Lodge Histories.

Lodge funds and from the Charity box . The Benovolent Fund of the Lodge was mooted in 1861 , and finally established in 1863 , since which time it has been of great service to many a poor brother or his family

in time of distress . Application for a warrant for a Chapter was agreed to in 1865 , bufc this was not obtained until 1867 . In 1869 the Lodge received the necessary sanction for a Centenary jewel . In 1875 is

recorded the presentation of a handsome testimonial to Bro . John Newton , in appreciation of his services as Secretary . The members also presented a gold chain and locket for Mrs . Newton . There are many other items of

interest to which we might have referred in our very brief summary of Brother Newton's History of the Sincerity Lodge , but as copies of it are available for any brother who may desire to know more of what

has taken place , we here close our summary . We cannot , however , omit a word of praise to the members for their continued and persistent efforts in the cause of Charity . There are very few years to which reference is

made in the History—and these range from 1784 to 1887—without a record of some expenditure towards helping those in distress . As a consequence , the Lodge of Sincerity has won a proud position in the estimation of the Craft ,

and that it may long continue to enjoy that position , and that its present members may be spared for many years to come , is our sincere desire . We have spent many happy

hours at the Sincerity Lodge during the past thirteen years , and have experienced especial gratification in perusing its History , which has been so carefully compiled by our dear friend and hrofcher John Newton .

An enjoyable ball , in aid of the West Lancashire Hamer Benevolent Fund and the Alpass Memorial Fund , was held on Thursday , 22 nd inst , at the Skelmersdale-hall , Westminster-road , Liverpool . The event was promoted by the

Masonic Lodges of the north end of the city , and reflected great credit upon the brethren who acted as the committee . The attendance numbered 150 . Brethren were

conspicuous by their regalia . It is expected that a handsome sum in aid of the Masonic Charities will remain , after payment of the necessary expenses .

Bro . Henry Sadler , Grand Janitor , the author of " Masonic Facts and Fictions , " has accepted an invitation from the members of the Hornsey Chapter of Improvement , which meets at the Porchester Hotel , Leinster Place ,

Paddington , W ., to deliver a lecture on " Banners and Ensigns . " Friday evening , the 6 th April , is the day fixed , and the proceedings will commence at 8 o ' clock . We feel assured that Companions who can make it convenient to attend will spend a profitable and agreeable evening .

Freemasonry.

FREEMASONRY .

[ The following beautiful effusion is from the pen of Sir Edwar Bulwer Lytton , an earnest Mason , and the classical author c " Pompeii" and " Zanoui . " THE world may rail at Masonry , And scoff the square and line ;

We'll follow wifch complacency The Master ' s great design . And though our sisters frown , and though We're by our mothers chided , Conld they our works and hearts bub know , We would not bo derided .

And though tho kings of earth unite Our temple to assail , While armed with truth aud lore and light O'er them we shall prevail .

A cloud may veil the face of day , But Nature smiles at one That shonld adventure , bold essay ! To quench v '>? glorious sun ' .

A king can mr . ke a gartered knight , And breathe away another ; But he , with all his skill and might , Can never make a Brother .

This power alone , thou Mystic Art , Freemasonry , is thine . The power to tamo the savage heart With Brother lovo divine .

Ad01003

FUNERALS properly carried out and personally attended , in London and Country , by Ero . G . A . SUTTON , 17 Newcastle Street , Strand , "W . C . Monuments erected . Variations made .

Obituary.

Obituary .

BRO . JAMES GIEVE , J . P . A PROMINENT member of the Craft in the Province of Hampshire and the Isle of Wight has been called

to his rest in the person of Bro . James Gieve . Although of a quiet , unostentatious , and retiring disposition , Bro . Gieve had for a number of years taken a warm interest in local affairs , and while his voice was rarely heard at the

meetings of the Town Council , he attended as regularly as the state of his health would permit to his municipal duties , and his urbanity and geniality gained for him ^ the respect and esteem of his colleagues . On Thursday night

of last week , Bro . Gieve took the chair at a meeting at the Green Row Rooms . The small room was fairly well filled , when Bro . Gieve , sitting close to whom was his son , Mr . J . W . Gieve , commenced fche proceedings by reading

a letter . He began in his usual tone of voice , but he had not proceeded far when it was noticed that he became somewhat incoherent , and he so wandered that it was clear he had been attacked by sudden illness . No sooner was this

discovered than he staggered , and was only prevented from falling by Mr . F . Morley , surgeon , who caught the deceased in his arms . Mr . Morley , who saw at once that Bro . Gieve had had an apoplectic seizure , adopted the usual

precautions , and as quickly as possible the deceased was removed in a cab to his house in High-street , where he was seen by his regular medical attendant , Dr . Burford Norman , who prescribed the application of ice to the head

and leeches to the temples . The attack , however , was of so serious a character that recovery was , from the first , considered hopeless . At midnight Dr . J . Ward Cousins was summoned , and he approved of what had been done

by Dr . Norman and Mr . Morley . The members of the family , as well as Dr . Norman , remained with Bro . Gieve till death took place , at a quarter to five o ' clock in the

morning of the 23 rd inst . The deceased , who was in his 67 th year , was an active member of the Craft . He was a Past Master of the United Brothers' Lodsre at Southsea

and a Past Grand D . C . of the Province of Hampshire and the Isle of Wight ; a Past First Principal of the Portsmouth Chapter , and a Past Master of the Phcenix Mark

Lodge , Portsmouth ; he had also held office m the Provincial Mark Lodge . In November next Bro . Gieve would have completed his third triennial period as a representative of St . Thomas's Ward in the Town Council . About two years ago the Lord Chancellor placed the deceased on the commission of the peace for the borough .

BRO . CHARLES FLETCHER

A RYE correspondent records the death , at the advanced age of 95 years , of Bro . Charles Fletcher , of the Mint , Rye . Deceased had been wonderfully hale up to within the last few years , bufc the severe weather of the present winter seemed seriously to affect him , and he expired on

Friday , 16 th inst . Deceased had always fcaken great interest in Freemasonry , and , in conjunction with the late Bros . Kidd and Shearer , kept ; the " Wellington " Lodge in existence at a time when the Craft was at a very low ebb in the town .

The Baily Telegraph of Tuesday says : — There was a most interesting ceremony last Friday evening , in the Temple of the Royal York Masonic Lodge at Berlin . Upwards of two thousand Masons had assembled to hold a commemorative service for their departed brother , the Kaiser Wilhelm . The moat

distinguished members of the Craft , from all parts of Germany , came to Berlin for the occasion . In the centre of fche Temple stood a coffin , on which lay tho Three Hoses , and the ceremony was carried onfc according to due Masonic rites . Professor Wagner , a wellknown Conaervative , delivered a most excellent and impressive address .

It is interesting further to knovv that the Chief Masonic Lodge in Italy has communicated with the leading Lodges in all the countries of Europe , praying all Ivlayoiis holding high State positions to do their utmost to bring about a general disarmament in the interests of peace .

A CARD . —AN IMPORTANT DISCOVERY is announced in the ' ' Paris Figaro , " of a valuable remedy for tiervouu debility , physical rxlianation , and kindred complaints . Tho discovery was made by a missionary in Old Mexico ; it saved him from a miserable existence

and premature decay . The Rev . Joseph Holmes , Bloomsbnry Mansion * - ! , Bloomsbnry Square , London , W . C , will send the prescription , free of charge , on receipt of a self-addressed slnmpod envelope . Mention this pap < -r .