The First Masonic Grand Lodges.

16 th century . Thfre was an account of Masonry written as early ns 1390 by a priest . It spoke of Masonry then as an ancient institution , but it did not contain what might be considered as of faithful , practical , record . It bore more the resemblance of a legend , for whioh , however , no doubt there was foundation . As far hack as 1700 there were evidences that the Order was a religions one , and even at

one time Christian . And now no man under the Grand Lodges of England , Scotland , Ireland , Germany , or the United States conld remain a Mason unless he put his trust in God . He observed in the Western Morning ffeios that tbe French Masons were trying to renew tbeir relationship with the English Lodges . They sought to show that their striking out the recognition of the Deity in their formnla

was not intended to signify what in England it was understood to imply , and pointed out that it was proposed and seconded by a clergyman . But whatever might be its intention it effected tho admission of professed atheists into the Order and tho English Masons could have no connection with the French while they admitted atheists into their Lodqes . Under the Constitutions at the

Union of 1815 there was a clause which maintained this view , and , as he had before remarked , it was discovered from somo of the old charges that prior to 1715 the Order up to then not only acknowledged the existence of a Godhead but believed in tho Christian religion . In some of the old records even the Father , Son , and Holy Ghost , the three persons of the Trinity , were referred to . The first

English Grand Lodge dated from 1717 . That was instituted in London by four Lodges . The first Book of Constitutions ( which ho had ) was published by the Rev . James Anderson in 1723 . The first Grand Lodge was entitled the Grand Lodge of England , and was maintained as the only one until 1725 , when the brethren of an old Lodge which had existed for centuries in York thought they mi « ht

as well have a Grand Lodge to themselves . That was accordingly formed , considered independent of the other Grand Lodge , and entitled the Grand Lodge of All England . It gradually lacked authority and influence , and collapsed in 1740 . In 1761 Dr . Drake and four other brethren revived it , and it continued until 1779 , when it was formed into a Grand Lodge with three degrees , Royal Arch

and Knights Templar . Thus it remained until 1792 , when it collapsed , and was never subsequently revived . York Lodges and York Rites in the present day were simply mistakes . There were no Lodges existing which could show they had derived their authority from York . The Grand Lodge was in London . In 1779 Bro . William Preston , a noted historian of the Lodge of Antiquity , and

several brethren , were brought into collision with the Grimd Lodge of England for walking in procession with Masonic clothing and regalia without obtaining a dispensation from the Grand Lodge . On being cited to answer for that breach of discipline , their reply was that their Lodge was superior to the Grand Lodge by seniority . The dispute ended in those brethren being expelled . They , however ,

applied to York for permission , and instituted a new Grand Lodge , entitled the Grand Lodge of England South of the River Trent . This Grand Lodge onl y instituted two Lodges , and in 1790 Preston and the other brethren working nnder its rule were readmitted under the Grand Lodge of England . There was another Grand Lodge , of which there was no records earlier than about 1751-52 , which sprung

up wonderfully . Its exact origin was not known , but to it the Order was indebted for the institution of a great nnniber of tho military Lodges and a wide spreading of Freemasonry . If there was one canse which did more than another to spread Freemasonry over the world it was those military Lodges . This Grand Lodge took npon themselves to call the original Grand Lodge "Tho Moderns , " and

themselves "The Ancients . " They were , however , not known before 1751 , and from what they derived their title to call themselves ancients was unknown . The Earl of Bessington was their first recorded Noble Grand Mastes . Then they had the third Duke of Athole as Grand Master . On his decease , his successor , a young duke of 20 , was given the three degrees and elected a Master of a

Lodge and Grand Master in one day . Thns that Grand Lodge was known as the Athole Lodge and its members as Athole Masons . The struggles between those Grand Lodges continued for several years . He believed , however , that those struggles in the end benefited Freemasonry . Of the private Lodges instituted by both of those Grand Lodges , prior to the settlement in 1813 , there were many

now in the Province of Devonshire . The following were instituted by the original Grand Lodge of England , styled "The Moderns" — Lodges 39 , St . John the Baptist , Exeter ; 105 , Fortitude , Plymouth ; 106 , Sun , Exmouth ; 112 , St . George ' s , Exeter ; 189 , Sincerity , Stonehouse ; 202 , Friendshi p , Devon port ; 248 , True Love and Unity , Brixham ; 257 , Loyal , Barnstaple ; 282 , Bedford , Tavistock ; 303 ,

Benevolent , Teignmouth ; 323 , St . John ' s , Torquay ; and were instituted by the Athole Grand Lodge , "The Ancients" —Lodges 70 , St . John ' s ; 156 , Harmony , Plymouth ; 159 , Brunswick , Stonehouse ; 164 , Perseverance , Sidmonth ; 223 , Charity , Plymouth ; 230 , Fidelity , Devonport . Eleven Lodges of the one and six of tho other ; 17 in all . The other 22 had either ceased to work or removed

elsewhere . Ultimately the Duke of Athole resigned his Grand Mastership in favour of the Duke of Kent , and the Duke of Sn 3 sex became Grand Master of the original Grand Lodge , or " Moderns . " Iu the S . W . corner of the Warrant of Lodge 70 there appeared evidence of its prior existence to 1759 . It was a very curions document . Tho Duke of Sussex laboured hard for the unity of the

two Grand Lodges , and with the aid of the Duke of Kent ultimately succeeded . The union was accomplished on the festival of St . John the Evangelist , 1813 . Ho might explain the ' •Ancients " were busy at work . From 1752 to 1813 they had a Grand Chapter of their own , bat the R . A . degree was not recognised by the original Grand Lodge . The Atholes would not join unless that decree were

provided for . Hence , from 1813 the R . A . degree had been a part of Craft Masonry . That degree would always have a climax of Freemasonry following the three other degrees—E . A ., F . C . M . M . In arranging the united private Lodges the Atholes were also fortunate . The Lodges wore to draw lots for numbers . Thus the first Lodgo dates ooly 1759 , and Antiquity Lodge becomes No . 2 , although " it

The First Masonic Grand Lodges.

c ^ iste'l long before No . 1 . Thon Lidge No . 3 and others were m spl : i « "l for actual longevity . Up to 1813 there were 1 , 500 Lodges warranted by the four Ora'id Lodges . Since that time 2 , 000 mora Warrants hive been issued , making a total of 3 , 500 Warrants down to the present time . But of those not more than about 1 , 800 were now iu England . Tt must not , however , be imagined that the others

had ceased to exist . The majority of them had really been spread all over the world , tho Grand Lodges of France , Germany , the United States , Canada , and others originating from the Grand Lodge of England . Much had thns been done to spread the principles of brotherly love , relief and truth all over the world . The spread of oharity had also been great . Their Board of Benevolence of their

Grand Lodge had distributed immense sums of money . Then there was the growth of their Great London Charities . And last , but not least , was the spread of Provincial Masonio Charities . Those had great olaims npon brethren . They were administered by themselves , cost nothing for palatial buildings or officers , were doing great good , and would be widely extended .

Throughout the eloquent address Bro . Hughan was frequently warmly applauded . At its close the Chairman announced that the lecturer would bo ready to answer any questions brethren might wish to put . r ; ¦ ¦ •«. Davies , while thanking the talented lecturer for the vast fund of information of a very interesting oharaoter with whioh he had favoured his brethren , thought there were still many

important points to clear up . Bro . Hughan had stated that the Order was originally Christian and required of candidates belief in the Great Architect of the Universe . Admitting those points , could the lecturer say when and how the Hebrew brethren were admitted into the Order , and how the Lodges in the East managed with the various beliefs there . With the Mahometans there might nob be any

difficulty , seeing that their belief in reference to the Deity resembled Unitarianism . Bnt what was done with the Hindoo believers in Brahma , Vishnu , & e ., and their Vidas and Buddhism , with its Dalai Lama . Bro . Hughan said there was ample evidence that the foundation of the Order was religions . It was not , however , sectarian now . if ever it was . All it required was the belief of the candidate

in the Great Creator of the Universe . They must take his statement of his belief in God . With that recognition , call the Diety by what name he liked , they were ready to admit him into the Order . Men of all religions were admissible , but not those who had none . With reference to the Israelitish brethren tbey were numerous . He considered them as Masons , and their Lodges some of the best in England . How far back their connection with Masonry dated he

oould not say . Some Masonio records would point to it as very ancient . Bro . Gifford said he considered it a most pleasing feature in Masonry when he saw a Jew as W . M . of a Lodge initiate a Christian Minister in that room . In reply to Bro . Foxwell , Bro . Hnghan said he did not consider tbe chivalric degrees were united with Masonry before 1813 ; and replied to Bro . Davies that there

were influential bodies now existing who olaim to be direct descendants of the Templars and the Hospitallers . In France there were customs in connection with Masonry so utterly repugnant to English notions , that there must be ohanges before there could be any harmony and friendliness with England .

The Chairman proposed a vote of thanks to the lecturer , which was seconded by Bro . Davies and supported by Bro . Foxwell on behalf of the Cornish brethren . Bro . Gover , on behalf of the Provincial Charities , thanked the lecturer for the attention he had drawn to their great value . —Western Morning News

On Tuesday evening last , Dr . Strong , Honorary Surgeon to the residents of the Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution , Bast Croydon , who has recently returned from America , after an absence of about nine weeks , invited the residents and friends to a most amusing lecture , at the Hall .

The entertainment comprised a description of Dr . Strongs travels , commencing at Liverpool , where he embarked on board the s . s . Vancouver , and back again to that port . The lecture abounded with humorous anecdotes and yankee mannerisms , with descriptions of scenery . Photographic

views of several of the places Dr . Strong had visited were also shown , and these afforded instrnction and amusement to those who were present , about sixty in all . Dr . Strong , with his talented daughter , are proficients on the violin ; they were assisted by Mrs . Strong , Miss Owen ( Piano ) , and

Mr . Owen ( Violoncello ) ; consequently , some excellent music was discoursed at intervals during the evening , thus affording to all a most enjoyable three hours'

amusement . Votes of thanks were most cordially given to Dr . Strong and those who had assisted , also to Miss Norris , the Matron , for her capital arrangements for the comfort of those present .

The Installation Meeting of the City of Westminster Lod" -e , No . 1563 , will take place on Thursday , 27 th inst ,, wheD , in accordance with resolution passed last meeting , the W . M . Bro . Bnrdett Coutts and Officers of The Abbey Lodge , Westminster , No . 2030 , have been invited to attend .