The Vicar Of Brigg And The Freemasons.

THE VICAR OF BRIGG AND THE FREEMASONS .

The following letter was addressed to the editor of the " Hull and Lincolnshire Times " : — Sir , —You gave in your last issue an accurate report of the proceedings of the Freemasons at Brigg on the 6 th inst ., at the Lincolnshire provincial meeting . It is generally understood that the objects of the fraternity are the

promotion of benevolence , morality—in a word , every charitable feeling and practice , and every Christian and moral virtue . On this occasion , as several clergymen belong to the Order , it was desired by some of the members , as was the case at Peterborough Cathedral the week prior to the last , and some time since at York Minster , to have a service at Brigg Church ; but the vicar , the Rev .

W . J . Wylie , M . A ., claiming a gift of penetration beyond his clerical brethren , discovered such infidelity or expansion of religious views among Freemasons as to refuse them the privilege of the worst of sinners—pessimi sontium—to join , as Freemasons , in his Church at Brigg ( which , by-the-bye , is a National Church ) , in the service of prayer and praise , and declined to allow one of

the Grand Chaplains of their Order , a duly ordained minister of the Church of England , as well as Mr . Wylie , and whose teaching must conform to the articles and liturgy of the Church of England , to address Freemasons on their religious and moral duties in his church , or rather the Church of England , at Brigg . Furthermore , it may be stated as authentic that one

of the sidesmen of Brigg Church , an influential resident in that town , aided the vicar by his influence and purse , very recently , to place a peal of bells in the tower of Brigg Church , and this gentleman is well known to be the leading Freemason in the town of Brigg ; and the Master of the Freemasons' lodge at Brigg , at the present time , is a neighbouring clergyman , Mr . Wylie ' s equal in

ability , moral conduct , orthodoxy , and piety . Now , can there be a more wanton exhibition of the absence of brotherly' -love , or a more tyrannical aggression on the rights of the laity , than to exclude them from the service of common prayer , the prescribed ritual of our National Church ? Such an assumption of power as to exclude , or rather excommunicate , both priest and people from the services of the

Church of England is to reach the acme of petty popedom in England , and to set up a capricious clerical test as the condition of public worship . As a beneficed clergyman of the Church of England , and a doctor of divinity of both English Universities , I record my protest against this audacious yet puerile aggression on the rights of conscience and the principles of civil and religious liberty . Such

drivelling senttmentahsm , evinced m action by tyrannical authority , only rouses the laity to personal indignation , and-leads some to argue , however illogically , for the disestablishment of the Anglican Church , which , in common with others , I so strongly deprecate . Let the Pope of Rome , if his Holiness please , place Freemasonry , as he does the

Church of England , under his ban . We require not , but rather protest against , any mawkish imitation of the decrees of the Vatican , with respect to Masonry or other matters , from any clergyman who cats the bread , and ministers in the church , of the British Reformation . —I am , Sir , yours obediently . DANIEL ACE , D . D .

Freemasons And The Drama.

FREEMASONS AND THE DRAMA .

The Masonic body has on various occasions of late been made the medium in Devonshire for appeals in aid of charitable objects . It recently occurred to a brother or brethren that there were sufficient Masons in the

neighbourhood fond rf appearing on the stage to form a histrionic club , and that Masonic patronage might be counted on if the proceeds of the entertainments were given to charitable objects . Several brethren rallied promptly to the suggestion , and the formation of the club was recently announced .

this week the members make their debut at the Plymouth Theatre Royal , and have selected on the present occasioi for their aid the Royal British Female Orphan Asylum at Stoke , and the Royal Masonic Boys' School in London . Last evening the first performance was given ,

and conspicuous among the audience was a liberal gathering of brethren in full Masonic dress , which had been requested . The performances were opened with a prologue written and spoken by Major Shanks . Its special appeal to " the brethren of the mystic tie " and its compliment . " Ladies , I need make no appeal to you ,

For in your hearts you all are Masons true , " drew warm applause . The pieces for the evening were Dion Boucicaull's drama " The Colleen Bawn , " followed by " Jeremy Diddler . " In the drama the principal parts were taken by Messrs . Curteis , Hardness Cregan ; J . Rendle , Kyrlc Daly ; W . H . Pike , Myles-na-Coppaleen ; Lucas , R . M ., Danny Man ; and Twose ,

Father Tom ; with the aid of lady professionals . The piece passed off smoothly and with very few hitches , and that this should be so , when given by an amateur company on the first occasion of its members playing together , was highly creditable . The racy Irish pathos and fun that have enabled that drama to be played for dozens of nights together at the tame theatre with success could not be expected under the circumstances . Jeremy Diddler had

the marked advantage of having Mr . J . R . Newcombe in one of his stock characters , given with his usual ability , and afforded much amusement . On Friday "The Ticket of Leave Man" and " Raising the Wind" was performed . With the advantage of further histrionic culture and acquaintance with stage business , the club will doubtless increase in attraction , especially if playing at a more popular period of the year for theatrical performances . — - " Western Morning News . "

Freemasons And The Drama.

A concert in aid of the benevolent funds and charities connected with the Torbay Lodge , No . 1358 , and in commemoration of the safe return to his native land of H . R . H . the Prince of Wales , M . W . Grand Master of Freemasons , was given on Tuesday , June 6 th , at the Royal Bijou Theatre , Paignton . The brethren of the neighbourhood mustered in large numbers , wearing Masonic clothing , a

dispensation having been granted by the Provincial Grand Master , Rev . J . Huyshe . A festival cantata formed the first part of the concert , the words selected from Psalms 121 and 125 , the music composed by the Organist of the lodge , Bro . T . Brooks , R . A . M . ( formerly Organist of St . Alban ' s Abbey ) . The composer conducted , and the solos and recitations were very ably rendered by Miss Brooks ,

the Rev . W . H . Butlin , and the Rev . W . Watkins . A choir of upwards of thirty voices sang the choruses very effectively , and the whole work was received with warm approbation by a large and critical audience , the earnest feelings of all being thoroughly moved by the appropriate verses from Psalm 121 , in the concluding portion , "The Lo rd shall preserve thy going out , and thy coming in ,

from this time forth , for evermore . Hallelujah ! " " My help cometh from the Lord , who hath made heaven and earth . Hallelujah ! Amen . " The second part was a miscellaneous selection . The songs— " The Raft , " Rev . W . Watkins ; " Tom Bowling , " Rev . W . H . Butlin ; " Soft melody , thy kindly voice , " and "The Mermaid , " Miss Brooks—were deservedly encored , the two latter being

very skilfully accompanied on the violin by Bro . A . H . Dendy , whose beautiful instrument was heard to great advantage in the cantata , and throughout the programme . The part singing by the choir was much admired , "Spring with fairy foot" being encored . The finale , " God Bless the Prince of Wales , " was sung with hearty zeal , bringing this successful concert to a conclusion , and it is a pleasure to be able to state that the result of this loyal and fraternal

meeting will be a considerable augmentation of the charitable funds of the lodge . The Prince of Wales ( who has recovered fi ; nn his recent illness ) visited the Horse Show at the Alexandra Park on Wednesday . His Royal Highness arrived at twenty minutes past one o ' clock . The Prince met with an enthusiastic reception . After dc'jeunc-t his Royal Highness witnessed a leaping competition . It is expected that he will leave on Saturday for Sandowa Park .

The amount of contributions to the Hospital Sunday Fund received at the Mansiaa House to Wednesday evening exceeded £ 13 , 000 . Bro . Sir Edward Lee has had the honour of being presented to H . R . H . the Prince of Wales by His Grace the Duke of Beaufort .

Metropolitan Masonic Meetings.

METROPOLITAN MASONIC MEETINGS .

For the Week ending Friday , June 30 , 1876 . The Editor will be glad to receive notice from Secretaries of Cra ' t Lodges , Royal Arch Chapters , Mark Lodges , Preceptories , Conclaves , & c , of any change in place or time of meeting .

SATURDAY , JUNE 24 . Lodge 1541 , Alexandra Palace , Muswell Hill , N . K . T . Precep . D . Mount Calvary , London Tav ., Bishopsgate . LODGES OF INSTRUCTION . Lily , Greyhound , Richmond . Manchester , 77 , London-st ., Fitzroy-square . Star , Marquis of Granby , New Cross-rd .

MONDAY , JUNE 26 . LODGES or INSTRUCTION . Prince Leopold , Lord Stanley Tav ., Kingslan . l . Strong Man , Jerusalem Tav ., St . John ' s Gate . Sincerity , Railway Tav ., Fenchurch-st . Station .

Camden , Stanhope Arms , Up . James-st ., Camden 1 o . Eastern , Royal Hot ., Mile-end-road . St . James ' s Union , Union Tav ., Air-st ., Regent-st . Wellington , White Swan , Deptford . Perfect Ashlar , Victoria Tav ., Lower-rd ., Rotherhithe . Sydney , White Hart Ho ., Church-rd ., UpperNorwood .

TUESDAY , JUNE 27 . LODGES or INSTRUCTION . Metropolitan , 269 , I ' cntonville-rd . Yarborough , Green Dragon , Stepney . Domatic , Surrey M . H ., Camberwell New-ro 2 d . Faith , 2 , Westminster Chambers , Victoria-st .

Prince Fredk . Wm ., Lord's Hot ., St . John ' s Wood . Dalhousie , King Edward , Triangle , Hackney . Prosperity , 1 , Camomile-st ., Bishopsgate . St . Marylebone , British Stores Tav ., St . John ' s Wood . Constitutional , Wheatsheaf Hot ., Hand-court , Holborn .

Israel , Rising Sun Tav ., Globe Road . Royal Arthur , Prince ' s Head , York-road , Battersea . Beacontrce , Red Lion , Leytonstone , at 8 . Metropolitan Chapter , Jamaica Coffee Ho ., Cornhill . Excelsior , Commercial Dock Tav ., Rotherhithe .

WEDNESDAY , JUNE 28 . Anniversary Festival R . M . I , for Boys . —See Advt Lodge 2 , Antiquity , F . M . H . „ 754 , High Cross , Seven Sisters , Tottenham . „ 778 , Bard of Avon , Greyhound , Hampton Court . ,, 898 , Temperance-in-the-East , 6 , ts ' ewby-pl ., Poplar .

,, 1415 , Campbell , Mitre Hot ., Hampton Court . ,, 1540 , Chaucer , Bridge House Hot ., London-brdgc . Chap . 13 , Union Waterloo , M . H , tVoohvich . „ 820 , Lily of Richmond , Greyhound , Richmond . „ 907 , Royal Albert , White Hart , Abchurch-lane . Red Cross Con . 15 , St . Andrews , 68 , Regent-st ., W .

LODGES OF INSTRUCTION , Mt . Lebanon , Windsor Castle Tav ., Southwark-bdg .-rd . Pythagorean , Prince of Orange , Greenwich . New Concord , Rosemary Branch Tav ., Hoxton .

Metropolitan Masonic Meetings.

Royal Union , Horse and Groom , Winsley-st ., Oxford-st . Peckham , Maismore Arms , Park-road , Peckham . Stanhope , Thicket Hot ., Anerley . Finsbury Park , Finsbury Park Tav ., Seven Sisters ' -rd . Southwark , Southwark Park Tav ., Soulhwark Park . Duke of Connaught , Haveloek Tav ., Dalston , E .

United Strength , Grafton Arms , Kcntissfi-town . Islington , Crown and Cushion , Lon Ion Wall . Whittington , Black Bull Tav ., Holborn . THURSDAY , JUNE 29 . Gen . Com . Girls' School , at 4 . Mark Lodge 3 , Keystone , Ship and Tunl .-, Leadenhall-st .

LODGES OF INSTRUCTION . Egyptian , Hercules Tav ., Leadenhall-st . Fidelity , Yorkshire Grey , London-st ., W . Finsbury , Jolly Anglers' Tav ., Bath-st ., City-road . Temperance in the East , Catherinc-st ., Poplar . Ebury , 12 , Ponsonl y-st ., Milbank .

Highgate , Bull and Gate , Kentish-town . The Great City , 111 , Cheapside . High Cross , Coach & Horses , High-road , Tottenham . Salisbury , Union Tav ., Air-stt ., Regent-st . Marquis of Ripon , Albion Tav ., Albany-rd ., Dalston . Prince Frederick William Chapter , St . John's Wood . Southern Star , Crown Hot ., Blackfriars-rd .

FRIDAY , JUNE 30 . Chap . 749 , Belgrave , Ship and Turtle . Leadenhill-st . LODGES OF INSTRUCTION . Union Waterloo , Thomas-st ., Woolwich . Robert Burns , Union Tav ., Air-st ., Regent-st . Belgrave , Lyceum Tav ., 354 , Strand . Onions Emulation ( for M . M . ' s ) , F . M . H .

Temperance , Victoria Tav ., Victoria-road , Deptford . Clapton , White Hart , Clapton . Metropolitan , Portugal Hot ., Fleet-st . Westbourne , Horse & Groom , Winsley-st ., Oxford- < t . Metropolitan , Pentonville-road . U :. ited Pilgrims , Surrey M . H , Camberwell New-road . St . James ' s , New Tanners'Arms , Grange-rd ., Bermondsey . Duke of Edinburgh , Silver Lion , ' Penny-fields , Poplar ,

Doric , Earl Grey Tav ., Mile-end-road . Burgoyne , Grafton Arms , Prince of Wales's-road , N . W . St . Luke ' s , White Hart , King ' s-rd ., Chelsea . Chigwell , Bald-faced Stag hot ., Buckhurst-hil ) . Burdett Coutts , Approach Tav ., Victoria Park . Royal Standard , Finsbury Park Tav ., Holloway . Ranelagh , Clarendon Hot ., Hammersmith . Pythagorean Chapter , Prince of Orange , Greenwicli-rd .

Masonic Meetings In West Lancashire And Cheshire.

MASONIC MEETINGS IN WEST LANCASHIRE AND CHESHIRE .

For the Week ending Saturday July , 1 , 1876 . MONDAY , JUNE 26 . Chap . 241 , Friendship , M . H ., Liverpool . TUESDAY , JUNE 27 .

Lodge 241 , Merchants ' , M . H ., Liverpool . M 1393 , Hamer , 22 , Evert-t-. rd ., Liverpool . „ 1609 , Dramatic , M . H ., Liverpool . Chap . 823 , Eveiton , M . H ., Livrrpool . Mark Lodge 11 , Joppa , M . C ., Birkenhead .

WEDNESDAY , JUNE 28 . Lodge 220 , Harmony , Garston Hot ., Garston . „ 724 , Derby , M . H ., Liverpool . Chap . 1052 , Callrnder , P . H ., Rusholme . „ 1356 , De Grey and Ripon , M . H ., Liverpool . Neptune L . of I ., M . H ., Liverpool . THURSDAY , JUNE 29 . Lodge 1113 , Fermor , M . H ., Southport .

Masonic Meetings In Glasgow And West Of Scotland.

MASONIC MEETINGS IN GLASGOW AND WEST OF SCOTLAND .

For the Week ending Saturday , July 1 , 1876 . All the Meetings take place at Eight o ' clock .

MONDAY , JUNE 26 . Lodge 103 , Union & Crown , 30 , II >;> e-st ., Glasgow . „ 292 , St . John , Bishop-st ., R ithesay . Chap . 122 , Thetis , 35 , St . James-st ., S . S ., Glasgow . TUESDAY , JUNE 27 .

Lodge 55 6 , Clydesdale , 106 , Rose-st ., S . S ., Glasgow . Chap . 67 , Cathedral , 22 , Stiuthers-st ., Glasgow . WEDNESDAY , JUNS 28 . Lodge 505 , Burns St . Mary , Commercial Inn , Hurlfurd . Chap . 13 Caledonian of Unity , 213 , Buchanan-st .

THURSDAY , JUNE 29 . Lodge 570 , Kenmuir , Balgray Hall , Springburu . Chap . 117 , Govan , Portland Buildings , Govan . FRIDAY , JUNE 30 . Lodge 51 , Loudon Kilwinning , Com . Hot , Newmihts . „ 118 , St . Bride , M . H ., Douglas .

„ 125 , St . James , Masons' Arms , Newton Ayr . „ 153 , Royal Arch , Cogan-st ., Pollokshaws . „ 195 , St . John Caledonian R . A ., Lennox Arms „ 236 , St . John , Wilsoiitown Iron Woiks , M . H ., Forth . „ 244 , Union , Black Bull Inn , Stonehouse . „ 347 , St . John Operative , M . H ., Rutherglen . Chap . 79 , Commercial , 30 , Hope-st ., Glasgow .

SATURDAY . JULY 1 . Lodge 45 8 , St . John , Wilson's Hall , Busby , at 6 p . m . „ 544 , St . Andrew , M . H ., Coatbridge .

Masonic Meetings In Edinburgh And Vicinity.

MASONIC MEETINGS IN EDINBURGH AND VICINITY .

For the Week ending Saturday , July 1 , 1876 . MONDAY , JUNE 26 . Lodge 349 , St . Clair , F . M . H ., George-st . TUESDAY , JUNE 27 . Lodge 151 , Defensive Band , Alexandra II ., Cockburn-st . Chap . 40 , Naval and Military , F . M . H ., 98 , George-st .

WEDNESDAY , JUNE 28 . Lodge 112 , St . John , Royal Hot ., Musselburgh . FRIDAY , JUNE 30 . - •¦ d ge 22-j i Trafalgar , 54 , Bernard-st ., Leith .