Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Reviews.
REVIEWS .
All Books intended for Review should be addressed to the Editor of The Freemason ' s Chronicle , 87 Barbican , E . C . T 7 ie Discrepancies of Freemasonry . Examined during a week ' s gossip with the late celebrated Bro . Gilkes and other eminent Masons , on sundry obscure and difficult passages in the Ordinaiy Lodge Lectures , which , although open questions in Grand Lodge , constitute a source of doubt and perplexity to the Craft . By the Rev . G . Oliver
D . D ., Past M . P . S ., Grand Commander S G . I . G . 33 ° for England and Wales ; Past D . G . M . of the Grand Lodge of Massachusetts ; Past D . P . G . M . for Lincolnshire ; Honorary member of numerous Lodges and Literary Societies in every quarter of the Globe . Author of " The Revelations of a Square , " " The Book of the Lodge , " " Historical Landmarks , " & c . With numerous diagrams . London : John Hogg and Co ., Paternoster-row . 1875 .
CONCLUDING NOTICE . THERE remain now only two discussions on whioh to offer any com . ment . The subjects of the former of these are " The Travelling Mason . Tho Sacred Name . Discrepancies in the Work . Removal of Landmarks . East and West . Types of Christianity . " The disoussion chiefly turns on the present and former rituals , and the
meaning of certain terms and phrases as used therein . Sever . il different views are expressed , as indeed is but natural where a number of men of different temperaments , sundry of whom are predisposed to cavil at any opinion , no matter how logical , that may be set before them . For the discussion we must refer our readers to the book itself , as extracts would convey but a very imperfect idea of its character ,
while a summary would occupy too much space . The argument , however , be it said , is very skilfully conducted , and containing , as it does , many references to catechisms no longer in use , and of which some , no doubt , are ignorant , tho chapter cannot be otherwise than interesting , especially as regards the Travelling Mason , and the various reasons assigned by various authorities for hia travelling in the First
and Second Degrees Eastward , and in the Third Westward . In the last discussion , while sundry of thoso present at the five previous meetings are unable to attend , two new characters are present , of whom one is described as a captain , while the other is a merchant , who is anxious to be initiated , and at the same time wishful to learn , as far as it may , consistently with the vows of secrecy , be divulged to him .
some idea of the art of Masonry . We cannot say we are by any means pleased at the appearance of the former of the two newcomers , who is thus described : — " Our brother , the Captain , was in reality a lieutenant on half-pay , and the superior title was accorded to him by courtesy . He resided in a neighbouring village , and occupied his leisure time in the honourable and useful employment of superintending
the National School there , aud leading the church psalmody , with nasal correctness , on the Sabbath Day . He was passionately fond of his glass , if obtainable at the expense of a friend ; and wheu favoured with an opportunity , he seldom failed to improve it to his own satisfaction , if not to the gratification of the company present , to whom , after a certain period of his potations , he became rather annoying ; for he
would sneeze and snort and stamp , and perform a number of other antics more extraordinary than pleasing , and kept ( sic ) up a continual fire of nautical phrases and snatches from au old song , which , in the early part of the evening , he would persist in siuging from end to end ; but , fortunately , after a few glasses he became stupefied , his memory deserted him , aud he generally stopped short after a single
stanza . He had an inveterate habit of quoting passages , whether applicable to the subject in hand or not , from the Church Catechism which he taught the children of his school . This was often extremel y offensive , although he was perfectly unconscious of it , aud altogether indifferent to the convenience or comfort of any one except himself , He had a favourite dog , called Toby , au ugly , pug-nosed , vicious
brute , which at such times he was in the habit of summoning , though not present . " No one will be surprised to hear that this Captain was not of much account as a Mason , but wc are surprised that Dr . Oliver should have introduced such a personage into the compauy of gentlemen , nor are we by any means satisfied with the reasons he assigns , which are
these , "I have introduced these impertinences here , not merely because they actually occurred on this occasion , and constituto the type of a character from which it is to be feared few of our Lodges are exempt , but also as a lesson to others , who may be addicted to the practice of disturbing the serious proceedings of Masoury by absurd buffoonery , wretched attempts at wit , and unmoaning
exclamations . " Wo think it was unwise to mar tho general effect of tho book , which , whether wo agreo with I he opinions expressed in it or not , is certainly entertaining , simply because a . boorish brother dropped in and made all but himself wretched aud uncomfortable for tho whole evening . Poor Bro . Gilkes was very serionsly disconcerted by tho Captain ' s numerous and kuuie interruptions . Of course
in the presonco of a profane , tho discussion is far more guarded , and is limited almost entirely to such enlightenment as Bro . Gilkes and the others feel themselves justified consistently with their obligations in offering to the iutending candidate . Perhaps the most interesting part of tl . i-j eminent brother ' s exposition relates to the Points , which at first somewhat coufuscs the candidate , though ho afterwards
remarks , " If your illustrations are all as interesting as this , I antici pate a fund both of instruction and amusement from my initiation . " We shall conclude this portion of our remarks by quoting tho last two paragraphs in confirmation of certain remarks we have really felt it our duty to oiler .
"Ion will also observe , my good friend , " I said , "that the capacity of a candidate for place and power , or , in other words , for a higher office in the Lodge , can only be estimated from his antecedents , for who would back a losing horse ? Expei-ionce is tho ttmoliatyye of pit'Wt , auil I win « . «» n ? you i . ' iat , tii-ief-i vw invri . ' n'm ^ lt '
Reviews.
zealous and attentive to the preliminary duties of tho Lodge , by being constantly present , uniformly diligent and obedient , and anxious on all occasions to improve yourself in Masonry , you will never be fit for a leader , nor is it likely that your fellows will confer upon you that most unmistakable token of their confidence—the uncontrollable power of regulating their proceedings .
" ' And lastly , ' Bro . Gilkes concluded , ' I would impress it firmly on your mind , that whoever accepts tho office of VV . Master , stakes his reputation and character as a Mason on maintaining and preserving tho status and prosperity of the Lodge during his term of office ; and both will be grievously imperilled if , by snpineness , mismanagement , or any other influential cause , the community which have
entrusted their vital interests to his charge shall find reason to repent of their choice . And so , brethren , I give the right word and right point of a Mason—ADIEU . ' " Having thus gone , at considerable length , through this work , it only remains for us to say that , taken as a whole , it forms a capital addition
to Masonic Literature . There are theories in it we do not approve , nor do we think they will meet with the approval of our readers . Bat though we dissent from certain of the propositions as laid down in these pages , we none the less admire the skill and ingenuity which the author has displayed , and the enthusiastic love of Masonry which is conspicuous in , we might almost say , every sentence .
The Commencement of the Second Christian Epoch . By a Christian . Caxton Printing Works , Beccles , Suffolk . WE have read the title-page of this book most carefully . We have only glanced at the contents . We confess we regret the time thus wasted . The work treats " of tho re-organizatiou of the Universal Church of Christ ; public laws and society throughout the world , according to the
New Christian Dispensation of common sense . " We have never heard of any antagonism between Christianity and common sense , either in the age that is , or in the ages that have gone by . There are millious on millions of our fellow men who worship God , but not as Christians worship Him—these we respect . There are a few who profess to worship no God—such wo abhor . But a Christian who describes the
"New Christian Dispensation , " as being that "of common sense , " insults the Christianity he professes to believe in . If Christianity is only now entering , or about to enter upon tho epoch of common sense , how must we describe the epoch that is , or is about to be concluded ? . We are told the "book is purposely not entered at Stationers '
Hall , that any of the people may be free to print it . We imagine few will evince their lack of common sense bv availing themselves of the opportunity . Nay , more , we hold the publication of such a work to be highly injurious to a community which is mostly Christian , and , accordingly , we urge our friends not to waste their time in reading it .
Supreme Grand Koyal Arch Chapter of Scotland . — The Quarterly Communication was held at Freemasons' Hall , Edinburgh , in the Grand Lodge Room , at 8 p . m . on Wednesday , 15 th of December , in the absence of the three Grand Principals by Comps . Majoin Hamilton Ramsay , of Gariou , as Grand Z ., G . W . Wheeler Z . 73 as Grand H ., D . Mitchcl Grand Treasurer as Grand J ., L . Mackensy
W . S . was in his place as Grand Scribe E ., J . Duthie Z . G 7 is Grand 1 st S ., Dr . Carmichel 2 nd S ., and H . J . Shields , 33 degree , Z ., 143 as 3 rd Grand Sojourner . The Grand Chapter having beeu duly opened by the three Acting Grand Principals , the G . S . E . read the miuutes of the last quarterly meeting , which were confirmed ; he also read the minutes of several committee meetings , and the Finance Committee ' s
report , showiug that the Chapter is in a very flourishing financial condition , and recommending the investment of an additional £ 300 . Proxy commissions were read from three different Chapters , and sustained presents were received and suitably acknowledged from the Grand Chapters of Pennsylvania and Colorado . Three applications for new charters , as recommended by tho committee , were then
considered , and one for the town of Rothsay , to be called tho St . Blavo , recommended by Chapter 75 , Glasgow , was granted , to be No . 163 . A second Chapter for the City of Dundee was then granted as No . 164 , and one for Castol , in South Africa , recommended by the District Superintendent , was also granted , to stand as No . 165 . Comp . W . M . Bryce P . Z . No . 12 , brought forward the motion of which ho
had given notice , " That in future the hour of meeting be 6 p . m ., " seconded by Dr . Carmichel , and supported by Comps . Wheeler , Duthie and Shields , as it would ! give the Chapters in ^ the West of Scotland an opportunity of attending the meetings and returning the same night . Comp . R . J . Brown , of Edinburgh , also supported , as ho knew the Edinburgh would not wish to monopolise all the managem nt of the
Order . Comp . Murray , Edinburgh , promised to substitute five for six , seconded by Comp . Barry of Dundee . Comp . Abbot , Lcith , secon led by Mitchell , promised that it be retainrd at 8 p . m ., the original motion for six being withdrawn in favour of five o ' clock , which was carried by a large majority . A correspondence was read by the G . S . E . from the Grand Chapter of Pennsylvania , iu which they said they
had forwarded a commission in favour of Comp . L . Mackensy G . S . E ., to represent thorn at the G . C ., he hart replied , fitting that he already represented the Grand Chapter of Orregon , and suggesting that three names should be sent for them to select from . They had rejoined , still wishing to appoint him ; as it was an innovation in their ircnoral practice ho thought it best to lay the matter before Grand
Chapter . Comp . Shields explained that in America it was quito usual for a Companion to hold two or more such appointments . It . vas then moved and carried , that , in deference to the wishes of tho Supreme Grand Chapter of Pennsylvania , wc receive Comp , Mackensy as their representative to this Chapter . ( Cheers . ) The
commission was then read , and Comp . Miickensy having expressed tho fraternal feelings of the G . C . of Pennsylvania , the acting G . Z . mado a suitable reply , requesting their representative to convey to theiu how fully » vo npprei < j : i ! . d an ;! rocipri'C'n . ted Umve ! ' ••! lin ;^ . Thi . s luvr . " - ¦ . I ! ! . '» ' ; j ( . !* it < :, ' « , U . 'C H ^ U ! ' ! Vh . 'WH ' iV- 'S <•! . > -: <••! in ;! ur' fi . r » i .
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Reviews.
REVIEWS .
All Books intended for Review should be addressed to the Editor of The Freemason ' s Chronicle , 87 Barbican , E . C . T 7 ie Discrepancies of Freemasonry . Examined during a week ' s gossip with the late celebrated Bro . Gilkes and other eminent Masons , on sundry obscure and difficult passages in the Ordinaiy Lodge Lectures , which , although open questions in Grand Lodge , constitute a source of doubt and perplexity to the Craft . By the Rev . G . Oliver
D . D ., Past M . P . S ., Grand Commander S G . I . G . 33 ° for England and Wales ; Past D . G . M . of the Grand Lodge of Massachusetts ; Past D . P . G . M . for Lincolnshire ; Honorary member of numerous Lodges and Literary Societies in every quarter of the Globe . Author of " The Revelations of a Square , " " The Book of the Lodge , " " Historical Landmarks , " & c . With numerous diagrams . London : John Hogg and Co ., Paternoster-row . 1875 .
CONCLUDING NOTICE . THERE remain now only two discussions on whioh to offer any com . ment . The subjects of the former of these are " The Travelling Mason . Tho Sacred Name . Discrepancies in the Work . Removal of Landmarks . East and West . Types of Christianity . " The disoussion chiefly turns on the present and former rituals , and the
meaning of certain terms and phrases as used therein . Sever . il different views are expressed , as indeed is but natural where a number of men of different temperaments , sundry of whom are predisposed to cavil at any opinion , no matter how logical , that may be set before them . For the discussion we must refer our readers to the book itself , as extracts would convey but a very imperfect idea of its character ,
while a summary would occupy too much space . The argument , however , be it said , is very skilfully conducted , and containing , as it does , many references to catechisms no longer in use , and of which some , no doubt , are ignorant , tho chapter cannot be otherwise than interesting , especially as regards the Travelling Mason , and the various reasons assigned by various authorities for hia travelling in the First
and Second Degrees Eastward , and in the Third Westward . In the last discussion , while sundry of thoso present at the five previous meetings are unable to attend , two new characters are present , of whom one is described as a captain , while the other is a merchant , who is anxious to be initiated , and at the same time wishful to learn , as far as it may , consistently with the vows of secrecy , be divulged to him .
some idea of the art of Masonry . We cannot say we are by any means pleased at the appearance of the former of the two newcomers , who is thus described : — " Our brother , the Captain , was in reality a lieutenant on half-pay , and the superior title was accorded to him by courtesy . He resided in a neighbouring village , and occupied his leisure time in the honourable and useful employment of superintending
the National School there , aud leading the church psalmody , with nasal correctness , on the Sabbath Day . He was passionately fond of his glass , if obtainable at the expense of a friend ; and wheu favoured with an opportunity , he seldom failed to improve it to his own satisfaction , if not to the gratification of the company present , to whom , after a certain period of his potations , he became rather annoying ; for he
would sneeze and snort and stamp , and perform a number of other antics more extraordinary than pleasing , and kept ( sic ) up a continual fire of nautical phrases and snatches from au old song , which , in the early part of the evening , he would persist in siuging from end to end ; but , fortunately , after a few glasses he became stupefied , his memory deserted him , aud he generally stopped short after a single
stanza . He had an inveterate habit of quoting passages , whether applicable to the subject in hand or not , from the Church Catechism which he taught the children of his school . This was often extremel y offensive , although he was perfectly unconscious of it , aud altogether indifferent to the convenience or comfort of any one except himself , He had a favourite dog , called Toby , au ugly , pug-nosed , vicious
brute , which at such times he was in the habit of summoning , though not present . " No one will be surprised to hear that this Captain was not of much account as a Mason , but wc are surprised that Dr . Oliver should have introduced such a personage into the compauy of gentlemen , nor are we by any means satisfied with the reasons he assigns , which are
these , "I have introduced these impertinences here , not merely because they actually occurred on this occasion , and constituto the type of a character from which it is to be feared few of our Lodges are exempt , but also as a lesson to others , who may be addicted to the practice of disturbing the serious proceedings of Masoury by absurd buffoonery , wretched attempts at wit , and unmoaning
exclamations . " Wo think it was unwise to mar tho general effect of tho book , which , whether wo agreo with I he opinions expressed in it or not , is certainly entertaining , simply because a . boorish brother dropped in and made all but himself wretched aud uncomfortable for tho whole evening . Poor Bro . Gilkes was very serionsly disconcerted by tho Captain ' s numerous and kuuie interruptions . Of course
in the presonco of a profane , tho discussion is far more guarded , and is limited almost entirely to such enlightenment as Bro . Gilkes and the others feel themselves justified consistently with their obligations in offering to the iutending candidate . Perhaps the most interesting part of tl . i-j eminent brother ' s exposition relates to the Points , which at first somewhat coufuscs the candidate , though ho afterwards
remarks , " If your illustrations are all as interesting as this , I antici pate a fund both of instruction and amusement from my initiation . " We shall conclude this portion of our remarks by quoting tho last two paragraphs in confirmation of certain remarks we have really felt it our duty to oiler .
"Ion will also observe , my good friend , " I said , "that the capacity of a candidate for place and power , or , in other words , for a higher office in the Lodge , can only be estimated from his antecedents , for who would back a losing horse ? Expei-ionce is tho ttmoliatyye of pit'Wt , auil I win « . «» n ? you i . ' iat , tii-ief-i vw invri . ' n'm ^ lt '
Reviews.
zealous and attentive to the preliminary duties of tho Lodge , by being constantly present , uniformly diligent and obedient , and anxious on all occasions to improve yourself in Masonry , you will never be fit for a leader , nor is it likely that your fellows will confer upon you that most unmistakable token of their confidence—the uncontrollable power of regulating their proceedings .
" ' And lastly , ' Bro . Gilkes concluded , ' I would impress it firmly on your mind , that whoever accepts tho office of VV . Master , stakes his reputation and character as a Mason on maintaining and preserving tho status and prosperity of the Lodge during his term of office ; and both will be grievously imperilled if , by snpineness , mismanagement , or any other influential cause , the community which have
entrusted their vital interests to his charge shall find reason to repent of their choice . And so , brethren , I give the right word and right point of a Mason—ADIEU . ' " Having thus gone , at considerable length , through this work , it only remains for us to say that , taken as a whole , it forms a capital addition
to Masonic Literature . There are theories in it we do not approve , nor do we think they will meet with the approval of our readers . Bat though we dissent from certain of the propositions as laid down in these pages , we none the less admire the skill and ingenuity which the author has displayed , and the enthusiastic love of Masonry which is conspicuous in , we might almost say , every sentence .
The Commencement of the Second Christian Epoch . By a Christian . Caxton Printing Works , Beccles , Suffolk . WE have read the title-page of this book most carefully . We have only glanced at the contents . We confess we regret the time thus wasted . The work treats " of tho re-organizatiou of the Universal Church of Christ ; public laws and society throughout the world , according to the
New Christian Dispensation of common sense . " We have never heard of any antagonism between Christianity and common sense , either in the age that is , or in the ages that have gone by . There are millious on millions of our fellow men who worship God , but not as Christians worship Him—these we respect . There are a few who profess to worship no God—such wo abhor . But a Christian who describes the
"New Christian Dispensation , " as being that "of common sense , " insults the Christianity he professes to believe in . If Christianity is only now entering , or about to enter upon tho epoch of common sense , how must we describe the epoch that is , or is about to be concluded ? . We are told the "book is purposely not entered at Stationers '
Hall , that any of the people may be free to print it . We imagine few will evince their lack of common sense bv availing themselves of the opportunity . Nay , more , we hold the publication of such a work to be highly injurious to a community which is mostly Christian , and , accordingly , we urge our friends not to waste their time in reading it .
Supreme Grand Koyal Arch Chapter of Scotland . — The Quarterly Communication was held at Freemasons' Hall , Edinburgh , in the Grand Lodge Room , at 8 p . m . on Wednesday , 15 th of December , in the absence of the three Grand Principals by Comps . Majoin Hamilton Ramsay , of Gariou , as Grand Z ., G . W . Wheeler Z . 73 as Grand H ., D . Mitchcl Grand Treasurer as Grand J ., L . Mackensy
W . S . was in his place as Grand Scribe E ., J . Duthie Z . G 7 is Grand 1 st S ., Dr . Carmichel 2 nd S ., and H . J . Shields , 33 degree , Z ., 143 as 3 rd Grand Sojourner . The Grand Chapter having beeu duly opened by the three Acting Grand Principals , the G . S . E . read the miuutes of the last quarterly meeting , which were confirmed ; he also read the minutes of several committee meetings , and the Finance Committee ' s
report , showiug that the Chapter is in a very flourishing financial condition , and recommending the investment of an additional £ 300 . Proxy commissions were read from three different Chapters , and sustained presents were received and suitably acknowledged from the Grand Chapters of Pennsylvania and Colorado . Three applications for new charters , as recommended by tho committee , were then
considered , and one for the town of Rothsay , to be called tho St . Blavo , recommended by Chapter 75 , Glasgow , was granted , to be No . 163 . A second Chapter for the City of Dundee was then granted as No . 164 , and one for Castol , in South Africa , recommended by the District Superintendent , was also granted , to stand as No . 165 . Comp . W . M . Bryce P . Z . No . 12 , brought forward the motion of which ho
had given notice , " That in future the hour of meeting be 6 p . m ., " seconded by Dr . Carmichel , and supported by Comps . Wheeler , Duthie and Shields , as it would ! give the Chapters in ^ the West of Scotland an opportunity of attending the meetings and returning the same night . Comp . R . J . Brown , of Edinburgh , also supported , as ho knew the Edinburgh would not wish to monopolise all the managem nt of the
Order . Comp . Murray , Edinburgh , promised to substitute five for six , seconded by Comp . Barry of Dundee . Comp . Abbot , Lcith , secon led by Mitchell , promised that it be retainrd at 8 p . m ., the original motion for six being withdrawn in favour of five o ' clock , which was carried by a large majority . A correspondence was read by the G . S . E . from the Grand Chapter of Pennsylvania , iu which they said they
had forwarded a commission in favour of Comp . L . Mackensy G . S . E ., to represent thorn at the G . C ., he hart replied , fitting that he already represented the Grand Chapter of Orregon , and suggesting that three names should be sent for them to select from . They had rejoined , still wishing to appoint him ; as it was an innovation in their ircnoral practice ho thought it best to lay the matter before Grand
Chapter . Comp . Shields explained that in America it was quito usual for a Companion to hold two or more such appointments . It . vas then moved and carried , that , in deference to the wishes of tho Supreme Grand Chapter of Pennsylvania , wc receive Comp , Mackensy as their representative to this Chapter . ( Cheers . ) The
commission was then read , and Comp . Miickensy having expressed tho fraternal feelings of the G . C . of Pennsylvania , the acting G . Z . mado a suitable reply , requesting their representative to convey to theiu how fully » vo npprei < j : i ! . d an ;! rocipri'C'n . ted Umve ! ' ••! lin ;^ . Thi . s luvr . " - ¦ . I ! ! . '» ' ; j ( . !* it < :, ' « , U . 'C H ^ U ! ' ! Vh . 'WH ' iV- 'S <•! . > -: <••! in ;! ur' fi . r » i .