Instruction.

Stokes is simply letter perfect in his rendering of all the ceremonies . Bro . Richards must be complimented on the impressive way in which he gave the three addresses . Bro . Heath resumed the chair , and Bro . Stokes having proved his efficiency the Lodge was resumed to the second degree and the passing ceremony was gone through .

Bro . Binfield was elected W . M . for the next meeting , and Bros . Richards , Dalton and Phillips , of the Ranelagh , and Bro . H . J . West of the Woodgrange Lodge , were elected members . A vote of thanks was passed to Bro . Richards for his courtesy in attending , and Bro . Arthur Williams paid him a compliment by saying he had never heard the ceremonies better rendered .

PROVINCIAL . — : o : —

Lodge of Integrity , No . 163 . IN consequence of an unusual amount of work being due at the last meeting , 27 th ult ., the members were summoned at an early hour of the day ; still there was an exceptionally good attendance of Brethren .

After the reading and confirmation of minutes , Bros . Alfred Assheton Haigh and Henry Septimus Haigh were passed to the degree of F . C . by Bro . Robert Race Worshipful Master , a similar service being performed towards Bro . John Sydney Haigh by Bro . Edward Webb P . M .

These ceremonies were followed by the raising to the sublime degree of Bros . Joseph Allen and Julian Tilley Bee , the former being performed by Bro . John Studd P . M . P . P . G . D ., and the latter by the W . M . Bro . Race presented and explained the working tools in both degrees . At the festive board , Brother Studd proposed the health of the candidates , who responded .

Bro . Hy . E . Massie P . M . 1459 Senior Warden introduced the toast of the W . M . in glowing terms , and took the opportunity of referring to the very great interest which Bro . Race had always evinced in matters Masonic The W . M . responded in a somewhat lengthy speech , and introduced to the notice of the Brethren what was described on the summons as " a subject of special importance . " He explained in a

very interesting manner the object of the local Charities , and made an eloquent and impassioned appeal to the Brethren on behalf of the same . Personally he intended to qualify as a Steward and Life Governor in connection with the June Festival , and he sincerely hoped that every member of the Lodge would be in evidence as a subscriber to the funds , even if he did not go so far as to reach a Life Governorship .

Centurion Lodge , No . 232 2 . THE last meeting of the present session was held at the Victoria Hotel , Manchester , on Monday , 1 st inst ., Bro . Capt . Peter Nightingale W . M . After the reading and confirmation of minutes , Bro . Reginald Brooke Lilly was passed to the degree of F . C . by the Worshipful Master .

Following the business of the Lodge was the usual festive board , a fair number of members and visitors being in attendance , among whom were Bros . Surg .-Lieut . J . Turville Smith J . W ., Col . J . Howartb Clark , J . P ., Treas . P . M . P . P . G . D ., Major Fred . Pratt P . M . Sec , Capt . J . E . R . Hall S . D . , Lieut . Arthur S . Pearce Std ., Colonel

Tohn Eaton P . M . P . P . G . S . ofW . P . P . G . T ., Colonel Henry L . Rocca P . M . P . P . G . J . D ., Major George Kershaw P . M ., Major T . W . Ashworth P . M ., Capt . J . A . Kirkland . Visitors : Bros . Samuel Newton P . M . 430 Prov . J . G . D ., J . W . Pollitt W . M . 430 , J . B . Pownall P . M . 430 ( Mayor of Ashton-under-Lyne ) , W . A . Wilkinson I . G . 430 , and others .

The next meeting will take place on Monday , 7 th October . » » » Minnehaha Minstrel Lodge , No . 2363 . THE regular meeting was held at the Victoria Hotel , Manchester , on Monday , 25 th ult ., Bro . S . Harold Stubbs Worshipful Master , the principal business of the evening being that of balloting for Bro . Frank Septimus Rhodes , Solicitor , St . John Lodge , No . 325 . The ballot was successful .

A supper followed Lodge business , which in turn was succeeded by the festive board , where Loyal and Masonic toasts were pleasantly relieved with songs , recitations , & c , contributed by Bros . F . Todd S . W ., W . H . Purdy Org ., Edwyn A . Smith P . M . P . P . G . A . D . C ., the brothers Beswick , Edward Roberts P . M . Prov . G . Tlr .,- Chapman , Howard , and others .

ENTERTAINMENT NOTES . Comedy — "Count Tezma , " by Mr . Homer , the play with which Mr . Forbes Robertson will open this theatre on Saturday , 20 th inst ., is a romantic play in three acts , the action of which is laid in an imaginary province called Dalmania . The first act takes place in the castle of one Baron Festeron , in the mountains of

Dalmania . The second is laid in Count Tezma ' s military quarters at the Palace of the Prince of Dalmania , and the final act in a villa of Count Tezma ' s . Mr . Forbes Robertson appears in the title role , and his wife , Miss Gertrude Elliott , will appear as the heroine ( Ilona , niece of Baron Festeron ) . The general management continues in the hands of

Mr . Robertson ' s Manager , Mr . Wilfred Cotton , and the Business Manager and Secretary will be Mr . J . E . Vedrenne ^ who hri < = been for some time associated with the Comedy Theatre . ' Rehcarsah of the piece are taking place this week at Cardiff , where Mr . Robertson is appearing at the Theatre Royal , in a repertoire of plays including " Hamlet , " and the " Sacrament of Judas . "

Masonic Consecration Ode.*

MASONIC CONSECRATION ODE . *

WRITTEN by special request of the Founders of the Defence Lodge , Calcutta , to be consecrated in April 1901 ; by BRO . DR . CHARLES FORSHAW , M . S . A ., Fellow of the Royal Society of Literature , Fellow of me Royal Historical Society , & c . Ye Brethren of the Mystic Tie

Who live for purpose pure and high ; Who dauntless , noble and erect Love , fear and trust Heaven ' s Architect ; Who . work and labour day by day To drive some carking care away ; Whose aim in life—an aim thrice

blest—Is following the Divine behest ; Who walk the ways of Truth and Right Where Darkness giveth place to Light : Who' speak for Wisdom , and imbued With Prudence , Temperance , Fortitude , Can ease the poor-forlorn , in grief By whispering words which give

Relief—Words which are fluent with the Free Words based on Love and Charity ! Ye Brethren—' tis to you I speak , Whose very strength sustains the weak , Whose actions show such lessons true Such witness to the White and Blue , That all the world example finds And seeks the Tie that frees , yet binds 1

To ye on this eventful day I dedicate this heartfelt lay ; And should my lines to you impart More reverence for our Royal Art , Should they—Most High O aid me still—Show more of God ' s most Holy Will , And showing , make you love the more

The Great Creator we adore , Then should I say my humble strain Has not been writ for you in vain , And to the Giver of all Good Whence emanates the Brotherhood Once more I'll bend the willing knee , And thank Him for Freemasonry !

As Craftsmen be ye Just and Fair , Acting to all , " Upon the Square "; Let Truth for ever foremost shine , And Faith and Hope and Love combine , To lead where Mercy ' s hallowed ray Shows Justice pointing out the way ,

Remembering One will still provide , And prove . a . Friend when foes deride—Relief He'il give when men chastise , He'll succour , soothe and sympathise , And pour the vials of His love When Faith uplifts the heart above .

O never harbour thoughts of wrong Our Mystic Tie is broad and strong , And still Fraternal hands extend To any who would hail you Friend ! Still make some wanderer's soul rejoice , Led to the path by reason's voice ,

Mindful that our Masonic ways Are Highest Heaven's reflected rays , That , as life's devious streets are trod We never lose our Trust in God—Owning Him first , we then shall be Of His Great Guild for ever Free !

And ye who ' ve formed this Lodge " Defence , " Still look to His Omnipotence—Your Country ' s cause and King defend , Not force of arms alone befriend , Befriend the honour of your name , Loud let your works and ways proclaim

That slander s envious tongue is dumb , That nothing servile here can come , That e ' en as all are in God's sight Of equal rank if wrong they fight So meet ye here as Brothers true , With manliness to dare and do .

So that when Life ' s brief warfare s o ' er , Ye gather on that farther shore , The good fight fought , the battle won , You hear the Father's glad "Well Done" ! And joining all the ransomed blest ,

You enter His Eternal Rest , Your Labour o'er , earth ' s cross laid down , Your wages paid—A Heavenly Crown—A full reward for Victory—I fervent pray—So MOTE IT BE !

48 Hanover Square , Bradford , 24 th March 1901 .

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