Shropshire And North Wales.

the brethren was peculiarly grateful to his feelings . Ii was true lie was connected with that mighty engine , the press , and for some time past with the FREEMASONS' BIAGAZINE , and it had given him great gratification to observe how much the cause of Freemasonry was promoted by tho interchange of ideas , by the diffusion of liberal thoughts , and by the record of its astonishing progress throughout tho civilised world . Freemasonry was the pioneer of freedom

, hence the hatred borne by despots against its principles and its practice . However , he —Bro . Thompson—would hope that the brethren in England might long havo an honest and respectable organ , as , were the FREEMASONS' BIAGAZITN- E AND MASONIC BIIRROB to cease to exist , tho cause of charity would suffer to an incalculable extent . The health of Bro . Little , W . BI . pro tern ., was then proposed in eulogistic terms by Bro .

Potter , P . M . and Treas ., who expatiated on the able manner in which Bro . Little not only performed tho duties of tiie chair , but also those of Secretary . This toast was most cordially received , and Bro . Little , in responding , regretted the unavoidable absence , through indisposition , of the W . M . Tho health of the S . W . and J . W , were then announced , and the W . BI . again took occasion to praise those officers for their zealous and efficient aid in the working of the ceremonies .

Bros . Oliver , S . W ., and Page , J . W ., returned thanks in a brief but appropriate manner . Bro . Squire , S . D ., acknowledged tho toast of "The Officers , " and tho Tyler then brought tho proceedings of this very happy meeting to an end . Wo must not omit to mention that Bros . Kelley , Squire , and other obliging brethren sang some excellent songs , dav , viz .: —Bros . C . Wigan , Prov . G . Sec . of N . Wales aud Salop ; W . BrihfcwellP . Prov . S . G . W .

g , Bro . Brighfcwell replied on behalf of tho Prov . G . Officers , and reiterated the Blasonic sentiments so feelingly and beautifully impressed by the W . M ., and was proud to know that the Prov . G . Officers were held in such high esteem by the members of the Welchpool Lodge , and tho Craft generally , as ho could

assure the W . BI . and brethren that their constant endeavour ; and best exertions would be used to continue to merit the high esteem and approbation of tho members of tho various lodges of the combined provinces of North Wales and Shropshire . It could not but be most gratifying to tho brethren ot tho Welchpool Lodge , to see that Bro . Di \ Goldsbro' had already elicited the good opinions of the Provincial Grand Blaster , in a manner which enabled them to see him clothed in Provincial Grand

Lodgo purple , in the distinguished appointment of Provincial Senior Grand Warden , as he felt convinced that that distinction would not be conferred in vain , for Bro . Goldsbro' had evidently sustained the dignity of the Craft , and had maintained tho harmony and prosperity of the Welchpool Lodge , over which he had so efficiently ancl indefatigably presided during the last two years . "Freemasonry" said Bro . Brightwcll , " has existed from the

, remotest ages of tho world , and has ever flourished most whore civilisation aud the arts aud sciences have conferred on mankind their most precious gifts . Thrones and empires have been shaken to their centres ; ancient cities have ceased to exist ; kingdoms and provinces have had their periods . Where is Thebes and her hundred gates ? Where is that ancient and and splendid city , Babylon , with hoi- magnificent hanging gardens ? Where is Troy ? around which Hector was thrice

dragged by Achilles;—and many others . They are names only left . Yet amidst all those convulsions , amidst all this ruin , desolation and change , our refulgent star , 'Blasonry , ' has remained in all her meridian beauty and splendour , untarnished and undimmed . Amongst the many splendid ornaments which grace and adorn our order , is that greatest and noblest of all virtues , charity , which is designated as the chief of every social and moral virtueand is the characteristic of every true Mason

, , and not only inculcates a supreme degree of love and veneration of the Great Architect of the Universe , but also an unlimited affection of our fellow-creatures of every clime , country , sect , and opinion . It unites the enemies of tho earth , and our brethren of all creeds and colour .

Christians and Jews , and Turks and Pagans stand One blended throng , one undistinguished band . ' AVith in the walls of our lodges no discordant jarrings are over heard , though the minds of men may he disturbed by the elements of faction , though despots may govern with a rod of iron , and though the apple of discord bo thrown into every society and home , yet within our sacred walls the still peaceful voice of Blasonry has ever heen heard , and I trust will continue

to be heard 'till the end of time . AA'ith these few observations , AVorshipful Blaster , permit me , iu conclusion , to express niy grateful acknowledgements for the distinguished honour conferred upon myself and Bro . AVigan , and for the truly Blasonic feelings extended to the Provincial Grand Officers generally . Bro . Goldsbro' , I . P . M ., proposed "The Health of the AAV - shipful Blaster , Bro . T . B . Brown , " and paid a just tribute to the exertions ho had used in the formation and successful

establishment of the lodgo , ancl said he was sure that under the presidency of so worthy and excellent a Blaster , and so true aud zealous a Blason , the lodgo could not fail to prosper , aud he called upon the brethren to drink his health with full Blasonic honours . Tho AA . Blaster in a speech replete with Masonic feeling , thanked the brethren for the honour they had conferred upon

him , and said that his best efforts should be employed in maintaining the happiness of the members , the dignity of the Order , and the usefulness of the lodge in the province as well as in the Craft generally . The \ A . Blaster proposed " The Health of the Past Blaster of the AA elchpool Lodge , " to which Bro . Goldsbro' replied at some length . Bro . Brightwcll proposed " The Health of the Rev . J . M . Edwards , " and expressed the great pleasure it had given him to hear his eloquent and appropriate address to Bro . Goldsbro' , P . M .

Ihe Rev . Bro . Edwards returned thanks , and said that in the speech he had made he had only expressed what he really felt , and that ifc was quite unpremeditated . The AA . Blaster next proposed " The Health of tho Officers of the Lodge , " and observed that much of the success of the lodge depended on the punctuality and working of the officers , and he had good reason to hope that those whom he had appointed would carry out the duties severally assigned to them

in the most satisfactory manner . The AV . Bf . coupled with this toast the name of Bro . Francis Smith , J . W . Bro . F . Smith replied for the officers , and said , on their behalf he begged to return their sincere and grateful thanks for the kind and complimentary manner in which tbe W . BI . had proposed their health , and to the brethren for their warm response ; and ho had every reason to believe that all the officers had accepted office with the determination to do their dut .

y The S . W . had promised to fulfill his duty to the utmost of his power ; nothing shall be wanting on the part of your J . AV . to carry out his duties to the best of his ability , and though residing at a distance—a matter of a hundred miles or moreit will not prevent his attending to them . He trusted that throughout the year tho performance of the duties of the officers would be such as to meet with the approval of the members of tho lodge .

" The Health of Bro . Thomas Butter , " was then proposed hy tho AV . M ., who observed that the best thanks of the members of the lodge were due to him as Chairman of the Presentation Committee , and he complimented Bro . Rufctcr upon the very very able manner in which he had carried out the wishes of the members of the lodge . Bro . Rutter thanked the AV . BI . and brethren for drinking his health , and assured them that what he had done as chairman of their committee , he had done with a very great deal of pleasure , and was glad that it met with the approval of the members .

Ihe W . Blaster next proposed " Tho Blasonic Charities , " and coupled with it the name of Bro . Henry Muggeridge , P . M . 192 , aud expressed the great pleasure it gave in again seeing amongst them so great and bright a star in Masonry , and hoped they might havo that pleasure for many years to come . Bro . P . M . II . Bluggeridge said in reply—AV . Blaster , brethren of the \ A elchpool Lodge , I beg to thank you for the honour you have conferred upon me in drinking my health , and in

associating my name with the Blasonic Charities , and I be" - also to thank you for the great kindness with which you have received me on every occasion since the consecration . It is a great gratification to me to havo been present on this occa siou , and to have "witnessed the presentation of these beautiful testimonials to our worthy Bro . Goldsbro ' . I hope , and I have no doubt , that the AA'elchpool Lodge will continue to prosper ; It is also a great pleasure to me to know that Bro . Goldsbro '

will represent this lodge as a Steward at tho Festival in aid of Royal Freemasons' Girls' School , on which occasion I shall also be a Steward , but for another lodge . Brethren , in this school are one hundred girls , the daughters of Freemasons , once in good cir-