Provincial Grand Chapter Of West Yorkshire.

The minutes of the meeting held at Wakefield , 24 th November , 1886 , were presented for confirmation . Moved by Comp . C . L . MASON , P . Z . 304 , P . P . G . H ., seconded by Comp . Dr . SMYTH , Z . 1042 , Prov . G . J ., and resolved : — " That the minutes be taken as read . " Moved by Comp . J W ORDSWORTH , P . Z . 154 , P . P . G . D . of C , seconded by Comp . J . D . KAY , P . Z . 28 9 , P . P . G . J ., and resolved : — "That the minutes be confirmed . "

Comp . J . W . F OURNESS , P . Z . 28 9 , Prov . G . Treas ., presented his balance sheet , and stated that the balance in the W . R . U . Bank , Dewsbury ,

on 30 th April , was £ 243 12 s . 7 d . Moved by Comp . C L . MASON , seconded by Comp . J . W . FOURNESS , and resolved : — "That Comp . Thomas Harrison , P . Z . 296 , be elected Prov . G . Treas . for the ensuing year . " The Prov . G . Superintendent then appointed and invested the Prov . Grand Officers for the ensuing year as follows : —

Comp . John Wordsworth , P . Z . 154 ... ... Prov . G . H . „ F . Laxton , P . Z . 275 ... ... ... Prov . G . J . „ Henry Smith , P . Z . 3 S 7 ... ••¦ Prov . G . S . E . „ Dr . W . R . Thomas , P . Z . 139 ... ... Prov . G . S . N . Tlinma ? Harrison . P . Z . 206 ... ... Prov . G . Treas .

„ ] . G . Hutchinson , P . Z . 302 ... ... Prov . G . Reg . „ James Kaye , P . Z . 275 ... ... ... Prov , G . Prin . S . „ Thomas R . Vaux , P . Z . 208 ... ... Prov . G . ist A . S .

„ Wm . Watson , P . Z . 304 ... ... ... Prov . G . 2 nd A . b . „ Robert Thompson , P . Z . 304 ... ... Prov . G . Swd . Br . „ F . W . Turner , P . Z . 265 ... ... Prov . G . Std . Br . „ Davis R . Glover , P . Z . 2 S 9 ... ... Prov . G . D . C . „ Thomas Gaukroger , P . Z . 307 ... ... Prov . A . G . D . C . „ George Carbert , Orsf . 495 ... ... Prov . G . Org . „ H . G . E . Green , P . Z . 1019 ... ... Prov . A . G . S . E .

„ T . Bateman Fox , P . Z . 208 ... ... > „ William Redgard Massie , P . Z . 1513 ... / p rov > Q Stwd „ Benjamin Preston . P . Z . 204 ... ... ( „ W . C . Ellisdon , P . Z . 306 ... .. J

,, Joshua Lee , P . Z . 290 ... ... ... Prov . G . Janitor . The Present and Provincial Grand Officers were then saluted . Pursuant to notice—Moved by Comp . W . F . SMITHSON , P . Z . 28 9 , P . P . G . D . of C , seconded by Comp . C . L . MASON , and resolved : — "That a donation of 50 guineas be made from the funds of Provincial Grand Chapter to the ' Queen Victoria Jubilee Presentations' to the Royal MasonicBenevolenfinstitmion Widows' Fund , - £ 265 s . toeach'Presentation . ' ' "

Pursuant to notice—Moved by Comp . John W . Fourness ,, seconded by Comp . VV . F . Tomlinson , P . Z . 304 , P . P . G . Soj ., and resolved : — "That a donation of three guineas be made from the funds of Prov . G . Chapter to the Imperial Institute of the United Kingdom , the Colonies and India . " Moved bv Comp . John Wordsworth , Prov . G . H ., seconded by Comp . T . Bateman , Fox , Prov . G . Steward , and resolved : — "That the best thanks of this Provincial Grand Chapter are due and are hereby yiven to the

Companions of the four Leeds Chapters for the arrangements necessary for the comfort and convenience of the companions . " Prov . G . Chapter was closed according to ancient custom . Tea was provided in the banquet hall , at 5 . 30 , and upwards of 6 5 companions partook of it . Comp . C . L . Mason presiding .

Consecration Of The Francis White Chapter, No. 1437-

CONSECRATION OF THE FRANCIS WHITE CHAPTER , No . 1437-

The want of a Royal Arch Chapter having been sadly felt at Romford , in the Province of Essex , for some time past , especially by the brethren of the Liberty of Havering Lodge , held in that famous old market town , it was decided at a meeting of the brethren that one should be formed , and bear the above name in compliment to Bro . Francis A . White , Past

Master of Liberty of Havering Lodge , P . P . G . Registrar Essex . It is no light compliment , and the result was only arrived at after mature deliberation , and a unanimous decision that that was the only fit way that Bro . White ' s valuable services to Masonry at Romford could fairly be recognised . Therefore , on Wednesday , the 20 th ult ., the new chapter was duly

consecrated and constituted by our distinguished brother and Comp . F . A . Philbrick , Q . C , Grand Reg . of England and Grand Superintendent of the Province of Essex , assisted by a large and influential body of companions from far and near . The venue was the Golden Lion Hotel , and

when the consecrating officer opened the proceedings , having for supporters Comps . V . Taylor , P . Z . 276 , P . G . H ., as H . ; A . Walsh , P . Z . ( Patriotic ) , P . G . J ., asj . ; T . J . Railing , P . G . S . E ., as S . E . ; A . Lucking , P . G . D . C , as D . C ; and H . E . Dehane , H . elect 890 , as Scribe N ., the effect produced was most impressive .

Comp . PHILBRICK having briefly stated the pleasure he felt at the opportunity afforded of consecrating the chapter , the only one that had been consecrated in the province for the last 12 years , and that he had no doubt that under the rule of Comp . C . White and his officers the chapter would become both a success and an honour to the roll of chapters alread y in the province , proceeded with the ceremony .

The oration was then delivered by Comp . WALSH , who coming unprepared , yet was exceedingly eloquent and impressive . The whole of the beautiful ceremony was then carried out in its entirety , the musical portion being admirably rendered b y Comp . G . Carter , E . J . Bell , and Seymour Smith , the latter presiding at the harmonium . The patriarchal benediction

having been pronounced , the following officers were duly installed and invested : Comps . F . A . White , P . M . 907 and 1437 , P . Z . 907 and 1716 , as M . E . Z . ; H . Mason , P . M . 913 , P . Z . 913 , P . G . Std . Br . Kent , as H . ; Rev . Thomas Cochrane , P . G . Std . Br ., as J . ; R . J . Warren , S . E . ; T . Beeson , S . N . ; H . V . Clements , P . Z ., Treasurer ; T . Humphreys , W . M .

1437 , P . S . ; A . E . Albert , ist A . S . ; and G . Young , Janitor . Votes of thanks were tendered to Comp . Philbrick and his colleagues for their work in the consecration of the chapter , and they were further unanimousl y elected as honorary members , for which they severally and conjointly returned thanks . Letters of apology for inability to attend were read from the Grand Superintendents ot Sussex , Middlesex , and South Lancashire .

Consecration Of The Francis White Chapter, No. 1437-

the Grand Scribe E ., and other distinguished companions . Several nominations for joining members and exaltees were given , and then tta chapter was closed in due form . Among the other companions present were—Comps . W . Clarke , P . Z . 376 , Asst . G . D . of C . Eng . ; E . E . Phillips , P . Z . 379 , P . p , Essex ; W . D . Merritt , P . Z . 1000 , P . G . Std . Br . Essex ; J . C . Turner , M . E f Patriotic 6

( ) , P . G . S . N . Essex ; F . A . Whitmore , P . Z . 27 , P . G . S . Essex ; C . Coupl an j - P . Z . 913 , P . P . G . J . Kent ; H . Lovegrove , P . Z . 72 , P . G . Treasurer Middx . ; J . Cole ! man , P . Z . 907 and 1716 ; G . Cowell , P . Z . 214 , P . G . S . N . Essex ; A . J . Manning , p ¦ / 207 ; A . G . Veley , M . E . Z . 276 ; G . Anderson , M . E . Z . 1716 ; G . Kenneday , pjg " 13 ; E . West , P . Z . 13 ; A . Durrant , P . Z . 276 ; R . Jennings , M . E . Z . 907 ; G . \ y ' King , 13 ; T . Tilley , 1237 ; G . Jennings , 1237 ; C . H . Phillips , H . 1 S 3 ; G . Farrinrjl ton , S . N . 15 S 7 ; T . Burne , J . 907 ; J . S . Fraser , 214 ; F . Eastwood , 1237 ; \ fij ~ Mauston , 907 ; and C . Jolly , S . N . 1472 , 913 , & c , & c .

The banquet was splendidly served under the personal superintendence of the jovial host , Comp . Peter Reynolds and at its conclusion the M . E . Z gave the first toast—that of "The Queen and Royal Arch Masonry . " fjg said in such a distinguished assembly of Masons such a toast required rm

words of his to render it acceptable . It afforded him much pleasure , as the first M . E . Z . of that chapter , to have the honour to preside over it in the year of her Majesty ' s Jubilee , He cordially wished her many years of health to reign over her faithful and loyal people , among whom none were more so than Royal Arch Masons .

"The Health of H . R . H . the Prince of Wales , Grand Z . of the Order , " followed . The M . E . Z ., in putting it , said they all knew what his Royal Highness had done both for the Craft andRoyal Arch Masonry . He asked them to show their affection for their distinguished companion by drinking his health in bumpers . The toast was drunk with much heartiness .

The next toast was that of "The Right Hon . the Earl of Carnarvon Pro G . Z ., the Right Hon . the Earl of Lathom , G . H ., and the rest of the ' Grand Officers , past and present . " The M . E . Z . said if he tired their patience it would be because he could say so much in the favour of their esteemed Grand Officers . That evening they had the honour of having three Grand Officers with them , M . E . Comps . Philbrick , Grand Registrar , Cochrane , P . G . Standard Bearer , and Clarke , Present Asst . D . of C , and with the latter he should couple the toast .

Comp . CLARKE , in responding , said he should rather have had some other than his own name associated with the toast , and could only say on behalf of the Grand Officers of Grand Chapter , that they would always endeavour to maintain the prestige of the Order , and be worthy of the trust reposed in them , and the honour done them by their G . Z . who appointed them to office . In the name of the Grand Officers , present and past , he cordially thanked them for the toast .

The M . E . Z . then proposed "The Health of Comp . Philbrick , G . Supt . of the Province of Essex . " He had had the honour of knowing and also of serving with their Grand Superintendent in the province for some few years , and knew what an excellent Mason he was . They had seen for themselves how well he had that day carried out the duties of Consecrating

Officer ; it was a grand Masonic treat to them all , while to himself , he felt it a great honour to be installed by Comp . Philbrick—in fact , it was the greatest honour of his life . He cordially thanked Comp . Philbrick , and trusted he might be spared for many years to them and to the province , as also to Masonry generall }' . The toast was drunk with great enthusiasm .

Comp . PHILBRICK in response , said they had had several warnings that evening that time and trains waited for no man , and although they would have liked to have heard the melodies of their musical brethren , yet he was afraid that time would not permit . Let him at once and from the bottom of his heart say that every time he came among the brethren of the province he seemed to meet with a kinder reception than ever ; it seemed

as if the attachment between them grew and deepened as time went on , giving him , in the free and unrestrained intercourse between them , the greatest pleasure and delight . That day would long be remembered by him as the first on which he had ever had the pleasure of consecrating a chapter in that province ; the last chapter consecrated in that province was , he believed , in 1874 or 1875 . He looked upon R . A . Masonry as the legitimate crown and copestone of the Masonic structure . The lost secrets

were restored in this Sublime Degree , and for that , if for that alone , he felt it to be the crown and copestone of Symbolic Masonry . He paid a high compliment to those officers who had assisted him so ably in the ceremony of consecration , and was sure that under the energetic and deserving companions at its head , the Francis White Chapter would be an honour to the province . He counselled them to stand shoulder to shoulder and work , for without work there could be no success . Pluck was one of the indestructable

characteristics of the Anglo-Saxon race , and it was that which made success attainable . After giving some excellent advice respecting the sort of candidates worthy of exaltation , he concluded a lengthy and brilliant address , of which this is but a brief resume , and which was frequently loudly applauded , by wishing the chapter every prosperity , and that it might be worthy of its name , its founders , and an honour and lig ht among tne chapters of the province . ,

After the toast of " The G . H . and J . " had been honoured and responded to by Comp . PHILLIPS , Comp . PHILBRICK rose to propose "The Health of the M . E .. Z ., Comp . Francis White , and the other two Principals , Comps . Mason and Coc rane , " and , in so doing , alluded eloquently to the courage and devotion shown by those companions in the cause of Masonry , and claimed for the the ready and willing support of every companion of the chapter .

Comp . WHITE , in his reply , could hardly find words to thank Comp ' Philbrick for the very kind and flattering remarks used by him in proposing the toast . They were most encouraging words , and would insp ire t ^ do their duty in carrying out the work of the chapter . He could , howe \ . J assure them that was not his first venture ; he referred to the All oai r | . Chapter , which was a success , and he felt sure that one would be . I . shall be , " and cheers . ) As to Comp . Mason , he knew him to be a . na

working Mason , and one that would do his duty by the chapter ; andi ^ ^ Cochrane would do the same to the letter . With reference to the nam the chapter , when it was mooted he proposed that it should be the Li . of Havering , the name of the mother lodge ; but it was decided [ 1 ir should be the Francis White Chapter , and it seemed such a nig ' ° : ng that he could not refuse it . He had to thank Comp . Philbrick for c ° ce > down and naming it . He also thanked all his friends for their at ten ^ It had made the affair a great success , and , in conclusion , he could p

them that he should do all he could to keep up that success . Comps . MASON and COCHRANE also returned thanks . ^ nfdeers , " Comps . T . BEESON and T . HUMPHREYS responded for " The U . ^ and " The Visitors" and Janitor ' s toasts concluded the proceedings * were both memorable and enjovable .