The "Freemason" Indian Famine Fund.

CHIPPING SODBURT . — Tyndal Lodge ( No . n 6 ^ . ) ---The usual monthly meeting was held at the lodge room , Town Hall , on Wednesday , 4 th inst ., when there were present Bros . Algernon Ludlow , W . M . ; J . P . Curtis , S . W . ; Wm . Jones , S . D . ; T . Thompson , J . D . ; W . H . H . Haitley and Wm . Taylor , Stewards ; J . D . B . Treufield , D . C , and P . P . G . S . B . ; C . A . Bush , I . P . M .,

Secretary and P . G . D . C , and a good number of brethren . The minutes of the previous metting having been read and confirmed , Bro . the Revd . Alfred Scott Thompson was passed to the Second Degree , and Bros . Bcaman and Attwood raised . Bro . J . Treufield was then circled Treasurer , a post ably filled by him for some years . Bro . C . lies was also again elected Tyler . The W . M . then

proceeded with the election of Worshipful Master for the ensuing year , and Bro . James Payne Curtis , S . W ., was unanimously elected . Thc W . M . congratulated Bro . Curtis'highly , he having been initiated in the lodge only five years ago . Bro . Sudlow , W . M ., was then complimented on the admirable manner in which he had governed the lodge during his year of office . The lodge

was then closed in due form . LIVERPOOL . —Emulation Lodge , ( No . 1505 ) . —The annual celebration of St . John ' s festival , by the brethren of the above lodge , took place on Friday afternoon , the 5 th inst ., at the Masonic Hall , Hope-jtreet , Liverpool . The attendance was very numerous , and the whole of the pleasant proceedings was greatly enjoyed by

both members and visitors . Bro . Henry Morris , the retiring W . M . opened the lodge promptly at thc appointed hour , and during the course of business there were present the following officers : Bros . J . T . Callow , P . M . ; N . Nelson , P . M . ; W . Quale , S . W . ; W . H . Corbin , J . W . ; J . Hocken , P . M ., Treas . ; J . Capell , Sec ; H . Coulson , F . D . ; R . Foots , I . G . ; A . McKenzie , S . S . ; H . H . Smith ,

J . S . ; J . Skeaf , Org . ; and W . H . Ball , Tyler . The members included Bros . W . H . Taubman , R . E . Fulton , E . Thomas , M . Strong , C . Wynne , J . Orford , E . Jones , J . Shelly , P . Thomas , W . H . Chapman , T . Wilson , G . Atkinson , C . Ackman , J . J . Hodges , J . Purvis , M . Drake , W . Parry , H . H . Peter , R . Lytham , A . Child , J . Irving , E . Jarvis , W . Roan , G . Murcott , R . Croft , D . T . Walby ,

J . Carmichael , & c . The visitors list contained names of Bros . J . C . Lunt , P . M . 108 C ; D . Jackson , S . W . 6 73 ; R . Prance , P . M . 594 ; W . F . May , P . M . 6 7 ?; J . Busfield , 216 ; J . Williams , W . M . 1182 ; H . Jackson , P . G . A . D C ; J . A . Mitchell , 1276 ; J . Ellis , S . W . O 67 ; J . R . Goepel , P . P . G . D . C . ; R . Burgess , Organist ; 1609 ; A . Gilfillan , 139 V , J . W . Ballard , P . M . 724 ; H . Burrows , W . M . 673 ;

R . Martin , I . P . M . 1182 ; H . Ashmore , P . M . 1325 ; T . Yeats , J . D . 1296 ; W . H . Hignttl , 1547 ; M . LigUhourn , 1620 ; J . Thompson , S . W . 1013 ; J . Morris , 1264 ; P . VV . Oglcrby , Se \ 823 . After the minutes bad been read and unanimously confirmed , the W . M . ( Bro . H . Morris ) most effectively initiated one brother into the Order . Bro . J . Hocken . P . M ., Treasurer , then took the chair , and he 1

roceeded to instal Bro . W . E . Quayle as the W . M . for thc ensuing year , ; the presentation for that purpose being made by Bro . J . T . Callow , P . M ., and Bro . R . Martin , jun ., P . M . 1182 . The ceremony was peiformed by Bro . Hcckcn , and the charges to the following officers for 1877-8 were also impressively given : —Bros . H . Morris , I . P . M . ; W . H . Corbin , S . W . ; J . Capell , J . W . ; J . Hocken , P . M ., Treas .

( re-appointed ) ; J . T . Callow , P . M . D . C . ; Rev . G . H . Vernon , P . P . G . Chap ., Hon . Chaplain ( rc-appointed by proxy ); H . Coulson , Secretary ; R . Foote , S . D . ; H . H . Smith , J . D . ; R . Lytnam , I . G . ; M . Strong , S . S . ; J . Irving , J . S . ; J . Skeaf , P . G . O . Organist ; and W . H . Ball , Tyler ( re-elected ) . A cordial vote of thanks was ordered to be recorded on the minutes to Bro . I locken

P . M ., for his excellent services as Installing Master . The brethren then unanimously voted the sum of five guineas from the funds of the lodge in aid of the Liverpool Indian Famine Relief Fund , and this was further increased by the private contributions of the brethren to ten guineas . It was also agreed to vote a sum of money for the purchase of a P . M . ' s jewel for Bro . H . Morris , I . P . M . The brethren

subsequently banquctted in the large dining-room , under the presidency of the W . M ., Bro . W . E . Quayle , by whom thc usual toasts were given and cordially responded to . The toast of " Bro . the Right Hon . Lord Skelmersdale and his Officers , " was responded to by Bro . II . Jackson , P . G . A . D . C . ; Bro . J . R . Goepel , P . P . G . D . C . ; and Bro . J . Skeaf , P . G . O ., Bro . H . Morris , I . P . M ., in giving "The

Worshipful Master , " said there was no better Mason in Liverpool that day than Bro . Quayle , and 'after having steadily ascended the Masonic ladder he ( Bro . Morris ) felt that their W . M . would most amply fulfil all the expectations concerning him . The toast was received with great cordiality , and the W . M ., in acknowledging it , expressed a hope that harmony and enthusiasm would prevail

during his year of office , and that he would be able to fulfil all the . obligations which he had that day entered into , Bro . J . T . Callow gave " The I . P . M , " which was suitably responded to by Bro . H . Morris ; the W . M . proposed ' ¦ The Installing Master , " acknowledged by Bro . Hocken ; and the other toasts were " The Officers of the Lodge , " to which the S . W . and J . W . responded . " The West

Lancashire Masonic Educational Institution , " acknowledged in an interesting speech by Bro . J . H . Goepel , and " The Visitors , " with which the names of Bros . Martin , May , H . Ashmore , France , Busfield , Burrows , and J . McKenzie were coupled . Bro . J . Busfield introduced a pleasant novelty into the programme in the form of a well played violin solo , besides giving several songs in his usual

telling manner .. The other musical brethren were Bros . J . Skeaf , P . G . O ., and R . Burgess , Organist 1609 , the piano accompaniments . CHISLEHURST . —Chislehurst Lodge ( No . 1531 ) . —The last regular meeting for the season of this lodge was held on Saturday week , at the Bull's Head Hotel , Chislehurst , Bro . W . Kipps , W . M ., P . G . O . Kent , presiding . There were also present : Bros . Gloster , S . W . ;

The "Freemason" Indian Famine Fund.

Mason , J . W . ; Goldsmith , Secretary ; Griffin , S . D . ; Hutchings , J . D . ; and Hunt , as I . G . The following brcthren also attended : Bros . Masters , Drinkwatcr , Luck , Dowsett , Behenna , Hollis , Seager , Russell , P . P . G . A . D . C Kent , Dana , and Ford , the visitors being Bros . Munyon , P . M . 79 ; Harding , 1526 ; and Clark 1423 . Lodge was opened in due form , and the minutes read and signed . Bro . Bond ,

of the Sydney Lodge , was then elected a joining member , and several names were submitted for joining and initiation at the next meeting . Bro . Dowsett presented a very handsome charity box , which the W . M . gracefully accepted on behalf of the lodge , and a very cordial vote of thanks was accorded to Bro . Dowsett , and ordered to be entered on the minutes , for his gift , which we need

hardly say was fully appreciated . Lodge was then closed and the brethren afterwards partook of refreshments . The customary toasts were proposed and honoured , and it should be stated that Bro . Hutchings , J . D ., accepted the office , with the unanimous voice of the lodge , of Steward for the next festival of the Institution for Girls . MORECAMBE . — Morecambe Lodge ( No .

1561 ) . —The regular meeting of this lodge was held at the Masonic Hall , in this favourite watering-place , on Friday , 5 th October . The chair was occupied by the W . M ., Bro . W . Duff , who was supported bv Bro . Dr . Moore , P . G . S . B . of England , as I . P . M . ; E . Cardwell as S . W . ; Wm . Longmire , J . W . ; Brigham , as S . D . ; W . W . Wilde , J . D .-, W . Stephenson , Sec ; II . W . Johnston , Prov .

G . J . D ., and a large number of brethren . After the usual business of the lodge had been transacted , a vote of congratulation was unanimously passed to the I . P . M . of the lodge , Bro . Captain C . H . Garnett , on his recent appointment to the office of Prov . G . S . W . of West Lancashire . A handsome chased hall-marked silver square and compasses was presented to the lodge by Bro .

H . Longman , P . M ., to whom the thanks of the lodge were given . The W . M . then called upon Dr . Moore to deliver a lecture , as announced , "On the duties and privileges of the Master ' s Chair , " which was listened to with great attention by the brethren , and a hearty vote of thanks awarded to the lecturer on its close . PUTNEY . —Royal Commemoration Lodge

( No . 1585 . )—A meeting of this lodge was held on Wednesday the 3 rd inst ., at the Star and Garter Hotel . Amongst the officers and brethren present were the following : —Bros . J . W . Robinson , W . M . ; J . Wri ght , I . P . M . ; H . Smith , P . M ., Sec . ; G . Stacey , P . M ., Org . ; W . T . Morphew , S . W . ; F . J . Holland , S . D . ; A . Boehr , J . D . ; T . Collings , I . G . ; and S . Steed , Tyler . The brethren

were Bros . J . W . Holland , L . Eykn , S . Pardoe , J . Howe , F . Forss , VV . Maddox , H . J . Carter , E . Goodman , R . S . Russell , J . Harrison , A . B . Weston , E . Stokes , and G . Cook . The following were visitors : —Bros . R . T . Whitley , P . P . G . A . D . C . Middx . ; W . D . May , P . M . 1638 ; J . Fcatherstone , 1656 ; W . Allan , 1158 ; S . Fane , 1158 ; J . Hoey , P . M . 316 ; R . T . Sumner , 1360 ; and A . A .

Denham , 1044 . The minutes of the last meeting having been duly confirmed , Bros . Carter , Maddox , Goodman , and Fcrss were ably passed to the degree of Fellow Craft , the I . P . M ., Bro . J . Wright , bting in the chair . Thc W . M . having now taken thc chair , invested Bro . F . Holland as J . W ., the Junior Warden appointed at the last meeting having removed to an inconvenient distance from thc

lodge . The W . M ., in an eulogistic speech , proposed Bro . R . T . Whitley , P . P . G . A . D . C . Middlesex , as a joining member ; Bro . Past Master Wright seconded , and the ballot proved unanimous . Bro . H . Smith , Sec , read a letter sent to the W . M . from Bro . Slinn , of the Star and Garter Hotel ( where the lodge is now held ) , stating that he found the business of thc lodge clashed with his own

and therefore he wished the brethren to change their place of meeting as soon as possible . At the same time he wished thc lodge every success and prosperity . The W . M . said he only received that letter after the summons had been issued for convening the present meeting . Of course the brethren did not wish to burden Bro . Slinn by interfering with his own business by having the meetings at his

house , but he ( the W . M . ) would say that £ 150 , in round numbers , had been spent at Bro . Slinn ' s hotel during the last seven times the lodge had met . ( Hear , hear . ) He should propose that a committee be formed to consider at what hotel the lodge should be held . Bro . J . Rowe thought there would be a difficulty in finding a suitable place in Putney . There were several houses convenient for

holding inquests ( laughter ) , but none suitable for a Masonic rendezvous . Bro . H . Smith , Sec , said he had seen Bro . Slinn that afternoon , and he said he had no wish to hasten the brethren , and was not willing to hurry them away . A committee was then formed to consider the question . Mr . W . Smith , of Upper Norwood , was proposed by Bro . Breach , and seconded by Bro . Past Master Wright , and Mr . W . Court , was also proposed by

Bra . Hamsan ., seconded by Bro . Maddox . The brethren afterwards adjourned to the Half Moon Hotel , where an excellent banquet was served by Bro . E . Stokes . The usual toasts were proposed by the W . M ., and received with Masonic honours . That of " The Visitors " was replied to by Bros . Past Masters W . D . May , Whitley , Hoey , and Bros . J . Featherstone , W . Allan , S . Fane , R . T . Sumner , and A . A . Denham . A very pleasant evening was spent .

The Freemasons' Tavern Company have disposed of their interest in the tavern to Mr . Best , of the Horse Shoe Restaurant , who is effecting considerable improvements in the property . Messrs . Oetzmann and Co . announced an

extensive sale for Monday and Tuesday next , the 15 th and 1 Oth inst ., of Flannels , Calicoes , Serges , & c , under specially advantageous circumstances , and much below the usual prices . These occasional sales are never announced without thc goods offered are much under the usual price .

The Moons Of Mars.

THE MOONS OF MARS .

Our readers have often heard of the " new moon , " and seen what is called the " new moon ; but now we have a veritable new moon , although as old as the creation of our solar system ; but in consequence of its great distance the insufficiency of telescopic power , and unbelief in Dr ' Bedford ' s prediction , these " new moons " have not been discovered till now .

Up to this time thc planet Mars was considered to have no moon , but on August 16 th last , Professor Hall , of the Washington Observatory , U . S . A ., observed what he took to be a small star following Mars , and made an estimate of its distance ; two hours afterward—that is about one on Friday morning—he was surprised to find that the star was still following thc planet , and accordingly he made 1

careful series of measures , and found the supposed " star " to be eighty seconds of arc from Mars . On Friday ulc notes were submitted to Professor Newcomb , who was so confident as to the character of thc object that he congratulatcd Professor Hall , and calculating roughly the time of revolution at thirty two hours predicted that if the satellite was not seen the same evening ( August 17 ) , it would iJC

behind thc ylanct , and would appear on thc following morning . The prediction was correct , for about one o'clock in the morning the satellite appeared with a suspected companion . The discovery was then officially reported to Admiral Rogers , the superintendent , and on the following evening , the 18 th , several astronomers were present to verify the observation , and thc second satellite was seen ,

but not with sufficient certainty to determine its period of revolution . Thc first satellite ( for wc know there arc two now ) was discovered at 11 . 42 p . m . on August 16 as a faint object resembling a star of the 13 . 14 magnitude , but it had been previously observed by Prof . Hall on Aug . n Thc Americans are justly very proud of this discovery ,, and our country may justly claim a share of the honour ,

for Bro . Dr . Bedford , the founder of thc " Bcdfordiau system of Astronomy , " has been urging upon astronomers who posses powerful telescopes , for the last twenty-three years , to look for these satellites in thc following words ( copied from page 13 of his "New Theories of the Universe , " published in 1 S 54 , bearing date Oct . 17 ); "Thc earth having a satellite , and its mass when projected from the

sun being less nuid than Mars , and yet capable of projecting her moon , I am confident that such appendage will also be found to Mars ; in fact , I should not be surprised if Venus and Mercury completed thc uniformity throughout our system of primaries and satellites , although their satellites would be very small . " The author of these

theories also predicted the discovery o [ comctic systemscomets revolving around comets years before any telescope discovered them ; and among other slartlimr announcements , asserted that our world in its infancy was a comet , and that our solar system was originally a cometic system ; and this is now acknowledged by Mr . Lockytr and other eminent astronomers .

Friars V. Freemasons.

FRIARS V . FREEMASONS .

There lately appeared in the Civilta Catiolica a profession of the principles of Freemasonry , in the form of a creed asserted to have been revealed by a penitent Freemason on his deathbed . It consists of twelve Articles , all the shameful particulars of which , however , may be said to be comprehended in thc two last : —

" 11 . Possumus omnia farccre qua ; volumus absque leu ctiam culpa . " " 12 . Ergo semper liberi sumus . " If the liberty to commit every possible crime at pleasure is what constitutes the freedom of Freemasonry , what a horrible state of immorality and impiety Freemasonry must be , and what miscreants in theory , if not in practice , arc

all Freemasons ! Freemasonry , at that rale , may well call itself a craft—the worst of all thc crafts and snares of the Enemy . Holy Chinch is quite right in coiulemning it , and her Popes and her prelates cannot but choose to declare any and everyone of her sons connected with it a heretic , and do , or would do , well to excommunicated him with bell , book , and candle . Of course , Cardina

Manning could not possibly suffer the Marquis of Ripon to retain the chair wherein his successor is the Prince of Wales . If , that is—much virtue in an " if "—if the creed above quoted from thc Civilta Catiolica is a bona fide belief ; and , if again , it is not a solecism to call fides

in connection with such a belief bona . But is that Belief genuine ? and , if not , is it a hoax on the Civilta Catiolica ! or is that Journal a comic clerical paper , capable of rather unscrupulous satire ? or are its conductors enthusiasts who . on behalf of their religion , don't mind bearing false witness against their neighbours . —Punch .

Reports of the following , received too late for the present publication , will appear in our next : —Royal Cumberland Lodge , 41 ; St . Luke ' s Lodge , 144 ; Etonian Lodge , 209 ; St . Cybi Lodge , 597 ; Amherst Lodge , 1223 ; Kennington Lodge , 1381 ; Carnarvon Lodge , I 57 '

Jerusalem Chapter , 185 . We are desired to state that the meetings of the Constitutional Lodge of Instruction , No . 55 , will in future be held at the Bedford Hotel , Southampton Buildings , Holborn , on Tuesday evenings , at 7 o ' clock .

A pigeon proprietor , has , it is said , been charged in one of the French frontier towns with having systematically evaded the duty on imported tobacco by flying them across the boundary each with a packet of the article tied to its body . Bro . William Malthouse , Liveryman of the Butchers' Company ( Lodge 1623 ) offers himself to the electors of the Ward of Farringdon Without , as a representative of that ward , in the room of the late Mr . Howell .