Provincial.

Joseph Rankin Stebbing , W . M ., No . 1087 , P . Prov , S . G . W ., P . Prov . G . Sec , P . M ., Nos . 152 , 462 , and 555 , at the Provincial Grand Lodge of Hampshire , held at Southampton , 1859 , by the Lodge of Peace and Harmonv , No . 462 , of which he was W . M . in the years 1856 and 1857 . " . " Bro . Stebbing , on rising to respond to the compliment , was very warmly received by the whole 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 most deeply gratified with the distinguished mark of respect thus generously presented to me by the members of the Lodge of Peace and Harmony , of which 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 whom it is due if I did not say that in the Lod's greatest difficulties Bros . MilesP . M . and Adams

ge , , , P . M ., laboured very hard and kept the members together . When , however , shortly before the removal of the Lodge trom Romsey , i was asked to take the chair of the W . Master , and endeavour to raise it from its apathy , I did not for a moment shrink from the task , and I must say the offer came under circumstances most flattering to myself . Then , with the able assistance of the brethren , all of whom were equally entitled to credit , we 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 which was most gratifying to myself , the revived and increased prosperity of the Lodge , or the high and generous compliment that was paid to me . I am now extremely anxious to acknowledge , with becoming gratitude , tho great kindness of the R . W . Master , in allowing the business of this day to be interrupted for the purpose of this presentation ; that Sir 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 , with whom 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 , where 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 move ; and I take this opportunity of acknowledging that the mode in which the members of my Lodge have sought to do 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 be regarded as a friendly recollection of

myself , and be allowed to remain here to a long future in testimony of the well intentioned services of the humble 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 , who have lormed so many valued friendships , and have spent so many happy hours within its portals , can but be delighted that it may always remain in a building dedicated to Masonry ; and I humblhope and trust that when the Almighty is pleased to

y remove me hence , it will 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 practice some of its principles —( hear)—and 1 know that Masonry has made me a better man , and tended to render me more useful in the class of life to

which U pleased God to call me . I feel I have very imperfectly carried out the high and noble principles which are inculcated in the ancient and honourable institution , so admirably represented by the brethren assembled here . this 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 which teaches its members to be true to each other , inculcates the duty of helping every object of distressand of aiding the and needy in every pavt of the

, poor world , of every class , and every clime . Masonry , it is true , has its quaint ways and its old 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 , with 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 friend , and in every country a home , giving an injunction 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 due to the sovereign of his native land . These principles and these truths have impressed me long since with the excellencies of Freemasonry , and I have become an ardent follower in its ranksand having spent more than half my life amongst MasonsI was

, 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 very great distinction this day conferred upon me ; my overpowered feelings will 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

Worshipful Master of the Lodge of Peace and Harmony , Bro . Alexander Fletcher , for the very friendly and eloquent address with which he has presented the testimonial ; and I also beg to tender my warmest expression of satisfaction and 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 not lived in vain . Bro . Stebbing then

resumed his seat amidst the warm applause and general congratulations of the 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 , tho final business of the Lodge was proceeded with , namely , the appointment by the R . W . Prov . Grand Master of his subordinate officers for the ensuing year , as follows : —Bros . Deacon , D . Prov . G . M . ; F . Perkins , No . 152 , S . G . W . ; H . Ford ( mayor of Portsmouth ) , No . 319 , J . G . W . ; Woolley , No . 319 , and Portal , No . 90 , Grand Chaplains ; Heather , G . Treas . ; G . H . Clarke , G . Sec . ; Barnes , No . 428 , G . Reg . ; Lungley , No . 555 , S . G . D . ; King , Nos . 319 and 387 ; J G . D ; 'DawesNo . 1025 G . Dir . of Cers . ; G . P .

, , , Perkins , No . 152 , Asst . G Dir of Cers . ; W . Smith , No . 462 , G . Sword Bearer ; G . P . Klitz , Nos . 152 and 462 , G . Org . ; A . Fletcher , No . 462 , G . Purs . ; W . Ranger , Nos . 555 and 152 , G . Supt . of Works ; Bannister , Nos . 717 and 428 , G . Standard Bearer ; Huggins , No . 90 , Williams , Parrott , and White , No . 1025 , How , No . 995 , and Feltham , No . 428 , G . Stewards ; Lockyer , No . 152 , and H . Grant , No . 90 , G . Tylers . When conferring the collar of office upon the new Prov . Grand

Secretary , Bro . G . Clarke , the Prov . Grand Master expressed his hope and beliei that , although young for so important an office , Bro . Clarke would follow in the steps of his excellent predecessor ( Bro . Stebbing ) , and earn the goodwill of all with whom he might officially be brought in contact . The Prov . Grand Lodge was then closed in ancient and solemn form .

WINCHESTER . WINCHESTER .. —Lodge of ( Economy ( No . 90 . ) . —The ordinary monthly meeting of this Lodge took place on Wednesday evening , August 31 st , at the Masonic Hall , adjoining the Black Swan Hotel , when there were in attendance the W . M , ( Bro . J . L . Hasleham ) , Bros . F . La Croix , S . W . ; G . Oakshott , P . M ., ( J . W . pro tern . ) ; S .

Everett , P . M . ; C . Sherry , P . M . ; G . Durant , P . M . ; W . Russ , P . M . ; J . Withers , P . M . ; W . Cowen , P . M . ; G . P . Jacob , P . M . ; and Bros . Elson , Snary , Butcher , Gerrad , Huggins , Smith , Waterman , & c . Grand Lodge and the Provinces . —Bro . C . Sherry , P . M ., rose to address the Lodge in introducing the motion of which he had given notice at the last meeting , and in the course of his preliminary remarks , he said most of the brethren present would remember what he had advanced upon this subject at former assemblies , and therefore there was no necessity for his going at any length into details