Masonic Festival At Knutsford.

MASONIC FESTIVAL AT KNUTSFORD .

Cheshire is once * more to the front . For some time past arrangements have been carried on for a grand festival in connection with the Cheshire Educational Institution and the Cheshire Benevolent Institution under the guidance of Bro . Richard Newhouse and assisted by many influential brethren , including Bros . F .

K . Stevenson , John Clayton , James Cookson , F . Broadsmith , Colonel C . Deane , Henry Jackson , H . G . Small , Jno . Armstrong , Alt . Peterkin , and many other brethren . These have developed into one of the greatest successes ever achieved by any province , and reflects great credit upon the brethren generally of the province , as last Saturday's announcement showed .

This was the first festival of the Educational Institution , founded so long since as 1863 and designed for the education and advancement of the children of Freemasons in Cheshire . The Benevolent Institution , strange to say , was founded in 18 93 , exactly 30 years afterwards , and this was designed for the benefit cf Aged Freemasons and Widows of Freemasons . The jewel which was

selected for the Stewards on this occasion was specially designed , and is unique in its character , and comprises the County Palatine of Chester Arms together with those of the Prov . Grand Master and her Grace the Duchess of Chandos and Buckingham . The badge was greatly admired by his lordship and all present .

The festival took place at Knutsford , and by the gracious permission of Bro . Lord Egerton of Tatton , the P . G . M ., the park and gardens were thrown open to the ladies and brethren . Unfortunately , the weather was not of th ' c most favourable character , and probably prevented the visitors enjoying themselves as well as they otherwise would have done .

The brethren assembled at the Town Hall where admirable arrangements had been made for the distribution of badges to the Stewards , and which was perfectly carried out by Bros . John Armstrong and R . Finlow . The banquet took place at five o ' clock , and about 200 sat down , including many ladies . Bro . Lord Egerton presided , and was supported on

the dais by Bros , the Hon . Alan de Tatton Egerton , M . P . ; Richard Newhouse , Rev . C . Chetwynde-Atkinson , M . A . ; F . K . Stevenson , Col . Deane , John Clayton , James Cookson , Fred Broadsmith , Thomas Shaw , T . H . Annett , H . G . Small , Henry Jackson , Harry Nash , Jno . Armstiong , R . Finlow , Fred . May , A . G . Peterkin , and James Hamilton .

The toast list comprised only six toasts , which were briefly given and responded to . Bro . Col . DEAN proposed "The Right Hon . Lord Egerton of Tatton , President of the Institutions . " In reply , his LORDSHIP reminded the brethren that four years ago the province raised ^ 3000 for

the Benevolent Institution , and last year contributed ^ 2000 to the Royal Masonic Institution for Boys in London . ( Applause . ) He also announced that the power had been given him by the Grand Master of England , the Prince of Wales , in commemoration of the completion of his Royal Highness ' s 21 years' Mastership of the

Grand Lodge of England , to confer Past Prov . Grand rank upon the following brethren : Bros . F . K . Stevenson , John Clayton , and Dr . Renshaw , P . P . S . G . Ws . j James Cookson , P . P . J . G . W . ; and Harrv Nash . P . P . S . G . D . He concluded bv

wishing the combined Institutions of Cheshire every success . Bro . RICHARD NEWHOUSE then read a list of the contributions from the lodges , and

an-DESIGNED AND MANUFACTURED nounced the handsome total up to that moment BY GEORGE KENNING was / nc , which was received with great AND SON , MANCHESTER . appiause and pleasure . Bro . HARKV NASH proposed " The Health of the Hon . Alan de Tatton Egerton , Past G . W . of Eng ., and the rest of the Prov . Grand Officers , Present and Past . "

This was responded to by Bro . the Hon . DE TATTON EGERTON , who met with quite an ovation . Referring to his recent adventure in South Africa , he said he and his party were at one time in great danger , but , luckily , that did not last very long , and they found themselves amongst as happy a family as ever Masonry could produce . In the garrison of Gwelo brotherly love prevailed , and all , recognising the condition they were in , did what they could to make each other happy , and render the position as comfortable as possible . He also alluded to the great strides Masonry had made in South Africa .

Bro . RICHARD NEWHOUSE also made a few very suitable remarks , which were heartily applauded . Musical arrangements had been made by Bro . F . Broadsmith , and some very charming glees and tiios were rendered by Bros . Mark Stafford , Wm . Duinville , and Bro . W . Booth , Bro . Bettinglon being the accompanyist . Altogether the festival was a grand success , and reflects very great credit upon all who took any part in the arrangements , as everything was thoroughly carried Oit .

Masonic Service At Rainham Parish Church.

MASONIC SERVICE AT RAINHAM PARISH CHURCH .

On Sunday afternoon , the 19 th ult ., a Masonic service , held under the banner of the Royal Victorian Jubilee Lodge , No . 2184 , supported by the members of the St . John ' s Lodge , No . 1343 ; Liberty of Havering Lodge , No . 1437 ; and other lodges , was held at Riinham parish church in aid of the restoration fund . The ancient church of SS . Helen and Giles is among the oldest of parish churches in the county , the sacred edifice being of pure Norman architecture , which is unusually beautiful and unique in its character . The church is said to have been

erected about the year 1150 , but it is now in a most dilapidattd condition , with the old high box pews and whitewashed walls . To restore the edifice and to reseat the •building some ^ 3000 is urgently required , towards which £ 530 has been raised . Rainham is almost purely rural , peopled for the most part with the agricultural class , numbering 1800 souls . Yet with this growing and large population it might practically be said that the parish church is the only place of worship in the neighbourhood .

Masonic Service At Rainham Parish Church.

The service on the 19 th ult . was to raise funds towards this most laudable object . The church was crowded , the centre aisle being set apart for the members of the various Masonic lodges . The brethren assembled at the Pbcenix Hotel , the large assembly room , with its several ante-rooms , being set apart by Bro . Joyce for the occasion . Bro . H . C . Borradaile ably performed the duties of Director of Ceremonies , and at 3 . 45 the brethren , dressed in full Masonic clothing , were marshalled in order , and—headed by the banners of the Royal Victorian Jubilee and St . John ' s Lodges—marched to the church , the procession being witnessed by hundreds of spectators .

Among the brethren were Bros . F . W . Peliing , W . M . ; C . Westwood , I . P . M .-J . Weymouth , S . W . ; G . H . Silverwood , S . D . ; C . Asplin , J . D . ; R . Atkins ' , P . M . ; J . G . Wingrove , P . G . O . ; F . S . Guy , P . M ., P . J . G . W . ; G . E . Gilbert , c ! Cobham , P . M ., P . Z ., ( P . P . G . S . ; C . Rigby , R . Walker , Stwd . ; J . W . Barefoot , A . C . James , T . A . Capron , J . Higgins , B . D . Borradaile , C . B . Chattey , J . Smith , P . M . ; J . Norman , P . M . ; Creagh , J . Spencer , Joyce , G . Martin , H . iHeasman , P . M . ; Reynolds , Windell , Harvey , W . M . and Sec . ; J . S . Hammond , S . W . ; J . Spencer , jun ., J . W . ; W . D . Child , I . P . M . ; A . T . Harding , Harold E . Smith , \ V . Baker , and others .

The services were conducted by the following clergy : The Venerable Archdeacon of Essex ( Bro . T . Stevens , Grand Chaplain of England ) , who read the prayers ; Bro . the Rev . F . Haslock ( Prov . Grand Chap . ) , who preached the sermon ; Mr . H . C . Borrodaile reading the special lessons ; the Rev . C . R . N . Burrows ( curate-in-charge ) being also present .

The choir was augmented by the members of the Grays parish church , and the service commenced with the processional hymn , " Brightly gleams our banner . " The special anthem , " Behold how good and joyful a thing it is , brethren , to dwell together in unity , " was sweetly rendered , Mr . Pean taking the bass and Mr . J . Weymouth and Master Seal the duet .

The preacher ( Bro . the Rev . F . HASLOCK ) said it was not his intention to take a text or preach a sermon , for after the service , when they arrived at their homes , let them quietly , and with their wives and families , read again the special Psalms ( exxxiii . and exxxiv . ) and the first lesson ( I . Chronicles 39 th chap . 10 th to 20 th verse ) and they would have sufficient to meditate upon for the whole week . To him it was a very helpful , wholesome , and encouraging sign of the times that everybody appeared desirous and anxious to unite or re-unite with

everybody else to promote more closely social acquaintance , and to co-operate in Christian work of all kinds in a practical way and on a broad , comprehensive Christian basis . In this desire for unity and co-operation in all kinds of good work in promoting liberty , brotherly love , and Charity , he was bold to say that the Freemasons of England stood second to no body of men in the world , and among Freemasons of England those in the Province of Essex were certainly not ashamed to stand second . He hoped the day was not far distant when

they would take the first place On the list . They had come togetbei that day to emphasise the great Christian virtue of brotherly love and kindness , to join hand in hand in the most ancient of churches in that part of Essex , in that sadly dilapidated house of God to assist in the beautifying of that temple . In the short space of time at his disposal it was impossible for him to particularise the importance of the great moral principles of Freemasonry . It was sufficient for him to say that their Order was established

for the recognition of those sublime truths in the midst of innocentjand social pleasures , as well as in the midst of the daily routine of business . It was a beautiful system of morality veiled in allegory , and illuminated by symbols , and one joining its ranks could not fail to be impressed for good . Their Order since its establishment had performed a great and noble work . It had built and endowed asylums for aged and infirm members , erected hospitals for the sick , and homes for the orphans . It had clothed the neglected , fed the hungry , relieved the poor .

and granted aid to distressed brethren and widows , and that day it had drawn some of its members together to aid in the noble work of restoring that ancient house of God . He hoped it would be restored to its former splendour . Therefore from that day's service they wanted workers , not talkers or theorists , but workers for God and His Church . Whatever they might give towards that noble object would be work for God . No Christian man stood alone in the- work of the Church or in the battle of life , and if they wanted to have God ' s blessing upon

their work it must be what God approved of . What was the work God called them to perform that day ? It was what he considered to be a privilege and honour conferred upon them by God to assist in the rebuilding and restoration ol that glorious little temple , so that they might the better be able to build up the lives of others and their own , in order that they mig ht become fitter temples of the living God . As Masons their woik was to try to help humanity , to lift it higher , and to make men and women holier , happier , and wiser ;

in short , to make the whole world better . In looking around the building they could easily observe that there was much repairing and work to be done ; and , as that repair was needed to that edifice , so did their lives require attention . The walls of the church had suffered from the action of the weather ; so it was with the lives of men who had suffered from the toils of life . JIan was once like the white walls , a picture of innocence ; but through the course of time he had become begrimed by the cares and worries of the world . Again , thy

would notice that it was owing to the neglect of the last generation that the building had fallen into its present dilapidated state . So it was with their own lives ; if they had not kept tfiem in careful repair , and if they let it go on year by year , it would be worse and worse , so that there would be very little left of what was once as fair and beautiful as the Temple of God . From such a life the beauty of holiness had departed , the voice of praise was silent , the prayer was

h ushed , and the life was going to ruin . There were some amongst them who were sadly neglecting their lives , living only day by day for the body and for the meat which perisheth and for this world only . The Church Service knew them not , and year followed year , finding them still prayerless and careless of the 15 ib «! ' Some had ceased even to be on speaking terms with God . They had locked God out of their very house of their life , and the life was going to ruin . Suc » men they , as Masonswere to help and restore .

, The offertory was then taken , which , with a few private donations , broug ht 1 U P 'o £ 25 . The arrangements were in the hands of Bro . W . Harvey , who w assisted by Churchwardens E . Randall and E . Mitchell . Mr . Cecil . Hyatt presided at the organ .

Outing Of The Confidence Lodge, No. 193

OUTING OF THE CONFIDENCE LODGE , No . 193

Bro . Tom Wiffen ., host of the St . George ' s Cliff Hotel , Heme Bay , vC , > generously extended an invitation to the brethren of this lodge , to visit h 111 ^ his new hostelry on the 20 th ult . Headed by the W . M ., Bro . Plowright , the ]¦> ' Bro . Pennock , and several of the Past Masters , a lar '' e muster of the brctlir L , 1 . •te arrived from town about 10 o ' clock . Bro . Wiffen had provided two braK < - convey the party to St . George ' s Cliff Hotel , where luncheon was provided . ,

A tour of inspection was then made , the worthy host explaining the ltc '" ' . interest in his splendidly tquipped premises , croquet lawns , gardens , gon •' & c . The party was then conveyed to the Reculvers , a mojt enjoyable drive , and UP