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Article THE "WAISTELL MS." Page 1 of 1 Article PROVINCIAL GRAND LODGE OF EAST LANCASHIRE. Page 1 of 2 →
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
The "Waistell Ms."
THE " WAISTELL MS . "
There is still another copy of the " Old Charges to announce and describe . The latest to mention is the property of Bro . Charles Waistell , P . M . 1-5 * 37 , Northallerton , hence its title . It
was found by our brother amongst some family papers , the Kiplings having been ancestors , ancl so the custody of the document , for many years at least , is thus fairly determined .
I am indebted to the medium of my Bro . T . B . Whytehead , for the sight of the original , he having obtained the loan of it for that purpose from Bro . Waistell , who kindly acceded to his request for me to make it known .
The scroll consists of six slips of paper , stitched together , so as to form a roll , and measures six inches in width , and seven
feet in length . Most unfortunately , about four inches of the first portion has been torn off , but as the text resembles the " Hope MS ., "" ' owned by the Lodge of Hope , No . 302 , Bradford , Yorkshire , any omissions or defects are easily supplied . There are also other MSS . that have a somewhat similar text ,
such as the " York MS . No . , 4 , of A . D . 16 93 , the "Watson MS . "t ( Sunderland ) , the "Colne MS . No . i , "J ( Lodge No . 116 , Colne , Lane ) , and others , to which reference will be made hereafter .
The first portion , which is either torn away or is imperfect , should have contained the Invocation— " The might of the Father of Heaven and the wisdom of his gracious Son , through the o-oodness of the Holy Ghost , viz ., three persons and one God
be with us at the beginning and give us grace soe to govern our lives ; that we may come to Eternal Joy . Amen "—and the Introduction , usual in the MSS ., winding up with the particulars
of the Seven Sciences . If the MS . were mounted ( as it should be for safety , the paper being very tender ) , the part deficient could be written on the additional portion , and thus complete the text from the " Hope MS . "
Under present circumstances , it does not appear needful to reproduce the document in full in the columns of the Freemason , as substantially its text has been reproduced in the paper several times . It is , however , of great importance to know the
character of every MS . discovered , and though the last to be announced is not so different to the ordinary series as to require to be given in extenso , yet its value is , to my mind , considerable , because this , the " * Charles Waistell MS ., " contains the " Apprentice's Charges . "
Out of some 60 scrolls or MSS . and typographical reproductions ( orig inals not traced ) only 10 in all have this distinctive feature ; the " Melrose MS ., No . 2 , " of A . D . 16 74 ( and its copy of 1762 ) , though generally included , in reality being quite
different , and should be in aclass to itself . They are as follows Harleian MS . ( 1942 ) , 17 th century , Library , British Museum ; the Hope MS ., 17 th century , Lodge of Hope , No 2 , , Bradford ; Colne MS ., No . 1 , 17 th century , Royal
Lancashire Lodge , No , 116 , Colne ; Dumfries Kilwinning , No . 4 , 17 th century , Dumfries Kilwinning Lodge , No . 53 ; the Watson MS ., 17 th century , Bro . T . M . Watson Sunderland ; York MS ., No . 4 , A . D . 1603 , the York , No . 236 , York ; the Waistell MS , A . l ) .
16 93 , Bro . C . Waistell , Northallerton ; the Clapham M . S ., 17 th century , West Yorkshire Masonic Library ; the Gateshead MS ., A . D . 1730 , Lodge of Industry , No . 4 8 , Gateshead ; and the Wren MS ., 19 th century , the late Bro . the Rev . A . F . A . Woodford .
The "Apprentice Charge" [ styled also "Apprentices ' Orders" ( Gateshead M . S . ) and "Future Charges" ( Wren MS . ) , or not specifically named ] consists usually of eight clauses , though not always so numbered or uniformly arranged , and when
complete are almost verbatim in the ordinary copies . The Harleian MS ,, No . 1942 , however , is different in some respects , and should be consulted . 6 In the " Charles Waistell M . S . " the
third includes fourth and fifth of some others , and its fourth is the third of the majority . Hence the number of its clauses is but seven instead of the ordinary eight .
It is remarkable that the " York MS ., No . 4 , " of the year 16 93 , is signed by Mark Kypling , and that the "Charles Waistell MS . " concludes with the words " Scriptum pr . me ,
Henric '" - Kipling , De vicissimo tertio die Junij Ano . Don . 16 93 . These For my Cosen John Kipling , with my kind love to him . P sented . " The same family name and the same year in each MS . VV . J . HUGHAN .
Provincial Grand Lodge Of East Lancashire.
PROVINCIAL GRAND LODGE OF EAST LANCASHIRE .
The half-yearly meeting- of thc Provincial Grand Loelge of I ' ' ast Lancashire was held in the Assembl y Rooms of the Free Trade Hall , . Manchester , on the 27 th ult . The total number of lodges in the province i . s 103 , and only live were unrepresented . Bro . Colonel l . c Gendre Starkie , Prow G . M . , presided , . supported by Bro . George Mellor , D . P . G . M . Bro . W . O . Walker ,
P . G . D . England , filled the Prov . S . G . W . ' s chair ; the Prov . J . G . W . ' s chair being occupied by Bro . Captain Lingard , P . P . J . G . W . Among thc other Provincial Grand Officers present were the following : Bros . Rev . W . G .
Procter and the Rev . R . W . Perry-Circuitt , Chaplains ; J . H . Greenhal gh , Treasurer ; W . S . Weekes , Registrar ; John Chadwick , P . G . S . B . England , Secretary ; W . Forrest , Martin Thomas , and T . Black , Deacons ; J . Sutc'ifl ' e , S . of W . ; John Studd , D . C . ; A . Hebden ancl J . Bowden , D . and
Asst . D . of C . ' s ; and R . Harrison , S . B . There were also present Bros . J . Terry , P . G . S . B . England , Secretary of the Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution ; J . W . " Maclure , M . P ., P . P . J . G . W . ; E . G . Harwood , P . P . J . G . W . ; R . I-I . Hardman , P . P . S . G . W . ; J . O . S . Thursby , P . P . S . G . W . ; N . A . Erie , P . P . J . G . W . ; A . Clegg , P . P . S . G . W . ; Colonel Rocca , P . P . G . D . ; J . H . Sillitoe , P . G . Std . Br . England ; and John Roberts , P . P . G . D . C . "
1 he minutes of the last Provincial Grand I . odge , held on the 6 th May , having been read and approved , Bro . E . G . HARWOOD , Chairman of the Charity Committee , proposed that the sum of 100 guineas be given from the funds of Provincial Grand I . odge to the Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution for Aged Freemasons
and the Widows of Freemasons . The brethren , he remarked , would see there was ample reason wh y they should adopt the resolution ancl do something further for the good of the Institution . He hoped also that there would be a large increase in the number of Life Governors of the Institution from that province .
Bro . SiT . UTOK , Vice-Chairman of the Charity Committee , referred to the ] noble work the Institution was doing , and in echoing Bro . Harwood ' s appeal for more life members , hc desired to remind the brethren that its Jubilee Festival would be held next year .
Bro . Col . STARKIE , in putting the resolution to thc meeting , said he should again become a subscriber to the Institution next year , and he trusted that the Jubilee Festival would tend to further increase the usefulness of those noble foundations .
The resolution was carried unanimously . The DEI ' I'I-V PROV . GRAND MASTER afterwards asked Bro . Col . Starkie ' . * * acceptance of a testimonial subscribed for on behalf of the brethren of the province , to commemorate the completion of his 21 years' rule as P . G . M . The testimonial consists of a massive silver bowl or centre-piece for fruit or
flowers , flanked b y two claret jugs . They are fine specimens of the silver smiths' art and arc designed on classic lines , and although massive are yet chaste and beautiful , the principal decoration being a bas-relief composed ol Greek figures , chased scroll work and other ornamentation being also used . The centre-piece bears thc following inscription : " Presented to Colonel Le
Gendre Nicholas Starkie by the Freemasons of East Lancashire in commemoration of his 21 years as Provincial Grand Master . November 27 , 1 S 91 . " The testimonial was accompanied by an illuminated address in album form , beautifull y elaborated , and in keeping with the artistic character of the plate . On an introductory page of the book in which it is contained ,
appear the arms of the Starkie family , displayed in their proper heraldic colourings . The following page has a very choice example of illuminating in thc style of Louis XIV . with the name and other details richl y engraved in panels surmounted by Masonic emblems . The text begins on thc third page with a displayed introduction surrounded by a handsome
border in missal form , with conventional flourished ornament . The volume is bound in scarlet morocco richly inlaid , having a crest on vellum in front , ancl a monogram on the back , each of them exquisitely finished . Bro .
Mellor said he need not dwell upon thc honourable , praiseworthy , ancl benevolent qualities of Col . Starkie . The ) ' were all well known , and had long been hig hl y appreciated by the brethren . Bro . CHADWICK , P . G . S ., then read the address as follows : —
"To Colonel Le Gendre Nicholas Starkie , Ri ght Worshipful Provincial Grand Master for the Eastern Division of the Province of Lancashire . Manchester , November 27 th , 1891 . Dear Sir and Brother , —The brethren of the province desire to approach you with most fraternal congratulations on the completion of your 21 years as head of this large and important division of the Province of
Lancashire . They specially \ visn to record their sincere pleasure at seeing you in your place at this half-yearly meeting . They heard with great sorrow of vour long and severe illness in the early part of the year , and express their earnest prayer that you may be blessed b y the great Architect of the Universe with health and strength for many years to come . They review , with
considerable pride and satisfaction , the progress made in the province during the past 21 years . In the year 18 70 , svhen you , Right Worshi pful Sir , were installed into the office of Prov . Grand Master by the late lamented Bro . the Ri g ht Hon . the Earl of Carnarvon , Pro Grand Master , there were 74 lodges in the province , with a roll of 3419 subscribing members . Now there are io *} lodges " with an
aggregate of 4 600 subscribing members . Since your installation , the province has subscribed to the Masonic Charities in London no less than . £ 23 , 532 , viz ., to the Royal Institution for Girls , £ 4941 ; to the Royal Institution for Boys , £ 9216 ; and to the Roya ! Masonic Benevolent Institution for Aged Freemasons and Widows of Freemasons , £ 9375 . Coming more immediately home to the East
Lancashire Systematic Educational and Benevolent Institution , fostered as it has always been by your fatherly care , a sum approaching £ 17 , 000 has been subscribed in the province . Of this large sum £ 3062 has been spent in educating and clothing 9 8 children of Freemasons . And a further sum of £ 2922 has been distributed in
relieving the necessities of indigent Freemasons or their families , and the Institution has now £ 10 , 000 invested for these several purposes . Such a record the greatest and noblest in the land might be proud , of , and the brethren of this province feel they are in the main indebted to you for such a result . In conclusion ,
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
The "Waistell Ms."
THE " WAISTELL MS . "
There is still another copy of the " Old Charges to announce and describe . The latest to mention is the property of Bro . Charles Waistell , P . M . 1-5 * 37 , Northallerton , hence its title . It
was found by our brother amongst some family papers , the Kiplings having been ancestors , ancl so the custody of the document , for many years at least , is thus fairly determined .
I am indebted to the medium of my Bro . T . B . Whytehead , for the sight of the original , he having obtained the loan of it for that purpose from Bro . Waistell , who kindly acceded to his request for me to make it known .
The scroll consists of six slips of paper , stitched together , so as to form a roll , and measures six inches in width , and seven
feet in length . Most unfortunately , about four inches of the first portion has been torn off , but as the text resembles the " Hope MS ., "" ' owned by the Lodge of Hope , No . 302 , Bradford , Yorkshire , any omissions or defects are easily supplied . There are also other MSS . that have a somewhat similar text ,
such as the " York MS . No . , 4 , of A . D . 16 93 , the "Watson MS . "t ( Sunderland ) , the "Colne MS . No . i , "J ( Lodge No . 116 , Colne , Lane ) , and others , to which reference will be made hereafter .
The first portion , which is either torn away or is imperfect , should have contained the Invocation— " The might of the Father of Heaven and the wisdom of his gracious Son , through the o-oodness of the Holy Ghost , viz ., three persons and one God
be with us at the beginning and give us grace soe to govern our lives ; that we may come to Eternal Joy . Amen "—and the Introduction , usual in the MSS ., winding up with the particulars
of the Seven Sciences . If the MS . were mounted ( as it should be for safety , the paper being very tender ) , the part deficient could be written on the additional portion , and thus complete the text from the " Hope MS . "
Under present circumstances , it does not appear needful to reproduce the document in full in the columns of the Freemason , as substantially its text has been reproduced in the paper several times . It is , however , of great importance to know the
character of every MS . discovered , and though the last to be announced is not so different to the ordinary series as to require to be given in extenso , yet its value is , to my mind , considerable , because this , the " * Charles Waistell MS ., " contains the " Apprentice's Charges . "
Out of some 60 scrolls or MSS . and typographical reproductions ( orig inals not traced ) only 10 in all have this distinctive feature ; the " Melrose MS ., No . 2 , " of A . D . 16 74 ( and its copy of 1762 ) , though generally included , in reality being quite
different , and should be in aclass to itself . They are as follows Harleian MS . ( 1942 ) , 17 th century , Library , British Museum ; the Hope MS ., 17 th century , Lodge of Hope , No 2 , , Bradford ; Colne MS ., No . 1 , 17 th century , Royal
Lancashire Lodge , No , 116 , Colne ; Dumfries Kilwinning , No . 4 , 17 th century , Dumfries Kilwinning Lodge , No . 53 ; the Watson MS ., 17 th century , Bro . T . M . Watson Sunderland ; York MS ., No . 4 , A . D . 1603 , the York , No . 236 , York ; the Waistell MS , A . l ) .
16 93 , Bro . C . Waistell , Northallerton ; the Clapham M . S ., 17 th century , West Yorkshire Masonic Library ; the Gateshead MS ., A . D . 1730 , Lodge of Industry , No . 4 8 , Gateshead ; and the Wren MS ., 19 th century , the late Bro . the Rev . A . F . A . Woodford .
The "Apprentice Charge" [ styled also "Apprentices ' Orders" ( Gateshead M . S . ) and "Future Charges" ( Wren MS . ) , or not specifically named ] consists usually of eight clauses , though not always so numbered or uniformly arranged , and when
complete are almost verbatim in the ordinary copies . The Harleian MS ,, No . 1942 , however , is different in some respects , and should be consulted . 6 In the " Charles Waistell M . S . " the
third includes fourth and fifth of some others , and its fourth is the third of the majority . Hence the number of its clauses is but seven instead of the ordinary eight .
It is remarkable that the " York MS ., No . 4 , " of the year 16 93 , is signed by Mark Kypling , and that the "Charles Waistell MS . " concludes with the words " Scriptum pr . me ,
Henric '" - Kipling , De vicissimo tertio die Junij Ano . Don . 16 93 . These For my Cosen John Kipling , with my kind love to him . P sented . " The same family name and the same year in each MS . VV . J . HUGHAN .
Provincial Grand Lodge Of East Lancashire.
PROVINCIAL GRAND LODGE OF EAST LANCASHIRE .
The half-yearly meeting- of thc Provincial Grand Loelge of I ' ' ast Lancashire was held in the Assembl y Rooms of the Free Trade Hall , . Manchester , on the 27 th ult . The total number of lodges in the province i . s 103 , and only live were unrepresented . Bro . Colonel l . c Gendre Starkie , Prow G . M . , presided , . supported by Bro . George Mellor , D . P . G . M . Bro . W . O . Walker ,
P . G . D . England , filled the Prov . S . G . W . ' s chair ; the Prov . J . G . W . ' s chair being occupied by Bro . Captain Lingard , P . P . J . G . W . Among thc other Provincial Grand Officers present were the following : Bros . Rev . W . G .
Procter and the Rev . R . W . Perry-Circuitt , Chaplains ; J . H . Greenhal gh , Treasurer ; W . S . Weekes , Registrar ; John Chadwick , P . G . S . B . England , Secretary ; W . Forrest , Martin Thomas , and T . Black , Deacons ; J . Sutc'ifl ' e , S . of W . ; John Studd , D . C . ; A . Hebden ancl J . Bowden , D . and
Asst . D . of C . ' s ; and R . Harrison , S . B . There were also present Bros . J . Terry , P . G . S . B . England , Secretary of the Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution ; J . W . " Maclure , M . P ., P . P . J . G . W . ; E . G . Harwood , P . P . J . G . W . ; R . I-I . Hardman , P . P . S . G . W . ; J . O . S . Thursby , P . P . S . G . W . ; N . A . Erie , P . P . J . G . W . ; A . Clegg , P . P . S . G . W . ; Colonel Rocca , P . P . G . D . ; J . H . Sillitoe , P . G . Std . Br . England ; and John Roberts , P . P . G . D . C . "
1 he minutes of the last Provincial Grand I . odge , held on the 6 th May , having been read and approved , Bro . E . G . HARWOOD , Chairman of the Charity Committee , proposed that the sum of 100 guineas be given from the funds of Provincial Grand I . odge to the Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution for Aged Freemasons
and the Widows of Freemasons . The brethren , he remarked , would see there was ample reason wh y they should adopt the resolution ancl do something further for the good of the Institution . He hoped also that there would be a large increase in the number of Life Governors of the Institution from that province .
Bro . SiT . UTOK , Vice-Chairman of the Charity Committee , referred to the ] noble work the Institution was doing , and in echoing Bro . Harwood ' s appeal for more life members , hc desired to remind the brethren that its Jubilee Festival would be held next year .
Bro . Col . STARKIE , in putting the resolution to thc meeting , said he should again become a subscriber to the Institution next year , and he trusted that the Jubilee Festival would tend to further increase the usefulness of those noble foundations .
The resolution was carried unanimously . The DEI ' I'I-V PROV . GRAND MASTER afterwards asked Bro . Col . Starkie ' . * * acceptance of a testimonial subscribed for on behalf of the brethren of the province , to commemorate the completion of his 21 years' rule as P . G . M . The testimonial consists of a massive silver bowl or centre-piece for fruit or
flowers , flanked b y two claret jugs . They are fine specimens of the silver smiths' art and arc designed on classic lines , and although massive are yet chaste and beautiful , the principal decoration being a bas-relief composed ol Greek figures , chased scroll work and other ornamentation being also used . The centre-piece bears thc following inscription : " Presented to Colonel Le
Gendre Nicholas Starkie by the Freemasons of East Lancashire in commemoration of his 21 years as Provincial Grand Master . November 27 , 1 S 91 . " The testimonial was accompanied by an illuminated address in album form , beautifull y elaborated , and in keeping with the artistic character of the plate . On an introductory page of the book in which it is contained ,
appear the arms of the Starkie family , displayed in their proper heraldic colourings . The following page has a very choice example of illuminating in thc style of Louis XIV . with the name and other details richl y engraved in panels surmounted by Masonic emblems . The text begins on thc third page with a displayed introduction surrounded by a handsome
border in missal form , with conventional flourished ornament . The volume is bound in scarlet morocco richly inlaid , having a crest on vellum in front , ancl a monogram on the back , each of them exquisitely finished . Bro .
Mellor said he need not dwell upon thc honourable , praiseworthy , ancl benevolent qualities of Col . Starkie . The ) ' were all well known , and had long been hig hl y appreciated by the brethren . Bro . CHADWICK , P . G . S ., then read the address as follows : —
"To Colonel Le Gendre Nicholas Starkie , Ri ght Worshipful Provincial Grand Master for the Eastern Division of the Province of Lancashire . Manchester , November 27 th , 1891 . Dear Sir and Brother , —The brethren of the province desire to approach you with most fraternal congratulations on the completion of your 21 years as head of this large and important division of the Province of
Lancashire . They specially \ visn to record their sincere pleasure at seeing you in your place at this half-yearly meeting . They heard with great sorrow of vour long and severe illness in the early part of the year , and express their earnest prayer that you may be blessed b y the great Architect of the Universe with health and strength for many years to come . They review , with
considerable pride and satisfaction , the progress made in the province during the past 21 years . In the year 18 70 , svhen you , Right Worshi pful Sir , were installed into the office of Prov . Grand Master by the late lamented Bro . the Ri g ht Hon . the Earl of Carnarvon , Pro Grand Master , there were 74 lodges in the province , with a roll of 3419 subscribing members . Now there are io *} lodges " with an
aggregate of 4 600 subscribing members . Since your installation , the province has subscribed to the Masonic Charities in London no less than . £ 23 , 532 , viz ., to the Royal Institution for Girls , £ 4941 ; to the Royal Institution for Boys , £ 9216 ; and to the Roya ! Masonic Benevolent Institution for Aged Freemasons and Widows of Freemasons , £ 9375 . Coming more immediately home to the East
Lancashire Systematic Educational and Benevolent Institution , fostered as it has always been by your fatherly care , a sum approaching £ 17 , 000 has been subscribed in the province . Of this large sum £ 3062 has been spent in educating and clothing 9 8 children of Freemasons . And a further sum of £ 2922 has been distributed in
relieving the necessities of indigent Freemasons or their families , and the Institution has now £ 10 , 000 invested for these several purposes . Such a record the greatest and noblest in the land might be proud , of , and the brethren of this province feel they are in the main indebted to you for such a result . In conclusion ,