General Discussion

Transactions of the Quatuor Coronati Lodge Ars Quatuor Coronatorum, Vol. 29 (1916)

https://archive.org/details/ArsQuatuorCoronatorumVol.291916

The Revied Ritual and The Etiquette of Freemasonry - “An Old Past Master” (AKA Bro. Franklin Thomas)

By Bro. C. Gough

The identity of the author of this popular work, for many years, and indeed until quite recently, remained somewhat of a mystery. The book was published under the nom de plume of "An Old Past Master." However, to ensure it did not suffer for want of recommendation, the author carefully informed his readers of his extensive experience and the Masonic distinctions he had achieved. He stated that his references to these were made with the dual purpose of demonstrating his authority to speak on the subject and of emphasizing the great importance of the office of Director of Ceremonies. Possibly, a third motive existed: providing means by which his identity could be traced and clearly established.

In the course of investigating the various clues presented in the book, many details have been uncovered about the business life and Masonic career of the author. These findings reveal that he was not only a worthy citizen but also a distinguished Freemason. It seems appropriate that this information be permanently recorded.

Franklin Thomas, the son of Franklin Mathew Thomas, late of Rochester, Kent, Broker (d. 3 Nov. 1834), was educated at Rochester Grammar School and served as a chorister at Rochester Cathedral. He was initiated at Chatham in the Royal Kent Lodge of Antiquity, now No. 20, in March 1841, being then stated to be 23 years of age and residing in Rochester as an upholsterer. He "declared off" in March 1843.

He joined Alfred Lodge at Oxford (then No. 425, now No. 340) on 15 September 1846. He was installed as W.M. on 27 December 1849 and made Provincial Senior Grand Deacon of Oxfordshire in 1850 and Provincial Grand Registrar of the same province in 1851.

Franklin Thomas was exalted in Alfred Chapter at Oxford on 7 July 1848 and occupied the three Principals' chairs successively in 1851, 1852, and 1853. In August 1854, he was presented with a silver tea service as a token of regard and appreciation for his efforts to promote Masonry.

In Oxford, Thomas ran a business as a cabinet maker and upholsterer at No. 135, High Street. The adjacent premises, No. 136, were occupied by Adin Williams, a tailor and robemaker. From November 1852 until November 1854, Thomas served as a member of the Oxford Town Council.

In December 1854, Thomas joined St. John's Lodge, Torquay (then No. 411, now No. 328), and was appointed Senior Deacon. He acted as W.M. several times during 1855 and was officially elected to the chair in 1856 and 1857. On 28 May 1857, he performed his duties as W.M. during the laying of the chief cornerstone of the Masonic Hall in Torquay, officiated with Masonic honours by the Rev. John Huyshe, D.P.G.M., Devon. Upon leaving Torquay in December 1857 due to ill health, St. John's Lodge presented him with a valedictory address.

In December 1861, he joined the Lodge of Perseverance, Blackburn (now No. 345), where he remained a member until his death in 1907. Although never serving as W.M. of this lodge, Thomas held other positions for long periods and frequently acted as Installing Master from 1864 to 1904. At the time of his death, he was Director of Ceremonies. Remarkably, he installed Masters in the Harmony and Industry Lodge, Darwen No. 381, and various other lodges across East Lancashire for 41 consecutive years.

Thomas was made Provincial Grand Junior Deacon in East Lancashire in 1877. In 1887, during the Jubilee year, he received the past rank of Provincial Senior Grand Warden of that province. In the Royal Arch, he was attached to the Perseverance Chapter, serving as Third Principal at Provincial Grand Chapter meetings from 1879 to 1882.

He attended significant Masonic events, including the consecration of the Wolseley Lodge No. 1993 in Manchester on 28 March 1883 and the East Lancashire Centurion Lodge No. 2322 in Manchester on 15 November 1889. For many years, he carried on the business of house furnishing and decorating in Blackburn. He was succeeded in the business by his son, Franklin T. Thomas, who later became Mayor of Blackburn and died on 10 August 1913.

Franklin Thomas, who also served as a magistrate in Blackburn from 1886, died in Ilkley on 13 October 1907 at the age of 91. His portrait is preserved in the Alfred Lodge at Oxford and the Perseverance Lodge at Blackburn.

He was associated with the Hugh de Payens Preceptory of the Knights Templars and served as Warden of Regalia in the Provincial Grand Priory at Burnley in 1881. Despite thorough research, some details about his early Masonic career remain unclear, including his alleged Provincial Grand rank in Kent and a supposed office held in a "very important Lodge" in 1846.

Thomas authored several works, including The Etiquette of Freemasonry and the Revised Ritual of Craft Freemasonry, both acknowledged by his son and nephew as his creations. He is also believed to have written the Oxford Ritual of Royal Arch Masonry, published privately in 1884.