Provincial Grand Lodge Of Warwickshire.

% vay . They were not merely a band of brothers meeting together for personal gratification , or a mysterious or secret order organised for the purnose of revolutionising society , the government , 0 r the Church . But it was a society which endeavoured to carry out the precepts of true

re lio-ion by " visiting the fatherless and widows in affliction , " "to fear God and to honour the King . " He then spoke ofthe second part of his text—to keej ) themselves unspotted from the vyorld . Did not Masonry teach them to exalt those talents with which God had blest them ?

Did it not urge them to place a bridle upon their actions r to use the faculties that God had . riven them to the exaltation of chastity and virtue ? And to finally prepare themselves when called before the great tribunal , when they would bo judged by their works ? There were men ,

he regretted to say , who did not live up to the noble , objects taught by their system , but that was not a fault of Masonry . AVhat we required in this world was more li ght , and their system desired to make them lights of the world . The great characteristics of Masons were temperance ;

fortitude , prudence , and justice ; the principles on which it was founded were brotherly love and truth ; and the grand Christian as well as Masonic motto , faith , hope , and charity . So that when they had finished trials on earth they might at length pass to the [ Grand Lodge above , and

take their p lace with the World ' s Great Architect . A short interval ensued after the service , and then a banquet , supplied by Mr . John Hall , of the Castle Hotel , took place in St . Alary ' s Hall . It was served up in a superior style , under the snperintendance of Mr . Hi If , of the Draper ' s Hall . The courses consisted of the most

innumerable delicacies , and previous to the company being seated the tables presented a magnificient appearance . They and the room were beautifully decorated with some choice flowers from Stoneleig h Abbey . Covers were laid for

120 , the plate , glass , and cutlery being supplied by Mr . Hedger of the Broadgate . Lord Leigh presided , and he was supported by D . Prov . G . AI . Col . Alachen , on his right , and AV . M . of the Trinity Lodge , Bro . Mulloney on the left .

His Lordship proposed " The Queen , " " The Prince of AVales , and the Royal Family , " and "The Grand Lodge of England . " The latter toast was responded to by Bro . AVheeler , Prov . G . O .

The Rev . Canon Baynes proposed the Provincial Grand Master of Warwickshire , " which having been cordially drank , His Lordship suitably responded to the toast .

Tlie Rev . F . M . Beaumont proposed "Ihe Deputy Provincial Grand Master and the Provincial Grand Lodge of AVarwickshire , " to which Col . Machen made an excellent response . Lord Leigh proposed " The AV . M . of Trinity

Lodge and Success to the Lodge . " Bro . Mulloney , W . M ., responded in a short speech . Bro . A . E . Fridlander , in a eulogistic speech , proposed "The Health of the Hon . and Rev . J . W . Lei gh . " He alluded to the high esteem in

which he was held by all who knew him , and more particularly those by whom in his own parish he was more immediately surrounded . He regretted his departure for America , and hoped he might return safely . The Hon , and Rev . J . W . Leigh , in his

response , said he took his departure much more unwillingly from the knowledge of the many friends he left behind him ; however it would afford him much consolation to know that he was kindly remembered by the friends at home . He hoped he might be permitted to rejoin them

again . His Lordship proposed "The Visitors , " and 'he toast was responded to by by Bro . W . G . Griffiths , P . Prov . S . G . W . " The Masonic Charities" was the subject of another toast proposed by Col . Machen , and

responded to by Bro . Binckes , Secretary to the Boys' School . He eulogised the AVarwickshire Masons for the great amount they had subscribed to the Masonic Boys' School , and alluded in glowing terms to the usefulness of the Institution .

Provincial Grand Lodge Of Warwickshire.

The Tyler ' s toast , by Lord Leigh , concluded the toast list . Bros . Kennedy , Insall , and Croydon sang capital songs during the evening . Votes of thanks were passed to the Mayor for the use of the hall , and Mr . Gnlson for the use of the Free Library Building .

Masonic Episode In Real Life.

MASONIC EPISODE IN REAL LIFE .

Previous to the late war , there lived in the North a Mason of the 32 nd grade , known as Richard ' Balcom ; a gentleman held in high esteem by his confreres , of sterling integrity ,

genial and prepossessing manners , in fact , a generous , whole-souled gentleman ; but with these excellent qualities he had a fiery and imperious temper , prompt to resent insult , furious if a friend ' s honour or character were attacked .

On one occasion the W . M . of his lodge indulged in language of a disparaging nature in regard to an absent member , an intimate associate of Balcom , who , conceiving it to be his imperative duty , resented the course pursued by the AV . M . toward his absent friend , in a violent

manner , and in strong terms , condemning the AV . AI . ' s actions . High words ensued , and if others had not interfered the result mi ght have been serious . So great a breach of disci pline could not pass unnoticed . Charges were preferred , and a commission appointed , resulting in

the expulsion of Balcom . About two months thereafter business matters demanded the attention of Balcom in Peru . His old AIasonic friends , in large . numbers , notwithstanding the AIasonic interdiction , assembled at the wharf to bid him " God speed " on his

journey . When he left New York he expected to return within six months , but business affairs proved so remunerative that he resolved to remain on the Pacific . Matters prospered with him , and in a few years he was one of the wealthiest merchants or . that coast . He had thoroughly

mastered the language of the country , and had great influence with the government , in consequence of valuable services rendered on various occasions . He married into one of the best families of Lima , and resolved to spend the remainder of his days among a people who honoured and

appreciated him . In the fall of 186 5 , four persons were arrested by the authorities of Lima , a short distance outside the city , and when they were brought up for examination , Balcom , who happened to be present , at once recognised them as his

countrymen , and , judging from their appearance , men of character . He obtained an adjournment of the case in order to secure an interview with the accused , and the privilege was accorded . Balcom had already ascertained that one of the number accused , Norval Prince , was a

Mason . From him he learned all the facts of the case . Suffice it to say , the arrest was a mistake , and Balcom was enabled , by his knowledge , to obtain all the necessary evidence , and the prisoners were honourabl y

discharged . After their release , Balcom invited them to partake of his hospitality , which was gratefully accepted , and shortly after the three friends departed , leaving Bro . Prince at Balcom ' s house .

After their departure , Balcom held out to Bro . Prince inducements to remain and engage in business in Lima . He did so , and by the assistance of Balcom , succeeded beyond his most sanguine expectations . Thus they remained for two years , few men being so fondly attached to each other ' s society . One day Bro . Prince said :

" My dear Balcom , why have you always shown such marked partiality to me , to the exclusion of all others ?" " You are a Mason . " " I am ; how did you know that ? Yon have never given me any indication that you were one . "

" Do you recollect when first brought before the magistrate you made a movement—a mute appeal—which all Masons understand , and which none can disregard ?" " I do now recollect . Well f "

Masonic Episode In Real Life.

" That appeal was seen and noted by others as well as myself , and may account in a measure for kind receptions on several occasions by those who were strangers to you . " "My dear brother , you knew that I was a

Mason , and yet never made yourself known . I cannot understand it . How many happy hours we might have passed in pleasant intercourse on Masonry . " " We have had our first and last conversation

on that subject ; from this time forth you must never again allude to Masonry in my presencein fact , you cannot , which you will readily understand , when I inform you that I am an expelled Mason . "

The surprise of Bro . Prince at this announcement was indescribable . He could not realise that such a gentleman could not be guilty of any fault that demanded such a penalty . Balcom then related to him all the details of his quarrel , trial and expulsion , and again

enjoined his friend against referring to matters relating to the Order . Bro . Prince protested in the most earnest manner against his decision , but Balcom was firm : Bro . Prince then resolved to know more ofthe matter , and learning that an old friend was a

member of the lodge to which Balcom had formerly belonged , he lost no time in writing to him , asking all particulars in regard to Balcom and his trial , and what course was necessary to have him restored . The response arrived while Bro . Prince was immersed in business , but seizing

his hat , he rushed from his office in a state of agitation that induced the clerks to suppose that he had been seized by a sudden fit of madness . With all speed , he reached the residence of Balcom , trembling with excitement , and some time elapsed before he could speak coherently ;

but , becoming as quiet as the circumstances permitted , he said , " Bro . Balcom , ( mark I use the term brother ) six months ago you interdicted me from speaking on AIasonic subjects . I hereby dissolve that injunction myself , and intend hereafter to talk of Masonry on all occasions when in your

society . " I sincerely regret that you have resolved to adopt that course ; although it would deeply grieve me to sever the ties of friendship that have bound us together so pleasantly , yet my duty to you and my sense of honour demr nds this sacrifice , if you persist in your resolution . "

"Bat , my dear brother , all I have in the world , my success in life , is wholly due to you . You , of all Masons have been the truest ; we shall not part , nor refrain from talking on Masonic matters ; on the contrary , you will this evening accompany me to our ledge rooms , where I predict you will have a grand reception . "

Balcom was now thoroughly alarmed , being impressed with the idea that some undue excitement in business had produced temporary aberration of mind , but he said , soothingly : " Come , Prince , you are labouring under some strong agitation ; be quiet for a while . You must

be aware what you say is not in accordance with your usual good sense . " " On the contrary , I am talking sound sense . Please peruse that document and then accuse me of talking nonsense , " Bro . Prince p laced a paper in the hand of his

friend , to which a seal was attached . He opened the paper in surprise , and with happiness beam ' ing from his noble coutenance , for a moment he was entirely wrapt in his own emotions . Suddenly extending his hand to Bro . Prince , while his moistened eyes exhibited his gratifies ^ lion , he said :

" My dear brother , to you , tnen , I am indebted for one of the happiest moments of my life . " It appears that after the departure of Bro . Balcom from his native city , sympathy for his position rose to the highest pitch in the lodge , and the AV . M . asked for Bro . Balcom ' s

restoration , which was unanimously acceded to within a month after his departure , and under an excitement seldom witnessed in a Masonic body . It was generally understood that Bro . Balcom would return in six months , and a surprise was organised to meet hirn on his return , and