Which Shall It Be ?

WHICH SHALL IT BE ?

SAINT JOHN tho Baptist ; and Saint John the Evangelist have long * held a place of special honour among the Craft in Christian lands . Distinct recognition is o * iven them in the Pres toman system , and also in the ritual formulated by Webb , whieh i . s so generally adopted in this

country . The two Saints John are denominated " eminent patrons of Masonry , " and it is provided that Lodges shall be dedicated to the memory of these illustrious Christian worthies . Webb used the singular term , the " Holy Saint

John , " in announcing his formula for the dedication of Lodges , and some have supposed that he intended to show a preference for John the Baptist who was in some sense identified wifch the Craffc organisations prior to the time of

the " Revival , " while there is no satisfactory evidence that St . John the Evangelist was so recognised until after 1717 . Probably , however , Webb intended to refer to both Saints in the dedicatory sentence , and it was only a want of care

that led to the printing of the formula in the manner stated . Elsewhere in his references he brings both names together as representing two eminent patrons of the Craft , and seemingly he would have both the Saints held in equal favour by the Fraternity .

In this country when Masonic Lodges are dedicated there is a recognition of tho Saints John iu the form observed , but in England the practice is to dedicate Lodges to King Solomon , and there is no reference to the Saints John in the ritual usuallv followed .

In this country , also , the Saints John are denominated " eminent patrons of Masonry , " and their connection with the Order is supposed to be signified by the symbolism of a " point within a circle bordered by two parallel lines . "

According to the Webb explanation , " the point represents an individual brother , the circle represents the boundary line of bis duty to God and man , beyond which he is never to suffer his passions , prejudices or interest to betray

him on any occasion . The two perpendicular , parallel lines embordering the Circle represent St . John the Baptist and St . John the Evangelist , who were perfect parallels in Christianity as well as Masonry ; and upon the

vertex rests the book of Holy Scriptures which points out the Avhole duty of man . In going ronnd this circle we necessarily touch upon theso two lines , as well as upon the

Holy Scriptures , and while a Mason keeps himself thus circumscribed it is impossible that be sbould materiall y em "

There has been a general use of tbe foregoing form of words in the rendering of work in American Lodges , and m this manner the symbolism referred to has received its usual explanation . Intelligent Brethren in their use of

the formula have not intended to declare their belief that the Saints John were actual members of the Order , or thafc it is possible to trace a line of historic connection between them and the organisation which bears the

Masonic name . The thought has been rather that the two Saints John , so admirably qualified by manifold graces to represent the noblest types of Masonic character , tnio-ht

well be associated in a moral and symbolic way with the Institution . No harm can come from such an identification , we think ; yet there is an urgency of feeling on the part of many Brethren that the ritual and work should be so

modified as to eliminate all reference to the Saints John . Lod ges ought not § fco be dedicated to their memory , it . is said , and there should be a return to first principles by pointing out the astronomical meaning of a " point within

a circle bordered by two parallel lines , " ancl teaching the candidate what most likely may have been the ancient significance of such a figure , viz .: its reference to tho " annual path of the sun among the constellations of tho zodiao , " such

a p ^ th being defined and limited by the parallel lines of the ti'opics . Thafc the sun , as a symbol , is intimately connected With the Masonic system , cannot be doubted , and a reference ot the figure to which attention has been called may well ¦ l ¦

1 o — ' — - ~ -- '" - """ j >** w oe made to the apparent movements of the sun as marked b 7 the summer and winter Solstices . Tho sun ' s orderly course within these appointed limits may remind Masons

° \ their moral duties , ancl also suggest to them tint they ^ dl bo apt to fall into no grievous error if they hold thetnsoives within the lines that aro made evident to the reason as bounding the exercise of man ' s just responsibility .

Which shall it be ? Shall the form that recognises the ' 'tints John be retained , or shall the astronomical reference a » d suggestion be taken iu its place ? We iucliae to the

Which Shall It Be ?

usage m which we wore instructed—to an adherence to that form of explanation which brings two eminent types of human excellence into the ease , besides allowing for a secondary reference fco nature , and to the seeming

movements of tho sun in its defined and beautiful path . It can do no harm to point Brethren to the noble and heroic John the Baptist—to the saintly and loving John the Evangelist ,

and in a well-understood use of words , refer to these illustrious men as characteristically the " Patrons of Masonry . "—Freemasons ' Repository .

An Unholy Ambition.

AN UNHOLY AMBITION .

THE times , Masonically , are not propitious for the encouragement and advancement to stations of honour and trust of merely ambitious persons , who , in most respects , unworthy of consideration , are selections not fit fco be made .

Where ambition is so selfish and unholy as to seek to thrive on disintegration , on the alienation of other and true men from interest and sympathy with the general work , making their successes fco be built upon their own vanities and the

enforced withdrawal of "the regard of better and really influential brethren from the active work , —all such ambition should be rebuked , and the persons cherishing and nursing it should be told , wifch a pronounced emphasis , that they are not of the kind that is wanted .

Not only are the times not propitious for the advancement of such persons , but it will require the best judgment in the brethren of tho Exaltation ; the nicest discernment of what is proper to be done , and of who is fit to clo ifc ; the most

generous recognition of the general brotherhood and fche absolute silencing of the defaming and maligning tongue — by which unholy ambition seeks to soar ; for however much brethren may be assured of and rest happily in the

consciousness of their personal integrity and honour , the time comes when the assaults of vicious tongues employing sinister and damning insinuations for the merest selfish ends , are resented with the . active , honourable contempt of good

men , active iu such form , place and influence , as will consign the selfish and the vicious to the punishment they deserve . It must needs be , however , " that offences come "; it is also said , " wo unto that man by whom the offence cometh . "

It is also expedient that one die for the people . " It is further said : " Judgment must begin at the house of God . " No judgment can come upon Masonry ; for like Divinity , it bears a charmed life , and its soul is truth itself , but

Masonic brethren in their " most improved estate " cannot well bear without a sense of indignation , nor successfully resist , the processes of disintegration which may go on

until brethren will eituer cherish hostilities , or lapse into indifference to the Institution , its grandeur of principle and its greatness aud majesty of work . —Masonic Revieiv .

The Chiswick Lodge of Mark Master Masons will be consecrated to-day ( Saturday ) , afc fche Sfcar and Garter Hotel , Kew Bridge . The proceedings will commence at 2-30 .

The Dowager Lady Henniker has presented to the Church of Greafc Thoraham , a painted window from the Studio of Mr . Taylor , of Berners-sfcreet , in memory of her husband , the fourth Lord , who died on Easter Eve , 1870 . The subject of the window appropriately illustrates tho " Eve of the Eesurreefcion . "

Under tlio titlo , "The Roll-Oall of f . io Heroes , " tho editor of the Quiver will publish in tho Jnly number of thab magazine an account of the bravo deeds in recognition of wliih fche first bitch of silver and bronze medab * have been awarded , front tho fund now being raised

by tho readers of tho Quiver for the inadtution of medals for heroic conduct in the saving of lifo by land a ; d sea . Among the first recipients are a collogo student , a clergy nau , a miner , a fisherman , a policeman , and a life-boafc coxswain .

FirjN"SBA . LS .-Bros . W . K . L . & G . A . HUTTOOT , Coffin Makers and Undertakers , 17 Wewc istle Street , Strand . W . C , and 7 Heme Villas , Fovest Hill , Head Peckham Rye , S . B .

£ 20 . —TonACCOJfisTa CoitMEXcrxG . — An illustrate *! guide ( 110 pages ) , " How to Open respectably from t ' - 'O to £ 'MM : " ' 3 Stamps . H . MYERS & ( Jo ! , Cigar and Tobacco Merchants , 10 !) Euston Head , London . Wholesale only . Telephone No . 75 il .