Masonic Notes And Queries.

Masonic Notes and Queries .

1084 ] BOOK OF CONSTITUTIONS . The new edition of the " Book of Constitutions " is now ready for sale and can be had in the 32 mo . size for one shilling ( postage lid . ) instead of i 8 d . as formerly . The laws thus printed are complete to the year 1 S 96 , and moreover , there is a very full and accurate index , entirely re-arranged , added to , or carefully tested , so that the handy little volume is most useful for reference in every way and as perfect as possible . This is a new edition , and for the first time our

beloved brother , the present Grand Secretary , has duly certified the publication by authority of the Board of General Purposes . The doctrine of evolution is certainly abundantly illustrated by comparing the premier "Book of Constitutions" of 1723 with the numerous issues since , down to the new edition of 18 9 6 , and now , it seems to me , that even the most critical and captious cannot fail to be pleased with our code of laws . Why , however , is there no jewel for the President of the Board of Benevolence , though a Grand Officer ? W . J . HUGHAN .

Centenary Of The Loyal Volunteers Preceptory, No. 7.

CENTENARY OF THE LOYAL VOLUNTEERS PRECEPTORY , No . 7 .

A most interesting meeting was held in connection with the above preceptory on Wednesday , the 12 th instant , at the Queen ' s Arms Hotel ,, Ashton-under-Lyne , it being the centenary . To celebrate the event there was a large assembly of Sir knights present . Sir Knight John Wagstaffe , P . G . S . B . Cheshire , presided . After the minutes had been read and carried unanimously , the sir knights

received the members of Great and Prov . Priory , and they were drily saluted . The ballot was taken for two companions , and they were both admitted , and , one being present , he was installed , the first portion of the ceremony being performed by Sir Knight George Wagstaffe , P . E . P ., and the latter by the E . P ., Sir Knight John Wagstaffe , who all through the evening conducted the business in a most dignified manner , which did great credit to the unique occasion .

At the close of the ceremony , Sir Knight J WAGSTAFFE thanked the officers of Great and Prov . Priories for their company that day , and welcomed them , in the name of all the sir knights to celebrate their centenary , and expressed a hope that they would often have their company on other occasions . Sir Knight C . N . BESWICKE-ROYDS , Prov . G . P ., responded .

The banquet which subsequently was held was laid in the dining hall , and , as the loyal and other toasts proceeded , they were interspersed with some capital songs , recitations , & c , and a very pleasant evenng was spent . The following were present : Sir Knights Clement N . Beswicke-Royds , P . G . Prior Lanes . ; Henry Thomas , P . G . Sub-Prior Lanes , j Wm . Tyrer , P . G . Sub-Prior Lanes . ; John Wagstaffe , E . P . ; Geo . Wagstaffe , P . E . P . ; Walter Newton ,

P . G . C . of G ., Chap . ; T . D . Foreman , Con . ; Allen Shaw , Marshal ; A . W . Siddall , P . E . P ., P . G . Marshal , Reg . ; Joseph Leech , P . E . P ., P . G . S . B ., Treas . ; G . W . Davies , Sub-Marshal ; James Bromley , C . of G . ; T . Potter , 2 nd Aidede-Camp ; Wm . Higson , 1 st Pur . ; T . Neale , P . E . C , Guard ; Harrison Veevers , P . E . P ., P . G . S . B . ; H . Tomlinson , Ernest Moss , Jno . Clayton , P . E . P ., P . G . C .

Cheshire ; C . A . Griffiths , A . B . Wilkinson , H . L . Holland , T . Bowers , P . E . C , C . of Lines ; Henry Lees , J . Turner , J . Whicke , E . Bromley , and John Smith . Visitors : Sir Knights E . Pike , P . E . P ., P . P . G . Reg . ; G . S . Smith , P . E . P ., P . G . S . B . Lanes . ; F . K . Stevenson , P . Chan . Cheshire ; Richard Newhouse , P . G . Reg . ; J . Andrew , and J . W . Buckley .

Laying Of The Foundation-Stone Of New Masonic Rooms At Ilkley.

LAYING OF THE FOUNDATION-STONE OF NEW MASONIC ROOMS AT ILKLEY .

There was a numerous attendance of brethren at Ilkley on Saturday , the Sth inst ., to take part in the somewhat rare ceremony of the layingof the foundation-stone of new Masonic rooms . The rooms are being erected for the members of the Olicana Lodge , No . 1522 . The ceremony was conducted with all the rites and customs peculiar to the Craft . Assembling in the present lodge room , in the yard of the Crescent Hotel , the brethren , wearing their regalia , were marshalled in

processional order by Bro . J . Monckman , who officiated throughout as Director of Ceremonies , and walked thence down Church-street to the site of the new building in Cunliffe-road . There was a large concourse of spectators . At the head of the procession was the Tyler , with drawn sword , the visiting brethren , two abreast , immediately following , with the , representatives of the younger lodges leading .

Next came the brethren of Olicana , preceded by the banner , and after them the officers of Provincial Grand Lodge , Present and Past . Next were the bearers of corn , wine , oil , and salt , and of the various implements required in the ceremony , in the rear being Bros . J . Gaunt and Johnstone , W . M ., who were the most prominent participants in the subsequent ceremony .

Amongst the visiting brethren were—Bros . J . Monckman , P . P . G . D . C ; J . Matthewman , P . Asst . G . Sec ; A . T . Akeroyd , P . P . A . G . D . C ; F . Reed , P . P . G . D . j W . Watson , P . P . G . S . of W . ; C . M . Wilson , P . P . G . R . ; W . H . Bradfield , P . P . G . D . ; A . Scarth , P . P . G . D . ; D . Salmond , P . P . G . S . of W . ; lames Ambler , P . P . G . D . ;

J . Pollard , 1522 ; R . C . H . Bonsor , 1018 ; J . W . Dry , 384 ; W . G . Stansfield , 600 ; F . Cobley , no 8 j G . H . demons , 1311 ; J . Whittaker , 1302 ; A . Suttle , 1108 ; W . Tomlinson , 81 j J . M . Mann , 265 ; Irion Smith , 753 ; W . Hoffman Wood , 1522 ; A . Riley , 2330 ; C . Cooper , 1108 ; H . Woodhead , 304 ; B . B . Burrows , 380 ; Thomas Bagley , 306 ; and J . E . Fox , 917 .

The Olirana Ledge , which was constituted on the ioth February , 18 75 , had as its first Wcrshipful Master Bro . J . Gaunt , and it was he who laid the foundation-stor . e of the new premises . The ceremony commenced by the singing of the Hundredth Psalm , followed by a prayer by Uro . the Rev . IRION SMITH , vicar of St . Margaret's , Ilkley .

Bro . J ILLINGWORTH , P . M ., on behalf of the Past Masters of the Olicana Lodge , presented Bro . Gaunt with a silver trowel , and called upon him to lay the stone , in the cavity in which was first placed a phial containing coins and other articles . A brass plate bearing an inscription was also placed in position , and Brc . Gaunt piocteded to perform his portion of the ceremony .

Bro . jciiNbTONli , the regnant W . M ., afterwards proved the first position of the ttcr . e with the plumb , rule , level , and square , and prcceeded , according to ancient custem , to strew corn , pcur wine and oil , and sprinkle salt over the stone . As l . e did to , he said 1 This corn I ttiew or scatter over this stone . Corn is the

Laying Of The Foundation-Stone Of New Masonic Rooms At Ilkley.

greatest necessary of life . In temporal matters it is symbolical of plent y ot abundance , and in spiritual matters , by its growth and development , of the resurrection and a future life . I pour wine over the stone , being typical of re . freshment , joy , and cheerfulness , and because wine maketh glad the heart of man . I pour oil over this stone as a symbol of peace and unanimity . It is emblem of unity , forgetfulness , forgiveness , and goodwill towards men . [ sprinkle salt over this stone as the symbol of hospitality , fidelity , friendshi p representative of perpetuity , durability , and incorruptibility .

Then , following the ancient rule of the Order , gold coins were placed upon the stone for the workmen , and the architects ( Bros . E . Critchley and A . Adkin ) were commanded to complete the building without loss of time . Bros . J OHNSTONE and GAUNT afterwards delivered addresses , at the con . elusion of which the anthem , " Hail ! Masonry Sublime " was sung . The procession was re-formed , and the members returned to the lodge-room . Later on they banquetted together at the Middleton Hitel , where the usual Masonic toasts were honoured and congratulatory addresses made .

Devon Masonic Widows' Annuity Fund.

DEVON MASONIC WIDOWS' ANNUITY FUND .

For many years our Devonshire brethren have supported local funds for aiding distressed brethren and the orphan children of Masons , but no such provision has been made for the widows . Some brethren thought this ought to be remedied , and consequently a resolution was brought before the Western Masonic Association , affirming that it was desirable to establish an Aged Widows '

Annuity Fund . This was unanimously agreed to , and a small committee was appointed to take the preliminary steps for its inauguration . The Committee worked so energetically that they were able to call together those who had promised financial support , and a meeting was held on Wednesday , the 22 nd ult . at Gandy-street Masonic Hall , Exeter . Bro . Major G . Strode Lowe , Chairman of the Western Masonic Association , presided over a large attendance .

The Secretary of the Provisional Committee , Bro . GIFFORD , readthe Com mittee ' s report . The adoption of the same , and a resolution that the Aged Widows' Fund be established , was moved from the chair , and agreed to unanimously and heartily .

The meeting then proceeded to the election of the officers for the ensuing year as follow : Bros . Major G . S . Strode Lowe , J P ., P . M . 1855 , P . P . J . G . W . P . D . G . M . M ., Chairman j S . J . Page , C . C , P . M . 1099 , Vice-Chairman j F . B Westlake , P . M . 70 , P . J . G . W ., Treasurer ; James Gifford , P . M ., Sec . 2025 , P . P S . G . D ., Secretary ; and Frank Mabin , 105 , Asst . Secretary .

A General Committee was formed , comprising one representative from each contributing lodge , and donors of five guineas or more . An Executive Committee was elected , embracing the officers , members ofthe Provisional Committee , and Bros . John Lane , P . A . G . D . C . Eng . ; S . Jones , P . P . J . G . W . ; E . H . Shorto , P . M . 39 ; and T . W . Atherton , P . M . 248 . This Committee was also empowered to complete the by-laws and submit them to the General Committee .

Bro . W . J . HUGHAN , P . S . G . D . Eng ., spoke of his strong sympathy with the movement , and gave some particulars of the methods adopted in other provinces . The success of the fund is assured by the hearty way in which the brethren in the province have supported it . Although some who have stated their intention to give have not yet named the amount , the Secretary was able to announce that the promises given up to the day of inauguration had reached nearly ^ 850 .

Empress Lodge, No. 2581.

EMPRESS LODGE , No . 2581 .

At the above lodge , on Wednesday evening , the 12 th instant , Bro . Will E , Chapman , A . G . D . C , in the absence of the W . H ., Bro . Alderman Sir Joseph C Dimsdale , initiated Prince Ademuyiwa of Jebu Remo , West Africa . The PRINCE , who seemed greatly impressed with the ceremony , replied , al the banquet , to the toast of "The Initiate" in the following words : W . H . and Brethren , —I am void of words , but it would be unbrotherly on my part if I did

not say a word or two after my health has been so enthusiastically drunk bj you all . I am very glad to be here , not only because I am a brother on ths square , but even more because I am a member of a lodge solely established in houour of her Most Gracious Majesty the Queen of Great Britain , Empress ol India , and , if I may be allowed to add to her Majesty ' s titles of State , the Protectress of Africa . There was a time when Englishmen would not dream of

recognising an African as a brother , but as time goes on , things have change " and we both can now say , in the language of the poet , " Skins may differ , but affection dwells in white , and black the same . " Freemasonry to outsiders is most dreadful , but it is the reverse when one gets in . It is little known that God is the pillar and foundation of the Institution . Dear brethren , this is the most solemn night of my life , and I would appeal to you in the language of the Holy Writ , " Brethren , pray for me . " It is only the grace , of God and your effectual progress that will help me to keep true to the solemn obligation I have to-nig "'

taken and prove an honour to the Empress Lodge . I am very proud to-nig ht be a brother of noble men who are members of a race that to-day holds the swai over almost half the world and is its leading ruler . I am indebted to En S [' ]' men for all the pleasure and gratification I receive from the education I have nf > and it is my daily prayer that I shall never prove ungrateful to the race to whir I am so much indebted . I thank you , brethren , for the kind manner in wnK you have drunk my health .

General Committee Of Grand Lodge And Board Of Benevolence.

GENERAL COMMITTEE OF GRAND LODGE AND BOARD OF BENEVOLENCE .

The quarterl y meeting of the General Committee of Grand Lodge and monthly meeting of the Board of Benevolence were held on Wednesday cve "' " ^ at Freemasons' Hall . At both meetings Bro . Robert Grey , President of Board of Benevolence , presided , and Bros . D . D , Mercer and C . A . Cotte r took the chairs of Senior and Junior Vice-President . Bros , Edward Letch * '

G . Sec . ; W . Lake , A . G . Sec . ; W . Dodd , and Henry Sadler , G . Tyler , represen Grand Secretary ' s department ; and there were also present Bros . Charles w William Vincent , James Boulton , J . H . Matthews , George B . Chapman , ¦ Fisher , T . W Whitmarsh , George Graveley , Charles J . R . Tijou , Henry G »