Scotland.

SCOTLAND .

THE LODGE OF EDINBURGH ( MARY'S CHAPEL , No . i ) . ¦ PRESENTATION TO BRO . WILLIAM OFFICER . The ancient Scottish metropolitan lodge celebrated the Festival of St . John in the lodge-room , Waterloo Hotel , on the 27 th of December . There was a large gathering of influential brethren—more

than ordinary interest being attached to the communication from the circumstance that the retiring R . W . M . was in the course of the evening to be presented with a testimonial for the eminent services rendered by him to the lodge during his six years' tenure of office . Bro . W . J . Cranfield

Abbott , merchant , Leith , was unanimously elected to the chair as successor to Bro . William Officer , S . S . C . Among other business transacted after the installation of the new office-bearers was the honorary affiliation of that eminent craftsman and Masonic literati , Bro . David Murray Lyon , of Ayr ,

who is at present engaged in writing a history of the lodge . Bro . Lyon was highly complimented by the brethren . The . lodge then adjourned to the banquetinghall , and sat down to a sumptuous dinner . The chair was filled by the R . W . M ., who was supported

on the right by Bros . Officer , D . Murray Lyon ( Proxy Master for the Lodge Scarborough , Island of Tobago ) , F . S . Melville ( Past Depute Master ) , and Thomas Swinton ( Substitute Master ); and on the left by Bros . William Mann ( P . M ., S . G . W . ) , James Ballantine ( G . Bard ) , Owen Gough ( Proxy

Prov . G . M . of New South Wales ) , and the Rev . F . Rowbottom , of St . James' Church . The croupiers were Bros . W , G . Roy , S . W ., and Dr . LilburnJ . W . Apologies were read from Bros . Henry Inglis of Torsonce ( Substitute G . M . ) , the Lord Rosehill ( Depute Master of the lodge ) , Colonel Campbell of

Blythswood ( J . G . W ., and Prov . G . M . of Renfrewshire ) , Col . Guthrie of Carlogie , and some other eminent brethren . At the conclusion of the dinner , the R . W . M . gave in succession " The Queen and the Craft , " " His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales , Patron of the

Scottish Craft , and a member of the Lodge of Edinburgh ; " "The Grand Lodges of England , Ireland , and Scotland , coupled with the names of their respective Grand Masters , the Earl de Grey and Ripon , the Duke of Leinster , and the Earl of

Rosslyn , " all of which toasts were neatly introduced and responded to with enthusiasm , as was also in a special manner that of " The Earl of Dalhousie , Past Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of Scotland . "

In proposing " The Health of the Retiring R . W . M ., " Bro . Mann passed a high eulogium upon Bro . Officer , whose Masonic enthusiasm and industry in the discharge of the Mastership had been fruitful of results tending to the honour and prosperity of the lodge in a measure which had

excited the surprise as well as the high gratification of its sons . In looking back , he ( Bro . Mann ) was astonished at what had been done by the lodge during the six years of Bro . Officer's reign . Two hundred new brethren had been admitted , many of whom , now scattered over the globe , were at this

moment remembering with fraternal feelings the happy evenings they had spent in Mary ' s Chapel . After further referring to Bro . Officer's devotion to his mother lodge , and to his success in its management , the speaker begged his acceptance of the testimonial which the brethren had resolved to

present to him on the occasion of his retirement from the chair , in token of their respect for him and their high appreciation of the distinguished services he had rendered to the Lodge of Edinburgh and to the Craft .

[ The testimonial , which " . ¦ is much admired , comprises a magnificent silver epergnc , after an original design , the figures on which were modelled by Gourlay Steell , Esq ., Royal Scottish Academician , and three other pieces of silver plate . ]

The applause which followed Bro . Mann's remarks having subsided , Bro . Officer said he accepted the gift with the profotindest gratitude as an expression of the friendly sentiments of the brethren , and their approval of the manner in which he had discharged the duties of the honourable

office to which they had so often elected him . He thanked them for their munificent gift , and for their fraternal indulgence and cordial support during his occupancy of the chair . His long connection with the lodge had not afforded a mere evanescent pleasure , for within the radius of its membership he had enjoyed the friendship of many with whom it was

alike an honour anda privilege to beassociated ; and though now resigning the trust that had been reposed in him , his best services would ever be at the command of the lodge . ( Applause . ) At this stage of the proceedings , the following song , written for the occasion by Bro . James Ballantine , Grand Bard , was most effectively sung by the Senior Warden ;—

Scotland.

Air— " When the ICye come ffii / ne . " Be honest and be gentle ; be kindly and be true ; And help your humble brethren aye this life to warstle through ; And gin through life ye ope your hearts to Charity and Love , You'll find yoursels aye nearer drawn to Him wlia reigns above .

True gentleness and kindliness this night we honour here , Our worthy Master , Officer , wha ' s deeds hae made him dear ; 'Mong a' the Mason Craft throughout , his fame is far and wide , And ' neathhis sway St . Mary's Lodge was every Mason's pride .

Since David , Scotland ' s saintly king , brought foreign Masons o'er To build fair Holyrood , that aye has been Edina's glofr , The Masters o' St . Mary ' s Lodge hae ever led the van In teaching art , and harmony , and brotherhood to man .

Then Schaw * and Milnes for centuries , through seven monarchs' reigns , Our Masters aye , wi' gems o' art , graced Scotland ' s hills and plains ; And earls and knights have joined our ranks wha fought for Scotland's weal ; Our country , ' mid her trials , aye found Mary ' s Chapel leal .

And lo . ' behold ! what gallant chields , ' neath Officer's kind reign , Duke Rothesayl and five noblemen , are numbered in our train , To say nought o' the humble bards , like gude Torsonce and me , Wha do our best to win your love and share your festive glee .

A bumper fill for Officer , Past Master and fast friend . May he be lang , lang spared wi' us , sic joyous nights to spend , And when kind Providence is pleased us frae this life to free , May we a' meet in harmony around yon throne on hie .

* William Schaw , the King's Master of Works , signed the first minute extant of Mary's Chapel in 159 S , and the Milnes , who succeeded him as Masters of Works during the reigns of seven monarchs , were all Masters of the same lodge .

T During the six years that Bro . Officer has been Master of the lodge , Mary ' s Chapel , there have been affiliated—His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales and Duke of Rothesay , as also Lords Dalhousie , Haddington , Zetland , Rosehill , and Lindsay . The Duke of Leinster has also accepted honorary affiliation .

Several toasts , in addition to those mentioned , having been given and responded to , this interesting communication was concluded in the most harmonious and fraternal manner . The Craft in general , to whom Bro . Officer is favourably known as one of

the most able and influential office-bearers in the Grand Lodge of Scotland , will read with the highest satisfaction the preceding report , as containing a record of the estimation in which Bro . Officer ' s Masonic worth is held by those who are best able to appreciate it .

Province Of Glasgow.

PROVINCE OF GLASGOW .

The tenth annual festival of the Masonic lodges of the province of Glasgow was held on the 23 rd ultimo , in the City Hall , Glasgow . The meeting was under the patronage of the Grand Lodge of Scotland and the Provincial Grand Lodge , and there was a large attendance of the Masonic

brethren and their friends . The Right Honourable the Earl of Rosslyn , G .. M .. M . of Scotland , presided ; and was supported on his right by Bros . Sir M . Shaw Stewart , Bart ., R . W . G . D . M . ; Henry Inglis , of Torsonce , S . G . M . ; William Mann , S . G . W . ; Colonel Campbell , J . G . W . ; John LawricG . Clerk ;

, W . C . Miller , G . D . M . ; II . G . Copeland , Acting-S . D . ; Murdoch Mackenzie , C . G . M . ; W . P . Buchan , G . S . ; and W . M . Brycc , G . Tyler ; and on the left by Bros . W . Montgomcrie Ncilson of Queenshill , P . G . M . of the province of Glasgow ; the Hon . the Lord Provost , Sheriff Bell , F . A . Barrow

D . P . G . M . ; David Drcghorn j D . Kinghorn , P . G . J . W . ; James Wallace , P . G . S . D . ; J . B . Walker , P . G . Treas . ; A . M-Taggart , P . G . Sec . ; Robert Craig , P . G . B . Ii . ; James Leith , P . G . U . C . ; Robert Robb , P . G . M . ; James Gillies , P . G . S . B . ; James Balfour , P . G . J . G . ; James Pollock , B . G . O . G . ; and

W . J . Hamilton , P . G . Convener . The Masters of lodges on the platform were—Bros . John Baird ( 3 ' - ' ) , George Sinclair { 27 ) , John Krazer ( 87 ^ , Thomas llalket ( 102 ) , Alexander Bain ( 103 ) , Thos . Grainger ( 117 ) , Root . Mitchell ( 332 ) , Andrew M'Jmyrc ( 333 ) ,

George lliallon ( 302 ) , John Buchanan ( 408 ) , James M'Leod ( 465 ) , George M'Donald ( 73 ) , John Mathieson ( 178 ) , — Davidson ( 219 ) , Wm . Philip ( 275 ) , John Miller ( 413 ) , A . M-Dougall and Matthew Wilson ( 411 ) .

Lord Rosslyn ( who was received with loud applause ) said—When I had the honour of an invitation to preside at this soiree , I was little aware of the greatness of the undertaking . When I sec

Province Of Glasgow.

before me this vast assembly—and one , no doubt , so critical—it is only the great position which I have the honour to fill among the Masons that inspires me on the approach of the time to carry out the undertaking . ( Applause . ) And when I consider that I am not only addressing Freemasons ,

but that I have upon this occasion the honour of addressing Masons' wives and Masons' bairns , I feel quite certain that the fairer portion of my audience will , at all events , be lenient to my efforts , and will give me that applause and that encouragement of which I stand in need . ( Applause . ) Ladies

and gentlemen , I had the honour to be placed in the position which I now hold but a very short time since , and this is the first public meeting at which I have had the honour to preside since I have been elected to fill that office . ( Applause . ) If I say this here it is because a whisper has reached me that

the Freemasons of the West have sometimes felt that they do not see so much of the ruling powers of the West as they would like to do . Now , let me assure you that if this complaint should for the future be given expression to , I shall not at least be in fault . ( Applause ) . Now , ladies and

gentlemen , I had the idea before I came here that , as Grand Master Mason of Scotland , I would have been required to speak on Masonic secrets which the ladies would never be privileged to hear ; but I am pleasantly disappointed . This is not a Masonic gathering— for while there are none here but those

who are closely connected with Masons , I believe I may speak in language which is not entirely Masonic . I think that if anybody may claim some title to be called on to address the fairer portion of the Masonic body—to whom we are not generally in the habit of speaking—it is myself ; because it

happened to be my fortune to be dining at a Masonic meeting when I had the honour and pleasure to give an invitation to the Masons present to a meeting , to be held that day twelvemonths , at a place I have in the neighbourhood of Edinburgh , called Rosslyn ; and I added that I should not only

be glad to see the Masons , but that they must bring their wives , daughters , and sweethearts . ( Applause . ) We met accordingly on a beautiful summer day , among scenery as beautiful as any Scotland can produce—and when I say that , I speak of the most beautiful scenery in the world ;

and I think they enjoyed themselves—at least , I hope so . ( Applause ) . That was the first Masonic gathering 1 had the pleasure of attending at which the ladies and gentlemen enjoyed themselves together . This , I am glad to see , is a meeting of the same character , and I must be allowed to

congratulate the Masons of the western part of Scotland on the gathering 1 see before me , which would be a credit to any portion of the country . ( "Applause . ) It is with the greatest pride and pleasure that I preside over such a meeting at such a time as this , when we must all feel for the great sufferingexisting

in many parts of the world—when commerce and trade , and all that makes a country prosperous and rich , is not only interrupted—when not only the Masonic Brotherhood , but natural brotherhood , which is even stronger—is being rudely torn asunder . At such a meeting as this , when we have

the great privilege of joining together in peace and harmony , even in festivity we cannot but think of that terrible , almost unprecedented war which is devastating the fair land of our nearest neighbour and former ally . ( Applause . ) In the countries now engaged in this terrible conflict not only have the

bonds of Masonry been broken , but every social tic has been loosened ; and many of those whom we were wont to look upon as prosperous and happy brethren are now lying wounded or dead . I think it is well that at a moment of this kind Masonry should be triumphant . ( Applause . ) The tics of

Masonry are not limited by any climate or by any soil . They know neither political nor territorial boundaries , but as far as thecivilised world extends so far do the ties of Masonry reach . ( Applause . ) These sentiments , which receive your approval and which you have acted on , it must be our aim and

our privilege to bring to practical effect . It must be our duty wherever we have the opportunity to aid our foreign brethren who have been rendered destitute in these wars and other calamities ; and in so great a community as this , 1 would , with all the importance of the office in which you have

placed me , recommend them to your consideration and continued friendship ; and I am satisfied that if you can render them any assistance you will not fail to do so . ( Applause ) . Mr . Montgomcrie Ncilson then proposed a vote of thanks to the strangers present , to which the

Lord Provost replied . Sheriff Bell , who followed , said it was now a good many years since he was admitted a member of the Masonic body in the Canongatc ( Kilwinning ) Lodge , which claimed for itself—although its title

was disputed by a lodge in the West—to be the mother lodge of Scotland . The tenor of his life had not enabled him to mingle much with the Masonic body since that time ; but his predecessor in the office which he had the honour to hold was