Consecration Of The On Slow Lodge, No. 2234, At Guildford.

The names of the founders of the lodge are as follows : Bros . George Payne , P . M ., P . P . G . D . C . Surreyj J . Ball , P . M . 1564 ; S . George , P . M . 813 ; T . Dodd , VV . M . 2101 ; R . Hunt , VV . M . 45 ; VV . Longworth , P . M . 78 ; J , Green , P . P . G . S . B . Dorset ; Edward Cully , G . B . Cocksedge , G . Burrell , J . H . Bailey , C . B . Oxley , E . Miles , Stwd . 2101 ; and E . H . Hitchcock . The lodge was fnrnished by Bro . George Kenning .

The "Grand Lodge Ms." (A.D. 1583).

THE "GRAND LODGE MS . " ( A . D . 1583 ) .

We are all indebted to Bro . H . Sadler for the excellent facsimile of the " Grand Lodge MS . " which he gives in his " Masonic Facts and Fictions . " He has wisely selected the concluding portion for that purpose , as some of us , at firi-t , were not all sure ol the date . We are now agreed that it reads "These Charges that wee haue nowe rehearsed vnto you all and all others that belong to measons yee shall keepe so healpe you god and your hallydome , And by this booke in yo hande vnto yo power . Amen So be it . Scripium Anno Domini 15 S 3 Die Decembrie 25 . "

It is but fair for me to state , that the transcript of this valuable copy of the ' •Old Charges , " made and published by me in 1872 , was not wholly so accurate as it ought to have been , but at that time I was not so familiar with the character of the " Old Charges of British Freemasons " as of later 3 'ears . The little peculiarities in orthography have been carefully noled in Bro . Sadler ' s reproduction . In an interesting communication from Mr .

Jenner ' , of the British Museum , which accompanies the transcript , that gentleman states that " The handwriting of the Roll is certainly of the date appended to ir , 15 S 3 , or thereabouts , but the language of the Charges is considerably earlier . " His estimate is that the compilation itself may be dated back a century , and his conjecture that the " ancient masons had very little knowledge of the [ Latin ] language , " may be taken for granted , judging from the specimens we have of their efforts in that direction .

I was not aware in 1872 that the origin of the MS . so far as the Grand Lodge is concerned , had been traced , but soon after discovered a reference toils purchase by that Body for "The Library and Museum" for £ 25 , full particulars of which , from the old " Freemasons' Quar . Review , " may be lound in Bro . Gould's History of Freemasonry , Vol . I , and Bro . Sadler ' s work aforesaid .

At that lime ( 1842 ) it was declared by some lhat the MS . was of the year 1183 . as a cursory glance at the document would seem to indicate , but on Dr . Oliver examining it he placed it "as late as the time of Elizabeth . " According to Bro . Gould the " Grand Lodge MS . " belongs to the class of " Ordinary Versions , " and I entiiely concur with that view . Its value , however , is considerable , because of the period of its transcription from a

still earlier roll , and because it bears the date of such reproduction-. The text should be carefully consulted by the numerous subscribers to " Masonic Facts and Fictions , " as such MSS . were undoubtedly the model from which the Rev . Dr . James Anderson compiled his '' Old Charges , " 1723 , & c , in lhe " Book of Constitutions , " and which , in substantiall y the same form , have been reproduced in each successive issue of our Laws , & c , from then to 18 S 4 . Although so many copies of these grand old documents of the earl y Society have been traced during the last quarter of a century , there are

The "Grand Lodge Ms." (A.D. 1583).

doubtless several yet waiting discovery ; and of late copies , not a few need identification . For this , and other reasons , 1 most heartil y support the intention of the "Quatuor Lodge" ( our Students' Lodge ) to publish' a volume of reprints " containing an exact and literal transcript of ever } ' known copy of the 'Old Charges of Freemasons . "' The labour will be immense , and deserves

the fraternal aid of all competent Craftsmen , who should do their utmost , ad interim , to trace hitherto undiscovered MSS . and assist the lodge in- all ways possible to make the volume all lhat the members desire , and the important enterprise deserves . Bro . G . VV . Speth , who is the energetic Secretary of the lodge , will be glad to hear from anyone on the subject , and so also will our esteemed W . M ., Bro . R . F . Gould , and the undersigned . VV . J . HUGHAN .

Ancient And Accepted Rite.

ANCIENT AND ACCEPTED RITE .

We have seen a printed circular issued by the Supreme Council for Belguim relating to a proposed meeting at Brussels , whicti will be interesting to those of our readers who are members of the iS ° and higher Degrees . The circular , which is too long to be given at length in these columns , may be epitomized thus : — 1 . The meeting will beheld , under the presidency of the Sovereign Grand Commander for Belgium , on Wednesday the 28 th , and on Thursday the

29 th March , at the Masonic Hall , No . 20 , Rue du Marche aux Poulets , concluding with a Masonic banquet on the 29 th at 7 o ' clock . 2 . The object of the meeting , to which none under the rank of Rose Croix Masons will be admitted , is to take measures to collect historical information on the Institution and to increase the usefulness of the Capitulary Degrees . 3 . The following questions will be discussed : —

( a ) The origin of the High Grades , and especiall y of the Degree of Rose Croix . { b ) Do the Grand Constitution of 1786 constitute the fundamental laws of the Ancient and Accepted Rite ? ( c ) The purpose and the utility of the Hi gher Degrees . ( d ) The means adopted , in various countries , to spread the teaching of the Higher Degrees .

(?) I'he desirability of assimilating the rituals in all countries , and the best means of attaining this end . (/) The possibility of cataloguing ancient books , manuscripts , inscriptions , medals and other interesting objects relating to Freemasonry , existing in the world , and indicating the places where they are to be found .

( g ) A means for establishing personal and friendl y relations among those who , in various parts of lhe world , are making researches or writing works on the history ot Freemasonry . All questions relating to politics or matters of religion will be absolutel y disallowed .

Brethren wishing to attend the above meeting are requested to notify the same to Bro . M . Celpes , No . 20 , Ruede Marche aux Poulets , on or before the 15 th March , mentioning , should they desire to take part in discussion , the subjects on which they wish to speak . Tlie Committee will receive Foreign Brethren at a Soiree , to be held at the Hall of the " Amis Philanthropes , " No , 43 , Rue du Persil , on Tuesday evening , 27 th March , at 8-30 o ' clock .

Royal Masonic Institution For Boys.

ROYAL MASONIC INSTITUTION FOR BOYS .

FINANCIAL TABLE , 1881—1887 .

NAME . 1 SS 1 . 1 SS 2 . £ s . d . £ s . d . London 5021 o o 57 S 4 17 11 Beds — — Kerlis and Bucks .. 479 33 176 iS 0 Bristol — — Cambridge .., .. —Cheshire 26 5 o 5 G 10 0 Cornwall 38 17 o — Cumb . and West ... 210 00 — Derhy 142 5 o 176 14 G Devon 27 iG 6 241 10 o Dorset 231 o o S 4 o 0 Durham 72 S 2 0 2 S 6 15 0 Essex 1 G 3 iS o 244 15 0 Gloucester 2 i > 3 10 o 295 I o Hants 299 5 o Iy 6 17 G Hereford ... .. —Hfrts 10 G 1 o 191 9 15 Kent 221 11 o 24 S 16 o Lane . F . 154 70 273 0 0 Lane . W 13 ^> 7 6 3 & 7 13 0 Leictsttr & Kutlanc — S 9 5 o Lincoln — — Middlesex 4 ^ 7 50 396 1 6 Monmouth 157 10 o — Norfolk 75 12 o 61 19 0 * N . Wales .. fc ' g 15 6 12 1 G Norths and Hunts — — Northumberland .. —Notts 191 2 o — Oxford SS 1 6 7 S iS 6 * Shropshire .. S 9 5 6 12 1 6 Sorr . er . _ et Gg 6 0 I iS 13 0 S . VVales , K . .. 1 O 5 0 o 374 6 G S . Wa ' es , W . .. 10 10 o — Stafford 3 G 15 o 300 16 6 Suffolk 134 14 o no 0 0 Surrey 56 14 o 90 13 0 SUSSEX 771 15 0 179 11 0 Warwicksh re .. 232 1 o 1 S 7 19 0 YVilishire — 161 14 0 VVorc . ster ... . 57 15 o 159 1 0 York , N . & fi . .. 151 o o 103 2 0 York , Wes-. t .. lfi o 15 0 6 35 5 0 ( hannel lt ' ands .. 190 1 o — Colonies — 121 10 0

1 SS 3 . 1 SS 4 . £ s . d . I s . d . 7103 5 G 7749 7 G 178 14 G 16 3 16 c 174 6 o 73 5 0 44 S 6 o 12 S j 0 — 1030 00 — 23 S 17 0 94 10 o 317 60 IO IO o 79 iG 0 — 115 10 0 210 o 0 15 S 11 0 147 0 0 GJI 17 o gS 14 o 375 56 512 1 o 53 10 o — 105 o G 52 10 o 2305 Go 49 S 15 0 2100 o o 252 o o 334 5 6 1 S 4 iG o 4 ' . 5 00 — — 52 10 o 141 17 6 166 16 0 — 307 13 0 26 5 0 — 550 92 10 G — 215 5 o 1222 13 o — ¦ — 231 10 6 73 17 o 141 14 6 550 92 iS 6 357 10 6 64 1 0 230 0 o 200 o o 350 00 10 10 o 400 90 313 1 6 2 G 5 13 o 157 4 o GS 15 o 241 iG 0 3 64 17 o 137 10 o 241 10 o S 3 o o 135 90 10 10 0 32 S G o 201 17 0 32 S G o 75 o o 1500 o o 5 S 9 12 o 210 00 — 74 00 27 0 6

1 SS 5 . iSSG . £ s . d . £ s . d . 5222 11 6 5452 10 6 149 2 o 199 10 o 115 10 o 26 5 0 — 131 5 0 36 15 o 47 5 0 — 254 2 0 — 52 10 o 1546 17 o 7 G 4 o 2 S 9 00 — GS 5 o - 105 o o 6 3 o o 2 53 00 23 S 6 6 36 15 0 133 1 6 234 5 0 507 5 6 46 15 6 94 10 o 725 10 G 294 o G ' 3 J 50 152 5 0 94 in o OS 5 o 26 5 o 257 5 o — 10 10 o 339 14 ° 3 ' 3 6 0 — 31 10 o — 420 o o 92 G o S 7 3 o 162 15 o — 127 10 102 2 o 33 12 O 126 14 O 92 6 0 '—13 G 10 o 303 0 o 200 0 0 105 O O — 210 O O 33 S 2 0 16 S 0 O 143 17 0 121 O O 15 S 10 0 324 14 6 73 10 0 420 o 0 i / 3 5 0 2 S 3 10 o — 66 iS o 136 10 O 6 3 O o 1 S 1 13 0 41 14 G 355 > 9 0 760 o o — no 5 o 127 20 52 0 0

1 SS 7 . Total . £ s . d . I £ s . d . 5306 1 G J 41 O 39 14 5 3 6 15 o 3 6 15 o 174 5 0 1521 8 9 — 131 5 o 137 11 0 443 2 o — OSS 6 o 194 5 o 615 n 0 500 0 o 1 S 12 10 O 159 10 6 2434 iS 0 — SSti 2 6 — 463 1 o 101 17 o 1 O 10 4 o ' 5 ° 7 ° 1355 12 7 S 5 1 o 1533 9 6 21 o o 2145 ly 6 — 53 10 o 32 n o G 27 17 6 50 S 14 G 4 S 02 7 o 73 10 0 j 313 G 7 ° i . i' 5 o 13 ' 9 2 o — 777 ' 5 o — 63 o o 410 2 6 2235 2 6 300 o o 79 O 13 o — 5 S 3 iG o 102 iS 0 435 17 6 350 00 jOj j o — 1395 0 10 231 10 6 SS 3 6 0 Su 13 o 6 49 10 6 — 2 S 7 16 6 420 o 0 14 G 9 o 6 120 o o 1334 6 6 — 5 S 1 o o 245 14 0 1 S 62 iS o 150 S 0 10 SS 16 o 15 S 06 1109 2 6 173 5 o 2140 S 0 — 1201 5 0 234 3 o 6 SS 14 o 36 15 o 9 S 3 4 o 295 19 o 1721 15 6 Goj o o 4 G ; J 6 11 o — 510 6 o 31 10 3 433 2 9

Ann . Aver . Year's Cost . £ s . d . £ s . d . 594 S 10 S 2903 19 o 5 5 0 — 217 6 11 So 13 3 iS iG 5 40 li ; i-63 6 o 40 6 74 gS G 7 120 19 104 8 / iS 9 So 13 3 27 S 15 9 fo 13 3 347 10 10 So 13 3 126 11 9 241 19 9 GG 3 o 120 19 ioi-230 0 7 241 19 9 193 13 3 120 19 ioi-219 1 4 201 13 ii-300 11 4 2 S 2 6 3 * - 7 12 10 — 89 13 n 161 16 6 086 1 o 403 6 3 44 S 1 o 403 6 3 iSS 8 10 362 19 - j ); in 2 2 40 0 7 A 900 lbi 16 0 319 G 1 241 19 9 113 16 2 40 0 - ]\ S 3 S o 241 19 9 6 9 6 7 101 16 0 So 15 o So 13 3 199 0 10 161 6 0 120 39 40 ( 3 ; 1 92 15 9 So 13 3 41 2 4 40 6 yi-2 uQ 17 3 1 G 1 6 0 190 12 4 120 19 ioi S 3 00 1 G 1 G 6 260 2 7 241 19 9 155 10 10 40 6 - j I 15 S S n 120 19 io- ^ 305 16 10 201 13 li 171 12 2 282 0 3 * 86 19 2 So 13 3 140 92 So G i \ 245 12 6 120 19 ioi 65 S 17 6 45 8 o 72 19 5 So 13 3 61 17 6 3 62 19 - ]\

\ I j Excess , j Deficiency . ! £ s . d . ! £ s . d . 1 3044 11 8 I — I 5 5 o j j 136 13 S _ — 21 10 2 ) . ! 22 19 45 — I — 32 13 2 . \ 7 5 9 — 19 S 2 6 — 267 3 7 — — IIJ S o — 54 16 10 J — 11 19 2 72 13 4-i — j 17 7 2 3 - — 24 5 oi- _ 7 12 10 — — 71 2 7 — 2 S 2 14 9 44 14 9 _ — 174 10 9 . V > 70 15 G ; — — 152 16 6 77 6 4 ¦ _ 73 9 ° 2 — — 168 11 9 — 92 9 n 019 — 39 o 4 _ ' 85 17 ii ' 12 2 6 — o 15 Si _ 48 10 6 — Gg 12 5 A — — 7 8 6 6 24 2 10 — i' 5 4 3 i — 37 9 oi — 104 3 Si — — no 14 ' ' G 5 n — fo 2 6 ! — 124 12 g £ — 12 13 7 — — 7 ' 3 1 ° — 301 2 ii