Masonic Concert In Omagh.

MASONIC CONCERT IN OMAGH .

This successful concert was held on Wednesday , the 26 th ult ., and the hi gh anticipations of success which were entertained regarding it fell even short of the reality , for no more brilliant event has taken place there for many years past . The object which the brethren of the Lodge of St . John , No . 334 , Omagh , had

m view in organising the concert—the assistance of the funds of those noble institutions , the Masonic Orphan Schools—was in itself sufficient to ensure for the concert a splendid success , but , in addition to the excellence of the object , and the influence of the organising lodge , the brethren were fortunate enough to secure

the distinguished presence of Bro . the Duke of Abercorn , the Grand Master of Ireland ( who , with the Duchess and Bro . Lord Frederic Hamilton , was accorded a very hearty reception ) , and of the principal officers of the province . The criticism may safely be ventured that only on

the rarest of occasions , if indeed on any , has the Royal Assembly Hall presented a finer appearance than it did on the night of the 26 th ult . ; its spacious dimensions were thronged to the doors with a fashionable audience , gathered from the surrounding districts for many miles around , and the platform capacity taxed to the utmost

by the chief officers supporting the Grand Master in the chair . In front of the chair were the emblems of the Craft . The effect was hei ghtened by the splendour of the decorations , which were carried out in accordance with true Masonic principles . At the rear of the platform the Royal Arch was typified , while above the

range of choice exotics which fringed the platform , taking the place of footli g hts , were the colours and emblems of the Bine Order . Military bayonets formed into stars bri ghtened the walls at intervals , appearing between festoons and trophies of flags . The decorations , which were a source of admiration during the

evening , and the arrangements were carried out by Bros . R . A . Miller , W . M ., R . M . Nelson , Sec , Williams , and Mullin , of 334 . The arrival of the Duke of Abercorn was heralded by bugle . The Grand Master was received by the officers of Lodge 334 , and was conducted to the Grand

Master s chair amid a very imposing Masonic ceremony . The Knight Templars , wearing their rich white cloaks and their insignia , and carrying drawn swords , formed , by special permission , an arch of steel at the steps leading to the platform . Blue Masons passed

along the avenue thus formed , and filed off ri ght and left . The W . M . ' s , Royal Arch Masons , and Prov . Grand Officers following , walked to the platform , preceding the Duke of Abercorn , who was followed by two Deacons with wands .

The brethren having reached their positions , at the call of Bro . Col . Irvine , Deputy Prov . Grand Master , the Grand Master was saluted in correct Masonic style . The concert then proceeded , opening with " God bless the Prince of Wales , " sung as a Masonic ode by

Mr . D . Austin , the audience joining in the refrain . Mr . Austin ' s artistic singing of the loyal air gave his hearers a foretaste of the pleasure which was in store for them when , with refined taste , he sang " The snowy-breasted pearl , " and , later in the evening , " Eternal rest . " Mrs . Ford sang her songs very

pleasingly , her soprano displaying qualities of freshness and tune . Mrs . Mees also displayed the result of culture and the possession of taste . Miss Mullen entranced the audience with two pianoforte solos , and Mrs . Standish Rowley imparted to Piccolomini ' s recent success , " Ora Pro Nobis , " the requisite amount of

devotional feeling and expression . " The lost chord , " sung by the same lady , was one of the features of the concert . An acceptable item was " Forget , forgive , " contributed by Bro . E . T . Herdman , Hi gh Sheriff , the Misses Herdman supplying artistic violin obligate and pianoforte accompaniment . Bro . Major Irvine sings

a good song capitally , and was loudly applauded for his rendering of " Out on the deep . " Mrs . Irvine and he also sang tastefully a pretty duet , " See , the land appears in sight . " Mrs . Irvine ' s voice is one of extreme sweetness . Miss Milligan ' s finished rendering of " La Favorita" was rewarded by warm applause . A

charming effect was gained by the singing of Mrs . Coote and Mrs . Rowley in the duet " 'Twas ever thus , " Bro . Lord Frederic Hamilton ' s name was on the programme for two items . A bad cold , however , compelled the omission of one of these , and the popular young nobleman , who was cheered on rising , gave a

very clever musical sketch descriptive of a village concert in aid of a home for superannuated bicyclists , accompanying himself on the pianoforte . Lord Frederic furnished very amusing imitations of various vocal items of what was evidently a remarkable programme . He also imitated violoncello and piano duet , fife and drum band , & c , with the result that the

audience was kept in roars of laughter . Lord Frederic ' s versatility was again seen in an encore which was demanded , and which consisted of a novel description of a funeral march . Pianoforte selections were brilliantl y contributed b y Miss Milligan and Miss Pitt , and Major and Master Irvine played , in perfect time and tune , a violin duet . The concert concluded with the National Anthem .

The Kni ght Templars present were Sir Knights Major Henry Irvine , P . S . G . D . ; Wm . Purdon , P . J . G . D . ; John Mooney , P . P . S . G . W . ; S . Hepburn , P . M . ; A . Anderson , P . G . D . of C . ; Major Rowley Miller , P . M . ; J . L . Carson , P . M . ; Wm . Gait , P . M . ; Wm . Teele , P . G . S . ; Dr . R . J . Roulstone , P . M . ; and others . The Prince Masons present were Bros . Capt .

Masonic Concert In Omagh.

Hugh H . Stewart , P . P . S . G . W .: Rev . J . M . Moutray , P . G . C ; Obadiah Ternan , P . G . S . ; Wm . F . Jones , P . P . J . G . W . ; and others . The accompaniments were tastefully and skilfull y played by Miss Stewart , Miss Hamilton , and Bros . Taylor and J . W . Dry .

Bro . ] . G . R . Porter , by his generosity m connection with the concert , has placed the Masonic body in Ireland under a deep obligation , for not only did he grant the use of his magnificent hall free of charge , but he also provided for the brethren the American organ and pianoforte on which the accompaniments were

played . A special train leaving after the concert for Strabane and intermediate stations was largely patronised . A splendid supper was laid for the brethren who remained .

The schools will be substantially benefited by this effort , in which Bros . Rowley Miller , R . M . Nelson , Brothers Williams , and Mullin were enabled to lay the Craft in general under obligation to them for the noble and worthy motive of this completely successful concert .

Presentation To Bro. George Gardner, P.M., &C.

PRESENTATION TO BRO . GEORGE GARDNER , P . M ., & c .

On Saturday , the Sth inst ., at the Chiswick Lodge of Instruction , No . 2012 . held at the Windsor Castle , Hammersmith , W ., a numerous gathering of the members of this lodge assembled . Among the visitors were Bros . Rowe , W . M . ; J . Davis , W . M . ; Cummings ,

P . M . ; Becket , P . M . ; Spiegel , P . M . ; Wilcocks , P . M . ; and others . The ceremony of installation was ably rehearsed by Bro . Sims , P . M ., in the unavoidable absence of Bro . Stroud , P . M ., through an accident , after which Bro . Ayling , P . M ., Preceptor , occupied the chair , and

proceeded to present a testimonial , subscribed to by a few of the habitues of the lodge , to Bro . George Gardner , P . M ., Treasurer . In the course of his remarks , Bro . AYLING spoke of the services of Bro . Gardner , not only to that lodge of instruction , but in the cause of Freemasonry in general ,

particularly the Charities . Bro . Gardner was the founder of that lodge of instruction , and had been its Treasurer from the commencement , and both he and the lodge members hoped that he mi g ht long occupy the latter position in the discharge of the duties attached , in which he had hitherto given such'

satisfaction . They wished him success in all his undertakings , and that the mother lodge might still prosper and continue , under , his guidance as Secretary , to be looked upon as one of the first lodges in the London district . Honours had been given to Bro . Gardner by his being elected a member

of the Board of General Purposes , and by a lodge being named after him in the Province of Berks and Bucks , and he hoped there were more in store for him , as he was justly deserving of them . The credit was due to him for the success of that lodge , and , in the name of its members , he was glad to have the pleasure and

privilege of presenting to him a token of their esteem —those four silver candlesticks , and he trusted that when the tapers burnt in them he would be reminded of the light which had been diffused through him to so many both in the mother lodge and that lodge of instruction . There was also the following letter :

" March Sth , 1890 . " On this date the brethren of the Chiswick Lodge of Instruction , No . 2012 , presented Bro . George Gardner , P . M ., Treasurer , two pairs of candlesticks , as a recognition of his valuable services from its foundation as Treasurer , and also in congratulation to him on the

occasion of his marriage . "J OHN BROWN , "Hon . Sec . " Bro . GARDNER then rose and thanked the brethren , and in so doing gave a resume of the lodge from its foundation until now . He expressed the great

satisfaction he felt that his labours were crowned with success , and trusted that the Great Architect of the Universe would grant him health and strength to continue in work that he was fond of . He should not desert them ; on the contrary , the gift they had presented to bim would be an incentive to him to try and render

them services , which it was only his endeavour to do on any and every occasion in his power . In conclusion , he would say with Bro . A yling that when lights were burning in those candlesticks it would remind him that those lights of Freemasonry should be never dim again . He thanked them , and wished all sincere and fraternal happiness .

Memorial To The Late Bro. Nott, Of Devizes.

MEMORIAL TO THE LATE BRO . NOTT , OF DEVIZES .

A brass memorial plate has recently been erected to j the late Bro . Nott in St . John ' s Church , Devizes . The plate is a handsome one and artistically designed , having in its four corners emblems of the Craft , Royal Arch , Mark , and Royal Ark Mariner Degrees respectively . It has a tesselated border , which at the top forms an arch or canopy , ancl bears the following

inscription : " In loving memory of Bro . William Nott , P . M ., who died March nth , 188 9 , agec ' 54 years . He was 25 years a member and 17 years the Secretary of his lodge . By his devoted services in aid of the Benevolent Institutions , and also b y his public and private life , he constantly exhibited the Masonic virtues of Charity and Truth . Erected by the members ot the Wiltshire Lodge of Fidelity and other brethren . "

West Lancashire Masonic Ball.

WEST LANCASHIRE MASONIC BALL .

The final meeting of the members of the Masonic Hall Committee was held on the 2 Sth ult ., at the Masonic Hall , Hope-st ,, Liverpool , under the presidency of Bro . J . De Bels Adam , Chairman of the Committee . There was a very large attendance , and the announcement of the most satisfactory financial result of the pleasant annual festival held at the Town Hall in January last , in aid of the funds of the

West Lancashire Masonic Educational Institution , was received with enthusiasm . The Hon . Secretary , Bro . G . A . Harradon , read the report , from which it appeared that the sum realised for the Charity , after paying all expenses , amounted to £ 355 , which was the largest sum realised by any public Charity ball during the year . There were 59 S persons present at the ball , for which 6 3 6 tickets were sold .

The financial statement of the Hon . Treasurer , Bro . T . A . Withey , and the report of the Hon . Secretary were read , and passed by acclamation . It was resolved , in view of the liberality and valuable work of the Chairman of the Ball Committee , to constitute Mrs . Adam a Vice-Patroness of the West Lancashire Masonic Educational Institution . The following brethren , who have served the office of stewards ,

were successful , as the result of a ballot , in securing Life-Governorships : Bros . Bolas , Hewson , J . Wylie , Sandbrook , Lodge , Ramsay , Dr . Clark , T . | . Tarbuck , R . F . Gladstone , Stopford , Leggett , Pullord , Trevitt , Ingham , and Pellow . Cordial votes of thanks to the Chairman , Vice-Chairman , Hon . Secretary , and Hon . Treasurer brought the proceedings to a close .

Old And Full Of Honors.

OLD AND FULL OF HONORS .

124 ™ ANNUAL COMMUNICATION OF MT . VERNON LODGE , ALBANY , NEW YORK .

The 124 th annual communication of Mount Vernon Lodge , No . 3 , was held at the Masonic Temple recently . The annual reports of the Secretary , Bro . John Lomax , and Treasurer , Bro . John Fonda , show the lodge to be in a most flourishing condition , both financially and numerically , the present membership being 226 , and

the Treasurer holding a cash balance of $ 2 joo . The retiring Master , Bro . SOLOMON STRASSER , on relinquishing the gavel , after having so ably presided over the lodge for the past three years , delivered a most able , eloquent , and instructive address to the members . He referred to the progress of Masonry

throughout the world , especially to the great prosperity of Mount Vernon , " the silver-haired mother of lodges . " He then returned the gavel to the lodge , and bade them an affectionate farewell . A rising vote of thanks was then tendered to the retiring Master , and a copy of his able address was

ordered to be inserted in lull on the minutes . The Master then presented to the lodge , on behalf of the History Committee , a sketch of Mount Vernon Lodge , written by Bro . William James Hughan , Masonic historian of England , and printed in the Freemason , September 7 , 1889 . Several printed

copies of this sketch were forwarded by Bro . Hughan to Bro . Strasser . Bro . Hughan , in the sketch , gives a general synopsis of the history of Mount Vernon from the date of its first charter , 1737 , up to the date of its last charter , 1806 . " The history

of the old lodge ( Mount Vernon ) is one of the most curious I have met with , and deserves to be fully written and then printed in a separate volume for careful study and preservation . " The following poem , by Bro . James Webb , Chicago 111 ., was then read by the MASTER :

"To Worship ful Brother Strasser on the one hundred and twenty-fourth annual communication of Mount Vernon Lodge , No . 3 , F . and A . M ., Albany , N . Y ., December 16 th , A . L . 5889 . " " All hail to thee , Mount Vernon Lodge , Thy banner , azure blue ,

Floats proudly in the breeze above , A band of Craftsmen true . Thy ancient archives speak and tell Of brothers gone before , Of statesmen , heroes , glorious names That walked thy checkered floor .

Thy labours wrought and deeds of love May not on earth be told , The Master's hand engraves them all In letters bright as gold . And may thy sacred altar glow A thousand years at

least—A joy to pilgrims from the south , 'The north , the west , and east . Fraternally , J AMES WEBB , Chicago , HI . " A vote of thanks was tendered Bro . Wm . James Hughan , of England , an eminent Masonic scholar , author , and historian ; also to Bro . G . W . Speth , P . M .,

a distinguished Mason , and Secretary of Quatuor Coronati Lodge , No . 2076 , London , England ; also to Bro . James Webb , Chicago , 111 . The lodge then proceeded to the election of officers . Bro . Strasser was re-elected for the lourth time , and , in a pleasant and feeling speech , gracefully

acknowledged the compliment paid to him , and respectfully declined . The following were then elected : Bros . James Taylor , W . M . ; Theodore P . Bailey , S . W . ; John E . Frederick , J . W . ; John Lomax , Sec ; John Fonda , Treas . ; and N . C . Moak , Trustee . The Master-elect then announced his appointments ,

and the officers-elect and those appointed were then ' duly installed by Bro . William H . Schoemaker , P . M ., acting Grand Master , assisted by Bro . Solomon Strasser , acting as Gr . md Marshal . Trustees , Committee on History , Finance Committee , and Committee on Lectures were also elected . I —American Paper .