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Article FREEMASONRY IN TORQUAY. Page 1 of 2 Article FREEMASONRY IN TORQUAY. Page 1 of 2 →
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Freemasonry In Torquay.
FREEMASONRY IN TORQUAY .
THE regular meeting of the St . John ' s Lodge , No . 328 , was held in the Masonic Hall , Torquay , on Monday evening , 7 th inst ., when there was a very large gathering of members of this and sister Lodges in the neighbourhood . The Lodge was opened by Bro . T .
A . Blackler W . M . After the minutes of the previous meeting had been confirmed , the Worshipful Master called upon Bro . John Chapman P . Prov . G . D . Devon , to deliver a lecture upon the history of their Lodge . Bro . Chapman said : —•
The history of Sfc . John ' s Lodge , No . 328 , is a subject in which I have felt a very deep interest for more than twenty years . It was in the year 1871 that I made a very diligent search for the old records of the
Lodge . Those efforts only proved that the remote events were shrouded in oral tradition , and that the records had been lost ; so that for the valuable links of reliable evidence there had to be substituted "oral
tradition . These , however , are not to be lightly esteemed , for there were several very trustworthy Brethren , founders of fche Lodge , who Jived long enough to hand down the facts connected with the early events of the Lodge to those now living , so that we have very
little difficulty in tracing the landmarks of the founders of the Lodge . I well remember , in the spring of the year 1871 , trying to obtain from the grandson of one of the founders some clue with regard to the original minute book and papers connected with the formation
of the Lodge . The only information I could gather was in a letter from America , intimating that all had been consumed by a fire that had destroyed the household effects of this worthy Brother . While the archives of Grand Lodge and the limited records of this Lodge aro
not sufficient , or within fche compass of our requirements , yet we have a little collateral evidence that will assist us in dealing wifch fche pasfe . Bro . William Taylor , our worthy Secretary , has placed in my hands all the
material that he possesses in order that I might work out the events that have transpired in connection with the Lodge . " At our initiation we are taught to be cautious ; " but some Masonic historians have overlooked
this excellent advice . The efforts of a faithful historian should ever be to rigidly adhere to facts , without straining them to serve the purpose of any preconceived idea . Dr . Arnold , of Rugby , lays it down as an axiom that we should never take for granted that which we
should first prove . Some of our Masonic historians have , unfortunately , disregarded this course . They have taken -for granted that which they cannot prove " . The result is that when some old parchment has been unearthed it has completely upset their preconceived
ideas . They find that our present system of Freemasonry is more ancient than they imagined . " The 1717 theory is exploded , " and the poor historian has to express his regret for being too hasty with his conclusions . I will therefore strive in the present case to
give the past events of the Lodge from the records we have , and if I use any oral tradition ifc shall be such as shall be in harmony with established facts , in order that the events may be removed as far as possible from the sphere of speculation . The Warrant of Constitution that
was granted to this Lodge dates back to the 8 th March 1810 . It had previously been granted to a Lodge in Carnarvon , under the title of the Snowdon Lodge , and was then numbered 494 . The original Charter was dated 25 th December 1786 . There had been another
alteration of the register of the listing of Lodges in the year 1792 , by which it became 404 , and when the Carnarvon Warrant was issued to the Brethren in Torquay , on the 8 th March 1810 , under the title of St . John ' s Lodge , it was numbered 616 .
The Secretary of the Grand Lodge , in a letter dated llth April 1892 , gives me the following as the places of meeting since the Lodge was formed : — 1810 , 8 th March . —Torquay only . 1819 . —Freemasons' Hall , Fleet Street , Torquay .
1827 . —Royal Hotel , Torquay . 1833 . —London Hotel , Torquay . 1836 . —Union Hotel , Torquay . 1840 . —Freemasons' Hall , Temperance St ., Torquay 1853 . —Freemasons' Hall , Park Street , Torquay .
Freemasonry In Torquay.
The records of the Lodge , and from other sources with regard to the erection of the present Masonic Hall , reveal the fact that the foundation stone was laid on Thursday , 28 th day of May 1857 , by the then D . Prov . G . M ., under the title of St . John ' s Lodge , No . 411 ,
the number having been altered on the roll of Grand Lodge from 616 to 411 . Bro . F . Thomas P . M . was the W . M . of the Lodge on that auspicious occasion , and was supported by Bro . Dr . C . Paget Blake , R . N ., S . W ., and Bro . E . Appleton J . W . The first intimation on
this subject in the minute book appears in connection with a meeting held on the 17 th of March 1857 , when a report from the Building Committee was introduced . It was then " proposed by Bro . Dr . Paget Blake S . W . that in accordance with the recommendation of the
Committee fche building of the proposed Masonic Hall should be immediately commenced , and that the available funds of the Lodge , present and prospective , should be devoted to that purpose . " The resolution was
carried unanimously , and also one for the turning of the first sod for the building , on Monday , 23 rd of March , at 4 o ' clock in the afternoon . With fche exception of the foregoing statement , there is very scant information in the minute book with regard to the erection of the
Masonic Hall ; but it appears that an Emergency Lodge was held to meet the Prov . Grand Lodge for the purpose of assisting in laying the foundation stone of the new Masonic Hall , afc which there were about 130 Brethren present . We gather from the proceedings of the first
meeting of the Lodge , after the laying of the foundation stone of the building , namely , 2 nd June 1857 , thafc Bro . Sherrard aud Bro . Briscoe Hooper proposed and seconded a vote of thanks to the W . M . for his great kindness and energy in carrying out the arrangements
of Prov . Grand Lodge , and also to Bros . Webber and Cash , who acted as Stewards for the day . A vote of thanks was also accorded to Bro . E . Appleton for his energetic and gratuitous services as architect on the occasion . There was also a vote of thanks to the
Chairman of the Board of Health ( Mr . Kitson ) for his kindness in allowing the use of the Town Hall for the Prov . Grand Lodge . The next vote of thanks is one that opens up a matter of interest with regard to the history of a very pleasing event that took place in the
Lodge four years after its formation . It was a vote of thanks to Mr . W . N . Peckins for the gift of a silver jewel that had beeu presented to one of the founders of the Lodge , in the year 1814 . On the face of the jewel
is engraved the following inscription : — " Presented by the Members of St . John ' s Lodge , No . 623-616 , to Bro , John Simms P . M ., for his unremitting zeal and attention to the duties of Masonry , and his assiduous exertions thereof in instructing the brethren . In the year of
St . John ' s Lodge is now worn by the senior P . M ., and reminds us of our worthy predecessor , and also forms an important link that binds us to the early history of Brethren . The events that wero recorded in the minute
Masonry 5814 , and of our Lord 1814 . " On the obverse side of the jewel is engraved : — " The St . John ' s Lodge , No . 623-616 at Torquay , Devon , according to ancient constitution of the Grand Lodge of England . " This early memento of Masonic zeal and ability in
book , as well as the ceremony in connection with the laying of the foundation stone , were regarded of sufficient importance that they specially resolved that fche last vote should be forwarded to the " Torquay Chronicle , " for insertion in that journal . These
resolutions also place before us the names of those who took an active parfc in the erection of the building . But before we conclude this part of our notice of the efforts of the Brethren , we would not overlook the valuable services rendered by Bros . Bowden , Melluish , Goss ,
Harland and Whiteway . It is to be regretted that a more complete statement of facts connected with the erection of the building , fche several changes of fche Lodge premises , and fche general working of the Lodge , were not recorded on the minutes . I have had the
pleasure , however , of perusing a copy of both the " Torquay Directory" and the " Torquay Chronicle , " each of which contained , at the time , an excellent report of the proceedings in connection with the laying of
tne foundation stone of the new Masonic Hall , From these reports we gather the fact that the Right Hon . Hugh Earl Fortescue Prov . G . M . of Devonshire
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Freemasonry In Torquay.
FREEMASONRY IN TORQUAY .
THE regular meeting of the St . John ' s Lodge , No . 328 , was held in the Masonic Hall , Torquay , on Monday evening , 7 th inst ., when there was a very large gathering of members of this and sister Lodges in the neighbourhood . The Lodge was opened by Bro . T .
A . Blackler W . M . After the minutes of the previous meeting had been confirmed , the Worshipful Master called upon Bro . John Chapman P . Prov . G . D . Devon , to deliver a lecture upon the history of their Lodge . Bro . Chapman said : —•
The history of Sfc . John ' s Lodge , No . 328 , is a subject in which I have felt a very deep interest for more than twenty years . It was in the year 1871 that I made a very diligent search for the old records of the
Lodge . Those efforts only proved that the remote events were shrouded in oral tradition , and that the records had been lost ; so that for the valuable links of reliable evidence there had to be substituted "oral
tradition . These , however , are not to be lightly esteemed , for there were several very trustworthy Brethren , founders of fche Lodge , who Jived long enough to hand down the facts connected with the early events of the Lodge to those now living , so that we have very
little difficulty in tracing the landmarks of the founders of the Lodge . I well remember , in the spring of the year 1871 , trying to obtain from the grandson of one of the founders some clue with regard to the original minute book and papers connected with the formation
of the Lodge . The only information I could gather was in a letter from America , intimating that all had been consumed by a fire that had destroyed the household effects of this worthy Brother . While the archives of Grand Lodge and the limited records of this Lodge aro
not sufficient , or within fche compass of our requirements , yet we have a little collateral evidence that will assist us in dealing wifch fche pasfe . Bro . William Taylor , our worthy Secretary , has placed in my hands all the
material that he possesses in order that I might work out the events that have transpired in connection with the Lodge . " At our initiation we are taught to be cautious ; " but some Masonic historians have overlooked
this excellent advice . The efforts of a faithful historian should ever be to rigidly adhere to facts , without straining them to serve the purpose of any preconceived idea . Dr . Arnold , of Rugby , lays it down as an axiom that we should never take for granted that which we
should first prove . Some of our Masonic historians have , unfortunately , disregarded this course . They have taken -for granted that which they cannot prove " . The result is that when some old parchment has been unearthed it has completely upset their preconceived
ideas . They find that our present system of Freemasonry is more ancient than they imagined . " The 1717 theory is exploded , " and the poor historian has to express his regret for being too hasty with his conclusions . I will therefore strive in the present case to
give the past events of the Lodge from the records we have , and if I use any oral tradition ifc shall be such as shall be in harmony with established facts , in order that the events may be removed as far as possible from the sphere of speculation . The Warrant of Constitution that
was granted to this Lodge dates back to the 8 th March 1810 . It had previously been granted to a Lodge in Carnarvon , under the title of the Snowdon Lodge , and was then numbered 494 . The original Charter was dated 25 th December 1786 . There had been another
alteration of the register of the listing of Lodges in the year 1792 , by which it became 404 , and when the Carnarvon Warrant was issued to the Brethren in Torquay , on the 8 th March 1810 , under the title of St . John ' s Lodge , it was numbered 616 .
The Secretary of the Grand Lodge , in a letter dated llth April 1892 , gives me the following as the places of meeting since the Lodge was formed : — 1810 , 8 th March . —Torquay only . 1819 . —Freemasons' Hall , Fleet Street , Torquay .
1827 . —Royal Hotel , Torquay . 1833 . —London Hotel , Torquay . 1836 . —Union Hotel , Torquay . 1840 . —Freemasons' Hall , Temperance St ., Torquay 1853 . —Freemasons' Hall , Park Street , Torquay .
Freemasonry In Torquay.
The records of the Lodge , and from other sources with regard to the erection of the present Masonic Hall , reveal the fact that the foundation stone was laid on Thursday , 28 th day of May 1857 , by the then D . Prov . G . M ., under the title of St . John ' s Lodge , No . 411 ,
the number having been altered on the roll of Grand Lodge from 616 to 411 . Bro . F . Thomas P . M . was the W . M . of the Lodge on that auspicious occasion , and was supported by Bro . Dr . C . Paget Blake , R . N ., S . W ., and Bro . E . Appleton J . W . The first intimation on
this subject in the minute book appears in connection with a meeting held on the 17 th of March 1857 , when a report from the Building Committee was introduced . It was then " proposed by Bro . Dr . Paget Blake S . W . that in accordance with the recommendation of the
Committee fche building of the proposed Masonic Hall should be immediately commenced , and that the available funds of the Lodge , present and prospective , should be devoted to that purpose . " The resolution was
carried unanimously , and also one for the turning of the first sod for the building , on Monday , 23 rd of March , at 4 o ' clock in the afternoon . With fche exception of the foregoing statement , there is very scant information in the minute book with regard to the erection of the
Masonic Hall ; but it appears that an Emergency Lodge was held to meet the Prov . Grand Lodge for the purpose of assisting in laying the foundation stone of the new Masonic Hall , afc which there were about 130 Brethren present . We gather from the proceedings of the first
meeting of the Lodge , after the laying of the foundation stone of the building , namely , 2 nd June 1857 , thafc Bro . Sherrard aud Bro . Briscoe Hooper proposed and seconded a vote of thanks to the W . M . for his great kindness and energy in carrying out the arrangements
of Prov . Grand Lodge , and also to Bros . Webber and Cash , who acted as Stewards for the day . A vote of thanks was also accorded to Bro . E . Appleton for his energetic and gratuitous services as architect on the occasion . There was also a vote of thanks to the
Chairman of the Board of Health ( Mr . Kitson ) for his kindness in allowing the use of the Town Hall for the Prov . Grand Lodge . The next vote of thanks is one that opens up a matter of interest with regard to the history of a very pleasing event that took place in the
Lodge four years after its formation . It was a vote of thanks to Mr . W . N . Peckins for the gift of a silver jewel that had beeu presented to one of the founders of the Lodge , in the year 1814 . On the face of the jewel
is engraved the following inscription : — " Presented by the Members of St . John ' s Lodge , No . 623-616 , to Bro , John Simms P . M ., for his unremitting zeal and attention to the duties of Masonry , and his assiduous exertions thereof in instructing the brethren . In the year of
St . John ' s Lodge is now worn by the senior P . M ., and reminds us of our worthy predecessor , and also forms an important link that binds us to the early history of Brethren . The events that wero recorded in the minute
Masonry 5814 , and of our Lord 1814 . " On the obverse side of the jewel is engraved : — " The St . John ' s Lodge , No . 623-616 at Torquay , Devon , according to ancient constitution of the Grand Lodge of England . " This early memento of Masonic zeal and ability in
book , as well as the ceremony in connection with the laying of the foundation stone , were regarded of sufficient importance that they specially resolved that fche last vote should be forwarded to the " Torquay Chronicle , " for insertion in that journal . These
resolutions also place before us the names of those who took an active parfc in the erection of the building . But before we conclude this part of our notice of the efforts of the Brethren , we would not overlook the valuable services rendered by Bros . Bowden , Melluish , Goss ,
Harland and Whiteway . It is to be regretted that a more complete statement of facts connected with the erection of the building , fche several changes of fche Lodge premises , and fche general working of the Lodge , were not recorded on the minutes . I have had the
pleasure , however , of perusing a copy of both the " Torquay Directory" and the " Torquay Chronicle , " each of which contained , at the time , an excellent report of the proceedings in connection with the laying of
tne foundation stone of the new Masonic Hall , From these reports we gather the fact that the Right Hon . Hugh Earl Fortescue Prov . G . M . of Devonshire