The Masonic Mirror.

Preferring a blessing to a bayonet , and a volume from Dr . Oliver to a shell from Sir AV . Armstrong—stedfastly resolving , wherever they wero , t o try and conciliate the severity of private and individual opinion , and , as far as possible , to annihilate all party strife . Tho D . Prov . Graud Master Pearce proposed the health of the Prov . Grand Master , upon whom ho passed a very high but well deserved compliment .

The R . AV . Prov . Grand Master , in returning thanks , said that while he felt that many brethren wero far more able to fill his high office than himself , yet , having the welfare of the Craft at heart , and there having been a strongly expressed wish that he should till the office , he had been induced to accede to that wish , aud they might rely upon his best efforts to promote the good of Masonry generally , and of the province of Dorset in particular . He hoped that as long as he held the office he should be supported by tho S 3 'mpatlues of tho brotherhood as evidently as they

had been manifested that day . He proposed the health of tho D . Prov . Grand Master . The Rev . Bro . Pearce , D . Prov . O . M ., observed that he believed that he was one of tho youngest J ) . Prov . Grand Masters in England , aud , therefore , he the more highly regarded the honour . The Prov . Grand Master afterwards gave " the Visiting Brethren , " for which Bro . G . P . R . Pulman returned thanks . ESSEX .

C-niciWELE . —Chigwell Lodge ( No . 663 ) . —This Lodge held a mooting on Saturday , the 13 th inst ., when Bros . Lomas ancl Winter were passed to the second degree , and Bros . Glasscoxou and Jager were raised to the sublime degree of Master Masons . Bro . Paas was then elected AA . M . for the ensuing year , and it was unanimously agreed that a P . Ms , jewel be presented to Bro . Richard Geo . Motion , the present AV . M ., on his retiring from the chair . The visitors were Bros . Ransford , Muggeridge , Nelthorpe , Tomkins , Osborne , B . AV . Davis , AV . and AV . C . Harvey .

HAMPSHIRE . SOUTHAMPTON . —Royal Gloster Lodge ( No . 152 ) . —The regular meeting of tho Lodge was held on Thursday , the 11 th inst ., the AV . M ., Bro . F . Perkins presiding , supported by his officers and several P . Ms . Bro . Leeto was raised to the degree of M . M . by the W . M . in his usual impressive maimer , after which Bros . A . AVeston and Preece were passed to the second degree . Bro . G . M . Passenger , S . AV ., congratulated the AV . M . on his appointment as Prov . S . G . AV . after so many years of good anil useful

, service to the Craft , and expressed his conviction that he would discharge the duties of that high and important office with credit to himself and justice to the province . Bro . Passenger concluded a long and eloquent speech in the following words : —AVorshipful Sir , you work your Lodge like a Mason , and preside over it like a gentleman . We tiro gratified at the same time to find that the onerous duties of your office have not diminished the comforts aud pleasures of domestic life ; and shall ever be pleased to remember that during the time you have filled

that chair you have taken unto yourself tis a wife tho daughter of a distinguished brother Mason ; ti lady who possesses all those virtues and accomplishments which are calculated to rentier an Englishman ' s homo happy ; and have added to your household gods another son . AVe wish your sons may become its good men and as worthy Masons as their father ; and that you may live to a good ripe old age , to see and enjoy it , aud that the chair of S . W . of this province may never be filled by one less desirous and capable than yourself of promoting tho best interests of Masonry in general , and this province in particular . By your leave ,

worshipful Sir , I will propose the following resolution : — " The officers ¦ ind members of this Lodgo desire to congratulate their W . M . upon his appointment as S . AV . of the province of Hampshire , wishing him a happy and successful year of office , and that the G . A . O . T . U . may grant him health , long life , and prosperity to enjoy the high rank to which his services will entitle him . " Bro . Douglas , P . M ., seconded tho resolution . Ho believed the AV . M . would still do , as lie always hail done , his utmost to promote everything which would benefit " the Craft He

. perfectly agreed with till those kind expressions of the S . AV . towards the AV . M ., and ho was quite sure that every brother who knew him was delighted at his appointment . Bro . Abraham , P . M ., then put the resolution , and it was carried unanimously . The AV . M . in returning thanks alluded to the lateness of the hour , and on that account would not detain the brethren by auy remarks , excepting to state that he was deeply sensible of their kindness towards him , and

the allusions which had been made to those who were uoav and dear to him . Masonry had been to him the exciting cause for any good he had done , and although it brought with it its own reward , it was highly gratifying to his feelings to find these proofs of appreciation recurring so often . He would always endeavour to merit their esteem , and he hoped the same fraternal fooling might exist in every Lodge between the AV . M . and the brethren , which marked in so decided a manner the career of tho Royal Gloster . The Lodge was then closed in harmony at ten o ' clock . A . largo number of brethren sat down to the usual banquet , and a very pleasant evening was spent .

LANCASHIRE ( EAST ) . BURV . —lodge of Belief ( No . 50 ) . —On Thursday , tho 11 th inst ., the monthl y meeting of the above Lodge ivas held at the Hiiro and Hounds inn , when Bro . John Iledfern , Dir . of Cers ., officiated as AV . M . ; Bro .

Parkes as S . AV . ; and Bro . Fishwiek , P . M ., as J . AA . A ballot having been taken for Mr . James Grimskaw , of Prestwick , and found to be unanimous in his favour , he was initiated into tho degree of E . A ., after which , two other candidates wero proposed to be balloted for at tho next meeting . The brethren then adjourned to refreshment , and spent a comfortable evening together .

SOMERSETSHIRE . HiGiiBiUDOE . —Rural Philanthropic Lodge ( No . 367 ) . — -The monthly meeting was held on Friday , the 12 th inst ., Bro . Henry Bridges , P . M ., presiding in the absence of tho AV . M ., Bro . AV . Harwood . The ballot was taken for Mr . Henry Leaker , and was forthwith initiated into the mysteries of the Craft . Bro . Down , the architect , reported that tho new Lodge room was completed by the builder , and he . had possession of the keyand that it was quite readfor decoration . It was thou

, y agreed that the committee should get the room finished with as little delay as possible . A letter was read from the AA . M ., stating he should not be able to attend the next regular Lodge , to be held on the 9 th of Sept ., and it was unanimously agreed that the next Lodge meeting should bo held on tho 16 th of Sept . Bro . Henry Bridges then stated that the next festival for the Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution for Aged Freemasons and their AVidowswould bo held in January nextancl

, , he trusted that from so numerous a Lodge tis No . 367 , numbering seventysix members , they would be able to find a brother to serve as Steward . Tho Lodge was closed , ancl the brethren adjourned to refreshment ; the proceedings of the evening terminated in an agreeable manner at an early hour . /

STAFFORDSHIRE . PROVINCIAL GRAND LODGE AT SI'AITOIID . On Tuesday , the 9 th instant , the brethren of this province met iu Prov . Grand Lodge , at the Shire Hall , StaffordV upwards of one hundred brethren wero present . \ ^^ / The Prov . Grand Lodge was opened in antient and ~ s 61 cmn form at high twelve , by the R . W . Prov . Grand Master , Bro . Lt .-Col . Vernon ,

assisted by his Deputy and the Provincial Grand . Officers . The gratifying announcement was made that during the past twelve months the Freemasons of Staffordshire had nearly doubled their number , and now counted about six hundred . The official appointments for the year were made asunder : —Bros . AVard , D . Pro v . G . M . ; Hon . G . Vernon , Prov . S . G . AV . ; F . A . Edwards , Prov . J . G . AV . ; Rev . J . Downcs , Prov . G . Chaplain ; Rev . Dr . Armstrong , Prov . G . Asst . Chaplain ; AVilliam LloydProv . G . Treas . D . PeacockProv . G . Reg . V . DesProv .

, ; , ; , G . Sec . ; J . Butterworth , Prov . S . G . D . ; C . if . King , Prov . J . G . D . ; Major M- 'Kni ght , Prov . G . Supt . of AVorks ; S . Hill , Prov . G . Dir . of Cers . ; AV . B . I layley , Prov . ( 1 . Asst . Dir . of Cers . ; J . Ford , Prov . G . Sword Bearer ; E . Shargool , Prov . 0 . Org . ; J . Lowndes , Prov . G . Purs . ; Carlo Rragazzi , Prov . G . Standard Bearer ; H . Bagley , Prov . G . Tyler ; and Bros . J . Duke , Samuel Hughes , \ V . Homer , H . Gilltird , J . Collis , and R . LoweProv . G . Stewards .

, The Provincial Grand Lodge has sanctioned such an appropriation of its funds as will ensure for the Benevolent Institution , and for the Boys and Girls School , the sunt of . £ 50 each , being an amount which will entitle the Provincial Grand Master to act as a vice-president and one of the committee of management of each institution . This has been done

by capitalizing £ 1 . 50 , and ensuring the life of the Provincial Grand Master for . t'l 57 10 s ., the ' annual premium of which amounts only to £ 0 L-., the payment of which will secure the capital , and render it available for a like purpose in case of tbe death of the assured . This is setting a noble example to other provinces which many of them will not bo slow to follow , aud thus materially add to the financial resources of the charities . The business of tho day having been completedtho "R . AV . Prov . G . M .

, proceeded to close the Lodge iu due and solemn form . Tho brethren then walked in procession to St . Mary ' s Church , where prayers were read by the Rev . Bro . Lowe , Prov . G . Steward , and an excellent sermon preached by tho Prov . G . Chaplain the Rev . Bro . Downcs , from tho text "This commandment have we—that he who loveth God lovo his brethren also . "—1 John iv . 21 . The discourse was intended its an exposition of the principles of the Royal Order of Masonry , which the the

reverend brother declared had nothing belonging to it inconsistent with strictest rule of our holy religion , Avhether it respected our duty to God or man ; yea , so far was it from anything of this , that any part of it , if duly followed , had a direct tendency to enforce and encourage the performance of every one of its most holy precepts , nor did he know a more prominent or distinguishing feature it possessed than that sot forth in the text , " Love to God and love to the brethren . "

After the sermon a collection was made , amounting to . £ 11 16 s . id ., during which tho offertory passages were read by the Rev . Bro . Dew , assistant chaplain at the county gaol . It was ordered that the collection should be applied tis follows : —Five guineas to the Staffordshire infirmary , and the remainder to the Rector of St . Mary ' s , Stafford , in aid of his new schools . The brethren afterwards dined tit tho Shire Hall , which was hung for

the occasion with banners and emblems ; the latter were very tastefully and artistically executed , and consisted of Masonic devices . From the three galleries , which were filled with ladies , were suspended banners belonging to different Lodges in the province . The banner of the Prov .