Provincial.

The lod ge was then adjourned , it being after three o ' clock ' and the brethren formed a procession , and marched up Stowhill to St . Woollos Church . The bells rang a merry pea ] , and the public had turned out in groat force to witness the spectacle . The causeway on Stow-hill was lined with eager sighteers , as was , indeed , tho route along its entire length , s The order of procession , arranged by the Provincial Grand Secretary , and approved by the Grand Master , was strictly carried out .

Having arrived at the door of St . Woollos Church , the procession halted , the brethren opening to the ri ght and left facing inwards , so as to leave room for the Provincial Grand Mastor to pass up the centre , ho being preceded by his Standard and Sword Bearers . The Provincial Grand Officers and Brethren followed in succession from the rear so as to invert the order of procession . The musical part of the service , under the superintendence

of Bro . H . J . Groves , the talented Prov . G . Organist , was exceedingly well performed . The sermon was preached by the Prov . G- Chaplain , the Rev . Samuel Fox , Rector of Holy Trinit y , Newport , He ' took his text from Exodus iii . 2— " Aud the Angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a flame of fire out of the midst of a bush : and he looked , and beheld the bush burned with fire , and the bush was not consumed . " In the course of an excellent discourse , in which the persecution of the Jews and their deliverance b y Moses as the instrument in the hands of the Almighty , were dwelt upon . The Rev . gentl eman made the following special remarks : —

Many lessons we might here gather for our guidance in spiritual things . We might learn how our doubts and fears may be removed , and how in the end we may be more than conquerors through Him who loved us , and gave himself for us . But I would endeavour rather to apply it to ourselves , as a Masonic body , assembled as we arc on this joyful occasion . We have , my brethren , already attended a solemn and impressive service , when a distinguished brother has been dul y installed as a ruler

over the Masonic body in this important Province . It is not my intention at the present moment to enter into a defence of Masonic principles . I would merely say to those who are here to witness the procession and gaze at these emblems , you see before you glittering and outward signs—worse than useless if separated from their grave and important meaning . Every part of a Masonic Lodge , every badge , every emblem , is a silent but powerful sermon to the heart . What wonder then that

this bond should be all-powerful even in a must disordered state of society—even when everything that is good in the mind has suffered ruin—even when passion lias perverted human feeling , and death stands iu the- way . Tho persecutor has been stayed by the Masonic sign of brotherhood—( ho chains of the prisoner have fallen off , —its touch has restored the stcleu property—the sick have been tended under its influence—the widow and the orphan , the oppressed and broken-hearted have been soothed and revived b y its appeal . And can that system be worthless , which

under the most forbidding circumstances is able to elicit mercy and forgiveness—to soften the depraved heart and to acknowledge a bond of sympathy which lulls to sleep passion and resentment , and pours its pity and sympathy upon the outcast and miserable . This day , then , my brethren , a ruler in the Craft has been duly installed . His office , though high and honourable , is difficult and arduous ; but the Most High , who qualified his servant Moses , can give him strength and grace .

May he he endued with wisdom to comprehend , judgment to define , and ability to execute God's holy law . May the mantle of bis predecessor fall upon him . Our late beloved Prov . G . M . was , by the providence of God , laid aside for several years from active duties , and though there w ? , s really no tangible hope of his again entering upon bis Masonic duties , yet he was so beloved that the brethren hoped against hope , and prayed earnestly that the Great Architect of the

Universe might spare him to them a , little longer . And now that he has been removed to that grand and blessed Lodge above , we will give our allegiance and hearty support to him who lias already for many years past proved to us that he is a wise and faithful ruler . We have also witnessed this day the installation of a Deputy P . G . M ., and this event adds , if possible , to our joy and satisfaction , for we have in him an ardent lover of Masonry , and a cheerful , faithful friend and brother . May the Most High sanctify him with His grace , strengthen

him with His mig hty power , and enrich his mind with true and genuine knowledge , so that he may be enabled to dedicate himself to God ' s most holy name . Aud when called oft'from bis labour here , may he leceive that blessing promised to those who work diligently in God's holy temple . And now , in conclusion , let me remind all here present that your offerings will be devoted—one half to Masonic charities , and one half to the Infirmary and Dispensary of this town . Concerning the former object little

need be said , except that as Masons we are , and I trust ever shall be , known for our efforts in the cause of charit y , aud our desire to alleviate the suffeiings of our fellow creatures . And with respect to tho latter , surely , brethren , to pour the oil and wine , and to administer comfort otherwise to the friendless and wounded , is an object in which all may he allowed to join . As Christians especially we should regard the outcast and the suffering with pity and compassion—possessing immortal

sonls—redeemed by the same precious blood—thus embracing all mankind as brethren , for Jesu's sake . " The collection amounted to upwards of £ 23 . On the conclusion of divine service , the procession reformed , and returned to the Town Hall , via Victoria Place and Park Square , the hands playing and colours flying . In truth , the long line of brethren , in full Masonic costume , looked exceedingly picturesque , and the curiosity to witness the insignia of a mysterious and occult Order was , as a matter of course , very considerable .

Arrived in lodge , the remainder of the business , which consisted mostly of financial and complimentary routine , was transacted , and the closing in solemn form having been effected , the following hymn was sung : — Now the evening shadows closing Warn from toil to peaceful rest ; Mystic arts and rites reposing , Sacred in each faithful breast .

God of light , whose love unceasing Doth to all Thy works extend , Crown our Order with Thy blessing , — Build , —sustain us to the end . Humbl y now we bow before Thee , Grateful for Thy aid Divine ; Everlasting power aud glory , Mighty Architect ! be Thine .

The brethren then repaired to the King ' s Head Hotel , where Host Gretton had prepared the banquet . Such was the crush of the craft that few more than one-half of the number who attended the ceremonial could be accommodated . Two hundred tickets were issued , and those who were not wise enough to take " time by the forelock , " had perforce to bo "left out in tho cold . " The assembly room was crowded . The dinner was excellently served , and the proceedings passed

off very agreeably . At tho cross table were Bros . Col . Lyne , R . W . Prov . G . M ., in the chair ; S . Geo . Homfray , W . D . Prov . G . M ; . ; L . P . Metham , Prov . G . D ., D . Prov . G . M ., Devonshire ; L . Augustus Hoinlray , Prov . G . S . B .: Henry H . Foote , P . M . ; Samuel Fox , Prov . G .

Chaplain ; T . Manse ) Talbot . Prov . G . M ., South Wales ( Eastern Division ); Edward J . Morris , D . Prov . G . M ., South Wales ( Eastern Division ); Captain Shadwell Gierke , 21 sfc Fusiliers , I'M ., Prov . G . S . B ., Devon ; Howcl Walter Williams , P . Prov . G . P ., South Wales ( Eastern Division ); Rev . Charles T . Heartley , M . A ., Prov . G . Chaplain : William Cox , P . Prov . G . Tresis . The company numhored upwards of 200 . The following is , we believe , an approximate list : —H . Martyn Kennard . W . M .

1 , 258 . Prov . S . G . W .: Edward ICemiard , 1 , 258 ; Captain Pearson , 471 , Silurian ; B . S . Fisher , P . M . 1 , 098 , Prov . G . J . D . 36 , Glamorgan ; John Lewis , P . M . 1 , 098 , Prov . G . J . D . ; Thomas P . Davies , 1 , 258 ; R . II . Richard-, 471 ; J . R . Richards , 53 ; J , N . Thomas , 36 ; S . T . Hallen , 471 ; G . Bullunell , 237 ; A . " Watson , Prov . G . S . Sec , 3 G ; Albert Harris , P . Prov . G . S ., and S . W . 110 ; William Gray , 415 ; Henry Roberts , 471 ; J . Berlyu , 471 ; John Hyndman , P . M . 471 ; Charles MilesS . D . 990 ; J . Scratcbley ,

, P . M . 990 ; Reuben Evans , Sd'O , P . Prov . G . D . C ., South Wales ; G . Artlmi Brown , W . M . 99 S , Welshpool ; James Phillips , W . M . 1 , 096 , Tregcdar ; George Collingwood , 815 , Cape of Good Hope , King William's Town ; Edward . Tones , 833 ; Marmaduke'Pennant ; W . D . S . Waters , W . M . 833 ; Edwin C . Poler , W . M . 364 ; J . E . Billups , 30 ; W . D . Blessley , Stivd ., 3 G ; S . F . Weichert , S . W ..