Provincial.

to the favour ancl complete acceptance of his offended Maker . The sacrifice of King David was a sin offering as well as a peace offering , a lamb for an offering , whose body was broken and blood poured out , which point out the hope as well as faith of David that his sin would be pardoned ; it was accepted , and the pestilence raging amongst his people immediately ceased . The sacrifices of King Solomon at the dedication of the Temple were chiefly peace offerings to testify his thankfulness and

praise at the completion of the great work , ancl at the bringing up of the Ark of God , and placing it in the tabernacle provided for it , and in those numerous and costly offerings were set forth his benevolence aud charity , in his profound love to God and man—they also were accepted , when the Most High in His beneficence and regard to His favoured people , descended visibly in His glory , anel rested and dwelt there in the glorious shekinah on tho mercy seat . We have here in our very midst

and standing before us , the very same laws as written by the finger of God on the two tables of stone , given to Moses on Mount Sinai , and which were then in the ark of which King Solomon was celebrating the bringing up into the Temple , and by the same Divine Spirit written there also , as an encouragement to our faith , an assurance of hope , for the establishment of a never ceasing charity , his gracious and benevolent assurance to his people , "Ye are the Temple of the living

God , " and then in the same manner as the Divine glory rested and dwelt in the Jewish Temple , "And the Spirit of God dwelleth in you , for the Temple of God is holy , which Temple ye are , " wherein the Divine Spirit is abundantly poured forth in all the variety of His gifts and graces . Ancl thus in this very simple , primitive , and ancient Masonic ceremonial , we have a practical illustration of the great theological virtues , wherein we express our faith and dependence on the bountiful Giver of all good , our hope in His present ancl future blessings ,

and our brotherly kindness , benevolence , and charity to all mankind ; while those three grand offerings with which , in a Masonic sense , they appear so intimately connected , portray the great work of a Triune Deity in all His offices , in His mercy aud loving-kindness to man . Such are the subjects which the present ceremonials present for our consideration . And while jn Masonry we are instructed to engage ourselves in the study of the liberal arts and scienceswhich tend to enrich the mind

, , and contribute so much to the comfort and elegancies of life , and the convenience and well-being of mankind , ancl also in the exercise of all those religious and moral virtues which promote the happiness , ancl constitute the safeguard of human society ; yet we do not neglect or despise those precious truths ancl Divine promises , ancl the historical records contained in that Holy A'olume presented to us at our initiation as a guide to

our faith ; and why ? because they fill us with joy and peace in believing . AVith minds thus prepared for the solemnities of the day , I trust wc may all derive some light and instruction from this as from the other ceremonies of the Order , wherein the Divine truths Freemasonry is intended to convey to us are so beautifully set forth ; and , being so engaged , I pray that a ray of Divine mercy and heavenly light may so rest upon us ,

that , at tlie conclusion of our labours , we may each be ready simultaneously to exclaim , as it were in our own minds , in the language of those holy men of old upon the mount , " It is good for us to be here . " Bro . Jacob followed up this discourse by conducting the choral service in the most perfect style . Bro . Stagg , Org . to All Souls' Lodge , presided at the harmonium . The music comprised some of A'irtue's selection of the Psalms , Tallis ' s chants , & c , among which was the following Masonic ode : —

Thou whose Almighty word , Chaos and darkness heard , " Let there be light . " Spirit of Truth and Love , Life giving , Holy Dove , Angels praise thee above , Hail ! Heav'nly Light ! Hail ! Universal Lord !

By Heav ' n and earth adored , All Hail ! great God ! Before thy Throne we bend , To us thy grace extend , And to our pray ' r attend , All Hail ! great God ! The introductory prayer was as follows : — Glorious Architect of Heaven and Earth , Thou great

Geometrician of the Universe , who hath created all things , and for thy pleasure they are and were created . For Thou hast created the Heavens ancl stretched them out ; Thou hast spread forth the earth , and that which cometh out of it ; Thou givest breath unto tbe people upon it , and Thy spirit to them that walk therein . The day is Thine and the night is Thine , Thou hast prepared the light and the sun , Thou hast set all the borders of the earth , Thou hast made summer and winter ; all our fresh

springs are in Thee . We , the frail creatures of Thy Providence , desire humbly to approach Thy Divine Majesty , and to dedicate ourselves , and all that we have and are , to Thy service , and to Thj' glory . And , although we acknowledge our unworthiness even to lift our eyes to that place where thine honour dwelleth ; yet graciously vouchsafe , we pray Thee , to grant us Thy special blessing , while we wait here before Thee , that in this , ancl all our works begun , continued , and ended in Thee , we may glorify

Thy Holy Name , and finally , by Thy mercy , obtain everlastinglife , through Jesus Christ our Lord . —Amen . The first lesson was from 2 Chvon . chap , ii ., at the conclusion of which the following from the 104 th Psalm was sung : —

Great Architect divine , thy praise The Heav ' ns bespeak ; with honour crown'd , Thy Throne stands sure ; with light thy throne Eternal Majesty surrounds . The Moon ' s inconstant aspect shows The appointed seasons of the year ; Th' inconstant sun his duty

knows—His hours to rise and disappear . Forth to the tillage of the soil The husbandman securely goes , Commencing with the sun his toil , AA'ith him return to his repose . How various , Lord , thy works are found ,

For which thy wisdom wo adore ! The earth is with thy treasure crown'd , 'Till Nature ' s hand can grasp no more . During the singing of tho psalm ( the first verse not being in the established version , but was composed for the occasion as an opening to the hymn ) the solemn and interesting ceremony of offering the incense was proceeded with . The solemn act of

consecration was then proceeded with . A procession was formed consisting of the following : — Junior Deacon . A Brother supporting the Doric Light . Junior AVarden . Ionic Light . Senior AVarden . Corinthian Liht .

g Three Past Masters bearing Silver Cups containing Corn , Wine , and Oil . Consecrating Master . Senior Deacon . In the course of the proceedings the following ( Merrick ' s version of the 133 rd Psalm ) was sung : — How blest the sight , the joy how sweet ,

AA'hen brothers joined with brothers meet , In bands of mutual love . Less sweet the liquid fragrance shed , On Aaron ' s consecrated head Ran trickling from above . And reach'd his beard and reach'd his vest , Less sweet the dews on Hermoii ' s breast . Or Sion ' s hill descends . That hill has God with blessings crown'd There promised grace that knows no bounds , And life that knows no end .

Then followed the second prayer , which was as follows : — " 0 Merciful Lord God , whose throne is in the heavens , and the earth Thy footstool , and yet Thou dwellest in the hearts of the humblest of Thy creatures , whom Thou hast made capable of knowing and serving Thee ; regard , we pray Tliee , with Thine especial favour this , our present undertaking , that in the celebration of these our solemn rites , we may set forth Thy glory , and receive from Thee the blessings of Thy grace . Grant , 0 Lord , that all those who may here be admitted to the privileges of this our Order , may be distinguished by a faithful regard to the obligations which in Thy name and under Thine allseoing-