The Increase Of Freemasons.

two thousand years ago , taught the principles of that justice and equity . Therefore it is beyond contradiction that Freemasonry is a law unto itself , and he who seeks to be a Freemason must come asking admission on the basis of obedience to

the laws and regulations of the Fraternity . fi' These have been tried by many generations of men tbey bave been tested by long and close investigation and examination ; they have been honoured , commended and approved by the wise and good .

It is not to be supposed then , that surh an Institution as Freemasonry needs to offer , or present , any inducements to secure membership . It cannot be asserted , for it is proclaimed that any such effort is nofc permitted . II

any such influence was used in any individual case , and it tried to be bidden , as though ifc could not be discovered in tbe " Light , " so that if made manifest it would destroy the possibility of its successtul operations .

Thus it is , and therefore , that Freemasonry has maintained its character ; defeated all attempts to impair its existence ; in the full possession of its rank and power in the State , it has lost neither " jot nor tittle" of its

principles , its esotencism , its landmarks or its symbology . Beyond reproach of all right-thinking men , assailed only by one-sided cecifcyists , whose blindness would be total , unless their vision was excited by phantasms .

What need then has Freemasonry to proselyte ? It is wise enough to know that those who seek to enter its portals from persuasion of friends , or some unworthy motives , or for self-interest , or for what could bo of

personal advantage or benefit , would prove themselves destructive of the harmony of the Craft , bring reproach on the Masonic character , and go to justify the belief that Freemasons were their worst enemies , for they were found in the household of the Craft .

Carefnl watchfulness should be the duty of the members of a Lodge to prevent unworthy men from obtaining the rights and privileges of Masonry . Watch the preparing room door ; test every applicant on his application by the inexorable law which permits his initiation . —Keystone .

The Sheffield Masonic Amateur Dramatic Society.

THE SHEFFIELD MASONIC AMATEUR DRAMATIC SOCIETY .

THB second performance given by the Masonio Amateur Dramatic Society in tbe Bath Saloon , Glossop Road , Sheffield , was in every respect aa aucoessf ol as its predecessor . " The Two Hoses , " a three-act comeay by James Albery , was produced in a style which , from tho past successes of the Society , might have been anticipated , and the sixteenth season in whioh it takes place will certainly fill no inferior

place in its records . The comedy is a pleasing piece of writing , excellently balanced , and with a continuity of quiet humour it its lines whicb proved mosfc acceptable to the crowded house . Ifc bad no heavy sentimental scenes , but sentiment there was running throngh ifc as the connecting thread of the plot , turning on fche hve fortunes of Jack Wyatt , an amiable , perhaps somewhat irresponsible , batchelor ,

was neatly sandwiched between the eccentricities and malapropisms of "OurMrs . Jenkins " and the woesof her unhappy henpecked husband . Miss Ada Melrose , who bore the burden of the vinegar-feafcured and harsh Mrs . Jenkins , acquitted herself in that rdle to the perfect satisfaction of those assembled to witness tbe play , and they were unstinted in their approving plaudits . Miss Edith Jordan and Miss

Annie Cathew took the parts of the sisters Lotty and Ida , and as these charminggirls gave bothadmirablerepreseniations of theoharacters . The male characters played by several of the brethren gave evidence of careful study , and were well interpreted , particularly those of Oar Mr . Jenkins and Jack Wyatt , which afforded opportunity for the display of the comedians ability in a large degree . Caleb Deeoie

was a sympathetic portrayal , and the other members of the company displayed considerable merit . Bro . F . B . Booth was , as usual , a mosfc capable manager , and Bro . D . Flather and Mr . Beg . Webster carefully looked after the properties . Bros . J . B . Wostinholm , A . B . Kirkham , and W . T . Flather kept charge of fche book . Bro . John J .

Parker was in the capacity of hon . secretary for the show , and Bro . F . Olunes the president . There was an admirable selection of music from the orchestra , under the conductorship of Bro . S . Suokley . The mounting and general appointments of the piece were all that conld be desired .

HOIXOWA-I ' OfiroiSHT A - * J > PfLts . —With the changing season it is prudent for all to rectify any ailment afflicting them ; but it is incumbent on the aged , suffering under ulcerations and similar debilitating causes , to have thom removed or worse consequences will follow . This Ointment is their remertv ; on its powers all may confidently rely ; it not simply puts thoir sores out of sight , bnt extirpates the soarco of mischief , extracts the corroding poison , and stimulates nature ti fill up the ulcer with sound , healthy granulations that will abide through life . Under this treatment bad legs soon become sound , scorbnt ' o lakinH cast off their scales , and scrofulous sores cease to annoy . Such hope for tht- deceased was unknown in former days .

Notices Of Meetings.

NOTICES OF MEETINGS .

— .: o : — CRAFT. — : o : — ST . MICHAEL'S LODGE , No . 211 .

THE ordinary monthly meeting of this ancient Lodge was held on Tuesday last , afc the Albion , Aldersgate Street , when the W . M . Bro . Orlton Cooper presided , being assisted by the following brethren : — Bros . Wm . Kirkland S . W ., W . J . Dyer J . W ., Alfred Green P . M ., W . Radcliffe P . M ., F . J . Hentsch P . M ., P . J . King I . P . M ., E . K . Podmore P . P . D . C . Warwickshire , George King P . M .

172 , W . 6 . Jennings , J . A . Collings , W . Sergeant Lee , Cecil Mount , J . King , G . C . Brightling , & o . The Lodge was formally opened and the minutes wore confirmed . Bro . Albert H . Colling ** , who was initiated at the last meeting , came before the Lodge , answered the nsual questions , was entrusted and retired . The Lodge waa opened in

the second degree and Bro . Collings was admitted as a Craftsman . The first degree was then resumed , when the ballot was taken and proved unanimous in favour of Mr . Ernest Charles Collings , who was subsequently initiated into the mysteries and privileges of ancient Freemasonry ; both ceremonies being performed in an efficient manner by the Worshipful Master , who also delivered the

ancient charge . Another candidate was proposed for initiation at the nest meeting , and the business of the evening being ended the Lodgo was closed in perfect harmony and tho brethren adjourned to supper . A very pleasant avening was subsequently spent , the Brothers Collings forming a tour de force in contributing to tho enjoyment of tho Lr Il-r-n . '

HARMONY LODGE , No . 275

TQE regular monthly meeting of the members of this Lodge was held at the Masonio Hall , Huddersfield , on Thursday , the 1 st instant , for the purpose of fche installation of the Worshipful Master for the ensuing year . TheLodge was opened by the W . M . Bro . H . B . Kaye , and as by a happy coincidence it was the anniversary of the

birth of Her Royal Highness the Princess of Wales , ifc was resolved , with acclamation , on a resolution moved by Bro . J . Bottomley seconded by Bro . Edward Armitage , to forward the following tele , gram to Sandringham : —

Her Royal Highness the Princess of Wales , Sandringham . The Worshipfnl Master and Brethren of Harmony Lodge , 275 , on tbe register of the Grand Lodge of England , in open regnlar Lodge assembled , at fche Masonic Hall , South P / trade , Huddersfield , heartily

congratulate your Royal Highness upon this your birthday , and they pray the Most High to continue and bless your life for many years with that of the Moit Worshipfnl Grand Master and fche Queen and Boyal Family .

To which the following gracious repl y has been received : — Sandringham . •Worshipfnl Master of Harmony Lodge , Huddersfield . —I thank yon and fche brethren of your Lodge most exceedingly for yonr kind message and good wishes . ALEXANDRA .

There waa a very large attendance of brethren present , including Bro . Green Provincial Grand Secretary , and other Provincial Officers . The ceremony of installation of Bro . Dr . Norman Porritt to the Master ' s chair was performed by Bro . R . H . Armitage , assisted by Bros . E . Armitage , H . N . Crowther , J . Bottomley , C . W . Keighley ,

and Williamson . The W . M . afterwards invested his Officers , as follow :-Bro <* . H . B . Kaye I . P . M ., R . Cuthbert S . W ., A . H . J . Fletcher J . W ., Rev . T . H . Greenhalgh Chaplain , G . H . Robinson Treasurer , William Storry jun . Secretary , R . H . Inman Registrar , T . Heaps Director of Ceremonies , J . N . Richardson Assistant Director

of Ceremonies , Joshua Marshall Organist , A . Armitage S . D ., T . D . Ruddock J . D ., E . Haley I . G ., H . N . Crowther and John Ward Purveyors , C . A . Swaine , J . W . Senior , J . A . Bradbury , F . W . Robinson , and J . Goldent Stewards , George Piatt Tyler . The Lodge and

Benevolence Committees were duly appointed . Bro . Murphy waa elected Charity Member , and Bros . Ward and Vickers were respectively elected Examiner of Sojourners and Almoner for above and other Lodges in this district .

UNANIMITY LODGE , No . 287

THE installation meeting of the above Lodge took place on Wednesday , 7 th insfc ,, at the White Lion Hotel , Stockport , when there were present Bros . Henry Smith W . M . Prov . G . J . D ., George Roberts P . P . G . Stwd . S . W ., Rev . Arthur Symonds P . Prov . G . CbapJain J . W ., Jas . W . Howard S . D ., J . L . Hudson J . D ., F . G . Brooke I . G ., Wm . Lancaster I . P . M ., Jno . Leigh P . M . P . Prov . G . D . of C , C . Dawson

P . M ., Thos . E . Rigby P . M . Charity Representative , Geo . McClelland P . M . P . P . G . J . D ., R . C . Blakehurst P . M ., J . Preston , L . Jagger , J . A . Cookson , A . J . Hewett , James Cookson P . M . P . P . G . T . Secretary , Jno . Clarke Tyler , and other brethren . Visitors—Bros . R . Newhouse Prov . G . Seer tary , Lieut .-Col . Wilkinson P . M . P . P . G . S . W ., H . Gordon Small I . P . M . Alan Lodge Prov . G . D . Dir . of Cers ., Geo . S .

Smith P . M . 11341170 2359 , Herbert Fiuch P . M . 104 P . Prov . Grand Registrar , Jno . Newton 1140 , E . Edmondson Organist 323 , D . D . Hayes 104 , Henry Lomas I . P . AI . I 0 o 7 , and other <* . The L- > dge was opened with solemn prayer at 2 * 15 p . m ., and the minutes of the last regnlar meeting were read and confirmed . The ballot was then taken for Mr . Herbert Ainsworth and proved favourable . M . Ains-