Luther Not A Freemason.

Luther ' s own safety , and his incarceration at the Wartburg are historical facts , and so well known to every scholar that it would bo a waste of time to go into the details . " A letter from Berlin , at which place there are very good archives in the hands of the Society of Steinmetzen still in existence , written to me in regard to the " Brotherhood of the Mark , " mentioned in

Rev . Slater ' s statement , says : " Suoh a Brotherhood has never been in existence . Our Guilds of the Steinmetzen were never combined into a Brotherhood over a country ; they were , up to the fourteenth century , chartered by the Emperor himself , and after that time by the cities where they wero organised . At Torgau , the nearest city to Wittenberg then , the

Guild was organised in 1486 , and made its law . In this law mention is only made of Guilds at Maydeburgk ( Madgeburg ) , Halberstadt , Hildesheim , Mullburzk ( Mnhlenburg ) , Merseburg , Meissen , Voitlandt , Thuringen and Harzland . The articles aTe nearly such in the Strasbnrg Document , but in regard to initiation more strict . From whatever source Rev . Slater received his information it nevertheless

is a mere fiction . Luther never was a Freemason ; as there were none of the Craft in Germany , then , he could not have become one . " So much for the letters . Now , Rev . Slater may have been mistaken in a name , for among the signers of the old Document of Cologne , 24 th June 1535 , appears " Philippas Melanthon . " This

name was for a long time supposed to be that of Luther ' s friend and co-operator , Fhilip Melanothon , and Rev . Slater may have mixed it up . But as this document has , a long time since , been proven spurious by many Masonic writers , even if Rev . Slater was mistaken in regard to the name , there can be little or no value placed upon it .

The other statement in regard to Lather ' s finding the Bible at the Lodge room and receiving the Mark degree is nonsense . The high degrees were instituted in modern Freemasonry after 1740 , and were never known before . The Bible then was only printed in the Latin language , and surely was not readable by the common workmen of a Guild . The Bible was not used or even known as the First Great

Light before 1760 . No Guild of Steinmetzen used at their Lodges other symbols than the compasses , square , stone-hammer , or gavel , and the foot rule , which all had their very well known significance . The great and lesser lights and all other symbols of the present Masonry are of the new time . We may now publish ; " Luther never was a Freemason . "—Voice of Masonry .

The sixth annual ball of the New Concord Lodge was held on Tuesday , the 7 th inst ., at the Freemasons' Tavern , Great Queen-Btreet . Upwards of seventy couples were present to enjoy the festivities , which included a supper of a very recherche character . The Terpsichorean exercises were carried on with much zest to the Strains of Bro . H . J . Dean ' s string band , Bro . R . Johnson efficiently acting as M . C . The toasts after the supper included the Queen and

Royal Family , followed by the President , appropriately responded to by Bro . Pierpoint ; the Ladies , acknowledged by Bro . F . Perl ; and the Stewards , for whom Bro . Haslip S . W . replied . The arrangements were admirably carried out by a competent staff of Stewards , Oonsisting of Bros . Pierpoint , Haslip , Tiddeman , George , Harper , Stead , Bartlett , Cusworth , A . and W . Potter , Harnett , Mustoe , Stilwell , Boulton , Sinclair , Tiddeman , and F . and A . Peri .

The fourth Annual " United " Masonic Ball , given in connection with the Finsbnry Park Lodge , No . 1288 , the Crusaders' Lodge , No . 1677 , and the New Finsbury Park Lodge , No . 1695 , was held on Tuesday , the 14 th instant , at the Freemasons' Tavern , Great Queen-street . There

was a very large attendance , upwards of three hundred ladies and brethren being present . The arrangements for the Ball -were left in the hands of an efficient body of Stewards , who , with Bro . A . F . Speller as Secretary , appear to have done everything that was possible to ensure

success . Their efforts were amply rewarded , for a more enjoyable evening could hardly have been spent . Dancing commenced shortly after nine , and was continued until o a . m . About midnight an adjournment was made for supper , which was laid in two of the largest rooms at the

Qisposal of the Tavern . In the Crown Room , Bro . F . S . Rothschild , the W . M . of the Crusaders , presided , and at the conclusion of the repast , proposed the few toasts customary on such occasions . Dancing was then resumed , and carried on with great spirit till the hour we nave stated .

the Lod ge of Benevolence met on Wednesday evening , ?* Freemasons' Hall . Bro . Joshua Nunn President , J"' James Brett Junior Vice-President , and Bro . C . A . ^ ottebrune P . G . S . oconmecl the three chairs . Tlim-r

J about fift y brethren present . The agenda paper or krand Lodge of next Wednesday week was submitted 0 t ? ° ard of Masters . The LooVe of Benevolence first

Dhrmed the grants recommended at last meeting , to list ^ . nt of £ 265 - There were 37 * cases on the new oe ' p * in the course of a sitting which lasted four hours 0 ot these were relieved , with a total of £ 1 , 065 . Two eases were deferred .

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Price 3 s 6 d , Crown 8 vo , cloth , gilt . MASONICPORTRAITS. FIRST SERIES . REPRINTED FROM " Tus FREEMASON ' CHIONICLB . " LIST OE PORTRAITS . 1 OuB LtTBBABY BBOTHBB . 17 THE CHRISTIAN MlNlSTEB . i A DISTINGUISHED MASON . 18 THE MYSTIC . 3 THB MAN OF ENBBGT . 19 A MODEL MASON . i FATHER TIME . 20 A CHIP FROM JOPFA . 5 A CORNER STOKJS . 21 A PILLAR of MASONRY . 6 THB CRAFTSMAN . 22 BAT ^ I Y GoTOfsatAir . ! 23 A RIGHT HAND MAS . 8 Aw EASTERN STAB . 21 OUR CITIZEN BROWER . 9 THB KNIGHT ERRANT . 25 AN ABLE PRECEPTOR . 10 THB OCTOGENARIAN . 2 ( 5 AN ANCIENT BRITON . 11 A ZEALOUS OFFICES . 27 THE ARTIST . } l 1 n * S ° M , IBB - 28 THE FATHER OF THE LODGE . 13 FROM UNBER THB CROWN . 29 A SHINING LIGHT . M OUR HERCULES . 30 AN ART STUDENT . 15 A MERCHANT PRIKCX . ] 31 THE MARINER 18 THB CHURCHMAN . 33 SOLDIBB OF FORTUNE . 33 . "OLD MUG . "

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Second Series , noiv ready , Grown 8 vo , Glotli , price 3 s 6 d , post free . MASONICPORTRAITS. SKETCHES OJ DISTINGUISHED FREEMASONS . REPRINTED JBOM " THB FREEMASON ' S CHRONICLE . " BY G . BLIZAED ABBOTT , OF LODGE NO . 1385 , ASSOCIATE OF KING ' S COLLEGE , LONDON . LIST OIF POETEAITS , NESTOR AN INSTALLING MASTER ( Bro . W . Hytlo Pullen , 33 deg ., Past ( Bro . W . Biggs , Past Prov . G . S . W . G . S . B ., Past Dap . P . G . M . Hants , Wilts , and Past Prov . G . Sec . Assistant Secretary Sup . Conn- Berks and Bucks ) . cil A . and A . Rite . ) A VETEBAN THE / m ? t - S ^ riN r . , , n ( Bro . W . Kelly , Past Prov . G . M . and ( Tho Right Hon . Earl of Carnarvon , Prov . G . Sup . Leicestershire and 33 defc-., Pro Grand Master , Pro Rutland , ' Prov . G . M . M . M . Loi-Grand Z ., Past G . M . M . M ., and * cestershire ) . Pa s * M ^; 6 Commander A A GRAND STEWARD m . rn ^* , ' „„ Br ° - John Wordsworth , 30 dep :., THE TREASURER Past G . steward , Past Prov . ( Bro . F . Adlard , P . M . and Treasuror G . J . W . W . Yorkshire , and Prov . Royal York Lodge of Persover- G . M . M . M . W . Yorkshire ) . ance . No . 7 ) . VlR Fm ' TAS TH * «?^ rr wTT x , c , ,, ( Bro . G . Ward Vcrry . P . M and Past ( TheRigutHon . LordSkelmersdalo , Prov . Grand . Soi . [ Arch ] Hcrts ) . 33 deg ., DeputyG . Master . Grand ACHILLES H ., G . M . M . M ., Great Prior of mm » T M » J . •», „ .. r . TT « i the Temple , arid M . P . Sov . G . ' p ^ n ^ pl' G fV ., * rt Commander A . and A . Rite . ) M ^^ SZH ' ™ ^ * A PROVINCIAL MAGNATE A ' , r «™ , v ) - ( Bro . W . W . B . Beach , M . P ., Prov . A nl T v a t \ o , B v f G . M . anaG . Sup . HaBts-amllsle ( Bn > Tw r c ? fcJn ± fi FaSt of Wight , Past G . M . M . M . and „ „ ^ ror . G . S . Warden Devon ) . Prov . G . Prior of the Temple , for * RHADAJUNTH Hants ) . •( Bro . J . M . Pulteuoy Montagu , J . P ., TIME-HONOURED LANCASTER 2-L ; O l Jp ^•» £ \ r J - Deacon , ( Bro . J . Lancaster Hine , P . Prov . r ! , !?) , M v /^ V ^ G . S . Warden East Lancashire ) . G . Sup . Dorsetshire , and G . THESCKOU * Chaucelbr Supreme Conned A . ( Bro . John Newton , F . R . A . S ., P . M ., HrppnrnATirt ! 1 SS P . Z ., Author of Works on Navi- , £ , „? ¦ £ T , „ , T > £ > „ ;'„ \ ( Bro . J . Pearson Bell , M . D ., Past OUR NOUTT CRITIC G - Deacon ' P - Prov - - - fmT ^ - ?^ \ 1 T ••. 3 m Prov . G . Sup . N . and B . York-( The Right Hon . Lord Leigh , 30 deg ., shire ) Sh & rG G kM \) - AOunujCKiw 199 OUB PERIPATETIC BROTHER J ^ ^ Prov . ££ &? : ( Bro . C . Fitz Gerald Matier , 30 deg ., sniro Grand j ma p . G . G . Steward Scotland , and Past gup Cheshire ) G . S . Waxden Greece ) . A HARBINGER OF PEACE 206 L % i ? i ?™ i w , 1 , „ , ( Br ° - Charles Lacey , P . M ., Past pro . G . Parker Brockbank , 31 dog ., Prov GJD Herts ) . KriSlT ^ hTrl : T L OF U NDERLET 215 A WARDEN OF U PENS <*«» * £ ^^ Z ^ S ^' . ( The late Bro . John Sutcliffe , Past G . M . M . M . Cumberland and SroJr ;^ - r ^ Varc ? OI , i . } d Prov - Westmoreland , and Past G . G . M . M . M . Lincolnshire ) . g 0 Vi of the Ordor of Rome and A WARDEN OF MARK Red Cross of Constantino ) . ( The Right Hon . tho Earl of Don- A BOON COMPANION 223 oughniPTC , 32 deg ., Past G . S . ( Bro . E . C . Woodward , P . M . 392 , Warden , and Dep . G . M . M . M ) . Ifi 37 & c ) A MASTER OF CEREMONIAL A GRAND ' SUPERINTENDENT 231 ( Bro . Thos . En ' wisle , 30 deg , Past ( Sir Daniel Gooch , Bart ., M . P ., 30 Prov . G . S . ofWorksE . Lan . ) lie ^ Prov , G-Jr _ and G > g '„ OUR COSMOPOLITAN BROTHER Berks and Bucks ) . ( Bro . Samuel Rawson , 33 dog ., Past . / Escui . A Plus 23 S Dist , G . M . rnd G . Sup . China ) . ( Bro . J . Daniel Moore , M . D ., 32 A GREAT A RITHMETICIAN , ies ., Past G . S . B ., Craft , and ( Bro . R . B . Webster , Member of the Past G . St . B ., Arch , Intendan * Finance and Audit Committees General Order of Rome and Red of the R . M . Girls' and Boys' Cross of Constantine for North Schools ) . Lancashire ) . London : W . "W . MOBGAN . By Order of all Booksellers , or will be scut direct , by post , from the Office , 23 Great Queen Street , London , W . C . i