Provincial.

subjects could be carried on . ( Applause . ) Ifc is quite impossible that the teachings of the Creator can be inconsistent with the works of the God of Truth , and there must be some means of reconciling the facts of Nature and the words of Scripture . Besides the very excellent charities which it is your custom to maintain , I think it would give additional interest to the meetings of the lodges to try and find a way through such intricate questions as these are . Such a lanperhapswould he more

p , , advantageous than the discussion of such matters in public societies , where everything that passes is made known to the world . You , in your meetings , would enter into such discussions with becoming reverence , prepared to recognise truth wherever you might find ifc , and anxious to turn , if I may say so , the doctrines of science into some scheme which would be

consistent with the truth . Perhaps ifc is presumptuous in me to make such a suggestion , but I trust you will forgive me . — ( Applause . ) . . KENT . CHATHAM . —Royal Kent Lodge of Antiquity ( No . 20 ) . —The regular monthly meeting of this lodge was held on Wednesday , the 15 th inst ., at six o ' clock . In the absence of the W . M ., Bros . E . MuddAstiuP . M . and Prov . G . Supt . of Works

, , , undertook to open the lodge in the throe degrees , and raised Bros . Allison ancl Warren , to the sublime degree of M . M . 's , giving them the traditional history in a very impressive manner . The W . M . then arrived and initiated into the mysteries of the Craft , Mr . W . Watts and Mr . Fredk . Allison , and Bro . Howard , was passed to the second degree . There wero four gentlemen proposed and seconded for initiation on

the following meeting of the lodge , and Bro . Wiideycr , P . M . and P . Prov . G . W ., also proposed Bro . Dower , of ' Pavimure Lodge ( No . 723 ) , as a joining member , which was seconded hy Bro . Astin , P . M . After the usual business of the lodge was completed , there being a very large meeting of the members ( upwards of thirty brethren being present ) , the brethren adjourned to banquet lied bBroWillisin his usual

, supp y . , excellent style . The usual loyal and Masonic toasts wero given . Bro . Windeyer proposed the health of the W . M ., and congratulated the lodge on having such a W . M . He was very pleased with the manner the work of the lodge was done , as well as all the other duties of the office , which was in every way performed to the satisfaction of the whole of the brethren . The W . M ..

in rising to respond to the toast , informed the brethren he was pleased to lind his efforts to carry out the duties of the office had given them satisfaction . He could assure them thafc he hacl to make great sacrifices to perform those duties , hut the pleasing task was such that they amply repaid him , more especially when he found the brethren rallied round him to assist him in those duties . He desired to thank them all , especiallBro . Windeyerwho had so kindlproposed the toast

y , y . ' 'The Visitors" was then given by the W . M ., and Bro . J . J . Everist , P . M . 77 , responded , ancl thanked the brethren and the W . M . for their kindness and liberality , which was always acknowledged throughout the province ; for the most happy evenings he as well as many others spent , was in Lodge of Antiquity ( No . 20 ) . Bro . Windeyer proposed the health of Bro . Dewor , their new joining memberwhohe saidwas an excellent neihbour and a

, , , g good Mason , one who had attained to very high degrees in Freemasonry . He was a lloyal Arch , Knights Templar , & c . Bro . Dewer responded to the toast . He informed the brethren he thought he should be proud to continue among them . He was pleased with what he had seen and heard that evening , ancl would endeavour to be a constant attendant as long as he remained in the neihbourhood . He hoped to remain a long time

g with them . He thanked them for their compliment and kindly feeling . After which the Entered Apprentice song was given by the W . M . During the evening the meeting was enlivened by some very excellent singing , by Bros . Burfiehl , Howell , and several other brethren . This very happy ancl convivial meeting was brought to a close to the satisfaction of all 2 ) resent .

LANCASHIRE ( WEST ) . LlVEKPOOl . —Merchants' Lodge ( No . 241 ) . —The regular meeting of the above lodge was held in the Masunic Temple , Hope-street , Liverpool , on Tuesday , the 14 th inst ., the W . M ., Bro . A . C . Mott , in the chair . After the preliminary business of the evening , the lodge proceeded to the election of officers for the ensuing year , when Bros . Ralph Robinson , the present S . W ., as W . M ., ancl Jewitt ( for the fifth time ) as Treas ., were unanimously elected . It was arranged that the installation should take place in the Temple on Wednesday afternoon , the

32 nd msfc ., at two o ' clock , after which the brethren would adjourn , and proceed to Raby , where a banquet would be provided for them . Previous to closing tho lodge , the W . M . was informed by Bro . Young husband , P . M ., that a sum of money had been subscribed by a number of the brethren for the purpose of presenting him ( Bro . Mott ) , with a testimonial of their regard for himsef , and of their appreciation of his labours during the time he had been connected wifch the

lodge ; ancl having placed that sum at the disposal of the lodge , it had been resolved that five guineas be handed over to the West Lancashire Masonic Educational Fund to constitute Bro . Mott a life governor of that institution , ancl that a P . M . 's jewel , wifch a suitable inscription , be presented to him as an acknowledgment of his worth , ancl a token of the high esteem in which he is held b y the brethren of this lodge . Any

deficiency in the amount subscribed to be paid out of the funds of the lodge . To mark the distinguished services of a W . M . or brother , by presenting him a life governorship such as the above , is a mode that cannot be too highly recommended to the lodges of this province . Whilst ifc aids the cause of true benevolence , it most effectually secures the object sought ; for in strengthening the funds of this worthy and noble institution , and associating his name with its working' and interests , it

perpetuates the worth of him on whom such an honour is conferred . PEESCOT . —Lodge of Loyalty ( No . 86 ) . —The regular monthly meeting of this ancient and prosperous lodge , whose warrant bears date 1763 , and which is the oldest but one in the province , was held at the lodge-room , Bro . Smith ' s , Royal Hotel , on AVednesday , the 15 th inst . This was also the annual meeting for the election of W . M . and Treas . In the

unavoidable absence of the W . M ., Bro . W . R . Allen , the chair was filled by Bro . James Fowler , I . P . M . There were present Bros . James Hamer , Provincial Grand Treas ., P . M . as S . W . ; T . Wylie , P . M . and P . Provincial G . Sec ; G . Turner , P . M . ; H . G . Wootton , J . W . ; J . T . Hall , Sec ; T . Swift , S . D . ; IV . W .

Driffield , J . D . ; W . Holme , as I . G . ; Simcock , Sergenson , Merson , Mewbery , Smith , Culshaw , W . Swift , Birchall , T . Webster , Hayman , 32 , & c . The lodge was opened shortly after seven o ' clock , when the minutes of the preceding meeting were read aud confirmed . The ballot then took place for W . M , for the ensuing year , when Bro . Fowler , the I . P . M ., was elected . Bro . Dodd was re-elected Treas . Bro ; Fowler somewhat reluctantly consented to again accept the chair , his individual wish being ,

he stated , to devote all the time he could justifiably spare to the study of the Royal Arch ancl the higher degrees of Masonry . However , the probable early departure from the town of the esteemed and popular occupant of one of the Wardens ' chairs ( whom the brethren were much pleased to see afc his post on this occasion ) rendering it impossible for him to preside over them , the prosperity which the lodge attained during Bro . Fowler ' s previous year of office , the pleasure and harmony

which then prevailed , and his ability , urbanity , and unremitting attention to the interests of the Craft , led a large majority of the members to the conclusion that the real good of the lodge would be eminently promoted by inducing the I . P . M . to reign over it for another year . A requisition was accordingly presented to him , ancl he consented to meet the wishes of his brethren , remarking that the document would rank only second in his estimation to the P . M . 's jewel and

emblazoned address presented to him at the close of liis former occupancy of the chair . The acting W . M . then proposed , and Bro . Hall , Sec , seconded , Bro . Hamer , the Prov . G . Treas ., as an honorary member of the lodge . Bro . Hamer will be balloted for in due course afc the next regular lodge meeting , and there can be no doubt of his unanimous election . He is a brother of great experience ancl devotion to the Craft , and is at all times willing to render every assistance in his power to the various

lodges in the province . On many occasions Lodge 86 has been under great obligation to him . The other business transacted was the appointment of the Audit Committee , and a committee to superintend the arrangements for the annual banquet on the installation of officers in July .

MIDDLESEX . HOTTNSLOW . —Dalhousie Lodge ( No . 865 ) . —This lodge held its second meeting for the season afc the Town Hall , on Wednesday , the 15 th inst . There were present Bros . J . J . Hardey , senior P . M . ; Gilbard , P . M . ; Frost , S . W . ; Richards , J . W . ; Keogh , I . G . ; Watson , P . M . ; Bus ton , Johnson , Jupp , Golding , Daly , Farrant , Hopwood , Hollo way , Pellatt , Donald King ,