Lodge Histories.

LODGE HISTORIES .

THE LODGE OF PROBITY , No . 61

( Continued from page 354 ) . AS we have already mentioned , the records of this Lodge from 1822 up to 1847 have been lost , and accordingly very meagre details of its doings during that period are forthcoming . Every available source has been

drawn upon to supply the missing link , but , as may be expected , not very much has been accomplished . The records of Provincial Grand Lodge have , however , supplied something , and this , with other matter , is included

in Chapter XII . of Bro . Crossley s History . At one part of the period referred to great depression appears to have reigned among the members , and it is a wonder the Lodge

did not cease to exist . The returns at the beginning of 1822 show that there were 20 subscribing members , which number varied from time to time , going as low as five , whilst in 1847 thero was the goodly roll of 62 .

A curious and humorous entry appears in the Provincial Grand Lodge records of 1827 , which goes to show the position some of the members of Probity considered their Lodge held . From this it appears that Bro . C . Whiteley ,

of Halifax , had written to a Brother at Wakefield , in somewhat un-Masonic terms , besides holding out a threat " to lay the conduct of the Provincial Grand Lodge before the Lodge of Probity . " These matters the brethren assembled

in Provincial Grand Lodge considered " as an evidence that Bro . C . Whiteley must have altogether forgotten the respect he owes to this Provincial Grand Lodge , as this Lodge would think it highly derogatory to its dignity to

answer for its proceedings to any Provincial Lodge whatever . " This record may well be termed " humorous , " but no doubt there were brethren in those days—even if there are not still some among us—who would feel quite justified in asserting themselves in an equally officious

manner . In 1837 Probity lost its companion Lodge of Halifaxthe Lodge of Harmony , which was removed to Hudders - field , " where it has since had a prosperous career . " This

separation , after harmonious relations in the same town for some fifty years , did not break the friendship between the two bodies , as is evidenced from one of the earliest records in the next minute book of the Lodge of Probity , where ,

under date 3 rd January 1848 , it is stated that a Brother Peace , from the Harmony Lodge , took the chair , and being assisted by several other brethren from his Lodge went through the opening and closing ceremonies of the three degrees . From this it would appear the Probity—which

we have seen was at all times ready to render help to others—was not always averse to receive it also . In July 1838 an important event was celebrated—the Centenary of the Lodge ' s existence . It was not then customary to grant Centenary Warrants , as is now done .

but it is recorded . that a dispensation was issued for the brethren to walk in procession to the Parish Church , to celebrate the event . An account of the proceedings on this important occasion appears in the Freemasons' Quarterly

Revieiu for September 1838 , and this account is embodied in the Lodgo History before us . From it we gather that the < f Jubilee" was held at the Old Cock Inn . The pravera at the church wero read by the Venerable Archdeacon Musgrave , special psalms and lessons being selected for the

occasion . The Rev . Dr . Naylor , of Wakefield , Provincial Grand Chaplain , preached an excellent sermon , from 1 Peter xvii . 26— " Honour all men , love the brotherhood , fear God , honour the King . " The Provincial Grand Organist ( Bro . Walton , of Leeds ) sang " Comfort ye my people , " in excellent style , supported by a Bro . Sugden and the choir . Tho proceedings of the day terminated

with a dinner , harmony and brotherly love prevailing , ic being really "the Masons' holiday . " Several local dignitaries of the Craft were present at the proceedings . On 23 rd October 1844 , the half-yearly meeting of Provincial Grand Lodge was held , under the banner of the Probity Lodge . The Right Hon . the Earl of Mexborough P . G . M . presided , and he was supported by upwards of

two hundred brethren—a goodly assemblage for that period , we consider . On this occasion two very handsome silver vases were presented to the Deputy Provincial Grand Master ( Bro . Ohas . Lee ) , who in acknowledgment specially thanked the members of the Probity Lodge , by whom the idea of the presentation had been first

mooted . In recognition of the toast , Success to the Probity Lodge , which was proposed by the Provincial Grand Master , it was stated that the Lodge had then sixty members on its roll . On the 3 rd January 1848 , Provincial Grand Lodge again held its meeting under the banner of the Probity Lodge , on which ocaasion Bro . Lee D . P . G . M . presided . In 1849 .

a Lodge of Instruction was formed , meetings to be held every second Wednesday succeeding regular Lodge night . At the same time a desire was expressed to re-open the Chapter of Sincerity , and steps were taken accordingly , for it is recorded that at the next meeting £ 10 was voted to be applied towards the restoration of the Chapter . About this time also a Lodge Building Fund was formed , so that

everything points to increased interest and activity at this particular period . In 1849 a dispensation was granted , enabling the Lodge to attend the funeral of an old member—Bro . Christopher Rawson—in association with which record is appended an extract from a speech by this esteemed Brother , delivered at the laying of the foundation stone of the Halifax Literary and Philosophical Society ' s Hall . The ceremony does not appear to have been a Masonic one , but Bro . Rawson ' s

speech was eminently Masonic , and is fittingly introduced in the records of his Lodge . The 22 nd September 1851 was a special day for Yorkshire Freemasonry , a special meeting of Grand Lodge of England being then held at Bradford , on which occasion the M . W . G . M . Lord Zetland presided , and the foundation stone of St . George ' s Hall was laid with Masonic honours . Between 30 and 40 members of Probity were present on this occasion , and one of its

members—Bro . Lawrence Bramley—was appointed Provincial Grand Senior Warden . In January 1852 Probity once more entertained Provincial Grand Lodge , as it has done on subsequent occasions . In the following November the Mayor of Halifax invited the Lodge to join in a procession to the memory of the departed Bro , Field Marshal the Duke of Wellington . A number of brethren

accepted the invitation , and attended a public funeral service at the Parish Church . At a meeting of Provincial Grand Lodge ( 6 th July 1853 ) a letter was read from Grand Lodge , severely censuring the Probity and other local Lodges for alleged irregularity in working , and the Provincial Grand Lodge at once passed a vote of censure on its sub-