Coloured Freemasonry In The U.S.A.

eluding the A . and A . S . Rite , " while " upon the question whether they exercise care in guarding the fraternity from the admission of unworthy persons , " Hro . LTPTON tells us that " it is to their credit , lhat while among the whites of the United States one in evew 85 is an alhluitcd Mason , the affiliated negroes are but one in each 273 of their race . "

Provincial Grand Lodge Of Devonshire.

PROVINCIAL GRAND LODGE OF DEVONSHIRE .

CONSECRATION OF THE TRINITY LODGE , No . 25 * .... A special meeting of the above Provincial Grand Lodgo was hc ! d by Bio . the Hon . Sir Stafford Northcote , Bart ., C . B ., M . P ., al Buekfasllcigh , on the ijth inst ., for tlie purpose of the constitution and consecration of a new lodge . The r . ew lodge is to be tailed the Trinity Lodge , No . J . yjs , and Anthony Assembly Kooms has been turned into a lodge room . There was a irood attendance , including Bros , the Hon Sir Stafford Norlhcole , Bart .,

CM ., M . P ., Prov . G . M . ; G . C . Davie , 251 , Dep . Prov . G . M . ; M . Forte-cue , 444 , Prov . S . G . W . ; F . B . Westlake , 70 , Prov . J . G . W . ; Rev . T . C . Lewis , i 486 , and Rev . E . Sullivan , 1099 , Prov . G . Chaps ; E . Rosvenre , 1099 , Prov . G . Treas . ; J . Taylor ,, 1482 , Prov . G . Reg . ; J . Stocker , Prov . G . Sec . ; Dr . R . H . Grimbly , 1438 , and F . VV . Luxmore Jones ,

112 , Prov . S . G . Ds . ; C . G . Withell , 2025 , Prov . J . G . D ., * Apt . Lindsay Lloyd , 2258 , Prov . G . S . B . ; F . Lugct , 39 , Prov . G . Org . ; J . T . Allingham , 954 , Prov . A . G . Sec ; E . M . Ellis , ( m 6 , P . A . G . P ., acting P . G . P . ; H . Shooter , 112 , Prov . G . Tyler ; and F . S . Sprague , 1332 , and W . Mountjoy , 421 , Prov . G . Stwds .

Other brethren present comprised Bros . Hon . Richard DAWSOII , 21 S 9 , I ' . l ' . S . G . W . ; G . S . Bridgman , 1358 , P . P . G . S . of VV . ; V . C . Hallett , 303 , P . P . S . G . D . ; J . H . Warren , 1254 , P . P . S . G . D . ; W . Loche , 444 , P . P . G . R . ; W . Adams , 1 SS 1 , P . P . D . G . D . C . ; J . Olver , 113 S , P . P . G . S . B . ; W . Gregory , 1254 , P . P . G . T . ; S . Jones , 112 , P . P . J . G . W . ; O . J . Dunn , 1205 , P . P . G . S . B . ; G . L . Loam , 710 , P . P . G . O . ; John Cole , 710 , P . P . D . G . D . C ; J . Drcnnan , 710 , P . P . G . S . B . ; II . L ,

Friend , 1443 , P . P . A . G . D . C ; W . Hayward , 355 , P . P . D . G . D . C ; C . limmett , P . M ., and H . P . Rabbish , W . M . 135 S ; S . J . Daniel , 1255 ; C . Brett , J . Willcocks , W . R . Whiteway Foot , W . M ., and W . L . liynon , of 710 ; T . A . Bladder and G . Halls , W . M ., of 328 ; T . J . Grossman , W . M ., J . W . McKeller , S . Wills , and W . Winget , of 1402 ; F . Ii . Sach and G . F . Dunsterville , of 189 ; C Pope , 1138 ; W . Biscombe W . M ., and H . Rogers , of 221 ; A . J . Cox , W . M . ; D . C

Powell , 1 443 ; G . C . Foot , | . Eales , W . M ., C . G . Acock , and R . Ii . Tucker , of 21 S 9 ; J . W . Reed , 1753 ; W . Davies , 14 S 6 ; W . H . Gray , A . Rowe , anel II . Gaunter , of 666 ; D . M . Breburn , W . M . 22 SS , and A . li . Maddock , of 1205 ; W . P . Roberts , J . F . Ware , W . J . Tozer , W . C . Rossiter , J . W . Cole , and W . II . Moore , all of 1358 ; T . Reynolds , 2258 ; W . Cliaft ' c , J . F . Bowennan , W . H . Rogers , C . Hoare , F . W . A . Tolchard , W . H . Johnson , W . E . Windle , H .

Maddick , and J . G . Hollis , of 710 ; C E . Bladder , Conroy Couch . Dr . Pitt Palmer , and A . Dolbear , of 1402 ; T . R . Whittle }' . - 15 G ; J . Hcare , J . W . Warren , W . II . Paul , and G . Arscott , cl 2505 ; J . Wakeham , 1 S 47 ; W . H . B . Tucker , 1051 ; C . Hill , W . Grist , J . G . Turle , R . C . Bishop , C . Horton , F . Mall , and W . Eliot Thomas , of 1402 ; F . M . Stringer , 1466 ; ] . Arbory , and 1 . Crocker .

of 666 ; G . C Gibbon , 1753 ; E . J . Jarvis , 1 255 ; ' R . L . Drake , 2025 ; E . | . Sawdye , and C . L . Jeffery , of 218 9 ; J . Corrick , 159 ; Capt . A . VV . Gamble , 1165 Honkong ; F . Newcombe , 39 ; C . H . Tozer , T . Cole , J . Stoncinan , and C . IT Soper , 0 ( 223 ; J- Down , 156 ; A . G . Burrielge , 39 ; li . T . Woolcock , 1205 ; and J . Gould , 39 .

The P . G . M . opened the ledge . The P . G . SECRETARY then icad tire warrant from the M . W . Grand Master . Afterwards an oration on the subject of Masonry was delivered by the D . P . G . M ., Bro . G . C . DAVIE , P . A . G . D . C . England . He said although the Order was so projperous and nurnerou' * , tire consecration of a new lodge

was still a somewhat rare occurrence . They were about to plant a branch of the Order in a place where it had not hitherto existed , and he should draw attention to certain points which he thought well worthy of consideration by those brethren who were the founders of the lodge . He urged them first not to be in too great a hurry to increase their numbers . It was not the quantity of the members of a lodge which made its strength , but their

quality . It should be remembered that all persons were not lit and proper persons to bc made Masons , ln the Middle Ages the Order was composed of Operative Masons , but at an early period persons not opcratively engaged in Masonry were admitted as Speculative Masons , and from that time there were two Orders—Operative and Speculative . It mi ght fairly be assumed that those admitted to the Speculative branch were of higher attainments

and education than those of the Operative branch . As , therefore , they were now Speculative Masons , he thought they had a right to be a little more particular and exclusive . Next , there was a danger of Freemasonry degenerating into a well-organised charitable society . So great were its funds , so nobl y had Masons responded to calls made upon them that there was danger of people joining their Order for its material benefits . He did not

wish to say anything against people joining benefit societies , but that was not the purpose for which Freemasonry ixisted . Doubtless their poorer brethren were often relieved , but that was done from benevolence and brotherl y love , and not because there was any claim on the funds of the Order . It could not too frequently be stated that the spirit in which to join l'reemasonry was simply with the wish to be useful to one ' s fellow creatures ,

and not in the hope of any pecuniary benefit to themselves . There was also a danger from over-enthusiasm . There was a tendency in some quarters to carry the Order outside its sphere , and to interfere as a body with the individual freedom and convictions of the brethren . Freemasonry was as a secret society only exempted from the ordirary law regarding secret societies because it did not interfere with anything outside itself . Masonry

u , u , " ° t ciaim lo intertere with any person s civil or religious hie . It did not claim to interfere with a man ' s moral life—it hoped to make its members nciier men , better . citizens , and it embraces precepts which are common to c \ ery reli gion of civilised time . In conclusion , the D . P . G . M . addressed 'urlher words of sage advice , specially lo the Master and Wardens of the new lod ge , whose names , he remaiked , would be handed down to posteiily ° n the warrant of that lodge as ils founders . Might the Great Architect of

Provincial Grand Lodge Of Devonshire.

the Universe be pleased to bless lhat lodge , and so keep it lhat it might be an honour and a credit to Freemasonry and a godly example to all around it I The consecration of thc lodge was then proceeded with . A ' terwards the Provincial Granel Lodge was closed , and the installation of Bro . James Willcocks as the first Worshi pful Master of the new

Trinity Lodge was proceeded with by the Deputy Prov . Grand Master . Thc W . M . afteiwards invested his ollicers as follows : Bros . John Ce le , P . P . G . D . C , as I . P . M , ; Charles Barrett , S . W .. ; H . S . Johnson , J . W . ; Charles Hoare , Treas . ; W . Chaff e , Sec . ; J . F . Bowennan , S . D . ; | . VV . Warren , J . D . ; John Hoare , D . C ; F . W . A . Tolchard , Org . ' ; G . Arscott , I . G . ; \ V . Rogers and P . Jackson , Stwds . ; and W . Paul , Tyler . Afterwards [ here wasabinq'ietat the Town Hall , the W . M ., Bro . James

Willcocks , presiding . Bro . Sir STAITORD NOTIII ' OTE , P . G . M ., replied for the toast of " The Grand Lodge Ollicers , " and concluded by proposing " Tie Health of the W . M . " He sa d he heartily and sincerely wished the new lodge a long and prosperous career . They could not have made a better choice than ihe * y hael in their present W . M . There seemed to be a spirit in Buckfastlc'gh vvhich would make that lodge a credit to the province and a worthy gain to the ranks of Freetn isonry .

The WoK . siiii'i'Ti . MASTER reluiv . ed thanks . He spoke of the need of the new lodge , and said he bel . cved they had a set of ofli . ers lo start with who would be a credit 10 any lodge . Bro . BARRETT , S . VV ., gave 'The Health ofthe Installing Mister , " and Bo . DAVIE , who was most cordially received , further enforced some of the advice he gave in his oration in lodge .

For " Th ; Visitors . " B-o . the Hjn . RICHARD DAWSON WIS called on to respond , and Bro . F . SIRINGER ( South Brent ) brought fraternal greetings from the Grand Orient ( Hamburgh ) and Lodge Amalia ( Sixe Weimar ) .

Provincial Grand Lodge Of West Yorkshire.

PROVINCIAL GRAND LODGE OF WEST YORKSHIRE .

The autumn , or half-yearly meeting of this province was held on Wednesday , the 14 th inst ., at Morley , a rising manufacturing town some five miles from Leeds . Through the kindness of Bro . Geo . Johnson , th- ; M iyor of the borough , and a Past Mailer of the Lodgeof Integrity , No . 380 , under whose banner the mceling was held , the splendid rooms of the New Town Hall were placed at the disposal of Ihe piovince . The

accommodation , consequently , was all lhat could be desired . This was especially fortunate as there was a very large gathering ot brethren from all parts of the Riding . West Yorkshire Freemasons have always taken great interest in the Masonic Charities , and by means of their admirable organisation , have brought their system to such petfeclion that the Chairman of the Committee is in touch with every lodge in thc province , and virtually has placed in his

hands ihe disposal of every single vole within it . Not content with the substantial help which for years back they have continuously given to the London Institutions , a proposal has been hid before them to form a Local Masonx * Benevolent and Educational Society . A scheme with this object was formulated and printed some :. o ytars ago by B . o . C . Letch Mison , to that the idea is by no means a new one . Tire success of oiher

provinces in this direction , notably that of the two Lancashires may also have had some ilfect ; in any case , at thc annual meeting of Provincial Grand Lodge al Doncaster , in April last , Bro . Wm . Harrop , Chairman of the Charity Committee , slated that a proposal would be brought before the province and its opinion taken thereon at an early date . At the

following Charity Committee this was done , and the suggestion of Bro . Harrop was cordially accepted by a very large and representative assemblage , only seven hands being held up in opposition . To have effect , this must , of course , bc endorsed by the brethren , and the notice of this with one or two other matters on the agenda , was doubtless the cause of so numerou ly attended a meeting .

The Prov . Grand Master , thc Right Hon . W . Lawies Jackson , M . P ., presided , and was suppoitcd by a large number of Prov . Grand Ollicers , both Present ' and Past . We regret lhat a full list of the names has not reached us , but amongst others there were—Bros . J . C . Malcolm , Dep . Prov . G . M . ; Henry Smith , P . D . P . G . M . ; H . Allen and J . A . Godwin , J . P ., Prov . G . Wardens ; the ; Revs . L . S . Calvert , M . A ., and

J . L . Brereton , M . t % ., Prov . G . Chaps . ; tl . G . li . Green , Prov . G . Sec . ; Alfred Robertshaw , T . II . Tanner , W . R . Hinings , T . Bates , and H . S . Wood , Prov . G . Deacons ; T . R . Vaux , Prov . G . S . of Wles . ; Wm . Watson , Prov . G . Librarian ; Win . Wilson , Prov . G . D . C ; Thos . Shaw , Prov . G . S . B . ; Dr . Bates and Geo . Hollies , Prov . G . Std . Brs . ; T . VV . Hanforth , Mus . II ic , Prov . G . Org . ; Jos . Maltliewm . 'in , Prov . A . G . Sec . ; John Bleazard and Alf . Gill , Prov . G . Pursts . ;

Dr . Mossop , Joseph Best , and Win . Sharp , Prov . G . Stwds . ; with Thos . Leighton , Prov . G . T > ler ; and Thos . Chester , Prov . A . G . Tyler . The Past Prov . Grand Officers included Bros . Simeon Hayes , 130 , Wm . Ilarr . ip , 2 yo , Chairman of the Charity Committee , C . Letch Mason , 304 , and T . Girnult , 401 , Past G . Wardens ; Major Bolton , 154 , John Gibbs , yo . | , and X . Richards , 20 S . Past G . Treasurers ; W . C Lupton , 974 , Vice-Chaimi en of Charity Committer ; Joseph Binney , 139 ,

P . G . Registrar ; John Hunt , 2 . 191 , J . Dunning Kay , 2 S 9 , VV . II . Ste . vart , 380 , T . H . Vernon , 2491 , and VV . Dickie , 904 , P . G . Deacons ; John Barker , 1102 , G . W . Hawkesley , 139 , James Lawton , 337 , and T . C . Hope , 302 , Pa . *> t G . Supts . of Wks . ; G . P . Sunderland , 1301 , C . Goldihorpe , 242 , 11 . J . Sutnersl , 1018 , } . W . Monckman , 1018 , S . T . Oates , 304 , lidmund Lord , 9 , VV . F . Tomlinson ,

304 , and W . R . Thompson , 208 , Past G . Directors 01 Ceremonies ; Col . 1 * . C \ Vem _ yss , 61 , Past G . S . B . ; VV . M . Tate , 306 , \ V . Laycock , 1108 , Alf . Stott , 1301 , R . Fisher , 1221 , John Constable , 2259 , and Dr . Samuel Jacob , J . P ., P . M . 837 , Past G . Std . Brs . ; Win . Ash , 1019 , P . P . G . Org . ; Thos . Laurence , 101 , Wm . Cockcroft , 307 , B . F . Glover , 495 , Cnas . Shaw , 337 , and J . A . Heastie , Past G . Pursuivants ; with many others .

The lloor of the large central hall in which the meeting was assembled was filled from end to end wilh VVorshipful Maslers , Wardens , and brethien from every portion of the province . After Provincial Grand Lodge had been opened , the Prov . G . Master and ihe Deputy were cordially saluted . When the roll of lodges was celled it was found that oul of 78 only one was unrepresenleT . Numerous apologies were tendered and the tumu-. es of tlie annual meeting at Doncaster in April , which had bien printed and circulated , were presented and confirmed .