Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Consecration Of The Mark Lodge Of Eland, No. 493, At Elland, Yorkshire.
followers , secretly marched from Brereton Hall , in Lancashire , where they had fled for refuge , and relumed to the neighbourhood of Eland . Here in ambush in Cromblebottom Wood they lay in wait for Sir John . He , as they were in f ormed , would hold his Sheriff ' s Court on a certain day at the Brig-house , after which he would return to Eland Hall . Everything fell out as they expected , and when Sir John Eland reached the wood they burst forth from their ambush , and , notwithstanding a stout resistance , succeeded in slaying the knight . They then fled to Fourness
Fells , a wild and drsolate region lying in the extreme North-west of Yorkshire and bordering on Westmoreland , where , not content with the death of their great enemy , they formed their plans to extirpate the male race of Eland entirely . Sir John , the dead knight , was succeeded by his son , also called John . He was married and had two children , John and Isabel . Rumours of the purpose of his father ' s murderers by some means reached his ears , and knowing the deadly animosity of his foes , he took precaution when he went abroad to wear armour
beneath his ou ' er garments . On a certain Palm Sunday , with his wife and son , he left the Hall , as his custom was , to attend the morning service in Eland Church . The river was low , and the nearest way lay over the dam stones by the mill . To this mill on the previous night the conspirators had come , and , after binding the miller and his wife , were here in concealment as the kni ght was passing by . Seeing him approach , Adam Beaumont rushed forth , and with a long bow—i fatal weapon in the hands of Englishmen in those days—took aim at Sir
John . The arrow struck him on the chest , but , protected by his hidden coat of mail , it did him no injury , but harmlessly glar . ced off . Lockwood , however , stepped forth , and was more successful , for his shaft pierced the head of the knight , who fell dead from his horse . The son , too , was wounded , and when carried by the servants to Eland Hall , there shortly died . This , in brief , is the story of the Eland tragedy . Isabel , the heiress in the direct line , in 1350 married Sir John Savile , of Tankersley , and in that family the estates of the Elands still
remain . Here we have a remarkable instance of the vicissitudes of families . Eland , too , was then a market town , perhaps greater in importance than its now much more populous neighbour—Halifax . To come back for a moment to the Lodge — I thir . k we have every prospect of success , all seems bright and most encouraging , if we may judge by the vigour and enthusiasm shown in the Craft lodge from which the new Mark lodge will draw its recruits . Brethren of the Eland Lodge , you have made a good start , don ' t be in a hurry to get numbers ,
exercise the greatest care and discrimination in admitting new members , ever keep steadily before your eyes those words used by the Marquess of Ripon the last time he was in Grand Lodge as the M . W . Grand Master of the Craft— " Remember , brethren , the strength of our Order lies not in the number of our lodges , or in the increasing roll of our members , but in the fraternal spirit by which the members are animated , and which lives and breathes in our lodges . " Keep that before you , then your lodge will flourish and bring forth the fruit of brotherly love , relief , and truth . <
After the address , which was listened to with the greatest interest and attention , Bro . John Barker , in his usual excellent and impressive style installed Bro . VV . E . Smithies , P . M . 137 , P . P . G W ., into the chair of Adoniram . The accession of Bro . Smithies , as first W . M . of the new lodge , was clearly very popular , for the brethren greeted him most heartily .
Bro . Smith es invested his officers as follows : Bros . Geo . H . Parke , P . M ., G . Stwd ., I . P . M . , * T . G . Howell , W . M . 137 , S . W . ; Arthur Rowe , J . VV . ; John B-ook , P . P . G . Org ., M . O . ; Alfred Maude , S . O . j J . F , Milner , J . O . ; George Hojle , Chap . ; H . Beaumont , Treas . j J . Naylor , Sic ; R . E . Heaton , S . D . ; A . E . Mitchell , J . D . ; B . Naylor , D . C ; S . A . Radcliffe , Org . ; and J . Rhodes , I . G .
The VV . M . having been elected to serve as representative on the West Yorkshire Maik Charity Commiltee , and several propositions of new members having been made , the lodge was closed , and the brethren adjourned to the Town Hall , Elland , where a very excellent dinner awaited them . Bro . Smithies presided , being supported by the Prov . Grand Mas'er , the Deputy , ar . d the other Provincial Officers . After "The Queen " and "The M . W . G . M . " had been proposed from the chair and heartily drunk ,
The toast of "The M . W . the Pro Grand Master , the R . W . Deputy Grand Master , and the Officers of Grand Lodge , " was entrusted to B-o . T . G . HOWELL , W . M . 137 , S . W . and founder . He said : Worshipful Master , R . VV . Prov . Grand Master , Officers , and Brethren , —I feel proud that the privilege of proposing this important toast has been conferred upon me . The Right Hon . the Eirl of Euston , our M . W . Pro Grand Master ; the Rig ht Hon . the Viscount Dungarvan , our R . W . Deputy Grand Master ,
and the Officers of the Grand Lodge of England deserve all the recognition and consideration which we can give them . VVe , of the Lodge of Eland , No . 493 . ought to be especially grateful to Grand Lodge for the courteous manner in which they received our petition , and the exceedingly prompt and ready way in which they acceded to its prayer . The Lodge of Eland , brethren , will not be backward in acknowledging its obligations , and will , I am sure , drink this toast with the enthusiasm which it truly merits . It must
be most gratifying lo our Pro Grand Master , Lord Euston , to see that Mark Masonry is making steady and consistent progress in West Yorkshire . Our presence he * c to-day is proof of itf and it must be our duty , as responsible brethren of this young lodge , to show to our M . W . Grand Master and to our Pro Grar . d Master that the confidence they have shown in us by the granting of the warrant is not misplaced , and that we mean conscientiously and faithfully to carry out the true principles of Mark Masonry under the
authority which has been so graciously accorded to us . West Yorkshire has not been without recognition by our M . W . Grand Master . One of ourselves , a founder of the lodge , at the present moment fills the honourable position cf Grand Steward of England—an office which we will fain hope , brethren , will prove a stepping stone to higher and more distinguished honour Bro . Parke is an enthusiastic Mark Mason , and by his energy , his abdity , snd his liberality has done much to strengthen our Order and to
advance its progress during the time he has been resident amongst us . Coming as he does from a neighbouring province—a province in which that distinguished Mason , the Earl of Lathom , appointed him Grand Wardenit is , 1 think , only right that we should specially refer to him on this occasion , particularly as he is an active officer of the Grand Lodge of England . Of Past Grand Officers we have a goodly number . There is , first of all , our excellent Drputy , Bro . John B erker , who has worthily filled the high
posiiiin ol Giand Inspector of Works . I say worthily filled without fear of contradiction , for you can all bear evidence that whatever Bro . Barker undertakes to do I 12 does worthily and well . Then there are Bros . H . S . Holdsworth and Fredk . Cleeves , both of whom have served the ollice of G-and Standard Bearer , and , lastly , we have , amongst others , Bro . J . VV .
Mor . tkman , a Past Grand Steward , who , as an old and well-tried Mark Mason , has come here to-day to give us the benefit of his extensive knowledge and valuable expedience . To him , as to the others , our thanks are mutt certainly due . In your name and my own , I venture to tender those thanks and I call upen ) Ou to lise and drink health and happiness to our M . W . Pro G * and Master , Lord Euston , our R . VV . Deputy Grand Mister ,
Consecration Of The Mark Lodge Of Eland, No. 493, At Elland, Yorkshire.
and the rest of the Officers of Grand Lodge , Present and Past . With your permission , W . M ., I shall couple this toast with the names qf Bros . G H . Parke , H . S . Holdsworth , and J . W . Monckman . Bro G . II . PARKE , in response , said he regretted very much that the Pro Grand Master , Lord Euston , could not have been present in order to have witnessed the very excellent ttart which the new lodge had made , but that he ( Bro . Parke ) would , during the coming week , have an opportunity
of seeing Lord Euston , and he would not fail to communicate to him the good news of Mark progress in West Yorkshire . In the Pro Grand Master and in the Deputy , Lord Dungarvan , they had excellent officers , brethren who were willing to render any service which might be required of them , and they deserved all the honour which the brethren could give them . On behalf of the Grand Officers , of whom he was proud to be one , he tendered his grateful thanks . Bros . HOLDSWORTH and MONCKMAN also replied .
Bro . Dr . HOYLE , who wascalled upjn to propose " The R . W . Provincial Grand Mister , the W . Deputy Provincial Grand Master , and the Officers of Provincial G-and Lodge , Present and Past , " said that as a very young Mark Mason , he felt great diffidence when that toast was entrusted to him , and though he certainly was honoured to possess the privilege , he was disposed to admire the boldness of the selection , but to doubt its wisdom .
Afler the very eloquent oration of Bro . Howell , he feared his efforts would appear feeble , yet he would venture upon a few remarks . Though he had not known Bro . Mason very intimately in Mark Masonry , he was yet thoroughly acquainted with him in other Degrees , in each of which he was certainly an ornament . He well remembered a visit Bro . Mason paid some little time ago to the Craft lodge in the town of Elland , and he ventured to
say that the impression which he then made was one which would fade onl y with the lives of those who heard him . As to Mark Masonry , Bro . Mason was the life and soul of it in that province , and the beautiful manner in which he had gone through the ceremony of consecration that day , would only intensify the admiration which they had previously felt for him . In Bro . John Barker , their very popular Deputy , they had an earnest , careful , and
thorough worker . No matter what the Degree , if . Bro . Barker undertook it , they might be sure it would be well done . The brethren of the Lodge of Elland would ever have reason to remember him for his services as Installing Master that day , and to him , as well as to the rest of the Prov . Grand Officers , their thanks were due . He hoped the brethren would show their appreciation by their enthusiasm .
This they undoubtedly did , and in the absence of Bro . Mason , who had been obliged to leave when Bro . Barker rose to reply , both he and the Prov , Grand Officers received quite an ovation . Bro . BARKER regretted the absence of the Prov . Grand Master , who , he was sure , would more adequately have expressed the feelings of the Provincial Grand Officers in reply to Bro . Dr . Hoyle ' s kind words . As to himself , he was highly gratified to see so much earnestness in the Elland
brethren , and so much enthusiasm on the part of the province . Representatives of 10 out of the 12 lodges on their roll had come to give a good set off to the infant lodge . He trusted that the baby born that day might go on and prosper . It had , he knew , a good backbone , and he did not doubt that it would thrive and be a credit to its parents . He was sure the Provincial Officers were equally gratified with himself , and in their name and his own he thanked them .
Bro . BARKER next proposed " The Health of the First Worshipful Master of the Lodge of Eland , Bro . W . E . Smithies . " ( This was received with tumultuous applause , Bro . Barker being for some time unable to proceed . ) He declared that no worthier or more suitable brother could have been found to fill the important position in which Bro . Smithies had that day been placed . He had been successful in Craft Masonry , as well as in thit of the
Mirk , but he ( Bro . Barker ) thought that day saw the very crown and keystone of his Masonic efforts . Under the guiding care and fostering influence of Bro . Smithies , a prosperous career for the lodge was certain . Their new VV . M . was a hard and enthusiastic worker , and he had enlisted under his banner a body of able and efficient assistants . He would propose in a bumper " Health to Bro . Smithies , and Success to the Lodge oi Eland . "
The WORSHIPFUL MASTER , whose reception was most enthusiastic , said Bro . Barker and brethren , —I scarcely know how to find words to express my appreciation of the very handsome terms in which the Worshipful Deputy has proposed this toast . I fear I don ' t djserve all the good things he has said of me . It has for some time been my ambition to establish a Mark lodge at Elland , and it has only been through the fear that it mig ht be
to the prejudice of Truth Lodge that we did not lake steps some two or three years ago . I for one , however , do not intend to desert my mother Lodge of Truth , and I trust that the other founders of- our new lodge will follow my example . Brethren , Masonry in all its degrees I am much attached to . I have taken many important steps and attained honours as hig h as I can reasonably expect . I think the Mark Degree is especially beautiful , and I hope , with the assistance of my officers , to make the working of the ritual who
the delight of those who take part in it and the admiration of those witness it . You have , I am proud to say ,. unanimously elected me to this important position , and it shall be my especial object to show that your confidence has not been misplaced . If effort , care , and attention can command success , this lodge will unquestionably prosper , as I shall spare no pains , but shall do all that in me lies to make the Lodge of Eland the pride of its own members and the envy of those outside . For your most thorough and hearty reception I thank you .
" The Health of the Visitors " was ably proposed by Bro . G . H . PARK * which Bros . J . T . LAST , Old York ; H . A . B ROOK , 139 ; W . S . M ILLIGAN , FEARNLEY , J . H . DYSON , 137 , and others acknowledged . The toast of " The Mark Benevolent Fund " next followed , and the cause of this excellent and economically-managed Charity was ably advocated by Bro . ALIUED MAUDE , who impressed upon the brethren the duty of strongly supporting the Chairmanship of their Prov . Grand Master ,
Bro . Charles Letch Mason , on the 8 th July next . B-o . G . H . PARKE , Chairman of the Charity Committee , acknowledged the able terms in which Bro . Maude had expressed himself , and intimate that , although as the printed list showed they had so far done fairly we » i yet there was still much to accomplish , and he hoped that they would stl , . ' . every nerve to bring about a result which should be gratifying to tne " Provincial Grand Master and worthy of the province over which be •* * splendidly presided . , . The other toasts were "The Officers of the Lodgeof Eland" and tn * - Tvler ' s toast .
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Consecration Of The Mark Lodge Of Eland, No. 493, At Elland, Yorkshire.
followers , secretly marched from Brereton Hall , in Lancashire , where they had fled for refuge , and relumed to the neighbourhood of Eland . Here in ambush in Cromblebottom Wood they lay in wait for Sir John . He , as they were in f ormed , would hold his Sheriff ' s Court on a certain day at the Brig-house , after which he would return to Eland Hall . Everything fell out as they expected , and when Sir John Eland reached the wood they burst forth from their ambush , and , notwithstanding a stout resistance , succeeded in slaying the knight . They then fled to Fourness
Fells , a wild and drsolate region lying in the extreme North-west of Yorkshire and bordering on Westmoreland , where , not content with the death of their great enemy , they formed their plans to extirpate the male race of Eland entirely . Sir John , the dead knight , was succeeded by his son , also called John . He was married and had two children , John and Isabel . Rumours of the purpose of his father ' s murderers by some means reached his ears , and knowing the deadly animosity of his foes , he took precaution when he went abroad to wear armour
beneath his ou ' er garments . On a certain Palm Sunday , with his wife and son , he left the Hall , as his custom was , to attend the morning service in Eland Church . The river was low , and the nearest way lay over the dam stones by the mill . To this mill on the previous night the conspirators had come , and , after binding the miller and his wife , were here in concealment as the kni ght was passing by . Seeing him approach , Adam Beaumont rushed forth , and with a long bow—i fatal weapon in the hands of Englishmen in those days—took aim at Sir
John . The arrow struck him on the chest , but , protected by his hidden coat of mail , it did him no injury , but harmlessly glar . ced off . Lockwood , however , stepped forth , and was more successful , for his shaft pierced the head of the knight , who fell dead from his horse . The son , too , was wounded , and when carried by the servants to Eland Hall , there shortly died . This , in brief , is the story of the Eland tragedy . Isabel , the heiress in the direct line , in 1350 married Sir John Savile , of Tankersley , and in that family the estates of the Elands still
remain . Here we have a remarkable instance of the vicissitudes of families . Eland , too , was then a market town , perhaps greater in importance than its now much more populous neighbour—Halifax . To come back for a moment to the Lodge — I thir . k we have every prospect of success , all seems bright and most encouraging , if we may judge by the vigour and enthusiasm shown in the Craft lodge from which the new Mark lodge will draw its recruits . Brethren of the Eland Lodge , you have made a good start , don ' t be in a hurry to get numbers ,
exercise the greatest care and discrimination in admitting new members , ever keep steadily before your eyes those words used by the Marquess of Ripon the last time he was in Grand Lodge as the M . W . Grand Master of the Craft— " Remember , brethren , the strength of our Order lies not in the number of our lodges , or in the increasing roll of our members , but in the fraternal spirit by which the members are animated , and which lives and breathes in our lodges . " Keep that before you , then your lodge will flourish and bring forth the fruit of brotherly love , relief , and truth . <
After the address , which was listened to with the greatest interest and attention , Bro . John Barker , in his usual excellent and impressive style installed Bro . VV . E . Smithies , P . M . 137 , P . P . G W ., into the chair of Adoniram . The accession of Bro . Smithies , as first W . M . of the new lodge , was clearly very popular , for the brethren greeted him most heartily .
Bro . Smith es invested his officers as follows : Bros . Geo . H . Parke , P . M ., G . Stwd ., I . P . M . , * T . G . Howell , W . M . 137 , S . W . ; Arthur Rowe , J . VV . ; John B-ook , P . P . G . Org ., M . O . ; Alfred Maude , S . O . j J . F , Milner , J . O . ; George Hojle , Chap . ; H . Beaumont , Treas . j J . Naylor , Sic ; R . E . Heaton , S . D . ; A . E . Mitchell , J . D . ; B . Naylor , D . C ; S . A . Radcliffe , Org . ; and J . Rhodes , I . G .
The VV . M . having been elected to serve as representative on the West Yorkshire Maik Charity Commiltee , and several propositions of new members having been made , the lodge was closed , and the brethren adjourned to the Town Hall , Elland , where a very excellent dinner awaited them . Bro . Smithies presided , being supported by the Prov . Grand Mas'er , the Deputy , ar . d the other Provincial Officers . After "The Queen " and "The M . W . G . M . " had been proposed from the chair and heartily drunk ,
The toast of "The M . W . the Pro Grand Master , the R . W . Deputy Grand Master , and the Officers of Grand Lodge , " was entrusted to B-o . T . G . HOWELL , W . M . 137 , S . W . and founder . He said : Worshipful Master , R . VV . Prov . Grand Master , Officers , and Brethren , —I feel proud that the privilege of proposing this important toast has been conferred upon me . The Right Hon . the Eirl of Euston , our M . W . Pro Grand Master ; the Rig ht Hon . the Viscount Dungarvan , our R . W . Deputy Grand Master ,
and the Officers of the Grand Lodge of England deserve all the recognition and consideration which we can give them . VVe , of the Lodge of Eland , No . 493 . ought to be especially grateful to Grand Lodge for the courteous manner in which they received our petition , and the exceedingly prompt and ready way in which they acceded to its prayer . The Lodge of Eland , brethren , will not be backward in acknowledging its obligations , and will , I am sure , drink this toast with the enthusiasm which it truly merits . It must
be most gratifying lo our Pro Grand Master , Lord Euston , to see that Mark Masonry is making steady and consistent progress in West Yorkshire . Our presence he * c to-day is proof of itf and it must be our duty , as responsible brethren of this young lodge , to show to our M . W . Grand Master and to our Pro Grar . d Master that the confidence they have shown in us by the granting of the warrant is not misplaced , and that we mean conscientiously and faithfully to carry out the true principles of Mark Masonry under the
authority which has been so graciously accorded to us . West Yorkshire has not been without recognition by our M . W . Grand Master . One of ourselves , a founder of the lodge , at the present moment fills the honourable position cf Grand Steward of England—an office which we will fain hope , brethren , will prove a stepping stone to higher and more distinguished honour Bro . Parke is an enthusiastic Mark Mason , and by his energy , his abdity , snd his liberality has done much to strengthen our Order and to
advance its progress during the time he has been resident amongst us . Coming as he does from a neighbouring province—a province in which that distinguished Mason , the Earl of Lathom , appointed him Grand Wardenit is , 1 think , only right that we should specially refer to him on this occasion , particularly as he is an active officer of the Grand Lodge of England . Of Past Grand Officers we have a goodly number . There is , first of all , our excellent Drputy , Bro . John B erker , who has worthily filled the high
posiiiin ol Giand Inspector of Works . I say worthily filled without fear of contradiction , for you can all bear evidence that whatever Bro . Barker undertakes to do I 12 does worthily and well . Then there are Bros . H . S . Holdsworth and Fredk . Cleeves , both of whom have served the ollice of G-and Standard Bearer , and , lastly , we have , amongst others , Bro . J . VV .
Mor . tkman , a Past Grand Steward , who , as an old and well-tried Mark Mason , has come here to-day to give us the benefit of his extensive knowledge and valuable expedience . To him , as to the others , our thanks are mutt certainly due . In your name and my own , I venture to tender those thanks and I call upen ) Ou to lise and drink health and happiness to our M . W . Pro G * and Master , Lord Euston , our R . VV . Deputy Grand Mister ,
Consecration Of The Mark Lodge Of Eland, No. 493, At Elland, Yorkshire.
and the rest of the Officers of Grand Lodge , Present and Past . With your permission , W . M ., I shall couple this toast with the names qf Bros . G H . Parke , H . S . Holdsworth , and J . W . Monckman . Bro G . II . PARKE , in response , said he regretted very much that the Pro Grand Master , Lord Euston , could not have been present in order to have witnessed the very excellent ttart which the new lodge had made , but that he ( Bro . Parke ) would , during the coming week , have an opportunity
of seeing Lord Euston , and he would not fail to communicate to him the good news of Mark progress in West Yorkshire . In the Pro Grand Master and in the Deputy , Lord Dungarvan , they had excellent officers , brethren who were willing to render any service which might be required of them , and they deserved all the honour which the brethren could give them . On behalf of the Grand Officers , of whom he was proud to be one , he tendered his grateful thanks . Bros . HOLDSWORTH and MONCKMAN also replied .
Bro . Dr . HOYLE , who wascalled upjn to propose " The R . W . Provincial Grand Mister , the W . Deputy Provincial Grand Master , and the Officers of Provincial G-and Lodge , Present and Past , " said that as a very young Mark Mason , he felt great diffidence when that toast was entrusted to him , and though he certainly was honoured to possess the privilege , he was disposed to admire the boldness of the selection , but to doubt its wisdom .
Afler the very eloquent oration of Bro . Howell , he feared his efforts would appear feeble , yet he would venture upon a few remarks . Though he had not known Bro . Mason very intimately in Mark Masonry , he was yet thoroughly acquainted with him in other Degrees , in each of which he was certainly an ornament . He well remembered a visit Bro . Mason paid some little time ago to the Craft lodge in the town of Elland , and he ventured to
say that the impression which he then made was one which would fade onl y with the lives of those who heard him . As to Mark Masonry , Bro . Mason was the life and soul of it in that province , and the beautiful manner in which he had gone through the ceremony of consecration that day , would only intensify the admiration which they had previously felt for him . In Bro . John Barker , their very popular Deputy , they had an earnest , careful , and
thorough worker . No matter what the Degree , if . Bro . Barker undertook it , they might be sure it would be well done . The brethren of the Lodge of Elland would ever have reason to remember him for his services as Installing Master that day , and to him , as well as to the rest of the Prov . Grand Officers , their thanks were due . He hoped the brethren would show their appreciation by their enthusiasm .
This they undoubtedly did , and in the absence of Bro . Mason , who had been obliged to leave when Bro . Barker rose to reply , both he and the Prov , Grand Officers received quite an ovation . Bro . BARKER regretted the absence of the Prov . Grand Master , who , he was sure , would more adequately have expressed the feelings of the Provincial Grand Officers in reply to Bro . Dr . Hoyle ' s kind words . As to himself , he was highly gratified to see so much earnestness in the Elland
brethren , and so much enthusiasm on the part of the province . Representatives of 10 out of the 12 lodges on their roll had come to give a good set off to the infant lodge . He trusted that the baby born that day might go on and prosper . It had , he knew , a good backbone , and he did not doubt that it would thrive and be a credit to its parents . He was sure the Provincial Officers were equally gratified with himself , and in their name and his own he thanked them .
Bro . BARKER next proposed " The Health of the First Worshipful Master of the Lodge of Eland , Bro . W . E . Smithies . " ( This was received with tumultuous applause , Bro . Barker being for some time unable to proceed . ) He declared that no worthier or more suitable brother could have been found to fill the important position in which Bro . Smithies had that day been placed . He had been successful in Craft Masonry , as well as in thit of the
Mirk , but he ( Bro . Barker ) thought that day saw the very crown and keystone of his Masonic efforts . Under the guiding care and fostering influence of Bro . Smithies , a prosperous career for the lodge was certain . Their new VV . M . was a hard and enthusiastic worker , and he had enlisted under his banner a body of able and efficient assistants . He would propose in a bumper " Health to Bro . Smithies , and Success to the Lodge oi Eland . "
The WORSHIPFUL MASTER , whose reception was most enthusiastic , said Bro . Barker and brethren , —I scarcely know how to find words to express my appreciation of the very handsome terms in which the Worshipful Deputy has proposed this toast . I fear I don ' t djserve all the good things he has said of me . It has for some time been my ambition to establish a Mark lodge at Elland , and it has only been through the fear that it mig ht be
to the prejudice of Truth Lodge that we did not lake steps some two or three years ago . I for one , however , do not intend to desert my mother Lodge of Truth , and I trust that the other founders of- our new lodge will follow my example . Brethren , Masonry in all its degrees I am much attached to . I have taken many important steps and attained honours as hig h as I can reasonably expect . I think the Mark Degree is especially beautiful , and I hope , with the assistance of my officers , to make the working of the ritual who
the delight of those who take part in it and the admiration of those witness it . You have , I am proud to say ,. unanimously elected me to this important position , and it shall be my especial object to show that your confidence has not been misplaced . If effort , care , and attention can command success , this lodge will unquestionably prosper , as I shall spare no pains , but shall do all that in me lies to make the Lodge of Eland the pride of its own members and the envy of those outside . For your most thorough and hearty reception I thank you .
" The Health of the Visitors " was ably proposed by Bro . G . H . PARK * which Bros . J . T . LAST , Old York ; H . A . B ROOK , 139 ; W . S . M ILLIGAN , FEARNLEY , J . H . DYSON , 137 , and others acknowledged . The toast of " The Mark Benevolent Fund " next followed , and the cause of this excellent and economically-managed Charity was ably advocated by Bro . ALIUED MAUDE , who impressed upon the brethren the duty of strongly supporting the Chairmanship of their Prov . Grand Master ,
Bro . Charles Letch Mason , on the 8 th July next . B-o . G . H . PARKE , Chairman of the Charity Committee , acknowledged the able terms in which Bro . Maude had expressed himself , and intimate that , although as the printed list showed they had so far done fairly we » i yet there was still much to accomplish , and he hoped that they would stl , . ' . every nerve to bring about a result which should be gratifying to tne " Provincial Grand Master and worthy of the province over which be •* * splendidly presided . , . The other toasts were "The Officers of the Lodgeof Eland" and tn * - Tvler ' s toast .