Enniskillen Masonic Lodges
Enniskillen Masonic Lodges
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Communication:
Warrant 891
The following extract was written by J.L.Carson P.M. on 1st June, 1897. In the Records of the Grand Lodge of Ireland we find as follows - "Received as per dates for the following Warrants, 891 Belleek - town, granted 5th March, 1801, £3.8s.3d. It will thus be seen that the Warrant of Lodge 891 was first issued to some Brethren in Belleek, and we find further that its first Worshipful Master was Brother John Quin. At this period Freemasonry flourished greatly in Ireland, the Right Worshipful and Right Honourable Richard, Earl of Donoughmore, being Grand Master of Ireland. The country was divided into 32 Masonic Districts, Fermanagh, with 45 Lodges, was the tenth. Four of these Lodges, No's. 17, 468, 595 and 864, met in Enniskillen, and besides 891, Lodge 928 also met in Belleek. Lodge 891 appears regularly in the Records of the Grand Lodge down to 1813, and not withstanding the inducements held out by the "Grand East of Ulster," never swerved in its Loyalty to the Grand Lodge of Ireland. Under the heading of "Warrants Removed," we find the Grand Lodge Records that ""891 is removed from Belleek to Enniskillen," that Peter Duffy was Worshipful Master, and that 10/10, the usual Grand Lodge dues, were duly paid on 27th December 1813. This was the most eventful year in the History of Freemasonry in the World, being the year of the "Glorious Union," and as to mark it, this Lodge started its useful career in Enniskillen. We find Lodge 891 mentioned frequently in the Grand Lodge Records, notably in the years 1816, 1819, 1822,and 1826, and this bring us to our first existing minute book, which opens in 1838; from that date to present we have well preserved and carefully kept minutes of all our proceedings. On the establishment of the "Provincial Grand Lodge of Tyrone and Fermanagh" in 1869, Lodge 891 was honoured by the selection of Bro. Col. John G. Irvine,D.L., one of its Past Masters, as Provincial Deputy Grand Master, and Brother Edward Gamble as Provincial Grand Steward. Since then the Lodge has never been without the honour of a Provincial Grand Officer amongst its members. In thus reviewing the past of 891, the names of some of hte Brethren stand out like beacons bright, Brethren who each in his day guarded the Ancient Landmarks of our Order, and handed them down to his Successors in the Lodge as unsullied as the day they themselves first received the charge. Such names as Brother J. Davis, in whose house the Lodge met previous to 1838, Brothers Murdock and McCullagh, the Secretaries of 50 years since, Brother Charley Mills, the Organist; Brothers Sandy Price, William Campbell, and C.J.C.Jones, father of the present "Father of the Lodge" our worthy Secretary, W.F.Jones). These are the names, if we read the history of our Lodge aright, that have preserved to us our Warrant. All honour to their silent clay. Before laying down the pen let me pay a tribute of Brotherly Love to Brother W.F.Jones, who for the last twenty years has initiated, passed and raised every member of Lodge 891, and also installed its Masters. To his care we owe these Bye-Laws, to his father before him, Bro.C.J.C.Jones, we owe the Bye-laws of 1858 and 1876. Who the worthy Brethren were that framed our first Bye-Laws we know not, nor can we tell who will frame our next; but we trust Lodge 891 may be prosperous then as now, and that her craftsmen maybe as loyal to their Lodge and Order as those of to-day and those of the past.
The following extract was written by A.W.G.Ritchie P.M. on 23rd October 1925. On the occasion of the revision of the Lodge By-Laws I have been requested to add a few lines to the foregoing excellent historical sketch of Bro. Carson. Bro. Carson's health unfortunately, necessitated his leaving the country some years ago, but in Virginia, U.S.A., where he has since resided, he is a tower of strength to Freemasonry, being Contributing Editor to one of the leading Masonic Journals in America, and hi intense enthusiasm in the advancement of our Order remains unabated. Bro. Jones, to great grief of his brethren has been compelled by advancing years to cease from active participation in the work of the Lodge. At the installation dinner in January, 1921, the brethren presented him with a handsome Silver Salver, suitably inscribed, in token of appreciation of the invaluable services rendered by him as Secretary and Treasurer over a period of forty years. Bro. Jones has been succeeded in office by Bro. W.J.Irwin. Our grand old Lodge continues to prosper. Our assemblies are still permeated with the true Masonic atmosphere of brotherly love and mutual respect for which they have been noted. Our doors remain barred and bolted against all elements tending to create discord or ill will. Lodge 891 preserves, with jealous care, the ancient landmarks, and cherishes the memory of its great sons, so many of whom have been called away, but whose influence remains alive and indestructible. If we, in the present, but permit ourselves to be guided and moulded by the splendid traditions of the years that have passed, our future will be assured. We are not particularly concerned with Masonic "novelties" or being outwardly "up to date," Our charges come down on us from time immemorial, our landmarks have evolved out of the centuries, the principles of brotherly love, charity and truth are as old as the throne of the Great Architect, the Great Lights have shone through countless ages. As Freemasons, as brethren of one Lodge, if we but find ourselves, in the essentials, in the things that matter, at one with the giants of the past then all will be well. Let us pray that we be worthy successors of the builders of our Lodge, that we may be animated with the same loyalty, love and fraternal spirit, and that, at length, we may attain the goal at which they, in the providence of the Great God of the Universe, have arrived.
On 18 November 1922, a collection of certificates belonging to the late Brother Maurice L. Davies was exhibited before the Lodge of Research, No. CC, in Dublin. (Transactions, 1922, pp. 92-93.) There were thirteen in all, including certificates of
Brother Davies is registered in Grand Lodge of Ireland books as Maurice L. Howard Davies, in Lodge 891, Enniskillen, 3 October 1856. He affiliated to Lodge 184, Drum, Co. Monaghan, on 12 March 1867, and to Lodge 120, Dublin, in March 1869.
Masonic Intelligence. , Saturday:- The brethren of the Masonic Lodge No. 891, met yesterday evening at five o'clock, it being the anniversary of St. John and to install Brother Major John Irvine as W.M. for the ensuing six months; after which the brethren and a number of their friends from the country sat down to dinner, which was supplied by Br. Lingard in the very best style. BNL 22 December, 1868. NP. Vol. D.p. 158.
In the County Fermanagh we lost in Br. Josiah Maguire a Mason who held the confidence and respect of all who knew him. He was, at the time of his death, Secretary of Lodge 891. Enniskillen, and our Order has lost a true and sterling brother. Belfast Telegraph 11 January, 1930. NP Vol. E. p. H5
Click below to find out the links with the Saints John and the Masonic Order. Saints John and the Masonic Order.
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