Masonic And General Tidings

MASONIC AND GENERAL TIDINGS

SEVENTEEN CHILDREN—ten bovs and seven girls—will be admitted to the benefits of the British Orphan Asylum , Slough , at the election to be held at the Cannon-street Hotel on Tuesday , 8 th prox . THIRTY-TWO CHILDREN—22 boys and to girls—will be admitted to the benelits of the Commercial Traveller's Schools , Pinner , at the election to be held at the ( Gannonsi reet Hotel to-day ( Friday ) .

A SPECIAL SERVICE , consisting of Christmas music from Ihe oratorios , will take place at the Royal Military Chapel , Wellington Barracks , on Sunday evening , at six o ' clock , under the direction of Mr . Richard Lemaire , the Precentor . No tickets of admission will be required .

BRO . THOMAS BRIGGS was elected at the head of the poll for the Ward of Aldersgate , at the Wardmote held on Saturday last . Bro . Briggs is a member of the firm of T . Briggs and Son , silk merchants , and is a native of Cumberland . He is a member of the Aldersgate Lodge , No . 1 ( 157 .

ON AND AFTER Tuesday , IJanuary ist next , the Kensington Lodge of Instruction , No . 17 ( 37 , will be held at the Town Mali Tavern , High-street , Kensington , near the District Railway Station , at eight o ' clock p . m ., and at the first meeting , being New Year ' s Day , Bro . George Read , P . M ., G . Std . Br . of England , Preceptor of the lodge , has kindly consented to preside .

ON NEW YEAR ' DAY the Bishopsgate Institute , with which the name of the Rev . William Rogers will ever be intimately associated , and which was formally opened by the Karl of Rosebery last month , will be available to the general public from it a . m . The reading room and the

reference , library may be thenceforth used by all who care to visit ( hem , but the lending branch is reserved for persons inhabiting or employed in the Eastern half of the City . The privileged area commences , roughly speaking , at the Bank of England . Mr . R . W . Ileaton , M . A ., is the director and librarian .

A SHORT time ago Mr . Stevenson gave an account of how he wrote "Treasure Island , " and related that when this work first appeared in a story paper " it figured in the ignoble midst without woodcuts and attracted not the least attention . " It may be interesting to recall the fact that no sooner was it issued by Messrs . Cassell & Company as

a volume than it sprang into popularity at a bound , and has had a circulation larger than any other of his works . Messrs . Cassell & Company recently arranged to reissue "Treasure Island" in their boys' paper "Chums , " with new illustrations expressly executed . In this periodical it has attracted much attention , and been received with enthusiasm .

A SPECIAL MASONIC SERVICE was held on Sunday , the i ( ith inst ., at St . Paul ' s , Harringay . There was a full choral evensong rendered by some of the members of the Craft , and assisted by the boys of the choir from St . Clement ' s Church , Barnsbury , under the direction of Bros . W . Sycklemore and W . II . Pocklinpton . The prayers were read by the vicar , the Rev . J . H . Greaves , and the lessons by the Grand Chaplain . Archdeacon Sinclair also preached

from 1 Kings vii . 1 , 3 , giving an interesting outline of the origin and history of Freemasonry . The collection after the sermon amounted to over j ( , 35 , and will be devoted to the debt on the building . There were at least 240 members of the Craft present at the service , and these walked in procession round the c mrch , after the final Blessing had been given by the Grand Chaplain , . singing the hymn " Light's abode , Celestial Salem . "

A CURIOUS " FIND" was made recently in Govan by one of the neutral world of the charter granted by the Grand Lodge of Scotland in 1705 in favour of Lodge " Wigton-Kilwinning , No . 125 . " The parchment was safely enclosed in a tin flask-like box , and , like the stone of old , had been cast among the rubbish . By a certificate on the back of the charter it appears that in iSig , the number

of the lodge had been altered on the Grand Lodge roll from 125 to No . 94 . The document bears the signature of the Sub-Grand Master , the Senior and Junior Grand Wardens ; of Lord Leven , who signed in the absence of the Grand Master , John , the Earl of Kellie , and of the Grand Secretary and Grand Clerk , Alexander M'Dougall and

George Beam . 1 have been favoured with a look of the charter , through Bro . Hampton of 553 , who classes the finder among his friends , ' l'he lodge , of which this was the charter , was expelled from the Grand Lodge in 1 . S 37 What its history was might be interesting , and if any of our Wigton brethren can throw light on the subject , I will be glad to hear from them . —Mallet .

PRETORIA . —Thc very handsome and ' elaborate manner in which the new halls for the meetings of the Volksraaden , or Parliament of the Transvaal , have been furnished , is instructive as affording another proof of the growth and development of South Aftican affairs . The appointments , which have been manufactured and supplied by Maple and Co ., of Tottenham Court-road , comprises a president's

das in very finely catved walnut , and having a remarkably rich carved overhanging cornice supported by columns and brackets—the presidential chairs being also in walnut , with carved escutcheons , matching that on the dais , and upholstered in embossed morocco . The table in front of these chairs is panelled up , with carved columns at intervals , and has a very rich frieze . The secretary ' s table , semi-circular

in form , is also panelled and has carved pilasters , while the Government tables are placed on either side of the President ' s . The latter are of a most substantial character , having at the rear a tall carved and panelled screen . The tables are placed on walnut platform ; of different heights , so that the President can command a view of the wtiole assembly . The accommodation for the members is ranged

in semi-circular form , each member licinir provided with a useful desk having drawers , lock , and key , and a very luxuriously upholstered arm chair . The work throughout is of the best character , and may bt taken by the members of Volksraaden , as wsll as by the residents of the Iransvaal , as a good tepresentation of the excellence of the material and workmanship emanating from Maple and Co . 's establishment .

Masonic And General Tidings

LOVE AND HONOUR LODGE , NO . 75 , Falmouth , has unanimously elected Bro . Aaron Smith , W . M ., and re-elected Bro . W . F . Newman , P . P . J . G . W ., Treas ., and Bro . James Francis , P . P . G . T ., Tyler . THE consecration of the Hiram Royal Arch Chapter ( architects and surveyors ) will take place on Wednesday , the 30 th prox ., in the presence of several eminent Masons . The Principals designate are Comps . H . Lovegrove , E . W . Lewcock , and F . A . Powell .

BRO . F . W . DRIVER , M . A ., P . M ., P . Z ., & c , author of " The Noble Soul , " " The Submerged City , " " Toujours Perdrix " ( poems ) , " A Novel Vengeance , " and "The Four Henries" ( prose ) , recites his original productions at musical entertainments , smoking concerts , etc . For terms , address 62 , Lancaster-road , Notting Hill , W .

PROPOSED MASONIC TEMPLE AT S OUTHEND .-On Friday evening , the 14 th instant , a meeting of Freemasons was held at the Middleton Hotel for the purpose of considering a proposal for the erection of a Masonic Temple at Southend . Bro . E . J . Bowmaker was voted to the chair .

It was stated that the purchase of a suitable site and the erection of the building wou'd probably cost about £ 3000 ; and it was suggested that a company should be formed . A committee was appointed to make inquiries and to formulate a scheme to be considered at a future meeting .

ALWAYS to the fore with clever ideas , the Christmas Souvenir of "Johannis " is well up to date . Eight beautifully executed cards of special design , in 12 or 15 colours , and the Johannis Company ' s copyright offer excellent suggestions for fancy ball costumes ' at this most appropriate period of the year . The Company first initiated the idea

amongst our American cousins . and it " caught on to such a degree that many enthusiastic applicants had to go away empty ; therefore we strongly advise those of our readers who worship at the shrine of " Terpsichore" in fancy dress to write immediately to the Johannis Co ., Ltd ., 25 , Regentstreet . London , for a set of their Fancy Costume Cards .

ROYAL INSTITUTION . — Professor Fleming , F . R . S ., began a series of six lectures on Electricity adapted to a juvenile audience , at the Royal Institution , on Thursday afternoon . The theatre was well filled , a considerable proportion of the audience being composed of young people . Technically the subject of the lecture is the work of an electric current , and the professor limited himself in the

opening discourse to an explanation of the production of electricity , illustrated by experiments to show the differences of positive and negative , and the fact that the one is never called into existence without an equal amount of the other . In the succeeding addresses Professor Fleming will demonstrate the chemical , heating , lighting , and other effects of the current , and will suggest that hereafter it is destined to be still more widely employed in the service of mm .

MASONIC TREAT TO THE AGED . —The Friendship and Zetlapd Lodges jointly gave on Friday their annual Christmas treat to the aged of Cleckheaton—persons of 60 years of age and upwards . There were 107 guests present , and the tea was served in the Town Hall . Afterwards short addresses , songs , & c , were given , and dessert , tobacco , Si :, and on departure each was presented with a Christmas parcel and a new shilling , the latter an annual gift from

Mr . Law , of the Grange . The more infirm visitors were conveyed to and from the hall in cabs . Those who by reason of infirmity were unable to take part in the festivities were not overlooked . Robinson ' s band , who kindly volunteered their services , considerably enhanced the evening's enjoyment , and the latter part of the evening was utilised by the " Brethren , " their wives and friends , in dancing , & C . Bro . C . H . Briggs , W . M . of the Friendship Lodge , presided .

IN CELEBRATION of the 25 th anniversary of the Children ' s Home and Orphanage , of which the Kev . T . B . Stephenson is the founder and president , fiiends of that deserving institution mustered in Exeter Hall and bore testimony to the practical utility of a charity to which countless destitute little ones owe their salvation . On the platform , furnishing ocular evidence of the benefits they receive within

its walls , were the boys and girls trained at the Orphanage , which is a home in more than a name , and through which over 3000 youngsters have passed . The mission was established to rescue children who are in danger of falling into evil ways , irrespective of age or religion , and to give them

a fair start in life . It was stated that about 900 are now in residence , while supervision is being exercised over some 600 at home and abroad , for whom situations have been obtained . By Mr . J . F . Moulton , M . P ., who presided over the festival of song and speech , a warm plea was made on behalf of the institution .

NOEL-TIDE AT FIELD LANE REFUGES . —At this Hospice Christmas has been a truly joyous time for some SSo destitute poor of our great Metropolis , who were supplied with a substantial hot dinner of gocil old English fare , comprising roast beef , plum pudding , and vegetables . On arrival at the institution we found that extensive and complete preparations had been made for the day ' s festivities ; the

several rooms were both tastefully and seasonably decorated , and the platforms were arranged for the short services , consisting of singing and impressive addresses which lasted from 11 to 11 . 50 . The tables covered with snow-white cloths were neatly laid ; the carvers and waiters ( all friends of the institution ) , were already assembled in readiness for the signal to commence operations , which ( after grace had

been enthusiastically but reverently sung ) , was given about 12 o ' clock , when the first joint of beef was placed upon the table amid hearty cheers . Alter this , the scene is more easily imagined than described ; but , like all good things , even a Christmas dinner must end , and when the meal was finished there was a look of thankfulness and contentment on every face , and the way in which they cheered those

kind friends who had provided the dinner , proved to the fullest extent their gratefulness . Some fioo-lbs roast beef , 870-lbs . plum pudding , 7 sacks potatoes , 150 quarterns brefcd , and Soo oranges were consumed . We were also informed that the poor families in the immediate neighbourhood of the institution were in no way forgotten , but that 633 had received provisions for a good dinner , the recipients

ot these gifts all being known to ft lends of the institution ; and last , but not least , we found that 900 of the children attending the various classes in connection with the Field Lane Ragged Schools are also to have a dinner during the early part of the new year , l'he expenses of all these dinners have been entirely defrayed by contributions given expressly for that purpose .

Masonic And General Tidings

RUDYAKD KIPLING has no lack of admirers at St . Paul ' s School . At a recent meeting of " The Union , " a debate was held on the motion that the Laureateship should be givjn to this able versifier ; and in the result the proposition was rejected by a majority of only eight .

AT THE funeral of the late Bro . Sir Edmund Lechmere , Bart ., M . P ., R . W . Prov . G . M . of Worcestershire , the Prince of Wales , the Grand Prior of the Order of the Hospital of St . John of Jerusalem in England , was represented by Sir Alfred Johnson , Secretary-General to the Order .

MR . J . E . HAWKINS , the City Superintendent , will be in the chair at the London Tavern on Saturday , the 12 th prox ., at the annual dinner of the City officers' staff of the London and South-Western Railway . Several of the directors and many of the chief officers of the company have promised to attend .

A PERSON describing himself as an " Installed Master " writes to us offering to "do" installations at Rs . 15 each . We have informed our correspondent of our advertisement rates and have not yet had instructions from him on the subject . The fact is interesting , however , as being a new form of Masonic cadging . —Indian Masonic Record .

PRINCESS CHRISTIAN , accompanied by Princess Victoria of Schleswig-Holstein , and attended by Baroness Egloff stein and Mrs . Gordon , was present at a Christmas-tree distribution provided by Colonel Campbell and the officers of the ist Battalion Scots Guards at the Victoria Barracks , Windsor , on Thursday . Her Royal Highness presented the prizes . Colonel and Mrs . Gascoigne and the Rev . Arthur and Mrs . Robins were among the company .

Miss BRADDON ' S New story , "Sons of Fire , " will begin in The Gentlewoman in the first week in January , and will be fully illustrated by J . Barnard Davis . An unusual feature is the editor ' s offer to give £ 50 to the readers who most correctly forecast the development and final ending of the story , after reading some eight or ten of the earlier chapters . "Sons of Fire " is said to be one of Miss Braddon ' s finest novels , fully worthy of the authoress of "Lady Audley ' s Secret . "

THE AIDEK . SC . VTB BALL , in honour of the Lord Mayor , Sir Joseph Renals , Alderman of- the Ward , is likely to be a very Urge and important function this year . Not only the Lord Mayor , but the Sheriffs of the year , as well as the Members of Parliament for the City have promised to attend , and the patrons and stewards together form a list which embraces most of the prominent names in the City . The date fixed is Tuesday , the 12 th February , at the King ' s Hall , Holborn Restaurant .

MASONIC BALL AT MORECAMBE . —The annual ball in connection with the Morecambe Lodge , No , 15 ( 11 , took place on the 13 th inst . The arrangements for what is admittedly one of the chief of those social functions which tend so greatly to relieve the monotony of winter existence at the sea side , were in the hands of a capable committee ,

with Bro .. W . Clarke as hon . secretary , and tinder their active supervision were carried out with a completeness that left nothing to be desired . The pavilion was profusely decorated with flags , evergreens , trophies , and plants , and presented a charming appearance . Bros . A . E . E . C . Poole , E . Turner , and J . Lee discharged the duties of M . C . ' s , and Bros . Dr . Watterson and A . G . Thornlon were the stewards .

FREEMASONRY AND CASTE IN INDIA . —Freemasonrj in Kurrachee , says the Sind Gazette , seems , from all that we learn , to be exercising an influence favourable in every way to universal combination and helping to bring together all castes and creeds . It is one of those influences which tends to strengthen and cement loyalty towards our Qu .-en Patroness , especially considering that our good and genial

Prince reigns at the head of all English Freemisonry . In Kurrachee we have to hail with much satisfaction the opening of a new lodge among the many that already exist in the province connected with English b reemasonry , whose consecration and opening ceremony took place at the Freemasons' Hall on Saturday , the 17 th instant . The hall was brilliantly illuminated outside and inside , resplendent with

bunting artistically arranged by two experienced men of the Royal Fusiliers , the flags being kindly lent b y our Worthy Bro . H . J . Rustomjee . Khan Bahadur Byramjee J . Kajkotwalla , in whose name the new lodge has been started , was responsible for the whole expenditure , not only connected with the lodge , but also in respect of the sumptuous banquet which was provided , and of which no fewer than

90 partook . Among the guests were many new Masons , this being the second time that the wives and daughters of Masons graced the banquet with their presence , the first occasion being at the installation of Worthy Bro . Brayson in 1878 . There are few who will not look back with pleasure at the interesting ceremony of the consecration ,

and to the genial kindly nature of the presiding officer , Right Worthy Bro . T . M . Shields , who specially came from Bombay / in his capacity as Deputy District Grand Master in charge , to consecrate the new lodge , and who will carry back with him on his return the fraternal sentiments of regret of all who have come in contact with him as Masjns , but all look forward to meeting him again . —Globe .

MASONIC CLUB KOR BRIGHTON . —It has long been the wish of the brethren in Sussex to establish a Masonic Club in the province , there have been many difficulties in the way , but premises have now been secured at Regent House , Church-street , Brighton . The Dep . Provincial Grand Master , iln Right Hon . Sir W . j . Marriott , is the President , and

the Grand Superintendent , Lieut .-Gen . C . W . Randolph , who is also Senior Grand Deacon , Vice-President . The subscription is , £ 1 is . per annum for brethren who are members of lodges in the province , and those who give in their names before the 31 st of December will pay no entrance fee , alter that date £ 1 is . will be charged . Masons outside the province will be admitted for ios . 6 d . per annum .

WHAT . MONEY CAN Do .--Money ean do a great ileal , hut it cannot chi everything . It cannot stop the passing of time , it cannot make os young again , it cannot renew with health the enfeebled frame . In the face of the demom ill-health , rich and poor are on an equality . Rich and poor have to seek the same remedies , and wise indeed are thev if , in their sorrow and suffering , they turn to Holloway ' s Pill ' s and Ointment . These are within the reach of the poor as well as of the rich , and it is no idle testimony , but the natural result of long experience which has declared Holloway to be the poor man's friend ,