Pkovincxal,

y , s by any means crowded . The police arrangements for the publie safety and convenience were admirable . About half-past twelve Divine service commenced . Prayers were read by the Rev . W . Barber , assisted by the Rev . G . Edlin .

The musical parts of the service were very efficiently performed , the choir of St . John ' s being augmented by that of St . Margaret ' s . Bro . G . A . Lbhr , Prov . G . Org ., presided at . the organ . The words of the anthem , Beethoven , were , ' •' Hallelujah to the Father , and the Son of God . Praise the Lord , ye everlastingchoir , in holy songs of joy . Worlds unborn shall sing His glory ; the exalted Son of God . Praise the Lord in holy songs of joy . " The old Hundredth Psalm was sung before the sermon , and after the sermon Bishop Heber ' s hymn , " Brightest and best of the sons of the morning , " the music by Bro . Lohr : the Te Denm

was also by that gentleman . The sermon was preached by the Rev . G . 0 . Fenwicke , of Blaston , Prov . G . Chap ., who selected as his text 1 st Corinthians , xiii . 3 , '" ' Though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor , and though I give my body to be burned , and have not charity , it profiteth me nothing . " The rev . gentleman , after an impressive address , concluded by an appeal in favour of the objects for which the collection was about to be made , namely , the Leicestershire Infirmary and the new schools of St . John ' s .

The collection was . then made , and amounted to £ 55 . The benediction was pronounced by the Rev . W . Barber , and the congregation adjourned to the enclosure adjoining to witness the laying of the foundation-stone of the new schools , which had been announced to be performed by Earl Howe . The Brethren passed in procession out of the church to the site of the intended schools , headed by the Prov , G . M . and the Grand Lodge . The Prov . G . M . having taken his seat in the East , theD . Prov . G . M . sitting on his right , and the Wardens

standing on his left , delivered the following ancient charge : — " Men , women , and children , here assembled to-day , to behold this ceremony , know all of you that we are lawful Masons , true and faithful to the laws of our countiy , and established of old , with peace and honour , in most countries , to do good to our Brethren , to erect magnificent structures , and to fear God , the Great Architect of theUniverse . We have amongst us , concealed from the eyes of all men , secrets which may not be divulged , and which no man has discovered . But these secrets are lawful and

honourable , and not repugnant to the laws of God or man . They were intrusted in peace and honour to the Masons of ancient times , and have been faithfully transmitted to us , and it is our duty to convey them unimpaired to the latest posterity . Unless our Craft were good and our calling honourable , we should not have existed for so many centuries ; nor should we have had , in all ages , so many Illustrious Brothers in our Order , who have ever shown themselves ready to sanction our proceedings and to contribute to our prosperity . To-day , we are here assembled , in the presence of vou all , to build a house for the education of t

' X . ' ' the poor of this district , which we pray God may prosper , if it seem good unto Him , that it may become a building for good men and good deeds , and promote knowledge , harmony , and Brotherly love , throughout the world , until time shall be no more . " The architect then produced the plans for the inspection of the Prov . G . M . The Prov . G . Treas . then presented the phial , containing the coins , which , together with the inscription , the Prov . G . M , deposited in a hollow of the lower

stone ; after which , he spread the mortar , when the upper stone was lowered , the band playing the national anthem . The Prov . G . Chap , then offered up a prayer of benediction , the foundationstone was laid in due form ; after which the procession returned to the Grand Lodge-room .

The Business oi the Province was then resumed . J . lie Minutes ol the last Prov . Grand Lod ^ e having been read and confirmed , various letters were read from ( lie E : irls of Zetland and Yarborough , G . M . and D . G . M . of the Order ; the Duke of Devonshire , Prov . G . M . for Devonshire ; Lord Leigh , Prov . G . M . ; and J . Broughton Leigh , Esq ., ! D . Prov . O . M . for Warwickshire ; Colonel Wildman , Prov . Gr . M . for Notts : Rev . Dr . Oliver ( the Historian oi Masonry );