The Life-Boat , Or Journal Of The National Life-Boat Institution.

THE LIFE-BOAT , JOURNAL OF THE NATIONAL LIFE-BOAT INSTITUTION .

This excellent journal is issued quarterly , and gives full particulars of services rendered during the past quarter by the numerous

lifeboats that are stationed on the coasts of England .. It contains the " Final Report of the Royal Commission on Unseaworthy Ships , " "The Duke of Edinburgh on Merchant Seamen , " " The Life-Boat Stations of the United Kingdom , " and many other articles of great interest .

We commend the perusal of this journal to all readers , feeling assured that they will be highly interested . This being the organ of the Royal National Life-boat Institution should excite the warmest sympathies of all , on behalf of those

who are labouring on the seas . In the present age it is happily regarded as one of the most important duties to provide as far as possible for the safety of the sea-faring traveller , in planting life-boats on the coast for his succour in the hour

of distress . Yet it is only within the memo ry of living men that any real and practical attempts were made to establish them , and to carry out those attempts , the promoters must be assisted in so doing , for their exertions are unceasing and

noble in the extreme . We find that during the first six monts of 18 73 , the number of lives saved from the 1206 ships that met with casualties on our shores was 2 , 301 , and for the purpose of saving life from shipwreck there were in

1873 , on the coasts of the United Kingdom , 263 life-boats ; of these 233 belonged to the National Life-boat Instition , every one of which had been presented to it by some benefactor or another , and every one of which is maintained

by the voluntary support of the public . On that support the Institution absolutely relies , and on that support , its existence and perpetuity are

dependant . AVe trust this noble institution will be continued with ever-increasing efficiency , and with greater success , and that each year will bring it more universal sympathy .

'Tis OUR DUTY TO HELP ONE ANOTHER . A New Masonic Song . AA ords and Music by Bro . James Batchelder . London : Bro . George Kenning , 198 , Fleet-street , E . C . Price 3 s-

This new Masonic song is respectfully dedicated by permission to Lieut-Col . Le Gendre N . Starkie , Ri ght AA ^ orship ful Provincial Grand Master of East Lancashire . AVe hail with pleasure this new Masonic song ,

and congratulate our Bro . Bachelder on his success as a composer , who , we should say , occupies a prominent position in the Masonic world . The words , as well as the music are

original , and full of masterly genius , and are of that character that all Masonic brethren will be delighted with . The following verse will serve to indicate the character of this sublime poem :

'Tis our duty to help one another , This sentiment some may deride , Yet Dame Fortune ' s so very uncertain , That none can tell what may betide , Tho' all may seem sunshine to-day ,

Fair weather we know cannot last ; So a friendly lift give when we can , To those by adversity o ' ercast .

Chorus . Let us offer a hand to a brother , Whene ' er we meet one in distress , For a kind feeling one to each other , Will make the world's troubles seem less .

On the whole , we consider this poem a valuable contribution to Masonic music , and heartily commend it to all brethren , for we are sure they will highly appreciate the beauties of the

language in which it is written . Again , we recommend our readers to procure copies and judge for themselves , and we conclude our review by wishing success to Bro . Bachelder in his musical enterprises .

Prov. Grand Lodge Of Middlesex, And Consecration Of The Francis Burdett Lodge, No. 1503.

PROV . GRAND LODGE OF MIDDLESEX , AND CONSECRATION OF THE FRANCIS BURDETT LODGE , No . 1503 .

The Provincial Grand Lodge of Middlesex , and Consecration of the Francis Burdett Lodge , No . 1503 , took place at the King ' s Arms , Hamptonhill , on Thursday , Nov . 5 th . The Prov . Grand Lodge was opened in ancient form at half-past two

o ' clock , by Bro . Col . Francis Burdett , Prov . Grand Master of Middlesex , and in the presence of Bros . J . C . Parkinson , D . P . G . M . ; Col . Wigginton , P . M ., P . P . G . D . C , Worcestershire ; \ V . F . Laxton , P . G . S . D ., Norfolk ; C . Horsley , P . P . G . R . ; H . G . Buss , P . G . Treas . ; R . AV . Little , P . G . Sec . ; J .

Lingell , P . G . D . C . ; H . A . Dubois , Ass . G . D . C . ; John Hervey , Grand Sec . of England ; G . E . Hemming , P . G . D . M ; Rev . R . J . Simpson , M . A ., Past Grand Chaplain ; Geo . Kenning , P . G . D . ; J .

G . Marsh , P . P . G . Pursuivant ; N . Brigg , P . P . G . Purs . ; Joseph Tanner , P . P . S . G . D . ; J . H . AVigg , P . P . G . R . ; W . H . Green , P . G . D . C . ; AV . Hammond , Prov . G . S . ; John Bowny , G . S . In addition to the above-mentioned names we noticed : Bros . J . Sharp , P . G . S . ; H . Phythian , P . G . S .,

W . M ., 1293 ; John Boyd , P . G . P . ; R . Limpus , P . G . O ., W . M ., 1 309 ; E . Hopwood , P . M ., 141 ; B . W . Mallin , W . M ., 382 ; S . Larcombe , P . M ., 188 ; T . Tony ; P . M ., 889 ; VV . J . Woodman , P . M ., 1298 ; G . AV . Dixon , W . M ., 209 ; T . W . White , P . M ., P . G ., Steward of England , etc . ; J . AVilliams

( Freemason ) , and many others , numbering near eighty . It will also be interesting to note that Bros . Dorabjee Pestonjee Cama , W . M ., 1159 ; Navroji Pestanji Cama , and Bro . Hiiry-Chund Christamon , three Parsee brethren , were present .

After the reading of a portion of Scripture by Bro . the Rev . R . J . Simpson , M . A ., Past Grand Chaplain , the Provincial Grand Master was saluted according to ancient custom . After the usual routine of business was gone through , the Provincial Grand Lodge was closed . A procession

was then formed , juniors first , and proceeded to the church , where , to a crowded congregation , Bro . the Rev . R . J . Simpson , M . A ., P . G . C , preached an excellent sermon from the Gospel of St . John , 9 th Chap .. 4 th and 5 th verses : " I must work the works of Him that sent me while it is day : I am

the light of the world . " In the opening remarks our Rev . Brother said : — Brethren , I deeply regret that he who was to address you to-day ( referring to AV . Bro . Canon Collis , D . D ., the Provincial Grand Chaplain ) , has been unable to do so , owing to his suffering from

indisposition . Hence I am called upon to take his place , and it is with great pleasure that I would affectionately ask you to think over those beautiful words I have now quoted , words that fell from the lips of the greatest philosopher this world has ever seen or heard of ; whose philosophy at once rational

and divine has blest that world for 18 centuries , and shall continue so to do to the end of time . I am glad that we have been permitted through the A'icar lo assemble here to-day in God ' s House of Prayer , for I feel we are thus carrying out the idea of that beautiful Prayer so familiar to Masonic ears ,

" Let us invoke the assistance of the Great Architect of the Universe in all our undertakings . " I do rejoice we have thus met together to-day , for we cannot but think these occasions help us to throw off those heavy weights that tend to drag us down to earth again . AVhcnever we can meet together

in God's House to contemplate the goodness of God , to hymn the praises of redeeming love , and to look to the great objects of our being , it must be a holy and profitable exercise . The world , as we know , presents many a pleasure , many a temptation , many a snare to lure our hearts

from such holy exercises—and even in our religion , as in other things—to drive us into one of two extremes . Hence we hear so much of party spirit and party names ; hence the contest about faith and works , some contending that a man can be saved by faith only , some by works only . How happy to

turn from these earth-born views to the Author and Finisher of the faith , who , while He proclaimed Himself " the Light of the AVorld , " and likewise , and in the same breath , declared " I must work the works of Him that sent me . " By that light shall we walk—in that light can we work , the great light we have ever looked up to from our earliest days ,

not only to lighten the path oflife , but to enable us to pass safely through the valley of death . He is the bright and morning star . Amidst all the controversies of men may He ever guide us . As our ever blessed Lord directs us and has given us an example , so must wc work the works of Him that sent us . Many are the works to which wc arc called in common as men and Masons—to cultivate

brotherly love , to afford relief , to proclaim the truth , to visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction , to support the feebleness of age , and to train up the young in the paths of virtue and science . These are some of the blessed works of Him that sent us

Prov. Grand Lodge Of Middlesex, And Consecration Of The Francis Burdett Lodge, No. 1503.

here . And if we fail as men , as Masons , or as Christians , let us not blame our nature , our order , or our Church , but ourselves . Ah , my brethren , we know well how apt we are in this world to throw blame on any shoulders but our own . It is too often the fact , as in other cases , so in

religion , we blame this or that form , system , or ritual , and even find fault with the Holy Scriptures themselves ; but depend upon it , if we sin against the the truth , it is not for want of light . Thelight of Christianity , the light of Masonry is given us to guide our feet aright in purity , in temperance , in

truth , and if we are not in the right path in these respects , it is not so much the fault of the system , but the fault of the man . There is the great light , —do we follow it as often as we should ; often my brethren we extinguish the glorious light . Each one of us has a work to do , an appointed work

from Him who spoke these words . Before He passed away , His words were , " I have finished the work that Thou gavest me to do . " Brethren , we have each a work to do in our hearts , in the world , in the Church , in the family , in the business of life ; whatever be our occupation , we have a work to do .

God looks upon us individually as well as collectively , and when in that same light everything shall be made manifest at the last day , the question will not be who was the greatest man amongst us , who held the highest office , or who was rich , or who poor ; but it will be , " How did you do with the

work given you to do , in that state of life to which it has pleased me call you . " Brethren , it is not for us tolaydown the position oflife in which God places us , but do our duty in the light of God's law , and of that volume of the sacred law we Masons are taught to revere and love ; it is only those who do

evil that hate the light " Let their be light , " was proclaimed at Creation ' s birth . He who came to lighten the world and create it anew again , proclaimed " I am the light of the AVorld . " His blessed words let us live amidst all the controversies and devices of men , and turn to them with implicit trust

for they arc spirit and they are life , and in that AVorld which has no sin , nor sorrow over death , there may we meet those whom we have loved here —the companions of our former toils . Then shall we meet Him whom our souls loveth , the man Christ Jesus , ready when our work is done , to hail us with

those blessed words " AVell done thou good and faithful servant , thou has been faithful over a few tilings , 1 will make thee ruler over many things ; enter thou into the joy of thy Lord . " A collection was made at the close on behalf of the Organ Fund .

Bro . Limpus ably presided at the organ , assisted by Bro . Honeymoon , S . W ., Dover Lodge . The brethren then returned to the lodge room where the consecration ceremony of the Francis Burdett Lodge , 1503 , was to be performed . The brethren mentioned above were present ,

including Col . AVigginton , P . M ., 902 and 1298 , and P . P . G . D . C , Worcestershire , W . M . Designate ; Bro . AV . H . Saunder , S . W . Designate ; Bro . J . Tomlinson , J . AV . Designate . The brethren of the new lodge having been arranged on the right of the throne , and the visiting brethren placed on the other side of the room , the

chair was taken by W . Bro . J . R . W . Little . P . M . and P . G . Sec . ( the Grand Officer ) , nominated for that purpose by the R . W ., the P . G . M . of the Order , supported by Bro . Horsley , acting as J . W , ; Bro . H . G . Buss , as S . AV . ; Bro . the Rev . R . J . Simpson , as Chaplafn ; Bro . Thomas AV . AVhite , as Director of Ceremonies ; Bro . John Hervey , as Secretary , and others .

The lodge was solemnly opened in the Three Degrees , by the Rev . R . J . Simpson offering up prayer , after which a solemn piece of music was played . The Presiding Officer then addressed the brethren on the nature of the meeting , and called on the V . W ., Bro . J . Hervey , Grand Secretary ,

to state the wishes of the brethren and the proceedings thay had taken with respect to the lodge . After so doing , and reading the petition and warrant for power to establish the new lodge , the presiding officer inquired of the brethren if they approved of the officers named in the petition and warrant ? After they had signified their approval of the

same , Bro . the Rev . R . J . Simpson , M . A ., P . G . Chap ., delivered the oration . He said : Worshipful Sir and Brethren , —I feel sure you will excuse me if my oration will not take over five minutes , and am sure you will excuse me , for the time is too far advanced for me to give you a lengthy oration . I trust ,

brethren , that God will bless our assembling here to-day , and this lodge that is about to be consecrated to His service . I hold that we can do God service in any time or at any place in the right manner ; and Masons who profess such high glories as wc do , and not act up to them , is not carrying out our true principles . You all know the principles of our order ; they are the most practical , ( To be continued . )