Provincial.

" May the Almighty Ai'chitect of the universe , who has disposed all things in order , according to the excellency of his will , who made the heavens for his majesty , the sun and stars for his glory , and our comfort , and the earth as a place for our obedience to his laws ; look down upon us , Master Masons , now endeavouring to build a house according to the rules of charity by the bond of love . May this house , of ivhich we have placed the corner stone in the earth , bo a habitation for good menmeeting together to do good ; may their secret assemblies be

con-, vened in law , proceed in honour , ancl end in charity . May all Masons that enter under the shadow of its roof , remember that' the secret of the Lord is with them that fear him . ' May the work done prosper ; may the hearts of all tho workmen be comforted ; may no strife , brawling , or unseemly words , be heard Avithin its walls ; may our going out and our coming in be blessed for evermore ; may our baskets be filled with plenteousness , and the voice of joy and thanksgiving abound ; may there bo no mourning nor sorrow of heart ; and may the wayfaring Mason

find a comfort in Ms journey to his home , when he passeth the gates of this house . 0 Lord , prosper thou our work ; yea , prosper thou our handy work ; ancl teach us in all times and in all places , to build up in beauty that temple of our souls , Avhich thou hast given us to adorn with all good works , till we arrive at the Grand Lodgo above , where all things are perfect , and there is no more labour , but peace and happiness for evermore . " The Brethren responded " So mote it be !"

Tho Prov . Grand Master then said—Brother Provincial Junior Grand AVarden , what is tho proper jewel of your office ? Prov . J . G . AV . ( Earl Ferrers)—The plumb rule . Prov . Grand Master—Have you applied the plumb rule to the external edges of the stone ? Prov . Junior Grand Warden— I have , Right AVorshipful Grand Master , ancl the Craftsmen havo clone their duty .

^ Prov . Grand Master—Brother Senior Grancl AVarden , what is the proper jewel of your office 1 S . G . AV . ( Bro . Morris)—The level . Prov . Grand Master—Have you applied the level to the stone ? Senior Grand AVarden—I have , Right AVorshipful Grand Master , and the Craftsmen have done their duty . Prov . Grancl Master—Brother Deputy Provincial Grand Master , Avhat is the

proper jewel of your office ? D . Prov . G . M . ( Bro . Kelly)—The square . Prov . Grand Master—Have you applied the square to those parts of the stone Avhich . should be square 1 D . Prov . Grand Master—I have , Right AVorshipful Grancl Master , and find the stone perfect . Prov . Grand Master—Having full confidence iu your skill in the royal art , it remains with me to finish the work .

rho Prov . Grand Master then taking the mallet , gave the stone three knocks , and said—May this undertaking be conducted ancl completed by the Craftsmen , according to the good plan , in peace , harmony , aud brotherly love . Response—So mote it be ! The AV . M . of the John of Gaunt Lodge , No . 706 ( Bro . Clephau ) scattered some grains of Avheat on the stone , saying , "I strew this corn as a symbol of plenty . " The Senior AVarden of St . John ' s Lodge , No . 348 , ( Bro . Cummings , in the absence of tho AV . M ., Bro . John Holland , jun . ) sprinkled wine upon the stone , saying ,

" I sprinkle this Avine as a symbol of cheerfulness and joy . " Tho Junior AVarden of the Knights of Malta Loclge , No . 58 , Hinckley , ( Bro . II . J . Davis , representing the AV . M ., Earl Howe , ) poured oil on the stone ; and the Provincial Grancl Chaplain said , " As Jacob , the son of Isaac , the son of Abraham , fleeing from the face of his brother Esau , and going out of Beersheba toAvards Ilaran , lighted on a certain place aud tarried there all night , making to himself a pillow of stones , on Avhich sleeping , he dreamed he saw the gates of heaven , and when he awoke he anointed the stones with fresh oil , calling that place Beth-el , or the House of God : so do Ave anoint this stone Avith pure oil , praying that in the