Untitled Article

observed on the decease of a member , was suggested to the Brethren of the Howe by the untimely death of Bro . S . Weiss , I . G ., who was killed last autumn , by a fall from his horse , in the very prime of life . At the September meeting of the Lodge , Bro . Weiss was present to perform his duties , in all the fulness of health and hope ; but when the next meeting took place—alas , for human trust!—he was cold in the earth , and his sorrowing Brethren were deliberating how best they might evince their regret for his loss , and their sorrow for his memory . Well might the moralist

exclaim" Oh , man , how perishing the bliss you crave , No w warm in life , now with ' ring in the grave !"

The Lodge premises being too small , a large room in the square was engaged , where upwards of seventy Brethren assembled to carry into effect the intentions of the Lodge , as expressed in the " Introduction , " prefixed to the printed form of the ceremonial : — " It having pleased the G . A . O . T . TJ . to take unto himself our much-beloved Brother , Solomon Weiss , who departed this life in hope of an eternal one , on Sunday , the 30 th day of September last , this solemn assemblage is convened to enable us to testify our sincere regard for his memory , by celebrating his obsequies according to the ancient custom of our Craft . " The yet recent catastrophe could not fail to awaken in the mind of every one present reflections suited to the occasion ; and the mournful rites were rendered doubly impressive by the introduction of several pieces of appropriate music , admirably composed by Bro . J . A . Baker , Hon . Sec . of No . 696 , and

performed by himself on the harmonium ; the vocal parts by Bros . W . Baker , Pursall , and Pendleton , of No . 88 , and Bro . Savage , of No . 696 , who generously volunteered their services . An oration , setting forth the estimable qualities of the deceased , was touchingly delivered by Bro . Bassett Smith , P . M ., No . 857 , to whom the arrangement of the ceremony was principally intrusted . Bro . Weiss , a native of Switzerland , was inducted into Masonry in the Akazia Lodge , at Winterthur , on the 18 th May , 1841 , and joined the Howe Lodge soon after the period of its establishment . He had for some years been resident in

Birmingham , where his amenity of manner and kindly disposition , combined with his Masonic zeal , had caused him to be universally beloved by those Brethren who knew him best ; " but his sun went down while it was yet day , " and he was taken from amongst them , without warning , in his thirty-ninth year , when everything appeared to promise him a long career of happiness and prosperity" Just in the zenith of those golden days , When the mind ripens ere the frame decays . "

Aifiol Lodge ( No . 88 ) . —This most flourishing Lodge held its usual meeting at the White Hart Inn , on Wednesday , the 16 th April . Bro . P . M . John Pursall presiding ( in the absence of the W . M . ) , most impressively initiated Mr . William Grlydon and Mr . Benjamin Hunt into the mysteries of the Craft , and passed Bro . Martin Wertheimer to the Degree of Pellovv Craft . On behalf of the Lodge Bro . P . M . McCracken had the pleasing duty of presenting a most elegant P . M ' s . jewel of solid gold to Bro . B . M . Pursall , he having most ably and indefatigably discharged the onerous duties of WM . during the past two years : the Lodge thus testified its iust anoreciation of his merits as a friend and Brother . The iewel

bore the following inscription : —" Presented to Bro . John Pursall , P . M ., by the Brethren of the Athol Lodge , No . 88 , in token of their esteem for the zeal and fidelity with which he discharged the duties of W . M . in that Lodge during the two years , A . L ., 5854 and 5855 . " Faithful Lodge ( No . 696 ) . ¦— The regular meeting of this Lodge was held at the Assembly Rooms , Old Square , on Tuesday , the 8 th of April , when the W . M . elect , Bro . Harry Bees , was installed into the chair for the year 1856-7 , by the oldest P . M . of the Lodge ., Bro . Thomas Perkins ; this ancient and interesting ceremony was performed by the worthy old P . M ., in his usual masterly and impressive maimer , to the great satisfaction of the Brethren present , of whom there was a full attendance . The Lodge was honoured by a number of distill-