Lodge Of Sorrow Of The Wilberforce Lodge, No. 2134, Hull.

And salvation to the faithful and obedient of the human race . " The lodge having been opened , Job xvii v . II-I £ was read , followed by prayer . The versicles , " Man that is born of woman , " & c , were intoned by the I . P . M ., and solemnly responded to by the brethren

then was sung the hymn " What is it that the vault intends , " during which the brethren , headed by the I . P . M ., scattered herbs and flowers on the cenotaph . The following oration was then delivered by Bro . C . PECK , P . G . Std . Br . Eng ., P . P . G . W ., Prov . Grand Secretary : It is but a few days , my brethren , since we

last assembled in this hall , when the Deputy Provincial Grand Master solemnl y dedicated a new temple in which our ancient rites and ceremonies might be worthily celebrated . I had then the honour of setting before you some observations upon those chief principles which should ever actuate the sons of li ght . Then

we rejoiced that members of this lodge had been enabled , in the short period of its existence as a body , to acquire a property which was of so much importance and value to them . Our joy was , however , greatly saddened by the reflection that there was one vacant chair , that the leading spirit was away , that our W . M .,

who took such a warm interest in his lodge ' s welfare , was lying on a bed of pain and suffering . We cherished the hope , feeble as it was , that he mi g ht again take his seat amongst us , but alas 1 he has been removed and we shall meet him in this life no more . Death is the visible termination of life , all living objects have

their birth , their growth , their prime of life , their decay and death , the trees , the herbs , and flowers we see on every side change their colour with the recurring seasons , the falling leaf proclaims the arrival of winter , our grey hairs betoken the advance of age . We are continuall y reminded that we are but sojourners here ,

and that our everlasting home is beyond the vale of shadows . We must therefore lay these admonitions to heart , and when we see our friends one by one gradually depart , and go before us , to that bourn from whence no traveller returns , we must seriousl y consider that we shall shortly follow them , and

recognise the necessity of setting our houses in order , that when the Almi ghty hand beckons us away , we may not shrink back in terror , but trustingly follow in the paths so often trod before , and , passing through the gloomy portals , look forward to those bri ght joys which will assuredly await the faithful and obedient of the human

race . In the case of our late friend and brother , whose life and principles were regulated by a strict code of morality and probity , temperance , fortitude , and justice , we cannot but hopefully look for his eternal happiness in the safe keeping of his Heavenl y Father , who has called him through much pain and suffering to

his eternal home . May we all be equall y fitted for companionship with those who shall inherit everlasting life . . When this lodge was established , four years ago , Bro . William Woodall was its first initiate . He sought membership from his attachment to those principles of temperance of which he was so strong an advocate and

so faithful a disci ple , and which were made a distinctive feature in the constitution of this particular lodge . He was the first brother raised to the mysterious Third Degree , which so graphicall y symbolises the transition from this life to that of the unknown future , and which he has again undergone in its higher form . After

some minor offices , he was appointed the Senior Warden of this lodge , and last year elected its Master . His name also stands in the warrant as Third Principal designate for the Royal Arch chapter which is shortl y to be consecrated here . Bro . Woodall was essentiall y a man of the people , he had raised himself b y industry

honesty , and high principles from a humble position to j a condition of comparative affluence . Although not an educated man and rugged of speech , he possessed a fund of excellent common sense , intuitive knowledge of propriety of feeling , a natural kindliness of dis- ' position and goodness of heart , always made friends , '

and when known became popular . My acquaintance with him has been but brief , yet I speedily learned to appreciate the striking qualities which he possessed , i He was an affectionate husband and the father of a numerous and devoted family . The great number of friends who attended his obsequies this morning testifies

to the general esteem in which our lamented brother was held . Ori ginally of a stout and sturdy frame , he be- came in his latter years a victim to a complication of j painful and depressing diseases , which were borne with patience and fortitude , and it was with considerable misgivings that he undertook the duties connected

with the chair of this lodge . During his year of office ' his maladies appear to have increased , and he was com- I pelled to seek medical assistance of the hi ghest I character . About three weeks since , however , he ' sus- | tained a terrible accident , and received the fri ghtful I injuries under which he has succumbed . And now 1

brethren , the struggle is over , his poor mangled body I latel y so racked with agony is at rest , and his soul peacefully sleeps awaiting the final summons , " Awake thou that sleepest , and arise from the dead 1 " j Our ranks are broken b y his loss , let us unite ourselves more closely together and fill up the breach that has !

been caused . Let the loving chain of hands and hearts cement this lodge more firmly than before , and let each ' brother strive to make his fellows more happy and j united . When we lose our brethren one by one , may we who remain never have occasion to reproach

ourselves with the thought that we have at any time injured or wounded the feelings of a brother , whom now we would fain have recalled , that he mi ght hear | our lamentation over the neglected opportunity of > apology and forgiveness . There should be no angry I feelings or discussion in a lodge where all are brothers , '

Lodge Of Sorrow Of The Wilberforce Lodge, No. 2134, Hull.

sons of the widow , and , when differences of opinion arise , they should never be accompanied with heated argument or display of temper and ill-feeling . In the brief span of life left to each of us , let us try to bear our part bravely , and , casting aside all feelings of personal interest or inclination , study only how we can

best promote the great end of our existence , and practice those God-like principles which shall fit us for yon eternal mansions , where the world ' s Great Architect lives and reigns for ever . After the oration , the hymn " Thou art gone to the grave " was sung ; then the versicles usuall y used on

these solemn occasions , concluding by singing the beautiful hymn " Brother , thou art gone before us . " Bro . Vesey King , the Organist of the lodge , conducted the musical arrangements , and Bro . Walter Reynolds , P . G . Treas ., did the duties of Director of Ceremonies in a very satisfactory manner .

Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution.

ROYAL MASONIC BENEVOLENT INSTITUTION .

The Committee of Management of this Institution held their regular monthly meeting at Freemasons ' Hall , on Wednesday . Bro . Henry Smith , P . G . D ., D . P . G . M . West Yorkshire , occupied the chair , and there were present Bros . C . A . Cottebrune , P . G . P . ; Henry G . Hill , Alex . Mullord , W . Pierpoint , James Brett , P . G . P . ; Samuel Brooks , W . H . Hulbert , A .

H . Tattershall , Geo . Everett , W . B . Daniel ! , Hugh Cotter , J . J . Berry , C . J . Perceval , T . B . Purchas , G . Bolton , W . Clarke , P . G . P . ; J . Newton , Robt . Triggs , Joseph Freeman , S . C . Haslip , Charles Kempton , C . H . Webb , R . Turtle Pigott , D . C . L ., P . A . G . D . C . ; W . H . Perry man , P . G . P . ; Chas . David , Thomas Cubitt , P . G . P . ; T . Dixon , F . Mead , P . G . S . B . ; A . J . Dixie , Jabez Hogg , P . G . D . ; George Mickley , B . E . Blasby ,

J . S . Cumberland , C . F . Hogard , A . Forsyth , W . Belchamber , and James Terry , P . G . S . B . ( Secretary ) . The minutes of the previous meeting , and of that on the 29 th ult ., having been read and confirmed , The SECRETARY reported the deaths of three male and two female annuitants , as well as of five accepted male candidates . He also read letters relative to the

candidature of four widows , two of whose names were directed to be removed from the list . The Wardens' report for the past month was read , and an application from the widow of a deceased annuitant to be granted the half of her late husband ' s annuity was granted .

The approved lists were settled , and the vacancies to be filled at the election in May were declared as follows 68 male candidates , and 11 immediate vacancies , and three deferred , making together 14 to be elected ; and 8 3 widow candidates , with seven immediate vacancies ,

and three deferred , or together 10 to be elected : the total for the two funds being 151 candidates , with 18 immediate and six deferred annuitants , or together 24 to be elected . A vote of thanks to the chairman terminated the proceedings .

Ball Of The Albion Lodge And Chapter, No. 9.

BALL OF THE ALBION LODGE AND CHAPTER , No . 9 .

The W . M ., Bro . E . Waller , of the Albion Lodge , is to be congratulated on the great success of the ball given on Friday , the 7 th inst ., in the Crown suite at the Freemasons' Hall , in commemoration of the chapter

of this old lodge , which was inaugurated in November last . There were nearly 100 of the brethren and their friends present , and as the Stewards arranged so that men predominated in numbers over that of the fair sex , dancing was kept up vigorously to music from the Light Cavalry Band of the Honourable Artillery

Company until 4 a . m . Supper was served punctually at 12 o ' clock . The toasts were brief , being "The Queen and Craft , " " The W . M ., " and "The Ladies . " The Stewards—Bros . Harvey , P . M . ; Jas . French , J . W . ; H . Kettle , I . G . ; and Ernest Hamlyn , S . W . and Honorary Secretary , of the ball—worked hard , and a most enjoyable evening was spent .

Banquet And Ball Of The Kingsland Lodge, No. 1693.

BANQUET AND BALL OF THE KINGSLAND LODGE , No . 1693 .

A meeting of the Kingsland Lodge was held on the 4 th inst . at the Highbury Railway Hotel , when the lodge was opened at four o ' clock , and Bro . A . W . Cooper was passed to the Degree of F . C . There was

to have been an initiation also , but the initiate did not put in an appearance , and , after the transaction of some routine business , the lodge was closed . The attendance at the lodge was not very numerous , but , as the hour of seven approached , the members , accompanied by their ladies , as well as visiting brethren

and their ladies , and even non-Masonic friends and their ladies began to arrive rapidly to attend the ladies' banquet and the ball that was to follow it , and the drawing room was soon well filled with youth and beauty and comely middle age , all cheerful and

expectant , and conscious that the beauty of their dresses added its own charm to the scene . By this time , the W . M ., Bro . W . T . H . Mayer , as chief host , had plenty on his hands , but he was well supported by the I . P . M ., Bro . T . Casely , and the lodge officers—Bros . Turner , S . W . ; Hazel , J . W . ; Cooper , P . M ., Treas .:

Banquet And Ball Of The Kingsland Lodge, No. 1693.

Fenner , P . M ., Sec ; Simon , S D . ; W . Whittell , J . D . ; J . Potter , I . G . ; A . T . Whittell , D . C . ; Harper , A . D . C ; and Collins and Elliott , Stwds . ; not to mention Bro . Bowler , the Tyler , who appeared to be ubiquitous . The banquet room , which did duty afterwards as the

ball room , was tastefully decorated with trophies of the flags of all nations , and a few it may be from fairyland , for they were of various material , from useful bunting to the richest silk . Great credit is due to Mr . Sams , the hotel company ' s manager , for the taste displayed in the arrangements , and the zeal with which

he looked after the comforts of every one present . The dinner was all that could be desired , and the attendance was admirable . After dinner , only the most necessary toasts were proposed . The first of these was , of course . " The Queen and

the Craft , " in proposing which the W . M . said that as they had a great many ladies present , and he knew that they were all anxious to know the secrets of Freemasonry , he would in three words tell them the great secret of Freemasonry . It was—Mercy , Truth , and Charity .

This toast having been drunk with enthusiasm , and a verse of the National Anthem having been sung , Bro . T . CASELY proposed "The Health of the W . M ., " but as the members of the lodge were all acquainted with Bro . Mayer ' s good qualities , and he was quite sure the ladies would give him credit for

them , he would not take up time by enumerating them , but would content himself with asking them to be upstanding to drink to the Master ' s Health . Bro . MAYER having returned thanks , next proposed "The Health of the Ladies" in a li ght and genial little speech . He said he was very pleased indeed , as

were all the brethren of the lodge to have the good fortune to have so many present on that occasion . They were all very sorry that they could not initiate the ladies , but he knew it as a great truth that they could not hold their tongues , and that if they were initiated the secrets of Freemasonry would be secrets

no longer . They would like always to have the ladies with them , but until other by-laws were passed they could only invite them once a year . The only brother , who could do justice to this toast , was Bro . Simon , and he shquld , therefore , couple his name with the toast of the ladies .

The toast having been honoured in bumpers , Bro . SIMON replied in a humorous speech , which he concluded by saying that though the Master and brethren of the lodge were not in a position to initiate , pass , and raise the ladies in the Three Degrees in Freemasonry , they were always happy to welcome them

once a year and initiate them into the Fourth Degree . This brought the proceedings at table to a close , and the company left the dining room that it might be cleared and prepared for dancing . The interval was spent in the drawing room where a selection of vocal

and instrumental music was performed by Bro . W . Wright , Musical Director , supported b y Mrs . Hazel , Bros . Simon and Nye , at the conclusion of which a move was made to the ball room , where dancing was kept up till a late hour .

Liverpool Masonic Literary Society.

LIVERPOOL MASONIC LITERARY SOCIETY .

The necessity for an institution such as the above has been felt by many Freemasons for some time past , but the initiation of this valuable ideal adjunct to the Craft and other lodges has been due to the energies and researches of Bro . J . Hawkins , W . M . 216 , who has

brought matters to a successful issue , with the useful and hearty assistance of some of his colleagues . A meeting was held on Saturday , the 8 th inst ., at the Adelphi Hotel , to appoint officers , pass rules , and arrange for future proceedings . Among those who have taken the matter up are

Bros . C . Arden , P . M . 1356 ; Hartley Wilson , P . M . 1356 ; W . Coxon , P . M . 16 75 ; John Frazer , S . D . 605 ; R . Crockett , P . M . 292 ; F . K . Stevenson , P . P . G . D . Cheshire ; B . M . Bannatyne , W . M . 216 ; F . Archer Lowe , P . P . J . G . W . ; A . Wylie , P . G . D . of England , P . P . S . G . W . West Lancashire ; H . S .

Browne , P . P . G . D . Cheshire ; A . H . Cannington , 228 9 ; ind other . Bro . Hawkins presided , and was afterwards unanimously elected Chairman for the year , with Bros . Dwerryhouse and Browne as Treasurer and Secretary -espectively .

The P . G . M ., Lord Lathom , has consented to be president , and wrote as follows : " I shall be most lappy to accept the invitation of the Provisional Zommittee of the Liverpool Masonic Literary Society : o become their first Hon . President . I think that such 1 society will prove of great use to the Masonic body

generally , and tend to the enlightenment and instrucion of younger Masons . The formation of a library vill , I hope , give opportunities for the collection and ireservation of Masonic works that are now scattered ibout and comparatively unknown . "

It was resolved that the offer of Bro . Speth , the veil-known Masonic antiquary and archaeologist , to leliver a lecture on the 22 nd instant , should be iccepted , and the paper is expected to be a most ineresting one .

It has been arranged that the Prince of Wales should ipen the new Forth Bridge on Tuesday , the 4 th prox . His toyal Highness will be the guest of the Earl of Rosebery , , t Dalmeney , during his brief stay in the neighbourhood .