A Novel Enterainment.

A NOVEL ENTERAINMENT .

IN introducing this week an innovation in Masonic entertainment we feel we are treading on somewhat dangerous ground—dangerous because we fear there are so few Brethren among us capable of supporting the innovation , while we

dread to think of what might happen if the feature we refer to became popular , without ability on the part of its patrons to save us from what might prove to be terrible ordeals . Our Bro . Dr . Forshaw , of Bradford , is regarded as a born poet . But not only does he shine as a composer ; he also

has a wonderfully retentive memory , and boasts that he can quote a verse from some of the many works he had read to suit any subject or theme placed before him . He is accustomed to put this to the test when , finding himself at a Masonic siocial party volunteers are asked for to add to the

entertainment . On a recent occasion his offer was accepted , with the result that he was asked by the company to deal with the following list of mixed subjects : —Babies , Faith , Hope , Charity , A pot , Christmas , Friendship , The Woods , Weather , Morning , Night , Women , Summer , Whisky , and Us . We

think those who read the accompanying lines , with which Bro . Forshaw responded , will agree that he ably acquitted himself , but whether sufficient enthusiasm will thereby be evoked to bring to light a number of imitators we do not

know—or whether they would be appreciated we hardly venture to think ; the possibilities of such a result are perhaps out of place during the dog days . For the present we can only compliment Bro . Forshaw on his selections , which were as follow :

BABIES .

Crowing , laughing , screaming , wild , Little winsome , pattering child ; Outstretched hands and eager face , All his actions full of grace . Such a darling chubby boy , Brave one moment , then so coy ; He is worth his weight in gold , Fearless little two year old .

FAITH . Faith and trust beget belief , Parents they to glad relief , Faith will lead , and trust will guide , Confidence will walk beside .

HOPE .

Hope , like a magnet stretches forth her hand And nestles to us when we most her need ; She to the sorrowing proves a friend indeed—She is the harbour where ' tis safe to land .

CHARITY .

How beautiful and soft and clear , Sounds the clear name of charity , They shall in spotless robes appear If they have this , and purity .

A POT .

Some say lies Arthur Orton , * And some say that he ' s not . That his head is thick and empty , Like a forty shilling pot .

CHRISTMAS .

Thrice welcome , Father Christmas , A pleasant guest art thou , With thy mistletoe and holly , And brightly laurelled brow .

FRIENDSHIP .

True friends are like the wayside flowers Wc love to meet with on life ' s way , They cheer our dullest , darkest hours , And lighten all the dreary dav .

WEATHER .

Sometimes it ' s wet weather , sometimes it's cold weather , sometimes it ' s hot weather , and sometimes it's dry weather ; but whether it ' s cold , or whether it's hot , we ' re obliged to weather it , whether or not .

MORNING .

Up and away like the dew of the morning , Toiling aloft to its home in the sun , So let us steal away , gently and lovingly , Only remembered by what we have done .

A Novel Enterainment.

THE WOODS .

In sylvan woods in blest July , You'll sec the merry youngsters hie ; A prattling group of children gay , You'll find where ' er you take your way ;

Children who know not yet a sigh . And blithe they shout if they should spy The nest of some wild bird hard by , And shrill they scream when glad they play , In sylvan woods .

NIGHT .

Sun of my soul , Thou Saviour dear , It is not night if thou be near ; Oh may no earthbom cloud arise , To hide Thee from Thy servant's eyes .

WOMEN .

O woman , in our hours of ease , Uncertain , coy , and hard to please , And variable as the shade , By the light , quivering aspen made . When pain and anguish wring the brow , A ministering angel thou .

SUMMER .

When lovers choose a quiet nook , To watch the rippling of the brook ; When children gaily romp and sing , And with their shouts the woodlands ring ; When you can scent the new-mown hayj From pleasant meadows far away , Then you may know that Summer bright , Woos all her lovers with delight .

WHISKY .

My name is Pat . I'll tell ye that , I come from Dublin City O ! With my Shillelagh under my arm , And a bottle of Irish Whisky , O !

US .

Be to every man just , and to woman Be constant , and tender , and true ; For thine own do thy best , but for no man Do less , than a Brother should do . « jHMl * Wl » fc » Wli — ¦» ^ » ^ ^ ^ TnnrifTririncwTrr ^ iiwiiwir

New Masonic Bodies.

NEW MASONIC BODIES .

WE are glad to see a growing disposition in the Masonic Grand Bodies in this country to discourage the formation of new bodies , except under the most . urgent necessities . A few years ago , say forty or fifty , a " sufficient number" of Brethren had but to petition the Grand Master for a

dispensation to form a new Lodge and the privilege was at once granted . In this way twenty , or thirty , or forty new bodies were brought into existence in a single year in this State . In many instances they were creatures of ambitious men , or of disgruntled members , and the spirit which actuated formation of the Lodge became a feature of its condition .

We would not say that the formation of the many Lodges in those years immediately following the union of the St . J ohn ' s Grand Lodge and the Grand Lodge of New York , and those after the civil war , was not wise , for the circumstances surrounding Masonry at those times justified

the creation of the means for disseminating Masonic light . The long years of stagnation and inactivity that existed during the prevalence of the schisms in the Grand Lodge , and the disturbance of all business and social conditions by the war , necessarily caused a loss "of interest and a

curtailment of usefulness in Masonry . As the walls of Jerusalem were rebuilt by every man building over against his own house , so the walls of Masonry were rebuilt by those who established new Lodges in order to revive the work , and extend its benefits .

Most of the Lodges formed during these years were wisely governed and firmly established , and have continued a useful existence to the present time . Not all of them have had uninterrupted prosperity , and not all have grown to be strong , but each one has been in a measure useful . Under

the conditions existing when they were formed , their organisation was proper and served a good purpose . They assisted in building up the Fraternity , and were all , as it were ,

recruiting stations , and those forming them , being impelled by a commendable desire to build up their particular bodies , became factors in rehabilatating the Grand Lodge . At the present time Masonry all over the country i & hi