Histories Of Our Lodges.

HISTORIES OF OUR LODGES .

W * E have much pleasure in reproducing , from the Southampton Times , of 27 th April 1872 , the able History of the Royal Gloucester Lodge , No . 130 , Southampton , by our lamented Brother J . Rankin Stebbing , P . G . D . ( late Deputy Prov . G . M . Hants and the Isle of Wight ) . In last week ' s issue of the FREEMASON ' S CHRONICLE we

reprinted a transcript of the Warrant , issued by the " Ancients " in A . D . 1772 , which is inserted in the Bye-Laws of the Lodge . The history is a most curious ono indeed , as it is quite

evident , from an examination of the records , that the members had two warrants , one being from the regular Grancl Lodge , and the other from the "Ancients , " the Lodge being fond of playing the " Modern " tune at one time , and the " Ancient" at another .

Our readers will doubtless be glad of the particulars afforded in the racy sketch by an old and esteemed friend and P . M . of the Lodge , now , alas ! to be reckoned amongst the departed . ROYAL GLOUCESTER LODGE .

THE ancient and honourable institution of Freemasonry affords numerous instances of long established Lodges , and in our own province many exist that much exceed one hundred years from their original formation . Cowes , Winchester , Ringwood , and Bournemouth are amongst the number . The history of the Lodge of Hengists in the last-named town has been ably written by the Eev . Bro . P . H .

Newnham , its W . Master in 1870 , and is commended to the perusal of the studious Mason ; but the history of the Eoyal Gloucester Lodge is one peculiarly its own , and it is proposed to give that history at some considerable length , connecting with it the highly interesting proceedings of this most auspicious day , the distinguished presence of the most Worshipful Grand Master , his Grand Officers , his highly

popular representative in this province , Bro . Beach , and the Provincial Grand Officers , the Masters , Officers , and members of tho local Lodges , as well as many from other parts of Hampshire , and especially and prominently so large an attendance of the Eoyal Gloucester Lodge , all mark abundantly a great day for Masonry and a great testimony to the amity and brotherly love which should over

exist amongst Masons . It is not proposed at this time to dwell on the antiquity of Freemasonry , but it is necessary to say , in reference to the Eoyal Gloucester Lodge , that in 1717 there existed two great Masonic bodies known by the name of the Antient or York Masons , and afterwards the Athol Masons , claiming to be the Grand Lodge of all England , and

another the Modern or London Masons , afterwards called the Sussex Masons , adopting the title of the Grand Lodge of England . This latter body was so far re-constituted in 1717 as to admit as members of the Masonic body persons who were not practically associated with architecture , and then for the first time , gentlemen , professional men , and nersons of various occunations were admitted into Mfisnnrv . nrn .

video" they had the advantage of good character , were free by birth , and of the full age of 21 ; though at one time no one was admitted under 25 years , and now in our own more advanced ago freedom by birth is not insisted upon . Under this former body ( the York or Athol Masons ) the Eoyal Gloucester Lodge camo into existence , though not then having that or any distinctive name , but simnly " No . 174 . " It mav . however .

be observed that amongst tho papers of the late Bro . Slade tho Lodge was called ( and evidently from somo authority he had seen ) the Holy Trinity , No . 174 , the manuscript book containing which is in the hands of Bro . P . M . Hickman . Nor can this designation be discarded from certain considerations that may present themselves , as many of the prayers and invocations in use afc the time wero specially of a Christian character .

. The first meeting of tho Lodgo was hold , under dispensation , on tho 12 th day of January , and again on tho 4 th of February 1772 , the founders being Jos . Adams , a schoolmaster , and Edwin Jones , a sailmaker , afterwards in the warrant as W . Master and Senior Warden . At this time the Thos . Widdell whose name appears in the warrant as Senior Warden was nob a Masonbnt was made ono on the 6 th of

, February following by dispensation , in consideration , as is entered on the minutes , of W . St . Barbe ( who acted as Warden on the 12 th of January ) going to sea , and in order to keep up tho Lodgo . No delay seemed to have been allowed , for tho Lodge met again on the 12 th , 15 th , and 26 th of February , tho 11 th , and 30 th of March , and

the 8 th and 16 th of April . They proposed , ballotted for , entered , and passed Mr . Antram and Captain M . Smetham on one and the same evening , and afterwards had a lecture on the " Prentice and Craft , " and on tho 22 nd of April 1772 , the Lodge was formally constituted , as is thus extracted from tho minute book of the Grand Lodge of the Ancient Freemasons , from 1769 to 1773 .

ENTRY . Grand Lodge opened afc one o ' clock , at the Yine Tavern , South , ampton , iu tho County of Hampshire , on the 22 nd day of April 1772-5772 . r

GRAND SECRETARY DICKEY IN THE CHAIR . By an authority ( for three hours only ) from the Eight Worshipful Lau . Dermott , Esq ., D . G . Master constituted . Mr . JOSEPH ADAM , Master . EDWIN JONES , Senr . Warden . THOS . NEDDELL , Junr , Warden . Warrant , No . 174 j Registered in Vols . 7 , Letter T .

Present Bernard Gillin , of Lodge 172 . £ s d ; Cash received for warrants - . . 12 6 Grand Charity - - - 110 £ 2 3 6 Closed at 3 o ' clock , and adjourned to tho next General Grand Lodge .

The warrants for " three hours only " was the custom in those days when Brethren were deputed to hold Grand Lodges , but to prevent any misuse of that power their authority lasted only for a very limited and specified time . The Lodgo was therefore formed and constituted under tho Athol constitution , and was always an " ancient" Lodge , and very

frequently a modern Lodgo , for many years keeping two sets of books and corresponding with each Grand Lodgo as a true and faithful ancient or modern Lodgo , as best suited the occasion , but in in its early days very faithful to tho Athol Grand Lodgo for a very lengthened period . So severely did the ancient and modern Masons keep apart , that although tho difference in their ceremonies was very

trifling , they wero not allowed to visit each other ' s Lodges unless re-made according to tho form of the Lodgo thoy desired to join : thus February 12 is this entry : —In order to strengthen tho Lodgo rose Bro . Thomas Widdell to tho sublime degree of a Master Mason , also entered , passed , and raised Bro . Josh . Trnelovo , " he being a modern Mason . " The Lodge met now with great regularity and success

sixteen meetings and thirteen initiations in 1772 , twenty-one meetings and six initiations in 1773 , twenty-eight and five in 1774 , and so on with increasing numbers and success . Joseph Booth , William Wakeford , William Graves , Phil Osbaldiston , Thomas Adnoy Payr . o were among those initiated , and may possibly bo predecessors of present families of that name . Many persons of Guernsey aud

Sunderland were also initiated , and very many of Portsmouth and Winchester . The lectures were given with great regularity , modern Masons were rigorously excluded ,, tho brethren attended Divine service in procession , ancl so the Lodge progressed till 1784 , when , a subscription having been previously raised for the purpose , the brethren moved from the Vine Tavern to a spacious and private room and

other premises in East-street , in tho same town . St . John s Day appears to have been always kept with great strictness , for thoy wero summoned 8 th Juno 1785 , at 8 o'clock in tho morning . The singers wero desired to attend to sing an anthem , and the brethren to appear in aprons and gloves , at their own expense . At 11 o ' clock the Lodge proceeded in form to Holy Rood Chnrch , thirty-three in number , when a sermon was preached by the Eev . Eichard Manfc . Twice in

1786 the master was fined for not sending the keys iu time , aud tho treasurer for keeping the books . Several brethren were excluded the Lodge for non-payment of dues . Brethren who wore non-resident continued to bo proposed , balloted for , and made and passed tho same evening , ancl 2 nd May 1790 , tho Rev . Thos . Eook was made a Mason , being tho first clergyman ou the list . Tho banquets appear to havo been frequently got up in land , of which the following entry gives a sample : —

Br . Baker to find a ham Br . Steele .... „ a quarter of lamb Br . Graves .... „ bread , biscuits and lemons Br . Amor .... „ a couple of fowls Br . Osbaldiston ... „ a pudding Br . Edwards .... „ sauce for tho salmon Br . Macklin .... „ a pigeon pie Br . Muzzle .... ,, a ditto Br . Hart .... „ a gooseberrry pie Br . Jacobs .... „ a bushel of peas Br . Figes .... ,, a Cranbnry pie Br . Wm . Baker - - - „ a salad The Lodge .... „ a salmon

In 1792 some important matters took place . 2 nd August tho Lodge met to consider an offer from Mr . Thomas Dunckerley , Pro . vincial Grand Master , under ' the Modern Grand Locige , to consider the propriety of accepting a Dispensation to hold a Locige under the Prince of Wales , and tho ballot being taken there appeared for 11 , against 4 , and on the 8 th August a dispensation was received , and the Lodge now became

The Royal Gloucester Lodge , and number 503 , under the new Registration . On the 3 rd of August , and probably connected with the foregoing , the foundation stone of All Saints' Church was laid , with all duo Masonic pomp , by Thomas Dunckerley , P . G . Master . Tho Hants Chronicle stated that a vast number of Brethren attended from tho

Isle of Wight and tho most remote parts of Hampshire . Tho ancient Lodges of Free aud Accepted Masons in this town , in order to qualify themselves to form in procession at tho laying the foundation stone of All Saints' Church , obtained a Modern Institution , tho night before , from Thomas Dunckerley P . G . M . The procession returned to the Audit-house , where an oration was delivered by Bro . Thomas Jeans , M . D ., of Southampton .

Tho circumstances of the Hants Chronicle speaking of Lodges , and another publication of the oration having been delivered at the Audithouse , renders it probable that another Lodgo was associated in this goodly work ; for a Lodge , called the Lodge of Concord , also an ancient Lodge , then existed at Southampton , ancl assembled afc the Audithouse , many of the Corporation and principal inhabitants belonging to

it . A few names subjoined ( members of that Lodge ) will be familiar to Southampton ears : — Ward , James Amyatt , Peter Ganntietfc , Thomas Smith , John Fuller , Richard Vernon Moody , Thomas Ridding , George Waving , John Edwards , George Frederick Pitt , Bryan Edwards , Hon . H . F .

Forbes , Dr . Jeans , Samuel Harrison , John Keele , William Jolnffe , John Jolliflb , and as many as ten clergymen . James Grierson was afc one time Master of tho Lodgo , and tho handsome ebony and ivory working tools of the Lodge came into the hands of Bro . Charles Deacon , who presented them to the Eoyal Gloucester Lodge , and