StJohnGLandStAndrew
INTERACTIONS BETWEEN ST. JOHN'S GRAND LODGE AND THE LODGE OF ST. ANDREW
The Lodge of St. Andrew was chartered by the Grand Lodge of Scotland in 1756. St. John's Grand Lodge did not recognize their legitimacy, and objected to their presence and the intrusion of the Grand Lodge of Scotland where a Provincial Grand Master had been appointed by the Grand Lodge of England.
LETTER FROM THE GRAND MASTER OF SCOTLAND, JUNE 1762
From Proceedings, Page I-90:
Extract of a Letter from the Earl of Elgin and Kincardin Grand Master of Scotland dated Edinburgh 4th June 1762:
"The last Reason assign'd by the Lodges in Boston for their unkind behaviour to you, is that the Right Worshipful Jeremiah Girdley Esqr. looks upon your Charter as an infringement of his Province as Grand Master of North America; it is my Opinion there may be some Mistake in this; You say he saw, Read and approved of your Charter, if he had any Objections, he certainly would have Signified them to You when you Show'd him your Charter; I am Confident my Right Worshipful Brother Jeremiah Gridley Esqr. knows and observes the Principles of Masonry better than to take Offence where there is not the smallest Reason given for it.
"I do not doubt nor dispute his Authority as Grand Master of all the Lodges in North America who acknowledge the Authority, and hold of the Grand Lodge of England, as he certainly has a Warrant and Commission from the Grand Master of England to that Effect; The Grand Master and Grand Lodge of Scotland have also Granted Warrant and Commission to our Rt. Worshipful Brother, Col. John Young Esqr. Constituting and Appointing him Provincial Grand Master of all the Lodges in North America who acknowledge the Authority and hold of the Grand Lodge of Scotland; these Commissions when Rightly understood can never Clash or interfere with each other. . .
"I must observe that you have made a Mistake in Your Address to the Lord Aberdour in giving him the Title of Grand Master of Great Britain; he granted your Charter as Grand Master of Scotland, he was afterwards Elected Grand Master of England, but never had any Right to the Title of Grand Master of Great Britain. . .
"Your Mistake in this may (perhaps) have given Offence to my Rt. Worshipful Brother Jeremiah Gridley Esqr. and, if so, it is very proper you should acknowledge your being mistaken in this particular."
PETITION AND LETTER FROM LODGE OF ST. ANDREW, JANUARY 1766
From Proceedings, Page I-101:
Mess Samuel Barret Ezra Collings William Palfrey Sam1 Danforth Jr & Joseph Warren as a Committee from St. Andrews Lodge so call'd was Admitted into the Grand Lodge, and presented their Petition wch was read together with a Letter from the Grand Sec'y of the Grand Lodge in Scotland to the Sd St. Andrews Lodge which highly reflected on Right Worshipful Grand Master.
From Proceedings, Page I-101, Quarterly Communication adjourned to 01/27/1766:
Boston Jany 24th 5766
Right Worshipfull Grand Master Right Worshipf Deputy Grand Master & Wpfull Wardens & Other Grand Officers of the Grand Lodge of St. Johns in Grand Lodge Assembled
As Harmony and Sincere Friendship are ornaments which add the Greatest Lustre to Masonry, the Lodge of St. Andrew being assembled for the purposes of promoting Brotherly Love and Unity Have unanimously Voted that the Compliments of this Lodge should be presented to the Right Worshipfull Grand Master of North America, the Right Worshipful Deputy Grand Master Grand Wardens & all the Brethren holding under them desiring their Company at the Lodge of St. Andrew whenever it may be agreable to them and that there may be a happy Coalition.
- SAMUEL BARRET
- EZRA COLLINS
- WILLIAM PALFREY
- SAML DANFORTH JR.
- JOSEPH WARREN , Committee.
