Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Reviews.
and 118 , 000 dollars respectively . There is , too , a full description of tho interior of tho Temple , its various halls and offices , and to close all , a portion of tho correspondence with other Grand Lodges , both American and of other countries , on tho subject of the opening ceremonials . The small remainder of the work contains a succinct
sketch of the History of the Craft in America . This is by no means the least valuable portion of the book , and to this , therefore , wo shall direct such further remarks as we have to offer . Oliver , in a footnote , p . 176 of his edition of Preston ' s Illustrations , and Findel , at p . 352 of his History of Freemasonry ( Bro . D . Murray
Lyon's Edition . 1871 . Ashcr and Co ., London ) , both fix tho date of the introduction of Freemasonry as 1733 , during the Grand Master , ship of Viscount Montagu , though the latter also states there are "intimations" of tho previous existence of a Lodge in New York , NOAV Jersey , and Pennsylvania , and that the first authority to establish
Lodges in these colonies was accorded in 1730 by G . M . the Duhe of Norfolk to Bro . Daniel Cox . Nevertheless , " he holds that the first reliable historical announcement of the existence of Freemasonry in America is to be found in Boston . " The compilers of this memorial , hoAvever , have concluded that the grant by the Duke of Norfolk may
be relied upon . The evidence they offer , if not conclusive to every mind , is eminently respectable . This is hardly the occasion we should choose for analysing the case as stated by the compilers , but these are the documents which they bring forward . Firstly , there is " the Deputation to Daniel Cos , Esquire , to be Provincial Grand Master of
the Provinces of NOAV York , New Jersey , ancl Peunsilvania , in America" under date of 5 th day of June 1730 and of Masonry 5730 . Then comes " the first printed evidence at present known of the introduction or existence of Freemasonry in America , " in the shape of the following extract from " tho first column of tho first page of
the Pennsylvania Gazette , No . 108 , December 8 , 1730 , printed by Benjamin Franklin : " " As there are several Lodges of Freemasons erected in the Province , and people have lately been ninch amused with conjectures concerning them , we think the following account of Freemasonry , from London , will not be unacceptable to our readers . "
We are then told that a letter , under date of 17 th November 175-1 , from a Bro . Henry Bell , of Lancaster , to a Bro . T . Cadwallader , in Philadelphia , is still in existence , in which the former writes -. — "As yon well know , I was one of the originators of the first Masonic Lodge in Philadelphia . A party of us used to meet at tho
Tun Tavern , in Water Street , and sometimes opened a Lodge there . Once , in tho fall of 1730 , we formed the design of obtaining a Charter for a regular Lodge , and made application to the Grand Lodge of England for one , but before receiving it , wo heard that Daniel Coxe , of New Jersey , had been appointed by that Grand
Lodge as Provincial Grand Master of New York , New Jersey , ancl Pennsylvania . We therefore made application to him , unci our request was granted . " The next evidence , is a notice taken from first column of tho fourth page of the "Pennsylvania Gazette , No . 187 , from Monday , 10 th June , to Monday , June 26 th 1732 . Philadelphia-.
printed by B . Franklin , at the printing ofjice near the Market . " This is to the following effect : — " PmiuVDiai'ni . v ., June 26 . " Saturday last , being St . John ' s Day , a Grand Lodge of the ancient and honourable society of FRKE AND ACCEPTED MASO . VS was
held at the Sun Tavern , in Water Street , when , after a handsome entertainment , the Worshipful W . Allen , Esq ., was unanimously chosen Grand Master of the Province for the year ensuing , who was pleased to appoint Mr . William Prinyle Deputy Master . Wardens chosen for the ensuing year were Thomas Bov . de and Benjamin Franklin . "
The last evidence is a letter dated 21 th November , 1731 , from Benjamin Franklin , as Grand Master of the Province of Pennsylvania , to Henry Price , Grand Master of New England , at Boston . This letter is published in the proceedings of the Grand Lodge of Massa . chusetts ( 1871 ) , and in it Franklin asks that " a Deputation or
Charter should be granted , corv / iriHMig the brethren in Pennsylvania in tho privileges they at present enjoy , of holding annually their Grand Lodge and choosing their Grand Master . " It is quite natural that tho compilers should havo stated the case so as , if possible , to induce conviction in the minds of their readers .
If their hypothesis could be established , then the Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania would be the oldest in the United States . But to embark in matters controversial in the review of such a Masonic volume as this were a little unseemly . Then follows an account of the various places at which Grand
Lodge held its meetings till the year 1751 , when it was determined to erect a Masonic Hall , known as the "Freemasons' Lodge . " The original subscription list , a facsimile of which is inserted iu this Memorial , is now in tho possession of tho Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania . Then is given an account of the issue of a Warrant , in 17 u !) ,
by tho Grand Lodge ( Ancients ) met at the Bells tavern , Lonuon , for tho establishment of a Provincial Grand Lodge at Philadelphia —for the schism had penetrated even to these remote regions . This Warrant was signed by Bro . Laurence Dermott , Grand Secretary 1752-70 . The original was sent by the hands of Bro . h ' -ad , but the
vessel on board which he sailed was captured , and the document lost . A second was mislaid , but the third , was more fortunate , aud suecoecu'd in reaching its destination . A facsimile of Grand Secretary Dcnr . otf ' s letter of explanation is annexed , and as it may be interesting to our readers , we quote it verbatim et Vtemtiro ;—
Reviews.
London Jauttarv lltn otdn Rt . Worshipful Sir Permit mo to return you my sincere thanks for your very kind letter and assure you that your Warrant has not been retarded thro any negligence or Omission of mine . This will be more evident when I declare upon the word of a Man that I havo wrote these Warrts .
for yon , tho first I delivered to tho then Grand Officers in the presence of Joseph Read ( of the lodge No- 2 ) who was the person that made application for it , and am told that the Ship and Warrant was taken by tho French—The Second Warrant I delivered to the Senv . Graud Warden ( now Deputy ) ancl he to his Servt- ancl from whouco God knows , all the account I can give of it is , that I suppose it was
mislaid and consequently lost , donbless you'll wonder why this seeming negligence , if so I beg leave to make a remark which you little expect—first I give you to understand that your application was made in a wrong Corner I mean tho Lodge No . 2 ( who wero oompos'd of very poor Mechanicks ( tho : honest men ) and Complain'd of a great hardship on them in subscribing 2 s . 6 pence each for the first
warrant that was sent to Philadelphia—there wero two Capital payments made of that great sum which did not amount in the whole to £ 2 14 0 ancl about 3 Shills . left unpaid to this day , however the brethren of Philadelphia refunded the Cash which doubtless was Joyfully Bec < l . Tho Second Application was made to No- 2 for a provincial Gd . Warrant without any notice taken of the Grand Lodge ,
however I was order'd to prepare the Warrant which I accordingly did and deliver'd it as above , and upon hearing that it was lost I Recti . Orders to make out another , which I accordingly did and deliver'd as before related . Brother Joseph Read having Reed- Money from Philadelphia to pay for provincial Gd . Warrant was call'd on to pay the same absolutely refused to pay one farthing until the Gd .
Officers would first produce a Receipt under your hand that you had Received tho said provincl- Grand Warrant . This being A Matter unprecedented as well as disagreeable in the proposal had a sensible effect upon Gentlemen who thought it not altogether Consistent with their duties as Gd- Officers to send ventures of Masonry abroad to persons who had a Warrant ( ancl consequently knew where and who
to address ) yet did not think it worth while to write to them . Hower now it is all over aud everything is made agreeable , aud I hope will continue so , between the Gd . Lodges of London ancl Phila . delphia . I shou'd not have mentioned these matters was it not that I think it my duty to give you the best intelligence in my power . But to Conclude . —I procured this last warrant and sent it per
Philadelphia Pacqnet Captain Baden tho Expense of the Wan-ant ancl Registry & c . comes to 3 10 6 . I havo also sent 1 Doz of Constitution Books sold in London at 5 s - a piece and One Book bound in blue Morocco and gilt which I beg you'll take care of for tho Owner whose Name you'll find in Gold letters in tho iuside of tho Cover .
I am with all due respect Rt- W . G . M : your devoted humble Servt . & u . L . iu : DEtUtOTT GS P : S . as this Letter is Design'd for your worship ' s perusal only , it is my earnest desire that you repeat no grievance . That you will do mo justice in Assuring the Society that next to God I love the Brotherhood .
And finally if you havo any business ( within my power to Transact in London , command me without reserve .
The history of tho Craft is thou continued through the War of Independence , aud subsequently to the erection of the New Masonic Hall , dedicated in 1811 , the cost of which was only a littlo short of 87 , 000 dollars . This , unfortunately , was " burned on March 9 th , 1819 , aud was a great loss to the Fraternity . " A / 1 tho old books unci papers , historical data , & c , of the Grand and Subordinate Lodges , with but
few exceptions , were destroyed . The Hal ] , however , was rebuilt , aud dedicated on 1 st March , 1820 . In 1852 the then Hall was found to bo totally inadequate for the purposes of the Craft , which had gone on increasing iu membership . It was accordingly resolved to erect a New Hall , iu the gothic style of architecture . The corner-stone was laid by the Graud Officers , & c , on 21 st November 1853 , and tho
building was dedicated on 26 th September 1855 , with full Masonio ceremonies , over four thousand brethren marching in the procession . And now this , which cost , altogether , over 185 , 000 dollars , has in its turn , and for the same reasons , given place to the New Masonic Temple , of which this volume is the Memorial . Some faint idea of the splendour of this Edifice may be formed from the description
of the " Corinthian Hall" where Grand Lodge meets , and which is one hundred and five feet long , fifty-one feet wide , and fifty feet high . " The Grandeur of this , the largest apartment iu tho Temple , inspires tho visitor the moment it is entered . Above is the broad sky li ght , made in square sections , with ornamental frosted glass between . On the left hand are four large windows , surmounted by a .
huge cornice , and divided by Corinthian columns . On the right hand similar columns , with the surmounting cornice circumscribe tho Waiden's Chair . In the east stands the oriental chair , made of cedarandwalnutjSet in a recess , and backed by a canopy . All round tho cornices arc surmounted by a scries of cove . ? , vaulting to the skylight line , festoons of flowers and leaves ornamenting tho columns below .
The brilliant light from the chandeliers , falling upon the blue plush and the red cedar of the furniture , and the uluo octagons and squares of tho carpet , adds to tho beauty . The altar stands in tho centre of the Hall , surrounded by the lights . This Hall is the representative of Freemasonry in every part , and its vast size , completeness , and grandeur give , it the firs ; place among the Lodge rooms of tho world . "
| The furniture is of wahmt and cedar , there are magnificent largo ; chandeliers and candelabra , and splendid decorations , in perfect keeping , and very artistically designed . The seats will accommodate ¦ four hundred Members . ' May tho Order to whose use it is devoted , go on nourishing in ¦ tho future tis in the po-i ' .
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Reviews.
and 118 , 000 dollars respectively . There is , too , a full description of tho interior of tho Temple , its various halls and offices , and to close all , a portion of tho correspondence with other Grand Lodges , both American and of other countries , on tho subject of the opening ceremonials . The small remainder of the work contains a succinct
sketch of the History of the Craft in America . This is by no means the least valuable portion of the book , and to this , therefore , wo shall direct such further remarks as we have to offer . Oliver , in a footnote , p . 176 of his edition of Preston ' s Illustrations , and Findel , at p . 352 of his History of Freemasonry ( Bro . D . Murray
Lyon's Edition . 1871 . Ashcr and Co ., London ) , both fix tho date of the introduction of Freemasonry as 1733 , during the Grand Master , ship of Viscount Montagu , though the latter also states there are "intimations" of tho previous existence of a Lodge in New York , NOAV Jersey , and Pennsylvania , and that the first authority to establish
Lodges in these colonies was accorded in 1730 by G . M . the Duhe of Norfolk to Bro . Daniel Cox . Nevertheless , " he holds that the first reliable historical announcement of the existence of Freemasonry in America is to be found in Boston . " The compilers of this memorial , hoAvever , have concluded that the grant by the Duke of Norfolk may
be relied upon . The evidence they offer , if not conclusive to every mind , is eminently respectable . This is hardly the occasion we should choose for analysing the case as stated by the compilers , but these are the documents which they bring forward . Firstly , there is " the Deputation to Daniel Cos , Esquire , to be Provincial Grand Master of
the Provinces of NOAV York , New Jersey , ancl Peunsilvania , in America" under date of 5 th day of June 1730 and of Masonry 5730 . Then comes " the first printed evidence at present known of the introduction or existence of Freemasonry in America , " in the shape of the following extract from " tho first column of tho first page of
the Pennsylvania Gazette , No . 108 , December 8 , 1730 , printed by Benjamin Franklin : " " As there are several Lodges of Freemasons erected in the Province , and people have lately been ninch amused with conjectures concerning them , we think the following account of Freemasonry , from London , will not be unacceptable to our readers . "
We are then told that a letter , under date of 17 th November 175-1 , from a Bro . Henry Bell , of Lancaster , to a Bro . T . Cadwallader , in Philadelphia , is still in existence , in which the former writes -. — "As yon well know , I was one of the originators of the first Masonic Lodge in Philadelphia . A party of us used to meet at tho
Tun Tavern , in Water Street , and sometimes opened a Lodge there . Once , in tho fall of 1730 , we formed the design of obtaining a Charter for a regular Lodge , and made application to the Grand Lodge of England for one , but before receiving it , wo heard that Daniel Coxe , of New Jersey , had been appointed by that Grand
Lodge as Provincial Grand Master of New York , New Jersey , ancl Pennsylvania . We therefore made application to him , unci our request was granted . " The next evidence , is a notice taken from first column of tho fourth page of the "Pennsylvania Gazette , No . 187 , from Monday , 10 th June , to Monday , June 26 th 1732 . Philadelphia-.
printed by B . Franklin , at the printing ofjice near the Market . " This is to the following effect : — " PmiuVDiai'ni . v ., June 26 . " Saturday last , being St . John ' s Day , a Grand Lodge of the ancient and honourable society of FRKE AND ACCEPTED MASO . VS was
held at the Sun Tavern , in Water Street , when , after a handsome entertainment , the Worshipful W . Allen , Esq ., was unanimously chosen Grand Master of the Province for the year ensuing , who was pleased to appoint Mr . William Prinyle Deputy Master . Wardens chosen for the ensuing year were Thomas Bov . de and Benjamin Franklin . "
The last evidence is a letter dated 21 th November , 1731 , from Benjamin Franklin , as Grand Master of the Province of Pennsylvania , to Henry Price , Grand Master of New England , at Boston . This letter is published in the proceedings of the Grand Lodge of Massa . chusetts ( 1871 ) , and in it Franklin asks that " a Deputation or
Charter should be granted , corv / iriHMig the brethren in Pennsylvania in tho privileges they at present enjoy , of holding annually their Grand Lodge and choosing their Grand Master . " It is quite natural that tho compilers should havo stated the case so as , if possible , to induce conviction in the minds of their readers .
If their hypothesis could be established , then the Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania would be the oldest in the United States . But to embark in matters controversial in the review of such a Masonic volume as this were a little unseemly . Then follows an account of the various places at which Grand
Lodge held its meetings till the year 1751 , when it was determined to erect a Masonic Hall , known as the "Freemasons' Lodge . " The original subscription list , a facsimile of which is inserted iu this Memorial , is now in tho possession of tho Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania . Then is given an account of the issue of a Warrant , in 17 u !) ,
by tho Grand Lodge ( Ancients ) met at the Bells tavern , Lonuon , for tho establishment of a Provincial Grand Lodge at Philadelphia —for the schism had penetrated even to these remote regions . This Warrant was signed by Bro . Laurence Dermott , Grand Secretary 1752-70 . The original was sent by the hands of Bro . h ' -ad , but the
vessel on board which he sailed was captured , and the document lost . A second was mislaid , but the third , was more fortunate , aud suecoecu'd in reaching its destination . A facsimile of Grand Secretary Dcnr . otf ' s letter of explanation is annexed , and as it may be interesting to our readers , we quote it verbatim et Vtemtiro ;—
Reviews.
London Jauttarv lltn otdn Rt . Worshipful Sir Permit mo to return you my sincere thanks for your very kind letter and assure you that your Warrant has not been retarded thro any negligence or Omission of mine . This will be more evident when I declare upon the word of a Man that I havo wrote these Warrts .
for yon , tho first I delivered to tho then Grand Officers in the presence of Joseph Read ( of the lodge No- 2 ) who was the person that made application for it , and am told that the Ship and Warrant was taken by tho French—The Second Warrant I delivered to the Senv . Graud Warden ( now Deputy ) ancl he to his Servt- ancl from whouco God knows , all the account I can give of it is , that I suppose it was
mislaid and consequently lost , donbless you'll wonder why this seeming negligence , if so I beg leave to make a remark which you little expect—first I give you to understand that your application was made in a wrong Corner I mean tho Lodge No . 2 ( who wero oompos'd of very poor Mechanicks ( tho : honest men ) and Complain'd of a great hardship on them in subscribing 2 s . 6 pence each for the first
warrant that was sent to Philadelphia—there wero two Capital payments made of that great sum which did not amount in the whole to £ 2 14 0 ancl about 3 Shills . left unpaid to this day , however the brethren of Philadelphia refunded the Cash which doubtless was Joyfully Bec < l . Tho Second Application was made to No- 2 for a provincial Gd . Warrant without any notice taken of the Grand Lodge ,
however I was order'd to prepare the Warrant which I accordingly did and deliver'd it as above , and upon hearing that it was lost I Recti . Orders to make out another , which I accordingly did and deliver'd as before related . Brother Joseph Read having Reed- Money from Philadelphia to pay for provincial Gd . Warrant was call'd on to pay the same absolutely refused to pay one farthing until the Gd .
Officers would first produce a Receipt under your hand that you had Received tho said provincl- Grand Warrant . This being A Matter unprecedented as well as disagreeable in the proposal had a sensible effect upon Gentlemen who thought it not altogether Consistent with their duties as Gd- Officers to send ventures of Masonry abroad to persons who had a Warrant ( ancl consequently knew where and who
to address ) yet did not think it worth while to write to them . Hower now it is all over aud everything is made agreeable , aud I hope will continue so , between the Gd . Lodges of London ancl Phila . delphia . I shou'd not have mentioned these matters was it not that I think it my duty to give you the best intelligence in my power . But to Conclude . —I procured this last warrant and sent it per
Philadelphia Pacqnet Captain Baden tho Expense of the Wan-ant ancl Registry & c . comes to 3 10 6 . I havo also sent 1 Doz of Constitution Books sold in London at 5 s - a piece and One Book bound in blue Morocco and gilt which I beg you'll take care of for tho Owner whose Name you'll find in Gold letters in tho iuside of tho Cover .
I am with all due respect Rt- W . G . M : your devoted humble Servt . & u . L . iu : DEtUtOTT GS P : S . as this Letter is Design'd for your worship ' s perusal only , it is my earnest desire that you repeat no grievance . That you will do mo justice in Assuring the Society that next to God I love the Brotherhood .
And finally if you havo any business ( within my power to Transact in London , command me without reserve .
The history of tho Craft is thou continued through the War of Independence , aud subsequently to the erection of the New Masonic Hall , dedicated in 1811 , the cost of which was only a littlo short of 87 , 000 dollars . This , unfortunately , was " burned on March 9 th , 1819 , aud was a great loss to the Fraternity . " A / 1 tho old books unci papers , historical data , & c , of the Grand and Subordinate Lodges , with but
few exceptions , were destroyed . The Hal ] , however , was rebuilt , aud dedicated on 1 st March , 1820 . In 1852 the then Hall was found to bo totally inadequate for the purposes of the Craft , which had gone on increasing iu membership . It was accordingly resolved to erect a New Hall , iu the gothic style of architecture . The corner-stone was laid by the Graud Officers , & c , on 21 st November 1853 , and tho
building was dedicated on 26 th September 1855 , with full Masonio ceremonies , over four thousand brethren marching in the procession . And now this , which cost , altogether , over 185 , 000 dollars , has in its turn , and for the same reasons , given place to the New Masonic Temple , of which this volume is the Memorial . Some faint idea of the splendour of this Edifice may be formed from the description
of the " Corinthian Hall" where Grand Lodge meets , and which is one hundred and five feet long , fifty-one feet wide , and fifty feet high . " The Grandeur of this , the largest apartment iu tho Temple , inspires tho visitor the moment it is entered . Above is the broad sky li ght , made in square sections , with ornamental frosted glass between . On the left hand are four large windows , surmounted by a .
huge cornice , and divided by Corinthian columns . On the right hand similar columns , with the surmounting cornice circumscribe tho Waiden's Chair . In the east stands the oriental chair , made of cedarandwalnutjSet in a recess , and backed by a canopy . All round tho cornices arc surmounted by a scries of cove . ? , vaulting to the skylight line , festoons of flowers and leaves ornamenting tho columns below .
The brilliant light from the chandeliers , falling upon the blue plush and the red cedar of the furniture , and the uluo octagons and squares of tho carpet , adds to tho beauty . The altar stands in tho centre of the Hall , surrounded by the lights . This Hall is the representative of Freemasonry in every part , and its vast size , completeness , and grandeur give , it the firs ; place among the Lodge rooms of tho world . "
| The furniture is of wahmt and cedar , there are magnificent largo ; chandeliers and candelabra , and splendid decorations , in perfect keeping , and very artistically designed . The seats will accommodate ¦ four hundred Members . ' May tho Order to whose use it is devoted , go on nourishing in ¦ tho future tis in the po-i ' .