Provincial.

the purpose of its erection , which was a necessity owing to the increasing population of Devonshire and Stonehouse , and the wants of the Eastern division ot Cornwall . On Tuesday , the 17 th -Tune , . 1862 , the memorial stone was laid Masonically . On the 1 st instant of the present year the old institution , the Devonport and Stonehouse Dispensary and Institution for Diseases of the Eye and Ear , was amalgamated with the new institution as to all present property of both institutionsand as to

, all subsequent donations and subscri ptions . It was for that ¦ . UYWilw-MYiated institution that , he was pleading that day . It would be perhaps as well to mention that the east wing of the building was exclusively a Lock Hospital , but it would not trench on the general funds of the charity , Government allowing sufficient to defray all the expenses of that branch of the establishment . The General Hospital afforded space for eiht beds

g in an accident ward , thirty-two for general male and female cases , thirteen for patients paying a weekly sum , ancl six for eye cases ; a large portion of the space must , however , remain unoccupied and unavailable to meet the pressing wants of the district unless increased funds could he obtained . He was given to understand that it could only hope to start with at the outside 20 out of the 59 beds for which it afforded space . The

rev . gentleman concluded with an earnest appeal to those present to subscribe towards the hospital . At the close of the sermon , which was much appreciated , there was a collection , amounting to £ 14 18 s . The brethren re-formed , and in procession walked through some of the principal thoroughfares to Moon-street , where the brethren entered the lodge-room , iu due order , ancl the consecration was

performed . Tho warrant for the formation of the lodge was granted to Bros . Samuel Chappie , P . M ., ancl P . P . 159 , Assist . Dir . of Cers . ; Horace Byron Kent , J . D . 149 , S . W ., and John Robert Henna Spry , of 159 , J . W . The warrant aud dispensation were read by Bro . Chappie , after which the lodge was consecrated with the forms and ceremonies , so beautiful and solemn in themselves , and which arc customary to the Order . After the Grand Master had declared the past proceedings of the lodge duly valid and constitutional , the J . G . W ., Bro . Metham , delivered the following oration : — Most Worthy and Worshipful Grand Master and Brethren , —

The gratification I feel at being invited by the W . M . and B . of Lodge St . Aubyn to deliver the oration which , according to ancient customs , is usual on these solemn occasions , is diminished by the conviction that there are many brethren present by whom the duty would have been better performed . There are our clerical brethren , and more particularly still the Prov . G . Sec , whose " tongue is the pen of a ready-writer , " and whose frequent and stirring addresses give himas it werea

, , prescriptive right to the office . It were an easy task , indeed , to stand before an assembled multitude o [ people and give a record of the history of Masonry , as it was my duty to do when the memorial stone of that bountiful charity which now overlooks this lodge was deposited in its place . It were easy now , as then , to defend openly tho-principles which had been attacked in the dark by ignorant and

narrow-minded detractors . But you , as Masons , need not that I should relate the history , or extol the merits and tendency , of Freemasonry . You know as well as I clo that it contains within it great and imperishable principles , which have preserved it still in a green and lusty youth , amid the lapse of ages , the fall of empires , ancl the decay of every other human institution . You know as well as I that it confers great and invaluable

privileges on those who practice it worthily ; who , supping at its crystal fountain , which springs from the volume of the sacred law , follow its guidance through all the intricate wanderings of this mortal life , until the little stream becomes a noble and expansive river , to whose bosom we may safely trust ourselves until we reach the margin of that mighty and mysterious ocean through whose dark waters all must pass ere we can reach the

Grand Lodge above . You know that in that dread hour , in those dark waters , through them and beyond them , . the just and upright Meson will raise his untroubled eye in confidence to that bright star that rises hi the east to bring peace and salvation to the faithful and obedient of the human race , and which will guide him to the presence of Him who is the great I Am , the Alpha and Omegathe beginning and the endingthe

, , Architect of the Universe and Grand Master of his own celestial lodge , where the true secrets of Masonry shall he disclosed never again to be concealed . What , then , remains for me to do but to exhort you to fulfil the duties which , as Masons , you have undertaken , that the great privileges of which we know

and acknowledge the value may bo yours ? Brethren of Lodge St . Aubyn , excuse me if to you I more particularly- * address myself in the brief period to which I am necessarily confined by the length and importance of cur ceremonial . Brethren , your wish is completed ; the key-stone of the arch will to-day be placed by your Prov . G . M ., with the approbation of the G . M . of England , and of all true brethren throughout the world . May ever so bear yourselves in lodthat they who to-day

you your ge take part in this good work may always have cause to rejoice iu their labour . It is true , this elegant lodge-room has beererected at great cost of time , trouble , anxiety , and moneythese are all yours ; you have given of them all freely and ungrudingly , as the brethren present can witness for themselves , but the jewels for which it is so fitting a shrine lire not yours .. They are heirlooms in which you have but a joint inheritance

with all other Masons all over the world . They have been bequeathed by a distant and ilhistrious ancestry , and have comedown to you unclimmed ancl without a flaw . You have vowed to preserve them in their I ' ullest splendour untarnished ; see that yon keep your vow ! This temple has , indeed , been devised in wisdom , built in strength , and adorned in beauty . Neitheithe tic nor the bigot can divide its wisdom or apart

itsscep strength unless you yourselves first deprive , it of its heauty-As you wear the jewels of our Order—brotherly love , relief , and truth—not as dead leaves from a withered tree , not only as glittering but cold emblems on the outer heart , but as livingwaters welling up from pure principles within , and carrying fertility and gladness wherever they flow : as you act on theand keep within not only with your brethren

square compass , but with all mankind : as you live and as yor . die in the practice of the great principles of Masonry , which emanate from the volume of the Sacred Law , which is purposely never closed in our lodges—so will you , individually and collectively , add additional lustre to our jewels and the stability of our Order , 'flic world regards with justifiable suspicion the lives and conduct of those who court its scrutiny by professing more than

ordinary piety and morality . And if men wear , as we have worn to-day through the open streets , the glittering ancl mysterious emblems of a secret Order , and carry on uplifted banner the name of Charitv—that sift , that most

excellent of the cardinal virtues—the world has a right to ask if Masons act up to their professions , aud if Masonry has borne such fruits as to warrant its continued existence ? But , brethren , the world will go further , and , with unjust verdict , will condemn the entire tody if it detect a falling off in any individual member . We know that Masonry has borne a golden fruit , but the question would never be asked if each brother would remember that he carries not only his own but

the reputation of his brethren throughout the world , to use the words of our great national poet—himself a Mason—as it were upon his sleeve , for daws to peck at . And how bright are our jewels !—brotherly love , relief , and truth ! How does the mind expand ! how does the eye look down the long vista of social ancl moral virtues which spring from these watchwords and landmarks of our Order . You have vowed around this sacred altar

to assist your brother in his need , to comfort him in his ailliction , to defend him when unjustly assailed , to warn him of impendingdanger , and to wean him , if possible , from his errors . You have also solemnly vowed to look beyond the narrow limits of particular institutions , whether civil or religious , and to behold in every child of Adam a brother of the Club , to whom in the hour of his need are ledged to carry relief and consolation .

, you p Y ' ou have pledged yourselves to cultivate the moral and social virtues , to promote science , to encourage industry and reward merit , and to aid in every good work ; and wherever there is want , or ignorance , or sorrow , or suffering , there is a good work to do . AA'hen the great Architect of the Universe launched this beautiful world of ours into mighty space , he made men and nations dependent on each other , that they might learn the great

lesson of universal brotherhood , mutual dependence and mutual forbearance . Charity in thought , charity in action ! let these be in the daily life ancl conversation of every Mason , as far as the imperfectness of his nature will permit , and the doubt and wonder the world entertains towards our Order willbe changed into the regard and admiration it really merits . Brethren of LodSt . Aubynwould I could have better done your bidding ;

ge , but , if nature lias denied me force of expression , she has given me in recompense a depth of feeling for the spread of true Masonry which knows no sounding . In that spirit may the corn , oil , and wine poured to-day on the door of your lodge he typical of your ever increasing happiness and prosperity ; may