Section. 10 - History of Masonry in the South of England from the Accession
of George III, to the end of the year 1779.
On the 6th of October 1760, his present majesty George III was proclaimed.
No prince ever ascended the Throne, whose private virtues and amiable character
had so justly endeared him to his people. To see a native of England the
sovereign of these realms, afforded the most glorious prospect of fixing
our happy constitution in church and state on the firmest base. Under such
a patron the polite arts could not fail of meeting with every encouragement;
and to the honour his majesty it is to be observed, that, since his accession
to the throne, by his royal munificence no pains have been spared to explore
distant regions in pursuit of useful knowledge, and to diffuse science throughout
every part of his dominions.
Masonry now flourished at home and aboard under the English Constitution
and lord Aberdour continued at the head of the fraternity five years, during
which time the public festivals and quarterly communications were regularly
held. his lordship equaled any of his predecessors in the number of appointments
to the office of Provincial Grand Master, having granted the following
deputations:
1. for Antigua and the Leeward Caribbee Islands;
2. for the town of Norwich and county of Norfolk;
3. for the Bahama Islands, in the room of the governor deceased;
4. for Hamburgh and Lower Saxony;
5. for Guadaloupe;
6. for Lancaster;
7. for the province of Georgia;
8. for Canada;
9. for Andalusia, and places adjacent;
10. for Bermuda;
11. for Carolina;
12. for Musquito Shore;
and
13. for East India.
The second of these appointments, viz. for Norwich, is that by which the
Society has been most benefited. By the diligence and attention of the late
Edward Bacon esq. to whom the patent was first granted, the lodges in Norwich
and Norfolk considerably increased, and masonry was regularly conducted in
that province under his inspection for many years.
Lord Aberdour held the office of Grand Master till the 3d of May 1762, when
he was succeeded by earl Ferrers, during whose presidency nothing remarkable
occurred. The Society seems at this time to have lost much of its consequence;
the general assemblies and communications not having been honoured with the
presence of the nobility as formerly, and many lodges erased out of the lift
for non-attendance on the duties of the Grand Lodge.
[ Since this period new Constitutions have been too easily granted,
and lodges multiplied beyond proportion, to suit the views of
interested persons. We trust, however, that a proper check is put to
this practice.]
By the diligence and attention, however, of the late general John Salter, then Deputy Grand Master,
the business of the Society was carried on with regularity, and the fund
of charity considerably increased. Provincial patents were made out during
earl Ferrers's presidency;
1. for Jamaica;
2. for East India, where no particular provincial was before appointed;
3. for Cornwall;
4. for Armenia;
5. for Westphalia;
6. for Bombay;
7. for the Dukedom of Brunswick;
8. for the Grenades, St. Vincent, Dominica, Tobago, &c.;
and
9. for Canada.
From these appointments no considerable emoluments have resulted to the Society,
excepting from the third and sixth; George Bell for Cornwall; and James Todd
for Bombay. Both these gentlemen were particularly attentive to the duties
of their respective offices, especially the former, to whom the Society is
in a great measure indebted for the flourishing state of masonry in Cornwall.
On the 8th of May 1764, at an assembly and feast at Vintners'-hall, lord
Blaney was elected Grand Master. Lord Ferrers invested John Revis esq. late
Deputy Grand Master, as proxy for his lordship, who continued in office two
years, during which time, being chiefly in Ireland, the business of the Society
was faithfully executed by his deputy, general Salter, an active and a vigilant
officer. The scheme of opening a subscription for the purchase of furniture
for the Grand Lodge was agitated about this time, and some money collected;
but the design dropped for want of encouragement. A new edition of the Book
of Constitutions was ordered to be printed under the inspection of a committee,
with a continuation of the proceedings of the Society since the publication
of the last edition.
During lord Blaney's presidency, the dukes of Gloucester and Cumberland were
initiated into the Order; the former, at an occasional lodge assembled at
the Horn tavern Westminster, on the 16th of February 1766, at which his lordship
resided in person; the latter, at an occasional lodge assembled at the Thatched
House tavern in St. James's-street, under the direction of general Salter.
The following deputations for the office of Provincial Grand Master were
granted by lord Blaney;
1. for Barbadoes;
2. for Upper Saxony;
3 for Stockholm:
4. for Virginia;
5. for Bengal;
6. for Italy;
7. for the Upper and Lower Rhine, and the Circle of Franconia;
8. for Antigua;
9. for the Electorate of Saxony;
10. for Madras, and its dependencies;
11. for Hampshire;
and
12. for Montserrat.
The fifth, tenth, and eleventh of these appointments have been faithfully
executed. By the indefatigable assiduity of that truly masonic luminary,
Thomas Dunckerley esq. in whose favour the appointment for Hampshire was
first made out, masonry has made considerable progress in that province,
as well as in many other counties in England. Since his appointment to this
office, he has accepted the superintendence of the lodges in Dorsetshire,
Essex, Gloucestershire, Somersetshire, and Herefordshire. The revival of
the Bengal and Madras appointments have been also attended with success,
as the late liberal remittances from the East Indies amply shew.
[In grateful testimony of the zealous and indefatigable exertions of
this gentleman for many years, to promote the honour and interest of
the Society, the Grand Lodge has resolved, that he shall rank as a
Past Senior Grand Warden, and in all processions take place next
then present Senior Grand Warden for the time being.]
Among several regulations respecting the fees of constitutions, and other
matters which passed during lord Blaney's administration, was the following;
That as the Grand Lodge entertained the highest sense of the honour conferred
on the Society by the initiation of the dukes of Gloucester, and Cumberland;
it was resolved, that each of their royal highnesses should be presented
with an apron, lined with blue silk; and that, in all future processions,
they should rank as Past Grand Masters, next to the Grand Officers for the
time being. The same compliment was also paid to their royal brother the
late duke of York, who had been initiated into masonry while on his travels.
The duke of Beaufort succeeded lord Blaney, and was installed by proxy at
Merchant Taylors'-hall on the 27th of April 1767. Under the patronage of
his grace the Society flourished.
In the beginning of 1768, two letters were received from the Grand Lodge
of France, expressing a desire of opening a regular correspondence with the
Grand Lodge of England. This was cheerfully agreed to; and a Book of
Constitutions, a list of the lodges under the constitution of England, with
the form of a deputation, elegantly bound, were ordered to be sent as a present
to the Grand Lodge of France.
Several regulations for the future government of the Society were made about
this time, particularly one respecting the office of Provincial Grand Master.
At a Grand Lodge held at the Crown and Anchor tavern in the Strand, on the
29th of April 1768, it was resolved that ten guineas should be paid to the
fund of charity on the appointment of every Provincial Grand Master who had
not served the office of Grand Steward.
The most remarkable occurrence during the administration of the duke of Beaufort,
was the plan of an incorporation by royal charter. At a Grand Lodge held
at the Crown and Anchor tavern on the 28th of October 1768, a report was
made from the Committee of Charity held on the 21st of that month at the
Horn tavern in Fleet-street, on the Grand Master's intentions to have the
Society incorporated, if it met with the approbation of the brethren; the
advantages of such a measure were fully explained, and a plan for the purpose
was submitted to the consideration of the Committee. The plan being approved,
the thanks of the Grand Lodge were voted to the Grand Master, for his attention
to the interests and prosperity of the Society. The hon. Charles Dillon,
then Deputy Grand Master, informed the brethren, that he had submitted to
the Committee a plan for raising a fund to build a hall, and purchase jewels,
furniture, &c. for the Grand Lodge, independent of the general fund of
charity; the carrying of which into execution, he apprehended, would be a
proper prelude to an Incorporation, should it be the wish of the Society
to obtain a charter. The plan being laid before the Communication, several
amendments were made, and the whole referred to the next Grand Lodge for
confirmation. In the mean time it was resolved, that the said plan should
be printed, and transmitted to all the lodges on record.
[This plan consisted chiefly of certain fees to be paid by the Grand
Officers annually, by new lodges at their constitution, and by
brethren at initiation into masonry, or admission into lodges as
members etc.]
The duke of Beaufort
finding that the Society approved of Incorporation, contributed his best
endeavours to carry the design into immediate execution: though at first
he was opposed by a few brethren, who misconceived his good intentions, he
persevered in promoting every measure that might facilitate the plan; and
a copy of the intended charter was soon after printed, and dispersed among
the lodges. Before the Society, however, had come to any determined resolution
on the business, the members of a respectable lodge, then held at the Half
Moon tavern Cheapside, entered a caveat in the attorney-general's office,
against the Incorporation; and this circumstance being reported to the Grand
Lodge, an impeachment was laid against that lodge, for unwarrantably exposing
the private resolutions of the Grand Lodge; and it being determined that
the members of the said lodge had been guilty of a great offence, in presuming
to oppose the resolutions of the Grand Lodge, and endeavouring to frustrate
the intentions of the Society, a motion was made, That it should be erased
from the list of lodges; but, on the Master of the lodge acknowledging the
fault, and, in the name of himself and his brethren, making a proper apology,
the motion was withdrawn, and the offence forgiven. From the return of the
different lodges it appeared, that one hundred and sixty-eight had voted
for the Incorporation, and only forty-three against it; upon which a motion
was made in Grand Lodge, on the 28th of April 1769, that the Society should
be incorporated; which was carried in the affirmative by a great majority.
At a Grand Lodge held at the Crown and Anchor tavern on the 27th of October
1769, it was resolved, that the sum of 1300l. then standing in the names
of Rowland Berkeley esq. the Grand Treasurer, and Mr. Arthur Beardmore and
Mr. Richard Nevison his sureties, in the three per cent. bank consolidated
annuities, in trust for the Society, be transferred into the names of the
present Grand Officers; and at an extra-ordinary Grand Lodge on the 29th
of November following, the Society was informed that Mr. Beardmore had refused
to join in the transfer; upon which it was resolved that letters should be
sent, in the name of the Society, signed by the acting Grand Officers, to
lord Blarney the Past Grand Master, and to his Deputy and Wardens, to whom
the Grand Treasurer and his sureties had given bond, requesting their concurrence
in the resolutions of the Grand Lodge of the 29th of October last. Mr. Beardmore,
however, dying soon after, the desire of the Grand Lodge was complied with
by Mr. Nevison, and the transfer regularly made.
At a Grand Lodge held at the Crown and Anchor tavern on the 25th of April
1770, the Provincial Grand Master for foreign lodges acquainted the Society,
that he had lately received a letter from Charles baron de Boetzelaer, Grand
Master of the National Grand Lodge of the United Provinces of Holland and
their dependencies, requesting to be acknowledged as such by the Grand Lodge
of England, whose superiority he confessed; and promising, that if the Grand
Lodge of England would agree in future not to constitute any new lodge within
his jurisdiction, the Grand Lodge of Holland would observe the same restriction
with respect to all parts of the world where lodges were already established
under the patronage of England. Upon these terms he requested that a firm
and friendly alliance might be established between the Officers of both Grand
Lodges, an annual correspondence carried on, and each Grand Lodge regularly
made acquainted once in every year with the most material transactions of
the other. On this report being made, the Grand Lodge agreed, that such an
alliance or compact should be immediately entered into, and executed, agreeably
to baron de Boetzelaer's request.
In 1771, a bill was brought into parliament by the hon. Charles Dillon, then
Deputy Grand Master, for incorporating the Society by act of parliament;
but on the second reading of the bill, it having been opposed by Mr. Onslow,
at the desire of several brethren, who had petitioned the house against it,
Mr. Dillon moved to postpone the consideration of it fine die; and
thus the design of an Incorporation fell to the ground.
The duke of Beaufort constituted several new lodges, and granted the following
provincial deputations, during his presidency:
1. for South Carolina;
2. Jamaica;
3. Barbadoes;
4. Naples and Sicily:
5. the Empire of Russia;
and
6. the Austrian Netherlands.
The increase of foreign lodges occasioned the institution of a new officer,
a Provincial Grand Master for foreign lodges in general; and his grace
accordingly nominated a gentleman for that office. He also appointed Provincial
Grand Masters for Kent, Suffolk, Lancashire, and Cumberland. Another new
appointment likewise took place during his grace's administration, viz. the
office of General Inspectors or Provincial Grand Masters for lodges within
the bills of mortality; but the majority of the lodges in London disapproving
the appointment, the authority was soon after withdrawn.
Lord Petre succeeded the duke of Beaufort on the 4th of May 1772, when several
regulations were made for better securing the property belonging to the Society.
A considerable sum having been subscribed for the purpose of building a hall,
a committee was appointed to superintend the management of that business.
Every measure was adopted to enforce the laws for raising a new fund to carry
the designs of the Society into execution, and no pains were spared by the
committee to complete the purpose of their appointment. By their report to
the Grand Lodge on 27th April 1774, it appeared that they had contracted
for the purchase of a plot of ground and premises, consisting of two large
commodious dwelling houses, and a large garden, situated in Great Queen-street,
Lincoln's-Inn-Fields, late in the possession Phillip Carteret Webb esq. deceased,
the particulars of which were specified in a plan then delivered; that the
real value appeared to be £3,205 at the least, but that £3,180
was the sum contracted to to be paid for the premises; that the front house
might produce £90 per annum, and the back house would furnish commodious
committee-rooms, offices, kitchens, etc and that the garden was sufficiently
large to contain a complete hall for the use of the Society, the expense
of the which was calculated not to exceed £3,000.
[Notwithstanding this estimate, it appears by the Grand Treasurer's
accounts, that in 1792 above £20,000 had been expended on this
building, and that, exclusive of an annuity of £250 on account of a
tontine, there then remained due from the hall fund to sundry
tradesmen a considerable debt, the greatest part of which has since
been paid off.]
This report met with general approbation. Lord Petre, the dukes of Beaufort and Chandos, earl
Ferrers, and lord viscount Dudley and Ward, were appointed trustees for the
Society, and the conveyance of the premises purchased was made in their names.
On the 22nd of February 1775, the hall-committee reported to the Grand Lodge,
that a plan had been proposed and approved for raising £5,000 to complete
the designs of the Society, and granting annuities for lives, with benefit
of survivorship; a plan now known under the name of Tontine. It was accordingly
resolved, that there should be one hundred lives at a £50 each; that
the whole premises belonging to the Society in Great Queen-street, with the
hall to be built thereon, should be vested in trustees, as a security to
the subscribers, who should be paid £5 per cent. for their money advanced
amounting to £250 per annum; that this interest should be divided among
the subscribers, and the survivors or survivor of them; and, upon the death
of the last survivor, the whole to determine for the benefit of the Society.
The Grand Lodge approving of the plan, the subscription immediately commenced,
and in less than three months was complete; upon which the trustees of the
Society conveyed the estate to the trustees of the tontine, in pursuance
of a resolution of the Grand Lodge for that purpose.
On 1st May 1775, the foundation-stone [For the ceremony of dedication see Book 2 Section 6 ]
of the new hall was laid in solemn form [For the ceremony observed on this occasion see Book 2
Section 6] in the presence of a numerous company of the brethren. After the ceremony,
the company proceeded in carriages to Leathersellers'-hall, where an elegant
entertainment was provided on the occasion; and at the meeting the office
of Grand-Chaplain was first instituted.
The building of the hall went on so rapidly that it was finished in little
more than twelve months. On the 23rd of May 1776, it was opened, and dedicated, [For the
ceremony of dedication see Book 2 Section 6 ] in solemn form to MASONRY, VIRTUE and UNIVERSAL
CHARITY
and BENEVOLENCE, in the presence of a brilliant assembly of the brethren. A new Ode, [For the
Ode see the end of the volume] was written and set to music on the occasion and was performed, before a
number of ladies, who honoured the Society with their company on that day. An exordium
on masonry, not less elegant than instructive, was given by the Grand Secretary,
and an excellent oration delivered by the Grand Chaplain. In commemoration
of an event so pleasing to the Society , it was agreed, that the anniversary
of this ceremony should be ever after regularly kept.
Thus was completed, under the auspices of a nobleman, whose amiable character
as a man, and zeal as a mason may be equaled, but cannot be surpassed, that
elegant and highly finished room on Great Queen-street, in which the annual
assembly and quarterly communications of the fraternity are held; and to
the accomplishment of which many lodges, as well as private individuals,
have liberally subscribed. It is to be regretted, that the finances of the
Society will not admit of its being solely reserved for masonic purposes.
The brethren of St John's Lodge in Newcastle, animated by the example set
then in the metropolis, opened a subscription for the purpose of building,
in the Low Friar Chair in that town, a new hall for their meetings; and on
the 23rd of September 1776, the foundation stone * of that building was laid
by Mr Francis Peacock, then Master of the lodge. This edifice was speedily
completed, furnished and dedicated; but se since learn, that it has been
sold, and appropriated to other purposes.
[Underneath the stone was placed a copper-plate, with the following
inscription;
EDIFICH HVIVS
IN MVTVAM AMICITIAM STABILIENAM
PRO SUMMI NATURE/E NUMINIS
ARCHITECTI REGNATORIS VENERATIONE
PRO VERI INVESTIGATIONS
MORVM SCIENT/E ARTIVMQ BONARVM
INGENVO CVLTV
HVMANI GENERIS BENEFICIO
SOLATIVM TEMPESTIVVM PR/EBENDO
CONVENTVI FRATERNO SACRI
FRANCISCVS PEACOCK PREF/ECT, HONORAND
FVNDAMENTA POSVIT
IX CALEND. OCTOB
AN. SA. HVM. MDCCLXXVI
AN. CONSORT. MMMMMDCCLXXVI
The flourishing state of the Society in England attracted the attention of
the masons in Germany, who solicited our friendship and alliance. The Grand
Lodge at Berlin, under the patronage of the prince of Hess-Darmstatd,
requested a friendly union and correspondence with their brethren in
England, which was agreed to, on the Grand Lodge of Germany engaging to remit
an annual donation to the fund of charity.
The business of the Society having been now considerably increased, it was
resolved, that the Grand Secretary should be permitted in future to employ
a deputy or assistant, at an annual salary proportioned to his labour.
On the 14th February 1776, the Grand Lodge resolved, that in future all Past
Grand Officers should be permitted to wear a particular gold jewel, the ground
enameled in blue,; and each officer to be distinguished by the jewel which
he wore while in office; with this difference, that such honorary jewel should
be fixed with a circle of oval; on the borders of which were to be inscribed
his name, and the year in which he served the office. This jewel to be worn
in Grand Lodge pendant to a broad blue riband, and on other occasions, to
be fixed to the breast by a narrow blue riband.
[How far the introduction of new ornaments is reconcilable to the original
practices of the Society, I will not presume to determine; but it is
the opinion of many old masons, that multiplying hononary
distinctions, lessons the value and importance of the real jewels by
which the acting officers of every lodge are distinguished.]
Many regulations respecting the government of the fraternity were established
during lord Petre's administration. The meetings of irregular masons again
attracted notice, and, on the 10th April 1777, the following law was enacted
"That the persons who assemble in London, and elsewhere, in the character
of masons, calling themselves Ancient Masons, and at present said to be under
the patronage of the duke of Athol, are not to be countenanced, or acknowledged,
by any regular lodge, or mason, under the constitution of England: nor shall
any regular mason be present be present at any of their proceedings,
under the penalty of forfeiting the privileges of the Society: nor shall
any person initiated at any of the irregular meetings, be admitted into any
lodge, without being re-made. That this censure shall not extend to any
lodge, or mason made in Scotland or Ireland, under the constitution of either
of these kingdoms; or to any lodge, or mason made abroad, under the patronage
of any foreign Grand Lodge in alliance with the Grand Lodge of England; but
that such lodge and masons shall be deemed to be regular and constitutional."
[Remark - This censure only extends to those irregular lodges in
London, which seceded from the rest of the fraternity in 1738 and
cannot apply to the Grand Lodge in York city, or to any lodges under
that truly ancient and respectable banner; whose independence and
regular proceedings have been fully admitted and authenticated by
the Grand Lodge in London, in the Book of Constitution printed under
their sanction in 1738.]
An Appendix to the Book of Constitutions, containing all the principal
proceedings of the Society since the publication of the last edition, was
ordered to be printed; also a new annual publication, entitled THE FREE-MASONS
CALENDAR; and the profits arising from the sale of both, were to be regularly
brought to account in the charity fund. To preserve the consequence of the
Society, the following law was enacted at this time: "That the fees for
constitutions, initiations, etc should be advanced, and no person be initiated
into masonry in any lodge in England for less sum that two guineas; and that
the name, age profession, and place of residence of every person so initiated,
and of every admitted member of a regular lodge since the 29th October 1768,
should be registered, under the penalty of such mason made, or member admitted,
being deprived of the privileges of the Society.
Lord Petre granted provincial deputations for Madras and Virginia, also for
Hants, Sussex and Surrey. though, during this presidency, some lodges were
erased out of the list, for non-conformity to the laws, many new ones were
added, so that under his lordship's banner, the Society became truly respectable.
On hte 1st of May 1777, lord Petre was succeed by the duke of Manchester;
during whose administration the tranquility of the Society was interrupted
by private dissensions. an unfortunate dispute having arisen among the members
of the lodge of Antiquity, on account fo some proceedings of the brethren
of that lodge on the festival of St John the Evangelist after his grace's
election, the complaint was introduced into Grand Lodge, where it occupied
the attention of every committee and communication for twelve months. It
originated from the Master, Wardens and some of the members, having, in
consequence of a resolution of the lodge, attended divine service at St Dunstan's
Church in Fleet-street, in the clothing of the Order; and walked back to
the Mitre-tavern in their regalia without having obtained a dispensation
for the purpose. The Grand Lodge determined the measure to be a violation
of the general regulations respecting public processions. [For an explanation of the nature of
public procession at funerals see Book 2 Section 6] Various opinions
were formed on the subject, and several brethren highly disgusted. another
circumstance tended still farther to widen the breach. This lodge, having
expelled three members for misbehaviour, the Grand Lodge interfered and,
without proper investigation, ordered them to be reinstated. With this order
the lodge refused to comply, conceiving themselves competent judges in the
choice of their members. The privileges of the the lodge of Antiquity [For an account of this
lodge and its privileges see Book 4 Section 7] were
then set up, in opposition to the supposed uncontrollable authority of the
Grand Lodge; and in the investigation of this important point, the original
case of dispute was totally forgotten. Matters were agitated to the extreme
on both sides. Resolutions were precipitately entered into, and edicts
inadvertently issued. memorial and remonstrances were presented; at last
a rupture ensued. the lodge of Antiquity supported its immemorial privileges;
applied to the old lodge in York city, and to the lodges in Scotland and
Ireland, for advice,; entered a protest against, and peremptorily refused
to comply with, the resolutions of the Grand Lodge, discontinued the attendance
of its master and wardens at the committees of charity and quarterly
communications as its representatives; published a manifesto in its vindication;
notified its separation from the Grand Lodge; avowed an alliance with the
Grand Lodge of all England, held in the city of York, and every lodge and
mason who wished to act in conformity to the original constitutions. The
Grand Lodge enforced its edicts, and extended protection to the brethren
whose cause it had espoused. Anathemas were issued, several worthy men in
their absence expelled from the Society, for refusing to surrender the property
of the lodge to three persons who had been regularly expelled from it; and
printed letters were circulated, with the Grand Treasurer's accounts, highly
derogatory to the dignity of the Society. This produced a schism, which subsisted
for the space of ten years.
To justify the proceeding of the Grand Lodge, the following resolution of
the Committee of Charity held in February 1779, was printed and dispersed
among the lodges:
"Resolved, That every private lodge derives its authority from the Grand
Lodge, and that no authority but the Grand Lodge can withdraw or take away
that power. that thought the majority of a lodge may determine to quite the
Society, the constitution, or power of assembling, remains with and is vested
in, the rest of the members who may be desirous of continuing their allegiance;
and that if all the members withdraw themselves, the constitution is extinct
and the authority reverts to Grand Lodge."
This resolution, it was argued, might operate with respect to a lodge with
derived its constitution from the Grand Lodge, but could not apply to one
which derived its authority form another channel. long before the establishment
of the Grand Lodge, and which authority had been repeatedly admitted and
acknowledged. Had it appeared upon record, that after the establishment of
the Grand Lodge, and original authority had had been surrendered, forfeited,
or exchanged for a warrant from the Grand Lodge, the lodge of Antiquity must
have admitted the resolution of the Grand Lodge its full force. But as no
such circumstance appeared on record, the members of the lodge of Antiquity
were justified in considering their immemorial constitution sacred, while,
they chose to exist as a lodge and act in obedience to its ancient
constitutions.
Considering the subject in this point of view, it evidently appears that
the resolution of the Grand Lodge could have no effect on the lodge of
Antiquity; especially after the publication of the manifesto avowing
its separation. The members of the that lodge continued to meet regularly
as heretofore, and to promote the laudable purposes of masonry on their old
independent foundation. The lodge of Antiquity it was asserted could not
be dissolved, while the majority of its members kept together, and acted
in conformity to the original constitutions; and no edict of the Grand Lodge,
or its committees could deprive the members of that lodge of a right which
had been admitted to be vested in themselves collectively from time immemorial;
a right which had never been derived from, or ceded to, any Grand Lodge whatever.
To understand more clearly the nature of that constitution by which the lodge
of Antiquity is upheld, we must have recourse to the usages and customs which
prevailed among masons, at the end of the last, and the beginning of the
present century. The fraternity then had a discretionary power to meet as
masons, in certain numbers, according to their degrees, with the approbation
of the master of the work where any public building was carrying on, as often
as they found it necessary so to do; and when so met, to receive into the
Order brothers and fellows and practice the rites of masonry. the idea
of investing Masters and Wardens of lodges in Grand Lodge assembled, or the
Grand Master himself, with a power to grant warrants of constitution to certain
brethren to meet as masons on the observance of certain conditions, at certain
hours, had no existence. The fraternity were under no such restrictions.
the ancient charges were the only standard for the regulation of conduct,
and no law was known in the Society which those charges did not inculcate.
To the award of the fraternity at large, in general meeting assembled, once
of twice in a year, all brethren were subject, and the authority of
the Grand Master never extended beyond the bounds of that general meeting.
When a lodge was fixed at any particular place for a certain time, an attestation
from the brethren present entered on record, was a sufficient proof of its
regular constitution; and this practice prevailed for many years after the
revival of masonry in the South of England. By this authority, which never
proceeded from the Grand Lodge, unfettered by any other restrictions than
the constitutions of masonry, the lodge of Antiquity has always been, and
still continues to be governed.
While I have endeavoured to explain the subject of the unfortunate dispute,
I rejoice in the opportunity which the proceedings of the grand feast in
1790 have afforded, of promoting harmony, by restoring to the privileges
of the Society, all the brethren of the lodge of Antiquity who had been falsely
and unjustly expelled in 1779. By the operation of our professed principles,
and through the mediation of that true friend to genuine masonry, William
Birch esq. unanimity has been happily restored; the manifesto published by
that lodge in 1779, revoked; and the Master and Wardens of that truly ancient
association, the first lodge under the English constitution, have resumed
their seats in Grand Lodge as heretofore; while the brethren who had received
the sanction of the Society, as nominal members of the lodge of Antiquity,
during the separation, have been reunited with the original members of the
real lodge, and all privileges of that venerable body now center in one channel.
I have considerably abridged my observations on this subject in the last
as well as the present edition, but think it proper still to record my
sentiments, in justice to the gentlemen with whom I have long associated;
and to convince my brethren, that our re-union with the Society has not induced
me to vary a well-grounded opinion or deviated from the strict line of
consistency which I have hitherto pursued.