Colonial.

COLONIAL .

ANTIGUA . CELEBIUTION OF THE FESTIVAL OF ST . JOHX . ST . JOHN ' LODGE . —In celebration of this festival , the members ivith several other unattached Brethren , met at the Lodge room , at eleven o ' clock , on December 27 th , but in consequence of the inclemency of the Avcathcr could not take their departure until tivo hours afterAvhen a procession AA'as formedwhichheaded by

, , , the musicians of the Volunteer Company , proceeded up High-street to the Kirk ( AA'hich had been kindly allowed to be used on the occasion by the gentlemen who are trustees of the building ) , where au address Avas delivered to a mixed audience , by Past JIaster Joseph Sherviugton , on subjects with reference to the Craft , and the inculcation of one of its principles—charity- —at the close of ivhich a collection AA-as made , but AA'hich , from the thinness of the attendance caused by the rain , did not realize much .

The procession then returned to the Lodge , down St . Mary ' s-street , and the installation of the neiv JIaster for the next year , Bro . Charles Alexander , took place . On retiring from the chair , the late JIaster , Bro . Robert McDonald , delivered the following address : — " Brethren , I feel it a duty incumbent on me at this time to tender you my ivaruiest acknowledgments and thanks for the cordial support Avhichduring the period of my mastershiphas been extended towards me . I beg

, , to assure you that I shall never be unmindful of your kindness and attention ; but more particularly am I bound to express my gratitude to the officers , ivho so efficiently and faithfully served under me , aud ivho , from their zeal and indefatigability , have gained the esteem aud respect of their Brethren . I feel my retirement this day from office necessary , inasmuch as the advancement of our Avorthy and esteemed Bro . Alexander would otherwise be retarded , and the Lodge deprived of the services of one AA'hose JIasonic knoAvledge and laudable energy are

unanimously appreciated . I beg , lor him the like amount of support , countenance , and consideration ivhich has over been so kindly extended toivards me , resting satisfied that the Lodge ivill steadily advance and prosper under his judicious government and Avell directed guidance . Accept from me , Brethren , the expression of a sincere aud grateful heart . The new JIaster after his installation addressed the brethren of the Lodge as follows : —Brethren , the unanimous and highly flattering manner in ivhich I ivas elected JIaster of this my parent Lodge in the month of November lastcompels

, me , hoivever imperfectly , to tender you my heartfelt thanks for that high honour ; and I trust that , under the protecting care of the G . A . O . T . U ., and your continued support and adherence to the cause , my course of action Avill be so ordered as to meet with your approbation , and to advance the prosperity of the Lodge , as outmost Avorthy and highly respected Past AIasters have done before . The strongest link iu tho chain of fraternal love to the principles of our Order , is IIOAV all the more cemented , and 1 sincerely hope , that in our neiv character AVO shall have but

one aim hi reciprocating affectionate regard , and in assisting one another in our Masonic career . But more particularly do I crave from you Brethren , all those unmistakable marks of kindness and attention ivhich you have invariably evinced for your former Masters—and be assured that nothing shall be ivantiiig on my part , to carry through the Avork in its most ample form . To Bro . McDonald , our late JIaster , I am bound to express my gratittidefor the eulogistic terms employed hy him towards mo ; and i trust that on my retirement from officethe Lodge may

, bo as flourishing as it IIOAV is on his vacating fhe chair . I pray that the Grand Geometrician of the universe may long spare us to unite for the extension of Alasonry , and for the manifestation of goodivill to all mankind . At sei'en o ' clock the brethren , with several invited guests , to tho number of sixty , sat doivn to a ivcll furnished repast . A variety of toasts ivere given , around