Sermon By The Grand Chaplain Of England At Wigan.

virtue which may justly be denominated the distinguishing characteristic of a Freemason ' s heart . " Freemasonry teaches us to practise that Charity of which St . Paul speaks when he says ( I . Cor ., xiii . ) . " Charity stiffereth long and is kind , it envieth not , vaunteth not itself , is not puffed up , thinketh no evil . " This Charity

can reprove , but its rebukes are gentle , though not the less efficacious because of the gentleness . It weeps while it warns . " It drops a tear of sympathy over a brother ' s failings , ' and would rejoice if that tear could wash them away , ' while it pours the healing balm of consolation in the bosom of the afflicted . "

Freemasonry teaches us also to practise that Charity which is ready to suggest and afford relief for the wants of our brethren , their widows and orphans , and , as far as lies in our power , to afford relief for the wants of others . And surely it has made most successful efforts to practise what it preaches in

this respect . For see what it has done for its own members , and those dependent upon them . Take this great and important Province of West Lancashire , which is ruled with so much wisdom , tact , and success by our beloved Provincial Grand Master , the Earl of Lathom , and of which province your greatly respected

neig hbour , the Earl of Crawford and Balcarres , is the Deputy Prov . Grand Master . In our Province of West Lancashire we have the West Lancashire Masonic Educational Institution for the education of the orphans of poor Freemasons , and this educates 250 children at a cost of £ 2000 a year . We have the

Hamer Benevolent Fund , which gives annuities to distressed Freemasons , at a cost of ^ 173 a year , in order to brighten and cheer their declining days . We have also the Alpass Benevolent Fund , which does the same for eight poor widows of our brethren , at a cost of X 220 a year . Other provinces , too , have their separate

charitable institutions for similar purposes . Then in London there are the great cosmopolitan Charities for similar purposes , supported by the brethren in London and the provinces , the income of the three being in 1887 ^ 61 , 258 . And I may just mention that last year , at the Centenary Festival of the Royal Masonic

institution for Girls , presided over by the Prince of Wales , our Grand Master , the unprecedented sum of ever ^ 50 , 000 was presented as the contributions of the brethren to that one Masonic Institution , making the total sum raised last year for the London Charities £ 82 , 913 . In addition to these permanent Charities .

many thousands of pounds are voted each year by the Grand Lodge of England and the Provincial Grand Lodges to meet temporary cases of distress , while in most towns there is generally a Masonic almoner to relieve the needs of worthy brethren who are in want . But Freemasonry does not confine its Charity to its

own Order . It contributed , for instance , £ 1000 to the Patriotic Fund in 1855 , £ 1000 to the Indian Famine Fund in 1858 , £ 1000 to the Lancashire Famine Fund in i 860 , during a time of deep distress which many of us will remember ; ^ 4000 as a thank-offering for the safe return of the Prince of Wales from India in 18 77 ,

and this was spent in building two lifeboats , to be placed at dangerous spots on our coast . How generous have been the contributions of Freemasons to many of our cathedrals and churches . I may mention , as examples , the cathedrals of St . Albans , Chester , and Peterborough , and the parish churches of Stratford-on-Avon

and Bispham , near Blackpool . Then , how ready and willing are Freemasons to come forward and hel p any good cause by laying the foundation stones of cathedrals , churches , schools , and public buildings . Let us now notice , in the third place , how Freemasonry carries out the teaching of my text with regard to our

dut y towards God . My text tells us " To walk humbly with thy God . " And what is the meaning of this ? It * s , in short , to walk in life as if the eye of God were ever upon us . And surely Freemasonry teaches us this , for it presses home upon our consciences this truth—That wherever we are , or whatever we do , God is

ever with us , and His All-seeing eye beholds us , " and it urges us " that while we continue to act in conformity with the principles of the Craft we must not fail to discharge our dut y to God with fervency and zeal . " But do we always feel that God ' s eye is ever upon us ? I remember reading some years ago of a man who was

condemned to death forsomestrange crime , and in order to watch him while in prison a warder was always stationed at the little window in the cell door , so that never , even | ° r a moment , could the criminal escape the gaze of the jailor ' s eye . And the condemned man described the Cental torture arising from this as almost more than he

could bear . Yet so it is with God and us . His eye is always beholding the good and the evil : and the darkness is no darkness to Him , for the night is as c 'ear as the day in His sight . If we onl y realised this it would keep us free from all habits of sin . It would keep lls comparativel y secure against the temptations of the

w ° rld , the flesh , and the devil , notwithstanding that we might be led at times into some sins of infirmity , or ev en be suddenl y surprised into committing some sinful a j * t , for man is not perfect here on earth . In contusion , may we all seek God's help to carry out in our tidil y life the teaching of text in reference to our

my ? 'ty towards our neighbour and our God , " To do Justl y , to love mercy , and to walk humbl y with th y j ,. " It is the uniform daily walk with God , serving "n in little things as well as in great , in the ordinary id everyday pursuits as well as in grave and important

oncerns , that forms in the truest sense the reli gious aracter . As the value of the cornfield is made up of e Parate little grains , as the mightiest avalanche that er cam e thundering down from its alpine height , upotmg villages and forests in its course , is made up of y snowflakes , so it is with the religious character of

Sermon By The Grand Chaplain Of England At Wigan.

a man . It is the result of daily , nay , hourly , kindly actions , words , and thoughts , of struggles against temptation , of sacrifices for the good of others . These , like the blending colours in a picture , constitute the man . Then , having this relig ious character formed in us , we can look forward without dismav to the closing

hour of our existence . When this may come we know not , for God has mercifully concealed it from our view . Yet , how often is it true— " There is but a step between me and death , " as David said of himself ; and how examplified was this in the much lamented death of Bro . T . M . Shuttleworth , our late Prov . S . G . W . " How

often do we stand on the very brink of the grave which shall at last receive us into its cold bosom . " Let us learn , as Freemasonry tells us , " to perform our allotted task while it is yet day , " echoing the words of our Lord and Saviour , who said " I must work the works of Him that sent me while it is day , the night

cometh when no man can work " ( St . John , ix ., 4 ) . And may God grant that while we act according to the law of our Divine Creator we may be able to look forward with a holy confidence , that the Lord of Life will enable us to trample the king of terrors beneath our feet , as we lift our eyes with faith to that bright

morning star , the Lord Jesus Christ , whose rising brings peace and salvation to the faithful and obedient of the human race ; " and that when we shall be summoned from this sub-lunary abode we may ascend to the Grand Lodge above , where the world's great

Architect lives and reigns for ever and ever . " So mote it be . The offertory was for the local Charities . The return of the procession to the Council Chamber took place during a shower of rain .

The Late Bro. Sir Daniel Gooch, Bart., P.G.M. Berks And Bucks.

THE LATE BRO . SIR DANIEL GOOCH , BART ., P . G . M . BERKS AND BUCKS .

The funeral of the late Bro . Sir Daniel Gooch , Bart ., of Clewer Park , Windsor , Prov . Grand Master of Berks and Bucks , took place on Saturday , the 19 th inst ., at 12 a . m ., the interment being made in Clewer Churchyard . Our late brother was one of the most remarkable

and energetic characters of the present century . He was elected Chairman of the Great Western Railway Company in 1866 , and held the post until his death , and it will be remembered that to him is chiefly owing the wonderful development of that large undertaking , for he was mainly instrumental in raising the finances

of the company from the very low ebb to which they had become reduced to the magnificent position in which they now stand . Our older readers will remember that the successful completion of the Atlantic Cable was largely owing to his enterprise .

Owing to the family desiring the funeral to be of a private nature it was decided that the Prov . Grand Lodge should not officiall y take part in it , but that the Masonic tribute of respect should be paid by the Windsor Castle Lodge , of which he was a subscribing member , summoning a Iodge of emergency , and

attending the interment , accompanied by any Masons of the province who might wish to attend . Accordingly the W . M . of the Windsor Castle Lodge , Bro . W . G . Nottage , summoned a meeting and invited all the W . M . ' s , Wardens , and brethren of the province to attend . The lodge was held in the Masomc Hall ,

Windsor , and opened in the Third Degree , when it was called off , and the brethren proceeded to the church . At the close of the burial service the customary sprigs oi acacia , were cast into the grave . After the funeral , the lodge was called on , when a vote of condolence from the lodge was moved by the

W . M ., seconded by the senior Past Master , and supported in an eloquent speech by Bro . Simpson , Past Grand Chaplain ; it was carried unanimousl y , and ordered to be sent to Lad y Gooch . Representatives of most of the lodges in the province and several distinguished Freemasons were present , but ,

owing to an unfortunate misunderstanding , a paragraph appeared in the daily papers on the day previous to the funeral , stating that the Freemasons would not attend , and consequentl y a large number of Masons who had arranged to attend abandoned doing so . It is probable that a Provincial Grand Master of Freemasons for Berks and Bucks , as successor to the late

Sir Daniel Gooch , which rests with the Prince of Wales , as Grand Master of the Order , will be deferred to allow time for considering a suggestion which has been made that the two counties shall become separate provinces . It is general y hoped , if the proposal is carried out , that Prince Albert Victor may be appointed Grand Master for the Royal county of Berks .

Marriages.

Marriages .

HEWER—GARDNER . —On the 24 th inst ., at Chiswick Old Church , Arthur E . Hewer , son of Alfred Hewer , Esq ., of Cromwell Gardens , South Kensington , to Ada Mary , only child of Bro . George Gardner , of Goldhavvk House , Chiswick .

BOULTON —RAMSEY . —At Stratford Congregational Church , by the Rev . James Knaggs and the Rev . Joseph Boyle , Bro . James Boulton , W . M . of the West Ham Abbey Lodge , No . 2291 , to Eliza , widow of the late James John Ramsey , of Stoke Newington .

The Theatres.

THE THEATRES .

At the Avenue has been produced a new opera comique , entitled " La Prima Donna , " by a composer not unknown to English fame—Signor Tito Mattel . The libretto is b y the late Mr . F . B . Farnie and Mr . Alfred Murray . The hand of the former is strongly

marked throughout . The story may briefl y be stated . It is that of an impecunious Grand Duke , who is about to receive a prince and his sister with a matrimonial intention , and on the very day the Royal guests arrive , his courtiers all quit the palace , as they cannot get anything from the treasury . The Grand Duke had in

his travels invited a theatrical company to visit him , and they happen to arrive when the Grand Duke is in such a plight . He explains he cannot now g ive them payment , and the terrible predicament he is in . They offer to become the Court , and so help to receive the Prince . It will readily be seen this is capable of

producing a good plot , but not so much fun is got out of it as mi ght be . Signor Mattel shows himself likely to be a valuable addition to the ranks of comic opera composers , especially in the art of orchestration and part-song writing . We thought the singers even better than the music , for on the first nig ht every one in the

audience must have been agreeably struck with the lack of nervousness and the accuracy and precision with which each artiste sung . It mi g ht have berm running for three months , so perfect was everyone , and so smoothly did the opera go . " La Prima Donna" introduces at least three new comers to the lyric stage , all ladies ,

Misses Sara Palmer , Amelia Gruhn , and Poltzer , of whom the first is in character and reality the prima donna , and the latter is hampered by a strong foreign accent . "A troupe of comedians are we , " a duet by Delia and Florival , and the closing chorus , " Let ' s be gay , " and Delia ' s "Bravo Bravissimo" are the best

constructed melodies of the first act . Mr . Margravine ' s " Flirtation" song , and the quartette , " How charmed I am to meet you , " well harmonised . Florival's romantic song , " Love , farewell , " and the kissing duet are some of the gems of the score , which is published by G . Hutchings and Co ., of the male singers . Bro . Alec Marsh is

now well known as a prime Avenue favourite . He does justice to all his songs . Mr . Joseph Tapley , who shows much histrionic talent as well , got much applause , both in solos and part songs , by the excellent use of his fine tenor voice . Mr . Albert Chevalier has succeeded Bro . Arthur Roberts as the comedian

at that theatre , and pleased everybody . He has what is known in stage parlance " a fat part . " The allusions to the County Council , many of which were very humorous , were a little spoilt by being too numerous . Mr . Chevalier ' s song behind the scenes bids fair to

become a popular ditty . The stage mounting for "La Prima Donna " having being put in the hands of Bro . Harris , nothing is left to be desired . As the singing of both solos , part songs , and choruses is so good , vve should say that the career of the newest comic opera is likely to prove a prosperous one .

* * * Preparations are well advanced for Boxing Night at Her Majesty ' s , where is to be produced Bro . Charles Harris ' s pantomime , " Cinderella , " written b y Richard Henry . The lyrics , by Mr . Clement Scott , music by Mr . Alfred Cellier , Ivan Caryll , and some songs by

Mr . Richard Martin ( Killaloe ) . Mr . Edward Solomon is engaged as musical director . The services of Messrs . Telbin , Ryan , Hann , Emden , Perkins , and Craven have been called as scene painters . The costumes will be by Mdme . Auguste and M . Alias . The children are being trained for the ballet by M . D'Auban . Miss

Minnie Palmer has been secured as chief artiste at a fabulous salary , and there can be no doubt she will prove a big draw , for not onl y is she very clever , but she is popular in London , and has not been seen here for two years . The rest ot the large caste includes Misses Violet Cameron , Laura

Linden , Irene Verona , Ella Chapman , Annie Vokes , Lila Clay , and Nellie Lennox , Messrs . H . Parker , F . Vokes , John Le Hay , Phi ! Barry , and Charles Coborn . In the hands of the present experienced directors , and the stage management of Bro . Charles Harris , " Cinderella " bids fair to be one of the most successful

pantomimes ever played . * * * At the Queen ' s Theatre , Manchester , this week , the patrons have been treated to a series of grand opera , performed by Mr . Valentine Smith ' s Company . Mr . Valentine Smith is well-known as a robust tenor

, having a powerful voice of rich tone and extraordinary compass , and is well supported by Messrs . Parkinson and Renano , a very good company , and a strong chorus . Since Bro . J . Pitt Hardacre undertook the management of this theatre , the tone of the entertainments has undergone a wonderful change . In the place

of second rate companies and never-ending melodramas , a constant recurring course of drama , burlesque and opera is provided , and the best travelling dramatic companies , including those from the Drury Lane , Adelphi , and Princess' Theatres are almost weekly

visitors . The theatre has been artisticall y decorated and thoroughly cleaned . In fact , all that is possible has been done to please the eye , charm the ear , and gratify and educate the taste of all , be they gallery and pit , or circle and stalls , and we wish Bro . Hardacre every success .