Freemasonry—Past And Present. No. 2.—The Revival.

Universe established under the revised system , and the Grand Lodge of England , founded A . D . 1717 , first promulgated , and in fact instituted that peculiar form of Ancient Free and Accepted Masonry , Avhich , from four lodges early in the 18 th

century , has in 1870 extended to upwards of ten thousand , and from a feAV members—successors of the old society—who met in 1716 , and decided to revive the ancient Fraternity , have followed millions !

The Lodge Of Glasgow St. John.

THE LODGE OF GLASGOW ST . JOHN .

By Bro . W . P . BUCHAN , P . S . W . No . 3 bis , and Grand Steward , Grand Lodge of Scotland . ( No . 4 . —Continued from page 503 ) . "At GlasgOAV , 20 th May , 1842 . At a meeting

of the Freemen St . John Lodge—Present : The Grand Master , other Office Bearers , and a number of members . " The following parties were initiated from other lodges , viz ., Christie ; Wilson , William

Neilson , 7 s . 6 d . each , " The following parties were initiated and entered : —Andrew Paterson , J . Hamilton , Rob Philip , James Cruickshank , 15 s . " The following parties Avere passed and raised :

Jeffrey , Paterson , 10 s . 6 d . " " At Glasgow , 26 th May , 1842 . At a meeting of the Freemen St . John's Lodge—present : The Grand Master , other Office Bearers , and a

number of members . " The following parties were passed and raised , viz . -. —James Neilson , Master ; James Minto . " The folloAving parties Avere initiated from other lodges , viz : —David McConnochie , James Grant . "

There is again a lapse of several years , as the date of next minute shows , viz .: — " At GlasgOAV , the 24 th day of May , 1849 / ' Avhich minute proceeds to narrate the negotiations going on relative to a union Avith Grand Lodge ; it therefore follows

that during a quarter of a century preceding 1 S 49 Ave have only sixteen minutes recorded in the minute book , and had it not been for the lodge turning out at processions no doubt the meetings would have been even fewer . HoAvever , after it

did join the Grand Lodge the meetings are more regular , and the minutes , generally speaking , Avell kept . Except in a few isolated cases , as per page 483 , there has always been a want of

independence among the Office Bearers regarding the working ; some of them consider it is not Avorth the trouble learning it , others seem to think it is quite sufficient labour to bear the honour Avithout being bothered doing the duties ; others again

affect to throAV cold Avater upon the performance of the ceremonies , reminding one of the story of the fox and the grapes— " Oh , it is nothing . " Besides , if Ave can get others to do it for us , Avhy should we take the trouble to study the matter

our-selves ? And so on . HoAvever , I hope that the younger members will not only strive to get into office , but also strive to do the whole duties of office in a manner Avhich will be creditable both to themselves and the lodge ; and , as example

is better than precept , the Master ought always so to qualify himself as to be able to set his craftsmen to work Avith due and wholesome instruction . At page 483 allusion Avas made to three brethren having done the three degrees . There was also

three who made a beginning by trying the first degree , viz ., the late Bro . David Winton , P . M ., Bros . James Anderson and E . F . Bamber . We

trust the last two will exert themselves to furtbei efforts . While we consider that , generally speaking , the Master of a lodge ought always to be able to do tbe duties pertaining to that office himself , yet Ave are ready to admit that in some

exceptional case a member might be entitled to the honour of the chair , even although not qualified to perform the ceremonies , but there is n great difference between an exception and a rule . *

The following is the record of negotiations above alluded to : — " At Glasgow , the 24 th day of May , 1849 . At a general meeting of the members of the Freemen Operative St . John ' s Lodge , it Avas explained

that a negotiation had been carrying on for some time with the Office Bearers of the Grand Lodge of Scotland for a cordial union and co-operation with the Grand Lodge , and a petition prepared for the purpose of being presented to the Grand Lodge ,

Avith that view , was produced and read . " After mature deliberation , the meeting unanimously approve of the petition , and authorise