Provincial.

Lodge . The poet sang that " there is a tide in the affair * of man , ivhich , taken altho flood leads on to fortune . " Now , if by the term fortune—ancl the Latin word forlnna will well bear such a construction—he meant to imply the acquirement of moral happiness as well as pecuniary advantages , I fully agree with him , and I think I took mine at the flood ;—and it must have been a spring tide from it : ; rapid and extensive development , when as a poor candidate I first sought the light of Freemasonry ; for , from the time the words 'God said let there be light , and there was light , ' I acquired a degree of personal happiness

( AA'hich nothing earthly gives or can destroy The soul ' s calm sunshine and the heartfelt joy . ' Yes Brethren ; and such happiness is scarcely to be met with but iu a Mason ' s Lodge , for after combating ivith the storms of life , battling with its prejudices and wrestling with its oppositions , where can such a calm be found as in a Mason ' s Lodge 1 There at least , you are sure of sympathy ; there at least , you meet with brotherly lovorelief ; and truth ; there at leastfaithhopeand charitawait us

, , , , y , and there we are sure ofthe balm of consolation being poured upon our bruised aud broken spirit . Yes , ancl the signs there enacted are lasting , they are indelibly impressed upon the tablets of our memories as on those of stone or brass . For instance , do you think I can ever forget the pleasure I derived when I was presented with this P . M ' s . jewel ( pointing to a handsome one on his left breast ) , by my mother Lodge—the Haverford Lodge , at Haverfordwest , which , when I tell you it was numbered 79 on the register of the Grand Lodge , will be a sufficient

guarantee for its antiquity . I say , do you suppose I can ever forget that scene . Never ! Again , after founding the Melford Lodge and having heen installed its first Past Master ( by special permission , though I had never then filled the Master ' s chair , ) aud witnessed the consummation of my utmost wishes in its opening , its public procession , and its sumptuous banquet ; I say , do you suppose I could ever forget my sensations ou that occasion ? Never ! So when I hacl succeeded in establishing this Lodge ( only one ofthe oriinal petitionersBroChapel

, g , . , besides myself , being now subscribing members , ) and worked it for some years , I was presented with this handsome medal ( holding up one suspended from his neck ) , bearing the inscription that it was " Presented as a mark of esteem and regard for my attainments in Masonic love , and able conduct in tho chair . " I say , do you the

suppose I can ever forget joy I experienced at that event . Never I So when you have so kindly anil so often pledged the wine cup to my health , this , tho last , being by no means the least pleasiug of the many , ancl for which I sincerely thank you , I say , is it to bo supposed I can ever forget those happy events . Never No , my Brethren , they will all travel life ' s pilgrimage with me , and be forgotten only at the brink of the grave . Now , the younger members present may naturally be led to inquire how I obtained such honours anil such compliments . In reply I would sayby strict attention to the princiles of Freemasonry and a regular

, p attendance at the Lodge ; yes , my junior Brethren , aud those points I would strongly urge upon your attontion , for , though Masonry should never interfere with your customary avocations , yet you should never allow tho trivial excuses of the latter to interfere with the former ; bear this in mind , I pray you , and now , before I sit down let me propose a toast to your notice . You have to-day installed your new Master , and as he was elected by a majority , it becomes the duty of every member to render him their best support and assistance . His majorityit is true

, , was but small , and its smalhiess shows the equality with which each candidate was esteemed ; yet , to that majority all must bow , and which I trust they will do in the true spirit of Freemasonry , for which the royal art has ever been conspicuous . Bro . Harries expresses his sense of obligation for the assistance I have rendered him in conducting the business of the clay : he is welcome to it , —heartily welcome , aud I assure you , so would the other candidate havo been had he been successful , f presided on the occasion of the election , and from the result of the ballot , I had it in

my power to return whichever party I pleased . I did not do so , because , as I told you at the commencement , the two candidates were so equally respected by me that I should not vote at all ; aud secondly , because , as the majority seemed in favour of Bro , Harries I would not interfere with their wishes this year , but reserve