Masonic History And Historians.

considering- thc alterations which have taken place since 1721 , to go back to that date would be an absurd and impossible contention . But what we have asserted is this , that there is undoubted evidence of the existence of more Degrees than one previously to 1717 , and that , remembering the continuous division of the Craft into Masters , Fellows , and Apprentices , from undoubted evidences , partly Masonic ancl partly unmasonic , it is a fair

hypothesis , not a forced presumption , m fact , a rational and logical argument , that "esoteric" ritual also run " on all fours " with " exoteric" arrangements . To assume that thc Second and Third Degrees were all arranged between 1717 and 1721 , or 1723 , has always appeared to mc , and appears today to be the actual negation of all evidence ancl even common sense , as it is impossible to suppose that Anderson and Payne ancl the Masons of 1723

deliberately gave their names and assent to a tissue of lies . Ancl when the position above is confirmed by the fact of the existence of a sodality with a " secreta receptio " in the seventeenth century , as may be found by Plot ' s statements ; Ashmolc ' s diary , the ( Chester ) Harleian MS . especially , and a good deal of other evidence which mi g ht surel y . be pressed into the case , I do not , for onc , think that those who , like myself , after many years of careful study , still

adhere to thc antiquity of our system , both as lo formal order and inner divisions , can be rightfully accused of being either credulous , or unscientific writers . It is always very difficult to "prove a negative , " but we have a right to sa }' , do not let us . again fall into the usual error of reaction , —having accepted statements too easily to reject them too hastily . At any rate , let our motto be " Festina Iente . " I am quite aware of the underlying theory

that the grades arc technical and honorary , and mark no difference of teaching , 01 * secret symbolism . But against this view must be set off thc fact , that we have earl y in thc iSth century , whether friendly or mimical testimony matters nothing for our argument , a statement that a distinct threefold division of Degree teaching did exist , which is utterly hostile to the hypothesis that our present arrangement dates-only from 1717-21 . On the whole I am rather

inclined to think that in Dermott ' s statement we have the " germ " of truth of the whole matter , namely , that from 1717 to 1721 thc Society was in a weakly state , and Stukcley ' s evidence is important on this head . But to suppose " per contra" that , having all put their hands officially to a deliberate lie in 1723 , and again in 173 S , the Society of Freemasons having concocted the present system between 1717 and 1721-23 should suddenly come

to the fore with two new Degrees is contrary to all experience , and is , I apprehend , a theory which destroys itself by its own utter impossibility and improbability . 0 . I conclude this paper wilh asking what are the evidences on which we arc to build u | - die new theory ? Are the }' MSS . rituals ? Until I sec a MS . ritual of the middle even of the eighteenth century , I shall certainly decline

to accept aviy such evidence , as , in fact , no " expert would receive it . I , , shall be delighted if any one will convince me that I am wrong , by putting ** into my hand a MS . ritual evidence of any part of thc last century . When we have it , it has to be weighed carefully as lo what it says , or what it suppresses ; and it is not always the case because a MS . claims to be of such a date that it is of that date at all .

The earliest ritual MS . evidence is transcribed J 715 , though probabl y composed earlier , but this supports the antiquity of the Degrees . What , then , are the printed evidences ? They commence in 1721 , whether friendly or hostile , and certainly seem clearly to point to a long continued system . And here I stop tc-day , gladly adopting all Bro , Hughan ' s words as to caution , discrimination , and the danger of confounding later usages with earlier customs .

Records Of Extinct Lodges.

RECORDS OF EXTINCT LODGES .

Tim MARINERS LODGE , NO . 57 6 , SKLBY . Some lime ago I placed before your readers an account of thc extinct lodge once held at the Punch Bowl , in York . I now have much pleasure in giving a sketch of the career of the Mariners Lodge at Selby , near York , a lodge which existed apparently less than twenty years , but which during that period did a g'ood deal of work . Its minutes are now in the safe

custod y of the St . Germain ' s Lodge , No . 566 , at Selby , ancl I am indebted to the courtesy of thc W . M . and Secretary of that lodge for the privilege of examining them thoroughly . Thc minute book is in excellent preservation , and has on the first page a form of the summons issued by thc lodge . Beneath this is the following entry : " In the making , after the prayer in Preston ' s Illustrations , last

chapter in 2 nd Thessalonians , to be read previous to the obligation . In thc 2 nd Degree wc read the 13 th chapter ist Corinthians , and in the 3 rd Degree 13 th Hebrews , all previous to the obligation . " The first minute records thc constitution of the lodge , which look place on the 7 U 1 June , 1799 . The ceremony vvas performed b y four brethren of the Union Lodge at York ( now the York Lodge , No . 236 ) , and Bro .

Hardisty , of the now extinct Apollo Lodge , at York , who were appointed by the Provincial Grand Master for the purpose . Five or six brethren of Selby were also present . Having read their authority , which was signed by Bro . J . Watson on behalf of the Provincial Grand Master , the " Deputation " constituted the lodge , and " dedicated it to Hol y St . John the Baptist , to Freemasonry , virtue , and universal charity and benevolence . "

An oration was given by Bro . Lund , of York ; the First Lecture was given by a second brother ; the Second Lecture by Bro . Lund ; and the Third b y a P . M . of thc Union Lodge . A ballot was taken for a W . M ., and Bro . A . Shepherd was chosen . "The Health of thc W . M . Elect was drank with Masonic honours , and he was duly invested with the insignia of his office , " and proceeded to appoint his officers : E . Aspinall , S . W . ; Joseph Sawyer ,

J . W . ; John Sawyer , Secretary ; and T . Winter , Senior Steward . These having been invested " the charges were given . " On the 12 th of the same month an emergency meeting was held , when Bro . John Sawyer was appointed Treasurer , and a candidate was proposed . I may here mention that in all cases the ballot for candidates was taken in the 3 rd Degree . On the 2 ist Aug ., 1799 , it is recorded that thc J . W . acted as W . M . in the

absence of the latter , and on the 28 th of the same month the same thing occurred , when two candidates were initiated and passed b y him . On the 20 th Nov . " it was ordered the Master shall apply for a constitution for this lodge , " and " harmony prevailed until Bro . Joseph Sawyer , J . W ., came into the lodge in a very abrupt and insulting manner to thc Order of Masonry , and particularly the Worshipful Master , whereupon thc lodge was closed . " On the 21 st November an " Emergency and Inquiry Apprentice Lodge was opened , " and it was resolved that the conduct of Sawyer was reprehensible ; accordingl y the Apprentice Lodge was closed ,

Records Of Extinct Lodges.

and a Master Masons Lodge was opened , and Sawyer was " unanimously expelled " and the Secretary was ordered to wait on him and inform him of this unpleasant circumstance , ancl " return the money he had advanced ; " also to inform Bro . E . Peck , thc W . M . of the Union Lodge , at York , and also the lodge at Wakefield . On the 4 th December , 1799 , Rl" ° - A . Shepherd was re-elected Master .

About this time the members seem to have formed a Masonic Benefit Society for thc benefit of their own distressed members . Members joinino- it were regularly proposed and balloted for , ancl it was quite distinct from ' the Iodo - funds . In April , 1800 , Bro . j . Staniland was appointed b y the W . M . as Provincial Steward for the lodge , and in May of the same year a Iodo-c of instruction was formed . * ft

On June 21 st , 1800 , Bro . E . Aspinall was elected W . M ., and Yin emergency meeting was held to celebrate " the Festival of our Patron , St . John the Baptist . " On that occasion " an Apprentice lodge was opened , when E . Aspinall appointed himself to the chair , in the absence of our late WM ., A . Shepherd , and installed his officers . " A brother was then "exalted " ' to "thc Third , or Sublime Degree . " The terms passed , raised , and exalted were at this time used indiscriminately .

On the 3 rd July the W . M . " requested the opinion of the brethren respecting the proper chairs for the lodge , which were unanimously ordered to be procured . " In October of this year it was resolved that in future elections should not be by ballot , "all candidates to be publickly announced in full lod ge and the assent or dissent of the brethren accordingly , " but in November this resolution was rescinded and the ballot was again adopted , " as the other method was not nccordinp- to Masonic rules . "

The Mariners Lodge wasstanchlyloyal . for I find that in October , iSoo , "Mr . George Bennett was balloted for and unanimousl y approved of , provided he recanted from his former political principles and promised due allegiance to the king and the laws and constitutions of these realmes . " Mr . Bennett is described as " Halt maker . " At this meeting the " lecture" was given by Bro . T . Dickenson , who afterwards rave the "Anni-entice Sono-. " Atthe

following meeting " Mr . R . Bill and Mr . G . Bennett were initiated into the Mistorics of Masonry in this lodge in the First Degree , or that of an Apprentice , having first declared that they will , pay due allegiance to King George the Third and the laws and constitutions of these realmes . " On the 19 th of thc same month several brethren were raised to the Third Deeree

and the " Floor-cloth was explained . " It was at the same meeting ordered that Bro ., Garbuft " makcT" * the passage of the staircase properly secure from coeinsj ^ ' The mcetnigs-were held-throughout at the Rose and Crown Inn . -kAP ^ ( To beycontinued ) . -- >¦ -

The Growth Of Masonry In The United States.

THE GROWTH OF MASONRY IN THE UNITED STATES .

The census , just completed , affords interesting focxl for reflection , and presage of the continued prosperity of the country . . O-i , Ohio takes especial interest in the statistics of the grcfyth of the States west of lhe Ohic-river ; for howbeit it is true that many Oh \ o men reach public p lace in Washington , many Ohio men in all these ? thi * ty years past have moved " w * est , and their influence has been felt in bus'iriessTand Masonry . The following table shows the ' population of all Ae Sjjites , and the niein- " bcrs on rolls of Masonic lodges : — M

Census 1 SS 0 Ma = ons 1 S 80 Alabama - 1 , 262 , 344 866 7 Arkansas - 802 , 564 8293 California .... 864 , 686 12 , 214 Colorado - - - - 194 , 649 1641 Connecticut - 622 , 68 3 14 , 600 Dakota .... 134 , 502 404 uciaware

- - - - 140 , 054 1270 District of Columbia ... , 177 , 638 2712 Florida - - - - r - ' 266 , 566 2151 Georgia - - - - ** 1 , 538 , 983 12 , 174 Idaho - 32 , 611 225 Illinois - 3 . 078 , 635 3 > . 374 Indiana .... 1 , 978 , 358 25 , 046 Iowa ... . 1 , 624 , 46 3 18 , 491 Kansas - - - - 995 , 336 7443 Kentucky .... 6 4 8 , 599 16 , 613 Louisiana ..... 940 , 263 5187

Maine - - - - 648 , 943 I 9 . 3 ° 3 Maryland .... 936 , 139 5082 Massachusetts - - - 1 , 783 , 086 25 , 505 Michigan - - - 1 , 634 , 6 95 25 , 624 Minnesota .... 780 , 807 S 647 Mississippi - - - - 1 , 131 , 899 ^ 9 4 ° Missouri - - - - 2 , 16 9 , 091 23 , 697 Montana . ... 37 , 157 705 Nebraska - - - - 402 , 432 3257

Nevada .... 62 , 265 1476 New Hampshire - - - 347 , 784 7731 New Jersey - - - - 1 , 130 , 892 11 , 9 68 Ncw Mexico - - - - 118 , 430 174 New York .... 5 , 083 , 173 73 . H 3 North Carolina - - - - 1 , 400 , 000 11 , 482 Ohio .... 3 , 197 , 734 29 , 000 Oregon - - - 174 , 167 2580 Pennsylvania - - - - 4 , 282 , 738 35 . 879 Rhode Island ... 276 , 528 4195

South Carolina ... 995 , 706 6165 Tennessee .... 1 , 542 , 463 16 , 531 Texas .... 1 , 507 , 500 17 , 177 Utah - - - - 143 , 907 377 Vermont .... 332 , 286 7724 Virginia .... 1 , 512 , 203 9777 Washington . ... 75 , 120 953 West Virginia - - - 618 , 193 3386 Wisconsin - 1 , 315 , 386 10 , 789 Wyoming ... . 20 , 7 88 339

5 ° * 152 , 559 545 . 887 —Report of the Grand Lodge of Ohio .