Lodge Of Sorrow—Pilgrim Lodge, No. 238.

saw that the hope of long years , the fruit of his labours , would not be ripened , without feeling that in finitely bitterer than the bodily suffering must have been that of his mind —clear to the last . But no complaint vvas uttered by him . "Learn to suffer without complaining I" was his last advice to his son . How well these words characterise the man " Suffer without complaining , " whilst the lastivvords of his

illustrious father had been " 1 have no time to be tired j " the expression of the ever active warrior , those of the son are clearly the words of a truly Masonic thinker . A Mason must be born , he cannot be made by initiation in our Craft j and Frederick the Third was a Mason in his heart , throughout his whole life , even before he had beheld the Masonic light . On the day on which he obtained his

majority he said to a deputation of his native town— " I am still very young , but I will endeavour to prepare myself , with earnestness and love , for my high calling , and I will strive to fulfil the hopes which the future will render into my duties . " We all know well how truly he has fulfilled that promise . On November 5 th , 1 S 53 , he vvas admitted to the Craft j he vvas then 22 years of agej his father , then Prince of Prussia , himself conducting the

solemn ceremony . The newly-initiated Prince replied to the charge which vvas directed to him , "As long as I live I will be faithful to our Craft , provided always that the Craft remain faithful to its objects . " After he had passed in the course of the next seven years through the higher and higher Degrees of Grand National Lodge , he vvas elected , in i 860 , as Grand Master of the Order , and after

the coronation of his father , as Deputy Protector of the Prussian Lodges . Immediately after this event he occupied himself vvith the labour of investigating the documents and deeds of the Grand National Lodge , in order to lift the mystery which surrounded the historical traditions of that lodge . The lodge claimed to date back their system to the 4 th or 5 th century ,- several documents of that early time

were said to have been found in the twelfth century by Knight Templars , in Jerusalem , who had brought them subsequently to France , Scotland , and Sweden , whence the Berlin Lodge pretended to have received copies of the documents . But , in spite of all research , the Prince was not successful in tracing the documents of the lodge further back than into the middle of last century .

Convinced of the incorrectness of the tradition , Crown Prince Frederick William therefore resigned , in 1864 , the position as Grand Master of the Order , whilst retaining that as Master of the Order , and undiminished his interest in Freemasonry . The speech which he delivered on the occasion of the centenary celebration of the Grand National Lodge , in 1870 , vvas of deep and far-reaching

importance . It contained an expression of his Masonic creed—the result of his investigation concerning the origin and nature of the Masonic Brotherhood . He said : "You call me ' Most Sapient Grand Master , ' and , as such , it is my duty to investigate our history . Whilst in past times vve vvere willing to abide by authority and tradition , in our present days the researches of critical historians have

become a great power , from which the most sacred tradition cannot be held to be independent . A number of brethren may be satisfied vvith authority and tradition j but an equal number of others require thorough and satisfactory proofs for the correctness of all that has been handed down to us . Honesty is never degrading . I therefore say , without hesitation , that in this respect many

things are not so sure and clear in Freemasonry that vve could dispel all possible doubts by means of historical proofs , lt has , therefore , for many years past , been my endeavour to carefully and critically examine our historical documents , and to place them in thorough order . But , in spite of my zeal , my researches have not for the present been crowned vvith such success as would be desiiable

, considering that our Order places the symbol of light above everything , and that everything should be light and clear tous . If our traditions are confirmed , all doubts will vanish j if many parts have to be abandoned , the love of truth will give us the manly courage to sacrifice all which is untenable . Let us keep in future with all our might to the thought that Masonry is undivided ; let every one abandon

the vain idea that the whole and real truth belongs but to him alone , and that but he possesses the secret of the true Masonic ceremonies . We will guard our Order from the danger to magnify small and insignificant matters into essentials ; to discuss subordinate ideas as if they vvere of foremost importance . Let us strive after unity , the several Grand Lodges feeling themselves as parts of one grand

whole , mindful of their equal origin and their equal object . Yet is there life in the old and magnificent tree , and if properly cared for and properly nursed by faithful brethren , who will not be afraid when the dead leaves rustle to earth , because the young leaves are appearing , he may yet yield ripe and splendid fruit . Maya breath of spring passover our Order on this , the beginning of a new century , and call forth

new and vigorous life , which will be sure to be blessed with ample fruit . '' These plain words created an immense excitement in the German Masonic world , but although , in consequence , the German Grand Lodges combined to form one United German Grand Lodge , yet the exhortation of the Prince substantially remained unheeded in the quarters to which they were principally addressed .

No reforms vvere contemplated , the old traditions were kept up , documents were not found or produced . The Crown prince , therefore , in 1873 , went to Sweden , on a visit to King Oscar , to himself search for the alleged original documents in the archives of the Swedish Grand Lodge , out he found none . In 1 S 74 , he therefore resigned his Position as Grand Master of the Grand National Lodge and onl

, y remained Deputy Protector of the Order . Nevertheless , he continued to his death to work in the nhection he had so often pointed out . He said , in 1880 , to 'he members of one of the lodges at Frankfurt , "Twentyseven years have elapsed since I entered the Brotherhood j and I cannot deny , when I look back upon this quarter of ¦ " * century of my Masonic lifethat 1 have repented for

, or > e moment having become a Freemason . I have endeavoured to search out the truth , and I have helped many a brother to do so . VVe always remain apprentices n our art , even if vve occupy the highest posts of honour . " nd later , in 1886 , "Two principles guide us in our work , namel y , freedom of thought and toleration . " We all nought that we knew on the dav of his death what we ost

by the removal of such a man from among us . But we daily learn that the loss of our country , and of the 0 n ~ 7 world , has been a far greater and more unfortunate 1 .- ,, than we had imagined . His ripe experience , his " l "; a ! y sympath y , his truly Imperial nobility of thought—, v «* ch deserved and obtained the recognition even of his

Lodge Of Sorrow—Pilgrim Lodge, No. 238.

national antagonists—they are all gone , when they were sorely needed . But we are full of faith in the permanence of the fruits of his life and his example j we feel that the germs of thought which he has planted will spring up in hundreds of thousands of hearts , and will bring forth both bloom and fruit . We Masons , especially , have in him , though he be dead , an

ever living model of all Masonic virtues , which vve shall strive to obtain ! Rest softly , thou great Master , thou good man , noble Knight , illustrious Monarch ! As long as the blood courses through our hearts , thy memory will ennoble us all to the welfare of our Royal Art—nay , of the whole world . Everything decays j but truth , of which thou wast a faithful teacher , remaineth for ever . With sorrowful ,

yet grateful hearts we place the palm of peace , which none deserved more truly , upon thy bier . The Deacons then advanced , and , during a heartfelt prayer of the W . M ., scattered violets—the favourite flower of the deceased—upon the coffin . Bro . C . SEVIN , P . M . of the lodge , then spoke , upon the command of theW . M ., in terms of deep sympathy and

feeling , in memory of Bro . G . Eves , P . M ., one of the oldest brothers of the Iodge . Bro . C . KUPFERSCHMIDT , P . M ., next gave a short sketch of the life of Bro . Joseph Julius Kanne , the late Director of the Queen ' s and the Royal Family ' s journeys , who vvas initiated in the Manchester Lodge , No . 179 , the 23 rd October , 1856 , and joined the Pilgrim Lodge in

November , ISSI , and who vvas present at the initiation of his Royal Highness the Prince of Wales in Sweden . Bro . Dr . C HARRSR , P . M ., in conclusion , paid a warm tribute to the memory of Bro . Martin Muller , for a number of years Deputy Organist of the Pilgrim Lodge .

The lodge was then solemnly closed , bringing a most touching and elevating ceremony to al ' close . In slow procession , superintended by the Master of Ceremonies , Bro . Seifert , the brothers left the lodge room , amidst funereal music , carrying with them both sorrow and hope as a lesson of their labour .

Obituary.

Obituary .

BRO . RICHARD WHITE , P . P . G . S . B . HANTS AND THE ISLE OF WIGHT . On Tuesday , the 15 th inst ., the mortal remains of Bro Richard VVhite , P . M . of the Sandgate Lodge , No . 1436 , and P . P . G . S . B . of Hants and the Isle of Wight , were laid in their last resting place , in the presence of the brethren of his lodge and of many of the members of the

Temple Lodge , No . 558 , and of the Prince Edwin Lodge , No . 125 , by whom the deceased Was held in great esteem . The service was conducted by the Chaplain of the Sandgate Lodge , the Rev . Bro . Russell Wakefield , in a very impressive manner . Every mark of respect was shown to the memory of the departed brother , the followers numbering about 200 , among whom vvere many members of the Local Board , to which deceased had belonged .

BRO . AUSTIN WARE . We are extremely sorry to announce that Bro . J . Austin Ware expired suddenly , in Park-street , Bristol , recently , when walking to his home in Alma-road , after attending a meeting of Freemasons in the Masonic Hall . Bro . Ware , who vvas between 40 and 50 years of age , vvas well known in local cricket circles , for he vvas a most

enthusiastic supporter of our national game , and in his younger days played a great deal for the Clifton Club , under the captaincy of Mr . Gooning . At the time of his death he vvas a member of the Committee of the Gloucestershire County Club , and most regularly attended the matches played by the team rendered so famous by the exploits of the Brothers Grace . In the acquirement of the County

ground on Ashley Hill , near Bristol , he took great interest , and held shares in the company which vvas formed to purchase the land . Bro . Austin Ware vvas of a most charitable disposition , and he gave away much more than those who vvere best acquainted vvith him had any idea of . Some years ago he held the office of Master of the Antient Society of St . Stephen's Ringers , Bristol , and on the occasion of the annual service at St . Stephen's church ,

while he occupied that position , the sermon was preached , vve believe , by his brother-in-law , the Rev . Canon Mather , of St . Paul ' s , Clifton . The father of the deceased gentleman , a well-known personage in the city in his day , lived till he was over 90 years old , and Bro . Austin Ware often alluded to this fact , and frequently mentioned that many of his ancestors lived to an age much beyond that usually reached by ordinary individuals .

BRO . THOMAS FISHER , W . M . No . 192 . The members of the Lion and Lamb Lodge have sustained a severe loss in the death of their Worshipful Master , Bro . Thos . Fisher , which event took place on the morning of the 18 th inst ., at his country residence , Anerley . Deceased had been in failing health for some time past , but it was not thought the end was so near . Bro .

Fisher was initiated in the above lodge in 1 S 6 7 , and vvas esteemed as a brother , who , from his honest , upright , and kind disposition , endeared himself to every member of the lodge . For many yeais our brother declined the repeated request to take office in the lodge , prefering to remain as a lay member , until a few years since , when , in deference to the wishes of the brethren , he vvas induced to accept the

office of J . D ., and vvas eventually elected to the high office of VV . M ., a post he filled up to the time of his death with honour to the lodge and credit to himself . Bro . Fisher was a staunch supporter of the Masonic and many other Charities , and one of his last acts in this direction vvas to represent his mother lodge at the Jubilee Festival of the Girls' School , to which he took a list of

contributions equal , if not in excess of any before sent from the Lion and Lamb LoJge . Unfortunately , the state of his health did not permit him to enjoy the full advantage of his Stewardship , for on the day of the Festival he was , through illness , compelled to leave the building some time before the conclusion of the ceremony . The

funeral of our deceased brother took place at West Ham Cemetary , on Thursday , at 2 o ' clock , where a number of friends and brethren of the Lion and Lamb and Cripplegate Lodges had assembled to pay their last tribute of respect to departed merit . Handsome floral wreaths were sent from the members of the Lion and Lamb and Cripplegate Lodges , as well as from numerous friends .

The Theatres.

THE THEATRES .

Mr . Carl Rosa and Mr . Ernest Sedger are to be congratulated upon their latest London venture . A company called the English Light Opera Company have taken possession of the Prince of Wales ' s Theatre , and are playing a beautiful opera called " Paul Jones . " The libretto of which is Mr . Farnie ' s , from the French , whilst the music is by Planquette , the composer of "Les Cloches

de Corneville , " " Rip Van Winkle , " and "Nell Gvvynne , " this itself speaks volumes for the new London attraction . The music is exceedingly pretty , like all of this distinguished composer ' s , butthere is another "big boom " connected with " Paul Jones , " and that is the lady who plays the title role . Without ever being heard of in English circles , Miss Agnes Huntingdon has suddenly

sprung upon the public , and just as eagerly accepted . The bookings from the first performance have been enormous , and without any doubt vve can confidently predict a long run for this opera if Miss Huntingdon continues to appear . Whoever is responsible for bringing this young lady from America does himself great credit , and the music loving English public a great service . Her voice is one of the

richest , sweetest , and most powerful we have ever heard , added to these charms the fair artiste possesses an excellent presence , and unlike many leading opera singers she can act well . Miss Phyllis Broughton eclipses all her previous efforts in her dancing , which is at all times original . Miss Wadman is such an old favourite , that vve need say little more in her praise . Bro . Henry

Ashley plays a comedy part , and Mr . Frank Wyatt , who has not enough to do , dances and sings with all his old eclat . VVe feel we have not done justice to " Paul Jones , " but vve had , owing to the big " draw , " such an unfavourable position to see it , that we could not grasp all its fine qualities ; and vve may say to our readers that , unless seats

are booked for the expensive parts of the house , or the patrons go very early for the pit , they will stand a small chance of getting in at all . We saw sufficient to know that " Paul Jones " is an opera which will grow upon one , and ought to be heard several times to appreciate it properly .

"K * TP ff It is sometimes said that the old English comedies are worn out , but when they are produced and acted as " Still Waters Run Deep , " which Bro . Charles Wyndham has again placed on the boards of the Criterion Theatre , play-goers can have but one opinion which is that they are always fresh and worth going to see .

Taking advantage of Mrs . Bernard Beere ' s freedom from an engagement Bro . Wyndham has done wisely and well in giving his patrons another opportunity of witnessing Tom Taylor's ever popular play . Old playgoers have seen it time and oft , but vve suppose neverhasit been acted in such an exquisite manner as it now is . Unfortunately—owing to previous

arrangements—this piece can only have a limited run . We are amongst those who regretted the lessee ' s disassociating himself from the style of acting he had for so long been the head and chief , for we always enjoyed an evening vvith those sparkling and witty plays , which for so many years appeared at the Criterion , But when Bro . Wyndham took the part of David Garrick , and so astonished even his

most devoted disciples , the regret vvas most amply atoned for by his brilliant , pathetic acting . As Mildmay , in " Still Waters Run deep , " he again actsin that subdued tone which we admit we did not know he possessed . Mrs . Bernard Beere is the best Mrs . Steighold we have ever seen . The ladies of the audience have a double attraction in being able to go into raptures ( perhaps also envy ) at studying her

costumes by Worth , which are believed to have cost a fabulous sum . Bro . Herbert Standing could not be excelled as the Captain Hawkesley , and Mr . Blakely ' s drollery adds very greatly to the charms of this not worn out play . It behoves theatrical folk to go and see the piece , not only on account of its splendid acting , but also because it is not likely they may have such an opportunity again .

* * * We have made our annual p ilgrimage to the Old Surrey to witness its pantomime , and can say that we never enjoyed the good old-fashioned pantomime more than the present one "The Forty Thieves . " Mr . George Conquest keeps up his reputation at this true home of

pantomime for thoroughly comic business , he does not go in for costly productions , but we dojnot wish it here . The fun is of the old order , and , in the hands of the lessee and his capable staff—by crossing the river to Blackfriars-road —we can promise any visitor three hours hearty laughter at the Surrey Theatre .

Births, Marriages, And Deaths.

Births , Marriages , and Deaths .

BIRTHS . BARNEY . —On the 20 th inst ., at Langrickville , Egbaston , the wife of T . Barney , of a daughter . BROADBENT . —On the 19 th inst ., at Gatesgarth , Huddersfield , the wife of B . Broadbent , M . A ., of a son . RADCLIFFE . —On the 21 st inst ., at Dsrriford , Plymouth , the wife of P . C . C Radcliffe , of a son .

MARRIAGES . COWARD—MCBLAIN . —On the 17 th inst ., H . Coward , son of the late W . Coward , to Helen , daughter of the late Major J . McBlain , Scots Guards . WOOD—HALL . —On the 17 th inst ., at Bristol , A . G . Wood , son of the late J . C Wood , Esq ., of Stanley Villa , Cambridge Park , Kedland , Bristol , to Bertha Augusta , daughter of T . F . Hall , Esq ., of Tor-Wood , Ellenborough Park , Weston-super-mare .

DEATHS . FISHER . —On the iSth inst ., at the Royal Oak , Bro . A . T . Fisher , also of the Old Elephant Tavern , Fenchurchstreet , aged 51 years . WATTS . —On the 20 th inst ., at St . Germains-road , Foresthill , Ann , relict of the late G . Watts , of Birmingham , aged 87 years .