The Masonic " Poet's Corner."

The Masonic " Poet's Corner . "

( Original and Selected . ' ) FREEMASON'S HYMN .

THE Robin sings as the robins did In days when we were young ; In their downy nests so deftly hid Where the apple blossoms hung :

And so the Mason-songs arise Up to the Father ' s throne , And blend their heart-warm melodies As in the ages gone . The Lily blooms as the lilies did In meadows long ago ,

And the young hearts joy the flowers amid As the happy moments go :

And so the Emblems of the Craft In grace and beauty stand . As when upon the lofty shaft They cheered the Royal band .

The Maiden loves as the maidens did In days of ancient time , And the heart responds as she doth bid In every land and clime : So is the Mason ' s love as true , As when with fire divine ,

In holiest place the Master drew And blest the grand design . Oh ! thou Celestial Power , command That Emblems , Love and Song , We may never lose in Masons' band But have their influence long !

And grant the needed wine and oil , Dispense the bounteous corn , That so thy willing Craft may toil Until the temple ' s done !

[ The above beautiful poem was composed by the late Bro . Dr . ROB . MORRIS , Poet Laureate of Freemasonry , and inscribed to his friend , E . H . L . Ehlers . Grand Secretary of New York . The author intended that it should be set to music , for which it appears to us to be most suitable ; but we are not aware whether or not that has been done . ]

United Grand Lodge.

UNITED GRAND LODGE .

ZT HE September Quarterly Communication of United Grand 1 I Lodge was held on Wednesda }' , the 5 th inst ., in the Temple , I 1 Bro . Col . Marmaduke Ramsay , P . Dist . G . M . of the Punjab , llyll and Dist . G . M . of Malta , presiding . Bro . Hugh D . Sandeman , P . D . G . M . Bengal , acted as Deputy G . M . ; Bro . the Rev . C . J . Martyn . P . G . C ., Dep . Prov . G . M . for Suffolk , as Past G . M . ; Bro . the Rev . R . J . Simpson . P . G . C .. as S . G . W . ; and Bro . Col . Sackville West . P . J . G . AV .. as J . G . W . There were also

present several other Grand and Past Grand Officers . The following letters were read : — To Her Imperial Majesty the Empress Frederick , Princess Royal of Great Britain and Ireland . Madam , Four months have scarcely elapsed since , in my capacity of Grand Master of Freemasons of England , I addressed a letter to your Imperial Majesty ' s late

Consort , the Emperor Frederick the Third , to offer to his Imperial Majesty the condolence of our Grand Lodge on the death of his august and venerable father , the late Emperor William , together with our congratulations and good wishes on the accession of his Imperial . Majesty to the Throne . Since then your Imperir . l Majesty has , alas ! suffered an irremediable sorrow in the untimely death of one on whom the expectations alike of his own people and of the nations of Europe were fondly set .

Not less truly have the English people , who have ever affectionately followed your Imperial Majesty's career from early childhood , entered into your Imperial Majesty ' s last and greatest sorrow . His Imperial Majesty the Emperor Frederick had for many years occupied a prominent position in the Freemasonry of the German Empire under his august father ; and the Grand Lodge of England had ever looked up to his Imperial Majesty with just pride . I desire , therefore , as the head of the English Craft , to express for them their deep and heartfelt sympathy

with your Imperial Majesty , and fervently to pray that the Great Architect of the Universe , who , in his un . scrutable wisdom , has Inflicted this grievous blow , may grant to your Imperial Majesty strength to bear the trial witii which you have been visited . I remain , Madam , your Imperial Majesty's affectionate and devoted brother , ( Signed ) AI , : UT EmvAim , Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of England . London , 1 st August , 18 SS .

Sir , —I beg your Royal Highness to do me the favour of conveying to the Freemasons of England my heartfelt and grateful thanks for their sympathy , expressed through you , for my great and irreparable loss . The Freemasons of England have had many opportunities of learning how great an interest his Majesty the late Emperor Frederick took in matters relating to the Craft of which lie was a member , and knowing how his Majesty was bound by ties of fellow feeling and common Interest to all those who in all ' countries labour for ihe welfare of their fellow-men , thoy will grieve that a life so full of noble aims has been cut short by untimely

death . It has always been a joy and pride to me to know that my beloved husband the late Emperor Frederick was appreciated in my own country , and it has been a sad pleasure to me to perceive , from numberless addresses which I have received , that my countrymen mourn with me in my deep and unutterable sorrow . Your Royal ilighness ' s affectionate Sister , VlCTOIUA , Empress Frederick of Germany and Queen of Prussia . Friedrichskron , llth August , 1888 .

The reading of both these letters was received with applause . The acting Grand Master said these interesting letters having been read , he had the honour to propose that they be entered on

United Grand Lodge.

the minutes of this Grand Lodge . Bro . Sandeman seconded and the motion was carried / irw . con . The following letter was also read : — Marlborough House , 23 rd July , 1 K . SS To his Majesty Oscar It ., King of Sweden and Norway , Iv . G ., & c , A-c , & u ., & c . Sir and Most Worshipful Brother ,

On the Gth Jrme last , the Grand Lodge , of Freemasons of England unanimously resolve . ! to invito your Majesty to accept the rank and position of a Past Grand Master of their body , which you were graciously pleased to accept , and your Majesty was good enough to be present on the next day at one of our Masonic Charitable Meetings in the Royal Albert Hall wearing the * insignia of that ollice . The Grand Lodge of England are verv desirous of marking in some manner their

warm appreciation of the great honour your Majesty has thus conferred upon them ; they have therefore requested me , ' as their Grand Master , to solicit your Majesty ' s acceptance of the complete set of clothing and badge of a Past Grand Master of tlieir jurisdiction which accompanies this letter , hi recollection of the day which your Majesty made an auspicious one for the Freemasons of England by your gracious presence at the Centenarv Festival of the daughters of their

distressed brethren . With the expression or my own personal thanks for the interest your Majesty has thin taken in the Grand Lodge over which I preside , 1 have the honour to remain , your Majesty ' s faithful brother , [ SKAIJ ] ' Al . llKllT EDWAIU ) . Grand Master Grand Lodge of England .

The acting Grand Master proposed that this letter also be entered on the minutes of the day ' s proceedings . Bro . Sandeman seconded and the motion was carried . The recommendations of the Board of Benevolence were confirmed , the report of the Board of General Purposes was adopted , and Grand Lodge was closed .

Ar00303

% \ ) t JEaamtu : Mwc . stpwu tajDi ^ mn

FAliteA by ^ - —U- ^ W . BRO . JAMES STEVENS , P . M . , P . Z .. & c , & c .

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Original Correspondence.

Original Correspondence .

* » 11 e do not hold ourselves responsible , for the opinions expressed by our Correspondents . MASONIC EXCHANGE AND MART COLUMN .

To the Editor of THE MASONIC STAR . DEAR SIR AND BROTHER , In No . 2 , you referred to the above subject . As a collector I have a few duplicates in the way of books which one cannot avoid accumulating , for sometimes I am compelled to purchase what I do not require in order to obtain what I do . Such a column would

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I anticipate will in due course have a good circulation , as I know that many brethren will not pay 3 d . per week for a Masonic newspaper , such a column would be appreciated by many . Yours fraternally , 10 th Sept ., 1888 . A COLLECTOR .