Archæological Progress. No. Viii.

ARCH ? OLOGICAL PROGRESS . No . VIII .

We call attention to a communication which appears elsewhere , relative to the old minute book of the Lodge of Industry , Gateshead . By that interesting record of another century , many remarkable facts are made manifest . Here we

have the minute book of a purely operative lodge of Freemasons , and which is clearly distinct nevertheless , from the working Masons . The resolutions of 1733 , and let us note the date , tell us the true tale of the history of our Order . Even at that period we find that the Society is still

mainly operative , but admitting on special payment speculative Masons . In the far north the earlier enlargement by the southern Masons of the basis of the Order was still in 1733 only in its infancy . If it be correct that this old lodge at Swallwell was the foundation of south country

woiking Masons in the latter part of the 17 th century , we see in this fact how gradually and slowly in the north of England the speculative element was admitted into the Masonic Order . But the clear distinction between the Company or Society of Freemasons and the working Masons is

a very remarkable feature ! All the earlier minutes of the lodge , from 173 , 5 downwards , to 1776 , relate to the apprenticeship by the members of the lodge of their apprentices for seven years , and registering them in the lodge books , and then receiving the

apprentice charge . At the time of registration , for which 6 d . only is paid , an undertaking is mentioned , that at the expiration of their apprenticeship they would be received or admitted into the fellowship , and pay a further sum , varying from 7 s . 6 d . to ios . 6 d ., to the fund box . Then they

would probably receive the old name " Fellow of Craft . " It seems that the word" Fellow Craft , " or " passing , " does not actually appear on the minutes until 1775 . But the word " fellow" often appears in the rules , and he is in more than one rule clearly

distinguishable from the master , by the use of the words < f and" or " or , " according to every known rule of the English language . The Master of Lodge , Lodge Master , Master Mason , occur mainly , as regards the actual what we should call the W . M .

and ' ¦ Raised Masters , "English Masters , " " Masters" are specifically mentioned in 174 6 . But we should not be reading the minutes truly if we supposed that therefore Masters did not exist in 1725 or thereabouts , as to our mind it is quite clear that they did . In the Apprentice

Charge it is distinctly said , " that you reverence your elders according to their degree , and especially those of the Mason Craft . " Masters and Fellows alone were to attend the " assembly , " Apprentices not . The yearly meeting was June 24 , St . John the Baptist ' s Day , when the Master ,

Wardens , and Deputy Master were then elected . Four quarterly meetings were , it appears , held , the chief meeting June 24 th , 29 th of September , 27 th of December , and the 25 th of March . An Apprentice was to be admitted , or accepted into the Fellowship , on one of the quarterly

meeting days alone , and pay 10 s . 6 d . to the fund box , and these regulations are evidentl y antecedent to 1733 . So that in 172 . 5 , or thereabouts , we have the three ranks apparently in active employment , and clear distinction in the lodge . We have thought it well to point out

what an addition to Masonic Archa-ology this opportune publication of these valuable records affords , and we think great credit is due to the W . M . and P . M ., Bro . Robson , of that lodge , and the brethren , for their kind permission to have

extracts made of so much interest to every Masonic student , and so helpful toward a true history some day of English Freemasonry . We refer all our readers to the August number ofthe Masonic Magazine for all these "Minutes" in detail .

Calendar Of The Great Priory Of The United Orders Of The Temple And Malta.

CALENDAR OF THE GREAT PRIORY OF THE UNITED ORDERS OF THE TEMPLE AND MALTA .

We have had this carefully compiled document submitted to our notice , and we think it right shortl y to call attention to it . It appears that

Calendar Of The Great Priory Of The United Orders Of The Temple And Malta.

there are 136 preceptories under the Great Priory of the United Orders . The balance sheet which is given seems to betoken financial prosperity . The general fund , including a largo previous balance , amounts to c £ i \ / 0 14 s . nd . The benevolent fund to Jizii ios . 3 d . The expenditure

of the general fund amounted in round numbers to £ 620 , leaving a balance of & £$$$ . os . rod . The expenditure of the benevolent amounts to about £ 40 , leaving a balance of sfiiSi 19 s . 3 d ., in all on both accounts of s £ j ij . At the meeting of the National Great Priory , May 14 th last ,

two motions were carried by considerable majorities , which virtuall y amount to an express wish of the Order , to reconsider what Sir Knt . F . Binckes termed "hasty legislation . " One was carried by Sir Knt . J . Booth , of Halifax , by 40 to 30 , and was to this effect , "That the report

be adopted , except with regard to the clause relating to the partial restoration of past rank , but that instead thereof the National Great Priory recommend to the Convent General to restore in its integrity the past rank affected by recent alterations of the statutes . " The other

was the resolution of Sir Knt . J . M . P . Montagu , and carried by 39 to 6 , " That the memorial or petition of the Provincial Priory of Dorset , which was presented at the last regular meeting of the National Great Priory in December , 1874 , be read and discussed , and that measures be taken

for obtaining the opinion of the members of each preceptory in the jurisdiction of this Grand Priory upon the present position and probable future prospects of the Order , under the operation of the new statutes , and that the result of such enquiry belaid before Great Piiory . " These

are most important resolutions , and it will remain to be seen what effect they will have in allaying what may undoubtedly bo called much dissatisfaction at recent changes in the Templar Order . We express no opinion one way or the other , but we are aware from many letters that such a

feeling exists in the Templar Order , and is alike strong and extensive . We trust that all questions of difference may soon be settled , agreeably to all interested , and that we may have to report the prosperity of an Order , embracing as it does so many very worthy members of the Craft .

Provincial Funds.

PROVINCIAL FUNDS .

II . —LEICESTERSHIRE AND RUTLAND . This province , as many of our readers know , is a very small one , consisting of nine lodges and 351 members , in June , 1874 . The increase this year will probably not be large . The annual

balance sheet for 1874 is very simple and short . Dues from lodges amount to sS ^ O ps . ; fees of honour to i £ 11 2 s . ¦ dispensations and special items to . se ? 7 i 2 s . 6 d . ; balance ,- £ 23 17 s . ; in all for the year , - £ 8 i os . 6 d . With rent and various

small expenses , the outgoings amount to , £ 40 in round numbers , leaving an available balance of £ 41 3 S- The Masonic Hall is apparently an appendage to the Provincial Grand Lodge , as its accounts are incorporated with thc provincial

returns , and capitation fees on initiation , to the amount of Stf 16 s ., are paid by three lodges . If , when the mortgage debt of ^ 730 , is extinguished the province will obtain the benefit of the receipts , of course its income

will be materially increased—as , after paying all expenses , it has a cash balance of ^ 94 12 s . But it does net seem quite clear from the report what is its exact position as regards the Provincial Grand Lodge , though , no doubt , our

courteous and able Bro . W . Kelly will be able and willing to inform us . The province had in 1874 130 votes for the Boys ' School . It has also votes for the Benevolent Institution and the Girls' School , though

the number is not stated . In 1874 there were 9 joining members admitted in the various lodges of the province , and 23 initiations . If the province cannot boast a large and rapid increase

of numbers it is just possible that the quality is superior to the quantity elsewhere . We do ' not believe in an " ugly rush " for Freemasonry , or anything else .

Orders are now being received at Bro . Kenning's Masonic Depots , London , Liverpool , and Glasgow , for the Medal to be struck in commemoration of the Installation of H . R . H . the Prince of Wales as M . W , Grand Master .

Original Correspondence.

Original Correspondence .

[ We do not hold ourselves responsible for , or even as approving of the opinions expressed hy our correspondents , but we ivisl ) , i n a spirit of fair piny to all , to permit—within certain necessary limits—free discussion . —ED . ]

MASONIC MEDALS AND TOKENS . To the Editor of the Freemason . Dear Sir and Brother , — The copper token commemorative of the Prince of Wales ' s installation as Grand Master in 1700 is far from possessing the rarity supposed by our worthy and

R . W . Bro . Colonel Burdett . Like Bro . James A . Hayes , I saw one in the hands of a brother here very recently , and I have also heard of several other specimens . Thc late important events in the Order will doubtless cause many of these tokens to turn up . Yours fraternally , WILLIAM KELLY , P . Prov . G . M . Leicestershire and Rutland .

ELECTION OF PROV . GRAND MASTERS ' . To Ihe Editor if the Freemason . Dear Sir and Brother , — You kindly say in your last number , in reply to my letter under the above heading , that " Prov . Grand Masters are only emanations from , and representatives and nominees of , the Grand Master ; " if this be so , and I do not doubt the correctness of your statement , I say that

it ought not to be so . Why should every officer in Grand , Provincial , and Private Lodges be annually elected and P . G . Masters not ? Will you kindly assist me with your able pen to get this inconsistency corrected ? The P . G . Master should be elected by his lodge as all other W . M . ' s are ( subject , if you please , to thc approval of the G . M . ) . I have heard many of my brethren complain of this hardship 011 us , but " what is every one's business is no one ' s business , " and so the matter remains in statu

quo . Yours very fraternally , AN OLD MASON * , And a Member of a P . G . Lodge .

EDUCATION . To Ihe Editor of the Freemason . Dear Sir and Brother , — In reply to a letter from R . M . in the Freemason of June 26 th , and headed "Education . " I can very strongly recommend St . John's College , Southend-on-Sea , Principal Bro . J . R . Hemmann , I . P . M . 1000 . The boys are well

taken care of , very well fed , and appear very happy . St . John ' s College is situated on the highest part of the cliff , and commands a very extensive sea view . I shall be pleased to forward a prospectus if required . Southend stands very high on the list of English watering places in the Registrar General ' s Report , and is about 44 miles from London .

I remain , yours faithfully and fraternally , E . E . P . Southend-on-Sea , June 28 th .

To thc Editor of the Freemason . Dear Sir and Brother , — I have seen a letter in the Freemason from a brother asking for information as to the whereabouts of an educational establishment kept by a member of the Craft in the vicinity of London . I think I can recommend him one , which will fully answer his requirements . Bro . W . Hammond , G . S . of Middlesex , P . M . of the

lordan , W . M . of the Lebanon and Hemming Lodges , & C , etc ., has a school at Old Hampton , where the studies are presided over by himself and competent assistants , and the general domestic arrangements are superintended by Mrs . Hammond and daughter . Thc school is old-established , and from its proximity , to thc Thames , affords every facility for bathing , boating , angling , & c , and the air is remarkably pure and bracing . Yours truly and fraternally , T . C .

Multum In Parbo; Or Masonic Notes And Queries.

Multum in Parbo ; or Masonic Notes and Queries .

MINUTK BOOK OF THE LODGE OI-INDUSTRY , GATI-SUEA n . The Minute Book of the Lodge of Industry , Gateshead , has been lent me for perusal and description by the great kindness of the W . M . of the said good lodge , through the courteous intermediation of P . M . Bro . K . Robson , Treas ., and a most interesting relic it is . This old record is a paper book bound up with

Anderson ' s Constitutions of 1723 . Some of the MS . entries begin at thc reverse end . Some go through as usual from left to right . The earliest minute is of 1725—at the reverse end—to this effect , very noteworthy : September 29 , 1725 . " Then Matthew Armstrong and Arthur Douglas , Masons , appeared in the lodge of Freemasons , and agreed to have

their names registered as ' Enterprcntices , ' to be accepted next quarterly meeting , paying one shilling each for that rank , and ; s . fid . when they take their freedom . " Twenty-one minutes inall are consecutively entered at the reverse end , the last dated December 7 th , 177 6 , more or less all relating to the taking and acceptance of apprentices , all of which will be published in extenso in the Masonic Magazine for August .

When wc turn back to the continuation of the printed Constitutions we find some very remarkable entries . The " Orders of Antiquity , " almost identical with those of the Alnwick Constitution but standing separately there , thc Apprentices Orders , the General Orders , the Penal Orders , the Fund Laws , are all of rare archaeological value , and will be Printed in extenso , and verbatim et literatim , in the August or September Magazine ,