Canon Tristram's Golden Wedding.

the noble work which he would have laid down . The articles which they brought for Canon and Mrs . Tristram ' s acceptance were not only a memento of the happy day'upon which

they trusted Monday ' s sun would rise , but were also some recognition of Canon Tristram ' s long connection with the Craft ; but at the same time they were only a mean expression of what they wished to convey .

Mrs . Tristram , at the conclusion of Colonel Angus ' s remarks , feelingly observed that such loving affection savoured more of heaven than earth—the gold of that land was good . The Rev . Canon Tristram made a feeling reply , in the

course of which he said that words failed to express all that he felt . For nearby half a century he had had the privilege of belonging to that Order . He had tested its value no less at home than in other countries , and at home especially since he had the privilege of belonging to that Province , which he

entered as an ordinary Mark Mason some forty years ago . He had found among the circle of its Brethren true and thorough friends , who had been of immense value to him in discovering how much there was in human nature which only required to be brought out to show the affection and regard that one

found there ; in fact he . was so often reminded , that it had done for him far more than he had done for it . He could only say that next to the bond of Christianity , the ties of religion , the ties that bound one to one's own country and to one's church , there were none so beloved or so far-reaching as

that tie in which they were bound in that Order , and of which those magnificent gifts reminded him . Long afterthey were gone , long after they were forgotten except in name , those

gifts would , he trusted , remind posterity afterwards of the kindness , goodwill , and affection with which he was most undeservedly blessed by the Brethren throughout that Province .

Afterwards , at the Masonic Hall , Durham , there was an exceedingly large gathering of the Craft Masons of the Province of Durham for the purpose of making a further presentation to Canon and Mrs . Tristram . In the unavoidable absence of the Provincial Grand Master Sir Hedworth

Williamson , Bro . Professor Philipson , of Newcastle , presided , and there were loud cheers when the Chairman led into the handsome Lodge Room Mrs . Tristram , the Canon following , accompanied by his eldest daughter , Mrs . Holland . Most of the members of the family were present , four generations

being represented . Most of the Provincial Offices were represented , and the whole arrangements were admirably carried out in charge of a local Committee , of which Bro . R . Hauxvvell P . P . G . S . B ., of the Norman Lodge , was Hon .

Secretary ; Bro . R . Hudson Provincial Grand Secretary and P . G . Sword Bearer of England supervising the arrangements generally . A large number of letters of apology were received , including Sir Hedworth Williamson , Bart ., and Sir Thomas Richardson , M . P .

The proceedings commenced with the singing of the National Anthem , after which the Chairman proceeded to make the presentations . In doing so he traced at some length Canon Tristram ' s Masonic , ecclesiastical , literary , archaeological , antiquarian , and ornithological career , and

spoke of the high position which in all these varied departments he had attained to . Irrespective of his high position as a divine , his life had been spent in making himself of use to all that he had been brought in association with . Besides all the other positions which he had occupied Canon Tristram was a traveller of renown . There were few

countries that he had not visited , and if he might specify one it would be when he was appointed a member of the Palestine Exploration Commission , as the result of which he not only gave them a graphic history of that great country , but of his studies of the fauna and flora of Palestine , whilst as an

archaeologist he had given them a succinct account of the early type of arts and the Masons Marks who were employed in the substructures of the Temple . In asking Canon Tristram's acceptance of the gifts before him the ) ' were to show their regard and respect for him as a Mason , a divine , a scholar , a naturalist , an archaeologist , and

a traveller of renown , added to which they ventured to say that he was not anly a gentleman of literary culture but of general culture . Canon Tristram ' s fame was not local alone ; it was national . On behalf of the Masons of the thirty-seven Lodges and the thirteen Chapters in the Province Professor

Philipson then handed to Canon Tristram the solid silver tea and coffee service and silver tray , all of which bore suitable inscriptions . Canon Tristram , in replying , said that he was simply overwhelmed by the appalling kindness of his Brother Masons of every degree . That was the climax , the crowning point

Canon Tristram's Golden Wedding.

of a succession of honoured demonstrations from his Brother Masons which he had had the privilege to enjoy since by their favour he was placed in that conspicuous position amongst them . Masonry had been to him one of the recreations of his life . He had not done nearly what he ought to have

done , especially in the matter of Provincial visits , but that was simply because he could not get thirty-six hours work into twenty-four . One great privilege of Masonry which was not to be found in any other organisation was not only the

advantages which it gave to one when in a foreign land or m a strange country , but the brotherhood which it created and developed among all classes of society at home . They met on the level of the square , they knew no restriction whatever between those who were Masons . He felt that that was

carrying out the true ideal of Christianity , of true equality in a way that no other human organisation ever did or ever . could do . He loved Masonry , and should love it to the end of his days . In conclusion , Canon Tristram referred to the unique and wonderful privilege which he enjoyed of seeing

around him all his children and his grandchildren except'two noble fellows , one of whom was serving his Master Christ , in India , whilst the other was going to serve his Queen and country in South Africa . He should never forget that day ' s gathering as long as he lived .

Bro . W . Logan then presented to Mrs . Tristram a ( diamond bracelet , in felicitous terms . The loving cup was afterwards passed round at the invitation of the Marquis of Granby and Norman Lodges , and the proceedings shortly afterwards terminated with the singing of the National Anthem .

On the 3 rd inst . the members of the Alexandra Lodge , Hornsea , entertained to dinner in the new Masonic Hall the workmen who had been engaged in the construction of the building . About forty sat down , presided over by the

Worshipful Master Brother G . W . Brown , -who was •supported by Brother P . Gaskell P . M ., and Mr . Charles Stephenson ( builder ) . After dinner the Loyal and Patriotic toasts were submitted from the chair , and musically honoured .

Brother P . Gaskell submitted " Our Guests , " coupling with it the names of the various masters of the branches of trade connected with the construction of the building , whom , he said , had carried out their work to the satisfaction of himself .

The presentation to Bro . Ben DaCosta Preceptor of the Israel Lodge of Instruction , No . 205 , will take place on Wednesday next , 21 st inst , at the Rising Sun , Globe Road ,

Bethnal Green , E ., at eight o'clock , and in view of the very hearty way in which Brethren have responded to the appeal to do honour to our worthy Brother we anticipate an exceptionally strong gathering .

The tenacity with which some Brethren hold to Office in Grand Lodge has caused a good deal of trouble and dissatisfaction in recent years in more than one Jurisdiction , and in

order to lessen the discontent in Scotland it is proposed to secure a lapse of one year before a Brother can be promoted from one Office to another .

The Grand Lodge of Canada contemplate the voting of one thousand dollars to the Patriotic Fund , and the Grand Chapter of the Province ( Ontario only in each case ) has given

three hundred dollars . Doubtless Quebec and the other Provinces in the Dominion will also vote large sums for the same purpose .

Sonnet.

Sonnet .

MY VALENTINE . 5 rrilS almost Spring—we look for balmy days I Days when the veins of earth feel warmer blood , When birds and flowers appear once more to praise The Maker , Euler , Giver of all Good . But all around is snow—the air is

chill—Keen Winter ' s blast has killed the kindly ray ; All , all is cold—the very heart seems still 'Neath curdling blasts it meets on every way . Yet ' mid it all eternal sunshine dwells : For she who gave me birth is still my own ; And love for her bursts Wintry bonds and swells

Until it reigneth on her Summer throne ; Where all is bright and Heaven itself doth shine Upon the face of my dear Valentine . Bradford . CHAS . F . FOKSHAW , LL . D .