Supreme Grand Chapter.

SUPREME GRAND CHAPTER .

The Quarterly Convocation of Supreme Grand Chapter of Royal Arch Masons of England was holden on Wednesday evening at Freemasons' Hall , when Col . Brownrigg presided as G . Z . ; Comp . S . Rawson , as H . ; and Comp . Hugh D . Sandeman , as J . The other officers were Comps . John Hervey , G . S . E . ; Col . Creaton , as S . N . ; John A .

Rucker , P . S . ; Joseph C . Parkinson , as First A . S . ; Robert Grey , Second A . S . ; F . P . Morrell , S . B . ; and Dr . Woodman , D . C . The other companions in Grand Chapter were H . G . Buss , Frederick Pattison , Thomas Fenn , P . G . S . B . ; Benjamin Head , P . G . S . ; Charles A . Murton , P . G . A . S . ; H . Browse , P . G . S . ; James Glaisher , P . A . P . S . ; Edward Snell , P . G . S . B . ; Frederick Derry , P . Z . 4 82 and 938 , and P . G . N .

Staffordshire ; Captain W . Piatt , P . G . S . ; Joseph Smith , P . G . D . C . ; Hyde Pullen , P . G . D . C . ; E . D . Davis , P . Z . 24 ; II . J . P . Dumas , P . S . B . ; H . S . Brownrigg , H . 6 ; John Coutts , P . Z . 177 and 3 S 2 , Z . 1348 ; J . AL Case , Z . and P . Z . 231 ); H . Alassey , P . Z . 619 ( "Freemason" ); John Boyd , P . Z . 145 and 534 ; William Stephens , H . 862 , Z . 1365 ; William Hammond , H . 185 ; W . F . C . Moutrie ,

P . Z . and Z . n ; Joshua Nunn , P . G . D . C ; and C . B . Payne . The pray-ers of all the petitions for new chapters published by the " Freemason " in the agenda paper of Grand Chapter last week were granted . On the motion of Comp . E . Snell , P . G . S . B ., it was unanimously resolved lhat a record be made in the books

of Grand Chapter of the great loss Grand Chapter felt that it and Alasonry had sustained by the lamented death of Comp . John Savage , late President ofthe Committee of General Purposes . The AI . E . Z . said he was sure that this feeling must be entertained by the whole body of Alasons . Grand Chapter was thereupon closed . '

Provincial Grand Lodge Of West Yorkshire.

PROVINCIAL GRAND LODGE OF WEST YORKSHIRE .

On Wednesday , 26 th ult ., the Provincial Grand Lodge of West Yoikshire assembled at Leeds , to the number of upwards of three hundred brethren , under the banner of Philanthropic Lodge , 304 , the W . AL and officers of which lodge opened the preliminary lodge in the three degrees .

Previous to the Provincial Grand Lodge entering a pleasing incident occurred , in the acceptance hy the brethren of a beautifully-framed portrait of Bro . the Rev . A . F . A . Woodford , of London , formerly of Swillington , near Leeds , and one of the old Past Masters of the lodge . The Provincial Grand Lodge having entered , was

presided over by the Rt . W . Prov . Grand Alaster ( Sir II . Edwards , Bart . ) , who was assisted by his Deputy , Bro . Tew , J . P ., of Pontefraet , and the Provincial Grand Officers . ' The brethren having saluted the Provincial Grand Master and the Deputy Provincial Grand Alaster with the greatest cordiality ,

'Ihe Provincial Grand Alaster , in reply , said—Provincial Grand Officers , Worshipful Alaslers , and brethren of this Provincial Grand Lodge , your reception of mc to-day is , 1 hope , a convincing proof that the loyalty and attachment the brethren of West Yorkshire have ever accorded to my distinguished predecessor have in no way , judging from the warmth of your salutation , been diminished with

reference to myself . It is my great desire that on all occa sions when the Provincial Grand Lodge is called togethe to be present amongst you . Permit mc , on this , the firste of our collective gatherings in the new year , to offer th brethren my sincere congratulations and hearty good wishes for the prosperity of the Craft in this important province . This new year opens , I trust , with gladness to

ourselves , and as we live m sympathy with every brother throughout the world , it is thus we strive to promote on earth pence and good will towards men . Between the square and compasses our lives are pledged to charity and fellowship ; and as in the year behind us , so in the year before us , I hope the brethren of West Yorkshire will strive to emulate the noble aspirations and the generous deeds

which have so pre-eminently adorned the high character which Freemasonry in this province possesses . With reference to the gathering in Leeds , the Provincial Grand Alaster said he was glad to understand that the Leeds lodges were promoting the system of inviting the Provincial Grand Lodge annually , under each lodge in rotation . He referred to the recent election for girls to their school ,

and congratulated West Yorkshire on their double success . Adverting to the recent Exhibition in Leeds , the Provincial Grand Alaster said he was present on tbe occasion of the opening ofthe Exhibition , and he regretted on that occasion that the then Alayor of Leeds was not a member of our ancient and honourable society . " Alost deeply , " he said , " do we all deplore that visitation of Providence which , on

the 19 th inst ., unexpectedly deprived Leeds of one of her most public spirited officers in the person of the ex-Mayor . " The noble Baronet then concluded by repeating the words of his predecessor , with reference to the increasing strength of the fraternity . " Brethren , remember the strength of our Order lies not in the increasing roll of our members , but in the fraternal spirit by which the members arc

animated , and which lives and breathes in our lodges . " Bro . Tew , Dep . Prov . G . AL , having responded , Bro . Bentley Shaw entered , and was vociferously received . After he had been saluted he briefly relurned thanks for their great warmth of feeling towards him . lie felt that he could not , if he would , stay away from the

meeting , and hoped to be able to attend many more . After the ordinary routine business had been gone through , the attention of the brethren was called to the report of the Committee of Investigation into the management of the Royal Alasonic Boys' School , which report was presented to the Prov . Grand Alaster by the chairman of

Provincial Grand Lodge Of West Yorkshire.

the committee , Bro . Gill , Alayor of Wakefield . It was gathered from the report that the committee had extended their inquiry over six years—from January , 186 9 , to December , 1874 . During that time the sum of £ 38 , 746 10 s . 2 d . had been expended , showing , for an average attendance of 123 boys per year , an average cost of £ 52

ios . o-Jd . per annum , which , when added to the value of the farm produce , shows a total of £ 54 . 10 s . 3 d . During that time no charge was made for rent or as interest on expended capital . This expenditure contrasts unfavourably with that of the following institutions : — No . of Cost per Pupils . Head .

C s . d London Orphan Asylum 491 31 0 3 Commercial Travellers .... 228 30 4 o Ackworth School 290 31 10 ( i Sidworth School 97 33 19 o Yorkshire Boys'School 33 ...... 33 o o Royal Alasonic Girls'School 146 3 ( 1 i ( i u _ j

Clergy Orphan no 45 18 o . J The report went on to state that the expense caused by the frequent changes of Alasters and Assistant Masters was great , and had acted injuriously in the education of boys , as exemplified by the unsuccessful results at the Cambridge and Oxford local examinations . The committee brought their report to a close as follows : — " The great

cost of the school pervades nearly every department of its management , and the committee strongly impresses upon the Provincial Grand Ledge the necessity for adopting such measures as will secure a material reduction of such cost , so that the institution may be placed in a position by which its usefulness may be largely extended , its benefits conferred upon a much greater number of recipients , and

the sympathies of the Craft continued and extended in its favour . "—This report was unanimously adopted , and such resolutions were passed as would carry out the objects of the committee . Before the close of the Provincial Grand Lodge Bro . Gill , on behalf of the Committee of Investigation , handed to the Provincial Grand Master a very handsome Past

Alaster ' s jewel , with the request that he would present it to Bro . Robert Craig , P . AI . 304 , for his courtesy , kindness , and great hospitality in entertaining that committee at all their meetings . The Provincial Grand Alaster highly eulogized the character of Bro . Craig , and in handing him the present

wished him long life to wear it . Bro . Craig feelingly and sincerely thanked the brethren . After lhe business of the lodge was concluded , about 100 of the brethren sat down to an excellent banquet served by Bro . J . L . Oates , in the banqueting-room , after which the usual loyal and Alasonic toasts were duly given and honoured .

Consecration Of The St. James's Lodge (No. 1579.)

CONSECRATION OF THE ST . JAMES'S LODGE ( No . 1579 . )

On Friday , the 21 st ult ., at the Bell Hitel , Enfield Highway , a new lodge was consecrated , to be called the St . James ' s Lodge ( Xo . 1579 ) ( under the Province o ( Middlesex ) , the R . W . Prov . Grand Alaster , Colonel Burdett , P . S . G . W . of England , presiding . The first half

hour was spent by the brethren present 111 locking at lhe new lodge furniture , jewels , and regalia , supplied by Bro . George Kenning , of Link- Britain , which seemed to be much approved of by the brethren . At about 3 . 30 p . m . it was announced lhat the R . W . Prov Grand Alaster had arrived , which was a signal for the brethren to be clothed and take their places to receive the

Prov . Grand Officers . Amongst those present were the R . W . Prov . G . AL of Middlesex , Colonel Burdelt , P . G . S . W ., & c . ; W . Bro . Robert Wentworth Little , P . G . S . W . ; W . Bro . James Terry , P . G . D . C . Herts ; Bros . J . J . Wilson P . P . G . J . W . Essex ; T . Hastings Aliller , P . G . Org . Middlesex ; J . Tydeman , P . G . P . Essex ; Thompson , P . G . D . C , Middlesex ; Tye , P . P . G . J . D . Middlesex ; James Linzell ,

P . P . G . D . C , and W . AI . designate ; Edward Letchworth , S . W . designate ; John Painter , J . W . designate ; 1 C . Clarke , Driscoll , Stevens , T . Cusworth , G . Jaffa , Verry , Collycr , Gabb , J . Mailer , P . AL ; W . Gilbert , W . M . 1 327 ; Capt . Wiltshire , P . AL ; Alalcolm , Sec . 13 : 7 ; Sheldon , P . G . S . Herts ; Harvey , Pepper , Bradstock , Newman , Jewison , Yorke , Oddey , Aluggleston , P . M . ; and others , in all about

sixty brethren . The R . W . Prov . Grand Alaster having appointed the following brethren lo assist him as officers pro . teni ., viz . W . Bro . II . W . Utile , P . G . S . W . Middx ., as D G . AL , and to act as Chaplain ; W . Bro . James Terry , Prov . G . D . C . Herts , as Director of Ceremonies j Bro . J . J . Wilson , P . P . G . J . W . Essex , as Senior Warden ; Bro . J . Tydeman ,

Prov . G . Purst . Essex , as Junior Warden ; Bro . Thompson Prov . G . D . C , as Inner Guard ; and Bro . Verry , as Tyler ' The Provincial Grand Organist , Uro . T . II . Miller pre-, siding at the harmonium . The lodge was opened in the three degrees . The Grand Alaster then addressed the brethren on the nature of the meeting . Bro . R . W . Little then gave the

prayer . After which the acting Secretary addressed the Grand Alaster , who replied , and gave directions to the brethren of the new lodge to form themselves in order in the body of ( he room . The Secretary then read the petition , also the warrant from the Grand Alaster of England , H . R . H . the Prince of Wales , the brethren appointed in the warrant as first

Alaster and Wardens being Bros . James Linzell , P . M ., as W . AL ; Edward Letchworth , as first S . W . ; and John Painter , as first J . W . The Grand Alaster having inquired of the brethren if they approved of the officers named , the brethren signified this approval in the usual way . After which Bro . R . W . Little gave an oration on the nature and principles of the institution in an eloquent and masterly manner , the same being listened to with the greatest atten-

Consecration Of The St. James's Lodge (No. 1579.)

tion by all present . The following hymn was sung by the brethren : — Hail , Eternal , by whose aid All created things were made , Heav ' n and earth Thy vast design , Hear us , Architect divine .

Alay our work , b 3 gun in Thee , liver blest with order be , And when we from labour cease , Part in harmony and peace . By Thy glorious Alajesty , By the trust we place in Thee , By the lodge and mystic sign , Hear us , Architect Divine .

After the first part of the dedication prayer , & -c , the Chaplain read II . Chron ., Chap . I . to XVI . verses . Thelodge board being uncovered the Deputy Alaster and Wardens pro tem . carried the elements of consecration three times round the lodge . The Presiding Officer then dedicated the lodge , when the hymn was sung commencing Our souls shall magnify the Lord ;

In Him our spirits shall rejoice . The Presiding Officer having constituted the lodge , the hymn was sung commencing Now the . evening shadows closing . The consecration ceremony over the lodge was resumed to the Second Degree , when Bro . James Linzell was presented to the Grand Master for installation , and after the

usual preliminaries were gone through , those brethren below the ranks of Installed Alasters whithdrew , while the remainder of the ceremony of installation was proceeded with in the presence of nineteen Past Masters . The brethren having been re-admitted , were called upon to salute the Worshipful Alaster in the three degrees . The W . M . appointed the officers for the ensuing year as follows : —Bros . Edward Letchworth , S . W . ; lohn Painter ,

J . W . ; E . Clark , Treas . ; Driscoll , Sec . ; Stevens , S . D . ; T . Cusworth , J . D . ; G . Jaffa , I . G . ; Veiry , Tyler . Bro . James Terry , P . G . D . C . Herts , then gave the addresses to the officers and brethren of the lodge in a very clear and impressive manner , which brought forth the applause of all present . Votes of thanks were passed to Bro . the R . W . Colanel Burdett and others who assisted in the consecration

ceremony . Colonel Burdett , Bro . R . W . Little , Bro . James Terry , and Bro . T . II . Aliller were proposed and unanimously accepted honorary members of the lodge . The lodge having been closed to the First Degree , some brethren were proposed as joining members . The lodge * was then closed in due form , after which about fifty

brethren adjourned to the banquet-hall , where a sumptuous banquet awaited them , composed of every delicacy of the season , the arrangements being carried out in Bro . Jewison ' s very best style , which , with the excellent quality of the wines , reflected great credit to his establishment and satisfaction to all present . The following loyal and Ma sonic toasts were given aud responded to : — "The Queen

and the Craft ; " " 1 he M . W . Grand Alaster , the Prince of Wales ; " " The Pro G . Af . the Earl of Carnarvon , " " The Deputy G . AL , the Earl of Skelmersdale , and rest of Grand Officers ; " "The Provincial Grand Alaster , " to which Colonel Burdett replied , thanking the brethren for having made him an honorary member of their lodge , a lodge which , from what he had heard and seen , he expected

would become one of the most important in lhe province . He congratu ' ated them upon lhe choice they had made of a Alaster . He was one who had twice before held a similar position , and had creditably performed the duties of his hi-jh office . The W . M . next proposed " The Deputy Grand Master and Grand Officers of the Province . " Bro . Little replied

in very appropriate terms . Bros . J . J . Wilson , P . M ., and P . P . G . J . W . Essex , then proposed " The Worshipful Alaster , " and in doing so congratulated the lodge in getting one to preside over them so well up in Alasonry and so popular with his brethren . Bros . Linzell , W . M ., having replied , he proposed " The Health of the Visitors , " which was responded to by Bros .

Wilson , P . AI . ; Captain Wiltshire , P . AL , and Dr . Aluggleston , P . AL , who in very pithy speeches expressed themselves highly delighted with the whole arrangements of the day , Bro . Wilson remarking that , although not one of the new lodge he wished them every success . He had a few years ago been the principal promoter of a new lodge in the same parish , and the time had now come

whea he did not see why another lodge should not be worked , and with the good wishes of the sister lodge . " The Officers " were next proposed , to which Bro . Letchworth , S . W ., replied , thanking the brethren for the cordial manner in which his own aud brother officers' healths had been drank , assuring them that he would endeavour to carry out the duties in a satisfactory way . Having so

good a brother as W . AL , whose kind and agreeable disposition would insure him the good feelings of those working with him , lie looked lor prosperity in their new undertaking . "The Alasonic Charities" was responded to by Bro . J . Terry , Secretary of the R . M . B . I . He congratulated the brethren upon the success of the day , and afterwards

made a claim upon the charity of the brethren . He said that although a very large amount was annually subscribed by our fraternity for the charitable institutions ( indeed , a sum to be proud of ) , yet they were unable to give the assistance to every case that they should like , but if every brother in the fraternity would only subscribe five

shillings per year they would raise a sum by which every candidate could bc relieved . I fe called upon the brethren very urgently to consider whether they were doing their duty in this respect , and thus carrying out the first principle of their profession . He was sorry to say there was a very large number of brethren connected with Masonry