Provincial,

and well has tnat been obtained . Few pei-sons glancing at the building from Blake-street would imagine that it was the cover to a beautifully proportioned classic hall , fifty-four feet long by thirty wide , with walls divided into pannelled compartments by lofty pilasters , surmounted by Corinthian capitals , with proper bases , one large and fully ornamented frieze ancl arched mouldings , from which , on a coved cornice , the horizontal ceiling rests . The ceiling is divided into tliree

compartments , two of which admit light through stained glass , whilst the centre is appropriately filled with masonic symbolism . At the east end the dais is raised the entire breadth of the hall , and between two sets of projecting columns is placed the throne . At the west , is the organ loft , supported by square columns , beneath which is the entrance by folding doors into tbe Loclge . There is a spacious vestibule , on each side of which

there is a preparing and reception room , and on the left a semicircular staircase leading to a room for the assembling of the members . This room is about thirt y feet long , with a fireplace at each end . It has also an entrance to the organ loft , and looks down into the body of the hall . The front of the ball is of stone , the doorway being supported by Corinthian pilasters , and the windows filled with plate glass . On entering the building , the north side is of divisional compartments of brick ,

upon a stone dado and quoined cornice . The other sides , facing private property , are plain . The whole building reflects much credit on the architect , J . E . Gates , Esq ., a brother of the order . The plaster work is exceedingly good , and well put together . It is intended to decorate tbe interior with colour , when the full effect of tbe beautiful hall will be brought out to advantage . The opening of the new hall took place on Tuesday afternon lastwhen the brethren of the Union Lodand several visitors

, ge assembled to the number of nearly 100 , amongst whom were Bros . AV . D . Husband , W . M . ; Marwood , D . Prov . G . M . ; Capt . Woodall , P . Prov . S . G . AV . ; Cowling . P . Prov . S . G . W . ; Capt . Richardson , P . Prov . J . G . AV . ; Farrar , P . Prov . J . G . W . ; March , P . Prov . G . Supt . of Works ; Plows , P . Prov . G . Supt . of AVorks ; King , P . Prov . G . Supt . of AVorks ; Newton , P . M . ; Richardson , P . M . ; Meek , S . W . ; T . Cooper , J . W . ; and the Eev . J . E . M .

Young , Prov . G . Chaplain . . 'The ceremony of consecration was performed in the most beautiful and impressive manner by the D . Prov . G . M . The brethren selected to take part in the consecration having formed into procession , entered the loclge room to solemn music , bearing with thein tbe elements of consecration . Having arrived at their appointed stations , an opening prayer was offered up by the Chaplain , after which ths folowing hymn was sung by the choir : —

0 praise our God to-day , his constant mercy bless , AVhoselove hath helped us on onr wsiy , and granted us success . " His arm the strength our daily toil to hear ; His grace alone inspires our hearts each other ' s load to share . " 0 happiest work below , earnest of joy above , To sweeten many a cup of woe by deeds of holy love . " Lord , may it be our choice this blessed rule to keep , — ' Rejoice with them that do rejoice , and weep with them thatweep . '

" God of the AVidow , hear ! Our work of mercy bless ; God of the fatherless , bo near , and grant us good success . " This was followed by a short introductory address by the D . Prov . G . M . The Chaplain then read part of 1 Kings , 8 . The prayer of dedication was next offered up , and the lodge solemnly dedicated , by theD . Prov . G . M ., in the following words : — " To Freemasonry , to virtue , to universal benevolence , and to

the service of the true and living God most high , we dedicate this lodge room , and may prosperity , happiness , and peace attend until time shall be no more . I , George Marwood , acting by command of the most worshipful Grand Master of England , invoke the name of the Most High , to whom be all honour and glory . May He be with you in all your works , strengthen you in the principles of our royal art , and direct your zealous efforts to the good of the Craft . In the name of the Most High , I

declare this Union Loclge Room of York to be fully and solemnly dedicated to the purposes of Freemasonry . " The Chaplain then offered up the prayer of consecration . The D . Grand Master and his assistants next passed round the lodge-room to music , and solemly consecrated the lodge with corn , wine , ancl oil—corn being tbe symbol of prosperity , wine tbe symbol of joy , and oil the symbol of peace and unanimity . The D . Prov . G . M . then taking the censer , passed round the lodge , followed by the W . M . and his Wardens , saying , "May prosperity , happiness , and peace attend this lodge , until time shall be more . "

The consecration prayers were then impressivelydelivered , after which the D . Prov . G . M . said -. — "Brethren of the York Union . Lodge , I now declare that your new lodge-room to be duly and solemnly consecrated , and I pray the most High to prosper you in all your works , both as men and Masons ; earnestly exhorting you to adhere strictly to the landmarks of our Order , to assist all poor and deserving brethren , ancl in all things to practice charity what never faileth , and may the blessing of the Most

High be with you for evermore . " The D . Prov . G . M ., preceded by the Deacons , then led the AV . M . round the lodge , and placed him in his chair . The following hymn was sung : —

" 0 Lord how joyful 'tis to see the brethren join in love to Thee ; On Thee aloue their heart relies , their only strenglith Thy Graco supplies . " The world without may rage , but we will only cling more close to Thee , With hearts to Thee more wholly given , more weaned from earth * more fixed on heavem .

Lord , shower upon us from above the sacred gift of mutual love ; Bach other ' s wants may we supply , and reign together in . the sky . " The Rev . CHAPLAIN then concluded the ceremony by delivering a beautiful address , the earlier portion of which was devoted to some explanation of tbe high origin and civilising tendency of Masonry . Speaking of tbe introduction of Masonry into this country , the Eev . Chaplain went on to say , " It is said tohave been brought to us by Pythagoras , by whose

propagationit reached the British Isles . For ages this society has existed in this country , and to what particular locality clo traditions and records direct us in this country ns laying claim to the most ancient lodge ancl to the light of Masonry first ! This very city in which we are met together to-day—yes , this old city , hoary ancl venerable with centuries of byegone years , presenting to the skilful mason numerous objects and subjects of deep interest , from her noble and magnificent minister , bearing its

splendid proportion aloft , dedicated to the honour of the Most High , down to her curiously wrought fcesselated pavement dug from beneath the earth . Yes , this old city , hallowed to some of us by many sacred associations . It is said on the accession of King Athels ' tane in the tenth century , his brother , Prince Edwin , was appointed ]) atron of the masons . This prince procured a charter from the king authorising masons to meet annuallin the city of Yorkwhere the first Grand Lodge was

y , formed in 926 , ancl at which Edwin presided in person as Grand Master . Here many old writings were produced in various languages from which tho constitutions of tbe English lodges were originally derived . From this era we date the re-establishment of Masonry in England . This grand loclge existed in the city of York until the close of the last century . AVe have strong reason for believing that the original charter was in

existence in the beginning of the present century , and may be so yet . Tlie name of ' Ancient York Masons' is well known in Ireland ancl Scotland , ancl many parts of the continent . Universal tradition is that the brethren of that appellation originated at Auldby , near York . This carries with it strong marks of truth , for Auldby ivas the seat of Prince Edivin . There is every reason for believing that York was the original source of Masonic government in this countryas no other place

, has ever pretended to lay claim to the honour . As some proof of this , I may mention that amongst the many ancient documents we possess belonging to tbe old Grand Lodge are several letters dated about 1779 , from the Old Lodge of Antiquity in Loudon , in which the supremacy of the Grand Lodge of York is acknowledged . I may further state that I believe the Lodge of Antiquity did not acknowledge the supremacy of the

present Grand Lodge until the year 1790 . Preston , writing in 1795 , says , "Till within these few years the authority of the Grand Lodge at York was never challenged . On the contrary , every mason in the kingdom held it in the highest veneration , and considered himself bound by the charges which originally sprang from the assembly ; and to be reckoned as descendants of the original York masons was the glory and boast of the

brethren in every country where Masonry was established . And from the prevalence and universality of the idea , that in the city of York Masonry was first established by charter , the Masons of England have received tribute from the first states in Europe . ' To us as York masons it is a matter of no small regret that we are not meeting now as in the days of old in this city , not merely the Grand Lodge of England , but of All England , for such was the one held in York , and it is most desirable that we should thoroughly sift and