Provincial Grand Lodge Of Jersey

' Ihe usual loyal and Masonic toasts were duly honoured , Bro . Capt . GODLEY responding for "The Visitors . " 'I he musical arrangements were in charge of Bro . VV . H . Burt , Prov . G . Org ., amongst the singers beirg Bros . McNeill , Mollett , and Staff Sergt . Gibson , R . E . ; this latter is the possessor of a fine tenor voice , which was heard to great advantage , and especially admired .

Provincial Grand Chapter Of West Yorkshire:

PROVINCIAL GRAND CHAPTER OF WEST YORKSHIRE :

The above Prov . Grand Chapter was held in the new Masonic Hill , Great George-street , Leeds , on Wednesday , the 27 th ult ., under the banners of the Leeds Chapters , viz .: Fidelity , 2 S 9 ; Philanthropic , 304 ; Alfred , 306 ; Excelsior , 1042 ; and Prudence , 2069 . Present : Comps . Richard Wilson , P . Z . 289 , Past G . Soj ., Prov . G . H ., as Grand Superintendent ; Jno . C . Malcolm , Z . 306 , Past G . Soj ., P . as Prov . G . H . ; Davis R . Glover . P . Z . 280 , Prov . G . J . ; C . Letch Mason , P . Z . 304 , P . Prov . G . H . ;

Thos . Rd . Vaux , P . Z . 208 , P . Prov . G . I . ; Major H . G . E . Green , P . Z . 154 , P . A . G . D . of C , Prov . G . S . K . ; Wm . Laycock , P . Z . 1004 , P . as Prov . G . S . N . ; James Bedford , P . Z . 304 , and Alfred Stephenson , P . Z . 302 , P . P . G . S . Ns . ; Robert Potter , P . Z . 61 , Prov . G . Treas . ; William Smith , P . ZT 10 4 , and Richard Jackson , P . Z . 28 9 , P . Prov . G . Treasurers ; R . M . Kerr . P . Z . 61 , P . as Prov . G . Reg . ; George Hy . Robinson , P . Z . 275 , P . as Prov . Dep . G . Reg . ; Richard Hodgson , P . Z . 448 , Prov . G . Prin . Soj . ; Jno . W . Booth , P . Z . 304 , Prov . 1 st

Asst . G . Soj . ; J . W . Monckman , J . P ., P . Z . 600 , P . as Prov . 2 nd Asst . G . Soj . ; W . F . Tomlinson , P . Z . 304 , John Seed , P . Z . 448 , John Shoesmith , P . Z . 521 , John Richardson , P . Z . 1001 , Dr . George Hoyle , P . Z . 61 , Wm . Jas . Beck , P . Z . 289 , Wm . Watson , P . Z . 304 , Hon . Librarian , Thos . J . Pickles , P . Z . 258 , John Wm . Bailey , P . Z . 304 , Jno . Thrippleton , P . Z . 306 , Wm . Flockton , P . Z . 1042 , T . lbbetson Walker , P . Z . 448 , J . T . Simpson , P . Z . 61 , and Jno . Wm . Cocking , P . Z . 27 S , P . P . G . Sojs . ; Chatles Sciiven , P . Z . 2069 , Prov . G . S . B . ; Hy . Harrison ,

P . Z . 45 s , Prov . D . G . S . B . ; A . E . Powolny , P . Z . 304 , Wm . Harrison , P . Z . 265 , and Henry Marsh , P . Z . 2 S 9 , P . P . G . S . Bs . ; Wm . Geo . Stansfield , P . Z . 603 , Prov . G . Std . Br . ; Wm . Hy . Jlilnes , J . P ., P . Z . ioi 9 , Thos . W . Roome . P . Z . 904 , Hy . Beaumont , P . Z . 1283 , and J . P . Browne , P . Z . 600 , P . P . G . Std . Brs . ; James Millington , P . Z . 2 S 9 , Prov . G . D . of C . ; Jno . Virr , P . Z . 302 , Prov . Asst . G . D . of C ; Edmund Lord , P . Z . 910 , Thos . Heaton , P . Z . 265 , J . K . Ulakey , P . Z . 1214 , Chas . Middleton , P . Z . 2069 , F . S . H . Wilson , P . Z . 139 , F . G . Dimery , P . Z .

206 9 , and Martin Eismann , P . Z . 872 , P . P . G . D . of Cs . ; Alfred Scarth , P . Z . 2 S 9 , P . as Prov . G . Org . ; J . J . Martin , P . Z . 1019 , P . as Prov . Asst . G . S . E . ; Alfred Leach , P . Z . 495 , P . P . Asst . G . S . E . ; Thos . Leighton , Janitor 139 , Prov . G . Janitor ; Dr . Edwin Dean , P . Z . 1645 , Thos . Edmund Barker , P . Z . 1239 , and Jno . H . Lee , P . Z . 1019 , Prov - G - Stwds . ; and acting Principals , Past First Principals , and companions of the following chapters : 61 , 139 , 154 , 20 S , 258 , 264 , 265 , 275 , 2 S 9 , 290 , 302 , 304 , 306 , 30 S , 337 , 3 S 0 , 408 , 448 , 458 , 49 s , 521 , 600 , 603 , 652 , 827 , 904 , 910 , 1001 , 101 9 , 4 2 , 1214 , 1239 , 1283 , 1645 , 2069 , 2261 , and

2491 . Apologies were received from Comps . the Right Hon . W . L . Jackson , M . P ., G . Supt . ; Henry Smith , P . G . S ., P . P . G . H . ; W . C . Lupton , P . G . S ., P . P . G . J . ; W . F . Smithson , P . G . Std . Br . ; Francis Smith , P . Z . 837 , Prov . G . S . N . ; F . VV . Reuss , P . Z . 208 , Prov . G . 2 nd A . S . ; Joseph

France , P . Z . 904 , Prov . A . G . D . C ; M . J . Dodworth , P . Z . 139 , Prov . A . G . D . C . ; C . F . Btindley , P . Z . 2491 , P . P . G . O . ; Frank Johnson , P . Z . 974 , Prov . G . Stwd . ; W . Blackburn , P . Z . 306 , Chairman C . C . ; H . Slade Childe , P . Z . 154 , P . P . G . J ., Vice-Chairman C . C . ; and about 30 Zs ., P . Zs ., and companions .

Comp . Richard Wilson , P . Z . 2 S 9 , P . G . S ., Prov . G . H ., acting Grand Superintendent , accompanied by the Prov . G . Officers , having entered , the Prov . Grand Chapter was opened . The acting Grand Superintendent was saluted . The Grand Officers were saluted . The Prov . G . H . and I . and the rest of the Prov . Grand Officers were

saluted . The roll of Present Prov . Grand Officers was called . The roll of Past Prov . Grand Officers was noted . The Prov . G . S . E . presented the minutes of the annual meeting , held at Huddersfield on Wednesday , 15 th May , 1901 ( copies having been sent to the 606 companions entitled to rece ' ve them ) . It was moved , seconded , and resolved— " That the minutes be taken as read and confirmed . "

The ACTING GRAND SI'I'E RIKTEKDENT , addressing the companions , said :

You have been called together this November really only in compliance with Prov . Grand Chapter By-law 3 , and not because there was any real need to do so . It is , in my opinion , much better to meet twice than only once yearly , because it gives us greater interest in the work . Ours is the only Prov . Grand Chapter in England that meets twice a year , and I believe it is largely in consequence of this fact that we have the largest number of chapters and companions of any province in England . . My desire is that we may be always in that position . I have had

before me , for some time , three petitions for new chapters to be attached to lodges in BradftrJ , and I have been puzzled to know which charter , if one only was granted , would nsult in the greatest good to the province , and the least injury to the three exiting chapters . I was convinced that there was only room for one additional chapter in Bradford at present , but I called the three M . E . Z . ' s nominate and two petitioners from each of the three petitioning chapters—a total of nine companions—to carefully consider the matter . The majority thought one

new chapter sufficient . After hearing their opinions , and after mature thought , I decided that to grant a chatter to Shakespeare , 1018 , would be the best , and I shall accordingly ask the Grand Superintendent to recommend that petition . I have aho under consideration a petition for a chapter to be attached to Lodge de Warren , 1302 , Halifax . 1 may say , in general terms , that 1 have every desire to encourage and promote Royal Atch Masonry , but I am sure that to overcrowd Ihe province with needless chapters will do it more harm than good . The death ,

from an accident , of M . E . Comp . William Wither Bramston Beach , M . P ., the G . J . of England , on August 2 nd , threw the Grand Chapter and all subordinate chapters into mourning lor ihe three months ending November 9 th . We should be wanting in our duty if we did not place on record a memorandum to the effect that H . R . H . the Duke of Connaught , K . G ., & e ., was installed First G . Principal in Supreme Grand Chapter at Freemasons' Hall on Wednesday , 7 th August , in

succession to his Majisty the King , who had resigned . Ihe working of the Royal Arch Degree in Leeds , at all events , under the authority ot the Supreme G . Chapter , extends back to the year 1793 , but the earliest authentic record we have at present is that cited by our lamented Bro . Herbert Crossleyfrom the minutes of the premier lodge of this county , Probity , 61 , Halifax , as follows : "October 30 th , 1765 , Bro . Thomas Atkinson , Bro . Thomas Wallbank , and Bro . William

Provincial Grand Chapter Of West Yorkshire:

Perigo , all of Leeds , were made Royal Arches . " Bro . Thomas Atkinson has been traced as being a member of an old Leeds lodge , warranted March 28 th , I 7 S 4 , which met at one time at the Old Parrot , in Call-lane , Leeds . ft was subsequently erased from the Grand Lodge roll in 177 6 . The lodges of the two other brethren have not been definitely traced . They may possibly have belonged to the Old Parrot Lodge or some lodge out of Leeds . It has been stated that lodges were formed over the country during the 18 th century , and

especially during the early portion of it , independently of Grand Lodge authority , and Leeds was not excepted in this respect . Consequently , we have ever the possibility in sight that brethren whose Masonic origin or associations cannot be traced may have owed their connection with Freemasonry to one or another of those non-regular lodges . Having no place on Grand Lodge roll , and no records preserved of any kind to speak of , the identification of such lodges ( and their belongings ) after ceasing to work , would soon become

exceedingly difficult or altogether impracticable . Passing to the closing portion of the 18 th century , interest in Royal Arch Masonry appears to have been stirred , but not fully awakened at the outset , in Leeds , as we find that Unity Chapter , 72 , placed on the Grand Chapter roll for 1 790 , was officially recorded as not opening until 1796 , when its members met formally for the first time on 21 st August in that year in " private rooms . " As you are aware , the Royal Arch Degree was not recognised by the parent Grand Lodge of England until 1813 , the actual

completion of the structuie of Supreme Grand Chapter , as existing at present , not taking place until 1817 . Previous to this , each chapter had an undetached existence of its own as regards any lodge , and its own number on the Grand Chapter roll . fn lSi 7 , every chapter was called upon to attich itself to some lodge , and to take its number . The first recorded meeting of a Royal Arch chapter in Leeds is that of the one now known as Fidelity , No , 2 S 9 . The original charter was granted October 15 th , 1793 , and the

opening took place on Sunday , November 3 rd following , at the Old George , in Briggate , the then meeting place of the Fidelity Lodge . I may mention incidentall y that it was not uncommon then , nor at a much later period , for chapters , Knight Templar encampments , & c , to meet on a Sunday . The byelaws of this chapter , as formulated in 1801 , are still extant , and from them we learn that the proposition fee of a candidate was 5 s ., the fee for exaltation being 27 s . The installation of Principals in the earlier years of this chapter must have

been simplicity itself compared with the beautiful and impressive ceremonial which was formulated at a later date by Grand Chapter , and which is the orthodox mode of procedure now . To quote from the minutes of February 1 st , 1795 : "Chapter opened at 3 o ' clock—Comp . Suttliff ; Z ., Boothman , H . ; Brown , J . When the minutes of last night was read and confirmed , and the ballot proceeded with , when Brother and Com . Suttliff was unanimously elected Z . and Com . Smithson was elected H ., likewise Com . Banks J . and immediately took

, their seats in their respective places , and immediate proceeded to elect the other officers , where Com . Suttliff chose Compn . Parish for the principle Sorgurner , Brother and Com . Smithson chose Comp . Brown 2 nd Sorgurner , and Com . Banks chose Comp . Simpson as 3 rd Sorgurner , and Com . Z . chose Com . Boothman as N . and Com . Craven Ezra , which all accordingly took their respective olices , " & c . A minute of May 5 th , 1799 , is also interesting : " It was also proposed that the Arch be thoroughly repaired , and that the steps be cleaned , and

the top of the Pedestal be made to slide so as to contain the Bible when open to shew to the new exalted Companions . " The next chapter formed was the Perseverance , No . 120 , the charter having been granted on the recommendation of the aforenamed Unity Chapter , No . 72 , and Perseverance , No . 86 , then of Halifax ( now 275 , of Huddersfield ) the dispensation to meet being dated July 19 th , 1802 . Amicable relations appear to have existed between the chapter and the Fidelity , as the Perseverance ceased to persevere on its own account , and became satisfied

to work in future with Fidelity , by merging its identity into that of its sister chapter at a later period . At the merging of the Royal Arch organisations into one Supreme Grand Chapter , each subordinate chapter , as already intimated , was called upon to attach itself to some lodge and to take its number . The chapter previously known as Fidelity , No . 93 , elected to attach itself to Fidelity Lodge , now No . 28 9 , and received a substitute charter dated 3 rd April , 1819 . The Unity Chapter , known as No . 72 , attached itself to the Alfred Lodge ,

now No . 306 , and adopted both its name and nuaiber , the substitute charter bearing the same date as that of the Fidelity , viz ., 3 rd April , 1819 . After a long interval we ccme to the foundation of the Philanthropic Chapter , No . 304 . the charter bearing date November 4 th , 1863 . The consecration took place during the holding of Provincial Grand Chapter at Leeds , on Wednesday , December 23 rd , 1863 , the late Ex . Comp . John Batlev , Prov . Grand J ., acting as Grand Superintendent . That the granting of this charter was amply justified , is obvious wnen

we glance at the Masonic strength and worth of the 10 founders , all being skilful and well-known workers , and , in most instances , having more than purely local eminence . Of comparatively recent formation , the chapter at its very commencement at once took front ran' < with regard to efficiency in working and general prosperity and success , and has never varied from tint enviable position to the present day . The founders , before embarking on their new venture , considered well the contingencies in front of them , both with regard to their own period and

the more distant future . Enterprise thus tempered with judgment and discretion has received its well-earned reward . Following on we have the consecration of Excelsior Chapter , 1042 , on the 28 th of January , i 885 , and the Prudence Chapter , 2069 , on the 25 th of June , 1 S 92 . The present generation of Arch Masons in Leeds , and that immediately past , to say nothing of the time previous , presents us with a long roll of members who by their distinguished fidelity , ability , and zeal have shed Ius , tie upon the Craft . Ot those who have passed away stands out ,

prominent and distinct , the name of Comp . the Rev . A . F . A . Woodtord , M . A ., who was . indeed a " bright particular star " in the Masonic firmament . A Past Grand Officer in the Grand Lodge and Chapter , an eloquent speaker , a diligent student , a fluent writer , and a profound scholar , he was at once proficient in the smallest details of our ritual and in the deepest of its occult mysteries . His tame had travelled to the remotest lands , and to-day his name is dwelt upon as that of one of the greatest masters of the Craft in his time . The names of Comps . John Batley , John Fisher , Thomas Perkinton , and Robert Craig ( and many others we

could recount ) , call up to our minds eye faithful and true companions , whose faces were once familiar throughout the province . How many of us still dwell in recollection upon the pathetic sight of our late venerable Comp . Robert Craig , who , when the dark and gloomy night of blindness fell upon him , closing Ironi his view for a time all that was near and dear in life , suffered the calamity with foititude and cheerful resignation , going on his way with unswerving faith and zeal and unfading love of Masonry . Alfection and respect for his memory will ever cling to those who knew him . Of such as he and all his nobie kind we may treasure in our inmost souls the immortal poet ' s words 1

"To live in hearts we leave behind Is not to die . " Of those P . Zs . and Past Prov . G . Olllcers who still survive , we may Venture to mention E . Comp , John Dunning Kay , who stands at the head of the roll of Fidelity , 28 9 , Lodge and Chapter , as the oldest subscribing member . To many of he is known the

us as distinguished and respected ruler ot the Order of the Temple in this province . He was exilted April I 3 ; h , 1864 , and has been a subscribing member continuously from that time . Samuel Wdterrijuse No // a n , exalted October 15 th , 1861 , founder and P . Z . of Pmlamnropic , 304 , ..., .-i 4 i he roll of his chapter , being its oldest subscribing member , and one of tnosa to