The "Clapham" Ms.

& he held him self an Assembly at York and made Masons and gave ym . ye . Charges and taught ym . ye . manners & Commanded ye . Rule to be Keept ever after & took ym . a Comission and Charter to Keep & make ordinance yt . it shou'd be renewed from King to King & when ye . Assembiyes were gathered together he made a cry yt . old Masons & young Masons yt . had any Understanding of ye . Charge And Manners shew ym . forth & when it vvas proved there was

found some in Lattin some in French and some in English & some in othr . Languages & there intent vvas all at one he did make a book hereof how ye . Craft was found and he enjoyned and Comanded yt . it shou'd be learned where any Masons were to be made and so to give him his Charge & from yt . Time to this Time manners of Masons have been Keep in this form as well as men mi ght give it and further more at diverse Assembiyes have been put in and ordained certain Charges by ye . advise of Master & fellows . Here followeth ye . worthy and Godly

oath of Masons—one of ye . Eldr . taking ye . bible shall hold which are to be made Masons may impose Or lay their right hands Upon & these their Charg Every man yt . is a Mason take good heed to his man find himself guilty of in any any of those crimes y in person hath Comitted against God principly let him take hee of falling into ye same Crimes . And take heed for ye . future yt . he well & Carefull y obverse his charge for it is a greet perill for a man to endanger his Soul by perjurie ye . charge followe

ist . You shall be true to men & God and ye . holy Church & shall use no Heresie nor error according to yr . understanding nor by wiser men teaching . 2 d . You shall be true Liegemen to ye . King or supreme governour or Ruler without any treason or falsehood & also yt . yu . know no treason or . conspiracy bt . yt . you amend or otherwise declare it to ye . King or his Councell .

jdly . That you be true men to one another yt . is to say every Mason yt . is a Mason allowed ye . shall do unto him as yu . would he shou'd do to you . 4 ly . And also ye . shall keep truly all Councell of ye . Lodge or Chamber & Councell yt . ought to be keept by way of Masonhood . 5 ly . And also ye . shall be no theif nor thiefes fellows as far as ye . know and also yt . ye . be true to ye . Lord or Master ye . serve & truly seek his profit and advantage .

61 y . And also yt . ye . shall call all Masons fellows or brethren and no other foul name . 7 ty . And also yu . shall not- defile yr . fellows wife b y Calumny or any othr . maner nor Defile his daughter nor his servant nor put him to any Discredit . Sly . And also yt . yu . pay truly for yr . meat and drink wheresoever yu . Table .

gly . And also yu . shall do no Villany where you go to board whereby ye . Craft may beevel spoken of orslandred threse being ye . charges in generall yt . belongs to every true Mason both Masters and fellows . Now will I rehearse other things singular both for Masters and fellows .

ist . That no Master take upon him any Lords work or any other mans unless le know himself able to performe ye . work , so yt . ye . Craft have no slander . 2 d . Vnd also yt . no Master take any work bt . yt . he take reasonable pay so yt . ye . Lord nay be truly served and ye : Mastr . to live honestly , and also to pay his fellows Truly .

10 . Also yt . every Masr . and fello . . . when they come out of other Countries & S as ye Maner is yt . is to say if he have Mould stones shall give him a Mould stone & set him in

none he shall refresh him with meat to ye . next lodge ..... . Also yt . every mason shall truly mastr . ye . end of his taxe or jorney & here ye . have all yr . Comandments yt . you have heard rehearsed you shall truly observe So God you help . These be aprintices charges

ist . That he shall be true to God ye . holy Church & his Prince nasr . & dame whome he shall serve . 2 nd . And yt . you shall not p lor steall ye . goods of his mastr . & Dame nor absent himself f heir services nor go from ym . about his own pleasure b y day light without License of ye . one of ym . 3 . Andyt . he do not Comit AdultryorForlication in his masrs . house with ye wife Daughter or Servant of his Sd . masr . 4 .

And yt . he shall keep closely well in all things spoken in ye Lodge or Chambr . b y any Masr . or fellow being Mr . or freemason & yt . he shall keep any Disobedient Argument against any of ym . nor Disclose any Secrets whereby any Discention may follow against any Masons their followers or aprentices . 5 . And yt . he reverently behave himself to all freemasons being unto his Sd . Masr . 6 . And not to use any Carding dicing or any Unlawful ! gaming nor to be at any Taverens or

Alehouses there to waste any mans goods without Licence of his Masr . or some other freemason . 7 . And yt . he shall not Comit adultry in any Mans house where he shall work or be Tabled . 8 . And yt . he shall not purloine or steall the goods of any person nor willingly suffer : harm : or : shame to be done or Consent there unto during his aprentiship bt . withstand the same to ye . utmost of his power and thereof to inform his sd . Masr . or some other freemason with all Convenient and possible speed .

The above is transcribed by me from the ori ginal document in the possession of the Provincial Grand Lodge of West Yorkshire . WILLIAM WATSON , P . M . 61 and 206 9 , P . G . S . of W . West Yorks , Honorary Librarian . Leeds , Lady Day , 1890 .

Provincial Grand Chapter Of East Lancashire.

PROVINCIAL GRAND CHAPTER OF EAST LANCASHIRE .

On Thursday , the 20 th instant , the Grand Superintendent of the Province of East Lancashire , Comp . Col . Le Gendre N . Starkie , held his annual Prov . Grand Chapter , and the whole proceedings throughout were most successful . _ The Prov . Grand Chapter was opened in the New Masonic Chambers , at the Victoria Hotel . The Grand Superintendent was supported by Comps . J . H .

Sillitoe , P . G . H . ; Abm . Clegg , P . G . J . ; John Chadwick , P . S . E . ; E . G . Harwood , Prov . G . S . N . ; G . Barlow , P . P . G . Soj . ; John Booth , P . G . ist Asst . Soj . ; several distinguished Grand Officers , and most of the other Prov . Grand Officers of the year , while there was an unusual number of past officers and companions from the 39 chapters in the Province .

The minutes of the P . G . Chapter having been read and confirmed , The Prov . Grand Scribe E ., Comp . J CHADWICK , read letters from several companions , regretting their inability to be present . The roll of chapters was called , four out of the 29 not being represented , viz . 219 , 300 , 317 , and 462 . '

Comp . J . H . SILLITOE , Prov . G . H ., read the report prepared by the Prov . G . Principals , congratulating the Prov . G . Chapter upon the satisfactory state of the province financially , as well as its increase in numbers , and the fact that there had

Provincial Grand Chapter Of East Lancashire.

been a general improvement in the working . The strength of the province had increased to 922 , as against 918 a year ago , and the Auditor ' s report showed a balance at the bank of ^ 52 , against ^ 47 last year . In their last report the Principals drew attention to what they considered the cause of inefficiency in several chapters , viz ., that in some cases there were more chapters in districts than the number of Craft Masons warranted , while in others the number of Craft

Masons was far in excess of the facilities afforded to qualified companions to pass through the various offices pertaining to this Degree . Since that period , a new chapter had been consecrated at Blackburn under most favourable auspices , and bade fair to be a great success . In another instance a chapter , which for some time had been in an indifferent state of efficiency owing to the want of candidates , had been recently removed to a more advantageous district , with very gratifying

effect already . There were , as yet , other chapters in the province to which the complaints referred to would as justly apply as in the past , and the Principals of these chapters were strongly recommended to take the suggestion into consideration , and to the utmost of their power endeavour to remedy the evils pointed out . Comp . W . DUNCAN , Prov . G . Treasurer , presented the accounts , and these were passed . Comp . Outram , 993 , was unanimously elected Prov . Grand Treasurer .

A motion was on the agenda that . £ 10 be contributed from the funds of the Provincial Grand Chapter to the East Lancashire Systematic Masonic Educational and Benevolent Institution .

Comp . J CHADWICK , P . G . S . E ., proposed that the amount be increased to ^ 20 , which was carried . It was further resolved to contribute two guineas towards the Masonic memorial included in the work of restoration of Peterborough Cathedral . The Grand Superintendent appointed and invested the following companions as officers for the year :

Comp . J . H . Sillitoe ... ... ... ... Prov . G . H , „ Abraham Clegg ... ... ... ... Prov . G . J . „ John Chadwick ... ... ... ... Prov . G . S . E . „ F . A . Molesworth , 204 ... ... ... Prov . G : S . N . „ J . Kershaw , 300 ... ... ... ... Prov . G . P . S . „ J . H . Bailey , 36 9 ... ... ... ... Prov . ist A . G . S . „ F . Tomlinson , 325 ... ... ... ... Prov . 2 nd A . G . S . „ N . A . Earle , 62 ... ... ... ... Prov . G . Reg-.

„ J . H . Watson , 350 ... ... ... Prov . G . S . B . „ W . Eastwood , 226 ... ... ... ... Prov . G . Std . Br . „ J . W . Thompson , 1055 ... ... ... Prov . G . D . C . „ W . Edwards , 277 ... ... ... ... Prov . A . G . D : C . „ James Newton ... ... ... ... Prov . A . G . S . E . „ A . H . Williams , 15 2 ... ' ... ... Prov . G . Org . ,, Thos . Higson ... ... ... ... Prov . G . Janitor .

The GRAND SUPERINTENDENT proposed a vote of thanks to the Auditors , and Provincial Grand Chapter was closed . The following companions were present : Comps . le Gendre N . Starkie , G . Supt . ; J . H . Sillitoe , P . G . H . ; Abraham Clegg , P . G . J . ; John Chadwick , P . G . S . E . ; E . G . Harwood , P . G . S . N . ; William Duncan , P . G . Treas . ; N . A . Earle , P . G . Reg . ; W . S . Barlow , P . G . P . Soj . ; Capt . John

Booth , P . G . ist Asst . Soj . ; Nat Dumville , P . G . S . B . ; C . D . Cheetham , jun ., P . G . D . of C . j G . V . Blaikie , P . A . G . D . C ; Wm . Lamb , P . G . Org . ; James Newton , P . A . G . S . E . ; Thos . Higson , P . G . Janitor ; J . Lees Aspiand , P . P . G . R . ; W . VV . Cartwright , P . P . G . P . Soj . ; R . Nelson , P . P . G . Std . Br . ; Nat . Nicholson , P . P . G . S . B . ; Walter Newton , P . P . G . D . C ; James Townend , P . P . G . S . ; J . W . Kenyon , P . P . G . S . B . ; Richard Duxbury , P . P . G . S . B . ; J . T . Richardson , P . A . G . S . ; Thomas R . Peel , P . P . G . P . Soi . : I . Schofield , P . A . G . D . C ; H . L . Rocca , P . P . G . S . N .

Richard Rushton , P . P . G . Treas . ; A . H . Jeffens , P . P . G . S . ; G . W . Wilson , P . P . G . S . ; Jas . McLaren , P . P . G . S . N . ; A . H . Williams , S . E . 152 ; E . W . Irving , H . 152 ; T . H . Duckworth , Z . 277 ; W . Edwards , P . Z . ; John Tew , S . E . ; W . Thornley , P . Z . ; George Sam Smith , J . 645 ; G . Henry , Z . 54 ; J . Ingham , P . Z . 274 ; J . Bleazard , S . E . 369 ; G . W . Whewell , 3 69 ; Thos . Barnet , 37 ; J . H . Bailey , P . Z . 360 ; S . S . Young , J . 226 ; H . Jones , 935 ; J . E . Harrison ,

P . Z . 1235 ; W . H . Brown , 221 ; J . Partington , Z . 266 ; Hy . Hawkins , I . 266 ; li . F . Bleakley . Z . 369 ; Alfred B . Whittaker , P . Z . 204 ; Thomas Barker , P . Z . 2 SS ; T . L . Sheppard , Z . 350 ; J . Harling , P . Z . 2 S 3 ; J . Kershaw , P . Z . 26 S ; W . C . Royle , 935 ; T . Radcliffe , 126 ; L . Edleston , 269 ; John Cliffe , P . Z . 204 ; M . Miller , 204 ; R . A . Eldershaw , H . 204 ; J . Shaw , H . 935 ; F . VV . Lean , 935 ; John Stovold , Z . 993 ;

J . Ashworth , P . Z . 226 ; F . R . Molesworth , Z . 204 ; T . Dearden , 1055 ; C . Stopford , 325 ; W . Eastwood , P . Z . 226 ; R . L . McMillan ; J . Barrett , Z . 221 ; J . Blair , S 15 ; J . Cookson , 993 ; W . Willis , Z . 204 ; F . E . Rigby , 1055 ; E - Williams , P . Z . 935 ; Alfred B . Outram , P . Z . 993 ; E . Nathan , P . Z . 204 ; P . Nelson , P . Z . ; W . Dunville , 204 ; J . Rowe , 152 ; J . O . Williamson , 5 S 1 ; and W . H . Vaughan , P . P . G . R .

At the banquet which followed the Grand Superintendent presided in his usual kind and genial manner , which at all times adds so much to the enjoyment of all present at such social gatherings . The usual loyal and Masonic toasts were duly honoured . The pleasure of the evening was greatly enhanced by the following musical programme , which had been prepared by Comp . A . H . Williams , Prov . G . Org .: Trio , " Come Fairies trip it , " Miss Conway , Miss Maude Yates , and Comp . A . S .

Kinnell ; song , " Here ' s to his health , " Comp . A . S . Kinnell ; song , Miss Maude Yates ; song , " I will be true to thee , " Comp . N . Dumville , P . P . G . S . B . ; duet , organ and piano , " Meditation , " Comp . and Mrs . A . H . Williams ; song , " My dearest heart , " Miss Conway ; song , " The raft , " Comp . A . S . Kinnell ; quartet , " When hands meet , " Comps . N . Dumville and A . S . Kinnell , and Misses Conway and Yates ; solo pianoforte , " Rhapsodie Hongroise , " Mrs . A . H . Williams , song , " In this old chair , " Comp . G . S . Smith ; song , " The lost chord , " Miss Conway .

DISPENSATION means properly a permission to dispense with the normal regulations of any institution or body , politic , social , or religious . In Freemasonry the power of dispensation is generally vested by the Book of Constitutions in the Grand Master , in some specified cases in the Provincial Grand Master alternately , and also in other specified cases in the District Grand Master . The Grand Master alone can grant a dispensation , for non-residence of Provincial

Grand Officers , for abrotherto be Master of two lodges at the same time , and as 13 generally understood to initiate more than five brethren in one night . The Provincial Grand Master can also , as well as the Grand Master , grant a dispensation for the Master of a lodge to continue more than two years in succession ( which , however , is properly very seldom done ) , to initiate a minor , to allow the master of a tavern to hold office , to admit a Tyler or serving

brother , for attendance on a Masonic funeral or other public pro . cession , to wear clothing at any funeral or public procession , to wear clothing , etc ., at any ball , theatre , assembly , or meeting , or at any place of public resort . District Grand Masters may grant provisional warrants or dispensations for the formation of new lodges . It was formerly the practice that lodges in England could be holden under dispensation previous to constitution under warrant , but

we doubt the legality of any such procedure , according to a strict construction of the English Book of Constitutions , which reserves this power of dispensation to lodges under District Grand Masters alone , and it is not now done , we understand . For the removal of one lodge to another town the permission of the Prov . G . M . and concurrence of Grand Master are requisite , and no lodge can be moved from one province to another without joint consent of Prov . G . M . and Grand Master , —Kenning ' s Cyclopcedia of Freemasonry .