| At first, there were these 4 Old Lodges in Europe, all soverign to themselves. They got together and decided to form a Grand Lodge composed of themselves. The Grand Lodge was to essentially be an administrative, deliberative body, something like Congress. The Master and Wardens of the Lodges would be the representatives and Past Masters of Lodges. The representatives would elect from amongst the Past Masters a Grand Master, and Grand Wardens, and other Grand Officers as needed. The Grand Lodge would grant charters to Work to these various Lodges. The Grand Lodge created by these four old Lodges was calling itself, the Grand Lodge of Westminster and London. There were other older Lodges, and there was bitter rivalry between these for the individual memberships. One called GL of Westminster and London began to calling itself the Grand Lodge of England. This is where the Modern Form originates. The nationalistic feeling and political distrust between the Irish and the English was very strong. The Irish and Scottish Lodges thought that these four old English Lodges were pretty arrogant to say that they were now THE GRAND LODGE OF ENGLAND, and did not join with them. Some of these got together, and formed other Grand Lodges, but the most significant was the Ancient Grand Lodge. The Grand Lodge of England then made certain changes in the way they did things, which were actually innovations in the Form of Masonry. The Irish and Scottish Grand Lodge adhering to the old way of doing things, started to call itself Ancient. So there came the distinction of the 2 GL, The Moderns and The Ancients. There was fierce rivalry between them. This brings to mind the issues still being fought today of recognitions *smile*. In 1813, the two Grand Lodges managed to get together. This happened because the Grand Master of the Moderns and the Grand Master of Ancients were physical brothers, and were both royalty. So they decided to unite the two Grand Lodges. The Lodge of Emulation was then created. It was a Lodge of reconciliation, where the two rituals would be worked into one that would then be emulated by ALL the Lodges. So, there was a great deal of compromising that had to occur to make this work. Feelings were still strong. But it was more important to them that they form this unity than it was that they have the other guy make all the concessions, and fight to "get their way." The two Lodges formed the (UGLE) United Grand Lodge of England, which continues to be the successor to the premier Grand Lodge today. Remaining Prayerful, Sis. Joyce Reaves |
| Ancients & Moderns |
| Greetings, I put this together from discussions I had with Mason's and Sisters in e-groups* and Instant Message* conversations. If you see anything that is incorrect or if you can add to it, please feel free to contact me and let me know. There is still alot I don't know or understand but so far this is what I have gleaned. Remaininng Prayerful, Sis. Joyce |
| * Thanks to: Bro. Michael McMullen, Bro. Rashied Sharrieff Al Bey, Sis. Carolyn Hams, Bro. Ezekiel M. Bey, Sis. Carolyn Epps, Bro. Michael Segall, Sis. Khalilah Darden, Bro. Richard Num, Bro. Rhan Blaze, Bro. Brian Fegeley, Bro. Nelson King, Bro. David Gray, Bro. Weston Harmon, Bro. Ralph McNeal, Sis. Sylvia Gembaroski and Bro. Kevin Gembaroski. And all the members of the E-Groups. |
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