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Testimonial To The Prov. G. Secretary Of North And East Yorkshire.

TESTIMONIAL TO THE PROV . G . SECRETARY OF NORTH AND EAST YORKSHIRE .

THERE waa an influential gathering of Masons at York , on Monday , 17 th inst ., on the occasion of the presentation of a testimonial to Bro . M . C . Peck , who for fourteen years has performed the honorary duties of Provincial Grand Secretary for the Province of North and East Yorkshire . It was at the time of the last commonication of the Provincial Grand Chapter in May 1880 , that the

subject of a testimonial to Bro . Peck was broached , and at that time a committee was formed , with Dr . Bell Deputy Provincial Grand Master as chairman , and Bro . T . Thompson P . M ., of Hull , as Secretary , tp carry out the idea . Subscription lists were opened , and contributions came in from the various Lodges of the Province , with the result that a very handsome sum was raised . At the meeting

of the Provincial Grand Lodge at Scarborough in the autumn , it was arranged that the presentation should be made at York , as the most central place , in January , and accordingly arrangements were made , the use of the Masonic Hall was granted by the W . M . of the York Lodge , and the Provincial Grand Master consented to present the testimonial .

All subscribers to the fund received invitations to be present , and there was a good gathering , which would have been much larger but for the inclement nature of the weather . The brethren appeared in full Masonic clothing . The testimonial consisted of a large and massive silver salver , and a tea and coffee service , and was laid out upon a table in tbe centre of the hall .

The Earl of Zetland Provincial Grand Master took the chair , and , afc the request of the Deputy Provincial Grand Master Dr . Bell , proceeded to make the presentation . He said it gave him greac pleasure to see before him so influential au assemblage of brethren , and he was sure that bnt for the severe weather many more would have been present . Bro . Peck had been well known amongst them for

many years . For a period of over 22 years he had been a Mason , and during most of that time he had acted as Secretary to the Minerva , his mother Lodge . He had also been instrumental in founding more than one Lodge in the Province , and during the fifteen years he had served as Provincial Grand Secretary he had devoted his best energies to the interests of Freemasonry in the Province . He ( Lord Zetland )

could say that daring the seven years he had been honoured by holding the high office of Provincial Grand Master , he could not have wished for better support than he had received from the brethren , and from Bro . Peck in particular , as Provincial Grand Secretary . He had always experienced at his hands the utmost courtesy and kindness . He would proceed to read to them the inscription upon the salver , which was as follows : —

Presented , together with a Tea and Coffee and Service , And other articles of Silver , By the Freemasons of the North and East Ridings of Yorkshire , To MICHAEL CHARLES PECK Junior , Esq ., P . M . and P . Z . Nos . 250 , 1040 , 1511 , & c ,

As a mark of their high personal esteem and regard , and in recognition of the great ability , zeal , and conrtesy With which he has for a period of 15 years performed the honorary duties of Provincial Grand Secretary . Jan . 7 1881 .

Hia lordship went on to say that he was sure he was only the monthpiece of the brethren of the Province of North and East Yorkshire when he expressed a hope that Bro . Peck might live and prosper for many years to come to enjoy the remembrance of the esteem of his brethren .

Bro . Dr . Bell said he might add to what had fallen from his lordship that the committee had expended a small balance of the fund at their disposal in the purchase of a gold bracelet , set with diamonds aud sapphires , which I hey desired Bro . Peck to convey to Mrs . Peck as a testimony of the respect in which her husband was held by his brethren .

Bro . Peck , in responding , said that there were some periods in the life of every man when he felt embarrassed and at a loss for words , J nd this , in his case , was one of them . He could only express in feeble sentences the deep honour and gratification he felt in this mark of their confidence , and in the unanimous response of the brethren to the suggestion of the D . P . G . M . They had been pleased

Wins to express approval of hit ) services . He could only say on his entry into Frccmasoniy ho had made np his mind to make a study of the Royal Art , and to devote his spare time to its interest . Bro . Peck jf . " " ? . sketch of his career in Blue Masonry from the time of his initiation to that when he succeeded Dr . Bell as Provincial Grand Secretary fourteen years ago . He could assure them that the

testimonial was most nnlooked for . Some brethren might think he had not visited the Lodges as much as he might have done , bnt if this Were so , it was due to tLe pressing emergencies of his own business . He was deeply sensible of the uniform consideration shown towards his imperfections by the brethren , and trusted the G . A . wonld spare them all for many a year to meet their illustrious chief at their

Testimonial To The Prov. G. Secretary Of North And East Yorkshire.

annual assemblies . Ou behalf of himself and Mrs . Peck he tendered his warmest thanks . Bro . Dr . Bell , in moving a voto of thanks to the Provincial Grand Master for presiding , said his lordship mast havo a Masonio heart abovo blood heat , to have induced him to travel so tedious a journey to bo present ov \ the occasion with tho thermometer at zero . Sir

James Meek seconded the voto of thanks , which was carried by acclamation , and Lord Zetland , in acknowledging tho same , said it was never a toil , but always a pleasure to him , to come amongst brethren who were ever so kind and courteous towards himself . He always was glad to meet their wishes in every possible way . Bro . J . W . Woodall proposed , and Bro . Dr . Bell seconded , a vote of thanks

to Bro . T . Thompson , the Secretary of the Fund . Bro . Dr . Bell proposed , and Bro . Cumberland seconded , a vote of thanks to the W . M . and brethren of tlie York Lodge for the use of their hall , which was responded to by Bro . J . Todd , who apologised for tho absence of the W . M ., who was detained by business . This closed the business of the meeting .

A collation was afterwards held at the Station Hotel , at which about twenty . five brethren met together . Iu responding to the toast of his health , Bro . Dr . Bell , who presided , said he regretted to have observed in one of the Masonic papers , in a sketch of Masonry in Bath , an attempt to take from York tho glory of being the first and original Grand Lodgo of England . By a quibble of words it was

sought to prove that London was the first Grand Lodge . He maintained that York was the first Grand Lodge , and if it did not bear that title , still it was de facto the Grand Lodge , for it exercised the functions of the Grand Lodge , being the annual place of assemblg of all tho Masons' Lodges in England , where the constitutions wero preserved and enactments passed for the good of the

Craft . He was extremely jealous of tho prestige of York Masonry , and he objected to any attempt to filch from York the ancient fame of being the Cradle of English Masonry . A number of other toasts were honoured . We may add that the value of the testimonial exceeded £ 160 .

Amongst the brethren present on the occasion we noticed the following , in addition to those whose names have already been mentioned : —Bros . C . Palliser P . M . 1416 , Prov . Grand Superintendent of Works , A . Buckle P . M . 236 Prov . Grand Deacon , J . Murray P . M . 200 Prov . S . G . W ., T . B . Whytehead P . M . 1611 P . P . G . D . C , W . Law . ton P . M . 236 P . P . G . R ., J . W . Walker W . M . 660 , W . H . Gainforth

P . M . 236 , G . Balmford P . M . 236 P . P . G . 0 ., S . Middleton P . M . 1760 , J . Copland W . M . 1010 P . P . G . S . B ., W . Tesseyman W . M . 57 , A . W . Cowper W . M . 561 , Geo . Kirby J . W . 236 , & c .

Royal Arch.

ROYAL ARCH .

BEADON CHAPTER , No . 619 .

THE Installation Convocation of the Beadon Chapter , No . 619 , took place on Thursday , the 13 th , at the Masons' Hall Tavern , Mason ' s-aveuue , Basinghall street , and was numerously attended Comps . Wyer Z ., H . Thompson H ., and F . Sharratt J . Previousl y to the meeting of the Chapter the annual audit of the accounts was held , and it terminated with the knowledge that there was a very satisfactory balance in favour of the Chapter . The P . Z . ' s

present were Comps . Coste , Seaman , Green , and Sneed , the latter being the Installing Officer , which dnty he has most abl y dis . charged for many years past . The whole of the Companions below the degree of Installed First Principal having withdrawn , Comp . Thompson , who had been unanimously elected M . E . Z . at the last convocation of the Chapter , was presented by Comp . W . H . Green

P . Z . and S . E . to fill the exalted office of M . E . Z . for the ensuing year , and was most impressively installed by Comp . W . Sneed , and it was remarked by the Companions who had the privilege of beta " present , that never was that important ceremony more accurately , impressively , or beautifully performed , and these remarks would equally apply to his rendering of the solemn rites in respect to the

installation of Comps . Sharratt and Dodmau respectively as H , and J . The rest of the Companions having been re-admitted , the M . E . Z . proceeded to invest the Officers of the Chapter , viz ., Comps . Green S . E ., Dawes S . N ., Coste locum tenens for Comp . A . Avery as Treasurer , Dr . Pridmore as P . S ., and Bavin as Janitor , offering a few words of congratulation to each , but more particuly to Comp .

Green P . S ., who he should always look up to with esteem and respect ns his father in Royal Arch Masonry . He hoped for many years to see him re-elected into the responsible position of S . E , of the Beadon Chapter . In investing Dr . Pridmore as P . S ., he impressed upon him a knowledge of the important duties he had to perform , as without his ready and efficient assistance it was impossible

that the business of the Chapter could be properly fulfilled . He then said that he had a most pleasing duty to perform , which was to present Oomp . Wyer the I . P . Z ., on behalf of the Companions , with a substantial mark of their regard , which was a jewel , unanimousl y voted to him at the last Chapter . In placing it on his breast , as a token of their goodwill , he trusted that be might be long blessed

with health to wear it , and when he looked upon it , he felt assured it would remind him of the high esteem aud many happy hours he had spent in the Beadon Chapter . Comp . Wyer , in accepting the jewel which had just been placed upon his breast , said he should always wear it with pleasure ; it had been his earnest desire to deserve it ; be had served all tho offices , and anything that he conld now

do to promote the prosperity of the Chapter , would be to him a pleasure ; ho should always be ready to do anything in his power to maintain that goodwill that bad ever subsisted amongst them . The M E . Z ., in investing Comp . Bavin as Janitor , said he also had for many years held that office , and remarked that his duties were very responsible , as regarded the admission of strangers amongst