Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Ad00403
GRAND LODGE OF MARK MASTER MASONS OF ENGLAND AND WALES AND THE COLONIES AND DEPENDENCIES OF THE BRITISH CROWN . THE RIGHT HON . LORD HENNIKER , M . W . GRAND MASTER . THE RIGHT HON . EARL OF KINTORE , R . W . DEPUTY GRAND MASTER . INSTALLATION OF H . R . H . THE DUKE OF ALBANY , K . G ., AS M . W . PAST GRAND MASTER . THE WINTER HALF-YEARLY COMMUNICATION Of this Grand Lodge will be held in the LARGE HALL , FREEMASONS' TAVERN , GREAT QUEEN ST ., LINCOLN ' S INN FIELDS , On TUESDAY , the 6 th of DECEMBER , 1881 , When and where all Grand Officers ( Past and Present ) , W . Masters , Past Masters , Wardens , and Overseers of Private Lodges are hereby summoned to attend , and at which , by permission , all regularly registered Mark Master Masons may be present . Grand Lodge will be opened at Five o'clock p . m . By command of the M . W . Grand Master , FREDERICK BINCKES , P . G . J . W ., Grand Secretary . Office , SA , Red Lion-square , Holborn , London , W . C , 17 th November , 1 SS 1 . N . B . —A Banquet will be provided at Seven o'clock . The Tickets wil ! be 15 s . each , inclusive of Wine , if taken before the day of Meeting , and 17 s . Od . if taken on that day , and it is requested that every Brother intending to dine will forward his name to the Grand Secretary not later than Saturday , 3 rd of December .
Ad00404
EMULATION LODGE OF IMPROVEMENT , UNDER THE SANCTION OF THE LODGE OF UNIONS , No . 256 . STKWARDS . Bro . I . K . Anderson , 18 and Bro . 1 . II . Matthews . P . I ~) is . J . D . 2 ' < . ' G . D . 1 'cngal . \ V . Dermic , P . M . 142 . - „ Sir ) . 11 . Monckton , Prcs . H . line , f . l > . 1820 . Hoard of General Pur" G . ' Urook ' e , P . M . 63 . poses . „ I . March Case , P . G . D . „ * C . A . Murion , P . G . D . „ Col . Shadwell H . Clerke , „ J . Muzio , P . M . 1150 . Grand Secretary . „ X . W . Ockenden , P . M . „ I . H . ' Davidson , 1 S 20 . 1512 . ,, * R . R . Davis , P . M . 5 j 6 . ,, G . C . Pulsford , Sec . 1593 . „* W . A . Dawson , P . M . 1768 „ * A . A . Richards , P . G . S ., „ H . I . P . Dumas , P . G . D . P . M . S and S 65 , P . Prov . „ A . W . Duret , W . M . 1 J 6 S , O . J . W . Middlesex . P . M . 1223 . „ . !• A . Rucker , P . G . D . „ A . Escott . ' W . M . M 93 . ,, Sir Uruce M . Seton , Ut ., 6 . „ * T . Fenn , P . G . D ., Treas . „ Sir W . Shaw , J . D . 709 . „ Montague Gossett , P . M . „ * W . Smallpeicc , P . M . 66 . 1395 . J-W . 9 69 , Sec . „ U . Grev . P . G . D . „ A . C . Spaull , P . G . Reg . „ W . H . Johnston , 1 S 20 . N . Wales and Salop . „ I . W . fones . | . D . 5 . .. !"• ¦ " Spaull , P . M . 1768 , „ C " . Lowther Kemp , 63 and S . W . 1124 . T D 10 * 4 . ,, R . Clay Sudlow , 18 and „ W . G . Kentish , S . W . 2 O 3 . 1293 . „ A . C . Tanqueray , 33 . „ 1 . W . Lambert , W . M . „ T . Truman Tant | ueray , r 4 r < , P . M . 142 . 1568 . „ P . de I .. Lorn * , P . G . D . „ Erasmus Wilson , P . G . D . ,, A . Marvin , J . W . 1768 . „ S . II . Wilson , P . M . 59 . * Members of the Committee . THE ANNUAL FESTIVAL Of the Lodge will take place AT FREEMASONS' MALL , On Friday Evening , November 25 th , 1881 , On which occasion THE RIGHT HONOURABLE THE LORD MAYOR Has kindly consented to preside . The Lodge will be opened in the Grand Hall , at Six o'clock precisely . The Work will be the Second Lecture , viz .: — I . Section by Bro . J . W . Jones , J . D . 5 . II . „ f . Truman 1 anqueray , 17 GS . HI . " „ „ J . H . Davidson , 1 S 20 . IV . „ ,, C . Lowther Kemp , 03 , J . D . 1924 . V . „ „ S . W . Shaw , J . D . 709 . Tickets for the Banquet , price 4 s . each , may be had of thc Stewards , or of Brg . W . SMAI . LPEICE , Secretary , Freemasons' Hall .
Ad00405
TO ADVERTISERS . riiE F REEMASON- lias a large circulation in all parts of the Globe In ii thc official Reports of thc Grand Lodges nf Kngland , Ireland and Scotlanrl are published with tbe special sanction of the respective Grand Masters , and it contains a complete record of Masonic worn in this country , our Indian Umpire , and the Colonies . Thc vast accession to the ranks of the Order during tbe past few years , and tbe increasing interest manifested in its doings , has given thc Freemaum a position and influence which few journals can lay claim to , and tbe proprietor can assert with confidence that announcements appearing in its columns challenge tbe attention of a very large and influential body of readers . Advertisements for tire current week ' s issue arc received up to six o ' clock on Wednesday eveninir .
Ad00406
'pHE BRIGHTON HEALTH ¦ **• CON GIR ESS . President—B . W . RICHARDSON , M . D ., LL . D ., F . R . S . Tuesday , December 13 th , 1881 . OPENING ADDRESS BY THE PRESIDENT . Sections A , Wednesday ; B , Thursday C , Friday ; Presidents—Edwin Chadwick , C . B . ; J . R . Hollond , M . A ., M . P . ; Alfred Carpenter , M . D . Evening Addresses by R . P . B . Taafe , M . D ., and Brudenel Carter , F . R . C . S ., in the Dome , Royal Pavilion . Wednesday Evening—Soiree by the Mayor and Mayoress . Many places of interest are arranged for to be viewed by Associates on presenting their tickets , as well as The Domestic and Scientific Exhibition in the Royal Pavilion and Grounds , with Electric Lighting , to be opened by the President of the Exhibition , the EARL OF CHICHESTER . Associates' Tickets , ios . Cd ., are being issued by the Congress Secretary , Brighton . Seats can be also secured . Chairman of Executive \ W . H . HALLETT , F . L . S ., Committee , j Mayor . General Hon . Secretary , WM . HAMILTON , Ship Street , Brighton . THE PROVINCIAL GRAND LODGE OF SUSSEX Will meet under SIR . W . W . Bt / RRE ' . J ., Bart ., M . P ., Prov . G . M ., in the ROYAL PAVILION , On Monday , December 12 th , at Sveen p , m ., to welcome all Brethren ( Master Masons ) attending the Health Congress . Bro . V . P . FREEMAN , Brighton ( Prov . G . S . ) , will issue tickets , which include Admission to the Opening of tbe Domestic and Scientific Exhibition .
To Correspondents.
To Correspondents .
The following reports , & c , stand over : — Cabbell Royal Arch Chapter , No . S 07 . Royal Commemoration Lodge of instruction , No . 15 S 5 . Crusaders' Lodge of Instruction , No . 16 77 .
BOOKS , & c , RECEIVED . "The Hull Packet , " "The Citizen , " "New York Dispatch , " " La Tolerance , " " Die Baiihutte , " "The Masonic Eclectic , " "The Hebrew Leader , " "The West London Advertiser , " "The Western Daily Mercury , " "La Chaine d'Union , " "The Broad Arrow , " " Jewish
Chronicle , " " Allen ' s Indian Mail , " " Der Long Islaender , " " Masonic Record of Western India , " " Keystone , " " Boletin Masonico ( " Mexico ) , " Grand Commandery of Knights Templar of Nebraskn , " " Thc Colonies and India , " "The Folkestone Chronicle , " "The Masonic Advocate . "
Ar00407
THE FREEMASON . SATURDAY , NOVEMBER 19 , 1881 .
Original Correspondence.
Original Correspondence .
[ Wc do not hokl ourselves responsible for , or even approving of , theopinions expressed hy ourcorrespondents , but we u'isb ir ) a spirit of fair play to all to permit—within certain necessary limits—free discussion , ]
PRE-1717 FREEMASONRY . To the Editor of the " Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , — Having been a constant reader of the articles b y " Masonic Student , " on " Masonic History and Historians , " and gained much knowledge and pleasure therefrom , and
as he in his communication last week refers to the belief that previous to 1717 Freemasonry had but one degree , I take the liberty of sending a few extracts from an old book in my possession , printed in Glasgow in 1771 , entitled " I'he Freemason's Pocket Companion . " The fust part gives a history of Freemasonry from the Cication to the
time of Charlemam , and uablista Alberta , the first modern who wrote concerning architecture . The second part is a history of Freemasonry in Britain . The first extract I give is from page 47 : " Egbert the First , King of all England , fortified his sea-ports ; and Alfred the Great increased the Navy and fortified and rebuilt many towns ,
and founded the University of Oxford . He had about him the best architects , was the best King of England , and employed the Fellow Crafts wholly in brick and stone , and died illustrious in the year 900 . " In the minority ot Henry VI ., the Commons of England thought the Masons worthy of their notice , by attempting
lo disturb their communications and overthrow their lodges by passing an Act in the third year of the said King , and the fourth year of his age , entitled " Masons shall not congregate in chapters or congregations . " However , thc ordinance was never once executed , and did not in the least intimidate the Masons .
The second extract is from page 51 . " In the minority of Henry VI . a good lodge was held at Canterbury , as appears from thc Latin register of William Molart , the Prior of Canterbury , in manuscript page SS , in which arc named Thomas Stapylton , the Master , John Morris , castas
de la Lodge Lathomorum , or Warden of the Lodge , of Masons , with fifteen Fel / ow Crafts , and three entered apprentices , all three named . In the year 1442 , King Henry himself was made a Mason , and his example was followed by many lords and gentlemen of the Court . "
Original Correspondence.
By these extracts ( if this old book is worth credit ) I think it is plain enough that Craft Masonry was composed of three degrees long before the year 1717 . If these extracts , or any other information from this
book , would be of use to " Masonic Student , " I would be pleased to lend it to him to enable him to pursue his research into this vexed question . I am , Sir and Brother , yours fraternally , AN OLD P . M . OF 158 .
THE PROVINCE OF CHESHIRE AND THE CHARITIES . To the Editor of the "Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , — Casually looking over some of your back numbers , in No . G 44 I find a digest of some of the leading items of
subscriptions at the " Boys School Festival of 1 SS 1 , and to my surprise , find that Cheshire , with its ( I believe ) thirty-six lodges , does not seem to get anywhere near the front ; indeed , not even to the " three figures " list . I am afraid to inquire whether we were indeed represented at all . I know one 3 'ear a representative of the lodge I belong to
was thc only one representing Cheshire in thc list of one of the Societies ( I forget which ) . 'Ihis seems to me a sad state of affairs , indeed ; and the contrast between so large a province as this is , with a province like Sussex , with its grand total of £ 791 15 s ., is most startling on thc face of it . I for one feel very much ashamed of it , provided there is no
redeeming circumstances , and my principal object in writing is to ask if any one of your correspondents who knows can give any explanation of what looks so bad a case . I do not "" need to be reminded of the noble success achieved by the Committee and friends of the " Cheshire Educational Masonic Institution . " I know the working of
that excellent Institution well , and am fully cognisant of the good they do so quietly and unostentatiously . Even the relatives and neighbours of those relieved are seldom aware of the source whence our widows are provided with the means of giving good education to their children . Although a constant student of trie Freemason , I do not
remember to have seen in your paper any report of thc meetings of the Committee referred to , and I enclose you herewith a copy of their last report , from which you will be able to judge of their work . But this , although truly Masonic , does ^ not wholly explain why we are so far behind in the good work referred to in
the early portion of my letter . There seems to me a want of some sort of " go" amongst us . 1 know we avail ourselves of the benefits these institutions bestow very largely . I saw a few days ago in a Liverpool paper an account of a meeting of the friends of the " Commercial Travellers Schools , " as a sort of branch of the Parent Society , where at Liverpool they collected a large sum of
money in aid of their funds ; and it struck me that we are in want of some such organization as this , whereby the " Charitable duty of our Order" may be more worthily accomplished . Somehow , I think , we ought to do more . This letter has grown much longer than the single paragraph I first intended , if too long cut it short . Yours fraternally , CHESHIRE .
HISTORY OF UNITY 1 S 3 . To the Editor ofthe " Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , — In your edition of the 5 th inst . you kindly reviewed my history of the Lodge of Unity , and having blundered I was pleased to be corrected . Of course , it
never entered my head that one of the blunders lay with your reviewer ; and I only wondered how , knowing perfectly well the facts relating to Antiquity No . 2 , I come to make the majority and minority change places . I never thought of verifying the passage , but attributed it to a slip of the pen . But last night I happened to open the
book at the page referred to , and behold ! I never made the mistake at all , but your reviewer did for mc , and thereupon hinted at sheepwalking and other " soft impeachments . " Having thus reduced my glaring errors to one , I am not at all displeased with the results , and remain , Yours fraternally , G . W . SPETH .
A QUERY . To the Editor of thc "Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , — Recently , the Senior Warden of a lodge initiated two candidates , the W . M . being absent and a P . M . in the chair . The S . W . is not an Installed Master , and he worked
the ceremonies standing by the side of the acting W . M . Is there any written or unwritten law in Masonry to sanction or forbid such practice ? The question is interesting many brethren of my acquaintance , and I should like to have the opinions of some more advanced in Masonic knowledge . Yours fraternally , QUERIST .
November 4 II 1 . [ The proceedings referred to by "Querist" were perfectly in order . In the report of the pioceedings of Grand Lodge of March 7 th , 1 S 77 , you will find it laid down by the Grand Registrar that " If the W . M . occupied the chair he might call any brother to stand at his pedestal , or place him
anywhere he liked in the lodge , and commission him to repeat the ceremonies ; and the words spoken by that-brother were the words ol thc W . M . uttered by proxy . " It follows , as a matter of course , that a P . M . occupying ihe chair , in the absence of the W . M ., can exercise the same right . — ED . F . M . ' ]
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Ad00403
GRAND LODGE OF MARK MASTER MASONS OF ENGLAND AND WALES AND THE COLONIES AND DEPENDENCIES OF THE BRITISH CROWN . THE RIGHT HON . LORD HENNIKER , M . W . GRAND MASTER . THE RIGHT HON . EARL OF KINTORE , R . W . DEPUTY GRAND MASTER . INSTALLATION OF H . R . H . THE DUKE OF ALBANY , K . G ., AS M . W . PAST GRAND MASTER . THE WINTER HALF-YEARLY COMMUNICATION Of this Grand Lodge will be held in the LARGE HALL , FREEMASONS' TAVERN , GREAT QUEEN ST ., LINCOLN ' S INN FIELDS , On TUESDAY , the 6 th of DECEMBER , 1881 , When and where all Grand Officers ( Past and Present ) , W . Masters , Past Masters , Wardens , and Overseers of Private Lodges are hereby summoned to attend , and at which , by permission , all regularly registered Mark Master Masons may be present . Grand Lodge will be opened at Five o'clock p . m . By command of the M . W . Grand Master , FREDERICK BINCKES , P . G . J . W ., Grand Secretary . Office , SA , Red Lion-square , Holborn , London , W . C , 17 th November , 1 SS 1 . N . B . —A Banquet will be provided at Seven o'clock . The Tickets wil ! be 15 s . each , inclusive of Wine , if taken before the day of Meeting , and 17 s . Od . if taken on that day , and it is requested that every Brother intending to dine will forward his name to the Grand Secretary not later than Saturday , 3 rd of December .
Ad00404
EMULATION LODGE OF IMPROVEMENT , UNDER THE SANCTION OF THE LODGE OF UNIONS , No . 256 . STKWARDS . Bro . I . K . Anderson , 18 and Bro . 1 . II . Matthews . P . I ~) is . J . D . 2 ' < . ' G . D . 1 'cngal . \ V . Dermic , P . M . 142 . - „ Sir ) . 11 . Monckton , Prcs . H . line , f . l > . 1820 . Hoard of General Pur" G . ' Urook ' e , P . M . 63 . poses . „ I . March Case , P . G . D . „ * C . A . Murion , P . G . D . „ Col . Shadwell H . Clerke , „ J . Muzio , P . M . 1150 . Grand Secretary . „ X . W . Ockenden , P . M . „ I . H . ' Davidson , 1 S 20 . 1512 . ,, * R . R . Davis , P . M . 5 j 6 . ,, G . C . Pulsford , Sec . 1593 . „* W . A . Dawson , P . M . 1768 „ * A . A . Richards , P . G . S ., „ H . I . P . Dumas , P . G . D . P . M . S and S 65 , P . Prov . „ A . W . Duret , W . M . 1 J 6 S , O . J . W . Middlesex . P . M . 1223 . „ . !• A . Rucker , P . G . D . „ A . Escott . ' W . M . M 93 . ,, Sir Uruce M . Seton , Ut ., 6 . „ * T . Fenn , P . G . D ., Treas . „ Sir W . Shaw , J . D . 709 . „ Montague Gossett , P . M . „ * W . Smallpeicc , P . M . 66 . 1395 . J-W . 9 69 , Sec . „ U . Grev . P . G . D . „ A . C . Spaull , P . G . Reg . „ W . H . Johnston , 1 S 20 . N . Wales and Salop . „ I . W . fones . | . D . 5 . .. !"• ¦ " Spaull , P . M . 1768 , „ C " . Lowther Kemp , 63 and S . W . 1124 . T D 10 * 4 . ,, R . Clay Sudlow , 18 and „ W . G . Kentish , S . W . 2 O 3 . 1293 . „ A . C . Tanqueray , 33 . „ 1 . W . Lambert , W . M . „ T . Truman Tant | ueray , r 4 r < , P . M . 142 . 1568 . „ P . de I .. Lorn * , P . G . D . „ Erasmus Wilson , P . G . D . ,, A . Marvin , J . W . 1768 . „ S . II . Wilson , P . M . 59 . * Members of the Committee . THE ANNUAL FESTIVAL Of the Lodge will take place AT FREEMASONS' MALL , On Friday Evening , November 25 th , 1881 , On which occasion THE RIGHT HONOURABLE THE LORD MAYOR Has kindly consented to preside . The Lodge will be opened in the Grand Hall , at Six o'clock precisely . The Work will be the Second Lecture , viz .: — I . Section by Bro . J . W . Jones , J . D . 5 . II . „ f . Truman 1 anqueray , 17 GS . HI . " „ „ J . H . Davidson , 1 S 20 . IV . „ ,, C . Lowther Kemp , 03 , J . D . 1924 . V . „ „ S . W . Shaw , J . D . 709 . Tickets for the Banquet , price 4 s . each , may be had of thc Stewards , or of Brg . W . SMAI . LPEICE , Secretary , Freemasons' Hall .
Ad00405
TO ADVERTISERS . riiE F REEMASON- lias a large circulation in all parts of the Globe In ii thc official Reports of thc Grand Lodges nf Kngland , Ireland and Scotlanrl are published with tbe special sanction of the respective Grand Masters , and it contains a complete record of Masonic worn in this country , our Indian Umpire , and the Colonies . Thc vast accession to the ranks of the Order during tbe past few years , and tbe increasing interest manifested in its doings , has given thc Freemaum a position and influence which few journals can lay claim to , and tbe proprietor can assert with confidence that announcements appearing in its columns challenge tbe attention of a very large and influential body of readers . Advertisements for tire current week ' s issue arc received up to six o ' clock on Wednesday eveninir .
Ad00406
'pHE BRIGHTON HEALTH ¦ **• CON GIR ESS . President—B . W . RICHARDSON , M . D ., LL . D ., F . R . S . Tuesday , December 13 th , 1881 . OPENING ADDRESS BY THE PRESIDENT . Sections A , Wednesday ; B , Thursday C , Friday ; Presidents—Edwin Chadwick , C . B . ; J . R . Hollond , M . A ., M . P . ; Alfred Carpenter , M . D . Evening Addresses by R . P . B . Taafe , M . D ., and Brudenel Carter , F . R . C . S ., in the Dome , Royal Pavilion . Wednesday Evening—Soiree by the Mayor and Mayoress . Many places of interest are arranged for to be viewed by Associates on presenting their tickets , as well as The Domestic and Scientific Exhibition in the Royal Pavilion and Grounds , with Electric Lighting , to be opened by the President of the Exhibition , the EARL OF CHICHESTER . Associates' Tickets , ios . Cd ., are being issued by the Congress Secretary , Brighton . Seats can be also secured . Chairman of Executive \ W . H . HALLETT , F . L . S ., Committee , j Mayor . General Hon . Secretary , WM . HAMILTON , Ship Street , Brighton . THE PROVINCIAL GRAND LODGE OF SUSSEX Will meet under SIR . W . W . Bt / RRE ' . J ., Bart ., M . P ., Prov . G . M ., in the ROYAL PAVILION , On Monday , December 12 th , at Sveen p , m ., to welcome all Brethren ( Master Masons ) attending the Health Congress . Bro . V . P . FREEMAN , Brighton ( Prov . G . S . ) , will issue tickets , which include Admission to the Opening of tbe Domestic and Scientific Exhibition .
To Correspondents.
To Correspondents .
The following reports , & c , stand over : — Cabbell Royal Arch Chapter , No . S 07 . Royal Commemoration Lodge of instruction , No . 15 S 5 . Crusaders' Lodge of Instruction , No . 16 77 .
BOOKS , & c , RECEIVED . "The Hull Packet , " "The Citizen , " "New York Dispatch , " " La Tolerance , " " Die Baiihutte , " "The Masonic Eclectic , " "The Hebrew Leader , " "The West London Advertiser , " "The Western Daily Mercury , " "La Chaine d'Union , " "The Broad Arrow , " " Jewish
Chronicle , " " Allen ' s Indian Mail , " " Der Long Islaender , " " Masonic Record of Western India , " " Keystone , " " Boletin Masonico ( " Mexico ) , " Grand Commandery of Knights Templar of Nebraskn , " " Thc Colonies and India , " "The Folkestone Chronicle , " "The Masonic Advocate . "
Ar00407
THE FREEMASON . SATURDAY , NOVEMBER 19 , 1881 .
Original Correspondence.
Original Correspondence .
[ Wc do not hokl ourselves responsible for , or even approving of , theopinions expressed hy ourcorrespondents , but we u'isb ir ) a spirit of fair play to all to permit—within certain necessary limits—free discussion , ]
PRE-1717 FREEMASONRY . To the Editor of the " Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , — Having been a constant reader of the articles b y " Masonic Student , " on " Masonic History and Historians , " and gained much knowledge and pleasure therefrom , and
as he in his communication last week refers to the belief that previous to 1717 Freemasonry had but one degree , I take the liberty of sending a few extracts from an old book in my possession , printed in Glasgow in 1771 , entitled " I'he Freemason's Pocket Companion . " The fust part gives a history of Freemasonry from the Cication to the
time of Charlemam , and uablista Alberta , the first modern who wrote concerning architecture . The second part is a history of Freemasonry in Britain . The first extract I give is from page 47 : " Egbert the First , King of all England , fortified his sea-ports ; and Alfred the Great increased the Navy and fortified and rebuilt many towns ,
and founded the University of Oxford . He had about him the best architects , was the best King of England , and employed the Fellow Crafts wholly in brick and stone , and died illustrious in the year 900 . " In the minority ot Henry VI ., the Commons of England thought the Masons worthy of their notice , by attempting
lo disturb their communications and overthrow their lodges by passing an Act in the third year of the said King , and the fourth year of his age , entitled " Masons shall not congregate in chapters or congregations . " However , thc ordinance was never once executed , and did not in the least intimidate the Masons .
The second extract is from page 51 . " In the minority of Henry VI . a good lodge was held at Canterbury , as appears from thc Latin register of William Molart , the Prior of Canterbury , in manuscript page SS , in which arc named Thomas Stapylton , the Master , John Morris , castas
de la Lodge Lathomorum , or Warden of the Lodge , of Masons , with fifteen Fel / ow Crafts , and three entered apprentices , all three named . In the year 1442 , King Henry himself was made a Mason , and his example was followed by many lords and gentlemen of the Court . "
Original Correspondence.
By these extracts ( if this old book is worth credit ) I think it is plain enough that Craft Masonry was composed of three degrees long before the year 1717 . If these extracts , or any other information from this
book , would be of use to " Masonic Student , " I would be pleased to lend it to him to enable him to pursue his research into this vexed question . I am , Sir and Brother , yours fraternally , AN OLD P . M . OF 158 .
THE PROVINCE OF CHESHIRE AND THE CHARITIES . To the Editor of the "Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , — Casually looking over some of your back numbers , in No . G 44 I find a digest of some of the leading items of
subscriptions at the " Boys School Festival of 1 SS 1 , and to my surprise , find that Cheshire , with its ( I believe ) thirty-six lodges , does not seem to get anywhere near the front ; indeed , not even to the " three figures " list . I am afraid to inquire whether we were indeed represented at all . I know one 3 'ear a representative of the lodge I belong to
was thc only one representing Cheshire in thc list of one of the Societies ( I forget which ) . 'Ihis seems to me a sad state of affairs , indeed ; and the contrast between so large a province as this is , with a province like Sussex , with its grand total of £ 791 15 s ., is most startling on thc face of it . I for one feel very much ashamed of it , provided there is no
redeeming circumstances , and my principal object in writing is to ask if any one of your correspondents who knows can give any explanation of what looks so bad a case . I do not "" need to be reminded of the noble success achieved by the Committee and friends of the " Cheshire Educational Masonic Institution . " I know the working of
that excellent Institution well , and am fully cognisant of the good they do so quietly and unostentatiously . Even the relatives and neighbours of those relieved are seldom aware of the source whence our widows are provided with the means of giving good education to their children . Although a constant student of trie Freemason , I do not
remember to have seen in your paper any report of thc meetings of the Committee referred to , and I enclose you herewith a copy of their last report , from which you will be able to judge of their work . But this , although truly Masonic , does ^ not wholly explain why we are so far behind in the good work referred to in
the early portion of my letter . There seems to me a want of some sort of " go" amongst us . 1 know we avail ourselves of the benefits these institutions bestow very largely . I saw a few days ago in a Liverpool paper an account of a meeting of the friends of the " Commercial Travellers Schools , " as a sort of branch of the Parent Society , where at Liverpool they collected a large sum of
money in aid of their funds ; and it struck me that we are in want of some such organization as this , whereby the " Charitable duty of our Order" may be more worthily accomplished . Somehow , I think , we ought to do more . This letter has grown much longer than the single paragraph I first intended , if too long cut it short . Yours fraternally , CHESHIRE .
HISTORY OF UNITY 1 S 3 . To the Editor ofthe " Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , — In your edition of the 5 th inst . you kindly reviewed my history of the Lodge of Unity , and having blundered I was pleased to be corrected . Of course , it
never entered my head that one of the blunders lay with your reviewer ; and I only wondered how , knowing perfectly well the facts relating to Antiquity No . 2 , I come to make the majority and minority change places . I never thought of verifying the passage , but attributed it to a slip of the pen . But last night I happened to open the
book at the page referred to , and behold ! I never made the mistake at all , but your reviewer did for mc , and thereupon hinted at sheepwalking and other " soft impeachments . " Having thus reduced my glaring errors to one , I am not at all displeased with the results , and remain , Yours fraternally , G . W . SPETH .
A QUERY . To the Editor of thc "Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , — Recently , the Senior Warden of a lodge initiated two candidates , the W . M . being absent and a P . M . in the chair . The S . W . is not an Installed Master , and he worked
the ceremonies standing by the side of the acting W . M . Is there any written or unwritten law in Masonry to sanction or forbid such practice ? The question is interesting many brethren of my acquaintance , and I should like to have the opinions of some more advanced in Masonic knowledge . Yours fraternally , QUERIST .
November 4 II 1 . [ The proceedings referred to by "Querist" were perfectly in order . In the report of the pioceedings of Grand Lodge of March 7 th , 1 S 77 , you will find it laid down by the Grand Registrar that " If the W . M . occupied the chair he might call any brother to stand at his pedestal , or place him
anywhere he liked in the lodge , and commission him to repeat the ceremonies ; and the words spoken by that-brother were the words ol thc W . M . uttered by proxy . " It follows , as a matter of course , that a P . M . occupying ihe chair , in the absence of the W . M ., can exercise the same right . — ED . F . M . ' ]