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Initiations At Lodge Consecrations
and for many years previously , the practice appears to have been by no means uncommon . During tlie 18 th century the custom would seem to have been for a " dispensation " to be granted for a certain number of days to the principal founder
or founders of the proposed new lodge . Under this " dispensation " meetings were held , at which candidates were initiated , and after this tlie lodge was constituted and set about the discharge of its appointed duties as a regular warranted lodge .
Such an instance of a " dispensation " having been granted to a Bro . Robt . Lochhead by the " Ancient" Grand Lodge " for the space of 30 days , " on the 2 nd March , 1763 , will be found under No . in , at page 22 of Bro . R . F . GOULD ' " Atholl "
Lodges , while another instance is furnished by the Domatic Lodge , No . 177 , as recorded in the earlier pages ofthe history compiled by Bro . G . BLIZARD ABBOTT for the centenary festival ,
on the 12 th February , 1886 ; several meetings having been held under the dispensation granted to Bro . Charles Fcnwick on thc 21 st December , 1785 , while the lodge was constituted as No . 234 on thc 7 th February , 1786 .
As regards the practice in vogue at the date of Bro . LAST S letter , and earlier , he will find recorded in Bro . G . BLIZARD ABBOTT ' S " History of Freemasonry in Hertfordshire " as many as seven cases of candidates being initiated on the days on
which their respective lodges were consecrated , the earliest case being that of the Hertford Lodge , No . 403 , which was consecrated at the Salisbury Arms , Hertford , on the Sth September , 1829 . On this occasion , as soon as Bro . Francis
Crew had been installed as the first W . Master , and had appointed and invested his officers , we read that " fifteen gentlemen , " including Mr . William Medland , solicitor—who , earlier in the meeting , had been elected Treasurer , " subject to
his acceptance by the lodge as an initiate — " were severally balloted for , elected , and initiated in groups or batches , with intervals between for the necessary rest and refreshment . " We are further told that "the several candidates having been
initiated , all the members of the lodge being present , the newly-installed Master was proclaimed and received the usual salutation , " while " afterwards the same mark of respect was paid to the officers of the lodge . "
The Watford Lodge , No . 404 , was consecrated on Friday , the 13 th November , 1829 , when , after the W . M . had been installed and thc officers appointed , " eleven candidates were balloted for and initiated , the requisite dispensation for making
so large a number having previously been obtained from the Prov . G . Master—Bro . Geo . W . Harvey . In this case , after the initiations , " the lodge was closed aud adjourned till the following Tuesday" —thc 17 th of thc month—when " five more candidates
were initiated , " and the lodge was " again closed and adjourned till thc following Friday" —the 20 th November—when four additional candidates were initiated , and "the labours of the lodge having been at length completed , the first regular meeting , niter having extended over a whole week , was brought to a conclusion . "
At thc consecration of the Storlford Lodge , No . 409 , on the 27 th December , 1831 , Paul Cheffins , Parish Clerk , and Mr . James Goodwin , landlord of the Crown Inn , where the meeting was held , were severally balloted for and initiated , the former
as a serving brother , and by dispensation from the Marquis of Salisbury , Prov . G . Master , without the usual fee . The Cecil Lodge , No . 449 , was consecrated on the 19 th May , 183 S , among those present on the occasion being the Marquis of Salisbury ,
Prov . G . Master , and when Pro . W . Lloyd Thomas had been installed as W . M ., and the Wardens designate invested , seven gentlemen were balloted for and elected , and of these six were there and then initiated , of whom one was elected
Treasurer of the lodge , and three others appointed to minor offices . The Berkhampstead Lodge , No . 504 , was consecrated on the ist January , 1845 , by Bro . W . Stuart , Prov . G . Master , and
when Bro . the Rev . S . Lea Wilson had been installed as W . M ., and the Wardens invested , six candidates , including Thomas Thomas , by dispensation as a serving brother , were initiated .
The five lodges referred to in the preceding remarks are the senior lodges in the Province of Hertfordshire , but in addition may be cited the cases of the Salisbury Lodge , No . 435 , which now meets in the London district , but was originally a Hertfordshire Lodge , and the St . Alban's Lodge , which has been extinct
Initiations At Lodge Consecrations
for the greater part of the last half century . Both these lodges were consecrated in the presence of the Marquis of Salisbury , Prov . G . Master , thc former as No . 6 30 , at the Falcon Inn ,
Waltham Cross , on the 8 th June , 18 3 6 , and the latter as No . 6 7 8 , at the Town Hall , St . Alban ' s , on the 26 th July , 1 S 39 , and on both occasions a number of candidates were balloted for and
initiated , one of the four thus initiated in the Salisbury , being subsequently appointed to the office of Chaplain . No doubt other cases might be cited , but these seven from the sino-Ie Province of Hertfordshire , and spread over a period of 16 years , may be taken as evidence that the practice was a recognised one .
Grand Lodge Calendar.
GRAND LODGE CALENDAR .
The " Freemasons' Calendar and Pocket Book for the year 1900 " is a most welcome addition to the new Masonic publications to commence the New Year with , and all the more , because it is so complete and trustworthy ; besides being in such a handy form for consultation and general reference . Each successive issue witnesses an increase in size ( or rather thickness ) , and as respects arrangement and particulars , it seems unlikely there will be
any more changes or additions now as the Calendar contains all the subjects about which information is needed , or can reasonably be expected in such a work . Of late years it has been much improved , the additional matter being both useful and valuable . The price continues as before , viz ., two shillings per copy , it is printed and published by Bro . George Kenning , as usual , may be ordered of any bookseller , and is sold for the benefit of the Charity Fund . "
The Calendar for 1899 ended with No . 2735 ( i . e ., in December , 1898 ) , thus leaving 2290 lodges on the roll , after allowing for removals , & c , since 1 S 63 . The present issue concludes with No . 2793 ,- the actual number on the Register being 2348 , or an increase of 58 . This increase , however , is more apparent than real , as some 20 lodges were erased by vote of the Grand Lodge held December 6 th , 1899 , in consequence of their
joining the lately formed Grand Lodge of New Zealand , having ceased to work , or from other causes requiring their removal , so that the strength of the Grand Lodge at the end of December is practically 2330 , the largest number ever attained , notwithstanding the establishment of so many Grand Lodges since the present enumeration began in 1 S 63 . It is a remarkable
fact that the Grand Lodge of England continues to progress , no matter what adverse influences may affect its Register , and it is still the largest in the world as to the number of lodges and members , though as respects the latter , undoubtedly the Grand Lodge of New York runs it very close indeed , and possibly there is not much difference bstween them , as in the United States brethren are not permitted to belong to more than one lodge at a time .
The 2348 are thus distributed : Metropolis , 488 ; Country , 1354 ; and Colonial and Foreign , 506 . The third division has not increased at all , after deducting the removals already noted . London has added 20 to its Register during 1899 , and the provinces nearly as many . Quite a number of the latter have increased one each , viz ., Berks , Bucks , Cheshire , Cornwall , Cumberland and Westmorland , Devonshire , Herts , Kent , West Lanes , Lincoln , Northumberland , Stafford , Sussex , and West Yorks . Surrey has advanced from 42 to 45 , and Kssex from 41 to 45 .
The largest Provincial Grand Lodge is West Lanes , with 122 , followed by East Lanes , with 113 , West Yorks 82 , Kent 65 , Devon 59 , and Cheshire 53 . It will be seen that in the County of Lancaster there are 235 lodges , being very much more than many Grand Lodges have on their roll . The Grand Royal Arch Chapter has 83 C on the Register , showing only the insignificant increase of five chapters , which are distributed by 183 being
in London , 530 in the country , and 123 abroad . According to Bro . C . L . Mason , in his Paper read recently before the membersof the Prov . G . Chap , of West Yorkshire , the percentage of increase of Royal Arch companions , 1 S 90 to 1 S 9 S , " was hardly appreciable , " and I do not think that things are any better now in that respect . It appears to me that , " all things being equal , " Master Masons should not rest contented until they have obtained the Royal Arch , as the complement of the Third Degree ; but ,
evidently , by far the greater number of members remain satisfied with an incomplete knowledge of the recognised English Rite of Freemasonry . The information supplied as to the Grand Lodges of Ireland , Scotland , and many others , cannot fail to be of advantage , and add much to the interest and general utility of the Calendar , which Editorially reflects great credit on the Grand Secretary ; and his efficient staff to whom that duty is mainly entrusted . W . J . HUGHAN .
Mark Masonry.
Mark Masonry .
Industry Lodge , No . 293 . The annual meeting of this lodge was held at the Masonic Hall , Gateshead , on Tuesday , the 2 nd inst ., when there was an average attendance of members . The minutes of the previous meeiing having been read , and the Treasurer's balance sheet adopted , Bro . VV . J . Jobson , S . W ., was duly installed as W . M . by Bro .
H . Jackson , the retiring Master . Ihe officers were invested as follows : Bros . H . Jackson , I . P . M . ; M . C . A . Holzappel , S . W . ; T . Douglass , J . W . ; ( . Armstrong , M . O . ; C . W . Hodgson , S . O . ; J . B . McKenzie , J . O . ; T . K . Jobson , P . M ., I ' reas . ; Kev . W . Buwker , Chap . ; W . E . Peacock , K . of M . j H . H . Pitt , Sec . ; R . Laverick , S . D . ; C . H . Keay , J . D . ; R . Ferry , Org . ; T . H . Armstrong , I . G . ; S . Brown and J . Carr , Stwds . ; and J . Curry , Tyler , After the lodge was closed , the brethren adjourned to the refreshment room for the annual dinner , over which the W . M . presided .
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Initiations At Lodge Consecrations
and for many years previously , the practice appears to have been by no means uncommon . During tlie 18 th century the custom would seem to have been for a " dispensation " to be granted for a certain number of days to the principal founder
or founders of the proposed new lodge . Under this " dispensation " meetings were held , at which candidates were initiated , and after this tlie lodge was constituted and set about the discharge of its appointed duties as a regular warranted lodge .
Such an instance of a " dispensation " having been granted to a Bro . Robt . Lochhead by the " Ancient" Grand Lodge " for the space of 30 days , " on the 2 nd March , 1763 , will be found under No . in , at page 22 of Bro . R . F . GOULD ' " Atholl "
Lodges , while another instance is furnished by the Domatic Lodge , No . 177 , as recorded in the earlier pages ofthe history compiled by Bro . G . BLIZARD ABBOTT for the centenary festival ,
on the 12 th February , 1886 ; several meetings having been held under the dispensation granted to Bro . Charles Fcnwick on thc 21 st December , 1785 , while the lodge was constituted as No . 234 on thc 7 th February , 1786 .
As regards the practice in vogue at the date of Bro . LAST S letter , and earlier , he will find recorded in Bro . G . BLIZARD ABBOTT ' S " History of Freemasonry in Hertfordshire " as many as seven cases of candidates being initiated on the days on
which their respective lodges were consecrated , the earliest case being that of the Hertford Lodge , No . 403 , which was consecrated at the Salisbury Arms , Hertford , on the Sth September , 1829 . On this occasion , as soon as Bro . Francis
Crew had been installed as the first W . Master , and had appointed and invested his officers , we read that " fifteen gentlemen , " including Mr . William Medland , solicitor—who , earlier in the meeting , had been elected Treasurer , " subject to
his acceptance by the lodge as an initiate — " were severally balloted for , elected , and initiated in groups or batches , with intervals between for the necessary rest and refreshment . " We are further told that "the several candidates having been
initiated , all the members of the lodge being present , the newly-installed Master was proclaimed and received the usual salutation , " while " afterwards the same mark of respect was paid to the officers of the lodge . "
The Watford Lodge , No . 404 , was consecrated on Friday , the 13 th November , 1829 , when , after the W . M . had been installed and thc officers appointed , " eleven candidates were balloted for and initiated , the requisite dispensation for making
so large a number having previously been obtained from the Prov . G . Master—Bro . Geo . W . Harvey . In this case , after the initiations , " the lodge was closed aud adjourned till the following Tuesday" —thc 17 th of thc month—when " five more candidates
were initiated , " and the lodge was " again closed and adjourned till thc following Friday" —the 20 th November—when four additional candidates were initiated , and "the labours of the lodge having been at length completed , the first regular meeting , niter having extended over a whole week , was brought to a conclusion . "
At thc consecration of the Storlford Lodge , No . 409 , on the 27 th December , 1831 , Paul Cheffins , Parish Clerk , and Mr . James Goodwin , landlord of the Crown Inn , where the meeting was held , were severally balloted for and initiated , the former
as a serving brother , and by dispensation from the Marquis of Salisbury , Prov . G . Master , without the usual fee . The Cecil Lodge , No . 449 , was consecrated on the 19 th May , 183 S , among those present on the occasion being the Marquis of Salisbury ,
Prov . G . Master , and when Pro . W . Lloyd Thomas had been installed as W . M ., and the Wardens designate invested , seven gentlemen were balloted for and elected , and of these six were there and then initiated , of whom one was elected
Treasurer of the lodge , and three others appointed to minor offices . The Berkhampstead Lodge , No . 504 , was consecrated on the ist January , 1845 , by Bro . W . Stuart , Prov . G . Master , and
when Bro . the Rev . S . Lea Wilson had been installed as W . M ., and the Wardens invested , six candidates , including Thomas Thomas , by dispensation as a serving brother , were initiated .
The five lodges referred to in the preceding remarks are the senior lodges in the Province of Hertfordshire , but in addition may be cited the cases of the Salisbury Lodge , No . 435 , which now meets in the London district , but was originally a Hertfordshire Lodge , and the St . Alban's Lodge , which has been extinct
Initiations At Lodge Consecrations
for the greater part of the last half century . Both these lodges were consecrated in the presence of the Marquis of Salisbury , Prov . G . Master , thc former as No . 6 30 , at the Falcon Inn ,
Waltham Cross , on the 8 th June , 18 3 6 , and the latter as No . 6 7 8 , at the Town Hall , St . Alban ' s , on the 26 th July , 1 S 39 , and on both occasions a number of candidates were balloted for and
initiated , one of the four thus initiated in the Salisbury , being subsequently appointed to the office of Chaplain . No doubt other cases might be cited , but these seven from the sino-Ie Province of Hertfordshire , and spread over a period of 16 years , may be taken as evidence that the practice was a recognised one .
Grand Lodge Calendar.
GRAND LODGE CALENDAR .
The " Freemasons' Calendar and Pocket Book for the year 1900 " is a most welcome addition to the new Masonic publications to commence the New Year with , and all the more , because it is so complete and trustworthy ; besides being in such a handy form for consultation and general reference . Each successive issue witnesses an increase in size ( or rather thickness ) , and as respects arrangement and particulars , it seems unlikely there will be
any more changes or additions now as the Calendar contains all the subjects about which information is needed , or can reasonably be expected in such a work . Of late years it has been much improved , the additional matter being both useful and valuable . The price continues as before , viz ., two shillings per copy , it is printed and published by Bro . George Kenning , as usual , may be ordered of any bookseller , and is sold for the benefit of the Charity Fund . "
The Calendar for 1899 ended with No . 2735 ( i . e ., in December , 1898 ) , thus leaving 2290 lodges on the roll , after allowing for removals , & c , since 1 S 63 . The present issue concludes with No . 2793 ,- the actual number on the Register being 2348 , or an increase of 58 . This increase , however , is more apparent than real , as some 20 lodges were erased by vote of the Grand Lodge held December 6 th , 1899 , in consequence of their
joining the lately formed Grand Lodge of New Zealand , having ceased to work , or from other causes requiring their removal , so that the strength of the Grand Lodge at the end of December is practically 2330 , the largest number ever attained , notwithstanding the establishment of so many Grand Lodges since the present enumeration began in 1 S 63 . It is a remarkable
fact that the Grand Lodge of England continues to progress , no matter what adverse influences may affect its Register , and it is still the largest in the world as to the number of lodges and members , though as respects the latter , undoubtedly the Grand Lodge of New York runs it very close indeed , and possibly there is not much difference bstween them , as in the United States brethren are not permitted to belong to more than one lodge at a time .
The 2348 are thus distributed : Metropolis , 488 ; Country , 1354 ; and Colonial and Foreign , 506 . The third division has not increased at all , after deducting the removals already noted . London has added 20 to its Register during 1899 , and the provinces nearly as many . Quite a number of the latter have increased one each , viz ., Berks , Bucks , Cheshire , Cornwall , Cumberland and Westmorland , Devonshire , Herts , Kent , West Lanes , Lincoln , Northumberland , Stafford , Sussex , and West Yorks . Surrey has advanced from 42 to 45 , and Kssex from 41 to 45 .
The largest Provincial Grand Lodge is West Lanes , with 122 , followed by East Lanes , with 113 , West Yorks 82 , Kent 65 , Devon 59 , and Cheshire 53 . It will be seen that in the County of Lancaster there are 235 lodges , being very much more than many Grand Lodges have on their roll . The Grand Royal Arch Chapter has 83 C on the Register , showing only the insignificant increase of five chapters , which are distributed by 183 being
in London , 530 in the country , and 123 abroad . According to Bro . C . L . Mason , in his Paper read recently before the membersof the Prov . G . Chap , of West Yorkshire , the percentage of increase of Royal Arch companions , 1 S 90 to 1 S 9 S , " was hardly appreciable , " and I do not think that things are any better now in that respect . It appears to me that , " all things being equal , " Master Masons should not rest contented until they have obtained the Royal Arch , as the complement of the Third Degree ; but ,
evidently , by far the greater number of members remain satisfied with an incomplete knowledge of the recognised English Rite of Freemasonry . The information supplied as to the Grand Lodges of Ireland , Scotland , and many others , cannot fail to be of advantage , and add much to the interest and general utility of the Calendar , which Editorially reflects great credit on the Grand Secretary ; and his efficient staff to whom that duty is mainly entrusted . W . J . HUGHAN .
Mark Masonry.
Mark Masonry .
Industry Lodge , No . 293 . The annual meeting of this lodge was held at the Masonic Hall , Gateshead , on Tuesday , the 2 nd inst ., when there was an average attendance of members . The minutes of the previous meeiing having been read , and the Treasurer's balance sheet adopted , Bro . VV . J . Jobson , S . W ., was duly installed as W . M . by Bro .
H . Jackson , the retiring Master . Ihe officers were invested as follows : Bros . H . Jackson , I . P . M . ; M . C . A . Holzappel , S . W . ; T . Douglass , J . W . ; ( . Armstrong , M . O . ; C . W . Hodgson , S . O . ; J . B . McKenzie , J . O . ; T . K . Jobson , P . M ., I ' reas . ; Kev . W . Buwker , Chap . ; W . E . Peacock , K . of M . j H . H . Pitt , Sec . ; R . Laverick , S . D . ; C . H . Keay , J . D . ; R . Ferry , Org . ; T . H . Armstrong , I . G . ; S . Brown and J . Carr , Stwds . ; and J . Curry , Tyler , After the lodge was closed , the brethren adjourned to the refreshment room for the annual dinner , over which the W . M . presided .