Provincial.

the handsome , though comparatively humble , decorations of the long train of craftsman . On the arrival of the head of the procession at tlie porch of the Collegiate Church , the brethren halted , uncovered , and formed two lines , through which passed the Prov . G . Officers , headed by the Prov . G . Sword Bearer , the banner of the province , ancl four sons of Masons , bearing on a velvet cushion ( the open volume of the Sacred Law . The brethren then entered the church , where full choral service was

performed , prayers being intoned by Bro . the Rev . T . B . Mundy . The first lesson was reacl by Bro . the Rev . B . AVillmore , Prov . G . 2 nd Chaplain ; the second lesson by the Rev . J . Downes . The anthem was " Behold , how good and joyful , " and before the sermon the 100 th Psalm was sung to the Old Hundredth . Bro . the Rev . Adam Clarke , Prov . G . Chaplain , preached the sermon extemporaneously , from 1 Kings vi . 14 . " So Solomon built the house and finished it . " The Rev . brother observed

that it was no wonder that the Holy City of Jerusalem was an object of interest to all who reverenced the Word of God . There had reigned a lino of renowned kings , and the wisdom of one of them had attracted the attention of all nations . There , too , was raised that Temple , rich in costly treasures , and far richer in the visible presence of Almighty God . Interesting as was tho whole

history of Jerusalem to all who believed that God is the maker and preserver of the world , doubly so was its Temple , the glory of the Masonic brotherhood , in whose ceremonies constant reference was made to the Holy Temple , tho perfection of workmanship , the model for all future practical architects . It was somewhat difficult to choose a topic which would be profitable to a congregation like that , composed partly of Freemasons and partly of those to whom Masonry was known only

in name , yet there was a topic in the words of his text which , while it was of interest to his brethren of tbe Masonic Order , also was applicable to those who cared for the church in which they were worshipping—the cooipleting of God's house . AA'hat ¦ was the first and foremost of Solomon's thoughts when , with ihe aid of the best skilled craftsmen , ho built the Temple and finished it ? "God forbid , " he saicl , "that I should offer to the Lord that which costs me nothing . " The treasures which his father David had prepared he used , hut not satisfied with

those treasures , he sent to other countries for other treasures . Such was the glory of the Temple of Solomon , and should , he would ask , their Christian Temple be built in a niggardly spirit ? or should it be deficient in ought that wealth could provide ? He knew that it had been said hy many that it was but hypocrisy to care for externals while internal piety was neglected ; hut if in this was inconsistencyhow much greater inconsistency was there in

, pretending only to care for the internal feeling and neglecting the external token of . such feeling . They made a profession of their belief in God , ancl they showed that the profession was not hypocritical pretence when they built and adorned a house in which they worshipped God in the beauty of holiness . They built it ivith costly treasures , and what was that but to demonstrate the sincerity of their profession before

man . This it was which made their service acceptable before God . Let all who had been permitted to share the privilege of building and finishing a house for God ' s service consider that they had assisted in raising an edifice in which those who would coma after , would worship . Let them only look at the church iu -which they were assembled ; those whose heads had planned , whose hands had wrought , and

¦ whose lips had consecrated it , were gone , and they who were worshipping there that day might be saicl be to spiritually lodged by those of whom they knew nothing , by those who by a single act of piety had provided them with a temple in which to worship . This struck him as being a point of religious brotherhood , ancl it should prompt them to make similar provisionthat those who should come aftev them might

, have temples in which to worship God after they should be removed to the eternal temple in the heavens . At the close of the service , the brethren returned in procession to the Swan Hotel , and the Provincial Grand Lodge was resumed . The Prov . G . M . announced that the collection at church had realised £ 9 17 s . 6 d . Bro . Dr . BURTON P . Prov . D . G . M . then proposed thatthe sum be

, made up to eleven guineas out of tho funds of the province , and that , with six guineas , a copy of the Sacred Law , properly inscribed , shoulel be provided and presented to the church in which they had that clay worshipped , as a memento of the day's meeting . He further moved that the sum of two guineas be

presented to Bro . Day , Past Prov . Chaplain , for the schools in connection with his church , ancl three guineas to their present chaplain for his new Church Schools at Longton . The resolutions were carried , as also were votes of thanks to the P . ector of Wolverhampton , for the use of his church ; to the Prov . G . Chaplain for his truly Masonic sermon ; ancl to the other clergy who had taken part in the service . Bro . Colonel VKRKOXP . Prov . G . M . then said that he had

, , tho very great pleasure to announce that he had tbe permission ofthe Right Worshipful the Provincial Grand Master to discharge in the Provincial Grand Locigo a duty which had been assigned to him by a private lodge of which he was an honorary member . The duty to which lie referred was an easy and a pleasant one , because it resulted from the respect which the private lodge entertained for one ho highly esteemed , and to

whom he had been personally indebted for innumerable acts of kindness and assistance while he ( Colonel Vernon ) occupied the Grand Mastership of the province , riot to keep the brethren in suspense , he would say that he alluded to 'Bro . Dr . Burton—( Masonic applause )—whose judgment and Masonic knowledgehad been always frequently placed at his ( Colonel Vernon's ) serviceand to ' whom much of the success of the province was

, attributable . Certain brethren of St . James's Lodge and Chapter had been anxious that their excellent and worthy friend ancl brother , in retiring from an office which he had many years filled with advantage to the province and houour to himself , should take with him some token of their brotherly love and esteem . A testimonial had been secured , permission to present it in Grand Lodge had been obtained ,

ancl on him had devolved the high honour and pleasure of making the presentation . He had , therefore , to beg their excellent brother would receive at his hands the slight testimonial of regard he held together with an address from the St . James ' s Lodgo and Chapter . Thus much , continued Bro . Colonel Vanghan , for the brethren of St . James's Lodge and Chapter . But , before I sit down , I would present a provincial

testimonial to our good friend , by moving to him the hearty thanks , of the entire province , with tha prayer that the Almighty Architect of the Universe may prolong his life many years , that those years may be spent by him happily , and that

lie may through life enjoy , as ho fully deserves , the esteem ancl love of all who know him . Bro . Colonel Vernon concluded by handing to Bro . Dr . Burton a gold snuff box , of handsome shape , and enclosed in a neat case . The box , which cost twenty-three guineas , bears the following inscription : — " Presented by the members of the St . James's Lodge and Chapter ( So . 4 S 2 ) , to the Right AVorshipful Dr . Burton , P . D . Prov . G . M . StaffordshireSeptember 12 th 1865 . " The address ,

, , , which is beautifully illuminated on vellum , is as follows : — "To tlie Right Worshipful Dr . Burton , Past Deputy Provincial Grand Master of Staffordshire . Right AVorshipful Sir and Brother , —AA ' e , the undersigned members of St . James ' s Lodge and Chapter ( No . 482 ) , anxious to mark our sense of the manner in which you have for so long a period discharged the duties of Deputy Grand Master of

Staffordshire , and also that you may possess some token of our esteem and goodwill , crave your acceptance of the- accompanying testimonial , a gold snuff-box , which we trust you will value , not for its intrinsic worth , but as indicating the brotherly love we feci for you personally , and the admiration with which we regard the ability you have displayed in the discharge of your onerous duties . " The address bears the signatures of the

members of St . James ' s Lodge and Chapter . Bro . Dr . BUKTOJT said that the presentation was entirely unexpected , and , lie must say , undeserved ( no , no ); ancl he felt unable to express his feelings , but he would take an early opportunity of visiting St . James ' s Lodge , iu order to thank the brethren for their kind present ; and he would only say , _ in reference to tho vote of thanks , that much of the success which attributable

had marked his career as Deputy Grand Master was to the good feeling and proper Masonic spirit with which he had been supported . Even when called upon to admonish , he had experienced kindness , and for all their fraternal conduct , he felt truly thankful . ( Applause . ) The Prov . G . MASTER , after remarking that the brethren of St . James ' Lodhad stolen a marchand ht them napping

s ge , caug , informed the lodge that Bro . Co ' . lis was very anxious to obtain admission for one of his children into the Masonic Girls' School , and suggested that all the votes of the province should be given in her favour . A similar suggestion was made in behalf of a brother ' s son , for votes at the Boys' School election .