Metropolitan.

the decline of life ; but at tbe same time he should be sorry if the support of one Charity interfered with tho other . The PRESIDENT next proposed the health of those members who bad worked tbe sections . Bro . MURTON , Secretary , returned thanks , which brought the proceedings of the evening to a close , having given entire satisfaction to all . In the course of the evening Bro . Elton Woollams , of tho Old Concord Lodge , delighted the company with some choice pieces of vocal music .

Provincial.

PROVINCIAL .

BERKS AND BUCKS . WINDSOR . —NEW MASONIC HALL . On Thursday , the 24 th ult ., the opening ofthe Masonic Hall at Windsor took place with the usual ceremonial . Tbe great increase of members to this popular lodge , heretofore held at the Castle Hotel , induced the members to purchase some suitable premises in Church-streetwhich had been built bBroSir

, y . Christopher Wren . These premises have been converted into a spacious lodge , which , with other apartments , have rendered the building admirably adapted for the purposes of Masonry . Great praise is due to the brethren , more particularly to Bro . Devereux , for the great zeal , liberality , and good taste with which the work has been so successfully accomplished . The dedication was fixedas above statedand tbe

, , ceremony was to have been performed by the R . W . the G . Registrar of England , Acting Prov . G . Master for Berks ancl Bucks ; but that gentleman being unable to attend at the appointed time , he deputed tbe V . W . Bro . Devereux , Prov . G . See . of Berks and Bucks , to commence proceedings . The lodge having been opened in due form , Tho PROV . G . SEC . addressed the assembly as follows : —

Brethren , —In the absence of tho 11 . W . G . Registrar , A . P . G . M . of the Province , I have been deputed by him to preside on this interesting occasion ; and so suddenly have I been called upon to discharge this duty , and so great is the responsibility I feel , that I must claim your kindness ancl indulgence while I endeavour to perform the duties devolving upon me . Let me then , brethren , for a few moments direct attention to the peculiar

your circumstances under which wo meet this day , to celebrate an event lor . g hoped for and earnestl y desired by those who alone can appreciate tbe benefits to be derived by assembling in a place set apart , not only for the ceremonial of Freemasonry , but for the transaction of all business connected with the lodge . And I

must congratulate you , my brethren , in having obtained possession of a building erected after a design by that great architect and illustrious Grand Master of England , Sir C . Wren—a name ever to be held in the deepest veneration by Englishmen , but more especially by those belonging to the Masonic Craft . You are also tbe possessors of a property which for many generations has been associated with ono of the best institutions which adorned this ancient and royal boroughviz . the Blueeoat

, , School , whose benefactors have been some of the most illustrious in deeds of charity and benevolence iu the history of this town from the reign of Charles I . And now , on this auspicious day , we meet for the purpose of dedicating this hall to Freemasonry —and in that name we recognise all that raises a man's moral standard : in one word , we dedicate it to universal henevolence . The ceremonies we are about to perform are not unineaniugrites ,

or they would not have been adopted by the great and learned throughout successive generations . We dedicate this hall to Masonry ; we consecrate this place in the name of the great Jehovah , ts His service , His glory . May we never forget that His all-seeing eye observes us , and may our acts be tho reflection of the fear and love of our Almi ghty Father . We dedicate this ball to Alrtueancl the moral duties so continuall

, may y inculcated not only find a place in our hearts , but may they be . the cherished actions of our lives . May brotherly love prevail amongst us , and may all those whose names are enrolled as members of tbe Craft display that affection to each other , and extend to all mankind benevolence and charity . The Rev . and "V . W . Bro . R . J . SIJIPSON , Prov . G . Chap ., then delivered the following beautiful oration : —

Eight Worshipful Master and Brethren , —It is my duty , and I may add , my high privilege to address you on this most interesting occasion , an occasion of deep interest must it be to us all—as men—as Masons—as inhabitants of Windsor . As

men we must ever rejoice when we are called together for a purpose which brings us more directly in connection with the Great Author of our being , the divine object of our praise ancl worship , the preserver of our lives and fortunes , and the end of our highest hopes and aspirations . As Masons we must be deeply gratified to take part in a solemn act of dedication , whereby one more is added to the glorious roll of Masonic Temples , in ivhich our beautiful and significant ceremonies are conductedand

, the principles of our Masonic art are fostered ; and , as inhabitants of tins place , we must congratulate ourselves , not only on finding Masonry in so flourishing a state as to be able to erect here a temple to its Grand Master's honour , but also in the fact that the Masons of Windsor have been willing to raise and do raise to-day a building at once worthy of our noble Order and this royal ancl ancient borough . If , however , any elements

were wanting to increase the interest ivhich attaches to the erection , or rather transformation , of this building , it might be supplied by the reflection that it has been for many years a seat of light and learning , in which many good and useful men have been trained , ancl that it was designed by our noble forefather , Brother Sir Christopher Wren . But there is one circumstance which gives peculiar interest and significance to this

act of to-day . A Masonic lodge moves from a house of public entertainment to a temple—ftom a place of lodging to its own home . In saying this , I do not for a moment mean to disparage the excellent arrangements , the courtesy , the kindness , the Masonic feeling , and the high character of the proprietors of such houses , either in this or any other town ; but this we must all allowthatlooking on tbe one band to the dignity of

Free-, , masonry , its religious character , its antecedents , its high objects , and on the other to frail human nature , ancl the customs of society , with their accompanying temptations , a hall of its own must be preferable to a hired room at an hotel , as an abode for a Freemasons' lodge . It is right we should eat ancl drink , and when we do so with moderation and thankfulness we offend not God nor injure man ; but there are right times and places for

these—the times are not those when Masons meet for the ordinary duties of the lodge , the places are not the lodges themselves . Occasions there are for social gatherings , such as that on ivhich we are happily met to-day ; ancl when these are marked

by no excess in word or deed , when men remember tbey are mengentlemen in the truest sense ofthe term , and Masons—happy is such intercourse . But granting all this , still must we fall back on tbe conclusion that any movement which has for its main object the drawing us away from the lure of false , or at least fleeting pleasures , and tho things of time ancl sense , and pointing our thoughts and affections to the bright and unfading glories of a higher worldmust be good in its nature

, , and beneficial in its results ; but there is yet another element of joy on this occasion , and if you seek it , I would say with the well-known epitaph on our brother's tomb in St . Paul ' s , " circumspice . " " Yes , brethren , look around on this beautiful little ball , a gem of art and an honour to our Order ; " ami while doing so , I am sure I should not be doing justice to your feelings or my viewsif I were not to add in all sincerity that

, this work reflects infinite credit on our excellent Brother Devereux , P . M ., whose undaunted spirit , refined taste , valuable time , and unwearied zeal have all been devoted most ungrudgingly to this admirable design , ancl to whom we are in great measure indebted for the very perfect manner in which it has been carried out . It might not be inappropriate on such an occasion as this to enlarge on the subject of the dedication

aud consecration of certain places or buildings to religious purposes , either in connection with ourselves or the outer world . I might trace from tbe earliest ages , as recorded both in sacred and profane history , how these were set apart , not only by command of the Most High , but by the suggestions of that inner law written in man's heart , which prompted tho creature to dedicate some of his beautiful gifts

to tbe Creator , ancl to hallow tho places of prayer ancl praise ; but I forbear to enter upon this theme , though fraught with deep interest as an historical research , and I would rather draw your thoughts and my own to one or two points of more practical importance . We are told by the Jewish historian , Josephus , that " the foundation of Solomon's Temple was laid prodiiousldeepand the stones wore not of tho largest sizebut

g y , , hard ancl firm enough to endure all weathers , morticed one into another , and wedged into the rock . " He goes on to say , " there were several partitions , ancl every one had its covering apart , independent one of another ; but tbey were all coupled and fastened together in such a manner that tbey appeared to