Provincial Grand Lodge Of Cheshire.

the Lord and His Apostles , that this same Jesus now glorified once died for our sins , and rose and ascended to where He now is , waiting for the everlasting kingdom to be given Him of the Father , when He shall return to this earlh and reign for ever , together wilh all those vvho shall then be found worthy to share His kingdom with Him . And vve know , too , that this mighty Saviour took our nature upon Him in the womb of the Blessed Virpin . not onlv that He misht bear our sins upon the cross of shame , but that

He might raise this sinful nature of ours , and make it by His power like to His own Divine nature now in this life , and so vve become in living truth children of God and members of Christ—free men—for we are freed from the power of our own besetting fins , born of a free woman , even of His Holy Bride , His Church , whom He redeemed and purchased vvith His Own blood . Brothers to a King , and fellows to a Prince , for we are brethren of the Lord Jesus , members of His Body , of His Flesh , and of his Bones , as St . Paul tells us—companions to that peasant , the carpenter of Naraztth , who humbled himself to be our equal , that He might be in

all points tempted like as we are , and bs touched with the feeling of cur infirmities , and so able to help us in our temptations and our trials . Here again all Masons will have perceived that in the allegorical teachings of our Order we have a witness to the Incarnation . And if , leaving these great and precious doctrines of our faith , vve come to symbolism scarcely less valuable , because pregnant vvith meaning for those vvho have the eye to see , and the power to understand , how much does not Masonry teach us concerning God's earthly house ? It teaches that it should stand east and west , because , according to our

tradition , the Tabernacle and the Temple so stood . That our prayers are made towards the east , because the sun , vvhich rises in the east , symbolises the everlasting sun of righteousness , the bright and morning star , the day spring from on high , for whose second coming the Church hourly looks and waits . It teaches that God ' s house should be set apart by special consecration ; that incense has ever symbolised prayer and intercession ; that lights have a hidden meaning , altogether distinct from their ordinary every day use . It teaches , as all may see vvho have come here to-day , that there are different

ranks and gradis in our hierarchy , wilh peculiar and distinctive dresses and emblems belonging to each . Need I say that in all these points , ihe teaching of Freemasonry most strikingly confirms the old traditions ofthe Christian Church ? We have here again the double witness to God's truths . And novv , dear brethren , before I conclude , let me ask you to lay to heart the real meaning of the work in vvhich you have been engaged to-day . You have done much to consolidate and strengthen Masonry in this province , by the installation of one so eminently fitted for the high dignity vvhich has

been conferred upon him . I have endeavoured , however imperfectly , to show you that Masonry has a distinct mission and responsibility , resting upon it—that it has certain truths committed to it to teach , certain well defined principles to maintain . Let us try to realise this , and to act accordingly . We live in times when all the truths which we have inherited , our landmarks , our principles , are called in question and denied . It is our work to maintain them . The existence of a Supreme Being , the reality of a future state , the authenticity ofthe volume of the Sacred Law , the first principles of social

order and of civilised society—all these are now questioned . Let us remember what vve have been taught , and let us vindicate our teaching , and then we have come here to God ' s house to sanctify our proceedings . Why ? Because He is specially present here . As He says , " In all places were I record My name , I will come unto thee , and I will bless thee . " Let us ever try to realise His presence , and k * t us remember that our daily work is to build ourselves up , or rather to be built up by Him , into a spiritual house meet fcr His habita'ion . That building in our own souls and bodies must be the work

of the Holy Ghost . No other power can effect it . For it is indeed a mighty work to turn man from sin to God . It is mostly a silent work ; as the Temple was built in silence , the still small voice of God's Spirit speaks to us in secret . Let us take heed that vve always listen , and act as he directs . And if vve wish this mighty work to go on in us , and to be brought to completion , vve must be men of Prayer . This is the true teaching of Jacob ' s ladder , Prayer always going up to God , Grace and help coming down in answer . And then , lastly , do not be afraid of discouragements

in religion . Rather expect them . The stone vvhich the builders rejected became the head stone of the corner . That workman must have been very much disappointed when he saw his stone that he had laboured at so long and so carefully rejected . Perhaps it was heaved over among the rubbish . But He knew that he had worked as He had been told , and he waited patiently for His reward , and the reward came . We must be content to find our work in our own soul , not telling at first sometimes . " Men ought always to pray and not to faint , " says our Lord . Persevere , and all vvill come right . Expect too , to be in a minority if you are living for Christ .

uo not follow the multitude in evil doing , be suspicious of popular doennes , popular opinions , popular habits and ways of thinking and acting . Be brave and bold in pursuance of duty , regardless of all consequences to yourself . So will you be wotthy followers of the great Masters in our Craft , and so in the strength of the Lord Jesus , and by the Holy Spirit ' s help , vvill you be more than conquerors over sin here , and in the end have your place in the Heavenly mansions where your Saviour has entered before you , and where He is now making ready a place for all those vvho love Him , and vvho look for his appearing .

At the conclusion of the service a collection vvas made for the Benevolent Fund of the Provincial Grand Lodge Alter the service in the cathedral , about 200 brethren sat down to a banquet in the Town Hall , under the presidency of Bro . Lord Egerton of Tatton , P . G . M ., who vvas supported by the great majority of the more distinguished visitors present at ihe business portion of the ' proceedings .

In proposing " The Health of the Prince of Wales , M . W . G . M ., " the PROV . GRAND MASTER said he hoped the brethren of the Provinces of West Lancashire , East Lancashire , and Cheshire would join in presenting his Roynl Highness with a loyal Masonic address on the occasion of his visit to Manchester to open the Exhibition . "The Health of the P . G . VI ., " given by Bro . Earl AMHERST , vvas received wilh acclamation , and Bro . Lord EGERTON OF TATTON , in reply , counselled the brethren to carry out to their fullest extent the true and ennobling principles which vvere embodied in the Masonic Order . A musical programme was given by Bros . N . Dumville , W . Dumville , A . Lewtas , and H . Miller .

Provincial Grand Chapter Of Cumberland And Westmoreland.

PROVINCIAL GRAND CHAPTER OF CUMBERLAND AND WESTMORELAND .

The annual convocation of this Provincial Grand Chapter was held in the County Hall , Carlisle , on Friday , the 15 th inst ., under the banner of the Union Chapter , No . 310 ., when , in the absence of the Provincial Grand Superintendent , Comp . Col . F . R . Sewell , P . Z . 371 , P . G . H ., presided , supported as follows : Comps . John Barr , P . Z . 119 , P . G . H . ; George Dalrymple , P . Z . 119 , P . G . J . ; Geore J . McKay , P . Z . 129 , P . G . S . E . ; W .

C . Johns , 119 , as P . Cr . b . N . ; James Gardiner , P . Z . 327 , P . G . P . S . ; J . J , Robinson , 2119 , P . G . Swd . Br . ; J . H . Braithwaite , P . Z . 129 , P . G . Org .: J . Dickinson , 371 , P . G . Stwd . ; Dr . Charles Gore-Ring , P . Z . 1073 , P . Gl S . N . Rev . James Anderson , 119 ; George Ryrie , 119 ; T . A . Argles , 129 ; C . J . Wanson , 310 ; J . Hall , J . 1073 ; F . Hodgson , P . Z . 119 , P . P . G . Swd . Br . ; J . C . Thompson , 119 ; Charles Gowan , P . S . 119 ; J . Eden , 119 ; Wm . Carlyle , 119 ; and others .

Ihe minutes of the former Prov . Grand Chapter were read and confirmed , when Comp . R . J . Nelson , P . Z . 129 , P . G . Treas ., vvas again elected Treasurer , and Comp . J . Casson , Janitor , by unanimous vote , and the following companions vvere invested as Prov . G . Officers ;

Comp . T . B . Arinson , P . Z . 339 ... ,,. ... p rov > G . H . „ Ed . Tyson , P . Z . 119 ,., .,, ,,, Prov . G . J . „ Rev . Jas . Anderson , 119 ... ,., Prov . G . Chap . „ Gen . J . McKay , P . Z . 129 ... ... Prov . G . S . E . „ Wm . Court , P . Z . 310 ... ... .,, Prov . G . S . N . „ R . J . Nelson , P . Z , 129 , re-elected ... .,, Prov . G . Treas .

Provincial Grand Chapter Of Cumberland And Westmoreland.

Comp . ] . J . Robinson , Z . 119 ... ,.. ,,, Prov . G . P . S . „ J . R . Banks , P . Z . 371 ... ... ... Prov . G . ist A . S . „ J . B . Thwaites , P . Z . 339 ... ... Prov . G . 2 nd A . S . „ J . C . Thompson , 119 ... ... ... Prov . G . Reg . „ Henry Hoodless , P . Z . 327 ... ... Prov . G . Swd . Br . „ J . H . Braithwaite , 129 ... ... ... Prov . G . Std . Br

„ John Paterson , J . 119 ... ... ... Prov . G . D . C . „ John Smith , Org . 371 ... ... ... Prov G . Org . „ T . A . Argles , 129 * v ' „ C . J . Nanson , 310 i ,,, ,., .,. Prov . G . Stwds . „ J . Hall , 1073 ) „ John Casson , 11 9 ... ... ... Prov . G . Janitor . In the unavoidable absence of Comp . Nelson , P . G . Treas ., Comp . MC

KAY read the statement of accounts , which showed a good balance on the right side , with dues and fees to come in , they were passed as read , and the sum of five guineas voted to the " Binckes Testimonial Fund . " On the motion ofthe M . E . Z ., in the chair , seconded by Comp . GARDINER , it vvas unanimously resolved that Certificates be preserved for presentation to the prominent Grand Officers . There being nothing further , Prov . Grand Chapter was closed in due form , and the Companions subsequently dined at the County Hotel .

Provincial Grand Chapter Of Cornwall.

PROVINCIAL GRAND CHAPTER OF CORNWALL .

The Earl of Mount Edgcumbe , Provincial Grand Superintendent , held his annual convocation on Friday , the 151 b inst ., under the banner of the Hayle Chapter , No . 450 , when upwards of 50 Royal Arch Masons were present . After the usual business of the convocation had been transacted , five guineas were voted to the Cornwall Benevolent Institution , and ^ 21 ios . to

the Royal Masonic Institution for Boys . The PROV . G . SUPERINTENDENT stated that the regulations vvhich governed Craft Masonry also governed Royal Arch Masonry , except where specially provided for in the new Royal Arch Constitutions . At the request of the Provincial Grand Superintendent , a part of this beautiful Degree vvas worked by the members of the Hayle Chapter , under the direction of the M . E . Z ., Comp . N . J . West .

The following were appointed the Provincial Grand Officers for the ensuing year : — Comp . Sir Charles B . Graves Savvle , Bart ..,. ... Prov . G . H . „ N . J . West ... ... ... ... p rov . G . J . ,, E . D . Anderton ,,, ... ... Prov . G . S . E . „ W . A . Gerry ... ... ... ... Prov . G . S . N . „ John H . Ferris ... ... ... Prov . G . Treas .

„ j . W . Higman ... ... ... Prov . G . Reg . „ Herring ... ... ... ... Prov . G . P . S . „ G . Barnes ... ... ... ... Prov . G . S . 5 . „ W . K . Baker ... ... ... p . G . J . S . „ Norman Gray ... ... ... Prov . G . Swd . B . „ J . T . Brooking . „ ... ... Prov . G . Std . B .

„ T . Hicks .., ... ... ... Prov . G . D . C . „ Roberts ... ... ... ... Prov . A . G . D . C . „ James Lovell ... ... ... Prov . G . Org . „ W . D . Rogers ... ... ... Prov . G . A . S . E . „ J . V . tsray ... ... ... ... Prov . G . Janitor . On the Provincial Grand Chapter being closed , the companions , to the number of 43 , dined at the White Hart Hotel .

The Chairman Of The Coming Girls' School Festival And His Province.

THE CHAIRMAN OF THE COMING GIRLS ' SCHOOL FESTIVAL AND HIS PROVINCE .

Our Charitable Institutions are so well established in the favour of the Craft , their merits are so universally recognised , and their annual requirements so easily determined and so readily met , that in all probability they are to a greater extent independent of the efforts and influence of the distinguished brethren vvho successively plead their cause than other institutions of a similar character . Yet it can hardly be doubted that the personal claims to the support of a Chairman , and the amount of influenr-R he is in a

position to command , have a certain amount of influence in determining the result of the anniversary at which he engages to preside , and if he is iortunate enough to have a province at his back , that province will be of very material assistance to him in the fulfilment of his duties . There are lodges and brethren almost innumerable vvho would contribute largely and regularly if no anniversary meetings were held ; but there are also many who need a stimulus

, periodically renewed , in order to arouse their naturally generous instincts to renewed exhibitions of sympathy . A Chairman , by the earnestness of his appeals and a province by the iorce of its example , must help considerably in arousing this sympathy , and it is for this reason that on all necessary occasions we are careful to lay belore our readers any special circumstances connected vvith the two which , in our opinionare likely to

, advantage the Institution whose cause they are engaged in advocating . In the case of R . W . Bro . Sir Offley Wakeman , Bart ., who has arranged to preside at the Girls' School Festival on Wednesday , the 1 ith prox ., and his province , we need not enter into any length y particulars . When towards the close of 1885 that Right Worshipful brother was installed Grand Master of Shropshire as a separate Province , we took occasion to describe both the

lodges it would be his duty to preside over and the claims he had so far established as a Mason upon their respect and loyalty . VVe pointed ° that under the government of his predecessor , the late Bro . Sir W . Watkins-Wynn , Bart ., M . P ., as P . G . M . of North VVales and Shropshire , Freemasonry had vastly increased in strength , and that , as regards Shropshire , which in 1852 , when Bro . Sir W . Watkins-Wynn was installed in office , could only boast of two lodges , namely , the Salopian Lodge of Charity ,

No . 117 , of "Ancient , " and the Salopian , No . 262 , of " Modern " originboth meeting in Shrewsbury , it mustered at the time of Bro . Sir O . Wakeman ' s installation , no less than ten lodges , the eight additional being located at Bridgnorth ( No . 1621 ); Ironbrid ge ( No . 11201 ; Ludlow ( No . 611 ) > Market Drayton ( No . 1575 ); Newport ( No . 1806 ); Oswestry ( Nos . H 2 * . *

and 1432 ); and Wellington ( No . 601 . ) Since then the Brownlovv Lodge . No . 2131 , Ellesmere , has been added to the roll , and Shropshire can now " point to an array of eleven lodges , distributed among nine of its principa * towns , and all earnestly bent on strengthening and extending the beneficent influence of Masonry . And having the will to do vvhat is requis ' towards supporting their chief at the Girls' School Festival , these lodges have