Provincial Grand Lodge Of Northamptonshire And Huntingdonshire.

Prov . G . Sec . ; G . Caches , 442 , St . Peter ' s , Prov . G . S . D . ; Pereival , 443 , Fidelity , Prov . G . J . G . D . ; Jackson , 373 , Socrates , Prov . G . Supt . of Works ; Marson , P . G . D . of C ; Molyneux , 607 , Chicheley , A . P . G . D . C . ; Ward , 466 , Merit , P . G . Swd . B . ; Margctts , 455 , Perseverance , I ' . G . Purst . ; Eates , 737 , Wentw « rt . h , Std . B . The oflicers were invested by the Right Worshipful

Grand Master , assisted by the D . Prov . G . M . Bro . Buckle , P Prov . G . S ., then read the report of thc Board of Benevolence , who voted the sum of £ 23 and £ to to two widows in the province , £ 10 to the male fund of the aged and decayed , and £ 21 to the Boys' School . Jewels commemorative of thc installation of H . R . H . the" Prince of Wales , K . G ., M . W . Grand

Master of England , were voted to the Stewards of Norths , and Hunts , Bro . E . Cox , 360 , Pomfret , and Bro . J . Marson , 373 , Socrates . The Prov . G . M . then moved that an address of congratulation be presented to H . R . H . the Prince of Wales , M . W . G . M ., on his safe return from India . The W . M . of St . Peter ' s seconded , and it was

approved . A vote of thanks to the brethren of that lodge for the handsome manner in which they had received the Provincial Grand Lodge was proposed by Bro . Butler Wilkins , D . Prov . G . M ., seconded and approved , and this concluded the business . The brethren were then marshalled by Bro . Marson ,

Dir . of Cers ., in the quadrang ' eof the College , and proceeded by the playground through the Deanery to the Cathedral , opening out right and left along the nave , so that the Prov . G . Officers and Chaplain might pass up the centre , and then closing in and taking tlie seals allotted to them in the north and south transepts . Prayers were read by the Rev . "W . K . atterns , curate ol St . Mary ' s ,

and the lessons by the Assistant Chaplain ( Bro . V . S . Westbrook ) and Canon Argles respectively . The anthem was " O give thanks , " that most appropriate passage being introduced , " The stone which the builders refused has become the headstone in the corner , " and Handel's " Hallelujah Chorus" was finely rendered by the lay clerks and choristers after the anthem proper . The

sermon was preached by the Prov . G . Chaplain ( Bro . thc Hon . and Rev . J . Courtenay . Vernon ) , who took for his text 1 Peter iii . 8— " Be ye all of one mind . " He said he had selected the words because he considered them appropriate to that day ' s business , and more particularly to the Craft to which so many of those present belonged . One of the great beauties , and

the chief essence of the brotherhood , was that in all its principles and precepts it inculcated and sought to instil inlo the mind unity amongst themselves , and good will arid peace to all mankind . The preacher then showed the wider significance of the words to Christians , and contrasted those who held thc unity of the faith with that false unity which was to be found amongst the ungodly ,

but which rested on no solid foundation because there was 110 true love amongst them . He concluded with nn appeal on behalf of the building fund of St . Mary ' s and the Masonic Charities , and after the sermon the Stewards collected amongst the brethren . The singing of thc hymn , " All people that on earth do dwell " was followed by the Benediction .

The service being over , the brethren re-formed , leaving thc west part of the Cathedral in the following order : — Bros . Mills and Willson , Sword Bearers ; Lodge No . 737 , Wentworth ( Wellingborough ) , T . Cook , II . James , & c . ; Lodge No . 607 , Chicheley ( Thrapston , Bros . Revs . Westbrook , Hawthorn , and J . Courtenay Vernon ; Lodge No . 4 OG , Merit ( Stamford ) , Bros . Oiford , Peck , Wright , Rev .

S . G . VV . Sanders , & c . ; Lodge No . 455 , Perseverance ( Kettering ); amongst whom wc noticed Bros . Miller , P . P . J . G . D . and P . M . ; Margetts , W . M . ; Coles , P . M . ; Salmons , I ' . M . ; Standley , I . G . ; Dainty , and Beeby ; Lodge No . 445 , Fidelity ( Towcester ) , Bros . G . Osborn , R . Howes . W . A . Howes , T . M . Pereival , W . H . Linr . ell , Crowley , G . Willcox , Smith , J . Tunnard , & c . ; Lodge No .

3731 So : rates ( Huntingdon ); Lodge No . 360 , Pomfiet ( Northampton ) , represented by Bros . R . Howes , P . G . T . ; J . T . Green , P . G . J . W . ; J . Stanton , P . M . ; H . J . Atkins ; J . Whitehouse , P . G . S . and J . W . ; H . W . Paiker , II . Spoor , E . Ashford , A . Richardson , J . Bingley , Gadsby , Wood , II . Brown , Rev . S . J . W . Sanders , & c . ; J . H . Williams , Winter , S . W ., and Dean ; Lodge No . 442 , St .

Peter ' s , Junior Members , Past Masters , the Cornucopia containing wheat , and tlie trowel , Bro . Vergette , S . W ., with ewer of wine , and Bro . Gachen , J . W ., with ewer of oil ; Dr . Waller , W . M . of 442 , with mallet of thc lodge . Vast Provincial Grand Lodge Officers of Norths and Hunts ; visitors of the other Provincial Grand Lodges , Juniors in front , and Wardens and Deputy Grand Masters in the

rear , the Grand Lodge officers ; - superintendent of Works and Registrar , the latter with bottle containing newspapers , including copies of the " Freemason , " to put under the stone ; the Secretary and Treasurer , thc latter with coins to put under the stone ; Junior Warden with plumb rule , and Senior Warden with level ; Assistant Chaplain and Chaplain of Provincial Grand Lodge ; the Deputy

Provincial Grand Master , Dr . Butler Wilkins , with a square ; the Director and Assistant Director of thc Ceremonies ; Standard Bearer , Sword Bearer ; His Grace the Duke of Manchester , P . G . M . ; Bros . Dixcy and Pilcher , Stewards . It may be easily conceived that thc procession was one of which the like has not been seen for many a day in Peterborough , The inhabitants , no doubt , were gratified

by the sight , and the profuse use of flags , streamers , and banners , many of which were inscribed with "Hearty Good Wishes , " showed that something out of the ordinary way had been anticipated . As the procession moved through the Minster and out ofthe west gateway , to tbe Maiketplace , and then turned along thc Causeway , in the direction of the New-road , the route , admirably kept by the Stewards , assisted by the police , was lined with hundreds

Provincial Grand Lodge Of Northamptonshire And Huntingdonshire.

of people , many of whom were , no doubt , discussing with much curiosity the clothing , so richly adorned with gold and silvcr , and the jewels , which in the case of thc Provincial Gran-I Officers , literally covered their breasts . On arriving at the Church of St . Mary ' s , ths hymn , "We love Thy place , O , God , " wis sung , aud the brethren having opened out and faced inwards , the Duke

and those who were to tike part in the c-remony , walked through to thc site of the stone-laying . Canon Argles heartily welcomed His Grace , who had com * with so many of his brethren to assist the work of enlarging a church which was so much required for an increasing population . There was still a deficiency of £ 400 , and they had looked forward to something being done that day

by the poweiful Masonic body , of which His Grace was the head . The bottle of papers and coins was then placed in a cavity of the stone , and covered ; after which His Grace ( the P . G . M . ) spread the mortar with the trowel belonging to the St . Peter's Lodge , and the stone was lowered with three drops . The plumb rule , level , and square were

next applied , and the Duke then tapped it with the gavel or mallet and pronounced it well and truly laid , in the name of the Father , Son , and Holy Ghost . The mallet used on this occasion has a history , as the inscription on the plate shows . It is as follows : — " By orderof the Worshipful Grand Master , His Royal Higliness the Duke of Sussex and Worshipful Master of the Lodge ct Antiquity , and with the concurrence of the brethren of the lodge ,

this plate has been engraved and affixed to this mallet , A . L . 5 831 , A . D . 1827 , to commemorate that this being the same mallet with which His Majesty King Charles the Second levelled the foundation stone of St . Paul ' s Cathedral , A . L ., 5072 , A . D . 16 75 , was present : d to ihe old Lodge of St . Paul , now the Lod ^ t ° " Antiquity , acting by immemorial constitution by Bro . Sir Christopher Wren W . D . G . M ., Worshipful Master of this Lodge and architect of that ec-ili . ee .

Bro . I " . G . Hudson , P . P . G ., Chaplain , said he had been requested to address a few words to them in connection with the ceremony they had just witnessed . W hen engaged on a work like thit they were but performing the natural duties of their order . They were Masons . In Masonry and all akin to it some of their deepest sympathies were enlisted , especially in such Masonry as that

which , when completed , they had reason to believe would add to the glory of God and the good of their fcllowmen in that city , lt was the pride of true Masonry to lend both its sanction and its help to all works which were consecrated to thc honour of the great Architect of the Universe , and the eternal welfare of th- ir brethren in the world . I le reminded them of what was done at the last general

meeting ofthe Grand Lodge of England to commemorate the safe return of the Grand Master , thc Prince of Wales , and said that being influenced by a similar spirit , their Provincial Grand Lodge felt itself at home in the good work iu which it was engaged . Doubtless that addition to St . Mary ' s Church was a good work , for the church was at present inadequate to the wants of the increasing

population , and there could not be so many worshippers as would otherwise avail themselves of the privileges offered . The remembrance of the glories ami fair proportions of Solomon ' s magnificent temple came to the mind of the Mason on such an occasion as that , and stirred within him a desire to make God ' s house more beautiful and more majestic than was Ilis own house then . Many of

the noble sentiments of their Craft were intimately connected with that grand ol . l temple at Jerusalem . God grant that they might so influence their minds as to cause them to freely oren their purses and freely lend their aid to all kindred institutions . —In reply , his Grace , the P . G . M ., said he had been very much favoured in being requested to lay the stone , and he hoped that success might

attend their efforts m getting funds to complete the buildding . The brethren had done something towards reducing the deficit , and in any case he hoped the services would still be continued for the benefit of their fcllowmen and ta the Glory of God . His Grace then scattered wheat upon the stone as an emblem of the blessing they desired to be poured upon

them by Him whom they honoured , anil the Masonic part of the ceremony being concluded , the public were invited by Canon Argles to contribute to the building fund . The stone laid was inscribed as follows : — " Dei gloria . This corner stone of the north aisle as an addition to the Church of Saint Mary , Peterborough , was laid on the ist

of June , 1876 , by his Grace the Duke of Manchester , Prov . G . M ., and the officers and brethren of Norths and Hunts . Thc new aisle , we may add , will be 14 ft . gin . wide , and 62 ft . long , and will be seated with chairs so as to accommodate 208 persons . The north wall will be removed and in the place of that will be an arcade like

that on the south side , while the windows will be utilized for lighting the new aisle , and it will thus accord more closely with the other part of the church , which has but little claim to notice aichitecturally . It is also intended at the same time to construct a tower which will be carried up to the new roof and covered , so that thc spire can be added hereafter . The total cost of the work is

upwards of £ 1 , 000 , of which £ 400 has yet to be obtained . Mr . II . M . Townshend is the architect , and Mr , J . Thompson the builder . After the ceremony of laying the stone the brethren reformed in procession and walked to the Great North'rn Hotel , where the banquet had been prepared in a

tastefully-decorated marquee . The canvas was lined with red , white , blue , and green bunting , and shields bearing the Masonic emblems were affixed to the poles . There were three or four gasaliers in case artificial light was needed , and the general effect was heightened by large mirrors at each end of the marquee . The chair was taken

Provincial Grand Lodge Of Northamptonshire And Huntingdonshire.

by the I ' rov . G . M ., and on the right of his Grac .- sat th < . D . Prov . G . M . Bro . Butler Wilkins ; on his left Bro " Kelly , P . Prov . G . M . of Leicestershire , with th ¦ proviu . ' cial officers on cither side . About 200 sat down to the excellent repast served in Bro . Moore ' s usual manner , and which gave the greatest satisfaction .

After grace , which was said by thc Prov . G . Chaplain the good things wire discussed for some time , Bro . Mar . son taking the office of toast-master , which he dischir ^ td most efficiently . In giving " Thc Queen and thc Craft , " his Grace said he was sure he could not say anything in an assembl y of loyal Englishmen , much less in an assembly of loyal

Masons , to induce them to receive coidially the health < , [ thc Queen . Under her reign the country had flourished , the Empire had increased both in extent and in wealth , in power and in prospeiity . They all hoped as Masons and as loyal subjects that her reign might long continue , and that they might long drink the toast of "The Queen and Craft . "

I he toast was duly honoured , a private bind . playing the National Anthem . The Prov . G . Master next gave "The Health of H . R . H . the Prince of Wales , K . G ., the M . W . Grand Master of England , " and said he had been told by those who had accompanied His Royal Highness 011 his Indian tour that nothing couldhave been happier than the way in which he

received persons of all races and ranks . I le made a most favourable impressi'ii upon all , and his friends especially were delighted with the tact , the discretion , an . l the gou . l taste which he showed at all times . As a Mason they knew his merits , and as his ( the Duke's ) time was short he would say no more , but ask them to drink cordially " The Health of their Grand Master , the Prince of

Wales . " As the P . G . M . had to leave in order to be present at the State Ball at Buckingham Palace that evening , the chair was afterwards taken bv the D . P . G . M ., Bro . Butler Wilkins , who gave the " M . W . Pro G . M ., the Earl of Carnarvon , and the M . W D . G . M ., Lord Skelmersdale , and Officers of thc Grand Lodge , " and then called upon

Bro . Waller , W . M . 442 , to propose " The Iliallh of ( lie P . G . M ., his Grace the Duke of Manchester . " That was clone in suitable turns , Bro . Waller sa ) ing that the popularity of their P . G . M . was proved by the many public demands made upon him . Bro . Kelly , P . P . G . M . Leicestershire , next gave " The Health of the P . D . G . M ., Bro . Butler Wilkins .

Bro . Kelly remarked that however generous the Grand Master might be , upon his deputy must fall the burden and heat of the day in carrying out the duties . He was glad to know that Bro . Inns had such a successor . But as " good wine needs no bush , " a good toast required no culogium . D . P . G . M ., Butler Wilkins , replied very ably . He took

the opportunity of thanking the different lolges an . l chapters in the province for the kind reception they had given him whenever he hatl had the honour of paying them a visit , and he thought th-it had not tlv ; Prov . G . M . been compelled to leave he would have beengialifie . l to know that throughout the province over which he presided all the lodges were iu working order . Differences of

opinion would arise in all communities , but he was happy to say that in that province thej were so slight as not in any way to interfere with the carrying out of those Masonic principles which all should observe , and which tended to unite them more closely in the cause of brotherly love , relief and truth . In meeting his brethren at the close of the first year of office , he felt himself in a position

somewhat similar to that of a member cf Parliament before his constituents , sensible of many shortcomings ; but when he saw so many present , to welcome the R . W . Prov . G . M ., and remembered that many had entered tlie higher degree of Royal Arch with satisfaction to themselves , —when he called to mind the energy and zeal displayed iu working the different lodges which so many

had joined , while others were seeking admission into their Craft , —he could not help feeling , that Masonry was steadily and surely progressing . It was progressing , lie was happy to say , in the right direction , lie made the remark last year on a similar occasion , that there should be no standing still , but that they should all do their best to support those institutions , from

which they derived benefit . That had borne fruit , for they had seen that day in the person of the present Senior Warden ( Bro . II . II . Griffin ) a well known truth amply illustrated , that in every age men would always rise to fill thc offices as occasion required . The D . P . G . M . then spoke of what the province had done for the Masonic institutions , remarking though it numbered

only eight lodges , it stood in the front rank , and was , he might say , A 1 in the amount of its subscriptions . He was sure that thc honour conferred on Bro . Griffin would be endorsed , and lhat it would stimulate other brethren in after years to follow so good an example . The D . P . G . M . spoke

amusingly of the Provincial Grand coach , and its double team of eight having gone so smoothly that all he should have to do would be to try and remove the difficulties if the road became rough and rugged , and keep the necessary parts well oiled ; and he closed with expressing thanks to the P . G . S and the brethren of St . Peter ' s .

The toast of " The Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution " gave opportunities for Bros . Binckes and Terry to advocate those they represented , and several other toasts"The Visiting Brethren , " "Past Provincial Grand Officers , " Provincial Grand Treasurer and Secretary , " " Provincial Grand Wardens , and Officers , and W . M . ' s of Lodges , " Sc . —were afterwards given , with the Tyler ' s toast at the finish .

The Provincial Grand Lodge will be h ; M n xt jetr at Thrapston .