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Article MORE ABOUT THE COUNTRY STEWARDS. ← Page 2 of 2 Article TRINITY COLLEGE LODGE, DUBLIN, No. 357, Page 1 of 1 Article HISTORY OF THE "LODGE OF FRIENDSHIP," ADELAIDE, S.A. Page 1 of 1 Article THE EARLY ORGANISATION OF THE "ANCIENT" MASONS. Page 1 of 2 →
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More About The Country Stewards.
described by me in the Freemason of February 28 th , March 7 th and 14 th , of last year . It ? is rather lengthy , but if space can be found for it I have no doubt it will interest many readers of the Freemason . It is as follows : — Right Worshipful Master , and Brethren The Country Stewards , who were constituted a Lodge of Masons from the same motives that had before induced the Grand Lodge to grant a Constitution to the Grand Stewards ( namelv *! " In consideration of their past services and future
, ¦ usefulness " feel it an indispensible duty , which they owe to themselves , as well as to Masons in genera ' , to call your attention to the circumstances which occurred at thelate Quarterly Communications , respecting the Memorial which they had the honour to present fo Grand Lodge , in doing which they disclaim all intention of personality ; for thmigh they have been attacked individually , and also collectively as a Lodge , they ¦ siill not stoop to invective and abuse , in a cause which , they conceive , will be best supported by cool dispassionate reasoning- and solid incor . travertible facts .
Some apology may be deemed necessary for thus publicly obtruding themselves on your notice ; which , they trust will be found in the magnitude and importance of the subject upon which they remonstrate , and to which they are desirous of claiming your attention ; more especially , as from the treatment so numerous a body of Masons received at the last Grand Lodge in Quarterly Communication , it is now become the cause , not of the County Stewards alone , but of the Fraternity at large .
It has often been suggested to the members of the Country Steward ^ Lodge , by many respectable and worthy Masons , that a Green Collar was not a sufficient mark of distinction for the services they had rendered to Masonry , neither was the uniformity of Masonic Cloathing sufficiently observed ; and that an application to the Grand Lodge , for permission to wear a Green Apron , appeared in itself so reasonable , that there could be little difference of opinion as to its success .
Induced by these hints , it was first taken into serious consideration ; but before Ihe Country Stewards presumed to come to any determination , they thought it would be acting wilh a becoming deference , were they to submit the propriety of such an application to the opinion of some of the leading characters in Masonry . _ This having been done , those who were made acquainted with it expressed themselves in terms which conveyed their consent and approbation of the measure . A similar application having been made at the last Country Feast , it was recommended that a Memorial should be presented to the Grand Lodge , and many of the Grand Officers present promised to give it
their personal support . A Memorial in consequence was presented to the Grand Lodge in Quarterly Commun ication last November ; but that it might not be alleged that the Country Stewards attf rrp'ed to obtain their purpose by surprise , they gave notice at the Committee of Charity preceding , in order that the Masters of Lodges , who were present , might have an oppor tunity of considering the propriety of the request ; it being the wish of the
Country Stewards in this , as in every other instance , that their conduct should be open , fair , and ingenuous . The reception it met was indeed flattering to the memorialists ; for in one of the fullest Quarterly Communications ever known , it received the unbiassed and almost unanimous support of those , who not only constitute the basis of Free Masonry , but who best know how to appreciate its genuine and true piinciples ; namely The Masters and Wardens of the Subscribing Lodges .
Previous to the Quarterly Communication in February , at which the minute of the former Lodge , concerning the Memorial , stood for confirmation , the Country Stewards , desirous of ascertaining the opinion of those exalted characters , the Acting and Deputy Grand Masters , applied by letter , to know whether the measure met with their concurrence ; to which they were favoured with answers expressive of their entire approbation ; and althouch . ro l » ssen the weight of the Acting Grand Master ' s approval , it was improperly asserted " That he was a Young Mason and required instruction , " the Country Stewards feel , thev hope , no unbecoming- pride in the sanction given by that Nobleman to a measure which was clearly , fairly , and candidly stated to him .
After such flattering support what must have been the surprize of the Brethren who attended that Quarterly Communication ; and who , from a conviction of the propriety and justice of " the claim , had adopted the measure , to find that those who opposed the confirmation of the minute were obliged to have recourse to weak and unfounded assertions , and to uncandid and ungenerous observations ; and they are persuaded that the result would have been different , had there not been in their opinion a mistake in declaring the numbers ; in stating this , the Country Stewards have not the most distant
idea of impeaching the impartiality of the senior Grand Warden , lo those brethren who were not present at the last Grand Lodge , it may not be improper to give some idea of the reasons which were brought forward against the Memorialists . It was urged " That the Country Feast was not a Masonic , but a Convivial and Bacchanalian Meeting ; and that it was not known in Masonry . " Can there be a greater insult offered to those Grand Officers who presided , and others who were present at the different Country Feastsin their Insienia of Office } If the Country Feast is not Masonic , why is the
, Grand Lodge opened , in due form , and all the Brethren present cloathed ? Why does the Grand Secretary annually summon the Board of Country Stewards to meet in the same manner as he summons the Board of Grand Stewards ; and without which neither are authorized to act ? Why does he attend those feasts in his Official Capacity as Grand Secretary , and regulate the Masonic Procession ? Why is the Country Feast set down in the Calendar as a Public Festival in Masonry ? And why , if there is nothing Masonic in it . did Grand Lodire orieinallv grant the Medal and Collar they now wear ? So
satisfied , however , was our Acting Grand Master , Earl Moira , of its being a General Meeting of the Fraternity , that he would certainly have presided at the last Country Feast , had not his Military Duty prevented . To remove all possibility of doubt , it is only necessary to observe that the Country Feast is recorded as far back as the 24 th of June , 1732 ; and was held at the Spikes , at Hampstead , when Lord Viscount Montague , who at that time was Grand Master , presided . Another Objection was . that the expence of serving the Office was so trifling , that
it did not intitle them to distinction ; and comparisons were drawn between the Expence attending the office of Grand Steward and that of Country Steward . This , if it can have any weight , might have been urged many years ago ; but in proportion as the Annual Country Feasts have increased in the attendance of Brethren , so has the Annual Expence attending the office increased also . But even if it were not so , the principle can never be admitted , that Expence ought to lie the road to Masonic Honours . But admitting for a moment this , in its utmost
latitude , which was so forcibly urged by the opponents to the Memorial ; what conclusion can be deduced from it ? Nothing more than this ; that the Grand Lodge in thc year 1735 thought proper to honour the Grand Stewards with a distinction of a Jewel , Red Apron , and Collar ; when their individual expence of serving the Office was not equal to that of the Country Stewards at this period . As the Country Stewards ' expence has increased very considerably , they have a first claim to distinction , for the nprinrmanrr ; nf a rlutv which is attended with the same trouble , and nearlv the same
expence , as that of the Grand Stewards ; What difference is there then between them ? Are not the functions of both Boards precirely the same ? The answer is obvious . The one superintends a Convivial Anniversary Meeting of Masons in town in the month of May ; where by the 4 th Article of the Constitution , under the head of Grand Feast" No Ptt'tion or Appeals are permitted , such business being unsuitable with the intention of
a day of Festivity . " The o'her superintends a similar Meeting in the month of July , in the country . The only possible objection that could be urged against the measure , is that which the Acting Grand Master anticipated in his answer to their letter , the Shade of the Green , but that objection would have been , corformabl y to his suggestions , compleatly done away by adopting a Shade , as dissimilar as possible from the Blue worn by the Grand Officers .
The Country Stewards therefore submit these reflections to the attentive consideration of Masters and Wardens of Lodges , and Masons in general ; trusting that the motives which have actuated ihem are reasonable and Masonic . They are thoroughly convinced of the justice of their cause , and flatter themselves that they shall stand acquitted of arrogance and presumption , in urging their claim ; fully relying on the Candourof Masons for support in their future endeavours ; and being determined to
satisfy the brethren that they are asserting the distinction they solicit ; or be themselves convinced , that the office of Country Steward is not Masonic ; in which case they will no longer entail trouble and expence on their Successors , in a cause which neither merits , nor receives the thanks of Masons , J . DOWLING , R . W . M . H . PARRY , Secretary . March the 14 th , 179 0 ,
Trinity College Lodge, Dublin, No. 357,
TRINITY COLLEGE LODGE , DUBLIN , No . 357 ,
This lodge , which is one of the most influential on the roll of the Grand Lodge of Ireland , and in its constitution is almost the exact parellel of our Apollo University Lodge , No . 357 , Oxford , and Isaac Newton Universit y Lodge , No . S 59 , Cambridge , entertained his Grace the Duke of Abercorn , M . W . G . M . oflreland . atdinnerat Freemasons' Hall , Molesworth-st ., Dublin , on Friday , the 30 th ult . Bro . Hugh Stewart Moore , M . A ., W . M ., presided .
The officers and members were present in great force , and there was a strong contingent of visitors , among them being several English Craftsmen . In fact , the company—and which , all told , numbered quite 1000—included ' most of the Grand Officers and other leading members of the Fraternity in Ireland , and the proceedings , as will readily be imagined , were of the most enthusiastic character .
On the removal of the cloth , and when the customary 103 'al toasts had been duly honoured , that of " His Grace the Duke of Abercorn , Grand Master of Ireland , " was proposed in eulogistic terms by the W . M ., who , after gracefully alluding to the kindly services of the Duke ' s late father and ' predecessor in office , expressed the well-founded hope that his Grace would always be found steadfastly pursuing the same honourable course , and with results equally beneficial to the Craft in Ireland , in the other portions of tha United Kingdom , and throughout the world generally .
The toast was received with acclamations , and was acknowledged by the GRAND MASTER in terms which merited and received the hearty applause of all present . In the course of the business which preceded the banquet , the WORSHIP - FUL MASTER , on behalf of the lodge , presented a handsome gold Past Master ' s jewel to W . Bro . T . Creed Meredith . LL . D .. who for mamr tmr .
had held the office of Secretary to the lodge . In handing the jewel to Bro . Meredith , Bro . Moore descanted on the long and distinguished services he had rendered to the lodge during his tenure of the Secretaryship , and expressed the hope that Bro . Meredith mi ght continue to enjoy for many years the respect and affection of his brethren .
The presentation was acknowledged in the same generous spirit in which it had been made , all present being delighted at the honour paid so worth y a brother , and the graceful and sympathetic terms in which he had recognised it .
It snould be added that the jewel was an admirable specimen of the goldsmith ' s art , and reflected great credit on the manufacturer , Bro . George Kenning .
History Of The "Lodge Of Friendship," Adelaide, S.A.
HISTORY OF THE " LODGE OF FRIENDSHIP , " ADELAIDE , S . A .
The History of the " Lodge of Friendship , " Adelaide , South Australia , has been written by Bro . Philip Sansom , P . M ., and was read at the Jubilee Celebration on October 22 nd , 1 S 84 . It has now been published in a neat volume by Sherring & Co ., Adelaide , and is a creditable production , typographically and historically . Bro . Sansom is just the sort of writer for that purpose , one in love with his work , and anxious to do his best to make
known the eventful past of his lodge . Though here and there , I think , the scissors might have been usefully employed prior to the MS . being placed in the hands of the printers ( some of the particulars being not quite so suitable for publication as for delivery in O ^ lodge ) , still on the whole Bro . Sansom may well be congratulated on compiling so readable a History out of what we should not consider in England very suggestive materials . The
author presents a copy of the Warrant bearing date October 22 nd , 1834 , which is what many lodge historians neglect to do , and he also gives the curious endorsement of the same date ( both signed by R . W . Bro . the Earl of Durham , D . G . M . ) , permitting the lodge to be opened at No . 7 , Johnstreet , Adelphi , London ( England ) , for the initiation of gentlemen who intended to proceed to South Australia , the petitioners for the new lodge
being also in London at the time . The lodge was consecrated therefore in England , the officer for that purpose being the late Bro . W . H . White , then Grand Secretary ; and at this meeting Mr . ( now Sir ) John Morphett , afterwards President of the Legislative Council , and Mr . ( afterwards Sir ) R . D . Hanson , subsequently Attorney-General and Chief Justice ( and later on Chancellor of the University of Adelaide ) , were initiated . The lodge was
No . 613 on its formation , and was altered to 423 in 1863 . " True Friendship" is the senior lodge in South Australia , and the premier lodge on the roll of the new Grand Lodge , its old warrant , as indeed all the others , bearing the endorsement , "Cancelled on the recognition of the Grand Lodge of South Australia by the United Grand Lodge of England , 3 rd June , 1885 , but returned to the lodge as a memento of its former connection with the Grand
Lodge of England . Shadwell H . Clerke , G . S . " Dated " Freemasons ' Hall , London , 1 st August , 1885 . " No one could read Bro . Sansom ' s pleasing account of the formation of the Grand Lodge of South Australia without being impressed with the Masonic hearted and united action of the brotherhood in that far-off region in deciding for independence . The separation has been managed without leaving an unpleasant feeling on either side . W . J . HUGHAN .
The Early Organisation Of The "Ancient" Masons.
THE EARLY ORGANISATION OF THE "ANCIENT" MASONS .
HI . BY G . B . ABBOTT . Though they occupy a place at the end of the Register , it will be as well perhaps that I should give my attention next to the three hitherto unknown
lists of " Ancient " Lodges . All three are clear enough as to dates of constitution and numbers , but it is not always possible to follow up the successive meeting places which are entered against some of the lodges , there being nothing to allow of a determinate meaning being assigned to the word " now , " when , as frequently happens , it is inserted in the column provided .
No , 1 of these lists appears to be a little complicated , but it must be borne in mind that it was begun by Morgan and completed by Dermott , the interpolations in ihe first half and the whole of the second half being apparently in DermoU ' s handwriting . The interest conni cted with list No . 2 lies in the fact of its furnishing evidence that on one occasion—it is the only one I have met with—the
" Ancients closed up their lodges as the " Moderns" had done in 1740 , and as they did on several occasions subsequently . Bro . Lane , however , has already noted this feature , and I need say nothing further about it here than that the Transaction Book of the "Ancients" contains no record of the meeting at which the order and seniority of the then existing lodges was settled , though the minutes of the 6 th December , 1752 , contain the resolution , in accordance with which the settlement was compiled ,
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
More About The Country Stewards.
described by me in the Freemason of February 28 th , March 7 th and 14 th , of last year . It ? is rather lengthy , but if space can be found for it I have no doubt it will interest many readers of the Freemason . It is as follows : — Right Worshipful Master , and Brethren The Country Stewards , who were constituted a Lodge of Masons from the same motives that had before induced the Grand Lodge to grant a Constitution to the Grand Stewards ( namelv *! " In consideration of their past services and future
, ¦ usefulness " feel it an indispensible duty , which they owe to themselves , as well as to Masons in genera ' , to call your attention to the circumstances which occurred at thelate Quarterly Communications , respecting the Memorial which they had the honour to present fo Grand Lodge , in doing which they disclaim all intention of personality ; for thmigh they have been attacked individually , and also collectively as a Lodge , they ¦ siill not stoop to invective and abuse , in a cause which , they conceive , will be best supported by cool dispassionate reasoning- and solid incor . travertible facts .
Some apology may be deemed necessary for thus publicly obtruding themselves on your notice ; which , they trust will be found in the magnitude and importance of the subject upon which they remonstrate , and to which they are desirous of claiming your attention ; more especially , as from the treatment so numerous a body of Masons received at the last Grand Lodge in Quarterly Communication , it is now become the cause , not of the County Stewards alone , but of the Fraternity at large .
It has often been suggested to the members of the Country Steward ^ Lodge , by many respectable and worthy Masons , that a Green Collar was not a sufficient mark of distinction for the services they had rendered to Masonry , neither was the uniformity of Masonic Cloathing sufficiently observed ; and that an application to the Grand Lodge , for permission to wear a Green Apron , appeared in itself so reasonable , that there could be little difference of opinion as to its success .
Induced by these hints , it was first taken into serious consideration ; but before Ihe Country Stewards presumed to come to any determination , they thought it would be acting wilh a becoming deference , were they to submit the propriety of such an application to the opinion of some of the leading characters in Masonry . _ This having been done , those who were made acquainted with it expressed themselves in terms which conveyed their consent and approbation of the measure . A similar application having been made at the last Country Feast , it was recommended that a Memorial should be presented to the Grand Lodge , and many of the Grand Officers present promised to give it
their personal support . A Memorial in consequence was presented to the Grand Lodge in Quarterly Commun ication last November ; but that it might not be alleged that the Country Stewards attf rrp'ed to obtain their purpose by surprise , they gave notice at the Committee of Charity preceding , in order that the Masters of Lodges , who were present , might have an oppor tunity of considering the propriety of the request ; it being the wish of the
Country Stewards in this , as in every other instance , that their conduct should be open , fair , and ingenuous . The reception it met was indeed flattering to the memorialists ; for in one of the fullest Quarterly Communications ever known , it received the unbiassed and almost unanimous support of those , who not only constitute the basis of Free Masonry , but who best know how to appreciate its genuine and true piinciples ; namely The Masters and Wardens of the Subscribing Lodges .
Previous to the Quarterly Communication in February , at which the minute of the former Lodge , concerning the Memorial , stood for confirmation , the Country Stewards , desirous of ascertaining the opinion of those exalted characters , the Acting and Deputy Grand Masters , applied by letter , to know whether the measure met with their concurrence ; to which they were favoured with answers expressive of their entire approbation ; and althouch . ro l » ssen the weight of the Acting Grand Master ' s approval , it was improperly asserted " That he was a Young Mason and required instruction , " the Country Stewards feel , thev hope , no unbecoming- pride in the sanction given by that Nobleman to a measure which was clearly , fairly , and candidly stated to him .
After such flattering support what must have been the surprize of the Brethren who attended that Quarterly Communication ; and who , from a conviction of the propriety and justice of " the claim , had adopted the measure , to find that those who opposed the confirmation of the minute were obliged to have recourse to weak and unfounded assertions , and to uncandid and ungenerous observations ; and they are persuaded that the result would have been different , had there not been in their opinion a mistake in declaring the numbers ; in stating this , the Country Stewards have not the most distant
idea of impeaching the impartiality of the senior Grand Warden , lo those brethren who were not present at the last Grand Lodge , it may not be improper to give some idea of the reasons which were brought forward against the Memorialists . It was urged " That the Country Feast was not a Masonic , but a Convivial and Bacchanalian Meeting ; and that it was not known in Masonry . " Can there be a greater insult offered to those Grand Officers who presided , and others who were present at the different Country Feastsin their Insienia of Office } If the Country Feast is not Masonic , why is the
, Grand Lodge opened , in due form , and all the Brethren present cloathed ? Why does the Grand Secretary annually summon the Board of Country Stewards to meet in the same manner as he summons the Board of Grand Stewards ; and without which neither are authorized to act ? Why does he attend those feasts in his Official Capacity as Grand Secretary , and regulate the Masonic Procession ? Why is the Country Feast set down in the Calendar as a Public Festival in Masonry ? And why , if there is nothing Masonic in it . did Grand Lodire orieinallv grant the Medal and Collar they now wear ? So
satisfied , however , was our Acting Grand Master , Earl Moira , of its being a General Meeting of the Fraternity , that he would certainly have presided at the last Country Feast , had not his Military Duty prevented . To remove all possibility of doubt , it is only necessary to observe that the Country Feast is recorded as far back as the 24 th of June , 1732 ; and was held at the Spikes , at Hampstead , when Lord Viscount Montague , who at that time was Grand Master , presided . Another Objection was . that the expence of serving the Office was so trifling , that
it did not intitle them to distinction ; and comparisons were drawn between the Expence attending the office of Grand Steward and that of Country Steward . This , if it can have any weight , might have been urged many years ago ; but in proportion as the Annual Country Feasts have increased in the attendance of Brethren , so has the Annual Expence attending the office increased also . But even if it were not so , the principle can never be admitted , that Expence ought to lie the road to Masonic Honours . But admitting for a moment this , in its utmost
latitude , which was so forcibly urged by the opponents to the Memorial ; what conclusion can be deduced from it ? Nothing more than this ; that the Grand Lodge in thc year 1735 thought proper to honour the Grand Stewards with a distinction of a Jewel , Red Apron , and Collar ; when their individual expence of serving the Office was not equal to that of the Country Stewards at this period . As the Country Stewards ' expence has increased very considerably , they have a first claim to distinction , for the nprinrmanrr ; nf a rlutv which is attended with the same trouble , and nearlv the same
expence , as that of the Grand Stewards ; What difference is there then between them ? Are not the functions of both Boards precirely the same ? The answer is obvious . The one superintends a Convivial Anniversary Meeting of Masons in town in the month of May ; where by the 4 th Article of the Constitution , under the head of Grand Feast" No Ptt'tion or Appeals are permitted , such business being unsuitable with the intention of
a day of Festivity . " The o'her superintends a similar Meeting in the month of July , in the country . The only possible objection that could be urged against the measure , is that which the Acting Grand Master anticipated in his answer to their letter , the Shade of the Green , but that objection would have been , corformabl y to his suggestions , compleatly done away by adopting a Shade , as dissimilar as possible from the Blue worn by the Grand Officers .
The Country Stewards therefore submit these reflections to the attentive consideration of Masters and Wardens of Lodges , and Masons in general ; trusting that the motives which have actuated ihem are reasonable and Masonic . They are thoroughly convinced of the justice of their cause , and flatter themselves that they shall stand acquitted of arrogance and presumption , in urging their claim ; fully relying on the Candourof Masons for support in their future endeavours ; and being determined to
satisfy the brethren that they are asserting the distinction they solicit ; or be themselves convinced , that the office of Country Steward is not Masonic ; in which case they will no longer entail trouble and expence on their Successors , in a cause which neither merits , nor receives the thanks of Masons , J . DOWLING , R . W . M . H . PARRY , Secretary . March the 14 th , 179 0 ,
Trinity College Lodge, Dublin, No. 357,
TRINITY COLLEGE LODGE , DUBLIN , No . 357 ,
This lodge , which is one of the most influential on the roll of the Grand Lodge of Ireland , and in its constitution is almost the exact parellel of our Apollo University Lodge , No . 357 , Oxford , and Isaac Newton Universit y Lodge , No . S 59 , Cambridge , entertained his Grace the Duke of Abercorn , M . W . G . M . oflreland . atdinnerat Freemasons' Hall , Molesworth-st ., Dublin , on Friday , the 30 th ult . Bro . Hugh Stewart Moore , M . A ., W . M ., presided .
The officers and members were present in great force , and there was a strong contingent of visitors , among them being several English Craftsmen . In fact , the company—and which , all told , numbered quite 1000—included ' most of the Grand Officers and other leading members of the Fraternity in Ireland , and the proceedings , as will readily be imagined , were of the most enthusiastic character .
On the removal of the cloth , and when the customary 103 'al toasts had been duly honoured , that of " His Grace the Duke of Abercorn , Grand Master of Ireland , " was proposed in eulogistic terms by the W . M ., who , after gracefully alluding to the kindly services of the Duke ' s late father and ' predecessor in office , expressed the well-founded hope that his Grace would always be found steadfastly pursuing the same honourable course , and with results equally beneficial to the Craft in Ireland , in the other portions of tha United Kingdom , and throughout the world generally .
The toast was received with acclamations , and was acknowledged by the GRAND MASTER in terms which merited and received the hearty applause of all present . In the course of the business which preceded the banquet , the WORSHIP - FUL MASTER , on behalf of the lodge , presented a handsome gold Past Master ' s jewel to W . Bro . T . Creed Meredith . LL . D .. who for mamr tmr .
had held the office of Secretary to the lodge . In handing the jewel to Bro . Meredith , Bro . Moore descanted on the long and distinguished services he had rendered to the lodge during his tenure of the Secretaryship , and expressed the hope that Bro . Meredith mi ght continue to enjoy for many years the respect and affection of his brethren .
The presentation was acknowledged in the same generous spirit in which it had been made , all present being delighted at the honour paid so worth y a brother , and the graceful and sympathetic terms in which he had recognised it .
It snould be added that the jewel was an admirable specimen of the goldsmith ' s art , and reflected great credit on the manufacturer , Bro . George Kenning .
History Of The "Lodge Of Friendship," Adelaide, S.A.
HISTORY OF THE " LODGE OF FRIENDSHIP , " ADELAIDE , S . A .
The History of the " Lodge of Friendship , " Adelaide , South Australia , has been written by Bro . Philip Sansom , P . M ., and was read at the Jubilee Celebration on October 22 nd , 1 S 84 . It has now been published in a neat volume by Sherring & Co ., Adelaide , and is a creditable production , typographically and historically . Bro . Sansom is just the sort of writer for that purpose , one in love with his work , and anxious to do his best to make
known the eventful past of his lodge . Though here and there , I think , the scissors might have been usefully employed prior to the MS . being placed in the hands of the printers ( some of the particulars being not quite so suitable for publication as for delivery in O ^ lodge ) , still on the whole Bro . Sansom may well be congratulated on compiling so readable a History out of what we should not consider in England very suggestive materials . The
author presents a copy of the Warrant bearing date October 22 nd , 1834 , which is what many lodge historians neglect to do , and he also gives the curious endorsement of the same date ( both signed by R . W . Bro . the Earl of Durham , D . G . M . ) , permitting the lodge to be opened at No . 7 , Johnstreet , Adelphi , London ( England ) , for the initiation of gentlemen who intended to proceed to South Australia , the petitioners for the new lodge
being also in London at the time . The lodge was consecrated therefore in England , the officer for that purpose being the late Bro . W . H . White , then Grand Secretary ; and at this meeting Mr . ( now Sir ) John Morphett , afterwards President of the Legislative Council , and Mr . ( afterwards Sir ) R . D . Hanson , subsequently Attorney-General and Chief Justice ( and later on Chancellor of the University of Adelaide ) , were initiated . The lodge was
No . 613 on its formation , and was altered to 423 in 1863 . " True Friendship" is the senior lodge in South Australia , and the premier lodge on the roll of the new Grand Lodge , its old warrant , as indeed all the others , bearing the endorsement , "Cancelled on the recognition of the Grand Lodge of South Australia by the United Grand Lodge of England , 3 rd June , 1885 , but returned to the lodge as a memento of its former connection with the Grand
Lodge of England . Shadwell H . Clerke , G . S . " Dated " Freemasons ' Hall , London , 1 st August , 1885 . " No one could read Bro . Sansom ' s pleasing account of the formation of the Grand Lodge of South Australia without being impressed with the Masonic hearted and united action of the brotherhood in that far-off region in deciding for independence . The separation has been managed without leaving an unpleasant feeling on either side . W . J . HUGHAN .
The Early Organisation Of The "Ancient" Masons.
THE EARLY ORGANISATION OF THE "ANCIENT" MASONS .
HI . BY G . B . ABBOTT . Though they occupy a place at the end of the Register , it will be as well perhaps that I should give my attention next to the three hitherto unknown
lists of " Ancient " Lodges . All three are clear enough as to dates of constitution and numbers , but it is not always possible to follow up the successive meeting places which are entered against some of the lodges , there being nothing to allow of a determinate meaning being assigned to the word " now , " when , as frequently happens , it is inserted in the column provided .
No , 1 of these lists appears to be a little complicated , but it must be borne in mind that it was begun by Morgan and completed by Dermott , the interpolations in ihe first half and the whole of the second half being apparently in DermoU ' s handwriting . The interest conni cted with list No . 2 lies in the fact of its furnishing evidence that on one occasion—it is the only one I have met with—the
" Ancients closed up their lodges as the " Moderns" had done in 1740 , and as they did on several occasions subsequently . Bro . Lane , however , has already noted this feature , and I need say nothing further about it here than that the Transaction Book of the "Ancients" contains no record of the meeting at which the order and seniority of the then existing lodges was settled , though the minutes of the 6 th December , 1752 , contain the resolution , in accordance with which the settlement was compiled ,