Masonic Research.

MASONIC RESEARCH .

IT * vREEMASONS are not free to tell their secrets ; and yet ; they become known . It is a curious thing that if an anthropologist or an antiquary talks about the rite of initiation in the process of ¦ young-man making , ' or the orientation of temples , or the language of symbolism , the Freemason is apt to

mistake him for a brother Craftsman . The most learned of the Freemasons are trying to search out the origin aud meaning of their own symbols and ritual and traditions , and they find that they are brought into contact with ancient mysteries and mythology . It is commonly supposed that the great subject

of Masonry is Solomon ' s Temple , and that the two first secret words—Jachin and Boaz—refer merely to the pillars of the poich , as mentioned in Scripture ; but really those pillars were themselves symbolical . Ancient temples were built according to a prescribed order ; and the Craft was already old

in the time of Solomon , of Hiram of Tyre , and ' Hiram Abiff . ' A ' Bevival' took place in the English Lodges in the year 1717 , and some persons are inclined to think that much of their ceremonial originated only then ; but the old Charges of the Masons take us back to the fourteenth century or earlier . There , however , the chain of tradition is broken . ' The real and inner

meanings of our Masonic Symbols were never communicated in writing , but only orally , as the meanings of the symbols and doctrines of Pythagoras were , and the real meaning of the jargon of the alchemists . ' ' Hence their actual signification , though once known , has now to a great extent been forgotten , owing to the decay of oral instruction , and if not absolutely lost , is at best imperfectly understood . '

The Quatuor Coronati Lodge , London , No . 2076 , seems to consist largely of Masons who are intent ; upon investigation ; and was started in fact for the purpose of studying the Archteology of Masonry . Some of the members concern themselves with the modern history of Masonry , and trace the system back from the present day to the trade guilds or other

organisations from which it may have sprung . Others inquire into the ancient ; and most oriental forms of organisation which are supposed to have been Masonic in their character , and into their mysteries and symbols . It is believed that the two parties—one working backward , and the other forward —will by and by meet .

The Lodge has probably never had a more diligent or learned Worshipful Master than William Simpson , S . I ., member of the Asiatic and Geographical Societies , a great traveller , and well known as the artist of the " Illustrated London News . " His latest Essay—on the Orientation of Temples *—contains matter

enough for a book ; and much of that matter is very curious and suggestive . The starting point in the study of the subject is the squaring of sacred buildings to the four cardinal points . The four quarters were associated most intimately with the religious ideas of most of the early races of mankind . To prove this

point , abundance of evidence is adduced—from the New World , from India , Burmah and Java , Siam and Gambolia , from China , Mesopotamia and Egypt . Nor are the four quarters without significance in the Jewish and Christian systems . The more one studies the subject , the more important the cardinal points

appear to have been . There were gods of the quarters ; and governments were founded with a relation to them . Temples , tombs , and other buildings were constructed with a reference to them ; rites and ceremonies were based upon them ; and some very august ceremonies of the present day still recognise the

four points of the compass . These are facts which make their appeal to Craftsmen ; for their own ritual gives prominence to East and West , South and North , and they have not known why . In the East , of course , the sun rises , to open and enliven the day . It was scarcely possible for man , when he began to

evolve symbolism , to overlook this diurnal phenomenon . 'It was the light out of darkness . The darkness typified death , and the light life . A moral symbolism was also derived from it ; and the darkness represented evil , while light appeared to be good . The solar origin of the eastern direction of temples seems

so natural a conclusion that it might be accepted without further inquiry . I may just recall to Craftsmen , as the first illustration , that this solar origin is recognised in the Masonie temple ; and that it is this which gives to the Masonic student an interest in the whole subject of orientation . ' ' When the sun sinks in the west it closes the great Lodge for the day ; but it had a still

deeper symbolism . It typified the going to rest after the labours of the day—of man ' s labours—when they were finished in that Lodge . As the sun was supposed to go down in the west to a region that was calm and tranquil , so would man pass after the battle of life was over . ' Mr . Simpson notes a scarcity of references to the south in connection with his subject , though

Masonic Research.

the Chinese turn their houses to the south , and the Hindus allot the south to the ' fathers' or the dead . The north , in the Masonic system , may be said to be a blank , and without signification . In the Zend A vesta ' hell lies in the north ' . ; and

there also was supposed to reign the mediaeval Lucifer . Miss Gordon Gumming , in her book , ' In the Hebrides , ' says there appears to have been an unaccountable prejudice against burying the dead on the north side of a church . ' The abode of the evil

spirit lay to the north , away from the sun's gracious influence . Every page of Mr . Simpson ' s essay abounds with curious matter , the result of wide travel and patient research . We congratulate the Freemasons that they are waking up to

investigate the origin and meaning of their ritual and traditions . We , ourselves , as students of Christian ceremony and doctrine , are engaged in what is essentially the same inquiry . We shall meet again in far-off fields . — " S ., " in the " Inquirer . "

Hotel , Oswestry , had been fixed on as the head-quarters , and the arrangements included a three hours' drive through the beautiful scenery of the district . Bro . James Heaton 897 acted as Hon . Secretary .

The annual picnic in connection with the Lodges in St . Helens and district was held on the 29 th ult . About seventy members assembled at the railway station about half-past eight , and arrived at Oswestry soon after eleven . The Wynnstay

Brother Churchwarden Bowers W . M . of the Kent Lodge , No . 15 , and an Officer in the Anglo-American Chapter recently entertained the whole of the members of Christchurch Vestry to dinner at his residence at Herne Bay . Our Brother has been connected with the parish of Christchurch for 35 years , and has

devoted a considerable amount of time to public work . He has been a Vestryman since 1880 , and was a member of St . Saviour ' s Board of Guardians for five years , and of St . Saviour ' s Board of Works for eight years . He has also filled the offices of Overseer

and Library Commissioner . He is a Fellow of the Boyal Historical Society , and for 21 years was a prominent member of the Lambeth Field Club . He is greatly esteemed and respected in Southwark , where his geniality and bonhomie have won him troops of friends . — " South London Press . "

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