Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution.

ROYAL MASONIC BENEVOLENT INSTITUTION .

The regular meeting of the Committee of Management was held at Freemasons' Hall , on Wednesday , the Sth inst . Bro . Thomas Cubitt , P . G . P ., presided , and there were present Bros . C . A . Cottebrune , P . G . P ., John Bulmer , Fred . Mead , P . G . S . B ., Henry Cox , Chas . Daniel , James Brett , P . G . P ., Alex . Mullord , J . Boulton ,

J . Newton , C . J . Perceval , W . Smith , Thos . G . Bullen , G . Std . Br ., W . H . Hubbort , L . C . Haslip , C . Kempton , E . H . Webb , Jabez Hogg , P . G . D ., W . Belchamber , J . L . Farnfield , P . A . G . D . C , Treasurer of the Institution , Gen . Brooks , Charles G . Hill , A . H . Tattershall , Robt . Griggs , James S . Fraser , W . H . Perryman , P . G . P ., W .

} . Murlis , A . Durrant , Charles Lacey , Alex . Forsyth , Edward Terry , G . Treis ., T . B . Purchas , Hugh M . Hobbs , G . Bolton , and James Terry , P . G . Std . Br ., Secretary . The minutes of the previous meeting having been read and verified , the Secretary reported the death of

a male annuitant . The Warden ' s report for the past mouth was read , ancl that of the Finance was read , adopted , and ordered to be entered on the minutes . Two applications by widows of recently deceased annuitants for the half of their late husband's annuities

were granted . The Committee then considered the petitions of 25 applicants ( 16 men and 9 widows ) , with the result that , with the exception of two of the men ' s petitions , all were accepted , and the names ordered to be entered on

the list of candidates for the election in May next . The Committee was then adjourned till the 29 th instant , when it will meet for the purpose of considering what , if any , steps must be taken in view of the unprecedented number of candidates and the fewness of the vacancies .

Royal Masonic Institution For Girls.

ROYAL MASONIC INSTITUTION FOR GIRLS .

The children remaining for the holidays have been deli ghted with the great kindness shown to them by Bro . Edward Terry , Grand Treasurer , and Bro . Marius , who invited them to see " Sweet Lavender" and " The Belles of the Village" at their respective theatres . Nothing but kind , true Masonic feeling could have

suggested such pleasant entertainments for those who , having no homes to receive them , are compelled to spend their Christmas holidays at the Institution . They were accompanied by Miss Buck , Miss Bellamy , and Miss Broadbent , and the Chairman of the month , Bro . Frank Richardson , in conjunction with Bro . } . H . Matthews , made all arrangements for their comfort .

French Freemasonry.

FRENCH FREEMASONRY .

The Freemasons of France are the subject of attack just now from more than one quarter . M . Andrieux , ex-Deputy and ex-Prefect of Police , who has alread y published what he is good enough to consider " revelations " concerning the Craft and its mysteries , is engaged denouncing the whole body for a too active

interference in politics . This is a fault which has been charged against French Masonry previously , and b y friendlier critics than M . Andrieux , although with what amount of justice it is difficult , on account of the conflict of testimony , to say . It is urged in the course of the present dispute that the various Lodges of France exercised a powerful influence for good on behalf of

the Government and against Boulangism during the recent elections . That in itself is but a dubious compliment . French Masons might do worse than take a leaf out of their English brethren ' s book , and while allowing individual Members of the Craft to follow whatever political creed they pleased , refuse to identify themselves as an Order with politics in any form . The other attack to which we refer comes from a clerical

quarter , and originated in an order given by the Bishop of Grenoble prohibiting his clergy from attending the funeral of M . Delatte , Prefect of the Department of the Isere , simply because the representatives of the local lodge , of which the deceased was a member , had

been assigned a place in the cortege . The quarrel between the Roman Catholic Church and Freemasonry 's a very old one ; but we had hardly thought it extended to a refusal on the part of the clergy to appear at a ceremonial of which they themselves were to have the entire and exclusive management . Yorkshire Post .

Bro . Surgeon T. H. Parke Of The Emin Pasha Relief Staff Expedition.

BRO . SURGEON T . H . PARKE OF THE EMIN PASHA RELIEF STAFF EXPEDITION .

We have much pleasure in publishing the following resolution of congratulation to Bro . Thomas Heazle Parke , A . M . S . of Lodge 854 ( I . C . ) which vvas passed at the stated communication of the Prov . G . Lodp-e of

North Connaught , held at Carrick-on-Shannon , on the loth December last . We are indebted to Bro . Francis E . Clarke , Prov . D . G . M . for his kindness in transmitting the copy to us , and we are convinced our readers will b . e glad of the opportunity of knowing * that one of the

chief officers of Mr . Stanley ' s recent expedition into Central Africa is a member of the Craft . Resolved - . — That this Provincial Grand Lodge of North Connaug ht do hereby offer a cordial and most fraternal welcome to our brother Thomes Heazle Parke , A . M . S . Lod ge 854 , on his return from his prolonged wander-

Bro . Surgeon T. H. Parke Of The Emin Pasha Relief Staff Expedition.

ings in Central Africa to civilization ; that we beg to assure him his gallantry and heroism , coupled with the great professional services rendered by him to Mr . Stanley ' s Exploratory Expedition , as testified to in the letters of that illustrious explorer , are heard of with unfeigned gratification by his brethren ; that the

conspicuous positjon attained by our distinguished brother in the varied fields of investigation he has so materially and courageously assisted we feel reflects honour upon our Province ; and whilst we offer up our grateful thanks to the Most Hig h for havingafforded BrotherThomas H . Parke that Providential blessing and aid enabling him

to escape so many dangers , and to undergo so much hardship and privation , we pray that we may be shortl y permitted to greet him hand to hand and see him face to face when he is relieved of his professional care of Emin Pasha , and at liberty to return to his native country . We also tender our hearty congratulations to

our V . W . Brother William Parke , P . P . S . G . W ., on the safety and proud position attained by bis gallant son , and request our Provincial Grand Secretary to forward this resolution without delay to him , with a request that he will kindly send it to Brother Thomas H . Parke when he becomes aware of the destination at which correspondence is most likely to reach him , as at

present we apprehend , from the information afforded by the Press , that the duration of his stay at Bagamoyo or Zanzibar is so doubtful that a letter forwarded there might not reach before his departure . " Passed at the stated communication of the Provincial Grand Lodge of North Connaught , held at Carrick-on-Shannon , this 10 th day of December , 188 9 . B . W . HARRISON , P . G . Sec . FRANCIS E . CLARKE , P . G . D . M .

The Two Temples.

THE TWO TEMPLES .

In ancient times , when Israel ' s King that famous fabric reared , In which his glory and his might so manifest appeared , He , in his wisdom , first gave heed to Heaven ' s great law to man , And order , beauteous and sublime , through all the

process ran . No sound of axe or metal tool through all the time vvas heard : No craftsman broke the harmony by one discordant word ; For so the work was portioned out bv Solomon , the

wise , From corner-stone to capital , no discord could arise . Eleven hundred men , twice told , as Master Masons wrought , And eighty thousand Fellow Crafts the quarried marble sought , While entered as Apprentices were seventy thousand

more , Who through the progress of the work the heavy burdens bore . A vast fraternity they were : a labour vast to share—Who always on the level met , and parted on the

square ; And three Grand Masters gave the rules by which the work was done—The King of Israel , King of Tyre , and he—the " Widow ' s Son . " The columns and pilasters were of Parian marble

wrought , The timbers from the famous groves of Lebanon were brought ; Of cedar , fir , and olive wood the stately walls were made ,

And all within and all without with gold were overlaid . Thus two great structures had a birth , the one of wood and stone , The other framed and fashioned of fraternal love

alone ; The one was joined in all its parts by cunning work of art , The other by the ligaments that fasten heart to heart . The one stood out in bold relief against the vaulted

sky ,. The other raised no towering front to greet the vulgar eye ; The one was all resplendent with its ornaments of gold , The other ' s beauty lay concealed beneath its mystic fold .

Age after age hath rolled away with Time s unceasing tide , And generations have been born , have flourished , and have died ; Twice wrought our ancient brethren on that Temple ' s massive walls .

And thronged its lofty colonnades and walked its spacious halls . The Temple , with its wondrous strength , hath yielded unto Time ; The brotherhood that flourished then still lives in love sublime ; The one a mere material thing hath long since passed

away , Tlie other holds its vigorous life untouched by Time ' s decay . Long may it live through coming years its excellence to prove ,

And Masons ever find delight in offices of love ; Till summoned hence , the glory of that upper Lodge to see , Before the Light that ceaseless burns each one shall bow the knee . P . A . G . S .

Knights Templar.

Knights Templar .

PROVINCIAL MEETINGS .

MANCHESTER . St . Joseph Preceptory ( No . 9 ) . —The annual meeting was held at the Freemasons' Hall on Friday evening , the 10 th inst ., when the following were present : Sir Knights Wm . Cartwright , P . E . C , Prelate ; E . Pike , Reg . ; F . W . Lean , Treas . ; C E . Hindley , Almoner ; T . Aspland , F . S . P . B . ; R . H . Robinson , C . of L . ; G . Hunt , 1 st Herald ; J . Gardner , P . ; Beswicke-Royds ,

G . C . of C ; J . H . Leu * che , P . P . G . C ; and Wm . Duncan . Visitors : Sir Knights 1 . H . P . Lancester and P . Royle , M . D . The minutes of the last meeting having been read ancl confirmed , the ballot was taken for Comp . G . S . Smith , of the Humphrey Cheetham Chapter , and declared to be unanimous . Comp . G . S . Smith was then installed and

invested by Sir Knight Wm . Cartwri g ht , acting Commander , the address on the symbols being given by Sir Knight F . W . Lean , P . E . C . Sir Knight VV . H . Cunliffe was then installed as E . C . for the ensuing year by Sir Knight Clement N . Beswicke-Royds , Prov . G . C Sir Knight VV . J . Cunliffe appointed and invested the following as officers for the ensuing year : SirKnights ] . Wilson , Constable ; C Hindley , Marshal ; R . Robinson , Expert ; G . Hunt , C of L . ; F .

W . Lean , I reas . ; F . Pike , Reg . ; and J . L . Aspland , Almoner . The Treasurer ' s balance was submitted and adopted . VVe congratulate the Treasurer on the satisfactory balance in the bank . A hearty vote of thanks was tendered to the Prov . Grand Commander , Sir Knight Clement N . Beswicke-Royds , the Prov . G . Commander , for his kindness and attendance , which he suitably acknowledged . " Hearty good wishes" were expressed by Sir Knights J . H . P . Leusche and Peter Royle , M . D ., G . Std . Br . Eng .

Red Cross Of Rome And Constantine.

Red Cross of Rome and Constantine .

Premier Conclave . — This old and distingtiisheed conclave met at the Masonic Rooms , I 6 A , Great Queen-street , on the 5 th instant . Among those in attendance were Sir Knights Baron de Ferrieres , G . V . E . ; W . Lake , M . P . *** * . ; Heard , V . E . ; Nelson Prower , M . A ., I . G . ; T . Cubitt , P . G . l . G ., Treas . ; Capt . T . C . Walls , G . C , P . M . P . S ., acting Recorder ; C Keyser , Prelate ;

Purrott , Prefect ; Pakes , Std . Br . ; Marsh , P . G . l . G . ( Hon . Member ) ; H . H . Shirley , M . A ., P . M . P . S . ; H . J . Lardner , P . M . P . S . ; Scurrah , Robinson , J . N . Frye , and others . The minutes of the previous conclave were read and confirmed . A conclave of K . H . S . was then opened , with Sir Knights H . H . Shirley , as Prelate ; H . J . Lardner , as Prior ;

Marsh , as G . S . V . ; and t apt . Walls , as C of Gds . Sir Knight Frye was then impressively installed a member of the Order . The delivery of the addresses by Sir Knights Shirley and Lardner being particularly good . A commandery of St . John was subsequently opened , and Sir Knight Frye received that Degree . A vote of thanks was unanimously passed to Sir Knights Shirley ,

Lardner . and Walls , for their services . Sir Knight John Mason , P . M . W . S ., Recorder , was absent through illness . The resignation of Sir Knight A . Proudfoot was received with regret . Sir Knight N . Prower gave a notice of motion as to removal to the Grand Mark Lodge . The conclave was then closed , and the Sir Knights

adjourned to the banquet , which was held at the Freemasons ' Tavern . The M . P . S . gave the long array of toasts with effect , but with considerable brevity . The entire proceedings were most enjoyable , and reflected great credit on the executive .

Rosicrucian Society Of England.

Rosicrucian Society of England .

METROPOLITAN MEETINGS .

Metropolitan College . —The usual quarterly convocation of this college was held at the Masonic Hall , 16 A , Great Queen-street , on Thursday , the gth inst . The Fratres present sveveFvas . W . R . Woodman , M . D ., 9 ° , SiM ., P . M . G . ; VV . Wynn Westcott , M . D ., Hon . g ° , M . of (' . ; S . L . MacGregor Mathers , S ° , Sec . ; Ferguson , S ° , P . M . T ., asD . M . T . ; T . C . Walls , Hon . b ° , P . M . T . ; Frye J . J . Thomas , and H . Higgins , as Ancients ; Rev . Dr . T . VV .

Lemon , Chap , and Org . ; Gowan , Loftus Thackwell , and J . Gilbert , Acolyte . Visitor : Fra . E . MacBean , York College . The minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed . Bro . Capt . Loftus Thackwell having been previously balloted for , was impressively admitted to the grade of Zelator . The Secretary acted as C . of N . Letters of

apology for absence were read from various members and from the absent candidates . The M . T . congratulated Fra . Rev . Dr . T . W . Lemon on his having recently acquired the degree of D . D . The Secretary announced with regret the death of the late Fra . John Willmott , of Hong Kong , who was admitted to the grade of Zelator at the October meeting , and died a few days later , and the M . T . read a note

from Fra . Graveley , who had just lost his beloved wife . A vote of confidence was unanimously recorded , and the Secretary was directed to communicate the same in each instance to the bereaved parties . The M . T . then read a learned and interesting lecture on the true mandralle plant of

Genesis , chapter xxx ., and exhibited a specimen of the root , which wonderfully resembled the human form . A discussion followed . Fra . MacBean mentioned the probable re-organisation of the Rosicrucian College of the VVest of Scotland , and asked for literary and documentary assistance from the Metropolitan College . This was promised him ,-and there being- no further business , the meeting was closed .

Bro . Harry H . Marks , Esq ., L . C . C , will preside at the festival of the Newsvendors Benevolent and Provident Institution , to be held at the H 6 tel Metropole , on Monday , the 17 th February next .