West Yorkshire Mark Charity Committee.

WEST YORKSHIRE MARK CHARITY COMMITTEE .

It is our privilege from time to time to chronicle the progress which Freemasonry is making as the years roll on . The Craft is steadily advancing both in numbers and influence , and its power for good becomes daily rnore effectual . But it is not only Craft Masonry that shows such vitality . A careful observer cannot but note the increase which is being made in the other Degrees . Royal Arch Masonry , however , it is

universally allowed , does not quite realise what its enthusiasts claim for it . Recent statistics have shown this unmistakably . Wherein lies the reason we do not propose here to enter ; we simply call attention to the fact . Of other Degrees the Mark is facile princeps . It was no uncommon thing , and not long ago either , to note a smile or even a sneer on the countenance of some at the mention of the Mark Degree . All that is altered ; and it

now stands forth an organisation on a firm basis , a society full ; of enthusiasm , and an institution of constantly increasing strength and value . So secure is its confidence that it has been able to set on foot , and for several years successfully carry on , a very useful Charitable system . The Mark Benevolent Fund is doing good work . It commends itself strongly to all practical Mark Masons , insomuch as it is engineered so inexpensively , and

is broug ht into action so promptly . These valuable characteristics appear to have made great impression on the Mark Masons in West Yorkshire . This particular province has ever taken one of the foremost places in its advocacy of the Masonic Charities ; and though the Mark Degree could until this year only count 16 lodges on its roll , yet its contributions to the Mark Fund have always been substantial , not to say munificent . In 1 S 96 ,

when there were but 14 lodges , it raised 700 guineas in support of the Chairmanship of its popular Prov . G . Master , Bro . C . Letch Mason ; and last year , when the M . W . the Pro G . Master , Lord Euston , presided , West Yorkshire sent up about ^ 600 . For the seven years just past the average amount which has been raised in this numerically small province has reached within a fraction of / 300 .

It will perhaps here be well to say that West Yorkshire has an elected , and therefore a representative , Charity Committee . By this means the Executive is brought into touch with every lodge on the roll . Besides the elected , there are also life , as well as ex-officio members , and if a case of distress occurs , or if a candidate for the Annuity Fund is brought forward , prompt inquiry is made , and on assurance that the claim is good , the

petition is backed by the Chairman , and so presented to the General Board . The formation of this Committee only dates from 1895 , but its influence has speedily made itself felt . It has been fortunate , moreover , in its presiding officers . Its first Chairman , Bro . G . H . Parke , P . G . Treas ., has long been known as a most ardent and liberal supporter of all the Masonic Charities , and his consistent and munificent help to the Mark Benevolent

Fund is almost unprecedented . He was a most able and successful Chairman . After him came Bro . Richard Hodgson , P . P . G . W . Bro . Hodgson , unfortunately ( we use the word from a Masonic point of view only ) , occupies the position of Alderman of the borough of Halifax , and the demand which his municipal duties made upon him was so constant that , after holding it for one year , he found himself reluctantly obliged to relinquish the position of Chairman .

The present occupant of the chair is Bro . W . E . Smithies , also a Past Warden of his province as well as a Past G . Steward of England . Bro . Smithies possesses the happy knack of influencing his fellow men , and in all the Degrees in Freemasonry has been both popular and successful . One of the founders and the first W . M . of the Eland Mark Lodge , by his example and his tact he has won the cordial co-operation of others , and

made his lodge take a very prominent position in the province . With his characteristic energy and generosity he has taken up the management of the Mark Charity , and has so far worked it excellently . To do this it is , of course , necessary to pay frequent visits to the various lodges . This he has done most consistently , and still further to keep in touch with his brethren , meetings have been occasionally called where in a pleasant , informal way the affairs of the province , in relation to the Charity , have been discussed .

A meeting of this kind was held on the 6 th instant , at Brayshay ' s Restaurant , Leeds . Bro . Smithies entertained the following brethren : Bros . Thos . Rowbotham , P . M . 53 , Prov . S . G . W ., Vice-Chairman ; Thos , Norfolk , P . M . ( T . I . ) , P . P . G . O . ; C . E . Rose , P . M . 53 , Prov . G . O . ; Joseph Matthewman , P . M . no , Prov . G . Sec . ; Harold Bonser , W . M . 111 ; Wm . Senior , P . M . 127 , P . P . G . I . of W . ; I . F . Dyson , P . M . 117 . P . P . G .

D . C . j W . B . Smith , W . M . 352 , Prov . G . Stwd . ; Wm . Postlethwaite , P . M . 374 ; John Reed , P . M . 39 S , P . P . G . Treas . ; J . E . Mann , I . P . M . 457 ; J . T . Pickles , 501 ; W . Davey , S . W . 525 ; W . Wagstaffe , 535 ; andT . G . Howell , P . M . 137 and 493 . P . P . G . O ., a Life Member of the Committee , and a Vice-Patron of the Mark Benevolent Fund .

Apologies and regrets at inability to attend were received from several distinguished members who through the meetings of Grand Lodge ( Mark a » d Craft ) or for other reasons were kept away . Amongst these were Bros . C . ; etch Mason , Prov . G . Master ; John Barker , Dep . Prov . G . Master ; ^ - H . Parke , P . G . Treas . ; F . Cleeves , P . G . Std . Br . ; H . S .

Holdsworth , P . G . Std . Br . ; S . Pegler , P . M . 39 S , P . P . G . O ., Mayor of Retford ; K'chd . Hodgson , P . P . G . W . ; W . A . Stalter , J . P ., P . P . G . W . ; F . Hinchliffe , '" Ashworth , P . M . 14 , Prov . G . Stwd . j F . Bateman , P . M . 352 , P . P . h -u . ; W . Cockcroft , P . M . 501 , P . P . G . O . ; and Geo . Whitaker , 535 . After dinner there were the toasts " The King , " and " The M . W . the ^ fand Master electhis Royal Hihness the Duke of Connaught . "

, g ihe brethren then entered upon an informal discussion or conversation , 'dating to the Mark Charities . its ' SJnTniES went at length into particulars as to the last festival and very successful results , mentioned the claims which West Yorkshire had

de , having three widows ( one with half her late husband ' s annuity ) and the man ° ^ ^ ^ sP ° ke ° f tne inexpensive working of the Charity and con i , P t anc * cheerful way in which it was administered , and of th r a . very earnest speech by commending the Fund to the attention m „ . e Charity members , some of whom being only recently elected , he now " >« and . greeted for the lirst time . fj „ he SECRETARY supplemented the Chairman ' s remarks by additional clior ? " Reductions , a ^ which he intimated that , though no special was being made for the coming year , yet it was the desire of the

West Yorkshire Mark Charity Committee.

Chairman and Vice-Chairman ( each of whom had given him their names as Stewards for 1901 ) , that West Yorkshire should contribute some sum which should , at least , keep up the present prestige of the province . ' The result of this mild appeal was announced at a later stage , and , without going into particulars , we may say it was very satisfactory . The Vice-Chairman , Bro . THOMAS ROWBOTHAM , then rose and said

that , though toasts were supposed to be tabooed at these informal gatherings , yet he was sure the brethren would not be content to leave without drinking " Health and Happiness to their very excellent Chairman . " Since Bro . Smithies had been appointed to that office he had given time and labour unsparingly to the work ; he had visited the lodges on all possible occasions ,

often at considerable inconvenience , and , in addition to moral support and sympathy , had contributed material pecuniary help . It was clear that the position was one which Bro . Smithies thoroughly appreciated , and they must admit that he did honour to the office . As good Mason , staunch friend , and genial host , they would tender him their best wishes .

This the brethren did , and Bro . SMITHIES got a very hearty reception . He thanked the brethren for their presence , expressed his extreme satisfaction that there was such good feelingamongst the brethren of the various lodges , declared himself proud to fill the position of Chairman , and trusted to be able still further to deserve the confidence which they hid placed in him . The rest of the evening , a most enjoyable one , comprised social intercourse and tobacco .

Freemasonry In Surrey.

FREEMASONRY IN SURREY .

The Provincial Grand Lodge of Surrey is ever on the increase , and , according to the large and ably edited " Masonic Calendar for Surrey , " just published , it never was so large numerically as at the present time . This most welcome and exhaustive annual is edited by Bro . C . T . Tyler , Prov . Grand Sec , and Bro . W . A . Latham , Prov . Asst . G . Sec , and contains a

mass of information , which is simply invaluable for the members of the province , besides being of general interest . The Provincial Grand Lodge dates from 1772 , but all the old lodges , and these are not many , have died out ; the senior , on the present roll of 45 lodges , being " St . George * " No . 370 , of A . D . 1 S 23 .

The Prov . Grand Master is Colonel Davis , A . D . C , appointed in the year igoo , being the eighth from 1772 , and the fifth that I remember . His portrait appears as the appropriate frontispiece to the Calendar for 1901 , those of the D . Prov . Grand Master ( Bro . Frederick West , P . G . D . ) , and the Prov . Grand Secretary being also included . The preface is devoted to a sketch of the Provincial Grand Lodge and Chapter . In it occurs the

statement that " the first Grand Superintendent of R . A . Masonry in Surrey was Thomas Dunckerley . " The latest date for his appointment is " 178 9 and probably earlier . " In my " Origin , " I traced it back to 1 793 , and then not the earliest . The Grand Lodge Calendar for 1901 , begins the list with Bro . Alexander Dobie , A . D . 1847 . There were , however , at least two appointments between the two worthies named , viz ., the Rev . G . A . Browne and the Rev . I . Austin .

The only prtc-Union chapter in Surrey that I know of was the " Harmony , " No . 46 , Kingston , formed in 17 S 6 , but erased prior to the formation of the United Grand Chapter in 1817 . For the 30 th June last the 45 lodges returned 1 S 05 members , exhibiting an advance year by year from 1894 , when there were 1398 . The average per lodge is not half that met with in some provinces , but fairly up to the usual for lodges so near the metropolis .

The 17 R . A . chapters return 343 companions for IQOO , which is much below a normal condition for that Degree , and the eight Mirk lodges have 16 7 on their Registers . The Bye-laws of the Prov . G . Lodge and Charity Committee ars wisely inserted , and for this year there is a List of Subscribers to the Central

Masonic Institutions , which will , doubtless , prove a very welcome addition to the many excellent features of this well-edited Calendar . Full particulars are given of the Present and Past Officers of all the Provincial Organisations , and much else is to be found in this accurate and exhaustive publication . W . I . HUGHAN .

The Craft Abroad.

The Craft Abroad .

CONSECRATION OF THE CATARACT LODGE , No . 900 { S . C ) .

The consecration of this new lodge took place at Gokak Falls , in the Western Presidency of Bombay , in the Masonic Hall , on the 13 th ult ., when the R . W . M ., Bro . J . M . Kerr , P . M . 730 , and 1032 , P . Z . 730 , and P . P . G , Supt . of Wks . West Lanes ., was installed its lirst Master , and the officers appointed and invested .

1 lie brethren present were : Bros . J . M . Kerr , R . W . M . designate ; Capt . C . D . Wise , Grand Secretary , as Depute G . M . of all Scottish Freemasonry in India ; Major C . F . Harrison , Grand Bard ; W . E . VV . Elkington , R . M . Kerr , F . Tattersall , B . R . Whitehead , A . E . Bennett , B . C . Scott , H . Haycock , W . Seaton , M . W . Baput , and F . G . Pearce .

' 1 he lodge having been opened , the consecration ceremony was performed by the Depute G . M ., Bro . Captain C . D . Wise , assisted by the Grand Officers .

A Board of Installed Masters was opened , and the R . W . M . duly installed , after which the officers were invested as follows : Bros . Lieut . W . E . W . Elkington , S . W . ; R . M . Kerr , J . VV . ; F . Tattersall , S . D . ; B . R . Whitehead , Sec . and Treas . ; A . E . Bennett , J . D . ; AI . W . Baput , I . G . ; and J . G . Pearce , Tyler .

ihe District Judge , liro . b . C . O . Beaman , P . M . 3 G 3 , being unavoidably absent on important affairs of State , was appointed Dspute Master , and his investiture deferred .

I he lodge was closed , and the brethren adjourned to dinner at Douglas Castle , the residence of the newly-installed R . W . M ., where the usual loyal and Masonic toasts were duly honoured .