Consecration Of The Prudence Lodge, No. 2069, At Leeds.

Freemasonry recognises no distinction of religious or political faith . Men of all creeds and tastes are welcome if they are proved to be " just , perfect , and upright , men of mature judgment and strict morals ; " but there will be an end at once of our lauded principles of toleration if Grand Lodge provides a place in our midst for teetotal lodges , and so mixes up the pursuit of tctotalism and Freemasonry and temperance together . Temperance

guards the soul against those insidious allurements by which nobler feelings are too often corrupted . She forms the mind to a general restraint over its appetites , its passions and vices ; and I hope there is not a lodge in this town which will not discourage , by every means in its power , the presence at its meetings of any brother who ma 3 ' indulge to excess , and also keep itself rigidly lo the statutable times of closing the banquet entertainments .

Temperance then is the crown of all virtues . Let temperance , then , blend 3 'our actions in accordant harmony with fortitude , prudence , and justice . Take these virtues symbolical of the four great rivers which flowed out of the Garden of Eden , for your benefit , admonition , instruction , and protection—Pison , the fountain of prudence ; Gibon , the stream of justice ; Hiddekel , the rapid torrent of fortitude ; Euphrates , the steady current of temperance . Take the state of our first parents in Eden

before they sinned as your guide . Happy was their state while these sacred virtues were impressed upon their minds , and happy maybe the brethren of No . 2060 , if 30 U observe the lessons , the name of your lodge , and its objects inculcate and imp ! 3 \ Be instructed by prudence , be guided by justice , be strengthened b 3 fortitude , and be b 3 * temperance restrained , so that your lodge may be a pattern like Solomon ' s temple of wisdom , strength and beaut 3 ' . And of the beauty of Freemasonry may the outside world thus speak of it in Leeds in Dryden ' s noble verse :

Mark her majestic fabric ; she s a temple Sacred by birth , and built by hands divine . Her soul's the Deity that lodges there ; Nor is the pile unworthy of the God . So may Prudence Lodge and Masonrj' endure to all adored blessings of Charit 3 ' , good deeds , and the fulfilment of noble aspirations , until all is merged in the advent of the "Sun of Righteousness . "

• After the consecration of thc lodge the ceremony of installing the W . M . designate , Bro . E . Woodhouse , Alayor of Leeds , as the first Worshipful Master of the Lodge Prudence , was conducted by Bro . C . L . Mason , P . M . 304 , and P . P . G . Treas ., after which the W . M . invested the following officers , who are the seven founders of the lodge : Bros . Rev . Dr . T . C . Smyth , P . M ., Past D . G . M . E . Archipelago , asS . W . ; C . L . Mason , P . M . 302 , P . P . G . Treas ., J . VV . ; Tudor Trevor , P . M . 944 and 41 , Sec . ; XV . Watson , P . M . 280 and 1040 , S . D . ; Rev . John E . Player , 127 ' ; , J . D . ; and Rev . J .

R . Kennedy-Bell , 1124 , I . G . The W . M . was unanimously elected as the representative of the lodge on the Provincial Charity Committee , and several candidates as joining members and two for initiation were proposed . A banquet was served immediately afterwards by Bro . J . L . Oates , P . M ., at which 86 invited guests were entertained by the W . M . and officers of the lodge . The usual loyal and Masonic toasts followed , and in responding to that of "The W . M . of Lodge Prudence , "

Bro . WOODHOUSE said his term as Maj'or was now vcr 3 ' near its close , and though his duties had been tolerably heavy , and he had been associated with persons and societies of various reli gious and political creeds , he did not think he had made a single enemy , but had met with uniform kindness from all classes . If the next Mayor had the same kindness shown to him as he had had , he would have no cause to complain at the end of his term .

Referring to his lodge , he felt proud to occupy the position he held in it , and should strive to the best of his time and ability to merit the confidence reposed in him . His Worship then replied lo a number of observations made by the D . P . G . M ., and ably defended the principle laid down for the government of his lodge by the founders . He contended that the Deputy was confounded by his own admission that " Temperance was the crown

of Masonic virtues , " and his arguments—if such they might be termedwere demolished by his assumption that the " W . M . is to dictate what kind of refreshment shall or shall not be taken by the brethren or guests . " The VV . M . is to do nothing of the kind , as the Lodge Prudence is established on Temperance principles , the members of which shall not necessaril y be teetotalers ; but that it shall be a fixed rule of the lodge that no intoxicating

liquors shall be used at any of its times of refreshment . Visitors and those who sought membership knew the terms on which they stood , consequently no injustice could be done in declining to give them alcoholic liquors to their dinners . Whilst brethren were heartily welcome to come to their lodge at all times , they must conform to the lodge rules whilst there , or they would be heartily welcome to sta 3 ' away .

Other toasts followed , and having been duly honoured , these most successful and pleasant proceedings were brought to a conclusion with the Tyler ' s toast , given by the S . W ., who had served in his time every office in the lodge , from Tyler to W . M .

Provincial Grand Lodge Of Leicestershire And Rutland.

PROVINCIAL GRAND LODGE OF LEICESTERSHIRE AND RUTLAND .

The annual meeting of this Provincial Grand Lodge was held at the Corn Exchange , Melton Mowbray , on Thursday , the 6 th inst ., under the banner of the Rutland Lodge , 1130 , for the transaction of the general business of the province , and for thc special purpose of installing the newlyappointed Deputy Provincial Grand Master , W . Bro . Samuel S . Partridge , P . M . 523 , P . P . G . S . W ., when a large gathering of brethren , comprising

representatives from every lodge in the province , assembled under the presidency of the Provincial Grand Master , the Right Honorable the Earl Ferrers , who was supported by the following present Provincial Grand Officers , viz . - . R . W . Bros . VV . Kelly , F . S . A ., & c , P . P . G . M . ; G . Toller , jun . P . G . S . B ., P . D . P . G . M . ; J . T . Thorp , P . G . S . W . ; VV . S . Allen , P . G . J . W . ; Rev . A . P . Dawson , P . G . Chap . ; R . Waite , P . G . Treas . ;

A . H . Burgess , P . G . Reg . ; Rev . C . Henton Wood , P . G . Sec ; S ! Cleaver , P . G . S . D . ; E . Watson , P . G . J . D . ; J . Young , P . G . D . C . ; C . Gurden , P . G . A . D . C . ; T . B . Lax ton , P . G . O . ; R . R . Col :, P . G . A . P . j D . Chalhs , P . G . Std . Br . ; R . R . Bellamy and L . P . Chamberlain , P . G . Stewards ; and J . Tanser , P . G . Tvler . In . addition the following hrethren

were present : W . Bros . Rev . VV . Langley , M . A ., P . P . G . S . W . ; William Adcock , P . P . G . S . W . ; C . E . Stretton , P . P . G . S . W . ; M . J . Walker , P . P . G . J . VV . ; J . Barber , P . P . G . R . ; F . J . Baines , P . P . G . S . D . ; J . Halford , P . P . G . S . D . ; J . O . Law , P . P . G . J . D . ; S . Weaver , P . P . G . S . of VV . ; Captain Richardson , P . P . G . S . B . ; E . H . Butler , P . P . G . Std . Br . ; J ,

Provincial Grand Lodge Of Leicestershire And Rutland.

Hassall , P . P . G . P . ; W . A . Musson . W . M . 779 ; A . IT . Marsh , W . M . 1130 ; J . Metcalfe , P . M . 1767 ; B . A . Smith , W . M . 523 ; R . S . 1 ' oler , VV . M . 1560 ; G . Matt , VV . M . 1301 ; R . Michie , VV . M . 279 ; Bro-. C . Oliver , S . W . 1007 ; J . H . Marshall , J . VV . 1007 ; J . Harrison . -S . W . 1391 ; J . D . Harris , S . W . 1560 ; E . J . Foxwell , S . VV . 50 ; H . P . Broun , j \ W 523 ; and F . B . Wilmer . J . W . 202 S ; and many other members of the several Craft lodcrs in the Province .

The Rutland Lodge , No . 1130 , having been opened bv thc W . M ., Bro . A . H . Marsh , assisted by his ollicers , lhc Provincial Grand Master and his Prov . Grand ollicers entered , and the Provincial Grand Lodge was opened in due form , and the usual preliminary busiiu-ss , including the confirmation of minutes , disposed of , after which the reports of thc Provincial Committee of General Purposes and the Provincial Charily Committee were read , confirmed , and adopted .

The report ol thc Committee of General Purposes , after rcferrin ;* - lothe satisfactory state of the Prov . Grand Lodge funds , and ihe position and progress of Masonry in the province , made special mention of the recent addition to the roll ot lodges by the conMituiion ol the Graniic Lodg > -, No . 2028 , which , under the special care and able management of its VV . M .. the VV . Bro . the Rev . W . Langley , to whom thc entire credit lor Us formation

was due , had alread 3 ' met with most encouraging success , the lodge now numbering nearly thirty members , of whom fifteen had been initiated in it since February last . The probability of thc early establishment of additional lodges in the rapidly increasing county town of Leicester was also alluded to . The report then ' dwell at some length upon the recent extensive and cosily alterations and

additions to breema ^ ons Hall , Leicester , including the entire rebuilding of the lodge room , which it was hoped would greatly increase the comfort and add to the , convenience of the members of the lodges and other bodies meeting wilhin it . The revision of the Provincial bye-laws had made but little progress , the Committee deeming it desirable lo delay proceeding therewith for a short time in order that opportunity might be taken for " corresponding

with other provinces , which , in consequence ol the recent revision of tlie Book of Constitutions , were intending to revise their own bye-laws . As a temporary measure it . was recommended that the additional " fees sanctioned by rule 104 of the Book of Constitution be added to the table of lees in force in this province , and further , that fees of honour be charged in respect of the new offices of Provincial Grand Standard Bearer and Assistant

Provincial Grand Secretary . After referring to the presentation to the R . W . Bro . VV . Kelly , P . P . G . M ., of a life-size portrait of himself , and treating upon certain matters of local interest , the report concluded by alluding in very complimentary terms to the appointments of Bio . S . S . Partridge as D . P . G . M ., and Bro . the Rev . C . Henton Wood as Provincial Grand Secretary . The report of the Charity Committee was as follows :

" During thc past Masonic year your Committee have to report thit no candidate from this province for either of the great central Masonic Charities has claimed our support . This has enabled them lo clear up all debts , and lay up a store ol over 50 U votes for the Benevolent Institution to be used at future elections . Thc alliance of our small province with those of Wilts , Somerset , Monmouthshire , and others lor voting purposes , ha »

hitherto worked in a most advantageous manner , and resulted in the return of their candidates , and your Committee hope it may be adhered to in the future . During the year small grants of money have been made 10 the widow of a late member of ihe Loughborough Lodge , and also lo a brother of St . John ' s Lodge to help him in his removal irom the town , and your Committee very much regret that owing to the fact of the Lough borough

brother not continuing his subscriptions to a lodye under the English Constitution that his boy his ineligible for the Boys' School . Thc case is a bad one , and they are very anxious that something further may be done . To VV . Bro . S . S . Partridge , D . P . G . M ., are justly due the thanks of the Committee for his most energetic and successful services as Steward of the province on the occasion of the Benevolent Institution for Aged Ma-ons and

their Widows , when his list reached the magnificent sum of £ 353 14--., being one of the largest brought up to this Festival . And your Coin mil i > e cannot allow this opportunity to pass without expressing the great pleasure with which they have heard of the appointment of Bro . Partridge to lhc honourable post of D . P . G . M ., and offering him their most hearty congratulations . The Girls' School this year prefers its claim for support Irom the

province ; hitherto it has been our custom that one of these who had previously held a Stewardship for the Boys should be appointed , therefore from the list of those willing to serve , your Committee have nominated W . Bro . Captain Richardson for the Girls' School Festival , with a very gratelul remembrance of the splendid list he presented on a former occasion . The Secretary having tendered his resignation of the office which he has held for

six years , 3 'our Committee have much pleasure in reporting that VV . Bro , Miles J . Walker has succeeded to that office , thc duties of which your Commitiee arc convinced he will carry out with the same energy and enthusiasm as he has shown in the Charity Association Secretaryship . Belore closing their report , the Committee wish to place upon record their great rex ret at the resignation of W . Bro . the Rev . VV . Langley , and their obligations to

him for his past services . To his untiring zeal and energy are due the successes that have hitherto attended all the work in connection with the Masonic Charity voling organisation of this province , while to his genial manner and brotherly principles may be attributed our kindly relation ' s with other provinces , by whose assistance we have always been enabled lo secure the election of any of our selected candidates . "

Ihe Prov . Grand Registrar ' s report was read , and the Prov . Grand Treasurer ' s accounts were dul y passed , after which Bro . Robert Waite , who has efficiently discharged the duties of the office for several years past , «; ia unanimously re-elected as Prov . Grand Treasurer , a vote of thanks to him being at the same lime passed for his valuable services .

The Deputy Prov . Grand Master nominate having been duly announced , the R . W . Prov . Grand Master directed a deputation , consi-ting ol the two Prov . Grand Deacons , the Prov . Grand Director ol Ceremonies , and the Prov . Grand Assistant Director of Ceremonies , with two Prov . Grand Stewards , to receive him .

On the D . P . G . M . nominate being introduced , his Patent of appointment was read , after which the R . W . Prov . G . M . addre-scd the brethren on the subject of the appointment and subsequently obligated and hv-. lalled VV . Bro . Samuel S . Partridge as D . P . G . M . of Leicestershire and ' Rutland .

Ihe usual salule having been given the newly-installed D . P . G . M . addressed the brethren , expressing his thanks firstly lo the R . W . P . G . M for the honour he had conlerred in appointing him lo so honourable a post , and in the next place to the brethren generally , not only ( or their cordial congratulations on that occasion , but also for the invariable kindness and