The Spark.

THE SPARK .

As when amidst the embers cold , Some little spark is seen , Which , slowly fading , serves to show Where light and heat have been .

When all but hopeless seemed the task To raise the sinking frame , Some gentle breath has stirred the spark And fanned it into flame .

So when within the human heart The spark of sacred fire , With lustre dimmed , though ling ' ring yet , Seems ready to expire . When Hope is glad , when quenched by sin , No more does warmth unfold ,

The heart , where dusky-winged Despair Broods o ' er the ashes cold . God , in His loving mercy sheds His Spirit's quick ' ning breath , And upward spring the seeds of flame Life reigns where once was Death !

F . W . DRIVER , M . A ., P . M . 62 , Lanc ? ster-road , Notting Hill , W .

The Old Masonians.

THE OLD MASONIANS .

The old scholars of our School at Wood Green opened their 12 th season on Friday , the 22 nd inst ., when the Committee held a social evening at their headquarters , Anderton ' s Hotel , Fleet-street . The chair was occupied by Bro . R . S . Chandler , Treasurer of the Association . The entertainment was almost entirely supplied by the members themselves , the following songs being contributed : Bro . C . P . O'Doherty , " Oh ! Oh ! hear the wild winds blow" and "Thy sentinel ami ; " Mr . H . Wilson , " The Admiral ' s

broom ; " Mr . A . White , "Soldiers ofthe Queen ; " Mr . Lillywhite , "Jack ' s the boy " and " With a welcome to all ; " Mr . Dixon , " Queen of the Earth ; " and Mr . W . J . Packer , " The four jolly smiths . " The humorous element was sustained by Messrs A . H . Watkins , A . E . West , and Philps . Mr . C W . Barber rendered a couple of mandoline solos ; Mr . J . H . Hewett acted as accompanist . Chess and draughts were indulged in which helped to make a very enjoyable evening .

At the conclusion of the concert , Bro . R . H . WILLIAMS moved a vote of thanks to the Chairman for presiding . Bro . R . S . CHANDLER , in replying , took the opportunity of informing the members of the acceptance by Mr . H . Lewis of the secretaryship of their club and stated he felt sure Mr . Lewis would faithfully carry out its duties . Bro

Chandler also mentioned that it had been decided the Association should be represent by a Steward at ^ he Centenary Festival in June next . A fund was now being raised , and he hoped that all old boys would subscribe , in order that they should be able to send up a list of donations worthy of the occasion . He added he would very thankfully acknowledge the smallest contributions .

Our "old boys" appear to have everv prospect of some very pleasant gatherings during the coming winter . We believe it is in contemplation to commemorate the centenary next year by the formation of an " old boys"' lodge , to be named "The Old Masonians Centenary Lodge . " No doubt we shall shortly be able to give some particulars of what will assuredly be a very interesting Masonic function .

Craft Masonry.

Craft Masonry .

Blackheath Lodge , No . 1320 . The installation meeting of this popular lodge was held at thc Bridge House Hotel on Thursday , the 21 st inst . Present : Bios . G . C . Pike , VV . M . ; E . A . Rice , S . W ., W . M . elect ; T . G . Hobley , J . W . ; W . H . Morson , P . M ., Treas . ; H . A . Stunt , P . M ., Sec . ; W . R . King , S . D . ; Hy . Cornford , ] . D . ; W . T . Tempest , acting l . G . ; J . Whiteman , Tyler ; A . Hesekiel ; A . VV . Le Cren , P . M . ; T . R . Cass , P . M . j J . Hooper , P . M . ; T . W . Spencer , R . Brown , A . Woodward , H . Broadway , A . Smith ,

R . Weller , G . F . Roberts , C . P . Hodgson , and Wm . Wright . The visitors were Bros . A . Taylor , 217 ; G . Thompson , S . W . 1744 ; F . W . Bate , P . M . 7 SS ; M . Cutting , P . M . J 56 4 ; E . ] . Clarke , 16 S 1 j 1 . Royston , P . M . 441 . P . P . G . D . C . Cambridgeshire j W . T . Bowman , S . O . 441 ; E . B . Bowman , 441 ; Cyril L . LeCren ( Wylam , Alabama , 492 , U . S . A . ); F . A . Weare , 11 S 5 ; E . L . Price , 720 ; Wm . Dawson , W . M . 1622 ; k . H . Kimbault , Stwd . 1441 ; G . H . Wavell , P . M . 5 62 ; Percy Twitchin , 165 S ; Wm . Lr . we , 2264 ; Warren Tear , icOS ; F . W . Trotter , 21 S 2 ; VV . II . Berridge , 441 , P . P . G . Org . Camhiidgeshire ; S . J . Derham , P . M . 1 C 22 ; J . Spicer , P . M . 1269 ; Saml .

W . Ballaid , P . M . 1 C 22 ; W . E . Jeffery , S . W . 1 O 22 ; Ily . Hardman , P . M . 606 , 1 C 41 , P . P . A . G . Sec . North Wales ; H . C . Turner , P . M . 1 CG 2 ; H . Wood , P . M . 101 ; W . Pnillpott , P . M . 199 , P . P . G . Purst . Kent ; J . Cooke , 1539 ; >} . Loader , P . M . and Sec . 1622 ; E . J . S . Ware . S . D . 1922 ; A . Court , 1539 ; F . Choveaux , Org . 1 C 22 ; and C . H . Stone , P . M . 507 , S . D . 1641 . Ihe minuses ot the previous meeting were read and confirmed . Bro . J . Hooper , P . M ., D . C , piesented Bro . E . A . Rice , W . M . elect , to receive the benefits of

installation at the hands of the W . M ., Bro . Pike , who performed the ceremony in a commendable manner in a full Board of Installed Masters . Bro . E . A . Rice , W . M ., invested his officeis for the ensuing year as follows i Bros . G . C . Pike , I . P . M . ; Thomas G . Hobley , S . W . j Wal . R . King , J . W . ; W . H . Morson , P . M ., Treas . ; IL A . Stunt , P . M ., Sic .: Hy . Cornford , S . D .: Thos . Tucker , J . D . ; John Hooper , P . M ., D . C . ;

W . T . Tempest , I . G . ; A . Hesekiel and G . VV . Spencer , Stwds . ; and J . Whiteman , Tylcr . The addiessts were ably delivered by the Installing Master , Bro . Pike , I . P . M . A ballot vvas taken for Mr . G . F . Robeits , which proved unanimous , and he was initiated by Bio . E . A . Rice , W . M ., in an impressive and faultless manner . The Auditors ' report was presented , which showed a substantial balance on the right side . 1 he business of the lodge ended , the brethren adjourned to an excellent banquet supplied and superintended by the proprietor . The cloth removed ,

The W . M . gave the toast of " The Queen and the Craft , " and remarked that her Majesty was the Patroness of their noble Charities , and took a kindly interest in all that concerned the welfare of the Craft . TheW . M ., in proposing "The M . W . G . M ., H . R . H . the Prince of Wales , " said many had an opportunity of witnessing the grand spectacle at the Royal Albert Hall , over which the Grand Master so gracefully presided . He had endeared himself to the hearts of all her Majesty ' s subjects , and especially Freemasons , and all respected him as a gocd son of a good mother .

1 he toast was received most loyally . The W . M . next proposed "The Pro G . M ., the Deputy G . M ., and the rest of the Grand Officers , " and stated the active interest they one and all took in the welfare of the Craft .

Craft Masonry.

Bro . G . C . Pike , I . P . M ., said undoubtedly the toast of " The W . M . " was the most important of the evening , and he had the greatest pleasure in presenting it . It was superfluous for him to recount the capabilities of the W . M ., and the ability with which he conducted the affairs of the Iodge . He had been associated with the W . M . for the last eight years , and they had succeeded each other in the various offices in the lodge ; but a year ago the W . M . very kindly stood aside and allowed him ( Bro . Pike ) to

precede him in the chair ; but he should always look upon the W . M . is his senior in the lodge . All had been struck at the able manner the VV . M . had performed the various duties in the Blackheath Lodge of Instruction , and that evening had proved to the brethren , by his investiture of officers and working the initiation ceremony , that they hid not been disappointed in their choice of VV . M . He asked the brethren to drink the toast most enthusiastically .

In reply , Bro . E . A . Rice—who received quite an ovation—very gratefully thanked the brethren for such a greeting . For the last eight years he and the I . P . M . had been closely connected , and had worked hand in hand in the cause of Freemasonry . Whatever he had done , and the manner he had performed the various duties might have been considered by some to have been somewhat exacting and severe , thebrethren might tike it that it was his over-zealousness , knowing that probably if not a good worker he might not have been elected to the chair . His installation would remain one of the happiest events in his life , and he promised the brethren that , whatever he was called upon to do , would be carried out as his predecessor had done , and redound to the prestige ot the lodge .

The VV . M . then said the toast of "The Initiate" was one which gave him the greatest possible pleasure , and it was a great privilege in presenting it to the brethren , he having known him for a number of years . Many knew his sterling qualities , and he had proved him as a very fast friend . He was an excellent brother both morally and socially , and would , he had no hesitation in saying , prove an honour to the Blackheath Lodge . The toast was drunk with the greatest enthusiasm .

Bro . G . F . Roberts , in leply , said his powers of oratory were too small to give expression to the feelings of his heart and do j ustice to the toast of his health having been given in such very kind terms by the VV . M ., and as kindly received by thebrethren . For many years past it had been his pleasure and duty to be in the neighbourhood of Clapham Junction on the Sunday morning and when he had looked upon the girls of the Masonic Institution pass on their way to church and beheld their excellent appearance ,

and considered the attention paid to their religious and moral well-being he thought there must be something behind Freemasonry unknown to the world at large . That one thought inspired him wilh the hope of becoming at some future time a member of the honourable Order . It had arrived during the Mastership of a very dear friend , Bro . Rice , and he trusted that he should be spared for many years to enjoy the happy associations and do everything possible to further the interests of the Craft , and never bring discredit upon the Order , were utterances from a gratetul heart .

The toast of " The Visitors " received at the hands of theW . M . a most cordial greeting and as cordially received by the brethren . He stated some of them were Prov . Grand Officers and had come from Cambridgeshire specially to do the lodge honour . They had been very kind and hospitable in the Province of Cambridgeshire to many brethren of the Blackheath Lodge , and that feeling was thoroughly reciprocated . Several others were old and capable friends , and brethren who did honour to the lodge and Craft in general . There was also Bro . Le Cren , who had come from America at this time

purposely to attend the installation . The lodge heartily welcomed him and specially , he being the brother of the esteemed P . M . of the lodge , Bro . A . W . Le Cren . Of Bros . Dawson and Stone they were specially the guests of the lodge , being respectively the worthy Preceptor and Secretary of the Blackheath Lodge of Instruction , in which they did invaluable service . Also as to Bro . Phillpotts , P . P . G . Officer of Kent , the lodge waa glad to welcome him for services rendered to some ot its members in the past which he still continued to do .

The toast was most exhaustively and pertinently replied to by Bros . Royston , P . M . ; VV . M . 1622 ; Stone , P . M . ; H . VVood , P . M . ; Phillpotts , P . M . ; and C . L . Le Cren . Bro . E . A . Rice , W . M ., next presented the toast of * ' Bro . G . C . Pike , Installing Master , " which ceremony he had carried out with such ability and to the gratilicatio . a of all the brethren . He had for several years past proved himself a worthy brother , both as to his able working , and also in the lively interest he had taken in the cause of

Charity , never missing an opportunity of doing good . There was a pleasurable duty he had to perform which might only occur once in the lifetime ofa W . M ., therefore , he felt honoured , and that was to present the handsome jewel voted him by the brethren for able services rendered to the lodge during the past year . The VV . M . said that Bro . Pike had won the jewel with honour , and he hoped he would wear it with pleasure , for many years , in the Blackheath Lodge .

ln reply , Bro . Pike most gratefully thanked the brethren for drinkiniT so cordially to the toast , and also for such a splendid testimony of their esteem and affection . He hoped the kind words said by the W . M . would be fully borne out , and the same relationship and hearty good feeling exist always among all the brethren of the Blackheath Lodge . In proposing " The Past Masters , and Treasurer and Secretary , " the VV . M . said it was an important toast , as no lodge could exist without them . Bro . T . K . Cass , P . M ., he should consider the backbone of the Blackheath Lodge , for he had been the means ot thoroughly

resuscitating it by introducing , during his Mastership , such an array of gulanltriis men that the lodge had flourished ever since . Also his kindly feeling and willingness a * , all times to give assistance and advice , were greatly appreciated by the brethren . Bro . John Hooper , P . M ., was a pillar of strength , and had done for several years gool ani suitable service . Bro . A . W . Le Cren was the oldest member in the lodge , and had succeeded to the chair of W . M . after 21 years' membership . He , too , had done eminent service . Bro . Morson , P . M ., Treas ., had held that position many years , and was

deserving the honourdone him . Bro . R . A . Stunt , P . M ., Sec , was a most indefatigable worker , and the thanks of the lodge were due to him for discharging his onerous duties for so many years Personally , the W . M . was very pleased by his acceptance of the office of Secretary , and he was confident the same support would be given him that Bro . Stunt had always rendered to the previous Masters . With such an assemblage of P . Ms ., who were " faithful among the faithful , " the W . M . hoped that they would be spired for many years to continue their able support to the loJje .

The toast was responded to most ably by Bros . Cass , J . Hooper , Le Cren , and Stunt , Sec , the latter stating that his services would be as faithfully given to the VV . M . as to his predecessors . The W . M . next presented the toast of "The Officers" in eulogistic terms , which was duly responded to by all , pledging themselves to perform their respective duties to the utmost of their power . The Tyler's toast closed an eventful meeting in the annals of the lodge .

An excellent programme of music was arranged and ably directed by Hro . Warren Tear , most efficiently assisted by Miss Gcorgina Tear , Mr . G . Roberts , Mr . J . Newton ( Violin ) , Bros . S . J . Dereham , P . M . ( Flautist ) , and Arthur Court . Bros . F . E . Choveaux and Warren Tear were able accompanists at the piano .

Sir Francis Burdett Lodge , No . 1503 . This lodge met at the Albany Hotel , Twickenham , on the 13 th instant , when there were present , among others , Bros . W . Fisher , P . M ., P . P . G . T ., as W . M . ( in the absence of Hro . A . Macchi ); Brown , S . VV . ; Dr . J . W . Hinton , M . A ., P . M ., J . W . ; J . T . Briggs , P . M ., P . P . G . D ., Treas . ; Major T . C . Walls , P . M ., P . P . G . W ., P . G . Std . Dr ., Sec ; II . Bright , S . D . ; E . Tompsett , J . D . ; Rev . S . T . H . Saunders , M . A ., P . M ., P . G . Chap . ; A . Toulmin , jun ., P . M ., P . P . G . D . ; and E . W . Davis , P . M .

The minutes of the previous meeting were read and conhrmsd . Bro . Brown , S . W ., was then unanimously elected W . M . ; Bro . J . T . Briggs , P . M ., Treas . ; Bros . H . Bright and E . Tompsett , Auditors ; and Bro . G . Harrison , Tyler . A Past Master ' s jewel was voted to liro . A . Macchi . Bro . the Rev . S . T . H . Saunders , P . M ., was elected a Steward to represent the lodge at the Royal Masonic Institution for Boys , 1 S 9 8 , and a notice of motion to vote him 10 guineas to head his list was given . Apologies for non-attendance were received from Bros . A . Macchi , W . M . j W . Taylor , P . M . ; and others .

The name of a candidate for joining at the next meeting having been handed in , the lodge was closed . A banquet followed . Subsequently the various toasts were genially submitted by the acting W . M ., and duly responded to . liro . the Kev . S . T . 11 . Saunders , M . A ., responded on behalf of " The Prov . Grand Officers . " Bro . A . Toulmin , jun ., responded for "The Past Masters , " and Bros . J . T . Briggs , Brown , and Dr . Hinton for " The Ofiicers . "