Lodges And Chapters Of Instruction.

and masterly manner . Lodge was closed to the Second Degree , and the 1 st Section of the Lecture was worked . Lodge was closed to the First Degree , and Bro . Hubbard was elected W . M . for next meeting , and the officers were appointed in rotation . Lodge was then closed .

CREATON LODGE ( No . 1791 ) . —A meeting was held on Thursday , the 27 th ult ., at the Wheatsheaf Hotel , Goldhawk-road , Shepherd ' s Bush , W . Present : Bros . John Davies , Preceptor , W . M . ; W . Jennings , S . W . ; Hellier , J . W . ; James Sims , P . M ., Deputy Preceptor ; E . Austin , P . M ., Treas . ; W . H . Chalfont , P . M ., Sec ; Jobson ,

S . D . ; John A . Lathbury , P . M . ( visitor ) , J . D . ; A . Love , I . G . j D . Stroud , P . M . ; W . Williams , P . M . 1791 ; E . Child , P . M . ; F . Craggs , Ferris , T . Head , B . Browne , Nash , and Russell , W . M . 1399 , P . G . R . Oxon ( visitor ) . The lodge was opened , and the minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed . The lodge was opened in the Second Degree . Bro . Ferris having answered the

usual questions of the ceremony of raising , was entrusted . The lodge was opened in the 'I bird Degree , and the ceremony completed . The W . M . gave the traditional history , also the charge after raising . The lodge was closed in the Third and Second Degrees . Bros . John A . Lathbury , P . M . 320 , and Russell , W . M . 1399 , P . G . R . O . xon , were elected joining members . Bro . Jennings was elected W . M . for the next meeting , and . the lodge was closed .

ST . AMBROSE LODGE ( No . 1 S 91 ) . —A meeting was held on Monday , the 24 th ult ., at the Baron's Court Hotel , West Kensington . Present : Bros . C E . Everett , W . M . ; James Sims , P . M ., S . W . ; W . Fayers , J . W . ; j . Collings , P . M ., Preceptor ; F . Craggs , Sec ; " J . B . Cory , S . D . ; W . C . Williams , P . G . Std . Br . Middlesex , J . D . ; John Davies , I . G . ; and Thomas J obson .

The lodge having beert duly opened , the ceremony of initiation was rehearsed in a very commendable manner , Bro . Jobson acting as candidate . The 4 th , 5 th , and 6 th Sections of the Lecture were worked by various brethren , under the guidance of the Preceptor . Bro . James Sims was duly elected W . M . for the next meeting , which will take place on Monday , September 2 nd , and the lodge was closed .

LOUGHBOROUGH LODGE .-The usual weekly meeting of this lodge was held at the Gauden Hotel , Clapham , on Monday , the 1 st inst ., when there were present Bros . Russell , W . M . ; J . Wright , S . W . ; Evans , J . W . ; Westley , Preceptor ; J . Andrews , Sec ; J . Mitchell , S . D . ; E . G . King , J . D : ; Steele , I . G . ; Cochrane , Caink

H . Mitchell , F . Hill , Ellson , Lyell , Winny , Poole , Folkard , and Cowland . The lodge was opened in due form , and the minutes of the last meeting read and confirmed . The 1 st and 2 nd Sections of the Lecture were worked by Bro . Westley , assisted by the brethren . The ceremony of initiation was

rehearsed , with Bro . Winny as candidate . Bro . Hill being a candidate for passing , proved his proficiency , and was entrusted . The lodge was opened in the Second Degree , and the ceremony of passing rehearsed , with Bro . Hill as candidate . The lodge was resumed to the First Degree , and

the W . M . rising for the first time , dues were collected . The W . M . rose for the second time , and Bro . J . Wright was elected W . M . for the ensuing week . He returned thanks and appointed his officers in rotation . The W . M . rose for the third time , and the lodge was closed .

Royal Masonic Institution For Boys .

ROYAL MASONIC INSTITUTION FOR BOYS .

DISTRIBUTION OF PRIZES . The smallness of the gathering at Wood Green on Thursday , the 27 th ult ., showed untnistakeably that a cloud is passing over this Institution , many of the old habitues being conspicuous by their absence . We are bound to say , however , that this feeling did not extend to the boys , who went through their various competitions in a very spirited and satisfactory manner , with the following result :

PROGRAMME . Chorus - " Britons , arise ! "—( Bellini ) - - The Choir Conductor—Bro . H . Dutton .

PRIZES PRESENTED BY THE INSTITUTION- . First Class—Scripture , F . W . Lewis . Shakespeare , H . R . Graves . Geography and History , J . P . Seajrave . French and Latin , F . F . Coleman , W . B . Macqueen . Mathematics , H . R . Graves , S . Gibson . General Improvement , F . K . Manning , E . B . Hickinbotham , F . H . France . Second Class—Shakespeare , G . E . Haines . History and Geography , J . D'Oyly . French , G . E . Haines . Latin , G . W . Figges . Mathematics , H . Beaumont . General

Improvement , H . Lewis , F . Higgison . Third Class—English , F . A . Moorcroft . French , L . J . T . Harvey , M . B . Jones . Latin , H . R . Lane . Mathematics , H . N . Angier . General Improvement , B . H . Robev . O . L . Brister , j . H . Oscroft . Pianoforte Solo - - "Scherzo" - - ( Schubert ) .

r . vv . niggison . Part Song - - "Departure" - ( Mendelssohn ) . The Choir . Fourth Class—English , F . C Boulter . French , A . L . Pedley . Latin , R . A . Fortune . Mathematics , C Campl bell . Mapping , F . C . V . Basham . Good ConductG . H .

, Sutcliffe . Fifth Class—English , J . B . Murless . French , A . 0 . Crompton . Latin , J . M . Macmillan . Arithmetic and Algebra , H . M . Harrison . General Improvement , F . Carter , J . D . Davies .

Sixth Class—French , G . R . H . Aitken . Latin , C Staden . Arithmetic , W . Collinson . Writing , W . D . Pronger . General Improvement , C . Green . Seventh Class—General Improvement , A . H . Grimsey , R . T . G . Biggs . Chorus - "Allegiance we swear" ( Bishop ) - The Choir .

Solo—W . E . Cordingley . PREPARATORY SCHOOL . First Class—General Proficiency , A . Stephenson , R . T . Groombridge . General Improvement , W . Land . Efficiency as Monitor , C Thaw . Second Class—General Proficiency , F . Bland . General Improvement , A . E . Davev , P . Parker .

Royal Masonic Institution For Boys .

Third Class—General Proficiency , R . Chinneck . General Improvement , R . G . Bindley . Pianoforte - Trio " Extract from the First Concerto " ( Mendelssohn ) . F . W . Higgison and J . Heinke . Part Song - - "Song to Spring" - - ( Berger ) The Choir .

SPECIAL PRIZES . Writing , istF . C . Basham , 2 nd J . Heinke . Dictation , 1 st C . W . Limpricht , 2 nd H . R . Graves . History , 1 st G . E . Haines , 2 nd F . W . Lewis . Geography , tst V . W . Lewis , 2 nd F . F . Coleman . Mental Arithmetic , 1 st J . P . Seagrave , 2 nd H . R . Graves . Shorthand , 1 st H . R . Graves ,

2 nd J . Heinke , F . Coleman . Vocal Music , 1 st W . E . Cordingley , 2 nd J . A . M . Baily , R . D . Williams . Instrumental Music , 1 st J . Shaw , 2 nd F . B . Kent , H . J . Lillywhite , R . D . Williams . Efficiency as Monitor , 1 st A . W . Wyatt , 2 nd C . J . G . Roddam , J . A . M . Baily . Proficiency in Drill , F . P . Salter . Band , E . A . F . Mayne . Pianoforte , J . Heinke .

PRESENTED BY PRIVATE DONORS . By Mrs . Bowyer , Bookkeeping , J . Heinke . "Charles Greenwood Memorial Prize . "—Interest on £ 103 13 s . to ahoy on leaving the Institution at Christmas , for Good Conduct during- the whole of his school career . By Mrs . D . P . Cama , Bookkeeping , J . Shaw . Shorthand ,

H . R . Graves . By Mr . Silvester ( Drawing Master ) , Mapping , A . Warner . Freehand , S . H . Anderson . Shading , F . F . B . Kent . Modelling-, A . Moore . Etching , F . W . Lewis . Painting , G . H . Sutcliffe . Song - - - "Cherry Ripe" - - - ( Horn )

W . E . Cordingley . 1 SS 9 . Silver Medal for Good Conduct—Presented by the Institution—J . P . Seagrave . Canonbury Gold Medal— Presented by the late Bro Edward Cox , V .-Patron—F . B . Salter . Silver Watch and Chain for General Good Conduct-Presented by the Supreme Council of the 33 ° to a Pupil on leaving the Institution—L . Taylor .

The Chairman ' s Address . Part Song - " O , hush thee , my baby " - ( Sullivan ) The Choir . Pianoforte Solo - " The Rivulet . " - ( Mendelssohn ) J . Heinke . Musical Drill—By the Pupils of the Preparatory School . Quartette " Softly fall the Shades of Evening . " ( Weber )

Cordingley , Gay , & c " God Save the Queen . "—The Choir . The athletic sports resulted in a very satisfactory display ; the programme was a full one , and some keen rivalry resulted . The potatoe race , the charioteers , the sack race , and finally the obstacle race , evoked much enthusiasm . The boys left school for their holidays on Monday last .

Opening Of New Masonic Hall At Sittingbourne.

OPENING OF NEW MASONIC HALL AT SITTINGBOURNE .

The good work begun by the W . M . and brethren of the St . Michael's Lodge , No . 1273 , early in last March , in laying the foundation stone of a Masonic Hall , an account of which interesting event we gave to our readers at the time , was consummated on Tuesday , the 25 th ult ., when the Prov . Grand Master of Kent , Earl Amherst , kindly attended to consecrate and dedicate the St . Michael ' s Masonic

Hall to Freemasonry for ever . The Prov . G . Master was attended by the following Prov . Grand Officers , viz . : Bros . J . S . Eastes , Dep . Prov . Grand Master ; B . K . Thorpe , P . G . Std . Br ., Prov . G . Treas . ; W . J . Harris , P . S . G . W . ; Henry Penfold , P . P . J . G . W . ; Rev . C . E . Shirley Woolmer , Prov . G . Chap . ; Rev . Wm . Henry Bond , Asst . P . G . Chap . ; Rev . V . S . Vickers , P . P . G .

Chap . ; Horatio Ward , P . P . J . G . W . ; J . M . Goldfinch , P . P . J . G . D . ; F . J . Soale , P . P . A . G . D . C . ; W . H . Drake , P . P . G . O . ; Alexander Spears , P . P . S . G . D . ; Charles Burley , P . P . A . G . D . C ; and Samuel Varren , P . P . G . Purst . ; and the W . M ., Bro . Henry Morris , was supported by the following officers and members of the lodge : Bros . Geo . Goble , I . P . M . j Laurance Seager , S . W . j Charles Bradley , J . W . j George Payne , P . M ., P . P . G . Reg .,

Treas . j Herbert Black , P . M ., P . P . A . G . D . C , Sec . j A . J . Lee , S . D . j E . R . A . Scoonos , D . C ; T . A . Burley , l . C ; J . A . Moxey , Stwd . ; Henry Iron , P . M . ; H . C Sutton , P . M . ; C . Waite , E . Chiesfield , D . M . Cowie , Charles Rugg , E . J . Mannion , Robert Gardner , Thomas Henham , Richard Hampton , Wm . Roots , and Charles Bennett , Tyler . Visitors : Bros . George T . Green , 158 ; W . H . Allaway ,

159 S ; Hargroves , 155 S ; J . M . Nash , 1050 ; H . Price , W . M . 230 S ; E . A . G . Smith , S . W . 230 S ; J . J . Higgs , 230 S ; G . F . Baker , W . M . 503 ; and E . Hawkins , 311 . Precisely at 12 . 15 , the P . G . M ., Earl Amherst , entered the lodge room , accompanied by all the Prov . Grand Officers , and , having been pleased to accept the gavel from the W . Master , Bro . Henry Morris , proceeded to open the lodge . The W . M . then rose and said : R . W . P . CM . —1 rise

with feelings of the greatest possible pleasure to invite your lordship to consecrate and dedicate this , our new Masonic Hall to Freemasonry for ever . I can assure your lordship that it has been a matter of unqualified gratification to myself and the brethren of St . Michael ' s Lodge to know that we should ere long have a Masonic home of our own , in which we could practice our mystic arts and ceremonies

uninterrupted , free from the interference of the outer world , and with that solemnity , accuracy , and precision which is justly their due , and without which they lose much of their beauty . As your lordship is no doubt aware the erection of this Masonic Hall and our occupancy is owing to the goodness of our Bro . Burley , to whom we owe and feel a deep debt of gratitude , and I venture to express the belief that if thanks and good wishes go for anything Bro . Burley has

them from every member of the lodge . I trust that the building and our arrangements generally meet with your lordship's approval , and to having so complete a Masonic Hall , built in so short a time , and with so much general success , 1 beg to inform your lordship we owe to the S . W . of this lodge , Bro . Laurance Seager , the architect and builder of the hall , of whose indefatigable exertions 1 cannot too highly speak . I respectfully beg your lordship to proceed with the consecration and dedication of this Masonic Hall .

Opening Of New Masonic Hall At Sittingbourne.

The P . G . M . signified the great pleasure it gave him comply with the request of the W . M ., and called on I )'" the Rev . C . E . Shirley Woolmer , M . A ., P . G . C , to " ¦; ,,,, "'"• oration . " '* The following oration was delivered by the Rev . Bro r E . SHIRLEY WOOLMER , M . A ., P . G . Chap ., Kent : — -K \ V Grand Master , V . W . Dep . Grand Master , W . M . of ' ji Michael's Lodge , and Brethren , —This is an auspicious ft for Masonry in our province , and a memorable epoch in i ? - 1—c 1—1— rt .... 1—1 ii i . ~ 1 1-:. . ' tile annals of lod best thanks and

your ge . Our hearty cr \ wishes are due to the worthy Bro . Burley , P . M ., wW ] , . built this beautiful Masonic Temple , to the greater g \ 0 r .. . the Great Architect of the Universe , and to the ' great edification and special comfort of the brethren of the lotlir ' [ am given to understand that he has made it over to the led ™ on the most handsome and liberal terms , so that he talV really upon himself a large part of the expense . May the fa , V of his deed be noised throughout our own and other proving that others also , who have the like ability , may be stirred «' by the like will . True lovers of the Craft must often W felt , as I often have , a want of fitness at our holdinir ( J lodges at public houses . No one thinks more nighl ythjl I do of the benefits bestowed upon the community at larm >!„

a good hotel , and of the worthy character of a wise and excel lent host . Nevertheless , I repeat my conviction that there ii a want of propriety , and a marked incongruity between tlw open doors of the Licensed Victualler and the closel y tvled lodge of the Mason—between the travellers and guests \ vh 0 tarry for the night , and only seek refreshment for man and beast , and the brethren and companions of our Ancient and

Honourable Order , lawfully and regularly called and 15 . sembled for instruction in morals and works of mutual Charity . On referring to the Manual for the Province ! find that out of 57 lodges , only 25 meet at hotels and public houses , and of the 32 who hold their assemblies in private halls , 16 have this day their own Masonic Temples , with every convenience both for work and refresh .

ment . Let no good brother think that 1 suppose that a lodge cannot properly be held , and be as worthily conducted in a lodge-room of an hotel as in an edifice built onl y foj Masonry ; we all know that _ it is not the building that sanctifies the lodge , but the spirit of the members who compose it . What we say is that it is more edifying in regard to those without , and more comfortable for the brethren

more satisfactory and glorious every way , to have special Temples for lodges and chapters . Man himself is God ' s True Temple . His Body , with all five senses on the watch , is the outer vestibule ; his soul is the Holy Place for feelings of praise and adoration ; and his sanctified intellect is the Holy of Holies , wherein he prays and praises with the understanding also , whereon rests the Shechinah from above ,

and God holds communion with his creature . When , therefore , we meet together to encourage each other in this elevated belief that we are the temples of God , it is only meet , right , and our bounden duty to make our place of meeting as suitable for glory and beauty as it can be made in it ' s architectural forms , as well as in its solemnity of ceremony , its instructiveness of ritual , and its purity of ethics ,

It has been well said " Man may build the house , but God alone can make the home , ' but the reverse is also truethat where God has made a home among brethren they will do their best to provide the house . How , then , shall out Masonic house be erected , and how shall its symbolism be set forth ? First , every house must have four corners , and the wisdom of Solomon shall tell us what they may be .

" lemperance , prudence , justice , and fortitude are such things as man can have nothing more profitable in this life . " On these four cardinal virtues every man ' s character and happiness must depend . Temperance is the bridle which refrains a man from indulging to excess his passions and appetites for meat and drink , for bodily pleasures and social mirth ; it is also that moderation of temper , which

keeps him from passing rash and extreme judgments without impartial examination and quiet reflection . Prudence is that practical wisdom , which devises and adapts means to an end , and does all things at the right time and in proper order . Justice is that integrity which compels a man to give to all their due , and do to others as he would wish them to do to him . Fortitude is that manliness of

soul which encounters dangers with coolness , is patient under trial , and magnanimous in all conditions of lift . From the corners we pass to the " walls , " which are in the Sacred Volume the symbol of " salvation . " "Salus " - salvation—means health and soundness . The great apostle , a guing from the etymology of this word in " Greek , represents it to be the " incorpoiation of life , " the sound minrl

in the sound body , now and for ever . These walls may be oblong , quadrangular , or even cubic . The ark of Noah was tlie first lodge in which God dwelt with man . He called Noah and his family into it , and Himself put up t ' bar within , which shut them in safe , and preserved them from all danger . The word " ark " is used in various senses in Scripture , e . g ., as the Lord ' s coffer , wherein He keeps

His chief treasure , which casket and treasure is man ; and the early Christians used the symbol of the ark more than any other mark over their tombs in the catacombs as the sign of their final resting upon Mount Ararat ; but the commonest meaning is that of a " ship , " for which cause the body of a temple is called its "nave . " It is remarkable that the proportions of the ark are the exact proportions ot is

a man ' s body floating on the waters ; and no comparison more familiar than that of man ' s life to the course of the ship , which , though beaten with waves and tempest tossed ; is not deserted , sunk , or lost— " Fluctuat , non merg it | ir-In succession to the Ark , we have the Tabernacle of Mose ^ i and the Temples of Solomon , Zerubbabel , andEzekiel . A these are both oblongand quadrangularand cubic and all j - j

, , , , D , _ „ . ..,. „ .. „ .. u „„ . , . are exactly of the same proportions " according to t " pattern shown in the Heavenly Mount ; " but they eae " show progress and advance , not in kind , but in size ant degree—the Temple of Solomon , for example , being exact' ) double the size of the Tabernacle of Moses . These > ° u [ temples of earth culminate in the temple of the Heayenl )

Jerusalem , described in the last pages of the bible , wnu- " " . all embracing and cubic , "the length and the breadth , the height of it are equal . " This , however , had bee also symbolised throughout all those other buildings by " Holy of Holies , which was the residence of God ' s gf' ° . ^ being a perfect cube . The lesson to us is that the perfc " ? ,

of Heaven unutterably surpasses the perfection of cay ' that man can alone be united to God in knowledge w' ''' L free from error and in love without alloy in the great WOo above , and that there he will be , like God , a " fa " "[ ' cube . " Let me now take the Temple of our Grand M " . . Solomon as my text for my concluding observations . ,., ternally , as a place of worship , it was oblong , but extern *