The Installation Of Bro. T. W. Tew, P.G.M. West Yorkshire.

Freemasonry , by whatever authority impressed upon the minds of Yorkshiremen , has been very considerable , and the benefits derived from this fact have been , as regards both the county and the Craft , mutually reciprocal . Until the second decade of this century , and omitting from our consideration thc sovereignty exercised by the York Grand Lodge , the county and the Masonic province were coterminous . But as the lodges increased in

number and importance , it seems to have been thought expedient and for thc better government of the Craft , that the county should be subdivided into two provinces , the one to embrace the North and East Ridings and the other the West Riding . This subdivision took place in 1817 , when Bro . Robert Pemberton Milnes , previously Prov . G . Master of Yorkshire , became P . G . M . of West Yorkshire , and the first Earl of Zetland—at the time ,

however , only Lord Dundas—became P . G . M . of North and East Yorkshire . In the interval that has since elapsed there have been in North and East Yorkshire three Provincial Grand Masters , namely , the Lord Dundas just mentioned , who was created Earl of Zetland in 1 S 38 , and died the year following ; the second Earl of Zetland , who succeeded the late Duke of Sussex as Grand Master of England ; and the third and present Earl of Zetland , who was appointed to the office in 1874 . As regards West

Yorkshire , the succession of Provincial Grand Masters has been Bro . Robert Pemberton Milnes , 1817 ; Viscount Pollington , afterwards third Earl of Mexborough , 1829 ; Earl de Grey and Ripon , now Marquisof Ripon , 1861 ; and Sir Henry Edwards , Bart ., C . B ., installed April , 1 S 75 . Thus Bro . Tew is the fifth in order of sequence of the Provincial Grand Masters of VVest Yorkshire , and we trust the day may be yet fat distant when a successor to him will have to be chosen .

As regards Bro . Tew , we need say little . A sketch of his Masonic career was published in these columns two years since , on his appointment to office in the Grand Lodge of England . It will suffice , perhaps , if wc point out that his greatest qualification for the office on which he has now entered lies in the intimate knowledge of West Yorkshire Freemasonry which he must have acquired during his 10 years' experience as the Deputy

of his predecessor . We wish him all success in his more exalted career , and we hope , as we most sincerely believe , that in his new relations with the West Yorkshire lodges the services he will be called upon to render will be found reciprocally beneficial , by enhancing his own reputation and extending and confirming the welfare of the brethren . With respect to the ceremony itself , it should be stated that Provincial

Grand Lodge was opened in the Albert Hall by the Deputy Grand Master , the Earl of Lathom , and on the roll being called , it was found that every lodge in the province was represented , and , as may be supposed , some of them very largely . The hall was very tastefully laid out as a lodge room , the east end being a dais covered with crimson cloth , led up to by a flight of steps , on which the pedestal containing the

volume of the Sacred Law was p laced . The pedestals , chairs , lights , and other lodge furniture and working tools were lent from the Philanthropic Lodge . The body of the hall was devoted to members of the Provincial Grand Lodge , viz ., Worshipful Masters , Past Masters , and Wardens of the 6 9 lodges in the province ; the circular gallery upstairs being allotted to Master Masons not included above . The room bore a striking resemblance

( but , of course , in a much smaller degree ) to that of the installation of his Royal Highness as Grand Master in the Albert Hall , London , in 1875 . The arrangements for the reception of visitors , and the general order of the day's proceedings , were the work of a Committee of the eight Leeds lodges , of which Bro . W . L . Jackson , M . P ., was chairman , and Bro . Alderman Woodhouse , vice-chairman . Most efficient aid was also rendered [ by Bro . Mason . At 12 . 30 a procession entered , consisting of the members of the

Provincial Grand Lodge of VVest Yorkshire and their distinguished visitors , during which a hymn was sung by the brethren , Dr . Spark presiding at the organ . The Earl of Lathom , Deputy Grand Master of England , having assumed the throne , proceeded to open the Provincial Grand Lodge . Canon Bullock offered up prayer . The brethren having saluted the Deputy G . M ., Lord Lathom , Colonel Starkie , Bro . Smyth , and others ,

The Registrar , Bro . SUNDERLAND , read the following address of welcome to Lord Lathom : —

To the Right Hon . ihe Earl of Lathom , R . W . Deputy Grand Master of England and R . W . Prov . Grand Master of West Lancashire : The congratulatory , dutiful , and affectionate address of welcome of the 69 lodges of ancient , free , and accepted Masons of the Province of West Yorkshire , assembled in the Albert Hall , Leeds , on Friday , April , 24 th , 5 SS 5 , at the installation of R . W . Bro . T . VV . Tew , J . P ., P . Grand Deacon of England , and P . Deputy Prov . Grand Master , offer to you a most cordial welcome

and the assurance of their loyal devotion to the Grand Lodge of England , whfch sentiment has ever animated the Masons in this province . They also offer to you their warmest thanks for the compliment you have paid them in coming to perform this important Masonic ceremony , affording them an opportunity of acknowledging their appreciation of your devoted and distinguished services to the Craft for a long series of years . Ihey desire to exnress their satisfaction that the ceremonv has also heen nrarerl hv thn

Presence of your excellent neighbour and friend , Col . Le Gendre N . Starkie , D . L ., P . < - > rand Warden of England , R . W . Prov . G . M . East Lancashire , who will take part in 'he proceedings of the day . Their pleasure is further augmented by thelpresence of W . S ; -A J . Pearson Bell , Deputy Prov . G . M ., who , in the name of the Right Hon . the tarl of Zetland , represents the provinces of N . and E . Yorkshire ; Colonel Shadwell H . Gierke

, Grand Sec , and many other distinguished brethren . In conclusion , they a ^ ain tender their obligations for your kindness in coming amongst them on this auspicious un ' rf' and they pray that tIie ^ reat Architect of the Universe may prolong your At the close of the address the brethren signified their endorsement by l 0 "g and loud applause .

V | ° p LATHOM , in reply , said it gave him much pleasure to come to West Y orkshire , and to receive that address of welcome from the brethren . He roust apologise for the uncertainty as to the date of this gathering , and the j'wluvardriess of the day fixed , but it was the only day on which he could trfni u P resent * H ^ was glad his Royal Highness had chosen Bro . Tew fn u chair of Prov " Grand Master , and that he had deputed him to per-¦ " Mit

• : ceremony ot installing their new Orand Master . ( Applause . ; Bro . Tew was then conducted to the dais , escorted by Bros . W . L . Jack-• jy ' T : '' W * * 289 , Aid . E . Woodhouse , J . P ., W . M . 2069 , the a ° ii pful Masters of the Leeds lodges , and other brethren , the whole se . y singing Bro . Spark ' s Masonic ode , "Hail , Masonry . "

f" the conclusion of the ceremony , impressively rendered , Te \ R ' ^ ' ' G RAND M ASTER said : I congratulate you , Bro . this V ; ° , lavin S' keen called upon to assume the high position of ruler over fnllPn rnportant P rovincc * ( Loud cheers . ) I understand that the choice has Hire " ? " > 0 U unan * mous ' y- and this unanimity on the part of your breonerm J " ° doubt be a great help t 0 you in P erforming the responsible and J'ou m l . of y ° position . Allow me lo express the sincere hope that now ? u en ] 0 y hea'th ' and strength long to retain the position which you arc « w about to occupy , ( Loud cheers . )

The Installation Of Bro. T. W. Tew, P.G.M. West Yorkshire.

Bro . lew having been obligated ancl conducted into the Grand Pilaster ' s chair , there was renewed and long continued applause . The DIRECTOR or CEREMONIES then proclaimed the Provincial Grand Master according to the ancient form , as follows : — Brethren , —By command of the Riijht Honourable the Earl of Lathom , Installing Master , the Right VVorshipful Deputy Grand Masterof En-land and the Right Worshipful Provincial Grand Master of VVest Lancashire—and with the sanction and

approbation of the Right VVorshipful Provincial Grand Master of East Lancashire , Colonel Le Gendre Nicholas Starkie , D . L ., investing ofiicers—1 do now , according to ancient usage and [ established custom from time immemorial , proclaim and make known that Bro . William * lew , one of her Majesty ' s Justices of Peace for the West Riding of the county of York , of The Grange , Carleton , in the said Riding , and of the Manor ' of Rawchffe , in the North-West Riding of the county of York , Past Grand Deacon of England , and by patent of the Most Worshipful Grand Masterhis Royal Hi" -hne < -s the Prince of

, VVales , K . G ., dated the ioth day of January , A . 1 .. 5 SS 5 , the Piovincial Grand Master designate of the Province of VVest Yorkshire , who was initiated into Masonry on the "nd day of October , A . L . 5 S 5 G , in the Scarsdale Lodge , No . 9 S 1 , now CSi , at Chesterfield , in the county of Derby , and on the 7 th April , A . L . 5862 , became Worshipful Master of thc St . Oswald ' s Lodge , Pontefract , No . 1212 , now gio 0 n the Muster Roll of the Grand

Lodge of England , of which lodge he was three times Worshipful Master , Provincial Grand Senior Warden of this province , April 5 th , A . L . 5 S 65 , Deputy Provincial Grand Master on the 21 st April , A . L . 5875 , has been duly installed and now is the RMit Worshipful Provincial Grand Master of the Ancient Free and Accepted Masons ofthe Province of West Yorkshire , in succession to Colonel Sir Henry Edwards , Bart ., C . B ., and D . L ., the last Right VVorshipful Provincial Grand Master .

I , therefore , by virtue of my office as the Provincial Grand Director of Ceremonies in this Provincial Grand Lodge , and in accordance with the ancient usage and established custom , do call upon all the brethren here present in this Albert Hall , in this town of Leeds , to salute the Right Worshipful the Provincial Grand Master , according to ancient form ; and may the Great Architect of the Universe guide , direct , and prosper him in all his ways !

The requisite salute was then given with much heartiness and effect . Colonel STARKIE , on behalf of East Lancashire , acknowledged the pleasure he had experienced in being present that day , and of seeing Bro . Tew appointed to an office of such honour and dignity . He hoped the province of West Yorkshire would prosper under his ruling . He hoped that the White Rose of Yorkshire would be an emblem of Masonry , and wilh Ihe Red Rose of Lancashire would spread abroad the sweet fragrance of that beautiful , peaceful flower of Masonry . ( Loud applause . )

Addresses of congratulation were also tendered Irom North and East Yorkshire , Bro . BELL , D . P . G . M ., apologising for the unavoidable absence of the Earl of Zetland , and from Scarborough , York , and other places . Bro . TEW , Prov . G . M . West Yorkshire , then addressed the brethren . He said—Lord Lathom , Prov . Grand Officers , and brethren . The circumstances

which have assembled together so numerous and so influential a body of the Brotherhood from all parts of England must be regarded ns of thc utmost significance to the Order to which we are proud to belong . In obedience to the laws of the Craft , with the sanction of the M . VV . the Grand Master , and the acquiescence of the Grand Lodge of England , our duty has been to comply with the patent of his Royal Hi ghness * the Prince of Wales , and to place a Provincial Grand Master in the chair of this Prov . Grand Lodge ,

vacated by our beloved and late gallant Commander-in-Chief , Colonel Sir Henry Edwards , C . B . Our first duty is to render our tribute of respect to that honoured Baronet , who has done so much for thc county of York , and who has retired from active service in the Craft only through inadequate health . The unity of this province , the harmony prevailing amongst the brethren in the 42 towns in which are the 69 lodges , tells of the efficiency of its officers . The policy of the future , as of the past , is to work to still further

conclusions this unity of purpose , and to cultivate brotherly friendship in every possible direction ; to mould the lodges as component parts of one vast system , under one reign of equal law , so that thc identical interests of Masonry can be moved by one general impulse throughout the whole body . ( Applause . ) Such are the aspirations which to-day actuate the feelings of your new Provincial Grand Master . In obedience to these instincts , I acknowledge the salutation the brethren have accorded to my new position

in the Craft . May their goodness and cordiality towards this ofiice never be misplaced ! I cannot but express the regret with which I have vacated the office of Deputy Grand Master to accept this mosthonourable position of the R . VV . Grand Master . In 1875 I accepted the Deputyship , but only for three months , at the request of Sir Henry Edwards , until he could appoint some more appropriate brother * to fulfil Bro . Bentley Shaw's responsible duties . Little did I think that that probationary term was to extend to 10

years . You then took me , a comparatively unknown Mason , only thrice W . M . of St . Oswald ' s Lodge , No . 910 . I have tried to win your confidence and to merit your esteem . To keep your affections and loyalty will be the work of my proudest efforts . To see Masonry flourish in our midst , whether under the Earl of Mexborough , the Marquis of Ripon , Sir Henry Edwards , or any other Provincial Grand Master whom his Royal Highness the M . W . Grand Master may designate , is only the ambilion of every one

in VVest Yorkshire , and we should ever delight to show our fidelity and zeal to one as to another selected to rule over us . Therefore I hope the Grand Lodge has not erred in departing from precedent in placing in this chair your late Deputy Provincial Grand Master , but that your co-operation and assistance may be continued to him as overflowingly and ungrudgingly as it has been accorded his predecessors during the past sixty years . ( Applause . ) A retrospect of the doings of the

Craft in this province will testify to the sincerity of the character of our Order , and to its determination to make the princi ples of Masonry applicable to the good of our fellow-creatures . I have but to remind you that on the 28 th October , 1 S 6 S , when a Convalescent Home was founded by Charles Brooke , of Meltham , Lord De Grey and Ripon and this Provincial Grand Lodge laid the chief corner-stone of lhat magnificent institution . When the church at East Hardwick was commenced , to perpetuate the

deeds of a good man who lived 300 years ago , a noble Marquis and three other Cabinet Ministers , all members of the Craft , thought it not beneath their rank and duty to the State to take the initiative and fix the foundationstone . When a dispensary at Pontefract was to be reconstructed , her Majesty ' s then Minister of War , the Right Hon . Hugh C . E . Childers , a brother of St . Oswald ' s Lodge , inaugurated the work by laying its first stone . When the Clayton Hospital was thought of , it was our late Bro . J . C . D . Charlesworth , with the assistance of the Provincial Grand Lodge ,

who set in an operative manner the great stone of that edifice . When the plinth-stone of the Dewsbury Infirmary was fixed , it was Sir Henry Edwards and this Provincial Grand Lodge who performed that Masonic ceremony . So , also , when the grand old parish church of Halifax was renovated , it was our then Provincial Grand Master , Sir Henry Edwards , who promoted and fostered that generous work of restoration , which is a record of his liberality and munificence . Did Delph , in the west highlands of Yorkshire , require a Literary Institute for the recreation and mental im-