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Article PROV. G. LODGE OF' W. YORKSHIRE. ← Page 2 of 3 Article PROV. G. LODGE OF' W. YORKSHIRE. Page 2 of 3 →
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Prov. G. Lodge Of' W. Yorkshire.
Ike . W . F . Tomlinson P . M . 30-4 , it waa resolved , " That the minutes be taken as read , and confirmed . " The Prov . Grand Master then delivered the following address : — B KKTUKK **; , —liy thy cordMI invitation of tho W . M . and brothren of Lodge , No . 290 , Hudderslietd , we are assembled hero to- lav , and I am gratified to know that no pains have beeu spared to provide for oor
comfort aud convenience . The original Warrant of this Lodge bore the date of 1793 . This id the 202 ud meeting of this I'rov . Grand Lodge , tho -10 tH time ic haa assembled in this Town , and the Sth under tho Banner of Lodge No . 290 . I deaire to express the obligations of myself and Deputy for tho
salutations accorded to us and to tho Oflicers of the Province thia afternoon , as * well aa for the £ 100 subscribed to tho Boys' School and Annuitants' Funds . It is our moat anxious desire to encourage tho prosperity of thc Craft in the 42 Towns in whioh the 75 Lodges are located under onr administration , and to reader these meetings attractive and popular ,
in order that all may feel tho desirability of attending them , and may have individually an interest in the afFairu of the Craft . The Masonic Charities and their administration grow more important every year , and we are most desirous to maintain both our present p leasant relations with other Provinces , as well as our influence in fcho Graud Lodge of England .
The annual returns of the Lodges to the 31 st December last Show considerable variations . Thoro havo boon 300 initiations and joinings , 113 resignations , 69 deaths , 36 exclusions , 161 brethren in arrears . The total number of active members on the roll is 3 , 611 , showing an increase of 71 members . The fees and contributions have como to £ 417 9 s , being an
increase of £ 5 . In 1890 you were generous enough to contribute £ 643 4 s to the Annuitants , £ 393 19 s to the Girls ' , and £ 778 6 s to the Boys' Schools , making a total of £ 1815 5 s . This ia exclusive of grants made to varions necessitous persons , a state of things whioh we may consider satisfactory . A conference of influential brethren of the Northern Provinces
was held at Leeds , in the Masonio Hall , Great Georgo Street , on the 6 th February , to discuss the New Laws relating to the Board of Management of tbe Royal Masonio Institntion for Boys and the equitable distribution of representation on that Board . It also considered the desirability of giving substantial support to Lord Lathom ' s Presidency , at the Annual Festival of this Institution .
to take place on the 24 th Jane next . Nine Provinces , containing 440 Lodges , were represented at this meeting , and the brethren agreed to support the proposal that tbo fifteen Northern Provinces , with 560 Lodges , shonld claim to occupy six seats upon the Board . The Northern Provinces havo cordially co-operated with ns in this matter , and without thia concerted action
it would have been impossible to secure that representation to which we are entitled . The Charity Eeport says the Provinces , for the first time , have equal representation with the London brothren on tho Board , there being 15 Provincial and 15 London Masons elected . The Boys' School has boon completely reorganised , and from the report recently issued by the Provisional Management Committee , wo may conclude that it is now in a very much improved and more
satisfactory condition . Tho Balance Sheet issued by this Committee has been somewhat severely criticised by writers in tho Masonic Journals , bnt their strictures appear to have arisen through lack of discrimiuatiou between a Balance Sheet on tho oue hand and an Income and Expenditure Account on the other . We , in West Yorkshire , aro supporting Lord Lathom most heartily . The amount already subscribed to the Festival is over £ 1600 , and we are not without hope that it will eventually reach the handsome sum of £ 2000 .
Your P . G . M . was invited to preside at the Girls' Festival this year , but having committed ourselves to tho Boys , it was considered battel to defer it for the present . Sir John Monckton hopes , however , that your P . G . M . will take this position in 1892 , nnd tho conference [ at Leeds expressed their willingness to support us on this occasion . With your generous assistance , brethren , I should bo glad to accede
to this request . We hope that tho 15 Northern Provinces will assemble next year in Leeds or elsewhere , as we are convinced that such conferences will be productive of great advantage , whilst I aud my Deputy cannot help feeling regretful thafc the lapse of time has brought about a change in the Chairman and Vice-Chaicman of tho Charity Committee . Bro . Smithson . Grand Deacon of Eng . who haa
, heen a member of it for the past fifteen years , the last live of which were as Chairman , haa retired , and Bro . T . Bateman Fox , on the 21 st March last , was elected iu his place , whilst Bro . W . C . Lupton succeeded Bro . Fox as Vice-chairman . I hopo there may be recorded on onr Minntes to-day a resolution oc thtinka to Bro . Smithson for
the noble exertions ho has mado for the success of onr Charities . May ho be long spared to give to this Committee the advantages of his experience , his tact , aud his great business capacity . On the lamented death of our esteemed Brother , Edward Tozer , the collar of Prov . Grand Warden became vacant . This I bost-i-verl
npon our worthy Chairman of the Charity Committeo Bro . T . Batewan Fox . As considerable misunderstanding exists aa to tho status of Honorary Membera of Lodge ? , I havo obtained the ruling of Grand Ijod ge on this q ^ ation , which onr Registrar ahall shortly read to This
yon . will also be placed npon tho Minntes , so fchat every member of this Prov . Grand Lod ge will receive a copy . As to the initiation ot minors , which question has recently arisen , wo are advised thafc in London it is never permitted , nnd unless nnder very exceptional circumstances , it should not be allowed in the i rovmoes .
^ I want Past Meters and Worshipfnl Masters to uaa their influence to prevent the cijnssion in public of matters relating to the affairs o their Lod ge . It ia destructive of administrative harmony to allow unauthorised persons to listen to snch discussions . Since we mat met much mischief has been caused by tho meddlesome inter-
Prov. G. Lodge Of' W. Yorkshire.
ference of thoso who , uot being members of a Lodge , have yet en Jeavpured to influence its procoadings , anl aush conduct cannot be too strongly deprecated . During the year 181 ) 0 Grand Lodge issue 1 78 IS certificates to new members . If move discrimination wore exercised in the selection of
candidates , aud objectionable persons prevented joining ns , I am convinced it would ba to the advantage of tho Craft , and would materially lessen the friction which from time to timo has arisen in our Lodgea . The Wakefield Masonio Literarv Society , under tho guidance of
Broa . MftttUewman aud Chiliie , haa quietly continued its useful career . Amongst the recent lecturers it haa numbered Bros . K . F . Gonld , Edward Maobeau , and other distinguished Masons . Our Librarian has worked hard to obtain some choice worka for the Masonic Library , lie has succeeded in securing an unique oopy of
tho 1687 MS ., which Bro . Hughan haa called " the W . Watson MS ., " « , copy of which has beon sent to every Lodge . A brother in Egypt has forwarded to me a humorous tale of Old Egypt , of the year 1315 . I want the Grand Masters * to inculcate a desire in brethren to avail themselves of tho Library and Lectures , and make oar Masonry
something moro than a Charity Club or a ' Restaurant Society . To my Deputy and Officers I owe many thanks . They have attended various functions in London , amongst which ( he inauguration of the Centenary Hall and new buildings of the Itoyal Masonio Inatitution for Girls stand out prominently , on whioh occasion T . R . H . fche Prinoe
aud Prince and Princess of Wales and their daughters were present . On the 7 th April , we dedicated the New Masonio Hall , afc Batley , built by tho Brothren of Trafalgar Lodge , No . 971 . The Warrant of this Lodge is now safely housed in most commodious Lodge premises , the building of whioh reflects great credit on fche membera of this Lodge .
Wo offer hearty congratulations on the construction of this New Temple to Masonry in Batley . In the appointment of Oflicers I am surrounded with difficulties , so many Past Masters and so few collars to bestow , I havo done my beat in selection . I shall distribute ' these collars as widely aa
possible , and I beg of all tho Lodges to accept my impartial efforts as tbe best I can do with 1064 Worshipful Masters and Past Masters on the roll , to recognise merit with so few honours at my disposal under tho powers I possess by tho Book of Constitutions . I thank you for your attention in listening to this annual address .
The D . P . G . M . Bro . Henrj Smith , after thanking tho numerous brethren assented for their hearty greeting , called the attention of Worshipfnl Masters and Secretaries of Lodges to several small matters of discipline and detail . Amongst these were the occasional neglect of Prov . Grand
Lodge Bye-Law 46 , and the omissions of names and ages of candidates on Lodge summonses . He also impressed upon them the dnty of promptly communicating with the
Prov . Grand 'Secretary in tho case of the death of any member of their Lodges . The following ruling of Grand Lodgo in respect to honorary members was then read by tho Prov . Graud Eegistrar Bro . Harold Thomas : —
1 . By accepting tho position of honorary member a brother , ipso facto , removes his name from the Lodge as a subscribing member . He therefore ceases to belong to it afc all ; he cannot speak therein ; his name cannot nppaar in the Annual Returns ; and if ho is nofc a
subscribing momber to some other Lodge he comes under Art . 152 , Book of Constitutions , and can only be present once . He can only ba re-iustated in hia former position of subscribing member by proposal , ballot , election , and paying joining fee exactly like any other joining member .
2 . A Lodge has no power whatever to remit arrears of subscription . Tho Bye-Laws of aU Lodges distinctly order each member to pay a certain sum annually , and to declare that he need nofc do so is to deliberately violate thoso Bye-Laws .
3 . A Past Master , who is a Past Provincial Grand Officer , does not Io ? o hia Provincial rank by non-subscription for twelve months ; ho retains it under Art . 96 , Book of Constitutions . What he does lose is his seat in Grand or Provincial Grand Lodge , under Articles 9 aud 81 .
4 . Grand Lodge , not recognising honorary members , of courso lays down no laws as to their election . Somo Lodges provide for this in their Bye-Laws , but in tho absence of any such Rule the majority present can eleofc afc any meeting , withont previous notice , ifc being a matter outside tho
Lawa of the Craft . 5 . It would clearly be impossible to include in the Book of Constitutions regulations on a subject nofc recognised by it . Those Constitutions legislate entirely for subscribing members , whereas honorary members aro actually not members at all .
Bro . T . B . Fox , J . P ., P . M . 208 , P . G . S . W ., and Chairman , presented and read fche Report of the Charity Committee . He moved its adoption . This waa seconded by Bro . W . C . Lupton P . M . 074 , P . P . G . D ., and carried . The Prov . Grand Treasurer next presented bis Statement oi
Accounts for the year ending 31 sfc March 1891 . This , which showed a balance in Messrs . Beckett & Co . ' s Bank o . £ 914 14 s 3 d , on the motion of Bro . H . Thomas , seconded by Bro . John Hey 387 , was received and adopted . The Past Prov . Grand Snp . of Works , Bro . Watson P . M .,
acting in the absence of Bro . W . Greaves , presented an Inventory of the Property and Regalia of Prov . Grand Lodge , witb a Report thereon . The meetir . g adopted tbe Report . Bro . Watson the Hon . Librarian reported upon tbe nnmber of books which had beon added to the collection dnring tho year , briefly called ft ten tiou to our
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Prov. G. Lodge Of' W. Yorkshire.
Ike . W . F . Tomlinson P . M . 30-4 , it waa resolved , " That the minutes be taken as read , and confirmed . " The Prov . Grand Master then delivered the following address : — B KKTUKK **; , —liy thy cordMI invitation of tho W . M . and brothren of Lodge , No . 290 , Hudderslietd , we are assembled hero to- lav , and I am gratified to know that no pains have beeu spared to provide for oor
comfort aud convenience . The original Warrant of this Lodge bore the date of 1793 . This id the 202 ud meeting of this I'rov . Grand Lodge , tho -10 tH time ic haa assembled in this Town , and the Sth under tho Banner of Lodge No . 290 . I deaire to express the obligations of myself and Deputy for tho
salutations accorded to us and to tho Oflicers of the Province thia afternoon , as * well aa for the £ 100 subscribed to tho Boys' School and Annuitants' Funds . It is our moat anxious desire to encourage tho prosperity of thc Craft in the 42 Towns in whioh the 75 Lodges are located under onr administration , and to reader these meetings attractive and popular ,
in order that all may feel tho desirability of attending them , and may have individually an interest in the afFairu of the Craft . The Masonic Charities and their administration grow more important every year , and we are most desirous to maintain both our present p leasant relations with other Provinces , as well as our influence in fcho Graud Lodge of England .
The annual returns of the Lodges to the 31 st December last Show considerable variations . Thoro havo boon 300 initiations and joinings , 113 resignations , 69 deaths , 36 exclusions , 161 brethren in arrears . The total number of active members on the roll is 3 , 611 , showing an increase of 71 members . The fees and contributions have como to £ 417 9 s , being an
increase of £ 5 . In 1890 you were generous enough to contribute £ 643 4 s to the Annuitants , £ 393 19 s to the Girls ' , and £ 778 6 s to the Boys' Schools , making a total of £ 1815 5 s . This ia exclusive of grants made to varions necessitous persons , a state of things whioh we may consider satisfactory . A conference of influential brethren of the Northern Provinces
was held at Leeds , in the Masonio Hall , Great Georgo Street , on the 6 th February , to discuss the New Laws relating to the Board of Management of tbe Royal Masonio Institntion for Boys and the equitable distribution of representation on that Board . It also considered the desirability of giving substantial support to Lord Lathom ' s Presidency , at the Annual Festival of this Institution .
to take place on the 24 th Jane next . Nine Provinces , containing 440 Lodges , were represented at this meeting , and the brethren agreed to support the proposal that tbo fifteen Northern Provinces , with 560 Lodges , shonld claim to occupy six seats upon the Board . The Northern Provinces havo cordially co-operated with ns in this matter , and without thia concerted action
it would have been impossible to secure that representation to which we are entitled . The Charity Eeport says the Provinces , for the first time , have equal representation with the London brothren on tho Board , there being 15 Provincial and 15 London Masons elected . The Boys' School has boon completely reorganised , and from the report recently issued by the Provisional Management Committee , wo may conclude that it is now in a very much improved and more
satisfactory condition . Tho Balance Sheet issued by this Committee has been somewhat severely criticised by writers in tho Masonic Journals , bnt their strictures appear to have arisen through lack of discrimiuatiou between a Balance Sheet on tho oue hand and an Income and Expenditure Account on the other . We , in West Yorkshire , aro supporting Lord Lathom most heartily . The amount already subscribed to the Festival is over £ 1600 , and we are not without hope that it will eventually reach the handsome sum of £ 2000 .
Your P . G . M . was invited to preside at the Girls' Festival this year , but having committed ourselves to tho Boys , it was considered battel to defer it for the present . Sir John Monckton hopes , however , that your P . G . M . will take this position in 1892 , nnd tho conference [ at Leeds expressed their willingness to support us on this occasion . With your generous assistance , brethren , I should bo glad to accede
to this request . We hope that tho 15 Northern Provinces will assemble next year in Leeds or elsewhere , as we are convinced that such conferences will be productive of great advantage , whilst I aud my Deputy cannot help feeling regretful thafc the lapse of time has brought about a change in the Chairman and Vice-Chaicman of tho Charity Committee . Bro . Smithson . Grand Deacon of Eng . who haa
, heen a member of it for the past fifteen years , the last live of which were as Chairman , haa retired , and Bro . T . Bateman Fox , on the 21 st March last , was elected iu his place , whilst Bro . W . C . Lupton succeeded Bro . Fox as Vice-chairman . I hopo there may be recorded on onr Minntes to-day a resolution oc thtinka to Bro . Smithson for
the noble exertions ho has mado for the success of onr Charities . May ho be long spared to give to this Committee the advantages of his experience , his tact , aud his great business capacity . On the lamented death of our esteemed Brother , Edward Tozer , the collar of Prov . Grand Warden became vacant . This I bost-i-verl
npon our worthy Chairman of the Charity Committeo Bro . T . Batewan Fox . As considerable misunderstanding exists aa to tho status of Honorary Membera of Lodge ? , I havo obtained the ruling of Grand Ijod ge on this q ^ ation , which onr Registrar ahall shortly read to This
yon . will also be placed npon tho Minntes , so fchat every member of this Prov . Grand Lod ge will receive a copy . As to the initiation ot minors , which question has recently arisen , wo are advised thafc in London it is never permitted , nnd unless nnder very exceptional circumstances , it should not be allowed in the i rovmoes .
^ I want Past Meters and Worshipfnl Masters to uaa their influence to prevent the cijnssion in public of matters relating to the affairs o their Lod ge . It ia destructive of administrative harmony to allow unauthorised persons to listen to snch discussions . Since we mat met much mischief has been caused by tho meddlesome inter-
Prov. G. Lodge Of' W. Yorkshire.
ference of thoso who , uot being members of a Lodge , have yet en Jeavpured to influence its procoadings , anl aush conduct cannot be too strongly deprecated . During the year 181 ) 0 Grand Lodge issue 1 78 IS certificates to new members . If move discrimination wore exercised in the selection of
candidates , aud objectionable persons prevented joining ns , I am convinced it would ba to the advantage of tho Craft , and would materially lessen the friction which from time to timo has arisen in our Lodgea . The Wakefield Masonio Literarv Society , under tho guidance of
Broa . MftttUewman aud Chiliie , haa quietly continued its useful career . Amongst the recent lecturers it haa numbered Bros . K . F . Gonld , Edward Maobeau , and other distinguished Masons . Our Librarian has worked hard to obtain some choice worka for the Masonic Library , lie has succeeded in securing an unique oopy of
tho 1687 MS ., which Bro . Hughan haa called " the W . Watson MS ., " « , copy of which has beon sent to every Lodge . A brother in Egypt has forwarded to me a humorous tale of Old Egypt , of the year 1315 . I want the Grand Masters * to inculcate a desire in brethren to avail themselves of tho Library and Lectures , and make oar Masonry
something moro than a Charity Club or a ' Restaurant Society . To my Deputy and Officers I owe many thanks . They have attended various functions in London , amongst which ( he inauguration of the Centenary Hall and new buildings of the Itoyal Masonio Inatitution for Girls stand out prominently , on whioh occasion T . R . H . fche Prinoe
aud Prince and Princess of Wales and their daughters were present . On the 7 th April , we dedicated the New Masonio Hall , afc Batley , built by tho Brothren of Trafalgar Lodge , No . 971 . The Warrant of this Lodge is now safely housed in most commodious Lodge premises , the building of whioh reflects great credit on fche membera of this Lodge .
Wo offer hearty congratulations on the construction of this New Temple to Masonry in Batley . In the appointment of Oflicers I am surrounded with difficulties , so many Past Masters and so few collars to bestow , I havo done my beat in selection . I shall distribute ' these collars as widely aa
possible , and I beg of all tho Lodges to accept my impartial efforts as tbe best I can do with 1064 Worshipful Masters and Past Masters on the roll , to recognise merit with so few honours at my disposal under tho powers I possess by tho Book of Constitutions . I thank you for your attention in listening to this annual address .
The D . P . G . M . Bro . Henrj Smith , after thanking tho numerous brethren assented for their hearty greeting , called the attention of Worshipfnl Masters and Secretaries of Lodges to several small matters of discipline and detail . Amongst these were the occasional neglect of Prov . Grand
Lodge Bye-Law 46 , and the omissions of names and ages of candidates on Lodge summonses . He also impressed upon them the dnty of promptly communicating with the
Prov . Grand 'Secretary in tho case of the death of any member of their Lodges . The following ruling of Grand Lodgo in respect to honorary members was then read by tho Prov . Graud Eegistrar Bro . Harold Thomas : —
1 . By accepting tho position of honorary member a brother , ipso facto , removes his name from the Lodge as a subscribing member . He therefore ceases to belong to it afc all ; he cannot speak therein ; his name cannot nppaar in the Annual Returns ; and if ho is nofc a
subscribing momber to some other Lodge he comes under Art . 152 , Book of Constitutions , and can only be present once . He can only ba re-iustated in hia former position of subscribing member by proposal , ballot , election , and paying joining fee exactly like any other joining member .
2 . A Lodge has no power whatever to remit arrears of subscription . Tho Bye-Laws of aU Lodges distinctly order each member to pay a certain sum annually , and to declare that he need nofc do so is to deliberately violate thoso Bye-Laws .
3 . A Past Master , who is a Past Provincial Grand Officer , does not Io ? o hia Provincial rank by non-subscription for twelve months ; ho retains it under Art . 96 , Book of Constitutions . What he does lose is his seat in Grand or Provincial Grand Lodge , under Articles 9 aud 81 .
4 . Grand Lodge , not recognising honorary members , of courso lays down no laws as to their election . Somo Lodges provide for this in their Bye-Laws , but in tho absence of any such Rule the majority present can eleofc afc any meeting , withont previous notice , ifc being a matter outside tho
Lawa of the Craft . 5 . It would clearly be impossible to include in the Book of Constitutions regulations on a subject nofc recognised by it . Those Constitutions legislate entirely for subscribing members , whereas honorary members aro actually not members at all .
Bro . T . B . Fox , J . P ., P . M . 208 , P . G . S . W ., and Chairman , presented and read fche Report of the Charity Committee . He moved its adoption . This waa seconded by Bro . W . C . Lupton P . M . 074 , P . P . G . D ., and carried . The Prov . Grand Treasurer next presented bis Statement oi
Accounts for the year ending 31 sfc March 1891 . This , which showed a balance in Messrs . Beckett & Co . ' s Bank o . £ 914 14 s 3 d , on the motion of Bro . H . Thomas , seconded by Bro . John Hey 387 , was received and adopted . The Past Prov . Grand Snp . of Works , Bro . Watson P . M .,
acting in the absence of Bro . W . Greaves , presented an Inventory of the Property and Regalia of Prov . Grand Lodge , witb a Report thereon . The meetir . g adopted tbe Report . Bro . Watson the Hon . Librarian reported upon tbe nnmber of books which had beon added to the collection dnring tho year , briefly called ft ten tiou to our