Provincial Grand Chapter Of West Yorkshire.

monies as well to his cultured and well-stored mind as to his great zeal for the Craft . Companions , as time rolls on , no doubt the place of Comp . Tew will be filled by some worthy man , and the poignancy of our grief will be assuaged , but I hope and believe that so long as life endures many of us will bear within our breasts a loving memory of Comp . Tew . Comp . G . H . PARKE , Z . 1 * 54 , seconded the resolution , which was carried .

Comp . HENRV COWBROUGH , P . Z . 1042 , Prov . G . Treas ., presented his balance sheet , and stated that the balance in Messrs . Leatham , Tew and Co . ' s bank to the credit of Provincial Grand Chapter uow stood at ^ 213 12 s . gd ., being about £ 11 less than they started the year with , but this was accounted for by the vote of £ 52 ios . to the Boys' School . He moved that it be received and adopted . This was seconded by the PROV . GRAND REGISTRAR and carried .

The retiring P . G . Treasurer then , in complimentary terms , proposed Comp . John Dyson , P . Z . 306 , as his successor . This was seconded by Comp . J RICHARDSON , P . Z . 1001 , and , on the motion being put , Comp . Dyson was declared to be unanimously elected . The Acting Grand Superintendent then appointed and invested the following Prov . G . Officers for the ensuing year :

Comp . Henry Smith , P . Z . 302 ... ... Prov . G . H . „ John Shaw , P . Z . 139 ... ... ... Prov . G . J . „ Capt . H . G . E . Green , P . Z . 154 ... Prov . G . S . E . „ Joe Booth Whiteley , P . Z . 290 ... ... Prov . G . S . N . ,, John Dyson , P . Z . 306 ( elected ) ... ... Prov . G . Treas . „ Harold Thomas , P . Z . 29 6 ... ... Prov . G . Reg .

„ John Cass , J . P ., P . Z . 302 ... ... Prov . D . G . Reg . „ J . Richardson , P . Z . 1001 ... ... Prov . G . P . Soj . „ G . T . Schofield . J . P ., P . Z . 337 ... ... Prov . ist A . G . Soj . „ T . Ibbetson Walker , P . Z . 44 8 ... ... Prov . 2 nd A . G . S . ,, Francis Fleming , P . Z . 61 ... ... Prov . G . S . B . DrWFWattsPZ 20 S ProvDGSB

.. . . . . .. ... ... . .... ' „ William Cockcroft , P . Z . 307 ... ... Prov . G . Std . Br . ;; ^ k Sffip . JSf p - .: , 4 fi 2 ::: } p- A . G . std . Br , „ Tom Tomlinson , P . Z . 289 ... ... Prov . G . D . C . „ Thomas Heaton , 265 ... ... ... ")

„ J . Kenworthy Blakey , 1214 ... ... ^ Prov . A . G . D . Cs . „ Arthur Wm . Gration , 1513 ... ... J „ Jeremiah Dunnill , Org . 1019 ... ... Prov . G . Org . „ Alfred Leach , P . Z . 495 ... ... Prov . A . G . S . E . „ Thomas Chester , Janitor 904 ... ... Prov . G . Janitor . „ P . Bancroft Coward , P . Z . 904 ... ... ] „ Wm . Aked Statter , 1 54 ... ... n n c . J " Theo . Bates , 308 . ; ^ Prov . G . Stwds . „ Thomas Norfolk , 600 ... ... ... J

Comp . Malcolm , P . Z . 304 , P . P . G . Reg ., moved , Comp . John Shaw , P . Z . 139 , seconded , and it was resolved that a hearty vote of thanks be accorded to Comp . Edward Haigh , Z ., and and the companions of Prosperity Chapter , No . 290 , for their kind invitation and for the excellent

arrangements made for the comfort of the companions . There being no invitation for the November meeting ( when it is expected that the Grand Superintendent ' s installation would take place ) , Prov . Grand Chapter was closed . Tea was provided in the banquet-room , to which about 60 companions sat down , the Acting Grand Superintendent presiding .

Consecration Of The Manchester Lodge, No. 2554.

CONSECRATION OF THE MANCHESTER LODGE , No . 2554 .

The number of lodges in thc vast province of J * * . Lancashire has been augmented by still another which we are inclined to believe will prove a great acquisition to the many already in existence , namely , the Manchester Lodge , No . 2554 , consecrated on the 14 th inst ., at the Freemasons' Hall , Cooperstreet , Manchester . The new body owes its origin principally to the

following brethren : Bros . W . B . Akerman , P . M ., W . M . designate ; C . H . Arnold , P . M ., who will act as I . P . M ., * Thomas Plumpton , S . W . ; Wm . Charlton , J . P ., J . W . ; Wm . Boyer , Treas . ; A . C . K . Smith , Sec ; F . b . Lane , S . D . ; E . A . Eason , J . D . ; A . B . Smith , I . G . ; and W . E . Davies , Stwd . ; who are the founders and have signed the warrant .

It was announced on the summons that Bro . Col . Le Gendre Nicholas Starkie , Prov . Grand Master , would perform the consecration ceremony , and the installation by Bro . J . H . Sillitoe , P . G . Std . Br . Eng ., P . Prov . G . Warden E . Lanes . ; but owing to the unavoidable absence of the Prov . G . Master , Bro . Sillitoe was appointed to act as his deputy pro tem . to perform the whole of the consecration ceremony ; and never have we seen it more effectively rendered . All who had the pleasure of listening to it joined in one

unanimous chorus of praise and delight ; in fact , it was a most intellectual treat . He appointed as Consecrating Officers , Bros . Arthur Middleton , P . G . D ., as S . W . ; Dr . T . D . Foreman , P . P . G . D ., as J . VV . ; Revs . J . Kelty and J . W . Challenor , P . G . Chaps . ; John Chadwick , P . G . S . B . Eng ., Prov . G . Sec ; A . H . Dullin , Prov . G . D . C ; Thomas Wolstenholme , P . G . O . ; and \ V . AUier , Prov . G . Purst .

The musical arrangements were excellent , the following brethren taking Part : Bros . W . H . Kershaw ( alto ) , Cuthbert Blacow ( first tenor ) , J . Robinson , P . M . ( second tenor ) , A . S . Kinnell ( bass ) , under the direction of the Prov . G . Organist . The brethren assembled in the magnificent lodge room , which had been

speciall y decorated for the occasion . The Consecrating Officer , Bro . Sillitoe , with his assistants , together with such other Grand and Prov . Grand Officers as were present , entered in procession , admirably marshalled by ° «> . A . H . Duffin , P . G . D . C . The Presiding Officer took the chair . The lod ge was opened in the Three Degrees . A hymn was then sung .

The PRESIDING OFFICER addressed the brethren in regard to the object 'or which they had met together , After which Bro . Rev . J . KELTY , P . G . Chap ., offered up prayer . The founders were placed in order , and Bro . SUTCLIFFE , P . G . Reg ., ¦ * ead . the petition and the warrant which had been granted b y the M . W . G

Consecration Of The Manchester Lodge, No. 2554.

Master authorising the formation of the Manchester Lodge , No . 2554 , in answer to the prayer of the petition and designating Brcs . W . Baker Akerman , P . M ., W . M . ; Thomas Plumpton , S . W . ; and William Charlton , J . W . The CONSECRATING OFFICER inquired of the brethren ranged before him whether they approved of the officers named in the warrant , and the brethren having signified their approval in Masonic form , the CHAPLAIN , at the request of the Presiding Officer , gave the following admirable oration -.

Masonry is not an invention of the 19 th century , nor is it a mere organisation for social purposes ; but a living * organisation founded on the very purest principles , and having as its aim above all things the moral and social welfare of its members . No one can listen to the charges which are delivered at our lodge meetings without recognising this , and surely we are bound by the ties of fraternal interest , by the common welfare of the Craft to do our utmost to assure the

carrying out of those principles upon winch our Society is based . It is because our fathers acted on these principles , that Masonry has become what it now is , a power in the land . Its Charities are unrivalled and its membership sought and valued by the very highest in the land ; it seeks to promote the glory of God , peace on the earth , and good- will among men . It instructs us as brethren to dwell together in unity . It teaches us to imitate the innocence of the Iamb

, and the peacefulness of the dove ; to let the head , the tongue , and the heart be united , as they ought to promote each other ' s welfare and to rejoice in each other ' s prosperity . It admonishes us to be candid to a brother ' s faults , and never to condemn until we are thoroughly convinced of his unworthiness . These are the genuine principles of our Order , and they may well arouse in us a greater

enthusiasm for the Craft , a greater interest in the common welfare of our brethren , a more unbounded Charity , and a determination to show to the world that we are animated by that true spirit of brotherhood , which has been the guiding star of Masonry throughout the ages , and which alone under the direction of the Great Architect of the Universe can bring about the full realisation of the brotherhood of man .

The Presiding Officer proceeded to dedicate and constitute the lodge , after which an anthem was sung . The lodge was resumed to the Second Degree . Bro . W . Baker Akerman , W . M . designate , was presented by Bro . A . H . Duffin , P . G . D . C , and duly installed first W . M . of the Man-Chester Lodge , No . 2554 , and in that capacity was proclaimed and saluted in the Three Degrees , and the working tools presented . The W . M . then

invested his officers being the 10 founders as follows : Bros . Charles Henry Arnold , P . M . 645 , I . P . M . ; Thomas Plumpton , 317 , S . W . ; William Charlton , 317 , J . W . ; William Alderley Boyer , 317 , Treas . ; Arthur Clowes Knight Smith , 317 , Sec ; Francis Laurence Lane , 1009 , S . D . ; Edward Adolph Eason , 645 , J . D . ; Alfred Blades Smith , 6 35 , I . G . ; William Edward Davies , 1403 , Stwd .

The INSTALLING MASTER presented the warrant and Book of Constitutions , and also gave the addresses to the Worshipful Master , Wardens , and brethren . Bro . Boyer , Treas ., was elected Charity Representative for the ensuing

year . We have pleasure to record the iact that each of the 10 founders of the lodge has qualified as Steward and Life Governor for the forthcoming Festival of the East Lancashire Systematic Masonic Educational and Benevolent Institution , to be held on July 3 rd . This speaks volumes in itself , and shows at once the object of the formation of such a lodge , and we heartily wish them every success .

Before the lodge was closed , the W . M . expressed his regret for the absence of the P . G . M ., and said he could not allow that occasion to pass without remarking upon the admirable way in which Bro . Sillitoe performed the very important ceremonies of consecration and installation . He said he was sure all who witnessed them could not fail to be deeply impressed by the perfect and efficient manner in which they were rendered , and desired to propose a hearty vote of thanks to him and the other Prov . G . Officers , who had so very efficiently assisted him .

This was seconded by Bro . liios . PLUMITUX , S . W ., and carried with applause . The Prov . Grand Master and Bro . Sillitoe were elected honorary members . All other business being at an end , the lodge was closed .

Each of the promoters wore a founders' jewel of unique design , in gold and enamel , with the Manchester coat-of-arms , emblazoned upon the front , whilst the circulette in the centre bore the name and number of the lodge , Depicted , in enamel , on the top of the ribbon is fixed an elegant bar , with the word Founder beautifully worked in , the whole being beautifully finished , and very much admired .

At the banquet which subsequently followed , the Worshipful Master presided , having the Consecrating Officer , Bro . Sillitoe , on his right , and Bro . Arnold , the I . P . M ., on his left hand . The vice-chairs were occupied by the Senior and Junior Wardens respectively . The usual loyal and Masonic toasts were given . After the toast of " The Oueen , "

The WORSHIPFUL MVSTER . proposed that of "The Prince of Wales , M . W . Grand Master of England ; the Princess of Wales , and the rest of the Royal Family . " He said the fact that his Royal Highness was the head of their Order must show to those people who did not belong to their ranks at the present moment , that if he could conscientiously occupy that position , there must be something good in Freemasonry . It was now some years since he took that office , and he sincerely trusted he would long be spared to occupy it .

The WORSHIPFUL MASTER ncxt proposed thc toast of " The Pro Grand Master , the Earl of Lathom ; the Deputy Grand M ; ister , the Earl of Mount Edgcumbe ; and the rest of the ( irand Officers , Present and Past , " to which Bro . Sillitoe , P . G . Std . Br ., briefly responded . The WORSHIPFUL MASTER then submitted thc toast of " The Provincial Grand Master of East Lancashire , Colonel Le Gendre N . Starkie . " He

said it was a very deep source of regret to the founders of the Manchester Lodge that Colonel Starkie was not able lo be pre-eiu , his engagements being so numerous . It was now some 25 years since he was installed as Prov . Grand Master of East Lancashire , and when thi ; y saw the large increase there had been , not only in the number of ledges in the province ,

but also in the number of members , it must show tin : I'i ' tat popularity of Colonel Starkie and the way in which he was esteemed . He ( the W . M . ) sincerely trusted he would long be spared to reign over them , and that his career in the office he so worthily held would be as successful in the future as it had been in the past . The WORSHIPFUL MASTER next proposed " The Health of the Deputy Provincial Grand Master , Bro . George Mellor , " and expressed regret that a ,