Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Histories Of Our Lodges. United Industrious Lodge, No. 31.
HISTORIES OF OUR LODGES . UNITED INDUSTRIOUS LODGE , No . 31 .
WE thank Bro . John R , Hall for his kindness in allowing us the opportunity of inspecting tho notes iu MS . which ho has been at tho pains of compiling . Wo think great credit is due to Bro . Hall . Theso notes of his , though no doubt intended origiually for his own private information , enable ns to place beforo our readers a short sketch of the latter part of tho career of the second oldest Lodge in the Province of Kent , aud wo feel cortain that , however imperfect
it may bo , it will be read with pleasure . Originally this Lodgo was borne as No . 24 on the Grand Roll of the Ancients , having been warranted on the 7 th April 1755 . Its first home was at the Great Western Port of Bristol . Under what circumstances it migrated to the archiepiscopal City of Canterbury is a mystery we shall not attempt to explain . Suffice it to say that ,
though there is still extant a book containing the Treasnrer s accounts from 1785 , the first recorded minutes refer to the oxistouce of a Lodge , No . 24 , " under the ancient and honourable Constitutions of England , " which was held at tho Marquis of Granby , in Lamb-lane , Canterbury . The earliest particulars bear dato tho 21 st April 1806 , the original warrant having been confirmed on the preceding 4 th March ,
and describe an occasional Lodgo at which the following brethren were installed in ancient and due form as officers of the Lodge , namely , Bro . Aaron Paris W . M ., Bro . Thomas Powell S . W ., and Bro . Duke Buckingham J . W . Prom a minute dated 19 th September of the same year it would appear that tho landlord of the Marquis of Granby died , and it is further stated that sundry brethren of Lodge
400 , Irish Constitution , formed a funeral procession , and accompanied the body of Bro . George Taylor from his residence , the Marquis of Granby , to St . Dunstan's Churchyard . In October 1806 , it was unanimously agreed to hold the Lodge at the Eight Bells , King-street , and these are tho quarters assigned to it in the list of Lodges appended to Ahiman Rezou , seventh edition , published in
1807 . The first meeting at this hostelry was held on the eighteenth of the month , and on this occasion a Bro . John Baker presented to the Lodge a dozen goblets engraved with Masonic emblems , in return for which his health was drunk with the usual ceremony . These goblets , bo it added , still remain in tho possession of the Lodgo , a worthy memento of a worthy member long since gathored to his
fathers . At this timo the members increased rapidly in number , many of the King ' s Gorman Legion quartered in this city , and of His Majesty ' s army being made Masons , and being mentioned as among the Lodge visitors . Subsequently , though the exact dato is not stated , tho Lodgo moved to the " Ordnance Aims . " Later still , on tho 15 th October 1812 , we find a resolution adopted , to
migrate to other quarters , tho " Saracon's Head " boing given as the place of meeting in Juno 1813 . In July 181 G , tlie W . M ., Bro . Cook , who is describod as a " most excolfent and worthy man aud Mason , " proposed that a letter bo addressed to Lodge 320 / 416 with a view to effecting a union of tho two Lodges . The letter proposed , iu tho first place , that " a day in Union" should be spent by tho officers and
members of the two Lodges ; and then , having regard to " tho decline of Masonry in this city , " and with a view " to strengthen the Craft , " that tho two Lodges should bo formed into one . It concludes ¦ with a promise to use every endeavour to establish so desirable a anion , and-is signed " Thos . Cook W . M ., " and—in poncil only— "J . King S . W . " and "J . Hart J . W ., " " Saracen ' s Head , Canterbury , Aug .
19 , 1816 . " In reply a letter was received from Lodgo | -j •$ , thanking Lodge \ ± for its good wishes , as well as for tho proposal to form a union of tho two , and it suggests that a deputation of its members should attend tho next meeting of tho latter with a view to concerting the necessary measures . Tho idea is at ouco acted upou , but owing to tho paucity of membors present the Lodgo could not be
opened in order to receive tho deputation of tho Industrious Lodge . However , a friendly conversation took placo , aud it was finally agreed to send a letter to the Prov . G . M ., asking his sanction for the union , and likewiso tho necessary instructions how to carry it out . On this occasion thoro were present four members of -J-J Lodge , five of " Indnstrious Lodgo ( HS ) , " and ono visitor . A hitch , however ,
occurred , and tho schemo temporarily fell through . The W . M . of Industrious having meanwhile returned from London , a letter is written , announcing , under date , " Guildhall Tavern , November 28 , 1816 , " that " after mature deliberation we are unanimous in our attachment to our Constitution , and cannot agree to relinquish it . " Thanks are conveyed for the friendly proposal , and the writer—Bro .
Chas . Lepine Sec—adds that wo " should be very glad to receive you in our Lodge in any manner agreeable to your inclinations . " In the return to Grand Lodge dated 19 th Jan . 1817 , only ten names appear , and in forwauling ihe Prov . G . Lodge returns in February of the san . o year , Bro . Cook " deplores tho fewness of the members , " but " trusts that timo will increase their numbors , " aud expresses his
" wish that the Craft may not long be negiociocl . " The wish , however , was some time in being realised . A minute of Sth Jan . 1821 states that owing to the unalhicss of the attendance it had been impossible to transact any busiiioss till that evening , and , alter all , none appears to have been trausactrd even therfj'TFor though ten , including visitors , sat down to dinner , it was at so late au hour that the opening of the
Lodge had to be postponed till tho second Thursday iu February , and when the eventful Thursday came , only four , including the Tyler , made tin : r appearance , " owing to their business . " The return to Grand Lodge for this year shows only suvun members aud the Tyler , and henceforth , till 21 st Jan . lblt ) , when the return showed one morn hor less , no meeting was held . However , it was stated in ..
letter to Grand Lodgo that NOB . - ; - * - and Industrious Lodges . ad established a friendly understanding between themselves , and u . - - ' they had transmitted their plans to the Provincial G . M . On tho last mentioned day the membors of tho two Lod ges , finding themselves so few in number , mut in friendly conclave in Lod ge Room No . 37 , and number of propositions were submitted and agreed to nem con .
Histories Of Our Lodges. United Industrious Lodge, No. 31.
Tho first of these , proposed by Bro . Stacey , and seconded by Bros . Pillow and Lawrence , was to tho effect that the Warrant of Indnstrious Lodge No . 416 should be returned to Grand Lodge , the members uniting in forming ono Lodge with No . 37 j the Eegalia to be removed to Lodge 37 , such as may be wanted to be retained , and the rest to be sold , and proceeds placed in the Charity Box . It was next
proposed that Bro . Cook should take the chair as W . M . of the United Lodge . A third motion was , that a ballot shonld be taken to settle the meeting-place of the Lodge , when it was decidod , hy a largo majority , to remain at the Saracen ' s Head . It was further determined that each Lodge should discharge its own debts , if any , and farther that a letter should bo written to tho Prov . G . M ., asking his and the
G . M . s approval of the union , and inquiring as to the steps that must be takon to effect it . It was finally agreed that if a favourable answer were received , tho steps taken that evening should be deemed conclu . sive as to the union , the new name beiug only left undetermined . Those present at this important meeting were six of Lodgo 37 , and fivo of Lodge 416 . A letter was accordingly written the day
following , giving tho substance of the foregoing resolntions , and signed by Jacob Hart W . M . 37 and Eobert Lawrence W . M . 416 . To this an answer was received from Bro . Rd . Thompson , D . P . G . M . Kent , dated Rochester , 24 th January 1819 , to tho effect that he saw no reason why tho union should not take place ; but that , as the case was a novel one , he had placed himself
in communication with Grand Lodgo . On the 5 th of the month following he again writes , telling them how to proceed , and express , ing a hope that the United Lodge may go on prospering . On the llth February it i 8 finally settled that the Lodge Bhall be returned to Grand Lodgo as tho " United Industrious Lodge , No . 37 . " It was further ordered that the Regalia of No . 416 be removed , by Bro .
Lawrence , to Lodge Room No . 37 . Nino , including the Tyler , were present . On 8 th April 1819 , the minntes of the previous meeting having been confirmed , Bro . Jacob Hart vacated the chair as W . M . in favour of Bro . Cook , as arranged on itho 21 st January , who thus became the first W . M . of the United Industrious Lodge , and ap . pointed as his officers Bros . John King S . W ., Charles Delamotte J . W .,
Thomas Ellis S . D ., John Morgan J . D ., Alex . William Stacey Treas ., G . Birch Sec , and Thomas Blair Tyler . It was at the same time arranged that , as the W . M . was non-resident in the city , Bro . Stacey should , in the case of his unavoidable absenoe , act as his deputy . The Warrant alBO was ordered to be returned . In May , the number returned as members of tho Lodge was eighteen , the oldest being a
Bro . Edward Pillow , Hayman , Canterbury , made in 1787 , and this had increased by the month of December to twenty-two . In 1820 , Bro . Cook was re-olected to fill the chair . In March 1821 , the Lodge numbered twenty-eight members , as per return to Grand Lodge . Early this year a Mr . George Steel was proposed , but rejected in the ballot . In July , however , he was again proposed and elected , being
initiated in tho month of September . In 1822 , the number returned to Grand Lodgo is twenty-four , and wo miss the names of the two oldest members , Bros . Pillow 1787 , and Charles Lepine 1792 . In tho month of July a letter of resignation is tendered b y Bro . Stacey , but Bro . C . C . Cottrell is directed to write on behalf of tho Lodge , expressing its regret at Bro . Stacoy ' s contemplated retirement , and
requesting him to withdraw it . Whether this request was acceded to , or not , we have no means of ascertaining . In August , the register includes tho name of Alderman Frend , and on 15 th October it is resolved to hold a Lodgo of Instruction at Bro . Lawrence ' s house , every Sunday evening , at S p . m . In June 1823 , the number returned to Grand Lodgo is twenty-eight . At a Lodge of Emergency held
on 26 th June 1825 , it is announced that the Mayor of Canterbury ( Geo . Frond ) and tho Committee of the Philosophical Society had forwarded to the Lodge an invitation to assist in laying the foundation stone of tho now Philosophical Institution , and that the D . P . G . M ., Bro . Dr . Thompson , had granted the necessary dispensation for that pur . pose . Accordingly , on the 2 Sth of the month , a Lodge of Emergency
was hold , and , in the unavoidable absence of the D . P . G . M ., Bro . Tapley , of Lodge 20 , Chatham , presided , and most efficientl y performed the ceremony , the arrangements by Bro . Suttie , W . M . of No . 37 , who acted pro tern as S . W ., and Bro . Cook P . M ., G . S . of Wks . being admirable . Bro . Tapley received the thanks of the Mayor and Corporation of the Cit y , as well as of the Committee of the
Philosophical Society , and was unanimousl y elected an honorary member of the Lodge . In December of this year it was arranged that the W . M ., who had hitherto been chosen by a show of hands , should be elected by ballot , as being more in accordance with the laws of Masonry , and more likely to give general satisfaction ; and the 15 th December was appointed for the election . From 1826 to 1833 Free .
masonry in this city appears to have greatly declined . In 1834 , during tho Mastership of Bro . Geo . Steel , the Lodge was moved to the King ' s Head Hotel , and new rules and regulations wero adopted , among them being ono to the effect that any Brother , being elected a joining momber , should produce his G . L . certificate , or that from the Lodgo iu which he was made . It was also resolved that each brother
holding office in the Lod ge shonld attend with the badge of his office attached to his clothing . The officers at this timo were Bros . G . Steel W . M ., W . M . Smithsou S . W ., R . Walker J . W ., 11 . Frond P . M ., John Jennings S . D ., Wm . Beer J . D ., C . C . Cottrell I . G ., and Thomas Blair Tyler . On Gth March Bro . Cottrell delivered a very able lecture on the real and intrinsic merits of Freemasonry . This yeartooBro .
, , Robert Chisholm M . D . was elected a joining member . Tho number , likewise , by the closing up of Lodges , became No . 34 . On May 1 st Bro . Cottrell presented a baudsome sword , to bo worn by the Tyler . But from this year to 1818 Masonic proceedings appear to have been . it a stand-still , and but for the excellent conduct of Bro . Steel , who ' cept the warrant going by paying tbe necessary dues to G . L . Benevo .
-ut Fund , the Lodge would have ceased to exist . In 1848 , however , > oine six or sevon citizens , of whom one or two chanced to be Masons , met together , and in the course of conversation Freemasonry hap . pened to be referred to . The non-Masons expressed a sincere desire to join the Brotherhood , and iu May of that year their wish was realised , and they were initiated , Singe then the Lodge has gone on
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Histories Of Our Lodges. United Industrious Lodge, No. 31.
HISTORIES OF OUR LODGES . UNITED INDUSTRIOUS LODGE , No . 31 .
WE thank Bro . John R , Hall for his kindness in allowing us the opportunity of inspecting tho notes iu MS . which ho has been at tho pains of compiling . Wo think great credit is due to Bro . Hall . Theso notes of his , though no doubt intended origiually for his own private information , enable ns to place beforo our readers a short sketch of the latter part of tho career of the second oldest Lodge in the Province of Kent , aud wo feel cortain that , however imperfect
it may bo , it will be read with pleasure . Originally this Lodgo was borne as No . 24 on the Grand Roll of the Ancients , having been warranted on the 7 th April 1755 . Its first home was at the Great Western Port of Bristol . Under what circumstances it migrated to the archiepiscopal City of Canterbury is a mystery we shall not attempt to explain . Suffice it to say that ,
though there is still extant a book containing the Treasnrer s accounts from 1785 , the first recorded minutes refer to the oxistouce of a Lodge , No . 24 , " under the ancient and honourable Constitutions of England , " which was held at tho Marquis of Granby , in Lamb-lane , Canterbury . The earliest particulars bear dato tho 21 st April 1806 , the original warrant having been confirmed on the preceding 4 th March ,
and describe an occasional Lodgo at which the following brethren were installed in ancient and due form as officers of the Lodge , namely , Bro . Aaron Paris W . M ., Bro . Thomas Powell S . W ., and Bro . Duke Buckingham J . W . Prom a minute dated 19 th September of the same year it would appear that tho landlord of the Marquis of Granby died , and it is further stated that sundry brethren of Lodge
400 , Irish Constitution , formed a funeral procession , and accompanied the body of Bro . George Taylor from his residence , the Marquis of Granby , to St . Dunstan's Churchyard . In October 1806 , it was unanimously agreed to hold the Lodge at the Eight Bells , King-street , and these are tho quarters assigned to it in the list of Lodges appended to Ahiman Rezou , seventh edition , published in
1807 . The first meeting at this hostelry was held on the eighteenth of the month , and on this occasion a Bro . John Baker presented to the Lodge a dozen goblets engraved with Masonic emblems , in return for which his health was drunk with the usual ceremony . These goblets , bo it added , still remain in tho possession of the Lodgo , a worthy memento of a worthy member long since gathored to his
fathers . At this timo the members increased rapidly in number , many of the King ' s Gorman Legion quartered in this city , and of His Majesty ' s army being made Masons , and being mentioned as among the Lodge visitors . Subsequently , though the exact dato is not stated , tho Lodgo moved to the " Ordnance Aims . " Later still , on tho 15 th October 1812 , we find a resolution adopted , to
migrate to other quarters , tho " Saracon's Head " boing given as the place of meeting in Juno 1813 . In July 181 G , tlie W . M ., Bro . Cook , who is describod as a " most excolfent and worthy man aud Mason , " proposed that a letter bo addressed to Lodge 320 / 416 with a view to effecting a union of tho two Lodges . The letter proposed , iu tho first place , that " a day in Union" should be spent by tho officers and
members of the two Lodges ; and then , having regard to " tho decline of Masonry in this city , " and with a view " to strengthen the Craft , " that tho two Lodges should bo formed into one . It concludes ¦ with a promise to use every endeavour to establish so desirable a anion , and-is signed " Thos . Cook W . M ., " and—in poncil only— "J . King S . W . " and "J . Hart J . W ., " " Saracen ' s Head , Canterbury , Aug .
19 , 1816 . " In reply a letter was received from Lodgo | -j •$ , thanking Lodge \ ± for its good wishes , as well as for tho proposal to form a union of tho two , and it suggests that a deputation of its members should attend tho next meeting of tho latter with a view to concerting the necessary measures . Tho idea is at ouco acted upou , but owing to tho paucity of membors present the Lodgo could not be
opened in order to receive tho deputation of tho Industrious Lodge . However , a friendly conversation took placo , aud it was finally agreed to send a letter to the Prov . G . M ., asking his sanction for the union , and likewiso tho necessary instructions how to carry it out . On this occasion thoro were present four members of -J-J Lodge , five of " Indnstrious Lodgo ( HS ) , " and ono visitor . A hitch , however ,
occurred , and tho schemo temporarily fell through . The W . M . of Industrious having meanwhile returned from London , a letter is written , announcing , under date , " Guildhall Tavern , November 28 , 1816 , " that " after mature deliberation we are unanimous in our attachment to our Constitution , and cannot agree to relinquish it . " Thanks are conveyed for the friendly proposal , and the writer—Bro .
Chas . Lepine Sec—adds that wo " should be very glad to receive you in our Lodge in any manner agreeable to your inclinations . " In the return to Grand Lodge dated 19 th Jan . 1817 , only ten names appear , and in forwauling ihe Prov . G . Lodge returns in February of the san . o year , Bro . Cook " deplores tho fewness of the members , " but " trusts that timo will increase their numbors , " aud expresses his
" wish that the Craft may not long be negiociocl . " The wish , however , was some time in being realised . A minute of Sth Jan . 1821 states that owing to the unalhicss of the attendance it had been impossible to transact any busiiioss till that evening , and , alter all , none appears to have been trausactrd even therfj'TFor though ten , including visitors , sat down to dinner , it was at so late au hour that the opening of the
Lodge had to be postponed till tho second Thursday iu February , and when the eventful Thursday came , only four , including the Tyler , made tin : r appearance , " owing to their business . " The return to Grand Lodge for this year shows only suvun members aud the Tyler , and henceforth , till 21 st Jan . lblt ) , when the return showed one morn hor less , no meeting was held . However , it was stated in ..
letter to Grand Lodgo that NOB . - ; - * - and Industrious Lodges . ad established a friendly understanding between themselves , and u . - - ' they had transmitted their plans to the Provincial G . M . On tho last mentioned day the membors of tho two Lod ges , finding themselves so few in number , mut in friendly conclave in Lod ge Room No . 37 , and number of propositions were submitted and agreed to nem con .
Histories Of Our Lodges. United Industrious Lodge, No. 31.
Tho first of these , proposed by Bro . Stacey , and seconded by Bros . Pillow and Lawrence , was to tho effect that the Warrant of Indnstrious Lodge No . 416 should be returned to Grand Lodge , the members uniting in forming ono Lodge with No . 37 j the Eegalia to be removed to Lodge 37 , such as may be wanted to be retained , and the rest to be sold , and proceeds placed in the Charity Box . It was next
proposed that Bro . Cook should take the chair as W . M . of the United Lodge . A third motion was , that a ballot shonld be taken to settle the meeting-place of the Lodge , when it was decidod , hy a largo majority , to remain at the Saracen ' s Head . It was further determined that each Lodge should discharge its own debts , if any , and farther that a letter should bo written to tho Prov . G . M ., asking his and the
G . M . s approval of the union , and inquiring as to the steps that must be takon to effect it . It was finally agreed that if a favourable answer were received , tho steps taken that evening should be deemed conclu . sive as to the union , the new name beiug only left undetermined . Those present at this important meeting were six of Lodgo 37 , and fivo of Lodge 416 . A letter was accordingly written the day
following , giving tho substance of the foregoing resolntions , and signed by Jacob Hart W . M . 37 and Eobert Lawrence W . M . 416 . To this an answer was received from Bro . Rd . Thompson , D . P . G . M . Kent , dated Rochester , 24 th January 1819 , to tho effect that he saw no reason why tho union should not take place ; but that , as the case was a novel one , he had placed himself
in communication with Grand Lodgo . On the 5 th of the month following he again writes , telling them how to proceed , and express , ing a hope that the United Lodge may go on prospering . On the llth February it i 8 finally settled that the Lodge Bhall be returned to Grand Lodgo as tho " United Industrious Lodge , No . 37 . " It was further ordered that the Regalia of No . 416 be removed , by Bro .
Lawrence , to Lodge Room No . 37 . Nino , including the Tyler , were present . On 8 th April 1819 , the minntes of the previous meeting having been confirmed , Bro . Jacob Hart vacated the chair as W . M . in favour of Bro . Cook , as arranged on itho 21 st January , who thus became the first W . M . of the United Industrious Lodge , and ap . pointed as his officers Bros . John King S . W ., Charles Delamotte J . W .,
Thomas Ellis S . D ., John Morgan J . D ., Alex . William Stacey Treas ., G . Birch Sec , and Thomas Blair Tyler . It was at the same time arranged that , as the W . M . was non-resident in the city , Bro . Stacey should , in the case of his unavoidable absenoe , act as his deputy . The Warrant alBO was ordered to be returned . In May , the number returned as members of tho Lodge was eighteen , the oldest being a
Bro . Edward Pillow , Hayman , Canterbury , made in 1787 , and this had increased by the month of December to twenty-two . In 1820 , Bro . Cook was re-olected to fill the chair . In March 1821 , the Lodge numbered twenty-eight members , as per return to Grand Lodge . Early this year a Mr . George Steel was proposed , but rejected in the ballot . In July , however , he was again proposed and elected , being
initiated in tho month of September . In 1822 , the number returned to Grand Lodgo is twenty-four , and wo miss the names of the two oldest members , Bros . Pillow 1787 , and Charles Lepine 1792 . In tho month of July a letter of resignation is tendered b y Bro . Stacey , but Bro . C . C . Cottrell is directed to write on behalf of tho Lodge , expressing its regret at Bro . Stacoy ' s contemplated retirement , and
requesting him to withdraw it . Whether this request was acceded to , or not , we have no means of ascertaining . In August , the register includes tho name of Alderman Frend , and on 15 th October it is resolved to hold a Lodgo of Instruction at Bro . Lawrence ' s house , every Sunday evening , at S p . m . In June 1823 , the number returned to Grand Lodgo is twenty-eight . At a Lodge of Emergency held
on 26 th June 1825 , it is announced that the Mayor of Canterbury ( Geo . Frond ) and tho Committee of the Philosophical Society had forwarded to the Lodge an invitation to assist in laying the foundation stone of tho now Philosophical Institution , and that the D . P . G . M ., Bro . Dr . Thompson , had granted the necessary dispensation for that pur . pose . Accordingly , on the 2 Sth of the month , a Lodge of Emergency
was hold , and , in the unavoidable absence of the D . P . G . M ., Bro . Tapley , of Lodge 20 , Chatham , presided , and most efficientl y performed the ceremony , the arrangements by Bro . Suttie , W . M . of No . 37 , who acted pro tern as S . W ., and Bro . Cook P . M ., G . S . of Wks . being admirable . Bro . Tapley received the thanks of the Mayor and Corporation of the Cit y , as well as of the Committee of the
Philosophical Society , and was unanimousl y elected an honorary member of the Lodge . In December of this year it was arranged that the W . M ., who had hitherto been chosen by a show of hands , should be elected by ballot , as being more in accordance with the laws of Masonry , and more likely to give general satisfaction ; and the 15 th December was appointed for the election . From 1826 to 1833 Free .
masonry in this city appears to have greatly declined . In 1834 , during tho Mastership of Bro . Geo . Steel , the Lodge was moved to the King ' s Head Hotel , and new rules and regulations wero adopted , among them being ono to the effect that any Brother , being elected a joining momber , should produce his G . L . certificate , or that from the Lodgo iu which he was made . It was also resolved that each brother
holding office in the Lod ge shonld attend with the badge of his office attached to his clothing . The officers at this timo were Bros . G . Steel W . M ., W . M . Smithsou S . W ., R . Walker J . W ., 11 . Frond P . M ., John Jennings S . D ., Wm . Beer J . D ., C . C . Cottrell I . G ., and Thomas Blair Tyler . On Gth March Bro . Cottrell delivered a very able lecture on the real and intrinsic merits of Freemasonry . This yeartooBro .
, , Robert Chisholm M . D . was elected a joining member . Tho number , likewise , by the closing up of Lodges , became No . 34 . On May 1 st Bro . Cottrell presented a baudsome sword , to bo worn by the Tyler . But from this year to 1818 Masonic proceedings appear to have been . it a stand-still , and but for the excellent conduct of Bro . Steel , who ' cept the warrant going by paying tbe necessary dues to G . L . Benevo .
-ut Fund , the Lodge would have ceased to exist . In 1848 , however , > oine six or sevon citizens , of whom one or two chanced to be Masons , met together , and in the course of conversation Freemasonry hap . pened to be referred to . The non-Masons expressed a sincere desire to join the Brotherhood , and iu May of that year their wish was realised , and they were initiated , Singe then the Lodge has gone on