Annual Summer Banquet Of The Merchant Navy Lodge Of Instruction, No. 781.

land ; Bro . and Mrs . Kinniple ; Bro . and Mrs . Wilkinson ; Bro . P . M . Breden , Sec . ( both of the mother lodge and lodge of instruction ) , with whom was Mrs . Dickson , Mrs . Chalmers , and Mrs . Breden ; Bro . and Mrs . Lloyd ; Bro . Shepherd , I . G . 7 S 1 ; and others . The banquet was served in Bro . Benningfield ' s usual style , which is saying all that need be said of such an establishment . The wines may truly be said to be fit for

Royalty itself , at least that was the opinion expressed , and we certainly may take some of the Craft to be good judges of such . So that the company might have the full enjoyment of the beautiful gardens and the surrounding scenery , the Committee had very wisely limited the number of toasts to five . The first , that of "The Queen and the Royal Family , " was given by the chairman . The second , " The Chairman , "

was on this occasion coupled with the third , viz ., Prosperity to the Merchant Navy Lodge of Instruction , " coupled with the name of Bro . Pringle , the Preceptor , who duly responded thereto ; the fourth , that of " The Visitors , " being responded to by Bro . P . M . Kennett , and the last , that of "The Ladies , " being ably responded to by those striplings , Bros . Robinson and Bull , who , although they

have not yet tied the knot , seem to know as much as some of the brethren who have . Having enjoyed themselves in various out-door amusements until 7 o ' clock , the company re-assembled to partake of the cup that cheers , but does not , & c , leaving the Crown at S for the homeward journey with " hearty good wishes " for Bro . Benningfield , and hoping he might have the continued prosperity he deserves .

Laying Corner Stones Of A Church In Leeds.

LAYING CORNER STONES OF A CHURCH IN LEEDS .

The corner-stones of the church of St . Mary , Tong-road , New Wortley , were laid on the 30 th ult . by the Lord Bishop of Ripon and Bro . Henry Smith , Deputy Prov . Grand Master of West Yorkshire . There was a large attendance of clergy and laity at the ceremony , which was witnessed by

a crowd of several hundred persons . Among those present were the Revs . Dr . Gott , T . R . W . Pearson , C . E . Lamb , Dr . Mitchell , W . de Lacy Evans , T . H . May , S . S . Lambrick , E . O . Williams , J . Rosser , J . Child , J . Thompson , VV . H . Stansfield , Hercules Butler , F . G . Hume-Smith , and F . C . Kilner , Mr . Charles Ryder , and Mr . E . Newsham .

The following brethren were also present—Bros . Thos . Ruddock , 275 , as Prov . G . S . W . ; T . W . Embleton , 1513 , as Prov . G . J . W . ; Rev . J . J . Needham and Rev . E . W . Makinson , 2 S 9 , Prov . G . Chaplains ; Robert Craig , 302 , as Prov . G . Treas . ; Herbert G . E . Green , 1019 , Prov . G . Sec . ; Wm . Watson , 20 C 9 , and Jos . Dobson , 2 S 4 , as Prov . G . Deacons ; Robt . Abbott , 2060 , as Prov . G . S . of VV . ; E .

Poppleton , S 27 , Prov . G . D . of Cers . ; TudorTrevor , 2069 , and E . Wales Smith , 2 S 4 , as Prov . G . Deacons ; Arthur Simonson , as Prov . G . Org . ; E . Woodcock , 304 , as Prov . G . Asst . Sec . ; Jas . Wright , 600 , Prov . G . Purst . ; M . W . Jameson , 2069 , as Prov . G . Steward ; John Tinker , 652 , Prov . G . Steward ; S . Barrand , 304 , as Prov . G . Tyler ; J . E . Honing , 30 G ; Wm . Flockton , 1042 ; Rev . H . S . Butler , or \ Cu \ * anrl nthprs .

The consecrating elements were carried by Bros . James Yates , P . M . 302 ; C . W . Moore , P . M . 1221 ; and A . Scarth , 2 S 9 . After singing and prayer , a trowel and mallet were presented to the Bishop , with which his lordship proceeded to lay one of the corner-stones . Subsequently Deputy Provincial Grand Master Smith laid the other stone with full Masonic ceremonial , the prayers being read by the

Provincial Grand Chaplain . The BISHOP then addressed those present , and expressed his deepest sympathy with the work which had been begun . When they began a building , whether it was a house , a factory , or a church , there was above all the thought that the building would become a centre into which would gather the interests , the sympathies , the aspirations , and

the moral and mental life of man . If it were a house there would gather in it the affections of home , and the fears , anxieties , and hopes that belonged to the family circle . If it were a factory there would gather in it the constant effort and the persistent patience of man in working materials into fabrics which would be useful for man . If it were a church there would gather in it those whose

lines were cast among so many vicissitudes , and who , recognising what was elemental and common to their humanity—the need of Divine help and Divine culturefelt . the confidence chat their Divine Father would not deny to them that hel p and that culture , nor suffer them to be cast down in their hopes . Such a work as that , therefore , enlisted the sympathy and demanded the prayers of them

all . But it did more . Every church which was started became an expression of something which was needed in our growing and enlarging life . He did not think that they always reflected upon this , that a nation ought to be a growing nation in the matter of its moral life just as much as in the order of its mental improvement . Just in proportion as we grew in national morality—in

righteousness and integrity of character—should we be weaving those webs which would be cords of strength to future generations . For that reason a church became the expression of the need of going forward , and promoting the improvement of the moral and spiritual life of mankind . A church was a silent witness that all mankind should live up to a high spiritual standard , and a protest against all

that was low and mean , and immoral and base and defiling to the life of the community . But there was a deeper thought even than that—namely , that the spirit of man needed to be linked into constant unity with the Spirit of God , and that church would be a means through which that union might be brought about . ( Applause . ) Deputy Provincial Grand Master SMITH said that after

the eloquent and interesting address of the Bishop it was not desirable that he should detain them more than a few minutes , whilst he endeavoured to convey to them on behalf of himself and the members of the Craft who had associated themselves with him the great pleasure it afforded them to assist in that excellent work . They trusted that when

completed the church would be a blessing to the district , and would create an increased reverence for the Great Architect of the Universe and His beneficent acts . As Freemasons they were not out of place in assisting in that ceremony . Although no longer Operative Masons , they had sympathy with works of benevolence and Charity . Although it might be contrary to their custom to parade

Laying Corner Stones Of A Church In Leeds.

their own works , yet he might venture to say that they were full of practical Charity , on which they expended yearly £ Co , ooo , with which they relieved the declining years of the aged and necessitous , and supported and educated 500 boys and girls in Institutions which had cost upwards of £ 100 , 000 . ( Applause . ) Surely they were entitled to some credit for that evidence of good intentions . Before

concluding , he wished to express the deep regret of their Provincial Grand Master , Bro . Tew , who had been prevented attending and discharging the duty which had fallen to his lot . ( Applause . ) The Rev . Dr . MITCHELL expressed the thanks of those present to the Bishop for attending and performing the ceremony , to the Rev . Dr . Gott for having preached the

sermon prior to the stone-laying , and to the Deputy Provincial Grand Master and the members of the Craft for the part they had taken . He also alluded to the excellent work done in the district by the Rev . J . Rosser , vicar designate , and said that the new church , being situated in a purely working class neighbourhood , was deserving the support of outsiders . A cold collation was afterwards served in the Green Lane Board School , under the presidency of the Rev . Dr .

Mitchell . The Rev . J . ROSSER expressed his thanks to the band of enthusiastic workers by whom he had been assisted in the carrying on of the work , and to the Bishop and the Deputy Provincial Grand Master for the part they had taken in the ceremony . In the evening there was a parochial tea meeting in the same scho & l .

Laying A Corner Stone At Castle. Ford With Masonic Ceremonies.

LAYING A CORNER STONE AT CASTLE . FORD WITH MASONIC CEREMONIES .

An interesting function was carried out by the Freemasons of West Yorkshire at Castleford , on Saturday last , when the Provincial Grand Master laid the north-east corner stone of the new National Schools at that town . The gathering was under the banners of Legiolium Lodge , 1542 , and St . Oswald Lodge , 910 , and the brethren of these

lodges met at the Co-operative Assembly Rooms , Castleford , at 2 p . m ., and opened a lodge . The Rector of Castleford , Bro . the Rev . W . T . M . Sylvester , in the meantime entertained a party at luncheon at the Rectory , amongst the guests being Bros . T . W . Tew , Prov . Grand Master of West Yorkshire ; the Very Rev . A . P . Purey Cust , Dean of York , P . G . Chap . ; H . Smith , Deputy Prov . Grand Master of West Yorkshire ; the Hon . and Rev . P . Y .

Savile , rector of Methley ; the Rev . Canon Naylor ; Rev . J . J . Needham , rector of Whitwood Mere ; T . B . Whytehead , P . P . G . W . North and East Yorkshire ; and several other brethren , and the Rev . J . J . Christie , rector of Pontefract . At 3 p . m . the Provincial Grand Master , his officers , and the visitors were received in the lodge , and at once a procession was formed to the church . The procession was

headed by the Castleford brass band , followed by the surpliccd choir , and then by the brethren in the usual Masonic order , the various emblems and tools being carried by brethren of the local lodges . Bro . W . W . Macvay , the senior 1 P . M ., carried the Holy Bible , Bro . J . Rickard , W . M . 1542 , bore the trowel , Bro . T . H . Tolson , P . M ., the mallet , Bro . W . J . Morley , architect , the plans , & c . The church was filled with an attentive congregation , and there was a full

choral service , prayers being said by the rector , assisted by the Rev . J . J . Needham , and the absolution being pronounced by the Dean of York . The first lesson was read by Canon J . A . Naylor , and the second by the Hon . and Rev . P . Y . Savile . The sermon was preached by the Dean from I . Corinthians , 3 rd chapter , nth v ., "For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid , which is Jesus Christ , " dwelling in his discourse upon the necessity for

religious instruction , of a daily and constant kind , and showing the utter failure of a purely secular education to make men and women moral and honest . At the conclusion of the service a collection was made , and a procession was once more formed , including the children of the school , to the site of the building . Here there was a platform with raised seats to accommodate an audience of ladies . The Masonic ceremonial then commenced , and the stone

was laid in due and solemn form by R . W . Bro . T . W . Tew , who also addressed the assembly upon the nature of the gathering . The rector of Castleford thanked the Prov , Grand Master for his attendance , and that of the brethren , and the Dean of York also gave a short address , after which a collection was made . The musical accompaniments were given by the church choir and the children

of the schools , and after prayer by the Rev . J . J . Needham , and the singing of the National Anthem , the brethren returned to their lodge room . The Masonic arrangements were very well carried out under the guidance of the Prov . Grand Secretary , Bro . H . Green . We understand that the collections represented a handsome sum , that will materially lessen the debt on the schools .

Banquet To Bro. Darasha Rataujee Chichgur.

BANQUET TO BRO . DARASHA RATAUJEE CHICHGUR .

Bro . Darasha R . Chichgur , who has been honorary Secretary of the joint Committee of Freemasons' Hall , Byculla , Bombay , for the last eight years , and is now on a visit to this country , was entertained at a complimentary dinner on Wednesday , the 20 th May , by his brother members of the

Committee , M . W . Bro . Captain H . Morland , Grand Master of all Scottish Freemasonry in India , being an honoured guest on the occasion , while R . W . Bro . Tyrrel Leith , D . G . M . Bombay , under the English Constitution , was only prevented being present by indisposition . All the lodges in Bombay were likewise represented , a very large number of the brethren , both European and native , having formally

requisitioned the Committee to be allowed to take part in the festive meeting . Bro . J . G . Smith , who is President of the Committee , occupied the chair , and was supported on his rigjit by the guest of the evening , and on his left by Bro . Captain Morland , covers being laid for 140 .

On the removal of the cloth , and when the usual loyal and Masonic toasts had been duly honoured , the CHAIR - MAN gave the toast of the evening— " The Health of Bro . Darasha R . Chichgur . " Bro . Darasha , he said , had been a brother for something like live and twenty years , during the whole of which he had shown himself to be , in every sense of the word , a true Mason . From the very day of his being initiated in Freemasonry he had evinced , and had

Banquet To Bro. Darasha Rataujee Chichgur.

been continually evincing day after day , thegreatest interest in theaffairsof Freemasonry . If ever it was shown to him that his services were required in order to further any real Masonic object , it was necessary simply to mention the matter to him and his sympathies were immediatel y enlisted . His Masonic services had been acknowledged by his own lodge by raising him to the highest possible position and they had not failed even to attract the attention of the

Grand Master of all Scottish Freemasonry in India , who had conferred upon him very high honours indeed . His services had also been acknowledged by numerous lod ges in Bombay by electing him honorary member , and these lodges not only belonged to the Scottish Constitution , to which Bro . Darasha belonged , but also to the English Constitution . Ever since the English and Scottish Constitutions had met in one hall Bro . Darasha had been the

honorary Secretary and Treasurer , and as such had given both Constitutions entire satisfaction . The Hall Committee was not in a flourishing condition when the two united about eight years ago ; but under Bro . Darasha's kind care and nursing large funds had been accumulated , which had enabled them to pay their way from year to year . He hoped those funds would form the nucleus of a building fund , and that in course of time the Masonic Fraternity

would have a temple of their own . He was sure it must be exceedingly gratifying to Bro . Darasha , as well as to himself ( the Chairman ) , to find that the occasion of his departure from these shores for a trip to Europe had been the means of bringing together such a large assembly . He was glad to observe that not only was their dining hall full to overflowing , but that they had had to place a table in the adjoining room to accommodate other brethren who had

gathered together to grace the occasion . They all knew they had asked Bro . Darasha to meet them to bid farewell to him on the eve of his leaving Bombay for England , and he was sure he was echoing the desire of every one when he wished him a pleasant voyage and uninterrupted enjoyment during the time that he stayed in England , and a safe return to Bombay with renewed health and strength , and a full accomplishment of the objects with which he left

Bombay . ( Cheers . ) The Chairman then read the several resolutions passed at the Hall Committee meeting the Monday previous , and concluded by proposing Bro . Darasha ' s health . The toast was drunk with enthusiasm , the assembly remaining standing , and after a Guzerati song had been sung , and a gold embroidered purse , containing a contribution in rupees from the Committee , had been presented ,

R . W . Bro . DARASHA R . CHICHGUR , who was received with loud and prolonged cheers , said that he was so overpowered by the kindness and sympathy evinced by the brethren towards him , that words failed him to thank them in an adequate manner . He might at the out-set say that he owed a deep debt of gratitude for all he had acquired in connection with Freemasonry to the Most Worshipful Bro . Captain H . Morland , who afforded him ample

opportunities from time to time to prove himself of some service to the Craft . He was again deeply indebted to R . W . Bro . J . Y . Lang , the Deputy Grand Master , for the kindly interest he took in all the little services he performed in connection with Freemasonry in general , and the Hall Committee in particular , and he ( Bro . Darasha ) was indeed very happy to see him at the banquet that evening . At the latter end of 1 S 77 a compact was made

between the English and the Scottish Constitutions to have a joint hall for their meetings , and he was nominated Honorary Secretary to the Committee appointed for that purpose . It was then apprehended on all sides that this union between the two Constitutions must cause certain difficulties in course of time , and the success which it had since achieved had never been expected . As one of the executive he succeeded by means of a little tact and

patience in bringing about the union which was so much desired by both the Constitutions . It was at the suggestion of Bro . T . Counsell that the then Committee which was presided over by W . Bro . Tyrrel Leith , D . G . M ., voted him a handsome present of a gold pencil and silver inkstand for what they thought to be substantial services rendered by him to the Hall Committee , but which he ( Bro . Darasha ) thought were over-rated by his kind friends . W . Bro .

Tyrrel Leith good naturedly suggested that the presentation should take place in the District Grand Lodge , and he now stated with pardonable pride that the presentation then made by the hands of W . Bro . James Gibbs , the then District Grand Master , was an honour which any Mason would covet . Representing the Scotch Constitution , as he did , he had worked during the last eight years with brethren of eminence and position of the sister Constitution

like W . Bros . Tyrrel Leith , Andrew Hay , H . I . P . Thomson , and last though not the least , with W . Bro . J . W . Smith . ( Cheers . ) He stated with pride and pleasure that during his connection with the Hall Committee , if the two Constitutions ever disagreed on any minor detail it was for the purpose of agreeing in the main . He had undoubtedly had to work hard in connection with his duties , but he had amply been repaid by

the spontaneous , hearty , and cordial reception they had accorded him that night . The purse and the money they had been pleased to present him with would be devoted as desired towards the purchase of certain articles which would not only descend as an heirloom tohis family , but would serveas a palpable token of the love and esteem in which the kind brethren of different denominations and creed held him for the small services he had been able to render , and

Bro . Darasha concluded by thanking the brethren individually and collectively for the very high honour they had done him . M . W . Bro . Capt . H . MORLAND proposedthetoastof "The Chairman . " He had accepted the position of guest that evening with the greatest pleasure , because it afforded him an opportunity of paying his tribute to the great merits and great worth of Bro . Darasha R . Chichgur . He need hardly

tell the brethren that he looked with pride on Bro . Darasha as one connected with the constitution with which he was himself associated . He had heard the true and just praise that was his due being accorded to him by the Chairman , and he ( Bro . Morland ) expressed a hope that Bro . Darasha during his visit to the United Kingdom would take the opportunity of visiting the Grand Lodge of the constitution

under which he hailed . He wished Bro . Darasha a prosperous voyage , and a safe return with fresh vigour and health to again give them the benefit of his valuable services . The Grand Master then formally proposed the toast of the Chairman , dwelling at some length on the very great skill and care that he had brought to bear on the affairs of the Hall Committee .