Metropolitan : Instruction.

ZODIAC LODGE , No . 2615 . ON Wednesday evening , at 8 o ' clock , we paid a visit to this Lodge at Bro . G . Smith ' s , the Denmark Hotel , East Ham , and we were most agreeably surprised to find such excellent accommodation .

Those present included Bros . J . Jaggers W . M ., W . Sturton S . W ., C . Wilkinson J . W ., T . Covell P . M . Prec , G . Dale W . M . 2615 Dep . Preceptor , W . Henshaw Sec , H . Drake S . D ., J . Melvin J . D ., G . Whaldon I . G ., J . Pelgrim , E . A . Chapman , J . Taylor , E . C . Sturton , G . Smith , W . Blare , J . Wynman , H . J . Stillwell , J . Willson , A . W . Hall , and J . Galliven .

The Lodge being formed the minutes were confirmed , and then the W . M . proceeded to rehearse the ceremony of initiation , Bro . Taylor acting as candidate . By desire of the W . M . Bro . Covell , in his usual able manner , gave the ancient charge . Bro . Covell continued the work with the third and fourth sections of the lecture , whilst Bro . Dale assisted the Brethren to answer the questions . Bro . Galliven answered the questions leading to the second degree .

Bro . Galliven , a member of the Mother Lodge , was elected a member , and Bro . Wynman an honorary member , which compliments were acknowledged . Bro . Covell P . M . proposed that a hearty vote of congratulation be recorded on the minutes for , the recovery from his severe illness of Bro . E . A . Chapman , which vote was highly appreciated and acknowledged .

Bco . W . Sturton S . W . was unanimously elected W . M . for Wednesday next . This being the first time we visited this Lodge we cannot let the opportunity pass without complimenting Bro . J . Jaggers on his excellent working ; it was all that could be desired .

EARL'S COURT LODGE , No . 2765 . ON Wednesday , 27 th inst ., at the Greyhound Hotel , Kensington Square , Bros . C . G . Hatt W . M ., J . Cox S . W ., H . G . Cox J . W ., J . Worth Prec , J . Cox Deputy Prec , J . W . Eacey Treas ., Albert J . Taylor Sec , J . Hallam S . D ., Joel Davis J . D ., W . James I . G ., H . J . Cousens P . M ., G . T . Taylor , H . O . Sanders , Maurice Davis .

The W . M . rehearsed the initiation ceremony , Bro . G . T . Taylor being the candidate . The Lodge was called off and on . Bro . G . T . Taylor answered the usual questions leading to the second degree . Bro . Cousens was entrusted and the ceremony of passing was rehearsed . The W . M . was congratulated on his good working , and Bro . J . Cox was elected W . M . for Wednesday next . The Secretary announced the coming

Summer Outing in connection with the Earl ' s Court Lodge , when the Brethren and their friends will make an excursion to Burnham on Crouch , where Bro . J . Cox will provide and generally entertain the party at his Hotel . All the arrangements have been made , and a thoroughly enjoyable day is anticipated . The date is 21 st July , leaving Liverpool Street station at 8 . 55 a . m . All particulars can be had from any member of the Earl ' s Court Lodge .

THE well known steamer "La Marguerite , " belonging to the New Palace Steamers , Limited , commenced her sailings to Boulogne and Ostend on the 27 th inst ., leaving Tilbury at 7 . 10 on that date for Southend , Margate and Boulogne , on arrival of special train from Eenchurcb Street , at 6 . 15 . This will no doubt be welcome news to the numerous patrons of the steamer , as a great number of the friends and supporters of the Company make a point of travelling with the " La Marguerite . " There is no doubt that there

will be a number of most enjoyable trips participated in during the season . Special arrangements have been made for passengers visiting the Paris Exhibition by this , the cheapest daylight service . This route will appeal to the public who desire the combination of a health-giving sea trip , and a glimpse of Margate , together with speed and comfort . The " Royal Sovereign" and " Koh-i-noor" still continue their trips to Southend , Margate and Ramsgate , leaving Old Swan Pier at 8 . 50 a . m . and 9 . 20 a . m . respectively .

* * * TBIPS TO THE UPPER THAMES . —The combined rail and river excursion from London to Henley , and thence by steam launch to Pangbourne or Cliveden Woods , having proved so successful , it has been decided to run the trip daily from the 29 th instant , except during the Henley Regatta , 4 th , 5 th , and 6 th July , when the excursion will not be made . On Mondays ,

Wednesdays , and Saturdays the launch will run from Henley to Cliveden Woods , and on Tuesdays , Thursdays , Fridays and Sundays from Henley to Pangbourne . The charge will be as previously 21 s , and will include first class railway journey to and from Henley , the launch trip with luncheon on board , and table d'hote dinner at the " Red Lion " Hotel , Henley-on-Thames

We may add that arrangements can be made for special launches for separate parties , at a small extra cost in the case of twenty passengers or so , and at about the same price for thirty or more , particulars in regard to which may be obtained from Bro . G . Tod Pullen , Manager of the Red Lion Hotel , Henley-on-Thames .

BBO . CHAELES COLLETTE has just completed a most successful third tour with " What happened to Jones , " and is now spending his summer holidays in giving his entertainment at the popular seaside pleasure resorts . He will resume his part of " Jones " with Mr . Herbert Sleath ' s Company early in September .

# * * AN attractive illustrated guide , written in French , has been issued by the Midland Railway Company for the benefit of Continental visitors travelling over their system .

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Masonry A Brotherhood.

MASONRY A BROTHERHOOD .

F REE and Accepted Masonry is first of all a Fraternity or Brotherhood . Fraternity has been the first step in civilisation and will be its ultimate perfection . It is the dream of the philanthropist to-day—the acme of human hopes . It is not religion , though it stands at the threshold

of her temple ; it is not the church , though it is her most perfect friend and well-wisher , and in many cases has proved her highly-valued helpmate . Its principles are in accord with her teaching , and a man is made better , broader , and nobler by being brought under its influence . A man cannot

be a bad man and be a good Mason . Ihe secret lessons which are given to Masons teach the highest moral truthsand they are taught in the most impressive way . The fundamental principles upon which the whole superstructure of the Craft is erected are Faith and Flope and Charity . Faith

in God , Hope in immortality and Charity to all mankind . It is with the inner life of man that Masonry is mostly concerned . The internal and not the external qualifications mainly recommend a man to Masons , and it is upon the moral and spiritual element of humanity that Masonic work

is mainly wrought . Our Fraternity is playing a notable part in pushing the world on in its progress towards the millennial days ; teaching as it does , that one God is the Father of all men , wherefore all men being his children are

members of equal rank in one great family , each owing to the other the fullest duty of assistance , of protection ,, of guidance , and of care . —Rev . Frank Charters , Grand Chaplain Montreal District .

Masonry's Humanity.

MASONRY'S HUMANITY .

WE search for light and truth . In form and ceremony we display the emblem and symbol . We do not forsake the active ways of life . We journey with the human kind , justice , equality , temperance , prudence , fortitude , fraternity , are the tenets of Masonry . I want the environment of the body , the appetites , passions , desires of the world , its

pleasure and burdens , its labours , its defeats and triumphs . Over me I want no mantle of Masonic charity , broad or narrow , in the sense sometimes expressed , to hide wrong and injustice , hideous deformity or unmanly act . But I do want that mantle that shields me from wrong , that teaches me

right and justice to my fellows , that charity not quick to evil report that sees in me a man and a Brother . Take not from me appetite and passion and desire , and bid me be goodtoo useless to live , too insipid to die . Take not from me strength and vigour of mind or body that I may not harm my

fellows m the activities of the world , but let the Mason ' s square and level , plumb line and trowel , fashion and mould , and set the ashlars that from quarries of Zarthan I bring and place in the Temple of Life . Teach me not the ways of the sluggard that I may my Brother ' s charity know , but let

me feel the grasp of his fraternal hand , the blood tingling in his veins , leaping , jumping from throbbing heart , that in the struggle of life helps me in its pathway—the sympathy , the

kindness , the fraternity that gives the cloud its silver lining and robes the valley and mountain with grateful sheen . That ' s Masonry ' s humanity . —Alfred Taylor , in " Indian Freemason . "

No splendour of thought , no grandeur of eloquence , can so portray the beauties of . Masonry as the purity of our morals and the spotless character of our lives . —Charles E . Gillett , California .

* # * The elements which have doubtless contributed most to the growth of the Order are its good fellowship , its broad charity , its teachings of sound morals and the Brotherhood of man . —John E . Sater , Ohio .

Freemasonry ' s great object is to elevate man to that degree of perfection which will secure for him an honourable and useful position among men , and peace and happiness in the realms of eternity . — " Taggart ' s Times . " * # * The object of Masonic legends is not to establish historical facts , but to convey philosophical doctrines , and we