Provincial Grand Lodges.

"We have now briefly reviewed the proceedings ofthe various Provincial Grand Lodges ( there being a few of which we have heard nothing—some of Avhich probably have not met ) , which have come under our notice , and it is gratifying to us to find that Masonry

is generally prospering throughout England , and that as a rule ( there may be slight exceptions ) , the utmost harmony prevails in the various provinces . There were one or two points to which we intended when penning our previous articles to have adverted at the close of our notices , but that is now rendered un

necessary by recent action in Grand Lodge , the one being the appointaent of Honorary Prov . Grand Officers , and the other the appointment of Prov . Grand Officers in districts in which they do not reside , without obtaining the dispensations required by law . On the first , Grand Lodge has already decided , and we

rest assured after the strong expression of feeling at the last Grand Lodge the second abuse will be dealt with by the proper authorities , and the law more strictly carried out and enforced .

Masonic Oration.

MASONIC ORATION .

The following oration to the Lodge of Hope , Bradford , was delivered on St . John ' s Day , December 27 , 1861 , by the Eev . A . F . Woodford , P . M . 382 and 727 , P . Prov . G . C . for Durham , and P . Prov . S . G . W . and P . Prov . G . C . for West Yorkshire : — WoESHip-Fra SIEOFEICEESAWD BKETHH . - - —•

, , , There has been from time immemorial a laudable and useful custom among Masons to deliver , on special occasions , and at special seasons , addresses , or orations , as they are called , on some pressing subject of Masonic interest , or on some prevailing truth of Masonic teaching .

We have thus been enabled , as time has passed away , to commemorate , with kindly and fraternal sympathies , the departure from amongst us of some revered or regretted brother . We have thus been permitted to hail and encourage the happy revival of Freemasonry in different localities . We have thus

assisted to mark some one epoch of abiding importance in the history of any particular lodge . I was trul y glad , therefore , to avail myself of the flattering invitation of your Worshipful Master to be present at your St . . John ' s commemoration , and address a few fraternal words to the Lodge of Hope , for I esteem itI assure youno less a privilege than

, , an honour to be hrvited thus , as an old Past Master and Provincial Officer , on this our common festival , to speak face to face , and out of a Masonic heart , to my brethren of this distinguished lodge . Let me congratulate you , warmly and sincerely , thenin the first laceWorshiful Sir and Brethren

, p , p , that your St . John ' s Day celebration of 1861 , finds you so comfortabl y located in . this convenient and comely lod ge room . For whether we look at its proportions or its arrangements , at the admirable facilities it affords for carrying out , with proper effect , the beautiful

ceremonies of our Order ; or at the chaste and yet appropriate taste which has presided over its present ornamentation , even those who least value such adjuncts to any touching ritual , most important as I venture to deem them , even they must confess that this , your happily completed undertaking , while it ranks second to none in this or any other province

, reflects also the highest credit , not only on the brotherly zeal which carried it out , but also on the brotherly skill which planned your present enviable arrangements . Much wei * e it to be wished , "Worshi pful Sir and Brethren , that all our lodge-rooms were thus duly and

decently arrayed—were thus set apart from common and profane uses—for the display , both in the letter and in the spirit , of those traditional obsen'aneesof which we often make , and justly so , our boast ; and at the same time , for the furtherance in just proportion of a reverential yet intellectual study of our history , our lectures , and our ritual . I am happy to think that this good work , in Avhich

you have been so recently engaged , seems at last to be receiving encouragement on every side of us ; and we all know instances in this , our province , and elsewhere , where this truest of all aids to Masonic improvement and Masonic extension , has been already successfully carried out . Let us hope that each succeeding year will see many and notable examples of the same .

Sure I am that nothing can do more to advance the cause of true Freemasonry amongst us , and to remove those foolish prejudices , which , as the result of past carelessness and past inattention on the part of the Order generally to this fundamental requirement of a pure and spiritual Freemasonry , seem yet to linger in

the breasts of many whom we would gladly see enrolled in our great brotherhood . And if in time past your brother Masons in this proA'ince have had on more than one occasion most warml y to commend and admire the striking exertions of this Lodge of Hope , in the great and holy cause of Masonic benevolence ; and the stimulus you have given to increased efforts on behalf of the noble charities of our Order to other

lodges , they will also , I believe , at least many of them , rejoice now to hear and to see for themselves , how that you indeed deserve the thanks of every member of our fraternity for these your past efforts to adorn and beautify your lodgeroom and so render it a becoming Tabernacle for our Masonic mysteries . Much had it been to be wished

that the province at large could have witnessed here alike the genuine Masonic skill and the true Masonic spirit which have so remarkably triumphed over every obstacle ; but as it is , you must be content , as yon no doubt will be , with the heartfelt admiration and livel y satisfaction which have been manifested by all who

have been privileged to attend your monthly meetings , or j ; o share in your unfailing hospitality . Let me , however , entreat you to remember that b y this open acknowledgment of the value and importance of lodge decorating , and that all things here should ever be done decently and in order , you also

as forcibly acknowledge yourselves the prevailing allegation which lies upon you all to devote yourselves , especially the younger brethren , at all convenient opportunities , to the study and attainment of Masonic teaching . All that you see here to-night , whether of happy arrangement , of well-ordered system , of simple , yet striking harmony , seem to