Masonry A Religion.

js due from the creature to his Creator ; to implore his aid in all our laudable undertakings , and to esteem Him as the chief good ? Banish religion from around that sacred altar , where we are taught that the Holy Bible is given „ s as a rule and guide for our conduct ? Religion is defined to be , " Any system of faith and worship . " The relig ion of Masonry is a trust in , and the worship

0 f , Almighty God , thc Creator of the Universe , who controls the destinies of all created beings . -This much- being accepted , we have nothing to do with particular creeds and dogmas . Let each individual Mason hold his own views as to what beliefs and actions are necessary to his eternal salvation . A living faith in God , a full sense of individual responsibility to

Him , and a life of virtue and morality , is what Masonry requires of its votaries . All else is left to the individual consciences of the brethren . That is the religion of Masonry ; and he who does not subscribe to it casts aside the teachings and ground-work of the Institution . We need more the one All-Father , and the direct personal responsibility of each one of His creatures . When that

sp irit is attained and controlled , let the individual seek his home in that Church or belief that is best adapted to his mind and commends itself to his judgment ; with his action in that regard Masonry has nothing to do , so long as the teachings and practices of that faith or institution are not subversive of thc principles of virtue and morality ,

and are not inconsistent with a due obedience to legally constituted authorities and a proper subordination to the laws of thc country in which we live . Actuated by these sentiments , and united by the bonds of fraternal love , we can heartily exclaim with the poet : — " Maker anel High Priest , I ask thee not my joys to multiply , Only to make me worthier of those I have . " G . M . of Utah , in the Voice of Masonry .

Testimonial To Bro. George Markham Tweddell.

TESTIMONIAL TO BRO . GEORGE MARKHAM TWEDDELL .

We have been requested to publish the following , and hope that our brother will be materially benefitted by the exertions of his friends : —

It has long been the wish of the friends and admirers of this well-known author and public speaker , to present him with some substantial testimonial of esteem , for his lite-long labour for the mental and moral elevation of the people . There has scarcely been a movement in the path of progress which he has net aided , publicly and privately ,

by his tongue and pen , from his youth up to the present time ; often at a great pecuniary loss to himself ; so that many , who may have differed widely from him in opinion , have not hesitated to express their admiration of the enthusiastic and unflinching manner in which he has always devoted his abilities in striving to promote whatever

appeared to him to be for the good of humanity , whether popular or otherwise . The present testimonial will consist of a purse of gold , to help him through heavy losses and family affliction , over which he has no control , anel to aid him to complete those literary labours in which he is known to have been so long engaged ; while to preserve

an enduring record of its presentation , the names of all thc subscribers , whether of pounds or pence , will be printed in book forra , and . copies deposited in all the principal public libraries , as well as distributed among the subscribers . The testimonial will not be of a sectarian , party , or even local character ; and subscriptions for the same will be

gladly received , and duly acknowledged , by Wm . Andrews , F . R . H . S ., No . 10 , Colonial-strect , Hull Charles Bell , i , Sussex-street , Middlesbrough , and High street , Redcar . Isaac Binns , F . H . H . S ., Batley .

K . Broadbrielge , Wilnecote , near Tamworth . . ] . Tom Burgess , F . S . A ., Grassbrooke , Leamington . XV . M . Burnett , Middlesbrough . T . XV . Craster , M . D ., Linthorpe-road , Middlesbrough . L . V . Crummey , M . R . C . S ., Manor House , Great Ayton , via Northallerton .

John Dixon , Skelton , via Marske-by-the-Sea . John Dunning , Southfield-villas , Middlebsrough . Joseph Gould , 24 , South-street , Middlesbrough . George Kenning , 198 , Fleet-street , 1 , 2 , and 1 , Little Britain , and 17 s , Aldersgate-street , Lonelon ; 2 , Monument 1 'ace , Liverpool ; and 9 , West Howard-strcet , Glasgow .

David Normington , Stokesley . Jiev . John Oxlce , Rector of Cowesby , via Thirsk . John Ryley Robinson , LL . D ., Westgate , Dewsbury . John Sutherst , Cleveland Ironworks , Gisbrough . George Watson , J . P ., Cleveland Villas , Middlesbrough , lersons wishing to beadded to thc above listarc requested to send their names and addresses to

WILLIAM AMI HI : US , F . R . H . S . ., Hon . Sec fto . 10 , Colonial-strect , Hull . ,, March , 18 77 . . 'he following subscriptions have already been reeeivcel : —

v £ s - < ' ^ 'Mgc Marwood , Esq ., J . P ., Bushby Hall ... 10 o o Kob ' -rt Henry Allen , Esq ., J . P ., F . S . A ., lilack-, "'tl ' Hal ! - ¦ , o o J E " "ecd A pplcton , Esi | ., F . S . A ., Durham ... 500 ' Maucr , authoress of " Far and Near , " Sec c , o o , " '• John Oxlce , Rector of Cowesby ' o o i ^ A F . Woodford , M . A 200 1 '" m Andrews , Esq ., F . R . H . S ., Hull 1 o o

G ^ -Binns , Esq ., F . R . H . S ., Batley 1 1 o JotirM , Venning , Ese ; , , 0 k "vltyRobinson , Esq 010 Ci y Jutherst , Gisbrough o 10 o fot ' J \ - H . Hick , Town Hall Batley 05 ° W at ( 1 , ubeft Murray , Kirkgate , Leeds 050 ; augl b Esq ., Aubin House , Long o \ o

Masonic And General Tidings.

Masonic and General Tidings .

We are requested to note the following particulars with reference to the Amateur Dramatic Entertainment at the Opera Comiquc ( referred to in our last ) now being organised by Mrs . Monckton , the proceeds of which arc proposed to be presented to the Freemasons ' Schools . H . R . H . the M . W . Grand Master has fixed Saturday afternoon , the , th of May , at half-past 2 o ' clock for the performance , and has graciously , with the Princess

of Wales , promised to be present . The comedietta of "Tears , " in which Mrs . Monckton and Captain Gooch made so remarkable a success at the same theatre on the 17 th February , will , by special desire , form part of the programme . On and after the 2 nd of April , places will be booked at the theatre and the libraries , but , meanwhile , seats arc being , anel may be secured , by written application to "Acting Manager , " 33 , Golden-square , who , in thc allotment , will strictly observe the priority of application .

Mizi ' . ui LODGE , NO 16 7 . —The consecration of this lodge takes place at the Albion , Aldersgate-st ., on Tuesday next at 4 o ' clock . The ceremonies of consecration and installation will be performed by V . W . Bro . John Hervey , P . G . D ., Grand Secretary , assisted by V . W . the Rev . Robt . J . Simpson , P . G . C ., and W . Bro . James Terry , G . D . ef C , Herts . The officers designate a-e Bros .

Nelson Reed , W . M . ; David R . Still , S . W . ; and Walter W . Medcalf , J . W . A full report will appear in our next . RouM , \ KiA . —The following , are the officers elected by the " Loge des Sages d'Heliopolis , Orient of Bucharest , for 1876-7 : —Bros . Dr . Sigismond Sceinir ,

Vener . ; Major Alexandre Tavernicr , ist . Surv . ; Major Jean Dimitresco , 2 nd Surv . ; Stephan C . Michailesco , Orat . ; M . Ascher , Secret . ; Ad . Deutch , Gr . Exp . ; F . Kessler , M . des Ce ' rem . ; Capt . Naimann , Treis . ; A . Berger , Hospit . ; Dr . Diano , Orat . adj . ; G . Rosenzweig Secie ' t . adj . ; El Butoiano , Couvreur . ; II . A . Levy , Archit .

CUBA . —Ihe Grand Lodge of the Island of Cuba has concluded a treaty with the Grand Orient of Spain ( that is to say , with one of the Orients which exists in Spain ) . By this treaty thc Grand Lodge of Cuba alone has the power to establish Symbolic Lodges from the First to the Fourth Degree . On the other hand , the Grand Lodge of Cuba will not recognise the superior degrees in Cuba , except they are conferred by the Grand Orient of

Spain . In addressing a gathering at Botley , on Monday , Bro . W . B . Beach , president of the Central Chamber of Agriculture , spoke with great regret of the reappearance of thc cattle plague , and said that if the Privy Council had adopted the resolutions presented by thc Chamber last year to the Duke of Richmond and Gordon , the plague would not have reappeared . at

Above ^ 3 000 has been received the Mansion House towards the fund being raised there for thc relief of the widows anel orph ins of thc crews who wcre lately lost in the North Sea . The two eldest sons of the Prince of Wales will shortly be sent on board the " Britannia " training ship , as naval Caelets , for their education .

BRO , CAPTAIN BOYTON . —A despatch from Messina says that Captain Boyton crossed the Straits on the 10 th inst ., in a storm , which placed the boats in great danger . During the passage , which occupied five hours , Capt . Boyton was attacked by a shark , but succeeded in driving off his assailant before being bitten , although he received a sharp blow from its tail . The American

Consul and several distinguished gentlemen were in the boats which accompanied him . Notwithstanding the heavy sea running at the time , Captain Boyton safely passed through the most dangerous whirlpools . A most enthusiastic reception from thousands of people awaited him on shore , where he was officially received by thc authorities . The seventh annual grand ball in aid of the

Metropolitan and City Police Orphanage will take place at the Cannon Street Hotel , on Thursday , April 26 th , under the patronage of thc Right Hon . the Lord Mayor and the Sheriffs of London and Middlesex . The governors of St . Bartholomew ' s Hospital have made arrangements for giving systematic instruction , both practical and theoretical , to young women desirous

of being traineil as nurses , and willing to enter the service of the hospital for that purpose for twelve months as probationers . Probationers , who prove efficient , will receive at the expiration of the twelve months , a certificate of competency as nurses . — City Press . We are informed that the Alexandra Palace has been leased for 21 years to Messrs . Bertram and

Roberts , and wc understand it will be reopened thc first week in May . The whole of the interior will unefergo considerable change , and thc new proprietors have determined that thc entertainments shall be of a high-class character . Season tickets will be issued at half a guinea . " Our Boys " have already raised their corps to 700 knights . —Yorick .

A RUSSIAN SAIILE CLOAK . —A good deal of interest was displayed recently at Messrs . Debcnham , Storr , and Son's auction mart , in King-street , Covci . t-garden , during the sale of the wardiobe and jewels of a well-known and distinguished foreign lady of title , especially when Lot 6 3 was reached . It was described as a matchless Russian sable cloak , composcel of skins of thc very finest

quality , as regards colourand uniformity , the skins having been selected with great care and at an enormous cost for a Royal personage . The first offer was 100 guineas , and after a prolonged competition from many bidders the cloak was sold for 460 guineas . The Hospital Saturday collection in Liverpool realised £ 2226 .

Masonic And General Tidings.

Bro . D . Murray Lyon has been appointed Grand Secretary of the Grand Lodge of Scotland . 128 voted for Bro . Wylie , Prov . Grand Secretary of Ayrshire , and 210 for Bro . Lyon , being a majority of 82 votes for the latter .

The proprietors of the Bank of England have unanimously resolved to present to the nation their collection of gold and silver coins , which have been for some years past in the custody of the trustees of the British Museum . The value of this gift is ] estimated at seven thousand pounds . The Queen held a Council at Windsor on

1 uesday , previously to which General and Madame Ignatieff were presented to her Majesty . A meeting in aid of the establishment of an Indian and Colonial Museum in London was held at the Mansion House on Tuesday , the Lord Mayor presiding . Mr . E . P . Bouverie , Mr . Twells , M . P ., Professor Fawcett , M . P ., and Sir George Campbell , M . P ., were among the

speakers . The Masonic Review has passed into other hands , owing to Bro . Moore ' s inability to meet a claim of 280 dols . upon it . How sad that one who has done so much for Masonty should have been reduced to such straits . We deeply sympathize with our unfortunate brother . —Craftsman .

We regret to announce the death of the Rev . Basil Popoff , Chaplain of the Russian Chapel , Welbeckstiett , and private Chaplain to her Royal and Imperial Highness the Duchess of Edinburgh , which took place on Monday morning after several month ' s illness . The Rev . Mr . Popoff had been long resident in this country . SACRED HARMONIC SOCIETY . — Haydn ' s

Oratoria , " The Seasons , " will be performed this ( Fiiday ) evening at Exeter Hall . Madame Blanche Cole , Mr . Cummings , and Signor Foli are the vocalists . Bro . Sir Michael Costa will conduct . The ceremony of consecrating a new Masonic Lodge at Newcastle-upon-Tyne took place on the 7 th inst ., in the Freemasons' Hall , West Grainger-st .

the V . W . the Deputy Provincial Grand Master , Bro . D . MCockcroft , presiding . There was a very large attendance of brethren and Provincial Grand Officers , Bro . E . D . t ' avies acting as Provincial Grand Director of Ceremonies , and the Rev . W . B . East , Provincial Grand Chaplain , The new lodge was named the " Gosforth Lodge , " No . 166 4 on the Register of the Grand Lodge of England , and

will be held at Bulman Village . The following brethren were installed as the first officers : —Bros . J . S . Wilson , R . W . M . ; David Hetherington , LP M . j George Cattel , S . W . Richard Eynon , J . W . ; Wm . F . M Callum , Sec j Wm . White , I . G . After the ceremony was concluded the brethren dined together at the Queen ' s Head Hotel , Pilgrim-street , Bro . J . S . Wilson , President , George Cattel ,

S . W ., Vice-president . ISLINGTON LODGE OF INSTRUCTION , NO . 1471 . —The meetings of this lodge are held every Tuesday evening , at 7 o ' clock , at Bro . Davison ' s , 13 , Silver-street , Falcon-square . Bro . J . L . Mather , P . M . 6 5 , 122 7 , and

1471 , is the Preceptor . His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales , who , much to the gratification of a large assembly , was accompanied by the Princess , presided on Wednesday at the re-opening of the Charing-cross Hospital , which has recently undergone considerable improvements and extensions .

We are requested to state that the armoury and rega'ia at the Tower of London will be closed from the 26 th to the 30 th March inclusive . At a public meeting in the Mansion House , Dublin , on Monday , the Lord Mayor presiding , it was

resolved to establish a free public library for Dublin ; the body having the management and control of the library to be , in accordance with the usage in England , a joint committee composed of members of the Municipal Council anil other citizens , and representing all denominations .

H . R . H . the G . M . was on Wednesday appointed a Captain in the Naval Reserve . Buenos Ayres advices says the heat lately experienceel there has been the greatest ever known . The thermometer marked 103 in the shade ; at EntreRios anel Santc Fe- the heat was so great as to stop all business . The office of Black . Rod , vacant bv the death

of Sir A . Clifford , has been accepted by General Sir W . Knollys , who was born in 1797 . The salary has been fixed at £ 2 , 000 per annum , with a residence within the precincts of the Palace of Westminster . Sir William will be succeeeleel b y Sir D , M . Probyn in his office of Controller of thc Household . Mr . John Wood has accepted the professorship

of clinical surgery at King ' s College Hospital , vacant by thc death of Sir W . Fergusson . In Paris at present , instead of planting young plane trees as of old on newly formed boulevards , large are planted . Thc newly formed Boulevard Henry IV . is furnished throughout with wellgrown plants , with stems nearly 1 foot in diameter and nearly 30 feet high .

The Prince of Wales , it is stated , is going to the Mediterranean , because his medical advisers consider that the state of I is health renders it necessary that he should be out of England during the spring winds , which arc rather severe on his constitution , which has not quite recovered the illness of 1871 . —Echo .

OXFORD AND CAMHRIDUE BOAT RACE . — For thc information of our readers who obtain the Freemason in time , it may be interesting to learn that it is definitely settled that the race will be rowed from Putney to Mortlake , the start taking place ) at 8 . 30 Saturday morning .