Freemasonry In Pontefract.

of Provincial rank , and , at the present moment there are , I am informed , no fewer than fifteen of our Brethren who are entitled to wear the much-3 oveted collar which distinguishes the Officer in Provincial Grand Lodge . I myself , your first Worshipful Master , was chosen

in 1875 by our late Provincial Graud Master , the much respected and gallant Sir Henry Edwards , to act as his Deputy . For ten years I held that responsible position , and on his retirement had the honour of being selected

by our Royal Most Worshipful Master to occupy the highest position in the Province , —that of your Provincial Grand Master . So far then as honours and distinctions are concerned , the Lodge of Saint Oswald has received a fair share .

In addition to this , let me remind you that you have had other valued marks of recognition . On the 6 th July 1864 , the D . P . G . M . Brother Bentley Shaw , whom we all most highly esteem , visited Pontefract for the purpose of consecrating the Saint Oswald Lodge . -On

the 23 rd October 1872 , we were still more highly honoured , for on that occasion we received and entertained , not only the P . G . M . of West Yorkshire , but also the M . W . the G . M . of the Grand Lodge of England . I refer to the noble Marquess of Ripon , who simultaneously

held both those important offices . He was accompanied by his Deputy Bro . Bentley Shaw , and a large body of Provincial Grand Officers , —and , as many here present will doubtless remember , —in a thoroughly Masonic way he laid the foundation stone of the present Church of St .

Stephen at East Hardwick , the then Worshipful Master of Saint Oswald being our good Brother Edmund Lord whom I am delighted to see here to-day . On the 17 th August 1876 , when the Freemasons of Pontefract wished to pay a tribute of respect to their friend and neighbour Brother Breffitt , alderman and

sheriff for the county of Middlesex , the Prov . G . Master Brother Sir Henry Edwards came to Pontefract , and , surrouuded by a band of other illustrious visitors , joined with us in uttering words of congratulation to Brother Breffitt upon the high position which by his perseverance

and industry he had reached . And again , in 1880 the Prov . G . L . of West Yorkshire met under the banner of Saint Oswald , and assisted us in promoting the interests of that most valuable and useful Institution—the Pontefract Dispensary .

Well , Brethren , though in no boastful spirit , I may say then that we can point to a not undistinguished past . We can show Members of Parliament and Cabinet Ministers on our roll . We have risen from a comparatively obscure position to one of numerical strength . Our financial condition is sound , and we have now at

length reached that goal to which I have long been looking forward—we have obtained a Masonic Hall of our own . By the energy , the enterprise , and the business ability for which the members of Saint Oswald have

ever been distinguished you have attained this result , and I heartily congratulate you thereupon . I was able , though in a most feeble condition of health , on the 25 th of January of this year to lay the corner-stone of this

Masonic Temple , and I am thankful to the G . A . O . T . U

that I have been spared to-day to see its completion . You have now a Lodge Room which only needs Masonic ornamentation to make it all that you may reasonably require ; and you have suitable accommodation where , when occasion needs , you may hospitably entertain your

Masonic friends . ' But , Brethren , never forget the object and purpose for which this building has been projected . It is to

carry out honourably and faithfully the principles of Freemasonry . What those principles are , and what is involved in the dutiful realisation of them , I have frequently endeavoured to pourtray to you and to others ,

to the best of my ability . But I cannot let this opportunity pass—this occasion which may be my last—without Once more briefly reiterating some of my former words of counsel , warning and advice .

Freemasonry is an Institution , a parallel to which does not exist throughout the civilized world . 'Tis the

one grand organisation which is in no sense self-seeking . Its great purpose is to establish the Brotherhood of man and to relieves distress wherever it may be found . Its foundation is the volume of the Sacred Law . Polemical and party discussions it will have none of . Within the Lodge , when a , man has once become privileged to enter ,

Freemasonry In Pontefract.

he should find Brotherly love and social equality . Political differences , religious dissentions , professional rivalries , and the animosities which the keen competition of trade and commerce may create , should here be all laid aside . All meet upon a common level , and all should act upon the square .

But , Brethren , our principles are not co be confined to the four walls of our Lodges . We must carry out into the world what we have been taught in our ceremonies . We are an unassuming and by no means a proselytising society—but our responsibilites are nevertheless great .

We have to maintain and uphold—at a time when religion is openly derided , when political economy is scoffed at , when the recognised and time-honoured bonds of Society are sought to be ruthlessly burst asunder—we have , I say , to hold fast by the doctrines which Freemasonry teaches from the volume of the Sacred Law , and

steadily to rally round the banners of the Craft . upon which are inscribed the noble mottoes of our Order-Fortitude , Prudence , Justice , & c . . , To do all this is only a part of the responsibility

which we assume when we enter the Masonic iratermty . We should also be modest in our demeanour and exercise self-restraint , since the actions of a few may readily

bring our Brotherhood into contempt . How necessary then does it become that we should use the greatest caution and exercise the very fullest enquiry before we admit new members in the portals of our Lodges . On

this point I feel most strongly , and would for that reason

impress you most earnestly . One last word , for I wish not to weary you . My part is played , my act of Masonic life is over . I have done what I could—little I fear—yet my humble best . I have tried to make a homogeneous Province , and to

make it well thought of by the Grand Lodge of England ; 1 have liveu to see the Lodge of St . Oswald thrive and mature , to see it establish itself in an abode which is worthy of it , and I leave it in good hands . The Past

Masters , many of whom are with us to-day , will , lam sure , give their time and attention and watchful taxe to all its interests and concerns ; and the Lodge will , 'I trust , succeed m the future even as . it has prospered in the past .

Strive , my Brethren , to carry out the beautiful principles of our Order , Charity and Mercy , and seek / even as I at this moment entreat , that the blessing of the Great Architect of the Universe may fall upon you , that

it may keep you steadfast to your duties , that it may enable you to act your parts as true men , good patriots , dutiful citizens , and worthy Masons , you and your children after you from generation to generatiohj until time and Pontefiact shall be no more . ¦

Let me again thank you not only for your cordial welcome , for vour flattering attention , and , fot , the

generous support you have ever accorded me in Proy , Grand Ledge , but also for the many acts of courtj ' e ' sy of which 1 have constantly been the recipient . ' •i ; h ' ¦ ' At the conclusion of this address , which was received

by the Brethren with many manifestations , of approval , the New Rooms were declared to be duly and properly opened for the purposes of Freemasonry , the Brethren in lull harmony responding in the usual Masonic manner ,

and the Lodge being closed in perfect peace and harmony . The following is tho inscription on a shield attached by ; a massive silver chain to the Key used on this occasion : —

Presented to BKO . T . W . TEW E . W . P . P . G . M . of West Yorkshire , P . G . D . of England , on the occasion of his opening the New Masonic Hall

Lodgo St . Oswald , 910 . 10 th October 1894 . . The Key was about 2 J inches long , the upper portion being occupied by a Masonic symbol enclosing the . initial T , and being so worded as to represent the same both on the obverse and reverse .

It is intended to engrave on the back of the : shield an armorial bearing consisting of the arms of the Province impaling those of Bro . Tew . — " Pontefract Advertiser . " .

" The Autobiography of George Augustus Sala" is nowuran advanced state of preparation , and will be . published in a fe . wwe . fiks by Messrs . Cassell and Company .