History Of The Airedale Lodge, No. 387,

there resides a vital arid immortal principle , and that when Ave consign the mortal remains of a faithful ancl true brother to the cold bosom of the grave , it is with a holy confidence that the immortal principle is in the merciful hands of the Lord of Life . A Provincial Grand Master once remarked that if any brother wishes to rise to eminence in the Craft , he should give to the subject deep studymuch thoughtand constant antiquarian researchfor Masonry is

, , , a well-storecl mine , in which treasures are deeply hidden . Research thus directed may never be able to decide to the satisfaction of the fraternity the conjectures that Julius Caasar and his generals were patrons and protectors of the Craft in England ; that the Emperor Caransius held its tenets in the highest veneration ; that Alban , the canonized martyr , presided over British Masons as their Grand Master - , aud that Athelstane was a promoter of the art in the same

capacity . But , however interesting these investigations may be to the inquirer , we may rest assured that a wide field of study is open in the direction of those grand principles which have exalted Masonry into a moral science , ancl have helped to humanize mankind . It is an inspiring reflection that our Godhonouring institution advocates and upholds a morality of the highest kind , and a never failing charity in a cold , unsympathizing world . The G . A . of the Universe has not placed us here and endowed us with various gifts that we may live for ourselves alone . The immortal hard has uttered this sentiment in these sublime words : —

Heaven doth with us as we with torches do , Not light them for themselves ; for if our virtues Did not go forth of us , ' twere all alike As if we had them not . Spirits are not finely touched But to fine issues .

With one other quotation I will conclude . In 1876 , our very excellent and greatly respected Provincial Grand Master expressed a wish that there might he " on the part of the fraternity in his province an earnest desire to study the principles upon which our ancient and time-honoured Order is founded , " being well convinced that b y doing so they would become better men , ancl better fitted for higher things than if obey confined their attention to the mere routine work of the lodge . As in the monuments of which I have spokenthe

, outer covering of earth hid from sight the massive ancl imperishable portion of the sepulchral structure , Avhich , when its solid materials are brought into view , is a token of marvellous engineering skill , so should the external ceremonial of Masonry be regarded as the simple clothing which conceals from the superficial observer those everlasting princi ples of Heaven-horn truth , which it is our duty to study ancl to teach . May the loftpurposes of Masonrywhich

y , have been so earnestly fulfilled in the past by the members of the Airedale Lodge , continue to animate them through a long future , causing them to Avork harmoniously , in obedience to the will of Him who would have all men to be steeped in the effulgence of His Divine love . The Pro Grand Master then rose , and said : Brethren , the ceremony of dedication being now completed in all its partsit only remains for me to

, perform the task I undertook to clay , namely to open this building . Ancl it is open accordingly . The musical part of the service was most impressive , the really fine consecration service of Bro . F . C . Atkinson ( Mus . Bac , Cantab ., P . Prov . G . O ., W . Yorks . ) having rarely had such an interpretation as vvas given to it on this occasion by the musical members of the lodge .

After the business of the . lodge had been brought to a close , a sumptuous luncheon , under the superintendence of Bro . R . Brener , of the Belle Vue Hotel , Bradford ( and which reflected the highest credit upon that brother for the abilit y and exquisite taste displayed in all its details ) , was served in the banqueting-room , after which the usual loyal and Masonic toasts were given and honoured .