Provincial Grand Chapter Of Devonshire.

S' . ocker , who will represent the province as Steward at the Centenary Festival which will be held some time during the summer of iSgj . Notice having been given for an addition to the by-laws which will enable the Prov . G . Scribe E . to demand further information respecting the working of the chapters in the province , the following companions were appointed Prov . G . Officers for the ensuing year , namely :

Comp . W . S . Rogers , 112 ... ... ... Prov . G . H . „ F . B . Westlake , 70 ... ... ... Prov . G . J . ,, J . Stocker , 112 ... ... ... Prov . G . S . E . „ J . E . Elleston , 112 5 ... ... ... Prov . G . S . N . „ E . M . Moyle , 1125 ... ... ... Prov . G . Treas . „ T . Parker , 156 ... ... ... Prov . G . Reg . „ G . T . Bridgeman , 1358 ... ... Prov . G . P . S . „ E . W . Locke , 444 ... ... ... Prov . 1 st A . G . P . S . ,, R . C . Musgrave , 303 ... ... ... Prov . 2 nd A . G . P . S „ W . M . Powell , 1205 ... ... ... Prov . G . S . B . ,, F . Hubber , 1284 ... ... ... "} ,, G . R . Stevens , 494 ... ... ... > Prov . G . Std . Brs . „ W . H . Botterell , 12 55 ... ... ) „ J . Lord , 1247 ... ... ... Prov . G . D . C . „ J . A . Lavers , 22 3 ... ... ... ) „ J . F . Railing , 112 ... ... ... \ Prov . A . G . D . Cs . „ W . H . Lander , 1138 ... ... ... J „ H . Mann , 106 ... ... ... Prov . G . Org . „ W . H . Mayne ... ... ... Prov . A . G . S . E . „ H . Shooter , 112 ... ... ... Prov . G . Janitor .

Danger Ahead.

DANGER AHEAD .

It is not pleasant to note some of the " signs of the times " in the Masonic world . In many things there are tokens of divergence from the old ways , and of tendencies to enter upon new paths which lack the assurance of safety . One does not need to be an alarmist or a croaker , who forecasts danger to the Masonic Institution , unless a halt is called or a check interposed , as respects some of the measures and movements which have come to be tolerated , if not entirely approved , by Craftsmen and Craft

organisations . There is reason to fly the danger signal becausj of the undue haste now manifest in many localities , both as regards the admission of candidates into Freemasonry and their rapid advancement from Degree to Degree . Candidates are impatient to take a'l the steps and to reach the top as soon as possible . In these days their impatience is not much curbed by lodge ,

chapter , or commandery , but they are rather encouraged to proceed rapidly , and to gain admission as soon as possible to these bodies , not forgetting in their rapid march to identify themselves with the Cryptic and the Scottish Rites and the Shrine . Because of these tendencies special meetings must be often held , dispensations sought and given , hence , in the nature of

things , there is a feverishness about the work , the Degrees often being conferred on too many candidates , or under conditions that detract from their impressiveness . Is there not an element of danger in the rushing of the work to meet the convenience of the candidates and to swell the numbers of an organisation ?

Under the pressure of haste there is likely to be a neglect of desired scrutiny , both as regards the receiving and acting upon petitions , and as to the suitable proficiency of brethren who have taken the express train for the top . Thus some undesirable material gets in , passing the tests again and again , but sure in every g rade to constitute an element of weakness . Thus

are set aside former usages and limitations , wholesome in themselves , and calculated to maintain the true , cons ? rvative character of the Masonic Institution , while little by little , very insidiously perhaps , new forces are introduced , which sooner or later will be found to interfere with Masonic strength and usefulness .

There is danger ahead unless we " slow up , " brethren , and exercise something more of care and caution in the important matters to which reference is here made . The present popularity of Freemasonry , especially of Masonic Templarism , is not without its perils . There was never more need than now of being on the alert , as wise and faithful Craftsmen , to note the " signs of the times , " and to regulate our course according to what are seen to be the demands and the dangers of the hour . —Freemisons ' Rebosiiory ,

An Oration.

AN ORATION .

The following oration was delivered at the consecration of the Victoria Lodge , No . 2669 , Bradford , on the 30 th ult ., by the Prov . G . Chap , of West Yorkshire , Bro . the Rev . H . R . HARRISSON , M . A . I Brethren , —The ceremonies performed here to-day are holy rites intended to perpetuate in all our memories the serious and solemn obligations of brotherl y love , relief , and truth . This lodge built by wisdom , supported by strength , and

adorned in beauty is consecrated like ourselves to the G . A . O . T . U . As we march round its borders we are reminded of the short span of human life and that all our steps tend towaids eternity . We are pledged in this place to truth , honour and virtue , and like the Royal lady whose illustrious name it bears , we are to live out before the unitiated in the world the life of love . As we are proud thus of being Masons , let us live up to our high calling . We are consecrated with holy oil , so

w . is our good Queen anointed at her coronation . Corn , wine , and oil , are emblems of health , peace , and plenty , which are essential blessings to this lodge , and they remind us individually of our duti s—which are to feed the hungry , to cheer the sorrowful , and to pour consolation into the grieving hearts of our fellow men . How much all these symbols express 1 How wrapt in symbols are our lives , every detail and ornament which we see around us being a symbol of

something higher , better , nobler , The virtues of Freemasonry are not to be shut up with the closing of the lodge , but should be exemplified in every-day life , and carried out in practice , for our obligations are binding throughout our mortal career . As we glance back at the history of the Craft , so old , and yet so strong , so mysterious and yet so widespread , we cannot but feci that it has been of immense benefit to the human ¦ race . It is generally believed ( I venture to assert ) , that our mysteries and . ceremonies

An Oration.

are derived from those of ancient Egypt , and Egypt , probably , got her temple worship from Assyria , or Persia , or Thibet . How did mighty Egypt contrive to become what she was by her own lights and her own resources ? She must have got her learning and mysteries from Assjria . The Greeks from whom we derive our ceremonial—young in knowledge , arts , and sculpturesounded a trumpet before them , and all the world worshipped at their shrines . They called upon mankind to admire their ability , and to value them at the high

estimate they had pUced upon themselves ; old Egypt , on the contrary , grown grey and hoary with wisdom , cared not for the world ' s flittery , for Egypt was self-contained . Greece picked up crumbs of information from Egypt , but , unassisted , unappreciated from without , Egypt , solitary and self-reliant , wrought out her own magnificence . Egypt still presents a puzzle to the Masonic student . How is it to be explained that this mighty country should sink out of sight , the world beginning apparently a new life , and

fancying that it was originating thought , creating art , whilst at its feet , in the sand lay hidden credentials of a long past gigantic splendour of cultivation and learning . If we , in our modern pride think our puny efforts are tending to the establishment of a golden age , leading we hope to perfection , there can be no corrective more effectual that the stud / of ancient Egypt and her mysteries . This historic race left behind them lasting records of themselves and from their hieroglyphics we have been able to unfold something of their

mysterious rites and ceremonies ; we have learned that in the wonderful temples they constructed—ruins of which still abound—they worshipped one God that they believed in a future state of rewards and punishments , and that their ritual was gorgeous and magnificent . Our Freemasonry to-day is a fragment of the mysteries of Egyptian symbolism without doubt , and is probably older than Egypt itself , coming down to us from , it may be , Assyria the mighty . Whence then did Assyria derive its mystic rites and ceremonies ? We can guess only at

their origin and growth . The surpassing splendour of the sun by day , of the moon and starry worlds by night could not fail to create in the human breast feelings of reverence , awe , and adoration . The hunter guided amid the mighty forests was grateful for the light , and gratitude produced religious feeling . The shepherd on the plains , the mariner at sea , looked upon the sapphire heavens , sparkling in lustrous brilliancy , and kissed his hand —( Job xxxi ., 27)—or bowed his head in silent worship ; and the " orb of day , " which in its splendour seemed

the very substance of God himself made manifest , became to the children of earth a type of the sovereign king . Gradually the story of Adam , the first man , •—and it is found in every race—became the . story of creation . This was supposed to be the apocalypse , the origin of those mysteries which from Assyria came to Greece , and was subsequently gathered from the records of Eleusis . The initiated alone were taught the great secret . That is evident , I think , from the Book of Job— "Hast thou heard the secret of God ? " asks Job ( xv ., 8 ) , and that

secret was the whispered name in Masonry . The lesser mysteries were , of course , preparatory for the greater , and were reached by three steps—purification , or preparation , initiation , and perfection . All old religions agree in having a closed sanctuary where the secret rites were performed . This is proved by examination of the sites of the ruined temples of Assyria , Egypt , and Eleusis . These mysteries began in sorrow , and ended in joy , even as allegorically , in Masonry we pass from death unto life . It is , moreover , beyond doubt , that

the initiate , besides going through mystic rites , had signs and passwords entrusted to him , and it is equally true now , as of old , that ac ' . ions speak better thin words . To sum up , probably the esoteric doctrines of Egypt and Greece preserved the speculations of the wise from the ears and tongues of an illiterate multitude , and passed them with slight modifications into the possession of the eirly Christian heretics , thence from the Gnostics through the Albigenses and Templars they have been bequeathed to the modern Freemason . The old charges prove our antiquity and ancestry , and they are the repertories of our time-honoured

traditions . From the period of King Athelstan down to this day does the spirit of these ancient charge . * continue ; we are still free-born , whole , bound by mystic tie even as were our Masonic forefathers long centuries ago . By keeping these traditions inviolate , we may realise what a lofty ideal was placed before us in the ancient mysteries . Brethren , we must endeavour to live up to our high calling and our wondrous privileges , and in reference to this particular lodge , may its foundation be in love , and the example of righteous lives its strength and firm support .

Christerning Of The New City Masonic Club Lifeboat.

CHRISTERNING OF THE NEW CITY MASONIC CLUB LIFEBOAT .

On Thursday afternoon , the 26 th ult ., was witnessed at Poole a very important and interesting function in connection with the Poole and Bournemouth branch of the Royal National Lifeboat Institution . A new lifeboat , of the latest and most improved type , has been presented to the Institution by the City Masonic Club , London , and the ceremony of christening and launching the craft was

carried out amidst the enthusiasm of large numbers of people of Poole , Bournemouth , Wimborne , Christchurch , and adjacent places . The necessity of placing a jiew boat on the station became evident a few months ago , when , upon examination , it was observed that dry rot had set in amongst the timbers of the old "Boys' Own " boat , which has done good service , and bj means of which the Poole crew have saved many a life at sea ,

" The City Masonic Club , " the name of the new boat , which is the magnificent gift of the City Masonic Club , London—hence the name—is a splendid craft , much larger than the one previously on the station . It is a self-righting boat , or what some would prefer to term , perhaps " non-capsizable . " She was designed by Mr . W . L . Watson , of Glasgow , the well-known * yacht designer , whose name is associated with such far-famed yachts as the Meteor and Britannia , and she was

built by Messrs . Henderson and Co ., of Glasgow . The boat was designed and specially built for the competitive trials , which were carried out at Montrose and Lowestoft , under the auspices of the Lifeboat Institution , and it may be the more readily understood what an admirable class of boat she is when it is stated that she practically took the highest award , and was well reported on for her power of pulling to windward , her stability under oars and sails , and her sailing qualities

generally . She pulls 12 oars , and she is rigged with a large standing fore lug and jib , and small mizen lug , being fitted with one sliding keel , made of wood , which drops three feet below the miin keel of the boat . Her length is 37 feet 6 inches , with a splendid beam of 9 fe » t 3 inches . She has the usual lifeboat fittings—air cases , under deck and on deck at her sides , and relieving valves for letting the water off the deck . Her iron keel weighs 12 cwts . 1 qr . and , to increase her

stability , she is fitted with four water ballast tanks that can be filled and emptied at will . Such a class of boat as the City Masonic Club would cost about £ 7 i and this will give our readers some idea of the munificence displayed by the donors , who have made the branch a gift of the boat . We might here state that the boat was chosen by the deputation of the I'oolc lifeboatmen , who went up to London and inspected the boats at the Institution ' s store yard , They have prac-