PAST MASTER'S JEWEL 1971
CATEGORIES OF JEWELS
TORCH LODGE No. 668
PAST MASTER'S JEWEL 1971
CONTENTS:-
[TO JUMP DIRECTLY TO A SECTION CLICK ON NUMBER ]
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1. DESCRIPTION OF JEWEL.
2. SHORT HISTORY OF WARRANT No. 668.
3. HISTORY OF TORCH LODGE No. 668, 1937 - 1999.
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OBVERSE OF JEWEL
A silver Past Master's Jewel suspended from a sky blue ribbon by two silver bars.
The top and bottom bars have the name of the Lodge "Torch Masonic Lodge No. 668" inscribed thereon.
The Compass and Square is a standard silver Past Master's Jewel with a fixed "G".
REVERSE OF JEWEL
The reverse of the Jewel bears the inscription :
"W.Bro. J. Trotter,
1971"
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2. SHORT HISTORY OF WARRANT No. 668.
Warrant No. 668 issued to `Lodge of Unity' in DONAGHRISK, Cookstown, Co. Tyrone on the 3rd May 1787. Warrant No. 668 was Removed to COOKSTOWN, Co. Tyrone in or about 1792. Warrant No. 668 wasCancelled on the 1st July 1815 "for neglect of duty."
[The above represents the barest of facts relating to Warrant No. 668 before same reissued to Torch Lodge No. 668 - the IRISH MASONIC RECORDS cd-rom gives a very full account of the Lodges who held Warrant No. 668 for the years setout above]
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3. HISTORY OF TORCH LODGE No. 668.
The Minutes of the Grand Lodge dated 2nd December 1937 show concerning Warrant No. 668 -
"2 December, 1937 – Grand Lodge granted the following new Warrant – “The Torch” No. 668, Mountpottinger, Co. Down."
Warrant No. 668 reissued to `Torch Lodge' in the Mount Masonic Hall, MOUNTPOTTINGER, BELFAST on the 9th December 1937.
Series five Vol. 20 shown as Vol. 5 of the extant Grand Lodge Registers shows -
"Warrant No. 668 to Mountpottinger, Belfast as “Torch Lodge”, 9th December 1937 - Edward Armstrong, Clerk; Thomas Everitt, Motor Driver and James Tate, Boot Merchant, all from Lodge No. 558, registered along with twelve others from various lodges, 9 December, 1937."
Torch Lodge No. 668 was Constituted in The Mount Masonic Hall, Belfast on Thursday, 3rd March 1938 by the Rt. Wor. Bro. the Rt. Hon. H.G.H. Mulholland, D.L., M.P., Provincial Grand Master assisted by Officers of the Provincial Grand Lodge of Down.
The Lodge had fifteen Foundation Members, W. Bro. Edward Armstrong being the first Master. The Wardens, Bros. Thomas Everitt and James Tate, Bro. William Allen being the Treasurer and W. Bro. John Croft the Secretary.
The Minute of The Provincial Grand Lodge of Down dated 3rd March 1938 show in regard to the Constitution of Torch Lodge No. 668 -
"Masonic Hall, The Mount, Belfast
3rd March, 1938.
An Occasional Communication of the Provincial Grand Lodge of Down was held in the Masonic Hall, The Mount, Belfast on Monday, 3rd March, 1938, at 7 o’clock p.m., for the purpose of Constituting and Dedicating the ‘Torch’ Masonic Lodge No. 668. The R.W. Bro. The Rt. Hon. H.G.H. Mulholland, MP., DL., Provincial Grand Master presiding.
The following Provincial Grand Lodge Officers were in attendance:-
Nothing Recorded.
The Brethren being assembled in the Lodge Room the procession was formed and the Officers of the Provincial Grand Lodge entered. The Provincial Grand Lodge was opened on the first degree and afterwards proceeded to the ceremony of Constituting and Dedicating the New Lodge which was carried out with great dignity in accordance with ancient ritual.
The Provincial Grand Master Installed, W. Bro. Edward Armstrong as first Worshipful Master and afterwards W. Bro. Armstrong installed in perfect ritual form the following officers:-
None recorded.
The New Lodge conducted routine business.
The Provincial Grand Lodge Officers resumed their places and the Communication was closed in due form.
The New Lodge afterwards entertained the Provincial Grand Lodge and other brethren to Dinner and the usual Toasts were given and honoured.
(Signed) H.G.H. Mulholland, P.G.M.
W.J. Price, Prov. Grand Secretary
10 May, 1938."
A total of 89 brethren registered up to 10th October 1951. In most cases the dates when the issue of certificates is shown, together with the occupation of the brother.
Series six Vol. 23 of the extant Grand Lodge Register commences with the registration of Herbert Beck, P.O. Royal Navy, registered 23rd December 1952.
A total of 102 brethren registered up to 9th November 1983. In most cases the dates when the issue of certificates is shown, together with the occupation of the brother.
Warrant No. 668 was Removed to The Masonic Hall, SYDENHAM, BELFAST in September 1987.
From 1984 the registration of members of TORCH LODGE NO. 668 is held, in alphabetical order, in a computerised register by Grand Lodge, Freemasons’ Hall, 17 Molesworth Street, Dublin 2. The Registration of the Worshipful Master, Wardens and Secretary of Lodges are held in separate Registers, the first Volume covering the period 1983 to 1994 inclusive and the second Volume covering from 1995 to1998.
The Minutes of the Grand Lodge Board of General Purposes dated 11th February 1999 show concerning Warrant No. 668 -
"11 February, 1999 - The Board noted with regret for reporting to Grand Lodge the decision of the Brethren of Lodge No. 668 The Mount, Belfast to return the Warrant to Grand Lodge."
The Recommendation of The Board was followed,as is shown in the Grand Lodge Minutes of 28th December 1999 as "Noted"
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WARRANT No. 668 LABOURED FROM 1787 to 1815 AND 1937 to 1999 FOR SOME 90 YEARS.
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