Provincial.

Brambles , 830 ; George Outram , P . M . 920 ; R . Capper , 115 ; John Jones . 115 ; G . Lander , 115 ; AV . R . Blair , 546 ; J . H . Hawley , 546 ; W . Arnold , 1152 ; R . J . Kerratt , 546 ; L . Barrell , 546 ; Samuel Bray , 407 ; D . Oswald , 418 ; D . Hampson , 516 ; J . T . Smith , 115 ; John AA ' ebberley , 546 ; Charles Keay , 460 ; IT . Baggarley , 460 ; John Soans , 450 ; James Miller , 460 ; AV . Glydon , 88 ; X A . Baker , 696 ; John AVatkins , 115 ; R . Smith , 920 ; G . Reynolds 418 ; J . B . Swindell 850 AV . Astle 334 ;

, , ; , A . Dix , 606 ; W . M . Askew , 115 ; AV . Baker , 88 ; J . A . Hodson , 115 ; J . AV . Timmes , 115 ; G . Bradford , 418 ; AV . A . Adderley , 516 ; J ' . Johnson , 920 ; John Bragg , 1041 . The procession moved round the lodge-room until ^ the D . Prov . G . M . and AA ardens weredulyintheirchairs , thelodge board being deposited in the centre of the room , anel the brethren of St . Edwards forming a semicircle round itwith the AV . M . at the head at

, the N . nearest the E ., and the brethren at large filing off at their seats . An Inner Guard having been posted , anel silence obtained , the R . W . Presiding Officer opened the lodge in the three degrees , and announced briefly the reason why the brethren had assembled under an authority whose substitute for the occasion ho was , and called upon the Prov . G . Sec . to state in detail what was required at his hands . This having been done

formally , the petition , warrant , dispensation , and minutes of the new lodge were ordered to be read by the same Prov . G . Officer . The brethren having approved of the W . M . and AVardens nominated in the warrant , and these brethren having professed loyalty and obedience to the Grand Lodge of England and its laws , the D . Prov . G . M . expressed his satisfaction and willingness to proceed with the ceremonial . The Prov . G . Chaplain then delivered the

following oration . —Right AVorshipful Master and Brethren , — In compliance with the traditions of our antient customs , and at the command of the R . W . D . Prov . G . ltf ., it falls to my share of the solemn , though gratifying labours of this auspicious day , to address a few remarks to you , naturally suggested by the work in which we are now so happily engaged . It would be manifestly unjust to any here ( seeing that all have attained the

sublime degree of Master Mason ) , to suppose that it is needful for me to dilate upon the nature and design of our antient institution , and perhaps it might be hy some deemed not very complimentary to their intelligence and attainments , were I to

trespass upon your time by airy lengthened dissertation upon the several rites and allegories which veil our moral and Masonic mysteries . Nevertheless it may not be amiss upon this impressive occasion , to call your attention to some of thc distinguishing features of our Masonic system of philosophy . This I will do briefly . First , Let me lay before you the proposition , that Freemasonry in its universality embraces all the known parts of the globeand thus all mankind are our brethren . SecondLet

, , . me beg of you to view Freemasonry as a temple , and the Great Jehovah as its Sovereign Master and Architect . Lastly , Let me assert that Freemasonry is a great moral engine , when rightly used an instrument for good to ourselves , our Masonic brethren , and the whole human family . And , moreover , that we , in making a profession of the principles of Freemasonry , become by that act bound and responsible for the proper spread of its influences

and good works . So that , in its universality we deal with our fellow-men truly as our brethren . In its second aspect , looking up to that temple and its Omnipotent Architect and High Priest in all our successes , with thanksgiving and daily praise—in all onr reverses and trials , us the source of help to maintain us , and at the close of onr appointed labours , as our harbour of eternal and peaceful refuge , to be hoped for and attained by the grace

ofthe benevolent and merciful Father of all things ; after a holy life spent in the practice of virtue and obedience to his declared will and laws . It must not be , however , supposed that any of us by nature favoured with so signal an exemption from the passions , desires , and general frailty of mortality and fortitude , as to be able to do this , or in other words , to become good Freemasons in very deed as well as in speculative theory . No

, my brethren , each of us of his own experience is compelled alas to echo " No . " , But my clear brethren , all of us ( with a proper dependence upon the grace and merciful help of our everlasting and Omnipotent Grand Master , and thus helped in obedience to and in conformity with our several Masonic obligations and precepts ); all of us I say , can try to be what we ought to be , by carefully practising out of our lod those Masonic

ges pre cepts taught in them , we have presented to ns daily opportunities of being reminded of those duties which we have to perform towards our Creator , our neighbour , and ourselves . In fine , Masonry teaches us the practice of Charity , that own crowning and culminating virtue which compresses within its

own comprehensive entirety all moral duties . Let us then practice charity to all mankind and to ourselves . To all mankind byrestraining our minds from all harsh and hasty constructions of the motive and actions of our brethren ; at all times avoiding proneness and promptitude to give or take offence . First regulating our own actions by principles of justice , honour , and virtue ; whilst second , we respect in our brethren those differences in opinions and acts whichalthough perhaps not

acquiring-, our approbation , may nevertheless be the result of principle and conscientious conviction in them—by daily exercising ourselves in the practice of benevolence and relief to the necessitousby drying the widows' and orphans' tears—by succouring the friendless and oppressed , anel by affording hospitality to the stranger . To ourselves—by such a well regulated course of discipline—as may serveat the same timeto keep iu

subjec-, , tion our own evil tendencies anel encourage the development of the better principles of our nature ; and by such a discreet and temperate mode of life , as may be best suited to preserve our mental anel temporal faculties in their highest state of culture and efficiency . In short , by viewing charity in itsfull sense and meaning , and by so practising it , that in correctlyfulfilling that one duty we comprehend tlie effectual

performance of others , as it was well said by Rev . and V . W . Bro . Franklin in addressing the Provincial Grancl Lodge of AA orcester : " Even faith and hope , though essential to everyone during his mortal pilgrimage , will have no place in the realms of bliss . Then face to face we shall no longer want the evidence of faith . The first step being passed , hope will be for ever be done away . Then weshall possess tbe things we now long for ; we shall no more need

the support of hope . But when faith and hope shall have had . their perfect consummation—charity will still remain . The third step penetrates the highest heaven and can never be destroyed . And when the darkness of death is passeel and we are admitted into the Grand Lodge above—the region of eternal light!—the bright beams of charity will enlighten our souls , and we shall make one glorious company with angels and archangels . All

will unite in perfect harmony to adore him who sits upon tho throne , mutually rejoicing in each other ' s happiness ; there will be no hearts to relieve ; no distress to commisserate ; no tears to wipe away . This then is the system of charity taught in the

Freemasons' lodge . Is it necessary to enquire whether you feel proud of a science from which purity flows , from which such blessings are conveyed . Deprived of charity —pleasure with all its allurements ; learning with all its privileges ; wealth with all its splendour of enjoyment ; authority with all its gilded pomps , are but a solemn mockery . Let me then urge upon you , my dear brethren , the duty , nay the privilege of cultivating , not only in tyled lodgebut in your commerce with the worldthis

, , most excellent grace . " Ever remembering , my dear brethren , that , in tke expressive language of tho Apostle , " God is not unrighteous to forget your works , " and , moreover , that " here we have no abiding city . " But to that Grand Lodge above ; tenanted by the spirits of just men made perfect , " whose tyler is death , and whose portal is the grave , " anel where the infinite presides over eternity , we are called on to direct our course ,

and running the race set before us with patient endurance anel fidelity , we may hope finally to be received as partakers of the felicity appropriate only to the perfect servants of their Lord , who are ruled over by the great " I am , " author and disposer of all things to whose holy name be everlasting praise , honour , andglory An appropriate Ode w-as then beautifully performed and sung by Bros . James A . Baker , J . Bragg , Baker , sen ., and Glydon .

from Birmingham , who were kind enough to render their services , at much inconvenience to some of them , without further consideration for their services than their expenses paid . Tlie music , as well as parts for the band , were composed by Bro . James A . Baker , of Birmingham , and lent for the occasion without professional charge , an instance of liberality , not by any means the first for which the Craft is indebted to that worthbrother and

y talented musician . The Grand Chaplain having invoked the blessing of the Father of all—the chorus " Glory be to Thee 0 Lord" was finely sung by the above brethren . The Grand Chaplain then read from 1 Kings 1 . xi . —xiv ., and pronounced the invocation . Chant in response harmoniously rendered . The Lodge Board was now unveiled , and Bro . Chanting , Prov . G . Org ., filled the room with a volume of lowsolemnsweet

har-, , mony . The Prov . G . Org . commenced the consecration prayer . The P . D . Prov . G . M ., with cornucopia , gave his appropriate Scripture reading and did his part of the duties . The D . Prov . G . M . solemnly dedicated this lodge to Masonry . The Prov . S . G . W ., with wine , and his proper Scripture readings , next did