A Reply To Massachusetts.

referred to above , that we need not recapitulate here . Will our esteemed Bro . Niokerson , and our critical Bro . Norton , permit us to Bay , that all of the " assertion and assumption " in this matter must be attributed solely to the Grand Lodge of Massachusetts , and to

Massachusetts brethren ? As we said at the beginning , we dislike controversy , but when truth is attacked , and it is attempted to enthrone error in its place , we oast aside all of our " City of Brotherly Love" proclivities for peace , and tell the truth , at the expense of shaming—our Boston Brethren .

Correspondence.

CORRESPONDENCE .

We do not hold ourselves responsible for the opinions of our Cor . respondents . All Letters must bear the name anal address of the Writer , not necessarily for publication , but as a guarantee of good faith . We cannot undertake to return rejected communications .

teaching of Freemasonry , so far as it goes , i 3 real and definite enough , nothing can be clearer and more beautifnl than its code of morals 5 its ritual is grand and impressive , but there is a blank so far as religious creeds are concerned . The distinctive feature of the Craft is Deism . Some contend that this is a departure from the origin of the system , from primitive use , and even the practice that prevailed prior

TEMPLARY AND FREEMASONRY . To the Edior of the FREEMASON ' S CHRONICLE . DEAR SIR AND BROTHER , —If Freemasonry were an exact soience , there would be no room for speculation , and one of its fundamental characteristics would be destroyed . It is because it is speculative that so much interest i 3 aroused , and so wide a field left for the human understanding to explore , both as to its origin and practice . The

to the beginning of the eighteenth century . It is also alleged that Anderson and Desaguliers eliminated the doctrine of the Trinity after the revival of 1717 , and thus destroyed one of the chief bases of the Order whioh was said to owe its existence to Christianity , using the term in its widest signification , because there was no time when Christ was not . I do not desire , nor am I competent , to venture upon all the

issues that have arisen with regard to the origin and early praotice of Freemasonry . The subject , however , to my mind , is too thoroughly speculative to warrant dogmatic assertions on the part of any one , except this—that it must have had a close and inseparable connection with religion in either its esoterio or exoteric form . Believing this , I cannot go with those that seem to think that Freemasonry

grew out of the secular guilds of Masons or builders , and was after . wards clothed with religious or moral garments . They assert that the art of building is old , and that the speculative character of the Craft is modern . I take that to be their meaning ; if I am wrong , I shall stand corrected . On the other hand , it is affirmed that Freemasonry originated out of religions mysteries , tho exercise and

spread of which led to the creation and development of the various arts of building . How it became corrupted no one can tell , nor is there any evidence beyond that which is self-contained to show the early esoterio character of the Craft . Just as the Christianity of to-day differs from that of the time of its foundation , so may Freemasonry have changed its character , nay , even have lost its deriva

tion . Happily , for Christianity the record is too clear and fall for doubt , but in the case of Freemasonry it is otherwise , hence the opportunity for the exercise of that spirit of speculation which ap . pears to grow as the Order flourishes and multiplies . Where there is such scope for divergence of opinion , it does seem strange that brethren should indulge in strong and offensive epithets .

I am not surprised , therefore , that Bro . Moore , Great Prior of Canada , takes exception to the language used by your contemporary when dealing with his allocution delivered in 1883 , a summary of which appeared in your last issue . I have read the allocution itself , and oannot see anything in it to warrant the application of such terms as " fads " and " will-o' -the-wisp . " It maybe admitted that

veritable Masonio history is comparatively modern , but then what is known must have had a source . What was that source ? In answering that inquiry , one fad is as good as another , and the whole series of speculations may be so many will-o ' -the-wisps . If there are no written records there are traditions and speculations to fall back upon , and taking the traditions of Craft Masonry as they are known

now , there is everything in favour of the Christian origin of the Order . It breathes the spirit of Christianity throughout , and the more that spirit is recognised and made tho motive of action , the better will it be for the Fraternity in particular and mankind in general . There is a sceptical feeling abroad , which seeks a natural explanation for all things , which destroys faith and the strength it

gives . Men hunger after wealth , not because of tho good it will enable them to do , but because of tho position it will give them in socioty and the means it will afford them for self-indalgence . Men aro measured by the depth of their pockets , and not by the capacity of their brains and the purity of their lives . Masonry shares in the vices of the age , the greatest , because the most dangerons , being

materialism . It is wise to be historically correct where possible ; it is right to seek after truth . But faith has accomplished more for the world than science , and sympathetic charity isfar nobler than the most perfect mathematical problem . If one were to apply the princi ples of scientific inquiry to much that is accepted by the world there wpuld be little left worth having ; all would be resolved into

dry bones , which could never again be animated except by the hidden fire which feeds faith and inspires men to the noblest actions . What would become of oar ritual , for instance , were it judged by the materialistic spirit abroad ? What has become of it in France P Ia it regarded with that reverence that is its due even in England ? I fear not , and much of the carelessness and indifferenco with which

Correspondence.

the ceremonies are performed and witnessed is due to the unhealthy spirit of utilitarianism that prevails . I am afraid I have trespassed too much upon your space , bnt as ono who reveres the Order of which he is but a humble member , whose

wish is father to tho thought of its divine origin , I could not let the subject pass without saying a word in favour of that courtesy whioh becometh all men , especially Froemasons , and in deference of the spirituality of the Order , without which it would be like salt that had lost its savour .

I am , Sir , yours , & o . INQUIRES .

ELECTION OE GRAND TREASURER .

To the Edttor of the FREEMASON s CHRONICLE . DEAR SIR AND BROTHER , — "WATCHJHN" has done good service by drawing attention to two points whioh deserve to be especially noticed in connection with the disoussion on this subject . The first is that " if experience is really considered of suoh moment , " then the olaims of Bro . Creaton to be re-elected Grand Treasurer far surpass

those of Bro . Allcroft . The second is—though I put it before your readers as an absolute statement , while " WATCHMAN " put it sug . gestively—that the office has not suffered by Bro . Alloroft ' s inexperience of its duties . Thus , the supporters of Bro . Allcroft , if they have any sense of argument in them , should find themselves—to use a very ordinary phrase—between the horns of a dilemma . If experi .

ence is of moment , then they are bound to re-elect Bro . Creaton ; if experience goes for nothing , then , provided the brother be worthy of the honour—and nobody has yet ventured to deny this in the case of Bro . Marshall—it matters little who is nominated for the office . However , after your able artiole aud WATCHMAN ' letter , I need not pursue the subject further . I quite agree with what he says j " The

office of Grand Treasurer is honorary in every sense of the term ; its possession implies rank and honour , it is the gift of Grand Lodge , and it should be bestowed as a mark of recognition of excellent qualities by whomsoever displayed . " The authors or issuers of the Circular , in support of Bro . Alloroft ' s candidature , will have some difficulty in disposing in any way effectually of this argument . Faithfully and fraternally yours , K . L . S .

To the Editor of the FREEMASON ' S CHRONICLE . DEAR SIR AND BROTHER , —The firm and courteous tone taken throughout this controversy by yourself and your correspondents has clone muoh to make the course of those who are free to act easy , while it has seriously embarrassed others who have given a blind assent to the demands of a few leading spirits , who have put forth a

circular with a strong array of names . I think you have acted very prudently in discussing the question upon its merits . Perhaps " WATCHMAN , " last week , transgressed slightly , but only very slightly , in dealing with persons . Upon the whole , I believe you have done good patriotic work , and whatever the issue may bo , you will have the satisfaction of knowing that you fought for principle and not for

party . Personally , I was indifferent about who should be Treasurer . I was inclined to let things go on jnst as circumstances ordered , but , I confess , your spirited conduct has aroused within me a very different feeling . I have come to the conclusion that unless some very muoh better reasons are advanced for retaininsr Bro . Allcroft in the

office of Grand Treasurer than have already appeared , his re-election would be a breach of faith . He was elected upon the principle of a yearly change . This has been proved beyond a doubt , although I was not aware of the fact until I read what yon had to say on tho subject . It was not necessary , as some contend , to take a pledge from Bro . Allcroft , written or otherwise , that he would only serve

for one year . Such a praotice would have been undignified and offensive . It is infinitely worse , however , to seek to escape from a moral obligation because a discourteous exaction had not been en . forced . The office of Grand Treasurer might very well be abolished alto , gether for any duties that pertain to it . It merely gives a name to

an hononr whioh is in the gift of Grand Lodge , and being so , it should be left entirely to Grand Lodge when and to whom that honour should be given . The principle of a yearly gift has been established beyond doubt , and if it were loyally recognised , there would be no difficulty in making a suitable choice , without any fear of raising partizan controversies which some brethren profess to abhor , but which they are

doing their best to provoke . I sincerely hope that the manly spirit you have exhibited in this matter may find a corresponding response on the part of the large majority of Grand Lodge . Whatever may be the result , I am sure you will gain the respect of your opponents and enhance the confidence that is already felt in your thoroughly in . dependent journal .

I am , Dear Sir and Brother , Yours faithfully and fraternally , A QUIET OBSERVER .

MASSACHUSETTS MASONRY . To the Editor of the FREEMASON ' S CHRONICLE , DEAR SIR AND BROTHER , —In your reprint from the Hebrew Leadm ' of Bro . Nickerson ' s interesting address on Massachusetts Masonry , that brother is represented as having said : " In 1814 the Grand Lodge of England first appointed ChaplaiDs . " Is not this a slight error on the part of your contemporary ?