HISTORY OF THE LODGE OF TRANQUILLITY
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The history of the Lodge of Tranquillity now extends over two hundred and thirty years. It reflects much of the history of Freemasonry as we know it. Traditionally, Freemasonry is derived from the building of the Temple at Jerusalem by King Solomon. Historically, the earliest origins of the Craft are unknown but it is at present generally believed that freemasonry, as we know it, originated some three hundred years ago in this country. No doubt at that time it drew upon earlier origins of which fragmentary evidence remains.
Tranquillity claims descent under the old constitutions granted by Prince Edwin in A.D. 926. The first Book of Constitutions was published in 1723 by Dr. James Anderson and incorporated a history of the Craft. This was partly factual but also drew on scripture and legend to produce a continuous history from the Garden of Eden down to the founding of Grand Lodge in 1717. In the course of the history he refers to the great assembly of masons called at York in A.D. 926. There is no historical proof that this assembly ever took place but it was an old tradition and one which persisted for centuries.
The most important date in the history of present day freemasonry may be considered as 24th June 1717. On that date four lodges came together and formed the Grand Lodge. Very soon it assumed the responsibility of regulating the Craft. In 1723 Grand Lodge ruled that no lodge could be considered regular unless formed under the authority of Grand Lodge. This was essential to keep regular freemasonry distinct from the many quasi and non masonic bodies which were then being formed. The influence of Grand Lodge was at first only local. Many lodges outside London and Middlesex continued working quite independently.
Other Grand Lodges were also formed. For a short time there were five Grand Lodges operating independently of each other. The most important of these was the Antient Grand Lodge. A new Grand Lodge was formed in 1751 or 1752. Its members felt at odds with the premier Grand Lodge for many reasons. They considered Grand Lodge to be weakly organised and strongly resented what they regarded as departures from immemorial tradition and basic masonic concepts.
There were several departures from tradition. They included the opening of the Craft to non Christians, neglect of St. Johns day as a special day in the masonic calendar, certain changes in ritual, some of which had been adopted as a defence against intruders following early exposures, and the refusal of the premier Grand Lodge to recognise the Royal Arch degree. Although this Grand Lodge was formed later, they adopted the title of Antient and referred to the original Grand Lodge with some contempt as "Moderns". The Antients owed much to Scottish and Irish influence.
Most of the lodges forming and meeting in London at this time met in taverns or in the Coffee and Chocolate houses which were such an important and popular part of the social scene. The earliest coffee house known in London opened in 1652. One hundred years later there were thousands of them. Popular locations were the City, St. James's and Covent Garden. The formation of The Lodge of Tranquillty. Our warrant is dated 20th December 1787 and is issued under the Antient Constitution. The Lodge first met at the Anacreon Coffee House in Great Russell Street, Covent Garden. The site of that coffee house is now a public open space close to the Opera House and facing the former Covent Garden market
The Lodge was given the number 244. In common with most lodges of the time it did not have a name. No minute was kept of the initial meeting but it can be assumed that following the practice of the period there was no consecration ceremony as we now know it, although a certain formality was observed. The Lodge will have been opened and the Master and his Wardens installed. The Lodge Book containing the rules and bye laws will then have been presented. The Lodge Book was signed by John McCormick, the Grand Secretary of the Antients, who may well have been one of the consecrating officers.
Very little information survives from the earliest days. Meetings will have been typical of those at the time. Members would be seated round the lodge table working lectures in catechetical form. For certain ceremonies, the floor would be marked out in chalk, which would be wiped clean with a mop at the end of the evening. Food and drink would have been served through the evening and, at intervals, there would be formal toasts, and songs. The evening would literally close in harmony. The Lodge however had its ups and downs. There were financial problems as early as 1790 and there are no records of any meetings in 1798 and 1799. Regular quarterage payments to the Antient Grand Lodge show, however, that the Lodge continued in being.
In 1793, war broke out with France. 1797 saw a banking crisis and there were naval mutinies at Spithead and the Nore. Many lodges stopped functioning on a regular basis, or ceased completely. Freemasonry itself came under threat with the passing of the Unlawful Societies Act in 1799, but masonic lodges were granted a special limited exemption. There were however hopeful signs for the future of freemasonry.
In 1798 the Antients and the Moderns decided to appoint a committee to work together for the reconciliation of the two Grand Lodges. This finally came about in 1813 when Articles of Union were signed. Our Lodge was actively involved. W. Bro. James McCann our Secretary at the date of Union was elected a member of the Lodge of Reconciliation and W.Bro. Thomas Satterly was later elected an additional member. All lodges were renumbered on Union. Our number became No. 308. In a quarterly communication of Grand Lodge in 1816, the Lodge is referred to for the first-time as the Lodge of Tranquillity. A Royal Arch Chapter was sponsored. Jerusalem Chapter first convened in 1818
A number of meetings were postponed for lack of attendance. The Treasurer had a hand to mouth budget. There was a period of comparative prosperity in the late 1830's but, partly because of overspending on hotel bills, the lodge was frequently close to insolvency. In 1848 a Lodge of Emergency was held for the settling of accounts. Nine members put up a guinea each which enabled the hotel bills to be met, but there were still debts outstanding including dues to Grand Lodge. Help was, however, at hand from an unexpected quarter. 1849 was to be a watershed in the history and fortunes of the Lodge
Differences arose in the Lodge of Joppa when the brethren of that Lodge failed to elect their Senior Warden to the Chair of King Solomon. Feelings ran high and several members decided to secede. Having heard that the Lodge of Tranquillity was in some difficulty they approached the W.M., Henry Braidley. It was agreed to receive the brethren seceding from the Lodge of Joppa as joining members. In January 1849, nine members joined. Five of them put up £10 each to free the Lodge from debt. In February Barnett Moss was installed as Master and Lewis Isaacs became Treasurer. The Lodge received many gifts from the new members including the ancient Hebrew Bible which we still use. The Immediate Past Masters jewel is also a memento of that period.
Since 1849 the lodge has always been prosperous and enthusiastically supported. The loans were paid off by 1851. Membership grew. Some of the older members were not happy, and there were some resignations, but these were few. More than once, during the next fifty years, concern was expressed that the lodge was growing too large. By the 1880s, membership was about ninety, and meetings went on for several hours. The Lodge received its present number, 185, when lodge numbering was closed up by Grand Lodge in 1883. Masonic and other charities were generously supported.
In 1835 a scheme was proposed to set up a home for the elderly. In 1842 Grand Lodge set up the Royal Masonic Annuity Fund. The two charities merged in 1850 to form the Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution. In 1843 two of our brethren promised to donate three pounds a year between them into the then newly established Annuity Fund. This was the beginning of an unbroken tradition of support for the Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution.
Numerous non masonic charities have also been supported. As would be expected of a lodge with a substantial Jewish membership, Jewish charities have on occasion been assisted, notably at the end of the nineteenth century when refugees from the Russian pogroms needed our help, and again fifty years later when others were refugees from Germany.
A regular feature of the Tranquillity year for many years is a lunch for the residents of Harewood Court Hove, followed by an entertainment provided by the members of Playgoers Lodge. In recent years this occasion has been supported by our progeny. Except when interrupted by war, since 1895 the lunch has taken place annually.
The late nineteenth and early twentieth century was a great period in our history. The size and vitality of the Lodge membership reflected both their enthusiasm and the undoubted professional and commercial success of many members. The present Lodge of Instruction was established in 1895. With only occasional interruptions, it has met regularly ever since and has formed a vital part of the life of the lodge. It has now held more than 2000 regular meetings. High standards were set, but still fell short of the expectations of some members. There was a complaint in 1912 that at the festive board, the choice of champagne was limited to two brands.
The loss of the Titanic on its maiden voyage in 1912 symbolised the end of an era. In 1914 Europe was at war. We honour the memory of one young member. Robert Barnett Abrahams, a solicitor, was the son of Louis and Millie Abrahams. The family were originally from Leeds. In London they lived first in Dalston but by 1915 had moved to Maida Hill. He was initiated in this Lodge in 1915 and raised in January 1916. Later that same year he was commissioned into the Yorkshire Regiment, better known as the Green Howards. Lieutenant Abrahams was killed in action on September 14th 1916, near Thiepval. He was 24 years old. He has no known grave.
The war ended in 1918 and a thanksgiving service to mark the end of hostilities took place in December 1918. Special grants were made to Naval and Military charities. The Lodge received the Hall Stone jewel for their contribution to the construction of this building, which stands as a memorial to those who gave their lives in the war. A notable event took place in 1923, when this Lodge, supported by eight others, sponsored the first masonic service to be held in a synagogue. It took place at Brondesbury Synagogue. The Chief Rabbi officiated and special dispensation was given to permit the wearing of masonic clothing. This unique occasion was in support of the Norwood Orphanage and the Masonic Hospital
In 1939 war broke out again. Many members were immediately involved in military service or other work of National importance. Meetings were held early in the day and at first irregularly. The Lodge effectively met primarily as a lodge of instruction until 1943. Meetings then resumed on a more regular basis. The first candidate was initiated since 1939. On December 28th/29th 1940, the City of London suffered a heavy air raid and great damage was caused by fire, particularly in the area around St. Paul’s Cathedral. Among the buildings destroyed were the offices of the Lodge Secretary, Cecil Hills. During that raid the Lodge suffered a most serious material loss. All the early minute books and records were lost, together with much other valuable and irreplaceable lodge property. Fortunately the Bible and Warrant were kept separately, and have survived. One happy memory can however be associated with the war years. In 1941 the Treasurer of the Lodge of Tranquillity, No. 436 of Victoria Australia wrote to say his members wished to send a word of masonic cheer. Subsequently they adopted members of their older namesake, and for some years afterwards sent greetings, good wishes and, on occasion, food parcels. It was an act of generosity which will not be forgotten.
The War finally ended in 1945. The years of war were followed first by years of austerity, then by great economic and technical developments as well as major social changes which have affected the lodge and all its members. Our lodge has always included members from a wide range of backgrounds. In the earliest days, many members were artisans, sailors and tradesmen. Later many were engaged in industry and commerce.
Many brethren remain engaged in industry and commerce. As we entered our third century there was an increasing number of members drawn from the professions. But some things are unchanging. The composition of our Lodge, the ritual and other aspects of our work have developed and adapted with the passing of time, but the principles taught to our first initiate, Patrick Connor, carpenter, initiated in this Lodge on 3rd January 1783, and those taught today remain the same.
Since its foundation our Lodge has welcomed more than one thousand initiates and joining members. Many have rendered significant service to the Lodge and to the Craft. As we look back over two hundred and twenty five years, let us remember some of their names.
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Firstly the Founders.
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W.M Joseph Bennet Edward Scott Thomas Craig James Butterfield James Tatlock Owen Quinn
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Let us remember just a few of the many Past Masters who gave particular service to the Craft and the Lodge during the first one hundred years.
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James McCann and Thomas Satterly, who were Members of the Lodge of Reconciliation.
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Henry Braidley, W.M. in 1848, to whom the survival of the Lodge may be due.
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John Constable, historian, W.M in 1874, to whom we owe much of our knowledge of the earliest days.
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During our two hundred and twenty five years plus, very many members have given devoted and exceptional service to the Lodge and the Craft.
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Henry Krusin PGStdB, historian and an outstanding member for 57 years.
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Cecil Hills PAGDC, Secretary from 1914 to 1945. He followed his father into this office, which they held for a combined period of 47 years.
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Edward Adler PGStdB, Secretary for 24 years.
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Felix Nabarro, LGR, LGCR, in whose honour the Felix Nabarro Memorial Fund was established.
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Leslie Joel PJGD PAGS(RA) He was immensely active and influential in this Lodge and the several other lodges and side degrees with which he was associated
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Our Bicentennial was marked in 1987 by the publication of a new history of our Lodge, and by the establishment of the Tranquillity Bicentennial Fund. The fund was set up in 1980 with the object of raising £50,000 for the benefit of the Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution, with which we have for so long been associated. By the time it closed the fund had raised a total of almost £72,000. This was commemorated by the dedication of a room in the home at Bury St Edmunds in the name of this Lodge.
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Since the Bicentennial The Lodge has continued its regular work with a steady intake of Initiates and joining members.
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The Lodge was a Founder Member of Metropolitan Grand Lodge.
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Charitable work has continued and has been recognised by the Lodge being appointed a Patron of the Masonic Samaritan Fund, and receiving The Metropolitan Grand Masters Gold Award for the London Appeal for the RMBI
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We may now look back over 230 years with pleasure and pride, and look forward to the future with anticipation and optimism