Authority of Workings 1923
From th
From the Archives
"Authority of Workings now current"
Extract from Masonic Ritual – Described, Compared and Explained – by J. Walter Hobbs – pub. 1923
The multiplicity of Systems of Ritual, or working as more conveniently called for our purpose prevents a consideration of them all. Those chiefly in use or demand comprise Emulation, Stability, West-end, Oxford, Logic, West London, North London, Metropolitan, and so on. For the purposes of the present discussion I have selected the first five and do so not with any intention of placing them in any position of superiority or validity, but rather in the place they appear to occupy by age, general usage, and acceptance. The pride of place from the point of view of age must be awarded to STABILITY.
The Stability Lodge of Instruction was formed in the year 1817, and its founders were largely Ancients, Brethren who had occupied a prominent place in the Lodge of Reconciliation, viz.: Bros. Philip Broadfoot, the first Preceptor, James McCann and Thomas Satterly. It is claimed, and no doubt with truth, that these Brethren taught the forms and ceremonies they learnt, or assisted in forming at the Lodge of Reconciliation at which they were very assiduous in attendance. In all eight members of that Lodge joined the Lodge of Instruction at various times, including the Rev. Dr. Hemming who was the Master of that Lodge.
The succession of Preceptors from the first meeting to the present day has been continuous and included Bro. Peter Thomson, joined 1817, Preceptor with Broadfoot 1817-35, then sole Preceptor till 1851. Henry Muggeridge, joined 1839, Preceptor 1851-85. Eustace Anderson, joined 1880, acting Preceptor for a short time prior to the retirement of Muggeridge, and thereafter till 1900 – succeeded by the present Preceptor, W.Bro. F. W. Golby, P.A.G.D.C., joined 1895. This Lodge of Instruction has, therefore, been in active and continuous existence and work for over 105 years under the sanction of the same Lodge, the Lodge of Stability, No. 217. During this period four Preceptors carry the working back to the founding of the Lodge of Instruction and it is claimed that throughout the work has been, and is, the actual working settled by the Lodge of Reconciliation and approved by Grand Lodge in 1816. Bro. Golby has admirably stated the history and claims of his Lodge of Instruction in “A Century of Masonic Working” (1921),otherwise referred to as “A Century of Stability.”
The Stability Lodge of Instruction was formed in the year 1817, and its founders were largely Ancients, Brethren who had occupied a prominent place in the Lodge of Reconciliation, viz.: Bros. Philip Broadfoot, the first Preceptor, James McCann and Thomas Satterly. It is claimed, and no doubt with truth, that these Brethren taught the forms and ceremonies they learnt, or assisted in forming at the Lodge of Reconciliation at which they were very assiduous in attendance. In all eight members of that Lodge joined the Lodge of Instruction at various times, including the Rev. Dr. Hemming who was the Master of that Lodge.
The succession of Preceptors from the first meeting to the present day has been continuous and included Bro. Peter Thomson, joined 1817, Preceptor with Broadfoot 1817-35, then sole Preceptor till 1851. Henry Muggeridge, joined 1839, Preceptor 1851-85. Eustace Anderson, joined 1880, acting Preceptor for a short time prior to the retirement of Muggeridge, and thereafter till 1900 – succeeded by the present Preceptor, W.Bro. F. W. Golby, P.A.G.D.C., joined 1895. This Lodge of Instruction has, therefore, been in active and continuous existence and work for over 105 years under the sanction of the same Lodge, the Lodge of Stability, No. 217. During this period four Preceptors carry the working back to the founding of the Lodge of Instruction and it is claimed that throughout the work has been, and is, the actual working settled by the Lodge of Reconciliation and approved by Grand Lodge in 1816. Bro. Golby has admirably stated the history and claims of his Lodge of Instruction in “A Century of Masonic Working” (1921),otherwise referred to as “A Century of Stability.”
Extract from Masonic Ritual – Described, Compared and Explained – by J. Walter Hobbs – pub. 1923
Courtesy of Union Lodge No.127 - www.unionlodge127.org.uk/union-muggeridge-working
Courtesy of Union Lodge No.127 - www.unionlodge127.org.uk/union-muggeridge-working
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