Provincial.

rington , were introduced by Bro . Allender , Prov . G . Dir . of Cers ., and after delivering complimentary and suitable addresses to the R . W . Prov . G . M . presented him with the centenary jewel of their respective lodges . The Provincincial Grand Lodge was then resolved into a Court of the Governors of the West Lancashire Masonic Educational Institution , and Bro . Younghusband , Prov . J . G . D ( the Hon . Secretary ) having read the minutes of the various

meet-, ings held since tbe last annual court , the following resolution was passed : — A vote of not exceeding ten pounds each , towards the education of thirty children now on the foundation of the institution for the ensuing year , 1866 . Before the business of Provincial Grand Lodge and the proceedings of the Lodge of Lights were concluded , Bro .

Greenall , Prov . S . G ; W ., and W . M . of 148 , accompanied bv Bro . H . B . White , S . W ., and Bro . John Bowes , I . P . M * , advanced to the east , and presented ( in an appropriate speech ) the Prov . G . M . with a centenary jewel , which was accepted and acknowledged in a suitable manner . A similar compliment was paid to the G . M . by Lodge 86 , Prescot . At two o ' clock , the brethren ( about 100 in number ) walked in procession to the parish churchvia Suez-streetBold-street

, , , Sankey-street , Buttermarket-street , and Church-street . The town presented quite a gala appearance , tho principal tradesmen in the line of streets along which the procession passed displaying a profusion of flags . The brethren wore Masonic clothing , and were headed by Bro . Bowes and tho band of the Bluecoat School . They carried their symbols of office , and displayed the banners

of the Provincial Grand Lodge and of the Lodge of Lights , and altogether presented an extremely attractive appearance . On their arrival at the parish church they were received at the gate by Messrs . Joseph Davies and Holden , churchwardens , and Mr . S . M . Webster , one of the sidesmen , and by them conducted to their seats in the centre of the church . The professional brethren having joined them , the choir soon afterwards entered , conducted by Bro . Bowes . They marched up the centre

aisle to their seats in the chancel , singing tbe S lth psalm , " 0 , how amiable are Thy dwellings . " Prayers were intoned by Bro . the Rev . A . A . O'Neill , P . Prov . G . Chap . The first lesson ( Eccles . xxviii . ) was read by Bro . the Rev . F . Terry , of Aviey , Prov . G . Chap , for Cheshire , and second ( 1 Thess . iv . ) by Bro . the Rev . J . W . Tanner , of Antrobus , P . Prov . G . Chap , for Cheshire . The musical portion of the service was under the management of the choir master and organistMr . Eaudethe

, , chants , & c , used being as follows . —Psalms—Dnpuis , in B flat ; Hopkins , in E flat . Magnificat—Lawes , in C . Nunc dimitti ' s—Hayes , in F . Anthem ( Psalm 133)— "Behold how good and joyful , " Dr . C . Whitfield . Hymn , 164 . As we stated above , the musical brethren assisted iu the choir , Bro . Armstrong singing the bass solo in the anthem in a very efficient manner . The devotional part of the service being concluded , Bro . the *

Rev . G . H . Vernon , M . A ., of St . Stephen'sLiverpool , the Prov . G . Chap ., ascended the pulpit , and preached an excellent sermon , which will be found in another page . On the conclusion of the sermon a collection was made , the proceeds of which were divided between the parish church funds and the West Lancashire Masonic Educational Institution , a voluntary being played by Bro . Sanders , Prov . G . Org .

THE BANQUET . At five o ' clock a banquet was provided in the Public-hall , at which the R . W . the Prov . G . M . presided . He was supported by his various officers and about eighty brethren . After the cloth was drawn , the usual loyal and Masonic toasts were proposed and heartily responded to . Tlie following were the most important speeches : — The ll . W . Prov . G . MASTERrose to the toast of the

, propose evening , " The Centenary of the Lodge of Lights , Warrington , " and in doing so expressed his great satisfaction with the cordial manner in which he had been received . The display of flags and banners in the town , on the route of the procession , was satisfactory evidence of the esteem in which the Craft was held in the good old town of Warrington . He believed Freemasonry had existed in Warrington before the date of the

many years warrant , the centenary anniversary of which they were then met together to celebrate , and that since the date of the granting of such warrant the Lodge of Lights had enjoyed uninterrupted prosperity . It was a long time since a Provincial Grand Lodge had aver been held there before that day , but the hearty welcome that had been accorded , gave assurance that the holding

of such meeting had boon fully appreciated . After other appropriate remarks , the Prov . G . M . concluded by proposing the toast , and coupled with it the name of his Senior Grand Warden , Bro . Gilbert Greenall , M . P ., W . M . of the Lodge of Lights ( No . 14 S ) , Warrington . Bro . GILBERT GREENALL , M . P ., W . M ., responded to the toast , and in doing so referred to the great success of tbe meeting as evidence of the groat satisfaction given to the

Freemasons of the province generally , ancl to the members of the Warrington Lodgo in particular , by the judicious appointment by the Grand Master of England of Bro . Sir T . G . Hesketh , M . P ., as Grand Master of the province . It was not within the bounds of probability that any brethren then present would be in existence if and when the bicentenary of the lodge was celebrated , but hoped that when that event ( if ever ) did occur ,

a body of brethren would be got together as harmoniously constituted and as well governed ( so far as the province was concerned ) as at present . He believed a Provincial Grand Lodge never had been held in Warrington before , bat trusted that the events of tbe day would satisfy those in authority how thoroughly such an honour was appreciated . "The Health of the Prov . G . Stewards" was then proposed by Bro . Lieut .-Col . BirchallProv . J . G . W ., who stated

bow-, greatly the brethren present were indebted to those brethren for the success which had attended the day's proceedings . They must all know that such a satisfactory result could not have been achieved , except at tho expense of much personal superintendence and sacrifice of time . He would couple with the toast tbe name of Bro . H . B . White , P . M . No . 148 , and Prov . G . Steward , to whom , as the resident steward , they were so much indebted for the excellent repast which they were

enjoying . ( Cheers . ) Bro . H . B . WHITE , P . M . No . IIS , responded to the toast , and stated that on behalf of himself and brother steward he was deeply grateful for the honour conferred . The arrangements for that meeting had chiefly rested with him as the resident steward , and it was more than a sufficient reward to him that so much satisfaction had been given . He had undoubtedly been put to some little trouble in the matter , but after the great honour done to his lodge by the holding a special

Provincial Grand Lodge to celebrate its centenary , how could he do less than use every effort to ensure that those conferring the honour should be suitably entertained . He was greatly obliged to his brother stewards , who were present , for coming from a distance to support aud assist him in the performance of the duties of the day , but he could not let the opportunity pass without recording his gratitude to Bro . Bowes ( cheers ) , a P . M . of his lodgeand Prov . G . Dir . of Cers . of Cumberland and

, Westmoreland , for the invaluable assistance ho had rendered him : no one but himself ( Bro . White ) knew how great that assistance bad been , or how much be sho . ild have felt at a loss without it . It would be unpardonable if he ( Bro . White ) were to arrogate to himself tho whole of the merit of the success of the day's proceedings . He hoped the brethren present , aud particularly his brother stewards , would pardon his digressing

from the subject now immediately before them , and making a few remarks as to the lodge of which lie was a member , and the centenary of which they were met to celebrate . He trusted they would excuse his so doing , as , from the moment of his becoming a joining member of it , he had taken a deep and active interest in its welfare and prosperity . ( Cheers . ) He wished there was more time to do justice to tho subject . Ifc

was usually the custom , on the celebration of lodge centenaries , for some brother well acquainted with the subject to give an epitome of the lodge proceedings from the commencement . Had he time or inclination to do so , he could state details and particulars fully as interesting as most others that had been given on similar occasions , but lie felt that those brethren present who were members of his lodge , bad the same

opportunity of making themselves acquainted with such particulars as he had himself , and that those who were not members would naturally feel but little interest in mere statistical matters of detail , whicli would necessarily form the hulk of such an epitome , and to bore them would lie an ill return for the honour they had done by being present on the occasion . He would content himself by stating that they knewfrom the diary of

, that eminent antiquary , Elias Ashmole , how ancient was the existence of Freemasonry in tho town of Warrington ; for that brother has recorded the fact that he was made a Freemason , there in 164 . 6 ; and although there was no absolute proof that the present lodge was in existence at that time , probabilities