Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
The Ashton District Mark Lodge And The Grand Mark Lodge Of England.
THE ASHTON DISTRICT MARK LODGE AND THE GRAND MARK LODGE OF ENGLAND .
[ COMMUNICATED . ] I HAVE waited some months before making any public statement in respect to the attack made on the Mark Master Masons Lodge of the Ashton District by some prominent members of the Grand Lodge of M . M . M . of England , in order that the feeling and excitement might calm
down , and the indignation abate , or become less acute , that had been produced by the arbitrary action , and expression of strong and indiscreet language of the latter , which , to say the least , might have been more accurately and happily chosen .
It has been my endeavour all through "to pour oil on the troubled waters , " and thereby so far as possible prevent the widening of the breach of discord , unfortunately produced by the over zeal and indiscretion of those who assumed authority and pronounced judgment without hearing and
studying the facts of the case and deciding on the merits . Perhaps it would be better at this stage to explain the peculiar position in which I am placed , which is unique in consequence of being a Past Officer in both the Ashton District Mark and the Prov . Grand Lodge of M . M . M . of
Lancashire , but still more exceptional , as I have been charged by some and credited by others , as being the cause of the whole action and the originator of all the trouble , in consequence of correspondence from me published in the " Masonic Journal" during the early months of 1898 . Those
who read that correspondence will have observed that the spirit evinced then was favourable to union of the two Lodges , for all along I have advocated amalgamation or affiliation , and have no doubt the Provincial Grand Secretaries of both Cheshire and Lancashire will be
convinced of the same , from conversations we have had . However , notwithstanding all this , in consequence of remarks which have reached me both directly and indirectly , it is but
right ( in self defence ) I should explain more fully the consistency of my position , in order that I may retain the confidence of my Brethren and friends throughout England and more especially in Lancashire and Cheshire .
I was originally advanced in the M . M . M . Lodge of the Ashton District , and having been enjoined previously , in the Symbolic and other Degrees , to endeavour to establish union and a good understanding among all Orders and Degrees of Freemasonry , and to render aid to Brethren in difficulties and
distress , I naturally came to the assistance of the Grand Lodge of M . M . M . of England , for in the following ) 'ear being canvassed to join the "Royal Mark" in consequence of the Lodge at Ashton-under-Lyne being weak in members , & c , several inducements being suggested , in
conjunction with a number of others connected with the " Ashton District Mark" I joined the Skelmersdale Lodge , wherein many of us took office , passed through the different Chairs , and were rewarded with Provincial Rank , the Lodge of late
years being equipped with efficient Officers , capable of discharging all ceremonial work , whereas formerly assistance had to be imported . For the general information of Masons I desire to append ( as follows ) a copy of my certificate from the Grand Lodge of M . M . M . of England and Wales , & c . :
" H . R . H . the Prince of Wales , K . G ., & c , & c , Grand Master . Be it known that our Brother Thomas D . Foreman ( originally advanced under the Ashton-under-Lyne Constitution ) , —who hath signed his name in the margin hereof was regularly admitted a joining Mark Master on 28 th day
of December 1 S 87 , in the Skelmersdale Lodge , No . 141 , Ashton-under-Lyne , and that he is registered in the books of the Grand Lodge accordingly . All lawful and worthy Mark Masters throughout the globe are therefore prayed and enjoined to receive him as a Brother , & c .
( Signed ) FBEDERICIC BINCKES , Grand Secretary . " There is no mention or suggestion here of either Clandestine or Spurious Lodge , yet in February last the General Board of the Grand Lodge , through their Secretary Bro . C . F . Matier , wrote the Secretary of the Ashton District
Lodge a curt , arbitrary , and unnecessarily provocative letter not characterised by much Brotherly expression , to which the Ashton District Secretary replied , explaining and
defending the position , and respectfully asked , What they wished them to do , and what they had to suggest ? The only reply was , they had nothing to add to their former letter , and hence the correspondence was abruptly closed .
What transpired afterwards is best known to the General Board . However , either in ignorance of facts and the real merits of the case , or from unreliable and wrong information ,
The Ashton District Mark Lodge And The Grand Mark Lodge Of England.
an unjustifiable attack was made at a meeting of Grand Lodge , when Bro . R . Loveland-Loveland and others used many strong expressions which would have been better unsaid , some of the savoury epithets being scarcely characteristic of the great Brotherhood of Masons , for this old Lodge ,
although designated Spurious and Clandestine , has had an honourable existence of over ioo years , and has had in the past as well as at present many honourable and distinguished adherents . Amongst the Officers is his worship the Mayor of Ashton-under-Lyne , whilst an ex-Mayor is Treasurer , its
membership comprising Aldermen , Borough and District Councillors , Magistrates , Professional Men , Manufacturers , Merchants , etc ., many holding high and important positions in society , and in connection with the state and the church . The statements made use of in Grand Lodge , although
inexpedient , were not so injurious to the Masonic cause as what afterwards occurred in the Provinces , for the Hon . Alan de Tatton Egerton Prov . Grand Master of Cheshire , evidently unacquainted with facts , reiterated the former
statements of Grand Lodge at the annual meeting of Prov . G . Lodge at Stockport . Unfortunately these remarks got into the public press , and were copied and criticised by the evening and weekly papers in such a manner that I regret considerable injury has been done to the cause of Masonry , and its prestige lowered in the district .
Another questionable procedure to crush the " Ashton District Lodge , " through the Craft Lodges of the neighbourhood , was a puerile attempt to make a fuss , and which in the minds of more enlightened Brethren was only " a storm in a
teacup , " has created a feeling in the district not conducive to the general interests of Freemasonry , and decidedly detrimental and injurious to all the higher degrees ; however , I entertain the hope and belief that time will efface the present prejudice .
It is believed the Craft Lodges will emerge unscathed from this high sounding inquiry , indeed nothing had been done by any of the Lodges beyond permitting the use of Rooms with a portion of their furniture , a custom which had existed for at least sixty years , and a procedure which is
regularly granted by Craft Lodges to Knights Templar , the Allied and other Degrees , and even to the Royal Mark itself , all of which Degrees are not recognised by the Constitutions of the Craft , any more than that of the Ashton District Mark .
Had Bro . R . Loveland-Loveland been aware of the history and facts connected with the Constitution and administration of the Ashton District Lodge , and that its Secretary had written asking the Board of the Royal Mark what they wished them to do and what they had to suggest , it
is scarcely likely he would have made such sweeping assertions , as afterwards , when a copy of a letter addressed to the General Board was sent to him , he courteously replied in a gentlemanly manner , and evinced a Masonic spirit by Brotherly expressions of conciliation and consideration , much
in contrast with the former statements which tended "to sour the milk of human kindness . " It is to be regretted some others to whom a copy was sent did not adopt a similar course , as it would have cleared the way for general conciliation , for
many of the Mark Brethren have been so annoyed at the slanders and untrue statements that they will not be reconciled to Masonry , until the epithets of Spurious and Clandestine are withdrawn .
Feeling I have trespassed too far on your space , I conclude , but with your permission , on a future occasion , may make some suggestions relating to union , a purpose which all have , or ought to have in view . I believe a fair ,
patient and considerate treatment , with withdrawal of the offensive epithets , would lay a basis on which an amicable arrangement for union could be promoted and effected , honourable alike to all parties . THOMAS D . FOREMAN P . P . J . G . W . Lane . Denton , 28 th August 18 99 .
The " Illinois Freemason " gives this record of a day ' s work in a Peoria Lodge : "At eight o ' clock a . m . the Officers and Brethren assembled at Masonic Hall and opened the Lodge for work ' on the Third Degree . They laboured , conferring degrees until high 12 , when they called off for refreshments , after which
they resumed until 4 p . m ., when they held memorial services . . . . Work was again resumed , and at six o ' clock they were called off for refreshments . At seven o ' clock labour was again resumed , and one candidate was raised , making a total of seven raised during the day . "
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
The Ashton District Mark Lodge And The Grand Mark Lodge Of England.
THE ASHTON DISTRICT MARK LODGE AND THE GRAND MARK LODGE OF ENGLAND .
[ COMMUNICATED . ] I HAVE waited some months before making any public statement in respect to the attack made on the Mark Master Masons Lodge of the Ashton District by some prominent members of the Grand Lodge of M . M . M . of England , in order that the feeling and excitement might calm
down , and the indignation abate , or become less acute , that had been produced by the arbitrary action , and expression of strong and indiscreet language of the latter , which , to say the least , might have been more accurately and happily chosen .
It has been my endeavour all through "to pour oil on the troubled waters , " and thereby so far as possible prevent the widening of the breach of discord , unfortunately produced by the over zeal and indiscretion of those who assumed authority and pronounced judgment without hearing and
studying the facts of the case and deciding on the merits . Perhaps it would be better at this stage to explain the peculiar position in which I am placed , which is unique in consequence of being a Past Officer in both the Ashton District Mark and the Prov . Grand Lodge of M . M . M . of
Lancashire , but still more exceptional , as I have been charged by some and credited by others , as being the cause of the whole action and the originator of all the trouble , in consequence of correspondence from me published in the " Masonic Journal" during the early months of 1898 . Those
who read that correspondence will have observed that the spirit evinced then was favourable to union of the two Lodges , for all along I have advocated amalgamation or affiliation , and have no doubt the Provincial Grand Secretaries of both Cheshire and Lancashire will be
convinced of the same , from conversations we have had . However , notwithstanding all this , in consequence of remarks which have reached me both directly and indirectly , it is but
right ( in self defence ) I should explain more fully the consistency of my position , in order that I may retain the confidence of my Brethren and friends throughout England and more especially in Lancashire and Cheshire .
I was originally advanced in the M . M . M . Lodge of the Ashton District , and having been enjoined previously , in the Symbolic and other Degrees , to endeavour to establish union and a good understanding among all Orders and Degrees of Freemasonry , and to render aid to Brethren in difficulties and
distress , I naturally came to the assistance of the Grand Lodge of M . M . M . of England , for in the following ) 'ear being canvassed to join the "Royal Mark" in consequence of the Lodge at Ashton-under-Lyne being weak in members , & c , several inducements being suggested , in
conjunction with a number of others connected with the " Ashton District Mark" I joined the Skelmersdale Lodge , wherein many of us took office , passed through the different Chairs , and were rewarded with Provincial Rank , the Lodge of late
years being equipped with efficient Officers , capable of discharging all ceremonial work , whereas formerly assistance had to be imported . For the general information of Masons I desire to append ( as follows ) a copy of my certificate from the Grand Lodge of M . M . M . of England and Wales , & c . :
" H . R . H . the Prince of Wales , K . G ., & c , & c , Grand Master . Be it known that our Brother Thomas D . Foreman ( originally advanced under the Ashton-under-Lyne Constitution ) , —who hath signed his name in the margin hereof was regularly admitted a joining Mark Master on 28 th day
of December 1 S 87 , in the Skelmersdale Lodge , No . 141 , Ashton-under-Lyne , and that he is registered in the books of the Grand Lodge accordingly . All lawful and worthy Mark Masters throughout the globe are therefore prayed and enjoined to receive him as a Brother , & c .
( Signed ) FBEDERICIC BINCKES , Grand Secretary . " There is no mention or suggestion here of either Clandestine or Spurious Lodge , yet in February last the General Board of the Grand Lodge , through their Secretary Bro . C . F . Matier , wrote the Secretary of the Ashton District
Lodge a curt , arbitrary , and unnecessarily provocative letter not characterised by much Brotherly expression , to which the Ashton District Secretary replied , explaining and
defending the position , and respectfully asked , What they wished them to do , and what they had to suggest ? The only reply was , they had nothing to add to their former letter , and hence the correspondence was abruptly closed .
What transpired afterwards is best known to the General Board . However , either in ignorance of facts and the real merits of the case , or from unreliable and wrong information ,
The Ashton District Mark Lodge And The Grand Mark Lodge Of England.
an unjustifiable attack was made at a meeting of Grand Lodge , when Bro . R . Loveland-Loveland and others used many strong expressions which would have been better unsaid , some of the savoury epithets being scarcely characteristic of the great Brotherhood of Masons , for this old Lodge ,
although designated Spurious and Clandestine , has had an honourable existence of over ioo years , and has had in the past as well as at present many honourable and distinguished adherents . Amongst the Officers is his worship the Mayor of Ashton-under-Lyne , whilst an ex-Mayor is Treasurer , its
membership comprising Aldermen , Borough and District Councillors , Magistrates , Professional Men , Manufacturers , Merchants , etc ., many holding high and important positions in society , and in connection with the state and the church . The statements made use of in Grand Lodge , although
inexpedient , were not so injurious to the Masonic cause as what afterwards occurred in the Provinces , for the Hon . Alan de Tatton Egerton Prov . Grand Master of Cheshire , evidently unacquainted with facts , reiterated the former
statements of Grand Lodge at the annual meeting of Prov . G . Lodge at Stockport . Unfortunately these remarks got into the public press , and were copied and criticised by the evening and weekly papers in such a manner that I regret considerable injury has been done to the cause of Masonry , and its prestige lowered in the district .
Another questionable procedure to crush the " Ashton District Lodge , " through the Craft Lodges of the neighbourhood , was a puerile attempt to make a fuss , and which in the minds of more enlightened Brethren was only " a storm in a
teacup , " has created a feeling in the district not conducive to the general interests of Freemasonry , and decidedly detrimental and injurious to all the higher degrees ; however , I entertain the hope and belief that time will efface the present prejudice .
It is believed the Craft Lodges will emerge unscathed from this high sounding inquiry , indeed nothing had been done by any of the Lodges beyond permitting the use of Rooms with a portion of their furniture , a custom which had existed for at least sixty years , and a procedure which is
regularly granted by Craft Lodges to Knights Templar , the Allied and other Degrees , and even to the Royal Mark itself , all of which Degrees are not recognised by the Constitutions of the Craft , any more than that of the Ashton District Mark .
Had Bro . R . Loveland-Loveland been aware of the history and facts connected with the Constitution and administration of the Ashton District Lodge , and that its Secretary had written asking the Board of the Royal Mark what they wished them to do and what they had to suggest , it
is scarcely likely he would have made such sweeping assertions , as afterwards , when a copy of a letter addressed to the General Board was sent to him , he courteously replied in a gentlemanly manner , and evinced a Masonic spirit by Brotherly expressions of conciliation and consideration , much
in contrast with the former statements which tended "to sour the milk of human kindness . " It is to be regretted some others to whom a copy was sent did not adopt a similar course , as it would have cleared the way for general conciliation , for
many of the Mark Brethren have been so annoyed at the slanders and untrue statements that they will not be reconciled to Masonry , until the epithets of Spurious and Clandestine are withdrawn .
Feeling I have trespassed too far on your space , I conclude , but with your permission , on a future occasion , may make some suggestions relating to union , a purpose which all have , or ought to have in view . I believe a fair ,
patient and considerate treatment , with withdrawal of the offensive epithets , would lay a basis on which an amicable arrangement for union could be promoted and effected , honourable alike to all parties . THOMAS D . FOREMAN P . P . J . G . W . Lane . Denton , 28 th August 18 99 .
The " Illinois Freemason " gives this record of a day ' s work in a Peoria Lodge : "At eight o ' clock a . m . the Officers and Brethren assembled at Masonic Hall and opened the Lodge for work ' on the Third Degree . They laboured , conferring degrees until high 12 , when they called off for refreshments , after which
they resumed until 4 p . m ., when they held memorial services . . . . Work was again resumed , and at six o ' clock they were called off for refreshments . At seven o ' clock labour was again resumed , and one candidate was raised , making a total of seven raised during the day . "