The Coloured Question In Ohio

Masons as constituting a separate and independent Lodge , provided they designated themselves " the African Grand Lodge of F " . and A . M . of Ohio . " The objection Avas that such proposition could not be entertained till the Constitution of the Ohian Grand Lodo-e had been amended in the

manner required by laAV , which is , " that amendments be seconded by a majority vote of all representatives at the Grand Lodge , then be laid over for one year , be submitted separately to each subordinate , and receive the assent of two-thirds of them . " Grand Master WoodAvard demurred

to this , on the ground that " the action of Grand Lodge last year had assumed the constitutionality of the proposition , by submitting it to the subordinates . " From this ruling the D . G . M . appealed , and when the discussion Avas closed , Bro . Carson demanded that the vote should be taken by

Lodges , as the Constitution on test questions permits . This Avas accordingly done , and the result of the voting Avas , that 332 votes sustained the ruling of the Chair , Avhile 401 votes supported the objection of the Deputy Grand Master .

In other words , the Grand Lodge of Ohio decided , by a majority of 69 votes , that the proposal to recognise the Coloured Grand Lodge as a separate and independent body , was contrary to the Constitution , which must first be amended before such a motion could legally bo submitted .

The result is that the main question of recognising Coloured Masonry is postponed sine die . It is , perhaps , matter for regret , that the Grand Lodge could not have discussed the matter directly . It is satisfactory , hoAvever , to find — and we may say this , without fear of being

thought guilty of any partisanship—that , so far as the discussion went , it was confined entirely to the consideration of an important legal point . We conclude , from Bro .

Melish ' s simple account , that no foolish sentiment about colour Avas alloAved to find place in the settlement of a proposition which can only be determined , legitimately , on a legal issue .

History Of Our Lodges.

HISTORY OF OUR LODGES .

MINUTE BOOK OP LODGE No . 6 , ANCIENTS . SOME time since we gave an analysis of an old Lodge Book of No . 6 . Ancients , now Enoch Lodge , No . 11 on the roll of the United Grand Lodge of England . We have since this been permitted to examine what , till the discovery of the Lodge Book referred to , was the oldest minute book in the possession of Enoch . The first entry is datod 22 nd April 1788 , and the minutes are consecutive , with

the exception of two breaks , one considerable , from September 1798 to 11 th Jane 1799 , the other of shorter duration , from the latter day to the 8 th of October 1799 . Moreover , though both ill-written and ill-spelt in many places , they afford , till towards the end , a tolerably clear view of the inner life of the Lodge , so far at least as minutes are likoly to disclose it . It is greatly to bo regretted that a gap

should exist between these two Lodgo Books . Tho last minute in the older book is dated 23 rd April 1782 , the first in this the 22 ud April 1788 , leaving exactly six years , the details of which are lost to us , at least as far as is known at present . It is possible , however , from tho register of members in the first Lodge Book , to carry the list of officers down to June 178-4 , the last list of members being for the first

half of the year 1784 , loaving thus only four years for which we have no such memoranda ; while the seqnenco of accounts is complete , as they run on in the first book without a break , till towards the close of the year 1798 . Were the lost books forthcoming for this period , and alsofor tho years between 1801 and 1810 and other years , Enoch Lodge would be able to boast of an unbroken series of records from the last

month of the year 1770 . Let us hope these losses may some day or other be made good . We now pass to the Minute Book , beginning 23 rd April 1788 . The first record worthy of notice is the initiation , passing , and raising of a new member at the same meeting , owing to his going abroad . Many other instances occur , however , in the course of these minutes

in which the three degrees are conferred on one and tho same ni ght . On the 11 th November , in the same year , there is an ontry to the following offect : — "It was ordered by tho Wl . Master and the majority of the Lodge No . 6 , to summon the Master and Wardens of No . 225 for a trespass committed by them , in passing a member of Lodgo No . 6 through the chair in order to obtain a seat in tho H . R . A .,

contrary to constitution . " What followed this order , however , does not appear , as there is no further minute bearing upon the " trespass . " There are no minutes between this date and tho 10 th February 1789 , when we find it stated that the W . M . and both Wardens Avere absent . The absence of these officers is noticed in the next minute of the 24 th Feb ., while the W . M . and S . W . are again absent at the time of opening the Lodge on 10 th March . Indeed , the occasion when they

were present appears to have been of rare occurrence . We are not surprised , therefore , that some years lateritAvas found necessary to take steps to revivify the Lodge . On tho 12 th May 1789 , it is minuted that a " Bro . Major Carroll , of Lodge No . 678 , Ireland , joined , and paid the sum of five shillings . " On the 22 nd September , a brother of Lodge No . 367 , Ireland , having a certificate from G . L . Ireland , a member of No . 74 , Exeter , and a member of Lodge No . 3 are elected

History Of Our Lodges.

joining members . The same evening tho Lodge is honoured with a visit from Bros . . Tames Perry D . G . M ., James Agar J . G . W ., the W . M . ( Bro . James Ov : \ v ) , aud several brethren of Lodge No . 81 , and the W . M . ( Bro . Reed ) , and J . W . of Lodge No . 210 . At a Lodgo of Emergency , undated , a Mr . LnxiU . Res FJeux is passed tbrongh the three degrees , owing to his going abroad . At the December election

of officers , it is minuted that Bro . John Feakins is elected "Treasurer for life . " On the 12 th January 1790 , we read that Bro . George McCormiek " joined his mother Lodge , ho not having joined any other Lodge since he drew his certificate from No . 6 , which was unani . mously agreed to . " On the 9 th March , a third instance occurs of a person receiving tho three degrees in one evening , and for the same

reason as in the cases already quoted . On the 23 rd of the same month , tho Lodge is " called to refreshment , on account of a Bro , coming from Sundorland , saying ho was an ancient Mason , and , by examination , could not bo found as such , therefore tho Lodge could not admit him by yo report that was made . " On 22 nd Jano , a motion was mado and unanimously carried ,

" to wear pnrplo ribbons at tho Grand Festival , At the meoting ou tho 24 th August 1790 , " A proposal was made summons'd ( sic ) the M . of Lodgo No . 128 , to tho Steward's Lodge , to show just causa why they received Bro . John James Monro to become a member of that Lodge without a Sitivicate ( sic ) . " N . B . —This word appears to have been a serious stumbling-block in tho way of more than one

Secretary of No . G . On tho 14 th September , it is moved and carried "that a memorial should be presented to the W . D . G . M . Hnmbly thanking him for his gi * eat and good condnct in supporting the Autient Craft , & c , & c , & o . Humbly beging ( sic ) for his suppo .-fc and continuance for the future . " A second motion was made , to the effect that Masters and Wardens shall be fined for non-attendance ,

according to the rules and articles of this Lodge , and , at tho next meeting , the J . W . is snmmoned " to show cause why he do not attend according to regulation . " In November , the same officer having been regularly absent in the meantime , is ordered to attend the jioxb stated Lodge , but he does not , nor at tho meeting when the election of new officers is held . On 28 th December , the new W . M . and

Wardens are installed , " according to Ancient custom and ceremonies . " Indeed , it appears to have been the custom to insfal , not only the Master , bnt tho Wardens likewise . At this Lodge , wo find a Bro . Leslie acting as Secretary pro tern , but whether this is the Bro . Leslie who was the Grand Secretary , we have no means here of discovering . It is further recorded that , on this occasion , there was

" left bad money , 3 s 8 d" —a light half-guinea had previously been mentioned . In January 1791 , the Lodge is visited by Bro . James Agar D . G . M . Among the visitors on 22 nd February , we find the names of Bros . James Knight , P . M . of No . 13 , John Hill , " of the Dispensation , Maidstone , " Brown and John Hill , members of St . John , Leslie , Grand Secretary , and Davis , of No . 231 . In Juno .

when the election of officers was hold , two candidates stood for the office of Tyler , but the old one Avas elected on a ballot . Among tho items of expenditure entered under date of 28 th Juno , we find "To new purplo ribbons for ye jewels , 12 s . " On tho 12 th July , occurs a enrions entry . The minutes of 14 th Juno having been confirmed , their confirmation having been adjourned from 28 th June , we are told , "the chair being

vacant , and Bro . Bnckney having served all offices , it was proposed that Bro . Buckney pass the chair as Master , in which he was accord , ingly installed . " The installation of tho new officers vtns then proceeded with . In October , " Bro . Leslie , Grand Secretary , presented a resolution of the General Grand Chapter of H . R . Arch , that Bro . Walter Paulett , of No . 6 , be censur'd for indecent and disrespectful

conduct to tho Geni- Grand Chapter , and snspendod from all Masonic rights and privileges until ho make such concession as shall be deem'd adequate by the Grand Lodge . " Bro . Paulett , Avho was present , at once expressed his sorrow , if anything ho had said in the Grand Chapter had given offence to tho Grand Officers or any other brother present , and this concession bom "

deemed sufficient by the Lodge , Bro . Leslie promised to present the same to the next Grand Lodge and Gen . Grand Chapter for their consideration . In April 1792 we read of a Bro . Denby , of Lodge No . 4 , attending to solicit a contribution of 4 s fid towards defraying tho funeral expenses of a deceased member of Lodge No . 63 , who having been " one night had" could not receive the charity ; it having been

agreed by several Lodges that he should bo buried by contribution . On the 10 th July occurs , as an item of expenditure , " Paid for Eibons for St . John ' s 9 s . " On tho 12 th February 1793 , a motion was made that the Lodge meet on the second Tuesday in tho month , thus altering the Lodge meetings from fortnightly to monthly . In April wo note a payment to Bro . Frazer ( Tyler ) of one shilling , "for summoning

Grand Chapter . " On the 13 th August tho . Lodge must have allowed itself a little extra indulgence , as among the expenses of the evening is entered half-a-crown for a bottle of wine . At tho October meeting it was resolved to change the Lodge quarters , " the landlord of thd Lodge House not being a Mason . " Accordingly the month following it was arranged that the Lodge should for the future meet at the Horns

Tavern , Doctors' Commons , tho landlord being a Bro . Griffiths . In December , on the proposition of the Treasurer , it was resolved that members , when absent , should pay only eighteen pence instead of half-a-crown . In the minutes of 11 th February 1794 it is entered that Bro . J . Feakins gave a lecture in tho first part , but "wa 3 obstructed by tho noise of the company in the other room . " In July ,

there is entry of a sum of ten shillings and sixpence being paid to Grand Lodge towards the Grand Festival on the previous 24 th June , with similar entries in subsequent years , and likewise of five shillings and sixpence expended in "ribbands . " At the December election this year the W . M . proposed the Sen . Deacon , and the S . W . the Jun . Deacon . Amongst the visitors on the 12 th April 1700 occurs the name of a

member of the New Edinburgh Kilwinning , and also that of the W . M . of St . John ' s . At this meeting , likewise , tho sum of fourteen pence is expended on a pair of compasses . In October 1799 it was unanimously agreed to remove the Lodge to Bro . Hart ' s , " The Bricklayers' Arms , Earl-street , St . Andrew ' s-by-the-Wardrobe . " On this occasion Bro . Harper P , G , Wi was a visitor , We furtiier read that the W . M , « pro ,