Voltaire And Rousseau

been refuted by facts , " " a retrograde sophist , whose systems have no foundations , and whose politics and princip les send progress on a wrong track . " Some of us may remember how inanother generation Horace Walpole amusingly quizzed Rousseau ' s egotism and pretentiousness , his

hopeless self-conceit , and his overbearing vanity , and much more now , we venture to suggest , when the glare and g lamour of his writings have ceased to inflame the sentiments and' passions of mankind , we all must feel how little real claim he has to the true admiration of us

all . Who can seriously pretend either to admit his paradoxes or-accept his views ? While , then , we put down Rousseau ' s celebration , like that of Voltaire , to that love of excitement which just now is so prevalent , and which is fostered by those in whose interest it is , that Paris

and Geneva should alike be full , for " business is business still , " while we note the fact , we cannot but deplore this fresh proof , if proof were ever wanting , of the "twists" or the , l crazes " which affect or afflict humanity in all epochs , and through all generations . Whether the

world or man will ever be better for anything that Voltaire or Rousseau wrote , we greatly and gravely doubt . We have been taken to task by a very courteous correspondent for saying that Voltaire was a Deist . Voltaire , like a good many other people , has spoken differently

at different periods of his life , and no doubt , if our kind correspondent correctly quotes the words he calls attention to , Voltaire was not a Deist only , as we understand the word . It is just possible , as we ventured to point out , that Voltaire , like many others , actually represents that

state of thought into which the intolerant assumptions of Ultramontane dogmatism have thrown so many acute intellects and educated minds . For as it was in past time a serious effort to listen with any appearance of reverence , and without ridicule , , to a system which laid

down as a matter of faith absolutely incredible legends , so it is equally a heavy trial for the present generation to be told from the pulpit of Marie Al . icoque , and sternly bid belie-ve " ob fidem " her hallucinations , as well as a physical

impossibility . But though this be so , as we always speak plainly , we cannot honestly concur in those extravagant praises which unreflecting party spirit still seemingly likes to heap on the words and writi-irrs of Voltaire and Rousseau .

Original Correspondence.

Original Correspondence .

C * We do n- 'i hoiit ourse-lvcs riiF ; ionr * . ihlt tor , cr ev-. ' . \ , \» approving of , the opinions expressed by our orrt-f pr-mUnl * - , but eve- i-. ish , in a spirit of fair play io all , t-- > pcnnir—witMn cr . rtnin ncrc ^ sary limits—Ire-c < 'i = cui-sion .- -En . l

llOYV SCHOOL FESTIVAL . Tn Ihe Editor „ f Ihe " F . rennsm . " Dear Sir and Brother , — Iu common wilh ninny brethren who attended flic festival on "Monday last , I tvas considerably surprised and annoyed at being subjected to what was , in my opinion , n mistake on the part of Messrs .

Bertram and Rolv . rls in charging is . lo gain admission to thc banqueting hall . Considering the price paid for thc dinner , 21 s ., niu ! which was r .-alb nothing more than a cold collation , one would thin . '; that any further tax as entrance fee wasci rlain ' y unwarranted . Surely the elinner ticket should have s : * rve . l for passim ; tlie entrance harriers , otherwise it places the Alexandra P . i ' . ice at a discount as a Masoni : dinin-j hnll . Ge . ir . ral and strong dissatisfaction

was expressed upon the subject , and I am - "" lire thnt in the end thc management of the palace will suffer rather than gain from this unfair tax , which partakes strongly , in my opinion , ol sharp practice . Yours fraternally , A STF . WARO . [ Wc have received several letters on this suhje-ct , but all being written in a similar vein , this only is inseited . — En . ]

To the Editor of the " Frrcma' . on . " Dear Sir and Brother , — The motives suggested , ; f not imputed , by several writers in your piper nf to-day arc scarcely nice . When I wrote suggesting a separate polling place for ladies , I had no idea that their right to vote was questioned . I , therefore , ii , tended in no way to prejudge or

prejudice that ejiics-ion . I onl y knew that a number of ladies had promised Bro . Storr Io support him , and I desired that they should , if possible , be saved thc mobbing inseparable from the efforts of a large body of men to poll in a short space of time * . The Grand Registrar I have not seen or heard of , or from fur some weeks lia't , and

I read liis opinion iu your columns to-day for the first time . Thc suggestion of " D . D ., " that Bro . Mclntyre should n t be consulted because he is ' " ' crested in the result , is unworthy of a " D . D . " In justice to Bro . Mclntyre let mc say tint he cannot have the remotest knowled ge ( I doubt if any one has } , whether it would be better or worse for Bio . Storr if ladies vote , anef

Original Correspondence.

further , that beyo nd the bare promise of his own vote ( if not on circuit , w here I . e probably will be ) he has not so interested himself in this election as to be in any degree called with propriety an active partisan . I suppose every member of the House Committee is interested in the result , but that surely does not unfit them for the due conduct of the election . At this moment of writing , the result of the

election is of course absolutely doubtful , and I shall be glad , as a really " active partisan " of Bro . Storr to say that in early supporting him and advocating his election I intended in no way to throw any doubt on the fitness of others . I trust the best man for the Institution may be eventually chosen , and that we shall all loyally support him , when elected . Fraternally yours ,

JOHN B . MONCKTON . July 6 th , 1878 .

THE "WORLD'S FAVO LR FOR FREEMASONRY . lo the Editor of the " Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , — I fulfil my promise , and continue my remarks to-day . 1 . Christian Masonry , though undoubtedly of late origin , and probably a development of Ramsay ' s original

mistaken but specious thesis in 1 740 , is just now very much in * togue , and has rr . any ardent followers . It is , however , as it boldly avows , Christian Masonry , and , commencing with Templarism , cannot be entered by non-Christians , though , curiously enough , some writers declare that the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite , in its present form , is the actual compilation and arrangement of Hebrew

Masons . So far as this country is concerned , the " Rite of Heredom Kilwinning , with which the Rose Croix Grade is bound up , seems to have hail a chapter , or Grand Chapter , in London about 1778 , which professed , according to the Rite of Perfection , to give twenty Grades . I am not aware of anv appearance of thc A . and A . S . Rite nomenclature in

this country until well on in this century . Separate grades may have been established , and probably were , but the Ancient and Accepted Rite , as we have it in England , U histoiically a iejth century arrangement . 2 . I fear , as far as I know , that it must be admitted at the outset , that the Christian Grades have not done any good to Craft Masonry . I mean in this way . It is

undoubted that a good deal of Roman Catholic opposition to Masonry is based on the " cama mystica" for instance , and other usages and nomenclature of the Yl ' izh Grades , which seem to Roman Catholic writers to parody the offices , the names , the usages , and thc sacraments of the Church of Rome . Thc " crena mystica " is an institution very difficult to elefend , except on Dr . Lceson ' s argument

that it is a representation of the old " Agape , " and is a link which binds our Freemasonry to tlie " Disciplina Arcana . " But then as thc "Agape" was condemned and suppressed on account of its admitted abuses , I fail to see why Christian Masons should seek to revive it or perpetuate it . Dr . Lceson ' s theory of any connection between Masonry and thc " Disciplina Arcana " is , in my

opinion , utterly untenable . The original objection to Freemasonry in 1738 by the Pope Cement , and which was promulgated before Christian Mismry appeared on thc scene , was toils union of Roman Catholics and Protestants , and to its teaching thc " religion of nature-, " but the Roman Catholic controversialist of to-day- adds to lhat condemnation , the more modern accusation of impiety and

irreverence , am ! an equally vehement anathema . 3 . When , then , I am asked , what is the use of Chiistian Masonry ? I , for one , am at a loss for a reply . But I admit equally , not being a Christian Mason , that I am not perhaps competent to reply to the query , except archaiologically . The English Christian system is confined tn Templarism , to the Mark Grade to the Ancient and

Accepted Scottish Rite-, anil to the revived Order of Constantine-, and is undoubtedly free from many of the gross absurdities and childish nonsense which mark many of the foreign " High Gr ides , " and which character , 1 fear , must be given to so-called " Cryptic Masonry , " to the rites of Misraim , Memphis , Swedenborg , " ct hoc genus omne . " You see I speak openly and frankly , with all deference ,

however , to thc oDininns of others , as I am always ready to bc convince ! by evidence and argument . 4 . Now , as I before asked , is there any harmonising passible of Craft and Christian Masonry ? or can the latter be in any sense a complement or supplement of the former ? The one is universal , the other limited . The one is theistic alone , thc other is Christian ; the one admits all

who believe * in God the Must Hi gh , the other rejects all except those who accept the doctrine of the Holy and Blessed Trinity . 5 . Admitted , if you like , that Christian Masons havens much tight to exist , to speak , to act , as Craft Masons ; conceded , if you choose , that the Christian Grades , ( some of them at any rate ) are beautiful .-csthctically ,

doctrinally , morally , yet how can they and Craft Masonry mit-t or work on any common platform ? That theory seems therefore to me to bc impossible to uphold , and to be one not consonant either with tiuth or honesty to put forward . (> . But I am not prepared , therefore , to condemn my Christian brethren . N . jy , I admit that in their Christian character they mctt a common charge , ( if it be woith

meeting ) , of some superficial objectors , like Mr . Kerr , a reformed Presbyterian , at the present day . 7 . It is quite possible- , 1 feel bound also to say , that there is after all no ab solute contradiction which at first sight might appear to exist as between the Christian development and thc Craft foundation . That is to say , thc

Christian Mason may fairly say , it appears to me , ( as I speak not for the sake of victory , but of truth ) , " I have a moral right to extend , as I believe the organisation and teaching of a Christian Menu-tic Masonry , which 1 contend has always existed in thc world , side by side with Cr . ift Masonry , in which Christian Masons see great good , a , i

Original Correspondence.

to which I personally prefer alike in all its formulae , and its symbolism , and its dogmata . May it not also be fairl y contended , that Christian Masonry is <) ¦ . ¦ natural consequence , the inevitable development 1 ! * .... pure theism of Craft Masonry ?" 8 . Thus , then , I come to the conclusion , to which I have tried to lead my readers , that while I , for one , prefer

on my own subjective views the simpler teaching of the vmiversalism of Craft Masonry , and see in that its highest use and its greatest glory , I yet concede to my Christian brother Mason his equal right , absolutely and subjectively , to adhere to the more limited theory of Christian Masonry . Both systems can co-exist and may peacefully

progress side by side , and let us praise and commend all who in these doubting and prevaricating * days hold manfully to their own opinions on one side or the other , neither heeding the world ' s favour nor seeking * the applause of men . I am , yours fraternally , CRAFTSMAN .

MASONIC AESTHETICS . To the Editor of the " Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , — You have properly always commended Masonic aesthetics , which are certainly much improved since the days that you and I , Sir , " went g'psying" in Masonry " a long time ago . " But I confess that I was scandalized with the

very " hugger mugger " way in which the consecration of the Chaucer Chapter was effected , though I am very much flattered by the use of my name . The patient companions , in the first place , in the hottest of weather , were crowded into a little room , and perspired , and panted , and mopped their faces all through the long ceremonies . Indeed , I thought at one time that there would

bc nothing left behind of the reverend Orator but a large spot of grease . Indeed , the sufferings of all were patent , though , like good Masons , theirs was a " willing " mind . And , then , what shall I say—what can any one say—about the paraphernalia ? Perhaps , in thai very hot weather the consecrating vessels might nave been melted between Great Queen-street and Southwark , and

great would have been the " payne" of all . Perhaps it was too far to go for them from the " Borough ! " Be this as it may , cannot proper vessels be secured ? I think they can , and I fancy that I have seen them before on similar occasions . I , for one , object to " butter boats , " except at table , anil I think a very witty " mot , " of a most distinguished official deserves recording " All ! " he said sotto

voce , " 1 see , fried soles and melted butter . " As there is , I am credibly informed , no difficulty whatever , in procuring suitable vessels , at a higher or lower fee , I trust that I may never again witness such unsatisfactory arrangements . I think it may , however , all be put down to thc very hot weather , in which 110 eloubt every one , was in

person or imagination at the seaside or his " Sabine farm , " and , therefore , these wire things which in such a state of affairs a "fellar" could not be expected to think about . I hope you won ' t think that I have written either in " heate , " or in " speighte , " and I am , yours most fratcrnalye , CHAUCER .

THE MOTHER COUNCIL OF THa WORLD . To the Editor of Ihe " Freemason . " Dear Sir anil Brother , — I am not concerned in this discussion , which is a pretty little quarrel as it stands , further than to ask Bro . Albert Pike , through your pages , what is his authority for the statement that Frederick the Great ever established

a Supreme Council ? Mig ht I also ask Bro . Pike to tell us frankly and carefully in your pages also , what in his opinion is the valid evidence which connected Frederick thc Great with the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite at all ? He will hardly , I think , contend for the genuiness and authenticity of the so-called Constitutions of 178 G . I am , vnurs fraterinlly , CRAFTSMAN .

KENNING'S CYCLOP .-EDIA . Dear Bro . Kenning : — I have read thc various fluttering and careful criticisms on your Cyrli .-piedia with much pleasure and profit , but I think it we-11 when , from ignorance or misipprchension , thc reviewer , ( let us hope unwillingly ) , seeks to depreciate the work , lo rectify any such patent errors

and to remove any such palpable unelervaluing . Pnllic Opinion of June 20 th , contains a very superficial and unfriendly review of the work , which , though I may be wrong , seems to be pervaded by somewhat of a personal animus , for I shall hope shortly to show the remarks of the writer arc positively unsound ant ! unjust . From a hook of 6 *; G pages he takes one subject , " not the worst , "

he adds , and which he dubs " unsatisfactory , " anel remarks in a novel adage " Ex pede Herculcm ! " The article inculpated is " Cabiri . " Now , it was impossible in a Masonic Cyclopaedia to go into a que-stion like the " Cabiri " nt any length , thc more so , as the writer well knows it is a most eiebateable one . The connection of Masonry with tlie mysteries is in itself a matter of much discussion and

some doubt . Thc Samothracian mysteries surel y belong to the " dim distance of ages . " It would have been obviously most unwise to load pages in which space was valuable with matter so dubious and so recondite . But I did what I proposed to do , I gave a sketch of the main opinions on the subject , and I purposely omitted the names because I coulel not

see why I was to insert them , as I wns not editing a general , or a classical , or a simply archa-logical Cyclopauiia . I am quite aware of the various theories of the " Cabiri , " and of the eliscussions as to their origin , and even as to the-ir names . But the writer chooses to forget that there is so far no actual agreement even as to their number , much less as to their names , and had he carefully read the article he would have realised thc fact that I have con-