History Of The Airedale Lodge, No. 387,

In response to the toast of " The Ri ght Hon . the Earl of Carnarvon , M . W . Pro Grand Master , " which was most enthusiastically received with loud and continuous cheering , his lordship said : Worshipful Sir and Brethren—It is AA'ith no common feeling of satisfaction I find myself here to-day ; and it is also a great satisfaction to meet with so hearty a welcome . If there was one circumstance that could have pleased me more than another it is the leasure

p of having my health proposed by one of the oldest members of the Airedale Lodge ; by one whom I am quite Avilling to accept as a representative brother . I thank the Airedale Lodge most heartily for their invitation ; I thank the representatives of the Provincial Grand Lodge of West Yorkshire who have attended here to-day ; and I thank all those representative brethren who have come to join in the interesting ceremony of to-day and to assist in givting me

so hearty a Avelcome . I , too , share the regrets that have already been exjiressed of the lack of accommodation ; but I rejoice to see so many here present . My knowledge of Yorkshire is , as yet , small , yet it is such as to teach me that no plainer , franker-speaking people lived than Yorkshire people , none who could give so hearty a welcome . The county possesses some of the best temporal gifts which God could send . BrethrenI cannot lay claim to an extended age in

, Masonry , as some around me can , but since I have been enrolled in its ranks I have taken great interest in its welfare . I can truly say I have never known the Craft in so prosperous a position . We are Avealthy : Ave are powerful ; Ave are free from internal strife ; and that is a condition of which all who are in authority ought to be justly proud . May I qualify that remark , however , with one Avord of counsel , in a homely saying , " that times of prosperity are times

of anxiety and watchfillness . ' Our strength lies not in the number , or the wealth of our members ; it rather lies in our maintaining intact the great principles of Freemasonry , in standing steadfast to its great and good landmarks , in acting in whatever sphere we move , in our corporate ancl private capacities , honestly and honourably to its precepts . I am glad to have made your acquaintance to clay , and I shall carry aAvay with me a livel y recollection of to-day ' s ceremony ancl of your truly fraternal welcome . I trust the day may

not be far distant when I may have another opportunity of speaking to you ( loud cheers ); not then as a half stranger , but as an old friend . One reason that takes me away so soon and so hurriedl y to-day is that I am going to see your late Provincial Grand Master , the Marquis of Ripon . He is an old and clear friend of mine . No one felt more deeply the loss Ave sustained by his secession from our Order than I . After many periods of doubt and anxiet

y did he decide on the action he took , ancl although I have no sympathy with his action , yet I believe he acted honestly and conscientiously to his convictions . I believe I Avas one of three friends to whom he communicated his change of creed and Avithdrawal from our ranks , but it was then too late to endeavour to dissuade him from his purpose . The act ivas then clone . Of all the difficulties he had to contend with , mentally and otherwise—of all the sacrifices he felt

called upon to make , I have reason to know that the severing of himself from Masonry was the greatest possible wrench his feelings sustained . I am sure , brethren , it will be a source of satisfaction to him to know , as it is to me , that though his Masonic brethren disagreed with the action he took he had not forfeited their esteem . Allow me again to thank you , and I hope soon to meet you again . ( Loud ancl continued applause . )

His lordship again rose , and said : —I rise to give you the sentiment " Success to the New Hall . " To no one could that task he more acceptable . May all the good omens which form a part of that strikingly interesting ceremony in which we have to day taken part be accomplished in this lodge . May the oil of kindly feeling and brotherly goodwill ever make smooth the differences and dissensions our natures are prone to ; may the grain , the symbol of plenty , indicate the combined growth and iirosperity of your lodge ; and may the salt , which symbolises " the feast of reason ancl the flow of soul , "