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Article CONSECRATION OF THE EASTES LODGE No. 1965. ← Page 2 of 2 Article THE MASONIC BENEFIT SOCIETY. Page 1 of 1 Article ENGLISH MASONRY IN 1881. Page 1 of 1
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Consecration Of The Eastes Lodge No. 1965.
ter , " a most important toast , which he was sure would always be received in that lodge with the utmost enthusiasm , because the brethren would always remember with grateful appreciation his lordship ' s kindness in coming among them that day , and taking upon himself the arduous duties of Consecrating Officer ; and at the same time he ventured to hope it had been pleasant to his lordship to inaugurate a new lodge in his province .
Lord H OLMESDALE , in acknowled ging the toast , remarked that he did not agree with those who held that there were too many lodges . He also expressed himself as being pleased at the addition of this new lodge to his already large province ; and he thought they were indebted to the brethren of the lodge already held at Bromley for the kindness with which they had g iven their hearty assistance to the founders of this lodge , and for the cordial manner in which they welcomed this new sister .
" The Health of the Deputy Grand Master" was next proposed by the Chairman , who said that from the very first moment that the lodge was proposed , Bro . Eastes had taken the greatest interest in its formation ; he had kindly shown his confidence in the founders by allowing their lodge to be called after his name ; and now , at its consecration , he had done them the honour of becoming a subscribing member . The Chairman included in
this toast the rest of the Provincial Grand Officers present , acknowledging the debt of gratitude they owed them for their presence and the support they had given to them . ' Bro . EASTES acknowledged the compliment . Bro . Lord H OLMESDALE proposed " The Health of the Master , " after which several other toasts were proposed and duly honoured .
The Masonic Benefit Society.
THE MASONIC BENEFIT SOCIETY .
BY BRO . T . B . WHYTEHEAD . What is the history of this Society , which appears to have been established about the year 1800 , and to have received at the time-the highest sanction ? In a small book published in 1 S 01 , and called " Illustrations of Masonry , selected by Bro . John Cole , P . M . of Lodges No . 466 , 249 , 113 , and 195 , " I find an account of it . It was under the patronage of the then Grand
Master , the Prince of Wales , and amongst the Trustees were the Earl of Moira , acting Grand Master ; Lord Petre , Past Grand Master ; Sir P . Parker , Bart ., Deputy Grand Master ; and a number of other eminent brethren , and it seems to have been intended to form provision for members of the Craft who , through unforeseen circumstances , were plunged into poverty
and distress , and the statement of its objects concludes by saying that " this infant institution is likely to become a corner-stone in the Masonic Building , and a chamber where the good Craftsman will never fail to receive wages due to his labours . " The Abstract of the Rules and Orders of the Society states that :
Any brother of fair character and in good health , being a subscriber of a regular lodge under the Constitution of England , and recommended by the Master of a lodge , is capable of admission . The subscription is six shillings and sixpence quarterly , or one ' guinea per annum , paid in advance ; and at the end of twelvt months the subscriber becomes a free member , and entitled to all the benefits of the Society .
Members when sick , lame , or blind , will be entitled to fourteen ^ shillings per week . Members in reduced circumstances , and imprisoned for debt , will be allowed a sum not exceeding four shillings per week , if found not unworthy of aid . Members who through old age become incapable of earning their living , to be
allowed six shillings per week till the first General Court , and afterwards such a pension for life as their situation may require . The widows of members will , if the circumstances require it , be allowed the sum of four shillings per week , and two shillings per week for every lawful child under twelve years of age .
'I he widows of members whose circumstances require it , to be allowed a sum not exceeding five pounds towards the funeral expenses . The orphans of members , not otherwise provided for , to be entitled to the sum of four shillings per week for their maintenance , and a further sum at a proper age as an apprentice fee . A General Court of all the subscribers to be held once a year , who shall fill up any
vacancy which may have happened amongst the Trustees , choose Committee men , make bye-laws , & c . The other affairs of the Society to be managed by a quarterly and monthly Committee , a Committee of Auditors , and an Actuary . A book is kept at the Societyjs office for any member to enter his name when out of employment , which may be examined during office hours . "
A list of bankers is given who will receive subscriptions , and the office was at No . 50 , Frith-street , Soho-square . The approval of the Grand Lodge was had to the scheme , for the following minute is quoted as having been passed by Grand Lodge on the 2 nd April , 1800 .
Resolved , that the Grand Lodge being desirous of rendering the advantages to be derived from the Masonic Benefit Society as extensive as possible , that it be recommended to the Provincial Grand Masters to give every aid and assistance in their power to promote the object and intentions of this benevolent Institution . It would be interesting to know what became of this organisation , how long it existed , and why it disappeared .
THE LEGEND OV FREEMASONRY . —Legend , which comes from the Latin "legenda , " stems to take its actual meaning from the old " Legenda Sanctorum , " and the like , which , preserved in MS ., were read soifietimes at meals in the monasteries . But a "legend" may also be oral—a story preserved traditionally ; and there is also a meaning , formerly apparently , and latterly certainly , attached to "legend , " which would seem to imply a narrative , whether true or false , or even what has been termed a " fiction ,
with a pretension to truth , " as Mackey properly reminds us . One common use of the word seems to be a national chronicle or a religious tale which professes to be true , but is not actually so ; hence our frequent use of the word ' -legendary" in this sense . " Legenda " is clearly of monastic and media ; val , not classic , use . Some , like Mackey , have divided legends into mythical , philosophical , and historical , but we do not think that such
a division of the subject can be accepted , as we thereby exclude alike the mystical , the religious , and the romantic . In old days , most of the " Mysteries " or " Crafts " had some favourite Saint whose legend was bound up with its history and rules ; and the operative Freemasons had , undoubtedl y , that Legend of Freemasonry which may be called the
" Legend of the Guilds , " which is found in what we term the "Constitution of Masons , " or , as in the Masonic Poem , the "Constitution of Geometry . " We need not dilate upon it here , at ) it is now well known to us , thanks mainly to the publications of Bro . W . J . Hughan . We shall hope that some day a "Magnum Opus" may appear of all the existing Constitutions and Legends . —Kenning ' s Cyclopedia of Freemasonry ,
English Masonry In 1881.
ENGLISH MASONRY IN 1881 .
The " Masonic Record of Western India " publishes the following : * ' ENGLAND . —OUR ANNUAL LETTER . " Dear Sir and Brother , —Though late when this reaches you for ' good wishes , ' they are none the less sincere , and I trust that great prosperity is in store for the ' Record ' for 1882 .
" I he last year has witnessed a continuation of the e . xtraordinrry prosperity so long attendant on the Craft , and though in England our ' great Charities ' have not received quite equal to one or two years , still on the whole , the totals have been most cheering . The brethren have done their part nobly to succour the widows and orphans who are destitute , as well as to aid necessitous brethren , and at the present time we have in the Royal
Masonic Institutions for Girls and Boys a total of 450 being fed , clothed , and educated , on our own buildings , all paid for , and the pride of the Fraternity . Then , again , we have over 300 annuitants , aged Masons and widows , in receipt of annuities of ^ 40 and . £ 3 2 for life respectively , and those who desired it have also the comfort of a ' Home from Home ' in the Building of the Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution at Crovdon . The
three Secretaries of these grand Institutions work with a will , and I have always found them model examples of what officers should be , as respects love for their work , courtesy to the subscribers , and a never falling attention to the wants and wishes of all concerned . In our provinces we have also Benevolent funds , annuities , educational grants , & c , some being of almost metropolitan character in their extent and importance . In West Lancashire
nearly 100 children receive a capital education from the Provincial Funds , and in Cheshire about half that number , and man } ' other Provinces are engaged in similar work , making a total exceeding in number those in London—only , of course , the Board is not included ; and several Provinces grant annuities to destitute brethren , as also do lodges , some of the latter being very wealthy , even to having / * i 6 , ooo , in a single instance , funded ! Last
year the Grand Lodge , through its Fund of Benevolence , dispensed over £ 9000 , and none but those who are in the habit ot attending the Committees can appreciate the care and patience exercised in the distribution in fair proportions of this large sum of money . The lodges are still increasing in number , and soon the 2000 will be reached , there being about 1700 active lodges under the Grand Lodge of England ; the great business of such a vast
community , scattered over the four quarters of the globe , being managed most smoothly and well by the obliging Grand Secretary , Colonel Clerke , and his excellent staff . The Grand Royal Arch Chapter also flourishes , and has on its rolls now over 600 chapters ! The Grand Lodge and Grand Chapter , in consequence of this increase , have added slightl y to their Officers , and Prov . G . Lodges numbering over 40 lodges are now permitted to have four Deacons
in lieu of two , and a Deputy Grand Director of Ceremonies . This regulation , however , will not affect India , but it does such Provinces as East Lancashire with ninety-one Jodges , West Lancashire with eighty-one lodges , West Yorkshire with sixty-six lodges , Devonshire with fifty lodges , and Kent with forty-six lodges , accorrding to the most accurate calendar of the Grand Lodge of England . Many of these provinces are
larger than some Grand Lodges abroad , and their meetings are held with all the dignity that the influence and position of their exalted Provincial Grand Masters are sure always of commanding . The Province of New South Wales , or rather District Grand Lodge , as also that of Victoria , will benefit by the same law , the former having forty-seven lodges and the latter seventy lodges . We do not . believe in the so called Grand Lodge of New
bouth Wales , tor to be worthy ot such a title , or to have any right to such a name , it should have the support of the great majority of the lodges and members , whereas it has but the adhesion of , an insignificant minority . * It is preposterous to suppose that any three lodges or so , in a large province or district , has the right to form a Grand Lodge , and all the rest no matter how many , say forty or more lodges , must , forsooth , join the Body ,
and leave their allegiance to the parent Grand Body ! I . fullyjadmit that the lodges together may Masonically decide to inaugurate a Grand Lodge , as did Novia ' Scotia , ( Quebec , & c . ; but then it was the great majority that did so , and for my part I am astonished to find some American Grand Lodges supporting such a clearly un-masonic Body as the G . L . of South Wales ' (?) " The ' Calendar ' for the last two years has afforded extra particulars of
value and interest to the Craft , and as it indicates those lodges which formerly belonged ' to the Ancients ' or ' Atholl' Grand Lodge , it is still more useful than formerly . F " or what is termed the ' Higher Degrees , ' we have the ' Cosmopolitan Calendar , ' , published b y Bro . Kenning , and in that again the prosperity of the Craft is exemplified as respects the Mark Grand Lodge with its 300 lodges , and its galaxy of Past Grand Masters ,
including H . K . H . Prince Leopold . The 'Ancient and Accepted Rite ' has now nearly 100 chapters of Rose Croix , and lately received the adhesion of the 'Baldwin' Bristol , which has worked the degree from about 1780 , and is now appropriately placed at the head of the roll , without a nu mber . The Order includes the ' elete ' of the Fraternity , and in managed by the * Supreme Council , ' 33 ° , which numbers amongst its members some of
the most active , zealous , and able Craftsmen of the country , the present Grand Commander being the Right Hon . the Earl of Lathom , who is Deputy Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of England , the Pro Grand Master , the Right Hon . the Earl of Carnarvon being a Past Grand Commander , and the M . W . Grand Master , H . R . H . the Prince of Wales is the Grand Patron , having his two Masonic brothers as honorary members .
Their library is one of the finest in the world , and is particularly strong in uniques . Neither the Great Priory of the Kni ghts Templars , nor the Grand Conclave of the Red Cross have done so well of late years , though if success could be achieved at all by any officials , the indefatigable Vice Chancellor , Bro . Tinkler , for the Templars , and Dr . Woodman , for the ' Red Cross , ' would obtain all that could possibly be desired . "
KILWINNING MANUSCRIPT . —This is a copy of the " Constitutions , " which belongs to the Mother Kilwinning Lodge , and is transcribed , as Bro . D . Murray Lyon points out in his History of the Lodge of " Mary Chapel , " Edinburgh , by the same scribe who wrote the minutes of that lodge from 1675 to 1678 . Hence the date of the transcription is about that time probably . The MS . is clearly not an indigenous Scottish MS ., but is a copy of
an English form , and , as Bro . W . J . Hughan has previously pointed out in " The Old Charges , " an " indifferent copy " of the Grand Lodge MS . F . It was first published by Bro . W . J . Hughan , from a copy by Bro . D . Murray Lyon in " Masonic Sketches and Reprints , " and subsequently b y Bro . D . Murray Lyon himself in his history of the lodge " Mary Chapel , Edinburgh . —Kenning ' s Cyclopcedia of Freemasonry . * I speak now of the general question .
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Consecration Of The Eastes Lodge No. 1965.
ter , " a most important toast , which he was sure would always be received in that lodge with the utmost enthusiasm , because the brethren would always remember with grateful appreciation his lordship ' s kindness in coming among them that day , and taking upon himself the arduous duties of Consecrating Officer ; and at the same time he ventured to hope it had been pleasant to his lordship to inaugurate a new lodge in his province .
Lord H OLMESDALE , in acknowled ging the toast , remarked that he did not agree with those who held that there were too many lodges . He also expressed himself as being pleased at the addition of this new lodge to his already large province ; and he thought they were indebted to the brethren of the lodge already held at Bromley for the kindness with which they had g iven their hearty assistance to the founders of this lodge , and for the cordial manner in which they welcomed this new sister .
" The Health of the Deputy Grand Master" was next proposed by the Chairman , who said that from the very first moment that the lodge was proposed , Bro . Eastes had taken the greatest interest in its formation ; he had kindly shown his confidence in the founders by allowing their lodge to be called after his name ; and now , at its consecration , he had done them the honour of becoming a subscribing member . The Chairman included in
this toast the rest of the Provincial Grand Officers present , acknowledging the debt of gratitude they owed them for their presence and the support they had given to them . ' Bro . EASTES acknowledged the compliment . Bro . Lord H OLMESDALE proposed " The Health of the Master , " after which several other toasts were proposed and duly honoured .
The Masonic Benefit Society.
THE MASONIC BENEFIT SOCIETY .
BY BRO . T . B . WHYTEHEAD . What is the history of this Society , which appears to have been established about the year 1800 , and to have received at the time-the highest sanction ? In a small book published in 1 S 01 , and called " Illustrations of Masonry , selected by Bro . John Cole , P . M . of Lodges No . 466 , 249 , 113 , and 195 , " I find an account of it . It was under the patronage of the then Grand
Master , the Prince of Wales , and amongst the Trustees were the Earl of Moira , acting Grand Master ; Lord Petre , Past Grand Master ; Sir P . Parker , Bart ., Deputy Grand Master ; and a number of other eminent brethren , and it seems to have been intended to form provision for members of the Craft who , through unforeseen circumstances , were plunged into poverty
and distress , and the statement of its objects concludes by saying that " this infant institution is likely to become a corner-stone in the Masonic Building , and a chamber where the good Craftsman will never fail to receive wages due to his labours . " The Abstract of the Rules and Orders of the Society states that :
Any brother of fair character and in good health , being a subscriber of a regular lodge under the Constitution of England , and recommended by the Master of a lodge , is capable of admission . The subscription is six shillings and sixpence quarterly , or one ' guinea per annum , paid in advance ; and at the end of twelvt months the subscriber becomes a free member , and entitled to all the benefits of the Society .
Members when sick , lame , or blind , will be entitled to fourteen ^ shillings per week . Members in reduced circumstances , and imprisoned for debt , will be allowed a sum not exceeding four shillings per week , if found not unworthy of aid . Members who through old age become incapable of earning their living , to be
allowed six shillings per week till the first General Court , and afterwards such a pension for life as their situation may require . The widows of members will , if the circumstances require it , be allowed the sum of four shillings per week , and two shillings per week for every lawful child under twelve years of age .
'I he widows of members whose circumstances require it , to be allowed a sum not exceeding five pounds towards the funeral expenses . The orphans of members , not otherwise provided for , to be entitled to the sum of four shillings per week for their maintenance , and a further sum at a proper age as an apprentice fee . A General Court of all the subscribers to be held once a year , who shall fill up any
vacancy which may have happened amongst the Trustees , choose Committee men , make bye-laws , & c . The other affairs of the Society to be managed by a quarterly and monthly Committee , a Committee of Auditors , and an Actuary . A book is kept at the Societyjs office for any member to enter his name when out of employment , which may be examined during office hours . "
A list of bankers is given who will receive subscriptions , and the office was at No . 50 , Frith-street , Soho-square . The approval of the Grand Lodge was had to the scheme , for the following minute is quoted as having been passed by Grand Lodge on the 2 nd April , 1800 .
Resolved , that the Grand Lodge being desirous of rendering the advantages to be derived from the Masonic Benefit Society as extensive as possible , that it be recommended to the Provincial Grand Masters to give every aid and assistance in their power to promote the object and intentions of this benevolent Institution . It would be interesting to know what became of this organisation , how long it existed , and why it disappeared .
THE LEGEND OV FREEMASONRY . —Legend , which comes from the Latin "legenda , " stems to take its actual meaning from the old " Legenda Sanctorum , " and the like , which , preserved in MS ., were read soifietimes at meals in the monasteries . But a "legend" may also be oral—a story preserved traditionally ; and there is also a meaning , formerly apparently , and latterly certainly , attached to "legend , " which would seem to imply a narrative , whether true or false , or even what has been termed a " fiction ,
with a pretension to truth , " as Mackey properly reminds us . One common use of the word seems to be a national chronicle or a religious tale which professes to be true , but is not actually so ; hence our frequent use of the word ' -legendary" in this sense . " Legenda " is clearly of monastic and media ; val , not classic , use . Some , like Mackey , have divided legends into mythical , philosophical , and historical , but we do not think that such
a division of the subject can be accepted , as we thereby exclude alike the mystical , the religious , and the romantic . In old days , most of the " Mysteries " or " Crafts " had some favourite Saint whose legend was bound up with its history and rules ; and the operative Freemasons had , undoubtedl y , that Legend of Freemasonry which may be called the
" Legend of the Guilds , " which is found in what we term the "Constitution of Masons , " or , as in the Masonic Poem , the "Constitution of Geometry . " We need not dilate upon it here , at ) it is now well known to us , thanks mainly to the publications of Bro . W . J . Hughan . We shall hope that some day a "Magnum Opus" may appear of all the existing Constitutions and Legends . —Kenning ' s Cyclopedia of Freemasonry ,
English Masonry In 1881.
ENGLISH MASONRY IN 1881 .
The " Masonic Record of Western India " publishes the following : * ' ENGLAND . —OUR ANNUAL LETTER . " Dear Sir and Brother , —Though late when this reaches you for ' good wishes , ' they are none the less sincere , and I trust that great prosperity is in store for the ' Record ' for 1882 .
" I he last year has witnessed a continuation of the e . xtraordinrry prosperity so long attendant on the Craft , and though in England our ' great Charities ' have not received quite equal to one or two years , still on the whole , the totals have been most cheering . The brethren have done their part nobly to succour the widows and orphans who are destitute , as well as to aid necessitous brethren , and at the present time we have in the Royal
Masonic Institutions for Girls and Boys a total of 450 being fed , clothed , and educated , on our own buildings , all paid for , and the pride of the Fraternity . Then , again , we have over 300 annuitants , aged Masons and widows , in receipt of annuities of ^ 40 and . £ 3 2 for life respectively , and those who desired it have also the comfort of a ' Home from Home ' in the Building of the Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution at Crovdon . The
three Secretaries of these grand Institutions work with a will , and I have always found them model examples of what officers should be , as respects love for their work , courtesy to the subscribers , and a never falling attention to the wants and wishes of all concerned . In our provinces we have also Benevolent funds , annuities , educational grants , & c , some being of almost metropolitan character in their extent and importance . In West Lancashire
nearly 100 children receive a capital education from the Provincial Funds , and in Cheshire about half that number , and man } ' other Provinces are engaged in similar work , making a total exceeding in number those in London—only , of course , the Board is not included ; and several Provinces grant annuities to destitute brethren , as also do lodges , some of the latter being very wealthy , even to having / * i 6 , ooo , in a single instance , funded ! Last
year the Grand Lodge , through its Fund of Benevolence , dispensed over £ 9000 , and none but those who are in the habit ot attending the Committees can appreciate the care and patience exercised in the distribution in fair proportions of this large sum of money . The lodges are still increasing in number , and soon the 2000 will be reached , there being about 1700 active lodges under the Grand Lodge of England ; the great business of such a vast
community , scattered over the four quarters of the globe , being managed most smoothly and well by the obliging Grand Secretary , Colonel Clerke , and his excellent staff . The Grand Royal Arch Chapter also flourishes , and has on its rolls now over 600 chapters ! The Grand Lodge and Grand Chapter , in consequence of this increase , have added slightl y to their Officers , and Prov . G . Lodges numbering over 40 lodges are now permitted to have four Deacons
in lieu of two , and a Deputy Grand Director of Ceremonies . This regulation , however , will not affect India , but it does such Provinces as East Lancashire with ninety-one Jodges , West Lancashire with eighty-one lodges , West Yorkshire with sixty-six lodges , Devonshire with fifty lodges , and Kent with forty-six lodges , accorrding to the most accurate calendar of the Grand Lodge of England . Many of these provinces are
larger than some Grand Lodges abroad , and their meetings are held with all the dignity that the influence and position of their exalted Provincial Grand Masters are sure always of commanding . The Province of New South Wales , or rather District Grand Lodge , as also that of Victoria , will benefit by the same law , the former having forty-seven lodges and the latter seventy lodges . We do not . believe in the so called Grand Lodge of New
bouth Wales , tor to be worthy ot such a title , or to have any right to such a name , it should have the support of the great majority of the lodges and members , whereas it has but the adhesion of , an insignificant minority . * It is preposterous to suppose that any three lodges or so , in a large province or district , has the right to form a Grand Lodge , and all the rest no matter how many , say forty or more lodges , must , forsooth , join the Body ,
and leave their allegiance to the parent Grand Body ! I . fullyjadmit that the lodges together may Masonically decide to inaugurate a Grand Lodge , as did Novia ' Scotia , ( Quebec , & c . ; but then it was the great majority that did so , and for my part I am astonished to find some American Grand Lodges supporting such a clearly un-masonic Body as the G . L . of South Wales ' (?) " The ' Calendar ' for the last two years has afforded extra particulars of
value and interest to the Craft , and as it indicates those lodges which formerly belonged ' to the Ancients ' or ' Atholl' Grand Lodge , it is still more useful than formerly . F " or what is termed the ' Higher Degrees , ' we have the ' Cosmopolitan Calendar , ' , published b y Bro . Kenning , and in that again the prosperity of the Craft is exemplified as respects the Mark Grand Lodge with its 300 lodges , and its galaxy of Past Grand Masters ,
including H . K . H . Prince Leopold . The 'Ancient and Accepted Rite ' has now nearly 100 chapters of Rose Croix , and lately received the adhesion of the 'Baldwin' Bristol , which has worked the degree from about 1780 , and is now appropriately placed at the head of the roll , without a nu mber . The Order includes the ' elete ' of the Fraternity , and in managed by the * Supreme Council , ' 33 ° , which numbers amongst its members some of
the most active , zealous , and able Craftsmen of the country , the present Grand Commander being the Right Hon . the Earl of Lathom , who is Deputy Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of England , the Pro Grand Master , the Right Hon . the Earl of Carnarvon being a Past Grand Commander , and the M . W . Grand Master , H . R . H . the Prince of Wales is the Grand Patron , having his two Masonic brothers as honorary members .
Their library is one of the finest in the world , and is particularly strong in uniques . Neither the Great Priory of the Kni ghts Templars , nor the Grand Conclave of the Red Cross have done so well of late years , though if success could be achieved at all by any officials , the indefatigable Vice Chancellor , Bro . Tinkler , for the Templars , and Dr . Woodman , for the ' Red Cross , ' would obtain all that could possibly be desired . "
KILWINNING MANUSCRIPT . —This is a copy of the " Constitutions , " which belongs to the Mother Kilwinning Lodge , and is transcribed , as Bro . D . Murray Lyon points out in his History of the Lodge of " Mary Chapel , " Edinburgh , by the same scribe who wrote the minutes of that lodge from 1675 to 1678 . Hence the date of the transcription is about that time probably . The MS . is clearly not an indigenous Scottish MS ., but is a copy of
an English form , and , as Bro . W . J . Hughan has previously pointed out in " The Old Charges , " an " indifferent copy " of the Grand Lodge MS . F . It was first published by Bro . W . J . Hughan , from a copy by Bro . D . Murray Lyon in " Masonic Sketches and Reprints , " and subsequently b y Bro . D . Murray Lyon himself in his history of the lodge " Mary Chapel , Edinburgh . —Kenning ' s Cyclopcedia of Freemasonry . * I speak now of the general question .