Provincial,

hoped that this J ) rotherly act will be borne in remembrance , and an early opportunity be embraced of returning it . With these honourable exceptions , no deep debt of gratitude is due from the promoters to neighbouring Lodges , or even to their own : their charitable attempt proved a failure . It might be all very fine to preach up the spread of Freemasonry , and the valuable principles on which it is founded , if the preacher could convince himself of the truth of his doctrine . The increase of its members , and the practice of its precepts , unfortunately move in an inverse ratio . Freemasonry—genuine Freemasonry—is little

known and less practised . There is no indissoluble bond of Brotherly love , relief , and truth . There is no anxiety or alacrity to comfort and help . A Mason of the present day would rather assist and encourage a stranger whom he seldom sees or never met before , than a Brother whom he is daily seeing , and monthly meeting , to renew his obligations to aid and help . There is no traversing through dangers and difficulties ; ' he would not go the length of a street in a cab for the purpose . Freemasonry , like religion , as preached and practised , are two entirely different things . " [ Still they are to be encouraged , and possess great examples . —Ed . F . M . <& . M . MA

Rochdale . — Lodge of Hope { No . 62 ) . —The Brethren of this Lodge held their annual festival on the 17 th December , at the house of Bro . Tomlinson , Spread Eagle Inn . Bro . James Butter worth was duly installed W . M ., and appointed his Officers for the year . The Brethren , to the number of fifty-one , sat down to a most sumptuous re pasV ^ after which the usual loyal and Masonic toasts were given , and very efficiently responded to and the meeting was further enlivened by Bro . Cocker , who presided at the pianoforte , and sang several appropriate songs .

Southport . —Lodge of Unity ( No . 889 ) . —The memhers of this Lodge assembled at the Scarisbrick Arms Hotel , on Tuesday , December 19 , to instal their newly-elected W . M ., Bro . J . B . Lambert , and to celebrate the Festival of St . John . Some distinguished Masonic talent was convoked for the occasion ; and the impressive and interesting ceremony was performed in a manner that excited general admiration among all present . Bro . W . Dawson , Prov . G . Treas . of East Lancashire , officiated , and was assisted by Bros . Hamer , Prov . G . Steward of

Wool ton ; and Stagg , Prov . G . Reg ., East Lancashire . The Officers appointed were : —Bros . George Woods , S . W . ; Ralph ITolden , J . W . ; James Hunt , Treas . ; John A . Robinson , Sec . ; George Scholes , S . D . ; W . Walker , J . D . ; Henry Bailey , I . G . ; Moyster , Tyler . The banquet was supplied in a sumptuous style , and consisted of all the delicacies of the season . The following members of the Order were present : —Bros . J . B . Lambert , W . M . ; T . R . Bridson , P . M . ; Stagg , Prov . P . G . S ., East Lancashire ; W . Dawson , Prov . G . Treas ., East Lancashire

Hamer ,, Prov . G . S ., West Lancashire ; J . Ladmore , W . M . Ormskirk ; G . Woods , S . W . ; By hinds , Manchester ; Scholes , S . D . ; Walker , J . D . ; R . Bluudcll , II . Blundell , W- Warner , Altcar ; James Mawdesley , F . Richardson , James Hunt , J . A . Robinson , Richard Ellison , R . R . Dinnis , Richard Johnson , II . Pickering , Thomas Hignett , Ormskirk ; 11 . Greenwood , Robert Johnson . After dinner , the W . M . gave the usual toasts in rapid succession—thus making a vigorous start to the evening ' s proceedings . The Masonic toasts were honoured with a true Masonic reception , and the name of her Majesty was welcomed by a loyal outbreak of applause .

Bro . T . R . Bridson said , be Bhould like , before he retired , to propose a toast to which he was sure they would do honour— "Their Worthy and Worshipful Master , " whom they had installed that night . It had given him great pleasure , in which he was sure they would all participate , to find that worthy Brother elected ; and he sincerely hoped that it would be the means of making them all what they ought to be , and what all of them would wish to he—good Masons . He thought that he might answer for their W . 'JVT ., that his conduct throughout his term of office to all the Brethren—those who were absent as

well as those who were present—would he such . is to give them tho highest satisfaction . He did not say that , like all other men , their W . M . might not have his faults ; for even among Masons there were different sorts of people—