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Article A MEMORABLE YEAR IN ENGLISH MASONRY. Page 1 of 1 Article A MEMORABLE YEAR IN ENGLISH MASONRY. Page 1 of 1
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A Memorable Year In English Masonry.
A MEMORABLE YEAR IN ENGLISH MASONRY .
FROM THE MASONIC MAGAZINE . * THERE aro few institutions , as there are few nations , in whose history there are no bright particular epochs at which there occurred events that have exercised a beneficial and enduring influence over their subsequent fortunes , ancl certainly our Freemasonry is no exception to tho rate . Just as for instance the Englishman looks back with pride to the year 1215 , when Magna Charta was
signed by John , as marking tho inauguration of his boasted liberties ; to 1603 as strengthening British interests by the union of the English and Scottish crowns ; and to 1757 as the commencement of our supremacy over the vast and densely-populated peninsula of Hindostan ; so does the English Freemason call to mind , with the liveliest feelings of satisfaction , the events of the year 1717 , when
the four old Lodges met together and elected one Anthony Sayer , gentleman , as Grand Master of England ; the year 1790 , when , for the first time in the annals of onr Craft , a Prince , who was heirapparent to the throne , was chosen to preside over its destinies ; or in 1813 , when the dissensions whioh had prevailed in our midst for some threo quarters of a century were put an end to , and the Union
of the rival Grand Lodges of England was so happily consummatednever , let ns hope , again to bo disturbed . It is to this last mentioned year , though not alone to the event I have just referred to , to which I am about to draw tho attention of my readers . There is no single year throughout the whole history of Speculative Freemasonry into which are crowded so many events as 1813 .
Taking these events in tho order of their occurrence , I find that on the 27 th January , a magnificent fete was held at Freemasons' Hall for the purpose of doing honour to one of the most distinguished men and Masons that ever wore the insignia of our Order . I allude to the Earl of Moira , who had filled the high office of Acting Grand Master dnring the whole of the Grand Mastership of George Prince
of Wales , and who , being on the eve of leaving England , in order to take up the Governor-Generalship of India , was under the necessity of resigning his office . More than thirty years previously his lordship had won distinction as a military commander daring the war of American Independence . Ho had subsequently served in Flanders under H . E . H . the Duke of York , and had likewise rendered
important service to his sovereign as an hereditary member of the British Legislature . How admirably he justified his selection for the arduous office of British Yiceroy of India is a matter of history that needs no comment here ; but it may nofc be so generally known that Lord Moira , if he did not take the initiative in the fortunately successful attempt to bring about the union of the Begular and
Atholl Grand Lodges , was one of its earliest and most ardent promoters . To the Duke of Susex and Kent belongs the chief honour of having contributed to bring about the Union , bub the labours in the same direction of the Earl of Moira place him almost on & level with their Royal Highnesses . Be this as it may , it was his lordship ' s first care to exert all his influence in removing such
prejudices as bad previously existed j and be it was who , on the 21 st July 1810 , presided at the first of the united committees of the two Grand Lodges appointed to consider the terms of reconciliation—the Atholl brethren being his lordship ' s guests on the occasion . No wonder then that , when he waa on the point of leaving for India , the opportunity should be taken by the chiefs of his own Grand Lodge
to indicate in some especially pronounced way their sense of his eminent services to the cause of Universal Masonry . Hence this banquet , at which , in tbe absence of the Grand Master the Prince Begent , his brother and Deputy , the Duke of Sussex , presided . The Earl of Moira had the place of honour to the right of the chair , and among those present were their Eoyal Highnesses the Dukes of
York , Clarence , Kent , Cumberland , Gloucester , the Swedish Ambassador , Lord Kinnaird , Sir John Doyle , and all the most distinguished members of the regular Craft . The principal gallery was set apart for ladies , among whom was the Countess of Loudoun and Moira , while in the other was posted tho Duke of Kent ' s band . Even in those days , indeed , it wonld be difficult to picture to the
imagination a more brilliant assembly ; while as to the arrangements , which gave to the fete a kind of public character during the first part of the proceedings , so as to admit of the presence of the ladies , the latter being wholly Masonic , nothing could have been in better taste . It is hardly necessary to say that everything passed off most successfully , the meeting being roused to a pitch of enthusiasm when
the toast of the evening , the health of " The Earl of Moira , the Friend of his Prince , of his Country , and of Man , " was proposed by the illustrious chairman , and drunk with threo times three , a song b y Bro . Rodwell Wright , Provincial Grand Master of the Ionian Islands , specially written for the occasion , accompanying ifc . When the noble Earl had returned thanks the ladies withdrew , Grand Lodge was
opened and tyled , and the Duke of Sussex , after having given the customary toasts , rose and delivered another speech in honour of Lord Moira , at tho close of which he presented to his lordship a magnificent jewel , intrinsically of great value ; as a work of art exquisitely beau'iful ; but , as indicating the warm feelings of the
whole Craft towards the noble recipient for his Masonic services , beyond all price . When the gift had been acknowledged in most eloquent terms , other toasts followed , Grand Lodgo was closed , and one of the most honourable episodes in the history of onr Craffc was closed likewise .
At a Quarterly Communication on the 7 th April , the Earl of Moira sent in his resignation as Acting Grand Master , and a letter was read from H . R . H . tho Prince Regent , in which his Royal Highness
A Memorable Year In English Masonry.
resigned the office of Grand Master . The latter resignation was , of course , accepted , bufc with the acceptance was coupled the unanimously expression of a wish that the Prince would become the Patron of the Order . A suitable address for his great servioes and the deep interest ; ! he had always taken in the Craffc was agreed to ,
while a vvorthy successor to the Regent as Grand Master was found in the person of his brother , H . R . H . the Duke of Sussex , who for somo timo had held the office as Deputy Grand Master , and who , on this occasion , was unanimously elected to occupy the vacant Masonic throne .
The first aot of tho illustrious Duke in his new capacity was to preside at the Anniversary Festival of the Masonio Girls' School , which was held afc the 14 th of the same month , or only a few days later , in Freemasons' Hall . His brother , the Duke of Kent , was present , as well as a distinguished muster of guests , among whom were Curran , the famous Irish lawyer , and a Captain Book , an
officer in the Russian army , who had arrived in England shortly before , and whose reception was most enthusiastic—aa will be readily understood when I point out fchafc Russia and Great Britain were firmly allied together against Napoleon Bonaparte , and thafc the former had just succeeded in driving back and almost annihilating the invading hosts thafc would , had nofc Providence willed ifc other .
wise , have enslaved the empire of the Czar . The occasion is only memorable for the speech of the Duke of Sussex , in which , in proposing the health of the eminent Curran , be said , " a Master of the Rolls might be fonnd every day , bufc a Curran could not . " On the 12 th May , a Grand Lodge was held afc Willis ' s Rooms , Sfc . James's . The ohair was taken by the Duke of Kent , who , in due
course , and according to ancient and solemn form , installed his royal brother the Duko of Sussex , as M . W . Grand Master for the year . Among the brethren appointed Grand Officers were Lord Dundas , Deputy Grand Master ; and Bros . W . H . White , Grand Secretary ; the Chevalier Ruspini , Grand Sword Bearer ; and Samuel Wesley
Grand Organist ; amongst the Grand Stewards was Bro . Eer . Samuel Hemming , D . D . When thia parfc of the proceedings was over , Grand Lodge took into consideration the services rendered by Bro . W . H . White , who , during the thirty years he had held the office of Grand Secretary , had fulfilled his important duties " with honour and credit ; to himself and to the entire satisfaction of the brethren afc
large , " and io was unanimously agreed thafc a handsome voto of thanks should be recorded to Bro . White , and thafc a piece of plate of the value of one hundred guineas , and bearing an appropriate inscription , should accompany the vote . On the 17 th of the same month , the Duke of Sussex was re-elected " Grand Master" of the Supreme Grand Chapter of Royal Arch
Masons of England , with Comps . John Dent and John Aldridge as his assistants in place of tbe Earl of Moira and Comp . W . Rodwell Wright , who had resigned in consequence of having received official appointments in the public service abroad . The business of the Chapter wai concluded by " a unanimous vote of thanks to their highly respected Bro . and Comp . W . R . Wright , Esq ., accompanied with a request
that he would accept a present of plate , of nofc less than three hundred guineas' value , in token of their regard and esteem , and as a humble tribute of acknowledgment for the very eminent services he had rendered to the Order during tbe long series he had assisted in presiding over them . " The account concludes : "This being the Annual Festival , the remainder of tbe day was devoted to social
intercourse and conviviality ; " so it seems thafc in those days Grand Chapter as well as Grand Lodge had an Annual Festival . On the 23 rd June , at a Grand Lodge held in Freemasons' Hall , under H . R . H . the Duke of Sussex , a letter from Col . McMahon was read , announcing in the most flattering terms that H . R . H . the Prince Regent "had been graciously pleased to continue the Society under
his protection , and allow himself to be styled ' Grand Patron of the Craft' and a bust of His Royal Highness , of the value of one hundred guineas , was voted fco be placed in the Hall over the chair of the Grand Master . " On the 1 st December , H . R . H . the Duke of Kent was formally installed Grand Master , afc a special Communication of the "
Ancient " Grand Lodge , in place of the Duke of Atholl , whose resigns , tion as Grand Master had been accepted at another special meeting held on the 8 th November . The installation of the Duke of Kent was witnessed by the Duke of Sussex and a number of his Grand Officers , who , in order that they might be present , had been previously made Ancient Masons in a room adjoining . '
Of the act of Union between tbe two Grand Lodges , which , taking place on the 27 fch December , brought this " memorable year in English Masonry " to a close , I need say little . To the wisdom which planned , and the ability , tact , and judgment which carried the design of the Union to a successful issue on this eventful day , we owe the present prosperity of our United Grand Lodge of England .
But the story of this Union has beon too well told byHughan and others to need repetition in this paper . Suffice ifc to say fchafc the bright star of Masonic prosperity , which was in the ascendant on tho 27 th January 1813 , when honour was done to the Earl Jof Moira reached its zenith on the 27 th December , when was accomplished that grand Union , to bring about which he had laboured so well and
worthily dnring so many years . To conclude with a question . Am I not right in describing tho year 1813 as a memorable one in English Masonry ? In the first ; of its twelve months was held a Masonic fete , with six Royal Dukes present , in honour of the Earl of Moira , the soldier , the statesman" the friend of his Prince , of his Country , and of Man . " In the last was consummated the Union . In the interim were installed two
royal brothers as Grand Masters respectively of tho rival Grand Lodges . The office of Grand Patron was instituted , and two worthy brethren pnblicy honoured . I say , then , there are few years like it in our history . And whence think you , reader , I have derived most of my inferroation as tbe details , afc least , of the above story ? From Masonic sources P Well , no ; from the pages of an ordinary magazine of fche year , ; G . B . A .
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
A Memorable Year In English Masonry.
A MEMORABLE YEAR IN ENGLISH MASONRY .
FROM THE MASONIC MAGAZINE . * THERE aro few institutions , as there are few nations , in whose history there are no bright particular epochs at which there occurred events that have exercised a beneficial and enduring influence over their subsequent fortunes , ancl certainly our Freemasonry is no exception to tho rate . Just as for instance the Englishman looks back with pride to the year 1215 , when Magna Charta was
signed by John , as marking tho inauguration of his boasted liberties ; to 1603 as strengthening British interests by the union of the English and Scottish crowns ; and to 1757 as the commencement of our supremacy over the vast and densely-populated peninsula of Hindostan ; so does the English Freemason call to mind , with the liveliest feelings of satisfaction , the events of the year 1717 , when
the four old Lodges met together and elected one Anthony Sayer , gentleman , as Grand Master of England ; the year 1790 , when , for the first time in the annals of onr Craft , a Prince , who was heirapparent to the throne , was chosen to preside over its destinies ; or in 1813 , when the dissensions whioh had prevailed in our midst for some threo quarters of a century were put an end to , and the Union
of the rival Grand Lodges of England was so happily consummatednever , let ns hope , again to bo disturbed . It is to this last mentioned year , though not alone to the event I have just referred to , to which I am about to draw tho attention of my readers . There is no single year throughout the whole history of Speculative Freemasonry into which are crowded so many events as 1813 .
Taking these events in tho order of their occurrence , I find that on the 27 th January , a magnificent fete was held at Freemasons' Hall for the purpose of doing honour to one of the most distinguished men and Masons that ever wore the insignia of our Order . I allude to the Earl of Moira , who had filled the high office of Acting Grand Master dnring the whole of the Grand Mastership of George Prince
of Wales , and who , being on the eve of leaving England , in order to take up the Governor-Generalship of India , was under the necessity of resigning his office . More than thirty years previously his lordship had won distinction as a military commander daring the war of American Independence . Ho had subsequently served in Flanders under H . E . H . the Duke of York , and had likewise rendered
important service to his sovereign as an hereditary member of the British Legislature . How admirably he justified his selection for the arduous office of British Yiceroy of India is a matter of history that needs no comment here ; but it may nofc be so generally known that Lord Moira , if he did not take the initiative in the fortunately successful attempt to bring about the union of the Begular and
Atholl Grand Lodges , was one of its earliest and most ardent promoters . To the Duke of Susex and Kent belongs the chief honour of having contributed to bring about the Union , bub the labours in the same direction of the Earl of Moira place him almost on & level with their Royal Highnesses . Be this as it may , it was his lordship ' s first care to exert all his influence in removing such
prejudices as bad previously existed j and be it was who , on the 21 st July 1810 , presided at the first of the united committees of the two Grand Lodges appointed to consider the terms of reconciliation—the Atholl brethren being his lordship ' s guests on the occasion . No wonder then that , when he waa on the point of leaving for India , the opportunity should be taken by the chiefs of his own Grand Lodge
to indicate in some especially pronounced way their sense of his eminent services to the cause of Universal Masonry . Hence this banquet , at which , in tbe absence of the Grand Master the Prince Begent , his brother and Deputy , the Duke of Sussex , presided . The Earl of Moira had the place of honour to the right of the chair , and among those present were their Eoyal Highnesses the Dukes of
York , Clarence , Kent , Cumberland , Gloucester , the Swedish Ambassador , Lord Kinnaird , Sir John Doyle , and all the most distinguished members of the regular Craft . The principal gallery was set apart for ladies , among whom was the Countess of Loudoun and Moira , while in the other was posted tho Duke of Kent ' s band . Even in those days , indeed , it wonld be difficult to picture to the
imagination a more brilliant assembly ; while as to the arrangements , which gave to the fete a kind of public character during the first part of the proceedings , so as to admit of the presence of the ladies , the latter being wholly Masonic , nothing could have been in better taste . It is hardly necessary to say that everything passed off most successfully , the meeting being roused to a pitch of enthusiasm when
the toast of the evening , the health of " The Earl of Moira , the Friend of his Prince , of his Country , and of Man , " was proposed by the illustrious chairman , and drunk with threo times three , a song b y Bro . Rodwell Wright , Provincial Grand Master of the Ionian Islands , specially written for the occasion , accompanying ifc . When the noble Earl had returned thanks the ladies withdrew , Grand Lodge was
opened and tyled , and the Duke of Sussex , after having given the customary toasts , rose and delivered another speech in honour of Lord Moira , at tho close of which he presented to his lordship a magnificent jewel , intrinsically of great value ; as a work of art exquisitely beau'iful ; but , as indicating the warm feelings of the
whole Craft towards the noble recipient for his Masonic services , beyond all price . When the gift had been acknowledged in most eloquent terms , other toasts followed , Grand Lodgo was closed , and one of the most honourable episodes in the history of onr Craffc was closed likewise .
At a Quarterly Communication on the 7 th April , the Earl of Moira sent in his resignation as Acting Grand Master , and a letter was read from H . R . H . tho Prince Regent , in which his Royal Highness
A Memorable Year In English Masonry.
resigned the office of Grand Master . The latter resignation was , of course , accepted , bufc with the acceptance was coupled the unanimously expression of a wish that the Prince would become the Patron of the Order . A suitable address for his great servioes and the deep interest ; ! he had always taken in the Craffc was agreed to ,
while a vvorthy successor to the Regent as Grand Master was found in the person of his brother , H . R . H . the Duke of Sussex , who for somo timo had held the office as Deputy Grand Master , and who , on this occasion , was unanimously elected to occupy the vacant Masonic throne .
The first aot of tho illustrious Duke in his new capacity was to preside at the Anniversary Festival of the Masonio Girls' School , which was held afc the 14 th of the same month , or only a few days later , in Freemasons' Hall . His brother , the Duke of Kent , was present , as well as a distinguished muster of guests , among whom were Curran , the famous Irish lawyer , and a Captain Book , an
officer in the Russian army , who had arrived in England shortly before , and whose reception was most enthusiastic—aa will be readily understood when I point out fchafc Russia and Great Britain were firmly allied together against Napoleon Bonaparte , and thafc the former had just succeeded in driving back and almost annihilating the invading hosts thafc would , had nofc Providence willed ifc other .
wise , have enslaved the empire of the Czar . The occasion is only memorable for the speech of the Duke of Sussex , in which , in proposing the health of the eminent Curran , be said , " a Master of the Rolls might be fonnd every day , bufc a Curran could not . " On the 12 th May , a Grand Lodge was held afc Willis ' s Rooms , Sfc . James's . The ohair was taken by the Duke of Kent , who , in due
course , and according to ancient and solemn form , installed his royal brother the Duko of Sussex , as M . W . Grand Master for the year . Among the brethren appointed Grand Officers were Lord Dundas , Deputy Grand Master ; and Bros . W . H . White , Grand Secretary ; the Chevalier Ruspini , Grand Sword Bearer ; and Samuel Wesley
Grand Organist ; amongst the Grand Stewards was Bro . Eer . Samuel Hemming , D . D . When thia parfc of the proceedings was over , Grand Lodge took into consideration the services rendered by Bro . W . H . White , who , during the thirty years he had held the office of Grand Secretary , had fulfilled his important duties " with honour and credit ; to himself and to the entire satisfaction of the brethren afc
large , " and io was unanimously agreed thafc a handsome voto of thanks should be recorded to Bro . White , and thafc a piece of plate of the value of one hundred guineas , and bearing an appropriate inscription , should accompany the vote . On the 17 th of the same month , the Duke of Sussex was re-elected " Grand Master" of the Supreme Grand Chapter of Royal Arch
Masons of England , with Comps . John Dent and John Aldridge as his assistants in place of tbe Earl of Moira and Comp . W . Rodwell Wright , who had resigned in consequence of having received official appointments in the public service abroad . The business of the Chapter wai concluded by " a unanimous vote of thanks to their highly respected Bro . and Comp . W . R . Wright , Esq ., accompanied with a request
that he would accept a present of plate , of nofc less than three hundred guineas' value , in token of their regard and esteem , and as a humble tribute of acknowledgment for the very eminent services he had rendered to the Order during tbe long series he had assisted in presiding over them . " The account concludes : "This being the Annual Festival , the remainder of tbe day was devoted to social
intercourse and conviviality ; " so it seems thafc in those days Grand Chapter as well as Grand Lodge had an Annual Festival . On the 23 rd June , at a Grand Lodge held in Freemasons' Hall , under H . R . H . the Duke of Sussex , a letter from Col . McMahon was read , announcing in the most flattering terms that H . R . H . the Prince Regent "had been graciously pleased to continue the Society under
his protection , and allow himself to be styled ' Grand Patron of the Craft' and a bust of His Royal Highness , of the value of one hundred guineas , was voted fco be placed in the Hall over the chair of the Grand Master . " On the 1 st December , H . R . H . the Duke of Kent was formally installed Grand Master , afc a special Communication of the "
Ancient " Grand Lodge , in place of the Duke of Atholl , whose resigns , tion as Grand Master had been accepted at another special meeting held on the 8 th November . The installation of the Duke of Kent was witnessed by the Duke of Sussex and a number of his Grand Officers , who , in order that they might be present , had been previously made Ancient Masons in a room adjoining . '
Of the act of Union between tbe two Grand Lodges , which , taking place on the 27 fch December , brought this " memorable year in English Masonry " to a close , I need say little . To the wisdom which planned , and the ability , tact , and judgment which carried the design of the Union to a successful issue on this eventful day , we owe the present prosperity of our United Grand Lodge of England .
But the story of this Union has beon too well told byHughan and others to need repetition in this paper . Suffice ifc to say fchafc the bright star of Masonic prosperity , which was in the ascendant on tho 27 th January 1813 , when honour was done to the Earl Jof Moira reached its zenith on the 27 th December , when was accomplished that grand Union , to bring about which he had laboured so well and
worthily dnring so many years . To conclude with a question . Am I not right in describing tho year 1813 as a memorable one in English Masonry ? In the first ; of its twelve months was held a Masonic fete , with six Royal Dukes present , in honour of the Earl of Moira , the soldier , the statesman" the friend of his Prince , of his Country , and of Man . " In the last was consummated the Union . In the interim were installed two
royal brothers as Grand Masters respectively of tho rival Grand Lodges . The office of Grand Patron was instituted , and two worthy brethren pnblicy honoured . I say , then , there are few years like it in our history . And whence think you , reader , I have derived most of my inferroation as tbe details , afc least , of the above story ? From Masonic sources P Well , no ; from the pages of an ordinary magazine of fche year , ; G . B . A .