Provincial Grand Lodge Of Surrey.

with their appropriate lustre ; prudence will direct you , temperance chasten you , fortitndo support you , and justice will be tho gnide of all your actions . Tho whole figure implies that arduous toil should be brought to bear npon the work . And on the other hand , it is not suggested that modest quiet as well as persistent labour is mostly associated with real and satisfactory advance . The gorgeous palace

rises amid comparative'' silence . The materials , mainly brought from a distance and fashioned far away , are placed in their position , without unmeaning noise and obtrusive tumult . This was a special feature in the erection of King Solomon's Temple . The peculiar sacredness of tho building , and its evident intention , as an illustratration of the suitable development of tho powers of man , called for this , in an eminent degree . Each stono was , at a distance , smoothed

and rendered fit for tho hand of the more experienced workman , and by him the elaboration was carried on so far , that it had only to be brought to tho site , and quietly raised , and gently put into its place . Silontly , and steadily , the Temple rose , like the quiet opening out of some beauteous flower , and so it was that in the rearing of that structure , whoso final magnificence drew ont the applause of men , with one simultaneous accord ,

" No ponderous axes rung ; Like somo tall palm , tho wondrou 3 fabric sprung . " In this transitory life , wo are never destined to reach to the complete realisation of that sketch of goodness , which has been defined for our instruction . But the whole analogy , which we have been considering , is altogether without meaning , if we are making no

progress in the right direction ; it there is no growth in goodness , however small . Wo expect the tower , which is left unfinished and abandoned by the builders , to bo soon taken np by illomened and destructive birds , to be miserably exposed to the cruel gusts of howling tempests , and speedily to fall into a ruin . In the arduous undertaking of the good man ' s life , we maybe

thankful for any assistance we can get . And , herein , I linger for a moment to-day , on tho obvious advantage we derive from the companionship of just aud upright men—of men , from whose converse wo may gather recreation , consolation , sympathy , and instrnction ; from whose lives wo may get the force of example , and the stimulus of emulation . It is possible that the casual observer may imagine that there is somo

quaintness in the forms and procedure of that ancient institution , iu connection with which wo meet to day : but so to the mere pnsser by may appear tho helpful but intricate scaffolding , which covers tho walls of some stately palace , which by its assistance is rising unseen in all beauty behind . A firm but hnmblo confidence may surely be felt , in the substantial value of our association , inasmuch as it is founded

on the purest principles of piety and virtue ; as it directs us , as a first duty , to tho serious contemplation of the Word of God : as it is over bidding us to repair to that divine source from which alono grace and help are to be found ; and makes it a chief concern that we ;" should bo building up ourselves , on onr most holy faith . As we aro fighting with temptation , grappling with dutv , and

struggling with sorrow , sweet and friendly , and safe , is the voice that calls us to livo in the light and love of God ; that teaches us the practice of prayer ; that cheers us with the hope of salvation ; throngh Him who was once as a stone , rejected ; bnt who is now , to those who trust Him , a corner stone , a tried stone , a sure foundation ; and who , hereafter , will dawn upon the world a morning

star , to bring peace , and tranquillity to the faithful and obedient of the human race . In this congregation , there is not ono who is not bound by serious obligations to carry on tho ardnons , but happy work of self-discipline and self-improvement—indeed , with many the calls to it must be so frequent , and so loud , that there is some danger lest they should get habituated to them , and may fail to receive the

appropriate effect : and so they may become content , that comparatively few shonld tread , alone , the high and diffioult path of religions virtue—insensible , alike of their own great loss , and to tho discouraging effect upon those about them , who are entitled to the invigorating influences of bright , wholesome , and elevating example . But I am

persuaded better things of you , beloved . You will strive so to live as to convince the world that yon are fired with a holy ambition to excel iu what is good , and great . Yon -will I trust make it abundantly clear that your efforts are all tending to enable you to serve God more faithfully , to lead better lives yourselves , and to do more good to others .

The Banquet was served at the Public Hall , under the presidency of Gen . Brownrigg , who , on the removal of the cloth , gave the Loyal and Masonic toasts . He referred to Hor Most Gracious Majesty as tho daughter of a Mason , the mother of Masons , and urged that , in the order of things , she might be expected to become the grandmother of Masons . In giving tho health of the M . W . the Grand Master , Gen . Brownrigg

remarked that the social position of the Prince of Wales had unquestionably tended to increase the interest in onr Order . Still , he could but think that , without these adventitious aids , Freemasonry would have hold its own . In speaking to the toast of the M . W . Pro G . M . the Earl of Carnarvon , the D . G . M . Lord Skelmersdale , and Grand Officers Present and Past , the Prov . Grand Master said all

wero represented ; wo havo with us to-night Bro . Giddy D . G . M . Griqualand , Bro . Arnold Past Grand Chaplain—but of him more anon ; and Lieut .-Col . Shadwell Clerke . He would call on Bro . Giddy to reply . Bro . Giddy conld not but consider it a very high compliment paid him in selecting him as respondent for Grand Officers . On their behalf ho tendered his sincere thanks . AVith

regard to tho Pro Grand Master and the Deputy Grand Master no better men could bo found . Personally , ho experienced great pleasure in being present that day . In tho words of the song with which they were to bo favoured with next— "From the desert he came ;" Gri qualand was a matter of some 8000 miles distant . He would tender

his best thanks for the reception given him . After Bro . Lawler had sang the song referred to , Bro . Rev . C . W . Arnold proposed the health of the Provincial Grand Master , and made special mention of the care displayed by Gen . Brownrigg in his consideration of the several claims of thoso who wero deemed eligible for office . The Prov . G . M .

Provincial Grand Lodge Of Surrey.

in reply said that the toast , as a matter of course , was ono that was given with cordiality and drunk with geniality . He was convinced the brethren of his Province thought well of him . Remarks had frequently been made that he was a business man ; no man -who had been tried as a soldier ( and he was sorry to say he had been 47 years one ) could help acquiring habits of business . He had had . in his

Provinco , throughout , a support and cordial welcome whorevor ho went . Ho had succeeded a brother who in his day was very popular , and he felt that brother's mantlo had fallen on him . He would now direot their attention to tho next toast he had the honour to propose —The health of the V . W . tho D . G . M . of Surrey , and the Prov . Grand Officers Present and Past—in giving this toast he felt

particularly fortunate in having BO able a Deputy . Ho had compared notes with other Provincial Grand Masters , and ho had como to tho conclusion that he was singularly fortunate , and he expressed this conviction openly and freely . As for tho Provincial Grand Officers they always ably supported him , and ho felt grateful for tho kindness at all times shown . Bro . Arnold acknowledged the hearty way

in which the toast had been received , and thanked the Prov . Grand Master for the kind things he had said of him . Bro . Arnold then briefly urged on the brethren the advantages to be derived from carrying out a uniform system of working throughout the Province , and advocated the establishment of Lodges of Instruction . Ho forcibly urged that brethren should not bo placed into chairs until they had

evidenced that thoy possessed the qualifications requisite to perform tho duties that devolved npon them ; and impressed npon the members of the Provinco the desirability of establishing a Board of Installed Masters who should decide npon the fitness of candidates for office . For the Visitors Bros . Lieut .-Col . Shadwell Clerke and the Rev . Henry Brass , Incumbent of St . Matthew ' s , Redhill ,

replied ; the Provincial Grand Treasurer and Provincial Grand Secretary's claims for recognition wero not overlooked ; both these brethren replied , Bro . Greenwood reminding the members of Prov . Grand Lodge that this was the twenty-fifth time Bro . Price and he had been entrusted with the collars of their respective offices . In proposing success to the entertaining Lodge , Genl . Browurig

commented on the admirable way in which the day s proceedings had been conducted , and tho compliment paid them was acknowledged by Bros . Major Gant and Officer . In speaking to tho toast of tho W . M . and Wardens of the other Lodges iu tho Province , reference was mado to tho desire Gen . Brownrigg had previously expressed that he desired all tho offices shonld bo considered as of eqnal value ; with this toast was associated the name of Bro . Buckland .

The proceedings throughout were very agreeable , nnd eminently satisfactory . Tho collection mado after the service realised £ 4 12 s 6 d , and this amount was expended in clearing a debt that had attached itself to the local Ragged Schools . The musical arrangements of the day were ontrtisted to Bro . John Rhodes , P . P . G . Ors ; ., who had seenred tho scrvicos of the veteran Bro . T . Lawler and Bros . Baxter aud G . T . Carter . Tho Tyler gavo tho final toast of the day , and the brethren separate ! .

Prov. Grand Lodge Of Hertfordshire.

PROV . GRAND LODGE OF HERTFORDSHIRE .

THE brethren of the county of Hertfordshire were fortunate in having selected a fine clay for their annual gathering in Prov . Grand Lodge , for Wednesday last brought ns indeed almost the first taste of summer that we have this year enjoyed . Although it has beon an accident almost to obtain a gleam of sunshine for any event within the past few months , the goddess Fortune smiled most benignantly upon the brethren as they streamed into the old *

fashioned but picturesque little town of Berkhampstead , to partici . pate in the festivities which had been marked out for ths day . The Castle grounds wero merry with the laughter of a host of Sunday School children , who had come from Watford by tho same train in which the brethren from the up stations travelled , aud it being market day , the principal street presented an unusually lively

appearance . Towards three o clock thero was a goodly muster of Prov . Grand Officers and brethren at the Town Hall , which had been secured for the event , and Herts may be congratulated this year upon the very satisfactory attendance , under the banner of the Berkhampstead Lodge 504 . Prov . Grand Lodge was opened at throe o ' clock by a procession of Grand Officers , who were received with tho

usual acclaim by tho brethren assembled . The R . W . Bro . T . F . Halsey , M . P ., Prov . Grand Master , presided , supported by Bro . J . Sedgwick Deputy Prov . G . Master , with Bros . John E . Dawson as Prov . Grand Senior Warden , J . Terry Prov . Grand Junior Warden , Revs . G . Finch and Osvvell Thompson Pror . G . Chaplains , F . H . Wilson lies P . G . Sec , G . D . Groom P . S . G . D ., Thomas KentP . J . G . D ., Frederick Levick Prov . G . Purs ., Thomas Thomas and Thomas

Wright P . G . Tylors . Amongst thoso also present we noticed : — Bros . Thomas S . Carter P . M . 403 P . P . G . S . D ., James Shilcock P . M . 449 P . P . J . G . W ., Fred . Venahles W . M . 1385 P . P . G . P ., James Cntbush P . M . 1385 P . P . A . D . C , William H . Rowo P . M . 504 P . P . Grand Superintendent of Works , John L . Mather P . M . 1580 P . G . D . C ., John E . Lane P . M . 504 P . G . Pursuivant , Robert A . Wright P . M . 504 P . P . G . S . D ., Frederick Levick S . W . 401

P . G . A . P ., W . C . Maddever W . M . 501 , W . J . Crutch 1580 P . P . G . S ., Henry C . Finch P . M . 404 P . P . G . Reg ., W . Wilson G . P . P . M . 504 P . P . J . G . W ., Charles Lacey P . M . 1577 , E . T . Foord P . P . G . S . B ., F . D . Rees Copestick 869 P . P . G . S . B ., Edgar Bowyer P . M . 15 S 0 P . P . G . J . D ., W . B . Heath P . M . 504 P . P . G . S . W ., D . C . Foster P . M . 501 P . G . S . B ..

II . Hollis P . M . 504 P . G . S . B ., J . J . Berry P . M . 551 . , Rev . W . H . W . Casely Cranbourne Chaplain 1580 , Witham M . Bvwater P . M . Athelstan 19 , Edward Baxter P . M . 504 , Thomas Harvey Hill 501 , F . Lano 50 f , Robert Coombes 12 , George Graveloy 898 , Frederick A . Ford 1580 , Thoma 3 F . Reid Organist Earl of Zetland 1301 , J . W . Purrott W . M . 1479 , T . S . Watts P . M . 916 , A . W . Nash W . M . ' 109 , W . Bristo P . M . 800 , J . S . Lee 401 , Ernest Knighc P . M . 1361 ,