Books Of Constitutions, 1723—1896.

bv the Rev . James Anderson , D . D . III . In 1756 , the Rev . John Entick , M . A-, was the Editor , the Frontispice being by Bollard , and engraved by p . Cole . It is one of the rarest of Ihe scries , more so , in my opinion , than those preceding . IV . The " New r-Cdition " was in 1767 , and the Frontispiece as that of 1756 . In 177 6 , an Appendix was published with the woik __ so many remaining unsold—and was brought down to that year , the

compiler being Bro . William Preston . This is much the scarcest of the set . An unauthorised edition was published in 1769 , in octavo , " Printed for G . Kearsly , London . " The text of 1767 was utilised , and an Appendix added [ 01 7 69- The same wo ; k was issued in Dublin , " Printed fcr Thomas Wilkinson , " and having several curious plates and a Frontispiece . It is exceeding ly scarce , in perfect conditicn . V . The last edition in the iSih

century was that of 1784 . It is a grand quarto , "brought down to the year 17 84 , " by John Noorthouck , the Frontispiece being a fine one ( B . Cipriani and T . Sandby , Delhi ., F . Bartolozzt and T . Filtlor , Sculp . ) . The plate is sometimes dated 1786 , and I believe it was not ready for circulation until that year , or certainly not until 1785 . The " AthoII" Constitutions , ( or " Ahiman Rezons " ) were published

in octavo size in 1756 , 1764 , 1778 , 1787 , 1800 , 1801 , 1807 , and 1813 . They have all Frontispieces , excepting the first , the 2 nd edition having a different one to the remaining six , which have a similar design throughout , though not always from the same plate . The issue of 1787 is one of the scarcest of Masonic Books . The editions of 1807 and 1813-have usually a List of

Lodges attached , but neither is noted for its accuracy , about which Bro . John Lane's "Masonic Records ijij-1894 " should be consulted ; published by the Grand Lodge . After the "Union " in December , 1 S 13 , the following have been published :

VI . The volume of 18151 s in large quarto , and termed 2 nd part . The first part was never completed . VII . A corrected edition of 1815 appeared in 1 S 19 , the revised leaves being easily recognised because of a star on each . VIII . The next was an octavo , and still termed the second part . IX . In 184 1 the first of the regular series , with plates of J ewels , was printed and published ( Bro . W . H . White , G . Sec . ) for the Grand Lodge . X . This was soon

followed by another edition in 1847 , under the same auspices , the illustrations being an improvement on those of 1841 . XI . The year 1 S 53 witnessed another issue . XII . The 1 855 was in 8 vo . and 32 mo ., the latter being rarely met with now . XIII . 1858 , XIV . 1861 , XV . 1863 , XVI . 1865 , 32 mo . only . XVII . 1866 , 32 mo . only ; XVIII . 1867 , in 8 vo . and 32 mo . ; XIX . 1 S 71 , in both sizes ; XX . 1873 , in both sizes . XXI . The " Book of Constitutions " was thoroughly revised , the proposed Regulations were published

in 1882 , in 8 vo . size , with a synopsis ( small folio ) , giving in brief an excellent description cf the method followed by the Board , and other valuable information . In 1884 , 'he new Volumewas printed and circulated in the 8 vo . and square 321110 sizes f 10 , 000 and 20 , 000 respectively ) , a special feature being a most complete and well arranged Index ; the Rules were also consecutively numbered throughout , and the work was a vast improvement on all previous issues .

XXII . The smaller size was soon exhausted , the work being very popular , so in 1 S 88 another edition was published ( in Svo . and 32010 . ) with slips inserted . XXIII . In 1894 the additions were printed and inserted in a sheet of eight pages , three having the new rules . XXIV . This year

( 1896 ) has witnessed the advent of the latest edition in both sizes , the new regulations being printed in their proper places and duly numbered , as well as noted in the valuable general index . In the freemason for September 15 th , i ^ Sy , in an article on the " Constitutions of the ' Freemasons 1723 to 1 S 88 , " I remarked

We have the satisfaction of knowing that there is not a better code of laws in force in any Grand Lodge in the " WIDE , WIDE WORLD , " and I feel assured this will be the verdict of brethren familiar with the regulations of other Grand Lodges . We only want the decisions of the Board of General Purposes during this century as to their interpretation of the laws lo be printed , to make the work still more useful to the Craft and equal in

such respects to those of the American Grand Lodges . The latest edition is sold at one shilling per copy in the 32 mo . size ( postage , one penny extra ) , and is a most welcome book for reference in a pocket size . It is so handy in fact , and so capitally arranged , on the same lines as its immediate predecessors of 1884-1894 , that I only need express the hope that the Masters of lodges will lose no time in studying its pages , and that all Craftsmen under the English jurisdiction will feel as proud as I do of our own Book of Constitutions . W . J . HUGHAN .

Consecration Of The Truth Chapter, No. 1458.

CONSECRATION OF THE TRUTH CHAPTER , No . 1458 .

the consecration of the above chapter took place on Wednesday , the "i ' -h instant , at the Mosley Hotel , Manchester , and , from the amount of "Ucrest and enthusiasm displayed on the occasion , we may safely predict a Vfr y prosperous future for the chapter . The companions assembled at 2 . 70

0 dock . Comp . Col . Le Gendre N . Starkie , G . Superintendent , as Consecrating Officer , entered the chapter in company with the Grand and Prov . fand Officers , and formally opened the chapter . The consecration was onducted in a most masterly and impressive manner throughout .

» ne GRAND SUPERINTENDENT addressed the companions on the nature 01 the meeting . Comp . J AMES , P . G . S . E ., expressed the wishes of the founders . f he CONSECRATING OFFICER called upon Comp . Chambers , P . D . G . C S-, to read the petition and charter . lie officers were annroverl of hv thp nplitinnprc anil IVIP Huimi

S 1 ^< : IUNTENDENT called upon Comp . the Rev . J CLAYTON , P . P . G . ' *' gave tne fo " ' ng beautiful oration : an ( j ' "d companions , —The popular world who are not Masons , who do not Us i and " V ^ erstan ^ principles and tenets , are never weary of misrepresenting "to oth ° i !' i ! r P roac ' les u P on our system and ritual ; calling the one a farce and \ vViCri " ^ childish folly And nonsense . It may be well then on the present occasion e arc a ° out to consecrate a new chapter and to strengthen still further the

Consecration Of The Truth Chapter, No. 1458.

good work which Masonry was established to fulfil , to somewhat review our position , and see how it is possible for us to be members of a lodge or chapter and yet ignorant of the meaning and object of it- ; various degrees . Unless we are fully persuaded in our own minds of the benefit and value of Freennsnnry we may as well have never been initiated . I maintain then , that the minds of the brethren of every Degree ought to be thoroughly saturated with Masonic knowledge , so that without violating their Supreme Order they may be enabled

to give to the outside world some reason for that which appears to them unmitigated nonsense . As a means to this end we have various lectures and charges , explanations of tracing boards and jewels . The regular and judicious use of which , in lodge or chapter , cannot fail to impart a genuine knowledge of the Masonic art and of the principles of morality and virtue which it inculotes . More especially is this the case with the Supreme Degree with which we are more particularly concerned to-day—the holy Royal Arch . Those who are

thoroughly conversant with the beautiful ritual of the various ceremonies of the Order , with the addresses delivered to the Principals and other officers and to the companions , with the three lectures and explanation of the jewel can bear testimony to the fact that these Royal Arch records are full of symbolical teaching of the most interesting and fascinating character , all inculcating the highest possible morality . By means of them we are taught that great awe and reverence which are due to the very Name of the Most High God and to all things

connected with His Holy Worship , never to draw near to His immediate presence , or to prostrate ourselves before Him in the most humble and devout manner ; to reverence not only His Holy Name , but also His Word , more copious extracts from which are read in this than in any Degree in Craft Masonry . But this is not the time nor place to enlarge upon the various points of interest and instruction in this Sublime Degree . I commend it to the attention of all Principals of chapters , especially to those to be installed in this chapter , to see that

the companions under their control are regularly and carefully instructed in the higher branches of Royal Arch Masonic knowledge . Permit me , however , in concluding these observations to make this remark—the very name of this Degree—the Arch—is very significant . An arch , if properly constructed , is , we know , one of the most useful and strongest forms of building , and it is a thing of beauty to admire , being graceful in form . But all its beauty , all its utility , all its strength may be spoiled , however carefully and scientifically

it may be constructed . The system of building may be correct , but if there be faulty material used , the arch will be sure to suffer , and the whole building will soon be tumbling to ruin . So in this Royal Arch Degree . The system is excellent ; the teaching noble ; the ceremonies beautiful . All these may be worked in Royal Arch chapters to perfection , but one or two unworthy companions may

bring discredit upon the Order , and cause the collapse and break-up of a chapter . This we hope may never be the case with any of our chapters , particularly in this province , more especially with the chapter about to be consecrated . As long as those in authority are careful as to the moral character and suitability of candidates for exaltation , they may hope to rear a structure perfect in all its parts and honourable to the builders .

After that the anthem " Behold how good , " was sung by the choir , and the chapter was dedicated and constituted , concluding with the Patriarchal Benediction . The duties of installing the three Principals was undertaken by Comp . J . H . Sillitoe , P . G . S . B . England , P . G . H . East Lancashire , in the usual brilliant manner in which he is accustomed to show when performing any rite in this Supreme Degree . Comps . Buckley Carr , P . Z ., was installed first M . E . Z .: Robert Caldwell , H . ; and Samuel I . Mills , J . The investiture

of officers was undertaken by the Most Excellent , describing to each officer their respective duties . In addition to the above-named companions the following were founders—Comps . Herbert Hellewell , S . E . ; Geo . T . O . Crocker , S . N . 204 ; W . H . Worsley , Treas . Sr 5 ; H . G . Ward , P . Soj . 993 ; Geo . Thos . Lenard , ist Asst . Soj . 325 ; Alfred Hebden , 2 nd Asst . Soj . 645 ; Thomas Oldham , 993 ; Leonard Jagger , 323 ; and Nelson J . Stokes , 581 .

At the close of the proceedings Comp . BUCKLEY CARR proposed a vote of thanks to the Grand Superintendent for his kindness in consecrating the chapter . In reply , the GRAND SUPERINTENDENT spoke also to the great pleasure it gave him to perform that important function , assisted by his Prov . Grand Officers that day . He conveyed the idea it was the most important he had ever attended , and thanked the Most Excellent for the splendid

arrangements that had been made for them , and also spoke m high terms of the musical portion of the ceremony , which had given him so much pleasure , and thanked Comp . James Newton , P . G . S . E ., for carrying out everything to his entire satisfaction . ( Applause . ) It was a great disappointment to the companions the Grand Superintendent could not stay to the banquet which subsequently followed , but he had to leave owing to circumstances over which he had no control .

The musical portion of the ceremony was under the direction of Comp . L . H . Keay , P . G . O ., assisted by Comps . Nelson Stokes , Ridsdale , Bjwley , R . Rudman , and Thos . Shorrock .

The following were present : Comps . Buckley Carr , M . E . Z . designate ; R . Caldwell , H . designate ; Sam . T . Mills , J . designate ; Herbert Hellewell , W . H . Worsley , H . G . Ward , Thomas Oldham , Nelson ] . Stokes , Col . Starkie , Grand Supt . ; J . H . Sillitoe , Prov . G . H . ; J . Heelis , Prov . G . J . ; Jas . Newton , Prov . G . S . E . ; the Rev . W . R . Clayton , acting Prov . G . S . N . ; Jno . S . Veevers , Prov . G . Treas . ; W . F . Chambers , Dep . Prov . G . Reg . ; J . Marshall , Prov . G . P . S . ; Jas . Smallpage , Prov . G . 2 nd A . S . ; J . Williams , J . W . Mellor , and J . Hulley , Prov . G . Std . Brs . ; W . B .

Akerman , Prov . G . D . C ; J . Partington and Phillip Bibby , Prov . A . G . D . Cs . ; L . H . Keay , Prov . G . Org . ; E . H . Flower , Prov . G . Janitor ; C . R . N . Beswicke Royds , P . P . G . H . ; A . H . Jefferis , P . P . G . J . ; Charles Swinn , P . P . G . S . B . ; CD . Cheetham , P . P . G . D . C ; T . D . Foreman , P . P . G . D . C ; Wm . Thomley , P . P . A . G . S . ; G . S . Smith , P . P . G . Org . ; Wm . Hayes , P . P . G . S . B . Malta ; J . Rogers , P . Z . 2324 ; F . W . Lean , P . Z . 935 ; Clare E . Towell , P . Z . 204 ; W . B . Russell , P . Z . 204 ; Fred . Batty , M . E . Z . 1730 ; W . B . Midgley , J . 1055 ; T . Shorrock , P . S . 204 ; R . Rudman , 581 ; and F . Ridsdale Bowley , i 72 or

Royal Ark Mariners.

Royal Ark Mariners .

Collin Lodge , No . 157 . The regular meeting of this lodge was held at the Freemasons' Hall , Maryport , on Thursday , the 17 th inst ., the lodge was opened by Bro . Jos . Abbott , W . C . N ., and the minutes of Ihe previous meeting were read and confirmed . The election of W . C . N , for Ihe ensuing year proved unanimous in favour of Bru . Juhn James Utile , P . J . ; Bro . Jas . Gardiner , Treas . ; Bros . J . Abbott , ! ' . Atkinson , and J . O . Scott , Auditors ; with Bro . J . Mtsstnger , Warder . The following brethren were in attendance—Bros . Abbott , W . C . N . ; Jus . Gardiner , P . M . 213 ; J . O . Scott , P . M . j J . Gardiner , Treas . ; T . Atkinson , P . M . ; J . P . Bennett ^ Jas . Mcnceley , John Smith , J . Messenger , and others .