Provincial Grand Chapter Of Somerset.

PROVINCIAL GRAND CHAPTER OF SOMERSET .

At the annual Provincial Grand Chapter of Somerset , Comp . Col . Adair , Grand Superintendent , presided . There was a good attendance of companions . The following are the officers invested for the year ;—Comp . R . C . Else ( re-appointed ) ... ... Prov . G . H . „ T . B . Moutrie ... ... ... Prov . G . J .

„ Col . Long ... ... ... ... Prov . G . S . E . „ F . O . Gardner ... ... ... Prov . G . S . N . „ Rev . J . Palmer ... ... ... Prov . G . P . S . „ F . W . S . Wicksteed ... ... ... Prov . G . 1 st A . S . „ C Becket ... ... ... ... Prov . G . 2 nd A . S .

„ B . H . Watts ... ... ... ... Prov . G . Treas . ,, Dr . Pringle ... ... ... ... Prov . G . Reg . „ F . T . Elworthy ... ... ... Prov . G . Swd . Br . „ H . Hawkins ... ... ... ... Prov . G . Std . Br .

„ F . Glover ... ... ... ... Prov . G . D . C . „ Rev . J . A . Lloyd ... ... ... Prov . A . G . S . E . „ A . J . Salter ... ... ... ... Prov . G . Janitor . „ S . Bigwood ... ... ... ... Prov . A . G . Jan . The dinner was held at the Christopher Hotel .

Old Warrants.—V.

OLD WARRANTS . —V .

BY BRO . W . J . HUGHAN . The Lodge of Relief , No . 42 , Bury , is almost in an enviable position , having all its Records intact from 1733 to now , even a copy of the Petition for a Warrant , which was granted and signed on 3 rd July , 1733 . Its History has been well written by Bro . Evans , with a capital Introduction by Bro . James Newton . The Petition was signed by the Master , Wardens , and

three brethren , apparently of a lodge previously existing , who desired to be "formed into a regular Lodge . " The Certificate , transmitted with the Petition to the Grand Master of England , is from the Master and Wardens ( evidently ) of the ( present ) No . 37 , Bolton , who answer for the Petitioners being " regularly made Masons , " though they do not say where they received the " Light , " and the document bears date 6 June , 1733 . The

brethren asked that Bro . E . Entwisle might be authorised to constitute them nto a regular lodge , and in the warrant annexed , it will be found that their wishes were respected accordingly , the Brother so selected being raised to the dignity of premier Prov . G . M . of Lancashire , in the following year . My attention was first drawn to motto on the Grand Lodge Seal— " In the beginning was the Word , " in Greek—by examining a photo of the

Warrant , but since then , as previously indicated , I have traced similar mottoes in connection with the G . L . Arms on other old Warrants . When it was first used , and when dropt , are interesting enquiries , but far from being easy of solution , but the fact of such a motto designating the Grand Lodge of England in the fourth decade of the last century , Js . curious and remarkable , to say the least .

¦ Bro . Lane , in "Masonic Records , 1717-1886 , " notes that the engraved Lists give 26 July , 1733 , as the date for the ancient lodge at Bury , and supposes the later period refers to the day when it was constituted . This is likely , but unfortunately the History is silent on the point . Will some member of the lodge kindly look at the old Minute Book , and enlighten us thereon ? Probably Bro . Newton , who is preparing a History of

Freemasonry in Lancashire , will so do . The first number of the lodge was 118 , and eight others , in consequence of subsequent numerations , testify to the activity of this aged Masonic Body . The members celebrated the Lodge Centennial on 3 July , 1833 , when a procession to Church , by dispensation of H . R . H . the Duke of Sussex , G . M ., and dinner at the Masonic Hall ( or room ) , musicians , ringers , and others doing their part to enliven the

proceedings , duly commemorated that important event . No steps appear to have been taken for a Centenary Jewel Warrant until arrangements were being made for the Sesqui-Centtnnial of the lodge on 3 July , 1883 , 50 that the members were too late to obtain the right to wear a medal of special design . From 1733 to 1883 , the large number of 523 initiations took place , and 37 joining members were admitted . COPY OF WARRANT OF THE "LODGE OF RELIEF , " No . 42 , BURY . r\ Strathmore I Seal I G . Mr . Whereas a Petition has been presented unto us and signed by several Brethren residing in and about the Town of Bury , in the County Palatine of Lancaster , humbly praying that they may be constituted into a Regular Lodge . These are therefore to Impower and Authorize our Worshipful and well beloved Brother Mr . Edward Entwisle to convene our Brethren at Bury aforesaidwho have signed

, the said Petition and that he do in our place and stead Constitute them into a regular Lodge in due form , ( He the said Mr . Edward Entwisle taking special care that they and every of them have been regularly made Masons ) with like priviledges as all other regular Lodges do enjoy , and that they be required to conform themselves to all and every the Regulations contained in the printed Book of Constitutions , and observe such other Rules and Instructions as shall from time be transmitted to them by us , or Thomas Batson , Esqr ., our Deputy Grand Master or the Grand Master or his Deoutv for the

time being , and that they do send to us or our Deputy a List of the Members of their Lodge together with the Rules agreed on to be by them observed to the end they may be entred in the Grand Lodge Books , And upon the due Execution of this our Deputation the said Mr . Edward Entwisle is hereby required to transmitt to us or our Deputy a Certificate under his hand , of the time and place of such Constitution In order that the same may be entred in the book of regular Lodges . Given under our hand and Seal of Office at London this third day of July 1733 and of Masonry 5733 . By the Grand Master ' s Command ,

THO . BATSON D . G . M JA . SMYTHE S . G . W . T . WARD J . G . W .

Centennial Celebration Grand Lodge Of Maryland.—Iii.

CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION GRAND LODGE OF MARYLAND . —III .

BY BRO . W . J . HUGHAN . On the day of the Celebration , a special prayer was offered by the wand Chaplain , appropriate to the occasion—much longer , I presume , than ordinary , and all embracing in character—after which the opening addresses by Grand Master Shryock , gave the key-note to the proceedings , general Shryock alluded to the unpretentious beginning of the Grand Lod ge in 1787 , when " a little band of eight lodges , with a smaller com-° med membershi p than a single one of the large lodges of the present day ,

Centennial Celebration Grand Lodge Of Maryland.—Iii.

promised but meagre success . To-day 7 6 lodges scattered in almost every village in the State , with a membership of 5000 . attest the wisdom of the enterprise . We assemble to-day to recount the history of a hundred years among the Craft , to tell of its successes and its failures , its joys and its sorrows , to close with leverence the portals of the past , and enter with bright expectations upon the new era already begun . "

Then tollowea the address of welcome by the Mayor of Baltimore , who is not one of the initiated , but evidently is thoroughly conversant with the beneficent character of our ancient Fellowship . The special Hymnology for the great assembly—composed by Bro . J . R . Brewer , P . M . —one of the hymns being sung by the audience , flowed most pleasantly , and doubtless put the participants in good humour and eager expectation for the oration

by M . W . Bro . J . M . Carter , Past G . M . It was not disappointing , as many are , on such occasions , but dealt as it should with the History of the Maryland Craft from its inception to the centennial year , and being based mainly on the labours and publications of the Grand Lodge Historian , Bro . Schultz , the matter was as accurate as it was interesting . As the paper extends to some 15 pages of the Report , I can only present a short digest thereof .

It seems that the earliest official account of the origin of a lodge in Maryland , is of the one warranted by the Grand Lodge of Massachusetts , at Annapolis , on the 12 th August , 1750 . The brethren had assembled prior to this date , however , but for how long is uncertain , and their St . John ' s Day was celebrated on 25 th June previously , when the lodge attended Divine service in the Parish Church , a sermon being preached by the

Rector . Nine years later a lodge was instituted at Leonardtown , but by what authority cannot now be determined . Bros . Gould , Lane , and myself have failed to trace it , and though Brother Schultz suggests that it might have been formed by the " Modern " Grand Lodge of England , there is not a scrap of evidence to attest that fancy in our English Records . The Governor of Maryland was a member of it , and served as Master for several years , its membership being of a distinguished character .

The only lodge registered in our books is that of " Joppa , No . 1 , in Baltimore County , formed by authority of Lord Blaney , M . W . G . M ., August 8 th , 17 . 65 . The number was 346 on its origin , and though no returns were made alter 1781 , it was retained on the roll of England until 1813 , just as wilh many other lodges , which had long before become part and parcel of independent Grand Lodges . Bro . Lane , in his " Masonic

Records" mentions the Lodge at Joppa , taking another warrant from the Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania in 1782 as No . 35 , to which fact also the orator alluded . This was under the " Ancient" authority , though the lodge was never registered on the roll of that Body . Singular to state , one of the by-laws ot No . 346 , Joppa , provided that no " Modern " Mason should be admitted without first being "healed , " and yet its charter was obtained

from the"Modern Grand Lodge , which says little for the knowledge , Masonically , at least , of its members . Lodges existed , apparently , but not working by authority of any Grand Lodge in other parts of Maryland even earlier than the first named , and had the premier Prov . G . M ; , Bro . R . Molleson , been a resident of the State , it is likely that several of these old lodges would have joined the new regime , and petitioned for warrants , as did others similarly situated in Massachusetts and elsewhere . The second

Masonic ruler was Sir Henry Harford , but he does not seem to have taken any trouble to discharge his important duties , and the home authorities did not betray any anxiety thereat , as his name is to be tound in our Grand Lodge Calendars long after the lodges in Maryland had decided to form their own Grand Lodge , these mostly hailing from the Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania . No . 15 of 28 June , 1770 , from that source , became No . 3 ,

when independence was the order ol the day , this the " Washington Lodge being still flourishing as the senior on ihe present roll . The orator is quite correct in declaring that the " Ancients , " as at Pennsylvania , of " English Origin , " had no legal pretension whatever to their claim of association with the ancient Grand Lodge of "York , " the "Ancients' * really having their head quarters in London , and were never connected with

the York authorities in any way . Alter a spasmodic beginning in 1783 , the Grand Lodge was peimanently established on 17 th April , 1787 , John Coals being elected lhe Grand Master , and their mother Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania was the first to recognise the new Body . On 18 th September , 1793 , the corner stone of the Capitol at Washington was laid under the auspices of the acting Grand Master of Maryland , assisted by the Lodge

No . 22 , of Alexandria , Virginia , who yielded place to general Washington , President of the United States of America , who presided during the ceremony . In 1794 the " Atholl " Grand Lodge ol England agreed to open up a correspondence with Maryland , as with Pennsylvania and New York . Incorporation was sought in 1797 , but the petition did not succeed actually

until 1822 . A "Grand Stewards' Lodge" existed from 1799 to 1872 , when it was superseded by a " Board of Managers . " A special Grand Lodge was convened the day alter the great Washington ' s decease , as a tribute of respect to his memory . But I must not prolong my notice of the oration , full as it is of interesting tacts , so I conclude with best wishes to the Grand Master and the Grand Lodge of Maryland .

The "Moderns" And Royal Arch Masonry.

THE " MODERNS" AND ROYAL ARCH MASONRY .

BY BRO . W . T . HUGHAN . The communication from Bro . Herbert Crossley , relative to "Early evidences of the Royal Arch , " has interested me exceedingly , and I con " gratulate him most sincerely on the opportune and important discovery which he has made of Records of the Degree of Royal Arch , of January 1765 , in connection with the old Lodge at Halifax , Yorkshire . Brethren who are lamiliar with my " Origin ol the English Rite of Freemasonry , "

will be acquainted with the evidence accumulated down to 1884 as respects the earliest minutes which refer to Royal Arch Masonry under the " Ancients " ( orSeceders ) and the " Moderns" ( or original Grand Lodge It is as well , however , as that work is out of print / or me to point out exactly how the matter stood prior to Bro . Crossley ' s " find , " announced in the Freemason of October 29 th , 1887 .

The Degree is alluded to in the Ancient Records of March 4 th , 1752 , and it is noted as early as 1744 , in Dr . Dassigny ' s " Serious and Impartial Enquiry" [ Dublin—reprinted in " Memorials of the Masonic Union , " London , 1874 , by me ) , reierence being made to its being worked at York as wtll as at Dublin . The first minute preserved is to be found in the Records ot Royal Arch Masonry at York , bearing date 7 th February , 1762 , the meetings not being described as those ot a "Chapter" uniil 1768 . Clearly from the interesting account written by Bro . T . B . Whytehead * ,