Provincial Grand Mark Lodge Of West Yorkshire.

Lee , of Halifax , Prov . J . G . D ., who had only just returned from the Masonic meeting in the Albert Hall on the 13 th June last , when suddenly , without warning , that messenger arrived whose bidding none can gainsaysummoned to take his place " in that building not made with hands , eternal in the heavens . " To his family , in the name of the Prov . Grand Lodge , he desired to tender their deep sympathy . Acting on the resolution passed at

the last meeting of Prov . Grand Lodge official registers had been prepared , and he desired to impress on the Masters and Secretaries of the several lodges the great necessity for having them properly written up and kept in accordance with the new Prov . by-laws . Patents had been prepared for those brethren who desired to have them . In

conclusion he desired their kind attention to the Provincial Grand Lodge , and also to the remarks of Bro . C . F . Matier relative to the Mark Charities . He thanked them all for their kind reception , and assured them that as long as he had health and strength , whether as their Prov . Grand Master or otherwise , he would do all he could to promote the welfare and prosperity of the Order , and more especially the several lodges in the province .

The Provincial Master of Lincolnshire and the Assistant Grand Secretary were severally saluted . " On the roll of the lodge being called , every lodge in the province was represented . The V . W . Bro . T . C . Smyth , D . D ., LL . D ., was then presented to take the obligation as Deputy Prov . G . M . M . The PROV . G . MASTER in addressing him said lie considered himself very fortunate in having a brother of such standing and learning to assist him in the government of the province , and thanked him heartily for accepting the appointment .

Bro . Dr . Smyth , being duly obligated , was invested with his chain of office , placed in his chair , and saluted gccording to ancient custom . Bro . Dr . SMYTH , in an eloquent speech , thanked the brethren for their hearty reception , and pledged himself to do all in his power for the welfare of the Order . The PROVINCIAL GRAND MASTER then appointed and invested his officers lor the ensuing year : —

Bro . T . C . Smyth , D . D ., LL . D ., G . C . of Eng . ... D . P . G . M . „ H . S . Holdsworth , P . M . 58 ... ... Prov . S . G . W . „ J . L . Atherton , P . M . 11 ... ... ... Prov . I . G . VV . „ VV . R . Massie , P . M . 137 ... ... ... Prov . G . M . O . „ G . Hill , P . M . in ... ... ... Prov . G . S . O .

„ H . A . Stynng , P . M . 53 ... ... ... Prov . G . J . O . „ Rev . VV . Dunn , in ... ,,. ... Prov . G . Chap . „ G . Normanton , P . M . ( elected ) ... ... Prov . G . Treas . „ E . J . Massie , P . M . 127 ... . „ ... Prov . G . Reg . „ VV . Cooke , P . G . O . ... ... .., Prov , G . Sec . „ France Smith , P . M . 352 ... ... ... Prov . S . G . D . „ C . Greenwood , P . M . 58 ... ... ... Prov . LG . D .

„ H . Smith , W . M . no ... ... ... Prov . G . I . of VV . „ F . Barber , W . M . 53 ... ... ... Prov . G . D . C . „ W . Ackroyd , P . M . 58 ... ... ... Prov . A . G . D . C . „ G . H . Locking , P . M . in ... .,. ... Prov . G . Swd . Br „ T . Howden , no ... ... ... Prov . G . Std . Br ,, G . F . Carr , in ... ... ... Prov . G . Org-.

„ T . Myers , W . M . in ... ... ,,, Prov . G . I . G . „ Billington , 12 7 ... ... .,, ¦ ) „ Hewitt , 53 ... ... ,,, ... in ~ c , J , ; Green , 8 ;^ Prov . G . Stwds . ,, Gaukroger , 1 4 ... ... ,., )

Bro . C . F . MATIER , P . G . W ., A . G . Sec , then addressed the meeting on the question of the Mark Charities , pointing out the great benefit attending them , and asking the brethren to support them , which was immediately responded to by several brethren giving their names as Stewards at the next Festival .

An invitation was given for the next provincial meeting to be held in Sheffield . The PROV . GRAND MASTER , whilst thanking the brethren for their invitation , said he desired the next meeting should be held at Huddersfield ; and , if the Sheffield brethren were agreeable , the succeeding one might probably be in Sheffield .

A hearty vote of thanks was accorded to the Barnsley brethren for their admirable arrangements for the reception of Prov . Grand Lodge , after which the lodge was closed .

Provincial Grand Mark Lodge Of Devonshire.

PROVINCIAL GRAND MARK LODGE OF DEVONSHIRE .

A special Provincial Grand Lodge of the Mark Master Masons of Devonshire was held on the 10 th inst ., at the Masonic Hall , Newton Abbot . Bro . C . Spence Bate , F . R . S ., D . P . G . M ., presided , and was supported by Bros . W . J . Hughan , P . G . W . of Eng ., as D . P . G . M . ; Wm . Vicary , P . P .

S . G . W . P . S . G . W . ( pro tern . ) ; C . G . Vicary , P . P . J . G . W . P . J . G . W . ( pro tern . ); W . Bradnee , P . G . M . O . ; H . Stacker , P . P . J . G . W ., P . G . Sec . ; F . Crouch , G . D . of Eng ., P . A . G . Sec ; J . Holland , P . G . S . Wks . ; W . R . Lisle , 15 ; G . Sercombe , 50 ; and F . C . Hallett , 316 , P . G . Stwds . ; and James Gidley , P . G . Tyler .

Among the other brethren present were—Bros . John Lane , P . G . S . of Eng ., P . P . G . M . O . ; C . Stevens , P . P . J . G . D . ; William Harris , P . P . I . G . D . ; E . Aitken-Davies , P . P . G . D . ; G . Huxham , P . P . A . G . D . C . : Olver , P . P . A . G . D . C . ; Haywood , P . P . G . Purst . ; L . E . Bearne , P . P . G . O . ; C . Pope , P . P . G . S . B . ; J . Doidge , P . M . 319 ; J . J . O . Evans , W . M . 316 ; J . D . Cobledick , I . P . M . 100 ; J . P . Maunder , P . M . 76 ; A . Trout , P . M . 76 ; I . Rosekilly , W . M . 23 ; J . S . Kersteman , S . W . 215 ; T . Taylor , Treas . 319 ; T . Prust , M . O . 319 ; R . Hambly , jun ., O . 215 ; T . W . Haydon , I . G . 215 ; and J . S . Saunders , Past S . W . 215 . The D . P . G . M . invested the following officers :

Bro . J . Stacker , 1 5 ... ... ... , „ Prov . S . G . W . „ L . E . Bearne , 21 5 ... ... ,,, Prov . J . G . W . „ W . Ollis , 35 ... ... ... ,., Prov . G . M . O . „ Lieut . R . O . Polwhele , 64 ... .., ,., Prov . S . G . O . „ J . Olver , 215 ... ... ... Prov . T . G . O .

„ Rev . T . W . Lemon , M . A ., 35 ... ... Prov . G . Chap . „ Charles Pope , 215 ... ... ,., p . G . Treas . „ W . R . Lisle , 1 5 ... ... ,., Prov . G . Reg . » H . Stacker , 15 ... ... , „ p . G . Sec . „ G . Bray , 16 ... ... ... ,., p v . S . G . D . t

1 , > . K . Lroodyear , 76 ... ... , „ p . J . G . D . „ F . C . Hallett , 316 ... ... ... p . G . S . of W » G . Sercombe , 50 ... ... , „ Prov . G . D . of C

Provincial Grand Mark Lodge Of Devonshire.

Bro . J . D . Cobeldick , 100 ... ... ... Prov . A . G . D . C . „ Lieut . G . S . Strode Lowe , 50 ... ... Prov . G . Swd . Br . „ I . Rosekill , 23 ... ... ... Prov . G . Std . Br . „ J . J . O . Evans ... ... ... Prov . G . Org . „ W . V . Harris , 91 ... ... ... Prov . G . Purst . „ J . Dodge , 319 ... ... ... ... - \ „ E . Coppin , 66 ... ... ... - ¦¦ Co n ct J „ J . E . Davis , 48 ^ Prov . G . Stwds . „ F . C . Frost , 316 ,,. ... ... J „ Jas . Gidley , 16 9 ... ... ... Prov . G . Tyler .

The D . P . G . M . thanked the brethren for the honour which they had done him in recommending him for the office of P . G . M . Should it please the G . M . to appoint him , he would do his best to fill the office in such a manner as to justify the choice which they had made . In making the appointment of the officers , he must in a great measure rely upon the reports which were made to him from the lodges . He hoped , therefore , those reports would be faithfully made by the respective officers , in order that full justice might be done to merit .

There was no other business of importance save that a letter was read from-the widow of the late Prov . G . M ., and was ordered to be entered in the minutes .

An Important Suggestion.

AN IMPORTANT SUGGESTION .

BY BRO . JNO . LANE . The latest work on Freemasonry— " Masonic Facts and Fictions , " by Bro . H . Sadler , G . Tyler and Sub-Librarian ot the Grand Lodge ot England—is now before me . It is a very readable and instructive book , exhibit ; ing evidence ol careful labour and research , which I trust will be duly rewarded , and I sincerely congratulate Bro . Sadler on its appearance and value .

On page 44 the following extract from the Grand Lodge minutes of 24 th June , 1731 , is given : "A petition was presented and signed by several Brethren praying that they may be admitted into the Grand Lodge and Constituted into a Regular Lodge at the Three Kings in Crispian-streetj Spittle Fields . Alter some debate , several Brethren present vouching that they were regular Masons , they were admitted , and the Grand Master declared that he or his Deputy would Constitute them accordingly , and signed their petition for that purpose . "

Bro . Sadler adds : " It is impossible to ascertain whether this lodge was regularly constituted in conformity with the Grand Master ' s promise . f cannot find that the fee for a Constitution was ever paid . 10 s . 6 d . is recorded to its credit on the day the petition was read , and the same amount on the 3 rd of December following , alter which I can find no trace of it in any of the lists of lodges extant—it had either removed to some other house , or was never further acknowledged . "

On reading this , my thoughts immediately reverted to No . 79 , and remembering having made notes about this very lodge lor further enquiry or investigation , on turning over my papers I lound I had two reierences to a lodge at the place indicated , viz ., on 14 th May , 1731 , when the Grand Lodge minutes state " ' 3 Kings , Spitileficids , agreed vo be constituted , " and again on the day referred to by Bro . Sadler , 24 th June , 1731 .

Untortunately in the latter instance , the names ol the lodges attending Grand Lodge are not given , but only certain of them , nine in number , are noted as contributing to the Charity . In this short list "Three Kings , Spittlefields , " is at the end , the lodges being given in order of seniority ( although not numbered ) , the lodge immediately preceding being "White bear , in King'Street , Golden-square , " which was number 76 .

Whatever may be the outcome of the controversy in relation to No . 79 , I venture to suggest the possibility , at any rate , that the Lodge at the " Three Kings , Spittle Fields , " which the Grand Lodge minutes on 14 th May , 1731 , affirm , " agreed to be constituted , " and which , on the following 24 th June , " the Grand Master declared that he or his Deputy would constitute , " had a definite place assigned to it on the recognised list ot regular lodges , and which place one is led almost irresistibly to conclude was that of the number 70 .

If this be so , it necessarily disposes , to a considerable extent , of that part of the question as to the lodge No . 79 being identical with the Lodge at Philadelphia , although the difficulty ot the Dublin Pocket Companion of 1735 will still remain to be solved . But , assuming this lodge at the " Three Kings , Spittle Fields , " to have

been duly constituted and numbered 79 , it confirms the opinion I have repeatedly expressed , founded on the internal evidences oi the lists and minutes , that there was a lodge ( although 1 could not say where located ) having the No . 70 prior to that which subsequently appeared with the same number at the " Castle in Highgate . "

As Masonic students , we do not wish to stifle investigation , but rather court the lullest enquiries , and consequently the more facts that can be brought to light , the more likely are we to airive at sale and reliable conclusions . 1 cordially thank Bro . Sadler lor his contribution towards so desirable a result .

I may add that there was another lodge at the same place described in the MS . List of 1731-3 as "Three Kings in Spiulefields , removed to the Sash and Cocoa Tree in Upper Moorfields . " This was No . 37 , constituted in July , 1724 , and erased on 14 th April , 174 6 ( " Masonic Records , " p . 20 ) . It may possibly be that when No . 37 removed Irom the " Three Kings , Spittle fields , '' some other brethren , or perhaps the proprietor ol the tavern

endeavoured to get another lodge to assemble there , or else to lorm a new lodge . Hence the removal of No . 37 to the " Sash and Cocoa Tree in Upper Moorfields" may have occasioned the petition to which Bro . Sadler so interestingly alludes , and as there are many who would be glad of any additional information that might enable them to satisfactorily identify this lodge at the "Three Kings , Spitle fields , " with the early No . 79 , I hope further light may yet be obtained .

The fact that there is no entry of a payment of the usual fee for Constitution goes very far to prove that although the petition was granted , and the lodge ( as a necessary consequence , I think ) placed on the list , yet the omission , or perhaps refusal , to pay the usual fee may have been the cause of its very speedy removal from the Register of lodges . This , also , is quite

in accord with , and tends to confirm the inlerence I have already recorded , that the lodge at the "Castle in Highgate" did not appear on the list until November , 1732 , when , through the erasure of this or of some other lodge , it received the position and number 79 which was then vacant . Torquay , November nth , 1887 .