A Provincial Grand Lodge Of Reconciliation.

A PROVINCIAL GRAND LODGE OF RECONCILIATION .

XTTE are pleased beyond measure with what passed at W the recent meeting , at Huddersfield , of the Provincial Grand Lodge of West Yorkshire . There had not been wanting evidence that afresh campaign in connection with the Boys' School was contemplated by some of onr brethren of that wealthy and influential Province . A new

pamphlet had been talked about , and we began to think a fight a outrance was imminent between the friends and opponents of the School management , and that too in broiling summer weather , when the bare idea of violent exertion , whether mental or physical , is enough to frighten people

into an apoplexy . The calamity has been happily averted . Those who were anxious to keep the ball of discord rolling for , at all events , another six or twelve months , in the belief that by doing so they would be most likely to promote the blessings of peace , will not have the opportunity

vouchsafed them of proving the wisdom of their good intentions . The pamphlet will be turned to a far better purpose than that of perpetuating the practice , so recently indulged in by many , of "crimination and recrimination . " It will go the way of other stale and unprofitable literature ,

and may probably be used for culinary purposes , or for the decoration of West Yorkshire butter , or West Yorkshire hams . The Provincial Grand Lodge will be no longer a scene of anxious or angry disputation , bnt a Lodge of Perfect Harmony , in which the members , without

exception , will zealously emulate each other in the fulfilment of charity in the widest acceptation of the word . The battle of the pamphlets , and the havoc it momentarily created among the kindlier feelings of Craftsmen , will be utterly forgotten . One ray of hope will henceforth illumine the

minds of all , the hope that in the future , as in the past , West Yorkshire , and the other generous supporters of the Boys' School , will be found strenuously co-operating in its

behalf , with the view of making it , if possible , a greater success than it is . A kind of millennium—let us hope , in perpetuity—will succeed the recent state of turmoil , and goodfellowship will henceforth reign alone .

We rejoice at the fortunate turn events have taken , at the happy picture we have just drawn , which will occupy the place of the dismal and disheartening scenes we had so much reason to forbode . And to whom are we indebted

for the bright change that has come o ' er the spirit of our dream ? Last week we published a long and vigorous letter from a worthy and generally-esteemed member of our Craft , which left no doubt in our minds that another season of strife was in store for us . Almost at

the very time of writing the few remarks we prefixed to it , another , and equally high-minded brother , enjoying almost the highest rank it is in the power of his Provincial Grand Master to bestow , and holding also the most important municipal office his fellow-townsmen could confer upon

him , our respected Bro . Gill , Provincial Grand Senior Warden for West Yorkshire , and Mayor of Wakefield , rose in his place in Provincial Grand Lodge assembled , and in terms of simple eloquence invited the Provincial Grand Junior Warden , Bro . Booth , to withdraw his contemplated

motion respecting the proceedings of the last Quarterl y Court of the Boys' School . Bro . Gill , in doing this , is reported to have said that " he had listened with much pain to the bickerings at these meetings on this Boys ' School subject . He had been to London , in compliance with the request of Prov . Grand Lodge , and was willing to

A Provincial Grand Lodge Of Reconciliation.

go a dozen times if good could come , but his belief was that such would not be the case . From our contributions we have shown our interest in this school , bnt by our action we are losing our force and influence . " And again : " If any wrong exists in the internal arrangements of the

school , let complaint be made in regular order , in all tho friendliness of Masonic feeling , and so put an end to all this crimination and recrimination . " This was a manly and generous appeal , and was earnestly supported by Bro . Bentley Shaw , P . P . D . G . M ., in a few telling sentences , as

well as by Sir Henry Edwards , the Provincial Grand Master , who said he was anxious to receive the cooperation of all good workers on behalf of this charity , and was afraid this would not be obtained if the motion were pressed . Thereupon- Bro . Booth , very properly disclaiming all

personal feelings in the matter , withdrew his motion , and Provincial Grand Lodge closed in perfect harmony . This is pretty well what we counselled last week . All are now agreed , to use Bro . Gill ' s own words , to "let what has passed be passed . " West Yorkshire , whose interest—to

its credit be it proclaimed—has never really been interrupted , will again cooperate , as of yore , in furthering , to the utmost of its ability , the interests of the Royal Masonic Institution for Boys . Even during the progress of tho squabble it contributed liberally , both at last year ' s Festival

and at this . But it is m the nature of things that the full effect of its ability to render valuable help should not have been felt on either of these occasions . It is one of our wealthiest and most considerable Provinces . It has invariably stood firm to its Masonic principles , and lias done its

duty magnificently . It has just resolved unanimously to enter upon a further term of active labour in behalf of our Charitable Institutions . It has nobly resolved to stamp out any lingering soreness it may feel at the result , of the recent differences . This resolution it has undertaken at

the instance of P . G . S . W . Gill , seconded by P . P . D . G . M . Bentley Shaw and P . G . M . Sir Henry Edwards . Henceforth , then , we repeat , there will be perfectly harmonious cooperation in the cause of the Boys ' , as of our other Institutions , among all the Provinces , and we have to thank , and

do hereby thank , Bro . Gill , who took the initiative , and Bros . Bentley Shaw and Sir Henry Edwards , who so heartily seconded him , that this consummation , devoutly to be

wished , has been so satisfactorily attained . May West Yorkshire brethren always be able to boast such shining lights to guide them in threading difficult and dangerous passes !

Another Theory About Our Institutions.

ANOTHER THEORY ABOUT OUR INSTITUTIONS .

WERE our various charitable institutions as richl y endowed as some of the collegiate and scholastic institutions of England , there would be a certain show of reason in the occasional outcry that is raised against the heavy annual demands made throughout tlie Craft towards

their snpport . In such a case , our Anniversary Festivals would be occasions for hearty congratulation over the prosperity of our Charities . We should hear , no doubt , a great deal said as to the zeal and ability of the officials ; in

the case of the two schools , about the excellent results of our educational system , as evidenced by the knowledge and discipline of present , and the success , in after life , of former pupils ; aud , generally , much in praise of former