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Article CONTENTS. Page 1 of 1 Article LODGE OF BENEVOLENCE. Page 1 of 1 Article FREEMASONRY IN WILTSHIRE. Page 1 of 1 Article FREEMASONRY IN WILTSHIRE. Page 1 of 1 Article TESTIMONIAL TO THE PROV. GRAND SEC. OF NORTH AND EAST YORKS. Page 1 of 2 Article TESTIMONIAL TO THE PROV. GRAND SEC. OF NORTH AND EAST YORKS. Page 1 of 2 →
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Contents.
CONTENTS .
Lodgeof Benevolence 31 Freemasonry in Wiltshire 31 Testimonial to the Prov . Grand Sec . o £ North and East Yorks 31 Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution 33 Provincial Charities Association for North and East Yorkshire 33 Presentation of an Address to the Grand Master by the Merit Lodge , No . 4 66 , Stamford 33 St . Alban's Cathedral Masonic Restoration Fund 33
The Religion of Masonry 33 Annual Masonic Ball in Liverpool 34 Consecration of the Lord YVarkworth Lodge , No . 1 S 79 34 A Fraud upon Alasonry 34 REPORTS OF MASONIC MEETINGSCraft Masonry 34 Instruction 37 LEADERS 38 Roval Masonic Institution for Girls 38
CORRESPONDENCEOur Boys' School 39 Bro . Broadlcy's " History of Freemasonry in Malta " 39 The Masonic Robbery at Newport 39 Girls' School Festival , 39 Reviews 39 Masonic Notes and Queries 39 Obituary 39
Scotland 39 New Zealand 39 Royal Arch 40 Mark Masonry 40 Amusements 4 ° Literary , Art , and Antiquarian Notes ... * 4 Masonic and General Tidings 41 Lodge Meetings for Next Week 42 Advertisements I .. IL . III .. IV .. V ., VI .
Lodge Of Benevolence.
LODGE OF BENEVOLENCE .
The monthly meeting of the Lodge of Benevolence was held on Wednesday evening , at Freemasons' Hall . Bro . Joshua Nunn , P . G . S . B ., Senior Vice-President , occupied the President's chair ; Bro . S . Rawson , P . D . G . M . for China , took the Senior Vice-President ' s chair ; and Bro . H . Garrod , P . M . 749 , occupied the chair of Junior
Vice-President . There were also present Bros . W . H . Perryman , P . M . 3 ; G . P . Britten , P . M . 1 S 3 ; Charles Dairy , P . M . 141 ; J . D . Collier , P . M . 1366 ; Constable , P . M . 1 S 5 ; George Powell , P . M . and W . M . 142 ; ] . H . Matthews , P . M . 143 ; John O . Carter , P . M . 200 ; Thos . W . C . Bush , I . P . M . 172 S ; Charles Atkins , W . M . 1260 ; Henry J . Moxon ,
P . M . USO ; A . Wing , P . M . 45 ; Henry Turner , W . M . 15 S 9 ; Alfred J . Henochskey , P . M . 1502 ; G . Mc . A . Low , P . M . 1670 ; H . W . Harper , P . M . S 13 ; W . Johnson , P . M . S 65 , 946 ; Henry Briggs , P . M . 320 ; H . W . Ruff , W . M . 95 ; Robert Ward , W . M . 511 ; George Rush , P . M . 1425 ; Henry Shaw , W . M . S 34 ; and H . Massey , P . M . 619 ( Freemason ) . Bros . H . Buss , Asst . G . Sec ;
A . A . Pendlebury , W . Dodd , and H . Sadler , G . T ., also attended . The brethren first confirmed grants to the amount of £ 59 ° recommended at last meeting of the Lodge of Benevolence . There were twenty-eight new cases on the list . Eight of these were deferred on account of being incomplete , and one vvas dismissed . The remaining nineteen
were relieved with a total sum of £ 520 . This vvas composed of one recommendation to Grand Lodge for £ 100 ( £ 100 ); one of £ 75 ( £ 75 ); and one of £ 50 ( £ 50 ) . One recommendation to the Grand Master for £ 40 C £ 4 ° ) ' two of £ 30 each ( £ * 5 o ); one of £ 25 ( £ 25 ); four of £ 20 ( £ So ); two of £ 15 ( £ 30 ); and six grants of £ 10 each ( £ 60 ) . The lodge vvas then closed .
Freemasonry In Wiltshire.
FREEMASONRY IN WILTSHIRE .
By Bro . W . J . HUGHAN . Bro . Frederick Hastings Goldney ( P . G . S . ) , P . Prov . S . G . W ., & c , has written an interesting sketch ot the progress of the Craft in Wiltshire from early days , and , considering the few materials at his command , he has done wonderfully well . The work makes a handsome volume of
some 200 pages , is printed privately and for presentation only . The MS . vvas presented by the author to the Prov . Grand Lodge on the celebration of the twenty-five years ' genial rule of the Right Hon . Lord Methuen as Prov . G . M . " The records in the county are few and scattered before the time that his lordship undertook the government of the province , " and hence the work is declared to be " far from
perfect . " As , however , the compilation of facts has been the chief aim of the author , these are of value for all time , and contain quite a " mine of wealth , " rich in suggestions , for all students of the province . Bro . Thomas Dunckerley appears to have been the first Prov . G . M ., 1772-7 . From the work , we arc not sure which date is intended , 1777 being noted at p . 3 , and 1772 at p . 56 .
The first lodge warranted b y the Grand Lodge of England in Wiltshire was for 109 , Salisbury , according to Pine s engraved list of 1734 , and of date December 27 th , 1732 . There vvas , however , a meeting as early as January of the same year , and one on the nth December speaks of a dispensation " under seal of the Right Hon . Lord Montague , present Grand Master . " It looks much as if Masons had
assembled in that city prior to any authority being granted them from London , for , even in the first month of the year , the D . G . M . had money paid him by the lodge for " charity , " and evidently officers were then acting without any dispensation whatever . The bye-laws , after constitution , were agreed to on same date as the warrant . The numbers held by the lodge have been as follows : 109 , 97 , 5 C , 47 , 37 , and 34 . The latter number was granted or arranged in 1792 . The lodge was
Freemasonry In Wiltshire.
erased in 1 S 01 , according to the "Freemasons' Calendar , " for not obeying the orders of the Grand Lodge . The fact is the members objected to pay aught additional towards the cost of the Freemasons' Hall , and finally succumbed in consequence , after a spasmodic attempt to start a rival Grand Lodge . It is a singular fact that the lodge vvas transferred to London for a short time , it being held at the *
Lamb , Katherine-street , as No . 97 , in 1740 . For this peculiar item we are indebted to Bro . Gould ' s "Four Old Lodges and their Descendants . " It vvas soon back again to the City of Salisbury , however . Bro . Goldney does not seem to be aware of this , but mentions an old minute book utilised by the " Sarum Lodge , " Salisbury , which was previously used by a London lodge .
Bro . Goldney says " it has not been ascertained what the Turk ' s Head Lodge had to do with Salisbury , " but we find that where the entries in the minute book and ledger of the Turk's Head Lodge leave off , those of the Salisbury Lodge commence . A likely solution is the following : The "Turk's Head" Lodge , warranted December 12 th , 173 2 , joined No . 3 S in 1742 , the latter now being the " Old King ' s
Arms , " No . 2 S , A . D . 1725 . Evidently the minute book was neglected , and the " Sarum " Lodge being then in London , the members got hold , somehow , of it , and took it back with them to Salisbury . Many Londoners were partial to meeting in country lodges then as now . Many of the extracts from the old records furnished by Bro . Goldney are full of interest , but time warns me against trying to
reproduce any in this short article . It is singular that the "Ancients" or "Atholl " Masons were not at all popular in Wiltshire . Only one lodge hailing from that body is mentioned in the work , and I cannot find any others mentioned in any of the registers , or in the Atholl Lodges by Bro . Gould , S . G . D ., but this
270 , Devizes , of 14 th March , 1792 , diedout before the alterations in numbers of 1 S 32 as 341 . The province now only contains one pre-union lodge , viz ., 335 , Lodge of Rectitude , Corsham , originally issued for Westbury . The warrant is of a startling character , and on the first glance would appear to favour the idea that the lodge dated back to 1724 , but such is not the case .
What I take to be the clue to this strange warrant is to be found in a note to the "Freemasons' Calendar" for 17 S 2 , viz ., the constitutions ., ot the following lodges were declared to be forfeited , & c , and the G . M . vvas authorised to assign the warrants tootherbrethren , with numbers subsequent to the last on the list of lodges . Then follows a roll of 24 lodges , the first being No . 16 , Norwich .
In the new warrant of 1 S 12 for Westbury , all the numbers of this old lodge are given , and the warrant thereof is said to be assigned to the members of C 32 ! The fact is , it vvas really nothing but a new warrant , only the long recital about Norwich Lodge of 1724 vvas inserted to make it appear as the reissue of the old warrant ; owing to ils being
considered that the ' act of parliament prohibited ( or did not provide for ) the issue of « " * it warrants . Its numbers have been C 32 , 6 39 , 420 . and 335 . I find from Bro . Gould ' s " Four Old Lodges and their Descendants" and my "Masonic Register" that the following have been in Wiltshire " working " and warranted before the " Union " of December , 1 S 13 : —
„ Last . Warranted Numeration . 1792 No . 34 , Sarum , Salisbury 1732 1770 No . 294 , , Milksham ... 1 7 G 5 1770 No . 395 , , Warminster ... 1770 No . 357 , Science , Salisbury 17 S 2 1792 No . 432 , Wiltshire , Devizes 17 SS 1 S 14 No . 594 , Unity and Friendship ,
Bradford ... 1794 1 S 32 No . 410 , Temperance and Morality , Lavington 1 S 09 The only existing one—Union Lodge—is , as I have said , No . 335 , Lodge of Rectitude , Corsham , warranted in the year 1 S 12 . It seems a pity that the old lodge at Salisbury vvas allowed to collapse , especially as there was really no need
for its closing , the membership being vigorous , only , alas far from Masonic ! They refused to aid the Grand Lodge in its financial difficulties , and rather than do aught , they preferred to entirely cease as a lodge . I hope that the few additional particulars gleaned from various sources will be of interest to the Province of Wilts , and especially to the author of thc work noticed herein .
Testimonial To The Prov. Grand Sec. Of North And East Yorks.
TESTIMONIAL TO THE PROV . GRAND SEC . OF NORTH AND EAST YORKS .
There was an influential gathering of Masons at York , on Monday afternoon last , on the occasion of the presentation of a testimonial to Bro . M . C . Peck , who , for fourteen years , has performed the honorary duties of Prov . Grand
Secretary for the Province of North anel hast Yorkshire . It was at the time of the last communication of the Prov . Granel Chapter in May , 1 SS 0 , that the subject of a testimonial to Bro . Peck was broached , and at that time a committee was formed , with Bro . Dr . Bell , D . P . G . M ., as Chairman , and Bro . T . Thompson , P . M ., of Hull , as
Secretary , to carry out the idea . Subscription lists were opened , and contributions came in from the various lodges of the province , with the result that a very handsome sum was raised . At thc meeting of the Prov . Grand Lodge at Scarbro' in the autumn , it was arranged that the presentation should be made at York , as the most central place , in January , and accordingly arrangements were made ; the use of the Masonic Hall was granted by the W . M . of the
Testimonial To The Prov. Grand Sec. Of North And East Yorks.
York Lodge , and the Prov . Grand Master consented to present the testimonial . All subscribers to the fund received invitations to be present , and there vvas a good gathering , which would have been much larger but for the inclement nature of the weather . The brethren appeared in full Masonic clothing ; the testimonial , consisting of a large and massive silver salver and a tea and coffee service , being laid out upon a table in the centre of the hall .
The Earl of ZETLAND , Prov . Grand Master , took the chair , and , at the request of the Deputy Prov . Grand Master , Bro . Dr . Bell , proceeded to make the presentation . He said it gave him great pleasure to see before him so influential an assemblage of brethren , and he Jvvas sure that but for the severe weather many more would have been present . Bro . Peck had been well known [ amongst them
for many years . For a period of over twenty-two years he had been a Mason , and during most of that time he had acted as Secretary to the Minerva , his mother lodge . He had also been instrumental in founding more than one ledge in the province , and during the fifteen years he had served as Provincial Grand Secretary , he had devoted his best energies to the intereste of Freemasonry in the province .
He ( Lord Zetland ) could say that during the seven years he had been honoured by holding the high office of Provincial Grand Master he could not have wished for better support than he had received from the brethren , and from Bro . Peck in particular as Provincial Grand Secretary . He had always experienced at his hands the utmost courtesy and kindness . He would proceed to
read to them the inscription upon the salver , which was as follows : " Presented , together with a tea and coffee service and other articles of silver , b y the Freemasons of the North and East Ridings of Y'orkshire , to Michael Charles Peck , junior , Esq ., P . M . and P . Z . Nos . 250 , 1040 , 1 5 , & c , as a mark of their high personal esteem and regard , and in recognition of the great ability , zeal , and courtesy with
which he has for a period of fifteen years performed the honorary duties of Provincial Grand Secretary . January , 1 SS 1 . " His lordship went on to say that he was sure he vvas only the mouthpiece of the province vvhen he expressed a hope that Bro . Peck might live and prosper for many years to come to enjoy the remembrance of the esteem of his brethren .
Bro . Dr . BELL ( D . P . G . M . ) said he might add to what had fallen from his lordship , that the Committee had expended a small balance of the funds at [ tlieir disposal in the purchase of a gold bracelet , set with diamonds and sapphires , which they desired Bro . Peck to convey to Mrs . Peck as a testimony of the respect in which her husband was held by his brethren .
Bro . PECK , in responding , said that there were some periods in the life of every man vvhen he felt embarrassed and at a loss for words , and this , in his case , was one of them . He could only express in feeble sentences the deep honour and gratification he felt in this mark of their confidence , and in the unanimous response of the brethren to the suggestion of the D . P . G . M . They had been pleased thus
to express approval of his services . He could onl y say that in his entry into Freemasonry he had made up his mind to make a study of the Royal Art , and to devote his spare time to its interests . Bro . Peck then gave a sketch of his career in Blue Masonry , from the time of his initiation to that when he succeeded Bro . Bell as Provincial Grand Secretary , fourteen years ago . He could assure them that the testimonial was most unlocked for . Some
brethren might think he had not visited the lodges as much as he might have done , but if this were so , it was due to the pressing emergencies of his own business . He vvas deeply sensible of the uniform consideration shown towards his imperfections by the brethren , and trusted the G . A . would spare them all for-many a year to meet their illustrious chief at their annual assemblies . On behalf of himself and Mrs . Peck he tendered his warmest thanks .
Bro . Dr . BELL , in moving a vote of thanks to the Prov . G . Master for presiding , said his lordship must have a Masonic heart above blood heat to have induced him to travel so tedious a journey to be present on the occasion with the thermometer at zero .
Bro . Sir J . MEEK seconded the vote of thanks , which was carried by acclamation . Bro . Lord ZETLAND , in acknowledging the same , said it vvas never a toil , but always a jileasure , to him to coma amongst brethren who were ever so kind and courteous towards himself . He always was glad to meet tlieir wishes in every possible way .
Bro . J . VV . WOODALL proposed , and Bro . Dr . BELL seconded , a vote of thanks to Bro . T . Thomson , the Secretary of the fund . Bro . Dr . BELL proposed , and Bro . CUMBERLAND seconded , a vote of thanks to the W . M . and brethren of the York Lodge , for the use of their hall , which was responded to by Bro . J . TODD , vvho apologised for the
absence of the W . M ., vvho was detained b y business . This closed the business of the meeting . A collation vvas afterwards held at the Station Hotel , at whicii about twenty-five brethren met together . In responding to the toast of his health , Bro . Dr . BELL , who presided , said he regretted to have observed in one of the Masonic papers , in a sketch of Masonry in Bath , an
attempt to take from York the glory of being the first and original Grand Lodge of England . By a quibble of words it was sought to prove that London was the first Grand Lodge . He maintained that York vvas the first Grand Lodge , and if it did not bear that title , still it was de facto the Grand Lodge , forit exercised the functionsof the Grand Lodge , being the annual place of assembly of all the Masons' lodges in England , where the ' constitutions were
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Contents.
CONTENTS .
Lodgeof Benevolence 31 Freemasonry in Wiltshire 31 Testimonial to the Prov . Grand Sec . o £ North and East Yorks 31 Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution 33 Provincial Charities Association for North and East Yorkshire 33 Presentation of an Address to the Grand Master by the Merit Lodge , No . 4 66 , Stamford 33 St . Alban's Cathedral Masonic Restoration Fund 33
The Religion of Masonry 33 Annual Masonic Ball in Liverpool 34 Consecration of the Lord YVarkworth Lodge , No . 1 S 79 34 A Fraud upon Alasonry 34 REPORTS OF MASONIC MEETINGSCraft Masonry 34 Instruction 37 LEADERS 38 Roval Masonic Institution for Girls 38
CORRESPONDENCEOur Boys' School 39 Bro . Broadlcy's " History of Freemasonry in Malta " 39 The Masonic Robbery at Newport 39 Girls' School Festival , 39 Reviews 39 Masonic Notes and Queries 39 Obituary 39
Scotland 39 New Zealand 39 Royal Arch 40 Mark Masonry 40 Amusements 4 ° Literary , Art , and Antiquarian Notes ... * 4 Masonic and General Tidings 41 Lodge Meetings for Next Week 42 Advertisements I .. IL . III .. IV .. V ., VI .
Lodge Of Benevolence.
LODGE OF BENEVOLENCE .
The monthly meeting of the Lodge of Benevolence was held on Wednesday evening , at Freemasons' Hall . Bro . Joshua Nunn , P . G . S . B ., Senior Vice-President , occupied the President's chair ; Bro . S . Rawson , P . D . G . M . for China , took the Senior Vice-President ' s chair ; and Bro . H . Garrod , P . M . 749 , occupied the chair of Junior
Vice-President . There were also present Bros . W . H . Perryman , P . M . 3 ; G . P . Britten , P . M . 1 S 3 ; Charles Dairy , P . M . 141 ; J . D . Collier , P . M . 1366 ; Constable , P . M . 1 S 5 ; George Powell , P . M . and W . M . 142 ; ] . H . Matthews , P . M . 143 ; John O . Carter , P . M . 200 ; Thos . W . C . Bush , I . P . M . 172 S ; Charles Atkins , W . M . 1260 ; Henry J . Moxon ,
P . M . USO ; A . Wing , P . M . 45 ; Henry Turner , W . M . 15 S 9 ; Alfred J . Henochskey , P . M . 1502 ; G . Mc . A . Low , P . M . 1670 ; H . W . Harper , P . M . S 13 ; W . Johnson , P . M . S 65 , 946 ; Henry Briggs , P . M . 320 ; H . W . Ruff , W . M . 95 ; Robert Ward , W . M . 511 ; George Rush , P . M . 1425 ; Henry Shaw , W . M . S 34 ; and H . Massey , P . M . 619 ( Freemason ) . Bros . H . Buss , Asst . G . Sec ;
A . A . Pendlebury , W . Dodd , and H . Sadler , G . T ., also attended . The brethren first confirmed grants to the amount of £ 59 ° recommended at last meeting of the Lodge of Benevolence . There were twenty-eight new cases on the list . Eight of these were deferred on account of being incomplete , and one vvas dismissed . The remaining nineteen
were relieved with a total sum of £ 520 . This vvas composed of one recommendation to Grand Lodge for £ 100 ( £ 100 ); one of £ 75 ( £ 75 ); and one of £ 50 ( £ 50 ) . One recommendation to the Grand Master for £ 40 C £ 4 ° ) ' two of £ 30 each ( £ * 5 o ); one of £ 25 ( £ 25 ); four of £ 20 ( £ So ); two of £ 15 ( £ 30 ); and six grants of £ 10 each ( £ 60 ) . The lodge vvas then closed .
Freemasonry In Wiltshire.
FREEMASONRY IN WILTSHIRE .
By Bro . W . J . HUGHAN . Bro . Frederick Hastings Goldney ( P . G . S . ) , P . Prov . S . G . W ., & c , has written an interesting sketch ot the progress of the Craft in Wiltshire from early days , and , considering the few materials at his command , he has done wonderfully well . The work makes a handsome volume of
some 200 pages , is printed privately and for presentation only . The MS . vvas presented by the author to the Prov . Grand Lodge on the celebration of the twenty-five years ' genial rule of the Right Hon . Lord Methuen as Prov . G . M . " The records in the county are few and scattered before the time that his lordship undertook the government of the province , " and hence the work is declared to be " far from
perfect . " As , however , the compilation of facts has been the chief aim of the author , these are of value for all time , and contain quite a " mine of wealth , " rich in suggestions , for all students of the province . Bro . Thomas Dunckerley appears to have been the first Prov . G . M ., 1772-7 . From the work , we arc not sure which date is intended , 1777 being noted at p . 3 , and 1772 at p . 56 .
The first lodge warranted b y the Grand Lodge of England in Wiltshire was for 109 , Salisbury , according to Pine s engraved list of 1734 , and of date December 27 th , 1732 . There vvas , however , a meeting as early as January of the same year , and one on the nth December speaks of a dispensation " under seal of the Right Hon . Lord Montague , present Grand Master . " It looks much as if Masons had
assembled in that city prior to any authority being granted them from London , for , even in the first month of the year , the D . G . M . had money paid him by the lodge for " charity , " and evidently officers were then acting without any dispensation whatever . The bye-laws , after constitution , were agreed to on same date as the warrant . The numbers held by the lodge have been as follows : 109 , 97 , 5 C , 47 , 37 , and 34 . The latter number was granted or arranged in 1792 . The lodge was
Freemasonry In Wiltshire.
erased in 1 S 01 , according to the "Freemasons' Calendar , " for not obeying the orders of the Grand Lodge . The fact is the members objected to pay aught additional towards the cost of the Freemasons' Hall , and finally succumbed in consequence , after a spasmodic attempt to start a rival Grand Lodge . It is a singular fact that the lodge vvas transferred to London for a short time , it being held at the *
Lamb , Katherine-street , as No . 97 , in 1740 . For this peculiar item we are indebted to Bro . Gould ' s "Four Old Lodges and their Descendants . " It vvas soon back again to the City of Salisbury , however . Bro . Goldney does not seem to be aware of this , but mentions an old minute book utilised by the " Sarum Lodge , " Salisbury , which was previously used by a London lodge .
Bro . Goldney says " it has not been ascertained what the Turk ' s Head Lodge had to do with Salisbury , " but we find that where the entries in the minute book and ledger of the Turk's Head Lodge leave off , those of the Salisbury Lodge commence . A likely solution is the following : The "Turk's Head" Lodge , warranted December 12 th , 173 2 , joined No . 3 S in 1742 , the latter now being the " Old King ' s
Arms , " No . 2 S , A . D . 1725 . Evidently the minute book was neglected , and the " Sarum " Lodge being then in London , the members got hold , somehow , of it , and took it back with them to Salisbury . Many Londoners were partial to meeting in country lodges then as now . Many of the extracts from the old records furnished by Bro . Goldney are full of interest , but time warns me against trying to
reproduce any in this short article . It is singular that the "Ancients" or "Atholl " Masons were not at all popular in Wiltshire . Only one lodge hailing from that body is mentioned in the work , and I cannot find any others mentioned in any of the registers , or in the Atholl Lodges by Bro . Gould , S . G . D ., but this
270 , Devizes , of 14 th March , 1792 , diedout before the alterations in numbers of 1 S 32 as 341 . The province now only contains one pre-union lodge , viz ., 335 , Lodge of Rectitude , Corsham , originally issued for Westbury . The warrant is of a startling character , and on the first glance would appear to favour the idea that the lodge dated back to 1724 , but such is not the case .
What I take to be the clue to this strange warrant is to be found in a note to the "Freemasons' Calendar" for 17 S 2 , viz ., the constitutions ., ot the following lodges were declared to be forfeited , & c , and the G . M . vvas authorised to assign the warrants tootherbrethren , with numbers subsequent to the last on the list of lodges . Then follows a roll of 24 lodges , the first being No . 16 , Norwich .
In the new warrant of 1 S 12 for Westbury , all the numbers of this old lodge are given , and the warrant thereof is said to be assigned to the members of C 32 ! The fact is , it vvas really nothing but a new warrant , only the long recital about Norwich Lodge of 1724 vvas inserted to make it appear as the reissue of the old warrant ; owing to ils being
considered that the ' act of parliament prohibited ( or did not provide for ) the issue of « " * it warrants . Its numbers have been C 32 , 6 39 , 420 . and 335 . I find from Bro . Gould ' s " Four Old Lodges and their Descendants" and my "Masonic Register" that the following have been in Wiltshire " working " and warranted before the " Union " of December , 1 S 13 : —
„ Last . Warranted Numeration . 1792 No . 34 , Sarum , Salisbury 1732 1770 No . 294 , , Milksham ... 1 7 G 5 1770 No . 395 , , Warminster ... 1770 No . 357 , Science , Salisbury 17 S 2 1792 No . 432 , Wiltshire , Devizes 17 SS 1 S 14 No . 594 , Unity and Friendship ,
Bradford ... 1794 1 S 32 No . 410 , Temperance and Morality , Lavington 1 S 09 The only existing one—Union Lodge—is , as I have said , No . 335 , Lodge of Rectitude , Corsham , warranted in the year 1 S 12 . It seems a pity that the old lodge at Salisbury vvas allowed to collapse , especially as there was really no need
for its closing , the membership being vigorous , only , alas far from Masonic ! They refused to aid the Grand Lodge in its financial difficulties , and rather than do aught , they preferred to entirely cease as a lodge . I hope that the few additional particulars gleaned from various sources will be of interest to the Province of Wilts , and especially to the author of thc work noticed herein .
Testimonial To The Prov. Grand Sec. Of North And East Yorks.
TESTIMONIAL TO THE PROV . GRAND SEC . OF NORTH AND EAST YORKS .
There was an influential gathering of Masons at York , on Monday afternoon last , on the occasion of the presentation of a testimonial to Bro . M . C . Peck , who , for fourteen years , has performed the honorary duties of Prov . Grand
Secretary for the Province of North anel hast Yorkshire . It was at the time of the last communication of the Prov . Granel Chapter in May , 1 SS 0 , that the subject of a testimonial to Bro . Peck was broached , and at that time a committee was formed , with Bro . Dr . Bell , D . P . G . M ., as Chairman , and Bro . T . Thompson , P . M ., of Hull , as
Secretary , to carry out the idea . Subscription lists were opened , and contributions came in from the various lodges of the province , with the result that a very handsome sum was raised . At thc meeting of the Prov . Grand Lodge at Scarbro' in the autumn , it was arranged that the presentation should be made at York , as the most central place , in January , and accordingly arrangements were made ; the use of the Masonic Hall was granted by the W . M . of the
Testimonial To The Prov. Grand Sec. Of North And East Yorks.
York Lodge , and the Prov . Grand Master consented to present the testimonial . All subscribers to the fund received invitations to be present , and there vvas a good gathering , which would have been much larger but for the inclement nature of the weather . The brethren appeared in full Masonic clothing ; the testimonial , consisting of a large and massive silver salver and a tea and coffee service , being laid out upon a table in the centre of the hall .
The Earl of ZETLAND , Prov . Grand Master , took the chair , and , at the request of the Deputy Prov . Grand Master , Bro . Dr . Bell , proceeded to make the presentation . He said it gave him great pleasure to see before him so influential an assemblage of brethren , and he Jvvas sure that but for the severe weather many more would have been present . Bro . Peck had been well known [ amongst them
for many years . For a period of over twenty-two years he had been a Mason , and during most of that time he had acted as Secretary to the Minerva , his mother lodge . He had also been instrumental in founding more than one ledge in the province , and during the fifteen years he had served as Provincial Grand Secretary , he had devoted his best energies to the intereste of Freemasonry in the province .
He ( Lord Zetland ) could say that during the seven years he had been honoured by holding the high office of Provincial Grand Master he could not have wished for better support than he had received from the brethren , and from Bro . Peck in particular as Provincial Grand Secretary . He had always experienced at his hands the utmost courtesy and kindness . He would proceed to
read to them the inscription upon the salver , which was as follows : " Presented , together with a tea and coffee service and other articles of silver , b y the Freemasons of the North and East Ridings of Y'orkshire , to Michael Charles Peck , junior , Esq ., P . M . and P . Z . Nos . 250 , 1040 , 1 5 , & c , as a mark of their high personal esteem and regard , and in recognition of the great ability , zeal , and courtesy with
which he has for a period of fifteen years performed the honorary duties of Provincial Grand Secretary . January , 1 SS 1 . " His lordship went on to say that he was sure he vvas only the mouthpiece of the province vvhen he expressed a hope that Bro . Peck might live and prosper for many years to come to enjoy the remembrance of the esteem of his brethren .
Bro . Dr . BELL ( D . P . G . M . ) said he might add to what had fallen from his lordship , that the Committee had expended a small balance of the funds at [ tlieir disposal in the purchase of a gold bracelet , set with diamonds and sapphires , which they desired Bro . Peck to convey to Mrs . Peck as a testimony of the respect in which her husband was held by his brethren .
Bro . PECK , in responding , said that there were some periods in the life of every man vvhen he felt embarrassed and at a loss for words , and this , in his case , was one of them . He could only express in feeble sentences the deep honour and gratification he felt in this mark of their confidence , and in the unanimous response of the brethren to the suggestion of the D . P . G . M . They had been pleased thus
to express approval of his services . He could onl y say that in his entry into Freemasonry he had made up his mind to make a study of the Royal Art , and to devote his spare time to its interests . Bro . Peck then gave a sketch of his career in Blue Masonry , from the time of his initiation to that when he succeeded Bro . Bell as Provincial Grand Secretary , fourteen years ago . He could assure them that the testimonial was most unlocked for . Some
brethren might think he had not visited the lodges as much as he might have done , but if this were so , it was due to the pressing emergencies of his own business . He vvas deeply sensible of the uniform consideration shown towards his imperfections by the brethren , and trusted the G . A . would spare them all for-many a year to meet their illustrious chief at their annual assemblies . On behalf of himself and Mrs . Peck he tendered his warmest thanks .
Bro . Dr . BELL , in moving a vote of thanks to the Prov . G . Master for presiding , said his lordship must have a Masonic heart above blood heat to have induced him to travel so tedious a journey to be present on the occasion with the thermometer at zero .
Bro . Sir J . MEEK seconded the vote of thanks , which was carried by acclamation . Bro . Lord ZETLAND , in acknowledging the same , said it vvas never a toil , but always a jileasure , to him to coma amongst brethren who were ever so kind and courteous towards himself . He always was glad to meet tlieir wishes in every possible way .
Bro . J . VV . WOODALL proposed , and Bro . Dr . BELL seconded , a vote of thanks to Bro . T . Thomson , the Secretary of the fund . Bro . Dr . BELL proposed , and Bro . CUMBERLAND seconded , a vote of thanks to the W . M . and brethren of the York Lodge , for the use of their hall , which was responded to by Bro . J . TODD , vvho apologised for the
absence of the W . M ., vvho was detained b y business . This closed the business of the meeting . A collation vvas afterwards held at the Station Hotel , at whicii about twenty-five brethren met together . In responding to the toast of his health , Bro . Dr . BELL , who presided , said he regretted to have observed in one of the Masonic papers , in a sketch of Masonry in Bath , an
attempt to take from York the glory of being the first and original Grand Lodge of England . By a quibble of words it was sought to prove that London was the first Grand Lodge . He maintained that York vvas the first Grand Lodge , and if it did not bear that title , still it was de facto the Grand Lodge , forit exercised the functionsof the Grand Lodge , being the annual place of assembly of all the Masons' lodges in England , where the ' constitutions were