Provincial.

functions or privileges of any of the Grand Officers of England or the Provinces . The fact was , there existed a growing desire in that province that the eounto-y members should have some better representation in Grand Lodge . To give effect to that wish he did not see that it was necessary to trespass upon any of the rights of the Most Worshipful Grand Master . Such a thing would be mimasonic , and he should shrink from it . The resolution he wished to have put was as follows : —'' That a committee of this Prov . Grand Lodge be appointed to consider and report to a future meeting as to the best

mode of improving the representation of the provinces in the Grand Lodge of England . " He would most respectfully represent that this resolution did not interfere or trespass upon the privileges of the Grand Master . On the contrary , if such a suggestion were adopted , all little feelings of unpleasantness would vanish , and things would besides bo placed upon their proper footing . The R . W . Prov . Grand Master said he did not think he could receive the resolution .

Bro . Stebbing , addressing the Lodge , said , he begged to submit that a similar course to that now asked for had just been adopted in respect to the subject of charities , and that on a point of order , the P . G . Master was justified in receiving the motion of the worshipful brother if he thought fit . One of the effects of that motion would doubtless be to suggest that as every member of Grand Lodge was entitled to attend quarterly communications , the notices now sent onlto the Masters of Lodges a few days before the meetingshould

y , be sent , with particulars of business to be done , direct to every brother so entitled to attend ; and then , he would engage to say that one hundred and fifty members of Grand Lodge , from that and a neighbouring province of which few now saw a notice , would regularly attend , and that great Masonic senate would not then be practically the Grand Lodge of London alone , as it now was , but of the provinces also ; and he might add , that from the great talent and energy existing amongst Masons in the provincesgreat good would come of their

, more frequent association in Grand Lodge . The motion , also , might very properly be proposed in that province where no discord had ever existed , and were nothing unseemly ever occurred . ( Loud cries of hear , hear . ) He sincerely hoped the R . W . Prov . Grand Master would allow the proposition to be submitted to the meeting , and he was convinced that the report of such a committee would be invaluable , and that Grand Lodge would be unanimous in passing the

proposition . ( Loud cheering . ) Bro . the Rev . G . R . Portal , Prov . G . Chaplain , said , he felt it to be due to his office to lay before P . G . M . his reasons why the motion should be received . The time had come when brethren must speak out . We know ( said the rev . brother , addressing the chair ) that you , Right Worshipful Sir , are no party man , and that you hold the balance equally between the highest and the lowest ; but the fact is , a great number of provincial Masons arc not satisfied with the share they have in the transaction of business in Grand LodgeI took

. the trouble to ascertain on the occasion of the last election of Grand Master , the attendance of London and provincial brethren , when there were forty-six only from the provinces , and two hundred and fifty London brethren present , The small attendance of the provincial brethren did not arise from any want of interest in the proceedings ; but the distance from London and the want of personal notice of the intended business of Grand Lodge , and other difficulties . All that is now wanted isto appoint committee to make

, a suggestions for some improvement in the arrangements . Perhaps it will be suggested to pay members from Lodge funds , so as to ensure their attending Grand Lodge , and taking part in its affairs . It will be for the R . W . Prov . Grand Master to say , when the committee have drawn up their report , whether it was proper or not ; therefore , I trust tho motion will not be refused . Though you , Right Worshipful Sir , may disapprove of the recommendation , still we may lay our heads together for improvement .

Bro . Deacon , D . Prov . G . M ., said their proceedings had hitherto been marked by perfect unanimity , and as this motion might possibly interrupt the same , he did not wish to see it carried . The Worshipful Master , the two Wardens , and the Past Masters were all members of Grand Lodge , and if they did not attend it was their own fault . If members had no funds for necessary expenses , let their Lodge provide such for them . He hoped brethren would not adopt Bro . Ford ' s suggestion , and he was inclined to think that Bro . Ford himself had not

fully considered the bearing of the motion he held in his hands . Bro . Ford said he was sure the brother who last spoke had no grounds for imputing to him hasty or ill considered motives . He quite adhered to the words and the full import of the motion he had introduced ; and he . again most respectfully asked the R . W . Prov . Grand Master to take it into his consideration . He begged most distinctly to deprecate in the most powerful words , any improper

intention , or any wish to bring about discord in any way whatever . ( Hear . ) The R . W . Prov . G . M . observed that the W . M . ' s ., the Wardens , and the P . M . ' s of all Lodges were members of Grand Lodge and expected to attend . If it was required , and Lodges thought proper to remunerate . certain brethren for giving their attendance at Grand Lodge , he did not know anything in the Book of Constitutions to prevent their so doing , as long as they paid up their dues to Grand Lodge . If Lodges sent representatives . and remunerated

them , they would then have that power in their own hands which they now complained of not possessing . He thought that the question having reference to the attendance of the W . M . ' s and Wardens in Grand Lodge ought rather to be brought before private Lodges than the Provincial Grand Lodge , and therefore he could not receive the resolution . Bro . Stebbing and others then expressed their readiness to submit to the direction of the R . W . Prov . Grand Master , and the subject dtopped . .

TESTIMONIAL TO BRO . STEBBING . Bro . A . Fletcher , W . M of No . 462 , here rose , and addressing the chair , said , —Right Worshipful sir , by your kind permission it has to day been assigned to me , as a most pleasing duty , to make this presentation , and although it might have been more effectually performed by others who , for a longer period than myself , have had the pleasure of the acquaintance and friendship of the worthy brother to whom we wish to do honouryet no one more hihly appreciates

, g his excellence than I do . His valuable services have at all times been cheerfully and ably rendered for the good of our noble and glorious institution , an institution venerable for its antiquity , sacred in its character , and benevolent in its purposes . In compliance with the request of the officers and brethren of the Lodge of Peace and Harmony , I have now the honour , in the capacity of W . M . of that Lodge , of presenting to our worthy Bro . Stebbing , P . M ., a testimonial from them .

Then , addressing himself to Bro . Stebbing , Bro . Fletcher said : — Bro . Stebbing , —I am commissioned by the brethren of the Lodge of Peace and Harmony , to beg your acceptance 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 we sincerely hope you will allow it to grace this hall as a token of the estimation in which you are held , and as a proof of the entire approbation of conductand a grateful remembrance of the numerous

your , benefits you have conferred on the Craft . We feel assured that your untiring effort in promoting the benefits of Freemasonry will receive its honourable reward , and we always rejoice in the opportunity of hailing you , Bro . Stebbing , as our parental adviser . ( Hear , hear . ) We earnestly pray that you may always be enabled to carry out those noble principles which you have ever so ably advocated ,

and illustrated by precept and example . Three years since there was scarcely 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 Phoenix from its ashes . New vigour was imparted to it , and your success was 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 portraitwhich serve to convince of our sincerity . Imyself

, may you , , can 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 my inability to do 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 I have said in the same spirit as it is offered . I dare not trust feelings fartherdelicacy forbids me to more

my any ; say , but truth and justice will 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 with us here , and be crowned in his future career with every earthly blessing ; and when his mortal race is run , may he be received into that immortal Lodge prepared for all good men in Heaven above . ( Loud cheers . ) The portraitwhich hung immediatelover the head of the

re-, y spected brother , was seen to be a most effective and striking likeness . It represented , at full length , the worthy brother in the attitude of addressing a Lodge meeting , he being in full Masonic costume . The talented artist was Bro . Gaugain , upon whom the work of art reflects great credit . Upon the pedestal , the following inscription appeared , at the lower part of the picture— " Presented to Brother