Reports Of Masonic Meetings.

luminous existenc .-, when circumstances corresponding with the sulphite cf quinine acted upon their lives . Hence , in this way it would he seen what an important factor the VV . M . was in originating the spirit of the lotlge , and how imperative it was that every one should catch and pass on that spirit as it circulates . Wherever a di--contemed brother sits there , would be a weak in tho circuit ;

but ir . that lodge they found an admirable VV . M .. antl a perfectly harmonious lodge , and , throughout , ad circuatetl the true spirit t . f Mas nuy , as exemplified bv their perfect unanimity and brotherly lovt . He would now ask them to show their appreciation of their " big machine , " the W . M ., by drinking his health enthusiast ! -ally . Bro . Hayes , in reply , said they could not all he shining li ghts

like their esteemed and valued I . P . M ., whose ability and eloquence tney all admired so much , but he believed they could all be useful in their generation , supported by the Past Maslers , officers , and brethren of the lodge ; he trusted he should go on and woik liil the end of his year with satisfaction ti himself and credit to them . "The Past Masters of the Lotlge . " were then toasted , and Bros . Butter

and Ellis responded , the latter , in one of his eloquent and excellent speeches , which aie so welcome to the brethren . " The Visitors" was respontled to by Bros . Spinks , Warren , and Bowles . " The Press , " coupled with the name of Bro . Jolly , followed ; and Bro . Tucker was congratulated upon his excellent catering , and after he had replied , the Tyler ' s toast concluded a most brilliant and successful gathering .

Mark Masonry.

Mark Masonry .

PLUMSTEAD . —Excelsior Lodge ( No . 226 ) . — The regular quarterly meeting of the above lodge took place on Tuesday , the lolh inst ., at Bro . Garucti's fine hall on Anglesea-hill , and was a most interesting and enj > yable gathering in every respec * . Interesting from the lact of a perfect stranger having to perforin the duties of W . M . at a moment's noiice , without whose presence the

business of the lodge ceiulel not have been carried on , and enjoyable from having the gootl fortune after labour to be presided over by one whose eloquence and " bonhomme is as cxhilerating as his name among his confreres of the musical world is celebrated and honoured . We allude in the first place to Bro . J . G . Holmes , no , P . W ., P . D . G . S . W . Malta , who fortunately visited the lodge , and in the

unavoidable absence of Bro . Captain ) . Ritcaie * . W . M . M ., G . J . M . W . Kent , and P . G . M . W . Middlesex and Surrey , took the chair , and carried out the tluties ii : a manner that called forth the warmest eulogiums from all present , and , in the second to Bro . James Smyth , J . W ., and G . | . 0 . Kent , Band Master of the Royal Artillery Band at Woolwich , antl one of the oldest Craft and Mark Masons in the

district . I he ft . llowing officers were present : —C . C .. upland , S . W ., G . S . O . Kern .-, tlie Rev . C . A . Solbe , Chaplain , and Grantl Chaplain Kent ; W . Weston , M . O ., ami G . J . D . Kent ; A . Penfold , S . O ., G . I . of W . Kent ; H . Shiw . J . O ., and G . D . C . Kent ; Eugene Sweeny , S . of M ., and G . A . D . C . Kent ; H . Pryce , Treasurer , and G . Registrar Kent ; G . Kennedy , Secretary , and Grand Assistant Registrar Kent ;

G . Spinks , S . D . ; D . Deevcs , LG . ; I . Holhman , E . G ., and Grand Steward Kent ; D . Capon , Steward , and Grand Steward Kent ; B . Norman , O . G . ; and C . Jolly ( Free-7 iiason ); and as will be seen by the foregoing list , every officer in the lodge , with two exceptions , were Grand Officers for the province of Kent—a most unprecedented honour to any lotlge , antl one of which the Excelsior may

well be proutl . I he following brethren were advanced , the beautiful antl impressive ceremony being finely worked by the VV . M . and his officers , Bro . Thomas Ovenden , 700 , W . Wray , 700 , R . Chamberlain , 1536 . The lodge was then closed , antl thc brethren partook of a cold collation , most admirably served by the worthy host . By special request Bro . Smyth took the chair , and gave the

us * . ial toasls , both loyal antl Mark Masonic , in a style that created unusual enthusiasm , his earnest eloquence upon themes serious , an . i sparkling with gay ones , atbiug intensely to ihe enjoyment . In proposing the toast of " His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales , " he likened our royal brother to the ancient Knights of Malta , who , when that island was attacked by hordes of savage assailants ,

although they were driven to the last extremity , yet noblj stepped upon the breach and drove back the enemy till they were compelled to raise the siege . Those who hatl , like himself , been at Malta , and seen the immense foitifications there , had seen the practical usages of Masonry . There were grave charges against those noble men , but their deeds of valour and noble

defence of Malta woultl for ever make them remembered wilh gratitude antl admiration . In his time he hatl heard Masonry called everything that was vile , antl Masons abused in thc most shameless , the most cruel , and the most bitter manner ; but like the grand old Kni ghts of Malta , t . icy stootl to their arms , and face to face with their foe , fought the battle of truth , jusiice , and orothcrly love ,

antl won the good fight . But who was their champion knight , who came among them , regardless of contumely , antl fought for them with the influence of his unspotted honour antl exalted name ? Their Grantl Master , the Prince of Wales ! As an old Mason he was proud to see the position Masonry hail arrived at under their beloved and royal brother , anil he asked them to drink the toast with ' •nine times nine . " The toast antl " firing , " led by

the chair , was most enthusiastic . "The Prov . Grand Officers of Kent " was coupled with the name of Bro . Coupland , G . S . O ., who , in icturningtli inks , expressed his s use of thc compliment paid with so much gusto . They hid a little wh le ago ihe pleasure of seeing the Grantl Officers of Kent at Brompton , where st : many of the lodge had received provincial honours at the hands of their Pro Grand Master The Excelsior Lodge was looked up to as

Mark Masonry.

one of the best in the province , and had a grand destiny before it . He felt sure the Grand Officers of the piovince , wh-n the-y heard of it through the Masonic Pre s , woultl esteem their kindness highly . The next toast was that of " The Visitors , " among whom the name t > f Bro . Holmes was received most heartily ; his great services in carrying out thc duties of I . P . M . werc

most fl ltteringl-, acknowledged . In expressing his thanks to the acting W . M . for the kind manner in which he proposetl the toast , and for the hearty way in which it was received by the brethren , Bro . Holmes said , that he was afraid the eulogistic remarks of the presiding officer in regard tn the manner in which he had performed the duties of W . M . this evening , were but ill deserved , antl that as

for himself he should have been equally pleased to have taken the most subordinate office in the lodge , had such been required . Referring to the remarks of the acting W . M . as to the chivalrous deeds of the Knights of Malta ol old , hc said it was his good fortune luring four years ' residence on that island , to have looked with admiration on the practical Masonic character of that glorious band ,

whose palaces & c , are the finest buddings in the Island even now , and whose fortifications to this day remain the inner elefences of the ancient cities of Valletta and Cottenera , and that it was with no small amount of gratification , that on the eve of his departure , he was honoured by being numbered amongst the Military Knights of Rhodes and Malta . In conclusion , after again expressing his warmest

thanks for the cordial manner in which the toast of his health had been received , Bro . Holmes assured all present that at no time was he happier than when amongst his brother Masons . " The Health of Bro . Smyth" was then proposed by Bro . Coupland , and drank with honours , and Bro . Smyth eloquently replnd . "The Health of thc

Officers " followed , and a night at once memorable for its gotitl work done- and pleasant communion then came loan end wilh the Tyler's toast . We had almost forgotieu to mention that the contents of the Charily Box £ 2 8 s . was appropriated for thc immediate relief of Mrs . Benn the widow of a decease ! breither Mason .

A Sermon.

A SERMON .

Preached by the V . W . Bro . R . P . Bent , P . G . C , on the occasion of the consecration of the Eleanor Cross Lodge , at Northampton , Sept . 17 th , 18 7 8 . . Kings VI ., 7 . — " Antl the house , when it was in

building , was built of stone , made ready before it was brought thither ; so that there was neither hammer , nor axe , nor any tool of iron heard in the house , while it was in buildine-. " The congregation gathered in this temple of the Most High to-day is a peculiar one ; it is such a one as is not often to be seen within these sacretl walls .

It is largely composed of those to whom that part of Gotl's Holy Word , from whence comes the text just given out , is more especially interesting . These chapters contain a full and very precise account of the construction and dedication of that magnificent Temple which a royal architect built for the worship of the Great Architect of the Universe in the holv city of Jerusalem . For us , who owe so much

of our impressive ritual , our instructive symbolism , and our legendary lore , to the wise antl mighty Solomon , King of Israel , this portion of the Sacred Volume must possess an interest , not only deep and strong , but ever bright and fresh . But Freemasons do not presume to claim that they have an exclusive interest in any pait of the Bible ; they venerate the whole of the Sacred Law

themselves , and they know that it is , or ought to be , a rule of faith and a lamp of light to all alike , whether enrolled in our fraternity or not . 1 , therefore , venture to think that my sermon on this text to-day may be neither uninteresting noi unprofitable to the non-masonic members of the present congregation . And here let me at once , before proceeding any further , assure you , my Christian brethren ,

one and all , that when a Chaplain oi our ancient Order takes his place in the pulpit of a brother clergyman , he dare not forget that he is a minister of Him , who saitl of Himself , " Behold ! a greater than Solomon is here ! " Now , in our text we have described to us the preparation of the stones for the building of the Temple . Within the last six months it has been my privilege to visit the

quarries of Solomon at Jerusalem , where that work of preparation was done ; though 1 do not know that this fact can add any weight to my remaiks , or enable me to throw any extra light upon my subject . The stones were hewn out of thc solid rock , at no great distance from the site chosen for the Temple ; they were shaped and smoothed on the spot , antl were then conveyed to their destination , and

fixed in their respective places . By degrees thc result of the excavations , thus made by the workmen , was to form what became a set ci underground vaults or chambers , where they hatl ample space for their work , but they must have carried it on by the light of lamps , as it became further and further removed from the light of day . These " quarries of Solomon , " as they are now called , have been

thoroughly explored by the members of the Palestine Exploiation Fund , and have enabled them to prosecute their researches to the very foundations of the Temple . Now , in these stones we should see a type , or symbol , for our own learning and imitation . God ' s people are like the stones in His holy Temple , each filling the place assigned him by the Divine Architect , and taking his position in quiet submission to His governing and fatherly hand . And this should

ever be dune in such a spirit of meekness , iu such " lowliness of mind , " as might still further carry out the type of ' * neither hammer nor axe , nor any tool of iron being heard in the building . " 1 mean that so it will be when , laying aside all self-seeking anil self-glorifying , we . do our duty 111 thai state of life to which it has pleased Goel to call us , with a single eye to His glory and the good of our fellow men . How opposed to anything like noisy self-assertion is that which "the Lord God "Himself saith to us by his

A Sermon.

servant and Prophet , Isaiah ( XXX ., 15 . ) " In quietness and confidence shall be your strength ! " and shall not we Christian brethicn , we who are followers of the meek and lowly Son ol God , listen to such a voice as this , remembering how an apostle has also been inspired thus to write to us , "Ye also , as living stones , are built up a spiritual house , an Holy Priesthood , to offer up spiritual sacrifices , acceptable

to God b y Jesus Christ" ? ( 1 St . Peter II . 5 . ) I might easily apply this view of my subject more closely to my brethren of the Masonic body , with reference to the various offices of the Provincial Grand Lodge , and of our private lodges , such being " the nature of our institution that as some must of necessity rule and teach , so others must of course learn to submit and obey—while humiMty in both is an

essential duty ; " but I will rather ask them to apply it to themselves , while 1 endeavour to show its general application to others too . Just as in every building raised by the hand of man are found stones of different quality and value , some having their place in the foundation , some in the walls , some in the vaulted arch , and some in highly polished and ornamented pillars , bearing up the whole

structure , so we find the same order in the social condition of the world at large . No one , who , by the decision of the Divine Builder , has been placed in an inferior or less conspicuous position , should dare to draw the rash and unwarranted conclusion that he is of no use , or consequence . Many a stone which , in looking at a building , we do not observe , or of whose presence we are not even aware , may

be of that importance to the whole structure , that its absence might entail the fall of the entire edifice . Each and every one of us has his duties to perform in that place which has been committed to his trust , and the welfare even of a . state depends , in a great measure , on every separate functionary performing his allotted task in a strictly conscientious manner . But , or . thc other hand , let no one who has been

placed 111 a higher and more prominent position presume to boast himself against his brothers , as if he were thc pillar of the temple , or the mainstay of the edifice , for he would be nothing without the stay and support of those very stones which he despises . No , let him rather look to the Great Architect , who , with His Almighty hand , rules the Universe—and who , like the potter , makes of the same

clay one vessel to honour and another to dishonour—and let him know that He it is who has placed him in his present position , from whom alone he can receive strength to fill his part so as not In be a mere useless ornament in his Master ' s house . I cannot now pursue this train of thought any further , wishing to say a few words about the more especial cause of our gathering here to-day . We have

this morning consecrated a new lodge in this town ; we have performed that ceremony with reverence and solemnity ; it is now a " house built of stone matle ready before it was brought hither ; " that is to say , all has been done in strict accordance with " the ancient usages and landmarks of thc Order . " And it may , perhaps , be asked why , having thus done your work so privately , that no sound of

hammer , or axe , or any tool of iron has been heard by the uninitiated world outside your walls , do you now come forth in all the pomp of your paraphernalia to walk through our street ** , and sit with us in our parish church ? My answer is , first , that as Freemasonry has nothing to be ashamed of , but , on the contrary , much to be proud ot , it is well that when its ranks are increased by the addition of

another lodge in a town of such importance as this is , we should wish to make the fact both public and conspicuous . And , secondly , it is indeed well that we who think so much of King Solomon as the builder of God's house , should desire to supplement the prayers and scriptures of our private consecration service by the public worship of our God in the grandest " House of Prayer " within our reach .

And yet again , in the third place , it is most desirable that we shoultl gladly seize such an opportunity of proving that we are by no means a selfish society , but that we have at all times " a heart expanded by benevolence " towards others besides the poor and needy of our own members . Hence we make a collection in your church to-day , of which , I doubt not , at least three-fourths will be contributed

by the Masons present , but we divide it equally between the Northampton General Infirmary and the Masonic Charities . As regards these latter—our own special Charities—where can you find any grander charitable institutions in the United Kingdom ? For you must bear in mind that we have no endowments to draw upon , no large estates producing their annual income ; and yet out of our

voluntary contributions gathered by our Stewards from year to year , we " grant month by month large sums of relief to thc indigent , the suffering , the forlorn ; we give annuities to aged Freemasons , their widows and other female relative , to assist them in the decline of life , or the advance of decrepitude , or the reverse of fortune ; and we educate sons and daughters of thc brotherhood with

unsparing liberality and striking success . " My brethren , the members of the newly consecrated Eleanor Cross Lodge , let me entreat of you to make the support of the Masonic Charities a leading principle in the management of your funds , if you would have this day ' s work crowned with a blessing , and your lodge become known as an honourable acquisition to the Craft . You have chosen mc to preach to you to-day ;

and I cannot better conclude than by charging you , in word s uttered by a brother more than a hundred ycars ago , " Ever keep in view the noble and rial design of Masonry , and catch the spirit of it . May it be your glory to practise the tluties it prescribes . Moral Architects as you are , may you build temples for every virtue ; prisons and dungeons for vice , indecency , and immorality . May you

be disposed to every humane and friendly office , ever ready to pour oil antl wine into the wounds of our distressed brethren , and to bind them up ; so that when those who speak evil or lightly of us behold your conduct , and see by your means the hungry fed , the naked clothed , the sick sustained and cherished—shall see your light so usefully shine—their evil speaking may be silenced , their foolish prejudices removed , and they may be convinced that Ma-