Reviews.

Reviews .

GETHSEMANE , A SACRED POEM . A short time ago we reviewed in these columns an historical novel by Bro . Nelson Prower , entitled " Reggie Abbott , " vve have now much pleasure in calling the attention of our readers to a brochure by the same versatile author who in this recent production of his pen modestly veils his identity from the outside world under the nom de plume of " Laicus Anglicanus , M . A . " The holy subject

is powerfully dealt with in blank verse of more than ordinary merit . In the opening lines the description of the country adjacent to the valley of Jehoshaphat is very beautiful . To quote the author " Painter ' s brush may strive to teach us what the scene is like ; but , great as is the talent God has given to noble-minded men mho Ihe for art , they bring not home tlic great reality . " The poet ' s brilliant imagination then conjures up in his " mind's eye" the

stirring yet sad incidents in the pure and noble life of the man of many sorrows and their locale . Of the latter , Bro . Prower thus pathetically sings : "Just at the foot of Olives there lies The Garden of Gethsemane , the place Most dear to all who love our Saviour Christ , Of all the spots in Palestine , for here In this sweet Garden we can see Him man ,

Bearing vvith pain anrl grief his weight of woe . " The closing episodes are dealt with most dramatically , " When He who saved the world , was bv theworld mocked , evilly entreated , scourged and slain . " The author then presents to us in gran ful metre the history and struggles of those who saw ' * the life and early growth , and lovely health of early Christianity . " He next fires our imagination and vividly recalls that traditional S"ene where in the fmperial

City , Gregory , the Pope , whilst traversing its strt-ets saw " that two young boys from Pagan England ' s shore were lying prisoners in mighty Rome , " " He asked the dealer who had charge of them From whence they ranie , and what the boys vvere called . ' Augli , ' replied the man , and with a smile , ' Aon Augli , ' cried the Pope , ' sed Angeli . "' Our writer then relates in fascinating language the deeds of

the Crusaders in their efforts " to free the land of Christ from Paynim ' s bloody hand . ' " VVe seem to hear the war cries of the lemplars , thnse daring men * ' whose sword hilts bore the Cross , " during the two centuries in which seven expeditions weie undertaken by the Western nations to wrest the Holy Land from the Moslems . The exigencies of our spare prevent us giving but one more extract from this truly excellent poem . Bro . Prower ablv touches upon

tfe recent pers cution of the Hebrew raceabroad , and thus denounces the modern oppressors nf" the sons of Israel : " " Oh ! those Lost Children ! terrible it is That still some Christian nations should be first 1 o persecute with cruel penal laws , And yet more cruel insuhs , that same race Of vvhich vvas burn their Saviour . " English blank vetse , we believe , has no greater antiquity

than the middle of the iGth century . It was almost universally restii-ted to dramaiic purposes till ihe era of that great poetic luminary , Milton , who tells some of his disparaging or captious critics that his " Paradise Lost " was " to be esteem don example , set the frst in Fuglisli , of ancient liberty recovered to Iieroie poem from ihe troublesome and modem bondage of rhyming . " Dr . Johnson somewhat cynically descriiies this form of composition as

verse where " the rhvme is blanched or missed . " Blair , on the other hand speaks alnn st disrespectfully of rhyme , and evidently pins his faith on blank verse . In writing of the former he says that " the studied smoothness of the sounds , answering regularly lo each other at the end of the line , though they be quite consistent with gentle emotions , yet

weaken the native force of sublimity . " It would be invidious for us to make comparisons , but this we will venture to affirm that Bro . Nelson Prower ' s sacred poem for originality ot conception , constructive dramatic force , and elegance of language will bear most favourable contrast with the efforts of many professional exponents ot modern and ancient blank versification .

Reports Of Masonic Meetings.

REPORTS OF MASONIC MEETINGS .

Craft flPasonrv .

METROPOLITAN MEETINGS . Temple Lodge ( No . un ) . —The regular meeting of this highly flourishing lodge was held at the Ship and Tuitle Tavern , Leadenhall-street , on Tuesday , the 4 th inst ., when there were present Bros . J . Sparks , VV . M . ; F . Williams , I . P . M . ; Harry S . Foster , M . P . ( hs-Sheriff

London ) , S . W . ; Harry VVood , J . VV . ; E . Lardner , P . M ., Sec ; C . Plant , | . D . ; William Briant , I . G . ; Horace Petley , Org . ; . . Shelvey , Stwd . ; Potter , Tyler ; j H . Wynne , P . M . ; 11 . Brandon , P . M . ; | . E . Taylor , P . M . ; J . M . Flegg , P . M ; A . Y . Payten , IL Kyre , A . Morant , A . Paine , | . B . Hardwire , J . L . Lucas , VV . C . Keates , R . White , J . " Wint , ll . F . Game , G . Bridge , II . ! .. Piper , A . Weston , B . Dowsett , VV . A . Perry , H . O . Souires , E .

Isaacson , and G . Harrison . Ihe vis-itors were Bros . E . G . Soulhcolt , 204 S ; C . H . Stone , S . W . 507 ; A . Marshall , 1319 ; G . Godfrey , VV . M . elect 216 S ; and U . P . Lucas , 1489 . The minutes ofthe previous meeting were read and confirmed . A ballot was taken for Bro . Isaacson , iSS , as a joining member , which proved unanimous . The ballot was taken for Mr . H . Valentine Game , which proving unanimous , he was afterwards initiated in an exemplary manner by Hro . J . Sparks , W . M . The VV . M . very kindly left the chair in

favour of Bro . IC . Lardner , P . M , to allow him to raise Bro . J . L . Lucas , which he diil in a most perfect manner , giving the traditional histoiy and explaining the tracing board . The W . M . having lesumed the chair , Hro . Frank Williams , I . P . M ., in a highly complimentary speech , then moved the following resolution : ' * That ihe brethren 0 / the lodge hereby tender to the VV . M ., Hro . J . Sparks , ami Bro . E . Lardner , Sec , their heartfelt thanks for their indefatigable exertions in bringing the summer onting to a most successful issue , and that the same be recorded on the

Reports Of Masonic Meetings.

minutes . " This vvas ably supported by Bro . H . B . White , P . M ., and carried vvith acclamation . The business of the lodge ended , the brethren adjourned to a sumptuous banquet , superintended by the capable manager , Bro . E . Ashby , after vvhich the usual loyal and Masonic toasts were given in becoming terms by the VV . M . and well received by the brethren . The toast of "The Pro Grand Master , Deputy Grand

Master , and the rest of the Grand Officers , Present and Past , " received its just measure of praise from the VV . M ., and was acknowledged by the brethren in thc same spirit . The toast of "The W . M . " vvas next given by Bro . F . Williams , I . P . M ., who remarked it was a most pleasurable duty , and one which would be received with acclamation . He did his duty most perfectly , as they had witnessed in the initiation ceremony . He had evidenced his great kindness

in leaving the chair to allow Bro . Lardner to raise Bro . Lucas , who had been initiated and passed by him , which compliment vvas greatly appreciated by Bro . Lardner . He must say with respect to the summer outing ( which had been the best the Temple Lodge had experienced ) , that he hoped the future Masters would emulate their W . M . and Secretary , and each W . M . in his turn have such another outing . He wished long life , health , and prosperity to Bro .

Sparks , W . M . The Worshipful Master , in reply , stated all the hrethren knew the magnitute of Bro . F . Williams ' s heart , and the very kind manner he had spoken of the summer outingand his ( the W . M . ' s ) work , but it was a labour of love . For his part he vvas delighted that all had enjoyed themselves to such a degree , and that it would be his utmost endeavour to carry out the duties of the lodge to the best nf his ability . The toast of "The Initiate and joining Member" was

given by the W . M ., who stated it vvas the toast of the evening , and in some well-chosen remarks dilated upon the care shown in introducing candidates , and upon the friendship and true brotherhood in Freemasonry . He pointed vvith pride to the gifts which had been sent up to the Charities during the last few years , and trusted that one and all would continue to uphold the standard of Freemasonry to its fullest .

This vvas most suitably replied to by the initiate and Bro . Isaacson . The toast of " The Visitors " vvas given by the VVorshipful Master in a most cordial manner , and as cordially received . Bro . Godfrey . eplied in very appropriate terms on behalf of all . The Worshipful Master next gave the time-honoured toast of " The Past Masters , " remarking on their capabilities

and readiness to assist all whom they could . He wished them long life and prosperity to continue in the same good work for many years . In reply , Bro . Taylor stated he thanked all for such kind expressions on behalf of the Past Masters . He might be called by some the old fossil , being the oldest Past Master in the lodge present . The Past Masters had always rendered able service , and would continue the same vvith the

greatest pleasure . He must congratulate the initiate and Bro . Isaacson on joining the rank of Temple Lodge , and hoped he should one day see them as the VV . M . Also , he was delighted to hear some good news relative to Bro . Thomas , P . M . and Treas ., who vvas always belo / ed . The toast of " The Secretary and Treasurer " was given in eulogistic terms . The VVorshipful Master said Bro . Lardner was called upon to do almost too much , but such

vvas his ardour forthe lodge , that anything he was asked to do was carried out most cheerfully . He personally thanked the Secretary for such fervour and his nobh assistance . The Treasurer had been so dangerously ill for a long time , but now there vvere hopes of his recovery , and he trusted he might be spared and return to the lodge , as no brother would be more heartily welcomed than Bro . Thomas , P . M . In reply , Bro . E . Lardner , in a comprehensive speech ,

remarked that such a cordial greeting he much appreciated . He must , first of al ) , congratulate them on resuming the duties of the lodge , after an absence of six months , all in good health , vvhich vvas no bad record , and for which they had cause to be thankful . The lodge vvas in a sound financial position , and he vvas always most happy when he was called upon to perform any duty . He was very pleased to rehearse the beautiful ceremony that evening , and he

trusted the same hearty good feeling , unity , and no divisions would ever be the characteristic of the Temple Lodge . With respect to the summer outing , of which so much had been said , he vvas delighted to have heard all round such expressions , and from the ladies , too—that they never had such a day in their lives before . Now , for a word of their dear and respected Bro . Thomas , who was on a fair way of recovery . He , Bro . Lardner , had gone to the West of

England specially to have a week with him during his holiday , and he must say how delighted he vvas . His was one of the very highest of characters , and all had a very high opinion of him . He was confident it would be one of the grandest days in Bro . Thomas ' s life when he is able to return to his duties in the lodge . The toast of " The Officers ' received at the hands of the VV . AI . his high appreciation of their valuable assistance ,

congratulating Bro . Foster , S . VV ., upon his late election as M . P . In reply , Bio . H . Foster , S . VV ., thanked all most heartily on behalf of the ollicers and specially for the remarks made to himself . He was proud to belong to such a lodge , and likewise to the kingdom of Freemasonry , which had such

glorious aims in view . He trusted he might be present at the next summer outing . The Tyler ' s toast closed a most delightful meeting . Some excellent harmony was given b y Bros . Ilardwicke , F . William , Horace Petley , Arthur Weston , and G . Bridge , under the direction of the able Organist of the lodge , Bro . Horace Petley .

Merchant Navy Lodge ( No . 7 81 ) . —The opening meeting of this lodge ( which now numbers about 200 members ) was held on Wednesday , the 12 th instant , nt the Silver Tavern , Hurdett-road , under the presidency of Hro . F . H . Gooch , W . M ., supported by a galaxy of Past Masters , including Bros . T . Neville , Geo . Palmer , J . VV . Reeves , F . Robinson , A . II . Shepherd , R . C . Pasfield , and

S . VV . Timson . The following ofiicers assisted : Bros . W K . Turriff , S . VV . ; G . J . Anderson , J . W . ; J . » . Daniell ' , P . M ., Treas . ; C . Breden , P . M ., Sec ; G . H . Seage , S . D . ; T . D . Burgess J . D ., * J . Lancett , I . G . ; J . Grout ! Org . ; and A . W . Ellingford , P . M ., Tyler . Amo ' nif the Urge number of members present were Bros . ] . R , Hullen F . Richards , G . Knopp , | . G . VV . Chapman , ' ) . Miller , H ! Newton , C . S . Nelson , W . H . Mitchell , jun ., C . Porter , VV

Reports Of Masonic Meetings.

Thompson , C . Lewis . J . Spurgeon , sen ., F . A . Gardner H Lane , T . H . Cooper , S . VV . Bull , D . G . Thompson G * I ? ' Morrow , VV . Bent , P . J . Wilson , J . M . Carvell , 1 . Huw » . ' P . Saville , G . T . Hughes , R . T . Reader , Edwin Martin 1 W . M . Odling , Edward Martin , J . W . Chapman , H . Trus cott , and others . The list of visitors included Bros , l " Smith , 171 ( 5 ; G . W . Walker , 1441 ; G . J . Burrows , iSn-Snowdon Kirk , W . M . 171 G ; W . R . Shutt , P . M ., P . P . Q '

D . C . and Prov .. G . Treas . Middx . ; J . Morrison , 13 s- " \ y Mackay , 1382 ; R . Perry , P . M . 13 S 2 ; J . Thompson Stanley , 1325 ; W . J . Juby , 975 ; W . Palmer , 17 . 6 ; R C . Miners , 1 S 05 ; C . P . Allerson , 1259 ; R . C . Munro 1805 ; and ] . Mills , 1765 . ' Lodge being duly opened , and the minutes read and confirmed , Bros . Newton , Bullen , Mitchell , and Chapman " and Bro . Morrison , of 13 S 2 , were raised to the Sublime

Degree of M . M ., and Bros . Carvell and Hussey passed to the Degree of F . C . Messrs . W . G . James , J . A . Mills T Colquhoun , and F . H . Hughes were initiated . After the transaction of further business , the lod ge was closed , and the brethren adjourned to the banquet , provided by the worthy host , Bro . T . C . Cooper . Having done adequate honour to the banquet , the loyal toasts , and that of " The Grand Officers " were proposed

and accepted in loyal fashion . Bro . Shutt , replying for the Grand Officers , spoke of the admirable working of the lodge , and the hospitality of the reception of visitors . He had long desired to see the working of a lodge of such good repute , and thought that what he had seen vvas even more than he expected .

Bro . Pasfield , I . P . M ., then in a few appropriate sentences proposed "The Health of ths W . M ., " who as briefly responded . For " The Initiates " Bro . Hughes replied , and said he trusted that he would prove a good Mason and a worthy brother .

For " The Visitors , " of whom the list was a long one Bros . Snowdon Kirk , W . M . 1716 , and Perry , P . M . 13 S 2 ' replied . Both referred to the very admirable work in lodge and the hospitality at the board , and the latter especially thanked the VV . M . for his courtesy in raising Bro . Morrison , of his lodge , as his enforced departure before the next meeting would have precluded him forsome time from taking his . Third Degree .

For " The Past Masters , " Bro . Timson responded with his wonted brevity and point . Bro . Daniell , Treasurer , having left , Bro . Breden , Secretary , responded for both . He referred to the growth of thc work of a lodge so large in numbers and so prominent in the Charities . The ordinary lodge work , together vvith that of the association , made the offices of both Treasurer

and Secretary no sinecures . Bro . Turriff , S . VV ., said he was sure all the officers of the Merchant Navy Lodge vvere zealous to maintain its welldeserved reputation . The Tyler ' s toast closed a well-spent afternoon and evening . The musical honours of the evening were shared by Bros . Palmer , Burgess , Grout , Burrows , and Robinson .

Perfect Ashlar Lodge ( No . 1178 ) . —On Thursday , the Gth instant , the installation meeting of the above lodge took place at thc Bridge House Hotel , London Bridge , S . E . The lodge having been opened , the minutes of the previous meeting were unanimously confirmed . The VV . M ., Bro . A . H . Osman , then proceeded to initiate Mr . Guy Rowland Warren , vvhich he di I in his usual impressive manner . Bro . Albert Toley , S . VV ., W . M , elect , vvas then

duly presented and installed as W . M . for the ensuing year , the ceremony being performed in a most beautiful and effective manner by Bro . Osman , and at the close he vvas heartily applauded . A vote of thanks to the Installing Master , the voting of a sum of money to the widow of a late brother , and " Hearty good wishes " from the visiting brethren , brought the proceedings of the lodge to a close ,

and . the brethren adjourned to the banquet table . The banquet vvas served in a manner which reflected great credit on the worthy host , Bro . James Pearce , and the wines were of exceptionally good quality . The VV . M ., Bro . Albert Toley , then asked the brethren to be upstanding , and , in a few well-chosen words , he gave " The Oueen and the Craft . " The toastof " H . R . H . the M . W . G . M . " , vvas very heartily

received . The next toast , "The Pro G . M ., the Deputy G . M ., and the rest of the Grand Ofiicers , Present and Past , " came in for a goodly round of applause in the usual Masonic - fashion .

In response to the toast of "The VV . M ., " Bro . Albert Toley briefly replied , thanking the brethren for the great honour they had conferred upon him , and he also informed the brethren that he intended to stand as Steward for the Boys' School during the coining year , and appealed to those present to support him on that occasion . He then proposed ' The Health of the Installing Master , Bro . A . II . Osman , I . P . M . " and on behalf of the lodge , presented him with a

beautiful Past Master ' s jewel , and while fixing it on his breast , congratulated him upon the great success which had attended his year of office , he having had no less . than 14 initiates . Bro . F . W . Stamp , P . M . and Stwd ., then presented Bro . Osman , on behalf of the initiates , during his year of oflice , with a beautifully illuminated address , accompanied with a collar and Past Master ' s jewel .

The I . P . M ., in reply , said he was quite overwhelmed with so much kindness , and while thanking the lodge and those brethren he had initiated for their beautiful presents , he hoped he should be spared to devote many years of useful service to the lodge . The VVorshipful Master then called upon the brethren to drink "The Health of the Initiate , Bro . Guy Roland Warren . "

Bro . Warren returned thanks for the ^ kind reception he had met with . The toastof " The Visitors " vvas received most cordially > and the Worshipful Master read the names of those who lie said had honoured the lodge vvith their company—Br * , , ' Huckbridge , I . G . 1 G 5 S ; C . R . Williams , P . P . J £ * - Bucks , and P . M . 2202 ; J . E . Gentle , 1 G 5 G ; H .

Cajvthorne , P . M . 432 ; H . C . Lloyd , 22 G 2 ; Rev . Henry vyc » = > P . M . and Chap . 140 ; C . W . Bellchamber , 7 65 ! J , * , * , McLeod , P . P . S . G . W . Derbyshire , and Sec . K . M- ' ii ' VV . Wingham , P . M . 25 ; G . Walker , 1471 ; and R . L . " * Collin , P . M . 1572 , and P . P . G . D . C . Surrey . , ., Bros . Gollin , Wingham , and Wells , responded on behaii of the visitors , and the Worshipful Master then prop osCU "The Health of the Past Masters of the Lodge . "