Grand Lodge Of Louisiana, 1886.

The Grand Lodge was organised June 12 , 1812 , by five Lodges hailing from South Carolina and Pennsylvania , and now consists of some 130 Lodges and 4000 members . The Grand Master ( D . R . Graham ) delivered an excellent address to the Grand Lodge on Feb . 8 , 1 SS 6 , and remarked on the " wide discrepancy in the rate of dues charged by certain Lodges , as compared with others , " and

declared he could not resist the belief that those which required such small fees " created their own poverty . " The same assertion applies to several Lodges in England , who notonlycharge lamentably small sums for initiation ( never rising above the minimum allowed by the Constitutions ) but who fix their annual subscriptions at so low a figure that there never can be any grants from the funds on behalf of our Royal Masonic Charities .

M . W . Bro . Graham refers with pleasure to the fact that representatives had been exchanged between the Grand Lodges of England and Louisiana , Bro . the Rev . C . VV . Spencer Stanhope , P . G . C , and Bro . Geo . J . Pinckard , being selected respeclively from each Body . Our dear Bro . Dr . Batchelor , Grand Secretary , has a good report to make of the discharge of his particular departments , and happily his health was so much restored as to permit of his personal attendance .

The " Louisiana Relief Lodge , No . 1 , " still continues to discharge its beneficent work as the Almoner of the charitable funds , placed at its disposal for the benefit of all worthy brethren , whether of the Grand Lodgeof Louisiana , or anv other in both Hemispheres . Its cosmopolitan basis is one of its most pleasing features , and it has continued , from its institution in 1 S 54 to be one of the blessed organisations in the new world . From

, 1854 to now , this centre of Masonic benevolence has distributed over , £ 17 , 000 . Well may its Master declare that its good deeds have been made known in every Grand Lodge , and its fame has crossed the ocean , and lives among the brethren of Europe . Applicants during the year were relieved from 28 Grand Lodges to the extent of 762 dollars , including Australia , England , Prussia , and Scotland ,

the total being small compared with some of the past reports . The Grand Lodge voted nearly 6000 dollars ( £ 1200 ) to replenish its funds , one-fifth to be paid annually , in quarterly payments . Bro . G . J . PINCKARD , as Grand Representative from England , ably and accurately expounded the views of our Grand Lodge in relation to the creation of new Grand Bodies . He stated that " it has been understood by

the parties in correspondence that the Representative should express in addition to the general terms of the commission , the great interest H . R . H . the Prince of Wales has taken in the progress and prosperity of the Fraternity in the United States , and that he trusts nothing may ever arise to mar the cordial relations he is so anxious to promote and perpetuate . " On the question of the " American Doctrine of Exclusive Jurisdiction , " Bro . PINCKARD observed : " When a new Grand Lodge springs into

existence , the Grand Lodge of England advises all her constituent lodges in that particular territorial jurisdiction to become identified with the new Grand Body , if the Body has been established by something approaching to unanimity ; if , however , one or more lodges prefer retaining their original charters , and continue under her jurisdiction , she does not see her way clearly to discard them . And this is all I think that can reasonably be expected . "

The Grand Lodge of Missouri , in 1885 , while recognising " the right of the Grand Lodge of England to permit the existence of these lodges in Quebec , " considers that every effort should be made in this country and eTsewhere "to induce a harmonious and amicable settlement , " and in

consideration of the mischief and harm to the Fraternity which has resulted from these lodges declining to join Quebec , the Grand Lodge suggests that as a powerful reason why they shouTd " change their allegiance . " I am entirely of that way of thinking myself , but it must be done by the members themselves as a voluntary act .

I am sorry to note , however , that our esteemed Bro . W . R . Whitaker ( as Chairman of the Foreign Correspondence ) declares that until the three lodges in question * ' yield obedience to the Grand Lodge of Quebec , their members should be excluded from the lodges in Louisiana . " It should be remembered that the venerable Grand Lodge of England never declares a

warrant forfeited or vacant unless the members of the lodge persist in disobedience to the Constitutions , or voluntarily resign the document into the hands of the Grand Master , when , of course , its name is erased from the roll . This has been its custom before there was a Grand Lodge in America , and has so continued to this time . W . J . HUGHAN .

The First Grand Stewards And Their Lodges.

THE FIRST GRAND STEWARDS AND THEIR LODGES .

Bv BRO . H . SADLER . III . { Continued from page 455 . ) The next reference to Stewards in the records of Grand Lodge is on 25 th Nov ., 1729 .

" The Deputy Grand Master likewise acquainted the brethren that the Tickets were preparing for the Grand Feast , and that as this was the proper time , for choosing Stewards for the said Feast , he proposed that such as were willing to serve that office might advance to the Chair , and signify their Inclination by signing their Names as was done last year .

" Thereupon several Brethren came up to the Table and signed their Names , but there being some objections raised against persons interested , and Disputes arising , the same was debated , and it was proposed by the Deputy Grand Master , that such of those Brethren as had served as

Stewards the last Grand Feast , and were willing to continue in the said Post another year might have the preference whereupon Mr . Samuel Stead , Mr . John Revis , Mr . Wm . Wilson , Mr . Tho Reason , and Mr . Wm . Hopkins late Stewards being asked whether they were willing to serve again this year , they desired leave to withdraw to consider of it .

"They accordingly withdrew , and being returned acquainted the Grand Master , that they had consulted together , and were willing to accept the Office of Stewards again , provided they might have Liberty of filling up the Vacancies in the room of those who were not inclined to act , which was thought reasonable , and their Healths ( by the names of Stewards elect ) were drank and the Grand Master returned them Thanks , for the readiness they had shewn to serve the Society .

The First Grand Stewards And Their Lodges.

" They were at the same time directed to return a List of the Stewards for the present year as soon as perfected to the Grand Master or his Deputy . " 27 th Dec , 1729 . "The Deputy Grand Master acquainted the Brethren that he had received from the five Stewards who had offered their services at the last

Quarterly Communication a List of seven other Brethren's names who together with them are willing to serve the office of Stewards at the ensuing Feast and their Healths were drank jointly by the name of Stewards elect . " Here again it would seem that the Stewards had some little difficulty in filling the vacancies to their entire satisfaction , for seven out of twelve of the Stewards for I 720--30 were those who had served the office the nreced-1

J vJ , mg year , the fresh names being , according to Anderson—Mr . Edwin Ward . Mr . — Pread . Mr . — Bardo , Senr . Mr . — Bardo , Junr . Mr . Charles Hoar .

Our old friend of " Constitutions " celebrity , might as well have taken the trouble to find out all their christian names for the benefit of posterity , before printing his book ; there ought not to have been much difficulty about it so soon after the event . Fortunately I am able to rectify the omission .

Edwin Ward was a member of No . 4 6 , the " Crown and Anchor , " near St . Clement ' s Church , in 1723 , and was J . W . in 1725 , when the lodge met at the Star and Garter , Covent Garden , and became No . 39 . Bro . Revis , whom I ought to have mentioned before , was Senior Warden of the same lodge ; he was appointed Grand Secretary in 1734 . I believe this lodge is identical with the " Globe " of 172 S , but I am not able to trace it clearly after 1725 .

Peter Praed was a member of the before mentioned "Ship on Fish Street Hill , in 1723-5 . The two Bardo ' s ( Peter and Paul ) , or Bourdo , as it is spelt in the register , were members ot No . 56 , the Anchor and Crown , in Short ' s Garden , in 1730 . This lodge was erased in 1774 . Charles Hoare was a member of the " Star and Garter , " in 1725 .

The printed list in the calendar gives two other names as Grand Stewards for 1729-30 , viz ' ., Wm . Sergeant and James Chambers . The first of these I cannot find in any list , but the latter was a member of No . 63 , " Bear and Harrow , " and No . 75 , Rainbow Coffee House , of the 1 730 enumeration , both of which are in a flourishing condition at the present time , the former being No . 5 , St . George and Corner Stone Lodge , and the latter the Britannic Lodge , No . 33 .

It may simplify matters and save space if in future I place the number of such of their lodges as I have been able to identify against their respective names . The following names are given in the Calendar as Grand Stewards for 1731 : — George Douglas , M . D . ( S . G . W . 1731 ) , No . 75 , 1730 , now Britannic

Lodge , No . 33 . J . Chambers ( J . G . W . 1731 ) , No . 63 , 1730 , now St . George and Corner Stone Lodge , No . 5 . Thomas Moore , No . 79 , 1730 , erased in 1830 . John Atwood , Nos . 39 and 57 , 1725 . Thomas Durrant , } No . 40 , 1730 , erased in 1830 . George Page .

John Haines . Wm . Millward , No . 63 , 1730 , now St . George and Corner Stone Lodge , No . 5 . Roger Lacy , No . 44 , erased in 1 744 . Charles Trinquand , Nos . 23 and 63 , 1730 , now No . 23 , Globe Lodge , and St . George and Corner Stone Lodge , No . 5 . John Calcot , No . 49 , 1730 , now St . Alban's Lodge , '; No . 29 . John King , 69 , 1730 , erased in 1744 .

Grand Stewards for 1732 . George Rooke ( S . G . W . 1732 ) , No . 63 , 1730 , now St . George and Corner Stone Lodge , No . 5 . J . Moor Smyth ( J . G . W . 1732 ) , No . 63 , 1730 , now St . George and Corner Stone Lodge , No . 5 . John Bridges , No . 63 , 1730 , now St . George and Corner Stone Lodge , No . 5 . WyriottOrmond , No . 63 , 1730 do . do .

Arthur Moore , No . 63 , 1730 do . do . Vinal Tavener , No . 63 , 1730 do . do . Claude Crespigny , No . 63 , 1730 do . do . Wm . Blunt , No . 63 , 1730 do . do . Colt John Pitt , No . 75 , 1730 , now No . 33 , also No . 63 , as above . Henry Tatam , No . 63 , 1730 , now St . George and Corner Stone Lodge , No . 5 . Thomas Griffiths , No . 19 , 1730 , now Emulation Lodge , No . 21 . Solomon Mendez , No . 84 , 1730 , erased in 1761 .

Grand Stewards for 1733 . John Ward , Esq . ( J . G . W . 1733 . S . G . W . 1734 , D . G . M . 1735 , G . M . 1742 ) No . 63 , now 5 . John Pollexen , No . 79 , 1730 , erased in 1830 . H . Butler Pacey , No . 38 , of 1730 , now Castle Lodge of Harmony , No . 26 . John Read , No . 63 , 1730 , now St . George and Corner Stone Lodge , No . 5 . William Bushby , No . 64 , 1730 , erased in 1736 .

Philip Barnes . J . Misaubin , M . D . John D wight , No . 52 , 1730 , erased 1 744 . Richard Baugh , No . 63 , 1730 , now St . George and Corner Stone Lodge , No . 5 . Thomas Shank , No . 8 , 1730 , erased in 1744 . James Cosins , No . 63 , 1730 , now St . George and Corner Stone Lodge , No . 5 .

Many of the brethren named in these Lists were members of other lodges since erased . On account of the immense gap in the Register from 1730 to 1768 , I am unable to give the lodges of many more of the Grand Stewards , but will content myself with selecting such brethren from the different lists as were members of lodges now in existence . 1734—Wm . Verelst , No . 19 , 1730 , now Emulation Lodge , No . 21 .

1733—Sir Robt . Lawley , ( S . G . W . 1736 ) D . G . M . 1742 No . 43 , 1730 , now Old King ' s Arms , Lodge , No . 28 . „ Wm . Graeme , M . D ., F . R . S . ( J . G . W . 1736 , D . G . M . 1739 ) , I 9 and 43 , 1730 , now Emulation , No . 21 , and Old King's Arms , No . 28 . „ Martin Clare , A . M ., F . R . S . ( J . G . W . 1735 , D . G . M . 1741 ) 43 , 1730 , now Old King ' s Arms Lodge , No . 28 .