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Article HISTORY OF FREEMASONRY IN LEICESTERSHIRE AND RUTLAND. ← Page 2 of 2 Article THE LANDMARKS OF FREEMASONRY. Page 1 of 3 →
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History Of Freemasonry In Leicestershire And Rutland.
being in addition to the payments from Lodges previously agreed to be levied , in order to provide collars and jewels , Avhich up to this period the Province had been without . On tho 24 th July 1844 a Prov . G . Lodge Avas held at Loughborough , tho time and placo having been fixed in
order to meet the convenience of Lord Rancliffe , but his Lordship did not arrive till the business of the day was OA'er , though he Avas in ample time to preside at tho banquet . Then , in his absence , and as the D . P . G . M . Avas
compelled to leave immediately after tho Lodge had been opened , the chair Avas taken by Bro . W . Kelly , Prov . J . G . Warden , and by him Bro . W . Grimes Palmer , M . R . C . S ., Avho , AVC are told , is believed to be its only surviving member , Avas installed as W . Master of the now defunct
Rancliffe Lodge , there being no other member thereof present . At this time , indeed , Freemasonry Avas virtually confined to tho St . John ' s Lodge . At this very meeting of the P . G . L . a letter from Bro , Edward Mammatfc Avas read , to the effect that the members of the Ivanhoo Lodge
Avere all dispersed , and that there Avas not the slightest chance of the Lodge being revived . Under these circumstances , it was ordered that the Warrant should be returned if the Lodge Avas not re-opened in six months . As regards the Rancliffe , since the beginning of 1839 there
had been no meeting afcAvhich seven members Avere present , tho numbers being usually three , four , or five , while afc Hinckley there had been no initiation or joining for four years . Matters , however , improved in a short time . On tho 16 th March 1846 , a Warrant Avas granted to Bro .
Kelly , Earl Howe , and other brethren , to form a second Lodge at Leicester , and on the llfch May 184 G , a Prov . G . Lodge Avas held iu the Exchange , for the purposo of consecrating it by the stylo and title of the John of Gaunt Lodge . This ceremony , as Avell as that of installing Bro .
Kelly as the first W . M ., was performed b y Sir F . G . FoAvke , in the absence of Lord Rancliffe , Bro . Laivreiice Thompson and tho Rev . T . Burnaby giving him tho benefit of tbei ' r assistance . Ifc is noted as probably a circumstance which is unique iu the
annals of Freemasonry , that tho Warrant which Avas granted to , among other brethren , Earl Howe , bears the signature of that nobleman iu his capacity as D . G . Master . The New Lodge prospered amazingly , ( hero being no less than twenty-six initiations during the first year , and two
brethren joined it . The completion of tho first year Avas accordingly celebrated on the 4 th February 1847 , by a grand Masonic Ball , afc which some two hundred ladies and gentlemen were present , the expenses beinsr defrayed by the members of the St . John ' s and John of Gaunt Lodges .
On the 30 th August of the same year tho Prov . Grand Lodge met at the Bell ,. Leicester , the chair bein ^ occupied by Bro . Lawrence Thompson , of London , P . G . D ., in the unavoidable absence of the D . P . G . M ., Lord Rancliffe arriving in time to preside at the banquet . In fact , Lord
Rancliffe s presidency over the Court appears to us to have been a complete farce . From the clay in 1835 , when the Rancliffe Lod . ^ o Avas consecrated , to tho day of his death in 1851 , his Lordshi p Avas never once present in P . G . Lodge , and not only this , but his liberality must have
been on a par with his regularity , if we may judge from the fact that from 1833 to 1848 he never paid his subscri ptions to St . John ' s Lodge , and then his arrears were Aviped off the Lodge books on the ground that he Avas a member by virtue of his office . The Avondcr is , that , under these
circumstances , Freemasonry got on as Avell as ifc did . Happily there Avere a few choice spirits , such as Sir F . G . Fowke , Earl Howe , and Bro . W . Kelly , AVIIO Avorked under great discouragement Avith a will , and Avith a success they well deserved ; and HOAV Ave rejoice to say the Province , though
by no means a large one , holds an honoured place in the ranks of our English Craft . One other event which deserves notice happened during the Mastership of Lord Rancliffe . Bro . Henry Harding , Master of the John of Gaunt Lodge , having , after a brief illness , died of t yphus fever , cau ^ htTin
the discharge of his duty as house surgeon in the Leicester Infirmary , Avas , on the 1 st December 1848 , buried Avith Masonic ceremonies , a Prov . Grand Lodge , under the presidency of Bro . Pettifor P . G . S . W . as Prov . Grand Master . A resolution of condolence Avas also na ^ sed .
but no minutes of ( lie Proceedings Avere entered in Prov . Grand Lodge Books , aud the onl y recoid of the event is to be found in tho books of the John of Gaunt Lodge . ( To be continued . )
The Landmarks Of Freemasonry.
THE LANDMARKS OF FREEMASONRY .
An Address delivered to tho Membors of tbe Eboracnm Lodge of Freemasons , No . 1611 , York , 27 th February 1878 , by Buo . T . 15 . WHITEHEAD , W . M . BUETIIKEX , —Thero can be few members of our ancionfc and vener . able Order , however young ( in a Masonic sense ) , who havo not heard mention made of tho Landmarks of Freemasonry . Probably most of
us are aware that these so-called " Landmarks " aro institutions of some importance , but I shall not bo very much ia error in supposing that fow present this evening could exactly define theso same Landmarks , aud enumerate them in detail . I hope you will therefore bear with mo for a few minutes whilst I endeavour to lay before you in a summarised form the results of tho labours of some of our great
Masonic Teachers on this pomt . It seems scarcely necessary for mo to define the meauing of tho term " Landmark . " In ancient times ( as in new or thinly populated countries at tho present day ) stones or cairns wore placed in various prominent positions , and served iu lieu of fences to mark tho boundaries of lands . In tho volumo of tho Sacred Law mention is
repeatedly niado of Landmarks of this description , and a curse is invoked on him that romoveth his neighbour ' s landmark . Now , iu Freemasonry , ono of tho first items of instruction that falls upon tho ears of the nowly onlightened candidate is that tho compasses aro to keep us within duo bouucls with ail mankind , and especially with our brethren in Freemasonry . But how aro wo to uso tho compasses iu
this metaphorical sense , unless we aro in possession of tho knowledge of our boundaries and their extent , or , in other words , with our ancient Landmarks ? It is only within tho last few years that these Landmarks have been categorically laid down , although thoy havo existed from time immemorial in tho Constitutions and practical workiug of tho Order .
Several learned Masonic Students set to work a few years since to analyse tho Old Charges and Constitr . tions , and from this process they obtained a very valuable result , which I am now about to place before you . Most investigators seem to bo pretty well agreed that tho Landmarks of the Order may bo all included uuder tho following twenty-live heads : —
1 . The methods of recognition . You may easily see how important a point is this , for if we were in tho least degree to alter theso methods what dire confusion must inevitably ensue . Genuine brethren would fail to make themselves known , whilst tho uncertainty prevailing would expose the sanctity of our Lodges to the intrusion of tho cowan and tho profane .
i ! . The division of Craft Masonry into Three Degrees , including the Holy Hoyul Arch . Tho Royal Arch , though frequently spoken of as a separate degree , is really no such thiug , but is the complement of the Master ' s or Third Degree . As Lord Zetland said , in my hearing , when he was exalted : —No ono could fairly call himself a thorough Mason until liehiid tak ' . 'ii tho Royal Arch . Originally it doubtless formed
part of the Master's Detrreo , but was separated from it and its ceremonies extended by brelhieii who desired to multiply degrees . Iu 1813 , the Grand Lod g" of England declared it to bo part and parcel of tin : Third Degree , though separately worked . This Landmark is of the last importance in days when there is a great revival of lougforgolten degrees , and when thero is a disposition to import them into Craft Masnnrv .
3 . The Legend of the Third Degree—that is to siy tho death and subsequent restoration of tho leader of tho Order , represented by tho candidate or aspirant . It may be , and i .- * , a matter for dispute , and a most interesting field for investigation it affords , a 3 to the far remoto origin of our ceremonies , but wherever wo seek them , whether amongst tho ancient Egyptians , tho Ti djvlouiaus , tho Greeks , tho
Assyrians , tho Romans , tho Dinids , the Essoncs , tho Druses , oven the early Christians themselves , we still find tho germ of the Avhole thing to bo the death and resurrection of the founder . Had I time even to glance at tho ceremonies of the various secret societies which existed amongst all nations even in the most remote antiquity , you would be surprised , if you arc not already aware of the facts , with
the very closo resemblanco existing between ourselves and all of them j iu point of fact , ono might almost say that tho difference is in little more than nomenclature and detail . 4 . The Government of the Fraternity by a G . M . elected from the Body of the Craft . This Landmark represents a very important principle , that of self-government . From time immemorial there have beeu
Grand Masters ; in fact , long before there was any Grand Lodge , this being quite a modern institution . Although Masons mot both in York and Loudon before the revival , no one ever heard of a Grand Lodge until 1717 , and until after ono was formed in London there is uo authentic record of tho existence of one at York ; of none , at least , that arrogated to itself any jurisdiction over other Lodges .
5 . The G . M . 's prerogative to preside over any assemblage of Masons at any time or place . In other words , tho G . M . represont 3 in himself the entire government of tho Order , aud just a 3 tho W . M . of a private Lodge is absolute and is accountable to none save the Grand Master ( who is represented in provinces and districts by tho P . G . M . or D . G . M . ) , so the G . M . is absolute in the Craft , and is only accountable to tho G . M . O . T . U .
G . The prerogative of the CM , ' , to grant Dispensations is of tho last importance as a Landmark , since it existed long before tho Constitutions of the Order in England enacted that a month should elapse between the conferring of the several degrees . The G . M . can , if ho chooses , dispense with this law , and allow a candidate to be initiated , passed , and raised , ai ! at the same time if ho so pleases . 7 . The Seventh Landmark is somewhat of the same nature . It is
the prerogative o ; the G . M . to give dispensations f . r opening and holding Lodges ; in other words , he may grant to a sufficient number of Masons , the right of meeting at a certain place and conferring degrees upon certain individuals . This prerogative , like the next one , has very seldom been exercised , —never , probably , save iu the case of the introduction into the Order of a Royal candidate .
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
History Of Freemasonry In Leicestershire And Rutland.
being in addition to the payments from Lodges previously agreed to be levied , in order to provide collars and jewels , Avhich up to this period the Province had been without . On tho 24 th July 1844 a Prov . G . Lodge Avas held at Loughborough , tho time and placo having been fixed in
order to meet the convenience of Lord Rancliffe , but his Lordship did not arrive till the business of the day was OA'er , though he Avas in ample time to preside at tho banquet . Then , in his absence , and as the D . P . G . M . Avas
compelled to leave immediately after tho Lodge had been opened , the chair Avas taken by Bro . W . Kelly , Prov . J . G . Warden , and by him Bro . W . Grimes Palmer , M . R . C . S ., Avho , AVC are told , is believed to be its only surviving member , Avas installed as W . Master of the now defunct
Rancliffe Lodge , there being no other member thereof present . At this time , indeed , Freemasonry Avas virtually confined to tho St . John ' s Lodge . At this very meeting of the P . G . L . a letter from Bro , Edward Mammatfc Avas read , to the effect that the members of the Ivanhoo Lodge
Avere all dispersed , and that there Avas not the slightest chance of the Lodge being revived . Under these circumstances , it was ordered that the Warrant should be returned if the Lodge Avas not re-opened in six months . As regards the Rancliffe , since the beginning of 1839 there
had been no meeting afcAvhich seven members Avere present , tho numbers being usually three , four , or five , while afc Hinckley there had been no initiation or joining for four years . Matters , however , improved in a short time . On tho 16 th March 1846 , a Warrant Avas granted to Bro .
Kelly , Earl Howe , and other brethren , to form a second Lodge at Leicester , and on the llfch May 184 G , a Prov . G . Lodge Avas held iu the Exchange , for the purposo of consecrating it by the stylo and title of the John of Gaunt Lodge . This ceremony , as Avell as that of installing Bro .
Kelly as the first W . M ., was performed b y Sir F . G . FoAvke , in the absence of Lord Rancliffe , Bro . Laivreiice Thompson and tho Rev . T . Burnaby giving him tho benefit of tbei ' r assistance . Ifc is noted as probably a circumstance which is unique iu the
annals of Freemasonry , that tho Warrant which Avas granted to , among other brethren , Earl Howe , bears the signature of that nobleman iu his capacity as D . G . Master . The New Lodge prospered amazingly , ( hero being no less than twenty-six initiations during the first year , and two
brethren joined it . The completion of tho first year Avas accordingly celebrated on the 4 th February 1847 , by a grand Masonic Ball , afc which some two hundred ladies and gentlemen were present , the expenses beinsr defrayed by the members of the St . John ' s and John of Gaunt Lodges .
On the 30 th August of the same year tho Prov . Grand Lodge met at the Bell ,. Leicester , the chair bein ^ occupied by Bro . Lawrence Thompson , of London , P . G . D ., in the unavoidable absence of the D . P . G . M ., Lord Rancliffe arriving in time to preside at the banquet . In fact , Lord
Rancliffe s presidency over the Court appears to us to have been a complete farce . From the clay in 1835 , when the Rancliffe Lod . ^ o Avas consecrated , to tho day of his death in 1851 , his Lordshi p Avas never once present in P . G . Lodge , and not only this , but his liberality must have
been on a par with his regularity , if we may judge from the fact that from 1833 to 1848 he never paid his subscri ptions to St . John ' s Lodge , and then his arrears were Aviped off the Lodge books on the ground that he Avas a member by virtue of his office . The Avondcr is , that , under these
circumstances , Freemasonry got on as Avell as ifc did . Happily there Avere a few choice spirits , such as Sir F . G . Fowke , Earl Howe , and Bro . W . Kelly , AVIIO Avorked under great discouragement Avith a will , and Avith a success they well deserved ; and HOAV Ave rejoice to say the Province , though
by no means a large one , holds an honoured place in the ranks of our English Craft . One other event which deserves notice happened during the Mastership of Lord Rancliffe . Bro . Henry Harding , Master of the John of Gaunt Lodge , having , after a brief illness , died of t yphus fever , cau ^ htTin
the discharge of his duty as house surgeon in the Leicester Infirmary , Avas , on the 1 st December 1848 , buried Avith Masonic ceremonies , a Prov . Grand Lodge , under the presidency of Bro . Pettifor P . G . S . W . as Prov . Grand Master . A resolution of condolence Avas also na ^ sed .
but no minutes of ( lie Proceedings Avere entered in Prov . Grand Lodge Books , aud the onl y recoid of the event is to be found in tho books of the John of Gaunt Lodge . ( To be continued . )
The Landmarks Of Freemasonry.
THE LANDMARKS OF FREEMASONRY .
An Address delivered to tho Membors of tbe Eboracnm Lodge of Freemasons , No . 1611 , York , 27 th February 1878 , by Buo . T . 15 . WHITEHEAD , W . M . BUETIIKEX , —Thero can be few members of our ancionfc and vener . able Order , however young ( in a Masonic sense ) , who havo not heard mention made of tho Landmarks of Freemasonry . Probably most of
us are aware that these so-called " Landmarks " aro institutions of some importance , but I shall not bo very much ia error in supposing that fow present this evening could exactly define theso same Landmarks , aud enumerate them in detail . I hope you will therefore bear with mo for a few minutes whilst I endeavour to lay before you in a summarised form the results of tho labours of some of our great
Masonic Teachers on this pomt . It seems scarcely necessary for mo to define the meauing of tho term " Landmark . " In ancient times ( as in new or thinly populated countries at tho present day ) stones or cairns wore placed in various prominent positions , and served iu lieu of fences to mark tho boundaries of lands . In tho volumo of tho Sacred Law mention is
repeatedly niado of Landmarks of this description , and a curse is invoked on him that romoveth his neighbour ' s landmark . Now , iu Freemasonry , ono of tho first items of instruction that falls upon tho ears of the nowly onlightened candidate is that tho compasses aro to keep us within duo bouucls with ail mankind , and especially with our brethren in Freemasonry . But how aro wo to uso tho compasses iu
this metaphorical sense , unless we aro in possession of tho knowledge of our boundaries and their extent , or , in other words , with our ancient Landmarks ? It is only within tho last few years that these Landmarks have been categorically laid down , although thoy havo existed from time immemorial in tho Constitutions and practical workiug of tho Order .
Several learned Masonic Students set to work a few years since to analyse tho Old Charges and Constitr . tions , and from this process they obtained a very valuable result , which I am now about to place before you . Most investigators seem to bo pretty well agreed that tho Landmarks of the Order may bo all included uuder tho following twenty-live heads : —
1 . The methods of recognition . You may easily see how important a point is this , for if we were in tho least degree to alter theso methods what dire confusion must inevitably ensue . Genuine brethren would fail to make themselves known , whilst tho uncertainty prevailing would expose the sanctity of our Lodges to the intrusion of tho cowan and tho profane .
i ! . The division of Craft Masonry into Three Degrees , including the Holy Hoyul Arch . Tho Royal Arch , though frequently spoken of as a separate degree , is really no such thiug , but is the complement of the Master ' s or Third Degree . As Lord Zetland said , in my hearing , when he was exalted : —No ono could fairly call himself a thorough Mason until liehiid tak ' . 'ii tho Royal Arch . Originally it doubtless formed
part of the Master's Detrreo , but was separated from it and its ceremonies extended by brelhieii who desired to multiply degrees . Iu 1813 , the Grand Lod g" of England declared it to bo part and parcel of tin : Third Degree , though separately worked . This Landmark is of the last importance in days when there is a great revival of lougforgolten degrees , and when thero is a disposition to import them into Craft Masnnrv .
3 . The Legend of the Third Degree—that is to siy tho death and subsequent restoration of tho leader of tho Order , represented by tho candidate or aspirant . It may be , and i .- * , a matter for dispute , and a most interesting field for investigation it affords , a 3 to the far remoto origin of our ceremonies , but wherever wo seek them , whether amongst tho ancient Egyptians , tho Ti djvlouiaus , tho Greeks , tho
Assyrians , tho Romans , tho Dinids , the Essoncs , tho Druses , oven the early Christians themselves , we still find tho germ of the Avhole thing to bo the death and resurrection of the founder . Had I time even to glance at tho ceremonies of the various secret societies which existed amongst all nations even in the most remote antiquity , you would be surprised , if you arc not already aware of the facts , with
the very closo resemblanco existing between ourselves and all of them j iu point of fact , ono might almost say that tho difference is in little more than nomenclature and detail . 4 . The Government of the Fraternity by a G . M . elected from the Body of the Craft . This Landmark represents a very important principle , that of self-government . From time immemorial there have beeu
Grand Masters ; in fact , long before there was any Grand Lodge , this being quite a modern institution . Although Masons mot both in York and Loudon before the revival , no one ever heard of a Grand Lodge until 1717 , and until after ono was formed in London there is uo authentic record of tho existence of one at York ; of none , at least , that arrogated to itself any jurisdiction over other Lodges .
5 . The G . M . 's prerogative to preside over any assemblage of Masons at any time or place . In other words , tho G . M . represont 3 in himself the entire government of tho Order , aud just a 3 tho W . M . of a private Lodge is absolute and is accountable to none save the Grand Master ( who is represented in provinces and districts by tho P . G . M . or D . G . M . ) , so the G . M . is absolute in the Craft , and is only accountable to tho G . M . O . T . U .
G . The prerogative of the CM , ' , to grant Dispensations is of tho last importance as a Landmark , since it existed long before tho Constitutions of the Order in England enacted that a month should elapse between the conferring of the several degrees . The G . M . can , if ho chooses , dispense with this law , and allow a candidate to be initiated , passed , and raised , ai ! at the same time if ho so pleases . 7 . The Seventh Landmark is somewhat of the same nature . It is
the prerogative o ; the G . M . to give dispensations f . r opening and holding Lodges ; in other words , he may grant to a sufficient number of Masons , the right of meeting at a certain place and conferring degrees upon certain individuals . This prerogative , like the next one , has very seldom been exercised , —never , probably , save iu the case of the introduction into the Order of a Royal candidate .