Freemasonry. Its Origin, Its History And Its Design.

vated in all its perfection by only two institutions—the Roman Catholic Church and the Order of Freemasonry . One of the authoritative definitions of Freemasonry is that it is " a science of morality , veiled in allegory , and illustrated by symbols . " But a more correct definition would be that it is " a system of morality developed and inculcated by the science of symbolism . "

Its original descent from an association of builders has given to its symbolism a peculiar character . All the labours of operativo or stone masonry , its implements and its technical language , have been seized by the speculative Freemasons and appropriated by them as symbols , each of which teaches somo important moral or religious truth . The cathedrals which their predecessors erected , some of which still

remain as proud monuments of their surpassing skill in architecture , have been replaced , for esoteric reasons , by the Temple of Solomon , which has become , with one exception , tho most important and significant of the symbols of tho Order . As all these symbols aro applied to roligioii 3 purposes , and receive a religious interpretation , we must conclude that Freemasonry is a

religious institution . It is not a religion . It makes no such claim . It does not profess to ofler the renovating oflicacy or tho spiritual consolations which make religion so necessary an element in the healthful life of man . But it does inculcate somo religions truths , without any attempt to define theological dogmas . It demands of its initiates a

trusting bolief iu God and in the immortality of tho soul , and its ceremonies and its symbols impress these truths with all the moral con . sequences that a belief in them implies . It recognises all religious truth , and tolerates , but does not accept , sectarian dogmas . It repudiates nothing but atheism . Around its altar , consecrated to the Grand Architect of the Universe , men of all creeds may kneel in one

common worship , each holding in his heart with all tenacity his own pecnliar faith , the brotherhood around neither asking nor condemning by word or look . Incidental to its organization as an association of men engaged in tho same pursuit wo find other characteristics common to it with all similar human associations , but which it possesses and practises with greater perfection because of its

universality and its numerical extension . Such is its social character . In the Lodge all artificial distinctions of rank and wealth and power aro for the time suspended , and Masons meet together on the great level of equality . The prince and tho peasant , the bishop and the layman , sit together and join haud in hand in the same symbolic labour . It is but the other

day that the heir apparent of the British crown was seen kneeling at the feet of one of his subjects , and giving to him his oath of Masonic allegiance and fealty . So , too , it is eminently a benevolent institution . There is no other institution that has built and endowed more asylums for the aged and decayed , or hospitals for the sick , or houses for orphans , or

done more to clothe tho naked , to feed the hungry , or relieve tho poor , and in granting eleemosynary aid to the distressed brother or his destitute widow . It hallows and sanctifies tho gift by the gilenco and secresy with which it is bestowed . Such is Freemasonry—venerable in its ago aud beneficent in its design . And when in a few days its disciples shall appear in the performance of one of its religious commemorations , in all tho

gorgeous display of its paraphernalia , its banners and its symbols , every one of which is deeply significant to those who have learned tho lesson of some great religious or moral truth , let the people who look on the scene know that they are beholdiug a venerable relic of the olden time , which yet has no decay , but whose age " is as a lusty winter , " combining with the good old conservatism of the past , all the practical utilitarianism of the present . ALBUM G . MACKKV . Secretary General Supreme Council , S . M . Jurisdiction .

Obituary.

Obituary .

BRO . W . BULLET , OF BIRKENHEAD ,

rnHE funeral of Bro . Wtlham Bulley , an old and respected resident J- of Birkenhead , who died on Wednesday 16 th June , took place on Saturday , the 19 th ult ., at Flaybriok-hill Cemetery . Bro . Bulley was one of the oldest Freemasons in the hundred of Wirral , and at the time of his death was Junior Grand Warden of the province of Cheshire . Ho also held many other high offices in tho Order . By the members of the " mystic tie" ho was greatly esteemed for his

many amiable qualities , and his funeral was attended by a largo number of the brethren . The funeral cortugo left the residence of the deceased in Clifton Park shortly before two o ' clock , the chief mourners being deceased ' s two sons , his brother , Mr . Henry Bulley ( chairman of tho Oxton Local Board , and a well known Freemason ) , Mr . Hoffman , & c . Amongst the Freemasons present were Bros . J . M .

Radclifie P . M . 605 , T . E . Hignett P . M . 537 , J . P . Piatt P . P . G . W . 537 , Thomas Piatt P . P . G . D ., Dr . Spratley P . P . G . D . 537 , Dr . Wilson P . M . 537 , E . J . Hnddon W . M . 605 , Matthew M'Ncrnev S . W . 605 , T . Leighton P . M . Sec . 605 , Robert Grade P . M . 477 , Donald Eraser W . M . 477 , F . K . Stevenson P . M . 537 , Ellis Davis P . M . 605 , Samuel Jones P . M . 477 , Thomas V . Evans 292 , William Clements 005 , T . C . Thorburn , of the Joppa Mark Lodgo 11 , L . Ellis W . M ., and A . Lowe , of Rock

Ferry , Edward Parsons 537 , A . Hall 537 , W . Worrall and — Griffiths , Chester , F . Sanderson , John Lamb , & c . The interment took place in the Church of Englaud portion of the cemetery , the service being performed by the Rev . John Henderson . At the grave the sons of the deceased placed three or four beautiful wreaths of flowers upon the coffin , and sprigs of acacia were also deposited upon the lid by nearly all the Freemasons present .

DE Li ROB ' ISTEBITATIOXAL PtAtiso CARDS . —Portraits of the Royalty of Europe , Post free , as 6 d . W , VT , Morgan , 67 Barbican , London , E . Q ,

The Boys' School.

THE BOYS' SCHOOL .

THE distribution of prizes took place , under tho presidency of the Right Hon . Lord Balfour of Burleigh P . G . W . President of the Board of Stewards for the Anniversary Festival , at the Royal Masonic Institution for Boys , Wood Green , on Wednesday , 30 th June , when a numerous attendance of the Stewards , brethren and ladies wero present . This gathering , despite tho disadvantage of bad

weather , was a great success , and those who wero present must have been proud to see the Institution in so flourishing a condition . Throughout the building cleanliness was predominant . The following programme , consisting of recitations , dramatic selec tions and vocal and instrumental music was given , and listened to with feelings of great pleasure : —

Overture—Piano Duet . " Favonnto Airs . " Latin . . " Virgil , " Extract from jEaeat and Zatinus J . Jones . Part Song . " The Merry Spring Time . " Shakspero . " Tho Seven Ages of Man , " . . J . Jones . Glee . "Lightly tread , 'tis ImlloTv'rt ground . "

r <^ r « o ^ ( Speech of King Frederick William III . of Prussia on - „ TM p „„ . „ .. uerman | tho tlcclnrntion of War „ Kn [ nst Franco in 1813 . " ¦ w - ^ aitm - Piano Duet . " La fillo de Madame Angot . " French . "Le Bourgeois Gentilhomme , " sceno from . J . and F . Lane * Gleo . . . " Lordly Gallants . "

Latin . " Virgil , " Extract from Aniata and Turniis G . Shaw . Part Song . " Farewell to the Forest . " German . . " Dns Lied von der Gloeke . " W . Beaumont . Part Song . " Yon stote my Love . " Engliah "Poor Richard ' s Wisdom , " Advice to Old and Young

W . Bruford and F . Hawes . Reading . . " Death of Dean Swift . " Sweet . Song . . " Yo Mariners of England . " Oates . Gleo . " Hero ' s a Health unto Her Majesty . " English Recitation " Victor Galbraith , " by Zouqfellom . . V . Lang . Do . Do . " A Child's Work , " ( by Angus ' M . Mackay , 5 th Master ) E . J . Robinson . Concluding with the National Anthem .

Mr . \ V . II . Holmes was tho Musical Instructor . Between the programme the noble chairman distributed the prizes . Several of the pupils who , by close attention to their studies , had qualified themselves for competitive examination , received the Cambridge Scholarship . Tho chairman announced that

the first young gentleman on the list , in addition , had presented to him £ 2 , and £ 1 each to the remainder . The names of those successful were as follow : —E . Moss , Lane , Hustler , Cloud , Walkington , Burkitt , Hawos , Bruford , Smith , and F . D . Lane . The noble chairman , who was snpported by Bros . C . Horsley , Hunt , Dubosc , Rosenthal ,

W . Paas , Spiers and Rocbnck , then rose , and snid , It was ono of the most pleasant recollections in Freemasonry to bo present on so important an occasion , ono that would never be forgotten by him . He had a proposition to make , and he hoped it would meet with the concurrence of all ; and that was to thank tho masters and the

committeo for the admirable manner in which this noble Charity is conducted . He had inspected many buildings and varions institutions , but ho had never seen one like the Boys' School ; so well conducted , with such order and cleanliness . He then addressed tho boys , in terms that it is hoped will never be forgotten by them , as to the

advantages of study . He would like to be a schoolboy again , for that period was tho happiest of their lives . lie hoped they would work with energy to compete ; for competition Would give them energy to be successful , and if they were unsuccessful this year they might be in a prominent position the next . Bro . Roebuck then proposed , and Bro . Rosenthal seconded , that a

vote of thanks be accorded to Loid Balfour , not only for his able presiding this day , but also for his kindness in occupying the positiou of President of the Board of Stewards . The noble chairman suitably responded , and the company adjourned to refreshments , which were served under the supervision of Bros . F . Binckes , Paas , Webster , & c . The following programme of music was performed , during tho day , by the pupils' band : —

1 . Grand March . . Blue Beard 10 . Valso . . . Belle of the Ball 2 . God Bless the Prince of Wales 11 . Balhul . . . AitlilLvmj SI / IIB 3 . Quick March . . . l ' allalln 12 . l ' olkn . . . Mullii / an Guards I . Ballad . Blue Bells of Seollaml 13 . Quick March British Grenadiers

5 . Polka Ladies 1 i . \ a !? c Mabel 0 . Hymn . . . . . Russian 15 . Schottisclic—Onva . M . fi . B . 7 . Quadrille .... Festiml 10 . Galop .... Mazepim S . Ballad . . . Men of ICarln-h 17 . God save the Queen 0 . Varsoviana . . . Hiker Lake , Tho whole of the pieces wero capitally played , and reflected great credit on Mr . W . J . Ison , bandmaster .

The Surrey Masonic Hall Limited.

THE SURREY MASONIC HALL LIMITED .

/ ~\ N Wednesday , tho 11 th July , this Hall is to he designated , and " "The Surrey Masonic Hall Lodge " will be consecrated , by Lord Skelmorsdale M . W . D . G . M . T . G . M . Lancashire , aud other Grand Office's . The following are tho officers designate : —M . S . Larlham W . M ., W . Ramsey S . W ., T . L . Green J . W . Bro . E . Clark P . M ., of 19 Buckingham Street , Strand , is the architect , and H . A . Dubois P . M . 1423 , P . G . D . C . Middlesex , is the Secretary .