Provincial.

your attention the claims of aged and decayed Freemasons and the widows of Freemasons . " Old Time , who changes all has altered them In soul , in aspect , as in age . " And the Royal Masonic Institutions for their relief have strong ancl peculiar claims upon your compassionate benevolence . It is one of the forms in which the spirit of Freemasonry is

embodied—a spirit of reverence ancl love for our aged brethren , of sympathy with their wants , and intense desire to relieve them . May that sympathy overshadow us and work within us , and open every soul to help " the charities that soothe and heal and bless . " Be assured , brethren , that exactly in proportion as we become attached and devoted to Freemasonry , we shall exhibit the increase of real benevolence and self-denying

exertionsthat the nearer we approximate to universal love the higher we ascend in the scale of Masonic excellence , the grand characteristic of which is to view the world as one united whole , mankind as one family , all nations as one blood , springing from the Father of All , tending to one common destiny . The divisions and distractions of mankind vanish away before such a prospect , and give signs of the approach of that briht erawhen the

g , names of neither sect or party shall no more be heard , but all shall form " one fold under one shepherd . " Finally , remember that you are expected to act as stewards of the manifold gifts of God ; that neutrality in a cnuse like this is peculiarly detestable . Remember who has said , " He that gathereth not with me scattereth abroad ; " while He has declared , as an immutable axiom , that " it is more blessed to give than to receive . "

Remember the apostle ' s solemn charge , that you "trust not in uncertain riches , but in the living God , who giveth us richly all things to enjoy ; that you do good and be rich in good works , ready to distribute , willing to communicate ; laying up in store for yourselves a good foundation against the time to come , that you may lay hold of eternal life . " Give , then , my friends , in a confiding spirit . Give in tbe strength of faith , hope , ancl charity . Give to increase the holiness of earth and the happiness of heaven . Give that you may become fellow labourers with God for the benefit of man .

"For when the vanities of life ' s brief clay Oblivion's hurrying wing shall sweep away , Each act of charity and mercy done High o ' er the wrecks of time shall live alone , Immortal . as the heavens—and beauteous bloom In other worlds and realms beyond the tomb . "

I add no more . The cause of those on whose behalf f have been pleading rests with yourselves . It is one requiring not arguments , but deeds ; not eloquent appeals , but generous contributions . May the Great Architect of the Universe apply what has been said to your consciences , and cause it to bringforth fruit in your hearts . A collection having been made , which produced a handsome sum , the brethren returned to their loclge , where the business programme of Grand Lodge was completed , and the same closed in strict Masonic form .

Rest having followed labour , the brethren , each wearing his insignia of office , proceeded to refreshment . Thegrand banquet , which was a truly superb repast , was laid out with great taste in the very handsome assemblv-room of the Royal Oak Hotel , and the catering of Bro . Bradford and his good lady was such as to call forth repeated and well-deserved encomiums . The apartment was decorated with great judgment , the panels of tho walls being filled in with wellpainted " Grand

- Lodge emblems , the Prov . G . Loclge banner ( hung over the R . AV . Master's . chair ) being supported by a portrait of the Grand Master of England , the Earl of Zetland , and a drawing of the new Masonic Schools . The room was otherwise adorned with ferns and flowers , and the tables displayed handsome centrepieces , over which fruits aud flowers were grouped with great taste .

The Prov . 6 . Chaplains asked a blessing ancl offered thanks , and the musical portion of the entertainment was under the management of Bro . Bradley , who ably presided at the pianoforte , and was assisted by Bro . Robinson . The Prov . G . Master was supported by the D . Prov . G . M . ancl tlie Prov . G . Chaplains ( Bros , the Rev . H . Kaye Booker and the Rev . J . Buckle ) , and among those present were Bros , the Rov . J 7 ' ™; W . M . Palladin , 120 ; H . Greeg , P . Prov . G . D , ^ r ; H Jobn TIl ° mas , United Pilgrims , Sec . 857 , 860 , ? . M . 507 , 720 , Prov . G . Dir . of Cers , R . A . ; S . Wallace , J . G . W .

338 ; A . . Stringer , S . AV . 751 ; W . Daggs , P . M . 892 , and P . Prov . S . G . W . ; S . Partridge , P . M . ; E . Hyde , J-AV . ; W . J . Wormington , P . Prov . S . G . W , and S . W . 892 ; J . VV . Butcher , S . D . 892 ; T . Griffiths , Salopian ; A . Gordon , Vitruvian Lodge ; C . Whitcomb , J . Bellow , and H . Robinson , S 92 ; J . G . Hewett , Prov . G . Sec , 338 ; E . Gregg , W . M . 892 ; T . Jowett , Prov . G . Dir . of Cers , ancl 120 ; W . H . Kirby , 892 ; H . R . Luckes , D . Prov . G . M . ; J . Bradford , 892 ; A . Osborne , 338 ; Richard

AVilliams . Treas . Sll ; W . Prosser , 126 ; J . Turner , Thomas , 545 ; F . Nash , 337 and P . M . 1 , 067 ; J . H . Wilding , 120 ; M . Bradley , 892 , & c . On the removal of the cloth , the Prov . G . Master rose aud said : Freemasonry and loyalty are twin brothers . We love her Majesty because she loves the law , respects its bounds , and reigns content within them . Brethren , ! give you "The Health of her Most Gracious Majesty the Queen , " under whose gentle sway we enjoy that constitutional freedom without which humanity withers .

Tho Prov . G . Master then said : You all know , brethren , that since our last Provincial Grand Lodge the Prince of Wales has followed the example of his royal grandfather , the Duke of Kent , his royal great uncle , the late Duke of Sussex , ancl other members of his illustrious house , hy becoming a member of our ancient fraternity . His Royal Highness now holds the rank of Past Grand Master , and consequently we have the honour and satisfaction of drinking " The Health of our future King as a

Masonic brother . " The Prov . G . Master then gave " The Health of the Grand Master , the Earl of Zetland , " who , like his royal predecessor , the Duke of Sussex , had filled that office for more than a quarter of a century . . The noble earl had now " some smack of age in him , some relish of the saltness of time , " but his intellect wasas vigorous as overhis Masonic experience unsurpassedand he

, , was deservedly rich in the unfeigned esteem , affection , and confidence of the great and influential fraternity over whom he has so long , so ably , and so kindly ruled . The Prov . G . Master then , in a speech characterised by quiet humour , gave the toast of "The R . AV . D . G . Master of England , the Earl de Grey and Ripon , " which was received with Masonic honours .

The D . Prov . G . Master said : Brethren , I rise to give " The Health of our Masonic chief , Dr . Bowles , " and although I desirepersonally to make it a special toast at this gathering , I am sure that the province over which he so wisely and so kindly rules ,, equally desires with myself to pay him a compliment for the warm interest he continues to take in the Craft . I assure you that is tho constant desire and study of the Prov G . Master to . carry out the duties of his office with true Masonic zealin all

, kindness , and under tlie auspices of true Masonic brotherhood . It is a difficult task to propose the health of the Provincial . Grand Master , for all I could say of him would but very inadequately express the high esteem in which we hold him , and therefore 1 will content myself with asking you to join me cordially and heartily in drinking his health . The Provincial Grand Master in reply said : I thank you with

all my heart and mind for the more than brotherly kindness with which you have received the toast proposed by my lion , friend and brother the Deputy Provincial Grand Master . I am . far too sensible of my own deficiency to accept as my due the eulogistic speech of my too partial friend , but as your exceedingkindness permitted the encomium to pass unchallenged , he will consider it a description of what I ought to be and not what I

am . "On their own merits modest men are dumb "—consequently my deputy has not said a word to you about the able and continuous help he gives me , but I should be most ungrateful if I did not embrace this opportunity of publicly tendering to Bro . Luckes my Hearty acknowledgement , and permit me to observe , brethren , that you ought to share in the expression of my satisfaction , inasmuch us the Deputy Provincial Grand Master covers my short-comings and is consistently and

, judiciously zealous in the fulfilment of his duties . Brethren , I have nowpresidecl over this province for nearly a quarter of a century , and permit me out of the fulness of my heart to say that each returning anniversary ofthe few that remain to me recalls more vividly to my mind the recollection of my dear and valued friend and deputy , the late Archdeacon Lane-Freer , who for so many years sat on my right . hand in our lodges , charming us

with his large hearted benevolence which recognises in every man a human brother , and exhorting us with his fervid eloquence to let our light so shine before men that they may see our good work , and glorify our Father which is in heaven . The memory