Provincial.

brethren might witness the ceremonies . At the close of the dedication of the Temple , tho Provincial Grand Master re-assumed the rule of the lodge , and proceeded to consecrate the Ernie and Huyshe Lodges with great effect in all ancient and solemn form . After the consecration , Bro . L . P . Metham , Prov . S . G . AV ., advanced to the right of tiie Master ' s chair , and delivered an eloquent oration of Masonrywhich will be found on another

, page . In the course of the proceedings , a set of very beautiful paraphernalia proper to the office of a Deputy Provincial Grand Master , was exposed to the gaze of the members present . It was a testimonial of fraternal regard from many of the members to their old and esteemed brother , the late Prov . G . Sec , Bro . AA " . D . Moore , now D- Prov . G . M ., as a recognition , in a slight

degree , of their appreciation of his very valuable services , and of their personal esteem for one who , by his suavity and courtesy towards all with whom he has come in contact as a Grand Officer for more than thirty years , had endeared himself to the brethren generally . The duty of presenting this testimonial was confided to Bro . I / . P . Methamthe Prov . S . G . AV . who passed an elegant

, , and deserved enlogium on theD . Prov . G- Master . In the course ofhis address he said : —Initiated into Masonry nearly forty years ago , he has ascended hy regular gradations to his present eminent rank , assiduously performing the duties of every office , and teaching his younger brethren , both by precept and example , to value every chair in the lodge , however lowly , and to perform every duthoAvever irksomeas the object of a laudable

y , , ambition , and a self-satisfactory stopping stone to promotion in the Provincial Grand Lodge . As an instance of this , I may mention that after he had arrived at the honourable position of Past Master , he volunteered for and acted as Inner Guard , in order to breakdown the had system of having a paid officer to perform its somewhat onerous duties . Of the hundreds of brethren who

surround me , there are not more than two or three Avhose initiation is coeval with his own ; there are scores who were not even born when our brother took upon himself the onerous , responsible , and delicate duties of Provincial Grand Secretary . The spirit and integrity with which he has performed the duties ; the clearness with Avhich he has infused his meaning into the minds of others ; the quiet , firmness with which he has made discipline acceptable where it was before distastefulAvith

; Avhich he has made the constitutions of the Order cared for where they were before neglected ; the zeal with which he has made that practical which was before only speculative , and with which ho has made that a vital force which was before but a formal ceremonial or dead letter , are known to all . He told us himself when he laid down his office to assume the more eminent , but not more important position of Deputy Provincial Grand

Master , that ho looked back in vain through his Masonic career for a single circumstance which had left behind it one drop of the gall of bitterness . Animated , then , hy tho sentiments whicli are naturally engendered by witnessing such qualities and zeal , your brethren , clear Bro . Moore , beg your acceptance of this their gift , as a token that tliey appreciate your lifelong , unbought , and indefatigable services , and that they warmly cherish the memory of their association with you , rejoicing that

that association is only altered by circumstances so honourable to yourself . Not severed altogether , they fervently pray that the Great Architect of the Universe will prosper you in all your undertakings , Masonic , civil , and domestic , and that , for our own sakes and for your own , you may bo long spared , in bodily health and mental vigour , to enjoy your new and justly deserved honours , and exercise your talents among us , as you have always donefor the best interests of Masonry

, . Bro . Moore , D . Prov . G . M ., on proceeding to reply to the kind address which had just been delivered to him , was received with a renewed outburst of Masonic cheers . He said it was utterly impossible for him to give expression to the feelings Avhich then overwhelmed liim . He could hardly imagine any position mere gratifying- than that in which ho then stood . The presentation of that splendid testimonial was only a repetition of the kindness and

good feeling which he had received during the whole of the time that he had been iu office . Ho could not recall any single act of unkindness received during the AA'hole of that time from any single brother . For any man to be able to say that of the thousands of brethren with whom ho had been associated , was a proud and most gratifying position . For this he was indebted to the true Masonic feeling which belonged to the brethren of Devonshire . Nor did that

observation apply alone to those of Devon , but also to tho . Freemasons Avherever he had mot them . He had now arrived at a time ot life when if honours were to be attained at all they must come upon one , and he knew that thoy would not come except by endeavours to deserve them . He concluded by expressing his determination to carry out the duties ofhis new office to tbe best of his ability . After the business had terminated , the lodge was closed and

the brethren formed into procession , and , headed by tho hand of the 65 th Regiment , walked to St . George ' s Hall , Stonehouse , Avhere the business of the Provincial Grand Lodge was continued . Tho hall was beautifully fitted up , and looked remarkably pleasing . Hero there was ample space in the noble assembly room for the accommodation of all the brethren . The Prov . G . M . was sainted in duo form as was also the Grand Registrar of England , and the D . Prov . G . M . The brethren were received

with a beautiful air on the fine organ , by Bros . Thynne and Aclams . The minutes of former meetings were read and confirmed . Bro . Moore , D . Prov . G . M ., then stated that the committee of petitions had had before them the sad case of Mary Toms , the widow of Bro . Capt . Toms , of the Speedwell , who was lost with his son , who served . as mate , in the Bristol Channel , and had been left with five female children . The committee had voted ten guineas to her , but they would be glad to hear of something

being said in her favour that would enable the lodge to vote her a larger sum . It was at once proposed that twenty guineas should be given to Mrs . Toms , and the proposal ivas unani mously carried . Bro . Rodda , P . M ., then proposed that £ a should bo given to an old and respected Freemason , a member of one of the Plymouth lodges . This was agreed to , and the Prov . G . M . said that the Grand Registrar was going to use hi ? influenceAvhich Avouldno doubtprove successful to get their

, , , afflicted friend on the annuity fund of the Grand Lodge of England . The D . Prov . G . M . recommended that the local lodges should give him their votes . It was then agreed that £ 20 should be voted to the Royal Benevolent Institution , and £ 20 to the 3 ? ortescue Annuity Fund . The Prov . G . Master then read a very important letter which had been sent by command of the M . AV . the Grand Master of England , the Earl of Zetland , to all tho Provincial Grand

Lodges , enjoining care in the election of men into the body of Ereemasons , and urging that especial reference should he had as to the character and position of all candidates , so that no person who was not a worthy and good man and citizen should be admitted into the mysteries of tho Order . This letter was thought to be of so much importance that it ivas determined that it should be printed , and copies sent to all the lodges in the province , for ono to he furnished to each member .

One of the matters urged Avas that no person should , except under special and known circumstances , bo admitted into a lodge away from the neighbourhood in which he resides . The object of this was to allow of the candidate's character being fully known . The Provincial Grand Master thou proceeded to appoint and invest the officers for tho year , which now staid as follows : — The Rev . John HuysheM . A . 112 Prov . G . M .

, AV . Denis Moore , 112 D . Prov . G . M . L . P . Metham , 189 Prov . S . G . AV . Major Deacon , 112 , J . G . W . Rev . John Russell , 251 ) ,., , , , . Rev . Morris Puller , COS j " Graud * " > P "" - Isaac AVatts , 156 , G . Treas . C . Spence Bntc , F . S . S ., F . A ., S . lS'J „ G . Reg .

W . S . Rogers , 112 , G . Sec . II . Watrond , 303 „ S . G . D . AV . P . Finemore , 70 „ J . G . D . P . P . Holmes , 70 ,, G Supt . of AVorks , Sydney Force , !¦!_ „ G . Dir . of Cers . Conelius Jennings , 202 ,, G . Assist Dir . of Cers Lieutenant Shanks , 189 „ G . S . !! .

A Adams , 280 „ G . Org . Richard Lose , 159 „ G . Burnt ¦ . AV . H . Geaschsia ? , 39 " A , George Ghuifield , 321 j T . H . Harvey , 153 [ ,, ,... ,.. Henry Miller , 223 f " ^ " " - John R . I-I . Spry , 954 |

IV . II . Maddock , ISt ) J J . Gregory , 39 1 r ,. _ n _ 1 'l \ . „•¦ T i T . o ^ n > „ uranu 1 .. 1 U-. John Rogers , 203 J " The labours of the Grand Lodge having been duly closed , the