An Analysis Of Ancient And Modern Freemasonry.

such " a notion . This certificate is dated A . D . 1799 , and contains a list of some five degrees . However that would not prove the whole were recognised by the Craft , any more than the date of exaltation or a Knights Templar ' s certificate , would

establish as a fact that the Royal Arch Chapters recognised Knights Templars . We confess our inability to decide whether the Craft Grand Lodge at York recoguised the Royal Arch and Templars degrees or not , and should be

glad to have documentary evidence if it did . As it is we merely fancy such was the case . We should however mention that Bro . the Rev . A . F . A . Woodford in FREEMASONS' MAGAZINE April 6 th , 1864 , thinks that the Royal Arch w as

connected with Craft Masonry , aud being a high authority on the subject , we are inclined to accept such as a fact , so far as the Royal Arch degree is concerned . The Grand Lodge at York , was the second holding that rank in England , but there were four in all that claimed that

distinction m the seventeenth century , although all have been merged into the present "United Grand Lodge . " We promise again to refer to this subject ere long if possible . The first minute referring to the third degree in

the record of the Grand Lodge of England was A . D . 1722-3 , when " a motion being made that such part of the 13 th article of the General Regulations relating to the making of Masters only at quarterly communications may be repeated , and

that the Master of each lodge with the consent of his Wardens , and the majority of the brethren being Masters , may make Masters at their discretion , " it was agreed nem . con . The "Fellow Craft" was also under the same restrictions

heretofore . The " unanimous consent of all the members of a lodge" was required , before the initiation of a candidate whose age must be twenty-five or more , and although the latter part might be altered by dispensation , no such privilege was allowed to

interfere with the unanimity required preparatory to initiation as such might " spoil their harmony , or hinder their freedom . " Some of the regulations contained in the first book are especially good , and it is a pity they are lost sight of now , as their observance would materiall y tend to strengthen the hands of the executive .

It was no common thing for many years after the revival to meet with members who had not received a degree beyond the Fellow Craft . In the Constitutions of 1723 , the Treasurer and

Secretary as also the doorkeeper were only required to be " Fellow Crafts , " aud even as late as A . D . 1751 in our "History of Freemasonry in Cornwall ( See F . M . MAG . vol . xvi ., and xvii . ) we mentioned the fact that the deputation to open the

Love and Honour Lodge at Falmouth , was only a member of the second deeree . The new resmlations had also to be approved of " even by the youngest apprentice , " and members of the first degree were allowed to speak in Grand Lodge .

This privilege however did not last long , and then from being confined to members of the third degree , it has now become restricted generally to Masters and Wardens of lodges . Past Masters , & c . In the ceremony of constituting a new lodge A . D .

1723 , " The candidates or the new Master and Wardens , " are spoken of as being yet among the Fellow Craft , aud throughout the ritual , there are no instructions about any secrets being confined to the chair , and nowhere are Felloiv Crafts

charged to retire . Hence we are of the opinion that the Grand Lodge of Scotland has plenty of evidence for discarding as it does the chair Master ' s degree , and in holding that there are no secrets according to the ancient system communicable to the Master's of lodges , beyond the mysteries of the

third degree of Freemasonry . At this time Dr . James Anderson states that the Masonic body resembles a well built arch ; several noblemen and gentlemen of the best rank with clergymen and learned scholars of most

professions and denominations , having frankly joined and submitted to take the charges , and to wear the badges of a Free and Accepted Mason . " Dr . Kloss well observes " That since this period she has well deserved that adorning epithet , so fittingly

bestowed on hei ' , as Masonry universal ; for she became an association into which all upright and honourable men , and of good reputation might enter , and there united by the bonds of brotherly love , mutually assist each other in the constant

practice of truth and virtue , having in view the fulfilment of their momentous calling , the uniting of what was divided . " It is greatly to be regretted that the speech delivered by Dr . Desaguliers ( formerly Grand Master ) in A . D-1721 is lost . Scott

in Pocket Companion , 1754 , styles it "An eloquent Oration in praise of asons and Masonry , " as no doubt it was , for anything from so learned a Mason and philosopher would be invaluable had it been preserved . On 24 th June , 1723 , the Grand Lodge made