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Article GRAND LODGE BALANCE SHEET, 1879. ← Page 2 of 2 Article METROPOLITAN COUNCIL OF THE ALLIED MASONIC DEGREES. Page 1 of 1 Article ROYAL MASONIC INSTITUTION FOR GIRLS. Page 1 of 1 Article ROYAL MASONIC INSTITUTION FOR GIRLS. Page 1 of 1 Article LONDON MASONIC CHARITY ASSOCIATION. Page 1 of 1 Article NOTES ON THE RITUAL. Page 1 of 1 Article NOTES ON THE RITUAL. Page 1 of 1 Article FIFTY-SIX YEARS A MASON. Page 1 of 2 →
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Grand Lodge Balance Sheet, 1879.
„ Miscellaneous expenses ... 27 S 4 5 „ Purchase of charity medals ... 52 10 o £ j SCo o 10 „ Purchase of £ 6000 Three per Cent . Annuities . . _ 57 5 0 „ Deposits on purchase of premises in Great Oueen-street and New Yard ... ¦••975 o o
„ Transfer to runa of Benevolence ... ... 10 o o „ Balance 2170 6 0 „ Cash in thc Bank of England £ i 27 i 16 o ,, „ overdrawn by Fund of Benevolence ... ... 701 15 ° ,, cash in hands of G . Sec . for petty
cash £ 75 o o ,, cash for servants ' wzgcs ... ... 9 6 15 o ¦ 171 15 o „ cash in hands of P . de L . Long 25 o o
2170 6 o . £ 14 , 79 6 11 10 Having examined the accounts with the books and vouchers I certify thc same to be correct . ( Signed ) R . P . HARDING , Auditor . S , Old Jewry , E . C , January , 1 SS 0 .
Metropolitan Council Of The Allied Masonic Degrees.
METROPOLITAN COUNCIL OF THE ALLIED MASONIC DEGREES .
A meeting of this council was held at the Masonic Rooms , 2 , Red Lion-square , on Sa urdav , the 22 nd inst . There were present Bros . C . F . Matier , D . G . M ., as W . M . ; D . M . Dewar , G . Sec , as S . W . ; S . C . Dibdin , as J . W . ; Alfred Williams , Conductor ; J . E . Anderson , as I . G . ; Thos . J .
Pulley , Geo . Gravelcy , Walter Spencer , P . M . ; C . H . Driver , Thos . Keene , Geo . Lambert , H . C . Lambert , R . P . Spice , aud other brethren . The following brethren were received into the Venerable Order of St . Lawrence the Martyr : Bros . I lenrv I lacker , Thos . Benham , 'Thos . Meggy , Fred . Walters , " Thos . W .
Adams , W . W . Morgan , and E . B . Florence , and after thc council was closed the brethren partook of a grill at the Holborn Restaurant , under the presidency of their Deputy Grand Master , Bro . C . F . Matier . At the next meeting of the council the Degrees of Grand High Priest , the Red Cross of Babylon , ancl the Knights of Constantinople will be conferred on candidates .
Royal Masonic Institution For Girls.
ROYAL MASONIC INSTITUTION FOR GIRLS .
The General Committee of this Institution was held on Thursday , at FYeemasons' Hall . Col . Creaton , Grand Treasurer , presided . A very large number of brethren attended . On thc motion of Bro . GLADWELL , seconded by Bro .
MURLIS , it was resolved to accept the offer of Grand Lodge through Grand Secretary , to pay £ . 85 a year rent for the new offices to be built for the Institution at the expense of Grand Lodge . It was also resolved to renew fire insurance . The Committee also agreed to a gift of £ 10 to Miss Harkness , one of the girls of thc Institution on her
obtaining a situation . The following resolution of the House Committee , moved by Bro . E . LETCH WORTH , and seconded by Bro . J . A . RUCKER , was read : — " That with a view of perpetuating in years to come , the memory of one who for considerably more than half a century , has most deservedly enjoyed thc esteem and respect of
all connected with this Institution , the success and prosperity of which is in no small measure due to her able management , as well as her gentle and thoughtful influence and example , a subscription , limited to one guinea , be set on foot for the purpose , with Miss Jarwood ' s permission , of having that lady ' s portrait painted by an artist
of eminence to be placed on the walls of the Institution . " Six candidates were placed on the list for the election in October . Bro . THOMAS BULL , P . M . and P . Z . 145 , presented , in the name of that lodge and chapter , £ 100 , subscribed b y the brethren and companions for presentation to the Institution .
Bro . C . A . COTTEURUNF . gave notice that he would move at the next meeting that the sum be ace . ptcd , and that an annual prize in the School be established , of the value of £ 3 3 s ., to be called the " John Boyd Memorial Prize , " to commemorate that brother ' s services to the Institution . The brethren then proceeded to elect the House and Audit Committees for the ensuing year . 'The result , which was declared at seven o'clock , was as follows : —
Bro . F . dmund Mather ... ... ... ... 2 S 4 „ Alfred Henry Tattershall ... ... ... 272 „ John A . Rucker ... ... ... ... 271 ,, Griffiths Smith ... ... ... ... 26 9 ,, Frank Richardson ... ... ... ... 26 S „ Edward Letchworth ... ... ... 26 7 „ Henry A . Dubois ... ... ... ... 2 G 2
„ Joshua Nunn ... ... ... ... 262 „ Lieut .-Col . James Peters ... ... ... 261 „ Peter de Lande Long ... ... 25 S „ William Hope , M . D . ... ... •. 253 „ Charles Hammerton ... ... ... ... 241 „ Edward Cox ... ... ... ... 96 „ Thomas Cubitt ... ... ... ... n „ John A . Farnfield ... ... ... ... so
„ William Stephens ... ... ... ... S 3 „ Reuben R . Davis ... ... ... ... 71 „ Edgar Bowyer ... ... ... ... CS „ John H . Southwood ... ... ... ... Crj „ Edward Terry ... ... ... ... C 5 ,, John Bellerby ... ... ... ... 63 „ t . W . C . Bush fJ 2 „ Chas . G . Hill ... ... On
„ C H . Webb 42 The first twelve of the above brethren were declared duly elected .
Royal Masonic Institution For Girls.
Votes . AUDIT COMMITTEE . Bro . Henry C . Levander ... ... ... ... 309 „ Herbert Diclcets ... ... ... ... 296 ,, John G . Chancellor ... ... .. ... 294 „ Robert B . Webster ... .. ... ... 292 ,, William Roebuck ... ... ... ... 290 , William Bailey ... ... ... ...- 2 SS ,, James Cutbush ... ... ... ... 2 S 3
,, Henry Venn ... ... ... ... 273 „ Thomas Kingston ... ... ... ... 257 ,, Robert Berridge ... ... ... ... 9 C „ Hyam M . Levy ... ... ... ... 61 The first nine of thc above brethren were declared duly elected . A vote of thanks to the Scrutineer and Chairman closed thc proceedings .
London Masonic Charity Association.
LONDON MASONIC CHARITY ASSOCIATION .
Thc exertions of this useful and needed association have been crowned in the elections of Friday last with thc success their zealous and fraternal endeavours deserved . 'They elected , or aided to elect , Mrs . Maynard , Rigby , Child , Candler , Palmer , Bros . Gcncse and Claisen .
Helps was so gallantly supported by his friends , that he needed no help , which otherwise was ready . The only disappointment was Mrs . Martin , which appears to have arisen from _ 5 me misunderstanding . Widows votes were in demand , and the society may fairly be congratulated both on its active exertions and honest success . Each election demonstrates more and more its need and utility .
Many who once doubted its " good , " now see how simple and yet how true and " thorough " is its working , and though individual interests are many , and petitions for help urgent , it has succeeding in maintaining the confidence of its members and friends , and even won the good opinion of quondam opponents . Wc understand that it will soon be having its annual meeting , when [ a report of thc proceedings for iSSowill
be submitted , and new members admitted . Several new members have been recently elected , ancl we hear that now all members vote at the selection of candidates ; thus the Association becomes a very useful medium for ascertaining weak or doubtful cases , and putting forward the strong and good . Bro . A . 'Tisley , 1 , Clifford ' s Inn , E . C , will give any information as to its object , working , or the means of becoming a member of it .
Notes On The Ritual.
NOTES ON THE RITUAL .
I " note " my friend , Bro . Hughan ' s , critical and thoughtful words anent these little effusions , and wish , ( for fear of misconception ) , to point out one or two little facts . I did not publish these " rough notes " for controversy or to land ourselves in a discussion inside the " permitted lines " of Masonry , but simply as a matter of information
for a distinguished foreign brother . He wrote to ask me , in a most complimentary manner , my opinion of a work he is preparing in German , and I , therefore , thought it better , without adding to his pages , to give him—as he understands 1 'inglish well—my "notes" on the subject . 'They arc , as all must see , rough , cursory , fragmentary , and 1 am impeded , as Bro . Hughan sees , by the the diffculty , according to our
English views , of dealing with thc subject properly in the pages of thc Freemason . But as I am most cautious also not to overstep our "boundary lines , " and lam most alive to the objectionability of any such course , I hope that my caution and reticence will be approved by all my readers . 1 have myself been sometimes greatly pained by the freedom with which writers , at home
and abroad , have discussed the ritual , and I have seen several statements of verbiage and ceremonial which ought never to have appeared in print at all . But , then , on the other hand , we need not fall into the other extreme of inveighing against all such discussions , so long especially as they are directed to archieological studies , and treated as purely antiquarian questions .
Bro . Hughan and myself have sought in many disquisitions to take most of such matters [ out of the mistaken muddle of a hopeless fanaticism , and to raise them to the sober and serious position of interesting and archaeological questions , affeciing our Craft alike historically and realistically . If we have erred in times past , and if I have erred in such recent harmless notes , lean only express my heartfelt
regret . One point , and only one , will I touch on here . Bro . Hughan seems to limit Degrees to 1717 . Bro . Gould would , if 1 understand him rightly , make them even post 1717 , but though the word " Degree" in Masonic usage is doubtless of late eighteenth century use , correctly speaking-, the older and triplex division may be traced before 1717 both in England and in Scotland , perhaps not in distinct
nomenclature , as First , Second , and 'Third Degrees , but as Master , Fellow Craft , and Apprentice . In 1723 Anderson , if 1 remember rightl y , does not use the \ vord " Degree , " but he treats the division of Master , Fellow Craft , and Apprentice as of very old standing indeed , and curiously interweaves the old purely operative relationship as between Master and Apprentice into the
speculative charges of a Freemason . It is therefore a fair presumption that whatever was thus recognized in 1723 was good in 1717 , in fact " within legal memory , " as otherwise Anderson was palming off a palpable innovation as an old charge , though he talks especially of such charge being in use in the Fraternity , " especially since the Reformation , " which would throw his view of the existence of such
regulations nearly 200 years / bach . I cannot conceive , for one , that Anderson thus writing publicly in 1723 would have dared to assert this threefold division of Grades unless it was of old and recognised authority . Because it is clear that in 1723 something could be done by a Master Mason which a Fellow Craft could not do , and some things could be done be a Fellow Craft which an Entered Apprentice could not
do . One objection , from the want of records of the Fellow Craft and Master Mason meetings , is met by the fact that unless you held the general assembly to be a myth , the granting of the Second and Third Degrees could only take place there as at York , or at a quarterly communication in the South . Probably thc lodges only did confer the First Degree until a comparatively late period in the eighteenth century , and then conferring the Second Degree also , they formed separate " Master ' s Lodges , " which ,
Notes On The Ritual.
probably , as our olden Royal Arch Chapters did , served for several lodges . At page 151 , 173 S , Constitutions , Anderson talks of two " Fellow Crafts , ( Master Masons ) , " and much of the difficulty now occurs from this almost synonymous usage of the terms . In 1721 , unless by a dispensation , Fellow Crafts and Master could only be admitted at a quarterly
communication , and this is , I fancy , the real explanation . In 173 S we see that on November 22 nd , 1725 , it was agreed , as I understand , by a resolution of Grand Lodge , that Masters and Fellows might be "made " at '' discretion ' in private lodges . " Such resolution can still probably
be found at Freemasons' Hall , as Grand Lodge minutes , go back to 1723 . Anderson is the first who , apparently however , uses the word " Degree" in his " Defence of Masonry , " 1730 , when he talks of the " Degree of Entered 'Prentice , Master of his trade or Fellow Craft , and Warden or Master of the company . "
Fifty-Six Years A Mason.
FIFTY-SIX YEARS A MASON .
Right Worshipful the District Grand Master of English Masons here , Permit us to extend the hand Of Brotherhood and friendly cheer .
No jurisdiction s bans prevent Our doing honour , sir , to you . Honours to you with one ' ebnsent Arc given , and they are but your due . Nigh three score years within the Craft
Your years upon us have a claim , But better still you well have borne Spotless , unstained , a Mason's name . 'Tis fifty years , yet but a day , Since first upon the Mason ' s Chair
Your name you earned within your lodge ; And well your honours still you wear . Chief of your brethren in this land , Connected with old Albion dear , By mystic tie bound hand-in-hand , Again wc wish you hearty cheer .
Brethren from Fmgland , to your Rose , The Scotchmen bring their Heather sprig , While Canada to bind them both Of her own Maple sends a twig .
Of all thc Freemasons in Canada for whom the brethren entertain the warmest respect and esteem , and in whose opinions as a Craftsman the most profound confidence is placed , probably R . W . Bro . Badgley stands pre-eminent . Fifty-six years of Masonic life , the whole of that time making a study of its jurisprudence and history , is more than sullicient to make an individual an authority , and , adding to these the natural talents with which Bro . Badgley was
endowed , it is not surprising that he should be looked upon as he has been . For long the brethren of the English Register , with which the R . W . Brother was more immediately connected , have been contemplating a dinner in his honour , which took place on thc 2 Sth ult ., in the St . Lawrence Hall , under thc most favourable auspices . R . W . Bro . Hutton presided , having on his right the guest oLthe evening , R . W . Bro . Badgley , D . G . M . ; R . W . Bro ..
Ogilvic , Moffart , and Dr . Girdwood , P . M . ' s , and W . J . Leslie , W . M ., of King Solomon Lodge , R . S . On the left were R . W . Bros . S . Bethune , J . Taylor , McCord , and Tar ranee , P . M . ' s . One of the vice chairs was occupied by . R . VV . Bro . S . J . Thompson , W . M . of St . George's Lodge , E . R ., who was supported right and left by R . W . Bros . Ross and Hanson and other brethren of the Scottish Register . The other vice chair was occupied by W . Bro . Fred Clark ,
W . M ., of St . Lawrence Lodge , who was supported by R . W . Bro . Isaacson , Grand Sec . of Quebec , Bros . Young and Layers , P . M . ' s , and other brethren of the English Register . At the close of a recherche and admirably-provided banquet the Chairman rose and said : Right Worshipful Sir and Brethren , in every assembly of Englishmen and Freemasons there is one toast which takes
precedence of all upon the list , and wherever that toast is proposed it is most heartily received , and I feel sure that I am but thc mouthpiece of every Freemason in this assembly when I say that it gives us heartfelt pleasure to see Her Majesty still blessed with the health and strength necessary to the discharge of the duties that devolve upon her . I call upon you to drink " 'The Queen and the Craft . " 'The toast was received in a right loyal manner , being
drunk with the warmest enthusiasm , "God Save the Queen " being sung by Bros . Geddcs and Carter and the brethren . The CHAIRMAN , as he rose to give "M . W ., H . R . H . the Prince of Wales , Grand Master , and the Grand Lodge of England , " was loudly cheered , the company rising to their feet and drinking the toast with all honours , " God Bless the Prince of Wales" being sung by Bro . Young , the
company joining in the chorus . R . W . Bro . HUTTON , D . D . G . M ., in giving the toast , said : Right Worshipful Sir and Brethren , the toast that I have to bring before you needs but few words of preface . 1 have but to name His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales , that Worshipful Grand Master , and the Grand Lodge of l'ingland , to secure a hearty reception . As an evidence of the very great interest he takes in Masonry ,
His Royal Highness has again been elected Grand Master , and I think I am safe in saying that he is thc mostpopular Grand Master that England has ever seen . ( Cheers . ) Under his rule the Grand Lodge of England has flourished and expanded more than ever before , and we , the three English lodges left in Canada , drink to " The Health and Prosperity of the Most Worshipful the Grand Master and the Grand Lodge of England , " under whose banner we are
proud to be enrolled . ( Cheers . ) The Grand Master , R . W . Bro . BADGLEY , responded . It would ill become me in my official connection witn the'J & W . Grand Master and thc Grand Lodge of England , as their presiding representative over English Masons in my Masonic district of Montreal , to allow this toast to pass in
silence . I will couple with it the preceding toast , "The Queen and the Craft , " which you have received so enthusiastically , and persuade myself that 1 speak the sentiments of all my brethren here , in expressing our feeling of heartfelt pride that our ancient brotherhood is honoured by the august patronage of Her Majesty , and trust that she may long be spared to patronise our English Craft , Whilst wg
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Grand Lodge Balance Sheet, 1879.
„ Miscellaneous expenses ... 27 S 4 5 „ Purchase of charity medals ... 52 10 o £ j SCo o 10 „ Purchase of £ 6000 Three per Cent . Annuities . . _ 57 5 0 „ Deposits on purchase of premises in Great Oueen-street and New Yard ... ¦••975 o o
„ Transfer to runa of Benevolence ... ... 10 o o „ Balance 2170 6 0 „ Cash in thc Bank of England £ i 27 i 16 o ,, „ overdrawn by Fund of Benevolence ... ... 701 15 ° ,, cash in hands of G . Sec . for petty
cash £ 75 o o ,, cash for servants ' wzgcs ... ... 9 6 15 o ¦ 171 15 o „ cash in hands of P . de L . Long 25 o o
2170 6 o . £ 14 , 79 6 11 10 Having examined the accounts with the books and vouchers I certify thc same to be correct . ( Signed ) R . P . HARDING , Auditor . S , Old Jewry , E . C , January , 1 SS 0 .
Metropolitan Council Of The Allied Masonic Degrees.
METROPOLITAN COUNCIL OF THE ALLIED MASONIC DEGREES .
A meeting of this council was held at the Masonic Rooms , 2 , Red Lion-square , on Sa urdav , the 22 nd inst . There were present Bros . C . F . Matier , D . G . M ., as W . M . ; D . M . Dewar , G . Sec , as S . W . ; S . C . Dibdin , as J . W . ; Alfred Williams , Conductor ; J . E . Anderson , as I . G . ; Thos . J .
Pulley , Geo . Gravelcy , Walter Spencer , P . M . ; C . H . Driver , Thos . Keene , Geo . Lambert , H . C . Lambert , R . P . Spice , aud other brethren . The following brethren were received into the Venerable Order of St . Lawrence the Martyr : Bros . I lenrv I lacker , Thos . Benham , 'Thos . Meggy , Fred . Walters , " Thos . W .
Adams , W . W . Morgan , and E . B . Florence , and after thc council was closed the brethren partook of a grill at the Holborn Restaurant , under the presidency of their Deputy Grand Master , Bro . C . F . Matier . At the next meeting of the council the Degrees of Grand High Priest , the Red Cross of Babylon , ancl the Knights of Constantinople will be conferred on candidates .
Royal Masonic Institution For Girls.
ROYAL MASONIC INSTITUTION FOR GIRLS .
The General Committee of this Institution was held on Thursday , at FYeemasons' Hall . Col . Creaton , Grand Treasurer , presided . A very large number of brethren attended . On thc motion of Bro . GLADWELL , seconded by Bro .
MURLIS , it was resolved to accept the offer of Grand Lodge through Grand Secretary , to pay £ . 85 a year rent for the new offices to be built for the Institution at the expense of Grand Lodge . It was also resolved to renew fire insurance . The Committee also agreed to a gift of £ 10 to Miss Harkness , one of the girls of thc Institution on her
obtaining a situation . The following resolution of the House Committee , moved by Bro . E . LETCH WORTH , and seconded by Bro . J . A . RUCKER , was read : — " That with a view of perpetuating in years to come , the memory of one who for considerably more than half a century , has most deservedly enjoyed thc esteem and respect of
all connected with this Institution , the success and prosperity of which is in no small measure due to her able management , as well as her gentle and thoughtful influence and example , a subscription , limited to one guinea , be set on foot for the purpose , with Miss Jarwood ' s permission , of having that lady ' s portrait painted by an artist
of eminence to be placed on the walls of the Institution . " Six candidates were placed on the list for the election in October . Bro . THOMAS BULL , P . M . and P . Z . 145 , presented , in the name of that lodge and chapter , £ 100 , subscribed b y the brethren and companions for presentation to the Institution .
Bro . C . A . COTTEURUNF . gave notice that he would move at the next meeting that the sum be ace . ptcd , and that an annual prize in the School be established , of the value of £ 3 3 s ., to be called the " John Boyd Memorial Prize , " to commemorate that brother ' s services to the Institution . The brethren then proceeded to elect the House and Audit Committees for the ensuing year . 'The result , which was declared at seven o'clock , was as follows : —
Bro . F . dmund Mather ... ... ... ... 2 S 4 „ Alfred Henry Tattershall ... ... ... 272 „ John A . Rucker ... ... ... ... 271 ,, Griffiths Smith ... ... ... ... 26 9 ,, Frank Richardson ... ... ... ... 26 S „ Edward Letchworth ... ... ... 26 7 „ Henry A . Dubois ... ... ... ... 2 G 2
„ Joshua Nunn ... ... ... ... 262 „ Lieut .-Col . James Peters ... ... ... 261 „ Peter de Lande Long ... ... 25 S „ William Hope , M . D . ... ... •. 253 „ Charles Hammerton ... ... ... ... 241 „ Edward Cox ... ... ... ... 96 „ Thomas Cubitt ... ... ... ... n „ John A . Farnfield ... ... ... ... so
„ William Stephens ... ... ... ... S 3 „ Reuben R . Davis ... ... ... ... 71 „ Edgar Bowyer ... ... ... ... CS „ John H . Southwood ... ... ... ... Crj „ Edward Terry ... ... ... ... C 5 ,, John Bellerby ... ... ... ... 63 „ t . W . C . Bush fJ 2 „ Chas . G . Hill ... ... On
„ C H . Webb 42 The first twelve of the above brethren were declared duly elected .
Royal Masonic Institution For Girls.
Votes . AUDIT COMMITTEE . Bro . Henry C . Levander ... ... ... ... 309 „ Herbert Diclcets ... ... ... ... 296 ,, John G . Chancellor ... ... .. ... 294 „ Robert B . Webster ... .. ... ... 292 ,, William Roebuck ... ... ... ... 290 , William Bailey ... ... ... ...- 2 SS ,, James Cutbush ... ... ... ... 2 S 3
,, Henry Venn ... ... ... ... 273 „ Thomas Kingston ... ... ... ... 257 ,, Robert Berridge ... ... ... ... 9 C „ Hyam M . Levy ... ... ... ... 61 The first nine of thc above brethren were declared duly elected . A vote of thanks to the Scrutineer and Chairman closed thc proceedings .
London Masonic Charity Association.
LONDON MASONIC CHARITY ASSOCIATION .
Thc exertions of this useful and needed association have been crowned in the elections of Friday last with thc success their zealous and fraternal endeavours deserved . 'They elected , or aided to elect , Mrs . Maynard , Rigby , Child , Candler , Palmer , Bros . Gcncse and Claisen .
Helps was so gallantly supported by his friends , that he needed no help , which otherwise was ready . The only disappointment was Mrs . Martin , which appears to have arisen from _ 5 me misunderstanding . Widows votes were in demand , and the society may fairly be congratulated both on its active exertions and honest success . Each election demonstrates more and more its need and utility .
Many who once doubted its " good , " now see how simple and yet how true and " thorough " is its working , and though individual interests are many , and petitions for help urgent , it has succeeding in maintaining the confidence of its members and friends , and even won the good opinion of quondam opponents . Wc understand that it will soon be having its annual meeting , when [ a report of thc proceedings for iSSowill
be submitted , and new members admitted . Several new members have been recently elected , ancl we hear that now all members vote at the selection of candidates ; thus the Association becomes a very useful medium for ascertaining weak or doubtful cases , and putting forward the strong and good . Bro . A . 'Tisley , 1 , Clifford ' s Inn , E . C , will give any information as to its object , working , or the means of becoming a member of it .
Notes On The Ritual.
NOTES ON THE RITUAL .
I " note " my friend , Bro . Hughan ' s , critical and thoughtful words anent these little effusions , and wish , ( for fear of misconception ) , to point out one or two little facts . I did not publish these " rough notes " for controversy or to land ourselves in a discussion inside the " permitted lines " of Masonry , but simply as a matter of information
for a distinguished foreign brother . He wrote to ask me , in a most complimentary manner , my opinion of a work he is preparing in German , and I , therefore , thought it better , without adding to his pages , to give him—as he understands 1 'inglish well—my "notes" on the subject . 'They arc , as all must see , rough , cursory , fragmentary , and 1 am impeded , as Bro . Hughan sees , by the the diffculty , according to our
English views , of dealing with thc subject properly in the pages of thc Freemason . But as I am most cautious also not to overstep our "boundary lines , " and lam most alive to the objectionability of any such course , I hope that my caution and reticence will be approved by all my readers . 1 have myself been sometimes greatly pained by the freedom with which writers , at home
and abroad , have discussed the ritual , and I have seen several statements of verbiage and ceremonial which ought never to have appeared in print at all . But , then , on the other hand , we need not fall into the other extreme of inveighing against all such discussions , so long especially as they are directed to archieological studies , and treated as purely antiquarian questions .
Bro . Hughan and myself have sought in many disquisitions to take most of such matters [ out of the mistaken muddle of a hopeless fanaticism , and to raise them to the sober and serious position of interesting and archaeological questions , affeciing our Craft alike historically and realistically . If we have erred in times past , and if I have erred in such recent harmless notes , lean only express my heartfelt
regret . One point , and only one , will I touch on here . Bro . Hughan seems to limit Degrees to 1717 . Bro . Gould would , if 1 understand him rightly , make them even post 1717 , but though the word " Degree" in Masonic usage is doubtless of late eighteenth century use , correctly speaking-, the older and triplex division may be traced before 1717 both in England and in Scotland , perhaps not in distinct
nomenclature , as First , Second , and 'Third Degrees , but as Master , Fellow Craft , and Apprentice . In 1723 Anderson , if 1 remember rightl y , does not use the \ vord " Degree , " but he treats the division of Master , Fellow Craft , and Apprentice as of very old standing indeed , and curiously interweaves the old purely operative relationship as between Master and Apprentice into the
speculative charges of a Freemason . It is therefore a fair presumption that whatever was thus recognized in 1723 was good in 1717 , in fact " within legal memory , " as otherwise Anderson was palming off a palpable innovation as an old charge , though he talks especially of such charge being in use in the Fraternity , " especially since the Reformation , " which would throw his view of the existence of such
regulations nearly 200 years / bach . I cannot conceive , for one , that Anderson thus writing publicly in 1723 would have dared to assert this threefold division of Grades unless it was of old and recognised authority . Because it is clear that in 1723 something could be done by a Master Mason which a Fellow Craft could not do , and some things could be done be a Fellow Craft which an Entered Apprentice could not
do . One objection , from the want of records of the Fellow Craft and Master Mason meetings , is met by the fact that unless you held the general assembly to be a myth , the granting of the Second and Third Degrees could only take place there as at York , or at a quarterly communication in the South . Probably thc lodges only did confer the First Degree until a comparatively late period in the eighteenth century , and then conferring the Second Degree also , they formed separate " Master ' s Lodges , " which ,
Notes On The Ritual.
probably , as our olden Royal Arch Chapters did , served for several lodges . At page 151 , 173 S , Constitutions , Anderson talks of two " Fellow Crafts , ( Master Masons ) , " and much of the difficulty now occurs from this almost synonymous usage of the terms . In 1721 , unless by a dispensation , Fellow Crafts and Master could only be admitted at a quarterly
communication , and this is , I fancy , the real explanation . In 173 S we see that on November 22 nd , 1725 , it was agreed , as I understand , by a resolution of Grand Lodge , that Masters and Fellows might be "made " at '' discretion ' in private lodges . " Such resolution can still probably
be found at Freemasons' Hall , as Grand Lodge minutes , go back to 1723 . Anderson is the first who , apparently however , uses the word " Degree" in his " Defence of Masonry , " 1730 , when he talks of the " Degree of Entered 'Prentice , Master of his trade or Fellow Craft , and Warden or Master of the company . "
Fifty-Six Years A Mason.
FIFTY-SIX YEARS A MASON .
Right Worshipful the District Grand Master of English Masons here , Permit us to extend the hand Of Brotherhood and friendly cheer .
No jurisdiction s bans prevent Our doing honour , sir , to you . Honours to you with one ' ebnsent Arc given , and they are but your due . Nigh three score years within the Craft
Your years upon us have a claim , But better still you well have borne Spotless , unstained , a Mason's name . 'Tis fifty years , yet but a day , Since first upon the Mason ' s Chair
Your name you earned within your lodge ; And well your honours still you wear . Chief of your brethren in this land , Connected with old Albion dear , By mystic tie bound hand-in-hand , Again wc wish you hearty cheer .
Brethren from Fmgland , to your Rose , The Scotchmen bring their Heather sprig , While Canada to bind them both Of her own Maple sends a twig .
Of all thc Freemasons in Canada for whom the brethren entertain the warmest respect and esteem , and in whose opinions as a Craftsman the most profound confidence is placed , probably R . W . Bro . Badgley stands pre-eminent . Fifty-six years of Masonic life , the whole of that time making a study of its jurisprudence and history , is more than sullicient to make an individual an authority , and , adding to these the natural talents with which Bro . Badgley was
endowed , it is not surprising that he should be looked upon as he has been . For long the brethren of the English Register , with which the R . W . Brother was more immediately connected , have been contemplating a dinner in his honour , which took place on thc 2 Sth ult ., in the St . Lawrence Hall , under thc most favourable auspices . R . W . Bro . Hutton presided , having on his right the guest oLthe evening , R . W . Bro . Badgley , D . G . M . ; R . W . Bro ..
Ogilvic , Moffart , and Dr . Girdwood , P . M . ' s , and W . J . Leslie , W . M ., of King Solomon Lodge , R . S . On the left were R . W . Bros . S . Bethune , J . Taylor , McCord , and Tar ranee , P . M . ' s . One of the vice chairs was occupied by . R . VV . Bro . S . J . Thompson , W . M . of St . George's Lodge , E . R ., who was supported right and left by R . W . Bros . Ross and Hanson and other brethren of the Scottish Register . The other vice chair was occupied by W . Bro . Fred Clark ,
W . M ., of St . Lawrence Lodge , who was supported by R . W . Bro . Isaacson , Grand Sec . of Quebec , Bros . Young and Layers , P . M . ' s , and other brethren of the English Register . At the close of a recherche and admirably-provided banquet the Chairman rose and said : Right Worshipful Sir and Brethren , in every assembly of Englishmen and Freemasons there is one toast which takes
precedence of all upon the list , and wherever that toast is proposed it is most heartily received , and I feel sure that I am but thc mouthpiece of every Freemason in this assembly when I say that it gives us heartfelt pleasure to see Her Majesty still blessed with the health and strength necessary to the discharge of the duties that devolve upon her . I call upon you to drink " 'The Queen and the Craft . " 'The toast was received in a right loyal manner , being
drunk with the warmest enthusiasm , "God Save the Queen " being sung by Bros . Geddcs and Carter and the brethren . The CHAIRMAN , as he rose to give "M . W ., H . R . H . the Prince of Wales , Grand Master , and the Grand Lodge of England , " was loudly cheered , the company rising to their feet and drinking the toast with all honours , " God Bless the Prince of Wales" being sung by Bro . Young , the
company joining in the chorus . R . W . Bro . HUTTON , D . D . G . M ., in giving the toast , said : Right Worshipful Sir and Brethren , the toast that I have to bring before you needs but few words of preface . 1 have but to name His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales , that Worshipful Grand Master , and the Grand Lodge of l'ingland , to secure a hearty reception . As an evidence of the very great interest he takes in Masonry ,
His Royal Highness has again been elected Grand Master , and I think I am safe in saying that he is thc mostpopular Grand Master that England has ever seen . ( Cheers . ) Under his rule the Grand Lodge of England has flourished and expanded more than ever before , and we , the three English lodges left in Canada , drink to " The Health and Prosperity of the Most Worshipful the Grand Master and the Grand Lodge of England , " under whose banner we are
proud to be enrolled . ( Cheers . ) The Grand Master , R . W . Bro . BADGLEY , responded . It would ill become me in my official connection witn the'J & W . Grand Master and thc Grand Lodge of England , as their presiding representative over English Masons in my Masonic district of Montreal , to allow this toast to pass in
silence . I will couple with it the preceding toast , "The Queen and the Craft , " which you have received so enthusiastically , and persuade myself that 1 speak the sentiments of all my brethren here , in expressing our feeling of heartfelt pride that our ancient brotherhood is honoured by the august patronage of Her Majesty , and trust that she may long be spared to patronise our English Craft , Whilst wg