Provincial.

a munificent contributor to our Masonic charities , he continually increased in reputation anel usefulness , and gained an undisputed ascendancy , while he was aiming only at the communication of happiness . ( Hear , hear . ) His friendship for us was cemented by our common attachment to Masonry , and his removal has pierced our hearts with a deep sorrow . Nevertheless , amidst the gloom which has covered our lodges as with a fnner . il pall , the eye of faith discerns a beam of celestial light , by which we

may read inscribed on tlie page of Revelation , as with a sunbeam , the glorious assurance that our departed friend has passeel from death unto life ; that he has exchanged the jewels which he wore at our last Grand Lodge for the crown of righteousness which our divine Master has promised to all His sincere followers , and which will shine with uudecaying brightness through the ages of eternity ; that whilst we live amidst the frail , the limited , he lives among the Infinite ,

the Everlasting , the Immutable , the Perfect . Let our principles gain strength anel energy from these reflections , let them increase the depth and clearness of our spiritual impressions ; let them impel us with mingled emulation and humility to strive to follow in the track of our beloved and faithful brother ; let us henceforth cherish a holy fellow-ship of spirit with him , in all his varieties of individual excellence , and thus practically evince our love for him who taught us by his voice and encouraged us by his example . ( Hear , hear ) . A ' ery

Worshipful Grand Wardens , Officers , anel . Brethren , I now call upon you to assist me in transacting the business of the province . The financial business of the province for the past year having been disposed of , the P . G . M . continued as follows : Ithas been proposed , as you all know , to erect a memorial window in the Cathedral Church of Hereford , in token of the esteem and respect with which our departed brother was so generally regarded , both in the Archdeaconry and province of Hereford , A committee has

been formed , of which I have the honour of heing a member , for the purpose of carrying this intention into effect , and I anticipate with uudoubting confidence that the members of thisr Pov . Grand Lodge , in which the Archdeacon held so important an office , and in which he was so much beloved , will consider it a privilege to vote , from the funds of the Provincial Grand Lodge , a donation towards the erection of tho Freer Memorial Window , ( Applause ) . A Freer Memorial Window , placed in onr glorious

old Cathedral , will be no fleeting testimony of our regard , but will live for ages , while future generations of Masons will gaze upon it with a reverential eye , and bid their children emulate the example of him whose worth it is designed to commemorate . The calls upon our funds for charitable purposes have been unusually heavy , and will not at present admit of our voting more than 20 guineas . The following is a copy of the address to Mrs . Lane Freer , on the death of the Venerable Archdeacon Lane Freer , Deputy Provincial Grand Master of the Province of Herefordshire : —¦

We , the Provincial Grand Master , Officers , and brethren of the ancient and honourable Fraternity of Free and Accepted Masons of the province of Herefordshire in Grancl Lodge assembled , crave permission , clear madam , to express the deep sympathy we , in common with innumerable others , feel for you under your irreparable loss . "The magnitude of it none can adequately estimate hut yourself ; but it is consoling to reflect that you are not called to

sorrow as those who have no hope ; that the time of your being death-divided is short , and that those tender affections , matured and hallowed on earth , will soon be resumed in better anel brighter worlds , where the pang of bereavement and widowhood shall no longer be felt or feared . " Meanwhile , as Heaven is no state of inactive contemplation or of unproductive feeling , we know that our loss is his

unspeakable gain . The colour of our future existence is wholl y determined by the habits and principles we carry into it ; and as the mind of our departed brother was replete with devotion and benevolence on earth , we have tho comforting assurance that in an incomparably higher oreler of existence it is expanded , strengtheued , and refined to an inconceivable degree ; employed , with energy which knows no decay and will never end , in an ever enlarging ministry of beneficence in accomplishing the universal Father ' s great work of spreading virtue and happiness .

'' We trust , madam , that considerations will inure your imagination less on your loss , and more on his happiness . "That God himself may comfort you , and that though you ? sow in tears , ' you may ' reap in joy , ' is our earnest and heartfelt prayer .

" Dated at Leominster , and sealed with the seal of the province , the 16 th day of Nov ., 1 S 63 . " J . B OWLES , Provincial Grand Master . " C . WREN IIOSKTNS , Deputy Prov . Grancl Master . " JOHN G ARDINER , Provincial Grand Secretary . " The D . PROV . G . M . elect said he felt impressed with deep interest hy the eloquent words he had heard fall from the R . W . Prov . Grand Master , and he therefore felt it would

not become him to give expression on his part to any hopes he might entertain of being able in any way to fill the office so recently become vacant by the death of his clear friend Archdeacon Freer ; for if ever there was an occasion which justified the deepest sorrow , it was the death of that most estimable and much-beloved brother . He would , therefore , beg leave to present his sincere thanks to the Right Worshipful the Provincial Grand Master , and the brethren assembled , for the reception he

hud met with , and assured them that his endeavours woulel be directed to fulfilling the duties to which ho had been chosen in such a manner as in some measure to be worthy of the merits of the deeply-lamented brother who hael so lately fi . lle-1 it . ( Hear , hear . ) The R . W . PROV . G . M . said the next business was to elect a successor to their venerated and deceased Brother Freer , and in addressing the D . Prov . G . M . ( designate ) said -. If ever there

was an occasion which justified the most poignant regret , it is the death of the venerated anel much-loved brother , who so ably filled tho office to which I am now about to appoint you . The remarkable combination of eminently social and high intellectual cpialities with the most fervent piety , the profound knowledge of Masonry , anel the sincere attachment to its principles which distinguished the character of tho late D . Prov . G . M ., enhance our sense of his lossand increase the difficulties which you

, have to encounter as his successor . To succeed to such a mart is no common distinction , and is also no common responsibility . To this distinction , and to this responsibility , you , very worshipful brother , are about to succeed . I cannot , however , but feel that , in investing you with the collar of D . Prov . G . M ., I am conferring but a very doubtful benefit . The very reputation of your venerable predecessor stands in the way of your personal success . Tlie Freemasons of this province will measure

you hy a higher standard than common men , and however well you may succeed , the brightness which the Archdeacon's character throws over his memory will dazzle our vision , and our deep sorrow for the loss of so much excellence will cast its shadow over your merits . The high office of D . Prov . G . M . will now pass , with all the energy which our brother tlie Archdeacon imparted to it , into your hands , and I may be permitted to assure you that , in placing you on the throne , and

conferring upon you the authority of D . Prov . G . M ., I am not merely gratifying my own wishes as your personal friend , but have promoted the wishes of the brethren in selecting a ripe scholar , a distinguished Mason , anel a thorough English gentleman . ( Applause . ) The banquet , which was served up in the Assembly-room , adjacent to the lodge , was a truly sumptuous repast . After the cloth was removed"Non Nobis Domini "

, was sung by the brethren from St . Michael ' s College , Tenbury , who also , during the evening , rendered a variety of songs and duets in a thoroughly artistic manner . The Rev . Sir Frederick . Ouseley , who occasionally presided at the pianoforte , played several solos in an exquisite manner . The PROV . G . M ., whose rising was tho signal for great applause , saiel : The first toast among Masons is , " The Queen

and the Craft . " ( Cheers . ) We are all loyal men , and who would not be loyal under the genial sway of the sceptre of her-Majesty Queen Victoria . ( Cheers . ) Nothing would be easier than to pass a eulogium upon her Majesty's life and conduct as mother , wife , and Queen ; but I would rather refer you to the life itself as the best appeal that can bo made to our loyalty and devotion to the throne . BrethrenI ive " The Queen and

, g you Craft . " ( Cheers and Masonic honours . ) The PROV . G . M . again rose and gave in fitting terms " The Health of the . Prince of Wales anel the rest of the Royal Family . " The PROV . G . M . then said—AVorshipful Sir and Brethren , thenext toast on the list before me is the health of that excellent nobleman who is the chief of our ancient fraternity , "The

Right Hon . the Earl of Zetland . " The toast received full Masonic honours . The PROV . G . M . then gave the toast of " The right AVorshipful Deputy Grand Master , the Earl de Grey and Ripon , and the