Provincial Lodges.

its head reached to the heavens , and its foundations were deeper than the roots of the everlasting hills , and its length and breadth embraced the whole world , and its centre was the pillar of eternal truth . Such was really the Masonic Lodge . It had symbols which possessed significance to the initiated , but to the uninitiated they were like unintelligible language j and many objections had been raised on account of those symbols and ' the secrets Avhich belonged to the Order . It AA'as objected by some that because of the universality of Freemasonry , they were seeking to supercede and

dishonour Christianity , by disseminating a mongrel sort of religion , apart ancl distinct from the revelations of the Almighty . Again ; it had been said if they had some great secret locked up in then- own bosoms , and it was for the benefit of mankind , why encumber it with symbols , and Avhy not admit all men into their society ? Such excuses , sneers , and objections had been levelled by the wise , the philosophic , and the religious , as Avell as by men of shallow understandings—men who were " wise in their own conceit ; " and yet through all the most illustrious menthose with

ages , the most enlightened intellect , and pure philanthropists , had not scrupled to knock at the door" of the Lodge , enter in , and abide under the shadow [ of its roof . He thought they ought not , on an occasion like the present , to flinch from examining those strictures Avhich had been advanced . against them , nor from vindicating , so far as they might , the construction of their societ }' , which was upon the ancient principle of legitimate pursuits , and the gentle works of charity and love . He then went on

to show that in olden time symbols were used to express ideas ; that it had long been the custom for bodies of men to unite for the purpose of carrying out great objects ; and that in all their proceedings they sought to advance the welfare of men by charity and love . The investigation of the Christian faith formed an interesting part of their work ; and although their Hebrew brethren could not go thus far , they still united with them in the worship of the true God , and did not relax their hold upon Masonry because the majority recognised the Christian faith . The genius of Masonry

demanded belief in the fundamental doctrines of revelation , and from that book they derived their principles . They sought to live on earth in harmony and love , and hoped hereafter to praise God in the Great Lodge above ! After some eloquent allusions to the symbols of God in the lightning and the storm , and in all those grand and sublime works AA'hich the Architect of the Universe brought into existence , the preacher adverted to the symbols contained in the investiture of the order of the Garterthe Ribbonand the Georgerespecting none of wliich had there been raised

, , , any of those objections which were raised respecting the Masonic Order . In conclusion , he said their work of laying the foundation stone Avould be incomplete unless they felt for the poor among the Craft , AA'hose prospects hacl been blighted , and therefore needed help . Let them , therefore , bestow their gifts , and distribute to those who were in need from those excellent charities Avhich their fathers established . The congregation then withdrew , during which , a collection was taken at the doors .

In the same order the procession moved to the site of the new building , taking the following route : —Commercial-street , Commercial-road , and Ruperra-street , to the site of the intended building , the band playing " Entered Apprentice . " On arriving at the spot , we observed that an immense gathering had already taken place , the reserved seats for the ladies , which would accommodate 250 , being quite full . The sun shone in all his effulgence , and expectation Avas on tip-toe for the completion of

THE CEREMONY . A confined space , an immense rush within the enclosure , and the absence of some kind of a fence round the immediate spot , caused an uncomfortable kind of confusion ; but in the midst of it the ceremony went on in the following order : — On arriving at the site , the W . M . took his place in the east , the P . G . M . sitting on his right , and the D . P . G . M . sitting on his left . The Senior Warden in the west , and the Junior Warden in the south ( standing ); the rest of the brethren taking places as most convenient , when the W . M . of the Silurian Lodge ( Mr . H . G . Thomas ) delivered the folloAving charge : —