A New Masonic History.*

A NEW MASONIC HISTORY . *

WE havo delayed onr notice of this valuable addition to Ma-onic literature in order that fall justice might ho done to the Board of Editors , as well individually as collectively , for their able and successful endeavours to net before the Craft generally , and more especially that section thoroof whoso members take a deep interest in the

origin and progress of tho several Orders connected with Speculative Erceraasourv , a comprehensive account of all obtainable information , from the earliest date from which can bo gathered evidences , more or les 3 reliable , of the early history of tho Fraternity . The volume itself is tho

result of the conjoint labours and researches of a large number of eminent American and Engli . sh authorities on the several subjects of which they troat , headed by Henry Leonard Sttllson , of Bennington , Vermont , U . S . A ., as Editor in Chief , and William John Hughan , of Torquay ,

England , as European Editor . The "Board consists of nineteen other well known Freemasons , with each of whose respective contributions to the work wo proposo to deal , nnd jet other fifty-nino btudents of Masonic arcbcoology are represented by their writings on a variety of subjects

connected with tho Masonic Orders . It may well be supposed , therefore , that this History does not lack tho advantages to bo gained by a concentration of numerous ideas and opinions tending to assure , as far as assurance can bo given , a perfect knowledge of antecedent facts , and

to impress the mind of the reader with a firm conviction that , if not tho whole verity of Masonic Record a largo modicum thereof is placed within his grasp . Commencing with n dedication page , to tho memory of " the long line of noble brethren in tho Grand Lodge above who handed

down unimpaired the tenets of the Fraternity , and to the living Craftsmen who aro emulating their noble example ;" a Preface which sets forth tho need for a popular work which should strictly adhoro to the well-known axiom " In things essential , unity ; in things doubtful , liberty ;

in all things , charity ; " a table of contents is spread before the eager searcher after knowledge which is in itself a compendium of no mean merit . By this table we learn tbe schemo of the work itself , its division into five parts , with sub-divisions to tho number of twenty-one , the parts

treating respectively of Ancient Masonry , Cosmopolitan Freemasonry , Concordant Orders , the Scottish Kite and Royal Order of Scotland , and Miscellaneous Rites and Orders . A list of forty-nine illustrations , of which ten are by Dore , arranged expressly for this work , and to some of which wo

shall havo occasion , when adverting to tho s ^ voral sub - divisions , to refer , is followed by an Introduction bearing tho signature of the well-known and much-esteemed

Brother William James Hughan , and fully meriting the opinion of our contemporary the Freemason , that it "will rank with his best efforts , and ia quite a Masonic History in brief . " To a consideration of this important addition to Masonic literature we shall first apply ourselves ,

and proceed in due course to notice the various subdivisions of the entire -work . Brother Hughan , after preliminary reference to want of information on the part of many mombers of the Craft respecting its eventful past ,

whatever may in some instances be their proficiency in tho ritualistic portion of its ceremonies , expresses his opinion that it should be " impossible for any one , free from prejudice , and possessing the necessary intelligence , to rise from the study of this volume without becoming

desirous to still farther investigate the history of this wonderful Society , which has been so loved and cherished by millions of the human race , and which -increases in vitality and usefulness , as the years come and go , throughout tho civilized world ; " and we presume that

such opinion will be shared by all who desire to bo considered " bright " Masons in the true sense and meaning generally applied to that word . Some amount of knowledge of past occurrences is at all events necessary to those who

would thoroughly understand the theories and practices of the present day . A mass of evidence has been accumulated , demonstrating the continuity of the Fraternity , Speculative as well as Operative , throughout the centuries immediatel y antecedent to the so-called " revival" or reconstruction

A New Masonic History.*

period of A . D . 1717 , the actual minutes of Lodges , beginning as early as 1599 , presenting an unbroken series of records overlapping that date and extending therefrom to this year of grace 1891 . Bro . Hughan considers that Freemasonry has undoubtedly adopted and absorbed many of the usages

and customs of antiquity , and many have erroneously looked upon the Ancient Mysteries and Freemasonry as continuous developments of one and the same Society , but the Antient Mysteries are so far removed in point of time from all that is known of Freemasonry that " it is simply

impossible to construct a bridge of history or theory that can unite the two . " He tells us that those important documents the " Old Charges " range as regards date over some five centuries ; and are peculiar to the Fraternity . Over fifty are known . The oldest , fourteenth contury ,

vorsion , exhibits points of resemblance with a roll used b y a Lodgo one hundred and fifty years ago , and thereb y demonstrates their common origin and purpose . Tho Old Charges wero used during the ceremony of initiation , and , with a certain amount of esoteric information constituted

then the whole ceremony of reception . All known copies aro of English origin , and of a markedly Christian type . Their influence remained as moral standards after they had full effect as current laws and regulations . Surel y information of such a character as that contained in tho

immediately foregoing sentences , condensed from Brother Hughan ' s more extended and ably expressed remarks , should be known to every intelligent member of our Order ; and the want of such and such like knowledge should be considered evidence of carelessness and

indifference towards its best interests and progress . Enjoined as its neophytes undoubtedly are to " make a daily advancement in Masonio knowledge , " wo yot feel too well assured that most consider it a quite useless task to acquaint themselves with aught beyond what they may see

or hear within the four walls of a Mason ' s Lodge . To such we commend the "Introduction" now before us for especial study . Referring to some portions of tho esoteric working iu our Lodges , Brother Hughan doubts as to the employment of " signs , tokens and words " in ancient

times , and says it is only as we como down to more modern times that it can be positively affirmed that esoteric privileges and customs were connected with Masonic initiation wholly distinct from that of all other trades . " He considers that it is

abundantly confirmed that " speculative " Freemasonry existed as far back as the oldest " Charges ; " there are , however , unfortunately , no records extant of actual Lodgo meetings prior to 1599 . It will interest many of our readers to learn that preparatory to promotion in Operative Masonry

in former days " trials of skill" on the part of tho candidate was necessary . Tho counterparts of those essays in the speculative Masonry of the present day are the examinations in open Lodge between the respective degrees in

some of our Lodges considered , as should be , of high importance , in others thought of no consequence so long as the " prompting " is passable . It may be interesting also to note that in the Operative Lodges Apprentices were members , and exercised their privileges as such just as Craftsmen and Masters , which tends to prove that but ono

their respective offshoots cannot fail to concern tho general body of the Craft , and more particularly the brethren of the Grand Lodge of Scotland . The precedence of the Lodge of Edinburgh , No . 1 , is declared to have been based on evidence " Notourlie ( notoriously ) manifest in our awld

ceremonial of initiation and membership was then in vogue . Some very interesting detail in relation to the Lodge of Edinburgh , No . 1 , "first and principal , " Mother Lodgo Kilwinning , No . 0 , " the second as respects seniority , " and

antient writers . Other Old Lodges in Scotland , all of pre-Grand Lodge origin , are also noted , and in reference to the old Lodge of Aberdeen , No . 34 , Mark Master Masons of the present day will have opportunity for observing the connection of that degree with ordinary Craft working ,

and the fidelity with which members "had their marks regularly registered " in those days . In the present , the desirability of handing down to future Masonic historians such useful records as the " Mark Book " provides appears

not to be so well or so generally understood , or if understood , remains frequently unpractised . Referring for a moment to present day ritual , Bro . Hughan states that in none of the preserved records of tbe ancient Lodge at Melrose , dating from January 1670 , are there to be found

any references to three degrees , the only secret ceremony