Presentation At Blackburn.

When he was a young Freemason he found the Brethren cared more about the jollities ' connected with the Craft than about its ' verities , but he noticed , as ye'ars went on , a great improvemerit in that respect . Therewas a greater regard- paid now to the high principles and duties of the Craft . Their own Lodge , he was pleased to think , occupied a high place in East Lancashire , and he need not tell them that East Lancashire occupied a foremost place

in Freemasonry in the whole country . When he became a Freemason there were not over one thousand Lodges , and it was at that time thought that the Order was progressing too fast , and that the numberof Charters should no ' t be ' extehdodr * It was like Mrs . Partington trying'tb' mop up the waves of the Atlantic , for now there ; we ' re over two thousand Lodges , and they exisjied

everywhere where the English race had settled throughout the world ; Bro . Thomas concluded by thanking them from the bottom of his heart , and he assured'them'he should value the ' cup' they had presented to him as a precious heirloom . The W . M . having read a letter from the Prov . G . M . Col . Stairkie , regretting his inability to he present , and paying a high compliment to Bro . Thomas , the proceedings concluded . — " Blackburn Standard . "

Ancient Masonry's Plan.

ANCIENT MASONRY'S PLAN .

nnHB degrees of Entered Apprentice , Fellow Graft , and Master Je - Mason contain a sublime system—a mysterious but efficacious-scheme of redemptive * M ' asdnry . All the workman at the ' building of Solomon ' s ' Temple were necessarily involved iii the terrible consequences of the great defalcation which occurred on the Mount . The- original promise' or covenant of the

Grand Masters could not be kept . A lawless act brought wailing and" lamentation upon the whole , body' of the Graft —those faithful Workmen- who had laboured long in the forests , in the quarries ) and on the Mount . They felt and mourned their destitute ' - condition . The power of' evil had

suddenly frustrated the designs of the mastery ; but , strange as it may seem , that which brought woe iritb-the temple ; afforded tbe means of establishing a new plan of Freemasonry , and its glad tidings were immediately communicated to a chosen few , who were clothed with ample authority to dispense the light to all nations , kindreds ; and tongue ' s . '

There is reason to think that , ere a stone , was laid in the first temple , a just and wise provision was made for the wants and necessities of the Craft ] Bestitutiori was to be made , a redemptive system was found necessary , and sinew covenant must needs be

found . All was not lost . A faint impression of Deity was left on fallen nature , and a cable , not easily broken , might be wound about sinful man , bywhich' he might be led , gently arid squarely , to the altar of light .

There is no iota of the Masonic ritual which is void of significance . A candidate for the mysteries may well be regarded in a state of darkness . He is not permitted- to know ; or comprehend with accuracy , the mode of his deliverance / until he has been raised to the intelligence of a Master . In studying the

first and second degrees , he may be enabled to perceive some intimations * or dirn prophecies of the mysteries of the third degree ; for the virtues of a lamented Master are veiled in the signs , steps , words , grips or ceremonies of the Order . In the institution of the temple worship , in the doctrines of the thrice- illustrious

builders , are couched the mysteries of life and death , of immortality and the resurrection . The typical furniture * of a Lodge ; the lambskin ever reminding us of an innocent victim ; the implements of labour ; the burning incense ; the sheaf of corn as the' sheaf bf light ; the winding and mystical staircase ; the plumb " ,

level and square ; in short , all forms , symbols and ceremonies are so nicely fitted together as to make the spirit of a devout Initiate or Fellow Graft beat with a lofty desire to roll away the" clouds of the elder appointments . Freemasonry has done'more to -unveil the meaning or unfold the promises of the Mosaic institution than any other society in the world .

We insist upon this proposition as incontrovertible . Ancient Craft Masonry shows on its face that it is a substituted system ; or in other words , a system which has taken the place of a system which existed before the temple era ; and that it is only through this system that a perfect plan was made to assure

the workmen of the benefit of their labour , and favour of the Masters at the completion of the temple . The third degree responds to tbe first and second degrees ; so that the three degrees seem to have : been constructed with a particular view

and without any- . accidental arrangement . They present ah entire system , and each item in the degrees of Entered Apprentice and Fellow Craft is fully explained in the third dispensation of light .- The third degree is illustrative of all that is obscure , and expository , of all that is symbolical .

The- origin of the signs of Ancient Masonry , with their accompanying words , cannot be traced to a period beyond the happening : of the event to which we have referred . Surely the signs of the Entered Apprentice and Fellow Craft are coeval with the Master ' s sign ; if otherwise , the history of the Master ' s degree is false .

An initiate , duly and truly prepared , presents a visible token of one in a lost condition . The alarm at the door of a Lodge tells something of a universal and Masonic foe . His mystic

Ancient Masonry's Plan.

journey is the way that a distinguished artist travelled before him , and every advanced step brings him nearer to the seat of knowledge . The instruments of labour , while they are used for the purpose of divesting our minds and consciences of the vices

of life , also indicate that we must die , ere we can be raised upon the points of fellowship . The high hill and low vale talketh also . If one die on the mountain , he may sleep at its foot , which is the throne of the thunder .

The' legend of the Master ' s degree teaches us that all mankind must come under the law and dominion of death . In this doctrine is involved the mysteries of the Order . Upon it rests the hope of a restoration . The penalty of the violated law was the administration of death ; but death has a most beautiful and excellent allusion to the mercy which is embodied in the

curse or , punishment of the first transgressors . When the ' Builder , for the last time , came forth from the majesty of his own council chamber he illustrated in his walk and conversation that he was every' way worthy of being a mediator for his workmen , and of . being able and willing to arrange a plan to make himself their surety .

Sin is around - and about us all . It meets us in the preparation rpom . In our sighs , shadows and symbols , it may be seen . It winds itself carefully about our bodies . It encounters us at the door of the Lodge ; conceals itself in our every footstep ; like a sharp instrument , it searches the inner man ; it' walketh with' us in darkness ; it is with us at every station , at the altar and in holy prayer .

When the-e ' vil spirit ' entered-the' temple , the unity of the work was disturbed , and the peace and harmony of the Craft were marred . . A sudden change passed upon them , and the mystery of evil and the principle of reconciliation were , from that day , to be celebrated in our Mysteries .

In the beginning there was a city , built four-square , perfect every way , on twelve foundations . Our patron , St . John the Evangelist ; in a vision beheld that city . Its immortal ashlars were laid in the cement of eternal love , that they might dwell together in unity . Its length was as great as its breadth ; its

symmetry as perfect as its structure ; its walls were of precious stones , and its" streets were of pure gold . The vision was full of mystery and of meaning , partly revealed , partly hidden , -and by hiding made even more'glorious and ' majestic . It sets before us the unity , multitude , perfection and glory of the followers of our

perfect and inspired Master , who drew the design of the temple —a beautiful type of an unseen house resting on Mount Zion . And wheresoever we may be , we know that there is a " Jerusalem above us , " " the mother of us all . "—Charles Seott , in " Voice of Masonry . "

The Theatres, &C.

The Theatres , & c .

Her Majesty ' s . —On Monday , 1 st November , The Silver Key . Acfelphi . —815 , Secret Service . Daly ' s . —8 * 15 , The Geisha ; A story of a Tea House . Matinee , Saturday , 2 * 30 . Vaudeville . —8 * 15 , Round a Tree . 9 , A Night out . Matinee , Wednesday , 3 . Prince of Wales ' s . —8 * 15 , La Poupee . Matinee , Saturday , 2 * 30 . Savoy—7-40 , Old Sarah . 8-20 , The Yeoman of the Guard . Matinee ,

Saturday , 2 * 30 . Gaiety . —8 , The Circus Girl . Terry ' s . —8 * 20 , The French Maid . Matinee , Wednesday , 2 * 30 . Comedy . —8 * 10 , A labour of Love , 9 , Saucy Sally . Matinee , Wednesday , 3 . Criterion . '—On Tuesday , The Sleeping ' -Partner . Garrick . —8 * 15 , In town .

Grand . —Next week , The Prisoner of Zenda . Princess ' s—7 *< 15 , Tommy Atkins . ' Parkhurst . —Next week , at 8 , The New Magdaline . A ' lhambra . —7 * 50 , Variety Entertainment . Fregoli , & c , & c . The Tzigane ^ Victoria and Merrie England . Cinematographe views of the Jubilee Procession .

Empire . —7 * 50 , Variety Entertainment . New Ballet , Monte Cristo , & c . Palace . —7 * 45 , Variety Entertainment , New American Biograph , & c . Tivoli . —7 * 30 , Variety Entertainment . Saturday , 2 * 30 also . Royal . —7 * 30 , Variety Company . Saturday , 2 * 30 . Egyptian Hall . —3 and 8 , Mr . J . N . Maskelyne ' s entertainment . Crystal Palace . —Varied attractions daily . Royal Aquarium . —Open , 10 a . m ., close 11 * 30 p . m . Constant Amusement .

Bro. A. George.

BRO . A . GEORGE .

The Alma , Westbourne Groite , W ., Has excellent accommodation for Lodges of Instruction .

Brethren wishing for fresh quarters or desirous of forming a new Lodge will find every convenience here , combined with comfort . Also Proprietor of " The Prince of Wales , " Hartford Street , Mile End ; and " The Woolsack , " Ida Street , Poplar , E .