Mark Masonry In West Yorkshire.

the evening ' s entertainment were provided by Bros . G . F . Carr , J . F . Dyson , and others . The Tyler ' s toast closed a signally brilliant and successful meeting , [ ihe organisation and arrangements for which were ably conceived and carried out by the brethren of the Copley Lodge , whose endeavours to promote the comfort and enjoyment of their visitors did not fail to meet with recognition .

Has Noble Work To Do.

HAS NOBLE WORK TO DO .

ADDRESS OP BRO . HUGH MCCVRDY AT THE LAYING OF THE CORNERSTONE OF THE MASONIC HALL IN DETROIT , MICHIGAN , J ANUARY 2 3 , 1895 . Acknowledgirg the great truth that he who has a heart must have an altar , you hase now laid the corner-stone of ycur Masonic Temple , which , when completed , you will dedicate to the memory of the holy Saint John

and the sublime principles cf your Order . With the close of ils imposing ceremonies ycu might rest behind the veil ol silence and await the future to tell your footprints in the great field of fraternal humanity . And yet , custom , in its inexorable demand , claims the present moment to speak cf Freemasonry—to point to the true source of its principles , and to recount , without speculation or colouring its happy influences , on the destiny of man .

Every institution is an outgrowth of human condition . The church is the language of the toul in its shrines , and symbols , and worship . And Freemasonry is no less the index of what humanity is and needs . It is the nourishing tree whose sustaining rcots permeate society , and on whose overspreading branches hang the full clusters of fruit fed and matured by the cardinal principles of our Order—temperance , foititude , prudence , and

justice . These are attributes of the heart , seeking objects upon which to fall ; and those objects are of kindred nature with themselves . The Masonic Fraternity stands before the world to-day not merely as a marvellous monument of antiquity , older and larger and wider spread than any other human institution , but as having maintained for so many centuries the essential of its primary organisation . It has indeed outlived the

circumstances which gave it birth . The necessities which called it into being have long ago ceased to exist . Originally a company of builders , whose monuments of rare skill now adorn almost every part of the old world , the hand of time has brought its operative labours to a close , but the everlasting principles upon which it was founded are as intact to-day as when the copestone was brought forth from the rubbish and raised to its Masonic position .

Since it was founded dynasties have come and gone , nations have been born and buried , and countless orders and societies have been organised and gone the way of all the earth . Our Order has maintained its ancient organisation , teaching its lessons of love , peace on earth , goodwill to man , and is to-day greater and stronger than it ever was before . To-day we look upon

its majestic form , eclipsing all the creations of the day , a grand exception to the triumphs of the spirit of the age . It is true , our Fraternity has no more cathedrals or monuments of stone to build , but it has noble work to do . Never tincethe dajs of Hiram , King of Tyre , did it have a nobler mission to perform than it has in this land and age .

It is 130 years since Freemasonry was first planted in the territory , now this State and city , by mother Zion Lodge , No . 1 , and we are proud to state , our grandparent went heroically and harmless through the war of the revolution ; has been born four times , and four times baptised , and our venerable mother is jet full of life and vigour—as coy as a maiden , as gentle as a dove , fragrant as tl . e rose and as fair as a lily I Her proud and stainless record bespeak her merit in terms more eloquent than I can , had I the power

of word painting . Our mother has 407 children who annually answer roll call and receive wages . And these childi en have multiplied and re-multiplied until they have upon our rolls 40 , 000 good men and true who kneel around a common altar whereon are pledged the solemn covenants of brotherly love , relief , and truth . Ask me the progress of Freemasonry in this State , and there is the answer , the story of its birth and marvellous growth , simply told , but grand in its simplicity , of which this day ' s proceedings are an epitome .

Its altar is the great doctttne of human brotherhood , uttered by the seers of God away back in the ages of the past ; and the meridian splendour of the nineteenth century attests the utility of its triumphs . Passing the bridge of time , its fraternising principles march on with increasing majesty , and its great task widens with its strength—new conceptions and nobler purposes . Bearing the spirit of Faith , Hope , and Charity , it stalks on , ever proclaiming

in lofty tones the purposes of Gcd . But it is not my purpose on this occasion to enter into an exposition of the great fundamental law of brotherhood—time forbids . Centuries have felt the operations of that law , and with giant tread it still moves abroad on the face of social life , rebuking the waves of dissension , calming the elements of discord , and clothing the waste places with verdure and beauty . The law of fraternity , incorporated with the elements of the Christian code , is

now claimed as the unerring rule by which institutions are tested and individual conduct tried—laying the bread foundation of that love which bids us to do unto others as we would have others do unto us . The wail of suffering humanity is borne upon the air of heaven—it strikes upon the listening ear ; it thrills through every artery ; it vibrates upon every nerve of the great soul of humanity , and brings out the earnest question : What can best be done to afford relief ?

_ Happily the world has realised and acknowledges an answer in the great princi ple of affiliated action—a principle stamped with the attribute of Omnipotence . Based on simple humanity , and not on any distinctive creed ° f party or sect , save faith in God as our Heavenly Father . Freemasonry receives each member as a brother and bids him cultivate the true lraternal relations designed by the Great Author of his being . It requires a proper development of his manhood , physical , intellectual , social , and moral . As

» e asks to be trusted he obligates himself to be trustworthy . In like manner he is required to perform duties as a brother in all the offices of mutual aid and relief ; in all our teachings of mutual instruction by precept and example ; in all our exercises of mutual watch , care , and discipline , whether " 1 the lodge room or in our intercourse with the world at large , but always Without interference with any of the exalted duties he owes to his God , his country , his family , and himself .

What brother of the mystic tie can ever forget as an initiate the first le sson taught at the threshold of the lodge room and the impressions then Wade ? Thus , all through the several steps of our Fraternity , are symbols an d emblems used that lend a charm to every lodge and teach lessons never

Has Noble Work To Do.

to be forgotten . A moral truth is more completely " , represented to the eye and more lasting on the memory of the heart when presented by the image or property of a natural object . Hence emblems and symbols are used , and great truths and topics are taught in object lessons . Jesus , the great teacher , taught much in parables , and ' those ' parables

were allegorical representations of spiritual and moral truths . He took things as they appeared in nature , ancl as they existed around Him , to represent spiritual and eternal things ; and the lessons which He gave in this manner overpowered even His enemies , until they exclaimed— " Never spake man like this man . "

And what a beautiful lesson is symbolically taught to the church by its great head in the last supper . That sacred repast was provided under sad and solemn circumstances . Judas had already virtually betra > ed his Master ; Gethserr . ane and Calvary were looming up before the eye and the immaculate heart of the doomed Master as he broke the bread and poured the wine saying " This is My body which is given for you ; this do in remembrance

cf Me . This cup is the new testament in My blood which is shed for you . " These were made sacred symbols and intended in all coming time to set forth man ' s relation to God as a redeemed being by the atonement of the Son . If , then , we have such exalted and ancient examples of symbolic teachings as the patriarchs , Moses and the prophets , and the Divine Master , surely we do well to follow them . And if the systems of religion have used

this mode of teaching surely the principles , aims and objects of Freemasonry , having for their central glory that great revelation , the fatherhood of Gcd and the brotherhood of man , will justify its observance . I have cited you to these holy and illustrious events , not that Freemasonry attempts to lay offerings upon the altar for man ' s redemption or that we regard it as religion , but because they are illustrations familiar to all . Christianity

goes direct to the altar and lays its offerings upon the sprinkled throne j while Fi eemasonry , the handmaid of religion , benevolence , and morality , raises up fallen man and places before him the incentives of goodness . They are co-mates in bearing a universe to heaven , and the spirit of our Order receives the sanction of the Great I am , in the sublimity of that voice which proclaimed " Peace on earth , goodwill to man . "

Friends and brothers , I might dwell for ever c ; - . the striking beauties of a fraternity of brothers , having for its object the amelioration of mankind , and vet do inadequate justice to the subject . The solid superstructure of our Fraternity rests upon the corner-stone of universal brotherhood , and its basis is immovable . Keeping in view the great golden rule for our maxim , it teaches those elevating and inspiring ideas of higher life and stricter duty .

In a word , Freemasonry presents to the eye the whole moral history of the human heart , telling us that man as he came from the hand of his Creator is bound to protect and cherish his fellow man alike under the wild imaginations of Pagan idolatry , the overshadowing solemnities of Jewish theocracy , the blood-stained dominions of Mahomedan violence , and the mild and cheering consolations of the Christians' faith .

Let the principles of Freemasonry be carried out , and the world will be conquered , and humanity , trumpet-tongued , will proclaim the excellence of its plans , the utility of its triumphs . —Voice of Masonry .

Annual Festival Of The Woking Emulation Lodge Of Improvement.

ANNUAL FESTIVAL OF THE WOKING EMULATION LODGE OF IMPROVEMENT .

What is styled " Emulation Working , " has long been accepted , on the principle of the " survival of the fittest , " as the very best system of oral instruction ever carried out in connection with Freemasonry . The Emulation Lodge of Improvement was founded in London on the 2 nd of October , 1823 , and for many long years its proceedings were conducted under the guidance of Bro . Peter Gilkes , upon whose death the mantle of Preceptor appears to have fallen on the shoulders of Bro . Stephen Barton Wilson , whence it afterwards descended to those of Bro . Thomas Fenn , who is still happily among the living , and now reposing on the wellearned laurels gained during a lifetime devoted to Freemasonry .

About eight years ago a branch , or offshoot , of this famous Metropolitan school of instruction was established at Woking . During the last 12 months there have been iC meetings of this local lodge . The Three Degrees were rehearsed , also the installation ceremony , and all the lectures . The number of members is about 40 . The meetings are always held on a Tuesday evening and are open—like those of the parent body—to all Master Masons in good standing .

Once a year there is a public night or annual festival , and at this , on the 19 th inst ., the deeply lamented Prov . G . Master , Bro . Col . G . Noel Money , C . B ., had promised to preside . The task of providing an efficient chairman at so short a notice was by no means an easy one , but at the earnest request of the Committee of Management , Bro . Richard Eve , P . G . Treas ., whose ability and geniality are known to the whole Craft , kindly stepped into the breach .

The meeting accordingly took place at the Masonic Hall , Woking , on Tuesday , the 19 th inst ., when there were present Bros . Richard Eve , P . G . Treas . ; R . P . Gould , P . G . D . ; J . J . Black , P . M . 1564 , Preceptor ; C . F . Passmore , I . P . M . 2317 , Sec . ; H . Connell , VV . M . 1971 ; A . H . Salter , W . M . 1872 ; H . S . Higlett , I . G . 2234 ; A . M . Kennett , 2475 ; R . Mossop , S . D . 1395 ; H . B . Osburn , 2475 ; C . J . Butler , 1 044 ; H . J . Whitburn , 2317 ; R . Clamp , 2317 ; A . B . Jaye , 723 ; M . Hallam

, 1395 I W . E . Robinson , S . W . 1395 ; C . Cheel , P . M . 777 ; A . B . Geddes , 44 ( l . K . ) ; T . D . Fisher , 2521 ; T . B . Wood , 2521 ; A . H . Gale , 2521 ; C . W . Haig-Brown , 2101 ; T . L . Smith , J . VV . 156 4 ; W . Stephens , 2521 ; T . R . Cornish , 784 ; J . Tomlinson , 2317 ; J . W . H . Littleboy , S . W . 2317 ; J . Wenham , 2120 ; J . B . S . Lancaster , P . M . 2317 ; R . Lodge , 2308 ; A . G . Clinton , I . G . 723 ; Capt . J . Hoey , P . M . 316 ; H . Gloster , 2317 ; S . C . Knight , W . M . 1395 ; and J . H . Askham , P . M . 723 .

Bro . J . J . Black presided over the business ot the lodge , which comprised the First Lecture , the Seven Sections of which were worked in admirable style by Bros . T . L . Smith , R . Mossop , C . Cheel , J . Tomlinson , H . S . Higlett , C . F . Passmore , and J . W . H . Littleboy , respectively , and evoked the warm approval of Bros . Eve and Gould , the former of whom proposed , and the latter seconded , a hearty vote of thanks to the presiding officer and the various brethren who had assisted throughout the evening .

At the bancjuet , which was excellently served by Bro . G . Mason , the chair was taken by Bro . RICHARD EVE , P . G . Treas ., who after giving the usual loyal and Masonic toasts , proposed in terms of great eloquence that of " The Earls of Lathom and Mount Edgcumbe , and the remainder of the Grand Officers , Present and Past . " Bro . R , F . GOULD , P . G . D ., having suitably responded , other toasts followed , Bros . J . H , ASKHAM replying for "The Provincial Grand Oflicers , " and Bros . J . J . and

BLACK C . F . PASSMORE for "The Woking Emulation Lodge of Improvement . " "The Health of the Chairman " was received with great applause , which was renewed and heightened by his vigorous and impressive speech in reply . The concluding toasts were " The Section Workers " and " The Visitors , " and the brethren separated after a highly enjoyable evening , the pleasure of which was much enhanced by some admirable singing in which the Chairman , Bro , Eve , and other brethren took part .