Provincial.

Greenwood O . G ., J . D . Oates I . P . M ., all of whom , with one exception ( Bro . William Greenwood ) , had joined the majority . He ( Brother Seed ) was raised to W . M . on llth April 1868 , exalted to a Royal Arch Mason 14 th May 1866 . He attained the First Principal ' s chair in 1875 . He was

installed W . M . of De Warren Lodge in Julv 1872 , and held the office of Treasurer from 1878 to 1888 . He had attended the Grand Lodge on three occasions . On 29 th March 1884 he accepted the position of Prov . Grand Pursuivant of West Yorkshire . His zeal for the interests of Masonry was still undiminished .

Bro . Asquith sent a written reply , in the course of which it was stated that he was initiated in St . James Lodge , No . 448 , on 7 th April 1868 . On the formation of the De Warren Lodge his first office was that of J . D . On 6 th July 1878 he was installed W . M . On the completion of his term of office , which he regarded as the happiest year of his life , the Brethren presented him with Past Master ' s clothing . De Warren Lodge had contributed considerable sums to Masonic Charities , and they were Patrons of the Boys School .

LODGE OF TRUTH , No . 1458 . THE regular meeting was held at the Mitre Hotel , Cathedral Gates , Manchester , on Saturday , lst inst ., Bro . A . B . Taylor W . M ., and in spite of the fact that it occurred in the midst of the Easter holidays , there was a good attendance .

After the reading and confirmation of minutes , a successful ballot was taken for Mr .-Charles Martin Birch , Traveller , Bagueley , Cheshire , who was afterwards initiated into the mysteries and privileges of ancient Freemasonry by Brother W . J . Herring P . M ., assisted by Brother Robt . Caldwell P . M . P . P . G . S . B ., who presented and explained the working tools to the candidate . Bro . John Wm . Burgess was then raised to the sublime degree of M . M . by Brother Alfred Hebden P . M . P . P . D . G . D . C . Director of Ceremonies , in his characteristically effective manner .

At the festive board which followed , Loyal and Masonic toasts were pleasantly varied by songs , recitations , & c , contributed by Bros . Hebden , J . Holmes Moss Organist , J . Doyle Steward , W . S . Brown , A . Donaldson 325 , Cuthbert Howard 1077 , Edward Roberts P . M . 1459 , and William Dumville P . M . 2156 .

The health of the Worshipful Master was proposed by Bro . Hebden , who spoke in general terms of the work of Bro . Taylor , adding that the Brethren might rely upon continued good results . The W . M . responded , and promised he would do his best for the welfare and success of the Lodge . Bro . Brown proposed the health of the initiate , saying that from a

lengthy knowledge of the latter he could promise the Brethren he would make an excellent Mason , and one whom they would ultimately be proud of . Bro . Birch , who responded in an admirable speech , said it had long been his desire to join the Fraternity , of which he had heard so much that was satisfactory . Many members had favourably impressed him .

Bro . Doyle introduced the toast of the newly-raised Brother , of whom he said that he had stood the ordeal of the three degrees very well . Bro . Burgess suitably responded . The W . M . proposed the health of the Past Masters , this toast being responded to by Bro . Herring ( who mentioned the Provincial Arch honours which had recently been conferred upon Bro . Buckley Carr P . M . ) , Bros . Hebden and Hall . Other toasts followed .

Among other visitors present we noticed Bros . James Glennie P . M . 1774 P . P . G . S . B ., W . P . Jones P . M . 1957 2688 , Richard Simister P . M . 163 , A . Songworth J . W . 1083 , and Arthur Hudson 2449 .

CROOK LODGE , No . 2019 . THE installation of Bro . W . Addison as Worshipful Master took place on Wednesday afternoon , 29 th ult ., in the Masonic Hall , Crook , by Bro . W . J . Anderson I . P . M . There was a large attendance , and the business having been concluded , the annual banquet followed .

ARDWICK LODGE , No . 2185 . THE annual meeting and Festival of St . John took place at the Mosley Hotel , Piccadilly , Manchester , on Monday , 13 th ult ., Bro . William Rostron W . M ., between forty and fifty members and visitors being in attendance .

The minutes of the last regular meeting having been read and confirmed , Bro . Rostron formed a board of Installed "Masters , of which he himself was principal Officer , being assisted by Bros . Alfred Hibbert , St . John ' s Lodge , No . 325 , acting as S . W ., Chas . H . Griffiths , Faith , No . 581 , as J . W ., and Howe , 325 , as I . G .

Bro . H . G . Walker S . W . was presented by Bro . T . 0 . Lilley I . P . M ., to receive the benefits of installation , and was duly placed in the chair of K . S ., something like twenty Installed Masters being present at the function . The retiring Master , whose efforts ultimately received the commendation of members and visitors alike , was ably assisted in the ceremonial by Past Masters W . J . Melling P . P . G . Sd . Br ., and T . 0 . Lilley , the latter ' s addresses to the chairs and the Brethren being eloquently rendered .

The Officers for the ensuing financial year are as follow ; Bros . J . E . Chapman S . W ., E . Turner J . W ., J . W . Atkinson P . M . Treas ., W . J . Melling P . M ., & c . Sec , A . Ostara S . D ., 0 . Whittaker J . D ., T . C . Lilley P . M . D . of C , W . E . Mowbray Org .. K . Malies I . G ., W . Lindop Chap ., O . Fowles , R . Ackerley , S . Shelmerdine , J . 0 . Grime Stewards , W . J . Melling P . M ., & c . Charity Representative .

Bro . Walker W . M ., on behalf of fcbe members of the Lodge , presented a very handsome Past Master ' s jewel to the retiring Master , which Bro . Rostron accepted with a suitable acknowledgment . We must not omit to mention that the beauty of the ceremonial work was considerably enhanced by the painstaking efforts of the Ardwick Lodge Musical Quartette , consisting of Bros . S . 0 . Eaton , R . Ackerley , S . Shelmerdine , and Geo . Thompson , Bro . W . E . Blowbray officiating at ' the organ .

The Festival of St . John , which followed , was very successful , the proprietors of the Mosley Hotel having provided a most excellent menu , the various extracts and Masonic headlines being especially appropriate . Loyal and other toasts were agreeably varied by songs and instrumental pieces , the contributaries being Bros . 0 . Whittaker , R . Ackerley , S . 0 . Eaton S . Shelmerdine and Geo . Thompson . '

The health of the W . M . was propospd by Bro . Rostron I . P . M ., who said that he was sorry to vacate the chair which he had occupied with so much p leasure , but his disappointment in this respect was compensated for by the fact that he was giving way to so excellent a man and Mason as his old friend Brother Walker .

Provincial.

The W . M . made a suitable reply , and in taking the opportunity of proposing the health of Bro . Rostron , added that he was proud to be in the position of introducing to their notice the name of so worthy a Brother as their Immediate Past Master , his personal knowledge of whom dated back for a period of over twenty years , having met him under many other circumstances

than that of Freemasonry . During this long term of acquaintanceship he had proved Bro . Rostron to be an honest , straightforward man , and as a Mason it was indeed a privilege to follow him into so high and exalted a position as that of Worshipful Master of the Ardwick Lodge . Bro . Rostron responded .

Other toasts followed , the proceedings , which were of a very enjoyable description , not terminating until a late hour of the evening .

MINNEHAHA MINSTREL LODGE , No . 2363 . THE regular meeting of this Lodge was held at the Victoria Hotel , Manchester , on Monday , 27 th ult ., Bro . Thomas Hamnett W . M . After the reading and confirmation of minutes , Bro . F . W . Wollaston P . M . P . P . G . A . D . C . Chaplain read one of the ancient Constitutional Charges , this being followed by the reading of the Lodge bye-laws by Bro . Fred Hilton P . M . P . P . G . D . C .

A very substantial supper followed , this being succeeded by the festive board , where Loyal and Masonic toasts were relieved by songs , duets , recitations , & c , rendered by Bros . Sam Luke S . W ., S . H . Stubbs J . W ., F . Todd S . D ., F . W . Wollaston P . M ., & c , W . H . Purdy Org ., W . 0 . Jones P . M . - , J . C . Woolstone , F . S . Deakin I . P . M . 993 , John R . Purdy 2482 , E . Roberts P . M . 1459 , and others .

ORDE-POWLETT LODGE , No . 2391 . nMHE annual festival was held on Wednesday afternoon , in the Masonio _ L Hall , Middesbrough , Bro . John Forbes W . M . in the chair , when the installation of Bro . W . H . Robinson S . W . took place , in the presence of a very large gathering of members and visitors from neighbouring Lodges . The ceremony was performed by the Right Hon . Lord Bolton Past Grand Warden of England Deputy Provincial Grand Master of the North and East Ridings .

The new Master duly appointed and invested his Officers for the year . Bro . John Forbes I . P . M . presented to the Lodge , for the use of the Officers , a complete set of fourteen pairs of beautiful gauntlets , which were very much admired . The present was suitably acknowledged , and Bro . W . J . Watson P . M ., on behalf of the Lodge , accepted the same , and proposed that the best thanks be given to the worthy Brother for his handsome gift .

After the installation the retiring Master was presented with a beautiful Past Master's jewel by the Lodge , at the hands of Bro . Watson . The banquet was subsequently partaken of in the dining hall , the W . M ; presiding , supported by nearly the whole of the members and visitors . The usual Loyal and Masonic toasts were honoured . The catering of the dinner was entrusted to Mr . Skeen , of the Corporation Hotel .

Before the Lodge was closed , the W . M . proposed , and the I . P . M . seconded , and it was carried with acclamation , that the very best thanks of the Lodge be tendered to Bro . Lord Bolton for his presence , and the hope was expressed that he would favour the Middlesbrough Brethren with visits whenever his other engagements would permit .

His Lordship expressed his thanks for the compliment , as well as for the welcome reception accorded him , not only on that day , but also on other occasions when he had visited the town in his Masonic capacity ; and said it would always be a pleasure for him to visit the Orde-Powlett Lodge , which bore his family name . He regretted he could not remain to the banquet , and had to say good-bye at an early hour , but trusted the Lodge would continue to flourish , be prosperous , and happy in every respect .

I think that too many of us mistake the Scriptural charity for benevolence . That charity spoken of as one of the most exalted of all attributes is not the sort of charity that simply prompts us to exercise our merely humanitarian duties towards

one another . It is of a broader and nobler sort , inasmuch that it comprehends that charity and love which covereth a multitude of sins , and which is long-suffering and forgiving toward an erring Brother . —M . M . Folson .

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