Provincial Grand Lodge Of South Wales (Western Division).

tions were speedily proceeded with for the due reception of Bro . Lord Kensington , P . G . W ., Prov . Grand Master , and his officers . At noon precisely they were announced , and received by the brethren in the manner customary on all such occasions . Amongst the members of the Provincial Grand Lodge present were Bros , the

Rev W . L . Stradling . P . G . C , D . P . G . M . ; W . H . Richards , 1177 , P . P . S . G . W . ; } G . Lock , 1177 , P . P . S . G . D . ; R . Lock , 1177 , P . P . G . R ; C W . R . Stokes , 1177 PP . S . G . D . ; J . R . Rowlands , 1177 , P . P . G . O . ; J . A . Jenkins , 1177 , P-PA . G . D . C ; J . H . Thomas , 1177 , P . P . G . O . ; A . T . Lewis , 1177 , P . P . G . D . C . ; F . E Remfrey , 1177 , P . G . P . ; I . Marsden , 464 , P . G . C . ; W . Lewes , 1177 , P . P . G . P . ; C S . Allen , S . W . 1177 , P . P . A . G . P . ; 1 . W . Coram , 990 , P . P . G . D . C . ; S . Allen ,

090 , P . P . G . D . C ; A . Stone , 671 , P . P . S . G . W . ; Rev . C B . Brown , 476 , P . P . G . Chap . ; R . W . Genese , 1072 , P . S . G . W . ; A . Trayler , P . P . J . G . D . ; and about 40 other brethren . The members oj the Craft lodges included Bros . A . H . Brookman , W . M . ; John Leach , J . W . ; F . E . Wade , S . D . ; Lionel R . Wood , I . G . ; J . B . Hughes , D . C . ; G . James and O . W . Rowland , Stwds . ; G . Rowe , J . Evans ,

H . Williams , T . Gibbon , W . Lewes , M . Matthais-Thomas , and J . Truscott , all of T 177 ; E . Ellis , 474 ; W . F . Adams , 40 ; A . F . M . distance , 357 ; J . May , 4 67 ; W . Durnford , 1295 ; W . C . Harries , 1748 ; W . R . Edmonds , DeGoede ; J . Henderson , 990 ; H . A . Jones-Lloyd , 378 ; P . H . Treweeks , 1748 ; G . B . Sketch , 37 8 ; and nearly 40 other brethren from the lodges in the province .

The Provincial Grand Treasurer was unanimously re-elected , after which the Provincial Grand Master invested his officers for the ensuing year as follows :

Bro . R . W . Genese , 1072 ... ... ... ... Prov . S . G . W . „ A . H . Brookman , 1177 ... ... ... Prov . J . G . W . ,, Rev . C . F . Harrison , 464 ... ... •••) ,-, / -. ^ , I , Rev . J . M . Griffith , 1072 j Prov . G . Chaps . „ George J . Hearder , 47 6 ... ... ... Prov . G . Treas . „ Thomas Walters , 47 6 ... ... ... Prov . G . Reg .

„ John James , 4 . 64 ... ... ... ... Prov . G . Sec . „ Arthur Trayler , 37 8 ... ... ... ... Prov . S . G . D . „ W . B . Roderick , 671 ... ... ... Prov . J . G . D . George Jones , 1748 ... ... ... ... Prov . G . S . of W .

„ Samuel J . Allen , 990 ... ... ... Prov . G . D . C . „ James Williams , 3 66 ... ... ... Prov . A . G . D . C . „ William Robinson , 1748 ... ... ... Prov . G . Swd . Br . „ George Edwards , 378 ... ... ... } „ „ , „ Edward Hicks , 990 ... ... ... ... j " ' Md'

Brs-„ W . H . Sales , 11 77 ... ... ... ... •Prov . G . Org . „ J . A . Davies , 2001 ... ... ... ... Prov . G . Purst . „ D . Williams Rees , 671 ... ... ... Prov . A . G . Purst . „ Lionel Wood , 11 77 ... ... ... ... " ,, Charles lones , 476 ...

„ J . B . Gaskell , 366 ... ... ... ... \ - Prov . G . Stwds . „ William Milne , 37 8 ... „ R . Geddes Smith , 10 7 ,, George Bowen , 4 64 ... ... ... ... Prov . G . T yler .

A cordial and hearty vote of thanks was accorded to Bro . J . Beaven Phillips , P . M . 671 , Charity Commissioner , and Bro . Aaron Stone , P . M . 6 71 , Asst . Charity Commissioner , for their valuable services and zeal on behalf of Masonry in the province , and Bro . Aaron Stone was unanimously elected Charity Commissioner . The Committee recommended that the thanks of the province be given to Bro . F . E . Remfrey 1177 in recognition of his services as Steward on behalf of the

Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution for the past year , and that Bro . F . E . Remfrey , 1177 , be elected to represent the province as Steward at the Festival of the Royal Masonic Institution for Girls for the year 1889-90 . The recommendation of the Committee was adopted . The brethren then proceeded in procession to St . Mary ' s Church , when evensong was sung by the Rev . A . Noel Hunt . A grand banquet followed in the Public Hall , provided by Bro . J . B . Hughes , Stwd ., of the Cobourg Hotel .

Consecration Of The Bisley Lodge, No. 2317, At Bisley.

CONSECRATION OF THE BISLEY LODGE , No . 2317 , AT BISLEY .

On Wednesday , the 25 th ult ., a new Craft lodge—the Bisley , No . 2317—was consecrated at the National School , Bisley Green . The D . Prov . Grand Master in charge , assisted by a strong contingent of Grand and Prov . Grand Officers , performed the ceremony of consecration . The Rector of Bisley , Bro Rev . J . Cater , M . A ., B . Mus ., Prov . G . Chap . ( Mark ) Middx . and Surrey , acted for the Prov . G . Chap .

The lodge being opened , the usual questions were put , and the warrant of H . R . H . the Grand Master was read by the Prov . Grand Secretary , Bro . Rev . J . Cater being named as first Worshi pful Master ; Bro . E . H . Gale-Crowdyas first Senior Warden ; and Bro . J . B . S . Lancaster as first Junior Warden ; these , with the following brethren , are the founders of the new lodge : Bros . C . Pulman , George Collins ( Mayor ) , Geo . Whitten , Thomas Aitken , C . F . Passmore , Mus ' Bac ; T . Coxhedd , and F . W . Biscoe .

The brethren assembled under the banner of the Prov . Grand Lodge of Surrey , and amongst them we noticed Bros . Edward Street , P . S . G . W . ; H . N . Hobbs , P . P . J . G . W . ; C . Greenwood , P . G . Sec ; A . C . Greenwood , P . Asst . G . Sec Lamb , D . C ; John O'Connell , P . G . Org . ; G . Payne , P . P . G . D . C ; and D . P . Cama , P . G . T .

The ceremony of consecration being completed , a Board of Installed Masters was then formed , when Bro . F . West , P . G . D ., and D . Prov . Grand Master in charge , proceeded to install Bro . Rev . J . Cater as first W . M . of the new lodge . After the customary honours , the brethren were admitted , and the W . Master proceeded to invest as his S . W . Bro . E . H . Gale-Crowdy , and as his J . W . Bro . J . B . S . Lancaster , and appointed and invested Bros . T . Aitken , S . D . ; G . Collins , J-D . ; C . Pulman , Sec ; C F . Passmore , I . G . ; and T . Coxhead , as l . P . M .

The brethren having elected Bro . F . W . Biscoe as Treasurer and Bro . H . L . Mason as Tyler , they were also invested . The SECRETARY having read a list of propositions for joining and initiation , 'he new lodge elected the Consecrating Officers honorary members of " Bisley 2317 . "

At a quarter to seven , the brethren adjourned to the Brookwood Hotel , where an excellent banquet was served by Bro . and Mrs . Loder . The usual loyal and Masonic toasts were honoured in the customary manner , and some short but admirable speeches enlivened the proceedings . The D . P . G . M . in charge , in responding to the toast of his health , alluded to 'he future prospects of Bisley Common as the site of the new Wimbledon , and gave some of the reasons which had induced H . R . H . the Grand Master to grant J-he petition of the Bisley brethren . He said that from what he had seen and heard he had no doubt that his anticipations would be fully realised , and that there Was a future before the new lodge . He strongly urged that quality rather than niimbers should be the aim of the lodge , and hoped that only such would be ¦ mtiated as could afford the expenses of Masonry . He also called attention to the great necessit y for regularity in attendance , and strict punctuality in all the working . In responding to the toast of " The Newly-Installed Master , " Bro . CATER said hat the success of the lodge was almost guaranteed b y the list of excellent and

Consecration Of The Bisley Lodge, No. 2317, At Bisley.

well-qualified brethren whom he was proud to have as his officers . The circumstances which led up to the formation of the lodge had alread y been alluded to , and he was quite unequal to express the pride and gratitude which swelled his heart at the great honour which had been done him that day . He assured the brethren that nothing should be wanting on his part in endeavouring to make the lodge as happy and prosperous as any in the province .

Some excellent musical and dramatic items were interspersed among the speeches , and on parting everyone expressed great pleasure at the admirable manner in which everything had passed off . The first regular meeting of the lodge will be held on the 10 th inst ., of which due notice will be given .

Consecration Of The Acacia Lodge, No. 2321, At Bradford.

CONSECRATION OF THE ACACIA LODGE , No . 2321 , AT BRADFORD .

The consecration of the above lodge , the 74 th on the roll of the Province of West Yorkshire , took place at the Masonic Hall , Darley-street , Bradford , under the most favourable auspices , on Saturday , the 28 th ult . It is one of several in which intoxicants are excluded , and promises to be full y as successful as they have proved . The founders and promoters of the new lodge

number 20 , of which 10 are P . M . ' s and five P . P . G . Officers ; hence it may be said to hold its first meeting without any special anxieties to increase its strength . In addition to this unusual advantage , the lodge can boast of several well-known local Masons , who must contribute greatly to its stability in no small degree . Probably owing to the latter circumstance , there was a large assemblage of brethren from all parts to witness the consecration .

The consecration was ably performed by the Provincial Grand Master , assisted by the Provincial Grand Officers ; and the only drawback was the evident personal sacrifice made by the revered chief of the province in undertaking the onerous duty in his present weak state . But , although compelled to retire after the consecration on that account , with the sympathy of every brother present , that solemn ceremony lost none of its beauty or impressive character in his hands . Truly the Masonic

zeal and courtesy of the R . W . Brother are boundless , and we could not hel p feeling how very powerful must be the example set the Provincial Grand Officers and brethren of this great Province , over which he so ably and conscientiously presides . Before closing Prov . G . Lodge , the PROV . GRAND MASTER read the following address : Brethren , —It is with pride and satisfaction that the Provincial Grand Officers of West Yorkshire assemble to-day , within the walls ' of this Temple ,

emphatically dedicated to Freemasonry , for the purpose of consecrating the 74 th lodge on the roll of the Province of West Yorkshire , and the sixth lodge in Bradford . It has become an almost annual occurrence to inaugurate a new lodge in West Yorkshire , and hardly a year passes without the addition of another lodge to our numbers . We welcome gladly , under the guarantees provided by the Book of Constitutions , and the assurances of the promoters of each new lodge , who ,

" having the prosperity of the Craft at heart , convince us of the necessity for such new lodge ; and we are ever glad to make a representation through the Grand Lodge of England for the M . W . the Grand Master to grant a new warrant to West Yorkshire . This year is , therefore , no exception to preceding ones ; arid to-day the P . G . Officers offer their sincere congratulations to the promoters of this lodge , and " Hearty good wishes" for its success , prosperity , and perpetuity . It is

another step placed in the Freemasons' ladder of aspiration towards making the whole of West Yorkshire one vast lodge under its Prov . Grand Officers , and '' every just , perfect , and upright man" therein a member of the Craft and a brother . At the Quarterly Communication of the Grand Lodge of England , on the 4 th Sept ., 188 9 , the M . W . the Grand Master granted warrants for 15 new lodges . Out of these warrants six are for Lancashire , and one for West Yorkshire . The

two Lancashires and West Yorkshire run a close race as to which of the three powerful provinces are eventually to have the largest number of lodges . For the Provincial Grand Masters of the two Lancashires West Yorkshire has the deepest reverence and respect , and our policy with them , and also with the Provincial Grand Master of North and East Yorkshire , the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland , is to work together for the good of Freemasonry in the largest and freest spirit of

" Brotherly Love , Relief , and Truth , and Harmony . " The number which the Grand Secretary in London , on the 10 th July , informed my Deputy the M . W . the Grand Master had granted to this lodge was 2321 on the Grand Lodge roll , and the name confirmed to this lodge , at the express wish of its promoters , is that of Acacia . To-day , then , we salute this new lodge by the title of Acacia , and No . 2321 on the Grand Lodge roll , and as the 74 th in the Province of West Yorkshire ,

and may the G . A . O . T . U . guide , direct , and prosper the work of the hands of the founders ; and may they ever meet in unity , work in harmony , and part in peace , until time shall be no more , is the fervent prayer and aspiration of your Provincial Grand Master , and every brother and Grand Officer , Present and Past , in this hall . I should not like this opportunity to pass without mentioning the status of the Craft in Bradford for general

information , as well as for the encouragement in well-doing to the members of the Acacia Lodge . In loyalty , patriotism , justice , philanthropy , benevolence , and charity , the five lodges here in Bradford , as well as at Eccleshill , are eminent in a remarkable degree throughout a long period of time for the exercise of these noble qualities , principles , and virtues , in the midst of a population estimated for the town of Bradford of some 234 , , an increase since the Prince of Wales Lodge ,

No . 1648 , the junior lodge , was founded , in 1876 , of 60 , 000 persons . Take the premier lodge , Hope , No . 302 , with 6 7 members . During the past two years , it has g iven to our Charities , the Boys' and Girls ' , and the Annuitants , the sum of £ 73 l 5 s- Harmony , No . 600 , with 65 members , during the past two years has contributed ^ " 105 to the Girls' Institution . Pentalpha , No . 974 , with 43 members , has , in the same period , given ^ 220 10 s . to the three several Masonic Institutions ;

Shakespeare , No . 1018 , with 29 members , ^ 10 10 s ., besides much money to charities not Masonic ; Prince of Wales , No . 1648 , with 48 members , £ 31 10 s . Neither must I omit Eccleshill Lodge , No . 1018 , with 46 members , which has subscribed ^ 84 towards the 1890 list of West Yorkshire . Thus , in two years , have these five Bradford lodges strengthened our Charity Committee by . £ 441 5 s ., representing 1964 votes amongst a total of 308 members . These are records of philanthropy and

benevolence , worthy of the lofty aims and of their obligations to their more necessitous brethren . Acacia will , I have no doubt , augment this record of charitable work , and in due course be nothing behind the older lodges in works of Charity and usefulness . The premier lodges and the junior lodges have , in the most unselfish manner , considered the petition for this new lodge , and all passed resolutions in support of it , and which have been duly recorded in their respective minute books .

This is an effective assurance of cordial welcome to Acacia Lodge in Bradford , and that it has the hearty encouragement of every surrounding lodge for its success and prosperity . It was also unanimously agreed amongst all of them that the name should be Acacia . There are , I believe , only three lodges of this name on the roll of the Grand Lodge—two of them in this country ( 1309 and 1314 ) , while the other ( No . 876 ) is at Monte Video ; and this is the first lodge

in West Yorkshire bearing this significant emblem for its nomenclature . And this very ancient Masonic emblem , the Mimosa nilotica of Linnaeus , known in the Bible apparently as the Shittah or Shittim wood , represents a lodge to the memory of the cunning man of Tyre , and great architect , who assisted Solomon , the Royal Grand Master , in the skilful work of his Temple , " in gold and silver , in brass , in iron , in stone , and in timber , in purple , in blue , in fine linen , and in crimson , " referred to in one of our most important Masonic ceremonies .