At The Sign Of The Perfect Ashlar

In order to give expression to the general feeling which has arisen that the time has arrived wherein to recognise the long and consistent services freely given to Hampshire Freemasonry in all its phases by Bro . George Felton Lancaster , Provincial Assistant Grand Secretary , & c , the Provincial Grand Master and M . E . Grand Superintendent

has authorised the issue of a circular to the brethren and companions in the province , to give them an opportunity of marking , in a tangible form , their appreciation of Bro . Lancaster ' s services . Since the year 1870 he has devoted the greater part of his leisure time to the affairs of Freemasonry ,

and has ever been ready and willing to help in any Masonic work whenever appealed to . He is a Past Master of nearly thirty years' standing , a founder of three lodges in the province ( two of which were started on his initiative ) , and in each he laboured long , either as Master or officer , to consolidate them and promote their prosperity .

© © © In the Provincial Grand Lodge records it is seen that since the year 1873 Bro . Lancaster has assisted continuously in the administrative work of the province , either on committees or as a Provincial Grand Officer . In Royal Arch Masonry he has been particularly active , being a P . Z . of three

chapters , of two of which he is a founder . In the year 1901 he was honoured by appointment to office in the United Grand Lodge and Grand Chapter . He has rendered eminent service in other degrees of the Craft , and is a Life Governor and past Steward of each of the Masonic Charities . A

committee has been formed , with Bro . Edgar Goble , Deputy Provincial Grand Master , as chairman , and Bro . Commander H . G . Giles , R . N ., as secretary and treasurer , for the purpose of raising a fund as a testimonial to Bro . Lancaster , in appreciation of his long and useful services to the craft .

© © © One of the largest gatherings of Masons ever seen at Poona took place on the 23 rd July at the installation of Captain Holbrook as Master of Lodge Orion in the West , which is the oldest lodge in the Presidency and the largest lodge in

India . R . W . Bro . Sir Lawrence Jenkins , District Grand Master , and his officers came from Bombay , and Masons from different parts of the Presidency were also present . Sir Lawrence Jenkins expressed pleasure at seeing so many present , and gave an earnest and eloquent address on the principles and tenets of the Order , and commented on the admirable manner in which the lodge was worked .

© . © © The plans for a Masonic Hall for the Freemasons of Coventry have been passed by the Town Council , and a suitable building will ere long be erected in Little Park Street . The building will have an elevation in the French Renaissance style , and is expected to prove not only a credit to the Craft but also to the city itself .

© © © The grand parade of the Knights Templar , to take place ¦ on Tuesday , September 6 th , says " The Keystone , " is destined to be the most imposing pageant and the greatest display ever seen in the streets of San Francisco . It is confidently expected that fully 10 , 000 Sir Knights will be in the parade , making a line about four miles in length .

© © © A striking feature of the parade will be the cavalcade of mounted Knights , as line a body of men as ever sat in a . saddle . Among the commanderies who will appear mounted in the parade are California Commandery , of San Francisco ,

De Wilt Clinton Commandery , Virviania City , Nev ., and Corinthian Chasseur Commandery , of Philadelphia . They -will be mounted on blach steeds , or as many as can be procured , for there will be about 1 , 000 mounted Knights in lineand black horses have been secured in San Francisco

, , Oakland , Alameda , San Jose , Sacramento , Stockton , Santa -Clara , Marin , Sonoma , Napa , Solano , Contra Costa , and San . Mateo Counties—the pick of California's famed horses .

At The Sign Of The Perfect Ashlar

This phase of Masonry is somewhat startling to the prosaic Craftsmen on this side of the pond ; but if , as it appears evident , our American brethren find pleasure in this brave display , we have neither the right nor the inclination to criticise or question their methods .

© © © We are pleased to learn that Dr . Lunn is organising another of those delightful Masonic cruises on the steam yacht " Argonaut" to Athens , Jerusalem , Egypt , & c , which for several years in succession have afforded so much pleasure and satisfaction to the large number of Masons who

have availed themselves of the opportunity of visiting lands so closely associated with the traditional history of the Craft . As on previous occasions a dignatory of the church will accompany the party as Chaplain , this time in the person of the Rev . Canon Bullock , Past Grand Chaplain , whose

knowledge of the Holy Land and the historic places of interest to be visited he has kindly consented to place at the disposal of his brother Craftsmen .

© © © A series of excursions will be made to the Acropolis and to all the principal places of interest in Athens and to Eleusis , passing the Grove of Daphne . At Jaffa a visit will be paid to the reputed house of Simon the Tanner and to the Orange Groves . At Jerusalem the principal holy sites will be

visited , including Bethlehem , Bethany , the Mount of Olives , Jericho , the Jordan , and the Dead Sea . The trip extends to twenty-seven days , and the " Argonaut" leaves London about the Sth of November , and is due back on the 6 th of December . All information may be obtained from the Secretary , 5 , Endsleigh Gardens , N . W .

© © THE LAST OE THK SEA TRIPS .- —The many who enjoy the delights of a sea trip from London on the New Palace Steamers are advised to make the most of their present opportunities , for on Monday , the 12 th September , the

" Royal Sovereign " and " Koh-i-noor " cease running for the present season . To those who have not yet sampled these trips , a blow from London Bridge or Tilbury to Margate , Ramsgate , Deal or Dover , is strongly recommended as a fine health-giving day ' s enjoyment . A noticeable feature is the

cleanliness and style in which the steamers are kept , also the excellent catering , as compared with what it used to be on Thames river steamers 10 years ago . During the past months the two steamers have carried many thousands of passengers—the new service to Deal and Dover having been

especially well patronised—the total number of passengers carried to date is 273 , 324 against 285 , 820 with three steamers last year , including " La Marguerite . "

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