The Freemasons And Architecture In England.

The four old lodges required of the new Grand Lodge a conditional clause to be inserted in the code of laws Avhich Avere then formed for the future government of the society , admitting that every Grand Lodge had an inherent power ancl authority

to make neAV regulations for the real benefit of the ancient Fraternity , provided always that the old landmarks be carefully preserved . This clause Avith 31 regulations preceding it , Avas confirmed ancl approved by 150

brethren at an annual assembly held on St , John the Baptist's Day , 1721 , and in their presence subscribed by the Master and Wardens of the four old lodges on the first part and by Philip Duke of Wharton , GM . Theo . Desaguliers , M . D ., F . R . S .,

. , D . G . M ., the Grand Wardens and Masters and Wardens of 16 lodges constituted between 1717 and 1721 on the other part . To commemorate this circumstance it has been customary since that time for the master of the oldest lodge to attend every

grand installation , and taking precedence of all present , the G . M . only excepted , to deliver the book of the original constitutions to the newly installed Grand

Master on Ins engaging to support the ancient charges and general regulations . Geo . Payne Avas G . M . in 1718 . He earnestly desired that the brethren Avould bring to the Grand Lodge any old records or Avritings concerning the Fraternity , shovring the usages of ancient times . In

consequence of this general intimation several old copies of the Gothic constitutions were produced , arranged and digested . This year at some of the private lodges to the irreparable loss of the Fraternity several valuable MSS ,, concerning the lodges

, regulations , charges , secrets , usages of masons , particularly one Avritten by Mr . Nicholas Stone , the Warden under Inigo Jones , Avere too hastily burnt by some scrupulous brethren AVIIO Avere alarmed at the intended publication of the Masonic

Constitutions . In 1721 John Duke of Montague Avas made Grand Master . During this period the General A ssembly or Grand Lodge of York continued regularl y to meet as heretofore . In 1705 Sir GeoTempestBartwas

| , . , ,, Gran d Master ; being succeeded by the Bt . Hon . Robert Benson , Lord Mayor of York ; Sir Wm . Robinson , " Bart ., succeeded to him . Sir Walter

Hawkes-Avorth , Bart ., next succeeded to the Grand Mastership . Masonry appeared to flourish in the north , and the utmost harmony existed between the two Grand Lodges . The only distinction between them Avas that the grand lodge in the south Avas

styled the Grand Lodge of England , that in the north the Grand Lodge of all England , a distinction with a difference similar to that of the titles of the two archbishops . Every Mason always held the Grand Lodge of all England in the

hig hest veneration ; its authority Avas neA'er challenged . To be ranked as descendants of the orig inal York Masons Avas the glory and boast of the brethren in almost every country Avhere Masonry has been regularly established , and from the prevalence and

universality of the idea that in the city of York Masonry Avas first authorised by charter , the masons of England have received tribute from the first states in Europe . The Knights Templar Avere recognised about 17 70 by this Grand Lodge . * Grand Master Payne Avas succeeded by the Duke of Montague , on the 24 th June , 1721 , on Avhich occasion Philip Lord Stanhope ,

afterwards Earl of Chester field , was initiated into Masonry . At this time Dr . Desaguliers and James Anderson , M . A ., men of genius and education , Avere appointed to revise and digest the otherconstitutions , old charges , ancl regulations . A committee of

14 learned brothers Avas appointed to examine the MSS . , and at Grand Lodge 1722 reported their approval of the same , and in 1723 the book of constitutions Avas published . The eccentric Duke of Wharton succeeded as Grand Master , and after him

followed the Duke of Buccleugh , Avho was succeeded by the Duke of Richmond . The Lord Paisley , afterwards Earl of Abercorn . next filled the office of Grand Master , and it Avas at this period that the brethren of Wales first united under the banner of the

Grand Lodge of England . The office of P . G . M . was now instituted . Among the noble edifices which were finished during the presidency of Lord Inchiquin Avho followed , Avas the church of St . Martin in the Fields . In 1727 Lord

Colerainc Avas elected Grand Master , ancl in 1728 Lord Kingston followed , and the Duke of Norfolk Avas saluted as Grand Master , installed in 1730 .