Provincial Lodges.

having , on this occasion , tho countenance and support of their greatly esteemed and talented Br . D . W . Nash . D . P . G . M ., whose presence he felt to be a high compliment to himself and the Lodge of Instruction . The R . W . D . P . G . M ., in rising to return thanks was received with enthusiasm . After reading a letter from the R . W . P . G . M ., stating the reasons for , and much regretting , his inability to be present , he said , he felt it his duty and privilege to be amongst them on this occasion , and assured them he was at all times accessible to every member of the province , and , felt great pleasure

in giving them any assistance or advice they might require . Tlfis . was the duty of one filling the high and distinguished position he had the honour toxoid ; and of which he was justly proud , but every member of the Order had also "his duty to perform . Masonry , like every other institution , having a great end in view , required strict obedience to the laws by which it was governed ; those laws were patent , and by them he should at all times regulate the business of his province . And , as it was the duty of the superior officers to enforce such lawful obedience , so it was the duty and

privilege of those in a less exalted position , to assist them in keeping up harmony , goodfellowship , and fraternal feeling , by a proper observance of the duties they had to fulfil . He could point to many distinguished brethren in the province of Bristol , who had commenced their Masonic career in the Lodge of Instruction , and having there laid tho foundation , had raised a superstructure alike honourable to themselves , and beneficial to their brethren . He could not , therefore , but at all times give his most cordial support to that Lodgewhich he was glad to find was working steadil

, y , and was well supported . The D . P . G . M . subsequently called upon the brethren to charge their glasses , ashe was about to propose a toast , which , on such an occasion , might be considered the toast of the evening , namely , the health of their worthy president , Br . W . H . Bowden , whose zeal ancl energy in the cause of Masonry and

its best interests , were well known to them all . He ( the D . P . G . M . ) attached great importance to Lodges of Instruction . Masonic Lodges met to carry out the three grand principles of Brotherly Love , Relief , and Truth , and to do this according to the ancient Masonic plan , it was necessary that the ceremonies , as well as all their other proceeding , should be conducted in strict conformity with those land-marks which our fore-fathers had handed down . The Lodge of instruction , however , not only afforded brethren the readiest means of acquiring such experience as it was only their boimden

duty to acquire , before accepting any office to which they might be called , but it was here more especially that the Masonic lectures , which to his mind , contained much matter interesting and instructive alike to the historian and antiquarian , were given , and studied . These lectures , it was true , were sometimes heard in tho regular Lodges , but it too frequently happened that the other onerous duties of the W . M ., and prepare of necessary business , rendered it impossible to give them that attention they merited . In the Lodge of Instruction , it was otherwise ; there the younger brethren

especially would have ample opportunity of studying more closely the true principles of the Craft , and of admiring the beauty and symmetry of the design . Now , as to their president , they all knew him to be a zealous and good working Mason , ever at his post , and ever ready and willing to devote his services to the cause of Masonry . If proof were wanting to show the estimation in which he was held , and their appreciation of his ability , he would only refer to the fact , that for seven consecutive periods of thirteen weekshe had been unanimouslelected to fill the ( he would )

im-, y sayvery portant office of President of the Lodge of Instruction . He , therefore , had much pleasure in proposing the health of their president , Br . W . H . Bowden . The president , having returned thanks in a brief speech , but replete with feeling , and several other toasts having been drunk , the brethren separated in perfect harmony , much pleased with the evenings entertainment .

CAMBRIDGESHIRE

SCIENTIFIC LODGE , CAMBRIDGE ( No . 105 )—This Lodge held its usual monthly meeting on Monday , April 9 , at Br . Mitchell ' s , the Lion Hotel , in the Petty Cury . The business consisted of three initiations and one raising , the ceremonies being most efficiently performed by the W . M ,, Br . A . R . Ward . Too much cannot be said of the manner in which the whole of the business of the evening was carried out . A