The City Masonic Club.

useful in various degrees ; but they all testified to the fact that man was a gregarious animal , and understood something of the advantages derivable fromassociation and co-operation . ( Hear . ) Might he

not place the City of London Masonic Club—which was the subject of his toast—in the category of useful clubs ? ( Hear , hear . ) He might , and he did so . ( Cheers . ) What was the object of the club ? Some who had visited them for the first

time that evening might think that their object was eating and drinking —( laughter)—but it was not so . Eating and drinking was with them but an accident . They ate and drank as a matter of duty , although they tried to make the duty , as they strove to make every duty , a pleasure . ( Cheers and laughter . )

But what was the primary object of the club ? He would briefly tell them . It was to advance its members in a correct verbal knowledge and a just appreciation of the ritual of Freemasonry ; in a correct verbal knowledge of their ritual , so that they might , as far as that went , become qualified to

take office in their respective lodges ; and in a just appreciation of the ritual , so that they mightclearly comprehending the meaning of its several parts—be able to deliver it with that propriety and due emphasis which were indispensable to render it instructive and impressive . ( Hear . ) A ritual was

useful only as a means to one end . No ritual , whether Masonic or more directly religious , was other than that . Freemasonry was a system of morality—he could not say a peculiar system of morality—for he believed it to be based upon the only real foundation of morality—the Bible ; but it

was a system of morality veiled in allegory and illustrated by symbols , and it was only as the allegories were explained and the symbols interpreted that the high moral truths and principles embodied in it were developed and made plain . ( Hear . ) He need not point out to them the great difference

there was , for both instruction and devotion , between an imperfect and slovenly and a perfect and intelligent recital of their ritual , and a dignified and lucid explanation of the symbols introduced in it . In the one case , the ceremonial was irksome and valueless , sometimes degenerating into

something little better than a solemn farce ; in the other case , it was an instructiveand impressive ceremony , stimulating the mind and the affections in the pursuit of our duty towards God and man . ( Hear . ) Well , then , they saw the object of the City of I jndon Masonic Club , and if such as were not

members of it would visit it on any Monday evening , he thought they would admit that the means employed were well adapted for the attainment of their object . They worked the ceremonies and they conversed—not debated—upon any point in the ritual that to them appeared obscure or

diverted from the original , so that they might acquire a thorough understanding of its import or meaning . There was a notion in some quarters that Masonic clubs should not be encouraged , lest they should be productive of evil instead of good . No doubt they were liable to abuse ; but what was

not ? There was no reason why a Masonic club should not be conducted with as much propriety as a lodge of instruction ; and he could safely say that this club was so conducted . If any doubted , let them come and see . ( Hear . ) He had now told them what was their object , and he believed that in

so far as that object was attained , the Craft would be improved and they would be benefited . The basis of Masonry was as wide as the world ; it was the sacred volume—truth in its highest , purest , most comprehensive and most practical form ; and upon that foundation rested the triad of their Masonic

obligations—brotherly love , relief , and truth—a triad comprehending all human virtues and forming a constellation which , when undimmed by the clouds of vice or error , shone forth with such heavenly brilliancy that it commanded the admiration and approval of God and man ; for as those virtues

were exemplified , they were carrying forward the beneficent purposes of the Great Architect of the Universe , who made His sun to rise on the evil and the good and His rain to descend on the just and the unjust . ( Hear . ) He would not be so impertinent as to deliver them a homily on their

Masonic obligations , but he might be permitted to say , that if Masons fully realised their obligations , and carried out their principles , the world would present a very different aspect to what it now did . In their families and in their social relations , and in all their transactions with the outside world ,

truth and brotherly love would be their characteristics , and others would become imbued with the like feelings and principles . ( Hear , hear . ) The demon of war would be checked in his course of death and desolation . The bloody harvest of the battle field would be stayed , and the bombarding of

cities and the burning of villages , amidst the shrieks of helpless women and children would become things of the past , only to be adverted to with feelings of detestation and horror —( cheers)—never to recur . In proportion as Masons realised their obligations and felt the force of the principles they professed , they would labour for the mental ,

The City Masonic Club.

moral , and religious culture of mankind , feeling with the poet , that"Were half the power that holds the world in terror , Were half the wealth bestowed on camps and courts , But used to raise the human mind from error Thcre'd be no need of arsenals and forts . "

( Cheers . ) He concluded by proposing " Prosperity to the City of London Masonic Club , " which was heartily received and drank . Bro . James Chapman in responding to the toast , said he had been asked to say something about the City Masonic Life Boat Fund , of which he was the

Honorary Secretary . He would not occupy their time by saying anything upon the good and merciful object of providing life-boats , to surround the shores of our maritine island . The value of such vessels was well known and appreciated , the only thing to be regretted was , that they were not more numerous .

( Hear , hear . ) The whole number of life-boats floated and maintained on our extensive coast was only 223 , a number greatly inadequate to the exigencies of the case , and he thought that the work these few boats did should stimulate them to try and increase the number . ( Hear , hear . ) In the

course of last year , the National Life Boat Institution had been the means of saving 118 lives from various wrecks , of and saving 24 vessels from destruction . Altogether , the Institution had contributed , since its establishment , to the rescuing of 20 , 000 lives from shipwreck . ( Hear , hear . ) What

would be the extent of their rescues if their fleet were half as large again ? He believed that it was from want of consideration only , that life-boats were not more numerous , and he thought it a disgrace to Freemasons , that while the Odd Fellows , Foresters , and Licensed Victuallers had each their

life-boat , the Craft was without one . ( Hear , hear . ) He and those who were working with him , wished to see that disgrace wiped away , and especially they wanted to see it wiped away from the City of London , which , though- the richest city and the largest port in the world , had no life-boat identified

with its name . ( Shame . ) He wished it to be well understood , that this Life Boat Fund had not been originated in rivalry to the other and older one that was intended to float a Masonic Life Boat . They rather hoped to stimulate the brethren who were on that committee to greater zeal and activity .

He thought they required a little stimulus , for the fund raised by the City of London Committee amounted to as much in a month as the others did in , he believed , a couple of years . ( Hear , hear . ) But he again deprecated all ideas of rivalry . Let each

committee do its best to enlarge its sphercof action , and to get as much money as it could , and he believed that before the close of the next year there would be two Masonic Life Boats afloat , under the direction of the National Life Boat Society . ( Cheers . )

Several other toasts were given and good speeches made thereon ( but we have not space to insert them ) , and the brethren separated , having enjoyed themselves much , and resolving to carry out the object they had undertaken—to establish the " City Masonic Lifeboat Fund . "

Annual Masonic Ball At Pendleton.

ANNUAL MASONIC BALL AT PENDLETON .

The annual grand soiree and ball of the Richmond Lodge , No . ion , of Ancient and Accepted Masons was held on Thursday , December 15 th , in the large room of the Pendleton Town Hall , and , as usual , was one of the most fashionable gatherings that has taken place in this district for some

time past . There was a large attendance of the brethren and their friends . The decorations of the ball-room was this year entrusted to Mr . Williams , of Manchester , who for a long time was connected with the Messrs . Tyrcr , Quay-street , and the manner in which he has carried out his design , both

as regards comfort and elegance , reflect the highest credit upon him . Usually light and attractive the hall had undergone a complete metamorphosis ; the entrance and outside corridors were completely carpeted , and the adjoining ante-rooms were tastefully furnished and upholstered . The ball-room was

most elegant , and the scene was particularly attractive when the gay throng , robed in dresses of most exquisite taste and in every variety of colour , moved in the mazy dance . The walls were decorated with the various devices and emblems of the Craft , both of ancient and curious design .

Trees and shrubs , placed in suitable positions , contributed much to the beauty of the room . These were also arranged at intervals of a few feet on the grand staircase . For those who did not dance , other amusements were provided , such as chess , cards , and stereoscopic slides .

The brethren appeared in their full Masonic clothing , and dancing , which commenced shortly after eight o ' clock , was kept up with spirit until the small hours of morning , relieved at intervals by songs and recitations , the contributors of which were | amongst others , Bro . Cockshot , who gave " Dogberry and Verge's Charge to the Watch , "

Annual Masonic Ball At Pendleton.

and Bro . Brooks , who gave several songs . Shortly after midnight the company partook of an excellent supper , at which all the delicacies of the season were served up . After ample justice had been done to the varied and abundant repast , Bro . Ellis , W . M ., proposed " The Oueenand Our

Lady Friends , " whom , he observed , they seldom united together , but on this occasion , he had great pleasure in doing so . Bro . Harrop responded on behalf of the ladies . He paid them a high compliment , and said the fact of associating themselves with Freemasons showed

they were anxious to assist and further a good and noble cause , and therefore were entitled to the just esteem of the brethren . ( Hear , hear . ) The toast having been drank , Bro . Ellis , W . M ., prposed "The Health of the Visitors , " and

Bro . Statham , in responding , said he felt almost incapable of doing justice to their toast . However , he would be but a poor Freemason were he wanting in gratitude , or unable to return his very hearty thanks for the compliment that this lodge had paid them in sending the invitation , on the virtue of

which the visitors appeared on that occasion . The same spirit of hospitality did not always exist ; the present move was a step in the right direction , and he was glad the Richmond Lodge were determined to wear away the stigma which so clung to the Order in this respect . ( Hear , hear . ) This would

enable them to introduce their lady friends , and do much , he thought , in strengthening and developing that good feeling which was so characteristic of Masonic brethren . ( Hear , hear . ) The secrets of the Order he was not at liberty to explain to the visitors , but if the gentlemen were at all curious on

the point , they might soon satisfy that curiosity by joining . He could not say so much to the ladies . ( The toast was enthusiastically received . ) Bro . Lafosse proposed " The Health of Bro . Ellis , W . M ., " and referred at great length to the marked kindness with which their most Worshipful Master

always treated those with whom he came in contact , but more especially visitors , no matter whether married or single , on every possible occasion . Bro . Ellis , in responding , thanked them for the compliment they had paid him , and for such a flattering proof their goodwill and

sympathy—feelings which he knew were genuine , and which he esteemed it an honour and a privileges to reciprocate . ( The toast was drank with three times times . ) The party then returned to the ball-room . Bro . T . Ellis , the W . M ., officiated as M . C .. assisted by Bros . J . Dixon , P . M . ; T . Wallis , S . W . ; M . Fentem , J . W . ; T . Preston , S . D . ; J . Ellis , J . D . ; and R .

Johnson , I . G . Amongst the company present were the following brethren : —Sir Knights J . Bowers , P . E . C . ; Simpson , Dobell , Fentem , and Ellis ; Bros . H . Holder , P . P . G . P . ; U . Nicholls , P . P . G . P . ; S . Statham , P . M . ; Harrop , W . M . ( Newall ); Dickson , P . M . ; Dodge , P . M . ; Caldwell , P . M . ; Brooks , Moore , Radcliffe , H . Ellis , & c .

REPORT of Dr . Arthur Hill Hassall , Analyst of the " Lancet" Sanitary Commission , Author of " Food and its Adulterations , " & c , & c , on Mayar ' s Semolina : "Ihave carefully tested , chemically and microscopically , the samples of Semolina sent by Messrs . L . Mayar & Co ., 36 , Mark Lane , London , E . C . I find them to be perfectly genuine , of excellent quality , and eminently nutritious . They contain a very large percentage of

nitrogenous matter , chiefly gluten , and are far more nutritious than any other food , such as Arrowroot , Tapioca , Sago , Corn Flour , Farinaceous Food , ordinary Wheat Flour , or any of the Cereals in use as food in this country . — ( Signed ) ARTHUR HILL HASSALL , M . D ., London . " - - Highly recommended by the Faculty for Infants , Invalids , & c . Makes delicious Pudding , Custards , Blanc Mange , & c . Afier a trial no family will be without Mayar's Semolina .

Metropolitan Masonic Meetings

METROPOLITAN MASONIC MEETINGS

For the Week ending December 31 , 1870 . MONDAY , DEC . 26 . Lodge 79 , Pythagorean , Ship Hotel , Greenwich . ,, 831 , British Oak . Bank of Friendship Tavern , Milc-cnd-road . Chan . 1 S 8 , Joppa , Albion Tavern , Aldcrsgatc-strect .

Sincerity Lodge of In .- > truciion ( 174 ) , Railway Tavern , Fenchurch-street Station , at 7 . Wellington Lodge of Instruction , White Swan Tavern , Deptford , at 8 . Camden Lodge of Instruction ( 704 ) , Adelaide Tavern-Haverstock-hill , at 8 ; Bro . T . A . Adams , Preceptor . Eastern Star Lodge of Instruction ( 95 ) , Royal Hotel , Mile ,

end-road , at 7 . 30 , Bro . L . Gottheil , Preceptor . British Oak Lodge of Instruction , Bank of Friendship Tavern , Mile End , at 7 for 8 . St . James' Union Lodge of Instruction ( 180 ) , Swan Tavern , Mount-street , Grosvcn » r-srmarc , at 8 .

TUESDAY , DEC . 27 . Lodge 92 , Moira , London Tavern , Bishopsgatc-slrect . ,, 186 , Industry , Freemasons' Hall . ,, 205 , Israel , Radlcy's Hotel , Blackfriays . Chap . 29 , St . Alban's , Albion Tav ., Aldcrsgatc-strect . Metropolitan Chapter of Instruction , Portugal Hotel , Fleet-street , at 7 ; Cornp . Brett , Preceptor .