Bye-Laws Of The York Lodge, No. 236.

Such are the main features of the annals of a very distinguished body of Freemasons , and Avhich is in fact one of the most historic of our English Lodges . It has undergone since that date the usual vicissitudes of lodge life ; it has had its days of

sunshine and of cloud ; its seasons of prosperity and adversity ; its hours of decadence , and its " times of refreshing . " We are happy to knoAV that it IIOAV numbers 140 members , and Ave echo the truly Masonic aspiration of Bro . Toddthat

, " this representative of Masonry in the ancient city of York may long continue to flourish , and may be the instrument of disseminating the great and glorious principles of our noble institution to future generations . "

We said before that the lodge Avas an historic lodge , for as Bro . Todd remarks : " All the Minute Books ( dating from its establishment ) , and other documents of the lodge , have been preserved Avith scrupulous cave , and are noAv in its custody . Having been for many years the onl y Masonic body in the city of York , the York Lodge is

generally considered the lineal representative of the Ancient Grand Lodge of all England , and in consequence , many important and invaluable documents , " Minute Books , jewels , furniture , paintings , and other property of that ancient lodge , have been transferred

thereto , and are IIOAV in its possession . " Its history is , therefore , veiy valuable and interesting to all AVIIO , like " ourselves , are glad to witness reasonable and authentic narratives of lodlife and Avorkand oriin

ge , g , take the place of our looser statements of the past , and furnishing the Masonic student of to-day Avith facts instead of fiction , with truth instead of myth . We heartily thank Bro . Todd for his able sketch , and Ave shall recur to Bro .

Cowling ' s interesting history of the " Grand Lodge of England" next month , quite concurring in the well-merited tribute of respect which Bro . Todd pays to that very worth y brother , Avhen he says : To Bro . Cowling , P . M ., one of the oldest members of the lodge , and for many years its treasurer , the brethren are greatly indebted for his valuable services . His active

exertions have been mainly instrumental » i securing for the York Masons the commodious and elegant structure in which to exercise the mysteries and privileges of the Craft . " °

Bye-Laws Of The York Lodge, No. 236.

Having ourselves experienced his courtesy more than once , and availed ourselves of his Masonic lore , Ave are pleased to conclude the first part of our review with these appropriate Avords .

Hope.

HOPE .

Bright star of human life , What pleasant gifts are thine , In every scene of strife , Those earthly joys Avhich twine , Around each faltering heart , And man ' s own restless will , Through the hours Avhich depart , And all of good or ill .

fhoii canst soothe and cheer and bless , And soften and beguile , And lighten up distress , With thy * own endearing smile . Thou canst throw a gleam of glory , And brightness on our Avay ; And illume life ' s faded story , With an unearthly ray .

To thee Ave lingering turn , As hours and friendship fail , Through gloAving thoughts which burn , Sad disappointment ' s tale ! To thee Ave look in trust , From our cradle to our grave ; As Ave find that all is dust , And Time can nothing save .

0 Hope ! divinely given , By the great Architect of all To man from heaven riven , By the sad hour of Fall , To cheer us on our road , Which leads o ' er vale and hill ; Till in a bri ght abode , Onr Aveary feet are still .

Then , Hope , thou shalt give place , To never-ending love ; That all undying grace , Which gilds thy heaven above ; And then thy labours o ' er , Thy blessed mission done ,

Man stands upon that shore , Where God and he are one . A , F . A . W .