Our Season's Greetings.

OUR SEASON'S GREETINGS .

ONCE more the pleasurable task devolves upon us to wash our readers a happy and prosperous New Year , and we gladly avail ourselves of the opportunity of doing so . " 'Tis an old tale , and often told , " it is

true , but our wishes are none the less sincere on that account ; indeed , there is an especial reason for even heartier greetings on our part on the present occasion , by reason of the many kind expressions which have

reached us in connection with our Silver Jubilee , which we celebrate with the commencement of the new year . We heartily thank the many friends who have congratulated us on the auspicious event , and feel

considerable satisfaction m our labours during the past quarter of a century , when we hear how much they are appreciated by those for whom we have worked . We hope it may be our good fortune to receive similar

kindly greetings year by year as we progress towards the next great event in our history—our Golden Jubilee , and for the time being beg to tender to all our readers the heartiest of 6 ood UlislKS Tor 1900 ,

Loyalty Of The Craft.

LOYALTY OF THE CRAFT .

'T'HE loyalty of English Freemasons is proverbial , * yet we think the doings of its leaders at the present time—even in face of the splendid outburst of enthusiasm which appears to have affected all classes of the community alike—stand out prominently as

evidence in support of the contention , if any were needed , that members of the Masonic Brotherhood are foremost among the loyal citizens of the Empire , ready to serve Queen and country wherever and

whenever the occasion presents itself . It would be unwise at this juncture to attempt anything like a cursory list of those among the highest in authority

who practice the gentler arts of Freemasonry in their leisure hours , for the reason that it is quite impossible to determine who are or are not members of the Craft

among the numerous body of active workers , and it would be invidious to make distinctions , but we may greet Lord Roberts and Lord Kitchener , among the more prominent men of the day , as members of the

Craft , and point to Past Grand Master H . R . H . the Duke of Connaught , the Deputy Grand Master the Earl of Warwick , and other of our Provincial Grand Masters , as ready and willing to proceed to South Africa if the Empire can avail itself of their services .

We have already referred to the probable absence from England for some time of the Provincial Grand Master of Devonshire , who goes out to India as

Governor of Bombay ; and now we have to record that another great Province of England—East Lancashire —will lose its chief , for a shorter period let us hope , as Lord Stanley the recently installed Provincial Grand

Loyalty Of The Craft.

Master is proceeding to the seat of war in South Africa . In his case the duties of Masonic government will be performed by his Deputy , Brother C . R . N . Beswicke-Royds , and it is fair to say , in the words of

a Manchester contemporary , his lordship will take with him to South Africa the best wishes of the Brethren over whom he has so recently been appointed to rule —as well as of the Masons of England generally . We

wish him and the other distinguished Brethren who have responded to the needs of the moment a prosperous journey , and a safe return to their native land .

Masonry And The Church.

MASONRY AND THE CHURCH .

NEW stained glass windows have been placed in the south transept of Rochester Cathedral by members of the Craft , in commemoration of the appointment of the Dean as Grand Chaplain of England , and they were recently dedicated by the Lord Bishop ofthe Diocese . The windows were purchased out of the proceeds of the Masonic Service

held in Rochester Cathedral fifteen months ago , with the object of inaugurating a fund for the building of a new tower to the Cathedral , a scheme which , however , had to be abandoned . There are three lights , each having various figures and arms upon them . The figures represent

Ethelbert the first christian king of Kent , Solomon the king , Bishop Gundulph , Walter de Merton founder of Merton College , and Aholiab and Benzaleel two Bible characters .

The arms consist of those of the Diocese , the Bishop , and the Dean . There are also certain Masonic emblems . The Dean , Canon H . C . Pollock , and the Rev . Minor Canons E . M . Blackie and E . J . Nash assisted in the service .

Irish Charity.

IRISH CHARITY .

THE half-yearly meeting of the Board of Governors of the Masonic Female Orphan School of Ireland was held on the 5 th inst ., at the School house , Balls Bridge , and the report of the scrutineers of the ballot for the admission of three pupils was read . The number of votes recorded in

favour of each candidate was : —Mary I . Cleary 507 , A . C . M . Gardiner 320 , Kathleen Harpur 2 , 401 , Eveline E . Heap 773 , Letitia R . Kenny 94 8 , Mary R . Kerr 659 , Florence E . M'Dowell 2 , 892 , Helena Montgomery 456 , Isabella Smith

254 , Violet E . Turner 3 , 888 . It was unanimously resolved that the three candidates who obtained the highest number of votes should be admitted . Accordingly Violet E . Turner , Florence E . M'Dowell , and Kathleen Harpur were declared duly elected pupils of the School .

Nottinghamshire.

NOTTINGHAMSHIRE .

r I lHE annual meeting of this Provincial Grand Lodge was J _ held at the Masonic Hall , Nottingham , on the 15 th instant . The Deputy Provincial Grand Master Judge Masterman , who presided , read a telegram from the Duke of Portland Prov . G . M ., expressing his great regret that he could not be

present , on account of the very serious condition of Mr . B . Dallas-Yorke , the Duchess ' s brother , who was lying dangerously ill with typhoid fever . Mr . Dallas-Yorke some months ago sustained a serious fall from his horse , and had not sufficiently recovered to join his regiment , the 10 th Hussars , which has recently arrived in South Africa .