Knights Templar.

Prelate ; J . R . Stebbing , Registrar . Two new candidates were admitted , aud one proposed for next conclave . Sir Knt . AV . A . Kent .-C of L . ; P . Perkins , 1 st H . ; R . S . Hulbert , 2 nd H . ; P . E . Commanders , Dr . H . Clark , J . T . Ensight , J . R . Stebbing , and others attended .

Colonial.

COLONIAL .

GIBRALTAR . PROVINCIAL GRAND LODGE OE ANDALUSIA . —The usual St . John ' s meeting of this District Grand Lodge was held in Glynn's Buildings , Gibraltar , on the 27 th December . The Prov . Grand Lodge was opened in due form by the R . AV . D . Prov . G . M . Bro . Relph , and the following officers were at their respective posts : — Bros . Ingram , Prov . S . G . AV . ; Irwin , P . Prov . S . G . AV . ; Irwin , Prov .

J . G . W . ; Swain , P . Prov . S . G . AV ; Carpenter , P . Prov . S . G . W ., China ; Ellison ( P . Prov . J . G . AV . ) , Prov . G . Sec . ; AVeir , Prov . G . Treas . ; Beale , Prov . G . Dir . of Cers . ; AVilkinson , Prov . G . Sec . Foreign Correspondence ; Francis , Prov . G . I . G ., and others , together with a goodly assembly of brethren from the several lodges of the province . The R . W . D . Prov . G . M ., in a few impressive ivords , congratulated the brethren on the state of Masonry in the province generally . It appeared tbat the impulse the Royal Craft had

received within the last few years had not been that of a moment , to die away again immediately , but it had steadily continued ; ancl the returns from the various lodges showed increasing numbers and energetic life and working . The R . W . Bro . then proceeded to invest the Prov . G . Officers for the ensuing year , viz .: —Bros . Major P . D . Middleton ( W . M . No . 3-15 ) , Prov . S . G . W . ; Taylor ( F . M . 132 ) , Prov . J . G . AV . ; Jackman ( S . AV . 178 ) , Prov . S . G . D . ; Black { P . S . W . 345 ) , Prov . J . G . D . ; AVeir ( re-elected ) , Prov . G . Treas . ; Ingram ( P . Prov . S . G . W . ) , Prov . G . Reg . ; Ellison ( P . Prov . J . G . AV . ) , Prov . G . Sec . ; Bueno ( 132 ) , Asst . Prov . G . Sec . ; Beale ( re-appointed ) ,

Prov . G . Dir . of Cers . ; AVarren ( 345 , Lieut . Roy . Eng . ) , Prov . G . Supt . of Works ; Bowden ( 345 ) , Asst . G . Dir . of Cers . ; Gibson ( 178 ) , Prov . G . Sword Bearer ; Martin ( 178 ) , Prov . G . Standard Bearer ; Viesohn ( 178 ) , Prov . G . Organist ; AVilkinson ( J . AV . 178 ) , Prov . G . Sec . Foreign Correspondence ; Francis ( P . M . 178 ) , reappointed Prov . G . I . G . ; A . Patterson ( . (' . AV . 345 ) , Asst . do . ; Lieut .-Col . Somerset , C . B ., M . P . ( 178 ) ,- Major Dunn , KC . ( 345 ); Deputy Commissary General Carpenter , ( 345 ) ; Capt . Herbert ( 178 ); Capt .

Dyer ( 178 ) , and Captain Tewart , ( 345 ) , Provincial Grand Stewards . The R . AV . D . Prov . G . M . then said that , as there was hut little business before the lodge , he ivould call upon Bro . Ingrain , who , he believed , had prepared a short lecture for the occasion .- —Bro . INGRAM regretted that he had not been able , from want of time , to produce " a lecture , " but proceeded to offer a few remarks on the intended subject . On a former occasion he had endeavoured to point out some evidences of the precepts and practices of Masonry having had

sway amongst the Moors in Spain ; on another , he had called their attention to the organisation of our brethren at the time when the so-called Gothic edifices of Europe were erected . He had intended now to have gone back to an . earlier period , and have traced the footsteps of the Craft amongst the earliest architectural remains of British India . In considering this subject , we find that there exist here certain features which irresistibly call to mind our own traditions , and features ivhich , having been reproduced with significant and symbolical meaning ivhere ever we Icnoio the Craft to have worked , seem to render the deduction undeniable that also here

Masonry has directed the compasses and held the square . The obelisks placed at the entrances of the great temples of Egypt have their representatives in the monolithic i > illars found at the entrances of the old rock-cut temples of India . Do we not recognise the same in the pillars of King Solomon's Temple and in the towers and spires of the Craft-built cathedral of Europe ? especially in those where the western entrance , with its winding stairs , is flanked by two equal towers . The monolithic cubical chambers

of the Egyptians are reproduced in the Tee , or cubical relic shrine of the Buddhist ; both being situated within the inner court , and constituting a sanctum sanctorum . Similar features may be traced amongst the Brahmin places of worship ; and it is a known fact that there are some secrets common to the high priests of this creed and the R . A . Mason . Masons are often asked by the profane what proofs they have of the boasted antiquity of the Craft . AVould it be of any use to show an unlettered countryman title-deeds in Latinas

, a proof of rightful possession ? Y ' et such deeds would be proof to the learned ; so to the uninitiated it is useless to cite instances of pillars , cubes , and monoliths ; but to those who know how to read our symbols and emblems aright , we may proudly point to those timehonoured monuments , and say , these are our . title-deeds to universality—these are pedigrees which vouch for our antiquity . — -Some other routine business " was transacted , and the lodge was ' closed in due form .

CANADA , AA EST . MASONIC INSTALLATION AND PRESENTATION . Tlie members of the Lodge of Strict Observance met in the Masonic Hall , Hamilton , on Thursday , the 27 th Dec ( St . John's Day ) , and installed their officers for the ensuing Masonic year . After the installation , the Worshipful Master performed the interesting ceremony of presenting to the R . W . Bro . Richard Bull , in the name of the lodge , a very handsome service of plate , consisting of a silver water pitcher , two goblets , and a salver . The following is the address of the lodge " accompanying the presentation , which was read by the AVorshipful Master : —•

To Right Worshipful Brother Richard Bull , Past Master , and Past District Deputy G-rani Master , Hamilton District . RIGHT AVORSHIPEUL SIR , —I have been'deputed , by the members ofthe Lodge of Strict Observance , to perform a very important task , one , which although onerous , is to me very pleasing . Your unwearied zeal and devotion to the cause of Masonry , and particularlto the interests of this lodgehave prompted its members

y , to testify to you , in some tangible manner , their appreciation of your endeavours . It has been your privilege for many years back , to occupy the Oriental Chair , and in that exalted position , to dispense light and knowledge to your brethren , teaching them to inculcate the principles of universal benevolence , to practice those truly commendable virtues , Brotherly love , Relief , and Truth , and to preserve

unsullied the reputation of our ancient and honourable order . It is pleasing to note that those lessons of instruction have not been given in vain , but that under your fostering care many rough ashlars have been made perfect , many superstructures have been raised alike useful to masonry and honourable to the builder , the lodge has flourished through times of depression and difficulty , and at present enjoys great prosperity . Permit methereforeto ask your acceptance of this group of

, , silver drinking . vessels , as a token of the esteem in which you are held hy the brethren of the Lodge of Strict Observance ; and to express the hope that , by their use from time to time , they may suggest the recollection of your many meetings with us , your brethren , in this sacred tabernacle , when conscious satisfaction , rewarded you after work , for your labour in communicating and in seeking to peqietuate the glorious truths of Masonry . AVe desirealsoto express the hope that you may enjoy length of

, , days to mingle among us and preside over us ; may peace , happiness , and prosperity accompany you in this life , and when the period of your probation draws to a close , and the Grand Master shall see fit to summon you forth , may it be to raise you from this terrestrial lodge to the celestial lodge above . 1 have the honour to be , Right Worshipful Sir , yours , fraternally , JAMES M . ROGERSON , AV . M . ofthe Lodge of Strict Observance , No . 27 , G . R . C

Bro . Bull made the following reply : — AVORSHIPFUL SIR AND BRETHREN , —In accepting , with sincere emotions of gratitude , this very valuable token of your kindness , you will believe me when I say , that I am unable adequately to express my feelings . It is indeed gratifying to find that my humble efforts to perpetuate a knowledge of the pure principles of our timehonoured institution , its aim and purpose , as well as the practice of its precepts , have not been unappreciated . You must permit me ,

however , to state that such a recognition of my feeble endeavours is more to be attributed to the overflowing of that generosity which characterises the members of the Lodge of Strict Observance , than to any peculiar merit on my part . You have been pleased to allude to my having occupied the Oriental Chair , and to the instruction which has been promulgated from that prized seat , noting that those lessons have not been given in vain . Such a resultAA ' orshiful Sirhas ever been iny chief aim

, p , , and , ' its recognition is of itself a reward of no mean value . To know that the sacred principles of Brotherly Love , Relief , and Truth , have not been urged in vain , but that they have fallen upon the ear like seed in good ground , is a true satisfaction , worthy of being highly prized ; and I assure you that your allusions on this point greatly enhance the value of your munificent present . Allow me againAA ' orshiful Sir and Brethrento thank

, p , you for this memorial of your kindness , and in this sacred retreat , hallowed by so many pleasing associations , to re-echo your kind wishes in behalf of the members of this lodge ; and may it prove no idle hope , that , devoting our faculties , truly and faithfully , to the glory of our Creator ancl the welfare of our fellow creatures , we may be permitted to enter into the celestial courts of that spiritual edifice not made with handseternal in the Heavens . So

, mote it be . The ceremonies having been completed , the brethren adjourned to the Royal Hotel , where they celebrated tho Festival of St . John with a ball , which was confined exclusively to the members of the fraternity .