Rosemere Lodge
History of
Rosemere Lodge
WHENCE COME WE ?
Part One
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A.F. & A.M., the words represented by the initials may seem like a riddle. Why ancient? Why free? Why accepted? Indeed - why Masons?
A partial explanation is offered by one of the charges in the B.O.C.; "Ancient as having existed from time immemorial", that is "From a time we cannot remember". But memories are short and the ardent inquirer must wonder where the Brotherhood Springs from.
If one consults available historical chronicles one will come across statements "That the Modern Craft is like a mighty river produced by the confluence of two separate streams".
The source of one is found in the Collegia Artificum established from 715 to 673, B.C. by Numa, King of Rome. The Roman Colleges Of Artisans had various grades of membership and officers not unlike our Master and Wardens Both Krause and Heldmann advance the doctrine that Freemasonry, as it now exists, is indebted for all its characteristics and its very design and object to the Roman Colleges. Beside their industrial functions, they carried out certain religions observances. As Rome conquered the then known world, the Colleges of builders went with them.
During the fifth century A.D., the barbarian invasions shattered the Roman Empire and the mystic art lingered on in the Lombard Region.
Protected throughout the dark ages by the famous Comacine Masters, The travelling Masons re-entered the public scene at the end of the Eleventh Century and proceeded to fill Europe with Majestic Gothic cathedrals.
In the course of time, they implanted Masonry in England, produced the craft guild and thus established the future parents of Freemasonry.
At some stage, The Bui1ders Craft absorbed the tenets and methods of the Ancient Mystery Religions. Wherever the latter had established, certain moral and philosophical truths were at the core and initiates were introduced to these by symbolical means. Special mention must be given to the fact that at the centre of the ritual was often a legend recounting how some hero was raised from the dead.
In broad brush strokes, such is the history often taught during the 19th century. It is however a fact that there have been some Masons all over the world since the dawn of time. Also lessons of morality have been imparted by means of Allegory in all Ancient Societies.
In some sense, both can be called forbears of Masonry, but no conclusive
link; can be established.
We can say with certainty that modern speculative lodges descend from
British Craft Masons of six hundred years ago.
This theory we hope to discuss in subsequent issues.
The decline of operative Masonry came about with the great fire of London in 1666 and a disastrous series of fires in Edinburgh, peaking in 1674. A vast amount of stone rebuilding became necessary too much work for any local craft guild. The above mentioned strict control was lost, when anyone who could " hammer and nail" was granted the freedom of London for seven years and when this term was gainfully completed, for the rest of their lives.
These bene6ts had formerly been extended to craft guild members only and the Mason's company had lost the main incentive which allowed it to dominate the trade.
Thus, the lodges had to find other ways to account for their continued existence. At first, they transformed into Benevolent Societies, mainly concerned with the relief of distressed Brethren. This preoccupation is featured in many Masonic documents of the 1670's and 1680's.
Once the aims were changed it became possible to have more than one lodge in a city or even to hold lodges where there had not previously been a Stonemasons' Guild.
In part three of this report we shall look at the acceptation of non-operatives.
Source; A.S. Frere, B.E. Jones, D.Knoop, A. Mellor.
Beyond The Pillard, A.G. Mackey
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