Lodge Histories.

LODGE HISTORIES .

— : o : — History of the Lodge of Belief , No . 42 , of tho Antient and Honourable Fraternity of Free and Accepted Masons , Bury , Lancashire , warranted on the Third of July , 1733 , giving a Complete List of Worshipful Masters and Roll of Members from its Formation , compiled by Bro . Edward A . Evans , J . W . of the Lodge , in Commemoration of its . Sesqni-Contenuial , July 3 rd , 1883 ; together with an

Introductory Notice by Bro . J . Newton P . M . 37 , P . Prov . S . G . Deacon E . L . ( Compiler of " History of Lodgo of Antiquity , No . 146 , & c" ) ; and a List of " Moderns " Lodges in Lancashire prior to the Union in 1813 , by Bro . G . P . Brockbank W . M . 37 , P . Prov . S . G . Deacon E . L . ( Compiler of " History of St . John ' s Lodge , No . 221 , & o . " ) Bury : Printed at the Hope Office by Bro . 0 . C . Crompton , 1883 .

THE author of this Lodgo History , though but a young Masoon evidently takes a deep interest in studying the earlier Masnic , Records . We arrive at the conclusion that Bro . Edward A . Evans is a young Mason from tho fact that he is described as the Junior Warden of his Lodge , and wo heartily congratulate him upon the interesting details he has placed before us . Wo have so often

pressed upon Craftsmen the necessity and advantages to be gained by a careful perusal of tho books in possession of many of our old Lodges , that it goes without saying wo are pleased to enrol Bro . Evans amongst Masonic students , happily au energetic and increasing body . The author has secured the co-operation of two most enthusiastic Masons , in Bros . J . Newton , P . M . 37 , and * G . Parker Brockbank ,

W . M . of tho samo Lodge , both of whom have done good suit and service as Lodgo Historians . " Bro . Newton has written a most interesting introduction to Bro . Evans ' s book ; wo have , however , only space for a brief extract or two , but we cordially recommend our readers not to lose the opportunity thus offered them for acquiring a knowledge of the traditions of our Order . Speaking of

tbe Bye-Lwa of 1734 , Bro . Newton says , " These aro ab ontie curious and interesting , it would seem that an additional feo was charged to a Brother on his being raised to the third degree . . The same custom prevailed in 'The Anchor and Hope' Lodge , Bolton , and probably in other Lodges , also , at that period . The Byelaws of 1731 , and subsequent Byelaws adopted by the Lodge , show that tho Lodge

partook of tho nature of a Sick and Burial Society at the earlier portion of its existence , as evidenced by the provision made for payments of Sick and Funeral Allowances . " With regard to the present status of the Lodge , Bro . Newton says : " Relief occupies the position of second oldest Lodge in Lancashire , the senior being the Anchor and Hope Lodge , No . 37 , and

like that Lodge the Lodge of Relief has continued to meet in the town where it was originally constituted during the whole period of its existence , extending from 1733 to 1883 , or 150 years , a fact of which its members may justly feel proud . " After referring to the establishment of a Royal Arch Chapter , by some of the members of the Lodgo of Relief , in 1769 , " three of

whom attended the Anchor and Hope Lodge at Bolton , in January of that year , in order to have the R . A . degree conferred npon them , " and recording that their Chapter is still in existence , Bro . Newton concludes his introductory remarks with the following well deserved expressions of praise : — " Bro . Evans has so carefully noted down the various points of interest worthy of being recorded , that I now leave

his history to speak for itself , at the same time commending it not only to the attention of all the members of his Lodge , but also to the Craft in general , especially to the ever-increasing number of Masonio students . It is only by means of compilations of this kind that we can hope to see an authentic and complete account of our Institn . tion . "

Having thns dismissed the portion of work allotted to our respected Bro . Newton , we now come to Bro . Evans ' s labours . Ho has divided his book into six chapters , the first of which gives a copy of the Petition to tbe Grand Master , the Rt . Hon . Earl of Strathmore , praying that a Deputation may be granted to " * our right Worshipful Bro . Mr . Edward Entwistlo " for consolidating the petitioners into a regular Lodge . This document ia signed bv

LAU : PLANT M . GEORE LEIGH JOHN HEY S . W . Roc * - BOOTH W . LOE J . W . ' ED .- CLARK Then follows a certificate of recommendation , which appears to have been signed by the first W . M . and Wardens of the Anchor aud Hope Lodge , Bolton . This we quote in full : — "These are to Certif y

the Right Hon . the Earl of Strathmore Grand Master , Thos . Batson Esq . Depnty Grand , & James Smith & John Ward Esqrs . Grand Wardens , yr Bro " . Lau : Plant John Hey & c . who are subscribers to the Petition are regularly made Masons thorowly as the Constitutions direct as Witness our Hands the sixth Day of June in tho Year of Our Lord 1733 .

ED . ENTWISLE M * JOHN FISH / WICK S . W . RORT . BROWN J . W . " In due course the prayer of the petitioners was granted , and , as a matter of course , the Warrant is fully set out in tho pages of tho History . It appears from a footnote that the " Warrant is 8 i in .

wide by 11 $ in . long , and although it was not framed until 23 rd April , 1818 , is in an excellent state of preservation , the seal , although cracked , is otherwise perfect . The cost of framing tho warrant was 2 / 3 . " With respect to this seal , it is stated to be " tho official seal of the 'Moderns ' Grand Lodgo . Tho Shield contains the following Emblems or Arms , —a Chevron , charged with a pair of Com-

Lodge Histories.

passes open chevronwisf , between Three Towers embattled . Crest , — Upon tho Helmet of Nobility , a Dove with wings close . Supporters , —Two Beavers . Motto , — ' In the beginning waa the Word , ' expressed iu Greek characters . " Bro . Hughan has remarked of this seal that "he never met with such an ono before , and that it clearly refers to the third degree

before the Royal Arch was adopted . " Tho Bye-laws aro next dealt with by our author ; thoso first made bear dato St . John ' s Day 1734 , and provide , in the preamble , that the brethren " meet at tho House of Mr . John Hoy ' s , being yo Sign of tho Red Lyon , in Bury , in tho County of Lancaster . " No . 1 stipulates that the brethren "hold a Qnarterly

Communication at the House of tho sd John Key ' s ( viz . ) , upon tho usuall Feast Days , or Times , of St . John tho Evangelist , the Annunciation of tbo Blessed Virgin Mary , St . John Baptist , and St . Michaell the Arch Angell , by two o'clock in the afternoon of tho same Days , unless any of the said Days happen to fall upon a Sunday , thon upon the day following , upon pain of forfeiting twelve pence . "

No . 2 provides for the holding of monthly meetings ; Nos . 3 and 4 regulate the conduct of the brethren , while No . 5 provides for the enforcement of a rule which at tho present day is too frequentl y disregarded . Wo quote it in full : — " 5 . —That no Candidate shall bo admitted a Member of this Society without giving the Notice tho Constitutions direct , and at

tho time of admitting first pay , half a Guinea , and when he is ad . mitted Masterf pay further tho sum of Five Shillings and Three pence . " No . 6 stipulates that all tho brethren present shall be consenting parties to the admission of a now member . No . 7 regulates the fees to be paid : '' Every Member of this Society

at all and ov ' ry the Qnarterly Meetings aforenamd shall pay the sum of twelve pence ; woh said Sum of twelve pence , together with the Admissions , and Forfeitures shall be log'd in a Box for tbat purpose and an Acct . of ' em kept in this Book , in order to the raising a Stock for support and reloive of decay'd Brothers and such other uses as tho Lodge shall agree to . "

No . 8 provides for the safe keeping of these forfeitures . No . 9 decides " That no Bror . be entitled to any of the aforesd Money till he has been a regular subscriber three years and paid all his for . feitures , nor even then unless he Absolutely want a weekly Allowance , which shall all ways be Appointed by a Majority of

Brothers what shall be thought sufficient . " Nos . 10 and 11 provide means for the adjustment of any differences that may arise , and for the termination of tho business hours of the Lodge . Then follow the signatures of 55 brethren , a fact which clearly demonstrates that Freemasonry must have been popular in Bolton in 1734 .

" f This means when he was raised to the Third Degree . " ( To be continued . )

The Grand Commandery.

THE GRAND COMMANDERY .

THE Grand Commandery of Pennsylvania opened its Thirtieth Annual Session at Fonlton Opera House , on Tuesday evening , the 30 th of May . Tho Session was opened by Grand Commander B , Frank Breneman , when the Eminent Commander of Lancaster Commandery tendered , on behalf of the Templars of Lancaster , a welcome to tho members of the Grand Commandery , which was responded to by G . Senior Warden George S . Graham , in a very elegant

and pleasing manner . The annual reports of the Grand Commander , Grand Treasurer , and Grand Recorder were read and referred to appropriate Committees . There are fifty-six subordinate Commanderies in this jurisdiction , numbering at present 5 , 321 members ; 643 were knighted during the year , while forty-five were admitted , eightyfive demitted , eighty-six died , and thirty-five rejected . The Grand

Commandery consists of 754 members . The Treasurer s report exhibits the balance from 1882 as 1 , 30256 dols . Receipts during the year 4 , 063-65 dols . The payments were S ^ SS ^ Sl dols . Tho balance being 1 , 670 . 37 dols . and the assets of the Grand Commandery amounted to 2 , 270 ' 37 . Charters were granted for the establishment of Commanderies at Johnstown , Tunkhannock and New Castle . Erie

was chosen for tho place of meeting the Grand Commandery in 1884 . Tho election of Officers for the ensuing year resulted as follows : — Charles W . Batchelor , of Pittsburgh , R . E . Grand Commander , Edwin G . Martin , M . D ., of -Allentown , R . E . Deputy Grand Com . mander , Joseph Alexander jun . E . G . Generalissimo , G . S . Graham , of Philadelphia , E . Grand Captain General , John Hewitt , of

Philadelphia , Grand Prelate , Lee S . Smith , of Allegheny City , { jfrand Senior Warden , W . W . Allen , of Philadelphia , Grand Junior Warden , Mark Richards Muckle , of Philadelphia , Grand Treasurer , Charles E . E . Meyer , of Philadelphia , Grand Recorder . The following have been appointed subordinate Officers of the Grand Commandery . — W . C . Mellert , Pittsburgh , E . G . Standard Bearer , Frank Mills , Philadelphia , E . G . Sword Bearer , Benjamin Kauffman , Lebanon ,

E . G . Capt . of G ., Edw . Masson , Philadelphia , E . Grand Marshal . The parade on Wednesday afternoon was one of tho largest that has taken place in the State for many years . In the evening a reception and promenade concert took placo in Fulton Opera House , which was a brilliant affair . An exhibition drill was given by St . Alban Commandery , No . 47 , of Philadelphia , under the direction of Joseph S . Wright . It was a very creditable affair , highly complimentary to the Sir Knights of St . Alban . —Columbia Weekly Courier .

HOILOWAY ' PILLS . —Health or Wealth . No sane person would hesitate an instant in tho choice between these two conditions . Now is the season to secure the former either by restoring or confirming it . These Pilis expel all impurities from the system which foul vapour and variable temperatures engender during summer ; this medicine also acts most wholesomely upon the skin by disgorging the liver of its accumulated bile , and exciting the kidneys to more energetic action ; it increases the appetite for food and strengthens the digestive process . The stomach and liver , with which most disorders originate , are fully under tho control of these regenerative Pills , which act very kindly yet most efficiently on tho tenderest bowels .