Knights Templar.

Prov . Priory was opened , and on the muster-roll being called each of the preceptories were found well represented . Apologies for non-attendance were received from Sir Knights Col . Brymer , M . P ., Col . Skene , the Earl of Portarlington , and others . The balance sheet was presented by the popular Treasurer , Sir Knight the Rev . W . Mortimer Heath , showing a very satisfactory balance in

hand . The accounts , as presented , were received and adopted . The Treasurer was re-elected , and a vote of five guineas , in the name of the Prov . Prior , was made for the Indian Famine Fund . The Prov . Prior then appointed his officers for the ensuing year as

follows : Sir Knight Zillwood Milledge ( re-appointed ) ... Prov . Sub-Prior . „ F . W . Hetley ... ... ... Prov . Prelate . „ B . Morris ... ... ... Prov . Chancellor . Sidney S . Milledge ... ... Prov . ist Cons .

„ Col . W . E . Brymer , M . P . ... ... Prov . 2 nd Cons . „ H . A . Huxtable ... ... .., Prov . Reg . „ E . L . VV . Chave ... ... ... Prov . Vice-Chan . „ T . H . Bowen ... ... ... Prov . Marshal .

„ Rev . J . A . Miller , B . D . ... ... Prov . Almoner . „ Jas . Lowe ... ... ... Prov . VV . of Reg . „ G . Habgood ... ... ... Prov . Herald . T u r r \ u f Prov . Std . Br . J . H . C . Devenish ... ... | ( B ( jau )> --. , » T n-J f Prov : Std . Br . ( Vex E . L . N . Pridmore ... ... 5 BeH ; ,

„ J . E . Crickmay ... ... ... Prov . B . B . „ D . ] . Lawson ... ... ... Prov . S . B . „ C . jesty ... ... ... Prov . Capt . of G . Frater A . Harris ... ... ... ... Prov . Guard .

The V . E . PROV . PRIOR then addressed the Sir Knights on Templary in general , and expressed his satisfaction at the steady progress this exalted Degree was making in the province , and his hope that in the future as in the past great care would be observed in the selection of candidates . The Provincial Priory was then closed , and at the invitation of Sir R . N . Howard , the sir knights drove in carriages provided by the V . E . Prov . Prior to his charming residence , Greenhill House , where the proverbial hospitality of the genial host was dispensed with characteristic liberality .

The weather was perfect , and a large fleet of Men of War , as well as numerous yachts , being in the harbour and roadstead , a panorama was presented from the terrace and colonnade certainly not to be excelled any where else in England . " The Health of Sir Richard Howard " was proposed by E . Sir Knight

the Rev . W . M . HEATH , and received right heartily . The party broke up at an early hour , as many had to catch their trains , having spent a most enjoyable day .

Clonfert Cathedral.

CLONFERT CATHEDRAL .

Bro . McLarney , who is Canon of Clonfert Cathedral , and rector of the parish , is Chaplain of Parsonstown Lodge , No . 163 . He has been engaged for some time in collecting funds for the preservation of the ancient Cathedral of Clonfert , which dates from the year 55 S . Six Masonic lodges have helped him in this work . Bro . J . F . Fuller , F . S . A ., is the architect under whose supervision the work is being carried out . Everything is being done with the greatest reverence and care . The chancel is finished ; . £ 2000

will be required to restore the nave and transepts . Bro . McLarney will feel grateful for contributions . The Cathedral is one Of the smallest in the three kingdoms . The parish is a country one , and very large . The congregation is very small . Bro . McLarney's address is Banagher , Ireland . It will be interesting to know that , the great art critic , the late John Ruskin , although objecting , as a rule , to all * ' restoration , " was so much struck with the beauty ofthe doorway of Clonfert Cathedral that he sent Bro . McLarney a donation towards its preservation .

Masonry's Objects And Ends.

MASONRY'S OBJECTS AND ENDS .

The objects and ends of Freemasonry have heen fruitful themes of discussion in the past , and ever and anon they confront us as at the present , and it is not beyond the bounds of reason to believe that they will engross the attention of all well-informed Masons while time lasts . They are subjects so far-reaching in their aims and purposes that we cannot thrust them aside as unworthy of our attention . We may not , and perhaps never

will , be able to solve the mystery which surrounds them to our own satisfaction , or that of others ; ncverthelf ss vve must give a respectful consideration . As Masons we must be able to give a reason for the faith that is in us . We have our theories as to what Masonry is and the lessons it inculcates , and from this it is ckar to infer that we have our ideas , also , as to the objects and ends to be accomplished by it . If it be true that we have never

entered upon the investigation of these things , and that our highest conception ot Freemasonry is that its beau ' . ies , powers , lessons , fruits , good effects , purposes , objects , and ends are , one and all , to be found in the ceremonies of initiation , and the gratification to be derived from the conferring of the several Degrees ; if , indeed , our apprehensi on ol the great truths which underlie and lorm its foundations have never risen above

this one idea which is so superficial in its character as not to be worthy of notice ; then it miy be well said of us that we have not yet learned the ' il phabet of the mysteries of Freemasonry . . in this brief outline our thoughts can only be suggestive , and these 'ottings by the wayside are designed to point out the footprints which Freemasonry has left us , to show th . tt the guide boards mark ths way , and that

Masonry's Objects And Ends.

in these footprints and on these finger boards are written for our instruction and guidance these words , " This is the way—walk ye in it . " In every department of life we are always pupils , and our schooldays will never end if we could make progress in the science upon whose study we have entered .

Freemasonry is not made up of forms and ceremonies ; it isa great moral science , and the only way for us to find out what it is is to study its objects and its ends . What is needed on these grand themes , and that which every one must have who would grasp these sublime subjects and put into practice the lessons to be drawn from them in everyday life , is light , and the place to obtain this light is in this school of science . We shall have lived to no purpose at all in this world unless we find out to a good degree , at least , the objects and ends of it .

It is not so much our purpose to discover to you , brethren , what these objects are , or what this end is , but the rather to present the subjects for your own investigation . These subjects present to the mind of the Masonic student thoughts for study . The pure gold is not found on the surface ; it is wrapped up in the quartz , or imbedded deep in the earth , and he who

would secure it must go down into the mine and dig for it . He must learn where and how to find it and then use the pick to get it . It is by close application of the mind to any subject that we gain a knowledge of it ; and just so it is with the student of Masonry ; he must give the best powers of his mind to the investigation of it , if he would arrive at a correct understanding thereof .

There is too much surface work about those who enter upon the study of Masonry , and not enough investigation . The outside trappings dazzle for a time the ordinary mind , and it gets no further than the rude scaffoldings —and when the idle curiosity has been satisfied , it turns away from them with a feeling of disappointment . VVe linger in the outer porch—never dreaming that the full glory is revealed to those who enter the holy of

holies . We grasp the shadow , and for a time press this to our hearts with fond delight , but utterly fail to get hold of the substance , and thus weary of vain surroundings , because we sought not aright , we turn aside and ask for something new . The old methods become irksome , and we discard them for that which will dazzle the eye or tickle the fancy . Israel grew restive under the theocratic government , sought a change , and hence asked for a king , that they might be like the nations round about them .

Freemasonry differs from any other Institution . It has its own laws , customs , usages , symbols , signs , secrets , and modes of recognition , and these are the same the world over , and they cannot be improved on , nor will its teachings admit of their being tampered with . How much better , then , to study these , and learn their meaning and uses ; how much better , then , to try to find the objects and ends of Freemasonry , and live for some noble purpose , than to abandon what we have begun , and try to improve on that which is a perfect system of morals within itself .

VVe are not left to ourselves to grope our way in darkness . That great light which lighteth every man that cometh into the world is to be the rule and guide of our faith . We are not left to guide the vessel in which we have taken passage alone . The book of the law is our chart and compass . This is our great log-book , and by this we are to take all our bearings and make our soundings , for " the entrance of this word giveth li ght . " If we walk by this light the way will be made plain for our footsteps , and it will lead us to know and understand the objects and ends which are set before us .

As Masons we must live to some purpose . We cannot afford to squander our time and waste our opportunities by sitting still . Let us ask ourselves the questions , What does our Masonry teach us are the objects for which we are to search ? What does it teach us as to the ends we are to strive to attain ? What does it hold out to us as the prize for which wt are to run ?

Is our Masonry a mere toy with which we may amuse ourselves ? Is it a mere bubble floating upon the surface , liable to be swept by the first adverse wind which blows f Is there nothing about it to fit us for the stern realities of life ? Has it no features which can be applied to practical life ? If such it be , then we have need to be instructed in its first rudimentswe have need to be taught for the first time its objects and ends .

True Masonry has an ear open to the cry of distress . True Masonry has a hand always stretched forth to bear relief to the needy . It visits the sick , gives water to the thirsty , bread to the hungry , is eyes to the blind , feet to the lame , ears to the deaf , ministers to those who are in prison , and visits the fatherless and the widows , and with a loving hand supplies their every want . True Masonry has life , and gives life and joy to all that are

in the house . It makes the man who is the possessor of it seek out opportunities of doing good , thus illustrating in every day life the great principles which he professes , and constitutes him a power for good wherever his lot is cast . It is in the practice of its tenets that its most beautiful features are brought out and exhibited in their true light , and its force in moulding , strengthening , and upholding the tone of society is seen

and felt by all who are brought under his benign influence . It teaches reverence for and implicit trust in God and leads the true Mason never to engage in any important undertaking without first asking God ' s blessing on the business in which he is about to engage . A business in which he cannot invoke the Divine presence and blessing is contrary to the true principles of Freemasonry , and should therefore be avoided by all those who are lovers of the sublime art .

The rule and guide of a Mason ' s faith is the Bible , without the presence of which no lodge can be opened , no Degrees conferred . It is that part of the furniture of a lodge which is indispensable to its work , and from it alone can we learn what our duty is to God , our neighbours and ourselves . It is from this book we learn the great lessons which should govern us in all our

transactions with our fellows : " As ye would that men should do to you , do ye even so to them . " This Book constitutes us our Brother ' s keeper in such a sense that we cannot escape the responsibility for the influence which our walk and ' conversation exert over him , nor can we by any possible means excuse ourselves from the evil which is entailed upon him by our example ,

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