Provincial Grand Chapter Of West Yorkshire.

The acting Grand Superintendent , Comp . Ensor Drury , accompanied by Ihe Prov . Grand Officers , entered at 3 . 30 p . m . They were received by the M . E . Z ., Comp . John Lane Fox , and Principals and companions of Chapter No . 208 , and Provincial Grand Chapter was opened in form . The acting Grand Superintendent was saluted . The Grand H . and J . were saluted .

The roll of chapters was called . The roll of Present and Past Prov . Grand Officers was called . The Prov . G . Scribe E . presented the minutes of tha annual convocation of Provincial Grand Chapter , held at Bradford , on Tuesday , 9 th June last . As these had bcen printed and circulated , Comp . J . BARKER , P . Z . 25 8 , moved , and Comp , j . H . ORATION , P . Z . 1513 . seconded— " That the minutes be taken as read . " This was carried .

On the motion cf Comp . W . F . WILKINSON , P . Z . 448 , seconded by Comp . J . W . BALME , P . Z . 61 , the minutes were confirmed . The acting Grand Superintendent , Comp . ENSOR DRURV , P . Z . 139 and 296 , Past Asst . G . Soj ., then delivered the following- address .-

Companions , —I thank you for the compliment you have been good enough to pay to the office that I have the honour of filling on this occasion , and at the same timeallow me to express my sympathy with you in the disappointment you must feel—in which I participate—that the Grand Superintendent is unable to be present to-day . He has requested me to take his place , and I have done so , feeling sure that I may rely upon your kind indulgence , and that I shall receive from you that assistance which has been so courteously rendered to me on every

occasion when I have been placed in the Grand Superintendent's chair . The business on the agenda paper is not of an important nature , and it is unnecessary for me to make any observations upon it . Turning to the events of the past few months I notice with satisfaction the resuscitation of the Zetland Chapter , No . 603 , Cleckheaton , by Comp . J . T . Last and other zealous companions , and I am sure we all trust that with their energetic assistance , it may enter upon a long and prosperous career . Many a chapter in this province has had its period of

depression , sometimes lasting until it became a question of the withdrawal of the charter , and then by the help of zeslius and generous companions it has again become a good working chapter , in some cases reaching a higher state of prosperity than it had before experienced . The two old chapters in my own town Paradise and Loyalty both founded towards the end of the last century are good examples . Whilst speaking of Sheffield . I should like to refer for one moment to that part of the Grand Superintendent's address in the minutes we have just

confirmed where he alludes to the consecration by me of the White Rose of York Chapter in March last in that city . For his kind words about myself I very heartily thank him , but I refer to it because I wish to say that I was present at a meeting of that young chapter a few days ago , and I am happy to say that it was quite fulfilling the high hopes that I formed and expressed at ils consecration , It now numbers 26 subscribing members and six Hon . P . Zs ., all , I think , without exception , enthusiastic Royal Arch Masons . I wish , companions , that I could

truthfully use that expression in speaking of Royal Arch Masons generally . I think if the members of our chapters were to show a little more enthusiasm and interest in this beautiful Degree , many of the Craft Masons who neglect Royal Arch Masonry altogether would be attracted to it . It seems almost incredible that although as declared by the Act of Union in 1 S 13 , " pure and ancient Masonry consists of three Degrees , viz .: Entered Apprentice , Fellow Craft , and Master Mason , including the Supreme Order of the Holy Royal Arch , " only

about one Mason out of every three in this province becomes a Royal Arch Mason . It is , perhaps , too soon yet to judge of the effect of reducing the probation of a Master Mason from 12 months to one month . So far as I have been enabled by my own experience and by inquiry to form an opinion , it has not led to an increase in the number of candidates in this province and when I recollect the eagerness with which I , and the young brethren of the lodge , took the degree the very earliest day we could possibly do so after the 12

months' probation , I am inclined to hold to the opinion that in this , as in most things , people do not value that which is too easily attained . Meeting today , companions , in this old town of Dewsbury , under the banner of that flourishing chapter , the Three Grand Principles , and especially as that chapter is presided over by our E . Comp . John Lane Fox , it is impossible for me to keep from my thoughts our lamented and loved companion the late Bro . Thomas Bateman Fox , whose untimely death we still deplore , and who , had he now been with us ,

would have been one of the foremost to welcome this Provincial Grand Chapter . Nor do we forget , comps , that it was here in 1858 that the Earl of Zetland , First Grand Principal , installed Comp . Dr . Fearnley as first Grand Superintendent of the newly-established Provincial Grand Chapter of West Yorkshire . I am reminded by the Prov . G . Scribe E . that the end of the financial year is rapidly approaching , when the annual returns will have to be forwarded to him , so that a report on the condition of the province may be prepared , and submitted to the Grand Superintendent . It is very desirable therelore that Treasurers and Scribes

should do their best to get in all arrears , and so place their respective chapters in a good position . I understand that the Prov . G . Scribe E . has made out for each chapter the returns of its members , so that the Scribe E . will only have to add the names , & c , of those who have joined or been exalted since December 31 st last . This will save the Scribes of private chapters a good deal of trouble , and I hope our Prov . G . Scribe E . will have the satisfaction of finding it expedite the return to him of these necessary forms . I have now only to thank you again , companions , for your kind reception and for your attention to the few remarks I have ventured to make .

Comp . Ensor Drury had a very hearty reception , and his address was heard with great interest . After which , Comp . HENRY SMITH , on behalf of the acting Prov . G . J ., Comp . J . L . Atherton , and himself , thanked the companions for their cordial salutation . It was , he said , a great pleasure to be present and to be welcomed so warmly in that ancient chapter , and to see around him so many old familiar faces . He trusted that the harmony which had distinguished

Three Grand Pnnciples would continue to prevail . He was conscious that in some parts of the province difficulties existed , but those difficulties , he was confident , would be overcome , and he congratulated the companions on the fact that they were enjoying greater prosperity at lhat moment than they had ever known before . He hoped the concord which was so marked would increase as time went on , and , though his term of service might be said to

bi ? almost at an end , yet he would to the last wish well to their onward progress . Comp . Smith explained that exalted in 1854 , he became a subscriber from lhat date to two chapters , and from 1 SG 0 to three , so that he thought he had some right to express confidence in the Degree . This he did most thoroughly , and he should to the exter . t to which his humble services would go always give it his fullest and heartiest encouragement .

Comp . J . L . ATHERTON , P . Z . 387 , P . P . G . H ., acting Prov . G . J ., then delivered the Mystical Lecture . This was given in a masterly way and was followed throughout with profound attention by the companions . At its close the acting" GRAND SUI-EKINTENDENT , in the name of the companions , tendered to Comp . Atherton warmest thanks for his beautiful rendering of that sublime and most perfect lecture .

Provincial Grand Chapter Of West Yorkshire.

A point was here raised in relation to one of the signs which led to expressions of opinion by Comps . VAUX , C . L . MASON , and others , but there was no discussion as it was not deemed a material ijuestion . In replying to the thanks of the companions , Comp . ATHERTON said that if he had done or could do anything by which the interest of the brethren might be stimulated so that more might be induced to join , he would be fully repaid for any exerlion on his parr . He considered the Royal

Arch to be distinctly a part of the Third Degree , and ought not , he declared , to have been severed from it . He deemed it an excellent rule , practised in some places , that no one should pass the chair in a Craft lodge unless he WHS a chapter Mason . Many Past Masters , not being Roval Arch Masons , consciousl y or unconsciously , threw cold water upon the Degree , but as for himself he ' eonsidered its importance could not be overestimated , and that it was worthy of the earnest attention of every member of the Craft .

Comp . T . ROBERTSHAW , M . E . Z . 44 S , Halifax , in the name of his chapter , invited the province to hold the annual convocation in May , 1897 , in that town .

A voteof thanks to Comp . John Lane Fox and the companions of No , 20 S , heartily proposed , was adopted by acclamation . Comp . Fox replied , and the proceedings ended . Tea was prepared in the' Mayor ' s banquetting rooms , Town Hall , at which 53 companions were present , the M . E . Z . presiding .

Consecration Of The St. John-At-Hackney Chapter, No. 2511.

CONSECRATION OF THE ST . JOHN-AT-HACKNEY CHAPTER , No . 2511 .

This new chapter , which is attached to the lodge of the same name consecrated only two ye » rs and a half ago , was formall y started on its Masonic career on the 14 th inst ., at the Old Town Hall , Hackney , where the lodge first saw the light . The Consecrating Principal was Comp . E . Letchworth , F . S . A ., Grand Scribe IC . He was assisted by Comps . John Newton , P . A . G . D . C , as H ., Rev . J . S . Brownrigg , as J ., Frank Richardson , P . G . S ., as D . C , and George Graveley , A . G . D . C , as Scribe N .

The other companions present were Comps . J . Gooding , J . H . Milton , J . Pinder , J . Joseph , F . C . Lintott , A . G . Hammond , John J . Olley , Sydney Meadows , Alfred Rusby , George F . Rossiter , H . Sadler , G . Janitor ; T . Brown , P . Z . 174 ; Charles Wyatt Smith , P . Z . 554 ; H . E . Sanders , 1623 ; Thomas G . Hodges , P . Z . 538 ; A . F . Lay , M . E . Z . 1364 ; W . R . G . Emerson , 54 8 ; H . Massey , P . Z . 619 and 1928 ; and Brown , the well-known Royal Arch Preceptor .

The musical arrangements were under the direction of Comp . W . linrrson . After a short address by Comp . Letchworth , and a neat little oration by Comp . the Rev . J . S . Brownrigg , the chapter was consecrated , constituted , and dedicated . Comp . J . Gordon , P . Z ., was installed by Comp . Letchworth . Comp . Browr-. rigg installed Comp . j . H . Milton , first as j . and then as H ., and also phced Comp . James Pinder , P . Z ., P . P . G . A . S ,

iissex , in tne cnair ot j . ine otner ol / icers invested were Comps . J . J . Olley , Scribe E . ; J . J . Gordon , Scribe N . ; S . Meadows , Treasurer , F . C , Lintott , P . S . ; A . Rusby , ist A S . ; G . F . Rossiter , - A . S . ; A . J , Hammond , D . C ; and Ives , Janitor . A vote of thanks was pissed to the Consecrating Principals , who were elected honorary members of the chapter .

The Three Principals were elected a Committee to frame the by-laws , and the S . E . read out the names of 14 proposing candidates for exaltation , with their proposers and seconders . After closing the chapter , the companions returned to London , and atthe Great Eastern Hotel enjoyed a deli ghtful banquet .

There was a high-class concert , under the direction of Comp . W . Emerson , by Madame Laura Brown , Madame Rich , Mr . Hubert Gray , and Mr , Percy Mordy , in the intervals between the speeches in which the toasts were proposed and responded to , and the companions spent a most pleasant evening .

Comp . J . GORDON , M . E . Z ., in proposing " The Consecrating Officers , " said that to those companions the chapter was indebted for coming down to Hackney to give Royal Arch Masonry a start in that borough . The work had been admirably done and well rendered , and he had felt it very much . Many companions had seen the Grand Scribe E . perform it previously , for he consecrated the lodge which was the mother of the chapter ; but he

thought that night he liked him bitter in the chapter than in the lodge . It might be that Comp . Letchworth was improving on acquaintance . At the time Comp . Letchworth consecrated the lodge , he ( Cotnp . Gordon ) said he never saw the ceremony done better ; but that night Comp . Letchworth hid done it better . That might be only his ( Comp . Gordon ' s ) opinion , but , at

all events , all the companions were sensible of his kindness , and of the excellence with which he did his work , and also of his geniality . When he ( Comp . Gordon ) met a G . Officer , somehow it took all the fat out of him , and he could not say all he wished ; he could do a great deal better when he got rid of the Grand Ofiicers . ( Laughter . ) However , he very heartily proposed their health .

Comp . E . LETCHWORTH , in reply , said as he knew the companions wished to hear a few words from those companions who had rendered such service that evening in consecrating that chapter , and as Comp . Brownrigg , on whom the lion ' s share of the work had fallen , and Comps . Newton and Graveley would also like to say something , he would not trouble the companions with many words , except to say what a great p easure it had

been to him to take part in the consecration . It was difficult to realise that two-and-a-half years had passed since he hid the very great pleasure and privilege of consecrating the lodge with which that chapter was connected . He was glad to find that the lodge had had a very successful career , and he did not think they could have belter evidence of that success than the fact that the lodge felt itself strong enough to have a chapter attached to

it . He was sure that under the able guidance of the companion filling the chair , the chapter , like the lodge , would be a very great success , and that it might be so would be the wish of all the other Consecrating Officers . Comp . the Rev . J . S . BROWNRIGG said that he could only echo all that the G . S . E . had said and that all the Consecrating Officers were glad to

have placed a chapler on such historic ground as Hackney . As he had often told his friends , Hackney was an aristocratic suburb of London , because a society he was connecied with was started by a Hackney gentleman—Joshua Watson . In the chapter that ni ght hc saw the chair ' in which Joshua VVatson used to sit .