Reminiscences Of Worcestershire Freemasonry.

The First Master of the Worcester Lodge was Bro . Richard Harris , who is thought to have been one of two brothers practising as solicitors at Stourbridge . The second Master was Bro . Moses Leviston , whose place of residence is not stated . The third was Bro . Richard Mugg

Mence , of Worcester ; and the fourth , Bro . Richard Moseley . From some cause or other the lodge appears to have been dormant from 1793 until May , 1797 , when the Rev . Bro . Thomas Heynes , who was its Chaplain at its consecration , was elected to the responsible office of

Master , and from that time to the present the lodge has progressed in numbers and in importance . The roll of Masters has been continued uninterruptedly since then until the present time , except the year 1835 , when the lodge does not appear to have been attended by its master ,

although the election of W . Bro . J ohn Brooke Hyde is recounted . The number of the Worcester Lodge appears originally to have been 574 . At the closing up of the Registry of lodges in 1792 the number

became 483 , and at the union of the two Grand Lodges in 1813 it became 526 . At the next revision , however , in 1832 it stood at 349 , and in 186 3 the lodge assumed its present number , 280 .

The book , whose principal contents we are now indicating , contains a roll of installed Masters and members of the lodge , from which we find that Bro . Wm . Thompson was elected Master fourteen times ; Bro . J . Severn Ballard , six ;

Bro . Henry Deighton ( who , by the way , was connected with the Worcester Journal ) and Bro . J . B . Hyde , four times ; Bro . John Allen , three times ; and Bros . Charles Bedford , Alfred C . Hooper , and R . P . Hill , twice . Having referred to the rulers of the Craft in the Province of

Worcester , we may next mention those brethren who have been so appreciated above their fellows as to be complimented by the painting of their portraits , which , having been placed upon the walls of the lodge , form an interesting and effective collection that is honourable alike to those

whom they represent and to the members of the lodge who have so fittingly recognised their merits . The gentlemen distinguished by the painting of their portraits are : Bro . W . Thompson , who appears in the white collar worn before the union of the two Grand Lodges : Bro . J . S .

Ballard , Bro . John B . Hyde , Bro . C . Bedford , and Bro . Joseph Bennett , all of whom were P . M . ' s ; and Bro . Samuel Swan , Secretary of the Worcester Lodge . Since Bro . Griffiths wrote the book in which these portraits are mentioned one other painting has been added , that of the

portrait of the author , Bro . Griffiths himself , whose admirable " counterfeit presentment" in the garb of a P . Z . of the Royal Arch Chapter of St . Wulstan was presented to the chapter a few days ago . It is noteworthy that prior to the union white aprons and collars were worn , but at that

time the Grand Lodge of England sent forth an edict that sky-blue should henceforth distinguish the members of the craft . It may be incidentally stated that information is supplied concerning the Lodge Mercy and Truth , 703 , which in May , 1818 , was opened at Evesham , Bro . Dr . Wm .

Farr being its first Master . Shortlived , however , this lodge would seem to have been , as its final meeting was held on Nov . 9 th , 1831 , W . Bro . Wm . Law Phelps being its last Master . This information is acknowledged by Bro . Griffiths as having been supplied to him by Bro . B .

Workman , who appears to have held rule for some years in the lodge , and in whose custody , it is stated , the records of the lodge remain . The Worcester Lodge , which had hitherto been held for the most part at the Reindeer Hotel , althought it enjoyed a short sojourn at the Star

Hotel , was , on June 24 th , 1842 , transferred to the Bell Hotel , when we are told " twenty-six members and four visiting brethren , after the transaction of the business of the lodge and the proposition of two candidates , partook of the

cup of cheerfulness and the bread of plenty . " Bro . Griffiths further remarks : "From this date Freemasonry becomes increasingly popular , large numbers attend the W . Master's summons , and ( without desiring to detract from the merits of those who ruled before ) it would appear that

Reminiscences Of Worcestershire Freemasonry.

the management of the lodge and the conduct of the ceremonial were more in accordance with our present knowledge and appreciation of Freemasonry . " In 1846 was given the first Masonic ball during the presidency of W . Bro . Robert

Rising , of which it has been said " that it was one of the most brilliant and joyous assemblages that ever graced the fine old rooms of our city guild , " and which has been followed by others that have been characterised by a like magnificence .

We observe that on June 30 th , 18 53 , a proposition emanated from Bro . Lechmere , now Bro . Sir . E . A . H . Lechmere , who at the time was W . M . of Semper Fidelis Lodge , intimating his desire that a committee of the "Worcester Lodge should be appointed to confer with a

committee of that lodge relative to the subject of building rooms for the common use of both lodges . What became of this resolution ? We find , on referring to Bro . Griffiths' reminiscences , with a view to ascertain what followed , that a committee was formed , but nothing beyond this seems to have been done . It is obviously to be

regretted that a resolution embodying so much advantage to the Craft should have been lost sight of ; and , seeing the prominence and extent of Freemasonry in Worcester , it will be most undesirable if the proposal made by Sir E . A . H . Lechmere , in which , as we have said , the best interests of the Order are concerned , be not carried to fruition .

ROYAL ARCH CHAPTER . Bro . Griffiths enables us to ascertain , from a perusal of his book , that this chapter was established in May , 1808 , owing to the persevering exertions of W . Bro . John Allen . Of the chapter very little is known , except what may be derived

from a minute occurring in the Worcester Lodge , which records a payment of ^ 23 to Bro . J ohn Dent , balance of account which he paid to the widow Allen in 1819 for a regalia for Royal Arch Chapter . We are told by Mr . Griffiths" Beyond the information contained in the foregoing

minute , nothing was heard of the first Royal Arch Chapter or the Regalia for which this sum was voted , until a few years ago , when it was the writer ' s privilege to rescue the remains from the auctioneer ' s hammer , and restore to the members of the present Chapter that which , although

sadly depreciated by the ravages of time , is still highly interesting as illustrating the working of the degree , its vestments , jewels , & c , and is worthy of preservation as specimens of the past . " Of its successor , the Royal Arch Chapter of St Wulstan , established in 18 44 , a complete

account is furnished in its records . The charter bears date Xbv . 6 th of that year , and its consecration took place twelve days later . Its first three Principals were Bros . Joseph Bennett , James Knight , and Robert Rising . The chapter progressed for a few years , when , for want of

members having the due qualifications for the principal chairs , the chapter ceased to meet on January 30 th , 1850 . For some time the chapter ceased to hold its regular meetings , and it is curious to observe that the chapter suffered from early depression in like manner as did the lodge whence it sprang . In February , 1858 , however ,

the chapter again rallied , and , to use the language of Bro . Griffiths , " the temporary cloud removed , the chapter has since progressed in numbers and importance , nearly one hundred and twenty companions having been enrolled , while at the present time there is is a list of sixtythree subscribing members ,. "

In addition to the divisions already noted , Bro . Griffiths concludes his book with that which , though last , is by no means least important : a complete roll of the members of the Worcester Lodge from its commencement , with the date of admission , passing , raising , retirement , and , in

many instances , the date of death of its members—most valuable as a work of reference , involving an immense amount of labour to collect and arrange . This roll contains the names of many inhabitants of the city and county—men of mark , not only in the Masonic world , but whose

influence has been felt and appreciated whether in their private or public duties . Having now cursorily traced the history of the Provincial Grand Lodge of Worcester , the Worcester Lodge , and the Royal Arch Chapter and the Chapter of St . Wulstan . we feel con-

Reminiscences Of Worcestershire Freemasonry.

strained again to acknowledge the devotion to Freemasonry , and the literary intrepidity displayed by Mr . Griffiths , in having , by dint of great ingenuity and persistent industry unravelled and clearly presented a history , the facts of

which were unknown , or obscured by the loose manner in which records were kept in byegone days . Bro . Griffiths will , at any rate , receive the thanks of every brother who may be privileged with a perusal of his interesting and valuable book .

THE Annual distribution of Prizes and Summer Fete of the Royal Masonic Institution for Boys will take place at the Institution , Wood-green , on Friday , the 8 th July next , under the presidency of R . W . Col . F . Burdett , Prov . G . M . Middlesex . Further particulars in our next .

WE understand that the 111 . Bro . Ernest Frolich , Chevalier de l'Ordre de Wasa , has been again entrusted with a Masonic mission to this country by H . M . the King of Sweden ; and that one of the first results of his negociations is that Capt . N . G .

Phillips , Grand Treasurer-General , and other members of the Supreme Grand Council 33 , are about to proceed to Stockholm on a visit to King Charles John , by whom they will be lodged and entertained in the Royal Palace during their stay in the Swedish capital .

Reviews.

Reviews .

——Directory for the Provincial Grand Lodge of Cornwall . Edited by Brother W . J . HUGHAN , Prov . G . Sec .

We have received a copy of this excellent hand-book of the Craft in Cornwall , and are very much pleased with the arrangement and classification of its contents .

Bro . Hughan gives , first of all , a list of the twenty-four lodges in the province , with the time and places of meeting , and also the year when each was constituted . The extension of the Order is manifested at

once by this plan , and in thepresent instance we find that no less than eleven lodges , or nearly one-half , have come into existence since 1861 . A list of the officers of the Provincial Grand Lodge , and of every

member thereof in the various lodges , is also given , the number of members in each lodge being also stated , the total being about 840 . We congratulate Bro . Hughan upon having produced so useful a directory for the Cornish brethren .

Annual Report of tJte Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution . From the report of the Committee of Management , we learn that there are now no less than 169 annuitants receiving the

benefits of this valuable institution , besides seven widows receiving half their late husbands' annuities . The subjoined statement of accounts exhibit clearly the position of the various funds , and the good work that is being effected by the friends of the cause :

MALE FUND . Receipts . Balance 31 st March , 1869 . . . 1409 4 3 Donation from Grand Lodge . 500 00 ,, from Grand Chapter 100 o o

Donations from Lodges , Chapters , and Individuals . 1481 8 4 Annual subscriptions . 791 9 o Moiety of Legacy ") of late Bro . Geo . I

Leach , Past J-45 O o Grand Deacon , 1 less duty J Interest . 1 14 5 46 14 S

Westminster Fire Office , Moiety of Profit on the last seven years' Insurance . 2 13 o Dividends on Stock in the Government Funds . . . 665 5 . 0 ¦ ¦ - 3587 9 9 4996 14 o