Our Portrait Gallery.

its third W . M . Masonic progress and sound Masonic work have characterised the city of Sheffield of late years very prominently , and so long as men like Bro . Charles Frederick Brindley give to the Craft their time , their energy , and their ability in the very prime of their manhood , the reputation which Sheffield has acquired as a brilliant Masonic centre is not likely to be tarnished , tn Bro . Chas . F . Brindley we have a typical Yorkshire Mason . Born in Sheffield in 1861 , Bro . Brindley did not enter our mystic portals until 1890 . Initiated in the

Rutland Lodge , No . 1179 , his capabilities were speedily recognised , and at a very early period in his career he was able to place his foot upon promotion's ladder . Bro . Brindley , however , was favoured ; to him came golden opportunity ; he took it at the flood , and we confidently believe it will lead him on to Masonic fortune . In 1893 the new lodge of which Bro . Brindley is now W . M . was projected . Its founders , in addition to age , wisdom , and experience , looked out for energy , ability , enthusiasm , and Bro . Brindley , with others , was invited to join

the new venture . Such a chance is given only to few . With discrimination , yet with some diffidence , Bro . Brindley accepted the ' invitation extended to him , became the first Junior Warden of the lodge , and as a consequence , now occupies the proud position of W . M . after a Masonic life extending over the very short period of less than six years . To his credit it must , however , be said , that he has justified the opinion which the founders of the White Rose of York Lodge formed of htm , and that he has shown already , that under his reirime its reputation so

rapidly , yet so deservedly gained , will be maintained to the fullest extent . Like most aspirants for Masonic fame , Bro . Brindley has not stopped at Craft Masonry . It is the fashion now-a-days with some to sneer at what are called the " fancy Degrees , " and contemptuously to characterise their somewhat showy regalia as " Man Millinery . " To Bro . Brindley , as to other young Masons , probably this aspect of the question has not been presented ; in any case , it has not deterred him , for we find that the new W . M . of Lodge 2491 was exalted in the Chapter of

Justice in 1892 , and has since become a member of the Paradise Chapter , No . 139 , which is attached to Sheffield ' s oldest lodge , and is , numerically , the largest in the Province of West Yorkshire . Bro . Brindley also joined the Mark ; is a Knight of the White Rose of York Conclave of Rome and Constantine ; holds office in the De Furnival Preceptory ; and is also a Knight of St . John and the Holy Sepulchre . To carry out to the full the duties and responsibilities which so extensive a Masonic association involves , at first sight , seems more than the

average man in his leisure moments can accomplish , yet Bro . Brindley has also found time like a true Mason to look into that great and important matter which , in its organisation and ramifications , has become so vast in some minds as to dwarf everything else Masonic . We refer to our Masonic Charitable fnstitutions . Bro . Brindley is already a Life Governor of the Benevolent Fund , and , of course , will not stop there , but will feel it his duty from time to time to give help and sympathy to the Boys

and Girls as well as to the Old People . It almost goes without saying that the W . M . of the White Rose of York Lodge , whose Masonic progress has been so rapid , and whose success has been so complete , must have prospered equally well in his commercial life . The one almost involves the other . When we state , therefore , that Bro . Brindley is the senior partner in the firm of Brindley and Foster , organ builders , of London and Sheffield , a firm whose reputation is world-wide , our readers will express no surprise . Brought up to the business ,

having served an apprenticeship and gone through every stage of the many most intricate processes involved , Bro Brindley has a thorough practical knowledge of his trade . He is not , however , a mere mechanician . A successful organ builder must be much more than this . The science of acoustics , equally with a sound musical knowledge , is essentia ) . Bro . Brindley has sedulously studied both music and science , and has thus been able to introduce , amongst other improvements , a new method of amplification , by which the effects of certain "stops " may be transferred from one manual to another . This , technically called the " Metechotic

System , " has led to a great increase in the variety and effectiveness of the instruments constructed , and along with the firm's original tubular pneumatic and interchangeable composition actions , has caused a complete revolution in the building of that king of instruments—the organ . In the prime of life , successful socially , commercially , Masonically , and if he wished it ( which the saints forbid !) we are assured he could be municipally—we can only offer our hearty congratulations all round—to Bro . Brindley on the proud position he holds in so distinguished a lodge , and to the members upon their good fortune in securing the services of so able , so conscientious , and so industrious a Worshipful Master .

Mark Masonry.

Mark Masonry .

St . Mark's Lodge , No . 1 . A meeting of this lodge was held on Tuesday , the 5 th inst ., at Mark Masons' Hall , Great Oueen-street . Present : Bros . T . G . Robinson , I . P . M ., as W . M . ; P . L . Simmonds , G . Powell , T . Cohu , J . T . Rowe , P . M . ; Stuttaford , W . Weiss , F . Weiss , J . A . Robinson , P . M . ; J . J . Pakes , A . Boswell , C . Robinson , W . Myers , and J . Castello . Bro . Barnes was a visitor . Letters of apolopy were received from Bro . Stephens , W . M ., and several other

brethren . Bro . W . F . Stuttaford was unanimously elected W . M . for the ensuing year . Bio . G . Powell was unanimously re-elected Treas ., and Bro . Gilbert , Tyler . It was resolved that the usual Past Master ' s jewel be presented to Bro . J . Stephens . Copies of Bro . George Kennirg's very handsome " History of St . Mark's Lodge , No . 1 , " were handed round for the inspection of the brethren and very much admired . The

Secretary read a letter received by Bro . Simmonds , in which H . R . H . the Prince of Wales , Grand Master , graciously accepted a copy of the history . A letter was also received Item Bro . George Kennirg thanking sevtral members of the lodge for the assistance given him in the preparation of the work . It was resolved that a copy cf both letters be entered on the minutes of Ihe lodge . 1 he brethren subsequently dined at the Holborn Restaurant .

Truth Lodge , No . 137 . A most successful meeting of the Mark Masor . s of Huddersfield took place in the Filzwilliam-street Hall of that town on Thursday , the 21 st inst . The occasion was the annual gathering and installation . Truth Lodge is rapidly recovering from a somewhat apathetic condition , and now shows signs of vitality which promise well for the future . 1 his change for the better is largely due , as is invariably the case in such instances , to the zeal of a few . To the efforts of Bro . W . E . Smithies , P . P . G . W . of West Yorkshire

and a most active P . M . of the lodge , much of the present improved condition of Lodge No , 137 may be attributed . He has , however , been sustained and warmly supported by the Deputy P . G . M ., Bro . John Barker , also a P . M . of the lodge ; by Bro . George Jackson , the retiring Master , and by one or two other younger members whose interest in Mark Masonry has been most commendably sustained . Bro . Geo . Jackson on this occasion vacated the chair . which he has very worthily filled for the year , in favour of Bro .

Thomas Gaukroger Howell . Bro . Howell , who has served the office of J . W . and has met with rapid promotion , is one of those earnest , zealous Masons who throw their entire energies into the cause , and we prophesy a hifjhly prosperous time for Truth Lodge under his guidance . The W . M . was well supported by his officers and b'ethren , and the installation ceremony , which was most effectively and beautifully rendered by the Deputy P . G . M ., was graced by the presence of the l ' rov . G . M ., Bro . Charles Letch Mason .

Bro . Mason was accompanied by , amongst others , the following Grand and Prov . Grand Officers : Bros . G . H . Parke , P . M . 36 , G . Stwd ; II . S . Holdsworth , P . M . 58 , P . G . Std . Br . ; W . E . Smithies . P . M . 137 , P . P . G . W . ; R . Williamson , P . M . 137 , P . P . G . W . ; G . IT . Radcliffe , P . M . 58 , P . P . G . O . ; Richd . Hodgson , P . M . 58 , P . P .

Mark Masonry.

G . O . ; Thos . Gaukroger , P . M . 14 , P . P . G . O . ; Joseph Matthewman , W . M . no , Prov G . Sec ; W . F . Morris , P . M . 5 S , Prov . G . D . ; Alf . Leach , P . M . no , Prov . G . D . C . Thos . Robertshaw , P . M . 5 S , P . P . G . D . C . ; and John Brook , P . P . G . Org . ; also by Bros ' J . T . Last , W . M . Old York ( T . I . ); Geo . Patchett , W . M . 5 S ; W . S . Milligan , S . W . 5 < S ; A . E . Dalzell , W . M . electsS ; R . Bowman , J . W . no ; J . F . Dyson , P . M . i and many others . After the installation the W . M ., Bro . T . G . Howell , invested the following brethren as his officers for the year : Bros . G . Jackson , [ . P . M . ; A . Armitage , S . W . ; J . Naylor , J . W . ; R . F . Rogerson , M . Oi ; . J . -H . ' D ^ son , SO . ; B . Niybr , J . O . ; W . E . Smithies , P . M ., Chap . ; H . Shaw , "Treas . ; J . Brook , Sec ; J . L . Sjkes , S . D . ; F ,

Marsland , J . D . ; W . Milner , l . G . ; A . Rowe , D . C . ; W . Beaumont , Org . ; R . E . Heaton and A . E . Mitchell , Stwds . ; and John Cowgill , Tyler . This done , the next business was the election of a Charity Steward . Interest was attached to the appointment as it is the first that has taken place under the new Provincial by-law . Bro . T . G . Howell , W . M ., was unanimously selected . Bro . Howell , it may be mentioned , possesses a double qualification as being a Vice-President of the Mark Benevolent Fund , he is cx-officio a member of the Charity Committee . The lodge closed , the brethren sat down , by invitation of the W . M ., to a very excellent banquet .

The W . M ., in proposing the health of her Majesty , said : Brethren , —Our first toast is , of course , " The Queen . " At the age of 7 6 and after a reign of 5 Si years , our Gracious Monarch is still spared to us . Let us drink her continued health , still further length of years , and—God bless her . In proposing the toast of "The M . W . G . M ., H . R . H . the Prince of Wales , " the W . M . spoke in very high terms of the zeal and energy in the interest of Mark Masonry which he was constantly displaying , and pointed out that amongst the claims upon their gratitude which he possessed , not the least was that he had re-appointed Bro . Chas . Letch Mason as Prov . Grand Master for West Yorkshire for the next three years .

The toast of "The M . W . the Pro G . M ., the Earl of Euston ; the R . W . the Dep . G . M ., Viscount Dungarvan ; and the rest of the Grand Officers , Present and Past , " was next honoured . After paying a well-deserved compliment to both the above-named illustrious rulers of the Craft , Bro . Howell went on to show that in West Yorkshire there were several Past Grand Officers . Of these he was proud to say two were present , viz ., Bro . John Barker , their excellent Deputy , and Bro . H . S . Holdsworth . Further ,

continued Bro . Howell , there is with us Bro . G . H . Parke , a Present Officer of Grand Lodge—a Grand Steward , an office which he doubted not was a stepping stone to still higher honours . He pointed out how devoted Bro . Parke was to Mark Masonry , and declared that there were few brethren who had given more of their time , their labour , or their substance for the benefit of Mark Masonry than had Bro . Parke . He should couple his name with the toast . Bro . Parke suitably responded .

In proposing "The Health of the R . W . Prov . G . M ., the W . Deputy P . G . M ., and the rest of the Prov . Grand Officers , Present and Past , " the W . M . said he thought that with all respect to those already drunk , that toast wis still more important ; that to do full justice to the merits of Bro . Charles Letch Mison would take him all night , but that it was quite unnecessary , as they recognised them equally with himself ; that West Yorkshire Mark Masons owed much to Bro . Misin , and that they would be ungrateful indeed if they did not acknowledge it . He also made very complimentary allusion to the Prov . Grand Officers , especially noticing the Deputy P . G .. VI ., Bro . Barker , and the Past

S . G . W ., Bro . Smithies , to whom great credit was due for their labours in the province and in tne lodge to which they both belonged . Bro . Mason , Prov . G . Master , was enthusiastically received on rising to reply . After thanking them for the very hearty way in which they had drunk his health , Bro . Mason sketched the present cendition of Mark Masonry in West Yorkshire , and contrasted it with what some of them knew it to have been some iooradozen years ago . He then went into some detail in relation to the new Provincial By-laws , and pointed out how much they would tend to the advantage of the province by setting on foot an organised system whose object was to take in charge all charitable matters relating to trie

Mark in West Yorkshire , but more especially to those connected with the Mark Benevolent Fund . Immediate and continued benefit , he felt sure , would result , and he hoped the effect would be shown , as he doubted not it would , in the West Yorkshire list sent in at the next Benevolent Festival , at which , as they were all aware , he had consented to preside . He had had many promises of support , and Bro . Howell , he felt confident , would rally round him all the available help that was possible . On behalf of himself and his officers he thanked them . The toast of " The Worshipful Master , Bro . T . G . Howell , " was given in very graceful terms by the retiring W . M ., Bro . Geo . Jackson .

Bro . Howell , whose populinty was unmistakeable , on rising was received with round after round of cheers . Silence being restored , he said : Bro . Jackson , Officers of Prov . Grand Lodge , and Brethren , —This , I assure you , is a proud moment in my Masonic file . No man who enters Freemasonry who is worth hi , salt fails to aspire to fill the chair of his lodge . I have aspired , and , through your kindness and the dispensing power of our gracious Most Worshipful Grand Master , I have , perhaps , somewhat prematurely reached it . Proud , however , as I am to be thus placed , 1 yet , brethren , have great feelings of diffidence . Though no one could be more anxious to do his duty

than 1 am , I am not without misgivings as to my ability to discharge that duty . You will , I am sure , take it from me that I will do my uttermost ; that I will give time , labour , and attention to the Lodge of Truth during the year , and that Masonically it shall be my first and chief concern . I cannot promise more , and , relying , as 1 am sure I may , upon the help of the Past Misters , the diligence and application of my officers , and the indulgence of the brethren generally , I venture to hope that my year of office , if it does not add much to the splendour ot the Lodge of Truth , will at least dim no brightness which it may in the past have displayed . It is a source of unbounded

satisfaction to me , brethren , to see myself surrounded and welcomed on this occasion by so numerous a body of distinguished visitors . It is not given to all Worshipful Masters to be so privileged , and I assure you I deem it an honour to myself and an honour to the lodge of which I am Master . It should be to us of the Truth Lodge both a warning and an encouragement—a warning because the eyes of those in high places are upon us , and an encouragement , inasmuch as it shows us how willing and ready our superiors are to give us their sympathy , their countenance , and their support . As to the coming year , brethren , 1 have just put my hind to the plough , and I shall not look back . Next

to the prosperity of this lodee , whose destinies you have placed in my hands , I shall give of my energies and of my small means to the welfare of Mirk Misjnry in general , and West Yorkshire in particular . With that view , I shall consider it my duty , as 1 trus : you all will to the extent ot your resources , to support the Provincial Grand Master when he takes the chair in July at the next Mark Benevolent Festival . This subject will be more fully discussed later , but I take this opportunity of mentioning tnat , although in past years 1 have done something , this year I mean to do more . Let us put our shoulders to the wheel ; let us increase the hearty sympathy which some lodges

so generously show , and let us kindle the glowing warmth of Charity in the breists ol those who have not yet had the important and beneficent Mirk Benevolent Fund fairly brought under their notice . The coming year will be an interesting one , for , in addition to the fact that next year we celebrate the 25 th anniversary of the formition of the province of West Yorksnire , it will become more famous , insomuch as we are determined that the presidency of Bro . Cnarles Letch Mason shall result in the lirgest donation yet given in the cause of the Matk Masonic Charity . Brethren , I being che first Charity Steward of this Mark lodge , and being wishful that we should take up the challenge

give 1 to us by the Right Hon . the Earl of Euston at Leeds , intend to head my list with 20 guineas , which I snail divids thus : 10 guineas to endow the D . r ' . G . M . ' s chair , live guineas in my own name , and five guineas in that of Mrs . T . G . Howell ; moreover , we shall Doth become Stewards . Let me say , in cjnclusion , thit I am especially prou J to be W . M . during the eventful year to which we are looking forward , and in that capacity I am also proud to be associated with the good men who are filling the chairs in this

provic . ee . Amongst those I may mention the Right Hon . W . L . Jackson , W . M . ' and our no less worthy P . G . Secretary , Bro . Joseph Matthewman , recently installed in No . 110 , on both ot which interesting occasions it was my privilege to be present . Bntiren , 1 most heartily thank you for your kindness in drinking my health sa cordially , and I will try to deserve all the good things which my proposer his said of me . Other toasts followed , which were duly honoured .

" The Mark Benevolent Fund" was received with great favour , and the reply was entrusted to Bro . G . H . Parke , whose zeal in the cause is only equalled by his continued generosity . Altogether the event may be said from beginning to end to have been , one marked success , and we congratulate Bro . T . G . Howell on being installed in the chair under ci rcumstances so enthusiastic and auspicious .