Provincial.

interred . Bro . Passenger , S . AY ., moved ] the adoption of the report ; Bro . Philips , S . D ., seconded the same . Bro . Abraham , P . M ., urged that the monument should be of a simple description , so that there might be a portion of the fund left for the widow and family of their deceased brother . After considerable discussion the report was adopted , and Bro . Clarke moved that the same committee be authorized to collect subscriptions , and report to the Lodge after such list was

closed , adding that the wishes of the committee were in accordance with the views just expressed . Bro . Abraham seconded the motion , which was carried unanimously . A brother asked the AV . M . whether brethren were bound to support the claims of a brother to office , when such office was unconnected with Masonry , in preference to the claims of one who was not a member of the Order . He had been induced to ask this question in consequence of several brethren on a recent occasion having supported the candidature of one who was not a Mason , and thereby

opposed the one who was a Mason . He would not particularize the occurrence any further than by saying that it was well known . The AA . M . said , before answering the question he should wish to reflect upon the matter with more deliberation . Bro . Abraham considered that no Mason could claim the support of his brethren unless he subscribed to a Lodge and the Masonic charities , which were the very essence of Masonry . It was not sufficient for any man to join the Order and seek all its advantages , he must contribute towards its funds , unless poverty prevented his doing so . Bro . Passenger exceedingly regretted that this question

had been asked , he considered it was not a question to be discussed in that Lodge , but as the brother who felt aggrieved was a young Mason , to prevent his leaving that evening under a false impression , he would tell that brother how Masonry influenced him ( Bro . P . ) on such occasions . If two men were in the field of equal merit , one being a Mason , and the other not , he gave the preference to the Mason ; but he trusted no Mason would ever support a brother for office of any kind , irrespective of his capacity and fitness , because ii might encourage men to enter Masonry only for the purpose of securing the votes and interests of the brethren .

He knew nothing whatever of the case in question , but he believed that if the brother who had brought this question forward should need the support of his brethren on any future occasion , he would find it accorded to him most readily , not simply because he was a Mason , but because he was a most deserving one . Bro . Clarke declined to argue this question at that late hour , but he should hold himself at liberty to discuss it next Lodge night . Several candidates were proposed for initiationand the Lodge was closed in harmony at ten o ' clock . About thirt

, y brethren sat down to the usual banquet , to which the visiting brethren were invited ; the AV . M . in the chair , supported by a long array of P . Ms . Bro . Elite presided at the piano , and in the course of the evening gave a new Masonic song , which he has just published , the music composed by himself , and the words by Bro . G . M . Passenger , S . AV ., and which was sung by Bro . T . P . Payne in a most pleasing manner , and much to the gratification of the brethren present . The parting toast was given at near twelve o ' clock , when the brethren separated .

[ AVe have no hesitation in answering the question for the brethren . AA ' e are told that in Freemasonry there is nothing inconsistent with the performance of our civil and religious duties—and , therefore , we cannot be called upon to support the claims of a brother for an office out of Masonry , merely on the ground of his beiug a Mason , Surely it cannot be urged that in an election of members of parliament , a conservative should be called upon to support a liberal candidate ( being a Mason ) , against a conservative not belonging to the Order . —ED . ]

HERTFORDSHIRE . PROVINCIAL GRAND LODGE . The annual meeting of the brethren of this province was held on Friday , June 17 th , in the Freemasons' Hall , AVatford ; present the R . AV . Bro . William Stuart , of Aldenham , Prov . G . M . ; Bros . Thomas Abel Ward , D . Prov . G . M . ; and George Francis , Prov . G , Reg ., aud P . Prov . D . G . M . of Surrey ; the AV . Bros . T . S . Barriuger ,