Lodge Histories.

LODGE HISTORIES .

THE LODGE OF PROBITY , No . 61 . ( Continued from page 130 ) . CHAPTER V . of Bro . Crossley ' s History of this Lodge embraces tho period from 1780 to 1801 , and , as we said at the conclusion of our last notice , tho Lodge started at that time with a balance in hand of £ 20 , a state of affairs far different to what was experienced during the

preceding period , which was one of tho most troublesome in the career of the Lodge . About the year 1780 the number of members was but soven or eight , so that tho balance montioued above was no inconsiderable sum for so

small a company . During the preceding two years more than the average number of candidates had been initiated into the Lodge , but these do not appear to have permanently made tho " Probity " their home . Some of these initiates

came from keighley and Huddersfield , so that , considering tho trouble of travelling in those days , it could hardly be expected they would become settled members . There is a record in 1780 ( September ) that the brethren visited both

Huddersfield and Keighley , by invitation of the Craftsmen of those towns , and in reference to these visits Brother Crossley remarks they could not have been made to Lodges , as there is no record of any being established at the time

in either place . Possibly , says the historian , there may havo been unattached Lodges there , but we should rather think not , else why need the local candidates journey to Halifax to be initiated , as we have just recorded they did

do . The initiation fee was now £ 2 2 s , and 2 s 6 d for registration , this increase having been ordered by Grand Lodge . The firsb payment to Provincial Grand Lodge is

noted towards the close of 1782 , while in the following year the Lodge purchased two books , the one the " Use and Abuso of Masonry , " the other " Preston ' s Illustrations , " both of which , however , have been lost to the Lodge .

About 1790 the fees for visiting were for those attending on St . John ' s Day 5 s each , subsequently altered to 7 s 6 d if they remained the day , but if attending at supper then only 2 s 6 d was tho fee . Prom this it would seem that

our ancient brethren of Halifax used to honour their St , John ' s Festival in royal style , evidently devoting the whole day to their ceremonies and rejoicings . At the celebration in 1792 , twenty-three members signed the roll ,

while the Treasurer had a balance in hand of £ 15 odd . Several references of interest occur about this time , which appears to have been a prosperous one for the Lodge . Members were received from various towns in tho

neighbourhood where Lodges were subsequently established , and it is but fair to give credit to the "Probity" for having been tho means of extending Freemasonry in its district . We must not omit to mention , toothe

estab-, lishment of a second Lodge in Halifax ( the Lodge of Harmony , 12 th November 1789 ) as evidence of the Masonic spirit prevailing there . These two Lodges worked

most amicably together , some of the brethren belonging to both , and all appearing to strive to make the work of Masonry progress satisfactorily .

In October 1793 a Lodge of Emergency was held , at which it was decided to expel a Brother Wilson , who , it seems , had I eon guilty of " breathing disaffection towards

Lodge Histories.

the Government" under which tho country then " so happily lived . " In January 1794 some brethren of " Probity , " together with representatives of other Lodges in tho neighbourhood , attended the funeral of the lato

Bro . Miles Rushworfcb , and the minutes contain Hull details as to tho order of procession , ceremony ,. Ac , the samo being reproduced in tho book before us . In 1795 a resolution was passed which has

intimate association with matters lately referred to in these columns . It was to the following effect : — "That no landlord keeping the house at which tho Lodge is kept be admitted a member . " We suppose thero

must be some good and sufficient reason for this exclusiveness , which , as here shown , was practised in 1795 , jast as it is to-day . We , however , fail to seo its necessity ; in this particular case it appears to havo resulted from a

disagreement with tho landlord of a house at which the Lodge met , and therefore we think its severity is self evideut—all landlords are made to suffer because in one case a disagreement arose . Truly , the Craft has not changed

much—it was just as arbitrary in the last century as it is now , when it suited the members to be so . How is it wo have won the distinction of being wholly " Free " Masons ?

It certainly does not appear to be a right designation for a body which at all times has had the power—and has often exercised ifc—of making itself most " exclusive . "

The next few entries refer to losses sustained by tho Lodge , through the death of members , the Lodge being ordered into mourning , and Masonic funerals occurring from timo to time . On such occasions it was ordered that tho

brethren appear " in black with clean white stockings and white gloves , " while on another occasion the order was " white gloves , black stockings , and black buckles or shoe strings . "

In 1797 the Lodge received an invitation from tho Royal Brunswick Lodge , Sheffield , to attend a grand Masonic procession , on the occasion of the opening of tho Sheffield Infirmary . Two members were appointed to

attend , and the expenses ( £ 2 0 s 2 d ) were paid out of the Lodge funds . In the following year it is recorded that the Lodge " very liberally contributed towards the defence of tho country in aid of the government , " the sum of

£ 64 2 s being subscribed ( in sums ranging from 2 s 6 d to £ 10 ) , and regularly handed over . In January 1800 there were only three members and the Tyler present , so that tho members can . hardly be said to have started tbe new

century with enthusiasm , unless perhaps their enthusiasm found vent outside the Lodge . Later on in the same year ( April ) we find the Master directing attention to thc finances of the Lodge , there being a debit balance , which

led to the abolition of " expenses " for a time , , it being recorded on several occasions that" all present paid their own bill . " This question of arrears was again reverted to in August , when it was agreed that " whenever the

Treasurer is in advance , the Brothers pay their own expenses . " The matter is not again referred to until January 1801 , when it is recorded " the members present defrayed the expenses . " The close of this year found tho

Lodge with a balance on the right side . In September 1800 Mr . Charles Whiteley was initiated , and be became a great acquisition to the Lodge . It is mentioned that it

was through his advocacy that the idea of the division of the Province of Yorkshire was first promulgated . With the close of this period we are told another minute book of the Lodge is completed .