The Province Of West Yorkshire.

THE PROVINCE OF WEST YORKSHIRE .

The proceedings at the recent communication at Sowerby Bridge of the Provincial Grand Lodge of West Yorkshire were deprived of much of their interest by reason of the unavoidable absence of the Prov . Grand Master , Bro . T . W . TEW , who for some months past has been laid on a bed of sickness , and is

even now unable to take part in any of his Masonic duties , or , indeed , in any duties , whether of a public or private nature . However , his place was occupied , and worthily occupied , by his esteemed Deputy , Bro . HENRY SMITH , Past Grand Deacon of England , and when Prov . Grand Lodge had been opened , and

the minutes of the previous communication confirmed , a letter was read from the absent chief , in which , after expressing his deep regret at being unable to attend , and conveying his kindliest wishes to the brethren , he referred to

one or two circumstances of importance to the Craftand especially to certain correspondence which has appeared in our columns , and to which Bro . T . B . WHYTEHEAD , of North and East Yorkshire , contributed the opening letter . With this letter of Bro . TEW ' before him Bro . SMITH

commenced his address by referring in sympathetic terms to the illness of their chief , and his steady progress towards convalescence ; and subsequently , on the motion of Bro . C . LETCH MASON , a resolution was unanimously passed by the brethren , in which these expressions of sympathy were most

cordially re-echoed , and which read as follows : " That we , the Provincial Grand Lodge of West Yorkshire here assembled , offer our deep sympathy with our R . W . Prov . Grand Master , Bro . THOMAS WILLIAM TEW , J . P ., during his long illness , and place on record our profound regret that his health has for some

time prevented him from coming amongst us . That we earnestly hope and pray that he may be shortly restored to his former strength , to enable him to resume the place which he so worthily fills , and carry out the duties in which he takes so personal and active an interest . " That such a resolution as this

should have been passed is only what might have been expected from a body of brethren such as are those of West Yorkshire , whose loyalty to the distinguished brethren who , from time to

time , direct and regulate their affairs , is so thoroughly staunch ; nor have we any doubt that when this resolution reaches him it will have the desired effect of hastening that complete restoration to health which it so earnestly desires .

Having referred to Bro . TEW ' illness and certain circumstances of local interest , Bro . SMITH , taking his cue no doubt from the letter of his absent chief , drew attention especially , though not in so many words , to the correspondence already alluded to . It will be in the recollection of our readers that Bro .

WHYTEHEAD and another in the letters they severally addressed to us stated unreservedly that there were lodges which openly touted for candidates , in order , forsooth , that they might be able to present a clean balance-sheet from year ' s end to year ' s end . Bro . SMITH did not refer in specific terms to this fact , but he must

have had it in his mind when he remarked that " the great strides which Masonry has made of late years .... have led many thoughtful and conscientious brethren to ask whether We are exercising that strict caution in the selection and admission of new members which our Society demands from us . *'"'

And having quoted an observation made by the Marquis of RlPON , when Provincial Grand Master of West Yorkshire , to the effect that * ' the strength of a lodge does not consist in the number of its members , but in the quality of the brethren of

which it is composed , " he proceeded , " And what is true for a lod ge is true for the whole Craft , which is simply an aggregate ° f lod ges . Lower the tone of your lodge by the introduction ° f men who are unfit or unworthy , admit amongst us those who cannot appreciate the beauties of Freemasonry , and

you not only damage that particular lodge but you inflict a serious injury upon our entire Society , brethren , let me enjoin you to take to heart this caution ; let us not bring discredit upon our noble Institution ; let us advance certainly , but let it

The Province Of West Yorkshire.

be warily , judiciously , and gradually . " The advice is sound , but the wonder is not that our most experienced Craftsmen should tender it , but that , though not a new lodge has been consecrated for many years , but the Consecrating Officer has considered it his duty to warn the founders against too hasty and

indiscriminate an acceptance of members , the warning should be still as necessary as ever . It is ri ght that every one who has the opportunity should lay it down most clearly and emphatically that what is needed in Freemasonry is not numerous lodges , but lodges composed of men of high

character , and it is the reverse of creditable that the constant iteration of this warning should have become an imperative necessity . We trust our West Yorkshire brethren will take to

heart the wise counsel so recently impressed upon them by Bro . SMITH , that the security of our Institution does not depend on mere numbers , but upon "the quality of the brethren of which it is composed . *"

There is one other circumstance in the proceedings on this occasion which cannot be allowed to pass unnoticed . Our West Yorkshire brethren have resolved to commemorate the Jubilee Festival of the Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution by purchasing one right of perpetual presentation to the Male Fund , and

they have . further determined to signalise the love and respect they bear towards their Provincial Grand Master b y designating it the "THOMAS WILLIAM TEW Presentation . " In 188 7 the Province commemorated the QUEEN ' Jubilee in a similar fashion by purchasing two rights of presentation to the Widows' Fund .

Thus West Yorkshire will always have it in its power to provide for one of its aged and decayed members and two widows , while at the same time it will be in a position to perpetuate the

name and virtues of a chief , than whom no more zealous and able brother has ever presided over so numerous and' influential a Province . We congratulate West Yorkshire on its resolution thus to pay honour to whom honour is due .

Provincial Grand Lodge Of Sussex.

PROVINCIAL GRAND LODGE OF SUSSEX .

VISIT OF THE DUKE OF CONNAUGHT . The annual meeting of the Provincial Grand Lodge of Sussex was held in the Royal Pavilion , Brighton , on Thursday , the 22 nd inst ., under the presidency * of H . R . H . the Duke of Connaught , Prov . Grand Master , who was supported by Bro . the Right Hon . SirW . T . Marriott , Q . C , M . P ., P . G . S ., several officers of Grand Lodge , ancl the officers of Prov . Grand

Lodge . The Wardens' chairs were occupied by Bro . Major James Graham Edwardes , Prov . S . G . W ., and Bro . W . E . Morrison ( Mayorof Eastbourne ) ( Prov . J . G . W . The Prov . Grand Officers present also included—Bros , the Very Rev . E . R . Currie , Dean of Battle , G . Chap ., Prov . G . Chap . ; Rev . L . D . Dowdall , Prov . G . Chap . ; J . M . Reed , Prov . G . Treas . ; E . T .

Cooksey , Prov . S . G . D . ; L . R . Styer , Prov . J . G . D . ; W . Hotting , Prov . G . S . of W . ; A . Lloyd , Prov . G . D . C . ; A . Brazier , Prov . A . G . D . C ; J . H . Hawes , Prov . G . Std . Br . ; B . Campbell , Prov . G . Std . Br . ; J . Easter , Prov . G . Org . ; B . Barfield , Prov . A . G . Sec ; G . Mitchell , Prov . G . P . ; H . Anscombe , Prov . A . G . P . ; G . T . Shaft , G . B . Simpson , W . Wright , J . C . Couldwell , G . Rawlinson , and J . Cooke , Prov . G . Stwds . ; H . H . Hughes , Prov . G . Tyler ; and a large number of brethren representing the lodges in the province and visitors .

A very hearty reception having" been given to H . R . H . the Prov . Grand Master , the minutes of the last annual meeting were read and confirmed . The report of the Board of Finance with the Treasurer's accounts , and the report of the Charities Committee were received and adopted .

It was resolved to contribute the sum of 50 guineas from the funds of the Provincial Grand Lodge to the Royal Masonic Institution for Aged Freemasons and the Widows of Freemasons , and it was suggested that a similar grant should , _ next year , be made to the Royal Masonic Institution for Girls .

The PROV . GRAND MASTER then addressed the brethren . He said he was pleased to report that during the past year they had hacl a steady increase in the number of members and continued prosperity in the various lodges . There had been 100 initiations , and a net increase in the aggregate

of 36 . In June , 1 S 66 , there were 25 lodges , with 1097 members . Since then two lodges had been consecrated , 452 members initiated , and 231 joining members had been added ; but deaths and resignations had accounted for so many that the number of subscribing members now stood at 1311