Freemasonry And Architecture.

employed the fraternity in building NOAV College , Oxford , ancl Winchester College , both of Avhich he founded at his own expense . Henry IV . appointed Thomas Fitz Allan , Earl of Surrey , Grand Master ; in this reign the Guildhall of

London Avas built . Iu the reign of Henry V ., Henry Chickeley , Archbishop of Canterbury , obtained the direction of the fraternity . Henry VI . presided in person over the lodges , and nominated lYiUiam Wanefleefc , Bishop of Winchester , Grand

Master , Avho built at his own expense Magdalen College , Oxford . Eton College ancl King ' s College , Cambridge , Avere founded in this reign , and finished under the direction of this Grand Master . During the Wars of the Roses , Masonry

fell almost into total neglect till 14 / i , when it again revived under the auspices of Richard Beauchamp , Bishop of Sarum , AVIIO had been appointed Grand Master by EdAvard IV ., and honoured with the title of Chancellor of the

Garter . During the short reigns of Edward II . and Richard III . Masonry Avas on the decline , but on the accession of Henry VII . it rose again into esteem under the patronage of the Master ancl felloAVS of the Order of St . John , at Rhodes

( IIOAV Malta ) , who assembled their Grand Lodge in 1500 , and chose Henry their Protector . Under the auspices of this Prince the fraternity once more revived their assemblies , ancl Masonry resumed its pirisfcme splendour . On the 24 th of June ,

1502 , a lodge of Master Masons Avas formed at the palace , at Avhich the King presided as Grand Master , Avho , haA'ing appointed John Islip , Abbot of Westminster , ancl Sir Reginald Bray , Knight of the Garter , his Wardens for the occasion ,

proceeded in ample form to the east end of Westminster Abbe }' , where he laid the foundation stone of that master-piece of Gothic architecture knoAvn by the name of Henry the Seventh's chapel . Henry VIII . appointed Cardinal Wolsey Grand

Master , ancl , upon his disgrace , Thomas Cromwell , Earl of Essex , filled the chair of K . S ., to speak Masonically . He employed the fraternity in building Christ's Hospital ancl other famous edifices . Edward Seymour , Duke of Somerset ,

the Regent during Edward VI . ' s reign , next ruled the Masons , and employed them in building-Somerset House . Upon his death , John Poynet , Bishop of Winchester , became patron of the fraternit }' . In the time of Queen Elizabeth , the Grand Lodge continued to assemble afc Yoi'k . Inigo

Jones Avas appointed by James I . Grand Master of England . He introduced the Palladian style of architecture into England , and built Whitehall . King Charles II . laid the foundation-stone of St . Paul ' s Cathedral , in 1673 , when he was attended by Grand Master Earl of Rivers , Sir Christopher Wren ,

Deputy-Grand Master , his architects , ancl Craftsmen . Lord Rivers was succeeded by George Villiers , Duke of Buckingham , who , however , left the care of the brethren to his Wardens and Sir Christopher Wren , Avho still continued to act as his deputy . In James II .

reign , the Earl of Arlington , who Avas then Grand Master , having died , Sir Christopher Wren was elected Grand Maste . ? .

King AVilliam III . having been privately initiated into Masonry in 1695 , approved the choice of Sir Christopher Wren as Grand Master , and himself frequently presided over the lodge at Hampton Court during the building of the new part of that palace . Chelsea and Norwich Hospitals were built under the

directions of Sir Christopher Wren , at this time . After this period , architecture languished , and consequently Freemasonry was at a low ebb—now , however , there has been a revival of the love of architecture , and Masonry flourishes . It is true that it is no

longer necessary that the free and accepted brother should be au operative , but only a speculative Mason ; , and , therefore , the Craft can scarcely be expected to build churches now-a-days by manual labour . Yet , they boast amongst their members many of the most

eminent and wealthy of England's nobility and gentry . In our own county , the Earl Durham , Earl Vane , and Sir Hedworth Williamson , Bart ., are amongst the chief Masons in the north . The Provincial Grand ' Lodge of Durham is one of the richest , we are told ,

iu the kingdom ; and we venture to recommend to the Masons of Durham that they prove themselves worthy of their noble ancestry , and assist in the restoration of the Church of St . Hilda of Hartlepool . The Masons of Somersetshire have undertaken , we believe the restoration ox Bath Abbey . The Masons- of Lancashire have built more than one church at their

own cost , Ave are told . Only recently the Provincial Grand Lodge of Bristol proceeded in due form , Avith all the ceremonials used on these occasions , to lay the chief corner stone of the restored part of the Church of St . Mary Redcliffe , in that city , toAvards which they had contributed largely . Let the Free and

Accepted Masons of the county of Durham but come forward , and assist in restoring St . Hilda's , and they will establish a claim to our gratitude Avhich Avill not be forgotten . Charity is the great virtue they practise . What nobler charity than this , to help to built up again this noble evidence of the skill of the ancient fraternity , and the piety of our forefathers ?