Provincial.

usual interest , and will in future be more cordially responded to by you because there will be associated with it the name of one whom we all hold clear , and whose absence on this occasion I deeply regret , Bro . Gavin Pocock . You all know that Bro . Pocock has this year been appointecl to office iu Grand Lodge , and I am quite sure you all feel that this high Masonic distinction has been justly merited by him . But independently of the honour that has thus been conferred upon Bro . Pocock , aud through , hiui upon Ifvccmaiionvy iu tlw province of Sussex ,

this appointment must give great satisfaction to all zealous and truehearted Masons , because it is a proof to them that the M . AV . Grand Master is determined that in future the honours of the Craft shall nofc be confined exclusively to London Masons ; that there shall be other qualifications to Grand Office , besides filling the chair of two or threeparticular Lodges ; that he knows who the men are , ancl whore they are , to be found , who , without expectation of reward , beyond tho respect ancl affection of their brethrenare steadilancl hidefatigabldoing tho

, y y real work of Freemasonry . That this has been pre-eminently the case with Bro . Pocock , you all know , and I know that his surprise , upon receiving this appointment , was as great as the delight of his friends ou . hearing of it . The D . Prov . Grand Master , in reply to his health , and that of the Provincial . Officers , expressed the pleasure that he had in paying a visit to the Royal Clarence Lodge , and how much satisfaction he had experienced in seeing the work so admirably performed . Ho had visited many Lodges iu other provinces , ancl had never seen it

excelled , and he felt proud in having so perfect a Lodgo under his jurisdiction . Tho visitors also severally expressed a similar opinion with regard to the manner in ivhich the working had been conducted . The D . Prov . Grand Master then proposed tho health of the AA ' " orshipful Master , who thanked him and the visitors for tho high compliment thoy had paid tho Royal Clarence Lodge ; ho attributed the success which had attended his exertions in the chair entirely to the great advantage he had derived from the Brighton Lodge of Instruction , ancl strongly

exhorted all those who were anxious to advance iu Masonry to become members of that Loclge , as he felt very certain that future Masters of Lodges would look to the Lodge of Instruction to guide them in the selection of their Officers ; at any rate it was more likely that they would appoint brethren who showed zeal hi the cause , and proficiency in the work than those who were only to be found at the Lodge upon banqueting nights . In proposing the Entered Apprentices , the AV . M . said — " We will now drink to the health of those brethren who have lately joined our Order . " This is generally looked upon as the toast of tho evening , for although it is contrary to our principles , in any way to

persuade others to become Freemasons against their own inclinations , we are at all times rejoiced to welcome amongst us men of intelligence , of high character , aud of social position . It shows that Freemasonry is making its influence felt iu society when such men are anxious to join us . And what , brethren , is the influence ivhich Freemasonry exercises ? I believe that it binds together hearts which would otherwise , remain estranged—that it unites members of the various classes of society in a bond of union , which nothing can sever but dishonour , to

the Craft . And surely in an age when political strife aud religious animosities , and ungenerous competitions , and selfish interests of every kind are doing their baneful work in severing heart from heart , and man from man , we must all of us feel it to be an inestimable privilege to belong to a society , where , however diverse our opinions , however antagonistic our creeds , whatever the avocations by which we gain au honest livelihood , we can meet together in social intercourse on grounds of common brotherhood ; and so long as Freemasonry presents to the

world a body united in itself , noble in its charities , and generous in its sympathies , so long will Masonry outlive the sneers of its detractors , and so long will there ho found men of station , of influence , and of ability desirous of ranking amongst its members . AVe have to-night to drink to the health of two brethren who would be an honour to any society . I hope they may fully realize the advantages I have spoken of , and never have occasion to regret that they have become members of

our ancient and honourable fraternity . " Bros . Stedman and M' oon responded , and thanked the brethren for the kindness with ivhich they had been received , and regretted that they had not joined many years earlier , a society which was productive of so much good will and usefulness to others . The AV . M . in proposing " The Past Masters" said , it has often struck me when I have heard this toast proposed by others , it is one which it is peculiarly incumbent upon us to respond to most heartily . Nothing more truly indicates a noble spirit than the

recognition of past services ; aud yet I am afraid that there is a tendency in most of us to become so anxious for progress , or so absorbed iu all that concerns the present , that we are apt to forget aud to overlook the obligations which are owing to the past . This is more particularly the case when all things go well with us ; we find ourselves in the midst of prosperity , and we do not trouble ourselves to inquire how that prosperity was brought about . Flushed with success , we are apt fo imagine that it is our own riht arms which have gotten us the victoryand we

g , forget how far that victory was owing to the strategy ancl wisdom of more experienced and directing minds . Now this toa . st for a moment draws oft * our attention from that which concerns our immediate interests , and fixes it upon the claims of those whose active services are past , but who in their day did their duty well , and in such a manner as to lay the foundation of the success ancl prosperity ivhich we are now enjoying ; but when I speak of their active services as past , I am scarcely doing the Past Masters justice , for there is not one of them

who is not at all times ready iu Lodge aud out of Lodge to render any service to the Lodge which may lie in his power . For myself I owe many of them much gratitude for very valuable and kind assistance in tho discharge of tho duties of my office , aud to all of them many thanks for very cordial and generous support . Other toasts followed" The Visitors ; " " Tho Officers of the Lodge , " & c , So . ; and the meeting separated shortl y before eleven o ' clock .

AVARAVICKSHIRE . CovK'smx . —' J-rinity Lodge ( No . 310 ) . —The brethren of this Lodge celebrated the festival of St . John Baptist , at tho Castle Inn , on Tuesday , 28 th ult ., at ivhich more than an usual number of brethren assembled . After the ordinary routine of business , the brethren dined under the presidency of tho AV . M ., Bro . H . SJatterson . The usual loyal and Masonic toasts having been honoured , the Loclge was closed in due form , and the brethren dispersed at au early hour .

AVOECESTERSHIRE . KiDDUliMiKSTEU LoDto :. —Mope and Charily ( No . 523 ) . —This Lodgo held its usual monthly meeting on Monday , June 27 th , when ill " . Thos . Cope was duly initiated into Freemasonry , according to ancient custom , as a serving brother to tho Lodge , by dispensation from the R . AV . Prov . G . M ., II . C . Vernon , Esq . Tho Lodge was honoured on this occasion by brethren The rr Win

a visit from the following distinguished : — A . AA . Bro . . Ma . seficld . P . M ., No . 313 and 730 , Prov . C . Treas . ; the V . W . Bro . AA m . Howells , P . M ., No . 730 , Prov . 0 . Sec . ; the V . AV . Bro . Demiison , PAL , No . 730 , P . Prov . G . Reg . ; tho AV . Bro . AVm . Bristow , jun ., P . M ., No . 313 , P . A . D . C ., ancl the Rev . Bro . M . S . AYalrond , Ho . 160 .

YORKSHIRE ( AVEST ) . BiSADi- ' uuu . —Lodge of Mope ( No . 379 ) . —The monthly meeting of this flourishing Lodgo was hold at the Masonic Hall , Duko-streot , on Monday evening , the loth of Juno . After tho Loclge was opened in the first degree , a complimentary letter was read from the AV . M . elect , of the Lodge of Harmony ( an offshoot from this Lodge ) , inviting the officers and brethren to their installation and banquet on the 25 th , which act of courtesy was much appreciated bthe brethren assembled . The \ V-M .

y ( Bro . C . II . Taylor ) , then proceeded iu a masterly maimer to initiate Messrs . AVilliam AVoodhead , Chas . Storey AA oodhcad , Samuel AVoodhead , and the Rev . AVm . Feanisides , curate of St . John ' s church ( three brothers and a cousin ) , into the secrets and mysteries of Freemasonry . The AV . M . was ably assisted by Bros . H . Smith , Rogerson , and AA . Mawson , P . M ' s . and the other officers of the . Lodge . After the business was concluded , the brethren were called from labour to refreshment , and tbo usual loyal aud Masonic toasts were given and : responded to in true

Masonic style . The healths of the newly initiated brethren were heartily drunk , each expressing the . pleasure they felt in becoming members of so antient and honourable au institution , regretting fchey had not before joined the Order , ancl expressing an anxious desire to become good working Masons . The E . A . song was given in good stylo by Bro . Hesoltine , J . AV ., Bro . Thos . AVoodhead , ( another brother of the newly initiated ) , presiding at the piano . The health of the Prov . Grand Officers was responded to by those who were present , aud it was very

gratifying to hear that the D . Prov . G . M . of AVest York ( Bro . Dr . Foarnley , of Dewsbury ) , had expressed himself so highly as to call this the model Lodge of the province . Tho health , of the W . M . was also received with much applause by the brethren , and in returning thanks he expressed his willingness to do all he could for Ma . scory in general , and this Loclge in particular . After spending a pleasant aud truly Masonic evening , the brethren retired at an early hour , highly gratified . A Lodge of Emergency was also held at the same place on Friday , the 17 th , to work up arrears of business , when Bro . Alexander Hunter was raised to the sublime degree of Master Mason , and Bro . Pratt passed to the degree of I ' ellow Craft .

[ 'AVe are glad to receive au interesting account of the progress of Masonry iu AA est Yorkshire . AVo understand that the Lodge of "Hope , No . 379 , AVest Yorkshire , is in a very flourishing condition , having a good staff of working 1 . MB . ( fifteen in number ) , a capital working Mason for A \ orshipful Master , and an efficient staff of officers . A Loclge of Instruction is held weekly , and is well attended by the young Masons who are anxious to improve and make themselves competent for office .

AVo are also glad to hear that the brethren in tins district take a deep interest in all the Masonic charities , ancl have this year elected three of their number as annuitant *! of the Royal Benevolent Fund for Aged Freemasons . In the Lodge of Hope every member is a subscriber , aud to tho kindness of Bro . Guth , P . M ., who went to London to superintend the election on behalf of the AVest Yorkshire district , may in a , great measure be attributed the successful result of the

election , as two of the candidates were only first applicants . The appeal on behalf of the Boys School has also been heartily responded to by the brethren in . this province , aud a very handsome sum subscribed . AA e wish the Lodge of Hope , and all other Lodges in the district , success in their endeavours to inculcate true Masonic principles , ED . ]