Centenary Of The Huddersfield Lodge, No.290.

CENTENARY OF THE HUDDERSFIELD LODGE , NO . 290 .

On Wednesday , the 4 th inst ., the above lodge met to celebrate its centenary , when there were present Bros . P . MacGregor , W . M . ; W . P . Raynor , S . W . ; J . H . Hanson , J . W . ; Rev . G . Williams , M . A ., Chap . ; W . Harrop , P . M ., P . S . G . W ., Treas . ; ] . H . Taylor , I . P . M . ; W . H . Brierley , Reg . ; J . Lumb , S . D . ; J .

Mackenzie , J . D . ; T . Murphy , I . G . ; W . Owen , Sec . ; and numerous other brethren of the lodge . A number of past and present members of the Prov . G . Lodge of West Yorkshire , and members from other lodges , attended , 19 lodges being represented . The visitors included Bros . Hy . Smith , P . M ., P . G . Deacon of England , and Dep . P . G . M . of West Yorkshire ; H .

Lowther Clarke , Prov . G . Chap . ; W . F . Smithson , P . M ., P . Grand Deacon of England ; H . G . E . Green , Prov . G . Sec . ; J . Matthewman , Asst . Prov . G . Sec . j T . Bateman Fox , P . P . G . W . ( Chairman Charity Committee West Yorks ); F . R . W . Hedges , Sec . R . M . I . G . ; W . Porritt , W . M . 275 ; J . Forth , W . M . 521 ; Hy . Hellawell , W . M . 1783 ; Lockwood , W . M . 1645 ; J . E .

Bottom , W . M . 2261 ; Mark Newsome , P . M ., P . P . G . Stwd . ; J . R . Dore , P . M ., P . P . G . D . ; Ed . Armitage , P . M ., P . P . G . D . ; and many others . The lodge having been opened , the Dep . Prov . G . Master and past and present members of the Prov . Grand Lodge of West Yorkshire entered , the brethren

of the lodge singing the processional hymn " Hail Eternal . " Bro . J AMES BROOK , D . C , then called upon Bro . W . L . Wilmshurst to present the W . M . with the history of the lodge . At the outset Bro . WILMSHURST remarked that son-e

months ago the brethren of the lodge did him the honour to request him to compile the history of the last 100 years of their lodge . It was a great honour but at the same time a great responsibility which he did not fail to appreciate to the very fullest extent- ; but

that responsibility was to a great extent lessened from the fact that the records and books of the lodge from January , 1 793 , were in a good state of preservation , ' rom the information he had obtained he had been enabled to compile the history of the lodge and the result of his labours was contained in the little book

which he had the honour of asking the Worshipful Master ' s acceptance . As regards the book itself and his humble endeavours in compiling it he was very keenly sensitive of the many imperfections of style which must necessarily attend an unpractised writer , but he could vouch for the veracity of the facts it contained as well as for the impartiality with which they

had been treated . It had inspired him with greater veneration for his mother lodge . He trusted it would have a like effect upon his brethren . With the expression of that hope and with his congratulations to the W . M . on his Mastership of the lodge on that auspicious occasion he then begged to place the volume in his hands .

An ode specially composed for the occasion by Bro . Hy . Guy , " Praise to God , immortal praise , " was then sung by the composer , with Bros . Sinkinson , E . Haley , and Ben Stocks , P . M . The Deputy Prov . Grand Master , Bro . HY . SMITH , then delivered the following address : Brethren , —

The circumstances which have brought together this large assemblage of Freemasons , though not exceptional , are , nevertheless both interesting and important . That a society of men should hold together for a period of 100 years—that in spite of local disturbances , trade disasters , and adverse circumstances of various kinds , they should show a continued and unbroken corporate existence for a century , demonstrates both vitality of principle and tenacity of purpose .

In iSSg the centenary of the Harmony Lodge , No . 275 , was kept in this town , on the 1 st of October , of last year , lhat of Fidelity Lodge , No . 2 Sy , was worthily celebrated in Leeds . To-day it is your turn , whilst in the near future , the Royal Brunswick , Sheffield , and the Hope Lodge , Bradford , will commemorate , each , the hundredth year of its Masonic life .

At such times it is felt that a very suitable and appropriate method of marking so important an epoch is the production from its minutes and archives of a sketch of its history with particulars of the vicissitudes of fortune which may have fallen to its lot . This , in the case of the Huddersfield Lodge has been done , and very ably done , by Bro . W . L . Wilmshurst . I congratulate him heartily upon

the success which has attended his efforts , and upon the skill he has displayed in the treatment of his subject . In the brief paper he has prepared—a pajer doubtless more or less familiar now to all the brethren of his lodgeand an advance copy of which he very courteously sent to me—Bro . Wilmshurst declares that the circumstances connected with the Huddvrsjkld Lodge are singularly fne

from incidents relating to general Masonic progress , and are reall y only of local interest , but that , nevertheless for the purpose of edifying and stimulating die present members , as well as for the benefit of posterity , he thinks ( and 1 agree with him ) , that those circumstances should , in a more or less continuous form , be put upon permanent record .

Before referring more particularly to the Huddersfield Lodge , let me say that the History of Yoikshire Freemasonry , like the history of science itself , has not yet been thoroughly , or in any sense exhaustively written . Owing to many facts , perfectly well-known to all Masons , historic records of the Craft earlier than the 16 th century may be scarcel

y said to exist . Writers on Masonic matters reject ~ perhaps rightly—all tradition , and rely only on documentary evidence . From several sources , however written , testimony has been produced of a most valuable character , a ™ it can clearly be shown that Speculative Masonry—as practised by us—did undoubtedly exist in this country in the early part of the 17 th century . The probabilities arc

Centenary Of The Huddersfield Lodge, No.290.

that such organisations obtained long before this , and doubtless facts will yet come to light to confirm this theory . Previous to 1717 , when the Grand Lodge of England was formed , there was no systematic organisation of the lodges—no great central authority as at present , though there is evidence that at York there was a lodge which , at an earlier date than this , exercised Masonic influence in the county . Its chief officer was called a President , and

the first who bore that title appears to have been Sir George Tempest . This was in 1705 . That this body even before in rivalry it assumed the name and style of Grand Lodge of All England , was a Masonic power in Yorkshire , is proved by the extract 1 gave you in my address to Prov . Grand Lodge , at Bradford , in October last , in which I pointed out that this York Lodge visited that town in 1713 , and made iS gentlemen of the first

families Masons . This is important evidence , documentary evidence of the existence of Freemasonry in the West Riding ' . It seems to show , beyond doubt , that a lodge must have been formed in Bradford some years before the foundation of the present Probity Lodge , Halifax , which claims , and , I believe , justly , the proud position of oldest existing lodge in West Yorkshire . I hope research will be made , and more light be thrown upon this interesting

question . Perhaps the compilers of the history of the Lodge of Hope , Bradford , whose centenary falls due early next year , will have something to say about it . Masonry in the city of York claims a "Timeimmemorial " existence , whilst it can be shown to have been established in Scarboro' as early as 1705 . Coming to the West Riding we see that there must have been a lodge at Bradford in 1713 . Probity dates from 173 S , but , unlike

the other Masonic bodies at that time in the county , its authority proceeded from the Grand Lodge in London . Others now follow in somewhat rapid succession—some ol which appear to have obtained " dormant" warrants—that is warrants formerly belonging to lodges which had been held in other—perhaps distant—localities—lodges in fact which had died out . Instances of this kind are seen in Lodges " Three Grand Principles , " Dewsbury ; "

Amphibious , " Heckmondwike ; and "Nelson of the Nile , " Batley . This hunting up dormant warrants and on the strength of holding such documents , obtaining sanction to open a lodge , appears by no means uncommon , and Bro . Matthewman in his book instances the case of some gentlemen of Pudsey who apparently failed to obtain authority to form a lodge in that town , because they were unable to

get hold of one of these so-called " dormant" warrants . The lodge of Harmony , which has now its abode in Huddersfield-a lodge which is senior to the Hiiddersficld Lodge by some three years , was , as everyone knows , originally a Halifax lodge . The first Masonic organisation in Huddersfield proper was that which is now so flourishing , within whose portals we are now assembled , whose centenary we this day celebrate . Like many others its place

of meeting and even name has undergone change . Called White Hart at first—apparently because it met at that then well-known hostelry—Bro . Wilmshurst shows in his pages that in the earlier periods of its history , it must have gone through strange vicissitudes and acute crisis ; that its struggle for bare existence was more than once tremendous , and the result distinctly doubtful , but , that through the perseverance , the dogged tenacity , and the Masonic conduct

of some of its more prominent members , it survived its many troubles , social and financial , and now , as 1 can tf stify , brethren , its stands forth strong in members , firm in principles and enthusiastic , yet careful , in its ritual . By the inlluence and example of the noble band of brethren whom it has numbered in its ranks—some alas I gone to their rest , but others yet , thank heaven , still remainingit can now hold up its head with the best , it can point to a

splendid record of deeds of Charity in the past , and can confidently anticipate a no less brilliant career in the future . And here let us pause for a moment and see if in the history of the struggles of this old lodge , some lesson may not be conveyed to us the Masons of the present day . Apart from other influences , Bro . Wilmshurst ' s little sketch will not have been written in vain , if it shows us—how , by the exercise of mutual forbearance and consideration—the

practice in fact of the principles which we professedly admire a lodge maybe kept together , its differences adjusted , its discontents appeased , and its very existence preserved . Brethren , have we no disagreements ? Are all our lodges working harmoniously and pleasantly ? Have not instances been brought to our notice of brethren , who , through the lack of the Masonic virtues these old generations of dead and gone Masons possessed , have brought their lodges to a

dead-lock , have stilled their influences for good , and turned to bitterness v . hat should have been wholesome , sweet , and pleasant ? Let us take example from these brethren of earlier days ; let us sink personalities ; let us practise , both inside and outside our own lodges , the grand and eternal principles which are so beautifully inculcated in the teachings of our ancient and noble Order , and then discords will cease , peace and harmony will reign , and Masonic progress will

be assured . To leturn , brethren , in my long experience of Masonic matters , 1 have often stood aghast at what may perhaps be euphoniously filled the " extraordinary vagaries of Secretaries . " 1 have reached that stage now , when 1 might almost say I am beyond astonishment . Of course , as in all institutions , there are the good and the bad , the careful and the ir . diffeient , the intelligent and the ignorant , and if , as

is often the case , we find the Secretary of to-day not too ellicient in the discharge of his duties , what can we expect from that officer in the early days of the century ? That the schoolmaster was not then abroad is very conclusively shown by the extracts of the Huddersfield Lodge which Bro . Wilnishurtt gives . Spelling was evidently not included amongst the Masonic irts and sciences in those days , and Secretaries allowed themselves a delightful

freedom from restraint in this particular , which is in a high degree amusing . Such freedom doubtless gave scope to originality , and did 1 not know that Masonic Secretaries are seldom found to be facetious , 1 should be disposed to look upon some of ihe entries as a huge arthographical joke . Nor is this all . Only those who have had it to do know

the labour involved in reading over old minute books . As a rule they arc brief , dry , and illegible ; are oltcn just lists of nanus and the barest mention of events . But of these dry-as-dust records of the past , those of the Huddersfield Lodge , Bro . Wilmshurst thinks , must have been the least interesting . In this , as in some other matters , Bro . Wilmshurst will

Centenary Of The Huddersfield Lodge, No.290.

learn by experience . It is , however , a most healthy sign of the vigour and the vitality of a lodge when young Masons like Bro . Wilmshurst take so active an interest in the welfare of their lodge , and devote tune , care , labour , and learning to an enquiry into its early history and associations . 1 cannot but commend such conduct . It shows that the lead of our Provincial Grand Master is being followed

and that through his example and teaching , backed up as it has been by his munificent support of our Provincial Library , the pursuit of Masonic knowledge in West Yorkshire is year by year increasing . And now , brethren , let me say how heartily I congratulate you upon the successful ^ struggle your forefathers in the Craft have maintained in the past . Through their

selfdenying efforts , coupled with your own exertions , you have reached a most important and satisfactory position . Let it be your part , Worshipful Master Macgregor , and that of those who follow you , to maintain this success by thoroughly deserving it , and when I and the present generation shall

have passed away , may the Huddersfield Lodge , along with the other Masonic lodges in this handsome and nourishing town , hold up aloft the torch of Masonic principle , and hand it on to others , brightly burning , so that the light of our glorious Institution may continue to shine until time shall be no more .

The DEPUTY PROVINCIAL GKAXU MASTEU , in presenting the centenary warrant to the W . M ., said : I have a very pleasant duty , not only on behalf of the Prov . Grand Master and the members of Prov . Grand Lodge , but on my own behalf . I have the honour and the pleasure to present to you this warrant—long may

it be preserved . I shall content myself with simply handing over the warrant . I believe at a later peri 3 d of the evening that I shall have the honour of pinning on the jewels . The Secretary , Bro . OWEN , read the following letter from the Prov . G . M .:

Pontefract , December J 4 th , iSy 2 . Dear Sir and Brother , I am very much obliged for your sending me the history of the Huddersfield Lodge , No . 290 , which you say celebrates its centenary 4 th January , 1 S 93 . I greatly regret 1 shall be unable to be present in consequence of my continued indisposition . I am able to report myself better than

last Christmas ; but the dropsy from which lam suffering prevents me from walking or taking any part in public affairs . I am not without hopes of an approximate recovery ; but this can only be a work of time and the goodness of Providence . Your history is a very nice one of the lodge , and I wish every lodge in the province had as good a record of its existence and proceedings as that which you

have compiled . Having obtained your centenary warrant , you will feel how important it has been to you and ynur ledge to write up , keep , and preserve accurate minutes of your past hundred years of existence . 1 wish your lodge continued prosperity , longevity , and perpetuity , and

especially 1 thank you for your contribution to the T . W . Tew's Presentation Boys' Institution . —I remain , yours faithfully , TIIOS . W . Ti : w , Prov . Grand Master West Yorkshire . To Bro . W . L . Wilmshurst .

Bro . P . MACGKEGOK , W . M ., in reply to the presentation of the warrant , said : Worshipful Deputy Prov . Grand Master , —It is now my privilege and honour to rise on behalf of my brethren to thank you , Sir , for the distinguished honour you have conferred upon us this

afternoon . I think that I shall be best expressing what is uppermost in the hearts of the brethren of this lodge when I express my great regret that the severe and long-continued illness with which it has pleased the Great Architect of the Universe to afiiict our

revered and respected Prov . Grand Master has deprived us of the honour and pleasure of his presence here thi * afternoon . We know the deep interest W . Bro . Tew takes in all that relates to Masonry in West Yorkshire , and we feel assured that nothing but the very serious state of his health could prevent him joining us here this afternoon . The letter , which has just been read by the

Secretary , showed that his interest in Masonry outlives even the pains and miseries of continued illhealth . May I ask you , Worshipful Deputy Grand Master , to be good enough to convey to our revered Provincial Grand Master our deep sorrow and sympathy in his affliction . We trust that the Great Architect of the Universe may see fit to restore him

to his brethren of West Yorkshire . To you , Sir , I have , on behalf of the brethren of my lodge , to tender our grateful acknowledgements for your presence this evening . Your presence transforms everything ; transforms what would otherwise have been a private festival into an official function of considerable importance , which will be taken notice of throughout the

Province of West Yorkshire . I express my regret that the privilege of responding for this honour has not been conierred on an older and better Mason . I cannot conclude my remarks without expressing the pleasure it gives me to see our devoted old Past Master , Alfred Smith , who , after being confined to his room for 15 months , has this afternoon braved the

elements , perhaps for the last time , to pay his respects to his mother lodge . Just 40 years ago he was Master of this lodge . We are pleased and proud that hia interest in Masonic affairs , in the continued prosperity of his lodge , and in this , its great festival , has brought him here this afternoon . Permit 111 c now , Sir , to ask you to do us the honour to have the excellent address

you have read printed and circulated , that it may form a proper addendum to this day ' s proceedings . I trust that you will see fit to satisfy us in this respect , and leave the transcript with us . I have to thank you for the warrant you have been kind enough to hand over

to us . I trust that it will be transmitted unsullied through many generations of Masons . Brethren , the great power in Masonry is the good example of its past members . I hope that the art will ever stimulate us , and that Charity will always be our principle , and ( Continued on page . /!/) .