Will Live And Labour.

WILL LIVE AND LABOUR .

THERE is an enthusiasm among the Craft that awakens the most pleasant emotions and inspires one with great hope for the future ; and I am prone to believe that this devotion to Masonry is the result of a

conviction that our institution is a powerful aid to man in subduing his passions and improving himself in those virtues which adorn and solidify character . Masonry lives triumphant in spite of all its powerful opposition . It never

proselytes , but pursues the even tenour of its way , practising its well-known virtues , and exerting a moral influence in the world ; an example worthy of acceptance and imitation .

Masonry has ever been the hand-maid of education and intellectual progress ; and its mission is to improve and enlighten the understanding ; to instil into the mind principles of art , science , morals , religion and behaviour ,

and it has been a leader in developing the mighty interests of the world—and for daring to presume and keep alive the stimulus of intellectual desire , the shafts of hate and disappointed ambition have been hurled at her with demoniac fnry .

The cosmopolitan character of our noble institution must necessarily include minds as diversified as are the members comprising it ; but the toleration with which it grants both religion and politics , prevents the breeding of

discussions in behalf of either . Why should we permit the selfish passions of men to taint or mar the fair form of this time-honoured edifice , reared and sustained upon the corner-stone of fraternal virtue ? Masonry has

withstood the persecutions of its opponents and the anathemas of ecclesiasticism . Its influence pervades all classes and conditions of men . The spirit of progress has been thoroughly aroused through its teachings .

Although the modern Craft are purely speculative , our ancient brethren were practical architects and builders , as well as speculative philosophers . The philosophy of

Freemasonry , its morals and its dogmas are so little understood , and , indeed , so little regarded , that there are scores who outwardly assume the garb of a Mason and trappings of the Templar without any higher aim than pastime .

The great antiquity of this venerable institution leaves us almost in doubt as to its origin as a distinctive organisation —as we are taught that our Order was old when the Christian era began ; and long anterior to any authentic or well

established date in Masonic tradition . May our banners , inscribed with the grand old motto , " Liberty , Equality and Fraternity , " inspire courage in' the hearts of all free men , and cause dismay in the ranks of their adversaries .

Let us infuse into the world about us those elements which make society more charming , and which will continue to us , a nation , noted for its bravery , its gentleness , its culture and magnanimity .

It must be a gratification to every member of the Craft to feel and know that Masonry stands pre-eminent , above and beyond all other fraternal societies ; particularly when we so frequently hear that a new society , full of

giltedge titles , has been thrust upon the community , and publishes promises of sword and feathers immediately for the novitiate . Some of them finish , and uniform in

one night , any number of so-called " Knights , Wise Men , Nobles and Presidents , " and other high dignitaries ; and on occasion of Masonic funerals crowd themselves to

the front , expecting to be allowed to act as pall-bearers and take prominent place in the procession , demanding that they be permitted to take part and assist in the

ceremonies . I regret to say that in a few instances Lodges have acceded to their urgent and clamorous demands , and allowed them to intrude and assist in the Masonic cere .

monies . I most sincerely trust that hereafter the rulings of the Grand Lodge on this subject will not be forgotten by the Masters and the Fraternity , and any Lodge or Master guilty of such un-Masonic offence be speedily and

properly disciplined . The performance of the solemn services required by Masonry over the remains of a brother is Masonic labour , and the Lodge so engaged is performing

Masonic labour , and must have absolute and complete control and cannot permit any but Masons in good standing to take any part therein .

Masonry will continue to live and labour on , as long as distress prevails and sorrow is uncomforted ; wherever error exists and truth needs vindication , until the climax of its efforts culminate in one universal dominion of love and charity . —Voice of Masonry .

The Theatres, &C.

THE THEATRES , & c .

Princess's . — " The Shadows of a Great City" was revived last Monday for a fortnight , and has been well received dnring the week . Of the stirring incidents in the drama we have on more than ono occasion spoken , so that we havo now only to deal with those who are entrusted with the several parts . Nearly the

samo caste has been got together as that which first portrayed the play , the principal exception being Miss Grace Hawthorne , instead of Miss Mary Rorke , as Helen Standish . Miss Hawthorne is most effective , and gains the sympathy of her audience at the earliest opportunity . Her last act is full of force , and capitally

carried out . Mr . J . H . Barnes is once more tne Tom Cooper , while George Benson and Abe Nathan find careful interpreters in Messrs . W . L . Abingdon and Harry Parker . Mr . Harry Nicholls is intensely amusing as Jim Farren , while Miss Cicely Richards makes a

kind-hearted Biddy Roonan . Mr . Bassetfc Roe's detective is good , and Miss Bertie Willis ia powerful as Annie Standish . The mounting of the piece is all that could be desired . On the 29 th inst . Miss Hawthorne will produce " The Still Alarm , " by Joseph Arthur .

Vaudeville . —The success of " Joseph's Sweetheart" continues unabated , and judging from appearances the piece will continue in the bills for some time to come . This is hardly to be wondered afc when we take into consideration the charming way in which Mr .

Buchanan ' s play is acted by Mr . Thorne s admirable company . AU work with a will , with the result that the play goes smoothly from beginning to end . Miss Gladys Homfrey is now a capital Lady Booby , while Miss Bessie Harrison is natural as Mrs . Adams .

"The New Actress , " a one-act drama , by Edwin Drew , and " Re-United , " a one-act comedy , will be produced at the Athenaeum , Tottenham Court-road , on the 24 th instant . In consequence of the success of Mr . S . Jerrard ' s dramatic recitals at Stein way Hall , he has been engaged to appear in the French Chamber , St . James ' s Hall , on the 30 fch instant .

The annual summer entertainment at the Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution , Croydon , took place on Tuesday , when a number of those interested in the charity attended . The company first partook of tea , and

then spent a pleasant hour with the residents of the Insti tution . The amusements of the evening was under the direction of Bro . Arthur Coombes , who provided a most enjoyable musical programme . He was assisted by Bro .

W . Wright , M . Ryan , Coombe James , Percy Phillips , Grice , Barnard and others . Some of the visitors contributed to the harmony , the Misses Terry , Miss Cotter and Miss Strong being to the fore in this respect .

The monthly meeting of the Board of Benevolence took place on Wednesday , the President and two Vice-Presidents presiding . The recommendations made at the last meeting having been confirmed , the new cases , of which

there were thirty-four , were considered . Two petitions were dismissed , and the others relieved as follows : —One recommendation of £ 100 , one of £ 75 , three of £ 50 , six of £ 40 , and eight of £ 30 ; together with six grants of £ 20 each , two of £ 15 , four of £ 10 , and one of £ 5 , making a total of £ 1000 .

We learn that the distinction of honorary membership , accompanied with the rank of Past Senior Grand Warden , has been conferred on Bro . R . F . Gould by the Grand Lodge of Iowa , in recognition of his invaluable services to the Craft , by the publication of his History of Freemasonry .

It is gratifying to know that the brethren who are interesting themselves in securing the election of Bro . George Everett to the position of Grand Treasurer of England are receiving promises of support from all parts .

H . R . H . the Prince of Wales , the Most Excellent First Principal of the Supreme Grand Chapter , has appointed the Rev . Charles William Spencer Stanhope to he Grand Superintendent of Royal Arch Masonry for the Province of Cheshire .

Bro . L . G . Langdo . n , of the Joiners' Company , has been presented , by the members of the Tolerance Lodge of Instruction , with a handsome timepiece , in recognition of his services as Secretary for a period of nine years . The presentation was formally made by Bro . J . Paul .