Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Notes On The Old Minute Books Of The British Union Lodge, No. 114, Ipswich. A.D. 1762.
the Master Avas occasionally at least elected half-yearly , and the Wardens instead of being the nomiuees of the Master were , like himself , elected by the brethren . At the next lodge meeting John H miter ' s name appears as Master , and John
Clarke ' s as P . M ., but there is nothing to SIIOAV that there Avas any special ceremony in inducting the new W . M . into the chair of K . S ., though Ave should be sorry to assert , as some of the exact writers ou Masonic subjects wouldthat the mere
, absence of mention of the admitting to the installed Master ' s degree , Avas proof positive that no such degree existed at this time .
On the 2 nd Aug ., 1702 , the Master appears to have been amongst the absentees , and John Clarke signs as D . Master , both on this and the following lodge night . Depute Master is quite a Scotch '' style , " and we never remember to have seen it in
an English minute book before . A Captain John Softley , of Sunderland , no doubt iu the mercantile service , was regularly made on this occasion . Robert Fenu appears to have served the office of T yler at this time . A Mr . Wm . Enefer , of Hanvich ,
Avas duly admitted a brother on the 15 th November , 1762 , and raised a fellowcraft the same night . This seems to have been a common practice to give the two degrees in one night , for on the very next lodge night Mr . John Baileyof Harwichwas
, , duly admitted a brother , and raised fellowcraft . At this time the Master is described as Right Worshipful , a term now only applied to Provincial Grand Masters in this country , though iu Scotland the holder of the gavel is still described as R . W . M .
Right Worshipful , by the way , is , if Ave mistake not , the style of a Knight whilst Worshipful is that of an Esquire . The former is still used , we believe , by some of the Mayors of our older corporations in the great cities , by the Vicar General of the
Province of Canterbury , and the Judge of the Bishop of London ' s Consistory Court , though the latter is the more usual title assumed by Mayors aud Aldermen , and , AVC believe , the Masters of the City Livery Companiesthe relics of the trade guilds
, of the middle ages . According to Burke Mayors of boroughs and Justices of the Peace are Esquires by virtue of their office ; so are servants of the Crown , holdin " responsible and independent portions , and
it is on this ground that magistrates are always addressed as "Your Worship . " The modern fashion of dubbing everybody Esquire who does not actually keep a shop , is as ridiculous as the servant-galism of the day Avhose representatives have their letters addressed Missand speak of each
, other as . " me and another young lady . " But we are sadly digressing—from the title Worship ful . Does it not suggest itself to our brethren that the mere title accorded
to a Master shows that his position as such Avas considered a century ago , and should be now , as one of \ ery high importance iu the craft ; and , as in choosing the Mayor of a town , it is generally the most distinguished citizen AVIIO can be prevailed upon to take the office who is selected to
fill the post , and the one whose means , social position , or great talent justify the selection ; so in Masonry , Ave should always be careful to put into office brethren to whom the title Worshipful might properly be applied , Avithout raising a sneer from
the outside Avorld at its application to a brother who fails to dignify the office , either by his capacity , his character , or his position in society . But this is a digression which , in later years , at all eventscould have no possible application
, so far as the British Union Lodge is concerned , a lodge which at the present time occupies the first position in the province of Suffolk , and compares favourably in the social status of its members with almost
any lodge in England . Recurring to our notes of the British Union , we find that Bro . Wm . Clarke was unanimously chosen Master at the St . John ' s Festival , 27 th Dec . 1702 , at which time the Wardens Avere also elected . The names of brethren
absent appear to be regulaily recorded , and against their names at the January meeting , iu 1703 , ive find that the forfeits are to be paid the first night Avhen present . Whether a recurrence to this goodold
, practice would secure a more regular attendance at lodge meetings , AVC do not know , and , perhaps , so far as the members generally are concerned , it would be uiiAvise to revive the rule ; but Avith regard to office-bearers it is a matter for
consideiation for the craft generally whether a fine (¦ which should invariably be enforced ) inflicted upon all officers absent at regular lodge meetings Avould not be a sure Avay
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Notes On The Old Minute Books Of The British Union Lodge, No. 114, Ipswich. A.D. 1762.
the Master Avas occasionally at least elected half-yearly , and the Wardens instead of being the nomiuees of the Master were , like himself , elected by the brethren . At the next lodge meeting John H miter ' s name appears as Master , and John
Clarke ' s as P . M ., but there is nothing to SIIOAV that there Avas any special ceremony in inducting the new W . M . into the chair of K . S ., though Ave should be sorry to assert , as some of the exact writers ou Masonic subjects wouldthat the mere
, absence of mention of the admitting to the installed Master ' s degree , Avas proof positive that no such degree existed at this time .
On the 2 nd Aug ., 1702 , the Master appears to have been amongst the absentees , and John Clarke signs as D . Master , both on this and the following lodge night . Depute Master is quite a Scotch '' style , " and we never remember to have seen it in
an English minute book before . A Captain John Softley , of Sunderland , no doubt iu the mercantile service , was regularly made on this occasion . Robert Fenu appears to have served the office of T yler at this time . A Mr . Wm . Enefer , of Hanvich ,
Avas duly admitted a brother on the 15 th November , 1762 , and raised a fellowcraft the same night . This seems to have been a common practice to give the two degrees in one night , for on the very next lodge night Mr . John Baileyof Harwichwas
, , duly admitted a brother , and raised fellowcraft . At this time the Master is described as Right Worshipful , a term now only applied to Provincial Grand Masters in this country , though iu Scotland the holder of the gavel is still described as R . W . M .
Right Worshipful , by the way , is , if Ave mistake not , the style of a Knight whilst Worshipful is that of an Esquire . The former is still used , we believe , by some of the Mayors of our older corporations in the great cities , by the Vicar General of the
Province of Canterbury , and the Judge of the Bishop of London ' s Consistory Court , though the latter is the more usual title assumed by Mayors aud Aldermen , and , AVC believe , the Masters of the City Livery Companiesthe relics of the trade guilds
, of the middle ages . According to Burke Mayors of boroughs and Justices of the Peace are Esquires by virtue of their office ; so are servants of the Crown , holdin " responsible and independent portions , and
it is on this ground that magistrates are always addressed as "Your Worship . " The modern fashion of dubbing everybody Esquire who does not actually keep a shop , is as ridiculous as the servant-galism of the day Avhose representatives have their letters addressed Missand speak of each
, other as . " me and another young lady . " But we are sadly digressing—from the title Worship ful . Does it not suggest itself to our brethren that the mere title accorded
to a Master shows that his position as such Avas considered a century ago , and should be now , as one of \ ery high importance iu the craft ; and , as in choosing the Mayor of a town , it is generally the most distinguished citizen AVIIO can be prevailed upon to take the office who is selected to
fill the post , and the one whose means , social position , or great talent justify the selection ; so in Masonry , Ave should always be careful to put into office brethren to whom the title Worshipful might properly be applied , Avithout raising a sneer from
the outside Avorld at its application to a brother who fails to dignify the office , either by his capacity , his character , or his position in society . But this is a digression which , in later years , at all eventscould have no possible application
, so far as the British Union Lodge is concerned , a lodge which at the present time occupies the first position in the province of Suffolk , and compares favourably in the social status of its members with almost
any lodge in England . Recurring to our notes of the British Union , we find that Bro . Wm . Clarke was unanimously chosen Master at the St . John ' s Festival , 27 th Dec . 1702 , at which time the Wardens Avere also elected . The names of brethren
absent appear to be regulaily recorded , and against their names at the January meeting , iu 1703 , ive find that the forfeits are to be paid the first night Avhen present . Whether a recurrence to this goodold
, practice would secure a more regular attendance at lodge meetings , AVC do not know , and , perhaps , so far as the members generally are concerned , it would be uiiAvise to revive the rule ; but Avith regard to office-bearers it is a matter for
consideiation for the craft generally whether a fine (¦ which should invariably be enforced ) inflicted upon all officers absent at regular lodge meetings Avould not be a sure Avay