Provincial Grand Lodge Op West Yorkshire.

i ** ~ " — J' - •„_____^^__„ .- ^__^^ -. ————~ - — ,. i take to be the principal object of our existence as Masons . There will not be a H atiet to-day , but after our labours that refreshment For those who have come long stances , which their bodily necessities stand in need of , and recruiting demands . 2 !{ j „ r . v 0 ffreat watchwords of our Order , as stated by his Royal Highness the Prince of Wales at his installation in April , 1875 , are " Loyalty " and " Charity . " The deve-1 ornent of these two watchwords is our special and important business to-day . To 1 I ! PSP two considerations I ask your diligent and business-like attention , and to deal with

tliem in a worthy and patriotic spirit , as befitting the Craft in this province . Loyalty I onsider to mean " fidelity to our Sovereign Lady the Queen and to our Prince , her son . To hold in veneration the rulers and patrons of the Order of Freemasonry . _ To cheerfully conform to every lawful authority . To uphold on every occasion the interests of the community , and zealously promote the prosperity of our country . " Thus Craftsmen have bound themselves by peculiar ties to support these ancient definitions of " Loyalty . " r rrl Carnarvon ' s letter is now before us . 1 know you will respond to its suggestions

„ as to demonstrate your " Fidelity " to the M . W . G . M ., and " Loyalty " to our beloved Oueen , and consider what action this province should take to celebrate her Majesty ' s jubilee . On the 8 th of January a circular was issued to every lodge , with a copy of the letter of the Pro Grand Master , to ascertain whether the brethren approve or disapprove of the scheme therein set forth , so far as the subscription to the Imperial Institute is concerned . This letter has settled the grand Masonic demonstration in London and the Inbilee jewel ; but the charge for admission , and the disposal of the proceeds ,

as well as the separate subscription , are the points which are the test 0 f your " Loyalty , " and upon which the opinion of the lodges has been sought . From the analysis of the opinions expressed by the lodges respecting the _ " Imperial Institute , " I find 25 lodges in favour of supporting the Institute , 22 against , three neutral , 19 have not replied . I fully exemplified some of the modes of treating the proposal s of Grand Lodge in my address before the Philanthropic Lodge , Leeds , on the 26 th January , last . I adhere to those suggestions , and I hope this Grand to the ori

Lodge will give its sanction and approval unanimously proposals ginating from our Grand Master , that a voluntary subscription be raised in each lodge for the purpose of contributing to the erection of the proposed "Imperial Institute of the United Kingdom , the Colonies , and India , " and of which building the Oueen has signified her gracious intention to lay the foundation stone . Let me mention one circumstance why H . R . H . the Grand Master is entitled to our support to prosper this work which he has taken up . When a noble Marquess most unexpectedly retired

from the Mastership of the Grand Lodge and from the Mastership of this Provincial Grand Lodge , the Prince of Wales gallantly stepped forward , and became the Head of this Ancient Order , which , since this great event in 1 S 75 , has prospered wonderfully . If one brother from every lodge , under my jurisdiction , accepts the Pro Grand Master's letter , and will attend the London demonstration , and subscribe but the minimum shilling to the "Institute , " so that it can be said this Chair was supported by every lodge in West Yorkshire , I should be grateful to you all . More , I do

not expect ; less , ( pardon me for saying it ) , I shall be disappointed to receive . I make this appeal to your loyalty " as Craftsmen , " and I ask you to let me go to the Grand Lodge Jubilee demonstration with one brother at least from every lodge . Brethren , in this year of the jubilee of her Majesty the Queen , our Grand Registrar has prepared a humble and dutiful address to her Majesty , of our loyalty and devotion , which I trust you will approve . He will also propose a resolution applicable to the letter received from the Provincial Grand Secretary of North and East Yorkshire , thanking Lord Zetland

for an opportunity for the members of the Northern and Midland Provinces to attend on the 14 th July , a local celebration of the Jubilee at York , and I hope every brother , and let me add , sisters also , will accept and be present on the occasion . There will be a procession from the North and East Yorkshire Grand Lodge to the Minster , where there will be a special Masonic service , and a sermon will be preached by the Very Rev . the Dean of York , Past Grand Chaplain of England . Later in the afternoon there will be a conversazione , Masonic exhibition , and concert . I hope this grand idea of a local

celebration will be warmly taken up by the Craft in the Northern and Midland counties , and that this province will give a cordial co-operation to Lord Zetland for this opportunity of publicly thanking the Great Architect of the Universe in Saint Peter ' s , at York , for the blessings and mercies He has vouchsafed to this country and nation during the past fifty years of her Majesty ' s beneficent reign over an empire on which the sun is always at high meridian at one point or another , and comprising territories of ten and three-quarter millions of square miles , and

occupied by five hundred and fifty-nine millions of her Majesty s subjects . The other watchword of our Order— "Charity "—as I understand it , is comprehended by " my duty towards my neighbour . " The ancient charges define it as " Brotherly love , " the foundation-stone and cope-stone , the cement and glory of this ancient Fraternity . A special meeting of the Charity Committee was held at Dewsbury on the 15 th January this year , when it was resolved to recommend to this Provincial Grand Lodge to purchase two presentations in perpetuity for the Widows ( the Queen herself being a

widow ) in connection with the Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution . I feelso sure that the Chairman of the Charity Committee will not enunciate his scheme in vain ; that you will confirm it by the requisite resolution lo carry it into effect . Another resolution , proposing an appropriation from the Provincial Grand Lodge funds , with which to commence the " West Yorkshire Victoria Jubilee Presentations . " Do this , brethren , and thus celebrate and hand down , as a suitable memento of this auspicious occasion , which to us will never occur again to witness the Jubilee of her Majesty ' s reign , by subscribing the

sum of two thousand guineas , as suggested . It is with deep regret I have to tell jou of the death of our esteemed Bro . S . White , P . M ., of Bingley , which sad event took place on the evening of the 25 th inst ., and of Bro . J . Hirst , J . P ., of Dobcross . ' wish to impress upon Worshipful Masters and Secretaries of lodges , the importance of strict compliance with by-law 30 of this Provincial Grand Lodge , that greater care should oe exercised with regard to communications between one lodge and another which are headed "Confidential" and when these replies as to the fitness of candidates are read

, in lod ges duly convened , that visitors . should be courteously invited at such stages of the lodge's proceedings to retire until such business is concluded , as it concerns each particular lodge alone . I do hope , and let us pray , that the G . A . O . T . U . will mercifully bestow upon 560 , 000 , 000 of her Majesty ' s subjects the blessings of peace , and that this year we may be spared the plague of war , with its miseries of " pestilence and famine , " and that her Majesty ' s Jubilee may be enjoyed by all races of mankind under her sway , in the

spirit of " Unity , Peace , and Concord . " In acknowledging the valuable services 'he out going Prov . Grand Officers have rendered during the past year , let me say , that wi the appointment of new officers , I have done the best to recognize merit under the limited circumstances at my disposal : with 957 Past Masters worthy of rank , that the acceptance by them of any collar must be considered equivalent to the highest office it ' > n my power to offer them . With these remarks , I wish you all a prosperous and a hl PPy "Jubilee" year .

On the motion of Bro . BINNEY , Prov . G . Registrar , seconded by Bro . ^ TANSI'IELD , an address to the Queen , offering the congratulations of the 3300 Masons of the province to her Majesty on the happy attainment of the 'tieth year of her reign , was adopted . Bro . WOODHOUSE proposed that each lodge should be asked to contribute e sum of at least three guineas in aid of the gift of the Provincial Grand Lod . ge to the ImDerial Institute .

Tu mot ' was seconded by Bro . Dr . SMYTH , and agreed to . the report of the Charity Committee was adopted , and on the prosuh - •^ ' SMITHSON it was decided that 2000 guineas be raised by ^ scriptj on to purchase the right of two permanent presentations to the narnT ' ^""^ tne R ° yal Masonic Benevolent Annuity Fund , to be furth tlle "West Yorkshire Victoria Jubilee Presentations . " It was , . resolved that inn ouinpas hp . naid out nf rhp . Funds nf the Prov . G .

Se—100 guineas to each presentation . fyj re solution was adopted , on the proposition of the DEP . PROV . GRAND and nf ' £ ' ng to co-operate in the Masonic Jubilee celebration at York inanking Lord Zetland for the invitation . ~ , financial statement showed a credit balance of / iiS 7 14 s , lid .

g " " r ° vincial Grand Master invested his officers as follows : — ° - Lieut . . Col . J . E . Bingham , P . M . 296 ... ... Prov . S . G . W . " John Ambler , P . M . 974 ... ... ... Prov . J . G . W . » Kev . James Gilmore , M . A ., Chap . 296 ... 7 „ , r r „„ " Rev . Thomas Greenbury , Cnap . 304 ... „ . J Prov . G . Chaps .

Provincial Grand Lodge Op West Yorkshire.

¦ ' ' —* Bro . J . W . Fourness , 1211 ... ... ,,. Prov . G . Treas . „ John K . Ibberson , P . M . 1102 ... ... Prov . G . Reg ! „ Herbert G . E . Green , P . M . 1019 ... ... Prov . G . Sec . „ Charles E . Rhodes , P . M . 208 ... ... ) r > c / - r » „ John Foster , P . M . 139 ... ... j Prov . b . G . D s . ¦

„ G . E . Bennett , P . M . 1239 ... ... >„ T _ ^ „ Francis Drury Walker , P . M . 242 ... j Prov . J . G . D s . „ Reuben Castle , P . M . 750 ... ... ... Prov . G . S . of W . „ Joseph Dobson , P . M . 28 9 ... ... Prov . G . D . C . „ Thomas Denby , P . M . 387 ... ... Prov . D . G . D . C .

„ James Kaye , P . M . 275 ... ... ... Prov . A . G . D . C . „ William Stott , P . M . 61 ... ... ... Prov . G . Swd . Br . „ Thomas M . Holmes , P . M . 1545 ... ... ¦> ? _ „ D „ Edwin Lee , P . M . 265 „ ... _ J Prov . G . Std . Brs . „ William Ash , Org . 1019 ... ... ,., Prov . G . Org .

„ W . B . Alderson , P . M . 495 ... ... Prov . A . G . Sec . „ Job Hading , P . M . 1542 ... ... ... Prov . G . Purst . „ Samuel Sugden , P . M . 1 645 ... ... Prov . A . G . Purst . „ Francis Smith , P . M . 8 37 ... .,. ... ^

„ Thomas Gibson , P . M . 1042 „ Lewis Buckley Brierley , P . M . 290 ... ... n ,- o J „ John William Turner , P . M . 521 ... _ S-Prov . G . btwds . „ Thomas Davis , P . M . 810 ... „ Edmund Lord , P . M . 910 ... ... ... ^ „ Joshua Lee , P . M . 290 ... ... ... Prov . G . Tyler .

„ Jim bheard , P . M . 971 ... ... ... p . A . G . Tyler . On behalf of the brethren of the eight Leeds lodges Bro . Tew presented to Bro . Townsend a set of Past Provincial Grand Organist ' s clothing and a jewel in acknowledgment of his valuable services to the Craft and to the local Benevolent Institution . Invitations were offered for the holding of the October meeting at Mirfield and Heckmondwike . The lodge having closed , the brethren adjourned to tea at the George Hotel . a

Provincial Grand Chapter Of East Lancashire.

PROVINCIAL GRAND CHAPTER OF EAST LANCASHIRE .

The annual meeting of this Prov . Grand Chapter was held at the Lyceum , Rochdale , on Wednesday , the 30 th ult . Comps . Col . Le Gendre N . Starkie , M . E . Grand Superintendent ; J . H . Sillitoe , Prov . G . H . ; and W . O . Walker , P . G . J ., opened the chapter in the presence of Comps . C . R . N . Beswicke Royds , Past Grand Assistant Sojourner , P . P . G . H . ; Geo . P . Brockbank , Past Grand Assistant D . C ., P . P . G . S . N . ; John Chadwick ,

P . G . S . E . ; J . J . Meakin , P . G . S . N . ; Geo . W . Wilson , P . G . P . S . ; Thos . Jackson , P . G . 1 st Assistant Sojourner ; Josh . T . Richardson , P . G . 2 nd Assistant Sojourner ; Jas . E . Wri ght , P . G . Registrar ; Nathaniel Nicholson , P . G . Sword Bearer ; James Townsend , P . G . Standard Bearer ; Orlando Startop , Assistant P . G . D . C ; Wm . Dumville , P . G . Organist ; and about 150 Principals and P . Z . ' s .

After the other companions were admitted , the roll of the chapters in the province was called over , and every one was properly represented . Letters of apology for absence were read from Comps . Ellis Jones , P . G . Treasurer , and W . W . Dawson , P . G . D . C . The minutes of the previous convocation were read and confirmed . The annual report of the Prov . Grand H . and J . was read by Comp . J .

H . SILLITOE , and adopted . The M . E . GRAND SUPERINTENDENT in thanking the two Prov . Grand Principals for their report , also expressed his thanks to them for the services they had rendered during the past year , and in doing so alluded to Comp . W . O . Walker ' s inability to continue in the office of P . G . J ., a circumstance which he regretted very much .

In the absence of the P . G . Treasurer , the statement of accounts was read by the P . G . S . E ., and on the motion of Comp . W . COOPER , Z . 398 , one of the auditors , such statement was adopted and passed . Comp . Jas Hadfield , P . Z . 54 , was elected P . G . Treasurer . The M . E . Superintendent then invested his officers for the ensuing year as follows : —

Comp . J . H . Sillitoe ( re-appointed ) ,.. ... Prov . G . H . „ A . Clegg ... ... ... ... Prov . G . J . „ John Chadwick ( re-appointed ) ... ... Prov . G . S . E . „ J . F . Hoffgaard ... ... ... Prov . G . S . N . „ Jas . Hadfield ( elected ) ... ... ... Prov . G . Treas . „ J . T . Worth .,. ... ... ... Prov . G . Reg .

„ W . Bagnall ... ... ... ... p . G . P . S . „ A . H . Jefferis .., ... ... p . G . 1 st A . S . „ W . Balmer .,. ... ... ... Prov . G . 2 nd A . S . „ R . Duxbury ... ... ... ... Prov . G . Swd . Br .

„ T . A . Martin ... ... ... ... Prov . G . Std . Br . „ W . H . Cunliffe ... ... ... Prov . G . D . C . „ J . Schofield ... ... ... ... Prov . A . G . D . C . „ Geo . Openshaw ... ... ... Piov . G . Org . „ Thos . Higson ... ... ... Prov . G . Janitor .

After other routine business had been transacted , the Provincial Grand Chapter was closed , and the companions adjourned to the hostelry of the veteran Comp . R . Butterworth , the Wellington Hotel , wheie an excellent banquet was served , under the genial presidency of the M . E . Grand Supt ., Comp . Col . Starkie .

MEISTER . —The German word for master , and which evidently comes from magister . In English , it is master ; in French , maftre ; in Dutch , meester ; in Swedish , mastar ; in Italian , maestro ; in Portugese , mestre . The old French word appears to have been " meistrier , '' and even " maistroier " 3 but then it is not quite clear that this is not connected with the mestrier—old word " mestier "—just as the " mestrise " answers to the

" maitnse , magisterum , the " meisterschaft " of the Germans . The master is . often called in the old operative French laws " le mestre , " just as in the English fabric rolls we find the words magister , or magister latomus , or master Mason , or master masoun , In this first meaning , the word solely applies to the master of the Masons ; but the Germans also use it , as we

do , to represent the third degree . We cannot give to such a use an early date—probably not belore the seventeenth century . All we can say is , that at the Revival in 1717 the grade 0 f Master Mason seems to have exUtcd in its present form . That it existed in some form previous to 1717 wetully believe . —Kenning ' s Cyclopctdia of Freemasonry .