“ORIGIN

ENGLISH RITE
“||” FREEMASONRY.
OF

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- WILLIAM JAMES HUGHAN.

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ORIGIN

ENGBECEH. RITE

PREEMASONRERYY
ESPECIALLY IN RELATION TO THE

ROYAL ARGH DEGREES

WITH

VALUABLE APPENDICES,

IBIYs

WILLIAM JAMES HUGHAN.

EDITED BY

NOHN ST. THORP FORK. Hist. S., ETC,

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THIRD EDITION.

LEICESTER:

PRINTED BY JOHNSON, WYKES & PAINE, LTD., MARBLE STREET,

1925.
W. W. ATKINS
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LONDON, &.C,.
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FA GE.

The first edition of ‘‘ The Origin of the English Rite ”’

was published by Bro. W. J. Hughan in the year 1884.
It was the first endeavour to build up from the
fragments of our broken history, a reasonable and
firm structure and genealogical account of the Masonic
Working known as the English Rite of Freemasonry.

It was the first reliable work

on the subject, and
gathered together in one volume all the discovered
facts, as well as the various theories and opinions of
Masonic students, down to the time of its issue. It
appealed naturally, therefore, to all who were anxious
to learn something of the origin of the Masonic
ceremonial, and the edition was soon exhausted.

In 1909 the book was thoroughly revised and

brought up to date by Bro. Hughan himself, and as
it included much material which was unknown when
the original edition was published, the revision, issued
by the Lodge of Research, No. 2429 Leicester, was
eagerly welcomed by Masonic students the whole
world over.
 For some years past this valuable work has been
out of print and unobtainable, and there has been a
persistent demand for it, which could not be satisfied.
Under these circumstances the members of the Lodge
of Research,
who own the copyright of all Bro. Hughan’s
books, have decided to issue a third edition of this

standard work—a work invaluable for its numerous

facts and for its exhaustive character.

JoHN T. THorP.

54 PRINCESS ROAD,
LEICESTER,
December, 1925
ORIGIN OF THE ENGLISH RITE OF
FREEMASONRY.

I. Risk oF Masonic DEGREES.

INCE the publication of my “ Origin’”’ in 1884,
s numerous discoveries of valuable Records
have been made ; and in order that these may be duly
appreciated, the present issue of the work has been
fully revised and altered, so that brethren may be
informed as to how such discoveries affect the
opinions and decisions of a quarter of a century ago.
With this. purpose in mind, the arrangement of the
first edition will be followed, so that by comparison,
the alterations may be easily discovered, and the old
references as far as desirable will be preserved.
From the “ Union of the two Grand Lodges on
St. John’s Day, 27th December, 1813,” the English
Rite of Freemasonry has authoritatively been declared
to consist of the “Entered Apprentice, the Fellow
Craft, and the Master Mason, including the Supreme
Order of the Holy Royal Arch.’’* Before that period
the three degrees only were recognised by the
Premier Grand Lodge, though Royal Arch Masonry
was worked by some of its influential members from
about 1740, the latter ceremony being a_ special
feature of its formidable rival from 1751. Certain
other degrees were also partially incorporated into the
Masonic system by brethren of both Bodies, but not
officially acknowledged, the right to continue which
was provided for by the statement, that the second of
the “ Articles of Union ”’ was “ not intended to pre-
vent any lodge or chapter from holding a meeting in
any of the degrees of the Orders of Chivalry, accord-
ing to the constitutions of the said Orders.”’
* “ Articles of Union,” p. 22 Hughan’s “‘ Memorials,” 1874.
 18

Grand Lodges are an institution of the 18th

century, and an outgrowth of operative lodges, which
have existed from “‘ time immemorial.”’ The first of
its kind was constituted as the “‘Grand Lodge of
England”’ by members of four or more old lodges
in London (‘and some old brothers’’), ‘On St.
John Baptist Day, in the third year of King George
the 1st, A.D. 1717, (when) Mr. Antony Sayer, gentle-
man (was installed) Grand Master of Masons.’’*
Until 1724 no warrants to constitute were granted
outside the Metropolis, but in that year Bath, Bristol,
Norwich, and other provincial places were visited
Masonically and duly honoured with charters for
lodges, and then rapidly the principles of the Craft
spread throughout Great Britain and the civilised
world.
The activity of the new Grand Lodge evidently
produced a like spirit in the members of the old lodge,
which had been quietly working in the neighbourhood
of York for many years before Grand Lodges were
known, and the result was, that the formation of
another organisation (having its seat at York) was
preceded by a procession to the Merchants’ Hall on
December 27th, 1725, after which the ‘‘ Grand Lodge
of all England” was inaugurated, with Charles
Bathurst, Esq., as Grand Master.t
This Grand Lodge consisted for nearly half a
century apparently, of one lodge only (dormant a part
of the time), after which period warrants were issued
for various parts of the north of England, and one for
the Metropolis, the renewal of energy leading to other
degrees being started, which for a time preserved its
vitality, but it eventually collapsed about 1790, and
*** Book of Constitutions,’’ aA.p. 1738. It is believed to
have been the parent, directly or indirectly, of every other Grand
Lodge in the Universe.
}Hughan’s ‘‘ Masonic Sketches and Reprints,”’ 1871, p. 41.
 19

left no representative of any kind to continue its ritual

or organisation. The York Grand Lodge never
chartered any lodges out of England, neither did any
of its subordinates ever do so ; hence the custom which
so long prevailed in America of styling certain lodges
“Ancient York Masons,” is wholly unjustifiable,
and has wisely been dropped by Grand Lodges, who
value historical accuracy beyond that of fanciful
designations.
These two branches of the Masonic Society
flourished harmoniously together for some years, the
English Craft being virtually united and prosperous,
until one or more disputes arose in London between
some of the lodges and the Grand Lodge. Then an
energetic rival in 1751 was started under the denomi-
nation of the ‘“‘ Grand Lodge of England according
to the Old Constitutions.” The members were
known by the name of “ Ancients,’’ those of the
Premier Grand Lodge being unfairly termed
“Moderns,” the two being a few years later
described as “Atholl Masons” and ‘“ Regular
Masons’”’ respectively. The junior Grand Lodge,
under the Grand Masterships of the third and fourth
Dukes of Atholl especially, established many lodges
at home and abroad ; and as the warrants recited the
(modern) legend that their authority was “ according
to the Old Constitutions granted by His Royal High-
ness Prince Edwin at York, A.D. 926,” it is easy to
comprehend how brethren not correctly informed as
to the facts of the case imagined that the “ Atholl
Masons ’”’ had a York origin, an error that survives
even to this day.
For a long time, the origin of this most success-
ful organisation was treated as a secession from the
premier Body, but Bro. Henry Sadler has established
the fact that the rise of the ‘“‘ Ancients’’ was due to
 20

a number of Irish brethren resident in London, who

were joined in the year following their start, by Bro.
Laurence Dermott as Grand Secretary, so that the
opprobrious term of ‘‘ Seceders’”’ has been dropped.*
Another competitor appeared on the field, but its
career was brief, and only two lodges were warranted
under its régime, which collapsed when it did. This
opposition was occasioned by a disagreement between
the Regular Masons and Brother William Preston
who, with a majority of the members of the “ Lodge
of Antiquity,” withdrew from that Grand Lodge
and accepted “a deputation” from the “ Grand
Lodge of all England”’ (York) dated z9th March,
1779, constituting them a “‘ Grand Lodge of England
south of the river Trent.” Happily, on 2nd May,
1790, these brethren were restored to all their Masonic
privilegest (after an eventful ten years of indepen-
dence and isolation), when the resistance to the
authorities ceased, and two parties in the Lodge of
Antiquity were heard of no more.
For a short period during the eighth decade of
the 18th century, there was still another Grand Lodge
at work in London, supported by Scottish Craftsmen,
but it never obtained any prominence and soon col-
lapsed, having been lost sight of until quite recently,
when Bro. H. Sadler unearthed records of their
assemblies.
At one time, therefore, during the last century
there were actually five Grand Lodges in existence in
England, which fact was certainly far from suggesting

*** Masonic Facts and Fictions,’’ 1887.

+ Vide “ State of Facts,’’ 1778, and “‘ Illustrations of Masonry,”
1788, &c., by W. Preston, and Hughan’s ‘‘ Masonic Sketches,” &c.
{ The leading members of the opposition had been expelled
by the Grand Lodge of England on 3rd February, 1779. (Page 3
Official Proceedings.)
 21

the harmonious character of the Fraternity.* After

1790, however, there were but the two rival organisa-
tions, which on Dec. 27th, 1813, agreed to “ settle
their differences amicably,” by joining hands and
forming “ The United Grand Lodge of England.”
As we shall have occasion sometimes to refer to
these Bodies, the following names will do for their
short titles respectively—viz., 1. the “‘ Regular,”’ 2.
ORG esa ADOI itt eNCUILY e AR 4 8:
“Scottish ’’ Grand Lodges.
In considering the vexata questio of the rise of
Masonic degrees in England, which is involved in
the enquiry as to the “ Origin of the English Rite of
Freemasonry,’ one is reminded by the declaration of
the Masonic archeologist, Bro. the Rev. A. F. A.
Woodford, that “the question of degrees is a very
difficult one per se, and cannot be settled with a few
offhand sentences, as a good deal depends upon it in
respect of the whole truth of Masonic history.’’+ Its
importance, therefore, must be my excuse for the fol-
lowing pages, in which will be traced the various
degrees recognized by the Grand Lodges before-men-
tioned, and the gradual formation of the system now
known as the “ English Rite,” peculiar as it is in
some respects to this Country.
I claim to be as fond of the Craft, and as anxious
to uphold its true history and principles, as the most
devoted followers of Anderson and Oliver ; and _ be-
lieve most sincerely that the Fraternity of Free and
Accepted Masons is both ancient and honourable—
speculative as well as operative—even in the 16th
century, which is almost as far back as its actual
records take us; but as there is, as yet, no evidence

* Treland also was represented in 1745 by the constitution of a

Lodge, No. 148, at Norwich, and others later.
+ ‘‘ Masonic Magazine,’ April, 1881.
 ZZ

which fully proves the antiquity of three or more

separate degrees before the 18th century, I cannot yet
consent to accept the assertions so confidently made
to me in my youth, and still promulgated, that degrees
in Freemasonry had an existence long anterior to
the institution of the Premier Grand Lodge.
The views herein advocated were far from being
popular some forty years ago, but later on, there were
considerable accessions to the staff of Masonic stu-
dents who co-operated with me, and at the present
time there are, happily, very many who prefer to
follow where the facts tend, rather than as the fancies
or wishes of others would lead them.
After the laborious researches of Bros. Dr. W. J.
Chetwode Crawley, R. F. Gould, D. M. Lyon, and
others, it seems difficult to understand, how any one
conversant with their noble Histories can cherish the
fancy, that the three degrees as we have them, and even
the Royal Arch and other ceremonies, were worked by
our ancient brethren during the seventeenth century.
Three grades there were, undoubtedly, in those early
times—viz., Apprentice, Fellow Craft, and Master
Mason, being suggestive respectively of apprentices,
journeymen, and masters ; but so far as the minutes
of the lodges testify prior to the 18th century, or in
fact any documents whatever, it is doubtful if there
were any separate degrees known save the first, the
only esoteric ceremony being a simple rite of initia-
tion, its participants never being afterwards excluded
from any Masonic meetings because of degrees being
worked additional to, separate from, or superior to
the form of reception in which they took part on be-
coming apprentices. |The Apprentices accordingly
became Fellow Crafts or journeymen on_ their
“essays” or work being passed by competent judges,
and then Master Masons according to circumstances;
 23

but never because of taking certain degrees, until the

Grand Lodge era.
The three positions or grades of the operative
régime, even when speculatives were admitted, are
clearly exhibited in the Old Records, but separate and
distinct degrees, I have long held, synchronize only
with the period of modern Grand Lodges and the
ascendancy of Speculative Freemasonry.
A special feature of the early initiations appar-
ently was simplicity. How much more there was
than the reading of the “‘ Old Charges,” and the com-
munication of the Masons’ word, grip, and signs,*
we cannot say, but we are not told of anything more,
and the word only seems to have been communicated
in some parts of North Britain ;— but once admitted
and entrusted, we never read of Apprentices being ex-
cluded because ineligible to witness the working of
any higher degree or degrees.
At least such had been my opinion until the
advent of the “ Chetwode Crawley MS.” of evidently
early 18th century date, possibly prior to the famous
year 1717. Unfortunately we are in ignorance of its
custody until recent years, and even its date is uncer-
tain, for though some of our trusted experts place it
at 1730, or a little earlier, it is near enough to the
“ Revival of 1717’ to possibly be slightly before that
event, and hence its importance. When placed side
by side with the curious minute of the old Lodge at
Hauehtoot,,ocotland, ef 22nd \Dec., 1702; it is .cer-
tainly very suggestive, and apparently completes that
record. The entry of 1702 is imperfect, and now
reads as follows :—

* Gould’s ‘‘ History of Freemasonry,” 1883, vol. 2, chap. viii-

+ Lyon’s “‘ History of the Lodge of Edinburgh,” 1873, chap. iv.
(I do not quote from the 2nd edit. of 1900, thinking it better to
continue that of 1873.)
 24
““ of entrie as the apprentice did leaving out (the Common Judge).
Then they whisper the word as before, and the Master Mason
grips his hand after the ordinary way.’’*
The ‘“ Chetwode Crawley MS.” runs thus, the
most vital portion being noted by italics :—
“ Wirst of all the Apprentices are to be removed out of the Com-
pany, and non suffered to stay, but only Masons Masters. Then he
who is to be admitted a member of the Fellowship, is put again to
his knees, and gets the Oath administered to him anew. After-
wards, he must go out of the Company with the youngest Master
to learn the words and signs of Fellowship. Then coming in again,
he makes the Master-sign, and says the same words of entry as the
prentice did, only leaving out the Common Judge. Then the
Masons whisper the words amongst themselves. . ... Then
the Master Mason gives him the word and grips his hand, and
afterwards all the Masons; whichis all to be done to make a
perfect Mason.”’
In a papert on the subject by me, will be found
all that is communicable as to the MS. There is not
another such record as that of 1702 in the Haughfoot
Minutes, but the reference to the ““ Common Judge ”’ is
met with in several publications from 1723 (or as
““Common Gudge’’), and probably refers to a Goudge
or Gauge, one of the three operative tools mentioned
in the “C.C. MS.” for apprentices, the others being
the ‘‘ Square and Compass.”
In this connection, another MS. should be men-
tioned, viz., the “‘ Trinity College, Dublin,’ endorsed
“Free Masonry, Feb. 1711.” The text is most
remarkable, if it is of the date of the endorsement, but
the caligraphy does not appear to be so early, and
much of the phraseology is suggestive of several years
later. Still it must be admitted, that these documents
are distinctly in favour of those who think it likely
there was more than a single ceremony prior to 1717.
Bro, D, Murray Lyon, as late as 29th September,
1897, wrote me: ‘‘I am more than ever convinced

*** History of Freemasonry in Roxburgh,’ &¢. W. Fred

Vernon, 1893.
T AO 1g84:
 25

that we are right in our views. The ancient MS. that

would prove us to be in error on the question (of
degrees) has yet to be discovered.’
Meetings of the Masters of Incorporations of
Masons were held, at which the attendance of Crafts-
men was prohibited, but these assemblies were not for
the practice of certain esoteric rites, as the minutes
testify, and besides which, others than Masons often
were members, and took part in the deliberations on
trade organisations. Gould observes, “‘ It is the belief
of Findal, Lyon, and Hughan that only one ceremony
was in vogue up to, say, the end of the seventeenth
century, whilst it admits of no doubt that there were
three ceremonies in 1723. Adopting, as I do, the
general view of degrees, sanctioned by the authority of
these respectable names, it matters very little, so far
as the main contention is concerned, whether the de-
grees of E.A., F.C., and M.M., as we now (perhaps)
have them, were arranged in 1700-23 or in 1717-23. I
think that post-revival Masonry was an amplification
of pre-revival Masonry, and whether the added forms
of reception were introduced in the first, second, or
in the third decades of the eighteenth century, seems
to me a point of no very great importance. Taking a
broad view of matters, we find that shortly after the
formation of the Grand Lodge (1717) the control of
the society had passed into the hands of sundry non-
operatives. Contemporaneously with this, we also
find that three separate degrees or ceremonies are for
the first time unequivocally mentioned. It appears to
me, therefore, that the rule of the Speculatives, and
the added forms of reception represent cause and
efftect.7*

* Freemason, April gth, 1881. Consult also Gould’s “ Concise

History of Freemasonry,” chap. vi., on Degrees, especially as to
whether there were only two, the E.A. and Master, before 1717.
 26

The late Bro. Lyon emphatically declared, that

“there were no secrets communicated by lodges to
either Fellows of Craft or Masters that were not known
to Apprentices, since members of the latter grade were
necessary to the legal constitution of communications
for the admission of Masters and Fellows,” and points
out further that “if the communication by Mason
lodges of secret words or signs constituted a degree,
then there was, under the purely Operative régime,
only one known to Scotch lodges—viz., that in which,
under an oath, apprentices obtained a knowledge of the
Mason word and all that was implied in the expres-
sion ; and that this was the germ whence has sprung
Symbolical Masonry is rendered more than probable,
by the traces which have been left upon the more
ancient of our lodge records, (especially those of
Mary’s Chapel) of the gradual introduction during the
seventeenth and first quarter of the eighteenth century
of that element in lodge membership, which at first
modified and afterwards annihilated the original
constitution of these ancient courts of Operative
Masonry.’’*
Dr. Mackey remarks that “ In 1717 there was evi-
dently but one degree, or rather one form of initiation,
and one catechism . . . Division of the Masonic
system into three degrees must have grown up between
1717 and 1730.’ It is rather a matter for surprise,
that so” Masonically conservative a Brother as Dr.
Mackey rather post dates than pre dates the completion
of the three degrees, as the first Book of Constitutions,
A.D. 1723, obviously refers to a ceremony on the
admission of ‘‘ Masters and Fellow-Craft.’’t The
same accomplished writer in a later work states, that
* Lyon’s History, p. 23, &c.
+“ National Freemason,”’ p. 54 » vol. 2, 1873.
t‘ Book of Constitutions,”’ 1 7 Rule NII, p. 61.
 a]

“Tt is now the opinion of the best scholars that the

division of the Masonic system into degrees was
the work of the revivalists of the beginning of the
eighteenth century. . . Perhaps about 1721 the
three degrees were introduced, but the second and third
were not perfected for many years. He who was an
apprentice, was for all practical purposes a Free-
mason.’’* “‘ Documentary evidence is yet wanting
to settle the precise time of the composition of the third
degree as we now have it ; but it would not be prudent
to oppose too positively the theory that it must be
traced to the second decade of the eighteenth century.
The proofs as they arise day by day, from the
resurrection of old manuscripts, seem to incline that
way. But the legend I think is of much older date.”
Bro. Woodford considers “‘ the present arrangement
and terminology of our speculative ritual is not
actually older than probably about 1720.”+ It would
be interesting to be informed how Masonic Degrees
can be traced before that year, for that distinguished
Brother declares, “‘ As far as our studies have gone,
we believe in the antiquity of the Third Degree,
though we by no means shut our eyes to the fact, that
time and changes may have materially affected both
the phraseology of the ritual, and the corresponding
features of the Third Degree. We repeat that we
utterly repudiate the theory, far too hastily taken up.
by some, that to Anderson and Desaguliers we ‘are in-
debted for the Master Mason’s ceremony.” I reiterate
my opinion expressed in the “ Voice of Masonry,”’
U.S.A. (1873), that “ Anything of a ceremonial or
esoteric character, to which the whole body of Masons
were not entitled to be present, cannot be found
alluded to in any ancient document so far made public.
*“ Encyclopeedia of Freemasonry,” 1874, p. 211 and p. 493
+ Kennine’s ‘‘ Masonic Cyclopedia,” p. 461 and p. 462.
 28

We do not say positively there were no Masonic

degrees prior to the 18th century, but simply that
up to the present time no evidence of such has been
submitted.’’ Some students believe that these two
Doctors had in all probability much to do with the
composition of the Master Mason’s Degree. The Rev.
Dr. George Oliver says “‘ Dr. Anderson was probably
one of its original fabricators.’’* We need not concern
ourselves at present about the names of the Brethren
to whom we are indebted for the Third Degree, but
simply to discover, as accurately as possible, when it
first made its appearance.
The late Rev. Bro. Woodford asserts “‘ The older
and triplex division may be traced before 1717 both in
England and Scotland, perhaps not in distinct
nomenclature as First, Second, and Third Degrees,
but as Master, Fellow Craft, and Apprentice.”’7 If
the distinct and separate existence of the three degrees
prior to the 18th century is not insisted on, the
discussion is ended, because all must admit the fact
of the three grades or positions long before the era of
Grand Lodges ; but it will be seen farther on, that our
Brother acknowledges a belief in the early origin of
the three degrees, and that they “ betray traces of
great antiquity.”
Dr. Oliver, in his “‘ Freemasons’ Treasury,’’ notes
that “‘One unexplained tradition is the origin of
Masonic degrees, which is placed at a thousand years
before the Christian era. . . . This is the delusion
which these lectures are intended to dissipate ¢
When we contend for the high antiquity of the Craft,
and assert that it was used by our great progenitors in
Paradise, we only mean to infer that the obedience
*** Freemasons’ Treasury,”’ 1863, p. 299.
+ Freemason, 29th May, 1880.
} Pages 217-222.
 oa)

enjoined upon them was tantamount to the practice

of Speculative Masonry as recommended in our
symbolical lodges. . . . Our present Third Degree
is not architectural, but traditionary, historical,
and legendary; its traditions being unfortunately
hyperbolical, its history apochryphal, and its legends
fabulous. . . The wilderness of criticism on the
subject in the eighteenth century, constitutes a cogent
evidence that it was a new creation which the
mind of the Fraternity was scarcely prepared
tO LeCeIve, semua ne. Third” Degree is “not
older than the beginning of the last century (ie.,
18th), although M. Ragon asserts that Elias Ashmole
was its founder half a century earlier.’”’+
It isa pity that Dr. Olivert did not mention in what
spirit he intended his remarks to be taken, as to the
antiquity of Masonic degrees, in his earlier works, for
no one has done so much as he to foster the very
delusion he seeks to dispel in the ‘“‘ Freemasons’
Treasury.” I at first thought that he wished his
numerous extraordinary statements to be accepted as
facts, whereas now it seems he meant only to present
them to his readers as simple traditions and nothing
more, many being actually contrary to known evidence.
Surely it would have been better by far, if the rational
explanation had been given side by side with the
apocryphal legends. The following explicit assertions
by Oliver will be a surprise to many: “ In truth, Free-
masonry is one consistent assemblage of symbols, and
any attempt to explain it by a reference to facts is sure
* Page 310.
TeDES Oliver's). Wecture’ on. themh. Cys, Degree,” No 569;
Spencer’s sale, 28th July, 1875. (‘‘ 1 am inclined to believe it is
the only ancient and legitimate degree.”’)
{ Bro. E. T. Carson, Cincinnati, U.S.A., declared: “I have
the greatest respect and veneration for the memory of Dr. Oliver.
I don’t believe he ever made a wilful misstatement in his life.”
(‘‘ Freemasons’ Repository,” 1880.)
 30

to fail,”*. a. a... ““Freemasonry,)> som. far oairom

being an embodiment of facts, is surely an allegorical
system, with nothing real about it but its morality
and benevolence.” . . ‘‘Can any living Mason
be simple enough to believe, that Dr. Anderson in
his ‘Defence of Masonry’ intended to prove a real
historical fact, when he explained the exhumation of
the body of Hiram Abiff ? ’’t
Freemasonry, however, has a history based upon
veritable documents, such as the “Old Charges,”
dating back some five hundred years ago, and actual
records from the sixteenth century ; but all these are
silent as to distinct degrees, until modern innovations
and additions brought about such prolific changes.
Whilst Bro. E. Conder, jun., was the Master of
the Masons’ Company of the City of London in 1895,
he wrote a History of that Body, which is of great
value and interest. He had access fo all the Records
preserved by the Company, and by dint of careful
examination discovered in the earliest known book
dealing with its affairs, that there was an “ Inner
Fraternity of Speculative Masons, who formed the
Masons’ Company Lodge, and that the members of
this Inner body were known as Accepted Masons.”
This “‘ Accepcon ”’ (i.e., Acception) was at work
“before 1619 at least, and held Speculative Lodges in
accordance with the old usage which had descended to
them from a pre-reformation date,’’ and fees are noted
as paid, “‘ Att the making masons,” in the Accounts,
18th July, 1620, to 11th July, 1621, there being numerous
entries of such Acceptions. “‘The payments made
by newly-accepted Masons were paid into the funds
of the Company,” which had entire control of
the Lodge and its funds. The Lodge was active as
*““ Freemasons’ Treasury,’’ page 308. tTPage 215.
t Page 290.
 Rye

late as 1682, when it was visited, as we know, by Elias

Ashmole, who, according to his Diary, was initiated
in 1646 at Warrington. ‘‘ When and for what reason
it finally ceased, no evidence is forthcoming.’’* Bro.
Conder states that “there is no evidence of any
particular ceremony attending the position of Master
Mason ;’”’ and as his statements have been supported
by Bro. W. H. Rylands, F.S.A., who has subsequently
similarly examined the precious Records, when Master
of the Company, we may surely feel satisfied that
all important facts concerning its eventful past have
duly been made known.
It is needful to be explicit as to the thoroughness
of these two trusted and esteemed investigators, as a
claim has recently been made on behalf of what is
termed briefly, the ‘Guild Theory,’ which dates
Masonic degrees, in connection with Dr. Anderson,
farther back than the Grand Lodge era. Bro. C. E.
Stretton, C.E., a well-known Craftsman, states that
“In 1710 the Rev. James Anderson was the Chaplain of the St.
Paul’s Guild Masons, who at that time had their headquarters at
the Goose and Gridiron Ale House in St. Paul’s Churchyard, and
in September, 1717, the books of the Guild shew that Anderson
had made a very remarkable innovation in these rules, which was
to admit persons as members of the Masonic Guild, without their
serving the seven years’ apprenticeship. This caused a sflit in
the ranks.’’t

The same Brother also remarks that the workmen

of that period were divided into two distinct classes,
viz., ‘‘Square Masons and Arch Masons. The
former, who were distinguished by the colour dlue,
were divided into seven degrees. . . the seventh
being the degree of the Grand Master Mason.”
“The Arch Masons (or Red Masons) Guild was
also divided into seven degrees.’’t
* Ars 1896. Paper by Bro. Conder.
+ ‘Tectonic Art’ (Melton Mowbray, 1909).
 32

Not a single MS. has yet been made public, which

proves that seven degrees were thus known to Dr.
Anderson, or to any other Brother in 1714; but, as a
matter of fact, all Masonic Records before 1717 so far
traced and published, are entirely silent as to Red and
Blue Masons (so-called), and likewise as to Dr.
Anderson’s connection with the Freemasons prior to
the third decade of the 18th century.
The year 1714 is much too late for the introduction
of the Speculative element in the Craft; quite a
profusion of minutes of such admissions having been
traced from the year 1600. All we can do, therefore,
is to patiently wait for the production of documents
in confirmation of the claims thus made, and so
intelligently and persistently advocated.
The various views on the subject of Degrees will
be found in the following papers, published in the
“Ars”’ of the ‘“Q.C.”’--Lodge during the years
named, viz., ““The Three Degrees of Pure and
Ancient Freemasonry,” Bro. R. F. Gould, 1903;
“The Three Degrees of Freemasonry,’ Bro. W. J.
Hughan, 1897; and “‘“The Two Degrees Theory,”
Bro. G. W. Speth, 1898. In an address delivered
before the Wakefield Mas. Literary Society in January
1890,* the last-named Brother maintained that the
“early Freemasons knew only of two grades, Apprentice
and Fellow. . . Nowhere is there any distinction of
rank found between Master and Fellow.” . . Bro.
Speth also contended that “the present Master
Mason’s Degree was simply a severance of a certain
portion of the ritual existing in the two earliest grades,
and its establishment as a separate function conferring
the rank and status of M.M.” This is not my view,
however, though the same evidence is before me. I

* Freemason, February ist, 1890.

 33

am more than ever inclined to leave the mattet

undecided for the present.
However, it is well to remember, as Bro. J. T.
Thorp remarked in his Inaugural Address as W.M. of
the “ Q.C.” Lodge, that ‘‘ though the last word has not
been spoken upon any of the different branches of
Masonic research, there is no doubt that the ground
has been well worked during the last twenty-five
years.”’—“ Ars.,”’ 1908.
Bro. J. L. Gould states in his ‘‘ Guide to the
Chapter,’’* that “‘ The earliest account of the introduc-
tion of Masonry into the United States is the history
of a lodge organized in Rhode Island, a.p. 1658, or
fifty-nine years before the revival in England, and
seventy-five years before the establishmentof the first
lodge in Massachusetts.’’ The authority cited is the
Rev. E. Peterson, in his “ History of Rhode Island
and Newport ” :t
“ In the spring of 1658 Mordecai Campannell, Moses Peckeckoe,
Levi, and others, in all fifteen families, arrived at Newport from
Holland. They brought with them the three first degrees of
Masonry, and worked them in the house of Campannell; and
continued to do so, they and their successors, to the year 1742.’”

Fortunately my reference to this startling state-

ment caught the attention of Judge Gardner, of Boston,
U.S.A., who thoroughly sifted the matter in one of his
masterly addresses to the Grand Lodge as Grand
Master.t The extract is said to have been “taken
from documents now in the possession of N. H. Gould,
Esq.,” to whom Bro. Gardner applied, and was
informed that the record was “dual in its nature.”
“Ths ye (day and month obliterated) 1656 (or 8, not certain
which, &c.) Wee mett att y House off Mordecai Campunnall, and
after Synogog Wee gave Ab™ Moses the degrees of Maconrie.’’

* New York, 1868.

fehO53; Di LOD
{ “‘ Proceedings Grand Lodge Massachusetts,”’ 1871, pp. 357-361.
 34

The owner says he has these old papers “ nicely

enveloped and packed away in his house securely, but
not where he can at present put his hand upon them.”
Bro. Thomas Doyle, then Grand Master of Rhode
Island, rejects the statement entirely, giving it as his
opinion, ‘‘ that the first lawful lodge of Masons ever
convened in this jurisdiction was the one which met in
Newport in 1749,’ and which still flourishes. He
made “‘many enquiries about these documents of
brethren in Newport, members of the Grand Lodge,
and others, but does not find that any one has ever seen
them.”’ Bro. Gardner emphatically states that “it
bears upon its face the utter refutation of the assertion
made by the Rev. Edward Peterson, and of the claim
made by Bro. J. L. Gould, of Connecticut.’”’ Added
to which it should be remembered, that in the seven-
teenth century the Craft was most unlikely to have
been thus patronised by Israelites, seeing it was
Christian in character.
Then there is the testimony of the “ Sloane MS.,
No. 3329,’’* which was opportunely edited by Bro.
Woodford in 1872,+ who, in his Preface, tells us “ Mr.
Wallbran, the learned editor of the Chartularies of
Fountain’s Abbey, fully shared my opinions respecting
it, and supported that opinion by his superior and
well-known authority, while at the same time he
unhesitatingly fixed the date of the MS., with reference
that is, to its phraseology and archaisms, to the early
part of the seventeenth century,’ and then he himself
came to the conclusion that the MS. “ decisively settles
some recent controversies amongst us, carried on with
* The first allusion to it Masonically is in the ‘‘ Freemasons’
Magazine "’ for May, 1861, by ‘‘ M. C.”’ (Probably the late Bro.
Matthew Cooke.) Vol. 3329 contains a number of separate
articles running from 1677 to 1721, of those dated. Sir Hans
Sloane, the collector, died in 1753.
+ ‘‘ Freemasons’ Secrets.’’
 30

more zeal than discretion.” ......,.If it- be-only

early eighteenth century ... . its actual date being
about 1715 as to handwriting and paper, but earlier as
to phraseology. By that MS. the division of Appren-
tice, Fellow, and Master was known. Our earliest
actual recognition of the Master Mason is, we appre-
hend, the Charges so-called, or General Regulations
rather, of 1721I—3.’’+
Though the late Bro. J. G. Findel, the Masonic
historian, acknowledges that “‘ the degrees or grades
of Apprentice, Fellow, and Master were introduced
about the year 1720,’’t and generally supports my view
relative to such questions; in his estimate of the
“* Sloane MS. 3329,” he leaves us far behind by adopting
an opinion entirely his own, and one certainly contrary
to the probabilities of the case. He thus speaks of
the MS. :—
“As this volume is almost exclusively devoted to physical
science, and as there is also in the volume a catalogue headed
“Dr. Plot’s Catalogue,’’ and further, Plot, in his “‘ Natural
History of Staffordshire’’ (1686), agreeing with our Masonic
manuscript, mentions that five or six brethren form a lodge, and
that the Freemasons upon recognising certain signs were com-
pelled to hasten to one another’s assistance, should they even have
to descend from the top of a church steeple, an expression to be
found nowhere else, I have come to the conclusion that the said
MS. was found amongst the papers which Plot left behind him on
nis death, and [Link] of the fountains whence his communica-
tions on Freemasonry were derived.’’—Page 118.
At the time of Bro. Findel’s criticism it was
generally considered, that the MS. was of the seven-
teenth century caligraphy, but in 1878 Bro. Woodford
fixed the year 1715 as the probable period. He might
as well have said 1720 as 1715, for it is impossible to
decide exactly when.

* The zeal seems to be tempered with discretion, as the aim of

the brethren is to search for the truth, and to prefer it to fiction.
+ Kenning’s ‘“‘ Cyclopedia,’’ p. 461. See Freemason, 23rd
Feb. 1884, on Seventeenth Century Masonry, and March 5th, 1881.
t+ “ History of Freemasonry,’ 1869, p. 150.
 36

With respect to Brother Findel’s estimate, it

appears to me much more likely that the writer of the
“Sloane MS.’’ was indebted to Dr. Plot than vice
versa, and if its text is carefully compared with a
number of curious pamphlets published from 1723 to
1730, it will be seen that this celebrated document is
in reality one of the same kind, belonging as it does to
that peculiar series, which appeared so frequently
from the third decade of the 18th century.
As to the number of “ five or six brethren to form
a lodge,” the reference is quite common in the “ Old
Charges.’’* So it is clear that the consent of a certain
number as a pre-requisite for initiation was provided
for in the Old Regulations in the time of Dr. Plot, so
that the requirement of the “Sloane MS. 3329”’ is
not unusual or novel.
The startling reference to the “steeple ’’ is to be
‘

met with in “‘ The Freemasons, an Hudibrastic Poem ”’

(1723), (and elsewhere), so that the notion that it was
a peculiarity of the “Sloane MS.” is easily disposed
of—
“When once a man his arm forth stretches,
It Masons round some distance fetches ;
Altho’ one be on Paul’s great steeple,
He straight comes down amongst the people.
His brother follows far and wide,
If he a hundred miles shou’d ride ;
Tf he to antient York does haste
The other must go on as fast.”’

Dr. Mackey declares that ‘‘even if we give to this

MS. (Sloane) the earliest date which is assigned to
it, it will not necessarily follow that these Masters,
Fellows, and Apprentices had each a separate and
distinct degree.”+ There is but one “ obligation ”’
given, but one lodge is mentioned ; and the writer

* Hughan’s ‘‘ Old Charges,”’ p. 56, 1872, and 1895.

t “ Encyclopedia,” p. 493.
 oye

knew little, if anything, of degrees as we understand

the term.
My belief is that had it not been for the prominence
given to the “ Sloane MS., 3329,” by its gifted editor,
ae document would be been classed with the*
““Mason’s Examination,” 1723, the ‘“‘Grand Mystery
Discovered,” 1724, ““ A Mason’s Oath and Confession,’
1727, ‘© Masonry Dissected,” 1730, by Samuel Prichard
and others, which have served to amuse, if not
instruct, the Fraternity for over one hundred and
fifty years.
General Albert Pike, ot Washington, U-S.A.,
observed, “ As to degrees, I have long maintained
their modern institution, for to be a degree, as 1 under-
stand the term, there must be something esoteric to be
revealed only to those elected, and kept from all
others.’’ I cannot do better than close this chapter
with the encouraging and weighty words of H.R.H.
the Crown Prince (afterwards H.M. the Emperor
Frederick), Deputy Protector of Masonic lodges in
Germany :—
+ But while earlier ages contented themselves with the
authority of traditions, in our days the investigations of historical
criticism have become a power which even the most revered
traditions cannot escape. The demands made by this power upon
our Order also cannot without serious consequence be left perma-
penily unheeded. . . . Therefore forward in our researches.
For all ar rangements and teachings which owe their
origin to historical relations gain a sure historical basis.
One may regret it, but it isa fact that the simple faith in authori-
ties has ceased to supply this sure basis for the present generation.
Historical truths, however, can only be secured by
historical investigation ; therefore such studies are in our time
a serious obligation towards the Order, from which we cannot
withdraw, having the confident conviction that, whatever the
‘result may be, they can in the end be only beneficial.

* Freemason, 2nd October, 1880, by Bro. Gould.

+ Translated by Dr. Ernest E. Wendt. (Chronological Record
of St. Mary’s Lodge, No. 63, 1883.)
 38

II1.—PARTICULARS AS TO THE THIRD DEGREE.

It would be of special interest if any particulars

could be discovered that were illustrative of lodge
ritual at, and soon after, the “ Revival of A.D.1717 ;”’
nothing authentic, however, has come down to us with
respect to the esoteric lodge ceremonies, so it is idle
to speculate The records of the Grand Lodge do
not begin until 1723, so we have to be content with
the Regulations of 1721, (“compiled first by Mr.
George Payne when he was Grand Master,’”’ 1718)
from the premier ‘“‘Book of Constitutions,” 1723-
The minutes of the Grand Lodge recite that on
November 27th, 1725,* ““A motion being made that
such part of the 13th Article of the General Regula-
tions relating to the making of Masters only at a
Quarterly Communication may be repealed, and that
the Master of each Lodge, with the consent of his
Wardens, and the majority of the brethren being
Masters, may make Masters at their discretion.
Agreed to nem. con.” There is no official record
of the Third Degree prior to this date, though it is
mentioned in the Laws of 1723. Dr. Oliver falls into
a strange error in declaring, that ‘‘ down to the middle
of the eighteenth century no private lodge was allowed
to confer the Third Degree,” for existing minutes
abundantly testify to the contrary. In a jlecture on
the various rituals by the same writer we are told,
that “‘ The reformation was commenced by Brothers

* Bro. Findel strangely mixes up matters by saying the degrees

of Fellow Cratt and Master Mason are not mentioned in the Book
ot Constitutions, 1723, and yet quotes the 13th Regulation from
oo ce volume which provides for their being worked in Grand
odge.
{ ‘‘ Freemasons’ Treasury,’’ p. 288.
 39

Desaguliers and Anderson about the year 1720, and

their ritual mentions for the first time a ‘ Master’s
part ;’ there was no Master’s part before 1720.” This
second guess is doubtless much more feasible, apart
from the names mentioned, but another venture by
the Doctor has not been verified—viz., that the legend
of Hiram Abiff, peculiar to the degree of a Master
Mason, “‘ was evidently borrowed from certain idle
tales taken out of the Jewish Targums, which were
published in London a.p. 1715, from a manuscript
in the University Library at Cambridge.’* I shall
be glad to hear of this work being traced, for hitherto
it has escaped detection. 7
Professor Marks, about 1876, came across a MS.
in the Bodleian of 14th century circa, which much
impressed him, and also Professor T. Hayter Lewis, to
whom he mentioned the matter. The former is not
quite clear, however, where he saw it, but it was an
Arabic work, and apparently referred to the finding
of “our Master Hiram.” A similar reading was
explained to the late Captain N. G. Philips and myself
by a Jewish Rabbi, who was visiting London about
1870, and I also heard of a like interpretation from
other sources about that year. Professor Hayter
Lewis’ Paper, and an interesting discussion thereon,
are to be found in the .“‘ Ars” for 1886-8, and an
excellent summary of the points raised occurs in
“The Masonic Journal,’ Liverpool, for November,
1902, by Bro. James M. Dow. The same journal,
for January, 1903, also contains a brief article by
Bro. J. Hutt, M.A. (formerly for many years on the
staff of the Bodleian), who makes some valuable
suggestions as to the possible whereabouts of the
“Dr. Marks MS.” at Oxford ; he does not believe the

* Delivered in Witham Lodge, Lincoln (Spencer’s sale, No. 565).

 40

document is lost, but that it probably had no shelf

number, hence the difficulty, so far, of recognizing it.
The version given by Bro. Laurence Dermott in
his ‘“Ahiman Rezon”’ of the proceedings at the
“ Revival,” is so palpably the creation of his own
fancy, that but little space need be devoted to its
examination. It runs thus: “ About the year 1717
some joyous companions who had passed the degree
of a Craft, though very rusty, resolved to form a lodge
for themselves, in order, by conversation, to recollect
what had been formerly dictated to them, or, if that
should be found impracticable, to substitute some-
thing new, which might for the future pass for
Masonry amongst themselves. At this meeting the
question was asked whether any person in the
assembly knew the Master’s part, and being answered
in the negative, it was resolved nem. con. that the
deficiency should be made up with a new composition,
and what fragments of the old Order found amongst
them should be immediately reformed, and made
more pliable to the humours of the people.’* In a
note appended he proceeds to name the fabricators
of the Third Degree. ‘‘ Brother Thomas Grinsell,
a man of great veracity (elder brother of the
celebrated James Quin, Esq.), informed his Lodge
No. 3, in London (in 1753), that eight persons, whose
names were Desaguliers, Gofton, King, Calvert,
Lumley, Madden, De Noyer, and Vraden, were the
geniuses to whom the world is indebted for the
memorable invention of modern Masonry.’ Dermott
says that Grinsell often told him “‘ he was a free Mason
before modern Masonry was known,” which was not
an unlikely statement, he having been born in the

1778, because the 2nd lacks the note respecting Bro. Grinsell.
 AI

confirms the improbable assertions made by the

author.
It is exceedingly curious that the names of these
eight brethren who are credited with having
originated the Third Degree should have remained
unrecognized until 1881, when Bro. Gould pointed out
the source of the statement in Dr. Anderson’s ‘‘ Book
of Constitutions,’ 1738, the precise order of the eight
brethren being exactly preserved. So far from the
meeting being held in 1717 for the purpose mentioned,
it was actually convened at the “ Prince of Wales's
Palace of Kew, near Richmond,’ as an “‘ occasional
lodge’ for the initiation of H.R.H. the Prince of
Wales, [Link] 1737.
The following narrative of this important
assembly (which witnessed the first accession to the
English Craft from the Royal Family), is taken from
the work alluded to, and it will be readily seen that
the paragraph in question was the source of Brother
Grinsell’s extraordinary delusion—
“The Rev. Dr. DESAGULIERS (formerly Grand Master) Master
of this Lodge.
Mr. William Gofton, Attorney at Law, Senior ,« Grand j;
Mr. Erasmus King, Mathematician, Junior t Warden 3
The Right Hon. Charles Calvert, Earl of Baltimore, the Hon.
Colonel James Lumley, the Hon. Major Madden, Mr. de Noyer,
Mr. Vraden; and when formed and tiled, His Royal Highness
FRIDERIC Prince of WALES was in the usual Manner introduced,
and made an Enter’d Prentice and Fellow Craft.
Our said Royal Brother FRIDERIC was made a faster
fi$ason by the same Lodge, that assembled there again for that
Purpose.’’*
Bro. Gould does not spare the numerous His-
torians of the Craft who, like Dermott, were “ not
sufficiently acquainted with the Constitutions of the
Moderns to detect the anachronism,” thus posing
“as disciples of the sheep-walking school, by blindly
following in the footsteps of their erring predeces-
* “ Book of Constitutions,” A.D. 1738, p. 137.
 42

sors,”* and has done good service, by his timely

article on ‘‘ Masonic Historians,” in thus exposing
the flimsy pretensions of Dermott to be accepted as
a trusty guide on the subject ; as also uttering a much-
needed warning against receiving such statements,
without first subjecting them to the most rigid
scrutiny. Our Brother must not be too severe upon
his collaborators, who failed to make the discovery,
as until the year 1881 he was precisely in the same
position. Anyway, the memory of Grinsell and the
accuracy of Dermott are proved to be of much the
same character.
It is a wonder that the belief was so long enter-
tained, that as late as 1737 “ private lodges did not
possess the power of conferring either the Second or
Third Degree;’’+ for, even if the Book of Constitutions
of 1738 was lacking as a witness, there are other
evidences which disprove such a notion, one MS. even
alluding to the Third Degree being worked by a
lodge prior to the permission being granted in 1725.
This volume is styled “‘ Philo Musice et Architecture
Societas,’” and is quite a work of art. It was
presented to the British Museum in 1859, and is
numbered ‘“ Add. MSS. 23,202.”= The introduction
was written by one familiar with the usual beginning to
the “‘ Old Charges,”’ and the scribe goes on to relate,
that “On the eighteenth day of February This
Society was Founded and Begun at The Queen’s
Head, near Temple Barr, By us the Eight under-
written, Seven of which did Belong to the Lodge at
the Queen’s Head in Hollis Street, And were made
Masons There In a just and perfect Lodge, viz.—

* Freemason, April oth, 1881, on ‘‘ Masonic Historians.”’

} Dr. Oliver’s ‘ Origin of the Royal Arch,”’ 1867, page 15.
{ First noted by Bro. M. Cooke in the ‘‘ Freemasons’ Magazine,”
July 27th, 186r, and several numbers subsequently.
 43

Mr. Willm. Gulston, Merchant, and Mr. Edmund

Squire, Gent., were made Masons the 15th of December,
1724, By Mr. Thomas Bradbury, Master of the said
Lodge. Coort Knevit, Esqr., and Mr. William
Jones, Gent., were made Masons the 22nd of Decem-
ber, 1724, By His Grace the Duke of Richmond,
Grand Master, who then Constituted the Lodge.
Immediately after which Charles Cotton, Esqr., was
made a Mason by the said Grand Master. Mr.
Papillon Ball, Mercht., and Seigr. Francesco Xanerio
Geminiani were made Masons the 1st of February,
1724. Mr. Thomas Marshall, Gent., was made a
Mason at The George in Long Acre. Some
time before, the said Mr. William Gulston,
Coort Knevit, Esqr., Mr. William Jones, -and
Mr. Edmund Squire were Regularly pass’d
Masters in the before mentioned Lodge of
Hollis Street, And .before we founded this
Society a Lodge was held, Consisting of Masters
sufficient for that purpose, In Order to pass Charles
Cotton, Esqr., Mr. Papillon Ball, and Mr. Thomas
Marshall, Fellow Crafts. In the performance of
which Mr. William Gulston acted as Senior Warden.
Immediately after which, vizt.—the 18th day of
February, A.D. 1724 he, the said Mr. Willm. Gulston
was chosen President of the said Society.’ Silver
tokens were worn at all meetings ; but kept in a box
with three keys ad interim. The ballot had to be
unanimous, and “ no person to be admitted as a visitor
unless he be a Free Mason.’”’ The form of petition
was as follows:—‘“I [Thomas Harbin], a Member
and Master Mason, belonging to the Rose & Crown
Lodge in Westminster, & likewise to the Queen’s
Head in Hollis Street, Intreat ye honour to be Ad-
mitted into this Societye in the Rank and degree, &c.”
Members were admitted to the “rank and degree of
 44
a Director,’ or as Members only, and, as the title
of the Society indicates, it was for the promotion of
musical studies, &c. George Payne (P.G.M.) and
Francis Sorrel, Grand Wardens, were present as
visitors, as also ‘‘ Tho. Fisher, a Master,’ and other
brethren in 1724-5, and very many others at sub-
sequent meetings. The Lodge at the Queen’s Head,
Hollis Street, is duly noted in the Engraved List of
1725, as also the other at the Queen’s Head, Temple
Bors
I had the pleasure of making known, in 1897, the
oldest Minutes of any regular English Lodge so far
known (‘‘ Freemason,’’ London, and the “ Ars” for
that year). This precious volume belongs to the
Freemasons’ Hall Co., Stockton-on-Tees, who kindly
lent me the Book for reproduction. Seven brethren
petitioned Lord Paisley, the Grand Master, to be
formed into a Lodge at the Swan and Rummer, or
elsewhere in Finch Lane, London, and suggested
Bro. Martin O’Connor as Master. The request was
granted; the D.G.M., Dr J. T. Desaguliers, con-
stituting the Lodge on February 3, 1725 [O.S.) and
certified accordingly. This was all the authority
needed at that period, warrants to constitute, and the
ordinary warrants coming on later.
The entries range from 1726 to 1734 ; in 1728-9 the
number 39 was assigned to the Lodge, altered to 35
in 1740, and to 23 in 1755, but apparently it lapsed
before the latter year. By-Laws were agreed to, and
there was no lack of distinguished Craftsmen as
visitors. On June 8, 1726, Dr. Desaguliers attended,
and as D.G.M. “admitted into the Society of Free-

* A sumptuous reproduction, partly in facsimile, was published

in 1900, as No. ix. of the ‘‘ Masonic Reprints ”’ by the ‘ Quatuor
Coronati ’’ Lodge, London, under the capable editorship of Bro.
W. H. Rylands, F.S.A., to which valuable work readers are
referred who desire authoritative information on the subject.
 AS
/

Masonry and made,” the Rt. Hon. the Lord Kinsale,

the Hon. James King (whose “ career in Freemasonry
is without parallel,” so Dr. Chetwode Crawley*
states), Sir Winwood Mount, Bart., and Michael
O’Bryan, Esq. It was not known before where and
when the Hon. James King, afterwards Lord Kingston,
G.M. of England, Ireland, &c., was initiated.
The most valuable feature of the Records is the
references to the Master Mason’s Degree, which are
the earliest so far traced in regular Lodge Minutes,
though the extracts previously given prove that the
Ceremony was worked still earlier The first is dated
April 27,°1727.

“ Order’d That a Lodge of Masters be summoned for Fryday

next at 6 o’clock on special affairs. ;
April 29, 1727.
John Dixon Hammond, Esqr. )
Edwd. Burton, Esq., paid. (were admitted Masters.
Mr. John Vernon.
Capt. Ignatius Molly.
March 31, 1729.
At a particular lodge for passing of Masters.

The Masters’ Lodge was formed, and the following Brethren

were admitted Masters, viz. [six in number]. Brother John
Emslie having been Recommended as a worthy and good Mason
he was passed Master at the same time. A Debate arising con-
cerning the Charge to be paid by every Brother upon his being
admitted a Master Mason in this Lodge: It was Resolved nemine
contradicente, that no Brother for the future be admitted for a
less expense than Ten Shillings and Sixpence.”

On 14th April, 1731, and 25th and 28th Feb..,

1731-2, others were “‘ passed Masters,’’ and on Nov.

Panes
* Dr. Crawley’s “‘Ceementaria Hibernica,”’ in three vols., 1895-7
and 1900, should be consulted as to Freemasonry in Ireland, and
as to the subject generally.
 40

8th following, “‘ Circular Letters’’ were ordered to

be sent to the Master Masons of the Lodge to admit
three more to the Degree; the last minute relating
to the Ceremony being dated roth April, 1734.
The Masters’ Lodge was kept separate from the
ordinary Lodge, financially and generally ; but it is
singular that a uniform silence is observed throughout
the Volume as to the Fellow Craft’s Degree. Possibly
the latter was included with the “‘ Making ;”’ at all
events the three separate Degrees were provided for
in the By-Laws of a Lodge in 1732 (‘‘ Freemason,”’
April, 1872), and were so worked at Bath from the fol-
lowing year, though not in an older Lodge at Lincoln
from 1732.* The two Wardens who were “ passed ”’
as Masters in 1729, had been elected as Wardens
previously, so the “‘ Third ’”’ was not a prerequisite for
Office at that time, neither was it for years later, many
brethren being content with their status as Fellow
Crafts. The earliest use of the term “ Raised ”’ that I
have met with was in 1738-9, which was noted by me
in the “‘ Freemason” for May 17th, 1890. In the
Charter granted by the G.L. of Scotland for the ‘‘ Old
Kilwinning Lodge of Inverness,’ dated 30th Nov.
1737, it is declared that the members had “ received
and entered apprentices, past Fellow Crafts, and
raised Master Masons” from 27th Dec., 1678, but
unfortunately the ancient Records have not been pub-
lished in justification of such titles and customs.
Could they be produced the ‘“‘two degrees theory”’
would be set aside, and the three degrees dated much
farther back.

*““ History of Freemasonry in Lincolnshire,’ 1894, by Bro.

W. Dixon.
 Af

Bro. Woodford quotes from the *By-laws

of an old Lodge, 1730 (circa) preserved amongst
the “Rawlinson MSS.” (Bodleian Library), an
interesting regulation which doubtless refers to the
Third Degree: ‘“‘ 3. Two pounds seven shillings at his
making, and received double clothing. Also, when
this lodge shall think convenient to confer the Superior
Degree of Masonry upon him, he shall pay five shillings
more.” He also quoted other regulations made
by a lodge on January 5th, 1731-2 (constituted 17th
December, 1731, as No. 83), the 6th of which
provides “That all and every person or persons
recommended and accepted as above shali pay for his
or their making the sum of three pounds three shillings.
And for their admittance the sum of five shillings,
and every Brother who shall pass the Degrees of F.C.
and M. shall pay the further sum of seven shillings
and sixpence.’’f
Bro. W. Dixon, of Lincoln, kindly transcribed for
me some curious particulars from the minute book
of a lodge constituted in that city as No. 73 in 1730.t
No. 9 of the general laws, passed on the 5th Dec.,
1732, was to the effect, that ““No Brother made in
another lodge shall be passed Master in this under
half-a-guinea, to be paid for the entertainment of the
Masters present ; and if he be a member of another
lodge, he must bring the leave of the officers thereunto
belonging, if the lodge is still existing, over and above
The members are to be excused for five shillings,
when they are sufficiently qualified to be admitted to
that degree.” §
* Freemason, April oth, 1872.
{+Freemason, Aug. 27th, 1872.
{ Erased 17th Nov., 1760. Constitutions, 1767.
§ See also ‘‘ Brief History of the Witham Lodge,” 1841, p. 4,
also Bro. Dixon’s ‘‘ History of Freemasonry in Lincolnshire,”
1894, and the “ Old Lodge at Lincoln,” Ars, “ Q.C.”’ Lo., 1891.
 48

The minutes relating to the Third Degree are most

interesting. ‘“‘ Tuesday, Dec" y 3rd, 1734, present
(names given), it was proposed that there should be
an election of new Members, and at the request of the
whole lodge Sir Cecil Wray was re-elected Master of
the same, who was pleased to nominate Sir Christo-
pher Hales, Bart., Sen” Warden, and Henry Every,
Esq., Jun" Warden for the ensuing year. But in
regard our said two new Wardens, as well as several
other of the Brethren of this lodge well qualifyed and
worthy of the Degree of Master had not been called
thereto; Our said Right Worshipful Master was
pleased to direct that a Lodge of Masters should be
held at the place aforesaid, on Monday ye thirtieth
instant, At which time the said (names given), should
be severally admitted to the Degree of Master, on their
paying severally 5s. a piece to y° box and rad. to y°
Door Keeper.” The minute recites that “At a
Lodge of Masters, held this day [31st Dec.] at the place
aforesaid, when were present (names given), and in
pursuance of the order given at the last Lodge, the
several Brethren following were in due form admitted
to y° Degree of Master [names], after which a general
lodge was formed.”
A similar fee was charged for “‘ passing Fellow
Craft ’’ by the old lodge at Salisbury, Jan, 15th, 1735,
and on Aug. 3rd, 1737, there was “ Received of
Brother Dore, for passing Master, 5s.”’** The lodge
was constituted as No. 109, at the “‘ Three Lions,”
Salisbury, 27th December, 1732. It existed in the
city for many years, but was not continued at the
“Union.”
At Norwich, in 1743, “ Order made for holding a
Master’s lodge once a quarter, but the usual meeting
=" — ——

* “ Freemasonry in Wiltshire,”’ Bro. F. H. Goldney, 1880, p. ror.

 49

to be monthly.”” This lodge was chartered in 1724 as

No. 30, and erased as No. 16 in 1809.*
Bro. T. P. Ashley mentions, that at the formal
constitution of the “ Royal Cumberland Lodge,” Bathy
(now No. 41), on the 18th May, 1733, there were
present (1) the Master, (2) Wardens, (3) Fellow Crafts,
(4) six brethren described as “‘ Masters,’’ and (5) four
styled “ Pass’d Masters.’”’ The first minute is dated
26th April, 1733, of those preserved, when several of
the fourth and fifth groups are recorded, but not
classified, and the 15th by-law of A.D. 1746 provided,
that “‘ every Fellow Craft who is found able and cunning
in the judgment of the officers, and desirous to pass
Master, shall pay five shillings into the Treasurer’s
hands for the benefit of the lodge.”’ It is likely, there-
fore, that the “‘ Masters ’’ noted in the minute of 18th
May, 1733, were those who had received the Third
Degree, the “ Pass’d Masters’ being brethren who
had been Raised at the meeting, or who were
really Past Masters. The first lodge chartered for the
provinces by the Regular Grand Lodge was for Bath,
as No. 28 in 1724, it being on the roll in 1733, though
inactive probably at that time, and shortly afterwards
collapsed. The usual term of office then, and for
years later, was six months, so that there may easily
have been that number of Past Masters in the city,
and even more. Anyway, a distinction was drawn
between Master Masons and Past Masters by the
Secretary in 1733, and unless we assume that the four
brethren entitled “‘ Pass’d Masters ’’ were raised as
Masters at the meeting in question, which is quite
likely, the other explanation appears to be a reason-
able one.
* “ Freemasons’ Calendar,’’ 1813. Freemason, 17th Dec., 1870.
+ ‘History of No. 41,” T. P. Ashley, 1873. (See also Dr.
Hopkins’ address at the Sesqui-Centennial, Freemason, Dec.
11th, 1880.)
 50

The by-laws of “‘ Relief’? Lodge (now 42), Bury,

started in 1733, consist of eleven clauses, and were
made on St. John’s Day, 1734, the fifth being that
each Brother when “admitted Master, pay further
the sum of five shillings and threepence,”’ the revised
rules in 1751 reading ‘“‘ and when he is raised Master
shall pay the further sum of five shillings and six-
pence,’’-so that there need be no doubt of the fact
that ‘“‘ Master’ then meant the “‘ Master Mason ”’ of
later times.
On the 27th April, 1756, we meet with “ Rais’d
Master five shillings,” in connection with the
““Moira’’ Lodge (now No. gz), London.*
We are not assisted in our studies relative to the
Third Degree by an examination of the early records
of the York Grand Lodge, for the oldest By-laws,
dated 1725, are silent as to Masonic degrees, which
is significant to our mind of their modern character;
we, however, meet with “A little narrow slip of
parchment containing list of M. M.’s’’t, having 35
names inscribed thereon, from 1729 to 1734 (circa).
None of the older records say aught of degrees, the
candidates being “‘ sworn and admitted,’ and though
Francis Drake, F.R.S., the Historian, in his speech
delivered before the York Grand Lodge, on Dec. 27th,
1726, as J.G.W., is silent in like manner, it may be
inferred that the brethren were not strangers then to
the modern classification, because he declares ‘‘ that
three parts in four of the whole earth might then be
divided into E.P., F.C. and M.M.”
In an interesting articlet by Bro. Jacob Norton, of
Boston, U.S.A., on Masters’ Lodges, it is stated, “ In

* Bro. Gould’s ‘‘ Four Old Lodges,” p. 41. There is no lack

of similar entries,
+ Schedule of 15th Sept., 1779. ‘‘ Masonic Sketches,” p. 20,
and the ‘Q.C.”’ Transactions previously noted, &c.
{ ‘‘ Freemasons’ Chronicle,’’ 25th Aug., 1877.
 spe

the Constitutions of 1738, the lodge list shows that

there weresonly ten Masters’ Lodges in London ; and
among the 46 country lodges in the said list, I find no
indication of a solitary Masters’ Lodge having existed
in their midst.”
The first list alluded to in the “‘ Constitutions ”’ of
1738 contains the London Lodges only, numbered
consecutively from 1 to 106, and of these eleven (not
ten) are described as Masters’ Lodges, viz.:

Constitutions, 1738...82138 43 4774 476 83. 84 85° 95 “98

Roli of Grand Lodge 13 39 68 76 123 130 I50 I5!I 152 163 169

Of these, there are still on the roll No. 13, now No.
20, Chatham ; No. 130, mow No. 46, London; No:
150, now No. 55, London; and No. 151, now No. 56,
Arundel. The numbers will prove useful in tracing
these old lodges, and exhibit the curious circumstance,
that they do not refer to either of the Masters’ Lodges
to which attention has already been drawn.
Bro. Norton asks ““ What does it mean ?—‘ Where
there is also a Masters’ Lodge.’ I am sure no body of
Masons would have petitioned in 1733 for charters for
distinct Masters’ Lodges, and no Grand Master, or
Deputy Grand Master, would have given charters for
that purpose. The very fact that such charters were
granted in 1733 is an additional proof that permanent
Master Masons’ Lodges did not exist anywhere until
Midsummer of 1733.”’ I quite believe that ‘‘ Masters’
Lodges ”’ were first separately described on the official
list about 1733, but entirely demur to the idea that
only these eleven lodges conferred the Third Degree
at the period in question, for several other old lodges
are known to have worked the Master Masons’ cere-
mony from their Constitution, covering the period
mentioned.
 -~
52

Of the 47 lodges chartered in the provinces, those

at Norwich, Lincoln, Bath, Bury, and other places
worked the Third Degree, yet the “‘ Book of Con-
stitutions,” 1738, does not credit one of them with a
Masters’ Lodge, and even in London the list of eleven
is far from exhaustive of the number which practised
the three separate degrees 1730-8 The fact is, all the
Lodges in England were then empowered to work the
Third Degree, so that another reason must be found,
for the mention of Masters’ Lodges in the authorized
list, than the one submitted by Bro. Norton. In the
engraved list of 1734,* the only Master Masons’
Lodges noticed consist of three of the latest registered,
viz.: 116, 117, and 120, London, which are not
recorded as such by Anderson in 1738, and in a list of
Lodges, 17367, there are also registered as “‘ Masters’
Lodges,” 68 and 76 of a.p. 1730 &c.; all of which
soon ceased to exist save No. 76, now represented by
the Royal Alpha No. 16. Practically, therefore, the
lodges before 1733 were not eligible to work the Third
Degree, if only those described as such had the
privilege ; hence it may be assumed, without any
further examination, that such a theory is untenable,
even though it be far from easy to present the true
solution of the problem.
The Lodges 116, 117, and 120 for Masters, accord-
ing to Bro, John Lanef (the authority on Lodge Lists,
&c.), did not pay for their Constitution, and neither
did No. 115, “‘ Scott’s Masons’ Lodge,’’ so there must
have been a valid reason for such payment not
being required. Probably it was due to the special

* Hughan’s Engraved List of a.p. 1734 (facsimile) and ‘‘ Masonic

Magazine,’’ November, 1876.
+ Also No. 151, London, now No. 56, Arundel. (Vide Bro. J.
Lane’s ‘‘ Masonic Records.”’ 1717-1894.)
t ‘‘ Masters’ Lodges,”” by Bro. J. Lane. Ars 1888.
 a3

trio named only working the Third Degree, and con-

ferred it mainly, if not exclusively, for the benefit of
other Lodges, whose Masters were not familiar with
that Ceremony. They were never represented in
Grand Lodge, though held in the Metropolis, and
ceased to appear on the engraved Lists after 1736.
An examination of the oldest existing warrants to
Constitute in this country does not assist matters
much, for in the first place none date anterior to 1732,
those of the senior Lodges generally. having Charters
of Confirmation, in consequence of the loss of the
original documents.
The following copy of the warrant to Constitute
of “St. John the Baptist’s Lodge,’’ Exeter, the oldest
of its kind known, it will be noted, contains the clause
“with like privileges as all other regular lodges do
enjoy,’ and so also do those of No. 37, Bolton, No.
41, Bath, and No. 42, Bury. Assuredly the members
believed that these words empowered them to work the
three degrees, for neither in their archives nor in those
of any other old lodges in England, have any special
documents been discovered authorizing Masters’
Lodges. Evidently none such were needed.
The oldest Warrant known, that is really a
Warrant according to modern ideas, is dated Feb. Ist,
1731, and was issued by authority of Lord Kingston,
Grand Master of Ireland, and can justly claim to have
been, directly or indirectly, the mould on which all
existing Grand Warrants have been modelled.’’* Those
of England were simply authorities to Constitute, until
the sixth decade of the 18th century, but the
“Ancients”? from their start followed the example
set by the G.L. of Ireland as to such important docu-
ments. Dr. W. J. Chetwode Crawley has given a

* “‘Czementaria Hibernica,’’ Fas. 1, 1895.

 54

facsimile of this valuable Charter in his great historical

work, and fully explained the origin and character of
these Lodge Warrants.
My opinion is that ‘“‘ Masters’ Lodges ’’ described
really two classes of meetings. 1. Lodges which
worked the Third Degree on certain days in each
month, and (2) lodges which assembled as Master
Masons only, just as some lodges practically do now,
the fees for initiation being so high as to be virtually
prohibitive, but for joining Master Masons the cost is
merely nominal. Taking this view of the subject, it
is clear that while all the lodges had the right to
confer the Third Degree, some of the number worked
the ceremony very rarely, and others assembled as
Master Masons to confer that ceremony only, leaving
to the ordinary lodges the duty of receiving Apprentices
and Fellow Crafts. In process of time, some of
the first class seemingly heeded the Third Degree as
little as those of the latter did the previous ceremonies,
thus arose the custom of looking to certain lodges
for the working of the Master Masons’ Ritual, hence
““ Masters’ Lodges,’ though all had an equal right to
work that ceremony. Beyond question, the charters
covered the three Craft Degrees to be conferred,
whether by old or new lodges ; hence this fact must
be allowed its full weight in the enquiry; and no
explanation can be correct which ignores that right.
In time, and certainly not long after 1740, the Third
Degree was kept quite apart from some ordinary
Lodges, separate minutes became necessary, member-
ship was balloted for, and fees exigible, just as if
wholly independent of the regular Lodge.
As an example of this custom the Masters’ Lodge
at Exeter may be cited, the Minute Book of which is
preserved from January, 1777, to July, 1803. It was
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 56

a Lodge really within a Lodge, being the complement

of the first two degrees conferred by the St. John’s
Lodge, now No. 39, which dates from 1732. Full
particulars of this organization were given by me in
the ‘“ Ars”’ Q.C. for 1894, and in Bro. Alex. Hope’s
History of the Lodge, 1906.
On January 2nd, 1739, “the Rt. Worshipful
Lodge of Masters was Founded” at Boston, Mass.,
the records of which are preserved from that date to
1783, and was entirely a distinct Lodge. Another
was chartered at Newport, Rhode Island, by Jeremy
Gridley, G.M. (Mass.), in 1759, in like manner, as
follows :—*
L.S. JEREMY GRIDLEY, G.M.
To all Free and Accepted Masons that shall inspect
this deputation :
Know ye that Whereas a Considerable Number of Master
Masons have from Time to Time congregated themselves at
Newport, in the Colony of Rhode Island and Providence Planta-
tions, within our district as a Lodge of Master Masons, and have
therein raised some Brothers of the Fellow Craft to Master Masons,
not thinking but they had Authority so to do, and have now
Petitioned us to confirm the said Degree, and to form them into
a Master’s Lodge.
We therefore by the Authority given us by the Grand Master of
Masons, do hereby confirm the said Degree to which any Brothers
have been so raised, and do appoint our Beloved and Right
Worshipfull Brother John Maudsley to be Master of a Right
Worshipfull Masters’ Lodge, to be held at New Port, he taking
Special Care in Chusing Two Wardens and other Officers necessary
for the due Regulation thereof, and do hereby give and grant to
the said Lodge all the Rights and Priviledges which any Masters’
Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons have or ought to have,
enjoining them to send us an account of the Time and place of
their Meeting, and a List of their Members, and Three Guineas
for their Enrolment in the Grand Lodge Book in London.
Given under our Hand and the Seal of Masonry, this 20th day
of March, A.D. 1759, A.L. 5759.
By the Grand Master’s Command,
ROBERT JENKINS, D.G.M.
WILLIAM COFFIN, S.G.W.
RICH’D GRIDLEY, J.G.W.
Witness
Joun LEVERET?, G.S.

* Proceedings G.L. Mass., 1733-92. (1895).

 yi

Its issue was thus explained by the Rev. G. M.

Randall, D.D. (Past Grand Master, Mass.), in an
address delivered on the celebration of the Centennial
Anniversary of the St. John’s Lodge, Providence,
R.I., June 24th, 1857.* | On the 27th Dec., 1749,
“the petition of a number of brethren at Newport,
Rhode Island, was presented to the Grand Lodge of
Mass., of which Thomas Oxnard was Grand Master,
praying for the incorporation of a regular lodge there,
and on being read, it was voted that a charter be
granted them.’ It was considered that the members
of the lodge at Newport misunderstood the extent of
their prerogatives, and proceeded to confer the
Master’s Degree. This fact came to the knowledge
of the Grand Lodge at Boston, who immediately
called them to an account. On being satisfied that
these brethren had unintentionally transcended their
powers, the Grand Lodge confirmed the Master’s
Degree to those who had received it, and then, in the
year 1759, gave them a charter to hold a Master’s
Lodge, of which the preceding is an exact transcript.
That this document of 1759 was a species of
fanciful and superfluous legislation, and that the
ordinary charter should have been ample authority
for conferring the Three Degrees may be accepted as
proved, because of its being unique of its date and
kind.t Even the Lodge at Providence belonging to
the same jurisdiction, never had any but an ordinary
warrant as its justification, for holding Masters’
Lodges, ten brethren out of twenty-six initiated from

* It was chartered 18th Jan., 1757, by the Prov. G.L. of Mass.,

held at Boston, under the G.L. of England, but was not reported
to the latter Body, and the fees remitted, until Dec., 1758.
+ i.e., It was a Warrant granted to a Lodge, practically, which
had already been chartered and had for ten years been conferring
the Third Ceremony. Neither ofthese two Lodges were registered
in the books of the G.L., London.
 58

1759 to 1769 having been “‘ raised’ to the dignity of

Master Masons, and the same remark applies to other
old Lodges in America and elsewhere.
The Lodge at Providence, R.I., occurs on the
Engraved List for 1769 of the Grand Lodge of
England as No. 224, and was so continued, subject
to the numerical and other alterations, until the Union
of December, 1813. A ‘‘ Masters’ Lodge”’ is noted
at Charles Town, South Carolina, in the Engraved
Lists from 1760, as No. 249,* the “‘ Union Lodge ’’
for the same town being numbered 248.¢ As each
lodge is stated to meet on the same days in each
month, and in subsequent lists were not numbered
consecutively, having also been granted at two
different periods, there are no indications of these
being in reality two charters for one lodge, because ~
of the Third Degree.
There was a disinclination to proceed to the Third
Degree manifested by many brethren during the early
part of the 18th century, and there seems to have
been some little truth, at least, in the assertion made
in 1730; “‘ There is not one Mason in a hundred that
will be at the expense to pass the Master’s part.’’t
As late as 1752, when the first Provincial Grand
Master of Cornwall was installed, the Brother who
presided was only a Fellow Craft. In Scotland,
matters were even worse, for in the historical account
of St. Machar’s Lodge, No. 54, Aberdeen, Dr.
Beveridge states, that ‘“‘ The First Degree was always
given alone and the Second and Third together; a
large number, however, contented themselves with
the First Degree, without proceeding to the others.

* Warranted 22nd March, 1756, but not on our list until 1760.
+ On our Register from .1760, but started May, 1755.
{ “ The Mystery of Free-Masons."’ Freemason, 24th July, 1880.
 59

Thus, of 260 who up to, and including, the year 1775

took the First Degree by itself, only 137 took the
other degrees.’’*

* Aberdeen Masonic Reporter, 1880, p. 25.

 60

Ill. THE RisE oF ADDITIONAL DEGREES.

Though Grand Lodges may decide what was to

be considered ‘‘ ancient and accepted ’’ Freemasonry,
and officially object to any additions or alterations, the
Grand Officers were apparently powerless to prevent
innovations. True, the changes might be made
without clashing with the authorities, by holding the
meetings apart from the regular assemblies of the
lodges, but that there was a tendency to add to the
Three Degrees, ceremonies more or less explanatory
of their customs, is evident, and that quite early in
the history of the Grand Lodge of England. If the
minutes are to be accepted in evidence it will be found,
that the lodge itself was often the scene of representa-
tions foreign to Craft Masonry ; and for many years the
view prevailed, that the presence of a regular warrant
in the lodge-room legalized all the business transacted,
no matter whether the degrees worked were connected
with the first three, or with any of the numerous
inventions of imaginative brethren.
Exactly when these additional ceremonies began
it is now impossible to decide, but that attempts were
made to tamper with the Ritual prior to 1740 may safely
be taken for granted, and it is much to be regretted,
that after a lapse of over a hundred and fifty years
the inordinate craving thus to amplify, distort,
and sometimes misrepresent the beautiful ceremonies
of the Craft, which were, doubtless, in part adapted
and continued from the older organization, has not
yet exhausted itself. Only of late years, mushroom
societies have been started, with pretentious titles and
wholly unwarranted claims to antiquity, which, for a
time, have not failed to obtain credulous victims.
 61

Occurring, as these associations do, when there are

such unrivalled opportunities for detecting their mis-
representations, it may be imagined how much easier
it was long ago, to impose upon the brethren at a
period when there was no Masonic press, and but
little could be discovered relative to the Fraternity.
Some suppose that the desire for more degrees
and different ceremonies originated in France. Pro-
bably such was the case. At all events the English
brethren did not long rest content with the simple rite
of three degrees, added to which there were also other
influences at work, in consequence of the broader base
of constitution introduced by the “ Revivalists’’ in
L717,
In a remarkable series of articles on Freemasonry
in England, written by a lamented friend, who had
peculiar facilities for obtaining accurate information,
we are informed that the difficulties which arose so
soon after the formation of the Premier Grand Lodge,
were due to the fact “that the opposition party was
mainly composed of operative Masons, who regarded
with distrust and uneasiness the transformation of the
ancient handicraft society into an association for the
cultivation of speculative science.”’* On Dr. Desa-
guliers, F.R.S., being nominated as Deputy Grand
Master by the Earl of Dalkeith, 24th June, 1723, 42
voted against, and only 43 for the appointment ; and
on the 25th Nov. of the same year, a member of the
lodge held at the “ King’s Head ”’ was expelled, “ for
laying several aspersions against the D.G.M., which
he could not make good.’f Stringent regulations
were passed in the following year for the due constitu-
tion of regularly warranted lodges, and on the 15th

* Freemason, September 3rd, 1870.

+ Grand Lodge Records.
 62

December, 1730, Bro. N. Blackerby, D.G.M., took

notice of Prichard’s pamphlet of that year, styling
it ‘‘a foolish thing not to be regarded. But in order
to prevent the lodges being imposed upon by false
brethren or impostors, proposed till otherwise ordered
by the Grand Lodge, that no person whatsoever
should be admitted into lodges unless some member
of the lodge, then present, would vouch for such
visiting brother’s being a regular Mason, and the
member’s name to be entered against the visitor’s name
in the Lodge Book.’’* In a curious publication of
1766, the assertion is made, that the “‘ Fraternity held a
general Council, and the Entered Apprentices’ and
Fellow Crafts’ Words were revers'd, and _ private
accounts transmitted to each lodge, tho’ there. are
some unconstituted lodges still retain the former
custom,” in order to prevent any brethren being
imposed upon by Prichard! This fancy may have
given rise to the charge brought against the
Regular Grand Lodge by the ‘ Atholl Masons,” or
“Ancients ;’’ but even if it were correct, the latter
brethren were indebted to the former for their
knowledge of the Craft, and hence were without
any justification for styling the regular Masons
“ Moderns.”
The writer before-mentioned declares, ‘“ It is also
evident that these irregular assemblies were held at a
much earlier period than is generally known, inas-
much as at a meeting of the Grand Lodge, on the
15th of Sept., 1730, Bro. Anthony Sayer, Past Grand
Master, was publicly admonished, and it was an even
question whether he should not be expelled for taking
part in the proceedings of one of those clandestine
lodges.’’t ;
* Grand Lodge Records.
| Freemason, Sept. 3rd, 1870.
 . 63

Bro. H. Sadler has softened down the decision of

the Grand Lodge on that occasion,* but even at the
best, the verdict was not a pleasant one for the premier
Grand Master, as the Deputy Grand Master told Bro.
Sayer on being acquitted of the charge, that he
recommended him “fo do nothing so irregular for the
future.” ;
On the 31st March, 1735, “The Grand Master
took notice (in a very handsome speech) of the
grievance of making extraneous Masons in a private
and clandestine manner upon small and unworthy
considerations,’ and suggested various remedies to
prevent such admissions for the future.
The constitution of the ‘Grand Stewards’
. Lodge’ was viewed with great disfavour by many
brethren, and on Dec. 11th, 1735, “A petition and
appeal was presented and read, signed by several
Masters of lodges, against the privileges granted to
the Stewards’ Lodge at the last Quarterly Communi-
cation. The appellants were heard at large, and the
question being put whether the determination of the
last Quarterly Communication relating to this matter
should be confirmed or not. In the course of collecting
the votes on this occasion there appeared so much
confusion that it was not possible for the Grand
Officers to determine with any certainty what the
numbers on either side of the question were, they were
therefore obliged to dismiss the debate and close the
lodge.’’t
The ‘complaint concerning irregular making of
Masons ”’ was considered at the Grand Lodge held on
June rath, 1739, and again on the 12th December,
when the Grand Master said “he could not believe
* Freemasons Chronicle, 29th Dec., 1883.
+ Grand Lodge Records.
+ Ibid.
 64
it had been done otherwise than through inadver-
tency, and therefore proposed that if any such brethren
there were, they might be forgiven for this time,
which was ordered accordingly,” but it was resolved,
that ‘‘ the laws be strictly put into execution against
all such brethren as shall for the future countenance,
connive, or assist at any such irregular makings.”
Other complaints were made later on, but as it has
never transpired of what the irregularities consisted,
save the assembling of brethren to “make Masons,”
without regular warrants, it is not easy to find any
justification for the statement, that the innovations at
that time consisted in a different mode of working
the Third Degree. The minutes of the Grand Lodge,
however, do not specify any changes in the ritual,
but irregularities in the constitution of the lodges, as
also the insufficiency of the fees. The correctness of
the ceremonies, though irregular in their surroundings,
is virtually admitted by the means taken to prevent
such persons visiting the legitimate lodges.
Bro. Findel states that “‘the Grand Lodge of
1747 made some alterations in the outward forms, and
though they were but trifling, they caused the publi-
cation of the ‘ Thinker upon Freemasonry, and other
controversial treatises in 1752, and in 1755 the war-
cry of the dissentients was sounded.’’* The evidence
for this statement is not given, and it has not been
confirmed as respects the “trifling alterations.”
The year 1755 is too late for the sounding of the
““war-cry,’’ some five years earlier being nearer the
truth, for the ‘‘ Atholl Masons ”’ were in full operation
in 1751, elected Dermott, in succession to Morgan, as
their Grand Secretary in 1752, and chose their own
Grand Master in 1753. Under the year 1739, Bro.

*“ History of Freemasonry,’’ p. 174.

 65

John Noorthouck has a note* which confuses more

than it tends to communicate light on the subject.
He intimates that the decision to enforce the laws, as
already mentioned in 1739,
“Trritated the Brethren who had incurred the censure of the
Grand Lodge; who instead of returning to their duty, and
renouncing their error persisted in their contumacy, and openly
refused to pay allegiance to the Grand Master, or obedience to
the mandates of the Grand Lodge. In contempt of the ancient
and established laws of the Order, theyset up a power independent,
and taking advantage of the inexperience of their associates
insisted that they had an equal authority with the Grand Lodge,
to make, pass, and raise Masons. Aft this time no private lodge
had the power of passing or raising Masons; nor could any brother
be advanced to either of these degrees, but in the Grand Lodge,
with the unanimous consent and approbation of all the Brethren
in communication assembled. Under a fictitious sanction of the
ancient York constitution, which was dropped at the revival of
the Grand Lodge in 1717, they presumed to claim the right of
constituting lodges. Some brethren at York continued, indeed,
to act under their original constitution, notwithstanding the
revival of the Grand Lodge of England, but the irregular Masons
in London never received any patronage fromthem. The antient
York Masons were confined to one lodge, which is still extant, but
consists of very few members, and will probably be soon altogether
_annihilated. This illegal and unconstitutional claim obliged the
regular Masons to adopt new measures to detect these impostors,
and debar them and their abettors from the countenance and
protection of the regular lodges. To accomplish this purpose
more effectually, some variations were made in the established
forms ; which afforded a subterfuge, at which the refractory
brethren readily grasped. They now assumed the appellation
of ancient Masons, proclaimed themselves enemies to all inno-
vation, insisted that they preserved the ancient usages of the
Order, and that the regular lodges, on whom they conferred the
title of modern Masons, had adopted new measures, illegal and
unconstitutional,’’ &c.

The foregoing extract treats of a much longer

period than the text indicates, for it really extends
from 1739 to 1780, at least. There was no secession,
however it might have been threatening, in 1739, so
far as there is evidence to guide us; and assuredly
Bro. Noorthouck was entirely wrong in declaring, that
the Grand Lodge preserved its sole control over the
* “ Book of Constitutions,” 1784, pp. 239-40. _Really based on
Preston’s “ Illustrations.”’
 66

Second and Third Degrees as late as 1739, not per-

mitting the lodges to confer them; for there is
abundant testimony to the contrary, not only from the
records of several old lodges, but from a resolution
declared to have been carried in the Grand Lodge as
early as 1725. Preston states that “ several worthy
brethren, who could not be reconciled to the encroach-
ments which had been made on the established system
of Masonry, are much disgusted at the imprudent
proceedings of the regular lodges.’’*
If it is conceded that a change was made by the
regular Masons, of what character and at what time
cannot now be indicated with any certainty, besides
which the whole enquiry is beset with many and
peculiar difficulties. An alteration in the “‘ estab-
lished forms ”’ might as well refer to the method by
which visitors were to gain access to lodges, as to
an actual alteration in either of the words or signs of
any of the degrees. Preston’s view is, that the inno-
vations “‘seemed to authorise an omission of and a
variation in certain antient ceremonies.”’ That more
stringent regulations were passed respecting the
admission of visitors, has already been seen ; and it
is equally certain, that added to these, any slight
departure from the ordinary customs by the regular
brethren, would be made the most of by their rivals.
Before this part of the subject is left, it is needful
to enquire into the statements, often promulgated,
to the effect that there were higher degrees than the first
three in existence on the publication of the Regulations
in 1723. It is better to use the term additional
rather than “‘ higher’’ degrees, however, because if
the truth must be told, some of the innovations are

*“* Tilustrations of Masonry,” ’ 1788, p. 276. The minutes of

the “Lodge of Promulgation”’ from 1809 are suggestive of
alterations having been made.
 67
much more entitled to the prefix /ower, and, moreover,
as nothing termed Masonic can really and truly be
superior to the Three Degrees, the term favoured
removes any possible grounds of complaint, and does
not lessen the importance of the Ceremonies in
connection with the ‘“‘Ancient and Accepted Rite,”
the “ Knights of the Temple,” &c.
The first in importance is the evidence of ‘‘ Long
Livers,” of 1721-2. The Preface of March rst, 1721,
is the only part that concerns Freemasonry.* I
entirely fail to comprehend why this dreamy and most
credulous writer, should be tendered as incontestable
proof of the existence of additional degrees in that
decade. The dedication being to the Grand Master,
&c., of Great Britain and Ireland, when no such
officer has ever existed, does not say much for the
Masonic knowledge of the author, Robert Samber,t+
and the character of the address, as well as the book
itself, indicate beyond question the weak-mindedness
of the writer.
He says, “I shall speak to you a few words on
this important subject, and perhaps I am the first
that ever spoke to you after this manner.’’ This may
be conceded, for he was certainly the first to so address
the Fraternity. Samber appears to have looked upon
himself as a herald of what may be termed a medley
of perverted Rosicrucianism and a travesty of dog-
matic Christianity. Much has been made of the
following :—“ By what I here say, those of you who
are not far illuminated, who stand in the outward
Place, and not worthy to look behind the Veil, may
find disagreeable or unprofitable entertainment ; and
* Hughan’s Reprint, “‘ Masonic Magazine,” 1878.
+ “ The writer of this curious work was Robert Samber, author
ofa‘ Treatise on the Plague.’ My authority is the MS. Catalogue,
British Museum Library.”’ R. F. Gould, Freemason, June 4th,
1881.
 65

those who are so happy as to have greater Light will

discover under these shadows somewhat truly great
and noble.’”’ Now, after all, what is this but an
enigmatical and visionary mode of saying practically
nothing? No one has yet pointed out aught in the
body of the work (to which of course he refers), that
relates to additional degrees, or indeed to any Masonic
degrees or customs whatever. The author’s own
estimate of himself may surely be accepted. “‘ Do not
imagine I set up for a Rabbi, Master, or Instructor,
who am one of the least of you, a mere Novice, a
Catechumen, and know-nothing,”’ for if a Freemason
at all he was probably but an Apprentice. Although
he counsels the brethren “to avoid Politics and
Religion,” he frequently transgresses his own rules
most flagrantly. In concluding the Preface, the
parting words are addressed to his “ brethren of the
higher class, since you are but few,’ which compli-
ment succeeds his denunciation of false Craftsmen.
What he means by the “ higher class”? cannot now
be determined. According to his description of
himself, there must have been many amongst the
Fraternity entitled to that appellation as compared
with his own low position. This may be what he
intended his readers to undcrstand by his address.
Bro. Woodford, who devoted much time to unravel
this book of riddles, says emphatically, ‘‘ After much
consideration I have had, with others, to reject the idea
that we have in those words allusions to the Royal
Arch Grade,’’* his verdict being that the work is
“simple Hermeticism, the old transcendentalism of
the Alchemist, of which many similar examples might
be given.”

*“ Masonic Magazine,’’ August, 18S8o.

 69

Bro. Whytehead says truly,* ‘“‘ The author mixes

up Christianity in the most systematic manner, despite
his own recommendation to his readers to avoid
religion and politics. The whole tone of his address is
exceedingly high-flown and extravagant, but in this
respect the author resembles many writers of his day,
and most of the occult essayists wrote after a similar
fashion.”’
Bro. Gould styles the work ‘‘a hodge-podge of
religion and philosophy.’ Dr. Mackey asks ‘‘ why
is it that neither Anderson, nor Desaguliers, nor any
of the writers of that day, nor any of the early rituals,
make any allusions to the higher and more illuminated
system ?’”’ The answer is not far to seek, for there
was then no such system to write about ; the allusions
and delusions of Samber being magnified and dis-
torted by credulous writers to mean what evidently
the author of “ Long Livers” neither knew of, nor
even suggested. In a series of articles on ‘‘ Masonic
History ”’ in the Freemason for 1881, this and other
points will be found carefully noted by several of us.
In one of these Bro. Gould observes: ‘“‘ Even if we
assume that the author of ‘ Long Livers’ was a Free-
mason, and also take it for granted that he was
completely saturated with Masonic learning, what does
it all amount to? Simply to this, that four years
after the formation of the Grand Lodge there existed
a classification of the brethren.’ This work, and the
“Sloane MS.,”’ No. 3329, have been cited erroneously
in favour of the notion, that there were several degrees
worked prior to the institution of the premier Grand
Lodge.
Another supposed reference to additional degrees
to the first three, early 18th century, is that said to be
* Freemason, April oth, 1881. See also Bro. Bain’s Repro-
duction, with Introduction by Bro. Gould, 1892.
 70

found in the “ Constitutions,” issued at Brussels in

1722.* The 37th clause in this unknown book is
declared to read ‘‘ All the Masters of lodges, Knights
elected Kadosh, Superintendents, Knights of Palestine,
Princes of Jerusalem, Masons of the Secret, Elus
Ecossais, Knights elected of St. Andrew, Ancient
Master of the Royal Arch, Officers of the Grand
Lodge, Masters, Companions, Apprentices, and all
Masons in general, are expressly commanded to
acknowledge and recognise these present statutes
regulating all the Grand elected Knights K.H.”
Clearly, if these regulations be authentic and
genuine, no further proof is needed of the existence
of additional degrees to the first three, one year before
the premier Book of Constitutions was _ published,
but there is nothing to justify such a belief. Those
who maintain otherwise have only to produce a copy
of this work of 1722, to obtain from me a most ample
retraction.
The extraordinary claim appears to have origi-
nated with the late Dr. Henry Beaumont Leeson (for
many years: the honoured chief of the “ Ancient and
Accepted Rite ’’), who fancied he had seen a copy of
the book in the possession of the late Bro. Richard
Spencer, the well-known Masonic Bibliographer.
Bro. John Yarker, in 1869, kindly communicated with
the late Bro. Matthew Cooke about the matter, who
replied to him, that “‘ Dr. Leeson did make a state-
ment about a Book of Constitutions, printed abroad,
and dated 1721 (I think). He said he saw the copy
at Bro. Spencer’s, left without purchasing it, regretted
having done so, and next time he was in London
called to buy it, but it had been sold to an American
customer. Consequently Bro. Hughan has seen some

*“ Freemasons’ Magazine,”’ 1862, p. 78.

 7=

other book.* J never saw the one Dr. Leeson spoke

of, but have no hesitation in giving the most implicit
credit to his word, for whatever he asserted it con-
tained.”’
I then wrote to Bro. Spencer, and received from
him the following reply, which completely disposes
of the claim. It is dated 4th June, 1869.
“ Before answering your letter of the 28th ult., I have been
trying to look up some memoranda relating to the sale of the old
copies of the Constitutions referred to by Br. Yarker, and J have
just found they were the 1723 and 1738 editions which were
purchased by the American brother, therefore Bro. Yarker is in
error respecting my selling any earlier editions of the Book of
Constitutions ; he is right about Dr. Leeson offering to buy the
8vo. pamphlet entitled ‘“‘ Old Constitutions,”’ printed in 1722,
the one I allowed you to take a few extracts from when you
called here, the Doctor’s offer of purchase I declined, and thought
I had named that to you.”
It should be borne in mind, that Bro. Richard
Spencer was unequalled in his day for a knowledge of
Masonic works, had accumulated a large collection of
original copies of old books on the craft, and more-
over, was most exact in all his business dealings.
There cannot therefore be any hesitation in at once
accepting his version of the conversation with Dr.
Leeson. The Book of 1722, was offered for sale
with others in July, 1875, when a number of the
volumes in Bro. Spencer’s library were sold7j ; it was
purchased by me for the late Bro. R. F. Bower of
Keokuk, U.S.A., for £8 ros. (originally cost sixpence),
and is now a gem in the Library of the Grand Lodge
of Iowa, one of the largest and most valuable of the
kind in the world. In 1871 Bro. Spencer published
the MS. in his series of the ‘“‘Old Constitutions.”’
It is a reproduction mainly of the “ Harleian MS.,”
* This refers to my statement that I saw the Book of 1722, but
that it was not a copy of the Constitutions of any Grand Lodge,
but a transcript of a version of the ‘‘ Old Charges,’’ known as the
“ Roberts MS.”
+ No. 240. Catalogue, Sotheby, Wilkinson & Hodge, p. 61-
 72

1942, and contains no references whatever to Masonic

Degrees.*
Then there are the supposed references to addi-
tional degrees in the Rawlinson MSS. in the
‘“ Bodleian,” which range from 1724 to 1740, or there-
abouts. Bro. Richard Rawlinson, LL.D., F.R.S., a
Masonic enthusiast, was Grand Steward in 1734. In
a letter to a friend concerning the Society of the Free-
masons (preserved in this curious collection), is the
following allusion to this Brother. “I protest, sir, I
had like to have forgot one man, who makes a most
Illustrious Figure amongst ’em, and stiles himself
R.S.S. and LL.D. He makes wonderful Brags of
being of the Fifth Order. I presume (as he is a
Mason) he means the Fifth Order of Architecture,
which is otherwise called the Compound Order, and
by it, one would be tempted to imagine that the
Doctor is a composition of Maggots and Enthusiasm.” +
This facetious epistle is supposed to prove the
existence of the Royal Arch Degree in 1725! The
“fifth order’’ may not then, or even years later,
indicate Royal Arch Masonry, (admitting for the sake
of argument it was known at that period), as that
ceremony was for long described as the “fourth
degree.”” It may be that, as a Master Mason, a Past
Master, and Grand Steward, Dr. Rawlinson was of the
fifth order, (including the first two degrees), but
certainly the equivocal reference to such a position,
rank or dignity, cannot fairly be assumed as describing
the Royal Arch Degree, at a time when apparently it
was not known to exist.
* Given in extenso in Hughan’s ‘‘ Old Charges,’’ 1872. See
2nd edit. of r895 and also “‘ Masonic Reprints " of the “ Q.C.”
Lodge (1890).
t ‘‘ Freemasons’ Magazine,”’ May, 1857, p. zoo. Also Dr.
W. J. Chetwode Crawley’s invaluable Paper thereon. Ars vol.
xi, A.D, 1898. Bro. W. J. Songhurst is of the opinion that this
refers to Desaguliers (A.Q.C., xxx., p. 210).
 73

IV. ADVENT OF RoyvAL ARCH MASONRY.

It is probable that Royal Arch Masonry was the

first ceremony associated, with the Craft Degrees,
though before minutes relating to the Royal Arch are
met with, there are records of other extra degrees ; but
references to the former of 1743-4, place it in the
position of being one of the earliest known of the
additional Ceremonies.
The question arises, therefore, granting there has
been a Third Degree from about 1717-20, as an
outgrowth of the “ Revival,’’ when did another
Ceremony appear in the character of an additional
degree ? In view of all the facts, it is not an unsate
venture, to place the introduction of organised Royal
Arch Masonry at about twenty years subsequently.
Another point then remains to be considered,
viz., of what the “ Royal Arch” consisted in its
earliest days. Was it formed by taking from the
““Master Mason ”’ a portion of its ritual, and then
amplifying the ceremony so as to form a “ Fourth
Degree?’ or was it substantially or entirely a new
creation ?
Preliminary to such an investigation, it is well
to discover what was the character of the Three
Degrees, especially that of the ‘“‘ Master Mason,”’
ritualistically and generally, at and before any
innovations ; which to thoroughly consider would
require to be dealt with in a tyled lodge, and, even
then, it could but be imperfectly done, under the
most favourable conditions.
We have had too much of assertion, and too
little evidence in the past on this question, as if it was
to be settled by an oracular kind of dogmatism. The
 74

subject is beset with such peculiar and inherent diffi-

culties, as to render a wholly satisfactory decision
well nigh unattainable, hence the most that can be
promised is to present a concise digest of the facts,
to enable brethren to read ‘“‘ between the lines,” and
thus form reasonable, but not final conclusions for
themselves, based upon evidences so far known.
The oldest minutes of Royal Arch Masonry
preserved are of the year 1753 in the U.S.A., and
1758 in England ; but the degree is mentioned in the
“ Atholl’? Records of March 4th, 1752, and it is
particularly alluded to in a printed work of 1744, and
referred to in Ireland, still earlier. The following is
the earliest typographical account of the Degree* :—
““T am informed in that city (York) is held an assembly of
Master Masons under the title of Royal Arch Masons, who, as their
qualifications and excellencies are superior to others, they receive
a larger pay than working Masons ; but of this more hereafter.
“Now, as the landmarks of the constitution of Free Masonry
are universally the same throughout all kingdoms, and are so well
fixt that they will not admit of removal, how comes it to pass that
some have been led away with ridiculous innovations, an example
of which I shall prove by a certain propagator of a false system,
some few years ago, in this city, who imposed upon several very
worthy men, under a pretence of being Master of the Royal Arch,
which he asserted he had brought with him from the city of York,
and that the beauties of the Craft did principally consist in the
knowledge of this valuable piece of Masonry. However, he
carried on his scheme for several months, and many of the learned
and wise were his followers, till, at length, his fallacious art was
discovered by a Brother of probity and wisdom, who had some
small space before attained that excellent part of Masonry in
London, and plainly proved that his doctrine was false ; where-
upon the Brethren justly despised him, and ordered him to be
excluded from all benefits of the Craft, and although7 [some of the
fraternity have expressed an uneasiness at this matter being kept
a secret from them (since they had already passed through the
usual degrees of probation), I cannot help being of opinion that
they have no right to any such benefit until they make a proper
application, and are received with due formality, and as it is an
organis’d body of men who have passed the chair, and given
*** A Serious and Impartial Enquiry into the cause of the
present Decay of Free-masonry in the Kingdom of Ireland,”’ &c.,
by Fifield Dassigny, M.D., Dublin, 1744. Reproduced by Hughan
in ‘‘ Memorials of the Masonic Union of a.p. 1813.’’ London, 1874.
+ Portion within brackets was quoted by Dermott, a.D.1756, &c.
 Fo

undeniable proofs of their skill in architecture, it cannot be

treated with too much reverence, and more especially since the
character of the present members of that particular Lodge are
untainted, and their behaviour judicious and unexceptionable,
so that there cannot be the least hinge to hang a doubt on, but
that they are most excellent Masons. |]
“T cannot help informing the brethren that there is lately
arrived in this city a certain itinerant Mason, whose judgment (as
he declares) is so far illumined, and whose optics are so strong that
they can bear the view of the most lucid rays of the sun at noon-
day, and although we have contented ourselves with three
material steps to approach our Summum Bonum the immortal
God, yet he presumes to acquaint us that he can add three more,
which when properly placed, may advance us to the highest
heavens,
“Tt is universally allowed that the /talians are excellent Masons,
and have produced to the world the most masterly designs, but I
cannot be of opinion that their private usages or customs are
different from the general method exhibited throughout all other
nations and I never yet could hear that there was any order in
Masonry, under that particular denomination of the /talic order,
until this mighty Architect, or, I may say, extravagant climber,
came to impart to his countrymen so valuable a production.
““ For my part I shall always profess a very great esteem for any-
one who shall add to the beauty of our glorious art, or by any
means improve or enhance the value thereof, and were I assured
that this adept had skill sufficient to demonstrate the truth of his
assertion, I should pay him the utmost veneration; but until
then he must excuse me from being one of his devotees, and I hope
that no innocent and worthy brother may at any time be misled
by false insinuations or foreign schemes.’’*
I had the good fortune to recognise a copy of this
work (then believed to be unique) in 1867, bound up
with the ‘“ Ahiman Rezon’’ of 1756.+ Bro. Findel
had “‘sought in vain for the book in the British
Museum,” and recognized most gladly the importance
of the discovery.t
* In a letter to the Grand Chapter of Scotland, I pointed out
that this work furnished earlier evidence of the degree being
worked than admitted in their Regulations, so in subsequent
issues, the correction has been duly made.—Freemason, June
12th, 1869.
+See Hughan’s sketches of Notable Masonic Works (Dr.
Dassigny) Free. Mag., Dec. 12th, 1808. The work was the
property of Bro. R. F. Bower, U.S.A., whose Masonic library was
purchased by the Grand Lodge of Iowa in 1882. Since then two
more copies have been traced, the one intheW. Yorkshire Library
having been reproduced in facsimile by Bro. R. Jackson, of Leeds,
1893, with an Introduction by me.
+ Die Bauhiitte, Aug. 8th, 1868.
 76

[Link] to have been quite lost sight of during the

last century, for Dr. Kloss in his “ Bibliographic der
Freimaurerei”’ only quotes from Dermott as to the
volume, and, even now, the other pamphlet by the
same author is still untraced. There are about 400
names appended as subscribers, beginning with the
Right Hon. John Lord Viscount Allen, G.M., and
followed by the Hon. Eliz. Alldworth, ‘‘ Laurence
McDermott,”’ and other brethren; our only sister, the
celebrated ‘‘ Lady Freemason,” however, was not the
only Lady Subscriber.
We learn then from Dr. Dassigny that (1) ‘‘ some
few years’”’ prior to 1744 (say 1740) a brother in
Dublin pretended to be Master of the Royal Arch, (2)
who was detected by another brother ‘“‘ who had some
small space before attained that excellent part of
Masonry in London,” (3) “‘ Royal Arch Masons”’
assembled at York in 1744 {so he was informed),
(4) ““Some of the Fraternity’ did not like such a
secret ceremony being kept from those who had taken
the “usual degrees,’ (5) but the objection was not
entertained, because the members in question had
“passed the chair,’ and were “ excellent Masons,”
(6) An “itinerant Mason” /ate/y arrived in Dublin
(say 1743), desired to add three steps to the usual trio,
by which some wonderful results were to be attained,
even advancement “ to the highest heavens,’’ to which
the Doctor objected on reasonable grounds, and (7)
finally it is clear that the aim of the Third Degree in
1744 culminated in reverence for the ‘“ Summum
Bonum, the immortal God.”
Dr. Dassigny’s ‘‘ Impartial Enquiry” is thus
referred to in a scarce work of 1765,* in a private
Masonic library: ‘‘ Notwithstanding his (Dermott’s)
* General J. C. Lawrence, P.G.M. Mass., U.S.A. ; the only other
copy known, being in the Library of the Grand Lodge of England.
 Is

sneers at the ‘History of Masonry,’ he has quoted

some things which require a regular historical account
to set them in a clear light, and though he has
contemptuously treated and refused the assistance of
several authors who have wrote on the subject of
Masonry, he has nevertheless thought proper to quote
Dr. Dassigny (which was one of them) in defence of
the Royal Arch Masonry.’’*
Bro. C. A. Thoryf alludes to Irish Chapters in
France as early as 1730, but gives no authority for
the statement, for the very simple reason that none
existed. It is probably a typographical error for a
much later year. (‘‘ Existaient a Paris des 1730 et
tenaient leurs Constitutions du Grande Chapitre de
Dublin.’’)
Bro. Findel remarks, “ It is perfectly certain that
this Degree was not known and practised in England
until the middle of the eighteenth century, as there
does not exist any earlier account of a Royal Arch
Chapter bearing a reliable date. . . . The Royal
Arch was introduced into. York, 1768. . . . Did
not certainly make its way to Ireland before 1751 ; in
America we first find it in 1758, and in Germany about
1780 for a short time.’’t Dr. Dassigny’s testimony,
and other evidence, prove that Royal Arch Masonry
was known in England and Ireland several years prior
to the foregoing estimate, and at Bristol it was worked

*“* A Defence of Freemasonry as practised in the regular

lodges, both foreign and domestic, under the Constitution of the
English Grand Master, in which is contained a refutation of Mr.
Dermott’s absurd and ridiculous account of Freemasonry, in his
book-entitled ‘ Ahiman Rezon,’ and the several queries therein
reflecting on the regular Masons, briefly considered and answered.”
London, 1765. Reproducedin facsimile by Bro. H. Sadler, 1898,
in his ‘‘ Masonic Reprints and Revelations,”’ with an Introduction
by Dr. W. J. Chetwode Crawley.
+‘ Acta Latomorum,’”’ Paris, 1815.
{‘‘ History of Freemasonry,” pp. 170, 184-186.
 78

in 1758 and at York in 1762, as minutes testify, and

even earlier. The period assigned for its introduction
into Germany, at least unofficially, appears much too
late, but I am not ambitious to run counter to the
German Masonic Historian, as to that matter, as he
should be the better judge.
Dr. Rob Morris, of Kentucky, an age ago, de-
clared that the origin of the Royal Arch Degree must
be ascribed to about 1740, and it is not possible to
improve much on such an estimate even now.
Bro. W. A. Laurie, Grand Secretary, declared
“that beyond a mere assertion, there is no evidence
of any kind of its existence in Scotland previous to
47432"
This reference is likely to be to the old Lodge at
Stirling, and in order to obtain authoritative informa-
tion on the subject, I was fortunate in securing the
consent of the then R.W.M., (Bro. Thomas Allison),
for a loan of the ancient Records for examination,
and also the two old Brasses, which are most curious
and unique. The latter are about three inches wide
and nine inches long, and of rude workmanship.
Their date is likely to be somewhere about the
middle of the eighteenth century. The one of special
interest concerns the “ Redd Cross, Knights of Malta
and the Night Templer,” the other having to do with
the Craft only. The idea of their having been
engraved in the 17th century seems quite out of the
question, because the Knights of the Temple and
other Chivalric Ceremonies under the protecting wing
of Freemasonry, cannot be dated so early.
A number of important minutes of this Lodge are
only known by a transcript made about 1790. On
first hearing of these, I was told they were original
records from 1743-5, but an examination of the volume
showed me they were simply copies made towards the
 79

end of the 18th century. The By-laws in this Book

are stated to have been agreed to 14th May, 1745, the
8th of which provides for certain fees from the
“Entered Apprentice ’’ onward. The “ Excelent and
Super Excelent five shillings and Knights of Malta
five shillings.’ In the Records preserved from_ 1741
and ending in 1822, there is no word of any such
Ceremonies, but it is stated that Regulations were
agreed to in 1745, though their purport is not noted.
The “ Excelent and Super Excelent ’’ doubtless con-
cern the Royal Arch. The Supreme Grand Chapter
of Scotland sought to fix the dates of origin of the
Chapters on their Register, and in 1818, a special
Committee reported those which had submitted, or
“produced satisfactory evidence of their having
existed in the knowledge and practice of R. A.
Masonry [&c.] since the periods set against their
respective names ;”’ the first on the list being
“ Stirling Rock R.A. Chapter from the 30th July,
1743.”
As the Chapter at Stirling is still on the Roll, it is
the oldest in the World, if this date can be established ;
but meanwhile, I fear, the claim must be kept in abey-
ance,* though there seems no reason to throw any
doubt on the decision in 1818, in view of the composi-
tion of the Committee. On the other hand had it
referred to the R. A. only, its genuineness would be
less open to doubt, if at all, but 1745 is surely too
early for the Masonic Knights of Malta.
I had a very pleasant discussion in 1867-8 with a
““Masonic Student ’’} relative to the antiquity of the

*“ Ancient Stirling Lodge,’ by W. J. H. Ars, 1893, and

Introduction to Bro. Jackson’s Facsimile of Dr. Dassigny’s
“ Enquiry,” 1744.
+ This well-known nom de plume represents a dear Brother
frequently referred to in these pages, viz., the Rev. A. F. A.
Woodford, M.A.
 80

“Royal Arch.” My contention was in favour of its

origin about 1740, but that Brother maintained that
the ‘“‘ Degree existed in effect long before Ramsay’s
time. . . . We have numismatic evidence of the
antiquity of the second part of the Third Degree,
coeval with the operative lodge of York Masons,
certainly in the fifteenth century.’* The numismatic
evidence of the date mentioned has not been traced.
The ‘“‘second part of the Third Degree,’+ which
‘“Masonic Student’ takes to be substantially the
Royal Arch, he considers ‘“‘ Grand Lodge adhered to
until the Union,” and his opinion is, that “‘ the whole
question of the Royal Arch, in its historical and
traditional position, turns in reality on the actual
extent of the mutilation or development of the Third
degree.”” In a subsequent letter, the same writer
observes, “‘ despite Bro. Hughan’s strong expression
of opinion, I venture to express my firm belief, on
very many grounds of evidence, that the Royal Arch
Degree is far more ancient than 1740.’’ Since then
no pains have been spared to arrive at an accurate
conclusion, and I am now more convinced than ever
that my contention then was the right one, no other
view appearing possible, according to the facts so far
known.
Bro. T. B. Whytehead remarks, ““Some Masons
are of opinion that the Royal Arch originally was, in
some form, an actual portion of the Master Mason’s
degree, and this theory is in some measure justified,
by certain words and symbols found on tracing boards
depicted in the oldest Masonic works extant.’ Dr.
Mackey states, ‘‘ that until the year 1740, the essential
element of the Royal Arch constituted a component

*“ Freemasons’ Magazine,’’ Dec. 28th, 1867. ft Ibid.

{ Lecture on ‘‘ Mark Masonry,’’ 1883, p. 12.
 81

part of the Master’s degree, and was, of course, its

concluding portion.’”’* Dr. Oliver maintains “‘ that
the difference between the ancient and modern systems
consisted solely in the mutilation of the third
degree,’’} and in “Some Account of the Schism ’”’ he
aims to prove, that “ the Royal Arch was concocted by
the Ancients to widen the breach, and make the line
of distinction between them and the Grand Lodge
broader and more indelible,’’ Bro. Woodford being
virtually of the same opinion, viz., that the Royal
Arch was “ the second part of the old Masters’ grade,
which Dermott made use of to mark a supposed
difference as between the ancients and moderns.”+
§ Dr. Oliver asserts that the Chevalier Ramsay
“visited London at the very period in question, for the
purpose of introducing his new degrees into English
Masonry ; and his schemes being rejected by the
Constitutional Grand Lodge, nothing appears more
likely than that he would throw himself into the hands
of the schismatics. . . . It is therefore extremely
probable that Ramsay was concerned in the fabrica-
tion of the English degree.’’| I demur entirely to
such statements for many and sufficient reasons.
There is not a tittle of proof that Ramsay’s “ inven-
tions’ were either entertained or rejected by the
Grand Lodge of England, by its rival, the ‘“ Atholl
Masons,’ or by any other Masonic body in Great
Britain and Ireland, added to which he had “ joined

* “ Encyclopedia,’” p. 668.
+“ Origin of the English Royal Arch,” p. 39.
{ Kenning’s “‘ Cyclopedia,’ p. 585.
§ But these views of Dr. Oliver and Bro. Woodford are opposed
to the evidence already discovered, as it is quite clear that R.A.
Masonry was at work before the “‘ Ancients ’’ were heard of, and
that they simply utilized and gave prominence to a ceremony,
which they found the ‘“‘ Moderns ”’ already knew of.
|| “Some Account of the Schism,” pp. 23, 24 and 26.
 82

the majority ’’ some three years, at least, prior to the

period of Dermott’s exaltation as a Royal Arch
Mason, and the ‘‘ Atholl Grand Lodge ”’ had no exist-
ence until some seven years or more after Ramsay's
decease. I am entirely of the opinion, that if the
Chevalier ‘‘ did visit any part of England or Ireland
about 1740, it was not for masonic, but political
purposes ; ’’* but as to that, the necessary information
being lacking, we need not speculate. Dr. Oliver
likewise declares, that the degree “is very properly
denominated the English Royal Arch, for it was
doubtless a fabrication of this country, and from hence
was transmitted to every part of the world, where it
now prevails.” This guess is possibly nearer the
truth than the previous one, for what is known as the
“Royal Arch ”’ of the Continent, cannot be considered
as precisely the same as the degree in England of
that name.
He also declares,. that ‘“ The true word never was
lost, but transferred by the seceding Brethren, at the
great Schism in 1740, to the Royal Arch, and in
corroboration of this hypothesis, I have before me an
old French engraving of the ichnography of a Masters’
Lodge, dated in that very year, containing the usual
emblems, and on the coffin the veritable word in
Roman capitals. . . . The legend progressed
throughout: the greater part of the century, increasing
in dimensions, and slightly varying in particulars,
until it attained the form in which it now appears, and
requires a portion of the Ineffable degrees to render
* “ Freemasons’ Chronicle,”’ July 21st, 1877.
+ “Dr. Oliver, they tell us, was a wild enthusiast, a dreamer,
and his works may be thrown on one side in these enlightened
days as so much chaff, in which the stray grains of wheat are so
scarce as not to be worth looking for. Iam afraid that those who
make these assertions have either not read Oliver, or read him to
very little purpose.”” (Bro. T. B. Whytehead, Freemason, Feb.
23rd, 1884).
 83

the fable interesting, although by no means com-

plete.*
If the English Royal Arch was originally of
foreign manufacture, its semi-connection with the
degrees known as “ Ineffable’’ is not to be wondered
at. I confess to my inability to decide which was the
senior, the Continental or the English Royal Arch;
they had, however, so much in common, that the facts
which are authenticated are not antagonistic to their
having a somewhat similar beginning ; but their exact
origin has not yet been elucidated, though a fair
approximate date may be fixed upon for the period of
their advent. A History of Freemasonry in France,
1725-60, is not in my present programme, however
important it may be ; but it is well to note the asser-
tion by Dermott, that the Lodge, No. 94, held at the
“Ben Jonson’s Head,” Spitalfields, was censured in
1755 by the regular Grand Lodge, for practising
“ ancient masonry on every third Lodge night,” the
reason of their so doing, being because some of the
brethren “had been abroad and received extra-
ordinary benefits on account of ancient masonry.’
They refused to admit visitors on one of these occa-
sions, (unless they were made “in their novel and
particular manner’’), who, on complaining, led to the
Grand Lodge censure, and the order was made that
“they should admit all sorts of Masons without
distinction.’ Dermott says “the persons thus
censured drew up, printed, and published a Manifesto
and Masons’ Creed (sold by Owen in Fleet Street),
which did honour to their hearts and heads.’’ I have
never been able to obtain or peruse a copy of this

“ * “ Freemasons’ ‘Treasury,’ pp. 302 and 310.

+ ‘‘ Bro. Gould’s History, vol. 2, p. 397, and G. Lo. Proceedings,
1754-5.
{ First printed in ‘“‘ Ahiman Rezon”’ for 1778 (3rd edition).
 84 :

pamphlet, or know of any, not that we at all doubt

its issue, or disbelieve the narrative of Dermott, as
there is nothing improbable about such an occurrence
at the period ; my purpose for giving the excerpt being
to draw attention to the source from whence the
brethren are said to have obtained their knowledge of
the novel ceremony
It is peculiar, and rather in support of the views
mentioned, that in an early Ritual the word “ which
was once lost, and is now found,” is so alluded to in
the ceremony of the Third Degree as worked in 1730.
Much more, however, than a word is involved in the
“mutilation ’’ spoken of, for if only that was
affected by the statement, there need be no difficulty.
The late Dr. Joseph Robbins (P.G.M. of Illinois),
in an article entitled ““ Masonry of the Lodge Com-
plete,’ thus writes on the subject: “It has seemed
best to refer to the charge that the ‘ Moderns’ had
changed the modes of recognition, not because it has
any direct bearing upon the question of the complete-
ness within itself of the Masonry of the lodge, but
because of its probable relation to the fiction of the
mutilation of the Third Degree, that is, that the latter
was really in the nature of a countercharge brought
against the ‘ Ancients,’ by the ‘ Moderns,’ provoked
by the prior charge of the ‘ Ancients,’ that they had
made unlawful changes ; and because also, a part of
the evidence, which is at hand to prove that neither
charge is founded on fact, is equally applicable to
both.”* This reminds me of the opinion expressed
by Bro. Woodford. “‘The ground wants clearing
and so let us go to work ’’—for it is quite clear
that there has been a mistake committed, in giving
undue prominence to the supposed “ trifling altera-

* “Voice of Masonry,’’ March, 1884.

 85

tions ” by both parties, whereas the truth is that the

real differences consisted in additions, leaving the
three degrees substantially as they were prior to the
introduction of Royal Arch Masonry. I did not see
this so clearly some years ago as now, having at that
time relied upon well-known authorities, but subse-
quent investigations lead me to support the theory
that we have virtually the Third Degree as it was prior
to 1750. On such a question one cannot be explicit,
but it may be maintained that, notwithstanding what
has been stated by Dr. Dalcho, that the difference
between the “ Regular’ and “ Atholl ’’ Masons “‘ was
no greater than it would be, to dispute whether the
glove should be placed first upon the right hand
or on the left,’’ there are evidences to be considered,
too important to be ignored, before such a belief can
be consistently held.
Bro. Robbins asks most pertinently, “‘ If English
and American Masons have the present modes of
recognition, as a consequence of the alleged mutilation
by which an essential portion of the Third Degree
was excised and erected into the Royal Arch, for what
purpose was the Degree mutilated in Scotland or in
Ireland ?”’
Never has Royal Arch Masonry been recognised
in Scotland, and to-day the attitude of the Grand
Lodge towards the Grand Chapter, though friendly,
is precisely the same, as respects actual recognition,
as it has been throughout the period of the existence
of the degree, yet the Scottish Grand Lodge, under
the Grand Mastership of the Earl of Dumfries, on
Nov. 30th, 1772, agreed to “ brotherly intercourse and
correspondence ”’ with the “ Atholl’’ Masons, who
were to be received in Scotland with all the honours
and bounty due to a faithful Brother of the same
household with us ;’’ and the Grand Lodge of Ireland
 86

in the same month and year passed similar resolutions,

tha Grand Master, Lord Dunluce, and the members
promising to ‘‘ consider such brethren as may be
recommended to them from the Grand Lodge of
England (under the Duke of Atholl, Grand Master),
equal objects of their attention with those of the
Fraternity in Ireland.’’* That there were no difficul-
ties in the way of a transfer of such intercourse, may
be inferred from the fact that the Earl of Moira in
1805 ‘was the medium through which the Grand
Lodge of Scotland and that of England were brought
into fraternal union,’’f 7.e., the Regular Masons, thus.
giving the preference in that year to the Premier
Grand Lodge.
It is very remarkable, too, that at the union of
the rival Grand Lodges of South Carolina (represent-
ing the ‘“ Regular’ and “ Atholl”’ Masons), the
joint committee (appointed by these two bodies to
make the preliminary arrangements), reported, “‘ That
from the reciprocal examinations by the several
committees already had in Grand Lodge, it doth appear
that there exists no difference in the mode of passing
and raising, instructing, obligating, and clothing, in
the respective Grand Lodges ”
Nevertheless, so hostile was the feeling between
them, that the “olive branch of peace was only
respected for a few months in 1808, but at last the
union was finally effected in 1817. The “‘ Regular ”’
brethren had lodges in that State from 1736, and the
“Atholl Masons” from 1783, the opposition running
so high, that the testimony to the substantial
uniformity of working is all the more reliable and
noteworthy.

* “ Ahiman Rezon,’’ 1778, p. 59.

+“ History of the Lodge of Edinburgh,” 1873 p. 270.
 87

Bro. Robbins proceeds: “If in view of these

facts, there is longer any room to doubt, that doubt
is disposed of by the fact that the Rituals extant of
the period, extending from 1723 to 1730 inclusive,
five in all, show that they had the same modes of
recognition that we have now. This period antedates
by twenty or thirty years the first appearance of the
Royal Arch, and the identity of the essentials of the
Ritual then and now is conclusive, that the alleged
mutilation of the Third Degree, to form the basis
of that Order, is pure fiction.”
Bro. Speth kindly translated for me the portions
of Dr. Kloss’ ‘“‘ Freemasonry in England, Ireland,
and Scotland ”’ (1847), relating to the present inquiry.
According to that authority, the Provincial Grand
Master (Bro. Vignolles) wrote to the Master of the
Lodge ‘‘Charles’’ at Brunswick: ‘‘ Between the
French and English working there is no essential
difference in the first three degrees” (p. 427). It
seems to me simply impossible that any very violent
changes could have been made in the Rituals of the
Craft degrees by either of the two rival Grand Lodges
—first, because, had they so done, they would have
been opposed by the foreign Grand Lodges, and thus
cut themselves off from the Fraternity generally ; and
secondly, it would not have been likely, under such
circumstances, that Lodges in England would have
been working under warrants from both the
“ Regular’ and “ Atholl ’’ Grand Lodges, as several
did, first accepting the one, and then obtaining the
other, after which they acknowledged for a time first
one and then the other, according to their fancy, until
the ‘“‘ Union,’ when they held fast to the charters
from the ‘‘ Atholl”? Masons, because of securing
higher positions on the United Roll of Lodges.
 88

There must undoubtedly have been some minor

differences between the two opposing Grand Lodges,
to account for the fact that on brethren from the one
Society joining the other, they had to be “‘ remade ”’ in
either case ; ‘‘Moderns”’ made “ Ancients,” or vice
versa; but all this can well be granted without the
material alterations having been agreed to, as some
claim ; and in view of all that is involved by main-
taining the theory that the Third Degree was “ muti-
lated’ to the extent stated (viz., the whole of the
second part removed into the Royal Arch), besides
other alterations in the preceding degrees, it seems that
the theory herein supported is much more likely to
contain the true solution. There was apparently a
difference between the ‘‘ Regular’ and “ Atholl”
Masons, which has come down to us in the ceremony
of the Third Degree, thereby explaining the use of
two sets of words of similar import or meaning, and
the preference for the combination rather than the
omission of either of these peculiar and brief sentences.
The diligent student can find the solution to this
enigma, by a careful examination of the various
works published during the second half of the 18th
century, which treat, directly or indirectly, of the
peculiarities of the rival Grand Lodges.
With regard to the books known as “ Expo-
sures,’’* such as the “‘ Mason’s Examination,” 1723
and 1730, ‘‘Grand Mystery,” 1724, Prichard’s
““Masonry Dissected,” 1730, &c., ‘‘ Three Distinct
Knocks,” 1760, &c., “‘ Master Key to Freemasonry,”
1760, ‘‘ Jachin and Boaz,’’ 1762, &c., “‘ Hiram, or
the Grand Master Key,” 1764, ‘‘ Shibboleth,” 1765,
““Mahhabone,”’ 1766, &c., “‘Solomon in all His
Glory,” 1766, ‘“‘ Freemason Stript Naked,” 1769, &c.,
et hoc genus omne, and, we may add, ad nauseam,
* See ‘‘ Notes on our English Ritual.’’—Freemason, May, 1880.
 89

I fear they cannot be received in evidence in any way.

To my mind they are so contradictory, that it is quite
impossible to found any argument on their text ; they
differ so much, even when published about the same
time, and are necessarily so unreliable, about the very
points on which light is desired, that we must dismiss
them from examination. Still, even accepting them
as guides, what does their evidence amount to, and
where do they lead us? They do not give any coun-
tenance to the theory that the ‘Moderns’ and
“‘ Ancients’? were very much at variance in their
modes of working the three degrees, so that the
general view is not affected.
Dr. Robbins speaks too confidently in asserting,
“that whatever question may arise as to the date of
the introduction (i.2., of the Royal Arch), there is
none as to who introduced it. It was practised by the
seceders, but never by the authority of the regular
Grand Lodge, down to the time of the union of the
two Grand Lodges in 1813.’ Inasmuch as it will be
seen that the degree was worked in London and
Dublin about 1740, being some six years prior to
Dermott’s ‘“‘ exaltation,” and ten or more years before
the “‘ Atholl’ Grand Lodge was started, it must be
incorrect to credit the so-called ‘“ Seceders ” with the
introduction of Royal Arch Masonry into this
Country.
I cannot share the opinion held by Bro. Findel,
that ‘‘The Three Degrees of Masonry are perfectly
independent of any other, and include within them-
selves the whole of Masonry; therefore they cannot
be probationary degrees or gradations, but rather
everything superadded or appended thereto is conira-
band and illegal ;”’* at least not now, whatever might

* “History of Freemasonry,” p. 186, note 2.

 go

have been the case if connected with the Brotherhood

in 1730-40.
The theory that a word was placed in the “ Royal
Arch”’ prominently, which was previously given in
the sections of the Third Degree, and known “as the
ancient word of a Master Mason,”’ is worthy of careful
consideration. It is said to be still so communicated
in some Master Masons’ Lodges on the Continent,
and it is to be found on old Tracing Boards of early .
18th century. The amplification and preminence
which followed such removal and incorporation into
another degree, appear to provide the key to the
problem, harmonize the statements of Dr. Dassigny
with those of later years, and permit of a change being
made without any violence to the ordinary Ritual,
besides allowing of the old system being followed,
or otherwise, without any difficulties worth mention-
ing occurring between the Craft authorities and the
votaries of Royal Arch Masonry. According to this
idea, that which was once lost, and then found, in the
Third Degree (in one of the sections), was subsequently
under the new régime discovered in the ‘“ Royal
Arch,” only much extended, and under most exalted
and dignified surroundings.
But, it may be urged, what about the other Grand
Lodges—did not they object to such an innovation,
and would not the change suggested be impossible,
when the regular Grand Lodge of England refused to
recognize Royal Arch Masonry until 1813? It may
be replied, that the non-recognition by the Grand
Lodge of England was more formal than real for
many years antecedent to the ‘“‘Union;” that if
Rituals, either in MS. or printed, are to be admitted
as a test, ‘he word was not found or alluded to in such
later productions (though this point is not pressed) ;
and whatever may be the difficulties inseparable from
 gl

the holding of this view (and there are not a few),

any other notion has still more objections to contend
against.
The “Rite Ancien de Bouillon,” on which so
much stress has been laid by Dr. Oliver, is declared
to be very old. Be that as it may, its character is such
as to prove beyond question it was not either of
English origin or practice A.D. 1740 (circa). Before
me are copies of the MSS. sold by Bro. Spencer in
1875. The first volume, Lot 569, was described as
“First and Second Degree of what was called
Ancient Masonry, ‘Rite Ancien de Bouillon,’ com-
plete Ritual, most important and remarkable, for
inspection by Freemasons only ;”’ and another, Lot
568, was entitled ‘“‘ The Third Degree, as it was con-
ferred by the Ancients in 1740, from the Paper of
the late Dr. Oliver; may be inspected only by Free-
masons.’’* These, then, are the MSS. once owned
and used by the late Dr. Oliver, but they are not
originals, being of modern caligraphy. The original
MSS. have so far escaped detection, and hence we
are not in possession of any data to guide us in fixing
the period of their composition save the statement of
the Doctor, which, to speak plainly, is open to grave
objections, because in 1740 there were no “ Ancients ”’
r “Atholl Masons.’ The whole tenor of the three
Rituals is suggestive of a French or Continental
origin; in no sense do they read as of English
production, so far as there are any reliable indications
to assist us, and what may fairly be termed the esoteric
portions are more suitable for “‘ /neffable’”’ than Craft
degrees.
* Lot 568 was sold for £3 tos., and Lot 569 (including some
other MSS.) fetched £5 ros. They are now in the Library of the
Grand Lodge of Iowa, being a part of the celebrated ‘‘ Bower
Collection,”’ "and a certified copy of the chief MS. is in the TaD aety:
of Bro. J. T. Thorp, of Leicester.
 g2

Had, then, the Royal Arch necessitated any

integral portion of the Third Degree being severed
from its normal surroundings, and entirely removed
from the Ritual, as far as Master Masons were con-
cerned, is it likely that ceremony would have been
patronized by Lord Blayney, the Immediate Past
Grand Master, and other influential members of the
Grand Lodge in 1767 and subsequently ? But even
if such had been the case (a most unlikely, if not
impossible occurrence), one can scarcely credit
brethren who held aloof from Royal Arch Masonry,
being to any extent parties to such an arrangement.
So that the prominence given to a word by Royal Arch
Masons, not alluded to significantly in the Degree of
a Master Mason, save in one of the “ Sections,’’ might
thus be omitted in the one, and made the chief feature
of the other, without causing much disturbance; its
gradual elimination from the lodge being the work of
time, and in some parts the old system being still
continued.
Having dwelt sufficiently on the debatable points
connected with the subject, it is time now to glance
at the earliest records of Royal Arch Chapters in
England. These are not quite so old as those of some
others of the additional degrees, notably the minutes
of the “‘ Royal Order of Scotland,’’ but that fact,
which tends to lessen their value slightly, is more
than counterbalanced by the typographical references
to Royal Arch Masonry, which go back to a period
earlier by several years than do any others, except
the first Three Degrees.
Passing over the mention of the Royal Arch by
the “ Ancients ’’* in 1752-4, the next in order of

** Bro. Dermott, G. Sec., explained all points as to real Free-

masonry except the Royal Arch ’’ (1752), and ‘‘ The Masters of
the Royal Arch to be summoned ”’ (1754).
 9 =>)

priority is the valuable volume at Bristol entitled, ‘A

Book of Transactions of Free and Accepted Masons
at their Lodge at The Crown in Christmas Street,
Bristol, 1758, by R. Owen, Secretary ’’* which Bro.
John Gard kindly sent me for perusal and report.
The records begin August 4th, 1758, and run on to
1761. The Lodge was formed in February, 1757, but
collapsed in 1769. The first that concerns the Royal
Arch is dated “ August 7th, 1758, Lodge night,’ and
occurs in the ordinary minutes of the Craft, viz. :—
“ Brother Gordon proposed to be Raised to the degree of a
Royal Arch and accepted. Lodge closed in Harmony and good
order at ro o'clock.”

An emergency meeting was convened on the 13th

of the same month, when

“ Brothers Gordon and Jno. Thompson Raised to the degree

of Royal Arch Mason.”

On the 31st “ Bro. Peter Fooks requested to be

raised to the degree of Royal Arch and accepted,” and
on September 3rd that brother, with two others, were
so “‘raised’’ accordingly, a lecture on the Degree
being given by Brother James Barns. Three more
had the Degree on October 8th, and “ Brother Elhott
took the obligation of a Master Mason and accepted
also as a Royal Arch Mason.” This was doubtless
due to Elliott being an ‘“‘ Ancient ’’ Mason, the Lodge
being of ‘“ Modern ”’ origin.
Quite a number were exalted on to 1759, the last
minute of that year (September 13th) stating, that a
Brother was to take the R. A. the next day.
There is no mention of “‘ Passing the Chair”’ in
this volume, and it is doubtful, to my mind, if such

* Memoranda as to the English Masonic Rite. W.J.H., 1899,

 94

a ceremony was always a pre-requisite for the Royal

Arch. Bro. J. Littleton, of Bristol (who has made
a special study of the R. A. Records preserved in
that city), tells me, that “for at least 150 years,
Masters of Lodges have been installed with a secret
ceremony, and that, with the exception of 1822-35,
the R. A. had no connection with that ceremony in
Bristol.”” This is a remarkable fact, and goes far to
explain the silence as to “‘ Passing the Chair” in
such Minutes ; though so common elsewhere. In the
Lodge in question, Deacons were also appointed, a
most unusual proceeding under the ‘“‘ Moderns ”’ ;
such officers not being actually recognized by that
Body, possibly as with the Installation Ceremony,
but were authorized from the “‘ Union of 1813.”
The R. A., therefore, at Bristol was open to
Master Masons. Bro. Littleton mentions a curious
minute of the Chapter of ‘‘ Liberty and Sincerity,”
June 7th, 1798, Bristol, viz. :—
““ Bro. S. Jones was proposed and exalted, he being an Ancient
Royal Arch Mason,his fee was considered 10/6 and 5/-registering*”’

This is a most unusual record, though re-making in

Craft Lodges of ‘“‘ Ancients”’ to “‘ Moderns,” and
the reverse, was quite common. I should like to
hear of other instances of ““ Modern’”’ R. A. Masons
joining Chapters of the “ Ancients.”
My remarks have mainly to do with England,
but reference should be made to R. A. Masonry in
Ireland, if ever so slightly, and also elsewhere. The
first mention of the Ceremony in Ireland (the oldest
in the world), is duly described by Dr Chetwode
Crawley (the discoverer thereof), from a Dublin
* A similar agreement was carried out on ‘‘ Ancient ’’ R.A.
Masons being elected joining members, in St. James’ Chapter
(now No. 2), some ten years later.
t Caementaria Hibernica, Fasciculus 1, 1895.
 95

newspaper of 1743. There was a celebration at

Youghal, Ireland, by Lodge No. 21, and a Procession,
in which occurred:

“Fourthly, the Royal Arch carried by two

excellent Masons.”
The learned Doctor states, “ The problem of the Royal
Arch is essentially different to-day from what it was
a few years ago. The investigation is now concerned
with an esoteric symbolism which we have seen
plainly shadowed forth by Anderson in 1723, and
more distinctly delineated by Pennell in 1730: a
symbolism which presents itself, a few years later,
at full work, consolidated into a Degree, in districts
widely separated and completely unconnected ; at
Youghal in the year 1743, in Dublin, York and
London before the year 1744; and at Stirling in the
year 1745.”
A very interesting minute of 1759 is that of Lodge
No. 19, Youghal, Ireland: “Then proceeded to the
passing of Spencer Scameden, and Samuell Gardner
to the dignity of Royal Arch Masons, they being
proper officers of this Lodge.”
It is well to note, that the Ceremony in Ireland
differs much from that of England and Scotland, for
it has nothing to do with the Rebuilding of the Temple
as narrated by Ezra, but with the Repairing of the
Temple by Josiah, the three chief Officers, or Prin-
cipals, being the King (Josiah), the Priest (Hilkiah),
and the Scribe (Shaphan), not as we have them,
Zerrubabel, Haggai and Jeshua. Our usage can
be traced back in this Country to 1765, or earlier ;
but the singular fact remains, that, though the
‘“ Ancients ’’ evidently took the Masonic customs of
Ireland as their guide generally, they do not appear
to have done so as respects the names of the R. A.
 96

Principals, and ritualistically the Irish and English

Ceremonies are very different.
In Dr. Chetwode Crawley’s ‘‘ Forgotten Episode in
Irish Freemasonry,” this evolution of the R.A. and K.T.
as separate and independent Organizations, is duly
described, the Grand R.A. Chapter dating from 1805,
and that for the Templars from the same year.
The same learned Brother informs me that in
1829, Ireland followed the example of England, and
‘for the first time we hear of Z, or H, or J in connec-
tion with the Irish R. A., and the H.P. is degraded
from the place of First Principal to the eighth in
precedence, as a sort of G. Chaplain.’’ The change
was not popular, but little used in the Metropolis, and
ignored in the Provinces and Abroad by the Irish
Chapters. In 1859, with a view of securing uniformity,
a Committee was appointed, the results being seen
in the constitution of the Grand Chapter in 1861,
the old usages being resumed, and the Duke of Leinster
became the H.P., Rt. Hon. Judge Townshend, K.,
and Thomas Mostyn, C.S. [Chief Scribe]. In the
following year, the K. was placed at the Head. Dr.
Chetwode Crawley considers that precedence was
given to the H.P., without exception, until 1829, and
it was from the earlier sources that the American form
of the R. A. was derived, hence the requirement of
the virtual P.M., and the Passage of the Veils, etc.
The virtual P.M. was abolished in Ireland in 1864,
and also for some time in Scotland.
The oldest continuously working Chapter is
believed to be the “ Jerusalem, No. 3”’ of the City
of Philadelphia, U.S.A. Its Sesqui-Centennial was
celebrated on June 6th, 1908, and a handsome volume
has been published giving full details of the interesting
proceedings. The ceremony was worked under the
“ Ancient ’’ Lodge formed in the City in 1758, its
 SEAL AND COUNTER SEAL
OF THE
GRAND LODGE OF ALL ENGLAND (YORK)
 7,

status as a separate. Chapter being of gradual

“evolution.” Its earliest preserved minutes begin on
December 3, 1767, when a Bro. Hoodloss was
proposed, “‘ who had been duly and lawfully entered,
passed, and raised at Fort Pitt, in the year 1759, by
our Brethren, John Maine, James Woodward, and
Richard Ladly, all Royal Arch Masons.” At this
gathering “the minutes of the previous meeting were
read and approved,” but that volume is now missing.
Bro. Stanislaus Remak, the veteran Secretary, read
a History of the Chapter at the Commemoration
meeting, and gave quite a number of extracts from
the Records.*
The earliest minute so far traced of the conferring
of the R.A. Ceremony is preserved at Fredericksburg,
Virginia, in connection with a Lodge that assembled
there, without what is known as “ regular authority ”’
until 1758, when a Charter was issued by the Grand
Lodge of Scotland. The history of this old Lodge
has been written by Bro. S. J. Quinn (1890), to whom
I am indebted for the facsimile of the following
important entry, which was reproduced in the “ Ars ’”
for 1891, to accompany my Paper on “ English R. A.
Masonry, 1744-65.”
** December 22d 5753 Which Night the Lodge being assembled.
was present Right Worshipfull Simon Frazier G.M. Do. John
Neilson S. Wardn. Do. Robert Armistead Jun. Wardn, ( o¢
Royall Arch Lodge. )
Transactions of the night.
Daniel Campbell : Ph 5 y
EET ENS. Raised to ay asics of Royall Arch
Alexr Wodrow
Royal Arch Lodge being Shutt, Enterd aprentices
Lodge opend.”’

From the publication of the ‘“‘ Ahiman Rezon ”’

or Laws of the “‘ Ancients,’ in 1756, there is no lack

* “* Sesqui Centennial Jerusalem R.A.C., No. 3.” Phila., 1908.

 98

of references to the R. A. in one form or another.

Lodges were warranted in Scotland from 1755-6
bearing the name of Royal Arch, and in the following
decade evidence abounds as to the degree being
worked in this country. Bro. G. W. Bain possesses
a unigue leaf of a song “ Printed for Brother Pugh’s
Lodge [No. 18], Pewter Platter, Cross Street, Hatton
Garden, London, 1765,” in which occur a few lines
as to “‘The London Royal Arch.”
Another Book of Records was brought to light
by the well-directed researches of Bros. Whytehead
and Joseph Todd. It is a most remarkable find in
every respect, and illustrates the need there is for
more careful and extended examinations of old lodge
chests, for the volume thus discovered was unknown
to those who had duly examined the treasures of the
““York Lodge’’ (as was thought, most diligently).
It had never been previously described. I never saw
the volume until 1888, and feel quite certain that the
late Bro. William Cowling* (Bro. Todd’s prede-
cessor) never knew of its existence ; neither did Bros.
Woodford and Findel recognise it when on their
York pilgrimages, owing probably to its _ being
placed in some dark corner.f Its title is “‘ Minute
Book belonging to the Most Sublime Degree or Order
of Royal Arch appertaining to the Grand Lodge of
all England, held at the City of York, 1762.” Until
1879, we only knew of the “ Treasurer’s Book of the
Grand Chapter of Royal Arch Masons,’’{ beginning
April 29th, 1768, the actual records preserved not
commencing until Feb. 8th, 1778, so that we can
claim that this relic takes us sixteen years farther

*“ History of the Grand Lodge of all England,” by William

Cowling, 1875. (With By-Laws.)
+ Freemason, Nov. 8th and 15th, 1879.
{ Hughan’s ‘ Masonic Sketches,” Part 1, p. 61, and Part 2, p. 5
 99

back, than any York minute of that Degree previously

known to be in existence. The ‘‘ Rules and Orders,
Grand Chapter of All England” provided for 5s.
being paid for each member admitted of the Grand
Lodge of All England (York), with 1s. to the Sword
Bearer ; the latter fee and half a guinea being charged
any other candidates. Bro. Whytehead wrote a
readable sketch of these interesting minutes, and
collaborated with me in two Papers on York
Masonry. “ Ars’ of the Q.C. Lodge.* Their chief
value consists in being the second earliest known ~
records of a Chapter in this country ; but apart from
this consideration, exhibiting, as they do, the fact
that the degree was authorized by the York Grand
Lodge, and became a Grand Chapter, we have in this
volume another instance of Grand Lodge recognition,
within a few years of the degree being similarly
acknowledged by the “ Atholl’? Grand Lodge in
London, besides other interesting particulars which
confer upon it more than usual importance, even for
the years 1762-76.
The first three officers of the Chapter in 1762
were the Master, Senior Warden, and Secretary
respectively of the Lodge No. 259, which was granted
by the regular Grand Lodge, London. “ The Grand
Chapter would seem, therefore, to have been really
formed by the brethren of Lodge 259, meeting at the
Punch Bowl ”’ ; and being subsequently almost wholly
supported by the “ York Masons,” and certainly
their sole property, is a pleasing evidence of the good
feeling subsisting between them and the regular
Grand Lodge of England (London). The first
minute reads as follows :—

* Freemason, Nov. 8th, 1879, and Ars, 1900.

 100

“A Most Sublime or Royal Arch Lodge open’d at the Sign of

the Punch Bowl in Stongate, York, on Sunday, the 7th of Feb-
fuary, 1762. Present.
FropsHaAm, P. H.
ORAM, Z. L. in the Chairs.*
GRANGER, J. A.
At this Lodge Brothers Burton, Palmes, Tasker and Dodgson
petition’d to be raised to the 4th Degree of Masonry, commonly
call’d the Most Sublime or Royal Arch, were accepted, and
accordingly made.”
The meetings are not described as held in Chap-
ters until 29th April, 1768, being previously
denominated ‘‘ Lodges.’”’ On the 5th June, in that
year, a Bro. Thorp, “ of the Lodge at Hull,” was made
a Royal Arch Mason, and on the znd November, Bro.
Jacob Bussey, afterwards Grand Secretary, was
exalted. Bro. John Palmes, “Grand Master of All
England,” 1765-6, and Bro. Seth Agar, Grand
Master, 1767, were amongst the earliest members.
The first warrant was granted by this Grand Chapter,
according to the records, to open a Royal Arch Chapter
at Ripon on 7th February, 1770, in response to a
Petition presented on the 28th December, 1769, and
another was agreed to be issued to the Companions
at Knaresborough in April, 1770, which document
“was seal’'d and sign'd’’ at the June meeting. In
October the third warrant was issued, being “ for the
opening and holding a most Sublime Royal Arch
Chapter in the Inniskilling Regiment of Dragoons
(then in York Barracks) at all seasonable times, and
when duly congregated to make Royal Arch
Masons.” Visitors frequently attended, and brethren
were exalted who hailed from neighbouring towns,
thereby spreading a knowledge of the degree far and
wide. The book ends in 1776, the minutes being con-

* Bro, Whytehead suggests that these initials represent

“ Propheta, Haggai, Zerubbabel, Legislator, and Jeshua, Armiger.”’
It is likely the order in which the names appear, simply refer to
their position in the Chapter, one on either side of the Z.
 IOL

tinued in a second volume dating from February 8th,

1778, and ending on September roth, 1781, which I
recognised in the archives of the Grand Lodge of
England ; and on petition to the Grand Master, by the
“York ’’ Lodge, it and a folio minute book of the
extinct “Grand Lodge of All England” from 1774,
were duly returned to their lawful Custodians. The
chief three officers, during the latter part of the first
volume (1772) and in the second, are described as S.,
H.T., and H.A., which initials are easily recognized,
not as they sat in Chapter. The term ‘“ Companion ”’
is only once met with in the Book, and that was in
1776, and “ raised ’’ was used to describe the Ceremony.
It is noteworthy that on May 2nd, 1779, an
agreement was made that the officers of the Grand
Lodge of A// England should be “ Masters of this
Royal Arch Chapter whenever such presiding
members shall be members hereof. In case of default,
they shall be succeeded by the senior members of the
Royal Arch Chapter,’’ which seemingly was the
prototype of the reciprocal arrangement entered into
by the present Grand Lodge and Chapter of England
from the time of the Union of 1813-17. <A petition for
a warrant at Rotherham was granted on March 3rd,
1780; generally speaking these documents being
issued to such places as had accepted charters for
Lodges from the York Grand Lodge
Bro. Godfrey Higgins mentions the fact of the
Grand Chapter of All England having been “ held
for the /ast time in the Crypt, on Sunday, May 27th,
1778.”* He should have said the only time it was so
held, so far as there is any evidence. The minute is
contained in the second volume before mentioned,
and is as follows :—

*“ Anacalypsis,”’ &c., by Bro. Godfrey Higgins, A.D. 1863.

 I02

‘ York Cathedral, 27th May, 1778. .

The Royal Arch Brethren, whose names are undermentioned,
assembled in the Ancient Lodge, now a sacred Recess within the
Cathedral Church of York, and then and there opened a Chapter of
Free and Accepted Masons in the Most Sublime Degree of Royal
ACh. sereseiic..
Jacob Bussey, S.
George Kitson, H.T.
Thos. Richardson, H.A.
John Coupland, Secretary and Treasurer.
Francis Consitt.
Robert Bewlay.
Thomas Williams.
Thomas Beckwith.
Francis Clubley.

The Chapter was held, and then closed in usual form, being
adjourned to the first Sunday inJune,except in case of emergency.”

On the 20th June, 1780, certain resolutions “ from

the Grand Chapter were introduced ”’ to the members
of the York Grand Lodge, and adopted. They con-
firmed the authority of the Grand Lodge over the
“Five Degrees or Orders of Masonry,’ the Rite
consisting of Ist, Entered Apprentice ; 2nd, Fellow
Craft ; 3rd, Master Mason; 4th, Knight Templar ;
5th, Sublime Degree of Royal Arch. This arrange-
ment is likely to refer to the order in which they were
worked, rather than their position, in what then might
have appropriately been termed the “‘ York Rite,’ for
the Royal Arch is distinctly termed the “ fourth
degree of Masonry’’ on February 7th, 1762. The
York Grand Lodge is the only body of the kind that
has ever recognized the Knight Templar degree in
this country. Toleration of all ‘‘ additional degrees,”
neither prohibiting nor actually recognizing any,
appears to be the approved course of action followed
by the Grand Lodge of England; thus leaving the
Brethren to discover for themselves those worth
supporting. The proof certificate of 1779, mentioning
the five degrees, is one of the oldest dated references
to Knight Templary in England. It was signed by
 103

the Grand Secretary of All England, Bro. John

Browne, and therein the Royal Arch is described as
the Fourth Degree.

“ Admitted (1st degree) 26th January, 1779.

Raised (2nd degree) 29th February, 1779.
Raised (3rd degree) 27th September, 1779.
Raised (4th degree, or R.A.M.) 27th October, 1770.
Knight Templar (5th degree) 29th November, 1779.”

The first record of the ‘“‘ Fifth Degree,” preserved

at York, is dated February 18th, 1780, but there must
have been earlier meetings to account for the certificate
of the year before, though there are no existing
minutes, and the same remark applies to the Royal
Arch Records of 1762, which may not have been the
first 6f the kind for York, though they are the oldest
traced, especially when we bear in mind Dr.
Dassigny’s “Enquiry” of 1744, which distinctly
refers to there being Royal Arch Masons at York.
The next records to be considered are those of
the Royal Arch Chapter, London, under the wing
virtually of the ‘“‘Moderns’’ or regular Masons.
Bro. Gould states that “ by the earliest Royal Arch
Minute Book of the ‘ Moderns,’ their original Chapter
was formed on the r2th June, 1765.’* Since that
work was published, I directed Bro. Gould’s attention
to portions of these important records, which prove
that the date mentioned was not that of the origin of
the Chapter, and he fully coincides therewith.
It is desirable to establish the fact, that the 12th June,
1765, was not the first meeting of this Chapter, not
simply because it originated the Grand Chapter of
the regular Masons soon afterwards, (which was the
predecessor of the present Supreme Grand Chapter
of Royal Arch Masons of England), but other points

* “ Atholl Masons,” p. 38.

 104

are involved in the decision which are of special

consequence. 7

The oldest volume of the Records contains a code

of By-laws, twelve in number, which opens with the
declaration :

‘“ We, the Companions of the E.G. & R.C., commonly called the
Royal Arch, being this Twelfth Day of June, 1765, in full Chapter
assembled, having duly considered and maturely deliberated on
the present state of the Chapter, have come to the following
Resolutions, which we declare our firm purpose to abide. by,
stand to, and perform, And no addition shall be made to, or
Alterations of any of these Resolutions, but in full Chapter, and
that with the Approbation of two-thirds of the members present.”’

Now the clause “ present state of the Chapter,’

,

is a sufficient indication that the meeting at which

these rules were agreed to, was not the first held by
the Companions. It was resolved that “for the
future, the expense of Passing the Royal Arch should
be raised to two guineas each, agreeable to the fourth
By-law,’ which serves as another item of evidence
that the chapter had a prior existence. Then there
is the fact that the anniversary was observed on
January 18th, 1766, and on the eleventh page, (out
of its proper place), is a minute of a meeting on 22nd
March, 1765, when “The Most Excellent Grands
and Brethren met at Mr. Inge’s. Bro. Bourcard,
Br. Palin, and Br. Vauder Upwick pass’d the Arch.”’
Assemblies were also held. 8th April, 15th May, and
3rd June, so that it is quite certain the Chapter
existed before the 12th June, 1765, but for how long
there are now no means of deciding. Some idea of
the period may be inferred, however, from the members
present at the meeting of 12th June numbering thirty-
four, and the By-laws being signed by forty-two
Companions.
‘
The method of “opening” provided for the
co-operation of the three Principals, the two Scribes,
 105

and the Principal Sojourner, after which “ the Pro-

cession shall begin.”
The “ Excellent Grands ’”’ were clothed in proper Robes, Caps
on their Heads, and adorned with suitable Jewels, but no Aprons.
Sojourners appeared “‘ with the emblems of their employment,”
and “ all the Companions to wear Aprons except those appointed
to wear Robes ; the Aprons shall be all of one sort or fashion, viz.,
white Leather, Indented round with Crimson ribbon, and strings
of the same, with a T.H. in Gold, properly displayed on the Bible,
and purple Garters Indented with Pink.”’ (A.D. 1765.)
On December 26th, 1766, it was resolved, ‘‘ That from hence-
forth no Brother shall be admitted a member of this Chapter for
less than Two Guineas, including the sum he has already paid at
his admission, unless he can give satisfactory proof that he
received his exaltation before the 12th June last, or in the Cale-
donian Chapter, or some Chapter in the country, or beyond the
Seas, in which cases he may be admitted on payment of One
Guinea to the General Funds.’ The joining fee formerly was
One Guinea.

It has been suggested that the “ Caledonian ”’

members were the originators of this Royal Arch
Chapter. That there were two or more Royal Arch
Chapters in London in 1766 is evident from the reso-
lution of the 26th December of that year, both being
patronized by the regu/ar Masons, but there is not
the slightest proof that the ‘“‘ Caledonian Chapter”
was the senior of these, the probability being that it
was not. Presuming that the “ Caledonian ’’ Chap-
ter was supported by brethren of the ‘‘ Caledonian ”
Lodge, which may or may not have been the case,
the notion is based upon the fact that the latter was
first of all held under the authority of the “ Atholl ”
Grand Lodge, which permitted its members to work
the Royal Arch Degree. Bro. Gould has noted the
origin of this Lodge, which was constituted as No.
I1r on 20th April, 1763, Bro. William Preston being
the second person initiated under the dispensation of
2nd March, 1763.* William Leslie, the first Master,
and others, had petitioned the Grand Lodge of
* “ Atholl Lodges,”’ p. 22.
 Loo

Scotland for a warrant to assemble as Masons in

London on 8th February, 1763, according to Bro. D.
Murray Lyon, Grand Secretary,* but were refused ;
hence their application to the “ Atholl Masons.” At
the instance of Bro. Preston, the members petitioned
the regular Grand Lodge for a charter (not being
satisfied with the one held from the ‘ Ancients’),
which was duly granted or constituted on November
15th, 1764, as No. 325, and named the “ Caledo-
nian.’
It will be observed that sufficient time had not
elapsed between the constitution of the “ Caledonian
Lodge’ on November 15th, 1764, and the period of
the known activity of the other Chapter, to have
enabled it to organize the latter. I think that this
Chapter in question was in working order prior to the
existence of the “‘ Caledonian ’’ Lodge, but on finding,
possibly, that some of the latter were conferring the
Royal Arch Degree (as they probably did when
under the “ Atholl’’ Masons), the Companions made
an exception in their favour in 1766, when fixing the
joining fee. There were Chapters in other parts of
England at this time, which accounts for the excep-
tional fee applying also to those in the country, for
the reference was to the regular Masons only. The
original ‘“‘ Caledonian”’ Chapter appears never to
have joined the Grand Chapter, and probably had
ceased to exist soon after the formation of that Body.
Later on there was a “ Kilwinning or Caledonian ”’
Chapter on the Register, but there is nothing to
connect it with the first mentioned, which worked
independently about 1765. Whenever the “ Cale-

* Freemason, July 30th, 1881.

tIt is now the ‘‘Caledénian’’ Lodge, No. 134. Consult
Hughan’s ‘“‘ Masonic Register,’’ p. 74, and Bro. Lane’s ‘‘ Masonic
Records 1717-1894" (1895), and other works.
 107

donian ”’ is referred to in any Lists it is invariably the

second Chapter, of about A.D. 1780, and never the
original. Brethren interested in this point should
study an article by Bro. Gould, entitled ‘“ Origin of
the— Royal Arch.” *
Several prominent members of the regular Grand
Lodge joined the Chapter during 1765, or soon after-
wards. In the List of Members 12th June, 1765,
Antony Keck was No. 1, John Maclean No. 2, James
Galloway No. 3, and John Brooks No. 9. Bro.
Thomas French, Grand Secretary of the Grand Lodge,
1768, was also one of the early members. John
Allen (Prov. Grand Master for Lancashire) was
exalted 13th November, 1765, and on 8th January,
1766, “Bro. Dunckerley (Prov. Grand Master of
many Provinces) was proposed by Bro. Galloway to
become a member of this Chapter, which was.
approved mem. con.’ We are not informed to what
Chapter he belonged, but he was chosen J. on the
same evening, and Pro Z. in the following year.
Bro. G, F. Lancaster, however, has discovereda
letter written by that distinguished Brother, dated
January 14th, 1792, in which he declares that he had
the R.A. conferred upon him in 1754. The epistle
is in the archives of the “ Friendship ’’ Chapter, No.
257 Portsmouth, and was given in facsimile by me in
1890.t Probably it was in connection with his
“Mother Lodge’’ that he was exalted, Bro. H.
Sadler having traced an entry on the Register of
the ‘Lo. of Harmony,” now 255, which states that
Dunckerley in 1773 referred to the old Lodge, formed
in 1724 at Portsmouth, as his respected Masonic
“ Mother.”
* © Masonic Monthly,” July, 1882.
+ See his letter (as G. Sec.) in the following chapter.
{© Historical Sketch No 257 Portsmouth.” “ X’mas Free-
mason,’’ and separately, 1890.
 108

Bro. Gould remarks as to this minute, “It is

erroneously supposed that Dunckerley acquired his
knowledge of R. A. Masonry, by visiting the
‘Atholl’ Lodges, also that he was a founder of the
private Chapter which afterwards developed into the
‘Grand’ Chapter of the ‘Moderns.’ The above
citation (i.e. complaint against Mr. Dunckerley,
P.G.M. under the ‘Moderns,’ by No. 200, Salisbury,
of the Seceders), disproves his intimacy with the
Ancients. . . . .* This Brother, whose influ-
ence in shaping the course of Royal Arch Masonry
has been much over-rated, was frequently reprimanded
by the ‘Modern’ Grand Chapter for exceeding the
bounds of his office.” Dunckerley has been credited
with being the founder of Royal Arch Masonry in
error, but he was one of the few who kept the Grand
Chapter in working order, and but for his influence,
it is quite possible there would have been a collapse.
Bro. Rowland Berkeley, elected a joining member
on July 30th, 1766 was Grand Treasurer of the
Grand Lodge for many years, from 29th January,
1766, (also Prov. G.M. of Suffolk), and at the same
meeting Bro. Samuel Spencer, who was then a visitor
(as Bro. Berkeley), was likewise elected a member.
This Brother was Grand Secretary of the Grand
Lodge of England from May 18th, 1757, for some ten
years.
On the 11th June, 1766, the Chapter had the
honour of exalting the Right Hon. Lord Blayney,
Grand Master (Installed May 8th, 1764, and continued
in that high office until April 27, 1767) ; on 2nd July
Bro. James Heseltine (Grand Secretary, 1766 to
1784), and on 24th December Bro. the Hon.
Charles Dillon (Deputy Grand Master, 1768 to 1774),

*“ Atholl Lodges,’”’ pp. 38-9.

 109

were exalted. Bro. Rowland Holt (S.G.W., 1768

and D.G.M., 1775 to 1786) “‘ Passed the Royal Arch;”’
(as it was then termed), on the 11th Feb., 1767. Other
prominent members of the Grand Lodge were likewise
exalted.
On 26th Dec., 1766 “‘ Anniversary. The M.E.G.
and R.C. was opened in Ancient Form.’ The M.E.Z.
requested permission to recommend that Lord Blayney
may be continued G.M. of the M.E.C., or Fourth
Degree for the year 5771,’* and his Lordship was
unanimously elected. Bro. Dunckerley was elected
into the office of Z. in the absence of the M.E.G.M.,
and of M.E.D.G.M. in his Lordship’s presence, and
was invested and installed accordingly. The thanks
of the Chapter were given to Bro. John Maclean as
Father and Promoter, who for his instructions and
careful attendance was requested to accept a Gold
Plate with the following device, viz., (Translated from
the Latin).

“ The Father of the Society. By the gift of the Companions of

the Society of the Royal Arch stiled the Grand and Royal Chapter
of Jerusalem, London, a.L. 5770—Glory to God in the highest-
In the beginning was the word—We have found.”
Which the Chapter desired he would wear as a mark of their
respect and regard. Also a robe peculiar to the Past M.E.Z.

We know but little about this Brother, but it is

clear that he was one of the oldest members, and
having had his services so substantially and warmly
recognised in 1766, is another indication that the
Chapter originated some years before 1765., Bro.

* 7.e. A.D. 1767. The Grand Chapter added 4004 to the

Christian Era, but the Grand Lodge, 4000.
+ Bro. Henry Sadler has succeeded in part in tracing Maclean’s
Masonic pedigree. I take this opportunity of expressing my
indebtedness to Bro. Sadler for valuable assistance cheerfully
rendered. His accuracy and general Masonic knowledge have
been a real boon to many students.
 110

James Galloway, (Grand Warden of England in

1781), had a similar compliment paid to him, only not
in such a prominent manner. The exaltation fee was
temporarily raised to five guineas at this meeting and
the annual subscription to two guineas, to include
“an apron peculiar to this Order, and a garter, the
prerogative of the same being presented on such
occasions.”
The Duke of Beaufort, (Grand Master 1767 to
1771), was proposed for “‘‘exaltation’’ on the 11th
March, 1767. My remarks on the ‘Charter of
Compact ” of the Grand Chapter (“‘ Moderns ’’), which
was signed by Lord Blayney, and others, on July
22nd, 1767, will appropriately begin Chapter VII.
In Bro. James Smith’s “ Early Royal Arch
Masonry in Dumfriesshire (1894),’’ references are made
at the end of an old Minute Book which read :

“Record of Royal Arch Masons, and their passing to that.

William Wyllie Nov. 7 day 1756.”

Other names follow. Unfortunately several min-

utes have been cut out, so that the early and more
important ones are missing from the volume of the
Journeymen Lodge, Dumfries, constituted in 1753.
The ‘ Probity Lodge,’ Halifax, has an early
notice of the R. A. of 30 Jan., 1765.*
The ‘St. Thomas’s Lodge,”’ No. 142, presented
a valuable volume of Records of an extinct Lodge to
the Grand Lodge in 1894, which assembled as No.
54, at the “ Bear’s Paw,” London, warranted 14th
June, 1756, the members of which, soon after their
start, purchased the vacant No. 12 for a guinea from
the “ Ancients.” On Feb. 8th, 1764, it was proposed
that “Bro. Wm. Cubbige, of Cranbourne Alley, a

* Freemason, Oct. 29th and Nov. 11th, 1887.

 ELE

Modern Mason, to be made Antient,’ and on 12th

June, 1765, is the entry :—

“ Reported Br. Mercier to be mead Antient Mason and Royal

Arch.”’*

It is worth mentioning that a “ Super Excel-

lent Royal Arch Lodge was constituted at Dundee by
Bro. Edward Brereton of the S.E.R.A. Lodge, No.
52, held in H.M. 37th Regt. of Foot, when seven
Master Masons were admitted to that Ceremony.
The Brother who presided was installed as Grand
Master.”’+ No. 52 was chartered by the “ Ancients ”’
in 1756, the Regt. being known as General Stuart’s.
In Edinburgh R. A. Chapter No. 1, on 2nd
Dec., 1778, “the compliment of s/x sundry steps in
Masonry was offered the Office Bearers of St.
Stephen’s Lodge, by sundry of the Brethren from the
ancient Lodge of Perth and Scoon, and two days
later it is recorded, that the ‘same Brethren conferred
the following Degrees of Masonry, viz., Excellent
and Super Excellent Masons, Arch and Royal Arch
Masons, and lastly Knights of Malta.”
In Ireland, later on, “the six first Estates of
Freemasonry, E.A., F.C., M’‘, Excellent, Super
Excellent and Royal Arch” are met with.
The year 1767 witnessed the first mention of the
Royal Arch degree in the records of the “ Anchor and
Hope ”’ Lodge, No. 37, Bolton, but though it is thus
some two years the senior of the Chapters warranted
by the regular Grand Chapter, the Companions at
Bolton did not join the latter body until 1785, under
the title of “‘ Concord,” No. 45, hence its ‘position,
chronologically, as a warranted Chapter, is of much

* Freemason, Jan. 26th, 1895, by W. J. H.

+ By-Laws “‘ Union R.A. Chap.,’’ No. 6 Dundee, 1857.
 Iiz2

less antiquity than others we shall notice. The

minute is as follows :—
‘31st December, 1767. Expenses at Warrington in making
three Arch Masons, viz., Thos. Ridgway, Barlow, and Rhodes,
Pyent hae (fale

Bros. G. P. Brockbank and James Newton wrote

an excellent account of this old Lodge, the sesgui-
centennial of which was observed on 23rd October,
1882.* None of us have succeeded in tracing a Royal
Arch Chapter at Warrington in 1767, or before.
Bro. W. Sharp, of that town, assured me some time
since, “‘ that no early record exists in Warrington of
the Royal Arch degree.”
The “Atholl Masons”? had a Lodge in War-
rington A.D. 1755—possibly it was working in 1767.
The regular Grand Lodge had a Lodge there from
1765, (now 148, the “‘ Lodge of Lights ’’), from which
source the Bolton brethren may have received Royal
Arch Masonry. There were Country Chapters
acknowledged in 1765, and this may have been one
of them; or the brethren at Warrington may have
been exalted at York in the Chapter which has
records from 1762. These possibilities are noted to
point out, that there is no necessity to assume an
“ Atholl ”’ origin for either the Chapter at Warrington,
or, indirectly, of the other at Bolton. There was
no warranted Chapter (Moderns) held in Warrington
until the ‘ Benevolence,’’ No. 98, was granted in
1796.
The regularity, so to speak, of the old Chapter
at Bolton was admitted by the Grand Chapter, by
accepting as Petitioners for a new Chapter at Bury,
in 1769, three brethren, who were exalted by the
Bolton Companions. Bro. Newton furnished extracts

* History of the ‘Anchor and Hope Lodge,”’ Bolton, 1882.

 rs

from the Minute Books of the Lodge relating to the

“Arch,” in evidence that the degree was worked
regularly and frequently by the members, in what was
usually termed ‘“‘ Lodges of Emergency,” the meeting
of 11th November, 1773, being the first entitled a
“R-y-1 A. Chapter.”
On the 24th November, 1768, “‘ Ralph Holt, Elijah Lomax, and
James Wood were enter’d and paid for the same (being members
of Bury Lodge) only each 2s. 6d,’’ these brethren being “‘ crafted
and raised Master Masons, they being before Modern Masons.’’

This is a strange record, and most difficult of

explanation. These brethren joined. the Lodge at
Bolton, evidently, to become Royal Arch Masons,
and then petition for a charter from the Grand
Chapter at London. The entry on 2oth January,
1769, recites that “our R. A. Lodge assembled in due
form, when Elijah Lomax, Ralph Holt, and Jam*
Wood was made R-]l. A. Masons, and paid {1 ris.
6d.’’ These were the petitioners for the warrant
aforesaid, which was granted to James Wood, Z.,
Elijah Lomax, H., and Ralph Holt, J., dated r1th
November, 1769, and called “ Unanimity, or Lo. of
Intercourse”? (now No. 42, “‘ Unanimity,’ Bury).
Bro. Newton “cannot imagine why they should be
crafted and raised Master Masons, as they were on
18th December, 1768, as both the Bury and Bolton
Lodges were ‘Moderns.’’’ On _ consulting the
“ History of the Lodge of Relief,’ No. 42, Bury, by
Bro. Edward A. Evans, it is clear that they were
Masters of the Lodge in 1764, 1765, and 1768 respec-
tively, so that the first two were Past-Masters, and
one the W.M., on being exalted, (the latter going
out of office on the 27th of the same month). I
confess to being in a similar state of perplexity, there
being no “Ancient” or “ Atholl ’’ Lodge in either
Bolton or Bury at the time. The brethren at Bolton
 114

may have had a knowledge of the “‘ Ancient ’’ system

of working the degrees, which seemingly, on the face
of it, confirms the notion of slight differences in
Ritual, yet why should they require such a form of
admission to qualify them for the “ Royal Arch,”
seeing that the “ Ancient’ ceremonies were not
acknowledged by them?
At a “‘ Lodge of Emergency,” on 30th Novem- ,

ber, 1769, at Bolton, four brethren were “ installed

Masters.” The historians of the Lodge tell us, “‘ This
is the first record of brethren being made installed
Masters, or ‘ passing the chair,’ in order to qualify
them for the Royal Arch. The custom of ‘ passing
the chair,’ thus commenced, was continued in the
Lodge down to 1846.’ There were nine brethren
exalted on 29th December, 1768, when five shillings
and threepence each was ‘“Rec’ for Arching.”
The “ Arching’’ seems to have been done in the
Lodge, which ‘assembled in ample form,” at an ~
ordinary monthly meeting. Probably the ceremony
was observed on the conclusion of the regular business,
for it may be assumed only the favoured few were
admitted to that Degree. Of these nine, three had
not served in the chair before their exaltation, and
one of the number never was “ Installed.’’* This is
noteworthy, because even at this period virtual or
honorary, instead of actual Past Masters, were eligible
for Royal Arch Masonry, and sometimes Master
Masons only.

* The present Chapter No. 202 Devonport, on 28th July, 1788,

required several Brethren to be re-obligated and take the R.A.
afresh. ‘‘ Under the Dispensation of H.R.H. Frederick Duke of
Cumberland, Bro. Elliott being but a Master Mason was obligated
to be passed to the Chair, and after, he was exalted to the degree
of a Most Excellent R.A. Mason.”
 II5

As the accounts of the Lodge and the ‘“ Arch ”’

are presented together in the Records, there clearly
was but the one purse.
The singular minute of the 30th Nov., 1769,
already noted, requires a short examination.

“A Lodge of Emergency. When Bro. John Aspinwall, Bro.

James Lever and Bro. Richd. Guests were installed Masters, and
afterwards Bro. James Livesay, sen. was re-installed.”’

The first three brethren were not then Past

Masters of the Lodge, the only one in fact who ever
served as Master being James Lever, installed 26th
Dec.,.1770, but the peculiar record is that of
ve-installation. James Livesay, sen., was installed
Master on 24th June, 1769, consequently he was
W.M. of the Lodge on the 30th Nov., of the same
year, when he was re-installed. I think, therefore,
that this register points to the fact that the ceremony
of Installation of an actual, and that of a constructive
or supposed Master, were not one and the same,
possibly the first mentioned at that period not being
of an esoteric character, so far as that Lodge was
concerned.
The warrant of the Lodge of Relief, No. 42,
Bury, was signed on July 3rd, 1733, and is in many
respects a valuable document. The seal is remark-
able because of its motto. The arms are those of
the regular Grand Lodge, and are thus described by
Bro. Evans, the historian of the Lodge.

““ A Chevron, charged with a pair of compasses, open chevron-

wise between three Towers embattled. Crest. Upon the Helmet
of Nobility, a Dove with wings close. Supporters, Two Beavers.
Motto, EN APXH HN O AOTO#.”
4
The usual motto was “ Relief and Truth,” but this
one—shared by Lodges 39 Exeter, 41 Bath, etc.—is
most suggestive ; it is not met with later on, and was
 116

a surprise to me, on tracing such a motto (“In the

beginning was the Word’) on Charters of that
decade.
Such a motto could not well be used by the
Grand Lodge of England in later years, and neither
was it indicative of the cosmopolitan and unsectarian
constitution of the Premier Grand Lodge.
Dr. Oliver refers to ‘‘a very old floor-cloth painted on silk,
belonging to a Royal Arch Chapter in the City of Chester, and
used only a very few years after the Degree was admitted into the
system of constitutional Masonry. This ancient document
offers a confirmation of the opinion expressed in
the ensuing pages respecting the transfer of the latter portion of
the Third Degree to the Royal Arch.’’*

The By-Laws a.D. 1734 of this Lodge enact, that

“the further sum of Five Shillings and Threepence,”’
be paid ‘“‘ when admitted Master ”’ (/.e., Third Degree).
At the revision of the rules in 1751 the term raised
master is substituted, and the fee increased to Five
Shillings and Sixpence.
On 3rd July, 1787, an unexplained entry occurs
in the minutes, viz. “‘ Bro. John Barns, Philip Jobson
and Edward Henry Bouville, admitted to the Fifth
Degree of Masonry.” It may have been the K.T.
In the interesting history of the St. Andrew’s
Royal Arch Chapter, Boston, U.S.A., by Bro. Alfred
F. Chapman, the first minute recorded is dated Aug.
18th, 1769, when the convocation is described as “‘ At
Lodge of Royal Arch Masons, held at Mason Hall.”
The officers recorded are the Master, two Wardens,
Secretary, and Tyler. It was not a Lodge of the
Three Degrees, but a Chapter, the first resolution at
*“ Account of the Schism ”’ and “‘ Insignia of the Royal Arch,’”’
1847. There is the same motto precisely, in Greek, on this
“ Primitive Tracing Board of the English Royal Arch ”’ (as it is
termed), as on the warrant of No. 42. The Chapter, however,
was not formed until 178x, when it was chartered as No. 24 by
the Grand Chapter.
 Try.

the meeting being to elect a Brother for exaltation as

a “Royal Arch Mason,” and the code of By-Laws
of September rst in the same year is exclusively for
the Chapter, though called a Lodge at that time.
The revered Joseph Warren was exalted therein on
May 14th, 1770.
General Warren was The Provincial Grand Master of four Lodges
at Boston, (No. 82, Scotland, No. 106 or 108, Scotland, No. 58,
Atholl Grand Lodge, and No. 322, /reland), by appointment of the
Grand Lodge of Scotland, and as ‘‘ Grand Master ’’ attended the
Chapter on June 21st, 1770, when he advised the members to
continue “ holding the Royal Arch Lodge, till instructions from
Scotland, &c.’’ By this, it would appear that the Companions
had some doubts as to their regularity. Any way, if these could
not have been removed until instructions were received from the
Grand Lodge of Scotland, it is morally certain that the difficulties
would have continued, for that Grand Lodge has never recognised
Royal Arch Masonry. Some of the members, so Bro. Gardner*
tells us, were Royal Arch Masons prior to 1762, and in Oct. of that
year, a Committee of the “ St. Andrew’s ”’ Craft Lodge (granted
in 1756) in a letter to the Grand Master of Scotland states, ‘‘ We
should likewise be glad to know if a Charter could be granted to
us for holding a Royal Arch Lodge, as a sufficient number of us
have arrived to that sublime degree.’’ To this communication
no reply seems to have been vouchsafed, so it is likely the brethren
did the best they could under the circumstances, by working the
Degree amongst themselves ; just as many other Chapters did,
there being at that time no Grand Chapter for that Degree in
Scotland.
The records of the Chapter contain the earliest
known references to the K.T. degree, which shall
be alluded to farther on. It is just possible, that the
Boston brethren obtained Royal Arch Masonry from
the members of the “ Atholl” Lodge, No. 58, held
in the 14th Regiment of Foot, then in the City, but
the introduction of R.A. Masonry into the U.S.A. is
most likely to have been due generally to brethren
hailing from the G.L. of Ireland.
Bro. Carpenter states, that when a Royal Arch
Chapter was first warranted for Rhode Island, certain
members of the old lodge (previously referred to)
received certificates that they were Royal Arch
* Centennial of St. Andrews’s Chapter, 1870.
 118

Masons, by vote of that Lodge, the brethren being

supposed for many years to have followed the custom
of conferring that Degree on actual (and possibly
virtual) Past Masters. The Degree seems to have
been started by Ireland or the “ Ancients ’’ at Phila-
delphia, and also at Boston; Royal Arch Masonry
having flourished in that great Country from about
1757, and is now most extensively patronized ; there
being over 350,000 members enrolled in the numerous
Grand Chapters of the United States and Canada, all
of whom are Mark Master Masons.
That Royal Arch Masonry was practised in
Scotland at an early date, may be inferred from the
names given to several of the lodges; viz., No. 77,
Glasgow of 1755; No. 93 (now 76), Stirling, of 1759;
No. 123, Edinburgh, of 1765, and others, each of which
was styled ‘Royal Arch.” In the Regulations,
Grand Chapter of Scotland (1861), No. 2, Stirling,
appears as of A.D. 1743, No. 3, Montrose, A.D. 1765,
and No. 4, Banff, A.D. 1766. With respect to the
Chapter at Banff, I cited in 1869 several of its By-Laws
from 1765, some of which are exceedingly curious, the
minutes of the Royal Arch being entered .with those
of the regular Lodge Records.
7th Jan., 1765, it was agreed that “‘ any member who wants to
attain to the parts of Royal Arch and Super Excellent shall pay
two shillings and sixpence to the Publick Fund for each part.”
On Jan. 7th, 1766, Bro. William Murray, who joined the Lodge,
is styled ‘‘ Master and Royal Arch.” On Jan. 1st, 1778, seven
brethren paid two shillings and sixpence each ‘‘ for that branch
of Royal Arch,” and three of these were charged additional half-
crowns each “ for that Branch of Super Excellent.”

The Grand Chapter of Royal Arch Masons for

Scotland was formed 28th Aug., 1817, soon after
which occurrence the seniority of forty-one Chapters
was adjusted, and their warrants duly granted. This
body was inaugurated notwithstanding Grand Lodge
opposition to the Degree. In an address which
 11g

prefaces the By-Laws of the Royal Arch Chapter,

No. 6, Dundee, it is stated that ‘“‘ from a minute dated
25th Jan., 1773, it appears that the Grand Lodge of
England had recognised and encouraged the Royal
Arch and its concomitant Degrees, and that by a
special understanding with the Grand Lodges of
Ireland and Scotland, they became fully authenticated
in these Kingdoms.”’ The Grand Lodges of Ireland
and Scotland did not so recognise Royal Arch
Masonry, but only as working the three established
Degrees did they promise “ Brotherly connexion and
correspondence with the Atholl Grand Lodge.’’*
The Grand Lodge of Scotland in 1800 did some-
thing more than merely ignore the additional Degrees,
for on May 26th of that year, it “‘ expressly prohibited
and discharged all Lodges having charters from the
Grand Lodge from holding any other meetings than
those of the Three Orders’ (i.e., the First Three
Degrees). A similar resolution was passed 4th
August, 1817, and on Dec. 27th it was agreed, that
from that date “‘ no person holding an official position
in any Masonic Body, which sanctions higher
Degrees than those of St. John’s Masonry, shall be
entitled to sit, act, or vote in the Grand Lodge of
Scotland.’’ This was warmly opposed by the Grand
Chapter, and a protest was issued signed by the Three
Grand Principals, two of whom were Past Grand
Masters, but for a time the effort to obtain a more
liberal treatment was not successful. Of late years,
toleration (almost partial recognition) prevails, and
the Grand Lodge of Scotland, which has from the
first refused to adopt Royal Arch Masonry, has agreed
to an amended definition of ‘‘ Saint John’s Masonry,”
viz., “Entered Apprentice, Fellow Craft (including

*“ Ahiman Rezon,”’ 1778, &c.

 120

the Mark), and Master Mason,’* and, moreover, has

adopted the ‘‘ Degree of an Installed Master.”
The Grand Lodge of Ireland “ strictly prohibits
as unlawful all assemblies of Freemasons in Ireland,
under any title whatever, purporting to be Masonic,
not held by virtue of a Warrant or Constitution from
the Grand Lodge, or from one of the other Masonic
Grand bodies. recognized by, and acting in Masonic
Union with it.”
So that in England, Royal Arch Masonry is
officially adopted and the Mark Degree is not; in
Scotland, the Royal Arch is not, but the “Mark”
is; and in Ireland both are recognised.
In the history of the ‘“‘ Minden Lodge,” No. 63f
(A.D. 1849), Bro. J. Clarke tells us, that “from the
issue of the warrant (A.D. 1748) until this time (1838),
the Lodge conferred the Superior Degrees under the
old warrant (i.e., under its supposed sanction) ; but
the Grand Royal Arch Chapter having decided that
a separate warrant should be held for that Degree,
one was accordingly issued, which bears date gth
Oct., 1838 ;”’ and doubtless many other old Lodges
had been acting in like manner, until the influence
of the Grand Chapter was sufficiently powerful to
secure regularity.

* The Mark Degree “ shall only be conferred on Master Masons,

and the secrets shall only be communicated in presence of those
who have taken the Degree either from a Lodge or Chapter
entitled to grant it.’’-—Nov. 5th, 1860.
t+‘‘ Laws and Constitutions,’”’ r9g08. Rule 31.
} Held in the 20th Regiment of Foot.
 I21I

V.—ORGANIZATION OF THE ‘“‘ ANCIENTS.’

For many years, it has been the custom to so

confuse the history of the “‘ Ancients’ with that of
the “York Masons,” that even to this day many
believe that the vegular Grand Lodge of England,
(with its headquarters in London), united in 1813 with
the “Grand Lodge of A// England,’’ held at York.
As late as 1872, the late Bro. Hyneman, of Phila-
delphia, U.S.A., brought out a work entitled
“Ancient York and London Grand. Lodges,’ which
seeks to perpetuate this serious error. I wrote at
length on the question in 1872, and again in 1878,*
in order to warn the Craft against accepting such a
travesty of Masonic history, and was heartily supported
by Bro. Woodford.
The most prominent member of the “ Atholl
Masons’’ was Laurence Dermott,
who became Grand
Secretary on Feb. 5th, 1752, when the existing
Records begin+ (probably the first volume of its
kind). Dermott, according to the Registers and his
own account,{ was initiated in Ireland A.D. 1740,
installed as Master of No. 26, Dublin, in 1746, and
in the same year became a Royal Arch Mason. On
coming to England, he joined a lodge in 1748 under
the regular Grand Lodge, but soon afterwards became
a member of “ Atholl’ Lodges 9 and 10. The
success of this Body was mainly due to the strenuous
exertions of Dermott, who as Grand Secretary, or
Deputy Grand Master, was the moving spirit, raising
it from an insignificant organization to a powerful
and influential Grand Lodge. Our lamented friend,
* Freemason, March 23rd, 1878.
+ The earliest date cited is July 17th, 1751.
t‘“ Ahiman Rezon,” 1778, p. 29, ‘‘ Atholl Lodges,” p. 4.
 I22

R. W. Little, styles Dermott “ The immortal Journey-

man Painter.’ Be that as it may, he was not
deficient in education, and was long known as “ the
literary man of the Ancients.’”’ His Book of Con-
stitutions, or ‘‘ Ahiman Rezon,” was first published
in 1756, other editions being issued in 1764, 1778,
1787, 1800, 1801, 1807 and 1813; the curious name
being extensively used by other Grand Lodges, as a
title for their Regulations.
Bro. Lawrie, [Link]., Scotland, in 1804*, writes
very severely of the objectionable method followed
by Bro. Dermott in his description of the regular
Grand Lodge, who, apparently oblivious of the Rivals
having originally followed the “‘ Moderns,” and being
indebted virtually to the latter for a knowledge of the
Craft, embraced every possible opportunity of lowering
the regular Grand Lodge in the estimation of the
Fraternity. Lawrie’s strictures were well deserved,
for the “Ahiman Rezons,’’ in some respects, were
far from being creditable either to Bro. Dermott or his
Grand Lodge; e.g., take the following :—

“Tt is a truth beyond contradiction that the Free and Accepted

Masons in Ireland, Scotland, and the Ancient Masons in England,
have one and the same customs, usages, and ceremonies, but this
is not the case with the Modern Masons in England, who differ
materially, not only from the above, but from most Masons
under Heaven.”

This could not have been correct in 1778,

when the assertion first appeared, or at any other
time, and was in reality a most unfortunate case of
misunderstanding. ‘‘ Beyond contradiction,” there
were not sufficient grounds to justify anyone in declar-
ing, (whatever the few variations may have been), that
the two Organizations “ differ exceedingly in makings,
ceremonies, knowledge, masonical language, and
*“ History of Freemasonry,” p. 117.
 123

installations,’’* for, if so, it is most unlikely that the

other Grand Lodges would have countenanced either
party. The premier Grand Lodge, directly or in-
directly, was the source from which the “ Atholl
Masons,” in common with all brethren at home or
abroad, derived their knowledge of the three degrees,
and therefore were not likely to make any violent
changes ; on the other hand, had the “ Ancients”’
departed materially from such ceremonies, the Grand
Lodges of Ireland and Scotland would not have had
fellowship with them.
In the first edition of the ‘“Ahiman Rezon” a
list of some three hundred subscribers is given, and,
having analysed these, Dr. Kloss} considers the
“Atholl Masons” at that period consisted only of
two Lodges, with a D.G.M. to each, and but seven
Royal Arch Masons! One of the two D.G.M.’s had
actually served in that office, and therefore should
have had past rank, the same remark applying to
two of the Grand Wardens. There were many
Lodges in active operation in 1756 under the
“ Ancients,’’ so that our German critic, able as he
undoubtedly was, must in this instance have con-
ducted his analysis without his customary caution.
One cannot tell the number of Royal Arch Masons
at that time, but seven is certainly an absurdly low
estimate.
Dermott inserted the Regulations of 1723 of the
“Moderns” in his work of 1756, &c., likewise the
‘“Old Charges’ from the second edition of 1738, but
without acknowledgment ; and yet, though thus in-
debted to the regular Brethren, he stigmatizes them
as “our Sisters’’ in 1778. In subsequent editions
that paragraph was omitted.
* “ Ahiman Rezon,’’ 1778, p. 43, and later editions.
+‘ Freemasonry in England,’’ &c., 1847.
 124

A “Prayer used in the Royal Arch Lodge at

Jerusalem ”’ (London, it is presumed) is inserted, his
readers being directed to ‘“‘Dr. Wotton on the
Mishna’”’ for additional particulars.
In 1756 the rules are entitled “ Regulations for
Charity in Ireland, and by York Masons in England,”
but in 1764 they are styled “‘ The Regulations for
Charity’ only, but a note is added, “ They are
called York Masons because the first Grand Lodge in
England was congregated at York A.D. 926 by Prince
Edwin,” which declaration was not subsequently
published, though very satisfactory.
The frontispiece in 1764 contains two coats-of-
arms, the first being described as “‘ Ye Most Ancient
and. Honorable Fraternity of Free and Accepted
Masons.”’* The arms by Dermott are similar to those
adopted by the ‘“‘Grand Lodge of All England ”’
(York), so that I cannot resist the conclusion that one
was a copy of the other, the former most probably
being the original. In 1884 I thought it possible
that the “ Ancients’ had adopted these arms from
the “ York Masons,’ but subsequently the evidence
has all tended the other way, the “G.L. of All
England ”’ not using such until some ten years later.
Bro. Dermott affirms these arms “‘ were found in
the collection of the famous and learned Hebrewist,
Architect, and Brother Rabbi Jacob Jehudah Leoni.”’
In a paper by Professor Swift P. Johnston, M.A.
(Dublin), on “Seventeenth Century Descriptions of
Solomon’s Tample,”” and another on Rabbi Jacob
Jehudah Leon, by Dr. W. J. Chetwode Crawley,
quite a flood of light has been thrown on Dermott’s
statements. Of the number of models of the Temple
_ exhibited during the latter half of the 17th century,

* Hughan’s ‘‘ Memorials of the Union.’’ 1874. Frontispiece.

SEALS OF THE GRAND CHAPTER
AND
GRAND LODGE OF ALL ENGLAND.
(REVERSE)
 125

“the most important was the work of a Spanish Jew,

whose name is variously spelt. Leon visited England
in 1675.’ Schott’s model was constructed early in the
following century, and exhibited in London about
1725. Leon’s model was on view in 1759-60. To
Bro. W. H. Rylands is the credit due, in 1882, of
proving that this Rabbi and his model “‘ were not
mere creatures of Laurence Dermott’s fancy,” and
Dr. Crawley, in the aforesaid paper, has given a mass
of particulars of this learned writer, who became
Chief Master of the Jewish Schools at Hamburg and
Amsterdam, and “seems to have been a not unlikely
man to have left some such fantastical coat-of-arms.
among his posthumous papers, if the subjoined
evidences are taken into account.’ The two papers,
and discussions thereon, are quite invaluable guides
on the subject.
The arms of the United Grand Lodge of England,
formed by a combination of those of the two rival
Grand Lodges, are given in my “ Masonic
Register.’’*
The arms of the Grand Lodge (three crowns,
A.D. 926, &c.) and those of the Grand Chapter (a
rainbow, &c.) “of all England,’ are likewise depicted ;
one on an old banner—obverse and reverse respectively
—is still preserved at York, which is noted in the
celebrated inventory of A.D. 1779. .The colours of the
latter are the same as Dermott describes. The first
reference to the “Royal Arch’’ in the “ Atholl’
Records is as follows :—(See also page 92.)

“Grand Committee —A formal complaint was made by several

brethren against Thos. Phealon and John Macky, better known as
‘leg of mutton Masons ’ for clandestinely making Masons for the
mean consideration of aleg of mutton for dinner orsupper. Upon
examining some brothers whom they pretended to have made

* Frontispiece, A.D. 1878, in appropriate colours.

 126

Royal Arch men, the parties had not the least idea of that secret.
The Grand Secretary had examined Macky, and stated that he
had not the least idea or knowledge of Royal Arch Masonry, but
instead thereof he had told the people he had deceived, a long
story about twelve white marble stones, &c., &c., and that the
rainbow was the Royal Arch, with many other absurdities equally
foreign and ridiculous.’’ (March 4th, 1752).

On Sept. 2nd, 1752, the minutes state, that

“Every part of real Freemasonry was traced and
explained, except the Royal Arch, by the Grand
Secretary,” and on March 2nd, 1757, it was resolved:
“The Masters of the Royal Arch shall be summoned
to meet in order to regulate things relative to that
most valuable branch of the Craft.”
The letter written by Brother Samuel Spencer
(Grand Secretary of the “‘ Moderns ’’), which is cited
in the Records of Dec. 16th, 1759, was inserted in
the “ Ahiman Rezon”’ of 1778, and all subsequent
editions. A brother from Ireland (William Carroll)
applied for relief, and, we suppose, sought to
strengthen his claim by stating he was a Royal Arch
Mason. Carroll obtained an answer in writing,
which, being in the negative, was just the sort of
document for Dermott’s side of the matter :—
“Your being an Ancient Mason, you are not entitled to any of
our Charity. The Antient Masons have a lodge at the Five Bells,
in the Strand, and their Secretary’s name is Dermott.
“Our Society is neither Arch, Royal Arch, or Ancient, so that
you have no right to partake of our Charity.”

Bro. Thomas French, [Link]. (‘ Moderns ”’), °

wrote to the W.M. of the “Sun” Lodge, Bristol,
who had sent abstract of minutes: ‘‘ There is only
one circumstance in your minutes which you are
requested to correct, and that concerns Royal Arch
Masonry, which comes not under your inspection.
You are desired never to insert the transactions in
your regular Lodge Books, nor to carry on the busi-
ness of that Degree on your stated Lodge nights.”
 127

Bro. Littleton informs me that the members did not

like these restrictions, so they .seceded to the
““ Ancients,’’ but subsequently some of these brethren
petitioned the “‘ Moderns” for a R.A. Chapter, which
was granted in 1769, and still exists.
In an address “to the Gentlemen of the Most
Ancient and Honourable Fraternity,’ originally
inserted in the third edition, Dermott propounds a
series of nine questions, and appends the answers,
some of which are, to say the least, rather strong in
tone <-—
“ Ancient Freemasonry is declared to be universal, and that of
the ‘ Moderns’ not so; members of the latter Grand Lodge not
being entitled to the appellation of ‘ Free and Accepted.’’’ Some
of the replies are amusing, numbers four and five especially, which
state that a ‘“‘ Modern Mason may, with safety, communicate all
his secrets to an Ancient Mason,’’ but not vice versd, and the
eighth explains that “‘ the present Modern Lodges are not blame-
able for deviating so much from the old landmarks, because the
innovation was made in the reign of King George the First.’’*
The seventh states that “it is not possible to initiate or introduce a
Modern Mason into the Roya! Arch Lodge (the very essence of
Masonry) without making him go through the ancient ceremonies,”
and the ninth or last estimates “the number of Ancient Masons
compared with the Moderns as ninety-nine to one,’’ winding up
with the note that “‘this is so well known in Great Britain,
Ireland, America, &c., &c., that further assertion is needless.’’
This exaggerated statement is expunged from several later
editions.
I believe that the term Chapter was first selected
by the “ Moderns,” or the ‘“ York Masons,” as it
was used by them some years before it is met with
in the Records of the “ Ancients.’’ I cannot quite
follow Brother Gould in the statement, that “the
whole machinery of the Royal Arch was never ade-
quately appreciated by the Ancients, until the novelty
was invested with so much importance by those who
purloined it from them,’’+ because there is no evidence
* This same system, be it remembered, is precisely what was
received as Freemasonry, and practised in England until the
«‘ Atholl Masons ”’ formed a Grand Lodge.
{+ “Masonic Monthly,” July, 1882.
 128

that the ‘‘ Moderns” did so. The degree was worked

in England before the “ Ancients’’ were heard of,
as also in Scotland and Ireland, so that the Regular
Masons must have been familiar with Royal Arch
Masonry prior to the opposition ; hence there was no
need to purloin from others what they had for them-
selves. The degree being incorporated with the Craft,
and officially recognised as the fourth of the series,
were the proximate causes that led to its popularity;
and to Dermott and his followers must be awarded
the far-seeing policy which thus provided for an
additional degree, with the means of conferring a
special distinction on those who had “ passed the
chair.”
The fiction of Ramsay assisting Dermott, as also
his connection with the English Royal Arch (either
of the “ Regular’’ or “ Atholl’’ Masons), should be
dismissed entirely from consideration, because wholly _
void of credence, there not being one iota of evidence
in confirmation of such a fancy.
The official adoption of the Royal Arch, and the
prominence given to the ceremony, were the main
influences in securing the success of the Rivals,
which success led to its semi-countenance by the
“Moderns,”’ and its final recognition by the United
Grand Lodge in 1813; but the degree itself having
been known to the regular Masons some years before
1751, it could not be the creation of either Dermott
or the “ Ancients.’’ By whom it was arranged is a
mystery, and likely so to remain.
It is probable that either the ‘‘ Moderns” ’ or the
“York Masons” selected the title of ‘Grand
Chapter,” for the familiar term is used by these two
bodies some time before it can be traced in the
“ Atholl’? minutes. It may have been so described
by the “ Atholl Masons” anterior to 1771, but no.
 129

earlier references have been traced or known to me.

On Dec. 4th of that year it is recorded—
“ At a General Grand Chapter, held on the above date, it was
Resolved, That no person for the future shall be made a Royal
Arch Mason but the Legal Representative of the Lodge, except a
brother that is going abroad who hath been twelve months a.
Registered Mason, and have the unanimous voice of his Lodge
to receive such qualification. And in order to render this. Regu-
lation more expedient it is further Ordered, that all certificates
granted to the Brethren from their respective Lodges shall have
inserted the day wherein the Brother or Brothers joined or was
made in the said Lodge.”

Some brethren, “through ostentation, want of

skill, Masonical language, or sinister views,” had in
1772, or earlier, been teaching “‘ Masonical mysteries.
superior to, or necessary to be added to the mystery
of the Royal Arch,” and so on the 3rd Jan. in that
year the General Grand Chapter, having investigated
the matter, resolved that the brethren thus exalted
must be “ re-made.”’
Bro. Dermott replied, May 15th, 1772, at con-
siderable length to a number of questions “‘ proposed
to him by a learned Master of a Lodge in Philadelphia,”
several of which are worthy of a careful study. He
writes about the ‘“‘ Royal Arch Lodge,’ and informs
the Brother that—
““The members of the Grand Lodge, and of all warranted
Lodges, so far as they have abilities or numbers, have an un-
doubted right to exercise all degrees of the ancient craft, and
consequently the Royal Arch.’’*

That the ‘“‘ Atholl”? brethren were empowered to

work the Royal Arch in “open Lodge’’ is beyond
question, and that they could exclude those who were
not eligible to attend is equally clear, so that Dermott
was correct on Sept. 3rd, 1783, in dismissing a
* “ Ahiman Rezon,”’ Philadelphia, 1783, p. 112, reprint. Dr.
Kloss quotes this answer, and says, “that when the Ancient
Masons bitterly reproach the Grand Lodge with introducing
innovations, this and other instances completely turn the tables
upon themselves.”
 130

complaint made against No. 195 (now 145), for turning

out a Brother while the Lodge “was going on with
super-excellent business.”
Masters and Past Masters alone had the right to
be selected for exaltation, (save brethren going abroad),
according to the early ‘‘ Atholl’ Regulations, but in
time this rule evidently was evaded ; hence arose the
two classes of actual and virtual (or honorary) Past
Masters. In an article* on the Rights and Privi-
leges of Past Masters, Bro. Gould expresses his
opinion that the “‘ Degree of Past Master, or Chair
Degree, was invented by the Schismatic Grand Lodge
to serve as a constructive passing of the chair, and
thereby to qualify brethren for the Degree of Royal
Arch, which could only be conferred on. actual or Past
Masters of Lodges ;’’ and others are inclined to take
the same view of the matter. It was not until forty-
five years after the “‘ Ancients’ had agreed to Past
Masters being members of the Grand Lodge, that the
regular Grand Lodge adopted the Past Master’s
degree, in which year (1810) ‘‘the Masters of the
London Lodges were summoned to receive for the first
time the benefit of Installation.” It is manifest,
nevertheless, that what was known as the “ Past
Master’s Degree’ was practised by the “ Moderns ”
in England almost as soon as the “‘ Ancients,”’ though
it was not officially recognized prior to r8ro.
‘Passing the chair’’ was worked at Bolton by a
“Modern ”’ Lodge as early as 1769, and it was only
by such means that some of those “ exalted ’”’ could
have been deemed eligible. The ‘ re-Jnstallation ’’+
noticed of Nov. 30th, 1769, would appear to prove
that at that time there was no secret ceremony used
in that Lodge on the Master’s Installation, but that
*Freemason, Sept. ist, 1883.
t Vide p, 115.
 13%

the ‘‘ Past Masters’ Degree’ was simply worked as

preparatory to the Royal Arch. If certain printed
Rituals from about 1765 are to be accepted in evidence,
there was a particular secret ceremony observed on
the Installation of Masters, even by the “‘ Moderns ; ”
and I think that, little as we value such pamphlets,
there was probably some basis for the statements they
circulated on the subject. Bro. Gould observes :—
“The growing practice by the ‘ Ancients’ of conferring the
‘ Arch’ upon brethren not legally qualified to receive it, brought
about a constructive passing through the chair, which by quali-
fying candidates not otherwise eligible, naturally entailed the
introduction of a ceremony, additional to the simple forms known
to Payne, Anderson and Desaguliers.”’

This view applies with proportionate force to the

““Moderns,” who, practising the Royal Arch so
extensively throughout the country on somewhat
similar lines, must have been led in like manner to
work a constructive Past Masters’ Degree, so that
while there may be no evidence of its recognition by
the premier Grand Lodge until 1810, there is abundant
testimony that many of its loyal supporters were not
ignorant of that ceremony to qualify for the ‘ Royal
Arch,” almost contemporaneous with their active
rivals.
The curious ceremony of “ re-making’”’ in the
¢

three degrees on ‘“‘ Moderns’ joining the “ Ancients,”

or vice versa, was observed from an early date; but
that this regulation was one more of policy than actual
necessity may be inferred from the fact, that such
visitations before the custom prevailed, could not have
been possible, had the differences between the two
Grand Lodges been of a vital character. On Sept.
5th, 1764, the members of “‘ No. 110 were admonished
. for admitting Modern Masons into their Lodge.’’*

* Freemason, Dec. toth, 1870.

 132

This instance is quoted, (not as a solitary one), to prove

that the difficulties in the way of Lodge visitation
between the two rivals, were due to the formal
‘““ye-making’’ (and therefore, assuredly, 7e-obliga-
tion), and not to any important variations in their
several Rituals. It was not the custom generally for
Royal Arch Masons to require “ 7re-making’’ by
either Body, so that the ceremony must have been
substantially the same, whether practised by the
““ Moderns” or “ Ancients.’’*
Bro. W. H. Rylands, F.S.A., in his “ Records
of St. James’ Chapter,’ warranted in 1788, cites the
case (and others later) of two “ Ancient’ Com-
panions being admitted into this ‘‘ Modern ”’ Chapter
on 13th April, 1807, on condition of their being
obligated, and paying the registering fee. (The
Chapter has been No. 2 from 1817, and was formerly
No. 60.)
In evidence of the intimate connection subsisting
between the three degrees and the ‘‘ Arch”’ under the
“ Ancients,”’the existence of only two separate books
for the latter degree, may be mentioned, whereas those
of the “Moderns” are numerous from 1765. The
Royal Arch register was not begun until 1783, or, at
all events, that is the only one preserved of the kind.
It is ornamented with pen and ink sketches by
Dermott, and commences with L. Dermott’s name,
“R.A. 26, 1746,” followed by ‘“ John McCormick,
27, London, 1754.” Very few more names occur
until 1780. One Brother is noted from Ireland in
1767, and another from Scotland in 1768.
On March 7th, 1792, it was ordered, that all the
“ Atholl ’’ Lodges in and near London should return
* It is curious, that after the opening of the new Encampment
of K.T. at Rotherham, under York, that Bro. J. Beckwith
reported to headquarters that ‘‘ Bro. James Simes, of Sheffield,
was re-made a K.T.’’ Why, has not transpired.
She SS

7927-1813
JEWEL
OF
THE
|

«
WORTHIES
“EXCELLENT
NINE
OR
MASTERS’
 133

“One of their Brothers proper to be recommended

and elected one of the Excellent Brothers to assist the
Grand Officers for ensuing year.” The “ Nine
Excellent Masters’’ appear to have been elected
annually by the “ General Grand Chapter,” their duty
being to visit the Lodges, &c., “that the general
uniformity of Ancient Masonry may be preserved and
handed down unchanged to posterity.” (I much
wish similar officers were appointed at the present
time to secure uniformity fo the extent desirable.)
Special jewels were ordered for these Brethren,
costing, (so the Grand Secretary tells us), the sum of
£2 12s 6d. each, on 29th July, 1802. These medals
were recalled by the Grand Chapter, 5th November,
1817, two of which have never been returned, so that
there are but seven at present in Grand Lodge
possession. One of the defaulters was No. 301 (extinct
as 213 soon after the 1832 numeration), and the other
is still on the Roll.
The Jewels are of silver, nearly circular in shape, and of special
and striking design. The loop, for a ribbon to be attached, is
connected with a hand holding the medal. Obverse: Building
in course of construction ; two men are assisting in the raising
of a block of stone suspended by a rope, and steadied by a man
below, holding another rope; whilst a labourer is ascending a
ladder, carrying materials on his back. On other side, on raised
ground, is a man wearing an apron, with square in hand, and
another, evidently the Master Mason, who is pointing to the
structure. Pickaxe, crowbar and other tools are at foot. IJn-
scription: “‘One of the Nine Worthies.”” Reverse: Three
arches resting on the edges of tesselated pavement, the two
outside open sufficiently to admit a labourer, who, suspended by
a rope round his waist, is standing on the smallest arch, and
seeking to loosen the keystone with a crowbar. In the front are
two pillars raised on three steps ; operative tools lie around, and
other emblems peculiar to the Third Degree and the Royal Arch.
On one side is a /evel, below the moon, and on the other the plumb
rule, belowthesun. Legend: “ Sitluxetluxfuit.” (See plate.)

The design of the “‘ Nine Worthies’ Jewel ’’ seems

to have been in imitation of a medal struck about 1760,
of which there are several impressions and reproduc-
 134
tions preserved. One, having thereon the mottoes =
“Veritas est intas,’” and “ Vertuti et silentis,’’ is
dated ‘‘ ANNO LAP. 5767.”’ Another has the legend
only, ‘‘ Amor, Honor, Justicia ;’’ while others traced.
are neither dated nor have any legends. Bro. M. C.
Peck has one similar to the jewel of 1767.
For a continuation of the history of the “‘ Atholl
Masons,’ I must refer those interested to the separate
works on the subject by Bros. Bywater, Gould and
Sadler, and also other writers, but especially ‘“‘ Masonic
Facts and Fictions,” by the last-named Brother.
 135

VI.—CAPITULAR AND CHIVALRIC CEREMONIES.

The Regulation, XXXIX. of the premier Book

of Constitutions (1723), declares that—

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, Provided always that the
old Land-Marks be carefully preserv’d, &c.—(Page 70).

That considerable latitude was allowed in the

interpretation of this rule is clearly discernible, by
comparing the first edition of the Constitutions with
the successive issues of 1738, 1756, 1767, and 1784.
This is so apparent that we shall not quote any of
the numerous changes by way of confirmation, but
proceed to point out that as long as the conditions
were duly observed, which follow the foregoing clause,
there was no barrier logically to the recognition of
other degrees than the first three, inasmuch as the
term ‘“‘landmarks’”’ was not defined in the Book of
Laws, and the qualification old does not help the
matter, because if the usages and customs of the
really old Fraternity were to be observed in 1723 and
since, there would apparently have been few or no
separate degrees whatever.
Seeing then the peculiar circumstances of the
case, there should be no surprise on finding that what
some brethren sought to do about 1735, in intro-
ducing Royal Arch Masonry, others attempted soon
afterwards to accomplish with respect to other
degrees ; but the Royal Arch fortunately obtaining the
recognition of the “Atholl” and the ‘“ York”
Masons, secured a preference which in England has
continued to this day, and has been the means of
 136

putting all the others, so to speak, in the back ground.

How much the Royal Arch owes to its inherent worth,
and how much to its fortuitous circumstances, it is
not for us now to say, but both played an important
part in obtaining its recognised position, as the
completion of the Third Degree.
Bro. E. T. Carson considers, that the desire for
a return to the exclusively Christian basis of the
Fraternity, was one of the chief causes which led to
the start of additional degrees.

Some time between 1723-1745 (the exact time will possibly

never be known, the movement going on by evolution), some of
the brethren who wished to preserve the Christian features of the
old Order formed themselves into Societies, adjuncts, however,
to the Lodges. . . . It must be admitted that the present
cosmopolitan or latitudinarian religious character of the Symbolic
or Craft Degrees of Freemasonry (i.e., the first three) dates only
from 1721. Prior to that time its members were required to
believe in Mother Church (i.2., Christian Religion).*

There is much to be said in favour of this sug-

gestion, for we may be sure that the alteration from
a Christian to a Cosmopolitan Society, desirable as it
was, could not have been effected without meeting
with opposition from some of the old members.
Colonel McLeod Moore believes that “if we could
get at the earliest Rituals of the Royal Arch, we should
find that these doctrines were inculcated in the
Chapters that were formed about the middle of the
last century.’
Dr. Oliver held similar views to our veteran
brethren, Carson and Moore, and, to strengthen his
position, quoted from ‘‘a genuine MS. copy of
Brother Dunckerley’s version of the Royal Arch,”
which he declared was in his possession :—

* Proceedings Grand Lodge of Ohio, 1880.

t “ Allocution of Great Prior.’’ (Canada, 1883.)
 137

“The foundation-stone was a block of pure white marble,

without speck or stain, and it alluded to the chief corner-stone
on which the Christian Church is built, and which, though rejected
by the builders, afterwards became the head of the corner.
“And when Jesus Christ, the grand and living representative of
this stone, came in the flesh to conquer sin, death and hell, he
proved himself the sublime and immaculate corner-stone of
man’s immortality.”

According to this description of the degree, there

was no necessity for the “‘ Masonic Knights Tem-
plars ’”’ being started, seeing that the character of the
former degree was Christian ; but, be that as it may,
there is sufficient retained in the present ritual of the
Royal Arch to betray its Christian origin, and hence
the theory of Bro. Carson is not without confirmation.
Additional degrees were known in England
several years before the earliest date of a Royal Arch
Chapter minute, and some records, or other references
thereto, still exist, though none take us farther back
than Dr. Dassigny’s work.
The “ Royal Order of Scotland ’”’ apparently is
in the position of being senior of the additional
degrees, in respect to the preservation of records. A
“Grand Lodge”’ was held at the “Thistle and
Crown,” London, and termed “ Time Immemorial,’’
as were also two chapters held in the same city.
Another held in Southwark is dated Dec. 11th, 1743,
and one at Deptford, Dec. 20th, 1744. These dates
were copied by me from the oldest minute book extant
at Edinburgh.
According to Bro. Lyon, “ Of the existence in
Scotland of any Branch of the Order prior to 1754
there is not a particle of evidence. .... In one of
the MSS., the Grand [Link] London sets forth that
he had held office since 1741, and in July, 1750, there
were in London five Royal Order Chapters, and one
at Deptford.’’*
* Lyon’s “ History of Freemasonry,’’ chapter xxxii. (A.D. 1871).
 138

Bro. Lyon having presented the chief points

of interest in the records of the ‘‘ Royal Order of
Scotland ”’ in his history, and others having written on
the subject, I must direct enquirers to such works for
further information ; my purpose now being to suggest
the possibility of this degree being referred to under
the title of “‘ Scott’s Masons.”
I do not, of course, allude to such entries as the
“Scots Masons’ Lodge,’ London, in Pine’s list of
1734, the “Pocket Companions” of 1735, &c.,
because these refer, in my opinion, to lodges mainly,
if not exclusively, composed of brethren from
Scotland ; hence the title. Such a lodge would not
have been warranted by the regular Grand Lodge, for
the purpose of working aught akin to a “ Scottish
Degree,’ additional to the ordinary three. The record
of Oct. 19th, 1746, is of quite a different character,
as cited by Bro. F. H. Goldney.*
At this lodge were made Scotts Masons, five brethren of the
lodge (including the W.M.).

All the extracts from the minute books of the

Salisbury Lodge from 1732 are very interesting, but
none more so than this curious record, which has
given rise to considerable discussion in the attempt
to elucidate its meaning. Later entries of a similar
character have also been discovered in other Records.
Bro. Woodford’s latest suggestiont was based upon
some communications of Bro. Van Lennep (of
Amsterdam) to Dr. Walker Arnott. The former
mentions some twelve grades, which were calledt
“Scotch Masonry ”’ in the last century. The names of
the various degrees refer, evidently, to the “‘ Ancient
*“ History of Freemasonry in Wiltshire,’’ 1880, p. ror.
t Freemason, June 2tst, 1884.
{ ‘‘ Freemasonry : A word to the Wise,’ A.p. 1796, speaks of
‘Scots Masters, Excellents, Super-Excellents and other degrees.’”
 139

and Accepted Scottish Rite,’’ and not to the foregoing

“Scotts Masons,”’ which ceremony was worked, accord-
ing to the minute, in the Lodge of Salisbury, so was not
likely to have consisted of nine degrees, additional to:
the first three. Neither were such grades connected
with a singular record of the Lodge of “‘ Industry,”
Swalwell, Gateshead, of July Ist, 1746, viz.:
Enacted at a Grand Lodge, held that evening, that no brother’
Mason should be admitted into the dignity of a Highrodiam, under
less than a charge of 2s. 6d., or the Damaskin or Forin as John
Thompson from Gateside, paid at the same night 5s. (‘‘ English:
Masters’ had to pay 2s. 6d. ‘‘ for entering into the said Master-
ship.’’)

“ Highrodiams ’ may have been wayfarers or

?

brethren from the highroad,”’ as Bro. Gould suggests,

and Forin, or “ Forren,’’ according to Herbert’s.
“Companies of London,” was used to denote non-
freemen, but Damaskin is not so easy of solution.
The minute may be quoted in proof of the craving
for degrees, other than those sanctioned by the Grand
Lodge of England, though but some twenty-three
years after the publication of the first Book of
Constitutions.
The late Bro. R. Hudson* sent me copies of
minutes of the Phoenix Lodge, No. 94, Sunderland,
concerning the ‘“‘Harodim’”’ Degree, the earliest of
which is dated Dec. Ist, 1756, and the entries run on
as late as Sept., 1809. Master Masons, even of a
month old, were eligible for the Ceremony, quite a.
number joining during the period named. In 1782,
the E.A. was conferred Oct. 2nd, the F.C. and M.M.
Oct. 16th. The Harodim was given the same Brother
Sept. 19th, 1787, and the R.A. on the 17th of the
following month. ‘ Raised’’ is applied to the
*“ Harodim Freemasonry,” by W. J. H. Freemason, May
8th, 1886. Also ‘‘ The Old Swalwell Lodge and the Harodim,’”
by Bro. J. Yarker, Ars, vol. xv.
 140

Harodim, and on Dec. 1gth, 1787, a Brother is noted

as having “‘ passed the bridge,’ the Harodim and
Royal Arch being bracketed together in 1788-1790.
The late Brother W. Logan gave the matter much
thought, and took no end of pains to find a clue to
the Ceremony. He considered that the various terms
of ‘‘Heredom, Herodium, Harodim, and Highro-
diam ’’ had a common origin, the differences being
due to local pronunciation and illiterate scribes. He
also favoured my surmise that the “‘ Royal Order of
Scotland’? may have been worked in Durham under
such titles. ‘‘ During the eighteenth century, the
Lodges in the North of England were frequently
visited by Scottish Masons, hence it is probable they
introduced into our Northern Lodges the Order of
Heredom.”’
Soon after the date of the earliest record of a
“Royal Arch Lodge” (so far known), a minute of
a meeting at Great Yarmouth calls for particular
examination. It reads as. follows :—

“ By-Lodge held Aug. ye 16, 1763, at which time the following

Bretheren was made Excelent and Super-Excelent Masons By
Brother James Pomfrett, from Norwich, and Bro. Richd. Baxter,
Assist., and Bro. King formed ye Lodge for ye above.’’*

The Lodge was constituted by the “ Moderns ”’

on June 6th, 1751, as No. 210, and the foregoing
occurs in the minute book of the regular proceedings.
The value of the record is increased or diminished,
as it is considered to refer to degrees worked after or
before that of the “ Royal Arch.” I think that the
two degrees then mentioned, were given prior to the
Royal Arch, (but not invariably so), consequently the
brethren may not have been Royal Arch Masons at
the time. These Degrees were what may be termed
* Freemason, Dec. 24th, 1870.
 14I

preliminaries to the Royal Arch, and, as far as can

be judged, were worked in connection with a Chapter.
I think it may safely be assumed that Royal Arch
Masonry was worked at Great Yarmouth, and known
to certain brethren at Norwich, in a.D. 1763, the latter
most probably having also a Chapter or Lodge of that
Degree in active operation ; thus taking us back some
two years before the oldest dated Records of Royal
Arch meetings in London, Bolton and Bury, under
the wing of the “‘ Moderns.” This is of special value,
confirming as it does, my assertion that Royal Arch
Masonry was patronized by the ‘“ Moderns,” in
London and the Country, much earlier than has.
generally been supposed, and certainly some time
before the year 1765, when the minutes of the London
Chapter commence.
I have seen a parchment Certificate of the year
1772, in which the title of Royal Arch Masonry is.
so extended as to include the term Excellent.
We, the Right Worshipful Grand Officers of a royal Arch
Excellent Lodge, held under the Sanction of Lodge No. 308, on
the registry of IRELAND.
Do Certify that the Bearer Hereof our well Beloved Br. Henry
Price, a Past Master of Lodge No. 308, Aforesaid, was by us.
Installed and Initiated into the Sublime Secrets of Royal Arch
Excellent Masonry, he having with due Honour and Justness.
to the Royal Craft, Justly Supported the Mysterious and amazing
Tryals of Skill and Valour Attending his Admission to our said
Lodge, wherefore we recommend him as a Just, Honest, Truthful
and Worthy Br.
Given under our Haiads and Seals of our Lodge, at our Lodge
rooms in Carrick-on-Suir, the 27th day of July, 1772, and of
Masonry 5776.
Epwp. Ryan, H.P.
Tuos. LARK, R.A.C.
Epmp. Ryan, Secreiary. Epp. AusTINn, G.M.
EDWARD , 9.G.W.
JouHN Ryan, J.G.W.

In the records of the old Lodge at Banff, a.p.

1765, the ‘“‘ Super-Excellent ’”’ comes after the Royal
Arch, half-a-crown being exigible “‘ for each part.”
 142

Bro. Benjamin Dean, of Boston, U.S.A., has had

‘several old certificates reproduced in facsimile, two.
of which are deserving of particular notice. The
elder of the two bears date August 1, 1783, and was
promulgated at Charlestown, as evidence of the owner
having “‘ pass’d, been raised to the Sublime Degrees
of an Excellent, Super-Excellent, Royal Arch Mason,
Red Cross, Knight Templar,” &c. The other, of
Feb. 16th, 1796, declares that a Brother Moore “is
an Excellent, Super-Excellent and Royal Arch
Mason.’’*
In 1870 a certificate was noted by me, dated Sept.
7th, 1797, to the effect that certain degrees had been
worked by authority of a Grand Chapter of Royal
Arch, Excellent, Super-Excellent Masons, under
sanction of Lodge No. 828, Drumquin, Ireland.+
Another certificate, of March 7th, 1798, issued by
authority of the High Priest of a Chapter at Glasgow,
observes the same order as to the Degrees,{ and one
cited by§ Bro. William Kelly, has “ Royal Arch and
Super-Excellent,’’ of the year Ir81r.
The records of the “Chapter of Concord,” No.
37, Bolton, mentions “‘A General Encampment of
Royal Arch, Super-Excellent Masons,’ which was
convened at Bolton, Oct. 5th, 1785, when five “ Royal
Arch Brethren were properly instructed and after-
wards initiated into the higher degree of Masonry.”
The 5th degree of Masonry, notified in the
minutes of the Relief Lodge, No. 42, Bury, on July
3rd, 1787, may through a local usage have referred to
““ Super-Excellent Masonry.’’ Sometimes the “ Royal
Arch is recorded as coming defore and at other times

* Proceedings Grand Encampment, U.S.A., 1883.

+ Freemason, August 6th, 1870.
{ Freemason, June 24th, 1871.
§ History Prov. G.L. Leicestershire, 1870.
 143
after the “‘ Excellent and Super-Excellent,”’ of which
many more instances might be given, such as in the
Records of the St. John’s Lodge, No. 221, Bolton,
of date May 18th, 1800, when several Brethren were
“made Exclant and Shuper Exclant Masons and
likeeves Holy Royal Arch Masons.’’* At White-
haven, Oct. 14th, 1804, according to Bro. Lamonby,
six Brethren were made Excellent and Super-Excel-
lent Masons, and afterwards took the Royal Arch
Degree. Bro. James Ramsden Riley has kindly
transcribed several old certificates for me, one of
which, dated at Caledon, under sanction of the warrant
of No. 333, Ireland, May 3rd, 1791, was granted to
Francis Marshall, Past Master, as a “‘ Royal Arch
Super-Excellent Mason.’ Another, dated at Man-
chester, 6th Sept., 1813, terms the assembly “an
Excellent Super-Excellent Holy [Link] Chapter,”
and was held under sanction of No. 39 of the Atholl
Masons (now No. 44).
Bro. John E. Le Feuvre states, that the valuable
records of the Royal Arch Chapter of the “ Ancients,”
No. 174, Southampton (now No. 130), contain several
references to the Degrees of “Excellent, Super-
Excellent, and Royal Arch Mason” from A.D. 1794;
for that they were three distinct degrees at that time
there cannot be a doubt, the position as to the first
two varying in relation to the Royal Arch, according
to local custom. I have a copy of two Rituals, once
owned by Dr. Oliver, which gives the separate
petitions for each degree, and likewise the special
obligations.

The first petition was to the effect that the candidate had
“passed the three different degrees in Craft Masonry, and now
begs to be admitted into this Excellent Degree,’’ and the other

i Eistory of St. John’s Lodge, Bolton, 1880, by Bro. Brockbank.

 144
reads ‘‘ One who having passed all the different degrees in the
Craft, and presided sometime over a Lodge of Arts and Sciences,
passed the degree of an Excellent Mason, and now wishes to be
initiated into that high degree of a Super Excellent Master.”

Bro. James Jerman sent me transcripts from the

minute book of the “ All Soul’s”’ Chapter, Topsham
(Devon), from 1773, in connection with the Lodge of
that name under the ‘“ Moderns,” though not held
by charter from the Grand Chapter. The custom
was for candidates to pass the Excellent Master's
Degree first, and then petition for the Royal Arch,
as follows, both petitions being written in the minute
book.
1. We, whose names are here written, having faithfully serv’d
as an Apprentice, past to the Degree of a Fellow Craft, and raised
to a Master Mason, and well recommended, do petition to be
admitted to the Solemn, just and perfect Degree of Excellent
Masons (Oct. 9th, 1787).
2. We, whose names are here written, having faithfully served
as an Apprentice, past to the Degree of a Fellow Craft, and raised
to a Master, and admitted to the Degree of an Excellent Mason,
being well recommended, do petition to be exalted to the solemn,
sacred, holy, and sublime degree of a Royal Arch Mason. (Oct.
oth, 1787.)

The next extract is from the Records of “ St.

Andrew’s Chapter, Boston, dated August 28th, 1760,
when William Davis was accepted, and ‘‘ made by
receiving the four steps, that of an Excell’., Sup.-
Excell’, Roy’. Arch and K'. Templar,” these being
subsequently styled ‘the four Degrees of a Royal
Arch Mason.’’*
This minute contains the earliest known reference
in the world, to the Degree of a Masonic Knight
Templar, and so it is of interest quite apart from its
worth as a Royal Arch Record.f How the informa-
tion was obtained relative to Knight Templary is
* Bro. Chapman’s History, 1883, p. 4.
} See “ Origin of Mas. K.T. in the United Kingdom” (Ars,
1905), by W. J. H.
 145
quite clear, as the Ceremony was conferred by mem-
bers of the /rish Army Lodge, No. 332, which had
not been out of Ireland for about ten years before
leaving for America. This fact proves that the K.T.
was worked in Ireland still earlier. It is very remark-
able that this Chapter at Boston has an older minute
of that degree preserved than is to be found in this
Country ; and at Philadelphia is a Royal Arch Chapter,
which is said to have been active from 1758, being
in a most flourishing condition at the present time,
its work extending over a period of some hundred
and fifty years; which is more than can be said of
any existing Chapter in England.
The “High Knights Templars of Ireland,
Kilwinning Lodge,’ was warranted to assemble in
Dublin, from Oct. 8th, 1779, by the Earl of Eglinton,
as Master of the ‘“‘ Mother Lodge of Kilwinning,’’
Scotland, and was duly constituted by one of the Past
Masters on the 27th Dec. The records have been
presented to the Grand Lodge of Ireland lately, and,
wonderful to relate, they prove that the Charter was
used by the members immediately as the authority
for conferring the Royal Arch, Knight Templar and
Rose Croix Degrees, though that document only
provided for the rights and privileges of “a regular
Lodge,” the Scottish “‘ Kilwinning ”’ Brethren never
at any time working other than “St. John’s
Masonry.”
Dr. Crawley* has discovered evidences of Knight
Templar activity in Ireland earlier than any yet
traced in England, and these being of a typographical
character are indicative of still earlier working. An
advertisement appeared immediately before St. John’s

eT Notes ne Irish Freemasonry, No. 7, Ars Q.C., vol. xvi., 1903.

See also ‘‘ The Origin and Progress of Chivalric Freemasonry,” by
Sir Charles A. Cameron, C.B., Ars, vol. xiii., 1890.
 140

Day in Summer 1774, announcing a dinner to be

served of ‘(the Knight Templars of Ireland, Royal
Arch, Excellent and Super-Excellent Free and
Accepted Masons,” under “ Early Grand ”’ influence :
similar announcements being continued annually to
1784. Dr. Crawley believes that three Craft Warrants
““had been obtained for the express purpose of bringing
together Dublin Brethren who were already in
possession of the H.K.T. Degree.” They served as
authorities for working the Ceremony in “ lawfully
constituted Lodges.”
It is not my purpose to consider the subject of
Degrees generally, for the Origin of the English Rite
of Freemasonry does not really include more than the
first three Degrees and the Royal Arch.* Accepting
General Albert Pike’s dictum as correct, viz.:

“A Rite is an aggregation and succession of any number of

Degrees given by one or more Bodies, but by the authority of a
single supreme Government.”

all other Ceremonies than these noted are excluded

from the enquiry. There is, however, a semi-recog-
nition that must not be lost sight of, and assuredly
those Degrees which have the M.W. Grand Master
to preside over them, viz., the Mark Grand Lodge
and the Great Priory of Knights Templars, also the
Ancient and Accepted Rite, of which H.R.H. the
Duke of Connaught is 33° and Hon. Member, cannot
be looked upon as “side degrees,’’ especially when
His Majesty, King Edward VII., is Patron andProtector
of all three organizations.

* Bro, F. J. W. Crowe’s Handbook may be consulted on all the

“ side degrees,”’ as also the Knights of the Red Cross of Rome and
Constantine (worked in England second half of the 18th century),
the Cryptic Degrees, the Allied Degrees, &c. There is also my
Paper on the ‘Additional Degrees,’ Transactions Lodge of
Research, A.D. 1906-7.
 147
The Mark Grand Lodge was formed in 1856, and
has had almost phenomenal success, the K.T. Great
Priory was originally started in 1791, and was never
sO prosperous as now, and the “Ancient and
Accepted Rite ’’ was instituted in 1845 for the govern-
ment of the Ceremonies numbered from 4° to 33°,
many of which were worked in this Country in the
second half of the 18th century. As an organization,
it has no superior and few equals.
During the latter part of the 18th century, we
frequently come across notices of the Mark Degree.
The earliest minute of the kind known anywhere, is
to’ be found in the first entry of the premier Minute
Book of the Royal Arch Chapter, formerly No. 3 of
the ‘“‘ Moderns ’”’ (now No. 257), Portsmouth, formed
in 1769. The record is in an unusual cypher, and
was only deciphered by Bro. Alexander Howell in
time for reproduction in his History of the Lodge and
Chapter, No. 257, and the K.T. Preceptory, No. 2,
of 1791 (Portsmouth, 1894). Bro. Thomas Dunckerley
was present as Prov. G.M., and “ bro’t the warrant.”

“Having lately rec’d the Wark,he made the bre’n Mark Masons
and Mark Masters, and each chuse their Mark, viz., x x xX x
He also told us of this mannr of writing, which is to be used in the
degree w’ch we may give to others so they be F.C. for Mark
Masons and Master M. for Mark Masters.”’

The minutes are continued in cypher to 1786,

sometimes the Mark succeeding, and at other times
preceding, the conferment of the R.A. A “Bro.
Donaldson told us how to make Excellent and Super-
Excellent Masons,” znd Nov., 1770, and in July,
1771, four brethren were made “ Mark Masons and
Mark Masters, also R.A. Masons and Excellent and
Super-Excellent Masons, and each paid eighty-two
shillings.”
 148

On 2ist Oct., 1778, the Z. read a letter from

“Com. Dunckerley that we might make Knight
Templars if we wanted to, and it was resolv’d to.”
I believe this is the oldest reference to the K.T. in
any minute books in England.*
The next oldest of the Mark Degree was made
known by Bro. W. Logan, bearing date 21st Dec.
1773, and is in the minute book of Marquis of Granby
Lodge, No. 124, Durham, when “ Bro. Barwick was
also made a Mark’d Mason, and Bro. James Mackinlay
raised to the degree of a Master Mason, and also made
a Mark Mason and paid accordingly.”’ It is alluded
to in the Records of the old lodge at Banff, Scotland,
on Jan. 7th, 1778, when it was resolved that the
““ Mark Mason’ may be conferred on Fellow Crafts,
but that of ‘‘ Mark Master Mason”’ on Master Masons
only. Bro. H. C. Levander discovered in the minute
book of St. Thomas’ Lodge, No. 142, London, registers
of the degree from August gth, 1777, which is still
earlier than the foregoing.

“The W.M., with the following Brothers of that Lodge, were

made Mark Masons and Mark Masters.”’

Bro. Whytehead, who published the whole of the

extracts to 1787 in his “‘ History of the Mark Degree,”
1883, says the Marks were appended to each brother’s
name.
In the “ Ahiman Rezons,’’ which contain the
Regulations of the Grand Chapter, the form of returns
to the Grand Scribe concludes with the words,
“Given under our hands and Masonic Mark in
Chapter.”
The Rev. J. ‘Harrison, historian of Lodge No.
277, Oldham, furnished me with a list of the names

*"* History of No. 257.” Bro. A. Howell, 1894.

 149
of some twenty persons initiated from 1792 to 1799
in that lodge, the dates of taking the several degrees
of Apprentice, Fellow Craft, Master Mason, Past
Master, and Mark Master, being arranged in five
columns. Generally the fourth of the series was
conferred at an earlier meeting than the fifth, one as
early as June 24th, 1791, and the Mark, Oct. 28th,
1795. The dates prove that in all cases, save one, the
Mark was conferred upon Master Masons, and in that
solitary instance the date is left blank, but Bro.
Harrison adds, that in a list of members this brother is
stated to have been raised on September 23rd, 1795,
which was more than a month prior to his taking the
Mark Degree. Fewer took the “P.M.’”’ than the
“ Mark,” probably because the former was worked as
introductory to the “ Arch.’’*
Knight Templary was popular in certain parts of
England late in the 18th century, but those who state
it is a very ancient degree in connection with Free-
masonry, must surely forget the fact of its being con-
ferred upon Royal Arch Masons only, and that there
are no earlier records preserved than of the year 1769
in America, 1774 in Ireland, and 1778 in England.
The document mainly relied upon to substantiate
such a claim is dated 20th Dec., 1780. A “ Circular
Letter,” published at Bristol, a.p. 1857, declares that
““ The origin of the Baldwyn Encampment of Masonic
Knights Templar at Bristol is unknown, the encamp-
ment having been in existence in that city from a
‘remote period,’’ and states, that the evidence aforesaid
“‘refers to a previously existing document, called
therein a Charter of Compact.’ The late Major Irwin
transcribed the whole of this document for me, which
will be found in the Appendix D. It is signed by
* Consult ‘‘ Mark Masonry, 1599-1905’ by W. J. H. (Free-
mason, May and June, 1905.)
 150

“ Joshua Springer, M.E.G.M.; James Maddock, G.M.

of the O.; William Trotman, G.M.A. Genl.;” and
others, the remainder of the signatures being of later
date.
At a meeting held at Portsmouth in 1862, Dr.
H. B. Leeson stated, that “‘ The Baldwyn Encampment
at Bristol was founded by French Masons, who had
brought it from Canada towards the close of the last
century (i.e., the 18th), a fact of which he was certain,
as the original books were in his own possession.”
(F. Mag., Aug. 2nd, 1862.) No confirmation of this
declaration has appeared.
It will be noted that this was a veritable Grand
Encampment held at Bristol in 1780, and provided
for subordinate Encampments throughout England.
It retired from this postion later, and is now
represented by the ‘“ Baldwyn Preceptory,” which
has preserved a continuity from then till now. Its
origin is still a mystery, though Dr. H. B. Leeson
thought he had unveiled it, but that is doubtful.
Of the several additional degrees worked in
England in the r8th century, the only ones actually
recognised were the Royal Arch by the “‘ York”’ and
“ Atholl’ Masons, and also the Knight Templar by
the former Body. Since the Union of December,
1813, the Royal Arch only has been authorized by
the “‘ United Grand Lodge,” and then, strictly speaking,
not as a separate degree, but as the completion of the
' Third, including, of course, the special ceremonies.
peculiar to the installation of Masters of Lodges and
Principals of Chapters.
 VII.—CONSTITUTION OF THE GRAND CHAPTER.

The “Grand and Royal Chapter of the Royal

Arch of Jerusalem ’’ was formally constituted on the
22nd day of July, 1767, by the authority of Lord
Blayney, then the Immediate Past Grand Master of the
regular Grand Lodge. The document is entitled the
“Charter of Compact,” and includes the Regulations
which were to govern that body, as well as the official
declaration of the nobleman who was then at its head.
The distinguished Masonic rank of many of the
brethren who signed the unique agreement will be
noted, but it is well to emphasize this point, because
it tends to prove, that the ‘“‘ Moderns ”’ had determined
unofficially to adopt the degree at a very early period.
It appears that Royal Arch Masons were to be deemed
“Masters in Operative Masonry,’ but as brethren
were not required by these Regulations to have
“passed the chair’”’ prior to exaltation, it is just
possible the phrase refers to the Third Degree, and
not to that of an Installed Master. The various
clauses speak for themselves in the copy printed in
the Appendix A, for the privilege of which I was
indebted to the courtesy of Colonel Shadwell H.
Clerke, the lamented Grand Scribe E.
The charter is now reprinted from transcript of
1884, the only other time it has been published being
in 1792, when copies were forwarded to the several
chapters by order of the Grand Chapter. Bro. J. H.
Sillitoe procured one of the later issue for my perusal,
(which is the property of the old chapter at Colne),
and it has been collated with my transcript.
The first warrants granted by the Grand Chapter
were agreed to on January 13th, 1769, when it was
 152

“‘ordered that a seal be immediately made for the

public use of the Society according to the plan
specified in the Charter.’’ Four of these “ passed the
Seal of the Chapter’”’ on the 14th of July, viz. :—
1. To Bro. John Brooks, to be held at his residence.
2. Euphrates, or Garden of Eden, Manchester.*
4. Nativity, Burnley, Lancashire.
5. Cana, or First Miracle, Colne, Lancashire.

Other chapters were authorized, or “‘ passed the Seal,”’

at the dates mentioned—
3. Friendship, Portsmouth. August 11th, 1769.
+6. Most Sacred, or Universality, London. October r1th,1769.
6. Intercourse, or Unanimity, Bury. November rrth, 1769.
7. Charity, Bristol. December 8th, 1769.
g. Covent Garden, London. May 11th 1770.
10. Swansea. October 11th, 1771.
”
The ‘“ Restauration’’ Chapter, No. 1, London,
was dormant until 1796, when it was restored under
the ggis of the Grand Chapter, as subsequently
explained. It was again revived under the auspices
of H.R.H. Duke of Sussex, in 1812. JI am not aware
when it ceased to exist, for the preserved records end
in 1815, but judging from the position and influence
of its members, there was no lack of support at the
time of the ‘“‘ Union,’’ when it became connected with
the “Alpha” Lodge, No. 43, Kensington Palace.
On the 2nd July, 1814, the following exaltations took
place—
Duke of Leinster, Grand Master of Ireland.
Lord Kinnaird, Grand Master elect of Scotland.
Earl of Rosslyn, Past Grand Master of Scotland.
Lord Dundas, Deputy Grand Master of England.
General Sir John Doyle, Bart. (D.G.M. 1822-4).
The chapter chartered for Manchester as No.
2 seems to have been dormant until 1788, when it
was restored by authority of Bro. Allen, the Grand
* Notwithstanding this Whelamaitons: ee wanes of No. 2 is
dated May 12th, 1769.
fT See p. 155.
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 154
Superintendent. It was No. 6 in 1788, its removal to a
lower number being probably due to its inactivity for
so many years. It was erased by the Grand Chapter
in 1861, when attached to the Lodge of “ Integrity ”
(then No. 189), Manchester, its last return being made
in 1848. A copy is given of this warrant, as it is one
of the oldest documents of the kind known.
The Second No. 2 was the “ Caledonian,’ but
when it was placed on the Roll, or for what purpose,
I cannot determine. It is alluded to in the Grand
Chapter records, on Oct. 28th, 1783, and the name
and number are given in the old Lists from 1788,
though no ‘‘return’’ is noted in the “ Register’’
until 1790.
In 1790 the Companions of the ““ Royal Cumber-
land Chapter,’’ No. 18, London, were, by a vote of
the Grand Chapter, deemed members of the “ Cale-
donian,’’ No. 2, in consideration of their Fidelity and
Zeal. Notwithstanding this resolution, no difference
was made in the Lists for some time afterwards, both
chapters being retained on the roll; and yet the
Companions were not elected as honorary, but as
subscribing members. The compliment to the Royal
Cumberland was well deserved, their membership being
both numerous and influential, and the infusion of
such vigorous life was the means of reviving the old
chapter. No. 18 was transferred to Coventry about
1810, and was erased in 1861 as No. 316. No. 2 was
attached to the Globe Lodge, No. 25 (now 23), but
soon became extinct, the last Companion registered
being in 1817.
The “Friendship,” No. 3, Portsmouth, was
attached to the “ Phoenix’’ Lodge, No. 484 (now
257). The “ Nativity,’ No. 4, Burnley, was associ-
ated with the “ Silent Temple ’’ Lodge, No. 206 (now
126), at the ‘‘ Union,” and the “ Cana Lodge or Chapter
 155

of the first Miracle,’ No. 5, has long enjoyed the

protection of the ‘“‘Royal Lancashire” Lodge (now 116),
Colne, these three chapters being still on the Roll.
No. 6 was granted to Bro. Maclean and others,
but as the ‘Lodge of Intercourse, or Chapter of
Unanimity,’’ Bury, is styled No. 6, on Nov. 11th,
1769, it is likely the former was never chartered. The
“ Unanimity ” subsequently took No. 7, and at the
“Union” became attached to the ‘‘ Relief Lodge,”
No. 57 (now 42), Bury.
The “‘ Chapter of Charity,” No. 7, Bristol, became
No. g according to the List of 1788 and later issues,
and about 1822 became connected with the “ Royal
Sussex Lodge of Hospitality,’ No. 314 (now 187),
Bristol.
No. 9, London, I believe was never constituted,
and No. 10, Swansea, which subsequently became
No. 8, was erased in 1809, because it made no returns.
to the Grand Chapter.
In continuing the excerpts from the Records, it
should be noted, that Lord Blayney was “ continued
Grand Master of the Most Excellent Chapter, or
Fourth Degree,’ on Dec. 27th, 1768, having Bro.
James Galloway as D.G.M. and to act as Z. in his.
Lordship’s absence, just as Bro. Thomas Dunckerley
was appointed previously. On Jan. 12th, 1770, Lord
Blayney being still abroad, the Hon. Charles Dillon*
was elected to the chief chair, with Bro. James
Heseltine as his alter ego, the arrangement being varied.
in 1771-2 by Bro. Holt being Patron, Bro. Brooks
acting as Z. in 1771, and Bro. Allen in 1772, Bro. James.
Heseltine again occupying the chief chair in 1773, as
* The Hon. Charles Dillon was D.G.M. 1768-74, Bro. Rowland
Holt, D.G.M. 1775-86, and Sir Peter Parker, D.G.M. 1787-1811.
The Chevalier Ruspini was G.S.B. 1791-1813, and the Founder
of the Royal Masonic Institution for Girls in 1788.
 156

also in 1775 and other years ; the duties of the First

Principal being frequently discharged by these three
zealous brethren.
The year 1772 was remarkable for the exaltation
of several distinguished brethren, viz.: Sir Peter
Parker (who frequently acted as one of the Principals
of the Grand Chapter later on), the Chevalier Bar-
tholomew Ruspini (Z. in 1780), and H.R.H. the Duke
of Cumberland. His Royal Highness was elected
Patron on Jan. 14th, 1774, and ‘‘ Perpetual Patron ”’
on 8th April, 1785, in which capacity he honoured
the Grand Chapter until his decease in 1790; the
Grand Lodge being privileged by having the Royal
Duke as Grand Master from 1782.
Something must have occurred in 1773 to disturb
the feelings of the Companions, as on Feb. 12th of
that year, the Grand Chapter
““ Resolved unanimously that the Royal Arch Apron be disused
in this E.G. and R.C. until the Grand Lodge shall permit the
Companions of this Chapter to wear them in the Grand Lodge,
and in all other private Freemasons’ Lodges.”’

Apparently as there was no prospect of their

desires being gratified, this resolution was soon
quietly ignored, and the Apron worn again as usual.
Captain George Smith (Prov. G. Master of Kent),
on April 8th, 1774, read to the Companions “‘a dis-
sertation on the Fourth, Degree of Masonry,” and on
May 13th the same Brother delivered another discourse
in “‘ Praise of Masonry,’ receiving the thanks of the
members for his “‘ instructions and ingenious remarks.”
It is remarkable to read of the number of visitors
who attended the Grand Chapter from towns where
no regular chapters existed. On Feb. roth, 1775,
there were four visitors from the chapter at Exeter,
and yet no Charter was granted to that city until 1782,
as No. 29; and another visitor is recorded from
 157

Nottingham on Aug. 11th, 1769, although no Chapter

was warranted in that town until 1790, as No. 96.
Apparently at that time visitors were admitted, if
“Modern” Masons, even though they belonged to
Chapters which had not joined the Grand Chapter.
The first Vol. of Records ends on Dec. 22nd,
1775. Before looking into the second book of
minutes, it will be well to consider the Masonic
position of the Grand Chapter in relation to the Grand
Lodge. I have mentioned a number of eminent
brethren who were connected with the Grand Chapter,
though holding important offices in the Grand Lodge,
such as Lord Blayney (or Blaney), Grand Master,
1764-66, and H.R.H. the Duke of Cumberland,
Grand Master, 1782-90. There were also other Grand
Masters and Masonic celebrities who were also Royal
Arch Masons; the Duke of Manchester (G.M.
1777-82) and H.R.H. the Duke of Sussex (G.M.
1813-42), being particularly worthy of note, but the
numerous exaltations of distinguished Craftsmen
already enumerated, will suffice to prove that the
Royal Arch Degree, though not recognized until
Dec., 1813, was practically acknowledged by the
“ Moderns’’ from 1767.
Dr. Kloss* refers to a letter written by Bro. J. F.
Pollet, on the 25th April, 1763, to Bro. J. Peter Gogel,
Prov. G.M. (Frankfort).

‘J have taken the requisite means to receive and learn the

Scotch Degree usualin England. It is the same which resembles
what the French call the Royal Arch, and it was first known in
France from the raising of the Scottish Regiment Ogilvy in 1746-
The collar of the French Royal Arch is red, the apron green, with
a St. Andrew’s cross. I hope, dear friends, you will spare no
pains to obtain the degrees in use in England. I write this week
to Mr. Spencer, Secretary of the St. John’s Lodge, at London,
and my cousin, the Orator of the Guthenberg Lodge, will deliver
the letter to him.”

* “ Freemasonry in England, Ireland and Scotland,” 1847.

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In Chapter V. will be found Bro. Samuel

Spencer’s reply as Grand Secretary, to an applicant
for relief, in which he stated the Grand Lodge of
England was “neither Arch, Royal Arch, or
Ancient.”” This was written about 1759; the date of
the next letter was July, pick in reply to Bro. Gogel,
and stated.
“The Royal Arch is a society which we do not acknowledge,
and which we hold to be an invention to introduce innovations
and to seduce the brethren.”

It would seem by this epistle that Bro. Spencer

either alluded to the French Royal Arch, or was not
an ardent companion of the English Degree, though
elected by the chapter as a joining member in 1766,
with Bro. Berkeley, Grand Treasurer.
Bro. James Heseltine, G. Sec. 1769-84, wrote to
the same Bro. Gogel (18th Jan., 1774), assuring him
that the Grand Lodge only recognized the three
degrees, but qualified the statement as follows :—
“Tt is true that many of the Fraternity belong to a degree in
Masonry which is said to be higher than the other, and is called
Royal Arch._I have the honour to belong to this degree .
but it is not acknowledged in Grand Lodge, and all|its emblems
and jewels are forbidden to be worn there. In order to conv ince
you of the untruth of the rumours you have heard, I can assure
you that our present Grand Master, Lord Petre, is not a member
of the Royal Arch, nor was our Past Grand Master, Lord
Beaufort.* You will thus see that the Royal Arch is a private
and distinct society. It is a part of Masonry, but has no con-
nection with Grand Lodge, and this is the only further degree
known to us in England.”

On Feb. 27th, 1774, Bro. Gogel writes the G. Sec.

Heseltine to know if ‘“‘ the Royal Arch consists of one,
or three, or more degrees.’’ The reply that was sent
to this particular query has not transpired, but in
August, 1775, Bro. Hanbury, acting for the Grand
Secretary, explained that
* The Duke of Beaufort was proposed for exaltation on March
11th, 1767, but according to this letter, he did not take the degree.
 159

“Masonry is Masonry, with or without this degree (i.e., R.A.).

If it taught a new doctrine it would be quite different and must
be rejected unhesitatingly. That is why we reject the high
degrees of the Strict Observance. They are a confusion without
sequence. English Masons have one (the R.A.) of which Iama
member, and Heseltine is President.* It contains a high degree
of morality, and therefore rejoices in general approbation.”

Still another communication from Bro. Heseltine,

dated 15th Dec., 1775, was forwarded to Bro. Gogel,
in which, (judging from the following), he evidently
wished to end the correspondence.
“JT have already told you a further degree, called Royal Arch,
is known in England, in which the present Grand Officers are
mostly members of the Chapter. They belong to it as a separate
Society, without connection with Grand Lodge, and its expla-
nations of Freemasonry are very pleasing and instructive.’’+

These letters explain in part the action of the

Grand Lodge, on Nov. 21st, 1792, when after hearing
a complaint by a Bro. Sampson against the Grand
Chapter, it was resolved
“ That this Lodge do agree with its Committee, that the Grand
Lodge of England has Nothing to do with the Proceedings of the
Society of Royal Arch Masons.”

The attitude of the Grand Lodge officially, was

that of non-recognition of the Royal Arch, nevertheless
many of its chief members were amongst the most
active supporters of this Fourth Degree.
Bro. Pollet, in 1763, speaks of the “ Scotch
Degree usual in England,” as similar to the French

* Grand Secretary Heseltine was Z in 1775, H.R.H. Duke of

Cumberland, Grand Master 1782, being then Patron of the Grand
Chapter.
fIt is somewhat remarkable that a charter to work the
“ Tneffable Degrees ’’ (4° to 14°) was granted by Bro. Charles
Sherriff, on May 6th, 1788, to Bro. James Heseltine (G. Treas.),
William White (G. Sec.), John Allen (Prov. G.M. Lanc.), and
James Galloway (P.G.W.), the By-Laws of which provide, that
“‘ Every member of this Lodge, who has been regularly raised, the
first nine degrees, and desires to be raised to the Royal Arch,
shall pay two pounds into the box ”’ (“‘ Rosicrucian,”’ April, 1876,
and Oct., 1877). The Royal Arch of this Rite was the 13°
inclusive of the first Three Degrees.
 160

Royal Arch, the clothing mentioned being more .

suggestive of the ‘‘ Royal Order of Scotland” than the
English Royal Arch, both being worked in England
at that period.
Still earlier references to ‘‘ Scotch Lodges ’”’
and degrees, are noted in the ‘“‘ Dutch Freemasons’
Annual,’’ 1868-70, being letters written by Dr.
Thomas Manningham, D.G.M. of England, 1752-6.
The first epistle addressed to the Provincial Grand
Lodge of Holland, dated Dec. 3rd, 1756, and forwarded
by order of the Grand Master, the Marquis of Carnarvon,
thus alludes to the subject under consideration.
“You desire the Grand Master's Permission to hold Scotch
Lodges, and institute the Brethren according to their method.
This cannot be allow’d, as we know no distinction of Lodges,
Freemasonry being the same in all Parts of the world ; Iam sure
it ought to be so, or it could never be general: unless you are
cautious, you may be misled. By your Kind Letter I find the
Craft flourishes in Holland, and I sincerely wish it may without
Cavils and Dissentions. The Methods of Lodges will sometimes
differ a little, but I trust not materially, and that the ancient
Land Marks will always continue. Of late some fertile Geniuses
here, have attempted considerable Innovations, and their manner
of working in Lodge, they term sometimes Irish, another, Scotch
Masonry, why or wherefore they themselves best know; this I
am certain of, all Innovations in our Society must lead to con-
fusion. . . . The Grand Master cannot grant your first
request which seems to design Innovations, or new Methods, if
not Variation in the Signs, Tokens and Words, and thereby ruin,
instead of support, the Society.”’

Another letter from him bears date r2th July,

1757, and was written to Bro. Sauer ; it is quite a long
epistle, and from it I quote the following:
““T should be glad with your Assistance and the Assistance of
the Brethren in Holland, to settle these intricate and confus’d
Points, and wish to know (especially from the Brethren who
distinguish themselves by the Denomination of Scotch Masons)
from whence they receiv’d their constitution, the Grand Master
of Scotland, whom I presume they acknowledge Head of their
Society, being entirely unacquainted with their Order. To Lord
Aberdour and several other Scotch Noblemen and Gentlemen
that are good Masons, I have communicated your Letter, likewise
the Information I received from those foreign Brethren, one of
which was an Officer in the Dutch service ; but from the Enquiries
 161

I can make, can only say they have rack’d their genius with
endeavours to make Masonry unintelligible and useless. These
Innovations are of very late years, and I believe the Brethren will
find a Difficulty to produce Masons, acquainted with any such
forms, twenty, nay ten Years. . . . The only Orders that
are known are Three, Masters, Fellow-Crafts and Apprentices,
and none of them ever arrive at the Honour of Knighthood by
Masonry ; and I believe you can scarcely imagine, that in antient
time the dignity of Knighthood flourish’d amongst Free Masons :
whose Lodges heretofore consisted of Operative, not Speculative
Masons.”’
These communications of 1756-1775 are of value
also because of their references to the Royal Arch,
by Grand Secretaries Spencer and Heseltine, which
prove that long before the “ Union” the degree was
widely patronized by the “ Moderns.’’*
The second volume of the Grand Chapter
Records commences on’ Jan. 12th, 1776, when
twenty-three members and fourteen visitors were
present. On the 8th March the companions voted
ten guineas to the Freemasons’ Hall Fund. It was
resolved on Dec. 12th that a “polite letter’ be
written Bro. Dunckerley, informing him of the
disapprobation of the Chapter, because he had exalted
brethren at Colchester without a dispensation. This
brother’s zeal may occasionally have been in advance
of his discretion, but notwithstanding his inclination
to thus act independently, the minutes of the Grand
Chapter bear witness to Dunckerley’s unceasing
labours on behalf of Royal Arch Masonry, and whilst
it is probable the companions had cause to complain
at times, of his presuming too much on his position
as Grand Superintendent, (at one time or other, of
eighteen Provinces), it is equally true that he had
frequently great difficulty in inducing the Grand
* In 1870, I sent a long article to the “‘ Mystic Star,” U.S.A.,
with complete copies of these letters, and the confirmation of
their genuineness was noted therein by Bro. John Hervey, G. Sec.
of England at the time. Facsimiles were also published at the
Hague by Bro. S. H. Hertzveld, in 1870, and full particulars of
the correspondence.
 162

Chapter to set to work in a business-like manner, so

as to prevent the collapse of that organization through
the apathy of its chief officers. He was the First
Principal or Founder of several chapters, and many
applications came through him for new warrants, in
consequence of which he was the centre of Masonic
activity for years, and judging from the many letters
I have seen in his own handwriting, and the number
of chapters he visited, it is evident that most of his
time must have been devoted to the service of the
Craft for a very long period. A great number of the
early chapters were founded through his instrumen-
tality, and he was repeatedly thanked by the Grand
Chapter for his valuable services.
It is not clear that Dunckerley exceeded his
powers as Grand Superintendent, taking the usages
of the Craft as a standard, for although the Grand
Chapter objected to his granting a warrant to New
Sarum in 1780, and a Provisional Charter to com-
panions in the “ First Dragoons,’ (who had been
‘“exalting brethren gratis on the strength of an
authority from Perth ’’), yet Provincial Grand Masters
were in the habit of issuing warrants to lodges, the
Grand Lodge subsequently ratifying such action;
and what is still more to the point, the Grand Chapter
acquiesced in Dunckerley’s doings then as well as
much later on, by placing such chapters on the roll
and giving them their official numbers; so that the
companions must have been satisfied ultimately that
he was justified in signing these charters. I have
copies of warrants issued by that indefatigable
brother to the Chapter of ‘‘ Amity,” No. 21, Poole,
in 1780, “‘ Friendship,” No. 57 Devonport, and to the
“ Druids’ Chapter of Love and Liberality,’ No. 79,
Redruth, in 1791 (Appendix C.), there doubtless being
several others which were signed by him.
 163

When there were no letters or applications for

new charters from Bro. Dunckerley, the Grand
Chapter offen transacted no business whatever, and
not infrequently the members were very irregular in
their attendance, of which we might cite many
examples, some of which are referred to very curiously
by the Scribe.
“Feb. 23rd, 1781.—The companions not being a quorum,
‘proceeded to the true Masonic utile dulci, i.e., to relax the mind,
to refresh the body, and enrich the fancy with new ideas.”
“Mar. 23rd, 1781.—A motion was made to examine into the
true origin and intention of Masonry. The Past Master Z.
explained that this could not be done without ‘a free and un-
interrupted access to the Antients Druids’ Library,’ and it was
agreed that application be made accordingly. The companions
then departed all at the same instant, with the firmest assurance
of each other’s good wishes, and with that unity of thought and
sentiment, which perhaps never before was, or ever again will be
found amongst such a number.”

Not able to form a quorum on Feb. 23rd, 1781,

and yet at the “annual ball” on Jan. 23rd, 1782,
there were 400 ladies and gentlemen present, does
not say much for the Masonic zeal of the principal
members of the Grand Chapter at that period.
During the ninth decade of the 18th century
considerable progress was made in making known
the principles and practices of Royal Arch Masonry,
not only in England and Scotland, but also
abroad, chapters being granted for Quebec, Genoa,
Christiania, Copenhagen, Hanover, Gibraltar, Antigua,
and the East Indies. H.R.H. the Duke of Clarence
was appointed Grand Superintendent of Gibraltar,
and Patron of the Order in Kingdoms he had to pass
through whilst abroad, and on the decease of his
uncle the Duke of Cumberland in 1790, His Royal
Highness was elected Patron of the Grand Chapter.
The degree, however, was still more popular in the
Provinces than in London, for in 1793, there were
twice the number of chapters held in Lancashire,
 164

and also in Yorkshire, as in the Metropolis.*

Several attempts were made to galvanize a little
more life into the Grand Chapter, and in response
to the wishes of many Companions, a “ Grand
Convention’ was held on April 28th, 1784, when
many matters were to be considered tending to
promote the progress of the Royal Arch. At this
meeting only 21 members and 12 visitors attended.
Several ‘‘ Sections’ were worked, but the laudable
attempt to increase the zeal of the members was not
of much avail. As time rolled on, however, the
attendance occasionally improved, but there was for
long a difficulty in conducting the ordinary routine
of the Grand Chapter, because of the few who really
were earnest and zealous Royal Arch Masons. On
Nov. 11th, 1787, a list of subordinate chapters was
ordered to be printed, with their numerical positions,
stated times of meeting, &c., which was, doubtless,
of considerable service then, and still is of special
value in tracing the old chapters.
A serious attempt was made in 1793 to induce the
Companions to withdraw from the Grand Chapter, and
at the “Grand Convention,” held on May roth, when
nine members and four visitors were in attendance, it
is thus referred to:
‘That the thanks of the Grand Chapter be transmitted to the
several Chapters that have expressed in such handsome terms,
their determination to preserve inviolate, the union subsisting
between them and the Grand and Royal Chapter of the Royal
Arch of Jerusalem, in opposition to the Innovation proposed in
the circular Letter sent to those Chapters by the Chapter of
Emulation.’’ This Chapter, No. 16, was erased by vote of the
Grand Chapter for thus attempting to create a schism in the Order.
An address was signed by Brothers Prichard and Wright, as
Grand Scribes, and sent to the Chapters in 1793, condemnatory
of the “‘ Memorial ”’ issued by the offending Chapter.

* In 1813 the proportion of Lodges to chapters in London was

seven to one, but in rg09 the latter are about a third of the former,
and still better in the Provinces.
 165

On Oct. 29th, 1795, it was mentioned that a letter

had been received from Companion Dunckerley of the
gth ult., “in which he most solemnly declares his
surrender of the office of Superintendent of the several
Counties,’ &c., and of every other office in the Grand
Chapter. This zealous Craftsman died on the 19th
Sept., 1795, at Portsea, and though his good name
was rather clouded at the last by the decision of the
Grand Chapter to make enquiries of his Executors
“for any accounts relating to the order, as he had
received from time to time many sums of money
for Registers, which he had never communicated,”
I feel assured that a harsh judgment on his proceedings
would be most unwise and unfair on our part, seeing
that his version of the matter is lacking ; and as he
was so frequently thanked by the Grand Chapter for
his strenuous exertions on behalf of that Body, and
was elected wnanimously as Grand Z. as late as Jan.
27, 1791, there must have been some reasons for such
apparent neglect of his duties—besides which there
are many indications of the loose manner in which the
accounts were kept by the officials—which, if known,
would have satisfied his detractors.
On Dec. 17th, 1795, when Lord Rancliffe
(formerly Bro. T. B. Parkyns, M.P.) was the First
Principal, it was agreed to separate the private
Chapter from the Grand Chapter, so that in future
the exaltations should take place in Chapter No. I,
which was revived for that purpose, and thus dispel
“every remaining jealousy and uneasiness.” This
decision was confirmed on April 22nd, 1796, the three
Grand Principals being appointed to the offices of Z.,
H. and J. It was also then resolved that the future
title of the Grand Chapter should be “ The Grand
Lodge of Royal Arch Masons.” There was another
 166

change on April 23rd, 1801, when the name is recorded

as ‘‘Supreme Grand Chapter.”

The Regulations of Grand Chapter were first

printed and published in 1778. The title reads
“Abstract Of Laws For The Society Of Royal Arch
Masons, London, A.L. VDCCLXXxU,” which has been
interpreted by some to mean A.D. 1782, but the
inscription on the last page clearly fixes the year to
be as I have stated. ‘‘ Given from our Grand and
Royal Arch Chapter this 19th Day of June, a.L. 5782,
A.D. 1778,”’ and, moreover, the official records con-
firm the tenor of the inscription, as the regulations
were agreed to on May 8th, 1778, as recommended
by the Committee, and ordered to be printed for
distribution on the 22nd of the same month. In
consequence of the rarity of this, the first printed
edition, I have had all the rules reproduced in
Appendix B., from a copy which was very kindly
presented to me by Bro. Whytehead. The second
edition (erroneously believed by many to have been
the first) was “‘ Done from our Ancient Code, and
now revised, &c., this roth Day of May, A.L. 5786,
A.D. 1782.’’ The fee for all warrants was then fixed
at three guineas, as in those of 1796 and 1807, the
minimum sum for each exaltation being one guinea
as before. The third edition contains the singular
announcement, ‘“‘ First Printed, A.L. V,DCCLXXXVI ’”
(7.e., A.D. 1782), and then “ Revised and Reprinted,
AL. v,pccc” (i.e, A.D.-1796). This statement
probably has had much to do with fostering the
mistaken notion, that the Regulations of the Grand
Chapter were not printed until a.p. 1782. The
“Moderns” evidently felt that their position and
success as Royal Arch Masons were assured in 1796,
for instead of the accommodating clause respecting
 167

the admission of companions ‘“‘ Initiated on or before

A.L. 5770, A.D. 1766,” as in the issues of 1778 and
1782, the following was substituted :—

“No chapter within the British Dominions will be acknowledged

by us unless they admit our supremacy and conform to the
statutes, nor shall any be received as companions except those
exalted in a chapter duly constituted.”

The fourth edition represented another revision,

authorized by the Grand Chapter “‘ 7th Day of May,
A.L. 5811, A.D. 1807,” and was the last promulgated
prior to the Union. The fifth edition was agreed to
on May 2oth, 1817, and remained in force by
resolutions of the Grand Chapter from time to time,
until the publication of the sixth by order of the
* United Grand Chapter,” on 5th February, 1823. This
volume is of special value because of the plates of
the jewels, and a “List of Chapters, which have
conformed to the Laws of the Grand Chapter, and
attached themselves to the Lodges specified by the
numibers.’”’ These numbers run from 2 to 733, but
had the chapters been arranged according to the dates
of the warrants, and numbered consecutively as before
the Union, they would have ranged from 1 to 198,
been placed according to their actual seniority, and
not dependent upon the numerical position of the
lodges to which they were attached. Other editions
of the Regulations were printed in 1843 (7th), 1852
(8th), 1864 (gth), 1869 (roth), 1875, 32mo (11th), 1879
(12th), and 1886 (z3th), making from 1778 to 1886
inclusive, thirteen editions in all, a complete set of
which I have never yet seen in any single collection
or library.
An indication of the condition of the Supreme
Grand R.A. Chapter 1769—1813, is to be found in the
number of its active subordinates, so I have arranged
a list of all the chapters constituted by that body up
 168

to the end of the latter year, by which it will be seen,

that whereas there were only 15 chartered from 1769
to 1778, during the next nine years there were 38 new
warrants issued, the large number of 49 additional
chapters being placed on the roll down to 1796, and
from that year to 1813, some 71 new charters were
granted. The list of extinct chapters is also sugges-
tive of the vitality of those warranted from 1796, for
out of the 31 erased from the roll, only two had
received charters subsequent to that year.*
A special Chapter was convened on Jan. 5th,
1797, for the exaltation of H.R.H. Prince William of
Gloucester, when the “ first lecture was regularly gone
through.”
The accession to the craft of several members of the Royal
Family was commemorated by the issue of a medal in 1802 by
Kempson and Kindon, which is one of the finest “‘ Masonic ”’
ever struck. Obverse, Accolated Busts of H.R.H. the Prince of
Wales and H.R.H. William Duke of Clarence (subsequently
George IV. and William IV. respectively), the former wearing a
collar, with a Square attached, and the latter, one with two
interlaced triangles, forming a star of six points, the letter G.,
and a triple tau in the field, one on either side. Legend : GEO:
AP iP WALES GM GUE He) Di ChLARENES 7G7
P:O: Below the Busts, Hancock. The reverse contains a number
of emblems peculiar to the three degrees and the Royal Arch,
and as the name occurs of ‘‘ W. Hollins, P.M. L.N. 38’’ ina
prominent position, we presume he was the Brother for whom
it was designed. Dr. Merzdorf considers it was circulated to
commemorate the union of the two Rites in England? (i.e.,
Royal Arch Masonry with the ‘“‘ Blue’’ Degrees), but I cannot
accept this view, because the two organizations did not amalga-
mate until December, 1813.
On May 13th, 1797, a petition was received for a
chapter to be held in America, but as it emanated
from ‘‘ Ancient’? Masons, it was refused. On June
8th, 1802, it was decided that the motto on Jewels
should be Si falia jungere possis, the official Jewel for
the Three Principals to be as follows, Z. Square and
* Vide Appendix for the two Lists (E. and F.).
+ Die Denkmiinzen der Freimaurerbriiderschaft, 1851, p. 47.
See also Marvin's Medals, 1880 (No. 262), Shackles’ Medals, 1901,
No. 7 (German edit.), Medaillenwerk, 1901, No. 294.
 169

Compasses, the sun within, and the whole encircled

by two pillars connected by an arch ;* the H., Square
and Compasses enclosing an irradiated eye, and the
J. a Mitre enclosed.
The Earl of Moira was exalted in Grand Chapter
on June 28th, 1803, and was elected as the Z. on Dec:
15th of the same year. On 1oth Mar., 1812, Brother
George Canning, M.P., John Dent, M.P., and
Richard Wellesley, M.P., were exalted, and Brother
William Williams, Prov. Grand Master of Dorset,
was elected as ‘‘ Associate Member ”’ of Grand Chapter,
on the rith March, 1811.
Other Noblemen and well-known Brethren took
part in the proceedings of the Grand Chapter, holding
office, and doing their best to promote the prosperity
of the degree, of whom I might mention Sir Peter
Parker, Z. in 1792-3, and H. in 1773, 1785 and 1791,
The Hon. Henry Hobart, The Earl of Mount Norris,
Z. 1801 to 1805, Lord Rancliffe, Z. from 1796 to his
decease in 1800, Sir H. Mackworth, H. 1780, and
President of the Council, Sir Ralph Milbanke, H.
1801-2, and Judge Waller Rodwell Wright, J. 1802-3
and 1806-12. The list of Grand Superintendents,
(carefully compiled from various publications and
Registers of the Grand Chapter and other sources),
testifies that the welfare of Royal Arch Masonry was
not lost sight of by many of the most zealous sup-
porters of the “ Moderns ’’f, for among the names of
the Companions ranging from 1778 to 1813, who were
selected to promote the interests of the degree in the
* Plate IV. ‘‘ Freemasonry in Sussex,” by Bro. Francis, 1883,
+ That the ‘“‘ Moderns ”’ were rapidly advancing in favour of the
Royal Arch may be gathered from a pamphlet issued in 1796,
entitled ‘‘ A Word to the Wise,’’ in which it is stated, “‘ The
Grand Lodge of England never did acknowledge any Masonic
meeting beyond their own jurisdiction to have the least connection
with Freemasonry except the Sublime Degree of Royal Arch
Masonry.”
 170

numerous Provinces at home and abroad, are to be found

several of the most exalted and distinguished members
of the regular Grand Lodge of England. Indeed, the
list of grand Superintendents reveals how extensive
was the unofficial intimacy subsisting between Grand
Lodge and Grand Chapter, years prior to the actual
recognition of the Royal Arch. So much was this
the case, that I believe, had not the union of the two
rival Grand Lodges been agreed to when it was, the
“Fourth Degree’’ would not have long remained
unacknowledged by the “ Moderns.”
On April 17th, 1810, the Earl of Moira proposed
H.R.H. the Duke of Sussex as a member of the
Supreme Grand Chapter, and intimated his intention
to resign the office of First Principal in favour of his
Royal Highness, should it meet with the approval of
the Companions.
On May roth, 1810. The M.E.Z. then proposed that the
ceremony of ballot for H.R.H. the Duke of Sussex to become an
associated member of the Grand Chapter be dispensed with, and
that H.R.H. be requested by the unanimous voice of the Grand
Chapter to become a member thereof; which proposition was
agreed to without any dissentient voice. Comps. Burckhardt,
Grand Principal Sojourner, and Da Costa were commissioned to
examine H.R.H., and their report being in all respects satisfactory,,
they were also desired to introduce him, which was accordingly
done.
The M.E.Z. proposed to the Companions present that H.R.H.
the Duke of Sussex should be requested to accept the office of
First Grand Master of Royal Arch Masons for the ensuing year,
which was agreed to by acclamation, and H.R.H. signified his
acceptance of the same. The Prince was then invested ‘‘ accord-
ing to antient form,” the Earl of Moira being H., and Bro. W. R.
Wright the J.
On April 2nd, 1811, Bro. W. H. White of St.
James’ Chapter presented the original ‘‘ Charter of
Compact ” of 1767, which was found by him amongst
the papers of the late Bro. J. Allen, and which had
been missing for several years. Some seventy years
afterwards (viz., Feb. rst, 1882), the then Grand Scribe
E. (Colonel Clerke) announced to the Grand Chapter
 I7I

the recovery of the same document, which had long

been hidden in the Muniment Room among various
books and. papers.
It was resolved that “a present of plate, of the
value of three hundred guineas, be made to Companiom
Waller Rodwell Wright, in testimony of the respect,
esteem and gratitude which the Supreme Grand
Chapter, and the Royal Arch Masons in England
in general bear towards him,’ and on November
30th, 1813, the Treasurer reported that he had paid
that sum of money into the hands of Bro. Wright’s.
bankers. At this meeting the preliminaries for the
union of the two Grand Chapters were arranged.
“The M.E. Comp. Austin stated that the Grand Lodge of
England, under H.R.H. the Duke of Sussex, had entered into
preliminary Articles with the Grand Lodge now under H.R.H.
the Duke of Kent, for an union of the two Grand Lodges under
one Grand Master ; that by those articles the Order of the Royal
Arch was acknowledged as the Perfection of the Master's Degree,
and as those articles had received the unanimous approbation.
of the Grand Lodge
H.R.H. the Duke of Sussex had commanded the Grand Chapter
to be convened for the purpose of submitting the subject to their
consideration, in order that such measures might be adopted as!
would best accord with the general interest of Masonry.
Resolved unanimously, That as the Grand Lodge of England,.
through the M.W. Grand Master has communicated its Deter-
mination to acknowledge the Royal Arch, this Grand Chapter
does consider an Union of this Order with the Grand Lodge,
highly proper and desirable.
Resolved that H.R.H. the Duke of Sussex, M.E.Z., be invested
with full and unlimited powers to negotiate and conclude an»
Union on behalf of this Supreme Grand Chapter with the Grand
Lodges under their Royal Highnesses the Dukes of Sussex and
Kent, in such Way as may appear to H.R.H. most conducive
to the general interest of Masonry.’’*
The next Convocation was held on the 18th
March, 1817, ‘“‘ when the members of the two former
Grand Chapterst assembled in separate chambers ;
their Chapters having been opened, the members
* Proceedings of the S.G. Chapter, 30th November, 1813.
+ The only Chapters of the “ Ancients” that kept separate
minutes known were Nos. 174 (now 130), Southampton, and 196
(now 146), Bolton.
 172

proceeded to a third chamber, where H.R.H. the Duke

of Sussex, M.E.Z. was waiting to receive them,”’ and
the ‘‘ United Grand Chapter of Royal Arch Masons
of England” was formally constituted. Certain
regulations were enacted for the future guidance of
the society, one being that

‘“ Every chapter shall be attached to some warranted lodge,

and the rank or precedence of the several chapters shall be
determined according to the priority of the lodges to which they
may be respectively attached.”’

Owing to this rule the numerical position of the

chapters is no indication of their age, an old lodge
possibly having a young chapter under its wing, and
vice versa.*
The career of the United or Supreme Grand
‘Chapter from 1817 has been one of almost continuous
prosperity, but it is to be regretted that not a few
worthy brethren are still prevented from becoming
Royal Arch Masons, by reason of the expense involved
as to fees and clothing. As a Master Mason is not
fully instructed in our ceremonies until arriving at
the Royal Arch—‘ the summit and perfection of
Ancient Freemasonry ’’—no undue financial barrier
should be placed in the way of brethren becoming
members, so that all eligible by reason of their general
conduct and Masonic zeal may share in its sublime
mysteries.
The popularity of the degree has been much
increased of late by the interesting centenary cele-
brations of several old chapters ; and these desirable
commemorations have been wisely fostered by the
Grand Chapter adopting, on Feb. 1st, 1882, similar
rules and regulations to Grand Lodge, relative to the

*The six R.A. Chapters in Scotland, on the English Roll,

could not be connected with Lodges, so their original numbers
were continued on the United Grand Chapter List of 1823.
 173

granting of centenary charters, so that chapters which

have enjoyed an uninterrupted existence for one
hundred years, can obtain warrants authorizing their
subscribing members to wear a jewel (designed by the
late Col. S. H. Clerke), a sketch of which is published
with the Regulations. Fifty-three chapters have
already qualified for that coveted distinction.
I have sought to trace the Origin of the English
Rite of Freemasonry to the revivalists of early 18th
century, who recognized the Entered Apprentice,
Fellow Craft, and the Master Mason Degrees, which
alone were accepted by the Premier Grand Lodge until
December, 1813. From the “ Union,’’ the Royal
Arch ceremony has been acknowledged and adopted
as the complement of the Master Mason, but not as
an additional degree as it was formerly considered.
Hence the English “ Rite’”’ of Freemasonry consists
of the first Three Degrees, including the Royal Arch,
and the special ceremonies at the Installation of
Masters and Principals. As far as one can gauge the
opinions of English Craftsmen, a determined objection
will always be urged against any alterations of the
“ Articles of Union,” agreed to by the Grand Lodges
in 1813, as respects the recognition of any other
Degrees.
In conclusion, I should like to quote the words
of Dr. Hopkins, in his ‘‘ Lectures on Freemasonry,’
respecting the Royal Arch.
““T would urge everyone (having made himself
acquainted with our ordinary Craft ceremonies, and
having undergone the necessary probation), to proceed
to that sublime and exalted degree by which alone
his cravings for Masonic lore can be satisfied, his
doubts explained, and the completeness of the system
be fully developed.”
 174
And as a final word, Dr. W. J. Chetwode Crawley’s
opinion, expressed in his invaluable Caementaria
Hibernica, 1895:
‘The Royal Arch is not a separate entity, but
the completing part of a Masonic legend, a constituent
ever present in the compound body, even before it
developed into a Degree. . . . If the Royal Arch fell
into desuetude, the cope-stone would be removed, and
the building left obviously incomplete.”

ODE He
 17S

APPENDIX A.

[Copy OF]
CHARTER OF COMPACT OF GRAND CHAPTER.

Tue Most ENLIGHTENED East I.:.TN..OTGA..OTU.:. «. oo.

To all the Enlightened, Entered, Passed, Raised .*. and

Exalted, and to all others whom it may concern, under the
Canopy of Heaven, Health, Peace, and Union.
We the Right Honble. and Rt. Worshipful Cadwallader Ld.
Blayney, Baron Blayney of Monaghan in the Kingdom of Ireland,
Lord Lieut. and Custos Rotulorum of the same county, and
Major General in His Majesty’s service, P. Grand Master of
Free and Accepted Masons, &c., and also Most Excellent Grand
Master of the ‘Royal Arch of Jerusalem, Send Greeting.
Whereas we have it principally at heart to do all in our
power to promote the Honor, Dignity, Preservation, and Wel-
fare of the Royal Craft in general, as well as of every worthy
Brother in particular, and also to extend the Benefits arising
therefrom to every created Being, according to the original
design of this Heavenly Institution, first planned and founded
in Ethicks, and including in its Grand Scheme every Art,
Science, and Mystery that the mind of man in this sublunary
state is capable of comprehending, and whereas we, having
duly passed the Royal Arch, have found our dearly beloved and
most Excellent Brethren James Galloway, John McLean, Thos.
Dunckerley, Francis Flower, John Allen, John Brooks, Thomas
French and Charles Taylor, and the rest of our Excellent Com-
panions of the respectable Chapter, held at the Turk’s Head
Tavern, in Gerrard Street, Soho, in the County of Middlesex,
not only to be perfect Masters in every Degree of the Royal
Craft in its operative, but likewise, by their study and labour,
to have made considerable advance in the speculative or truly
sublime and most exalted parts thereof, and whereas our said
Most Excellent Companions have requested us to enter into
compact with, and grant to them our Charter of Institution and
protection, to which we have readily concurred. Now know Ye,
that in tender consideration of the Premises, and for the pur-
poses aforesaid, We have Instituted and Erected, and by, and
with the advice, consent, and concurrence of our said Most
Excellent Companions in full Chapter assembled, testified by
their Severally Signing and Sealing hereof, Do by these
presents as much as in us lyes, Institute, and erect them our
 176

said most excellent Brethren and Companions Jas. Galloway,

John McLean, Thomas Dunckerley, Francis Flower, John
Allen, John Brooks, Thomas French, and Charles Taylor, and
their Successors, Officers, for the time being of the Grand and
Royal Chapter jointly with ourselves and our Successors, Most
Excellent Grand Masters for the time being from time to time,
and at all times hereafter to form and be the Grand and Royal
Chapter of the Royal Arch of Jerusalem, Hereby giving, grant-
ing, ratifying, and confirming unto them and their successors,
All the rights, privileges, dignities, ensigns, and Prerogatives,
which from time immemorial have belonged, and do appertain
to those exalted to this most Sublime Degree, with full power
and absolute Authority from time to time as occasion shall
require, and it shall be found expedient to hold and convene
Chapters and other proper assemblies for the carrying on, im-
proving, and promoting the said benevolent and useful work,
and also to admit, pass, and exalt in due form, and according
to the Rites and Ceremonies Time immemorial used and
approved in and by that most exalted and sacred degree, and
as now by them practised; all such experienced and discreet
Master Masons as they shall find Worthy. And we do further-
more hereby give, grant, Ratify, and confirm unto our said
Most Excellent Brethren and Companions and their Successors,
Officers of our said Grand and Royal Chapter for the time
being, full and absolute power and authority in conjunction
with us or our Most Excellent Deputy for the time being to
make and confirm Laws, Orders, and Ordinances for the better
conducting and regulating the said most Excellent and Sublime
Degree throughout the Globe, as well as of the said Grand and
Royal Chapter, and from time to time to alter and abrogate the
same Laws, Orders, and Ordinances as to them and their Suc-
cessors [Link] meet; and also to constitute, superintend
and regulate other Chapters wheresoever shall be found con-
venient, and as to us or our Deputy and the said Grand Officers
our and their Successors for the time being shall seem fit; and
it is also declared Concluded and agreed upon by and between
us and our Most Excellent Companions James Galloway, John
McLean, Thos. Dunckerley, Francis Flower, John Allen, Jno.
Brooks, Thomas French, and Chas. Taylor, the said Most
Excellent Grand Officers; and these presents further Witness
that we and the said Most Excellent Grand Officers Do hereby
for ourselves severally and respectively and for our several and
respective successors, the Most Excellent Grand Master and the
Most Excellent Grand Officers of the said Grand and Royal
Chapter of the Royal Arch of Jerusalem in manner and form
following, that is to say, First, that the Most Excellent Deputy
Grand Master shall preside and have full power and authority
in the absence of the Most Excellent Grand Master.
Secondly, that the Jewels worn, or to be worn from time to
time by the Most Excellent the Grand Master, Deputy Grand
Master and Grand Officers shall be of the form and figure, and
bear the same inscription as delineated in the margin hereof,
and that the like Jewels, only omitting the Sun, Compass and
Globe, shall be worn by the two Scribes and three S. N. R. S.,
 177

and also that the like Jewels shall be worn by the rest of the
Excellent Companions, except that in them shall be left out the
Triangle, &c., in the centre thereof. Thirdly, that every
Compn. shall wear according to ancient custom an apron in-
dented with Crimson, and the badge or eo properly displayed
thereon, and also the indented ribbon or sash of this Order.
Fourthly, that the Common Seal of this Grand and Royal
Chapter shall bear the like impression as the Jewels worn by
the Most Excellent Grand Officers. Fifthly, that for every
Charter of Constitution to be granted by, and from this Grand
and Royal Chapter shall be paid into the Common Fund thereof
at least the sum of Ten Guineas. Sixthly, that none but dis-
creet and experienced Master Masons shall receive exaltation
to this Sublime degree, in this, or in any other Chapter that
may hereafter be duly constituted. Nor until they shall have
been duly proposed at least one Chapter night preceding, nor
unless ballotted for, and that on such ballot there shall not
appear one negative or black ball. Seventhly, that every such
person so to be exalted shall pay at least the sum of Five
Guineas into the Common Fund of the Chapter, wherein he
shall receive Exaltation, towards enabling the Companions to
carry on the business and support the Dignity thereof.
Eighthly, that none calling themselves Royal Arch Masons
shall be deemed any other than Masters in Operative Masonry,
nor shall be received into any regular Chapter of the Royal
Arch, or be permitted to reap or enjoy any of the Benefits,
Dignities or Ensigns of that most Exalted Degree, save and
except those who have received or shall, or may hereafter
receive Exaltation in this Grand and Royal Chapter, or in some
Chapter to be Chartered and Constituted by us or our Suc-
cessors, Most Excellent Grand Officers aforesaid. And except
those coming from beyond the Seas, or such as shall obtain
Certificates of adoption from this our Grand and Royal Chap-
ter. For which Certificate shall be paid into the Common Fund
the sum of one guinea at the least. Ninthly, that there shall
be a General Chapter of Communication of the Excellent Com-
panions of this Grand and Royal Chapter, with all other Chap-
ters that shall or may hereafter come under the protection of,
and be Chartered by the same as aforesaid, on or as near as
conveniently may be to the Feast of St. John the Evangelist,
Yearly or oftener as occasion shall require, and it shall be found
convenient for the purposes of conducting, promoting and well
ordering of this Sublime Degree, and the business affairs
thereof, in such manner as shall from time to time be found
most expedient. Tenthly, That at and upon the said Feast of
St. John the Evangelist or the general Chapter of Communica-
tion, held next to such Feast, the Most Excellent Grand Master,
Most Excellent Deputy Grand Master, and the other Most
Excellent Grand Officers of the Grand and Royal Arch of
Jerusalem, shall be chosen and elected, which election shall be
by a Majority of the Companions present at such General
Chapter by ballot, and Lastly, that the Grand Officers so chosen
and elected shall continue to serve, and be in Office for the
 178

year ensuing unless some or one of them shall happen to de-

cline, in which case, or in case of the Death of any of them
or otherwise, it shall be found necessary, a Special General
Chapter shall be called for an Election to supply his or their
place or places. In Witness Whereof, We, the said Most
Excellent Grand Master, and the Most Excellent Grand Offi-
cers have hereunto severally signed our names and affixed our
Seals in full Chapter Assembled for this purpose, at the Turk’s
Head Tavern, in Gerrard Street, Soho, aforesaid, this 22nd
day of July, in the year of the Birth of Virtue 5.°.3.°.7.°.9.°.
AL. 5771, ADs 1767.

Signed BLAYNEY. LS.

Jas. GALLOWAY. iS.
Jno. McLean. L.S.
THomMas DUNCKERLEY. L.s.
FRANCIS FLOWER, S.E. LSs
Jno. ALLEN, N. LS.
Jno. Brooks, P.s. ES:
TuHos. FRENCH, s. eS
CuaAs. TAYLOR, S. £.S2

In testimony of our ready acceptance of, and perfect com-

pliance with this Charter of Institution and Protection above
written, and the Laws and Ordinances thereby prescribed, We,
the rest of the Excellent Companions of this Most Excellent
Grand and Royal Chapter have hereunto severally subscribed
our names the day and year above written.

Henry Cluttick R. Berkeley Ro. Simkinson

‘G. Borrodale Jno. Bewlay Rich Rowland Holt
John Turner Anglesey J. P. Pryse
N. Ross Thos. Morgan Jno. Hatch
Robert Kellie Jno. Heseltine Lewis Masquerier
John Derwas Wm. Guest David Hughes
Samuel Way
 179

APPENDIX B.

LAWS OF THE GRAND CHAPTER, A.D. 1778.

THE GRAND AND ROYAL CHAPTER OF JERUSALEM:

‘To all and each of the Companions of that exalted and supreme
degree of Masonry, stiled, The Royal Arch; Health, Peace,
and Good-will.
Whereas by Charter of Compact, our Grand and Royal
‘Chapter of Jerusalem is constituted the Grand Lodge of this
supreme degree, with full power, when in. Chapter assembled,
to issue out, publish, and make known, to all our loving Com-
panions, whatever may contribute to their more easy acquisi-
tion of true Masonic knowledge, and not inconsistent with its
general laws; and also to constitute and appoint any other
Officer or Officers, and to make and ordain such laws or
regulations, as from time to time may appear necessary to
promote the honour of Masonry in general, and the more per-
fect government of our own supreme degree in particular:
We, therefore, the most excellent and excellent Grand Officers
and Companions, for that purpose, in full Chapter assembled,
do make known :
I. That according to ancient custom, a complete Chapter
of this supreme degree of Masonry, consists of the three Prin-
cipals ;who, when in Chapter assembled, are to be considered
conjunctly, as The Master; and each severally as a Master;
the three Sojourners, two Scribes, and seventy-two others, as
Council; and that no regular Chapter of this exalted degree
can consist of more; but that any number may be exalted and
received as Companions, though not to hold the Staff of Office,
or be considered as Counsellors when more than that number
are present ; and if any other Officers are necessary (unless
menial) they ought to be appointed froin the Past Masters, not
only to prevent too great an increase, but as from their know-
ledge of our laws and constitution, they will be better qualified
to execute them.
II. That to this exalted degree, none are to be admitted
but men of the best character and repute; of good natural
capacity, and some degree of education ; open, generous, liberal
in sentiment ; totally devoid of superstitious bigotry, and real
Philanthropists ; must have passed through the three proba-
tionary degrees of Craft Masonry; been regularly appointed
and presided as Masters (to be justly entitled to, and have re-
ceived the Past-master’s token and pass-word) ;+ must be duly
proposed and recommended by two or more Companions of the

+ Not in 1782 edition.

 180

Chapter, ballotted for, and approved of; the recommendation

to be (unless on particular occasions) at least one Chapter
previous to the ballot : Each brother to be not less than twenty-
three years of age at the time of initiation, except his father
be a Companion of the Chapter, or that he himself has been two
years of the Master’s degree in the Craft ;and then, under the
above regulations, may be exalted at twenty-one; but none
to be admitted, if on the ballot there is more than one negative.
III. That the three Principals, and all Past-masters are
stiled, Most Excellent; all other Officers, Excellent; and the
rest Companions of the Chapter.
That in Chapter all Officers wear proper robes, and every
Companion, the Jewel of the order upon his breast ; with the
Riband over his left shoulder, and the Staff in his right hand,
except those that are juniors, when more than seventy-two are
present ; in which case they are not permitted to bear the Staff
of Office.
That the Robes for Z. be scarlet, faced purple, trimmed
sable furr:
For H. mazarine blue, faced light blue, trimmed sable furr =
For J. light grey, faced light blue trimmed grey furr:
For Past-masters scarlet, faced light blue, trimmed sable
furr :
For the Sojourners, surplices:
For the Scribes, surplices and crimson scarfs.
All the Grand Officers to wear their jewels pendant from
mazarine blue Ribands, the other Companions of the Grand
Chapter and the Officers of every Chapter under our constitu-
tion from crimson, and all other Companions from white ones ;
and that in the Grand Chapter all Officers and twelve of the
senior Companions, bear upon their Staffs as Standards the
proper Ensigns.
IV. That all the before mentioned Officers be elective
annually : but no nomination to be made, no one to declare
himself a candidate or any to be elected but such as are
properly acquainted with our laws and constitution, and
from their merit and abilities, are likely to do honour to the
Society.
V. That the mode of election be by ballot, for the Office
of Z. first, and the others in succession ; and whoever has the
most votes is to be invested and inducted into his Office accord-
ingly ; but if there are two or more of the highest number,
Z. shall have a casting vote, or he may order a new ballot
betwixt the respective parties only, the ballot always to begin
by the juniors, and end with the Principal.
_VI. That, as soon as any Chapter is opened and the Com-
panions seated, the minutes of the last meeting are to be read
by one of the Scribes, and then confirmed, or rejected ;which
done, ballots are to be taken; after that, duly elected candi-
dates exalted, [and then the business of the Chapter must begin
by the introductory Section, and be proceeded in regularly, but
 I81

as it will seldom happen that the whole can be gone through

at one Chapter, care must be taken at the succeeding one, to
begin where they before left off, that the Companions may
receive full instruction and be properly qualified for advance-
ment].*
VII. That in Chapter no subject is to be entered upon, but
what belongs to the business thereof, or has immediate relation
to Masonry. That every Companion, who has any thing to
propose, must rise and speak standing; but no one to rise till
another has done and taken his seat ; and the present Speaker
never to reply to the late one, but always address his discourse
to the Principals.
VIII. And whereas this our Grand and Royal Chapter
is, by Charter, constituted the Grand Lodge of the supreme
Degree of Masonry, stiled the Royal Arch: Be it therefore
known, that no Chapter will be acknowledged by Us, within
any of the British dominions, unless they admit of our supre-
macy, and conform to the Rules of the order as hereby set
forth ; nor any man received as a Companion, unless exalted
in a Chapter constituted by Us; or in the dominions of some
foreign Prince ; or was initiated in or before A.L. 5770, A. D.
1700.
IX. That the mode of application for a Charter be by
Petition, addressed to The Grand Lodge of Royal Arch Masons,
at Free Masons Tavern, London ; signed by three Companions
of the order, specifying the time when, and place where to be
held, with the names of the three intended for Principals, and
the title they would chuse to have their Chapter known by.
X. That in all Chapters under our Constitution their
Officers be the same as in Statute No. I., and the robes and
regalia as in No. IIIJ.; but in any Chapter whose finances
would be hurt by the expence, the whole or any part thereof
may be dispenced with.
XI. That whereas it is ordered by our Charter of Compact,
that Ten Guineas should be paid for every Constitution, and
Five Guineas for each Exaltation fee, or such other sums as
shall be settled in the Bye-laws of this Grand Chapter, previous
to the times of application for the same; and as a dispensing
power is left with Us, and We think it probable that the said
ssums of Ten and Five Guineas may restrain several of merit
and character from entering into the Society, and thereby
counteract the benevolent purpose of its institution; we do
hereby order, that for every Constitution applied for and granted
from and after the date hereof, until notice shall be given to
the contrary ; if for a Chapter to be held within the bills of
- mortality for the City of London, there shall be paid not less
than Three Guineas ; and for a Chapter to be held elsewhere,
not less than Two Guineas ; and for every Exaltation in any
Chapter constituted by Us not less than One Guinea ; and that

* Not in 1782 edition.

 182

an account be given of the name of each person exalted, and

Five Shillings paid to this Grand Chapter for his registering
heey
XII. That no person, unless exalted in the Grand Chapter,
can be admitted a Companion of it, until ballotted for and
approved of as by Statute No. II.; and if exalted for a less
sum than is there paid, must make up that by paying the
remainder, and also Five Shillings as a registering fee; with
the annual subscription, or such proportion of the said sum
as the then remaining part of the year shall bear to the whole.
XIII. That Companions residing abroad, or at a distance
from town, may be admitted as honourary, and on each visit
pay only the common expences, but in that case must be
approved of by ballot, and pay Five Shillings as a registering
dees ;
XIV. That any Companion who is not honourary, shall
pay on each visit Seven Shillings and Six-pence, and no one
resident in town, to be admitted as honourary, unless his avoca-
tion should compel him to be absent more than half the season
of the Chapter’s meeting ; nor must any non-resident be elected
into office, unless that office be such as will not require his.
personal attendance in Chapter.
XV. That as the business of our Grand Chapter increaseth
from the frequent application for constitutions, certificates.
or instruction in the ancient Usage and Customs of this exalted
degree : We therefore, the most Excellent and Excellent Grand
Officers and Companions do hereby make known, that we have:
constituted and appointed, as follow ; viz. Our most Excellent
Companions and Past Grand Masters, Rowland Holt, Esq. to
be President of the Council: James Galloway, John Brooks,
James Hesletine and John Allen, Esqrs. to hold the great seali
of our order in commission, and to be our Inspectors General ;
that it be their duty to inspect into the general management
of the Grand Chapter, to see that all matters of business come:
properly before it; that any of the Chapters constituted
by Us, receive such instructions as they petition for and stand
in need of ; to examine into the propriety of all applications for
Charters or Certificates, and the merits and qualifications of
the Petitioners ; that all orders given by the Grand Chapter
are duly executed; all laws and edicts properly drawn up,
recorded, and issued, being first sealed and signed by or in the
names of the three most Excellent Grand Masters for the
time being, and countersigned by one or more of themselves.
XVI. We have also constituted and appointed our most
Excellent Past Grand Masters; James Hesletine, Esq., to be
our Correspondent-General: Charles Taylor, Esq., Treasurer:
Thomas Dunckerley, Esq., Superintendent over the counties of
Hants and Essex; John Allen, Esq. over the counties of
Lancaster and Chester ; Captain George Smith, over the county
of Kent; each with full power as if We ourselves were there
personally present; but an appeal always reserved to the Grand
Chapter.
 183

XVII. That every Chapter constituted by Us shall have

power to make such Bye-laws as to them shall seem meet for
their own private government ; provided they do not contain
any thing incompatible with the general ones established as
Statutes by this Grand and Royal Chapter.
XVIII. That all their Officers be elected annually as by
our Statutes No. IV. and V., and that immediately after each
election an account be sent to the Grand Chapter, with their
Names and Rank; and also a list of the Names of all those
exalted the preceding year, and therewith (if not remitted
before) their registering fees.
XIX. That these Laws be considered as Statutes respect-
ing the whole Society of Royal Arch Masons; and if any doubt
arise in their Chapters, or amongst the Companions of the
Society, concerning matters of this sublime degree, which
cannot be amicably adjusted amongst the Companions thereof ;
the subject shall be fairly stated and laid before the Grand
Chapter, whose determination shall be final.
Given from our Grand and Royal Chapter this 19th Day
of June, ACL. 5782, A.D. 1778.
By Order, Frith,
Minims. f Scribes.

APPENDIX C.

WARRANT OF No. 57, PLYMOUTH DOCK

(NOW DEVONPORT).
T ARC No. 57 [Now 202}

ae Ecy
A OP »,
wv
1@) BQ

Av
x My<p
oe
Sy The Almighty Jah. Sp
“yy
. %
To all the enlightened OUR Brethren of the Several
DEGREES of the Royal Craft but more especially those Citi-
zens of the World and Servants of the OMNIPOTENT who
have been or hereafter may be honoured by Exaltation to our
Sublime Degree. :
HEALTH—PEACE—GOOD WILL.
 184

BE IT KNOWN that OUR Excellent Companions

JOHN HARRISON, GEORGE DIMOND and PETER ONENS
having made known to US their Desire of holding a Chapter
of our ORDER for the Cultivation of the Grand and Universal
Science, in Hopes thereby the more to extend their aid to and
promote the Happiness of every terrestrial being, and link
MANKIND together by indisoluble Bonds of FRIENDSHIP,
PEACE and HARMONY, AND that WE, having taken their
request into consideration, and finding it concordant with
OUR GRAND SCHEME of UNIVERSAL BENEVOLENCE
do hereby grant to them THIS OUR WARRANT of CONSTI-
TUTION with full power for them, their Companions and A
[> their Successors, to open and hold a CHAPTER OF OUR
ORDER at the Dolphin and Old King’s Arms, Fore Street,
4.4 |
/
Plymouth Dock, agreeably to a Dispensation granted 15th
February last by Our Most Excellent Companion THOMAS
DUNCKERLEY, Esq., Grand Superintendent, or at such other i
Place and at such Time as Our said Companions and their }
Successors shall with the consent of US and OUR Successors,
Grand Officers for the time being think meet. The first Chap-
ter to be opened on Friday, the 30th day of May now next
ensuing by the title of
THE CHAPTER OF FRIENDSHIP
with such Privileges, Powers, and Immunities as do of Rights
belong to regular established Chapters and Companions of
OUR said Most Excellent Order—SUBJECT nevertheless to
the Grand Laws and ORDINANCES already, or to be here-
after enacted by
OUR MOST EXCELLENT GRAND AND ROYAL
CHAPTER.

Given at London under OUR Hands and the seal of OUR

GRAND and ROYAL CHAPTER this 18th day of April, A.L.
5792, A.D. 1788.

JOHN BROOKS 88 JAMES HESELTINE, (Z) | —_—

JAMES HESELTINE > $& BENJAMIN LANCASTER, (H) |L|
J. McALLEN as JOHN FRITH, (J)
JOHN FRITH
Gd. Rr.

(Transcript by Bro. W. Allsford, P.M. 202, &c.)

 185

APPENDIX. D.

IN THE NAME OF THE GRAND: ARCHITECT OF THE

UNIVERSE.

THE SUPREME GRAND AND ROYAL ENCAMPMENT OF THE ORDER

OF KNIGHTS TEMPLARS OF ST. JOHN OF JERUSALEM,
KNIGHTS HOSPITALLERS, AND KNIGHTS OF MALTA,
S&C. 8 ce,

To all Knight Companions of that Noble Order

Health—Peace—Goodwill.

WHEREAS by Charter of Compact our Encampment is

constituted, the Supreme Grand and Royal Encampment of
this Noble Order, with full Power, when Assembled, to issue,
publish and make known to all our loving Knights Com-
panions, whatever may contribute to their knowledge, not
inconsistent with its general Laws. Also to constitute and
appoint any Officer or Officers to make and ordain such laws,
as from time to time may appear necessary to promote the
Honor of our Noble Order in general and the more perfect
government cf our Supreme degree in particular. We there-
fore the fost Eminent Grand Master, The Grand Master of
the Order, the Grand Master Assistant General, and two Grand
Standard Bearers and Knights Companions for that purpose
in full Encampment, Assembled, do make known, First.
According to ancient custom, that a complete Encampment of
this degree consist of The Most Eminent Grand Master, the
Grand Master of the Order, the Grand Master Assistant
General, and two Grand Standard Bearers, who when in
Encampment Assembled are to be considered as such, and
that no regular Encampment of this Degree can consist of a
less number than five. SEconD. That to this Order none be
admitted but men of the best character and education—open
—generous and liberal in sentiment, which have passed the
four Degrees of Masonry—Have been duly proposed and
recommended by a Knight Companion of the Encampment,
ballotted for and approved of, but none to be admitted if there
is more than one negative. THIRD. That the first Grand
Officer be stiled, the Most Eminent Grand Master—The second
the Grand Master of the Order—The third, the Grand Master
Assistant General—fourth and fifth Two Grand Standard
Bearers, and the rest worthy Knights Companions—FourtTH.
That the Most Eminent Grand Master wears a robe or mantle
and the insignia of the Order—and all the Knights Com-
panions to wear the Insignia of the Order. The robe of the
Most Eminent Grand Master to be black velvet lined with
 186

crimson satin, trimmed with gold lace and black fur, a black
ribbon with gold fringe, a star and dagger pendant, a sword
by ‘his side, and a shield on his arm, with the proper arms
emblazoned thereon. The Grand Master of the Order to wear
a crimson velvet robe trimmed with gold lace and ermine—a
crimson ribbon with gold fringe, a star and dagger pendant,
a shield with the arms emblazoned thereon, and a sword by
his side. The Grand Master Assistant General to wear a blue
velvet robe trimmed with geld lace and white furr, a blue
ribbon with gold fringe, a star and dagger pendant a shield
and a sword, the same as the Most Eminent Grand Master.
FirtH that as soon as any Encampment is opened and the
Knights Companions seated the minutes of the last meeting
are to be read by the Secretary and then rejected or confirmed,
after which ballots are to be taken and the elected Candidates
Installed. SixtH. That in an Encampment any Knight Com-
panion who has anything to propose must rise and address
himself to the Most Eminent Grand Master—nor in such
address is he on any account to be interrupted, but he who
intends to reply must wait until the speaker resumes his seat.
SEVENTH and whereas this Encampment is by Charter Consti-
tuted the Supreme Grand and Royal Encampment. Be it
therefore known that no Encampment within the Kingdom of
England will be acknowledged by us, unless they admit of our
Supremacy and conform to the Statutes, nor any received as
Knight Companions except those Installed in an Encampment
constituted by us, or in some foreign Prince’s dominions, or
was Installed before a.p. 1780. E1cur that the mode of appli-
cation for a Charter be by Petition addressed to the Supreme
Grand and Royal Encampment at our Castle in Bristol, signed
by five companions of the order specifying, the time when, and
the place where to be held, with the names of the three first
officers, and the title they would chuse to have their Encamp-
ment known by. NIntH, and be it further ordained, that one
guinea and a half shall be paid for every Constitution. One
guinea for every Installation fee to our Supreme Grand and
Royal Encampment, and not less than one guinea to any other
Encampment where they are Installed, and five shillings for
every Grand Certificate from this Supreme Grand and Royal
Encampment. TrnrH. That every subordinate Encampment
shall have power to make such Byelaws as to them shall seem
meet for their own private government, provided they are not
incompatible with. the general Statutes established by this
Supreme Grand and Royal Encampment. ELEVENTH. That
an Encampment be held the first Thursday in every quarter
at 7 o’clock in the evening in the Summer, and six in the
Winter which shall be deemed public Encampments, but that
the Most Eminent Grand Master—the Grand Master of the
Order, and Grand Master Assistant General shall have power
to convene a private Encampment as often as they shall
find it expedient. Twertrru. That every visiting Knight
Companion shall pay, if a Member of a lodge two shillings and
sixpence, if not a member of a lodge four shillings. Turr-
TEENTH. That the cash or fund as well as the furniture, &c.
 187

belonging to the Supreme Grand and Royal Encampment

shall, and is, hereby vested in and deemed the property of the-
Most Eminent Grand Master—the Grand Master of the Order,
and the Grand Master Assistant General for the time being so
that any action or suit that shall happen to be necessary for
the preservation or recovery of the same or any part thereof
may or shall be brought or commenced, and prosecuted in
their names, in trust for the use and benefit of the Supreme-
Grand and Royal Encampment, and be paid, applied, and dis-
posed of as the Encampment in due form from time to time:
shall think proper to direct. FouRTEENTH. That every mem-
ber of this Supreme Grand and Royal Encampment shall sign
these laws, and shall observe and keep the same, as well as.
any future laws that shall be found necessary to be made.
FIFTEENTH. That this Charter of Compact be read at least
once a year. SIXTEENTH. ~That all presents made to this
Supreme Grand and Royal Encampment be entered in the
Minute Book with the Knight Companion’s name in token of
his esteem for this Most Noble Order. SEVENTEENTH. That
if any doubt should arise in the respective Encampments con-
cerning the Construction of these Statutes or other Matters
relative to this Degree which cannot be amicably adjusted
amongst the Knight Companions thereof—the subject shall be:
fairly stated, and laid before the Supreme Grand and Royal
Encampment whose determination shall be final. EIGHTEENTH,
That every Subordinated Encampment be stiled a Grand En-
campment, the first officer Grand Master, the second, Master
of the Order—the third Master General assistant and two
Standard Bearers. NINETEENTH. That every Encampment, as.
well as the Supreme Grand and Royal Encampment, has power
to Elect two Captains Commanding and four inferior Captains
which with the other officers forms the Most Complete En-
campment. TWENTIETH. That no resolution or Decree can
pass the Supreme Grand and Royal Encampment unless two
of the first three Grand Officers and two-thirds of all the other
members agree to the said resolution and that no motion can
be made for any alteration in our Laws, but in a public
Supreme Grand and Royal Encampment, and which shall not
be determined until the next Public Meeting and must be by
ballot. }

Done at our Castle in Bristol 2oth day of December 1780.

Signed, &c.
 188

APPENDIX: £;
¢

List oF CHAPTERS ON THE ROLL OF THE ‘‘ SUPREME

GRAND AND RoyaL CHAPTER,.’ 1813-17.
ay
Some of the ‘‘ Years of Constitution’’ are an approximation
only.

1. Restauration Lodge or Chapter of the Rock and

Fountain Shiloh, London , 5 «. £769
2. Caledonian, Doctors’ Commons, London ?
¢3. Friendship. Portsmouth Common, Hants (now 257) 1769
c4. Nativity, Burnley, Lancashire (now 126) - 1769
c5. Cana Lodge or Chapter of the First Miracle,
Colne (now 116) : 1769
6. Euphrates, or Chapter of ‘the Garden of "Eden,
Manchester . 1769
c7. Lodge of Intercourse, or Chapter of ‘Unanimity,
Bury (now 42) 1769
cg. Charity, Assembly Coffee House, "Bristol (now 1877) 1769
10. Bengal, East Indies : 1774
12. D’Errington, Newgate Street, Newcastle-“uponTyne* 1776
13. Concord, Guildhall, Southampton : E779,
15. Social Brethren, Calcutta, East Indies 1778
18. Royal Cumberland, Little Park Street, Coventry 1779
21. Amity, Private Rooms, Poole, Dorset . 1780
22, Durnovarian, Dorchester, Dorset : - -1780
23. Unity, Smart’s Quay, Plymouth : : «, £790
24. St. Michael, Chester ‘ : . 1781
¢28. Royal Cumberland, Bath (now 41) = 3 i)zoe
29. Resolution, Exeter, Devon é “ . . 1782
30. Friendship, Dartmouth, Devon . . - ~L783
¢32. Britannia, Whitby, Yorkshire (now 312) 5 Sk!
33. Fortitude, Birmingham : EB A ehIOs
c35. Minerva, Kingston-upon-Hull (now 250) 5 L733
36. Holy}Mount Moriah, Chatham, Kent . ; « 753
38. Concord. Canterbury ‘ z= - 1784
39. Industrious, Hull, Yorkshire - : ; . 1784
40. Dorre, Christiania, Norway ; i : . 1784
41. Prudence, Ipswich, Suffolk . é a : « L7C4
42: Leijrah, Copenhagen, Denmark . A < » ELTOA
43. JRectitude, Chelmsford, Essext . : : - 1785

* No. 12 was originally granted to the ‘‘ Unity ’’ Chapter,

Colchester.
+ This Chapter met for many years in London, and in 1790
its Companions were deemed members of No. 2, , “in considera-
tion of their Fidelity and Zeal.’ (Official record.)
{ Warranted in 1785 at Bocking, Essex.
c Signifies Centenary Jewel.
 189

45. Concord, Boltor-le-Moors, Lancashire . 5 . 1785

47. Union, Bridgewater, Somerset . 5 . 1786
c49. Hope, ‘Deptford Green, Deptford (now 140) 5 2 L7Sz:
C51. Concord, Private Room, Durham (now 124) . ot lypolrs
53. Goodwill, Braintree, Essex . 5 Ori
C56. Vigilance, Darlington, Durham (now 111) 3 - 1788
57- Friendship, Plymouth Dock (i.e. Devonport) . 1788
58. St. Matthew, Barton-upon-Humber, Lincolnshire . 1788
coo. St. James, Freemason Tavern, London (now 2) . 1788
61. Royal George, Tombland, Norwich : 9 . 1788
62. Holy Cross, Knaresborough, Yorkshire . Sgetigteks:
63. Trinity, }Manchester, Lancashire = 273s
64. Royal Brothers, Bury St. Edmunds, Suffolk* LOS:
65. Temperance, Wigan, Lancashire 6 . 1789
66. Union, Gateshead, Durham ; § lOO:
67. Sincerity, Plymouth Dock (Devonport) : > 1789
68. Justice, Nottingham : ny 117,00
69. Mount Horeb, Carlisle ; ; - 1790
72. Unity, Private Room, Leeds (opened 1796) é . 1790
73. Sincerity, Halifax, Yorkshire : ; & + .1790
74. Unanimity, Wakefield, Yorkshire é . « L790
75. Liberty and Sincerity, Bristol . 1791
C76. Judea Lodge or Chapter of the eo City,Keighley
(now 205) 5 1791
77. Unity, Plymouth, Devon . ; : : eon
78. Trinity, Bideford, Devon . 1791
79. Druids’ Chapter of Love and Liberality, Redruth,
Cornwall : 1791
c80. Palladian, Hereford (now 120) a 1791
81. Royal Westmorland and Good Intent, Kerby:in-
Kendal . 6 GeV
82. Philanthropy, Werneth, near+ Oldham, Lane. e LOL
84. Wisdom, Rochdale, Lancashire . é Oe
c86. Perseverance, Halifax, Yorkshire (now a5) : ~ £792
87. Nine Arches of Enoch, Jamaica . ¢ , ae Oe
88. Mount Horeb, St. Christopher’s . LTO,
89. Vale of Jehoshaphat, Huntspill, Somerset . EOS:
cgo. Stone of Friendship, Eze!, Stockport (now 287) . 1793.
gi. Conference, or Chapter at the Well-in-Samaria,
Keighley é : : . 1794
92. Constitution, Beverley, Yorkshire c Q - 1794
93. Fidelity, Kirkgate, Leeds . oy uighoy!
cg4. Prosperity, Huddersfield, orkshire Gon, ane) * 795
97. Light and Truth, Penryn, Cornwall . : - 1795
98. Benevolence, Warrington, Lancashire . \, . et 7.900)
99. Love and Unity, Ormskirk, Lancashire - - 1790.

* Sometimes dispensations were acted upon and so the

dates of Warts. were a few months later.
c Signifies Centenary Jewel.
 190

. Royal Caledonian, Annan, Scotland* . e é

. Reason, Staley Bridge, Lancashiret ;
. Fortitude, Leicester (now 279) F 3 . ‘
. Strict Benevolence Sunderland “ x -
. Royal St. John, Great Yarmouth
. Loyal Halifax, Halifax, Yorkshire r ;
. Love and Friendship, Macclesfield, Cheshire .
. St. John, Bridgetown, Barbadoes 5
. Emulation, Uxbridge, Middlesex .
. Paradise, Sheffield, Yorkshire é :
2. Charity, Bradford, Yorkshire
Peace and Fame, Long Melford, Suffolk
Salem, Liverpool, Lancashire 5
Hermes, Gravesend, Kentt
. Nile, Lynn-Regis, Norfolk 2 : »
Royal Navy, Deal, Kent . Z 3 P .
Agenorian, Bridgnorth, Salop . : :
Brunswick, Haworth, near Keighley . < ‘
.
Perseverance, Leeds, Yorkshire
.
Industry, Richmond, Yorkshire
2. A Tribus Stellis, Bordeaux, France
. Mount Sinai, Langholm, Scotland
. Magdalen, Doncaster, Yorkshire
q Mizpah, Leigh, Lancashire
. Royal Architect, Preston, Lancashire
. Harmony, Skipton, Yorkshire.
. Philanthropy, Shaftesbury, Dorset
Industry, Batley. Yorkshire
. Mount Horeb, Workington, Cumberland
7, WeiPetcy, Morpeth, }Northumberland .
. Affability, Bottoms, near Hebden Bridge, Yorkshire§
All and Able, Almondbury, Yorkshire
. Hope and Sincerity, Berkeley, Gloucestershire
. Lebanon, Prescot, Lancashire :
. All Soul’s, Weymouth, Dorset (now 170)
. Lodge of Good Intent, or Chapter of Unity, ‘Roch-
dale, (now 298)
. Knowledge, Middleton, Lancashire
. Integrity, Mottram, Cheshire (now 320)
. Perseverance, Ashton-under-Lyne, Lancashire
. Patriotic, Colchester, Essex.
. Faith, Stockport, Cheshire . =
. Hope i a ‘
. Charity a -

* Dispensation 8th February, 1817, to hold meetings there

-and called “‘ Royal Bruce’s Castle Chapter.”’
+ Henley Bridge on the Roll of a.p. 1807.
{ Originally granted for Grays Thurrock, Essex.
§ Credited to Manchester in List of 1807.
c Signifies Centenary Jewel.
 IgI

145. Fidelity, Brixham, Devon . : - L307,

C146. Iris, Hampton Court, Middlesex (now 255) : 5 1807
Urania, Bury St. Edmunds : , 5 1807
. The School of Plato, Cambridge . 1807
. United Prudence, London 6 1808
. Concord, Harwich, Essex 1808
151. Mishna, Oldham, Lancashire 1808
152. Friendship, Steeton, Yorkshire 1808
. Mount Lebanon, Gatehouse, by Dumfries, Scotland 1808
. Palestine, Freemason Tavern, London . . 1808
. Royal Gallovidian, Kircudbright, Scotland 1809
C156. Salem’s Tower, Wigton, Cumberland (now 327) : 1809
. Volubian Chapter of Virtue and Silence, Falmouth 1810
. Philanthropy, Port-au-Prince, Hayti 1810
. Vectis Chapter of Peace and Concord, Newport,
L.W. . I8ir
160. Mount Moriah, Azundel, Sussex 1811
161, Good Intent, Heptonstall, Yorkshire 1811
162. Temperance, Alcester, Warwickshire T8111
. Fidelity, Chard, Somerset : I81I1r
. Lennox, Brighthelmstone (Brighton) 1811
; Cyrus, Cornhill, London 1811
166. Constantia, Freemasons’ Tavern, London 18Ir
. Loyalty and Virtue, Barnstaple, Devon 1811
168. St. John’s United Friends, Carmarthen . T811r
. Benevolence, Madras, East Indies I8iI
170. School
of Plato, Madras 1811
. Mystic Stone, Martock, Somerset 1812
. Harmony, Guernsey : 1812
Unity, Guernsey 1812
. Apollo, Assembly Rooms, Salisbury 1812
Royal St. John’s of Ruthwell, Clarencefield,
Scotland 5 : 1812
. Virtue and Hope, Swansea, South Wales 1812
ile Emulation, North Shields, Northumberland 1812
. Mount Horeb, New Town, Portsea 1812
70: British, Freemasons’ Tavern, London 1812
. Moira, London . 1813
Iehit Cyrus, Chichester, Sussex : 1813
. Charity and Concord, Longnor, Staffordshire 1813
. Aletheia, Great Grimsby, Lincolnshire . 1813

. Independence, Lincoln (or “‘ Concord ’’) 1817

. St. Andrew’s, Annan 5 % ?
 192

A.D. 1909 “ ANCIENT” CHAPTERS WITH C JEWELS.

3. Fidelity, London (was 2) - 1786
7. R. York of Perseverance, London (was 4) 1801
22. Mount Sion, London (was 13) 1809
32. Jerusalem, Liverpool (was 25) 1792
68. Royal Clarence, Bristol (was 72) 1808
70. St. John’s, Plymouth (was 74) 1795
76. Economy, Winchester (was 88) 1803
128. Prince Edwin’s, Bury (was 171) “ 1806
130. Royal Gloucester, Southampton (was 174) 1783
143. Mount Moriah, London (was 5) 1783
177. Domatic, Lendon (was 234) 1793

APPENDIX F.

Roti oF ExTINcT CHAPTERS,

1769—1797.
6. Universality &c., 46. Harmony, Kings-
London . Aue Sy
exe) ton. - 1786
8. London. 1770 48. Prudence, London . 1786:
1o. (Afterwards 8), 50. Prudence, London 1787
Swansea Gres 52. Land of Cakes,
*rr Kilwinning or Cale- Eyemouth . . 1787
donian, London ? 54. Gibraltar, Gibraltar 1787
14. Zebulon, Liver - 55. Mount Sinai, An-
pool a ero TigUuay) IF 27S
+16. Emulation, London 1778 59. Regularity, Penrith 1788.
+17. Unanimity, York 1778 70. Madras Chapter,
19 Unity, Quebec . 1780 Fort St. George 1790
20. Harmony, Salis- 71. Love and _ Har-
DULY = 3 = 1781 mony, Chichester 1790:
25. Universal Benevo- 83. Cumberland, Ripon,
lence, es ane Yorkshire I79L
Dock 1781 85. Fraternal, Cam-
26. Genoa . 1781 bridge. . 179
27. Fortitude, rst Dra- 95. Loyalty, Sheffield 1795
goons 1781 96. Universality, Lan-
31. Science, Salisbury 1783 caster : 1795.
34. Weymouth 1783 106. Loyal Scots, Lang-
37. Philanthropic holm . 1797
Chapter, London 1784 109. Royal Benevolent,
44. Zion, Hanover . 1785 Norwich < . . 1997
”
* Described as ‘‘ A revival of No. 2 in Lists of 1788-90,
+ The numbers of these two Chapters were often reversed
. 17 and 16).
*,* The foregoing Chapters were finally erased in 1809 by
Gr and Chapter, with the exception of those in italics.
 193

APPENDIX” G.

METROPOLITAN CHAPTERS.
Nos. I, 2, 6, tS) Wp 16, 18, 37, 48, 50, 60, 149, 154, 165,
166, 179, 180.

GRAND SUPERINTENDENTS, 1778 To 1813.

* An asterisk denotes the appointment may have been earlier

Bedfordshire.
Lord Hawke, 1811.
(Vo Chapters.)

Berkshire.
James B. Richards, 1812.
(No Chapters.)

Bristol.
Thomas Dunckerley,* 1793. Henry Jenner, 1801.
W. H. Goldwyer,* 1813.
Nos. 9, 75.

Cambridgeshire.
G. D. Harvey, 1802. W. R. Wright, 1807.
Rev. G. A. Browne, r81Io.
Nos. 85 & 148.

Cheshire.
John Allen,* 1778. Richard Jebb, 1810. John Bayford, 1812.
Nos. 24, 90, 107, 139, 142, 143, 144.

Cornwall.
Thomas Dunckerley,* 1793. Sir John St. Aubyn, Bart., 1796.
Nos. 79, 97, 157-

Cumberland.
James Galloway, 1796. John Losh, 1803.
Nos. 59, 69, 130, 156.
 194
Derbyshire.
T. B. Parkyns, M.P. (afterwards Lord Rancliffe),* 1793.
(No Chapters.)

Devonshire.
Thomas Dunckerley, 1780. Bevis Wood, 1809.
INOS; 23; 25, 29,30, 577 OF f7n Fone 45, 2O7:

Dorsetshire.
Thomas Dunckerley, 1780. Sir John Lister, 1802.
John Jefferys, M.P., 1805. William Williams, 1812.
INOS; 21,7 22, 34, £25, 236.

Durham.
Thomas Dunckerley, 1788. Sir Ralph Millbanke, Bart., 1801.
Nos. 51, 56, 66, 103.

Essex.
Thomas Dunckerley,* 1778. William Wix, 1801.
Nos. 43, 53, 141, 150. (Once 12 & 115.)

Gloucestershire.
Thomas Dunckerley,* 1793. Henry Jenner, r8otr.
No. 134.

Hampshire.
Thomas Dunckerley,* 1778. |James Galloway,* 1782 and 1796.
John Aldridge, 1801. Colonel S. Stewart,* 1813.
NOS33) 03, 176.

Herefordshire.
Thomas Dunckerley,* 1793. Richard Jebb, before 1810.
No. 80.

Hertfordshire.
Colonel A. D. O’Kelly, 1811.
(No Chapters.)

Isle of Wight.
Thomas Dunckerley,* 1793. Sir Leonard W. Holmes, Bart.,
1810.
No. 159.
 £95

Kent.
Captain George Smith,* 1778. T. Dunckerley,* 1778.
John Foulston, 1807.
Nos. 36, 38; 49, 115, 117:
Julius Shepherd, 1786.
Hist. of 133 by Bro. F. H. Giraud, p. 53.

Lancashire.
John Allen,* 1778. F. D. Astley,* 1813.
Nos..4,5;.6;7; 14, 45,63, 65, 82, 84, 96, 98, 90, TOY, 114, 125,
126, 135, 137, 138, 140, 151 (once 132).

Leicestershire.
T. B. Parkyns, M.P. (afterwards Lord Rancliffe),* 1793.
No. 102.

Lincolnshire.
Walter Powell, 1802. William Henry White, 1807.
Nos. 58, 183.

Middlesex.
John Elliott, 1807.
Nos. 110, 146.

Norfolk.
Hon. Henry Hobart, M.P., 1792. Joseph Taylor, 1802.
Nos. 61, 104, 109, 116.

Northumberland.
Sir John Swinburn, Bart.,* 1813.
INOSiei2 SIS eta7.

Nottinghamshire.
Thomas Dunckerley,* 1793. William H. White, 1806.
No. 68.

Oxfordshire.
Rev. Okey Balfour, 1808.
(No Chapters.)

Shropshire.
No, 118,
 196

Somersetshire.
Thomas Dunckerley,* 1782. John Bowden, 1812.
Nos. 28, 47, 89, 163, I71.

Suffolk.
Rowland Holt, 1784. T. Dunckerley, 1786. W. R. Wright, 18or.
Nos! 41 ,.04,. 013; 147.

Surrey.
Thomas Dunckerley,* 1793. Rev. G. A. Browne, 1811.
Rev. J. Austin, 1811.
No. 46.

Sussex.
Thomas Dunckerley, 1787. Rev. John Austin,* 1813.
Nos. 160, 164, 18t (once 71).

Warwickshire.
Thomas Dunckerley,* 1793. Hon. Washington Shirley, r8r2.
Nos. 18, 33, 162.

Wiltshire.
‘Thomas Dunckerley, 1780. William Henry White,* 1807.
Nos." 20;°41, 174.

Worcestershire.
John Dent, M.P., 1812.
(No Chapters.)

Yorkshire (York, Hull, &c.).

William Spencer,* 1778. Richard Garland, 1781.
James Heseltine,* 1793. Hon. Laurence Dundas
(afterwards Earl of Zetland), 1803.
Nos. 17, 32, 35, 39, 62, 72, 73, 74, 76, 83, 86, 91, 92, 93, 94, 05
105, ILE, LIZ, T19, T20;, al, 124, 127, 129, F32, 133, 152, TOT.

Wales.
Nos. 168, 176 (once ro, then 8).

Guernsey.
Nos. 172, 173;
 197

Scotland, with Cumberland, Berwick, &c.

James Galloway, 1796. John Losh,* 1807.
Nos. 52, 100, 106, 123, 153, 155, 175, 185.

Barbadoes.
No. 108.

Canada, Nova Scotia, &c.

Lieut.-Colonel Carleton, 1786. Sir John Johnson, Bart.,* 1788.
No. 19.

France.
No, 122.

Norway and Denmark.

Hon. Bernt Anker,* 1789.
Nos. 40, 42.

Germany.
Captain Augustus Graefe, 1786.
(No Chapters.)

Gibraltar.
H.R.H. Duke of Clarence, 1790.
No. 54.

Hayti.
— Trickett,* 1810. John Goff, 1811.
No. 158.

Island of Antigua and Leeward Islands.

John Bott, 1788. Samuel Lynch, M.D.,* 1790.

Jamaica.
Col. Thomas Reid, 1794.
No. 87.

Livonia and Esthonia.

H.S.H. Duke of Courland, 1787. John V. Holst,* 1793.

Madras.
Herbert Compton, 1807.
Nos. 169, 170.
 198

Acting Grand Master (R.A.) for India.

Earl of Moira (afterwards Marquis of Hastings), 1812.

Bengal.
t+ Comp. Jebb, 1812.
Nos. 10, 15.

St. Christophers.
No. 88.

+ ‘Indian Mas. Record,” Dec., 1893.

 CONTENTS.

PAGES
CHAPTER I.—Rise of Masonic Degrees . : 3 et ey
1 II.—Particulars as to the Third Degree . 38 to 59
» III.—The Rise of Additional Degrees OO LOn 2:
» 1V.—Advent of Royal Arch Masonry 5 73 to 120
ie V.—Organization of the ‘“‘ Ancients ”’ tz taco 1 34)
» WI.—Capitular and Chivalric Ceremonies . 135 to 150
» VIl.—Constitution of the Grand Chapter . 151 to 174

APPENDICES.

PAGE
A.—Charter of Compact (Royal Arch) 1767. : eee)
B.—Laws of the Grand Chapter (R.A.) 1778. : ae Af)
C.—Warrant of No. 57 (now 202) Plymouth Dock (Devon-
port) : - : - : : 5 SIE
D.—Charter of Compact (Knights Templar) 1780. ros
E.—List of Royal Arch Chapters, 1769 to 1817 : - 188
F.—Roll of Extinct R. A. Chapters, 1769 to 1797. LOZ
G.—Grand Superintendents of the R.A., 1778 to 1813 - 193

ILLUSTRATIONS.

Facsimile of R.A. Record of Dec. 22nd, 1753.

Seals of the Grand Lodge of A// England (York).
Seal of the Grand Chapter of A// England (York).
Jewel of the “‘ Nine Worthies,”’ or “ Excellent Masters.”
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