REGULAR GRAND LODGE OF ENGLAND - Key Persons
JAMES ANDERSON was born at Aberdeen about 1680, he was graduated from Mareschal College, and later he received the degrees of M.A. and D.D. Sometime between 1705 and 1710 he arrived in London where he gathered together a number of his Presbyterian countrymen and became their minister. The congregation worshiped in a church formerly held by French Hugenots, on Swallow Street, with the father of DR. DESAGULIERS for their rector. Twenty-four years later, a division having arisen in his congregation, ANDERSON with his followers transferred to Lisle Street in Leicesterfields. The division appears to have arisen out of his leaning toward ceremonial, which caused his being popularly known as "Bishop Anderson" and by the facetious as "a little mass John."
His literary output was staggering, considering the amount of research necessarily involved. Among his published sermons was one preached on the anniversary of the execution of Charles I., entitled "No King-Killers" and was intended chiefly to beat down current misrepresentation of the position of the Presbyterians, during the civil wars, by showing that the conduct of his people and of Scots in general always had been entirely loyal to the crown. The sermon aroused enough interest to call for a second edition. The preface reveals that he personally had been subjected to vehement attacks from pulpit and press for anti-monarchical principles and practices. The publication is dedicated to the REV. DANIEL WILLIAMS, one of the most eminent divines of his time, by whom ANDERSON had been ordained to the ministry.
ANDERSON'S wife, Rebecca, had brought him a considerable fortune, most of which was lost in a wild orgy of speculation quite generally indulged in and finally, in 1720, resulting in disaster for all stockholders in the South Sea scheme.
Aside from the "Constitutions" his chief work was entitled "Royal Genealogies; or the Genealogical Tables of Emperors, Kings and Princes, from Adam to these times." It was professedly based on a German publication by JOHANN HUEBNEII, but considerably expanded by ANDERSON to include genealogies and dynasties and "the peers and great gentry of the Britannic isles." The latter feature found particular favor in England. The folio was dedicated to Frederick, Prince of Wales. ANDERSON spent seven years of hard labor on it, the first work of its kind on so large a scale published in the English language. Those who are interested and happen to live in or near New York City, will find a copy in the New York Public Library.
To mention only one more of his publications, there is "Unity in Trinity and Trinity in Unity," a theological treatise "by JAMES ANDERSON, D.D., chaplain to RT. HONOURABLE DAVID BUCHAN." It was dedicated to JOHN MITCHELL, M.D., for reasons of "our old friendship early contracted at the University which hitherto has not been once interrupted." SIR RICHARD ELLYES, Baronet, is mentioned, as from the library of this renowned scholar ANDERSON had obtained the use of many rare books on Classical and Oriental lore, including many Rabbinical writings.
There is no need of enlarging the list. ANDERSON continued to write to the day of his death, on May 25, 1739. "News from Elysium, or Dialogues of the Dead" was published after his death.
Prejudice appears to have dogged him to the very grave and after The Daily Post of Saturday, June 2, 1739, had this interesting note concerning his interment, interesting as furnishing -the earliest hint as to bow Masonic obsequies were conducted:
"Last Night, was interr'd in Bullhill-Field the Corpse of DR. ANDERSON, a Dissenting Teacher, in a very remarkable deep Grave. His Pall was supported by five Dissenting Teachers, and the REV. DR. DESAGULIERS: It was follow'd by about a Dozen of Free-Masons, who encircled the Grave; and after DR. EARLE had harangued on the Uncertainty of Life, &c. without one Word of the Deceased, the Brethren, in a most solemn dismal Posture, lifted up their Hands, sign'd, and struck their Aprons three Times in Honour to the Deceased."
His brother, ADAM ANDERSON (1692-1765), had the advantage over him as regards exposure to unfair criticism, by not being a clergyman and having chosen commerce and industry for his chief study. He was an industrial expert, as is witnessed by his great two-volume historical and chronological work "tracing political, commercial, social and colonial developments of European powers, with particular reference to Great Britain and Ireland." An appendix is devoted to "Modern Politico-Commercial Geography of the Several Countries of Europe."
Interesting to us as Americans is ADAM ANDERSON'S particular devotion to colonial affairs and his having been one of the trustees for establishing a colony of Englishmen in Georgia. He also was a trustee to carry out the wishes of Queen Anne for the establishment of parochial libraries at home and in the colonies.
MR. JOSIAH VILLENEAU Grand MR. THOMAS MORRICE Wardens, who were invested and install'd by the last Grand Wardens. Upon which the Deputy and Wardens were saluted and congratulated as usual.
Then MONTAGU, G. Master, with his Officers and the old Officers, having made the 2d procession round the Hall, Brother DESAGULIERS made an eloquent Oration about Masons and Masonry: And after Great Harmony, the Effect of brotherly Love, the Grand Master thank'd Brother VILLENEAU for his Care of the Feast, and order'd him as Warden to close the Lodge in good time.
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SAYER, Grand Master, commanded the Masters and Wardens of Lodges to meet the Grand Officers every Quarter in Communication,* at the Place that he should appoint in his summons sent by the Tyler.
SIR CHRISTOPHER WREN, the renowned architect, was adopted a Brother, on May 18, 1691, at a great convention, at St. Paul's Church, of the Fraternity of Free-Masons, as would appear from a Ms. notation made by JOHN AUBREY (1626-97). The Fraternity (or Fellowship) of Freemasons was a circle distinct from the Worshipful Company of Masons of the City of London. It is at least a coincidence that the Founder Lodge No. 4 was formed in the same year in which SIR CHRISTOPHER was adopted into the Fraternity. Moreover, there is a tenacious tradition, with at least one leg to stand on, that SIR CHRISTOPHER was elected head of the Fraternity. The expectation, in such case no doubt was that he would take an active interest. ANDERSON obviously followed the current talk when he said that the few Lodges at London found themselves neglected by SIR CHRISTOPHER WREN.