An Outside Opinion.

its soothing ministries and its kindly charities , only Masons are not allowed to speak of those things . Masonry constitutes a great social bond . A Mason must be loyal to the institutions of his country , and to the powers that are set in authority over him . We may note how , in recent demonstrations , Masonry is one of the great stays of the English throne . The middle classes of the

country are perhaps the most conservative—we use the word in its natural and not in its political sense—of any other classes or sections into which our complex society is divided . It is this class that furnishes mostly the membership of the between two and three thousand Mason ' s Lodges in England . We notice that a recent writer speaks of Masonry as furnishing a temptation to

the young men who enter its ranks . The fact is , there are very few young men Masons , for the latter are mainly men approaching or receding from the term we call " middle life . " Of course there are persons who fall below the ideals of their Craft , as there are thousands who try in every possible way to exemplify them . This is no more an argument against Freemasonry than it

is against Christianity . The Brotherhood must be judged by its own principles and laws , and not by any want of loyalty on the part of some few persons who should , but fail to be , true exponents of them . Those who know really what the Order is and what it inculcates realise how unnecessary is any eulogium on its high objects and aims . — " Lancashire Express . "

Church Service.

CHURCH SERVICE .

TO celebrate the Diamond Jubilee of Her Majesty ' s glorious reign , a Service for Freemasons will be holden ( by permission of Brother the Eev . W . H . Langhorne , Vicar of Walthamstow , Chaplain Shurmur Lodge , No . 2374 ) at the Parish Church , St . Mary ' s , Walthamstow , on Sunday , 18 th inst ., at 3 . 30 p . m . Dispensations have been obtained from the Grand Master allowing Brethren to appear in Craft or Eoyal Arch Clothing ( Collars , Sashes , Aprons , and Jewels only to be worn ) .

Very Worshipful Brother the Venerable Archdeacon Stevens , M . A ., F . S . A ., Past Grand Chaplain of England , will deliver an Oration on the Principles of Freemasonry . The musical arrangements will be under the direction of Mr . J . J . Pearson , Choir Master , St . Mary ' s , Walthamstow .

The Brethren will be admitted on production of their Badges , and assemble in the Ancient Grammar School on the north side of the Churchyard , at 3 p . m ., the procession being formed at 3 * 15 p . m . sharp . A gold and silver collection will be made during the service , and the offertory will be devoted to the

Church Dilapidation Fund . In order that the offertory may be in no way impaired , it has been determined that the sum of 5 s be contributed by each Member of the Committee , to defray the necessary expenses . Should the amount thus subscribed exceed the expenditure , the surplus will be added to the offertory .

To enable the Directors of Ceremonies to arrange the procession , it is particularly requested that all Brethren notify whether they will appear in Craft or E . A Clothing . Ladies and non-Masons will be admitted by tickets , obtainable only of members of the Committee , the President of which is Bro . Wm . Shurmur P . M . 2374 PastG . Std . B . England , who is the Churchwarden of St . Mary ' s .

The Dalhousie Lodge of Instruction , No . 865 holds its meetings every Monday evening , at the Town Hall Tavern , High Street , Kensington , which establishment is under the able management of Bro . Henry Eobinson , and deserves the support of Brethren of the neighbourhood .

Several items of interest are held over owing to pressure on our space .

FETE AT OXFORD . A MUSICAL fete was given by the members of the Apollo University Lodge in the gardens of Wadham College , Oxford , by permission of the Warden and Fellows . The band of the 2 nd Wiltshire Regiment played selections during the afternoon , whilst glees , madrigals , and part songs were contributed by the Rammer Glee Quartette , under the direction of Mr . E . Jackson , of New College . The arrangements were carried out b y a strong committee . About 800 attended , the company including a very large number of distinguished visitors .

AFTER providing for the amortization of leases , depreciation of plant , sinking fund for the redemption of Debentures , the payment of Debenture interest , and carrying £ 13 , 500 to reserve for amortization of leases in advance , the report of Spiers and Pond Limited recommends the payment of a dividend of 10 per cent ., less income tax , for the year ending the 31 st March 1897 , leaving £ 10 , 288 17 s 9 d to be carried forward to next year . The warrants will be posted on tbe 17 th July . The share transfer books are closed from the 28 th June to the 12 th July both inclusive .

Reports Of Meetings.

REPORTS OF MEETINGS .

We shall be pleased to receive particulars of Masonic meetings for insertion in our columns , and where desired will endeavour to send a representative to report Lodge or other proceedings .

CRAFT : METROPOLITAN ,

UPTON LODGE , No . 1227 . THE election meeting of this excellent Lodge was held on Thursday , at the Great Eastern Hotel , Liverpool Street , E . G ., when Bro . George Albert Peters W . M . presided , and was assisted by his Officers : Bros . J . M . Jeffery I . P . M ., Henry Hyde S . W ., W . A . Bray J . W ., Charles Gieseke P . M . Treasurer , Charles John "Free P . M . Secietary , W . J . Carroll acting S . D ., A . A . Butcher J . D ., and H . J . Rowberry I . G-., also Past Masters Samuel Toye , John Stroud , Charles Schmidt , Edwin Hill , Bros . John Bell , Alfred V . Noble , J . Baker , Robert S . Chapman , W . T . Hustwayte , John Angles , Frederick William Ward , G . W . Platman , and E . Buckley .

Visitors : John Songhurst P . M . 227 , 3 . H . Prankestein 12 ( Sydney , N . S . W . ) , J . G . Twinn P . M . and Secretary 1306 , and Orlton Cooper P . M . 211 After the minutes of the last regular Lodge meeting , in May , had been read and confirmed , the ballot was taken for the admission of Messrs . Oliver Greenland , David Sasserath , and William Edward Greenhouse , which proved

unanimous in their favour . These gentlemen being in attendance were properly prepared and subsequently received the light of Freemasonry at the hands of the Worshipful Master . Bros . Theodore Martin , Ernest Claude Holmes , and Joseph William Holmes , candidates for the second degree , proved their proficiency in a highly satisfactory manner , and were duly passed as Craftsmen .

Both the ceremonies were performed by Bro . Peters in his usual careful manner , and he must certainly be congratulated upon having had such a successful year of office , now drawing to a close , for at nearly every meeting he has had Initiates , and yet leaves s > ome work over for his successor . The event of the evening was naturally the election of a Worshipful Master for the ensuing year , and much satisfaction was expressed when the choice of the brethren fell upon Bro . Henry Hyde Senior Warden , who was

unanimously elected to that distinguished position . Bro . Charles Gieseke P . M . was re-elected to the post of Treasurer of the Lodge , and Bro . Thomas Bowler was re-appointed the Tyler . The result was officially announced to the brethren concerned , each of whom acknowledged the honour conferred . Bros . John Bell and John Baker were elected as the Auditors of the

Accounts , which duty would have to be performed previous to the incoming of the new Master . Bro . Chas . John Free P . M ., the genial but astute Secretary , threw out the hint that this meeting closed their financial year , and that in making up his returns for Grand Lodge he hoped no Brother would be reported in arrears with his subscription . The Bye-laws of the Lodge were read by the Secretary .

A Past Master s jewel was voted from the funds of the Lodge for presentation to Bro . Peters , at the termination of his year of office , in recognition of his services as Master . As a mark of the appreciation of the services rendered by Bro . Gieseke as Treasurer for the past twelve years , it was proposed by Bro . C . J . Free that he be made an Honorary Member of the Lodge . This was seconded , supported by nearly all the Past Masters , and carried unanimously by the Brethren .

This concluded the business of the evening . The Master received the hearty good wishes of the Brethren , the closing hymn was sung , the Lodge was closed in due form , and the Brethren adjourned to supper , after which an enjoyable hour was spent .

HAMPSTEAD LODGE , No . 2408 . THE W . M ., Officers , and Brethren are to be heartily congratulated upon the complete success which attended thoir meeting on Tuesday , 29 th ult ., at the Vestry Hall , Haverstook Hill . The Lodge had determined that the celebration of the Queen ' s Diamond Jubilee should not pass without a special effort on its part to commemorate the event in a thoroughly fitting manner , and an emergency meeting was arranged , early in the afternoon , for the transaction of Masonic business , amongst which was the raising of Bros . F . Harcourt Gervis and Charles Robert Lowe .

The Lodge had obtained from tbe Grand Master a dispensation to wear full Masonic clothing and regalia at the banquet which followed the Lodge meeting , and at which a brilliant gathering of ladies added to the charming picturesqueness of the scene . At 7 * 30 the W . M . Bro . Fred . H . Gervis commenced to receive the guests , and until eight o ' clock there was a continuous

stream of ladies , relatives and friends of the members of the Lodge , in response to the invitations which had been sent to them . The W . M . was supported by his Wardens Bros . G . Titus Barham and Robert Cromwell Edwards , and in the reception room were gathered other Officers of the Lodge .

Grand Lodge of England was represented by Bros . Plumb and Kentish . The non-Masonic brotherhood was represented , by special invitation , by Mr . George Barham , Mr . Charles Johnston , Mr . John Hayns , and others . To further commemorate the event each member of the Lodge will receive the special Jubilee medal , the design of which H . R . H . the Grand Master has approved , and at the banquet each lady was presented with a very handsome cut-glass bottle filled with scent , and enclosed in a pretty light blue case bearing a suitable commemorative inscription .

At eight o ' clock the whole company , numbering close upon one hundred , passed from the reception-room to the large hall . The principal staircase had been handsomely decorated with choice plants and flowers , and the hall was most tastefully laid out for dinner , which was admirably served . The ladies evinced some little astonishment at the Masonic health proposing which prevailed during the evening , and were very anxious in their inquiries why some of the Brethren wore dark blue and some light blue clothing , and

as to the meaning of this and that Masonic jewel , while some more penetrative questions were also put to the Brethren , who answered with the candour customary on such occasions . Perhaps the least satisfactory of these replies was that attempted to the friendly criticism of a lady , who quietly remarked on the fact of the Masonic world being made up of brethren without any " sisters . " The first toast proposed by thc W . M . was Her Most Gracious Majesty ,