The Origin of Freemasonry and Knights Templar ... - Lodge Prudentia

FREEMASONRY AND KNIGHTS TEMPLARitable earth the most wonderful system of religiousand moral symbolism that the world ever saw. TheGrand Lodges of York and of London kept up afriendly intercourse and mutual interchange ofrecognition, until 1725, when dissensions arosefrom encroachment upon territory, causing oppositionto each other, and in 1735 all friendly intercourseceased. From that time the York Masonsconsidered their interests distinct from the Masonsunder the Grand Lodge in London. Three yearsafter, in 1738, several brethren, dissatisfied withthe conduct of the Gr"and Lodge of England, secededfrom it, and held unauthorized meetings for thepurpose of initiation. Taking advantage of thebreach between the Grand Lodges of York andLondon, they assumed the character of the YorkMasons. On the Grand Lodge's determination toput strictly in execution the laws against such seceders,they still further separated from its jurisdictionand assumed the appellation of "Ancient YorkMasons." They announced that the ancient landmarkswere alone preserved by them and; declaringthat the regular Lodges had adopted new plans,and sanctioned innovations, they branded them withthe name of "Modern Masons." In 1739 they establisheda new Grand Lodge in London, under thename of "Grand Lodge of Ancient York Masons,"and persevering in the measures they had adopted,held communications and appointed annual feasts.They were soon after recognized by the Masonsof Scotland and Ireland, and were encouraged andfostered by many of the nobility. The two GrandLodges continued to exist, and to act in oppositionto each other, extending their schisms into other67