Mark Masonry.

„ Frank Dawson „ „ 191 — J . 0 . „ James W . Kenyon „ „ 42 — Chaplain „ Thomas Crompton „ „ 191—Treasurer „ Henry Maiden „ „ 191 — Secretary „ Frederick Crompton , J . W . „ 191 Reg . of Mks . „ John Halliwell , S . AV . „ 1012 Sen . Deacon „ William Handley , W . M . „ 1012 Jun . Deacon

„ Captain \ A atson „ 1174 Dir . of Cers . „ John Raudle Fletcher Org . „ 191 Organist „ Samuel Bailey . S . W . „ 191 ) Stewar ( Is „ AVilliam Balmer , Seoretary „ 191 ) „ Gearge O ' rlei ) , I . G . „ 1012 as I . G . „ Ingham , Secretary „ 42 Tyler . The Provincial officers then retired , and the Lodge was closed

in ancient form , with solemn prayer , at 5 . 30 , by the W . M . The brethren then sat down to a banquet provided by Bro . W . Handley , of the Derby Hotel , Bury , in his usual recherche style . The usual loyal and Masonic toasts were given and received in a most euthusiast-ie manner . The enjoyment of the evening -was ossentially contributed to by a most efficient glee party , consisting of Bros . Bailey , Dumville , Edmondson , aud Wroe , accompanied by Bro . J . R . Fletcher .

Freemasonry—Past And Present.

FREEMASONRY—PAST AND PRESENT .

ARCHITECTURE , PATRONS , AND CRAETSJIBN . By W . Bro . A . M . BROWN , M . D ., P . D . S . G . W ., & c In these historic tracings—so far as these serve to illustrate or affect the rise aud progress of onr Art—I have passed in review the subjects of Architecture , Patrons , and Craftsmen , closing with the XIII Century . At that date the so-called pointed Gothicormore correctlspeakingEarlEnglish

, , y , y style of Architecture , had been introduced , and was rapidly supplanting the earlier and simpler varieties . The Craftsmen and those connected with kindred occupations had alread y begun to entertain new ideas of their interests and position , and were making attempts to emancipate themselves from the control of church authority and assume the consistence of recognised secular industries to the extent that feudal disabilities permitted .

It will be curious to follow these movements in the course of developement ; and we shall , therefore , for the present , leave the Art section of our subject , and devote this paper to an examination of matters relating exclusively to the Masonic Crafthood and its vicisitude as we approach the accession of the Tudors . Inquirers , engaged in Masonic researches , will find much light thrown on the origin and condition of our English social and industrial institutions at an early period . Even associations for mutual relief , till very recently supposed to be the product of later ideas , is found existing and flourishing ; all such organised societies , irrespective of their origin , receiving the fostering

care of the ecclesiastical movement of which they were , naturally speaking , the necessary result , and long maintained a close connection with it . We have seen in our former lecture , that shortly after the Roman powers had relinquished imperial claim to Britain , the cultivation of architecture and building enterprise generally , was resuscitated aud continued by the zealous missionaries of the Christian faith . As the ardent orders of Monahism

acquired strength aud position , a spirit of rivalry aud emulation arose , animating with marvellous activity its entire section of the church . The Benedictines , however , displayed an amount of talent in this department , out-rivalling all competitors , and onlyequalled by genius for spiritual conquest . It must be understood that at this period , every Masonic establishment , no matter how isolated , formed , as it were , a colony or community of

itself , within whose sacred circle not only wero the duties of dnvob'rm rigorously observed—languages , theology , mid philosophy taught—hot even pastoral and agricultural pursuits often increased its wealth , while the Craft-trades of various sorts were founded and encouraged . The construcion of a grand design in Cathedral or monastic edifice possessed little of the rapid execution of modern times ; many years and even generations being sometimes necessary to

completion . From accounts handed down to us by the old English Chroniclers , we are enabled to realise the scene of populous and pious industry the favoured locality presented where a structure , still unrivalled in magnificence aud beauty of style ,

was being raised on the sites of smaller and more primitive erections of the Anglo-Saxon . While active operations were in process —particularly as regards the larger and more sequestered buildings , the surrounding neighbourhood exhibited all the vitality and bustling appearance of an immense encampment or settlement . The huts or hovels and rude surroundings of the Saxon and Norman Craftsmen massed themselves in the wildest confusionmingling here and there with the building materials .

, Masonry was not alone the business on hand , every operation connected with tbo rising structure was conducted on the spot . From hewing of wood and drawing of water to finished sculpturing , many handicrafts were employed . We consequently , find , that building enterprise laid the foundation of permanent centres of civilization and science so far as known forming , iu reality , nurseries of industrial life , pervaded by religious enthusiasm and

mechanical skill . AVe are indebted to antiquarian diligence for having brought to light the Architectural records of Westminster and York Cathedrals already alluded to , which furnish us with most interesting details on the subject of labour and its claims in its earliest English stage ; still more recently the Surrender ! collection of MSS ., and archives of Faversham have added much to our stock of information on this pointshowing that the

latter-, named ecclesiastical establishment including Abbey , Piiory , and Convent , belonging to the Benedictines , maintained a large body of Craftsmen and other employes- The Abbey possessed a considerable amount of property in dAvellings , mills , and granges , in the neighbouring district , which , as in many other instances , Avere sources of revenue and wealth to the community . Their business transactions must have been very varied ; for

contracts exist recording building and repairs executed by these labourers and Masons employed by the Monks of Faversham . The Craftsmen of their Abbey are designated Majores Fabricators , which literally means chief constructors ; the Avord fabricator , derived from faber , a smith , * scarcely points to

mason , though no doubt the construction would naturally include masonry among the details . It is rather significant , whatever the form of association might have been , that about this time , 1326 , a Council of the Church was held at Avenon , in which societies who had secret signs and tokens , and wore peculiar robes were condemned . The term Major is expressly used in canon xxxviii .: " Umim sibi eligunt Majores cui jurant in omnibus obedire , " evidently with reference to some form of

early brethren of the mystic tie . As time rolled on , the numerous artists , or workmen of various trades must of necessity have become closely united , as they wrought together for the common interest . The priestly orders , particularly the Benedictines , remarkable for discipline and schemes of organization , doubtless early fanned the efforts at association in those communities rising around them , thus rendering more permanent the bond of union . The

attainment of the grand ideas the sacred orders had in view could only be secured by confidence , obedience , and regularity being observed among subordinates and equals , alike subject to the church . In fact , the first impulse to combination emanated from the clergy in the interest of the church , consequently those societies soon sssumed that distinctive social character which was inevitable . The fraternities established hy the monasteries of the various countries in all probability served as models ,

peculiar advantages being held out to members . Such benefits ; except within those circles , were difficult to be obtained . As regards the Masonic body , the societies composed of the adopted children of the Benedictines , continued to nourish until taste for architecture became less an accomplishment of the priesthood . As formerly pointed out , these organizations wero most unquestionably the product of a still earlier spirit of association ,

which sprung into existence on the continent during the 10 th and 11 th centuries , extending its principles into many countries . Although it is not my intention to dwell upon Continental Masonry , so ably treated by Bro . Robert Pindel in his valuable