Provincial Grand Chapter Of West Yorkshire.

302 , 304 , 3 oG , 3 S 7 , 44 S , 495 . S 2 i > Coo , 827 , 837 , 1019 , 1214 , 12 S 3 , 1513 , and E . Comps . William Headland , 045 ; and John Richardson , 204 , as visitors . Apologies for absence were received from a large number of Companions attached to this and other provinces . The chapter was opened by the Principals and companions of chapters 2 S 9 , 304 , and 30 G . The M . E . Comp . Lieut .-Col . Sir Henry Edwards , Bart ., C . B . and D . L .,

Prov . Grand Superintendent and the officers ot Prov . Grand Chapter entered , and Prov . Grand Chapter was opened in due form . After the usual salutation , the PROV . GRAND SUPERINTENDENT delivered the following address : Excellent Companions , —Acting Principals and Past Principals and the companions of the various chapters under my command as the Prov . Grand Superintendent of West Yorkshire , are to-day invited to hold a convocation of Prov . Grand

Chapter , under the banners of the three Leeds chapters , 2 Sy , 304 and 30 G . This is the seventh gathering of the companions of Prov . Grand Chapter in Leeds , and the thirty-seventh meeting since Grand Chapter was established on May 5 th , 1 S 5 S , in West Yorkshire . This is the seventh time as appertaining to Leeds , and the thirty-seventh with regard to the convocations of the Grand Chapter , that I , and previous Provincial Grand or acting

Superintendents have had the gratification of acknowledging this and similar invitations , and partaking of the after entertainments of one or other of the twenty-nine chapters forming this Provincial Grand Chapter , under whose banner we have from time to time assembled . The three Leeds chapters will then accept our sincere thanks for the arrangements they have made to receive us to-day . Companions , I can hardly find adequate expression for the

warm feeling of fraternal welcome which you have accorded me this afternoon , the first opportunity I have had of meeting you all since my return from the Continent . I am delighted to be in the midst of you again , and the more so as I hope , under the blessing of Providence , the object of my Continental sojourn has been achieved . It was a matter of great regret to me being unable to fill the chair , as I have done on every previous occasion since my

installation , at Holmhrth , on the 4 th October . Your sympathies towards me on account of my absence were conveyed in a telegraphic message sent from Holmfirth , and which I duly received when in Germany . ^ I thank you heartily for the cordial sentiments that missive contained . I desire now to confirm the application made through my deputy , that Provincial Grand Lodge should assemble on the second Wednesday in January , 1 SS 3 , under the banner

of the Lodge of Truth , at Huddersfield . It will be an important meeting , because I hope the Committee of advice on the Book of Constitutions will long before this date have received the suggested amendments from all the lodges , and thus been able with the co-operation of other provinces to codify their labours , and to present them for the confirmation at that Provincial Grand Lodge ; and it specially behoves all Royal Arch Masons to assist in carefully

considering the revised Book of Constitutions , as any and every point unprovided for in Royal Arch Regulations is guided by the Book of Constitutions . Permit me also to congratulate the Charity Committee on their success at the elections of the 14 th and lGth October last . In the address on the 4 th October , it was pertinently suggested , "Is Masonry really nourishing ?" May I apply this to Royal Arch Masonry ? Is this

beautiful Degree prospering amongst us ? Although 1 am glad to notice that the Grand Chapter of England has sanctioned a charter for Wharncliffe Lodge , 1462 , for a chapter , which then will make thirty chapters on our roll , with about 1000 Royal Arch Masons , out of 3119 Craft brethren , 1 fear we are not increasing in the same ratio as we ought to do . I can only appeal to the Craft of all Degrees to enter this Order and to make themselves acquainted with its sacred

symbolisms ; its mysteries are profound , and exalted , but they are worthy of being comprehended by every enlightened brother . I rejoice to see on the Agenda paper that Ccmp . Joseph Oates proposes to give us the second lecture , and if time permits , Comp . Ensor Drury will deliver the third lecture . I notice also that you propose to give a sum of J C' 5 15 s ., to the Royal Masonic Benevolent Annuity Fund , to complete Vice-Patron . Our balance in the West Riding

Union Bank , Dewsbury , on the 30 th April , in our favour , was £ 273 os . 5 d . I have noticed that the Grand Superintendent of Devonishire has reported one of his Chapters as neglecting to meet and make returns , and has recommended Grand Chapter to erase it from the roll , under Article 72 of Royal Arch regulations . I hope this painful necessity will never happen to a Chapter under my superintendence . But it shows how important it is to keep

foing the good working of the Chapters of this Convocation , have to refer to a melancholy incident , the lamented death of our G . H . the Rev . Comp . Abraham Smith , M . A ., and F . R . A . S ., Principal of the Collegiate , Huddersfield , last July . His remains were interred in Bradley churchyard , on the 13 th July last . The Freemasons and companions on that occasion paid every tribute of respect to their departed brother . We , too , to-day miss him from this

chapter , and have to appoint another in his office . 1 o mark the esteem in which the Rev . companion was held by the brethren of his lodge , the Albert . Edward propose to join the churchwardens and parishioners of Bradley in placing in the church of St . Thomas , a memorial window , to show their appreciation and love for him . There are so many companions eligible and worthy of the office that I shall appoint as Comp . Smith ' s successor , Comp . William

Longden , Sheffield . He was initiated in rJritanma Lodge , No . 1 G 2 , now 139 , in 1 S 42 , joined Royal Brunswick Lodge , No . 373 , now 29 G , in 1 S 44 . VV . M . of 296 in 1 S 54 , and 139 , in 1 S 5 S , and P . P . G . D . in 1 S 64 . He was exalted in Paradise Chapter , No . 1 G 2 , now 139 , in 1 S 45 . joined Loyalty Chapter , No . 373 , now 29 G , in 1 S 5 S . Z of 139 in 1 S 52 , and P . P . G . Assist . Soj . ; and Z . of 29 G , in 1 SC 3 , thus being a subscriber to the Craft forty years , and to Royal Arch

Masonry thirty-seven years . I can only reiterate my grateful thanks for your presence here to-day , and trust that you will , one and all , exert your influence to make this Degree popular in the province , and flourishing in our midst . The Prov . G . Superintendent then invested E . Comp . Ensor Drury with the collar of II ., on behalf of E . Comp .

W . Longden , who was unavoidably absent . li . Comp . John Wordsworth , P . Z . 1019 , Chairman , C . C ., moved , and E . Comp . T . W . Tew , J . P ., P . Z . 495 , seconded , and it was carried that the sum of £ 15 15 s . be given from the funds of the Prov . Grand Chapter to the R . M . B . Institution Male Fund , in order to constitute the Prov . Grand Superintendent's chair Vice-Patron .

Provincial Grand Chapter Of West Yorkshire.

E . Comp . Tew gave notice that at the next Prov . Grand Chapter he should propose that the sum of £ 52 ios . be granted from the funds of Prov . Grand Chapter to the R . M . I . for Boys , junior school . E . Comp . J . R . Dore gave notice that at the next Prov . Grand Chapter he should propose that a sum be granted for the purchase of a sword .

E . Comp . I . L . Oates , and E . Comp . Ensor Drury , gave the Second and Third Lectures in an admirable manner , and a hearty vote of thanks was accorded to them , on the motion of E . Comp . the Prov . Grand Superintendent , seconded by E . Comp . VV . W . Widdop . Moved by E . Comp . HENRY SMITH , seconded by E . Comp . THOS . HILL , that the best thanks of the Provincial Grand Chapter be given to Chapters 2 S 9 , 304 , and 306 , for

their excellent arrangements and liberal entertainment . E . Comp . T . W . T EW , P . Z . 49 s , P . P . G . H ., on behalf of the Wakefield Chapter , invited the Provincial Grand Superintendent to hold the May meeting in the New Town Hall , at Pontefract . There being no other business , Provincial Grand Chapter was closed . The companions afterwards , to the number of about 100 , partook of " The-a-la-fourchette " in the banqueting-room , the Provincial Grand Superintendent presiding .

Ancient And Accepted Rite.

ANCIENT AND ACCEPTED RITE .

The following is a " resume " of Bro . Woodford ' s lecture , alluded to in our last , as delivered before the Studholme Chapter . Bro . Woodford commenced by saying that the heading of his lecture might seem rather ambitious and widely extending , but it had been difficult to find a title exactly suited ' to the "idea" he had in view . The object of his

short and necessarily fragmentary lecture was to call attention to an ignored fact in Masonic history , —the existence of Hermetic associations in the world , and the influence they probably had had on Masonic symbolism . Most Masonic historians had hitherto written up to their subject rather than down . They had " squared " the facts with their own theories , and had brought out skilfully enough certain favourite "fads " of their own . Mr . Hallam ' s

sweeping sarcasm of some years back was still , to some extent , mostly true of Masonic history generally . Bro . Woodford called attention , in terms of much praise , to Bro . Gould's recent and scientific history , and also said that Bro . Dr . Sutherland ' s little " Notes " exhibited much thought . He said that Bro . Findel ' s history , remarkable as it was , and praiseworthy , and most readable , erred in two great points , —too great a reliance on Fallou and others , and in the

contemptuous treatment of Hermetic Masonry and of the High Grades , which , whatever their real origin , reproduced in remarkable manner some of the p ' rominent features of ancient Hermeticism . The lecturer then proceeded to show that Hermeticism existed before the fall of the Roman Empire , and after its fall , and after the gloom of the dark ages had divided itself into three great heads , —Oriental , Hebraic and Cabalistic , and Christian . It had been said

that we had only the evidence of Hermetics themselves that Hermeticism existed at all . But as people did not write generally for nothing , or not to be understood by some one , it was clear , that the numerous mediaeval writers on Hermeticism wrote for an audience , an audience , moreover , which had a key to what was now an enigma . The lecturer then went on to show that strangely enough , explain it as you will , the leading symbols of Freemasonry

were also used in Universal Hermeticism , alike pre and post-Christian , and that there was no secret in the fact , that the Ancient and Accepted Rite for instance , added to the great foundation of Craft and Gicumenicat Masonry a superstructure of Christian mystic teaching and symbolism . As he said before the . same Emblcmatology was in use in all these schools of thought and in all this outcome of secret association . How then account for all these

coincidences , to which he had alluded , which could not arise merely from chance ? Bro . Woodford alluded to various Hermetic manuscripts . and mentioned some earlyHeimetic books in some detail , and also the curious productions of the seventeenth century . beginning with the "Filetd'Ariadne , "iniGi 5 , and ending with Heydon ' s Glory of the Rosy Cross , 1 G 64 . He pointed out that Heydon stated that the Rosicrucians then had secret and sacred initiatory ceremonies , and

curiously enough , complained that mechanics like " masons and carpenters " in the commonwealth had been permitted , as it were , to dabble in the great sciences of Rosicrucianism . As regards the Rosicrucians themselves , Bro . Woodford pointed out that clearly about 1614 they existed , whatever their real origin was ; and judging from the usual laws of existence , you might carry back the fact of the existence of the society to about 15 S 0 . Some writers alleged

they were in existence in the fourteenth century . In 14 SG a book was published by Veldener , in Holland , which was stated to contain traces of Craft Masonry , of Egyptian initiations , and Hermetic and High Grades symbolism . If Mr . Morley was correct that early in the fifteenth century secret Hermetic societies existed , a good deal would be explained which was now very obscure . Bro . Woodford warned his hearers against assuming tou hastily that every

emblem or symbol was necessarily Masonic or I lermetic . The facts of the Seventeenth century Freemasonry in England were very peculiar . So far , curiously enough , it was mainly speculative ; and Elias Ashmole , who was initiated at Warrington in 1 G 46 , is found soon after the centre and head of a large body of Hermetic adepts , many of whose names are historical . Somuch so is this the case , thatNicolai and otherGetman writers had formed aBaconean-Ashmolean

theory of Masonic revival in this country , and of existence in the middle of the seventeenth century . Still as regards Seventeenth century Freemasonry in England , much remained in doubt . Wc found traces of Freemasonry in 164 G , 1 GG 0 , 16 S 2 , 1 G 8 G , and 1690 , and in London the Masonic fraternity was clearly a separate institution from the Civic Companies , in that in 1 GS 2 Elias Ashmole , as the " oldest fellow present , " apparently helped to initiate , if he did not himself initiate the Master , and some members

of the Mason ' s Company in that year . The commonly received idea of High Grade and Hermetic History could no longer meet the searching demands of iconoclastic criticism . Ramsay coud not have invented the High Grades on a Jacobite basis , as he left Masonry by order of the King Louis XV . in 1736-7 , and delivered his famous address that same year . Hediedin 1746 . And just as the argument applied to Craft Masonry , so it did to Hermetic Masonry , that it was im-

Ancient And Accepted Rite.

possible to believe that at that special period of 1717 such remarkable ceremonies and such abstruse symbolism could have been invented for amusement or for fraud . There was undoubtedly an Hermetic Grade of some kind in 1722 in London ; and many ot the authors of the revival , in 1717 " of it the work in which

were probably aware , as the mention occurs , " Long Livers , " is dedicated to the Grand Master and Grand Lodge of England in 1722 . Bro . Woodford claimed for Hermeticism , in conclusion , in all critical and trustworthy histories of Freemasonry , fair consideration and just treatment .

The Duke Of Albany On Orphan Homes.

THE DUKE OF ALBANY ON ORPHAN HOMES .

V . W ., Bro . H . R . H . Prince LEOFOLD , presided last week at the festival of the National Orphan Home , whose buildings are at Ham , Surrey . We heard a rumour before dinner that these festivals were likely to be given up , but we scarcely think the Committee will now entertain that

idea after the material help they have obtained from the last dinner . No doubt the increase to their exchequer is owing to the Royal Duke ' s chairmanship . H . R . H . attended by Mr . Collins , C . B ., his equerry , was received by Bro . Sir John Ellis , Lord Elcho , Mr . Alderman Mc Arthur , Archdeacon Burney , and Bro . Capt . Bailey , and after a few words had been exchanged took his seat at the dinner table . Amongst those supporting the chairman were Bros .

Edgar Bowycr , Alderman 1 ' owler , Sir Reginald Hanson , . Lord Brooke , Earl Browniow , Lord Carlingford , Colonel Isacke , Geneial Taylor , ( late Adjutant-General ) , Henry Wright , Horace Brooks Marshall ( S . W . Brixton Lodge ) , and Sir C . J . Freake . We happened to sit between two Masonic brethren , which , no doubt , accounted for the particularly pleasant evening we spent . The Home was established in 1 S 49 , at the time of the

cholera , to train up girls to be domestic servants . Like most other institutions , it is now sadly in want of funds , and if we can help it in any way by making this known through our columns we are only too glad to do so ; for , though our own Charities come first , yet a Mason ' s heart is always open to listen to a deserving case , and his pocket to help it if he can ; as the Secretary observed to us—who , by the way , is a brother— " that Masons are not slow to cive . even

to cowans . " We are often asked by our lady friends if we can recommend them a useful , honest , and truthful maidservant , as such people are somewhat scarce now-a-days . We shall know now where to refer them to , and will guarantee satisfaction . A Masonic brother told us he got a girl from the Home , and his wife pronounces her " a perfect treasure , " and would not part with her on any account , as , besides those virtues we have spoken of , she is likewise an

excellent cook—a luxury a Mason likes to have in his house . A number of the girls came in the room after dinner to sing the National Anthem and some glees , and we were struck with their happy and healthy appearance . In proposing " The Army , Navy , and Reserve Forces , " the Duke of ALUANY said he supposed there had been few occasions within the memory of any present when trie British soldiers and sailors had been more popular than

they were now . ( Cheers ) . The obvious reason of this popularity lay in the history of the recent campaign in Egyptj and what our sailors and soldiers exhibited in so marked a degree—that combination of discipline with valour which formed so attractive a feature in their character , and made them at once brave and humane . He believed , too , that the country felt that it owed the army and navy a deep debt of gratitude for the rapidity with

which , mainly through their special exertions and patient endurance through many hardships , they brought the struggle to a close , by which both themselves and those in whose country they had fought had been spared any protracted experience of the horrors and anxieties of war . ( Cheers ) , General R . TAYLOR and Lord ELCHO responded . The Duke of ALBANY next proposed " Prosperity to the National Orphan Home . " Experience , he said , had shown

only too certainly that such charitable institutions as ranked among those most worthy of the support of the public would infallibly have languished were their existence not occasionally made known and their claims , as it were , readvertised . Although there was in this something that perhaps was humiliating , they all recognised the necessity for public charities being required from time to time to produce the title deeds —( applause)—and to show they had

Been taitntul stewards ot the trust that had been placed in them . He thoroughly believed that the title deeds of the Ham National Orphan Home would bear the closest inspection , and should he be so fortunate as to instil that belief into their minds , he did not doubt but that both they and the sympathetic public outside those walls would unite in aiding the charity in the work which it was doing , and in putting it on a more secure basis than that on which

it at present stood . The National Orphan flome was founded in the year 5849 , which had gained the sinister name of the cholera year , and since then had taken in no less than Goo orphan g irls —( cheers)—who received the rudiments of a plain English education , combined with sound practical work and training in different branches of domestic service . For the small sum of £ 21 the benefits could be insured to any poor girl , and a donation of £ A <; O

enabled the giver to have a cot constantly occupied . The financial position of the Home would be realised when he told them that within the past three years it had been necessary to sell out Stock in order to meet current expenses . In conclusion , His Royal Highness urged upon his hearers the desirability of placing the Institution in a sounder state by increasing the annual subscribers . Lord ELCHO , in replying , stated that while their fixed

income was only about ^ Goo a year , it required £ 3000 to meet their requirements . Lord CARLINGEORD also said a few words , and the Secretifry ( Captain TAYLOR ) read a list of subscriptions amounting to ^ 1780 . Wc regret to say that the Duke of Albany is still suffering from Ins recent accident , and has to walk with the aid of a itick , and is only able to go up and down stairs one step at a time ; otherwise , the Prince looks very well .

__ Bro . VV . Walforcl , who at present is one of the Common Council for the Ward of Aldersgate , seeks again the honour of representing that important constituency . His experience and ability will , no doubt , secure his reelection .