The Craft Abroad.

The Craft Abroad .

THE [ DEATH OF THE QUEEN . MASONIC MEMORIAL SERVICE .

( Continued . ) I have said that the Victorian era is the most brillianfin British annals . It is more than this . It is worthy of note that the reign of Queen Victoria was coinincident with one of the most remarkable periods in human history . In the matter of mechanical invention , the lightening of toil , and the improvement of the physical conditions of life , there is nothing to compare with it . The locomotive , it is true , was invented before her accession , but it was in that very year that the

first important railway line was completed and opened . Steam navigation had been tried before , but it was alter her reign had begun that the first successful steam passage of the Atlantic was made . Other applications of steam during this period haveentirely revolutionised modern industry as weknow . I needonly mention the electric telegraph , ocean cables , the electric light , the telephone , wireless telegraphy , and at once there occur to your minds a thousand and one marvels that have sprung into existence during this golden age , and added so greatly to the

comfort and convenience ot mankind . But the advance of the world in material well-being is the least important of the triumphs of this age . Her reign was contemporaneous with these events , but otherwise bad little to do with their occurrence save that by a wise , just , and liberal government she fostered learning and encouraged the progress of the truth . The chief glory of her reign is in what it has accomplished for the intellectual and moral welfare of the race . The age of Elizabeth was also a brilliant one , and it is certain that our own has

produced no Shakespeare ; but taken all in all the Elizabethan period cannot compare with the Victorian in glorious achievement . And the great Queen did much more than give her name to the era . As I have already intimated , her just and liberal rule , and her love of peace made possible much of the research , exploration , and discovery , which are the pride of the age . The purity ot her Court and the high standards to wVikh she Teqvtned conformity . n social and political circles , had no small influence in promoting the moral progress

of her people ; to her , no doubt , as well as to her husband , the abolition of duelling in the army is to be ascribed , and her unfailing interest in every philanthropic movement , in every plan for the removal of ignorance , the relief of distress , and ameliorating the condition of the industrial classes , gave great impetus to all legislation in this direction . Nearly all that has been done by the British Government in recent times in behaljf of public elementary education has been done in the reign of Queen Victoria . There was a small beginning made

by an Act passed in 1834 , but it was of little consequence . It was with the beginning of her reign that this splendid movement commenced , which has made education possible for the children of the humblest home . So with the legislation for the protection of women and children , doomed to toil in mill and mine , and all that has gone to improve the housing of the poor and to make happier homes possible to all who labour in field or factory—nearly all legislation of this sort , or at least the wisest legislation on these subjects , is to be credited to her reign .

Equally conspicuous has been the increase of political and religious liberty . It was just after her accession that she knighted the first Jewish Sheriff of London , Moses Montefiore , probably the first Jew ever knighted in England . Gradually the few restrictions of a religious character standing in the way of political advancement or of education have been taken away . Closely connected with these improvements is thc successive enlargement of the franchise and consequent increase of political power among the people .

One of the most significant events of her long reign has been the great increase of empire and the improvement of the relations between the colonies and the mother country . When she camo to the throne , India was a possession of the East India Company and but half conquered . To-day , with widely extended borders , it forms one of the most loyal possessions of the Crown . One of the first acts of the Queen ' s Government was to put down an incipient rebellion in Canada , and there was disaffection in most of the Colonies . To-day the dream

of impenal federation is all but realised , and the strong ties which bind these selfgoverning dependencies to the Throne is a fact that must be reckoned with in all international complications . It has been during her reign , too , that China has been opened up to the commercial intercourse of the world , and that in large part by the effective policies of her earlier ministers ; and during the same period that the Dark Continent has been explored and a new empire in Africa brought beneath her sway . I am quite aware that Great Britain is a republic in all but name , that

cabinets are made and unmade by the people , and that policies are shaped by the responsible ministers of the Crown , but , those who know best have assured us that the Queen was not a mere spectator at her Council Board . We have already spoken ot her action in the Trent affair . It is not likely that this is a solitary ncident . It is certain that the Crown has been a most potent influence in the final deteimination of many matters of foreign policy ; and this , we believe , must be acknowledged true by all , that Queen Victoria sought righteousness rather

than power , and used her influence to promote peace and humane progress , and for this reason she has justly deserved and won the regard of mankind . As Masons we can not but sympathise with all these high aims and beneficent deeds . Masonry regards no man for his outward appearance or worldly station , but it does regaul inward worth and noble conduct . In such a life as this , there is an inspiration to a more faithful adherence to our professed aims , and a more

careful obedience to the precepts of the Order . Queen Victoria is dead , but her influence and that of the great movements originating in her reign must continue tor centuries to come to mould the character and shape the destinies oi her people , and her name and memory will be cherished to the latest generation of those , wherever they may be in this wide world , who speak the English tongue . In the language of a British poet , not thc least among those who have adorned her splendid reign , she was one who swayed a world .

" ' Dwarfing the glorious Tudor's queenliest dreams ; Who , to her well-nigh more than mortal task , Hath brought the strength-in-sweetness that prevails , The regal will that royally can yield ; Mistress of many peoples , heritrcss Of many thrones , wardress of many seas ;

But destined , more melodiously than thus , To be hereafter and forever hailed , When the imperial legend shall have fired The lips of sage and poet , and when these Shall , to an undispersing audience , sound No sceptred name so winningly august As Thine , great Queen , Victoria the Beloved . '"

Afterashott address by Bro . A . W . DANIORTII , D . D . G . M ., China District No . i , Mass . Constitution , on behalf of the American Masons , and another from the D . G . C HAIM . AIN , the memorial service was brought to a conclusion , and the District Grand Lodge was closed . Those present were then photographed , after which the brethren dispersed .

The Widow's Son.

THE WIDOW ' S SON .

Sacred kept you in your breast Secrets that you loved so well ; Sinking , sun-like , in the West , Rather than the Password tell . Knowing that you could not say , Craftsmen from you could not wring ; All they wished you to

betray—Unto them you d nought to bring . So you died and would not speak—Died a Death that was Divine ; Died—O list ye who are weak—Died and gave nor Word nor Sign .

Kept inviolate—thought sublime—Yielding not with dying breath ; And for all forthcoming time We'll be Faithful unto Death . Solemn mandate , too , is ours

We shall keep it firm and fast ; E'en though Death above us towers—Threatening with his awful blast . For our breasts safe-tiled are—None but Brethren have the key , They alone remove the bar Sealed by Fidelity . One there was did not reveal ,

And he did not shrink to die ; So we Hele and still conceal—Fearing not Mortality .

Moral this of Brotherhood—Solemn Moral-grand and great ; By Freemasons understood , Which they e ' er will emulate . Bradford . BRO . CHAS . F . FORSHAW . LL . D .

Provincial Grand Chapter Of Derbyshire.

PROVINCIAL GRAND CHAPTER OF DERBYSHIRE .

The annual meeting of the above Provincial Grand Chapter was held at the Masonic Hall , Derby , on the 28 th ult ., under the presidency of Comp . H . C . Okeover , Prov . G . H ., acting as G . Superintendent , in theunivoidable absence of his Grace the Duke of Devonshire , K . IT . There were also present Comps . Ino . Walker , Prov . G . J . ; W . Naylor , P . G . Std . Br . Eng ., P . P . G . J ., Prov . G . S . E . ; Thomas Cox , P . G . S . B . Eng ., P . P . G . J ., Prov . G . Treas . ; Percy Wallis , P . P . G . J ., Prov . A . G . S . E . ; H . B . Boa * , Prov .

G . P . S . ; Rev . Dr . Given , Prov . G . S . B . ; Edmund Taylor . Prov . G . Std . Br . ; E . J . H . Hoskyns . P . P . G . j . ; A . G . Taylor , P . P . G *] . ; J . O . Manton , P . P . G . S . N . ; W . . 0 . Plowright , P . P . G . P . S . ; A . J . Flint , P . P . G . R . ; M . Hunter , P . P . G . S . B . ; Thos . Shipton , P . P . G . R . ; C . W . Southern , M . E Z . 2425 ; W . B . Taylor , M . E . Z . 1324 ; A . C Brenthall , H . 1324 ; W . H . Salter , J . 731 ; G . A . Capes , M . E . Z . 731 ; J . Hill , P . Z . 6 S 1 ; A . W . Allen , J . 2425 ; H . V . Edwards , P . Z . 263 ; and others .

The routine business of the Prov . Grand Chapter was transacted , after which the acting Grand Superintendent appointed the Prov . Grand Officers for the year as follow s :

Comp . Thomas Shipton , 681 ... ... Prov . G . J . „ Wm . Naylor , 253 , P . G . Std . Br . Eng . ... Prov . G . S . E . „ W . H . Bowden , 625 ... ... ... Prov . G . S . N . „ Thomas Cox , 253 , P . G . S . B . Eng . ... Prov . G . Treas . „ H . V . Edwards , 253 ... ... ... Prov . G . Reg . „ Rev . Dr . Given , 1235 ... ... Prov . G . P . S .

„ Maurice Hunter , 1 324 ... ... } „ A . Butterworth , 731 ... ... j Prov . A . G . Ss . „ John Hall , 681 ... ... ... Prov . G . S . B . „ C . W . Southern , 2425 ... ... Prov . G . Std . Br . ¦ „ G . A . Capes , 731 ... ... ... Prov . G . D . C . „ Luther Russell , 253 ... ... ... Prov . A . G . D . C . „ J . Harold Henry , 731 ... ... Prov . G . Org .

„ Percy Wallis , 253 , P . P . G . J . ... ... Prov . A . G . S . E . „ A . Slinn , 253 ... ... ... Prov . G . Janitor . The ACTING GRAND SUI-ERINTENDKNT then made a few remarks with regard to the position of Royal Arch Masonry in the province , and a feeling allusion to the death of her late Majesty Queen Victoria , as well as congratulation to the King on his accession , ana these were ordered to be recorded on the minutes . Prov . Grand Chapter was then closed .

Craft Masonry.

Craft Masonry .

( vy Lodge , No . 1441 . INSTALLATION OF BRO . HUGH JAMES . This lodge has been in existence for a quarter of a century , and yet it miy safely be said that , during the whole of that time , it was never in so sound and flourishing a condition as it is now . The old man with the scythe has levied a somewhat heavy tribute of late in the lodge ; both its Treasurer , Bro . Cooper , P . M . of the lod « e , anJ Uro . J . Lee , its Tyler , having been among his victims within a few months . But gojJ officers , good work , and an earnest desire to improve the lodge in every way are sure to make up for much , and the year that closed on Tuesday , when the popular W . M ., Bro .

Arthur Henry Kimoault , installed Ins successDr in the chair of King Salomon , has been the most successful in every way in the history of the lodge . The lodge was opened punctually at five o ' clock by Bro . A . H . Rimbiult , W . M " assisted by a full muster of officer * . I ' he minutes of th : last mj : cing hivio { bunreil and confirmed , Bros . Vosper and Brid ^ man were raised to the Sublime Digree of M . Min a most impressive manner by the W . M . What may be styled the chief item of ths programme was next proceeded with . The W . M . elect , Bro . Hujh Ja-nj 3 , wis f ' sented by Bro . Sinclair , P . M ., and , after having taken the necessity oblijatias , w- > with due solemnity , regularly placed in the chair as ruler of the lodge tor ths cjming