Lodge Histories.

LODGE HISTORIES .

THE LODGE OF PROBITY , No . 61 . ( Continued from page 210 ) . IN our lasfc article we showed how the Probity , at fche beginning of tho present century , exercised a kind of

supervision over its neighbouring Lodges , concluding our reference wifch an account of the establishment of a new Lodge at Heptonstall . In 1808 the Lodge of Probity had the advantage of a good set of Officers , and several

candidates were initiated . In October 1809 a proposition was made that the 25 th of the month , being the 49 th anniversary of His Majesty ' s ( King George III . ) reign , should be celebrated by the Fraternity with particular respect . A dinner was proposed for the occasion , and the Lodgo of

Harmony was invited to join in the festivities , while a subscription should be made and devoted to such charitable purposes as might be agreed upon . The celebration duly came off on the 25 th , -when 70 members were present , 22 from Probity , 13 from Harmony ( both of Halifax ) , 15 from Bradford , 18 from Heptonstall , and one each from

Harwich and Almondbury . The Lodge was opened at 10 a . m ., when it was put to the meeting that the brethren go to chnrch in procession . On a division there was a

great majority averse to such a proceeding ; accordingly , the W . M . adjourned the Lodge till 2 p . m ., when the brethren sat down to a " very plentiful dinner . " A committee appointed to manage the proposed subscription

made their report , from which it appeared - £ 42 10 s had been subscribed , and this sum it was agreed should be presented to the Halifax General Dispensary , of which the R . W . M . ( Bro . Thomson ) was one of the physicians . A proposition was made that the brethren of Lodge 61 and the other neighbouring Lodges should annually visit each other , and the 12 fch of August ( the birthday of the M . W . Grand Master ) was considered a proper day for such fraternal gatherings . The minnte book of the Lodge gives details of fche amount subscribed as above , from which we learn that Lodge No . 61 contributed £ 23 18 s , Lodge No . 461 , £ 13 14 s 6 d , and Lodge No . 549 , £ 4 17 s 6 d . The

cost of collecting this sum is set down at £ 1 . At tho close of 1809 the brethren unanimously re-elected Bro . Thomson to the office of Master , but his professional dnties forced him to decline the honour , and Brother 0 ,

Whiteley was chosen in his stead . This was a commence

ment of a period of quietness ( such as frequently occurs , says the historian ) and there is little to refer to . On one occasion a brother initiated some six months before came forward for his second degree , explaining that domestic

affliction and distance from the place of meeting had kept him away . This was considered sufficient excuse , but the Worshipful Master delivered a serious and pointed charge , ' impressing upon the brother fche dnties of a Freemason . "

Bro . Johu Sutcliffe ascended to the chair in 1811 , he having been made a Mason in August 1808 . This brother , we are told , " continued , except for a short ; period , a good worker , and repeatedly occupied the chair of the Lodge ;

bo turned out to be a truly good Mason , and was a great prop to tho Lodge ; one whom ifc could always rely upon , through fair weather and foul . " A portrait of Bro . Sutcliffe ( from a drawing in crayons , in the possession of tho Lodge of Probity ) is inserted in Bro . Crossley ' s work ,

Lodge Histories.

and a further link between the brethren of to-day and of a pasfc age is thereby supplied . About this time it was decided that ' * every member be examined in the grips and signs . " Accordingly , at the next Lodge the brethren

present " went through the antient mode of examining and trying each other , which they found had loeu much wanted . " Some misunderstanding arose later on , and as

a result Bro . Whiteley resigned his membership , upon which it was suggested that the Lodge be closed " until certain internal dissentions were healed . " However , thi ** did not take place , and renewed confidenee was expressed

in Bro . Sutcliffe , by his election to the cba * r for the two succeeding years ( 1812-13 ) . Sums of 10 s (> d wero annually voted at this period for the prisoners in Halifax Gaol , while on another occasion £ 2 2 s was voted in charity " to British prisoners . " Tbe news of the ¦' Union" does not appear to havo

reached the Lodge of Probity nut ;! some time a ^ ler if .- ' completion , although , judging from the meagre details given it would seem the Probity Lodge at this period did

not take much interest in Masonic affairs of any kind . Li November 1814 a letter was read from Grand Lodge respecting the meetings of Instruction given by United Grand Lodge , when it was resolved tho lettor stand over

for consideration until February 1815 . At this latter date a ballot took place among those present , " respecting the members going to London to the Grand Lodge for Instruction . " It was ultimately agreed that every member of the Lodge deposit £ 2 to defray the expenses of the

journey . This realised £ 18 , and Bros . Sutcliffe , Smith , and Bates being selected as delegates , they were allowed £ 6 each for expenses . Bro . Sutcliffe was forced , by business , to give up the journey , and resigned in fa vom

of Bro . Holdsworfch , who , however , signified he should go at bis own expense .

It is here recorded that " the transactions of this Lodge having been repeatedly divulged 11 the other Lodges in this town , and turned into ridicule and as every member declares his innocence , it was thought the Tyler was the talebearer . " He was accordingly unanimously discharged , and

a new Tyler appointed . Later on , the thanks of the Lodgo were voted to the brethren who went to London to receive the instructions of Grand Lodge , and a handsome Masonic stick was voted to Bro . Philip Broadfoofc , a member of tlie Lodge of Reconciliation , as a mark of gratitude and esteem for bis kindness and attention to tho brethren on their visit to that Lodge . A circular was sent fco tho neighbouring

Lodges , informing them that the Lodge of Probity was

willing and ready , PS a Lodge of Reconciliation , to communicate all the new regulations of Grand Lodge , together -with the present mode of working , as Masons with

fche new Obligations . In answer to this circular five Lodges replied , accepting ; one declined the offer for the" present , while from five others no answer was received . Ifc waa agreed in connection with this subject * that any Lodge

receiving the Lectures from the Probity should pay their quota towards the expense of tho delegates to

Londonsuch expenses being set down as £ 25 . This "Lodge of Promulgation " duly assembled , and the nexfc chapter of the " History " is devoted to its doings . In April 1815 a handsome Pasfc Master ' s jewel w ,- ' voted

to Bro . Sutcliffe , and at the same meeting * it was ordered that an Inner Guard ' s jewel be obtained—the firsfc mention of this office in fche Lodge . Bro . Sutcliffe ' s jewel wn ? duly presented , as also > vis <••'¦• e stick to Bro , Broadfoofc ,