Church Services.

CHURCH SERVICES .

SOUTH London Masons were invited to a special service on Friday , 22 nd ulb ., at St . Luke ' s , Camberwell , the church of which Bro . Rev . H . B . Chapman is vicar . The response was not so satisfactory as had been hoped for by those of the Craft who promoted and arranged for the service , and the measure of

success attending it was not so striking as that some months since at Dulwich . The unique service was , nevertheless , much appreciated by those who participated in it ; and it is not improbable that it will be repeated at a date which will , possibly , be more convenient for a larger number of the Craft .

Mr . W . J . Steel , the organist of the church , rendered valuable assistance as musical director , as did Mr . W . E . Clifford , the parochial secretary , in the details of the arrangements . A dispensation had been granted to the Brethren to appear in Craft clothing , while a limited number of ladies of non-Masons were admitted by ticket .

Bro . Eev . H . B . Chapman , who is Prov . G . Chap . Middlesex and Chap , of Cama Lodge , No . 2105 , conducted the service . The selected psalms , which were chanted by the choir , were cviii and cix , while the catholicity of Masonry was exemplified

by the fact that Bro . Rev . P . Henderson Aitken , M . A . ( of St James's Church of Scotland , East Dulwich ) , who is also Prov Grand Chaplain of Middlesex , read the first lesson .

The sermon was preached by Bro . Eev . H . B . Chapman , who discoursed eloquently upon the words of I . Kings vi . 7 , an appropriate text for a Masonic service . The Eev . gentleman displayed considerable erudition in Masonic history , in dealing fully with the accuracy of the

description supplied by the text , enlarging upon the silence with which the temple was built , the beauty of its altar , and the purpose of its dedication . It was , speaking Masonically , an instructive discourse . The offertory was divided equally between Masonic charities and the poor of St . Luke ' s parish . — " South London Press . "

ooo ON Sunday , 24 th ult ., a Masonic festival service , under the auspices of the Highgate Lodge , No . 1366 , was held at Highbury-quadrant Church . The spacious church was crowded . The ceremony was under the direction of Bro . James Terry P . G . S . B . England , first Master and Founder of the Highgate Lodge , Secretary to the Eoyal Masonic Benevolent Institution .

The organist and musical director was Bro . Arthur Briscoe P . P . G . O . Surrey P . M . Mozart Lodge , No . 1929 , Org . 1366 , 2470 , organist and musical director of the church , and of the Crystal Palace festivals .

At 6 * 15 the members of the Craft , wearing full regalia , entered the church at the west , and to the strains of the processional hymn ( tune " Fidelity , " Arthur Briscoe ) , filed to the east entrance , and passing the main door , proceeded up the centre aisle , and took seats in the body of the building .

The Eev . J . Dawson explained that the collection that night would be in aid of a debt on the church building . At the beginning of last autumn side galleries were erected in the church , and a debt of £ 2 , 000 remained on the building . Since that time , an

increased attendance had justified the enlargement . He welcomed the members of the Craft who , inspired by generous motives , had attended that service , to assist in the cause of religion That was an unique occasion , and he hoped the response from the congregation would be a liberal one .

The preacher based an eloquent discourse upon Ephesians iv ., 25 " Wherefore , putting away lying , speak every man truth with his neighbour : for we are members one of another . " He enlarged upon the impossibility of independent action , and referring to the influence the thinkers of the past exercised upon

the world to-day , mentioned that many men oi eminence had drawn inspirations from the writings of Carlyle . It was impossible to gauge the effect of Carlyle ' s writings upon character and conduct . Mr . Dawson dealt with the genesis of Freemasonry , its growth , and principles . In emphasising the truth of the

phrase " We are members one of another , " the preacher spoke of the recent outbreak of scarlet fever in London , which was said to have arisen through the negligence of certain sanitary authorities in Derbyshire . They had perhaps never seen that village in Derbyshire or heard of it before , but it was just as much

a part of London as was that district . Its pastures contributed towards the necessities of this vast city , and owing to an almost criminal carelessness 300 homes in that neighbourhood were sanctuaries of sorrow , and to-morrow might be temples of death . When the great metropolis was wrapped in sleep there would be

in that district 300 chambers of suffering , each a source of anxiety to those who were watching the progress or decline of the disease . Touching upon the importance of charity , the

preacher said they who sent out missionaries to convert the Buddhists must learn that it was the duty of Christians not to bave a perfect creed , but to practise a perfect charity . The people of to-day in all parts of the world suffered by reason of

Church Services.

the mis-rule of the governors of earlier times . Another reference made by the rev . gentleman was to the County Council election , the following Saturday . He said they would in a week's time have an opportunity of helping to give that civic life and those privileges which were the heritage of the people who lived in the

largest city in the world . He did not wish them to misunderstand him , and he did not wish them to think he advocated the cause of party politics . In that church he had nothing to do with politics ; still less with party politics . But it was his duty to deslare that our theories of Brotherhood must be tested by the

test of action , and in no direction were they likely to be tested more critically than in the question of what sort of London we meant to build up for ourselves and for our children . Freemasons in mediaeval times built cathedrals and built them nobly , because they built them as in the sight of God ; the people of

to-day were builders of edifices more splendid and imperishable than cathedrals . To build churches and temples was good , for in them Divine truths were taught , and right and noble things were disseminated ; but there was another temple not built with hands whose stones were the living stones that were truly

consecrated to the service of humanity . They were each building for themselves the temple of character . To-day and yesterday were the blocks with which they built . They were building the structure of society , which rose slowly around them in beauty or deformity according as they worked wisely and generously , or with narrowness of aim and meanness of achievement .

As the Brethren left the church a vigorous rendering was given to the " Hallelujah Chorus . " In addition to organ accompaniment the members of the London Military Band , conducted by Bro . Warwick Williams , rendered excellent service . The Rev . W . J . D & wsoxv afterviaiids addressed a few words of

thanks to the members of the Craft in the School-room . He said that was the first time a Masonic Festival had been held in a Nonconformist place of worship . It was a matter of satisfaction to him to know that the members of the Craft were practising from day to day that charity which was the basis of the Christian Religion . —" Islington Gazette . "

A number of the leading authorities of the age are quoted as among the contributors to Messrs . Cassell and Co . ' s new illustrated serial work " Battles of the Nineteenth Century , " Part I . of which was issued on the 25 th ult . The following amongst other leading artists will furnish illustrations to the work : —R . Caton' Woodville , W . B . Wollen , R . I ., J . Le Blant , Sidney Paget , Wal Paget , 3 . Finnemore , A . Pearse , Frank Feller , and Paul Hardy .

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PAITOMIME SEASON . THE GAIETY RESTAURANT Adjoins THE GAIETY THEATEE , and is quite close to THE LYCEUM , DKUBY LANE , COVENT GAEDEN , THE GLOBE , THE OPEBA COMIQUE , THE STEAND , THE ADELPHI , THE VAUDEVILLE , TERRY ' , TOOLE ' , & C , & c . FOR MATINEES — BEFORE THE PERFORMANCE . Hot Luncheons at popular prices in the EESTAUEANT ( 1 st floor ) . Chops , Steaks , Kidneys and all Grills in the GEILL EOOM . AFTER THE PERFORMANCE . Dinners 3 / 6 , 5 / -, and a la Carte in the RESTAURANT ( with band ) . Grills and Special Dishes in the GRILL ROOM . AFTERNOON TEAS IN THE RESTAURANT . FOR EVENINGS — BEFORE THE PERFORMANCE . Dinners 3 / 6 , 5 / -, and a la Carte in the RESTAURANT ( with Band ) . Grills and Special Dishes in the GRILL EOOM . AFTEE THE PEEFOEMANCE . Grills and Special Dishes in the GEILL EOOM until 12 * 30 . THE BAND PLAYS IN THE RESTAURANT FROM 6 TILL 8 P . M . PRIVATE D 1 EIKG ROOMS fOR LARGE AKD SMALL PARTIES . Proprietors , SPIERS & POND , LIMITED .