A Lesson To Freemasons.

A LESSON TO FREEMASONS

IT may be interesting to all Freemasons to mention the following as indicating the extreme antiquiby of their Order , and that it had its origin in British Druidism . On the point of the revised Eoyal Arch is , in Freemasonry , a bee with its head pointing downwards to the key of ihe said E . A . The body , as

matter , is the symbol of the Sun ' s fertile influence , and is the symbol of fche Father , the two wings are as one symbol , emblem of the Holy Spirit , wings being in all ancient creeds fche symbol of the non-material . The Sun ' s round orb is indicated by the circle symbol surrounding the Bee . Thus the body and two

wings of the nimbus make up the I . A ^ . 0 . ( Jehovah ) . The I is Hu Dad Elir ; ^ is ^ wen ( Holy ^); and O is the sun ' s orb as the head of Tal lesu ( n ) . The collective signs are the descending dove with open vyings and the head of the Messiah , into which the visible dove implied descending the invisible Father and Holy at the

^ hosfc Messiah ' s baptism , he ascending out of the water of Jordan as the sun ' s orb ascends from the sea on the solar new year ' s morning . Thus the Trinity is the Logus—the Word or NAME—of the Creator , viz ., Agnosto Theo ( Celi—Ccelus ) , and not the Almighty Himself .

The Sun , in the old cults , is the Architect of the visible world . By the term Mason is to be understood Architecture , the Sun being the chief Architect or Builder , otherwise Carpenter . Say the Archdruid Tal Iesun , as the Sun ' s representative in the Druidic Gorsedd or Church :

Wyf Dwr , wyf Dryw : Wyf Saer , wyf Syw . 1 am a Tower , I am a Wren : I am a Carpenter , I am Wise . By the Eoyal Arch of Freemasonry is to be understood two

lines drawn respectively from the Tropics of the He Goat ( 25 th December ) and from the Tropic of Cancer ( 25 th June ) . The middle line is indicated by the Bee , and implies the sun ' s influence on the seeds of the earth on 25 th March . The lines are implied by meeting in the Lodge or Gorsedd , the emblem of

the earth above the rational horizon . The Bee is to be understood as traversing the three lines as three roads , the Bee attaining his greatest vigour on 25 th June , the longest day ofthe Julian Calendar . Like the soul of the sun , the Bee is almost dormant in winter . It is Pentecost Day of the Jews , and Sul

Gwyn , or White Sun ( Holy Sun ) , the time of the Druids . The Bee' is fche principal architect of all earthly creatures , and , being in the system of Nature the messenger of fertility , it was adopted as the symbol of the Word of fche Creator . — " Morion , " in " Western Mail . "

Bro . James Stevens P . M . The Great City Lodge , No . 1426 , who has been in Scotland during fche last three months in fche interests of fche Australian Irrigation Colonies , has found time to visit over a dozen Lodges . In all of these , we are assured by a

correspondent , he has been received with the greatest respect and kindness . In three Lodges : the Clydesdale , 556 ; Dramatic , 571 ; and the Gael , 609 , his name has been enrolled in honorary membership . Ifc is gratifying to record thafc Bro . Stevens ' s

experience in Scottish Lodges in the manner of the work , the care taken , and the efficiency displayed in giving instruction to candidates , has been an occasion for surprise to him after all he had heard of Masonry iu Scotland while still in the south . At

the meeting of Lodge Dramatic on the 12 th insfc ., afc which Bro . E . S . de Benzie E . W . M . presided , Bro . Stevens expressed to the members the great pleasure it afforded him in being admitted to

honorary membership in the same . Lodge which associated his friend Bro . Edward Terry Past Grand Treasurer of England wifch Freemasonry in Scotland .

We have heard of leap year dances , when the usual order of things was reversed , and the ladies selected their partners from among the gentlemen , but we believe it has been left to our Australian Brethren to introduce a vet further novelty , in the

form of a " Masonic Quadrille , " which was danced at midnight at a Masonic Ball given by the Masons of Sydney for the benefit of their Benevolent Institution , when " tbe Brethren transferred

their regalia to the ladies , who , for the time being , were resplendent in quaint jewels . " We hope the temporary transfer had a beneficial effect on the Fund it was intended to advance .

Sheriff Thorns Provincial Grand Master of Caithness , Orkney and Shetland , laid the foundation stone on fche 12 th inst . of a new hall for the St . Fergus Lodge , Wick . The ceremony

was performed with Ma = omc honours , and there was a good attendance of members of the Thurso Lodgo , and also several Brethren from Kirkwall .

Reports Of Meetings.

REPORTS OF MEETINGS .

We shall be pleased to receive particulars of Masonic meetings for insertion in our columns , and where desired will endeavour to send a representative to report Lodge or other proceedings . — : o : — CRAFT : METROPOLITAN .

BROMLEY ST . LEONARD LODGE , No . 1805 . THE regular meeting of the Lodge was held on Tuesday , 17 th inst ., at the Bromley Vestry Hall , Bow Road , E ., under the presidency of Bro . W . Thomas Potts , who was supported by Bros . G . E . Warn I . P . M ., E . Hambridge S . W ., G . H . Fennell J . W ., G . Holmes Sec , Ben Johnson P . M .,

J . Bailey P . M ., Ii . Toole P . M ., A . S . Bird S . D ., P . Thornton J . D ., W . G . Sbadrake I . G ., E . G . Chapman and N . R . MoSatt Stewards , Marchant Acting Organist , W . Joss , P . Kenney , W . S . Mew , T . E . Emmerson , J . Absalom , E . Toole , C . Symons , G . Whitlock , J . Young , P . Erbach , C . Towsey , T . G . Jarvis , G . Burrows , H . Webb , W . G . Beaumont , B . J . Newport , G . E . Tewsey , W . G . Eeader , R . Bush , and C . H . Plynn .

Visitors : Bro . J . W . Gibbs P . M . 1804 , C . T . Clifton 957 , W . Martmdale S . D . 1685 , W . Causby 1349 , and J . Higgins 813 . The Lodge being duly opened , Bro . Benjamin John Newport answered tho questions , and was in due form passed to the degree of Fellow Craft , the ceremony being performed in a most creditable manner by the W . M .

Owing to the initiate being absent , the remaining business was of ordinary form , and this being disposed of , the Lodge was adjourned , the company afterwards sitting down to refreshment . The Brethren having done ample justice to the excellent menu provided by Bro . C . Holland , the caterer , the W . M . gave the toist of the Queen and the Craft , Bro . Marchant singing tho solo .

After the toast of H . R . H . the Princo of Wales M . W . Grand Master , " God bless the Prince of Wales " was sung by Bro . J . W . Gibbs P . M . The health of the W . M . was proposed by I . P . M . Bro . G . E . Warn , who complimented the ruler of the Lodge upon his ability , the able manner in which he had performed his duties since he had held that position , and the manner in which he had delivered the Ritual .

Tho W . M . in affable terms responded , and impressed on the Brethren the necessity , of attending the Lodge of Instruction , especially the younger Officers of the Lodge . In proposing the toast of the Visitors , the W . M . spoke of the small attendance of guests , but reminded them that the Bromley St . Leonard Lodge was always pleased to receive them , and give them a hearty welcome .

Bro . J . W . Gibbs P . M . of the sister Lodge , No . 1804 , m responding , said it always gave him great pleasure to be present to receive the welcome of the Brethren of Bromley St . Leonard Lodge . He regretted the absence of Bro . Tijou P . M . 1804 P . A . G . P . Bros . Martindale , Clifton , and Causby also responded .

The toast of the Past Masters was responded to by Brothers Warn , Ben Johnson , and Baily , who highly complimented the W . M . on his working , and the great interest and attention he had displayed in the work of the Lodge . The following songs were given during the evening : Bro . Newport " The

Beacon , " and " The Diver , " Bro . Chapman " Admiral Tom , " Brother W . T . Mew " The Fisherman and his Child , " Jean Schweitzer " I lub a lubly girl , I do , " Bro . G . Holmes " The Admiral's Broom , " J . Young " Annie Laurie , " Bro . VV . T . Mew " The Cabin with the Roses at the Door , " Bro . F . Thornton " . Tom Bowling" Duo ( Violin and Piano ) "Lucretia Borgia , " by Jean Schweitzer and Bro . M & Tchanfc .

The Tyler ' s toast , and " Auld Lang Syne , " brought a pleasant evening to a close .

During the vacation , between the last Lodgo meeting and the present one , the Brethren , their wives , and friends , about forty in number , had their annual summer outing , journeying from Paddington to Windsor , by special carriages , thence by steam launch to Marlow , having a most liberal luncheon on board . There was also a baud of five performers , under the direction of Bro . Marchant . During an enjoyable trip , calls were made at Monkey Island , and Quarry Wood , and the party ultimately returned to Windsor .

The W . M . had been most assiduous in preparing everything for the comfort of the Brethren , Ladies , and Visitors—especially the Ladies , this being a special outing for them . On returning to Windsor an adjournment was made to the White Hart Hotel , where the company partook of a sumptuous banquet , and justice having been done to the good things provided , they returned from Windsor by special saloons , after having spent one of tho most enjoyable summer outings the Lodge has had .

DUKE OF CORNWALL LODGE , No . 1839 . IT is hard to believe that sixteen years have elapsed since the foundation of this popular Lodge in 1879 , yet it-is amply demonstrated by the annual increase of the number of its Past Masters , whose names figured so grandly on the two columns which graced the front of the musical programme of last Saturday evening , when the annual festival was held at the Freemasons' Hall , Great Queen Street , W . C .

The out-going W . M . Bro . W . H . Lowry presided , and was supported by his Officers and the following Brethren : Rev . John Studholme Brownrigg P . G . C , J . Morrison McLeod P . S . G . W . Derby , Past Masters J . W . Brooke , J . Bladon , H . Cattermole , 0 . H . Cox , J . W . Dewsnap Secretary , J . Culver , W . H . Foot , W . A . S . Staley ( who received a hearty welcome from the Brethren when he appeared in the purple of P . G . S . B . of Essex ) , S . Xlingenstein 73 , H .

Massey 1928 , John Dorton 1676 , C . Howes 1599 , W . G . Mulford 321 , C J . Davison 1897 , Orlton Cooper 211 , A . M . Phillips 1287 , W . Edwards 2500 , F . Spalding 276 , W . H . Toye 1278 , W . J . McQueen 11 , Woolf Rosenthal 188 , JCorfield 1816 , I . Byford 2184 , Geo . Scott Miller W . M . 2264 , Thos . Whitford W . M . 2500 , G . W . Bowyer 2190 , and a numerous attendance of the members of the Lodge .

The Lodge was opened in due form and the minutes of the previous meeting were read , after which the reports of the Audit Committee and of the Benevolent Fund were presented , received and adopted . Bro . Charles Mussared having been elected as W . M . for the ensuing year was presented by Bro . Walter Martin P . M . who acted as Director of the Ceremonies , and gave his assent to the ancient charges and regulations . A board of Installed Masters was then constituted and Bro . Mussared was regularly placed in the chair by Bro . Lowry .