Correspondence.

Correspondence .

VVe do not hold ourselves responsible for the opinions expressed by our correspondents , but we wish , in a spirit of fair play to all , to permit—within certain necessary limitsfree discussion .

THE REMOVAL OF THE BOYS' SCHOOL . To the Editor of the "Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , As a teacher of many years' standing in elementary schools , I was very sorry to find the undermentioned remarks in your issue of July iSth , which , owing to absence from home , I have just read : " We suppose this is equivalent to

a suggestion that the children of our deceased and indigent brother Masons should be sent to Board and other elementary schools of the lower order , where they will have the children ot labouring folk for their associates , and where , if they acquire anything at all in the way of knowledge , it will , in addition to a little reading , writing , spelling , and simple arithmetic , be a superior knowledge of

bad manners and an inexhaustible store of impudence . " Whatever be the advantages of the removal of the Boys' School , they will certainly not be believed in by brethren any more by attacks of this style . I may add that I am a Mason of 23 years' standing , and have worked hard for , and subscribed to , the Boys ' School ; but am not convinced of the necessity for its removal . —Yours fraternally , P . P . S . G . W .

A SPECIAL MASONIC JEWEL . To the Editor of'the "Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , As the time approaches when our gracious Queen—the mother of our M . W . Grand Master—will have occupied the English throne longer than any English Sovereign , I write to suggest that as on the occasion of her Royal Jubilee , a

special commemorative Masonic Jewel be prepared by Grand Lodge , which Freemasons , than there are no more loyal subjects , would be glad to wear in commemorative thankfulness of so remarkable an event . The profit on the sale of such jewels might be very fittingly devoted to augment the funds of the R . M . Benevolent Institution , or apportioned to each of the three great Masonic Charities . —Yours faithfully and fraternally , W . M .

Consecration Of The Mark Lodge Of Oaldene, No. 501, At Hebden Bridge, Yorkshire.

CONSECRATION OF THE MARK LODGE OF OALDENE , No . 501 , AT HEBDEN BRIDGE , YORKSHIRE .

Whilst chronicling the formation of the latest Craft lodge in West Yorkshire , that of Headingley , No . 260 S , which occurred on the ioth July last . VVe took occasion to compare the relative strength in point of numbers between the neighbouring populous counties of Lancashire and Yorkshire , we showed that the difference in relation to Craft lodges was very great , and the contrast is maintained when we come to those of the Maik . In

this Degree the whole County of Lancaster constitutes one province , which , it is almost unnecessary to add , is under the popular rule of the Earl of Lathom , It comprises some 35 or 3 6 lodges , of which Liverpool claims five , Manchester three , and Bury , Wigan , Southport , and Rochdale two each , whilst the rest are scattered amongst the numerous manufacturing centres of the Palatine County . West Yorkshire contains only 14 Mark

lodges , and the North and East Province but seven , so that the total is 21 as against 36 . The West Riding was constituted a province in 1871 , and it had at that time but six lodges on its " roll . For 14 years it continued almost at a standstill , and it was not until 1885 that it began to show signs of active progress . Since that time it has increased its numbers from

eight to 14 , two of which lodges have been added during the current year . The Yorkshireman is not as a rule hasty ; he is prudent and cautious . He believes , in Masonic matters at any rate , in the old Latin maxim festina lente , and acting on this principle , he is not over anxious , looks carefully to the future , and does not hurriedly commence a new lodge .

In most of the enterprising manufacturing little towns in the West Yorkshire valleys a Masonic Craft Iodge is to be found . Many of these organisations present interesting features to visitors from other provinces . The characteristics of the race come ofit prominentl y , and the lodge ceremonies are maiked by , it may be sometimes a rugged , but always a conscientious , effort to do them justice . This is especially lhe case !; , the small

cenlrcs , which , unlil the development cf railway communication made them accessible , weie self-ronlainrd ar . d distinctly clannish . When we mention Bcttcms , Eastwood , Elland , Brighouse , Mirfield , Haworth , Sowerby Bridge , and Hebden Bridge , all Yorkshiremen and many outside its pale will understand our meaning . It was in the last-named of these communities

lhat the new Mark ledge had ils birth . Possessing a strong Craft lodge - one which , by the way , quite recently kept its centenary—and having a commodious , if homel y , suite of Masonic rooms , some cf its leading spirits , af . er due consideration and lorg deliberation , decided that the time was ripe for planting the standard of the Mark in their midst .

The founders of the Caldene Lodge are Bros . Wm . Cockcroft , T . Uttley , D . Bradley , M . D ., Htibeit King , James Simpson , and James Greenwood , all mtmbeis , ar . d the first four Past Masters , of the eld Mark Lodge Prince Edward , No . 14 , which holds its meetings at Bottoms Eastwood , near Todmorden . Of these Bro . Wm . Cockcioft , tl e first W . M ., has long been a staunch and earnest Masonic wotker . Initiated some 26 years ago , he has stesdily progressed through the various stages , and , after passing the

chair , for the last 16 years has undertaken the duties of Secretary of his ledge . He has not confined his attention to Craft matters , but has taken up with equal cr . eigy lhe Royal Arch and Mark Degrees . He is also founder and first Master of the conclave tf the Secret Monitor called after his name . Wilh six founders and 11 candidates—of whom ei ght were advanced by special dispensation previously— Bro . Cockcroft and his colleagues considered themselves justified in their ccurse , and after the usual preliminaries secured their warrant .

Consecration Of The Mark Lodge Of Oaldene, No. 501, At Hebden Bridge, Yorkshire.

The Prov . G . M ., Bro . C . Letch Mason , fixed Saturday , the 22 nd inst . for the consecration , and on that day it duly took place . Bro . Mason was supported by many Provincial Officers , both Past and Present , as well as by Worshipful Masters and brethren from various parts of his jurisdiction . Amongst those present

were—Bros . John Barker , D . P . G . M . ; H . S . Holdsworth , P . G . Std . Br ., who acted as Prov . S . G . W . ; C . J . Schott , P . P . G . W . ; J . W . Monckman , P . P . G . W . ; Chas Lingard , Prov . G . O . ; W . J . Morris , P . G . O . ; Herbert King , as P . G . O ., Rev . J . L . Brereton , M . A ., P . G . Chap . ; Joseph Matthewman , W . M . no , Prov . G Sec ; Thos . Uttley , as P . G . D . ; Wm . Cockcroft , as P . G . D . ; W . E . Smithies ' W . M . 493 , P . P . G . W ., as P . G . I , of W . ; F . D . Harrison , Prov . G . D . C . ; Alfred Wilson , P . G . S . B . ; G . Patchett , as P . G . Std . Br . ; John Brook , P . P . G . Ore

T . G . Howell , W . M . 137 , Prov . G . S ., as P . G . l . G . ; J . T . Last , W . M . Old York , John Reed , P . M . 49 S , and D . Bradley , P . M . 14 , Prov . G . Stewards ; J . ' Newton , P . G . Tyler ; G . W . Smith , P . G . Org . Lanes . ; G . Hallas , W . M . 14-A . E . Dalzell , W . M . 58 ; James Greenwood , A . E . Mitchell , R . E . Heaton , ] ' Milligan , Rev . J . M . Walton , J . Jackson , G . Hoyle , A . Maude , H . Sutcliffe , J . W Shaw , W . Chambers , G . B . Wright , W . Varley , W . Walker , W . Bourne , and T Hodgson .

1 he Prov . G . Master , accompanied by his officers , entered at 3 . 30 p . m ., and opened the bdge . After the usual salutes , the PROV . G . SEC . having read the petition and warrant , the founders were arranged and dul y addressed . The PROV . G . CHAPLAIN , on being called upon , gave a brief but very eloquent oration . He pointed out the great importance of the occasion which had brought them together that day , an occasion the importance of

which was emphasised by the serious responsibility it involved . He did not think that was the time , nor did he believe it to be his place to go into the history of the Mark Degree , but he did wish briefly to impress upon them the great lessons which underlay its ceremonies . There were certain words in reference to that Degree , words which should be written in letters of gold and should be carefully treasured by them all— " The stone which the builders rejected became the head of the corner . " Those words , he thought , should keep them from false , or even hasty , judgment . Thouerh

honest , they might be mistaken , as were those to whose discrimination the stone was subjected ; only the G . O . O . T . U . had perfect knowledge , and they with their feeble powers might condemn where condemnation would be unjust . Such was the story and such the instruction in regard to the stone . Of the new lodge , he trusted the Great Overseer would bless the work begun that day ; that He would inspire the founders and enable them to carry out the principles of Mark Masonry ; that they might have faith in His guidance , hope in His help and support , and become firmly united in the bonds of Charity and love .

The consecration and constitution of the lodge then followed , all ceremonial details being carefully carried out and reverently rendered . The music , arranged by Bro . John Brook , added much to the effect , and the whole proceedings were of a most solemn and impressive character . This done , The PROV . G . MASTER gave the following address : Brethren , —It was my pleasing duty on the 14 th of April last to consecrate the

13 th Mark lodge in this province—the Lodge of Eland , 493 , in the flourishing little town of Elland . To-day , with equal pleasure , I discharge that duty in relation to the Lodge of Caldene , No . 501 , which is the 14 th on the list . It nny be interesting for one moment to look back on the progress of Mark Masonry in West Yorkshire . The lodges which formed this province at its constitution in 1871 were only six in number , viz .: Prince Edward , 14 ; Britannia , 53 ; Fearnley , 58 ; Integrity , no ; Copley , m ; and Portal , 127 . Old York , then attached

to the Hope Craft lodge in Bradford , held aloof for a time , but eventually joined in 1873 . Between 1871 and 1885 , a period of 14 years , only one new lodge was formed—the Lodge of Truth , No . 137 , Huddersfield , so that we had , with Old York , only two additions to our roll during the whole of that period . In 1885 , through the influence of the late Bro . the Rev . W . C . Lukis , Deputy Provincial Grand Master , a Mark Iodge , called Prince Leopold , No . 352 , was opened in Ripon , and in the following year , 1886 , the St . Chad Lodge , No . 374 was formed

, in Leeds . Two years afterwards the Danum , No . 398 , sprang up in Doncaster , and then , after an interval of five years , we had Legiolium , No . 457 , established at Castleford . This was in 18 93 ; we therefore see that between 1873 and 1893 , that is in 20 years , four lodges only were added to our roll , a condition of things which certainly did not indicate rapid progress . We now come to the three years , 1 893 to 1896 , during which much vitality has been developed in Mark matters .

This has been shown by more numerously-attended meetings , by greater enthusiasm , and by a large increase in our Charitable donations . Besides giving birth to two new lodges , this year , 1896 , will be especially distinguished as being thc 25 th of our existence as a province , and the year during which I , as your Prov . Grand Master , was honoured by being invited to preside at the Mark Benevolent Festival . It was the first time that a Provincial Grand Master of West

Yorkshire had taken the chair on such an occasion , and the success of that Festival was phenomenal and unprecedented . By means of the active and unceasing efforts of a few , and the loyal support of the many , the amount announced was greater than that of any previous year in the history of the Mark Benevolent Institution . But we did more than ' that , for our subscriptions not only exceeded those of any previous province , but even out-totalled great London itself . We may therefore consider this year , 18 9 6 , as an exceptional one , and I trust it is an

augury of the continued success of Mark Masonry in West Yorkshire . It certainly looks promising to find that the new lodge which I have just constituted comprises six founders and eight newly-advanced brethren , making a total on its roll , to commence with , of 14 members . We cannot fail , therefore , to regard it as a distinctly vigorous Institution . Great discretion , too , has been shown in the choice of its name . To give a suitable name to a new lodge is not always a simple matter . It was a common custom of our predecessors to select

some virtue or abstract quality as the distinctive appellation of a lodge , such as Integrity , Sincerity , Charity , 'and so on . Down to very recent times this examp le has been followed in this province , as witness the Craft lodge Prudence , founded in 1884 . The Mark lodges do not appear , however , to have adopted this p lanter Integrity and Truth are the only two on our list so distinguished . The system now practised appears to be that of selecting the name of some worthy and distinguished Mason and perpetuating it , as in Fearnley , Portal , and Copley , or of

taking that ol some historical character or local celebrity , or it may be the patron saint of the district . This wis followed in the case of Eland . . In the present instance an ancient topographical name has been adopted , viz ., Caldene , which is a short form of Calderdene , -and means the hollow or valley of the river Calder , and is therefore distinctly descriptive of the locality . The town of Hebden Uridge is situate in the gorge or valley through which the Calder flows , and the

name is , therefore , suitable and appropriate . The word dene , or den , is comm ° in all hilly districts of the north , and is found in many of the place-names of this neighbourhood , as Todmorden , Luddenden , Hebden , Marsden , North Dean , a ' many more which will , doubtless , occur to you . With a strong constitution and a suitable name , this young lodge has every prospect of a prosperous future . ' know it is in excellent hands , and leaving it so , I conclude by wishing it stea < 7