-
Articles/Ads
Article JOHN FITZ. Page 1 of 6 →
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
John Fitz.
JOHN FITZ .
A SKETCH OF THE YEAR 1435 . BY A . II . T . IT was in the year JU & 5 that the practice of Freemasonry was prohibited in this country ; this step was occasioned principally by the interference of Henry Beaufort , Bishop of Winchester , who , being
entrusted vjith the care of the person and education of Henry VI ., a minor , was desirous of obtaining the sole government of the affairs of state , but conceived that the Craft , as a body , was inimical to his designs . In defiance , however , of the aet , several of the Lodges continued their meetings , although they were compelled to do so in the strictest
privacy . The Lodge of St . John was among those who braved tbe order of prohibition ; and their meetings were , at this particular periocl , held at the house of Brother Jonathan Slark , the actual Master of the Lodge , who resided in the neighbourhood of Eastcheap ; a man peculiarly qualified , by his steady , determined and upright character , to uphold and direct the proceedings of the Brethren .
It was in the month of November in this year that John Fitz , who had just arrived at manhood , was initiated into the tenets of Freemasonry . He was by trade a jeweller , and conceived that he would be greatly benefited in his calling by being enrolled , more especially as bis connexion was principally among foreign merchants , who were , generally speaking , members of the fraternity .
His uncle , Slark , the Master , was averse to the introduction of his nephew upon several points ; but particularly as the state of ihe times were so truly inimical to the Order , as to render it dangerous for any man to be known following its rjursuit . The expressed determination of John Fitz was so unalterable , that his uncle was at last induced to propose him as-a candidate for initiation into the peculiar mysteries of
the Order . The effect produced upon the mind of their young Brother b y the ceremony of initiation was extremely gratifying to the members of the Lodge ; his warm expression of thanks to them for the benefits he felt they had conferred on him was so hearty and sincere , that they readily confided to him certain features of their art .
Upon this evening , however , an unfortunate occurrence took place , which eventually proved a most disastrous one . Robert Sprang , a draper , and a fellow-companion of John Fitz , was also proposed for admission
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
John Fitz.
JOHN FITZ .
A SKETCH OF THE YEAR 1435 . BY A . II . T . IT was in the year JU & 5 that the practice of Freemasonry was prohibited in this country ; this step was occasioned principally by the interference of Henry Beaufort , Bishop of Winchester , who , being
entrusted vjith the care of the person and education of Henry VI ., a minor , was desirous of obtaining the sole government of the affairs of state , but conceived that the Craft , as a body , was inimical to his designs . In defiance , however , of the aet , several of the Lodges continued their meetings , although they were compelled to do so in the strictest
privacy . The Lodge of St . John was among those who braved tbe order of prohibition ; and their meetings were , at this particular periocl , held at the house of Brother Jonathan Slark , the actual Master of the Lodge , who resided in the neighbourhood of Eastcheap ; a man peculiarly qualified , by his steady , determined and upright character , to uphold and direct the proceedings of the Brethren .
It was in the month of November in this year that John Fitz , who had just arrived at manhood , was initiated into the tenets of Freemasonry . He was by trade a jeweller , and conceived that he would be greatly benefited in his calling by being enrolled , more especially as bis connexion was principally among foreign merchants , who were , generally speaking , members of the fraternity .
His uncle , Slark , the Master , was averse to the introduction of his nephew upon several points ; but particularly as the state of ihe times were so truly inimical to the Order , as to render it dangerous for any man to be known following its rjursuit . The expressed determination of John Fitz was so unalterable , that his uncle was at last induced to propose him as-a candidate for initiation into the peculiar mysteries of
the Order . The effect produced upon the mind of their young Brother b y the ceremony of initiation was extremely gratifying to the members of the Lodge ; his warm expression of thanks to them for the benefits he felt they had conferred on him was so hearty and sincere , that they readily confided to him certain features of their art .
Upon this evening , however , an unfortunate occurrence took place , which eventually proved a most disastrous one . Robert Sprang , a draper , and a fellow-companion of John Fitz , was also proposed for admission