Craft Masonry.

Bro . W . L . Jackson , Prov . G . M . West Yorkshire , in reply , said it would be mere affectation on his part if he did notappreciate the warmth of the welcome they had given him , notwithstanding he vvas almost a stranger to the majority of those present . He vvas aware that in the position he had the honour to fill they recognised an officer whom they delighted to honour , namely , the Prov . Grand Master for VVest Yorkshire . It vvas a little difficult after

listening to the speeches and partaking of the hospitality for him to know exactly how to respond in a fitting manner to the toast of the Prov . G . M . of the Northern Provinces , but he would be wanting in his duty if he did not attempt on behalf of the distinguished brethren mentioned by Bro . Masters to convey the high appreciation of those brethren of the manner the toast had been received . Those provinces vvere very powerful , large , and important . He had

only recently become a Provincial Grand Master , and he was sorry he had not been among the brethren before . Reference had been made to his installation , and he vvas glad to find that the hospitality vvhich vvas proverbial in Yorkshire vvas extended to the visitors on that occasion , and he thanked Bro . Smithson for his attention to the guests . It vvas a great honour for him to be present there that night . In the Province of West Yorkshire they thought the Craft

was maintained in a high condition of efficiency , and that its working would compare favourably vvith that of any other province in the kingdom . Reference had been made to Lord Lathom . The noble brother vvas present at his ( Bro . Jackson's ) installation , and he went away quite satisfied vvith the condition in vvhich he found the working of the Order in West Yorkshire . It had 7 6 lodges and 4000 Masons . The brethren would , therefore , sympathise with

him in the onerous duties vvhich such a position as his entailed upon him . Coming to the Uniied Northern Counties Lodge that night he wondered whether he could claim any sort of connection vvith it , and when he looked through the list of members he found that not only had he many friends connected with it , but that his distinguished predecessor , Bro . T . W . Tew , vvas one of the founders . He needhardly say that no one present vvas so conscious as he ( Bro .

Jackson ) of the difficulty of his position , following so distinguished a man in that office , and it vvas owing to the fact that Masons looked rather to the office than to the individual who might for the time being fill it , that he looked forward withconfidencetorhemanagementand administration of the enormous province he vvas called upon to preside over . Bro . Tew gave almost his life to the Craft in order to promote its welfare ; no man did more to promote its Charities , and

his example stimulated the province in that direction . That vvas one connection he might claim vvith the Northern Counties Lodge . But there vvas another . He noticed that Lord Zetland vvas one of its founders . It had been his good fortune for a short period to work closely vvith Lord Zetland when he was _ Lord Lieutenant of Ireland , and he ( Bro . Jackson ) was his Chief Secretary . He saw much of

Lord Zetland during that time , and he could speak vvith confidence of his qualities as a man and as an administrator of which every Mason might be proud . West Yorkshire had done its duty in the past in connection vvith the Charities ; he believed it would do its duty in the future . It certainly was a province they would do well to cultivate , because they had only to secure the friendship of Bro . Bateman Fox and Bro . Smithson in order to succeed vvith

any candidates . It vvas a matter of great congratulation to Masons generally that the Order had made such remarkable progress in the last 20 or 30 years . It vvas a progress that vvas remarkable not only as regarded numbers , but as regarded the quality of the persons vvho joined the Order . They had recently seen vvhat vvas almost the youngest of the lodges , if not the youngest , consecrated—the Chancery Bar Lodge , at vvhich the Lord Chancellor and a late Lord

Chancellor of England attended . This showed clearly that the Order vvas wide enough to embrace every man whatever his position , his creed , or his politics . If so , it vvas wide enough to admit all , and that it vvas an honour to the men , whatever their position , to join in the working of it . It vvas satisfactory to find that that progress had been going on during the period of ofhce of the present Grand Master , but it would have been strange

if it had been otherwise . There were connected with it men who had tried to live up to the great principles of the Order , and only in that sens . e they might hope permanently to establish the welfare of the Order itself . Therefore , he said in conclusion , that whilst hc thanked them most sincerely for the honour they had done him by inviting him that evening , it vvas only by strict adherence to all their ancient usages' , by the maintenance of discipline , by

brotherly love vvhich enabled men to meet together , however much they might differ outside thc Order , they might permanently increase and extend the influence—the good inlluence—of the Order to which they vvere proud to belong . After a few humourous remarks vvith regard to Bro . Bullock , Bro . Jackson said it would be to him a great pleasure and a great honour to join a lodge bearing such a name , associated as it was vvith all ( if he might venture to say sn

in the presence of the Southern brethren ) , vvhich they thought had tended so largely to make this country so great , and to extend , uphold , and maintain the high , the great , and the precious traditions of the Masonic Order . Bro . Frank Knight , I . P . M ., proposed "The W . M ., " a brother whose work they had seen and admired , and knew it could not be excelled . Good health to him and plenty of work . Bro . Cuthbert R . Lee , VV . M ., said , in response , that he

vvas very sensible of the brethren ' s kindness-, and fully appreciated the honour conferred on him by their election of him to the chair of the United Northern Counties Lodge , and he should endeavour to repay their kindness by performing his duties to the brethren ' s satisfaction , and upholding the honour and dignity of the lodge . From vvhat he knew of the Past Masters and brethren he felt sure his year would be successful . Not to be egotistical , he felt that he would make it so .

Bro . Cuthbert Lee said the next act he had to perform was to present an illuminated address to their worthy Secretary , Bro . Masters , and a dressing bag to his esteemed wife , and he was right glad to havc the opportunity of doing so . He would read the address : "Antient Free and Accepted Masons of England . His Royal Highness the Prince of

Wales , M . W . Grand Master . To Worshipful Brother William Masters , P . M . and P . Z . 42 S , P . M . and Sec . 212 S . S . W . 60 , Past Grand Steward England . Worshipful and Dear Brother , —We , the Master . Wardens , Past Masters , and Brethren of the United Northern Counties Lodge , No . 2128 , meeting at the Inns of Court Hotel , London , beg to offer for your acceptance this illuminated address as

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a small token of our esteem towards you , and in recognition of the services you have rendered to the Lodge , as one of the Founders , and as the Third Worshipful Master , also as Secretary during the past four years . We also ask you to accept on behalf of your dear wife a lady's dressing bag , subscribed for by the brethren of the Lodge in commemoration of your silver wedding , and also in

remembrance of her great kindness in presenting to the Lodge , at the consecration , a very beautiful banner , her own handiwork . We pray that you will both be blessed vvith health and happiness , and that the G . A . O . T . U . vvill have you in His holy keeping . Signed on behalf of the Lodge , Frank Wright , W . M . ; Cuthbert R . Lee , S . VV . ; R . P . Keates . J . W . —J . S . Cumberland , P . M ., & c ; G . J . Wood ,

P . M ., & c" This address vvas beautifully written on vellum , and framed and glazed . The dressing bag for Mrs . Masters was one of the best of that kind of manufacture , all the articles in it bore the monogram "E . M ., " and the caps of all the bottles were of silver ; the brushes vvere all ivory-backed . Bro . Cuthbert Lee said he did not know that he could add very much to vvhat appeared on the

address to Bro . Masters , except that he had the pleasure of knowing Mrs . Masters , and a more charming lady it would be impossible to imagine . She took a great interest in this lodge , and in all things Masonic , in point of fact she vvas as good a Mason as her husband . He could assure Bro . Masters that he had the esteem and regard of every member of the lodge . He hoped both Bro . and Mrs .

Masters would live long and prosper , and he asked him to accept the illuminated address for himself , and on behalf of his wife the dressing bag . He called upon the brethren to drink success most heartily and sincerely to Bro . Masters and his wife . Bro . J . S . Cumberland , P . M ., Treas . of the Testimonial Fund , said the proposition of the testimonial had been

well responded to , not only by contributions but by very nice letters from the contributors , expressing the great pleasure they had in contributing . One vvas from the Marquis of Zetland , one of the founders of the lodge . The result had far exceeded expectations , and he was very glad it had turned out so successful . He could only express the pleasure he had in the presentation . Bro . Masters was one

of the founders of whom there were not so many left . Bro . Smithson , himself , and Bro . Masters vvere . He well remembered after the death of one brother how anxious Mrs . Masters vvas to show some mark of respect ; therefore it vvas very pleasant that she should be remembered in the presentation . Bro . Masters , P . M ., Sec , in acknowledging the

presentation , said : Worshipful sir , I really do not know how to thank you for the very handsome present you have made to me and to my dear wife . I can assure you that I certainly do not feel that I deserve half of the very eulogistic remarks passed by our VV . M ., and vvhich have been so ably seconded by every brother round this board . I have done only my duty , and when a brother has done that he does not

need any further praise or presents from the members of the lodges to vvhich he belongs . I certainly do feel a very great compliment has been paid to me , and 1 do think that my wife , vvho takes a very great interest not onl y in this lodge , but in Masonry generally , vvill feel very gratified indeed when she sees the handsome present . I really cannot thank you as I would , but I do from the bottom of my heart

thank you for all you have said , and for the very handsome presents you have made to me and to my dear wife . Bro . W . F . Smithson , P . G . D ., proposed "The Masonic Charities , " and gave a good resume ot the work accomplished by them . Bro . H . Smith . P . G . D ., D . P . G . M . VVest Yorks , Treasurer of the Girls' School , acknowledged the toast , and the correctness of the description given of the three Masonic Institutions by Bro . Smithson . He trusted that at the coming

Festivals the brethren would do their best to encourage the Institutions by contributing to them . Bro . G . J . Wood , P . M ., Treas ., proposed "The Visitors , " to vvhich Bros . Carter Pegg , Spaull , Winn , and Fitzgerald replied ; and the other toasts followed before the brethren separated . Bros . James A . Broivn , G . Pownall , E . Dalzell , and W . Ives contributed some beautilul music during the evening , under the direction of Bro . F . B . Wood .

Sir Walter Raleigh Lodge ( No . 2432 ) . — The nth regular meeting of this flourishing lodge vvas held at the Inns of Court Hotel , W . C , on Thursday , the 23 rd ult ., when , owing to the inclemency of the weather , and through many members being indisposed , there vvas a smaller attendance than usual . The w . M ., Bro . G . Ransford , P . M . 1512 , presided , there being present Bros . G .

Kmblin , S . VV . ; D . Phillips , J . VV . ; W . Klingenstein , Treas . ; A . F . Scholding , Sec . ; T . W . Lightfoot , S . D . ; VV . H . Lowry , J . D . ; W . F . Bates , I . G . ; S . Klingenstein , D . C . ; A . Pringle , C . H . J . Ransford , T . Rayner , and G . Salisbury , Stewards ; A . M . Willis , Org . ; J . J . Woods , O . C . Moore , O . VV . Baur , F . E . Thomson , A . J . Johnston , D . B . Muratti , S . Berkovitch , and W . H .

Stevens . The visitors vvere Bros . Capt . T . C . Walls , P . M ., G . Steward ; W . Curry , 2331 ; C . C Barber , 15 S 5 ; and J . Caslon , 2331 . A ballot vvas taken , and resulted unanimously in favour of Bro . VV . Bowley , 822 , becoming a joining member of the lodge . Bro . S . Klingenstein was invested with the collar ol D . C . Bro . D . B . Muratti was passed to the F . C . Degree , and Bros . O . C . Moore and F . C Thomson vvere raised . On

the motion of Bro . Emblin , it was unanimously decided to have a ladies' night in January , and a Committee was duly appointed . Letters regretting their inability to attend vvere read from Bros . E . Letchworth , Grand Sec . ; the Rev . R . J . Simpson , P . G . Chap ., Chap ; Bullock , I . P . M . ; and others . The lodge vvas closed , and the brethren adjourned to a dinner , excellently served by Bro . Blackley .

Subsequently thc usual loyal and Masonic toasts were duly honoured . Bro . Captain T . C . Walls , in responding for "The Grand Officers , " said he was very proud to respond to that toast , in which the W . M . had so kindly incorporated his ( the speaker's ) humble name . Of course , but comparatively few of the brethren there present knew little

ot the arduous , not to say unpleasant , duties that fell to the share of many of the Grand Officers , especially the Executive , vvho vvere something like Masonic moles , working in the dark for the benrfit of Freemasonry , doing good by stealth and blushing to lind it fame . The brethren , however , must know that in a vast organisation like that of Freemasonry , there vvas necessarily a great deal of har .

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work to be got through by some one or other , especially this was the case vvith regard to the enquiries and subsequent relief of those members and their families who had fallen helpless and in sore financial straits by the wayside . He was pleased to tell them that at the last meeting of the Board of Benevolence a very handsome sum of money vvas devoted to the relief of distress . An amount far larger than that dispensed vvith so much ostentation by certain

well advertised Charitable organisations , and far more practically applied . The Craft owed a great deal to Bro . Fenn , the President of the Board of General Purposes , Bro . Robert Grey , President of the Benevolent Board , and others . Later , in responding for " The Visitors , " Bro . Captain Walls observed that having had the pleasure of being present at the consecration of the lodge , he naturally

watched its progress vvith interest and vvas pleased to congratulate the brethren upon their choice of Bro . Ransford as W . M . He had known him and Bro . Scholding ( their Secretary ) for many years and had watched their progress from initiation to the Master's chair , vvhich they had respectively filled in the Hemming Lodge vvith credit to themselves and to the general satisfaction of its members . Bros . Curry , Barber , and Caslon also said a few words for the visitors .

The toast of "The Treasurer and Secretary" having been duly honoured , Bros . Klingenstein and Scholding briefly replied , the latter humorously remarking that from the remarks that reached his ears he thought that the Sir Walter Raleigh Lodge would in due time turn out some excellent judges of champagne , but at present he thought they attached too much importance to the labels outside the bottles , vvhich did not always correctly indicate the merits of the wine .

Proposing the toast of "The Officers , " the W . M . said it was impossible for any lodge to go on properly without good officers . Whatever credit vvas attached to the W . M . was reflected upon the officers vvho helped him . The lodge vvas fortunate in having good officers vvho did their work exceedingly well . The present officers gave fair augury of

a long succession of good Masters . Bro . Emblin briefly replied to this toast on behalf of himself and colleagues . The Tyler ' s toast concluded the proceedings . The Secretary , the Director of Ceremonies , and the Stewards worked hard to enhance the comforts of the brethren and their guests .

Provincial Meetings.

PROVINCIAL MEETINGS .

DONCASTER . St . George ' s Lodge ( No . 242 ) . — The monthly meeting was held on Friday , the ist instant , in St . George ' s Masonic Rooms . Present : Bros . E . Nevvsum , W . M . ; F . Webb , LP . M . ; F . B . Brickland , S . D . ; G ! Smith , J . D . ; T . W . TurnerI . G . ; H . C WhiteOrg . ;

, , L F . Hewson and J . Denison , Stewards ; A . W . Fretwell , P . M ., acting S . W . j J . Fitzgerald , acting J . W . ; J . F . Forth , Sec ; F . D . Walker , P . P . G . D . ; C . Goldthorpe , Charity Steward ; J . Hirst , Tyler ; II . Foster , J . B . Matthews , C Hopkinson , H . Gunby , W . H . Chambers , and W . McCall . Visitors : Bros . J . Constable , 2259 , P . G .

S . B ., and J . B . Matthews ( Singapore ) . There being no work , the lodge was opened in the First Degree . A proposition was made , and the lodge closed , the brethren afterwards partaking of a light repast in the ante-room , when Bro . Matthews gave some interesting reminiscences of his legal experience in Singapore .

GA TE § HEAD-ON-TYNE . Industry Lodge ( No . 48 ) . —The regular meeting of this old standard and vigorous lodge was held on Monday evening , the 27 th ult . The Prov . Grand Officers visited , and the attendance of members and visitors generally in such numbers made the proceedings an event

of great importance ; in fact , vve never recollect such a large muster at an ordinary previous meeting of this lodge . The VV . M ., Bro . VV . J . Jobson , presided , and was supported and assisted by the following brethren : Bros . M . R . Wright , P . P . G . Steward , I . P . M . ; VVm . Richardson , P . M ., P . P . G . S . B . ; Wm . Brown , P . M ., D . C . ; M . H .

Dodd , P . M . ; Robt . Whitfield , P . M ., P . P . G . D . C . ; M . Corbett , P . M ., P . P . S . G . D ., Treas . ; R . F . Cook , P . M ., P . P . S . G . D . ; Wm . Stauord , S . W . ; T . R . Jobson , P . M . 1 GG 4 , as J . W . ; the Rev . E . Drage , Chap . ; A . Dodds , Sec . ; T . VV . Bagnall , S . D . ; Hugh Jackson , J . D . ; W . Douglas , LG . ; R . Ferry , Org . ; W . J . Campbell and W . Holzapfel , Stwds . ; Joshua Curry , Tyler ; J . Neil , J .

Lightbown , K . Gibson , A . Koss , R . Atkinson , T . Chegwidden , T . Henderson , G . C . Potts , T . Smith , J , T . Pragnell , T . H . Armstrong , R . Hewett , R . C . Tate , J . Armstrong , F . W . Coverdale , and Jesse Dexter . The visiting brethren numbered over Go trom various parts of the two provinces of Durham and Northumberland . Amongst others were Bros . Hudson , P . M . 201 a , P . G . Std .

Br . Eng ., P . G . Sec . ; J . R . Pattison , P . M . 97 , P . S . G . W . ; W . C . Harris , 1970 , P . P . G . C ; F . S . Cowper , P . M . 2309 , P . G . S . of W . ; D . Cameron , P . M . 240 , P . P . J . G . D . ; G . N . Patterson , P . M . 424 , P . P . S . G . D . ; James Shaw , LP . M . 424 , P . S . G . D . ; J . J . Athey , P . P . A . G . D . C . ; T . K . Short , P . M . 424 , P . P . G . Stwd . ; M . J . Wheatley , P . M . 1970 , P . P . D . G . D . C ; Thomas Dinning , P . M . 4 S 1 P . J . G . W .

, Northumberland ; C B . Ford , P . M . 4 S 1 , P . P . S . G . D . Northumberland ; W . Cooper , P . M . 1342 , P . P . J . G . D . Northumberland ; J . Joel , P . M . 2019 , P . A . G . Sec . ; H . Spittle , P . M . 1342 , P . P . Asst . Grand Director of Ceremonies ; G . Fish , W . M . 24 ; T . Alderson , P . M . 24 ; W . E . Harker , P . M . 24 ; A . P . Farthing , S . VV . 24 ; G . Gibson , W . M . 1712 ; F . W . Sykes , P . M . 1-142 ; I .

Wood , Sec . 40 G ; C . P . Laidler , J . W . 1 G 64 ; F . W . Ingram , J . W . 949 ; R . H . Holme , P . M . 1 G 7 G ; J . J . Holme , 16 7 6 ; G . Blair , P . M . 991 ; O . Jackson , LG . 991 ; E . L . Williamson , S . D 949 ; T . Wright , W . M . 1342 ; G . P . Andrews , J . D . 1650 ; S . W . Linsley , J . VV . 240 ; C . Smith , S . W . 4 S 1 ; J . Munro , S . W . 16 43 ; J . Walters , 1 G 43 ; J . U . Simpson , VV . M . 40 G ; and others .

After the preliminary work of reading the minutes , balloting for joining members and two candidates , the P . G . Officers were announced , admitted , and saluted in due form . Mr . Wm . Blythe , being in attendance , and qualified , was initiated by the VV . M .,. the working tools being explained by the acting J . W ., and the charge delivered by the LP . M . Bro . Jesse Dexter was passed to the Degree of F . C . by Bro . Wm . Richardson , P . M . The whole of the evening ' s cere-