Provincial.

eye , they may here enter into ; that they abounding in all holy conversation and godliness of living , and with fervent charity to those in need , may become examples for good to all around them . And to all those who shall be invested with the government of this lodge , grant that their life and conduct may ever be guided by Thy word and power ; that they may bear rule with diligence and good acceptance , and with brotherly kindness to all under their charge , that they may be endued with wisdom

to enable them faithfully to define the sacred mysteries of our Order , for the instruction and welfare of their brethren , and to engage them to a due obedience of Thy precepts . Bless , 0 Lord , all our brethren wherever dispersed over the earth , and all those in sorrow , sickness , trial , or need , send to them help from Thy holy place , as in mercy Thou seest needful for them . And may the bond of union continue to strengthen all our lodges through the world , that Thy name may be known and

adored throughout all the nations of the earth . And to all of us let Thy good Providence surround us with the blessings Thou seest needful for us , and inspire our hearts with thankfulness for Thy mercy and loving kindness towards us ; and looking forward to those gracious rewards which Thou hast laid up for them that faithfully serve Thee , may we all with patience , ancl hope , and faith , wait for the accomplishment of Thy good pleasure concerning us . Amen . " The second lesson was part of Isaiah Hi . Then followed the Processional Psalm 122 nd .

During the Processional Psalm the brethren became so impressed with the spiritual meaning of the ceremony , that they all joined gradually as the procession passed , till at length a complete circle was accidentally formed as true as stretched by a compass composed of nearly sixty of the bretliren , in which the following concluding prayer was offered up : — " 0 Almighty God , infinite , eternal , uncreated light . AVho sittest iu the hihest heavensinvested with essential glory and

g , Divine perfections ; who fillest all things with Thy presence , for Thou art everywhere by Thine essence ancl Thy power ; in heaven by Thy glory , in the hearts of Thy servants by Thy spirit , and hath all things in continual observation of Thee ; accept , we pray Thee , our adoration ancl praise . Grant to us , Lord , the continual dew of Thy blessing , that we may increase in wisdom and understanding , and in true knowledge of Thee

and of Thy word . Confirm our faith , increase our hope , enlarge our charity , that the bonds of brotherly kindness may become daily move and more strengthened amongst us , and that we may continually rejoice in the practice of every virtue pleasing in Thy sight . 0 Thou Holy One of Israel , everlasting Creator , Redeemer , and Governor of all things , let the bright beams of Thy heavenly light descend upon us , to illuminate our minds ,

to quicken our hearts , and engage us in a true faith in Thee , and an ardent love to Thee ; and so direct our steps in obedience to Thy laws , and in the works of Thy commandments , that passing safely under Thy divine protection through the intricate windings of this mortal existence , we may at last attain to the region of eternal light ancl bliss , where Thou reignest in perfect glory , and majesty eternal , one God , blessed

for ever . Amen . " At the conclusion of tho prayer the following hymn was sung : — Grateful notes and numbers bring , AVhile Jehovah ' s praise we sing ; Holy , holy , holy Lord , Be thy name by all adored ! Hallelujah , Amen .

All on earth , and all above , Sing the great Redeemer ' s love ; Lord , thy mercies never fail—Hail , celestial goodness , hail ! Hallelujah , Amen . Tho' unworthy , Lord thine ear These our Hallelujahs hear ;

Purer praise we hope to bring , When with saints we stand and sing Hallelujah , Amen . Lead us to that blissful seat AVhere thou reign'st supremely groat , Till we come to reign with thee , And thy glorious greatness see . Hallelujah , Amen . After this , the very beautiful patriarchal blessing was given ,

which concluded this very interesting Masonic ceremonial : — " May the God of our Fathers , tbe God of Abraham , of Isaac , and of Jacob , who hath led us through our life long ; the angel of the everlasting Covenant , who hath redeemed us from all . evil ; the God who sanctifieth us ; may He bless us aud keep us , from henceforth and for ever . Amen . " The Consecrating Master was attended by his two Deacons throughout the whole of this elaborate ceremonial .

~ - THE BAS - QUEI . Immediately on the conclusion of the ceremony at 2 ' 30 p . m ., the brethren adjourned to the banqueting lodge room of the Royal Breakwater Hotel ( Bro . Sansom's ) , where , amidst magnificent floral adornments , luncheon was laid out in the most elegant style of that well-known house , the prime resort of all visitors to the island . The AV . ALBro . R . N . Howardcalled

, , the brethren from labour to refreshment , and again occupied the chair , supported by Bros . Coombs and Jacob , and the AV . Masters of the respective lodges present . The AV . M . in the chair , in speeches prefaced with all that beauty and freedom of expression only heard within a Masonic lodge , proposed successively , " The Queen and the Craft , " " The Earl of Zetland , ancl the Grand Lodge , " " The New Lodge of Portland , "

" The Health of Bro . Jacob , " ancl thanks to him for the ceremony which ho had performed in a manner which all present had declared to be unequalled ; "The Masters of the various Lodges represented , " who severally returned thanks , and with similar compliments , including one to the ancient Freemasonry of Scotland , ancl to the Press , represented by Bro . AV . AV . Fyfe ; to the host , Bro . Sansom , for the admirable spirit with which ho had laid all the resources of his house and

of tho island at the disposal of the brethren , the hours slid on fringed with clue and orderly harmony , enlivened by many gay and festive songs , and , as the moment for the departure of the steamer drew nigh , many a vow was registered that this first Masonic visit to Portland should not be the last , but that the first Monday of every mouth would be marked , more or less , by an influx of the bretliren of the mystic tie . DURHAM . HAETLEPOOE . —St . Helen ' s Lodge ( No . 531 ) . —The brethren

of this lodge met on Thursday evening , the 6 th inst ., at eight o ' clock , in the Masonic Hall , for the purpose of holding the usual monthly lodge . The AV . M ., Bro . George Moore , M . D ., P . AI . 764 , and P . Prov . J . G . AV ., was in the chair . There were likewise present Bros . Simpson Armstrong , P . M . and Treas . ; A . Nathan , S . AV . ; AV . J . Siveright , J . AA' . ; T . AV . Hearon ; Stonier Leigh , Sec . ; J . J . Armstrong , T . Forbes , H . Sale , J . Parker , J . Mowbray ; and Visitor Bro . J . Smith . After tbe lodge had

been opened in due form with solemn prayer , the minutes of two previous lodges were read ancl confirmed . As there was no business before the lodge requiring much attention , it was opened in the second degree , and the lecture on the tracing board of that degree was given by Bro . Leigh , with the usual illustrations , to which the brethren listened with attention . The lodge was then closed down to the first degree . After some little financial business had been transactedthe Sec .

, proposed and the Treas . seconded , that in case the arrears of quarterages of certain members be not paid before next regular meeting , their names be struck off the roll of tbe lodge as defaulters , and they be no longer considered members . It was carried unanimously . It was next agreed , after some discussion , that the refreshment next regular lodge be increased by a hot supperto be paid for btbe brethren . The lod

, y ge was then finally closed , and the brethren retired to the anteroom to refreshment . After the usual loyal and Masonic toasts , the toast of the evening was proposed , " Tlie Senior Member of the Lodge , Bro . Hearon , " who , in consequence of residing at a distance , had not visited the lodge for several years , but had come purposely this evening to renew his acquaintance with , the brethren . His services to the lodge for some years as

Secretary , Avhen an active member , were referred to in eulogistic terms by the proposer , and the toast was warmly received . The brethren separated at an early hour . SOUTH AVALES ( EASTERN DIVISION ) . ABEEAVOIT . — Afan Lodge ( No . 833 ) . —The usual monthly meeting of this lodgo was held on Thursday , the 6 th of July , at the lodge rooms , the Prov . G . M . and the D . Prov . G . M . being present , and the attendance of the officers and