Provincial.

must have been the case with our D . Prov . Grand Master . I feel I do not deserve a tithe of what he has said of mc and you havo bestowed upon me . To you , my brethren , of the South Saxon Lodge , whose suffrages have placed mo in the office whence I have derived this flattering testimony of your goocl will—by whose choice I became W . M . of No . 390 , in 1858—to you I owe my most grateful acknowledgments . I sincerely wish that my abilities hacl been more adequate to the charge ; but my great consolation has heenand still

, is , that however deficient I may have been in the discharge of those duties , no one can boast of a heart more desirous for the advancement of Freemasonry , more anxious for the prosperity of this Lodge , or more jealous for the reputation oi tho Lodges in Sussex . To the numerous visiting brethren who have paid us the great compliment of attending , some from a great distance , my hearty thanks are due . I trust that we shall all in this province continue to be as united , and to work as harmoniously together as during the last four yearsthat issince the

, , last reorganization of our Prov . Grand Lodge ; if so , ive shall not , as a province , be second to any in the kingdom . Already we have gained a reputation for the exertions made during the last lour years ; the working of our Lodges has improved , our numbers have increased , and the JIasonie charities become known and supported . In the words of au eminent Masonic writer , " Let it ever be remembered that we are the successors of those who reared a structure to the honour of the G . A . O . T . U ., which for wisdom , strength , and beauty , has never yet had any parallel

Let us all remember , that the beneficence of a superintending Father shields us ; let us pray to participate in that sure hope of the future , which makes our present existence appear but a speck in comparison with the immensity of an immortal heritage . Let us assimilate in all the generous affections of that charity which tells us that kindness to all must be an oblation most acceptable to Him , who , in creating all could have no motive but their happiness . " Brethren , the recollection oi your great kindness and regard shall bo most lively , and shall stimulate me to every exertion which may give me an opportunity of proving to you how

muchhow very much I value this memento of your regard and esteem . The AA ' . M . proposed " The health of Bro . Bannister and tho Visitors from Hastings . " Bro . Bannister regretted that some other brother had not boon selected to return thanks , and to do honour to Bro . Pocock , and continued as follows—A short time ago I visited this Lodge , when it numbered but ten members ; pleased am I to see it in its present state—thanks to Bvo . Pocock and other members , it now numbers nearly forty . I trust it may continue to prosper . Brethren , ive wish you good nihtas we must return to Hastings this evening . The D . Prov . G . M . proposed

g , " The health of Bro . Yurrall , AV . JI , ; " in doing so he stated ifc was quite imnecessry to dilate upon the obligations due to Bros . Verrall , AVilkinson , Pocock , Bacon , and other brethren from Brighton , who assisted in bringing the Lodge to its present position . To Bro . Yerviill , for so ably filling the office of AV . M ., we arc deeply grateful , and most truly do we thank him . The AV . JI . said—Accept my warmest thanks , brethren , for the kind expression of your feelings . I assure you , that my services in or out of the Lodge have been rendered with pleasure . I trust I may

be of service for many years to eouie . I feci confident that the Lodges ivhieh have been represented this evening by their W . Ms , and AA ' ardens , would challenge an equal number of London Lodges , aud prove the accuracy of their working . I have the pleasure to propose " The healths of Bros . L . Scott , AV . JL , No . 338 ; Jloppett , AV . JI ., No . 394 ; Bacon , AV . JL . No . 1034 ; and tho visitors from those Lodges . Bro . John Scott said—As AV . JI . of the lloyal Clarence Lodge , I thank you for drinking my health . I know that what I am now going to tell you is nothing new

to the members of the South Saxon Lodge , but probably many of the visitors are not aware that the Lodge over which I preside this year , has the satisfaction of being the mother to both Bro . Pocock and your excellent AVorshipful Jlaster , and very proud I can assure you she is of her children . It has been a great pleasure to me to-day to have had the opportunity ol joining you in doing honour to a brother whose zeal for Freemasonry is only equalled by the goodness of his heart and the generosity of his friendship . Those of you who have the happiness of being intimately acquainted with Bro . Pocock , know how frank and kind and generous he is . whilst those who have had the privilege of receiving Masonic