Original Correspondence.

Grand Cross of the Temple at the Albert Hall , for I saw it myself , but as to thc ring 1 was not near enough to see it . Bro . Bent docs not seem to know that the Ring of Profession is now supposed to be worn by all Knights Templar . Our Brother Kenning no doubt supplies it . Tne design appears in the Convent General Statutes .

This ring should be worn ou the index finger of ttie right hand as a perpetual symbol of union with the Order . It is always worn , I believe , by the Scotch Templars , I hope to sec the day when all the Templar bodies in the world may be under one Grand Master . Yours fraternally , AN- ENGLISH KNIGHT COMMANDER OF THE TEMPLE .

Consecration Of The Windrush Lodge, No. 1703, Witney, Oxon.

CONSECRATION OF THE WINDRUSH LODGE , No . 1703 , WITNEY , OXON .

For some three months past , the consecration of this lodge has been held in . abeyance owing to the indisposition of H . R . H . Prince Leopold , the Provincial Grand Master for Oxfordshire , who had expressed a great desire to be present at the inauguration of this , the first lodge which

has been established since his appointment as Provincial Grand Master . H . R . * -. feeling unable to fix a day on account of his continued illness , conferred the honour of Consecrating Officer upon Bro . T . B . Brown , P . M . Marlborough Lodge , Woodstock , and expressed a wish to the Deputy Prov . Grand Master , Bro . Bird , M . A ., Magdalen College , Oxford ,

that the lodge should be consecrated forthwith . Accordingly , Friday week , December 21 st , was the day appointed for this intcrcsiing ceremony . A large gathering of the fraternity took place in the Corn Exchange , every lodge in the province with one exception ( Banbury ) being represented . There weie also brethren from the Silurian Lodge , No . 471 ; the Prince of

Wales ' , 041 ; and the Cotswold , 592 . The brethren having entered the lodge-room in procession , Bro . Bird , D . P . G . * -., after being saluted , took the chair , and having atldressed ttie brethren on the object of the meeting , resigned it to Bro . Brown , who appointed Bro . H . Williams , P . M ., as Senior Warden , and Bro . Bue , P . M . Apollo Univ .-rsity Loeige , as Junior Warden .

The musical portion of the ceremonial was effectively conduct d by Bro . Owens , assisted by Bros . Hallewall , Crane , Rowley and Wentworth . Tne Provincial Grand Chaplain being unavoidably absent the prayers were most impressively rendered by the Deputy Provincial Grand Master . The ceivmmw of consecration was performed in Bro .

Brown s usual masterly style . His delivery of the oration was mUiii able , and was listened to with profound interest and pleasure . The consecration being ended , Bro . Jas . Long , Prov . G . S . D . was presented for Installation , and was approved of by the Deputy Provincial Grand Master . He was then installed with the ancient formalities

observed by the Craft . The following brethren were invested as the officers for the ensuing year : —Bros . William Cluich , S . W . ; Harry Robbins , J . W . ; Rev . F . W . Macdonald , M . A ., S . D . ; W . Whad . oat , J . D . ; Q . Owens , I . G . ; Jno . Coles , Secretary ; J . Bayliss , Tyler . Alter the investment of the ofiicers the usual charges

were delivered . Thc W . M . proposed that thc Deputy Prov . Grand Master , ( Bro . Bird ) , and the Consecrating Officer ( Bro . Brown ) , be elected honorary members of the lodge . This proposition was duly seconded , and carried unanimously . Propositions for initiation were made- , and the lodge was then closed in the accustomed manner , and the brethren

adjourned to refreshment . Between thirty and forty brethren sat down to an excellent and well served banquet , provided by Bro . Elms , the enterprising host of the Marlborough Arms Hotel . __ tcr the banquet the W . M . gave the usual toasts , all cf which were right loyally and Masonicall y honoured ,

the musical bretluen contributing not a little to this patt of the evening's programme . The Tyler ' s toast having been given , the brcth . cn , " happy to meet , sorry to part , " gradually dispersed . Those who attended from Oxford were , through the kindness of Bro . Sir D . Gooch , provided with a special train to convey them to Oxford .

The Adelphi ol Terence was performed the week before la > t , for the second and thitd time by the Westminster Boys on the well-appointed stage of the old Dotmitory of St . Peter ' s College . Additional interest was imported to the performance on these occasions , Irom the fact lhat owing to the lamented decease of Lad y Augusta Stanley , fulloiv . d by the sad occurrence which resulted in

the death of thc youthful Captain of the School , Mr . Roger-, no performance of any kind took place last year . The play has been carefully stuelied , and the performers evince something more than the average of talent , the Demea of Mr . Williams , the Micio of Mr . Bulklcy , the Syrus of Mr . Robinson , and thc Sostrata of Mr . Tepper , being especially noteworthy for their spirit and humour

and for the elocutionary qualities which they displayed . The prologue , spoken for the first tine at the second performance on Tuesday last , referred as usual chiefly to the position of thc school , and to other local and domestic matteis . The theme of the prologue , in which all the

per * luges ot the comedy reappear in ninderti costume , is this tear the vexed question of" The Endowment of Research , " which is made to yield as much amusement as the subject seems to admit of . Crowded and distinguished audiences have assembled on each occasion to witness the perlormance . "Our Boys" reached its 950 th ni ght on Ftiday , Bros . James and Thorne being as fresh as ever .

Testimonial To Bro. George Abbott, P.M.. 192.

TESTIMONIAL TO BRO . GEORGE ABBOTT , P . M .. 192 .

On Tuesday the iSthinst ., a very pleasant gathering took place at thc Caiinun-sti-cct Hotel , on the occasion of the presentation of a testimonial to Kro . George Abbott , staiion-masler at Cannon-street Station of the South Eastern Railway . The chair was occupied by Bro . W .

Hine Haycock , P . G . O ., Devon , who , in proposing the toast 1 f the evening , said he had with great pleasure travelled some 200 miles in ord-rtobe present , and fo say that which vvas strictly true with regard to the guest of the evening . Bro . Abbott despatched something like 700 trains and 30 , 000 passengers a-day from Cannon-street , and many of those present had becn indebted to a considerable extent for

their safety in travelling to and from the City during the last ten or twelve years , to the excellent arrangements of their friend . Bio . Abbott's course had been signally straight and undeviating throughout the thirty-two years of his service with the company , following up his successive ste-ps by well-deserved yet patient advancement and progress , and he had always shown a kindly feeling

towards those with whom he came in contact , and when tlie proposal for a testimonial was made , a great number of the passengers contributed to it , and not one who had been asked had declined . He had great pleasure in presenting Bro . Abbott with a cheque for £ 350 , an album , and an illuminated address . Bro . Abbott , who , on rising to respond , vvas very heartily applauded , alter thanking

his . friends for their kindness , contrasted the present work of thc railway with that of some years since , some curious details being furnished in passing . Amongst the facts thus mentioned , 1 . ferencc was made to the Spa-road Station , where a few years ago trains only stopped when signalled to do so , and frequently two hours went by without the signal being given ; whereas now , upwards of

9000 persons used lhat stati 11 daily . At c . ne time it was thought a great d al of if a tram was started every five minutes , but matters had so progressed that sometimes over sixty trains in an hour had been sent out from that one station . He thanked his friends very hear'ily for the testimonial so kindly given , and hoped still to meiit their esteem and respect . "The Health of the Chaiiman "

was proposed by Mr . Daly , after which Mr . J . T . Howie McEwan gave "' The Executive Committee , " Bro . Brackston Baker , P . G . D ., gave "The Honorary S-. cretary , " Mr . Clapton , C . C ., and a hearty welcome vvas accorded to the visitors , coupled with the names of the Rev . J . Jackson , M . A ., and Mr . Cobby , the station master at Stdmouth , who travcll d up tnat day to do honour to a brother official . Mr . Jackson , in his reply , alluded to the fact

that the former starting place for the north , " The Saracen's Head , " vvas in his parish . During the evening some excellent singing was contributed by Mr . Colson Phillips , Mr . J . J . Burgess , and Bro . E . W . Mackney , al ) of whom gave their services in honour of the occasion . There were also present Bros . J . G . Rollins , Jardin , S ars , Abbott , Mr . H . Hughes , Mr . Altrcd Lee , Bros . H . Oyr . e , Bates , and several others .

Freemasonry And Roman Catholicism.

FREEMASONRY AND ROMAN CATHOLICISM .

The Buffalo Roman Catholic Union of November 22 nd ult . contains the last of three communications ftom Bro . A . D . Hauverman , of Youngstown , N . Y ., on Freemasonry , —a four-columned article , to which the Union gives a two columned reply . Bro . Hauvcrman's articles were

excellent 1 lies , but his logic and rhttoiic were thrown away on the Roman Catholic Union . Still , some of its readers may have had their understandings enli g htened by its clear and accurate statements , of which the following is one : " A Roman Catholic in becoming a Freemason docs not substitute Masonry for the Church in matters of belief or disbelief , fur belief in God and a resurrection to a luturc

life are the sole creed a Mason is forced to have . Masonry , as we have before said , never teaches a system of faith , but leaves each one free to worship God as he may elect , — it says , like Pope , that , * For mi drs of faith let zealous bigots fight , He can ' t be wrong whose life is in the right . ' The writer has passed through the ceremonials of the

Order in conferring ten of its degrees , and knows that in none of them has he found anything which could in any way interfere with any man's politics or reli gion , and that all the precepts , charges , and symbols have been such as to deeply impress upon hmi the fact that , ' Wc have an immortal part within us , Which shall survive the grave , and whicli Shall never , never die . ' "

Heir Rholf is organizing an expedition for the exploration ofthe Sahara . He will be accompanied by a staff of scientific men , among others by Professor Zittel , of Munich . Tripoli will be the head-quarters of the expedition , anil its first effurts will be directed to the exploration of the mysterious oases of Wajanga and Kufara to the south of Aujila , which has not hitt . crto been visited by any

European traveller . —Alhenajmn . A statistical abstract relating to British India presented to parliament was recently issued . The area under British administration is 900 , 8 34 miles , with a population ol 191 , 06 5 , 445 . The Native states compiise 573 , 052 miles and a population of 4 8 , 233 , 978 . Including the Frcncn and Poituguesc possessions , the total area ot

all India is 1 , 484 , 150 square miles , with a population of 2 3 'J > 978 > . " i 9 . v Of the 191 , 000 , 000 inhabitants of British Inula , the reli gious denominations arc given as follows : — Hindoos , 139 , 343 . 820 ; Sikh 5 , 1 , 174 , 43 6 ; Mahomedans , 40 , 867 , 125 ; Buddhists and Jains , 2 , 832 , 851 ; Christi _ ns , 897 , 682 ; others 5 , 417 , 304 ; and " religion not known , " 532 , 227 .

Reviews.

Reviews .

1 hc Cosmopolitan Masonic Calendar for 1878 . " We are glad to note how greatly this carefully compiled calendar has teen appretiated by foreign as well as by Angla-Sdxon Masons . We congratulate Bro . Kenning : > n his well-earned success .

Almanack . " Moses and Son . Very well got up , and very useful , neat and available .

" North of England Illustrated Annual . " This excellent little annual is edited by our well-known Bro . G . M . Twcdd .-ll , an 1 his equally able wife , Florence Cleveland . It is indeed a real cheap threepenny worth . We recommend all of our readers to help a . deserving literary brother by ordering it of him , Rose Cottage

Stokesley , Northalleiton , Yorkshire . Ic is admirably , illustrated and skillully edited . Its tales are most amusing mil we have laughed hcirtily , over its true Yorkshire Fun , over the poetry and prose . But th .- proper thing to Jo is to send at once an order for a copy to Bro . Tweddell

with four postage stamps to the address above given , and we believe that all , especially Yorkshire brethren , will be Lhoroughly satisfied and highly amuseel . The annual is most useful , also , for memoianda and business engagements and deserves our Masonic support .

" The Christmas Number of thc Freemason . " We beg to commend this lemarkablc issue of a vcryprosjerous paper to the notice of all who , not subscribers , nappen by chance to read the paper at the clubs , or in the odge , or in the library , or even at a bookstall . The Publisher will be very glad to receive the names of conjnuuus subscibers .

" The Christmas Number of the Masonic Magazine . " This has had a large sale , and seems highly appreciated by a friendly circle of old and new subscribers .

" The Scottish Freemason- " Has a claim on all our good brethren across thc border , For its well arranged matter , its good printing , and the ability with which it is conducted . It is a most valuible record ot Scottish Freemasonry .

" The Masonic Advocate . " Isa capitally conducted paper , and full of sensible re-marks and sympathetic touches . " Loomis's Mu-ical and Masonic Journal . " Is as far as we are aware- , a < i unique miscellany , and is always we-lco . ncd by those who like two good things , " Music and Masonry . "

Obituary.

Obituary .

BRO . JOHN SUTCLIFFE . It is with sintcrc regret we announce the death of Bro . John Sutcliffe , of Giimsby , R . W . Grand Master of Mark Masons for the Province of Lincolnshire , which melancholy event look place on Monday last ( Christmas eve . ) This

sad and very unexpected news reached us late onTiiursdiy night at the time of going to press , which prevents us from giving in the present number more than this very brief record of the irreparable loss that Freemasonry has sustained in the death of this most highly esteemed and pjpular brother .

BRO . ROBERT HERNIMAN , P . M ., 261 . We find the following in the Taunton Courier . — " We have the melancholy duly of announcing the death of Bro . Robert Herniman , who tor a long period carried on business in the town as timber merchant and builder . Lately , however , failing health obliged him to dispose of his business , but he was able up to the last to devote his interest

to several concerns with which he was officially connected among others directorate uf the College Green Hotel , Bristol . It is however , as a true and faithful Masonic brother that the writer of these lints has chiefly to regret his loss . Bro . Herniman was ' made' a ' Mason in the Taunton Lodge about forty years ago , and in 1840 he was honoured by being elected as Worshipful Master of ' Unanimity

and Sincerity , 261 . As a Past Master lie lias been const . nt in his endeavours to promote the prosperity of his Lodge and of the Masonic boely gen-rally ; and by his genial disposition and gciieious sympathies he won the universal ltspect and esteem of Ins br tl . er Masons . " Bro . Herniman was also a much esteemed member ofthe Royal Philanthropic Lodge , No . 291 , Highbrid _ e , and a P Z . of

the Taunton Chapter . He received many years since , at the hands of the late Provincial Grand Master of Somerset , Colonel Tynte , the collar ol Provincial Grand Superintendent of Works , and more recently from La , rd Carnarvon the appointment of Provincial Senior Grand Warden . Although far from Well he alien led the Provincial G rand Lodge at Taunton on the 26 th ult .

The address in answer to the speech from the Throne will , we are informed , be moved in the House of Commons by Bro . the Hon . Wilbraham Egerton , M . P . for Mid-Cheshire , and seconded by Mr . Robert Tennant , M . P . for Leeds . CHRISTMAS CRACKERS . —lo pretend that you

only go to a pentomime for the amusement of the children . To assert that Biignton is improved b y the presence of the Boxing-day exeur .-ionisls brought down to spend a happy day at the seaside for three-and-sixpence . That you have been in the habit ol saying grace alt these years in a really thankful spirit over Christmas turkey and plum pudding . — Punch .