Consecration Of The Ebbisham Lodge, No. 2422.

Gratitude should beat the bottom of every Mason ' s heart—gratitude for favours received and favours hoped for—and the consecration ceremony that they had seen should make them pause and think of these things , and therefore soberer and better men . Bro- E . L . G . HOUNM . E , Prov . G . Chap ., in response said the arrangements for the da ) - had been excellent , and they looked forward to a successful

i 0 cVe . 1 ' P ' easin £ ' ' '" at ln cllls ancient town their ancient Order would be represented . He intended to say a good deal more in his oration , but he always felt merciful to his hearers , and endeavoured to reduce his einarks to the lowest possible compass . Bro . CHAS . GREENWOOD , Prov . G . Sec ., also responded . He said the r . reenwood Lodge was consecrated at Epsom , but had removed to Sutton ,

ind the Ebbisham Lodge was fortunate in having brethren amongst them who resided at Epsom . The Prov . G . M . had set his face against recominending any petitions unless signed by those residing in the particular locality where it was proposed to found the lodge , and during the last three I years the Prov . G . M ., or his predecessor , had paid particular attention to i [) , at fact . What the Prov . G . M . aimed at in considering every petition

was whether the lodge would increase and multi ply in numbers , and setting j ] , is face against multip licity of lodges , looked with pleasure on the increase [ 0 f members in lodges . As one who bore a considerable amount of labour in connection with the official affairs , he ( Bro . Greenwood ) could tell them that affairs were progressing very favourably in the province . The number of members had increased , and as far as the calibre of the lodges was

concerned , everything was going forward in a way ho thought was second to no province under the banner of Grand Lodge . Bro . Rev . H . W . TURNER , P . P . G . Chap ., said that , like Die W . M ., he had occasionally serious moments , and the present happened to be one , for he had very suddenly been called upon to perform a duty—a very delightful duty which , however , he undertook with the greatest willingness and

, p leasure . As they all knew , when a lodge was consecrated , and began its new life as this had begun under such very promising auspices , one officer who was generally recognised in all lodges could not exist . That was the I . P . AL There could not be an LP . M ., as the first W . M . occupied the chair , and therefore it was a very great kindness to him and the lodge he represented to be asked to propose " The Health of the Worshipful Master . "

He had great delight to be allowed to propose that toast . A great deal had been said about the abundant promise with which that lodge had entered upon its new life , and he knew that promise arose from the fact that they had such an excellent Master to start the lodge . Bro . Bucknill was well known to all present , and as a personal friend to many was known as a gentleman , who had already been described by one of the same profession

as one who occupied a position of great respect , and , speaking personally , he knew him to be beloved as well as admired for his talents . Bro . Bucknill had also in another sphere of life , which was happily excluded from Masonic gatherings , taken decided views , but all parties loved and welcomed him . They felt sure that under such a Master the lodge would be successful , and in wishing the W . M . a successful year they were sure that wish would meet

with ample fulfilment . liro . T . T . BUCKNILL , Q . C , W . M ., in rising to reply , said for him this i MS the crisis of the evening , and he did not know how to thank them sulfi-? riently for the kind way in which the kind words of his friend , Bro . Turner , had been received . Bro . Turner had said too much in his favour , but he was sure in that brother he had a firm friend . His ( the W . M . ' s ) stay in

that part of the country had not been long . He was a Devonshire man , and came to Epsom a very sad and very sorrowful man , and greater sorrow came upon him ; but he found in that sorrow there was one link which soon forged itself in him and those living around him , and that was the true friendship of the true English people . Although the sting had gone , the friendship had more than formed a strong link between himself and his friends .

Unfortunately , he had allowed himself to take a political status , and there was a momentary cooling ol old friendship between himself and others who had arrayed themselves actively against them , but he was sure those friendj ships would be renewed again . He was grateful to say such events had no place in a lodge . With regard to himself , he felt exceedingly proud he had hctm permitted to take the position in which he had been placed . It was in 18 73 he was W . AL of his mother lodge . That was a long time ago , and

that which he took a considerable amount of trouble to learn had I vanished long since . If they would give him an opportunity of performing the work , with the assistance of those who had already assisted him , he was ! sure ( hose lessons would cone back . He could give them one promise—he ; tvould do his best , and beyond that no man could go . With regard to the ' lessons they had to learn they must remember the lesson of Charity to all

Poor and distressed Masons . Bro . Romieu had spoken very kindly , and ¦ Warding his remarks he would say one word . He thanked Bro . Romieu ; Mtremei y , and believed his words were true , for in his profession he was 'town , not by his surname , but by his christain name . On one occasion in the Western Circuit Mess , Lord Field insisted on proposing his health , contrary to the rules , and said he had to propose the health of a man who ,

[ far as he knew , never had a surname . It was a nice thing to be called 1 ty one ' s christian name , and if they would extend that kindness to him and : or gel he had a surname , he should be obliged . He hoped to be in the ' ° uge for many years to see other Masters do the work better than he had wiie . He was grateful for the reception given the toast , and to Bro . Turner ; or the kind words spoken .

Other toasts followed , and the Tyler ' s toast closed the proceedings . f , L ' nder the direction of Bro . John O'Connell , P . P . G . Org ., Bros . Elkin , Catling , Heathcote , and Phillips performed the musical selections during Jo ceremony and after banquet in an excellent manner , and Bros . W . Pile , I , 'M-i and Green , I . G ., were unremitting in their endeavours—which were I 0 lll pletel y successful—to render the proceedings enjoyable to the visitors .

Provilncial Grand Mark Lodge Of West Yorkshire.

PROVIlNCIAL GRAND MARK LODGE OF WEST YORKSHIRE .

held . V ^ ' -yearly meeting of the above Provincial Grand Alark Lodge was Uiitl ° n / ' , ursday , the 5 th inst ., at Freemasons' Hall , Surrey-street , Sheffield , UiK farmer of the Britannia Mark Lodge , No . 53 . The Prov . Grand b v . p opened by the Prov . G . M ., Bro . Charles Letch Mason , supported 1 l"c following- Prov . Grand Officers : Bros I ) „ H i ' £ - Dr . T . C . Smyth , P . G . Chap ., D . P . G . M . ; F . Cleeves , 53 , P . S . G . W . ; as j ' A'fnett , 53 , P . G . D ., P . P . S . G . W ., as P . J . G . W . ; E . Bilhngton , 127 , P . P . G . O ., UM -0 . ; J . J . Green , 58 , P . S . G . O . ; C . j . Schott ( T . L ) , P . J . G . O . ; Rev .

Provilncial Grand Mark Lodge Of West Yorkshire.

w - J- Jungbluth , 14 , P . G . Chap . ; Henry Oxley , no , P . G . Treas . ; W . Langbridge , 398 , P . G . Reg . ; Tudor Trevor , in , P . G . Sec . ; V . G . S . Dearden , 53 as P . G . D . ; W . D . Shoebridge , 58 , P . G . I . of W ., as P . G . S . B . ; W . Flockton , in , P . G . D . of C ; A . G . Kirkham , 53 , P . G . Std . Br . ; Geo . Edwards , 53 , P . G . Org . ; H . S . Holdsworth , P . G . Stwd ., P . P . S . G . W ., as P . G . I . G . ; and R . Hodgson , 58 , and H . King , 14 , P . G . Stwds . There were also present the Deputy Prov .

G . M . of the Craft Masons of West Yorkshire , Bro . Henry Smith ; Bros . A . E . Mayger , 117 , P . P . G . S . B . Lincolnshire ; W . Cooke , P . P . G . Sec , P . G . M . O . ; J . Urnvin , jun ., P . P . S . G . W . ; J . P . Hewitt , P . P . G . Reg . ; T . Howden , P . P . J . G . D . ; j . Shaw , P . P . G . I . of W . ; Geo . Cass , P . P . G . Org . ; and about 30 other brethren . The Provincial Grand Master , the Deputy Prov . Grand Master , and the D . P . G . M . of Craft Masons having been duly saluted , the PROV . GRAND

MASTER addressed the brethren as follows : It affords me much pleasure in again holding our Provincial Grand Lodge in Sheffield . This is the fourth meeting in this town during the time I have had the pleasure of presiding over you as your Prov . Grand Master , the former visits being in April , 1 S 84 , October , 1 SS 6 , and October , 1 S 90 . I congratulate the Sheffield brethren on the continued prosperity of their lodge , and sincerely hope that the same

active interest in the wclhxrc ol Mark Masonry which has distinguished them in the past will actuate them in the future ; I desire at the same time to congratulate all the lodges in the province on the very healthy feeling now pervading and to express the hope that the special teaching of Mark Masonry may yet be more fully understood , as I believe the Order is becoming day by day more greatly appreciated . Mark Masonry , I believe , is

quite as ancient as any part of our Masonicsystcm , for wc find in the earliest records marks were in general use . Our most ancient buildings bear to this day the marks of our ancient Craftsmen , they are to be found on stones forming - part of King Solomon ' s Temple and many of us have seen them on the walls of Fountains Abbey , still visible to the naked eye , which time has not effaced nor obliterated . In this we see the thoroughness with which our

brethren of old did their work ; they worked not for themselves but for those who came after , and we are to-day " the possessors of their labours in these stately and magnificent buildings such as the Cathedral of York , Lincoln , and Salisbury , and even the ruins of Tintcrn Abbey in their desolation gratify the eye and adorn the landscapes . Does not this , my brethren , point out to us the special teaching of Mark Masonry

to let all we do , our words and actions , let them be thorough , to think less of ourselves and more for the commonweal , so that when our life ' s actions are closed , and all present ourselves to T . G . O . O . T . U ., we may be found worth y " to form part of that building-not made with hands eternal in the heavens ? " The Provincial Grand Master then referred to the special business of the meeting , and concluding said : Our Mark Charities

are making quiet but steady progress ; we have in West Yorkshire one boy and one girl being educated and one annuitant . I should like to see these Charities more fully utilised . The benefits , although not quite so large as in the great Charities of the Craft , yet they arc more immediate . Funds have come in so well that as yet there has not been the expense of an election , and no aged brother or widow who has applied has been kept in suspense or anxiety awaiting his or her election , ln our education we spend

nothing in buildings or keeping up expensive establishments , and I think I may fairly say without contradiction that all the money you subscribe goes for the welfare of those and those alone for whom it is intended . Brethren , I commit the welfare of the province to your keeping ; all the lodges are working , we are free from all internal dissension , 1 am thankful to say ; may we all continue to work for one common object in view , and may the Great Overseer of the Universe be pleased to direct , bless , and prosper us all in our works .

The minutes of the meeting of Provincial Grand Mark Lodge , held on 31 st October , 1891 , and of the special meeting held on 31 st January last were read and confirmed . The replies of her Most Gracious Majesty the Queen and of H . R . H . the Prince of Wales , K . G ., to the addresses submitted to them from this Provincial Grand Mark Lodge on the lamented death ol his late Royal Highness Prince Albert Victor , Duke of Clarence and Avondale , K . G ., P . G . W ., were read and ordered to be recorded on the minutes .

On the report of the Provincial Board of General Purposes the following amendments of the provincial by-laws were adopted , subject to confirmation at the next mectingol the Provincial Grand Mark Lodge—1 , The fees of honour payable on appointment by the Provincial Grand Officers were fixed as follows : The Provincial Grand Master , £$ 5 s . ; the Deputy Provincial Grand Master , £ 3 3 s . ; the Provincial Grand Wardens , Overseers ,

Chaplain , Ireasurer , Registrar , Secretary , and Deacons , £ 1 is . each ; and the remaining Provincial Grand Officers , 10 s . 6 d . each . 2 , I'he annual contribution to the Provincial Grand Mark Lodge from each lodge in the province was changed from 6 d . per annum for each subscribing member to 3 d . per quarter or any part thereof . 3 , The date of the annual meeting was " transferred from October to April .

On the motion of the D . P . G . M ., seconded by Bro . H . I . GVKVETT , P . P . S . G . W ., P . G . D ., supportedby Bro . W . COOKE , P . P . G . Sec , P . G . M . O . ! and carried with unanimous acclamation , it was resolved to recommend to the M . W . G . M ., H . R . H . the Prince of Wales , K . G ., the re-nomination of Bro . C . Letch Mason , P . G . M ., as Provincial Grand Mark Master for the ensuing three years .

The PROV . GRAND MASTER having announced that he had arrano-cd to hold the next meeting of Provincial Grand Lodge in Wakefield , and a cordial vote of thanks passed to the W . M ., ollicers , and brethren of the Britannia Lodge , No . 53 , for their kind reception , the Provincial Grand Lodge was closed .

The brethren then sat down to a bountiful repast , presided over by the P . G . M ., when The usual loyal and Masonic toasts were dul y honoured , and a very enjoyable evening- was spent , till train time dispersed the visitors , who all returned home well satisfied with the proverbial hospitality of the Sheffield brethren .

Provincial Grand Lodge Of West Yorkshire.

PROVINCIAL GRAND LODGE OF WEST YORKSHIRE .

The following address by the Acting Prov . Grand Master , Bro . Henry Smith , was delivered at a meeting of the Provincial Grand Lodge of West Yorkshire , held on the 25 th ult . : Brethren , —The unfortunate circumstances which compelled me to take this chair and address you at our last meeting at Sowerby Bridge still . I ren-ret tn « -, v

continue . The condition of our R . W . Prov . Grand Master during the period intervening has been very precarious , but is now , I rejoice to say decidedly improved . If this improvement is maintained , as I trust it may be we may conii dently hope that at our next October meeting we shall see Bro . Tew in his accustomed place , and I doubt not , brethren , should that be so , that he will receive