Notices Of Meetings.

honour to act in thi ° 3 Province , many Lodse-rooms and Lodge premises , but , without donbt , this is the most splendid I haveevor sf > > n — in its beautiful and rich appearance , in its artistic design , in its decorative art , in the harmony of its colours , and in the appropriateness of its emblems . Worshipfnl Master , in visiting these various Lodges it has been my endeavour to make myself conversant with

the histories of the Lodges , and I find from the history of this Philanthropic Lodge ( which has been ruled b y many nblo and learned Worshipful Masters ) , that its career has been one of long and uninterrupted harmony , both in its working and management , and of true fraternal love , wh ' ch is the true characteristic of Freemasonry . May the beauty and the magnificence of this exquisite templo

stimulate you to a long continuance of these M isonio virtues and practices ; and may nothing occur to mar that sympathetic love whioh is so conspicuous on this auspicious occasion . Worshipful Master , there was one point in that neat and appropriate address yon have just given utterance to with which I heartily ooincide and would say a word or two upon . It is that desire that these premises should

become the home of Masonio Lodges in Leeds . This idea was prompted by that true and earnest and zealous brother whom we so much mourned , and whose loss we shall feel , yonr late Deputy Provinoial Grand Master Bro . Bentley Shaw , whom I have had the honour to follow . It was an idea of his that in every town where there were two or more Lodges , it would be a great advantage to the

Craft generally , as well as to cement more closely tho brethren of the different Lodges , if they met under one roof , having , of course , their own separate rooms for instruction and for the keeping of any Masonic treasure belonging to themselves . That idea became with onr late Deputy a firm principle , and I concur in it to the letter . I have striven to promote this principle with all my strength , and I do

entertain the hope that I shall see this carried out to a very great extent throughout this Province . You have set a noble and generous example by the way in which you have decorated and furnished this magnifioent temple and adjoining suite of rooms , and I trust you may realise the hope ere long that all the Lodges in this good old town of Leeds may concentrate themselves in one home , and may make these

premises that point within their circle to aim at , and in which , I am sure , they will not err . There is one matter of regret to all of us that our late Prov . Grand Master Sir H . Edwards , on account of his health , has retired from the chair of this Prov . Grand Lodge . We look back upon his nine years' term of office with pleasure , and we pray the Great A . O . T . TJ . to give him yet a long life of usefulness to

the town of Halifax , whose interests he has forwarded for so long a period of years . I thank yon , sir , for your salutation , and I ask for the sympathy and the support of all the Lodges in West York , sbire to help me and the Past Grand Officers to carry on the business of this P . G . Lodge , pending the exercise of the prerogative of onr Royal Grand Master in the appointment of a new P . G . Master . To

yonr mutual courtesy aud kindness to the dnties in the singular position I am now placed as the aoting P . G . Master , and whioh duties can alone be carried out with harmony and dignity to the Craft , I appeal , therefore , with confidence to your mutual forbear , ance and co-operation . Worshipful Master and brethren , allow me again to thank you most heartily for your kind invitation to me to

come to Leeds on the present occasion , and to express the great pleasure and delight I have experienced in being present to day at the re-opening of these rooms , and I hope yon may long enjoy peace and tranquillity , and meet in love and unity in this beautiful temple of Masonry in Leeds . The Rev . Canon Bullock , P . G . Chap ., having read a portion of- Scripture , and offered solemn prayer , the W . D . P . G . M .

then declared the hall duly open for Masonic purposes . Bro . the Rev A . F . A . Woodford P . G . C . P . P . G . W . of Wost Yorkshire , who was prevented being present , owing to important business in London , sent the following address , which was read by Bro . Mason P . M .: Worshipful Master , Wardens , and Brethren , —It was my great privilege , as some of you will remember , to be permitted to deliver the

opening address of this goodly Masonic Hall , now many years a » o , and I am truly glad to be allowed to say a few more words to-day when we are assembled after a renovation aud restoration of various kinds , to commemorate alike its original erection and its present reopening . Let me congratnlete yon all , as now the Senior P . M . of tho Lodge , on a good work so happily accomplished , and so

successfully carried out . When first I joined the Philanthropic Lodge , something like thirty years ago , we met in the Harrison Arms , in a lane at the top of Briggate . We then moved to Commercial Street , over Wood ' s , and thence to Bond Street . There it was that tho plan of this Masonic Hall was elaborated and carried out by onr lamented Bro . Perkins , and with the services and efficient aid of many good

brethren past and gone , and somo few " old boys" who still survive . The Philanthropic Lodge , since it left the Harrison Arms , a groat deal at my persuasion , and with the hearty assent of a large majority of brethren , has never had cause to look back , but has always gone forward . I am myself convinced , after a Masonic membership of forty years run , more or less , that Lodges always thrive best when in their own halls , and away from the mere occasional and convenient

accommodation of the hotel system . Freemasonry is something more and something better than a mere routine of customary ritual and social gatherings , however good in their way ; and tho possessiou of a . hall makes a Masonic body not only carefully to preserve their valuable archives , to indulge in the needful appendage to every Lodge of a library and museum , but also , from time to timeto

, encourage and to hail tho appearance among them of our fair sisters , Who not only lend enchantment to tho sight , and grace to the scene , but aid in confirming and illustrating the elevating tendencies and ennobling aspirations of all trao Freemasonry . Happily associated together to complete tho successful labours of those who have dono a

good work , may our meeting this evening be a happy omen of the peaceful progress and unchanging harmony of the Philanthropic Lodge . May all good go with it in its Masonic labours and its charitaUle efforts . May it 3 younger members omulate their older brethren in seeking to uphold and perpetuate the prosperity and Welfare of the Philanthropic Lodge- Had I been present I might

Notices Of Meetings.

have said much more , but yon will , I think , not find fault with this short address tmiil other in ire ugivtvihM claims and m » ' >•engrossing occupations , and kindly accept " die hearty good wishes " and the fraternal congratulations of an old Freemason and your oldest Past Master . A cordial vote of thanks was passed to tho W . D . P . G . M ., Bro . Tew ( who had travelled from Gloucestershire in order to be present ) , and to Bro . Woodford P . G . C . for his able address . The

W . D . P . G . M ., in responding , stated tho regret ho felt at tho absence of Bro . Woodford . Ho remembered with pleasure tho labours of Bro . Woodford in tho Province , especially as first , chairman of tho Charity Committee , and also the kind assistance ho had always reader , d dnring his residence in London to all ihat . affected the well ' aroof the Province of Wost Yorkshire . The Prov . Grand Lodw having retired tho Lodge was duly closed , aud the brethren adjourned to the adjoining room , where dinner was served .

EOTAL ALFRED LODGE , No . 780 . THE installation meeting of this popular Lo'lc ; o was held at the Star and Gaiter Hotel , Kow Bridge , on Fri- ' ay , the 2 Rth ult . At three o'clock the brethren assembled , under tho presidency of the outgoing W . M ., Bro . James Joseph Gunner , who was supported by his Officers , and the following Past Masters of tho Lodjje : —W . Hilton ( Sec ) , W . Gardiner , Walter Goss , Lloyd , Littlowood , L . Franokel , & o . Visitors : —H . Howard Hodges P . M . 795 P . P . G . S . W . Berks and

Bucks , E . H . Sugg P . M . 452 P . P . G . Or » anist Snrrey , . 1 . Plowman D . C . 975 , E . Ayling P . M . 975 , James Squire P . M . 3 , W . II . Harris W . M . 172 , A . Turner Secretary 1818 , J . Culverhous ; . 534 , J . E . Tonjjne S . D . 534 , W . J . Kennedy S . D . 1420 , J . Edwards J . W . 1662 , C . Edwards W . M . el »> ct 1507 , W . Tyler I . G . 59 , G . T . Wright J D . 1612 , L . Honig 1319 , C . Green 1137 , W . Frv ( St . John ' s , N . Z . ) Sao .

1137 E . C , J . A . Blackman 22 Grand Lodge of Canada , W . W . Morgan W . M . 211 , & o . After minutes of the last Lodge meering had been read and confirmed , the Report of the Audit Committee was received and adopted . Bros . Edwin Winter and John Brooks were then raised to the sublime degree , Bro . Gunner conducting the ceremony in that perfect manner which has characterised his work since

his advancement to the chair . The W . M . elect , Bro . William D . Becket , was next introduced , and having been duly obligated , a Board of Installed Masters was opened , with full ceremony , and he was placed in the chair . On the re-admis 3 ion of the brethren , Bro . Beoket was saluted in the three degrees . The following brethren were then appointed and invested : —F . Botley S . W ., C . E . Botley

J . W ., B . E . Blasby Treasurer , Hilton P . M . Secretary , C . Maton S . D ., J . Arnold J . D ., W . J . SperringOrg ., J . Tarliog W . S .. C . Coombs D . C ., G . Gilbert Tyler . Bro . Blasby P . M ., who had been nnauimousl y elected Treasurer , was , unfortunately , unable to be present , in consequence of a serious accident that had befallen him a few days previously . It appears that Bro . Blasby , in company with several

friends—amongst whom we may mention Bro 3 . Foster Reynolds and W . Maton—were driving home , when a vehicle , heavily laden , collided with them , and all were thrown from their waggonette . Bro . Maton and another gentleman of the party were rendered insensible for some considerable time , but we are gratified to state they are recovering from their injuries . Bro . Blasby sustained a serious

fracture of the arm , but he too is making steady progress towards recovery . We trust to be able to report , in an early issue , that all the party have regained their usual health , and wo heartily congratulate them on tho fact that , severe as their injuries undoubtedly are , the first fears as to the more serious consequencos of the disaster wero not realised . After Bro . Gunner had delivered tho addresses ,

the ballot was brought into requisition for Mr . James Fay , who , as a candidate for initiation , was proposed by Bro . Sharp , and seconded by Bro . Brooks . The result was unanimons in favour , and Mr , Fay was introduced , aud initiated by the Worshipful Master Bro . Becket . The usual routine work of the Lodge was then gone through , hearty good wishes wero expressed , and Lotlgo was closed . Tho banquet ,

served under the personal superintendence of Bro . John Brill , gave every satisfaction , and ou tho removal of tho cloth tho toasts received a due amount of consideration . In speaking of Her Most Gracious Majesty the W . M . said ho need scarcely use many words iu commending tho toast to the acceptance of tho brethren ; the Queen was beloved by all her subjects , especially so by tho Freemasons .

In speakiug to the toast of thoM . W . the Grand Master , the W . M . said it was doubtless owing to the Prince of Wales taking the Grand Mastership that so large an accession had been made , during tho last few years , to our ranks . However , it was a well known fact that His Royal Highness was most enthusiastic in the fuifitmeut of his various duties connected with Freemasonry . Wheu pruposing the

health of the Pro Grand Master , the Deputy Grand Master , and the rest of the Grand Officers , tho W . M . referred to the orderly and business-like manner in which the work of Grand Lodge was conducted . This was essentially gratifyiug to , and appreciated by , the Craft at largo . He ( tho W . M . ) had every confidence in submitting this toast for the acceptance of the brethren . Bro . Gunner here gave

au oxcellent rendering of Sullivan's popular song , "Ihe Lost Chord . " Ho then , after referring to the usual custom which relegates the duty of proposing ihia , as hs considered it , all important toast to tho I . P . M ., expressed the ploasuru it afforded him on tho preseut occasion to propose the health of the W . M . Bro . Becket was au initiate of the Iloyal Alfred Lodge , and had passed through all the offices with

urodit ; the members looked forward with pleasurable anticipation to his having a successful year . At this stage of the proceedings Bros . Goss , C . E . Botley , F . Botley and Gunuer sang with telling effect the popular Madrigal , " Sinco first I saw your face . " Iu replying to tho toast Bro . Becket said ho had been considering for some years past

as to whether he Bhould attain to the Mastership , and was intensely gratified that his highest asp irations wero realised , and that he had attained the summit ^ f his ambition . He thanked one aud all very heartily for tho reception given to tho toast . Ho trusted the Lodgo would not suffer while under his rule ; ol this he could assure the