A Funeral Lodge.

After the Lodge had beenopened with grand honours , Bro . HODGE , R . W . M ., delivered the following address : — Senior and Junior AVardens ancl Brethren , if there is one thing more characteristic of this world than

another it is that principle of change which is continually going on , not only in the material world but also in the world of mind . TVhat was yesterday is not to-day , ancl what is to-day will not probably be tomorrow . Indeed , so constant and continual

is this principle at work that not one of us will leave this room to-night in exactly the same condition , either physically , mentally , or morally , as when we entered it . Let us hope that our condition being altered it will be for the better to all of us ancl for the

worse to none . It was under the influence of this hope working iu the minds of your office-bearers that caused them to think of holding this funeral lodge : may the Most High grant the desires of our hearts . In harmony with this universal law of nature

, a number of our brethren since this time last year have departed this life , ancl crossed tha mysterious boundary line which separates time from eternity . Should their

present condition be one of unconciousness ( and there be some who think this ) our meeting here to-night cannot possibly do them any harm or any good ; but if on the contrary , they are not only conscious but observant , ( ancl there be many who believe this ) our meeting , if conducted with that

solemnity which the occasion requires , will , in my opinion , afford them much pleasure . Of course this is one of those subjects which it would be very unwise iu any one to dogmatise upon , and I am no dogmatist , but whether true or no it is a pleasant thing to

reflect upon , especially if one ' s thoughts are pure ancl one ' s actions virtuous . Proceeding upon this idea we may imagine our brethren freed from the grosser parts , of their nature , revelling in space , nothing staying their course or putting a limit to

their flight but their own wills , subject , of course , to the standing orders and byelaws of the Great I Am , if you will allow me a perfectly well understood illustration . But supposing they have the whole universe of space to roam in , it is only natural to think that the locality where they spent their earthly existence will have special attractions for them , and that the labour and

pastimes' of those friends whom they have left behind will have a large share of their attention and regard . This being granted we can easil y imagine the presence here tonight of their inner self—that self-conscious ego ; that ever-living never d ying something

which we call " mind " , " spirit " , " soul , " or whatever name we choose to call that which far more than the outward contour of the material body , stamps us with an individuality which , distinguishing us from every other being iu this great universe

, makes us what we are . Brethren , do not for one moment imagine that I think anything which we can do will affect either the condition or ultimate destiny of our departed brethren , in so far as that has been fixed by the Great Architect of the

universe ; only this much will I say that while this meeting is being held for the purpose of reminding us that we too will sooner or later , be called from labour here , to , I trust , refreshment in the Celestial lodge , where our Grand Master , the

Supreme Ruler of the Universe presides in person . Our proceedings may be such as not onl y to benefit us but meet with the approval of all those bri ght intelligences that inhabit the higher spheres from the Great I Am to the latest entrant . Brethren , in the words of one who has long since gone the way of all the earth , may we , when our latter end comes " have all our

accounts squared so that we shall have nothing left us to do but to die . " Amen . After the singing of a hymn and prayer by the chaplain ( Br . AVilliamson ) , the following ceremony at the catafalque took place : —The officers formed into procession

and marched round the catafalque once to the " Dead March in Saul , " played on the harmonium by Br . Bird . The Junior Warden placed on it a wreath of white flowers , ancl made a few appropriate sentences . The music was again resumed , and the Senior Warden placed his wreath of white flowers and likewise read some

appropriate remarks . The march was again resumed ancl rounded the catafalque three times , when the K . W . M . stepped forward ancl placed a wreath of evergreens on it , and reminded the brethren of the

emblem used . After this they all marched to their respective places , when Br . BARE , P . AV . M ., delivered au oration . He said : — " In the midst of life we are iu