Historical Sketch Of St. David.

thus miraculously preserved from one who sought his destruction ; His mother , in her pangs , leaned against a rock , which received an impression from her leaning as if it had been wax , and also was cleft through the middle as if in sympathy with her . The child was baptised by Elisus , the Bishop of the

Muritinenses , ancl two prodigies attended the baptism .- The child was plunged into the font by a blind man , and the spray of the water coming up to his . eyes , they immediately received the power of sight , which they had never possessed before . About that time a fountain of the purest and most

sparkling water sprang up in that spot , which was afterwards much used for the purpose of baptism . St . David received a most religious education at a place called Vet us Rubus , which also bore the Latin name of Vetus Menevia , and the Welsh name of Henmenan . During his education , whilst

receiving instruction in letters , he took part in ecclesiastical services . His fellow-students declared that they sometimes saw a dove teaching him , and helping him in the singing of hymns . But as he grew older his merits still increased , and preserving him freefrom all pollution of carnality , he was

ordained a priest . He then embraced an ascetic life , and placed himself under the direction of Paulinus , a learned and holy man , who had been a disciple cf St . Germanus of Auxerre . Where Paulinus lived is-somewhat uncertain . It was in an island , and some say it was the Isle of Wight ; but there is much

reason to think that it was a small island near the coast of Wales . The identification of localities , by the very old names given in authors such as those from whom we derive our knowledge of the life of St . David , is in general extremely difficult and often impossible . It is recorded , however , that whilst the

youthful priest , David , lived with Paulinus , the old man nearly lost his sight " through old age and excessive weeping in prayer ; " but David making the sign of the cross , and at the same time touching his eyes , he saiv again quite clearly . This took place in the presence of his fellow-disciples , andafterthey had

vainly endeavoured to affect the much-desired cure . Yet such was David ' s humility , that even in making the sign of the cross and touching the eyes of Paulinus , he would not look upon the face of his master ; and for ten years which he lived with him , he kept his eyes always fixed towards the ground ,

and never raised them to look upon the countenance ofhim whom he greatly revered , and under whose direction he had placed himself . David having spent ten years after his ordination to the priesthood in preparation for the great work to which he had devoted his life , went forth to

evangelise the Britons . An angel is said to have appeared to Paulinus , and told him that it was now time for David to make use of the talent entrusted to him , and no longer to hide it in the earth . Thenceforward , David made preaching his great employment , and founded churches and monasteries in

many places . The first church which he erected was at Glastonbury , a place which had been consecrated to the divine worship by those who first introduced Christianity into Britain . Another church founded by him was at Bath , where he is said to have changed the nature of the waters , so that

instead of having an injurious effect they became beneficial to those who bathed in them , ancl the springs became hot . However this story may be regarded , we have good evidence of the existence and salutary qualities of the hot springs at Bath in the days of the Romans . It is not necessary to

enumerate the churches founded by this Saint , the more particularly as it might be difficult to make sure of the modern names corresponding to the ancientonesto which his biographers refer . It may be mentioned , however , that he founded no fewer than twelve monasteries , of which the principal was in

the Vale of Ross , near Menevia , where he trained Tinny eminent pastors and servants of God . " By his rule , he obliged all his monks to assiduous manual labour in the spirit of penance ; he allowed them the use of no cattle to case them at their work in tilling the ground . They were never suffered to

speak but on occasions of absolute necessity , and they never ceased to pray , at least mentally , during their labour . They returned late in the day to the monastery , to read , write , and pray . Their food was only bread and vegetables , with a little salt , and they , never drank anything better than a little

milk mingled with water . After their re past , they spent three hours in prayer and adoration , then took a little rest , rose at cock-crowing , ancl continued in prayer till they went out to work . Their habit was the skins of beasts . When any one petitioned to be admitted , he waited ten days at the door , during which time he was tried by harsh words

repeated refusals , and painful labours , that he might learn to die to himself . When he was admitted , he left all worldly substance behind him ; for the monastery never received anything on the score of admission . All the monks discovered there most secret thoughts and temptations to their Abbot . " Many , miracles , some of them a very remarkable character , arc reported to have been wrought by

Historical Sketch Of St. David.

St . David and his disciples . Of these , however , it does not seem necessary to give a detailed account . It must be stated , however , that at the requirement of an angel , he went on a pilgrimage to Jerusalem , which was attended with many miraculous circumstances ; and at the Holy City he was raised to the

the office of Archbishop . Returning to his native country , he was soon engaged in a contest against the Pelagian heresy , with respect to which a Synod was held either in A . D . 51201- 519 , for the date is differently given , and the eloquence and influence of David greatly prevailed to the successful result

of the Synod ' s meeting . The Archbishop of Caerleon . hereupon resigned his See to David , who was constrained by the Synod to aceept it , but insisted on removing the See from Caerleon , then a populous city , to Menevia , now called St . David's , a place of great retirement ancl seclusion . The holy Archbishop continued in his See of Menevia formally years ,

dying , as has already been said , at a very advanced age . He was buried in the church of St . Andrew at Menevia , which has since taken his name . St . Kentigern ( of Glasgow ) is said to have seen his soul borne up as it were by angels into heaven . From the time when he flourished , " he has in all succeeding ages been the glory of the British Church . "

Freemasonry And The War.

FREEMASONRY AND THE WAR .

This present war has been prolific 111 illustrations of the value of Freemasonry in dangerous emergencies , and the anecdotes are endless of the lives saved by its means . Among the cartloads of wounded of both nations which arrive from Sedan were two men whose consideration

for each other was so marked as to occasion enquiry . They wore the Prussian and the French uniform respectively , and though neither could understand a word of the other ' s language they shared their rations , and seemed to he interchanging signals of amity all clay long .

I heir story was a very simple one . I he Prussian , who is an officer , and a man of thirty-five or so , with a stern grave face , and a heavy overhanging moustache , had met the Frenchman , who is at least a dozen years his junior , on the battle-field , the latter being supported by a couple of

comrades . Twice did the wave of conflict bring these men in contact , and on the last occasion the Prussian , who was himself badly wounded in the chest , pressed the youg Frenchman hard , and had indeed hit sword uplifted to administer the coup de grace , when the latter , who was faint

from loss of blood , made a hasty sign to his victor which caused the latter to stay his hand . Parley was impossible , both from the exigencies of language and the turmoil of battle ; and , besides , both men lost consciousness and fell at each other ' s side . It turned out that the young

Frenchman had been made a Freemason a few months before the outbreak of the war , and that he had instinctively made the sign by means of which members of the Fraternity are taught to ask their brethren for help . The Prussian was an old Mason , who recognised it instantly , and

who as instinctively paused , and before there was time for consideration both men fainted away . When consciousness was restored , they found themselves side by side and with the dead and dying round them . By a strange coincidence , their wounds were such that each

could give the other some slight relief , and the late enemies employed their weary hours , in which they lay disabled and untended , in rendering little kindnesses to each other , and in thus cementing the friendship which had begun so strangely . When help came , they petitioned to

be permitted to keep together , telling their story with considerable effusiveness to the doctor , who after some time came to them on the field . This gentleman , who was not a military surgeon , but a member of the blessed society which dates from Geneva , raised his hands in pleased

astonishment at the tale he heard , and at once showed himself to b ; a Freemason too ; so that three brethren of the mystic tie were to be seen wondering over the strange chance which had thrown them together . I don ' t profess to be able to explain the particular influence brought

into play , or the kind of solace which Freemasons find in each other ' s company , but it is certain that the wounded men are supremely satisfied at the resull , and that their story has given them quite a celebiity among their fellowsufferers .

Freemasonry And The War.

At Iges , where the French prisoners were placed after the capitulation of Sedan , and where , it is too but true , they were all but starving , some of their number contrived to make it known to their captors that they were Masons , and though this was ineffectual in many instances , the

sturdy and uninitiated Prussians laughing the Masonic gestures to scorn , wherever . it succeeded the men obtained little comforts which were priceless . A stout trooper was seen handing a warm frieze coat to one prisoner , and giving part of his rations to another : and explained his

conduct to an inquirer with a sheepish smile , which spoke volumes , " They are my brothers , although I have fought with them , and they are hungry and cold , and must be helped . They would do it for me . " These are merely typical cases . But it is impossible to mix much with the troops ,

particularly after a battle , without hearing of kindred instances of Masonic usefulness . The Masons themselves are very proud of their Order , and of the way in which its principles have , they say , risen superior to war . How it

is that these loving brethren can ever have flown at each other ' s throats , and mangled each other ' s bodies , is another question , particularly as they tell you that Louis Napoleon and Prince Frederick William of Prussia are both Freemasons of high degree . —Daily News .

Prov. Grand Lodge Of Wilts.

PROV . GRAND LODGE OF WILTS .

On Wednesday , the 14 th inst ., the annual meeting of the Provincial Grand Lodge took place at the New Hall , Chippenham , under the presidency of the Right Worshipful Provincial Grand Master , Bro . Lord Methuen . There was a large attendance of the brethren , including many visitors from the neighbouring province of Somerset . After the usual routine of reading the Secretary ' s

report and passing the Treasurer ' s accounts had been transacted , the votes to the various Masonic charities were made ; also a sum of 10 guineas to the International Society for the benefit of the sick and wounded in the present war . Bro . Samuel Wittey , the D . Prov . G . M ., then intimated he had accepted the office of one of the stewards at the approaching festival of the Girls' School , upon

which it was unanimously agreed that as a mark of respect of the Provincial Grand Lodge towards him , that a sum of 10 guineas should be voted to constitute him as D . P . G . M ., a Life Governor of the Girls' School . The Prov . Grand Master then presented to the

brethren who had already served the office of steward at the festivals of the Boys' and Girls' schools , and for the large sums they had collected for those charities , the Provincial Grand Lodge charity jewels . The brethren entitled were F . T . Ravenshaw , C . W . Wyndham , R . D . M . Lawson , and E . T . Inskip .

After this the Provincial Grand Master proceeded to invest his officers for the ensuing year as . follows : Bro . S . Wittey D . P . G . M . „ G . J . Parfitt S . G . W . ,, Tohn Toomer J . G . W .

„ W . M . P . Pyrn ... G . Chaplain . „ J . Bradford G . Treasurer . „ W . C . Mevriman ... G . Registrar . ,, II . C . Tombs G . Secretary .

„ F . V . Ilolloway ... S . G . D . „ II . P . lSlackmore ... J . G . D . ,, G . Goldney , M . P . ... G .-Supt . ofWks . „ II . Ward Asst . ditto . ,, John Heame G . D . of Cers . „ George Reynolds ) Asst . G . D . C . ' s .. Howell \

„ A . J . Braid G . Standard-bearer . ,, K . II . Taylor G . Organist . ,, A . Mitchell Asst . ditto . ,, E . T . Inskip G . Pursuivant . „ J . Berry Asst . ditto .

,, M . Rogers \ „ S . Saxty „ T . P . Saunders I ~ Stewards .. T . 15 . Evans f- U' : = tewaws - ... ... .-

,, „ A . Graham „ J . Collcy J ,, J . Savory G . Tyler . ,, II . Cox Asst . ditto .

Bro . E . T . Inskip made a most valuable present to the ledge of the jewel and regalia of a Grand Pursuivant . The business of the lodge having been concluded , the brethren adjourned to the Angel Hotel , where a most recherch ! banquet awaited them , which did

great credit to the new landlord , Mr . Careless ; indeed , it was generally admitted that a handsomer dinner had never been served in Chippenham . The Provincial Grand Master and Brother Gabriel Goldney , M . P ., sent a liberal supply of game and fruit .