Provincial.

Faith , Hope , and Charity , be the sum of the Saviour's teaching , they are urged to climb to Heaven step by step , as by a ladder , through those very virtues . Masonry is not a religion—we have hut one religion , that of Christ and Him crucified—but Masonry is a help and handmaid to religion , and the objects it leads men to aspire to are identical . It is true Masons may fail to profit by their labour in the Craft ; a Mason may bo none the better for the liht which shines on him—ho may choose

g to remain blind , or to remove the veil from his eyes . It has no charm to force him into the right path . Christianity itself compels no one by any irresistible force to seek the things -which belong to man ' s eternal peace . It can but give 17 im illumination and point out the way , and provide for his final success if he perseveres in the right way ; and man may and many do choose to walk on still in darkness . Though the plan

and working drawings of their spiritual edifice are prepared with all accuracy , the firm rock provided for a foundation , and the chief corner stone laid ; though tools and material are ready at hand , yet the designs are useless because not carried oat , and square , and level , and plumb will lie idle , and not a stone or beam is erect of their building , which , fitly framed together , groweth into an holy temple of the Lord . At that building

let us be ever working—working in unity with other and all fellow workers with Christ , for there we know that our labour shall not be in vain . The light shed upon our work by his grace , and the redemption he has made for us will be a . light to

lighten our path indeed ; it will enable us to contemplate aright the glorious work of God ; it will enlarge our views , and enable us to take our right place as workers in the great human hive , laying up stores for eternity ; it will sanctify our industry , leaven our enjoyments , moderate our pleasures , and make ns in this life as not abusing it ; it will give lis a strength notour own , a strength we sorely need against the enemies of our soulswhich or . all sides lie in wait to do us violence ; when

, fainting and suffering under their attacks it will bring comfort and support ; when fallen into the tomb of transgression it will raise us up again . Under such a light as this our path will be that of the just which shineth more and more unto the perfect day , until at last we arrive at the gates of that city opened to us by the Saviour ' s blood , which hath " no need of the sun neither of the moon to shine in it ; for the glory of

God doth lighten it , and the Lamb is tbo light thereof . " At the conclusion of tho service tbe procession was . igain reformed , and the brethren marched back to the Town-hall , when the following officers were appointed by the Prov . G . M . for the ensuing year : — Bros . John S ydenham ., Prov . S . G . W . „ Thomas Chick „ J . G . W . „ R . N . Howard „ G . Reg . „ Thomas Coombs „ G . Sec . „ Richard Sydenham „ R . G . D .

„ J . P . Sntten „ J . G . D . „ B . P . Gundry ,, G . Supt . of Works . „ Joseph Maunders , „ G . Div . of Cers . „ C . A . Roberson , G . Asst . Div . of Cers . „ H . AV . Carrington , G . S . B . „ T . Patch „ G . Org . „ C . P . Arden .. ; „ G . Purst . G . H . Davis 1

„ „ Henry Ling | „ W . D . Dent [ „ .. , n IT n i r „ G . stewariis . „ C . H . Cnckmay f " „ J . Jesty | „ Thomas Sansora J „ E , Edsall „ G . lsfcStand . Pcai-er . „ C . Parsons : , G . 2 nd ditto .

„ John Lovelace „ G . Tyler . A sumptuous banquet was provided at three o ' clock at the Antelope Hotel , and the excellent manner in which Bro . Host Shepherd catered for his guests elicited unqualified praise . At the conclusion of the repast the Chairman proposed the toast of the " Queen and the Craft , " which , together with the other loyal and patriotic toasts , were well received .

The toast of the " Bishop and Clergy of the Diocese" was suitabl y acknowledged by Bro . the Rev . VV . M . Heath , Prov . G . Chap . The Chairman next proposed "The Grand Master of . England , the Earl of Zetland , " which was followed by that of "Earl de Grey , Deputy Grand Master , and the Officers of the Grand Lodge , Present and Past . " " The Health , of the R . W . Provincial Grand Master of Dorset ,

Joseph Gundry , " was drunk amidst great enthusiasm , which was duly ' acknowledged by the Prov . G . M ., who , in turn , proposed "The Health of the Deputy Provincial Grand Master . " Bro . J . M . P . Montagu responded in an able manner . The Chairman next gave " The Healths of tho Present and Past Provincial Grand Officers of Dorset , " and spoke in high terms . of Bro . Jacob , who responded in a very appropriate speech .

" The Healths of the Worshipful Master , Past Master , Wardens , and the Brethren of Lodgo Amity ( Poole ) , " was next proposed , and suitably acknowledged by Bro . R . Sydenham , W . M . of the Lodge Amity . The proceedings afterwards partook of a more convivial nature , and a very pleasant evening was enjoyed .

HERTFORDSHIRE . BEKKHAJIPSTEAD . —BerMiamjpstcad Lodge ( No . 501 ) . —The members of this lodge met on Tuesday , October 4 th , at the King ' s Head Hotel . Bro . George Lambert , P . M . and P . Prov G . W ., presided , in the unavoidable absence of the AV . M ., Bro . AVilliam Lumley . A ballot was taken for the admission of two new members , and also for the Worshipful Master and Treasurer

for the ensuing year , when Bro . H . Ovey , P . M ., was elected to the former office , and Bxo . John Lane , P . M ., to the latter . There was a good attendance , and the lodge was honoured with the presence of Bro . George Francis , D . Prov . G . M .

SOUTH AVALES ( EASTERN DIVISION ) . PROVISCIAIi GllAKB LOBS-E . The annual meeting of the Provincial Grand Lodge of South AVales ( Eastern Division ) was held at Cardiff , on Thursday , the 28 th ult ., under circumstances of unusual interest and attractiveness .

Tho following was the order of proceedings as issued : — The Provincial Grand Officers ( P : ist and Present ) and visitors of distinction will assemble in a room immediately adjoining the lodge-room . The brethren of the province and visiting brethren generally will assemble in the galleries of tho courts adjoining the lodgeroom . Tbe lodge-room will be opened at half-past eleven o'clock for

the admission of tbe brethren , who are requested to clothe themselves , enter , and take their seats , as early as possible . The Provincial Grand Officers , visitors of distinction , & c , will form iu procession and enter the lodge-room at twelve o ' clock , with the Installing Provincial Grand Master , Lieut .-Colonel Henry Atkins Boivyer , who will take the chair and open the Provincial Grand Lodge .

The business was announced to lie as follows : — To read and confirm the minutes of the Provincial Grand Lodge , held at Cardiff , on the ICtli August , 18 G 4 , also the minutes of the Provincial Grand Lodgo ot Emergency , held at Neath , on the 22 nd September , 1 S 61-.

To install the R . W . Bro . Tlteodore Mansel Talbot as Prov . G . M . for South AVaies ( Eastern Division ) . The ceremony of installation will be conducted throughout by the R . AV . the Prov . G . M . for Oxfordshire , Lieut .-Colonel Heury Atkins Bowyer . To install tho IV . Bro . Edward James Morris as D . Prov . G . M .. To receive tiie accounts of the Prov . G . Treas . To elect a Prov . G . Treas . for tho ensuing year .

To appoint and invest Prov . G . Officers for the ensuing year . To move a vote of condolence with the M . W . the G . M . on his recent bereavement . To move a vote of regret to t ' . ie R . W . Bro . Charles Kemys-Kemys-Tynte upon his retirement from the chair of the province . To move a cordial vote of thanks to the R . W . the Prov .

G . M . for Oxfordshire , Lieut .-Colonel Henry Atkins Bowyer , Willis kindness in attending this Provincial Grand Lodgo for the purpose of performing the ceremony of installation . To thank the Officers of Grand Lodge for their presence at this Provincial Grand Lodge , and to order their names to be entered on the hooks hi attKnowletlgmenfc of their attendance . To read the report of the charity committee and to move

resolutions in reference thereto . To consider the propriety of revising , altering , or otherwise dealing with the by-laws of the Provincial Grand Lodge as at present in force .