Metropolitan.

pro tern . The next ceremony Avas tbe initiation of four gentlemen into the secrets and mysteries of ancient Freemasons , which Bro . H . G . Baker , P . M ., did in his usual first class manner . The business being ended the lodge was closed . The brethren separated immediately , there being no banquet . It is a very commendable practice for a lodge to drop a few banquets occasionally , thereby enabling it the better to support the brightest ornaments of the Ordervizthe Masonic

, ., Charities . AA e were highly delighted to hear and see the husbanding of the funds of the lodge , to contribute the usual mite towards supporting the charities . It not only reflects the greatest credit on the AV . M ., but , ifc also shows n-hat a sin cere deep interest the large body of Past Masters take in the welfare and usefulness of the loclge . There were no visitors .

Provincial.

PROVINCIAL .

DEVON . DAET . IIOUTII . —Mauley Lodge ( No . 1099 ) . —At a Lodge of Emergency , holden at Hauley Hall , on Monday last ( Bro . T . Lidstone , AV . AI ., presiding ) , a candidate was raised , aud the first section of the first lecture worked by the brethren present . At the raising , the anthem , "Dead unto sin , alive unto God , " was given , and the responses of tbe Ritual were rendered , chorally ,

under the conduct of Bro . S . Jarvis , Organist and also Prov . G . Org . Devon , with the able assistance of Bros . Pike and Rickards . The assistant Chaplain , tbe Rev . AV . Langley Pope , M . A ., presented the lodge with a Bible , on which ivere Avritten by hint inscriptions in Latin and English . The AV . M . returned thanks on behalf of the loclge . At the refreshment table , Bro . H . Follett related several interesting facts concerning Masonry as practised on the Continentand its advantages to a brother travelling

, abroad . Bro . Stark , of the Sun Lodge ( 123 ) , Exmoufch , responded for " The Visitors . " Afc the next regular lodge meeting , December 8 , the Rev . Bro . Pope will deliver an address , of ten minutes' duration , on "the A ol . of the S . Law , as the unerring standard of truth . "

HEREFORDSHIRE . PALLADIAN LODGE ( NO . 141 . )—GRAND CEXTENAKY FESTIVAL On Monday , November l 7 th , an occurrence , fraught with great interest to the Masonic world , brought together a large number of distinguished members of tbe Craft—no less an event than the celebration of the centenary festival of this lodge , held at the Green Dragon Hotel , for which permission

had been obtained front the Earl of Zetland , G . M ., and to commemorate which a centenary jewel was struck sj'mbolicai of the principles of the Order , and furnished to the members by Bro . Richard Spencer , of London . The interest of the occasion was considerably enhanced -by the delivery of an admirable oration on Masonry by the R . W . D . Prov . G . M ., and the presentation of a splendid centenary jewel to the R . W . Prov . G . M .

. Tbe brethren assembled at three o ' clock , shortly after which the Prov . G . M ., Dr . Bowles , of Staunton Lacy , and the D . Prov . G . M ., the A enerable Archdeacon Lane Freer , were conducted by the officers and brethren of this and distant lodges in an imposing procession to the lodge-room , and received with demonstrations of honour and respect . Lodge was then opened in the first degree ; and—THE R . AV . D . PEOV . G-. M ., THE VENEEABHE ABCHDEACON or

HEEEEOED ( Richard Lane Freer , D . D . ) , having been conducted to the throne vacated by the AVorshipful Master of the Lodge , delivered the following admirable oration on Masonry . — Brethren : Tbe expression of a wish on the part of tbe Palladian Lodge that I should address them on the present important and interesting occasion , having met ivith the approval of the R . W . the Grand Master of the Province , becomes a command to me , which duty , no less than inclination , leads tne to obey .

Howbeit , I speak before masters in the craft better fitted to be my instructors than I their teacher , howbeit I sit in the presence of the luminaries of our science , before whom my utmost knowledge is as the darkness of the glow-worm beneath the meridian sun , I enter upon my task without scruple and without diffidence , because I have learnt that obedience is the first duty of a Mason . It is , however , to my younger brethren , such as have been but lately initiated in our mysteries , that I would more particularly address myself ; and there is another class frOm whom I would invite attention , those brethren I mean who ,

having entered into Masonry , have neglected to pvtrsue its studies , who having stepped within the portal have lingered near it without spirit to advance , who have satisfied themselves with placing their foot on the lowest round of the ladder without courage to ascend its summit , who have remained idle and listless m the court when they might have penetrated into the sanctum sanctorum , who have heard only the first whisperings of wisdom when they might have learnt the hidden mysteries of

science ; need I say to such that a man's worst foes are those of his own house , drones in the hive , idlers in the commora , sluggards who , while they neglect the genuine fruits and freel y offered benefits before them , by their apathy and ignorance cause Masonry itself to be evil spoken of . Do I speak hastily ? I trust not , but it is sad to see men trifle with solemn obligations , sad to see men rashly take upon themselves the performance of duties with whicli they never make

themselves even acquainted . If a pursuit is to be estimated according to its legitimate results—I mean those results which ought to spring from it—Freemasonry may be safely classed amongst the most comprehensive of human sciences , and therefore the best adapted to the state of man on earth , and it is idle to object that its fruits do not appear , in every initiated brother , for if it ivere worth while to investigate the number of mere dabblers in any science , we should find tbat those who really excel

bear no greater proportion to those who fail than may be seen in Masonry . I admit that there are a great number of Masons who are contented with very trifling acquirements iu tbe artit is their loss—bufc it will not follow that we possess no shining examples of excellence , although , from the nature of the institution , they are necessarily confined to the atmosphere of their own peculiar localities , for no lodge can flourish for any length of time unless it possesses some intelligent master spirit to

conduct its proceedings . Freemasonry is not a science that admits of itinerant lecturers , aud therefore it cannot be expected that the uninitiated world knew much about ifc , and consequently their conjectures are very wide of the truth—they shoot their arrows wildly ancl never hit the mark . Freemasonry is a great institution , and its peculiar benefits are limited to its own body , and although we act upon the ancient principle of inviting none to join us , yet our lodges are open to all good and worthy men ,

such as alone ought to be Masons , and our mysteries are hidden from none bufc those ivhose presence would be a doubtful benefit either to themselves or to the Order . AVe . do not invite adherence , and therefore none can be disappointed ; but we rejoice Avhen men of name in science or literature solicit admission amongst us , because we may confidently anticipate that the expectations of every person whopossessestasteand judgment will be fullyrealised ancl the pursuits of Masonry be congenial to his mind . I spoke

but now of the secrecy and fidelity required of Masons—virtue difficult to be maintained , but ever held in high veneration by tbo ivisesfc and best of men . Aud here I would venture to occupy your time with an anecdote of much interest , as related by a Roman historian , Aulus Gellius , and given by the late Mr . Preston , in his Lllusirations of Masonry— "The senators of Rome had ordained that , during their consultations in the senate house , each senator should be permitted to bring his son

with him , who was to depart if occasion required ; but this favour was not general , being restricted to the sons of noblemen only , ivho in those days were tutored from their infancy in the virtue of secrecy and thereby qualified iu their riper years to discharge the most important offices of government with fidelity and wisdom . About this time the senators met on a very important case , and the office requiring mature deliberation , they were detained longer than usual in the senate house ,

and the conclusion of their determination was adjourned till the folloiviitg day ; each member engaging in tbe meantime to keep secret the proceedings of their meeting . Among other noblemen ' s sons who attended on this occasion was the son of the grave Papyrus , a family of great renown and splendour . This youth was no less remarkable for the extent of his genius than for the prudence of his deportment . On his return home , bis mother , anxious to know what important case had

been debated in the senate that day which had detained the senators so long beyond the usual hour , entreated him to relate the particulars . The noble ancl virtuous youth told her that it was a business not in his power to reveal , he being bound by secrecy . On hearing this her importunities were more earnest and her inquiries more minute ; by fail speeches aud liberal promises she endeavoured to . break open the casket of secrecy , and at length had recourse to threats and even stripes . The youth , finding himself in a difficulty , and smarting under the stripes ,