Lodges And Chapters Of Instruction.

A meeting was also held at the above address on the 3 rd inst ., when therewere present Bros . R . E . Cursons , VV . M . j F . M . Noakes , S . VV . ; G . H . Foan , J . VV . j W . Brindley , Preceptor j Joseph Greenway , Deputy Preceptor j G . Reynolds , Treas . and Secj VV . Hoggins , S . D . ; C . Rotter , J . D . ; J . D . Rymer , I . G . j J . Gluckstein , J . Laurence , S . Moss , A . Davis , G . A . Bergholz , T . C Seary ,

E . Tooley , and G . H . Reynolds . The lodge was opened in due form , and the minutes of the last meeting were read and confirmed . The lodge was opened in the Second Degree . Bro . F . Fort having offered himself as a candidate to be raised to the Third Degree , was duly examined , entrusted , and retired . The lodge was opened in the Third Degree . The W . M .

rehearsed the Degree of M . M . The Preceptor worked the 2 nd Section of the Third Lecture . The Deputy Preceptor worked the 3 rd Section of the Third Lecture . The lodge was closed in the Third and then the Second Degree . On rising for the first time , Bro . E . P . Day , 771 , was unanimously elected a joining member of this lodge of

instruction . On rising for the second time , Bro . K M . Noakes was unanimously elected VV . M . for the ensuing week , appointing his officers in rotation , and announcing his intention of rehearsing the ceremony of initiation . On rising for the third time , nothing further offering for the good of Freemasonry , the lodge was closed .

KENSINGTON LODGE ( No . 1767 ) . —A meeting was held on Tuesday , the ist inst ., at the Scarsdale Arms Hotel , Edwardes-square , Kensington , VV . Present : Bros . C . Woods , W . M . ; E . E . Geflowski , S . W . ; VV Hillier , J . W . ; George Read , P . M ., Preceptor ; R . IT . Williams , P . M ., P . P . J . G . D . Middx ., Treas . ; F . Craggs , Sec . ; J . R . Hubbard , S . D . ; James Wiggins , J . D . ; G .

Swann , I . G . ; James Sims , P . M . ; G . A . Knight , W . Dresden , and J . H . Morrish . The lodge was opened in due form . The ceremony of initiation was rehearsed , Bro . Knight acting as candidate . The ist and 4 th Sections of the First Lecture were worked by the Preceptor , assisted by the brethren . Bro . Geflowski was elected VV . M . for the next meeting , and the meeting was adjourned until the 15 th inst .

Ancient And Accepted Rite.

Ancient and Accepted Rite .

HUDDERSFIELD . Prince of Wales Chapter ( No . 69 ) . —This chapter met in regular convocation on Saturday , the 29 th ult . The following were present : E . and P . Bro . Frank VV . Banister , M . W . S . ; 111 . Bros . Charles Crabtree , 30 ° , Past M . W . S ., Prelate ; Alfred Gill , 30 ° , 1 st General ; E . and P . Bros . J . R . Welsman , 2 nd General ; Henry Shaw , P . M . W . S ., Treas . ; 111 . Bro . I . L . Atherton , -, o ° .

P . M . W . S ., Recorder ; E . and P . Bros . H . S . Holdsworth , Grand Marshal ; E . A . Beaumont , Raphael ; Richard Hodgson , Herald ; Thomas Pickles , C of G . ; and Joshua P . Priestley , Org . ; 111 . Bro . Jonas Craven , 30 , P . M . W . S . ; E . and P . Bros . J . W . Monckman , P . M . W . S ., and A . H . J . Fletcher , M . A . . of this chapter . Visitor : E . and P . Bro . W . J . Beck , M . W . S . 77 .

The chapter having been opened , 111 . Bro . Charles J . Banister , S . G . I . G . 33 , Inspector-General of the North-Eastern District , entered , and was received as became his exalted position . The minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed . Apologies for unavoidable absence were received on behalf of many distinguished brethren , notably Bros . Major John Woodall Woodall , 32 ° ; Walter

Reynolds , 32 ° ; Thomas VV . Tew , 31 ° ; John Shaw , 30 ° ; Jack Sutcliffe , 30 ° ; John Barker , 30 ; John Marshall , 30 ; T . B . Whytehead , 30 ; Thomas Oates , M . W . S . < 5 S ; Major A . H . H . Macgachen , M . W . S . 23 ; C . L . Mason , F . Whiteley , John Royle , Thomas Norfolk , and Charles J . Schott . The ballot was taken for Bro . George Carbert , which resulted unanimously in his favour , but on

account of unforeseen circumstances he could not be present on this occasion , which was much regretted . The balancesheet having been adopted , the M . W . S . called upon the Recorder to make a presentation to 111 . Bro . Charles J . Banister , S . G . I . G . 33 , on behalf of the members of the chapter . The Recorder , on rising to discharge that very pleasant

duty , expressed his regret that the M . W . S . had decided not to make the presentation himself in accordance with his prerogative . Had the M . W . S . performed that duty in his official capacity , it would have considerably heightened the interest of the proceedings , besides being something uncommon in the annals of Masonry for a son , occupying the highest position as head of the chapter , to make , on behalf

of that chapter , a presentation to his father , occupying the still more exalted rank of Inspector-General of the District . The M . W . S ., however , most probably felt some delicacy in the matter , and for that reason strenuously urged him to take the duty . The Recorder proceeded to say that he had a very agreeable task to perform , but the pleasure felt by him on that interesting occasion was

somewhat alloyed in consequence of knowinghis own inability to deal with the subject effectively , and had some more qualified brother been deputed to discharge that duty , the interesting event would have shone forth with greater lustre . However , he hoped the brethren would excuse his defects . More than 12 months ago the question was asked "VVhen will be the golden wedding-day of our 111 . Bro . Banister ?"

So far back it was arranged when the time came round that some tangible recognition should mark the event . As the wished-for-period approached , matters wete put into shape , and on the idea being mooted , there was a hearty response , which resulted in the unanimous support of the whole chapter . The Recorder believed he was betraying no secret when he

informed the brethren that their illustrious brother was in his 75 th year . During a great portion of that time he had laboured hard for the advancement of Freemasonry in its varied branches , and no doubt he had derived much happiness from his lengthened intercourse with the Fraternity . One could not help thinking that the pleasures resulting from the discharge of his arduous duties must have exceeded

all others in enjoyment , to say nothing" of the thousands upon thousands of miles he had travelled in the interest of Freemasonry . The present month had witnessed the golden wedding celebration . A golden wedding was by no means of common occurrence , but when such an event did happen amongst those who were loved and esteemed , there was a special halo of interest around it . 111 . Bro . Banister

Ancient And Accepted Rite.

was their chief . By his unwearied zeal in the Masonic cause , and especially in that Order , had he shown unremitting attention to that chapter . He had taught them not only to respect , but to revere him , and they hailed with extreme pleasure that opportunity of showing their appreciation of his many and valued services . The Recorder was not disposed to weaken the effect of the "Address" by any other remark , beyond this—that he believed it expressed

full } ' the feelings and sentiments of the brethren , and , with the permission of the M . W . S ., hc would read it : "To Illustrious Bro . Chas . Jas . Banister , S . G . I . G . 33 , Inspector-General of the North-Eastern District , England . " We , your brethren of the Prince of Wales Chapter , Rose Croix , 1 S , No . 69 , Huddersfield , cannot allow the

jubilee of your marriage to pass without offering to you and your beloved wife our most hearty congratulations . " By this auspicious event we are reminded of your long - , useful , and honourable career , its beneficial influence being manifest in all your relations of life—public , domestic , or Masonic . " Your untiring zeal and indomitable perseverance in the

interests of the A . and A . Rite are well known , and we owe to you a deep debt of gratitude for your exertions in this chapter . " As a small acknowledgment in appreciation of your efforts , and as a mark of the high esteem in which you are held , we ask your acceptance of this silver tea and coffee

service , and at the same time express the hope that the G . A . O . T . U . will continue to bestow His blessings upon yourself and family also that your life may be prolonged many years to preside over us as Inspector-General of this District in the Order of which you have long been so distinguished an ornament . " VVe are , Illustrious Brother ,

" Yours faithfully and fraternally , Frank Wm . Banister , M . W . S . ; Chas . Crabtree , 30 , P . M . W . S ., Prelate ; Alfred Gill , 30 ° , 1 st General ; Jno . R . Welsman , 2 nd General ; Henry Shaw , P . M . W . S ., Treas . ; H . S . Holdsworth , Gd . Marshal ; E . A . Beaumont , Raphael ; Fredk . Whiteley , D . of C ; Richd . Hodgson , Herald ; Thomas Pickles , Capt . of

the G . ; Joshua P . Priestley , Organist ; John Royle , Outer Guard ; Jonas Craven , 30 ° , P . M . W . S . ; John Marshall , 30 , P . M . W . S . ; J . L . Atherton , 30 ° , P . M . W . S ., Recorder ; J . W . Monckman , P . M . W . S . ; C C L . Bernin , Hiram Burley , Archibald H . J . Fletcher , Thomas Norfolk , A . F . Fitz-Patric , Aulay Macaulay , C . J . Schott , Charles Greenwood .

"March 29 th , 1890 . " The Recorder then , in the name of the chapter , presented the service and illuminated address to 111 . Bro . Banister , and desired his acceptance of the same . Prior to 111 . Bro . Banister replying , the M . W . S . called upon 111 . Bro . Jonas Craven , 30 , P . M . W . S ., to make a few remarks .

Bro . Craven said that , as one of the founders of the chapter , it afforded him special pleasure to witness its present prosperity . He had noticed a steady growth in numbers . The development being gradual indicated health and vitality , and , all considered , the future prospects of the chapter were very encouraging . He looked upon 111 . Bro . Banister—who had by his influence rescued it from almost

a forlorn to its present healthy condition—as the mainspring of its existence , and , now that its progress was most apparent , he ( Bro . Craven ) was convinced that a large debt of gratitude was owing to that illustrious brother for all he had done . Bro . Craven was delighted to have the opportunity of adding his own testimony to the general esteem in which 111 . Bro . Banister was held . Bro . Craven

rejoiced in the happy circumstances of the day , and believed himself to be echoing the sentiments of the brethren in stating the personal regard which ex . sted towards their worthy brother to be so great that anything being known to interest him would interest them also . They rejoiced with him in his gladness , and they would grieve with him did grief befall him .

Bro . VV . J . Beck , M . W . S . 77 , expressed his gratitude for the privilege of being present on that most interesting occasion , and all the more so because he happened to be the only visitor . He was sure more visitors would have attended had they known what was intended to take place . He looked upon the presentation as something quite unique in Freemasonry , occurring as it had during the time that

the son of their illustrious brother held the position of M . W . S . of the chapter . The incident was very touching . 111 . Bro . Banister was worthy of the good feeling that had been shown towards him , and he ( Bro . Beck ) rejoiced to participate in it that day . He could assure the brethren that in his own chapter at Leeds they looked up to III . Bro . Banister with feelings of admiration and respect , for they

held him in high esteem . He attended their meetings regularly at much personal inconvenience , and was no less a father to the chapter at Leeds than to that one . In fact , 111 . Bro . Banister was the father of all the chapters in his district , being equally beloved by all the brethren composing them . Bro . Henry Shaw , P . M . W . S ., who had been a member

of the chapter since its formation , also bore testimony to the invaluable exertions of 111 . Bro . Banister , and said he was delighted to share in the enjoyment of that day's work . 111 . Bro . C J . Banister , S . G . I . G . 33 , replied as follows : My dear Bro . Atherton , and my dear friends , —Accept my heartfelt thanks for your kindness to me at all times , but

more particularly on this auspicious occasion , being that of our " Golden Wedding , " which happening during my son's occupancy of the office of M . W . S . of this , the Prince of Wales Chapter , Rose Croix , is a very singular coincidence . I greatly rejoice it is so , as it will afford another incentive to him by reminding him of his obligation , wherein , at his installation , he promised to promote the good of the Order ,

and of this chapter in particular . This , I am sure , he has endeavoured to carry out to the letter . I must , also , on behalf of my dear wife , return her sincere thanks for the very elegant service of plate which you have just presented to us on behalf of the members of this chapter , together , with the exquisitely worded and beautifully illuminated address , expressive of that affectionate regard and esteem

that has existed between each member of the chapter and myself ever since its consecration in 1 S 76 , and which I trust will continue to the end of my life . It is now 17 years since I had the honour conferred upon me by the Supreme Council of England and Wales , and the Dependencies of the British Crown , of being appointed S . G . I . G . of the Northern District of England . In this capacity , I have

Ancient And Accepted Rite.

during that long time enjoyed thorough' happiness , and my official visits have been fraught with the most pleasant remembrances , on all occasions receiving the kindest expressions of love and esteem from every member of the various chapters under my supervision . To live in the hearts and affections of those over whom one has , to a certain extent , to rule , must indeed be an enviable position . My

dear friends , I have often told y .- > u that age and infirmities suggested retirement from active inspection , and that 1 should make room for some other worthy brother ' s advancement to the high position I now fill , but your kindness and that of all the members of this beautiful Christian Degree , have so endeared and ' cemented us together that I still monopolise the office , and make regular visits to all . Seeing

that we have passed the Jubilee of our married life , we must prepare to descend the ladder which we have so harmoniously mounted to the top . It is my most earnest hope and desire that you and yours may receive every blessing through life , and that some ot you ( although very few are privileged ) , may be permitted to attain a similarly proud position to that which my dear wife antl myself have arrived . We have been blessed to each other . VVe are blessed with our

children and grandchildren , and are truly thankful to out-Heavenly Father who has preserved us through life . The M . W . S ., Bro . Frank W . Banister , expressed himself quite overjoyed with the event of the day , and the way in which his dear father had been spoken of that day would be a never-to-be-forgotten incident in his life . Having thanked the officers and members for their uniform courtesy ,

and kindness to him during his term , which he hoped would be continued to his successor , he then requested his illustrious father to install the M . W . S . elect . 111 . Bro . Gill . 30 , M . W . S . elect , was suitably presented by Bro . J . VV . Monckman to III . Bro . C . J . Banister , S . G . LC , 33 ° , who most impressively rendered the ceremony of installation . III . Bro . Gill having been regularly installed

and proclnimed M . W . S . or the chapter , he invested his officers as follows : 111 . Bro . Chas . Crabtree , 30 , P . M . W . S ., Prelate ; E . and P . Bros . J- R . Welsman , ist General ; H . S . Holdsworth , 2 nd General ; H . Shaw , P . M . W . S ., Treas . ; 111 . Bro . J . L . Atherton , 30 , P . M . W . S ., Recorder ; E . and P . Bros . E . A . Beaumont , Gd . Marshal ; F . Whiteley , Raphael , * R . Hodgson , D . C ; T . Pickles ,

Herald ; J . Royle , Captain of Guards ; J . P . Priestley , Org . ; and A . H . J . Fletcher , M . A ., Outer Guard . The Recorder drew attention to the fact that the day of meeting—Saturday—was not convenient to several of the members , who , on account of their business , could not possibly attend . He asked if it was possible to change the day , and thought that might be done , as the by-laws of the

chapter did not fix for the meetings to be held on one certain day . So long ' as the meetings were convened any time during the months of March and October the by-laws would be complied with . Without any formal proposition it was considered advisable to convene a meeting on some other day than Saturday as an experiment , and the matter was left with the

M . W . S . to act in accordance with the suggestion . Bro . Beaumont again introduced the subject as to the advisability of the chapter increasing its number of meetings , and thought it would be more conducive to the interest of the chapter could that be done . The Recorder reminded Bro . Beaumont that many of the brethren had to travel some distance in order to attend the

meetings as it was , and possibly to increase the number at present might result in inconvenience . At any rate , he ( the Recorder ) had no desire to depreciate the good motives of Bro . Beaumont ; on the other hand , he thoroughly appreciated them , but at the present thought that By-law III . lucidly and effectively settled the point , since "the M . W . S . shall have the power of calling chapters of emergency so

often as in his judgment the good of the Order shall require . " The subject then dropped . Alms having been collected , and all regular business being at an end , the chapter was closed . Before the brethren left the chapter a circle was formed , and the loving cup passed round .

The brethren afterwards sat down to a sumptuous dinner , prepared under the special supervision of Bro . Shaw . The usual loyal and patriotic toasts met with a most hearty response . "The Health of the Supreme Council and Members of the 33 " was given by the M . W . S ., the name of 111 . Bro .

Banister being coupled with it . 111 . Bro . Banister , on rising to respond , was received with the most hearty enthusiasm . On behalf of the Supreme Council , he thanked them , and as for himself he should never forget the proceedings of that day , and the kindness of the whole members of the chapter . The time would come when he should feel himself obliged to resign—he was

bound to face the inevitable . Whenever that time should arrive , and he should give place to another who possessed the energy of younger years , he hoped the brethren would accord that kindness and good feeling to his successor that had invariably been displayed towards him . So long as he

was able , he should visit the chapters , but his visits might not be so frequent as in the past . He should always love to come amongst them . Bro . Monckman proposed "The Health of the Members of the 32 , 31 ° , and 30 " in a telling speech , which was afterwards responded to by Bros . Atherton , Crabtree , and

Gill . 111 . Bro . Banister , 33 ° , proposed " The Health of III . Bro . Alfred Gill , 30 , M . W . S ., " who , he had no doubt , would rule to the advantage of the chapter . The M . W . S . thanked the brethren for placing him in that high position , and also 111 . Bro . Banister for installing

him . Although he might not be able to discharge the duties of M . W . S . as well as his predecessors , he would emulate their example , and endeavour at the end of his term to have the chapter in as satisfactory a condition as he found it . The M . W . S . proposed "The Health of thc retiring M . W . S ., " speaking of his efforts in the most eulogistic

manner . Bro . F . VV . Banister , in acknowledging thc toast , expressed his regret that he was obliged to leave the chair without having a candidate to perfect during his year . He had fully prepared himself , as indeed had his officers , to

discharge that duty before retiring from the high position , but , unfortunately , both candidates were prevented from being present . He should try to serve the best interests ot the chapter in the future as in the past . Bro . VV . J . Beck , M . W . S . 77 , having responded to the