Provincial.

Prov . G . Dir . of Cers . ; R . G . Stringer , P . M . ; John Prilling , P . M . ; John Pierpont , S . D . ; Dr . Spinks , J . D . ; Charles Pettitt , M . C ; D . Finney , C . Stikert , AV . Savage , W . Richardson , Rev . J . N . Porter , W . AVoods , ~ W . Robinson , John Holloway , Rev . Thomas Doughty , P . Pearse , John Prilling , jun . ; James Woods , John Auderton , Joseph Bancroft , George Blackhurst , John Worthington , Geo . J . If igginbottom , Robert Gibbons . Visitors : Bro . LeonhardtLodge Royal York Zas TreunderscapUrania

, , , Berlin ; Horatio Syred , S . W . 220 ; Richard Roberts , 57 S ; J . Wilson , 57 S ; J . Bilham , 236 , The lodge was opened in due Jform according [ to ancient custom . After the confirmation of the minutes the ballot was taken for Messrs . P . Rylands , John Bancroft , and James Woods as candidates for Masonry . The ballot proving unanimous in each case , and tho three latter gentlemen being in attendance , they were separately initiated

by Bro . _ Bowes and H . B . AVhite . Bros . Ekkert , Savage , and John Pilling , jun ., being candidates for advancement , and being found proficient , ' were entrusted 'and retired . The chair was now assumed by Bro . John Bowes , P . M ., and the lodge being opened in the second degree , the three brethren were re-admitted and passed to the degree of Fellow Crafts . Bro . Thomas Doughty and Bro . P . Pearse being

candidates for promotion , and being found proficient , were entrusted and retained . The chair was now again assumed by Bro . H . B . AVhite , and the lodge opened in the third degree . The candidates being duly announced were re-admitted and

raised to the sublime degree of M . M . 's . The lodge was then closed in the third and second degrees . Two gentlemen Avere proposed as candidates for the mysteries . The lodge Avas now closed with prayer , aud the meeting was adjourned until Friday , December 29 th , at five o'clock for the further despatch of business , and the celebration of the annual festival of St . John the Evangelist . The lodge met accordingly . Bros . Gilbert GreenlawM . P . W . M . ; Prov . S . G . W . in the chair ; H . B . White

, , , P . M ., Prov . G . Steward , S . W . ; W . Smith , J . W . ; John Bowes , I . P . M ., Prov . G . D . C ., Hon . Sec ; John Pierpoint , S . D . ; Dr . Spinks , J . D . ; Shaw Thewlis , P . M ., Prov . S . G . Deacon ( Mavor of Warrington ) ; James Hamer , P . M ., Prov . G . Treas . ; R . " G . Stringer , P . M . ; David Finney , Robert Stevenson , James Woods , Dr . Pennington , J . Nixon Porter , W . Wood , Gharies Pettitt , M . C ; George J . Higginbottom , Christoph Ekkert , AV .

Savage , Joseph Bancroft , W . Richardsou . 'John Anderton , . Tames Hepherd , Peter Robinson , Captain Cartwright , P . Pearse , Rev . Thomas Doughty , George Blackhurst , Peter Ryland . Visitors : —Charles Leedham , P . M . 220 ; If . Syred , SW . 22 U ; A . Leonhardt , Royal York , Urania , Berlin ; Dr . Cooper , 75 S ; C . C . Simson , J . AY . 75 S . The lodge having been opened by the W . M . the chair was assumed by Bro . II . B . White and Mr . Peter Rylands , being in attendance Avas duly announced , admitted and initiated into the mystic art . The E . A . P . 's now retired and the lodge was opened in the second degree , when Bro . James Hamer took the chair as installing Master . Bros .

Shaw Thewlis , P . M . ( Mayor of AVarrington ) , and John Bowes , P . M ., presented tho AV . M . ( who had been re-elected ) , Bro . Gilbert Greenlaw , M . P ., Prov . S . G . W ., for the benefit of installation . Bro . Sec . then by command of the installing master read the summary of ancient charges , to which the W . M . gave his assent in due form . This part of the ceremony being concluded , the P . C . s retired from the lodge , wdien it was opened in the third degree . The AV . M . s now retiredand a

, hoard of installed masters was opened in due form , when Bro . Greenall was duly and regularly installed in the chair of K . S . for the ensuing year as AV . M ., and then invested Bro . John Bowes as P . M . The M . M . s were now admitted , and saluted the W . M ., when the lodge Avas closed in the third degree . The F . C ' s were now admitted , and saluted the W . M ., when the lodge was closed in the second degree . The E . A . P . s were now

admitted , and saluted the W . M . in ancient form , when he was proclaimed for the third time as W . M . for the ensuing year . The AV . M . then appointed and invested the following brethren as officers for the ensuing twelve months : Bros . AVilliam Smith , S . W . ; Robert Stevenson , J . W . ; Rev . Thomas Doughty , Chap . ; H . B . White , P . M ., & c , Treas . ; John Bowes , P . M ., & c , Hon . See . ; Rev . J . Nixon PorterS . D . ; David FinneyJ . D . ; Charles

, , Pettitt , M . C . ; AVilliam Oakden and Christopher Ekkert , Organists ; William Ahem , I . G . ; and Joseph Robinson , Tyler . A gentleman was then proposed as a fit and proper person to be made a Mason ; and there being no further business the lodge was duly and solemnly closed , and the Brethren adjourned to refreshment , which was prepared at Bro . Thorpe ' s at the Lion Hotel . The W . M . occupied the chair .

The Chaplain having said grace after meat , the AV . M . proposed the usual loyal and patriotic toasts . After which our ' "Masonic Rulers" Avere duly recognised . Bro . H . B . White ,-P . M ., then in a few appropriate sentences proposed the health of tho AV . M ., stating how much the success of the recent centenary festival was due to the warm interest he took in it . The AA . M . in his response said that the success of the centenary festival resulted chieflfrom the great and continued exertions

y of two of his officers rather than from any act of his . That it was a success he greatly rejoiced , and begged to thank the whole ot the brethren for the support they gave Mm on the occasion . He might tell them that the Prov . G . M . and those wdio accompanied him were delighted with the enthusiasm which was displayed . Bro . R . Cf . Stringer , as the oldest P . M . of the lodge present , proposed " The AVardens and Officers of

the Lodge , " aud coupled with the toast the name of an active and energetic officer , Bro . Bowes . The lodge had never before been in such a flourishing condition . Bro . Bowes acknowledged the compliment , and proposed "The Visitors , " which was warmly received and responded to by Bro . Imison , W . M . elect , of 75 S . Bro . Rev . J . Nixon Porter proposed ' " To all Poor and Distressed Masons , " which . concluded the programme . The evening's enjoyment was much enlivened by the vocal and instrumental efforts of Bros . Ekkert , AV . Wood , J . Bancroft , and P . Pearse .

LANCASHIRE ( EAST ) . BEACKBUIW . —Lodge of Fidelity ( So . 269 ) . —The monthly meeting of this lodge was held at the Angel Inn , King-street , Blackburn , on the 6 th of December , under the presidency of the Master , Bro . AV . Gillibrand , on which occasion Bro . John Clongh was passed to the second degree , and Bro . T . Brennand , S . W ., was balloted for and elected AV . M . for the ensuing year . After the business of the lodge had been transacted a P . M . 's

jewel was presented to our worthy Secretary by the AV . M ., in the following complimentary words : —Bro . Eaves , I have the exceeding pleasure to inform you that I am deputed by the brethren of this lodge to present you with a small testimony of their brotherly esteem and appreciation of your long , valuable , and faithful services to Freemasonry , and to the interests of this lodge especially . Regarded in a money point of viewthe

, present is a mere trifle ; but we Avish you to accept it as a mark of our most fraternal regard . Personally I have to thank you for many kind services , and much valuable information during my period of office , and I am satisfied that my successor will find in you a most willing and able coadjutor . Your long enduring affection to , and unlimited love ofFreemasonrydeserve a much greater reward than this

, , , and the best one you possess is that internal one of having conscientiously done your duty . That yon may live long to wear this jewel , and to practise those ennobling attributes and virtues of which it is the symbol , and which you possess in so eminent a degree , is our sincere and fervent wish . The jewel

bore the following inscription : — " Presented to Brother Richard Eaves , P . M ., for long and faithful services , by Lodge of Fidelity , 269 . Dec 6 th , 1865 . " Bro . Eaves very feelingly accepted the jewel , after which the brethren adjourned to refreshment , and spent a most happy and fraternal evening . Lodge of Perseverance ( No . 345 ) . —On Thursday , December 28 th , the brethren of the above lodge celebrated their festival of St . Johnat the Bull HotelBlackburn . A board of installed

, , Masters having been regularly formed , the W . M . elect , Bro . Alderman Robert Hopwood Hutchinson ( ex-mayor ) was duly installed . The ceremony was performed in a most impressive and masterly stylo by Bro . F . Thomas , P . M ., and p . Prov . G . Reg . of Oxfordshire , assisted by the following P . M . ' s , Alderman C . Tipludy , J . Garsdik , R . R : \ dcliffe , G . P . Hartley , H . Backhouse , ft . Softhouse , Sir William Fielden , John Holgate , and

other brethren . After the usual proclamation , and the greeting of the brethren in their several degrees had taken place , the P . M . 's lodge having been previously closed , the officers for the ensuing year were duly invested with the jewels , & c , of thenrespective offices by the AA . M ., viz ., Bros . T . Robinson , S . W . ; Christopher Tattersall , J . W . ; E . Eastwood , S . W . ; J . Brierly , J . D . T . CopelandS . W . j C . TipludyTreasurer ; James

Pilk-; , , ington , P . M ., and John Banister , Joint Tylers ; J . Beaumont , 0 . ; Rev . Charles Hughes , Chaplain ; R . Radcliife , P . M ., Dir . of Cers . Tho lodge was then called from labour to refreshment , and about thirty brethren sat down to a most sumptuous banquet , to which ample justice was done . It would be tedious to insert the names of all the brethren present , suffice