The Resurrection Of The Dead.

The RESURRECTION of the DEAD .

The resurrection of the dead is the most important subject that can occupy the attention of mortal man . It is a theme the most lofty upon which man can write or speak , and therefore I think it a mistake to speculate upon the subject merely as an abstract principle instead

of one that has been brought to light by the glories of revelation . The state of the whole world , seven centuries before the Christian era , is graphically depicted by the prophet , " Behold the darkness shall cover the earth and gross darkness the people , " and then he immediately

adds , " But Jehovah shall arise upon thee ; and his glory shall be seen upon thee ; and the Gentiles shall come to thy light , and kings to the brightness of thy rising . " The ideas of the after life of man in his state of immortality were among all peoples of the ancient world most gross

and sensual , yet expressed by a most beautiful language in all the refined terms of scholarship and philosophic thought , so that as described by St . Paul ( a perfect scholar of his age ) , to the Corinthians , in whose capital was a school of theology and philosophy , "That the world by

wisdom knew not God , " The same authority also declared " That life and immortality had been brought to light through the gospel , " the light evidently predicted by tlie prophet . If so , then as Masons , who conspicuously acknowledge the authority of the Sacred Law , I think then we

are bound to draw our inferences and mode of thought from that source alone . If so , the conclusion I arrive at is , that tlie word death , as we use it in common , is a misnomer ; in fact , there is no such thing as natural death— - . a spiritual death there most certainly is . Death signifies

tlie cessation of any particular state or quality . Man is said to be dead when in the bloom of health and activity , when within him there is a cessation of the principles of honour , integrity , or noble feelings . He is then said to have no life of goodness in him ; but the separation of

the body from the spirit is only a continuation of life in a new state , either of weal or woe , for as the tree falls so it lies . Tlie works done IN the body will go with him , and the dust shall return to the earth as it was , but the spirit unto God who gave it . In the volume of the Sacred Law

the resurrection of the body is never even alluded to , it not being a fact ; but a resurrection from a grave of iniquity is a constant theme , "And you . hath He quickened who were dead in trespasses and in sins . " The resurrection of the dead , then , can take place only in this world , and

not in the world to come . 'Die real man , that is his spirit , is imprisoned , while in this world , in a covering of clay , and from which whether he is conscious of it or not , he is continually attempting to escape , which sometimes lie does by his own violence . Man , while on earth , can never

realize his hopes ; "Man never is , but always TO HE , blest . His constant cry is " excelsior , " and the wisest among men , whose glory is the theme of emulation , at the close of an unprecedented career of glory confessed , with saddened experience , " AH has been vanity . " " Call no one

happy till he is dead , said the heathen sage to the then supposed richest monarch on the earth , and the Christian sage may say , " call no one happy till the resurrection of the soul from the grave of this body of tlesh , which shall be on his last day in this world . " Take the example of the

resurrection of the warbler from the grave of his shell to his introduction to the world of light . The egg is a beautiful and vivid illustration of the resurrection of the dead . In that prison of the shell , from the pulpy and edible matter which it contains , are formed the bones , muscles ,

feathers , & c , to prepare it for its future life . The shell will be left behind and scattered to its native elements , as man shall leave behind him the shell of his body to be disposed of according to natural laws . The spirit is now in the spiritual world and obedient to spiritual

laws ; but here the comparison terminates . The feathered beauty enjoys his little clay in the possession of sun and light , and the active tie congenial to its nature , busies itself in preparing for its progeny , and soon ceases to be an unit in the creation . Not so man : his resurrection

The Resurrection Of The Dead.

has been to life eternal . All his aspirations , while in the grave of his body , will be set free . No longer pent up , " cabin'd , cribb'd , and confined , " he can enter into the fulness of those

delights of love and chanty which he yearned for here . He has hungered and thirsted after the happiness of being , and doing , good ; he is now satisfied . "Behold the fowls of the air . are ye not much better than they ?" W . B . ( 742 . )

Grand Chapter Of England.

GRAND CHAPTER OF ENGLAND .

The following is the business paper for the next convocation on Wednesday , the 3 rd May : — The regulations for the government of the Supreme Grand Chapter during the time of public linisness to be read .

The minutes of the last quarterly convocation to be read for confirmation . Installation of Principals , and appointment and investiture of officers for the ensuing year . Election of the Committee of General Purposes for the ensuing twelve months .

Report of the Committee of General Purposes . The Committee of General Purposes beg to report that they have examined the accounts from the 18 th January , 1871 , to the 18 th April , 1871 , both inclusive , which they find to be as follows : To balance iSth January ... , £ 343 9 7 „ subsequent receipts ... 315 1 8

£ 658 11 3 By disbursements during the quarter ^ 241 iS 8 By balance 416 12 7 ^ 6 S 11 3

which balance is in the hands of Messrs . Willis , Percival , and Co ., bankers of the Grand Treasurer . The Committee beg also to report that they have again considered the question on which they reported to the last Grand Chapter , and which was referred back to them for further consideration and

report , viz . : " as to the eligibility of a companion who had served as a Principal of a chapter acting under a foreign Constitution to be a Principal of an English chapter , he not having served the office of Worshipful Master in an English lodge . " The Committee have not been able to alter the view they

took 01 the question , and they therefore respectfully adhere to their report of the iSth January , ' . 871 . The Committee refer Grand Chapter to the fact that the laws have been frequently relaxed in favour of companions in the colonies , but decline to offer any opinion as to the expediency of making any alteration on this question .

The Committee have received tlie following petitions : — 1 st . From Companions James Mackay Cunningham as Z ., Thomas Lane as H ., Walter Kirkland as J , and seven others , for a chapter to be attached to the Hartington Lodge , No . 916 , Eastbourne , to

be called 1 he Hartington Chapter , and to meet at tlie Sussex Hotel , Eastbourne , Sussex . 2 nd . From Companions Alfred John Hancocks as Z ., James Fitzgerald as H ., William Lea Faucctt as J ., and six others , for a chapter to be attached to the Lodge of Hope and Charity , No . 377 ,

Kidderminster , to be called "The Chapter of Hope and Charity , " and to meet at the Lion Hotel , Kidderminster , Worcestershire . 3 rd . From Companions Charles Henry Rogers-Harrison as Z ., William 13 . Hambley as H ., George Shuck as J „ and six others , for a chapter to be

attached to the St . Mark s Lodge , No . 857 , Brixton , to be called "The St . Mark's Chapter , " and to meet at the Duke of Edinburgh Hotel , Shcpherd ' s-lanc , Brixton , Surrey . 4 . From Companions John Thomas Barnes asZ ., John Geeves Stevens as H ., George Morris Elliott

Snow as J ., and six others , for a chapter to be attached to the Doric Lodge , No . 933 , London , to be called " The Doric Chapter , " and to meet at Anderton ' s Hotel , Fleet-street , in thecity of London , 5 . From Companions Joseph Smith as ' / .., John

Albert Farnfield as H ., Rev . Joseph Maryclmrch Vaughan as J ., and seven others , for a chapter to be attached to the Royal Albert Lodge , No . 907 , London , to be called " The Royal Albert Chapter , " and to meet at the White Hart Tavern , Abchurchlanc , in the city of London .

The foregoing petitions being in all respects regular , the Committee recommend that the prayers thereof be respectively granted . The Committee have also received a petition from the Eureka Chapter , praying to be detached from the Southern Cross Lodge , No . 793 , meeting at

Grand Chapter Of England.

Maldon , Victoria , and to be attached to the Mount Alexander Lodge , No . 692 , meeting at Castlemaine , in the same colony . Both lodges having given their consent , the Committee recommend that the prayer of the petition be granted , subject to the approval of the District Grand Superintendent ,

which does not accompany the petition . In consequence of the very insufficient manner in which many chapters make their returns to the Supreme Grand Chapter , the Committee beg further to report that they have passed the following resolution : " That all chapters be required to make a

return annually of their subscribing members , ane the rank each member holds in the chapter . " ( Signed ) W . PULTENEY SCOTT , President . Resolved— "That the best thanks of the Committee be given to the President , Companion William Pulteney Scott , not only for the great attention

he has devoted to the business of Royal Arch Masonry , and for the admirable manner in which he has conducted the duties of the office he has so long and ably filled , but also for the urbanity and kindness with which he has presided over its meetings . Freemasons' Hall , London , W . C , 19 th April , 1871 .

Consecration Of The Science Mark Lodge, No. 128, At Wincanton.

CONSECRATION of the SCIENCE MARK LODGE , No . 128 , at WINCANTON .

A special Mark Lodge was held at Wincanton , on Monday , the 17 th inst ., in the National Schoolroom , by the very Worshipful Deputy Provincial Grand Master of the Province of Somerset , Bro .

Capt . F . G . Irwin , and his officers from Westonsuper-Mare . Bro . the W . D . P . G . M . appointed Bros . F . Vizard , S . W . ; W . H . Davies , J . W . : Rev . R . H . Bigsbv , Chap . ; Jones , M . O . ; Thomas Clarke , S . O . ; A W . Butter , J . O . ; Benjamin Cox , Sec . ; R . C . Else

S . D . ; W . S . Gillard , J . D . ; Dr . Swete , Org . ; Major Vizard , I . G ., as his officers pro tern ., and proceeded to open the lodge , when the following brethren , having been approved of by ballot , were advanced to the honourable degree of Mark Master : —Bros . Charles R . Shepherd , W . M . 437 ; Rev . R . H .

Wingfield Digby , P . M . 1168 , and P . P . G . C , Dorset ; Benjamin Atwell , P . M . 437 ; Wm . H . Hannen , S . W . 437 ; Dr . James Johnstone Luce , P . M . 437 ; John Fry , 437 ; Rev . Wm . J . E . Percy , Chap . 1168 , and f' . I ' . G . C . Dorset ; Ernest Baker , 1168 ; Win . Cro .-ui . 116 S ; John Rumsey , Org . 1168 ; Frederick

Fo : in . 446 ; John Himbury , 1168 ; John Chaffin , S . W . 329 ; and Walter Dowding , 437 . Nine other brethren were approved of by ballot but could not attend . The ceremony of consecration was then proceeded with . Bro . F . Vizard , W . M . 102 , then presented

liro . William Salter Gillard , of Sherborne , 'W . M . of Craft Lodi'e 1168 , for installation , and he having answered the usual queries , all brethren below the chair were requested to retire , when Bro . Gillard was installed as W . M . of the new lodge , who appointed the following brethren as his officers for the

ensuing year : —Bros . 1 \ Vizard , P . M . ; Charles R . Shepherd , S . W . ; John Howe Farley , J . W . ; Rev . W . J . E . Percy , Chap . ; Benjamin Atwell , Treas . ; W . H . Hannen , Sec . ; Dr . J . J . Luce , Registrar of Marks ; A . W . Butter , M . O . ; Ernest Baker , S . O . ; John Fry , J . O . ; John Chaffin , D . C . ; John Rumsey ,

Org . ; Walter Dowding , S . D . ; F . Foan , J . D . ; John Himbury , I . G . ; William Croad , Steward . At the conclusion of the ceremonies , the W . M . proposed , in feeling terms , a very cordial vote of thanks to the D . P . G . M . and his officers for the perfect manner in which the ceremonies had been

worked , which was suitably acknowledged . The business being concluded , thirty of the brethren adjourned to the Greyhound Hotel , where a banquet was prepared , which was presided over by the ncsv W . M ., who was well supported right

and left . This bids fair to be a very strong lodge of Mark Master Masons , as , in addition to the 23 brethren approved by ballot , 14 Mark Master Masons were admitted as membeis of the lodge .

A PATRON of a certain newspaper once said to the publisher : " Mr . Printer , how is it you have never called on ine for pay for your paper ? ' ' "Oh , " said the man of types , " we never ask a gentleman for money . " "Indeed , " replied the patron , "how do you manage to get along when they don ' t pay vou ? " "Whv , " said the editor .

" after a certain time we conclude he is no gentleman , and wc ask him . " "Oh—ah—yes—I see . Mr . Editor , please give me a receipt , " and hands him a V . " Make my name all right on your hooks . "—Keystone .

SMALL-POX , FEVERS , AND SKIN DISEASES . — The predisposition to is prevented by Liniplough's Pyretic Saline . Vitalising and invigorating , its effects are remarkable in their cure and prevention . Take it as directed . Sold by chemists and the maker , H . Lamplou ^ h , 113 , Holbom-liill . —[ Advt . ]