Provincial Lodges.

entertainment ' of their Lodge meeting , made him proud of being a member of the Order , in which the best of feelings of man towards his fellows were brought into action , and men of all creeds were assembled in brotherly union . The health of the P . G . M- was given by Br . Dr . Clarke , and was greeted most enthusiastically . The P . G . M ., in reply , assured them his heart was devoted to Masonry ; it afforded him much pleasure to be among them , as the more he saw of Freemasonry ancl its

members , the more satisfied and gratified he was . He then called on the brethren to give a hearty reception to Br . Deacon , his invaluable Deputy , who for so many years had filled that office , to the perfect satisfaction of every member in the province . Br . Deacon tendered his most grateful thanks for the warm greeting his name had received ; the brethren were always so pleased with his services , that the fifteen years he had held tho appointment seemed but a day . The only return he could make for the confidence reposed in him was , by being ever ready to aid the cause , and to urge

among its members tlie great point of Masonry—charity , in its broadest sense ; not that of taking from our surplus wealth , but that tenderness , good-will , and brotherly love , which united all in bonds of brotherhood . Br . Deacon's address was embodied in eloquent language , to which our space is insufficient to do justice . He concluded by saying , " The encouragement you have given to ray past services cheers me afc this moment , ancl the memory of it will gild the future . " The P . G . M . called on the brethren to give a hearty welcome to their visitor , Br .

How ; and from his connection with a publication devoted to the Order , to unite with his name " The Press . " Br . How having replied , the healths of the several brethren who had received their appointments were drunk , and the brethren separated .

KENT . LODGE OF FREEDOM , GRAVESEND ( N O . 91 ) . —This Lodge held its monthly meeting at Br . Wate ' s hotel , on Monday , October 15 , when a numerous attendance of the brethren took place . After the Lodge ivas opened with solemn prayer by the W . M ., Br . Spencer , he initiated Mr . Everest into the mysteries of the Order , and passed Brs , Davis , Denton , Martin , and Williams to the Fellow Craft degree , in his usual masterly manner . In both degrees he was ably assisted by his WardensBrs . Watson

, and Hills . Four gentlemen were proposed as candidates for the ensuing month . This Lodge not only bids fair to be the largest , but from the admirable way in which the work is done , to rank among the first in the province . After the business was concluded , the brethren sat down to a very excellent supper , provided for them by the worthy host , and separated highly satisfied with tho whole of the proceedings .

LANCASHIRE EAST

LODGE OF FIDELITY , BLACKBURN ( NO . 33 G ) . —This Lodge held its usual convention on Friday evening , the 28 th Sept ., Br . Daniel Thwaites , jun ., W . M ., presided ,, most ably assisted by Brs . Whewell and Gates , S . W . and J . W . The attendance of members was about the average , and included Br . Pearson , 432 , who is a very worthy and esteemed old member of the Craft . The usual business was duly attended to , and a candidate proposed ; and the W . M . announced that the Lodge of Benevolence had relieved Br . Thomas Forrest , the late Tyler ( who has been afflicted

with paralysis , and still is suffering from it ) , with £ a . The brethren then adjourned , and the harmony of the evening was much heightened by the excellent singing of Brs . Whewell , Stocks , Eaves , and others . LODGE OJ ? PERSEVERANCE , BLACKBURN ( 432 ) . —The regular meeting of this Lodge ivas held on Monday , the 1 st of October , the W . M ., Br . C . Boardman , assisted by Brs . H . Backhouse and W . Harrison ( S . and J . W . ) presided . The regular business was duly transacted , when the brethren were called off and partook of a supper

served up in that excellent style which characterises such efforts of the worthy host , Br . Sausom ; after which the brethren resumed labour , but wo regret to say the installation of the W . M . was not proceeded with , in consequence of the indisposition of the P . M .