The Recent Festival Of The Royal Masonic Benvolent Institution.

THE RECENT FESTIVAL OF THE ROYAL MASONIC BENVOLENT INSTITUTION .

The following new lists , and additions to lists , have been received since last week : Lodge LONDON . i , s . d . 9 Bro . E . S , Goorish , additional 9 n 6 iGs 6 d

( raising his list to £ 85 . . ) Chapter 1471 Comp . W . E . Sutton , additional ... ... 1 11 0 ( raising his list to £ 41 gs . ) Lodge 1539 Bro . W . G . Cannon , additional 200 ( raising his list to £ 132 )

THE PROVINCES . SHROPSHIRE . Bro . Sir O . Wakeman , P . G . M ., additional 10 10 0 ( raising his list to £ 73 ios . ) Lodge WARWICKSHIRE . 739 Bro . C . Lamsdale , new list 5 5 0

CORRECTION . Bro . W . H . Bailey , Steward , Unattached , London , with his list of £ 63 , has been transferred to Staffordshire , the total for which Province is thus raised to £ 152 5 s ., there being , of course , a corresponding diminution in the London total .

The Royal Ark Mariners.

THE ROYAL ARK MARINERS .

The Grand Commander ere the skies Opened at His command , . . With mighty deluge to o ' erwhelm The sin-polluted land ; The patriarch Noah He preserved Beneath His fostering care , The Ark of Safety bid him build , And find a refuge there .

Fashioned in Beauty was the work , Strength its foundations laid , Wisdom Divine matured the plan , And perfectness conveyed ; By the keen axe the trees were felled , The planks the saw divides , The piercing borer drills the holes , And junction sure provides .

The task complete that was enjoined , Noah with kindred dear , Sheltered by Providence from harm , And from destruction near . Then poured the torrents from Above , The fountains from the deep , With surging billows o ' er the land In devastation sweep .

At length in Mercy to the world , Proof of His pitying love , Over the watery waste was sent , Emblem of peace , the Dove . At His command the waves retire , Now the dryland appears , Whilst Noah , issuing forth preserved , Dismissed all doubts and fears .

Our Grand Commander then renewed His covenant with man—And , as a sign , the Rainbow gave , And cast o'er earth its span ; A present pledge for future time , That all who view the sign , With confidence their hearts may raise , And trust in Love Divine .

Thus when o'ercome by doubts and fears , Beyond our weak control , Or waters of Affliction rise To whelm the troubled soul , E ' en as we scan the watery waste , We feel fresh courage rise , For perfect Love will cast out fear , And tempest power defies .

Whilst messenger of grace tbe Dove , With peace soothes anxious care , Hope ' s brilliant rainbow will shine forth , In colours bright and fair ; Secure in Ark of Heavenly Love , Our faith in Him confessed , Oh ! may we there for ever dwell , In calm and blissful rest . F . W- DRIVER , M . A ., P . W . C . N .

Compliment To Bro. Enoch T. Cabson.

COMPLIMENT TO BRO . ENOCH T . CABSON .

The Enquirer , Cincinnati , Ohio , devotes several columns to a description of the great annual meeting of the Scottish Rite Masons in that city on February 2 ist , when the 32 nd Degree was conferred on many candidates , and thus introduces an esteemed veteran of

the Craft . A touching incident happened during the close of the work in the afterncon . Bro . Carson was interrupted in the midst of his concluding remarks to the candidates by the Past Grand Orator of Ohio , Bro . Nelson Williams , of Hamilton , Ohio , who asked the privilege

of the floor . The room was suddenly darkened , and Bro . Carson ' s picture , in full costume as Commanderin-Chief , appeared upon the canvas . At the same time Bro . Williams read aloud the poem composed by him in honour of Bro . Carson , of which the following ate

the concluding stanzas -. The thousands who know that all join in the hope That Time may deal gently with thee ; That God may still spare thee for many more years In the vineyard of Freemasonry .

May He strengthen thy arm , give life to thy step , And bless thee with peace to the end , Is the sincerest wish that spring from the heart Of a Sir Knight , a Brother , a Friend . After the conclusion of the poem another picture of Bro . Carson appeared , representing him in full dress , with the 32 nd Degree collar .

Cheshire Committee Of Benevolence.

CHESHIRE COMMITTEE OF BENEVOLENCE .

A special meeting of the Committee of Benevolence of the Province of Cheshire was held at the Town Hall , Altrincham , on Thursday , the 7 th inst . There were present Bros . John Clayton in the chair , and Frank Reed , 89 ; Joseph Turner and John Wagstaffe , 320 ; D . Simpson , 1088 ; Geo . Holland , 1408 ; Jesse

Timm and Henry Jackson , 336 ; Thos . Perrin , 461 ; J . W . Leatherley , 1136 ; Fred . Broadsmith and Thos . Dnnkwater , 1166 ; James Cookson , 287 ; H . Powell Jones , 1957 ; Richmond , 267 ; John F . May , 295 ; T . W . Markland , 236 S ; H . G . Small , 2368 ; G . F . Willis , 428 ; W . Cambell , 1357 ; J- T . Goulding , 2144 ; F . H . Tait , 425 : T . H . Annett , 758 ; R .

Robinson , 477 ; G . H . Browne , 537 , and V . K . Stevenson . There were also several letters of apology for non-attendance . The circular convening the meeting was read . Bro . CLAYTON , in addressing the meeting , said they were called together that day for the purpose of moving a vote of condolence with the widow and niece of the

late Chairman of that Committee , Bro . Jas . Salmon , P . M ., P . P . G . W . and G . A . D . C . of England , who had for a long series of years well and ably filled the onerous position of Chairman of that Committee , and devoted his time and services to the cause ol Masonic Charity . He ( Bro . Clayton ) had worked with the late Bro . Salmon for years . They were P . G . Deacons

together in 1880 ; P . G . Wardens in 1890 ; and the Chairman and Vice-Chairman of the Committee of Benevolence , and the newly-constituted Benevolent Institution ; and they had for a long series of years worked together at the Charity Elections of the London Institutions , as well as of the Province of Cheshire . He was sure they all felt the great loss the province had

sustained in Bro . Salmon's death which , to him , Bro . Clayton , personally , had been a great blow . Bro . Salmon was known well and generally to all the brethren in the province , and to earnest workers in Masonry out of the province . His kindly and genial disposition had endeared him to all , and they felt in losing him from their midst they had lost from the helm of Masonic

Charity in the Province of Cheshire a skilful and experienced pilot . Time , however , would claim each one and all in its turn , for like the river which was swallowed up in the mighty ocean , or the rivulet which fed the babbling brook , so each and all would have to submit to the will of the G . A . O . T . U . He felt too much bent down under the loss the province had

sustained to make any further remarks , and he would therefore move the resolution of condolence with the widow and niece of their late respected chairman . Bro . J AMES COOKSON , P . M ., P . P . G . T ., seconded the motion , and , in a few well-chosen and appropriate remarks , alluded to the high esteem in which Bro . Salmon was held in his native city of Chester .

Bros . TAIT and F . K . STEVENSON supported the motion , which was put and carried unanimously . It was decided to record it on the minutes . Bro . John Clayton at this period left the chair , and it was occupied by Bro . G . H . BROWNE , P . M ., P . P . G . W ., who , addressing the Committee , said the next important matter . they had to deal with was to elect a

Chairman of that Committee , and he thought he expressed the feelings of the brethren generally when he said there was only one brother whom he thought ought to fill that position . Bros . Salmon and Clayton had been appointed together , had worked together , and with their united efforts , the conduct of the Charity business was kept up and brought to the high position

it held at the present time . It was , however , for the Committee to elect its Chairman , and he therefore called for nominations for that ofiice . Bro . F . BROADSMITH , P . M ., P . P . G . R ., in a few choice and appropriate remarks , said he nominated Bro . Clayton , P . M ., P . P . G . W ., as Chairman , and moved that Bro . J . Clayton be elected to the office of

Chairman of the Committee of Benevolence of the Province of Cheshire . Bro . HENRY J ACKSON , P . M ., P . P . G . D ., seconded , and it was supported by Bro . J AMES COOKSON ; and there being no other nomination , it was put , and carried unanimously . Bro . John Clayton was informed by Bro . Browne that he had been elected Chairman by the unanimous vote

of the Committee . Bro . CLAYTON suitably responded . Bro . DRINKWATER , P . M ., P . P . G . R ., proposed , and Bro . J WAGSTAFFE , P . P . A . G . D . C , seconded , that the best thanks of the Committee be given to Bros . Clayton and Browne for their services in the chair at that meeting , which was carried unanimously . The meeting then terminated .

Funeral Of Bro. Thomas H. Atkinson.

FUNERAL OF BRO . THOMAS H . ATKINSON .

On Saturday morning , the 2 nd inst ., the remains of the late Bro . Thomas H . Atkinson , Clerk of the North Dublin Union , were interred in the Old Churchyard , Clontarf . The funeral procession was of great magnitude , and the utmost sympathy was evinced

throughout the locality at the untimely end of so deserving and worthy a citizen . AU the blinds in the Clontarf neighbourhood , from Rostrevor-terrace , where the deceased resided , up to Vernon-avenue , where the funeral procession left the main road en route to the

cemetery , were closely drawn , and all the shops were shuttered , The Boys' Brigade ( Clontarf District ) attended in uniform . They marched on each side of the hearse until the Clontarf Church was reached , and here they

Funeral Of Bro. Thomas H. Atkinson.

lined the passage between the gate and the door . It took a considerable time before all the mourners could enter , and anyone observing the constitution of the great assembly as it entered the sacred building could not but be impressed with the universality of the tribute paid to the deceased . The learned professions , the local Church body , the Masonic Order , the mercantile

community , as well as the great general public of all persuasions , were fully and thoroughly represented . At the church , the Rector of Clontarf , the Rev . F . W . Mervyn , M . A ., and his curate , the Rev . Mr . Cood , met the procession , and as the coffin was being borne into the building , Mr . Buchanan played the Funeral March on the organ . The service was opened

with the singing of the 90 th hymn , " O God our help in ages past , " and the proper Psalm , No . 90 , was sung to Beethoven ' s Funeral Chant . Hymn 599 , " Now the labourer's task is o ' er , " was sung , and in conclusion the Rev . MERVYN recited the Masonic prayer for the dead . The coffin was then borne on the shoulders of a number of the deceased ' s friends

to the Old Churchyard , and was deposited in a sheltered spot beneath the massive ivy-clad walls of a sacred ruin . The members of the Masonic Order , including the brethren of his Lodge , No . 238 , of which he was one of the original founders , and until his death acted as its Secretary , here assumed their regalia , and deposited in the grave , with the remains of their dear

friend , the sprigs of acacia which they had worn during the early part of the morning . The final prayers having been said by the Rector , The Rev . B . GIBSON , M . A ., delivered a brief discourse . He said that after the touching words they had heard from the Rector it was not for him to dwell upon the virtues of their dear departed brother , but

as one of the Grand Chaplains of the Masonic Order he wished to say a last word at the graveside . Their hearts were bowed down with sorrow for their own loss—for the loss that the family of their brother had sustained , and for the loss which the Order , the worldwide united Masonic Order , had suffered in the death of Bro . Atkinson .

Obituary.

Obituary .

BRO . J . W . LEE , P . M . 226 . One of those terribly sad occurrences that remind one of the uncertainty of life has recently cast a gloom over Littleborough and its neighbourhood . A fortnight since the local press recorded the marriage at Southport of Bro . J . W . Lee , eldest son of the late Mr . Isaac Lee , of Littleborough , to Miss S . E . Lawtoh )

eldest daughter of Alderman James Lawton , J . P ., ex-Mayor of Heywood , of Burlington-road , Birkdale . After the wedding breakfast at the residence of the bride's father , Bro . and Mrs . J . W . Lee had left for London en route lor Paris . The bride of scarcel y more than two weeks is now a widow , the melancholy news having arrived that Bro . Lee had succumbed in Paris ,

where the honeymoon was being passed . The first news that anything was wrong appears to have reached the bridegroom ' s brother , Mr . Walter Lee , by telegram to the effect that Bro . J . W . Lee and his wife had been ill with the influenza for four days , and that a doctor and two nurses were in attendance upon them . This was followed by a further telegram , as wellas by a

letter from the proprietor of the hotel at which the couple were staying , stating that Bro . and Mrs . Lee were suffering from pneumonia , while the telegram reported that Bro . Lee was dangerously ill . Another telegram stated that Bro . Lee ' s condition was very grave indeed , and requested that his brother , Mr . Walter Lee , should go to see him at once , and he and a friend at once

proceeded from Littleborough to Pans . Though Bro . Lee rallied slightly , death ultimately supervened . A general feeling of grief for , and sympathy with , thc young widow and with the family of Bro . Lee , and that of Alderman Lawton , of Heywood , has been caused by the tragic and comparatively sudden death . Deceased was a member of the firm of Messrs . Isaac Lee

and Sons , oil refiners , Littleborough , and had every prospect of a prosperous and happy life before him . Bro . Lee was initiated at Keystone Lodge , No . 3 63 , held at Whitworth , near Rochdale . He became a joining member of Benevolence Lodge , No . 226 , December 6 th , 1887 , held all the several offices in the lodge , and was installed as W . M ., on December ist , 1891 . At

the monthly meeting of this lodge , held on the 5 th inst ., the following was proposed by the W . M ., Bro . VV . H . Mitchell , and seconded by Bro . the Rev . Dr . Salts , P . P . G . Chap . East Lanes . * . "That the brethren of Benevolence Lodge , No . 226 , desire to convey to thc family of the late Bro . J . W . Lee , P . M ., their sympathy and sincere condolence with respect to the sad

bereavement recently experienced ; and that the Secretary of the lodge be requested to forward a copy of this resolution to our late Bro . Lee ' s widow , and also to his brother , Mr . Walter Lee . " Bro . Lee's death occurred on the 25 th ult ., and his funeral took place on the 6 th instant , in Rochdale Cemetery , there being a very large attendance of friends and relatives to assist at the mournfu l ceremony .

Death.

Death .

BISHOP . —On the 4 th inst ., at Queen ' s-road , New CrOS * Gate , William John Bishop , P . M . and Treasure ! of St . James Union , No . i 8 q , in hia 54 r . l 1 year-