Craft Masonry.

Craft Masonry .

Lion Lodge , No . 312 . The regular meeting of the above lodge was held on Monday , the igto inst ., at the Masonic Hall , Whitby , under the presidency of Bro . Rev . E . Fox-Thomas , W . M ., when there was an exceptionally good attendance . The W . M . wis supported by Bros . R . Gray , S . W . ; E . Smithson , P . M ., as J . W . ; I . N . Lawson , P . M ., P . P . G . Std . Br ., Treas . ; B . Newbald , Sec . ; J . Brand , as S . D . i T . Taylor , J . D . ; H . S . Home , I . G . ; T . Allen , D . C . ; H . Spiegelhalter and G . K . Meares , Stwds . ; and many others . Bro . R . Hudson , P . G S . Durham , P . G . Std . Br . England , was a visitor . .

The lodge was opened , when the W . M . raised Bros . L . Frazer and J . Seymour to the Sublime Degree of a Master Mason . During the evening 40 Masonic books and tractates—some being very old and valuable—were presented by the W . M . on behalf of several donors , and a hearty vote of thanks wis accorded to them . The W . M . also made a presentation of a large framed portrait-group of the officers of the lodge for the present year , which was a gratifying testimony to the perfect harmony and efficiency with which the officers have co-operated with the Master during the year which is now so fast approaching its termination . The portrait-group is complete so far as the

p ictorial presentment god , but death has broken in upon the official circle during the year by the lamented death of Bro . John William Bsrry , S . D ., whose portrait is , ho vever , included in the interesting group . The S . W ,, on behalf of the officers , presented a portrait group of four of the senior brethren win have completed their Masonic jubilee in connection with this old established lodge . The brethren who were thus specially honoured are Bros . J . Stevenson , P . M .. P . P . G . W ., initiated 1 S 44 ; Silvester Reed , P . M . 1 S 44 ; T . Smailes , 1 S 44 : and J . N . Lawson , P . M ., Treas ., P . P . G . Std . Br ., 1 S 46 . When these brethren were initiated the lodge was held at the Angel Hotel .

The weil-executed production of local photographic art is very pleasing and interesting as a memento of the valuable services rendered to the lodge by the four brethren who are so well depicted , and it should be an incentive to younger brethren to walk worthily in the footsteps of the old Masters who are so much respected , and of whom local Craftsmen are justly proud . It may be added that there are other three surviving jubilee brethren who were initiated into Freemasmry in the Lion Lodge , viz .: Bros . W . Wood , John Weighill , and W . E . Corner ; they were admitted respectively in 1 S 3 S , 1 S 39 and 1840 . Bros . Stevenson , Reed , Smailes , and Lawson were warmly

congratu-, lated by the "Lions" present on the auspicious event , which was also appropriately and ably spoken to by Bro . W . G . Lockey , P . M . ; and the f"ur brethren to whom this special mark of esteem and regard was paid , feelingly acknowledged the kind and graceful recognition which had been so heartily accorded to them . We believe it to be almost unprecedented for a lodge to have so many jubilee brethren connected with it . and the distinction is none the less noteworthy from the tact that the lodge will celebrate

its cenlenary next year . On the 20 th Novemberfour jubilee brethren intend journeying to Leeds for the purpose of attending the installation of the W . M . elect of the Zetland Lodge , No . 1311 , when Bro . Dr . R . Smailes , eldest son ot Bro . T . Smailes , will receive the highest honour his mother lodge can confer upon him . During the evening Bro . R . Hudson , P . G . Std . Br . Eng ., delivered an eloquent address on "The Benefits of Maintaining the Principles of Freemasonry , " and concluded his remarks by congratulating the lodge on the prospect of its approaching centenary celebration .

St . Cuthbert Lodge , No . 630 . The annual meeting of the above lodge was held in the Masonic Hall , Howden , on Thursday , the 15 th inst ., when Bro . George Brindle was installed into the chair of K . S . by Bro . G . H . Anderton , J . P ., P . M ., P . P . J . G . W . East Yorks . The following officers were afteiwards duly invested : Bros . Anderton , I . P . M . ; G . G . Everingham , S . W . ; W . H . Rylatt , J . W . ; the Rev . W . Hutchinson , M . A ., Chap . ; H . B . Anderson , J . P ., P . M ., Treas . ; W . L . Rowntree , Sec . and Org . ; P . M . Crow , S . D . ; W . Slather , J . D . ; J . G . Loum , D . C . ; J . B . Walker , I . G . ; and W . Drury , Tyler . There was a goodly number of brethren present , and visitors hailed from lodges at Hull , Selby , Thorne , & c .

The customary banquet was afterwards held at Walmsley ' s Hotel , presided over by the W . M . The usual Masonic toasts were duly proposed and . responded to , interspersed with capital songs , & c . Altogether a most pleasant evening was spent .

Dobie Lodge , No . 889 . A goodly number of members assembled on the 21 st instant , at the Kingston Hotel , Kingston-on-Tfiamrs , when all three Degrees had to be conferred . Lodge having been cpened by the W . M ., Bro . Arthur Watkin , the minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed . Bros . H . Packham and J . F . L . Gaydon were raised to the M . M . Degree ; Bros . Cay ley and Bignall were passed to the F . C . ; and Mr . W . Monday , successor to Bro . George Gabb in the prcprietorship of the Kingston Hotel ( the

lodge ' s meeting place ) , was initiated . The traditional history was given in the Third , tracing-board explained in the Second , and address given to ths E . A ., all done by the W . M . with a correctness rarely attained , enhanced by purity of enunciation and elcquence of a very high order . The assistant officers did their parts so admirably that they deserve to be named—Bros . G . R . Scott , S . W . j W . H . Gaze , J . W . ; J . W . Wells , S . D . ; Geo . Cowen , J . D . ; and J . Mortimer , I . G . After refreshment , a few toasts were given .

Bro . Hunt , P . M . ol St . Paul ' s Lodge , followed by several other brethren of longstanding in the Order and well skilled in the Craft , spoke in terms af the highest praise 01 the splendid display of working which they had witnessed .

Excelsior Lodge , No . 1042

VISIT OF THE PROVINCIAL GRAND MASTER OF WEST YORKSHIRE . The regular meet ' ng of this lodge , which was held at the Masonic Hall , Leeds , on I hursday , the 15 th inst , will be a memorable one in its history by reason of the visit of the Prov . G . Master , Bro . the Right Hon . W . L . Jackson , M . P ., and the officers of the rrov . Grand Lodge of West Yorkshire , together with other distinguished brethren from various parts of the country . The lodge was opene ' d , the following officers and brethren

being prjsenti Bros . J . Smith , W . M . ; H . Banks , l . P . M . ; R . Waide , S . W . ; A . » •Ocugill , J . W . j H . Cowbrcugh , jun ., Treas . ; G . Tooley , Sec . ; C . Grosvenor , Asst . Sec . ; H . Whitfield , S . D . ; V . R . Morley , J . D . ; W . T . Carter , P . M ., D . C . ; A- Jowitt , Mus . Bac . Oxon , Org . ; T . C . Nettleton , I . G . ; J . H . Gash , Jk W . Dobson , a \ . ' Har"son , and G . Wardman , Stwds . ; J . H . Newton , Tyler : R . O . Allison , P-M ., P . P . G . D . ; VV . Bingham , P . M ., P . P . G . Purst . ; E . Crosby , P . M .: T . Ihorp , H . M . ; J . W . Blackburn . P . M . ; T . Huntley . B . Walker . A . Atkinson , R . ( - •" - t J . . 1 , uiovnuuill . I . 111 ., M . . ¦ tUHI . IG J ' j u , iiaincin . mKIIiaUU f l \ .

, Simpson , R . Routled ^ e , W . Fester , G . Dyall , H . B . Rhodes , J . H . Battye , F . Bagshaw , v '» , e ' and w - Jackson . Visitors : Bros . Blackburn , W . M . 306 ; -T . Bromley , i -M . 1214 ; W . Taylor , 52 ; F . Grant , P . M . ; F . Durant , P . M . - 1648 ; Dr . A . S . da « n , S . W . 1211 ; R . Spencer , S . D . 1019 ; Dr . E . A . White , Sec . 304 ; Dr . Barley , ¦ S'Wi A . K . Nicrols , J . D . 304 ; J . Freeman , 1211 j W . A . Millard , 30 G ; T . < -mid , . 504 ; and II . Dittmar , 1001 . mmules ° f the last icgular lodge and lodge of having been read and

r emergency ° " ! uined , a Committee wss appointed to make arrangements for the annual social gathering on the 27 th prox ., in which the members of the Excelsior Chapter were invited 0 participate . A resolution ot condolence to Bro , J . W . Dobson on the recent death of ' * dau 8 hter was adopted , Bro . Dobson afterwards thanking the brethren for their I ,, / he following distinguished brethren then entered the lodge : Bros . J . G . Malcolm , Hi . \ S- ' D . P . G . M . West Yorks ; 11 . Smith , P . G . D . fcng ., P . D . P . G . M . ; I . T . iwnead

p '" , F . u . Std . Br . Eng ., P . P . G . W . N . and E . Yorks ; J . Tcdd , P . G . S . B . I !?•' rT - G - Treas . N . and E . Yorks ; H . Allen , Prov . S . G . W . j J . A . Godwin , KW rA J- - w- 'he Rev . L . S . Calvert , M . A ., and the Rev . J . L . Brereton , M . A ., S « . . PS- J R . Jackson , Prov . G . Treas . ; Capt . H . G . li . Green , Prov . G . S , „ ; „ A- Robertshaw , Piov . S . G . D . ; H . S . Wocd , Prov . J . G . D .: T . R . Vaux , man ' of Wks - ' w - Watson , P . P . G . S . of Wks ., Hon . Libraiian ; J . Matthew-S 7 " A . G . Sec . ; J . VV . Handforth , Prov . U . Org . ; H . Telford , Prov . G . •lva - ( all of Weit Yorkshire ); E . Woodhouse , J . P ., P . P . G . W . ; R . Wilson ,

Craft Masonry.

P . P . G . W . ; | . D . Kay , P . P . G . D .: D . R . Glover , P . P . G . D . ; A . Scarth , P . P . G . D . ; the Rev . W . Wilkinson , P . P . G . Chap . ; J . A . Withey , P . P . G . Reg . West Lanes . ; andT . G . P . Barlow , P . P . G . D . N . and . E . Yorks . Bros . W . F . Smithson , P . G . D . Eng . ; Robert Hudson , P . G . S . B . Eng ., Prov . G . Sec . Durham and E . W . Hudson , P . P . G . S . of Wks . of N . and E . Yorks entered at a later stage of the proceedings . The distinguished visitors having been welcomed by the VV . M . nn behalf of the lodge , were saluted in due form . The lodge was opened in the Second and Third D . 'grees , and the later pirtion of the traditional history which had been deferred from a previous occasion was given by the W . M . to Bros . Battye and Jackson , the lodge being then

closed in the First Degree . The customary " Hearty good wishes . " were tendered by the visiting brethren , during which the Dep . Prov . G . M . stated that ihe Prov . G . Master had desired him to express his very deep regret that an important business engagement in London prevented him having the pleasure of being present in the lodge as he fully intended , but he hoped to reach Leeds in time to join the brethren at dinner . This intention was shortly afterwards realised , as the lodge having been rlosed and the brethren seated at the table in the adjoining room , the Prov . Grand Master was announced , and took his place at the right of the W . M . amidst tbe hearty acclamations of the brethren .

At the conclusion of the dinner the W . M . gave the toast of "The CJueen , " and in afterwards proposing the toast of "The Grand Lodge of England . " referred to the pleasure which it afforded the brethren of the lodge to welcome among them so many members of that distinguished body . Bro . T . B . Whytehead , in responding said he was sure that the officers of Grand

Lodge were desirous of only one end , namely , that of promoting the peace , harmony , and welfare of the lodges under their juri-dicti ^ n , and he was giad to say that such a happy condition of affairs now existed . Bro . Whytehead went on to show that in former years such was not always the case , and gave an interesting acciunt of the origin of the Grand Lodge of England and the forma-ion of and subsequent fusion with it , of the three other Grand Lodges which existed during the last century .

Bro . K . Hudson , who also replied to the toast , expressed his pleasure in being present on such an important occasion , and stated that although he was now an officer of the Provincial Grand Lodge of Durham and residing at a distance , he was a native of Yorkshire , and should always possess a strong affection for the county of many acres ; he urged upon the younger brethren especially , the advisability of unceasing loyalty to their noble Order , and trusted that by their devotion to its service , s im ; at least of them , might attain the honour of a collar in the Grand Lodge , of which he had been the proud possessor for over nine years .

In proposing the toast of " The Provincial Grand Master , and the officers of Provincial Grand Lodge , " the W . M . said that that was a toast up in which any man might wax eloquent , and although he himself felt unable to do full justice to it , no one could feel greater pleasure and pride in proposing it . The lod ^ e was indeed honoured by the presence of so many of the officers of the Provincial Grand Lodge , a numoer which he ventured to think was a record in the history of that lodge , and he heartily thanked them on behalf of the lodge and himself for their very cordial response to the

invitation . With regard to the Provincial Grand Master , it was unnecessary in Leeds to say anything of their distinguished guest in order to commend the toast to their acceptance when the subject of their congratulations comprised in himself the Right Worshipful Provincial Grand Master , the Mayor of Leeds , the senior Member of Parliament for the city , the Chairman of one of the great railway companies , and ex-Minister of the Crown , and a member of her Majesty ' s Most Honourable Privy Council , he need say no more , as words were unnecessary .

The toast was received with the utmost enthusiasm , and in reply the Provincial Grand Master said that although the W . M . had been very complimentary in proposing the toast , he had not been altogether kind in so doing , as he had recalled very forcibly to his mind some of the heavy responsibilities which rested upon himself . It was , indeed , a proud position to be placed at the head of such a large and important Province as West Yorkshire , and he felt it as such , at the same time it was not without its anxieties . He had so far endeavoured to discharge his duties and responsibilities , as well as his somewhat limited opportunities would allow , and the brethren of the province had been

very considerate with regard to any deficiencies which he might have exhibited . Had it not been for the devoted and loyal service of his former'Deputy , Bro . Henry Smith , and since his retirement , of his successor , Bro . Malcolm , it would have been impossible for him to have adequately discharged his duties . In speaking of the Masonic Charities , Bro . Jackson referred to the action which had been taken the previous day at the meeting of Provincial Grand Lodge at Morley , and stated the step was one which was of the very greatest importance , and he greatly regretted that in taking it they had placed themselves in opposition to the views of Bro . W . F . Smithson , whose efforts on behalf of the great London Charities were his life ' s work , and no one in the province had done so

much on their behalf . In paying a very high tribute to his past services , the Provincial Grand Master hoped that although not in accord with the new movement , Bro . Smithson would still continue his valuable work for the Charities , and that they might always rely upon his assistance . Shortly after his reply to the toast , the Provincial Grand Master retired . In response to the toast of " The Visitors , " Bro . J . Todd expressed the great pleasure it had given him , after an interval of 20 years , to visit the lodge once more , and made humorous reference to his experience on a former visit . He found that the character of the lodge in past years was still retained , and that hospitality was still a marked feature .

Bro . E . Woodhouse , J . P ., ex-Mayor of Leeds , also expressed his pleasure at having been present : on such an interesting occasion . Although not so active a worker now as in former years , he believed that if they gave him the opportunity he shuuld not fail to join them more frequently . He was very sorry that the Provincial Grand Master had lett the gathering , as he wished to bring before him , as Chairman of the Great Northern Railway Company , a very important question , and which affected them all very closely . Bro . Woodhouse proceeded , amid great laughter , to express the opinion that Freemasons ought to have the privilege of travelling oy rail at half price , by tnis

means they in the distant provinces might be enabled to take a more active part in the deliberations of their more fortunate brethren of the " upper crust" in London , and in the important movement in connection with the Boys' School , which had raised such a strong feeling of hostility in the province . Bro . J . Dunning Kay , in further responding tor the visitors , alluded to the reference of the W . M . to his position as head of the province in the Order of Knights Temjlar , and said that it was , indeed , his privilege to hold that office , and he felt very gratified in having had the opportunity to be present . Many changes had taken place durmj the

40 years in which he had been a mtmoer of the Craft , and he thought from the proceedings that evening that progress was being made , especially amongst the younger brethren , and he urged upon them the advisability of extending iheir researcnes into the higher Degrees , and so follow the example of the W . M . Bro . the Rev . J . L . Brereton , Prov . G . Chap ., also responded in fitting terms . A very pleasing feature of the evening was the excellent pr , gramme of vocal and instrumental music and recitations contributed by Bros . H . Didmar , T . Child , A , Jowitt , W . Tooke , H . Whitfield , H . Gale , and others , which gave great delight to the numerous assembly .

Warrant Officers Ledge , No . 2346 . The above lodge held its usual monthly meeting on Friday , the iCth instant , when the following were present : Bros . W . A . Greene , W . M . ; M . A . Mclnerny , P . M ., P . D . G . S . B . Gibraltar , acting as I . P . M . ; H . B . Dickins , S . W . ; J . D . Lidbury , J . W . ; W . F . Cheesman , P . M ., Sec ; J . P . Newsham , S . D . ; W . H . Smith , J . D . ; G . Gale , I . G . j R . Jennings , P . M ., D . C ; R . H . Johnson , A . D . C . ; J . Betts , Asst . Org . ; A . G . Young , Tyler ; H . Gardiner , P . M . ; A . Molony , P . M . ; C . A . Pugh , P . M . ; J . Berry , B . Betts , J . Bruckland , W . Callow , A . Copsey , J . A . D .-nt , J .

Genese , G . George , F . Grumbridge , C . B . Hawkins , J . D . Kingsoury , J . R . McGill , J . J . Mumford , W . Norman , P . A . Premi , J . Smith , L . Sulomon , J . W . Watson , and VV Woodcock . Visitors : Bros . J . Pascoe , 1136 , and J . 1 " . Carrick , IOJ . The lodge having been opened , Bros . Hawkins , Bruckland , and Smith ware raised to the Third Degree , and Mr . W . WoodcoCK was initiated . A can liJate -vas proposed for initiation , and Bro . James Duffy , 1383 , having oeen proposed as a joim . ig memoer , the ! od , ; e was closed . The brethren afterwards adjourned for refreshments .

PKISCE CHRISTIAN of Schleswig-Holstein , arrived at Cumbjrhni H mie , Winlsor Great Park , on Saturday list , from bjrlin , on the co . i : lui ; j . i of his autun ill visit to Germany .