Leeds Masonic Relief Committee.

LEEDS MASONIC RELIEF COMMITTEE .

The object of this committee is to act as a central board for aiding poor and destitute Masonsand to put an end to indiscriminate alms' giving by private members . „ Bro . Denton , P . M . and P . G . S . D ., has gone warmly into the matter , and has succeeded

in forming a committee consisting of two members from each of the Leeds lodges . It is proposed to keep up a weekly correspondence with similar committees in Liverpool , Manchester , & c , so that it may be known in each town what has been done for

travelling Masons . Thc committee met at the Masonic Hall , on Monday night for the first time , when Bro . Denton was elected President ; Bro . Crossby , Secretary ; and Bro . Oates , Almoner and Treasurer . A

number of rules were drawn up and agreed to , and a circular was ordered to be sent to each of the lodges , requesting the brethren to refer all cases to the Almoner , who has the power to give immediate relief in urgent cases ; and the committee will meet

every Friday evening . It is expected that a rate of one shilling a member per year from each lodge , will meet all the expenses , and it is believed that the working of such a committee will be attended with excellent results .

Dedication Of A Masonic Temple At Manchester, New Hampshire.

DEDICATION of a MASONIC TEMPLE at MANCHESTER , NEW HAMPSHIRE .

Monday , December 26 th , 1870 , having been fixed upon for the dedicatory services upon the occasion of the completion of the new hall in Masonic Temple , the event was celebrated with imposing ceremonies , a description of which will be given below . Tlie following is a description ofthe Building : —

The exterior is flanked by two wings , known as the " Globe " and " Johnston " blocks , and presents certainly one of the handsomest fronts in the State , and by far the most imposing in the city . The main building is 100 ft . long by 63 ft . in depth , four stories high and surmounted with a Mansard

roof . The first floor , containing a tier of splendid stores , is faced with strong columns of iron ; and these are | surmountcdwith a belt and cap of granite . The windows are also trimmed with handsomely arched pieces of dressed granite . The best of brick , lumber , and other material was used in its construction and throughout the work no pains

have been spared , either on the part of the owners or thc several contractors to make the building a first-class one in every respect . Thc liberality of thc proprietors has been quite in keeping with thc magnitude of thc undertaking , and the result has been a Temple well worthy thc acceptance of thc fraternity . Thc second floor is suitably divided into offices and suites of rooms ancl is still

incomplete . The third and fourth stones arc to be occupied and exclusively controlled by the various bodies composing the Masonic Order in this city . Consequently thc disposition of thc space upon these two floors has been made entirely with reference to the wants of the fraternity , and the

projectors have not only listened to thc suggestions and consulted their wishes , but have done so with a bestowal of labor and capital which it is but just to characterize as exceedingly liberal , to a greater extent even than could have been reasonably expected . The access to the main hall is by an

ample stairway , broad enough for four to march abreast . The steps are of solid ash , the wainscoting of the same , and thc railing and uprights of heavy solid black walnut . The hall itself is sixtytwo feet in length by forty-live in breadth and sixteen and a half feet from floor to ceiling . Thc

room is amply lighted with high arched windows cased in black ash done in cleganl panel work , door casings also in black ash nicely turned , thc doors themselves of heavy Michigan pine . The walls and ceiling ate finished with a plain white surface , a broad cornice of plaster of Paris running

around all . The floor is carpeted with heavy superfine ingrain from the Lowell Co . 's works , the piece being thc first of that pattern ever put down . The raised platforms lo thc south , west and east , were covered witli rich tapestry—a green ground sprinkled with flowers—and contrasting finely with the lighter shades of the centre space . The carpeting

here , as well as that of the armory , reception and side rooms was furnished by Otis Barton . The gas furnishings are really elegant and tasteful , being a heavy dark bronze , relieved with gilt . The centre chandelier has twelve , and the right and left eightlightseach , covcred with heavy cut-glass globes . There are wall lights at convenient points , and upright jets at the west , south and cast . The

Dedication Of A Masonic Temple At Manchester, New Hampshire.

several ante-rooms are liberally supplied with means of illumination . Of two admirably executed pictures , painted in oil by J . N . Bruce some years ago and presented to the subordinate lodges , one was saved—that known as the " winding stairs "—and the other , known as the " brazen columns , " has

been recently repainted by the same artist , and now adorns tbe north wall . Another large oil painting by Mrs . Bigelow , a " Masonic Chart , " hangs upon the east wall . The upper floor is devoted in the main to the purpose of a Banquet Hall , and it is a grand one , and calculated to accomodate ei ght

hundred guests a single sitting . It is seventy feet long by fifty wide , is high posted , amply lighted by twelve windows , six upon each side . For evening sittings eight pendants of four lights each are provided . The walls and ceiling are in hard finish and the floor inlaid in a sort of wood mosaic , of birch ,

beach , maple , and probably other hard woods . — Access is had to this hall through four double-doors . The room is furnished with two hundred chairs for permanent use , and in the centre are several large tables . Additional tables for extra occasions , as upon this occasion , are to be kept in readiness . A

coffee room , with ample provision for pantry , closet and the side rooms occupies the remainder of the upper story . We have no space to speak of the armory , the reception , ante and committee rooms upon the floor below , as in some respects they arc

yet incomplete . The general arrangement of the whole , as regards convenience , lighting , heating , ventilation , etc ., are regarded as nearly perfect , and meet with general and hearty approval on the part of the members of the order .

The number of the tickets issued was eight hundred , and the whole number to be provided for reached upwards of one thousand . W . Master D . O . Furnald of Lafayette Lodge formally declared thc lodge open , waiving all ceremony , and a committee of Masons was directed to inform the

officers of the Grand Lodge of New Hampshire that they were ready to receive them . The officers of the Grand Lodge entered in slow and solemn procession , preceded by Grand Marshal John M . Shirley , of Andover . The officers of Lafayette Lodge then surrendered their places to

the officers of the Grand Lodge , all taking their respective positions . The ceremony of dedication was then performed , presided over by the M . W . Grand Master , J . R . Holbrook , of Portsmouth , assisted by the Grand Marshal , and other officers of the grand body . At a given signnf the lodge

was uncovered , and prayer was oiiered by the Grand Chaplain , Rev . M . Adams of Candia . Thc procession of the Grand Lodge was dignified and imposing in the extreme , and every detail of the very interesting dedicatory services was listened to with breathless attention on the part of the

audience . At suitable intervals rich notes of music arose from a double quartette of wall voices , in response to the words ot the Grand Master . This was not the least interesting feature of the evening , as the music performed was the same as that sang at the

dedication of Masonic Temple in Boston . This part oi the programme was excellently rendered , and demonstrates the fact that we have reached a high point in musical culture . At thc conclusion of the services , which were

conducted according to ancient usage from time immemorial , thc officers resumed their places , prayer was offered by Chaplain Borden of this city , aud the brethren and guests were invited to listen to au address by John P . Newell , Esq .

This address which was historical m its character was extremely interesting , even to non-Masons , admirable in manner and in matter and reflecting great credit upon its scholarly author . He certainly deserves the thanks of the order for so valuable a contribution to Masonic literature .

After thc singing of a hymn , J oseph Kidder , Esq . was introduced , who delivered a brief and well written address upon the subject of masonry , recounting with graphic power thc great disaster of last summer when their hail was destroyed by fire . Mr . Kidder ' s remarks were well put ancl his effort

deserves , at it will doubtless receive , the grateful recognition of his brethren in thc cvaft . At the conclusion of these addresses , thc officers of the Grand Lodge surrendered their places to the officers of the Lafayette Lodge , after which

the lodge was declared closed , and an invitation was extended to the Grand Lodge and lo all visiting members of the order , with their ladies , to proceed lo the grand banquet hall , where a feast was spread for thc occasion . —Manchester Daily Union , New Hampshire , U . S .

Amongst our numerous contributions awaumg their turn are reports nf Lodges 79 , 141 , 145 , an 205 , London ; 14 ! ' . Warrington : 271 and 8 t 1 , Brighton ; 292 , Liverpool ; ancl 124 s . . Scarborough ; also Mark Lodges 24 and . 16 .

Metropolitan Masonic Meetings

METROPOLITAN MASONIC MEETINGS

For the Week ending February II , 1871 . MONDAY , FEB . 6 . Lodge 12 , Fortitude and Old Cumberland , Ship & Turtle Tav ., Leadenhall-street . ,, 25 , Robert Burns , Freemasons'Hall . ,, 69 , Unity , London Tav ' ern , Bishopsgate-street . „ 72 , Royal Jubilee , Anderton ' s Hotel , Fleet-street .

,, 90 , St . John ' s , Radley ' s Hotel , Blackfriars . „ 144 , St . Luke ' s , Pier Hotel , Chelsea . ,, 188 , Joppa , Albion , Tav ., Aldersgate-street . : > 256 , Unions , Freemasons' Hall . ;> " 3 * 9 ! Asaph , Freemasons' Hal ! . Mark Lodge , Southwark , Bridge House Htl ., Southwark .

Sincerity Lodge of Instruction ( 174 ) , Railway Tavern , Fenchurch-street Station , at 7 . Wellington Lodge of Instmction , White Swan Tavern , Deptford , at 8 Bro . Dilley , Preceptor . Camden Lodge of Instruction ( 704 ) , Adelaide Tavern-Haverstock-hill , at 8 ; Bro . T . A . Adams , Preceptor . Eastern Star Lodge of Instruction ( 95 ) Royal HotelMile

, , , end-road , at 7 . 30 , Bro . E . Gottheil , Preceptor . British Oak Lodge of Instruction , Bank of Friendship Tavern , Mile End , at 7 for 8 . St . James' Union Lod ge of Instruction ( 1 S 0 ) , Swan Tavern , Mount-street , Grosvener-square , at 8 . TUESDAV . FEB . 7 .

Colonial Board , Freemasons' Hali , at 3 . Lodge 7 , Royal York , Freemasons' Hall . ,, 9 , Albion , Freemasons' Hall . ,, 18 , Old Dundee , London Tav ., Bishopsgate-st . ,, 101 , Temple , Ship & Turtle Tav ., Leadenhall-st . ,, 172 , Old Concord , Freemasons' Hall . „ 21 7 , Stability , Anderton ' s Hotel , Fleet-street .

„ 765 , St . James ' s , New Weston-street , Bermondsey . > i I 2 S 7 > Grosvenor , Victoria Railway Station . >> " 2 59 . Duke oi Edinburgh , New Globe Tavern , Bow-road .

,, 1261 , Golden Rule , Great Western Htl ., Bayswater . ,, 1298 , Royal Standard , Marquess Tav ., Canonbury . Chap . 145 , Prudent Brethren , Freemasons' Hall . ,, 169 , Temperance , White Swan , Deptford . 1 5 ° 7 » United Pilgrims , Horns Tavern , Kennington . Metropolitan Chapter of Instruction , Portugal Hotel ,

Fleet-street , at 7 ; Comp . Brett , Preceptor . DomaticLodgeof Instruction , PalmerstonTav ., Grosvenorpark , Camberwell , 117 . 30 . Royal Union Lodge of Instruction ( 382 ) , Hotel de Cologne , 60 ancl 61 , Haymarket , at 8 ; Bro . T . AAdams , Preceptor . Faith Lodgeof Instruction , Metropolitan Railway , Victoria

Station , at 8 ; Bro . C . A . Cottebrune , Preceptor . Yarborough Lodge of Instruction , Green Dragon , Stepney , at S ; Bro . Isaac Saqui , Preceptor . Royal Union Lodge of Instruction , Horse and Groom Tavern , Winsley-street , Oxford-street , at 8 ; Bro .

T . A . Adams , Preceptor . Prince Fredk . William Lodge of Instruction ( 753 ) Knights of St . John ' s Tavern , St . John ' s-wood ; Bro . F . G . Baker , Preceptor . Sydney Lodge of Instruction ( 829 ) , Cambridge Hotel , Upper Norwood , at 7 . 30 .

WEDNESDAY , I < . 8 . Committee R . M . Benevolent Institntion , at 3 . Lodge 3 , Fidelity , Freemasons' Hall . ,, 11 , Enoch , Freemasons'Hall . ,, 13 , Union Waterloo , Masonic HaU , Woolwich . ,, 15 , Kent , Guildhall Coffee House , Gresham-st . ,, 87 , Vitruvian , White Hart , College-st ., Lambeth .

,, 147 , Justice , White Swan 1 aveni , Deptford . ,, 23 S , Pilgrim , Ship and Turtle , Leadenhall-street . ,, 749 , Belgrave , Anderton ' s Hotel , Fleet-street . ,, 781 , Merchant Navy , Silver Tavern , Burdett-road , Limehouse . ,, 1017 , Montefiore , Freemasons' Tavern . ,, 12-6 , Macdonald , Head Quarters 1 st Surrey Rifles ,

Brunswick-road , Camberwell . ,, 122 S , Bcacontrec , private rooms , Leytonstone . ,, 1260 , I Icrvey , Iron School Room , Walham Green . ,, 1306 , St . John of Wapping , Gun Tav ., Wapping . Pythagorean Lodge of Instruction ( 79 ) , Prince of Orange , Greenwich , at 8 ; J . Robt . Nash , Preceptor . United Strength Lodgeof Instruction , ( 228 ) , Bull & Gate

, Kentish Town-road , at 8 ; Bro . J . N . Frost , Preceptor . Israel Lodge of Instruction , Rising Sun Tavern , Globeroad , at 7 . 30 ; Bro . Isaac Sarjiii , Preceptor . New Concord Lodge of Instmction , Rosemary Branch Tavern , Iloxton , al S . Confidence Lodge of Instruction , Railway Tav .,

Londonstrctt , City , U 7 ' - 2-Peckham Lodge of Instruction , Maismore Arms , Parkroad , Peckham ; Bro . David Rose , Preceptor . Temperance in the Kast Lodge of Instruction , George the Fourth , Catherine-street , Poplar . Stanhope Lodge of Instruction , Thicket Hotel , Anerley , at 7 . 30 p . m . ; Bro . II . W . L-. ndus , Preceptor .

THURSDAY , FEB . 9 . Lodge 19 , Royal Alhclstan , Terminus Hotel , Cannon-st . ,, 91 , Regularity , Freemasons' Hall . ,, 206 , Friendship , Ship & Turtle , Leadenhall-street . „ 263 , Bank of England , Radley ' s I III ., Blackfriars . >> 534 . Polish National , Freemasons' lla . ll .

,, 657 , Canonbury , Radley's , Blackfriars . ., S 60 , Dalhousie . Anderton ' s Hotel , Flcct-slrcct . ,, 1076 , Capper , Marine Hotel , Victoria Docks , West Ham . ,, 12 SS , J- 'inslmry Park , Finsbury Park Tav ,, Holloway C '' i : i |» . 55-1 , Y ; ii )« Hi ; : ; -. r ) i , ( Iri . 'tn Dragon , Stojiney . K . T . Encampment , Observance , 14 , Bedford-row .