Masonic Notes And Queries.

Wentworth Lodge , No . 1239 . lhe stability of Freemasonry and the consistency of its membsrs continua year by year to obtain greater recognition and afford stronger illustration . No sooner does one Worshipful Master , after displaying all the Masonic attributes during his reign , retire from the chair than in steps another , prepared to take up and continue the good work , and anxious to emulate , or even exceed , it possible , the achievements of his predecessor . Where this is the case—and it is now the rule—the lodge renews its youth , so to speak , at each anniversary festival , and starts again upon its course with fresh

energy and zeal unabated . Thus the mystic circle widens , influences for good extend , and the world is found the better through the silent working of our Order . Freemasonry , we are taught , is a progressive science . Quite so ; but progress is a relative term , and what may seem rapid in some conditions is in others a scarcely perceptible movement . There can be no doubt in the mind of the observant man , however , that , let the cause be what it may , the development of Freemasonry of late years has been very marked . We say development , for both in numbers and in the amount bestowed upon our Charities , this increase is apparent : there is , however , besides these , a

manifest advance in intelligent interest and appreciation . This is shown in improved working , in better attendance at instruction , and , perhaps more than all , in the fearless and persevering inquiry into the history of our Order and its raison d ' etre . The oldfashioned Past Master looks back with a sigh , and would recall the days gone by—days when all knowledge of ritual was confined to one or two , when inquiry of any kind was deprecated , when such terms as Quatuor Coronati , \ Ccementaria Hibernica , et hoc genus onine were unknown , and when—to be fair—banquets were unheard of , and champagne at a Masonic supper was not dreamt about . Now , instead of ignorant

submission to his ruling , he finds a few , perhaps , prepared to argue , and he notes that those who have recently passed the chair regard his opinions on Masonic traditions with good-natured tolerance . Powerless to alter it , he accepts the situation , and , if a sensible man , makes the best of it , yet he shakes his head . And thus it is always . Youth says Carpe diem ; old age , Eheu fugaces 1 A Masonic community is a little world , and in most instances a very active , not to say wide-awake , world . This is so in Sheffield , at any rate . The activity is unmistakeable , the intelligence pronounced , and the unanimity and good feeling—all things considered—remarkable . Of the eight lodges of which the city now boasts , not the least to display these good points is the

Wentworth Lodge , No . 1239 . Instinct with life , in the full vigour of lusty existence , it met on Monday , the 7 th inst ., when , amid the congratulations of a large gathering , Bro . Thomas Rowbotham received at the hands of Bro . T . E . Barker , the transfer of that authority , which , though , absolute , is so rarely abused . After a year of successful rule , a year during which Bro . Barker has more than realised the estimate which the brethren at its commencement so justly formed , he has laid down the cares of office and passed on his gavel to an equally worthy and esteemed successor . Wentworth Lodge is considerably above the average in the matter of numbers , so that what with its own members and the crowds of visitors who assembled to do honour to Bro . Rowbotham , the capacity of both lodge and dining-room were fairly tested .

THE WORSHIPFUL MASTER . The lodge was opened by Bro . T . E . Barker , W . M ., assisted by the following r dicers : Bros . M . J . Dodworth , I . P . M . ; T . Rowbotham , S . W . ; T . Firth , J . W . ; W . F . Cole , Sec ; A . J . Forsdike , Asst . Sec . ; G . Wragg , S . D . ; J . Green , J . D . ; A . E . Kirkham , P . M ., D . C . ; E . Rowbotham , Asst . D . C . ; J . A . Rogers , Org . ; W . D . Forsdike , I . G . ; andE . G . Whiteley and I . C . Brameld , Stwds . After the minutes were read , the officers of Prov . Grand Lodge entered , viz .: Bros . J . C . Malcolm , Dep . Prov . G . M ., G . D Eng . ; H . Allen , P . S . G . W . j E . Drury , P . P . G . W . ; T . H . Vernon and

H . Nixon , P . P . G . Ds . ; J . Matthewman , Prov . A . G . Sec ; and H . J . Garnett and J . E . Darling , P . P . G . S . Bs . l'he brethren of the Wentworth Lodge comprised Bros . 1 . Broadhead , P . M . j E . E . Holliday , P . M . ; I . Robertshaw , P . M . j J . P . Hewitt , P . M . ; F . S . H . Wilson , P . M . ; M . J . Dodworth , P . M . ; G . Senior , T . Nixon , A . J . Birks , J . Struges , S . Wetherell , W . Fearnehough , F . S . Hirdy , R . Hanbidge , A . G . M . Jack , H . Johnson , W . H . Dixon , S . Oates , J . T . Thompson , H . Adrain , E . Beck , and T . Soowart . Visitors—the W . Ms , of the following Sheffield lodges : Bros . G . B . Wood .

29 6 ; R . O . Wever , 1779 ; T . Harrison , 2263 ; and W . Gunstone , 2491 ; also W . Gadsby , P . M . 1179 , 249 1 , P . P . G . Org . Derby ; W . C . Fox , P . M . 22 G 3 ; A . C . Pennock , P . M . 1508 , Sukkur , India ; E . Dickinson , P . M . 139 ; J . Barton and A . E . Rowland , 1779 ; C . Simmons , 1225 ; S . Smith , R . C . Honey , and C . H . Smith , of 2263 ; C . A . Hahn and W . Sales , of 2491 ; G . Foster , go 4 ; C . Baggaley , W . M ., W . Roper , and G . T . Y . Dickinson , of 2355 ; W . A . Birxs , 1802 ; W . J . Maidment , 2558 ; F . Stanton , 6 S 1 ; G . Alcock and F . Hill , 2373 ; W . Lindlar , 296 ; J . W . Shipman , 2263 ; John Stokes ,

W . M . elect 139 ; A . Davidson , 2558 ; G . E . Hardcastle , 2259 ; and T . F . Holmes , P . M ., P . P . G . D . C . The installation ceremony was at once proceeded with . The W . M . elect , Bro . T . Rowbotham , after presentation by Bro . J . E . Darling , P . M ., was addressed and obligated by the Installing Master , Bro . T . E . Barker . After the brethren had retired a Boird , of some 25 Past Masters was formed and Bro . Rowbotham was inducted by his predecessor with the usual ceremonial , and was proclaimed and saluted . The working tools in the various Degrees were presented by Bros . H . Nixon , P . M . ; F . S . H . Wilson , P . M . ; and J . Robertshaw , P . M . The W . M . invested his oilicers , admonishing

each in suitable terms , as follows : Bros . P . E . Barker , I . P . M . ; T . Firth , S . W . ; W . F . Cole , J . W . ; J . P . Hewitt for J . B . Wostenholme , Treas . ; A . J . Forsdike , Sec . ; G . Wragg , Asst . Sec . ; T . Green , S . D . ; E . Rowbotham , J . D . ; J . Broadhead for C . Stokes , D . Cj W . D . Forsdike , A . D . C ; T . Nixon , Org . ; E . G . Whitely , I . G . ; J . C . Brameld and J . A . Rodgers , Stwds . ; and T . Leighton , Tyler . Bro . J . P . Hewitt , P . M ., was unanimously elected for the third time to represent the Wentworth Lidge on the West Yorkshire Charity Committee . When the usual questions were put from the Chair , the Deputy , Bro . J . C . Malcolm , briefly thanked the W . M . in the name of the Prov . Gr . nd Master and himself for the invitation given them , complimented Bro .

Masonic Notes And Queries.

Barker on the able way in which he had conducted the installation , and congratulated Bro . Rowbotham who , he declared would prove a most capable and competent Master . After apologies had been announced from Bros . W . L . Jackson , M . P ., P . G . M . ; W . H . Brittain , P . M ., P . G . S . B . ; H . G . E . Green , P . M ., Prov . G . Sec ; Charles Stokes , P . M ., and others , and certain votes of condolence passed , the lodge was closed . At the dinner which took place in the hall below upwards of 90 brethren sat down , an excellent repast was served and the table decorations , iloral and otherwise , were , as

usual , profuse and beautiful . Dinner over the toast of "The Queen " was loyally proposed and heartily received . The Worshipful Master next gave " The Health of H . R . H . the Prince of Wales , the Most VVorshipful Grand Mastsr ; the Right Honourable the Earl of Lathom , Most Worshipful Pro Grand Master , and the Officers of Grand Lodge . " He said that after her Most Gracious Majesty the Queen , the Prince of Wales had next place in the loyal affections of the people , and should he be spired to attain to

the highest dignity in the land there was no doubt he would maintain the honour and the prestige of this mighty empire . As Masons he ( Bro . Rowbotham ) considered they should be especially grateful to the Prince , for by accepting the position of Grand Mister he imparted grace and dignity to the Order , and showing his sustained interest his Royal Highness had now held that post for upwards of 21 years , a proof that the ennobling principles of Freemasonry were worthy of being adopted and practised by the highest and greatest in the land , They were also , the W . M . declared , especially fortunate in

having so experienced and enthusiastic a Mason as Lord Lithom to act as Pro G . Master . In his double capacity , for he holds the office of Prov . G . Mister of W . Lancashire , Lord Lathom had twice visited this province—in 1 SS 5 to instal our late Prov , G . Master , Bro . T . W . Tew , and in 1 S 93 to perform that office in the case of our present chief , the Right Hon . W . L . Jackson . The importance of the toast was still further enhanced , however , by the fact that there was amongst them that night a present officer of Grand Lodge in the person of Bro . I . C . Malcolm . They appreciated him in

his nearer and useful capacity as Deputy of this Province as well as in the more ornamental one of Junior G . Deacon , and were especially delighted that he should desire to make the acquaintance of the brethren of 1239 . Bro . Malcolm's reputation had preceded him , they knew how he had twice passed the chair in his lodge and how munificent and constant his support of the Misonic Charities had been . He would cauple the toast with Bro . Malcolm ' s name wishing him long life , health , and prosperity . The brethren responded heartily and " God bless the Prince of Wales , " was sung .

Bro . J . C . Malcolm said he was proud to be in the position to reply to the toast and pleased at the cordiality with which it had been received , but was a little taken aback by the great praise which their W . M . had bestowed upon himself . It was not , of course , expected that he should follow up the panegyric in regard to the Grand Officers . No doubt , it was deserved , but so far as his own experience had gone , he had not found it quite so simply ornamental as their W . M . would have them believe . It involved frequent journeys to London , for he was , Bro . Malcolm declared , one of those who

believed it was the duty of him who accepted a collar to do the work which appertained to the office . Many brethren once having obtained the distinction seemed to pass out of active Masonic life ; this should not be , for it was a reproach to the bearer and might be looked upon as a reflection upon the judgment of those who made the selection . Bro . Malcolm spoke of the Grand Secretary in terms of praise and said that no better

executive existed than that of Grand Lodge , The W . Def ) . concluded by offering his warmest thanks for the reception he and the toast had received . Loyalty in the province hc certainly looked for , and he was proud to say that it was spontaneous and constant and he could assure them it met with the fullest appreciation . After the Tyler's toast and a cornet solo by Bro . R . C . Honey , "Only once more , " by Moir ,

TheW . M . rose to propose "The Right W . Prov . G . Master of West Yorkshire the W . Deputy , and the Officers of Prov . G . Lodge , Present and Past . " He said that , West Yorkshire had always been fortunate in having to preside over its destinies men of sterling worth and actuated by Masonic principles . He and they with him rejoiced that the mantle of the late respected Prov . G . Master Bro . Tew had fallen upon the shoulders of so able a brother as the Right Hon . W . L . Jackson . The Prov . G . Master was a busy man , but Bro . Rowbotham declared that it was not to the lazy " society " drones but to those who believe with Bro . Jackson that

Life is real , life is earnest , they looked for the discharge of the delicate yet arduous duties of Prov . Grand Master , After enumerating the many appointments which Bro . Jackson held , Bro . Rowbotham wondered how he could find time for Masonic affairs at all . His doing so proved that he lived not onl y for himself , but was actuated by a charitable desire to benefit others . After eulogising the Deputy , whose credentials—a willingness to work and a disposition

to give—they all , as Masons , recognised and appreciated , the W . M . referred to the presence amongst them of Bro . Harry Allen , P . M . of Ivanhoe Lodge , Sheffield , and S . G . W . of the province . They most of them knew him , and to name him was a guarantee that the duties of the high position he occupied would be faithfully and honourably filled . There were many Past and Present Prov . Grand Officers , he was pleased to say , about him ; hut he would call upon tlieir townsman—Bro . Allen—to reply . After a song from Bro . Stanton ,

Bro . Allen , who had a very warm reception , rose . He had not , he said , come prepared to make a speech , as , in the presence of the W . Deputy , he did not expect to be called upon , but alter their very hearty reception of him , he would be ungrateful indeed if he did not offer acknowledgment . The kind remarks of Bro . Rowbotham , their most able and excellent W . M ., and the support he had met with from the various lodges in the province , made him feel that the position of S . G . W . in West Yorkshire was Dy no means an unpleasant one to occupy . Bro . Allen then described a recent visit he had paid to the Alfred Lodge , Leeds , where he witnessed the installation of the W . M . by

the W . Deputy , and where , amongst other interesting matters , he saw a most attractive menu , garnished , as it was , by apt and piquant quotations from various parts of Masonic ceremonial . Bro . Allen gave instances which provoked much mirth amongst the brethren . He concluded by congratulating the W . M . upon attaining his position , and thanking him for giving him the opportunity ot being present at so large and enthusiastic a meeting . The toast of " The Worshipful Master , " proposed by Bro . T . E . Barker , I . P . M ., was most enthusiastically received . Bro . Barker said that , though he had not previously

had the pleasure of performing that task , yet he would not forego it on any account-Briefly sketching the career of Bro . Rowbotham , Bro . Barker showed how , after initiation some 14 years ago , and a gradual process of rising step by step , their W . M . had served an apprenticeship , which not only entitled , but also fully qualified , him to preside over them . He was sure Bro . Rowbotham appreciated the honour bestowed upon him , ani he had not a doubt that he would amply justify it . Besides being W . M . of Wentworth , he might remind them that Bro . Rowbotham was at that moment also W . M ,

of the Britannia Mark Ledge in Sheffield , and was moreover Scribe N . in the Paradise Chapter and Registrar and Prov . G . S . B . in the De Furnival K . T . Preceptory . He filled the important post of Vice-President and M . C . of the Masonic dance assemblies in Sheffield , and in that capacity he enjoyed the entire confidence of the lidies . " Let us then , " continued Bro . Birker " emulate the ladies by placing our trust in him and as to the rest I think he can ' t be likely to get far wrong , as the affection and esteem of his Past Masters would prevent any tendency in that direction were such possible . "

A song by Bro . Wm . Gadsby followed . Bro . Gadsby is a great favourite in Sheffield and as usual delighted his audience thoroughly . He chose a characteristic production entitled "Gipsy John , " the music by the late F . Clay . It is needless to say that full justice was done to the composer . After which the Worshipful Master after several efforts at length obtained a hearing . He said : W . Dsp . Prov . G . Mister , Bro . Birker and brethren , 1 thank you from my heart for the kind way in which you hive received the too flattering description of myself as given by Bro . Birker in proposing this toast .

It will be an incentive to me , I assure you , to use my best exertion ; to muntain harmony and prosperity in the lodge . I approach the work of the chair with some trepidation although I have discharged most ot the inferior offices . 1 have had some little experience and the instructive guidance of the Past Misters , the dutiful assistance of my officers , and the generous forbearance of my brethren will , I hope , combined , contain all the elements of successful management so that I may maintain the honour of the chair when in it and may leave it with the esteem and good will of every one of you .

Bro . Forsdike here sang " In friendship's name , " which was much appreciated . The other toasts were "The Installing Oiliest and I . P . M ., Brj . I " . E . Birker , " proposed by Bro . J . Robertshaw and most gracefully acknowledged ; " The Masonic Cnarities , " " The Sister Lodges and Visiting Brethren , " " The Past Masters , " and "The Officers . "