Provincial Grand Mark Lodge Of Middlesex.

Bro . A . McDovvArx , P . A . G . D . C , Prov . S-G . W ., regretted the absence of tne Deputy Prov . G . M ., Sir Reginald Hanson , whom he had known for 25 years , and as a member of the London Rifle Brigade . It afforded him s > reat pleasure to reply for the Provincial Grand Officers and return thanks lor the honour conferred upon them . One and all would endeavour to assist

ihe Prov . G . Master in carrying out his duties . On behalf of the members of the Highbury Lodge , he had to thank the Prov . Grand Master for the great honour done them by appointing him S . W . Bro . Dr . H . W . ROBERTS proposed "The Visitors , " for which B-o . W . M . STILES , P . G . S . B ., responded .

Bro . G . GRAVELEY , P . P . G . W ., submitted "The Mark Benevolent Fund , " which was responded to by the PROV . GRAND MASTER , and the Tyler ' s toast closed the proceedings .

Faith, Or The Two Strong Arms.

FAITH , OR THE TWO STRONG ARMS .

[ ADAPTED FROM THE GERMAN . ] There was a scholar once , a learned man , Among the wisest , wise beyond compare , Whose life from early youth in study spent Had made his name the theme of every tongue ; With affluence blessed , devoid o £ anxious care , High on the scroll of Fame , possessed of all

That happiness could crave , within his soul He felt a void , a longing undefined For something better than this world affords—Long had he sought in earnest prayer to God The straight and narrow path which leads to Heaven . Clouds still obscured his gaze , not yet vouchsafed Celestial light and vision to behold .

One Sabbath morn as to the house of God , In meditation he had bent his steps , He met a poor old man , " Good morrow friend 1 " " I thank you , sir , " he rev'rently replied , " But every dawning morn is good to me . " "Good fortune , then , be thine , " the scholar said . " Thank God 1 ill fortune I have never had . "

The scholar , wondering at these strange replies , Besought their meaning might be rendered clear . With joyful willingness , the poor man spoke : " No morrow ever yet has sorrow brought , "Though pinched by hunger , or oppressed with thirst , " I still love God , for ' tis His bounteous hand "In Mercy gives—His Wisdom that

witholds" The Summer ' s heat , the Winter ' s piercing cold , " Rain , hail , or snow , the pealing thunder storm . " Midst every change contented 1 love God , " And thankfully acknowledge His good" Good fortune ever to my lot has fallen , " For I resign myself , and know full well

1 hat what the Lord appoints cannot be had . " Whatever , then , His Providence decrees , " Sorrow or Joy , Pleasure , or even Pain , " Each , as they come , I thankfully receive , " Assured , to those who put their trust in God , " All things that happen must be for the best . "

Struck with such childlike confidence and trust , The scholar further still to prove his faith , Enquiring , sought what the poor man would do . Were God to plunge him into deepest Hell ; " That He will never do , but , if He should , " I have two arms , thc arms of Faith and Love ,

" With these I'd grasp and cling and hold so fast , " That I should follow , whercsoe ' er He went , "And whilst with Him , contented I would stay , " For , though in Hell if God my Lord were there , " The joys of Heaven I'd not wish to share I " F . W . DRIVER , M . A . 62 , Lancaster-road , Notting Hill , W .

Unfurling Of A New Banner Of The Carville Lodge, No. 2497, At Wallsend.

UNFURLING OF A NEW BANNER OF THE CARVILLE LODGE , No . 2497 , AT WALLSEND .

On Monday , the ioth instant , the interesting ceremony of the unfurling of a handsome new banner , and of presentations to the W . M . of the Carville Lodge , Bro . R . Hudson , P . G . S . B . Eng ., P . G . Sec . Durham , took place at the Masonic Hall , Wallsend , in the presence of a large number of the ofiicers and members of the lodge , visitors from Northumbrian lodges , and ofiicers of thc Provincial Grand Lodge of Durham .

The W . M ., Bro . R . Hudson , presided , and the officers were Bros . George A . Allan , P . M ., P . P . J . G . D ., I . P . M . ; Matthew Murray , S . W . ; Rev . W . M . O'Brady Jones , P . M ., P . P . G . C , J . W . ; George A . Allan , P . M ., P . P . J . G . D ., Treas . ; Wm . 1 'hilipson , Sec . ; Summers Hunter , S . D . ; Joseph Shenton , J . D . ; Roger Brand , P . M ., P . P . G . S . of W ., l . G . ; Joseph Welch Surtees , Tyler ; and George Robert Stephenson and George Hollings , Stewards .

Among the visitors were ofiicers from the Province of Durham—Bros . T . G Mabane , Prov . J . G . W . ; Rev . Hartley Jennings , Prov . G . Chap . ; F . Wade , Prov G . Treas . ; Thos . Coulson , Prov . J . G . D . ; John Robinson , Prov , G . Std . Br . ; T Dunn , Prov . G . D . C ; V . J . Jobson , Prov . D . G . D . C . ; J . H . Johnson , Prov . A . G . D

of C ; J . Joel , Prov . A . G . Sec . ; H . Soderberg , Prov . G . I . G . ; J . C . Moor , P . P J . G . D . ; A . Dodds and T . R . Short , Prov . G . Stewards ; G . L . Wooley , W . M ' 862 ; M . J . Todd , P . M . 80 ; R . Stewart , P . M . 424 ; Thos . Lewins , P . P . S . G . D . ¦ - W . Turnbull , P . P . G . O . ; H . E . Hollis , P . P . G . Stwd . ; and J . Daglish , P . A . G IJ-C . Northumberland .

After other business , Bro . SUMMERS HUNTER , S . D ., asked the W . M ., on behalf of the officers of the lodge , to accept and unfurl the handsome new banner , which had been worked by the Ladies' Needlework Guild of the Diocese of Newcastle , and which bore the arms of the Carr family of Carville , the arms of 'ne W . M . and of an officer of the lodge .

The W . M ., Bro . R . HUDSON , expressed , on behalf of the officers ot the lodge 'he great pleasure it gave him to comply with their request , and unfurl the new ' manner , and hoped it would be a rallying point round which the brethren ofthe V-arvilJe Lodge might assemble from meeting to meeting , and that they would took up to it with pleasure and profit . Bro . Rev . W . M . O'BRAUY J ONES , J . W ., having offered thc dedicatory prayer ,

Unfurling Of A New Banner Of The Carville Lodge, No. 2497, At Wallsend.

the banner was unfurled , amid applause , by the W . M ., Bro . Robt . Hudson . The anthem , " Hail , Masonry Divine , " was then sung . Bro . G . A . ALLAN , P . M ., on behalf of the officers of the Carville Lodge , presented to the W . M . a beautifully designed founder ' s jewel , which bore the following inscription : " Presented to the Worshipful Brother Robert Hudson , Past Grand Sword Bearer England , Secretary of the Province of Durham , from

the Officers of Carville Lodge , No . 2497 , Northumberland , as an evidence of affection and esteem , on the completion of his occupancy of the chair as first Master , 1895 . " Bro . Allan thanked Bro . Hudson for his kindness in becoming their first W . M ., and was sure that if the lodge continued as he ( Bro . Hudson ) had placed them , it would be second to none in the harmony and efficiency of its working .

Bro . HUDSON said that when he took the chair last year he little expected that there was such a pleasant year in store for him . He hoped that the harmony would long continue , and would ever remember the year he had presided over the lodge . Bro . J DIXON , on behalf of the members of the lodge , then presented to Bro . Hudson an excellent photographic portrait of himself , framed , for the walls of the lodge .

This was also suitably acknowledged by Bro . HUOSON , who said the portrait would be hung next to that of so worthy a Mason as the late Bro . Colonel Addison Potter , C . B ., and next to that of Bro . G . A . Allan , I . P . M . The W . M . moved , and Bro . W . PHILIPSON , Sec , seconded , a vote of thanks to Bro . Summers Hunter , S . D ., for the gift of the banner to the lodge , which was passed with acclamation .

Bro . M . MURRAY , S . W ., proposed " That the best thanks of the members of the Carville Lodge be accorded to Mrs . Wilberforce for her permission granted to the Diocesan Needlework Guild to makethe banner just unveiled , and to Mrs . Frere and the ladies of the guild who have so kindly executed the work , and the Secretary be instructed to convey the same to the ladies named . " Bro . the Rev . W . M . O'BRAIIV J ONES , J . W ., seconded the motion , and

mentioned that the ladies had gratuitously done the beautiful needlework of the banner . The motion was carried with acclamation , after which the provincial visitors from Durham , and representatives from about 30 lodges in Northumberland and Durham , expressed their " Hearty good wishes , " which were duly acknowledged by Bro . R . Hudson , and the meeting shortly after terminated by the singing of the closing hymn .

Presentation To Comp. F. M. Lord Viscount Wolseley, K.P., G.C.B., G.C.M.G., &C.

PRESENTATION TO COMP . F . M . LORD VISCOUNT WOLSELEY , K . P ., G . C . B ., G . C . M . G ., & c .

On Wednesday evening , the 12 th inst ., the Military Royal Arch Chapter of Ireland met for refreshment at Freemasons' Hall , Molesworth-street , Dublin , and this festive meeting was made the occasion of the present ition of a Past King ' s jewel to the outgoing King , Comp . F . M . Lord Viscount Wolseley , K . P ., G . CB . r G . C . M . G ., & c . As his lordship , in addition to vacating the chair of the chapter ,

is shortly to relinquish his military command in Ireland , this was , to all intents and purposes , a farewell dinner to him , but it is unnecessary to add that all the Irish Masonic bodies with which lie is connected earnestly desire that his promise of revisiting them as soon as possible may be speedily fulfilled , and that they do but say an re-eoir to one who has proved himself so worthy of the confidence and csteen of his Queen , country , and Masonic brethren .

After the companions had partaken of a very excellent dinner and the usual loyal toasts had been duly honoured , the jewel was presented to the M . E . K . by Comp . Lieut .-Col . A . Vesey Davoren , senior P . K . of thc chapter in the following happy terms :

M . E . K ., —I have much pleasure in presenting you withaP . K . ' s jewel from thc companions of the Military Royal Arch Chapter in commemoration of you second consecutive year of office as M . Ii . K . Though this offering may have no intrinsic value , still the members of this Royal Arch chapter , which is the offspring of your mother lodge , flatter themselves with the pleasing belief that you will be good enough to value it in some degree as emanating from the warmest feelings of brotherly love from the companions of our chapter , and as a very

inadequate testimony to the high esteem and regard we entertain towards you . Much as I am honoured by being the fortunate companion selected by the members of this Royal Arch chapter to offer this trilling memento for your acceptance , yot no one can be surprised if I feel some diffidence in doing so , considering that the presentation is to one who has previously had the well-merited honour of being decorated and invested with all that a Most Gracious Sovereign and a grateful country can bestow on the brave , the victorious , or the great ; but

companions , those who have had the good fortune to be acquainted with our noble and distinguished countryman , as wc have had , during his useful and honourable command in Ireland , will have recognised his affable bearing , and his very happy power and will of attracting all to him by his unvarying courtesy and kindness oi manner , which renders my performance of this duty a true and unalloyed pleasure . This jewel , which I am happy to say you have been entitled to wear for a considerable time , is presented to you at this period of the year , as it may

be unfortunately the last opportunity , for some time at least , of our having the great pleasure of meeting you at our festive board . We sincerely hope , however , that it will not be the last time , and that after the exigencies of the service have called you elsewhere to continue your active and valued career , whenever either business or pleasure shall bring you back to old Erin , that you will be kind enough to give us early notice , so that we may arrange our meetings to suit your lordship's will

and pleasure , as well as our own great pleasure in receiving you amongst us again . The inscription on the jewel is— " Presented to F . M . Lord Viscount Wolesley , K . P ., G . C . B ., G . C . M . G ., by the Military R . A . C . 72 S , to commemorate his two years of office as M . E . K . —18 94-5 . " 1 have now the honour and pleasure of investing your lordship for the second time with a well-earned Masonic distinction .

His LoRDSini ' , in reply , thanked the companions for their gift and fraternal feelings towards - . him and referred to the pleasure it had given him to pick up again more intimately the threads of the Masonic life inaugurated in Lodge 728 more than 40 years ago . He assured the companions that no matter where duty or pleasure called him , the recollections of his brethren and companions in Dublin must ever remain as one of the pleasantest and brightest pages in his life ' s record , and that whenever opportunity offered he should always esteem it at once a duty and a great pleasure to take his place once more amongst those Masonic friends whom he was now leaving behind him .

After a very pleasant evening , enlivened by good music , instrumental and vocal , the [ companions parted , Comp . Dr . VV . Power O'Donoghue playing "The British Grenadiers " as his lordshi p left the banqueting-room . Amongst those present were Comps . Lord Wolseley , M . E . King , 18 '; J . F . Goodman , Deputy King of G . R . A . C . of Ireland , 32 ; II . A . Auchinleck , Chief

Scribe of G . R . A . C . of Ireland , 18 '; Thomas W . Kinahan , Royal Arch Capt . of G . R . A . C . of Ireland , 30 "; Col . A . V . Davoren , Representative Grand Lodgeof Spain , 32 "; Lord justice Fitzgibbon , 31 "; Thos . Falls , Registrar 728 , 18 ; J . VV . Goddard , Past King 728 , 18 "; Jno . Stanley , Past King , 728 , 18 ; H . T . Grubb , 18 '; F . Lochrane , 18 ° ; Major R . G . Mansell , i 8 j W . P . O'Donoghue , Mus . Doc , Past G . Org . G . L . Ireland ; and A . E . Murray , Past King 728 .