Re-Numbering Our Lodges.

RE-NUMBERING OUR LODGES .

THE question of closing up the Register of the Grand Lodge of England is a-. matter which is advocated from time to time in various quarters , and while we recognise that the Roll of Lodges at present

presents somewhat of -an- anomaly , in point of numbers—the later Lodges on the list being designated as 2370 upwards , while , as a matter of fact , they are

something like 500 short of that number—we do not thins the advantages to be offered from a " closing up " are sufficient to compensate for the great amount

of trouble and inconvenience certain to arise from the re-numbering of the whole of the Lodges under the control of the Grand Lodge of England . The

conductor of the Freemasonry column in the Evening News and Post this week draws attention to the subiect , and considers that tho authorities in London

temporary recognises ? the many inconveniences associated with a closing up , specially referring to the confusion that must arise from an

will no doubt give their attention ere long to tho question of a re-numbering . Our

conalteration of the number of almost every Lodge on the Register . On the other hand , it is pointed out that these re-numberings have been carried into effect

on many occasions in the past history of the Craft , and it is urged there need be no fear that the Masons of 1890 will be at all behind their predecessors in meeting the difficulties which surround tho subject .

We admit the truth , of this latter argument , but repeat we do not think the benefits to be derived are sufficient to compensate for the many troubles likely to ensue .

As recognised also by our contemporary , the chief cause that has led to the present state of affairs is the establishment in the Australian Colonies of

independent Grand Lodges , these already in working order having taken by far the largest proportion of the " lapsed " numbers from tho English roll , but there

are other local Grand Lodges likely to be formed in the _ near future—notably one in Queensland ; and until tho question is settled there it would be unwise .

or at least injudicious , for the home authorities to make any movement , because if Queensland establishes itself as an independent power the English Register win

suiter to the extent of upwards of thirty Lodges , and such a loss would be vory unfortunate immediatel y after a re-numbering of the Lodges on the Register .

Looking at the matter from a general standpoint , we admit there is much to be said on both sides . Many arguments may be used in favour of a closing

^ P , and as many in support of the idea of allowing matters to rest as they are . The main proposition a . favour of a revision seems to be that such a

pro-* uung yoUici fce in accordance with Masonic custom , onv i ' ul 1 e m years gone by having been to re-number ¦ lodges whenever the Register presented a sufficient

Re-Numbering Our Lodges.

number of blanks to justify it . On the other side , nearly every Mason will raise the objection that a re-numbering would seriously interfere with his

arrangements , and if our Secretaries , and others who are brought into immediate contact with details , could be canvassed on the point , we think there would be little hope of securing a verdict in favour of a

renumbering , as so many confusions would of necessity arise . But in spite of all these , we agree with the contemporary to whom we have already referred , that the Masons of to-day would not be

behind their ancestors in adapting themselves to circumstances , although to many of those associated with Lodges now known as 2000 odd it would no

doubt appear strange to describe themselves as members of 1500 or perhaps 1600 odd . In this respect honour in Freemasonry is recognised as going

backperhaps be made up in honour , and as this latter is a Great feature with Freemasons , it would no doubt

prove a sufficient solatium for all the ills bronght about by the renumbering .

wards , so that what was lost in convenience would

Lodge Histories.

LODGE HISTORIES .

— : o : — CANONGATE KILWINNING , No . 2 , SCOTLAND . ( Continued from p 66 . )

IN our provious remarks we spoko of this Lodge having been established as far back as 1677 , although it now works under a Warrant of Confirmation—of which we gave a transcript—under date 24 th Jane 1736 . It is

unfortunate that the original Charter of tho Lodge has berm lost , but that it actually existed there can be no doubt , indeed a copy of it appears in the books of the mother Lodge , and is as follows : —

" At the lodge of Killwining the twentie clay of december 1677 yoores deacons and wardanes and the rest of the brethren considering the love and favonr showne to us be the rest of tho brethren of tho cannigate in edinbnrgho ane part of our number being willing to bo boked & inroled the qch day gives power & liberty to them to enter

receave and pass ony qualified persons that they think fitt in name and behalf of the indgo of Killwining and to pay ther entry anil booking moneys doe to tho sd Indgo as wo do onr selves they sending on of ther nnmber to ns yearly and wo to do tho lyke to tbem if need be . The qlk day ther names ar insert into this book . ... "

This document waa signed by twelve brethren , each of whom " adhibited " his mark , and it is engrossed verbatim in the books referred to . It appears to the historian that for some years prior to 1735—the period when the Warrant of Confirmation was

applied for—the Lodge had been dormant , but from that year the Regular Minute Books have been preserved , and a connected History of the Lodge is available . The hall in which tbe Lodgo at present meets was built in 1736 . and is

believed to be the oldest Masonic Lodge Room in tho world . The hall was so far completed by the end of tho year as to allow of its being consecrated on the 18 th December by George Fraser , in presence of William JSt . Clair of Roslm Grand Master , and the Grand Lodge of