Old "Athol" Warrants.

the old C onstitutions ) in ample form assembled , " & c . " ( by and with the approbation and consent of Thirty-four Regular Lodges within the cities and suburbs of London and Westminster ) , Do hereby appoint , constitute , " & c . (//) No . 88 , of the same year , 29 th January , 17 61 , appears to begin the new

series , which was continued with scarcely any variation until the Union . " This is a duplicate only , but the phraseology is the same as those quoted by Bro . Hughan , which come next in order of date , viz ., No . 44 , of 15 th January , 1763 , and No . 113 , of 19 th May , 176 3 , the wording being : " We the Grand Lodge of the Most Ancient and Honourable Fraternity of Free

and Accepted Masons ( according to the Old Constitutions granted by His Royal Hi g hness Prince Edwin at York , Anno Domini Nine hundred twenty and six , and in the year of Masonry , Four thousand nine hundred twenty and six ) in ample form assembled .... ( with the approbation and consent of the Warranted Lodges held within the Cities and

Suburbs of London and Westminster ) Do hereby authorize , " & c . ( i ) The only variation to the last mentioned ( which appears to have been the standard from 17 61 to 1813 ) is found in No . 65 , for Halifax , Nova

Scotia , of 2 nd June , 1784 , the first part being identical , but the concluding portion reads " ( together with the Masters , Wardens , and past Masters of the Warranted Lodges held within the Cities of London and Westminster ) . "

Referring to the peculiarity recorded in five only of the Ancient Warrants , three ( Nos . 65 , 66 , and 6 7 ) for Nova Scotia being identical in this respect , quoting 47 lodges as assenting to the Warrants in December , 1757 , on 17 th May , 1758 , for No . 8 , 40 lodges only assented , and on 21 st January , 17 61 , for No .

85 , the number was reduced to 34 . I have shown in the table at p . 160 of my " Handy Book , " that the number of " Ancient ' London lodges actually existing was even less than these . In fact the Metropolitan lodges were gradually decreasing from

j 75 7 to 17 83 , when there were not more than 23 that could be said to be alive . This may account for the omission to record after 17 61 the number of lodges whose " approbation and consent " are recited in the Warrants .

I join heartily with Bro . Hughan in asking for any information whatever in relation to the early Warrants of the " Ancient " Grand Lodge . JNO . LANE .

Staffordshire.

STAFFORDSHIRE .

IMPORTANT MEETING OF PRECEPTORS , & c . We recently called attention to a circular letter issued by R . W . Bro . Col . Gough to the W . M . ' s and P . M . ' s of his Province of Staffordshire upon the subject of certain changes in the then existing ritual and procedure . The letter in question showed lhat nearly every one of the 29 lodges in the province had directly , or in conjunction with one , or two others , established a lodge of instruction in strict accordance with the Book of Constitutions , and a specially prepared

code of by-laws which—inter alia—placed each of such lodges of instruction under the control and management of a Preceptor elected by the brethren to that important office . So far the objects of the P . G . M . were—ist . By means of periodical Preceptors meetings , to p lace himself in direct and simultaneous personal contact with each of his lodges . 2 ndly . To ensure uniformity of ritual throughout the province ; and 3 rdly . To encourage the junior brethren to qualify for office in each parent lodge , and to provide complete facilities for their so doing .

The remainder of the letter was devoted to various considerations of the question of ritual , and concluded with an urgent request by the P . G . M . to the brethren of his province to concur with himself in the adoption of the " Emulation " work in its entirety . At the end of a month after transmission of a copy of the letter to every W . M . and P . M . in the province , a meeting of Preceptors was held at Stafford on the 24 th of February last , when the P . G . M . delivered an address , and afterwards explained all the principal changes which the proposed adoption of the " Emulation " work would necessitate in that of the various lodges .

The views and conclusion of the P . G . M . were cordially and unanimously adopted , and regulations for future meetings agreed upon . Accordingly a circular vvas issued by the Secretary , Bro . Stanger , P . P . G . D . of C , requesting the attendance ot Preceptors and lodge representatives at a meeting at the King Hotel , Stafford , on the 7 th April , and stating that Bro .

Sudlow , G . Std . Br . England , and a member of the Emulation Lodge of Improvement Committee , would attend and assist in the working . It was also announced that the thiee ceremonies would be rehearsed by Bros . J . Wooldridge , 726 , P . P . A . G . D . of C ; J . F . Pepper , 482 , P . P . S . G . W . ; and J . B . Ashwell , 637 , P . G . D ., at the meeting .

The meeting was held accordingly on Tuesday , the 7 th inst ., when every Staffordshire lodge was duly represented , as also the Province of Worcestershire by Bros . Captain Mossop , P . G . D . C . ; R . G . Venables , D . P . G . M . Shropshire ; A . W . Adams , Preceptor of the General Lodge of Instruction , Birmingham (

Warwickshire ) ; and R . C . Sudlow , G . Std . Br . England , was also present as Preceptor The Provincial Grand Lodge of Staffordshire was represented b y the Provincial Grand Master , Bro . Colonel Go igh ; Bro . Colonel Bindley , D . P . G . M . ; Bros . J . Bodenham , P . S . G . W . ; W . F . Bradley , P . G . C ; Major G . W . Walker , P . A . G . Sec ; and Ingamells , P . P . G . D .

After luncheon the brethren assembled in the lodge room , when the PROVINCIAL GRAND MASTER briefly opened the proceedings , remarking that although at the last meeting he had engaged nearly the whole of the time at their disposal , he had done so with strict relerence to the [ present occasion , as would no doubt be apparent in due course . The present meeting constituted not only a red-letter day , but a very memorable one in the history of Freemasonry in Staffordshire . For himself and his province he offered a most cordial welcome to Bro . Sudlow

and to the other officers of the Grand Lodge of England , and to the officially appointed representatives of the neighbouring provinces for their attendance , and concluded by remarking that the importance of the occasion , the unprecedented length of the programme , and the fact that no doubt many of the brethren would not be able to stay for its conclusion , rendered it necessary that for the present , at least , the business of the day must be their first and only consideration . He then requested Bro . Wooldridge to take the chair for the opening of the lodge and the performance of the first ceremony .

The officers appointed by the acting W . M . were Bros . J . F . Pepper , 482 , S . W . ; J . B . Ashwell , 6 37 , J . W . ; J . Williams , 539 , S . D . ; W . H . Coulton , 1792 , J . D . ; and J . Godwin , 98 , I . G . Bros . Twist , 419 , and Tomlinson , 726 , officiated as Tylers . The Iodge having been opened , and the circulars read , the minutes of the last meeting were ^ read and confirmed . The ceremony of initiation vvas duly performed by Bro . J . Wooldridge , Bro . J . Williams acting as candidate . As the time at disposal before dinner was not deemed sufficient for the two

Staffordshire.

remaining ceremonies , the chair was then taken by Bro . Ashwell , 6 37 , w [ , having appointed his officers , performed the ceremony of raising . The lodge was called off from labour to refreshment at 5 o ' clock p . m ., when the brethren partook of an excellent and well served dinner , after which the PROV . GRAND MASTER stated that as he desired their return to the lodge room as

soon as possible , the toasts would be restricted to two . They would probably understand the latter , but they could not possibly mistake the former . It was the health of the Sovereign who reigned over their native land , and many a land besides , " Her Most Gracious Majesty the Queen , " and every heart would sugges ( . nay , re-echo the sentiment—God bless her .

The toast having been most heartily accepted , the P . G . M . stated that despite the desire they must all feel to return to the lodge room in order to enjoy the splendid advantages of Bro . Sudlow ' s instruction , he was certain that every brother then present was longing for the opportunity of testifying his hearty appreciation of the extraordinnary and in fact unprecedented service which the visit of Bro . Sudlow had rendered to the cause of Freemasonry in Staffordshire , and he mi ght say in the Midland Provinces also , as four of them at least were there officiall y represented .

After the toast of " The R . W . Bro . Col . Gough , P . G . M ., " had been proposed and very cordially responded to , the brethren re-assembled in the lodge room . The Worshipful Master ' s chair was occupied by Bro . J . F . Pepper , P . P . S . G . W , who , after duly appointing his officers , rehearsed the ceremony of passing . A hearty vote of thanks was accorded to Bro . Sudlow for his attendance , and the preliminary arrangements for the next meeting of Preceptors , to be held on Tuesday , the 7 th July , having been made , the proceedings terminated .

Provincial Grand Chapter Of Sussex.

PROVINCIAL GRAND CHAPTER OF SUSSEX .

The annual meeting of this Provincial Grand Chapter was held at the Royal Pavilion , Brighton , on Saturday , the nth inst . Comp . Lieut .-General C . W . Randolph , Grand Superintendent , opened the chapter , and was supported b y the following Provincial Grand Officers : Comps . H . M . Davey , Prov . G . H . ; Branslee Roberts , Prov . G . J . ; H . E . Price , Prov . G . S . N . ; J . M . Reed , Prov . G . Treas . ; R . Pidcock , Prov . G . Reg . ; T . C . Woodman , Prov . G . P . Soj . ; G . E . Chapman , Prov . G . Std . Br . ; A . King , Prov . G . Org . ; T . Hardy , Prov . G . Stwd . ; and H . H . Hughes , Prov . G . Janitor . Those present also included :

Comps . J . Adames , P . Z . 311 ; R . H . Ellman , P . Z . 311 ; C . J . Smith , P . P . G . S . B . ; R . B . Higham , Z . Sir ; C . J . Briscoe , P . Z . 311 , P . P . G . S . B . ; W . H . Barrett , P . Z . 3 S ; H . H . Moore , ist Asst . S . 3 S ; C . Bampfylde Warre , Z . 1466 ; W . Wright , S . E . 311 ; F . W . Bathurst , P . S . 916 ; L . W . Paynter , P . P . A . G . S . Monmouthshire ; Smith Stone , H . 311 ; J . Peters , 311 ; J . H . Bull , 2 nd Asst . Soj . 311 ; J . H . Longman , 170 ; H . S . Gates , 315 ; C . W . Tomes , P . Z . 016 ; G . Holman , M . E . Z . 311 ; W . Gill , H . 811 ; I .

Perry , 315 ; J . Farncombe , 311 , P . G . J . ; R . Weston , 311 ; E . Walker , 271 ; A . P . Lamette , D . of C . 271 ; F . Holford , P . Z . 271 ; F . Daniel , P . Z . 732 ; L . R . Styer , Z . 315 ; P . L . Hart , 271 ; W . N . Roe , Su ; E . G . Whittle , 271 ; T . Berry , 315 ; R . I . Scott , 271 ; W . A . Tooth , 315 ; Seymour Burrows , 271 ; F . Hollands , 315 ; J . R . Dowson , 271 ; G . R . Lockyer , 315 ; C . F . Goode , 315 ; R . Clowes , 732 ; W . Smith , P . P . S . 732 ; G . F . A . Smythe , 2195 ; W . E . Morrison , Z . 916 ; S . R . Legg , P . Z . 732 , P . P . A . G . S . ; and H . Kent , P . Z . 315 , P . P . G . ist A . S .

The minutes of the last meeting having been read and confirmed , the report of the Audit Committee and the Treasurer ' s account were received and adopted . Addressing the companions , the M . E . GRAND SUPERINTENDENT said : When comparing Mark Masonry with Royal Arch Masonry I regret to see so many brothers flocking to that branch of Masonry—taking a retrograde step , than being exalted in the Royal Arch Degree , which is a superior advancement in our Craft . There are reasons which possibly influence Master Masons to join the Mark

Degree instead of ours , the fees for entrance being less and the clothing less expensive . I wish we could persuade the Grand S . E . ( who I regret is not with us this day ) to use his endeavours to assimilate the fees , holding out equal inducements for brothers to join Royal Arch chapters . I have attended all the installation meetings of our nine chapters , except one , during the last year in the province . I have observed in some chapters the attendance has been good , and the working hi ghly creditable , and I trust , for the future , I shall witness the three Principals

install their several successors in their respective chairs , thus dividing the work ; that all chapters will work alike ; and that the province of Sussex will be quoted as a pattern province ; for I am confident that when companions take the trouble to acquire and learn their respective duties in their respective offices that they fill , _ it will always repay them , for we all well know that with increased knowledge will come increased interest . We have heard the report of the Treasurer ' s account ,

and I am pleased to say we are better off than we vvere last year . As regards the statistics , it is gratifying to see that this year we have had 29 exaltations , which are more than in any previous year since 1882 . I cannot express to you how rejoiced I am to think that in the first year of my Grand Superintendentship of the province that we have excelled in numbers our exaltations since the year 1082 . Companions , may the Great Jehovah give us all health , strength , and inclination to perform our Royal Arch duties throughout the coming year .

The following were appointed Provincial Grand Officers for the ensuing year , and were invested with the insignia of their respective offices :.

—Comp . C . J . Smith , P . Z . 1466 ... ... ... Prov . G . H . „ A . King , P . Z . 271 ... ... ... Prov . G . J . ,, V . P . Freeman , P . Z . 311 and 752 ... ... Prov . G . S . E . „ F . Daniel , P . Z . 732 ... ... ... Prov . G . S . N . „ J . M . Reed , P . Z . 732 ... ... ... Prov . G . Treas .

„ R . Pidcock , P . Z . 916 ... ... ... Prov . G . R . „ W . H . Barrett , P . Z . 38 ... ... ... Prov . G . P . S . „ T . Hardy , P . Z . 811 ... ... ... Prov . ist A . G . S . „ C . W . Tomes , P . Z . 916 ... ... ... Prov . 2 nd A . G . S . „ T . Berry , P . Z . 315 ... ... ... Prov . G . S . B . „ R . H . Ellman , P . Z . 311 ... ... ... Prov . G . Std . Br . „ F . Holford , P . Z . 271 ... ... ... Prov . G . D . C .

„ W . N . Roe , H . 811 ... ... ... Prov . G . Org . „ W . E . Morrison , Z . 916 ... ... - } Prov G Stwds . „ C . Bampfylde Warre , Z . 1466 ... ... j .

„ H . H . Hugh ... ... ... ... Prov . G . Janitor . The Provincial Grand Chapter having been closed , the companions sat do to a banquet , over which the Grand Superintendent presided . , ,, -j . | ie The usual loyal toasts having been given , Comp . C . J . SMITH proposed . Health of the Grand Superintendent , " who acknowledged the toast , and than the companions for their attendance and support . nC \ " The Provincial Grand Officers" was proposed by the C HAIRMA' ,

responded to by Comp . C . J . SMITH . Dover , Comp . PAYNTER , from Monmouthshire , and KEMP S YMTHE , from responded for " The Visitors . " ,. _ " " The Principals of the Chapters in the Province , " " The Masonic Instituti . and the Janitor's toast concluded the proceedings . . 0 g 0 e , The musical arrangements were under the direction of Comp . W- f ou ; se Prov . G . Org ., who had secured the services of Miss Maud Bond , Miss Brazier , and Comp . R . Willard .