The Masonic Mirror.

much honoured guests , he should like to touch for a moment or two —though , of course , without violating any part of his Masonic obligation—upon those principles by which all those who had been privileged to enter their ancient brotherhood , professed to ba governed . ( Cheers . ) Masonry , then , he might say , accorded with the moral , intellectual , and social principles of the soul ; strengthening them , and directing them to nobler objects ; developing truths which harmonise with each other as well as with all known truths .

Perhaps the most remarkable feature in Masonry was its universality . It contained within itself nothing narrow , or local , or temporal ; it bore the stamp of no particular age or country ; but it contented itself with inculcating all-important and comprehensive truths , and left the application of those truths to each brother according to the dictates of his conscience , and according to the infinite variety of human conditions . ( Applause . ) It did not

consider God as the God of a sect or a creed , neither did it build up , or attempt to build up , narrow and exclusive creeds , within whose walls it was sought to shut up Him whose glory "the heaven of heavens itself could not contain ; " but it taught them to love ancl reverence Him in the glorious attributes of an universal Father . ( Applause . ) These were some of the principles by which they attempted to strengthen the bonds of human sympathyand

, entwine still more closely the links of universal brotherhood . It would be easy for him to point out the many monuments of England ' s greatness which owed their origin to Freemasonry ; but he would content himself with pointing to our noble charities , our asylums for the poor ancl aged , our schools for the children of destitute Freemasons , and to th at fund to which every Freemason is compelled to

contribute , and which is rightly called the "fund of benevolence . " ( Cheers . ) Some of them might wish to hear a brief account of Freemasonry ; but he confessed to them at once that ho could not go back to its birth , inasmuch as its origin was lost in the depths of ages , and its precepts had come clown to them through the interval of centuries . ( Loud cheers . ) Some of the most conspicuous men in Europe ancl the world hacl always been proud to enlist themselves in their Order . The books of the Grancl Lodge of England

contained the names of illustrious men who hacl stamped their names upon the brightest pages of its history . ( Cheers . ) Foremost amongst them , ancl one of local celebrity , was a friend whom he should now have the honour of introducing to them in a new character—tbe Deputy Provincial Grand Master of their Province —the A ' en . Archdeacon Lane Freer . ( Loud and enthusiastic cheers . ) He was a true exponent of the principles of Freemasonry , regarding every man as a brotherand as a member of the great human family .

, He knew him to be a man eminently calculated to act conscientiously and consistently , and to make his opinion felt in whatever position he was placed , and was a man also of a large and liberal heart . Renewed cheers . ) He ( Dr . Bowles ) was truly pleased to find that the honour conferred upon him , ancl which was made purely in the interests of Freemasonry , hacl been followed up by their approbation . ( Cheers . ) Kc would not attempt to waste time by entering into

personal eulogies as to the character of the I ) . Prov . G . M ., because lie knew that with all who had the honour of knowing him , or had been admitted to a share of his friendship , it had left an impression far more deep and abiding than anything he could say . The learned doctor concluded by repeating the toast , which ivas received in true Masonic style .

The D . Prov . G . M . in acknowledging the toast said he must possess no ordinary feelings were he not deeply affected with tiie kindness which had been shown him in having his health proposed by the Right Worshipful the Master of the Province , ancl for the manner in winch it had been received by them . AVith many of them he had passed a large portion of his life—more than 20 years —upon terms ofthe greatest intimacy , and he hoped he might be permitted to end his days amongst them . ( Alause ) Having

pp , received such an overwhelming testimonial of kind opinion from those for whom he entertained the most sincere all ' ection aud regard , he felt assured he should never forget it to the latest day of his existence . ( Cheers . ) After the very eloquent address which had been made by the Right AVorshipful Master upon the subject of Freemasonry , it would be unnecessary for him to take up much of their time but . ho could not refrain from adding a few words

; upon the great and important matter of Freemasonry , in general , for he felt—ami was sure every member ofthe craft did the same —proud that he was a Freemason . ( Cheers . ) if they looked back to the early history oi' this country , to France or to Spain , and he believed also 10 Italy , thoy would find that Europe was indebted to Freemasons far the noblest buildings that had been erected throughout this quarter of the lobe . Its majestic cathedralsits noblest

g , edifices , its c-.-svh-s . its private residences , of any great extent , owed their origin to their predecessors of the craft . ( Cheers . ) The origin of Freemasonry , as had been observed by their R . AV . Prov . G . M ., was lost in ar . ti ju ' . ty : but this much they knew , that at a very carly age , or af h-. a-t immediately after the first crusade , the

founders of the craft marched from Palestine and made their way over the ivhole of Southern Em-ope , enlisting into their bodiesfor they were migratory—members of every country in which they sojourned . After remaining in the country a certain length of time they erected those edifices which are unequalled—whether they remain almost in their pristine state or as glorious ruins—and ' surpass , as they certainly have and ever will surpass , any other buildings that might bo raised . ( Cheers . ) The communities of

Masons spread over the country , and it was a known fact that in the first century after tho first crusade upwards of GOO of tho most magnificent cdiiices that Europe can boast of were erected b y the Freemasons . ( Loud cheers . ) In conclusion , the Archdeacon again expressed his thanks for the compliment passed upon him , and acknowledged , with tho utmost sincerity , the kindness bestowed upon him by the AV . P . G . M . ( the chairman ) in marking him out as his coadjutor in the government of the province . ( Loud cheers . ) The A en . Archdeacon then proposed the health ofthe " Provincial Grancl Masters of England , " which was duly acknowledged .

Lro . 1-reclk . Bodenham gave " the Provincial Grancl AA ' ardens and other Grand Officers . " He could have wished that the toast had fallen into the hands of an older brother , who ivould have been enabled to bring his experience to bear upon it , and could have spoken of the many good qualities which were possessed by a gentleman who m he was about to connect with the toast—13 ro . Chandos AVren Hoskyns , ( Cheers . ) That gentleman had been residing for some years past out of his native countryand had been

, one of the Grand Officers of AVorcestershirc , viz ., I ) . Prov . G . M . Ho hacl , however , given up the high position , and had joined them for the first time that day , and hadaccepted the office of SeniorGrancl AVardon . Ho ( Bro . Bodenham ) was sure that now Mr . Hoskyns hacl given up high honours in another country , and come to reside amongst them , and to take lower honours in his own native country , Herefordshire men would appreciate him , and would not lie

found waiting in showing honour to a son of Herefordshire , when strangers hacl found the good qualities ho possessed . ( Cheers . ) He ivas the son of not only one of the eldest barons of this country , but of England , and ivas moreover folloiving in the footsteps of one of the fine old English gentlemen that Herefordshire could boast . ( The toast was warmly received . ) Bro . Chandos AVren Hoskyns , Prov . S . G . AV . tendered his thanks

on ^ behalf of the Provincial Grand AA ' ardens and other Grand Officers , for the manner in which the toast had been proposed ancl received . On the part of the brethren standing up with him , he was sure nothing was wanting to convince them that the duties which they had to perforin would he ably carried out , and he might venture to say , —without having that personal knowledge consequent on a lengthened residence out of the country—that thoso

duties would be admirably performed during tho ensuing year . ( Hear . ) For his own part it gave him unqualified pleasure to return on that occasion to the province , which he might call hisnative one , to witness the advancement on all sides that Masonry had made

in this country since the long time he had parted from it to take up duties which fell upon him necessarily , and essentially , in an advancing and important county in this kingdom . ( Cheers . ) He concluded by giving the "Masters and Warden of Lodges . " Pro . Captain Aynsly briefly , but appropriately , responded . Brother F . Davidson proposed "The A'isitors , " coupling with it the names of Brothers liigginson , Denton , Bellamy , Smith , ( Abergavenny ) IIBailaiufledford &

, . y , . , c . The Prov . G . M . said before Brother Bailey ' returned thanks , he felt it ivas his bounden duty to return their very grateful acknowledgements to a dear old friend whose time ivas most valuable to him , and ivho , in Shrewsbury , and within a circle of fifty miles of that place , might be said to ' walk abroad encircled in the glory of his professional reputation ; he meant Brother AVilliam Clement . He had come there that day and had no doubt entailed himself

upon a great pecuniary sacrifice , therefore ho felt their thanks were due to him . Ho should be very glad to hear him address them upon that occasion , hut his voice was not equal to it , and they ivould have great pleasure in hearing a gentleman who had been a barrister and who was therefore eloquent by profession , return thanks on behalf of the visitors . ( Cheers and laughter . ) Pro . H . llum-x appropriately responded , and in tho course of his

remarks pointed to the protection which the presence of such gentlemen as Dr . Bowles and the Rev . Archdeacon all ' ordcd . amiinst any sneers which might probably be directed against their order , and said that as long as gentlemen of such character and profession associated with them , no such thing would occur . 1 luviiiir passed a high compliment upon liro . Chandos Hoskyns , with whom he was associated in his schoolboy daysand who ' he considered not onl

, y worthy of any honour Masoi is ' could give him , but also any honour which his native county might confer , he concluded by as-ain expressing his thanks on ' behalf of the visito-. i fo : the toast which hacl been dTinit-.