Metropolitan.

being uncertain , and all earthly pursuits vain , let us no longer postpone the important concern of preparing for eternity , but embrace the happy moment while time and opportunity oiler , to provide against change , when all the pleasures of the world shall cease to delight and the reflections of a virtuous conduct yield the only comfort and consolation . Our expectations will

not then have been frustrated , nor shall we be hurried unprepared into the presence of an All-wise and Powerful Judge , to whom the secrets of all hearts are known , ancl from whoso dread tribunal no culprit can escape . Let us while in this stage of existence support with propriety the character of our profession , advert to the nature of our solemnities , and pursue with assiduit y the sacred tenets of our Order , so that when the awful moment arrives that wo are about to lake our departure ,

be it soon or late , we may be enabled to prosecute , our journey without dread or apprehension tofch . it far distant country from which no traveller returns . By the light of the Divine countenance we may yiass without trembling through the gloomy

mansions where all things arc forgotten ; and at the great and tremendous day of trial and retribution , when arraigned at tho bar of Divine justice , we may hope that judgment will be pronounced in our favour and that we shall receive our reward in the possession of an inheritance where joy flows in one continual stream , and with no mound to check its course . May God in his infinite goodness extend his mercy towards us , and crown our hope with everlasting bliss in those expanded realms

where the Great Architect of the Universe lives and reigns for ever . " The address of Bro . Thompson was listened to with the deepest attention , aud some of the brethren were deeply affected by it . The rest of the business was disposed of , and the lodge was closed in solemn prayer . The brethren then adjourned for refreshmentafter which the

, usual toasts were given . In the course of tho evening , Bro . F . Walters , in returning thanks for the " Masonic Charities / ' with which his name had been associated , threw out some excellent practical hints how they might he more extensively supported , and which there is good reason to believe will be acted upon . A very harmonious and happy meeting was spent , and tho brethren adjourned before eleven o ' clock .

Provincial.

PROVINCIAL .

CHESHIRE . BIRKENHEAD . Provincial Grand Lodge . The annual meeting of this Prov . G . L . was held on Thursday , 7 th inst , at tho Music Hall . In pursuance of the directions ofthe R . W . P . G . M . ( the Right Hon . the Lord de Tabley ) , the annual meeting of the Provincial Grand Lod of Cheshire was

ge then held , and the summons was cordially responded to , not only by the Provincial Grand Officers , W . M . ' s , P . M . ' s , " and Wardens in the province , but also by the members of the ' sister lodges in other parts of the country , who numbered in greater numbers than are usually to be met with at these interesting periodical gatherings . There were about 300 of the brethren piesent , which shows a great increase tho gatherina- which

upon took place at Macclesfield last year . The Provincial Grand Lodge was announced to open at noon , but it was some time after that hour before the members were found in their places and the business of the meeting was proceeded with . Amongst the most prominent of tho brethren present were Bros . Thomas Wilcoek , W . M . 245 ; Daniel Wooley , W . M "S 7 Peter Wills , W . M . 1 , 088 ; E . G . Tieass , W . M . 430 ; J . E . Shanks '

P . Prov . G . S . B . Devonshire ; William Rigbv , P . Prov . G . Purst ' 758 ; H . S . Aspimvall , W . M . 267 ; E . Dakin Garvin , P . G . Chap . T . Armstrong , P . G . J . D . West Lancashire ; William Fair P Prov . G . S . W . ; John Twiss , P . G . Org . ; Robert Wylie , P . Assist . ' G . jDir . of Cers . West Lancashire ; J . Hcalim ; , W . M . 1264-W . H . Perrin , W . M . 33 G ; J . Hocken , AA . M . 673 ; J . BeresYord ' W , M . 104 II . WWorrall 721 Peter WadsworthWM 295

; . , ; , . H . Ishei-wood , W . M . 322 ; Robert Sykes , W . M . 324 ; G White ' W . M . 979 ; J . Martin , W . M . 293 ; T . Stafford , P . Prov . Dir of Cers . 1 , 085 ; C . Atkinson , AV . M . 323 ; J . Swindells , P . G . Tyler W . Hague , W . M . 830 ; J . P . Piatt , P . G . J . W . ; J . Barclay , P . G Sec . 539 ; F . Jackson , jun , P . G . Dir . of Cers . Cheshire- — Mclntyre , G . Reg . ; Thomas Piatt , P . Prov . J . G . D . ; F . Binckes

P . G . Steward ; W . Evans , W . M . 220 ; Horatio Lloyd , P . Prov . G . S . D . Cheshire , 425 ; E . Newbold , P . G . SD . 247 ; J . A . Sharpe , P . M . 292 ; H . S . Alpass , P . G . Sec . West Div . of Lancashire ; R . Grade , W . M . 477 : G . H . Hobsnn , P . M . 477 ; E . G . Willoiurhbv , P . Prov . J . W . P . M . 477 ; K . Meacock , P . M . 477 ; E . Harbor ' d , S . W . 477 ; S . Jones , S . D . 4-77 ; C . Sayer , J . D . 477 ; J . II . JohnstonSec . 477 ; J . Griffith , J . G . 477 ; W . R .

, Bainbridgc , P . M . 721 ; Tysilio Johnson , P . M . 1 , 013 ; Edward Friend , P . M . 1 , 013 ; Simon Lewis , Treas . 1 , 013 ; C . Leedinan , P . M . 220 ; C . J- Butterfielcl , Sec . 220 : . John Lunt , P . M . 1 , 086 ; XV . Archer , P . M . 1 , 086 ; R . Humphivvs , See . G 06 , J . AV . 384 and 1 , 113 ; C . Wigan , P . G . Sec . North Wales and Shropshire , & c . The brethren were recjuested to appear in full Craft Masonic clothing and jewels , with white cravats aud gloves , and this order from headquarters was almost unexceptioi ' illy

attended to . After some delay , the Provincial Grand Lodge was opened iu proper form , Lord de Tabley taking bis seat upon tbe throne by virtue of his office as R . W . P . G . M . Tho P . G . Sec . ( Bro . E . H . Griffiths ) , after calling the roll , read the minutes of the previous Prov . G . L . meeting at Macclesfield , and also the minutes of the Committee of the Fund of Benevolence , which were found to be correctly recorded , and passed unanimously . Tho G . Treas . ( Bro . T . Bland . Macclesfield ) read his financial statement , and reported that the expenditure last year was

very large , in consequence of the disbursements for the Zetland Testimonial , the Palestine Exploration Fund , the Cheshire Educational Institution , etc . Notwithstanding these extra demands , however , he reported that there was a balance in hand of £ 1 , 371 5 s . Id . He proposed that , in addition to the money alread y invested wiih the Birkenhead commissioners , a further sum of £ 200 should be disposed of . The accounts , with the proposed disposal of the sum of ; t 200 , were unanimously

adopted . The P . G . M- then nominated Bro . T . Bland , as the P . G . Treas . Bro . Bland ' s election was confirmed by acclamation . The R . W . P . G . M . then proceeded to nominate his Grand Officers for the ensuing year , and the following brethren were uuanimouslv elected : — Bros . G . Cornwall Legh , ilf . P ., R . AA . D . P . (;' . M . ; Capt . Cope . P . G . S . W . ; Henry Bulley , P . G . J . W , -

Rev . G . IT . Hobson and Rev . F . Terry , P . G . Chaps . ; John Wood , P . G . lies . ; E . If . Griffith ? . P . G . Sec . ; Charles Dutton , P . G . S . D . ; James Hampson , P . G . J . D . ; F . Jackson and AA . J . Bates , P . G . Dirs . of Cers . ;—Brattan , P . G . Supt . of Works ; J . C . Cheetlr . mi , P . G . S . B . ; J . Harold , P . G . Purst . ; J . Twiss , P . G . Org . ; J . Swindells , P . G . Ty ler : J . H . Johnston , T . K . Stevenson , T . Leighton , O . Jones , J . Sillitoe , II . M . Barclay , P . Prov . Stewards .

In accordance with former pr .-ictii-e , the R . W . P . G . M . then addressed the Provincial Grand Lodge on the condition of Masonry in Cheshire , and he remarked that he was happy to be able to congratulate the Craft on ils continued prosperity , thanks to the efforts of tho masters and brethren of tbe different lodges within the province . He also congratulated tho brethren upon the successful efforts they had made in securing the admission of Bro . Saxby to the benefits of the Masonic

institution , and counselled the brethren to be unanimous iu their votes as to any candidate who might be hi ought forward , as the only means of securing his admission . He concluded by thanking the Grand Officers ancl brethren for the sympathy they had shown to hi in during the past year , and for the cordial reception he had always met with when attending the Provincial Grand Lodge , and he assured them it would be always his endeavour to merit their support and confidence .

Bro . Capt . Cope was reappointed chairman of the Committee of the Fund of Benevolence . After considerable discussion it was agreed , on the motion of Bro . Latham , seconded by Bro . Fair , that the consideration of the nomination ofthe most deserving candidate by the Provincial Grand Loclge of Cheshire for admission to the Boy's School should be referred to the Committee of the Fund of Benevolence , to meet in about ton days for that purpose .

The R . AV . P . G . M . proposed a vote of thanks to the Rev . Mr . Sandberg , vicar of St . John ' s for the use of his church for the clay ' s services ; and this proposition was unanimously adopted . Lord de Tabley announced that he would hold the next Provincial Grand meeting at Congleton , where it had not been held since 1852 .