Bye-Laws Of The York Lodge: No. 236.

LoAvther , M . St , Quentin , Charles HoAvard , Thompson , Kaye , WombAvell , Kitchenman , Arthington , Milner , Bart ., Lord Irwin , Bellingbam Graham , and many others ; during this time the Lodge had no fixed place of meeting , but met at various taverns

in the city , most frequently at the Star Inn , in Stonegatc ; in 1713 it met at Bradford , Avhen eighteen gentlemen of that neighbourhood Avere admitted . For some years before 1761 the meetings almost to have discontinuedancl no minutes

, are preseiwed after 1731 , but some returns of names SIIOAV meetings to have been held for some years after that date , On March 17 , 1761 , a meeting Avas held at the house of Mr . Henry HoAvard , in , Lendal , and the Grand Lodge Avas revived

by six surviving members , including the celebrated historian of York , Francis Drake , F . Pv . S ., AVIIO Avas elected Grand Master in 1761 and 1762 ; and for several years it continued to Avork with great success . From 1761 to 1790 about 200 mom tiers

, Avere initiated therein , and amongst them AVC again find names familiar to every Yorksliireman : Chaloner , Palmes , Morritt , Holroyd , Hunter , Champncy , Gascoigne , Yavasour , Strickland , Witham , Staph ton ,

Wibnot , Turner , laAvkner , Smyth , ancl Woolley ; the name of John Kemble , comedian , occurs in 1779 . Without entering into minute particulars of the schism which prevailed for a time amongst the brethren of the South , it is necessary that some notice should be taken

of it , at least so far as the same is connected with the Grand Lodge of York . In the year 1710 , certain brethren in London , pretending to act under the sanction of the Ancient York Constitution , presumed to claim the right of constituting

lodges : they assumed the appellation of Ancient Masons , proclaimed themselves enemies to all inmrvations , insisted that they preserved the ancient usages of the Order , ancl that the lodges under the Grand Lodge of England ( London ) , to Avhomthey

gave the title of "Masons , " had adopted neAV measures , illegal ancl unconstitutional . They fonndecl a Grand Lodge in 1752 , knoAvn as the " Ancients , " and afterwards as the " Athol , "—so called from the Duke of Athol , Avho for many years AA'as its Grand Master . This Grand Lodge , Avhich never received any authority from the Grand Lodge of

York , constituted a large number of subordinate lodges , and continued in existence until 1813 , Avhen , uniting Avith the " Moderns , " it formed the present "United Grand Lodge of England . " In the year 1778 the Lodge of

Anti-, quity had a dispute with the Grand Lodge of England respecting the right to form public processions , ancl in consequence of the decision of the Grand Lodge , withdroAv from its meetings and set up a jurisdiction of its OAvn , seeking union with the Grand

Lodges of Scotland , Ireland ancl York . A manifesto was issued by it , alleging , among other things , "that sundry innovations and encroachments haA'e been made and are still making on the original plan and government of Masonry , by the present

nominal Grand Lodge of London , highly injurious to the Institution itself , and tending to subvert and destroy the ancient rights and privileges of the Society ; " and in the same year an application was made to the Grand Lodge of All England , at

York , for a lvarrant , by Avhich the Lodge of Antiquity should be empoAvcred to act as a Grand Lodge , south of the River Trent . Considerable negotiations took place , and eventually a Avarrant was granted , dated March 29 , 1779 , from Avhich the following are extracts : "By virtue of the authority

inherent in us as the Most Worshipful ancl only Legal Grand Lodge of All England , of free and accepted Masons , Ave do admit them ( the Lodge of Antiquity ) to a participation of our Government . " . . "We do give ancl grant unto them , independent

of the power they already possess as a prh'ate lodge of Masons , acting by an immemorial Constitution , full power ancl authority to assemble as a Grand Lodge of Free ancl Accepted Masons , for that part of England situated south of the Trentso

, long as they do keep inviolate the ancient charges ancl regulations of our Order , and do acknoAvlcdge the allegiance and homage clue to us , as the Most Ancient Patrons of Masonic Art . "

There is a tradition m York that in ancient times the Freemasons held their meetings in the Crypt of the Minster , ancl ( apparently in accordance Avith this tradition ) , it is recorded in the minute book of the Grand Chapter , that on Sunday , May 27 th , 1778 , "The Royal Arch brethren , AA'bose names are imder-mentioDed , assembled in the Ancient Lodge , UOAV a sacred