Provincial Grand Chapter Of West Yorkshire.

to the system authorised by the Supreme Grand Chapter , after a Conclave of Installed Principals had been duly opened according to anoient form . " Our worthy and E . Companion Fletcher has not carred the history of the Chapter further and into more recent times , as he states there are many Companions who , without the assistance of Minute Books ,

can speak of the glories of the Chapter , only observing that as time has passed along , tbu Lodge and Chapter seem to lave drifted farther apart than they were yearB ago , which is due to a variet y of causes , bat for his part he would like to see the old touch resumed , and that very Master Mason shonld consider it not only a privilege , but also his bounden duty , after he has passed his twelve months' probation ,

and proved himself worthy to be exalted to this Supreme degree , and thns in reality complete his Masonio Initiation . I am sure , Companions , you will all join in thanking E . Companion Fletcher for this statement of the history of the Chapter , and utter an earnest prayer that , as the True and ever living God Most High has preserved the Chapter for the past 100 years , He will continue to

preserve and bless it in tbe future and will grant to all the members thereof health , happiness , ar . d prosperity , Before I conclude may I moke a few general remarks . Since we last met two additional Chapters have been added to our roll . On the 26 th of June last , the Prudence Chapter , No . 2069 , Leeds , was consecrated by our M . E . Companion Ensor Drury , of Sheffield , and or worthy

and esteetnod Companion tho Rev . Thomas Cartwright Smyth , D . U ., Past Grand Sojourner of England , installed as First Principal ; and on the 25 th of October last , tho Pentalpba Chapter , No . 974 , Bradford , was consecrated by oar M . E . Companion Edward Letchworth Grand Scribe E ., and our worthy Companion William Charles Lupton was installed Fiist Principal . As this was the first visit of the

Grand 8 oribe E . to this Province , it gave no litttle eclat to the proceedings , and all who were present and saw the kind and genial manner of our Grand Scribe E . will not soon forget it , but will ever remember it with pleasure . Wo most offer our congratulations to E . Companion Lnpton , the worthy Chairman of onr Charity Committee , on his appointment as First Principal , under such favouruble

aaspioes . As ono who takes a great interest in Royal Aroh Masonry , I am glad of , and welcome these additions to our roll of Chapters . I think there is no one who has etndied our Masouio ritual but will be struok with the abruptness and the incomplete manner iu which tbe third degree ends . I do not intend to dwell npon the vexed question as to the origin of tbe Snpreme degree , whether it

formerly formed part of the third degree or not . I for one shall be glad if some more learned Companion will , at one of onr Provincial gatherings , give us a leotnre or an add reus on this subject ; suffice it to say , that it must be admitted that tbe R . A . is in reality a completion of the Master Mason ' s Degree . That while the three decrees of Craft Masonry represent the Birth , Life , aud Death of man , tho

Royal Arch deals with that unknown fntnre towards whioh we are all so fast tending , or to speak in its own language , "The Eternal welfare of man is considered in every part , point , or letter of its ineffable mysteries . " In this , as in every other calling in life , let us be thoroughly in earnest . As trusty workmen and faithful Companions , Itt us use our working tools aright and perform onr allotte 1 task while it is yet day . With the pickaxe—Let tis ch'ar away tho

rnins of a fallen nature . With the trowel—Let ns build up a fairer shriLO for tbe reception of truth and virtue . With the Sword—Let us fight for tbe weak against the strong , for tho oppressed against the oppressor , for the good against the evil , for the true against the false . And with the shovel—Let us bury the rubbish of the old Adam , so that onr spirits may be purified , to arise , when summoned by our tremendous but merciful Judge , to life sternal , immortal , and never-ending happiness .

The Provincial Grand Scribe E . then said—Companions , I had the pleasure to spend an hour with our Grand Superintendent , at Carleton , on the 10 th inst ., and he charged ins to say to you bow deeply he felt his enforced absence , and assure you of bis sympathy and unabated interest in his Masonic duties ; he desired me to say how heartily he congratulated Chapter Perseverance ,

No . 275 , on obtaining its Centenary Warrant , and commissioned me , on his behalf , to present that precious document : a pleasing duty which I readily undertake . Companion William Murphy , I now entrust this Centenary Warrant to your care and keeping , and to all who may follow you in the chair of 1 st Principal of Chapter No . 275 ; I cannot conclude without a word of congratulation to Companion

A . H . J . Fletcher , who has so ably and intelligently traced the Records to the day of its birth . I find yon have a mnsterroll of 38 members , of whom 20 have filled the 1 st Principal's chair , this presentation will doubtless be an incentive to other Chapters to preserve their records and regularl y make their Annual Returns . Chapter 275 is the second Centenary Warrant in West Yorkshire .

I hope every first Principal has himself seen that the official Register has been posted op to date . On 1 st December every Chapter will receive its forms for annual returns ' , fnlly written out by Provincial Grand Scribe E ., so that there is not a shade of exonso for delay iu making the returns on 1 st January 1893 , for the year 1892 , then closed .

VYc have to deplore the loss , by death , of the following Corn . panions : —22 nd March , Jonas Craven , Chapter 275 ; 24 th April , John Gill , 495 ; 27 th June , John Booth , 258 ; 27 th Jul ,- , William Schoficld , 290 ; 5 th August , G . C . Soholtou , Z . 495 ; 16 th September , Henry Fountain , 1513 ^ -Prov . G . Organist ; 14 th October , Robert Drake Kendall , 1283 ; 5 th November , Geo . Sykes , 290 ; 6 th November , Samuel llouder , 600 .

Comp . W . Murphy Z . 275 , said : I gratefully accept the trust on behalf of Chapter Perseverance , anil feel confident that future generations of Boyal Arch Masons will equally valnc and as carofally preserve this Centenary Warrant . It was moved by the acting Grand Superintendent ,

Provincial Grand Chapter Of West Yorkshire.

seconded by Comp . W . F . Smithson , and unanimously resolved" That this Provincial Grand Chapter of West Yorkshire desires to

express its deep sympathy and condolence with the widow and family of their late E . Companion Jones Craven P . Prov . G . Registrar , and prays that the True and Ever Living God may be pleased to support and comfort them under their severe bereavement . "

It was moved by the acting G . Superintendent , seconded by Comp . the Prov . G . Registrar , and resolved" That a most hearty vote of thanks bo accorded to E . Comp . Wm . Mnrphy Z ., and Companions of Perseverance Chapter , No . 275 , for their kind invitation and excellent arrangements . "

On the motion of Comp . William Hacrop , seconded by Comp . W . H . Jessop , it was resolved" That this Grand Chapter desires to express its satisfaction in the improvement in the Prov . G . Superintendent ' s health , and earnestly prays for his speedy and complete restoration to health . "

There was not any invitation for May meeting 1893 . The Provincial Grand Chapter was closed at 4 * 30 p . m . Tea was provided in tho dining hall , at five o ' clock , which was partaken of by about sixty Companions , the acting-Grand Superintendent presiding the first part of the evening and Comp . Edward Armitage tho remainder .

Prov. Grand Chapter Of Devon.

PROV . GRAND CHAPTER OF DEVON .

np HIi * Provincial Grand Chapter was held on Saturday , X the 19 th inst ., at Newton , uuder the banner of the Devon Chapter , No . 1138 . The Town Hall was handsomely fitted up as a Royal Arch Chapter . There was but a limited attendance , the day being inconvenient . Among

thoso present were Comps . W . G . Rogers 112 P . G . H ., who presided , acting as the Prov . G . Superintendent , supported by the Rev . Dr . T . Lemon 189 P . P . G . P . S . and P . P . G . Third Principal as H . pro tern ., W . Vicary 1138 P . P . G . S . B . as J . pro tern ., Major G . C . Davie 251 P . G . S . E ., Dr . P . A . Gray

847 P . G . S . N ., A . J . Truscott 1284 P . G . Treas ., J . Olver 1138 P . P . G . P . S . P . S . pro tern ., W . Packham 112 P . G . 1 st A . S ., J . Gidley 1205 2025 105 P . G . 2 nd A . S . pro . tem ., L . Bishop 10 G P . G . S . B ., J . R . Lord 1247 P . P . G . T . P . G . D . C . pro tern .,

B . Tout 70 P . G . A . D . C ., J . Parkhouse 156 P . G . O ., H . Shooter 112 P . G . Jauitor , also numerous Past Principals . The Provincial Grand S . E . reported that all tbe Chapters had made their returns and paid their dues for 1891 . Some of the returns had , however , been sent in rather

late . The Provincial Grand Treasurer , Comp . A . J . Truscott , read tbe audited report , which showed a balance in hand of £ 41 14 s . From that sum ten guineas had to be deducted , five guineas being , by a bye-law , paid each year to the Fortescue Fund and Devon Masonic

Educational Fund . A net balance of a 631 14 s was left at tho disposal of the convocation . Comp . Fulford proposed that twenty-one guineas be voted to the Royal Masonic Institution for Boys , and placed on the list of Comp . F . Lugefc , of Exeter , St . George ' s Chapter , 112 , a Steward for that

Institution for the year . That proposition was unanimously adopted . Comp . Davies proposed that five guineas , about half of the remaining balance , be voted to the Devon Masonic Educational Fund , an institution much in want of funds . At the recent election there were six

deserving candidates , but only three could be relieved . Comp . Lord considered the proposition illegal , as a yearly vote of five guineas to the fund was provided by the byelaws . Comp . Major Davie considered that the annual five guineas was voted to avoid any farther claims in aid

of the fund that should be set up . Comp . W . Vicary considered Comp . Davie ' s proposition perfectly legal . The annual five guineas voted from the Chapter to the Educational Fund was the minimum standing aid provided from the Chapter . It was certainly never intended that the

annual five guineas should control the maximum . Comp , Rogers thought it would not be advisable to vote away any moro of the balance , as there were claims against the Chapter to meet . Tho proposition was not put to a

vote . Comp . Charles Stevens P . Z . and S . E . of the Devon Chapter , No . 1138 , was elected Treasurer , and Companions 0 . Pope and Herbert Martin , of the same Chapter , were iippointed auditors . The Officers were then invested : —*

Comp . "W . G . Rogers 112 ... ... 2 nd Principal W . Vicary 1138 3 rd Principal Major G . C . Davie 251 ... S . E . Courtenay Edmonds 411 ... S . N . C . Stevens 1138 ... ... Treasurer