Section. 8 - History of Masonry from its Revival in the South of
England till the Death of King George I.
The reputation of the Society being now established, many
noblemen and gentlemen of the first rank desired to be received into the lodges,
which had increased considerably during the administration of Mr. Payne. The
duties of masonry were found to be a pleasing relaxation from the fatigue of
business; and in the lodge, uninfluenced by politics or party, a happy union was
effected among the most respectable characters in the kingdom.
On the 24th of June 1721, Grand Master Payne and his wardens, with the former
grand officers, and the masters and wardens of twelve lodges, met the Grand
Master elect at the Queen's Arms Tavern in St. Paul's Church-yard.[The old lodge of St.
Paul's, now the lodge of Antiquity, having been
removed hither.] where the Grand Lodge was opened in ample form. Having confirmed the proceedings of the
last Grand Lodge, several gentlemen were initiated into masonry at the request
of the duke of Montague; and, among the rest, Philip lord Stanhope, afterwards
earl of Chesterfield. From the Queen's Arms the Grand Lodge marched in
procession in their clothing to Stationers'-hall in Ludgate-street, where they
joyfully received by one hundred and fifty brethren, properly clothed. The Grand
Master having made the first procession round the hall, took an affectionate
leave of his brethren; and, being returned to his place, proclaimed the duke of
Montague his successor for the ensuing year. The general regulations compiled by
Mr. Payne in 1721, [See the Book of Constitutions printed in 1723.] and compared with
the ancient records and immemorial usages
of the fraternity, were read, and met with general approbation; after which Dr.
Desaguliers delivered an elegant oration on the subject of masonry.
Soon after his election, the Grand Master gave convincing proofs of his zeal and
attention, by commanding Dr. Desaguliers and James Anderson, A. M men of genius
and education, to revise, arrange, and digest the Gothic constitutions, old
charges, and general regulations. This task they faithfully executed; and at the
ensuing Grand Lodge held at the Queen's Arms St. Paul's Church-yard on the 27th
of December 1721, being the festival of St. John the Evangelist, they presented
the same for approbation. A committee of fourteen learned brothers was then
appointed to examine the manuscript, and to make their report; and on this
occasion several very entertaining lectures were delivered, and much useful
information given by some old brethren.
At a Grand Lodge held at the Fountain Tavern in the Strand, in ample form, on
the 25th March 1722, the committee reported, that they had perused the
manuscript, containing the history, charges, regulations, &c. of masonry,
and, after some amendments, had approved thereof. The Grand Lodge ordered the
whole to be prepared for the press, and printed with all possible expedition.
This order was strictly obeyed, and in little more than two years the Book of
Constitutions appeared in print, under the following title: "The Book of
Constitutions of the Free Masons: containing the History, Charges, Regulations,
&c. of that Most Ancient and Right Worshipful Fraternity. For the Use of the
Lodges." London, 1723.
In January 1722-3, the duke of Montague resigned in favour of the duke of
Wharton, who was very ambitious to attain the office. His grace's resignation
proceeded from the motive of reconciling the brethren to this nobleman, who had
incurred their displeasure, by having convened, in opposition to the resolutions
of the Grand Lodge, on the 25th of March, an irregular assembly of masons at
Stationers'-hall, on the festival of St. John the Baptist, in order to get
himself elected as Grand Master. The duke of Wharton, fully sensible of the
impropriety of his conduct, publicly acknowledged his error; and promising in
future a strict conformity and obedience to the resolutions of the Society, was,
with the general consent of the brethren, approved as Grand Master elect for the
ensuing year. His grace was regularly invested and installed on the 17th of
January 1722-3 by the Grand Master, and congratulated by upwards of twenty-five
lodges, who were present in the Grand Lodge on that day. The diligence and
attention of the duke of Wharton to the duties of his office soon recovered and
established his reputation in the Society; while under his patronage masonry
made a considerable progress in the South of England. During his presidency, the
office of Grand Secretary was first established, and William Cowper esq. being
appointed, that gentleman executed the duties of the department several years.
The duke of Buccleugh succeeded the duke of Wharton in 1723. This nobleman was
no less attached to masonry than his predecessor. Being absent on the annual
festival, he was installed by proxy at Merchant-taylors'-hall, in presence of
400 masons.
His grace was succeeded in the following year by the duke of Richmond, under
whose administration the Committee of Charity was instituted.
[The duke of Buccleugh first proposed the scheme of raising a general
fund for distressed masons. Lord Paisley, Dr. Desaguliers, Colonel
Houghton, and a few other brethren, supported the duke's
proposition; and the Grand Lodge appointed a committee to consider
of the most effectual means of carrying the scheme into execution.
The report of the committee was transmitted to the lodges, and
afterward approved by the Grand Lodge. The disposal of the charity
was first vested in seven brethren; but this number being found too
small, nine more were added. It was afterward resolved, that twelve
masters of contributing lodges, in rotation, with the Grand
Officers, should form the Committee; and by another regulation since
made, it has been determined, that all Past and Present Grand
Officers, with the Master of all regular lodges which shall have
contributed within twelve months to the charity, shall be members of
the Committee.
The Committee meets four times in the year, by virtue of a summons
from the Grand Master or his Deputy. The petitions of the brethren
who apply for charity, are considered at these meetings; and if the
petitioner be found a deserving object, he is immediately relieved
with five pounds: if the circumstances of his case are of a peculiar
nature, his petition is referred to the next Communication, where he
is relieved with any sum the committee may have specified, not
exceeding twenty guineas at one time. By these means the distressed
have always found ready relief from this general charity, which is
solely supported by the voluntary contributions of different lodges
out of their private fund, without being burdensome on any member of
the society.
Thus the Committee of Charity has been established among the Free
and Accepted Masons in London; and though the sums annually expended
to relieve distressed brethren have, for several years past,
amounted to many thousand pounds, there still remains a considerable
sum in reserve.
All complaints and informations are considered at the Committee of
Charity, from which a report is made to the next Grand Lodge, where
it is generally approved.]
Lord Paisley, afterwards earl of Abercorn, being active in promoting this new establishment,
was elected Grand Master in the end of the year 1725. Being in the country at
the time, his lordship was installed by proxy. During his absence, Dr.
Desaguliers, who had been appointed his deputy, was very attentive to the duties
of his office, by visiting the lo9dges, and diligently promoting masonry. On his
lordship's return to town, the earl of Inchiquin was proposed to succeed him,
and was elected in February 1726. The Society now flourished in town and
country, and under the patronage of this nobleman the Art was propagated with
considerable success. This period was rendered remarkable, by the brethren of
Wales first uniting under the banner of the Grand Lodge of London. In Wales are
some venerable remains of ancient masonry, and many stately ruins of castles,
executed in the Gothic style, which evidently demonstrate that the fraternity
must have met with encouragement in that part of the island in former times.
Soon after this happy union, the office of Provincial Grand Master was
instituted, and the first deputation granted by earl Inchiquin, on the 10th of
May 1727, to Hugh Warburton esq. for North Wales; and on the 24th of June
following, to sir Edward Mansell bart. for South Wales.
[A Provincial Grand Master is the immediate representative of the
Grand Master in the district over which he is limited to preside;
and being invested with the power and honour of a Deputy Grand
Master in his province, may constitute lodges therein, if the
consent of the Masters and Wardens of three lodges already
constituted within his district have been obtained, and the Grand
Lodge in London has not disapproved thereof. He wears the clothing
of a Grand Officer, and ranks in all public assemblies immediately
after Part Deputy Grand Masters. He must in person, or by deputy,
attend the quarterly meetings of the Masters and Wardens of the
lodges in his district, and transmit to the Grand Lodge, once in
every year, the proceedings of those meetings, with a regular state
of the lodges under his jurisdiction.]
The lodges in the country now began to increase, and deputations were granted to several
gentlemen, to hold the office of Provincial Grand Master in different parts of
England, as well as in some places abroad where lodges had been constituted by
English masons. During the earl of Inchiquin's mastership, a warrant was issued
for opening a new lodge at Gibraltar.
Among the variety of noble edifices which were finished during the presidency of
this nobleman, was that excellent structure the church of St. Martin in the
Fields; the foundation stone of which, it being a royal parish church, was laid,
in the king's name, on the 29th of March 1721, by brother Gibb the architect, in
presence of the Lord Almoner, the surveyor general, and a large company of the
brethren.