Provincial Grand Mark Lodge Of Kent.

The following brethren were accordingly proposed for advancement , balloted for , and declared duly cleeted : —Bros . Beamish , Biggs , Champion , Gramshaw , Halten , Hubbard , Massey , Pollen , Stratford , Soley , Thomas , Wallis , Whitfield , Willoughby , and Walker , also Bro . Hogg , as a joining member .

The R . W . P . G . M . having retired from the chair , it was assumed by Bro . O . G . Podevin , P . D . P . G . M . M ., P . G . Sec , who worked the ceremony of advancement to the Honourable Degree of M . M . M . in the able way for which he is well known , and , notwithstanding the unusual number of candidates , the whole was gone through in a remarkably smooth and successful manner , the Deacons proving especially efficient in marshalling and conducting the large body of advancees , and Bros . Cummings and Matier affording invaluable assistance .

At the conclusion of the ceremony of advancement , the R . W . P . G . M . resumed the chair , appointed his officers pro tern ., and most ably assisted by Bro . C . F . Matier , P . G . D ., as Director of Ceremonies , proceeded with the ceremony of consecration . The founders of the Gordon Lodge having been assembled in order , were addressed by the Consecrating Officer , the petition and warrant read , and the lodge constituted . The P . G . Chaplain ,

Bro . the Rev . Branhl Harrison , in a grave and eloquent oration on the principles of Mark Masonry , and the ceremony of consecration was proceeded with and completed by the P . G . M . M . in the manner so well known to Mark Masons , and which invariably draws a large concourse whenever it is known that the beloved and respected head of the province will officiate . The impressive and beautiful ceremony receives added dignity and interest when thus interpreted , and a rich Masonic treat was enjoyed by those present .

At the conclusion of the ceremony , the chair was yielded to the recently appointed Dep . Prov . Grand Mark Master , the Rev . Hayman Cummings , Grand Chaplain , who installed the Worshi pful Master designate , Bro . William Barlow . It is a severe test to follow the P . G . M . M ., but Bro . Cummings as usual upheld his reputation for perfection oE working and dignity of manner , and we have never seen the interesting ceremony of installation better carried out in every detail .

The new W . M . then appointed and invested his officers , which he did with considerable charm of manner , and thus the Gordon Lodge was placed on a career , that if in accordance with the opening day of its history , should be one of the greatest success and usefulness . Seldom has so complete an

exposition of the ceremonies of Mark Masonry ( Prov . G . Lodge , Advancement , Consecration , and Installation , ) been laid before so influential and representative a gathering , and the vitality of Mark Masonry in Kent speaks volumes for the fostering care of perhaps the most honoured of an honoured list of names of those who have filled the dignified position of head of the

province . At the conclusion of the three hours stead y Masonic work , and after a very brief breathing time , the brethren sat down to a sumptuous repast , presided over by the new Master of the Gordon Lodge , Bro . Barlow , supported right and left by the R . W . P . G . M ., the W . D . P . G . M ., Bros . Binckes , Bowyer , Matier , Harrison , and others . Bro . Hubbard , the host of the new Falcon , was assiduous in his attentions to the comfort of the guests , and Bro . Cousins , P . G . Org ., in due time contributed largely to the musical enjoyment of the evening .

At the conclusion of the banquet the usual loyal toasts were eloquently proposed by the W . M ., and great enthusiasm was evoked by the toast of "The P . G . M ., " whose recovery from recent severe indisposition and resumption of his full possession of his powers of eloquence were a source of the greatest possible satisfaction to his faithful subjects .

The P . G . M . responded in his usual genial and happy way , equally at home , as he is at the festive board , or in the solemnities of the highest Masonic rites , and warmly congratulated the new lodge , prognosticating or rather claiming , a successful and useful future . " The Officers , " " The Visitors , " Sec , all came in for their share of kindly mention by the W . M ., but the toast of "The Deputy P . G . M ., Bro . Cummings , " most ably proposed by the new S . D ., Bro . Carpenter , evoked genuine enthusiasm .

Bro . CARPENTER recounted the efforts of that officer to establish the Gordon Lodge , and stated that much of the success of that most promising start was to be ascribed to the initiation , advice , and assistance of Bro . Cummings , who , though advanced to very high dignitv , was nevertheless always ready to help the humblest brethren in the truest Masonic spirit . Bro . Capenter also referred to the splendid specimen of working set them that evening by Bro . Cummings , and expressed the hope that all present would do their best to imitate it .

At this juncture the P . G . M . rising to leave , was speeded on his way by a spontaneous burst of cheering , showing plainly how near to the hearts of Mark Master Masons dwells their respected head . Bro . CUMMINGS then responded , with expressions of gratitude and satisfaction at the remarkable start of the newest Mark Lodge , and concluded with practical and sound advice , bearing on the prospects and future career of its members .

The remainder of a memorable meeting was spent in harmony , and the company sepatated "With hearty good wishes" to the Gordon Lodge . The lodge was furnished b y Bro . George Kenning , P . M . No . i .

The Early Organisation Of The "Ancient" Masons.

THE EARLY ORGANISATION OF THE "ANCIENT" MASONS .

II . BY G . B . ABBOTT . Having enumerated the contents of the newly-discovered register , let me describe them at length , and , with a certain minuteness of detail , the Rules and Orders which were framed by the Committee appointed at the General Assembly , held at the Turk ' s Head , Greek-street , Soho , and which are given " in extenso " at the close of this paper , claiming , as of right , our first attention .

All we have known heretofore about this historical gathering is that it was held at the place and on the day specified , this knowledge being derived incidentall y from a footnote inserted by Dermott in his Transaction Book of the Grand Committee of the "Ancients" immediately under the minutes of its proceedings on the 14 th September , 1752 . We now for the first time learn that , this General Assembl y was held for the purpose of bringing together the scattered forces of the Schismatic brethren , and organising them into a bod y corporate , so that they might be better able to

The Early Organisation Of The "Ancient" Masons.

cope successfully , or , at all events , with a reasonable prospect of ultimate success , with their more powerful opponents . The half-dozen lodges of the so-called " Ancient" brethren existing at this time , and mustering , all told , only between 70 and So members amongst them , must havefelt that separatel y they could look to achieve nothing against their " Modern " rivals . They must have realised to its fullest extent that theironechance of establishing themselves on an enduring basis lay in the lodgesand members loyally co-operating

one with the other . To the timely recognition of this [ act we must no doubt attribute the issue of the summons which brought together the seceders in General Assembly at the aforesaid Turk ' s Head , and though unfortunately we have no means of knowing what other measures of organisation may have been concerted at the meeting , we are told by this " Morgan ' s Register " that a Committee of five brethren was appointed in order to compile a set of " Rules and Orders " for the government of the general body , the

five brethren—as we learn from the " Register of Members "—being Bros . Sam . Quay and John Morgan , G . Sec , both of Lodge No . 2 ; Bro . James Shee , ot Lodge No . 4 ; and Bros . Joseph Kelly and Philp . McLoughlin , of Lodge No . 6 . That the Committee did the work entrusted to it most effectually will be apparent from the Rules and Orders which follow ; but more particularly from the fact that , from the moment of their compilation , the half-dozen Schismatic lodges , mustering , as I have said , only from 70 to 80 members amongst them , went on rapidly increasing in numbers and influence ,

so that not only were they able to hold their own against the Regular lodges in England , but they likewise succeeded in establishing alliances with the Grand Lodges of Ireland and Scotland , and setting up lodges of their own in colonial and foreign parts . However , what further remarks may seem desirable as to the character and scope of the meeting at the Turk ' s Head had better be deferred . It is enough for the p esent for us to know that it fixes the time when the work of organising the seceding brethren was seriously taken in hand . The Rules show this , and Dermott ' s notice of the 14 th September , 1752 , confirms it .

RULES AND ORDERS to be Observ'd By the Most ANCIENT and HONBLE . Society of FREE and ACCEPTED MASONS . As agreed and settled by a Committee appointed by a General Assembly held at the Turk ' s Head in Greek Street , Soho , on Wednesday , the 17 th J uly , 1751 , And in the

year of MASONRY 5751 . n .. C Philp . McLoughlin I James Shee 7 m ISaml . Quay Josph . Kelly j & J no . MORGAN , Gd . Secrety . Vizi . For the GRAND .

1 St . 1 MAT the Masters and Wardens do meet on the First Wednesday of every Month at the Turk's Head , in Greek Street , Soho , or such other place as shall be agreed on , there to hold a Slonthly Committee for the better Regulation and Government of the Lodges , AND to hear and determine all Matters and Disputes that may or shall arise in any of the Regular Lodges . AND that the Chair shall be taken the First Night by the

Master of the Senr . Lodge , and every other Night by the other Masters each in his turn according to Seniority , until such time as there shall be a Grand Master and Grand Wardens appointed , and then every Grand Lodge Night the Grand Master to take the Chair , and in his Absence by the Deputy Grand , and in the Absence of both by the Senr . Grand Warden , and in their Absence by the Junr . Grand Warden , and if all the Grand Officers shou ' rl be Absent , then the Master of the Eldest Lodge , and so on by all the Masters in their turn according to Seniority .

2 nd . THAT such meeting do consist only of the Masters and Wardens of all Regular Lodges , and in the Absence of a Mastr . or Warden , a Past Mastr . may attend and bear the office in their absence for the time being , and to have a Voice in the Grand equal to the present Members . 3 rd .

AND if any Members do not appear before the Roll is call'd the sd . Members shall be Fine'd in the Sum of Twopence , and in case of Absence the whole Night , Sixpence , Except Sick , Lying in Confinement , or three Miles from the place of Meeting , that none be admitted but Mastrs . Wardns . and Past Mastrs . of Regular Lodges , and such as have been regularly Install'd , and at the time of their comeing to be members of a Regular Lodge of ANCIENT MASONS .

4 th . THAT No Brother be made either a Master or Warden of any Lodge except he hath been a Mason One half Year , and Member of a Regular Lodge for that time . 5 th . NO Person shall be made a Mason in any Lodge until first his Name , Occupation and Place of Abode shall be reported to the Secretary with the time he is intended to be

made in Order that the Secretary may apprize all Lodges of the same . THAT no Old Mason be admitted a Member of any Lodge except he hath been made in a Regular Lodge and hath a proper Certificate of his good behaviour and his not owing any thing in such Lodge and in case a Member of any Regular Lodge shall be desireous to become a Member of any other with an intent to belong to two or more Lodges then such Lodge he sues to come into must be assur'd that he is not Indebted to the Lodge he then belongs to—Rcgisty . Cd . *

7 th . THAT all Complaints and Appeals must come before this Lodge by Petition . 8 th . NO Admission or Warrant shall be granted to any brothers to hold a Lodge until such time they have first form'd a Lodge of Ancient Masons and sitt regularly in a Credible House and then to Apply by Petition and such Petition to be Attested by the Masters of three Regular Lodges who shall make a Proper Report of them .

9 th . THAT on St . Johns day the 24 th of June and St . Johnsday the 27 th of Decemr . the Master of every Lodge shall deliver into the Secretary of the Grand Lodge the Names of the Masters and Wardens that are appointed to serve for the Ensueing Half Year . 10 th .

THAT on the first Grand Lodge Night after each St . Johns day the Master of every Lodge shall deliver into the Grand Secrety . the Names of the Members of his Lodge together with their Half Year ' s Dues . THAT is the Members of each Regular Lodge , for the use of Indigent Brethren or otherways as the Grand Lodge shall think Proper , One Shilling each Member pr . Quarter . f

nth . THAT if a Lodge should grow to Numerous , that Lodge to appoint Masters and Wardens to form a New Body , they applying to the Grand Lodge for Warrants and Constitution in One Month after the first Sitting Night and that no Lodge shall sitt on the First Wednesday of each Month it being Grand Lodge Night when the Mastrs . and Wardens are requir d to attend .

12 th . THAI Every Person who shall be made a Mason in any Regular Lodge shall pay for his Register in the Grand Lodge Book for the Sum of One Shilling . 13 th . THAT No Person or Member of the Grand Lodge at the time of Sitting shall Interupt the Grand Master or Grand Officers or any Brother then speaking to the Grand Master ti'l such Brother hath done and not then to speak without first asking liberty in