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Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
"The Queen And The Craft."
and aducent to London . Grand Lodge , having been formed , " receive ! His Royal Highness upstanding , after the custom among Master Sasons . His Grace the Dnke of Atholl , being on the throne , congratuated Grand Lodge and the fraternity on this cordial visit of our illistrious Brother , and paid a A ery high and iust compliment
to the active zeal and hvelj- interest which H . R . Highness had always msnifested for the Fraternity . His Royal Highness made an elegant reply to the Most Noble and R . W . Grand Master , and expressed in the warmest terms his unchangeable affection and attachment to Masonry according to the Ancient Institution and to
the Grand Lodge of England in which those principles were so purelj * * and correctly preserved . His Royal Highness further said that upon every occasion he should be happy to co-operate Avith them in exerting themselves for the preservation of the Rights and Principles ol the Craft , and that , however desirable an Union might
be with the ether Fraternity of Masons , it could only be desirable if accomplished on tlie basis of tlic Ancient Institutions , and with the maintenance of all the rights of the Ancient Craft . " Grand Lodge Avas then closed in ample form , and the G . Master , H . R . H . the Duke of Kent , and i large company of the G . Officers and brethren took part in the celebration of the Boys' School Festival .
What further I havc to relate concerns principally the important part played by ' ais Royal Hi ghness , in bringing about the Union of the two Societies , the negotiations for which had reached so critical a point , that it v .-as deemed necessary there should be a conference between the heads of the two Grand Lodges . With the object of arranging for such conference , the Deputy Grand Master called for a
Special Meeting of tlie Ancient Grand Lodge , to be held on the 4 th August , 1813 , at which was read a letter , dated 12 th July , from Bro . William Henry White , G . Secretary , in Avhich he stated , by command of the Dnke of Sussex , Grand Master " of the Society of Free and Accepted Masons , under the patronage of the Prince Regent , that the Grand Lodge ot that Society feeling , with its Royal Grand Master ,
the fullest conviction that the Union , so long contemplated by the tAvo Societies of Masons in England , would , be of the greatest advantage to the Crait in general , has requested and empowered his Royal Highness , the Grand Master to lake such steps as may appear most proper for arranging ancl concluding so desirable an object upon terms that may be equal and honourable to both parties ,
trusting that a correspondent disposition continues on the part of the Society under his Grace the Duke of Atholl . " He ( Bro . White ) therefore stated that he had it in command from the Duke of Sussex , to express his wish " to haA-e a meeting as early as possible on the subject , should the proposal accord with tlie sentiments of yonr Society . " A letter was also read , bearing date the 13 th July , from
Bro . Harper to the Duko of Atholl , in Avhich , after informing his Grace of the receipt of Bro . White ' s lettar , he expresses it as hia opinion that " it would be extremel y desirable if your Grace could be present at tin ' s interview , " and expressed tho hope that should that not be practicable , his Grace Avould honour him with " his sentiments as to the method proposed . " He further asks
that , " in the event of your Grace not being able to be present , that you would be pleased to signify your pleasure as to our Royal Brother tlie Duke of Kent being appointed to act instead on this occasion . His Royal Highness being firmly attached to the Ancient Craft and not disposed to concede any of its Rights , Privileges , or Ancient Landmarks . " The Duke of Atholl ' s reply was
also read , dated " Dunkeld , July 30 th 1813 , " in which lie said it would bo impossible for him to be present at any meeting at that time , but , added his Grace , " I am perfectly persuaded that our interests would ho eminentl y guarded in any discussion that might arise and the landmarks of the Ancient Craft adhered to by ouv noble brother , His Royal Highness the Dnke of Kent , if he could be prevailed upon
to act in my stead , and I am perfectl y ready either to solicit our noble brother b y letter or to authorise you to Avait on His Royal Highness in my name , whichever a Committee of the Grand Lodgo may think most expedient and fitting . " On this the Grand Lodge unanimousl y resolved that Deputy Grand Master Harper and Past Deputy Grand Masters Perry and Agar *' do wait upon his Royal Highness the Duke
of Kent respectfully to communicate to Him the earnest desire of our Most Noble Grand Muster of this Grand Lodge that he would be graciousl y pleased to take upon himself this office so important to tlie welfare and prosperity of the Ancient Craft . " It was further resolved that a letter in reply be written to Bro . White , Grand Secretary of tlie Giand Lodge under the Duke of Sussex ,
Grand Master , informing him that the Ancient Grand Lodge had appointed Grand Master H . R . H . the Duko of Kent , Deputy Grand Master Harper , and Past Deputy Grand Masters Perry and Agar as a Commission " to meet witb a Commission to be appointed on their part Avith full powers to confer on , and agree to a basis upon which tlie said Union may be happily effected . " At a Special Grand Lodge
held on the 8 th November a letter was read from his Grace the Duke ot Atholl "intimating his desire of resigning the ofiice of Grand Master in favour of his Royal Highness the Duke of Kent ; " and after compliments had been paid to his Grace , and Bro . Harper had been requested and consented to continue in oilice as Deputy Grand Alaster , and had been placed in tlie chair and saluted in duo form ,
H . R . H . the Duke of Kent was unanimously elected Grand Master , find as his Koyal Highness had already signified his intention to accept the office , it was arranged that his installation should take place with all the ancient forms nnd ceremonies on the 1 st December following at high noon . Ten brethren were appointed Stewards ' to assist iu the solemnities of the day , " and an " Outline of the Order of Proceeding on ' the Installation "
"The Queen And The Craft."
was adopted . It is not neccessaiy I shonld givo in full this outline , which was strictly carried out in all its details . Suffice ifc to say , thafc on its being announced to the Grand Master in the chair that the Grand Master elect had arrived , it provided for his introduction into Grand Lodge "in ample form , " the procession in which * liis Royal Highness was the principal figure , being led by " tho Grand Pursuivant Avith his Staff , " followed by " His Royal Highness ' s
band of music , being Masons , " and " the Regalia of the Grand Master elect on a velvet cushion , to be borne by a Grand Steward , " and flanked on either side by " Two Grand Stewards , Avith their Staves . " Then came the "Nine Excellent Alasters , three and three , bearing the implements of Masonry . The first Three with those of the Entered Apprentices . The Second Three Avith those of the Fellow Craffc . The last Three with those of the Master Masons . " Then followed
' " 'Banner of the Royal Arch , " borne before the "Grand Principal of the Holy Royal x Arch , " and then the several Grand Officers , the Junior G . Warden , preceded by his Pillar , being immediately in front of "The Standard of Ancient Alasons , " flanked by Past Grand Wardens , the Senior Grand Warden , preceded by his Pillar , following . Then other Grand Officers , visitors of distinction , & c , Ac . ; the
Avhole closing with the Grand Master elect , preceded by his banner and Grand Sword Bearer , supported by two Grand Alasters of other Grand Lodges , the Duke of Sussex—who , Avith the Grand Officers attending him , had been previously made "Ancient" Alasons in Grand Alaster ' s Lodge , No . 1 , held for the
purpose in an adjoining room—being one , and followed by Grand Stewards and the Grand T yler . This imposing procession was , according to the order of the day , to approach the Grand Alaster b y the left , each member on passing the throne to make his due reverence , the Grand AIaster elect to make his
reverence opposite the throne , after which all the members standing shall salute him in the First Degree . " The salutes , on the second and third circumambulations , were in tho Second and Third Degrees respectively , after Avhich his Royal Highness was to be " conducted by his supporters up the centre of the Lodge , the Grand Officers being ranged on both sides , to the throne , and then all the other Grand
Officers shall take their respective places . " Then having gone through the ceremonials Avhich cannot be written or printed , "his Royal Highness Avas invested Avith the emblems , apron and gloves of Grand Alaster . " After which ho was installed in t he chair , and " put on his hat , " and the banners having been placed over the throne , and the Holy Bible , & c , laid before him , the Grand Chaplain
proclaimed the installation , after sound of trumpet , in an audible voice , thrice , the brethren saluting after each proclamation , in tlie First Degree , after the first proclamation ; in the Second Degree , after the second ; and in the Third Degree , after the third . Then , in order to constitute his Grand Lodge in ample form , his Royal Highness appointed Bro . Thomas Harper Deputy Grand Master , AVIIO withdrew
and was introduced Avith similar ceremony , and clothed , installed , and saluted . The remainder o £ the proceedings included " an exposition of the antiquity and principles of Ancient Alasonry , with an Exhortation to the Craft on the view which opens of the future prosperity of the Grand Lodge by the Union of all Alasons under the high auspices of the Illustrious Princes of the Houso of Brunswick , "
Avhich Avas delivered b y Bro . James Perry , Past Deputy Grand Alaster ; after Avhich Grand Lodge Avas closed , to meet again in Quarterly Communication at 8 p . m ., the illustrious and other brethren repairing in the interval to another room , where a sumptuous banquet was served , the Grand Alaster being supported by the Duke of Sussex and his Excellency Count La Gardje , Past Grand Alaster of Alasons in Sweden .
In the evening when the regular Quarterl y Communication was held , after the minutes of the Special Grand Lodge of the 8 th November and of the Stewards' Lodge of fche 17 th November had been read and confirmed , and the Granel Officers " for the ensuing year , or until they should be relieved from the duties thereof . " elected , his Royal Highness the Grand AIaster "announced that in consequence
of tho appointment which he had received from the Grand Lodge upon the 1 st of September , in conjunction Avith the Right Worshi pfnl Brother Thos Harper , Deputy Grand Alaster , and tlie H . W . Brothers Perry and Agar , Past Deputy Grand Alasters , they had held several conferences with H . R . Highness the Duke of Sussex , Grand AIaster of the other Fraternity , who was also assisted by three of His Grand
Officers—the R . W . Brother Walter RodAvell Wright , Provincial Grand Alaster of tho Ionian Isles , and Brothers Tegart and Deans , Past Grand Wardens , the happy result of which Avas that Articles of Union between the two Grand Lodges of Alasons in England were signed and sealed in duplicate at Kensington Palace , on the 25 th
November last , " and His Royal Highness laid the same before the Grand Lodge . The announcement of this Great Event was received " with Alasonic acclamations and the said Articles were read , " and thereupon the following resolutions were moved and " carried in ths affirmative unanimously , " namely :
( 1 ) "That the Articles of Union now read be Ratified and Confirmed . ( 2 ) " That the Most Worshipful His Royal . Highness the Grand Alaster be requested and empowered to affix the Great Seal thereto and to exchange tlio same with His Royal Highness the Duko of Sussex as Grand AIaster of tho other Fraternity .
( 3 ) "That brotherly application be made to the Grand Lodges of Scotland and Ireland , enclosing them a copy of tlie above Articles Avhen ratified , and entreating thom to delegate two or more enlightened members of their respective bodies to be present at the
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
"The Queen And The Craft."
and aducent to London . Grand Lodge , having been formed , " receive ! His Royal Highness upstanding , after the custom among Master Sasons . His Grace the Dnke of Atholl , being on the throne , congratuated Grand Lodge and the fraternity on this cordial visit of our illistrious Brother , and paid a A ery high and iust compliment
to the active zeal and hvelj- interest which H . R . Highness had always msnifested for the Fraternity . His Royal Highness made an elegant reply to the Most Noble and R . W . Grand Master , and expressed in the warmest terms his unchangeable affection and attachment to Masonry according to the Ancient Institution and to
the Grand Lodge of England in which those principles were so purelj * * and correctly preserved . His Royal Highness further said that upon every occasion he should be happy to co-operate Avith them in exerting themselves for the preservation of the Rights and Principles ol the Craft , and that , however desirable an Union might
be with the ether Fraternity of Masons , it could only be desirable if accomplished on tlie basis of tlic Ancient Institutions , and with the maintenance of all the rights of the Ancient Craft . " Grand Lodge Avas then closed in ample form , and the G . Master , H . R . H . the Duke of Kent , and i large company of the G . Officers and brethren took part in the celebration of the Boys' School Festival .
What further I havc to relate concerns principally the important part played by ' ais Royal Hi ghness , in bringing about the Union of the two Societies , the negotiations for which had reached so critical a point , that it v .-as deemed necessary there should be a conference between the heads of the two Grand Lodges . With the object of arranging for such conference , the Deputy Grand Master called for a
Special Meeting of tlie Ancient Grand Lodge , to be held on the 4 th August , 1813 , at which was read a letter , dated 12 th July , from Bro . William Henry White , G . Secretary , in Avhich he stated , by command of the Dnke of Sussex , Grand Master " of the Society of Free and Accepted Masons , under the patronage of the Prince Regent , that the Grand Lodge ot that Society feeling , with its Royal Grand Master ,
the fullest conviction that the Union , so long contemplated by the tAvo Societies of Masons in England , would , be of the greatest advantage to the Crait in general , has requested and empowered his Royal Highness , the Grand Master to lake such steps as may appear most proper for arranging ancl concluding so desirable an object upon terms that may be equal and honourable to both parties ,
trusting that a correspondent disposition continues on the part of the Society under his Grace the Duke of Atholl . " He ( Bro . White ) therefore stated that he had it in command from the Duke of Sussex , to express his wish " to haA-e a meeting as early as possible on the subject , should the proposal accord with tlie sentiments of yonr Society . " A letter was also read , bearing date the 13 th July , from
Bro . Harper to the Duko of Atholl , in Avhich , after informing his Grace of the receipt of Bro . White ' s lettar , he expresses it as hia opinion that " it would be extremel y desirable if your Grace could be present at tin ' s interview , " and expressed tho hope that should that not be practicable , his Grace Avould honour him with " his sentiments as to the method proposed . " He further asks
that , " in the event of your Grace not being able to be present , that you would be pleased to signify your pleasure as to our Royal Brother tlie Duke of Kent being appointed to act instead on this occasion . His Royal Highness being firmly attached to the Ancient Craft and not disposed to concede any of its Rights , Privileges , or Ancient Landmarks . " The Duke of Atholl ' s reply was
also read , dated " Dunkeld , July 30 th 1813 , " in which lie said it would bo impossible for him to be present at any meeting at that time , but , added his Grace , " I am perfectly persuaded that our interests would ho eminentl y guarded in any discussion that might arise and the landmarks of the Ancient Craft adhered to by ouv noble brother , His Royal Highness the Dnke of Kent , if he could be prevailed upon
to act in my stead , and I am perfectl y ready either to solicit our noble brother b y letter or to authorise you to Avait on His Royal Highness in my name , whichever a Committee of the Grand Lodgo may think most expedient and fitting . " On this the Grand Lodge unanimousl y resolved that Deputy Grand Master Harper and Past Deputy Grand Masters Perry and Agar *' do wait upon his Royal Highness the Duke
of Kent respectfully to communicate to Him the earnest desire of our Most Noble Grand Muster of this Grand Lodge that he would be graciousl y pleased to take upon himself this office so important to tlie welfare and prosperity of the Ancient Craft . " It was further resolved that a letter in reply be written to Bro . White , Grand Secretary of tlie Giand Lodge under the Duke of Sussex ,
Grand Master , informing him that the Ancient Grand Lodge had appointed Grand Master H . R . H . the Duko of Kent , Deputy Grand Master Harper , and Past Deputy Grand Masters Perry and Agar as a Commission " to meet witb a Commission to be appointed on their part Avith full powers to confer on , and agree to a basis upon which tlie said Union may be happily effected . " At a Special Grand Lodge
held on the 8 th November a letter was read from his Grace the Duke ot Atholl "intimating his desire of resigning the ofiice of Grand Master in favour of his Royal Highness the Duke of Kent ; " and after compliments had been paid to his Grace , and Bro . Harper had been requested and consented to continue in oilice as Deputy Grand Alaster , and had been placed in tlie chair and saluted in duo form ,
H . R . H . the Duke of Kent was unanimously elected Grand Master , find as his Koyal Highness had already signified his intention to accept the office , it was arranged that his installation should take place with all the ancient forms nnd ceremonies on the 1 st December following at high noon . Ten brethren were appointed Stewards ' to assist iu the solemnities of the day , " and an " Outline of the Order of Proceeding on ' the Installation "
"The Queen And The Craft."
was adopted . It is not neccessaiy I shonld givo in full this outline , which was strictly carried out in all its details . Suffice ifc to say , thafc on its being announced to the Grand Master in the chair that the Grand Master elect had arrived , it provided for his introduction into Grand Lodge "in ample form , " the procession in which * liis Royal Highness was the principal figure , being led by " tho Grand Pursuivant Avith his Staff , " followed by " His Royal Highness ' s
band of music , being Masons , " and " the Regalia of the Grand Master elect on a velvet cushion , to be borne by a Grand Steward , " and flanked on either side by " Two Grand Stewards , Avith their Staves . " Then came the "Nine Excellent Alasters , three and three , bearing the implements of Masonry . The first Three with those of the Entered Apprentices . The Second Three Avith those of the Fellow Craffc . The last Three with those of the Master Masons . " Then followed
' " 'Banner of the Royal Arch , " borne before the "Grand Principal of the Holy Royal x Arch , " and then the several Grand Officers , the Junior G . Warden , preceded by his Pillar , being immediately in front of "The Standard of Ancient Alasons , " flanked by Past Grand Wardens , the Senior Grand Warden , preceded by his Pillar , following . Then other Grand Officers , visitors of distinction , & c , Ac . ; the
Avhole closing with the Grand Master elect , preceded by his banner and Grand Sword Bearer , supported by two Grand Alasters of other Grand Lodges , the Duke of Sussex—who , Avith the Grand Officers attending him , had been previously made "Ancient" Alasons in Grand Alaster ' s Lodge , No . 1 , held for the
purpose in an adjoining room—being one , and followed by Grand Stewards and the Grand T yler . This imposing procession was , according to the order of the day , to approach the Grand Alaster b y the left , each member on passing the throne to make his due reverence , the Grand AIaster elect to make his
reverence opposite the throne , after which all the members standing shall salute him in the First Degree . " The salutes , on the second and third circumambulations , were in tho Second and Third Degrees respectively , after Avhich his Royal Highness was to be " conducted by his supporters up the centre of the Lodge , the Grand Officers being ranged on both sides , to the throne , and then all the other Grand
Officers shall take their respective places . " Then having gone through the ceremonials Avhich cannot be written or printed , "his Royal Highness Avas invested Avith the emblems , apron and gloves of Grand Alaster . " After which ho was installed in t he chair , and " put on his hat , " and the banners having been placed over the throne , and the Holy Bible , & c , laid before him , the Grand Chaplain
proclaimed the installation , after sound of trumpet , in an audible voice , thrice , the brethren saluting after each proclamation , in tlie First Degree , after the first proclamation ; in the Second Degree , after the second ; and in the Third Degree , after the third . Then , in order to constitute his Grand Lodge in ample form , his Royal Highness appointed Bro . Thomas Harper Deputy Grand Master , AVIIO withdrew
and was introduced Avith similar ceremony , and clothed , installed , and saluted . The remainder o £ the proceedings included " an exposition of the antiquity and principles of Ancient Alasonry , with an Exhortation to the Craft on the view which opens of the future prosperity of the Grand Lodge by the Union of all Alasons under the high auspices of the Illustrious Princes of the Houso of Brunswick , "
Avhich Avas delivered b y Bro . James Perry , Past Deputy Grand Alaster ; after Avhich Grand Lodge Avas closed , to meet again in Quarterly Communication at 8 p . m ., the illustrious and other brethren repairing in the interval to another room , where a sumptuous banquet was served , the Grand Alaster being supported by the Duke of Sussex and his Excellency Count La Gardje , Past Grand Alaster of Alasons in Sweden .
In the evening when the regular Quarterl y Communication was held , after the minutes of the Special Grand Lodge of the 8 th November and of the Stewards' Lodge of fche 17 th November had been read and confirmed , and the Granel Officers " for the ensuing year , or until they should be relieved from the duties thereof . " elected , his Royal Highness the Grand AIaster "announced that in consequence
of tho appointment which he had received from the Grand Lodge upon the 1 st of September , in conjunction Avith the Right Worshi pfnl Brother Thos Harper , Deputy Grand Alaster , and tlie H . W . Brothers Perry and Agar , Past Deputy Grand Alasters , they had held several conferences with H . R . Highness the Duke of Sussex , Grand AIaster of the other Fraternity , who was also assisted by three of His Grand
Officers—the R . W . Brother Walter RodAvell Wright , Provincial Grand Alaster of tho Ionian Isles , and Brothers Tegart and Deans , Past Grand Wardens , the happy result of which Avas that Articles of Union between the two Grand Lodges of Alasons in England were signed and sealed in duplicate at Kensington Palace , on the 25 th
November last , " and His Royal Highness laid the same before the Grand Lodge . The announcement of this Great Event was received " with Alasonic acclamations and the said Articles were read , " and thereupon the following resolutions were moved and " carried in ths affirmative unanimously , " namely :
( 1 ) "That the Articles of Union now read be Ratified and Confirmed . ( 2 ) " That the Most Worshipful His Royal . Highness the Grand Alaster be requested and empowered to affix the Great Seal thereto and to exchange tlio same with His Royal Highness the Duko of Sussex as Grand AIaster of tho other Fraternity .
( 3 ) "That brotherly application be made to the Grand Lodges of Scotland and Ireland , enclosing them a copy of tlie above Articles Avhen ratified , and entreating thom to delegate two or more enlightened members of their respective bodies to be present at the