New Masonic Hall, Leeds.

goodwill ever prevail among those who assemble in this building , to the glory of the Most High , until time shall be no more , " to which invocation the brethren responded " So mote it be . " The architect , Bro . J . Mitchell Bottomley , was then presented to the Depuly Grand Master , who , after carefully inspecting the plans of the intended building , returned them , with an injunction that the work was to be completed in conformity with the designs .

The Grand Chaplain having offered up a short prayer , and pronounced the Benediction , the procession formed in reverse order , and the Deputy Grand Master was reconducted to the Albert Hall , after which Prov . Grand Lodge was closed in due and ancient form . The stone , it may be mentioned , was a solid block of Shap granite , weighing three-quarters of a ton , and vvas presented by Bro . Tom Atkinson , P . M . 2 c 6 o .

The brethren , to the number of 250 , afterwards dined together in the Town Hall , the Prov . Grand Master presiding . After the toast of " The Queen" had been proposed and warmly honoured , that of " The'M . W . the G . Master , the M . W . the Pro G . Master , the R . W . Dep . G . Master , and the Officers of Grand Lodge , Present and Past , " followed .

After referring to the personal attachment which all Masons feel to H . R . H . the Prince of Wales , and to the excellent work being done by the Pro G . Master , Earl Amherst , the CHAIRMAN , turning to the guest of the evening , declared that he and his brethren in West Yorkshire were especially indebted to the Deputy G . Master for the ready way in which he accepted the invitation to visit them . It was no secret , he believed , that the

Earl of Warwick had for some time had a desire or a curiosity to meet a Yorkshire audience of Freemasons . He had that day got his wish , and he could assure his noble friend that a more united or more harmonious body of brethren could not be found . Bro . J ackson added that through association with him in the House of Commons he had come to recognise the

noble Earl ' s ability and sound commonsense ; he had also marked his power of discipline , a discipline which was always combined with consideration and courtesy . In proposing this toast he should couple it with the name of the Deputy G . Master , and he called upon the brethren to make it a matter of impossibility for him to doubt the thorough heartiness of their

welcome . This , it need scarcely be said , the brethren did , and on rising to respond it was some time before a hearing could be obtained . The Earl of WARWICK said : I thank you , R . W . Sir , and the brethren of this great province , in my own name and in that of the Grand Officers for the overwhelming cordiality of your reception . You have said many

kind things of me to-night , some undeserved , I fear , but in any case such remarks inspire me to do all that I can in the cause of Freemasonry . I have occupied the chair of Deputy but a short period , and it is not only a duty but a very pleasing duty in the absence of the Pro G . Master to come down in that capacity and assist in the interesting ceremony of to-day . It gives me great pleasure to see how Freemasonry is flourishing among you ,

to note the firm hold it has taken of you . You show it by your Charity , and I ask you to be kind and charitable to me . At thc next Festival of the " Old People" I shall preside , and I want you to do your best for them on my behalf . ( The cheering at this point was tremendous , promising well for the ( uture Festival . ) I have seen the plans of the building you arc erecting , and in my mind ' s eye I see the building itself . When your labours are ended ,

and your hall is tin fail accompli , I hope you will be kind enough to ask me to visit you again . I shall , I assure you , be glad to come , and with you right heartily drink the cup of kindness yet for the sake of auld lang syne . Before sitting down , the R . W . Deputy , in very eulogistic terms , proposed the toast of "The R . W . Prov . G . Master for West Yorkshire , the W . Deputy , and the Officers of Prov . G . Lodge . "

In response , Bro . W . L . J ACKSON said that it was considered to be the highest pitch of organisation when you had reached the stage of getting everything done in the best possible way—by some one else—and declared that if he had not got to that condition he was getting very near it ; that he was perfectly happy in his Deputy , and lhat he appreciated the very kind tei ms in which his noble friend , in proposing the toast , had recognised the work of himself , but especially the services of Bro . Richard Wilson and the Officeis of Prov . G . Lodi * e .

At this stage the Prov . G . M ., the U . W . Deputy G . M ., and some olher guests were obliged to leave . They got a hearty " send off , " and the chair was taken by Bro . R . Wilson . Heat once continued the toast list by rising to propose " Success to the New Masonic Hall . " Bro . WILSON congratulated the brethren upon ttte successful day they had had , and said the Earl of Warwick had gone away dtlighted . They

were met , he continued , lo assert Masonic principles , to show that they were actuated b y tlie one spirit of Brotherhood . The difficulties and responsibilities which rested upon the directors of the Masonic Hall Company , and the anxieties and labours of the Chairman , Bro . J . Barraclough , and the Secretary , Bro . C . Scriven , they would all recognise , and it behoved the

brethren lo show 110 antagonism , but only a kindly leeling of sympathy . Let them take interest in the success ot the scheme ; let them render such help as lay in their way , and in doing so they would not only strengthen Masonic sentiment , but they would also advance lhe prestige of the province . On those grounds he asked Ihem to drink " Success to the Lexis Munmic Hall Company . "

Bro . J BAKRACI . OUOII , I . P . M . Philanthropic Lodge , No . 304 , Leeds , Chairman of the Board of Directors , replied . The Directors , he sud , w <_ re under a debt of gratitude to the R . W . Deputy , thc Karl ol Warwick , and other Grand Officers , as well as to the Provincial Grand Lodgeof West

Yorkshire for their presence , doubtless at much inconvenience , in suppart of the scheme which had received such encouragement that day . From the veiy first its success was assured , and ihey could confidently look forward to the future as there would be ample room to accommodate 10 or 15 lodges within thc buildinir . They had been ably served by their architect and

New Masonic Hall, Leeds.

builders , but ought especially to be grateful lo the VV . Deputy , Bro . Richard Wilson , as without his advice and help it would have been impossible to have organised that great Masonic gathering . He ( Bro . Barraclough ) was no speaker , rather something of a worker , and he could assure the brethren in all that had been done , not a single axe had been ground and no selfish consideration had influenced any of them . He thought they might fairl y congratulate themselves upon the magnificent meeting of that day as it augured well for the success of the new Masonic Hall .

I he VV . DEVUTY then said that as he was sure it would be a pleasure to all of them to hear the Grand Registrar he would ask Bro . John Strachan , who was a thorough north countryman , to propose the toast of "The Visitors . "

Bro . STRACHAN , who was very warmly received , said he was proud to be recognised as a Mason . He was at one with every brother in Grand Lodge . Time was when the Grand Registrar ' s duties were much more onerous and important—( and the pay ? some one queried)—the pay promptly replied Bro . Strachan , was the love of the brethren . He a north countryman , born on the banks of the Tyne , was glad that he was not

compelled to return that night to London , but was able to ¦ spend an hour with his Yorkshire friends . His toast was " The Visitors , " but he would come to that presently . He wanted to make it clear to them how glad the London Masons were on hearing that so good and tried a brother a ; Richd . Wilson had accepted the position of Deputy in this important province . He was beginning to understand how Bro . Wilson had become so popular . It was

because of his directness of purpose ; he had learned the secret of true eloquence , his words came from his heart and went to the hearts of his brethren — hence , would Freemasonry flourish amongst them more even than it had hitherto done , and he congratulated the worthy Deputy upon his enviable position . Turning to the toast , after relating a circuit story of much humour , Bro . Strachan said a

Yorksnire welcome extends to all who rightly might visit them , and he thought the brother whom he should call upon to reply was one especially entitled to be welcomed , as he was somewhat of a Masonic historiana veracious historian , he would add . He had a sympathetic feeling for Bro . Fox Thomas , as he was a little in that line himself . Bro . Strachan concluded a very interesting speech by proposing " The Visitors . "

This was most cordially received , and Bro . Fox THOMAS , 312 , P . Prov . G . Chap . N . and E . Yorkshire , responded . In the course of his reply he expressed the hope that the new building they were raising would not onl y alford Iodge accommodation and offices for the province , but that it would offer them library conveniences—they already had the books—that it might fDrm a club or meeting place to which visitors might repair and find the

same sense of home as they experienced in their own lodges . Their Deputy had referred to the principles which actuated Freemasons all over the world , and he ( the speaker ) could assure them that Bro . Wilson had fully exemplified those principles in his conduct towards himself . He had given him much assistance , many hints , and considerable sympathy . " Of course ( continued Bro . Thomas ) there is no province like North and East Yorkshire , but after the kind way in which I have been received amongst you I

shall have to modify my opinion , and admit that you are closely allied to ourselves . I hope to become a member of one of your lodges , but all are so enticing it is difficult to choose . In consequence of the many courtesies I have met with at your hands and those of your Deputy the least I can do will be to seek association with the province over which he so ably presides . " Bro . Thomas concluded by thanking the brethren for their appreciation of the toast .

" The Health of the Depuly , " proposed by Bro . WM . BLACKBURN , P . P . G . D ., Chairman of the Charity Committee , and received with great enthusiasm , closed the proceedings . Bro . WILSON briefly replied . Songs by Bros . Gilbert J ackson , Wm . Cockerlyne , Rhodes , and others added much to the enjoyment of the brethren , and the recitation of Bro . Gale was also fully appreciated .

To the directors and thc numerous Stewards , by who ;_ e thought and foresight all things worked so smoothly , too much praise cannot be given . Every detail appears to have been considered , and the convenience and comfort of one of the largest Masonic gatherings Leeds has witnessed weic

not only studied , but also secured . We . congratulate Bro . Barraclough , the Chairman , Bro . Scriven , the Secretary , and all the directors on thc complete success of the day ' s proceedings , and vve trust that in a reasonably short space of time they will realise the fullest fruition of their hopes and expectations .

The Rev. F. B. N. Norman-Lee, P.G. Chap.

THE REV . F . B . N . NORMAN-LEE , P . G . CHAP .

We regret lo le . irn from a correspondent that lira , the Rev . F . II . N Norman . Lee , Chaplain to H . M . Forces und Past Grand Chaplain , has been in valided huinc from South Africa , after enteric fever contracted at Blocinfoiitcin while ministering In the sick in hospital . Our readers will remember that om V . W . brother li . lt England for the seat of war last year as Senior Chaplain on tin

Iliadiiuarlcrs Staff ol the Sixth Division , under Lieut . General T . Kelly-Kenny , C . I 5 . Since then he has taken part in the now ( anions march of Bro . Loid Roberts , G . C . H ., from Ens . in to Bloeiiifonteiii , and was present at the battles ol Klip Drift ( reliel of Kimberley ) , Paardeberg ( capture of Cronje ) , 0 : > sfonlciii , diiil Diiclontein .

While at Bloemfontein the brethren of Lodge Rising Star , No . 1022 ( E . C ) gave linn and oilier military brethren a hearty welcome , and on Sunday , the Ist April , a special Masonic service was held in ( he Cathedral ( by the kind permission of Bro . the Very Rev . Dean Vincent , Chaplain of ( he lodge ) , and the Gram ! Chaplain was asked to preach the sermon . It was truly a unique and impressive service in the conquered capital of what a short time since was the Orange Free State but is now the " Orange River Colony . " In the beautiful little cathedral , on the righl of thc Nave wjre thc loyal nieiubtrs of Rising Sun Lodge under their banner , and under thc Mastership for

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