Masonic Historians No. 5.

are carefully and exhaustively treated . " It is a curious fact that the Knight Templars' Order , then known as Black Masonry , was propagated in Scotland to a large extent , through charters issued by the " Hi g h Knight Templars of Ireland Kilwinning Lodge , " and what is still more

extraordinary , this body of Freemasons in Dublin was constituted by mother Lodge Kilwinning in 1779 for the practice of the Craft degrees only . As Bro . Lyon observes , the Knight Templar proclivities of the brethren in Ireland , " encouraged the belief in Kilwinning being a centre of the Hautes Grades . " The truth is , however ,

Mother Kilwinning has never worked any degrees but those known as Craft Masonry , and knows nothing even of the Royal Arch Degree . " It is alleged that the Ancient Lodge of Stirling was , in 1 , 743 , the first in . Scotland to practice the Royal Arch Degree , but of this there is no authentic evidence To such an extent had the

work of lodges at this period ( 1799-1800 ) became associated with that of the Royal Arch and Temp lar Degrees , that in October , 1800 , the Grand Lodge of Scotland issued a circular prohibiting and discharging its daughters to hold any meetings above the degree of Master Mason , under the

penalty of the forfeiture of their charter . " The interesting particulars concerning the Royal Order of Scotland in Chapter xxxii . cannot fail to be most instructive and valuable to English Freemasons , as but little is known about the early history of this " quaint and ancient degree , "

and as it is now legally worked in London and in the northern counties , attention will naturall y be drawn to an authentic account , such as Bro . Lyon affords . A transcript of the literal translation , inserted in the Lodge of Edinburgh records , of the charter of Cologne A . n 1535 , is given in the

next chapter , and Bro . Lyon evidentl y concurs with Dr . James Barnes , Herr Findel , and Dr . George Kloss , who have declared the document to be a forgery . The transcript is most useful , however , to enable brethren to judge for themselves , and if it is carefully examined , there will

be found plenty of internal evidence in proof of its modern composition . Bro ; Lyon well observes , " Statements as to the Mason Craft having three centuries ago been the conservators of chivalrie rites , are not now received as historical facts , except by the more

superstitious of the brotherhood . " The various grand vkfitations of the Lodge of Edinburgh are chronicled in a most happy manner , and I think few , if any Iodgxs can boast of such special distinction in this respect . The chapter in which allusion to the "

dwarfish proportions of the fund of Scottish Masonic Benevolence" will , we trust , l . e carefully read , and lead to more attention being directed to that charitable organisation , . which , though now is a disgrace , will soon become an honour to the fraternity in Scotland .

The debt of tbe Grand Lodge of Scotland ( which is also mentir . itd ) by proper management would have been extinet long ago . All zealous Masons are hopefully looking forward to the time when the Earl of Rosslyn ' s energetic measures for the welfare of the

fraternity in Scotland , have borne fruit , ami the financial arrangements of the Grand Lodge will then be p laced on a firm and Masonic basis . I hope my friends will not be startled , but at page 3 ^ 5 there are evidences submitted , which unequivocally prove that the presence of ladies was

permitted in open lodge in the year 18 43 . It is too long a subject to open up now , but the proof afforded of such anoccurence having taken place is unquestionable . The matter was dul y investigated by the Grand Lodge , and the offending parties were severely reprimanded .

It is comforting to be told that the meeting was only convened on a festive occasion , and not for the conferring of Masonic degrees , or the " Lad y Freemason " may have lost her unique distinction . Chapter xxxix . is mainly devoted lo a sketch of the most distinguished Ma :: onic career of ihe Rig ht Hon . the Karl of Dalhotisie , K . T ., K . C . B .,

to whom the Hisli ry of the Loi !;; x of Edinburgh is dedicated , as one of iis n . ' . i-. le . 't ilxaj ; ,: x Members , and v . 'ho ^ e iaUiiiy Ji .. \ e ' ¦ - ¦ ¦ apx . e ¦ . !¦; <;!' a century been eh , ly asx . c !; vU u v . ids . \\ -,-. government of the Ciaft . Jiis ' . o . 'd ; hi p is well-known in this country as Past J ) i pu : y Grand Master , and as ti . v Representative ol Our

Masonic Historians No. 5.

Grand Lodge at the Grand Lodge of Scotland , of which latter body he was Grand Master for three years . To the Earl of Dalhousie the Fraternity are indebted for the patronage of His Royal Hi g hness the Prince of Wales , and his installation as head of the Grand Lodge of

Scotland , and doubtless from His Royal Hi ghness taking so much interest in Scottish Freemasonry is to be attributed the fact that the present work by Bro . Lyon is issued under his Royal patronage . Numerous notices of many distinguished brethren , forming quite a series of biographical

sketches of prominent Masons , extending over a period of upwards of three centuries , adorn the work , and form an additional attraction to the History of the Lodge of Edinburgh . There is of course one important omission , which I shall endeavour to remedy at the close of this article . I allude to the life and labours of the

author of the work itself , and am persuaded in briefl y noticing Bro . D . Murray Lyon ' s Masonic career I shall accomplish , though in an imperfect manner , the wishes of all the subscribers . Division No . xlii . may be designated the Royal Chapter , as it contains a complete account of all

the sovereigns and princes of this land who have honoured the Craft with their patronage , from the initiation of Frederick Lewis Prince of Wales ( father of George III ) in 1737 , to His Royal Highness Albert Edward , Prince of Wales , in 1868 .

We are glad to see by the notice concerning the Masonic Library of the Grand Lodge of Scotland , that a catalogue of that valuable collection of books is in course of preparation , for the condition the library has been in for many years has been most unsatisfactory . The volume

contains m conclusion quite a galaxy of excerpts from the records „ of ancient lodges in the seventeenth , and early in the eighteenth centuries , the whole of which , though most interesting and valuable are many years later in date than those of the Lodge of Edinburgh .

The Masonic Historian of Scotland , Bro . David Murray Lyon , of Ayr , was initiated in the Lodge of "Ayr and Renfrew Militia St . Paul , " No . 204 , June 1854 5 was put in " harness" at once , having acted as Secretary in 1854 and since then , in 186 9 and 1873 . He was affiliated into

"Mother Kilwining" in i 860 , was its Junior Warden in 1 S 61 , Proxy Warden from 1862 to 1869 , and Proxy Master of Scarborough Lodge , Tobago , from 186 9 and 1873 . Affiliated with St . James Lodge , Nevvton-on-Ayr , No . 125 , in 1868 , the members elected him their Master

in 1 S 73 , and as such received the degree of Installed Master in St . Mark ' s Glasgow , No . 102 , in July . Until latel y the Past Master ' s degree was worked under the authority of the Grand Royal Arch Chapter of Scotland . His connection with thc Provincial Grand

Lodge of Ayrshire , dates from 1 S 61 , since which period Bro . Lyon has been either Junior or Senior Grand Warden , having acted to the year 1866 in the former capacity , and since then as the Senior Ptov . G . M . He has also been elected annuall y from 1863

as one of the Grand Stewards of the Grand Lodge of Scotland . 1 shall not append the list of lodges of which he is Honorary Member , as I have already occupied considerable space in my review of his magnum opus , but shall rest content b y mentioning that the Lodge of

Edinburgh has his name enrolled as such in their illustrious records . In Royal Arch Masonry our brother has been also most fortunate and distinguished in his associations with the companions . Exalted in the Ayr St . Paul Chapter No . JS , in July , J S 54 , and affiliated into Ayr Kilwinning , ?\' o . 80 , in 186 c , the members were

not satisfied until lhey were able to salute him as their Past First Principal of both chapters , and has since then n . ndeied most imahxLlc assistance to the Giand Chapter b y w iv of inaugurating chapter .-, a .:. ! In a iixov : time was 1 ; K' ehk-l support to that b < •-, ';¦ in ihe P- ovii'iv cf Aynxire when a li' . al ( i-axi <' : act ; : was via . I'd in

Ciax-ow . iX ,, L y x i ., ! : ; , a i ; :.-, ; b . r < :. ' ;•' .. ' C .,.... I ' iioiy of Irxv ' . l . Xid , a ; r ; n Xijx . 0 \ W .-A Cxlinction lit / in the year 1062 . lie was 1 nieiiXJ in October , iil ' , ' 3 , in ¦)¦¦ ¦ Ayr Priory , No . 4 , for which lie was the S-. ere-iare iroui i 860 to 1862 .

Masonic Historians No. 5.

and from that period has presided as its Eminent Commander . But it is as a Masonic Historian that his chief labours for the Craft have been so successfull y devoted , and in appreciation of which he was elected one of the few corresponding members

of the Verein Deutscher Freitnaierea in 1867 ; and the M . A . of the Masonic University of Kentuck y in June , 1862 , and corresponding member of the Rosicrucian Society of England in 1869 . As the author of the histories of " Mother Lodge Kilwinning ; " "The Lodge of

Edinburgh ; " "The Lodge of Thornhill ; " "Rise and Progress of Freemasonry in Scotland ; " and a host of smaller , but most valuable productions , his name will be associated with his country as a most accurate Masonic Historian , so long as

Freemasonry is respected and beloved , and faith , hope , and charity , are venerated throughout the length and breath of the land , and indeed wherever masonic students exist throughout the world .

Provincial Grand Lodge Of Surrey.

PROVINCIAL GRAND LODGE OF SURREY .

. The Provincial Grand Lodge of Surrey was held on Saturday 2 < 5 th ult ., for the year 1873 , at the Station Hotel , Sutton , when a large and distinguished party of Freemasons of the county attended to show respect to the Provincial Grand Master , Major-General Brownri gg , C . B ., who

presided , and to perform the business of the Province which had accumulated during the year . Among those who attended we observed : — Bros , the Rev . A . W . Hall , Prov . G . C ; George Price , Prov . G . Treasurer ; C . W . Dommett ,

Prov . G . R . ; W . Greenway , Prov . G . D . C . ; C . W . Power , Prov . G . S . W . ; James Squire , Prov . G . Std . B . ; C . H . Woodward , P . Prov . J . G . W . Dr . Strong , P . Prov . J . G . W . ; H . Cartwright , P . Prov . J . G . W . ; George White , P . Prov . S . G . \ V . H . J . P . Dumas , P . J . G . D ., & c . ; James

Robins , P . M ., Treasurer , No . 4-52 ; William T Sugg , P . M ., No . 452 ; E . H . Sugg , Org ., No 4 , 52 ; Magnus Ohren , P . M ., No . 33 , and P . M ' and Secretary , No . 452 ; George Porter , Prov . G . Org . ; James Fearman , Prov . G . Stwd . B . ; J . J . Burton , Prov . G- Std . B . ; Draper Woodward ,

W . Finlay , H . Potter , 1 , 347 5 R- R . D . Podmore , W . Church Poole , W . M ., 452 ; C . Horsley . P . G . R ., Middx . ; R . T . Elsnm , W . M ., 891 W . J . Kemp , 1 , 362 ; A . C . Ebbutt , Walter Spencer , 452 ; Henry Langridge , S . W ., 1 , 347 ; Herbert Potter , , 55 , 1 , 347 5 w - Baker , P . M ., 142 ;

James Terry , Secretary R . M . Benevolent Institution ; W . Smallpeice , W . M . 1 , 385 ; C . Moody , P . M . 1 , 046 ; John Kni g ht , W . M . 1 , 046 , and E . E . Meakin , W . M . 1 , 363 . When the lodge had been formall y opened and the preliminary business transacted , the Grand

Lodge accepted the Finance Committee ' s report , which recommended twenty guineas to be given to the Boys' School , and fifteen guineas to the Girls' School , to qualif y the Province as Vice-President of these Institutions . Bro . George Price was re-elected and invested as Provincial Grand Treasurer .

Ihe Provincial Grand Master then read the speech of the most Worshi pful Grand Master delivered in Grand Lodge on Grand Festival , which appeared in our impression of the 3 rd of last May . The observations made in this speech

he commended to the earnest attention of the brethren as being likely , if cbserved , to improve the position of both Masons and Masonry among the Institutions of the country and in the opinion of their fellow citizens .

Ihe retirement of Bro . B . Blake from the office of Deputy Provincial Grand Master was announced , and the Provincial Grand Master said he could not but regret it , as the services of

Bro . Blake , in his hi gh position , had been of gnal importance to the province ; and that the thanks of himself and all other brethren were due to that brother fcr the faithful and zealous discharge 01 " his duties .

! i i . icn : i ] xx ; Ht ( 1 the following brethren as ! : ¦ - ( riaml Oiiicers : —Hro . W . F . Harrison , of V ,, ) ,. iiu : u-, D . G . M ., in place of Bro . Wake . resigned thromrli ill-health ; Bro . Knight , P . S . G . W . ; jja " ILiirnus Ohren , P . J . G . W . ; Rev . AmbroeW . Hall , G . Chaplain ; Bro . G .