Provincial Grand Lodge Of West Lancashire.

A procession was formed to the site of the new church at the corner of High Park-road and Newton-street , in a direct line with Bispham-road . The bands and corps of the Southport Battery of the R . N . A . V ., the 3 rd V . B . K . ( Liverpool ) Regiment , and the 3 rd L . A . V ., p laying " Prosper the Art , " were followed by the

visiting brethren , the lodges of the province , juniors first , the bearers of the vessels and emblems , and finall y the Provincial Grand Lodge and heralds . The arrival of the Provincial Grand Master was announced by a flourish a trumpets , and the officiating brethren took their stand on a spacious and high

dais , the rest of the brethren and many ladies occupying galleries on three sides of the enclosure , and the Volunteers fringing the dais , After the hymn ( led by a choir conducted by Bro . W . Wilkinson ) , " In the name which earth and heaven , " Mr . C . SCARISBRICK ( representing the Scarisbrick

trustees , donors of the site ) , presented the Earl of Lathom with a silver trowel , and requested him to lay the stone . He thanked his lordship for attending to perform the ceremony , and said that had he ( Mr . Scarisbrick ) been a Mason it would have added to the interest of the event . He trusted the building about to be

elected would be blessed by the All-seeing Eye . Lord LATHOM expressed his thanks , remarking that he took special pleasure in laying the stone , as the ceremony was being Masonically performed , and he only hoped the present gathering would show how trul y Freemasons join in religious work , and wish for the

health and strength of the churches in every possible way . He could but reiterate the assurance that he was always very glad to be of use in Southport , and particularly to one of his fellow-brethren in Freemasonry . The PROV . G . SEC . having read the inscription on the plate , and the Prov . G . T . having deposited in the

cavity a phial containing jubilee coins and papers , the Prov . G . M . ordered the stone to be lowered , and proved its just position with plumb-rule , level , and square . He then received corn from Bro . R . Foote , W . M . ; wine from Bro . the Rev . J . Ashby , W . M . 1313 ; and oil from Bro . R . A . M'Feeter , W . M . 613 , and strewed these symbols on the stone with the accustomed formulae .

Prosper the Art" ( G . Hargreaves ) was sung , and one of the architects ( Bro . J . Sutton , P . P . D . G . D . C ) , presented the plans , and was desired to proceed with the completion of the work . A collection . was gathered towards the building fund , many ladies handing up purses , and the hymn " The church ' s one foundation " formed the conclusion of the

ceremony . The Provincial Grand Lodge was subsequentl y closed . The weather , which had been rainy until about two

p . m ., cleared shortl y before the ceremony , and remained fine until it was nearly completed . In the evening about 150 brethren and ladies dined at the Prince of Wales Hotel , under the presidency of the Prov . G . Sec .

The proposed church of St . Simon and St . Jude represents a new departure in Southport church work , being the first mission church , as distinguished from a mission room , in the district . Its design is a severe treatment of the early English style adapted to the materials to be used , Burnley bricks , terra-cotta

dressings , and Welsh slates . The nave and side aisle will seat 6 48 persons , school children finding accommodation in the chapel and extra vestry . A low screen will divide the choir and sanctuary from the nave , provision being made for a reredos to be added . The doors will all open outwards , rather a novel arrangement in a church .

Presentation To Bro. T. B. Whytehead.

PRESENTATION TO BRO . T . B . WHYTEHEAD .

A ceremony of interest to Mark Masons generall y took place at York , on Tuesday , the 15 th inst . when the Mark Masons of the Province of North and East Yorkshire recognised in a practical manner the excellent services for so long rendered in the cause by Bro . T . B . WhvtpViocirl P M pr . n TT „„ lo „^ l * D v n c i

f he presentation , which consisted of a handsome English gold keyless lever watch , accompanied by a neatlydluminated address , was made b y Bro . J . W . Woodall , P . P . G . M ., in the presence of the following brethren : Bros , the Hon . W . T . Orde-Powlett , Prov . G . M . ; Col . R - C SmithD . P . G . M . ; the Rev . W . ValentinePP

, , .. G . C . ; A . W . Walker , Prov . G . Sec . ; W . H . Cowper P . P . G . W . ; M . Millington , P . P . G . D . ; G . Balmford , P -P . G . O . ; W . Brown , P . P . G . S . B . ; J . T . Seller , P P G . W . ; John Marshall , Prov . G . Treas . ; Jos . Todd -P . G . Treas . P . G . O . Geo . LambGeoChapman S

^ , , ; , . G . Crummack , W . Storey , E . K . Spiegelhalter , A . H H - McGachen , F . W . Halliwell , and J . L . Spetch . The brethren assembled at the De Grey Rooms at J o ' clock , and partook of dinner , supplied by Bro . Halliwell . At the conclusion of the meal .

Bro . WOODALL submitted the toasts of " The Queen *» nd Mark Masonry , " " The Prince of Wales , Grand faster of Mark Masons , and the members of the Grand Lod ge / ' " The Provincial Grand Master of the North and East Ridings , Bro . the Hon . W . T . Orde-Powlett , *} nd the members of the Provincial Grand Lod-je . " Bro '

woodall remarked that it was a pleasure to see the waire of the Province of North and East Yorkshire so a' % administered as they were b y Bro . Orde-Powlett , whose name he coupled with the latter toast . wo . ORDE-POWLETT responded . He expressed the great pleasure he had in meeting the brethren there ad p usted that the Provincial Grand Lodge of North ' "a East Yorkshire mi g ht go on flourishing , and be

Presentation To Bro. T. B. Whytehead.

one of the strongest Provincial organisations in England . Bro . WOODALL said that , having disposed of the toasts which appertained to their Order , it became his p leasant duty to address them for a few moments on the object which called them together . Their province

was now rather more than eight years old , and he trusted that it would continue to flourish and do good work . At the inception of the province , there was no one , he thought , who worked harder or did better work for it than their good friend , Bro . Whytehead . It was , therefore , with very great pleasure indeed that

he rose to present him , in the name of those present , and in the name of the subscribers , with a gold watch , which had been kindly procured for them by Bro . Spiegelhalter , of Malton , and was , he believed , as good a watch of its kind as could be made . The inscription on the back was as follows : " Presented to Very

Worthy Bro . T . B . Whytehead , P . M ., P . G . O . Eng ., P . P . G . S . W ., by the Mark Masons of the Province " of North and East Yorkshire , as a token of esteem and regard , and in recognition of great services rendered by him in the formation of the province , and as Provincial Grand Secretary for a period of six years . " He

was sure they would all agree with him in saying that the g ift was well deserved . Bro . Whytehead ' s skill and tact were never more evinced on any occasion as when helping to work up that province and place it in such a good position as it was . As their Past Deputy Provincial Grand Master , he could assure

them that nothing gave him greater pleasure than to have to work with Bro . Whytehead , whose services' had really been invaluable . Bro . Whytehead , concluded the speaker , allow me to present you with this watch as a token of our goodwill and esteem , accompanied by this address , which expresses the sentiments of the donors

and g ives the names of those who have subscribed to the testimonial . I hope you will be able for many years to carry on the good work you have done so well in Masonry , not onl y in this Degree but in others , and especially in the role you have taken up as an historian of the Craft .

Bro . the Hon . W . T . ORDE-POWLETT asked to be allowed to say two or three words with regard to the presentation . But for Bro ., Wh y tehead ' s energy , ability , and tact , tbe Provincial Grand Lodge of North and East Yorkshire might never have been founded , and on behalf of the lodge and himself he thanked

Bro . Why tehead most sincerely for the trouble he had taken . Bro . WALKER then read the address , which was in the following words : " We , the undersigned Mark Master Masons of the Province of North and East Yorkshire , with hearty good wishes and fraternal

greeting , present to our very worthy Bro . Thos . B . Whytehead . P . M ., P . G . O . England ., P . P . G . S . W ., the accompanying gold watch as a token of our esteem and regard , and in recognition of the excellent and highly valued services he has for so long rendered in the cause of Mark Masonry , and particularly for the

zealous manner in which he assisted in the formation of the Grand Mark Lodge of the province and in fulfilling the duties of Provincial Grand Secretary for a period of six years . We sincerely hope and trust that the Great Overseer of the Universe may vouchsafe to

our hig hly esteemed brother a long life of continued prosperity and usefulness , and that he may long be spared to continue his connection with the province , and that he and his family may enjoy every blessing this world can bestow . "

The names of the subscribers were appended . Bro . T . B . WHYTEHEAD , in acknowled ging the presentation , said that there was a Masonic axiom which said it was the hope of reward which sweetened labour . He took it that the present was in the nature of a reward for labours rendered , but he could assure them

that when he entered upon the task of assisting in the formation of the Provincial Grand Mark Lodge of North and East Yorkshire , it vvas with no other hope of reward save that of having the pleasure of taking part in the organisation of what he felt sure was of the very greatest importance to Mark Masonry in that part

of the world . They saw provinces being formed all over England and the lodges under them doing very much better than those outside provincial organisation , and they felt that if they could get some such machinery to work there the lodges in the province would benefit by it . Having , in passing , acknowledged the great help

he had received in the work from Bro . J . S . Cumberland , whom he regretted was not able to be present , but who had wired his congratulations , Bro . Whytehead said that during the six years he had had the honour to be Provincial Grand Secretary he had met with nothing but the greatest kindness and courtesy

from every brother connected with the province , and the work of those six years had , therefore , not been one of labour , but a work of love and pleasure . The onl y reason which compelled him to discontinue the office was that there were so many other imperative claimsupon his time . As they knew , he was connected with a great

many Masonic Degrees , and his business and other engagements were very numerous . He had , however , the less reluctance in resigning the office of Prov . Grand Secretary , seeing that he knew that in his successor Bro . A . W . Walker , of Malton , the brethren would have one to look after their interests , who was not only

well qualified , but whose energies would be thoroughly directed to the duties of his post , and the result had proved the wisdom of the Provincial Grand Master ' s choice . Alluding to the progress of the province , Bro . Whytehead said he had been delighted to observe that two or three lodges had been formed since they had had provincial organisation , and he believed he was

Presentation To Bro. T. B. Whytehead.

correct in saying that the whole of the lodges in the province were working regularly and successfully , that they were all in a practically sound position , and that they were making certain progress , in some cases , perhaps , slowly , in others very much more rapidly than they could have expected . At all events they might

feel themselves a successful province . When they considered that the Grand Mark Lodge had over 400 lodges and some thousands of invested money , and that the Heir Apparent was its Grand Master , he thought they really must feel that they were a very important body , one that played no small

part in Masonic work , and one that ought to be supported . From his heart he thanked them very cordially and very truly for their great kindness . Their gift would always remind him of many of the good Masonic friends he had . Many of the best and most cherished friends of his life had been Masonic

friends . He thanked Bro . Woodall for his far too flattering expressions as to his services . They had been given with good heart and with good will , and if he had health and strength his best efforts would be still at the beck and call of his brethren . If there was anything he could do to promote the good of

Freemasonry , especially of the Prov . Grand Mark Lodge of North and East Yorkshire , all he could say to his brethren was , " Command it . " Bro . Col . R . G . SMITH then proposed " The Health of Bro . Woodall , " of whose services to the Craft and

great support of the Masonic Charities he spoke in high terms . Bro . WOODALL suitabl y replied , and , before resuming his seat , referred to the services of Bros . Walker and Spiegelhalter in regard to the testimonial , and asked the brethren to drink their health . Bros . WALKER and SPIEGELHALTER briefly responded , and the proceedings terminated .

Centenary Festival Of The Royal Clarence Lodge, No. 271.

CENTENARY FESTIVAL OF THE ROYAL CLARENCE LODGE , No . 271 .

The centenary festival of the above lodge was celebrated on the 18 th inst ., at the Royal Pavilion , Brighton . The ceremonies , which had been admirabl y arranged by the W . M ., Bro . T . Billing , Prov . J . G . W ., and the Past Masters , were carried out with the

greatest success . While the brethren were assembling in the Music Room , introductory organ solos \ vere rendered in able style by Bros . Dr . A . King , P . M . P . P . G . Org ., and Dr . F . J . Sawyer , Prov . G . Org . The lodge was opened by the W . M ., Bro . T . Billing , Prov . J . G . W ., who was supported by the following

officers , viz .-. Bros . F . C . Parsons , S . W . ; Rev . L . Dowdall , P . P . G . Chap ., J . W . ; T . Wilkinson , P . M ., P . P . G . P ., Treas . ; C . J . Corder , P . M ., P . P . S . G . W ., Sec ; H . Balean , S . D . ; D . M . Ross , J . D . ; G . Campbell , P . M ., D . C . ; C . A . Kendall , Steward ; and H . Hughes , Tyler . There were also present Bros . W .

Kuhe , P . M ., P . P . G . Org . ; C . J . Pocock , P . M ., P . P . J . G . W . ; W . H . Hallett , P . M ., P . P . S . G . W ., Prov . G . Treas . ; Sir C Raymond Bunch , Bart ., P . M ., P . P . S . G . W . ; T . Wilkinson , P . M ., P . P . G . Purst ; T . C Woodman , P . M ., P . P . G . D . C . ; A . King , P . M ., P . P . G . i ' rg . ; J . Dennant , P . M ., P . P . G . D . ; G . Campbell ,

P . M . ; . and H . Langton , P . M . Among the distinguished visiting brethren and members of the lodge were Bros . Sir W . T . Marriott , Q . C , M . P ., P . G . S . ; W . Sendall ( Mayor of Bri ghton ); Sir J . Monckton , P . G . W . ; J . C . Parkinson , P . G . D . ; V . P . Freeman , P . G . D ., Prov . G . Sec . ; F . West , P . G . D .

D . P . G . M . in charge Surrey ; T . Trollope , P . G . D ., P . P . S . G . W . ; B . Baker , P . G . D . ; W . R . Wood , P . G . P ., P . P . S . G . W . ; E . Letchworth , P . G . D . ; J . Terry , Secretary to the R . M . B . I . ; C . G . Boxall . P . G . S . ; W . Dawes , P . P . S . G . W . ; T . S . Byass , P . P . S . G . D . ; Sir F . Knowles , Bart , P . P . J . G . W . ; J .

Farncombe , P . P . J . G . W . ; W . H . Gibson , P . P . J . G . W . ; F . Noakes , P . P . J . G . W . ; J . L . Bri gden , P . P . J . G . W . ; J . W . Stride , P . P . J . G . W . ; H . Davey , P . P . J . G . W . Rev . F . F . J . Greenfield , P . P . G . C . ; Rev . W . A . Tooth P . P . G . C . ; Rev . J . Puttick , Prov . G . C . ; Rev . E . Walker , P . P . G . C . ; E . Broadbridge , P . P . J . G . D . R .

Pidcock , Prov . G . R . ; T . Francis , P . P . S . G . D .- G . De Paris , P . P . S . G . D . ; H . Abbey , P . P . J . G . D . ; J . M . Read , P . P . G . S . of W . ; J . T . Whatford , P . P . G . S . of W . ; C . Reed , P . P . S . G . D . ; F . Daniel , P . P . J . G . D . ; Seymour Burrows , Prov . G . D . ; M . Hancock , P . P . G . S . B . : A . T . Long , P . P . A . G . D . C ; S . A . Pocock ,

P . P . G . S . of W . Berks and Bucks ; F . Holford , PP A . G . D . C ; C . F . Lewis , P . P . S . G . W . ; G . Hallett , Edmund Yates , P . G . S . ; Robson Roose , O . Lloyd , P . P . G . S . B . ; G . Godfree , P . P . G . S . of W . ; S . R Legg , P . P . G . S . B . ; Lake , P . M . ; H . A . Dowell , P . P . J . G . D . ; R . Clowes , W . M . elect 2201 , P . P . G . W . Essex ; and others .

The hymn , " O God , our help in ages past , " having been sung , The SECRETARY ( Bro . C . J . Corder , P . P . S . G . W- ) read the centenary warrant . The W . M ., in a few words , gave a hearty welcome to the assembled brethren .

Bro . J . DENNANT , P . M ., P . P . G . D ., next read the history of the lodge , which he had carefully prepared from the available minutes of the lodge recorded during the past century . The history proved hi ghly interesting , and , among many other local events ,

referred to the laying of the foundation-stones of St . Peter ' s Church , the London-road Viaduct , Brighton , the Adelaide Wing , County Hospital , and the Norfolk-Bridge , Shoreham , with Masonic honours b y the Royal Clarence Lodge .