Lurgan Masonic Bazaar.

IJrownlow House is a delightful old residence , evidencing in many of its detail 5 signal architectural triumphs . It is situated in the midst of spreading oleasure grounds , richly studied with noble trees , and looks out on a lake which stretches away into the distance in a clear blue expanse . No more u j [ gble p lace for a bazaar could be desired .

Favoured with glorious summer weather , and with a sun which shed its rays upon the scene in no unstinted fashion , the spectacle in the grounds as the bazaar was opened was truly a pleasant one . The houss itself was elaborately decorated for the occasion , and on the lawn outside were erected snow-white marquees , showing charmingly in contrast with a sward on which

hot suns have as yet left but a kindly impres-. Lines of bunting floated in the breeze from tree-top to tree-top , and contributed their own indispensable charm to the ensemble . In front of the house and lining either side of the gravelled walk leading up to the hall door , was a fashionable gathering of people assembled to witness the opening ceremony . On an elevated terrace

or balcony overlooking the gravel walk there were gathered those principally concerned in the organisation of the fete , and the fair stall-holders and assistants , attired in their pretty costumes , made a brilliant show , both by their number and the tastefulness of their attires . At two o'clock the brethren , in full regalia , were marshalled in the following order : Provincial

Grand Sword Bearer , Deputy Grand Master , Grand Officers , Provincial Grand Master , Deputy Provincial Grand Master , Provincial Officers of Armag h , Provincial Officers , Prince Masons , Knights Templars , Royal

Arch Masons , and Craft lodges . The procession in this order proceeded to the dais , where the chair was taken by the Deputy Grand Master , Bro . Robert W . Shekleton , Q . C . The Old Hundreth Psalm was then sung by the choir in admirable

fashion . The C HAIRMAN , on rising to formally declare the bazaar open , was cordially greeted . He said that it afforded him great pleasure to be present on that auspicious occasion , and give what help he could to the undertaking . They all were aware that the object for which the bazaar had been started

was the providing of funds for the building of a Masonic Hall for the town of Lurgan , and he was sure that was an object which would commend itself to them all . Although the Masonic Order was called a secret society , it had nothing secret in its principles or constitution ; the only things secret about it were just their preliminaries , their mode of procedure in lodge , and

their method of recognising each other when they met . Morally speaking , their Order was one that could be joined by anyone who believed in the Supreme Being , no matter what his religion was . Happily in this country , at any rate , a person who was an Atheist could not be a Mason . In other matters they never asked a man his religion or politics . He was very happy

indeed to be able to come down there , but at the same time that feeling of pleasure was mingled with one of regret that the Grand Master of the Order , the Duke of Abercorn , was not able to be present . He ( Bro . Shekleton ) had been Deputy Grand Master for 26 years , and he could truly say that he had never presided at any function which gave him greater pleasure . He

had no fear whatever as to the success of the bazaar , and in then declaring it open , he need only say in conclusion that he hoped , if he was spared , to be present at another ceremony in a short time in the town of Lurgan ,

namely , when they were opening the Masonic Hall , which they would , he trusted , be able to provide through the instrumentality of that fete . Bro . Sydney Jackson , Deputy Prov . G . M . of Armagh was then moved to the second chair .

Bro . J . MALCOLM , D . L ., the Chairman of Committee , proposed a vote of thanks to Bro . Robt . W . Shekleton , Q . C , for attending and opening the bazaar . He said that Bro . Shekleton ' s name had been associated with Masonry for many years , and his brother Masons were only doing honour to whom honour was due when they appointed him to the high position in the Order which he now held .

Bro . the Rev . R . S . O'LOUGHLIN , D . D ., seconded the motion , and said he trusted to see Bro . Shekleton present on the occasion of the opening of the new hall also . The vote of thanks having been passed unanimously ,

Bro . SHEKLETON briefly acknowledged the vote , again testifying the extreme pleasure which it gave him to be present . The proceedings in connection with the opening ceremony then terminated .

The people then dispersed themselves about the grounds and through toe house , and the bazaar was at once in progress in right merry earnest . "e attractions provided were literally numberless , and each appealed s rongl y to the visitors to come and patronise it . What , for instance , could a Ppeal more irresistibly to all who thronged the green sward and the pretty

P easure grounds amid the heat of the sun , than a row or a sail on the lake , u that was one of the attractions within everyone ' s reach for a small n J' ? It was an ideal day for a sail , and , needless to say , great numbers vailed themselves of the treat . The many other charming features of the zaar , which were alfresco in their character , were also eagerly sought

.. . " There were tea gardens under an elegant awning on the lawn , and * provided a pleasantly cool retreat amid all the heat of the sun , especially of ., comman ded an excellent view of many of the most beautiful features for e , Scene- The band of the 2 nd Dorset Regiment attended , and peril ,.,. , P ' easing selection of music in the grounds . But it was inside g - - t" = «» ng selection ot music in tne grounas . nut ic was inside

itself " ^ ouse ' tself tnat the ful 1 splendour of the bazaar manifested ea , " Various apartments in it were set apart for the various stalls , and deco P rese nted many interesting and delightful features . The stalls were thar •*'" ' £ ' ' £°° d taste , each being designed to represent the T ( , ens t'cs ° ^ a different country in eastern and western sections . n " > a , Ceylon , Japan , China , and Egypt had each its fair votaries , and

Lurgan Masonic Bazaar.

very charming did the young ladies assisting look in their tasteful attire . The western section embraced Britannia , Canada , Hibernia , Turkey , and Switzerland , while properly coming under no geographical definition at all , but bearing out nomadic characteristics of the race , was the Gipsy Encampment , in which Miss Lillie Ross presided as the Gipsy Oueen , and many fair

Zingari lent invaluable assistance . A photographic studio had been erected on the grounds by Mr . W . Abernethy , of Belfast , and photographs were taken there at all hours of the day , while daylight lasted . In another section of the building there was situated the " Bijou Theatre of Varieties , " at which " tableau vivants" were presented , and excellent musical programmes gone

through . Here , too , the Lurgan Musical Troupe gave pleasant contributions to the general fund of entertainment . Mr . A . W . James officiated as Interlocutor , Messrs . H . C . Matthews , J . G . J ackson , and R . M . Edwards were the " Tambourines , " and Messrs . H . Matthews , J . Lincoln , and A . W . Rodgers the "Bones . " A comedietta , entitled "The Midnight Visitor , "

and a farcical comedietta , " The Boots at the Swan , " were also performed . At the " Pavilion" there was also a Punch and Judy Show and a variety entertainment . In addition to all these features of entertainment there were a picture gallery , a scientific museum , and curiosity shop . The last named three departments were under the superintendence of Dr .

J . M . Moore , Dr . Pedelow , Dr . Brownrigg , Dr . Rowlett , and Mr . J . A . Thompson , F . R . C . V . S ., and among the exhibits were a host of interesting articles , including Masonic relics , scientific apparatus , magnetic and galvanic batteries , & c . In connection with this department the fine collection lent by Bro . Francis C . Crossle , M . B ., was well worthy of note . There was also an excellent refreshment room .

As the afternoon wore on the attendance grew much larger , visitors arriving from all parts of the country round . Special trains ran to and from Belfast , and altogether the bazaar was taken up enthusiastically on all sides . In the evening the band of the 2 nd Dorset Regiment again

attended . From 10 o ' clock till half-past n the reception room was devoted to dancing , and the fun was kept up with great spirit to the close . The bazaar was continued on the following day when it was opened by the Prov . Grand Master of Armagh , Bro . Viscount Templetown , and also on the two following days .

Royal Masonic Institution For Boys.

ROYAL MASONIC INSTITUTION FOR BOYS .

The Quarterly Court of the Governors and Subscribers to this Institution was held at Freemasons' Hall , on Friday last , 12 th inst . There were present : Bro . George E . Fairchild , A . G . D . C , Vice-Patron , in the chair , Bros . Thos . Taylor , W . J . Mason , E . C . Mulvey , W . A . Scurrah , James Willing , jun ., H . Massey , Charles W . Hudson , James Stephens , H . lmray , W . Flatman , J . J . Thomas , and J . M . McLeod , Sec .

Letters of thanks were read from Bros . Thomas Fenn , Jabez Hogg , and Wharton P . Hood for Hon . Rank conferred at the April Court . A list of 46 candidates for the October election was approved , and 16 vacancies declared .

The Secretary reported the result of the 97 th Anniversary Festival , held at Brighton on the 3 rd inst ., and that the total of the lists had now reached £ 19 , 057 is . Hearty votes of thanks were passed to the Chairman , the Stewards , and the Hon . Secretary of the Festival ( Bro . McLeod ) for the sp ! endid result of their labours . , ;

The Secretary also reported that on instructions received from the Board of Management he had , through the Pro Grand Master the Earl of Lathom , and the Grand Secretary , approached his Royal Highness the Most Worshipful Grand Master with a view of ascertaining if it would be his Royal

Highness ' s pleasure to honour the Institution by presiding at the Centeniry Festival in 1898 . He was glad to be able to inform the Court the M . W , Grand Master had graciously signified to the Earl of La ' , horn that he hoped to be able to preside on the occasion . A cordial vote of thanks to the Chairman brought the proceedings to a close .

Literalism's Demand.

LITERALISM'S DEMAND .

Sometimes and somewhere there has been a picture of a man in a pathway ever looking downward and , with a rake , pulling towards him dust and rubbish , and muck , for what there is in it . So acting , he is unconscious of his surroundings , and sees no vegetable , no grain , no fruit , no flower , no shrub , no tree , no animal , and no bird , unless by means outside himself it is

brought into his rake s range . So acting , he beholds no glory of sun , or moon , or star , or comet , or cloud , and knows nothing of the aurora or the rainbow . He is a literalist , denying all existence by him unbeheld and unknown , and , consequently , he is a fit representative of those members of the Masonic Fraternity who , within the last two decades , have refused to accept

Freemasonry as " a great science of morality , veiled in allegory and illustrated by symbols , " because it cannot be positively proven that Solomon , the Hirams , and the Saints John , were literally such Freemasons

as now exist , and members of exactly such Masonic lodges as now grace the world . They doubt and dispute the legend of The Builder just as if it had to be real , and they deny everything that will not bear the literalistic test . The wonder is that they do not deny their own , and all other , existence .

The Voice of Masonry is against such literalism , and in its April issue , under the caption , "Can Literalism Go Further ? " showed that , not literally , but allegorically and symbolically , Freemasonry is to be understood and accepted . In the face of all then said , a brother demands