"^*>-* . V**; \S5 ^ CORNELL UNIVERSITY LIBRARY ' ACTS OF PABLIAMENT REFERRING TO j[rtimH$uitr^. Cornell University Library The original of tiiis book is in the Cornell University Library. There are no known copyright restrictions in the United States on the use of the text. http://www.archive.org/details/cu31924030278349 This Monograpli THE LABO¥B OF A DAY OF BE8T (26th JUNE 1892.) is Dedicated, zoithout feTmission, hut as a tohen of esteem by H. J. WHYMPEB, to Tioo Gunners (Wor. Bro. Major F. A. BOWLES, R. A. \ and I Bro. Capt. J. H. LESLIE, B. A. / who have done Excellent Worlc for the good of Masonry in general during the past two years in the Bawiil Pindee District. Gora Gully, 24th July 1892. ^cf^ <^ Acts of Parliament referring to Freemasofiry . In a recent controversy between the Eevd. Father Waterhonse and myself he stated Freemasonry was an unlawful association. I did not reply to this statement at the time as although I knew perfectly well it was incorrect I could not give such exact details as I wished. These details and the proof that Freemasonry is a lawful institution exist v%. two Acts of Parliament — the first is known as 39 George III Cap. LXXIX and the second as 57 George III Cap. XIX. The first Act contains 39 Clauses and 7 Schedules but it is only requisite to quote clauses I, V, YI and VII to give all the information which concerns the Craft. "I. Whereas a traitorous Conspiracy has long been carried on, it conjunction with the Persons from Time to Time exer- cising the Powers of Government in France, to overturn the Laws, Constitution, and Government, and every existing Establishment, Civil and Ecclesiastical, both in Great Britain and Ireland, and to dissolve the Connection between the Two Kingdoms, so necessary to the Security and Prosperity of both : And whereas, in pursuance of such Design, and in order to carry the same into effect, divers Societies have been of late Years instituted in this Kingdom and in the Kingdom of Ireland, of a new and dangerous Nature, inconsistent with public Tranquillity, and with the Existence of regular Govern- ment, particularly certain Societies calling themselves Societies of United Englishmen, United Scotsmen, If nited Britons, United irishmen, and The London Corresponding Society : And whereas the Members of many such Societies have taken unlawful Oaths and Engagements of Fidelity and Secrecy, and used secret Signs, and appointed Committees, Secretaries, and other Offi- cers, in a secret Manner, and many of such Societies are com- posed of different Divisions, Branches, or Parts, which com- municate with each other by Secretaries, Delegates, or other- wise, and by means thereof maintain an Influence over large Bodies of Men, and delude many ignorant and unwary Persons into the Commission of Acts highly criminal : And whereas it is expedient and necessary that all such Societies as aforesaid, and all Societies of the like Nature, should be utterly suppres- sed and prohibited, as unlawful Combinations and Confedera- cies, highly dangerous to the Peace and Tranquillity of these Kingdoms, and to the Constitution of the Government thereof as by Law established : Be it enacted by the King's most Excellent Majesty, by and with the Advice and Consent of the Lords Spiritual and Temporal, and Commons, in this present Certain Societies Parliament assembled, and by the Authority of the same, That suppressed. ^^^^ ^^^ ^^^^^ ^^xe passing of this Act all the said Societies of United Englishmen, United Scotsmen, United Irishmen, and United Britons, and the said Society commonly called The London Corresponding Society, and all other Societies called Corresponding Societies of any other City, Town, or Place, shall be and the same are hereby utterly suppressed and pro- hibited, as being unlawful Combinations and Confederacies against the Government of our Sovereign Lord the King, and against the Peace and Security of His Majesty's liege Subjects. Not to extend to V. And whereas certain Societies have been long accus- regular Lodges tomed to be holden in this Kingdom under the Denomination hlid'^befolrpass- of Lodges of Free Masons, the Meetings v^hereof have been in ing this Act ; great measure directed to charitable Purposes ; be it therefore enacted. That nothing in this Act shall extend to the Meetings of any such Society or Lodge which shall before the passing of this Act have been usually holden under the said Denomina- tion, and in conformity to the Bules prevailing among the said Societies of Free Masons. but Two Mem- bers of each Lodge shall cer- tify the same on Oath, and de- posit such Certi- ficate within Two Months with the Clerk of the Peace, with whom the Name of the Society, the Names of the Members, and the Time and Place of meeting, shall be register- ed yearly.- Clerk of the Peace to lay such Certificate and Registry before the General Session yearly, who may order any Lodge to be discontinued, if likely to be inju- rious to the pub- lic Peace. VI. Provided always. That this Exemption shall not extend to any such Society unless Two of the Members com- posing the same shall certify upon Oath (which Oath any Justice of the Peace or other Magistrate is hereby empowered to administer) that such Society or Lodge has before the pass- ing of this Act beeia usually held under the Denomination of a Lodge of Free Masons, and in conformity to the Rules prevail- ing among the Societies or Lodges of Free Masons in this Kingdom, which Certificate, duly attested by the Magistrate before whom the same shall Ije sworn, and subscribed by the Persons so certifying, shall, within the Space of Two Calendar Months after the passing of this Act, be deposited with the Clerk of the Peace for the County, Stewartry, Riding, Division, Shire, or Place where such Society or Lodge hath been usually held : Provided also, that this Exemption shall not extend to any such Society or Lodge, unless the Name or Denomination thereof, and the usual Place or Places, and the Time or Times of its Meetings, and the Names and Descriptions of all and every the Members thereof, be registered with such Clerk of the Peace as aforesaid within Two Months after the passing of this Act, and also on or before the Twenty-fifth Day of March in every succeeding Year. VII. And be it enacted. That the Clerk of the Peace, or the Person acting in his Behalf, in any such County, Stewartry, Riding, Division, Shire, or Place, is hereby authorized and required to receive such Certificate, and make such Registry as aforesaid, and to enrol the same among the Records of such County, Stewartry, Riding, Division, Shire, or Place, and to lay the same once in every Year before the General Session' of the Justices for such County, Stewartry, Riding, Division, Shire, or Place ; and that it shall and may be lawful for the said Justices, or for the major Part of them, at any of their General Sessions, if they shall so think fit, upon Complaint made to them upon Oath by any One or more credible Persons, that the Continuance of the Meetings of any such Lodge or Society is likely to be injurious to the public Peace and good Order, to direct that the Meetings of any such Society or Lodge within such Country, Stewartry, Eiding, Division, Shire, or Place shall from thenceforth be discontinued ; and any such Meeting held notwithstanding such Order of Discontinuance, and before the same shall by the like Authority be revoked, shall be deemed an unlawful Combination and Confederacy under the Provisions of this Act." The second Act has 40 Clanses-and 3 Schedules — ■ Clauses I, V, VI, XX and XXVI alone have any Maso- nic or Indian interest. "I. Whereas Affemblies of divers Perfons, collected for the Purpofe or under the Pretext of deliberating on public Griev- ances, and of agreeing on Petitions, Complaints, Eemonftrances, Declarations, or other Addreffes to His Eoyal Highnefs The Prince Eegent, or to both Houfes or either Houfe of Parlia- ment, have of late been made ufe of to ferve the Ends of factious and feditious Perfons, to the great Danger and Difturb- ance of the Public Peace, have produced Acts of Eiot, Tumult and Diforder, and may become the Means of producing Con- fufion and Calamities in the Nation ; be it therefore enacted by the King's moft Excellent Majefty, by and with the Advice and Confent of the Lords Spiritual and Temporal, and Com- mons, in this prefent Parliament affembled, and by the Autho- rity of the fame. That no Meeting of any Defcription of Perfons ^° ^^^^''"l,"^ exceeding the Number of Fifty-Perfons, (other than and except Pgrfonsr°except any Meeting of any County, Eiding or Divifion, called by the County Meet- Lord Lieutenant, Cuftos Eotulorum, or Sheriff of fuch County, J^"^^' **=■) *° ^^ or a Meeting called by the Convener of any County or Stewartry Notice being in that Part of Great Britain called Scotland, or any Meeting given in fome called by Two or more Juftices of the Peace of the County or Newfpaper, by Place where fuch Meeting fhall be holden, or any Meeting of keepers, any County having different Eidings or Divifions, called by any Two Juftices of any One or more of fuch Eidings or Divifions, or any Meeting called by the major Part of the Grand Jury of the County, or of the Divifion of the County where fuch Meet- ing fhall be holden, at their General Affizes or General Quarter Seffions of the Peace, or any Meeting of any City or Borough or Town Corporate, called by the Mayor or other Head Officer of fuch City or Borough or Town Corporate, or any Meeting of any Ward or Divifion of any City, called by the Alderman or other Head Officer of fuch Ward or Divifion, or any Meeting of any Corporate Body) , fhall be holden for the purpofe or on the Pretext of confidering of or preparing any Petition, Com- plaint, Eemonftrance or Declaration, or other Addrefs to the King, or to His Eoyal Highnefs the Prince Eegent, or to both Houfes or either Houfe of Parliament, for AlteratiQu of Mattera Penalty on Per- fons inferting fuch Notice without Autho- rity, etc. 50I. Punifhment of Perfons aflfem- bled contrary to this Act, not difperfing after being required fo to do by Procla- mation, eftablifhe^ in Church or State, Or for the purpofe or on the Pretext of dehberating upon any Grievance in (Jhurch or State, unlefs Notice of the Intention to hold fuch Meeting, and of the Time and Place when and where the fame fhall be propofed to be holden, and of the Purpofe for which the fame fhall be pro- pofed to be holden, fhall be given, in the Names of Seven Perfons at the leaft, being Houfeholders refident within the County, City, or Place where fuch Meeting fhall be propofed to be holden, whofe Places of Abode and Defcriptions fhall be inferted in fuch Notice, and which Notice fhall be given by public Advertifement in fome public Newfpaper ufually circu- lated in the County and Divifion where fuch Meeting fhall be holden. Five Days at the leaft before fuch Meeting fhall be holden, or fhall be delivered in Manner hereinafter mentioned ; and that fuch Notice fhall not be inferted in any fuch Newf- paper unlefs the Authority to infert fuch Notice fhall be fighed by Seven Perfons at the leaft, being Houfeholders refident within the County, City or Place where fuch Meeting fhall be propofed to be holden, and named in fuch Notice, and unlefs tiich Authority fo figned fhall be written at the Foot of a true Copy of fuch Notice, and fhall be delivered to the Perfon re- quired to infert the fame in any fuch Newfpaper as aforefaid, which Perfon fhall caufeiuch Notice and Authority to be care- fully preferved, and fhall'alfo, at any Time after fuch Notice fhall have been inferted in fuch Paper, and within Fourteen Days after the Day on which fuch Meeting fhall be had, pro- duce fuch Notice and Authority, and caufe a true Copy thereof (if required) to be delivered to any Juftice of the Peace for the County, City, Town or Place where fuch Perfon fhall refide, or where fuch Newfpaper fhall be printed, and who fhall re- quire the fame ; and in cafe any Perfon fhall infert any fuch Notice in any Newfpaper without fuch Authority as aforefaid, or in cafe any Perfon to whom any fuch Notice and Authority fhall have been delivered for the Purpofe of inferting fuch Notice in any fuch Newfpaper as aforefaid fhall refufe to pro- ' duce fiich Notice and Authority, or to deliver a true Copy thereof, being thereunto required as aforefaid, within Three Days after fuch Production and Copy or either of them Ihall have been fo required, every fuch Perfon, for every fuch Offence, fhall forfeit the Sum of Fifty Pounds to any Perfon who fhall fue for the fame. V. And be it further enacted, That if any Perfons exceed- ing the Number of Fifty fhall be affembled contrary to the Provifions herein-before contained, it fhall and may be lawful for any One or more Juftice or Juftices of the Peace, or the Sheriff of the County in which fuch Affembly fhall be, or his Under Sheriff, or the Mayor or other Head Officer or Juftice of the Peace or Magiftrate of any City or Town Corporate where fuch Affembly fhall be, by Proclamation to be made in the King's Name, in the Form herein-after directed, and he and they are hereby required to make or caufe to be made Proclamation in the King's Name, to command all Perfons there affembled to difperfe themfelves, and peaceably to depart to their Habitations, or to their lawful Bufinefs ; and if any fuch Perfons fhall, to the Number of Twelve or more, notwith- ftanding fuch Proclamation made, remain or continue together by the Space of One Hour after fuch Proclamation made, that then fuch continuing together to the Number of Twelve or more fhall be adjudged Felony without Benefit of Clergy, and the Offenders therein fhall be adjudged Felons, and fhall fuffer Death as in (3afes of Felony without Benefit of Clergy. VI. And be it further enacted, That the Order and Form Form of Procla- of the Proclamation to be made as aforefaid, fhall be as here- mat'o°- after foUoweth ; (that is to fay,) the Juftice of the Peace, or One of the other Perfons authorized by this Act to make the faid Proclamation, fhall, among the faid Perfons affembled, or as near to them as he can fafely come, with a loud Voice, command or caufe to be commanded Silence to be while Pro- clamation is making ; and after that fhall openly and with loud Voice make or caufe to be made Proclamation in thefe Words, or like in Effect : " OUE Soverein Lord the King chargeth and com- " mandeth all Perfons here affembled immediately " to difperfe themfelves, and peaceably to depart to " their Habitations or to their lawful Bufinefs, upon " Pain of Death. " GOD SAVE THE KING." XX. Provided always, and be it enacted, That nothing in Lectures at the this Act contained fhall extend or be conftrued to extend to Univerfities, any Lecture or Difcourfes to be delivered in any of the Uni- GrefhamCoUege, verfities of thefe Kingdoms by any Member thereof, or any &c. excepted. Perfon authorized by the Chancellor, Vice Chancellor, or other proper Officers of fuch Univerfities refpectively ; or to any Lecture or Difcourfe to be delivered in the Public Hall of any of the Inns of Court or Chancery, by any Perfon authorized by the Benchers of the Inns of Court, or by the Profeffors in Grefham College, or to the Profeffors in the College eftablifhed for the Education of the Civil Servants of the Eaft India Company, or the Seminaries eftablifhed for the Education of their Military Service, or to any Society or Body of Men in- corporated or eftablifhed by Eoyal Charter, or by Authority of Parliament ; and that no Payment made to any Schoolmafter or other Perfon by Law allowed to teach and inftruct Youth, in refpect of any Lectures or Difcourfes delivered by fuch Schoolmafter or other Perfon for the Inftruction only of fuch Youth as fhall be committed to his Inftruction, fhall be deemed a Payment of Money for Admiffion to fuch Lectures or Dif- courfes within the Intent and Meaning of this Act. XXVI. Provided always, and be it further enacted. That Act not to extend nothing in this Act contained fhall extend, or be conftrued to ^ Freemafons extend, to any Society or Societies holden under the Denomi- Decfa^ra'tionVp- nation of Lodges of Freemafons, in conformity to the Eules proved by Two 5 Juftices ; nor to prevailing in fuch Societies of Freemafons, provided fuch extend to Meet- Lodges fhall Comply with the Eules and Kegulations contained fofchari°ablf ^ in the faid Act of the Thirty-ninth Year of His prefent Majefty, Purpofes. relating to fuch Lodges of Preemafons ; nor to any Declaration to be taken, fubfcribed or affented to by the Members of any Society, the Form of which Declaration fhall have been firft approved and fubfcribed by Two or more Juftices of the Peace, and confirmed by the major Part of the Juftices prefent at a General Seffion, or at a General Quarter Seffions of the Peace, purfuant to the Eules and Regulations contained in the faid Act of the Thirty-ninth Year of His prefent Majefty ; nor fhall extend or be conftrued to extend to any Meeting or Society of the People commonly called Quakers, or to any Meeting or Society formed or affembled for Purpofes of a Eeligious or Charitable Nature only, and in which no other Matter or Bufinefs whatfoever fhall be treated of or difcuffed." Although these Acts were of the most supreme importance to the Fraternity there is very little re- corded by Craft Authorities regarding them. I can only discover one reference in the Proceedings of the Grand Lodge of England to any Act — I give it in full. AT A OF THE MOST ANCIENT AND HONOURABLE Under the CONSTITUTION of ENGLAND, HELD AT FEEE-MASONS' HALL, LONDON, On Tuefday, June 3, 1800. HIS ROYAL HIGHNESS George Auguffcus Frederick, Piuncb of Wales, &c. &c. &c. GRAND MASTER. The Right Hon. the EARL of MOIRA, A. G. M. as G. M, Admiral Sir PETER PARKER, Bart. D. G. M. EDWARD DAVID BATSON, Efq. S.G.W. JOHN BAYFORD, Efq. J. G. W. OHN HULL, Efq. P. J. G. W. THEOPHILUS T. TUTT, Efq. P.J.G. W. JAMES GALLOWAY, Efq. P. J. G. W. JAMES HESELTINE, Efq. P. S. G. W. and G. T. M. J. LEVY, Efq. P. S. G. W. ARTHUR TEGART, Efq. P. J. G. W. GEORGE CORRY, Efq. P. J. G. W. ARTHUR GORE, Efq. P. S. G. W. JOHN HUNTER, Efq. P. J. G. W. Sir JOHN EAMER, Knt. P. S. G. W. Hon. THOMAS WILLIAM FERMOR, P. S. G. W. S. STEWART, Efq. Prov. G. M. for Hampfhire. GEO. DOWNING. Efq. Prov. G. M. for Effex. W. FORSSTEEN, Efq. Prov. G. M. for Hertfordfh. R. BARKER, Efq. Rrov. G. M. for Rutland. W. GILL, Efq. Prov. G. M. for Bedfordfhire. Mr. WILLIAM WHITE, G. S. Rev. A. H. ECCLES, G. C. Chev. BARTHOLOMEW RUSPINI, G. S. B. The Master, Wardens, and Assistants, of the Stewards' Lodge, and the Mafters and Wardens of fundry Lodges. THE Eight Honourable the Earl of Moiea, A. G. M.* acquainted the Brethren that this Grand Lodge was convened for the fpecial Pur- pofe of confidering of an Addreifs to'His Majefty on his late providential Bfcape from the atrocious attempt made on his facred Perfon. ^On a Motion made by his Lordfhip, and feconded by Sir Peter Parker, D. G. M., it was Ebsolved Unanimously, That an huinble and dutiful Addrefs be prefented by the Society, to His Majefty, on the Occafion. His Lordfhip then produced the following Addrefs, which was read, viz. TO THE King's moft Excellent Majefty, The humble ADDRESS of the Of the ANCIENT FRATERNITY of Under the CONSTITUTION of ENGLAND. MOST GBACIOUS SOVEREIGN, THE Danger to which your Majefty was expofed in the atrocious Attempt lately made againft your facred Perfon, whilft it filled the Hearts of all in this Country with Alarm and Abhorrence, has authorized 8 every Clafs of your Subjects to offer at your Throne the Expreffion of their ardent Attachment without Fear of incurring the Charge of Intrufion. Vouchfafe, Sire, under this Conftruction, to admit the Homage of a Defcription of Men who, in any ordinary Circumftances, could not as a Body tender the Profeffion of that Devotion to your royal Perfon and to your Government which it is their Bpaft to cherifh, not in their indivi- dual Capacities alone, but in their peculiar Affociation. The Law, by permitting, under certain Eegulations, the Meetings of Free-Mafons, has defined the Exiftence of the Society ; binding, at the fame Time, the Members of it, by a new Obligation of Gratitude for the Confidence extended towards them, to labour, as far as their feeble Powers may apply, in inculcating Loyalty to the King and Beverence to the ineftimable Fabric of the Britifh Conftitution. Being fo acknowledged, we fhould think ourfelves wanting in the firft Duty towards your Majefty and towards that Conftitution, did we not approach your Majefty with the Teftimony of our Feelings on this awful Occafion. Your Majefty is, therefore, implored to receive the humble Congra- tulations of the Geand Lodge of Febe-Masons, under the Conftitution of England, (the Eeprefentative-Affembly of all the Lodges under that Conftitution,) in the Name of themfelves and of all their Brethren, on your having been fhielded by the Hand of Providence from the defperate and execrable Attempt of the Affaffin. When Principles were firft promulgated in France, which, to our Conception, tended to the Overthrow of all Peace and Order in Society, we felt ourfelves called upon to depart from a Eule which had been till then religioufly obferved in our Affociation. As a Veil of Secrecy conceals the Tranfactions at our Meetings, our Fellow-Subjects have no Affurance that there may not be ifTour Affooia- tion a Tendency injurious to their Interefts, other than the general Tenor of our Conduct, and the Notoriety that the Door of Free-Mafonry is not clofed againft any Clafs, Profeffion, or Sect, provided the Individual defiring Adniiffion be unftained in moral Character. To remove, there- fore, as far as poffible, any Ground for Sufpicion, it has been, from Time immemorial, a fundamental Eule, moft rigidly maintained, that no politi- cal Topic fhall, on any Pretence, be mentioned in a Lodge. The fingular Juncture to which we have alluded feemed to call for fome pofitive Declaration which might diftinctly exhibit our Opinions ; wo thence ventured to profefs to your Majefty the Loyalty with which the Free-Mafons of England glowed towards your royal Perfon, and their unalterable Attachment to the prefent happy Form of Government in this Country. But, as no Forefight could devife a Motive of equal Im- portance with that which then actuated us, the recent Occurrence being of a Nature too horrid to be in Suppofition as a Pof&bility, it was ftrongly declared that no Precedent fhould be drawn from that Step ; and that on no future Occafion fhould the Grand Lodge exercife an Advertence to Events which might entail upon Free-Mafons the Charge of affuming the Privilege to deliberate as a Body upon public Affairs. Hence, Sire, our prefent Addrefs has not been fo early as our individual Anxiety would have dictated ; for, it was requifite that a general Concurrence fhould fanction the Grand Lodge, in a fecond Eelaxation of its Eules, before we could jointly exprefs that which we feverally felt in the moft ardent Manner on the folemn Subject. We have poured forth to the Grand Architect of the Univerfe our humble Thankfgiving, that, to the other Blef&ngs fhowered on this Coun- try, he has added that of defeating a Crime the fole Attempt at which produced univerfal Difmay throughout thefe Eealms ; and we earneftly confide in his divine Bounty to preferve to us and to our Fellow-Subjects, for many, very many. Years to come, a Life fo important in its Example, and fo ineftimable in its Superintendence over our Happinefs, as that of your Majefty. aonoOOOOoac It was then Kesolved Unanimously, That the Foregoing be the Addrefs of this Society to His Majefty. Eesolved, That it be figned by the Grand Mafter, the Acting Grand Mafter, and Deputy Grand Mafter, and counterfigned by the Grand Secretary in the Name and on Behalf of the Society. On a Motion made by Sir Peter Piarker, D. G. M. and feconded by James Hefeltine, Bfq. G. T. it was Eesolved, That the Earl of Moira be requefted to convey to the Prince of Wales, G. M. the Wifh of this Grand Lodge that bis Eoyal Highnefs would be gracioufly pleafed to prefent the Society's Addrefs to His Majefty. Oedeeed, That the Proceedings of this Grand Lodge be printed and fent to the feveral Lodges for the Information of the Fraternity. By Oedbe of the Geand Lodge. William White, G. S. * His Lordfhip took occafion, in the Courfe of his Speech, to allude to certain modern Publications holding forth to the World the Society of Mafons as a League againft conftituted Authorities : An Imputation the more fecure, becaufe the known Conditions of our Fellowfhip make it certain that no Anfwer can be publifhed. It is not to be difputed, that, in Countries where impolitic Prohibitions reftrict the Communication of Sentiment, the Activity of the human Mind rtiay, among other Means of baffling the Control, have refdrted to the Artifice of borrowing the Denomination of Free-Mafons, to cover Meetings for feditious Purpofes, juft as any other Defcription might be affumed for the fame Object : But, in the firft Place, it is the invaluable Diftinction of this free Country that fuch a juft Intercourfe of Opinions exifts, without Reftraint, as cannot leave to any Number of Men the Defire of forming or frequenting thofe difguifed Societies where dangerous Difpofitions may be imbibed : And: fecondly, the profligate Doctrines, which may have been nurtured in any fuch felf-eftablifhed Affemblies, could never have been tolerated for a Moment in any Lodge meeting under regular Authority. We aver, that not only fuch Laxity of Opinion has no Sort of Connexion with the Tenets of . Mafonry, but is diametrically oppofed to the Injunction which we regard as the Foundation- Stone of the Lodge ; namely, " Fear God and Honour the King." In Confirmation of this folemn Affertion, what can we advance more irrefragable, than that fo many of His Majefty's illuftrious Family ftand in the higheft Order of Mafonry, are fully inftructed in all its Tenden- cies, and have intimate Knowledge of every Particular in its current Adminiftration under the Grand Lodge of England. 10 Writing regarding the clauses in the Act of 1799 which I have quoted Bro. Gould* states — " The insertion of these clauses was due to the combined efforts of the Duke of AthoU and Lord Moira. Indeed, the latter subsequently affirmed that the exemption in favour of Masonic meetings was admitted into the Act in consequence of his assurance to Mr. Pitt "that nothing could be deemed a Lodge which did not sit by precise authorisation from the Grand Lodge, and under its direct superintendence." But this statement, though emanating from the "Bayard" of the English Craft, is a little misleading. Doubtless the Freemasons were chiefly beholden to the Earl of Moira for the saving clauses of the Act — , an obligation most amply acknowledged by the Society at large. But, nevertheless, the letter of the Acting Grand Master, as he then was in both Kingdoms, was based on wrong premises, and suggested to the civil authorities a course not in keeping with the principle of the Statute to which it referred. The Bill was much modified in its passage through Committee; but "the Act was ultimately framed so as to embrace as participants in its immunities all Lodges of Freemasons complying with its requirements, irrespective of any Grand Lodge control." On the passing of the Statute, it was assumed that no new Lodges could be constituted, and at a GrandjLodge, held November 20, 1799, the common threat of erasure from the list for non-compliance with its arbitrary regulations, was invested with a new terror. The necessity of conforming to the laws was once more laid down, followed by this note of warning : — " It behoves every Lodge to be particularly careful not to incur a Forfeiture of its Constitution at the present Period, as, in Consequence of the late Act of Parliament, no new Constitution can be granted." Immediately after the passing of the Act, the Grand Lodge of Scotland consulted the Lord Advocate as to whether they might interpret the Act as applying to Grand Lodges, and therefore enabling new subordinate Lodges to be constituted. He replied — "It appears to me impossible to maintain . . . that a Lodge of Free Masons, instituted since the 12th of July last, can be entitled to the benefit of the Statute. . . . The interpretation suggested cannot be adopted;" and he concluded by advising them to go to Parliament for powers to establish new Lodges, Ultimately — as we are told by Laurie — the Grand Lodge " agreed, in 1806, upon the recommendation of the Earl of Moira, then Acting Grand Master Elect (of Scotland), to adopt the practice of the Grand Lodge of England, viz., to assign to new Lodges the numbers and charters of Lodges that had become dormant, or had ceased to hold regular meetings." The practice, however, of the Grand Lodge of England, in this respect, has been slightly misstated. The Grand Master was frequently autho- rised to assign the warrants of erased Lodges "to other Brethren," but there was always the proviso, "with Numbers subsequent to the last on the List of Lodges." " * Gould (R. F.). History of Freemasonry, 11 The proviso which Bro. Gould mentions is illustrated by the following extract from the Free-Masons' Calendar of 1810. — " The Conftitutions of the following Lodges were declared by the G. L. to be forfeited, for Neglect of the Laws of the Society, and the G. Mafter was authorized to affign the Warrants to other Brethren, with Numbers fub- fequent to the laft on the Lift of Lodges. i8og. i6 White Swan, St. Peter's, Norw. 78 Angel, Norwich. 170 R. Mecklenburgh L. Croydon. 244 Beaufort Lodge, Swanfea. 291 L. Jehofaphat, Wootten-und-Edge. 361 L. of Peace, Joy, and Brotherly Love, Penryn. • 383 L. of Unanimity, Wells. 404 Snowden Lodge, Carnarvon. 524 L. of Urbanity, Wincanton. 534 L. of St. John, Lancafter. 543 Crown Inn, Nantwich. 548 L. of Peace and Good Neigh- bourhood, Wrexham. 558 L. of Harmony, Tamworth. 567 Social Lodge, Cambridge. The Transactions of the Grand Lodge of Scotland as quoted by William Alexander Laurie show that on the 5th August 1799 the Act of that year was "taken into serious consideration" the following is the record.* " Which enactments having been taken into serious consideration, the Grand Lodge unanimously agreed that it was her province, as the head of the Masonic body in Scotland, from whom all regular Lodges hold by Charter their right of Meeting, to' take effectual steps for enforcing the observance of the law before recited — a law which, as bearing honourable testimony to the purity of the Order, and thus silencing the daring breath of columny, must be truly flattering to the Brethren at large. . She therefore, in the first place, most strenuously recommended the instant attention of the Daughter Lodges of Scotland to the foregoing legisla- tive regulations ; by which two essential requisites were necessary for entitling the Fraternity to hold in future their usual meetings. 1st, That two of the members of each Lodge shall certify upon oath, before a justice of the peace or other magistrate, that " The Lodge has, before the passing of the said Act, teen usually held under the denomination of a Lodge of Free Masons, and in conformity to the rules prevailing among the Lodges of Free Masons in this kingdom ;" and which affidavit, certified by the magistrate before whom it is taken, must be registered with the sheriff-clerk of the county where the particular Lodge holds its meetings, withiij two calendar months from the 12th of July last. And, 2d, That one of the presiding officers of the Lodge do record with the sheriif-clerk, within the same space, i. The name by which the Lodge is dis- tinguished ; 2, The place and days of meeting ; and 3. The names and descriptions (designations) of the attending members, And the Grand Lodge, responsible for the regular conduct of the Masons pf Scotland holding of her, which, she is firmly persuaded, is almost without exception entirely consonant to the principles of the Craft, yet anxious to guard against every intrusion on their ancient and respectable Order, or upon its established and accustomed forms, unanimously resolved — * The History of Freemasonry and the Grand Lodge of Scotland. 12 "i". That every Lodge holding of the Grand Lodge of Scotland shall, within six months from this date, apply for a certificate from the Grand Lodge; which certificate shall bear an express renewal of power to hold Masonic meetings, under her sanction and authority ; and which shall not be granted without production of evidence to the Most Worshipful the Grand Master, his Depute, or Substitute, that the Act of Parliament above recited has been literally complied with. And every Lodge which shall not, within the said space, demand and obtain such certificate, shall be expunged from the Grand Lodge Roll ; have consequently no right thereafter, by its presiding officers, or by proxy, to sit or vote at their meetings, and be deprived of all future protection of the Grand Lodge. "2°. That the said certificate shall be subscribed by the Grand Master, his Depute or Substitute, and by the Grand Secretary and Grand Clerk for the time, and have the seal of the ,Grand Lodge appended thereto ; for which a fee of five shillings, and no more, at the disposal of the Grand Lodge, shall be exacted. " 3°. That the said certificate shall be thereafter applied for on or before the 25th day of April 1801, and of every succeeding year, and evidence pro- duced, as before mentioned, so long as the said Act is in force ; under the same certification of being so expunged from the Roll in case of failure. "4°. That no such certificate shall be granted until all the arrears due to the Grand Lodge be discharged. " 5°. That the names of all the Lodges who have so obtained certificates shall be annually transmitted to one of his Majesty's Principal Secretaries of State, and to the Lord Advocate of Scotland. " 6°. That the foregoing Resolutions be printed, and copies transmitted to all Lodges throughout Scotland holding of the Grand Lodge, that none may pretend ignorance thereof. " 7°. That copies thereof be also transmitted to his Grace the Duke of Athole, and the Right Hon. Henry Dundas, by the Most Worshipful Grand Master, who is requested to take that opportunity of expressing the grateful sense the Masons of Scotland entertain of their exertions in behalf of the Craft. " 8°. That a committee be appointed to wait on the Lord Advocate, with a copy of the said Resolutions, and that they be instructed to assure his Lordship that they have a grateful feeling of his Lordship's kindness to the Masons of Scotland, and will be ready to listen to any other regulations that to him may appear proper to be adopted.* "9°. That copy of these Resolutions be also transmitted to the Grand Secretary of the Grand Lodge of Ancient Free Masons in England. " And Lastly, That the thanks of the Grand Lodge are justly due to the Right Honourable and Most Worshipful Sir James Stirling, Bart., their present Grand Master, for his constant attention to the interests of the Craft since his unanimous election to the chair, and more particularly in his corres- pondence with Mr. Secretary Dundas, during the dependence of the late bill in Parliament." " * The following were appointed a' committee for the above mentioned purpose : — The Right Honourable and Most Worshipful the Grand Master ; Brother John Clark, Substitute Grand Master ; and Brother Campbell of Fairfield, 13 Laurie also gives a very full description of the difficulty which arose regarding the creation of new Lodges. 1799. November 30. The Right Honourable Sir James Sterling, Bart., was re-elected Grand Master, and the Right Honourable Charles William, Earl of Dalkeith, chosen Grand Master Elect. Several charters having been applied for since the passing of the Act concerning the Suppression of Secret Societies, a doubt was entertained by several Members of the Grand Lodge whether or not they were entitled to grant new charters during the operation of said Act, it was therefore moved and unanimously carried, " That a Memorial and Case be made out and laid before the Right Honourable the Lord Advocate for Scotland, for his opinion and advice upon the subject ; and should his Lordship be of opinion that the Grand Lodge, under the above Act, had not powers to grant such charters, that the Grand Lodge should solicit his Lordship's assistance in an applica- tion to Parliament (should that appear necessary,) for remedying this defect, as well as for vesting certain powers in the Grand Lodge which would mate- rially benefit their poor. In conformity with this Resolution, the following Memorial was submitted to the Right Honourable the Lord Advocate : — " Memorial and Case for Sir James Stirling, Baronet, Grand Master Mason of Scotland ; the Right Honourable the Earl of Dalkeith, Grand Master Elect ; George Ramsay, Esq. younger of Barnton, Depute Grand Master; John Clark, Esq. Substitute Grand^Master ; John Trotter of Mortonhall, Esq., and Alexander Charles Maitla'nd-Gibson, Esq. of Cliftonhall, Grand Wardens ; John Hay, Esq. younger of Hayston, Grand Treasurer, and others, Members of the Grand Lodge of Scotland. " The Fraternity of Free Masons in Scotland are not less distinguished for their loyalty and antiquity, than for the many illustrious personages who have at different times been at the head of that respectable body. From the earliest ages they acknowledged their Sovereign as their Grand Master. To his royal authority they submitted all differences that arose among the brethren, and when not a Mason himself — but which was seldom the case — his Majesty was in the use of appointing a distinguished Brother to preside as his deputy at all Masonic meetings, and to regulate all matters concerning the Craft. King James I, that patron of learning and science, is accordingly found countenancing the Lodges with his presence as the Royal Grand Mas- ter, till he settled a yearly revenue of Four Pound Scots to be paid by every Master Mason of Scotland to a Grand Master chosen by the Brethren, and approved of by the Crown — one nobly born or an eminent clergyman — who had his deputies in cities and counties ; and every Brother at entry paid him a fee. His office empowered him to regulate in the Fraternity what should not come under the cognisance of Law Courts ; to him appealed both Mason and Lord, or the Builder and Founder, when at variance, in order to prevent law pleas ; and in his absence, they appealed to his Deputy and Grand War- dens that resided next to the premises. " William St. Clair, Earl of Orkney and Caithness, Baron of Rosslin, &c., obtained a grant of this office from King James H. Under his kindly auspices Masonry now began in Scotland to spread its particular influence through all parts of the kingdom. By another deed of the same Prince, this office was made Hereditary in the said Earl, and his heirs and successors in the Barony of Rosslin, (which grant was sanctioned and confirmed by subsequent acts of the Masons themselves,) in which ancient family it continued till near the middle of this century. u " The Barbns'of Rosslin granted charters of Constitution and Erection, countenanced the Lodges, determined all matters of difference among the Brethren, and supported with becoming dignity the character of Master Mason over all Scotland. They held their head Courts, or in other words assembled Grand Lodges, at Kilwinning, in the county of Ayr, where it is presumed Masons first began to hold regular and stated meetings. " Such continued to be the state of Masonry while the family of Rosslin were in flourishing and prosperous circumstances. But the late William St. Clair of Rosslin, the representative of this noble family, a Mason, and a gen- tleman of the greatest candour and benevolence, was under the necessity of disposing of his family estates, and having no children of his own bod}', was unwilling that the office of Hereditary Grand Master, vested in his person, should become vacant at his death, and thereby revert to the Crown. " In this situation, therefore, this gentleman, undoubted Hereditary Grand Master of Scotland, assembled the Brethren of the Lodges in and about Edinburgh, and represented to them how beneficial it would be to the cause of Masonry in general, to have a nobleman or gentleman as Grand Master, of their own election, to patronize and protect the Craft ; and in order to pro- mote so laudable a design, he proposed to resign into the hands of the Brethren, or whomsoever they should be pleased to elect, all right, claim, or title what- ever, which he or his successors had to preside as Grand Master over the Masons in Scotland. " A set of regulations were accordingly drawn up for the future conduct of the Grand Lodge, which was submitted to a general convention of all the Lodges of Scotland, called together for the purpose of receiving the above Resignation, and electing a Grand Master. At this meeting, therefore, which was held, on the 30th November 1736, the said William St. Clair gave in a Resignation, formally and regularly executed, of the office of Hereditary Grand Master, in favour of the Brethren present, or whomsoever they might he pleased to elect to that high office. " It may be here proper to mention that the Hereditary Grand Master had the exclusive power of presiding over all regular Lodges in Scotland, settling all disputes amongst them, and even individual members of Lodges aggrieved had a right to complain to the Grand Master, and the grievances of such Lodges and Brethren we're by the Grand Master and the Grand Lodge decided and determined. The Grand Master had likewise the power of convoking the several Lodges, and also of granting Charters of Constitution and Erection in favour of Brethren wishing to hold regular Lodges, upon pay- merit of certain fees, and conforming to certain regulations thereby prescribed. " In consequence, therefore, of the above Resignation, the whole powers and privileges vested in the Hereditary Grand Master by King James II, and confirmed, as abovementioned, by the Masons themselves, and uniformly exercised by him and his predecessors, were transferred to the Brethren then present, consisting of the Masters and Wardens of all the regular Lodges in Scotland, being the representatives of said Lodges ; and which meeting was then declared to be the Grand Lodge, of Scotland, and therefore proceeded to the election of Grand Master and other Office-bearers to represent them. " It is necessary also to mention that the Grand Lodge, so constituted, have been in the uniform practice, since 1 736, of granting Charters of Confirma- tion to Lodge'^erected before that period, as appears from a continued series of Minutes engrossed in the Sederunt Books of the Grand Lodge, and also from the Charter Books thereof. They have also been in the uninterrupted practice of granting new Charters of Constitution and Erection to Lodges, upoa 15 regular application and payment of certain fees, which are appropriated to the use of the poor, the only purpose to which the funds of the Grand Lodge are applied ; and from which dues a very considerable part of the revenue of the Grand Lodge arises. " The Right Honourable Counsel will recollect that in the course of the present Session of Parliament the wisdom of the Legislature deemed it pru- dent to pass an Act, cap. 79, intituled ' An Act for the more effectual Sup- pression of Societies established for seditious and treasonable purposes, and for better preventing treasonable and seditious practices.' "As set forth in the preamble of this Act, it is obvious the meaning and intention of passing the same was chiefly with the view of suppressing certain societies therein particularly named, and which, by said Act, are accordingly suppressed ; and the Honourable Counsel is referred to the Act itself, which accompanies this Memorial,,particularly to the ist, 2d, 3d, and 4th sections, which, it is hoped, his Lordship will take the trouble to peruse. " From the active interference of some liberal and enlightened friends of Masonr}?, members of the Legislature, particularly his Grace the Duke of Athole and the Right Honourable Henry Dundas, and from a conviction, through the representation of these Right Honourable Brethren, of the Masonic Societies of this country being not only strictly constitutional, but highly laudable institutions, as being principally directed to charitable pur- poses, Parliament was induced to grant an exemption in their favour in the following terms." [Here follows the quotation of sections 5, 6, and 7.] " After the passing of the above Act of Parliament^ the Grand Lodge met on 5th August 1799, being their stated Quarterly Communication, and took the said Act of Parliament into consideration when they unanimously agreed that it -yvas their province, as Head of the Masonic Body in Scotland, from whom all regular Lodges hold their right of Meeting by Charter, to take effectual steps for enforcing the observance of the Statute. The Grand Lodge accord- ingly adopted a set of Resolutions for that purpose, a printed copy of which is herewith submitted to the Honourable Counsel, and which the Memorialists trust meet with his Lordship's approbation. These Regulations have accord- ingly been circulated amongst the country Lodges, and the good effects resulting therefrom, in bringing the enactments of the Statute more immedi- ately under the observation of their very worthy but less informed Brethren, have already been sensibly felt. " At a subsequent meeting of the Grand Lodge, held on 25th November, a petition from the Right Honourable the Earl of Aboyne and others. Officers of the 6th or Aberdeenshire Regiment of North British Militia, lying at Dun- dee, was read to the meeting, praying the Grand Lodge to grant them a Charter of Constitution and Erection, under the title, name, and designation, of the Aboyne 6th North British Militia Lodge. After reading the above petition, it was stated that under the 5th Section of the Act of Parliament, there seemed to be considerable doubts how far the Grand Lodge could now grant Charters ,of Constitution and Erection. The words of which Section being, ' That nothing in this Act shall extend to meetings of any such Society or Lodge which shall, before the passing of this Act, have been usually holden under the denomination and in conformity to the rules prevailing among the said Societies of Free Masons,' which seems to infer that no Society or Lodge that did not subsist before the passing of said Act could now be tolerated or authorized. " The Grand Lodge of Scotland therefore, desirous of walking upon sure ground, ajjd wishing to do nothing but what is strictly legal and constitutional', 16 directed a case to be made out by'a Committee of their number, and laid before the. Right Honourable the Lord Advocate of Scotland for his opinion upon the above clause in the Act of Parliament, and in the meantime delayed giving any deliverance upon the petition from the Earl of Aboyne and others till his Lordship's opinion was obtained. " Having said so much, the Memorialists, after a few observations, will leave their case with the Honourable Counsel, confiding in that well-known candour and liberality which regulate all his actions as well as his opinions, for such a favourable interpretation of the law and of his official duties. "The privilege of granting Charters of Erection and Constitution is not only coeval with the Institution of the Grand Lodge itself, but, as appears from its records, has been enjoyed without interruption from that period downwards. But while, on the one hand, it is even necessary for the exist- ence of the Grand Lodge, it has, on the other, been the principal source of that order, regularity, and subordination that has hitherto so conspicuously prevailed at all Masonic meetings in Scotland, as well as of the fund from which the poor are supported. With submission therefore, it never could be the intention of the Legislature to deprive the Grand Lodge of Scotland of that privilege, without which all Masonic meetings in this country must soon come to an end. " Under the 3d Section of the Act of Parliament in question, it is, with submission, competent for the members of any Society whatever to meet, and even to constitute themselves, provided the declaration 'of such Society shall have been first approved of, and subsOfibed by two or more justices of the peace,' &c. The condition under wmch the exemption in favour of Lodges of Free Masons is granted are at least equally strict with those of the Section alluded to, independent altogether of the clause under consideration, particu- larly Section 7, where it is enacted ' That it shall and may be lawful for the said justices, or the major part of them, at any of their General Sessions, if they shall so think fit, upon complaint made to them upon oath, by any one or more credible persons, that the continuance of the meetings of any such Lodge or Society is likely to be injurious to the public and good order, to direct that the meetings of any such Society or Lodge within such county, &c., shall from thenceforth be discontinued; and any such meeting held not- withstanding such order of discontinuance, and before the same shall, by the like authority, be revoked, shall be deemed an unlawful combination, under the provisions of this Act.' " There is hardly a justice of the peace in the country who is not himself a Mason, and of course must be fully satisfied of the constitutional purity of the only engagements or declarations come under by every Mason whatever. In place of an exemption in their favour therefore, if the clause in the Act of Parliament under consideration is to be strictly interpreted. Masonic Societies will, it is apprehended, be in a worse situation than any other Society in the country. " It may likewise be observed that it never surely could have been the intention of the Legislature to deprive the Masonic body of the privileges and benefits of that Society; and, upon mature consideration, the constitution of a new Lodge, under the Grand Lodge of Scotland, will be found to differ only in form from the admission of an equal number of Brethren into a Lodge already existing. The applicants for every new Charter must of necessity be Master Masons, and of course entitled to admit Brethren into their original Lodge. All that is granted to them therefore, by a Charter from the Grand Lodge, is a new name, and place of meeting, more convenient for their local 17 situation, while the Grand Lodge is, and must be responsible for the regu- larity and good conduct of that and every other Lodge enjoying the privilege of meeting as a Masonic body under her Charters. " In this view, it is with great deference submitted how far it may be thought consistent with the spirit and meaning of the Act of Parliament to suppose that the Legislature had the Grand Lodges of England and Scotland only in view in granting an exemption from the enactments of the Statute in favour of ' any such Society or Lodge which shall, before the passing of this Act, have been usually holden under the said denomination, and in conformity to the rules prevailing among the said Societies of Free Masons,' considering the whole of the other Lodges, both in England and Scotland, in no other light than that of so many extended branches, which in fact they are, of these Grand Lodges respectively, and which of course fall to be held responsible for the regular and consti^tional conduct of all their Members in their character of Free Masons. "Such an interpretation of the Statute, with submission, while the spirit and meaning thereof would be effectually preserved, so as to exclude all sedi- tious and treasonable discourses from being canvassed in any Lodge or Society of Free Masons, would, at the same time, not only remove the present diffi- culty, but, by connecting the country Lodges more intimately with the Grand Lodge, tend at once to the preservation of the true spirit of Masonry, and that regularity and good conduct in all their meetings which the Legislature Gnly could have had in view in enacting the present Statute. " The Memorialists will only further remark, that should the Honourable Counsel feel himself under legal difficulty in interpreting the law in the man- ner suggested, they earnestly intreat his Lordship's kind assistance, in his high official and legislative capacities, in obtaining such alterations of the law as might ascertain the powers of the Grand Lodge, as well as give them a. persona standi injudicio, (a right which is at present at least doubtful,) by which their funds, and therefore their powers of affording relief to the indi- gent, would be greatly increased." Copy of the Lord Advocate's Opinion on the above Case. " The words adopted both in the 5th and 6th sections of the Act are so explicit that it does not appear to me possible to maintain, under any inter- pretation, that a Lodge of Free Masons, instituted since the 12th of July last, can be entitled to the benefit of the Statute. I do not know why the Act was so anxiously limited, but the legal construction of it is unquestionably what I have stated. It is impossible to adopt the interpretation suggested in the Memorial for this reason that if the Grand Lodges of England and Scotland respectively were the only Societies to which the legislature alluded, and to whom the regulations thereof apply, it would follow that all subordinate Lodges were at liberty to disregard these rules altogether, a proposition impossible to be maintained after perusal of the 6th and 7th sections of the Act, which distinctly impose upon every Society or Lodge all over the king- dom the necessity of registering the certificate within the county or division within which its meetings have been usually held, and renewing the same on or before the 25th of March every year. I am very clearly of opinion there- fore, that no new Lodge can be entitled to the benefit of the Statute ; and that, if it is material for the Memorialists to obtain powers to institute such new Lodges, to the effect of entitling them to the protection of the Act, it can only be done by an application to Parliament. " The Opinion of (Signed) "R. DUNDAS.", " George Square, Edinburgh, 33d January 1800," 18 After hearing the foregoing Opinion, it was moved and carried, "that full and ample powers should be given to the same Committee to take such steps as they think proper for application to Parliament for obtaining the great objects in view, as stated in the Memorial." In conformity with this motion, the Committee held numerous meetings, made various suggestions to, and had several interviews with influential parties, but with no effect, up to 1806, when the Grand Lodge agreed, upon the recommendation of the Earl of Moira, then Acting Grand Master Elect, to adopt the practice of the Grand Lodge of England, viz : — to assign to new Lodges the numbers and charters of Lodges that had become dormant or had ceased to hold regular meetings. " The Grand Lodge of Scotland therefore, with such an example before them, are satisfied that the same practice may be followed here, and that their doing so would be no infringement of the Act of Parliament, in so far as they were not creating new Lodges but only reviving Lodges that had been held as such before the passing of said Act. The Grand Lodge of Scotland therefore resolve to assign or transfer charters of dormant Lodges to such applicants as may be regularly certified by two xieighbouring Lodges. But in order that no undue preference should be obtained, in point of seniority, they resolve that the date of such transfers shall be regulated according to the date of the application to the Grand Lodge." As has been shown however the practice of the Grand Lodge of England was not precisely that adopted by Scotland as in England fresh Numbers were given to old warrants.* I do not know where to find an explanation as to how, after the Union of the two English Grand Lodges in 1813, the diffi- culty so clearly described by the Scotch Grand Lodge ^ssis&.got over. New Lodges have been continually formed from the date of the Union and unless the term "Lodge of Freemasons" in Clause VI was held to apply to the United Grand Lodge as suggested by Scotland, I do not understand why they were allowed. The Acts make it very clear that the Listitution of Freemasonry was recognized by the Government as a perfectly legal one but the practice of Freemasonry was restricted to Lodges in existence in 1799. How this difficulty was got over I cannot discover from the resources at my command for it is certain the Acts have never been repealed — there was a recent allusion to this in the "Freemason," I find from an old Scotch Royal Arch Circular, given on the opposite page, that as late as 1818 matters were somewhat un- settled, and, owing to Royal Arch Chapters being entirely uncon- nected with Craft Lodges in Scotland, separate affidavits were required for Chapters, they were apparently not originally required for English Chapters. * The Ancient (Athol) Masons apparently adopted another device to evade the Act and issued HOT Warrants with old Numbers. Bro. Graham in his excellent History of Free- masonry in the Province of Shropshire instances a case where the number of a Lodge which became extinct in 1776 was attached to a warrant issued in 1809. ' 19 Edinburgh, 13th January, 1818. Most Ex. Companion, With reference to a Circular Letter which I had the honor of addressing to you, of date the 24th of last month, the last Paragraph of which enjoined a strict observance of the requisites of the Acts of Parliament, passed in the 39th and 57th years of the reign of his present Majesty, prohibiting the existence of certain societies, but con- taining an exception in favour of Masonic Institutions, under certain con- ditions, I have been induced, in consequence of having received several representations from Chapters in the country, complaining of the want of a proper Form of Affidavit, required to be made annually, in terms of the said Acts of Parliament, to bring the subject under the consideration of the standing Committee of the Supreme Grand Eoyal Arch Chapter of Scotland ; and I am now^ directed to transmit, for the guidance, of the Chapter over which you preside, the following Form of an Affidavit, which has been approven of by the Committee ; and to express their san- guine hopes, that now, when every obstacle in the way of this most im- portant object is removed, the Affidavit of no Chapter will be found want- ing in the Report which the Committee expects to receive at their next meeting. The Committee desist from any farther remarks on the propriety of a rigid and uniform attention to this necessary duty, conscious that the Office Bearers of every Chapter holding of the Supreme Grand Eoyal Arch Chapter of Scotland, will consider this as the first and most impor- tant branch of their duty as good Masons ; and more particularly, as holding the honorable distinction of Office Bearers in this ancient and illustrious Degree. Form of Affidavit. At , this day of 1818 years. Appeared before , one of his Majesty's Justices of the Peace for the County of (In this space insert the County, and the Names and Professions of the three Principals of the Chapter) First, Second and Third Principals of the Chapter, or Lodge of Royal Arch Free Masons, held in , under the sanction of the Supreme Grand Eoyal Arch Chapter of Scotland, and in compliance with the Acts of Parliament 39 Geo. III. cap. 79. entitled, ' An Act for the more effectual Suppression of Societies established for ' Seditious and Treasonable Purposes ; and for better preventing Trea- ' sonable and Seditious Practices '^and 57 Geo. III. cap. 19. entitled ' An Act for the more effectually preventing Seditious Meetings and As- ' semblies,' — made oath, that the meetings of the above designed Chapter 20 or Lodge of Koyal Arch Free Masons, over which they preside as Office Bearers, are held expressly for the purposes of Masonry alone : That nothing detrimental to Church or State is transacted therein : That their regular stated Meetings are held on the of each month': That they hold other occasional Meetings for Initiating Members, and transacting other business connected with their said Chapter or Lodge : That their usual place of Meeting is in ; and that the List herewith deposited, attested by the Senior Scribe, or Secretary of the said Chapter, contains the Names and Designations of all the attending Members thereof, to the best of their knowledge and belief. All which they declare to be truth, as they shall answer to God. A list of the Names, Professions and Places of Eesidence of the Mem- bers who generally attend your Meetings, must be presented with the Affidavit, and with it lodged in the hands of the Justice of Peace Clerk, whose certificate of your having done so, you will be pleased to transmit to me, as requested in the last paragraph of the circular Letter to which I referred in the commencement of this. (Signature of) jst Principal. (Signature of) g^^ Principal. (Signature of) 3^ Principal. (Signature of) J"_ p_ I avail myself of this opportunity of again requesting your immediate attention to the first paragraph of my circular Letter of the 24th of De- cember 1817. I am. Most Ex. Companion, Your very faithful, and obedient servant, Recorder, &c, Sup. Grand R. A. Chapter of Scotland. To The Most Ex. Grand Principal Z. of the B. A. Chapter., Lodges in the United Kingdom are still under the operation of the Acts I have cited and quoted from, but in India there is no Act whatever which in any way applies to Freemasonry and no one need be deterred from entering the Craft in any country under British rule from a suppositions idea it is illegal. y H, J. WHYMPEE. Privately printed by Bam Saran for E. J. WHYMPEB. Cornell University Library HS48S.G7 W62 Acts of parliament referring to freemaso 3 1924 030 278 349 olin,anx f'- ' ' -..J-^- >/t^i,,::r;-i-;^n:%4S^f