Consecration Of The Old York Council Allied Degrees And The L0id1s Conclave Red Cross Of Rome And Constantine.

The M . W . G . Master , Lord EUSTON , acknowledged the compliment . He assured the brethren that it had given him very great pleasure indeed to come down to Bradford to take part in the important business they had just completed . He distinctly remembered how last year he was deprived of that pleasure through illness , and he would take that opportunity of telling the Pudsey brethren , several of whom he was informed were present , that the

disappointment was not all theirs , that he , too , felt extreme regret at his being prevented visiting them , and that he was most gratified with the report of the proceedings which the Grand Secretary brought to him . As to the Old York Council that day inaugurated , knowing the men in whose hands the management of affairs at present rested , and for some time in the order of things would rest , he had every possible confidence that it would be

ably guided and well directed , and that he should hear nothing but what was good and satisfactory in its conduct and progress . He expressed the feelings of all the Grand Officers present when he said that , they had all been much pleased to see the keen interest displayed by the brethren in the Degree and the enthusiastic manner in which the council had been

established . He and the other Grand Officers present would gladly accept the privilege of being made honorary members , and would return to London feeling that the true Masonic spirit existed in West Yorkshire , and that he and his companions had been amply repaid for any trouble or exertion it had cost them by the kindly welcome and consideration which had been so cordially given to them .

The council was then closed , and the brethren adjourned to dinner . This was given in the Salem-street salle a manger , and was numerously attended . The W . M . presided , supported by the M . W . G . Master and the rest of the Grand Officers .

The loyal and Masonic toasts usual on these occasions were duly proposed and suitably honoured . THE LOIDIS CONCLAVE OV ROME AND OF THE RED CROSS OF CONSTANTINE . For some time a desire has existed amongst many Leeds brethren that an effort should be made to establish in their midst a conclave of Knights ol

Rome and Constantine , together with a sanctuary of Knights of the Holy Sepulchre and St . John the Evangelist . Such a body up to Saturday , the 27 th ult ., existed in West Yorkshire only at Sheffield , though societies of this name we believe are to be found in York and Hull . A meeting of brethren likely to show interest in the proposal was called early in March , and it was taken up eagerly . An application was made to headquarters ,

and an Intendant General unattached was appointed , with full powers , in the person of Sir Knight C Letch Mason , who was one of the promoters of the scheme . Associated with Bro . Mason were Bros . John BarkerandJ . L . Atherton , and by dispensation on the 2 Sth March the Degree of Rome and Constantine was conferred upon 11 brethren from various parts of the province , who , with the three mentioned above , became petitioners for a

warrant to Grand Conclave . In their task on this occasion Bros . Mason , Barker , and Atherton received most valuable help and advice from Sir Knight Joseph Binney , Dep . Intendant General for West Yorkshire , of the White Rose Conclave , Sheffield . Sanction having been obtained from Grand Conclave , Saturday , the 27 th ult ., was fixed for the consecration . This was the day following the ceremony at Bradford , and the Earl of

Euston and his party , by spending the night in Leeds , were able to combine the two events with the least possible inconvenience . To suit the arrangements of the M . I . G . Sovereign , the consecration was fixed for 1 . 30 p . m . Previous to this event , however , by dispensation , eight additional brethren were admitted to the Order of Rome and Constantine , and were thus privileged to witness the proceedings . The arrangements and

preparations for the ceremony were carefully carried out under the instructions and with the material help of Sir Knight Dr . C . S . Brewer , Grand Marshal . The value of the assistance which the Loidis brethren received from Sir Knight Brewer it would he difficult to appraise , that worthy brother having brought with him all the appurtenances which were needed for the beautiful effects produced in the working of the K . H . S . Degree .

At the opening of the conclave the chairs were occupied as follows : Sir Knights Dr . Brewer , Sov . ; C . L . Mason , Viceroy E . ; C . E . L . Wright , H . P . ; J . Barker and J . L . Atherton , S . and J . Gs . ; and Voisey , Prefect . There were also present Sir Knights W . E . Smithies , B . S . Bailev , J . Matthewman , R . J . Smith , J . W . Stead , T . G . Howell , W . Wagstaffei and Geo . Whitaker . The following eight candidates were admitted to the

Order : Bros . C . Crabtree , W . Gaukroger , J . P ., Walker Dyson , John Brook , J . E . Cawthorn , E . Foulds , Joseph Smith , and Thomas Norfolk . After obligation and proclamation they were duly invested by the acting Viceroy . During the ceremony two illustrious visitors were announced , being Sir Knights Joseph Binney , Dep . Intend . Gen ., and Harold Thomas , G . Almoner , from the White Rose Conclave , Sheffield .

At 1 . 30 p . m . the M . I . G . Sovereign , the Earl of Euston , entered under the arch ol steel , accompanied by Sir Knights C . F . Matier , K . C . T ., G . C . C ., P . G . Viceroy , Int . Gen . Lancashire , Grand Recorder ; Charles Belton , K . C . T ., Int . Gen . Berkshire ; the Rev . C . E . L . Wright , Past G . High Prelate ; R . J . Voisey , Prefect ; and Dr . C . S . Brewer , who acted as Director of Ceremonies .

The ceremony of consecration was conducted by Sir Knight C . F . Matier , and the dedicatory portion was carried out by the M . I . So / ereign . Tf e music formed a pleasant portion of the function , for which Sir Knight John Brook was responsible . " Needless to say , his share of the work was ably done . The oration , delivered by the PRELATE , was very interesting , and portions of it gave rise to subsequent amusing discussion . It was as follows :

The Order of the Red Cross of Rome and Constantine is one of the most ancient in existence—indeed , the Abbe Giustiniani in 1692 declared that it was the most ancient in the world—at any rate , it is the most ancient of Christian Orders , since it was founded in the year 313 A . u . to commemorate Constantine the Great ' s victory at the battle of Saxa Rubra outside Rome , and the still more important event of his conversion to Christianity in consequence of the vision which he

beheld the preceding evening , and with which you are all well acquainted . It is an Order which we may be proud to belong to , for it commemorates , circumstances which changed the history of the world . I need hardly say , then , that the ceremony in which we are now engaged is one of the deepest interest—that of the formation of a new conclave to cherish and promote the objects of our Order .

The name which the founders have chosen—that of the Loidis Conclave—is a very appropriate one , being the ancient name of the city where we are nowassembled ; and yet Leeds has no very ancient history to offer for our consideration . She is essentially modern , a product of modern civilisation . Here are no crumbling walls or castles hoary with age for us to gaze at ; here are no legends

Consecration Of The Old York Council Allied Degrees And The L0id1s Conclave Red Cross Of Rome And Constantine.

of chivalry of Plantagenet or mediaeval days ; no records of those knights of the past , whose glorious deeds we would emulate , save only that at Temple Newsam a few miles away , there once was a preceptory of a kindred Order , the Knights Templar . Everything around us speaks of modern life and modern conditions , and amid all the stress and toil that life in a great commercial centre like this involves , it is good that there should be opportunities for those who appreciate the

beauties of Orders and Degrees such as this , to dismiss their cares for a time and symbolically practice the teaching of the past . " Behold how good and joyful a thing it is for the brethren to dwell together in unity . " The name Leeds is said to have been derived from a chief named Leod , and in its Latin form , the names Leodiensis and Loidis have been indifferently used . It never became a place of importance till modern times . Aslateasi 7 i 5 I have found the following quaint

entry : " Loidis , two miles lower than Christall Abbey on Aire river , is a praty market town having one parache chirche , reasonably well buildid and as large as Bradetord , but no so quick as it . The Toun standith most by clothing . " The old English phraseology is most curious , but contrast this with its present aspect . Leeds to-day has a population of over 400 , 000 , while in addition to the " one paroche chirche , " there are 180 places of worship of various kinds , showing the

marvellous development that has taken place . The same thing may be seen in all our great manufacturing centres . As population increases , so are fresh areas constantly brought under the Masonic sceptte , and I feel sure that amid so large a clientele , there is every prospect for the Loidis Conclave of a long and useful career . I will just briefly in conclusion direct your attention to the three presiding principles which animate our Order . They are faith , unity , and zeal . A

great preacher has defined faith as the vision OF and trust IN the Invisible amidst a world of delusive appearances . It is at once the eye of the soul by which it beholds spiritual verities , and the emotion of the heart by which it believes in them as realities . This is the saving faith , the highest form of which we place in the Blessed Trinity , to whom all our labours are dedicated . But there is a lesser and more human kind of faith which we must have in our Order itself

and all its traditions if we wish it to flourish . No cause is ever helped forward unless those who promote it , believe in it , and we must have faith in our Order , faith in its rulers , faith in OURSELVES , and then , relying on that assistance which we can alone obtain from above , we may hope to bring our work to a successful issue . Unity is just as essential for our work as faith , for what possible good can we hope to achieve if we are torn asunder by jealousies and discord ? We live in

days when in the outside world the problem of how to secure unity seems more and more difficult of attainment . But in Masonry , at any rate , we have a common meeting ground , where men of every creed , and nation , and politics , and position can come together , and there is no difference in Christian Masonry , save that those who join it believe in the ever Blessed Trinity . Let us , then , do all in our power to encourage unity , avoiding all occasions of offence , showing kindness and

ccurtesy to all ; and , in the words of the Apostle , being ready to rejoice with those that do rejoice , and to weep with those that weep . Zeal has been defined in our latest dictionary as a passionate ardour in the pursuit and accomplishment of an object , and I do not think we can find a much better one . It is not merel y excitement or warmth of expression . It is a working practical energy permeating the soul and constantly urging us forward . Zeal is the third guiding principle

which our great founder commended to us when he formed this Order . It was the distinguishing characteristic of his own life . Let it be so of ours . Many of those who have since occupied his throne as our rulers have set us a noble example of devotion to duty . Strive to follow in their footsteps ; keep constantly before you our three watchwords—Faith , Unity , and Zeal—and may this conclave which is dedicated to-day attain high rank among those enrolled on the pages of history I

The consecration ceremony completed , Sir Knight C . Letch Mason was installed Sovereign . The Viceroy E . Sir Knight John Barker was then consecrated and invested . The other offices were filled as follows : Sir Knights Jeremiah Leech Atherton 1 st Gen . ; William Edward Smithies ,

2 nd Gen . ; Robert John Smith , High Prelate ; Benjamin Sykes Bailey , Treas . ; Joseph Matthewman , Recorder ; Hugh Sugden Holdsworth , Prefect ; Richard Hodgson , Std . Br . ; William Hugo Rendell , Herald ; Thomas Gaukroger Howell , 1 st Aide ; George Whitaker , 2 nd Aide ; John Brook , Org . ; and Wheeler , Sentinel .

At the close of the proceedings the M . I . G . Sovereign and the Grand Officers were heartily thanked for their presence and services , aid on the proposition of Sir Knight MASON , seconded by VICEROY E ., Lord Euston and those accompanying him were made honorary members of the conclave . Sir Knight Joseph Binney , Dep . I . G ., was included in the honorary list in consideration of the help he had rendered at the formation of the conclave .

The M . I . G . SOVEREIGN , in the name of the Grand Officers , as well as in his own , thanked the members of the conclave for their kind acknowledgments and for the signal mark of estimation shown , by making them honorary members . Speaking for himself , he could say that he was only too glad to be among them that day , and that he always carried back the pleasantest of bright memories of his visits to West Yorkshire .

Apologies were announced , and a congratulatory telegram from the Eboracum Conclave was received .

The M . I . G . Sovereign then left , and the conclave was closed . A luncheon was served in the dining-hall at 2 . 30 , at which all the company were present . The toasts were very few , comprising " The Queen " and " The M . I . G , Sov ., the Earl of Euston . "

The Earl of EUSTON , who was in very happy vein , replied . Heexp-essed his admiration for the brethren who , steeped in business cares , could yet devote so much of their time to the pursuit of Masonic knowledge . He cordially acknowledged the kind feeling which he always experienced from

his West Yorkshire Masonic friends , and , whilst congratulating them upon the success with which they had commenced that day , yet he could not abstain from a word of caution to them as to the admission of new members . Before sitting down he proposed " The Health of the Sovereign and success to the Loidis Conclave . "

Sir Knight MasoN replied , and took occasion , in a jocular way , to refute and take exception to the very utilitarian aspect which the Prelate in his address had assigned to the city of Leeds . Whilst admitting that they were essentially practical , yet they had in their midst some relics of antiquity , and were not quite so lost to respect for the past as the Prelate seemed to think .

These remarks led to a reply from the Rev . C . E . L . WRIGHT , w ' . i ' nh was given in the best of good humour and fellowship . « The Earl of Euston and party shortly afterwards left . The day ' s proceeding ; ended by the admission of some 17 or iS members

to the Degree of K . H . S . and St . John the Evangelist . This was most ably conducted by Sir Knight Dr . C . S . Brewer , G . Marshal , assisted by Sir Knight R . J . Voisey . The ceremony impressed the brethren greatly , and at its close many expressions of opinion as to the splendid working of Sir Knight Brewer were heard . The sanctuary is styled St . Peter's , and w . ll be allied with the Loidis Conclave .