The York Grand Lodge. —A Brief Sketch

by the Grand Master and Lodge at the next monthly Meeting shall be receiv'd into the favour of the Brotherhood , otherwise to be banish'd and Mr . Scourfield & their Names to be eras'd out of the Poll and Articles . If any other Brother or Brothers shall hereafter separate from us , or be aiding & Assisting in forming any Lodge under the said Mr . Scourfield or any other Person without due License for the same , He or they so offending shall be disown'd as Members of this Lodge & for ever Excluded from the same .

July 6 th , 1726 . At a private Lodge held at Mr . Geo . Gibson's the underwritted Persons were sworn and admitted into the Anticnt and honourable Society of Free-Masons vizt . Henry 'fireman Will . Thompson

Augl 13 , 1726 . At a private Lodge at Mr , Lowther ' s at the Star in Stonegate the underwritten Gentlemen were sworn and admitted into the Antient Society of Free-Masons viz t Bellingham Graham Nir . u Roberts

Dec . 13 , 1726 . Al a private Lodge at the Star in Stonegate , the Right Honb'e Arthur Ld Viscount Irvin was sworn and admitted into the Anticnt Society of Free Masons A . Irwin . Dec . 15 , 1726 .

At a private Lodge al the Star in Stonegate the undernamed Persons were sworn and admitted into the Antient Society of Free Masons Jno . Motley Wm . Davile Thos Snowsell

Dec . 22 , 1726 . At a private Lodge at the Star in Stonegate the undernamed Persons were sworn and admitted into the Antient Society of Free Masons . Richard Woodhouse . Robart Silburn .

June 24 , 1729 . At St . John's Lodge held at ye Starr in Stonegate the following Gentlemen were sworn and admitted into the Antient Society of Free-Masons viz t . Basil Forcer John Lamb . The same day Edward Thompson Junior of Marston Esqre was chosen Grand

Master , Mr . John Wilmer Deputy Grand Master . Mr . Geo . Rhodes and Mr . Gto . Reynoldson Grand Wardens for ye year ensuing & afterwards the Grand Master was pleased to order the following appointment , viz . T do appoint Dr . Johnson , Mr . Drake , Mr . Marsden , Mr . Denton , Mr . Brigham , Mr . R . Marsh & Mr . Etty to assist in regulating the State of the Lodge , and redressing from time to time any inconveniences that may arise .

Ed ' . v'l . Thompson Gr . Mr . At a private Lodge at Mr . Colling ' s being the Sign of y White Swan in Petergale York May 4 th 1730 . It was order'd by the Dep . Masf . then present—That il from thenceforth any of the Officers of y Lodge should be absent from ye Company at ye Monthly Lodges , they shall forfeit the sum of One shilling for each omission . John Wilmer Dep . G . M .

Copied from the Original Document in the possession of the York Lodge by William Cowling . York May 13 , 18 75 .

APPENDIX B . "Old Rules of the Grand Lodge at York , 1725 , " " Articles agreed to be kept and observed by the Antient Society of Freemasons in the City of York , and to be subscribed by every member thereof at their Admittance into the said Society . Imprimis—That every first Wednesday in the month a Lodge shall be held at the

house of a Brother according as their turn shall fall out . 2 . —All Subscribers to these Articles not appearing at the monthly Lodge , shall forfeit Sixpence each time . 3 . —If any Brother appear at a Lodge that is not a Subscriber to these Articles , he shall pay over and above his club [ 1 c ., subscription ] the sum of one Shilling .

4 . —The Bowl shall be filled at the monthly Lodges with Punch once , Ale , Bread , Cheese , and Tobacco in common , but if any more shall be called for by any llrother , either for eating or drinking , that Brother so calling shall pay for it himself besides his club . 5 . -The Master or Deputy shall be obliged to call for a Bill exactly at ten o ' clock , if they meet in the evening , and discharge it .

C . —None to be admitted to the making of a Brother but such as have subscribed to these Articles . 7 . —Timely notice shall be given to all the Subscribers when a Brother or Brothers are to be made . S . —Any Brother or Brothers presuming to call a Lodge with a design to make a Mason or Masons , without the Master or Deputy , or one of them

deputed , for every such offence shall forfeit the sum of Five Pounds . 9 . —Any Brother that shall interrupt the examination of a Brother shall forfeit one shilling . I r > — Clerk ' s Salary for keeping the Books and Accounts shall b 3 one Shilling , to be paid him by each Brother at his admittance , and at each of the two Grand days he shall receive such gratuity as the Company shall think

proper . II . —A Steward to be chose for keeping the Stock at the Grand Lodge , at Christmas , and the Accounts to be passed three days after each Lodge . 12 . —If any disputes arise , the Master shall silence them bya knock of the Mallet , any Brother that shall presume to disobey shall immediatel y be obliged to leave the Company , or forfeit five Shillings . 13 , —An Hour shall be set apart to talk Masonry .

14 . —No person shall be admitted into the Lodge but after having been strictly examined . 15 . —No more persons shall be admitted as Brothers of this Society that shall keep a Public-House . 16 . —That these Articles , shall at Lodges be laid upon the Table , to be perused by the Members , and also when any new Brothers are made , the Clerk shall publicly read them .

17 . —Every new Brother at Ins admittance shall pay the Wails as their Salary , the sum of two Shillings , the money to be lodgi-d in the Steward ' s hands , and paid to them at each of the Grand days . 18 .---The Bidder of the Society shall receive of each new Brother at his admittance the sum of one Shilling as his Salary . K . — No Money shall be expended out ot the Stock after the hour of ten , as in the fifth Article . "

Craft Masonry.

Craft Masonry .

Mount Lebanon Lodge , No . 73 . This successful lodge , which was started in 17 G 0 , held its installation meeting at the Bridge House Hotel , Southwark , on the iGth instant . There was a good attendance and an enjoyable evening was the result . The principal feature which struck a casual visitor , was the large number of Past Masters still on the roll of members and the length of time several of them had held office . Amongst the latter are included Bros . David Rose , P . M ., 29 years Steward ; Geo . Free , P . M ., 26 years Secretary ; John

Dixon , P . M ., 23 years Treasurer . The W . M . who was installed to rule over this veteran lodge was Bro . Donald Fairmaner , a zealous and capable brother held . in high esteem by the members . The brethren present included Bros . Frank Jennings , VV . M . ; D . Fairmaner , S . W . ; A . Booth , J . W . ; John Dixon , P . M ., Treas . ; VV . J . Gregory , P . M . ; Geo . Free , P . M ., Sec . ; D . Rose , P . M ., Stwd . ; F . H . Ebsworth , P . M . j S . Klingenstein , P . M . ; H . L . Hart , P . M . ; F . E . Wrigley , A . J . Jeffery , S . D . ; Geo . Hook , I . D . ; G . G . Bidgood , l . G . j G . H . W . Grace , P . M ., D . C ; I . H .

Wills , and many others . Visitors : Bros . E . Overed , P . M . 170 S ; E . Erisby , VV . M . 1524 ; J . Fairmaner , 1 S 02 ; F . Lewis , P . M . ivy ); VV . VV . Palmerston , VV . M . 1 S 09 ; E . VV . Blandford , S . W . 2099 ; T . Tofts , 144 G ; L . S . Guy , P . M . 1 G 12 ; F . VV . Smith , 15 G 3 ; Chas . Blake , 170 S ; C . Coleridge , S . D . 2242 ; D . D . Dennis , J . W . 171 ; VV . J . Batho , 120 S ; G . Tapley Smith , 15 63 ; A . C . David , 1901 ; J . G . Gamble , 352 ; D . J . Robinson , iSS ; F . Giiling , 214 S ; II . P . White , J . D . 1541 ; Walter Grace , 177 j VV . VV . Lee , P . M . 23 S 1 : and others .

Lodge was opened , and minutes confirmed , and 10 guineas voted the Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution . Bro . . ] . IT . Bilfinghurst was elected a rejoining member . Bro . J . Dixon , P . M ., Treas ., then occupied the chair , and successfully installed liro . D . Fairmaner as VV . M . The odicers appointed were Bros . A . Booth , S . W . ; A . J . Jeffery , J . W . ; John Dixon , P . M ., Treas . ; VV . J . Gregory , P . M ., Sec . ; Geo .

Hook , S . D . ; G . G . Bidgood , J . D . ; J . H . Wills , l . G . ; G . II . VV . Grace , P . M ., D . of C . ; David Rose , P . M ., Stwd . ; and A . G . Young , Tyler . Bro . Frank Jennings , l . P . M ., was decorated with a Past Master's jewel as a reward for viluible services , and made due acknowledgments for the same . Lodge was then closed , and an adjournment made to the banquet .

The speeches in reference to the usual toasts were interspersed with selections from a musical programme , under the direction of Bro . Walter Grace , assisted by Bros . Duncan Tovey , VV . B . Plummer , E . Miles , A . S . VVilks , W . II . Pocklington , and II . E . Crimp . Bro . Frank Jennings , I . P . M ., proposed " The VV . Master , " and said that Bro . Fairmaner had started on a year of office which they all hoped , would be a successful one . It was usual on these occasions for the l . P . M . to say nice things of the W . M ., but he could only assure the brethren that Bro . Fairmaner had studied Freemasonry in every branch , and would make a most excellent Master from every point of view .

Bro . Donald Fairmaner , VV . M ., in reply , said it was with a veiy great amount of diffidence that he occupied the chair . He felt proud to occupy the position , and Mattered at the reception given the toast . Having been installed into the chair of this ancient lodge he would see that its reputation did not suffer at his hands . He would devote whatever energy and ability he possessed to advance its progress and ensure the comfort of the brethren . He wished to make a strong appeal to the numbers on behalf of Bro . John Gale , who was a candidate for the Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution .

With a lodge such as theirs they ought to get him elected on the first application , and he asked them to send to the Secretary any votes they could , which would be thankfully received and faithfully applied . Bro . F . Wrigley would be the representative of the lodge at the Benevolent Institution Festival next month , and in supporting the Steward they would also be supporting the candidate .. If he ( the W . M . ) did not come up to their expectations he asked them to remember that he was only initiated four years ago , and put down his mistakes to his innocence .

Bro . VV . J . Batho , P . M ., replying for "The Visitors , " apologised for his late attendance by a protracted meeting of the Board of General Purposes , lis had , however , had experience of Bro . Dixon ' s woikingfor many years . 'The W . M . had been a tegular attendant at their lodge of instruction at Fmchley , and he had , therefore , attended to support him . He was pleased to see Bro . I ' airnuner in the chair and wished him a successful year of ollice . Bros . E . Frisby , W . M . 1524 ; Parkinson , VV . M . 15 S 9 ; and VV . Grace ( representing the musical brethren ) , also responded .

Bro . F . Jennings , l . P . M ., replying to the toast of his health , thanked the W . M . for his kind remarks . During his year he had done the best he could for the comfort of the brethren and the lodge generally . " The Past Masters " was next given by the W . M ., who referred to the many years several biethren had held that position , and expressed his pleasure at seeing so many present .

Bro . D . Rose , P . M ., said it was 31 years since he occupied the chair of the lodge . Bro . G . Free , P . M ., the late Secretary , paid his successor , Bro . Gregory , a graceful tribute by saying that the lodge could not have a more energetic Secretary , and Bro . F . E . Wrigley , P . M ., thanked the brethren for the support they had already given him as Steward for the Benevolent Institution . Other toasts were given before the pleasant proceedings terminated with the Tyler ' s toast .

Dobie Lodge , No . 889 . A well-attended meeting of this Kingston-on-Thames lodge was held on the 17 th instant , when the VV . M .. Bro . VV . J . Wells , raised Bro . Venn to the Degree of M . M . and passed Bro . Birch to the F . C . Degree . At the proper time a Past Master's jewel was voted to Bro . Wells on leaving the chair , which he vacates in March next , and Bro . G . Cowen , M . D ., was , with a unanimous ballot , elected VV . M . in his stead . Tne W . M . elect offered his services as Steward for the Boys' Festival , and Bro . Gaze , P . M ., goes up for the Girls , each being voted 10 guineas from th ; lodge funds for his list , after which the lodge was closed .

St . Nicholas Lodge , No . 2259 . The monthly meeting was held at Thorne , on Wednesday evening , the iGth inst ., and the circular announced that after the lodge a complimentary supper was to be given to Bro . II . Brew , who was about to leave the district . Tnerc were present Bros . G . Eland , I . P . M ., acting VV . M . ; E . Simpson , S . W . ; T . J . Smith , J . W . : E . Donkin , Treas . ; J . Constable , P . M ., P . P . G . S . B ., Sec ; B . Giskill , S . t ) . ; W . W . Peacock .

I . D . j 1 . Barber , P . M ., D . C ; VV . P . Robotham , Org . j VV . Hallgarth , Almoner j j . Acaster , l . G . ; F . Pine , Tyler ; G . Kenyon , P . M . ; J . IL Bletcher , P . M . ; H . A . Fenton , P . M . ; J . II . Pawscn , P . M . j R . Brew , T . R . R . Marsdin , and I . H . Hardy . Visitors : Bro ; . VV . Langbridge , 207 S , P . P . G . S . of VV . ; J . Harrison , P . M . and M . E . Z . 47 S ; F . H . Buckland , P . M . 242 j J . Hainsworth , J . W . 243 j C . Porrett , Stwd . 242 j and J . Morton .

'The ledge being opened , the Secretary read the circular from the Grand Secretary respecting the so-called Hiram Lodge of London , after which it was unanimously resolved that the best wishes of the lodge are hereby tendered to Bro . Brew with the prayer that T . G . A . O . T . U . would prosper him in his new sphere of duty as I . R . officer at Worcester . Bro . Breiv feelingly and appropriately thanked the brethren for their

good wishes . Apologies for absence were read from IJrjs . E . Horst , VV . M . ( absent through illness ) j S . II . C . Ashlin , P . M . ; C . H . Woodhouse , F . T . Turner , G . E . Ilardcastlc , VV . T . Chambers , Rev . J . J . Littlewood , C . W . Darley , and J . T . Robotham , all of 2259 ; A . Henry ( Supervisor ) j J . Franks , P . M . 142 S ; T . H . Lee , VV . M . 14 S 2 ; M . Dowson , J . W . 14 S 2 ; A . VV . Fretwell , P . M . 242 ; T . W . Turner , VV . M . 242 ; J . Mellors , W . M . ; J . G . Pashicy , of Rotherham , and others .

'The lodge was closed and the brethren adjourned to the club room , where Host S . Acaster had prepared a capital spread . Due justice having been done to the good things provided , the usual Masonic toasts were proceeded with , and the VV . M ., Urn . Eland , gave the toast of the evening , "Sin cess to liro . Brew , wishing him Godspeed . " Having suitably responded , liro . Brew gave his popular recitation " The French Horn . "

Songs were given by Bros . Peacock , Maskill , Hardy , and Rob ilhim , and altogether a most enjoyable evening was spent , which , no doubt , liro . lirew and the uiemloers of Ihe lodge will look back upon with feelings of the greatest pleasure .