Provincial.

Leigh , Provincial Grand Master , assisted by the officers of the Provincial Grand Lodge , and a large number ofthe brethren among whom were , Bro . Chandos Wren Hoskyn , D . Prov . G . M . ; Bro . C . AV . Elkington , P . G . S . B . of England ; Bros . NeAvton , J . AA . Lloyd , AV . Lloyd , Maslin , and Empson , Past Prov . Grand AVardens ; Bro . the Rev . W . K . R . Bedford , Prov . Grand Chaplain ; Bros . Blenkinsop , S . W . ; Clarke , J . V \ . ; Robins , S . D . ; Nason , J . D . ; Bro . Dymock , D . Prov . G . M ., North WalesBro . Captain A htonBro . BridgesTotnes ; Bro . AdamsP . Prov . D . C . ;

; aug ; , , Bro . Inns , Toiveester ; Bro ; . AVeiss , Overell , Read , Hudson , Hobbs , Hartley ; Rev . H . Roxburgh ; H . Boivn , A \ . M . of Guy ' s Lodge ; Bursell , Cooke , Hogan , J . Stanley , Bowen , Hackforth , Eve ; Green , AV . Russell , Bell , Adkins , R . Bird , Flinn ; Bro . Winton , Prov . G D ., Sussex ; and numerous members of all the Lodges in the Province , with several Craft A ^ isitors . At eleven o ' clock , the friends of the undertaking—Masonic and othei'AA'iseassembled at the public halland there formed in order . After the committee of

, the schools , the local boards , & c , came the Masonic body , two and tivo , according to seniority , from the following Lodges : —St . Paul's , No . 51 , Birmingham ; Athol , No . 88 , Birmingham ; Trinity , No . 316 , Coventry ; Shakspeare , No . 356 , AA arwick ; Apollo , No . 378 , Alcester ; Guy ' s , No . 556 , Leamington ; Abbey , No , 625 , Nuneaton ; Rectitude , No . 739 , Rugby ; Light , No . 689 , Birmingham ; Faithful , No . 696 , Birmingham ; Unity , No . 828 , AVarivick ; Hoive , No . 857 , Birmingham ; Stoneleigh , No . 1 , 027 , Kenihvorth ; Temperance , No . 1 , 041 , Birmingham ; next came the Prov .

Grand Tyler ; the Prov . Grand Lodgo of AVarwickshire ; the R . AV . Prov . Grand Master , Lord Leigh ; and the Prov . Grand Stewards closed the procession . The Masonic arrangements of the day were admirably conducted by Bro . C . W . Elkington , Prov . Grand Director of Ceremonies . The brethren proceeded to the parish church , where divine service AA'as performed . The Rev . John Craig , vicar , Rev . Hamilton Davies , curate , and Rev . A . Pettigreiv , of Trinity Chapel , took the desk services ; and the Rev . John Craig , vicar , and Rev . T . Boiven , curate , the communion service . The responses were chanted by the choristers . After the prayers the Rev . AV . K . R . Bedford , rector of Sutton Coldfield , and Prov . Grand Chaplain , preached the folloiving most impressive

sermon : — " Take us the foxes , tho little foxes that spoil the vines , for our vines have tender grapes . " —( Song of Solomon , ii . 15 . ) "All scripture , vi-e are sure , is given by inspiration of God , and is profitable for the support and advancement of his kingdom among men . Nor is this less true of those portions of fche sacred writings which are couched in the language of allegory and simile , than of those ivhich convey their lessons in plain and direct sentences . Though many passages of holy writ ( taken literally ) may appear to

allude to matters long gone by , of local interest , and confined allusion , they do , in fact and in deed , apply to all times and to all circumstances ; and are suited for the faithful in all lauds , however different the clime and apparently separate the interest —though the poiver of discerning their meaning must depend in no small degree upon the spiritual condition ofthe hearer . This consideration must not be lost sight of "oil an occasion such as this which has UOAV brought us together into the house of God . There are some , doubtless , to AA-liom the symbolical ceremonies

of Freemasonry seem to have nought in common ivith the important purpose for which Ave IIOAV hold our solemn assembly ; there are those who VIGAV with derision the external insignia of our ancient order , or Avho , AA-ithout so strong a feeling ot hostility , yet deprecate their introduction into the sacred duties of our ivorsliip and service of the Most High . Now I would ask such , if any such there be here present , to remember that Ave are thus attired , not out of any idle , love of vanity and displaybut because being IIOAV engaged upon a good and ious worknamel

, p , y , that of assisting at the erection of a place of instruction for the little ones of the fold of God , Ave consider it due to the occasion to assume those distinctive emblems , which ive value very highly , as symbolising our association for the advancing the cause of true charity and religion in every form . These emblems are derived from the highest antiquity , ivere entrusted to us AA'ith most solemn sanctions and charges , and remind us of those duties which Ave OAVC to God , to our neighbour , and ourselves . To those brethren in Masonry who IIOAV hear me , I need not , on