Unveiling The Reredos In Gloucester Cathedral.

that all our actions should be guided by thc strict rules of rectitude . The compass teaches that as by its means we describe a circle which is confined within tiie boundary of its circumference , so we should at all time keep our desires within due bounds . " Both the square

and the compass are also emblematical of thc sciences and the useful arts . The moon represents the Mason receiving his'li ght from above ; and as the moon is sometimes eclipsed , but regains her former brilliancy after a while , the Mason is reminded thereby when through

accident or infirmity of nature he has fallen from his moral rectitude , to return to the path of light . In the initial R of the next word is another design , the letter enclosing a representation of the mallet , chisel , and p lumb , resting on an unhewn block of stone , by . the side of whit h lies a rule . " The

rule directs that we should punctually observe our duty , press forward in the path of virtue , and incline neither to the ri ght nor to the left . The p lumb line tefohes moral rectitude , to avoid dissimulation in conversation aud action , and to direct our steps in the path which leads to

immortality . The cJustl demonstrates the advantages of disci p line and education . The mind , like the diamond in its ori ginal state , is unpolished ; but as the etiects oi the chisel on the external surface of the stone present to view the latent beauties oi the diamond , so education

discovers the latent beauties of the mind , and draws them forth to range the wide field of matter and space . The plumb admonishes us to walk upright in our station , and to hold the scales of justice in equal poise . The mallet teaches us to lop off excresences and to correct irregularities . What the mallet is to the operative . Mason ,

enlightened reason is to the passions of the speculative mason ; it cuihs ambition , represses envv , moderates anger , and encourages good dispositions . " Then follows a list ofthe subscribers to the work , under the heads of the respective lodges to which they now belong , or have previously belonged , with the addition of some few non-members who have been subscribers to

the work . Precedence in the list Is given to the Koyal Union Lodge , No . 246 , Cheltenham , as being the oldest lodge established in the Province . Foundation Lodge , No . 82 , Cheltenham , which conies next in order , is an older lodge in point of establishment , but was brought up from

Berkshire . Then follow Koyal Faith and Friendshi p Lodge , No . 270 , Berkeley , where the Ri ght Hon . Lord Fit / . hardingc heads the list . Next come the Koyal Lebanon Lodge , No . 493 , Gloucester ; Cotteswold Lodge , No . 792 , Cirencester , which embraces the names of ihe Ri ght Hon . Lord Sherborne , the Provincial ( irand

Master , and Sir M . E . Hicks-Beach , Ban ., M . I ' . ; Sherborne Lodge , No . 702 , Stroud ; St . John ' s Lodge , No . 761 , Dursley ; the Royal Gloucestershire Lodge , No . 8 , 39 , Gloucester , which has the largest number of subscribers , and the largest amount ; Lodge of Sympathy , No . S 3 3 ,

Wuuttonunder-Edge ; St . Georges Lodge , No . 90 c Tewkesbury ; Prince of Wales Lodge , No . 951 Stow-on-the Wold ; Zetland Lodge , No . 100 7 Newent ; Forest of Dean Lodge , No . 1007 Tynedale Lodge , No . 1 , 303 , Chi pping Sudbury A ribbon containing the name of the designer

Mr . J . Turner , brings the elegant volume to a close . The binding is ornamented with . Masonic emblems in gilt—a double square on the face , and square and compass at each corner , with a foliated border , and similar emblems 011 the back .

THE CERK . MONUAC . Great preparations had been made at the Cathedral and the vicinity for the opening ceremonial . The reredos was hidden from view by a white cloth , which was suspended b y cords from the triforiunis . When the unveiling took

p lace these were loosened , and ihe covering slowly de-c nded . In ordir lh . it as many o , the general put , I 1 : as possiide mi ght witness tin ceremony , aiian ^ eliii nts were- made ior thi occupation ol e \ , ry pan of the C . uhi dial , including the nave and irdoiiums , from which a view

could be obta ' mtd . Tickets for ihese latlei places were obtainable b y the general public oil application to the Provincial Grand Sicilian-, Mr . Tinder . Allhocgh all the best places were earl y occupied , there was space in the nave ior more spectators than were present . Tiie choir

Unveiling The Reredos In Gloucester Cathedral.

was reserved chiefly for those taking part in the service and procession . Outside the Cathedral , ropes were stretched round portions of the Col lege-green to preserve space I ' or those entering b y the south porch and west door . A large bod ; ' of persons assembled , notwithstanding the

rain which was falling , and had a good view of the procession as it wound round -from the College Gardens into thc western entrance . Most of the windows in the vicinit y commanding a view were also occupied by interested spectators . Thc bells of the Cathedral and St .

Michael s gave early intimation of a day of rejoicing , and rang merry peals at intervals during the day . Besides the > : mnerous Freemasons coming from different parts of Gloucestershire , and from distant counties , many strangers were attracted to the cit y , which presented a scene of

bustle and excitement , in which the gay dresses of a large nun-her oi ladies were conspicuous , reminding us of the times when the . city is enfvle at the Musical Festivals , l . ' iiforttina ' ti-ly the weather was not so fine as it had been honed

and expected it would be . Tlie morning broke , dull , and threatening clouds hung about . S 001 afler midday rain began to fall , and though no : heavy , it continued at intervals until after tin . procession had entered thc Cathi . drill at half-pas ! three o ' clock .

The day ' s proceedings , as far as the Freemasons were concerned , were initiated by tin . holding of a Provincial Grand Lodge , at the Bel ' Hotel , at twelve o ' clock , by the RAV . the Provincial Grand Alaster , Lord Shtrbone . Provincial ( irand Officers were directed to wear

their provincial grand clothing ; other brethren Craft clothing , the oflicers Past . Masters and P . M . ' s wearing their collars and jewels . The Chapter Room aud North Cloister were the place in which the brethren were directed to •assemble prior to the starting ,, f t ) K . procession ,

the time fixed for which was three o ' clock . It was arranged that the Mayor aud corporation should head the procession , proceeding round the Cathedral Gardens , and Collige Green , and entering the Cathedral at the west door . Here the Provincial Grand Alaster was to be met by the Lord Bishop , the Dean wilh the canons ,

clergy , lay clerks , and choristers preceding him with their choir , followed by the Provincial Grand Oflicers , the members ofthe lodge's of the province , following in inverted order , according to their seniority . Soon after three o ' clock the procession left the north cloister , and arrived at the west door in the following order : —•

'J . ' wo Prov . Grand Officers with wands . The Mayor and Corporation , preceded by the Mace Bearers and Cap of . Maintenance . Brethren not Prov . ( irand Ollicers nor members of any Lodge in ihe Province . Members of 1 . odges of the Province in the

following oruer : —• Tvndall Lodge , Chipping Sudbury , 1 . 30 " . ; . Forest of Dean Lodge , Coleford , 1067 . Zetland Lodge , Newent , 100 . 3 . Prince of AVales Lodge , Siow-on-lhe-Wold , 931 . St . George ' s Lodge . Tewkesbury , 900 .

lodge of Sympathy , AVoUon-imdcr-Edge , 8 33 . Royal Gloucestershire Lodge , Gloucester , S 39 . St . John ' s Lodge , Dur . s ' cy , " ;^ . Sherborne Lodge , Stroud , 702 . Cotteswold Lodge , Cirencester , 392 . Royal Lebanon Lod ge , G'Joucv st ' er , 49 . 3 .

Faith and Friendshi p Lodge , Berkeley , 270 . Foundation Lodge , Cheltenham , 82 . Royal (' iu ' on Lodge , Cheltenham , 246 . PROV INCI vi . GKANI > LODOI ; : Bro . G . Ronnie Powell . Prov . G . Purst . Past Prov . G . Pursts . of all Lodges . Bro . G . Woodward , Prov . G . Orsr .

Past Prov . G . Sword Bearers . Past Prov . G . Directors of Cers . Past Prov . ( irand Superintendents of Works . Bro . Rcdf ' .-ni , Piot . ( , ' . . Supt . of Works . Past Prov . ( i . Deae ,, s . Bro , E . T ' rindi r , Prov . G . Sec . Past Prov . <; . K , ee ' r . os .

Bro , W . G . iisln . ii , p , y . (; . Rrg . Bro . T . G . Palm , r , Prov . G . Treas . Sir Michael Hicks-Beach , Bart ., ( J . Partridge , and 01 hers Past Prov , G . Wardens . \ isiiors oi distinction , including | Prov , G . Ollicers of other Provinces . '

Unveiling The Reredos In Gloucester Cathedral.

Bro . J . E . Dorington ( senior ) and Bro . IT . Jeffs ( junior ) Prov . G . AVardens . Bro . AV . AVarren , Junior G . Deacon . Bro . Rev . C . R . Davy , Prov . G . Chap . Bro . Newmarch . the Den . Prov . G . Alaster .

Prov . G . Sword Bearer . Tho Ri ght AVorshi pful the Prov . Grand Master Lord Sherborne . Bro . S . Green , the Senior G . Deacon . Bro . Wi ggins , Prov . G . Tyler .

Owing to a slight hitch in the arrangements a little delay occurred in the reception of the procession , tho first part which made a sli g ht halt in the nave for the clergy , v \; c ., to pass them , and then continued their advance into the choir , and look up the places allotted to them , a voluntary being played by Dr . Wesley . The Bishop , wearinir his full scarlet canonicals and doctor ' s

hood , ami accompanied by his chaplains , took his place in the procession , with the Dean , canons , lay clerks , and choristers , the Grand Master , etc ., following , and as they moved forward the choir commenced singing the wellknown hymn " The Church ' s one foundation "

to Dr . AVesley ' s Anrclia . Two lines of the hymn were sung without the organ accompaniment-, but at third line , commencing— " She is His new Creation , " with some of the softer stops Dr . Wesley joined in wilh the organ , judiciousl y increasing the [ lower as the procession advan

Cv'd . l'he sight presented by the procession , as it Jiled along the Cathedral , was striking and and p icturesque . The li ght blue clothing of the first part of the procession contrasted with the darker blue and purple of ihe hitler portion , comprising the hi g her dignalaries of the Order ,

j with their ric ' ner and more diversified colours ! and g littering jewels , ; :.. ' scarlet uniform of some 1 ol the brethren who were militia oflicers , giving j additional \ aiicty to tl ; -colour ofthe line . 'The hymn was concluded 1-y the time that all had taken up their allotted places in the chancel . All

{ eyes were now diree . d towards the reredos . j The Provincial ( irand . Master , approaching the altar , gave the signal b y a wave of the hand , and ; the curiam concealing the reredos was graduall y I lowered . The Grand Master then formally made

the presentation ol the reredos to the ecclesiastical dignitari ' . ie . s , who had taken their places at the altar , the Dean acknowled ging the gift by a J slight inclination of the head , first to the ( irand -Master and then to the brethren . The Lord Bishop then proceeded to his throne , and the other

dignilanes 10 ihe places assigned them . The choir then sang the " I lallelujah Chorus . " This magnificent and ever welcome chorus , so full of graceful harmonies , combined with freshness aud beaut ) - was exceedingly well rendered . The prolonged notes on llie words " Kin" of kind's

and Lord of lords , " ranging from lower A to upper G , were remarkably well sustained in the treble by the chorister boys , and by the line "filling up " ofthe other parts , produced a grand and impressive edict . The scene presented by

the congregation was novel and striking . Near the altar were the brethren who were not Pro-| vincial Grand ( liiiccrs , wearing their blue and silver collars and aprons , : the Mayor , in his scarlet robes , faced Ihe Bishop , also wearing his of a similar hue ; next Lo the former came the

black gowns : > i the other members of Ihe corporation , and further on , the while robes of the lay clerks and choristers , aud below these the chiefs of the AIasonic order of thc Province in purple and gold collars , aprons , gauntlets , and jewels , Lord Sherborne , the Provincial

Grand Master , being distinguished b y a gold collar . Opposite to him was P . P . G . W .. Sir Michael Hicks-Beach . Near to him , with his black gown and cjimsou hood , sat the Past ( irand Chaplain of England , the Rev . C . R . Davy , with purple and gold collar , jrauntlets . and

jewels , and the Deputy Provincial Grand Master , liroiher Newmarch , and numerous other oflicers . The bri ghter coloured dresses of the lad y portion of the congregation were doited about , the whole overlooked by another congregation in the

' ' , < trilorliiins , gazing with interest en the sceiu below . Through the open door of the chamber could be seen a third congregation , in a vista of pillars , the nave , diminishing like a picture in the distance" With rich reilection of the storied glass , "