Bro. Charles Greenwood.

that in the carrying out of this laudable scheme of benevolence and philanthropy , many influential gentlemen of the neighbourhood lent substantial aid , one of them alone , Bro . James Shand , of the eminent and well-known firm of Shand and Mason , fire engine makers , contributing a thousand pounds to the Building Fund . Amongst others

who have shown their devotion to this excellent work should bo mentioned the Rector of the parish , Rev . A . H .

de Fontaine , Bro . Usher Back , Mr . J . K . Rennie , Bro . Cooper , Treasurer , Mr . J . T . Shand , Bro . J . P . Rickman , Mr . R . Downes , and Mr . W . B . Faulkner , tbe present Trustees . Brother Greenwood , in addition to his earnest

promotion of this scheme , took an active part in the schools , the district board , and other parochial matters , and in recognition of the services he rendered in all these various

spheres , the parishoners of Christchurch have testified their respect for his memory by placing a handsome memorial window in their church .

Ifc was only natural that our late Brother , occupying so prominent a position in the Craft , should have had an eye to tbe comfort and convenience of the brethren who meet at * -o many Lodges and Lodges of Instruction on the Surrey

side of the Thames . He contended that , with the exception of the Surrey Masonic Hall , which is situated in the rather distant region of Camberwell , there was no " home" at which the members of the Fraternity could meet for work

and social intercourse , the consequence of which was that their meetings were invariably convened at one or other of the City hotels . To supply this felt deficiency , Bro . Greenwood and the architect had in contemplation a

measure by which a portion of the Albert Institute might be utilised for Masonic purposes , though we are unable to state whether that intention has been adhered to by his , su * vivors . We trust it may be so , for there is a very general

i * ncensus ot opinion amongst the Freemasons resident in raid about Southwark , Rotherhithe and Bermondsey , that suoh a . provision would be i ^ nch appreciated , and be of LMVHI h 6 < vice to fche Craft there . In this respect , however , we are sure tbe wishes of the father will not be overlooked

or slighted by the son , Bro . Charles Greenwood , who has followed so worthily and successfully in the footsteps of h s beloved sire as Provincial Grand Secretary of Surrey .

Bro . Greenwood is most deservedly esteemed by all those who know him , for his urbanity and zeal , and the perfection with which he carries out bis onerous and

important duties . When it is recollected that , besides his heavy Masonic responsibilities , which render necessary the most constant care and attention , he has built up for himself a substantial practice as a solicitor ( as a

member of the firm of Nye , Greenwood and Moreton , of Serjeant ' s Inn , Temple , and Brighton ) , and that his appointments include those of Vestry Clerk of Christchurch , Secretary io the Trustees of the Rectory of St . Saviour ' s

Hon . Treasurer of the Fund for the Restoration of Christchurch Parish Church , Secretary to the Institute now under notice , —we scarcely know what besides , —ifc ia little wonder that all these combined responsibilities weigh

heavily upon a young man who is now only in his thirtysecond year , and it is excusable—we might say imperativethat he should desire to "lighten the cargo , " where he

can do so without detriment to those with whom he has hitherto been associated . His resignation , therefore , of the Secretaryship of the Grove Lodge , in which he has taken so much interest for many years , was well advised , for although tbe announcement was received with unfeigned and genuine regret , this was in a measure mitigated by the appointment of Bro . Alfred Craven Greenwood to the position his brother had long and honourably occupied . It remains only to congratulate all who have taken part in this laudable work for the public good upon the accomplishment of their object , and to join in the wishes so fervently expressed by others , that the Institute may prove of infinite advantage to the neighbourhood in whioh it is situated .

A complimentary dinner was recently given at fche Imperial Hotel , Holborn Viaduct , when occasion was taken to present a testimonial to Mr . Thomas Simpson ,

ex-Churchwarden of the Parish of St . Sepulchre , London . Samuel George Lidstone , Esq ., was the President , and George Gut , Esq ., the Vice-President . The proceedings throughout were of a most agreeable character , and the arrangements made by Bro . Begbie , Manager of tbe Imperial Hotel , gave unqualified satisfaction to those who attended .

There Is A Sign Here.

THERE IS A SIGN HERE .

An Address delivered to Knights Templars and their Gnests at Danville , Kentucky , 26 th May 1887 , by Sir John Augustus Williams , the occasion being an Annual Conclave of the Grand Commandery of the State .

IT is the right of all good citizens assembled on this occasion , whether curiously , or courteously as onr guests , to demand of ns the meaning and purpose of our pageant . It is your privilege , ladies and gentlemen , to ask ,

and it is our duty to answer , why we came hither , plumed and belted as we are , encamped in your midst , and paraded in your streets , with sword in hand , and yet with the symbols of peace on banner and breast .

I would not offend the good taste of a cultured audience by trying to explain the details of our ritual , or the meaning of our costume and decorations , or any of the minor signs

of our Order . Thafc would be no less improper for me than tedious and unprofitable for you . But there is a sign presented here to-day—a significant fact rather—which is

of unusual occurrence and of deep and pleasing import To this sign , I wonld direct your attention by a few words in explanation .

I . You see around you a band of Knightly Masons from every part of the State , who , though numerous , are but the representatives of many hundreds that have not left their homes to-day ; representatives in fact of many thousands distributed among our States and over the

civilized world . Among them are many of the wisest and best of men—men respected and beloved for their age , their wisdom , or their virtue ; who as citizens are without reproach , and as Knights , spotless of dishonour from plume to spur .

Whence came they r What wrangling school of thought do they represent ? What creed do they profess ? On what political platform do they stand ? For in the ordinary assemblages of men the tenets of some party , the dogmas of some sect , or some peculiar and exclusive sentiments

bring people together in conventions , societies and guilds ; each seeking its own ends , and often antagonising the others . In the state , party thus strives against party , until the peace of the commonwealth ruffles with passion , and

compatriots become foes . In the Church , sect rails at sect ; discordant bells ring oufc conflicting creeds ; and those who should love as brethren turn upon one another an evil eye—and all because they do nofc think alike about religion .

While freedom of opinion and conscience must be allowed to all yet all musfc lament that an unavoidable diversity of thought should so alienate men as fco fill the land with wordy and sometimes with even bloody strife . The brotherhood of man ! Does it not seem that this sweet

phrase expresses but a poet s dream—that it is bufc an hyperbole of prophecy , or of hope ? Bufc look around you to-day—contemplate the scene before you . Here are men of every party , sect and place

in tbe land ; and they are mingling together as brothers Yonder sits the Republican , and by his side the Democrat

There a Stalwart s feather twines with a Bourbon ' s ; and a Mugwump yonder smiles his brotherly greeting to the Prohibitionist , who in return pledges his love to all in a libation of pure , cold water .

Here , the calm , calculating brow of the capitalist is lifted benignly npon the honest face of the working-man ; and there the hardy grip of the artizan presses the jewelled hand of the son of fortune . Whatever differences of rank

or station uay be recognised by American society—all have disappeared to-day , cordially and without the least leaven of distrust . Christians of every name here sit

together . Even ecclesiastical walls have fallen at the voice of our trumpets . Churchmen and dissenters , Wesley and Calvin , Knox and Campbell , here meet and work togefcher in one faith , one hope , and in mutual love .

Where else in all this distracted land may such a scene be witnessed than among those whose altars are consecrated to peace , and whose vows , pledging liberty of thought to all , purge the heart of intolerance , and seal ifc to the service of friendship and love ?

I would not suggest the thought that a government such as ours cannot save men from proscription and persecution for opinion ' s sake . I would nofc insinuate that the religion of Jesns cannot shed abroad among all parties the spirit of brotherly love . I do not disparage our constitution and laws ; and do not donbt the final triumph of Christian