Knights Templar.

Sir Knt . SPRATT felt it was gratifying to have such a mention of his services . He would not say the hall was even now finished , but saw its deficiencies , all of which he hoped to overcome in time , and like a fond parent trained up a child in the way it should go , so he hoped to improve and perfect the building , until at last he could himself say it was completed . The D . G . MASTER believed one toast begot another ; but there

was one which forcibly came , without any such recommendation , and took them by storm on its own merits alone . The Grand Director of Ceremonies gave up his really valuable time to produce so successful a day's work and so perfect an ensemble as they had witnessed that day . No one could imagine the excitement under which that officer must labour , for if all did not go

well—and a little contretemps might upset the best plans at a critical moment—tho whole would be marred , and the result of much care aud study spoiled iu a moment . Fortunately he was so good a general that he was prepared for all such emergencies , and they owed him their best , their very best thanks for his services . The D . G . M . then called upon them to drink "The

Health of Sir Knight Meymott , honourably distinguished as one of their first Past Grand Captains . " Sir Knt . MEYMOTT was always ready to do whatever he undertook with all his heart . In that spirit bo had endeavoured to do his work , and , although it was a most onerous and troublesome duty , yet he received many suggestions for the good of

the Order . Their Grand Master ivas a most amiable man , and one of the best of rulers . Witli such a superior to look up to , no wondervhe ( Sir Knt . Meymott ) took a delight and pleasure in the regular performance of their ceremonies , and if at times he was somewhat prompt in manner ho hoped it would be as readily forgotten as the rapidity witii which a spark expired when struck from a flint and steel . He had his

acknowledgments to make for the valuable aid of Sir Knts . Binckes and Swann and if they , the Sir Knts . of Grand Conclave , could have . partaken of the pleasure it had afforded him to promote order aud regularity in the ceremonies they would think ho had no need of such kind thanks—so generously offered and so heartily applauded—but that he owed them a deep debt of gratitude for the pleasure the toil of the service had brought

with it . The D . G . MASTER was ghul of the opportunity of mentioning the name of one who did all he could for the good of the Order , and was one of the great pillars who reared their roof-tree . To Sir Knt . Binckes they looked to do much for the Order , and although it might sound like being grateful for favours to come ,

jet he was sure Sir Knt . Binckes would do his best , aud in that belief they all drank his hearty good health . Sir Knt . BIITCKES was taken by surprise at the toast , but he should be wanting in gratitude if he did not acknowledge that he was ambitious . He was one of those that tried to do their duty to the Order , and would yield to no one in a desire to

promote its interests . There were those that did not like them , but they had shown that they were made of the right stuff and had the means , the will , and the desire to benefit the Order . He had been taken to taslc for using the term " higher degrees , " but he contended that tbe higher light of the New Testament was but the fulfilment of the Old , and those degrees that were

founded on the former must be higher in every sense , for they inculcated the development of Masonic truth in Christianity . Bro . Havers had made an attack on the higher degrees recently , and he ( Sir Knt . Binckes ) was glad that he was able to reply to that attack ancl defend the Order . He had great pride in acknowledging the most undeserved confidence , for it was not what he had done , but what he would do , that must prove his devotion to the Order .

Knights Templar.

The D . G . MASTEB said there was a Sir Knight present whose good humour was proverbial—whose research was most profound , and who really knew a great deal more than he ought to know . By his bands , what they said , aud did that day would be transmitted to all parts of the globe , and he was an important person amongst them , one of great usefulness , and never advanced anything touching upon Freemasonry for which lie had not good

authority . Many knew his usefulness in all degrees of Masonry , both in a musical and literary point of view , and it was only necessary to mention the name of their Grand Organist , Sir Knight Matthew Cooke , to show what could be done by a thoroughly earnest and trustworthy Masonic student . Sir Knt . MATTHEW COOEB , G . Org ., replied ; but , from the

length of this report , his speech must bo omitted . After some very interesting remarks from Sir Knt . Colonel CLERK in connection with the Masonic Union , both mental and material , the fraters gradually dispersed , looking forward to another re-union at no very distant day . -

Poetry.

Poetry .

ADDRESS TO THE FREEMASONS . BT A LADY TRIESD . Hail , mystic brotherhood ! your symbols bright—Your compasses , square , plumb , and line—Teachas we trowyou how to build aright

, , Upon the Master ' s plan divine . That sacred Book , I wist , unfolds that plan ; And with what stones , what gems to build , Directs , ' neath that broad eye which all doth scan , While His great purpose is fulfilled . Each ' prentice , master , royal arch , and knight

Brings ashlar polished for its place . To rear the temple glorious in its light And beauty , majesty and grace . Your hist ' ry up the stream of Time we trace , T' Ehisis—Tyre—Jerusalem—To Hiram , and him , wisest of our race , Who graced Judea ' s diadem . Down through the glowing times of chivalry ^

To him , the hero of the west , Thc famed—and him , the Knight of Liberty , So late the nation's welcome guest . And kings and sages , if I've heard aright , Have owned that tie that binds all climes , Which makes the sceptre as the spade , more bright , As Love rings out its silvery chimes . What is that mystic tie ? That secret—what ?

This Fancy may but dimly see . T" infer a noble tree from noble fruit , So fitting , and sufficeth me . Say not we ladies restless are to guess Your secret—know each word and sign . Mistake not . As we see you daily bless The poor—we'll own them all divine . We look abroad on deeds beneficent

, Like His—the Great Exemplar given ; We see your charities munificent , As stewards of all bounteous Heaven . Like genial showers on thirsty fields that fall , Like dews that raise the drooping flower , Like manna , food from Heaven , that fell for all In Israel ' s supplicating hour .