Masonic Songs.

Masonic Songs .

T UDGING from the prodigious number published , the I Masonic song would almost appear to have formed an - ' integral part of the Masonry of the eighteenth century . Certain it is that it affords proof that the convivial side of

( he "Craft universal " was not in those clays neglected , and it cannot be denied that notwithstanding the appearance from time to time of compositions wholly in praise of Masonry as a dignified and highly moral institution , the greater number

were offered at the shrine of Bacchus and the devotees were more often called upon to " ( ill a bumper" in honour of that dubious divinity than would be considered good for them in these more prosaic and serious days , as an

example—Come till up a bumper and let it go round . Lei mirth and good fellowship always abound : And let the world see , that Freemasonry . Doth leach honest souls to be jovial and free . Our lodge now composed ol" honesl tree hearts , Our Master most freely his secrets imparts (>/< \ :

And so we improve in knowledge and love . Hy help from our mighty Grand Master above . Lei honour and friendship eternally reign , Let each brother Mason the truth so maintain : That all may agree , that Freemasonry , Doth leach honest souls lo be jovial and free .

In inirlh and good lellowsllip we will agree . For none are more blest or more happy than we-: And thus will endure , while our actions are pure . Kind Heaven those blessings lo us doth insure .

This effusion , although opening with the usual adjouration to ( ill up a bumper , is somewhat redeemed from the grosser tendency by the higher asperations , albeit somewhat feebly expressed , which were equally characteristic of the Masonic

compositions of the day . Dr . Anderson , for instance , takes a higher ( light , and breaks into verse in praise of the ancient builders—We sing of Masons' ancient fame , When fourscore thousand Craftsmen stood . ruder the Masters of great name ,

Three thousand and six hundred good , Employ'd by Solomon Hie sire . And gcn ' ral Master-Mason too ; As Hiram was in stalely Tyre , Like Salem , built by Masons true . The Royal art was then divine ,

The Craftsman counsell'd from above , The Temple did till works enshrine , The wortd'ritig world did all approve * , Ingenious men from every place , Came to survey the glorious pile , And when return'd began to trace And imitate in lofty style .

At length the CCIVW / K comu ( o know Geometry , and learnt the Art , Which great I ' yll / iisioras did show , And glorious Eiielitl did impart ; 'I'll' amazing Archimedes , loo , And many other scholars good ; Till ancient Romans did review The Art , and seeing understood .

Centenary Celebration Of The St. Luke's Lodge, No. 225.

Centenary Celebration of the St . Luke ' s Lodge , No . 225 .

OF a well-regulated and old established Masonic lodge , it may fitly be said that it resembles Tennyson ' s brook * , for though men may come and men may go , the lodge goes on for ever . The celebration of a centenary , however , must always be a red-letter day in the history of any institution ,

and so it was that peculiar interest attached to the proceedings , which took place in the Masonic Hall , Ipswich , on Wednesday , September 14 II 1 . It was St . Luke ' s Lodge , No . 225 , that was thus pleasantly commemorating the fact that it has become entitled to inclusion amongst the centenarian lodges of the country . As a matter of fact , the original

warrant for the founding of the lodge was granted some time prior to 1803 . but by some curious mischance it was either mislaid or lost , and another warrant of confirmation had to be procured . This was dated October , 1803 . sotlr . it really the hundred years were completed nearly a year ago . The lodgein its beginnings , was a military one , and a glance

, at the roll of members at the present clay shows that it has not entirely lost its connection with His Majesty ' s forces . Having passed through various mutations and changes of habitat , the lodge has emerged strong and vigorous , and the number of its sons is now well over a hundred . The