Some Memorials Of The Globe Lodge,No.23,And Of The "Red Apron."

Some Memorials of the Globe Lodge , No . 23 , and of the "Red Apron ."

Some Memorials of the Globe Lodge , No . 23 , and of the "Red Apron . "

THE Rev . Henry Isaac Knapp , who had been Deputy Grand Chaplain of the " Antients , " and also of the United Grand Lodge , joined the Lodge in 18 3 8 from the Grand Master ' s Lodge , No . r . In 1814 he Avas appointed by the Grand Master one of the members of the Lodge of Reconciliation .

In 1848 the Globe Lodge seems to have been in rather lowwater , for in the latter part of that year it was joined by 24 new members from various London Lodges , ten of whom came from the Robert Burns Lodge , No . 25 , several of tliem being celebrated Masonic workers and Installing Masters , headed by the late venerable brother , W illiam Watson , familiarly

known as " Old Billie , " whom , doubtless , some of you remember . He served as Grand Steward for this Lodge in 1 S 49 , and AA-as a member of the Grand Stewards' Lodge and several other Lodges . For several years he was part proprietor of The Freemasons' Tavern . He it was who initiated

the Nawab of Oude in 1851 , and in the same year a valuable Testimonial was presented to him , when Bro . W . F . Beadon , P . G . W ., who made the presentation , stated that Bro . Watson had installed 43 Masters in 23 different Lodges , and 9 6 Principals in the Royal Arch .

As he continued to take an active part in Masonry almost up to the time of his death , in 1879 , the number of installations , consecrations , and other ceremonies which he had performed during his 40 years of Masonic life must have been something enormous . I Avas the last Principal to be installed by

him in the Temperance Chapter , No . 169 . He had consecrated this Chapter in 1862 , and installed all the officers up to 1878 , when the writer succeeded him as Installing Principal .

Another celebrity of this batch AA'as the late Benjamin Webster , actor and theatrical manager . He joined from the Bedford Lodge , and served as Grand Steward for the Globe Lodge at the Festival in 18 49 , in the place of a brother who had been nominated and approved at the preceding Grand Festival , but owing to either death or resignation , his dues

not being paid after 18 47 , had not continued in the office . " Ben Webster " Avas appointed Junior Grand Deacon in 1851 , and died at the ripe age of 84 , in 1882 , having , only a feAV years previously , taken unto himself a young Avife . On the 5 th of August , 1851 , His Royal Highness

EkbaloddoAvla , Nawab of Oude , Avas made a Mason in the Globe Lodge , his secretary having been previously initiated in order to interpret the ceremony to his Royal Master . There were about 70 brethren present , consisting chiefly of members of the Lodge and distinguished visitors . At the

close of the evening His Royal Highness and his secretary expressed the great delight they had experienced in being enrolled as members of the fraternity . The Nawab was duly passed and raised at the IAVO succeeding meetings , but did not become a subscribing member .

Another Eastern potentate joined from the Lodge Rising Star ( S . C . ) , Bombay , on the 20 th of August , 1852 , in the person of Ali Mahomed Khan , who continued a member for a short period .

On the 19 th of January , 1854 , was initiated that distinguished and witty writer , Mark Lemon , editor of Punch from its commencement in 18 41 until his death in 1870 . Benjamin Webster AA'as his proposer , but he appears not to have proceeded beyond the first degree , nor attended any subsequent meeting of the Lodge .

GLEAXIN- GS FROM THE RECORDS OE THE GLOBE LODGE , 1793-1861 . Hitherto I have had to depend mainly upon the Grand Lodge records and outside sources for material , but am IIOAV enabled to examine the actual records of the Lodge .

The earliest minute book IIOAV in possession of the Globe Lodge commences on the 4 th of April , 1793 , on which day a meeting was held at The While Hart Tavern , Holborn , Br . Millett , R . W . M ., Harper , P . M ., and ten others being present . The only officers named are the Master , Wardens ,.

Treasurer , Secretary , and Tyler . Deacons and Inner Guard Avere not appointed until after the completion of this book . As the minutes of this meeting are brief and quite to the point , it may interest the brethren to read them in their entirety .

" Lodge opened in due form . " The Minutes of the last Lodge read and confirmed . " Bro . Harper , AVIIO Avas on the last Lodge nominated Grand Steward , to succeed Bro . Tremain , declined the office .

"A Bro . Quinton Adams having applied for relief , the Lodge voted him five shillings , which were paid him accordingly . " Bro . Harper proposed Bro . Chas . Carpenter , of Coleman Street , London , Esq ., to become a member of this

Lodge , Avhich Avas duly seconded and carried unanimously in the affirmative . * " Bro . Harper then proposed that Br . Carpenter be nominated to succeed Br . Tremain as Grand Steward , which was duly seconded and carried unanimously in the

affirmative . " All business being over , the Lodge Avas closed with Order and Harmon } -. "

Tlie Treasurer Dr . — £ s . d . Per Contra Cr . — £ s . d . Ballance brot . from old Pd . for this Book o 17 o-Book 39 o 6 Pd . for Paper , Pens , etc . o 3 5 Ot Br . Hartley by Br . Pd . a yr . s . Subscription Stott I 1 o to Free Masons School 1 1 o RelieA-d . Quinton Adams 050 Pd . House Bill 3 4 6 Ballance in hand 34 10 7 £ 40 1 6 £ 40 1 (>

It will thus be seen that at this period the Lodge Avas in a flourishing condition financially , and that then , as IIOAV , the brethren were not unmindful of the claims of charity . The meetings Avere held every month throughout the year , on Ihe first Thursday , Avith an occasional Lodge of Emergency . The Master and Treasurer were elected every six months ,

in June and December , but there is no mention of a ceremony of installation . The honour of Mastership seems to have been pretty evenly divided between Charles Millett and Thomas Harper , the latter succeeding the former in June , 1793 , and being re-elected until December of the folloAving

year . The Master Avas paid half-a-crown from the Lodge funds for attending each Quarterly Communication of the Grand Lodge , and five shillings when he attended a Committee of Charity .

The initiation fee Avas £ 3 3 -i including the proposition fee of 10 s . 6 d ., and the joining fee 10 s . 6 d . The annual subscription Avas one guinea , and the visitors fee , 2 s . 6 d . On the 12 th of October , 1793 , an emergency meeting

Avas held , when three candidates received the three degrees on account of their being about to leave the Kingdom . Each of the candidates paid a guinea in addition to the usual fee , and as the house bill on the occasion only came to £ 2 3 s ., they practically paid the expenses of the meeting .