-
Articles/Ads
Article THE LODGE MILITANT. ← Page 2 of 2 Article NEW MASONIC HALL IN JERSEY. Page 1 of 2 →
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
The Lodge Militant.
bosom many lodges seem fairly to have lost sight of their principles as members of the fraternity . They , at the period we speak of , not only devoted their funds to the payment of large bounties to Volunteers , but offered the rite of initiation free to all who chose
to join the regular army . Bro . Sir Wm . Forbes , Bart ., was then Grand Master of Scotland , and in order to put a stop to , and mark their displeasure at , such unmasonic conduct , the Grand Lodge of Scotland addressed to all their subordinate lodges the following circular , copies of which may still be found
engrossed in the minute books of some of our Scottish lodges : — " Edinburgh , Feb . 12 , 1778 . " R . AA . Brother , —At a quarterly communication of the Grand Lodge of Scotland , held here the 2 nd instant , I received a charge to acquaint all the lodges in Scotland , holding ot the Grand Lod that the Grantl Lodhas seen with concern
ge , ge advertisements in the pmblic newspapers , from different lodges in Scotland , not only offering a bounty to recruits who may enlist in the new levies , but ivith the addition that all such recruits shall he admitted to tho freedom of Masonry . The first of these they consider as an improper alienation of the funds of the lodge from the support of their poor and distressed brethren ; and the second they regard as a prostitution of our Order
, which demand the reprehension of the Grand Lodge . AVhatever share the brethren may choose to take as individuals in aiding these levies , out of zeal to serve their private friends , or to promote the public service , the Grand Lodge consider it to he repugnant to the spirit of our Craft that any lodge should take a part in such a business , as a collective body . Tor Masonry is an Order of Peace , and it looks on all mankind to be brethren
as Masons , whether they he at peace or war with each other as subjects of contending countries . " The Grand Lodge therefore strictly enjoin that the practice may ho forthwith discontinued .
" By order of the Grand Lodge of Scotland , " Win . MASON , G . Sec /' The lodge , among whose minutes we found the above letter , nnanimousely agreed to Grand Lodge ' s request ; and ordered an answer to be immediately returned , expressly mentioning that the brethren
" had no intention by any means of interfering in the new levies , " and that they were " extremely happy to find that Grand Lodge ' s sentiments correspond with their own . "
New Masonic Hall In Jersey.
NEW MASONIC HALL IN JERSEY .
From time to time , for several years , it has been reported from Jersey that the Freemasons of that island projected the erection of a temple suitable for the purposes of the'Craft , and that attempts were being made to carry out the idea . It is now a matter of sincere congratulation that these are on the point of being crowned with success . Perhaps it may be ivell to relate the
progress of the affair from the commencement , as the lesson may be useful to others , and give encouragement to those in other places who contemplate a similar course , teaching them not to be discouraged by temporary failures , hut to keep the object steadily in view till circumstances allow of its attainment . About three years ago the first move was made by Lodge La Cesaree ( No . 860 ) , ivhen ,
not expecting to have much co-operation from the other lodges in the province , and believing themselves sufficiently strong to take independent action , its members endeavoured to raise among themselves funds to defray
the cost of a building which should be its own property , but available for the use of the other branches of the Order , whenever either of them might consider it desirable to take advantage of the accommodation . A considerable sum was raised , yet very inadequate to defray the cost . A plot of land was selected in an admirable situation , and au agreement ivas entered into with the proprietor
for the purchase of it . Subsequently some difficulties arose which led to temporary abandonment , and such a damp was thus cast on the effort , that for a time no further steps were taken . The project was not relinquished , however , and only aivaited a favourable opportunity , for within a few months the idea ivas revived , with a view to the purchase of a chapel in a central
position , the congregation of ivhich had removed to a larger edifice . Negotiations were accordingly commenced , and as the expense of purchase and of making the necessary alterations was thought to be quite within limits such as ivould not exceed the means of the lodge , plans Avere drawn up by an architect Avith a view to its adaptation to Masonic purposes , and everything seemed
tending to a favourable conclusion , when some difficulty arose between one of the trustees and the minister of the congregation to ivhich the chapel belonged , that rendered it impossible , to effect a safe transfer of the property . Every effort made to come to an arrangement was fruitless , and again the hopes of Lodge La Cesaree were doomed to be disappointed . Early in the present year ,
the " States " of Jersey passed an act alloiving the formation of public companies with limited liability . This again led to a revival of the question of a Masonjc temple . By this time the members of Lodge La Cesaree became convinced that they could not , without extraneous assistance , still howei'er restricted to the Craft , expect to raise funds for a building on a large scale , at once a credit to the Masonic body , an ornament to the town of St . Helier , and capable of affording ; accommodation sufficiently extensive for all purposes that might be
required , including the private lodges , the Royal Arch Chapters , the Provincial Grand Lodge , with a banqueting room , kitchen , and a residence for the curator . Circulars were therefore issued , convening Masons from all the lodges in the province to a meeting , in order to consider the feasibilitj of forming a company under the new act . This was held , the ] Droject ivas favourably received , and
several meetings were subsequently held , at each of ivhich some progress was made . A committee was appointed to make farther arrangements and mature the plans . A large proportion of the shares were soon taken up , and several brethren who are professional architects drew up designs for the building , and ultimately those of Bro . Thomas Gallichan ivere selected , their adoption
being confirmed by the general body convened for the purpose . Though till a few months ago comparatively few came forward from other lodges in the province , and the chief burthen of settling all preliminaries had rested on the Cesaree Lodge , when last summer most of the difficulties appeared to have been surmounted , and the project was in a fair way for realisation , the
excitement extended to many who had hitherto kept aloof , and at length all seemed to unite in the common cause . The drawings ivere perfected , made ready for the builders , and received general approbation ; advertisements were inserted in the local journals for tenders from contractors for the execution of the work ; the company was legally formed and registered in the Royal Court on
November 30 th , and the estimates Avere sent in and examined , resulting in the erection being entrusted to Bros . Benest , De La Mare and Pirouet . The Board of Management , appointed by the shareholders to supersede the previous temporary committee , have fixed December 17 fch , as the day of laying the first stone , preparations for which are now in progress on a grand scale . The brethren will attend in full Masonic costume , and it is understood that his Excellency Sir Percy Douglas , Lieut . Governor of Jersey , himself a Freemason ,
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
The Lodge Militant.
bosom many lodges seem fairly to have lost sight of their principles as members of the fraternity . They , at the period we speak of , not only devoted their funds to the payment of large bounties to Volunteers , but offered the rite of initiation free to all who chose
to join the regular army . Bro . Sir Wm . Forbes , Bart ., was then Grand Master of Scotland , and in order to put a stop to , and mark their displeasure at , such unmasonic conduct , the Grand Lodge of Scotland addressed to all their subordinate lodges the following circular , copies of which may still be found
engrossed in the minute books of some of our Scottish lodges : — " Edinburgh , Feb . 12 , 1778 . " R . AA . Brother , —At a quarterly communication of the Grand Lodge of Scotland , held here the 2 nd instant , I received a charge to acquaint all the lodges in Scotland , holding ot the Grand Lod that the Grantl Lodhas seen with concern
ge , ge advertisements in the pmblic newspapers , from different lodges in Scotland , not only offering a bounty to recruits who may enlist in the new levies , but ivith the addition that all such recruits shall he admitted to tho freedom of Masonry . The first of these they consider as an improper alienation of the funds of the lodge from the support of their poor and distressed brethren ; and the second they regard as a prostitution of our Order
, which demand the reprehension of the Grand Lodge . AVhatever share the brethren may choose to take as individuals in aiding these levies , out of zeal to serve their private friends , or to promote the public service , the Grand Lodge consider it to he repugnant to the spirit of our Craft that any lodge should take a part in such a business , as a collective body . Tor Masonry is an Order of Peace , and it looks on all mankind to be brethren
as Masons , whether they he at peace or war with each other as subjects of contending countries . " The Grand Lodge therefore strictly enjoin that the practice may ho forthwith discontinued .
" By order of the Grand Lodge of Scotland , " Win . MASON , G . Sec /' The lodge , among whose minutes we found the above letter , nnanimousely agreed to Grand Lodge ' s request ; and ordered an answer to be immediately returned , expressly mentioning that the brethren
" had no intention by any means of interfering in the new levies , " and that they were " extremely happy to find that Grand Lodge ' s sentiments correspond with their own . "
New Masonic Hall In Jersey.
NEW MASONIC HALL IN JERSEY .
From time to time , for several years , it has been reported from Jersey that the Freemasons of that island projected the erection of a temple suitable for the purposes of the'Craft , and that attempts were being made to carry out the idea . It is now a matter of sincere congratulation that these are on the point of being crowned with success . Perhaps it may be ivell to relate the
progress of the affair from the commencement , as the lesson may be useful to others , and give encouragement to those in other places who contemplate a similar course , teaching them not to be discouraged by temporary failures , hut to keep the object steadily in view till circumstances allow of its attainment . About three years ago the first move was made by Lodge La Cesaree ( No . 860 ) , ivhen ,
not expecting to have much co-operation from the other lodges in the province , and believing themselves sufficiently strong to take independent action , its members endeavoured to raise among themselves funds to defray
the cost of a building which should be its own property , but available for the use of the other branches of the Order , whenever either of them might consider it desirable to take advantage of the accommodation . A considerable sum was raised , yet very inadequate to defray the cost . A plot of land was selected in an admirable situation , and au agreement ivas entered into with the proprietor
for the purchase of it . Subsequently some difficulties arose which led to temporary abandonment , and such a damp was thus cast on the effort , that for a time no further steps were taken . The project was not relinquished , however , and only aivaited a favourable opportunity , for within a few months the idea ivas revived , with a view to the purchase of a chapel in a central
position , the congregation of ivhich had removed to a larger edifice . Negotiations were accordingly commenced , and as the expense of purchase and of making the necessary alterations was thought to be quite within limits such as ivould not exceed the means of the lodge , plans Avere drawn up by an architect Avith a view to its adaptation to Masonic purposes , and everything seemed
tending to a favourable conclusion , when some difficulty arose between one of the trustees and the minister of the congregation to ivhich the chapel belonged , that rendered it impossible , to effect a safe transfer of the property . Every effort made to come to an arrangement was fruitless , and again the hopes of Lodge La Cesaree were doomed to be disappointed . Early in the present year ,
the " States " of Jersey passed an act alloiving the formation of public companies with limited liability . This again led to a revival of the question of a Masonjc temple . By this time the members of Lodge La Cesaree became convinced that they could not , without extraneous assistance , still howei'er restricted to the Craft , expect to raise funds for a building on a large scale , at once a credit to the Masonic body , an ornament to the town of St . Helier , and capable of affording ; accommodation sufficiently extensive for all purposes that might be
required , including the private lodges , the Royal Arch Chapters , the Provincial Grand Lodge , with a banqueting room , kitchen , and a residence for the curator . Circulars were therefore issued , convening Masons from all the lodges in the province to a meeting , in order to consider the feasibilitj of forming a company under the new act . This was held , the ] Droject ivas favourably received , and
several meetings were subsequently held , at each of ivhich some progress was made . A committee was appointed to make farther arrangements and mature the plans . A large proportion of the shares were soon taken up , and several brethren who are professional architects drew up designs for the building , and ultimately those of Bro . Thomas Gallichan ivere selected , their adoption
being confirmed by the general body convened for the purpose . Though till a few months ago comparatively few came forward from other lodges in the province , and the chief burthen of settling all preliminaries had rested on the Cesaree Lodge , when last summer most of the difficulties appeared to have been surmounted , and the project was in a fair way for realisation , the
excitement extended to many who had hitherto kept aloof , and at length all seemed to unite in the common cause . The drawings ivere perfected , made ready for the builders , and received general approbation ; advertisements were inserted in the local journals for tenders from contractors for the execution of the work ; the company was legally formed and registered in the Royal Court on
November 30 th , and the estimates Avere sent in and examined , resulting in the erection being entrusted to Bros . Benest , De La Mare and Pirouet . The Board of Management , appointed by the shareholders to supersede the previous temporary committee , have fixed December 17 fch , as the day of laying the first stone , preparations for which are now in progress on a grand scale . The brethren will attend in full Masonic costume , and it is understood that his Excellency Sir Percy Douglas , Lieut . Governor of Jersey , himself a Freemason ,