-
Articles/Ads
Article WEST YORKSHIRE. Page 1 of 1 Article WEST YORKSHIRE. Page 1 of 1 Article CONSECRATION. Page 1 of 2 →
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
West Yorkshire.
WEST YORKSHIRE .
THE Annual Convocation of the Provincial Grand Chapter took place on Tuesday afternoon , in the Church Institute , Bradford . The meeting was held under the auspices of the three local Chapters , the Charity , No . 302 , the Warrant of which dates back to the last century , the year of its formation
being 1798 ; the Sincerity , No . 600 , which is well on the way towards its Jubilee , having been established in 1853 ; and the Pentalpha , No . 974 , which is of more recent origin , its foundation being set down as 1892 . There was a large attendance of Companions .
The proceedings commenced by the opening of an ordinary Chapter , the Principals being Comps . S . A . Bailey , Charity , 302 ; F . P . Carter , Sincerity , 600 ; and C . W . O . Smith , Pentalpha , 974 . In due course these received the Provincial present and past Officers .
. The Provincial Grand Chapter was opened by the Rt . Hon W . L . Jackson , M . P ., Provincial Grand Superintendent who , in an address , said that that was practically the first Chapter he had attended in his present position as Superintendent , and it was some years since the Provincial Grand Chapter was held in
Bradford . In examining what had been done in the Province he could not help being struck by the fact that whilst the Craft seemed to be in an extremely vigorous and healthy condition , there was not the same signs of life and progress as regards the Arch . Whilst he was not fitted to offer an opinion as to the cause , of that difference , he thought it would not be unfitting
that he should refer to it , because he looked to that degree as being the complement and completion of a Mason ' s life in the Order . Whether that view be the general one he could not say , but he thought it was generally recognised and accepted that the fourth degree was a part—and really an essential part—of the work and life of a Graft Mason . Those who had watched the
figures would have noticed the difference in the proportions of the two bodies . Whilst in the Province they had 3 , 850 Craft Masons , they had only a little over 1 , 300 members of the Chapters ; that was , a proportion of little more than thirty per cent . Of course he was aware there were possibly some reasons
which accounted for that disproportion . In the first place , as they knew , no Mason except one who had passed the chair was eligible as a Principal in a Chapter . At one time no Mason could be admitted to a Chapter unless he had been a Master Mason for twelve months . Recently , as they knew , a relaxation
was made in the rules , in order to encourage , or at all events to remove what might have been an obstacle to Brethren joining , by shortening the period of time for the eligibility of a Master Mason for the Chapter . He need not point out that the absence of growth was not beneficial , but the reverse , to the Chapters
themselves , because , unless they were constituted of a sufficient number of members who took an active interest in the work , it was quite impossible for there to be any life or enthusiasm in it . He mentioned the subject here because he thought at the commencement of his life in that position he should call their
attention to the fact , and ask for their consideration of it . When applications for new Chapters were made such a state of things was rather discouraging , and would give a tendency for him to say " no , " when he would rather comply with the request . He did not think it was consistent with his duty to create fresh
Chapters unless there was a necessity for them , and if constituted they would work successfully . A new Chapter had been recently consecrated at Sheffield , by Comp . E . Jury . He was told by those who had the good fortune to be present on that occasion , that they were all highly pleased with the excellent manner in
which the consecration ceremony was performed . He took that opportunity , the first he had had , to thank Comp . Jury for having acted as his Deputy . He thought all the Companions present would join with him ( the speaker ) in recognising what they thought was an act of great propriety which led to Comp . Jury
having office in the Grand Chapter . They congratulated him upon the mark of appreciation which had been conferred upon him , and which they believed was worthily deserved . He had spoken as he had done because he felt a little anxiety lest they should lose sight of the fact that , so far as that Province was concerned , they were standing still or making comparatively little
progress with the Chapters . He might , he thought , with propriety suggest that if those they had taken through the third degree had not been sufficiently informed , by the example which had been set , they should be told that that was the complement and completion of the degrees they had already obtained . The Grand Superintendent concluded by acknowledging the salutations and thanking the Companions for their attendance .
The balance-sheet , which was read by the Treasurer Comp . J . Dyson , Alfred Chapter , No . 306 , Leeds , and afterwards confirmed , showed a balance in hand at the commencement of the year of £ 213 12 s 9 d , and at the end £ 244 . 6 s 4 d . Comp . W . Smith , Excelsior Chapter , No . 1042 , Leeds , was elected jLieasuier lor the ensuing year . The Provincial Grand Superintendent then proceeded to
West Yorkshire.
appoint and invest' the Officers for fche year , the following receiving the different honours : Comp . H . Smith 802 - - - H . G . Buckley 61 - - - - J . H . G . E . Green 154 - - - S . E . J . M . Holmes 387 - - - S . N .
P . B . Coward 904 ... Registrar T . Bates 308 - - - Deputy Registrar W . R . Thompson 208 - - - Principal Sojourner T . Atkinson 2067 - - - 1 i , n ;_ , fo « 4 . ( I ™ - ™ ,, „ F . C . Robinson 302 - - - } Assistant Sojourners T . B . Wilson 306 - - - Sword Bearer W . A . Slatter 154 - - - ^
C . W . O . Smith 974 - - - [ Standard Bearers G . V . S . Dearden 139 - - - ) G . H . Holdroyd 275 ... Director of Ceremonies C . Greenwood 448 - - - ¦ ) W . Allatt 258 - - - - C Assistant Dirs . of Cers . W . O . Melicliffe 600 - - ) John Constable 242 ... Organist J . J . Martin 1019 - - - Assistant S . E . At the close of the Chapter tea was provided at the Masonic HaU , Eawson Square .
Consecration.
CONSECRATION .
SYMPATHY CHAPTER .
EARL Amherst G . H . Grand Superintendent of the Province of Kent paid a visit to the Royal Qlarendoji Hotel , Gravesend , on Monday , for the purpose of consecrating the twenty-sixth Chapter in the Province , the Warrant for which was granted by Grand Chapter on 5 th May last , The new Chapter , which is established under the banner of
the Sympathy Lodge , No . 483 , owes its existence to the energetic pfforts of Comp . Henry Forss the present W . M . of the Lodge and Comp . J . P . White , an enthusiastic Mason who has achieved wonders in connection with the Masonic Charities . His lordship was supported by Comps . James S . Eastes Prov . G . H ., Siberfc
Saunders Prov . G . J ., Thomas S . Warne Prov . G . Scribe E ., Horatio Ward P . P . G . S . B . as D . C , C Wilfred Blaxland Prov . G . Scribe N ., Walter S . Whitaker Prov . G . R ., Alfred Spencer P . P . G . J ., Edwin Morris P . P . G . S . B ., Edward Barrell P . P . G . St . B ., Charles R . Cockburn P . P . G . P . S ., Priessnitz Jones P . P . G . D . C .,
George Goble P . P . G . D . C , George Briggs P . Z . and Treasurer 2147 , H . Massey P . Z . 619 and 1928 , Thomas H . Blamier ? P . P . G . S . B ., J . B . Groom H . 2046 , Claud A . Hooper H . 2147 , Major Crichton Walker P . P . G . S . B ., George Harlow P . P . G . S . B ., J . T . Reeves P . Z . 31 , A . W . Southwell P . Z . 742 , W ! T . Wiggins
H . 20 , R . W . Walker P . Z . 749 , D . J . J . Lyle P . Z . 503 , Edwin
Weller Z . 503 , B . Kelly Thorpe P . P . G , J ., and others . The consecration ceremony was carried out in the customary manner , but its impressiveness was considerably enhanced by the dignity with which . Lord Amherst and his Officers conducted it , and the musical arrangements of Comp . j . B . Groom .
The oration by Comp , Sibert Saunders was so excellent thafc we hope he will allow it to be printed . After tbe Patriarchal Benediction had been given , Comps , William Russell , Henry Forss , and J . P . White were installed }!! the respective chairs of Z ., EL , and J . by Comp . T . S . Warne .
The following Officers were then invested : —r-Comps . Arthur Ronaldson Scribe E ., Robert Jeffery Beamish Scribe N ., Qrlton Cooper Principal Sojourner , Frank Hitchens First Assistant Sojourner , William Hawker Second Assistant Sojourner , Thomas Taskes Hogg Treasurer , Charles Cobham Director of Ceremonies ,
Ernest Ingman and John A . Gillett Stewards , George Martin Janitor . The names of the other Founders are Comps , John Fitch , Chas . Hind , W . Spencer Bowen , and Frederick Mitchell , When investing the Officers the M . E . Z . addressed to each a little speech , complimentary , but to the point , which argues well for the future good working of the Chapter .
As a memento of the occasion Comp . Russell begged Lord Amherst ' s acceptance of a Founder ' s jewel , at the sajne time tendering the thanks of the Companions for the honour done them by his attending to consecrate the Chapter .
His lordship returned thanks , and expressed the pleasure he had in performing the ceremony that day ; he was siire , from what he knew and by what he had seen that day , that the new Chapter would prove a welcome addition to the Province , and he heartily wished it success .
Comps . Eastes , Saunders , Warne , and Ward were unanimously elected honorary members of the Chapter . A large number of candidates were announced for exaltation at the next meeting ; and there being no further business the Chapter was closed , and
the Companions adjourned to the pleasant dining-room overlooking the Thames , where a very recherche banquet was served by Bro . Alfred J . Baldock . At its termination the usual Loyal and Arch toasts were submitted by the M . E . ZComp . W . Russell Z ., after the banquet , proposed the toasts
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
West Yorkshire.
WEST YORKSHIRE .
THE Annual Convocation of the Provincial Grand Chapter took place on Tuesday afternoon , in the Church Institute , Bradford . The meeting was held under the auspices of the three local Chapters , the Charity , No . 302 , the Warrant of which dates back to the last century , the year of its formation
being 1798 ; the Sincerity , No . 600 , which is well on the way towards its Jubilee , having been established in 1853 ; and the Pentalpha , No . 974 , which is of more recent origin , its foundation being set down as 1892 . There was a large attendance of Companions .
The proceedings commenced by the opening of an ordinary Chapter , the Principals being Comps . S . A . Bailey , Charity , 302 ; F . P . Carter , Sincerity , 600 ; and C . W . O . Smith , Pentalpha , 974 . In due course these received the Provincial present and past Officers .
. The Provincial Grand Chapter was opened by the Rt . Hon W . L . Jackson , M . P ., Provincial Grand Superintendent who , in an address , said that that was practically the first Chapter he had attended in his present position as Superintendent , and it was some years since the Provincial Grand Chapter was held in
Bradford . In examining what had been done in the Province he could not help being struck by the fact that whilst the Craft seemed to be in an extremely vigorous and healthy condition , there was not the same signs of life and progress as regards the Arch . Whilst he was not fitted to offer an opinion as to the cause , of that difference , he thought it would not be unfitting
that he should refer to it , because he looked to that degree as being the complement and completion of a Mason ' s life in the Order . Whether that view be the general one he could not say , but he thought it was generally recognised and accepted that the fourth degree was a part—and really an essential part—of the work and life of a Graft Mason . Those who had watched the
figures would have noticed the difference in the proportions of the two bodies . Whilst in the Province they had 3 , 850 Craft Masons , they had only a little over 1 , 300 members of the Chapters ; that was , a proportion of little more than thirty per cent . Of course he was aware there were possibly some reasons
which accounted for that disproportion . In the first place , as they knew , no Mason except one who had passed the chair was eligible as a Principal in a Chapter . At one time no Mason could be admitted to a Chapter unless he had been a Master Mason for twelve months . Recently , as they knew , a relaxation
was made in the rules , in order to encourage , or at all events to remove what might have been an obstacle to Brethren joining , by shortening the period of time for the eligibility of a Master Mason for the Chapter . He need not point out that the absence of growth was not beneficial , but the reverse , to the Chapters
themselves , because , unless they were constituted of a sufficient number of members who took an active interest in the work , it was quite impossible for there to be any life or enthusiasm in it . He mentioned the subject here because he thought at the commencement of his life in that position he should call their
attention to the fact , and ask for their consideration of it . When applications for new Chapters were made such a state of things was rather discouraging , and would give a tendency for him to say " no , " when he would rather comply with the request . He did not think it was consistent with his duty to create fresh
Chapters unless there was a necessity for them , and if constituted they would work successfully . A new Chapter had been recently consecrated at Sheffield , by Comp . E . Jury . He was told by those who had the good fortune to be present on that occasion , that they were all highly pleased with the excellent manner in
which the consecration ceremony was performed . He took that opportunity , the first he had had , to thank Comp . Jury for having acted as his Deputy . He thought all the Companions present would join with him ( the speaker ) in recognising what they thought was an act of great propriety which led to Comp . Jury
having office in the Grand Chapter . They congratulated him upon the mark of appreciation which had been conferred upon him , and which they believed was worthily deserved . He had spoken as he had done because he felt a little anxiety lest they should lose sight of the fact that , so far as that Province was concerned , they were standing still or making comparatively little
progress with the Chapters . He might , he thought , with propriety suggest that if those they had taken through the third degree had not been sufficiently informed , by the example which had been set , they should be told that that was the complement and completion of the degrees they had already obtained . The Grand Superintendent concluded by acknowledging the salutations and thanking the Companions for their attendance .
The balance-sheet , which was read by the Treasurer Comp . J . Dyson , Alfred Chapter , No . 306 , Leeds , and afterwards confirmed , showed a balance in hand at the commencement of the year of £ 213 12 s 9 d , and at the end £ 244 . 6 s 4 d . Comp . W . Smith , Excelsior Chapter , No . 1042 , Leeds , was elected jLieasuier lor the ensuing year . The Provincial Grand Superintendent then proceeded to
West Yorkshire.
appoint and invest' the Officers for fche year , the following receiving the different honours : Comp . H . Smith 802 - - - H . G . Buckley 61 - - - - J . H . G . E . Green 154 - - - S . E . J . M . Holmes 387 - - - S . N .
P . B . Coward 904 ... Registrar T . Bates 308 - - - Deputy Registrar W . R . Thompson 208 - - - Principal Sojourner T . Atkinson 2067 - - - 1 i , n ;_ , fo « 4 . ( I ™ - ™ ,, „ F . C . Robinson 302 - - - } Assistant Sojourners T . B . Wilson 306 - - - Sword Bearer W . A . Slatter 154 - - - ^
C . W . O . Smith 974 - - - [ Standard Bearers G . V . S . Dearden 139 - - - ) G . H . Holdroyd 275 ... Director of Ceremonies C . Greenwood 448 - - - ¦ ) W . Allatt 258 - - - - C Assistant Dirs . of Cers . W . O . Melicliffe 600 - - ) John Constable 242 ... Organist J . J . Martin 1019 - - - Assistant S . E . At the close of the Chapter tea was provided at the Masonic HaU , Eawson Square .
Consecration.
CONSECRATION .
SYMPATHY CHAPTER .
EARL Amherst G . H . Grand Superintendent of the Province of Kent paid a visit to the Royal Qlarendoji Hotel , Gravesend , on Monday , for the purpose of consecrating the twenty-sixth Chapter in the Province , the Warrant for which was granted by Grand Chapter on 5 th May last , The new Chapter , which is established under the banner of
the Sympathy Lodge , No . 483 , owes its existence to the energetic pfforts of Comp . Henry Forss the present W . M . of the Lodge and Comp . J . P . White , an enthusiastic Mason who has achieved wonders in connection with the Masonic Charities . His lordship was supported by Comps . James S . Eastes Prov . G . H ., Siberfc
Saunders Prov . G . J ., Thomas S . Warne Prov . G . Scribe E ., Horatio Ward P . P . G . S . B . as D . C , C Wilfred Blaxland Prov . G . Scribe N ., Walter S . Whitaker Prov . G . R ., Alfred Spencer P . P . G . J ., Edwin Morris P . P . G . S . B ., Edward Barrell P . P . G . St . B ., Charles R . Cockburn P . P . G . P . S ., Priessnitz Jones P . P . G . D . C .,
George Goble P . P . G . D . C , George Briggs P . Z . and Treasurer 2147 , H . Massey P . Z . 619 and 1928 , Thomas H . Blamier ? P . P . G . S . B ., J . B . Groom H . 2046 , Claud A . Hooper H . 2147 , Major Crichton Walker P . P . G . S . B ., George Harlow P . P . G . S . B ., J . T . Reeves P . Z . 31 , A . W . Southwell P . Z . 742 , W ! T . Wiggins
H . 20 , R . W . Walker P . Z . 749 , D . J . J . Lyle P . Z . 503 , Edwin
Weller Z . 503 , B . Kelly Thorpe P . P . G , J ., and others . The consecration ceremony was carried out in the customary manner , but its impressiveness was considerably enhanced by the dignity with which . Lord Amherst and his Officers conducted it , and the musical arrangements of Comp . j . B . Groom .
The oration by Comp , Sibert Saunders was so excellent thafc we hope he will allow it to be printed . After tbe Patriarchal Benediction had been given , Comps , William Russell , Henry Forss , and J . P . White were installed }!! the respective chairs of Z ., EL , and J . by Comp . T . S . Warne .
The following Officers were then invested : —r-Comps . Arthur Ronaldson Scribe E ., Robert Jeffery Beamish Scribe N ., Qrlton Cooper Principal Sojourner , Frank Hitchens First Assistant Sojourner , William Hawker Second Assistant Sojourner , Thomas Taskes Hogg Treasurer , Charles Cobham Director of Ceremonies ,
Ernest Ingman and John A . Gillett Stewards , George Martin Janitor . The names of the other Founders are Comps , John Fitch , Chas . Hind , W . Spencer Bowen , and Frederick Mitchell , When investing the Officers the M . E . Z . addressed to each a little speech , complimentary , but to the point , which argues well for the future good working of the Chapter .
As a memento of the occasion Comp . Russell begged Lord Amherst ' s acceptance of a Founder ' s jewel , at the sajne time tendering the thanks of the Companions for the honour done them by his attending to consecrate the Chapter .
His lordship returned thanks , and expressed the pleasure he had in performing the ceremony that day ; he was siire , from what he knew and by what he had seen that day , that the new Chapter would prove a welcome addition to the Province , and he heartily wished it success .
Comps . Eastes , Saunders , Warne , and Ward were unanimously elected honorary members of the Chapter . A large number of candidates were announced for exaltation at the next meeting ; and there being no further business the Chapter was closed , and
the Companions adjourned to the pleasant dining-room overlooking the Thames , where a very recherche banquet was served by Bro . Alfred J . Baldock . At its termination the usual Loyal and Arch toasts were submitted by the M . E . ZComp . W . Russell Z ., after the banquet , proposed the toasts