Provincial Grand Lodge Of North And East Yorkshire.

Various resolutionsaltcringdatesof meeting and revising the Educational Fund By-laws had been proposed and carried . Bro . J OSEPH TODD , P . P . G . W ., moved— " That a grant of ioo guineas be made from the Benevolent Fund of this Provincial Grand Lodge to the Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution for Aged Freemasons and Freemasons '

Widows , at the Jubilee Festival of the Institution , to be celebrated in February next , " which was seconded b y Bro . W . H . COWPER , P . P . G . Reg . Bro . J . SYKES RYMER , P . P . G . Reg ., moved as an amendment " That the sum voted be 150 guineas , and that 100 guineas be for the male , and 50 guineas for the female branch of the Institution , " which was seconded by Bro . ASCOUGH , P . P . G . W .

Bro . J OSEPH TODD having accepted the alteration , the resolution was carried . Bro . T . B . WHYTEHEAD , P . P . G . W ., moved " That this Provincial Grand Lodge hold the Provincial Grand Treasurer indemnified on paying the above grant , " which was seconded b y Bro . W . J . WATSON , P . P . G . Reg ., and carried .

Ihe various lodges in the province , all of which were represented , then communicated . The returns showed a total of 217 S subscribing members . The Prov . Grand Treasurer , upon the proposition of Bro ; M . ROOKE , P . P . G . D ., seconded' by Bro . J . STEVENSON , P . P . G . W .,, was unanimously re-elected . ., ' . . ;¦

The Prov . Grand Treasurer brief ! } ' returned thanks . The two retiring representatives of . Provincial Grand Lo'lge on the Charities Association—Bros . W . Lawton , P . P . G . Reg ., and A . F ' armer , P . P . G . D . C . —were then unanimously re-elected , upon the proposition of Bro . J . TODD , P . P . G . W ., seconded by Bro . W .. H . MARWOOD , P . P . G . W . In accordance with By-law 18 , Bros . F . Fullerton , P . P . G . Reg ., and W . C . Whiteside , P . M . 250 , were re-elected Auditors , being proposed by Bro . WOODALL , P . P . G . W ., and seconded by Bro . T . B . REDFEARN , P . A . G . S .

Under By-law 21 , the following five members of Provincial Grand Lodge were re-elected to serve on the Provincial Board of General Purposes : — Bros . J . W . Woodall , P . P . G . W . ; T . B . Whytehead , P . P . G . W . ; W . J . Watson , P . P . G . R . ; J . Sykes Rymer , P . P . G . R . ; and H . Toozes , P . P . G . D . ; being proposed by Bro . M . ROOKE , P . P . G . D ., and seconded by Bro . C . PALLISER , P . P . G . S . of W .

Ihe PROV . GRAND SECRETARY read a letter from the Grand Secretary , referring to the illegality of opening , in extenso , a Board of Installed Masters . It stated— " This so-called ceremony is entirely irregular , and was never recognised by , or even known to Grand Lodge , and is supposed to be of American origin . "

The Prov . Grand Master then appointed and invested the following Prov . Grand Officers for the ensuing year ( with the exception of the Prov . Grand Treasurer , who had been re-elected by the Prov . Grand Lodge ) : —

Bro . Andrew Farmer , P . P . G . D . C , P . M . 1848 ... Prov . S . G . W . „ Adam C . Bamlett , P . M . 1416 ... ... Prov . J . G . W . „ Rev . E . A . B . Pitman , M . A ., S . W . 660 ... ) r , r ry „ Rev . G . T . W . Purchas , M . A ., 1040 ... j Prov ' G > Cha P - ,, Walter Reynolds , P . M . 250 ... ... Prov . G . Treas . „ J . Vernon Cooper , P . M . 1848 ... ... Prov . G . Reg . ¦ ' „ M . G . Peck , P . G . Std . Br . England , P . P . G . W .,

P . M . 1040 ... .. ; ... Prov . G . Sec . ,, William Draper , P . M . 236 - ... ¦•• ? u c r IV „ Major W . H . Wellstead , J . P ., P . M . 1010 ... j rov' b' ( j'U s ; . „ John Blenkin , P . M . 1611 ... ... )„ T n „ , „ Walter C . Whiteside , P . M . 2 ^ 0 ... _ I rov . J . G . D . s

„ Thomson Foley , P . M . 294 ... ... Prov . G . S . of W . „ George E . Martin , P . M . 124 S ... ... Prov . G . D . C . „ William N . Cheesman , P . M . 566 ... ... Prov . D . G . D . C . „ Edward Harland , P . M . 643 ... ... Prov . A . G . D . C . „ William Holloway , P . M . 2301 ... Prov . G . S . B .

„ John Rennard , P . M . 734 ... ¦¦¦ In n e , 1 u „ Henry Hirst , P . M . 1605 ... ... j Prov ' ' StcL Brs ' ,, Henry Hill , 1248 ... ... ... Prov . G . Org . „ Thos . B . Redfearn , P . M . 2134 ... ... Prov . A . G . Sec . „ John E . Wilkinson , P . M . 1991 ... ... Prov . G . Purst . „ Richard Hamper , P . M . 1760 ... ... Prov . A . G . Purst . „ Frederick J . Lambert , 1010 ... ... Prov . G . Tyler .

Six Provincial Grand Stewards to be nominated by the Anchor , Falcon , Alexandra , De-la-Polc , Eboracum , and Handysidc Lodges . The PROV . GRAND MASTER then addressed the Provincial Grand Lod ge as follows : Worshi pful Brethren—Once again wc meet upon the tesselated floor—that affecting symbol of the vicissitudes of mortal life . The annual communication of Provincial Grand Lodge forms a mile-stone in our

Masonic career , at which we may pause for a few moments to contemplate the result of our labours in the past , and gather con-¦ ndence for renewed exertion in the future . By strict attention to our duties as Craftsmen , which in themselves contain the principal elements for the formation of a good character , by kindness , courtesy , and a Charity which knows no bounds save those of prudencewc shall fulfil the

, object of our existence . And whilst endeavouring to copy the bright example of our illustrious predecessors , may we also humbly strive to become ourselves worthy of the imitation of those who may succeed us . Since we ast assembled , the chief event in Grand Lodge has been the appointment of the Earl of Mount Edgcumbe as Deputy Grand Master . His lordshi p Having filled the office of Prov . G . Master of Cornwall since 1872 . will be

well acquainted with the duties appertaining to his exalted position , in this province I am happy to report that we arc still quietly progressing , and that the state of the lodges is united and prosperous . A new lodge has been added to our roll—the Orde-Powlett Lodge , No . 2391 , at Middlesbroug h— which was consecrated by its patron , our esteemed Deputy Provincial Grand Master . On the Crh Anril I : icl . Thp iniiuo-urntini-i r > f thic Inrlrro

vas unusuall y successful , and we have no doubt that it will prove a valuable c 1 b " 0 - P rovince - The 01 d Globe bodge , No . 200 , at Scarborough , e ebrated its centenary on the 5 th April in a suitable manner , and we trust at its future career may be even more prosperous than its past . tfi ^^ V ^ criar ' table efforts , we have much reason for gratitude , rn ^ ethren ° f this province having supported the appeals made

Fest i U 1 a genel " ous and truly fraternal spirit . At the sent f \ tlle Ro i ' Masonic Benevolent Institution £ 270 were Rov 1 M !" tl 1 and East Yorkshire , and ^ 177 were also contributed to the Fui 1 s ° institution for Boys . The third Festival of our Educational shin flf at Scarborough on the 27 th May , under the able Chairmanto jfe' Dean ° f York , when the contributions on that occasion amounted £ 504 4 s ., thus bringing the total for the three Festivals we have held to

Provincial Grand Lodge Of North And East Yorkshire.

the handsome sum of , £ 2078 3 s . iod . We have now 13 children receiving the benefit of this valuable Institution . It has been deemed wise for the future to hold the Festivals tricnnially , only collecting ( in the intervening years ) the annual subscriptions from the brethren . By the adoption of Triennial Festivals wc shall not be compelled to be continually seeking assistance ; the festivals will be looked forward to with more than usual interest , and a fresh accession of Stewards will be the result . I must now thank the

brethren for their numerous attendance here to-day , and express the obligations of Provincial Grand Lodge to the W . M ., officers , and members of the Falcon Lodge for their excellent arrangements for our comfort and convenience . The invitations received last year from the Old Globe , North York , and Denison Lodges having been kindly repeated , in consideration

of the fact of Provincial Grand Lodge having been held more recently at Scarborough than at Middlesbrough I have much pleasure in accepting the invitation of the North York Lodge , and shall hope to meet the brethren at Middlesbrough next year . I beg to thank the Scarborough lodges for their kindness .

The Masonic anthem , " Hail Masonry , " was then sung by Bro . J . TODD , P . P . G . W ., and in full chorus by the brethren , accompanied by the organ . The Provincial Grand Lodge was then closed . A banquet , at which the Prov . Grand Master presided , was subsequently held at the Fleece Hotel . A very large number of brethren dined , and the usual loyal and Masonic toasts were duly honoured .

Festival Of The Mark Benevolent Fund.

FESTIVAL OF THE MARK BENEVOLENT FUND .

The 23 rd Anniversary Festival of the Benevolent Fund attached to the English Grand Mark Lodge was held on Wednesday evening , at Free- ' masons' Tavern , under the presidency of Bro . Viscount Dungarvan , P . G . W , and P . G . M . of Somerset . As usual at these gatherings ladies sat down with the brethren to banquet , and the party numbered about 200 . The Chairman was supported by Bros , the Earl of Euston , Baron dc Ferrieres , Col . A . B . Cook , Frank Richardson , and James Moon .

Ihe dinner , which was a choice one , was admirably served , and at its conclusion the usual toasts followed the singing of grace . In proposing " The Queen and Mark Masonry , " the CHAIRMAN said the brethren hoped that many wise Sovereigns would , like the Queen of England , be given to the world .

The CHAIRMAN next gave "The M . W . G . M ., H . R . H . the Prince of Wales , " and said that his Royal Highness was possessed of indomitable energy , and he was a great power in general as well as in Masonry . Where did he get this energy from , but from the good old stock 'I The Prince of

Wales had discharged double duties , and had set an example which had been followed by his nephew , the Emperor of Germany . The brethren were deeply indebted to him , because he carried out the duties of the position which fell upon him . His Royal Highness did not forget those who served the Order , and he alwa } 's stood b \ ' his friends .

The CHAIRMAN , in giving " The Pro Grand Master , the Marquess of Hertford , and Deputy Grand Master , and the rest of the Grand Officers , Present and Past , " said Lord Euston had honoured the brethren by being present that evening . In looking through the list of Grand Masters of this Degree , he found the names were so numerous that it would be hard to discriminate between those who had done the most good for Mark Masonry . They must not forget those who had made Mark Masonry what it was .

Mark Masons were especially lucky , because their Grand Masters had been always of the kind which had not been content to stand still . In coupling this toast with the name of the Deputy Grand Master , he said Lord Euston had done great good to Mark Masonry and to Masonry in general . The Grand Masters of the Order had done what they could for it , and Lord Euston , last year , took the chair , and collected a very large sum . He congratulated his lordship on that result . Lord Euston took a great interest in the Fund , and his example deserved to be followed .

The Earl of EUSTON said the Chairman had very kindly proposed the toast , and had mixed up the past with the present , and as he very nearly went on to the future , he ( Lord Euston ) hardly knew how to return thanks on behalf of himself and those Grand Officers who sat round him . He might say that they were trying to follow in the footstcpsof those who had gone before them to make the Mark Degree what it should be , and they hoped their small

endeavours would be crowned with some amount of success , and that it would have the support of the Craft and of the ladies . The ladies were always ready to aid them in Charitable work . The object of the Order was to do good to those around them , particularly to those who were Masons , and their wives , sons , and daughters , and other relations . He only hoped the Mark Degree would go on and prosper , and with that object he trusted the Order

would well support this Mark Benevolent Fund . The Earl of EUSTON proposed " The Chairman , " which toast he trusted would be drunk with enthusiasm , for Lord Dungarvan certainly deserved it . Whatever Lord Dungarvan undertook to do he did with his heart and to the best of his ability . No man could do more than that in any position in life . What Lord Dungarvan would say to the brethren that evening in

respect to Charities of the Mark Degree he knew would be satisfactory lo those who had subscribed to them for many years , and he hoped that the lists to be read out would come up to the expectations of all . Viscount DUNGARVAN , in reply , said it was said of one of the English Kings that he " never said a foolish thing , and never did a wise one , " but with regard to himself he could not say he had never clone a foolish thing ;

but he certainly did not do a foolish thing when he became a Mason , or consented to take the position of Chairman . He would try to prove that the brethren had not done a very unwise thing in asking him to take the chair . He would now propose the toast of the evening , which was the object of the present gathering , "Success to the Mark Benevolent Fund , " which certainly took a very high p lace in the list of the Masonic Charities

of this country . He was not going to bore the company with many details of the Fund , because he was sure every one had read through the book which was placed before them , but he would not be doing his duty as Chairman if he did not show , or try to show , not 011 I 3 ' the brethren , but the lady visitors , that the Fund was in a position which they hoped would go on increasing and eventually become the most prosperous in the world . At the

present time there were about ^ 9000 invested , and they kept on adding to it . It was now educating 30 children , sons and daughters of Mark Masons , and also enabling some ten old people to pass their declining days in that ease and comfort which we all hoped for ourselves . He must impress upon every one the necessity of the Fund , and the very good work it did in educating the young and supporting the old .