battersbyy , J . P ., P . G . S . D . ; the Very Rev . De an Humphreys , Representative from G . Lodge of Connecticut ; F . H . Wayland , Representative from G . Lodge of North Dakota ; the Rev . R . S . D . Campbell , D . D ., Prov . G . Chap . South Connaught ; Henry

Gibson , J . P ., Representative from G . Lodge of Hungary ; Robt . Montgomery , M . D ., Representative from G * Lodgeof Maryland ; M . E . Solomon , J . P ., Representative from G . Lodge-of Wisconsin ; Dr . J . G . Burne , Representative from G . Lodgeof Indiana : Sir Robert Sexton , D . L ., Representative from G . Lodge of Victoria ; Fletcher Moore , D . L ., P . Prov . G . Sec . Wicklow and Wexford ; Robt . J . Downes , P . Prov . S . G . D . Wicklow and Wexforl ; Hume Robertson , P . Prov . G . Stwd . Wicklow and Wexford ; and others .

The attendance of brethren was unusually large , as much interest was taken in the business to be transacted by G . Lodge . The minutes of the preceding commmunication were read , confirmed and signed , and the seal of Grand Lodge was affixed thereto .

The Right Rev . the Lord Bishop of Ossory ( Dr . Crozier ) , and the Very Rev . the Dean of Killaloe { Dr . Humphreys ) , were announced by the acting J . G . W . as being in attendance with their Patents of Appjintment , as Representatives of the Grand Lodges of Manitoba and Connecticut . They weie received and saluted in accordance with ancient form .

I he annexed Report of Extension of Premises Committee was presented to Grand Lodge by the Deputy Grand Master : After the adoption of their former report by the last October meeting of Grand Lodge , your Committee proceeded to reconsider the various objects which it would be desirable to attain by extending , improving , and re-arranging the

buildings of 1 * reemasons Hall . They obtained plans and a survey of the existing buildings , and they invited the assistance of professional brethren as to their alteration . Bros . J . J . Farrall , J . F . Fuller , and R . J . Stirling examined the premises , and gave to your CommiUee plans for improvement which supplied valuable suggestions .

Your Committee selected Bro . J . J . Farrall as the Architect to prepare full plans and specifications , and they very carefully went over the premises with him , discussed the alterations to be made , and ultimately approved of plans which he prepared , and which they now recommend to be carried out . These plans are exhibited in the hall , and your Committee invite attention to them .

Your Committee availed themselves of the authority given to them by Grand Lodge of paying for preliminary plans , by paying , £ 10 ios . for the plans and survey of the existing buildings , which would in any case have been required , and X'o ios . each to Bros . Fuller and Stirling , as some recognition ot the help derived from their plans—though it was felt that these fees could not be regarded as representing the value of the professional services kindly given in preparing them .

Under Bro . Farrall's advice the works shown on his plans were surveyed and measured , the quantities were taken out , and tenders were iuvited from ei ght wellknown builders , but it was left open to any others who desired to tender . Four tenders were received , varying in amount from ^ , " 6440 to £ 5695 —the lowest being that of John Good . Your Committee recommend that this tender

be accepted , and that the works be proceeded with and completed as rapidly as may be found convenient with carrying on the work of Freemasons' Hall during their progress . If this be the desire- of Grand Lodge , your Committee recommend that , on the adoption cf this report , the matter be referred back to them , with authoiity to complete the contract , and carry out the works , on behalf of the Grand Lodge .

If this report is approved , your Committee would desire authority to arrange with the several bodies concerned as to the provision for their accommodation , and as to the terms on which the portions of the premises allotted to them are to be held . It would appear to the Committee that the several bodies should be satisfied before further expense is undertaken to accept the proposed new accommodation in lieu ul what they at present occupy , and should bind themselves to occupy them

0 1 definite terms . Having regard to the improvement of the accommodation on 1 ie- one side , and on the other to the fact that the funds for carrying out these i nprovemunts have been provided by the Order at large , it occurs to your Comm ( tee that th * : amrjunts of the existing rents should not be altered , and they : ru ; ge . st that the existing terms should be co itinued . The same observation applies to the offices of the Charities ,