Provincial Lodges.

opportunity did not occur , they would pardon him for what he had now said . They had heard from the D . G . M . of the scene of last night . Let him add , that school had been in existence since 1788 ; they could therefore suppose the number of children that had been educated in it was somewhat large—being nearly 700—and it was with gratitude to the Great Architect of the Universe he was able to tell them that not one child educated there had ever disgraced herself or the charity —( Cheers ) . As to their boys , they endeavoured to educate them in high and noble principles , and they had

been successful ; but he looked forward to the time when they would have a building for them also , and house them , and take care of them , as they did of their clear girls , so that tho charity might flourish and prosper to the same extent as their girls' school . As to old and decayed Masons they found for them a home if they were disposed to place themselves in it , and if not , they gave them the means whereby the sorrows of age might be mitigated , and their latter days smoothed— ( Cheers ) . They also took care of the widowsand he heartily hoped and trusted they would shortlbe able to do

, y more for them than they had done . For his part he wanted to see Masonry what it ought to be , more diffuse in principle and more active in operation . They did a great deal of good , but not so much as they might , and he would rather see some of their festivity laid aside and more done for their decayed brethren . But there was a good time coming . The time demanded now a larger amount of philanthropy and of education for their children ; and Masonry he knew would never be behind in the great march of human progress that was going on , and on , and on to civilize and better the world

—( Cheers ) . He would not detain them longer , but he must observe he was sure their now P . G . M . would do honour to the Province , and that Essex would stand in that high and palmy position which it ought to occupy —( Cheers ) . Once more he thanked them heartily for the kind manner in which they had received the toast , and they would let him add his prayer to the Great Architect of the Universe that they might pass through the trials of this world , and meet again in that Lodge above where the world ' s Great Architect reigned and ruled for ever and ever —( Cheers ) . The Earl of Yarborough gave " The health of the new P . G . M ., " who was esteemed

by them all , and he was sure they would take the earliest opportunity of testifying their regard to him —( Cheers ) . He was right , he thought , in saying that the choice had been judicious , so that they would work with him , and they would find him ready to assist them in any way . His Masonic character was such that they could put full confidence in him , and he thought he should find from their reception of this toast that they were anxious to testify their regard for him —( Cheers ) . The P . G . M . said there were moments of life when the heart was too full to give

utterance to its sentiments , and he confessed that ho felt considerable difficulty in replying to this toast . He had been placed in a position of great distinction : in accepting it , it was his desire to do his duty , and he could only hope that power would be given him to carry out these principles of Masonry , which in his heart he valued . He had listened with delight to what had fallen from the Rev . Mr . Cox on the subject of the Masonic charities , and also from the G . M ., for these were his own sentiments , as he cared nought for Masonry unless it was what he felt it to be—the means of

extensive usefulness —( Cheers ) . If they found they really could not , as men and as Masons , make themselves useful , the Craft ceased to be of any value . But he felt it was of great use , for he had been a Mason 30 years , and had been much abroad , and there the comforts of it were indescribable . They did not know one half of its comforts in this country , for here they did not know what it was to be without friends ; but he was sent at fourteen years old to India , to make his way in life , which , thank God , had been tolerably successful , and he attributed half his success and comforts to the

privilege he enjoyed of being early initiated as a Mason —( Cheers ) . He had as a Christian seen the most blessed effects spring from it , persons being drawn to a knowledge of the truth , and induced to read their Bible because they were Masons —( Cheers ) . He felt anxious to cultivate their esteem , and when he found he could not do it he would retire . He would only add , he drunk all their healths , and if the ladies would permit him to drink theirs it would add much to the obligation —( Cheers ) . The Earl of Yarborough gave "The health of the D . P . G . M-, Major Skinner , on whose exertions much depended , and of the P . D . Pr . G . M . Br . Dr . Rowe "—( Cheers ) .