Provincial Grand Chapter Of West Yorkshire.

not banish from their minds when they met again at that great gathering . His first duty was to thank the members of the Charity Chapter for their cordial invitation . He had also at the same time to thank the Mayor of Bradford for his hosp itality in declining to allow them to meet there and pay any expenses towards the chapter , but had freely offered them hospitality as the Mayor of that important city . At the same time , although he might be going a little out of his way , he

wished to express his thanks to the chapter at Cleckheaton , who had given them an invitation to hold that P . G . Chapter there , but whose invitation he had declined on the ground , after consulation with a great many officials of the Royal Arch in the province , who objected to Cleckheaton because of the difficulty of getting there . The Cleckheaton companions had assured him that there were circular trains going from morning to night ; but he found some difficulty in

getting away . The opinion was , however , that those half-yearly meetings should be held in some of the chief towns of the province . He was extremely sorry to disappoint the Cleckheaton companions , for he knew they were disappointed at what he had done , but it was after due consideration , and in the best interests of the Royal Arch chapters of the province . He would strongly exhort the companions to take notice of the returns . On looking at those for 1899 , it seemed

to him that he should exhort the companions to recruit their ranks from the Craft . There was not so many forwarded from the Craft as the year before , and although there was an increase of 44 , and an increase in the fees that have been paid , still he saw that unless the companions exerted themselves , and tried to persuade the members of tbe Craft to join that Degree—as they had a full right to do , for it was not like endeavouring to induce people to enter into

Masonryit would not make the headway it should do . They should exert their influence in that direction , because by resignations , removals , and death , the members were constantly decreasing , and these must be replaced . He must therefore ask them , wherever they possibly could , to impress upon the members of the Craft the importance and the necessity of joining the Royal Arch . ' Only one-third of the members of the Craft are members of that Degree , and he thought they would

agree with him that they ought to have at least one-half of trfe members of the Craft as Royal Arch Masons . He was not taking a doleful view of the position , because , after all , they were stronger in Arch Masonry thin any other province . All the 44 chapters were in good order , but if they were to increase in strength and usefulness , it could only be done by the companions pressing their claims upon the brethren in the Craft . There was the South African Relief Fund in

progress , which had received the satisfactory support of the brethren . It was not expected to be a great fund ; it was entirely for the benefit of the brethren of the Masonic fraternity who had been loyal to this country throughout , and who , in consequence , had sustained great losses , and had probably been ruined . He had been informed that up to the previous Friday night the sum of ^ 4500 had been subscribed towards that fund . In that province 40 lodges had subscribed to the

fund amounts ranging from £ 1 to , £ 25 , and he hoped every lodge in the province would subscribe something . He was aware there had been great claims upon the liberality of the brethren on account of the various war funds and the Indian Famine Fund , but he thought it was still possible for them to aid their brethren in South Africa . Then came the appointment of Provincial Grand Officers , and

the question was a very difficult one . The Grand Superintendent had tried to recognise as many towns and chapters as possible . There were 453 companions in the province eligible for , and deserving of , office in Provincial Grand Chapter , and there were only 20 collars at their disposal , and these they had distributed as they thought would be best for the province .

Tht ACTING GRAND SUPERINTENDENT proposed that a sum of £ 10 10 s . be voted towards the South African Masonic Relief Fund . Comp . E . BILLINGTON , 1652 , seconded the motion , which was carried unanimously . Comp . THOS . WOODS , the Treasurer , presented the balance sheet for the year , stating that the chapter commenced the year with £ 272 in the bank , and ended with ^ 278 . He thought it was unnecessary that such a large sum

should remain in the bank , and suggested that they should take that opportune time to invest at least a portion ol it . He added that the duties of a Provincial Grand Treasurer were exceedingly light while they had such a Prov . G . S . E . as E . Comp . Green , who kept the books so well and everything in such good order . Comp . J . WORDSWORTH proposed that the accounts be received and adopted . Comp . F . S . H . WILSON seconded , which was carried .

The ACTING GRAND SUPERINTENDENT asked if a portion of the sum was not withdrawn during the year and was afterwards replaced ? If that were so , all the money could not be taken for investment . Comp . T . WOODS replied that that was the case , but he thought £ 50 at least could be invested .

Comp . T . WOODS proposed the election of Comp . C . Stokes , P . Z . 139 , Sheffield , as Prov . G . Treasurer . Comp . C . L . MASON seconded , which was carried . The newly-elected PROV . G . TREASURER briefly acknowledged the compliment . The acting Grand Superintendent invested the following officers for the

ensuing year : Comp . Richard Wilson , P . Z . 289 ... ... Prov . G . H . „ Jno , A . Godwin , J . P ., P . Z . 387 ... ... Prov . G . J . „ Major H . G . E . Green , P . Z . 154 ... Prov . G . S . E . „ Thos . Brayshaw , P . Z . 265 ... ... Prov . G . S . N . „ Charles Stokes , P . Z . 139 ( elected ) ... Prov . G . Treas

„ Ellis Pickersgill , P . Z . 495 ... ... Prov . G . Reg . „ Wm . H . Stacey , P . Z . 296 ... ... Prov . Dep . G . Reg „ Geo . Hoyle , P . Z . 61 ... ... ... Prov . G . P . S . „ Wm . B . W . oll , P . Z . 290 ... ... Prov . ist A . G . S . ,, Samuel Arthur Bailey , P . Z . 302 ... ... Prov . 2 nd A . G . S .

„ Henry Marsh , P . Z . 28 9 ... ... Prov . G . S . B . „ Joseph Bradbury , P . Z . 337 ... ... Prov . Dep . G . S . B . „ William Sharp , P . Z . 603 ... ... Prov . G . Std . Br . „ Alfred Cocker , P . Z . 1283 ... ... ] p A r . J Rr , „ Wm . Varlev , P . Z . 307 ... ) Prov . A . G . btd . Brs „ John Dawson , P . Z . 521 ... ... Prov . G . D . of C .

„ Martin Eismann , P . Z . 827 ... ... •) „ Joseph Barber , P . Z . 652 ... ... [ Prov . A . G . D . of Cs ,, J ames Parker , P . Z . 264 ... ... ) „ Walter Davey , P . Z . 1001 ... .., Prov . G . Org . „ J . R . Barton , P . Z . 306 ... ... Prov . A . G . S . E .

„ Joseph France , P . Z . 904 ... ... > , „ Francis Smith , P . Z . 837 ... ¦¦¦ !&„ r C ., UJC ,. Henry Harrison , P . Z . 458 j Prov . G . Stwds . 11 J . Basil Mays , P . Z . 1042 ... .,. ) n Thomas Leighton , Jan . 139 ... ... Prov . G . Janitor . The ACTING G . SUPERINTENDENT moved a vote of thanks to the members of the Charity Chapter , No . 302 , for the arrangements they had

Provincial Grand Chapter Of West Yorkshire.

made for the meeting of Prov , G . Chapter , and to the Mayor of Bradford ( Comp . W . C . Lupton ) , for his hospitality in inviting the companions to tea . Comp . J . WORDSWORTH seconded the motion , which was carried .

Comp . LUPTON briefly replied . Invitations for the half-yearly meeting in November having been received from Sincerity Chapter , No . 61 , Halifax , and from Harrogate and Claro , No . 1001 , Harrogate , Prov . G . Chapter was closed .

About 140 companions accepted the kind invitation of the Worshipful the Mayor , Comp . W . C . Lupton , Grand Soj . England , and adjourned to the Masonic" Hall , Rawson-square , where an excellent tea had been provided .

Craft Masonry.

Craft Masonry .

Lodge of Honoui- and Generosity , No . 165 . The installation meeting of this old and famous lodge was held on Tuesday , the 22 nd ult ., at the Inns of Court Hotel , Hclborn . The W . M ., Bro . F . Howard Rosher , was unable to be present at the working of the lodge , and his place was taken by Bro . Alfred T . Crabb , who was supported by the following brethren : Bros . F . Howard Rosher , W . M . ; J . Woodhouse , S . W . ; Godfrey Sykes , J . W . ; Walter Herbert , S . D . j HenryW . Clarkson . Org . ; Alfred P . Crabb , l . P . M . ; Alfred W . Bush , P . M . ; F . S . Rosher . P . M . ; Richard Bush , P . M . ; I . R . Drake , P . M . ; Frank Bagfrallay , P . M .:

J . W . H . Thompson , P . M ., Treas . ; Henry Times , P . M ., Sec . '; J . Harris Stone , J . A . Dugdald , W . H . Burt , Charles Olden , Harry Bearman . H . C . Tocock , F . B . Thompson , W . C . Hulbert , Frank S . Gaylor , Joseph W . Ellis , H . J . Strudwick , E . H . P . Francis , C . J . Andrews , and W . M . Thompson . Visitors : Bros . E . Beningfield . S . W . 2278 ; D . R . Bancroft , 2253 ; H . Massey , P . M . 619 , 192 S ; J . Gordon Langton , P . M . and Sec . 9 6 ; J . F . Beck , P . M . 1853 ; H . Culman , P . M . 1 S 53 ; Aid . W . Vaughan Morgan , P . G . Treas . ; R . L . Franks , P . M . 96 ; W . G . Kentish , P . G . Std . Br . ; Percy Sloper ,

J . W . S , G . Stwd . ; Lionel W . Harris , I . P . M . 24 SS ; C . Harrison Townsend . S . D . 2751 ; A . S . Neville . M .-elect 2739 ; T . Nedderwick , 9 6 ; Henry Pocock , 569 ; R . V . Somers-Smith , P . M . mo ; S . P . Smith , 2769 ; W . R . McDonnell , 1610 . D . G . Reg . ; A . J . Thomas , S . W . 91 ; J . D . Langton , P . D . G . D . C . ; Harry Machin , P . M . 231 ; R . Stephen Ayling , l . G . 212 S ; Francis Wilton , P . M . 95 ; F . J . Terry-Horsey , P . M . 1 SG 1 ; SirW . H . Quayle Jones , W . M . 1 S 71 and 100 S ; D . F . Wilson , P . M . 1615 ; E . R . Bartley Denniss , W . M \ 2771 , P . P . G . W . ; Horace B . Marshall , 2729 , P . G . W .

Middx . j J . P . Wedgwood , P . M . 2397 ; W . R . Bennett , I . M . 1965 , W . M . 2705 ; Charles King , 2589 ; J . Terry , P . G . S . B ., Sec . R . M . B . I . ; A . Love , 1791 ; W . W . Morgan , 177 ; Lovett King , 2190 ; the Archdeacon of London , P . G . Chap . ; J . H . Ford , 2032 ; Baron de Bush , P . M . 1827 ; Hugh Fraser , 5 S ; Alex . Bush , 1827 ; j . A . Harrison , P . M . 2941 ; G . C . Mason ; George Racke ; H . B . Bolus , J . D . 2347 ; and Dalgety Henderson , 2190 . Lodge being opened , Bro . Crabb , P . M ., raised to the Third Degree Bros . John Harris Stone and Sir William Robert Murray . Bro . Woodhouse , S . W ., who is W . M .

ofjNo . 9 6 , then went into the chair and initiated Lieut . Herbert Cheyney Pocock , R . N ., and Capt . W . Gordon Renton . When these ceremonies were concluded , the Secretary , Bio . H . Times , P . M ., read a telegram from Bro . Richard Eve , P . G . Treasurer , who was to have performed the installation ceremony , apologising for his non-attendance , which was occasioned by illness , and on this announcement , Bro . Howard Thompson , P . M . and Treas ., was requested to perform the installation . Bro . Thompson then installed Bro . John Woodhouse as W . M . for the ensuing year . The following brethren were appointed officers for the year : Bros . Godfrey Sykes , S . W . ; W . de B . Herbert , LL . B ., J . W . ; the Rev . H , G . Rosher , M . A ., Chap . ; J . W . Howard Thompson , P . M ., Treas . ; H . Times , P . M .,

Sec ; C . J . Adrews , S . D . ; A . Spencer Ellam , J . D . ; Bertram B . Van Praag , l . G . j H . W . Clarkson , Org . ; H . Bearman , Steward ; and R . H . Goddard , P . M ., Tyler . After the addresses had been delivered , the W . M . proposed a vote of congratulation to H . R . H . the Prince of Wales on his providential escape from the hand of an intended assassin . The motion was seconded by Bro . J . Howard , the oldest P . M . of the lodge , and carried unanimously . Bro . Howard Rosher , I . P . M ., had now arrived , and he was invested as I . P . M ., and presented with a Past Master's jewel , which gift he acknowledged .

The lodge was then closed , and the brethren adjourned to a choice banquet . This was followed by the usual toasts , and a programme of singing , under the direction of Bro . Dalgety Henderson ( Bro . Sidney Hill at the piano ) , the performers being Bro . Dalgety Henderson , Miss Florence Venning , Miss Elsie Mackenzie , Bros . W . Churcher , W . L . Cockburn , and Arthur Melrose . Bro . John Woodhouse , W . M ., in proposing " The Queen-Empress , and the Craft , " said it was his first and pre-eminent duty as well as his high honour to do so

and it was the brethren s high born privilege to receive and acknowledge it . He did not think he would be adequately discharging his duty in the happy times in which we lived if he passed over the toast without further comment . The extraordinary demonstrations of loyal enthusiasm which we had been witnessing and were still witnessing , and in which the whole world had happily participated was a display of honour and love of the Sovereign . Her pure , simple , and blameless life had endeared her to her subjects and made her the admiration and veneration of the world , and the march of

her victorious army m a just and righteous war must tend to the good of her great and glorious Empire , which it was the happy and great inheritance of us all to belong to . Bro . Woodhonee , W . M ., in giving the toast of "The M . W . G . M ., " said the brethren of the lodge had that night carried a resolution expressive of their feelings on the happy escape of the Prince of Wales from the hands of an assassin . Archdeacon Sinclair , P . G . C ., in responding to the toast of " The M . W . Pro . G . M ., & c , " said it would not have escaped the memory ot the brethren that when the Goths

entered Rome they found an assembly of venerable persons seated in the forum gazing vacantly , and watching the proceedings , but taking no part in them ; and he thought the Officers of Grand Lodge were like them . In their year of office they had a certain amount of work to perform , but they had no longer to endure the dust and turmoil of everyday life . Nevertheless , they were greatly pleased to pay visits on these installation nights , and see how well the work was done by loyal-hearted and enthusiastic bodies of brethren . ( Hear , hear . ) He wished the W . M . had asked some other

Grand Officer to respond to the toast , some one more experienced—for instance , Bro . James Terry , whom he looked upon as a sort ot Archbishop of Canterbury in Misonry , who had done everything in Masonry , and bore his honoui s bravely . Alderman Vaujhan Morgan and Under-Sheriff Langton probably would have addressed the brethren with some loftiness , as he understood they had been lunching in company with the Duke of York and the Elder Brethren of the Trinity House with the Lord Mayor . ( Laughter . ) But these little things apart , he must say that there was for the benefit of

the initiate an exhibition of Fraternity and Equality in the Craft of Masonry which he only wished was seen exhibited in a stronger degree in the members of his ( the Archdeacon's ) own profession , who might with advantage have summoned to their side many members of the Craft . That might lead to more unanimity among members of his profession . But he must mention that once he received some loyalty on the part of a member ofhis profession which struck him very much . A member of that profession came to him in great agitation on one occision to his room

and said he desired to make a confession to him and unbosom his grief . He said that he had thought him a very pompous man , and that when he was walking about he looked very much like a butler . ( Laughter . ) That confession was quite genuine , and it showed great confidence in his office , and it pleased him very much . ( Laughter . ) Bro . F . Howard Rosher , I . P . M ., proposed the toast of " The W . M . " Every brother who attended that evening would congratulate Bro . Woadhouse on havinc

attained the chair of that ancient and honourable lodge . It was a post which every member of the lodge was anxious and proud to lill . Bro . Woodhouse had that evening filled it in an exceedingly creditable manner , and had added to the lustre of the lodge . He congratulated Bro . Woodhouse on the manner in which he had acquitted himself , and also on the distinction he enjoyed by being Master of two lodges at the same time . ( Cheers . ) Bro . John Woodhouse , W . M ., responding , said he could not deny that he was proud to occupy the Master ' s chair of the Lodge ot Honour and Generosity . Looking