Craft Masonry.

Bro . R . D . Cummings , P . M ., Sec , said it had always been a pleasure to help this Iodge with which he had been associated ever since it foundation . Its career had been one of unbroken success . They had had " ups and downs " as every lodge had , but when the members received the Auditors' report at the next meeting , they would find a balance in hand of something over three figures . They had had a good night , although not so many Grand Officers as usual , as the gth November was always against them . Every moment of his life that he could give the lodge would always be at their

service * Bros . Harding , P . M ., and Dixon , P . M ., answered for " The Past Masters , " after which " The Officers " was duly honoured . Bro . Haskins , P . P . G . Org . Essex , and Bro . James Kift were assisted in the musical arrangements by Bros . Herbert Emlyn , John Josey , and Walter Churcher .

Royal Arch.

Royal Arch .

Fidelity Chapter , No . 3 . This lodge met at Freemasons' Hall , Great Queen-street , on the 3 rd inst ., when there were in attendance Comps . H . J . Lardner , P . Z ., P . G . Std . Br . Surrey , M . E . Z . ; Lt .-Col . W . Hart , H . ; Major T . C . Walls , P . Z ., P . D . G . D . C , as J . ; W . J . Collens , P . Z ., P . P . G . S . N ., S . E . ; Pratt , P . S . ; Spawforth , ist Asst . Soj . ; Cooper , 2 st Asst . Soj . j H . Mapleton , I . P . Z . ; F . McDougall , P . Z . ; Weeks , P . Z . ; W . Radcliffe , P . Z . j Larcomb , P . Z . j and Samuel Cochrane , P . G . Treas . The lodge was in mourning consequent upon the death of Comp . H . Nash , P . Z ., and Third Principal of the chapter .

_ _ The minutes of the previous meeting having been read and confirmed , the election of Principals and officers took place as follows : Comps . Lt .-Col . Hart , M . E . Z . ; S . Cochrane , P . Z ., H . j H . Birch , J . j W . J . Collens , P . Z ., S . E . j Pratt , S . N . j Spawforth , P . S . j Cooper , 1 st Asst . Soj . j Campbell , 2 nd Asst . Soj . j Besch , D . C j Samuel , Stwd . j and Goddard , P . Z ., J anitor . A Past Principal ' s jewel was voted with acclamation to Comp . H . J . Lardner , P . Z ., M . E . Z . Comp . Stephens , P . Z ., was elected a non-dinine member . A notice of motion was given to vote " the sum of five guineas

to the Lord Mayor ' s Fund for the Widows and Orphans of those soldiers and sailors who have fallen in the Transvaal . " A vote of condolence was passed to the family of the late Comp . H . Nash . Apologies for non-attendance were received from Comps . J . Heming , P . Z ., Treas . j F . Graves , P . Z . ; Birch , P . Z . j Campbell , D . C . ; and others . The report of the Audit Committee was received and adopted . The chapter mac then rinsed . A hannuet followed .

Comp . S . Cochrane , P . Z ., P . G . Treas ., responded on behalf of "The Grand Officers " in a speech of some merit . "The Health of the M . E . Z . " was given by the I . P . Z ., who , in submitting the toast , spoke in high terms of the good working Comp . Lardner had shown ever since he had joined the chapter . He—the speaker—had seen the work performed as well , but never better j besides which , the M . E . Z . was a capital Chairman at the banquet table , and a treat sunoorter of the Masonic Charities .

The M . E . Z ., in reply , expressed his acknowledgment , and regretted that the time he had been their First Principal had passed so quickly . He always looked forward to the meetings of No . 3 because there was always a spirit of good harmony within its walls . The chapter possessed many excellent Past Principals and a most indefatigable Scribe Ezra and a revered Treasurer . They had been good enough to vote him a jewel that night , and he hoped for many years to be spared to wear it in their company . " Ihe Health of the First Principle elect" followed , and was respo . idei to by Cnmo . Lt .-Cnl . Hart .

" The Past Principals " was replied to by Comps . Mapleton and McDougall , and *• ' The Officers " by Comps . Collens , Pratt , and Spawford . The proceedings were shorn of the usual conviviality by the gloom cast over the chapter by the untimely death of one who in health was a most genial companion , an interesting raconteur , and a reader of marked ability . The late Comp . H . Nash was a member of the Masonic fraternity whose place in his numerous lodges and chapters will be difficult to fill . —R . I . P .

Zetland Chapter , No . 603 . A regular convocation of this chapter was held at the Masonic Hall , Bath-road , Cleckheaton , Yorkshire , on Friday . the 27 th ult ., when the officers present were Comps . J . T . Last , M . E . Z . ; Wm . Sharp , as H . j Jas . Clough , J . ; S . H . Stacks , P . Z ., P . P . G . J . ; D . Forshaw , as S . E . ; S . Mortimer , P . S . j Parker , as S . N . j and S . Halliday , Asst . Soi . Comp . Dr . S . Jacob , P . Z . S 37 , P . P . G . O ., was a visitor .

Ihe chapter being opened , and the minutes ot the previous convocation having been confirmed , the ballot was taken for Bros . Dr . Percy Lodge , C . H . Powell , and W . H . Hudson , all of 603 , they were duly elected , and Bros . Powell and Hudson being in attendance , were exalted by the M . E . Z ., the lectures were deferred until the next meeting . Alter the chapter had been closed , the companions dined together .

Mark Masonry.

Mark Masonry .

Copley Lodge , No . 111 .

INSTALLATION OF BRO . WM . FLOCKTON , P . M ., P . P . G . O . Considerable and increasing interest in the Mark Degree , as we from time to time have had occasion to show by our reports , has been manifest for some years in the Province of West Yorkshire . The popular Prov . Grand Master , Bro . Charles Letch Mason , has filled the post of chief of the Order for a long period , having been installed into that high position b y the then Prov . Grand Master for North and East Yorkshire , Bro . J . Woodall Woodall , on the 17 th October , 1 SS 3 . Mark Masonry under his rule

has made steady progress and now has a roll of IS lodges with a membership largely exceeding 500 . Bro . Mason has had able and valuable assistance during his regime irom the various Deputies whom it was his good fortune to secure . These have been Bro . the Rev . VV . C . Lukis , who , besides being an excellent Mason , was a scholar and an emiment arch .-uologist ; Bro . the Rev . T . Cartwright Smyth , D . D ., who had long and valuable experience in India and the East and whose enthusiasm and genial personality won all hearts j and , finally , Bro . Iohn Barker , the present Deputy , whose quiet but most

practical labours meet with equal appreciation and esteem . II it is true that a man ' s character is largely moulded by his associates and snrroundings , it is equally correct to affirm that men or bodies of men who come in contact with minds that are not selfseeking , that desire only the general good and benefit of all , cannot fail to be thereby influenced to their advantage . Whilst , therefore , it may not be said that Mark Masonry in VVest Yorkshiie has made extraordinary progress , it may be confidently stated that its condition has invariably been characterised bv harmonv and osace . Humanum est

t'rrnre is one of those truths which has become an axiom , however , and . therefore , we don't for a moment assert that there havc not been times when the ruffling breeze oi discontent has rippled the usual smooth surface of affairs , but it has invariably proved to be only a temporary inconvenience , and placidity and calmness have rapidly succeeded . Copley Lodge dates from 1 S 70 , and has had upon the whole a pleasant and highly creditable history . Situated in Leeds , the centre . of a large Masonic community , it has in consequence taken an important part in the concerns of Mark Masonry . Its numerical strength is not so great as that of some lodges in the province , but then it must be noted

that two other lodges have gone forth from itsmidst . In 1 S 86 arose the lodge of St . Chad , also meeting in Leeds , and in 18 93 Legiolium was formed in Castleford , both owing their parentage to Copley . Of coure , the mother lodge lost in members thereby , but it gained in prestige and renown , and judging from the meeting which took place on 1 uesday , the 7 th inst ., it is not like to lose the position amongst the lodges to which it naturally aspires , and which it has hitherto claimed . The circumstances of the lodge at the moment were such that without the least reflection upon anyone , it seemed desirable that for the year about to commence the Worshipful Master ' s chair should be filled by a

Mark Masonry.

Past Master , and in the end it was ; decided , with that brother's consent , that the Past Master chosen for the position should be Bro . William Flockton . Bro . Flockton occupied the chair in Copley Lodge in 1890 , and is at present a Past Grand Overseer of the province . Amongst the many Masonic workers in West Yorkshire few are better known , and none more highly valued than Bro . Flockton . He is one of those quiet , unassuming brethren who , without taking anything upon himself , is ready in a case of emergency or difficulty to come to the rescue . Needless to say , Bro . Flockton is nonular amongst the brethren , and when it became known that he was for flip second

time going to occupy the chair of Copley Lodge , they mustered strongly to witness his installation . ^ The ceremony took place at the Masonic Hall , Carlton Hill , Leeds , and the Provincial Grand Master , accompanied by a number of his officers , honoured Bro . Flockton by his presence . The lodge was opened by the W . M ., Bro . R . J . Smith , with whom were Bros . Jose Rickard , S . W . j F . Hinchliffe , J . W . j T . Myers , P . M ., P . P . G . O ., as M . O . j Harold Bonser , S . O . j F . Bagshawe , J . O . j Wm . Flockton , P . M ., P . P . G . O ., Treas . j T . A . Withey , Secj J . E . Cawthorn , S . D . j J . N . Hart , J . D . j Geo . Tooley , I . G . j F .

Long , 374 . Org . ; T . F . Wheeler , Tyler j B . Sykes Bailey , W . M . 374 ; J- W . Bailey , P . M ., P . P . G . O . j Walter Davey , J . W . 525 j Grosvenor , James Millington , and Robert Tasker . Amongst the visitors were : Bros . R . F . Rogerson , W . M . 137 j John Cromack , S . O ., Geo . Whittaker , and Hodgson , all of Old York ( T . L ) j J . E . Mann , S . W ., 457 ; J . W . Corbett , J . W . 457 ; and A . H . Walker , 457 . After tha minutes were read the Prov . G . Master , Bro . Charles Letch Mason , was announced . He was accompanied by the Dep . Prov . G . Master , Bro . John Barker ; Bros . J . W . Monckman , P . M . ( T . L ) , P . P . G . W ., P . G . O . Eng . j G . H . Parke , W . M . 110 P . P .

, G . W ., P . G . Treas . Eng . j W . E . Smithies , P . M . 137 and 493 , P . P . G . W ., G . Stwd . Eng . ; W . W . Clayton , P . M . 374 , Prov . S . G . W . j W . S . Milligan , P . M . 58 , Prov . S . G . O . j E . Billington , P . M . 127 , P . P . G . O . j Joseph Matthewman , P . M . 110 , Prov . G . Sec . j M . A . Brigg , P . M . 374 , Prov . G . D . ; T . G . Howell , P . M . 137 and 493 . P . P . G . D . j A . Leach , P . M . no , P . P . G . D . C . j G . H . Schofield , P . M . ^ 57 , Prov . G . L of W . j J . Wood Blackburn , P . M . in , Prov . G . S . B . j Wm . Ash , J . O . MO , P . P . G . Org . j and A . G . Mabin , I . P . M . 457 , and A . Rowe , I . P . M . ACtX . Prov . G . Stwds . After the usual salutes , tbe Pmu . fi _ MnstM- nrMAnM Rm

Wm . Flockton to Bro . R . J . Smith , W . M ., and the ceremony of installation proceeded . The _ Board of Installed Masters numbered 23 . Bro . R . J . Smith , the retiring W . M ., did his work in a most pleasing manner . Bro . Flockton being already an Installed Master , the ceremony was brief j Bro . R . J . Smith , however , taking all except the addresses to the Master , Wardens , and Overseers , which were delivered by the Deputy , Bro . John Barker . Bro . Flockton appointed and invested his officers as follows : Bros . R . J . Smith , I . P . M . j H . Bonser , S . W . j F . Hinchliffe , J . W . j T . A . Withey , M . O . j F . Bagshawe ,. S . O . j J . E . Cawthorn , J . O . j A . N . Hart , Sec . ; Grosvenor . R . of M .: fi . Toolev . S . Fl . ; RoUt . TasW . in .. Tae . Mlllmirf ™ 1 r . .

and T . F . Wheeler , Tyler . Bro . F . Hinchliffe was unanimously elected Charity Steward for the lodge , and this closed the business . The P . * ov . G . Master congratulated the Copley Lodge upon having so efficient a W . M . as Bro . Flockton , and ventured to think that the coming year would be one of genuine prosperity , in which hope he was sure the Prov . G . Officers and all the brethren present most heartily joined . The Prov . G . Master , accompanied by his Deputy and the Officers of Prov . G . Lodge , then retired , after which jhe lodge was closed . Upwards of 40 brethren subsequently sat down to one of Mrs . Wheeler's nice little suppers , and the after proceedings were enlivened ) by songs from various musical brethren .

The usual toasts were given , Bro . J . W . Monckman replying for Grand Lodge and the Prov . G . Master for the Province . "The Health of the W . M , " was enthusiastically given and received , and Bro , Flockton made a most effective reply . Everything passed off in harmony , and we should not be surprised if from this night Copley Lodge were to tak a newe departure , and make an effort to actually gain the premier position jn the prov nee to which it seems to be entitled . Any way , the success of the meeting will , we trust , prove a happy augury for the future , and we join in all good wishes for this most desirable consummation .

Obituary.

Obituary .

BRO . GEORGE BAKER , P . G . M ., D . G . M . VICTORIA . The Victorian Craft has suffered an almost irretrievable loss in the death , after a short illness , on September 27 th , of Bro . George Baker , Past Grand Master , and its Deputy Grand Master since the foundation of the Grand Lodge more than 10 \ ears ago . Bro . Baker , who was 66 years of age at the time of his regretted demise , had not only been for many years one of the leading figures in Melbourne Masonry , but he had been closelv identified with the mmmr ^ nl

interests of tbe great Australian city . He was an Englishman by birth , and settled in Victoria when quite a young man . He became associated with Freemasonry under the Irish Constitution , in the Carlton Lodge , then No . 380 , now No . 19 , under the Victorian Constitution . In course of time , he passed the chair of his mother lodge , and became a Mark and Royal Arch Mason in the lodge and chapter attached to the Washington Lodge , No . 385 ( I . C ) . It was not long ere our deceased brother made his mark in Colonial Masonryandafter filling

, , two or three minor offices in the Irish Province of Victoria , he was raised to the distinguished and onerous position of Deputy Provincial Grand Master . It was in the early " eighties" that I met him , soon after my arrival in Melbourne , and from then till the year of his death—for we corresponded regularly after my return to England—I am proud to say we were in the closest touch . Thus I can truly say , that a kinder-hearted , a more genial soul , a firmer friend , and a better Mason , in everything that contributes to

practical eminence and usefulness in the Craft , it woiild be exceedingly difficult to find . He further had a strong will of his own , which once 01 twice in the course of his Masonic career was forcibly exercised to useful ends . The first instance called to mind WAS connected with the formation of the original and never recognised Grand Lodge of Victoria , that is to say , it was never recognised by England , Ireland , or Scotland , nor by the two greatest of the Grand Lodges in the United States . The movement originated amongst a few Irish

and Scotch lodges , not an English lodge giving the project any countenance , and the district then numbered some 80 subordinate lodges . Bro . Baker , if I rightly remember , was at that time in sole charge of the Irish Province , and , attending some of the lodges under his jurisdiction , he , as a matter of fact , " took possession , " and prevented the majorities in cutting the painter which bound them to the old country . Not only that , but he in a few instances promptly granted dispensations to lodges whose warrants had been taken away by the seceders , and

thus kept them under the old flag . This action was prompted by a sound conviction that the time had not arrived for an independent Grand Lodge , and until there were prospects of a unanimous feeling in favour of such a project , he discountenanced any interference with the ri ghts of minorities . Not many months after , the late Sir W . J . Clarke , Bart , was successively appo i nted to rule the Craft in the Colony under the three British Constitutions , and Bro . Baker , it goes without saying , remained in his old post as Dep . Prov . G . Master under the Irish Constitution . Early in 1888 , however , an influential movement was started in

the direction of autonomy , and Bro . Baker , at once being assured of its genuineness and eventual success , was a tacit supporter . ' merely as became his position . In a few words , it will suffice to say that Sir William Clarke , as the first M . W . G . Master of Victoria , gave our late brother the rank of Past Grand Master , and also appointed him Deputy Grand Master . This position he held till the day ofhis death , M . IV . Bro . Lord Brassey , who succeeded Sir Wm . Clarke having gracefully continued the honour . It was during Lord Brassey ' s visit to England last year that Bro . Baker once more demonstrated his firmness of mind and that on a critical occasion , arising out of the absence of the Grand Master