History Of Freemasonry In" Cornwall.

HISTORY OF FREEMASONRY IN " CORNWALL .

LONDON , SATTTBDAT , MARCS 2 , 1867 .

By > 5 < Bro . W II / LIAM JAMES HUGHAJT , IS , & c , [ Continued from page 102 . ) Although the attendance was small at this time of the lodge , so far as the minutes are an indication of its position , there does not seem to have

been any lack of business , for the records are voluminous . and evince much care on the part of the Secretary , to give a faithful photograph of its history . On Nov . 17 th , 1797 , it was decided to have the lodge room redecorated , and the brethren

ever mindful of the wants of the distressed , not only attended to their own requirements , but also generously relieved a poor brother with half a guinea . At the next meeting it was found to be impossible to procure an ante-room for preparing

the candidates , for the evening , and in consequence the two apprentices had their promotion delayed for another month . Bro . John Tressicler was elected R . W . M . Jan . 2 nd , 1798 . It was proposed that a sheet of copper be provided for the use of the lodge , and unanimously agreed to .

The night of meeting- was altered once more , to the first Tuesday on June 19 th . The Provincial Grand Lodge Festival was held at Penryn , and the members of the Love and Honour Lodg-e who had decided to attend on the 5 th July , were

requested to meet at the lodge room by nine a . m . There were but three lodges represented at the Provincial Grand Lodge , viz ., No . 87 Falmouth , No . 103 Druids , Redrnth , and No . 361 Peace , Joy , and Brotherly Love , Penryn . These three lodges

attended the annual assemblies of the Craft in Cornwall for 1794-5-6-7-8-9 , but in 1800 the number was changed to four by . the addition of No . 577 , three Grand Principles , Penryn according to the list of lodges published by the Provincial

Grand Lodge of Cornwall , We are of opinion however that no accession of strength occurred until A . p . 1801 , when a warrant was granted once more for a lodge to be held at Helston . On referring to the Freemasons' Calendar for 1784 ,

No . 361 Penryn is recorded in the list of lodges , but on examining a copy of the work for 1799 , that number is omitted , and No . 557 substituted . Hence we think it certain that the record of four lodges attending the Provincial Grand Lodge Festival in A , D . 1800 , should be but three , as the

lodge at Penryn must have lost its right to a higher number than 577 , owing to some reason unmentioned . Bro . William Downing , B . W . M ., and some dozen members assembled at the lodg'eroont on 1 st May A . D . 1799 , at eleven o ' clock in the

morning for the benefit of instruction , and actually continued for seven hours , according to the minutes , intent on so . absorbing and interesting an occupation , " " during' which time , the E . W . M . gave several learned lectures on the different degrees of

Masonry , and received the thanks of the lodge for his care and zeal . " We should be glad to have the pleasure of recording many such instances of laudable anxiety for the welfare of the members , by the Masters and officers of the various lodges in

Cornwall of the present day . Speaking- generally , it is a wonder that so many are acquainted even with the positive essentials of the Craft , considering the little opportunity that is given to new members to become aware of the nature and extent of

the mysteries of Freemasonry . We are afraid that instruction is frequently made subordinate to the banquet and its attendant festivities . In consequence of the Tyler , Bro . Ellard , having broken some of his ribs , and not being able to work , the

Senior Warden proposed he should have two shillings per week from the Treasurer until the next lodge night , and on the motion of the ¥ . Past Master , it was agreed that half a guinea be given him for his present relief , exclusive of the amount previously referred to .

The Provincial Grand Lodge was held at Fak mouth , June 24 th , A . D . 1800 , and the following were the officers appointed by Bro . Benjamin Hearnie , P . D . Prov . G . M ., the Acting Prov . G . M . ; Bro . Thomas Warren S . Prov . G . W .

„ Charles Scott J . Prov . G . W . „ Rev . Bohert Dillon Prov . G . Chap . „ John Bellhouse Prov . G . Treas . „ John Pearce Prov . G . Sec . ,, George Williams Prov . G-. Sword Bearer . „ Ahel Dngge , Prov . G . Steward . „ James Edgcumhe Prov . G . Steward .

There were no deacons appointed until some sixteen years later at the Provincial Grand Lodge , at Penzance . The Secretary states that a Provincial Grand Lodge was opened at Commins' Hotel , from whence the members

proceeded to Falmouth church in grand Masonic processions . A goodly attendance of the members on the 5 th September , testified to the progress of Masonry in . Falmouth , and we feel more than common satis-