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Article FREEMASONRY IN ENGLAND. ← Page 3 of 7 →
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Freemasonry In England.
public service . —Which with its sister at Chelsea , are only acts of justice towards those who have shed their blood , or expended the energy of their early days in the defence of the nation , and those comforts which all classes enjoy . After the grant had passed the great seal , and a commission appointed with full powers to conduct all affairs relating to the building , and the surveyor , ( Sir Christopher ) nominated a director , and
chief architect , this public spirited brother cheerfully undertook the work , gratis . The new fabric was contrived extensive , durable , and magnificent , in conformity with tiie graceful pavilion which had been erected there by King Charles 31 ., originally for his own residence . The surveyor contributed his time , labour , and experience for several years , with all the expedition the circumstances would permit , preferring in this , as in all other
cases , the public service to any private advantage , ever showing- the greatest contempt for the acquirement of wealth . This year , 1698 , the noble Br . Charles Lenox , Duke of Richmond and Lenox , attending the usual assembly and feast at Loudon , was chosen Grand Master , and approved by the king , Sir Christopher Wren was appointed Deputy Grand Master , and Br . Edward Strong , and his son , Grand Wardens . Sir Christopher was in the following year again chosen Grand Master .
On the death of King William , March 8 th , 1702 , the Queen Mary being also dead , he was succeeded by Anne , the other daughter of James II . This Queen enlarged St . James ' s Palace ; and after the famous battle of Blenheim , demolished the Eoyal Castle of Woodstock , in Oxfordshire , and built on its site the noble castle of Blenheim , a residence for the famous British general , John Churchill , Duke of Malborough .
In this reign , the two nations of England and Scotland , after having been subject to the same Sovereign during one hundred and four years , were by the wisdom of both their supreme councils , indissolubly united into one empire , under the name of Great Britain . At this time , the Queen and Parliament enacted that Miy additional parish churches should be built to meet the increased requirement for
religious instruction , caused by the great extension of the cities of London and Westminster . The Grand Master being appointed surveyor , and also one of the commissioners for carrying on the work , gave all the attention that his other public services would permit ; and preparatory to commencing , took occasion to convey his views on the subject to a friend appointed on the same commission , in a letter , which is distinguished as
much for the ability aud experience displayed in recommendations set forth , as for the vigor and plainness of its language . It consists of ei ght separate recommendations , of which subsequent is a short extract : First , " that the sites should not be chosen with regard to cheapness , but for the convenience of their congregations . " Second , " that all burials in churches should be disallowed , both as regards the permanence of the building , as the health of the congregation . "
Third . That cemeteries be constructed outside the walls , where the dead need not be disturbed at the pleasure of the sexton , or piled four or five upon one and other , or bones thrown out to gain room , and shelving that such receptacles for the dead would form a graceful border to the excessive
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Freemasonry In England.
public service . —Which with its sister at Chelsea , are only acts of justice towards those who have shed their blood , or expended the energy of their early days in the defence of the nation , and those comforts which all classes enjoy . After the grant had passed the great seal , and a commission appointed with full powers to conduct all affairs relating to the building , and the surveyor , ( Sir Christopher ) nominated a director , and
chief architect , this public spirited brother cheerfully undertook the work , gratis . The new fabric was contrived extensive , durable , and magnificent , in conformity with tiie graceful pavilion which had been erected there by King Charles 31 ., originally for his own residence . The surveyor contributed his time , labour , and experience for several years , with all the expedition the circumstances would permit , preferring in this , as in all other
cases , the public service to any private advantage , ever showing- the greatest contempt for the acquirement of wealth . This year , 1698 , the noble Br . Charles Lenox , Duke of Richmond and Lenox , attending the usual assembly and feast at Loudon , was chosen Grand Master , and approved by the king , Sir Christopher Wren was appointed Deputy Grand Master , and Br . Edward Strong , and his son , Grand Wardens . Sir Christopher was in the following year again chosen Grand Master .
On the death of King William , March 8 th , 1702 , the Queen Mary being also dead , he was succeeded by Anne , the other daughter of James II . This Queen enlarged St . James ' s Palace ; and after the famous battle of Blenheim , demolished the Eoyal Castle of Woodstock , in Oxfordshire , and built on its site the noble castle of Blenheim , a residence for the famous British general , John Churchill , Duke of Malborough .
In this reign , the two nations of England and Scotland , after having been subject to the same Sovereign during one hundred and four years , were by the wisdom of both their supreme councils , indissolubly united into one empire , under the name of Great Britain . At this time , the Queen and Parliament enacted that Miy additional parish churches should be built to meet the increased requirement for
religious instruction , caused by the great extension of the cities of London and Westminster . The Grand Master being appointed surveyor , and also one of the commissioners for carrying on the work , gave all the attention that his other public services would permit ; and preparatory to commencing , took occasion to convey his views on the subject to a friend appointed on the same commission , in a letter , which is distinguished as
much for the ability aud experience displayed in recommendations set forth , as for the vigor and plainness of its language . It consists of ei ght separate recommendations , of which subsequent is a short extract : First , " that the sites should not be chosen with regard to cheapness , but for the convenience of their congregations . " Second , " that all burials in churches should be disallowed , both as regards the permanence of the building , as the health of the congregation . "
Third . That cemeteries be constructed outside the walls , where the dead need not be disturbed at the pleasure of the sexton , or piled four or five upon one and other , or bones thrown out to gain room , and shelving that such receptacles for the dead would form a graceful border to the excessive