Provincial.

tribnting an equal amount that year to a charity as the amount voted by Grand Lodge , should have tlie preference , —thus , supposing Lodge 24 should , oifer to vote ten guineas to a Charity , in addition to ten guineas voted by Grand Lodge , that lodge to have the preference in being awarded the Prov . Grand Lodge vote . But , supposing that two or more lodges should make a similar offer , then the lodge highest in the above roll to be preferred . Thus , supposing Lodges No . G 24 , 2-1 , 919 , . 1 , 5 , and S in the roll ,

offer to double the Grand Lodge vote , then Lodge No . 624 to have the preference . After a lodge has been once voted a Governorship , no second vote to be granted till its turn in the roll should return , unless such lodge has obtained such Governorship by doubling the Grand Lodge vote . Thus , supposing Lodge 24 obtained a Governorship by doubling the Prov . Grand Lodge vote , it will still have a right to a vote when its regular turn in the above roll should arrive .

The roll will be altered every year that Grand Lodge makes a vote ; thus , supposing a lodge stands No . 6 on the roll , and by irregular contributions , or by not having contributed to both funds of the province , in one or two years subsequent to the last roll being made , such lodge would be put at the foot of the roll , and the others moved a step higher . By this rule , lodges will endeavour to keep their contributions regular in order to preserve their position on the roll .

AVhen a lodge shall have obtained a governorship by its position on the roll , at the next presentation of the roll , an asterisk will be placed against its number , and a note at foot will state that it is not eligible for a governorship , having received one ia the year , say 1861 , by rotation . But no such asterisk will bs placed if the lodge obtained such governorship by doubling the vote of prov . Grand Lodge . Bro . BARXER concluded by moving the motion of which he had

given notice . The P . G . Reg ., Bro . GIILEST-IE , asked for some explanations , as did the P . G . Sec , the P . G . J . AV ., and one or two P . Ms . The R . AV . D . G . AL having also stated that he felt with the other brethren who had spoken very favourably towards the proposal , but thought with P . AL Tulloch that it would be as well to have the scheme printed for discussion by the several lodges , —and that lie suggested such a course to he adopted ,

Bro . BAKKEB , having explained and stated that his object was thai the principle of his motion might only be adopted , and his motion having been favourably received , had no objection to adopt the proposed alteration , viz .: that this Prov . Grand Lodge , while adopting the principle of Bro . Barker's motion , reserves itself to adopt the scheme for its application after every lodge has had an opportunity of discussing the details of the scheme ; and requested Bro . Barker , with the G-. Sec , to draw out a scheme for consideration by

the lodges , and to be submitted at the next regular meeting of Grand Lodge , when every lodge would be prepared , through its representatives , to entertain it . This motion being seconded by the acting Prov . G . J . AA " ., Bro . Berkeley , was carried unanimously . The pressing distressing position of a brother well known and highly esteemed in the province was then named by the Prov . G . S . W . ; and asbthe rules of the Fund of Benevolencethe Prov . Grand

, y , Lodge was precluded from voting any sum from that Fund , except at a regular meeting , a suggestion of the Prov . J . G . AV . was adopted , by which relief was granted our brother , till his case can be brought forward in the regular way . There being no further business , the Prov . Grand Lodge was closed n form .

STAFFORDSHIRE . HANLEY . —Meuiuria Lodge ( So . 606 ) . —The brethren will meet at their lodge-room , Saracen's Head Hotel , Hanloy , on Tuesday evening next , the 26 th inst . This being the monthly meeting , it is to be " Hoped that there will be a good attendance . SUSSEX .

WORTHING . —Lodge of Friendship ( So . 3153 ) . —The consecration of this lodsre , its first meeting , and the installation of the AA ' orsiupful Alaster ( Bro . G . E . Pocock , P . G . S . B ., P . AL 338 , 390 ) , will take place at the Town Hall , AA ' orthhig , on Wednesday , April 3 rd . A banquet will follow . BRIGHTON . —Yarborough Lodge ( No . 1113 ) . —At the monthly meeting of this lodge , held at the Old Ship Hotel , Brighton , on Saturday evening lastthe Rev . . John GriffithM . A . Principal of

, , , Brighton College , was made an E . A . In the absence of Bro . Aloor ( the W . AI . of the lodge , who is on the continent ) , the ceremony was performed by Bro . P . AL Wood . Several visiting brethren were present upon the occasion . BRIGHTON . — ' Royal Bmiiwiclc Lodge ( So . 103-1 ) . —This lodge held their monthly meeting at the Ship Hotel , Brighton , on

Thursday , trie 14 th inst ., under the presidency of the AV . AL Bro . Martin-Messrs . Merry and C . G . Reed having been approved , were admitted into the mysteries of Freemasonry , the ceremony being performed by the AA ' . M ., in a maimer showing that he laid not been unmindful of the importance of the office entrusted to him . THE MASONIC CHARITIES . —It is eratifving to learn that Bro .. Pocock , of Brighton , handed in a list of upwards of £ 120 ( the second largest amount ) at the Boys' School Festival , on AVednesday

sennight . Last- year Bro . Pocock succeeded in collecting upwards of £ 150 for the Girls' School , and but a feiv years previously , Bro . AVood , P . AL , raised about £ 1-10 for the Girls' School . This speaks well for the fraternal feeling of the brethren in Brighton and the . YORKSHIRE ( WEST ) . SHKTIEXD . —Britannia Lodge ( So . 162 ) . —The regular monthly meeting of this lodtook lace on Thursdaythe 14 th instat the .

ge p , ., Music Kail , v .-hen there was a numerous assemblage of the brethren , including P . AIs . Eaden , Longden , Harrison , Naylor , Buxton , and : Foster . Bro . Win . AA'hite , jun ., W . M ., presided , and initiated into the mysteries of the Order Messrs . Robert AV 2 terh 0 u . se , Samuel Smith , and John Kent Turner , and afterwards gave the lecture on the Tracing Board . —A lodge of emergency was held on Tuesday , the 19 th inst ., when the following brethren were present : —Bros . AVm . White , jun ., AV . AL ; Dauby , P . AL ; Navlor , P . AL ; Hay , S . AV . ;

Arden , J . AV . ; Webster , Sec ; Rodsers , S . D . ; Turton , J . D . ; Short , I . G . ; Stuart , Prov . G . O . ; Primrose , Sec No . 373 ; Drury , S . D . No . 373 ; & c . Visitors , Bros . Rev . A . F . A . AVoodford , M . A ., Rector of Swulingtou , P . Prov . G . C . of Durham , and Prov . G . C . and P . Prov . S . G . AV . of AVest Yorkshire ; J . Shenvin , P . AL No . 29 S , Doncaster ; and S . Hayes , Manchester . Bro . Tomlinson was examined , and having given satislactory proofs of the progress he had made in the science , was raised to the sublime degree of AIM . by the W . AI .

—The Rev . Bro . AA ' OODFOBD then delivered delivered an eloquent lecture on " The Early Traces of Freemasonry , " which , ooenpied more than an hour , and displayed great learning and research . Bro . AVoodford appears to have spent much time and labour in ascertaining how far our Masonic traditions may be relied upon ; and his lecture contained several new and interesting facts , recently brought to light in searching the rolls of York Cathedral , & c . He alluded to the new movement in Masonry , and expressed his warm

sympathy in an intellectual development , as far as was compatible , of Masonic teaching , lie referred tu the jmmy attacks made on Masonic history , and deeply regretted that our own authorised Masonic calendar was so meagre and deficient . It was hopeless to expect that the inquiring mind would be content with a few dry dates , and unconnected and isolated statements . After mentioning tlie various theories about Freemasonry , he expressed his decided opinion that to the operative guilds originally Masonry must be traced up through many intervening centuries . A recent

publication of tlie Suitees Society had shown the recognised existence at a very early period of a guild or fraternity of Masons , bound together by ancient forms and customs , and an inner bond of union , which that document seemed to admit . " La Loge " was a term in use in A . D . 1371 , as appears by the York Fabric Rolls , and hence the probability is , that both "Alason" and La Loge" are words of Norman French , originally taken from corrupt Latin—Alason , from Maijonncr and " Alansio , " and La Loge , from " Logerium , " as

Roquefort shows . The lecturer read a striking declaration , which was made before the Master Mason , at York Minster , by every Alason admitted to work . To our operative forefathers this country and foreign countries were indebted for those magnificent structures of religious munificence and ancient piety , at which even today we gaze in wonder and admiration . There seemed to be traces in the Trial of the Templars in France of Masonic initiation ; butthe earliest known admission in this country of Speculative

any Alason which ive have , as a clear undoubted fact , seemed to be that of Ellas Ashmole , in A . D . 1640 . Having alluded to many points connected with the history of the Order , the lecturer concluded by expressing his belief that we are but beginning our study of Masonic history and antiquities , whilst the announcement of new Masonic publications gives good promise for the future . Putting prejudice , aside , the more we sought to realise the true history and true position of Masonry in the world , the more we ourselves should

appreciate its claim to our attachment and reverence , not only as historically true , but as intrinsically excellent . —The AV . M . said he had listened with great interest and pleasure to Bro . AVoodford ' s excellent and instructive lecture , and felt assured the brethren of the Britannia Lodge would all cordially join with him in thanking their rev . brother for his great kindness in coming amongst them , and giving them so many interesting particulars of their Alasonic forefathers . It wasquite certain that there were many lukewarm Masons ,

but he felt assured there would be very few if they could all have the history of their Order and its beautiful ceremonies elucidated by such able men as the rov . lecturer . He hoped Bro . AVoodfovd would be induced to allow his lecture to be printed , that it might