Provincial Grand Mark Lodge Of West Yorkshire.

PROVINCIAL GRAND MARK LODGE OF WEST YORKSHIRE .

The annual meeting of the above lodge was held at Wakefield on Wednesday , the 24 th ult ., under the banner of the Lodge of Integrity , No . no . The lodge was opened by the W . M . and officers of the Integrity

Lodge . The Prov . G . M . ; Bro . C . Letch Mason , accompanied by Bro . the Rev . T . C . Smyth , D . D ., Past G . Chap ., Deputy Prov . G . M ., entered , and Provincial Grand Lodge vvas duly opened . The following brethren were present :

Bros Hugh Sugden Holdsworth , G . Stwd ., Prov . S . G . W . ; Jeremiah L . Atherton , Prov ' J G . W . ; Joseph W . Monckman , Past G . Stwd ., P . P . G . W . ; Henry France , PPG W . J John Barker , Past G . I . of W ., P . P . G . W . ; William R . Massie , Prov . G M . O . j George Marshall , P . P . G . O ., as P . S . G . O . ; George E . Bennett , P . P . G . D ., as P . I . G . O . ; William Frederick Tomlinson , P . P . G . O . ; Rev . William Dunn , M . A .,

Prov . G . Chap . ; James Henry uration , P . P . ( j . W ., as P . ( j . Ireas . ; kdward J . Massie , Prov . G . Reg . ; William Cooke , Past S . G . O ., Prov . G . Sec ; Francis Smith , Prov . S . G . D . ; Charles Greenwood , Prov . J . G . D . ; Henry Smith , Prov . G . I . of W . ; Fred Barber , Prov . G . D . of C . ; William Ackroyd , Prov . A . G . D . of C . ; George Henry Locking , Prov . G . S . B . ; Thomas Howden , Prov . G . Std . Br . ; George F . Cart " , Prov .

G . Org . ; Thomas Myers , Prov . G . I . G . ; Thomas Gaukroger , John P . Hewitt , John Johnson Green , and Edwin Billington , Prov . G . Stwds . ; Samuel Barrand , as P . G . Tyler ; Dearden , 53 ; J . Rhodes , 58 ; W . H . Wilson , 58 ; A . E . Dalzell , 58 ; J . A . Thornton , P . M . no ; Wm . Flockton , in ; W . H . B . Atkinson , 111 ; A . Gill , 137 ; A F . Fitzpatrick , W . M . ( T . I . ); C . J . Schott , J . W . ( T . I . ) j W . Hutchinson , 352 ;

R . E . Collinson , W . M . 352 ; W . lapman , 352 ; R . D . Kendall , 14 ; A . F . McGill , S . W . 374 ; Rev . J . H . Evans , 374 ; Tudor Trevor , P . M . ( S . C ); and others . The PROV . GRAND M ASTER , in acknowledging the salutation , said : Brethren , accept my thanks for the very hearty reception you have accorded to Prov . Grand Lodge to-day . It is to myself a matter of . personal

congratulation that the Integrity Lodge , No . no , under whose banner vve are assembled to-day , is in such a flourishing condition . The lodge , brethren , as many of you are well aware , obtained its warrant on the nth May , 1870 , to meet in the town of Morley , but was afterwards removed in 1875 to this city of Wakefield ; first it held its meetings at the Great . Bull Hotel ,

but on the 12 th March , 18 S 5 , it was removed to this handsome and commodious hall in which we are at present assembled . It is not always a desirable thing to move a lodge from its original moorings , yet I think I may say , without hesitation , that it has been benificial both to this lodge and the Portal , No . 127 , which now meets at the neighbouring town of

Barnsley . During the 12 months ending the 30 th June last 12 new Mark lodges were consecrated , one of which holds its meetings at Crowle , in the adjoining Province of Lincolnshire . I have heard rumours of further extension in West Yorkshire , but as yet they have not taken definite shape . Although , from a financial point of view , the Mark Benevolent Festival of

Tuly last was not quite so successful as that in the preceding year , the amount raised being only £ 1818 2 s ., as against £ 2260 in 1887 , yet the number of the Stewards was larger , in fact the largest on record , being 163 , and this following close on the great Centenary Festival of the Girls' School , thus indicating that the work of the Benevolent Fund is appreciated , and the

interest therein increasing . I desire to thank most sincerely those brethren of West Yorkshire who kindly acted as Stewards , and by whose endeavours our province stood well on the subscription list . It may not be out of place briefly to state the plan on which this fund is worked . It is divided into three branches—the Benevolent , the Educational , and the

Annuity Fund . The Benevolent Fund is for relief and benevolence , and is under the control of the General Board , who have the disposal of all amounts below £ 20 , sums above that amount requiring the confirmation of the Grand Lodge . During the 12 months ending the 30 th June last , grants to the amount of £ 85 were made . The

object of the Educational Branch , is to educate and clothe the children , eligible for assistance , of Mark Master Masons at grammar or other schools in the vicinity of the homes of their parents or friends . From a recent return we find 13 boys and 13 girls are being thus educated by means of this Fund , and in addition Grand Lodge , by a special resolution ,

voted ^ 5 annually to each child to procure clothing , & c . The Annuity Fund was established in 1885 , when Grand Mark Lodge voted £ 1000 as a nucleus . Its object is to grant annuities of £ 20 each to aged and decayed Mark Master Masons , and £ 16 each to widows of Mark Masons . At the present time there are 4 male annuitants and no female . The

Benevolent Fund has now been in existence 19 years , during which time it has been steadily increasing ; its invested funds now amount to £ 6 ooo , besides a substantial sum to its credit in the hands of its bankers . Roundly speaking , one-third of the income is appropriated to the Benevolent , onethird to the Educational , and one-third to the Annuity Fund . I again

commend this matter to your thoughtful consideration . It is with regret that I observe that our Bradford brethren have lost an eminent worker and Past Master of their lodge , Bro . Frederick Smart . He was installed into the chair of the Time Immemorial Lodge in 1883 , was appointed to the office of Provincial Grand Steward in 1882 , and to that of Prov . Grand

inspector of Works , in 1883 . I cannot be insensible , brethren , to the efforts that are being made throughout the province by many earnest brethren to Promote the efficiency and extend the influence of Mark Masonry , and I observe with pleasure the activity of several lodges ; yet , brethren , let me again and again impress upon you that it is your bounden duty to be

extremel y careful to admit ho one "to a participation of our privileges unless you have st rong grounds to believe that he will ultimately reflect honour on our choice . " Bear always in mind those words spoken by one who was for a time the Chief Ruler of the Craft , words that I

should like to see emblazoned on the walls of every Masonic lod ge : > ' Remember , the strength of our Order lies not in 'he number of our lodges , or in the increasing roll of our members , but in the fraternal spirit by which the members are animated , and which lives and breathes in our lodges . " Brethren , this being our annual meeting , I desire

Provincial Grand Mark Lodge Of West Yorkshire.

to say-a few words on Masonry generally . Freemasonry , as practised by us , is speculative . It is also symbolical . We rear no material buildings , employ neither brick nor stone in the construction of our edifice , nor mortar in our operations ; but we use the cement of brotherly love and kindness , and endeavour to build up a "spiritual house not made with

hands , eternal in the heavens . " As a speculative science , Freemasonry has become a widespread and far-reaching organisation , bearing within itself the most convincing evidence that it was formed for a worthy purpose ; ' to promote among men peace , goodwill , mutual sympathy , relief , and brotherly love ; to cultivate love of affection for the land of one ' s birth ,

and to avoid everything " that may have a tendency to subvert the peace and good order of Society . " To thoroughly understand Freemasonry , we must not be content with its outward forms , but must turn to that inner , to that invisible , nature which forms the superstructure upon which rests man ' s spiritual and intellectual being . Freemasonry is the product of civilisation ,

refinement , and knowledge , and , while based on the spiritual , and interwoven in its structure with the social nature of man , it is only developed as the mind expands , strengthens , and becomes fully ripe for new and enlarged enjoyments , to be found only in its hidden recesses and intricacies of thought . It appeals to and captivates the inner man , furnishes food for reflection and study , charms and entices men to attach themseves to it in

every clime , and in every county where civilsation exists ; hence we may infer that it possesses that organism , character , and modes of procedure which pleases man , wins his regard for a higher and nobler nature , satisfying the craving of his mind and the aspirations of his soul . "It hath virtue for its aim , the glory of God its object , and the eternal welfare of man is considered

in every part , point , or letter of its ineffable mysteries . " Freemasonry has withstood the fierce assaults of religious bigotry and the vindictive hate of political denunciation . It has been calm and silent amid the unprovoked attacks of its enemies and of Papal anathemas . Wise and distinguished statesmen and divines have stood firm in its defence , and without fear or

misgiving avowed their love for , and confidence in , it . There must , then , be something peculiar , something extraordinary in its nature , which thus adapts itself to all classes and conditions of good men , and which for long years has given its strength , power , and influence among the best and most enlightened of mankind . It must strike some hidden cord in human nature

which causes a quick response , and which we doubt not was implanted by the G . A . O . T . U . for some good and beneficent reason . It is this mental machinery , this unseen reasoning force , that coming into action binds men , cultured to the highest point , strong in every faculty , to Masonry , and gives them enjoyment and satisfaction in a participation of its ceremonies , in

loving , teaching , and expounding its nature and principles , and perhaps while they cannot tell why it is yet they feel its inspiration , and are neither ashamed to own it , nor willing to ignore it . The profane may assure the initiate that its ceremonies are frivolous or without practical benefit , yet where is the man who has knelt at its altars and penetrated into its

mysteries who is not impressed with the solemnity of its spiritualistic , observance and the utility of its lessons of wisdom and of virtue , tending to smooth the rough pathway of life , and pointing to that higher and more real life " of everlasting happiness in the celestial mansion of eternal bliss and glory , " reserved for the good and true of all time and of every nation ? Thus , my brethren , I trust we may all feel that Freemasonry is an

institution designed to meet the need of human nature , to be cherished as one of the great influences that make men better , wiser , and happier ; and as we labour on in our respectfve spheres of life perchance some heart may be cheered , some brother or companion may be made happier and better for it . May we all strive , wtih God's blessing , to promote its welfare and to extend its influence amongst mankind .

The D . P . G . M ., Bro . the Rev . Dr . SMYTH , P . G . C , briefly acknowledged his salutation .

The roll of lodges was called , when every Iodge in the province was represented . Apologies for non-attendance from the three officers absent were read , and were deemed satisfactory . The minutes of the last meeting of Prov . Grand Lodge , held at Huddersfield , were confirmed .

Bro . G . Normanton was again unanimously re-elected as Treasurer for the ensuing year . The Provincial Grand Master then appointed and invested the officers for the ensuing year , as follows : —

Bro . Francis Smith , Prince Leopold Lodge ... Prov . S . G . W . „ Fred Barber , Britannia Lodge ... ... Prov . J . G . W . „ Jesse Arthur Thornton , Integrity Lodge ... Prov . G . M . O . „ E . J . Massie , Portal Lodge ... ... Prov . S . G . O . „ Henry Smith , Integrity Lodge ... ... Prov . J . G . O . „ Rev . J . H . Evans , M . A ., St . Chad ' s Lodge ... Prov . G . Chap . „ G . Normanton , Fearnley Lodg-e , Past G . I . of W . Prov . G . Treas .

„ Thomas Gaukroger , Prince Edward Lodge ... Prov . G . Reg . „ Wm . Cooke , Fearnley Lodge , Past S . G . O . ... Prov . G . Sec . j , William Ackroyd , Fearnley Lodge ... ... Prov . S . G . D . „ Thomas Howden , Integrity Lodge ... ... Prov . J . G . D . „ Thomas Myers , Copley Lodge ... ... Prov . G . L of W . „ Christopher William Fincken , Portal Lodge ... Prov . G . D . C .

„ John P . Hewitt , Britannia Lodge ... ... Prov . A . G . D . C . ,, John J . Green , Fearnley Lodge ... ... Prov . G . S . B . „ A . F . Fitzpatric , Old York Lodge ... ... Prov . G . Std . Br . „ George F . Carr , Coplev Lodge ... ... Prov . G . Org . „ Arthur Ferguson McGll , St . Chad ' s Lodge ... Prov . G . I . G .

„ Robert D . Kendall , Prince Edward Lodge ... ^ „ Alfred Gill , Truth Lodge ... ... ... / _ _ , „ C J . Schott , Old York Lodge ... § f Prov . G . Stwds . „ Robert E . Collinson , Prince Leopold Lodge „ . s

The P . G . REGISTRAR read a statement of the numerical position of each lodge up to the 31 st December , 1887 . The Prov . Grand Wardens and Prov . Grand Overseers vvere elected to serve on the General Purposes Committee for the ensuing year . Prov . Grand Lodge was then closed , and the brethren afterwards sat down to tea , after which the usual loyal and Masonic toasts were duly honoured , and a hearty vote of thanks accorded to the Wakefield brethren for the arrangements made for reception of Prov . G , Lodge .