The Masonic Mirror.

THE MASONIC MIRROR .

* » * All cowvmuwhiaiiows to be addressed to 19 , Salisbury street , Strand , London , AV . C .

Metropolitan.

METROPOLITAN .

MERCHANT NAVY LODGE . —( So . 781 ) . —An emergency meeting of this lodge was held at the Jamaica Hotel , \\ est India Docks , on Thursday , 28 th ult . Present : Bros . Lars With , W . M . ; C . R . Killick , S . W . -, D . A . Davis , . 1 . AV . ; E . L . Bracehridge , S . D . ; P . Sutton , I . D . ; . T . Wright , I . G . ; E . T . Read , Hon . Sec . ; Bros . Blicldehlt , Wright , Danicll , P . M . ' s , and many other brethren and visitors . The lodge was opened with solemn prayer , and the summons , convening the meeting haviug been read by the

Secretary , a ballot was taken and declared unanimous in favour of AVilliam Gordon Fitzmaurice , AVilliam Richards , Gustaff Frederick Schultz , and Frederick Carl Christian Kobke . All tbe candidates being present were regularly initiated into ancient Preemasonry . At the conclusion of the business iu the summons , Bro . Wright , P . M ., informed the W . M . aud brethren of the death of Bro . Manton , P . M ., one of the founders of the Merchant Navy Lodge . After a few remarks suitable to the

melancholy occasion , Bro . Wright moved that their Secretary , Bro . Bead , write to the widow of our late Bro . Manton , expressing the loss the lodge has sustained , and sympathising with her bereavement ; the proposition having been seconded by Bro . Blickfeldt , was carried unanimously . The business being concluded with solemn prayer , tho brethren dispersed . The ledge boiiiar in deep mourning there was no banquet .

Provincial.

PROVINCIAL .

CUMBERLAND Aisl ) WESTMORELAND . KKSDATJ . —Union Lodge ( So . 129 ) . —The regular monthly meeting of this ancient and highly flourishing lodge was held on Thursday , the 28 th Sept ., at the Masonic Hall , Kendal . Bro . E . Bushev , W . M ., Prov . G . S ., was supported on the occasion by Bros . , T . Whitwell , S . AV . ; T . AVilson , . T . W . and Treas . ; Samuel Ga-. vith , jim ., J . D . ; John Mann , Hon . Sec . ; John BowesP . M . Prov ' . G . Dir . of Cers . as P . M . ; Eev . AV . Chaplin

, , , as Chap . ; Edward Hibbert , M . C . ; Jones Taylor , Dr . Deeming , Dr . Noble , Robert Gibson , Robert P . ntterworth , Org . ; J . Ottley Atkinson , Thomas Busher , W . Doubleday , W . Hartley , W . Cartmel , Thomas Jones , John Grayson , J . T . Carlisle , and D . Clery , Tyler . Visitors , —Bro . John Halifax , Sfc . John ' s Lodge , "Wigton ; J . Birkett , No . 12-i , Canada West . Tho lodge was opened iu duo form according to ancient custom , when the minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed . The

ballot box was then sent round for Mr . John Grayson and Mr . James Barrett-, as lit and proper persons to be made Masons , and also for Bro . the Right Honourable Lord Kenlis and Bro . Lieut . Henry Carey , late of H . M . I . N ., as joining members . In each case the ballot was unanimous iu favour . Mr . John Grayson , being present , was initiated into the mysteries and privileges of ancient Preemasonry , in a most impressive manner , by Bro . Busher , W . M . The chair was now assumed by Bro .

John Bowes , P . M ., & c , when Bro . Thomas Jones requested preferment , and proving thoroughly efficient , was entrusted and retired . The'lodge was then opened in the second degree , and Bro . Jones duly admitted , and passed by Bro . Bowes . Bros . Dr . Deeming , Dr . Noble , and Councillor Doubleday being candidates for advancement , and having given proof of proficiency , were entrusted . The lodge was opened in the third degree , tbe three brethren duly admitted and raised to the sublime degree of

Master Masons by Bro . Bowes . The lodge was then closed to the first degree , when the W . M . again took the chair of K . S . Several candidates were duly proposed and seconded , and a large amount of miscellaneous business tiansacted . Tho centenary festival occupied a large share of attention , aud it was ultimately decided to elect a committee , whose function should he to consider aud report upon the subject . V \' e are glad to observe tho hearty earnest manner in the W . M . is supported by his officers and the brethren generally . The number , too , are becoming very large , and if this goes on another lodge in

Kendal will become a necessity . AVe find Masonry is making rapid strides in this province—several new lodges and chapters being on the eve of consecration . DORSETSHIRE . FROYZSCIAIJ GXASD Lonaz . A Provincial Grand Lodge for the province of Dorset was

held at the Town Hall , on Wednesday , tho 20 th ulfc ., under the presidency of Bro . Joseph Gundry , Prov . G . M . The weather was delightfully fine , and the town wore a holiday appearance , whilst from an early hour the bells of the parish church of St . James ' s rang merry peals to welcome the visiting brethren by the Weymouth and Southampton trains , and by the trains on the Somerset aud Dorset line . The lodge assembled at eleven o ' clockwhen thero were present — Bros . Joseph Gundry

, , Prov . G . M . ; J . M . P . Montague , Prov . G . M .: . 7 . P . Gundry ,. S . G . AV . ; J . Poynter , S . G . D . ; W . Smith , J . G . D . ; E . Davis , G . Supt . of Works ; W . Atkinson , G . S . B . ; C . A . JKoberson , G . Purst . ; D . Collet and C . F . Arden , Stewards ; H . W . Carrington , G . Standard Bearer ; J . Lovelace , G . Tyler ; C . R . Rowe ,. P . Prov . S . G . AV . ; J . Jacob , P . Prov . S . G . AV . ; John Sydeuham ,. Prov . S . G . \\ . ; T . Patch , P . Prov . J . G . W . ; T . Kicbmati , P . Prov . J . G . W . ; J . H . Harper . P . Prov . J . G . AV . ; R . N . Howard ,

P . Prov . J . G . D . ; G . R . Crickmay , P . Prov . G . Supt . of Works ; G . J . Gregory , P . Prov . G . Supt . of Works ; J . Jesty , P . Prov . G . Purst . ; H . Herbert , P . Prov . Org . There were also present a . large number of the members of the Lodges Amity , All Souls ,. Unity , Paith and Unanimity , St . Cuthberga , St . Mary ' s , and also from the Portland Lodge . Amongst tho visiting brethren were—Bros . F . Binckes , P . M ., Lodge 10 , Secretary to the Royal Masonic Institution for Boys RSpencerW . M . Grand

; . , , Stewards' Lodge ; T . K . Sanders , P . Prov . J . G . W ., Bristol ; V , S . Fellowes , P . M ., Zetland Lodge ( No . 511 ) , London ; W . E . Ribbeck , No . 197 , Bournemouth ; AV . B . Rogers , P . M . No . 197 ; A . S . Anderson , Lodge 320 ; Bro . G . Burt , P . M . Lodge IS . About a quarter to one o ' clock a procession was formed , the members being in full regalia , and heaving the magnificent insignia of the Order , and , headed by the band , they proceeded to

St . James ' s Church , where they attended divine service . On arriving at the entrance to the church the brethren filed off , and the Prov . G . Tyler led the way for the Prov . Grand Master J . Gundry , who was followed into the church by the other

brethren in order . Morning service was performed by the Rev . D . Burrowes , of Kimmeridge , after which an excellent sermon was preached by the Prov . Grand Chaplain Bro . the Rev . W . M . Heath , of Upper Lytehett , who selected for his text , Luke xi . 35 , " Take heed that the light that is in thee he not darkness . " The rev . gentleman said : The sublime description given in the sacred record of the creation of material light leads the mind to contemplate that spiritual light which is ever shining

to dispel the mist of ignorance and sin . AVhen the darkness of error appears densest grace and truth is still present , like the sun behind the elomls on a dull winter ' s day ; stUY present , though unheeded and unnoticed , because " the darkness comprehendeth it not . " It may seem strange to us that sin should b > s so often able to make a successful opposition to the sovereign grace of God—that the light should sometimes appear so powerless to penetrate the gloom . There is much in this

life which we do find hard to understand ; but our faith need not therefore waver , because we can hut see "through a glass , darkly , now . " Now we see not yet all things put into subjection to the one great conqueror of sin . It must be sufficient for us to remember that on us the lig ht has shined , and that v ,-e who live under the last dispensation have a double portion - y ou us the light which God ' s people of old possessed shines , and also that greater blaze which the King of the Sun of

Rihteousg ness sheds . AVith a sense , then , of the responsibilities which such reflections as these disclose , we should be careful to make use of every means and opportunity given \\ s in this life of welcoming tho light of God's grace and the knowledge of his will to our souls—that having the light within us , our own negligence may not turn it to darkness . Iu Preemasonry , rightlused of these hel be foundNo doubt we

y , one ps may . find an idea prevailing that Preemasonry and Christianity are incompatible , but none know so well as Masons do that such a belief is utterly groundless . None know so well that Masons guide tlio ? e who arc initiated into its symbolical teaching to those principles which were spoken to ' / achariah under tbe sanction of "Thus siiith the Lord" —in tbe 9 th and 10 th verses of the . afternoon ' s lesson . None know so well as Masons that if