The Arcana of Freemasonry (1915) - The Masonic Trowel

24 THE ARCANA OF FREEMASONRY
such Lodge so transgressing
shall forfeit its
warrant, and the same may be disposed of
by Grand Lodge.
In 1 80 1 the older Grand Lodge
issued a counter-
blast. Some of its members were convicted of
having patronized and acted as principal officers
in "an irregular society calling themselves Ancient
Masons, in open
violation of the laws of the Grand
Lodge " ; and it was determined that the laws
should be enforced against these offending
Brethren, unless they immediately abandoned
such irregular meetings. These Brethren solicited
the indulgence of the Grand Lodge
for three
months, hoping that during the interval they might
be able to effect a union between the two
societies. The indulgence was granted, and " that
no impediment might pervert so desirable an
object, the charge against the offending Brethren
was withdrawn, and a committee, consisting of
Lord Moira and several other eminent characters,
was appointed to pave the way for the intended
union, and every means ordered to be used to
bring the erring Brethren to a sense of their duty
and allegiance." Nothing came of this, for two
years later the Grand Lodge was informed " that
the irregular Masons still continued refractory, and
that so far from soliciting readmission among the
Craft, they had not taken any steps to effect a