Aids To Study.

coast of Africa , upon the Mediterranean , even to the Atlantic Ocean , as far as Fez and Taffiler , and are now to be found within the tropics , almost as low as the Gold Coast ( "Mythology , "

vol . iv ., p . 367 . See also Bochart ' s " Phaleg , " lib . ii ., c . 2 . ) It may be well to note , here , that the whole region of which I have now been writing is

included , for convenience , under the general na me of Mesopotamia . In Scripture it is called Aram , and Aramea . But as Aram also signifies Syria , it is denominated Aram-Naharaim , or the Syria

of the rivers . A line drawn diagonally across the 34 th parallel of latitude , from Hit on the Euphrates to Samara on the Tigris , separates it into Upper Mesopotamia , or Assyria , in the wider

sense , and lower Mesopotamia , or Baby lonia . The great alluvial plain of Baby lonia was again subdivided into l / pper Baby Ionia , thccoimtryaboveand around Babylon , and Lower Baby lonia , or ( as the

Greek geographers call it ) Chaldea—a name sometimes applied to the whole plain , which is also designated , in Scripture , as "The LandofShinar , " ' a term which includes " Bated , " in Upper

Babylonia , as well as Erech , Calneh , ancl Accad , in Lower Babylonia . In the earliest accounts we have of this country , subsequent to the time of Abraham , it was subject to a king , called

Ctishan Rishathaim , then the most powerful potentate of the East , probably , and the first by whom the Israelites were made captive , whicii happened B , C . 1 , 400 ( Judges iii . 8 . ) The name

of this king bespeaks him a descendant of Nimrod , antl it was probably of the Lower Mesopotamia , only , or Babylonia , of which he was sovereign ; the northen parts being in possession of the

Arameans . This is implied in the history of Abraham , who , when ordered to depart from his country , namely , Chaldea , in the southern part of Mesopotamia , removed to Charran , still in

Mesopotamia , but beyond the boundary of the Chaldees . andin the territory of Aram . About 400 years after Cushan-Rishathaim , we find the northern parts of Mesopotamia in the hands of

the Syrians of Zobah , as we are told in 2 Sam . x . that Haderezer , king of Zobah , after his defeat by Joab , " sent and brought out the Syrians that were beyond the river , ' Euphrates . The whole

country was afterwards seized by the Assyrians , to whom it pertained till the dissolution of their empire , when it was divided between the Medes

and Baby lonians , and subsequentl y formed part of the Medo-Persian , second Syrian , or Macedonian , and Parthian empires , as it does at the present day of the modern Persians .

Reports Of Masonic Meetings.

REPORTS OF MASONIC MEETINGS .

Craft gffagonrg . METROPOLITAN . ROSE ov DENMARK LODGE ( No . 97 , 5 ) . —This flourishing lodge met at the " White Hart , " Barnes , Surrey , the well-known water-side hostelry , on Friday the 21 st inst . The W . M ., Bro . W . H . Barnard , although but partially

recovered from severe illness , was in his place , supported by Bros . H . O . Hinton , as S . W *; J . H . Tyler , J . W . ; G . T . Noyce , P . M . ancl Treas . ; R . "Wentworth Little , P . M . and Secretary ; H . N . Hewitt , S . D . ; J . Ayles , I . G . ; T . Farrell , W . S . j ancl a considerable number of brethren ,

Reports Of Masonic Meetings.

both members and visitors . During the course of the evening , the W . M . passed Bros . Adams , Macey , Clarke , Garner , Hart , and Duck ( of 879 ) to the second degree , and initiated Messrs . Williams and Sanvuels ; Bro . Webb was raised . The resignation of Bro . Stephens , S . W ., was

announced and received with great regret , after which the lodge was closed , and the brethren dined together , a very pleasant evening being enjoyed by all present . CRYSTAL PALACE LODGE ( NO . 74 ) - —The installation banquet of this lodge was given at the

Star and Garter , Richmond , on Wednesday the ioth instant . Bro . W . H . Cooper , W . M . presiding , supported by Bros . Cox , S . W . ; Steigerwald , J . W . ; Bros . Morley , W . Bertram , Deacons ; Bradwell , I . G . j Land , W . S . The P . M . ' s included Bros . Acton , John Bertram , Henry Finch ,

T . Foxall , G . Palmer , and Henry T . Thompson , amongst the visitors were Bros . Ough , P . G . P ., E . W . Mackney , Johnson , Field , Buckland , O . H . Colvin , and others . After an excellent dinner , served under the personal direction of Bro . Nelson

Coates , manager of the hotel , the usual Masonic toasts were heartily responded to , the intervals being most agreeably filled by some excellent singingby Bros Seymour Smith , E . W . Mackney , and others .

ROYAL J UBILEE LODGE ( NO . 72 ) . — On Wednesday , the 3 rd inst ., the members of this old well-known lodge held their summer festival at thc Castle Hotel , Richmond . There were about seventy ladies and gentlemen present . To chronicle that the banquet was a success

would indeed be superfluous . A splendid entertainment , augmented by the lively strains of the bandjofa volunteercorps , of which Bro . W . Laskey , W . M ., is a respected member , impressed upon those of the brethren present the fact that the Royal Jubilee carried out their entertainments , as

they did the working of tlieir lodge , perfectly . The Castle Hotel , the grounds of which stretch to the edge of the river , so picturesque in that district , was perhaps the most suitable hostelrie that could have been chosen , and when we say it did credit to the choice of the brethren , we have almost said enough . The Stewards on this

occasion , which , with one or two exceptions , were officers of the Lodge , acquitted themselves in a highly creditable manner , and deserve the thanks of all present on the occasion . Especially we may mention the names of Bros . H . Wri ght and Dodson , P . M ' s . After the banquet the company had a merry song and dance and departed highly delighted with the day ' s pleasure .

CORNWALL . TYWARDREATH . —St . Andrew ' s Lodge ( No . 1151 ) . —On St . John ' s Day . the annual meeting of St . Andrew Lodge was held , when the W . M .

elect , Bro . John Stephens , was installed b y Bro . Rev . George , P . M ., in his usually impressive manner , assisted by a numerous board of Installed Masters . Bro . Rev . J . B . Paul was

invested as I . P . M . The brethren being readmitted , the W . M . invested his officers for the year : —Dr . Mason , S . W . ; Capt . Stribley , J . W . ; C . Truscott , Treas . ; W . Whiston , Sec . The brethren then adjourned to an excellent repast , and a most social and fraternal evening was spent .

DEVONSHIRE . SOUTH MOLTON . —Loyal Lodge of Industry ( No . 421 ) . —The usual monthly meeting of this lodge was held at the Freemasons' Hall on Tuesday , the and instant . Bro . "W . Cole , W . M ., occupied the chair . Brother Hannaford was passed to the degree of F . C . Messrs . Frail ancl

Reed were duly initiated into the mysteries and privileges of Ancient Freemasonry , and one candidate for initiation was proposed . The W . M . was assisted in the performance of the ceremonies by four of the Past Masters of the Lodge , Messrs . Shapland , Kingdon , and Furze . There was a goodly number of brethren and visitors in

attendance , the whole of whom subsequently adjourned to the Unicorn Hotel , where they supped together , the tables being spread in a very handsome manner with creature comforts , in Bro . Coles' usual good style . On the walls were masonic devices in evergreens , and on the tables were vases of the choicest flowers of the season .

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The healths of the Queen , His R . H . Brother Prince of Wales ; the Marquis of Ripon , G . M . of England ; Bro . Rev . J . Huyshe , P . G . M . of Devon , and the Officers and Visitors . The W . M . presided in a very able manner ; the chair of

S . W . was filled b y Bro . Widgery ( in the professional absence of Bro . Sanders ) , and that of J . W . by Bro . Higgins , who had come expressly from London to perform his duties . The evening was most enjoyably spent by the brethren present ,

STONEHOUSE . —Sincerity Lodge ( No . 189 ) . —¦ The annual meeting ofthe Masonic Lodge , Sincerity , No . 18 9 , for the installation of W . M . for the ensuing year , was held on Monday , Sth inst ., at the St . George ' s Hall , Stonehouse . The W . M . elect , Bro . T . W . Coffin , was installed .

V . W . Bro . R . R . Rodd , P . Prov . G . Regis ., was the installing officer , assisted by V . W . Bro . R . H . Rae , and supported by V . W . Bros . Dr . Dowse , J . Saddler , T . S . Bayly . At the close of the installation , the W . M . appointed the following brethren his officers : —T . B . Forster , who

was unable to be present through illness , I . P . M . ; I . Latimer , S . W . ; M . Coates , J . W . j T . S . Bayly , P . M ., Treasurer ; R . R . Rae , P . M ., Secretary ; S . Hutchings , S . D . ; J . E . Curteis , J . D . ; G . Mair , I . G . ; J . E . Moon , O . ; W .

How , Steward ; J . Rogers , Tyler . The annual banquet was adjourned to the opening of the new suite of lodge-rooms , which is expected to take place in September . The principal room in this suite is described as a fine room—3 d feet by 24 feet , and 18 feet in height .

DEVONPORT . —St . Aubyn Lodge ( No . 954 ) . — The annual meeting of this lodge was held on Monday , Sth inst ., at the Masonic Hall , Morice Town . The W . M . elect , Bro . J . Baxter , was dul y installed in ancient form . V . W . Bro . S . Chappie , P . Prov . G . A . D . C . was the installing

officer , assisted by W . Bros . P . B . Clemens and H . F . Smith , and supported by V . W . Bros . C . D . Elphinstone , P . Prov . G . J . D . ; E . Murch , P . Prov . G . O . ; J . B . Gover , P . Prov . G . A . D . C . ; J . Brown , P . Prov . G . Purs . ; E . Aitken Davies , Prov . G . S . ; W . Bros . . P . M . ' s V . Bird , n < ± ; W .

Littleton , 10 91 j W . Fox well , 1071 ; J . Purse , 202 ; M . Paul , 954 ; J . Lynn , 230 ; H . Trethewey , 159 ; J . C . Norswo ' rthy , 914 , Jamaica j W . H . W . Sargent , 1099 . At the close of the installation the W . M . appointed the following brethren as his officers : —M . Paul , I . P . M . ; C .

Watson , S . W . j T . Goodhall , J . W . ; H . F . Smith , P . M ., Treasurer ; J . Norman , Secretary ; A . Stephens , S . D . ; T . Edmunds , J . D . ; R . Dugdale , I . G . ; T . Hele , O . ; W . Ford , Assist . O . ; D . Waight , D . of C . ; W . Egbert , A . D . C . ; Jno . Weary , J . Hayes , Stewards ; J . Rashbrook , Tyler . In the evening over seventy of the

brethren dined together in the hall ofthe Devonport Mechanics' Institute . W . Bro . Baxter presided , and amongst those present , in addition to the above officers , were Bro . J . Hele , Mus . Bac , J . W . 330 , and P . Prov . G . O . for Cornwall j Bro . Coath , S . W . 8 93 . An excellent choral party , under the leadership of the three Brothers Hele and Bro . Rowe , of Truro , enlivened the entertainment .

LANCASHIRE WEST . LIVERPOOL . — Temple Lodge ( No . 1094 ) . —¦ Tlie monthly meeting of this lodge was held at the Masonic Temple , Hope-street , on the ioth inst . Bro . R . Dawson , W . M ., in the chair of K . S ., opened the lodge in due form , after which the minutes were read and confirmed . Bros . Dr .

Barnard and Packman were raised by Bro . J . K . Smith , P . M ., in an exceedingly effective manner . The most interesting part of the evening ' s business was the presentation of a very chaste and beautiful gold P . M ' s . jewel to Bro . E . M . Sheldon , upon whose valuable , disinterested , and

faithful services in connection with the lodge , when in the chair three years ago , the W . M . commented in very happy terms , in making the presentation , and referred to the good which the lodge had derived therefrom . In acknowledging

the handsome gift , Bro . Saeldon , who was evidently deeply impressed with the kindness of his brethren , referred to his connection with the lodge , and expressed his readiness to further its interests in every way . The lodge was then closed down , and the brethren retired for refresh-