History Of The Airedale Lodge, No. 387,

sapporfc their own lodge for themselves it is scarcely likely they would readily attend even a few meetings to preserve it for others . The first meeting of our lodge is thus recorded : — April 11 th , 1827 . At the opening or tho Airedale Lodge , No . 814 , Malt Shovel Inn , Baildon , near Bradford ,

Yorkshire : —Wainman Holmes , W . M . ; John Smith , S . W . ; Abraham Hartley , J . W . ; Thomas Lund , P . M . ; Richard Stell , S . D . ; Abraham Bolton , J . D . ; William Fox , I . G . Visitors : Phineas Smith , Tyler for Lodge 503 ; Hugh Heaton , Lodge 503 ; Wm . Simpson , Lodge 503 . When there was proposed : —Benj . A . Waterhouse , by Thos . Lund ; John Walker , by John Smith ; Joseph Walker , by Abm . Bolton ; John Hudson , by R . Stell ; Robt . Smith , by Waimn . Holmes . The different requisite ceremonies being done , the Lodge was closed in due form .

The second regular meeting was held on May 9 th , 1827 , and B . A . Waterhouse , John Walker , Joseph Walker , John Hudson , and Robert Smith were all initiated . Jonathan Walker was also proposed by Wainman Holmes . The following circular , which had been sent at the time to the W . M . of another lodge in the province , I found in one of a number of old books purchased in Leeds Central Market in 1871 ; and the circumstance decided me , in consequence of the absence of many records at the time , and the unsatisfactory

way in which I considered others were preserved (?) , to endeavour to become the historian of the lodge . Happily my labours have not been fruitless , for since then I have discovered all the books and many- missing documents , besides adding several curious and valuable relics to the lodge property . I regret that amongst the latter a small volume of ancient Masonic songs , which I had beautifully bound for the Lodge , has already disappeared . It has been missing several years , and cannot now be found .

Airedale Lodge , Baildon , near Bradford , 18 th May , 1827 . Gentlemen and Brethren , —Having made such arrangements as we consider necessary for the purpose of having a public procession on Wednesday , the 6 th of June next , in commemoration of the opening of our new lodge , we take the liberty of writing to you , asking the favour for as many of your members to attend as possible , and please to favour us with a return stating how many you suppose will attend . Waiting your kind reply , we remain , Gentlemen and Brethren , yours most fraternally , JNO . WALKER , Secretary . WAINMAN HOLMES , W . M .

Attendance is requested at Eleven o ' clock in the forenoon . Dinner 2 s . 6 d . each . The third regular meeting , for the purpose of what was then regarded as consecration , took place on Wednesday , June 6 th , 1827 , there being present : — Wainman Holmes , W . M . ; John Smith , S . W . ; Abraham Hartley , J . W . ; William Simpson , P . M . ; John Walker , Sec ; Charles Bland , S . D . ; John Hudson , J . D . ; B . A . WaterhouseI . G . ; Jonathan WalkerTyler ; Joseph Walker

, , , Robert Smith . Visitors : from the Royal Yorkshire , No . 503 , 23 *; Hope , No . 565 , 12 * ; St . Columba , No . 640 , 1 ; Three Graces , No . 405 , 8 * ; St . Alban ' s , No . 749 , 7 *; Friendship , No . 865 , 1 ; St . John ' s , No . 897 , 1 . Those marked with an asterisk include the W . M . and other officers ; altogether numbering 53 visitors . On this occasion " B . A . Waterhouse , John Walker , and Joseph Walker

took the second degree , and Jonathan Walker was initiated into Masonry . " Why the last-named brother did not join the lodge is not explained . He was initiated before on the 27 th December , 1809 . John Hudson , initiated on the previous meeting , was also initiated November 2 nd , 1808 . Both belonged to the Duke of York ' s Lodge , but probably were never returned as such . " Also Charles Bland was proposed bJohn WalkerWilliam Booth b

y , y Joseph Walker , and John Myers by Jonathan Walker . The regular business being clone , the lodge was closed in due form , after which a procession took place to the old church chapel , and an impressive sermon was preached by the Rev . E . Hodgkinson . The procession returned in good order , and sat down to