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Article LODGE OF BENEVOLENCE. ← Page 2 of 2 Article Multum in Parbo, or Masonic Notes and Queries. Page 1 of 1 Article A CENTURY OF MASONRY. PART III. Page 1 of 1 Article A CENTURY OF MASONRY. PART III. Page 1 of 1 Article A CENTURY OF MASONRY. PART III. Page 1 of 1 Article PRESENTATION TO BRO. JOHN DENNIS. P.M. No. 907. Page 1 of 2 →
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Lodge Of Benevolence.
in another town in the same province , in which there is also a regular constituted lodge , and would have been balloted for and initiated without any inquiry as to character , in thc lodge in thc town in which the person
Is it lawful according to the Constitutions and Landmarks of Freemasonry ? I cannot find anything in the Constitutions directly bearing on such a case ; but No . 14 of thc Antient Charges bears upon it more than any other . Yours truly and fraternally , CllAS . F . LlVEilSIDGE ,
Secretary Yarborough Lodge , No . 242 . [ The question asked by our correspondent is confessedly a very difficult one , but we apprehend that by the Book oi Constitutions there is no limit to the right of proposition , except that which is laid down by the general laws on the subject . In some provincial bye-laws , notably West
Yorkshire , a provision of enquiry exists ; but wc are of opinion , after ample consideration , that no such limitation actually exists under the Book of Constitutions , or would be recognised penally by our authorities , and that therefore thetc is nothing to render inquiry imperative , though it may be , wc feel , advisable . —ED . ]
Multum In Parbo, Or Masonic Notes And Queries.
Multum in Parbo , or Masonic Notes and Queries .
I continue this week the list of Dutch lodges in 1775 , as they may interest some of my readers the more so as since I wrote last , the kind transmitter , our esteemed and excellent Bro . R . W . Little , has passed away , let us all trust , to his rest in God . 1 Concordia Vincit Animos 2 Le Veritable Zelc
3 La Fidelity 4 La Paix 3 La Concorde , loge militaire 6 Les Cceurs unis 7 L'Indissoluble 8 La Charite n St . Louis , suspendue depuis 1750
10 la bien Aimee 11 L'Union Roiale , ayant suspendu scs assemblies en i 7 oT > , lcs a reprises en 1771 12 L'Agc d'or 1758 ) . , , . ' i associecsen 1770 13 La Vertu 1737 J " 14 L'Esper . ince 1737 , a etc declarer : etre dechue en 17 ( 1 7 13 St . Pierre a St . Eustache 1757 , suspendue depuis 1760
16 L'Ami'ie ; i Curacao 1737 17 La parfaire Union , a St . Eustache 1737 18 La Resolution 1757 19 Le Philantrope 173 8 20 Les Amis de la justice 173 8 , dechue en 176 4 21 Le parfait Masson a St . Eustache 1758 , suspendue depuis 1760
22 Urinjrue , loge militaire 1 739 , eteinte en 1773 . 23 Salomon ;' i Bcngale , Loge I ' rov . 1739 24 La Perseverance 1762 , a etc substitute h la Frcdiic Royal qui etoit de 1739 25 St . Jean Bapliste , A St . Kustache 1760 , suspendue dans la meme anne e
26 L'Astie-e 1760 2 ; I a Bonne foi 1702 , suspend . 1773 28 L'A more 1761 29 La Constance , Loge Provinciale 1761 30 Concordia i \ Suriname 17 O 1 , suspendue depuis 1762 31 L'Egalite" des Freres 1761 , incorporee le 27 May , 1761 , dans la Loge les Cceurs unis , No . 6
32 Les Zeles , Loge Provinciale 176 3 33 Virtutis and aitis Amisi , 176 3 34 * La Candcur 1763 , suspendue depuis 176 5 33 L'Haimonie 176 4 36 L'Jnrbraiilable J 7 6 4 37 L ' amitirj fraternelle 1764 38 * La Patfaitc Amitiu 1763
39 * La Bienfaisante 176 3 40 * La Paix du bas Rhin 176 7 41 L'Inseparable 176 7 42 La Zelee a Suiinamc 176 7 43 * La Croissatite des trois Ciefs 17 ( 18 44 La Vertueuse , a Baiavia 176 9 43 Le profond Silenie 1770
4 6 I a Coinpagnie durable 1770 47 La Fidelitrj , a Colombo , Isle ele Ceylon , 1771 4 8 St . Jean de la Reunion a Dcmerary , 1771 49 La fidelc feinceritt : a Batavia 1771 50 L'Union Provinciale 1771
51 La Bonne Espsrancc , au Cap de cc Nom . 1773 52 La Sinceritu h Ceylon 1773 53 Le Temple du Bonheur 1773 Those marked with an asterisk are the five lodges under Provincial Grand Masters , mentioned in my previous communication . EDITOR—F . M .
A Century Of Masonry. Part Iii.
A CENTURY OF MASONRY . PART III .
( Continued from page 179 . ) From the time of the "Gloucester" accepting the new dispensation Bro . Dunckerly appears to have paid the new converts great attention . In September , 1792 , he attended a metting , and with a Warrant of Constitution regularly constituted a Grand Lodge in Southampton , " was pleased
to appoint Bro . Lansdown , Tyler of this lodge , the Tyler for the county , " and several other brethren Grand Officers , and then proposed himself and Bro . Grierson , his Deputy Prov . G . M ., to be members of the lodge . A new book of proceedings was ordered , and , " as it was agreed to alter our Constitution , the transactions of the modern lodge are inserted in the book for the same purpose . " The lodge , however , did not reall y leave the " ancient body of Freemasons . "
A Century Of Masonry. Part Iii.
but thc brethren , thencefoith , acted sometimes as ancient and sometimes as modern Masons , and in June , 1794 , we find in the ancient minute book the following : "Agreed to hold a lodge under the Ancient Constitution . The transactions , therefore , of this lodge shall Uc inserted in this book as before-, " and it is added , " Agreed that thc Grand Lodge dues for this antient society shall be paid
out of the Royal Arch chest . " The lodge appears to have progressed favourably : thc lectures were frequently delivered ; it vvas opened sometimes as a modern and sometimes as an ancient lodge '; now and again wc find that " Bro . passed the chair this night by the unanimous consent of the brethren ;" and although we are told in one instance that thc lodge
" closed in tolerable gosd humour and about thc usual time ; " the formula ordinarily adopted is " closed at nine and in good harmony . " In 1794 we find a minute indicating a practice which would prove " for the good of Freemasonry in general " were it more frequently followed in these days . " A letter from the Master of the Lodije of Virtue , White Lion , Bath ,
concerning Mr . , late of Southampton , being proposed in that lodge , who waited the approbation of this lodge concerning his being admitted , the same was rejected by lclter this day . " In 1726 a " Mr . Rice being proposed as a candidate for Masonry , the W . Ma « tcr intimateiU-a doubt of the propriety of such motion , Mr . Rice being one of the persons called Quakers , when it was
resolved that the ballot should be deferred until thc opinion of the Grand Lodge should be taken , " and at a subsequent meeting , " a letter having been received from Mr . Robert Leslie , G . S . of the Antient Lodge , that Mr . Rice could not be admitted as a candidate , it was unanimously assented to . " The same question arose in this lodge in 1838 , when ,
the opinion of the Grand Secretary of that time having been taken thereon , H 10 . White wrote that many Quakers belonged to the Fraternity , and the question having been long since decided , he had no hesitation in saying Quakers could be admitted Masons on taking the obligation as they did in a court of law .
On St . John s-e ' ay , June 27 th , 1798 , it was " agreed to drop the modern Constitution , and not to work under it any more . " ln Oetober , 1799 , the brethren having been called by the Provincial Grand Secretary of the modern Institution—the before named Bro . Jtans—to register their names uneler the Act for the Suppression of Societies established for Seditious and Treasonable Purposes—from
the operation ot which freemasons were free—they replied that , not having received the letter in time , they begged to discontinue their warrant for the present , being all registered in the Grand Lodge , under the Duke of Atho ) , in compliance with tbcirofficial instruction . ? . To this they received a rcpH from the Deputy Prov . G . M ., re-gr . Uing that the notice did not reach the : lodge in time , " but
apprising you that ) our being registered 111 a Granel Lodge under thc Duke of Athol will avail you nothing against the penalties of the Act , as you will fmil explained in the circular letter of the Grand Lodge . I state this merely as a matter of caution to you , and for your better security against possible ill consequences . " To which the lodge rejoined that they thought it necessaiy to undeceive the
Dcput ) iPruv . G . M . respecting thc legality of their continuing to sit as a loelge , " It bas never ceased holdir . g its ancient warrant since the year 1772 ( as No . 174 ) , and the circular lttttr you allude to we have received a H ' . eral copy of from the Ancient Giand Lodge , and wc have , in consequence cf its instructions , been registered with the clerk of the peace for the county . . . . The penalties of the
Act extend equally to persons under both Constitutions , which we , previous to the passing of the aforesaid Act , held , but discontinued the Royal Gloucester Lodge from the mere circumstance if not receiving your instructions in time , "—a statement , by the way , hardly consistent with the resolution ot 1798 . For some years subsequently to this the minute books contain yearl y lists of persons
returned to thc Grand Secretaries both of the ancient and modern lodges , Bro . Leslie being the Secretary of the former , anil Bro . White of the latter , the ancient lists , as a rule , including all the modern names , with some | in addition classed exclusively as ancients . In April , 1803 , a lodge of emergency was called to consider letters from the
respective ( Grand ) lodges held under H . R . H . George , Prince of Wales , and His Grace the Duke of Athol , when the brethren present determined to postpone their decision on the contents until St . John ' s IXiy . Accordingly in June , " the majority of the brethren present agreed to continue thc warrant under His Grace the Duke of Athol . "
But 111 September , " owing to the brethren not attending in a regular manner according lo their summonses for Lodge No . 174 ( ancient ) , the brethren proposed , and it was agreed to ballot , either to give up Lodge No . 174 or Lodge No . 303 ( modern ) , when there appeared five votes for Lodge 503 and one vote for Lodge 174 , and it was requested that the Master of the lodge should give notice to the
Grand Lodges herein if necessary . " Whatever may have been done , thc books show that in the following November the returns for the year were made to both the ancient and Grand Loelges , there being twenty-one in the ancient and seventeen in the modern list , thus including nearly all the same names . In March , 1804 , however , " having received a letter from a Grand Lodge respecting the
impropriety of the brethren holeling two lodges , it was decided that thc modern warrant should be deposited in thc hands of Bro . Steele ( a P . M . ) , and not for him to dispose of the same without the consent of every brother ; and that a letter be written to the Grand Lodge that we had discontinued to meet under the modern
warrant . " There are several entries following of making Masons under the Constitution of England ancient Masons , but thc yearly returns continue to be made to both thc ancient and modern Grand Secretaries , the ancients predominating in numbers over the moderns in 1805 in the proportion of 29 to 13 , and a total of 31 that year returned
A Century Of Masonry. Part Iii.
to the clerk of the peace under the Act of Parliament claiming to belong lo No . 174 ( ancient ) . In 1803 " Bro , Steele returned the modern warrant by re-quest of the Master and brethren , " and in this year the names of at least two brethren are recorded as " per certificates granted from their respective lodges unetcr the Constitution of England wishing to become antient Masons , " havi > g
been " proposed , balloted for , unanimously approved , and initiated in the First anil Second Degrees . " On whatever action may have been taken at the union of the lodges in 1813 the minute books are silent , but in a register of the members kept by Bro . Slade , with occasional remarks bearing upon several of the most imjiortant changes in the history of the lodge , we have this entry 1813 : December
27 th : — "Reunion of all thc Freemasons of England under Mis Royal Highness the Duke of Sussex as Grand Master . Upon this re-union the number of the Royal Gloucester Loelge was altered and re-numbered 212 . " In 1818 Sir William de Crcspigny joined the lodge , the following year was installed at Southampton as Prov . Grand Master by the Duke of Sussex , and in i 8 j . o accented the
Mastership of the lodge . On St . John ' s-day in that year it was proposed and carried "that in future no brothers are to have their servants in attendance without such servants are free and accepted Masons , " and shortly afterwards—was it as a . pleasant retort?— "the W . M . desires that in future the members of this lodge shall appear in white gloves .
In 1829 a new lodge was formed in thc town called the " Southampton" lodge , Sir John Millbank , -who had just rerired from the chair of the Royal Gloucester , being its first Master , and two other brethren of that lodge being its first Wardens . Several ycarj afterwards there was formed a Local Fund of Benevolence , which , having been lost sight of some years through the deaths ot its founders and managers , has , happily , been recently reinstated , and that
within a few weeks of the death of the last survivor of the original trustees , withuut whose ready sympathy a sum of just under £ 1000 vvoul 1 have been lostto the loc . il Masons . As a matter of general interest , it remains only to say that the lodge secured the right to wear a centenary jewel six years since , when the Marquis of Kipon , the Grand Master , and a number of his Grand officers , honoured the centenary festival with their presence . C J . P .
Presentation To Bro. John Dennis. P.M. No. 907.
PRESENTATION TO BRO . JOHN DENNIS . P . M . No . 907 .
The annual meeting of ti . is Lodge of Instruction was held on Tuesday evening , the 2 nd inst ., at Bro . Chard ' s , 123 Cannou-stiect , E . C , when a large muster of the biethren assembled to assist the W . M . in the rehearsal of the installation ceremony , and for the purpose of presenting
a testimonial to Bro . John Dennis , one of the P . M . ' s and late Preceptor to this Looge of Instiuetion . The lodge was opened by the W . Master , Bro . F . A . While , and amongst the brethren and visitors present were Bros . Rev . J . M . Vaughan , J . A . Farnfield , H . J . Lewis , Charles Chard , W . H . Farnfield , John Dennis , T , Hastings Miller , Samuel II . P . Moore , all P . M . 's of the
mother lodge , No . 907 ; Bro . Nathaniel J . Femur , P . M . No . 162 ; Bros . J . K . Coleman and J . S . Turner , of thc AU Saint's Lodge , No . 1716 ; Bros . J . F . Hallert , Thomas Butt , W . Snellgrove , G . T . Barr , W . Wordlcy , A . G . Panter , C . Jolly ( Freemason ) , Sec . The ceremony of installation ( Brc . John A . Farnfield , P . M ., personating the candidate ) was most ably rehearsed by thc W . M ., the
usual addresses being delivered in a style which bids fair to rival any of his predeccssois ; and , upon resuming his seat , was greeted with the justly-meiitcil congratulations and cheers of the whole of the brethren . The lodge was closed in due form , and the brethren adjourned to an excellent banquet , which vvas thoroughly appreciated . After the removal of thc cloth , and the usual loyal and Masonic
toasls duly honoured , the W . Master , requesting the brethren to charge their glasses bumpers , said : — " Brethren , the toast I have now to propose to you is one that I am sure will meet with the approbation of every one present—it is " Health , Happiness , and Long Life to Bro . J . Dennis . " ( Cheers . ) It gives me especial pleasure to have the opportunity of proposing this toast , uecause ,
in the first place , Bro . Denni ; is a particular friend of my own , who I have had the pleasure of knowing for many years before I jerined Freemasonry , and in which I may certainly say , if possible , that friendship has been more deeply cemented than before , and in the next place , because of the great and good woik done by him for our mother lodge . ( Cheers . ) In our lodge of instruction Bro .
Dennis has worked hard and unremittingly for its success , regardless of time , and in many instances of personal comfoit . I am sure that whenever we have called upon him hc has always responded to that call , and it is impossible to estimate the benefit our mother lodge has received through his instructions to those who have taken office in it . ( Cheers . ) It is exceeding gratifying to hear , as you ,
brethren , have heard on many occasions , the culogiums that our visitors have passed upon the work done there , and thc excellent manner in which the whole of the ceremonies are carried out . It is gratifying to you , brethren , and it is gratilying to me , and I say , that if there is praise due to any one for that excellence , it is due entirely to our instructor and friend , Bro . J . Dennis . ( Loud cheers . ) Bro . White then , with the assistance of several willing hands ,
p laced before Bro . Dennis a handsome polished walnut cabinet , the doors of which opened in front , so that could be seen inside a solid silver tea and coffee service , of the Oxford pattern , weig hing over sixty ounces , with rich fern engraving , and having the monogram of J . C . L > . on each article . On the coffee pot was the following inscription— " Presented to Bro . j . Dennis , P . M ., by the members of the Royal Albert Lodge and Chapter , No . 907 , as a mark
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Lodge Of Benevolence.
in another town in the same province , in which there is also a regular constituted lodge , and would have been balloted for and initiated without any inquiry as to character , in thc lodge in thc town in which the person
Is it lawful according to the Constitutions and Landmarks of Freemasonry ? I cannot find anything in the Constitutions directly bearing on such a case ; but No . 14 of thc Antient Charges bears upon it more than any other . Yours truly and fraternally , CllAS . F . LlVEilSIDGE ,
Secretary Yarborough Lodge , No . 242 . [ The question asked by our correspondent is confessedly a very difficult one , but we apprehend that by the Book oi Constitutions there is no limit to the right of proposition , except that which is laid down by the general laws on the subject . In some provincial bye-laws , notably West
Yorkshire , a provision of enquiry exists ; but wc are of opinion , after ample consideration , that no such limitation actually exists under the Book of Constitutions , or would be recognised penally by our authorities , and that therefore thetc is nothing to render inquiry imperative , though it may be , wc feel , advisable . —ED . ]
Multum In Parbo, Or Masonic Notes And Queries.
Multum in Parbo , or Masonic Notes and Queries .
I continue this week the list of Dutch lodges in 1775 , as they may interest some of my readers the more so as since I wrote last , the kind transmitter , our esteemed and excellent Bro . R . W . Little , has passed away , let us all trust , to his rest in God . 1 Concordia Vincit Animos 2 Le Veritable Zelc
3 La Fidelity 4 La Paix 3 La Concorde , loge militaire 6 Les Cceurs unis 7 L'Indissoluble 8 La Charite n St . Louis , suspendue depuis 1750
10 la bien Aimee 11 L'Union Roiale , ayant suspendu scs assemblies en i 7 oT > , lcs a reprises en 1771 12 L'Agc d'or 1758 ) . , , . ' i associecsen 1770 13 La Vertu 1737 J " 14 L'Esper . ince 1737 , a etc declarer : etre dechue en 17 ( 1 7 13 St . Pierre a St . Eustache 1757 , suspendue depuis 1760
16 L'Ami'ie ; i Curacao 1737 17 La parfaire Union , a St . Eustache 1737 18 La Resolution 1757 19 Le Philantrope 173 8 20 Les Amis de la justice 173 8 , dechue en 176 4 21 Le parfait Masson a St . Eustache 1758 , suspendue depuis 1760
22 Urinjrue , loge militaire 1 739 , eteinte en 1773 . 23 Salomon ;' i Bcngale , Loge I ' rov . 1739 24 La Perseverance 1762 , a etc substitute h la Frcdiic Royal qui etoit de 1739 25 St . Jean Bapliste , A St . Kustache 1760 , suspendue dans la meme anne e
26 L'Astie-e 1760 2 ; I a Bonne foi 1702 , suspend . 1773 28 L'A more 1761 29 La Constance , Loge Provinciale 1761 30 Concordia i \ Suriname 17 O 1 , suspendue depuis 1762 31 L'Egalite" des Freres 1761 , incorporee le 27 May , 1761 , dans la Loge les Cceurs unis , No . 6
32 Les Zeles , Loge Provinciale 176 3 33 Virtutis and aitis Amisi , 176 3 34 * La Candcur 1763 , suspendue depuis 176 5 33 L'Haimonie 176 4 36 L'Jnrbraiilable J 7 6 4 37 L ' amitirj fraternelle 1764 38 * La Patfaitc Amitiu 1763
39 * La Bienfaisante 176 3 40 * La Paix du bas Rhin 176 7 41 L'Inseparable 176 7 42 La Zelee a Suiinamc 176 7 43 * La Croissatite des trois Ciefs 17 ( 18 44 La Vertueuse , a Baiavia 176 9 43 Le profond Silenie 1770
4 6 I a Coinpagnie durable 1770 47 La Fidelitrj , a Colombo , Isle ele Ceylon , 1771 4 8 St . Jean de la Reunion a Dcmerary , 1771 49 La fidelc feinceritt : a Batavia 1771 50 L'Union Provinciale 1771
51 La Bonne Espsrancc , au Cap de cc Nom . 1773 52 La Sinceritu h Ceylon 1773 53 Le Temple du Bonheur 1773 Those marked with an asterisk are the five lodges under Provincial Grand Masters , mentioned in my previous communication . EDITOR—F . M .
A Century Of Masonry. Part Iii.
A CENTURY OF MASONRY . PART III .
( Continued from page 179 . ) From the time of the "Gloucester" accepting the new dispensation Bro . Dunckerly appears to have paid the new converts great attention . In September , 1792 , he attended a metting , and with a Warrant of Constitution regularly constituted a Grand Lodge in Southampton , " was pleased
to appoint Bro . Lansdown , Tyler of this lodge , the Tyler for the county , " and several other brethren Grand Officers , and then proposed himself and Bro . Grierson , his Deputy Prov . G . M ., to be members of the lodge . A new book of proceedings was ordered , and , " as it was agreed to alter our Constitution , the transactions of the modern lodge are inserted in the book for the same purpose . " The lodge , however , did not reall y leave the " ancient body of Freemasons . "
A Century Of Masonry. Part Iii.
but thc brethren , thencefoith , acted sometimes as ancient and sometimes as modern Masons , and in June , 1794 , we find in the ancient minute book the following : "Agreed to hold a lodge under the Ancient Constitution . The transactions , therefore , of this lodge shall Uc inserted in this book as before-, " and it is added , " Agreed that thc Grand Lodge dues for this antient society shall be paid
out of the Royal Arch chest . " The lodge appears to have progressed favourably : thc lectures were frequently delivered ; it vvas opened sometimes as a modern and sometimes as an ancient lodge '; now and again wc find that " Bro . passed the chair this night by the unanimous consent of the brethren ;" and although we are told in one instance that thc lodge
" closed in tolerable gosd humour and about thc usual time ; " the formula ordinarily adopted is " closed at nine and in good harmony . " In 1794 we find a minute indicating a practice which would prove " for the good of Freemasonry in general " were it more frequently followed in these days . " A letter from the Master of the Lodije of Virtue , White Lion , Bath ,
concerning Mr . , late of Southampton , being proposed in that lodge , who waited the approbation of this lodge concerning his being admitted , the same was rejected by lclter this day . " In 1726 a " Mr . Rice being proposed as a candidate for Masonry , the W . Ma « tcr intimateiU-a doubt of the propriety of such motion , Mr . Rice being one of the persons called Quakers , when it was
resolved that the ballot should be deferred until thc opinion of the Grand Lodge should be taken , " and at a subsequent meeting , " a letter having been received from Mr . Robert Leslie , G . S . of the Antient Lodge , that Mr . Rice could not be admitted as a candidate , it was unanimously assented to . " The same question arose in this lodge in 1838 , when ,
the opinion of the Grand Secretary of that time having been taken thereon , H 10 . White wrote that many Quakers belonged to the Fraternity , and the question having been long since decided , he had no hesitation in saying Quakers could be admitted Masons on taking the obligation as they did in a court of law .
On St . John s-e ' ay , June 27 th , 1798 , it was " agreed to drop the modern Constitution , and not to work under it any more . " ln Oetober , 1799 , the brethren having been called by the Provincial Grand Secretary of the modern Institution—the before named Bro . Jtans—to register their names uneler the Act for the Suppression of Societies established for Seditious and Treasonable Purposes—from
the operation ot which freemasons were free—they replied that , not having received the letter in time , they begged to discontinue their warrant for the present , being all registered in the Grand Lodge , under the Duke of Atho ) , in compliance with tbcirofficial instruction . ? . To this they received a rcpH from the Deputy Prov . G . M ., re-gr . Uing that the notice did not reach the : lodge in time , " but
apprising you that ) our being registered 111 a Granel Lodge under thc Duke of Athol will avail you nothing against the penalties of the Act , as you will fmil explained in the circular letter of the Grand Lodge . I state this merely as a matter of caution to you , and for your better security against possible ill consequences . " To which the lodge rejoined that they thought it necessaiy to undeceive the
Dcput ) iPruv . G . M . respecting thc legality of their continuing to sit as a loelge , " It bas never ceased holdir . g its ancient warrant since the year 1772 ( as No . 174 ) , and the circular lttttr you allude to we have received a H ' . eral copy of from the Ancient Giand Lodge , and wc have , in consequence cf its instructions , been registered with the clerk of the peace for the county . . . . The penalties of the
Act extend equally to persons under both Constitutions , which we , previous to the passing of the aforesaid Act , held , but discontinued the Royal Gloucester Lodge from the mere circumstance if not receiving your instructions in time , "—a statement , by the way , hardly consistent with the resolution ot 1798 . For some years subsequently to this the minute books contain yearl y lists of persons
returned to thc Grand Secretaries both of the ancient and modern lodges , Bro . Leslie being the Secretary of the former , anil Bro . White of the latter , the ancient lists , as a rule , including all the modern names , with some | in addition classed exclusively as ancients . In April , 1803 , a lodge of emergency was called to consider letters from the
respective ( Grand ) lodges held under H . R . H . George , Prince of Wales , and His Grace the Duke of Athol , when the brethren present determined to postpone their decision on the contents until St . John ' s IXiy . Accordingly in June , " the majority of the brethren present agreed to continue thc warrant under His Grace the Duke of Athol . "
But 111 September , " owing to the brethren not attending in a regular manner according lo their summonses for Lodge No . 174 ( ancient ) , the brethren proposed , and it was agreed to ballot , either to give up Lodge No . 174 or Lodge No . 303 ( modern ) , when there appeared five votes for Lodge 503 and one vote for Lodge 174 , and it was requested that the Master of the lodge should give notice to the
Grand Lodges herein if necessary . " Whatever may have been done , thc books show that in the following November the returns for the year were made to both the ancient and Grand Loelges , there being twenty-one in the ancient and seventeen in the modern list , thus including nearly all the same names . In March , 1804 , however , " having received a letter from a Grand Lodge respecting the
impropriety of the brethren holeling two lodges , it was decided that thc modern warrant should be deposited in thc hands of Bro . Steele ( a P . M . ) , and not for him to dispose of the same without the consent of every brother ; and that a letter be written to the Grand Lodge that we had discontinued to meet under the modern
warrant . " There are several entries following of making Masons under the Constitution of England ancient Masons , but thc yearly returns continue to be made to both thc ancient and modern Grand Secretaries , the ancients predominating in numbers over the moderns in 1805 in the proportion of 29 to 13 , and a total of 31 that year returned
A Century Of Masonry. Part Iii.
to the clerk of the peace under the Act of Parliament claiming to belong lo No . 174 ( ancient ) . In 1803 " Bro , Steele returned the modern warrant by re-quest of the Master and brethren , " and in this year the names of at least two brethren are recorded as " per certificates granted from their respective lodges unetcr the Constitution of England wishing to become antient Masons , " havi > g
been " proposed , balloted for , unanimously approved , and initiated in the First anil Second Degrees . " On whatever action may have been taken at the union of the lodges in 1813 the minute books are silent , but in a register of the members kept by Bro . Slade , with occasional remarks bearing upon several of the most imjiortant changes in the history of the lodge , we have this entry 1813 : December
27 th : — "Reunion of all thc Freemasons of England under Mis Royal Highness the Duke of Sussex as Grand Master . Upon this re-union the number of the Royal Gloucester Loelge was altered and re-numbered 212 . " In 1818 Sir William de Crcspigny joined the lodge , the following year was installed at Southampton as Prov . Grand Master by the Duke of Sussex , and in i 8 j . o accented the
Mastership of the lodge . On St . John ' s-day in that year it was proposed and carried "that in future no brothers are to have their servants in attendance without such servants are free and accepted Masons , " and shortly afterwards—was it as a . pleasant retort?— "the W . M . desires that in future the members of this lodge shall appear in white gloves .
In 1829 a new lodge was formed in thc town called the " Southampton" lodge , Sir John Millbank , -who had just rerired from the chair of the Royal Gloucester , being its first Master , and two other brethren of that lodge being its first Wardens . Several ycarj afterwards there was formed a Local Fund of Benevolence , which , having been lost sight of some years through the deaths ot its founders and managers , has , happily , been recently reinstated , and that
within a few weeks of the death of the last survivor of the original trustees , withuut whose ready sympathy a sum of just under £ 1000 vvoul 1 have been lostto the loc . il Masons . As a matter of general interest , it remains only to say that the lodge secured the right to wear a centenary jewel six years since , when the Marquis of Kipon , the Grand Master , and a number of his Grand officers , honoured the centenary festival with their presence . C J . P .
Presentation To Bro. John Dennis. P.M. No. 907.
PRESENTATION TO BRO . JOHN DENNIS . P . M . No . 907 .
The annual meeting of ti . is Lodge of Instruction was held on Tuesday evening , the 2 nd inst ., at Bro . Chard ' s , 123 Cannou-stiect , E . C , when a large muster of the biethren assembled to assist the W . M . in the rehearsal of the installation ceremony , and for the purpose of presenting
a testimonial to Bro . John Dennis , one of the P . M . ' s and late Preceptor to this Looge of Instiuetion . The lodge was opened by the W . Master , Bro . F . A . While , and amongst the brethren and visitors present were Bros . Rev . J . M . Vaughan , J . A . Farnfield , H . J . Lewis , Charles Chard , W . H . Farnfield , John Dennis , T , Hastings Miller , Samuel II . P . Moore , all P . M . 's of the
mother lodge , No . 907 ; Bro . Nathaniel J . Femur , P . M . No . 162 ; Bros . J . K . Coleman and J . S . Turner , of thc AU Saint's Lodge , No . 1716 ; Bros . J . F . Hallert , Thomas Butt , W . Snellgrove , G . T . Barr , W . Wordlcy , A . G . Panter , C . Jolly ( Freemason ) , Sec . The ceremony of installation ( Brc . John A . Farnfield , P . M ., personating the candidate ) was most ably rehearsed by thc W . M ., the
usual addresses being delivered in a style which bids fair to rival any of his predeccssois ; and , upon resuming his seat , was greeted with the justly-meiitcil congratulations and cheers of the whole of the brethren . The lodge was closed in due form , and the brethren adjourned to an excellent banquet , which vvas thoroughly appreciated . After the removal of thc cloth , and the usual loyal and Masonic
toasls duly honoured , the W . Master , requesting the brethren to charge their glasses bumpers , said : — " Brethren , the toast I have now to propose to you is one that I am sure will meet with the approbation of every one present—it is " Health , Happiness , and Long Life to Bro . J . Dennis . " ( Cheers . ) It gives me especial pleasure to have the opportunity of proposing this toast , uecause ,
in the first place , Bro . Denni ; is a particular friend of my own , who I have had the pleasure of knowing for many years before I jerined Freemasonry , and in which I may certainly say , if possible , that friendship has been more deeply cemented than before , and in the next place , because of the great and good woik done by him for our mother lodge . ( Cheers . ) In our lodge of instruction Bro .
Dennis has worked hard and unremittingly for its success , regardless of time , and in many instances of personal comfoit . I am sure that whenever we have called upon him hc has always responded to that call , and it is impossible to estimate the benefit our mother lodge has received through his instructions to those who have taken office in it . ( Cheers . ) It is exceeding gratifying to hear , as you ,
brethren , have heard on many occasions , the culogiums that our visitors have passed upon the work done there , and thc excellent manner in which the whole of the ceremonies are carried out . It is gratifying to you , brethren , and it is gratilying to me , and I say , that if there is praise due to any one for that excellence , it is due entirely to our instructor and friend , Bro . J . Dennis . ( Loud cheers . ) Bro . White then , with the assistance of several willing hands ,
p laced before Bro . Dennis a handsome polished walnut cabinet , the doors of which opened in front , so that could be seen inside a solid silver tea and coffee service , of the Oxford pattern , weig hing over sixty ounces , with rich fern engraving , and having the monogram of J . C . L > . on each article . On the coffee pot was the following inscription— " Presented to Bro . j . Dennis , P . M ., by the members of the Royal Albert Lodge and Chapter , No . 907 , as a mark