Instruction.

foundation of many most successful Freemasons who now occupied prominent positions in the Craft , and complimented the Secretary , Bro . Jos . S . Pointon , W . M . 1901 , and P . M . 1 S 61 , on the manner in which he performed his duties , and said that he was entitled to the highest praise . The Secretary , in the course of his reply , said that he was deeply grateful for the manner in which the toast had been proposed and the enthusiastic way in which it had been received . He hoped he might continue to have the cordial co-operation of the brethren , and he was certain that in that case the other officers , as well as himself , would find the greatest pleasure in continuing the work of conducting the lodge .

Bro . Channon , P . M . 1601 , proposed the toast of " The Preceptor . " He said that the duties were always performed in a most masterly manner and with scrupulous care and kindness . Bro . Wimble had proved himself a true friend and brother . His magnanimous character had endeared him to every member of the lodge , and many hundreds had benefited and were benefiting by his careful instruction . ^ Bro . Wimble , in his reply , expressed his gratification that his work met with approval and hoped to continue it as long as his health and strength oermitted .

Bro . J . Ellinger , P . M ., next proposed the toast of " The Officers of the Selwyn Lodge of Instruction . " The toast being duly honoured , it was responded to by Bros . W . Wimble , P . M . ; Channon , P . M . ; F . E . Pow . P . M . ; J . S . Pointon , P . M . ; and Boulton . "The Mother Lodge" was proposed by the Preceptor , Bros . J . S . Pointon , P . M . ; Dr . R . Weddall Thomas . P . M . ; A . H . Fraser , P . M . ; John Lightfoot , P . M . ; and F . E . Pow , P . M ., responding . Bro . Ramsden replied to the toast of " The Visitors . "

The toast of " The Kindred Lodges of Instruction " was proposed by the Preceptor , who made special reference to the great assistance that had been rendered by nei g hbouring lodges of instruction in the case of a brother for whom they were endeavouring to get the benefit of one of the Masonic Charities . He referred very kindly to Bro . C . W . Mayo , P . M . 16 S 6 , Sec . 1541 , & c , Preceptor of the Vitruvian Lodge of Instruction , as well as the Secretary , Bro . Reynolds , both of whom had given valuable assistance .

The toast was responded to by Bros . William H . Bale , P . M . ; Henry Cornfield , W . M . ; Reynolds , and VV . T . Greenland . Interspersed with the toasts an excellent programme of music was given , under the direction of Bro . Blewett Faull . Bro . H . J . White sang a comic song , " In the Pale Moonlight ; " Bro . Debonnaire sang beautifully " The Island of Dreams , " and afterwards as an encore " O Promise Me ; " Miss Eugenie Faull sang very artistically Arditi ' s " II Bacio ; " two clarionette solos were given by Bro . M . Tuck ; Bro .

Greenaway related some reminiscences of a humorous character ; Bro . Frank Jennings , P . M ., sang "The Char-a-Banc ; " Bro . VV . M . Cooper " The Noah ' s Ark ; " and other brethren contributed to the entertainment during the evening . Among those who were present were the following : Bros . J . Ellinger , P . M . and Sec . 2222 ; A . H , Fraser , P . M . 1901 ; Channon , P . M . 1901 ; Frencess , P . M . ; Wm . H . Bale , P . M . and Treas . S 7 ; Spaull , P . M . ; Wint , P . M . ; J . H . Cooper , W . M . 475 ; E- E . Pow , P . M . 1901 ; Frank Jennings , P . M . 73 ; Henry Cornfield , W . M .

13 S 0 , P . M . 1922 , & c ; H . C Turner , P . M . 16 S 2 ; Dr . R . Weddall Thomas , l . P . M . ; J . W . Wimble , P . M ., Preceptor ; Jos . S . Pointon , P . M . 1 S 61 , Sec . ; Boulton , Asst . Sec ; Blewett Faull , Org . ; Woodgate , E . Pow , Cortwright , Tuck , Hert , Wyburg , Gurney , Wood , W . T . Greenland , Sec . 1 S 61 ; Merrill , Hayward , Thomas Tufts , A . S . { ennings , Frank Rayden , Ramsden , Reynolds , Fitch , Debonnaire , Stevens , Day , Jnderdown , Holmes , Potter , W . J . White , H . I P . ^ White , Maybaum , Moseley , Cutts , Bates , Abbis , Butcher , Wearey , Philp , and Dealey .

ISLINGTON LODGE , No . 1471 . ANNUAL FESTIVAL . This interesting function was held at the usual meeting place of the lodge , the Cock Tavern , Highbury , on Tuesday , the 2 Cth ult ., and proved even a greater success than any previous one . The members and visitors turned up in force , upwards of 70 sitting down to a most excellent dinner , which did credit to the hotel and the catering of the host , Bro . W . A . Evans . The chair was occupied by the Treasurer of the lodge , Bro .

C . M . Coxon , P . M ., P . P . G . D . Herts , who was supported by Bros . W . Hancock , P . M ., Preceptor ; A . F . Hardyment , P . M ., Asst . Preceptor ; J . Duncan , P . M ., Sec . ; S . Napper , E . J . Harrison , and C Isler , P . Ms , of the mother lodge ; E . N . Beningfield , W . M ., with several P . Ms , and brethren of theKingswood Lodge , No . 227 S ; J . Birks , P . M ., and brethren of the Eastern Star Lodge , No . 05 ; H . Hill , P . Mi , Preceptor of

the Finsbury Park Lodge of Instruction , No . 12 SS ; F . Stallard , P . M ., Secretary of the Percy Lodge of Instruction , No . iyS ; a strong contingent of members of the Brondesbury Lodge of Instruction , No . 26 9 S , of which Bro . A . F . Hardyment is the Preceptor ; and many other visitors . Several letters and telegrams were received from brethren who on account of illness or business engagements were at the last moment unable to be present .

The dinner ended , the usual loyal and Masonic toasts were proposed by the Chairman . The toast of "The Islington Lodge of Instruction " was entrusted to Bro . Napper , P . M ., who enlarged upon the long and valuable services that had been rendered by Uro . lW . Hancock , whose unvarying kindness had done so much to build up the lodge to its present position . Bro . VV . Hancock replied in a semi-humorous vein , nuking apt and witty comparisons between the governing of a Masonic lodge and same more august assemblies .

The toast of "The Officers" was proposed by Bro . Harrison , P . M ., and replied to by Bros . Hardyment , P . M ., and Duncan , P . M . The toast of "The Chairman " was proposed bv Bro , E . N . Beningfisld , W . M . 227 S , and briefly acknowledged by Bro . Coxon . Bro . Hancock proposed "The Visitors , " and referring to his long association with Bro . Hill , P . M ., in lodges of instruction , coupled his nun : with tie toist .

Bro . Hill , in reply , said he could not rightly be called a visitor , as he wis really an old member of the lodge , though the last time he was with them was at a siinilir function last year . A great feature on these occasions is the splendid programme which is arranged far the after-dinner entertainment . This was again under the direction of Bro . T . E . Newman , S . D . 1471 , who had an abundance of talent placed at his disposal . To summarise the programme , Bro . F . II . Johnson sang the solo of the Nationil Anthem and later a song ,

" Admiral John . " Songs were given by Bros . Isler , Bower , Roger , and W heeler . A spirited military song ( an unpub'ished one ) by Bro . Hardyment ; a cornet solo by Bro . G . P . Hans ( encored ); an entertainment by " Zelka , " illusionist ; humorous songs by Bros . II . Hall and Noel , both of whom received encores ; a trombone solo , " The village blacksmith , " was given with splendid effect by Bro . H . J . Dunaway . Singijwere also given by Messrs . Masterson , West , and Bishop . These vocal cffjrts were most ably accompanied by Bro . Eustace II . Wallace , and on separating the universal feeling was that the gathering had been a most successful and enjoyable one .

STAR CHAPTER , No . 1275 . The weekly convocation was held at the Stirling Castle , Church-street , Camberwell , on Friday , the 2 yth ult ., when there were present Comps . Wm . Dawson , P . Z ., M . E . Z . ; J . H . Cureton , P . Z ., II . ; W . Jas . Everett , J . ; Thos . Grummant , P . Z ., Preceptor ; Chas . II . Stone , P . / .., S . E . ; Grummant , S . N . ; ikone , P . S . ; W . I ) . Dickinson , and J . C . Pratt .

I he minutes of the previous weekly convocation were read and confirmed . The ceremony of exaltation was rehearsed , Comp . Pratt personating the candidate . Comp . Pratt , J . 3 , was elected a member . Comp . J . II . Cureton , II ., was elected to the position ot M . E . Z . on Friday , the 12 th inst . The chapter stands adjourned over Good Friday . The business of chapter ended , it was closed .

FKI-: E . MA . SOKI : Y is sometimes laughed at by the uninitiated , but Bro . Conan Djyle on being admitted an honorary member of St . Mary's Chapel Lodge at Edinburgh , in recognition of his literary merits , " and particularly lor his services as a medical man among uur soldiers in South Africa , " told the brethren he believed that many of the British troops , v . hen taken prisoners by the lioers , found personal benefit from the fact that they were Masons . The ranks of the lioers , Bro . Dr . Conan Doyle declared , were filled with Masons , who also found the mystic brotherhood an advantage when they were taken captive by the British .

The Craft Abroad.

The Craft Abroad .

CONSECRATION OF THE CERES CONCLAVE , No . 31 .

The brethren residing at Rangoon , who have long desired the estab . lishment of a Conclave of the Order of the Secret Monitor in their midst , were able to take advantage of the visit of Bro . his Honour Judge John Copley Moyle , Grand Visitor and Inspector General of the Order for Burmah , and to consecrate under his guidance their new Conclave Ceres , No . 31 , on the 28 th February last .

As the regular warrant had not yet arrived , the consecration took place under a provisional warrant issued by Bro . Moyle , as is customary even in the Craft in distant parts . The petitioners for the warrant are Bro . Moyle himself , Bro . Harry Walker Watts , Supreme Ruler designate ; Bro . John Woodward , Counsellor designate ; Bro . Nanabhoy Nowrojee Burjojee , Guide designate , all of the Moulmein Conclave , No . 28 ; and Bro . Elliot Hill , Past G . Guarder in the Grand Council ; and Bro . Herbert E . Wilkins , Past G . Steward of Grand Conclave .

The new conclave is to meet four times a year in Rangoon , and there are , it is understood , about 20 members either already inducted or about to be inducted at the next meeting . In this country of immense distances it is somewhat difficult to arrange for important functions such as the present , but we understand the brethren at another important centre in Burmah have already taken the steps necessary to make application for a warrant and form a conclave in their

town . We have seen the summons calling a conclave a few weeks ago in Pietermaritzburg , and there was no want of candidates for induction even in these troublous times . We have also seen a letter from Bro . Thomas Cook , District Grand Supreme Ruler in the Order for South Africa , giving details of the application of a small fund sent out from the Grand Council and private brethren to help any member of the Order injured by the war .

Bro . Geo . Richards , District Grand Master of the Transvaal , and Grand Visitor of the Order in South Africa , who has recently returned from Natal , brings a hopeful report , and we are prepared to see this , and other even more remote districts , forming further conclaves as soon as the present troubles are past and peace again reigns . It is also interesting to note that the Grand Visitor or Inspector General

for the year , Bro . James Stiven , is visiting the conclaves in India , where his action will no doubt be a source of strength to the Order , and the four conclaves in Hindostan . During his absence Bro . Deputy J . W . Goodinge , C . C ., the other Grand Visitor for the year , has been authorised to call upon Bro . J . W . Songhurst , P . G . Std . Br ., and Bro . John Kay , P . G . C ., for assistance in his importaat duties in English conclaves .

Several very distinguished Masons have recently joined the Order in England , and we learn of applications for conclaves from various quarters at home and abroad , the last being an application direct to the Grand Supreme Ruler , the Earl of Warwick , from brethren residing in New Zealand .

The Death Of The Queen.

THE DEATH OF THE QUEEN .

MASONIC MEMORIAL SERVICE .

A Special Communication of the District Grand Lodge of Masons under the English Constitution for North China was held in the Masonic Hall , Shanghai , at 5 . 30 p . m ., on Saturday , the 2 nd ult ., when a memorial service in honour of the memory of Queen Victoria was held . This was

attended by the District Grand Lodge , all the lodges working in connection therewith , as well as the lodges working under American , Scottish , and German Constitutions , these , with a number of visitors from other lodges , forming , undoubtedly , the largest assembly of Masons ever gathered together in Shangai .

The hall had been fully draped in black , while occupying a prominent place on the walls hung the portrait of her late Majesty , almost hidden under sombre emblems . The scene , as those present took their places in this room , with the men-of-war in the river firing minute guns until sunset , was one which will probably never be forgotten by those privileged to be

present . After the Dist . G . Lodge had been duly opened , it was first exp lained that the special service had been decided upon as the Trustees of the Trinity Cathedral had informed them that there was not room enoug h in that building to allow of their presence as a body . As her Majesty had been Grand Patron of the Order for many ytiars , it was thought but proper

that a special service should be held to mark the respect in which she had been held by them all . , The following address , which it was proposed to have engrossed and signed by all the brethren in Shanghai , to be forwarded to K ' S Edward VII ., the Grand Master of the Craft , was then read by Bro . C . Thorpe , P . D . G . M ., and unanimously approved by those present :

That this District Grand Lodge dutifully approaches your Majesty and humbly prays to be permitted to oiler its sincere condolences on the loss sustaineu by the nation in the death of our late beloved Queen Victoria , for so many years the Grand Patron of our Order . Not only as Masons , but as subjects , and no only as subjects , but as citizens of the world , the members of the District Gra " Lodge of Northern China feel called uoon to add their tribute of grief to '"

widespread sorrow caused by the decease of our Illustrious Mistress , whose nam and memory will for ever pass down the stream of time alongside the greatest a " noblest rulers of past ages . As a Sovereign Queen Victoria has been to a nations a great and a stirring sight , and the example set by her contemporary has been productive of enhanced happiness throughout the civilised world . As woman a wife , and a mother she equally exemplified all that is good , wholesorn ,

and pure in domestic life , and the history of her reign , prolonged by the bless g of the Great Architect of the Universe beyond the period usually allotted to w ^ will remain to prove to future ages how widely extended may be the results o life consistently trained in accordance with His divine ordinances . That y Majesty , following in the steps of your illustrious mother , may be long P ^ ,, iJ to reign over the great British Empire is the fervent praytir of the District V ijis Lodge of Northern China , and may the Most High ever have your Majesty '" Most Holy keeping .

Short addresses were given by the D . G . M ., Bi-o . L . MOORE ; by _ V | C . TIIOKNL , and the acting D . G . Chaplain , Bro ,, the Rev . W . P . B EJ' ' X after which