Alfred Lodge, No. 306, Leeds.

ALFRED LODGE , No . 306 , LEEDS .

PRESENTATION TO THE W . M ., BRO . WILLIAM BLACKBURN . This it will be remembered is the centenary year of the Alfred Lodge . That festival was kept most worthily on the 27 th May last , and particulars were duly reported in our columns . It would appear , however , that the whole of the year has up to now been of a festive character , nor does there seem any sign of discontinuance . Bro . Blackburn's term expires on the first Friday in December ,

and if hospitality , combined with munificent Charity , may be said worthily to celebrate so eventful a period , then , indeed , has the Alfred Lodge , under the insp iration and guidance of its popular Worshipful Master , most fully and splendidly acquitted itself . Its recuperative power has been marvellous . Not many years ago its financial condition was almost desperate , but by the courage and the pertinacity of a few not only has it recovered from its difficulties , but it has proved

itself willing and able to vote substantial grants towards the Masonic Charities . 100 guineas to the Girls' School and 50 guineas each to the Boys' and Old People from lodge funds , it must be admitted , are handsome donations , but when the lodge efforts are supplemented , as they have been , by individual members ; when with a list of upwards of 20 Stewards , that sum of 200 is made into 500 guineas , as we are informed is the case , it cannot be denied that the centenary of

the Alfred Lodge has indeed been celebrated with honour . So much for its Charity . As to its hospitality—that has been equally hearty and generous . Bro . Blackburn has extended an open hand to all , has welcomed all comers , and his princely entertainment will not soon be forgotten . To have thus sustained the honour and reputation of the Alfred Lodge , to have filled its chair with such Mat , and to have made its name well known where perhaps previously it was unheard of , it was felt , deserved special recognition at the hands of the brethren .

A Committee was formed , of which Bro . J . C . Malcolm was Chairman , and an effort was made to show by some outward acknowledgment that the Alfred Lodge was not unmindful of the conduct of its W . M . during its famous year , 18 95 . A considerable sum was readily subscribed by the Past Masters , officers , and brethren , and eventually the presentation assumed the practical and very handsome form of an address , a Past Master ' s jewel , a magnificent dessert service in massive silver , and a diamond crescent brooch for Mrs . Blackburn .

The Alfred brethren entertained their W . M . at dinner on Friday evening , the 4 th inst , and accompanied in many instances by their wives , assembled in large numbers to do him honour and witness the presentation . The guests who accepted invitations were : Bro . Wm . Blackburn , Mrs . Blackburn , and Miss Blackburn , Mrs . Edwards , Mrs . Conyers , Mrs . HoHiday , Miss Holliday , and Miss A . Holliday , Bro . Henry Smith , Deputy * Prov . Grand

Master ; Bro . Herbert G . E . Green , Prov . G . Sec . ; Bro . Joseph Matthewman , Prov . A . G . Sec . ; Bro . J . H . Barton and Mrs . Barton , Bro . Wm . Thornton and Mrs . Thornton , Bro . Tom Child and Mrs . Child , Bro . Walter Critchley and Mrs . Critchley , Bro . Arthur Jubb and Mrs . Jubb , Bro . W . F . Smithson and Mrs . Smithson , Bro . Perkin Robinson and Mrs . Robinson , and Bro . R . I . Critchley , J , P ., and Mrs . Critchley .

Amongst the officers and brethren of the Alfred Lodge , their wives , and lady friends , were Bro . J . C . Malcolm and Mrs . Malcolm , Bro . John Dyson , Mrs . Dyson , Miss Dyson , and Miss Wake , Bro . D . Wedderspoon , Mrs . and Miss Wedderspoon , Bro . W . C . EHisdon and Mrs . Ellisdon , Bro . W . M . Tate and Mrs . Tate , Bro . S . E . Seanor and Mrs . Seanor , Bro . A . Redmayne and Mrs . Redmayne , Bro . George Darley and Mrs . Darley , Bro . Tom Batt and Mrs . Batt , Bro . William

Horsfall and Mrs . Horsfall , Bro . E . Smith and Mrs . Smith , Bro . C . H . Wilson and Mrs . Wilson , Bro . J . H . Johnson and Mrs . Johnson , Bro . A . Neill and Mrs . Neill , Bro . D . J . Miller and Mrs . Miller , Bro . D . Maclver and Mrs . Maclver , Bro . Jos . Flockton and Miss A . Flockton , Bro . J . A . Boorman , Bro . E . Schofield and Mrs . Schofield , Bro . J . H . Barraclough and Mrs . Barraclough , Bro . Henry

Kitchen and Miss Kitchen , Bro . James Bowers and Mrs . Bowers , Bro . * W . A . Millard and Mrs . Millard , Bro . H . Hunt and Mrs . Hunt , Bro . W . W . Sleight and Miss Sleight , Bro . R . H . Blackburn , Bro . E . C . Shackleton and Miss Shackleton , Bro . R . A . Blackburn , Bro . S . Peckover and Mrs . Peckover , and Bro . A . Schofield and Mrs . Schofield .

After dinner , at which , being the ordinary lodge meeting , Bro . BLACKBURN presided , a short toast list was gone through , comprising "The Queen , " "H . R . H . the Prince of Wales , M . W . Grand Master , with the Officers of Grand Lodge , " and " The Right Worshipful Provincial Grand Master of West Yorskshire , Bro . W . Lawies Jackson , M . P ., and the Officers of Provincial Grand Lodge . " These having been duly honoured , Bro . J . C . MALCOLM took the chair to carry

out the presentation . He sa : d that as Chairman of the Testimonial Committee , hs had been deputed to introduce what he believed to be the last function in connection with the centenary of the Iodge . As they well knew , Bro . Blackburn ' s Vear was now rapidly coming to a close , and they could not let him leave the chair without recognising as effectually as they were able , the hospitable , courteous , nnd efficient manner in which he had presided over them during this , their

centenary year . They of the Alfred , Bro . Malcolm explained , had been placed in somewhat of a difficulty , it being the third Leeds lodge within the past few years to celebrate a centenary . Having recalled the able way in which the Fidelity and Philanthropic Lodges had kept their festival , he showed how the Alfred brethren decided that , following the usual course , Bro . Wm . Blackburn should be placed in ' he chair , and that the remaining offices should be filled by Past Masters . Though

"ot a Past Master , they had the fullest confidence that the due celebration ¦ rt their festival would not suffer at the hands of Bro . Blackburn , and that Meeting and the presentation now about to be made proved that , they were fully justified in their anticipations . Bro . Blackburn had made Progress in the lodge so far as numbers were concerned , but he ( Bro . Malcolm ) believed that only those had been admitted who would be a credit to them . As

' <• his working , they all knew that he had kept up the standard , whilst the success ° ' their centenary celebration , he might say , was unprecedented , graced as it was lot onl y by the presence of the Provincial Grand Master , but also by that of s everal distinguished officers of Grand Lodge . Now they were approaching the 'id of the year they felt that they were bound to show to the W . M ., in a substan . '' alform , the deep obligation they were under to him for the manner in which he

had carried out the duties of the office . They thought that was the most suitable occasion to make the presentation , not only because it was the last working lodge ° ' the year , but because it was an occasion on which they had the pleasure of 'eeing ladies at their board . The Alfred was the first lodge in Leeds to introduce hat is called " the ladies' night , " and their example had been followed . As an JW Mason , he had been reluctant to see the social element prow to such an extent .

out perhaps he was converted ; at all event ; . , they must march with the times . In Addition to honouring the W . M ., they were determined also to honour his wife ** ** they felt they were under obligation to her for coming amongst them . They . ^ ognised also that her husband ' s position necessitated frequent absences from ls home , and consequent interference with domestic arrangements . He would 091 call upon their Secretary to read the address . , This was a beautiful specimen of illuminated work . It was in book form , "Und in Craft blue morocco , with gold ornamentation and embossment . Upon

Alfred Lodge, No. 306, Leeds.

the title page , which was bordered with Masonic emblems , were emblazoned the arms of the W . M ., whilst the frontispiece consisted of an exquisite drawing of the five pieces comprising the dessert service . Bro . WEDDERSPOON , P . M ., Sec , read as follows : " To Bro . Wm . Blackburn , Worshipful Master of the Alfred Lodge ( No . 306 ) . " Worshipful Sir , —We , the Past Masters , officers , and brethren , whose names

are appended , of Alfred Lodge ( No . 306 ) on the roll of the Grand Lodge of England , and meeting in the Masonic Hall , Great George-street , Leeds , present you with this address ( together with a Past Master ' s jewel , a service of silver plate consisting of five fruit dishes , and a personal ornament for Mrs . Blackburn ) as a slight token of our fraternal affection towards you and of our high appreciation of the great services you have rendered by your labours and example to the Craft in general and to this Iodge in particular .

" As Worshipful Master of the Alfred Lodge in this its centenary year you have been unremitting in your exertions for its welfare . You have presided over its proceedings with dignity and ability , and while you have been careful to preserve inviolate the hndmarks of the Order , you have displayed towards the brethren a courtesy , a kindly consideration , and a brotherly spirit which have deepened the esteem and love in which the brethren have previously held you and the affection they bore towards you .

" When difficulties have arisen you have surmounted them by the exercise of delicate tact and sound judgment , and the noble example you have shown of your adherence to the three grand principles which are the foundation of the Order" Brotherly love , relief , and truth "—has had the effect of healing differences when such have arisen and of encouraging the brethren to cult ' ivate those truly Masonic ornaments which are necessary to the peace , harmony , and success of the lodge .

'The Masonic Charities have had in you , Worshipful Sir , an enthusiastic , a consistent , and a capable advocate . You have supported them most generously yourself and to your energy and advocacy are due in no small measure the handsome gift of 500 guineas which the Iodge has been enabled to contribute towards th 3 t beneficent and important branch of Masonic work during your year of office . " We honour you as an expert Craftsman , and onr sincere desire and prayer is that the Great Architect of the Universe may long spare you to come amongst

us to assist the brethren in the lodge by your council and encourage them by your example , and that a large measure of success to you and your family in your and their future career be granted . —We are , Worshipful Sir , Yours faithfully and fraternally , "JNO . C . MALCOLM , Chairman of Committee . " D . WEDDERSPOON , Sec . and Treas . " Leeds , October 4 th , 1805 . "

Bro . MALCOLM then explained how the idea of a presentation originated and grew , and called upon Mrs . Dyson , the wife of their worthy Past Master and Treasurer , Bro . John Dyson , to present to Mrs . Blackburn this ( handing it to her ) brooch .

Mrs . Dyson adjusted the brooch , which was crescent in form with a triple row of diamonds , the ladies and brethren applauding vociferously . The presentation of the Past Master ' s jewel was deferred , as Bro . Blackburn , " [ had not yet done all that was required of him , " as Bro . MALCOLM explained in other words , the year of his Mastership had not yet expired .

Bro . HENRY SMITH , Deputy Prov . Grand Master , then rose at the request o ? the chairman to present the address and dessert service , which consisted of five massivesilver pieces , a centre , two side salvers and two dishes , all handsomely chased with a lovely floral design and together weighing 185 ounces . Each piece bore the following inscription :

" To W . Bro . Wm . Blackburn , Worshipful Master of the Alfred Lodge ( No . 306 ) , from the Past Masters , officers and brethren of the lodge to mark their high esteem and deep appreciation of the ability , courtesy , and generosity displayed by him as Worshipful Master of the lodge during its centenary year . October 4 th , 1 895 . " Bro . Henry Smith expressed the sincere pleasure it gave him to hand to the Worshipful Master of the lodge that very beautiful address , so charmingly illuminated , and so exceedingly well expressed . He begged , on behalf of the lodge ,

that Bro . Blackburn would accept it , and he trusted it might long lie upon his table , and subsequently be handed down to his successors a memento of his own worth and of the esteem in which he was held by his brethren . With the address he would include these five magnificent pieces of plate , which the members of the Alfred Lodge hoped he would also accept at their hands . He could add little to what had been so well said by Bro . Malcolm , but might , he trusted , be _ allowed to express the hope that Bro . Blackburn might be long spared to enjoy the use of the present , which the brethren tendered as a small recognition of his valued services .

Bro . BLACKBURN , who , on rising to reply , was greeted with hearty cheers , said he appreciated the kindness which had induced the brethren to give him such a token of their respect . Words failed him to express the gratitude of his heart . When at the request of their worthy Secretary , Bro . Wedderspoon , and their equally worthy Treasurer , Bro . Dyson , he went back to his lodge from which he had long been absent in support of their excellent Senior Warden , Bro . Malcolm , who was then W . M ., he had not the slightest idea that he should occupy the

important position of W . M . during their centenary year . On that occasion , when called back by duty to his lodge , he said most decidedly that he should exercise his vote in the cause of righteousness . He had done so . When asked to occupy his present position , he felt he was unequal to the task , but he was delighted to think from the evidence before him that he had fulfilled his own wish , which was to make the Alfred Lodge pre-eminent amongst West Yorkshire lodges . As Bro . Malcolm had explained , their position in relation to the centenary celebration

was somewhat difficult , and the brethren of No . 306 were afraid that their efforts might fall short of those of the Fidelity and Philanthropic . By the presentation of that testimonial , the most handsome he believed ever presented to a Master of a lodge in West Yorkshire , they had , however , practically said that they were perfectly satisfied with their Worshipful Mister ' s conduct during this somewhat trying year . He thanked them for that unmittakable evidence of their approbation . As to the Past Master ' s jewel

which was all he ever expected at their hands , he should prize it even more than he did the service of plate , and his gratification would be great indeed if he could honestly believe he had earned it . The present , however , which he should value most was the address , for its kind words appealed more strongly to him than any . thing else . He knew the expressions it contained were more than he deserved ; but he had honestly striven to do his duty . He knew his own shortcomings ; no one so well , and on reading those kindly words he should , he feared , be met with

reproaches from a guilty conscience . He had endeavoured to steer the bark of the Alfred Lodge over the sea of passion into the harbour of rest . He had been actuated by a sense of duty , and they would doubtless remember he told them on assuming the chair his thoughts would be Alfred , his name would be Alfred , he would have Alfred written in golden letters , and until his year expired Alfred should be his foremost care . He hoped that the younger members and many of

the seniors would also engrave Alfred on their hearts , and then no single individual , no half dozen individuals , would be allowed to interfere with the peace of the lodge ; and the success of the bi-centenary might even exceed their present magnificent condition . He must also thank them on behalf of his wife , who , he was sure , had no idea that through the election of himself to that chair she would become the recipient of such a beautiful present . " She asks me , brethren , to thank