Provincial.

custom of addresses on Masonic doctrine on appropriate occasions of interest , and congratulated the members of St . John ' s Lodge on the auspicious circumstances attending the consecration of their lodge . He specially pointed out the duties of Masons out of lodge . They were not to show to the world a mere passive , speculative admiration of virtue , but by active illustration to manifest that , by becoming Masons , they had

been made better men ; and thus , by trust in God , benevolence to man , and active good works , they might hope to ascend from this ten-estial lodge to the Grand Lodge above . Dr . Boyce's anthem , " I have surely built Thee an house to dwell in , " was given by a choir , consisting of Bros . Pearsall , Pnrsall , Shargool , Boresfurd , Wharton , ancl Senior , who sustained their several parts in a manner that elicited universal admiration .

After the consecration ceremony was concluded , Bro . F . Empson , P . M . 43 , 539 , P . Prov . S . G . W . AVarwickshire , installed Bro . Thomas James into the chair of the lodge . The following brethren were invested as officers for the ensuing year ;—Bros . J . C McLean , S . AV . ; S . Pearsall , J . AV . ; AV . Elkington , Treas . ; R . Crosskey , Sec . ; J . S . Barber , S . D . ; J . Joberus , J . D ; T . Bedsmore , Org . ; E . AVhite , Dir . of Cers . ; C . Amsden and C Trigg ,

Stewards ; Hamlet , Tyler . At the termination of tho proceedings a procession was formed , and , headed by the band of the First Staffordshire Militia , the brethren proceeded to the George Hotel , and partook of a banquet , which reflected the highest credit on Bro . Owen . The usual loyal toasts , and the supreme authorities of tlie Craft , having been duly honoured ,

The AV . MASTER proposed "The Health of their Provincial Grand Master , Bro . Harvey , " and remarked that , although it had no doubt given him satisfaction to add another to the lodges on the roll in his province , so soon after ho had been placed in his exalted position , yet he hoped that , at no very distant period , it might increase the difficulty of his position . A Provincial Grand Master who had only nine or ten office ? at his disposal , and eighteen lodges from which to make his seleel ' on , must inevitably cause disappointment to some brethren who were in every respect worthy of distinction . Every new

lodge would add to the list of claimants , whilst the number of appointments to be made would remain the same ; and he trusted that , in course of time , some members of St . John's Lodge would be found deserving of oflice in Provincial Grand Lodge . Bro . Harvey had undertaken the command of the province , after one of the most distinguished Masons in the kingdom . He must , therefore , look to have the cordial cooperation of all the brethrento enable him to keep it up to

, the state of efficiency in which it was left by Colonel Vernon . He , on his part , and he trusted all present , would join him , and would clo everything in his power to strengthen the hands of their excellent Provincial Grand Master . The R . W . PROV . G . MASTER thanked them for the very hearty manner in which his name had been received . It had given him great pleasure to assist in the ceremonies of that

clay , ancl felt convinced that under the guidance of their AVorshipful Aiaster , the St . John's Lodge would soon be equal to any in his province . It would always be his endeavour to follow the course of his distinguished predecessor , and hoped that he should gain the confidence of all his Staffordshire brethren . Bro . BUCKTON proposed the R . AA ' . D . Prov . G . AI ., Dr . Bruton , and the Officers of Provincial Grand Lodge . He saicl that the

proceedings of that day had given him tlie greatest pleasure . He was a very old Mason , and having been resident in that locality for some years , had hitherto been unable to keep up his connection with the Craft ; he , therefore , hailed the establishment of a lodge in Lichfield with extreme satisfaction . Dr . BURTON , D . Prov . G . AL , replied to the toast in his usual happy manner , and remarked that owing to circumstances which were unfbrseen when he accepted the office from Col . Vernon ,

he had been for two years virtually the ruler of . the province , and during that time it had been his desire to act with impartiality and independence ; and if lie had been fortunate enough to gain the goodwill of his brethren he was amply repaid for any trouble he had taken . Tho AV . AIASTER saicl the next toast was one which he hoped would never be omitted at any of their festive occasions , " The Health of the Past Provincial Grand Aiaster , Colonel A'eriion , " who had by his mild though firm rule over them , endeared himself to every Staffordshire Mason . At the present time

Colonel A'ernon was not only suffering a grievous domestic calamity , the unfortunate death of his eldest son , but he was sorry to hear was himself on a bed of sickness . He was sure that all who know him would express the deepest sentiments of sympathy ancl condolence . Bro . Dr . BURTON then rose to propose " The Health of Bro . Thomas James , W . M ., " and spoke in very flattering terms of his

ability as a Mason ; he said he knew no one better calculated to rule a new lodge . The AA . AIASTER said he was placed in a position of great difficulty , as he coulcl not find words adequately to thank them . Having presided over three other lodges , he did not think that he should ever be called upon again to undertake the duties of so important an office ; but from the manner in which the request was conveyed to himhe could scarcely have refused .

, He hoped by strict adherence to the Constitutions , and the ancient landmarks of the Order , and by performing the ceremonies in the fullest integrity , without any fanciful additions or alterations , to render this lodge in due time an honour to the province ancl to the Craft . The AA' . AIASTER , in proposing "The A'isitors , " saicl that having so many distinguished Alasons present , it would almost

seem invidious to mention tho name of any one in . particular ; but he could not refrain from coupling with that toast his esteemed and worthy friend , who had that clay for the third time placed him in tlie chair of a lodge , Bro . Frederick Empson . He had made the acquaintance of that brother eighteen years ago , when engaged iu establishing the Lodge of St . Matthew , AValsal ) , and it was entirely owing to his teaching- as the first AA' . M . of that lodge that he had acquired his knowledge of the

working in Masonry , ancl from time to the present he had found in him a most valued friend . Bro . EMPSON , P . Prov . S . G . AA ' ., AVarwickshire , returned thanks , and expressed the delight it had given him in coming amongst them , and the happiness he felt in being selected fertile third time to install his friend , their AA'orshipful AIaster . The AA . AIaster proposed the "Newly Initiated Brethren , "

which was duly responded to by Bro . AVhite , the Mayor of Lichfield , who was the first initiated iu the lodge , whilst under dispensation . The toasts of the " Alasonic Charities , " and the Tyler ' s toast , brought this interesting gathering to a close . The proceedings were enlivened by the admirable singing of Bros . Pearsall and Senior , ancl by the Band of the Staffordshire Militia , which was stationed in the vestibule .

SURREY . REIGATE . —Surrey Lodge ( No . 416 ) . —This lodge held its usual quarterly meeting at the Public Hall Lodge Room , on Saturday , 21 st January . Present , Bros . C J . Smith , AV . M . ; Carruthers , I . P . M . ; Lees and Sisson , P . Al . 's ; Laiuson , S . AV . ; AV . T . Sargant , J . AA' . ; Thomson , S . D . ; Foot , J . D . ; Last , I . G . ; Hart , Secretary ; Morrison , Treasurer ; and other brethren . Visitors , Bros . Hon . Monson , 357 ; Wood , 90 ; Durrani , 76 ;

Philpot , 874 ; Hobbs , 301 . The lodge being duly opened , the minutes of last lodge read ancl confirmed , a ballot was then taken for Bros . Hanbury ancl G . Baker as joining members , also for ilr . G . Pym and Mr . James Down for initiation . The ballot proving unanimous in their favour , the W . M ., in a careful and impressive manner , duly initiated Alessrs . Pym and Down into Masonry , the lecture on the tracing board being given by Bro . Lees , P . M . The AV . AL called the attention of the

brethren to the fact that the Festival for Aged Freemasons would be held on AVednesday next , for which he would be happy to receive any donations or subscriptions . The duties of the evening were then brought to a close , and the brethren , adjourned to a banquet . The usual Alasonic toasts were then preceded with . The brethren then separated , highly satisfied with the evening's labour of this flourishing country lodge .

AIOST persons will find difficulties and hardships enough without seeking them ; let them not repine , but take them as a part of that educational discipline necessary to fit the mind to arrive as its highest good . IT is disagreeable to a prodigal to keep an account of his expenses , as it is to a sinner to examine his conscience ; the

deeper they search , the worse they find themselves . IE all those who attain not their desires should die of disappointment , who would be living upon the earth ?