Interesting Centenary Celebration At Leeds.

INTERESTING CENTENARY CELEBRATION AT LEEDS .

The centenary of the Philanthropic Lodge , No . 304 , Leeds , was celebrated on Saturday , the 25 th ult ., and drew a large and distinguished company of brethren from all parts of the province . Founded on the 25 th of August , 1794 , the Philanthropic is the oldest lodge but one in Leeds , the Fidelity , which commemorated

its centenary two years ago , being its senior . The brethren assembled at the Masonic Hall , in Great George-street , the W . M ., Bro . George Suddick , presiding . The event had importance and interest imparted to it by the presence of the Provincial Grand Master , Bro . the Right Hon . W . L . Jackson , M . P ., anda large number of past and present Provincial Grand Officers .

The lodge was opened in the presence of the following officers and brethren : Bros . George Austin Suddick , W . M . ; George Hainsworth , S . W . ; Henry Cockerlyne , J . W . ; C . Letch Mason , P . P . G . Treas ., Treas . ; John Brownfoot , P . M ., Sec . ; F . H . Lawson , jun ., S . D . ; Ernest White , J . VV . ; Jose Richard , P . M ., Dir . of Cirs . ; F . Hinchliffe , I . G . ; J . Barraclough , J .

J . Green , E . Fairbrother , and A . E . Nichols , Stwds . ; J . H . Newton , Tyler ; James Bedford , P . M ., P . P . G . D . ; S . T . Dates , P . M ., P . P . G . D . C ; Tom Atkinson , P . M . ; Thomas Myers , P . M . ; Charles Lowrey , P . M . ; W . F . Tomlinson , P . M ,, P . P . G . D . C ; Charles Norminton P . M . ; F . H . Lawson , P . M . ; J . W . Borth , P . M . ; William Neill , I . F . White , C . Hagen , Jonathan

Grainshaw , W . Braithwaite , L . Kettlewell , John Hallilay , R . Chorley , E . Verity , W . S . Barker , A . Chadwick , Charles Croysdale , George Whitehead , Benjamin Pounder , H . Davison , H . Braithwaite , Sydney Firth , J . B . Batley , and Austin Suddick ; also Bros . E . Prowel , George Pearson , John Marshall , Wm . Ward , and Rev . R . K . Snowdon , former members ;

and the following visitors : Bros . L . Rogers , P . M . 30 ; Henry R . Rogers , P . M . 30 ; G . A . Pilkington , 44 ; James Wildbore , W . M . 57 ; H . J . Oldroyd , 55 ; G . W . Parke , W . M . 154 ; F . W . Reuss , P . M . 208 ; James A . Brown , W . M . 250 ; John Harrison , W . M . 265 ; Ralph Cutbert , W . M . 27 s ; Wm . Murphy , P . M . 275 ; C . A . Braime , P . M . 289 ; W . Cookson , S . W . 28 9 ; John E .

Brownhill , J . W . 289 ; H . C . Embleton , 28 9 ; George Curtis , 289 ; Robert Hopp , 289 ; Wm . Towers , W . M . 306 ; W . M . Tate , P . M . 306 ; C E . Breau , P . M . 306 ; John Thuppleton , P . M . 306 ; Wm . Blackburn , S . W . 306 ; Joseph F . Towers , J . W . 306 ; J . B . Jowett , 306 ; A . Redgmayne , 306 ; John Land , 380 ; Allen Haigh , 448 ; J . W . Normanton , W . M . 448 ; C . Grant ,

P . M . 458 ; J . G . Thompson , S . W . 521 ; J . R . Alexander , P . M . 552 ; F . J . Hodson , 731 ; R . Coulbeck , S . W . 792 ; J . T . Palmer , 810 ; Rev . Mauley Power , P . M . 908 ; Walter Davey , W . M . 1001 ; A . B . Booty , S . W . 1001 A . N . Hackwood , 1016 ; T . A ' . Gosney , W . M . 1019 ; W . H . Milnes , P . M . 1019 ; J . Basil Mayo , W . M . 1042 ; J . W . Blackburn , P . M . 1042 ; Thomas Thorp , P . M .

1042 ; H . Banks , S . W . 1042 ; R . S . Smith , J . W . 1042 ; V . R . Morley , 1042 ; Alfred Dougill , 1042 ; J . J . W . Saville , 1042 ; Fred Bagshaw , 1042 ; F . Cobley , P . M , 1108 ; Alfred Scuttle , J . W . 1108 ; A . H . Scattergood , P . M . 1211 j Wm . Smith , P . M . 1211 ; Robert Tasker , J . VV . 1211 ; W . J . Gwilliam , S . W . 1211 ; A . T . Bacon , i 2 ir ; J . R . B'akey , P . M . 1214 ; Tom TatttUnsaa ,

P ' M . 1221 ; Henry Child , P . M . 1221 ; Henry Marsh , P . M . 1221 ; S . H . Cliffe , S . W . 1221 ; W . S . Blackburn , P . M . 1311 ; Wm . Riley , J . W . 1514 ; Charles Booth , 1648 ; R . H . Swann , 1902 ; Arthur Butterworth , W . M . 206 9 ; Robert Abbott , P . M . 206 9 ; F . G . Dimery , P . M . 2069-, B . S . Bailey , S . W . 2069 ; E . Ellis , J . W . 2069 ; C . Fowler , 206 9 ; John Redmayne , 2069 ; James Buckley , 2069 ; and John P . Carr , J . W . 2328 .

The lodge being opened the Provincial Grand Master , Bro . the Right Hon . W . L . Jackson , M . P ., and the following present and past Grand and Provincial Grand Officers entered : Bros . John Woodall Woodall , 200 , P . G . Treas . ; W . F . Smithson , 1211 , P . G . D . ; T . Bateman Fox , 208 , P . P . G . W . ; Richard Wilson , 28 9 , P . P . G . W . ; Edwin Woodhouse , 2069 , P . P . G . W . ; Dr .

F . Osmond Carr , 859 , Prov . G . W . Cambs . ; Thomas Crossley , 1 3 , P . P . G . W . ; Thomas Richards , 208 , Prov . G . Treas . ; Thomas Brayshaw , 2091 , Prov . G . Reg . ; J . C . Malcom , 306 , P . P . G . Reg . ; Joseph Binney , ' . 19 , P . P . G . Reg . ; Herbert G . E . Green , 1019 , Prov . G . Sec ; Wm . Colver , 29 6 , Prov . G . D . ; Thomas H . Vernon , 2263 , Prov . G . D . ; Alfred Scarlh 289 Prov .

, , G . D . ; W . E . Smithies , 1231 , Prov . G . D . ; William Henry Bradford , 1211 , Prov . G . D . ; Henry Cowboi ough , 10 42 , P . P . G . D . ; Thomas Thompson , 57 , P . P . G . D . Wm . C . Lupton , 974 , P . P . G . D . j Fred . Cleeves , 904 , {¦ P . G . D . ; J . T . Simpson , 448 , P . P . G . D . ; William Watson , 61 , P . P . G . S . of W ., Prov . Librarian ; John Barker 1102 PPGSof WJohn WmBailey 304

, , ... . . ; . , , -rov . G . D . of C ; John Dawson , 521 , Prov . Asst . G . " •of C ; Alfred Stephenson , 2 3 , P . P . G . D . C ; J . uobson , 28 9 , P . P . G . D . C ; C . A . Phillips , 1542 , P -P . G . D . C ; J . W . Monckman , 1018 , P . P . G . D . C ; N . J-Beck , 28 9 , P . P . G . D . C ; Henry Mitchell , Prov . G . 5 * B- ; I . H . Roner . 26- ; . Prov . G . Std . Br .: lohn

¦ spencer , 408 , Prov . G . Std . . Br . ; G . F . Carr , 1542 , P •" •Org . ; Joseph Matthewman , 1019 , Prov . Asst . J- ' -Sec . ; J . A . Heastie , 652 , Prov . G . Purst . ; Joseph "artley , 495 , Prov . G . Stwd . ; Asa Fawthorp , 1302 , £ ° v- G . Stwd . ; and F . C . Robinson , 1648 , Prov . G .

The WORSHIPFUL MASTER having welcomed the provincial Grand Master , and stated the occasion of "e present gathering , The Provincial Grand Master presented the cen-

Interesting Centenary Celebration At Leeds.

tenary warrant , which was read by the PROVINCIAL GRAND REGISTRAR , and subsequently handed to the keeping of the lodge Secretary . The PROVINCIAL GRAND MASTER afterwards addressed the brethren as follows : VVorshipful Master , Oflicers , and Brethren , —I cannot allow an occasion of this kind to pass without tendering to you my hearty

thanks for the welcome you have been good enough to afford to me and to the Provincial Officers and others who are present . The VVorshipful Master has tendered his acknowledgments in graceful terms to those officers and brethren who have assisted him , and I recognise in that fact that he appreciates truly and properly the acceptable help afforded by his officers and brethren ,

without which it would be impossible for him to discharge his duties . If that be so in his case , how much more so in mine ? The Worshipful Master has referred to a fact , which I am sure you all recognise , that anyone holding the high and dignified position , which I have the honour to hold now as the Provincial Grand Master of West Yorkshire , must necessarily find from

time to time a difficulty in discharging to his own satisfaction—to say nothing of the satisfaction of othersthe many duties which fall to his lot . I have looked forward to this occasion , however , with a feeling that I should hail with pleasure the opportunity of coming to join with you in congratulating your Worshipful Master and you this day . It is , I believe ,

the very day of the month which celebrates the 100 th year of this lodge ' s existence . It is needless to say that in that period of time the lodge must have had many difficulties , must have had many trying times ; but it is a matter of great satisfaction to all of you , I am sure , to know that the lodge has overcome all its difficulties , and is to-day , perhaps , no less prosperous

than at any period of its history . I believe I am justified in saying also that the lodge to-day , as regards harmony and order , was never in better condition . I am sure you will all agree with me that this province was largely indebted , and is indebted , and in a manner which it can hardly ever sufficiently repay , to my distinguished predecessor in office , Bro . Thomas W . Tew ,

for the energy and persistency with which he strove throughout the length and breadth of the province to encourage all lodges to provide themselves with rooms , independent of all other sources . This lodge has set a great example in that respect . In that respect we are indebted to it for having provided , not only for its own purposes , but also for the convenience , not only

of the brethren in the town , but also for the convenience of the brethren throughout the province , this magnificent hall , which is at all times available for Masonic purposes whenever it may be required . It was built at great cost—hardly less than . £ 5000—and we are indebted largely to certain brethren who have gone from us for the help they

rendered on that occasion in carrying out to a successful issue the work of providing these rooms . I need hardly say that the burden of providing these premises has been felt by the lodge , and has to some extent weighed upon it , preventing , perhaps , that large exercise of benevolence and Charity , or that large contribution to the Charities which may have been possible for some

lodges to make . But the Philanthropic Lodge has not been behind in that duty , because it has contributed over . £ 1300 , in addition to certain subscriptions to the Local Euucational scheme . That speaks highly of the disposition of its members to discharge that which we all recognise as being one of the first duties of Masonry , namely , Charity . So far as I am able to judge ( and I

have the very best means of judging ) the Order , to which we are proud to belong , never occupied a more healthy or a more harmonious position than it does today in this province . I have said that Charity is one of the distinguished characteristics of our O .-der , and I cannot refrain from taking this occasion to say that I think the record which was made at the Boys' Festival

a short time ago , at which I had the honour to preside , showed that not only throughout the length and breadth of the land is theresympathy with the children of deceased and decaying members of the Order , but a very strong desire to express that sympathy in a practical manner . The contributions which had then been made exceeded i , " i 9 , 00 D . That is , indeed , a gratifying illustration of

how deeply is felt in the hearts of Masons throughout the length and breadth of the land the necessity to discharge those duties of helping one another . I cannot , either , refrain from tendering to my own province—as I am sure I may on this tne first occasion that I have since had—my most grateful thanks to the brethren , not on my own behalf , but on behalf of the

noble Institution for which I was pleading . Ihe brethren of this great province were able at a time when trade was not in the most prosperous state to send over ^ 4500 to the funds of the Institution , and nearly . £ 800 ot that sum came from the town in which they were now assembled . It was , indeed , to me , a gratifying testimony that brethren of the Province of

West Yorkshire were determined that whenever their Provincial Grand Master , their head for the time being , was put into that position , on such an occasion the province felt that its duty must be discharged ; and 1 think that on the last occasion it was discharged nobly , gracefully , and well . Brethren , I will not occupy more

of your time at present ; but it is my duty to present to you this centenary warrant , and I give it to you in the earnest hope and wish that the lodge may continue to prosper ; that harmony will prevail , and that everything which tends to spread and improve the Order to which we have the honour to belong , may ever be present in Philanthropic Lodge , No . 304 . The centenary jewels were then presented to the members , and subsequently Bro . C . Letch Mason pre-

Interesting Centenary Celebration At Leeds.

sented the history of the lodge , which he had compiled at the request of the members . A number of telegrams were received from absent brethren , one being from the Deputy Provincial Grand Master , Bro . Henry Smith , who is in Toronto . This ran" Hearty congratulations to the Worshi pful . Master

and brethren of the Philanthropic Lodge , 304 , on the celebration of its centenary . —From Deputy across the Atlantic . " Subsequently the brethren were entertained to a banquet in the Albert Hall , when the usual toasts were honoured , the proceedings being characterised with much heartiness throughout .

" We Meet Upon The Level."

" WE MEET UPON THE LEVEL . "

The history of Freemasons' greatest ode , " We meet upon the Level , and part upon the Square , " is thus written to the family , by Bro . John Scott , now of Iowa , an intimate friend of the author , Dr . Rob Morris . In the early days of September , 1854 , on a bright Saturday afternoon , I travelled on horseback , the road from Hickman , Ky ., to the cabin home of Rob Morris , in the extreme south-western corner of Kentucky . It was a gentle , undulating region , originally heavily timbered , but at that time interspersed with small farms , some of the fields containing numerous blackened stumps , and others filled with trees long dead . The log cabins first occupied by the pioneers

were yet to be seen , but in some places they had been replaced by more pretentious abodes , built of logs , partly dressed , raised to a second storey , and covered with shingles nailed in place . But the old and lowly cabins were roofed with boards split from short sections

of oak trees , laid in rows on rough logs and poles , and held in place by similar logs resting on the roof . Each cabin had its large , open fire-place , surmounted by an immense chimney built of rude sticks , filled and covered with clay mortar , extending a short distance above the low comb of the cabin .

Rob Morris was then publishing the American Freemason , at Louisville , a monthly journal that , in its third year , had reached a circulation of several thousands , and his name and fame as poet and writer were widely known . From casual meetings at Grand Lodge , and from reading his paper and published volumes , I had drawn upon my imagination for a

comfortable residence for this brave kni ght of the quill . At the end of a ride of 14 miles through sc-jnes above described , 1 was not at all prepared to draw reiri and dismount at the door of his castle , finding it still more humble and dilapidated than any of those already passed .

But such it proved to be . It was in the edge of a 10 acre clearing , some 30 rods from the hi ghway , about which a lowly worn fence straggled , and staggered as not having fully determined whether to stand or fall . These were the surroundings of this most elegant and knightly gentleman . The Christian minister , the poetic genius , the versatile writer , the loving and tender triend , father and husband , surrounded by his household eods .

If by the word " castle" my reader assumes that Rob Morris occupied but one such tenement as I have described , he recovers too fast . The family was shejtered by the clapboard roof and rough walls of one cibin , but at the distance of 10 or 15 yards there was another , designed on the same rule of architecture , constructed <„ t" similar materials , erected about the

same period , both bearing tha burden of years that rested not lightly upon them . But the second edifice was surpassed in each of the three dimensions b y the first . The walls were raised , so that there was but one log above the low door . The roof rose b y . easy grades to a low apex , and there was no other ( -pi lino tr .

thspace inclosed . And this den , known in the family as ' •the office , " with some shelves made of rough boards , an improvised desk of the same material , at which there is but room for the great and good man to stand when at work , his head being in close proximity to the clapboard roof , and the rough boards which supported it .

From this rude hamlet came the American Freemason . Rob Morris had already gathered great stores of material for his work . Every corner was filled with books , pamphlets , manuscripts , or odds and ends that would bring delight to the heart of an

antiquarian . His correspondence was immense . Letters and papers were everywhere . . Rude shelves , rough boxes , and the numerous crevices in the walls contained hundreds of letters and valuable papers . But the most convenient " files " consisted of the inner ends of the rows of clapboards that formed the roof . These were everywhere in easy reach , and by exercise of memory he supplied the lack of labels and lettered pigeon-holes , and would lay his hand readily on whatever he might wish to use .

For his own convenience , he had secured the establishment of a post-office , named Lodgeton , of which he was " Nasby , " and his man , Joe , was contractor and mail-carrier . The " office " above described was also the depository of the mails , and everything , without bolt lock

oar , , or , was accessible to all coiners and goers , with no more obstruction than the tumble-down rail fence , the rude door on its wooden hinges , and the mangy cur that warned against the approach of comers and eavesdroppers , as well as other more unwelcome visitors .

On the day mentioned the lord of this goodly manor was not at home . He had crossed the State line , having gone some miles to attend a lod ge meeting in