Masons And The War.

MASONS AND THE WAR .

A Masonic gathering somewhat unique in the annals of local Freemasonry was that at the service held last Sunday afternoon at the Church of All Saints , Portsea , " on behalf of brethren in South Africa . " The Vicar , Bro . the Rev . William C . H . Hawksley , P . P . G . Chap ., had , with the cordial approval of Bro . the Rig ht Hon . W . W . B . Beach , M . P ., Prov . G . M ., invited the attendance of the brethren of the neighbourhood , and excellent was the response . Masons were present in very large numbers , the Port ? mouth lodges being well represented ; whilst brethren from Winchester , Chichester , Fareham , Southampton , and the

Isle of Wight testified hy their presence their fraternal sympathy . It was cause for universal regret that the Prov . G . Master , who had intimated his intention to be present , and who was to have been the guest of the Mayor of Portsmouth , was prevented by a severe chill from undertaking the journey . His place was taken by Bro . Goble , P . G . S . B . Eng ., Dep . Prov . G . Master , who was accompanied by Bros . Richard Eve , P . G . Treas . Eng ., and J . E . Le Feuvre , P . G . D . Eng ., and attended by Bros . Commander Gale , Prov . G . Sec , J . Gieve , Prov . G . Treas ., and a number of Prov . G . Officers , Present and Past .

A large congregation of non-Mascns and ladies filled the huge galleries , which constitute a notable feature of the church . The brethren having taken their seats , the Dep . Prov . G . M ., entered the church in procession with his officers , a special position of honour being accorded to the Mayor of Portsmouth ( Bro . Councillor Harold Pink ) who is W . M . of the United Brothers' Lodge , No . 1069 . The service was fully choral , the choir of the church being reinforced for the occasion by a number of visitors including several brethren of the Order .

The opening hymn , " 0 God , our help in ages past , " was sung as the choir and clergy passed to their places in the choir , the first part of the service being sung by Bro . Rev . Bruce Cornford , Chap . 487 , and the speciaT Litany by Bro . Rev . H . Watts , P . D . D . G . M . Manitoba , Chap . 257 . The lesson , Exodus , xvii ., 8-13 , was read by Bro . the Rev . C . E . Crowley , P . P . G . Chap . Amongst the prayers , the following collect found a place and will probably be peculiarly interesting to brethren ot the Craft : Almighty and eternal God , we , the frail creatures of Thy providence , humbly

implore thee to pour down upon our brethren in South Africa , in their present need , the dew of Thy divine blessing . Sanctify them with thy grace , strengthen them with Thy mighty power , and enrich their minds with true and genuine knowledge , so thit they may the better be enabled in their time of adversity to unfold the bsauties of true godliness , to the honour and glory of Thy holy Name . Endue them with such fortitude that in the hour of trial they fail not , but that , passing under Thy protection through the dangers of this sublunary abode they may finally ascend to those immortal mansions whence all goodness emanates ; for the sake of Jesus Christ our Lord . Amen .

In the petitions of the Litany two suffrages were particularly appropriate , having regard to the need of the time and the circumstances of the occasion . They were thus worded : That it may please Thee to take under Thy protection those Rulers in our Craft and others of our Brethren who are in danger or anxiety in South Africa , giving them a

happy issue out of all their distress—We beseech Thee to h ° ar us , good Lord . That it may please Thee to be with the Grand Chaplain of our Order and other Ministers of Thy Word and Sacraments in South Africa , endowing them with wisdom , zeal , and gentleness , to the healing and saving of

souls—We beseech Thee to near us good Lord . The sermon was preached by Bro . tha Rev . W . HAWKSLEY , W . M . 257 , P . P , G . C ., from the words— " We be brethren . " ( Genesis xiii ., v . 8 . ) Such unity , he pointed out , carried with it the responsibility which always attached to privilege . That day brought with it a further recognition of such responsibility . From afar across the sea and over the African heat arose the sound of war cries . Britain ' s need had proved to be the opportunity of her sons , and when the call of duty was

heard the brethren of the Craft had not been found wanting . Members of the Order had been forward to act as soldiers in the field or to suffer and endure in obscurity . The Commander-in-Chief in South Africa , his Chief of the Staff , and the general at the Modder river were all P . G . Wardens ; he who ( now happily ) led their armies on the other side of the Tugela was a P . G . Deacon , whilst the Grand Chaplain of England was amongst those ministering spiritual consolation to the suffering and dying . To come nearer home , it was satisfactory to remember

that the Commander-in-Chief of the British Army was also a P . G . Warden . But there were many others who , with homes desolated , businesses broken up and hearts broken were patiently content to suffer , to do and to bear . From a )) a cry was heard , inarticulate as a sobbing wail of agony . They at least could thus translate it that day , " Let brotherly love continue . "J It was a demand that support should be afforded the support of hands uplifted in prayer—a prayer which should be no less potent than was that of olden time

when Joshua tought the battle of the Lord in the valley of Rephidim . That demand found admission as being based upon profound Truth . The design of the Great Architect included the building of all humanity into one harmonious edifice . They were brethren , but it should be in the brotherhood of humanity . The failure of the world to recognise this fact constituted the raison d ' etre of the Masonic Order . It was the hope of Craftsmen that its recognition by themselves mig ht tend with universal acceptance as The one far off divine event

To which the whole creation moves . Its practical form , however , must be that of affording Relief to the brethren . In ihe sacred name of Charity the preacher appealed to those present to support the War Fund , for which a collection was about to be made . Let each do what he could .

Hand to hand : a brother s falling Look—his burden is too great ; Stretch the generous hand and help him Up before it is too late . Each right arm's a Mason ' s prop Made to hold another up .

Turning to the crowded galleries , he concluded : Yet will I add one word to you who link your interests with ours to-day . " All the brethren greet you . " We welcome occasions such as this when the popular world , though uninstructed in the secrets of our Masonic art , marks its sense of the loftiness , of our purpose and the grandeur of our designs . We thank you for your kind sympathy with the members of our Craft to-day ; we accept with gratitude your co-operation in

our prayers ; but , at the same time , we entreat you to remember that as yOu have cast in your lot with us in prayer and praise , so it is right that you share also in our burden too , and join with us in the relief we seek to assure to those in need . Yes , all the brethren greet you : and , as they greet you , they bid you " Love as brethren . " So all of us must do our best , for " We be brethren . " The need , is great , is urgent ; but , after all , ' tis a passing need—it will he met : and then ? Then tne end—ah

well—When the Master of all from His star-spangled tl . rone Shall issue the mandate to summon us home , May each brother be found to be duly prepared In the Grand Lodge above us , to meet his reward . During the collection , which amounted to nearly £ 60 , the following hym n , speciall y written for the occasion by Mrs , Will C , Hawksley , was sung , and the

Masons And The War.

Blessing having been given , a very striking and interesting service was brought to a close with a Masonic version of the National Anthem .

HYMN . * Lord of the sea-girt Homeland , The Brethren of our Order , Lord of the swelling main ; Master , Thy craftsmen they ; Lord of the spreading lone-land In face of fierce marauder Of Africa's broad plain . Direct their way to-day . About Thy throne beat war cries , Through every rank united , Blood sullies earth ' s fair breast . In concord heart with heart , Send from above , , great God of Love , Masons protect , great Architect , Upon this wild world rest . Skill , courage , love impart .

Strengthen , O God , midst danger , Great sons of greater mother , Our armies as they stand , Sworn brothers in the Craft , Guarding 'gainst foe and stranger Greetings to each and other The honour of our land . Across the seas we waft . Arm them with gallant courage , Some fail , but truth is victor ; Shield them from shell and shot , Some die , but glory lives ; Keep Thou their posts , Lord God of Hosts , Grant those who fall , just Judge of all , In need forsake then not . The rest Thy mercy gives .

They come from English shire , Like wing of wild bird weary , From calm Colonial scene , Daring the gale alone ; Far from off seats of Empire , Earth ' s voices , sad and dreary , All soldiers of the Queen . Float out in forceless moan . Sons of Imperial Britain , Tune them to notes celestial ; In Freedom's cause they fight , With love the round world fill ; As comrades loyal ; O King most royal , And wars shall cease , as , Prince of Peace , Do Thou defend the right . ' Is heard Thy glad " Be still . " Amen .

Obituary.

Obituary .

BRO . THE REV . R . J . SIMPSON , PAST G . CHAPLAIN . Bro . the Rev . R . J . Simpson , to whose lamented death at the ripe age of yj years we referred with regret in our Notes of last week , was a veteran Mason of over 50 years' standing , had been a Grand Officer for 32 years , and will long be remembered , firstly , as having delivered the oration at the dedication of the new Buildings at Freemasons' Hall on the 14 th April , 186 9 and also for the part he

, frequently took in the debates in Grand Lodge . Moreover , and this , perhaps , is a fact less generally known , he had been formerly a prominent member of two provinces as far removed from each other as Durham and the old Province of Berk and Bucks . He was initiated in the Palatine Lodge , No . 97 , Sunderland , of which he was subsequently appointed Chaplain , in the year 1849 , and having joined the Restoration Lodge , No . m , Darlingtjjn , was installed W . M . in i 860 .

In the interim he served firstly as Prov . G . Chaplain in 1853 , and two years later as Prov . S . G . Warden , Durham . A few years later and we find him in the Province of Berks and Bucks , of which he was appointed Prov . G . Chaplain in 1864 , and in which we read of him as a P . M . of Windsor Castle Lodge , No . 771 , in 1866 . It was during his sojourn in this province that he was exalted as a Royal Arch Mason in the Windsor Castle Chapter , No . 771 , in

May , 1865 , and then a little later came the crowning triumph of his Masonic career , when first in 186 7 , and again in 1868 , he was appointed G . Chaplain of England , it being during his second term of office that as the senior of the two Chaplains , he delivered the oration already mentioned . It was also in 186 7 , that he was appointed Asst . G . Sojourner in Supreme Grand Chapter . Be it added that he was a Life Governor of the Male Fund of the Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution , and had served one Stewardship on behalf of that Charity .

BRO . WALTER MARTIN , P . A . G . P . Bro . Walter Martin , whose death , we regret to announce , occurred on Saturday , the 20 th instant , was initiated in theSouthwark Lodge , No . 8 79 , on the 14 th March , 1878 , and on the 8 th October , 1885 , had the honour of being installed its Worshipful Master . In March , 1894 , he became one of the founders and wa » invested as acting P . M . of the Old Boys' Lodge , No . 2500 . He had also served

on the Board of Benevolence . He was exalted a Royal Arch Mason in Wellington Chapter , No . 548 , on the 28 th November , 1882 , and was installed M . E . Z . in September , 1891 . It was also in the course of the same year that he became a founder and first M . E . Z . of the Southwark Chapter , No . 8 79 . He has done good service to our three Institutions , being a Life-Governor of them all , and

having acted as Steward at five of their festivals , namely , twice in each case for the Boys' and Benevolent Institutions and once for the Girls' School . His services to the Craft were recognised in 18 97 , when he was appointed Assistant Grand Pursuivant in Grand Lodge , and Assistant Grand Director of Ceremonies in Supreme Grand Chapter .

BRO . GEORGE BALMFORD , P . G . ORG . A short while since we announced the death , on the 6 th inst , of Bro . George Balmford , formerly a prominent member of the City Council of York , and a very worthy member of the Craft in the Province of North and East Yorkshire ; he had held the ollice of W . M . of the York Lodge , No . 236 ; in 1876 he became

one of the founders of the Eboracum Lodge , No . 1611 , of which he was a P . M . at the time of his death , and which he served so well as Treasurer for some 20 years , that on his retirement from the office he was presented with a very handsome gold Treasurer ' s jewel . He was also a P . P . G . Organist of N . and E . Yorkshire .

BRO . T . B . DANIELL , P . M . Bro . T . B . Daniel ! , whose death occurred on Saturday , the 6 th inst ., was one of the most popular and respected members of the Craft in the East-end of London , He appears to have been content with his membership of a single lodge—the Merchant Navy , No . 781 , of which he was the sole surviving member and a Past Master , and which ha served for many , many , years most loyally as

Treasurer . But if he was thus content with the duties of the one lodge , he was a staunch supporter of all our Institutions , with the Old People for choice . He was a Vice-President of both our Schools , and had served three Stewardships for the Girls' and two for the Boys' School . Of the Royal Masonic Banevolent Institution he had qualified as a Patron , and had made his children , and even his grandchildren Vice-Presidents , while he had served half a dozen Stewardships , the most important service he rendered it having been at the Tubilee Festival

in 1892 , when as the chief Steward for No . 7 81 , he compiled a list of . £ 781 , In him the Old People have lost a sincere friend and one of their most generous supporters , and the East-end of London one of its most sterling Craftsmen . The funeral took place at Ilford Cemetery on Friday , the 12 th instant , and was attended by the W . M ,, the S . W ., and several of the P . Ms ., including the Secretary and many of the members , while prominent among the wreaths under which the coffin was hid , was one sent by the lodge .