-
Articles/Ads
Article FREEMASONRY IN SOUTH AFRICA. Page 1 of 1 Article FREEMASONRY IN SOUTH AFRICA. Page 1 of 1 Article FREEMASONRY IN SOUTH AFRICA. Page 1 of 1 Article ROYAL ARCHÆOLOGICAL INSTITUTE. Page 1 of 1
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Freemasonry In South Africa.
FREEMASONRY IN SOUTH AFRICA .
St . John ' s day happening to fall on a Sunday , the brethren of * IT eridian Lodge , No . 14 ( 19 , Cradock , determined to ho \ d their aiwoaV festival on "Weunesday , 27 th June . Accordingly on that day they assembled at about half-past ten o ' clock , and after the lodg-e had been opened by their Worshipful Master , Bro . W . S . Lei gh , they
proceeded in order to St . Peter ' s Church , yvhere the rector , thc Rev . W . C . Wallis , preached an excellent and appropriate discourse . The rev . gentleman took for his text the third verse of the 40 th chapter of Isaiah : " The voice of him that crieth in the wilderness . Prepare ye the way of the Lord , make straight in the desert a highway for our God . "
" For what reason St . John ' s day is chosen by the Order I yvould not presume to give an opinion to you who are acquainted with the mysteries and the history of Freemasonry . Nor would it perhaps become this place to enter upon such a discussion , sufficient that John the Baptist seems by this act to be chosen , as it were , your patron saint , and it is supposed that there is in the saint thus
chosen something yvhich is to be held up to the members of the Order as yvorthy of their regard and imitation , and therefore it is yvell that I should to-day lead you to consider some portion of the history or character of John the Baptist . Before proceeding to the consideration of the words of our text , I yvould wish to say that I am thankful that the Order do in this toyvn ( I know not whether it is a
universal custom ) attend , in their corporate capacity , a Christian temple . It has been urged by men learned and pious , but whether ever members of your Order or not I cannot say , that the order itself is Anti-Christ , because though acknowledging one Supreme Being as ruler of the universe , they in their ceremonies are said never to use the name of Jesus Christ . Whether such an
accusation be true or false , it is not for me to say ; or , if true , what the reason may be for such an omission—whether it be accidental or premeditated—whether done from a disbelief in thc Mcssiahship of Christ , or yvhether merely done for the purpose of having a wider basis upon yvhich all persons believing in a God , as the Creator and Ruler of the Universe , can join together as men of the world , for
mutual society—help and protection . Now I consider that this annual gathering in a place of Christian worship at once takes away the ground from under the feet of those yvho thus accuse your society , and I am thankful that I am able to look upon this Order , vvhich , as ive know , includes some of the noblest names in thc State , and many a one in holy orders , ' as not Anti-Christ , to say the
least , and , therefore , I may take it as granted that in asking me , a Minister of Christ , to preach before you today , you yvished to hear from my mouth some of that Gospel truth which I am appointed to preach , on the words of our text : 'The voice of him that crielh in the wilderness . Prepare ye the way of the Lord , make straight in the deseit a highway for our God . '
It is my desire to hold up the pattern of St . John the Baptist as an example for us to follow , and especially to those vvl-o are Freemasons , as he sterns , as I have said , to be the patron saint of the Order , and therefore they are doubly l . ounil to follow that example , for it cannot be forgotten that , although the rites and mysteries of Masonry may not be able to claim the character of Christian—it so
happens that the members of this lodge whom I now address are Christians , so that both as Masons and as Christians I can call upon you to follow Him . I consider it the bounden duty of every man to seek to adorn the position he may hold , the office he may fill , or thc society to which he belongs , and by doing your duty faithfully with honesty , zeal , and integrity , in the fear
and love of God , and looking for the approval of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ , you do , each one , adorn the position or office you hold , or the society to which you belong , and there is no doubt that every one has much in his power in this respect . Look at St . John ; he had . a special mission given unto him . " The reverend gentleman then proceeded to describe the mission .
" Are we not all placed in the world for a special purpose ? Are we not allin the strictest sense missionaries sent forth by the Lord , and having hereafter to answer to Him ? You have a special mission—as Masons -certain duties arc incumbent on you , and I am aware that you are required by the Order to display certain dispositions in your intercourse with your brother Masons , by yvhich it is
hoped that good may be done in the world , and the amount of evil lessened . Another such mission is so to pet as a Mason that those yvho have before despised the Order , and spoken evil of its rites and mysteries , may Le led to acknowledge their error , and confess the good it may do , and has done . But remember your mssion as Christians exceeds all this , in the same degree
that the Christian brotherhood is higher and more extensive than the Masonic brotherhood . And now consider thc mission which the Christian religion lays upon us . Is it not the same as St . John ' s ? ' Prepare ye the way of the Lord , make straight in the desert a highway for our God . ' We see daily around us brethren who are bound to us by the same initiatory rite of baptism ,
admitted by that most solemn of all mysteries into this our brotherhood ; and we are bound by vows—the Christian Order to which we belong lays upon us this clear and distinct injunction : ' Love the brotherhood . ' If you are bound not only to live in unity and good yvill with the Masonic brotherhood , consider how much more are you bound so to do with that wider and higher brotherhood of
Christians to which you belong . If you are bound by your vows to relieve tbe distress of any of your brethren who are in need , or thc distress of their friends , wife or widow , children or orphans ' , ot" your own , or a foreign country , how much more arc you so bound to do to those who belong with you to the higher brotherhood of Christ ? Mind j * ou , I do not for one [[ moment intend that you should
Freemasonry In South Africa.
neglect aught that is laid upon you as a Mason ; whatever duties or responsibilities a man takes upon himself he is bound to perform . These ought ye to , and not leave the other undone ; and my object is , as I have already said , to shoyv to you that whilst you feel bound to fulfil your engagements as Masons , you will not forget your obligations to do yet more as Christians . The coming for which
yve have lo prepare the yvay is the coming of Jesus to judgment , yvhen each one of us , and each one of those yvhom we see in the world around us , will either be allowed to join theholy brotherhood of the glorious angels and saints made perfect ; or be compelled to join the awful and terrible brotherhood of Satan , and the other evil and debased angels . Mr . Wallis then proceeded to shew how this could be done ,
concluding thus : " I do not wish to detain you by many words this morning , but I must not omit to make a persona ] application of these words . I would earnestly ask of you : Do you think your heart is prepared for the coming of the Lord ? AU these things of the yvorld yvill pass awiy , but the world to which we look will not pass away . On the coming of that great and terrible day of
the Lord , it will matter nothing whether we have been Masons or not ; but it will matter a great deal yvhether we have been Christians or not ; Christians , I mean , not only by baptism , and that new birth in Christ , but Christians in our life , and in our services to Christ . We see in some members of the Order an earnest desire to obtain still higher degrees , they will work their way up , or they will
purchase their degrees—this of some only— but I would beg that all my Christian brethren showed the like earnestness in working for their degrees in the Christian brotherhood ; as the Apostle says , ' Work out your oyvn salvation with fear and trembling . ' And as the same Apostle saith to Timothy in language which sounds Masonic , ' They that have used the office of a deacon
yvell , purchase to themselves a good degree , ' so 1 would say , they that have used the oflice ofa Christian well , purchase to themselves a good degree in God ' s Kingdom hereafter . Consider with yourselves of how much more consequence it is that you should be a good Christian than a good Mason , and henceforth , if it has not been yet the case , b ^ seeking that better Kingdom .
And now I have only to add , that I tiust that God's blessing may rest upon the Society in this place ; that , as you have thus pu licly acknowledged your allegiance to Him , and as a body given to Him your public worship . He also , for Jesus Christ ' s sake , will accept your offer , and bestow upon the lodge the Grace of His Holy Spirit , guiding it in its counsels , directing it in its charities , and
offices ( jf good will and fnendship ; anil also may , upon each individual member , bestow the benign influence of His grace , so that he may prepare his own heart for the coming of the Lord—so that the rough and rugged places being made plain , and the valleys of sin in his human heart being filled up yvith his goodness for Christ's sake , he may with joy see his Lord coming , in humble faith
believing , that he will say to him ; ' Well done , good and faithful servant . ' After the sermon there was an offertory in aid of the Building Fund of St . Peter ' s Church . On return to the lodge the dispensation from the Earl of Carnarvon to the W . M . was read , hy which the brethren had been permitted to attend Divine service in
Masonic foim . The VV . M ., Bro . Leigh , then appointed and invested the following officers : —Bros . A . E . Austen , S . VV . ; T . R . Smallman , J . W . ; T . R . Smallman ( elected ) , Treas . ; A . Ziervogel , Sec ; H . Beadle , S . D . ; S . J . Griffiths , J . D . ; A . M . tcalf , Steyvard . ; A . Engels ( by proxy ) , Org . ; H . Hinivood , I . G . ; Jno . Urie ( elected ) , Tyler . VV . Bro . P . M . Chalmers , assisted by giving the closing
address to the Wardens and brethren . In the evening a number of the brethren met in a private room of the Victoria Hotel , and spent several hours in very social intercourse . GRAHAMSTOWN . —St . John ' s Lodge ( No . 828 ) . —This lodge assembled on the morning of the 25 th June , to celebrate the festival of St . John , and aftei
opening lodge proceeded ( in company with Albany Lodge , No . 389 ) to St . George ' s Cathedral , were Divine service was conducted by Bro . Dr . Ross , Chaplain of both lodges . On their return the ceiemony of installing the W . M . elect Bro . D . Sampson , took place , conducted by Bro . A . S . Dudley , P . M ., assisted by Bro . W . Waller , P . M ., and Bro . Wm . Wedderbum , I . P . M ., of Albany Lodge . After the
installation the W . M . invested the folloyving brethren as officers for the ensuing year : —Bros . Dr . E . Atherstone , I . P . M . ; C . W . Black , S . W . ; T . Holliday , J . W . ; Rev . G . G . Roys , Chaplain * , R . Mundy , P . M ., Treas . * , A . Matthews , Sec . * , J . Stanton , S . D . ; J . W . Bayes , J . D . ; Geo . Locke and T . White , Stewards ; A . Evans , I . G . ; A . Will , Tyler . GRAHAMSTOWN . —Albany Lodge ( N 0 . 389 ) .
—The members of the old lodge assembled in their temple on Tuesday , 2 , 5 th June , to commemorate the festival of St . John . After the lodge had been opened the brethren marched to St . George ' s Cathedral to attend Divine service , being joined there by the officers and brethren of St . John ' s Lodge , No . 828 . The Chaplain of both lodges , Bro . the Rev . G . G . Ross , delivered an eloquent sermon from the
text 1 Peter 11 ., 17 v . On their return to the lodge the brethren separated until 4 p . m ., when they again met for thc installation ofthe W . M . elect , Bro . W . A . Smith , ( yvho has been many times both S . W . anil J . W ., and also Treasurer ) . The duties of Installing Master were most effectively performed by Bro . O . Lester , the retiring P . M ., ably assisted by Bro .
R . Currin , P . M ., Wm . Wedderburn , I ' . M ., and Bro . A . S . Dudley , P . M . No . 828 . After the newly-installed W . AI . had been proclaimed , he invested his officers as follows : — Bros . Wm . Wedderburn , I . P . M . ; Rev . G . G . Ross . M . A ., D . C . L ., S . W . and Chaplain ; G . C . Goodwin , J . W . ; O . Lester , P . M ., Treas . ; J . Vialls , Sec ; W . T . Sampson , S . D . ; F . Cook , J . D . ; G . Reynolds and F . E . Orren , Stewards ; 11 . Richmond , I . G .: G . Shaw , Tyler . Before the lodge
Freemasonry In South Africa.
was closed a handsome P . M . ' s jewel yvas presented to 13 r W . Wedderburn on his retirement from office as VV . M r Albany Lodge . This is the last occasion on which N 38 9 will met on St . John ' s-day , having recentl y alterc 1 their bye-laws , fixing their future annual festival on th 20 th September ( being the anniversary ofthe first meetinc , of thc lodge in Grahamstown , after the receipt of the war * rant , dated 3 rd January , icSzS ) .
Royal Archæological Institute.
ROYAL ARCH ? OLOGICAL INSTITUTE .
A long day ' s yvork was set out for the members of ft ,. Royal Archaeological Institute 0 . 1 Monday . The first ob . ject of attraction was Credenhill Church and camp , - J - J , church dates from about the end of the 12 th century , con . sisting of a nave and small chancel . A bit of staint (* glass in one of the chancel windows was pronounced by
Mr . Beresford Hope ( who yvas of the party ) to be a remarkably excellent specimen of glass of the middle period . It bore the effigies of St . Thomas of Canterbury and St . Thomas of Hertford . The chancel ( recently opened ) is entered by three arches . The central arch is plain , but the two sides arches have a cinque-foil heading . The sill of a window on the north side of the chancel appears to
h ave been made out of a stone coffin lid cut m two . Leaving the church the party proceeding to Credenhill , Roman encampment approached by a narrow , deeply-cut Roman road . The position must have been a strong onethe cuttings are deep and numerous , and the top is de . fended by an unusually high earthwork . The area of the camn is considerable . It is now covered with wood . From
Credenhill the route of the travellers yvas over or in si ght of historical ground , in view of Kenchester , said to be the Ariconium ot the Romans , and four or five miles distant from Hereford . It is a vast station , well termed Magna Castra , covering upwards of 30 acres , yvith two openings to the west and two to tbe north . A few traces of the walls , yvhich appear to have surrounded an irregular hexagonal
area of a temple at the cast of a niche of Roman brick and mortar , called "The Chair , " yvere until lately visible ' . Vaults , tesselated pavements , stone altars , coins , & c ., have been discovered at various periods , but the whole site is now covered with green meadows ami waving com-lii'Ms , It has , however , been suneyed , and its limits correctly ascertained . At Byford Chuich , the next stopping place , the
chief object of interest was the Early English chancel ami an Early English arcade leading into the south transept , A manor house near is of the time of Henry VIII . Mnnnington Church was next visited , a unique specimen of a church of Charles II ., chancel screen and seating com . plete . At the entrance , by the north door , a broken slat lying on the tuif is supposed to cover the remains of the
great chief , Owen Glendwr . The seats 111 the churchhigh-backed long forms—are dark yvith age , and there are pulpit and reading desk to match . Mr . Beresford Hope said the church was restored in 1680 , and pointed out its peculiarities , especially the chancel screen . There wcie many other examples of chancel screens before the Re . storation , but after the Restoration they were not so
common . The chancel sen en is , peihaps unique of its kind It is of wood , and over the cenlre are the Hoyal amis carved and painted . At Mocc . is Cou . t , the scat of Sir George Cornewall , the party were received by the baronet and Lady Cornewall , and hospitably entertained . The house is beautifully situated on the banks of the Wye , and the
tei races command most lovely scenery . A remarkable stone sundial was shown in the garden . It is suppr . sed to be of the date of 1630 . There are carved inscriptions in English and Latin on its numerous faces . It bears the imprint " Phillipvs Jones , fecit . " Among the English lines are the following : —
" Amende to-day and slack not , Dethe cometh and wameth not , Tyme passeth and speketh not . " The signs of the zodiac are also displayed on the dial . Moccas Church , which adjoins the park , yvas an object of much interest . This is a good specimen of a Norman church , with nave , chancel , and apse . It bears , as "Mr .
Beresford Hope remarked , a family likeness to Kilpeck Church ( visited on Friday ) , yvhich bore evidence of a lain style of Norman architecture than the stern , grave sty le cf this church . Each was great as a specimen of its own peculiar type , corresponding in general plan and diffciw ? in detail . Mr . Hartshorne , secretary to the Institute , re .-nl some remarks which hc had prepared on a remarkable
effigy—a Knight Templar in the chancel of this church . Having first quoted an extract from the "Spcculu ™ Regale , " a Latin manuscript of the 14 th century , wl « gives a description of the proper costume of a knig ht " the early period of that century , he pointed out that l *' garment worn by the knight here was neither a surcot " nor eyelas , and that it was probably an unique instance ' -I
such a military vestment as appeared in this effigy . " " could be no doubt that a vestment'of this special anil oi' - ticular kind was actually used by this member of tro * De Frene family . In addition to this it yvas valuable in another way , as showing the extraordinary accuracy ' the mediaeval sculptors as representing their patrons ' » their habits as they lived . Re fen ing to the scale am ' " 11
worn by the figure , he said that with the exception of a effigy ot this period at St . Peter ' s Church , at Sandw * there was , as far as he was aware , no other sculpt" ! * ' example of scale armour in this kingdom . Bedwanii " Church , another Norman edifice , with out-bending « " *» ' ^ and containing a remarkably large font of cong lomerate anu euii . Aiiiiiig iy . i . »»»«» n *«* "' jr ( . » £ .- . . . . . . w . ww .- -- - , five
sufficiently large for immersion—supported on r shafts , was the last place visited . This church . - j Beresford Hope remarked , had passed throug h scvegradations . The leaning wall pointed to 14 th ecu work , and the chancel was not quite on a line vvil' ^ nave . There had been a rood loft , and M-. 1 Iol »<* l w " „ out where the wooden staircase leading to it had bev" - tfiigy of the 16 th century was also pointed out .
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Freemasonry In South Africa.
FREEMASONRY IN SOUTH AFRICA .
St . John ' s day happening to fall on a Sunday , the brethren of * IT eridian Lodge , No . 14 ( 19 , Cradock , determined to ho \ d their aiwoaV festival on "Weunesday , 27 th June . Accordingly on that day they assembled at about half-past ten o ' clock , and after the lodg-e had been opened by their Worshipful Master , Bro . W . S . Lei gh , they
proceeded in order to St . Peter ' s Church , yvhere the rector , thc Rev . W . C . Wallis , preached an excellent and appropriate discourse . The rev . gentleman took for his text the third verse of the 40 th chapter of Isaiah : " The voice of him that crieth in the wilderness . Prepare ye the way of the Lord , make straight in the desert a highway for our God . "
" For what reason St . John ' s day is chosen by the Order I yvould not presume to give an opinion to you who are acquainted with the mysteries and the history of Freemasonry . Nor would it perhaps become this place to enter upon such a discussion , sufficient that John the Baptist seems by this act to be chosen , as it were , your patron saint , and it is supposed that there is in the saint thus
chosen something yvhich is to be held up to the members of the Order as yvorthy of their regard and imitation , and therefore it is yvell that I should to-day lead you to consider some portion of the history or character of John the Baptist . Before proceeding to the consideration of the words of our text , I yvould wish to say that I am thankful that the Order do in this toyvn ( I know not whether it is a
universal custom ) attend , in their corporate capacity , a Christian temple . It has been urged by men learned and pious , but whether ever members of your Order or not I cannot say , that the order itself is Anti-Christ , because though acknowledging one Supreme Being as ruler of the universe , they in their ceremonies are said never to use the name of Jesus Christ . Whether such an
accusation be true or false , it is not for me to say ; or , if true , what the reason may be for such an omission—whether it be accidental or premeditated—whether done from a disbelief in thc Mcssiahship of Christ , or yvhether merely done for the purpose of having a wider basis upon yvhich all persons believing in a God , as the Creator and Ruler of the Universe , can join together as men of the world , for
mutual society—help and protection . Now I consider that this annual gathering in a place of Christian worship at once takes away the ground from under the feet of those yvho thus accuse your society , and I am thankful that I am able to look upon this Order , vvhich , as ive know , includes some of the noblest names in thc State , and many a one in holy orders , ' as not Anti-Christ , to say the
least , and , therefore , I may take it as granted that in asking me , a Minister of Christ , to preach before you today , you yvished to hear from my mouth some of that Gospel truth which I am appointed to preach , on the words of our text : 'The voice of him that crielh in the wilderness . Prepare ye the way of the Lord , make straight in the deseit a highway for our God . '
It is my desire to hold up the pattern of St . John the Baptist as an example for us to follow , and especially to those vvl-o are Freemasons , as he sterns , as I have said , to be the patron saint of the Order , and therefore they are doubly l . ounil to follow that example , for it cannot be forgotten that , although the rites and mysteries of Masonry may not be able to claim the character of Christian—it so
happens that the members of this lodge whom I now address are Christians , so that both as Masons and as Christians I can call upon you to follow Him . I consider it the bounden duty of every man to seek to adorn the position he may hold , the office he may fill , or thc society to which he belongs , and by doing your duty faithfully with honesty , zeal , and integrity , in the fear
and love of God , and looking for the approval of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ , you do , each one , adorn the position or office you hold , or the society to which you belong , and there is no doubt that every one has much in his power in this respect . Look at St . John ; he had . a special mission given unto him . " The reverend gentleman then proceeded to describe the mission .
" Are we not all placed in the world for a special purpose ? Are we not allin the strictest sense missionaries sent forth by the Lord , and having hereafter to answer to Him ? You have a special mission—as Masons -certain duties arc incumbent on you , and I am aware that you are required by the Order to display certain dispositions in your intercourse with your brother Masons , by yvhich it is
hoped that good may be done in the world , and the amount of evil lessened . Another such mission is so to pet as a Mason that those yvho have before despised the Order , and spoken evil of its rites and mysteries , may Le led to acknowledge their error , and confess the good it may do , and has done . But remember your mssion as Christians exceeds all this , in the same degree
that the Christian brotherhood is higher and more extensive than the Masonic brotherhood . And now consider thc mission which the Christian religion lays upon us . Is it not the same as St . John ' s ? ' Prepare ye the way of the Lord , make straight in the desert a highway for our God . ' We see daily around us brethren who are bound to us by the same initiatory rite of baptism ,
admitted by that most solemn of all mysteries into this our brotherhood ; and we are bound by vows—the Christian Order to which we belong lays upon us this clear and distinct injunction : ' Love the brotherhood . ' If you are bound not only to live in unity and good yvill with the Masonic brotherhood , consider how much more are you bound so to do with that wider and higher brotherhood of
Christians to which you belong . If you are bound by your vows to relieve tbe distress of any of your brethren who are in need , or thc distress of their friends , wife or widow , children or orphans ' , ot" your own , or a foreign country , how much more arc you so bound to do to those who belong with you to the higher brotherhood of Christ ? Mind j * ou , I do not for one [[ moment intend that you should
Freemasonry In South Africa.
neglect aught that is laid upon you as a Mason ; whatever duties or responsibilities a man takes upon himself he is bound to perform . These ought ye to , and not leave the other undone ; and my object is , as I have already said , to shoyv to you that whilst you feel bound to fulfil your engagements as Masons , you will not forget your obligations to do yet more as Christians . The coming for which
yve have lo prepare the yvay is the coming of Jesus to judgment , yvhen each one of us , and each one of those yvhom we see in the world around us , will either be allowed to join theholy brotherhood of the glorious angels and saints made perfect ; or be compelled to join the awful and terrible brotherhood of Satan , and the other evil and debased angels . Mr . Wallis then proceeded to shew how this could be done ,
concluding thus : " I do not wish to detain you by many words this morning , but I must not omit to make a persona ] application of these words . I would earnestly ask of you : Do you think your heart is prepared for the coming of the Lord ? AU these things of the yvorld yvill pass awiy , but the world to which we look will not pass away . On the coming of that great and terrible day of
the Lord , it will matter nothing whether we have been Masons or not ; but it will matter a great deal yvhether we have been Christians or not ; Christians , I mean , not only by baptism , and that new birth in Christ , but Christians in our life , and in our services to Christ . We see in some members of the Order an earnest desire to obtain still higher degrees , they will work their way up , or they will
purchase their degrees—this of some only— but I would beg that all my Christian brethren showed the like earnestness in working for their degrees in the Christian brotherhood ; as the Apostle says , ' Work out your oyvn salvation with fear and trembling . ' And as the same Apostle saith to Timothy in language which sounds Masonic , ' They that have used the office of a deacon
yvell , purchase to themselves a good degree , ' so 1 would say , they that have used the oflice ofa Christian well , purchase to themselves a good degree in God ' s Kingdom hereafter . Consider with yourselves of how much more consequence it is that you should be a good Christian than a good Mason , and henceforth , if it has not been yet the case , b ^ seeking that better Kingdom .
And now I have only to add , that I tiust that God's blessing may rest upon the Society in this place ; that , as you have thus pu licly acknowledged your allegiance to Him , and as a body given to Him your public worship . He also , for Jesus Christ ' s sake , will accept your offer , and bestow upon the lodge the Grace of His Holy Spirit , guiding it in its counsels , directing it in its charities , and
offices ( jf good will and fnendship ; anil also may , upon each individual member , bestow the benign influence of His grace , so that he may prepare his own heart for the coming of the Lord—so that the rough and rugged places being made plain , and the valleys of sin in his human heart being filled up yvith his goodness for Christ's sake , he may with joy see his Lord coming , in humble faith
believing , that he will say to him ; ' Well done , good and faithful servant . ' After the sermon there was an offertory in aid of the Building Fund of St . Peter ' s Church . On return to the lodge the dispensation from the Earl of Carnarvon to the W . M . was read , hy which the brethren had been permitted to attend Divine service in
Masonic foim . The VV . M ., Bro . Leigh , then appointed and invested the following officers : —Bros . A . E . Austen , S . VV . ; T . R . Smallman , J . W . ; T . R . Smallman ( elected ) , Treas . ; A . Ziervogel , Sec ; H . Beadle , S . D . ; S . J . Griffiths , J . D . ; A . M . tcalf , Steyvard . ; A . Engels ( by proxy ) , Org . ; H . Hinivood , I . G . ; Jno . Urie ( elected ) , Tyler . VV . Bro . P . M . Chalmers , assisted by giving the closing
address to the Wardens and brethren . In the evening a number of the brethren met in a private room of the Victoria Hotel , and spent several hours in very social intercourse . GRAHAMSTOWN . —St . John ' s Lodge ( No . 828 ) . —This lodge assembled on the morning of the 25 th June , to celebrate the festival of St . John , and aftei
opening lodge proceeded ( in company with Albany Lodge , No . 389 ) to St . George ' s Cathedral , were Divine service was conducted by Bro . Dr . Ross , Chaplain of both lodges . On their return the ceiemony of installing the W . M . elect Bro . D . Sampson , took place , conducted by Bro . A . S . Dudley , P . M ., assisted by Bro . W . Waller , P . M ., and Bro . Wm . Wedderbum , I . P . M ., of Albany Lodge . After the
installation the W . M . invested the folloyving brethren as officers for the ensuing year : —Bros . Dr . E . Atherstone , I . P . M . ; C . W . Black , S . W . ; T . Holliday , J . W . ; Rev . G . G . Roys , Chaplain * , R . Mundy , P . M ., Treas . * , A . Matthews , Sec . * , J . Stanton , S . D . ; J . W . Bayes , J . D . ; Geo . Locke and T . White , Stewards ; A . Evans , I . G . ; A . Will , Tyler . GRAHAMSTOWN . —Albany Lodge ( N 0 . 389 ) .
—The members of the old lodge assembled in their temple on Tuesday , 2 , 5 th June , to commemorate the festival of St . John . After the lodge had been opened the brethren marched to St . George ' s Cathedral to attend Divine service , being joined there by the officers and brethren of St . John ' s Lodge , No . 828 . The Chaplain of both lodges , Bro . the Rev . G . G . Ross , delivered an eloquent sermon from the
text 1 Peter 11 ., 17 v . On their return to the lodge the brethren separated until 4 p . m ., when they again met for thc installation ofthe W . M . elect , Bro . W . A . Smith , ( yvho has been many times both S . W . anil J . W ., and also Treasurer ) . The duties of Installing Master were most effectively performed by Bro . O . Lester , the retiring P . M ., ably assisted by Bro .
R . Currin , P . M ., Wm . Wedderburn , I ' . M ., and Bro . A . S . Dudley , P . M . No . 828 . After the newly-installed W . AI . had been proclaimed , he invested his officers as follows : — Bros . Wm . Wedderburn , I . P . M . ; Rev . G . G . Ross . M . A ., D . C . L ., S . W . and Chaplain ; G . C . Goodwin , J . W . ; O . Lester , P . M ., Treas . ; J . Vialls , Sec ; W . T . Sampson , S . D . ; F . Cook , J . D . ; G . Reynolds and F . E . Orren , Stewards ; 11 . Richmond , I . G .: G . Shaw , Tyler . Before the lodge
Freemasonry In South Africa.
was closed a handsome P . M . ' s jewel yvas presented to 13 r W . Wedderburn on his retirement from office as VV . M r Albany Lodge . This is the last occasion on which N 38 9 will met on St . John ' s-day , having recentl y alterc 1 their bye-laws , fixing their future annual festival on th 20 th September ( being the anniversary ofthe first meetinc , of thc lodge in Grahamstown , after the receipt of the war * rant , dated 3 rd January , icSzS ) .
Royal Archæological Institute.
ROYAL ARCH ? OLOGICAL INSTITUTE .
A long day ' s yvork was set out for the members of ft ,. Royal Archaeological Institute 0 . 1 Monday . The first ob . ject of attraction was Credenhill Church and camp , - J - J , church dates from about the end of the 12 th century , con . sisting of a nave and small chancel . A bit of staint (* glass in one of the chancel windows was pronounced by
Mr . Beresford Hope ( who yvas of the party ) to be a remarkably excellent specimen of glass of the middle period . It bore the effigies of St . Thomas of Canterbury and St . Thomas of Hertford . The chancel ( recently opened ) is entered by three arches . The central arch is plain , but the two sides arches have a cinque-foil heading . The sill of a window on the north side of the chancel appears to
h ave been made out of a stone coffin lid cut m two . Leaving the church the party proceeding to Credenhill , Roman encampment approached by a narrow , deeply-cut Roman road . The position must have been a strong onethe cuttings are deep and numerous , and the top is de . fended by an unusually high earthwork . The area of the camn is considerable . It is now covered with wood . From
Credenhill the route of the travellers yvas over or in si ght of historical ground , in view of Kenchester , said to be the Ariconium ot the Romans , and four or five miles distant from Hereford . It is a vast station , well termed Magna Castra , covering upwards of 30 acres , yvith two openings to the west and two to tbe north . A few traces of the walls , yvhich appear to have surrounded an irregular hexagonal
area of a temple at the cast of a niche of Roman brick and mortar , called "The Chair , " yvere until lately visible ' . Vaults , tesselated pavements , stone altars , coins , & c ., have been discovered at various periods , but the whole site is now covered with green meadows ami waving com-lii'Ms , It has , however , been suneyed , and its limits correctly ascertained . At Byford Chuich , the next stopping place , the
chief object of interest was the Early English chancel ami an Early English arcade leading into the south transept , A manor house near is of the time of Henry VIII . Mnnnington Church was next visited , a unique specimen of a church of Charles II ., chancel screen and seating com . plete . At the entrance , by the north door , a broken slat lying on the tuif is supposed to cover the remains of the
great chief , Owen Glendwr . The seats 111 the churchhigh-backed long forms—are dark yvith age , and there are pulpit and reading desk to match . Mr . Beresford Hope said the church was restored in 1680 , and pointed out its peculiarities , especially the chancel screen . There wcie many other examples of chancel screens before the Re . storation , but after the Restoration they were not so
common . The chancel sen en is , peihaps unique of its kind It is of wood , and over the cenlre are the Hoyal amis carved and painted . At Mocc . is Cou . t , the scat of Sir George Cornewall , the party were received by the baronet and Lady Cornewall , and hospitably entertained . The house is beautifully situated on the banks of the Wye , and the
tei races command most lovely scenery . A remarkable stone sundial was shown in the garden . It is suppr . sed to be of the date of 1630 . There are carved inscriptions in English and Latin on its numerous faces . It bears the imprint " Phillipvs Jones , fecit . " Among the English lines are the following : —
" Amende to-day and slack not , Dethe cometh and wameth not , Tyme passeth and speketh not . " The signs of the zodiac are also displayed on the dial . Moccas Church , which adjoins the park , yvas an object of much interest . This is a good specimen of a Norman church , with nave , chancel , and apse . It bears , as "Mr .
Beresford Hope remarked , a family likeness to Kilpeck Church ( visited on Friday ) , yvhich bore evidence of a lain style of Norman architecture than the stern , grave sty le cf this church . Each was great as a specimen of its own peculiar type , corresponding in general plan and diffciw ? in detail . Mr . Hartshorne , secretary to the Institute , re .-nl some remarks which hc had prepared on a remarkable
effigy—a Knight Templar in the chancel of this church . Having first quoted an extract from the "Spcculu ™ Regale , " a Latin manuscript of the 14 th century , wl « gives a description of the proper costume of a knig ht " the early period of that century , he pointed out that l *' garment worn by the knight here was neither a surcot " nor eyelas , and that it was probably an unique instance ' -I
such a military vestment as appeared in this effigy . " " could be no doubt that a vestment'of this special anil oi' - ticular kind was actually used by this member of tro * De Frene family . In addition to this it yvas valuable in another way , as showing the extraordinary accuracy ' the mediaeval sculptors as representing their patrons ' » their habits as they lived . Re fen ing to the scale am ' " 11
worn by the figure , he said that with the exception of a effigy ot this period at St . Peter ' s Church , at Sandw * there was , as far as he was aware , no other sculpt" ! * ' example of scale armour in this kingdom . Bedwanii " Church , another Norman edifice , with out-bending « " *» ' ^ and containing a remarkably large font of cong lomerate anu euii . Aiiiiiig iy . i . »»»«» n *«* "' jr ( . » £ .- . . . . . . w . ww .- -- - , five
sufficiently large for immersion—supported on r shafts , was the last place visited . This church . - j Beresford Hope remarked , had passed throug h scvegradations . The leaning wall pointed to 14 th ecu work , and the chancel was not quite on a line vvil' ^ nave . There had been a rood loft , and M-. 1 Iol »<* l w " „ out where the wooden staircase leading to it had bev" - tfiigy of the 16 th century was also pointed out .