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Article Scotland Page 1 of 1 Article Bermuda. Page 1 of 1 Article THE METROPOLITAN MASONIC BENEVOLENT ASSOCIATION. Page 1 of 1 Article BRIXTON HALL. Page 1 of 1 Article BRIXTON HALL. Page 1 of 1 Article Obituary. Page 1 of 1 Article EXCERPTA FROM AN OLD LODGE MINUTE BOOK AT LEEDS. Page 1 of 1 Article EXCERPTA FROM AN OLD LODGE MINUTE BOOK AT LEEDS. Page 1 of 1 Article The Craft Abroad. Page 1 of 1
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Scotland
Scotland
GLASGOW . —Commercial Lodge ( No . 360 ) . — This lodge held its annual installation meeting in the lodge-room , 30 . Hope-street , on the 7 th inst . Bro . J . Pritty was again installed as R . W . M . by Bro . Thos . Halket , Treasurer of thc P . G . B . F ., after which the R . W . M . proceeded to appoint his oflicers for thc year , namely , Bros . Walter Neilson , I . P . M . ; D . Chalmers , D . M . ; A . Brown , S . M .: Wm . Stirling , S . VV .: VV . J . Donaldson , J . VV . ; M .
Lofthouse , Sec . ; Robert Reid , Treas . ; G . N . VVhite , S . D . ; Wm . M'Niven , J . D . ; J . Henderson , I . G . ; A . C . M'Intyre , Chap . ; G . S . Hendry , B . B . ; A . A . Stirling , D . of C . ; R . Brodie , D . of M . ; W . M . Bruce , Jeweller ; Wm . Hunter , Pres . of Stwds . ; Robert Gardiner , Tyler . After the ceremony the lodge went from labour to refreshment , and a very pleasant evening was passed by the large company present . The usual loyal and patriotic toasts were duly honoured , previous to the toast of the "R . W . M . "
Bro . Pritty , in responding , said he could not allow the opportunity to escape him of thanking the brethren for again honouring him by placing him at their head . During the past year he had done his best to maintain the honour and dignity of the chair , and he was glad to find his efforts had met their appreciation . He also begged to thank the retired ofiice bearers for their able support , and trusted the present officers would work equally as earnestly . An excellent programme of song and sentiment was thoroughly enjoyed by all present .
Bermuda.
Bermuda .
ST . GEORGE'S—Chapter 224 ( G . R . I . ) . —At a ^ convocation of the above chapter on the 7 th ult ., the following officers were elected for 1885 : Comps . Surgeon-Major J . A . Campbell , K . j A . Smith , H . P . ; Lieut-Haynes , R . E ., CS . ; Sergeant Flynn , 84 th Regt ., C . of
the H . ; Corpl . Barnes , R . E ., Supt of the T . ; Corpl . J . H . Robertson , Capt of R . A . ; Sergt .-Major Bradshaw , R . E ., C . of S . V . ; Sergt . Wise , 84 th Regt ., C . of P . V . ; Sapper Bullock , R . E ., C . of B . V . ; James Smith , Treas . ; the Rev . Charles P . Rci'U y , Chap . ; Sergt . Duffield , A . H . C . Reg . ; and Postlethwaite , Janitor .
The Metropolitan Masonic Benevolent Association.
THE METROPOLITAN MASONIC BENEVOLENT ASSOCIATION .
The annual meeting for auditing accounts and appointing officers of this successful Association was held at Bro . Shaw's , the Portugal Hotel , 155 , Fleet-street , on Friday , the 7 th inst ., Bro . J . R . Stacey occupying the chair as President of the Association , Bro . VV . VV . Snelling , the
Hon . Secretary , and many members of the Committee being present . Bro . SNELLIND then read a summary of the accounts of the Association , from which it appeared that he had received a sum of £ 1531 14 s . 2 d ., of which £ 472 had been paid over to the male fund of the Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution ; £ 300 12 s . to the Widows'Fund ; £ 3 n 9 ' 5 - to the Royal Masonic Institution for Boys ; and
A 367 10 s . to the Royal Masonic Institution for Girls . J ^ 22 4 s Gd . had been expended during the existence of the Association in printing , postage , & c , and there was a balance of £ 59 12 s . Sd . in the bank to the credit of the Association . Bro . J . R . Stacey was then reappointed President of the Association ; Bro . J . While , Vice-President ; Bro . W . VV . Snelling , Hon . Sec ; and Bros . Abell , Larchin , Denison , Squirrel ., Gush , Tate , Leggott , Smith ,
Shaw , and Jenkins , members of the Committee ; and Bros . Dury , South , and Shipwright , Auditors . A vote of thanks was then unanimously given to the late officers for their services during the past year , and Bro . SNELLING then made an earnest appeal to the members to further support the three Masonic Charities , and two brethren having been elected members of the association , the meeting was closed .
Brixton Hall.
BRIXTON HALL .
A most delightful evening was spent last Tuesday by a large and representative audience at a concert given by the proprietor on the occasion of the reopening of the above Hall , to which admission was gained only by the special invite of Mr . J . R . Chard , no charge being made . The concert commenced punctually at eight o ' clock by the band of the Coldstream Guards ( conductor Bro . Dan Godfrey )
playing " God Save the Queen , " followed by a march" Reunion " —and a selection from " Falka . " Mr . Edward Dalzell then gave "The Message" in good style , after which " Q . ii la Voce" was very prettily rendered by Miss Margaret Cockburn . A valse by the band was the next on the programme , followed immediately by a cornet solo , ' * The Lost Chord , " which , being excellently played by Sergeant Knights , was the first piece of the evening to receive
an encore . "Little Sue" was then sung by Mr . James Budd in his well-known style . The first part of the programme closed by Miss Spencer Jones singing a song , " Di Tanti Palpiti , " very sweetly , and Sergeant Roe following with a piccolo solo , " Echoes of the Wood . " After a short interval , the band opened Part 2 with a piece entitled "The Musical Kaleidoscope , " which concludes with "The Smithy in the VVood , " the anvil being
introduced having a very p leasing effect . Miss Cockburn ' s second song of the evening , " Tell me , my heart , " being very waimly applauded , she gave " Robin Adair" as an encore . Mr . E . Dalzell following with a pretty song , "The Maid of the Mill . " A nautical fantasia ( descriptive of a voyage to India in a troop ship ) , introducing a number of popular tunes , was next played by the band . Miss Jones followed with "Looking Back , " which was remarkably well
sung and well received , but , owing to the lateness of the hour , she did not give an encore . " The Lastof the Boys " being so well sung by the popular singer Mr . James Budd , the audience—although late—would not be satisfied until he gave an encore , he choosing the Grenadier song in " Iolanthe . " A most enjoyable evening was closed by the
band playing a selection , " The Sleigh Ride . " It may not be out of place to draw attention to the great improvement made in this Hall , which has now been closed for a few months for the purpose of enlarging and decorating , it being reopened by the above concert . It is difficult to believe you are in the same place , the change is so marked , in addition to which a smaller , but , if anything ,
Brixton Hall.
prettier , hall has been built at thc side of the old hall , and can be used either as a separate building or would make a good withdrawing room when the large hall is required for balls . As one or two lodges meet here , the comfort of the brethren has been looked after , a nice little lodge room being
fitted up for their use ; and we would strongly recommend brethren who may think of forming a new lodge in South London , or others who may wish to move to other quarters , to inspect the above place , and apply to the proprietor to see if he could accommodate them , it being within easy access from the neighbouring suburbs .
Obituary.
Obituary .
BRO . JOSEPH LEWIS OATES , P . M . 304 . VVe have to record this week the death of Bro . Joseph Lewis Oates , P . M . 304 , which took place at Leeds on the 12 th inst ., after a very short illness . There are few Masons who will be more missed than Bro . Oates . For 19 years he has been House Steward to the Philanthropic Hall Committee—the reopening of whose noble hall we recently reported —and by his readiness to instructand by his kind and
, genial disposition , he won the hearts of all , and no better testimony of his worth can be recorded than the large number of brethren who assembled at the Hall to accompany his remains to their last resting place . The funeral took place on Saturday , the 15 th inst ., at 2 . 30 , previous to which the brethren , to the number of 130 , attended a short service in the lodge room . 'The choir was composed of the members o ' f the Fraternity , assisted by some eight or ten
trebles from the parish church choir . VV . Bro . C . L . Mason , P . M . 304 , P . P . G . Treas ., delivered the following address : Brethren , it may truly be said " in the midst of life we are in death ; " " we are here to-day , to-morrow gone . " Last Saturday there was one of the most brilliant assemblies that ever met within these walls ; to-day we meet for a very different purpose . Then it was to start into life a new lodge , now we meet to pay " the last sad homage of respect to
departed worth . " Bro . Joseph Lewis Oates , a Past Master of our Order , born Sth October , iSiS . at rest 12 th November , 1 SS 4 , was initiated into our mysteries on 28 th January , 1 S 61 , and , after having served the office of Warden , was duly installed W . M . of the Philanthropic Lodge , No . 304 , on the 25 th December , 1 S 72 . He was appointed to the office of Provincial Grand Assistant Pursuivant on the 12 th April , 1 SS 2 , and exalted to the degree of Holy Royal Arch on the
5 th February , 1866 , being installed First Principal of the Philanthropic Chapter , No . 304 , on 2 nd February , 1 S 76 , and was appointed to the office of Provincial Grand D . of C . on the 12 th May , 1 SS 0 . He was advanced to the Honourable Degree of a Mark Master on 5 th April , 1 S 71 , and was installed VV . M . of the Copley Mark Lodge , No . in , on ist July , 1 S 79 , and was appointed Provincial Grand Inspector of Works in the Provincial Grand Lodge of
Mark Masters of VV . York on 16 th September , 1879 . In early life Bro . Oates joined the 6 Sth Foot , and faithfully served his country for 21 years , during which period he was with his regiment in Ireland , Jamaica , Canada , Scotland , England , and again in Ireland ; was afterwards two years on the staff of the Indian army , and 19 years on the staff of the West York Militia . By one of those peculiar coincidences we meet with in life , our brother
was with Ins regiment in Jamaica when and within a few miles of the place where 1 first saw the light of day . In 1 S 65 , Bro . Oates was appointed House Steward to the Philanthropic Hall Committee , and ever since then has had the care and superintendence of the building in which we are now assembled . lt is said , brethren , " the course of true love never did run smooth , " and so I suppose it may be said of friendship . For nearly 19 years 1
have been intimately connected with our brother ; sometimes as scholar , and sometimes as teacher , we have worked together in the great cause we all have at heart , and during all that long period only once has there been any interruption to our friendship , lt was only a slight misunderstanding . VVe are al ! of us hasty at times , at least , brethren , yuu know 1 am ; but Bro . Oates , with a candour which 1 have always admired , came to me within 24 hours
and all was satisfactorily explained . VVe , brethren , who meet in these rooms must admit and acknowledge with gratitude the care and attention our brother always paid to our comfort , and the great assistance he at all times willingly gave to those who needed instruction . We may not all agree with everything be did , but now death has taken him from us , let us forget all little differences of opinion , and dwell only upon his many virtues and excellences of
character , so may we go forth to his funeral offering up our fervent prayers to the Great Father above that He will comfort his widow in her deep affliction , and let us weigh well the lesson which the sudden departure of our brother forces upon us , and may it more than ever teach us to act on the laws of our Great Creator , so that when we are summoned
from this sublunary abode we may ascend to the Grand Lodge above and receive from our Grand Master a crown of glory which shall continue when time shall be no more . The brethren then formed in procession , and marched to St . George ' s Church , where the first part of the Burial Service was read , and afterwards to Woodhouse Cemetery .
Excerpta From An Old Lodge Minute Book At Leeds.
EXCERPTA FROM AN OLD LODGE MINUTE BOOK AT LEEDS .
Bv MASONIC STUDENT . No . 1 . By the great kindness of Bro . C . L . Mason , P . M ., P . G . T . of West Yorkshire , I am enabled to give my readers some very interesting extracts from the minute book of an old extinct lodge at Leeds , the Lodge at " The
Talbot , " at Leeds , of the earliest lists . As we go on we shall tide I think some points of great interest . The caligraphy of the earlier extracts is beautiful . The lod ge did not meet after 17 SS as the Lodge at the Talbot , but in 1791 received a dispensation as the Lodge of Loyal and Prudent Lodge , 493 . No minutes , however , exist apparently . From 1 S 20 to 1829 there are some sparse minutes of the Lodge Loyal and Prudent , No . 532 .
No . 1 . VVe , the underwritten , all true members of the most Ancient and most Honorable Society of Free and Accepted Macons , made in different though just and lawful lodges , dedicated to St . John , and now residing in the town of
Excerpta From An Old Lodge Minute Book At Leeds.
Leeds , in the county of York : Whereas we being great lovers of the Royal Art , have this 12 th day of November , 1760 , assembled at the house of John Thompson , the sign ot the Talbot in the above town , when finding ourselves a competent number to form a regular lodge , have proposed and agreed to meet the second Wednesday in every month to hold a lodge at the above said place , in order to instruct ourselves in our said Royal Art , and to promote the same
in good order and according to its rules and statutes as far as in our power lyes . And whereas that we may open a lodge in due form on the above said day , we have agreed to send a petition ( signed by us the said underwritten ) to thc Mother Lodge in London , desiring to have a constitution granted us that we may work in a regular manner , which was accordingly done and sent to London by our brother Lewis Bastide , he being pitched upon as the
properest person to undertake the affair . Done at this our meeting this 12 th day of November , 1760 . There are no signatures to this minute in the book , but they follow on the next page , which records the law of petition and of which this preliminary minute seems to be a covering minute . It would appear from these minutes , that for some time previously to the petition for a constitution , how long is not clear , and the granting of the same , these
and other brethren had been meeting together without a warrant . But this matter will be more fully explained as we go on . A copy of the Petition sent to the Grand Lodge in London : — To the Right Worshipful , Worshipful Grand Master , Grand Wardens , and all our Brethran , Members of the Grand Lodge held at Devil ' s Tavern , Temple Bar , London .
Right Worshipful Brethren : — VVe , the underwritten , your faithful brethren , residing in this town oi Leeds , in the county of York , being more than a competent number to form a lodge and make it perfect ( amongst which there are some marked with A degree , to which we think you are not strangers 1 have assembled ourselves in the above said town of Leeds , at Bro . John Thompson , at the Talbot , to work in good harmony and
according to the rules and statutes of our Royal Art . And being desirous tocontinue the workin the like goodorderand harmony , and to be admitted into the number of those you have already been pleased to constitute , we beg you will be pleased to deliver us such Rules and Constitutions as you have done to many others heretofore , that we may be united and known to the whole Fraternity wheresover dispersed over the lace of the earth ; not only for our own
satisfaction , but also for the better contributing to the improvement and good order of our Royal Art . Our brother , the bearer of these , will satisfy the expenses required for the said Constitution . In the interim we beg leave to assure you that we shall always be ready to acknowledge this said favour by our quarterly relief for the poor and pennyless brethren ,
as far as it shall be in our power . Greeting you by three times three , and A cherished and known to the enlightened mortals only , we remain sincerely , your true and faithful brethren : —H . Ibbetson , Master , Lewis Bastide , George Lawmann , John Bedford , jun ., Horatio Cataneo , Thos . Woodcock , Sam Devonport , Jos . Fountain , John Burrow , Jonathan Priestley , James Horrocks .
No . 2 . We , the undersigned , this twelfth day of January , 1761 , have , by the desire of our Bro . Lewis Bastide , assembled ourselves at the Talbot aforesaid , when the said Bro . Bastide has communicated to us , that he had received an answer to the petition we desired him to send to the Mother Lodge , where with great satisfaction and pleasure he found that the said Mother Lodge had been so kind as to
grant our above said petition , and to send him a Constitution granted by our R . W . Bro . Lord Aberdour , Grand Master , bearing date the Sth day of January , 1761 , A . D . 57 61 , and signed ( by the Grand Master ' s command ) , John Keivs , D . G . M ., and intersigned by Samuel Spencer , G . S ., which impowers us to open a regular lodge at the above said John Thompson the sign of the Talbot , at Leeds . He further found that the Grand Lodge in the above
Constitution , had of themselves appointed our worthy Bro . Sir Henry Ibbetson , Bart ., Master ; Lewis Bastide , S . W . ; and George Lawmann , J . W ., for opening our said lodge ; all which being to the full satisfaction of the brethren present . VVe came to the following resolution—viz ., that our due thanks should be transmitted to the Grand Lodge for their granting us the above said Constitution , and that the
said letter of thanks be signed only by the < three principal officers that the Grand Lodge has thought proper to appoint , and further , that our Bro . Bastide be desired to transmit the above letter of thanks , which he bas undertaken willingly j after which we have adjourned to meet in a regular form to the 14 th inst . Done at this our meeting this 12 th day of January , 1 C 71 .
The Craft Abroad.
The Craft Abroad .
GRAND LODGE OF WASHINGTON TERRITORY , U . S . A . The Craft appears to fare prosperously in this jurisdiction . It seems that at the twenty-seventh annual communication , held at Spokane Falls in June last , under the presidency of Bro . Levi Ankeny , G . M ., thirty-six out of its thiny-nine lodges were represented , while the total membershihas
p increased from 1500 in 18 S 3 to 16 54 . The receipts amounted to 3 S 02 dollars , and the disbursements to 3714 dollars , the slight difference between the two having the advantage of being on the right side of the account . Bro . William Henry White is now the Grand Master , and Bro . 1 hos . Milburne Reed , G . Secretary .
GRAND COMMANDERY ( K . T . ) , MINNESOTA . The proceedings of the nineteenth annual conclave of this G . Commandery—held in Minneapolis towards the end of June last—appears to have been in all respects satisfactory . Sir Knight Will G . Brierson , G . C , presided , and thirteen of the subordinate commanderies were represented , among the visitors being Sir Knight 1 ' . S . Parvin ,
P . G . C . Iowa , and G . Recorder of the G . Encampment , United Stales . The G . C . announced that he had authorised the formation of two new commanderies . 1 he receipts for the year amounted to 1074 dollars , and the disbursements to 749 dollars , the total fund to the credit ot the G . Commandery being close on 2727 dollars . 1 he membershi p is 1268 , Sir Knight Albert M . Shuey is the new G . C , and Sir Knight A . T . C . Pierson ( re-elected ) , G . Recorder ,
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Scotland
Scotland
GLASGOW . —Commercial Lodge ( No . 360 ) . — This lodge held its annual installation meeting in the lodge-room , 30 . Hope-street , on the 7 th inst . Bro . J . Pritty was again installed as R . W . M . by Bro . Thos . Halket , Treasurer of thc P . G . B . F ., after which the R . W . M . proceeded to appoint his oflicers for thc year , namely , Bros . Walter Neilson , I . P . M . ; D . Chalmers , D . M . ; A . Brown , S . M .: Wm . Stirling , S . VV .: VV . J . Donaldson , J . VV . ; M .
Lofthouse , Sec . ; Robert Reid , Treas . ; G . N . VVhite , S . D . ; Wm . M'Niven , J . D . ; J . Henderson , I . G . ; A . C . M'Intyre , Chap . ; G . S . Hendry , B . B . ; A . A . Stirling , D . of C . ; R . Brodie , D . of M . ; W . M . Bruce , Jeweller ; Wm . Hunter , Pres . of Stwds . ; Robert Gardiner , Tyler . After the ceremony the lodge went from labour to refreshment , and a very pleasant evening was passed by the large company present . The usual loyal and patriotic toasts were duly honoured , previous to the toast of the "R . W . M . "
Bro . Pritty , in responding , said he could not allow the opportunity to escape him of thanking the brethren for again honouring him by placing him at their head . During the past year he had done his best to maintain the honour and dignity of the chair , and he was glad to find his efforts had met their appreciation . He also begged to thank the retired ofiice bearers for their able support , and trusted the present officers would work equally as earnestly . An excellent programme of song and sentiment was thoroughly enjoyed by all present .
Bermuda.
Bermuda .
ST . GEORGE'S—Chapter 224 ( G . R . I . ) . —At a ^ convocation of the above chapter on the 7 th ult ., the following officers were elected for 1885 : Comps . Surgeon-Major J . A . Campbell , K . j A . Smith , H . P . ; Lieut-Haynes , R . E ., CS . ; Sergeant Flynn , 84 th Regt ., C . of
the H . ; Corpl . Barnes , R . E ., Supt of the T . ; Corpl . J . H . Robertson , Capt of R . A . ; Sergt .-Major Bradshaw , R . E ., C . of S . V . ; Sergt . Wise , 84 th Regt ., C . of P . V . ; Sapper Bullock , R . E ., C . of B . V . ; James Smith , Treas . ; the Rev . Charles P . Rci'U y , Chap . ; Sergt . Duffield , A . H . C . Reg . ; and Postlethwaite , Janitor .
The Metropolitan Masonic Benevolent Association.
THE METROPOLITAN MASONIC BENEVOLENT ASSOCIATION .
The annual meeting for auditing accounts and appointing officers of this successful Association was held at Bro . Shaw's , the Portugal Hotel , 155 , Fleet-street , on Friday , the 7 th inst ., Bro . J . R . Stacey occupying the chair as President of the Association , Bro . VV . VV . Snelling , the
Hon . Secretary , and many members of the Committee being present . Bro . SNELLIND then read a summary of the accounts of the Association , from which it appeared that he had received a sum of £ 1531 14 s . 2 d ., of which £ 472 had been paid over to the male fund of the Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution ; £ 300 12 s . to the Widows'Fund ; £ 3 n 9 ' 5 - to the Royal Masonic Institution for Boys ; and
A 367 10 s . to the Royal Masonic Institution for Girls . J ^ 22 4 s Gd . had been expended during the existence of the Association in printing , postage , & c , and there was a balance of £ 59 12 s . Sd . in the bank to the credit of the Association . Bro . J . R . Stacey was then reappointed President of the Association ; Bro . J . While , Vice-President ; Bro . W . VV . Snelling , Hon . Sec ; and Bros . Abell , Larchin , Denison , Squirrel ., Gush , Tate , Leggott , Smith ,
Shaw , and Jenkins , members of the Committee ; and Bros . Dury , South , and Shipwright , Auditors . A vote of thanks was then unanimously given to the late officers for their services during the past year , and Bro . SNELLING then made an earnest appeal to the members to further support the three Masonic Charities , and two brethren having been elected members of the association , the meeting was closed .
Brixton Hall.
BRIXTON HALL .
A most delightful evening was spent last Tuesday by a large and representative audience at a concert given by the proprietor on the occasion of the reopening of the above Hall , to which admission was gained only by the special invite of Mr . J . R . Chard , no charge being made . The concert commenced punctually at eight o ' clock by the band of the Coldstream Guards ( conductor Bro . Dan Godfrey )
playing " God Save the Queen , " followed by a march" Reunion " —and a selection from " Falka . " Mr . Edward Dalzell then gave "The Message" in good style , after which " Q . ii la Voce" was very prettily rendered by Miss Margaret Cockburn . A valse by the band was the next on the programme , followed immediately by a cornet solo , ' * The Lost Chord , " which , being excellently played by Sergeant Knights , was the first piece of the evening to receive
an encore . "Little Sue" was then sung by Mr . James Budd in his well-known style . The first part of the programme closed by Miss Spencer Jones singing a song , " Di Tanti Palpiti , " very sweetly , and Sergeant Roe following with a piccolo solo , " Echoes of the Wood . " After a short interval , the band opened Part 2 with a piece entitled "The Musical Kaleidoscope , " which concludes with "The Smithy in the VVood , " the anvil being
introduced having a very p leasing effect . Miss Cockburn ' s second song of the evening , " Tell me , my heart , " being very waimly applauded , she gave " Robin Adair" as an encore . Mr . E . Dalzell following with a pretty song , "The Maid of the Mill . " A nautical fantasia ( descriptive of a voyage to India in a troop ship ) , introducing a number of popular tunes , was next played by the band . Miss Jones followed with "Looking Back , " which was remarkably well
sung and well received , but , owing to the lateness of the hour , she did not give an encore . " The Lastof the Boys " being so well sung by the popular singer Mr . James Budd , the audience—although late—would not be satisfied until he gave an encore , he choosing the Grenadier song in " Iolanthe . " A most enjoyable evening was closed by the
band playing a selection , " The Sleigh Ride . " It may not be out of place to draw attention to the great improvement made in this Hall , which has now been closed for a few months for the purpose of enlarging and decorating , it being reopened by the above concert . It is difficult to believe you are in the same place , the change is so marked , in addition to which a smaller , but , if anything ,
Brixton Hall.
prettier , hall has been built at thc side of the old hall , and can be used either as a separate building or would make a good withdrawing room when the large hall is required for balls . As one or two lodges meet here , the comfort of the brethren has been looked after , a nice little lodge room being
fitted up for their use ; and we would strongly recommend brethren who may think of forming a new lodge in South London , or others who may wish to move to other quarters , to inspect the above place , and apply to the proprietor to see if he could accommodate them , it being within easy access from the neighbouring suburbs .
Obituary.
Obituary .
BRO . JOSEPH LEWIS OATES , P . M . 304 . VVe have to record this week the death of Bro . Joseph Lewis Oates , P . M . 304 , which took place at Leeds on the 12 th inst ., after a very short illness . There are few Masons who will be more missed than Bro . Oates . For 19 years he has been House Steward to the Philanthropic Hall Committee—the reopening of whose noble hall we recently reported —and by his readiness to instructand by his kind and
, genial disposition , he won the hearts of all , and no better testimony of his worth can be recorded than the large number of brethren who assembled at the Hall to accompany his remains to their last resting place . The funeral took place on Saturday , the 15 th inst ., at 2 . 30 , previous to which the brethren , to the number of 130 , attended a short service in the lodge room . 'The choir was composed of the members o ' f the Fraternity , assisted by some eight or ten
trebles from the parish church choir . VV . Bro . C . L . Mason , P . M . 304 , P . P . G . Treas ., delivered the following address : Brethren , it may truly be said " in the midst of life we are in death ; " " we are here to-day , to-morrow gone . " Last Saturday there was one of the most brilliant assemblies that ever met within these walls ; to-day we meet for a very different purpose . Then it was to start into life a new lodge , now we meet to pay " the last sad homage of respect to
departed worth . " Bro . Joseph Lewis Oates , a Past Master of our Order , born Sth October , iSiS . at rest 12 th November , 1 SS 4 , was initiated into our mysteries on 28 th January , 1 S 61 , and , after having served the office of Warden , was duly installed W . M . of the Philanthropic Lodge , No . 304 , on the 25 th December , 1 S 72 . He was appointed to the office of Provincial Grand Assistant Pursuivant on the 12 th April , 1 SS 2 , and exalted to the degree of Holy Royal Arch on the
5 th February , 1866 , being installed First Principal of the Philanthropic Chapter , No . 304 , on 2 nd February , 1 S 76 , and was appointed to the office of Provincial Grand D . of C . on the 12 th May , 1 SS 0 . He was advanced to the Honourable Degree of a Mark Master on 5 th April , 1 S 71 , and was installed VV . M . of the Copley Mark Lodge , No . in , on ist July , 1 S 79 , and was appointed Provincial Grand Inspector of Works in the Provincial Grand Lodge of
Mark Masters of VV . York on 16 th September , 1879 . In early life Bro . Oates joined the 6 Sth Foot , and faithfully served his country for 21 years , during which period he was with his regiment in Ireland , Jamaica , Canada , Scotland , England , and again in Ireland ; was afterwards two years on the staff of the Indian army , and 19 years on the staff of the West York Militia . By one of those peculiar coincidences we meet with in life , our brother
was with Ins regiment in Jamaica when and within a few miles of the place where 1 first saw the light of day . In 1 S 65 , Bro . Oates was appointed House Steward to the Philanthropic Hall Committee , and ever since then has had the care and superintendence of the building in which we are now assembled . lt is said , brethren , " the course of true love never did run smooth , " and so I suppose it may be said of friendship . For nearly 19 years 1
have been intimately connected with our brother ; sometimes as scholar , and sometimes as teacher , we have worked together in the great cause we all have at heart , and during all that long period only once has there been any interruption to our friendship , lt was only a slight misunderstanding . VVe are al ! of us hasty at times , at least , brethren , yuu know 1 am ; but Bro . Oates , with a candour which 1 have always admired , came to me within 24 hours
and all was satisfactorily explained . VVe , brethren , who meet in these rooms must admit and acknowledge with gratitude the care and attention our brother always paid to our comfort , and the great assistance he at all times willingly gave to those who needed instruction . We may not all agree with everything be did , but now death has taken him from us , let us forget all little differences of opinion , and dwell only upon his many virtues and excellences of
character , so may we go forth to his funeral offering up our fervent prayers to the Great Father above that He will comfort his widow in her deep affliction , and let us weigh well the lesson which the sudden departure of our brother forces upon us , and may it more than ever teach us to act on the laws of our Great Creator , so that when we are summoned
from this sublunary abode we may ascend to the Grand Lodge above and receive from our Grand Master a crown of glory which shall continue when time shall be no more . The brethren then formed in procession , and marched to St . George ' s Church , where the first part of the Burial Service was read , and afterwards to Woodhouse Cemetery .
Excerpta From An Old Lodge Minute Book At Leeds.
EXCERPTA FROM AN OLD LODGE MINUTE BOOK AT LEEDS .
Bv MASONIC STUDENT . No . 1 . By the great kindness of Bro . C . L . Mason , P . M ., P . G . T . of West Yorkshire , I am enabled to give my readers some very interesting extracts from the minute book of an old extinct lodge at Leeds , the Lodge at " The
Talbot , " at Leeds , of the earliest lists . As we go on we shall tide I think some points of great interest . The caligraphy of the earlier extracts is beautiful . The lod ge did not meet after 17 SS as the Lodge at the Talbot , but in 1791 received a dispensation as the Lodge of Loyal and Prudent Lodge , 493 . No minutes , however , exist apparently . From 1 S 20 to 1829 there are some sparse minutes of the Lodge Loyal and Prudent , No . 532 .
No . 1 . VVe , the underwritten , all true members of the most Ancient and most Honorable Society of Free and Accepted Macons , made in different though just and lawful lodges , dedicated to St . John , and now residing in the town of
Excerpta From An Old Lodge Minute Book At Leeds.
Leeds , in the county of York : Whereas we being great lovers of the Royal Art , have this 12 th day of November , 1760 , assembled at the house of John Thompson , the sign ot the Talbot in the above town , when finding ourselves a competent number to form a regular lodge , have proposed and agreed to meet the second Wednesday in every month to hold a lodge at the above said place , in order to instruct ourselves in our said Royal Art , and to promote the same
in good order and according to its rules and statutes as far as in our power lyes . And whereas that we may open a lodge in due form on the above said day , we have agreed to send a petition ( signed by us the said underwritten ) to thc Mother Lodge in London , desiring to have a constitution granted us that we may work in a regular manner , which was accordingly done and sent to London by our brother Lewis Bastide , he being pitched upon as the
properest person to undertake the affair . Done at this our meeting this 12 th day of November , 1760 . There are no signatures to this minute in the book , but they follow on the next page , which records the law of petition and of which this preliminary minute seems to be a covering minute . It would appear from these minutes , that for some time previously to the petition for a constitution , how long is not clear , and the granting of the same , these
and other brethren had been meeting together without a warrant . But this matter will be more fully explained as we go on . A copy of the Petition sent to the Grand Lodge in London : — To the Right Worshipful , Worshipful Grand Master , Grand Wardens , and all our Brethran , Members of the Grand Lodge held at Devil ' s Tavern , Temple Bar , London .
Right Worshipful Brethren : — VVe , the underwritten , your faithful brethren , residing in this town oi Leeds , in the county of York , being more than a competent number to form a lodge and make it perfect ( amongst which there are some marked with A degree , to which we think you are not strangers 1 have assembled ourselves in the above said town of Leeds , at Bro . John Thompson , at the Talbot , to work in good harmony and
according to the rules and statutes of our Royal Art . And being desirous tocontinue the workin the like goodorderand harmony , and to be admitted into the number of those you have already been pleased to constitute , we beg you will be pleased to deliver us such Rules and Constitutions as you have done to many others heretofore , that we may be united and known to the whole Fraternity wheresover dispersed over the lace of the earth ; not only for our own
satisfaction , but also for the better contributing to the improvement and good order of our Royal Art . Our brother , the bearer of these , will satisfy the expenses required for the said Constitution . In the interim we beg leave to assure you that we shall always be ready to acknowledge this said favour by our quarterly relief for the poor and pennyless brethren ,
as far as it shall be in our power . Greeting you by three times three , and A cherished and known to the enlightened mortals only , we remain sincerely , your true and faithful brethren : —H . Ibbetson , Master , Lewis Bastide , George Lawmann , John Bedford , jun ., Horatio Cataneo , Thos . Woodcock , Sam Devonport , Jos . Fountain , John Burrow , Jonathan Priestley , James Horrocks .
No . 2 . We , the undersigned , this twelfth day of January , 1761 , have , by the desire of our Bro . Lewis Bastide , assembled ourselves at the Talbot aforesaid , when the said Bro . Bastide has communicated to us , that he had received an answer to the petition we desired him to send to the Mother Lodge , where with great satisfaction and pleasure he found that the said Mother Lodge had been so kind as to
grant our above said petition , and to send him a Constitution granted by our R . W . Bro . Lord Aberdour , Grand Master , bearing date the Sth day of January , 1761 , A . D . 57 61 , and signed ( by the Grand Master ' s command ) , John Keivs , D . G . M ., and intersigned by Samuel Spencer , G . S ., which impowers us to open a regular lodge at the above said John Thompson the sign of the Talbot , at Leeds . He further found that the Grand Lodge in the above
Constitution , had of themselves appointed our worthy Bro . Sir Henry Ibbetson , Bart ., Master ; Lewis Bastide , S . W . ; and George Lawmann , J . W ., for opening our said lodge ; all which being to the full satisfaction of the brethren present . VVe came to the following resolution—viz ., that our due thanks should be transmitted to the Grand Lodge for their granting us the above said Constitution , and that the
said letter of thanks be signed only by the < three principal officers that the Grand Lodge has thought proper to appoint , and further , that our Bro . Bastide be desired to transmit the above letter of thanks , which he bas undertaken willingly j after which we have adjourned to meet in a regular form to the 14 th inst . Done at this our meeting this 12 th day of January , 1 C 71 .
The Craft Abroad.
The Craft Abroad .
GRAND LODGE OF WASHINGTON TERRITORY , U . S . A . The Craft appears to fare prosperously in this jurisdiction . It seems that at the twenty-seventh annual communication , held at Spokane Falls in June last , under the presidency of Bro . Levi Ankeny , G . M ., thirty-six out of its thiny-nine lodges were represented , while the total membershihas
p increased from 1500 in 18 S 3 to 16 54 . The receipts amounted to 3 S 02 dollars , and the disbursements to 3714 dollars , the slight difference between the two having the advantage of being on the right side of the account . Bro . William Henry White is now the Grand Master , and Bro . 1 hos . Milburne Reed , G . Secretary .
GRAND COMMANDERY ( K . T . ) , MINNESOTA . The proceedings of the nineteenth annual conclave of this G . Commandery—held in Minneapolis towards the end of June last—appears to have been in all respects satisfactory . Sir Knight Will G . Brierson , G . C , presided , and thirteen of the subordinate commanderies were represented , among the visitors being Sir Knight 1 ' . S . Parvin ,
P . G . C . Iowa , and G . Recorder of the G . Encampment , United Stales . The G . C . announced that he had authorised the formation of two new commanderies . 1 he receipts for the year amounted to 1074 dollars , and the disbursements to 749 dollars , the total fund to the credit ot the G . Commandery being close on 2727 dollars . 1 he membershi p is 1268 , Sir Knight Albert M . Shuey is the new G . C , and Sir Knight A . T . C . Pierson ( re-elected ) , G . Recorder ,