Provincial.

of the late Archdeacon Freer is revered and cherished by the Freemasons of Herefordshire—nay , in the noblest sense it may be said that he yet lives , for " To live in hearts we leave behind is not to die . " Brethren , I will not weary you by attempting in an afterdinner speech to brush away any of the dust which has from time to time been scattered over Freemasonry . It is sufficient for us to know that , however darkly its antiquity and its origin

may be obscured by the dust of past ages , the fraternal principles on which it is founded remain iu all their pristine brilliancy and vigour , and will continue to flourish till time shall be no more . But I cannot enter on this fruitful subject . Let me say that I see everywhere in Freemasonry the great design of liberating and raising the human mind . I see in Freemasonry nothing narrowing or depressing—nothing of the bitterness of the systems which human fearcraftancl ambition

, , have engendered—everything breathes freedom , Hberalty enlargement—everything is pregnant with those all—comprehending truths which are given to the soul to be developed and applied by itself ; given to it as seed to the sower , to be cherished and expanded by its own thought into more and more

glorious fruits of wisdom and virtue . Brethren , permit me in conclusion to propose a toast which I am sure you will receive with all honour—the " Health of the Deputy Provincial Grand Master of Herefordshire , Bro . Henry Richards Luckes . " The D . Prov . G . Master said : After the very eloquent speech we have just had addressed to us , brethren , I cannot but feel very humble in knowing that I am so feeble a successor of that great aud good man , the late Archdeacon Lane Freer , who

occupied so exalted a position both as a Frocmasou as well as in the social and religious world . I can only say that I regard my appointment to the chair of tbe D . Prov . G . Master of Herefordshire as a great honour , that I feel an earnest love for Masonry , that I take the liveliest interest in the well-being of the province , aud that so far as in me lies , its advancement shall never be forgotten . I am happy to inform the brethren that the contributions from the province to the Masonic charities last

year amounted to .-63 S 10 s , and , brethren , if we take up the subject in the spirit in which it has been set before us to-day , I am sure that we shall find oar hands strengthened and Masonry flourish . I am most desirous of carrying out Masonry in its high and noble spirit of charity , and hy using our joint energies I hope to be able to remit double that amount at the close of the current

year . The Prov . G . Master then proposed "The health of the Prov . G . Secretaries , Bros . John IT . AVilding and John E . S . Hewett . " Bros . AVilding and Hewett responded . Tbe D . Prov . G . Master , iu a complimentary speech , gave the toast of "The past ancl present Provincial Grand Officers . " Bro . Alfred Osborne returned thanks . The D . Prov . G . Master recalled the pleasure he felt in making

his first visit to the Royal Edward Loclge , when he attended to iustal a brother in the chair , and he therefore proposed " The health of Bro . Gregg , W . M , Bro . Partridge , P . M ., and the other officers of the loclge , " with thanks for the arrangements made . Bros . Gregg , W . M , ancl Partridge , P . M . replied in acknowledgment of the compliment . The Prov . G . Master then gave " The health of the visitors . "

Bro . John Thomas , of London , replied in a speech of considerable length . Bro . J . Turner Thomas also returned thanks as a visitor . Bro . Thomas Griffiths responded as a member of the Salopian Lodge at Shrewsbury . The brethren shortly afterwards separated . We are pleased to add that the collection after the sermon and the banquet produced upwards of twenty-six guineas .

SOUTH WALES CAEDIEP—Bute Lodge ( No . 960 ) . —At the regular meeting of this lodge , at the Consulate Chambers , Bute Docks , on Tuesday , the 7 th inst ., an official visit was paid b y the Provincial Grand Master , Bro . Theodore Mansel Talbot , who was accompanied by Bros . E . J . Morris , D . Prov . G . M . ; R . F . Laii" -ley , P . Prov . S . G . AV . ; T . HodgeP . Prov . S . G . AV . D . RobertsP

, ; , . Prov . G . Reg . ; E . J . Thomas , P . Prov . G . Dir . of Cers . ; and numerous other officers of Grand Lodge past and present . The W . M , Bro . W . Willans , was supported by bis Past Masters , Bros . W . H . Martin , P . Prov . S . G . D . ; John Willans , P . Prov . S . G D ; T . B . Bell , Prov . S . G . W . ; and P . Bird , P . Prov . G . Reg . ; F . Ware , S . W . ; and J . Hurnian , J . W ., in addition to about forty

Provincial.

other members of the loclge , which , although tho youngest , is about the most numerous as well as tho best worked in the province . Mr . H . L . AVard was initiated into the Order , and Bros . J . L . C . AA ard and T . Beddoes were passed to the second degree , both ceremonies being performed in a manner which elicited the warm eulogiums of the Prov . G . Master . The sum of five guineas was voted from the funds of the lodge , upon the motion ot Bros . John Willans and XV . II . Martinto the

, relief of the widow of a late member of the lodge , and after the proposition of two gentlemen for ballot at the next meeting , and other routine business , the loclge was closed , and the brethren , to the number of about fifty , adjourned to the Windsor Hotel , where supper was provided by Host Samuel Marks .

Scotland.

SCOTLAND .

GLASGOW . GLASGOW . —Lodge of Glasgow St . John ( No . 3 bis ) . —Tho first meeting of tbe winter session of this lodge was held upon the 7 th inst , Bro . John Baird , R . W . M , in the chair ; Bros , McMillan , S . W , aud Kyle , acting J . W . There were also present . Bros . Park , P . M . ; A . McTaggart , R . W . M . ; J . Wallace , Prov . S . G . D . ; C . F . Martier , from England , and a large number of

brethren . The loclge having been duly opened , the minutes were read ancl passed . Two gentlemen wore afterwards initiated into the Order , Bro . McMillan , S . W ., impressively performing the ceremony . Bro . Matier being duly proposed by the R . AV . M ., seconded by Bro . Buchan , and unanimously approved of , was constituted au affiliated member of this ancient lodge , the O . B . being administered by the latter . After business the lod

ge being called to refreshment , a happy evening was passed , during which the worthy Tyler , Bro . J . Pollock , who is sometimes familiarly styled in a homely way , " Old AVaterloo , " was presented by the R . W . M . in the name of Bro . Lieut . Hunter , with a walking stick cut from the plains where , fifty-four years ago , Bro . Pollock had manfully acted his part in upholding the honour of his country . Bro . Pollock—long life to him—having

duly acknowledged the gift , made his salute pro forma , and retired to his post . The usual loyal and Masonic toasts were given , Bro . Matier responding for the Grand Loclge of England . One remark of Bro . McTaggart ' s is especially worthy of notice , viz , "As Freemasons , you have an organisation whose ramifications extend throughout the whole world—what are you going to do with it ? " Bro . Wallace and other visiting brethren having replied on behalf of their lodges , " Happy to meet , sorry to part , and happy to meet again , " was given , after which the lodge was closed iu duo and ancient form .

Ireland.

IRELAND .

OPENING AND ' DEDICATION OF CARGYCREEVY MASONIC HALL . The Masonic Hall of Cargycreevy , in the townland of that name , about five miles from Lisburn , and half-way between Lisburn and Ballinahincli , was consecrated and dedicated to the purposes of Masonry on Saturday , the 4 th inst , by the officebearers ofthe Provincial Grand Lodge of Antrim . The

foundation-stone of the hall was laid about eighteen months since . It has been erected from plans prepared by Bro . AVm . Redfern Kelly , of Belfast , and it is remarkably appropriate for the purposes for which it has been built . The hall stands on an elevated position , and is erected on ground—the free gilt to the lodge of Cargycreevy from D . S . Ker , Esq , D . L ., ancl has cost about £ 800 . This is the first Masonic Hall we understand

opened in Ireland as the result of voluntary contribution , audit is highly creditable to the Masons of the district . The following lodges were represented : — Provincial Grand Loclge of North Antrim—Sir Chas . Lanyon , D . Prov . G . M . ; James Girdwood , Grand Dir . of Cers . ; H . J . Hill , G . J . AV . ; S . G . Crymble , G . S . D . ; Thomas Dunlop , M . D ., P . I . G . ; J . McCracken , G . S . AV . ; Joseph Finlay , Standard Bearer No . 7 Alex . TaitIT . M . Girdwood ; 22355954407786

, , , , , , , , , 66 , 97 , 51 , 46 , 109 , 111 , 113 , 133 , 136 , 186 , 272 , 375 , 609 , 556 , 606 , 602 , 615 , 624 and 659 . At " High Twelve" the brethren who purposed taking part in the ceremony of consecration and dedication assembled together in the Cargycreevy Presbyterian Church , wearing the clothing ,