Provincial Grand Lodge Of West Yorkshire.

book is presented to him at his installation , and he is seriously enjoined to make himself acquainted with its contents . How is it possible that his duties can be perlormed if he is utterly ignorant as to their nature and extent ? Perhaps he may say there are Secretaries and other officers appointed to discharge these functions ; but this is no justification . It is his part personally to see that the details of

information , without which our great system cannot be maintained , accurately and promptly supplied . It is true that VV . Vis . change , and very frequently Secretaries too , year byyear ; but just as no brother is properly qualified to fill the chair if he is unable to work the ritual , so also is he equally unfit , if he is ignorant of what f may call Masonic jurisprudence ,

Only those under whose notice these matters officially come , can properly understand what annoyance , delay , and inconvenience it is in the power of Secretaries who neglect their duties to inflict . Brethren , 1 have spoken of these things before , but in consequence of the constant sequence of change which our system demands , in consequence of the continual succession of new men to the front , I

feel it my duty to emphasise this point . Let every brother who hopes some day to rise to the highest office in his lodge , ever bear in mind that the Book of Constitutions and the Provincial Grand Lodge regulations , as well as the by-laws of his own lodge , must be thoroughly mastered , if he hopes to fulfil his task with that credit and reputation at which a ! should aim .

To illustrate my meaning , let me say that according to Rule 4 6 all lodge returns should be in the Prov . Grand Secretary's hands by the end of January ; that 011 the 31 st of that month of this year , out of our 7 6 lodges , there were positively 29 whose papers had not been sent in ; and that even when the month of February had expired there were still three lodges whose W . Ms , had neglected their duty in this particular .

This is more annoying from the fact that every effort is made in the office to reduce to an absolute minimum the Iodge Secretary's work . His lists are written out for him , and all he has got to do is to add new names , note deaths or resignations , and send the properly computed quarterages and registration fees . A few delinquents may , by their delay , prevent the compilation of the Prov . Grand Secretary's report-, and seriously retard the preparation of the financial statement for the year . Let us try to avoid al ! this in the future , and let us each endeavour , hy diligence and punctuality , to make our Masonic organisation as perfect as

possible . There i . s another matter I wish to mention ; and here let me say that , having seen this subject treated in a manner with which I thoroughly agree , I don ' t hesitate to use the words which so well describe my own views . They are as follows : " It is useless for Provincial Grand Masters to be continually urging upon brethren the necessity of exercising caution in the acceptance of candidates , if , the moment brethren act upon that advice and reject one whom they conscientiously consider unworthy or undesirable , the friends of the rejected candidate turn round and retaliate by blackballing all subsequent applicants . '

" A brother is disappointed because a friend is not received into the lodge , and he straightway forgets the brethren whom he already has , in his desire to obtain another ; he forgets his vows and his duty to his lodge ; forgets that every brother has the same individual choice that he himself possesses ; his heart turns to revenge , and he decides that none shall join the lodge until he has forced in the one rejected . "

" Such a brother ought to do Masonic penance until he feels the ingrowing of a truer spirit—one that respects his own rights by recognising the rights of others ; one that remembers that there is no one person who is essential to the existence or welfare of Masonry , and that while others may have faults which he should forgive he himself is mortal and needs constant self-restraint . " Brethren , I have quoted to you the opinions and the words of the Grand

Master of Iowa , and it is because I know that they describe only too accurately the position of affairs which have come under my notice in one or tivo instances ; it is because serious dissentions have arisen from similar unfortunate conditions of matters in this province , and , because I am convinced that nothing but disistrous results can ensue from a system of reckless and indiscriminate blackballing , that I commend the views , which Bro . R . G . Phelps has so ably expounded , to your most earnest and serious attention .

Brethren , my time in your midst cannot in the nature of things be of very long duration . I have had extensive experience ; I know as well as most men the inns and outs of Masonic work and organisation ; I am anxious only for the welfare and success of Masonry—Masonry as a whole—but Masonry especially in this our own prosperous Province of West Yorkshire ; and that is why , feeling deeply , I express

myself so strongly ; why I would have my words sink down into your hearts and produce ' such results , that these unseemly disputes may become things of the past nnd for ever disappear from our Masonic economy . Let me once more thank you for your hearty welcome , your flattering attention , and for the innumerable acts of courtesy of which I am constantly the recipient .

Provincial Grand Lodge Of Somerset.

PROVINCIAL GRAND LODGE OF SOMERSET .

lhe annual meeting of the above Provincial Grand Lodge was held in the Town Hall , at Wells , on Thursday , the 3 rd inst ., under the presidency of the Ri ght Hon . Viscount Dungarvan , P . G . M ., who was supported by liro . R . C . Klse , P . G . D . ling ., D . P . G . M . The room had been effectively decorated , the waite being adorned with the banners of thc various lodges

throughout the province . There was a large muster of brethren . Bro . J . C . HUNT , P . G . Sec ., first called the roll of lodges , and all of Ihose in the province were found to be represented . The P . G . S . next read lhe minutes of Provincial Grand Lodge held at Highbridge on the 5 th of May last year , and they were duly confirmed .

Bro . C . L . FRY EDWARDS , P . G . 'Treas ., next presented his annual statement of accounts , showing a balance in hand of £ , 136 17 s . jd ., as compared wilh £ 107 8 s . 2 d . at thc commencement of thc year . The accounts were icccived and adopted , on the motion of Bro . WATTS , P . M . 53 , seconded by Uro . CII . UTIN , P . M . 261 .

On the motion of Bro . Col . PERKINS , seconded by Bro . ASHLEY , Bro . C . I- Fry Edwards was unanimously re-elected P . G . Treas . for the ensuing year . The P . G . M ., Lord Dungarvan , next appointed and invested the P . G . Ollicers for the ensuing year as follows :

- ••0 . j . L . Bcwsey , P . M . 437 ... ... Prov . S . G . W . „ R . Norton , W . M . 446 ... ... ... Prov . | . G . W . 11 Rev . R . White , P . M . 370 ... ... Prov . * G . Chap .

ii C . L . Fry Edwards ... ... ... Prov . G . Treas . •¦ E . R . Hayler , P . M . a 6 ... ... Prov . G . Reg . .. J . C . Hunt , P . M . 135 ... ... ... Prov . G . Sec . 11 J . T . Durnsford , P . AL 201 ... ... Prov . A . G . Sec .

. 1 T . II . Mitchell , P . M . 1053 ... ... Prov . S . G . D . . 1 Chas . Pfeilfer , P . M . 1833 ... ... Prov . f . G . D . .. A . W . Moore , P . M . 973 ... ... Prov . G . S . of W . .. W . P . Buckley , P . M . 976 ... ... Prov . G . D . C . II I . R . Gill . P . M . 006 ... ... ... Prov . A . G . D . C .

' . G . C . Slrawbridge , P . M . 261 ... ... Prov . ' G . S . B . -. O . W . Catford , P . M . 814 ... ,.. *) „ „ , . .. - R . Mole , P . M . 1-3 . J 0 ... j Prov . G . Std . Brs . <¦ C , R . Humphrey , P . M . 2038 ... ... Prov . G . Org .

Provincial Grand Lodge Of Somerset.

Bro . H . h * . Lewis , P . M . 1296 ... ... Prov . G . Purst . ,, T . Hockey , P . M . 1 KJ 7 ... ... ... Prov . A . G . Purst . „ A . J . Salter ... ... ... ... Prov . G . Tyler . ,, S . Bigwood ... ... ... ... Prov . A . G . Tyler . „ G . \ V . Styles , P . M . 2 S 5 ... ... ~ | „ S . J . Hulbert , P . M . 77 \ ... ... I

„ I . A . Tucker , W . M . 53 ... ... f-Prov . G . Stwds . „ " 15 . Whitby , VV . M . 329 ... ... ... I „ A . J . Tonkin , W . M . 1755 ... ... J The Prov . G . SECRETARY next read the report of the Charity . Organisation Committee , which was of a very satisfactory character .

Several notices of motion were afterwards dealt with , including one by the PKOV . G . TREASURER , seconded by Bro . Capt . PEEL FLOYD , which was unanimously agreed to : " That the sum of 100 guineas be given as a donation from the funds of this Provincial Grand Lodge to the Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution , and that the amount be placed on the list for Bro . Viscount Dungarvan , Prov . G . Master of Somerset , who will preside at the Festival of this Institution in February next . "

It was unanimously resolved , on the proposition of Bro . ELSE , D . P . G . M ., " That the members of this lodge desire to express and place on record their deep sympathy with the widow and famil y of the late Bro . Capt . George Homfray , P . G . S . B . and D . P . G . M ., Monmouth , in their sad affliction , and also the widow of the late Bro . H . B . ffarington P . G . Keg . " An anthem was then sung—some brethren connected with the choir of Wells Cathedral taking part , and Bro . C . VV . Lavinton , Cathedral organist , officiating at the organ—while the alms were collected . These amounted to £ 6 ios . 2 d . and were voted to the Wells Nursing Institute .

The Prov . G . Lodge was then closed , and the majority of the members afterwards dined together at the Bishop ' s Barn , adjoining the Moat , under the presidency of the Prov . G . M . By the permission of the canon-inresidence , the Cathedral was kept open for inspection by the brethren in the evening , and the Bishop of Bath and Wells allowed them to visit his palace gardens .

The New Grand Chapter Officers.

THE NEW GRAND CHAPTER OFFICERS .

Among those who were appointed on the 2 nd instant were the following officers who had not received honour in Grand Lodge , and whose services in Masonry have therefore not been previously described :

GRAND TREASURER . Bro . WILLIAM MASON STILES , whose election as Grand Treasurer of Grand Chapter was reported in our columns last week , was initiated in the Metropolitan Lodge , No . 1507 , in October , 18 74 , and was installed W . M . just seven years later , in October , 1881 . He was a founder and first Senior Warden of the King's Cross Lodge , No . 1732 , and was installed W . M . in 18 79 ; was again elected to the chair in 1888 , and is now Treasurer . He was a founder and first Secretary of the Royal

Savoy Lodge , No . 1744 . and was Worshipful Master in 1884 . On his retirement from the chair he was elected Treasurer , an office he still fills . In 1882 he helped to found the Strand Lodge , No . 1987 ; was appointed Secretary , and in 1889 was elected W . M ., and is again its Secretary . At present he is the W . M . elect of the Levander Lodge , No . 2048 , in the Province of Middlesex . He was also founder and first Treasurer of the Hendon Lodge , No . 22 o 5 . Bro . Stiles is an expert in the ritual of our Craft , having acted as Preceptor for the last 14 years to the

Metropolitan Lodge of Instruction , No . 1507 . Previous to this he had filled the office of Secretary for five years . In Royal Arch Masonry his career dates from 1876 , when he was exalted in Mount Sinai Chapter , Not 19 , filling the chair of M . E . Z . in 1889 . He was founder and first Scribe E . of the Metropolitan Chapter , No . 1507 , and was installed M . E . Z . in 1881 . He founded and was first M . E . Z . ot the Henry Levander Chapter , No . 2048 , and is Past Provincial Grand Principal Sojourner of the Province of Middlesex . In Mark Masonry Bro . Stiles was advanced in the

Old Kent Mark Lodge ( T . L ) , and is now Senior Warden . He was a founder and first Senior Warden of the Royal Savoy Mark Lodge , No . 355 , and is now a Past Master and Treasurer . In the Grand Mark Lodge he is a Past Grand Standard Bearer , and in the Province ot Middlesex and Surrey he has filled the office of Past Provincial Grand Overseer . He is also an officer of the Prince of Wales' Ark Mariners Lodge , No . 4 , and 01 the Shadwell Clerke Rose Croix Chapter , i 8 ' . lt remains only to say that Bro . Stiles is a Vice-Patron of each of the three Institu . tions , and has served 15 Stewardships .

ASSISTANT GRAND DIRECTOR OF CEREMONIES . Bro . J . S . CUMBERLAND , whose appointment to office in Grand Chapter we announced last week , is a Mason of some 23 years' standing , having been initiated in the Antiquity Lodge , Wigan , in April , 1871 . He was a founder and first J . W ., and afterwards VV . M . of the Eboracum Lodge , No . 1611 , York , and holds the rank of Past Prov . G . Warden of N . & E . Yorks . On his removal to London , in 1 S 84 , ho conceived the idea of more closely associating the brethren of the northern provinces

with the Metropolis , and the result was the form ition of the United Northern Counties Lodge , No . 212 S , of which he was thc first VV . M . He is also a honorary member of the Ancient Carthage Lodge , Tunis , and a member of the Correspondence Circle , I . odge Quatuor Coronati , No . 2076 . In the Royal Arch Bro . Cumberland was exalted in St . Germain Chapter , Selby , in 1874 , was a founder and twice M . E . Z . of Eboracum Chapter , 1611 , York , and has held the office of Prov . Grand Standard Bearer , and Prov . G . J . of North and East Yorks . In other Degrees of Misonry he

has been no less active , 'as the following record will show . In the Mark Degree he was advanced in "Roberts" Lodge , Rochdale , No . 18 72 , is a P . M . of the York Mark Lodge ( T . L ); and Past Prov . Senior Grand Warden , North and East Yorks ; a P . G . Stcwardand P . G . Oversser Grand Mark Lodge of England ; honorary member Old York Lodge ( T . L ) , Bradford ; and of the Rose and Lily Lodge , St . Albans . Was installed as Past Commander N . in the Decree of Royal Ark Mariners in 1877 . In the Allied Masonic Degrees he is P . M . of St . Lawrence the Martyr , Past lllus .

P . of the Knights of Constantinople , Thrice Illus . Sov . of the Knights of thc Red Cross of Babylon , Past P . and Past G . Deacon of the Order of the Grand High Priest . In Knight Templary Bro . Cumberland his taken a great interest , having been installed in 18 75 . He is P . E . P . of the Ancient Ebor Preceptory , York , P . P . G . Sub Marshal North and East Yorks , Past Grand A . D . C . Great Priory of England , Hon . Member Mary Commandery , No . 3 6 , Philadelphia , U . S . A ., and Hon . Member of the Apollo Commandery , Chicago ; also a Past E . Prior of the

Knights of Malta , and a member of the Royal Arch Kni ght Templar Priests . In thc Ar . cientand Accepted Rite he was installed in 18 77 in the Ancient York Rose Croix Chapter Redemption , Hull , and is P . M . W . Sov . of St . Hilda Chapter , York . He is a P . P . S . G . Warden Lancashire and Cheshire , of the Royal Order of Scotland , and a member of the Bruce Chapter , London . He has filled the chair of M . P Sov . in the Order of the Knights of the Red Cross of Rome and Constantine , and

is a Past Prelate and member of the Grand Senate ot the Kiights of the Holy Sepulchre . In Cryptic Masonry he is a Past Celeb , and Suffragan and Hon . VllI . of the Rosicrucian Society . Bro . Cumberland has been no 'ess active in the work of Masonic Charity , being a Life Governor of each of the Institutions , having served as Steward on 15 occasions . He has also been several times elected a member of the Board of General Purposes and on the Grand Chapter Committee , and has been a member of the Cobnial Board since 1888 .