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Article FREEMASONRY IN 1885. Page 1 of 4 Article FREEMASONRY IN 1885. Page 1 of 4 →
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Freemasonry In 1885.
FREEMASONRY IN 1885 .
It is hardly to be expected that we who have taken a more or less active part in the events ot the year which is so rapidly drawing to its conclusion shall escape the charge of partiality in the opinions we may feel disposed to pass upon their merits . It is only in human nature that men should take more kindly to those with whom they have been associated , and regard more favourably the occurrences in which they have shared . Yet , when every
allowance has been made for this very natural weakness , we are inclined to believe that our verdict on the year 1885 w ' remain undisturbed by the critics of a later date . We have , at ail events , this advantage over all future historians of Freemasonry—we know something of the main life of that Society in which we have played our part . They will be as well able as ourselves to note the effects of what has happened ; but they will not have
enjoyed the immense advantage of being in a position to understand the causes which produced those effects . We may be found inclining somewhat towards partiality ; we may form our estimate of the whole drama only from the scenes in which we have personally shared ; yet , in spite of this propensity , we imagine that future writers will agree with us as to the year 1885 having been one of sound , substantial benefit to Freemasons . There
have been no unusual successes , but , at the same time , there is little , if anything , to regret or be ashamed of . We have gone on our way quietly , and without ostentation . What we have done appears to have been in the direction of strengthening and confirming , rather than enlarging the position we had already secured . As regards the United Kingdom , there has been nothing calculated to disturb the harmony of our proceedings , and if , as
between the Grand Lodges of the Old Country and other jurisdictions , there have been here and there certain diversities of opinion , the subjects of difference have not been , or are not , of so grave a character as to preclude all hope of an early and amicable settlement . We are convinced it needs only a suspicion of able management on one or other side , or on both sides , to secure a consummation so devoutly to be wished . Indeed , in Anglo-Saxon
Masonry there are no fundamental differences whatever , those which exist , like the majority of those which have existed in the past , affecting principally the relations among different Grand Lodges . Our position towards the Grand Orient of France remains , and is likely to remain , unaltered ; any step towards a reconciliation of the two bodies will have to be taken by France , seeing that it is she who has made a serious innovation in the
original system of Freemasonry , while we have religiously preserved it in its integrity . As regards other Grand Orients and Grand Lodges , where friendly relations had been established with them , they remain ; where none have existed , no approach , that we are aware of , has been made towards establishing any . In short , we are slightly more numerous at the
end than we were at the beginning of the year , while our organisation has been both strengthened and improved . Our Institutions have been made more efficient , and two of them have been enlarged . Some few among our leading members have passed away ; but , on the whole , there is little cause for regret , but much for legitimate congratulation ; and our hope is that at the close of future years our position maybe as generally satisfactory as it is now .
CRAFT MASONRY . The tree is judged by its fruit , and the justice of our remarks will be shown by the flourishing condition of Craft Masonry , on which all other Masonic organisations are founded . The secession of sundry lodges , consequent upon the establishment of the Grand Lodge of South Australia , is not an absolute loss . The lodges remain , but under a different government .
But however this may be regarded , there has been an addition to our roll of no less than 47 lodges , of which five have been placed on the list of Metropolitan lodges , and 15 to the provinces , while the remaining 27 have gone to swell our numbers in lhe colonies and dependencies of the British Crown . Of the new provincial lodges three have been placed on the Middlesex roll , lour are in Sutrey , and one in each of the following :
—Cambridge , Derbyshire , Durham , Herts , Kent , Lancashire ( E . ) , Lancashire (\ V . ) , and Yorkshire ( West ) . Of the 27 lodges abroad , seven have been constituted in South Africa , two in South Africa East , two in South Africa West , two in the Natal district , and one in East Griqualand , which is without a district organisation ; three are in Asia , viz ., one in North Borneo , where no lodge existed , one in Bombay , and one in the Punjab j and 17 in the Australasian colonies ,
namely , two in the Otago and Southland district of New Zealand , one in Queensland , one in West Australia , seven in New South Wales , and six in ' Victoria , it will be seen from these details , that as regards New South Wales and Victoria , the disposition on the part of the regular lodges to remain in allegiance to the Old Country is as prominent as ever . Three of the new London lodges are of a special character . The Empire Lodge ,
No . 2108 , which has been fashioned on the lines of the Empire Club , is intended for brethren resident in this country who have relations with our colonies , and will serve as a kind of Masonic home for colonial brethren when visiting this country ; Drury Lane Lodge , No . 2127 , is intended for the convenience of brethren who are members of the dramatic profession or take a special interest in the drama ; and the United Northern Counties
Lodge , No . 2128 , will be recruited from among brethren of the northern counties who are resident in or called b y business to the Metropolis . These will be a most welcome addition to our Metropolitan list , and as Uie brethren to whom they look for support are both numerous and influential , we have good reason to anticipate for them a long and prosperous future . There is one other lodge , which was warranted towards the close of 1884 , but
remains unconsecrated—the Quatuor Coronati . This , too , is of a special character , being intended for brethren interested in Masonic archieological research , and as its W . M . designate is Sir Charles Warren—whose recent absence on service in South Africa will explain the delay in consecration — we may expect that this likewise will prove a great accession to our strength . In the matter of organisation , it must be gratifying to know that Bedfordshire is now governed by a Prov . G . Master in the person of R . W . Bro .
Col . William Stuart , a distinguished brother of upwards of 40 years' standing in the Craft , and we venture to believe that no long time wili elapse ere the advantage of this step will be generally apparent . The lodges in this county , though they have no doubt conducted their proceedings in strict conformity with our laws and usages , cannot but have felt isolated from the general body of Masons . It must often have occurred to them that , seeing the contiguous counties were all organised in provinces , while they had no
Freemasonry In 1885.
intermediate government of their own , their position in the Craft was not quite on the same footing as that of their neighbours . But now this feeling can exist no longer ; our Bedfordshire brethren have a chief of their own , and there are provincial honours to be won by deserving members , so that at no very remote period wc may look to becoming as familiar with their proceedings as we have been with those of the provinces which encircle them .
Nor is this erection of Bedfordshire into a Masonic province the only change of its kind . North Wales and Salop no longer constitute a single province . Their union under their late respected chief , ' Bro . Sir W . Williams-Wynn , some three and thirty years since , when there were only four lodges in the district , was a decided benefit . But the province had grown too unwieldy for one brother , however distinguished , to control , and as the four lodges of 1 S 52 had multiplied in the interval to 28 , there was good reason for
subdividing the district into two provinces , North Wales with 18 lodges being now under the charge of Bro . Lord Harlech as P . G . M ., and Shropshire with its ten lodges under Bro . Sir Offley Wakeman . Thus , instead of 41 , there are 43 provinces , the only districts which are without a Provincial Grand Lodge being the Channel Islands and the Isle of Man . Our readers will probably agree with us that these changes are most decidedly improvements , from which we may look to reap a very considerable benefit .
I he proceedings in Grand Lodge have been for the most part uneventful . In March the Prince of Wales was re-elected Grand Master , and Bro . J . Woodall Woodall was elected Grand Treasurer by a very large majority of votes over his principal competitor . In June , on the motion of Bro . Raynham W . Stewart , P . G . D ., seconded b y Bro . W . Roebuck , P . G . Stwd ., the sum of £ 1000 was vo' . ed towards the expense of furnishing the new
buildings which have been in course of erection at the Boys' School , Wood Green , and in December , on the motion of Bro . H . B . Marshall , P . G . Treasurer , seconded by Bro . G . P . Britten , a like sum was voted to the Girls ' School towards defraying the cost ol purchasing additional land in the vicinity of the Institution , both these grants being made from the Fund of General Purposes . At the June ^ Communication one other matter of
importance was considered , namely , the recognition of the independepce of the Grand Lodge of South Australia . Bro . Philbrick , Q . C ., G . Reg ., in submitting his motion , was careful to point out that the brethren in the colony had acted in the most fraternal spirit towards . United Grand Lodge , and of their own motion had proposed in their Grand Lodge to respect the desire which mi ght be shown by any lodge or lodges already constituted under
the authority of the Grand Lodge of England to remain in allegiance to that body . The South Australians had , in fact , spared no pains in manifesting their love and respect for the Grand Lodges which had established them , and under these circumstances , and especially as every one of the English warranted lodges had given their adhesion to the movement for independence , he recommended that the Grand Lodge of South Australia should be
recognised as an independent Grand Lodge , and the motion , having been duly seconded by the Rev . Canon Portal , G . Chap ,, and warmly supported b y the Earl of Limerick , Prov . G . M . of Bristol , was carried without a single dissentient voice . Another resolution which was adopted at the March Communication may likewise be referred to . The Board of General Purposes having had under their consideration the question of lodge suspension
and its effects on individual members , and it having been pointed out that many brethren were members of several lodges , and might suffer innocently if one of their lodges happened to be suspended , the Board recommended that the suspension of a lodge should be understood to mean the suspension of its warrant , whereby the lodge would be forbidden to hold its stated meetings , and perform its ordinary duties , while , as regards individual
brethren , those whose conduct had brought about the suspension should be dealt with individually according to their deserts . The recommendation , which will have the effect of preventing brethren who are members of several lodges from suffering for the sins of othets in the event of one of those lodges being suspended , was accepted unanimously . In the present month three candidates were nominated for the Grand Treasurership , in succession
to Bro . Woodall , whose term of office will be completed in March next , when it will be the duty of the brethren to consider whether , in their opinion , Bro . R . B . Martin , ex-M . P . for Tewkesbury , and a member of the London banking fraternity , Bro . D . P . Cama , a wealthy Parsee merchant resident in London , or Bio . S . Pope , O . C ., is worthier to be entrusted with the functions
of Grand Treasurer . It only remains for us to add that the Great Hall , which was almost destroyed by fire in May , 1 S 83 , has been restored and redecorated , and that it was occupied for the first time in its completed state on the occasion ol the Grand Festival in April , the manner in which the work had been done was the theme of general admiration ,
In March occurred an event which was fraught with the deepest interest to Freemasons , namely , the initiation of his Ro > al Highness Prince Albert Victor , eldest son of the Prince of Wales , and heir presumptive to the British Crown . This auspicious event occurred on Tuesday , the 17 th of that month , in the Royal Al pha Lodge , No . 16 , the ceremony being performed by the Grand Master himself , the working tools being given by
the Earl of Lathom , D . G . M . of England and Prov . G . M . of West Lancashire , while the charge was delivered by the Earl of Carnarvon , Pro Grand Master . There was present a select but very distinguished gathering of members , the room at Willis ' s Rooms , in which the lodge holds its meetings being a small one , and incapable of accommodating more than a limited number . It was for this reason , and not as was stated at the time .
because the Royal Alpha has any absurd—and unconstitutional—bye-law against the admission of visitors that the attendance was limited lo the members . The Prince was passed F . C . at Great Yarmouth , and raised to the Sublime Degree of M . M . in the Isaac Newton University Lodge , No . 859 , Cambridge , in the month of June , there being on this occasion , at all
events , a very large gathering ol brethren , both members and visitors , to witness so rare and interesting a ceremony . His Royal Hig hness has since been advanced to the Mark Degree in the Isaac Newton University Lodge , No . 112 , Cambridge , and will no doubt seek enrolment in the Royal Arch , and it may be in other branches of Masonry .
The initiation of a member of the Royal Family is not the only event by which the year 1885 will be remembered . Every now and then a new Prov . G . Master is installed in office , but as the number of our provinces is
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Freemasonry In 1885.
FREEMASONRY IN 1885 .
It is hardly to be expected that we who have taken a more or less active part in the events ot the year which is so rapidly drawing to its conclusion shall escape the charge of partiality in the opinions we may feel disposed to pass upon their merits . It is only in human nature that men should take more kindly to those with whom they have been associated , and regard more favourably the occurrences in which they have shared . Yet , when every
allowance has been made for this very natural weakness , we are inclined to believe that our verdict on the year 1885 w ' remain undisturbed by the critics of a later date . We have , at ail events , this advantage over all future historians of Freemasonry—we know something of the main life of that Society in which we have played our part . They will be as well able as ourselves to note the effects of what has happened ; but they will not have
enjoyed the immense advantage of being in a position to understand the causes which produced those effects . We may be found inclining somewhat towards partiality ; we may form our estimate of the whole drama only from the scenes in which we have personally shared ; yet , in spite of this propensity , we imagine that future writers will agree with us as to the year 1885 having been one of sound , substantial benefit to Freemasons . There
have been no unusual successes , but , at the same time , there is little , if anything , to regret or be ashamed of . We have gone on our way quietly , and without ostentation . What we have done appears to have been in the direction of strengthening and confirming , rather than enlarging the position we had already secured . As regards the United Kingdom , there has been nothing calculated to disturb the harmony of our proceedings , and if , as
between the Grand Lodges of the Old Country and other jurisdictions , there have been here and there certain diversities of opinion , the subjects of difference have not been , or are not , of so grave a character as to preclude all hope of an early and amicable settlement . We are convinced it needs only a suspicion of able management on one or other side , or on both sides , to secure a consummation so devoutly to be wished . Indeed , in Anglo-Saxon
Masonry there are no fundamental differences whatever , those which exist , like the majority of those which have existed in the past , affecting principally the relations among different Grand Lodges . Our position towards the Grand Orient of France remains , and is likely to remain , unaltered ; any step towards a reconciliation of the two bodies will have to be taken by France , seeing that it is she who has made a serious innovation in the
original system of Freemasonry , while we have religiously preserved it in its integrity . As regards other Grand Orients and Grand Lodges , where friendly relations had been established with them , they remain ; where none have existed , no approach , that we are aware of , has been made towards establishing any . In short , we are slightly more numerous at the
end than we were at the beginning of the year , while our organisation has been both strengthened and improved . Our Institutions have been made more efficient , and two of them have been enlarged . Some few among our leading members have passed away ; but , on the whole , there is little cause for regret , but much for legitimate congratulation ; and our hope is that at the close of future years our position maybe as generally satisfactory as it is now .
CRAFT MASONRY . The tree is judged by its fruit , and the justice of our remarks will be shown by the flourishing condition of Craft Masonry , on which all other Masonic organisations are founded . The secession of sundry lodges , consequent upon the establishment of the Grand Lodge of South Australia , is not an absolute loss . The lodges remain , but under a different government .
But however this may be regarded , there has been an addition to our roll of no less than 47 lodges , of which five have been placed on the list of Metropolitan lodges , and 15 to the provinces , while the remaining 27 have gone to swell our numbers in lhe colonies and dependencies of the British Crown . Of the new provincial lodges three have been placed on the Middlesex roll , lour are in Sutrey , and one in each of the following :
—Cambridge , Derbyshire , Durham , Herts , Kent , Lancashire ( E . ) , Lancashire (\ V . ) , and Yorkshire ( West ) . Of the 27 lodges abroad , seven have been constituted in South Africa , two in South Africa East , two in South Africa West , two in the Natal district , and one in East Griqualand , which is without a district organisation ; three are in Asia , viz ., one in North Borneo , where no lodge existed , one in Bombay , and one in the Punjab j and 17 in the Australasian colonies ,
namely , two in the Otago and Southland district of New Zealand , one in Queensland , one in West Australia , seven in New South Wales , and six in ' Victoria , it will be seen from these details , that as regards New South Wales and Victoria , the disposition on the part of the regular lodges to remain in allegiance to the Old Country is as prominent as ever . Three of the new London lodges are of a special character . The Empire Lodge ,
No . 2108 , which has been fashioned on the lines of the Empire Club , is intended for brethren resident in this country who have relations with our colonies , and will serve as a kind of Masonic home for colonial brethren when visiting this country ; Drury Lane Lodge , No . 2127 , is intended for the convenience of brethren who are members of the dramatic profession or take a special interest in the drama ; and the United Northern Counties
Lodge , No . 2128 , will be recruited from among brethren of the northern counties who are resident in or called b y business to the Metropolis . These will be a most welcome addition to our Metropolitan list , and as Uie brethren to whom they look for support are both numerous and influential , we have good reason to anticipate for them a long and prosperous future . There is one other lodge , which was warranted towards the close of 1884 , but
remains unconsecrated—the Quatuor Coronati . This , too , is of a special character , being intended for brethren interested in Masonic archieological research , and as its W . M . designate is Sir Charles Warren—whose recent absence on service in South Africa will explain the delay in consecration — we may expect that this likewise will prove a great accession to our strength . In the matter of organisation , it must be gratifying to know that Bedfordshire is now governed by a Prov . G . Master in the person of R . W . Bro .
Col . William Stuart , a distinguished brother of upwards of 40 years' standing in the Craft , and we venture to believe that no long time wili elapse ere the advantage of this step will be generally apparent . The lodges in this county , though they have no doubt conducted their proceedings in strict conformity with our laws and usages , cannot but have felt isolated from the general body of Masons . It must often have occurred to them that , seeing the contiguous counties were all organised in provinces , while they had no
Freemasonry In 1885.
intermediate government of their own , their position in the Craft was not quite on the same footing as that of their neighbours . But now this feeling can exist no longer ; our Bedfordshire brethren have a chief of their own , and there are provincial honours to be won by deserving members , so that at no very remote period wc may look to becoming as familiar with their proceedings as we have been with those of the provinces which encircle them .
Nor is this erection of Bedfordshire into a Masonic province the only change of its kind . North Wales and Salop no longer constitute a single province . Their union under their late respected chief , ' Bro . Sir W . Williams-Wynn , some three and thirty years since , when there were only four lodges in the district , was a decided benefit . But the province had grown too unwieldy for one brother , however distinguished , to control , and as the four lodges of 1 S 52 had multiplied in the interval to 28 , there was good reason for
subdividing the district into two provinces , North Wales with 18 lodges being now under the charge of Bro . Lord Harlech as P . G . M ., and Shropshire with its ten lodges under Bro . Sir Offley Wakeman . Thus , instead of 41 , there are 43 provinces , the only districts which are without a Provincial Grand Lodge being the Channel Islands and the Isle of Man . Our readers will probably agree with us that these changes are most decidedly improvements , from which we may look to reap a very considerable benefit .
I he proceedings in Grand Lodge have been for the most part uneventful . In March the Prince of Wales was re-elected Grand Master , and Bro . J . Woodall Woodall was elected Grand Treasurer by a very large majority of votes over his principal competitor . In June , on the motion of Bro . Raynham W . Stewart , P . G . D ., seconded b y Bro . W . Roebuck , P . G . Stwd ., the sum of £ 1000 was vo' . ed towards the expense of furnishing the new
buildings which have been in course of erection at the Boys' School , Wood Green , and in December , on the motion of Bro . H . B . Marshall , P . G . Treasurer , seconded by Bro . G . P . Britten , a like sum was voted to the Girls ' School towards defraying the cost ol purchasing additional land in the vicinity of the Institution , both these grants being made from the Fund of General Purposes . At the June ^ Communication one other matter of
importance was considered , namely , the recognition of the independepce of the Grand Lodge of South Australia . Bro . Philbrick , Q . C ., G . Reg ., in submitting his motion , was careful to point out that the brethren in the colony had acted in the most fraternal spirit towards . United Grand Lodge , and of their own motion had proposed in their Grand Lodge to respect the desire which mi ght be shown by any lodge or lodges already constituted under
the authority of the Grand Lodge of England to remain in allegiance to that body . The South Australians had , in fact , spared no pains in manifesting their love and respect for the Grand Lodges which had established them , and under these circumstances , and especially as every one of the English warranted lodges had given their adhesion to the movement for independence , he recommended that the Grand Lodge of South Australia should be
recognised as an independent Grand Lodge , and the motion , having been duly seconded by the Rev . Canon Portal , G . Chap ,, and warmly supported b y the Earl of Limerick , Prov . G . M . of Bristol , was carried without a single dissentient voice . Another resolution which was adopted at the March Communication may likewise be referred to . The Board of General Purposes having had under their consideration the question of lodge suspension
and its effects on individual members , and it having been pointed out that many brethren were members of several lodges , and might suffer innocently if one of their lodges happened to be suspended , the Board recommended that the suspension of a lodge should be understood to mean the suspension of its warrant , whereby the lodge would be forbidden to hold its stated meetings , and perform its ordinary duties , while , as regards individual
brethren , those whose conduct had brought about the suspension should be dealt with individually according to their deserts . The recommendation , which will have the effect of preventing brethren who are members of several lodges from suffering for the sins of othets in the event of one of those lodges being suspended , was accepted unanimously . In the present month three candidates were nominated for the Grand Treasurership , in succession
to Bro . Woodall , whose term of office will be completed in March next , when it will be the duty of the brethren to consider whether , in their opinion , Bro . R . B . Martin , ex-M . P . for Tewkesbury , and a member of the London banking fraternity , Bro . D . P . Cama , a wealthy Parsee merchant resident in London , or Bio . S . Pope , O . C ., is worthier to be entrusted with the functions
of Grand Treasurer . It only remains for us to add that the Great Hall , which was almost destroyed by fire in May , 1 S 83 , has been restored and redecorated , and that it was occupied for the first time in its completed state on the occasion ol the Grand Festival in April , the manner in which the work had been done was the theme of general admiration ,
In March occurred an event which was fraught with the deepest interest to Freemasons , namely , the initiation of his Ro > al Highness Prince Albert Victor , eldest son of the Prince of Wales , and heir presumptive to the British Crown . This auspicious event occurred on Tuesday , the 17 th of that month , in the Royal Al pha Lodge , No . 16 , the ceremony being performed by the Grand Master himself , the working tools being given by
the Earl of Lathom , D . G . M . of England and Prov . G . M . of West Lancashire , while the charge was delivered by the Earl of Carnarvon , Pro Grand Master . There was present a select but very distinguished gathering of members , the room at Willis ' s Rooms , in which the lodge holds its meetings being a small one , and incapable of accommodating more than a limited number . It was for this reason , and not as was stated at the time .
because the Royal Alpha has any absurd—and unconstitutional—bye-law against the admission of visitors that the attendance was limited lo the members . The Prince was passed F . C . at Great Yarmouth , and raised to the Sublime Degree of M . M . in the Isaac Newton University Lodge , No . 859 , Cambridge , in the month of June , there being on this occasion , at all
events , a very large gathering ol brethren , both members and visitors , to witness so rare and interesting a ceremony . His Royal Hig hness has since been advanced to the Mark Degree in the Isaac Newton University Lodge , No . 112 , Cambridge , and will no doubt seek enrolment in the Royal Arch , and it may be in other branches of Masonry .
The initiation of a member of the Royal Family is not the only event by which the year 1885 will be remembered . Every now and then a new Prov . G . Master is installed in office , but as the number of our provinces is