Craft Masonry.

had deserved and won tbe implicit confidence of the brethren , and especially was this the case with Lord Lathom . He believed that all had the welfare and benefit of the Craft at heart , and lost no opportunity of extending its great influence for good . The Grand Ledge , by the visits of its officers from time to time , kept itself in touch with the provinces , and deserved all the honour they could give . The next toast , that of " The R . W . Provincial Grand Master of West Yorkshire , the Worshipful Deputy , and the Provincial G . Oflicers , Present and Past , " Bro . Barker declared to be , perhaps , more important than the previous one , as it came nearer home

to them . Of the Rt . Hon . Bro . W . L . Jackson , he could speak in the highest terms , and if anything were needed to show the estimation in which he was held , he would point to that brilliant and splendid assemblage on the occasion of their Prov . Grand Master ' s installation . He ( Bro . Barker ) was pleased to say that he was one of those who witnessed that function , and he looked upon it as one of the greatest Masonic events of his life . The excellent advice which the Prov . Grand Master gave on that occasion might well be taken to heart by all of them . Sheffield had good reason for elation , as Bro . Jackson had paid his first official visit to that city , and had also honoured

them by attending with his officers to consecrate the two new lodges which had been formed since his accession to the chair of the province . The earnest and impressive manner in which those ceremonies were gone through , and the excellent counsel he at the same time offered , convinced them all that in Bro . Jackson they had got a Prov . Grand Master who was not only business-like , but also sincere . As to the Deputy , he regretted his absence much . Had he put in an appearance he would have received an ovation . He ( Bro . Barker ) was afraid that he had not fully realised the numerous invitations which were sent to the Prov . Grand Officers , and had in consequence been a

little late in his offers of hospitality . He hoped Bro . Matthewman , the Prov . Assistant Grand Secretary , would convey to the Deputy that expression of feeling on the part of Wentworth Lodge , and would also himself understand how welcome he was in their midst . Sheffield had many old and distinguished members of Prov . Grand Lodge , and some were with them that night . He would couple the toast with the narnes of Bros . Ensor Drury , P . M ., P . P . G . W ., and Joseph Matthewman , P . M ., Prov . Asst . Grand Secretary .

Bro . Ensor Drury heartily thanked the brethren for so kindly receiving the toast , and assured them that , like the rest of the Grand Officers , he was actuated with one desire —that of doing the best he could for the Craft of which he had so many years been a member . He deeply regretted the retirement of Bro . Henry Smith , and hinted that perhaps Bro . Matthewman might be able to tell what all were so anxious to know , viz ., the name of his successor . With a prospect of such important information before them he would take up their time no longer , and offer no delay to Bro . Matthewman's statement .

Bro . Matthewman first of all said that the Prov . Grand Master had apparently done great honour to Sheffield by visiting it so frequently , but pointed out that Sheffield had in that particular got no more than her due , for out of the 2 G new lodges formed since the foundation of their own in 1 S 6 S , no less than five had arisen in their city ; Leeds duringthe same period had added only two . Bro . Matthewman then gave particulars of tbe decision of the meeting held at Leeds on the 30 th ult . to consider what form the reccgnition of Bro . Henry Smith's services should assume , and quoted figures to show that , in order to make the Deputy ' s chair in perpetuity a Vice-Patron of

the three Masonic Institutions , and at the same time offer some small personal presentation to Bro . Henry Smith , a minimum sum of 500 guineas would be required . As to Bro . Henry Smith ' s successor , there was no doubt that the question was exercising the minds of the brethren , and very properly , as they could not tail to see that the prosperity and well-being of the Craft in West Yorkshire largely depended upon the judicious selection of the new Deputy . Bro . Matthewman advised the brethren to possess their souls in patience , to believe that the Prov . Grand Master would take the greatest possible care and give the fullest consideration to the matter , and finally , when the appointment was made , he recommended them loyally to accept the decision , and join in smoothing any

difficulties which the Deputy might by any chance meet with . On that point he _ would say no more . He thanked them for the heartiness and personal kindness with which the Shellield brethren invariably greeted him . Bro . M . J . Dodworth , I . P . M ., submitted the toast of "The Worshipful Master , Bro . T . E . Barker . " He said Bro . Barker ' s claims upon their respect and esteem were great , and they could recognise them better than he ( Bro . Dodworth ) could explain them . Their new VV . M . had many excellent qualities , and he hoped that he might have the good fortune to show those qualities by having the opportunity of admitting some further acquisitions to their Society .

Bro . Barker , on rising , was received with repeated cheers . He said : Brethren , —I need scarcely explain the delight I feel and the pride t experience upon finding myself the occupant of this the highest office you can confer upon me . Such a mark of confidence on the part of my brethren cannot fail to be gratifying to me , and I will , to the best of my ability , endeavour to discharge my duty to your entire satisfaction . Bro . Dodworth has spoken in too liberal terms of any qualities I may possess , but I will say that with your help and countenance I will try to fill this chair creditably to myself and honourably towards you . I know it will be difficult to follow my able predecessors , but I have confidence that I can rely upon my officers and Past Masters . Should differences

arise , 1 trust wc shall be actuated by the true Masonic spirit , and sink all personal feelings in considering what is best for the good and honour of the lodge . My efforts may be weak—for there are spots in the Sun—but I trust in my case they may turn out beauty spots , and that you may never have even a suspicion of regret that you raised me to this h ; gh office . I stand before you with enmity against no one : the tenets of Freemasonry teach us to love one another , and if wc meet as we ought . on terms of brotherly affection and esteem , it will be almost impossible that unpleasantness can arise . I will do my utmost to prevent misunderstandings and to promote universal harmony , and when my year of office shall have expired I trust you will be able to say of me that 1 have done well , and that I have maintained the reputation of the Wentworth Lodge .

" I he I lealth of the LP . M . and Installing Officer " was proposed by Bro . H . Nixon , P . M ., Prov . S . G . D . He spoke of the excellent way in which Bro . Dodworth had performed the installation ceremony , and regretted that he had not had more frequent opportunities during the year just passed of displaying the ability he possessed . Bro . M . J . Dodworth suitably replied .

For "The Past , Masters of the Wentworth Lodge , " Bro . Charles Stokes , P . M ., VV . M . of the Furnival Lodge , responded , and in doing so pointed out' that the band ol Past Masters was rapidly increasing , that they were all only too willing to help their younger brethren , and in proof of ability and experience he might mention that they had three of their number who had attained the PastjMaster's maj ority . These were Bro . H . J . Garnett , Bro . J . B . Wostinholm , and Bro . Tindall .

Ihe toast of "The Visitors was , of course , duly honoured , as was that of " Ihe Masonic Charities . " To this last Bro . J . P . Hewitt , the Charity Steward , replied . 'The final toast— " The Officers of the Wentworth Lodge "—was proposed from the chair . A special feature of this meeting , as is the case in all Sheffield Masonic gatherings , was the music . Bro . Wm . Foxon , whose reputation is so high , if possible increased his renown by his beautiful rendering of the songs " Still wic die Nacht , " and " A Song of Sleep . " Bros . A . J . Forsdike , Wm . Gadsby , and II . A . Brook also sang , and the instrumentalists were Bros . C . Stokes , M . T . Miner , and J . A . Rodgers .

Ninety-seven brethren sat down to dinner , and the evening was most harmonious and delightful .

Semper Fidelis Lodge , No . 1254 . The installation of W . M . of this lodge took place on the 2 nd inst ., when there was a numerous gatheiing of members and visiting brethren , numbering altogether between SO and Go . Bro . F . J . Shapcott , S . W ., was duly installed as Worshipful Master in succession to Bro . James Tucker . Owing to the . rebuilding ot the Freemasons' Hall , Candy-street , the ceremony was perlorrncd at the Royal Public Rooms , Exeter , which , under a special dispensation from the Prov . Grand Master , Bro . Lord Ebrington , has been arranged for the Masonic gatherings in the city . The duties of

Installing Master were ably performed by Bio . W . A . Gregory , P . M ., P . P . G . Ircas ., and on the Board of Installing Masters were Bros , II . VV . Hooper , P . M ., P . P . G . Reg . ; E . T . Fulford , P . M ., P . P . G . Treas . ; A . J . Truscott , P . M ., P . P . G . 'Treas . ; Thos . Andrew , P . M ., P . P . G . Reg . ; VV . Pidsley , P . M ., P . P . A . G . D . C ; W . R . Lisle , P . M . 39 , P . P . J . G . D . ; R . Groves , I . P . M . ; C . H . Clarke , P . M . ; Charles Piper , I . P . M . 1 753 ; VV . P . Moon , VV . M . 1753 ; C . H . Fulford , P . M . ; J . R . Gibbard , P . M . ; T . R . Hearn , P . M . ; G . VV . Clifford , P . M . ; Thos . Upward , P . M ., Org . ; J . Gilbert , P . M . ; J . Warren , P . M . ; F . Luget , P . M . 39 ; C H . Shipway , VV . M . 12 S 4 ; VV . Ridge , P . M . 1284 ; : iW . H . Kelland , P . M . 39 ; Jos . Wills , P . M . 10 O ; and

Craft Masonry.

E . W . Hellier , W . M . S 47 . There were also present : Bros . W . Chesterman , J . W E . Sawdye , Sec . ; S . E . Marsh , J . D . ; VV . Densham , I . G . ; Dr . McKeith ; I . ' Lucas , D . C ; F . A . Sale , A . D . C ; W . Mackay and W . Roach , Stwds . ; J . Rae ' R . Bayley , J . Channing , G . Davey , C J . Collard , J . Balsom , W . Kingwell , H . Edwards ' C . J . Pepperill , S . Drake , R . Addicott , J . D . Hellier , S . McCormick , H . Shooter ' Tyler ; and A . Burridge , Asst . Tyler . Visitors : Bros-G . J . Gibson , Sec . 1753 ; w ' H . Stone , S . VV . 12 S 2 ; A . S . Rowe , Sec . 12 S 2 ; and 1 . H . Bolley , 372 .

On the conclusion of the ceremony , the W . M . appointed the following as his oflicers for the ensuing year : Bros . J . Tucker , ( . P . M . ; W . II . Chesterman , S . W . E . Sawdye , J . W . ; F . Hearn , P . M ., Chap . ; W . A . Gregory , P . M ., Treas . ; A . H , Guest , Sec ; S . E . Marsh , S . D . ; W . Densham , J . D . ; ] . A . Lucas , I . G . ; Thomas Upward , P . M ., Org . ; T . Sale , D . C . ; W . Mackay , A . D . C . ; W . Roach and F . Channing , Stwds . ; H . Shooter , Tyler ; and A . Burridge , Asst . Tyler . Before the

lodge was closed , a handsome Past Master ' s jewel in gold and a beautifully-illuminated and chastely-designed scroll , the latter being the work of Bro . C . H . Clark , were presented to the LP . M ., Bro . Jas . Tucker , in appreciation of his services during his year of office , and also as a testimony to his worth as a man and as a Freemason . The gift was appropriately acknowledged by Bro . Tucker , who also expressed his deep thanks for the friendship with which it was marked , and the kindness which had accompanied the presentation .

The installation banquet was held in the evening at the Rougemont Hotel , where an excellent dinner was provided for the 50 guests . The various Masonic and complimentary toasts were duly honoured . To add to the enjoyment of the evening , capital musical selections were rendered by the W . M . and Bros . Marsh , F . Hearn , W . A . Gregory , A . J . Truscott , G . Luscombe , F . Newcombe , Balsom , A . J . Guest , I . A . Lucas , W . Roach , and others .

Isle of Axholme Lodge , No . 1482 . The monthly meeting was held in the Masonic Rooms , Crowle , on Tuesday , the 26 th ult . Present : Bros . H . L . Burtonshaw . W . M . ; W . Pickering , S . W . ; W . S . Scholey , J . W . ; G . S . Tyack , J . D . ; A . W . Cundall , I . G . ; J . H . Lee , Org . ; H , Hoe , Std . Br . ; T . Staniforth , J . Hemingboro , J . Constable , M . R . J . Behrendt , C . Fox , W . Burtonshaw , R . Wood , Sec . ; I . G . Barratt , W . A . Wressell , T . W . Dates , and G .

Naylor , Tyler . Visitors : Bros . G . Eland , S . D ., and R . Brew , 2259 . Mr . F . H . Waite was duly initiated , Bro . Constable obligating , Bro . Behrendt gave the address and charge , and the W . M . the working tools . Arrangements were concluded for holding the Masonic bazaar in aid of the Girls' School on the iSth inst . The brethren afterwards adjourned to the Darby and Joan , where Bro . Cranidge had provided a light repast , and the remainder of the evening was spent in toast and song .

City of Westminster Lodge , No . 1563 . One of the most successful gatherings of this prosperous and ever-growing lodge took place on the 2 Sth ult ., at the Cafe Royal , Regent-street , the occasion being the installation of Bro . A . H . Marks , a highly-esteemed member of the lodge , and if any evidence was required as to his great popularity , it was afforded by the enthusiastic reception he had on being installed . There was a good muster of the members and uowards of 70 visitors . There were present Bros . H . Fonseca , W . M . ; A . H . Marks ,

S . VV ., W . M . elect ; C . M . Brander , P . M ., Treas . ; J . VV . Martell , J . W . ; W . C . Smith , P . M ., Sec . ; T . H . Beach , Asst . Sec ; M . M . Taylor , J . D . ; E . T . Ginder , LG . ; F . J . Chaffer , Org . ; H . T . Culliford , D . C ; E . Rutherwood , Asst . D . C . ; H . J . Horner , Stwd . ; J . T . Towsend , T . Stewart , H . Newman , C . Glover , F . Hinton , G . Schulz , H . Ford , T . Rose , A . Reed , F . Jones , W . Bacon , W . Stead , J . Swift , H . Willett , G . Menn , G . Polley , C . Pennack , G . E . Highland , A . Winkler , E . Wiseman , A . Townsend , I . Studds , Flood , W . Sanderson , F . Townsend , J . B . O'Callagham , A .

Fisher , J . Ribstein , R . Russell , E . Greinfeilder , A . Bertrand , L . Cossart , H . Hewitt , W . Henderson . C . Culliford , T . Stevens , F . Westcott , J . Dallas , G . T . Smith , G . Levin , M . Richards , R . G . Knox , T . Williams , T . H . Townsend , S . Lamothe , J . Potter , P . M ., Tyler ; and others . Amongst the large number of visitors were Bros . Ashplant , W . M . 179 ; Mayo , W . M . 1 GS 6 ; Marcus , W . M . 205 ; Mark , P . M . 957 ; Hunt , P . M . 194 ; Smythe , P . M . 123 S ; Doig , P . M . 1539 ; Wyatt , 24 S 5 ; G . Manning , 19 S 7 J A . G . Mullins 1446 ; T . Mountain , 20 . 30 : Whitehead , P . M . ; F . Mann , 127 S ; C .

, Waters , 1445 ; W . Sandford , 2418 ; E . Russell , 1000 ; Willard , P . M . 1446 ; S . Walker , 1348 ; T . Richards , 15 S 5 ; J . Berther , 2150 ; W . Bradford , 216 S ; A . Appleby , 1706 ; H . Schartau ; and H . T . West , 1744 . After the usual routine business , the ballot was taken for Messrs . M . Richards , F . J . Ruff , T . H . Townsend , R . G . Knox , A . Parigot , L . Zimmerman , and T . Williams , and , it being unanimous , Messrs . Richards , Townsend , Knox , and Williams were initiated bv the W . M ., Bro . Fonseca . The other initiates were not able to be present .

Bros . W . C . Ginder , a former member ; W . Kirby , 1602 ; G . T . Smith , 1890 ; and C . Levin were elected joining members . The Auditors' report , which showed a very substantial sum in hand , was then received and adopted . Bro . A . H . Marks , the W . M ., was then presented and installed into the chair by Bro . C . M . Brander , P . M ., who afterwards gave the addresses in good form . The new VV . M . invested the following as his officers : Bros . J . Martell , S . W . ; M . M . Taylor , J . W . ; C M . Brander , P . M ., Treas . ; W . C Smith , P . M ., Sec ; T . H . Beach , Asst . Sec : E . T . Ginder , S . D . ;

H . T . Culliford , J . D . ; E . Rutherford , I . G . j F . J . Chaffer , Org . j H . J . Homer , D . C . ; J . B . O'Callagham , A . D . C . ; T . H . Stevens and J . B . Burton , Stwds . ; and J . Potter , P . M ., Tyler . Bro . H . Fonseca , I . P . M ., was elected a Trustee in the place of Bro . P . M . Waugh , who had resigned . There was plenty of work for an installation meeting , but the officers were equal to the occasion . The lodge having been closed , the brethren partook of a recherche banquet , which fully maintained the reputation of the establishment . At the close of the repastand as a preface to the toasts

, , The W . M . stated that his speeches would be brief , and he hoped that those who had to follow him would adopt the same course , as they had a lengthy programme to get through . . . The W . M . gave the usual loyal and Masonic toasts , which were honoured in an adequate manner . "The Health of the Worshipful Master" was proposed by Bro . H . Fonseca ,

I . P . M ., who stated that it was the lirst time he had had the honour of submitting the toast , and he did it with much pleasure . The W . M . was not only a good brother in the lodge , but a brother in every way outside the lodge . He had invested his officers splendidly , which , he thought , augured well for his future as their ruler , and he had no doubt that he would be perfect in everything appertaining to his high office . The toast was drunk with acclamation , and .. . . that

Bro . Marks , W . M ., received a hearty greeting on rising to respond . He said his very best thanks were due to them for their manifestation , and now that he was the Master of the City of Westminster Lodge , he would do his utmost to give them satisfaction , and when he went on the shelf of the Past Masters , he would also continue his efforts to promote the interests of the lodge . .. In giving the toast of "The LP . M ., Bro . Fonseca , " the W . M . stated that they all knew and appreciated the great things he had done for the lodge during his year of office , and if he went on singing his praises he could not say too much of his

excellent services . In presenting him with a Past Master ' s jewel he remarked that ihvas * very pleasant duty , and he hoped the G . A . O . T . U . would give him long life and healtn to wear the token , which would ever remind him of the happy time he was their Master . In replying , Bro . Fonseca , I . P . M ., said he might have done more for the lodge , W he had done his best , and if ever he was again elected W . M . he might do better . 1 ne jewel he should always honour . The lodge was prospering , and it would continue so under the reign of the W . M . .,. , ., UUUbl Lllla Iblgll VI HIV tfllT . l , .

'The Worshipful Master then proposed the toast of " The Initiates . " He said h " he was well favoured in having so many initiates at his installation . They were all ° excellent quality and he felt that they would be a credit to the lodge and the Craft . Bro . Dr . Morgan Richards responded , observing that he was proud he was a Mason . All the Masons he knew were good fellows . Bro . T . H . Townsend said that he was honoured that they had accepted him a = Freemason and he hoped that time would prove him to be an earnest and sincere memue of the Craft

. . ... Bro . R . G . Knox also acknowledged the toast , remarking that he had longed for years to join the Craft , and now that he was one of them , he was gratified . Bro . T . Williams said that the ceremony of initiation appeared to him to be very grand and he was glad that he was one ot them , which he should long remember .