Provincial.

offered by Bro . the Rev . G . Nash , Prov . G . Chap ., the lodges were then called over . The roll of Provincial Grand Officers was called , and apologies tendered for the unavoidable absence of many brethren . The minutes of the Provincial Grand Lodge , holden at Grimsby last year , was then read by Bro . Lucas , Prov . G . Sec , and confirmed . The Prov . G . Trea « . read his finance statementwhich showed

, a balance in hand of £ 10 19 s . 3 d . The Oliver Memorial Pund was refeired to , and up to the present time the subscriptions amount to £ 100 . It was proposed by Bro . Moore , and seconded by Bro . Fountain that a sum of £ 10 10 s . be given to that fund and a hope was expresses that all lovers of Masonry would show their attachment to the Craft by endeavouring as much as possible t > increase the fund . Bro . Lucas , P . G . S ., said that

he had much pleasure in s-tnting that he had raised £ 10 towards this fund from the sale of Dr . Oliver's last oration . The Prov . Grand Secretary then read the report of the Committee of the Provincial Grand Lodge Fund of Benevolence , and an abstract of the accounts to the present time ; he stated that the balance in hand was £ 311 18 s . 0 d ., and arrears 18 s ., and that the annual income ( including interest on the capitalist d portion of the fund ) might be put down at £ 60 , exclusive of any errant from the Provincial Grand Lodge . During tha year a sum of £ 100 had been invested on freehold land security at i-k per cent ., and a further sum of £ 200 waited investment .

The R . W . Prov . Grand Master stated that be was happy to say that Masonry was prospering in the county and increasing not only in numbers , but also in respectability and influence . He had that day received an intimating that another lodge was about to be formed at Bourn . He hoped that Freemasonry would continue to move on in its onward course , and "leave its foot-prints on the sands of time . " He also referred in hih terms of commendation to tho very efficient manner in

g which the brethren of the Hundred of Elbe Lodge had exerted themselves in the arrangements of the holding of the Provincial Grand Lodge in Spalding . Everything had been done which could he done to render the meeting a complete success . He then thanked the present officers for their support during the year . The Deputy Prov . Grand Master next proposed a vote of

congratulation to the R . W . the Provincial Grand Master on his Grace's marriage . He said that Masons were always ready to rejoice with those that rejoice and weep with those that weep . Not long ago they bad to mourn the loss of one of Masonry ' s noblest sons , but to-day he thought that there could be but one feeling of gladness and joy pervading the hearts of every Moson presentand his Grace's courtesykindness , gentlemanly

, , feeling were known to all , and they were all right glad to see him for the first time after his marriage ou this occasion none the worse for his change of condition in life . Bro . Cartwright in very laudable terms seconded this proposition , which was carried unanimously .

His Grace in responding said it gave him the greatest pleasure to listen to the kind way in which the proposer and seconder had spoken of him and the Duchess . He said he would take the earliest opportunity of telling his wife tbe kind sentiments which had been expressed at the Provincial Grand Lodge , and the unbounded hospitality he had received on his first visit to the metropolis of the fen district . He said it gave him the greatest pleasure to be here , and ever since he accepted

the office of Provincial Grand Master , he had made it his chief study day and night to further the interests of Masonry , and be was truly glad to find that Masonry was on the increase in this province . He was glad to be a member of the Masonic Craft ; in fact , lie looked upon it as a great honour . The society to which they belonged , be said , was not only a strictly humane society which had existed so long , going on as a humble human handmaid attending her Divine Masterseekingas the humble

, , instrument of the Great Architect of the universe , to aid in the restoration of her fellow-creature man to a condition of purity and innocence . There was very much to mend , and ixuch that could be mended . He then referred to the fact that there were neither politics nor sectarianism in Masonry . It has always taught , and still continues to teach , a system of national morality , pure in its origin and efficacious in its results . It

adopts the firmest and surest basis of principle upon which constituted authority can rest ; and it present the broadest and clearest platform of action to which humanity can aspire . Its mottoes are— "Fear God , " "Honour tbe King , " "Love the

Provincial.

Brotherhood , " " Do good unto all men as you have the oppor tunity , especially to those who are of the household of faith . " He said Freemasonry was both national and cosmopoliticalpatriotic , as respects home ; human , as respects the world . Ib must , therefore , have an affinity to a religion which is applicable to all time , and adapted to every people that have at any time existed in the world . This is true with respect to Christianity , and to no other reliion that ever existed . The patriarchal

g and Jewish dispensations were incipient Christianity . The holy men who lived before and after the time of Moses were all justified by the same principle of faith in God ' s revelation . Their faith was the same as ours , though their worship was of a different form . For this reason , as the Christian religion extended over all time , and shall , at the appointed time , universally prevail over the whole earthit alone , can apply to a

, cosmopolite institution like Freemasonry . The principal events in the Jewish history are types of Christ or of the Christian dispensation . But these events form permanent and unchangeable landmarks in the Masonic lectures ; therefore the lectures of Masonry are Christian . He who is the best Christian , the most faithful man , will also be the best Mason . His Grace referred to the Mahometans , that Masonry was making great

progress amongst them , and breaking down the barrier of their false worship . He again thanked the brethren for such a cordial and unanimous vote of congratulation , and was glad he had the opportunity of speaking on the Christian view of Masonry . Bro . Kadley , P . Prov . G . Purst ., in a few introductory words , proposed "That with a view to utilise to the utmost the votes

in the province , a charity committee be formed , to decide from time to time what candidate or candidates for the great central Masonic Charities , shall be considered most deserving of the support of the province , and to make necessary arrangements for securing their election . " This was seconded by Bro . Nash , Prov . Or . Chap . ; after which a lengthy discussion took place , and Bro . Cartwright , W . M ., moved an amendment , " That it

stand over till the next Provincial Grand Lodge , to enable the brethren in each lodge to givo it their serious consideration . " Seconded by Bro . Whalley . After a few words from the Prov . G . Sec . and Bro . Fountain , the amendment was carried , and

referred to a committee then named . Bro . Moore , W . M ., 297 , then proposed " That , if possible , a more uniform system of working in the various lodges in the province than at present prevails should be adopted . " An amendment was made by Bro . Lucas , Prov . G . Sec , and seconded by Bro . Tidswell , that this point be referred to the committee already mentioned . Bros . Nash and Binckes both stated that it was very desirable that something should be done

in this matter , but at present they were ssarcely in a position to say what . —The amendment was carried . The Provincial Grand Lodge next elected Bro . C . M . Nesbifc as Prov . G . Treas ., and the Prov . G . Master appointed and invested the following brethren as Provincial Grand Officers for the ensuing year : —Bros . Hall , Prov . S . G . W . ; Cartwright , Prov . J . G . W . ; Nash , Prov . G . Chap . ; Whalley , Prov . G . Reg . ;

Nesbit , Prov . G . Treas . ; Lucas , Prov . G . Sec ; Best , Prov . S . G . D . ; Smith , Prov . J . G . D . ; Porter , Prov . G . Org . ; Young , Prov . G . Supt . of Works ; Jacobson , Prov . G . Dir . of Cers . ; Fountain , Prov . G . Steward ; Raiuey , Locock , Josse , Plaskett , and Cole , Prov . G . S . ; and Cotton , Prov . G . Tyler . The business being ended , the Prov . G . Master then proceeded to close the Provincial Grand Lodgeand Bro .

Cart-, wright , W . M ., afterwards closed the Craft Lodge ; and the brethren adjourned to the Assembly Rooms , where an excellent banquet was served , with great and good taste , under the direction of Bro . Bingham . The Prov . G . M . proposed "The Queen and the Craft , " and hoped he would be pardoned for saying one word in reference to a recent event . It was a great satisfaction to all members

of the Craft , that they had united in an address of congratulation to Her Majesty on the escape of her son , the Duke of Edinburgh , from the hand of an assassin . It was a most insensate attempt , and they rejoiced at his happy escape . TheE . W . Prov . G . M . then gave " The Prince and Princess of Wales and the Royal Family . " As members of the Craft , there are no more loyal subjects in the world , or rejoice more

on hearing of the speedy recovery of the Princess . He was sorry they could not drink it as a Masonic toast , as none of the Royal Family were Masons , bat it is more than probable that some of them will join soon .