Freemasonry Is Principle Incarnate.

our faculties are to be in a state of training ; by it new powers and new faculties are to be educed . It should stimulate us to better aims and nobler life—into something of practical good for humanity . Our various degrees should

be , as it were , so many testimonials to our growth in a better and purer manhood . It is only when we look on Freemasonry in this light that we comprehend its beauty and significance , for , if a knowledge of our ritual is the

only reward of Masonry to those who seek for the light it professes to cast on the pathway of life , it will pay but poorly for tho toil spent in acquiring it . But I am persuaded that there is something in Masonry far better and

far more desirable than knowledge of ritual . In the ministry of love and sympathy it fits men for faithful work . On the broad platform of morals it develops its votaries , and under its benign influence the manhood of the present

finds equal recognition with that of the king . By it Deity is ever recognised , and at the name of God all reverently bow ; and in brotherl y love—that comforting bond which binds ail our hearts as one—how Freemasonry exemplifies and enforces this most noble virtue !

Then , we may truly say , that a faithful devotion to the principles of our Order will result in the formation of a character in which shall be combined in a beautiful harmony , a subtle apprehension of all that is noble in

morality , all that is sweet and pure in friendship , all that is necessary in true manliness . That which is best and trnesfc in life will be aided b y its teachings , and a degree of

strength be imparted to its followers which will enable the weak , the fickle and the inconstant , to live as true and sturdy soldiers of the ri ght .

Finally : Our Order must be more aggressive in its relations to all that is for the truest good of the race . It must not leave the orcranised Charities of life to

others , bnt must have a part in every worthy enterprise . Masonry cannot live without activity , and wherever the wail of distress is heard in our land , there the helping hand of Freemasonry must be extended to relieve ;

wherever the orphan or the widow is left desolate , there , ready to sustain and comfort , our Order must be found . Onr duty is to introduce our principles into every relation of life , so that mankind may be the better

and happier for us . Deeds , not words , must mark ouv lives . We are to count any expense , any toil , any selfsacrifice it may demand of us , as not worthy to be considered in comparison with this duty to humanity—this

living principle . For remember , it is not princi ple in the abstract which helps or saves in this world ; it is principle embodied in life ; in other words it is princi ple incarnate —principle which looks through human eyes , talks with

human speech , and in all phases of human effort has its place and power . It is said that opaque objects may be so thoroughly charged with the electric fluid that they may become transparent ; so our lives should be transfigured by

the power of the beautiful teachings of Masonry . We do not live outside of the world , and must be sharers of its burdens , as well as partakers of its joys . As we feel its passions we must work for its interests , striving to do our

duty in its trials , and by our purity , our zeal for goodness ; by our broad charity , our self-sacrificing devotion to ri ght and truth , show to the world at large that a true and liv ? ng principle animates our Order . —Voice of Masonry .

We note that the second annual ball in connection with the Royal Savoy Lodge , No . 174-1 , has been fixed to take place at Freemasons' Tavern , on the 6 th of January next . Brethren are asked to use their utmost influence to make

the affair a success ; and of this there can be little doubt , seeing that the arrangements are in the hands of an energetic and experienced Committee of Stewards . A

dispensation has been granted by the Most Worshipful Grand Master to allow the brethren to appear in Craft clothing .

HOLLOWAY ' S Pir . ts . —Tho ills of life are increased tenfold by tho mode of life so mnny have to lead : most especially is this the case amon ' prst the toilers in our factories and hupe workshops of the manufacturing districts , whose digestions become impaired and nervous systems debilitated by the protracted confinement and enforced deprivation of healthy ont-of-door exercise . The fnctorv

workers may almost be sa d to have diseases of their own , re'idily nmenable however , to treatment if not allowed to proceed unchecked . Hollbway's Pills are the mnst effectual remedy ever discovered for the cure of liver and stomach complaints , as they act surely but gentlv , retaliating the secretions without weakening tho nervoj or interfering with the daily work .

District Grand Lodge Of Northern China.

DISTRICT GRAND LODGE OF NORTHERN CHINA .

A REGULAR communication of this District Grand Lodge was held at the Masonic Hall , Shanghai , on 22 nd September , when Bro . J . J . Miller District Grand Master was supported by a numerous body of District Grand Officers , Right Worshipful C . H . Dallas District

Grand Master of Japan , and representatives of the Royal Sussex Lodge 501 , Union 1951 , Northern Lodge of China 570 , Tuscan 1027 , Cosmopolitan 428 , Ancient Landmark ( Mass . Const . ) , Grand Masters 1 , St . Clair 362 , Victoria

1026 , and others . The Visitors having assembled in their respective places in the Lodge , the Right Worshipful acting District Grand Master , accompanied by Right Worshipful Bro . C . Thorne Past District Grand Master ,

the District Grand Master of Japan , and District Grand Officers entered , and was received in due form . The minutes of the January communication having been read and confirmed , the District Grand Master said he was

happy to inform the brethren that there had been nothing of importance to bring before the District Grand Lodge requiring their decision . The brethren of the different Lodges had worked with unanimity , and though it gave

the District Grand Lodge so little to do , yet it must be a source of pleasure for the brethren to know that the work of the District was carried on so harmoniously . He directed their attention to a letter which he had received

from the Grand Secretary ( Col . Shad well Gierke ) , con . ferriner upon him the powers held by the Right Worshi pful Bro . Thorne as to granting a dispensation for brethren to be raised at a shorter notice thnn the usual period , and

fnrthoremore pointing out that it was imperatively necessary that the date prescribed in the bye-laws of the Lodge for holding installation meetings must be rigidly adhered to , the Right Worshipful Grand Master having no power

to alter the Book of Constitutions . The District Grand Master in the chair explained that the same subject had come before the District Grand Lodge of Queensland , at their communication held on the 3 rd June last , and warned

the brethren that they could not be too strict in adhering to the dates in conferring degrees in their respective Lodges . He did not think it necessary to go into particulars as to what had been done with regard to the

proposed Masonic School , the scheme submitted by the Committee having been approved by a general meeting of all Masons . The different Lodges and other Masonic bodies had to confirm the votes alread y made by them ;

and he moved that a vote of 100 taels , passed at the last regular communication of the District Grand Lodge , be confirmed . The proposition was seconded by Bro . E . P . Lnlcaca , and carried unanimously .

The District Grand Master intimated that the new regalia agreed to be ordered had arrived , and he was pleased to say it was all in good condition . Bro . Spencer had added to the order sent b y forwarding two handsome banners , and

he had been communicated with on the subject . The bill for the whole was 270 taels , the cost of the banners being eighteen guineas . Some discussion took place as to

whether tho banners , should be kept or returned to Bro . Spencer , and on the motion of Bro . Thorne , seconded by Bro . Gubbay , it was decided that the banners be kept , and that the Treasurer be ordered to pay Bro . Spencer ' s bill .

An interesting incident then took place in the shape of the presentation of an address to Bro . Cornelius Thorne , who sent in his resignation at the Regular Communication on that day last year . It had been hoped that his

Royal Highness the Most Worshipful Grand Master would be pleased to request that Bro . Thorne should retain office as long as he remained on these shores ; but at the Regular Communication in January last , a letter was read from the

Grand Secretary , informing them that his Royal Hi ghness had accepted his resignation , with regret ; and conveying his thanks to Bro . Thorne for his services there . The brethren of the District Grand Lodge then unanimously

pa & ed a vote of thanks to him for his past services , which had been duly recorded on the minutes ; but they could not permit such services to be acknowledged only in a slight manner , and they drew up an address which he ( the speaker ) now presented to Bro . Thorne .

The address was to the effect that the brethren resident

within the District of Northern China , in view of his resignation of the hi gh office of District Grand Master , which for upwards of seven years he had filled with honour