Provincial Grand Lodge Of West Lancashire.

Rev . L . R . Ayre , Prov . Asst . G . S . ; T . Sutton , Prov . 2 nd Asst . G . S . ; D , Jackson : Prov . G . S . B . ; A . D . Hesketh , Prov . G . Std . Br . ; T . K . Hughes , Prov . G . D . C . J . L . Houghton , Prov . Asst . G . D . C ; W . Piatt , Prov . G . O . ; and C . Bargery , Prov . Asst G . S . E .

The visiting brethren afterwards inspected the docks and the various fine ironworks in Barrow , and returned to Liverpool by the special trains leaving Barrow at seven o ' clock and half-past seven respectively . Fine weather and all other circumstances had combined to render this important Masonic gathering both successful and enjoyable .

Provincial Grand Chapter Of Somersetshire.

PROVINCIAL GRAND CHAPTER OF SOMERSETSHIRE .

The annual meeting of thc above Provincial Grand Chapter was held on i nday , the 20 thinst , at Clevedon , under the banner of the Adair Chapter , No . 1750 , when there was a large gathering of companions of the province . Comp . Col . Shadwell H . Clerke , G . S . E . of England , presided , having for his Second and Third Principals Comps . Capt . Homfray and Rev . J . A . Lloyd , G . C . of England . Among those present were the following Officers of the Provincial Grand Chapter : Comps . R . C Else , P . G . H . ; B . H . Watts , P . G . Treas . ; W . Bidgood , P . G . S . N . ; W . Long , P . G . S . E . ; T . G . Williams , P . A . G . S . E . ; W . J . Nosworthy , P . G . P . S . ; G . Glassop , P . ist A . G . S . ; and A . J . Slater , P . G . Janitor .

The following companions were present : Comps . E . W . Redway , C . F . Marshall , A . W . N . Weatherly , J . Randle Ford , J . A . Sawyer , G . K . Foster , A . F . Ross , F . Glover , W . Montague , J . Ruble , J . C . Moncrieff , T . Meyler , J . Westlake , H . B . ffarrington , W . M . Rice , J . B . Marwood , E . Barnes , E . Noke , W . F . Langworthy , T . Lloyd Norris , L . Howe , W . B . Gregory , G . H . Perritt , S . R . Basket ,

F . T . Ellworthy , J . Gill , L . Ringer , E . J . B . Mercer , E . Winter , Lawson Home , W . T . Male , J . A . Bright , W . Reece , J . Burnett , J . Allan , Tucker , J . A . Timmins , W . F . Gould , G . Baskett , J . Knight , T . J . Scoones , W . H . Fisher , A . L . Wade , E . Bath , E . A . Hington , J . Cornwall , T . B . Moutrie , T . Hearne , E . Fry Wade , and others .

The Treasurer's account , showing a balance of £ 110 in favour of the Prov . Grand Chapter , was adopted . Comp . Col . Shadwell H . Gierke then installed Comp . R . C . Else as Grand Superintendent of the province , in the place of the late Brigadier-General Adair , and complimented him upon the distinguished position to which he had attained , and , the patent appointing Comp . Else to the position having been read , all offices were declared vacant , and the following were elected and invested P . G . Officers for the ensuing year by the newly-elected Grand Superintendent :

Comp . Colonel Long ... ... ... ... Prov . G . H . ,, T . Barnes ... ... ... ... Prov . G . J . „ Noke ... ... ... ... ... Prov . G . S . E . „ Rev . J . A . Lloyd ... ... ... ... Prov . G . S . N . „ Glover ... ... ... ... ... Prov . G . Reg . „ W . Wrig ht ... ... ... ... Prov . G . P . S . „ A . Law Wade ... ... ... ... Prov . G . ist A . S . „ E . F . Wade ... ... ... ... Prov . G . 2 nd A . S . ,, H . G . Crowe ... ... ... ... Prov . G . S . B . „ W . Reece ... ... ... ... Prov . G . Std . Br . „ J . Gill ... ... ... ... ... Prov . G . D . C . „ T . G . Williams ... ... ... ... Prov . A . G . S . E .

,, Nosworthy ... ... ... ... Prov . G . Org . „ Salter ... ... ... ... ... Prov . G . Janitor . On the , motion of Comp . Col . LONG , seconded by Comp . R . C . ELSE , Grand Superintendent , the Provincial Grand Chapter recorded their grief at the irreparable loss to Royal Arch Masonry and the Province of Somerset through the

lamented death of their Grand Superintendent , the late Brigadier-General Adair , after whom the entertaining chapter was named . The alms taken were given to the Clevedon Cottage Hospital . The Prov . G . Chapter was then closed . Subsequently the companions dined together under the presidency of the Grand Superintendent in the Town Hall , when the usual Masonic toast list was gone through .

Consecration Of The Southport Chapter. No. 1070.

CONSECRATION OF THE SOUTHPORT CHAPTER . No . 1070 .

This new chapter was consecrated on Saturday , the 14 th inst ., at the Masonic Rooms , Lord-street , Southport , by Comp . W . Goodacre , P . G . Std . Br ., Prov . G . S . E ., assisted by Comps . J . J . Lambert , as H . ; Rev . J . S . Gardner , as J . ; R . Betley , as S . E . ; J . C Robinson , as S . N . ; J . D . Murray , D . C . ; J . Callow , P . S . ; W . C . Erwin , P . P . G . R . ; J . Slyman , and J . Barrow , P . P . G . S .

. After the chapter was opened , the companions were admitted , and the Presiding Officer proceeded with the ceremony of consecration , a duty which he performed in a most dignified and impressive manner . The D . C . then presented the Three Principals designate , namely , Comps . W . Johnson , Z . ; John Hatch , H . ; and J . Witham , J ., and they were all regularly installed into their respective chairs . The M . E . Z . afterwards invested his officers for the ensuing year .

A vote of thanks was then passed to the Consecrating Officers , and Comps . Goodacre , Gardner , and Murray were elected honorary members . There were present during the ceremony Comps . John Sutton , P . P . G . Treas . J . Piatt , P . P . G . S . ; W . Piatt , H . 613 ; W . Jones , P . P . G . T . ; G . Duxfield , J . 613 ; Rev . C . Hesketh Knowlys , Z . 1730 ; G . Rockliffe , 1613 ; and others .

Semi-Centennial Of The Grand Lodge Of Illinois.

SEMI-CENTENNIAL OF THE GRAND LODGE OF ILLINOIS .

Graid Master J . C . SMITH has issued the following circular to the lodo-es of his jurisdiction : — " The Most Worshipful the Grand Lodge of the State of Illinois has been invited to place the cope-stone on the tower of the Auditorium in the City of Chicago , and thus complete the building . The Grand Master has accepted the invitation , and named the hour of High Twelve on the second day of October . This being the second day of the Annual Communication and the " day set apart

for the celebration of the Semi-Centennial of Grand Lodge , it is proposed a parade of the Craftsmen precede the ceremonies at the Auditorium . R . Em . Sir Norman T . Cassette , Grand Commander of Kni ghts Templar of Illinois , has kindly consented to furnish a suitable escort of Knights Templar for Grand Lodge and the constituent lodges that may participate . The ceremony of placinothe cope-stone being completed , Grand Lodge will be . escorted back to Central Music Hall , where the parade will be dismissed . " At five o ' clock p . m . the members of the Fraternity and their families will assemble at armoury of Second Regiment , I . N . G ., on Lake front , where the Grand

Semi-Centennial Of The Grand Lodge Of Illinois.

Orator , Bro . Rev . George C . Lorimer , D . D ., will deliver the oration . Immediatel y following the oration the audience will be dismissed , and those having tickets will proceed to the adjoining building , Armoury of Battery ' D , ' where the grand banquet will be spread . " It is to be hoped that every lodge in the State will be represented at all these ceremonies , and as the lodges in Chicago will be out in full force , it is recommended , and fraternally requested , that lodges which can come in a body from

other parts of the State , and particularly those from adjoining counties , that they do so . The celebration of the placing of the cope-stone is the time of rejoicing on the completion of a building when tools are laid aside , aprons taken off , and the hours of labour are succeeded by the hours of rest and refreshment . It is peculiarl y fitting that the Grand Lodgeof Illinois Free and Accepted Masonsshould be called upon to complete that grand monument of the Imperial City of Chicago , the Auditorium , and on this , its 50 th anniversary .

As the history of the past is reviewed , we find in every great event that our brother Craftsmen bore conspicuous and honourable part . The names which add lustre to the history of our State were Craftsmen . The deeds of martial daring of many whose praises we speak and whose memories live in our hearts , the most

distinguished men in public and private life , in science and relig ion , in mechanics and in the arts , did not deem it derogatory to their character to become Freemasons . In all things tending to the elevation of our race we know of no more active agent than Ancient Craft Masonry . Let there be a hearty response to this invitation .

" As on all such occasions in Freemasonry , a suitable bronze medal commemorative of this event is being struck , which will be sold with thc ticket to the banquet . The ticket to the banquet will include the medal , and can be had of the Chairman of the Committee on Banquet , R . W . Bro . William K . Forsyth , No . 6 3 , Clark-street , Chicago . Price of ticket to banquet , with medal ( and no one will be

admitte'd without both ) , will be for the brethren , three dollars , and for ladies , two dollars . The medal will be sold for one dollar to brethren who cannot attend the banquet . All orders should be sent to Bro . Forsyth , for banquet tickets and medals , as early as possible , that a sufficient number of medals may be struck , as the die will be broken immediately upon congregating of Grand Lodge , after which none can be had . This will make them especially valuable .

" All lodges intending to participate in the parade should early as possible notify the Chairman of the Parade Committee , Bro . E . W . Adkinson , No . 930 , Opera House , Chicago . "

Masonic Light And Truth.

MASONIC LIGHT AND TRUTH .

There is to be found no greater field for active thought and work than in Masonry . The bri ghtness of her deeds can never be dimmed by any investigation . Her code of ethics has taught man to be noble , true , and faithful , has assisted in driving superstition from the minds of men , has closed the doors of immorality and vice , and opened the avenues of intellectual freedom . Her enemies are slanderers and bigots , her friends are those who love the human family . Unlike other

institutions which have enslaved their worshippers , the teachings of Freemasonry have always tended to render man more independent , to cultivate a broader manhood and develope a deeper intellectuality . She has never enslaved a human being , but has laboured for man ' s prosperity in every relation of human existence . Masonry is light , the light of scientific thought , the light lhat man needs for a successful

guide , and in great measure that he may enjoy the full fruition of a well-spent life , and some results of a happy destiny . It denies every mythological and superstitious idea of man ' s creation , existence , and destiny , but with impressive ceremony acknowledges God , the Creator of all things , and solemnly recognises our dependence upon Him .

Masonry is truth . We are taught that " truth is a divine attribute ; " yet , like other virtues , is within the reach of man , and may be appropriated to his use . It is sometimes difficult to distinguish it in these days of tinsel and g loss , but upon this rock we profess to build Masonic character . Masonic light cannot illuminate

that which is false . When in the creation God commanded , " Let there be lig ht , " and the li g ht was given , it served to make truth visible , the truths of creation . The analogy is plain . When first we opened our eyes , we learned that Masonic light was given to read the " Word of Truth , " that should prove a lamp to our feet .

He who thinks that he has accomplished all there is to be learned in the entire field of intellectual and moral teaching of Freemasonry deceives himself . The best educated among us has gained but a superficial view , while he who has learned the simplest lessons taught by the tenacity of the Acacia , has linked his soul to the Infinite and built a Temple therein whose corner-stone is taken from the quarries of Eternal Truth , and whose timbers are stronger than the Cedars of Lebanon . Masonry is the religion of education under forms and ceremonies . It pays homage to no other system , and because of its independence it has life .

If education have no religious tendency , then is our civilisation a failure , and all instruction goes for naught . Better for man to remain in slavery and degradation than to use the forces of education which result in nothing but barren hopes and fruitless endeavour . Happily we experience a different result . The forces of education have elevated man to the moral and intellectual being of to-day . Among

these forces we recognise Masonic knowledge , which has participated in this great work , until now we find the test of true Masonic character applied to the hig hest type of developed manhood . Unmasonic conduct must , therefore , be the resultant operation of an impure mind , a soul devoid of true manhood and influenced by unholy desires and passions . —Grand Master Collier , West Virginia .

— . 4 William Hutchinson , may be fairly termed the father of Masonic symbolism-No one writer has endeavoured more than he did to give an elevating , and classical , and philosophical tendency to all our Masonic researches and disquisitions . His is a name which ought always to be held in reverential regard by all Ang lo-Saxon Freemasons . He was born at Barnard Castle Durham , in 1732 , and died in i 8 i 4

He was a solicitor by profession , but an antiquary and archa ; ologist by taste—and conviction . He wrote that well-known work "The history and Antiquities of the County Palatine of Durham , " and several other works , being a zealous member of the Antiquarian Society . His "Spirit of Masonry , " his well-known work , was first published in 1775 , with the especial sanction of Grand Lodge , and a second edition was issued in 1 795 . Dr . Oliver edited one of the many later editions .

Hutchinson had his own peculiar theories , which a later and sounder criticism and a true exegesis have compelled Masonic students to discard . His etymology and '"¦ ' j symbolism are both somewhat strained , though there will be always a large schoo in Anglo-Saxon Freemasonry which will adhere to the Christian sympathies an sentiments of Hutchinson . But though we cannot fully agree with all his views , we can admire truly the general groundwork of his admirable work , which wi remain a lasting monument , both to his learning and ingenuity , a fitting epitap > so to say , on the long career of a man and a Mason , whose head and heart wel in unison , whose life was blameless , and whose memory is still fondly regarded y Freemasons , wherever the English language is spoken , and as long as Freemason j itself endures . —Kenning ' s Cyclopcedia of Freemasonry .

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