History Of The Airedale Lodge, No. 387,

Bro . Sh- Henry Edwards , Prov . G . Master of West Yorkshire , said : — I beg to return my hearty thanks to this assembly for their very cordial reception of me . We are gathered here to-day to perform an important ceremony . It is to dedicate this new Masonic Hall to the purposes of Freemasonry for ever , and to encourage and exhort the brethren in this town and

province to learn and practice more and more the beautiful principles of our ancient Fraternity . We are honoured to-day by the presence of the Pro Grand Master of England , the Earl of Carnarvon . This compliment to West Yorkshire is warmly felt and appreciated by the whole Craft in this province , over which I have the honour to preside . I need not dilate on the admirable way in ivhich the Pro Grand Master performs his Masonic responsibilities , or the

immense interest he takes in the affairs of the Grand Lodge . He always does everything he undertakes for the benefit of the Craft in the same admirable manner , and , I repeat , we owe him a debt of gratitude for being present amongst us to clay . The address of the Pro Grand Master to H . R . H . the Prince of Wales on his installation as Grand Master on the 28 th April , 1875 , which I had the honour to listen to , will be long remembered . We welcome the Pro Grand Master to West Yorkshire , a province of sixty-five lodges and 3000 loyal Masonic subjects , who read with the deepest interest of his dignified conduct whilst occupying the throne of Freemasonry in Grand Lodge .

I can assure the Pro Grand Master that implicit obedience to Masonic law is in my province encouraged and enforced ; and it is with pride that I can refer his lordship to his highly esteemed Grand Secretary , Bro . John Hervey as to the punctuality of this province on the part of the brethren in rendering and making the annual returns and payments . It is a well-known circumstance that wherever you find prosperous lodges they are certain to be the most loyal aud punctual observers of the regulations and

landmarks of the Grand Lodge and the b } 'e-laws of the Craft . I may also point out the strictly enforced rule laid down in our Provincial Grand Bye-laws , especially No . 47 , in Avhich it is incumbent on the Master of a lodge wherein a candidate seeks admission to make inquiry , in writing , of the Master of the lodge established in the town or place Avherein the candidate resides , touching the character and moral fitness of such candidate or joining

member . Our great difficulty is with candidates coming into our province ancl obtaining admission from lodges over the border , or from some populous place where sufficient enquiry cannot be made . This appears to be a weak point in Masonic watchfulness and carefulness , as to the admission of " just , perfect , and upright" men only , " of mature age , sound judgment , and strict morals , " and I hope one not unworthy of his lordship's grave consideration . Again thanking the Pro Grand Master for his presence here to-day I call upon you to salute him with the honour due to his exalted rank .

The Secretary ( Bro . Riley , P . M . ) then read an address of welcome to Lord Carnarvon , which he afterwards presented to his lordship . The folloAving is a copy of the address presented to the M . W . Pro Grand Master , the Right Hon . Earl of Carnarvon -. — Most Worshipful Pro Grand Master , —The brethren of this lodge , being animated with a desire to promote the interests of Freemasonry , have caused these premises to be erected for their convenience and accommodationThey ave wishfulshould the various

-. , arrange ments meet with yonr lordship ' s approval and that of the K . W . Provincial Grand Master , that the building should be solemnly dedicated to the purposes of our Order , according to the ancient usages of the Craft , and that your lordship will formally declare it open on this auspicious occasion . My lord , with sentiments of the heartiest welcome , the Worshipful Master and brethren of the Airedale Lodge , No . 387 , humbly beg your lordship to accept their most sincere and grateful thanks for the honour your lordship has condescended to do them by consenting to be present and take part in the ceremonies of this day . The reality

and world-wide usefulness of Freemasonry is sufficiently testilied by its continual spread throughout all lands , and is especially identified in our own favoured country by the results of those labours which proceed from brotherly love . In this visit of your lordship we are proud to recognize and acknowledge a noble example of that first grand principle of Free-