Royal Masonic Institution For Boys.

ROYAL MASONIC INSTITUTION FOR BOYS .

The regular meeting of the General Committee of this Institution took place at Freemasons' Halt , on Saturday last . Bro . Joyce Murray occup ied the chair , and among those present were Bros . John L . Mather , T . Hastings Miller , Raynham W . Stewart , P . G . D . ; W . Paas , Edgar

Bowyer , P . G . Std . 13 . ; Henry VV . Hunt , James Moon , \ V . Maple , Stephen Richardson , Richard Morris , LL . D ., F . Adlard , Leopold Ruf , H . O . Hinton , A . Durrant , A . E . Gladwell , S . H . Parkhouse , T . Griffith , Alfred Williams , G . P . Gillard , E . Valeriani , C . Belton , W . A . Scurrah , H . Webb , F . Richardson , P . G . D . ; G . Mickley , E . F . Storr , and F . Binckes , P . G . Stwd . ( Secretary ) .

The minutes of the previous meeting having been read and verified , and those of the House Committee read for information , the petitions of nine candidates were considered and accepted , and the names ordered to be placed on the list for the election in April . Two applications for grants towards outfit were entertained , the sum of £ 5 being voted in each case .

The Committee resolved on recommending for adoption by the Quarterly Court on Monday , the nth inst ., a list of , fS candidates , the vacancies to be filled being 20 , or , in the event of the motion hereafter stated being carried , 30 . The following motions were given for the Quarterly Court on Monday : — By Bro . JOYCE MURRAY , Vice-Patron , on behalf of the

House Committee : — ( 1 ) To amend Law 74 , clause 2 , that it may read as follows : — "The Assistant Masters shall be appointed by the Head Master , subject to confirmation by the House Committee . " { 2 ) To insert in Law 75 , the words " House Steward " and after the first word " The . "

( 3 ) * ' That 10 additional boys be elected at the Quarterly General Court on 12 th April next , making the total number 240 . " By Bro . K . W . STEWART , P . G . D ., - Vice-Patron and Trustee : —To form part of Law 37—" That the members of the House Committee shall be

elected for three years , and that at the expiration of the first three years the election shall take place annually . The three at the top of the list shall then retire and be eligible for re-election , and so on annually . " The Committee then rose , after passing the usual vote of thanks to the Chairman for presiding .

Masonic Memorial To The Late Prince Leopold, Duke Of Albany, K.G.

MASONIC MEMORIAL TO THE LATE PRINCE LEOPOLD , DUKE OF ALBANY , K . G .

It may be remembered that at the time of his death , his Royal Highness , who took his title of Earl of Clarence from Clare , in Suffolk , was W . M . of the Royal Clarence Lodge in that town , and that the brethren assembling

there proposed to erect a memorial to their lamented Royal Master in the parish church . The project was originated by the popular owner of Moyns Park , VV . Bro . Major-General Cecil Ives , Prov . G . S . W . of Suffolk , whom the Prince had appointed Deputy Masterof Prov . G . Lodge , and it was cordially supported by Lord Waveney and the Prov . Grand Lodge and Chapter . A Committee was appointed ,

with General Ives as Chairman , the other members being the V . W . Bro . fhe Rev . C . J . Martyn , P . G . Chaplain of England , and Dep . G . M . of the province ; VV . Bro . N . Tracy , Prov . G . Sec . ; and VV . Bro . C . H . Vincent , Prov . G . Reg ., the Hon . Sec . of the fund . A brass tablet was ultimately determined upon , the deiygn for which was entrusted to Bro . Vincent , who is a P . M . of the above lodge , and

has evidently fulfilled his task " con amore . " The tablet has a foliated border of acacia , intersected by quarterfoils and trefoils , containing the armorial bearings and Masonic jewels borne by the Prince . In the upper border we observe the Master ' s jewel , with the Royal Arms and the insignia of the Garter ; and in the lower are the R . A . jewel of the Grand Third Principalof England , with the Prince ' s arms

and those of Clare ; the right and left centres showing the jewels of the Prov . Grand Master of Oxfordshire and the Junior Grand Warden of England . Beneath the open volume of the Sacred Law , which bears the emblems of the Craft , i- the following inscription in Gothic characters : — " In fraternal memory of H . R . H . Prince Leopold , Duke of Albany , Ear ) of Clarence , K . G ., Provincial Grand

AIaster of Oxfordshire , Past Grand Junior Warden of England , Grand Third Principal of the Royal Arch Masons of England , fourth son of her Majesty Qneen Victoria , who was born 7 th April , 1 S 53 , and died 28 th March , 1 SS 4 . H . R . H . being at the time Worshipful Master of the Royal Clarence Lodge of Freemasons in this town , No . 18 ^ 3 , this tablet is erected by the odicers and members of the above lodge and

other brethien in the Province of Suffolk . " Thc initial letters are illuminated , thc arms being emblazoned , and the jewels enamelled in Masonic colours . The whole work is beautifully conceived , and is perfect in every detail , while the execution is faultless ; indeed , the utmost credit is due to the engraver , as well as the designer , who is an amateur in art , and the Committee may be heartily congratulated on the result of their labours . The lodge and province are

especially indebted to General Ives for having not only superintended the work , but also for very kindly defraying its extra cost beyond the amount of the original estimate . The memorial has been tixed in a commanding position , and we understand that the Rev . K . Sorsbie , vicar of Clare , beside giving the Committee the choice of its site , generously declined the fee to which he was entitled for its erection . An excellent photograph of the tablet has been taken by Bro . T . Stokoe , the W . M . elect of the lodge .

Masonic Ball At Swansea.

MASONIC BALL AT SWANSEA .

The Albert Hall on Wednesday evening , the 23 rd ult ., presented a gay appearance on tht occasion of a grand ball , given in aid of the charitable institutions of the town , tinder the auspices of the Indefatigable , Talbot , and Caradoc Lodges . The interior of the hall was tasteful ' y

decorated with choice plants and exotics from the hothouses of the local gentry . Mirrors and upholstery were arranged with artistic skill by Messrs . B . Evans and Co ., and Mr . D . G . Jones . The bannerettes of thc three lodges gave a distinctive character to the decorations . The Stewards wcre Bros . F . Bradford , W . M . j A . Beard , S . W . j T . W .

Masonic Ball At Swansea.

Jones , J . Moy Evans , of 237 j Bros . Robert Capper , " VV . M . ; J . C . Vye-Parminter , S . W . ; A . L . Pearse , J . VV . ; J . Buckley Wilson , of 1323 ; Bros . T . Sandbrook , " W . M . , ^ J . L . Perri n , P . M . ; and Dr . Gabe , of 1573 . M . C , F . J . Carlyle , Hon . Sec . The minor hall was converted into a refreshment buffet and supper room , under the management of the British and Foreign Confectionery Comuanv . Dancing commenced a little before 10 o ' clock .

to the inspiring music of Mr . VV . F . Ilulley's excellent county band . The following is a list of the company : Bros . } . W . Hughes , J . VV . 1573 ; F . E . Nicholls , 237 ; Dr . " Gabs , 1573 1 F . Bradford , W . M . 237 ; VV . VV . Richards ; T . VV . Gaydon , 237 ; H . Radcliffe ; VV . J . Rees , 1323 ; E . R . Brown , 1573 ; John Rogers , P . M . 1573 ; Dr . Hall , P . M . 1323 ; D . C . Jones , P . M . 1573 ; J . C . Coath , Sec . 1752 ; VV . B . Broad , P . M ., P . G . O . ; T . P . Martin , 1573 ; David Rosser . I - ? 7 . 1 : B . A . Tuttiett . re ;?? : I . L . Perrin . P . M .

1573 J . 1- H . Taylor , 1573 ; G . R . Phillips , 237 ; T . Sandbrook , VV . M . 1573 ; ) . VV . Jones , Sec . 237 ; R . Capper , VV . M . [ 323 ; B . Behrens , 1573 ; D . A . Davies , 237 ; J . Moy Evans , 1323 ; F . Orissey . 1573 ; { . R . Davies , LP . M . 1574 ; H . S . Ludlow , 237 ; R . H . VVyrill , 236 ; F . J . Carlyle , 1575 ; W . G . Davies , P . M ., P . P . G . S . W . ; D . Andrew , 1573 ; A . L . Pearse , J . VV . 1323 ; and J . Buckley Wilson , Sec . 1323 . Ladies : Miss Elford , Mrs . F . E . Nicholls , Miss Gelderd , Mrs . Blake , Miss Blake , Miss Carlyle , Mrs . F . Bradford , Afiss Bird , Mrs . W . VV . Richards , Mrs . VVoolev . Miss

Richards , Mrs . Gaydon , Mrs . VV . J . Rees , Mrs . E . R . Brown , Miss Brown , Miss Ireland , Mrs . VVilliams , Miss Rogers , Mrs . D . C . Jones , Miss Dow , Mrs . J . C . Coath , Miss Hansard , Mrs . Broad , Mrs . Tuttiett , Mrs . Graham , Miss Freedman , Miss Katie Rosser , Mrs . T . P . Martin , Miss L . VVilliams , Mrs . J . H . Taylor , Mrs . Skerry , Miss E . Phillips , Mrs . Sandbrook , Mrs . T . W . lones . Mrs .

Lloyd White , Miss Ada Evans , Mrs . Capper , Mrs . Behrens , Miss Barnett , Miss Badford , Mrs . D . A . Davies , Miss Patker , Mrs . F . S . Parker , Miss Craven , Mrs . Huxham , Miss Langdon , Miss Lily Langdon , Mrs . T . B . Richards , Mrs . Moy Evans , Misses J . R . Davies ( 2 ) , Miss Jenkins , Miss Watkins , Miss Thomas , Miss Kurath , Miss A . Kurath , Miss Lily Rosser , Mrs . Hulley , Mrs . Robert Nash , Miss Humphries , Miss Ludlow , Miss L . J . Ludlow , Miss Wales , Miss Bessie Richards , Miss Glasbrook , Mrs .

VVyrill , Misses F . E . Williams ( 2 ) , Mrs . W . G . Davies , Miss Gwendoline VVilliams , Miss Edwards , Miss Langshaw , Messrs . Thos . Elford , J . Glasbrook , Capt . D . O'Sullivan , E . VV . Carlyle , Llewelyn Daniel , James Madden , E . C . Curtis , Sidney Byass , R . Lewis , Starbuck VVilliams , T . Hansard , C . E . Organ , M . de'Machy , E . H . Perry , — Poulaine , A . D Taspade , Arthur Vye-Parminter , F . S . Patker , L . Follett , Ernest H . Leeder , T . Brown Richards .

S . S . Lewis , F . G . Pentrath , Ernest Davis , H . Watkins , H . Thomas , D . Jenkins , W . B . Roderick , Robert Nash , D . Phillips , T . G . Richards , G . Nancarrow , R . H . Morgan , F . E . VVilliams , A . T . O'Sullivan , J . B . Meager , W . H . Edwards , S . Lippmann , S . C . Gamwell , andW . VV . Moore .

The Altar And Witness.

THE ALTAR AND WITNESS .

The following eloquent sermon was preached b y Bro . the Rev . E . K . Kendall , Prov . G . C . Cornwall , on the occasion of the recent meeting of the Prov . G . Lodge of that county . Our rev . brother ' s text was from the Book of Joshua , xxii ., 2 S— " Behold the pattern of the altar of the Lord , which our fathers made not for burnt offerings , not

for sacrifices , but it is a witness between us and you . " The incident to which these words refer may well escape the notice of many who are by no means ignorant of Bible history . To the tribes of Reuben and Gad , and one half of the tribe of Manasseh , an inheritance was reserved , not exactly within the limits of Canaan but on the other side of Jordan . The land of Jazer and the land of Gilead was

" a place for cattle , in which these tribes were rich . It was with some hesitation that Moses yielded to their request that they should occupy the land of billon , King of the Amorites , and Og , the King of Basan , and only on one condition , namely , that they should faithfully share the toils and dangers of the campaign in which their brethren had to engage in the conquest of Canaan . For about

eight years they had loyally kept to the terms of this compact , and the time came at length when they could return in peace , having received a blessing and an earnest word of admonition from Joshua . On their arrival with these words , as we may s , ay , ringing in their ears , their first act was a questionable one . They proceeded to build an altar bv Jordan , " a great altar to see to . " This excited

the indignation of their brethren . Had they so soon forgotten the God who had lead them up out of Egypt—were they about to lapse into idolatory , and set up altar against altar ? Were they about to profess a new religion or consecrate a new sanctuary , and commit a grievous schism . The act was a suspicious one , and required explanation . But the reply was satisfactory , both in temper and in

earnestness . It was zeal for God which had built this altar , not rebellion against Him . Being on the further side of Jordan they were afraid that they or their children might forget the God of their fathers , or become , as Edom or Moab , enemies of God ' s people . And so they set up this altar . A moment ' s thought would show that it was not adapted for

burntoffering or sacrifice , lt was intended lo be seen from afar , and was not of any practical use as an altar . And so to children's children on either side the Jordan , it would be a sign that they and their brethren were servants of the same God . " Behold the pattern of the altar of the Lord which our fathers made , not for burnt-offerings , nor for sacrifices , but it is a witness between us and you . " Such

was the answer , and all acknowledged that this altar without a sacrilice or a temple , did promote the worship of the Most High and cement the brotherhood of those who called on his name . Such , in brief , is the story well worthy of notice in itself , and carrying with it many and valuable hints for this and every age . What a striking example is here of zeal for God ? What did it matter to the Jews in

Canaan if their brethren became schismatics or idolaters ? But they felt it their duty to interfere , even if war with all its horrors were the result . What a model for controversy is found in the earnest and yet dignified language used on either side , with no heat and no desire to provoke a conflict ! What an illustration , too , of the use of outward and visible signs and tokens as a

The Altar And Witness.

witness to eternal troubles , away of enforcing needful doctrines , and conveying instruction in spiritual things ! Much might be said on these and other hints afforded by Ihe story did time permit . But to-day I hope that 1 shall not be considered fanciful if 1 apply it to enforce and illustrate the true position of that peculiar system of morality , " veiled in allegory and illustrated by symbols , " which is called Freemasonry . Its use has been questioned , is being

questioned still , by the various religious systems in the midst of which we live . Nay , it has hastily been condemned by many who have not the candour to enquire , or the patience to listen to the answer which we can give . Of course , it may be regarded as a great charitable organisation of a peculiar kind—not a benefit club , in which , however commendable on the whole , there is a certain element of selfishness . No Freemason worthy of the name forgets his pledge to be

influenced by no mercenary motives , and all hope that they may never be reduced to the necessity of accepting the Charity , which , if needed , is so generously given . There are not a few who extend a certain amount of toleration for what they are pleased to consider our harmless follies on account of the good which is done , as if we were but a superior class of Oddfellow or Forester . But , brethren , I am told to claim for our system something infinitely higher

than this . I consider it to be a real handmaid to religion , " an altar of witness not for sacrifice or for burnt-offering , " but an altar "great to see to , " which verily promotes the worship of the Most High . 1 stay not now to enquire whether our legendary history is in all points to be relied on , whether a system in all essential points identical with our own has not been in existence from very early times . Such matters I leave to Masons more erudite than myself . One

thing I am sure of , namely , that Freemasonry has done more to explain practically the meaning of the Bible than any other commentary to invite men to a study of the Sacred Law , and inspire reverence for its precepts , that ever was written , and to promote an expectation of that bright morning star , whose rising brings health and salvation to the faithful and obedient of the human race . But the question is still asked—Is not the Bible , is not religion

based on the Sacred Law , enough ? Are you setting up a new religion—one that is but a thinly-veiled Atheism , one which must be imperfect if not delusive for the want of creeds , and a religious system ? Are you not tempting men to have no conscience in religion , and no real zeal on its behalf ? What is there in suchia colourless profession i Are you not giving a stone for bread ? Are not even the clashings of controversies more healthy than the calm of supine

indifference ? My brethren of the Craft , I do in all sincerity affirm , and you , as Masons , will bear me out , that such assertions are begotten of ignorance , and I am thankful to lift up my feeble voice against them . VVe have seen of late a marvellous development of our system . To what is it due ? Some would affirm that it is because it has become fashionable , being under the patronage of our Duke of Cornwall , who is Prince of Wales , and next to the throne . I

will not deny that this has given an impetus to Masonry , by tending to remove an impression in the minds of some that a secret society must be dangerous and mischievous in its tendency , and that the assertion of universal brotherhood might be inconsistent with loyalty and patriotism . Everyone knows now , save the wilfully blind , that the very opposite is the effect of that system which sets in the forefront of all its teaching , duty to God and man . But ,

brethren , in my belief the wondrous increase in the thousands who range under our banners is due to something much more deep and true than fashion . It supplies a felt want . In this , our day , more than in any other age , are men likely to hold aloof from any ecclesiastical system , to live without God in the wot Id , to forget good habits learnt in youth , and , perhaps , first to comfort themselves with the thought that as long as they do no harm all is right for

this world and the next . Such as these are reminded by the peculiar institution of Freemasonry , of their duty to God and to their neighbours in a . new and forcible way , and that not by presbyter or rabbi or professional teacher of religion . The well-instructed Mason knows in whom to put his trust in all times of difficulty and dinger ; and in his daily supplications on bended knee his brother ' s wants are remembered as well as his own . He is conducted by

reason , by science , by revelation , as far as may be , up " the world ' s great altar stairs that lead from darkness up to God . " He is taught to live purely and honourably , to die bravely , and to look for a happy immortality . And yet Freemasonry is not a religion—does not pretend to be such—imposes no creed , interferes with no man ' s conscience , prescribes no outward forms and ceremonies . It is as the altar not for burnt-offeiings or sacrifices , but a

witness to the eternal verities revealed to us in the word of God . And as the Bible unfolds to us God ' s revelations as it gathered clearness and precision through long ages , so the teaching of Freemasonry is progressive , and has for us no new message , no other gospel . Herein also we can appreciate the system . We are apt to live in the present , and for the present , and for that alone , and he is a wise man who does not waste time in dreams . ' * Trust no

future , however pleasant ; let the dead past bury its dead ; act , act , in the living present ; hope within and God o'erhead . " But does not this spirit require a wholesome check ? The present grows out of the past , and develops into the future , and it is fatal to weigh the continuity of life and action . Freemasonry helps us to strengthen the chain

which binds past , present , and future into one . And hence it is that the whole world is the better , and the most devout worshipper in church , chapel , or synagogue are they whose religious convictions have been deepened by the impressive teachings of Freemasonry , which lends emphasis to the words of Him who said : "One is your Master , even Christ , and all ye are brethren . "

Ihe Mayor of Chester presided on Thursday , the 3 ist ult ., at a meeting of the citizens , called forthe purpose of arranging the steps that should be taken on the occasion of the visit , to Eaton Hall , on the igth to 23 rd inst ., of their Royal Highnesses the Prince and Princess of Wales , with Princes Albert Victor and George of Wales . The Prince , it was stated , will open the Mersev

I unnel on Wednesday , the 20 th inst ., and on - > atutday , the 23 'd , it has been arranged , with the Prince's consent , that an address from the Mayor and Corporation of Chester should be presented to his Royal Highness at the Town Hall , Chester , at the huur of noon . In all other respects , the visit of the Royal Party to the Duke of We tminster , at Eaton Hall , will be of a privatecharacter . A subscription list has already been opened for the purpose of decorating * the city . "