Provincial Grand Lodge Of West Yorkshire.

Bro Wm . Watson , 61 , P . P . G . W . ... ... Prov . G . Lib . Tom Twivy , 1018 ... ... ... Prov . G . D . of C . " Ellis Foulds , 910 ... ... ••Prov . D . G . D . of C " A . W . Fretwell , 242 ... ... ... " ) ]' , Chas . E . Bvgrave , 2091 ... ... > Prov . A . G . D . Cs . Wm . Harrison , 265 ... ... ... J " . lohn Haley , 1034 ... •••- Prov . G . S . B .

» Pf Child , 258 ... ... ... I Proy G Std- Brs-Wm . Edward Turner , 110 S ... .... ) " E . Rowe Dickenson , 308 ... ... Prov . G . Org . " Geo . Hy . Schofield , 1542 ... ... Prov . A . G . Sec . " Richard Loynd , 401 ... ... ... Prov . G . Purst . f

„ Elias rieaton , 387 ... ... ... frov . A . Cr . urst . „ Jno . T . Goodall , 1301 ... ... ... " 1 „ Arthur Alderson , 1302 ... ... ... | „ Wm . Senior , 1513 ... ... * | . Prov . G . Stwds . .. Alfred Leach , 495

„ Walter Davey , 1001 ... „ George Stones . 1462 ... ... ... J „ Thomas Leighton , 139 ... ... ... Prov . G . Tyler . „ Thomas Chester , 914 ... ... ... Asst . to P . G . Tyler . Bro . J . T . LAST , P . M . 232 ; , P . P . G . R ., gave notice that at the next meeting of the Prov . Grand Lodge he should call attention to ti \ 2 mode or method of election of the Grand Treasurer of the Grand Lodge of England , and move a resolution thereon .

The ACTING PROV . G . M . proposed a vote of thanks to the W . M ., officers , and brethren of St . John ' s Lodge , No . 827 , for the ample provision made for the accommodation of Prov . G . Lodge on that occasion . Bro . H . S MITH , P . G . D ., P . D . P . G . M ., seconded the motion , which was

carried with acclamation . No invitation was given for the half-yearly meeting in October , 1901 . The Prov . Grand Lodge was closed in due form , and with solemn prayer . About 90 brethren afterwards dined together in the Banqueting Hall at five o ' clock , the acting Prov . Grand Master , Bro . Richard Wilson , presiding .

Provincial Grand Mark Lodge Of West Yorkshire.

PROVINCIAL GRAND MARK LODGE OF WEST YORKSHIRE .

As we have had occasion from time to time to point out , Mark Masonry in West Yorkshire has established for itself a position of great respect and importance . It is ever progressive , and year by year increases both in numbers and influence . The annual meeting of the province took place on Wednesday , the ist instant . It was held at Castleford , under the banner of the Legiolium Lodge , No . 457 , and was a thoroughly

representative and successful gathering . Castleford can scarcely be considered attractive as a place to visit . Standing at the junction of the rivers Aire and Calder , once limpid streams , but now , alas ! how changed , this busy little town devotes itself chiefly to coal mining . It has , however , an extensive pottery manufacture , and is also much given up to glass bottle making .

Its atmosphere is murky , not to say depressing , but the heartiness of its welcome to the Provincial Grand Lodge on this , its first visit , was unmistakable . The rooms occupied by the Masonic com munity of Castleford are , of course , quite inadequate to an occasion of this kind . The meeting was therefore held in the Assembly Rooms , which were found very suitable and convenient .

What may be called the business of the day began at 2 30 p . m . with the meeting of the Charity Committee . This body , consisting of elected representatives from all the lodges as well as li . eandex-qfficio members , conducts the Mark Charity business of the province , and since its formation has done immense service " in aid of the Mark Benevolent Fund . A report for presentation at the meeting of Provincial Grand Lodge was submitted bv the

secretary and adopted . From this document it appears that West Yorkshire has at present only two annuitants on the Fund , one man and one widow . Its donations have been of a very substantial nature , and , in fact , the condition of affairs was described as highly satisfactory . Bro . W . E . Smithies , the very popular Chairman , was re-elected to that position with

unanimity , as was also his equally genial Vice-Chairman , Bro . Thomas Rowbotham . A list of donations promised for the coming Festival was read by the Secretary , from which it seemed probable that West Yorkshire would give satisfactory account ot itself at the coming Festival . Other routine business followed .

The meeting of Provincial Grand Lodge took place at 4 . 15 , when the Provincial Grand Master , Bro . C . Letch Mason , accompanied by his Deputy , numerously attended , entered the Hall , and Prov Grand Lodge was opened with solemn prayer . The officers present comprised Bros . T . Rowootham , P . M . S 3 . Prov . S . G . W .: William Flockton , P . M . in ,

irov . J . G . W . j E . Billington , P . M . 127 , as Prov . G . M . O . ; C . E , Rose , P . M . 58 , Prov . S . G . O . ; Thomas Norfolk , P . M . ( I ** . ! . ) , as Prov . LG . O . j the Rev . J . L . Brereton , I . P . M . 127 , Prov . G . Chap . ; B . S . Bailey , P . M . 374 , Prov . G . Treas . ; J . P . Hewitt , P . M . 53 . as Prov . G . Reg . ; Joseph Matthewman , P . M . no , Prov . G . Sec ; Alfred Wilson , P . M 457 , as i ' rov . S . G . D . j A . G . Mabin , P . M . 457 Prov . J . G . D . ; W . H . Kingswell , P . M .

, o ? i 3 S rOV GiI of W * i R * J- Smith - P . M . 111 , Prov . G . D . of C . ; R . Bridge , t * -M . 398 , Prov . G . S . B . ; T . Pickles , P . M . 127 , as Prov . G . Std . Br . ; Joe Sykes , h M ' 37 ' Prov * G * 0 r , ?* s J ° shua Hi " - P-M- U ' - - . Prov - G . LG . j Tom Ashworth , •i-M . 14 , S . Krakauer , P . M . 127 , Theo . Barber , P . M . 39 8 , and W . B . Smith , W . M . 352 , Prov . G . Stwds . ; and T . F . Wheeler , in , Prov . G . Tyler . 1 here were also

Bros H . S . Holdsworth , P . M . 58 and S 3 S , P . P . G . W ., P . G . Std . Br . ; W . E . omithies , P . M . 137 and 493 , P . P . G . W ., ' Past G . Stwd ., Chairman of Charity v-ommittee ; Charles Woollons , P . M . no , P . P . G . W ; John Reed , P . M . 398 , and R J ' o * * 4 S 7 . P . P . G . Treasurers ; Wm . Langbridge , P . M . 39 8 , P . P . G . r „ f ' n , ' r ?' ' P * * 352 , J . J . Martin , P . M . no , and T . G . Howell , P . M . 137 , ™ 493 . P . P-G . Ds . ; G . H . Schofield , P . M . 457 , P . P . G . I . of W . ; A . Leach , P . M . * ' 0 , 1 . b . Dyson , P . M . IT ? , and T . B . Wilson . P . M . ^ 7 . P . P . G . Ds . of C .

1 here was a considerable muster of brethren from all parts of the province including : WM ' " *' / T T h 0 ITIpsu " ' - * S 3 : Ge 0 - Greenwood , W . M . 58 ; H . Bonser , W ' M'JL , , •k ,, - ykes * W * * ' 37 ; W . B . Smith , W . M . 352 ; J . B . Corbett , W ' uJ ; L-. Hoyle , M . D ., W . M . 493 ; E Foulds , W . M . 335 ; W . Dyson , Wm V - 1 n . rOS " W * Postlethwaite , P . M . 574 ; J . H . Dyson , P . M . 137 ; varley , P . M . 501 . Geo . Whitaker . S . W . 535 ; John Cromack , M . O . ( T . L );

Provincial Grand Mark Lodge Of West Yorkshire.

Wright Wagstaffe , S . O . 535 ; Thos . Beach , S . O . ; Thos . Beevers , J . O . ; A . Shuttleworth , Sec . 457 ; J . E . Cawthorn , S . O . in ; and many others . After salutations the roll of lodges was called , and the acting Registrar , Bro . J . P . Hewitt , P . M , 53 , announced that every lodge was represented . This gave much satisfaction . After announcing a long list of apologies , the PROV . G . SECRETARY presented minutes of the last meeting , held at Ripon , which , having been printed and circulated , were taken as read and confirmed , after proposition duly made and seconded to that effect .

The report of the Prov . G . Registrar was then read . It briefly stated particulars of the addition of the Dartmouth Lodge , No . 545 , to the roll , making 17 in all , the steady increase in the members , and the almost entire abse nee of arrears . The balance-sheet was adopted on the proposition of the Dep . Prov . G , Master ( Bro . J BARKER ) , seconded by the Junior G . Warden ( Bro . FLOCKTON ) .

The PROV . G . MASTER then . gave his annual address . He said ^ Brethren , —On referringto what I may call the annals of the province I find that it was on the Sth day of February , 18 93 , that it was my privilege to consecrate the Legiolium Mark Lodge . I was on that occasion accompanied and supported by 21 Provincial Oflicers . The petition for the warrant was signed by 14 brethren , every one of whom was a member of my mother Copley Lodge . Of these 14 brethren , nine have already passed through or reached the honourable

position of W . M . of the lodge . The brother who was nominated to fill the responsible part of first W . M . was Bro . G . F , Carr , who was well fitted to discharge that duty as he had only recently at that time left a similar position in Copley Lodge . He , at the same period , was Prov . Grand Treasurer , having received the appointment the previous year . Bro . Carr brought active interest and valuable experience to bear in the working of the lodge , and Legiolium will , I am sure , cheerfully and gratefully acknowledge the important services which he

has continued to give to it since its formation . I notice that amongst the officers appointed by Bro . Carr after his installation were Bros . J . E . Mann and J . B . Corbitt , your present I . P . M . and W . M . I congratulate those brethren upon having worked their way from the low but still useful positions of Stewards to the high and honourable posts they now so worthily fill . Legiolium was the 12 th lodge of Mark Masons formed in this province . On the 16 th January last I consecrated the 17 th on our list . Thus in the short interval we have added five new lodges ,

which shows satisfactory progress , and , what is more , we have just about doubled our membership . I don ' t want us to advance too rapidly ; let us progress cautiously . We are told that in " this world the evil is ever mingled with the good , " and it is so in all societies . There are Freemasons and Freemasons ; and because a man joins the Craft it does not necessarily follow that he should enter the Mark . Accept him by all means if you are assured of his worthiness , but be assured of it , and don ' t try to increase your numbers or improve your finances at

the expense of the moral well-being of your lodges . Legiolium has not a very extensive field from which to draw recruits , and the inaccessibility of Pontefract prevents brethren from that town from enjoying the privileges of the Mark Degree to the same extent to which , were communication easy and continual , they might be disposed to avail themselves . But you have no cause for despondency ; add a good man when you can find him ; work away at the ritual so as to qualify yourselves for any emergency , and the result will be not only satisfactory

to the province , but also to your own sense of what constitutes Masonic duty . Of course , lodges individually have their vicissitudes : sometimes the tide of progress and success rises abnormally high , at others it seems almost perpetual low water ; but however it may vary in individual lodges , the gradual though increasing popularity and influence of the Mark Degree are shown by unmistakable evidences . One of these is the growing interest in , and success of , the Mark Benevolent Fund . In

the report which the Chairman of the Charity Committee will call your attention to very shortly it is shown that West Yorkshire has taken a most creditable share during the past seven years in adding to the finances of this most valuable Charity , and thereby , of course , largely increasing its power for good . Last year this province did nobly , and there are indications , I am told , that this year we shall not do badly . The point in this relation that I would especially emphasise is let every lodge tlo something . A small subscription all round , an alms-box at

supper , will easily raise a nice little amount , which can be put upon the W . M . ' s chaii . I want us to sho w to the Masonic world that this province is imbued with a spirit of unanimity and concord , and that though we may not subscribe a very large amount per annum -. tie ail give something . Brethren , I am not pressing this point ; I do not wish to d * o so ; your response last year was so generous that it would be unreasonab Ieto expect a repetition of it , but all the same give a trifle , and let me have the proud satisfaction of knowing that each of the 17 lodges

under my jurisdiction has helped to swell the total when the Festival comes round in July . I am pleased to hear that in this particular Legiolium Lodge is becoming more awake not to its responsibilities only—but to its privileges . I use the word advisedly , brethren , and I repeat that to a brother who can afford it—not otherwise—but to him who can afford it , it is distinctly a privilege to be able to help on so noble a Charity ; insomuch as you have the comforting conviction not only that the money is judiciously bestowed , but that its administration does not

involve enormous expenses in distribution and management . May the day be far distant when the motto , said to be Bismarckian— " Do ut des , " " I give that thou mayst give " may be applied to the Mark Masons of this or any other province . We give because we know—first , that it is needed ; secondly , that it is judiciously and economically expended , and thirdly that it is gratefully received . May that spirit ever prevail amongst us , and may our needs be as few as our donations are many ! Brethren , it is usual on these occasions to call

attention from time to time to the vacancies which are constantly occurring in our ranks . Of course , we close up and go steadily on , shoulder to shoulder , but that does not prevent the sigh of regret for the fallen comrade and the tear of sympathy for his beloved ones who have survived him . Our death roll for the past year contains the names of several very old Mark Masons , some both old in years and old in Masonic service . We have lost Bro . Thos . Hodgson , Prince Edward , 14 ; Bro . R . V . Allison , Copley , Hi ; Bros . J . A . Thornton and E ,

Pickersgill , Integrity , no ; Bro . Chas . Lingard , Portal , 127 ; Bro . F . Smith , Prince Leopold , 352 ; Bro . Alfred Maude , Eland , 493 ; Bro . J . W . Rayner , Truth , 137 ; and Bro . Lewis Crossley , Old York ( T . L ) . Some of these brethren , now gone to their eternal rest , filled in their day useful and distinguished positions in our Order ; others only needed opportunity , which , alas ! they failed to obtain , in order to show to the full the excellent Masonic qualities they possessed . All were worthy of our esteem and respect , and have , doubtless , left voids in home

circles which will long be associated with tearful memories . May the life ' s work which these brethren present be able to stand the test of the Great Overseer ' s square , and may they be permitted joyfully to say that they have their reward . And now I come , brethren , 10 a matter which is distinctly personal to myself . If you refer to item 14 on the agenda for to-day you will see that it is the duty of

this meeting to nominate for the approval of the M . W . G . Master some brother to occupy the position of Prov . G . Master for the ensuing three years . For 18 years I have enjoyed the privilege and incurred the responsibility of directing the destinies of Mark Masonry in West Yorkshire . I have taken the deepest interest in the work which such a position involves , and I have bien proud of the confi dence which you have placed in me . It is possible that some of you may consider