The New Masonic Hall, Leeds.

for the Carlton Hill buildings w re not calculated on this basis . . Now the tension is relaxed , six of the nine Leeds lodges have become tenants of the new hall , and Fidelity with its fid us Achates Defence remain the sole occupants at Carlton Hill . The formation of the Masonic Hall Company , the laying of the corner stone by Lord Warwick last year , the progress of the

undertaking have all in turn been detailed to the readers of the Freemason ; there remains , therefore , for us but to give a sketch of the proceedings in relation to the opening ceremony . In presenting this we should like to add that we wish the company every possible success , and we trust that the new departure will form an important factor in M asonic progress in the City of Leeds .

At three o'clock the brethren began to assemble in large numbers , and shortly after that hour a lodge in the three Degrees was opened , the W . Masters of the six tenant lodges acting as officers , viz ., Bros . J . N . Hart , Philanthropic , 304 , as W . M . ; J . A . Boorman , Alfred , 306 , as S . W- ; F . Bagshaw , Excelsior , 1042 , as J . W . ; J . H , Davenport , Goderich , 1211 , as S . D . ; Robt . Smailes , Zetland , i 3 ii , asJ . D ., in the absence of Bro . Dr . Mayo Robson , W . M . ; and H . Appleyard , Prudence . 2 o 6 g , as I . G .

There was a large attendance of brethren chiefly , though not by any means entirely , Leeds Masons . Amongst these taking in order the Leeds lodges : From Fidelity , 28 9 , there were—Bros . H . B . Wilson , W . M . ; F . H . Cockerlyne , Org . ; H . Peckitt , Stwd . ; M . Zossenheim , V . Brown , J . H . Hawtin , and A . E . Wey . From Philanthropic , 304—Bros . F . Hinchliffe , I . P . M . ; A . Monteith , S . W . ; F . Sugden , J . W . ; A . Suddick , Secretary ; J . C . Waisley ,

J . D . ; H . Stancliffe , I . G . ; J . Kent and F . W . White , Stewards ; G . Suddick , P . M . ; J . W . Booth , P . M . ; F . H . Lawson , P . M . ; C . Norminton , P . M . ; G . Hainsworth , P . M . ; E . White , P . M . ; C . Croysdale , P . M . ; j . Smith , D . Holgate , J . Dickenson , G . Humpleby , E . Harris , II . Gaines , J . E . Tindall , R . Hilditch , and C . Palliser . From Alfred , 306—Bros . R . H . Crowther , S . W . ; R . A . Blackburn , J . W . ; R . H . Blackburn , S . D . ; G . W . Longfield , J . D . ; W . A . Millard , I . G . ; B . S . Whalley , Stwd . ; A . Redmayne , P . M . ; C .

H . Wilson , P . M . ; T . Batt , P . M . ; J . H . Johnson , W . Horjfall , A . Neild , C . E , Steel , H . Hunt , G . Darlty , E . Bedford , C . J . Berry , E . A . Furniss , L . Whitaker , B . Roberts , A . Thompson , R . Farrer , ] . R . Brown , J . H . Hyde , G . Wright , A . H . Gawthorp , and C . Bettison . From Excelsior , 1042—Bros . T . Newby , S . W . ; C . Leightowler , J . W . ; H . Gale , Sec ; V . Rowley , J . D . j A . Braithwaite , Stwd . ; H . Whitfield , I . P . M . ; W . T . Carter , P . M . ; R . Waide , P . M . ; G . Tooley , P . M . ; H . Cowbrough , P . M . ; R . J . Smith , P . M . ; A . Atkinson , W . Jackson , W . S .

Smith , A . Horrox , T . Sutton , ] . H . Gash . H . Knaggs , G . Wardman , G . Dyall , C . Glover , W . D . Helps , T . Warde , and | . H . Clough . From Goderich , 1211—Bros , W . H . Padgett , S . W . ; L . Dean , J . W . ; J . Bradley , I . G . ; A . T . Bacon , P . M . ; R . Tasker , P . M . ; J . Potts , Sec ; C . J . Rhodes , B . Bailey , H . Camra , H . Blackie , G . Wilson , W . Whitehead , H . Hodgson , H . France , and G . W . Pallister . From Defence , 1221—Bros . H . C . Marsh , P . M . ; J . E . Cawthorne , P . M . ; J . Lang , J . W . ; C . E . Brotherton , S . D . ; W . Squires , J . D . ; B . Greaves , T . Jackson , and

T . S . Usher . From Zetland , 1311—Bros . C . Anderson , P . M . ; W . Postlethwaite , P . M . ; W . H . Jarvis , P . M . ; M . A . Brigg , P . M . ; E . L . Fraser , P . M . ; H . M . Forbes , I . P . M . i J . W . Dobson . H . Wyles , J . Greenill , and E . Ellis . From Prudence , 2069—Bros . A , Butterworth , P . M . ; Jas . Buckley , P . M . ; H . B . Abbott , P . M . ; T . A , Hall , J . W . ; A . Naylor , Sec ; S . K . Riley , Stwd . ; H . James , J . H . Newton , J . Armitage , F . Rhodes , H . Smith , L . Howarth , J . T . Buckton , A . Dutchburn , and A . H . Stone .

Besides the visitors of Prov . G . rank there were many others . Amongst these were Bros . G . Stones , P . M . 1462 ; F . W . Reuss , P . M . 308 ; G , H . . strong , I . P . M . 2134 ; I . E . Fawcett , P . M . 974 ; E . Lawson , P . M . 910 ; J . T . Bromley , W . M . 1214 ; W . Callam , P . M . 2677 ; H . W . White , P . M . 1648 ; J . Nicholson , P . M . 1542 ; S . R . Moss , I . P . M . 1009 ; H . B . Nash , I . P . M . 1513 ; J . Sugden , P . M . 1379 ; A . Davies , W . M . 910 j J . Barraclough , P . M . 1648 ; J . H . Beman , P . M .

643 ; E . Nelson , S . D , 200 ; G . F . Tindall , Sec 26 77 ; F . W . Parkinson , S . D . I 634 ; W . W . H . Walker . S . W . 2695 ; T . M . Woodhead , Sec . 2669 ; 0 . Hudson , Org . 2608 ; W . T . Lancett , I . G . 2608 ; F . Hoggard , Stwd . 260 S j R . E . A . Wright , S . W . 2263 ; E . Howarth , Stwd . 2263 ; S . iKrakauer , J . W . 1513 ; F . F . G . Kellner , S . D , IOOI ; E . Richardson , S . W . 1039 ; R . Levi , 324 ; H . Johnson , 1542 ; J . K . Frogatt , 2677 ; P . Summerton , 1083 ; G . Carter , 1221 ; L . L . Zossenheim , 2695 ; H . Woodhouse , 1018 ; J . Witts , 387 ; R . D . Smith , 380 ; A . Hey , 2608 ; W . Saplin , 2677 ; and F . Cockcroft , 275 .

We are assured that many other brethren were present who overlooked or who tailed to sign the sheets prepared for the purpose . At 3 . 30 the Prov . G . Master , Bro . W . L . J ackson , entered . Hi was accompanied by his Deputy , Bro . Richard Wilson , and a Provincial G . Lodge was opened . The Officers of Provincial G . Lodge , Present and Past , who supported , the Prov . G . Master comprised . *

Bros . Henry Smith , P . M . 312 , P . G . D ., P . D . P . G . M . ; J . C . Malcolm , P . M . 306 P . G . D ., P . D . P . G . M . ) W . F . Smithson , P . M . 1211 , P . G . D ., P . P . G . W . ; J . L . Walker , P . M . 290 , P . S . G . W . ; H . Chalker , P . M . 154 , P . J . G . W . ; H . G . Blackburn , P . M . 1311 ; J . D . Kay , P . M . 289 ; E . Woodhouse , P . M . 2 . 69 ; J . A . Godwin , J . P ., P . M . 1311 , and W . Watson , P . M ., P . P . G . Wardens ; Rev . H . Doip , Chap . 337 , P . G . Chap . ; Robert Potter , P . M . 275 . P . G . Treas . ; W . Smith , P . M . 1211 , P . P . G . Treas . ; J . Tweedale , P . M . 827 , P . G . Reg . ; J . T . Last ,

P . M . 2321 , P . P . G . Reg . ; H . G . E . Green , P . M . 1019 , P . G . S . B ., P . G . Sec ; H . Kershaw , P . M . 2330 , J . Barraclough , I . P . M . 304 , and tl . Williams , P . M . 139 , P . G . Deacons ; W . W . Clayton , P . M . 3 , ] . l . id . ord , P . M , 304 , Wm . Flockton , P . M . 1042 , A . Scaith , P . M . 289 , and Wm . Blackburn , P . M . 305 , P . P . G . Deicons ; J . L . Fox , P . M . 208 , and C . Scriven , P . M . 1211 , P . P . G . Supts . of Wks . ; J . Twivy , P . M . 1018 , P . G . D . of C ; A . W . Fretwell , P . M . 242 , C E . Bygrave , P . M . 2091 , and Wm . Harrison , P . M . 265 , P . As . t . G . D . of Cers . ; J . Millington , P . M . 1221 , and W . F . Torr . linson , P . M . 334 , P . P . G . D . of Cers . ; J . Haley , P . M .

1034 , P . G . S . B . j H . Columbine , P . M . 1221 , P . P . G . S . B . ; B . Child , P . M . 258 , and W . E . Turner , P . M . 1108 , P . G . S . Beirers ; E . R , Dickenson , P . M . 308 , P . G . Org . ; W . Cookerlyne , P . M . 304 , P . P . G . Org . ; G . H . Schofield , P . M . 1542 , P . A . G . Sec ; Joseph Matthewman , P . M . 1019 , j . R . Birton , 306 , and H . Binks , P . M . 1042 , P . P . AG . Sees . ; E . Heaton , P . M . 387 , P . G . Purst . ; F . G . Dimery , P . M . 2069 , P . P . G . P . ; J . T . Goodall , P . M . 1301 , A . Aldsrson , P . M . 1302 , A . Leach , P . M . 495 , W . Davey , P . M . iooi , and G . Stones , P . M . 1462 , P . G . Stwds .

Amongst the visitors were : Bros . R . Hudson , P . G . S . B ., Prov . G . Sec . Durhim ; J . F . Tindell , W . M . 1605 , and G . F . Foster , P . M . 1040 , P . P . G . Wardens N . and E . Yorks . ; E . Fox Thomas , Charity Representative N . and E . Yorks . ; G . Leigh , P . M . 250 , P P G . S . B . ; H . Bcnser , P . P . G . S . B . Notts , j J . M . Bottomley , 312 , P . P . G . S . of W . N . andE . Yorks . ) E . Piercy , 525 , P . D . G . D . of C . Hon ? Kong ; F . F . Pudsey , JOIO , P . P . G . D . N . and E . Yorks . ; J . H . Beman , P . M . 643 ; E . F . Taylor , 1040 ; P . Summerton , 1083 ; and F . W . Parkinson , S . D . 163 * .. After salutations to the Prov . G . Master , the Depjty , and the Officers of Grand and Prov . Grand Lodge ,

The New Masonic Hall, Leeds.

Bro . J ACKSON briefly addressed the brethren . It was with feelings . of gratitude , he said , they were met that day to dedicate to the purposes of Freemasonry this new and handsome hall , the corner-stone of which had been laid by Lord Warwick on the iSth July last year . To all those who had taken an active part in its erec' . ion it had been , he was assured , a real labour of love in the interests of the Order . . " I sincerely hope , " added the Prov . G . Master , "that it will bs found convenient to the lodges who use

it for their meetings , and that in the future it will be a centre of usefulness to the province generally . Both as regards its location and its conveniences it will be found eminently adapted to its purpose . Although it has bsen mainly promoted by those who reside within a limited distance of the Hall , I believe it has the good wishes of the whole body of Masons throughout the province , and if that be so , it will be a complete success , and I shall have no doubt as to its fulfilling the purpose for which it was designed . "

The ceremonial usual on these occasions having bsen practised , the Prov . G . Master called upon the Prov . G . Chaplain , Bro . the Rev . HUGH DOIG , Vicar of Saddleworth , who gave the following oration : My brethren , we are here to-day to take our share in a function of peculiar character ; we are about to engige in a service which to the unitiated might seem meaningless , but which , to us who know its ritual , its ceremonial , and its

symbolism , is profoundly and gloriously significant . In as few words as possible let us try to answer the question , " What mean ye by this service ? " Why has this beautiful building been erected ? and for what purposes is it being dedicated to-day ? Itisdone in order that we may ' proclaim and accentuate the two great principles of our Order , the bed rocks upon which it is founded—the Fatherhood of God and the Brotherhood ot Man . To these great truths , to these sublime facts ,

Freemasonry is a standing and abiding witness . This Hall has been erected , and will to-day be dedicated by our Prov . G . Master , as an expression of our devotion to those great principles , and as an earnest of our desire to cultivate the qualities and virtues which naturally spring from them , viz ., Religion , Patriotism , Loyalty , Charity , Peace , and Good-will amongst men and brotherhopd all the world over . It is a grand ideal , let us try to be worthy of it . We feel inclined to say ,

doubtless , " Who is sufficient ? who is capable of doing this ? " Brethren , at leastletus strive ; though we may ' not be able to do it fully and perfectly , yet we can still strive to realise this ideal . I claim that our Order stands for these things ; that it is a bond of union between good men and true ; that it brings together those who in many cases would be separated by rank and station , or by political or religious

differences . It is also a philanthropic institution , as witness the statements made by H . R . H . the Duke of Connaught at his recent installation . Stronger arguments in favour of our Order it would be difficult to fi nd . Meanwhile , brethren , we wish you good luck in the name of the Lord : Peace be within your walls and plenteousness within your palaces ; for the brethren and companions' sake and for the Word ' s sake we will seek to do you good .

The ceremony then proceeded , and the Hall was solemnly dedicated to the purposes of Freemasonry . A choir , comprising Bros . Tom Child , F . Bagshawe , E . Richardson ( Lichfield Cathedral ) , C . Rhodes , H . Blackie , and W . Cockerlyne sang the anthems , the music being specially selected and arranged for the occasion . It was a very impressive function , and every detail in the ritual and ceremonial , was carefully considered and illustrated . After Prov . Grand Lodge was closed and its officers had retired , the

W . Ms , of Leeds resumed and closed the Lodge . The dinner which followed was held in the Town Hall , and was provided by Powolny , Limited , the well-known purveyors . Bro . John Barraclough , I . P . M . 304 , Chairman of the Masonic Hall Company , presided . On his immediate right sat the D . P . G . M ., Bro . Richard Wilson , and the Past D . P . G . M ., Bro . J . C . Malcolm , P . G . D . * , on his left were Bros . Robert Hudson , P . G . S . B ., Prov . G . Sec . Durham , and Henry Smith , P . G . D ., Past D . P . G . M .

The R . W . Prov . G . M ,, Bro . W . L . Jackson , was unable to be present , to the great regret of the brethren , who , to the number of about 300 , occupied the body of the hall . After the toast of " His Majesty the King , " which was received with all loyalty , Bro . BARRACLOUGH proposed "H . R . H . the Duke of Connaught , K . G ., M . W . G . M . of England ; the Right Hon . Earl Amherst , M . W . Pro G . M . ;

the Right Hon . the Earl of Warwick , Deputy G . M . ; and the G . Officers , Present and Past . " The Chairman said he had much diffidence in speaking to the toast , but he gained courage when he reflected that 12 months ago at that very table sat the R . W . Deputy Grand Master , the Earl of Warwick , who , as all would remember , came down to lay the corner-stone of the building which had been dedicated that day . On that occasion the Deputy Grand Master assured the brethren that he had thoroughly enjoyed his visit

to West Yorkshire , and they were equally able to say that they had been deli ghted to welcome him . Comprised of men such as the Grand Officers whom he saw around him , and commanded by the prince and noblemen he had named , was to him clear proof that Grand Lodge was an ornament to the Craft ; that it added to its lustre , and that it largely contributed to the usefulness of our great Institution . On those grounds he submitted the toast .

Bro . HENRY SMITH , P . G . D ., was grateful for the permission to reply . He had been honoured by being asked to take the position of S . G . Warden when the stone was laid , and he was pleased to be associated with the opening ceremony . After referring to the office recently betowed upon the Prov . G . Sec , Bro . Herbert Gtcen , Bro . Henry Smith expressed his regret at the absence of the Prov . G . Master , complimented Bro . Richard Wilson

upon the excellen t manner in which he represented him , and assured the brethren that as Grand Officers they had endeavoured to discharge their duty , and that if such effort met with appreciation it was most gratify ing to himself and to those in whose behalf he had been called upon toresporid . To Bro . WILLIAM POSTLETHWAITE , P . M . 1311 , Hon . Solicitor to the Masonic Hall Company , the next toast was assigned . It was " The R . W . Prov . G . Master , Bro . ' W . L . Jackson , M . P ., the W . Dep . Bro . Richard

Wilson , and the Officers of Prov . G . Lodge , Present and Past . " Bro . Postlethwaite regretted the absence of the Prov . G . Master , eulogised , amid great applause , the truly Masonic virtues of the Deputy , congratulated the province on the honour conferred upon it by Grand Lodge this year , and invited the brethren to drink heartily to the toast and to all those whom he might call dwellers in the serener atmosphere of Prov . G . Lodge . He coupled with it the name of their excellent Deputy .

Bro . RICHARD WILSON , in reply , said his first duty was to express the regret of his chief that he could not remain amongst them to dinner . His next was to congratulate the brethren of Leeds on the success which had attended their efforts in the provision of a new Masonic dwelling-plac ; , th ; benefits conferred by wh ' ch would never fully be realised by its promote rs . Bro . Wi son then pointed out that to emphasise and continue the succsss of