A Masonic Service.

est" was , as expressed in terms or supply ing the motive of opposition , the sheet-anchor of most of fche opponents of the Craft ; but the recent revelations and confessions of a certain M . Taxil , who had been puffed and blessed by Italian , French , and Belgian ecclesiastics as having proved some connection between at any rate Continental Masonry and the cult of Satan , and the deposition of a certain Diana Vaughan from the position of a

penitent High Priestess of Diabolism and Masonry to that of a typewriting girl employed by M . Taxil to aid in his gigantic hoax , must have somewhat shaken the force of this argument . On the other hand , the defence of the Craft , which fell largely into the hands of the Rev . J . W . Horsley , proved that Continental Freemasons had so departed from the real principles of the Order , which include of necessity a belief in God and in immortality , that

they had been solemnly and effectually excommunicated by the Grand Lodge of England , and that , therefore , what the Pope might say , with much reason , concerning what is still called Masonry in some of the countries of the Continent did nofc touch the real Masonry as found and practised in England , and many other lands which had been taught by England . As the great majority of Masons in England belong to the Church of England , it is

not a matter too trivial to be considered , nor can a few opponents , especially when arguing from external ignorance , assume that their Brethren shall leave the Craft at their invitation . In South London I have noted that amongst the various uses to which St . Saviour's , Southwark , is being put under its new and vigorous collegiate government , that of inviting various classes of people , or wide-spread societies , to assemble there on certain days

for common worship is one of the most interesting and acceptable . On the afternoon of Ascension Day there is to be a great gathering of Masons at St . Saviour ' s , when the offertory will be devoted to the Restoration Fund . The Dean of Rochester ( Grand Chaplain for this year ) is to preach , and the Bishop of Llandaff ( his predecessor in the Masonic Grand Chaplaincy ) , the Deans of York and Gloucester , Archdeacons Stevens and Sinclair , and other

Past Grand Chaplains are expected to be present . The Right Hon . tbe Earl of Lathom as Pro Grand Master will attend with a large number of Grand Officers , and no doubt the church will be filled by Masons from all parts of England , and not merely from South London or the metropolis only . The sqmbreness of a male congregation will be brightened by the use of Craft clothing and jewels , for the wearing of which at this function a dispensation has been obtained .

Before , however , this service had been announced , one had been arranged for in South London at St . Peter's , Walworth , and there I found myself last Sunday evening . That spacious church of Sir John Soane ' s building , a replica of Holy Trinity , Marylebone , or Holy Trinity of it , is now well adapted for a large gathering , as the high pews have recently been replaced by open seats specially designed for the church , with a low chancel

screen and gates of the same material and colouring , the architect being Mr . Maurice Adams , under whose instructions the whole of the interior has been boldly and effectively coloured . The breadth of the central aisle adds dignity to the church , especially when used for processions . The galleries on Sunday were required , as about 1 , 200 people were present , attracted largely by this being tbe firsfc service of Masons held in this neighbourhood .

The Brethren of the Craft assembled to the number of 200 , in the " Convenient room adjoining the Lodge" that the picturesque crypt provided . There they vested themselves in the regalia and ornaments to which they were entitled , and , led by the churchwardens with their staves of office , proceeded by some winding steps up into the church . Masonic ritual , by the way , reverses that of the church , since , those of greatest dignity lead

the procession instead of being placed at its end . Masons being taught to move in order and with some dignity , the procession up the centre aisle compared favourably with many ecclesiastical ones we have seen . The surpliced choir then entered , and from the printed service paper it could be seen that all three of the clergy of the church , as well as its churchwardens , were Masons . The clergy woro the collars of their degree over their surplices

in addition to their academic hoods and the white stoles of the priesthood . The voluntaries before and after the service were from Mozart ' s Music for Freemasons , that at the beginning being his Zur Eroffnung der Lodge ( For the Opening of the Lodge ) . The hymns were familiar both to users of hymns ancient and modern , and one , at least , to the Craft as used in their ceremonies . The opening hymn was "Through the night of doubt and

sorrow , " which might have been written expressl y for Masonic use , as all Brethren , especially if Master Masons , can . understand . The psalms were special ones—xvi ., cxxii ., and cxxiii . —all being not only patient but suggestive of Masonic teaching . The special lessons were read by two Past Masters of Lodges in lay attire , with the insignia of their degree , and were Ezra iii . ( which describes the laying of the foundations of the second temple )

and St . Paul s magnificent description of charity . The service paper advised us that " after each prayer or collect the Amens will be sung in the old English words ' So mote ifc be , '" and right lustily were the familiar words sung by the Masons present . The anthem was Dr . J . Clarke Whitfield ' s setting of Psalm cxxiii ., which is of common use in the Masonic ritual , and familiar also from similar use was fche hymn before fche sermon , " O Lord , how joyful 'tis to see the Brethren join in love to Thee . "

The preacher was described on the paper as " Brother the Rev . J . W . Horsley , Quatuor Coronati Lodge Inner Circle , " and his text Wisdom viii . 7 , which , by the temporary substitution of one word for another might , he said ! be read , "If a man love Freemasonry , her labours are virtues : for she teacheth temperance and prudence , justice and fortitude : which are such things as men can have nothing more profitable in their life . " The book , he said , was described b y one of the Articles as to be " read for example of ' life

A Masonic Service.

and instruction of manners , " and therefore especially suitable for a socieuy which was a peculiar system of morality . The book , moreover , was chiefly concerned with vindicating the two dogmas of the existence of God and the truth of immortality against sensualists and atheists , and therefore it was a handbook for a fraternity based on these two doctrines . In the beginning of the first chapter , brethren would find more than an echo of the instruction

imparted to them in the first degree , in the beginning of the thirteenth they would be reminded of the teaching of the second degree , while the beginning of the third chapter would be inseparably connected in their memory with the third degree . He proceeded to declare , against popular ignorance and grotesque surmisings , what Freemasonry was not , especially quoting a manifesto issued by Portuguese Masons in 1869 against the assumptions and

untrue assertions of Rome . " Freemasonry is neither a religions sect nor a political party ; it claims no Divine origin , assumes not to usurp the prerogative of the Church or the office of the ministry ; it has no sympathy with that spirit which opposes or ridicules the Church , or seeks to exalt any society or system of philanthropy against religion . " The remainder of his sermon consisted of a somewhat impassioned defence and eulogy of the aims ,

offices , and effects of true Masonry as a universal brotherhood that made for righteousness and promoted mightily the principles of liberty , fraternity , and equality , while introducing to some and deepening in others a knowledge of the unity of God and a personal life of progress and ascension throughout eternity . The attention of the large congregation was as marked as the heartiness with which they joined in the whole service . During the singing of the hymn " Blessed City , Heavenly Salem , " with its significant

lines—Many a blow and biting sculpture , polished well those stones elect , In their places now compacted by the Heavenly Architectthe offertory was collected by Past Masters . I learned afterwards that it amounted to over £ 20 , half of which was for one of the great Masonio charities , that for Aged Freemasons and the Widows of Freemasons , and half went to the debt on the reseating of the church . After the presentation of

the alms at the altar , which was bright with Easter hangings , flowers , and the six vesper lights , the benediction by the Rector was preceded by the collect well known to the Craft , " Almighty and Eternal God , Architect and Ruler of the Universe . " The choir then proceeded to their vestry , while the procession of Masons retired westward in due order to the crypt , where friendly intercourse prevailed for some time .

The service obviously impressed and edified all , and many of them were " pious variers from the church , " or those who rarely found themselves within its walls . The adaptability of a choral evensong fco such a service was clearly demonstrated , and the scruples of the rigorist rubrician would melt before the plain benefit of such a gathering of those not usually united in common worship , not at one in external matters of politics or religion . — " Church Times . "

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