Provincial Lodges.

joice that I have been allowed to participate in the interesting event of this day . I will add one word more : I hope and trust that God will bless and prosper the county of Somerset , and enable you successfully to finish the work which is this day begun , Cheers were then given for Lord Portman , the High Sheriff , the County and Borough Members , the Archdeacon of Taunton , and the Chairman of the Building Committee , Mr . King , and the ceremony terminated . [ It is to be regretted that in Somersetshire , where Masonry is duly appreciated , that the ceremony above mentioned was not confided to the hands of the P . G . M ., Brother Col . Tynte , M . P . ]

STAFFORDSHIRE . PROVINCIAL GRAND LODGE . The annual meeting of the Freemasons of Staffordshire took place on Tuesday , July 31 , in the Town Hall , Stoke-upon-Trent . Additional importance was attached to the meeting in consequence of its being understood that the interesting of consecrating the Portland LodgeNo . 920 would be performed .

ceremony , , The brethren mustered strongly from all parts of the province , and during the working of the lodge about 140 were present . The Provincial Grand Lodge was opened about half-past twelve o'clock , by the Right Worshipful Brother Lieut .-Col . George Augustus Vernon , Prov . G . M . The circular convening the meeting , and the minutes of the Provincial Grand Lodge , held at Walsall last year , having been read by the Prov . G . Secretary , as well as several letters from distinguished brethren who had been invited , expressive of

their regret at being unable to attend , the business of the meeting was at once proceeded with . The brethren of the Portland Lodge ( who had retired ) were admitted in due form , headed by their W . M . Br . Stone , who being an old and expert mason , contributed materially to the correct performance of the rite . The Prov . G . Secretary having read the warrant from the Grand Lodge of England , authorising the formation of the Portland Lodgethe beautiful and impressive of consecration was most abl

, ceremony y gone through by the Rt . W . Prov . G . M . and his officers . The next business was the appointment of officers , when the following brethren were appointed for the ensuing year , viz .: —Br . Lloyd re-elected Prov . G . Treasurer j Br . Col . Hogg , Prov . G . S . W . ; Br . Newsome , Prov . G . J . W .: Br . the Rev . W . H .

Wright , Prov . G . Chaplain ; Br . the Rev . E . Gwynne , Assistant Prov . G . Chaplain ; Br . W . James , Prov . G . Registrar ; Br . Dee ( re-elected ) Prov . G . . Secretary ; Br . Warner , Prov . G . S . D . ; Br . T . Mason , jun ., Prov . G . J . D . ; Br . Davenport , Prov . G . Super , of Works ; Br . J . James , Prov . G . D . C . ; Br . E . Clark , Assistant Prov . G . D . C . ; Br . John Good , Prov . G . S . B . ; Br . Mammott , Prov . G . Organist ; Br . D . Dilworth , Prov . G Purs . ; Br . Carlo Bregazzi , Prov . G . Standard Bearer ; and Br . Henry Bagguley ( re-elected ) , Prov . G . Tyler .

The brethren then formed in procession , headed by the Longton Brass Band , each Lodge being represented by its respective banner , and after walking through the principal streets of the town , proceeded to the parish church , where a most excellent sermon was preached by the Prov . G . Chaplain , his text being the 17 th verse of the 17 th chapter of Proverbs : "A friend loveth at all times , but a brother is born for adversity . " The Rev . H . Duck kindly officiated in the reading desk , assisted by Br . the Rev . E . Gwynne , Assistant Prov . G . Chaplain . A collection was made after

the sermon , amounting to the very handsome sum of £ 14 7 s . From the church the brethren returned to the lodge room for the conclusion of business . On the motion of the Prov . G . M . _ , the amount collected in church was made up to fifteen guineas from the Grand Lodge fund , and ordered to be distributed as follows : —Ten guineas to the Royal Benevolent Institution for aged and distressed Masons , and five guineas to the Stoke National Schools . A vote of thanks was given to Br . Wright for his excellent sermon , with a request that he would allow it to be printed , which was at once given . The business being concluded , the lodge was duly closed , and the brethren adjourned