Untitled Article

revival of the Lodge to which it had been his good fortune to contribute . The G . M . then gave the P . G . L . of Surrey , coupled with the name of Bro . England , who well and briefly responded to the toast . This was followed by the P . G . L . of Bristol , which was united with the name of Bro . Barnard , by whom it was most fraternally acknowledged . Bro . Allen then gave the health of Obi . Tynte , the

R . W . P . G . M . of Monmouthshire , and son of the R . W . P . G . M . of Somerset , which was received with all honour . The R . W . P . G . M . then gave the health of the newly-appointed P . G . Treas ., which was acknowledged by Dr . Falconer . Shortly after the meeting broke up . A retrospective view of the proceedings of the day will convince the Brethren that among many pleasant Prov . G . L . meetings , that held at Highbridge , on Aug . 7 th , will be recollected as one of the pleasantest .

STAFFORDSHIRE . Stoke-dpon-Trent . —The Provincial Grand Lodge of this Province was held on Tuesday , July 31 , in the Town Hall , Stoke-upon-Trent , for the first time . Additional importance was attached to the meeting in consequence of its being understood that the interesting ceremony of consecrating the Portland Lodge , No . 920 , would be performed . The Brethren mustered strongly from all parts of the Province , and during the working of the Lodge about 140 were present . The Provincial Grand Lodge was opened about half-past twelve o ' clock , by the Right

Worshipful Brother Lieut .-Col . George Augustus Vernon , Prov . G . M . The circular convening the meeting , and the minutes of the Provincial Grand Lodge , held at Walsall last year , having been read by the Prov . G . Secretary , as w ell as several letters from distinguished Brethren who had been invited , expressive of their regret at being unable to attend , the business of the meeting was at once proceeded with . The Brethren of the Portland Lodge ( who had retired ) were then admitted in due form , headed by their W . M . Bro . Stone , who being an old and expert Mason , contributed materially to the correct performance of

the rite . The Prov . G . Secretary having read the warrant from the Grand Lodge of England , authorising the formation of the Portland Lodge , the beautiful and impressive ceremony of consecration was most ably gone through by the Rt . W . Prov . G . M . and his officers . The next business was the appointment of officers , when the following Brethren were appointed for the ensuing year , viz . : — Bro . Lloyd re-elected Prov . G . Treas . ; Bro . Col . Hogg , Prov . G . S . W . ; Bro . Newsbme , Prov . G . J . W . ; Bro . the Rev . W . H . Wright , Prov . G . Chap . ; Bro . the Rev . E . Gwynne , Assistant Prov . G . Chap . ; Bro . W . James , Prov . G .

Heg . ; Bro . Dee ( re-elected ) Prov . G . Sec . ; Bro . Warner , Pro . G . S . D . ; Bro . T . Mason , jun ., Prov . G . J . D . ; Bro . Davenport , Prov . G . Super , of Works ; Bro . J . James , Prov . G . D . O . ; Bro . E . Clark , Assistant Prov . G . D . C . ; Bro . John Good , Prov . G . S . B . ; Bro . Mammott , Prov . G . Org . ; Bro . D . Dilworth , Prov . G . Purs . ; Bro . Carlo Bregazzi , Prov . G . Standard-bearer ; and Bro . Henry Bagguley ( re-elected ) , Prov . G . Tyler . The Brethren then formed in , procession , headed by the Longton Brass Band , each Lodge being represented by its respective banner , and after walking through the principal streets of the town ,

proceeded to the parish church , where a most excellent sermon was preached by the Prov . G . Chaplain , his text being the 17 th verse of the 17 th chapter of Proverbs : " A friend loveth at all times , but a brother is born for adversity . " The Rev . H . Duck kindly officiated in the reading-desk , assisted by Bro . the Rev . E . Gwynne , Assistant Prov . G . Chap . A collection was made after the sermon , amounting to the very handsome sum of £ 14 . 7 s . From the church the Brethren returned

to the Lodge-room for the ; conclusion of business . On the motion of the Prov . G . M ., the amount collected in church was made up to fifteen guineas from the Grand Lodge Fund , and ordered to be distributed as follows : —Ten guineas to the Royal Benevolent Institution for Aged and Distressed Masons , and five guineas to the Stoke National Schools . A vote of thanks was given to Dr . Wright for his excellent sermon , with a request that he would allow it to bo printed .

The business being concluded , the Lodge was duly and properly closed , and the Brethren adjourned to the covered Market to partake of the banquet prepared for them . The banquet was provided by Bro . Rogers , of Hanley , and partaken of vol . i . ' 4 a