Mark Masonry.

MARK MASONRY .

PROVINOIAL GRAJH ) LODGE OF WEST YORKSHIRE .

A meeting of this Provincial Grand Lodge was hold at the Freemasons' Hall , Bradford , on Wednesday , the 12 th instant , under the banner of Old York Lodge ( T . I . ) , Bradford , when there were present : — Bros . Charles Letch Mason P . G . Master , the Rev . T . C . Smyth , D . D , P . G . Chaplain Deputy Provinoial Grand Master , T . W . Embleton

P . G . S . W ., C . J . Sohott P . G . J . W ., John Barker P . G . Inspector of Works P . P . G . W ., G . Althorpe P . P . G . W ., J . W . Monokman P . G . Steward P . P . G . W ., R . Williamson P . P . G . W ., W . D . Shoebridge P . G . M . O ., William Flockton P . G . S . O ., M . Hayes Old York ( T . I . ) as P . G . J . O ., George Hill P . P . G . O ., George Marshall P . P . G . O ., & c .

The Provincial Grand Lodge having been opened the roll of Lodges of present and past Provincial Grand Officers was called . Letters of apology for absence were received from various brethren .

The minutes of the Provincial Grand Lodge , held at Sheffield , on 5 th May 1892 , were taken as read , a printed copy thereof having been forwarded to all members of Provincial Grand Lodge .

The Provincial Grand Master then delivered the following address : —

BRETHREN , —My first words to-day shall be words of congratulation to tbe members of the Old York Time Immemorial Lodge on the prosperous condition of their Lodge . Since last we met in Bradford the Lodge had ohanged its quarters , and I am told that under the new conditions of tenanoy the brethren have greater

faoilitieB for carrying on the work of the Lodge , and the due performance of our own peculiar rites and ceremonies . It is my pleasure to report that siDoe our last meeting , one more Lodge has been added to our roll . On the 8 th February we consecrated tbe Legiolium Lodge , No . 457 , at Castleford . The founders of the Lodge

number 14 , many of them tried and worthy members of onr Order , and we have every reason to hope that from the enthusiasm ovinced , a good and flourishing Lodge will exist ; and I know that all of you will join with me in wishing the founders success and prosperity in their undertaking . Another matter I must bring before yon , and

whioh I do with great relnctanoe , and one I am sure you will all hear with deep regret . To-day we are losing the services of onr tried and well . beloved brother , the Reverend Thomas Cartwright Smyth , D . D ., Past Grand Chaplain of England , as our respected and esteemed Deputy Provinoial Grand Master . The name of Brother Dr . Smyth

18 a househonld one in Masonry . Both in England and in India , Dr . Smyth has worked for the welfare of Masonry , and we feel in losing bim we are losing one of whom we may be justly proud . He has been ever ready to help in the various degrees of Freemasonry , and render all the assistance he possibly could , and I feel sure that you will all

join with me in conveying to him that vote of thanks whioh I shall propose shortly . I may also here mention that we shall ere the year passes away lose the services of our Provincial Grand Secretary , Bro . Tudor Trevor . Bro . Trevor has removed to Cheltenham , and will thus be unable to discharge the Secretarial duties daring another

winter session . The choice of a successor to Bro . Smyth was a matter of anxiety , but I think , brethren , I have been extremely fortunate in securing the services of oar worthy Bro . John Barker P . M . P . G . I . of W . and P . P . G . W . Bro . Barker has been ever ready and willing to render help to any Lodge that required it , and I am

glad I thus have the opportunity of publicly acknowledging the work he has done for the welfare of the Order in the Province of West Yorkshire . The appointment of a Provinoial Grand Secretary will be announced at our next meeting , as I should like to have the advice and counsel of tho Deputy Provincial Grand Master in making the

appointment . I named at our last meeting I purposed to lay before yon the work of our Mark Charities . I had hoped to have had the pleasure of the presence of our Grand Secretary , Bro . Matier , —the Secretary , likewise , of our Charities , —but an important meeting has detained him in town . Suffice it'to say that we have four West

Yorkshire children on the education list , deriving a substantial benefit from the Charities . One of our Yorkshire boys received the silver medal from the Board for profioior . cy . Altogether , 19 boys and 14 girls are being educated ; and we Lave on the annuitant list eight males and two widows . These are elected without expense or

trouble , and I for one should be glad to yee these Charities more used , instead of waiting , as is often the case , for long periods , for eleotion on to the great Charities . Brethren , I will not detain you longer to-day ; thanking you for your attendance , and wishing you all happiness , in your Masonic Lodges as well as in the daily routine of your lives .

The Provincial Grand Registrar read a statement of the numerical position of each Lodge np to 31 st December 1892 , after which the Provincial Graud Treasurer presented his balance-sheet to 31 st December , showing a balance to the credit of £ 49 6 s 7 d , which was received and adopted .

The Depnty Provincial Grand Master , Bro . Rev . Dr . Smyth , addressed the Provincial Grand Master , and said that owing to his approaching removal from the Province to reside at Coatham , in North ar , d East Yorkshire , he would be unable any longer to fulfil his duties , and felt obliged , to his great regret , now to resign the office of Deputy Provincial Grand Master , which he had held for

Dr . Smyth ' s resignation and collar of office , said he felt sure that he expressed not only his personal regret , but that of every brother in the Province at Bro . Dr . Smyth ' s resignation of the office of Deputy Provincial Grand Master , and after paying a high tribute to the efficiency

so many years with so much pleasure ho himself , and he trusted with some little advantage to the Order . Bro . Dr . Smyth then delivered into the hands of the Provincial Grand Master his collar of office . The Provincial Grand Master , in accepting Brother

with which Brother Dr . Smyth had discharged his duties , and his character and bearing as a good clergyman , a courteous gentleman , and a hard working Freemason , he moved the following resolution , which was seconded by Brother Althorpe , supported by Brother John Barker , and

carried with unanimous and prolonged acclamation : — " That the best thanks of this Provincial Grand Lodge be given to the V . W . Bro . the Rev . T . C . Smyth , D . D ., Past Grand Chaplain , for his services as Deputy Provincial Grand Master , and that the same be embodied in an address and presented to him . "

The following address , beautifully illuminated and framed , was then read by the acting Provincial Grand Registrar , and formally presentod to Brother the Rev . Dr . Smyth by the Provincial Grand Master : — PROVINCIAL GRAND LODGE OP MARK MASTER MASONS OJ ? WEST

YORKSHIRE . To Very Worshipful Bro . THOMAS CARTWRIGHT SMYTH , Past Grand Chaplain , Deputy Provinoial Grand Master of West Yorkshire . " We , the members of the West Yorkshire Provincial Grand Lodge of Mark Master Masons of England , Wales , and the Colonies and

Dependencies of the British Crown , desire , on your retiring from the offioe of Deputy Provinoial Grand Master , to tender you our . deep and sincere thanks for all the kind assistance you have rendered at all times in carrying on the business of our Provinoial Grand Lodge . It is a matter of great regret to us that yoar leaving

Leeds renders it necessary for you to vaoate tho office you have so worthily held for so many years , and we pray that it may pleaee the Great Overseer of the Universe to preserve your life and grant that our Order may have the benefit of yonr valnablo services for many years to come .

Given at Bradford this twelfth day of April 1893 . ALFRED E . KIRKHAM Prov . Grand Registrar . TUDOR TREVOR Prov . Grand Secretary . C . LETCH MASON Prov . Grand Master . Bro . Dr . Smyth , in an eloquent and feeling reply ,

expressed his deep appreciation of the manifestation of regard which he had received , and the great pleasure his ' tenure of office as Depnty Provincial Grand Mark Master of that Province had afforded him . After having expressed

his warm satisfaction of the appointment by the Provincial Grand Master of so well-known and able a Mason as Bro . John Barker as his successor , he bade the brethren an affectionate farewell , with many sincere wishes for the future prosperity of that Provincial Grand Lodge .

Bro . John Barker was then conducted to the pedestal , and after being duly obligated by Bro . Dr . Smyth , was invested by the Provincial Grand Master with the collar , and his patent of office handed to him , as Deputy Provincial Grand Master of West Yorkshire . He was then saluted .

The Deputy Provincial Grand Mark Master briefly acknowledged the compliment , expressing his deep appreciation of the importance and dignity of the office , he had just received , and his intention to endeavour to follow in the steps of hia eminent predecessors , in their efficient discharge of the duties thereof . Bro . Dr . Smyth retired from the Provincial Grand

Lodge , escorted by the Deacons , and all the brethren rising in their places . Bro . W . B . Smithies , the W . M . of Truth Lodge , No . 137 , tendered a hearty invitation for the holding of next Provincial Grand Lodge at Huddersfield , under the banner of his Lodge .

The Provincial Grand Master , in accepting it , expressed his great pleasure at the improved and satisfactory progress the Truth Lodge was making . It was moved by the Provincial Grand Secretary , and seconded by the Deputy Provincial Grand Master , and

carried unanimously : " That the best thanks of this Provincial Grand Lodge be accorded to tho Worshipful Master , Officers and Brethren of the Old York Lodge ( T . I . ) , for their cordial and hospitable reception of Provincial Grand

Lodge this day . " The Worshipful Master of the Lodge , Bro . Pattinson , briefly responded . The Provincial Grand Lodge was then closed .