Provincial

PROVINCIAL

CHESHIRE . Congleton . —The Provincial Grand Lodge was held on Wednesday , September 26 , at the Lion and Swan Hotel , in Congleton . The Lodge was opened in due form by the R . W . and Eight Hon . Lord Combermere , Prov . G . M . The ordinary business of the province having been transacted , the Brethren in regular order proceeded to St . Peter ' s Chrrch .

The procession , as it moved along the principal streets , had a very imposing appearance , the Brethren all being attired in full Masonic costume , with jewels ; many of them wearing the splendid insignia of the higher offices and degrees . On arriving at the church , the procession halted , the Brethren opening to the right and left for the R . W . P ; G . M . to pass up the centre , preceded by his standard and sword bearer , the P . G . officers and brethren following in succession from the rear ; and in this order they entered the sacred edifice , which was speedily crowded by a large and highly-respectable congregation . In front of the western gallery a large triangular Masonic emblem was displayed , and from the pulpit

hung an antependiurn of silk richly emblazonea with emblematical devices . Pull cathedral service was performed by a numerous and powerful choir , under the direction of the W . P . G . O . Bro . Twiss , who presided at the organ . After a voluntary on the organ , the service was commenced by singing the 100 th Psalm , prayers being read by the Rev . John Hughes , the incumbent , and the lessons by Bro . the Rev . W . C . Arnold . The whole of the musical portion of the service was performed in true cathedral style , and was highly creditable to all concerned . The sermon was preached by the V . W . P . G . Chaplain , the Rev . J . W . Tanner , from the text , 1 st chapter of Isaiah , part of the 17 th verse— " Learn to do well . "

The rev . gentleman delivered a very excellent practical discourse , in which he enlarged upon the real elements of Preemasonry , which he described as the true principles of Christianity , without which the Masonic character could not be complete ; they might be possessed of all the profound secrets of the order , and put on its gaudy trappings , but without the possession of the principles of the Christian religion , their names as Masons were but as " sounding brass and tinkling cymbals . " He exhorted them to acts of Christian charity and benevolence ; and to let

the world know that their great unpublished secret was that of doing good . After the sermon a collection * was made in aid of the Provincial Masonic Fund of Benevolence , which amounted to £ 21 . 14 s . lid . ; and , a hymn of national thanksgiving and prayer having been sung , the procession left the church in the same order that it entered it , and proceeded to the Town Hall , where the banquet took place . The assembly-room was appropriately decorated for the occasion with Masonic emblems , banners , and flags ; on one side of the room a triple wreath uf flowers , & c . was suspended , having pendent Masonic emblems , in gilt , at the sides ; and in the centre curve hung the following inscription , written on silk of Masonic cerulean blue : —

" Here ' midst the ruin of three thousand years , Unhurt , unchanged , Freemasonry appears : Her towers and monuments may fade away , But truth and social love shall ne ' er decay . "

The dinner was supplied by Bro . Ullivero , of the Bull's Head Hotel , and was a first-rate affair . The R . W . Prov . G . M . presided at the banquet , and was supported on his right by Bro . G . C . Antrobus , as Dep . Prov . G . M . ; W . C . Cruttenden , Prov . G . R . ; and on his left , by Bro . the Rev . J . W . N . Tanner , Prov . G . C ., and the Rev . J . Polliott , Prov . G . C . At the principal table also were E . H . Griffith , Prov . G . Sec . ; C . Button , Prov . G . S . D . ; E . Bamuelson , Prov . G . J . D . ; J . Bid-VOL . I . 4 X