Section. 7 - History of the Revival of Masonry in the South of England
On the accession of George I. the masons in London and its
environs, finding themselves deprived of sir Christopher Wren, and their annual
meetings discontinued, resolved to cement under a new Grand Master, and to
revive the communications and annual festivals of the Society. With this view,
the lodges at the Goose and Gridiron in St. Paul's Church-yard, the Crown in
Parker's-lane near Drury-lane, the Apple-tree tavern in Charles-street
Covent-garden, and the Rummer and Grapes tavern in Channel-row Westminster, the
only four lodges in being in the south of England at that time, with some other
old brethren, met at the Apple-tree tavern above mentioned in February 1717; and
having voted the oldest master-mason then present into the chair, constituted
themselves a Grand Lodge pro tempore in due form. At this meeting it was
resolved to revive the quarterly communications of the fraternity; and to hold
the next annual assembly and feast on the 24th of June, at the Goose and
Gridiron in St. Paul's Church-yard, (in compliment to the oldest lodge, which
then met there,) for the purpose of electing a Grand Master among themselves,
till they should have the honour of a noble brother at their head. Accordingly,
on St. John the Baptist's day 1717, in the third year of the reign of king
George I. the assembly and feast were held at the said house; when the oldest
Master-mason, and Master of a lodge, having taken the chair, a lift of proper
candidates for the office of Grand Master was produced: and the names being
separately proposed, the brethren, by a great majority of hands, elected Mr.
Anthony Sayer Grand Master of masons for the ensuing year; who was forthwith
invested by the said oldest Master, installed by the Master of the oldest lodge,
and duly congratulated by the assembly, who paid him homage. The Grand Master
then entered on the duties of his office, appointed his wardens, and commanded
the brethren of the four lodges to meet him and his wardens quarterly in
communication, enjoining them at the same time to recommend to all the
fraternity a punctual attendance on the next annual assembly and feast.
Among a variety of regulations which were proposed and agreed to at this
meeting, was the following: "That the privilege of assembling as masons,
which had hitherto been unlimited, should be vested in certain lodges or
assemblies of masons convened in certain places; and that every lodge to be
hereafter convened, except the four old lodges at this time existing, should be
legally authorised to act by a warrant from the Grand Master for the time being,
granted to certain individuals by petition, with the consent and approbation of
the Grand Lodge in communication; and that without such warrant no lodge should
be hereafter deemed regular or constitutional.
[A sufficient number of masons met together within a certain
district, at this time, had ample power to make masons, and
discharge every duty of masonry, without a warrant of constitution.
The privilege was inherent in themselves as individuals; and this
privilege is still enjoyed by the two old lodges, which are now
extant.]
"In consequence of this regulation, some new lodges were soon after convened in different parts of
London and its environ, and the masters and wardens of these lodges were
commanded to attend the meetings of the Grand Lodge, make a regular report of
their proceedings, and transmit to the Grand Master, from time to time, a copy
of any bye-laws they might form for their own government; that no laws
established among them might be contrary to, or subversive of, the general
regulations by which the fraternity had been long governed.
In compliment to the brethren of the four old lodges, by whom the Grand Lodge
was then formed, it was resolved, "That every privilege which they
collectively enjoyed by virtue of their immemorial rights, they should still
continue to enjoy; and that now law, rule, or regulation to be hereafter made or
passed in Grand Lodge, should deprive them of such privilege, or encroach on any
landmark which was at that time established as the standard of masonic
government." When this resolution was confirmed, the old masons in the
metropolis, agreeably to the resolutions of the brethren at large, vested all
their inherent privileges as individuals in the four old lodges, in trust that
they would never suffer the old charges and ancient landmarks to be infringed.
The four old lodges then agreed to extend their patronage to every new lode
which should hereafter be constituted according to the new regulations of the
Society; and while they acted in conformity to the ancient constitutions of the
order, to admit their Masters and Wardens to share with them all the privileges
of the Grand Lodge, excepting precedence of rank.
Matters being thus amicably adjusted, all the brethren of the four old lodges
considered their attendance on the future communications of the Society as
unnecessary, and therefore trusted implicitly to their Masters and Wardens,
resting satisfied that no measure of importance would ever be adopted without
their approbation. The officers of the old lodges, however, soon began to
discover, that the new lodges, being equally represented with them at the
communications, would, in process of time, so far out-number the old ones, as to
have it in their power, by a majority, to subvert the privileges of the original
masons of England, which had been centered in the four old lodges: they
therefore, with the concurrence of the brethren at large, very wisely formed a
code of laws for the future government of the Society, and annexed thereto a
conditional clause, which the Grand Master for the time being, his successors,
and the Master of every lodge to be hereafter constituted, were bound to
preserve inviolable in all time coming. To commemorate this circumstance, it has
been customary, ever since that time, for the Master of the oldest lodge to
attend every Grand Installation; and taking precedence of all present, the Grand
Master only excepted, to deliver the book of the original constitutions to the
new installed Grand Master, on his promising obedience to the ancient charges
and general regulations. The conditional clause above referred to, runs thus:
"Every annual Grand Lodge has an inherent power and authority
to make new regulations, or to alter these, for the real
benefit of this ancient fraternity; providing always THAT THE
OLD LAND-MARKS BE CAREFULLY PRESERVED: and that such alterations and new
regulations be proposed and agreed to at the third quarterly communication
preceding the annual grand feast; and that they be offered also to the perusal
of all the brethren before dinner, in writing, even of the youngest
apprentice; the approbation and consent of the majority of all
the brethren present, being absolutely necessary to make the same binding and
obligatory."
This remarkable clause, with thirty-eight regulations preceding it, all of which
are printed in the first edition of the Book of Constitutions, were approved,
and confirmed by one hundred and fifty brethren, at an annual assembly and feast
held at Stationers'-hall on St. John the Baptist's day 1721, [See the first edition of the
Book of Constitutions, p. 58.] and in their
presence subscribed by the Master and Wardens of the four old lodges on one
part: and by Philip duke of Wharton, then Grand Master; Theophilus Desaguliers,
M. D. and F. R. S. Deputy Grand Master; Joshua Timson, and William Hawkins,
Grand Wardens; and the Masters and Wardens of sixteen lodges which had been
constituted between 1717 and 1721, on the other part.
By the above prudent precaution of our ancient brethren, the original
constitutions were established as the basis of all future masonic jurisdiction
in the south of England; and the ancient land-marks, as they are emphatically
styled, or the boundaries set up as checks to innovation, were carefully secured
against the attacks of future invaders. The four old lodges, in consequence of
the above compact, in which they considered themselves as a distinct party,
continued to act by their original authority; and so far from surrendering any
of their rights, had them ratified and confirmed by the whole fraternity in
Grand Lodge assembled. No regulations of the Society which might hereafter take
place could therefore operate with respect to those lodges, if such regulations
were contrary to, or subversive of, the original constitutions by which they
were governed; and while their proceedings were conformable to those
constitutions, no power known in masonry could legally deprive them of any right
which they had ever enjoyed.
The necessity of fixing the original constitutions as the standard by which all
future laws in the Society are to be regulated, was so clearly understood by the
whole fraternity at this time, that it was established as an unerring rule, at
every installation, public and private, to make the Grand Master, and the
Masters and Wardens of every lodge, engage to support these constitutions; to
which also every mason was bound by the strongest ties at initiation. Whoever
acknowledges the universality of masonry to be its highest glory, must admit the
propriety of this conduct; for were no standard fixed for the government of the
Society, masonry might be exposed to perpetual variations, which would
effectually destroy all the good effects that have hitherto resulted from its
universality and extended progress.
[When the earlier editions of this book were printed, the author was
not sufficiently acquainted with this part of the history of masonry
in England. The above particulars have been carefully extracted from
old records and authentic manuscripts, and are in many points
confirmed by the old books of the lodge of Antiquity, as well as the
first and second editions of the Book of Constitutions.
The following account of the above four lodges may prove acceptable
to many readers:
The old lodge of St. Paul, now named the lodge of Antiquity,
No. 1, formerly held at the Goose and Gridiron in St. Paul's
Church-yard, is still extant, (in 1795,) and regularly meets at
the Free-masons Tavern in Great Queen-street, Lincoln's-inn
Fields, on the fourth Wednesday of every month. This lodge is in
a very flourishing state, and possesses some valuable records
and other ancient relics.
The old lodge, No. 2, formerly held at the Crown in Parker's
lane in Drury-lane, has been extinct above fifty years, by the
death of its members.
The old lodge, No. 3, formerly held at the Apple-tree Tavern
in Charles-street, Covent-garden, has been dissolved many years.
By the List of Lodges inserted in the Book of Constitutions
printed in 1738, it appears that, in February 1722-3, this lodge
was removed to the Queen's Head in Knave's Acre, on account of
some difference among its members; and that the members who met
there, came under a new constitution; though, says the
Book of Constitutions, they wanted it not, and ranked as
No. 10, in the List. Thus they inconsiderately renounced their
former rank under an immemorial constitution.
The lodge, No. 4, formerly held at the Rummer and Grapes
Tavern in Channel-row, Westminster, was thence removed to the
Horn Tavern in New Palace Yard, where it continued to meet
regularly till within these few years; when, finding themselves
in a declining state, the members agreed to incorporate with a
new and flourishing lodge under the constitution of the Grand
Lodge, entitled the Somerset-house Lodge, which
immediately assumed their rank.
It is a question that will admit of some discussion, whether any
of the above old lodges can, while they exist as lodges, surrender
their rights; for those rights seem to have been granted by the old
masons of the metropolis to them in trust; and any individual member
of the four old lodges might object to the surrender, and in that
case they never could be given up. The four old lodges always
preserved their original power of making, passing, and
raising masons, being termed Masters Lodges; while other
lodges, for many years afterwards, had no such power, it having been
the custom to pass and raise masons made at those
lodges at the Grand Lodge only.]
During the administration of Mr. Sayer, the Society made no very rapid progress.
Several brethren joined the old lodges; but only two new lodges were
constituted.
Mr. Sayer was succeeded in 1718 by George Payne esq. who was particularly
assiduous in recommending a strict observance of the communications. He
collected many valuable manuscripts on the subject of masonry, and earnestly
desired that the brethren would bring to the Grand Lodge any old writings or
records concerning the fraternity, to shew the usages of ancient times. In
consequence of this general intimation, several old copies of the Gothic
constitutions were produced, arranged, and digested.
On the 24th of June 1719, another assembly and feast was held at the Goose and
Gridiron before mentioned, when Dr. Desaguliers was unanimously elected Grand
Master. At this feast, the old, regular, and peculiar toasts or healths of the
free-masons were introduced; and from this time we may date the rise of
free-masonry on its present plan in the South of England. The lodges, which had
considerably increased by the vigilance of the Grand Master, were visited by
many old masons who had long neglected the craft, several noblemen were
initiated, and a number of new lodges constituted.
At an assembly and feast held at the Goose and Gridiron on the 24th June 1720,
George Payne esq. was re-elected Grand Master, and under his mild but vigilant
administration the lodges continued to flourish.
This year, at some of the private lodges, to the irreparable loss of the
fraternity, several valuable manuscripts, concerning their lodges, regulations,
charges, secrets, and usages, (particularly one written by Mr. Nicholas Stone,
the warden under Inigo Jones,) were too hastily burnt by some scrupulous
brethren, who were alarmed at the intended publication of the masonic
constitutions.
At a quarterly communication held this year at the Goose and Gridiron on the
festival of St. John the Evangelist, it was agreed, That, in future, the new
Grand Master shall be named and proposed to the Grand Lodge some time before the
feast and if approved, and present, he shall be saluted as Grand Master
elect: and that every Grand Master, when he is installed, shall have the sole
power of appointing his deputy and wardens, according to ancient custom.
[By an old record of the lodge of Antiquity it appears, that the new
Grand Master was always proposed and presented for approbation in
that lodge before his election in the Grand Lodge.]
At a Grand Lodge held in ample form on Lady-day 1721, brother Payne proposed for
his successor, John duke of Montague, at that time master of a lodge. His grace,
being present, received the compliments of the lodge. The brethren expressed
great joy at the prospect of being once more patronised by the nobility; and
unanimously agreed, that the next assembly and feast should be held at
Stationers'-hall; and that a proper number of stewards should be appointed to
provide the entertainment; but Mr. Josiah Villeneau, an upholder in the Borough,
generously undertook the whole management of the business, and received the
thanks of the Society for his attention.
While masonry was thus spreading its influence over the southern part of the
kingdom, it was not neglected in the North. The General Assembly, or Grand
Lodge, at York, continued regularly to meet as heretofore. In 1705, under the
direction of sir George Tempest bart. then Grand Master, several lodges met, and
many worthy brethren were initiated in York and its neighbourhood. Sir George
being succeeded by the right hon. Robert Benson, lord mayor of York, a number of
meetings of the fraternity was held at different times in that city, and the
grand feast during his mastership is said to have been very brilliant. Sir
William Robinson bart. succeeded Mr. Benson in the office of Grand Master, and
the fraternity seem to have considerably increased in the North under his
auspices. He was succeeded by sir Walter Hawkesworth bart. who governed the
Society with great credit. At the expiration of his mastership, sir George
Tempest was elected a second time Grand Master; and from the time of his
election in 1714 to 1725, the Grand Lodge continued regularly to assemble at
York under the direction of Charles Fairfax esq. sir Walter Hawkesworth bart.
Edward Bell esq. Charles Bathurst esq. Edward Thomson esq. M. P. John Johnson M.
D. and John Marsden esq. all of whom, in rotation, during the above period,
regularly filled the office of Grand Master in the North of England.
From this account, which is authenticated by the books of the Grand Lodge at
York, it appears, that the revival of masonry in the South of England did not
interfere with the proceedings of the fraternity in the North. For a series of
years the most perfect harmony subsisted between the two Grand Lodges, and
private lodges flourished in both parts of the kingdom under their separate
jurisdiction. The only distinction which the Grand Lodge in the North appears to
have retained after the revival of masonry in the South, is in the title which
they claim, viz. The Grand Lodge of all England; while the Grand Lodge in
the South passes only under the denomination of The Grand Lodge of England.
The latter, on account of its situation, being encouraged by some of the
principal nobility, soon acquired consequence and reputation; while the former,
restricted to fewer, though not less respectable, members, seemed gradually to
decline. Till within these few years, however, the authority of the Grand Lodge
at York was never challenged; on the contrary, every mason in the kingdom held
it in the highest veneration, and considered himself bound by the charges which
originally sprung from that assembly. To be ranked as descendants of the
original York masons, was the glory and boast of the brethren in almost every
country where masonry was established; and, from the prevalence and universality
of the idea, that in the city of York masonry was first established by charter,
the masons of England have received tribute from the first states in Europe. It
is much to be regretted, that any separate interests should have destroyed the
social intercourse of masons; but it is no less remarkable than true, that the
brethren in the North and those in the South are now in a manner unknown to each
other. Notwithstanding the pitch of eminence and splendor at which the grand
Lodge in London as arrived, neither the lodges of Scotland nor Ireland court its
correspondence. This unfortunate circumstance has been attributed to the
introduction of some modern innovations among the lodges in the South. As to the
coolness which has subsisted between the Grand Lodge at York and the Grand Lodge
in London, another reason is assigned. A few brethren at York having, on some
trivial occasion, seceded from their ancient lodge, they applied to London for a
warrant of constitution; and without any inquiry into the merits of the case,
their application was honoured. Instead of being recommended to the Mother Lodge
to be restored to favour, these brethren were encouraged in their revolt; and
permitted, under the banner of the Grand Lodge at London, to open a new lodge in
the city of York itself. This illegal extension of power justly offended the
Grand Lodge at York, and occasioned a breach, which time, and a proper attention
to the rules of the Order, only can repair.