Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Ar00200
which constituted them is the cause of this present trouble , were warranted in 1824 , 1836 , and 1854 respectively ; that the Grand Lodge of Canada was not formed till 1 S 55 , and not recognised by England till a few years later ; and that the secession of Quebec from the Grand Lodge of Canada did not take place till 1 S 69 , that is to say , till fifteen years after the constitution
of the youngest of our three Anglo-Montreal Lodges ? Will they be at the pains of remembering that R . W . Bro . the Hon . Judge BADGLEY was appointed District Grand Master of Montreal in 1849 , that ' s to sav ' ' years before there was such a Body as the Grand Lodge of Canada , and twenty years before that of Quebec came into being ? Then if they will be at the
trouble of remembering or ascertaining these facts , will they still venture to affirm that , while it was legal for the other lodges in Canada than these three in Montreal to secede from the Grand Lodges of the Old Country and set up an establishment of their own , it was not legal for these three—and others which at the time acted in concert with them—to remain in their old obedience ?
Or , as any such doctrine as this , in the teeth of the treaty so solemnly entered into between Canada and England at the recognition of the former by the latter , is untenable , will they feel disposed to adopt the theory that , while the Anglo-Montreal lodges were free—as was recognised by Canada at the time—to remain aloof from its Grand Lodge , they do not enjoy the
same freedom as regards the Grand Lodge of Quebec , which , as we have said , is nothing else than an offshoot from the Grand Lodge of Canada ? Will they go the absurd length of arguing that in Freemasonry—of all societies in the world—vested interests and perfect freedom of action within the prescriptions of the law are of no account whatever , and that because 20 lodges , forming
part of an existing Grand Lodge , are free to set up a Grand Lodge of their own , five or six lodges forming another part of the same Grand Lodge , are not free to remain as they were , the vested interests in the old order of things and freedom of action of the five or six being annihilated by the conduct of the 20 lodges ? These are hard nuts to crack , and if some of the Grand
Lodges of the United States will but imitate the bold—not " cowardly "course pursued by the Grand Lodge of New York , the monstrous claims of Quebec to evade its just liabilities and its determination to keep the whole Anglo-Saxon branch of the Masonic community in a state of turmoil until it succeeds in its discreditable purpose , will very soon receive their quietus .
* * * GREAT preparations are being made in order that the Shanklin Masonic Exhibition may be the largest and best of its kind , which certainly it bids fair to be . Many of the largest collectors , who so kindly placed their valuables at the disposal of Bros . WHYTEHEAD and TAYLOR , have signified their intention to do the same for Bro . ALFRED GREENHAM . Several new
collectors have also promised their aid , so that there is no lack of material , and the printing of the catalogue is going on as briskly as possible . The catalogue itself will be a most important part of the Exhibition , for it is expected to run to 90 pages or more , and is literally brimful of information
and interest . There will thus be the largest catalogue and the largest Exhibition , and , to complete the trio , it is to be hoped , as it is confidently expected , there will also be the largest attendance , so that in every sense the Shanklin Exhibition will be a grand success .
* * * MUCH of the success will be due to the generous co-operation of such large collectors as Bros . GEORGE TAYLOR , GEORGE L . SHACKLES , WILLIAM KELLY , J AMES NEWTON , THOMAS FRANCIS , J E . LE FEUVRE , THOMAS B . WHYTEHEAD , T . LAMB SMITH , J . S . CUMBERLAND , F . H . GOLDNEY ,
J . C . ROBINSON , J . RAMSDEN RILEY , and others , not forgetting Bro . W . J . HUGHAN , who supplies a number of notes to various important exhibits , as well as does his part to make the vast collection as complete and varied
as possible . Several old lodges have also forwarded lists of their old records , medals , which will be sent in due course , so that all is now in good trim , and whatever the patronage may be , the success of the exhibition is fully assured .
BRO . GREENHXM has worked well , assisted by Bros . HUGHAN and TAYLOR , who are most anxious that Bro . GREENHAM should lack neither support nor information in his self-imposed but most onerous duties ; and the proprietor of the Freemason has also been most hearty in offering his
services , and in placing the numerous facilities of his establishments at the disposal of the Shanklin friends , which offers have not onl y been accepted , but handsomely acknowledged . We hope that the catalogue will be ready at least a week or more prior to the opening of the Exhibition on the nth
September , for we are persuaded that an examination of its contents will induce many wavering brethren to decide for Shanklin and the Exhibition , and take a week's holiday and Masonic enjoyment in that beautiful neighbourhood . 0 » . *
WE have made application to Bro . J LANE as to the progress ol his " Masonic Records , " and have also put a series of questions to that indefatigable brother respecting the details of the volume , the system adopted , and other points of interest to our numerous readers who , like ourselves
are waiting for information 011 the subject . We hope to announce these and other particulars in our next issue , and will do our best to make known , as far as possible , the character , extent , and special features of Bro . LANE ' S researches ,
The First Grand Stewards And Their Lodges.
THE FIRST GRAND STEWARDS AND THEIR LODGES .
THE RED APRON LODGES PRIOR TO THE UNION . By BRO . H . SADLER . V . ( Continued from page 4 84 . ) No minutes are recorded in the Stewards' book between 179 S and 1804 , and in the last-mentioned year the names of the lodges are omitted , but in the following year , 1 S 05 , they are precisely the same lodges , returning the
same number of Stewards as in 1798 , except that the Shakespeare Lodge has taken the place of the London Lodge . This is also the case in 1806 and 1807 . No minutes are recorded in 1808 , and in 1809 the names of the lodges are not all given . A couple of extracts from the minutes of this Board will give an idea of the expense attending the oflice of Grand Steward in the last century .
' * It was also upon motion duly made and seconded—Resolved that the sum of Thirty-five pounds be paid into the hands of the Treasurer by each Member of the Board at their next meeting towards defraying the expences of the ensuing Grand Feast , and that notice of this Resolution be given in the Summons . " On the 27 th of May , which was settling day , it was
" Resolved that the Members of this Board do pay into the hands of the Treasurer the further sum of Ten pounds each towards discharging the above-mentioned Bills , which the Members present accordingly did . " It appears to have been a customof long-standing for the Grand Stewards of the year to give a supper to the Grand Officers , Past Grand Officers , and other brethren of "Quality and distinction " after the Quarterly Communication preceding the Grand Festival . This will in some measure account for the heavy expenses of the Stewards .
At the first meeting of the Board of Stewards for 1810 , the following letter from the Earl of Moira , acting Grand Master , was read and ordered to be entered on the minutes— " St . James' Place , "Sir , "March 7 th , 1810 . " It has been more than once observed to me that the Grand Stewards are subjected to a heavy and very unnecessary expence by the custom of giving a supper , the weight upon that board is sufficiently heavy
without that additional charge , which is really a work of superarogation , as I know it is difficult to collect Brethren enough to fill the Tables on that occasion . I thence wish that you should submit it to the consideration of the Stewards whether this supper may not for the future be dispensed with . They cannot fear to have any imputation on the liberality of their dispositions when it shall be known that the recommendation for the discountenance of such an useless expense has come from the Grand Master . " I remain Sir
" Your H Servant " & Sincere Brother ' . ' W . White Esqr ' ¦ MOIRA " Grand Secretary . " "A . G . M . The Board of Stewards ultimately acted upon the suggestion of the Grand Master and dispensed with the supper , but this does not appear to have brought a corresponding reduction in their expenses , for precisely the
same amount was subscribed as in the preceding year , and the total expenditure of the Board was £ 755 is . 4 d ( £ 50 8 s . of which was for music and vocal performers ) , as against £ 743 3 s . in 1809 . The next year witnessed a sensible decrease , although nearly as much was spent in music and singing ; the first subscription of £ 3 $ with the money received for tickets was sufficient to meet all demands and enable the Stewards to present a very handsome silver cup to their Secretary at a cost of £ 25 6 s .
In 1812 a gold snuff box , value ^ 30 , was given to the Secretary , and in 1813 a new and , in my opinion , a much better use was made of the surplus funds . I cannot do better than let the Secretary give his own version of the new departure on settling day —• " The members present having expressed a strong desire that the Officers of the Board should be presented with some handsome and lasting
testimonial of their sense of obligation for their constant attendance and unremitting attention to their respective duties , the Officers begged to return their warmest thanks for this additional proof of esteem from the members of the Board , but at the same time that they expressed their gratitude for the kind assistance they had received from every individual of the Board ,
requested to state that nothing could be more congenial to their feelings than the unanimous approbation of their Brother Stewards , and at the same time took the liberty to slate that in their opinion the surplus funds of the Board could in no way be better applied than in paying over the same to that excellent Institution the Female Charity School so immediately under the protection and patronage of the Craft . "
The suggestion of the Officers of the Board having been taken into consideration , it was ¦ " ? " Resolved That the surplus monies should be paid over to the Female Charity School . " As this excellent piece of self-denial on the part of the Officers resulted in a sum of £ 50 5 s . 6 d . being paid to the Treasurer of the Girls' School ( a very handsome contribution in those days ) , it is only fair that their names should be mentioned ; they were
Brother Mich - Zachary , President , Lodge of Friendship . „ Thompson Scott , Treasurer , Shakespeare Lodge . „ James H . Deacon , Secretary , Somerset House Lodge . The Grand Stewards for 1810 , 11 , and 12 were from the same lodges , and in the same proportion as in the year 1807 . In 1813 the brother representing the St . Alban's Lodge , Capt . Lind , could not attend anv
meeting of the Stewards , by reason of his being with his regiment in Portugal ; the Board therefore elected Bro . J . C . Burkhardt , of the Lodge of Antiquity , in his place , and at the Grand Festival in 1813 , the last-named brother presented Bro . Jas . Asperne , of the same lodge , to succeed him , so that the actual Red Apron Lodges at the time of the Union , 1813 , were as follows : — Number of Stewards . Lodge of Antiquity No . 1 now No . 2 ... .,, 1
Somerset House Lodge No . 2 „ „ 4 ... ... 3 Lodge of Friendship No . 3 „ ,, 6 ,,. ... 2 Lodge of Emulation No . 12 ,, ,, 21 ... ... 1 Globe Lodge No . 14 „ „ 2 3 ... ... 1 Corner Stone Lodge No . 26 „ „ 5 ... ... 1
Old King ' s Arms Lodge No . 21 „ „ 28 ... ... 1 Lodge ot Regularity No . 117 „ ,, 91 ... ... 1 Shakespeare Lodge No . 131 „ „ 99 ... ... 1 12
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Ar00200
which constituted them is the cause of this present trouble , were warranted in 1824 , 1836 , and 1854 respectively ; that the Grand Lodge of Canada was not formed till 1 S 55 , and not recognised by England till a few years later ; and that the secession of Quebec from the Grand Lodge of Canada did not take place till 1 S 69 , that is to say , till fifteen years after the constitution
of the youngest of our three Anglo-Montreal Lodges ? Will they be at the pains of remembering that R . W . Bro . the Hon . Judge BADGLEY was appointed District Grand Master of Montreal in 1849 , that ' s to sav ' ' years before there was such a Body as the Grand Lodge of Canada , and twenty years before that of Quebec came into being ? Then if they will be at the
trouble of remembering or ascertaining these facts , will they still venture to affirm that , while it was legal for the other lodges in Canada than these three in Montreal to secede from the Grand Lodges of the Old Country and set up an establishment of their own , it was not legal for these three—and others which at the time acted in concert with them—to remain in their old obedience ?
Or , as any such doctrine as this , in the teeth of the treaty so solemnly entered into between Canada and England at the recognition of the former by the latter , is untenable , will they feel disposed to adopt the theory that , while the Anglo-Montreal lodges were free—as was recognised by Canada at the time—to remain aloof from its Grand Lodge , they do not enjoy the
same freedom as regards the Grand Lodge of Quebec , which , as we have said , is nothing else than an offshoot from the Grand Lodge of Canada ? Will they go the absurd length of arguing that in Freemasonry—of all societies in the world—vested interests and perfect freedom of action within the prescriptions of the law are of no account whatever , and that because 20 lodges , forming
part of an existing Grand Lodge , are free to set up a Grand Lodge of their own , five or six lodges forming another part of the same Grand Lodge , are not free to remain as they were , the vested interests in the old order of things and freedom of action of the five or six being annihilated by the conduct of the 20 lodges ? These are hard nuts to crack , and if some of the Grand
Lodges of the United States will but imitate the bold—not " cowardly "course pursued by the Grand Lodge of New York , the monstrous claims of Quebec to evade its just liabilities and its determination to keep the whole Anglo-Saxon branch of the Masonic community in a state of turmoil until it succeeds in its discreditable purpose , will very soon receive their quietus .
* * * GREAT preparations are being made in order that the Shanklin Masonic Exhibition may be the largest and best of its kind , which certainly it bids fair to be . Many of the largest collectors , who so kindly placed their valuables at the disposal of Bros . WHYTEHEAD and TAYLOR , have signified their intention to do the same for Bro . ALFRED GREENHAM . Several new
collectors have also promised their aid , so that there is no lack of material , and the printing of the catalogue is going on as briskly as possible . The catalogue itself will be a most important part of the Exhibition , for it is expected to run to 90 pages or more , and is literally brimful of information
and interest . There will thus be the largest catalogue and the largest Exhibition , and , to complete the trio , it is to be hoped , as it is confidently expected , there will also be the largest attendance , so that in every sense the Shanklin Exhibition will be a grand success .
* * * MUCH of the success will be due to the generous co-operation of such large collectors as Bros . GEORGE TAYLOR , GEORGE L . SHACKLES , WILLIAM KELLY , J AMES NEWTON , THOMAS FRANCIS , J E . LE FEUVRE , THOMAS B . WHYTEHEAD , T . LAMB SMITH , J . S . CUMBERLAND , F . H . GOLDNEY ,
J . C . ROBINSON , J . RAMSDEN RILEY , and others , not forgetting Bro . W . J . HUGHAN , who supplies a number of notes to various important exhibits , as well as does his part to make the vast collection as complete and varied
as possible . Several old lodges have also forwarded lists of their old records , medals , which will be sent in due course , so that all is now in good trim , and whatever the patronage may be , the success of the exhibition is fully assured .
BRO . GREENHXM has worked well , assisted by Bros . HUGHAN and TAYLOR , who are most anxious that Bro . GREENHAM should lack neither support nor information in his self-imposed but most onerous duties ; and the proprietor of the Freemason has also been most hearty in offering his
services , and in placing the numerous facilities of his establishments at the disposal of the Shanklin friends , which offers have not onl y been accepted , but handsomely acknowledged . We hope that the catalogue will be ready at least a week or more prior to the opening of the Exhibition on the nth
September , for we are persuaded that an examination of its contents will induce many wavering brethren to decide for Shanklin and the Exhibition , and take a week's holiday and Masonic enjoyment in that beautiful neighbourhood . 0 » . *
WE have made application to Bro . J LANE as to the progress ol his " Masonic Records , " and have also put a series of questions to that indefatigable brother respecting the details of the volume , the system adopted , and other points of interest to our numerous readers who , like ourselves
are waiting for information 011 the subject . We hope to announce these and other particulars in our next issue , and will do our best to make known , as far as possible , the character , extent , and special features of Bro . LANE ' S researches ,
The First Grand Stewards And Their Lodges.
THE FIRST GRAND STEWARDS AND THEIR LODGES .
THE RED APRON LODGES PRIOR TO THE UNION . By BRO . H . SADLER . V . ( Continued from page 4 84 . ) No minutes are recorded in the Stewards' book between 179 S and 1804 , and in the last-mentioned year the names of the lodges are omitted , but in the following year , 1 S 05 , they are precisely the same lodges , returning the
same number of Stewards as in 1798 , except that the Shakespeare Lodge has taken the place of the London Lodge . This is also the case in 1806 and 1807 . No minutes are recorded in 1808 , and in 1809 the names of the lodges are not all given . A couple of extracts from the minutes of this Board will give an idea of the expense attending the oflice of Grand Steward in the last century .
' * It was also upon motion duly made and seconded—Resolved that the sum of Thirty-five pounds be paid into the hands of the Treasurer by each Member of the Board at their next meeting towards defraying the expences of the ensuing Grand Feast , and that notice of this Resolution be given in the Summons . " On the 27 th of May , which was settling day , it was
" Resolved that the Members of this Board do pay into the hands of the Treasurer the further sum of Ten pounds each towards discharging the above-mentioned Bills , which the Members present accordingly did . " It appears to have been a customof long-standing for the Grand Stewards of the year to give a supper to the Grand Officers , Past Grand Officers , and other brethren of "Quality and distinction " after the Quarterly Communication preceding the Grand Festival . This will in some measure account for the heavy expenses of the Stewards .
At the first meeting of the Board of Stewards for 1810 , the following letter from the Earl of Moira , acting Grand Master , was read and ordered to be entered on the minutes— " St . James' Place , "Sir , "March 7 th , 1810 . " It has been more than once observed to me that the Grand Stewards are subjected to a heavy and very unnecessary expence by the custom of giving a supper , the weight upon that board is sufficiently heavy
without that additional charge , which is really a work of superarogation , as I know it is difficult to collect Brethren enough to fill the Tables on that occasion . I thence wish that you should submit it to the consideration of the Stewards whether this supper may not for the future be dispensed with . They cannot fear to have any imputation on the liberality of their dispositions when it shall be known that the recommendation for the discountenance of such an useless expense has come from the Grand Master . " I remain Sir
" Your H Servant " & Sincere Brother ' . ' W . White Esqr ' ¦ MOIRA " Grand Secretary . " "A . G . M . The Board of Stewards ultimately acted upon the suggestion of the Grand Master and dispensed with the supper , but this does not appear to have brought a corresponding reduction in their expenses , for precisely the
same amount was subscribed as in the preceding year , and the total expenditure of the Board was £ 755 is . 4 d ( £ 50 8 s . of which was for music and vocal performers ) , as against £ 743 3 s . in 1809 . The next year witnessed a sensible decrease , although nearly as much was spent in music and singing ; the first subscription of £ 3 $ with the money received for tickets was sufficient to meet all demands and enable the Stewards to present a very handsome silver cup to their Secretary at a cost of £ 25 6 s .
In 1812 a gold snuff box , value ^ 30 , was given to the Secretary , and in 1813 a new and , in my opinion , a much better use was made of the surplus funds . I cannot do better than let the Secretary give his own version of the new departure on settling day —• " The members present having expressed a strong desire that the Officers of the Board should be presented with some handsome and lasting
testimonial of their sense of obligation for their constant attendance and unremitting attention to their respective duties , the Officers begged to return their warmest thanks for this additional proof of esteem from the members of the Board , but at the same time that they expressed their gratitude for the kind assistance they had received from every individual of the Board ,
requested to state that nothing could be more congenial to their feelings than the unanimous approbation of their Brother Stewards , and at the same time took the liberty to slate that in their opinion the surplus funds of the Board could in no way be better applied than in paying over the same to that excellent Institution the Female Charity School so immediately under the protection and patronage of the Craft . "
The suggestion of the Officers of the Board having been taken into consideration , it was ¦ " ? " Resolved That the surplus monies should be paid over to the Female Charity School . " As this excellent piece of self-denial on the part of the Officers resulted in a sum of £ 50 5 s . 6 d . being paid to the Treasurer of the Girls' School ( a very handsome contribution in those days ) , it is only fair that their names should be mentioned ; they were
Brother Mich - Zachary , President , Lodge of Friendship . „ Thompson Scott , Treasurer , Shakespeare Lodge . „ James H . Deacon , Secretary , Somerset House Lodge . The Grand Stewards for 1810 , 11 , and 12 were from the same lodges , and in the same proportion as in the year 1807 . In 1813 the brother representing the St . Alban's Lodge , Capt . Lind , could not attend anv
meeting of the Stewards , by reason of his being with his regiment in Portugal ; the Board therefore elected Bro . J . C . Burkhardt , of the Lodge of Antiquity , in his place , and at the Grand Festival in 1813 , the last-named brother presented Bro . Jas . Asperne , of the same lodge , to succeed him , so that the actual Red Apron Lodges at the time of the Union , 1813 , were as follows : — Number of Stewards . Lodge of Antiquity No . 1 now No . 2 ... .,, 1
Somerset House Lodge No . 2 „ „ 4 ... ... 3 Lodge of Friendship No . 3 „ ,, 6 ,,. ... 2 Lodge of Emulation No . 12 ,, ,, 21 ... ... 1 Globe Lodge No . 14 „ „ 2 3 ... ... 1 Corner Stone Lodge No . 26 „ „ 5 ... ... 1
Old King ' s Arms Lodge No . 21 „ „ 28 ... ... 1 Lodge ot Regularity No . 117 „ ,, 91 ... ... 1 Shakespeare Lodge No . 131 „ „ 99 ... ... 1 12