Provincial.

following terms : —If there was over a time when I needed the power of thought and of -utterance it is now that I stand before you in what is at once the honourable and difficult position of Deputy Grand Master of this extensive and important province , and yet there never was a time when I had more need of your indulgence . Let me assure you , right worshipful sir , that I am by no means indifferent to your distinguished favour , and regret that I cannot sufficiently express

my thanks for so signal a mark of your esteem ancl confidence . At the same time I would sincerely thank all those bretliren whether from North or South Staffordshire who have -so strongly expressed their approval of your choice . High offices in Freemasonry imply onerous duties and responsibilities , and hence it comes ( hat I have taken my seat at your right hand Avith serious doubts as . to the result of my coming labours . I know that my office is no sinecure in any provinceand much

, less so in our own , where Freemasonry flourishes to an extent Avhich can scarcely be surpassed in any province in the kingdom . Besides this I am succeeding one who has right nobly sustained his office ; one whose ability , experience , and worth , have won for him the golden opinions of his brethren—one in faet than whom our ancient institution has few older and no abler

professors . ( Applause . ) I rejoice to say that I have from our brother Dr . Burton the assurance of bis advice and assistance on all occasions , ancl whilst this assurance principally induced me to accept my appointment , I trust it may also you to look with an eye of favour on my acts—for I shall strive so far as possible to pursue the same course which he has done , namely , to sustain at all times the authority and dignity of the R . AV . the Provincial Grand Master , and to promote by

every possible means the efficiency of the fraternity and the harmony of the brethren , whether individually or collectively . ( Applause . ) Your applause sufficiently informs me that I need not dilate upon the expediency of these matters , and therefore I will ask you to accept tlie reiterated expressions of my grateful thanks , and of my assurance that no effort on my part will be spared to retain the confidence of the R . W . the Provincial Grand Masterand at the same time to win ancl

, retain the confidence and support of my brethren . ( Applause . ) Bro . Dr . BURTON , in some very neat observations as to the intimacy between Masonry and religion , proposed " The Very Reverend the Provincial Grand Chaplains , " and , as the evening was advancing and tho company diminishing , combined therewith the toast of " The Provincial Grand AVarden and Officers of the Provincial Grand Lodge .

Bro . HOOPER , J . G . AV , replied , and proposed "Tho Health of the Visitors , " stating that they had some distinguished visitors among them , whom the lodge had endeavoured to give a hearty welcome . He coupled with the toast the name of Bro . Hovels .

Bro . ROTHS , D . Prov . G . M . Worcestershire , responded , anil saicl he had frequently visited the annual meetings of the Grand Lodge of Staffordshire , his first visit having been paid nearly twenty years ago , ancl he wished the brethren of this county would in greater numbers attend the gatherings of the Freemasons of Worcestershire . On behalf of the visitors generally , he thanked tho company for their hospitality , and , taking their reception that day as aguide to the futurebo would

, , say , on behalf of the visitors , " We will often become your guests . " ( Applause . ) The PROV . G . MASTER then proposed "The Health of tho Past Provincial Deputy Grand Master , Bro . Dr . Burton , " observing that that gentleman had done good service to himself and the province , ancl he was very grateful to him for the excellent manner in which he bad provided for meetings at

which special business had to ho transacted . He was truly sorry for the circumstances which had compelled Bro . Dr . Burton to resign , but ho trusted he would still live many years to come among them , and to display the creat interest he felt in the Craft .

Bro . BURTON responded , offering his services in case any circumstances of Masonic difficulty might present themselves to his successor . Bro . Col . A ERSOS , in giving the next toast , "The Provincial Grand Treasurer ancl Secretary , " remarked that all the details ofthe business of the lodge devolved upon those officers . He thanked the gentlemen who had filled those positions during his Mastership , congratulating Bro . Howells on the admirable manner in which he kept the accounts , ancl his judicial disbursements of the monies , and remarking with respect to Bro .

Cartwright , the newly-elected secretary , that he had fulfilled his previous duties with zeal ancl fidelity . Bro . HOWELLS said he was sincerely grateful for the compliment paid him , adding that though he could not promise a reduction in the fees or taxes , he could congratulate the Provincial Grand Lodge on the state of its exchequer . They had ample funds to enable them to render further support to those Masonic Charities which stood in need of help .

( Applause . ) Bro . BURTON then introduced the toast of " Masonic Charities" in an excellent speech , which , however , was very indistinctly heard , on account of the low tone in which it was delivered . The burden of the address appeared to be a strong complaint of the absence of support on the part of the majority of Freemasons to the Charities . It was , he said , a monstrous and crying shame , which should cause every Mason to blush ,

that their Charities should have to become petitioners at their festive boards iu order to raise the funds necessary for their subsistence ; ancl it was a striking fact that those who had not contributed a farthing to the funds were the most anxious toavail themselves of the advantages of the institutions . The state of things he had described placed Freemasons in a wrong position before the public . They ought not to have Charities on such occasions petitioning for support . "Charity" was one

of their professions as a body , but unless they did better ib ought to be erased from the principles of the Craft . The province of AVarwickshire had contributed most nobly , and though Staffordshire coulcl not do so much , it coulcl do something if every brother felt pledged to carry out the principle tlie Provincial Grand Lodge bad affirmed in its liberality that day , and put his hand into bis pocket in support of so worthy a cause . iiro . BINCKES acknowledged the toast in a long and eloquent

speech , but the larger part of the company had left tbo room some time previous . He saicl the Province of Staffordshire had been constant iu its support of Masonic Charities , but heagreed with Dr . Burton that there ought to be no necessity for pleading for them on such occasions as this . It bad , however , been productive of advantage . Five years ago it was a standing reproach to the Freemasons ofthe country that the brethren , in London contributed two-thirds of the support enjoyed by

the Charities , while ( ho bretliren of the provinces received twothirds of the benefits . He made it is business to go to the provinces ancl ask them to wipe away that stigma , and what had been the result of four years labour ? AAliy , he believed he could safely say that the brethren of the provinces and London about shared the benefits , and he was sure they shared the burthen . ( Hear , hear . ) Bro . Binckes went on to explain that many Masons of some

years standing were still ignorant of the existence of the central Charities , and asked whether he was not justified in continuing his appeal whenever permitted so to clo , until that ignorance was removed ? In the provinces there was still a vast amount of uncultivated ground . Out of 36 , 000 Masons , under the jurisdiction of the Grand Lodge of England , the three Masonic Charities , nobly supported as they were , clicl not number more

than 5 , 000 supporters . The speaker urged that every Mason could do something for the cause , and inquired what might be done if all would contribute according to their means ? AVhat he laboured to accomplish was that the Charities should be supported not by the munificent contributions of a few , but bv the small contributions of the aggregate number . ( Hear , hear . ) Proceeding briefly to notice the present situation of the three

principal Charities , he said tho one with which he was connected —the Royal Masonic Institution for Boys—was the only one really in adversity . The Girls School had £ 11 , 000 of finiiled property , with tho building paid for , and supporting 100 children iu afllueucej the Old Man's ancl Woman ' s Institution had something like £ 20 , 000 of funded property , and the building paid for ; whereas the Institution for Boys iiad not one shilling

iu the funds , ancl was £ 5 , 000 in debt . ( Shame . ) Bro ^ Binckes concluded with a warm appeal on behalf of the Charity . The next toast was that of " The Ladies , " which was proposed by Bro . Royds , ancl , of course , heartily drunk . The D . PKOV . G . MASTER proposed "The Health ofthe Stewards" and saicl the arrangements for tho meeting of the

, lodgo and for the banquet bad nevei been excelled in any previous year . Bro . JOSEPH FORD , whose name was mentioned in connection with tho toast , duly replied , stating that what the stewards had done for the meeting that day had been a labour of love , and