Notes On The Old Minute Books Of The British Union Lodge, No. 114, Ipswich. A.D. 1762.

the Master Avas occasionally at least elected half-yearly , and the Wardens instead of being the nomiuees of the Master were , like himself , elected by the brethren . At the next lodge meeting John H miter ' s name appears as Master , and John

Clarke ' s as P . M ., but there is nothing to SIIOAV that there Avas any special ceremony in inducting the new W . M . into the chair of K . S ., though Ave should be sorry to assert , as some of the exact writers ou Masonic subjects wouldthat the mere

, absence of mention of the admitting to the installed Master ' s degree , Avas proof positive that no such degree existed at this time .

On the 2 nd Aug ., 1702 , the Master appears to have been amongst the absentees , and John Clarke signs as D . Master , both on this and the following lodge night . Depute Master is quite a Scotch '' style , " and we never remember to have seen it in

an English minute book before . A Captain John Softley , of Sunderland , no doubt iu the mercantile service , was regularly made on this occasion . Robert Fenu appears to have served the office of T yler at this time . A Mr . Wm . Enefer , of Hanvich ,

Avas duly admitted a brother on the 15 th November , 1762 , and raised a fellowcraft the same night . This seems to have been a common practice to give the two degrees in one night , for on the very next lodge night Mr . John Baileyof Harwichwas

, , duly admitted a brother , and raised fellowcraft . At this time the Master is described as Right Worshipful , a term now only applied to Provincial Grand Masters in this country , though iu Scotland the holder of the gavel is still described as R . W . M .

Right Worshipful , by the way , is , if Ave mistake not , the style of a Knight whilst Worshipful is that of an Esquire . The former is still used , we believe , by some of the Mayors of our older corporations in the great cities , by the Vicar General of the

Province of Canterbury , and the Judge of the Bishop of London ' s Consistory Court , though the latter is the more usual title assumed by Mayors aud Aldermen , and , AVC believe , the Masters of the City Livery Companiesthe relics of the trade guilds

, of the middle ages . According to Burke Mayors of boroughs and Justices of the Peace are Esquires by virtue of their office ; so are servants of the Crown , holdin " responsible and independent portions , and

it is on this ground that magistrates are always addressed as "Your Worship . " The modern fashion of dubbing everybody Esquire who does not actually keep a shop , is as ridiculous as the servant-galism of the day Avhose representatives have their letters addressed Missand speak of each

, other as . " me and another young lady . " But we are sadly digressing—from the title Worship ful . Does it not suggest itself to our brethren that the mere title accorded

to a Master shows that his position as such Avas considered a century ago , and should be now , as one of \ ery high importance iu the craft ; and , as in choosing the Mayor of a town , it is generally the most distinguished citizen AVIIO can be prevailed upon to take the office who is selected to

fill the post , and the one whose means , social position , or great talent justify the selection ; so in Masonry , Ave should always be careful to put into office brethren to whom the title Worshipful might properly be applied , Avithout raising a sneer from

the outside Avorld at its application to a brother who fails to dignify the office , either by his capacity , his character , or his position in society . But this is a digression which , in later years , at all eventscould have no possible application

, so far as the British Union Lodge is concerned , a lodge which at the present time occupies the first position in the province of Suffolk , and compares favourably in the social status of its members with almost

any lodge in England . Recurring to our notes of the British Union , we find that Bro . Wm . Clarke was unanimously chosen Master at the St . John ' s Festival , 27 th Dec . 1702 , at which time the Wardens Avere also elected . The names of brethren

absent appear to be regulaily recorded , and against their names at the January meeting , iu 1703 , ive find that the forfeits are to be paid the first night Avhen present . Whether a recurrence to this goodold

, practice would secure a more regular attendance at lodge meetings , AVC do not know , and , perhaps , so far as the members generally are concerned , it would be uiiAvise to revive the rule ; but Avith regard to office-bearers it is a matter for

consideiation for the craft generally whether a fine (¦ which should invariably be enforced ) inflicted upon all officers absent at regular lodge meetings Avould not be a sure Avay