China.

China .

RECEPTION TO H . R . H . THE DUKE OF CONNAUGHT .

The Masonic reception to H . R . H . the Duke of Connaught , who is accompanied by the Duchess on a visit to this Colony , is one that will ever be remembered , and , to commemorate the auspicious occasion , Bro . the Hon . C . P . Chater , Dist . G . M . ; Bro . D . Gillies , Dist . J . G . W . ; and Bro . H . N . Mody have signified their desire to defray the cost of a new wing to the Masonic

Hall at an estimated cost of 815 , 000 . Wednesday , April 2 nd , was a red-letter day in the Masonic world in the Colony , as a special meeting of the District Grand Lodge of South China was held , which H . R . H . the Duke of Connaught honoured with his presence . The hall had been decorated with evergreens and

pot plants , and carpet was laid leading up the steps to the entrance and through the banqueting hall to the lodge room . The Masons present numbered over 300 . The District Grand Lodge having been opened by the District Grand Master , Bro . the Hon . C . P . Chater ,

the hymn All people that on earth do dwell " was sung . The D . D . G . M ., Bro . E . C . Ray , and the Officers of the District Grand Lodge , then retired for the purpose of receiving his Royal Highness , and a procession was formed in the outer hall .

On approaching the pedestal his Royal Highness was received by the District Grand Master , and was saluted by the brethren with grand honours . He then took his seat on the dais , where a chair had been provided for him with the Royal coat-of-arms . A hymn was then

ung . The DISTRICT GRAND MASTER then addressed his Royal Highness as follows : Ri ght Worshipful Sir , — When the likelihoodof your passing through this Colony became generally known , the brethren working in my district were very anxious to greet you as Masons . But after mature consideration it was decided that this ceremony should not form a part of the official

programme which was then being prepared for the reception of your Royal Highness , and a private telegram was sent to you asking whether you would receive an address of welcome from the Craft in Hong Kong . The answer was characteristic of your Royal Highness , and we therefore proceeded to prepare an address from the Masons of Hong Kong , and which I have now the great honour of reading to your Royal Hi ghness :

"To the Right Worshipful His Royal Hi g hness Prince Arthur William Patrick Albert , Duke of Connaught and of Strathearne , K . G ., K . T ., K . P ., G . C . S . I ., G . C . M . G ., C . B ., G . C . I . E ., Provincial Grand Master of Sussex . District Grand Master of Bombay , Past Senior Grand Warden :

Right Worshipful Brother , —In meeting you to-day we do so with the greater pleasure since in your person you unite alike a son of the Sovereign under whose : egis we are living and a brother of that Order to which we belong . As the son you recall to us , if that were necessary , the emblem of Great Britain ' s constitutional power—as the brother you remind us of those teachings which we profess , those tenets

which we seek to follow , and as both it is our pleasure and our pride to greet you in the most eastern of the Queen ' s possessions . To us , as Masons , you come as one allied by the nearest ties of blood to our Grand Master , the Most Worshipful the Prince of Wales . To us , as residents under the British Crown , you approach as one who , in a yet youn ° - life , has already attained a position in the distinguished ser

vice which you have adopted as your profession . To every Mason the progress of Masonry in the Colonies of the mother kingdom can never fail to be of interest , and we are gratified that we are able to state that its prospects here are most encouraging . It is needless for us to express our regret that you cannot honour us long enough to test for yourself the advance that has been made , but we can

assure you that in these lands Freemasonry has lost none of itsardour , none of its vitality . Its glorious and enlightened principles , embodying amongst them the cause of Masonic Charity , one ofthe most ennobling doctrines which Masonry ordains have gathered in the past , as they will hold in the future the Masons of the EES I in no unwilling bonds . Our signatures alone , as members of the District Grand Lodge

of Hong Kong and South China , of the Scottish Lodge of St . John ' s , and all the other numerous lodges that here have taken root , amply attest the fact and the organisation , whose brotherhood we share with you , and whose branches permeate all countries and all climes , will never , we feel sure , want supporters here . Varying as we do in nationality , we yet have a common

object , a common aim , in working under the Masonic Constitutions of Great Britain , and , remembering whose flanprotects this island , we accept the opportunity afforded by your visit to Hong Kong to record for your most gracious mother our expression of profound respect . Distance is bridged by human thought , space is annihilated by human mind , and you will believe that , far though we are from

English shores , it is our earnest hope that the wise and beneficent Sovereign who for so many decades has influenced the destinies of the British Empire with her advice , her judgment , and her care will still occupy , to the fulness of time , the Royal throne of England . VVe ask you to accept our kindliest welcome to her Royal Highness the Duchess of Connaughtwhowith you is

, , realising round the world the course and the extent of her Majesty's dominions . Our words are few , but our good wishes are many . In brotherly friendship we bid you welcome to the far East , in brotherly love we meet you here to-dav . and in hrnfWlv

fellow-ship we echo the hope that the Great Architect of the Universe may long spare you to tender your public services to your country , and to exemplify in your own life the brightest and most beautiful precepts of our Craft . The address was handsomel y bound in blue velvet with gold corners , and "A ., " the Royal coat of arms ,

China.

and the square and compasses , also in gold , on the front . An anthem having been sung , His Royal HIGHNESS said : Right Worshipful Sir and Brethren , —I am deeply touched by the fraternal greeting which you have extended to me in your midst

this day . Believe me when I say that among the many cordial words of goodwill and of welcome that I have received from the loyal inhabitants of Hong Kong none have been more welcome , none will be more cherished than the words which have fallen from your esteemed W . M . In the address you have presented to

me breathes the true spirit which should guide our FVaternity . We see in it the feeling of devotion to the Almighty , and respect and love to our Sovereign . We see in it kindly and brotherl y feeling extended to one whom it has been my highest pleasure and pride to serve in different offices in Masonic lodges . I assure

you , brethren , I feel most warmly the well-chosen words in which this address you have presented to me has been written . I feel most deeply and most heartily how warmly you have received me as a brother in your midst . It is a great satisfaction to myself , as it will be to our respected Grand Master , my brother , the

Prince of Wales , to know how admirably and how satisfactorily the lodges in this Eastern part of her Majesty ' s empire are getting on . He takes the deepest interest and pride in our Craft . It is his earnest desire to keep it in all its purity and in all its integrity , and when I tell him on my return of the hearty welcome which has

been accorded to me , not only as a son of our Sovereign , but as his brother , and as one who has had the pleasure of filling offices both in England and in the Dependencies of the Crown , it will please him to know that the same feelings of fraternity exist in the hearts of all Masons here as those which exist among the members

of our Craft at home . I will ever remember , Ri ght Worshipful Sir , the welcome accorded to me in your Grand Lodge , and I wiil ever cherish the kindest feelings for the brethren who have received me so warmly on this occasion . The DISTRICT GRAND MASTER afterwards said

Right Worshipful Brother , —Before we terminate this gratif ying ceremony I feel called upon to endeavour to express to you the great satisfaction the brethren have experienced at the opportunity given them to welcome in their midst the brother of our Most Worshipful Grand Master . As a Mason yourself , high

in the Craft , you will readily realise their feeling of satisfaction , and the crowded state of this District Grand Lodge to-day bears ample testimony to the fact . That I should point this out to you , Sir , that I should endeavour to impress such an unimportant matter upon your memory is , however , insufficient for the brethren

of this district . It is not often that we have the honour of welcoming in this far-off land so near a relative of our Most Worshi pful Grand Master , and we have , therefore , endeavoured to perpetuate the event , to hand down the knowledge of it to our children ' s children , by deciding to erect a new wing to this building , and we

intend calling the new lodge room in it , subject to your permission and approval , " The Connaught Hall , " the donors being Bro . Mody , Bro . Gillies , and myself . Thus , Right Worshi pful Brother , your visit to this district must remain not onl y in our minds , but it will become known to future generations , and we sincerely

trust that , seeing how genuine are our feelings in this matter , you will not omit to give our respectful greetings to our Most Worshipful Grand Master , and if I may venture to hope so , to his august and much respected mother , our gracious Queen and Empress . The National Anthem was here sung .

His Royal HIGHNESS said : Ri ght Worshipful Sir , — You have by what you have just said added another to your acts of kindness and good feeling towards me , in wishing to perpetuate my name with your Freemasons ' Hall . I need not tell you , Right Worshipful Sir , that

I accept with the greatest pleasure , and 1 thank all the brethren here present for their wish to commemorate my visit amongst them in this manner . The District Grand Master then closed the District Grand Lodge , and his Royal Hi ghness and the District Grand Master retired , followed b y the officers in procession .

On reaching the banqueting hall , where cake and wine had been provided , three cheers were given for his Royal Highness , three for the Most Worshi pful Grand Master the Prince of Wales , and three for her Royal Highness the Duchness of Connaught . Further cheers were given as his Royal Highness took his departure . Amongst the vistors to the District Grand Lodge

were Bro . Major-General Edwards , who , we understand , was initiated in the same building a good many years ago ; and Bros . Col . Cavaye and Major Studholme Brownrigg . Bro . C . F . A . Sangster , P . D . G . Org ., presided at the organ , and there was a strong and well-balanced choir to lead the singing . The ceremony throughout was most impressive .

South Africa.

South Africa .

NATAL . Addington Lodge ( No . 1937 ) . —The regular installation of VV . M . and investiture of officers of the above lodge took place at the Masonic Hall , Addington , on

Thursday , 27 th March , Bro . Fletcher , VV . M ., occupying the position of Installing Master . There were present the Deputy G . M . of Natal , Bro . R . 1 . Finnemore , and the following Past Masters and Masters : Bros . Fletcher , W . M . ; Price , P . M . ; Keeler , Cottam , Pullock , Kinsman , Wright , and Solomon , P . M ., P . P . G . D ., of 732 ; Harris ,

South Africa.

95 G ; Nicholas , Cook , Russell , and Crowe , of 738 ; Fowle , Mount Currie Lodge ; Jennings , 1976 ; Tosen , W . M . ; C . Thompson , P . M . 731 ( S . C ); Coleman , W . M . ; Wood , P . M . 427 ; and between 70 and So brethen and visitors . Bro . Neville Charles Thomasen Harper , J . VV ., was presented and installed in the chair of K . S . The following is

the list of the newly-invested officers : Bros . Charles H . Dunn , S . VV . ; L . Baumann , J . VV . ; J . B . Cottam , P . M ., Treas . ; J . A . Rigby , Sec . ; Rev . A . Ikin , P . M ., Chap . ; J . P . Carter , S . D . ; D . N . Henochsberg , I . D . ; T . N . Price , P . M ., D . C ; G . P . Pullock , P . M ., Org . ; T . M , Cooper , I . G . ; H . E . Royal and F . Chandler , Stewards ; and H . C . Cox , Tyler . At the conclusion of the ceremony ,

which was ably conducted by Bro . I'letcher , I . P . M ., Bro . Dunn , the retiring Secretary , was presented by Bro . Fletcher , on behalf of the lodge , with a handsome jewel as a mark of their appreciation of the highly satisfactory manner in which he had discharged the duties of his office , after which Bro . Cottam , on behalf of the brethren , presented Bro . Fletcher with a beautiful Past Master ' s jewel

bearing the arms of the Addington Lodge . " Hearty good wishes" were received from representatives of the following sister lodges , viz . : Port Natal , Caledonian , Inanda , St . John ' s and St . Paul ' s , Rothesay , Blythswood , Umlazi , Minerva , Royal Brunswick , Pomfret , Humility , Natalia , Prince Alfred , Temple , Mount Currie , also from two of the lodges in Northampton , England , per Bro . Quin , viz . :

Eleanor Cross , 17 6 4 , and De La Pre , 1911 . The lodge closed , and the brethren , numbering about Co , adjourned to a > echerche banquet . The usual loyal and Masonic toasts were duly honoured , being interspersed with harmony , and the proceedings were brought to a close shortly after midnight by the singing of the National Anthem , " God bless the Prince of Wales , " and " Auld Lang Syne . "

Masonic Choral Service.

MASONIC CHORAL SERVICE .

A Masonic choral service in aid of the local and other Charities was held at All Saints' Church , St . Kilda , near Melbourne , on Sunday afternoon , April 20 th , under the auspices of the City of Prahran Lodge , No . 105 ( Victorian Constitution . ) The church was tastefully decorated with Masonic emblems and the

banners of the different private lodges . Admission was by ticket only , and before 3 p . m . the church , which is one of the largest outside the city of Melbourne , was crowded to its utmost capacity . At 3 p . m . the M . W . Grand Master of the United Grand Lodge of Victoria , Bro . Sir W . J . Clarke , Bart ., accompanied by several

Past Grand Masters and Past Deputy Grand Masters , and a very large number of Present and Past Grand Lodge Officers , entered the building all clothed in the regalia of their respective offices . The procession then entered , comprising a very numerous choir , the clergy of the church , the Bishop of Bathurst , Bro . Camidge , D . D ., Grand Chaplain of the United Grand Lodge of

New South Wales , formerly Grand Chaplain of an English Province , and over 200 Masons . The service was conducted by the Revs . C . Vaughan and H . Brooksbank . Bro . E . Wood , organist and choirmaster of St . Paul's Cathedral , presided at the orgnn , while the choir was under the leadership of Bro . C . Truelove , the choirmaster of the church . The choir was assisted

by the Masonic Musical Union and several well-known musical brethren . The choir service comprised eight psalms and hymns . The sermon was preached by the Bishop of Bathurst , a powerful speaker , with a pleasant and resonant voice . The text chosen was from Revelations ii ., 10 , " Faithful unto death . " The

Bishop , in his introductory remarks mentioned that that was probably the largest gathering of Masons ever brought together in Australia for the purpose of public worship . He dwelt at length upon the principles of Masonry . As Masons had to be faithful to the principles of Masonry they should , as

Christians , be faithful to the principles of the Church , and let their light shine , not only in their secret assemblies , but also through their public example , influencing those who came within the sphere of their lives . The objects of Freemasonry were well known , and its secrets were necessary , so that the attainment

of those objects could not be frustrated . Although Masons used such expressions as the Great Architect of the Universe , it was known that the belief in a Supreme Being and a life hereafter were one of the fundamental principles of Masonry . Some Christians objected to Masonry on the grounds that the name of Christ was not mentioned in the work of several

Degrees . But although the name of Christ was not mentioned , yet the observant Christian might trace Him through most of the teaching , alluding to Jacob ' s ladder and the star shining in the East . The Volume of the Sacred Law was open during the whole of the proceedings , and Masons were continuously charged to

act according to its Divine precepts . Those who made charges against Masons of disbelief in the Supreme Being only showed thereby how ignorant they were of the subject . It was well known how loyal Masons were to Royalty as well as to their Craft , and he charged them to be also loyal to Christianity . Masonry was

good for this world , Christianity for the world to come and for ever . As Charity formed one of the principles of the Order , he hoped that each person present would give in the way he would like to have given on the day when all deeds of men were placed in the scale . The procession left the church in the same order at 5 p . m .

Bro . the Earl of Zetland ( Lord Lieutenant of Ireland ) presided , as Grand Master of the Order of St . Patrick , at a Chapter of the Knights in St . Patrick ' s Hall , Dublin Castle , on Saturday last , when Bro . the Earl of Kilmorey was invested as a Knight Companion of the Order , among the knights present being Bros , the Marquis of Drogheda and the Earl of Erne .