Histories Of Lodges.

Histories of Lodges .

( J 6 nalan & . )

§ HE desirability of compiling a Bibliography of Histories of Lodges has several times been suggested to me , but from various causes I have been unable to do so until now ; the material being wholly taken from my own Collection , which is believed to be the only complete one in this country . ^ . ^ The Histories of Lodges and Provincial Grand Lodges , are very often most valuable to Masonic students ,

because of the numerous references in such works to the Craft meetings in early days , and for the curious and interesting particulars respecting ancient regulations , ceremonies , customs , and other points in the minutes of old lodges thus noted and published .

l'roni these we may find that the oldest preserved minute book of an old English lodge begins in the year 1701 ( Alnwick ) : the venerable lodge at York ( which afterwards blossomed into a Grand Lodge ) having no records extant prior to 1712 ( No . 236 ; " Apollo , " Ac . ) ; the oldest known ori ginal warrant to constitute of the Grand Lodge of England , formed in 1717 , bears dates llth Jul y , 1732 ( No .

39 ) , thc custom in the Metropolis being at that period to issue no charters , but simply to notify the acceptance by the M . W . G . M . of the petitions ( Nos . 58 and 60 ) . Other lodges were at work besides the four or more old lodges prior to 1717 , and apparently continued independent for some time ( Nos . 48 , 124 ,- 157 ) , while some never united with the Grand Lodge ( Alnwick ) .

Though Deacons were not officiall y recognised by the "Modems , " they were appointed by some lodges of that organisation notwithstanding ( No . 61 ) , and not a few patronised the Royal Arch , though not adopted until the Union of December 1 S 13 , from 1762-65 ( "Apollo ; " 61 , Ac ) .

The motto of the Grand Lodge seal in 1732-3 , is very remarkable ( Nos . 37 , 39 , 41 and 42 ) , and several of the old medals mentioned in various histories are most suggestive ( Nos . 178 , 235 , 246 ; Sussex , Arc . ) . Lodges having copies of the " Old Charges " are duly referred to ( Nos . 61 , 157 , 236 , " Masonic Sketches , Ac ) , and a few of the Histories are notable , because of the lodges in question being so connected with Royalty ( Nos . 16 , 33 , and 259 ) .

These indications of the value and importance of Histories of Lodges will serve to justify my presenting a Bibliographical list of them , and will , I hope , induce competent brethren to do a similar good work for their lodges , if old and noteworthy , which have not yet had their records made known in such a useful and instructive manner . The expense of printing is not heavy , and may be met in part by throwing open the subscri ption list to thc Craft , many brethren being always ready to aid in such an enterprise .

No . 1 . LONDON . "An Address delivered at the Centenary Meeting of the Grand Master ' s Lodge , No . 1 . By Brother Edwd . Josh . Powell [ Ac . ] . London : Printed by Truseott , Son & Simmons , " Ac . [' t I 860 . ] ¦ Uo . Pages 36 . By-Laws appended of 1832 .

No . 6 . LONDON * . "The Centenary of the Lodge of Friendship , Number Six . " [ By William Piatt ] Chiswick Press : Printed by Whittingham and Wilkins , Ac . [ j-1867 . ] ito . Ftttjes 38 . Sketch begins A . n . 1767 . No . 16 . LONDON ' . "History of ( he Royal Alpha Lodge , No . 16 , . Meeting at the Hotel

Metropole , London . Compiled by Colonel Shad well H . Gierke , Secretary . London : George Kenning [ Ac ] , 1891 . " 8 yt > . Poyei ' Ar . Several portraits t < f the llni / nl Family , trith Memoir " / ll . lt ' . ll . Jhtke <;/ ' Sussex-, 11 . M . 1813—43 . Roll of Masters and Members from 1818 . and By-Lam . No . 19 . LONDOX .

"A brief sketch of ( he History of ( he Royal Atlielstau Lodge of Antient Free and Accepted Masons , Constituted No . 159 , February 27 , 1769 , subsequently No . 10 , and now No . 19 . B y Br . Wifbam M . By wider , P . M . & ' Hon . Sec . Centenary Day , February 27 , 1869 , London . " [ 1869 . J Sro . Pages 20 . Prided by W . JJatieij and Son , London .

No . 21 . LONDON . "The Lodge of Emulation , No . 21 . Some notices of its early History , its distinguished members , and the events connected with its career . Printed for Private Circulation . " [ 1872 . ] Vlmo . Pages 30 . By Pro . JJrackstone Baker , P . G . D .

No . 31 . CAXTI'UM'UV . AC , KKXT . " A Brief Sketch of Freemasonry in Canterbury from 1730 to 1880 ; with an account of Ceremonies and Addresses at ¦ the Laying of the Foundation Stone of the Masonic Temple in that City . Reprinted from the Canterbury Press , March 6 th , 1 N 8 <> " [ Ac , 1880 ] . 16 / HO . Pages \ 6 . Sketch of No . 31 and oilier Lodges .

No . 33 . LONIMIX . '' History of the Brilannic Lodge . From 1730 to 1870 , Prepared for the Centenary Festival , Held on Ihe llth March , 1870 . By Bro , F . W . Shields , W . M . Loudon : Musgruve , Printer , " Ac . [ 1870 . ] 8 fo . Pages 8 . No . 37 . BOI . TOX , LANTAHIII . ' I-:.

" History of the Anchor A Hope Lodge of Freemasons , No . 37 , Bolton ( warranted 23 rd October , 1732 ) . Together with A Complete

Histories Of Lodges.

Roll of its members from 1765 , compiled by Bro . George Parker Brockbank , Secretary of the Lodge [ Ac ] anil Bro . James Newton , P . M . in 37 ; [ Ac ] In Commemoration of the Sesqui-Centennial of the Lodge , 23 rd October , 18 S 2 . Bolton , Printed by Bro . Thomas Morris , Ac , 1882 . " 8 vo . Pages 82 . Copy of original Warrant . No . 39 . EXKTI ' R , Di'voxsiuiu-.

"History of St . John the Baptist Lodge , No . 39 , Exeter . [ With By-Laws , List of Members . Supplement lo 1888 ] . Exeter . 1884 . liimo . and 8 vo . Pages 38 . Facsimile of original Warrant , dated llth dag of July , 1732 .

Also additional "Notes on an Old Minute Book , by Bro . A . Hope , Sec . No . 39 . Pages 24 ( 1891 ) . No . 41 . BATH , SOMBKSKT . "An Abridged History of the Royal Cumberland Lodge , No . 41 ,

From the year 1732 ( there being no previous records preserved , ) Together with a brief sketch of the condition of the craft some years prior to this date , by Brother Thomas Payne Ashley , P . M ., & c . Bath : Printed by Wilkinson Brothers , 19 , Union-street . 1873 . " 4 / o . Pages 38 . Facsimiles of Minutes , Dec . 28 , 1732 , and 18 // i May , 1733 .

No . 42 . BURY , LANCASHIRE . " History of the Lodge of Relief , No . 42 , of the Antient and Honourable Fraternity of Free and Accepted Masons , Bury , Lancashire , Warranted on the third of July 1733 , [ Ac ] Compiled by Bro . Edward A . Evans , J . W . of the Lodge , In Commemoration of its Sesqui-Centeunial , July 3 rd 18 S 3 ; Together with an Introductory

Notice by Bro . J . Newton , P . M . 37 , Ac , and a List of Modern Lodges in Lancashire , Prior to the Union in 1813 . By Bro . G . P . Brockbank , W . M . 37 , Ac . Bury : Printed at the Hope " Office by Bro . 0 . C . Crompton . 1883 . " 8 vo . Pages 96 . Copies of Petition and Warrant , June and July , 1733 . No . 48 . GAT lis I IK AD , DURHAM .

( a ) " History of the Lodge of Industry No . 48 [ Gateshead-on-Tync ] . Newcastle-upon-Tyne : Smith & Son , Ac . MDCCCLXX . " 12 mo . Introduction to Bo-Laws , Pages 24 .

( b ) " Celebration of the One Hundred and l'lftioth Anniversary of the connection of Lodge of Industry , No . 48 , Gateshead-on-Tyne , and the Grand Lodge of England , also By-Laws of the Lodge , December , 1885 . Newcastlc-on-Tyne : Boazman Dickson & Co .

Printers , Ac . MDCCCLXXXVI . " 12 mo . Pages 32 . Sketch of . Lodge by Pro . B . B . Reed , P . M . Earliest known , llecords bcgvi on 29 / A September , 1725 . No . 56 . ARUNDEL , SUSSKX .

" A History of the Howard Lodge of Brotherly Love , No . 56 , Arundel , Sussex , Constituted 21 st Day of December , 1736 . A Memorial of tlie Centenary Festival held on the 19 th December , 1878 . By Thomas Francis , W . M . Portsmouth : Bro . Henry Lewis , Machine Printer , Ac . 1883 . " 8 « o . Pages 58 . Bound icith History if Fx in Sussex , 1883 , by Bro . T . Francis , but has separate pagination , as noted .

No . 57 . HUM ., YOUKSHIHK . " A History of the Warrant of the Humber Lodge , No . 65 [ now 57 ] . Arranged by P . M . Bro . J . Coltmun Smith , P . G . R ., Ac . Hull : Printed by Goddurd and Lancaster , Ac . 1855 . " 12 mo . Pages 36 . Copy of Warrant , llth April , 1775 ( Liverpool ) .

Iso . 58 . LONDON "History of the Lodge of Felicity . From the Year 1737 to the Year 1887 , with comments on Contemporary Events . Published b y consent of the Lodge and for the benefit of its Fund of Charity . "

[ 1887 ] . [ and 1891 ] . ito . Pages VIII . A- 140 . First Edition , 1887 . ( Second Edition , 18 ' 1 , with Four additional pages and Facsimile of Certificate of Constitution of the Lodge , Aug . 24 / 7 ) , 1737 ) . Portraits and Facsimiles .

No . 60 . LONDOX , "Pence and Harmony Lodge . 1738 , No . 172 . 1888 , No . 60 . Celebration of The 150 th Anniversary , Thursday , 3 rd May , 1888 , Freemasons' Hall , London . W . C . Bro . Arthur S . Josling , Worshi p ful Master . " [ 1888 . liy Bio . F . liinckes PJl . S . B . } -Uo . Pages 16 . Several Facsimiles . Warrant to constitute , May 3 rd , 1738 . Illustra'ion . of the special Jewel .

No . 61 . HAMKAX , Yoi'Ksiimis . "History of thc Lodge of Probity , No . 61 , on the Register of the United Grand Lodge of England of Antient Free and Accepted Masons , together with an Account of the Formation of the Provincial

Grand Lodge of West Yorkshire and the Lodge of Promulgation . By Herbert Crossley ( S . W . of the Lodge of Probity ) , Halifax . Published b y the Lodge of Probity , 1888 . " [ M . C . Peck A Son , Hull ] , St'o . Pages 336 . Illustrations and Facsimiles .

No . 63 . LONDOX . " St . Mary ' s Lodge No . 6 : 1 . Chronological Record , From the Constitution in 1757 to tlie Centenary Festival in 1857 , By Bro . Prederiek Albert Winsor , P . M . ; Continued from 1857 to the present

time , By Bro . Wilinor Hollingworth , P . M , and Sec . ; with a series of observations on Freemasonry in Germany , by Bro . Ernest E . Wendt , D . C . L ., G . S . G . C , Ac The whole Edited ' and Revised by Bro . George Kelly . P . M ., Ac , and Bro . Wiliner Hollingworth . P . M . and Secretary . London : 1883 . " Sua . Pages 12 '' . C » pij of Warrant , 14 / A April , 1757 .

A <» . ( 54 . MAXCIII ' STI ' I ; , LAXC ' SIIIIIB . " By-Laws of the Lodge of Eortitude , No . 64 ( Originally Constituted 9 th January , 1739 ) , with Copy of Warrant [ May 1 st , 1772 ] , and Short Historical Account of the Proceedings of the Lodge from 1860 to the present time [ Ac . ] . Compiled by G . P . Brockbank , Secretary , P . G . St . B . England , ' " ' Ac . Bolton , Ac , 1888 . tivo . Pages 16 . Preface by Bro . J . H . P . Leresche , P . M ., § r .