Provincial Grand Lodge Of West Yorkshire.

against this letter of Pope Leo XIII ., in which Masonry is so unsparingly attacked . This circular asks all Grand Lodges fco give their sympathetic snpport to the cause of Italian Freemasonry . Shonld you agree to the resolution , i «;» y I l \ i > po thafc a copy may be sent to the Pro Grand Master the Earl of Carnarvon , and to the Grand Secretary for transmission to the Grand Orient of Italy .

I mn * t now , but briefly , occupy yonr time in alluding to Lodge No . 1779 on tho roll of the Grand Lodge of England . The "Ivanhoe " Lodge , No . 1779 , was constituted by me on the 29 th October 1878 . It has now forty-two members . It has prospered since its establishment , and we ask the Worshipful Muster to accept our acknowledgments for tho invitation to meet nnder its banner .

The Lodge has carried out tho aspirations of the reverend and learned Chaplain at its dedication , " that the prosperity of a Lodge does not depend upon its numbers , but ou the high moral and intellectual tone which should pervade its members . " Of the throe other Lodges in Sheffield , it wouid be difficult to enlogise thorn adequately . They have given largely to the Charities , and they have on their roll

many illustrious brethren to whom Sheffield owes much 1 ' or its importance as a busy centre of commerce . We thank the Mayor and Master Cutler of Sheffield for placing the Cutlers' Hall at the disposal of the "Ivanhoe" Lodge , and for their generous reception of this Provincial Grand Lodge . Permit me , before concluding this address , to mention the

proceedings of Prov . Grand Lodge since the April meeting . On tho 8 th of May , at Kirkburton , the Beaumont Lodge , No . 2035 , was dedicated to Freemasonry . The foundation of every new Lodge is a stono built into the edifice of Masonio civilization , and every novitiate is , as it were , tho cement of fraternal charity binding the stones of the building together , thus making the Temple of Freemasonry a fit habitation

for those "just and upright men , " the ornaments of the peaceful and charitable communities of mankind . On the 21 st May Prov . Grand Lodge was represented afc the Masonio Girls' School Festival , Baroness Burdett-Contts mosfc kindly presenting prizes to the pupils who had distinguished themselves during the past year . Also on fche 26 th June , when Bro . the Lord

Mayor of London took the chair at the Boys' School Festival , iu the place of the lamented Dnke of Albany your Deputy and Prov . Grand Secretary were present , and at the Distribution of Prizes at Wood Green . Afc fche three Festivals £ 41 , 450 10 s 6 d was subscribed , West Yorkshire contributing £ 1898 13 s 6 d . All Lodges are thanked for their munificence in the cause of our Charities , and especially during

these times of commercial depression . On the 28 th July Bro . the Worshipful the Mayor of Pontefract invited the Craffc to celebrate the 400 th anniversary of the Incorporation of the borough of Pontefract , and the opening of the Castle Grounds on their renovation and appropriation for the townspeople of Pontefract .

On the 27 th August the Provincial Grand Secretary of Wesfc Yorkshire visited the Worcester Exhibition of Masonio relics , nnder the auspices of the Mayor of thafc city , and Sir E . Lechmere , Bart ., the Provincial Graud Master of that Province . The hospitality and courtesy extended to the Secretary was not only most agreeable , bnt a compliment to this Province . I have no doubt but that the York

and Worcester Masouic Exhibitions may eventually lead to the estub . lishment of pome permanent museum for the Midland and Northern Counties . We heartily congratulate that Province , the Mayor , and the Secretary of Worcestershire on the snecess of their Exhibition . On the 17 th of September we laid the foundation stone of St . James ' s Church and Mission Room at Whifcwood Mere , in the

presence of a largo assemblage of people , for whose benefit the Rev . Bro . Neerlham , VV . M . of St . Oswald Lodge , No . 910 , has long laboured for the spiritual welfare of the artisans iu his parish , and on the 24 th of that same month Philanthropic Lodge at Leeds inaugurated their splendid Masonic Hall , whieh has been , at great cost , beautified and decorated . And let me venture to suggest that this

idea , where there are two or more Lodges in a town meeting atone central hall , may be extended ; yet having their separate or special private rooms arranged around the one central Temple of Freemasonry . To consolidate the Lodges towards one common centre , symbolical of the Tabernacle or Temple , would in this manner bo productive of unity to tbe Craft , concentrate the energies of such

Lodges , enlarge their scope of charity , and give greater strength of purpose to the brethren to walk worthy of the vocation , with all lowliness , meekness , and forbearance . I cannot omit to mention the recent marriage of Mr . John Lancaster Shaw . Whatever concerns tbe happiness of the family of our late Depnty , Bro . Bentley Shaw , is of interest to ourselves . I will real to

you a letter from that most kind-hearted lady the mother of ( he bridegroom , acknowledging the congratulations of the Craft on this auspicious event . My next allusions are sorrowful ones . Brother Henry Gnstarns Buss , the Assistant Grand Secretary , after long and faithful services to the Craft , and one of the best-known Masons in G . L <« lge , retires

from his office throngh ill-health , and closes his official association with Freemasons' Hall . Our obligations are due to him for innumerable courtesies shown to West Yorkshire . It may bo truly said of Bro . Buss thafc it will be a difficult matter to find a successor so much respected and esteemed as he . He has well earned the rest he seeks , and which we trust he will be spared to enjoy for many a long ve-ir

to come . Our obituary has to record the deaths of Bro . Sir Erasmus Wilson , a nunie inseparable from Cleopatra ' s Needle , which adorns the Thames EmbHTikincnt , and is a noble monument of his skill and genius iu connection with its transference from Egypt to Londnn ; Bro . John Havers , whose bust is placed on the staircase of Freemasons' Hall , as the Chairman of the Building Committee in 1863 to

1865 . We all remember tbe valued help he rendered and unanswerable speech he made in support of the action of West Yorkshire and other Provinces combined in successfully opposing the Scheme of tbe Building Committee on 5 th December 1883 . Another loss is that of Brother Horace Seymour Alpass , J . P ., and late Prov . Grand Secretary of West Lancashire , He was a most genial Masou , and what we call

Provincial Grand Lodge Of West Yorkshire.

in Yorkshire " a long-headed gentleman . " Wo havo lost in him a staunch Mason . In our own Province , the deaths of others in tho Craft remind us of tho fleeting tenure of this lifo , and that soon we must all , like these brethren , " pass through the valley of tho shadow of death . " As the various Lodges have entered upon the moro active season

of the year , and meet regularly through the winter , I trust there will bo an exact conformity to the "New Book of Constitutions , " and to that rule requiring the name of proposer and seconder , as well as tho name , age , occupation , and residence of all candidates , to appear on the Lodgo summonses . Tho Committee on the revision of our own Prov . Bye-laws baa had

several meetings . Its labours will soon bo in th * - hands of the Worshipful Masters of Lodges , who can take such steps as may be deemed necessary to place thorn before their brethren , so that we may fairly hope that they may bo adopted by Grand Lodge in January 1885 , and confirmed at the annual meeting of April next . We aro in communication wifch the surrounding Provinces , so as fco

have an approximation of identical Bye-laws ; and our views are so far harmonious . I hope the Deputy ' s address afc Huddersfield , ordered by Prov . Grand Lodge to be printed and circulated amongst the Lodges , has been read in each Lodge , in order thafc discipline may be observed . As the year is approaching its close , and the returns of annual

members at hand , let me impress upon W . Masters to take the trouble to go through their accounts wifch their Treasurers and Secretaries , thafc negligent subscribing members may be induced to pay up their contributions , and so lessen the long roll of brethren in arrears . As an instance of carelessness in fcho want of the preservation of old records , books , and papers , Harmonic Lodge , No . 252 , Dudley ,

desired to celebrate its Centenary Festival on the 23 rd July , but for want of proof of continuity of meeting from 1803 to 1816 it could not obtain a certificate and centenary jewel . I desire , therefore , that all the old Books of Constitutions , and old minute books and records may bo scrupulously preserved . I hope the spirit of harmony and good feeling which animates fche

Lodges afc this moment will be perpetuated throughout a long future , so that all will work in obedience to the will of the G . A O . T U ., who will have all men to be bathed in the effulgence of His divine love . Brethren , I have exhausted your patience almost to weariness . I thank you for your salutation , and the extreme kindness and forbearance you show to this chair , so frequently occupied by Lienfc .-Col .

Sir Henry Edwards . The roll of Lodges was called . The roll of Present and Pasfc Prov . G . Officers was called . The minutes of Prov . G . Lodge , holden at Huddersfield , on Wednesday , 16 th April 1884 , were taken as read , and confirmed , On the motion of Bro . John Cawthorn P . M . 458 P . P . G . P .

Seconded by Bro . Wm . Schofield P . M . 290 P . P . G . P . The Prov . G . Registrar read the following letters , viz .: —From fche D . P . G . M . on the retirement of the Prov . G . Master ( which had been printed and circulated ) ; one from Bro . Henry Gustavus Buss Asst . Grand Secretary , acknowledging a letter of sympathy on his retirement from office on account of illness , and from Mrs . Bentley Shaw , in reply to congratulations on the marriage of her son , Mr . John Lancaster Shaw . The following letters were also read : —

" PROVINCE OF WEST YORKSHIRE . " Tho Grange , Carleton , Pontefract , 18 th June 1884 . " W . and Dear Sir and Bro ., — " I am commanded by Lient .-Col . Sir Henry Edwards , Baronet , C . B , & c , & c , to acquaint yon with his determination to retire from the office of Provincial Grand Ma-iter in conseqnence of his present state of health , which precludes hira from undertaking any further

Masonic work . ; "From the announcement recently made in a Masonic paper , you will nofc be unprepared for this communication . "I need scarcely assure yon that this step has not been taken without serious consideration , and all will sincerely sympathise wifch our Provincial Grand Master in the deep sorrow his contemplated resignation has occasioned him .

" Iu retiring from this highly valued and important trust , I am only expressing the earnest wish of Sir Henry Edwards , that you would kindly impress upon your Lodgo and brethren the uodesirability of nny direct communication with him ou this or any other Masonic subject , as he hopes to be spared the painful emotions which in his present weak state of health such proceedings would assuredly

create . " Iu bidding yon and all his brethren farewell as Provincial Grand Master , I am desired to express his deep gratitude and warmest thanRs for the very fraternal , cordial , and loyal support accorded him , and for the conrteons and unwavering confidence reposed ia him on every occasion during the nine years he has presided over this Province .

' * ' In conclusion , I have to request thafc yon will cause this letter to be read in open Lodge at the earliest opportunity , and entered in tho minutes . " Accept the sentiments of my esteem and regard , and believe me , " W . and Dear Sir and Brother , " Yours faithfully and fraternally , "THOMAS WILLIAM TEW D . P . G . M . "

" ST , " Whitehall , 23 rd May 1884 . I have had the honour to lay before the Queen the loyal and dutiful Address of the Members of tbe Society of Freemasnus resident in West Yorkshire , on tho occasion of tho death of his Royal Highnesa Prince Leopold , fcho Duko of Albany , K . G ., and I have the

satisfaction to inform you that Her Majesty was pleased to receive the Address very graciously . I am , Sir , your obedient servant , ( Signed ) W . V . HABCOUEX . " Henry Smith , Esq ., Prov . G . Sec , Wakefield . "