CHAPTER III

GRAND LODGES OF ENGLAND
{The history contained in this chapter was published in the Freemason on December 27, 1913, on the occasion of the Centenary of the Union (vol. liii., No. 2,338).
The historical account of the proceedings which took place on December 27, 1813, is based upon
a report in William Preston’s ‘ Illustrations of
Masonry,’ which has been amended by references to the late Brother W. J. Hughan’s ‘ Mesrorials of the Masonic Union, 1813.’]
ForMERLY England had four Grand Lodges The oldest, and much the strongest, was founded at the Apple Tree Tavern, Charles Street, Covent Garden, London, in 1717. Members of it traced their origin to an assemblage of Freemasons by King Athel- sian, ,.at..York,,,in .926,.4.D.,::The; Scotch Lodges did not go back nearly so far. They were content to claim descent from those foreign Masons who came to their country in the twelfth century to build the abbeys of Melrose, Holyrood, and Kilwinning, and
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Freemasonry and its Etiquette
there is abundant evidence that the Lodges of York and Kilwinning were the parents of many Lodges founded in various parts of Great Britain. The Brethren of York, conscious that their city was the Mecca of Freemasonry, and believing that their Time Immemorial Lodge was a direct descendant of that which was existing in the fourteenth century, determined that they would not be behind those of London, and in 1725, formed the Grand Lodge of All England. Despite its ambitious title, it had a very chequered career down to the last decade of the eighteenth century. About 1740 it, as did also the private York Lodge, became dormant. Both were revived in 1761, but there is no evidence of their existence after 1792. That Grand Lodge confined its activities within a limited area of ‘ All Eng- land.’ Under its banner were two Lodges in the City of York, one each in Scarborough, Ripon, Knaresborough, Hovingham, Swain- ton, and Rotherham, in Yorkshire; one in Macclesfield, Cheshire; and one in Holling- wood, Lancashire. The Grand Lodge of All England also chartered at York the Grand Lodge of England south of the River Trent
in 1779. It consisted of discontented mem-’
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Grand Lodges of England
bers of the Time Immemorial Lodge of Antiquity, of the Premier Grand Lodge (of which Sir Christopher Wren* in his day was the Grand Master), and it granted warrants to only two Lodges, both in London. One was named Perfect Observance, the other
‘Perseverance and Triumph. The career of
this ‘Mushroom Grand Lodge,’ as the late Brother W. J. Hughan described it. was as inglorious as that of its parent.
The fourth Grand Lodge was the only real rival of the Premier Grand Lodge. It was constituted, on July 17, 1751, at the Turk’s Head Tavern, Greek Street, Soho, London, as ‘ The Grand Lodge of England, according to the Old Institutions.’ Its members were designated ‘ Ancients,’ while those of the body from which it had seceded were known as ‘ Moderns.’ The‘ Ancients’ were also spoken of as ‘ Athol Masons,’ they having elected the third Duke of Athol as their first Grand Master in 1772, his son succeeding to the office at his death. Two
* There is no real proof that Sir Christopher Wren was ever a Speculative Mason. The Minutes of the Worshipful Society of Free Masons (Opera- tive) are said to show that their Grand Master, Sir Christopher Wren, was interred in St. Paul’s with the proper ceremony of that Society.
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Freemasonry and its Etiquette
reasons are offered for the founding of the new Grand Lodge. One is that the Regular Grand Lodge adopted severe measures against recalcitrant and impecunious Lodges. The other is that it introduced innovations in the customs of the Craft which were particularly objected to by the operative section. ‘The new body,’ wrote the late Brother W. J. Hughan, ‘became very popular, and in a few years was no mean competitor; its prototype and senior, but less pretentious organization, having also to contend against the introduction of the “Royal Arch,” which was warmly supported, though not originated, by the ‘‘ Ancients,” who became known as the Grand Lodge of “Four Degrees,’ thus (for a time only) placing the parent society at a disadvantage.’ The ‘ Ancients’ having established many Lodges and Provincial Lodges in England and in foreign countries, particularly in America, and having obtained the recogni- tion of the Grand Lodges of Ireland and Scotland, and the almost unanimous support of the Grand Lodges of America, were eager to maintain their independence, and rejected all overtures tendered by the ‘ Moderns’ for reunion; and in 1757 unanimously ordered: 24
Grand Lodges of England
‘That if any Master, Wardens, or presiding officer, or any other person whose business it may be to admit members or visitors, shall admit or en- tertain in his or their Lodge during Lodge hours, or the time of transacting the proper business of Freemasonry, any Brother or visitor not strictly an Ancient Mason conformable to the Grand Lodge rules and order, such Lodge so transgressing shall forfeit its warrant, and the same may be disposed of by Grand Lodge.’
In 1801 the older Grand Lodge issued a counter-blast. Some of its members were convicted of having patronized and acted as principal officers in ‘ an irregular society calling themselves Ancient Masons, in open violation of the laws of the Grand Lodge’; and it was determined that the laws should be enforced against these offending Brethren, unless they immediately abandoned such irregular meetings. These Brethren solicited the indulgence of the Grand Lodge for three months, hoping that during the interval they might be able to effect a union between the two societies. The indulgence was granted, and ‘that no impediment might
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Freemasonry and its Etiquette
pervert so desirable an object, the charge against the offending Brethren was with- drawn, and a committee, consisting of Lord Moira and several other eminent characters, was appointed to pave the way for the intended union, and every means ordered to be used to bring the erring Brethren to a sense of their duty andallegiance.’ Nothing came of this, for two years later the Grand Lodge was informed ‘that the irregular Masons still continued refractory, and that so far from soliciting readmission among the Craft, they had not taken any steps to effect a union.’ Their conduct was deemed highly censurable, and the laws of the Grand Lodge were ordered to be enforced against them. It was also unanimously resolved:
‘That whenever it shall appear that any Masons under the English Constitu- tion shall in future attend or countenance any Lodge or meeting of persons calling themselves Ancient Masons, under the sanction of any person claiming the title of Grand Master of England, who shall not have been duly elected in the Grand Lodge, the laws of the society shall not only be strictly enforced against them,
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Grand Lodges of England
but their names shall be erased from the list, and transmitted to all the regular Lodges under the Constitution of Eng- land.’
In 1806 Lord Moira reported to Grand Lodge that he had visited the Grand Lodge of Scotland and explained the_ position relating to the ‘Modern’ and ‘ Ancient’ Masons in England, and that the Scottish Brethren had declared that they had been always led to think that the ‘ Moderns ’ were of very recent date and of no magnitude; and being convinced of their error, were desirous that the strictest union should ‘sub- sist between the Grand Lodge of England and Scotland, and in proof thereof elected the Prince of Wales Grand Master of Scot- land. Lord Moira further stated that, when the Scottish Brethren expressed a hope that the differences between the English Masons would be speedily settled, he replied that, after the rejection of the propositions of the Grand Lodge by the ‘ Ancients’ three years before, it could not now, consistently with its. honour, make any further advances; but would always be open to accept the media- tion of the Grand Lodge of Scotland if it should think proper to interfere. Two years
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Freemasonry and its Etiquette
afterwards the Grand Lodge of Ireland ap- proved the declaration of their Scottish Brethren, and pledged itself ‘ not to counte- mance or receive as a Brother any person standing under the interdict of the Grand Lodge of England for Masonic transgression.’
In April, 1809, the Grand Lodge agreed in opinion with the Committee of Charity that ‘it is not necessary any longer for to continue in force those measures which were resorted to in or about the year 1789 respect- ing irregular Masons, and do therefore enjoin the several Lodges to revert to the ancient landmarks of the Society.’ This was ac- cepted as a step towards the much desired union. Still, more than four years elapsed before it was achieved; and then it came about as the result of the tactful interven- tion of three of the sons of George III. The Prince of Wales, who was initiated in 1787 at the Star and Garter Tavern, in Pall Mall, became Grand Master of the Premier Grand Lodge of England in 1790. When he ac- cepted the Regency he vacated the office, and his Brother, the Duke of Sussex, was elected to succeed him. The venerable and worthy head of the ‘ Ancients,’ the Duke of Athol, was, says a contemporary record,
Grand Lodges of Englana
“soon convinced by the Royal Duke’s argu- ments, strengthened by his own good sense and benevolent mind, how desirable must be an actual and cordial relation of the two
_ societies under one head; for to pave the:
way for the Masons, his Grace in the hand- somest measure resigned his seat of Grand. Master.’ He recommended as his successor the Duke of Kent, father of Queen Victoria, he having been initiated under the ‘ Ancient’ constitution in the Union Lodge of Geneva. The Duke of Kent was acclaimed Grand Master in 1813. The two Royal Dukes, taking into counsel three distinguished Brethren belonging to each society, arranged Articles of Union between the two Grand Lodges of England (see Chapter IV.), and these were ratified, confirmed, and sealed in each of those Lodges on December 1, 1813. ‘The same day a joint meeting of the Grand Lodges received the Articles ‘ with Masonic
acclamation,’ and to carry them into effect
constituted a Lodge of Reconciliation, con-
sisting of equal members of the Old Institu-
tions and the Constitution of England.
Every care was taken that the parties to.
the union should be on a level of equality.
As to the precedence of the Lodges, it was. 29
Freemasonry and its Etiquette
arranged that the two first Lodges under each Grand Lodge should draw lots for priority. The draw favoured the‘ Ancients,’ whose Grand Master’s Lodge became No. I on the revised roll, the Lodge of Antiquity of the Regular Grand Lodge taking the second position, No. 2 of the ‘ Ancients’ in the same order taking No. 3, and the second of the Time-Immemorial Lodges becoming No. 4. ‘ For two such old Lodges to accept lower positions in the united roll than their age entitled them to says much for the truly Masonic spirit of their members, who, to promote peace and harmony, consented to their juniors taking precedence of Lodges in existence prior to the formation of the Premier Grand Lodge.’ Up to the time of the union ‘ Modern’ Lodges placed on the roll numbered 1,085, while ‘ Ancient ’ Lodges warranted between 1751 and 1813 were 521.
The reunion of the two Grand Lodges of England was consummated with great solemnity on St. John’s Day, December 27, 1813, in the Freemasons’ Hall, London. The platform on the east was reserved for the Grand Masters, Grand Officers, and visitors. Masters Wardens, and Past Masters, all dressed in black (except regi- mentals), with their respective insignia, and
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Grand Lodges of England |
with white gloves, occupied the sides of the hall—the Masters in front, the Wardens behind, and the Past Masters on rising benches behind them. Care was taken that the Lodges were ranked so that the two Fraternities were completely intermixed. The two Fraternities had previously assem- bled in two adjoining rooms, and having opened two Grand Lodges, each according to its peculiar solemnities, they passed to the Assembly Hall in the following order:
Grand Usher, with his Staff.
Grand Usher, with his Staff.
The Duke of Kent’s Band of Music, fifteen in number, all Masons, three and three.
Two Grand Stewards.
Two Grand Stewards.
A Cornucopia borne by A Cornucopia borne by
a Master Mason. Two Grand Stewards.
Two Golden Ewers by Master Masons.
The nine worthy and ex- pert Masons, forming the Lodge of Recon- ciliation, in single file, rank to rank, with the emblems of Masonry.
The Grand Secretary,
’ bearing the Book of
_ Constitutions and Great Seal.
The Grand Treasurer, with the Golden Key.
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a Master Mason. Two Grand Stewards.
Two Golden Ewers by Master Masons.
The nine worthy and ex- pert Masons, forming the Lodge of Recon- siliation, in single file, rank to rank, with the emblems of Masonry.
The Grand Secretary, bearing the Book of
Constitutions and _ Great Seal. The Grand Treasurer,
with the Golden Key.
Freemasonry and its Etiquette
The Corinthian Light. The pillar of the Junior Grand Warden on @ pedestal. The Junior Grand War- den, with his gavel.
The Deputy Grard Chaplain, with the Holy Bible.
The Grand Chaplain. Past Grand Wardens.
The Doric Light.
The pillar of the Senior Grand Warden on a pedestal.
The Senior Grand Warden, with his gavel. Two Past Grand Masters.
The Deputy Grand Master.
The Corinthian Light. —
The pillar of the Junior Grand Warden on a pedestal.
The Junior Grand War- den, with his gavel.
The Grand Chaplain, with the Holy Bible.
Past Grand Wardens. Provincial Grand Masters.
The Doric Light. The pillar of the Senior
Grand Warden on a pedestal.
The Senior Grand Warden, with his gavel.
Acting Deputy Grand Master.
His Excellency the Count de Lagardje, the Swedish Ambassador, Grand Master of the first Lodge
of the North, visitor.
The Royal Banner.
The Ionic Light. The Grand Sword Bearer.
THE GRAND. MASTER OF ENGLAND, THE DUKE OF KENT, WITH THE ACT OF UNION IN DUPLICATE.
Two Grand Stewards. Grand Tyler.
The Ionic Light. The Grand Sword Bearer.
THE GRAND MASTER OF ENGLAND, THE DUKE OF SUSSEX, WITH THE ACT OF UNION IN DUPLICATE
Two Grand Stewards. Grand Tyler.
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~ Grand Lodges of England
Sir George Nayler, the Director of Cere- monies, having proclaimed silence, the Rev. Dr. Barry, Grand Chaplain to the Fraternity under the Duke of Kent, offered solemn prayer, and Sir George read the Act of Union. Then the Rey. Dr. Coghlan, after the sound of trumpet, proclaimed aloud: “Hear ye: This is the Act of Union, en- grossed, in confirmation of articles solemnly concluded between the two Grand Lodges of Free and Accepted Masons of England, signed, sealed, and ratified by the two Grand Lodges respectively, by which they are to be hereafter and for ever known and acknow- ledged by the style and title of The United Grand Lodge of Ancient Freemasons of England. How say you, Brothers, repre- sentatives of the two Fraternities ? Do you accept of, ratify, and confirm the same ?’ To which the assembly answered: ‘ We do accept, ratify, and confirm the same.’ The Grand Chaplain then said: ‘And may the Great Architect uf the Universe make the Union perpetual.’ To which all assembled replied: ‘So mote it be.’ Thereupon the two Grand Masters and the six Commis- sioners signed the deeds, and the Grand Masters affixed the great seals of their
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Freemasonry and its Etiquette
respective Grand Lodges to them. The trumpet again sounded, and the Rev. Dr. Barry, stepping forth, proclaimed: ‘ Be it known to all men that the Act of Union between the two Grand Lodges of Free and Accepted Masons of England is solemnly signed, sealed, ratified, and confirmed, and the two Fraternities are one, to be from henceforth. known and acknowledged by the style and title of the United Grand Lodge of Antient Freemasons of England, and may the Great Architect of the Universe make their union perpetual.’ And the assembly said ‘ Amen.’
This was followed by a deeply impressive scene. ‘ The two Grand Masters, with their respective Deputies and Wardens,’ says a contemporary record, ‘ advanced to the Ark of the Masonic Covenant, prepared under the direction of Brother John Soane, R.A., Grand Superintendent of Works, for the edifice. of the Union, and in all time to come to be placed before the Throne. The Grand Masters standing in the East, with their Deputies on the right and left; the Grand Wardens in the West and South; the Square, the Plumb, the Level, and the Mallet were successively delivered to the Deputy Grand
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Grand Lodges of England
‘Masters, and by them presented to the two
Grand Masters, who severally applied the Square to that part of the Ark which is square, the Plumb to the sides of the same, and the Level above it in three positions; and, lastly, they gave three knocks with the Mallet, saying, ‘‘ May the Great Architect of the Universe enable us to uphold the Grand Edifice of Union, of which the Ark of the Covenant is the symbol, which shall contain within it the instrument of our brotherly love, and bear upon it the Holy Bible, Square, and Compass, as the light of our faith and the rule of our works. May He dispose our hearts to make it perpetual.” And the Brethren said: ‘‘So mote it be.” The two Grand Masters placed the said Act of Union in the interior of the said Ark. The cornucopia, the wine, and oil were in dike manner presented to the Grand Masters, who, according to ancient rite, poured forth
- corn, wine, and oil on this said Ark, saying,
“As we pour forth .orn, wine, and oil on this Ark of the Masonic Covenant, may the bountiful hand of heaven ever supply this United Kingdom with abundance of corn,
‘wine, and oil, with all the necessaries and _eomforts of life; and may He dispose our
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Freemasonry and its Etiquette
hearts to be grateful for all His Gifts.” And the assembly said, ‘“‘ Amen.” ’
It having been found impracticable, from the shortness of notice, for the sister Grand Lodges of Scotland and Ireland to send deputations to the assembly according to the urgent request of the two Fraternities, conferences had been held with the most distinguished Grand Officers and enlightened Masons resident in and near London, in order to establish perfect agreement upon all the essential points of Masonry, according to the ancient traditions and general practice of the Craft. The members of the Lodge of Reconciliation, accompanied by Count de Lagardje and Brother Dr. Van Hess, and other distinguished Masons, withdrew to an adjoining room, where, being congregated and tyled, the result of all the previous con- ferences was made known. Returning to the Temple, Count de Lagardje declared that the forms agreed on and settled by the Lodge of Reconciliation were pure and correct. These forms were recognized as those ‘to be alone observed and practised in the United Grand Lodge and all the Lodges dependent thereon until Time shall be no more.’ Then, the Holy Bible spread.
36
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Grand Lodges of England
open, with the Square and Compasses there- on, was laid on the Ark of the Covenant, and the two Grand Chaplains approached. The recognized obligation was then pro- nounced aloud by the Rev. Dr. Hemming, one of the Masters of the Lodge of Recon-
_ ciliation, the whole of the Brethren repeating
it after him, with joined hands, and de- claring, ‘ By this solemn obligation we vow to abide, ‘and the regulations of Ancient Freemasonry now recognized strictly to observe.’
The assembly next proceeded to consti- tute one Grand Lodge. All the Grand Officers of the two Fraternities having divested themselves of their insignia, and Past Grand Officers having taken the chairs, the Duke of Kent stated that when he took upon pimself the important office of Grand Master of the Ancient Fraternity, his idea, as declared at the time, was to facilitate the important object of the Union, which had that day been so happily concluded. And he now proposed that his illustrious and dear relative, the Duke of Sussex, should be the Grand Master of the United Grand Lodge of Ancient Freemasons of England for the year ensuing. This having been
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Freemasonry and its Etiquette
seconded by the Hon. Washington Shirley,
}
and carried unanimously and with Masonic’
honours. His Royal Highness was placed on the Throne by the Duke of Kent and Count de Lagardje, and solemnly obligated. The Grand Master then nominated his officers: Rev. S. Hemming, D.D., Senior Grand Warden; Isaac Lindo, Junior Grand Warden; John Dent, Grand Treasurer; William Meyrick, Grand Registrar; William Henry White and Edward Harper, Grand Secretaries; Rev. Edward Barry, D.D., and Rev. Lucius Coghland, Grand Chaplains; Rev. Isaac Knapp, Deputy Grand Chaplain; John Soane, Grand Superintendent of Works; Sir G. Nayler, Grand Director of Ceremonies; Captain Jonathan Parker, Grand Sword Bearer ; Samuel Wesley, Grand Organist; B. Aldhouse, Grand Usher; and ' W. V. Salmon, Grand Tyler. It was then solemnly proclaimed that the two Grand Lodges were incorporated and consolidated into one, and the Grand Master declared if to be open in due form according to ancient usage. The Grand Lodge was then called to refreshment, and from the cup of brotherly love the Grand Master drank to the Brethren, “Peace, Goodwill, and Brotherly Love all 38
Grand Lodges of England
over the World,’ and then passed the cup As it was going round, a choir sang a piece of music specially composed for the occasion (which is reproduced on another page of the same issue of the Hveemason).
The Grand Lodge was recalled to labour, and as the first act of the United Fraternity, the Duke of Sussex moved:
' “That an humble address be presented to H.R.H. the Prince Regent respect- fully to acquaint him with the happy event of the reunion of the two great Grand Lodges of the Ancient Freemasons of England, an event which cannot fail to afford lively satisfaction to their Illustrious Patron, who presided for so many years over one of the Fraternities, and under whose auspices Freemasonry has risen to its present flourishing con- dition. That the unchangeable princi- ples of the Institution are well known to His. Royal Highness, and the great benefits and end of this reunion are to promote the influence and operation of these principles by more extensively inculcating loyalty and affection of their Sovereign, obedience to the laws and magistrates of their country, and 39
Freemasonry and its Etiquette
the practice of all the religious and » moral duties of life, objects which must be ever dear to His Royal Highness in the government of His Majesty’s United Kingdom. That they humbly hope and pray for the continuance of the sanction of His Royal Highness’s fraternal patronage; and that they beg leave to express their fervent gratitude for the many blessings which, in common with all their fellow-subjects, they derive from his benignant sway. That the Great Architect of the Universe may long secure these blessings to them and to their country by the preservation of His Royal Highness, their Illustrious Patron !”
Resolutions thanking the Dukes of Kent and Sussex for ‘ yielding to the prayer of the United Fraternities to take upon them- selves the personal conduct of the negotia- tions for a reunion, which is this day, through their zeal, conciliation, and fraternal example so happily completed’; and com- mending the proceedings of the day to Grand Lodges of Scotland and Ireland, were also passed before the Lodge was closed ‘ in ample form and with solemn prayer.’
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