Provincial.

Lodge of Peace and Harmony , to beg your aceeptauce of that portrait as some testimony , though a very humble and inadequate one , of their affectionate regard for you as a man and a Mason ; and wo sincerely hope you will allow it to grace this hall as a token of tho great estimation in ivhieh you are held , and as a proof of the entire approbation of j'our conduct , and a grateful remembrance of the numerous benefits you have conferred ou the Craft . AVe feel assured that your untiring effort iu promoting the benefits of Freemasonry ivill receive its honourable

reward , and we always rejoice in the opportunity of hailing yon , Bro . Stebbing , as our parental adviser . ( Hear , hear ) . AVe earnestly pray that you may always be enabled to carry out those noble principles Avhich , you have ever so ably advocated and illustrated by precept and example . Three years since there was scarcely a sufficient number of members to enable the Lodge to be opened ; but you took office , and the Lodge at once sprung from its obscurity into prosperity , like a Phcenix from its ashes . New * vigour was imparted to itand your

, success ivas perfect and complete . ( Hear , hear ) . It has acquired now a strength of over sixty members , and to you we feel ourselves indebted , and beg , therefore , to express our gratitude by the presentation of this beautiful 2 ) ortrait , ivhich may servo to convince you of our sincerity . I , myself , cau safely say that you are in heart a true Mason , and that to you every child of sorrow is a brother , self only being forgotten . ( Hear , and cheers ) . I have said too little to satisfy my own personal feelings . I am deeply convinced of lny inability to clo justice to the sentiments of my brethren

or my own , but at the same time I pray you to excuse the imperfection of my address , and trust you will receive what 1 have said in the same spirit as it is offered . I dare not trust my feelings any farther ; delicacy forbids me to say more , but truth and justice ivill not allow me to say less . ( Hear ) . In conclusion , I sincerely implore the protection of the Supreme Architect of the Universe on our excellent Bro . Stebbing . May he long continue ivith us here , and he crowned in his future career ivith every earthlblessing ; and Avb . cn his mortal race is runmay he

y , be received into that immortal Lodge prepared for all good men in Heaven above . ( Loud cheers ) . The portrait , ivhich hung immediately over the head of the respected brother , was seen to be a most effective and striking likeness . It repre- , sented , at full length , the worthy brother in the attitude of addressing

a Lodge meeting , he being in full Masonic costume . The talented artist ivas Bro . Gaugain , upon whom the work of art reflects great credit . Upon a pedestal , the folloiviiig inscription appeared , at the lower part of the picture— "Presented to Brother Joseph Rankin Stebbing , AY . M ., No . 10 S 7 , P . Prov . S . G . AV ., P . Prov . G . See ., P . M ., Nos . 152 , 4 G 2 , and 555 , at the Provincial Grand Lodge of Hampshire , helcl at Southampton , 185 !) , by the Loclge of Peace ancl Harmony , No . ' 162 , of ivhich he was W . M . " in the years 1850 and 1857 . "

Bro . Stebbing , on rising to respond to the compliment , was very Avavioly received by the AvViolo of Grand Lodge . Evidently deeply affected by the proceedings , he then addressed the assembly , and gave vent to his almost overpowered feelings in the following eloquent , manly , and straightforward speech : —Saluting the chair , Bro . Stebbing said—I am mosfc deeply gratified with the distinguished mark of respect thus generously presented to me by the members of the Lodge of Peace aud Harmony , of ivhich I have now been a subscribing member for

upwards of sixteen years . It is quite true , that for some years , the Lodge being formerly held at Romsey , I had not taken any very active part in its proceedings ; but I should not be doing justice to those to Avhom it is due if I did not say that iu the Lodge ' s greatest difficulties Bros . Miles , P . M ., and Adams , P . M ., laboured very hard and kept the mem bers together . AA'hen , however , shortly before the removal of the Lodge from Romsey , I was asked to take the chair of the AY . Master , and endeavour to raise ( it from its apathy , I did not for a moment shrink from tho task , and I must say the offer came under circumstances most llatfcoring to myself . Then , ivith the able assistance of the brethren , all

of whom were equally eutitled to credit , Ave gradually made progress , and , in four years , a Lodge of only five members increased to one of sixty . Our success was then established , and I must say now that I hardly at that moment knew ivhich ivas most gratifying to myself , the revived and increased prosperity of the Loclge , or the high and generous uoinpliuieut that was paid to me . I am now extremely anxious to acknoiv ledge , Avith becoming gratitude , the groat kindness of the R . AV . Master , in allowing the business of this clay to be interrupted for the purpose

of this presentation ; that Sic Lucius has permitted the formality to take place at a gathering so important and numerous as the annual meeting of the Grand Lodge of Hampshire ; and that before the Grand Officers of the province , Avith Avhom I have so long and so agreeably acted as Prov . Secretary , I should be thus so highly honoured and distinguished by this most valuable token of regard—the spontaneous kindness of a private Lodge . I very cordially agree with the complimentary proposition that the portrait shall remain on the walls

of this Masonic Hall , Avhere I have passed some of my happiest hours , and where I hope the Great Architect of the Universe will grant me the privilege of enjoying many more ; and I take this opjioiiimifcy of acknowledging thafc the mode in which the members of my Lodge have sought to clo me honour , is essentially agreeably to my feelings . I cannot possibly hope for any form of compliment more flattering than that adopted by my brethren . I only trust , that whilst I live this portrait will continue to bo regarded as a friendly recollection of myself , and be allowed to remain here to a long future in testimony of " the well inteutioned services of the bumble individual who has on this and some other

occasions been so kindly distinguished by his brother Masons . In this hall I ardently desire the portrait to be preserved . I , ivho have formed so many valued friendships , and have spent so many happy hours within its portals , can but bo delighted that it may always remain in a building dedicated to Masonry ; and I humbl y hope and trust that when the Almighty is pleased to remove mo hence , ifc ivill serve occasionally to remind you of my attachment to Masonry , and my constant desire to cultivate the brotherly love and practical benevolence taught to the

votaries of our noble Order , and ever conspicuous in the true and faithful student in the Craft . ( Cheers ) . To Masonry I have been devoted ; I have endeavoured to learn some of its pursuits , and practise some of its principles—( hear)—and I know that Masonry has made me a better man . and tended to render me more useful in the class of life to which it pleased God to call me . I feci I have very imperfectly carried out the high and noble principles ivhich are inculcated in the ancient and honourable institution admirablrepresented bthebrethren

, so y y . assembled here tin ' s day ; but I . know full well that the more I devote myself to the principles of Masonry , the happier and more useful I become ; the institution ivhich teaches its members to be true to each other , inculcates the duty of helping every object of distress , and of aiding the poor and needy in every part of the world , of every class , and every clime . Masonry , ifc is true , has its quaint ways aud its olcl customs , its traditions , and its old unchangeable associations . Some of these are

both admirable and useful , and some are not altogether such as would be instituted in the present age ; but it has , Avith all this , the undeviating and unceasing charity that gives permanence to the Masonic institution , and that practical benevolence which is ever doing good . Masonry warms the hearts of its faithful followers , and expands the narrow views of bigotry , so that it looks beyond the prejudices of society , and the narrow limits of mere acquaintance , to recognize in every brother a friendaucl iu every country a homeiving an injunction

, , g to the initiate to be , on the one hand , obedient to the laws of any country that affords him its protection , but never to lose sight of the allegiance clue to the sovereign of his native land . These principles and these truths have impressed mo long since with the excellencies of Freemasonry , and I have become an ardent follower in its ranks—and having spent more than half my life amongst Masons , I ivas thus probably placed in a position enabling me to gain this gratifying mark of the regard of the Order . I feel utterly unable to thank you for the

voiy great distinction this day conferred upon me ; my overpowered feelings ivill not allow me to express all I feel , but with a very grateful heart I can assure you all I shall never forget your kindness , or the many acts of friendship and brotherly love bestowed upon me on so many occasions . It is impossible I can ever forget your many acts of good nature . In conclusion , I beg to thank the AVorshipful Master of the Loclge of Peace and Harmony , Bro . Alexander Fletcher , for the very friendly and eloquent address with ivhich he has presented the

testimonial ; and ! also beg to tender my warmest expression of satisfaction aud obligation to Bro . P . Gaugain , the able and talented artist brought from London to paint the portrait . I hope , in future years , the picture might be looked upon with respect and kindness , and if so , as far as Masonry is concerned , I shall feel I have nofc lived in vain . Bro . Stebbing then resumed his seat amidst the warm applause ancl general congratulations ofthe assembled brethren . The interesting fact was mentioned that Bro . Gaugain was the oldest

living Past Master of the Royal Gloucester Lodge , and celebrated in his numerous professional engagements for never failing in a likeness . The remaining duties of a routine character having been completed , the final business of the Loclge was proceeded with , namely , the appointment by the R . AV . Prov . Grand Master of his subordinate officers for the ensuing year , as follows : —Bros . Deacon , D . Prov . G . M . ; V . Perkins , No . 152 , S . G . AV . -, H . Ford ( mayor of Portsmouth ) , No . 319 , J . G . AV . ; WovtleyXo . 319 and PortalXo . 90 Grand ChaplainsHeather

, , , , ; , G . Treas . ; G . H . Clarke , G . See ; Barnes , Xo . 428 , G . Reg . ; Luugley , No . iioo , S . G . D . ; King , Nos . 311 ) and 3 S 7 , J . G . D . ; Dawes , No . 1025 , G . Dir . of Cers . ; G . P . Perkins , Xo . 152 , Asst . G . Dir . of Cers . ; AY . Smith , No . 402 , G . Sword Bearer ; G . P . Klitz , Nos . 152 and 402 , G . Org . ; A . Fletcher , Xo . 402 , G . Purs . ; AY . Ranger , Nos . 555 ancl 152 , G . Supt . of AVorks ; Bannister , Nos . 717 and 428 , G . Standard Bearer ; Huggins , Xo . 90 , Williams , Parrott , and AVhite , No . 1025 , How , Xo . 995 , and Feltham

, No . 428 , G . Stewards ; Lockyer , Xo . 152 , aud H . Grant , No . 90 , G . Tylers . \ Yheu conferring the collar of office upon the i ieiv Prov . Grand Secretary , Bro . G . Clarke , the Prov . Grand Master expressed his hope and belief that , although young lor so important au oB . cc , Bro . Clarke would follow in the steps of his excellent predecessor ( Bro . Stebbing ) , aud earn the goodwill of all with ivliomhe might officially be brought in contact . The Prov . Grand Lodge was then closed in antient aucl solemn form .

There was a A'ery large and influential gathering of the brethren in the afternoon , at Spear Hall , Portswood , tlie residence of Bro . G . Lungley . The grounds were devoted to the purposes of a fete . The banquet was partaken of by two hundred ladies and gentlemen . Sir Lucius Curtis presided . The viands and wines were provided hy Bro . Gibbs . The R . AV . Prov . Grand Master gave the usual loyal and other toasts , which Avero responded to in a hearty manner . Bros . AVyndham S . Portal , the Rev . G . R , Portal , AV . AV . B . Beach , T . AY . Fleming , and others , made some very effective speeches , and ivere ivarmlv applauded .