Church Services.

built the Boys and Girls Schools at Battersea Rise and Tottenham . In the latter part of the eighteenth century , the ancient Yoik Lodge of practical Masons put in a rival claim to be Grand Lodge , cr Supreme Authority . The schismatics were known by the reel colour of the Royal Arch Degree , the orthodox by the blue of St . John of Jerusalem . In 1813 , a Union was at last brought about by

the Queen ' s father , the Duke of Kent , by her uncle , the Duke of Sussex , and by the Duke of Athole , between the rival Grand Lodges of London and York ; they were henceforth known as the United Grand Lodge of England . Such is a brief sketch of the history of Masonry as known to the world , anrl it is a history of which we may well be proud . Brethren , it is well known that our fraternity is

famous for the celebration of the brotherhood of man , and for the cultivation of universal good-will . Whatever may be the case in foreign countries , in our own , Freemasonry has always gone hand in hand with religion . It has emphasised tho great Christian virtue of Brotherly kindness , uniting men of different ranks , and often opposite views , in mutual esteem ancl respect . It is impossible , in

a mixed audience , to particularise its moral aims ; it is sufficient to say that none who join it can fail to bo impressed for good . Too many are the derisions which separate us in many ways in the complex civilisation in which we live . The temper which you learn in our Graft you will do well to extend to all the children of the Divine Father of mankind . The proud look ,

the cold hand , the unfeeling heart , the angry tongue , the quarrelsome disposition , are altogether unfitting to those who have learnt the lessons of our association . Too little is thought in these our times of the fear of God . Much of our life seems spent without any reference to Him . The recollection of His presence alone can curb our wayward wills , ancl nerve us to high resolves and

wholesome activities . It is one of the glories of English Freemasonry that in all our ways wc acknowledge God . And thero is another thought I should wish to leave with you . In these days of universal hurry , we do not stop long enough to consider whether our words are wise and our actions well-considered . Dash and vigour , and the qualities that excite admiration and amusement are the most

popular—not the quiet ways of calm deliberation and serious thought . If any of us can by word or example increase the respect for wisdom ancl understanding , and make men desire those great gifts for themselves , we shall be conferring a benefit on the general character of society . " Happy is the man that findeth wisdom , and ho that getteth understanding ; for the merchandise of it is

better than thc merchandise of silver , and the gam thereof than fine gold . " Fidelity is another principle which cannot be too highly prized . We aro living in an age of restlessness , unsettlement and change . Principles are easily abandoned , and friends shaken off . The old virtue of faithfulness to our own convictions , and loyalty to our friends , is greatly to bo desired and honoured . Tho world is too

much given to gossip , and few indeed are ablo to hold their tongues , even about secret things , if they can raise a laugh . A talebearer revealeth secrets , but he that is of a faithful spirit concealeth tbe matter . A faithful man shall abound with blessings ; but he that maketh haste to bo rich shall not be innocent . The Lord preserveth the faithful . The verv fact that the secrets of Masonry are so well

kept is a perpetual witness to us of this high quality . Seriousness and dignity again greatly add , at fitting times and on proper occasions , to the impressiveness of life . Nothing is more tedioirs than tho perpetual jester . Every household should have its own little forms of courtesy and ceremony to smooth roughness and difficulties , and to banish insolence , rudeness , contempt , and

excessive familiarity . Lastly our Craft is by all the world accepted as an example of wise and well-thought almsgiving . There always will be misfortunes , miseries , and failures in the world . There always will be sickness , suffering , and poverty . Any institution which keeps our hearts warm towards the unhappy must earn the gratitude of mankind . It is not only in their own Schools and

Chanties that Masons are interested . They are inspired by a general spirit of benevolence towards all sound schemes of philanthropy . To-day your liberal and thankful alms are sought for the Victoria Park Hospital for Consumption . It has been doing a wonderful work for that melancholy affliction . In 1893 , it entertained 1 , 292 in-patients , and 16 , 976 outside attendants . Of the

inpatients , 113 came from Bromley , Bow , and Poplar ; of the outpatients 2 , 317 . The total number of patients that it has welcomed since its opening is no less than 27 , 737 ; the total of out-patients 250 , 781 . Its expenditure every year is over £ 11 , 000 . From Hospital Sunday and Saturday Funds it receives £ 4 , 500 ; so there is a yearly deficit of nearly £ 7 , 000 . It is now proposed to add to the Hospital

to meet the demands of an ever-increasing population , and to reconstruct the sanitary appliances ; that means that the additional sum wanted for the present year mounts up to £ 11 , 000 . There are other Hospitals rendering great benefits to the district ; that at Poplar for accidents , just now largely increased in accommodation , and opened by our Grand Master , and H . R . H . the Princess only

last week ; thc great London Hospital ; and that at Shadwell for children . Besides these , convalescent homes are needed for thc operatives employed at the various factories in this vast and crowded neighbourhood of the East of London . Truly , there is abundant field for the loving kindness and self-denial , not only of Masons , but of all the benevolent . But this £ 11 , 000 for the Victoria Park

Hospital for Consumption : will you not show to-day what Masons can do ? Will you not , as Masons , show your faith by your works ? Will you not , as members of that great and world-wide confraternity , let your light so shine before men that they may see your good works , ancl glorify your Father which is in heaven ? "He shall establish : " "In it is strength : '' those two ancient mystic sentences of the Mighty Craftsman , Hiram , have a message

for us which crosses the lorrg sequence of thc centuries . If all our works are begun , continued , and ended in the fear of God , He will indeed establish and secure them , and be their strength and their sure protection . " Establish Thou thc work of our hands upon us : yea , the work of our hands establish Thou it . " " Be Thou our strength every morning : our salvation also in the time of trouble ! " — " East London Observer . "

Reports Of Meetings.

KEPOETS OF MEETINGS .

PEOYINCIAL . PORTLAND LODGE , No . 637 . ri ^ HE Brethren of this Lodge held their usual monthly meeting _ L in the Lodge Room , Town Hall , Stoke-ou-Trcnt , on Thursday of last week . Considering that many of the Brethren had gone to support the Provincial Grand Master at Wolverhampton , an exceptionally large number of members turned up to support the Worshipful Master .

Tho Chair of K . S . was occupied by Bro . R . Williams W . M . and he was supported by Bros . T . R . Yoxall S . W ., E . Alsop J . W ., Tom Masters Secretary , E . Harding S . D ., C . Carter J . D . and about

twenty members of the Lodge , in addition to tire following Visiting Brethren : Bros . Chas F . Forshaw LL . D . 295 , 2417 ( FREEMASON ' S CHRONICLE ) , Thos . Tindalll 942 , R . J . Hall 418 , Edward Jones 418 , J . Copeland 1914 and Louis Taylor 2214 .

The Lodge was opened in due form , and Bro . Charles James Lamb was passed to the degree of F . C . by the W . M ., who also explained the tracing board peculiar to the degree , in a thoroughly

efherent manner . The Brethren having tendered hearty good wishes , the Lodge was closed and an adjournment made to the Copeland Arms Hotel , when refreshment followed labour according to ancient custom .

The usual Masonic toasts were given and responded to , that of the Visitors being replied to by Brothers Dr . Forshaw , Hall and Jones .

o o o MALLING ABBEY LODGE , No . 1063 . AT the Annual meeting , which took place at the Masonic Hall , West Mailing , Bro . Thomas Scott was installed Worshipful Master , in succession to Bro . H . M . Apps , who has carried out tho duties in a most able manner . There was a large attendance .

The retiring Past Master was presented with a Past Master's Jewel , as some recognition of the very able manner in which he had carried out the duties of his office . For a number of years Bro . Sidney Wilmot had acted as

Installing Master , and the members of the Lodge were anxious to show their appreciation of the great service he had rendered the Lodge . They consequently arranged to present him with a very handsome jewel , and an address setting forth the good services ho had done , both of which had been subscribed for by the members .

This was now presented to Bro . Wilmot , who feelingly acknowledged the unexpected kindness . The company adjourned to the Bear Hotel , where the installation banquet took place , under the presidency of Past Master Pope , the newly-elected Master not being able to attend , owing to the death of his mother . The usual Masonic toasts were afterwards honoured .

o o o WALTON LODGE , No . 1086 . THE members had a most enjoyable excursion on Thursday , 19 th ult ., to Ambleside . The party left in saloon carriages by special train from the Exchange Station , Liverpool , and arrived at Windermere about eleven o'clock . They drove in waggonettes to Ambleside , where they had lunch . The Worshipful Master Bro . John Millar presented , on behalf

of the Lodge , to Bro . Thomas Garratt Immediate Past Master , a casket containing a set of studs and solitaires , representing the various Degrees of the Order , specially designed and mado in fino gold . Bro . Garratt acknowledged the gift .

In the afternoon thc party enjoyed a walk amongst the hills and dales of that beautiful district . In the evening they dined together at tbe White Lion Hotel , under the presidency of Brother Millar , and returned to Liverpool about eleven o ' clock , all much gratified with their agreeable outing .

o o o - VALE OF BRISLINGTON LODGE , No . 1296 . ON Wednesday , 25 th ult ., at the Lodge Room , White Hart Inn , Brislington , Bro . C . J . Hill , the popular W . M . was re-installed as Master for the ensuing year by the Worshipful the D . P . G . M . of Somerset Bro . R . C . Else P . G . D . England . The W . M . afterwards appointed his Officers .

The Brethren subsequently dined together , under the genial presidency of the W . M .

o o o WHITWELL LODGE , No . 1390 . rpHE Annual Installation was held on Tuesday , 3 lst ult . Bro , JL T . J . C . Fox was installed as Master for the ensuing year by Bro . George Hill P . M . P . P . G . A . D . C , and Bro . H . Frarrkland Fox

P . M . P . P . G . S . There was a good attendance of Brethren from Barrow , Ulverston , Whitehaven , Egremont , & c . A banquet was held at the West County Hotel , a capital repast being provided by Mr . J . M . Coward . The usual Loyal and Masonic toasts were honoured