Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Ad00604
ROYAL MASONIC INSTITUTION FOR GIRLS . ST . JOHN'S HILL , BATTERSEA RISE , S . W . PATRONS : — HIS ROYAL HIGHNESS THE PRINCE OF WALES , K . G ., & c , M . W . G . M ., PRESIDENT . HER ROYAL HIGHNESS THE PRINCESS OF WALES . A QUARTERLY GENERAL COURT of the GOVERNOR'S and SUBSCRIBERS of this INSTITUTION will be held in the HALL of the FREEMASONS' TAVERN , Great Oueen Street , Lincoln ' s Inn Fields , London , on SATURDAY , October Sth , 1 SS 1 , at Twelve o'clock precisely , on the general business of the Institution , to consider notices of motion as follow , and to elect 15 girls into the Schools by ballot from a list of 24 approved candidates . The Election will commence at One o ' clock ( or after thc usual business is over ) . and close at Three o'clock precisely NOTICES OF MOTION . By Bro . J OSHUA NUNN , V . Pres .-. "That in the opinion of the House Committee it is desirable to ercct . a Swimming Bath for the use of the Girls , and that application be made to the Quarterly Court to sanction the expenditure of a sum not exceeding £ 2000 , for the above purpose . " By Bro . FRANK R ICHARDSON , V . Pat . : "That the rank of Hon . Vice-Patron be conferred upon Bro . Charles Hammerton , in recognition of his valuable services to the Institution . " By Bro-. ARTHUR E . GLADWELL : Additional paragraph to Law XVI . "The Secretary for tne time being of a Masonic Charitable Association ( such' as those usually associated with Lodges of Instruction ) which has paid to the Institution a sum of not less than One Hundred Guineas , shall , upon proof thereof , be entitled to the honorary rank of a Life Governor , and to all the privileges of the same , and , further , thc Secretary of an Association which has paid to the Institution during his Secretaryship a sum of not less than Two Hundred Guineas , shall , upon proof thereof , on his retiring from such office , or on the Association ceasing to exist , be entitled to all the privileges of a Life Governor in his own right . " F . R . W . HEDGES , Secretary . Offices—5 , Freemasons' Hall , Great Queen Street , W . C .
Ad00605
ROYAL MASONIC INSTITUTION FOR BOYS , WOOD GREEN , LONDON , N . Oflice—0 , FREEMASONS' HALL , W . C . PATRON : HER MAJESTY THE QUEEN . PRESIDENT : HIS ROYAL HIGHNESS THE PRINCE OF WALES , K . G ., M . W . G . M . A QUARTERLY GENERAL COURT of the GOVERNORS and SUBSCRIBERS will be held in the LARGE HALL , FREEMASONS' TAVERN , Great Queen Street , Lincoln ' s Inn Fields , London , on MONDAY ^ 10 th day of October , 1 SS 1 , for the transaction of the ordinary business of the Institution . To consider the following Notices of Motion : — 1 . By Bro . R . W . STEWART , V . P ., on behalf of the House Committee" That a special account , in the names ol thc Trustees of the General Fund , be opened with the London and Westminster Bank ( limited ) , Bloomsbury Branch , to be called 'The Royal Masonic Institution for Boys' Preparatory School Building Fund . ' " " That such Fund shall be left to accumulate by donations and interest thereon as may accrue from time to time until it shall amount to the sum of £ Sooj , when the House and Building Committee shall be authorised to commence the erection of the building on plans approved ar . d adopted after due consideration . " "That any donor , on the completion of his or her qualification as a Life Governor of the Institution , shall receive two votes instead of one vote for every Five Guineas contributed ( ladies and lewises receiving lour votes ) to the special Building Fund . " - " That in thc event of the Building Fund not reaching the required sum , the amount contributed , with the accumulated interest thereon , may be transferred to the General Fund of the Institution , in accordance with resolution of a General Court , ' on noticeof motion duly given . " 2 . By Bro . ARTHUR E . GI . AIIWEI . I . — Additional paragraph to Law XVI . "The Secrctary ; for the time being of a Masonic Charitable Association ( such as those usually associated with Lodges of Instruction ) which has paid to the Institution a sum of not less than One Hundred Guineas , shall , upon proof thereof , be entitled to the honorary rank of a Life Governor , and to all the privileges of the same ; and , further , the Secretary of an Association which has paid tothe Institution during his Secretaryship a sum of not less than Two Hundred Guineas , shall , upon proof thereof , on his retiring from such office , or on the Association ceasing lo exist , be entitled to all the privileges of a Life Governor in his own right . " To Elect 12 Boys from an approved li :, t of ( . 3 candidates deduced lo ( 13 by the withdrawal of No . 7 , Laing , Herbert Law . . , on ; No . 20 , Sislev , Walter John ) . The HALLO I for the ELECTION of BOYS will take place at One nYloi . k ( or so soon as the general business of the Court shall have terminated ) and will close at 3 o ' clock precisely . The chair will be taken at 12 o ' clock , noon . By order , FREDERICK BINCKES , P . G . Ste _ an [ and Patron , Secretary . 1 st Och . bi .-r , . \ SI . , ' , 'l'he names of V > ii : Vliren willing to represent l . otlges or Provinces nt the Eighly-Fomth Anniversaiy Festival in June , | W . ' , will he thankfully received .
Ad00600
PROVINCIAL GRAND LODGE . - * - FOR THE WESTERN DIVISION OF LANCASHIRE . The Rig ht Hon . the EARL OF LATHOM , D . G . M ., R . W . P . G . M . THE ANNUAL PROVINCIAL GRAND LODGE will be held at the WINTER GARDENS , BLACKPOOL , On Wednesday , the 12 th instant , At Half-past Twelve o ' clock , to transact the Annual Business , to which Master Masons will be admitted . The BANQUET will be held at the Winter Gardens at Four o'clock " ( instead of Five o ' clock , as stated in the circulars ) . Tickets ( exclusive of wine ) Five Shillings each . II . S . ALLPASS , Provincial Grand Secretary .
Ad00606
VOTES . —A BROTHER who is very anxious to obtain a large number of VOTES for the GIRLS' and BOYS' SCHOOLS ELECTIONS , October Sth and 10 th , would be glad to meet a Brother , or Brethren , who have such Votes at disposal . _ A friendly arrangement can be made for the next elections . Telegraph for a meeting ; all expenses paid . —T . T . T ., Freemason Office , iC , Great Queen-street , W . C . An interview could be had Friday evening or Saturday morning .
Ad00607
NOTICE . The " Cosmopolitan Masonic Diary and Pocket Book" for 1 SS 2 is preparing for publication on the ist of November . To ensure accuracy a form for filling up has been sent lo every lodge , and those Secretaries who have not yet made their returns will greatly oblige the Publisher b y doing so at their earliest possible convenience . Thc Freemason . Oflice , ifi , Great Quccn-strcct ( opposite Freemasons' Hall ) .
Ad00608
BOOKS , & c . RECEIVED . The Annual Report of the Northern Union of Mechanics Institutions , " "Keystone , " "Thc Hull Packet , " "The Broad Arrow , " "The Jewish Chronicle , " "The West London Advertiser , " "The Sunday Times , " "Hospitals and thc State , " "Die Baiihuttc , " " European Mail , " " Der Long Islaendcr , " " New York Dispatch , " " Allen ' s Indian Mail , " " Boletin Oficial del Grande Orient de Espana , " "Boletin Masonico " ( Mexico ) , "The Hebrew Leader . "
Ar00609
THE FREEMASON . SATURDAY , OCTOBER 3 , 1 SS 1 .
Original Correspondence.
Original Correspondence .
[ Wc do not hold ourselves responsible tor , or even approving of , the opinions expressed by our correspondents , but we wish in a spirit of fair play to all to permit—within certain necessary limits—tree discussion . ']
THE SCHOOL ELECTIONS . Dear Bro . Kenning , — I have to thank much many kind friends and brethren , for their response to my circular and letter , and 1
would only add that either Bro . Tisley or myself can still receive voting papers in Freemasons' Tavern on Saturday , the Sth , and Monday , the 10 th insts ., and that such will be " better late than never , " and most gratf ully accepted . Yours fraternally , A . I * . A . WOODFORD . 25 a , Norfolk-crescent , Hyde Park , W ., Monday , October 3 rd , 1 S . S 1 .
ENGLISH MASONRY IN FRANCE . To the Editor of Ihe " Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , — Many thanks to Bro . Maskelyne and to you for the very able suggestions mentioned in your last week's issue respecting the manner of establishing a Craft lodge ,
working in English , here . In conjunction with my fellowworkers , we intend immediately doing the needful to overcome any administrative obstacles there may be in our way ; and if wc should happily realise our hopes , we will keep you informed of our progress , convinced that on so important a point you will feel interested . I am , yours fraternally , JOSEPH LAMBERT . 7 G , Faubourg Puissonnieie , Paris , 27 th September .
ADMISSION TO PROVINCIAL GRAND LODGES . To the Editor of the "Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , — I agree with "II . G . " that thc subject of adinis Mon to Provincial Grand Lodge meetings requires the serious consideration of the " rulers of the Craft , " and , in
conjunction with it , admission to Craft lodges . The teachings of our Order forbid me to be too severe ; theiefore , I will content myself by saying that if all who range under our banners would remember their obligationsand the " emblematic square , " such a precaution would be unnecessary , except against " cowans . " A case of visiting has only recently come under my notice : A brother visited a lodge
Original Correspondence.
regularly several months , the usual " . Hearty and accorded good wishes . " From thc regularity of his visits he was interrogated ( the fact of his being a Mason had been previously fully proved ) , and it was found that he had not been a subscribing Mason for several years . ' How , therefore , he could bring the customary congratulations from his lodge
is a masterpiece for the "forty-sevcntfi problem . " One point I will give to him , and that is , he was in thc yellow leaf and in poverty . The case , however , wil ! apply to many who cannot plead inability to subscribe ; and , to go still farther , will apply to many who have even been excluded for nonpayment of their dues , and yet present themselves at the
door of the lodge , prove themselves Masons , but the contributing portion of their pedigree goes unchallenged . I would suggest that a mandate be issued that all visiting brethren ( unless vouched for by a brother a member of the lodge about to be visited ) be required to produce their subscription voucher , which should be rejected if more than
twelve months old . 1 his would increase our yearly contributions to the " Fund of Benevolence ; " would cause our lodge arrears to be considerably diminished ; increase thc funds of our lodges ; and assist our Secretaries in their post , not only of honour , but of work . Yours fraternally , I . P . M . 14-jS .
Reviews.
Reviews .
GILDS . By CORNELIUS WALEORD , F . S . A ., P . S . S ., and F . R . H . S . Printed for private circulation . Mr . Walford's carefully prepared account of the origin , constitution , objects , and later history of "Gilds" is not only most interesting and readable in itself , but is a most valuable help to the general and Masonic student . Just now a great deal of attention is being paid to the "Gild
Life " of our forefathers , inasmuch as it is now perfectly clear how important a part that overlooked and undervalued feature of our past social existence played for many centuries in the general , social , municipal progress of our English people . And certainly , therefore , our best thanks , and the best thanks of all who value such researches , are due to Mr . Walford for his very lucid and able treatise on
what has hitherto been so obscure and recondite a subject , whether for the antiquary , or the historian . Air . Walford , unlike some writers , takes back the Gilds , —Anglo-Saxon , undoubtedly , in name—to Roman times and Roman civilization . He clearly connects them , as Mr . Coote has done , with the " collegia privata , " the "collegia opificum " of the Roman Empire , and then shews how many hundred rcturns of Gilds in the reign of Richard II . still exist in one
of our Law Offices , in mclancnoly mildew and decay , among which it is not at all . unlikely that we shall some day , if still . decypherable , find a return from a Gild of Freemasons . Mr . Wallord tells us that there are many "Gilds" for the building and restoration of Churches , Bridges , " Gildade Ponte , " and we shall . give later the statutes of thc Tylers , or Poyntours , and thc oath of a Social Gild , to show how curious , after the lapse of years , is the enduring
similitude between Masonic usages and those old customs . Mr . Walford divides Gilds into Frith Gilds , Religious Gilds , Gild , of thc Kalendcrs ( mainly clerical ) , Social Gilds , Craft Gilds , Gilds Merchant , Burg Gilds ( Corporation Gilds ) . Mr . Walford points out that some of the Gilds had to perforin military service , and seems to think that the Knights Templar took their origin from a military Gild . He aslo seems to lean to the theory of Freemasons coming down from the Craft Gilds . Mr . Walford alludes to a
" fact , which Mr . iVallbran , of Ripon , mentioned to thc reviewer years ago , and which he has often alluded to in the Freemason and elsewhere , that Athelstan patronized and gave charters to the " gilds , " hence probably the foundation of our Masonic legend . The following are the statutes of the Gild of Tylers , or Poyntours , of Lincoln , epitomized : " Itwas founded in 134 O ; new
members to make themselves known to "gracemen , " and pay a quarter of barley ; 1 id . to the ale , and id . prayers , and all for thc poor . Help to pilgrims . Burials provided . One brother shall not unfairly meddle with the craft work of another . All men of this craft in Lincoln shall join tlie Gild . " The following is a portion of the oath of admission : "In this social Gild of St . Katherine , of Stamford , 1494 . ..
nnd shall be obedyent to the Alderman of this Glide and his successoures , and come to hym and to his bredern when 1 have warnying , and not absente myselffe without cause resonable . 1 shal be redy at scott and lelte , and all my duties truly pay and doo ; the ordynauncis , constitutions , and rules with the councell of the same Glide , kepc , obey , and perfi . rme , and to my power maynteyn to my lyvy ' s
ende ; co helpe me God and Holy dome , and by this boke . They were to " kys the boke and be lovynglye receyved with all the bredern , and after lhat departe for that nyghte . " Mr . Walford tells us specially that " scarcely five out of the 500 Gilds found to be in existence in the fourteenth century in this country excluded women ; " and in the ordinance of the Grocers' Company , London , 134 S , it is expressly
provided that " any one of the fraternity having a wife ot compagnion ' companon , ' ( of course a near relative ) , shall come to the feast , and bring with him a damsel if he please . —ameyne avec lui , une demoiselle , si luy plest , "—of course , a sister , or a cousin , or wife ' s sister ! Mr . Walford calls attention to thc following Acts of Parliament , which we commend to thc attention of Mr . Gould . 15 Henry VI ..
c . C , 143 ( 1-37 , declares , in consequence of a petition to th " King , " whereas the Master , Wardens , and people of the many Gilds , fraternities , and other Los Incorp , dwelling . ' ] divers parts of the realm , often times by colour of rule and governance , " & c , " make among themselves many unlawful and unreasonable ordinances , " & c , " and they were ordered to bring their letters patent before the Justice ^ i . f the Peace in thc country or the Chief Governors of l'ie said cities , boroughs , and towns , " < X : c . He further calls
attention lo 22 Henry VIII ., c . 4 , which dealt with fees oi apprenticeship , though it would almost seem as if this Ac ' referred more to the Corporation than the Gilds . GuyM * and fraternities and brotherhoods were dissolved by " Si Ilenrv VIII ., c . 4 , and their final destruction was achieved by 1 ' Edward VI ., .. 14 . Mr . Walford accepts the statement , we think it is of Breiitano ' s , that the spirit of the statutes of all craft Gilds , whether in France , Germany , ur England , was the same ; and Kloss produces parallel passages from those of the Steinmetzen and the English Gild 5
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Ad00604
ROYAL MASONIC INSTITUTION FOR GIRLS . ST . JOHN'S HILL , BATTERSEA RISE , S . W . PATRONS : — HIS ROYAL HIGHNESS THE PRINCE OF WALES , K . G ., & c , M . W . G . M ., PRESIDENT . HER ROYAL HIGHNESS THE PRINCESS OF WALES . A QUARTERLY GENERAL COURT of the GOVERNOR'S and SUBSCRIBERS of this INSTITUTION will be held in the HALL of the FREEMASONS' TAVERN , Great Oueen Street , Lincoln ' s Inn Fields , London , on SATURDAY , October Sth , 1 SS 1 , at Twelve o'clock precisely , on the general business of the Institution , to consider notices of motion as follow , and to elect 15 girls into the Schools by ballot from a list of 24 approved candidates . The Election will commence at One o ' clock ( or after thc usual business is over ) . and close at Three o'clock precisely NOTICES OF MOTION . By Bro . J OSHUA NUNN , V . Pres .-. "That in the opinion of the House Committee it is desirable to ercct . a Swimming Bath for the use of the Girls , and that application be made to the Quarterly Court to sanction the expenditure of a sum not exceeding £ 2000 , for the above purpose . " By Bro . FRANK R ICHARDSON , V . Pat . : "That the rank of Hon . Vice-Patron be conferred upon Bro . Charles Hammerton , in recognition of his valuable services to the Institution . " By Bro-. ARTHUR E . GLADWELL : Additional paragraph to Law XVI . "The Secretary for tne time being of a Masonic Charitable Association ( such' as those usually associated with Lodges of Instruction ) which has paid to the Institution a sum of not less than One Hundred Guineas , shall , upon proof thereof , be entitled to the honorary rank of a Life Governor , and to all the privileges of the same , and , further , thc Secretary of an Association which has paid to the Institution during his Secretaryship a sum of not less than Two Hundred Guineas , shall , upon proof thereof , on his retiring from such office , or on the Association ceasing to exist , be entitled to all the privileges of a Life Governor in his own right . " F . R . W . HEDGES , Secretary . Offices—5 , Freemasons' Hall , Great Queen Street , W . C .
Ad00605
ROYAL MASONIC INSTITUTION FOR BOYS , WOOD GREEN , LONDON , N . Oflice—0 , FREEMASONS' HALL , W . C . PATRON : HER MAJESTY THE QUEEN . PRESIDENT : HIS ROYAL HIGHNESS THE PRINCE OF WALES , K . G ., M . W . G . M . A QUARTERLY GENERAL COURT of the GOVERNORS and SUBSCRIBERS will be held in the LARGE HALL , FREEMASONS' TAVERN , Great Queen Street , Lincoln ' s Inn Fields , London , on MONDAY ^ 10 th day of October , 1 SS 1 , for the transaction of the ordinary business of the Institution . To consider the following Notices of Motion : — 1 . By Bro . R . W . STEWART , V . P ., on behalf of the House Committee" That a special account , in the names ol thc Trustees of the General Fund , be opened with the London and Westminster Bank ( limited ) , Bloomsbury Branch , to be called 'The Royal Masonic Institution for Boys' Preparatory School Building Fund . ' " " That such Fund shall be left to accumulate by donations and interest thereon as may accrue from time to time until it shall amount to the sum of £ Sooj , when the House and Building Committee shall be authorised to commence the erection of the building on plans approved ar . d adopted after due consideration . " "That any donor , on the completion of his or her qualification as a Life Governor of the Institution , shall receive two votes instead of one vote for every Five Guineas contributed ( ladies and lewises receiving lour votes ) to the special Building Fund . " - " That in thc event of the Building Fund not reaching the required sum , the amount contributed , with the accumulated interest thereon , may be transferred to the General Fund of the Institution , in accordance with resolution of a General Court , ' on noticeof motion duly given . " 2 . By Bro . ARTHUR E . GI . AIIWEI . I . — Additional paragraph to Law XVI . "The Secrctary ; for the time being of a Masonic Charitable Association ( such as those usually associated with Lodges of Instruction ) which has paid to the Institution a sum of not less than One Hundred Guineas , shall , upon proof thereof , be entitled to the honorary rank of a Life Governor , and to all the privileges of the same ; and , further , the Secretary of an Association which has paid tothe Institution during his Secretaryship a sum of not less than Two Hundred Guineas , shall , upon proof thereof , on his retiring from such office , or on the Association ceasing lo exist , be entitled to all the privileges of a Life Governor in his own right . " To Elect 12 Boys from an approved li :, t of ( . 3 candidates deduced lo ( 13 by the withdrawal of No . 7 , Laing , Herbert Law . . , on ; No . 20 , Sislev , Walter John ) . The HALLO I for the ELECTION of BOYS will take place at One nYloi . k ( or so soon as the general business of the Court shall have terminated ) and will close at 3 o ' clock precisely . The chair will be taken at 12 o ' clock , noon . By order , FREDERICK BINCKES , P . G . Ste _ an [ and Patron , Secretary . 1 st Och . bi .-r , . \ SI . , ' , 'l'he names of V > ii : Vliren willing to represent l . otlges or Provinces nt the Eighly-Fomth Anniversaiy Festival in June , | W . ' , will he thankfully received .
Ad00600
PROVINCIAL GRAND LODGE . - * - FOR THE WESTERN DIVISION OF LANCASHIRE . The Rig ht Hon . the EARL OF LATHOM , D . G . M ., R . W . P . G . M . THE ANNUAL PROVINCIAL GRAND LODGE will be held at the WINTER GARDENS , BLACKPOOL , On Wednesday , the 12 th instant , At Half-past Twelve o ' clock , to transact the Annual Business , to which Master Masons will be admitted . The BANQUET will be held at the Winter Gardens at Four o'clock " ( instead of Five o ' clock , as stated in the circulars ) . Tickets ( exclusive of wine ) Five Shillings each . II . S . ALLPASS , Provincial Grand Secretary .
Ad00606
VOTES . —A BROTHER who is very anxious to obtain a large number of VOTES for the GIRLS' and BOYS' SCHOOLS ELECTIONS , October Sth and 10 th , would be glad to meet a Brother , or Brethren , who have such Votes at disposal . _ A friendly arrangement can be made for the next elections . Telegraph for a meeting ; all expenses paid . —T . T . T ., Freemason Office , iC , Great Queen-street , W . C . An interview could be had Friday evening or Saturday morning .
Ad00607
NOTICE . The " Cosmopolitan Masonic Diary and Pocket Book" for 1 SS 2 is preparing for publication on the ist of November . To ensure accuracy a form for filling up has been sent lo every lodge , and those Secretaries who have not yet made their returns will greatly oblige the Publisher b y doing so at their earliest possible convenience . Thc Freemason . Oflice , ifi , Great Quccn-strcct ( opposite Freemasons' Hall ) .
Ad00608
BOOKS , & c . RECEIVED . The Annual Report of the Northern Union of Mechanics Institutions , " "Keystone , " "Thc Hull Packet , " "The Broad Arrow , " "The Jewish Chronicle , " "The West London Advertiser , " "The Sunday Times , " "Hospitals and thc State , " "Die Baiihuttc , " " European Mail , " " Der Long Islaendcr , " " New York Dispatch , " " Allen ' s Indian Mail , " " Boletin Oficial del Grande Orient de Espana , " "Boletin Masonico " ( Mexico ) , "The Hebrew Leader . "
Ar00609
THE FREEMASON . SATURDAY , OCTOBER 3 , 1 SS 1 .
Original Correspondence.
Original Correspondence .
[ Wc do not hold ourselves responsible tor , or even approving of , the opinions expressed by our correspondents , but we wish in a spirit of fair play to all to permit—within certain necessary limits—tree discussion . ']
THE SCHOOL ELECTIONS . Dear Bro . Kenning , — I have to thank much many kind friends and brethren , for their response to my circular and letter , and 1
would only add that either Bro . Tisley or myself can still receive voting papers in Freemasons' Tavern on Saturday , the Sth , and Monday , the 10 th insts ., and that such will be " better late than never , " and most gratf ully accepted . Yours fraternally , A . I * . A . WOODFORD . 25 a , Norfolk-crescent , Hyde Park , W ., Monday , October 3 rd , 1 S . S 1 .
ENGLISH MASONRY IN FRANCE . To the Editor of Ihe " Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , — Many thanks to Bro . Maskelyne and to you for the very able suggestions mentioned in your last week's issue respecting the manner of establishing a Craft lodge ,
working in English , here . In conjunction with my fellowworkers , we intend immediately doing the needful to overcome any administrative obstacles there may be in our way ; and if wc should happily realise our hopes , we will keep you informed of our progress , convinced that on so important a point you will feel interested . I am , yours fraternally , JOSEPH LAMBERT . 7 G , Faubourg Puissonnieie , Paris , 27 th September .
ADMISSION TO PROVINCIAL GRAND LODGES . To the Editor of the "Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , — I agree with "II . G . " that thc subject of adinis Mon to Provincial Grand Lodge meetings requires the serious consideration of the " rulers of the Craft , " and , in
conjunction with it , admission to Craft lodges . The teachings of our Order forbid me to be too severe ; theiefore , I will content myself by saying that if all who range under our banners would remember their obligationsand the " emblematic square , " such a precaution would be unnecessary , except against " cowans . " A case of visiting has only recently come under my notice : A brother visited a lodge
Original Correspondence.
regularly several months , the usual " . Hearty and accorded good wishes . " From thc regularity of his visits he was interrogated ( the fact of his being a Mason had been previously fully proved ) , and it was found that he had not been a subscribing Mason for several years . ' How , therefore , he could bring the customary congratulations from his lodge
is a masterpiece for the "forty-sevcntfi problem . " One point I will give to him , and that is , he was in thc yellow leaf and in poverty . The case , however , wil ! apply to many who cannot plead inability to subscribe ; and , to go still farther , will apply to many who have even been excluded for nonpayment of their dues , and yet present themselves at the
door of the lodge , prove themselves Masons , but the contributing portion of their pedigree goes unchallenged . I would suggest that a mandate be issued that all visiting brethren ( unless vouched for by a brother a member of the lodge about to be visited ) be required to produce their subscription voucher , which should be rejected if more than
twelve months old . 1 his would increase our yearly contributions to the " Fund of Benevolence ; " would cause our lodge arrears to be considerably diminished ; increase thc funds of our lodges ; and assist our Secretaries in their post , not only of honour , but of work . Yours fraternally , I . P . M . 14-jS .
Reviews.
Reviews .
GILDS . By CORNELIUS WALEORD , F . S . A ., P . S . S ., and F . R . H . S . Printed for private circulation . Mr . Walford's carefully prepared account of the origin , constitution , objects , and later history of "Gilds" is not only most interesting and readable in itself , but is a most valuable help to the general and Masonic student . Just now a great deal of attention is being paid to the "Gild
Life " of our forefathers , inasmuch as it is now perfectly clear how important a part that overlooked and undervalued feature of our past social existence played for many centuries in the general , social , municipal progress of our English people . And certainly , therefore , our best thanks , and the best thanks of all who value such researches , are due to Mr . Walford for his very lucid and able treatise on
what has hitherto been so obscure and recondite a subject , whether for the antiquary , or the historian . Air . Walford , unlike some writers , takes back the Gilds , —Anglo-Saxon , undoubtedly , in name—to Roman times and Roman civilization . He clearly connects them , as Mr . Coote has done , with the " collegia privata , " the "collegia opificum " of the Roman Empire , and then shews how many hundred rcturns of Gilds in the reign of Richard II . still exist in one
of our Law Offices , in mclancnoly mildew and decay , among which it is not at all . unlikely that we shall some day , if still . decypherable , find a return from a Gild of Freemasons . Mr . Wallord tells us that there are many "Gilds" for the building and restoration of Churches , Bridges , " Gildade Ponte , " and we shall . give later the statutes of thc Tylers , or Poyntours , and thc oath of a Social Gild , to show how curious , after the lapse of years , is the enduring
similitude between Masonic usages and those old customs . Mr . Walford divides Gilds into Frith Gilds , Religious Gilds , Gild , of thc Kalendcrs ( mainly clerical ) , Social Gilds , Craft Gilds , Gilds Merchant , Burg Gilds ( Corporation Gilds ) . Mr . Walford points out that some of the Gilds had to perforin military service , and seems to think that the Knights Templar took their origin from a military Gild . He aslo seems to lean to the theory of Freemasons coming down from the Craft Gilds . Mr . Walford alludes to a
" fact , which Mr . iVallbran , of Ripon , mentioned to thc reviewer years ago , and which he has often alluded to in the Freemason and elsewhere , that Athelstan patronized and gave charters to the " gilds , " hence probably the foundation of our Masonic legend . The following are the statutes of the Gild of Tylers , or Poyntours , of Lincoln , epitomized : " Itwas founded in 134 O ; new
members to make themselves known to "gracemen , " and pay a quarter of barley ; 1 id . to the ale , and id . prayers , and all for thc poor . Help to pilgrims . Burials provided . One brother shall not unfairly meddle with the craft work of another . All men of this craft in Lincoln shall join tlie Gild . " The following is a portion of the oath of admission : "In this social Gild of St . Katherine , of Stamford , 1494 . ..
nnd shall be obedyent to the Alderman of this Glide and his successoures , and come to hym and to his bredern when 1 have warnying , and not absente myselffe without cause resonable . 1 shal be redy at scott and lelte , and all my duties truly pay and doo ; the ordynauncis , constitutions , and rules with the councell of the same Glide , kepc , obey , and perfi . rme , and to my power maynteyn to my lyvy ' s
ende ; co helpe me God and Holy dome , and by this boke . They were to " kys the boke and be lovynglye receyved with all the bredern , and after lhat departe for that nyghte . " Mr . Walford tells us specially that " scarcely five out of the 500 Gilds found to be in existence in the fourteenth century in this country excluded women ; " and in the ordinance of the Grocers' Company , London , 134 S , it is expressly
provided that " any one of the fraternity having a wife ot compagnion ' companon , ' ( of course a near relative ) , shall come to the feast , and bring with him a damsel if he please . —ameyne avec lui , une demoiselle , si luy plest , "—of course , a sister , or a cousin , or wife ' s sister ! Mr . Walford calls attention to thc following Acts of Parliament , which we commend to thc attention of Mr . Gould . 15 Henry VI ..
c . C , 143 ( 1-37 , declares , in consequence of a petition to th " King , " whereas the Master , Wardens , and people of the many Gilds , fraternities , and other Los Incorp , dwelling . ' ] divers parts of the realm , often times by colour of rule and governance , " & c , " make among themselves many unlawful and unreasonable ordinances , " & c , " and they were ordered to bring their letters patent before the Justice ^ i . f the Peace in thc country or the Chief Governors of l'ie said cities , boroughs , and towns , " < X : c . He further calls
attention lo 22 Henry VIII ., c . 4 , which dealt with fees oi apprenticeship , though it would almost seem as if this Ac ' referred more to the Corporation than the Gilds . GuyM * and fraternities and brotherhoods were dissolved by " Si Ilenrv VIII ., c . 4 , and their final destruction was achieved by 1 ' Edward VI ., .. 14 . Mr . Walford accepts the statement , we think it is of Breiitano ' s , that the spirit of the statutes of all craft Gilds , whether in France , Germany , ur England , was the same ; and Kloss produces parallel passages from those of the Steinmetzen and the English Gild 5