Provincial Grand Mark Lodge Of West Yorkshire.

us he charitable to all , staunch and true to each other , and loyal to the powers that be , and we shall thus faithfully fulfil Masonic duty and Masonic obligation . The brethren listened to Bro . Mason ' s remarks with greatMnterest and attention , and the references to those who had so recently passed away were received in sympathetic silence .

On Bro . JOHN BARKER being asked if he would like to say a word to the brethren , the W . Deputy at once rose . He said : Brethren , —Our Prov . G . M . has to-day , perhaps , taken a rather serious survey of Masonic affairs . Freemasonry generally , and Mark Masonry particularly , are to him solemn facts . From them he wishes us to derive not only pleasant social intercourse , but something far deeper and more important . He would have us

realise the lessons which the symbolism of our Order , when ngntly interpreted , most emphatically teaches ; and doubtless he is right . I will not encroach on what he has made so to say his own particular province . Let us for a moment or two look at another aspect of the subject—the development of Freemasonry . Compare the condition of Masonry in 1800 with what it is in our own days ; nay , let those whose age , as Masons , permits , recall what changes hive occurred even

during the last 25 or 30 years ; and in no degree has this development bjen more notable than in the Mark . We are told that Freemasonry is a progressive science , and in some respects its progress has been rapid indeed . Contrast the lodge rooms , the furniture , the appointments , the music and general attention to detail of to-day , with the rough and ready upstairs room o £ the tavern and the more or less inaccurate rendering of the ceremonies of 100 years ago . Take the

bread and cheese and ale of those times by way of refreshment and the sumptuous suppers or banquets we have now . Take the Charities—what marvellous development ; the immense increase in influence and numbers . All these show that as a social and a charitable Institution our Order has now assumed a position of great prominence , and therein to my mind lies the danger . We are apt to look too much to the outward display which has grown with such rapidity of recent

years and too little at the principles , old as the everlasting hills upon which our Order is founded . We don't need to become Masons in ord ^ r to obtain social distinction ; to acquire the art of eating good dinnsrs , or even to subscribe to Charities . We can accomplish all these things without any such introductory means . It is not for me to question the purity of motive of anyone . It is sufficient to say that for whatever reason a man may join us , the sociability , the

eating and drinking , and the support of the Charitable Institutions ( to none of which do I in any way take exception ) , do not constitute Freemasonry , but are merely accessories to it—the development which time and circumstances have brought about . Let us not , then , forget in the hurry of rapid progress the simple truths , the lessons of loyalty , constancy , faith , and Christian Charity which our ceremonies are intended to teach , and which are brought home to us so vividly in

the Mark Degree . Let us try to be pleasant Masons , social Masons , expert Masons , but above all let us be thinking Masons , otherwise we shall fail to realise the beauties of our Order , and shall never succeed in reaching that plane of Masonic ethics to which we arc constantly urged to aspire . And now , brethren , let me take this , the first opportunity I have had , of thanking you one and all for

the handsome present you were good enough to give to my wife and myself on the occasion of our marriage . I deeply appreciate the kindly feeling thus shown to me , and as time rolls on this beautiful gift will ever remind me of yo' ^ r confidence and good wishes . I trust that I may long be spired to prove by my work in the Degree how deeply I value the kindness of which this is so gracious an evidence .

The gift referred to consisted of a large case of sterling silver and cutlery . This lay open for the inspection of the brethren , by whose subscriptions it had been purchased . Bro . BARKER then proposed a vote of thanks to Bro . H . S . Childe , the officers and brethren of the Integrity Lodge , for the arrangements which had been made for the comfort of Prov . G . Lodge . In that connection he wished especially to mention Bro . J . Clayton Man , the Secretary , to whom , for his industry and zeal , he was informed they were greatly indebted .

This was seconded by the Senior G . Warden , Bro . T . G . HOWELL , and carried .

Bros . CHILDE and J . CLAYTON MAN suitably replied . Bro . F . HINCHLIFFE , W . M . elect Copley Lodge , No . n 1 , Leeds , in the absence of Bro . H . Bonser , invited Prov . G . Lodge to hold its annual meeting in April , 1902 , at Leeds . This was supported by Bro . J . W . SMITH , W . M . of St . Chad , 374 , Leeds , who said that his brethren were prepared cordially to join in the invitation , and would endeavour , in conjunction with Copley , to make the gathering a success .

. The PROV . G . MASTER intimated that he would be glad to accede to the request , and as that would be their first appearance in the new Masonic Hall , it was his intention to ask the Pro G . Master , the Earl of Euston , and other distinguished Mark Masons to honour them with their presence . Bro . Mason incidentally mentioned that the installation of H . R . H . the Duke of Connaught as M . W . G . Master would probably take place late in January or early in February of next year .

Bro . G . H . PARKE , P . M . no , P . G . Treas ., who had entered a few minutes before , tendered his apologies for his tardy appearance , which he explained had been unavoidable , and joined with the W . M . in welcoming Prov . G . Lodge under the banner of Integrity . The Prov . G . Lodge was then closed , and the brethren adjourned to the Bull Hotel , where Bro . J . J . Martin , P . M . no , P . P . G . D ., had prepared an excellent dinner . Upwards of 30 partook , and the usual toasts followed .

Supreme Grand Chapter.

SUPREME GRAND CHAPTER .

_ The following is the business t ) be transacted on Wednesday , the 6 th instant ; The minutes of the list Quarterly Convocation to be read for confirmation .

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE OF GENERAL PURPOSES . To the Supreme Grand Chapter of Royal Arch Masons of England , , J Committee of General Purposes beg to report that they have examined the Accounts from the 18 th July , to the 15 th October , 1901 , both inclusive

wmen tney hnd to be as follows : To Balance , Grand Chapter £ ^ S 59 By Disbursements during the " » Unappropriated Quarter £ 392 n 0 Account .., 231 15 6 „ Balance 2-5 i < 5 9 » Subsequent Receipts .. 37 S iS o „ „ Unappropriated Account ... 240 n 0

£ 95 S 19 3 £ > JS $ 19 3 which balances are in the Bank of England , Law Courts Branch .

Supreme Grand Chapter.

The Committee have likewise to report that they have received the following Petitions : ist . From Comps . Wallace Ellwood Haworth as Z ., John Meikle as H ., Harry Baskerville Watkins as J ., and ten others tor a chapter to be attached to the Manica -Lodge , No . 2678 . and to meet at ( Jmtali , Rhodesia , South Africa . 2 nd . From Comps . Richard Fox Warner as Z ., the Rev . Samuel Theodore Ward as H ., William Harry Seymour Cutler as J ., and nine others for a chapter to be attached to the Staines Lodge , No . 2536 , and to meet at the Town Hall , Staines , Middlesex .

The foregoing Petitions being regular , the Committee recommend that the prayers thereof be respectively granted . The Committee have likewise received memorials , with extracts of minutes , for permission to remove the following chapters : The Chamwood Chapter , No . 103 7 , from the Bull ' s Head , to the Town Hall , Loughborough . The Richard Newhouse Chapter , No . 2433 , from Hamilton-street ,

Birkenhead , to the Hotel Victoria , New Brighton . The Royal Albert Chapter , No . 907 , from the White Hart , Cannon-street , to Freemasons' Hall , Great Queen-street , London . The Starkie Chapter , No . 935 , from the Masonic Hall , Adelphi-street , to the Town Hall , Salford . The Engineer Chapter , No . 2599 , from 33 , Golden-square , to the Frascati Restaurant , Oxford-street , London . The St . Peter Chapter , No . 4 81 , from the Masonic Hall , Pilgrim-street , to

the Masonic Hall , Maple-street , Newcastle-on-Tyne . The Bedford Chapter , No . 282 , from Freemasons' Hall , West-street , to the New Freemasons' Hall , Barley Market-street , Tavistock . The Harmony Chapter , No . 178 , from the Masonic Hall , King-street , to the Town Buildings , Walfgate , Wigan . The Strong Man Chapter , No . 45 , from the Holborn Restaurant , to the Cafe Monico , Piccadilly , London . The Committee having satisfied themselves of the reasonableness of the requests recommend that the removal of these chapters be sanctioned .

A memorial , with particulars , has been received from Comps . Thomas Atkinson , Z . ; Richard Monkhouse , H . ; George Johnson , J . ; and six other members of the Nicholson Chapter , No . 371 , Maryport , for a charter of confirmation , the original charter having been destroyed by fire . The Committee recommend that the prayer of the petition be granted . ( Signed ) GiioKuic DAVID HARRIS , President , Freemasons' Hall , London , W . C , 16 th October , 1901 .

Provincial Grand Chapter Of Northumberland.

PROVINCIAL GRAND CHAPTER OF NORTHUMBERLAND .

The annual convocation of the Prov . Grand Chapter of Northumberland was held on Monday , the 2 Sth ult ., at the Masonic Hall , Graingerstreet West , Newcastle-upon-Tyne , Comp . the Right Hon . Viscount Ridley , Grand Superintendent , presiding . The Grand Superintendent was supported by a large number of companions , amongst whom were :

Comps . Thomas Purvis , P . G . H . ; Walter C . Bell , P . GJ . ; J . Cartmel ! Ridley , P . P . G . H ., P . G . S . E . ; J . Straker Wilson , P . P . G . H ., P . G . D . C ; W . E . Harker , P . G . S . N . ; Leo . Nixon , P . G . P . S . ; J . Spearman , P . P . G . H . ; W . M . Lyon , P . P . G . H . ; R . W . Cummings , P . P . G . H . ; T . J . Armstrong , P . G . R . ; J . Gibson Youll , P . P . G . H ., P . G . Treas . ; Thos . Blenkinsop , L ' . P . G . H . ; T . E . jobling , P . P . G . H . ; H , S . Bird , P . P . G . J . ; G . F . Chariton , P . P . G . J . ; A . T . Atchison , P . P . G . S . N . ; and J . G . Cole , P . P . G . S . N .

The GRAND SUPERINTENDENT expressed his satislaction with the work done during the past year and with the progress Royal Arch Masonry was making in the province . He impressed upon the Prov . G . Officers the necessity of attending the official visitations to the chapters . The following officers were appointed for the ensuing year :

Comp . the Hon . Sir Gainsford Bruce ... ... Prov . G . H . „ Thos . Pickering ... ... ... Prov . G . J . „ Thos . Purvis , P . P . G . H . ... ... Prov . G . S . E . „ J . Gibson Youll , P . P . G . H . ... ... Prov . G . Treas . „ G . Turnbull ... ... ... Prov . G . S . N . ,, T . J . Armstrong ... ,., ... Prov . G . Reg .

„ J . W . Dyson ... ... ... Prov . G . P . S . „ G . H . lleslop ... ... ... Prov . ist A . G . S . „ T . C . Smith ... ... ... Prov . 2 nd A . G . S . ,, I .. Carr ... ... ... ... Prov . G . S . B . „ J . T . Duncan ... ... ... Prov . G . Std . Br . „ J . Straker Wilson , P . P . G . H . ... ... Prov . G . D . of C .

„ J . T . Spark ... ... ... Prov . A . G . D . C . „ T . F . Bramwell ... ... ... Prov . G . Org . ,, J . S . Thompson ... ... ... Prov . Asst . G . S . E . ,, Joshua Curry ... ... ... Prov . G . Janitor .

The GRAND SUPERINTENDENT announced that the next meeting of Prov . Grand Chapter would be held at Berwick-upon-Tweed . The companions afterwards dined together at the Central Station Hotel under the presidency of the Grand Superintendent .

Obituary.

Obituary .

BRO . WADE PICKERING On Thursday , the 24 th ult ., there passed away Bro . W . Pickering , of Crowle Lincolnshire . He had been laid on a bed of sickness for some weeks , that fatal malady- consumption—having seized hold of him , He w . is buried in Crowle Cemetery on Monday last , and was followed to the grave by his widow and sjven little children , together with a large number of fellow townsmen and the members of the Crowle Lodge , No . 14 . 82 , and other . Masons , including Bros . T . Staniforth , W . M . ; A . W . Cundall , I . P . M . ; G . Barratt , J . W . ; J . Constable , Chap . ; j .

Hemingbrough , D . of C . ; C . Fox , P . M . ; W . ( Jnamberlain , P . M . ; W . Burtonshaw , P . M . ; H . L . Burtonshaw , P . M . ; C . F . Cranidge , J . D . ; W . Alexander , I . G . ; J . Turner , S . B . ; W . S . Middlebrook , W . Hallgarth , and J . Acaster , 2259 , and G . Naylor , Tyler . Bro . Pickering was initiated in the Isle of Axholme Lodge in 1887 , and gradually rose to S . W ., but circumstances prevented him from going to the chair . He was M . O . in the Mark Lodge at Crowle , and was a companion of the All Saints' Chapter at Gainsboro ' . He was highly respected , and was a very genial , kind-hearted brother , always willing to do a good turn to any one , an injury to no one . He was 40 years of age .