Masonic Lifeboat.

MASONIC LIFEBOAT .

The proposition made in the pages of the FBEEIIASONS' MAGAZINE for a Masonic Lifeboat has pi-ospered , and after some correspondence , has taken a practical shape . The suggestion that it should be presented by the maritime lodges has

been adopted by Bro . Arthur Woodhouse , of No . § 10 , Carlisle , who has set it on foot , as announced in our pages . The shipping of Carlisle is not ¦ large , but its port communicates with one of our largest gulfs , the Solway Firth , lying between

England and Scotland , ancl the shores of which afford many occasions for the services of the lifeboat .

It is honourable to Carlisle to be the pioneer in this movement , but there are larger ports in the north—Newcastle and Sunderland—which may well follow the example , and we have ports enough —Liverpool , Bristol , Southampton , Hull , Llanelly ,

Swansea , Goole , Plymouth , Portsmouth , Boston , Dover , Poole , Lancaster , Preston , Middlesborough , Yarmouth , Gainsborough , Falmouth , Gloucester , Chester , Folkestone , Monmouth , Rochester , Ryde , Poole , Holyhead , Cowes , Brighton , Sheerness ,

Whitehaven , Shoreham , Colchester , Milford , Bideford , Ulverstone , and so many others , having Masonic lodges , and in which Masonry flourishes . For what we know , the new port of Barrow also has its lodge . London is itself a great port ,

with whole hosts of master mariners in its lodo-es . O Then there are Ireland and Scotland , with great trade , and numerous seafaring Masons enrolled under their jurisdictions , and flying the banner of the square and compasses . Assuredly this honourable testimonial will not be without aid from them .

Although it has been proposed thai ; those connected with the seaports and the maritime service , should give the initiative to the movement , it has never been contemplated that this should be a special call made upon them , or those allied with

them . It is an appeal to all Masons to unite in contributions for a noble cause , the saving of life in peril at sea , and to do what other less considerable bodies have done , provide by their subscriptions one , if not more lifeboats , to be called

the Masonic lifeboats . We hope that at least one will be provided for each Masonic jurisdiction . This will be honourable to Masons , beneficial to the country afc large , and a just exercise of Masonic charity . The amount required is small , if each lodge in

Masonic Lifeboat.

England gives one pound we shall have the boat ; if each lodge in the three kingdoms gives its pound we may have three boats . If each subscribing ancl non-subscribing member gives one shilling , there will be ample funds . There is one

comfort , there are not likely to be frequent or heavy calls for this . Bro . Arthur Woodhouse announces thafc he will receive subscriptions , and as the amount of individual subscrip tions received is smallthey may be sent in postage stamps .

, Bro . Woodhouse , who is honourably distinguished in the province of Cumberland , has in this matter rendered valuable Masonic services . We shall ourselves be glad , in aid of this movement , to receive subscrip tions at the office of

the FREEMASONS' MAGAZINE , and we hope to be soon able to announce the names of other brethren willing to co-operate .

Scottish Masonic Lectures.

SCOTTISH MASONIC LECTURES .

( Continued from page 348 . ) THE UTILITY of CEEEJIONY . The one extreme of human intellect is so material that it will not believe iu the existence of anything which cannot be weighed , measured , or be

demonstrated to the outward senses . The other , so imaginative thafc the real is scarcely separated from the ideal , and things of the imagination hold as firm a place as those which are demonstrable to touch or feeling . Between these antipodes there

exist countless gradations of thought ; and reasoning , each class acquiring its knowledge , and drawino' its conclusions through the tints or shades of its own peculiar idiosyncrasy . Society formed out of elements so opposite and varied , could not

have existed without laws to bind , and rules and ceremonies to guide . Laws were necessary to confine the selfish elements in human nature within limits to be as little dangerous as possible to the general weal . Rules and ceremonies , though

in many communities as imperative as laws , are on the whole more voluntary , ancl as meant here are observances which classes and associations have invented for the regulation and special guidance of those admitted within their circles . Like

everything for human purpose , ceremony has been abused and degraded ; many ceremonies excellent in their proper use , have , through lapse of time and misapprehension of their true purpose , become so perverted that their true meaning has been lost .