Provincial Grand Lodge Of West Yorkshire.

Letters of apology for unavoidable absence were received from three Provincial Grand Officers and 69 brethren . The Prov . G . M , Bro . Thomas William Tew , J . P , the D . P . G . M , Bro . Henry Smith , and the Prov . Grand Officers entered , and the Prov . G . Lodge was opened and the Prov . G . M . and the D . P . G . M . were saluted according to ancient custom .

The roll of lodges and of Present and Past Prov . Grand Officers having been called , the minutes of the annual meeting of Prov . Grand Lodge , held at Sheffield , on Wednesday , 16 th April , 18 90 , were presented . It vvas moved by Bro . C . L . MASON , P . M . 304 , P . P . G . Treas , seconded by Bro . AUSTIN ROBERTS , P . P . G . D . of C , and resolved , "That the minutes be taken as read , and confirmed . " The PROV . G . M . then delivered the customary address .

Brethren , —We acknowledge the hearty welcome offered to this Provincial Grand Lodge by Bro . Alfred Robertshasv and the brethren of the Lodge St . James , No . 44 S , and I also thank you all for the salutations accorded to me , to my Deputy , and to the officers of this province this afternoon . I may remind you that this Lodge of St . James , which now numbers some So members , vvas constituted 17 th March , 1 S 38 . It celebrated the jubilee of its existence on 23 rd October , iSSS . Tsventy-one years ago , on the 24 th November , 1 S 69 , Provincial Grand Lodge assembled in this hall for the purpose of its

dedication by the Marquess of Ripon . I and my Deputy svere present , but many brethren like Bro . BentleyShaw , svho svas then the Deputy , have , alas ! passed asvay to their rest . I am happy to think that this noble hall is nosv free , or almost free , from the obligation of debt . This Lodge of St . James , No . 44 S , has contributed £ 712 15 s . to the Charities , and possesses 231 votes ; but I svill not make further allusions to it , because sve are looking forsvard to Bro . Austin Roberts' history , svhich I am told is in the press , and a copy of which will shortly adorn the Masonic Library at Wakefield . To this lodge , then , as well

as to the other lodges of Halifax—Probity , De Warren , and St . John's—Provincial Grand Lodge offers good wishes for their prosperity and success . Like my predecessor , Sir H . Edwards , I am anxious to see all lodges hold their meetings in halls of their ovyn , and svith that viesv it has been a pleasure to me quite recently to sanction plans for nesv buildings or rooms at Batley , Hebden Bridge , and Castleford . There is to these changes from licensed premises to private halls one great danger , viz ., that of being led to keep late hours ; and I think that the Act of Parliament regulating

the closing of hotels might fairly guide us as to the hour of our departure from our lodges . On lodge and instruction nights the billiard room should be closed , othersvise the attendance in the lodge is liable to be seriously affected . I svould commend these matters to the serious consideration of the W . M . ' s and Past Masters of this province . With respect to the interval of time betsveen taking Degrees , I call your special attention to Rule 195 , Book of Constitutions . From this rule there can be no dispensation . It would appear that in some cases brethren have allosved private pique to unduly influence

them in this matter , and they have thus gone beyond the limits prescribed by Rule 190 of Book of Constitutions . By judicious inquiry in the first instance , and by the exercise of tact and firmness by the executive , and forbearance by the brethren , vve feel confident these objectionable practices might be avoided . If this evil , hosvever , be persisted in , it must inevitably lead to the decadence of lodges and the discredit of the Craft . At a special meeting of our Charity Committee , held at Leeds on the 23 rd June last , the representatives of this province adopted Bro . James Morrison McLeod as the

most suitable candidate for the office of Secretary to the Boys' School . The election took place on the 12 th July , and Bro . McLeod received 2317 votes , having a majority of 1326 over those polled for Bro . A . C . Greensvood , svho vvas next on the list , thus shosving that many other provinces agreed svith our selection . At this same meeting the opportunity svas taken of presenting to Bro . W . F . Smithson , the Chairman of the Committee , complete sets of clothing and jesvels corresponding to the offices conferred upon him by the M . W . Grand Master in Grand Lodge and Grand

Chapter . _ Bro . Smithson has done immense service to the Craft by his labours for the re-organisation of the Boys' School , and earned for himself much credit as our representative in London ; and he richly deserves our commendations for the labour and time he has devoted to carrying out the viesvs of West Yorkshire in this most difficult matter . The West Yorkshire brethren have provided carpenters' benches and tools for the purpose of giving manual , in addition to mental , training to the boys in our School , and this has been augmented by a munificent private donation . A further sum has been given , svhich has been

expended in the purchase of a printing press . This is nosv in active operation , and a monthly magazine , called the " Masonian , " has been established , and is being largely circulated . Having taken a deep interest in the re-organisation of the Boys School , it is nosv manifestl y our duty to give it our hearty support . West Lancashire sets us a noble example , and its Prov . G . Master , Bro . the Right Hon . the Earl of Lathom , has consented to preside at the next Festival of the Institution . With the approval of our Charity Committee , a notice has been placed on the agenda paper , for a grant from this Provincial Grand

Lodge of £ 151 10 s ., as our contribution in aid of the 1 S 91 Festival . 1 and many of my friends shall also add our names as Stesvards , and 1 believe that in making this appeal to your sympathies , I shall have at least 100 vvho will follosv our examp le . With regard to the Girls' School , my Deputy has recently been there , and has reported to our Charity Committee the progress made at the new buildings . All seems satisfactory . The memorial li g hts of the large svindosv of the Centenary Hall have thus been appropriated : There are nine lights , and West Yorkshire has taken up seven of them ; North and East

Yorkshire , one ; and the United Northern Counties Lodge , London , the ninth ; thus completing the Yorkshire portion of the centenary svindosv . The librarian svill give a brief report of the donations of books since April . There is one svork I must mention , " The Heraldry of York Minster , " by Bro . the Very Rev . A . Purey Cust , Dean of York , and Prov . G . Chap , of England . This svork is a monument of graceful learning . The library is thus accumulating most valuable books and curiosities , through the enterprise and energy of Bro . W . Watson , our Honorary Librarian . It svould hardly become the

loyalty of this Provincial Grand Lodge tosvards the M . W . the Grand Master of Grand Lodgeof England , H . R . H . the Prince of Wales , to pass by svith only brierly reading the communication of the Grand Secretary of England , dated the ist July , 1 S 90 , announc " ing the death of the Right Hon . the Earl of Carnarvon , Pro Grand Master , and Prov . Grand Master of Somerset . This event has filled the heart of every Mason svith grief . For upsvards of 15 years , during which time he held the position of Pro Grand Master of the Order , his unfailing courtesy , his just rulings , and his matured advice and

increasing exertions for , and devotion to , the best interests of the Craft , svill ever be recognised as having signally contributed to the high position it nosv occupies in the svorld . This Provincial Grand Lodge , therefore , records its grateful appreciation of the invaluable services rendered by the noble earl to English Freemasonry during the whole of that period . I thank my province for subscribing the sum of £ 1815 5 s . this year to the three Charities , and for the donation of £ 25013 s . 6 d . by 74 lodges to the Pension Indemnity Fund , R . M . I , for Boys . The visit of the British Association at Leeds , from September 3 rd to the iothand the

, Masonic Conversazione in the Masonic Hall on the Sth September svas indeed a success ; and Professor Glashier ' s thanks svere cordially appreciated by the 2 , 50 visitors there . Under the auspices of Phcenix Lodge of Freemasons , on 24 th July , a corner stone of a nesv north aisle svas laid at the Mexborough parish church by this Prov . Grand Lodge . This church of St . John , Soo years old , svas connected svith Roche Abbey . The Rev . H . Ellershasv , the vicar , svho is svith us to-day , gave the Craft a fraternal svelcome , and Bro . the Rev . Canon Bullock , vicar of Holy Trinity , Leeds , and Past Prov . Grand Chaolain ,

preached an eloquent sermon , taking for his text , " And a three-fold cord is not quickly broken . " As the winter season of the lodges opens after the summer recess , and Masons svill congregate together , I appeal to the W . M . ' s to point out to their brethren that Masonic precepts , faithfully applied , bring peace and prosperity to lodge , province , and nation . Inculcate the beautiful symbolism svrapt up in the words of Ecclesiastes " And

a three-fold cord is not quickly broken . " You svill be struck by the svord three . The keynote of a Mason's creed is struck by three svords—Faith , Hope , and Charity . I beg of you to exercise these virtues , and above all , amongst yourselves to practice Relief , Brotherly Love , and the search after Truth . Then , svhen " the silver cord be loosed , and the golden bosvl be broken , " and our " dust return to the earth as it svas , " in the Grand Lodge above , may our " spirits return unto God vvho gave them . "

The Deputy Prov . G . M , Bro . HENRY SMITH , after returning thanks for their hearty greeting , congratulated the brethren on the general prosperity of the province , but adverted vvith great regret to the unusually long death-roll since their last meeting . He also referred to the handsome presents of tools which had been made to the workshops of the Boys' School , and concluded a brief but earnest address by giving sound admonition to Secretaries in relation to change of addresses and lodge returns .

Bro . W . F . SMITHSON , P . M ., Grand Deacon of England , on being called upon by the PROV . G . M , expressed his gratitude to the brethren of West Yorkshire for so completely supporting him in his action in respect to the Boys' School . He

Provincial Grand Lodge Of West Yorkshire.

also assured them that he felt proud of the honour conferred upon him by the M . W . G . M , his Royal Hig hness the Prince of Wales , in making him a Grand Deacon of England , and regarded it less as a personal matter than as an indication of the merits of the Province of West Yorkshire , to which he had the honour to belong . He strongly urged the brethren to examine and dissect the lists of donations to the Charities from time to time , and by their personal efforts endeavour

to reach those lodges vvho names were only too frequently conspicuous by their absence from those lists . Their voting power must be maintained , and no effort must be wanting in this important matter . He also presented and proposed the adoption of a brief report , of which the following is a summary : "Your Executive Committee have satisfaction in reporting that at the April and May

elections , West Yorkshire succeeded in placing two boys , one girl , three men , and one widow on the list of participants in the benefits of the Masonic Institutions , that there still remain one boy and four g irl candidates , and that it will be necessary to reg ister every vote in the forthcoming struggle at the end of the month in order to meet with any measure of success , as the competition is likely to be exceptionally keen . "

The adoption was seconded by the VICE-CHAIRMAN of the Charity Committee , and carried nam . con .

Bro . W . GAUKROGER , P . M ., P . P . G . D , then moved the resolution standing in his name on the notice paper : " That a sum of . £ 151 ios . be voted by this Provincial Grand Lodge to further endow the Prov . G . Master ' s chair , R . M . I , for Boys . " He pointed out that this would raise the amount to 600 guineas . He also took the opportunity of welcoming Bro . Jas . M . McLeod , the newly-appointed Secretary , who was present .

This was seconded by Bro . C . L . MASON , P . M , P . P . G . Treas , who showed that West Yorkshire had a great stake in the Boys' School , and since it had taken a prominent part in the re-organisation of that establishment , and had assisted in placing it upon a sound basis , it vvas clearly the duty of this province to render it substantial support . The resolution was carried unanimously .

Bro . J . M . MCLEOD , on being called upon by the Prov . G . Master , was most cordially received . He expressed his gratification on being so warmly welcomed by the brethren of West Yorkshire . He was conscious of the active part taken by this province on the occasion of his election , and for that he tendered his thanks . He also felt grateful for the money just granted , and for the many

indications of renewed enthusiasm for the Institution with which he vvas so closely connected ; and concluded by paying a very hi gh compliment to the Prov . G . Master , his Deputy , and other active Masonic workers in the province , notably Bro . Smithson , a member of the London Provisional Committee . The sum of £ 10 was voted to Bro . J . C , 149 .

Bro . J . W . TAYLOR , P . M . 3 87 , then moved— " That it be placed on record that the lamented death of Bro . the Right Hon . the Earl of Carnarvon , Pro G . M , took place on the 28 th June last , and that the lodges of this province observed a period of Masonic mourning for the space of six months , from the ist July of this year . " This was seconded by Bro . J HEY , P . M . 387 , and after being supported by the P . G . M , was carried unanimously .

It was announced that the invitation of the W . M . and brethren of the Huddersfield Lodge , No . 290 , to hold the annual meeting of Provincial Grand Lodge in April next was accepted . Invitations for the October meeting , 1891 , were received from Lodges Nos , 1283 and 242 . Provincial Grand Lodge was then closed .

Consecration Of The Hilbre Lodge, No. 2375, At Hoylake.

CONSECRATION OF THE HILBRE LODGE , No . 2375 , AT HOYLAKE .

Several months ago a movement was set on foot for the formation of a Iodge at Hoylake , with the result that a warrant for the constitution of a new lodge to be known as the Hiibre Lodge , No . 2375 , was granted . The leading promoter of the movement vvas Bro . J . S . Jolly , who found active and practical support from Bro . Charles Roberts , W . M . 605 , the result being that the warrant for the formation of the new lodge vvas granted , the consecration being fixed for Saturday , the 18 th ult . The impressive ceremony , which took place at the Market Hall , now to be known

as the Masonic Hall , was the occasion of a very numerous gathering of brethren not only from the Cheshire province , but the Province of West Lancashire , there being considerably over 100 present , including a large number of Provincial Grand Officers from both sides of the river Mersey . It was hoped that the consecration ceremony would have taken place under the presidency of Bro . Lord Egerton of Tatton , Prov . Grand Master , but his lordship was unable to be present , and his place vvas admirably filled by Bro . Sir Horatio Lloyd , Deputy Prov . Grand Master whose popularity among the brethren of the Province of Cheshire is a matter of

notoriety in Masonic circles . He was ably supported by Bros . James Salmon P . S . G . W . ; J . Clayton , P . J . G . W . ; Lilley Ellis , P . P . S . G . D . ; and J . B . Sparks . P . P . S . G . D , vvho filled the chairs of the Prov . Senior and Junior Grand Wardens and Deacons respectively during the consecration ceremony . A large number of Provincial Grand Officers were present .

The usual consecration ceremony was carried out with appropriate solemnity , in the course of which Bro . the Rev . A . SYMONDS , the junior Provincial Grand Chaplain , delivered an interesting address on the nature and principles of Freemasonry . At the conclusion of the reverend brother ' s address , which was closel y listened to by the brethren , the consecration ceremony was proceeded vvith and brought to a close , after which Bro . C . S . Dean , P . P . G . D , was duly installed the first °

Worshipful Master of the nesv lodge , the installing ceremony being impressivel y performed by Bro . J . B . Sparks , P . P . S . G . D . Subsequently the Worshi pful Master invested the other officers of the lod ge as follows : Bros . Charles Roberts W M 605 , S . W . ; C . Nigel Stewart , J . W . ; J . Morris , Treas . ; J . S . Jolly , Sec . ; Charles H . Smith , Org . ; John Lee , P . P . G . S , S . D . ; J . G . Holmes , J . D . ; W . H . Martin I . G . ; T . S . Jackson , M . Jolly , and W . J . Gaskell , Stewards ; and John Craft ' Tyler . '

Before the lodge closed the encouraging announcement vvas made that at the first ordinary meeting of the lodge 14 candidates for initiation would be proposed , and that about the same number of joining members would be submitted for election to the membership of the lodge . Subsequently the brethren sat down to an excellent banquet provided by Bro . J . Fairhurst , the well-known Liverpool caterer .

The usual loyal and Masonic toasts were proposed from the chair by the Worshi pful Master , including that of "The Deputy Provincial Grand Master " who said that when he first became acquainted with the Craft there were only 27 lodges in the provinces , but now there svere no fewer than 46 , which in itself was a striking evidence of the growing popularity of the Order .

In the course of the evening the usual collection h y means of the Charity box vvas made on behalf of " poor and distressed Masons , " Bro . Thomas M'Cracken announcing his intention of supplementing the sum collected , so as to bring it up to the even value of a Bank of England note , the announcement Oeinsf it need hardly be said , received with loud applause .

A number of songs and recitations were given during the evening , the musical brethren who contributed to the harmony being Bros . W . Lewis VV M 2042 H Hollis , 2042 ; H . J . Nicholls P . M . 2042 ; Costaine , 2335 ; J . West , 241 ; ' J . Greenlees , S . W . 1505 : and W . Svveetman . ' * '