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  • June 19, 1880
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Reviews.

REVIEWS .

AU Books intended for Heview should be addressed to the Editor of The Freemason ' s Chronicle , 23 Great Queen Street , W . C . St . John ' s Lodge , No . 221 , Bolton . A Short History and Extracts from the old Minute Books , together with a list of Members , witb

the date of their respective initiation or joining the Lodge , and other information connected with the Masonio Fraternity . Compiled by Bro . G . P . Brockbank , Treasurer and Senior Past Master , P . Prov . Grand S . Deacon East Lancashire , with a short Introductory Notice by Bro . "VV . J . Hughan , Past Grand Deacon of England . 1880 . Bro . Morris , Printer , Oxford Street , Bolton .

( Continued from page 389 . ) As we advance further the minutes improve in the phraseology , though at the same time we lose most of the quainter and more curious writing . The first entry in Book VI . bears date 17 th February 1821 , and records the initiation of Bro . "William Dawson , whom subsequently we meet with very often , and who , Bro .

Brockbank tells us , was a Masonio Instructor in the county of considerable popularity . After entries respecting the initiation of a brother under age , for which of coarse a dispensation was obtained , we find it noted that a sum of Twenty Guineas was lodged in the Bank in the name of the Lodge . On the 11 th November the Lodge writes to the Masonio Committee , Castle Inn , North Liverpool ,

offering them comfort and consolation , and Bro . Brockbank points ont that the brethren to whom this comfort and consolation were offered belonged to Lodge No . 31 , and were afterwards expelled the Order for contempt of Grand Lodge , the Lodge itself , as a reference to Preston's Illustrations will show , being erased from the roll . On the 15 th December two brethren were delegated to attend

P . G . Lodge , their expenses being borne by tbe Lodge . With one exception , in which mention is made of a petition of Reconciliation being forwarded to Grand Lodge on behalf of Lodge 31 , the minutes in 1822 refer to the ballot and Bye Laws and testify to a very strange conception of dnty on the part of the Lodge and to an equally strange laxity in matters disciplinary on the part of Grand

and P . G . Lodge . Thus a candidate who was balloted for on 9 th March had two black beans cast against him , whereupon a Brother moved and carried a resolution to the effect " that any candidate being objected to by more than two members , if a majority of the members think proper , the objection shall be disclosed to the Lodge for their satisfaction , " while , on the 11 th May , the Master refused

to put a motion " That we are ruled by the Grand Rules or Bye Laws as they stand at present . " Here we have a Lodge deliberately proposing to break the secrecy of the ballot , and the Master placing himself above the " Grand Rules" and the Lodge's own Bye Laws . A step , however , towards determining these irregularities , or , at all events , towards inviting the sense of Grand Lodge on these matters

was taken , and it was resolved by a majority that the Bye Laws of the Lodge should be sent to Grand Lodge for their sanction . The only event worthy of being recorded in 1823 appears to have been the attendance of the Lodgo at the laying the foundation-stone of a new Chnrch in Bolton , which it is suggested was Trinity Church , built from the so-called " Million Fund . "

Next year the Lodge took part in a similar ceremony at Farnworth , in conjnnction with the other Bolton Lodges and the Ringley Lodge , No . 765 . Tbe same year , too , it was agreed " that members who belong to this Lodge appear on St . John ' s Day in a clean neat apron , in either Craft , Arch or Black . " In 1825 the Province was divided into two—East aud West Lancashire—though on 1 st October

a resolution was passed that a petition shonld be forwarded to Grand Master the Duke of Sussex , recommending Bro . Crossley as a " fit and proper person to become P . G . M . for the County of Lancaster . " A few days later it was agreed to postpone their attendance at Prov . Grand Lodge till the following year , when Bro . W . Dawson W . M . represented the Lodge , and was allowed a guinea for his expenses .

In the year 1828 the same Bro . Dawson attended Provincial Grand Lodge as a " Provincial Grand Officer , " and had the post of P . G . D . of Ceremonies conferred upon him by Bro . John Crossley , who is styled " Provincial Grand Master , Provincial Grand Superintendent of the Sublime Degree of Royal Arch Masons , and Eminent Knight Provincial Grand Commander of the Religions and Military Order of Knights

Templar . Thus , even after a lapse of fifteen years from the Union , Craft , Arch , aud Templar Masonry were mixed up , if not worked , in the same Lodge . In 1829 tbe Prov . Grand Lodge met at Bolton , and Bro . John Warbrick was appointed Prov . Grand Steward . In 1830 there were two funeral processions—one in order to pay respect to Bro . Val . Quin , an actor of some note at that time , and the other " for the

purpose of the interment of our late Majesty King George the Fonrth , Grand Patron of Masonry , " the Lodge bearing one-third part of the expenditure . In 1831 there was a procession in honour of the King's birthday , and one was arranged for on his coronation day , but no expenses to be allowed out of the Lodge funds . On 20 th August 1836 we gather that a new Local Fund for a Masonic Female School and

a similar Fund of Benevolence were established in the Province , and that St . John ' s Lodge was a contributor to and supporter of both . Bather a strange entry occurs on 24 th June 1837 , where we read that £ 1 was granted to a Lodge at Dukinfield towards a lawsuit for recovery of property . In 1838 Bro . Thomas Preston D . P . G . M ., attended by his Officers , took the chair , examined the books and

accounts , and offered some useful remarks and suggested alterations . Shortly afterwards , it seems , a law was passed requiring " all members ' Certificates to be deposited in the chest . " In 1840 the Lodge resolved on becoming a subscriber to the intended Orphan School—a proof that , if the members hitherto had been and still were somewhat illiterate , they had an excellent notion of what constituted one of the principal duties of Freemasons , aud lost no opportunity of giving effect

Reviews.

to it . The minutes of 6 th April 1841 contain copy of the rules issued by Grand Lodge denouncing tho Freemason ' s Quarterly Review , and any Brother who furnished materials for the same , and at the next meeting a letter was directed to bo sent to the Dnke of Sussex M . W , G . M . congratulating him on his action . This , we presume , refers to certain differences which arose about this time in connection with the

establishment of what is now known as the Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution , tho result being that Bro . Dr . Crncefix waa for some time suspended from all his Masonio functions and privileges . There is no doubt tho differences arose , as such matters usually do , out of misconceptions which it was found impossible to make clear at first , aud much warmth of feeling was exhibited ; but in time these

misconceptions passed away , Dr . Crncefix was restored to his rank and privileges , and the Benevolent Institution flourishes like a green bay tree in testimony of the earnestness of purpose by which all parties to the dispute were animated . On 25 th June 1843 mention is made of a " Code of Bye-laws agreed npon for Sick and Craft . " On 6 th July 1844 it was resolved that the Lodge shonld co-operate with

No . 363 in requesting Bro . John Crossley to become Prov . G . Master for the Eastern Division of Lancashire . Next year it is recorded that the " Local Fund , Sick and Burial , " should be formed apart from the Lodge Funds , and the rule forbiddingmembers from joining other secret societies was rescinded , while Bro . Warbrick , whoso namo occurs frequently , and always with distinction , was presented with a horn

snuff-box . On 17 th Juno the compiler of this narrative being under age , was initiated by dispensation of Bro . S . Blair D . P . G . M . nominate , and four months later the same brother and others passed tho chair , these being the last who were permitted to go through the ceremony in consequence of the new authorities having interdicted the practice . This interesting event appropriately closes Book No . 6 .

The next Minute Book covers a decade of years and brings us to 1856 , but it records a by no means strange and eventful history . The first note of any moment mentions that Bro . Brockbank was elected to the office of Secretary in the year of his initiation . In 1847 we read it was resolved that tbe Lodge furniture should be repaired at an expense not to exceed £ 50 . Later in the same year

a new code of Bye-laws was adopted . A most unusual circumstance is recorded under date 4 th January 1848 . The Worshipful Master refused to serve , and a new election became necessary , Bro . Harris , who a short time before had been chosen Secretary , being elected to tbe chair . In 1849 Bro . Brockbank , who was at the time W . M . of the Lodge , was appointed to act as Prov . G . Steward

at the Prov . Grand Lodge meeting . In 1850 the Lodgo gained an accession of strength in the person of Bro . John Tunnah , subsequently and still the respected Prov . G . Secretary , who was accepted as a joining member . In 1851 the Secretary was , for the first time for many years , appointed by the Master , and towards the end of the year it was resolved that the W . M . 's chair shonld be fitted with its

canopy and appendages on the occasion of the Festival of St . John . Bro . Brockbank recounts how the Master sat in this chair—which was like a watch-box—smothered with curtains , and with his hat on "Nature ' s Peg" perspiring fearfully as though he was having " a Vapour Bath . " Still whether the chair and canopy were comfortable or not , it is evident the Lodge was bent on making itself as imposing

as possible , for in 1852 new collars and gauntlets for tho officers were purchased , the hour for meeting was made earlier , and it was forbidden that any liquor shonld be brought into , or smoking allowed in , tbe Tyler ' s room during the time the Lodge was assembled . More - over , its charitable inclinations were even more tenderly fostered

than before , and several times wo reael of sums of £ 10 being voted in aid of the Local Fund of Benevolence . The last entry in this book records the initiation , at a Lodge of Emergency , of our worthy Bro . Thos . Entwisle , who is another of the lights of Freemasonry of which Bolton has reason to be proud .

The next section extends over five years only . The first note of importance relates to the signature of a petition to the Annuity Fund—now the Royal Masonic Benevolent Fund—on behalf of Bro . Jas . Isherwood who , as far back as 1820 , when the first mention of a P . G . Lodge occurs in these minutes , was told off to attend it as a delegate . Unfortunately for him , Bro . Isherwood does not seem from

the Reports of the R . M . B . I , of those days to have been successful in his candidature . We next read of a memorial being signed for the appointment of Bro . Stephen Blair as P . G . Master , which was acceded to , as that respected brother was installed as P . G . M . at Manchester on 24 th July 1856 . On tho 20 th August next following , a Lodge of Instruction was formed , nnder the auspices of the Lodge

and with its sanction . But this Lodge did not exist for long ; its sittings were discontinued in a little over a year , and the mother Lodge was presented with a Grand Lodge banner , as a token of respect on the part of its daughter . Meantime the initiation fee was raised to four guineas and a half—a fact which proves that the Lodge was desirous of members of , socially speaking , a higher

status . We are not suggesting they wero becoming ashamed of having among them humbler brethren less well furnished with the comforts of life . We imagine their object was to secure something of equality of position among the members—a not unnatural or illdisposed wish , when we bear in mind that there are two extremes , one which would make Freemasonry too cheap , as well as one

which would make it too costly . In making the change the Lodge seems to have hit upon a happy mean between these two . A little later and a project is noted for building a Masonic Hall for the town , but what came of it is not recorded . There is a Freemasons' Hall at Bolton , but the St . John ' s Lodge does not hold its meetings in it . In 1858 the Lodge contributed towards presenting Bro . Blair P . G . M . with a banner of Grand Lodge , and the year following the Provincial

Grand Lodge held its meeting at Bolton , two of tho members being nominated as Prov . Grand Stewards . In 1860 the portrait of Bro . Dawson , in his clothing as a P . Prov . Grand Officer , was presented to the Lodge , the artist being a Mr . Walley , of local fame . The book closes with a minute recording that Bro . Entwisle was appointed Charityreprepresentative for the Lodge to the East Lancashire Committee ; and the next book begins with an entry to the effect

“The Freemason's Chronicle: 1880-06-19, Page 4” Masonic Periodicals Online, Library and Museum of Freemasonry, 15 July 2025, django:8000/periodicals/fcn/issues/fcn_19061880/page/4/.
  • List
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Title Category Page
PRECEPT AND PRACTICE. Article 1
THE ANTIQUITY OF LAYING CORNER STONES WITH RELIGIOUS AND MYSTICAL CEREMONIES. Article 2
REVIEWS. Article 4
Obituary. Article 5
JAMAICA. Article 5
INSTALLATION MEETINGS, &c. Article 6
THE GILBERT GREENHALL LODGE, No. 1250, WARRINGTON. Article 6
ST. NICHOLAS LODGE, No. 1676. Article 6
THE SUBURBAN LODGE, No. 1702 Article 6
NORTHERN COUNTIES LODGE, No. 406. Article 7
ROYAL ARCH. Article 7
DEATH. Article 7
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PROVINCIAL GRAND LODGE OF NORTHAMPTONSHIRE AND HUNTINGDONSHIRE. Article 9
PROV. G. LODGE BERKS AND BUCKS. Article 9
CORRESPONDENCE. Article 10
SOC: ROSICR: IN ANGLIA. " ROSICRUCUANISM. " Article 11
DIARY FOR THE WEEK. Article 12
NOTICES OF MEETINGS. Article 12
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Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.

Reviews.

REVIEWS .

AU Books intended for Heview should be addressed to the Editor of The Freemason ' s Chronicle , 23 Great Queen Street , W . C . St . John ' s Lodge , No . 221 , Bolton . A Short History and Extracts from the old Minute Books , together with a list of Members , witb

the date of their respective initiation or joining the Lodge , and other information connected with the Masonio Fraternity . Compiled by Bro . G . P . Brockbank , Treasurer and Senior Past Master , P . Prov . Grand S . Deacon East Lancashire , with a short Introductory Notice by Bro . "VV . J . Hughan , Past Grand Deacon of England . 1880 . Bro . Morris , Printer , Oxford Street , Bolton .

( Continued from page 389 . ) As we advance further the minutes improve in the phraseology , though at the same time we lose most of the quainter and more curious writing . The first entry in Book VI . bears date 17 th February 1821 , and records the initiation of Bro . "William Dawson , whom subsequently we meet with very often , and who , Bro .

Brockbank tells us , was a Masonio Instructor in the county of considerable popularity . After entries respecting the initiation of a brother under age , for which of coarse a dispensation was obtained , we find it noted that a sum of Twenty Guineas was lodged in the Bank in the name of the Lodge . On the 11 th November the Lodge writes to the Masonio Committee , Castle Inn , North Liverpool ,

offering them comfort and consolation , and Bro . Brockbank points ont that the brethren to whom this comfort and consolation were offered belonged to Lodge No . 31 , and were afterwards expelled the Order for contempt of Grand Lodge , the Lodge itself , as a reference to Preston's Illustrations will show , being erased from the roll . On the 15 th December two brethren were delegated to attend

P . G . Lodge , their expenses being borne by tbe Lodge . With one exception , in which mention is made of a petition of Reconciliation being forwarded to Grand Lodge on behalf of Lodge 31 , the minutes in 1822 refer to the ballot and Bye Laws and testify to a very strange conception of dnty on the part of the Lodge and to an equally strange laxity in matters disciplinary on the part of Grand

and P . G . Lodge . Thus a candidate who was balloted for on 9 th March had two black beans cast against him , whereupon a Brother moved and carried a resolution to the effect " that any candidate being objected to by more than two members , if a majority of the members think proper , the objection shall be disclosed to the Lodge for their satisfaction , " while , on the 11 th May , the Master refused

to put a motion " That we are ruled by the Grand Rules or Bye Laws as they stand at present . " Here we have a Lodge deliberately proposing to break the secrecy of the ballot , and the Master placing himself above the " Grand Rules" and the Lodge's own Bye Laws . A step , however , towards determining these irregularities , or , at all events , towards inviting the sense of Grand Lodge on these matters

was taken , and it was resolved by a majority that the Bye Laws of the Lodge should be sent to Grand Lodge for their sanction . The only event worthy of being recorded in 1823 appears to have been the attendance of the Lodgo at the laying the foundation-stone of a new Chnrch in Bolton , which it is suggested was Trinity Church , built from the so-called " Million Fund . "

Next year the Lodge took part in a similar ceremony at Farnworth , in conjnnction with the other Bolton Lodges and the Ringley Lodge , No . 765 . Tbe same year , too , it was agreed " that members who belong to this Lodge appear on St . John ' s Day in a clean neat apron , in either Craft , Arch or Black . " In 1825 the Province was divided into two—East aud West Lancashire—though on 1 st October

a resolution was passed that a petition shonld be forwarded to Grand Master the Duke of Sussex , recommending Bro . Crossley as a " fit and proper person to become P . G . M . for the County of Lancaster . " A few days later it was agreed to postpone their attendance at Prov . Grand Lodge till the following year , when Bro . W . Dawson W . M . represented the Lodge , and was allowed a guinea for his expenses .

In the year 1828 the same Bro . Dawson attended Provincial Grand Lodge as a " Provincial Grand Officer , " and had the post of P . G . D . of Ceremonies conferred upon him by Bro . John Crossley , who is styled " Provincial Grand Master , Provincial Grand Superintendent of the Sublime Degree of Royal Arch Masons , and Eminent Knight Provincial Grand Commander of the Religions and Military Order of Knights

Templar . Thus , even after a lapse of fifteen years from the Union , Craft , Arch , aud Templar Masonry were mixed up , if not worked , in the same Lodge . In 1829 tbe Prov . Grand Lodge met at Bolton , and Bro . John Warbrick was appointed Prov . Grand Steward . In 1830 there were two funeral processions—one in order to pay respect to Bro . Val . Quin , an actor of some note at that time , and the other " for the

purpose of the interment of our late Majesty King George the Fonrth , Grand Patron of Masonry , " the Lodge bearing one-third part of the expenditure . In 1831 there was a procession in honour of the King's birthday , and one was arranged for on his coronation day , but no expenses to be allowed out of the Lodge funds . On 20 th August 1836 we gather that a new Local Fund for a Masonic Female School and

a similar Fund of Benevolence were established in the Province , and that St . John ' s Lodge was a contributor to and supporter of both . Bather a strange entry occurs on 24 th June 1837 , where we read that £ 1 was granted to a Lodge at Dukinfield towards a lawsuit for recovery of property . In 1838 Bro . Thomas Preston D . P . G . M ., attended by his Officers , took the chair , examined the books and

accounts , and offered some useful remarks and suggested alterations . Shortly afterwards , it seems , a law was passed requiring " all members ' Certificates to be deposited in the chest . " In 1840 the Lodge resolved on becoming a subscriber to the intended Orphan School—a proof that , if the members hitherto had been and still were somewhat illiterate , they had an excellent notion of what constituted one of the principal duties of Freemasons , aud lost no opportunity of giving effect

Reviews.

to it . The minutes of 6 th April 1841 contain copy of the rules issued by Grand Lodge denouncing tho Freemason ' s Quarterly Review , and any Brother who furnished materials for the same , and at the next meeting a letter was directed to bo sent to the Dnke of Sussex M . W , G . M . congratulating him on his action . This , we presume , refers to certain differences which arose about this time in connection with the

establishment of what is now known as the Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution , tho result being that Bro . Dr . Crncefix waa for some time suspended from all his Masonio functions and privileges . There is no doubt tho differences arose , as such matters usually do , out of misconceptions which it was found impossible to make clear at first , aud much warmth of feeling was exhibited ; but in time these

misconceptions passed away , Dr . Crncefix was restored to his rank and privileges , and the Benevolent Institution flourishes like a green bay tree in testimony of the earnestness of purpose by which all parties to the dispute were animated . On 25 th June 1843 mention is made of a " Code of Bye-laws agreed npon for Sick and Craft . " On 6 th July 1844 it was resolved that the Lodge shonld co-operate with

No . 363 in requesting Bro . John Crossley to become Prov . G . Master for the Eastern Division of Lancashire . Next year it is recorded that the " Local Fund , Sick and Burial , " should be formed apart from the Lodge Funds , and the rule forbiddingmembers from joining other secret societies was rescinded , while Bro . Warbrick , whoso namo occurs frequently , and always with distinction , was presented with a horn

snuff-box . On 17 th Juno the compiler of this narrative being under age , was initiated by dispensation of Bro . S . Blair D . P . G . M . nominate , and four months later the same brother and others passed tho chair , these being the last who were permitted to go through the ceremony in consequence of the new authorities having interdicted the practice . This interesting event appropriately closes Book No . 6 .

The next Minute Book covers a decade of years and brings us to 1856 , but it records a by no means strange and eventful history . The first note of any moment mentions that Bro . Brockbank was elected to the office of Secretary in the year of his initiation . In 1847 we read it was resolved that tbe Lodge furniture should be repaired at an expense not to exceed £ 50 . Later in the same year

a new code of Bye-laws was adopted . A most unusual circumstance is recorded under date 4 th January 1848 . The Worshipful Master refused to serve , and a new election became necessary , Bro . Harris , who a short time before had been chosen Secretary , being elected to tbe chair . In 1849 Bro . Brockbank , who was at the time W . M . of the Lodge , was appointed to act as Prov . G . Steward

at the Prov . Grand Lodge meeting . In 1850 the Lodgo gained an accession of strength in the person of Bro . John Tunnah , subsequently and still the respected Prov . G . Secretary , who was accepted as a joining member . In 1851 the Secretary was , for the first time for many years , appointed by the Master , and towards the end of the year it was resolved that the W . M . 's chair shonld be fitted with its

canopy and appendages on the occasion of the Festival of St . John . Bro . Brockbank recounts how the Master sat in this chair—which was like a watch-box—smothered with curtains , and with his hat on "Nature ' s Peg" perspiring fearfully as though he was having " a Vapour Bath . " Still whether the chair and canopy were comfortable or not , it is evident the Lodge was bent on making itself as imposing

as possible , for in 1852 new collars and gauntlets for tho officers were purchased , the hour for meeting was made earlier , and it was forbidden that any liquor shonld be brought into , or smoking allowed in , tbe Tyler ' s room during the time the Lodge was assembled . More - over , its charitable inclinations were even more tenderly fostered

than before , and several times wo reael of sums of £ 10 being voted in aid of the Local Fund of Benevolence . The last entry in this book records the initiation , at a Lodge of Emergency , of our worthy Bro . Thos . Entwisle , who is another of the lights of Freemasonry of which Bolton has reason to be proud .

The next section extends over five years only . The first note of importance relates to the signature of a petition to the Annuity Fund—now the Royal Masonic Benevolent Fund—on behalf of Bro . Jas . Isherwood who , as far back as 1820 , when the first mention of a P . G . Lodge occurs in these minutes , was told off to attend it as a delegate . Unfortunately for him , Bro . Isherwood does not seem from

the Reports of the R . M . B . I , of those days to have been successful in his candidature . We next read of a memorial being signed for the appointment of Bro . Stephen Blair as P . G . Master , which was acceded to , as that respected brother was installed as P . G . M . at Manchester on 24 th July 1856 . On tho 20 th August next following , a Lodge of Instruction was formed , nnder the auspices of the Lodge

and with its sanction . But this Lodge did not exist for long ; its sittings were discontinued in a little over a year , and the mother Lodge was presented with a Grand Lodge banner , as a token of respect on the part of its daughter . Meantime the initiation fee was raised to four guineas and a half—a fact which proves that the Lodge was desirous of members of , socially speaking , a higher

status . We are not suggesting they wero becoming ashamed of having among them humbler brethren less well furnished with the comforts of life . We imagine their object was to secure something of equality of position among the members—a not unnatural or illdisposed wish , when we bear in mind that there are two extremes , one which would make Freemasonry too cheap , as well as one

which would make it too costly . In making the change the Lodge seems to have hit upon a happy mean between these two . A little later and a project is noted for building a Masonic Hall for the town , but what came of it is not recorded . There is a Freemasons' Hall at Bolton , but the St . John ' s Lodge does not hold its meetings in it . In 1858 the Lodge contributed towards presenting Bro . Blair P . G . M . with a banner of Grand Lodge , and the year following the Provincial

Grand Lodge held its meeting at Bolton , two of tho members being nominated as Prov . Grand Stewards . In 1860 the portrait of Bro . Dawson , in his clothing as a P . Prov . Grand Officer , was presented to the Lodge , the artist being a Mr . Walley , of local fame . The book closes with a minute recording that Bro . Entwisle was appointed Charityreprepresentative for the Lodge to the East Lancashire Committee ; and the next book begins with an entry to the effect

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