Provincial Grand Lodge Of West Yorkshire.

lames G <; o rge Pnver was elec fed , swo-n . and invested the first Wo-ship " uI Master . It was established as a Military and Naval Lodge , for the officers of both services , "Land and Water . " It appears from the minutes to have been of frequent occurence , if a person were what is railed a " transient " man ( permanently on active serv ' n e ) io ballot for initiate , pass , and raise him on the same evening . Hence , the name of the Lodge Amp hibious . As a Yorkshire Lodge , the Amphibious date only fron 2 nd May , i 8 i > -.

I had hoped to-day to celebrate here the looth year , or the Centenary of the working of this old lodge , but nothing can be done until the year 1903 , it being evident from the lodge minute books , and the Grand Lodge registers , that Amphibious ceased to exist in 1702 , and that previous to , or in 1 S 03 , some Yorkshire brethren got hold of the books and G . L . warrant and started what was virtually a new lodge , with an entirely new set of members . Provincial Grand Lodge of West Yorkshire met on the 2 nd May , 1803 ,

to consecrate and dedicate this lodge at the lodge room , at the Shear s Inn , Hightown , when Bro . John Binns was the Worshipful Master . Grand Lodge books go back to about 1740 , and show No . 25 S from the year 1786 to 1792 only , and from 1803 to 1 S 87 as a new lodge . Amphibious finally settled in its present place of meeting on 27 th March , 1850 , and the last time Prov . Grand Lodge visited this place was on the 2 nd January . 1 S 61 . I mention these facts to show the importance and the necessity of lodges carefully

preserving their minute books and ancient documentary records . This is the sixth time that Amphibious Lodge has received this Provincial Grand Lodge . It has 6 t members on its roll , 24 of whom are P . M . ' s , only two other lodges in this province exceeding this number . We cordially acknowledge therefore the labours of the W . M ., Bro . A . Macauley , and his officers for the preparation they have made for the conduct of the

business of this Prov . Grand Lodge to-day . VVe wish this lodge a continuation of prosperity and perpetuity , both on " land and water , " and fervently trust that in 1903 it may enjoy its centenary from an unbroken continuity of working since 1803 , and give proof of its uninterrupted existence for one hundred years , in accordance with the Book of Constitution .

Having referred to the meeting of the Charity Committee of the Province held at Halifax on the 24 th September , and having quoted " ex parte" certain important statistics compiled by Bro . Col . Clerke , showing the progress made by our several Charitable Institutions from their foundation till the present time , the Prov . G . Master continued his address as follows : —

With this financial and numerical increase in our Charities , the number of lodges have also multiplied by 1565 during the same Jubilee period and since the year 1875 , when his Royal Highness the Prince of Wales became Grand Master of the Craft , 682 lodges have been established , being nearly 40 more than existed altogether at the accession of her Most Gracious Majesty , in 1 S 37 . These figures illustrate in some degree the loyalty , the brotherly love , and Charity of

Freemasons , and I hope the next 50 years will exhibit , in these respects , a corresponding progression in magnitude of the Freemasons of England , and that of West Yorkshire will be in the van with its sympathies for the Charities , and its generosity and loyalty as it has shown itself during this past brilliant period of our Gracious Sovereign Queen Victoria ' s glorious reign . Briefly , brethren , I have awakened in your memories Masonic

progress in this country . It is representative of the " loyalty and Charity " of our Order . It is for us to work out the perfection of Masonry " when wars shall cease , and art shall prosper , and science thrive , " and when trade and manufactures and agriculture , represented by personal activity , shall reach their triumphant consummation by turning the " whole human race into one vast lodge , and made every man a brother . " And may this gracious lady who sits upon the throne of

England—Through all this tract of years , Wearine the white flower of a blameless life In that fierce light which beats upon a throne . " Who has witnessed so many changes , without lessening the esteem and affection of her subjects , long continue to govern a united , prosperous , and contented people , is the 1

fervent aspiration to-day of every brother in . this large gatheringof the Craft , formingthe Provincial Grand Lodge of the Province of West Yorkshire , so " May each day better other's happiness Until the heavens envying the Earth ' s good-hap , Add an immortal title to your Crown , "

is the prayer of your Provincial Grand Master . . The D . P . G . M . in repl ying to his salutation , gave the brethren some very excellent advice . Moved by Bro . J . K . IBBERSON , P . M . 1102 , Prov . G . Registrar ; seconded by Bro . JOHN BOOTH , P . M . 258 , D . P . G W ., and resolved : —

" That the best thanks of this Prov . Grand Lodge are due , and are hereb y given , to the Right Hon . the Earl of Zetland , R . W . Prov . Grand Master ; to Lieut .-Col . the Hon . W . T . Orde-Powlett , Past Grand Warden , W . D . P . G . M . of the Prov . Grand Lodge of North and East Yorkshire ;

and to the Very Reverend the Dean of York , V . W . Bro . A . Purey Cust , D . D ., Past Grand Chaplain ; and the Worshipful Master and Officers of the York Lodge , No . 236 , for their very able and efficient arrangements at York , on Thursday , the 14 th July , A . L . 5887 , for the Masonic Celebration of the Jubilee of her Most Gracious Majesty the Oueen . "

Bro . M . C . PECK , Prov . G . Sec . N . & E . Y ., briefly thanked the brethren for the vote of thanks .

The TREASURER to the "Jubilee Presentations Fund" stated that there was £ 1424 in the Bank to the credit of the Fund , and there were promises amounting to £ 350 , which , together with the donations from Prov . G . Lodge arid Chapter , would bring it up to within £ 10 of the amount required . Moved by the CHAIRMAN of the Charity Committee , seconded bv the

VICECHAIRMAN , and resolved , that authority be given to the Treasurer to pay the Thousand Guineas when the agreement for the First Presentation is executed , and the Second in like manner on its completion ; and that permission be obtained from the Trustees to fix a Brass Memorial Tablet in the Hall of the Institution at Croydon , the cost to be defrayed b y Prov . Grand Lodge .

Bro . JAMES TERRY , Past Grand Swd . Br „ Secretary Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution , returned thanks for his hearty reception and salutation , and in thanking the brethren for the gift of the two presentations , said "e felt sure the Trustees would give permission to have the above-named tablet fixed in the Institution .

The CHAIRMAN of the Charity Committee said , that at the elections in A pril and May they had been successful in electing all their candidates , V 1 _ 2 ., one girl , four boys ( including one presented ) , one male , and four Widows . The list of candidates for October election showed one girl and 'our boys . He cordially thanked the brethren and Charity members for so

Punctuall y sending in their voting papers . He asked the R . W . Prov . Grand Master to suspend Provincial By-law No . 27 , and he having com-Phed , moved that the following grants for relief be made , viz ., Bro . J . L ., 439 . £ 10 ; Mrs . E . M ., 290 , £ 20 ; and J . L ., 458 , £ 25 . Bio . HARROP seconded Hie motionsand they wtre carried

, . H . R . H . the Prince of Wales , K . G .. & c , M W . G . M ., having granted *» e privilege to Prov . Grand Masters of conferring Past Prov . Grand rank

° a limited number of brethren , the Prov . Grand Master proceeded to ¦ "ake the appointments . An invitation was received from the three Wakefield Lodges to hold e annual meeting of Provincial Grand Lodge under their joint banners in P . ' l 888 . The R . W . PROV . GRAND MASTER said he would give it his ' ¦ sideration , anc * acquaint the brethren of his decision at an early date . at -V , ivr " ncia Grand Lodge was closed in due form . Dinner was provided tho D M , £ nic Hal 1 - Market-street , at which about 80 brethren sat down , -ne R . w . Prov . G . Master presiding .

Centenary Of The Grand Lodge Of Maryland.

CENTENARY OF THE GRAND LODGE OF MARYLAND .

BY BRO . W . J . HUGHAN . We are well used to Centennials and even Sesqui-Centennials , Masonicall y speaking , in this country , but though such Assemblies and Comir . emoraticns are not strangers to us , each one as it arises appears to have some peculiar History of its own , which renders the observance of the event a matter for congratulation , and sometimes for enduring memorials being instituted .

One of the most important of late years has been the celebration , in 1886 , of the 150 th Anniversary of the formation of the Grand Lodge of Scotland , and in this country several lodges have taken the opportunity of observing similar anniversaries , such as No . 37 , Bolton , in 1882 , No . 41 . Bath , and

No . 43 , Birmingham , in 1883 , & c . The Sesqui-Centennial of the Grand Lodge of England , in 1867 , appears to have passed away without any commemoration whatever ! Such an oversi g ht would not occur in the United States , as High Festivals suitable to the special circumstances of each event would be sure to receive general sympatny and hearty support .

The latest of these celebrations , held in May , 1887 , of the Centennial of the Grand Lodge ot Maryland , has been duly described , first of all , in a capital volume devoted to an axount ot the Proceedings on May I 2 tn , and another volume dealing with the "Semi-Annual Communication" of the Grand Lodge , on that day , and the ioth and I Ith immediately preceding ; advance sheets of which have reached me , through the kind attentions of General T . J . Shryock , M . W . G . M .

I should like to give my brethren in this country some idea of the character and extent of the proceedings , so filly portrayed in the two handsomel y printed books before me , and especiall y so , because the Grand Master and moving spirit of the great Celebration has so recently been on a visit , and also the honoured j . uest of the " Anglo-American Lodge , " London , the ' ¦ Eboracum Lodge , " No . 1611 , York , and other Masonic Bodies , who are always to the tore when distinguished brethren from " across the Big Pond "

desire to see a little , at least , of English Lodge life whilst sojourners in this country . To my mind , the truly Masonic action ot the " Anglo-American Lodge " and the York Lodges in so warmly welcoming our American Visitors , from time to lime , ia a prominent leature of late yeais , which is deserving of special recognition by our Masonic authorities and neither should the more private , but none the less hospitable , receptions tendered under similar circumstances b y Brothers George Kenning and Colonel MacLiver be allowed to pass unrecorded .

One thing , at all events , is clear , that the Craft in the Old Country will fail in its duty unless suitable opportunities are embraced to practically illustrate the tact ot the oneness ot Freemasonry , the cosmopolitan cnaracter ot our Society , and particularl y the bond that exists between the Englishspeaking Oraiid Lodges tnioughout the world .

On May ioth , 1887 , the Grand Lodge of Maryland held its 201 st stated communication , hiving met semi-annuall y during the past hundred years , General Shrjock , M . W . G . M ., delivered a stirring address of welcome , in which he remarked

that—Our existence began April 17 th , 17 S 7 . It is our privilege to celebrate this crowning anniversary of 1887 . Une hundred years I Wtiat a conn ast since a . few earnest men cime together to organise this urand Ludge . What a contrast between ihe two assembl gs — the small and homely meeting of that day , and the great assemblage here tonight I What a . difference between th : quaint little lodge roi im in a country to-n , one hundied yeais ago , to the splendid temple ot to-day—erected io God and dedicated to universal

beneficence ! What a difference in the sunou idiugs—a sparsely si t led State , which had not iei . overcd Irom the exhaustion of war then , to a Cmnmjnwtalth teeming with commerce , industry , and wealth now The ceremonials that « ic f . iluw at this communication , bridging the vast chasm of one hundred years to honour the n en who started this Grand Ludge , \ s \\ tie repeated one hundud years hence by good men and irue in commemoiatijn ol oui d'splay . Like a benediction over our graves will

they starch down through thc century to us , as we search through the ccntuiy sjonc to the memoiies behind us All has Oten cnanged save the < lernai landmarks that point to the Fatherhood of God and the Biothcrhuod oi Man . These are eternal , and will go on through the new centuies be / ore us , as the > have ome thn . ugh the o-ntury back . It is for us to do uur present duty in transmitting ih .-m from the one to the other , with gratitude to Almighty God for the inestimable privdrge of being pre-ent at this glorious epoch , and being the honoured participant in this notable anniversary ,

A characteristic letter from our esteemed M isonic veteian , Bro . Brackstone Baker ( who is the accredited Representative ot ihe Grand Lodge of Maryland—as aLo some 15 others !) , was read by the Grand Secretaiy , in which our good brother Hie present W . M . of tne Anglo-Am rican Lodge wrote most appreciatively of tne magnificent style of tne patent ot his appointment , which , however , he considered was '" exceeded" b y the sentiment of Biotherhood and of interchange ot fraternal good leelings , ot which the document is the evidence .

The Grand Mastei ' s racy and most Statesmanlike account of his Stewaidship lelt notning to be desired in that respect , and we may be assured that his numerous official visitations in all pans of the itaie have been the means ol increasing the interest ol the members ol tne lodges thus favoured in the prosperity ol their Grand Lodge . In America there are no Provincial Grand Masters , with Provincial Urand Lodges such as

we have in England , so that unless when the period has arrived for inspection by their Deputy District Grand Masters—who hold no District or Provincial Grand Lodgeb such as in this country—tne numerous lodges grouped within Districts have little practical knowledge , ot the dignity and cnaracter of the Grand Lodge Officers , save and except when Grand Masters do their duty by going in largely lor official visitations A treat deal ol the narrative ot ihe Grand Master's doings reads quite suangely to

our ears , but it must not be lorgotten tnat in tne United estates the Giand Master is practically the President and me " Boa d ot General Purposes , " and in like manner the "Colonial Board , " besides doin >; the wo < k ot the Grand Registrai 1 His d .. cisiuns are reviewed by the Grand Lodge , it is true , but , as a matter ot lact , all trie questions wmcti come b .-foie our two Boards *» d are dealt wilh by a nuinbei ol responsible brethren . a > e m the States entirely att- nded to and decided upon by the Grand Masters , between ihe Grand Lodge Meetings .

Mention was made by the Grand Secretary of his receipt from Colonel Clerke , •' by command 01 H . R . ri . the Prince 01 vVales , ol a most bi uititul guldjewel , witn the request that Grand Master S n vock be proper . y i . nesied with the same , as tne badge ot his office . " 1 have seen tne jewel , a ui consider it both artistically and Masonically a worn ot art , and 1 know thai the Grand Master is proud to wear tne decoration as Representative in Mary land from the Grand Lodge of England . ( To be continued . )