The Revised Constitutions Of The Irish Grand Lodge.

wise in itself and indigmts vindice nodus We hope , therefore , to hear that Law 133 is expunged from the Irish Book of Constitutions . We are also very doubtful , we feel bound to add , of the

propriety or value of the very elaborate forms of prayer provided for all occasions , and above all , of the lengthened ritual prescribed in print for the installation of a W . M ., and the investiture of the officers of a lodge .

We think that it is far better to leave such matters to the lex inscripla , to the traditionary customs and oral teaching in the different lodges .

We are not , and never have been amongst those , who believe in stereotyped forms , or uniformity of ritual , inasmuch as from long exprienee we believe , they reduce Masonic

working to a dull and meaningless level , and conduce , more than anything else , to idleness and incapacity in a W . M . In the present instance , we think these forms

are an unnecessary addition to the Book of Constitutions , and that , if there must be a form provided , our English form , as given in our Grand Lodge Constitutions , is far simpler and more

dignified , and far more in accordance with the unchanged usages of Freemasonry . We observe that no provision is made in these new Irish Constitutions for " Public Ceremonies , " which we venture to deem a serious

omission . Having said thus much in all of fraternal good will and honest criticism , we congratulate the Irish Grand Lodge on their endeavour io meet

the wants and necessities of this improving age , and of an increasing Craft . It has often been observed how little we in England know of the proceedings of the Irish Grand Lodge or of

Irish Masonry , and we trust , therefore , that these , their amended Constitutions , will be followed by a little more publicity of documents and proceedings .

With these few friendly , and , we trust , not unseasonable remarks , we shall await with some little interest the discussion and settlement of these new and revised Book of Constitutions in the Irish Grand Lodge .

The Spurious Rite Of Memphis.

THE SPURIOUS RITE OF MEMPHIS .

It is with exceeding regret that we lind ourselves compelled to recur to a subject which , to every right-thinking Mason , is simply one which he would willingly bury in oblivion . Nor shall

we even now steep our pen in bitterness , or pour the vials of a righteous wrath upon the heads of those erring and misguided brethren who ] support , however feebly and unwisely , the

impious Rite of Memphis . To us they are still brethren , and , with especial reference to some leading spirits in that unholy confederation , we are disposed to say , in the language of

Scripture , " Come out of her , my people , and be not partakers of her sins . " No greater fraud upon the Masonic public of the two hemispheres was ever perpetrated than the inception and

subsequent modus operandi ofthe Rite of Memphis ; and no body of men , since the foundation of society , has ever been burdened with a greater weight of wickedness in Ahc persons of its pro-

The Spurious Rite Of Memphis.

moters and neophytes . One of these Heavenabandoned men introduced the soi-disant Rite into England some time ago , and we commented in severe but justifiable terms upon his

antecedents at the time . Unfortunately , however , the venom , imported by this miserable man , became a circulating medium , and shame be it to those who , as English Masons , countenance the

living lie , there are now in our midst some , —a few , but still too many , —who have adopted not only the original frontispiece of fraud , but who are trying to imprint it upon the minds of the

unwary by a course of misrepresentation and falsehood . The latest exploit of these individuals is the fact of their having published a kind of manifesto of the Rite of Memphis .

Whoever they may be , we tell them plainly they will not advance their cause by forging the signatures of distinguished Masons to their list of members , or exposition of principles . The letter

which we print in another coloum , from Bro . Thevenot , Grand Secretary of the Grand Orient of France , clearly indicates that the name of that gentleman has been used in the most disgraceful

manner to further ends entirely in conflict with his Masonic obligations , and we have also seen a letter from Bro . Loewe nstark , in which he repudiates all connection with the spurious Rite .

After this we shall simply ask the aiders and abettors of this nefarious transaction , if they will still continue to place the names of respectable men and Masons , upon their published

documents ? We have a right . to assume that if Bros . Thevenot and Loewenstark , disclaim both membership and sympathy with the " unclean

thing" other names may have been used with a similar disregard for truth . The whole episode is evidently planned by some rabid

anti-Mason , to bring discredit upon the Ancient Craft , and we can only hope that all those whose names have been thus scandalously played with will indignantly repel the foul assumption .

The Grand Orient Of France And The Rite Of Memphis.

THE GRAND ORIENT OF FRANCE AND THE RITE OF MEMPHIS .

We are requested to publish , for the information of the Craft , the following letter from Bro . Thevenot , Grand Secretary of the Grand Orient of France , relative to the so-called Rite of Memphis . This letter was addressed to the

Supreme Council , 33 , in answer to an enquiry , and it convincingly proves to all unprejudiced minds that a system founded upon such gross fraud and falsehood cannot for a moment withstand the expression of public or Masonic opinion . —[ Ed . F . ]

" Grand Orient de France " O . * . de Paris , le 22 Aout , 1873 ( E . * . V . * . ) " Au IV . III . ' . F . Robert Hamilton , 33 ° deg . ' . Grand Secretaire General du Supreme Conseil d'Angleterre , & c . " Cher Monsieur et IV . III . * . IV .

" Vous m ' apprenez que dans une rccente circulaire , emance du soi disant " ancien et primitif rite de la Maconnerie , " mon nom figure comme membre honoraire , 95 c degre de ce rite , et vous me pries : de vous fournir queiques renseignements a ce sujet . Je m ' empresse dc satisfaire a votre desir , tout

en vous remerciant bien vivement de cette communication . Ma reponse sera aussi simple que categoriqtie . La voici . Je declare que je ne fats et n ' ai jamais fait partie , ni directement ni indirectement , du soi disanc " Ancien el primitif rite de lu Maconnerie , " ni du pouvior constituant ou directeur de ce rite , nouvellement implante en Angleterre , ce que je deplore amcrcment .

The Grand Orient Of France And The Rite Of Memphis.

J ' affirme que la mention de mon nom comme membre honoraire et comme possedant le 95 c degre de ce pritendu rile maconnique est une imposture queje signale aux macons de tous les pays , et centre laquelle jeproteste et m'inscrisen faux cette mention a ete faite k mon insti et

sans aucune participation de ma part . Telle est ma reponse , cher Monsieur et T . \ 111 . * . F . \ , et en vous confirmant ma lettre du $ e . 8 bre 1 S 72 , par laquelle jai eu l'honneur de vous informer que je n ' avais aucun rapport avec

le pretendu " ancien et primitif rite de la maconnerie , " je vous autorise a faire de cette reponse tel usage que vous croirez utile pour le bien des saines doctrines de l ' ordre Maconnique , dont je suis le tres devoue serviteur .

Veuillez agreer , cher Monsieur et T . * . III . . F . \ l ' assurance de ma consideration la plus distinguee et de mes sentiments les plus fraternels . Lc chef du Secretariat du Grand Orient de France . ( Signed ) THEVENOT . ( Seal )

TRANSLATION . Grand Orient of France . O . ' . de Paris , 22 nd August , 1873 . "To the V . * . I . H . * . Bro . Dr . Hamilton 33 V . Gd Sect . * . Gen . * . Su . \ Co . * . of England , & c . & c

Dear Sir and V . \ 111 . * . Bro ., You inform me that in a recent circular emanating from the self-styled Ancient and Primitive Rite of Masonry , my name appears as an Hon . Member , 95 , of this Rite , and you request me

to furnish you with some information on the subject . My reply will be both plain and categorical . I declare that 1 do not take , and never have taken part , either directly or indirectly , in the

selfstyled Ancient and Primitive Rile of Masonry , either as a founder or director of the Rite , lately imported into England , and which I bitterly deplore . I affirm that the mention of my name as an

Hon . Member , and as possessing the 95 ° . * . of ihtSpletciulcj JlAaj-r . * , !^ Jpt / a IC nn Impnchli-o « -2 t € C *!* I publish to the Masons of all countries , against which I protest , and of which I declare the falsehood . This mention has been made unknown

to me , and without any participation on my part . Such is my answer , dear Sir and 111 . Bro . ., and in confirming my letter to you of 5 th Oct ., 1872 , in which 1 had the honour to inform you that I have no connection with the pretended

Ancient and Primitive Rite of Masonry , I authorize you to make any use of this letter which you may consider advantageous for the sound doctrines of the Masonic Order , of which I am the very devoted servant .

Accept , dear Sir and V . . 111 . . Bro , ., the assurance of my most distinguished consideration and most fraternal sentiments . The Sect . * . Gen . -, of the Gd . * . O . * . of France . ( Signed ) THEVENOT .

The consecration ofthe Royal Military Lodge , No . 1449 , will take place on Tuesday next , November 4 th , at the St . George ' s HaU , Canterbury . The ceremonies of consecration and installation will be performed by Bro . Major-Gen . G . S . Brownrigg , C . B ., P . S . G . W ., Provincial Grand Master for Surrey .

Tha consecration of the Bagshaw Lodge will take place at the Bald-faced Stag , Buckhursthill , on Thursday , November 6 th . The ceremony of consecration will be performed by Bro . J . Hervey , G . Sec , and Bro . R . Wentworth Little , Prov . G . Sec , Middlesex .

All countries strive , so far as their knowledge extends , to show a full and fell opposition to disease , come whence and when it may . Early application of remedial measures is indispensable for success . In variable damp weather Holloway ' s Pills are especially serviceable in maintaining nervous vigour , and in defending the frame against ill consequences from dampness or chills . If the first

symptoms receive attention and judicious treatment , not only will future danger be averted , but old ailments will give way , and better health will be attained than was enjoyed before illness . No treatment , for safety and certainty of success , may be so confidently relied upon as that discovered by Professor Holloway , whose Pills and Ointment always restore thc sufferer . — ADVT .