Lodge Histories.

LODGE HISTORIES .

ANCHOR AND HOPE LODGE , No . 37 , BOLTON .

IT is always a source of profit , as well as of pleasure and gratification , to tho members of any society when , as a result cither of individual or collective industry and research , they are placed in possession of tho earliest records concerning its origin , or the s iliont points of interest which have marked the career of tho institution from the period of its birth . The antiquarian and the archaeologist find their chief delight in raking out from among dusty and

hidden archives some gem of folk-lore , some long . forgotten occurrence , some allusion to , or doings of , those who took the initiatory stages in tho body , and whose names are revered by surviving members , as the personages they represent are seen only through the dim vista of remote years . They say a conntry is happy that has no history , but it is different with the institutions which so many of us

hold dear , and whose traditions , as they are revived , scrap by scrap , are treasured amongst their most cherished heirlooms . It is for this reason that we are always pleased to receive the histories of our Masonio Lodges , for they form the most reliable data we can possess for the comparison of dates , for identifying individualities , and shedding new light npon thoughts and opinions expressed in modern times

upon the antiquity of the Craft , and tho changes that have marked its progress down to onr own time . Wo havo therefore perused with a considerable degree of pleasure tho history , which lias been fnr . nished ns , of tho Anchor and Hope Lodge , of "Bolton , now standing No . 37 on tho United Grand Lodge of England , which has been compiled by Bro . George Parker Brockbank , Secretary of the Lodge , and

P . Prov . S . G . Deacon East Lancashire , and Bro . James Newton P . M . in 37 , and also a Past Prov . S . G . Deacon of East Lancashire . This is nofc the first time that Bro . Brockbank has entered into the arena of Masonic research , and we have much to thank him and his coadjutors for in placing within our reach another valuable addition to Craft literature . This history has been written in commemoration of

tbe Sesqui Centennial of the Lodge , which will be attained on the 23 rd of next month , and it will be read with pecnliar interest , not merely by fche brethren of the Lodge itself , but by many others also ¦ who desire to add to their stock of Masonic knowledge by a study of those links which bind the present with the past , and who find relaxation in comparing the manners and customs of " ye olden time "

with those of more modern date . A glance afc the little volume under consideration reveals a vast amount of careful and painstaking research , seeing that the old records have become so scanty , through a variety of accidental causes , that it mnst have involved considerable labour and sagacity on the part of the compilers to have framed the materials at their command into so

reliable and comprehensive a whole . The records from the year 1836 to the present time are all complete ; but prior to that date the doings of the brethren of the Anchor and Hope arc enshrouded in comparative mystery . We are informed that according to an inventory taken in 1843 , there were then existing , in adddition to the records prior to 1836 , possessed bv the Lodge , books of records from

1786 to 1792 , from 1799 to 1825 , from 1825 to 1836 ; and a cash book from 1786 to 1843 . We are told thafc about 22 years ago , these latter books were negligently or culpably destroyed by fire by a clerk of the then Secretary , possibly under the impression that they were so much waste paper ; and the oldest record book of the Lodge ( the old minute and cash book of 1765 to 1776 ) was only saved from a like

ruthless fate by the timely intervention of Bro . Brockbank , who accidentally entered the room and prevented its destruction . Ifc is obvious that had the whole of these records been preserved , as they should have been , the compilers would have been spared much anxious search among contemporary records , and been able to write a much fuller account of the career of the Lodge since 1765 . They

seem to have , however , had the benefit of the minutes , & c , of the Eoyal Arch Chapter of Concord , attache : ! to the Lodge , which are extantfrom its commencement , in 1785 , an account of which was given by Bro . Newton in the fourth volume of the Masonic Magazine ; and also those of the Lodge of Antiquity , No . 146 , from 1786 , which were also sketched by Bro . Newton in the Christmas nnmber of the same

periodical , in 1878 . Moreover , they had the benefit of the records of the St . John ' s Lodge , No . 221 , dating from the year 1797 , some very interesting facts concerning which were recently published by Bro . Brockbank . Prom these a vast amonnt of valuable and interesting information has been obtained , and many missing links have been supplied , though not to the extent desired , or may possibly be

subsequently obtained . In their introduction , the compilers feel bound to make these explanations , and express the modest hope , in thus submitting the result of their united labours , " that any imperfections therein may be attributed to their lack of information , " over which they could have no possible control , " rather than to any desire to shirk their self-imposed dnty . " All who know the zeal and

unwearied assiduity of those who appeal for the indulgence of their readers will at once acquit them of any approach to the last-named imputation , and be the first to applaud the vast amount of labour and the judicious care which have evidently been lavished upon this " labour of love . " The writers acknowledge , with especial thanks , the invaluable assistance and information on many points afforded by

Bro . VV . J . Hughan Past Grand Deacon , and Bro . H . G . Buss Assistant Grand Secretary , the former of whom ha ¦ ¦ "kindly read and revised the whole of these pages , " while the latter " has been at considerable pains in tracing a complete list of members from 1705 , " which list is appended to tho history just published . They also

acknowledge their indebtedness to Bro . Hughan's " Masonic Memor - ials , " and " Masonic Register , " and Bro . Gould's " Four Old Lodge . " , " and "Tho Atholl Lodges , " which they designate as mines of ' wealth to diligent Masonic students . Having thus briefly referred to tho difflenlties experienced by Bins . Brockbank and Newton , and the help they have received in the

Lodge Histories.

production of their history , we turn to fche work itself , and endeavour to cive a bird ' s-eye outline of its very entertaining contents . After inferring to the secession of numerous brethren , about 1788 , from the parent Grand Lodge of English Masonry , whioh they averred had adopted new , and departed from the old , landmarks , resulting in the distinctive epithets of "Ancient" and "Modern" Masons , we are

brought to the successful union of these two rival bodies in 1813 , when His Royal Highness the Duke of Sussex was elected Grand Master of tbo United Grand Lodge . The warrant for the Anchor and Hope Lodgo was granted on 23 rd October 1735 , by Lord Viscount Montacute , Grand Master of the " Moderns " Grand Lodge , a copy of which is given , signed by Thos . Batson D . G . M ., Geo . Rook S . G . W

and J . M . Smythe J . G . W . Prom this document it appears that " our Rt . Worshipful and well-beloved Brother , Mr . Edward Entwisle , " is impowered and authorised to convene " our brethren afc Bolton . le . Moors , " who bad signed the petition , and to constitute them into a Regular Lodge in due form . Mr . Entwisle was to take special oare to admit none but those who had been regularly made Masons , and

the Lodge was to be constituted " with like privileges as all other duly constituted Lodges , " and thafc those admitted " be required to conform themselves to all and every the rules and regulations in the printed Book of Constitutions , and observe snch other rules and regulations as shall from time to time be transmitted to them , by us or Thomas Batson Depnty Grand Master , or the Grand

Master or his Deputy for the time being . And shall forward to his Depnty a list of the members of their Lodge , together with a copy of the regulations to be observed , to fche end they maybe entered in the Grand Lodge , and upon the due execution of this onr said Dis . pensation the said Mr . Edward Entwisle is hereby required to trans , mit to us or our said Deputy a certificate under his hand at the time

and place of such constitution , in order that ifc may be entered in the Book of the Roll of Lodges . " Afc this date there were two other Lodges in Lancashire , afc Salford and Leigh , both of whioh were subse . quently erased by Grand Lodge , since which time ( probably about 1700 ) the Anchor and Hope has held the distinguished position of being fche premier Lodge in Lancashire , although another Lodge ,

"Unity , " then No . 32 , warranted in 1732 , met at Wernth , near Old ham , and continued there about twenty years , when it became ex . tinct . It is claimed also for the Hope and Anchor that it has afc the present time the especial distinction of being the oldest of the Lodges originally warranted in a Province and remaining on the roll from its constitution till now . This is a matter referred to with

pardonable pride by the compilers , seeing thafc the Lodge has remained on the roll from 1742 to the present day , " being thus fche Premier Provincial Lodge , having preserved its continuity as such from its constitution in 1733 to 1882 , a period of one hundred and fifty years , never having been removed from the town for whioh it was first of all granted , and never having lapsed or apparently been

liable to erasure from any cause whatever throughout that long period . " The Mr . Edward Entwisle named in fche Warrant appears to have been a mercer at Bolton , and died nnmarried in June 1744 , his remains being interred in Bolton parish churchyard . In the earliest records found , the Lodge , which was originally numbered 105 , was called to meet in a private room in Bolton-le-Moors , in

Lancashire , " on the next Wednesday to every full moon , " though the locality of this room cannot now with certainty be given . However , on fche authority of Mrs . Fielding , into whose hands some of tbe relics left by Mr . Entwisle fell , ifc is stated that ifc was "in Churchgate , opposite to fche " Man and Scythe " Inn , graphically adding that " the brethren assembled in white gloves , with long

cuffs or gauntlets , and white leather aprons , and afc the making of a Mason the brethren would strike their aprons with their hands three times , which was to make a loud report , the Tyler parading an adjoining room with a drawn sword to keep guard . " This description is characteristic of the feminine curiosity in a gathering then quite novel , and to her , as a matter of course , inexplicably interesting , and

therefore indelibly fixed upon her attention ; and the record is sufficiently significant to fix the early trysting place of the Bolton Masons . Bro . Entwisle , the first W . M . of the Lodge , was also the first Prov . Grand Master of Lancashire ( 1734 ) , receiving a patent from the Earl of Crauford , the Grand Master , and was succeeded by five other Prov . Grand Masters , whose names and armorial bearings , together with tbe dates of tbeir appointments , are elaborately painted on an

old banner in the possession of fche Lodge , " which is treasured by its members as one of its greatest curiosities . " From the extract we have quoted , and others forming tho context , it may be safely assumed , in spite of the loss of the records prior to 1765 , that the Lodge continued to meet in a private room for the first thirty . three years of its existence . ( To be continued . )

Ar00402

There -will be a regular meeting of the City of London Lodge , No . 201 , at the Guildhall Tavern , Gresham Street , on Monday evening next , and as there are some rather important questions on the agenda , in addition to "working ifl

the three degrees , a goodly attendance of the brethren may be anticipated . Bro . Tenner , W . M . of the Kingsland Lodge , No . 1693 , P . M . Upton Lodge , No . 1227 , will rehearse the ceremony

of installation , at the Finsbury Park Lodge of Instruction , on Wednesday next , at the Cock Tavern , Highbury . Lodge will be opened at 8 ' 30 .

Bro . "W . Wright , Organist of the Citadel Lodge , 189 "; Finsbury Park , 1288 ; United Strength , 228 ; Sir Hng " Myddelton , 1602 ; has been appointed Organist and Choir Master to St . John the Baptist Church , Hoxton .