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i K'j'mw ^ . tj u &^^ l p imuv-wvM ?** J ** g | g ^^^^ ^^^^ - " - .. " ¦ to ^^ s ^^ pSi ^ SATUEDAY , 7 TH MAY 1898 .

Prize Day At The Girls School.

PRIZE DAY AT THE GIRLS SCHOOL .

THE annual visitation of Stewards and distribution of prizes to the pupils of the Royal Masonic Institution for Girls will take place at the Institution at Battersea Rise , on Monday , 16 th inst ., when Lady Hanson has kindly promised to attend and make the presentations . The programme is of the usual character , commencing at 4 o ' clock

with calisthenic and marching exercises . After tea and refreshment , served at 5 o ' clock , the visitors will have an opportunity of inspecting the building , while at 6 o ' clock a selection of pianoforte and vocal music will be given by the

pupils , closing at . 7 * 30 with the National Anthem . Admission is by ticket , which may be had from Bro . F . R . W . Hedges Secretary of the Institution , at Freemasons' Hall , but , as usual , the supply is limited , so that Brethren or Ladies who desire to attend should make early application .

Church Service.

CHURCH SERVICE .

IN connection with the Centenary of the Royal Masonic Institution for Boys , the Worshipful Master of St . Martin ' s Lodge , No . 2455 , and Bro . the Rev . J . F . Kitto , M . A ., Chaplain to the Lodge , and vicar of St . Martin ' s

Church , Charing Cross , W . C ., have arranged for a Masonic Service to be held in tbe above Church on . Sunday , 15 th inst ., at 3 * 30 p . m . The sermon will be preached b y the Ven . Archdeacon of London P . G . C . The collection will be

devoted to the Centenary Fund of the R . M . I . B . The floor of the Church will be reserved for Brethren , and the gallery for ladies and friends of Brethren . Accommodation for Brethren to clothe will be provided in the Crypt of the Church , for which tickets will not be required . The Crypt

will be opened for Brethren at 3 p . m . It is hoped that a large number of Brethren will attend to support our Bro . the Ven . Archdeacon in his endeavours to assist ' this most deserving Institution .

It is very gratifying to hear from Lord Skelmersdale , who presided at the annuaFmeeting of the Provincial Grand Chapter of West Lancashire , that his father , the Earl of Lathom , has much improved in health , and that it is hoped

he will soon be seen again taking his place in the Craft . Whenever he does re-appear among us we feel sure he will receive such a sympathetic welcome as will convince him that his great services to the Craft are fully appreciated by its members .

In many quarters it is now regarded as a certainty of the near future that the office of Lord Chamberlain will be vacated by Lord Lathom Pro Grand Master of England and

chief of the Province of West Lancashire . His successor is already being quietly canvassed at Court , and it is believed that the post is very likely to fall to Lord Pembroke , whose office as Lord Steward would thereby become vacant .

The question of regularly admitting ladies to the banquets of the Upton Lodge , No . 1227 , will come on for discussion at the meeting to be held on Thursday next , at the Great Eastern Hotel , Liverpool Street , Bro . W . A . Bray S . W . of the Lodge having given notice of a motion to that

effect . Without in any way wishing to exclude our sisters from a fair share of the enjoyment of Freemasonry we are yet of opinion that to adopt such a proposal as is before this Lodge would be a mistake . Ladies doubtless enjoy an

occasional visit to the festive board of the Lodge , but it would be most injudicious to arrange for their regular attendance . As it . is not possible to admit them to the benefits of the Craft itself it is certainly undesirable to make

Church Service.

them permanently acquainted with what , after all , is the worst side of Freemasonry—the knife and fork degree . 000 The installation meeting of the Samson Lodge , No . 1668 , will be held on Tuesday next , 10 th inst ., at the Regent

Masonic Hall , Cafe Royal , Regent Street , on which occasion Bro . J . D . Hood is to be placed in the chair as successor to Bro . Geo . Levin W . M . The business of the day includes the balloting for and initiation of three candidates , at 5 o ' clock , and the installation at 5 * 45 . Banquet will be served at 7 o ' clock .

An interesting ceremony is arranged to take place at Stone ( Staffs ) , on the 16 th inst ., when a window which has been provided by the St . Michael Lodge , No . 2487 , will be unveiled in St . Michael ' s Church .

The consecration of the Wythenshawe Lodge , No . 2688 , will take place at the Tatton Arms Hotel , Northenden , on Saturday , 14 th inst ., at 3 p . m . The Rt . Hon . Earl Egerton of Tatton Prov . Grand Master will perform the ceremony of

Consecration , assisted by His Honour Judge Sir Horatio Lloyd Deputy Provincial Grand Master , Fredk . Broadsmith Prov . S . G . W ., John Armstrong Prov . J . G . W ., Rev . Chas . Hylton Stewart P . G . C , Richard Newhouse P . D . G . S . B .

P . G . S ., Col . Dean P . P . S . G . W ., H . J ackson P . P . J . G . W ., and H . Gordon Small P . P . G . W . P . G . D . C . The Officers designate are Bros . T . W . Markland Prov . G . Reg . W . M ., Mark Oliver S . W ., and John Rylance J . W . There will be a . banquet at the Hotel , at 5 * 30 p . m .

Elsewhere we refer at length to a proposal made by the Guardian Lodge , to give practical expression to the sympathy of the Craft with Bro . Ashby , who has severed his connection with the well known Masonic house the Ship and Turtle , in

Leadenhall Street , where he has held the position of Manager for very many years . The movement is in good hands , and we trust will result in such a tangible expression of goodwill

as shall evince to Bro . Ashby that he has won the esteem of his fellow Masons during his long official association with them .

It being proposed to create a Grand Mark Lodge for Victoria a meeting was called for the 22 nd February last , to receive reports of different Committees , which had been appointed to consider the revision of the Constitution , the basis of union , and the question of ways and means .

A Masonic choral service , arranged by a Victorian Lodge for a recent Sunday , had to be abandoned for the time being , in consequence of the prevalance of Bush fires in the district .

It is often said that we who are accustomed to enjoy our Masonry in the " old country " have no idea of the working of the Brotherhood in our far-off possessions , and here is an instance .

To mark the completion of Bro . Murray Lyon ' s twentyfirst year of office as Grand Secretary of Scotland the Grand Master of that Constitution proposed that some steps should be taken to secure a public recognition of his worth , and of

the high regard the Craft entertained for him personally , suggesting an address from Grand Lodge , expressive of its confidence and respect , and thanks for his valuable services during the last twenty-one years , together with a silver tea

and coffee service for his wife , and a substantial token of regard for Bro . Lyon himself . These suggestions were endorsed by Grand Lodge , and an immediate decision arrived at to recommend a grant of one hundred guineas

from Grand Lodge funds for the testimonial . Remembering the position of Freemasonry in Scotland at the time Bro . Murray Lyon was elected to office , comparing it with what it is now , and bearing in mind all that the Grand Secretary

has done to bring about the improvement , we can but endorse the sentiments of our Scottish friends , and express the hope that the testimonial may be made worthy of the occasion ,

and that Bro . Lyon and his wife may live for many years further to enjoy the confidence and respect of the Scottish Brotherhood .