Masonic Notes And Queries

Masonic Notes and Queries

1131 ] A CURIOUS CERTIFICATE . Bro . C . Bami ' ylde Warre , the courteous Secretary of the Brighton Masonic Library and Museurr , has sent me a certificate for examination and report , and being unusual , I have copied and had it reproduced , so as to make its character known . It will be noted that its issue was at Messina , and yet under the wing of the " Lodge of Edinburgh , " No . 1 , Scotland .

[ COPY . J •To all and Sundry to whose knowledge these presents shall come Greeting , these are to Certify that the Bearer , Brother Peter Grieve , was duly entered an apprentice , passed Fellow Craft and raised to the Sublime Degree of Master Mason by a dispensation from No . 1 : Mary ' s Chapel , holding of the Grand Lodge of Scotland .

In testimony whereof these presents are' subscribed by the Master , Past Master , Senior and Junior Wardens , at Messina , the 18 th Day of November , In the Year of our Lord One Thousand Eight hundred and nine , and of Light 5 809 . John Otto Bayer , Master . Jno . Simpson , Past Master . // . Whalley , Senr . Warden . Wm . B . Kcrstiman , Jun . Warden .

It is wholly written on parchment , 8 J- inches long by 6 "i inches wide , and is endorsed Diploma in favour of Brother Peter Grieve , and in the S . W . corner , a sky ribbon is introduced , with a circular seal attached in a tin box , having in the centre , as a crest , a hand holding a trowel , with the letters X . and R . ( apparently ) on either side respectively , and Scotland , No . I , below . Enclosing these are two circles bearing therein the words " DISPKNSATION . FROM . MAKYS . CHAI'P EL . " It was the custom a century ( more or less ) ago to permit of brethren entering

candidates residing at long distances from their lodges , and then reporting the fact , so as to be duly inscribed in the minutes and acknowledged . In Bro . D . Murray Lyon ' s invaluable " History of the Lodge of Edinburgh ( Mary ' s Chapel ) No . I " ( 1873 ) , there will be found several instances of such a Scottish custom , and described as " private lodge commissions or dispensations . " My esteemed friend , the Grand Secretary of Scotland , states ( p . 105)—that , notwithstanding Grand Lodge condemned the practice , " the system to which it refers continued in active operation , chiefly among west country lodges , up till the second decade of

the present century . " He cites one at Greenock in 18 x 4 , but evidently was not aware of the Lodge of Edinburgh having ( apparently ) empowered the brethren at Messina to make Masons out of lodge . The existence and use of a special seal would tend also to show that the usage had been for some years prior to 1809 , when the existing diploma was signed , sealed , and delivered . There was an English lodge at Messina ( Italy ) from 1778 , but it had ceased to exist , according to Bro . Lane ' s " Masonic Records , " long before it was removed from the Roll in 1813 , in consequence of ,: the Royal Edict , circa 1783 . " W . J . HUGHAN .

Reviews.

Reviews .

"TORQUAY HY THE SEA . "—This charming souvenir has been prepared , as respects the text , and the character and arrangement of the numerous illustrations by Bro . W . Eliot Thomas , M . J . I . ( No . 1402 ) , who has done his part most ad mirably . Many of the choice photographs were taken by Bro . J . C . Dinham and rep reduced for the work , and beyond question , nothing superior to the kind has ever been published in the county . Of course , Bro . Thomas is lavish in his praise of lovely Torquay , and _ no wonder , for where is it to be surpassed , with " its miles of drives and walks , beautiful

well kept pleasure grounds—lilled with flowers all the year round—pine woods and rockeries , fountains and promenades , sands and coves for bathing , marine and moorland excursions , golf , cricket , tennis , croquet , cycling , bowling , and yachting clubs , and excellent facilities from fishing ? " It is within live hours of Paddington , and through carriages are provided from large towns and cities still further removed . This handsome book may be obtained from Messrs . Smith and Son , Fleet-street , or of the author " Dunraven , " Torquay , for one shilling net , or 3 d . more for postage , as it makes a fine volume .

Provincial Grand Mark Lodge Of Staffordshire.

PROVINCIAL GRAND MARK LODGE OF STAFFORDSHIRE .

CONSECRATION OF THE STAFFORDSHIRE KNOT MARK

LODGE , No . 54 i-The annual meeting of the Prov . G . Mark Lodge of Slallordshire , to which is attached the Shropshire Mark Lodge , No . 444 , was held at the Oddfellows' Hall , Staff jrd , on Friday , the 7 th instant . The Dip . Prov . G . Mark Master , Bro . J . F . Pepper , presided , who , in his address , referred to the increase of Mark Masons and consecration of the new lodge . The roll of lodges in the province was called over , the accounts presented and passed , and officers for the ensuing year appointed and invested .

After the conclusion of Prov . G . Lodge a large number of distinguished brethren assembled for the purpose of constituting and consecrating the new lodge , undrr the style and title of the Staffordshire Knot Lodge ot Mark Master Masons , No . 541 . A like ceremony has not btfore been performed in Stafford , and natnrally it aroused a pood deal of enthusiasm amongst those who were entitled to witness the tame . It may be mentioned that there are only four Mark lodges in the county , and these are held at

Hanley , Handsworlh , and two at YVolveihatnpton , so that the Stafford brethren are paiticularly fortunate in having their pttition granted by Mark Grand Lodge , and thus being the means of another ledge being added to the province . It is beyond question that excellent work has been done in the Craft and Royal Arch , and this additional advantage is mainly attributable lo a few enthusiastic brethren , including Bros . Dr . Freer ( Ruge . ley ) G . Wormal , J . T . Marson , I . E . Evans , and F . Amies .

' 1 he visitors present were the M . W . the Earl of Euston , Pro G . Master ; Bros . C . Helton . P . G . W . ; Gordon Miller , G . M . O . ; the Rev . \ V . Trevor Parkins , P . G . Chap . ; C . F . Matier , P . G . W ., G . Sec ; C . A . Newham , A . D . Tomlinscn , W . Tecton , j . II . Cooksey , J . Jervis , H . Byolin , W . Baxter , W . A . Godson , J . J . Smith , T . K . Chain , E . Booth , C . J . Morris , J . Warrilow , J . Leese , C . P . Perry , H . R . Strange , and II . Winder . The M . W . the Earl of EISTOK addressed the meeting , reminding the brethren that they had assembled for establishing a new lodge , adding that

Provincial Grand Mark Lodge Of Staffordshire.

he had no doubt the founders would do their utmost to preserve the interests of the Craft , and make the new lodge worthy of its name . The Grand Chaplain offered prayer , after which the founders were arranged in order , and Bro . Matier read the petition and warrant , A brief but very eloquent oration was delivered by the Grand Chaplain . Then followed the sublime ceremony of consecration , with the sacred elements of

strewing corn , pouring wine and oil , and sprinkling salt , solemn music being played at intervals . The interesting and instructive ceremonies were very beautifully performed . The Pro G . M . then dedicated and constituted the lodge . Other necessary formalities followed , and the proceedings of consecration and the Patriarchal Benediction brought a most impressive ceremony to an end .

Then followed the installation of the new W . M ., Bro . J . F . Pepper , who subsequently invested the following as his officers for the year : Bros . Lieut .-Colonel Murray , S . W . ; R . Freer , J . W . ; G . Wormal , M . O . ; J . E . Evans , S . O . ; J . T . Marson , J . O . ; F . Amies , Treas . ; L . W . Potts , Sec . ; R . J . Bowen , S . D . ; G . Dean , J . D . ; J . Jackson , Org . W . N . Landor , l . G . ; and Riccalton , Stwd .

The proceedings concluded , the brethren adjourned to an excellent banquet provided by Mrs . Hastings , the capable and popular manageress of the Swan Hotel , the usual loyal and Masonic toasts being proposed and honoured . Several of the brethren gave valuable assistance in the musical portion , Bro . Jackson presiding at the pianoforte in his usual masterly style .

Freemasonry In Torquay.

FREEMASONRY IN TORQUAY .

MEMORIAL TO BRO . LANE . The Jordan Lodge , No . 1402 , celebrated its annual festival on Monday last , at the Masonic Temple , Tor Hill-road , when the "John Lane Memorial Library" was unveiled . There was a very large attendance of members and visitors , who evinced great interest in the proceedings . Bro . W . J . HUGHAN , who had kindly attended by request of the VV . M and the Committee to unveil the Masonic Memorial Library in memoriam

of the lamented Bro . Lane , F . C . A ., P . M . of the lodge , and P . A . G . D . C . of England , delivered a suitable address , referring bi iefly to his deceased friend and the decision of the lodge to so commemorate his valuable services to the Craft generally and the Jordan , No . 1402 , Torquay , in particular . Bro . Hughan considered no other form ol memorial could be so appropriate , as the works had been purchased and collected by Bro . Lane at considerable expense . They were very valuable , especially for

reference , and because of the rarity of several of the choice and ancient tomes ; and not a few were either unique copies or most difficult to procure . In the collection were many Books ot Constitution , including the premier edition of 1723 , and the still scarcer issues of 1738-1746 , numerous histories of lodges—almost a complete set—and quite a number of privately printed books , which , owing to their not being for sale , were frequently

never sent to the British Museum , and so were often absent from even large libraries of the kind . If any brethren wished to follow in Bro . Lane ' s footsteps ( and Bro . Hughan did not see why they should not , as he was an initiate of the lodge ) , there was abundant material on the shelves for the purpose , without going outside their handsome hall , and he hoped some would be found to utilise such a wealth of literary matter for the benefit of the Craft . He was very

pleased that the brethren had so heartily fallen in with his suggestion to acquire this collection of Masonic works , and he would like also to add that Mrs . Lane and the family were wholly satisfied and gratified with the destination of the library , and sincerely appreciated the motives which had led them to select that form of exhibiting their fraternal love for their zealous

and distinguished member , who , as they sadly remembered , had been called away from labour so suddenly just as the past year was expiring . So soon as time permitted , Bro . Hughan proposed to compile a catalogue of the collection , and have it printed and circulated amongst the members , with bibliographical notes appended , so as to inform non-experts of the character of the works , i * cc .

Bro . HUGHAN then , as the cuttains were drawn aside , declared the " John Lane Masonic Memorial Library " duly unveiled for the use of the members , and , with certain restrictions doubtless , for the province and the Craft generally , and congratulated the W . M . and brethren on the acquisition of such an important and representative collection of Masonic works .

After the unveiling ceremony , and a hearty vote of thanks to Bro . Hughan ( or his very interesting address , Bro . Richard Dutton Scholes , of Victoria Parade , was ably installed by Bro . John Taylor , P . P . G . Reg-, assisted by the following Board of Masters : Bros . W . J . Hughan , P . M-

70 , 131 , 2076 , P . S . G . D . Eng . ; T . H . Wills , P . P . D . G . D . C . ; W . PRoberts , P . M . 1358 , P . G . Reg . ; H . Gillard , P . M . 248 ; J . W . Daw l . P . M . H 5 S ; b . P . ke , P . M . 707 ; H . R . Bc-er , P . M . 328 ; S . Wills , P . M . 1402 ; W . Hersey , P . M . 1402 ; J . W . ' McKeliar , P . M . 14 ° - ' ; G . West , P . M . 1402 ; T . J . Crossman , P . M . 1402 ; and C . Hill , P-

1402 . . The installation over , the brethren duly saluted the new W . M ., ° then proceeded to invest his officers as follows ; Bros , J . D . Beer , I . P . M- '< J . Glanfield , P . M ., S . W . ; W . Grist , J . W . ; C . Hill , P . M ., Chap . ; S Wills , homas

P . M ., Treas . ; John Taylor , P . M ., P . P . G . R ., Sec . ; W . Eliot 1 , S . D . ; Tom Berry , J . D . ; J . G . Turle , P . M ., D . C . ; J . Heaton Bailey , Ore . ; R . C . Bishop , l . G . ; H . C . Goss and J . J . Browne , Stwds . ; . )¦ E . Newton , Tyler ; and T . H . Wills , P . M ., P . P . D . G . D . C , Chant ) Steward and Representative on Committee of Petitions . .

Bro . H UGHAN then rose , and having to leave , asked permission of | W . M . to express his warm appreciation of the excellent manner in "" "'/¦ j ' their esteemed Setreiary , Bro . John Taylor , had installed the new W . He did so on behalf of himself and the visitors , who would all agree win

him that it could not be better done . ( Applause . ) . The retiring W . M ., Bro . J . D . Beer , was presented by the lodge with beautiful gold Past Master ' s je . vel , in recognition of his services during I " year of office . J The Treasurer ' s statement of accounts was read and adop ted , j . showed a very prosperous state of affairs , 100 guineas having been pa the building fund in two years , besides £ 125 for furnishing , & c , a'