Templars And Freemasons

passed 'ho ballot , and that the fee for initiation into tin Order be ten s-hillings and sixpence to tho fund , and om shilling to tho messenger . There are also quoted othc minutes from the minute-book , dated 18 th May , and Gth July 1780 . In the latter Ave find that a petition from

Rotherham Avas presented for a warrant for a K . T . Encampment , signed on behalf of himself and the other Knights by Josiah Beckwith , to whoso signature is appended a Mason ' s mark . The minute book closes with a copy of the Warrant granted in accordance

with the " prayer of these Knights , authorising them to hold a ' Lodgo of Knights of the Holy Tabernacle of St . John of Jerusalem , at the Druidical Lodge in Rotherham ;' the Warrant bearing dato 6 th July 1780 . " Accompanying this are a series of " instructions , and principia , " and orders .

to make annual returns to the Grand Lodge at York , together with copy of a letter from Sir Knight Beckwith , containing Report of " the opening of a R . A . Chapter , and also a Lodge of Knight Templars , both under York Warrants , and the giving of the degrees to candidates , " in the course of Avhich it is recorded " that Brother James

Simes , of Sheffield , was re-made a K . T . " This , as Bro . Whytehead remarks , is important , as showing that York was regarded , or we should say , perhaps , regarded itself , as the

Head Quarters of Templary , and that a member made under any other authority Avas " re-made " before he could be admitted . In 1791 the York Sir Knights asked for and obtained a Warrant of confirmation from the Grand Master

of the Order of Knighthood in London . This Warrant , which is now in possession of the Hull Sir Knights is as follows : —

Initium Sapientits Amor Domini . In the name of the Grand Architect of the Universe . THOMAS DUNCKERLEY G . M . In the East of London , a Place full of Light , where reigneth Silence and Peace , but the Darkness comprehendeth it not . To thorn whom it may concern , greeting . Know ye that wo Thomas Dnnckerley , of Hampton Court Palace , in the County of Middlesex , Most Eminent and Supreme Grand

Master of the Royal Exalted Religious and Military Order of H . R . D . M ., K . D . O . H ., Grand Elected Knights Templar of St . John of Jerusalem , & c , under the patronage of His Royal Highness Princo Edward , having received a petition from Sir John Watson and several Noble Knights residing at and near the City of York , of Time Immemorial

humbly requesting a Patent of Constitution to open a Conclave or Chapter of Encampment at the City of York . And we do hereby grant to tbe said Sir John Watson and the other Noble Knights Petitioners and their Successors full power and authority to assemble on the 14 th day of March nest ensuing , to instal Knights Templar , & c , at

their Field of Encampment aforesaid , or at such other time and place as they and their successors , with the consent of ns and our snecessors , for tho time being shall appoint . With such powers , privileges , prerogatives , and immunities , as do from antient usage and of right belong to regular established Conclaves or Chapters , and to make

Knights of tho Order , subject nevertheless to the antient statutes and ordinances of onr predecessors , or that may hereafter be enacted b y us or our successors in a Grand and Royal Conclave . Given at London aforesaid in our Grand Field of Encampment this

11 th day of March , Anno Tnes 5795 , Anno Domini 1791 , Anno Ordinis 673 , Anno Ccedis 477 . R . W . WHALLEY G . Chancellor . W . HANNAM Acting Grand Master . WM . EARLE Principal G . Scribe and Registrar .

The patent is engraved , only the names and dates being in writing , and Bro . Whytehead concludes from this and the title of an ancient ritual in the possession of the York

Lodge , that the ceremony Avas of a mixed character , and included several degrees UOAV Avorked separately . The title of the Ritual is " Royal Union Band of Holy Royal Arch Knights Templar Priests , Order of Aaron , & c . "

Ihe York brethren Avorked under this warrant for some years , but no minutes of their proceedings are in existence , nor is it known where it assembled , or Avhen it was broken up , though the Falcon Inn is mentioned as the place where , and 1809 or 1810 as the timeAvhen . The Warrant Avas

purchased , so the author Avas informed by the ivegistrar of the " Antient York Conclave of Redemption at Hull , " by some members of the Order at Hull , and they continued working under it for several years . It then became dormant , but Avas revived in 1862 , when a Warrant of

confirmation Avas applied for and granted . Subsequently some York brethren , Avho had taken the degree at Hull , applied for a Warrant , Avhich was granted 18 th December 1868 , and under this the Ancient Ebor Preceptory , No . 101 , is now Avoikino-.

This completes the historical sketch , save that a few remarks are added , showing through whom the various Templar bodies claim their descent from the Order of the

Templars And Freemasons

Temple of 1118 . Of course the theory broached by Bro . Whytehead is conjecture , and nothing more . Still it s , as Ave have said , ingenious , and may incite others to

make further researche * . It only remains for us to add f hat the author deserves great praise for the pains he has evidently taken in tho completion of his sketch , and with these remarks AVO bid him heartily farewell .

Provincial Grand Lodge Of Cumberland And Westmoreland.

PROVINCIAL GRAND LODGE OF CUMBERLAND AND WESTMORELAND .

THE annual meeting of the Provincial Grand Lodge of Freemasons of Cumberland and Westmoreland was held on Friday , 28 th nit ., at Cockermonth , under tho banner of Skiddaw Lodgo , No . 1002 . The proceeding commenced shortly after twelve o'clock , on the arrival of the trains east and west . Brethren were present from the two Whitehaven Lodges , the two Carlisle Lodges , and from Kendal , Kirkby Lonsdale , Longtown , Wigton , Maryport , Workington , Harrington ,

Millom , Fnzington , Egremont , Penrith , Keswick , Appleby and Silloth . Skiddaw Lodge mustered in strong force , in honour of the occasion . The Provincial Grand Lodge Avas held at the Now Auction Mart , tho largo hall of which had been fitted up with the furniture of Skiddaw Lodge , and this , aided by abundance of material in the shape of car . pets , & o ., kindly supplied by Bro . W . McQuhae , Station-streot , trans .

formed the room into a well-appointed Masonio temple . An excellent luncheon was provided by Bro . Peacock , on tho premises , for those brethren from a distance . The Right Worshipful Provincial Grand Master , tho Earl of Bective , M . P ., was expected up till the morning of Friday , indeed , hia lordship had signified his intention of being present ; but Colonel Whitwell , M . P ., Right Worshipful Deputy

Provincial Grand Master , shortly after his arrival from Kendal , received a telegram from Lowther Castle , expressing Lord Bective ' s inability to attend . Bro . W . B . Gibson , the Provincial Grand Secretary , was also absent through a family bereavement . After tho Charity Com . mittee had met and drawn np their report , the Craft Lodge was opened by the officers of Skiddaw Lodge , shortly after which the

members of the Provincial Grand Lodgo were announced , and Colonel Whitwell , M . P ., opened the Lodge in due form . The officiating officers were Bros . Lemon P . G . Treasurer as Deputy Grand Master , Kirkbride ( Penrith ) P . G . Senior Warden , J . Bowes ( Warrington ) P . G . Jnnior Warden , Rev . C . H . Gem ( Torpenhow ) P . G . Chaplain , W .

Armstrong ( Maryport ) P . G . Director of Ceremonies , T . Atkinson ( Whitehaven ) P . G . Assist . Director of Ceremonies , A . Walters ( Maryport ) P . G . Sword Bearer , and others ; indeed , the dais was crowded with past and present officers of tho Province . Tho minntes of the previous meeting having been read and confirmed , the appointment and investiture of officers for the year was made HS follows : —

Bro . Sir R . C . Mnsgravo , P . M . 339 , Penrith , P . G . Senior Warden . Bro . J . A . Whcatley , P . M . 310 , Carlisle , P . G . Jnnior Warden . Bro . Rev . J . Thompson , 1074 , Kirkby Lonsdale , P . G . Chaplain . Bro . Rev . W . E . Strickland , 1267 , Egremont , P . G . Asst . Chaplain . Bro . J . Lemon , P . M . 327 , Wigton , P . G . Trensurer . Bro . W . B . Gibson , P . M . 119 , Whitehaven , P . G . Secretary .

Bro . W . F . Lamonby , P . M . 1002 , Cockermonth , P . G . Registrar . Bro . J . R . Bain , P . M . 1400 , Harrington , P . G . Senior Deacon . Bro . J ., Lindow Burns-Lindow , W . M . 12 G 7 , P . G . Junior Deacon . Bro . Godfrey , 1074 , Kirkby Lonsdale , P . G . Superintendent Works . Bro . T . Atkinson , P . M . 872 , Whitehaven , P . G . Director Ceremonies .

Bro . M'Kay , 129 , Kendal , P . G . Assist . Director of Ceremonies . Bro . J . L . Paitson , W . M . 119 , P . G . Sword Bearer . Bro . W . H . Lowthwaite , P . M . 1002 , Cockermonth , P . G . Organist . Bro . J . W . Young , P . M . 1400 , Harrington , P . G . Pursuivant . Bro . J . J . Robinson , P . M . 872 , Whitehaven , P . G . Tyler .

STEWARDS . Bro . Moffatt , 1660 , Frizington . Bro . Nelson , W . M . 129 , Kendal . Bro . Jobling , W . M . 412 , Longtown . Bro . Brough , 812 , Appleby . Bro . E . Clarke , P . M . 1207 , Egremont . Bro . Salisbury , P . M . 872 , Whitehaven .

Bro . Lemon s statement of accounts shoAved a balance of £ 2737 s 8 d in hand . The Charity Committee ' s report recommended , amongst other objects , the snm of £ 5 to the aged widow of a Whitehaven brother ; and also that the votes of the province be devoted to the election of the widow of a Longtown brother into the Royal Masonic

Benevolent Institution for Aged Freemasons and their Widow ? . Tho report being adopted , it was unanimously agreed to vote tho sum of £ 20 from the fnnds in aid of tho " Indian Famine Relief Fund . " This being all the business , the Provincial Grand Lodge was closed in dno form , and the brethren were marshalled in order of procession to All Saints' Church .

The line of procession was thickly lined with spectators , there being above 200 Masons present , attired in the full clothing and insignia of their respective offices , and the delightfully fine day no doubt contributed to the attractiveness of the spectacle . Tho rente taken was down Station Street , and round the statue of Lord Mayo , who was a member of Skiddaw Lodge up to the date of his trag ic death . Here the band ceased playing , till clear of the statue , and

the procession then was directed up Kirkgate to the south entrance of All Saints' . There Avas a full congregation , independently of tho Masons . A very appropriate sermon was preached by Bro . the Eev . C . H . Gem , P . P . Grand Chaplain , from 1 Corinthians iii . 1 G" The Temple of God . " The service was intoned by Bro . the Rev . Canon Hoskins , M . A ., assisted by the choir , who kindly gave their services ; Miss Cooper presided at tho organ . The opening anthem was " Behold , how good and joyful . " After the sermon , a collection