Notices Of Meetings.

NOTICES OF MEETINGS .

CRAFT . —to : — CRYSTAL PALACE LODGE , No . 742 .

AT the annnal meeting of this Lodge held » t the Crystal Palace on Thursday , 3 rd inst ., Bro . Blott W . M . in tho chair , it was proposed by Bro . William Land P . M . Secretary ( in the unavoidable absence of the senior P . M . Bro . H . T . Thompson ) , seconded by Bro . George Weeks P . M . Treasurer , and unanimously resolved" That the Crystal Palace Lodge of Freemason ? , No . 742 , dt sire to

placo on record tbe extreme regret with which the members have received information of the death of Bro . Thomas Foxall Past Mast-r and Past Treasnrer of the Lodge , Life Governor and Past Steward of tbe several Masonio Charities , an earnest Freemason and a

faithful friend ; and the Secretary is hereby requested to express to tbe family of the deceased the deepest sympathy and sine in condolence of the Lodge in the irreparable loss they have so- r ' ued . " In accordance with the Lodge summons the brethren attuAd in Masonio mourning .

DUKE OF CORNWALL LODGE , No . 1839 .

AN emergency meeting was held last weok at Freemasons' Hall , under the presidency of Bro . John Culver W . M ., when Brothers Elithorn , Pannett and Bailey were raised , and Bros . Toon and King were passed .

Chiswick Lodge of Instruction , No . 2012 . —On Saturday , the 5 th inst ., at the Windsor Castle Hotel , Hammersmith , Eros . Eeid W . M ., Powell S . W ., Hide J . W ., M . Spiegel P . M . Secretary , Hillier S . D ., Fox J . D ., Gumming P . M . I . G ., A . Williams P . M . Preceptor j

Visitor—Bro . Bone . Tho ceremony of initiation was rehearsed , Bro . Bone candidate . The Preceptor worked the first and second sections of the lecture . Bro . Hillier ( Preceptor of the St . John ' s Lodge ) worked the third section . Bro . Powell was elected W . M . for next Saturday .

PICNIC OF THE TOWNLEY PARKER LODGE , No . 1063 ( MANCHESTER ) .

rPHE annual pic-nic of this Lodge took place on Wednesday tho 19 fch - ' ult ., the place selected being Matlock Bath . At an early hour of the morning , members anil friends to tho number of 52 , assembled on the platform of the Central station , where saloon can iages awaited to carry them to tho delightful Derbyshire resort . Alter passing Stockport , the journey becomes ona continual panorama of changing scenery , nnd as every requisite had been provided , which tho foresight

of tho officers could devise to M !< I to tho comfort of the party , it was to *> nme almost a matter of reg" t when the train drew np at the -Mullock station . A few minutes » u . k brought them to Tyack ' s New Bath Hotel , which boasts of grounds nearly twelve acres in extent , and as these are romantically hilly , and exceedingly picturesque , it will be conceeded that the selection of snch a place as this was a very

jndioions one . An excellent luncheon was provided at noon , after which varions parties were formed , and the many places of interest with which the locality abounds were visited . Some adventurous spirits explored the wonderful Cumberland and Speedwell caverns , the former of which is adorned with massive spar , and is described as " a perfect gem of cave

scenery , " the latter abounding in stalactites and stalagmites to be seen in conrse of formation ; some wandered on foot throngh the verdurous by-ways , and ascended the frowning and precipitous rocks ; while some were driven long distances into the country . One party drove to the historical Haddon Hall , a spot rendered interesting by the well-known story of Dorothy Vernon , and here a circumstance

occurred whioh is worthy of mention . It is customary for a lady guide to attend visitors to the Hall , she usually describing everything of note . On this occasion she bad treated the company to snch description , carefully explaining to what era the various objects belonged , when one of them , who was slightly inclined to facetionsness , seeing

a number of swallows passing over head , inquired , " and to what period do those birds belong ? " The lady , without evincing the slightest degree of pertnbation , immediately rejoined , " To the nineteenth century , sir , " a retort which was highly enjoyed by all who heard it .

At 5 p . m . dinner was provided at the hotel , and this was followed by the nsual Loyal and Masonio toasts . Bro . Godfrey Higham P . M . P . P . G . D . D . of C ., in proposing the health of Bro . George Parker W . M ., said that he did so with mingled feelings of diffi lence and pleasure . He paid a very flattering tribute to the worth and ability of the subject of his toast , and stated that it waa in his recollection

that Bro . Paikor had joined the Townley Parker Lodge , and it was also in his recollection that he had joined that useful institntion the Lodge of Instruction , with which so many of them were identified . Bro . Parker had been a ' regular attendant there , and upon a resumption of its meetings in September he would no doubt be equally diligent . It was owing to this fact that he was so perfect in the

ceremonial portion of Lodge work . In addition to the proof of ability given in his Lodge , he was like the man with the donkey , though in bis case the result was different , for the former in trying to please everybody , succeeded in pleasing nobody , whereas Bro . Farkor satisfied everybody , and displeased nobody . His suavity and geniality of disposition endeared him to all . If Bro . Parker had not

Notices Of Meetings.

accomplished that great task of surpassing his predec snnr " , Lo at least was not behind them , and at the expiration of his term of office , when he was relegated to the ranks of Past Master , his great abilities would still be recognised . Bro . Parker said ho thanked Bro . Higham for the kind expressions of praise he had bestowed upon him . If all he had told them were true , he must indeed be a

groat man . One thing he always tried to be exact iu : he did his dnty to the best of his ability . He apologised for the i . on-aitendance of Mrs . Parker , on acconnt of burglary at his hjuse , which misfortune had occurrod twice in ono week . He concluded by proposing the health of Bro . Joseph Selby I . P . M . Bro . Selby thanked those present for having drunk tbe toast so enthusiastically ,

and said that they ought to feel thankful having suoh a beautiful day . Certainly it had been slightly marred by dne or two showers , but they had not been of snob a nature as materially to interfere with tbeir airangement * . He spoke with pride of the flourishing condition of his Lodge , congratulating the members upon tbe fact of being able to bring ladies to participate in snch pleasures as those of tbat day .

He exhorted the brethren to be regular in attendance , and pointed ont how by diligence the mnch coveted chair of K . S . might be reached . From varions indications which he had received he gathered that he was expected to propose tho toast of the ladies , which task he entered npon with pleasure . He very becomingly eulogised them , stated that he was proud of their company , and invited them all to join tbeir next pic-nic . Mrs . Yates , whose late

hnsband had been a very earnest member of the Townley Parker Lodge , briefly and skilfully responded . The W . M . proposed the health of the Officers of the Lodge , whioh was replied to by Brothers Robert Lingard J . W ., Jamee Simister Secretary , and John Taylor Treasurer . ' At the close of the proceedings the company made the best of their way to the station for the retain journey , arriving in Manchester shortly after ten p . m .

The Latent Power Of Masonry.

THE LATENT POWER OF MASONRY .

THE tremendous latent power of Freemasonry , as a great actnating principle , by which human action may be wrought upon , is not fully comprehended by the individual . If we knew thafc two millions of men were sacredly banded for a war on any one object , armed with tho latest and best weapons and led by wise and

experienced generals , we would naturally presume that such an army would prove inviucible , and to it a succession of victories be a foregone conclusion . Such an army ia thafc of Freemasonry , but enlisted in the interests of peace and universal benevolence . There is a grand sublimity in

tlie thought thafc such a host of armed men are thus enlisted . Armed with the weapons of love to mankind and inspired by thafc reverence due tho F . tther of us all , should not victory over wrong be presumed to perch upon the

banners of the Craffc ? We cannot , afc a passing glance or thought , fully comprehend the possibilities of suoh a combined human force . If the old-time aphorism be correct , that " God and one are always in a majority , " then what must be the force when God and two millions of the

choicest of His sons aro united for the purpose of bringing fco pass that millenial time thafc

" Prophets and kings desired to see , But died without the sight . " A time in earth's history , when peace , virtue , and universal happiness should prevail . This is no Utopian impossibility . Man has within his grasp the making or

marring of his own happiness . To-day Freemasonry could say to fcho kings and rulers of earth : " Thou shalt nofc kill , " and war would cease . Because in fche ranks of this great Fraternity are listed a majority of the rulers of humanity . To-day Freemasonry could say to the church

of all denominations : " Ye be brethren , " and theological conflict would have an end , because in its ranks are found the great religious teachers . To-day Freemasonry could say to ambitious , aspiring politicians : " Thou shalt nofc !" and only fche good and true would seek and find the support of the various constituencies of earth and malfeasance in

office would bo an unknown incident . We do not contend that human perfection would ensue from such a state of affairs , but we do believe and insist thafc in such a banded and bonded association of men as is represented in

Freemasonry there exists a power which , if put into activity , could very largely eliminate from suffering humanity much of the occasions for unnecessary sorrow that to-day it labours under .

The mission of Freemasonry is to make the world better . It is not intended tbat to take the degrees and wear the jewels of the Craft should suffice . These men , the world

over , are obligated to do good , and if the good be nofc accomplished , then the force by which ifc could be lies dormant . Think of the latent forcp , brethren , by us all possessed . —American Tyler .