Provincial Grand Chapter Of Leicestershire And Rutland.

After some discussion , it was considered that at present the circumstances did not call for any expression of opinion on the part of this Provincial Grand Chapter . An appeal was also read from certain brethren at Peterborough , soliciting contributions for the erection of a stall , or stalls , in the newly-restored choir of Peterborough Cathedral ; and , upon motion duly made , a contribution from the funds of the Provincial Grand Chapter was voted to that object .

Apologies for absence were read from Comps . Col . Le Gendre Starkie , W . J . Hughan , C . Fendelow , R . Brewin , and others . No other business being forthcoming , the Provincial Grand Chapter was closed , and a banquet followed .

Provincial Grand Mark Lodge Of West Yorkshire.

PROVINCIAL GRAND MARK LODGE OF WEST YORKSHIRE .

The annual meeting of the Provincial Grand Mark Lodge of West Yorkshire was held at Bradford , on the and inst ., under the banner of the Old York Time Immemorial Lodge , when there were present Bros . C . Letch Mason , Prov . Grand Master ; the Rev . Thomas Cartwright Smyth , P . G . Chap ., Dep . Prov . Grand M . rster ; Francis Smith , Prov . S . G . W . ; J . C . Taylor , P . P . G . W . ; George Alcliorp , P . P . G . W . ; J . L . P . Pugh , P . P . G . W . ; J . L . Atherton , P . P . G . W . ; W .

Delancy , Prov . G . I . of W . ; Richard Hodgson , as Prov . G . M . O . ; J . Robertshaw , as Prov . S . G . O . ; Frederick Simpson , as Prov . J . G . O . ; the Rev . G . H . McNulty , as Prov . G . Chap . : George Normanton , Prov . Grand Treasurer ; John Barker , Past G . L of W ., RP . G . W ., as Prov . G . Sec ; Henry Oxley , as Prov . S . G . D . ; Thomas Howden , Prov . J . G . D . ; Thomas Myers , Prov . G . I . of W . ; James Gill

as Prov . G . D . of C . ; John R . Hewitt , Prov . Asst . G . D . of C ; J . J . Green , Prov . G . S . B . ; A . F . Fitzpatrick , Prov . G . Std . Br . ; George F . Carr , Prov . G . Org . ; A . F . McGill , Prov . G . I . G . ; R . D . Kendall , Alfred Gill , and C . j . Schott , ' Prov . G . Stewards ; John Turner , P . P . G . O . ; Robt . Craig . P . P . G . S . B . ; Robert Abbott , S . Barrand , and others . Provincial Grand Lodge having been opened ,

The P . G . M ., in acknowledging the salutations of the brethren , said : Accept our hearty thanks for the reception you have accorded to Prov . Grand Mark Lodge today . The last time we had the pleasure of meeting at Bradford was in October , 188 4 ; since then many changes have occurred ; old and familiar faces have disappeared , and new ones have taken their places ; at the same time , the Order has

been steadily increasing , ' both as regards the number of lodges and also as to the number of its members . With the influx of numbers let us ever remember the words addressed to the Overseers of a lodge , "Take care that no work receive your approval but such as is calculated to strengthen and adorn the Masonic edifice . " In the same manner let us take care that no one is admitted into our Order

but such as will " ultimately reflect honour on our choice . " At the meeting of Grand Mark Lodge , on the 4 th June last , our worthy and esteemed Bro . Unwin , P . M . 53 , was appointed and invested A . G . I . G . . We congratulate him on his preferment , and trust he may long live to enjoy the honour thus conferred on him . The resignation of Bro . F . Binckes as Grand Secretary necessitated the holding of a special Grand Lodge on the 24 th July last , when Bro . C . F . Matier , who has acted

for some time as Assistant Grand Secretary , was duly appointed and invested as Grand Secretary . Grand Lodge , in consideration of the long and valuable services rendered by Bro . Binckes to Mark Masonry , accorded him a pension of ^ 125 for life . Bro . Binckes , in conjunction with our late Bro . Canon Portal , took a prominent part in the organisation of Grand Mark Lodge as at present constituted , and I feel sure that none will grudge him the pension which

he holds , for , as it was aptly put , Bro . Binckes had " served Mark Masonry well and truly , " and that it was " only just and proper" that he " should receive some recognition of our appreciation of his services . " The Benevolent Festival , held on the 24 th July , under the presidency of Sir Lionel E . Darell , Bart ., P . G . W ., was a great success . Though the amount subscribed was not quite so large as in 188 7 , it amounted to the goodly sum of £ Mi 6 18 s . 6 d ., raised by the exertion of 155

Stewards . If we take periods of 10 years , and compare the figures , we may , per haps , realize more fully the advance ihe Urder has made . Stewards . £ s . d . In 186 9 . 5 97 2 8 18 79- 30 537 8 o 1800 . 155 2086 18 6

Of the latter su : n , West Yorkshire contributed . £ 69 16 s . 6 d ., raised by seven Stewards . The objects of the Benevolent and Educational Funds were fully explained by me on a recent occasion . I will not , therefore , say more than that we are at present educating 14 boys and 13 girls , and are granting annuities to five old men . At our meeting at Todmorden in May last we had to offer our sympath y to our Sheffield brethren un the loss they had sustained by the death of Bro . Fred .

Barker , who was appointed Prov . Junior Grand Warden at our last annual meeting ; to-djy we have to urfer them our sympathy again on the loss , by death , of Bro . G . Ii . Bennett , P . M ., who died very suddenly on the morning of the 18 th Sept . 188 9 . Bro . Bennett was Master of the Sheffield Lodge in 18 74 , and was a Past Provincial Grand Deacon of our province , and I am sure that all who knew him , his quiet unobstrusive manner , his readiness to assist in all matters connected with the

wehare ot the Craft , will mourn his loss , and feel that one has been summoned by T . G . O . O . T . U . who they could ill afford to spare . May I ask the W . M . ' s and Secretaries of the various lodges in the province to li ghten the labours of our worthy and esteemed Secretary by promptly sending in their returns on the proper forms . If the brethren only realised the immense amount of labour they save by so doing , I am sure that no one would be lacking . The M . W . the Grand Master

H . R . H . the Prince of Wales , has accepted your recommendation , and has renewed my patent as Provincial Grand Master for a further period of three years . As I am the first Provincial Grand Master of this province whose patent has been renewed twice , I feel it no small compliment , and accept it as an assurance on your part that my feeble efforts to promote the welfare of the Order amongst you has met with your approbation . 1 can only again thank you for this vote of your

confidence . And now , brethren , I ask your kind co-operation , both collectively as lodges and individuall y as members , in promoting tbe welfare and carrying on the work of the Order in this important centre . I commend it to your kind care and attention , and can I better conclude , than in the words well known to you all— " Be industrious and diligent in disseminating a knowledge of that true and perfect

work which alone can stand the test of the G . O . ' s square in the hour of trial and retribution . " " For remember , my brethren , that the day is fast approaching when the G . O . O . T . U . will judge every man according to his work , and will give to him that overcometh a white stone in which a new name is written , which no man knoweth save he that receiveth it . "

I he Deputy Prov . Grand Master , Bro . Dr . Smyth , was also saluted , and briefl y responded . The roll of lodges was called , when every lodge in the province was found to be represented . Bro . Geo . Normanton , P . G . I , of W ., was again unanimously elected Treasurer for the year ensuing .

I he renewed patent of the Provincial Grand Master was then read by the acting Prov . Grand Secretary , and the Prov . Grand Master was immediately proclaimed and saluted .

The PROV . GRAND MASTER stated that he was sure it would be satisfactory to the brethren to hear that he had again offered the collar of Deputy Prov . Grand Master to their worthy and esteemed Bro . Dr . Smyth , who had kindl y consented to continue in office , Bro . Dr . Smyth was then proclaimed and saluted .

Provincial Grand Mark Lodge Of West Yorkshire.

The following officers were appointed and invested : Bro . H . J . Garnett , 53 , Past G . D . ... ... ... Prov . S . G . W . „ Robert Craig , 111 ... ... ... ... Prov . J . G . W . „ C . W . Fincken , 127 ... ... ... ... Prov . G . M . O . „ Thomas Gaukroger , 14 ... ... ... Prov . S . G . O . „ H . T . Bellerby , 39 S ... ... ... ... Prov . J . G . O . „ Rev . J . H . Evans , 374 ... ... ... Prov . G . Chap . „ Geo . Normanton , 58 , P . G . I , of W . ( elected ) ... Prov . G . Treas . „ T . P . Hewitt , < -i ... ... ... ... Prov . G . R .

„ W . Cooke , 58 , Past G . O . ... ... ... Prov . G . Sec . „ R . E . Collinson , 352 ... ... ... Prov . S . G . D . „ A . F . McGill , 374 ... ... ... ... Prov . J . G . D . „ J . J . Green , 58 ... ... ... ... Prov . G . L of W . „ A . F . Fitzpatrick , Old York T . I . ... ... Prov . G . D . C .

„ R . D . Kendal , 14 ... ... ... ... Prov . A . G . D . C . „ Alfred Gill , 137 ... ... ... ... Prov . G . S . B . „ C . J . Schott , Old York T . I . ... ... ... Prov . G . Std . Br . „ G . F . Carr , in ... ... ... ... Prov . G . Org . „ E . Billington , 127 ... ... ... ... Prov . G . I . G . „ Wm . Haigh , 1 4 ... ... ... ... ^ 1 S 3

" ^ ^ C Prov . G . Stwds . ., rredk . Simpson , no ... ... ... ... I „ Alfred Parkin , 39 8 ... ... ... ... J The Prov . Grand Wardens and Prov . Grand Overseers were elected to serve on the General Purposes Committee for the ensuing year . Invitations were given from the Britannia Lodge , 53 Sheffield , and the

Fearn-, ley Lodge , 5 8 , Halifax , for the next meeting of Provincial Grand Lodge . The Provincial Grand Master accepted the invitation of the Sheffield brethren for the next meeting of Prov . Grand Lodge in April , 1890 . A hearty vote of thanks was accorded to the brethren of Old York T . I . for the arrangements made for the reception of Prov . G . Lodge .

Prov . G . Lodge was then closed , and the brethren afterwards sat down to tea , provided b y the brethren of the Old York Time Immemorial Lodge , after which the usual loyal and Masonic toasts were given .

Provincial Grand Lodge Of Antrim.

PROVINCIAL GRAND LODGE OF ANTRIM .

A meeting of the Provincial Grand Lodge of Antrim was held on Monday , the 30 th ult ., in the lodge room of No . 57 , Ballymoney . The chair was occupied b y Bro . Robert Carey , and amongst those present were Bros . W . A . Trail , P . S . G . W . ; James Cameron , P . M . ; Robert M'Curdy , P . M . ; Henry Morrison , P . M . ; Rev . J . Beatty ; J . P . Stott , P . M . ; Wm . Smyth , W . M . ; Thomas Nesbitt ; John M'Kee , P . M . ; A . R . Stirling , J . D . ; James Speers , P . M . ; John Nicholl , P . M . ; W . B . Black , P . S . G . D . ; W . J . Brown , P . M . ; Thomas Humphreys , P . M .: G . S . Cochrane , W . M'Candless , P . M . ; and Robert Adams , P . M .

After transacting the business of the lodge , the brethren adjourned to the Commercial Arms Hotel , where a sumptuous repast was in waiting , and , after partaking of this , the CHAIRMAN proposed the toast of " The Queen and the Craft , " which was drunk with much enthusiasm .

The CHAIRMAN next gave " The Three Grand Masters of Ireland , England , and Scotland , " coupled with the toast of " The Provincial Officers of the County of Antrim . " He said he was exceedingly sorry that Bro . Valentine was not present , as he had always been so kind and genial in his manner , but they had a worth y representative in his place in the person of Bro . Carey , who he would ask to respond .

Bro . CAREY replied on behalf of the three Grand Masters , among whom they could claim the Prince of Wales as one , being Grand Master of their Order in England . The Duke of Abercorn was another , who would be in the Province of Ulster at an early date , and he hoped the brethren of the Order would be largely represented on behalf of the Grand Lodge of Ireland . He thanked them for coupling his name with the toast . It afforded him the greatest possible pleasure in

attending their stated communication that day at Ballymoney , and he hoped the by-laws laid down would be an improvement to the Order , and that that meeting would be for the good of the entire Craft , not only for the district , but for the province and kingdom . He had great pleasure in proposing a toast vvhich was always received with great accord by the Masonic body , i . e ., " The toast of the brother who so worthily occupied the chair on this occasion . "

The CHAIRMAN replied , and proposed "The Health of the Visiting Brethren , " coupled with the name of Bro . Beatty . Bro . BEATTY , who was very cordiall y received , said that was his first appearance in Ballymoney under a double aspect . He came there for the first time as a

visiting brother , and it would remain very dear to him since his first induction there that day . He did hot feel himself at all a stranger in a strange land , as they were all at home once having entered the Masonic Order . The toast was drunk with much enthusiasm . The brethren then separated after the singing of the National Anthem .

J ACQUES BERNARD DE MOLAI . —Born in 1 243 , is said to have been received into the Order of the Kni ghts Templar in 1265 , at the Preceptory of Beaume in Burgundy , and soon greatly distinguished himself as an able administrator and a gallant soldier . He was especially distinguished under the Grand Mastership of Wm . de Beaujeu from 1273 to 1291 , though to this Wm . de Beaujeu much blame was subsequently attached , for grave 'innovations on the reception of the

knights . In 1297 , at the death of Theobald de Guadin , he seems to have been elected Grand Master of the Templars . Invited to France in 1306 , to a special and secret meeting at Avignon , he left Cyprus and went with 60 kni ghts , at the end of 1306 , or the beginning of 1307 , to France . On the 13 th October , 1307 , all the Knights Templars in France were simultaneously seized ( . which says , rig htly or wrongly , a good deal for their unpopularity)—Molai amongst them . Most serious

charges were brought against the Templar Kni ghts , and a Commission was opened at Paris to examine them ; but this seems to have been a complete perversion of justice , and we note that it was apparently a foregone conclusion—that , as the Order was both rich and friendless , it had to be suppressed . —No doubt the wealth , and probably haughtyness , of the Templars had made them many enemies . Many of the knights were cruelly tortured , and died in their prisons . Molai

remained in prison ( it is believed that he was tortured ) until March , 1313 , when he was sentenced to perpetual imprisonment , together with Guy , Dauphin d'Auvergne , Hugo de Peyraud , and Godefroi de Gonaville , on the promise of recantation and acknowledgment of the justice of his sentence . But as he manfully avowed the entire innocence of the Order , he was burnt to death March iSth , 1313 . He is said to have summoned Clement the Pope and Philip

the King before an infallible tribunal ; and as Clement V . died April 20 th , I 3 ' 7 i and Philip , according to Wilke , November 29 th , 1314 , by a fall from his horse ( though some say not until 1323 ) , the main or superstitious feeling of the age declared that it saw in these deaths the " finger of God . " Molai is only interesting to Freemasons , apart from his gallant life and end , as Grand Master of the

real Kni ghts Templars , though , as the historical connection between Maso Knights Templars and the warrior soldiers of Palestine is more than doubtful , at least is certainly " non proven , " his name may seem to have but little to do with a Masonic Cyclopa : dia . But as his name appears in later revivals of a so-called Templarism , it has been thought well to allude to him thus . —Kenning's Cyclopaduf of Free masonry .