Visit Of The British Association To York.

are visiting not only the birthplace of the Association but the ancient city which is the ' Mecca' of English Freemasonry , having Masonic traditions , more or less authentic , reaching so far back as the ioth century . We shall show this afternoon five MS . copies of the Ancient Charges , of which there are upwards of twenty known

to be in existence , and in nearly all of these the tradition is recited that Prince Edwin , son of King Athelstan , ' loved well Masons , ' and 'delited . . . '—Read ( pp . 39-40 York Rolls . )* This Prince Edwin had his seat at Auldby , which is about nine miles from York , and tradition says that he built the first

stone church in York on the site of the present Minster . The Masons of Ireland still call themselves Ancient York Masons , and their universal tradition is that the brethren of this name originated at Auldby . York is the only place having any tradition of General Assemblies of Masons exercising authority and control over the Masonic Body in ancient times . In the Fabric Rolls of York Minster , mention

is made of the lodge wherein the Masons were ' atte your werke atte ye son rysing' according to the Rules of 1370 fixed by ' ye Chapitre of ye Kirk of Saint Petyr ' and as carried out by the ' Maistyr Masons . ' There was a bell in the Minster tower known as the Masons' Bell , which doubtless rang out at high time and past high time . It is recorded

that in the reign of Queen Elizabeth , Sir Thomas Sackville being G . M . at York , the fraternity was so numerous and influential that the Queen , being jealous of secret associations , sent an armed force to York to break up the Annual Communication . Some of the officers were however initiated , and

found the true objects of the Fraternity , which were reported to the Queen , and the Masons were not afterwards disturbed . The famous Historian of York , Francis Drake , was J . G . W ., and in 1726 , on St . John ' s Day , he delivered a noted speech at the Festival , in which he claimed for the Old Lodge at

York the title of ' Grand Lodge of All England . ' This ancient and important body continued until 1792 , when it finally became extinct .

Most of the documents and articles which will be shown to you then came into the possession of the York Lodge , then called the Union Lodge , which had been warranted from London in 1777 . The most important of these are the i \\ e MS . copies of Ancient Charges before referred to ; a Parchment Roll beginning with 19 th March , 1712 ; the Old

Rules of Grand Lodge of 1726 ; a List of M . M ' s . ; and a book of 1705 containing accounts . Amongst the articles of furniture are some which you see around you , notably the old banner , the obligation pedestal and the three candlesticks on the three pedestals , and the tracing board hanging on the

wall of the staircase . These relics are displayed for your inspection , and the brethren will be delighted to give further information round the table . It may be interesting to mention the various lodges which have existed in the city in addition to the Old Time

Immemorial Grand Lodge of All England . In 1761 there was founded by authority of the Grand Lodge in London , the lodge at ' The Punch Bowl' an inn which still survives in Stonegate . This lodge only worked until 1764 , and its records are in our possession . The second lodge was the

Apollo , warranted in 1773 , which flourished till 1805 and met in the ' George' Inn in Coney Street , an ancient hostelry which was demolished about thirty years ago . Its reccrds are in the possession of the Humber Lodge , at Hull . The York Lodge was warranted by the London Grand Lodge in 1777 as the Union Lodge , No . 504 , meeting at Lockwood s

Coffee House . In 1792 it became No . 331 , and in 1833 No . 28 7 , and in 186 3 it took its present No . 23 6 . In 1870 the name was changed to the York Lodge to more completely identify it with the Masonic city in which it has flourished . The Eboracum Lodge , No . 1611 , was founded in 1876 ; the Agricola Lodge , No . 1991 , in 188 3 and the Albert Victor

, Lodge , No . 2328 , in 1889 , all being strong and prosperous , so that it can truly be said that our ' Mecca ' has kept the light of Masonry brightly burning , and maintained the long and honourable traditions of the Craft which we York Masons regard as such a priceless heritage . "

Regrets for absence were received from Bros . J . B . Whytehead , P . M . Nos . 1611 and 2328 , P . G . Std . Br . England ; J . Hughes ; Canon Watson , W . M . Albert Victor , No . 2328 , P . P . G . C . ; J . G . Butcher , K . C , York Lodge , No . 236 ; G . D . Faber , C . B ., M . P ., York Lodge , No . 236 ; and

several other brethren . The lodge was duly closed , and then followed an exhibition of ancient documents and other Masonic treasures belonging to the York Lodge , No . 236 , and afterwards the brethren were entertained to light refreshments in the banqueting

room of the York Lodge . It was felt that this had been a most interesting and successful gathering , and one which would be appreciated and long remembered , especially by the visiting brethren of the British Association .

* EXTRACT FROM YORK ROLE , NO . I . " The Constitutions of Masonrie . " " King Athelfton who was a worthy King of England & brought this land in good reft & peace & builded many great

workes as Abbyes Toures & oth mann ™ of Buildings & loved well mafons & he had a Son named Edwin & he loved mafons much more than his Father & he was a great praction r in Geomatrie & he delited much to talke & commune with Mafons & to learn of them ( kill & cunning & afterward for

love he bore to mafons & to their Science he was made a mafon & he pcured for them of y ° King his father a chart r & Comifsion to hold every yeare an afsembly wherefoev they would within y ° Realm of England & to correct within themfelves defaults & trefpafses y were done within y craft & he himfelf held an Afsemblie at YORK and there he

made mafons & gave them the charge & taught them y" manners & commanded y rule to be kept ever after & alfo tooke for them y" charter to keep & alfo gave orcr y' it fhould be renued from King to King . And when y" Afsembly was gathered together he made pclamation y' all old Mafons or l had writeings or undr ftanding of ° charge &

young y any y y ° mann" concerning y" f Science y' were made before in this Land or any oth y' they fhould bring them forth & when they had viewed & examined there found fotne in french fome in Greek , fome in Englifh & fome in oth Languages ci y ° intent & meaning of them was found all out & he had

made a book thereof how y Craft was founded & he himfelf gave command y' it fhould be read or told when y' any Mafons fhould be made & to give them y" charge And from y * day to this day Man '" of Mafons have been kept & obferved in y' forme as well as men might Obferve & governe it . "

NOTE . —This Roll is of the date of 1600 or thereabouts and is the oldest of theYork MSS . It is endorsed " Found in Pontefract Castle at the demolishing , and given to the Lodge by Francis Drake 1732 . "

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It is reported from Chicago that eight hundred Masons of Illinois , Ohio , Indiana and Wisconsin assembled at the Englewood Masonic Temple recently to witness the presentation of the Masonic silver trowel to the Mystic Star Lodge of Englewood . The trowel , which is to travel around the globe , as a symbol of brotherly love and affection in the Order , is to remain in the possession of the local lodge for

thirty days , and then continue on its long journey . The trowel was started on its trip by the Justice Lodge of New York city last October , and already has passed to seven different Grand Jurisdictions and states in the United States and Canada . Twelve years will be required for it to go the entire journey . The emblem came to Chicago from Elkhart , Ind .