Provincial Lodges.

heart—they are laid up in it , and bless him that gives and him that receiveth . Another way of doing good , of serving our generation , is by combination . The reverend gentleman then proceeded to illustrate the force which combination for wise and philanthropic ends confers , and concluded a discourse characterised by comprehensive and benevolent views and power of illustration , by reference to the great characteristics of Masonry—fear of God , loyalty to the Sovereign , and love to the brotherhood , as valuable principles which , it were to be wished , were more widely-pervading

influences . In particular , the recollection of our common brotherhood would lead us to do unto others as we would they should do unto us . To take , said the rev . preacher , the highest results , "Are men of one race ? " Then in the Bible you have a provision for all . Go , and tell them , " Like as a father pitieth his children , so the Lord pitieth them that fear him . Go and assure them whosoever doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven , the same is my brother , " & c . Go and proclaim these great duties of love to God and to our brethren of the human race , and by its power ,

bring them out of the bondage of sin to the glorious liberty of children of God . On leaving the church , the procession was re-formed as above , and on its arrival at the Assembly Rooms , again opened , the Grand Master , his officers and brethren proceeding to the Lodge Room , where they took their respective places in the Grand Lodge . The collection usual on these occasions was made for the relief of the poor . It amounted to about , £ 5 , and was ordered to be handed to the Vicar of Swansea for distribution .

The following votes of thanks were then unanimously passed : — To the Rev . M . E . Welby , for his very excellent and appropriate sermon . This vote was accompanied by a request that he would permit the same to be printed at the expense of the Grand Lodge . To the Rev . E . B . Squire , Vicar of Swansea , for kindly and readily affording the brethren the use of the Parish Church on the present occasion . The Lodge business having now being brought to a close , a number of ladies were

admitted to view the decorations and paraphernalia of the Lodge Room . Brother George Allen contributing , during this inspection , a rich musical treat on the harmonium , in his accustomed masterly style of performance . All the arrangements of the day were under the able direction of Brother F . D . Michael , the Provincial Grand Director of Ceremonies , which honourable and responsible office he has filled for now nearly a quarter of a century . The Banquet was given at the Mackworth Arms Hoteland at half past three m

, p .., a goodly company of the brethren , numbering about 70 , sat down to an entertainment which , it is only justice to say , was pronounced by connoisseurs to have been served up in excellent style by the landlord , Brother Viner . So marked and general was the satisfaction , that a vote of thanks was unanimously given to Mrs . Viner for the

superior and judicious arrangements made for the occasion . At the termination of the repast , as is ever customary with this ancient and loyal body , the usual toasts of the Queen , Royal Family , the Army , and Navy , & c , were proposed and retrieved with enthusiastic welcome by the brethren assembled . Then followed , in response , several excellent speeches , by the Worshipful the Grand Master and by Brothers G . G . Bird , M . Moggridge , O . G . Williams , and Aubrey . A rich feature in the proceedings of the evening was contributed by the singing of several admirable ieces bBrothers and The

p y Snarey Bowen . party broke up at an early hour , as several of the gentleman had to leave by the evening train . We understand that the Provincial Grand Lodge will be held next year at Brecon where a new Lodge has recently been opened , and it may be expected that it will be on a scale unusual both as to extent and magnificence . SUSSEX .

RL . CLARENCE LODGE , BRIGHTON ( NO . 338 ) . —This Lodge was recently visited by the R . W . the D . P . G . M ., who expressed himself highly gratified with the manner in which the ceremonies were performed , and the lectures worked .