Provincial.

within the entrance is the inscription , on a white metal plate , illuminated with red letters , "The Masonic Tower , founded July 8 th , 1 S 46 V" To this tower , which was originally intended to be erected at the expense of the Masonic Order , some lodges and several of the Masonic brethren contributed , hut not in amount sufficient to pay for its erection . The foundation having settled when the tower was raised to a few yards above the roof of the church , it was deemed imprudent to proceed

further with the Avork at that time . About twelve or eighteen months since some gentlemen were travelling on the railway , and the conversation having- turned on the tower of this church , one offered to contribute to the erection of the spire , another followed , and then a third and a fourth , and so a subscription was set on foot , which has resulted in raising about £ 200 . " The expenditure in finishing the spire is £ 300 ; architect , Bro . Jas . Green , of Portsmouth , near Todmorden . Upon the tower is

placed a "level" as a weather-vane , it havingbeenconsidered peculiarly appropriate both as a Masonic emblem , ancl to surmount a building consecrated to Divine worship . It is needless to say that the finishing of the spire has much improved the appearance of the church , which is an ornament to the valley , ancl requires only a clock and hells to make it one of the most complete and beaatiful of village churches . At the west end of the north aisle < f the church is a Masonic stained glass window , with the anus of the following donors thereon , and the inscription . " Brothers Mark Faviell , Edward Fiske Browne , and Abraham Greenwood Eastwood , caused this window to be made- Feast of St . Michael A . D . nulccclix . " Also in the north aisle is a

window of two lights , to the memory of Bro . John Crossley , of Scaitcliffe , F . A . S ., and of his deceased wife . Upon one light is the jewel and collar of the deceased Prov . G . M . Around the border of both lights are the sprig of acacia , pomegranate , ear of . corn , ancl five-pointed star alternately . In the upper portion are seraphs with trumpets , and in cross bands , the Scripture texts , " I am the resurrection aud the life , " and ' ¦ Blessed are the dead that die in the Lord . " The Transfiguration of our

Saviour , with the attendant disciples , Peter , and James , and John , and the figures of Moses and Elias , is illustrated in one of the lights ; in the other , the Agony in the Garden , the angel strengthening Christ ancl the sleeping disciples being introduced . At the bottom are the following words , "In memory of John Crossley Esq ,, F . A . S . ; died Dee . 11 ., mdecexxx ., aged lii . AlsoSarahhis wife ; died Junel 9 ., mdccclvil ., agedlxxviii . " These

memorial windows to his parents were placed in the church by Bro . J . Crossley , of Scaitcliffe , P . Prov . D . G . M . East Lancashire , just deceased . The east end of the south aisle has a stained glass window with the names of the officiating clergyman , churchwardens , and treasurer when the church was opened" George Dowty , perpetual curate . John Thurlow and Richard Smith , churchwardens . John Crossley , treasurer , A . D .

mdeccxlviii . " At the foot "To God be all the glory . " The east window of the church is composed of three lights—the centre one containing the subjects of the " Adoration of the Shepherds , " " The Crucifixion , " and " The Ascension , " separated

by medallion and other striking devices ; on the south or rig htlight— " Christ walking on the Sea , " St . Peter sinking , and the ship , & c ; the north or left light—The Saviour ' s "Charge to St . Peter , - " and St . Peter on his knees receiving the keys . The east window is crowned with an illuminated wheel—a cross in the middle , the points disposed in fleurs-de-lis . Two stained glass windows are on the south side of the chancel , one bearing the arms of Maude and Crossleythe other an Angus Dei—the

, , latter window having the inscription at foot— " John Crossley of his devotion gave this window . " The several subjects illustrated are within the form of a piscica vescis or pointed ellipse , those in the memorial windows being in an earlier and rather more severe stylo than those in the east window . Again on the north side the chancel is a window in stained glass Avith the arms of Crossley in the lower and of Taylor in the upper

compartment ; between this window ancl the vestry-door is the hatchment used on the death of the late Mrs . Ann Taylor of Todmorden Hall , an heiress in the Crossley family , which have been landholders in this neighbourhood for at least 500 or GOO years , and for near , if not the whole of that period , at Scaitcliffe . All the windows have a remarkably good effect , the figures are graceful and excellent in tone hireruband colours

, ; sapp , y , green prevail , but orange , amber , and other milder tints give softness and purity to the parts requiring it ; indeed faw examples in modern churches can excel the windows of this church . It would be impossible to enumerate the contributors , local and distant , to the building and embellishment of Walsden church ,

but among those through whom the fine east window has been enabled to he put in , we understand the Newals , of Littleborough , have rendered liberal assistance . Bro . E . Smith , of Inchfield-villa is treasurer of the spire fund , and has been mainly instrumental in raising the money received , which though considerable , is not quite adequate to pay off the charges incurred iu the work .

THE DEDICATION took place on St . Peter ' s Day , the 29 th ult . From the unsettled state of the weather for some time previously , many fears were entertained lest the dedication ceremony should be marred . This was partially the case ; the morning was lowering , the sky had the appearance of having work to do which , though performed slowly , might be done well . At noon the appearance was still more threatening , but long before the

procession started a large crowd had congregated near the Masonic Hall , and just before the time for departure the band arrived . A short delay and the procession issued from the hall , the band leading- off with " The Freemason ' s Holiday . " The opening facing the hall was crowded , as well as every space commanding a view . The balcony above Mrs . Lord ' s had been taken possession of by a bevy of ladies , the gallery leading to Mr . Stansfiekl's oSUcethe steps conducting toward the railway station ,

, and the road thereto were all useful as affording a sight of the demonstration . Church-street and the Strand were lined with spectators many of whom moved on with the procession . It was arranged the scholars and teachers of the Walsden Parochial School should join the procession at Bridge-end , but when the procession reached that point , the scholars had not arrived , causing a few minutes delay . They came by Batcher-hill , and

numbered about 300 , led by the Revs . AV . H . Orr , of \ A alsden , and Rev . S . Ware , of Buersill , Rochdale . The scholars now led tbe procession , Avhich now presented a respectable appearance in point of numbers , and a lively spectacle from the banners borne by the scholars . Arrived at the Birks-hall toll-bar they turned the corner of Messrs . Omerod ' s weaving-shedand thence along the road leading to

Hollins-, mount to the canal-bridge , where they entered by the west gateway into the grounds adjoining the church . The head of the procession having reached the ornamental . gateway of the churchyard , the scholars formed in line on each side of the road . The Revs . AV . H . Orr and S . Ware walked between the lines of scholars , with the hand followed by the Masonic brethren . The band played the National Anthem during the entrance to the

church , and the Masons passed under the joined swords of two officers ( the tylers ) of the Order at the gatevjay . The movement into church was somewhat hasty , a sharp shower falling at the time . Arrived in the church ( approaching three p . m . ) , a number of seats in the body of thechurchnext the pulpit had been reserved for the Masonic procession . Before the commencement of the service , Mr . Henry Greenwood , organist , played a voluntary on the organ . The oreliesra was well filled . The

attendance at the service was large , the church being entirely filled , and the service , which was musical , was very effective . The prayers were read by the Rev . J . B . Phillips , Prov . G . Prelate , and the lessons by the Rev . XV . H . Orr . Tbe sermon was preached by Bro . the Rev . J . L . Figgins , Prov . Q . Chap ., who selected for his text Zachariah iv ., part of the 7 th verse" And he shall bring forth the head-stone thereof with shoutingscrying gracegrace unto it . " Thepreacher said there was

, , no circumstance or event in human life in reference to which the infallible Word of the living God did not suggest something either for reproof , instruction , or comfort . He then proceeded , in an earnest and forcible address , to review the history of the Temple of Solomon , described its ancient splendour and the wondrous skill that had wrought its completion , and , tracing the later records of Christian efforts down to the present time , the rev . gentleman connected his subject with the interesting

event which those who were present had met to celebrate . When he looked at the beautiful building in which they were assembled , and saw the graceful spire -mo-anting upwards until its slight and tapering summit seemed as if it longed to kiss , the stars above , he thought that this , too , was a glorious house , and a wonderful specimen of Masonic craft . In the course of his further observations the preacher intimated to the congregation that the immediate object of his address was to obtain

additional funds towards the cost of the tower . He knew that with a Lancashire or Yorkshire audience the best way was to . be straightforward and plain spoken , and he would not go a long round-about way of begging ; that Avould be to insult his brethren ( for charity was the distinguishing part