Knights Templar.

suffrages , for tivo years . It had been tivo years of pleasure to liim to be at their head , and do his duty . He had been well aided by his officers , and he should hand over the baton to his successor Avithout fear of the result , for they were prosperous , happy , united , and zealous . The knights then entered into social chat , and separated at their usual hour .

Colonial.

COLONIAL .

AUSTRALIA . BALLARAT . —The regular monthly meeting of the U . T . Lodge took place on Tuesday evening at the Yavroiveo Hotel , when Bro . C . Dyte was installed W . AI . for the foflowing year . The ceremony was performed in a most impressive manner by Bro . Levinson , P . AL , assisted by the Bros . Scott , Steinfield , Edwards , and Richardson , P . AIs . The AA ^ AI . then appointed the following brethren to act as officers for the year : —Bros . Solomon , S . AV . ; Oliver , J . AV . ; Kemp ,

Sec . ; Dentsch , S . D . ; Irivin , J . D . The Avhole of the Alasonic business having been concluded , the brethren sat doivn to a banquet prepared by Bro . Host AValters in first-rate style . The usual loyal Alasonic toasts were drunk . CANADA . The Annual Convocation of the Grand Chapter of Royal Arch Alasons of Canada was begun and holden in the Town of Belleville

, on AA ' ednesday , the 20 th February , and its deliberations brought to a close on Friday . Thursday , at noon , was the time set apart for the election of ofiicers for the ensuing year , ivhich resulted as follows , viz . : ¦—• ALE . Comps . John C . Franck , G . Z . ; R . E . Comps . E . Heatbfielel , G . H . ; AA . B . Simpson , G . J . ; Thos . B . Harris , re-elected G . Scribe E . ; Geo . AV . Whitehead , G . Scribe N . ; Thos . J . Angel , G . Principal

Sojr . ; D . Curtis , G . Treasurer ; L . H . Henderson , G . Registrar ; V . E . Comjis . E . J . Sisson , G . 1 st Assistant Sojr . ; Thomas AlcCrakeu , G . Sivord Bearer ; Manuel Northrup , G . Standard Bearer ; Donald Moodie , Director of Ceremonies ; A . AL Munro , G . Organist ; James Al . Rogerson , G . Pursuivant ; Comp . Thos . A'lcMullen , G . Janitor ; V . E . Comps . Jas . Seymour , Geo . En . Earl , E . H . Parker , G . T , Morehouse , G . Stewards . Grand Superintendents of Districts . —ALE . Comp . Thompson

AVilson , London District ; R . E . Comps . Thomas Duggan , Hamilton District ; Francis Richardson , Toronto District ; George F . La Serre , Central District ; L . H . Robinson , Eastern Townships . The Grand Chapter , having been called from labour , were hospitably and luxuriously entertained at a ball and supper , got up under the auspices of the Companions of the Aloira Chapter , in bonour of the Grancl Chapter . All passed off ivith great eclat , anel to the satisfaction of all present .

America.

AMERICA .

IOWA . —St . Charles City bas been the scene of good things . The members of St . Charles Lodge ( No . 141 ) , and invited guests , celebrated St . John's Day , December 27 , at their hall . The arrangements seemed to be perfect , and the whole affair passeel oft * to tlie edification and delight of all present . The address of Bro . AVittecl ivas interesting and instructive , and ivas delivered in that gentleman ' s best style of oratory . After the conclusion of tbe address , and a songthe AA . M . saielas the travellerpursuing a distant

, , , journey , pauses by the way , toil-ivorn and weary , to look back upon the landscape , and gather strength for a renewal of his efforts , to contemplate the rugged paths he has traversed , the pleasures he bas enjoyed , and the dangers he has escaped , so elo we this evening assemble , and now call from labour to refreshment . The audience then proceeded to the dining-room , were tables for an oyster supper , accompanied by all the various luxuries of the season , were

spread out before them . The tables ivere tastefully arranged , and faithfully served . After due attention to the physical wants , then came the intellectual repast . The toasts and responses ivere truly a " feast of reason and a flow of soul . " \ A 1 ien the speaking ivas concliAiled , Bro . L . L . Huntley , and bis daughter , Aliss S . E . A . Huntley , sang that beautiful song , by Rob Morris , "The Level and the Scpiare . " The benediction was then pronounced , and the party dispersed to their several homes , highly pleased with the evening ' s entertainment .

ASSISTANCE . —To help , aid , and assist a worthy , distressed brother , his widow anel orphan children , is as well a Alasonic privilege as a covenanted duty . Whatever derelictions of duty or shortcomings are chargeable upon the Alasonic brotherhood , this is not one , to neglect the sacred calls of charity !

Obituary.

Obituary .

BRO . JOHN ROSS . On the 22 nd January last , died , in his 49 th year , Bro . John Ross , of Birmingham . He was born at Perth , of humble parentage , and had to contend in his early clays with more than the ordinary difficulties of the station of life in which lie was placed ; but he overcame them , and became an example of what the steady application of natural powers can accomplish , a support to his family , anel

a friend to his kind . He cultivated his mind by all means within his reach ; be studied bis business—that of a coach-builder—in a scientific spirit , and he gave his leisure to philanthropic pursuits , so laying the foundations of future success not only in commercial matters , but also in the acquisition of the friendship and good-AA-ill of his compeers , and an ultimate position of prosperity and usefulness . After passing through some of the best coach-building concerns of Scotlandhe came to Birmingham nearltwent

, y y years ago , and , as a journeyman , entered the establishment of the late Mr . Brown , of which he soon became the manager , his practical genius and skill in dealing with men enabling him to contribute largely to the increase aud consolidation of the manAifactiAi-ing renown his employer had already acquired . AVben the business at Air . Brown ' s death passed into the hands of Aiessrs . Marshall , under the firm of Brown , Marshall , & Co ., Bro .

Ross went with it , and continued in a managerial capacity till his lamented death . His employers recognised the value of his services , and rewarded them without stint , and his name became associated with their's wherever railway enterprise has touched throughout the world . John Ross ' s head , heart , and hand were ever volunteers in the service of desert , and many who remain among ns owe much to him for the timely and earnest aid he gave them in the battle of life . It was his wont to look on men as wholes , to balance their qualities ,

and place to their credit the good that ivas in them ; and this habit enabled him not unfrec-uently to discover clouded merit , and dissipate the darkness that surrounded it . Freemasonry bas sustained a great loss in tbe death of Bro . Ross . His soul was in the Craft . He aided materially in the foundation of one of the best lodges in AVarwickshire , both ivith mind and money . His constructive skill is shown in its magnificent appointments , anel ho contributed liberally to the acquisition of the

building in which it meets . He relieved tbe falling fortunes of another lodge , which , through the impulse he gave it , is now rising rapidly in importance . Ho supported regularly his lodge fund in aid of the general charities , anel gave freely to every special contribution . His counsel and assistance ivere always available to a brother in distress . All this was done Avithout ostentation , and much was done secretly . The Howe Lodge has hung its walls with mourning to denote the sadness his death has caused , a sadness which time may

mellow , but cannot efface , and which is only alleviated by the conviction that he has gone to a place where life will be at last rightly estimated , and the faithful labourer called to a seat of honour in tho presence of the Chief Builder himself . Peace he with him ! and may the fellow labourers of our brother profit by the example of his life . Bro . Ross was initiated in the East Surrey Lodge of Concord ( No . 680 ) . He was a member of the Howe ( No . 857 ) Faithful ( No .

, 096 ) , and Britannia ( No . 38 ) , Lodges , and P . AL of the former two . He was a member of the Howe Alark Loelge and R . A . Chapter . He ivas a Past Provincial Grand Officer of AVanvickshire . He was also a member of the Institute of Alechanical Engineers . He was a married man , and a widow and three children survive to lament bis death , yet draw comfort and encouragement from the balance of his life . His mortal remains lie in the General Cemetery at Birmingham .

Bro. Wm. Cowen, Trumpet-Major, Hants Yeomanry Cavalry.

BRO . WM . COWEN , TRUMPET-MAJOR , HANTS YEOMANRY CAVALRY .

A most marked and effective demonstration of public respect was made in AVinchester , on Friday , the 22 nd inst ., in the celebration of the funeral obsequies attendant on the burial of the lately deceased Bro . William Coiven , Trumpet-Major , formerly of tho 6 th Dragoon Guards ( Carabineers ) , in ivhich regiment he served no less than 37 years . He has acted for the last 21 years as bandmaster anel musical instructor of the Hampshire Yeomanry Cavalry , and during which period he has been a resident in this city . Bro .

Coiven Avas a man very well knoivn throughout the county , and other localities in ivhich he has resided , and it is merely common justice to say that he always officiated in Lis public capacity with remarkable credit anel honour to himself , and satisfaction to those of all grades cotemporary \ vith his period of service . He also enjoyed , as he truly merited , the sympathy and goodwill of an extensive anil respectable connection in private life , lie was , for