Sermon.

And now , my brethren , if any of yon here present have failed to comply with the obligations laid upon you , or have fallen away from the practice of those virtues in which it is your bounden duty to walk , let me urge upon you your responsibilities in this respect , llemember , as men you are the temple of

the living God in which His Spirit should dwell ; as Masons , you have an example to set to other men . If any of you have fallen away from your duty , let me again urge upon you to return , that the Most High may be glorified in our Craft through yon , and our enemies put to silenceand resolve with David

, , in the words of-our text , "Surely I will not come into the tabernacle of my house , nor go up into my bed ; I will not give sleep to mine eyes , or slumber to mine eyelids , until I fiud out a place for the Lord , an habitation for tbe mighty God of Jacob . " In conclusion , let me remind you that you may be

all of you sympathisers and sharers in the debt of gratitude and reverential homage which filled the soul of David when he desired so zealously to purchase the threshing-floor of Araunah , and to devote it unto the Lord , for you have also received from the Lord many tokens of His goodness . The narrative serves also to remind you that

everything whicli you offer unto God ought to be offered under a generous , unreserved feeling , as well as a self-denying one . "Shall I offer unto the Lord my God , " said David to Araunah , " of that which hath cost me nothing ? " Yet how often do men offer unto God of tliis sort . They who have nothing but

what they have received think to present to Him who is tlie source of all bounty the very refuse or fragment of some trifle of which they do not stand in need of themselves . But of you , my brethren , we aro persuaded better thiugs , and things pertaining uuto salvationthough we thus speak . Prom

, you we would anticipate that warm-hearted zeal , that stirring energy , that decision of purpose which marked the character of David in the fulfilment of bis vow ; from you we would anticipate a cheerful and liberal contribution to the appeal which is this day addressed to you in behalf of the West Lancashire Masonic

Institution . I feel it a privilege to plead for such a noble cause , and one in which I take a great interest —the education and advancement in life of children of distressed Preemasons . May our Heavenly Father put into the hearts of all now assembled in this house to contribute according to his power , aud may He bless the offering when it has been given to the enlargement of His own praise and glory .

Meetings Of The Scientific And Learned Societies For The Week Ending November 25th.

MEETINGS OF THE SCIENTIFIC AND LEARNED SOCIETIES FOR THE WEEK ENDING NOVEMBER 25 TH .

As tlio various scientific meetings for the session IStio-G have just commenced , or arc about to commence , and several of our readers having expressed a wish to be kept informed of tbo times appointed for these meetings , we have pleasure in commencing in our present issue suck a list as is required , ancl which we continuing and lifing in future numbers

purpose ampy . Tuesday , 21 st . —IMSTITL-TJOX or CIVIL ENGIXUEHS , at 8 . Discussion on "The Telegraph to India , " & c . AVednesday , 22 nd . — SOCIETY or ARTS , at 8 . " On Water Supply , especially in Burn ! Parishes and Districts . " B y J . Bailey Denton , Esq . GEOLOGICAL SOCIETY , at 7 .

The Masonic Mirror.

THE MASONIC MIRROR .

* * All communications to be addressed to 19 , Salisbury street , Strand , London , W . C .

Metropolitan.

METROPOLITAN .

YAHBOEOTTGII LODGE ( No . 554 ) . —This flourishing lodge held its usual monthly meeting on Thursday , the 2 nd inst ., at Bro . Walters' , the Green Dragon , Stepney , about thirty of the brethren and several visitors being present , the able W . M . and his efficient staff of officers being punctually at their posts . The minutes of the previous meeting having been confirmed , the ballot wis taken for and found unanimous in favour of Bros . filler and Fowler as joining members , and for Mr . G . Walton

for initiation . Bros . Taggart and Norris were passed to the second degree , and Bro . Thomas Bland was raised to the sublime degree of a Master Mason . The three ceremonies were most ably worked by the W . M . The sum of £ 8 was voted out of the funds to the widows of deceased members of the lodge . Mr . George Bland was then proposed and seconded to be balloted for initiation at the next meeting of the lodge . The lodge having closedthe brethren adjourned

, to refreshment , the harmony and happiness amongst the brethren being further promoted by Bro . Stevens , who gave with admirable effect a recitation from Tom Hood . Bro . Clarke , S . W ., also disphijed his recitative powers , and the worthy host . Bro . Walters , followed by some of the other members and visiting brethren , sang some right merry and pleasant songs . A very satisfactory statement was made by

Bro . Wynne , P . M ., with reference to the state of the funds of the lodge , which was such as to have enabled the lodge to subscribe most handsomely towards the different Charities , and they had still a very respectable sum in hand . Bro . Hamilton , P . M ., informed the brethren that he had taken up a very deserving case for the Girls' School—that of the girl Lumley—he loved the ladiesand he trusted to receive hearty support from the

, brethren in aid of his case . Bro . Stevens added that lie felt assured that brethren generally , with himself , reciprocated Bro . Hamilton ' s sentiments , and that they would not prove themselves backward in rendering their support . The toast of " Tlie Visiting Brethren" having been given , was cordially

received , and responded to by Bro . Latveille , of the Victoria Loclge , and other visitors . After some other toasts had been given and responded to " The Tylers Toast" brought the proceedings of the evening to a conclusion , and the brethren dispersed at an early hour . BEtoitAVE LODGE ( NO . 7 'l-9 ) . —A very important meeting of this lodge took lace on the Sth inst . at Anderton's Hotel

p , Fleet-street . The lodge was opened by Bro . Tlios . Nash , W . M ., who was ably supported hy Bros . W . Ough , S . W . ; W . Bourne , J . W . ; J . II . Band , S . D . ; J . Slade , J . D . ; W . Pierce , I . G . ; J . II . Fronde , P . M ., Treas . ; H . Garrod , Sec . ; and W . Watson , W . Hunting , G . N . Grogan , E . H . Temple , II . Evendon , P . M . 's ; G . Pymm , T . Strip , A . W . Catmur , W . Wickham ,. ! . Tachnsdorf , W . llose , J . Painter , W . Bourne , J . Herbert , W . Price , B . C .

Jones , . 1 . A . Jones , W . Hester , Batley , Miller , Deacon , & c . On this most auspicious occasion the lodge was highly favoured by the presence of the following distinguished visitors : —Bros . Wm . Smith , C . E ., P . G . S ., P . M . 33 , 810 , W . M . 26 , & c ; Storr , P . Prov . G . Dir . of Cers . Jersey , No . 9 , & c . ; B . T . Ford , P . M . 27 ; S . May , W . Banks , J . B . Osborne , II . Caney , and W . H . Postans . The first ceremony was that of raising Bro . P . E .

Nicholls to the sublime degree of M . M ., which was performed in a most faultless manner by the W . M ., after which the lodge was opened in the second degree , and Bros . Smith , Parsons , and Lefeber were passed to the degree of F . C . The next business was that of initiating Messrs . Spencer Ilomewood , Joseph Hobbs , and William Smoutb , each candidate being separately introduced , and in a most solemn and impressive manner initiated into the

mysteries and privileges of ancient Freemasonry in Bro . Nash's masterly style ; after which the ceremony of installing the W . M . elect took place , and wo must pay a passing tribute to Bro . Garrod , P . M ., Sec , for the splendid manner in which this most impressive part of the business of the lodge was performed . Bro . W . M . Ough then appointed his officers for the ensuing year as follows : —Bros . Potter , S . W . ; Slade , J . W . ; Bourne