Light Of Ages.

of nature , of God , goes on ; ever onward and upward in his mind life , in the search after perfect light , for Truth most pnre . It is written that in the Garden of Eden were four rivers ; one going toward Havilah ( which means land of gold or of light , that is , high noon , or midsummer ) ; one toward Ethiopia ( which means mid night , or deep winter ); the third , toward the east of Assyria .

" And the fourth river is Euphrates , ( which means west ) . This is evidently an allegorical picture of the earth in relation to the day and the year . Among different men , and with diverse peoples , these images of the sun at four distinct points , in course of time , came to be regarded as so many independent individualities . Being placed oppositely ,

they were considered antagonists ; hence the midday snn was enemy to him of midnight ; morning and evening were hostile to each other , They became , likewise , four kings . Then followed , in human imagin . ation , all the hosts which may be supposed to constitute the courts of monarchs , or may be used to represent the various qualities with whioh man felt himself endowed ; and these formed the armies of

Paradise and of Pluto's regions . They fought , and there were " wars in Heaven , " on earth and in Hades . Illustrations of this may be found in Homer , Virgil , Dante and Milton . The ancient astronomical plan also showed midsummer as a beauti . ful woman at the high point , where were knowledge and power ; in the heavens where the gods were supposed to dwell , according to the

religious systems of ancient and modern times . The bearded man was at the opposite point . Thus in Adam and Eve this idea is presented . The woman invites the man to come up—to approach the tree of knowledge . In their union is typified the seed-time of spring . The year passes on . Autumn comes with its fruitfulness ; and later , winter , when earth , in the northern hemisphere , loses its warmth

and verdure . From these occurrences arise the thoughts of nakedness , shame , sin , and the curse of transgression , but the promise of new life is given , and fulfilled with the returning year . From this imagery has growu a host of theogonies . Adam , thus typifying the sun , is made to grow old , and to go down into the valley of death , but , even as the sun , he goes ou , passes through the

place of departed spirits , is raised , resurrected , to a new life , appears as the new Adam , and again ascends the heavens as the victorious god of day—the lord of all . In the "Book of the Law" it is written , ' •He placed at the East of the Garden of Eden cherubim and a flaming sword , whioh turned every way to keep the way of the tree of life . " Is not this a type of the sun that gives light to the world .

which drives away darkness r In the moral world , by this we may see typified the sword of justice , both human and divine . In the same manner may be symbolized speech , " sharper than a two-edged sword , " whioh is powerful to search out and spread abroad the light itself—Truth . ( To be continued ) .

Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution.

ROYAL MASONIC BENEVOLENT INSTITUTION .

THE general Committee of this Institution held their monthly meeting at Freemasons' Hall , on Wednesday , the 13 th inst ., when there were present Bros . Col . Creaton Past Grand Treasurer , in the chair ; John H . Leggott , John D . Allcroft , John Bullmer , H . B . Marshall , C . G . Dilley , T . W . C . Bush , G . Bolton , Jas . Brett , W . H . Goodall , Edgar Bowyer , Wm . Stephens , A . H . Tattershall , Wra .

Clarke , Henry Moore , Louis Stean , Charles Lacey , C . H . Webb , Wm . March , E . C . Massey , Thomas Cubitt , Charles Belton , L . Robbins , Julius Qnitmann , Wm . F . Nettleship , J . Hastings Miller , G . L . Moore , Jas . Terry Secretary , & c . The minutes of the meeting of 9 th January were read and verified . The death of four annuitants was reported ; also of one candidate , who died suddenly on receipt of official

information that his name had been placed on the list of candidates . Tbe report of the Warden stated that Bro . Cutbush had sent a present of standard rose trees for the gardens of the Institntion at Croydon , and that Dr . Strong and some of his friends had given a musical evening to the inmates of the Institution on the occasion of the Warden attaining the aga of 94 . A vote of thanks to Bro . Allcroft for

consenting to preside at the next Annnal Festival was passed by acclamaation . The Chairman was authorised to sign cheques , for annuities , salaries , and expenses , which were approved . The application of a widow for a moiety of her late husband ' s annuity was granted . The Secretary presented a statement of receipts and disbursements for

1883 ; he reported that he was of opinion that the receipts wonld not be so large for the current year , but sufficient to meet the same amount of disbursements , though possibly not enough to leave a margin for investment at the end of the year . There was , however , a considerable balance over at the end of 1883 , which had been invested , and that sum was available if the Committee decided to

increase the number of annuitants . At the present time there were 38 male candidates and only 14 vacancies , and there were as many as 82 female candidates and only eight vacancies to be filled up . The Chairman said that it was very desirable to increase the number of female annuitants , and it had been suggested that 10 more widows might be elected , at all events , in the present year . That would

make the number 18 female annuitants to be elected ; but the brethren must not take it for granted that the increased number of annuities would be continued in future years ; thafc must depend npon their funds ; but if they were so disposed ten widows might be added to the list on this occasion . This proposal was agreed to . Brother Moore said he hacl seen a statement in the Freemason that the working expenses of the Institution amounted to as much as

£ 3000 , and that that sum , as against about £ 12 , 000 for annuities , was , in his opinion , an excessive proportion for that purpose ; he thonght the matter required examination . Brother Terry observed he could not accept the figures that had been stated as correct because they were alleged to have appeared in fcho Freemason . He conld guarantee the accuracy of the official statement of accounts , and from that statement he had just taken out the items of workin "

Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution.

expenses , and they came to £ 2196 7 a . Brother Mooro said he consi . dered that a large proportion , and inquired whether the commission paid to tho Collector included commission on moneys paid at the office . Brother Terry replied that commission was not paid on accounts paid to himself at the office ; that there might be sums for which the Collector had made many personal applications ; but it was

paid on sums brought to fche Collector at tho office . Brother Moore said he did not think that should be so . For some years past there had been Associations formed whioh had been the means of collecting thousands of pounds for the three Institutions . AU the work of collecting these Association funds fell npon thoir Secretaries and Treasurers . The Treasurers of these Associations paid the

money into the office , and in his judgment the official Collector bad no right whatever to a per centago on the money so collected . The Chairman said that the Collector was paid oomraiaaion in terms of regulations that had been agreed to , but it waa open to any brother to give notice of motion on the subject . Bro . Moore thereupon stated that he would give notice of a motion

for next meeting , so that the matter might be discussed next month . The Secretary submitted the report of the Sub-Committee appointed to consider Bro . Webb ' s motion . The CommiHee had met and considered the matter , and had come to the conclusion that there was no cause for the alteration proposed . Bro . Webb bowed to the decision of the Committee with p leasure ; the great increase of the

Craft since 1875 had not yet brought about its natural results , bat a steady increase in the number of candidates was inevitable , and he thought that in time to come the alteration he had proposed would be a considerable benefit . The petition of Bro . Starr , whioh had been deferred for further information , was reported on by the Secretary and accepted by the Committee . Upon

the report of the Secretary as to the result of the inquiries , the name of Bro . N . H . Lotinga was ordered to be expunged from the list of candidates . Bro . Lacey said that he had intended to snbmit to the Committee a notice of motion , bnt he desired first to ask the advice of the brethren present upon it . It had to some extent relieved his mind to find that they intended to increase the number

of female annuitants at next election . He had thought very seriously whether it would nofc be well to alter the amount of the annuity in order to increase the number to be benefited . What he proposed waa that the amount of the men ' a annuities should be made £ 32 10 a instead of £ 40 , and that the widows' annuities should be reduced from £ 32 to £ 26 . He did not propose that the alteration shonld

affect the election in the present year , but only those annuitants coming on after the election of 1885 j so that should it be passed they would be able to say that whereas the present rates of annuity would satisfy 100 annuitants , 123 would be provided for at the new rates proposed . He regretted the necessity , but it appeared to him more advisable to spread the money they had to give over a larger number than to send so many empty away . The scale he had

mentioned wonld give the male annuitants 16 a shillings a week and the widows ten shillings a week . A conversation followed , during which several suggestions were made , one being that the age of the eligibility of candidates shonld be increased from 60 to 65 , aud it waa unanimously conceded that the matter was a very proper subject for a notice of motion , whioh accordingly Bro . Lacey said he would give in to the Secretary . A vote of thanks to tho Chairman closed the proceedings .

We have received copy of a lecture delivered by Bro . Thomas Fletcher , F . C . S ., before the Society of Arts , on the 30 th January last , on " Coal Gas as a Labour-saving Agent in the Mechanical Trade . " Bro . Fletcher has

treated his subject very fully , and those who take an interest in Coal Gas , and its application to the purpose specified , will be greatly impressed with the ability displayed by the lecturer .

The installation meeting of the Urban Lodge , No . 1196 , took place at Freemasons' Hall , W . C , on Tuesday . Bro . Chas . Hawksley P . M . 1702 was the Master installed . Full report in our next .

DINNER OR NO DINNER ?—This had been the question amongst the crew of youngsters who , coming from Limehouse , Stepney , and the surrounding neighbourhood , throng the New Hall of the London Cottage Mission every Wednesday . Happily on Wednesday last the answer was " dinner , " and the delighted , if dirty , faces of Mr . Austin's rough and ragged little flock was a sight to see . The

muster of these was abont seven or eight hundred , besides the old folks ; and the enormous coppers were soon emptied . Bufc now again comes the same question we began with , for if timely help does not come there is little or no chance of dinner next week ; however we sincerely trust that many a generous heart will have

assisted a cause so good ere then , and that the little ones will not be disappointed . Contributions should be sent to the Bankers , the London and South Western Bank , 7 Fenchurch-streefc , E . G ., Miss Napfcon , 304 Bnrdefct-road , Limehouse , E ., or to Mr . Walter Austin , afc the Offices of the Mission , 44 Finsbury Pavement , E . C .

Ad00703

DANCING . —To Thoso Who Have Never Learnt to Dance . —Bro . and Mrs . JACQUES WYNMANN receive daily , and undertake to teach ladies and gentlemen , who have never had tho slightest previous knowledge or instruction , to go through every fashionable ball-dance in a , few easy lessons . Private lessons any hour . Morning and evening classe PBOSPSCTUS Olf AMHOATIOS ACADEMY—74 NEWMAN STREET , OXFORD STREET , W . BBO . JACQUES WxNMAKif WEDI BB HAPJY TO TAKB THB IIAHAO-BUBHS O » MASOITIO BAMS . FIBBI -CHASS BAITOS PROVIDED .