-
Articles/Ads
Article THE ROYAL MASONIC BENEVOLENT INSTITUTION. ← Page 2 of 2 Article RECORDS OF EXTINCT LODGES. Page 1 of 2 Article RECORDS OF EXTINCT LODGES. Page 1 of 2 →
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
The Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution.
having enjoyed a position of comparative affluence or comforyhad fallen into a state of indigence ; but , according to the " Freemasons' Quarterly Review " for 1 S 35 , Bro . the Rev . Gilbert Gilbert , of the Harmony Lodge , No . 255 , Richmond , first suggested the idea of erecting an Asylum for Aged Masons about March , 1831 . The proposal at the time did not meet with
that degree of favour which it merited , and four years elapsed ere it was again taken up by Neptune Lodge , No . 22 , and then the effort was well received . In a subsequent number of the same Review , we find the idea was publicly mooted on the occasion of the Girls' School Festival for the same year by Bro . Ramsbottom , M . P ., who had filled the office of . G . S . W . in
1820 , and who is reported to have made it the subject of lament that , " whilst provision to some extent was made for the sons and daughters of decayed Freemasons , none of a similar nature yet existed for the direct assistance of such Freemasons themselves ; " and we are told that so strong were Bro . Ramsbottom ' s feelings on the subject " that he promised his
personal support , " and expressed himself as looking forward with confidence " to the time when all the objects of Masonic protection would be associated under one roof . " It is added that the remarks of this distinguished brother , a P . G . S . W . and the then Prov . Grand Master for Berkshire , " were received in a spirit of warm cordiality " by those present , which was " well
calculated to give every assurance of success to such an institution if properly founded . " Such was the effect which these remarks , the advocacy of Bro . Crucefix , and the loyal supportofthe Neptune and otherlodgesproduced that , only a few pages further on , the editor announced in the following words that a subscription list in aid of , the proposed Asylum would be opened
n the said " Review" : " With feelings of unmixed satisfaction and joyful pride , we now open a regular account to the credit of this noble tribute to Masonic justice—an account which , however humble in its commencement , will , we confidently predict , hereafter vie with all the existing Charities of the Order—in the patronage by which it will be supported . " And ,
again , we read elsewhere : " But shall we trust ourselves to speak of the ASYLUM FOR THE AGED AND DECAYED FREEMASON ; we can hardly calm our feelings in announcing that this splendid offering to Freemasonry is no longer doubtful . Lodges have been appealed to and nobly have they
acted . Brethren , unsolicited , have rallied round the ' Poor Old Mason ' s Cause ; ' his sufferings have been made known ; the standard of his hopes has at length been unfurled , and if , till now , many have ' unaided , unremembered , died , ' joy , joy to the hope which pronounces that "' The stone is laid—the temple is
begun—Help—and its walls will glitter , in the sun . ' " We doubt if even Bro . Crucefix , were it possible for him to revisit this mundane sphere , would recognise in the present Benevolent Institution the outcome of his zealous and persistent labours , Yet his enthusiasm has
been justified and his confident prediction as to the future of the Asylum , whose birth he was thus at the pains of announcing , has been amply re alised . ( To be continued ) .
Records Of Extinct Lodges.
RECORDS OF EXTINCT LODGES .
BV BRO . T . B . WHYTEHEAD . ROYAL LODGE , CHESTER . Cheshire , like Lancashire , appears to have been a very old centre of Speculative Masonry . Colonel Mainwaring , a Cheshire gentleman , was made a Mason at Warrington , on the border between the two counties , in 1646 , at the same time as Ashmole himself , and the early lodge lists give the names of many lodges as having existed at various periods during the last
century at Chester and throughout that county . At present in Chester there are two prosperous Craft lodges , the Cestrian , No . 425 , founded in 1833 , and the Independence , No . 721 , founded in 1857 . It is much to be regretted that old and famous lodges were permitted to expire , and although others equally good , and perhaps even more prosperous , have arisen from
their ashes , nothing can compensate for the loss caused by the snapping of the thread of lineal descent and historic connection . Chester is not alone , however , by any means in having to lament such events . I had the pleasure of being present a week or two ago at an important meeting of the Cestrian Lodge , held for the first time upon new premises lately completed
and fitted up for Masonic purposes in Queen-street . Most comfortable quarters they are , consisting of a spacious lodge room and ante-rooms , banqueting hall , kitchens , and lavatories . The only drawback to the lodge room is that it is scarcely as lofty as could be desired , and it would have been better left with an open timbered roof than underdrawn . The
furniture of the lodge is very handsome , and when the details of the decorations have been completed the Cestrian Lodge will be in possession of a very elegant suite of rooms . At present the sister lodge meets in another part of the town , but it is hoped that arrangements may eventually be made for
all the Masonic bodies to meet in the Cestrian Hall , which will be by far the best plan for many reasons . The present VV . Master of the Cestrian is Bro . Chas . W . Duncan , a very earnest Mason , most anxious for the welfare of his lodge and Masonry in his city , and both he and his officers may be very fairly complimented upon the manner in which their lodge is worked .
During my brief visit Bro . J . C . Robinson , a P . M . of the lodge and a most intelligent Mason , put into my hands an ancient minute book of an extinct Chester lodge , which has about it much that is interesting . It is in excellent preservation , and , like many old minute books , has been kept
carefull y , though all too briefly . Bro . Robinson accidentally discovered the old book in a second-hand shop in Holywell-street , London , some little time ago , and at once secured it . No doubt other such valuables are to be found in similar localities , and brethren should always keep a weather eye lifting for
Records Of Extinct Lodges.
anything of the kind , for it is from such old records only that we can gain authentic information concerning the past history of our extinct lodges . I propose to examine without further preface the contents of this old minute book , which seems to have been begun by extracts from a previous minute book . The first entry runs thus : " December y 27 th , 1743 . —An extract of
the several By-Laws and Orders now in Force , agreed on and subscribed by the members of the Lodge of the Antient and Right Worshipfull Society of FREE and ACCEPTED MASONS now held at the ROYAL OAK in the Foregate-street , of the City of CHESTER , as they appear at large in the Last Book of Orders belonging to the said Lodge . " Then follow copies of bye-laws as follows :
"Jany . 8 th , 173 S . —Mr . Edwd . Orme , Master . Agreed that each member shall deposite in the Box the sum of Two Pence every monthly meeting . " Any Brother who shall call another by any disobliging Name or otherwise than Brother or Fellow to be fined at the Discretion of the Lodge . Pocket Comp ., page 17 , Article 5 . " Deer . 27 th , 1739 . —Mr . Jno . Browne , Master . Every member , altho' sick or out of Town , to pay Two Pence monthly to the Box .
" May 12 th , 1740 . —Mr . John Dicas , Master . Brethren incurring a Fine for absenting themselves when warned , to pay the same next Time they appear . The Tyler to be paid for his services and attendance on the Brethren out of the Public Stock . " March 8 th , 1741 . —Mr . Ben Powell , Master . One Shilling allowed to be expended out of the Box upon any meeting of the Brethren duly warned , if seven or more do not appear .
"July 12 th , 1742 . —Mr . Ben Powell , Master . Every brother appearing at the lodge without decent Cloathing to be fined at the Discretion of the Brethren present . " Deer . 27 th , 1742 . —Mr . Edward Orme , Master . Every Brother going out of the Lodge Room without Leave of the Master to be Fined Two pence . "Deer . 2 Sth , 1742 . —Mr . Edward Orme , Master . Two Pounds of Candles to be provided by the Wardens to be fixed round the Lodge Room , each Lodge Night .
"June 13 th , 1 743 . —Mr . Edward Orme , Master . Any Member coming to the Lodge disguised in Liquor to be reprimanded and admonished for the first Two offences and to be for ever expelled on the Third . "Deer . 13 th , 1 743 . —Mr . Edward Orme , Master . Every Brother who is a resident within the City or the Liberties of Chester and not a Member of this Lodge , shall when he visits the Lodge pay one Shilling , whereof Sixpence is to be put into the Box . Likewise all Foreigners . ' "
It may be remarked that according to the official lodge roll of 1739 this lodge is mentioned as " 180 , Horse and Man , Foregate-street , Chester , " and as warranted on February 1 st , 1738 . The first minute is dated January , 1738 , showing that the meeting was of a preliminary nature , or , what seems more likely , that this lodge was a continuation of some earlier lodge of which there were several . In the earliest Grand Lodge list we find between
1725 and 1729 there were three lodges at Chester , theSun , the Spread Eagle , and the Castle and Faulkon . In the list from 1730 to 1732 there appear " 32 , Pyot Bull , Northgate-street , " and " 33 , Castle and Falcon , Watergate-street . " The " Pyot Bull , " warranted in 1724 became the " Double Eagle , Castle-lane , " and the " Castle and Falcon , " warranted the same
year , appears as the " Crown and Mitre , Northgate-street , " in the next list ( , 1736 to 1739 . ) The Crown and Eagle seems to have been in existence in 1740 , but the name of the Double Eagle does not occur subsequently , so that it is possible the brethren may have procured a fresh warrant in February , 1738 . By the way , I do not find a single entry recording a meeting at the hostelrie of the " Horse and Man . "
The first original minute of a meeting is dated St . John ' s Day , 1 743 , " at the Royal Oak , in the Forrest Street , Chester , " Mr . Edward Orme , Master , and I may here remark that even at this early date the lodge took the lead in Chester and the county , for the Provincial Grand Master and his two Wardens were members of the lodge and , as will be seen hereafter , were annually elected by the lodge . In fact this lodge was " de facto " the
Provincial Grand Lodge of Cheshire , just as at one period the Apollo Lodge at York filled the same position in regard to the county . Mr . Robert Newton was Prov . Grand Master and Mr . John Browne and Mr . John Dicas were his Prov . Grand Wardens . Both the latter and probably the former were Past Masters of the lodge . The Rev . John Carmichal and the Rev . Thomas Pollen were visitors at this meeting , and there were an
initiation , a passing , and a raising . After this business , Robert Newton was re-elected Prov . Grand Master ; Edward Orme , Deputy Grand Master ; Thomas Cole ( previously a Warden ) , Master ; Charles Corn and John Rowley , Wardens ; Ambrose Orme , Master ' s Deacon ; and John Matthews , Warden ' s Deacon . The signatures of the whole of the brethren present are appended to this minute , and subsequently a similar course has been adopted at annual meetings throughout the book .
At a lodge held at the Coach and Horses , Northgate-street , on January 10 th , 1743 , the following resolution was passed : " That if any Fellow-Craft belonging to this lodge shall not be able to discharge the duty required of him by the Master , shall for every fifth default be fined two-pence . " No meeting is recorded until March 14 th , 1744 , when a lodge was held at the Swan , Watergate-street . The following 10 th April there was a meeting
at the Coach and Horses , and on the 8 th May they met at the Royal Oak again . No business is recorded at these three meetings , but the Master was absent at the last and also on the 12 th August , and Mr . John Gough is recorded as * ' Master P . T . " The attendances averaged very small at this time and the entire number of members was only about 26 . The meetings were held alternately at the Royal Oak , the Swan , and the Coach and Horses . The meetings took place monthly with fair regularity . On St .
John ' s Day , 1744 , Bro . Charles Corn was elected Master , and Bros . A . Orme and J . Matthews , Wardens , and the meetings were agreed to be held on the second Tuesday in the month . However , on the 21 st February , 1744 , only three members attended and the lodge seems to have dropped working , as the next minute is dated 9 th April , 1 745 , when " Captain " Newton , Prov . Grand Master , was present . Thenceforth the meetings were resumed monthly , but the Master was seldom present , and very few brethren .
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
The Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution.
having enjoyed a position of comparative affluence or comforyhad fallen into a state of indigence ; but , according to the " Freemasons' Quarterly Review " for 1 S 35 , Bro . the Rev . Gilbert Gilbert , of the Harmony Lodge , No . 255 , Richmond , first suggested the idea of erecting an Asylum for Aged Masons about March , 1831 . The proposal at the time did not meet with
that degree of favour which it merited , and four years elapsed ere it was again taken up by Neptune Lodge , No . 22 , and then the effort was well received . In a subsequent number of the same Review , we find the idea was publicly mooted on the occasion of the Girls' School Festival for the same year by Bro . Ramsbottom , M . P ., who had filled the office of . G . S . W . in
1820 , and who is reported to have made it the subject of lament that , " whilst provision to some extent was made for the sons and daughters of decayed Freemasons , none of a similar nature yet existed for the direct assistance of such Freemasons themselves ; " and we are told that so strong were Bro . Ramsbottom ' s feelings on the subject " that he promised his
personal support , " and expressed himself as looking forward with confidence " to the time when all the objects of Masonic protection would be associated under one roof . " It is added that the remarks of this distinguished brother , a P . G . S . W . and the then Prov . Grand Master for Berkshire , " were received in a spirit of warm cordiality " by those present , which was " well
calculated to give every assurance of success to such an institution if properly founded . " Such was the effect which these remarks , the advocacy of Bro . Crucefix , and the loyal supportofthe Neptune and otherlodgesproduced that , only a few pages further on , the editor announced in the following words that a subscription list in aid of , the proposed Asylum would be opened
n the said " Review" : " With feelings of unmixed satisfaction and joyful pride , we now open a regular account to the credit of this noble tribute to Masonic justice—an account which , however humble in its commencement , will , we confidently predict , hereafter vie with all the existing Charities of the Order—in the patronage by which it will be supported . " And ,
again , we read elsewhere : " But shall we trust ourselves to speak of the ASYLUM FOR THE AGED AND DECAYED FREEMASON ; we can hardly calm our feelings in announcing that this splendid offering to Freemasonry is no longer doubtful . Lodges have been appealed to and nobly have they
acted . Brethren , unsolicited , have rallied round the ' Poor Old Mason ' s Cause ; ' his sufferings have been made known ; the standard of his hopes has at length been unfurled , and if , till now , many have ' unaided , unremembered , died , ' joy , joy to the hope which pronounces that "' The stone is laid—the temple is
begun—Help—and its walls will glitter , in the sun . ' " We doubt if even Bro . Crucefix , were it possible for him to revisit this mundane sphere , would recognise in the present Benevolent Institution the outcome of his zealous and persistent labours , Yet his enthusiasm has
been justified and his confident prediction as to the future of the Asylum , whose birth he was thus at the pains of announcing , has been amply re alised . ( To be continued ) .
Records Of Extinct Lodges.
RECORDS OF EXTINCT LODGES .
BV BRO . T . B . WHYTEHEAD . ROYAL LODGE , CHESTER . Cheshire , like Lancashire , appears to have been a very old centre of Speculative Masonry . Colonel Mainwaring , a Cheshire gentleman , was made a Mason at Warrington , on the border between the two counties , in 1646 , at the same time as Ashmole himself , and the early lodge lists give the names of many lodges as having existed at various periods during the last
century at Chester and throughout that county . At present in Chester there are two prosperous Craft lodges , the Cestrian , No . 425 , founded in 1833 , and the Independence , No . 721 , founded in 1857 . It is much to be regretted that old and famous lodges were permitted to expire , and although others equally good , and perhaps even more prosperous , have arisen from
their ashes , nothing can compensate for the loss caused by the snapping of the thread of lineal descent and historic connection . Chester is not alone , however , by any means in having to lament such events . I had the pleasure of being present a week or two ago at an important meeting of the Cestrian Lodge , held for the first time upon new premises lately completed
and fitted up for Masonic purposes in Queen-street . Most comfortable quarters they are , consisting of a spacious lodge room and ante-rooms , banqueting hall , kitchens , and lavatories . The only drawback to the lodge room is that it is scarcely as lofty as could be desired , and it would have been better left with an open timbered roof than underdrawn . The
furniture of the lodge is very handsome , and when the details of the decorations have been completed the Cestrian Lodge will be in possession of a very elegant suite of rooms . At present the sister lodge meets in another part of the town , but it is hoped that arrangements may eventually be made for
all the Masonic bodies to meet in the Cestrian Hall , which will be by far the best plan for many reasons . The present VV . Master of the Cestrian is Bro . Chas . W . Duncan , a very earnest Mason , most anxious for the welfare of his lodge and Masonry in his city , and both he and his officers may be very fairly complimented upon the manner in which their lodge is worked .
During my brief visit Bro . J . C . Robinson , a P . M . of the lodge and a most intelligent Mason , put into my hands an ancient minute book of an extinct Chester lodge , which has about it much that is interesting . It is in excellent preservation , and , like many old minute books , has been kept
carefull y , though all too briefly . Bro . Robinson accidentally discovered the old book in a second-hand shop in Holywell-street , London , some little time ago , and at once secured it . No doubt other such valuables are to be found in similar localities , and brethren should always keep a weather eye lifting for
Records Of Extinct Lodges.
anything of the kind , for it is from such old records only that we can gain authentic information concerning the past history of our extinct lodges . I propose to examine without further preface the contents of this old minute book , which seems to have been begun by extracts from a previous minute book . The first entry runs thus : " December y 27 th , 1743 . —An extract of
the several By-Laws and Orders now in Force , agreed on and subscribed by the members of the Lodge of the Antient and Right Worshipfull Society of FREE and ACCEPTED MASONS now held at the ROYAL OAK in the Foregate-street , of the City of CHESTER , as they appear at large in the Last Book of Orders belonging to the said Lodge . " Then follow copies of bye-laws as follows :
"Jany . 8 th , 173 S . —Mr . Edwd . Orme , Master . Agreed that each member shall deposite in the Box the sum of Two Pence every monthly meeting . " Any Brother who shall call another by any disobliging Name or otherwise than Brother or Fellow to be fined at the Discretion of the Lodge . Pocket Comp ., page 17 , Article 5 . " Deer . 27 th , 1739 . —Mr . Jno . Browne , Master . Every member , altho' sick or out of Town , to pay Two Pence monthly to the Box .
" May 12 th , 1740 . —Mr . John Dicas , Master . Brethren incurring a Fine for absenting themselves when warned , to pay the same next Time they appear . The Tyler to be paid for his services and attendance on the Brethren out of the Public Stock . " March 8 th , 1741 . —Mr . Ben Powell , Master . One Shilling allowed to be expended out of the Box upon any meeting of the Brethren duly warned , if seven or more do not appear .
"July 12 th , 1742 . —Mr . Ben Powell , Master . Every brother appearing at the lodge without decent Cloathing to be fined at the Discretion of the Brethren present . " Deer . 27 th , 1742 . —Mr . Edward Orme , Master . Every Brother going out of the Lodge Room without Leave of the Master to be Fined Two pence . "Deer . 2 Sth , 1742 . —Mr . Edward Orme , Master . Two Pounds of Candles to be provided by the Wardens to be fixed round the Lodge Room , each Lodge Night .
"June 13 th , 1 743 . —Mr . Edward Orme , Master . Any Member coming to the Lodge disguised in Liquor to be reprimanded and admonished for the first Two offences and to be for ever expelled on the Third . "Deer . 13 th , 1 743 . —Mr . Edward Orme , Master . Every Brother who is a resident within the City or the Liberties of Chester and not a Member of this Lodge , shall when he visits the Lodge pay one Shilling , whereof Sixpence is to be put into the Box . Likewise all Foreigners . ' "
It may be remarked that according to the official lodge roll of 1739 this lodge is mentioned as " 180 , Horse and Man , Foregate-street , Chester , " and as warranted on February 1 st , 1738 . The first minute is dated January , 1738 , showing that the meeting was of a preliminary nature , or , what seems more likely , that this lodge was a continuation of some earlier lodge of which there were several . In the earliest Grand Lodge list we find between
1725 and 1729 there were three lodges at Chester , theSun , the Spread Eagle , and the Castle and Faulkon . In the list from 1730 to 1732 there appear " 32 , Pyot Bull , Northgate-street , " and " 33 , Castle and Falcon , Watergate-street . " The " Pyot Bull , " warranted in 1724 became the " Double Eagle , Castle-lane , " and the " Castle and Falcon , " warranted the same
year , appears as the " Crown and Mitre , Northgate-street , " in the next list ( , 1736 to 1739 . ) The Crown and Eagle seems to have been in existence in 1740 , but the name of the Double Eagle does not occur subsequently , so that it is possible the brethren may have procured a fresh warrant in February , 1738 . By the way , I do not find a single entry recording a meeting at the hostelrie of the " Horse and Man . "
The first original minute of a meeting is dated St . John ' s Day , 1 743 , " at the Royal Oak , in the Forrest Street , Chester , " Mr . Edward Orme , Master , and I may here remark that even at this early date the lodge took the lead in Chester and the county , for the Provincial Grand Master and his two Wardens were members of the lodge and , as will be seen hereafter , were annually elected by the lodge . In fact this lodge was " de facto " the
Provincial Grand Lodge of Cheshire , just as at one period the Apollo Lodge at York filled the same position in regard to the county . Mr . Robert Newton was Prov . Grand Master and Mr . John Browne and Mr . John Dicas were his Prov . Grand Wardens . Both the latter and probably the former were Past Masters of the lodge . The Rev . John Carmichal and the Rev . Thomas Pollen were visitors at this meeting , and there were an
initiation , a passing , and a raising . After this business , Robert Newton was re-elected Prov . Grand Master ; Edward Orme , Deputy Grand Master ; Thomas Cole ( previously a Warden ) , Master ; Charles Corn and John Rowley , Wardens ; Ambrose Orme , Master ' s Deacon ; and John Matthews , Warden ' s Deacon . The signatures of the whole of the brethren present are appended to this minute , and subsequently a similar course has been adopted at annual meetings throughout the book .
At a lodge held at the Coach and Horses , Northgate-street , on January 10 th , 1743 , the following resolution was passed : " That if any Fellow-Craft belonging to this lodge shall not be able to discharge the duty required of him by the Master , shall for every fifth default be fined two-pence . " No meeting is recorded until March 14 th , 1744 , when a lodge was held at the Swan , Watergate-street . The following 10 th April there was a meeting
at the Coach and Horses , and on the 8 th May they met at the Royal Oak again . No business is recorded at these three meetings , but the Master was absent at the last and also on the 12 th August , and Mr . John Gough is recorded as * ' Master P . T . " The attendances averaged very small at this time and the entire number of members was only about 26 . The meetings were held alternately at the Royal Oak , the Swan , and the Coach and Horses . The meetings took place monthly with fair regularity . On St .
John ' s Day , 1744 , Bro . Charles Corn was elected Master , and Bros . A . Orme and J . Matthews , Wardens , and the meetings were agreed to be held on the second Tuesday in the month . However , on the 21 st February , 1744 , only three members attended and the lodge seems to have dropped working , as the next minute is dated 9 th April , 1 745 , when " Captain " Newton , Prov . Grand Master , was present . Thenceforth the meetings were resumed monthly , but the Master was seldom present , and very few brethren .