The Masonic Mirror.

the first of whicli points out to us how we should dispose of tho twentyfour hours of the day , a portion of ivhich AVC have to devote to oui general pursuits , for tho necessary support of om-selvcs and families , and part to render assistance to tho distressed of mankind , particularly those of our Order , and a part in prayer and praise to the Great Architect of the world . The gavel points out to us that wo aro to exclude from our minds all unbecoming thoughts during that period . Tho chisel , which to the operative mason is to prepare the stone for the

experienced workman , so the chisel points out the advantages of education , which polishes the mind , and renders the man fit for enlightened society . So in like manner does another emblem represent , faith , hope , and charity in its true sense . This is what the ladies must have seen when Avorking that with which they have this day presented us—I mean the volume of the Sacred Law on which Jacob's ladder rested on tbo ascending and descending of the angels . They had also au eye to tho time when God said to Moses at Alount Sinaiat the burning bush "Put

, off thy shoes from off thy feet , for the ground ivhereon thou staudest is holy ground . " Yea , my brethren , and this is holy ground , for tho Lodge stands on holy ground , and will conduct its members ( if they adhere to the principles laid down ) to that great Lodge above , where the world ' s great architect lives ancl reigns for ever . Beforo I conclude , I must beg to make a few observations relative to tho character of this Order . In tho first place wc have a provincial fund , and a fund of

benevolence , both of which are immediately applicable . Then ive havo an annuitant fund for decayed Alasons and their widows , and asylums for the same . Then we havo the Boys and Girls Schools—so that you perceive AVO not only look to the aged , but to the young—iu all of ivhich wo feel au interest , particularly that of the Boys School ; and it is usual at Alasonic festivals to make a collection for some one or more of the charities , I shall therefore propose that we follow the example for the benefit of the Boys School . This appeal Avas responded to by a collection

of one guinea , which ivas ordered to be transmitted to proper quarters . Various other toasts wero given and duly responded to . The clay ended ivith a ball , which was attended by a select party , and ivas kept up with great hilarity until a late , or rather , early , hour .

LANCASHIRE ( EAST ) . BURY . —Lodge of Ucluf { No . 50 ) . —The members of this Lodge celebrated their 126 th feast of St . John the Evangelist on Tuesday , December 27 th , at the Hare and Hounds Inn , Avhen an excellent dinner was provided . In the absence of Bro . E . Barlow , AV . AL ( occasioned by tbe death ofhis brother , James Barlow , also a member of the Lodge ) , Bro . John Redferu , Dir . of Cers ., officiated as AVorshipful Master , and having

opened the Lodge , proceeded to install Bro . John Parks , 3 L . R . C . S ., as AV . AL ; after ivhich he invested the officers , as follow - . —Bro . Thomas Fishwiek , P . AL , as S . AA . and Treas . ; Bro . George M . Tweddell as J . AA . ; Bro . Johu Smith , P . M ., as Sec ; Bro . Alfred Coop as S . D . ; Bro . John Leach as J . D . ; aud Bro . James Spencer as I . G . ; Bro . Cooper continuing to act as Tyler . The two last mentioned brethren , Ave understand , have regularly attended to the duties of their offices as guardians of the entrance to the Lodfor tho last fourteen . Bro . S ivho is

go years pencer , . an aged man , earning a scanty existence as a hand loom weaver , and residing three miles from the Lodgo room , has set an example which the younger members of the Lodge , whatever their station in life , will do ivell to copy ; for whatever may be the state of the weather , Bro . Spencer punctually appears , ancl both in and out of the Lodge faithfully observes the high moral teachings of Freemasonry . The natural consequence of such well regulated conduct is that Bro . Spencer

has won for himself a , place in the hearts of all tho brethren of the Lodge , who arc about to recommend him as a fit and proper brother for the consideration of the Board of Benevolence . The Lodge bavin " been duly closed , and the meeting declared adjourned until Thursday nearest the full moon in February , tho brethren retired from labour to refreshment , and spent a very harmonious evening . The usual loyal and Alasonic toasts were drunk , several appropriate addresses and recitations given , and the meeting considerably enlivened b y the excellent singing of Bros . AVroc , Edmondson , Binns , Grimshaw , and others , accompanied on the pianoforte by Bro . Joshua Openshaw .

LANCASHIRE ( AVEST ) . LIVERPOOL . —Merchants' Lodge of Instruction , ( No . 294 ) . —The 3 rd inst . being the regular Lodge night , the ceremony of installation was Avorked b y the AV . AI . Bro . Younghusband , of No . 294 ; and in commemoration of this being the anniversary of the Lodge , a handsome silver snuffbox , bearing a suitable inscription , was presented , on behalf of the brethren , by Bro . ICearnc to Bro . Younghusbaud , who acknowledged the same in feeling terms . The Lodge was then closed according to ancient custom , and the brethren adjourned to refreshment .

LEICESTERSHIRE . LEICESTER . —St . John ' s Lodge ( No . 348 ) . —The annual festival of this Lodgo was holden at the Freemasons' Hall , on St . John ' s clay , the AV . AI . Bro . Holland -in the chair , ivhen , among others , the following Past Alasters ivere present : —Bros . Kelly , D . Prov . G . AL ; Pratt , Crawford , Pettifor , AVhiclrani , Underwood , Gill and Morris . Visitors : —Bros . Willey , ( W . AL ) , Paul and Garner , of the John of Gaunt Lodge , No . / 6 * i The Lodge having been opened , and the minutes of the former ¦ meeting , recording tbe election of Bro . Alfred Cuniniings ( S . AV . ) as AA orshipful Master for tbe ensuing year , having been read and confirmed , the Lodge was opened in the second degree , when Bro . Underwood

performed the ceremony of installation , assisted by tho D . Prov . G . AL , who delivered the address to tho AVAL The AV . AI . having been duly proclaimed and saluted in the three degrees , proceeded to appoint ancl invest the oflicers for the ensuing year , as follows : —Atartin Neclham , S . AV . ; John Sloane , M .. D , J . AV . ; R , Crawford , P . AL ( reelected ) , Treasurer ; Henry Gill , P . M ., Sec ; H . Denton , S . D . ; AV . H . Man-is , J . D ; AV . Jackson , I . G . ; James Bcmbridge , Tyler . A favourable report ivas received of the financial position of the Lodge , and thanks were voted

to the Treasurer , Bro . Crawford ; a similar A-ote wns also passed to tho late AV . AL , Bro . Holland , which ivere duly acknowledged . Some further business of a routine character having been transacted , the brethren adjourned to the banquet . It may be well to record , for tho information of brethren A'isiting the town , that both the local Lodges have ceased to meet at hotels since June last , although the Calendar for 1860 still mentions the Bell and Three Crowns Hotels as their places of meeting . The Crown Inn , Hinckley , also still appears in the Calendar as the place of meeting of The Knights of Alalia Lodge , No . 58 , although that Lodge has regularly mot at the Town Hall for the last year aud a half .

AIONAIOUTHSHIRE . NEWPORT . —Silurian , Lodge ( No . 693 ) . —On St . John ' s day , December 27 th , tho installation of Bro . Thomas Beynon ( J . AV . ) as AVorshipful Alaster of this Lodge , took place at tho Alasonic Hall , Dock-street , ivhen the following appointments ivere made : —Bros . AAIiitchuroh , S . AV . ; Henry L . AVilliams , J . W . ; AVyndham Jones , Treas . ; AV . AVilliams , Sec ; S . Hancorn , S . D . ; J . IT . AVillmctt , J . D . ; James Horner , I . G . ; anil Alacfee ,

Tyler . In the evening tho commemorative festival was held at the King ' s Head Hotel . The banqueting room was most tastefully decorated . The chair was taken by the AVorshipful Master , and tho vice chair by tho Senior AA arden , aud the proceedings wore admirably conducted . The first toast , loyally honoured iu the accustomed manner of Freemasons ivas , " Tbe Queen and the Craft , " followed by " The Prince Consort and all the Royal Family , including the Prince of Prussia . " "The Army and Navy" ivas responded to bBro . Captain Homfray for

y the former service , and by Bro . Pickford , P . M ., for the latter ; the P . AI . expressing a strong wish that the necessary means were adopted for increasing the commercial navy of this port . "Tbe ALAA . the Grand Alaster of England , the Deputy Grand Alaster , ancl tho members of the Grand Lodgo ; '' " The R . AV . the Prov . Grand Master for Somerset , and thanks for bis kind present of game ; " "The R . AV . the Prov . Grand Alaster for Alonmouth ; " " The R . AV . ' the Prov . Grand Alaster for tho eastern division of South AA ales ; '' and "The R . AV . the D . Prov . Grand

Alaster for Alonmouth , Bro . Rolls , ancl the Alombers of tho Prov . Grand Lodge , " were pledged in succession . Bro . PICKEORD , P . AL , proposed , in eulogistic terms , " The health of the AVAL , Bro . Beynon , " which was drunk with full Lodge honours aud much enthusiasm . In acknowledging the toast tho AVorshipful Alaster assured the brothers of his desire and determination to perform tbe responsible duties of bis position in a manner that , while it might secure commendation for himself , sliould also prove beneficial and satisfactory to the Lodge . " The Immediate

P . AL , Bro . Pickford , " was pledged heartily , the AVorshipful Alaster complimenting that worthy brother on the excellent manner in ivhich he had performed the duties of his year of office jusfc expired . Bro . I ' ICKI . ORD responded iu a brief speech , assuring the brothers that his aim had

always beeu the exaltation or Alasonry while in office , as it would ever be in whatever position ho occupied . Having enlarged on the jihilanthropic principles of tbe Order , and pointed out tho advantages conferred on the widows aud orphans aud aged Freemasons by the Royal Benevolent Institution , the claims to support of whicli he had advocated urgently and successfully in the Grand Lodge of Alonmouth and other Lodges , the Avorthy Past Alaster resumed his scat amidst applause . " The AVorshipful Master , Officers , and Brethren of the Isca Lodgo , "

being drunk with Lodgo honours , Bro . AV . AV . AIORGAN , of the Isca , acknowledged tbe compliment with much pleasure . AVith the toast of " The Visitors , " proposed by Bro . AVELLS , P . AL , the name of Bro . Henry Bridges , of Bridgewater—an energetic aud truehearted philanthropist—Avas heartily pledged . In returning thanks , Bro . BRIDGES alluded to the pleasure he had experienced iu performing the distinguished duties allotted to him in the installation that day of tho AVorshipful Alaster of the ' ¦ ' Silurian ; " and he complimented the Lodge on its officers and its

progress . He then adverted to the Royal Benevolent Institution—tho success of which be had deeply at heart , and in tho cause of ivhich he had long laboured with zeal , and , he hoped , to the attainment of much success for that admirable institution . The names of volunteer subscribers to this charity ivas then taken , aud the result was announced to be about twenty guineas . Bro . Alorgan , of tho "Isca , " then gave " Tho Officers and Brethren of the Silurian Lodge , " ivhich tbo visiting brothers

warmly pledged . Bro . John AV HITCHUHCII , S . AV ., ably responded , ancl gave "The Companions of the Royal Arch Chapter , " expressing his wish to see that exalted branch reestablished in Neivport . The toast was duly honoured , Companion Johu Hyndman acknowledging the compliment , and , with Comps . Edward AVells , Bridges , ancl others of that branch promising its speedy reestablishment here . "The Board of Governors of the new Masonic Hall , " was drunk ivith applause , and acknowledged by Bro . G . AA . JONES . Bro . H . ixcoRN , S . D ., proposed

" The Laches , " who ivere pledged with gallantry , and ardently honoured . Bro . John LLOYD , jun ., Masonically responded for the "dear creatures . " Bro . AVjEsT , P . AL , in his usually facetious and happy manner , gave " The Press , " coupling the name of Bro , J , M . Scott therewith ; ancl