The Masonic Mirror.

THE MASONIC MIRROR .

MASONIC MEM . At the meeting of the Lodge of Benevolence on the 24 th , the TV . Bro . John Udall , P . G . D ., in the chair , twenty-seven petitioners were relieved with various sums amounting to £ 311 ; one recommended to Grand Lodge for £ 40 , and a second for £ 30 , making a total of £ 384 .

A Grand Masonic Ball for the Western divisionof Lancashire is to take place in the Town Hall , Liverpool , on Tuesday next , thel 6 fch inst ., when the proceeds will be given in aid of the distressed operatives of the provinces . So noble an object ought to command a large attendance .

Metropolitan.

METROPOLITAN .

EITZEOT LODGE , No . 830 . —The monthly meeting of this lodge was held on Friday evening , December 26 , at the headquarters of the Hon . Artillery Company , Finsbury . Bro . J . W . Tugg , P . M ., presided , in the absence of Bro . May , W . M ., supported by Bros . Helsham , S . W . ; Wilson , J . W . ; Peter Matthew , P . M . and Treasurer ; Eglese , P . M . and Treasurer ; and several members and visitors . The lodge having been opened and the minutes receivedBros . Lieutenant Dawes and William ins

, Hugg were introduced and questioned , and afterwards passed to the second degree . The lodge was then opened in the third degree , and Bros . Meggy and Hutchinson were severally raised to the sublime degree of M . M . The next business was to take a ballot for the election of W . M . for the year ensuing , which was unanimous in favour of Bro . Helsham , who returned thanks for the honour conferred himBroPeter MatthewsPMwas

upon . . , .., also unanimously re-elected as treasurer . Bro . Holt was reelected as Tyler for the ensuing year . The lodge was then closed , and the brethren adjourned for refreshment . The cloth having been drawn , the W . M . gave the usual formal and masonic toasts , which were duly honoured . The W . M . said the next toast he had to propose was "The health of the visitors , " and said they were that evening honoured bthe of Bro

y presence . Binckes , P . M ., No . 11 , and secretary to the boys' school ; Dr . Nolan , P . M ., of the Lodge of Industry , No . 219 ; and several other brethren , and the Fitzroy Lodge had great pleasure in giving them a cordial and hearty welcome . The toast was dul y honoured . Bro . Binckes at some length enforced the claims of the boys' school , and having alluded to the large sum of £ 3600

collected at the last festival , said he hoped that in the coming year it would be increased to £ 4000 , as there were many sons of Freemasons anxious to obtain admission . He also expressed a hope that the Fitzroy Lodge would aid them as they had done before , by sending a steward on the next occasion . ( Hear , hear . ) Bro . Dr . Nolan , P . M ., 219 , on being called , said he felt not only thankful for the . toast as a visitor always did in a Masonic lodge , hut he felt gratified and honoured in receiving that token of

respect from the Fitzroy Lodge . There was something peculiarly picturesque and agreeable in the appearance of a military lodge , and he must say he felt somewhat captivated by it . The union of the uniform and Masonic decoration afforded an aspeet that was agreeable , and suggested considerations that were eminently instructive . There was great propriety iu constituting a lodge in a military corps , whether regular or

volunteer , hut he thought that this was the case more especially in a volunteer corps such as that of the good old city of London . One of the great principles of Freemasonry was peace , for Freemasons were not only brothers , hut were hound to promote the harmony of the Order and the peace of mankind . ( Cheers . ) Now , happily the day had arrived when England repudiated armaments for the of aggression

purposes . ( Cheers , and hear , hear . ) England did not fight for an "idea , " as was the phrase in a certain portion of continental Europe . They would not go to war either for an abstract idea , a mere sentiment , or a romantic profession , which was a pretence when the purpose existed of seizing other men ' s territories or suppressing their liberties . ( Cheers . ) Great Britain would refuse

to go to war to procure great commercial advantages , or isolated principles of neutrality , or international right . For what purpose , then , were they armed ? for the security of Britisli liberty , of national independence , and of the balance of power in Europe , —a phrase which , however unpopular and out of fashion , it might be in certain quarters , was still a great reality and a just object even of war . ( Cheering . ) It was obvious from the assent of those around Mm , that such were the views

of the City Artillery Companies—a policy of peace and an attitude of war only when their shores were menaced , their power insulted , or their international rights infringed . ( Cheers . ) If such were the views of the grenadiers of the city of London , the introduction of a Masonic lodge was consistent and usefulconsistent because their purpose in arming was such as Freemasonry did not condemn , but approved , and inaugurated those peaceable opinions and principles which their nation

desired to cultiveand maintain . ( Renewed cheering . ) He was also finally reminded of the appropriateness of Masonry to military men , by the sympathy with order which Masonic and military organisation displayed . The language of Milton , " Order is Heaven's first law , " expressed an essential element in Freemasonry . Like the constitution of nature , as the light revealed it in the Heaven's above , on the face of the earth , in the system of the universeMasonry was efficient in the

sub-, ordination of its members , the consonance of its principles , and the comprehensiveness of its scheme . ( Hear , hear . ) Well , the genius of the military system was order too . ( Hear , hear . ) Without subordination , harmony of instrumentality , and comprehensiveness of design , there could be no efficient military organisation . Thus Masonry consolidated the soldier's views of discipline and subordination by supplying a great principle

especially applicable . Although not a military man , he had the pleasure of possessing the acquaintance of many of the officers and members of the corps . His respect for the profession of a soldier was formed by having known so many of the bravest and hest who ever bore the name . His calling was to narrate what soldiers did , rather than to perform what they achieved ; and he was quite sure that the existence of a lodge in the corps would justify him in saying that its members would be more than ever ready to draw their swords for their

Queen and country , while more than ever they would be desirous in the sacred interests of peace that those swords should never be required . ( Great cheering . )—Bro . EIKESE , P . M ., proposed the health of Bro . Figg , the presiding AV . M ., who was always willing and happy to do anything he could to promote the welfare of the lodge . They had seen how he had gone through the duties that evening , in the absence of the W . M ., without the slightest preparation ; and he thought they were

bound to render him a due meed of praise by drinking his health . ( Cheers . )—The W . M . very briefly thanked the brethren for the honour conferred upon him . The W . M . then gave " The P . M . 's of the lodge , Eros . Matthews and Eglese , " and eulogised the way in which they had respectively performed their duties as treasurer and secretary , and hoped they would continue in thesame course . ( Cheers . )—Bro . P . MATTHEWS , in acknowleding the toastcongratulated the brethren on the

g , auspicious termination of the past twelve months , and sincerely wished them one and all a happy new year . He thanked them for having again unanimously elected him to the office of Treasurer ; and he hoped to fulfil the duties so as to give satisfaction to the brethren , and with credit to himself . Having alluded to Bro . Binckes , he said he had been pleased to hear from him one of his intelligent speeches in reference to their

Masonic charities , and especially as to the boys who were nobly educated in the school , in whose behalf he was the prime mover , and his services were high appreciated . For the respect the brethren had shown him ( Bro . Matthews ) he thanked them cordially , and he hoped in the new year that they might be in the possession of good health , and that every blessing of life would attend them . ( Cheers . )—Bro . EGEESE , P . M . and Secretary , said he was obliged to the

brethren for the manner in which they had responded to the toast , and he could assure them that as he was anxious for the welfare of the lodge , he would continue to discharge the duties of his post to the best of his ability , and endeavour to deserve their good opinion . —The W . M . said he knew all the brethren were most anxious to drink the health of the W . M . elect , and he trusted he would do his hest to promote the prosperity of the lodge . He should not on the present occasion say all he was disposed to do , but should at once propose the health of Bro . Helsham , W . M . elect . —Bro . HEiSHAirsaidhe would do