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Article CONSECRATION OF THE EARL OF LATHOM LODGE, No. 1922. ← Page 3 of 3 Article CONSECRATION OF THE WHITWORTH LODGE, No. 1932. Page 1 of 1 Article CONSECRATION OF THE WHITWORTH LODGE, No. 1932. Page 1 of 1 Article MASONIC HISTORY AND HISTORIANS. Page 1 of 1 Article NEW SOUTH WALES. Page 1 of 1
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Consecration Of The Earl Of Lathom Lodge, No. 1922.
Masonry . Hc had the best officers in existence , and he would do his very best to make the lodge as strong as any in the Craft . Thc W . M . next proposed "The Visitors , " with which he coupled thc name of Bro . thc Rev . A . V . A . Woodford . Bro . tho Rev . A . F . A . WOODFORD , P . G . C , responded , but as "time and tide" waited for " no man , " and the trains were in the same category ,
he would simply thank the brethren most heartily for thc very great kindness they had shown the visitors ancl himself that evening . At the same time for tlie " visitors " he would express tlieir most " Hearty good wishes " for the future proficiency and efficiency of the Earl of Lathom Lodge . When the Grand Officers had retired he hoped thc W . M . would take it out of the
other " visitors . Bro . General CLERKE , S . G . D ., said the Grand Ofiicers have but one feeling of gratitude to the W . M . and brethren for the very handsome reception they had g iven them , as well as for thc great treat they had had in thcModgc . He also begged to thank the brethren , and wished every prosperity to them all .
Most of thc Grand Officers and a large number of the London brethren here retired . The W . M ., in proposing " The Officers of the Lodge , " said he did not know what he should have done in founding a new lodge if it had not been for those brethren who were his ofiicers .
Bro . ROBERT J TAYLOR , S . W ., in repl ying for himself , said hc should try his utmost to give the W . M . every satisfaction , and lie hoped in doing so hc should give every other brother satisfaction . This was the first time the ofiicers had had the honour of sitting under the W . M . ' s baton , and he was sure the W . M . would be glad to hear them all speak . The officers wished the W . M . a splendid year of office . All the other officers responded .
Bro . J MASON , P . P . G . D . Middlesex , replied to thc toast of "Thc Charities , " and in thc course of his remarks , while slating the advantages of the Boys' and Girls' Schools , and their need of assistance to enable them to afford the aid which the Craft expected of them to the children of poor and deceased brethren , reminded the brethren that the Benevolent
Institution was maintaining 325 old men and women , and paying about £ 12 , 000 a year in annuities to them . That , he thought , was a very great thing to be proud of . There was no charity equal to that . He hoped . thaLthat Institution would be well supported at ils next festival . a , { The Lodge was furnished by Bro . George Kenning , Little Britain . The brethren shortly afterwards separated .
Consecration Of The Whitworth Lodge, No. 1932.
CONSECRATION OF THE WHITWORTH LODGE , No . 1932 .
On Wednesday , thc 291 I 1 ult ., the Whitworth Lodge , No . 1932 , was consecrated at the North Eastern Hotel , Spennymoor . In the absence of the Most Honourable the Marquis of Londonderry , K . P ., the R . W . Grand Master of the Province of Durham , the interesting and impressive ceremony was ably performed by C . J . F \ Fawcett , P . S . W ., acting as Provincial
Grand Master , assisted by Bros , the Rev . J . M . Shepherd , P . G . Chaplain ; Wm . Brignal , P . P . G . R ., as Deputy Prov . Grand Master ; A . C . Knowlcs , P . P . G . S . D ., as S . W . ; James Laidler , P . P . G . J . D ., as J . W . ; W . H . Crookes , P . G . Secretary ; R . Hudson , P . G'D . of C . ; George Greenwell , A . G . D . of C . ; M . Corbett , P . G . S . D . ; Wm . Donkin , P . G . P .,- and others .
Thc following brethren were also present : Bros . C . E . Barnes , I . P . M . 15 . 4 , W ' . M . elect ; Jacob Barker , W . M . 1334 ; W ' m . Malcolm , 124 , P . P . G . P . ; Walker , 124 , P . P . G . D . ; W . Coxon , 124 , P . P . S . B . ; S . Fenny , P . M . 124 ; G . Garter , 764 ; John Wood , I . P . M . 4 8 ; J . G . Smith , W . M . 4 S ; A . Farmer , P . M . ill ; Andrew Arnold , P . M . 1121 ; George Bailes , P . M . 1334 ; Robt . Thompson , I . P . M . 1121 ; J . Probert , P . M . 424 ; R . ll . Soolhcrati , 1337 ; Thomas Barkas , P . M . 1553 ( Rosario , Argentine Republic ) ; and W . Rutter , 241 ( New York ) .
The following were thc petitioners : Bros . C E . harries , I . P . M . ; R . D . Shafto , W . 11 . Turner , Rev . J . Gaskell , James Turner , John Heslop , and W . B . Holland . Thc remainder of thc founders were Bros . T . Farthing , George Rutherford , James Sanderson , John Dakens , William Turnbull , James Routledge , George Grathonie , George Knight , M . Coulson , \ V . I . Maxey , John O . Hanlon , and others .
At a quarter to one o ' clock the lodge was opened in the J hree Degrees , nnd solemn prayer offered by Bro . the Rev . J . M . SHEPHERD , the Prov . Grand Chaplain . The brethren of the new lodge having been arranged in order , thc acting P . G . M . called on the P . G . Sec . to read the warrant of the new lodge . The warrant was then laid on the P . G . Master ' s pedestal ; and the petitioners having signified their approval of the ofiicers nominated in the warrant , the P . G . M . piocceded to constitute the lodge .
The effect of the consecration ceremony was greatly enhanced by the most complete manner in which thc musical part of the proceedings had been arranged and the ability eif those taking part . Amongst them were Bros . Jos . Walker ( alto ) , D . Whitehead ( tenor ) , J . Nutton ( bass ) , R . Hnuxwcll ( tenor ) , and S . Wilkinson ( organist ) , all of Durham Cathedral choir , and whose marvellous voices are well known to our North Country brethren .
TJic- address of the acting P . G . M . was listened to with rapt attention by the brethren , and thc ceremony of consecration was proceeded with in a manner unusually impressive . No single hitch occurred to mar its solemnity , and the perfect rendering of the ritual , beautiful b y the addition of musical support of a very hig h order , combined to afford a treat never to be forgotten by those participating .
The lodge was then resumed in the Second Degree , after which Bro . C . V .. Barnes the W . M . designate was presented to the acting P . G . M . for installation , who duly p laced him in the chair of K . S . in the presence of a Board of over twenty Installed Masters , which alone suflicicntly explains the high estimation in which that brother is held . The W . M . then invested his oilicers as follows : Bros . R . D . Shaflo .
S . W . ; W . II . Turner , J . W . ; Rev . John Gaskell , Chap . ; James Turner , Sec ; John Dakers , S . D . ( pro tem ); John Heslop , J . D . ; W / B . ttolland , I . G . ; ihe election and investment of Treasurer and Tyler was deferred till the ordinary day of meeting . Upwards ot twenty biethren were proposed as joining members , and , before closing lodge thc W . M , received hearty congratulations and good wishes nf the brethren un all side .-.
At 1 he ojiichiMon of ihe ci . x-inony the- biethren sat down to a banquet al the adjoining hotel . Nearly all the brethren pi ' L-. eiit at the consecration al tended Ihe banquet , which was presided over by the newly installed W . M .
Consecration Of The Whitworth Lodge, No. 1932.
of thc lodge . The usual loyal , Masonic , and complimentary toasts were proposed and duly honoured , and thus were brought to a close the proceedings of a day which will be long remembered as most pleasant and satisfactory by all concerned .
Masonic History And Historians.
MASONIC HISTORY AND HISTORIANS .
BY MASONIC STUDENT . In Plot ' s "History of Staffordshire , " 16 S 6 , chap , viii ., p . 316 , occurs the following well-known passage , well-known , that is , to Masonic students : ft S 5 . "Thc Customs relating to tho County , whereof they have one , of admitting Mcn ' into the Society of Frcc-masons , that in the mooreiands of this County seems to be
of greater request , than any where else , though 1 find thc Custom spread more or less all over the Nation ; for here I found persons of the most eminent quality , that did not disdain to be of this Fellowship . Nor indeed need they , were it ol that Antiquity and honour , that is pretended in a large parchment volum they have amongst them , containing tlie History and Rules of the craft of Masonry . Which is there deduced not only from sacred writ , but profane story , particularly that it was brought into Kngland by St .
Amphibal , and first communicated to St . Alban , who set down the charges of masonry and was made paymaster and Governor of thc Kings works , and gave them chargesand manners as St . Amphibal had taught him . Which were after confirmed by King Athelstan , whose youngest son F . dwyn loved well masonry , took upon him the charges and learned the manners , and obtained for tliem of his Father a free-Charter .
Whereupon he caused them to assemble at York , and to bring all the old Books of their craft , and out of them ordained such charges and manners , as they then thought fit : which charges in the said Schrolc or parchment volum , are in part declared : and thus was the craft of masonry grounded and confirmed in Fngland . It is also there declared that these charges and manners were after perused and approved by King lien . C and hia council , both as to Masters and Fellows of this WorshipfuII craft . "
In paragraphs S 6 , 87 , and SS , hc alludes again to thc same subject . Now assuming , whicli I do , for the purpose of my argument , that thc lodge at Warrington at which Elias Ashmole was initiated in 1646 was not mainly Operative , as has been too hastily assumed , but was mainly Speculative , I am anxious lo call the attention of Students to thc fact that this reality , if it be a reality , which I apprehend it will shortly be found to be ,
throws out the whole theory of 1717 Freemasonry , and throws back our history close on to 100 years . And for this reason , it is impossible for any one to contend that the lodge in Warrington in 1646 was a now creation . It must go back several years ; and Plot , writing in 16 S 6 , treats thc existence of Freemasonry in England , ( he being a non-Freemason ) , as one then of some antiquity .
There is a curious allusion in his mention of Henry VI ., which has seemed to some to confirm the existence of the so-called Locke or Leland MS . ; and , no doubt , it is difficult to see , or say , to what else such a passage can allude . Indeed , it is just possible , that though the original MS ., if it ever existed , which is doubtful , at least in its present form , has so far cludtSd discovery or research , we may yet stumble upon , if ever we find Ashmole ' s papers , what the original form was .
I have always regarded the Locke MS ., though a "fraus pia 111 its present oulcome , as having for its basis some old Masonic , or Hcrmclical caVachelical formula . But the point I want to impress upon all fellow Students is the imperative necessity of trying to " work up " our acquaintance with pre-1717 Masonry . Even of the ihrcelirst decades of 1700 how little clo wc know -, aud , so far as is
ascertained , how few minutes or documents remain . When wc have studied the curious minute book of the Lodge of Alnwick , when we have perused thc Swalwell MSS . books , we have so far no further evidences to quote , or to use . Grand Lodge minutes do not begin until 1723 , and they arc " sparse , " and though minutes undoubtedly remain of some one or two of the London lodges of a date anterior to 1723 , they arc so far , and , as far as 1 can see at present , will remain , an " ' hermetically sealed book " to students .
Very often in " minutes" a great deal turns upon the " form of an expression , " nay , the " use of a word , " and it is always to be deplored in the history and interest of Masonic archa-ology and criticism , when brethren g ive us their own words , and not the " ipsissima verba " of the minutes themselves . Remember it is only for " experts" to judge of thc real value of a " minute , " inasmuch as it is only those who have carefully studied the subject and mastered both its " weak points" and ils "strong points "
who can " spot , "—to use a young man ' s word of the day , —what is the bearing of such a minute on the true history of Freemasonry , inasmuch as they , and lhey alone , have realized what are the " cruxes " to be encountered , the anachronisms to be reconciled , the " Fictions " lo be dispelled , and the " facts" to be substantiated . Let us , then , as the number of Masonic Students is happily increasing among us , set to work to lind out all that can be found out of ihe history of Freemasonry in this country in thc early eighteenth and in the seventeenth century .
New South Wales.
NEW SOUTH WALES .
The following is the last deliverance to the Grand Lodge of Scotland on the subject , to which our attention has been called . We commend it lo tin : notice of our readers . - — "A letter had been received from a brother in Sydney , asking Grand Lodge to recognise a so-called Grand Lodge of New South Wales , and had been replied to by Grand Secretary in thc following terms : —' . . . Your communication on behalf of a body which is not in anv
respect recognised b y the Grand Lodge oi Scotland has been received , and will be submitted to Grand Committee . For your own information and that of those whom you represent , permit me to say that thc Grand Lodge c Scotland has during the period of thirty years been granting charters to lodges in New South Wales , and that at present there are some twenty eight or thirty of these lodges in active nnd successful operation , numerical !}
strong , leal-hearted in their allegiance to their mother Grand Lodge : then " members good citizens and loyal subjects , devoted to Masonry , proud - ' their connection wilh Scotland , and happy in fraternal association with ll" - Colonial Lodges and brethren in obedience lo the Grand Lodges of Eng land and Ireland . Any suggestions for thc good of Masonry in New South Wales which you desire to offer lo the Grand Lodge of Scotland should be transmitted through hcr representatives in that Colony . The R . W . hi ' ' - ami
Dr . Sedgwick is District Grand Master under the . " scotch Constitution , Bro . William Hig . lrim District Grand Secretary . [ 11 these , and thc olha ofiicers and members of the District Grand Lodge , the Most Worship ful lh ^ Grand Master Mason ( Bro . Sir Michael R . Shaw Stewart , Baronet ) , a "" oilicers and members of the Grand Lodge have the fullest confidence . ' H Committee recommend that Grand Secretary ' : ; repl y be approved , and tlw no further notice be taken of the matter . "
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Consecration Of The Earl Of Lathom Lodge, No. 1922.
Masonry . Hc had the best officers in existence , and he would do his very best to make the lodge as strong as any in the Craft . Thc W . M . next proposed "The Visitors , " with which he coupled thc name of Bro . thc Rev . A . V . A . Woodford . Bro . tho Rev . A . F . A . WOODFORD , P . G . C , responded , but as "time and tide" waited for " no man , " and the trains were in the same category ,
he would simply thank the brethren most heartily for thc very great kindness they had shown the visitors ancl himself that evening . At the same time for tlie " visitors " he would express tlieir most " Hearty good wishes " for the future proficiency and efficiency of the Earl of Lathom Lodge . When the Grand Officers had retired he hoped thc W . M . would take it out of the
other " visitors . Bro . General CLERKE , S . G . D ., said the Grand Ofiicers have but one feeling of gratitude to the W . M . and brethren for the very handsome reception they had g iven them , as well as for thc great treat they had had in thcModgc . He also begged to thank the brethren , and wished every prosperity to them all .
Most of thc Grand Officers and a large number of the London brethren here retired . The W . M ., in proposing " The Officers of the Lodge , " said he did not know what he should have done in founding a new lodge if it had not been for those brethren who were his ofiicers .
Bro . ROBERT J TAYLOR , S . W ., in repl ying for himself , said hc should try his utmost to give the W . M . every satisfaction , and lie hoped in doing so hc should give every other brother satisfaction . This was the first time the ofiicers had had the honour of sitting under the W . M . ' s baton , and he was sure the W . M . would be glad to hear them all speak . The officers wished the W . M . a splendid year of office . All the other officers responded .
Bro . J MASON , P . P . G . D . Middlesex , replied to thc toast of "Thc Charities , " and in thc course of his remarks , while slating the advantages of the Boys' and Girls' Schools , and their need of assistance to enable them to afford the aid which the Craft expected of them to the children of poor and deceased brethren , reminded the brethren that the Benevolent
Institution was maintaining 325 old men and women , and paying about £ 12 , 000 a year in annuities to them . That , he thought , was a very great thing to be proud of . There was no charity equal to that . He hoped . thaLthat Institution would be well supported at ils next festival . a , { The Lodge was furnished by Bro . George Kenning , Little Britain . The brethren shortly afterwards separated .
Consecration Of The Whitworth Lodge, No. 1932.
CONSECRATION OF THE WHITWORTH LODGE , No . 1932 .
On Wednesday , thc 291 I 1 ult ., the Whitworth Lodge , No . 1932 , was consecrated at the North Eastern Hotel , Spennymoor . In the absence of the Most Honourable the Marquis of Londonderry , K . P ., the R . W . Grand Master of the Province of Durham , the interesting and impressive ceremony was ably performed by C . J . F \ Fawcett , P . S . W ., acting as Provincial
Grand Master , assisted by Bros , the Rev . J . M . Shepherd , P . G . Chaplain ; Wm . Brignal , P . P . G . R ., as Deputy Prov . Grand Master ; A . C . Knowlcs , P . P . G . S . D ., as S . W . ; James Laidler , P . P . G . J . D ., as J . W . ; W . H . Crookes , P . G . Secretary ; R . Hudson , P . G'D . of C . ; George Greenwell , A . G . D . of C . ; M . Corbett , P . G . S . D . ; Wm . Donkin , P . G . P .,- and others .
Thc following brethren were also present : Bros . C . E . Barnes , I . P . M . 15 . 4 , W ' . M . elect ; Jacob Barker , W . M . 1334 ; W ' m . Malcolm , 124 , P . P . G . P . ; Walker , 124 , P . P . G . D . ; W . Coxon , 124 , P . P . S . B . ; S . Fenny , P . M . 124 ; G . Garter , 764 ; John Wood , I . P . M . 4 8 ; J . G . Smith , W . M . 4 S ; A . Farmer , P . M . ill ; Andrew Arnold , P . M . 1121 ; George Bailes , P . M . 1334 ; Robt . Thompson , I . P . M . 1121 ; J . Probert , P . M . 424 ; R . ll . Soolhcrati , 1337 ; Thomas Barkas , P . M . 1553 ( Rosario , Argentine Republic ) ; and W . Rutter , 241 ( New York ) .
The following were thc petitioners : Bros . C E . harries , I . P . M . ; R . D . Shafto , W . 11 . Turner , Rev . J . Gaskell , James Turner , John Heslop , and W . B . Holland . Thc remainder of thc founders were Bros . T . Farthing , George Rutherford , James Sanderson , John Dakens , William Turnbull , James Routledge , George Grathonie , George Knight , M . Coulson , \ V . I . Maxey , John O . Hanlon , and others .
At a quarter to one o ' clock the lodge was opened in the J hree Degrees , nnd solemn prayer offered by Bro . the Rev . J . M . SHEPHERD , the Prov . Grand Chaplain . The brethren of the new lodge having been arranged in order , thc acting P . G . M . called on the P . G . Sec . to read the warrant of the new lodge . The warrant was then laid on the P . G . Master ' s pedestal ; and the petitioners having signified their approval of the ofiicers nominated in the warrant , the P . G . M . piocceded to constitute the lodge .
The effect of the consecration ceremony was greatly enhanced by the most complete manner in which thc musical part of the proceedings had been arranged and the ability eif those taking part . Amongst them were Bros . Jos . Walker ( alto ) , D . Whitehead ( tenor ) , J . Nutton ( bass ) , R . Hnuxwcll ( tenor ) , and S . Wilkinson ( organist ) , all of Durham Cathedral choir , and whose marvellous voices are well known to our North Country brethren .
TJic- address of the acting P . G . M . was listened to with rapt attention by the brethren , and thc ceremony of consecration was proceeded with in a manner unusually impressive . No single hitch occurred to mar its solemnity , and the perfect rendering of the ritual , beautiful b y the addition of musical support of a very hig h order , combined to afford a treat never to be forgotten by those participating .
The lodge was then resumed in the Second Degree , after which Bro . C . V .. Barnes the W . M . designate was presented to the acting P . G . M . for installation , who duly p laced him in the chair of K . S . in the presence of a Board of over twenty Installed Masters , which alone suflicicntly explains the high estimation in which that brother is held . The W . M . then invested his oilicers as follows : Bros . R . D . Shaflo .
S . W . ; W . II . Turner , J . W . ; Rev . John Gaskell , Chap . ; James Turner , Sec ; John Dakers , S . D . ( pro tem ); John Heslop , J . D . ; W / B . ttolland , I . G . ; ihe election and investment of Treasurer and Tyler was deferred till the ordinary day of meeting . Upwards ot twenty biethren were proposed as joining members , and , before closing lodge thc W . M , received hearty congratulations and good wishes nf the brethren un all side .-.
At 1 he ojiichiMon of ihe ci . x-inony the- biethren sat down to a banquet al the adjoining hotel . Nearly all the brethren pi ' L-. eiit at the consecration al tended Ihe banquet , which was presided over by the newly installed W . M .
Consecration Of The Whitworth Lodge, No. 1932.
of thc lodge . The usual loyal , Masonic , and complimentary toasts were proposed and duly honoured , and thus were brought to a close the proceedings of a day which will be long remembered as most pleasant and satisfactory by all concerned .
Masonic History And Historians.
MASONIC HISTORY AND HISTORIANS .
BY MASONIC STUDENT . In Plot ' s "History of Staffordshire , " 16 S 6 , chap , viii ., p . 316 , occurs the following well-known passage , well-known , that is , to Masonic students : ft S 5 . "Thc Customs relating to tho County , whereof they have one , of admitting Mcn ' into the Society of Frcc-masons , that in the mooreiands of this County seems to be
of greater request , than any where else , though 1 find thc Custom spread more or less all over the Nation ; for here I found persons of the most eminent quality , that did not disdain to be of this Fellowship . Nor indeed need they , were it ol that Antiquity and honour , that is pretended in a large parchment volum they have amongst them , containing tlie History and Rules of the craft of Masonry . Which is there deduced not only from sacred writ , but profane story , particularly that it was brought into Kngland by St .
Amphibal , and first communicated to St . Alban , who set down the charges of masonry and was made paymaster and Governor of thc Kings works , and gave them chargesand manners as St . Amphibal had taught him . Which were after confirmed by King Athelstan , whose youngest son F . dwyn loved well masonry , took upon him the charges and learned the manners , and obtained for tliem of his Father a free-Charter .
Whereupon he caused them to assemble at York , and to bring all the old Books of their craft , and out of them ordained such charges and manners , as they then thought fit : which charges in the said Schrolc or parchment volum , are in part declared : and thus was the craft of masonry grounded and confirmed in Fngland . It is also there declared that these charges and manners were after perused and approved by King lien . C and hia council , both as to Masters and Fellows of this WorshipfuII craft . "
In paragraphs S 6 , 87 , and SS , hc alludes again to thc same subject . Now assuming , whicli I do , for the purpose of my argument , that thc lodge at Warrington at which Elias Ashmole was initiated in 1646 was not mainly Operative , as has been too hastily assumed , but was mainly Speculative , I am anxious lo call the attention of Students to thc fact that this reality , if it be a reality , which I apprehend it will shortly be found to be ,
throws out the whole theory of 1717 Freemasonry , and throws back our history close on to 100 years . And for this reason , it is impossible for any one to contend that the lodge in Warrington in 1646 was a now creation . It must go back several years ; and Plot , writing in 16 S 6 , treats thc existence of Freemasonry in England , ( he being a non-Freemason ) , as one then of some antiquity .
There is a curious allusion in his mention of Henry VI ., which has seemed to some to confirm the existence of the so-called Locke or Leland MS . ; and , no doubt , it is difficult to see , or say , to what else such a passage can allude . Indeed , it is just possible , that though the original MS ., if it ever existed , which is doubtful , at least in its present form , has so far cludtSd discovery or research , we may yet stumble upon , if ever we find Ashmole ' s papers , what the original form was .
I have always regarded the Locke MS ., though a "fraus pia 111 its present oulcome , as having for its basis some old Masonic , or Hcrmclical caVachelical formula . But the point I want to impress upon all fellow Students is the imperative necessity of trying to " work up " our acquaintance with pre-1717 Masonry . Even of the ihrcelirst decades of 1700 how little clo wc know -, aud , so far as is
ascertained , how few minutes or documents remain . When wc have studied the curious minute book of the Lodge of Alnwick , when we have perused thc Swalwell MSS . books , we have so far no further evidences to quote , or to use . Grand Lodge minutes do not begin until 1723 , and they arc " sparse , " and though minutes undoubtedly remain of some one or two of the London lodges of a date anterior to 1723 , they arc so far , and , as far as 1 can see at present , will remain , an " ' hermetically sealed book " to students .
Very often in " minutes" a great deal turns upon the " form of an expression , " nay , the " use of a word , " and it is always to be deplored in the history and interest of Masonic archa-ology and criticism , when brethren g ive us their own words , and not the " ipsissima verba " of the minutes themselves . Remember it is only for " experts" to judge of thc real value of a " minute , " inasmuch as it is only those who have carefully studied the subject and mastered both its " weak points" and ils "strong points "
who can " spot , "—to use a young man ' s word of the day , —what is the bearing of such a minute on the true history of Freemasonry , inasmuch as they , and lhey alone , have realized what are the " cruxes " to be encountered , the anachronisms to be reconciled , the " Fictions " lo be dispelled , and the " facts" to be substantiated . Let us , then , as the number of Masonic Students is happily increasing among us , set to work to lind out all that can be found out of ihe history of Freemasonry in this country in thc early eighteenth and in the seventeenth century .
New South Wales.
NEW SOUTH WALES .
The following is the last deliverance to the Grand Lodge of Scotland on the subject , to which our attention has been called . We commend it lo tin : notice of our readers . - — "A letter had been received from a brother in Sydney , asking Grand Lodge to recognise a so-called Grand Lodge of New South Wales , and had been replied to by Grand Secretary in thc following terms : —' . . . Your communication on behalf of a body which is not in anv
respect recognised b y the Grand Lodge oi Scotland has been received , and will be submitted to Grand Committee . For your own information and that of those whom you represent , permit me to say that thc Grand Lodge c Scotland has during the period of thirty years been granting charters to lodges in New South Wales , and that at present there are some twenty eight or thirty of these lodges in active nnd successful operation , numerical !}
strong , leal-hearted in their allegiance to their mother Grand Lodge : then " members good citizens and loyal subjects , devoted to Masonry , proud - ' their connection wilh Scotland , and happy in fraternal association with ll" - Colonial Lodges and brethren in obedience lo the Grand Lodges of Eng land and Ireland . Any suggestions for thc good of Masonry in New South Wales which you desire to offer lo the Grand Lodge of Scotland should be transmitted through hcr representatives in that Colony . The R . W . hi ' ' - ami
Dr . Sedgwick is District Grand Master under the . " scotch Constitution , Bro . William Hig . lrim District Grand Secretary . [ 11 these , and thc olha ofiicers and members of the District Grand Lodge , the Most Worship ful lh ^ Grand Master Mason ( Bro . Sir Michael R . Shaw Stewart , Baronet ) , a "" oilicers and members of the Grand Lodge have the fullest confidence . ' H Committee recommend that Grand Secretary ' : ; repl y be approved , and tlw no further notice be taken of the matter . "