Provincial Grand Lodge Of Nova Scotia.

Grand Wardens , Grand Secretary , a Past Master of each lodge , the First principal Z . of the Eoyal Union Chapter and the Eminent Commander of the Nova Scotia Encampment of Knights Templar , advanced from the Avest and presented the following address , Avhich was read by Bro . James Pormau , D . Prov .

G . M . To the Eight Worshipful the Honourable Alexander Keith , Provincial Grand Master for Nova Scotia , Prince Edivard Island and NeAvfoundland , and the Masonic jurisdiction thereunto belonging & c .

Eight Worshipful Sir and Brother , — The Freemasons of Nova Scotia , uuder English authority , gladly avail themselves of the recurrence of this time-honoured festival , to tender to you their cordial congratulations on your having presided for a

quarter of a century over English Masonry in this province . Appointed Grand Deacon on the 27 th December , 1825 , and having subsequently filled various other offices in the Provincial Grand Lodge , you received

the appointment of Deputy Provincial Grand Master in 1837 , and continued to discharge the important duties of that high position until his Eoyal Highness the late Duke of Sussex , by letters patent dated the

24 th September , 1840 , elevated you to the head of the Craft in Nova Scotia , and you Avere installed and proclaimed Provincial Grand Master on the 27 th December in that year . The present state of Masonry in this province exhibits a striking contrast to that which existed at

the time you assumed your important functions : while the records ofthe Craft in 18-10 exhibited but six lodges holding warrants from the Grand Lodge of England , they UOAV shoAV tvrenty-two Avarranted lodges in efficient working order , and dispensations

for the formation of two new lodges h . we been granted during the year . To the strenuous exertions of yourself , iu conjunction with your principal Grand Loclge Officers , Avas due the establishment of a local fund of benevolence ,

by Avhich the monies which had previously been contributed to the Grand Lodge of England were dispensed in Masonic Charities throughout the province ; and it must be gratifying to you , Eight Worshipful Pir , as to every Mason , to know that this

fund , notwithstanding the numerous ! calls upon it , has attained to very respectable proportions , £ 400 being im'ested at interest , and a considerable balance being at the credit of the Grand Lodge for charitable

purposes . Believing that these marked improvements in the position of the Order are attributable , ia a very great degree , to the warm interest which you have ever taken in its welfare , and to the zealous and impartial manner in AA'hich you have discharged the duties of

your exalted and important office , the English Freemasons of Nova Scotia beg your acceptance of this piece of plate as a token of the esteem and respect ivhich they entertain for you , and as a testimonial of their appreciation of your faithful and valuable services ; and they indulge tlie hope that you may long

continue to occupy your present position , and , wiih your amiable lady ancl family , may enjoy many happy returns of the present festive season . Halifax , N . S ., 27 th December , A . D . 1865 , A . L . 5865 .

The piece of plate ivas a silver epergne or candelabrum , with three branches for lights , and a group of finely modelled figures emblematical of Faith , Hope , and Charity , on triangular base under palm tree , with centre cut glass dish , and jweighed two hundred

ounces ; it bore the following inscription : — " Presented by the Freemasons of Nova Scotia to the Right Worshipful the Honourable Alexander Keith , Provincial Grand Master , on his having presided over English Masonry in the Province for a quarter of a

century . Halifax , 27 th December , A . n . 5865 . " The Provincial Grand Master then returned the following reply : —¦ To the Eight Worshipful the Deputy Provincial Grand Master and Officers of the Provincial Grand Lodge under English authority ; the Worshipful Masters , Wardens , and members of the respective

lodges ; the M . E . 1 ' irst Principal , officers and members of the Eoyal Union Arch Chapter ; and the Eminent Commander and officers of the Encampment of Knights Templar , & c . Eight Worshipful Sirs and Brethren , — I have the honour to return you my sincere and

heartfelt thanks for this highly gratifying expression of your affectionate regard , as well as for this valuable testimonial of your appreciation of my humble services in promoting the best interests ofthe Craft entrusted to my care .

Having been for so many years actively associated with the Masonic institution , aud having had the honour , for the past twenty-five years , to occupy its highest office iu this province , I cannot but rejoice Avith you iu its rapid rise and present prosperity ;

ancl if I have succeeded in performing the important duties of Provincial Grand Masters satisfactorily to all , it is to be attributed , in no small degree , to the fact that I have ever received the cordial co-operation ancl assistance of my Grand Lodge Officers and of

the brethren generally , to all of Avhom I take this opportunity of expressing my obligations for the important services rendered me on all occasions . It is , indeed , a source of much gratification to me to find that my exertions , in conjunction with those of my principal Grand Lodge Officers , iu connection with the fund of benevolence , have been so eminently