Some Memorials Of The Globe Lodge, No . 23, And Of The "Red Apron."

that such as were willing to serve that office might advance to the Chair , and signify their Inclination by signing their Names as was done last year . " Thereupon several Brethren came up to the Table and signed their Names , but there being some objections raised against persons interested , and Disputes arising , the same

was debated , and it was proposed by the Deputy Grand Master , that such of those Brethren as had served as Stewards at the last Grand Feast , and were willing to continue in the said Post another year might have the preference . Whereupon Mr . Samuel Stead , Mr . John Revis , Mr . Wm .

Wilson , Mr . Thos . Reason , and Mr . Wm . Hopkins late Stewards being asked whether they were willing to serve again this year , they desired leave to withdraw to consider of it . " They accordingly withdrew , and being returned

acquainted the Grand Master , that they had consulted together , and were willing to accept the Office of Stewards again , provided they might have Liberty of filling up the Vacancies in the room of those who were not inclined to act , which was thought reasonable , and their Healths ( by the names of

Stewards elect ) were drank and the Grand Master returned them Thanks , for the readiness they had shewn to serve the Society . "They were at the same time directed to return a List of the Stewards for the present year as soon as perfected to the Grand Master or his Deputy . "

The Grand Stewards will do well to bear in mind the occasion on which the privilege of nominating their successors was readily granted by the Grand Lodge and for what reason , a privilege which they have preserved practically undisturbed , down to the present day . The first Grand Steward I have been able to identify as

a member of the Globe Lodge is that of Charles Trinquand , who was a member of the Lodge in 1725 and 1730 , and was Grand Steward in 1731 . It must not , however , be inferred that he was the first to represent the Lodge in that capacity , identification being somewhat difficult , as the names only of

the Stewards are given , with no reference to their respective Lodges , and the Grand Lodge records containing no list of members of the Globe Lodge between the years 1725 and 1730 , nor from the year last named until about to 1765 . It must be borne in mind also that in the early days of

Grand Stewardships , the brethren did not invariably nominate their successors from amongst the members of their own Lodges , although they generally did so . This practice was , doubtless , of gradual growth . The first mention I have met with of a distinctive colour

for the Grand Stewards is in the minutes of the 17 th March , 1731 , wherein it is recorded that "Dr . Desaguliers taking Notice of some Irregularities in wearing the Marks of Distinction which have been allowed by former Grand Lodges , " Proposed

" That none but the Grand Master , his Deputy and Wardens shall wear their Jewels in Gold or Gilt , pendant to blue Ribbons about their Necks , and White Leather Aprons lined with blue Silk . " That all those who have served any of the three Grand Offices shall wear the like Aprons lined with blue Silk in

all Lodges and Assemblies of Masons when they appear clothed . " That those Brethren that are Stewards shall wear their Aprons lined with red Silk , and their proper Jewels pendant to red Ribbons .

" That all those who had served the office of Steward be at liberty to wear Aprons lined with red Silk and not otherwise . " That all Masters and Wardens of Lodges may wear their Aprons lined with white Silk and their respective Jewels with plain white Ribbons and no other colour whatsoever .

" 1 he Deputy Grand Master put the Question whethei the above Regulation should be agreed to "And it was carried in the affirmative Nemine Con . "

Some Memorials Of The Globe Lodge, No . 23, And Of The "Red Apron."

After the Installation of Lord Lovell as Grand Master on the 27 th March , 1731 , " Then the twelve present Grand Stewards were called up and Thanks returned them from the Chair for the care they had taken in providing such an elegant Entertainment , and at the same time the Grand Master proposed the Drinking

of their Healths , which was done accordingly ; the Feast was concluded with mirth and unanimity . " 2 nd March , 1732 . " A Motion was made by Br . Pitt , one of the Stewards for the ensuing Feast , that the twelve present Stewards , shall

after dinner at the said Grand Feast , each of them chuse his successor for the year ensuing , which being seconded , The Question was put , and carried in the affirmative . " It was likewise proposed that the said method of electing Stewards for the future shall be in the same manner , and the same was agreed to Nem . Con .

SIR LEONARD WORSLEY HOLMES , BART ., GRAND STEWARD FOR THE GLOBE LODGE IN lull .

From this period no particular reference to the Grand Stewards appears in the Grand Lodge records until the 24 th of June , 1735 , when the Past Grand Stewards applied for permission to form themselves into a Lodge , also for certain other privileges , which were eventually granted by a very

narrow majority . The third paragraph in their application is as follows : — " 3 . That no person who had not served the Society as a Steward might be permitted at a Quarterly Communication or elsewhere to wear their coloured Ribbonds or

Aprons , " But " That such as had been Stewards might be indulged with wearing a particular Jewel by way of distinction suspended in their proper Ribbond whenever they appeared as Masons , the Pattern of which they then offered . These

were granted them upon a Division , 45 of the Assembly being on the Affirmative side , and 42 on the Negative . It would seem from the above that the privilege of the " Red Apron " had been infringed upon or copied by those not entitled to that distinction . One of the Grand Stewards

who served at the Festival in 1734 was William Hogarth , Painter , who was also one of the founders of the Grand Stewards Lodge , and the " particular jewel" referred to is