Red Cross Of Constantine.

Red Cross of Constantine .

ORIGINAL OR PREMIER CONCLAVE OF ENGLAND ( Acting by Immemorial Constitution ) . — A meeting of the above conclave was held on Monday , ist inst ., at the Freemasons' Tavern , presided over by V . 111 . Sir Kt . Rev . Dr . Brette , G . H . Prelate , M . P . S ., assisted by Sir Kt . John Thomas Moss , P . S . Eusebius ; Sir Kts . Robert Wentworth Little , P . S . ; H . C Levandcr , P . S . ; Thomas Cubitt , P . S . ; H . A . Dubois , P . S . ; George

Kenning , P . S . ; Rev . P . M . Holden , J . Mason , T . Kingston , Joshua Nunn , Shirley , Townsend , Mather , Letchworth , Parker , Colonel Peters , Cockle , and others . Visitor : Sir Kt . Lambert , Plantagenet Conclave . The minutes of the last conclave were read and confirmed . It was proposed , seconded , and carried , that the future meetings of the conclave be held at the Freemasons' Tavern . The Sir Knights dined together , the usual toasts being most ably proposed by the M . P . S .

[ The following reports were received too late for insertion under their proper heading . ] DOMATIC LODGE ( No . 177 ) . —This old-established lodge met at Anderton ' s Hotel , on Friday , the 14 th inst ., under the presidency of Bro . J . Willing , W . M ., who after his usual perfect rendering of the ceremonies , proceeded with the election of W . M ., Treasurer , < Src , for

the ensuing year , resulting 111 the unanimous choice of Bro . J . Buscall , J . W ., to the Worshipful Masters' chair . Bro . Smith , P . M ., P . G . P ., was also unanimously re-elected Treasurer . The lodge adjourned to banquet , presided over by the W . M ., and honoured by numerous visitors . ECLECTIC LODGE ( No . 1201 ) . —The following were present at the meeting of this lodge , as reported at

page 571 : Bros . J . Sear , 1224 ; 1 . K . Smith , Ivy , 1441 ; W . E . G . Pearce , St . Mary's , 60 ; Jas . Stevens , The Great City ,, P . M . 1426 , 1216 ; Jno . Syer , 1017 ; A . Allworth , Golden Rule , 1261 ' , A . Botibal , Joppa , 1 S 8 ; J . E . Beckett , Golden Rule , 1261 ; C . J . Reael , Vaux ., 393 ; Dr . E . Payne , Golden Rule , 1261 . A . F . Tontine , Finsbury , 861 ; S . Botibol , Joppa , 188 ; A . Sedgwick Wooley , Adelphi ,

1670 . -METROPOLITAN LODGE ( No . 1507 ) . —The usual monthly meeting was held at Anderton ' s Hotel , Fleet-street , on Wednesday , the 19 th inst . Bro . R . T . Kingham , W . M ., presided , supported by Bros . J . Willing , P . M ., Treas . ; J . Williams , I . P . M . ; W . M . Stiles , Sec . and J . D . ; W . Side , S . D . ; Colls , I . G . ; H . Stiles , D . C ;

G . Clark , W . S . ; H . Lovegrove , Steward and Assist . Sec The lodge having been openeel , Bro . H . Clark and G . J . Barton were raised to the degree of Master Mason . Bros . T . Lea , Channing , Garrett , J . Ford , and J . J . Steele were passed to the Second Degree . Bros . J . Gavvith and F . H . Clemow were elected joining members . After ballot , Messrs . R . Kearns , S . Ward , C G . Cruikshanks , and

J . H . Grant were duly initiated into the mysteries of the Order . Some other business having been transacted , the lodge was closed and the brethren adjourned to the banquet . Bros . Read , Rees , Brown , and several others were visitors , and made suitable speeches in response to the toast of "The Visitors , " several highly complimenting the Master on the efficient working of the lodge .

SUNDERLAND . —Palatine Lodge ( No . 97 ) . —On Thursday , the 13 th December , the installation of Bro . Taylorson Sharp , S . W ., took place at the Masonic Hall , Park Terrace . The lodge was opened at four o ' clock by the W . M ., Bro . Thos . Tvvizell , and the minutes were read and confirmed . Bro . T . Sharp was then duly installed in the chair of fC . S . by the retiring W . M ., in a

most able and impressive manner , in the presence of about twenty Masters and Past Masters . The newly installed W . M . then invested his officers for the ensuing year as follows : Bros . Thos . Twizell , I . P . M . ; ] . W . Horsfield , S . W . ; T . M . Watson , J . W . ; M . Allison , P . M ., Treas . ; H . Tomkinson , Sec . ; J . H . Leech , S . D . ; A . J . Wardroper , J . D . j W . Skelton , P . M ., D . C . ; J . S . Bentley , Organist ;

G . C . Watson , I . G . ; Gro . lawseand A . F . Amundsen , Stewards ; Chas . Cobham and H . Fryer , Auditors ; J . Thompson , Tyler . The lodge was then closed by the W . M ., after which the brethren , numbering about fifty , sat down to a sumptuous dinner provided in the banqueting hall . The usual loyal and Masonic toasts having been given , " The Health of the Newly installed W . M . " was

then proposed by Bro . Thos . Twizell , I . P . M ., which was responded to in a feeling manner . The harmony of the evening was greatly enhanced by the musical ability displayed by several of the brethren . BATH . —Royal Cumberland Chapter , ( No . 41 . ) On Tuesday Dec . 18 th ., a regular meeting was held for the installation of the new officers appointed last

month , but was scantily attended from two causes , namely , the near approach of Christmas , and illness of some of the members . The chair was taken at 6 . 15 by Ex . Comp . George Par fitt P . Z ., acting as Z . at the request of the M . E . Z . ; Curey , H ; Hill , J . There were also present Ex . Comp . Moutrie , P . Z . and Treasurer ; Kccne , P . Z . ; Dr . Hopkins , P . Z . 328 , 587 , 710 ; Comp . Hcarne , E . ; Brown

N . ; Falkner , as P . Soj . ; Graham as S . Soj . ; Hunt as J . Soj . ; and several members ; also Ex . Comp . Walker , H . 53 . The chapter having been opened , the minutes were read and confirmed . 'Ihcacting Z ., in feeling terms , reported the illness of Ex . Comp . Thompson , M . E . Z . Jas . Parfitt , P . Z ., and Jelly , P . Z . of so serious a character as to cause directions to be given to Scribe E . to send letters

of sincere condolence to each of them . Comp . Young , who had been appointed Scribe N , at the last meeting having declined to take office under medical advice , a ballot was taken for Comp . Falkner as N ., and for Comp . Williamson in his place as P . Soj ., which proved favourable . The Treasurer read the report of the finances as audited , which was passed and ordered to be entered on

Red Cross Of Constantine.

the minutes . A clear ballot was taken for Bros . Hay ward anil Stuckey as candidates for exaltation at the next meeting . A resolution of which notice had been given , as to a donation of £ 5 ' to one of the charities , was directed to be held in suspense for the present , owing to the illness of the M . E . Z ., who had proposed to represent the chapter as a Steward at the annual meeting in February ,

and to have the amount placed on his list . All offices were then declared vacant , the companions who were not Principals retired , Ex . Comp . Parfitt left the chair of Z ., which was taken by Ex . Comp . Dr . Hopkins , ' to whom Ex . Comp . Carey was presented , and received from him the benefit of installation as Z . Ex . Comp . Hill was then in like manner presented and duly installed as H . Lastly ,

the Installing Principal completed the work by placing Comp . Hearne in the chair of J ., in the usual form . The Board of Installed Principals was closed , the companions reentered , and the new Principals were duly saluted and proclaimed . The following officers were invested : Brown , E . ; Falkner , N . ; Moutrie , P . Z ., Treas . ; Williamson , P . Soj . ; and Bigwood , Janitor . The appointment of Assist .

Sojs . was deferred . Three candidates for exaltation were proposed , and their names and qualifications recorded by Scribe E . On the proposition of the M . E . Z ., votes of thanks were passed to Ex . Comp . George Parfitt , for his readiness in conducting the early proceedings of the evening , in place of the invalid chief of the chapter ; to Dr . Hopkins for the care and ability with which he had worked

the three ceremonies of installation of Principals ; and to Ex » Comp . Walker for his attendance as a visitor . The resignation of membership by a companion who has left Bath was accepted . The chapter was closed at 8 . 30 p . m ., and a small party adjourned'to the Castle Hotel for refreshment and social intercourse . SHEFFIELD . — "Wentworth Lodge , ( No

1239 ) . —The annual festival of this prosperous lodge was held on Monday , the 3 rd . inst . The lodge was opened at five o ' clock by the out-going W . M ., Bro . S . B . Ellis , assisted by his officers and the whole of the P . M's . After having disposed of some routine work Bro . EUis at once proceeded to instal his successor , Bro . W . R . Thomas , M . D ., which having been performed Bro . Thomas

appointed and invested his offices as follows , Bros . S . B . Ellis , I . P . M . ; R . Ronton , S . W . ; John Clark , J . W . ; H . J . Garnett , P . M . ; Treas . ( re-elected ) , Chas . Hill . Sec , J . E . Darling , S . D . ; H . T . E . Holmes , J . D . ; J . Broadhead , I . G . ; H . Nixon , Scnr . Steward , and Thos . Blair , junr . Steward . Bro . Tindell , P . M . ; was re-elected Ch arity Steward on the Provincial Committee . Amongst the

visitors we noticed the D . P . G . M . Bro . T . W . Tew , J . P . ; Bros . Dr . Bartolome ' , P . P . G . W . ; ( 42 years a Freemason , the oldest in Sheffield ) C . F . Matier , P . G . W . Greece ; T . M . Ramplen , P . P . G . D . Line ; M . B . Whytchead , W . M . ; 1611 , York ; W . Jervis , W . M . 139 ; G . E . Webster , W . M . ; elect 139 ; W . Nicholson , W . M . elect , 296 ; B . Saville , W . M . ' 904 ; Rothcrham , W . W . Jendwinc , W . M . ;

681 , Chesterfield , and a very many otheis . A good deal of interest was taken , as this was not only the first installation in the New Hall , but Bro . Ellis was the first W . M . of the Wentworth Lodge to instal his successor . The ceremony , over the brethren repaired to the banquet , which was well served in the spacious banqueting room . The chair was most ably filled by the new W . M .,

Bro . Dr . Thomas , who gave the Royal and Masonic toasts with good taste . The toast of the evening , "The W . M ,, " was ably given by Bro . P . M . Garnett , and was received with enthusiasm . Bro . Thomas having suitably replied , the toast of " The Installing Master , Bro . S . B . Ellis , I . P . M ., " was given , wherein Bro . Ellis was congratulated on the perfect manner in which he had

performed the onerous duties of his year of office , which ability he had kept up to the last , as was shown by the excellent style in which he had that evening installed his successor . Bro . Ellis having acknowleelged these high compliments , the remainder of the toast list was gone through , that of " The Sister Lodges in Sheffield , " also that of "The Visitors" being exceedingly well received and ably responded to . Bro . Buckley presided at the

organ in lodge , anil also presided at the piano , so , with songs and recitations between the toasts , the evening was truly enjoyable and flew but too fast . The bill of fare anel toast list were very much admired , being intcspersed with most appropriate and happy Shakesperian quotations ; altogether the Wentworth Lodge is to be congratulated on its last success , and with such a W . M . as our Bro . Thomas and his excellent staff of officers there is a future equally as bright as its past .

LONDON MASONIC CLUB LODGE OF INSTRUCTION ( No . 5 8 ) . —A meeting was held on Monday , 10 th inst ., at 101 , Queen Victoria-street , E . C Present : Bros . C E . Smith , W . M . ; Langton S . W . ; W . Sharrett , J . W . ; J . E . Shand , Sec . ; C . J . Hogg , Treas . ; Turner , S . D . ; Triggs , J . D . ; Bauman , I . G . ; W . Smallpeice , Preceptor ; Strauss , White , anil others . Visitors Bros . Marner , 16 73 ; W . Legg , P . M ., & c . Lodge opened

in due form , aud minutes of last meeting were approved . The ceremony of initiation was rehearsed . Lodge advanced to Third Degree , and ceremony worked . Lodge closed down to First Degree . Bro . Langton was elected W . M ., at next meeting . Two brethren were elected members of lodge . The next meeting was adjourned over the Christmas festivities , until Monday , January 13 th , 1878 , at six o ' clock .

MOUNT SINAI CHAPTER ( No . 19 ) . —A conclave of this chapter was held at Anderton ' s Hotel , Fleet-street , on Tuesday , 18 th inst . Present : Comps . Rev . J , M . Vaughan , M . E . Z . ; W . T . Worthington , acting H . ; Geo . Read , J . ; Joseph Smith , P . Z ., Treasurer ; E .

B . Grabham , Scribe E . ; Lewis Bryett , P . S . ; W . Game , Second Assistant . The minutes of the previous convoca - tion having been read and confirmed , Comp . Joseph Smith , P . % ., then rose and announced the decease of a well known and worthy

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companion of the chapter , Comp . Thomas Lewis Fox , one of the oldest Past Principals of the chapter , whose many excellent qualities endeared him to a large circle of friends , both in and out of Masonry ; he moved a vote of condolence to his widow and family . Comp . Birch , P . Z ., seconded the resolution , which was carried unanimously . There being no candidates for exaltation , the chapter was closed and the companions adjourned to banquet , presided over by the M . E . Z .

Concerning Freemasonry And Its Secrets.

CONCERNING FREEMASONRY AND ITS SECRETS .

The following asks questions we often asked before becoming a member of the Masonic brotherhood or fraternity . To the letter , and the replies to its questions , we invite attention , as we answer the truth and a disposition to give correct information .

Freemasonry is not a religious Order but the result of efforts to establish a great brotherhood . At the building of Solomon ' s Temple armies of men were employed . They were men skilled in their various crafts . To have been a workman on that Temple was considered a good certificate or recommendation on which to travel in search of work . The enterprise gave birth to a necessity for

good workmen to organise , as poor workmen who could not hold situations were in the habit ijf going about the country claiming to have been employed in responsible positions on the Temple . They were botch tradesmen , and by their pretensions received work from other parties which they did not do well , and thus wronged the one who gave them confidence , and brought discredit on the thousands

who were of the best workmen and engaged on the grandest edifice ever built by human hands . Thus arose the necessity for an organisation of excellence which was suggested by the builders of the Temple . It gave then and there the result—A brotherhood of Masons , who were free men , builders , duly empowered to make contracts for themselves . Free

Masons , accepted in the brotherhood as they were good Masons , builders . Signs , grips and passwords , whereby they came to know each other , and thus able to talk of the plans of the Temple , which were by order of King Solomon kept secret . These architects , free men , free and accepted Masons , were given the plans , designs and models cf the Temple ,

as they came from the wise men who were the planners thereof . The room where the plans were lodged or kept under guard , was the lodge room . To this room , those who had the signs , grips , and passwords had free access at all times , because they were men who were free , who would have no excuse for telling of the plans or the secrets as

slaves might have been forced to tell . As the wall grew , none but Free and Accepted Masons were admitted to the enclosure surrounding the Temple . As the elder members of the brotherhood needed assistants , they vouched for the character of those who became apprentices , and who were afterwards made Fellow Craft , or workers under instruction , and finally elected and made

Master Masons . Then they could come and go , free of delay at the gates . When called to their homes , they could obtain employment and wages on their return . When travelling in foreign countries they could tell who were impostors and who had been really workers on the Temple . As the Temple was dedicated to the glory of God , no

person who did not openly profess the belief in God or the Great Power of Light , Love , Power , Wonder , and Mercy , could be engaged on the edifice , lest it be profaned ; the character of the builders was strictly in accord with the design of the Temple , a grand , a glorious edifice , with none but God-like influence suffered to touch its material . Hence you see the necessity for secresy , as the builders

were sworn not to reveal the plans , nor to admit as helpers persons not mads Masons by the solemn ceremonies of the lodge room . The brotherhood grew and grew . Men who died while at work were burieel . Men who were sick , were cared for . The families of these Free Men were held sacred among Free Masons . They became a grand

united , harmonious brotherhood , keeping the secrets of Solomon , doing their best work on the Temple , caring for each other and the various jewels given them as presents by the king , and the jewels of children given them by God , while at work on the wondrous edifice .

The institution grew apace and took rich root in the minds of men that it has outlived the Temple- built by the Free and Accepted Masons , as the spirit outlives the material it once actuated . As Solomon wished to glorify God , so did Masonry arise and grow under the same inspiration . —Pomeroi / s Democrat .

ARTIFICIAL GE . VIS . —MM . Feil and Fremy , at last week ' s meeting of the Paris Academy of Sciences , read a paper describing a new process for the manufacture of rubies and other precious stones . The sensation created by these wonderful experiments has been so general that the Association of Jewellers have written to some of the papers stating that it was impossible for human art to

compete against nature , that mysterious maker having at her disposal an indefinite number of centuries , which is not the case with any human worker . M . Daubree , the Director of the School of Mines , has expressed the wish to open , in the public museum of that magnificent establishment , a gallery for the exhibition of minerals

produced artificially . M . Fell has already produced in his glass foundry , and by the same process as rubies , an immense number of stones , which can be compared with the most admirable crystalline productions of nature . Some of them are so inexpensive lhat they may be used for ordinary decorative purposes . —Nature ,