Dedication Of The Carnarvon Lodge, No. 804.

Chester ) , who , in tho absence of tho P . G . Chaplain , officiated as Chaplain , offered the following prayer : — " Great Architect of tho Universe , look down and bless this Hall , ¦ which has been this day solomnly dedicated to Masonry , Virtue , and Universal Benevolence , guide thoso who shall govern and rule here , so that tho true principles of Masonry alone may be taught , pure and

unsnllied , and our labours being now ended , grant that wo may separate in unity and brotherly love . " Tho Provincial Grand Mastor , addressing tho brethren , said it was unnecessary for him to detain them with any lengthened address upon Freemasonry , considering that the time was rather limited , and that Bro . Ford had given them such an able and excellent address

upon the subject . But still he could not allow this ceremony to conclude without addressing a few words of congratulation to them . Ho thought it must be a subject of great satisfaction to the members of tho Carnarvon Lodgo that they had seen their labours crowned with such success . Certainly , when ho and others attended on the occasion of laying tho foundation stone tho elements

were not propitious , and they had great difficulties to contend with . To lay a foundation stone in a pouring rain was by no means an agreeable occupation —( laughter)—but at the same time the brethren wero undaunted by that inauspicious commencement , and by the skill of tho architect and the energy of the contractor they had been ablo to carry it to an auspicious end . It was a great gratification to the

brcthron of any Lodgo to have a building in which they could assemble and worthily celebrate their mysteries , because it showed , in tho first place , that they must have a high appreciation of the Order into which they had entered , or they would not havo thought it worth ¦ while to take the trouble to provide such a building . But the purposes of Freemasonry were so high and inspiriting that they might

well lead any Freemason to make great exertions in the cause . He addressed many who had been Freemasons for many years ; he addressed others who had recently entered into the Order , but ho was sure that one and all were imbued with the right principles of their Order , and wero resolved to do their best to carry them out . They should remember certain principles on which their ancient

brothren proceeded . What were the great principles which directed them in tho erection of those stately and superb edifices of old , which did honour to their skill and taste ? Wisdom , strength , beauty—skill to design , strength to carry out tho work , and beauty to embellish it . These were tho principles on which many edifices were in former days erected . It was not possible , in tho present day , to

emulate those edifices , but they could do their best to emulate tho virtues of their ancestors and to try to carry out thoso principles which actuated them in executing those magnificent works . To erect a building alono would be little , unless the brethren who were assembled therein were resolved to carry on the purposes of Freemasonry to their fullest extent , and certainly , if they did their best ,

as Bro . Ford had said , in their generation , to show to tho outer world that they had entered into Freemasonry for no private gratification of their own , but simply to carry out its grand and magnificent principles , they would do something to show their appreciation of the Order which they had entered . Universal benevolenco was ono of its loading principles , and they should show it , not only to

their brethren within thoso walls , but to others in tho outer world , with whom they might bo brought in contact . And as Bro . Ford had said , Freemasonry should havo a great influence upon their lives , and provo to others with whom they wero brought into connection , that it had an ameliorating influence upon them . Ho did think thero was something in Freemasonry which softened the asperities of tho outer

world , and had an ameliorating influence upon their minds . He really thought that if they mnsed awhilo upon its principles there was something which had a beneficial effect upon their conduct in life . As Bro . Ford had said , tho Volume of the Sacred Law lay open beforo them , to regulate their actions and to direct their proceedings , and guide their minds in the paths of virtue

and peace . What more enoblmg influence could bo exercised on the human mind than was exercised by that Sacred Volume ? Let them remember that it was one of the great lights of Freemasonry , and that every Freemason ought to act according to its principles . Let them , then , do their best to act as faithfnl and true Freemasons , and Eo long as the brethren in that Lodge choose to emulate tho example

which had been set them by their predecessors of old , and by the many excellent Freemasons whom they had known in life , so long would Freemasonry flourish in that building , and so long would they havo reason to congratulate themselves upon tho work which they had inaugurated that day . ( Loud applause . ) After the Lodge had been closed , the brethren adjourned to the

Town Hall , where about 80 sat down to a banquet , which was served by Bro . J . Purnell , of the " Dolphin" Hotel . Tho P . G . M . having been compelled by another engagement to leave at the close of the banquet , the chair was occupied by Bro . Weeks , W . M . of the Carnarvon Lodge , and under hia genial presidency the usual Loyal and Masonic toasts were proposed and responded to , and an agreeable evening was spent .

Great Masonic Gathering At Kirkby Lonsdale.

GREAT MASONIC GATHERING AT KIRKBY LONSDALE .

rT , HE annual mooting of the Masonic Province of Cumberland and - * - and Westmorland was held on Friday last , at Kirkby Lonsdale , under the banner of Underley Lodge , 1074 . There was a very large gathering of brethren from the different Lod ges in the province , ami in fact the event proved the most important assemblage of tht Craft

ever held in the Border counties . Masonry has , beyond a doubt , flourished and increased its branches to a great extent during the past few years , not only in Cumberland and Westmorland , but generally throughout England and Weles . It is only twelve years since Skiddaw Lodge , No , 1002 , Cockermouth . was opened : and the

Great Masonic Gathering At Kirkby Lonsdale.

last Lodge , for which hia Eoyal Highness the Prince of Walea granted a wan-ant , was No . 1640 , whilst no fewer than five new Lodges havo been consecrated during that period in this neighbonrnood , of whioh . Bective Lodge , Carlisle , is the youngest , Brother Potter being W . M . During tho past twelve months over a hundred new Lodgea havo been opened in England and Wales and the Colonies . Last year it was

intended to hold the Provincial meeting at Kirkby Lonsdale , but after the issue of tho summonses the Earl of Bective , M . P ., R . W . and Pro . vincial Grand Master , suffered a domestic bereavement , and the meoting was altered to Penrith . The bulk of the brethren arrived at Kirkby Lonsdale from the north about half-past eleven , thero being strong deputations from the two Whitehaven Lodges , the two

Carlisle Lodges , as also from Wigton , Ponnth , Maryport , Longtown , Workington , Cockermouth , Keswick , Silloth , Egremont , Millom , and Harrington . The Kendal and Appleby Lodges were also well repre . sented . A number of ladies accompanied the Masons , The Countess of Bective having issued special invitations for their admission to the beautiful park and gardens of Underley , with the addition of

tea , provided in the afternoon at the hall , tho wet weather , which subsequently set in , upsetting the previous arrangements for the entertainment of tho " wives , daughters , and sweethearts" of the Masons , in a marquee close to tho hall . The Grand Lodge was held at tho Town Hall , which had been ap . propriately fitted up by the brethren of Underloy Lodgo for the

occasion . The Charity Committee met at noon , and at one o ' clock the Earl of Bective , M . P ., Provincial Grand Master , presided , sup . ported on the dais by Col . Whitwell , M . P ., Deputy Provincial Grand Master , Past Grand Warden of England , Lord Skelmersdale Deputy Grand Master of England , Provincial Grand Master of West Lanoa . shire , Rev . Dr . Simpson Past Grand Chaplain of England , Worship .

f ul Master of Eden Valley Lodge , Appleby , and many other brethren of eminence , all clothed in the purple and gold of their rank . Lord Skelmersdale , in addition to his superb decorations as Deputy Grand Master of England , also wore the ribbon and jewel of Second Principal of the Grand Chapter of Royal Arch Masons of England , of which body tho Prince of Walea ia First Principal . The minutea of the meeting held at Carlisle last May were first read and confirmed ,

as also the Provincial Grand Treasurer ' s statement of accounts , after which the Charity Committee ' s report was presented and adopted . Bro . Lemon P . P . G . S . W . Wigton , was unanimously re-elected Grand Treasurer , with acclamation , and Bro . Anderson , Kirkby Lonsdale , was elected Grand Tyler for the year . The retiring officers having divested themselves of their collars and jewels , the Provincial Grand Master proceeded to invest tho new officers as follow : —

Bro . Kirkbride , 339 , Penrith , Senior Warden . „ Bowes , 129 ( Kendal ) , Warrington , Junior Warden . „ Lemon , 327 , Wigton , Treasurer . „ Gibson , 119 , Whitehaven , Secretary . „ Rov . C . H . Gem , 327 , Wigton , Chaplain .

„ Rev . H . B . Thompson , 1074 , Kirkby Lonsdale , Assfc . Chaplain . „ Whitehead , 812 , Appleby , Registrar . „ Prat . chitt , 1532 , Cai ^ lislo , Senior Deacon . „ Cook , 1532 , Carlisle , Junior Deacon . „ Frears , 119 , Whitehaven , Organist .

„ Beattio , 962 , Workington , Superintendent of Works . „ Armstrong , 371 , Maryport , Director of Ceremonies . „ Atkinson , 872 , Whitehaven , Assistant Director of Ceremonies . „ Walton , 371 , Maryport , Sword Bearer . „ Dodgson , 1390 , Millom , Pursuivant . „ Anderson , 1074 , Kirby Lonsdale , Tyler .

STEWARDS . Bro . Carruthers , 310 Carlisle . „ Waring , 1074 , Kirkby Lonsdale . „ Eilbeck , 1267 , Egremont . „ Towerson , 872 , Whitehaven . „ Grayson , 129 , Kendal . „ Meredith , 1390 , Millom .

The Provincial Grand Lodge having been closed , the brethren marched to tho Parish Church , headed by a mixed band composed of the band of the 1 st Royal Lancashire Militia and the Silsden Band , Skipton . The service was full choral , Bro . Freeman , of Keswick , P . P . G . Organist , presiding at the organ . The sermon was preached by Bro . the Rev . William Beeby , Maryport , P . P . G . Chaplain , from Ruth

i , 7 . At the conclusion of the service a handsome offertory was made , and divided amongst tho Masonic Charities and Kirkby Long , dale National Schools . Subsequently , the Masons wended their way to Underloy Park , in a shower of rain , where over three hundred safe down to a sumptuous banquet on the invitation of Lord Bective , for which purpose a large marquee , elegantly decorated with flowers ,

muslin hangings , and Masonic banners , was erected in front of the ball . The Provincial Grand Master presided , supported right and left by Lord Skelmersdale , Colonel Whitwell , M . P ., Rev . Dr . Simpson , and others . The toast list was greatly curtailed , owing to tho brethren from West Cumberland having to leave shortly after five o ' clock by special train . Lord Bective ' s , health , however , was

receivedwith every honour , and his Lordship ' s reply evoked round upon round of cheering . Lord Skelmersdale , in replying to the toast with which his name was associated , expressed his gratification at being present amongst the Masons of Cumberland and Westmorland , and said he was surprised at the flourishing state in whioh he found the Province . Many Provinces important in name and stand .

ing had not near so many members , and he confessed himself aa being both surprised and pleased at what he had seen that day . Rain falling heavily as the time drew near for departure , a number of covered conveyances were in readiness , including Lord Bective ' s own tour-in-haud ( his Lordship being a member of the coaching club ) ,

and , with few exceptions , the whole of the large party were lauded at Barbon station at half-past five . Only two circumstances tended to mar the enjoyment of the day , namely , the showery weather , and the comparatiyely late hour at which the proceedings were timed to begin ,