China.

pinnacles—it existed . Its birthday belongs to that antiquity whieh Bacon calls the youth of the world . Secondly , Freemasonry is remarkable from its universality . Extensive influence was the dream of the world ' s heroes ; world-wide empire the idea of Alexander , Ciasar , Charles , and Napoleon , lint that which Icings and conquerors failed to accomplish , has been attained by our Masonic art . Europe , Asia , Africa , and America have their lodgesregaliaand ceremonies . We have

, , engaged to-day in a ritual which , with slight variations , has been used for centuries in every country in the world . The third point which commands freemasonry to the outside world is its beneficence . Its charity is largo and liberal . The foundation precepts of Afasonry are based on those two great texts on which all the Law and tho prophets depend— " Thou shalt love the Lord thy God aud thy neihbour as thyself . " From

g its immemorial antiquity , wide-spread influence , and generous charity , Freemasonry claims the respect of the uninitiated . Regarded from within , it is no ltss worthy of honour . AA c who are admitted to -participate in it . ? secrets are assured that we have learnt much from its symbolism . AA e are no longer the sole architects . Others outside the pale of Alasonry rear edifices of marble and stone . But recollecta character built

, on the three maxims of our Order , is a nobler monument of what Alasonry can do than tbe spire of Salisbury or the dome of St . Peter ' s . Gothic traceries and corbels — Paladian architraves and balustrades—are beautiful to the eye ; but brotherly love , relief , and truth , are nobler and fairer yet . AA ' e have laid the foundation stone of a lodge on the banks of a riverof which tho fathers of Alasonry never perhaps heard

, the name . In this outpost of civilisation we ave far from many cherished home associations . AA ' e should be thankful then that we may even here be influenced by the glorious principle ? of the Craft . May the Great Architect of the Universe grant that peace , hospitality , and charity may reign for ever within the walls of the ball of which we havo to-day laid the foundation stone .

The Pnov . G . AIASTEB then addressed the acting G . Chaplain thus : —Reverend Bro . Butcher , I have to return our warm acknowledgements of your excellent ovation , and before our Bro . Donaldson , the Director of Ceremonies , re-forms the procession for a return to the place of starting , I would take the opportunity of expressing , in the name of the craftsmen present , and indeed on behalf of nil who have shared in the recent ceremony , our grateful thanks to the ladies who have

graced the proceedings by their attendance . The ladies , it is quite unnecessary for me to s . iy , are everywhere foremost in the cause of charity , the virtue alluded to so feelingly by the Reverend Chaplain , and which is ono of tbe leading principles of our Order ; the charity which waits on all below , and is tbe lirst of the bright hosts above . Tho band then played ' ¦ ' God save the Queen , " and

the procession re-formed , though in inverted order to that in which it arrived , returning at quick step ( rain falling slightly ) to the old hall , were the lodges wero closed and the brethren dispersed . Time does not permit us to pass remark on this interesting ceremony—beneficial as it will prove , we hope and believe , to the settlement generally ,

and Vreemasonvy in particular . Great praise is due to Air . Le Blethen , the builder , for tbe very able ancl efficient manner in which every detail under bis charge was carried out—the Grand Superintendent of AVorks anil Grand Director of Ceremonies being loud in his praises . The silver trowel used will bear the following inscription : — " Presented to Robert Fveke GouldEsq . AV . M . Nos . 153 ,

, , , 570 , 7-1-3 , P . Prov . S . G . AV . Andalusia , on tbe occasion of laying the foundation stone of a Alasonic temple for the foreign settlement of Shanghai , by tbe executive committee charged with the construction of the bnildinir . Bros . L . G . Dunlop , P . AI , ¦ 570 ; E . Wliittal , 501 ; R . J . Fe ' aroii . S . W . 570 ; A . R . Tilby , P . M ., 1027 .

Ar01402

A DIAMOND which loses its value in proportion as ifc is obtruded on the public gaze . A prayer in secret for those who have -wronged us . The brightest jewel in the casket of virtue . Tho act giving and / orgiviic-j . Looking on the faults of others with the same eyes we look on our own . A celestial fountain whose spring is never dry . " And now abideth Faith , Hone and Charity , but the greatest of these is Charity . "

India.

INDIA .

( From our own Correspondent . ) RANGOON . A ' ICTORIA IN BURMAH LODGE ( Xo . 832 ) . This flourishing lodge met in the Cantonment Lodge Rooms on tbe 13 th July , 1865 , Bro . Greenlaw officiating as W . M . in the two lirst degreeswhen a candidate was initiated into

, Alasonry , and a brother passed to the second degree . Bro . GHEES - then addressed the lodge to the following effect : — Brethren , —AVe have been told , and rightly , too , that to be - invested with a Alason ' s apron in open lodge , or , in other words , to be made a Mason , is the highest honour for a man to obtain . These are not mere words , for , in many countries , and especially

in our oivn , as far back as Afchelstane , who wrote a book of laws fov our Order , kings have considered it a high honour to I be Alasons , and have laid by tbe sceptre for tbe hiram , and j have delighted to assist in our rites and ceremonies . AA'hen we look at the fact that many of the clergy have joined us , and work with us ; that men like Dr . Oliver can spend a long life in promoting Our Orderheaping volume upon volume in

ex-, plaining the good of the Order ; and when we see men like the Earl de Grey and Ripon , our Deputy Grand Alaster , who , as one of her Majesty ' s ministers , is hard worked as such , sitting in bis place iu Parliament night after night , attending , too , to his country , and at the repeated calls of bis country to preside at meetings , & c . ; and the same with his predecessor , Lord Panmure , now Earl Dalhousie , who held the same offices both

in State and in Alasonry ; when we see such men finding time to attend to Alasonry , it is an encouragement to us , and we may well feel that there must be some good in our Order , and feel that it is an honour to wear a Alason's apron ; indeed , it is that badge that points out to the world that we belong to a society whose object and aim is the glory of God and the welfare and happiness of the human race . The highest honour

to be bad after a man has become a Mason is to be elected by his fellows to preside over them for the year as their AV . A 1 . This is , indeed , a very high honour attained by a few , yet it is found that the choice of the brethren is generally so good , that few have disappointed tbe expectations of their fellows .

A brother so elected and installed feels it to be indeed a high honour ; but what must bo his feelings when , at the end of the year , he finds that he has not only given entire satisfaction to his brethren , but has secured their goodwill , respect , esteem , aud fraternal affection . Brethren , I am quite sure that , in expressing my own feelings , I do that of every brother of our lodge present or absent , when I say that Bro . Harvey Tuckett Duncan has not only performed his last year's work to our

entire satisfaction , but has won the esteem , regard , and love of all who know him . AA c are greatly indebted to him for the flourishing state of our lodge with regard to the numbers , funds , efficient working , as well as in tbe harmony and good feeling that is so characteristic of A'ietoria in Burmah Lodge ; indeed , his kindness and consideration is known to you all . It is leasing duty thenthis eveningin tho name of you all

my p , , , and with tbe permission of our AV . M ., to invest Bro . Past Alaster Duncan in open lodge with a Past Master ' s gold jewel , as a mark of our esteem , regard , and fraternal love . Bro . Past Alaster Duncan , I present you with this jewel , which it is our wish you should wear in your breast in every lodge that you may attend . Do not look at its intrinsic value , but upon its real worth as a token of our heartfelt , unfeigned love

and regard for you . Ifc is a prond thing to win the love of those over whom you rule ; this jewel proves their love . It also shows that you have a Alaster mind , for without it you could not have ruled the lodge to tbe entire satisfaction of every one of its members as you have done . It is a great pleasure to us to mark you to all Masons as n ruler in tbe Craft , who by his conduct as such , bas merited such high reward as the

love of bis fellows . When you revisit clear old England , and your own leved Scotland , you will feel proud to display this jewel to your brethren ; and , doubtless , when you visit the lodge in your own fair city of Perth , the brethren will with joy hail their townsman they deservedly honoured . As to myself , I feel that go where yon will , amongst Alasons or others , you will ever win tho love of all who are fortunate enough to know you , as indeed you have already done , both in India and in Burmah . May the Great Architect of the Universe bless and protect you , Ala ' y He grant vou many years of health and happiness , and