Freemasonry In The United States.

FREEMASONRY IN THE UNITED STATES .

Franklin Lodge , No . 134 , Philadelphia , carried out most successfully another part of its extended programme for the celebration of the one hundredth anniversary of American Independence . On Sunday morning the brethren , headed by their W . M ., Bro . John C . Kelley , and other officers , turned out in large numbers for the purpose

of attending Divine service at old Christ Church , of which one of its members , the Rev . Bro . E . A . Foggo , D . D ., is rector . Franklin Lodge was , by invitation , joined on this occasion by the Grand Master of Masons of Pennsylvania , Bro . Robert Clark ; Senior Grand Warden , Bro . Michael Nisbet ; Grand Marshal , Bro . George W . Wood , and other Grand Officers , and also by Concordia Lodge , No .

67 , headed by their W . M ., Bro . Arthur Thacker . The entire assemblage cf Freemasons was both a brilliant and a large one , and that in spite of the unusual heat of the day—the thermometer reaching as high as 9 8 in the shade . The brethren of Franklin Lodge met at the Masonic Temple , and marched Hown to the church , their only insignia being a narrow blue ribbon , worn on the

lappel of their coats . The brethren of Concordia Lodge met in the parish building adjoining the church . The religious services were conducted by the rector , Bro . E . A . Foggo , D . D ., of Franklin Lodge ; Bro . James W . Robins , D . D ., of Union Lodge , and Bro . Wm . H . Odenheimer , D . D ., LL . D ., of Franklin Lodge . The sermon was delivered by the Right Rev . Bro . William H ,

Odenheimer , Bishop of the Diocese of Northern New Jersey , and was a masterpiece , whether considered in the light of either pulpit or Masonic oratory . The Bishop took for his text the words from the Great Light : " And all ye are brethren , " and discoursed from them lessons of the greatest interest and practical value . The preacher is evidently both a bright and a whole-souled Mason , and he gave forth t . o uncertain sound .

At the conclusion of Divine service the brethren of Franklin Lodge proceeded to Bro . Benjamin Franklin ' s grave , in the graveyard of Christ Church , at Fourth and Arch streets , when Bro . Robert Clark , Grand Master of Pennsylvania , at the request of Bro . J . C . Kelley , W . Master of Franklin Lodge , deposited on the grave of the philosopher and Mason an elegant wreath of immortelles , encircling a square and compasses , and inscribed with the letters " Franklin Lodge , No . 134 . "— " Keystone . "

Freemasonry In The West.

FREEMASONRY IN THE WEST .

The growth of Masonry in the West , like the growth of the West itself , is something marvellous . Illinois has more Masons than Pennsylvania ; and Michigan , that in 1870 ranked as the thirteenth State in population , is today , with over 26 , 000 Masons , the seventh , if not the sixth , of American Grand Lodges in Masonic strength .

Amid the solitudes , the trials , and the struggles of a frontier life and a new country , where society is neither crystalized nor stratified , and where the various institutions and customs , in which Eastern social life finds relaxation and reliefs , are measurably absent or deficient , Masonry supplies a need of human nature which nothing else can furnish . The Masoric stranger finds in the

lodge-room congenial associates and friends . His solitary single-handed combat with nature and the forest is cheered by the consciousness that he is not alone . In sickness or in health Masonic ministrations arc essential help or blessed comfort . Offering all these advantages to the worthy , is it strange that the unworthy should seek to profit by them ; or is it strange or un-Masonic in us if by

" sharp decisions , " or a new practice , we should sometimes defend with excessive vigour what to us is so valuable . ' And amid the wild lawlessness so often found in a border life and among its rude but noble-hearted men , is it strange that our jurisprudence should seemingly pass ; by sudden and , to some , shocking transitions , •' From grave to gay—from lively to severe ?"

One Mason of smooth , decorous exterior is known , by his lodge , to have a bad heart ; such a one , if charged with any Masonic offence , is likely to have a " short shrift" and summary punishment ; but if , on the contrary , one who is wild and rough and lawless , is known to have an heart of honour in a breast overflowing with " the milk of human kindness , " much , very much , is

" pardoned in a spirit of liberty , " and lodge verdicts fall harmless at his feet . We have , or think we have , more heart knowledge of our brethren than can be found in the older States ; and to this more than to charities or proof , aie often due the verdicts of lodges that look so queer , on paper , to Eastern Masons . But we flatter ourselves that substantial justice , not to mention a wise and true charity ,

is quite as often triumphant before our rude tribunals as in the more decorous but custom-bound courts of an older Masonry . And so we reverently observe the " landmarks " of Masonry by seeking to make our field fruitful of that Faith , Hope , and Charity which all landmarks were established to preserve , and without which the Landmarks is as worthless as a solitary boulder on a sandy barren . — " Keystone . "

T 111 ; EMPEROR OF AI ' STIUA . —During his recent stay at Ischl the Emperor of Austria saved the child of a poor woman from a violent death . As he was passing through the Rottenbach Gorges , a boy of 4 years old fell over a precipice , and , his clothes having caught on a projecting branch , was suspended over a torrent sonic 50 feet below . The Emperor , whose proficiency in all athletic sports is

Weil known , jumped across the precipice , freed the boy from his perilous position , and took him back to his mother . — " Eastern Budget . " GAS superseded in day time , and daylight reflected in dark rooms . Health , comfort , and economy promoted by adopting Chappuis' Patent Daylight Reflectors . Manufactory , 69 , Fleet-street , London .

The Empress Of India.

THE EMPRESS OF INDIA .

Saturday ' s Government " Gazette" contains the following Viceregal Proclamation : — " 1 hereby publish for the information of the Governors , Administrators , Princes , chief nobles , and peoples of this Empire , the subjoined Act passed by the Imperial Parliament of Great Britain and Ireland , on the 27 th of April ,

1876 , together with a Royal Proclamation , dated at the Court of Windsor , the 28 th of April , 1876 , in the 39 th year of Her Majesty ' s reign , transmitted to this Government by the most Honourable the Secretary of State for India in his Lordship ' s despatch No . 70 , of the 13 th of July , 1876 . " Moreover , I now publicly notify under this my hand

and seal that it is my intention to hold at Delhi on the 1 st of January , 1877 , an Imperial Assemblage , for the purpose of proclaiming to the Queen ' s subjects throughout India the gracious sentiments which have induced Her Majesty to make to her Sovereign style and titles an addition specially intended to mark Her Majesty ' s interest in this great dependency of her Crown , and her Royal

confidence in the loyalty and affection of ths peoples and Princes of India . " To this Assemblage 1 propose to invite the Governors , Lieutenant-Governors , and heads of Administrations fiom all parts of the Queen's Indian dominions , as well as those princes , chiefs , and nobles in whose persons the antiquity of the past is associated with the prosperity of the future ,

and who so worthily contribute to the splendour and stability of this great Empire . " 1 shall forthwith issue such Orders in Council as may be suitable to the historical importance of the occasion , and in conformity with the desire which will be felt by all Her Majesty ' s subjects in India to manifest the affection which they cherish for their august Sovereign by public

rejoicings and appropriate demonstrations of loyalty . "Aug . 18 . " "LYTTON . " The Viceroy will make a public entry into Delhi on the day after Christmas Day . All public offices will be closed for a week . About 15 , 000 European and Native troops , mostly regiments moving in the ordinary

course of relief , will be present . It is reported that the assembly will be on a very grand scale , and will bc held on the open plain . Around the Viceroy ' s throne will be grouped a series , of daises , representing the various Provinces , in a great semi-circle . The troops will be drawn up behind the throne . Races , ceremonial visits , and other entertainments will occupy the Christmas week .

An Appeal From Bavaria.

AN APPEAL FROM BAVARIA .

The following appears in our contemporary , "The Times : "Sir , —It will be a charity if you can find a place in your columns for the following . On the night of August 13 the town of Briickenau , about 20 English miles from Kissingen , was almost totally

destroyed by fire—that is to say , out of 250 houses upwards of 200 are not ; out of a population of 1600 , 1 200 are now roofless , five are dead , and two missing . The houses were only insured for about a fourth of their value , furniture and clothing not at all . Unfortunately , the fire was so quick , that the people had to fly in their shirts , shoeless . The harvest , already cut and stored , was entirely consumed . The people are now huddled 18 in a

room . 1 shall never forget the scene that met my eyes on walking to the . town the morning following . First , the tellitale smoke , in sad contrast to the sunlit beauty of the verdant valley , then the hedges hung with bedding , then the carts and carriages , and the poor people themselves in groups in the adjoining meadows , the more fortunate guarding

the wrecks of their property . I he town itself was impassable from the fallen and still falling houses . I penetrated , however , far enough to see many despairing faces and streaming eyes . From the above your readers may judge how widespread , how almost universal is the ruin , and as the people in these parts are very poor , how much they need help . We on the spot are doing what we can , and any money

paid to the account of Sir John Kingston James , Marylebone branch , " Briickenau Fund , " London and Westminster Bank , 4 , Stratford-place , will be handed over by me to the Local Committee . Anxiously hoping lhat this appeal may bring forth fruit , I am , Sir , your obedient servant , J . KINGSTON J AMES . Sinuthalhof , Briickenau , Bavaria , Aug . 16 .

SOCIAL SCIENCE CONOHESS . —There is some doubt as to whether it will be possible to hold the Sanitary Exhibition in connexion with the Social Science Congress at Liverpool in October . Since the first Exhibition at the Leeds meeting in 1871 , there has each year been greater interest taken in it , and its practical utility has been so recognized that each year the extent of the Exhibition has

increased . Promises of objects for exhibition this year have been already numerous , but the difficulty is to find a place wherein the Exhibition can be held . The Assistant Secretary , who has been to Liverpool to make arrangements , reports that there is but one hall suitable , and that cannot be had . The extensive hall erected for Messrs . Moody and Sankcy ' s services is well adapted , but it stands on Government ground , aud the lease falls in on the 15 th

of September , lt is intended to erect a new County Court on the site without delay , and by the time the Congress meets , which is October the ioth , the hall will probably be swept away . An application has been made to Her Majesty ' s Office of Works for the hall to stand till after the conference , and a formal refusal has been sent . We understand the Liverpool Corporation have taken the matter into consideration , and will 'probably memorialize Her Majesty ' s Office of Works .

Holy Ground.

HOLY GROUND .

" Our lodges are situated on Holy ground , " consecrated and dedicated to a Holy God , and therefore should and must in every way be free from any influences tending tn dishonour that holy name , and corrupt the Craft . The holy to the holiest leads , From thence our spirits rise ,

And he that in God's statutes ^ treads , Shall meet Him in the skies . Let us glance into the past , aided by that Holy Li ght which must ever burn , shed its lustre , and adorn the Master ' s pedestal , a scene presents itself 3730 years since . The fathers of the faithful and the friend of God met Abimelech with the chief captain of his host , was saluted

by him . " God is with thee in all that thou dost ; " and then called upon him to take a solemn obligation of friendship to him and his posterity , and " both" of them made a covenant , and we may imagine the scene at the well which Abraham digged . Beer Shaba , or the " well of the Oath , " a consecrated spot here under the canopy of heaven , witnessed by the Most High above , and in the presence of

the faithful servant of Abimelech . I hat Holy ground was consecrated by an act of brotherly love , and in passing I would say , •' Let brotherly love continue . " Holy ground ? Yes 1 and let no man taunt me when I adopt Freemasonry as my religion , and lay as a foundation stone to God , and love to my brother , with all my heart . To proceed .

These brethren separated , but Abraham having his property , the well restored to him , not only consecrated the spot by his fraternal bond to Abimelech , but we find him raising an evergreen monument to the everlasting God ; as he plants the grove around the well , and makes it holy ground at Beer Shaba , giving al ! glory to the Most High . Holy Ground ! Now another scene , and we have before

us a splendid subject for the poet and the owbis—the venerable brother , upwards of one hundred years old , with his only son Isaac and his servants in attendance ; the patriarch riding on an ass , the group wending its way towards Mcriah , and now as they get in sight of the mountain , the old man dismounts from the beast and leaves it in charge of the servants , who are told that he and the lad are going

to the mountain to worship , and then return again to them . The venerable sire , with no ordinary fidelity to the Most High , and with the most endearing affection for a fond and obedient son , first lays the wood on Isaac ' s shoulders , then takes the knife in one hand , and the fire in the other , and thev commence the ascent . The lad wonders and

seeks from his father to know where the lamb is for the sacrifice , but is told that God will provide Himself a lamb for a burnt offering , and they again ascend together . Let us follow them , but take our shoes from off our feet , we are now on holy ground . The patriarch has selected a spot and laid aside the fire and knife , and the young man has laid down his wood ,

and they together build an altar , it is finished and the wood is laid in order , but where is the lamb ? a moment's surprise , and now the dear old man takes the only son of his bosom , the obedient beloved son , binds him and lays him on the altar , then follows a scene , upon which the angelic host looked with interest , and heaven's King with approbation . The knife is raised , another moment

and it is plunged in the heart of the dear youth , but his hand is stayed , a voice is heard , hurt not the lad , the will is taken for the deed ; the lad is loosed , and who can imagine the feelings of the two as they bow down in the presence of the Most High , on that holy ground , Jehovah , Jireh . 22 Genesis . Holy Ground ! Now let us turn our attention to witness

the sweet singer of Israel , when the anger of God was kindled , the pestilence is raging , and the King bows down before the Most High in humility , his prayer anil supplication is heard and the plague is stayed . Holy Ground I We remind our brethren at the installation of an event of surpassing grandeur to any thing on

record , the completion , dedication and consecration of the Temple of Jerusalem to God ' s worship and service , the grandeur of the building , the solemnity of the ceremonies and above all the visible manifestation over the mercy seat between the cherubims , impressed the Well informed mind , with

The sacred awe that does not mow , And all the silent heaven of love . Holy Ground I Brethren of the clergy especially , and all who would have God honoured and reverenced as it becomes Freemasons—we have an application to make to this subject .

If the lodge is holy , the ceremonies have reference to God and are holy . Would you for a moment countenance the service of the Church of England , or any dther , in a public house ? No I Then we shudder to think that the divine princip les of Masonry are to such an eitent made a convenience to those who do dishonour to God and the

Craft . Holy Ground ! Let us not trifle with the Most High I 1 feel delighted that so many interested in the prosperity of the Craft endorse my views . There are thousands of brethren , of the highest relig ious and moral reputation and standinir . who are the createst ornaments to Masonry ,

who are driven from the lodges by the excesses practised . Let the world witness that our lodges are on holy ground , and in spite of all opposition Masonry will do honour lo monarch and peasant , and shall go forward bright as the sun , fair as the moon , and terrible as an army with banners .

Notwithstanding the great heat , the deaths registered in London last week were 107 ^ low the average . The mean temperature was 72 deg ., which w * 10 . 3 deg . in excess of the corresponding week tor si * ij years .