Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Contets.
CONTETS .
L EADERS 3 " 3 Roval Masonic Institution for Boys 364 Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution 364 Masonic History and Historians 36 4 Roval Masonic Institution for Girls 36 4 Address of Bro . tin" Right Hon . H . T . Prinscp , D . G . M . to the District Grand
. Reviews 3 '' 6 Masonic Notes and Queries 3 G 6 Provincial Grand Lodge of Devonshire 367 Provincial Grand Lodge of Hampshire and Isle of Wight 3 <> 7 Provincial Grand Lodge of . Middlesex 3 6 S Provincial Grand Lodge of Essex 36 S
Lodge of Bengal 3 C 5 C ORRESPONDENCEPrecedence of provincial Grand Officers 3 66 Masonic History and Historians 3 66 The First and " Most Eminent Mason in the World 366 Bradloiigh Under a Wrong Denomination 3 66 Elias Ashmole 366
Grand Lodge of Canada 369 The Masonic Veterans 370 REPORTS OF MASONIC MEETINGSCraft Masonry 37 ° Mark Masonry 37 ° Masonic and Gc ' ncral Tidings 371 Lodge Meetings for Next Week 372 The Late Bro . A . G . Mackey 373
Ar00101
THE following passage in a letter from the Times corresponden t at Paris last week seems to us deserving of " note and comment , " in that it is so historically incorrect as to fall into the region of " muthos " entirely . The writer says , in reference to some Napoleonic history , to which we need not
further allude , as far outside our boundary line : " The Empire was Democracy with the purple in addition for those who like to be dazzled . It was the only dangerous rival of the Republic ; nay , it had the advantage over it of beinsr double-faced , of offering one hand to the Church and the other to
the Freemasons , and of flattering Democracy by creating marquises and dukes . The Empire's last champion has retired , and , contrary to the cry of the Roman gladiator , those who see him go say , ' Ave Crcsar moriturus ! victores te salutant . '" We only give the whole " extract" at all
like as we " bid " at a sale , for a whole lot of rubbish for one little book of rarity or value , on account of the allusion to the Freemasons . We arc amused to note " en passant , " that the printers of the Times . like other printers , have made a "hash " of the Latin . What the writer says of the
" Freemasons" is clearly historically incorrect . In the first NAPOLEONS time the French Freemasons , who were recovering from the " Slough of Despond " of the French Revolution , had very little power in France , and never were high in favour with NAPOLEON himself , though he allowed them
to meet and put first CA . MBACERES , and then his brother J OSEPH , at their head . In the last NAPOLEON ' S reign the Freemasons were latterly at open war with the Government , in our opinion most unwisely ; and the theory that at any time the \ ' area political power in a State is fatal to the genius and
mission of Freemasonry , and , as far as France is concerned , is indeed a " myth of myths . " It may flatter the vanity of some , that love of public discussion which is the bane of true Freemasonry , and in which our French brethren too much indulge , but as Freemasonry has suffered equally from
" panegyrists and calumniators , each equally mendacious , " ( these are Mr . HALLAM ' S words , not ours ) , wc think it well to protest to-day against a mis-reading of Masonic history in France , which may do much harm . The other remarks apply to an eminent French Statesman , M . ROUIIER , on his avowed retirement from miblic life .
* * THE train of thought into which the foregoing article has led us is this—that we may rejoice to think that wc English Freemasons have nothing to do with either political , or religious discussions . So far , happily , our Order has been
kept free—truly free , perfectly free—from the excitement of political discussions , or the outflow of acrimonious controversies ; and long may this " golden age " for us as Masons continue . In public life wc are often worried and jostled angrily by heated combatants and unreasoning
controversialists , but in a Masonic lodge all is peace and calm , mutual consideration , and fraternal respect for others . We " honour all men , " and so long as our brother is neither a stupid Atheist nor an irreligious libertine wc forbear all questions as to his creed , and welcome him as a brother of our Order . We
are absolutely so far exempt from the untoward knowledge or discussion of sectarian differences , and any one who hastily lightens any torch of discord or throws down a gauntlet of animosity in our midst is not fit to remain
in our peaceful , tolerant , charitable , and kindly Order . We see every now and then " loose words , " and read apathetic statements on this vital principle of Freemasonry , and we think it right to raise our humble note ol friendl y warning and sympathetic concern .
A LETTER we published last week , signed "A Rough Ashlar , " raises a very serious question . Undoubtedly since 1813 we in England must honestly
Ar00102
admit that the teachings and proclamations of the Grand Lodge have been non-denominational , and the entire ritual has been simply Theistic , though there has remained in our midst , and probably always will remain , a limited Johannite School , which finds Christian symbolism in Freemasonry , In
Scotland and Ireland Christian prayers can be used ; but the general use in England ( though there is no rule , it is said , without an exception ) , since-1813 , has been what maybe fairly termed " universal , " in opposition to " particular . " Of late on several occasions we have noted that Christian prayers
have been used ; and we presume that the instance referred to by our correspondent is one of these cases . Remembering J EREMY TAYLOR ' S eloquent and indignant claim for " liberty of prophesying , " we are not ourselves inclined to take much notice of such little deviations from our well-known
formularies , and we often think that about such matters , and many more like them , the old proverb still holds good emphatically— " The least said , the soonest mended . " Still , our correspondent was in " his right " in calling attention to the fact .
* * WE have always boasted that Freemasonry knew neither political prepossessions nor sectarian controversies . It seems , however , that some worthy brethren , under the Scottish Constitution , in New Zealand , from a
paragraph in last Freemason , are about to prove the incorrectness of such constant declarations by the formation of a political lodge . We can hardly believe the statement , and think that it must be an Antipodean
" canard . " But we know enough of the Masonic principles and spirit of the Grand Lodge of Scotland to feel persuaded that any such perverse parody on Masonic teaching will at once be repudiated and condemned by its distinguished authorities .
* * WE are pleased to note that the Everton Lodge , No . S 23 , added to the pleasure of its annual recreation gathering by making an excursion to Llandudno . This is a most sensible proceeding , and one to be imitated by other lodges .
* * WE have heard , though we can hardly credit the report , that Grand Lodge is again to be distressed and annoyed by some absurd personal
questions , arising out of some petty matters in the Committees of the Girls School . We beg to express our hope that steps may be taken in some way or other officially , to put a stop to proceedings which make Freemasonry a subject of ridicule to all outsiders . It is a little too bad .
* * VERY soon on the Victoria Embankment the bronze Sphinxes will flank "yon stately obelisk , " to its manifest improvement , and we are forcibly reminded whenever we see it of the patriotic munificence of our esteemed Bro .
ERASMUS WILSON , whose zeal both for Masonry and philanthropy is well known , and , in our opinion , highly commendable . The noble work which he is so liberally carrying on at the Sea Bathing Infirmary , Margate , is one entirely characteristic of himself , and is certain in every way to be a lasting aid and blessing to our common and suffering humanity .
* * WE are much struck by the number of good brethren and true who transact the routine , but needful , work of " Masonry" while every one is " out of
town . " We think especial praise is due to our GRAND TREASURER , always ready for duty , and who certainly deserves the sympathy and regard of all his brethren for what he does so zealously and consistently for the welfare in every way of our Ancient Craft .
WE have often said that we arc but at the threshold of our Masonic studies , and we repeat the assertion to-day . The fact alluded to by " Masonic Student" in regard to ASHMOLE ' S initiation opens out many questions ,
and suggests numerous considerations . So far from investigation upholding the so-called 1717 theory , it entirely upsets it , and we feel assured that present investigation will result in the certainty of an existing Freemasonry in the 17 th century in this country , entirely akin to the revival of 1717 .
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Contets.
CONTETS .
L EADERS 3 " 3 Roval Masonic Institution for Boys 364 Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution 364 Masonic History and Historians 36 4 Roval Masonic Institution for Girls 36 4 Address of Bro . tin" Right Hon . H . T . Prinscp , D . G . M . to the District Grand
. Reviews 3 '' 6 Masonic Notes and Queries 3 G 6 Provincial Grand Lodge of Devonshire 367 Provincial Grand Lodge of Hampshire and Isle of Wight 3 <> 7 Provincial Grand Lodge of . Middlesex 3 6 S Provincial Grand Lodge of Essex 36 S
Lodge of Bengal 3 C 5 C ORRESPONDENCEPrecedence of provincial Grand Officers 3 66 Masonic History and Historians 3 66 The First and " Most Eminent Mason in the World 366 Bradloiigh Under a Wrong Denomination 3 66 Elias Ashmole 366
Grand Lodge of Canada 369 The Masonic Veterans 370 REPORTS OF MASONIC MEETINGSCraft Masonry 37 ° Mark Masonry 37 ° Masonic and Gc ' ncral Tidings 371 Lodge Meetings for Next Week 372 The Late Bro . A . G . Mackey 373
Ar00101
THE following passage in a letter from the Times corresponden t at Paris last week seems to us deserving of " note and comment , " in that it is so historically incorrect as to fall into the region of " muthos " entirely . The writer says , in reference to some Napoleonic history , to which we need not
further allude , as far outside our boundary line : " The Empire was Democracy with the purple in addition for those who like to be dazzled . It was the only dangerous rival of the Republic ; nay , it had the advantage over it of beinsr double-faced , of offering one hand to the Church and the other to
the Freemasons , and of flattering Democracy by creating marquises and dukes . The Empire's last champion has retired , and , contrary to the cry of the Roman gladiator , those who see him go say , ' Ave Crcsar moriturus ! victores te salutant . '" We only give the whole " extract" at all
like as we " bid " at a sale , for a whole lot of rubbish for one little book of rarity or value , on account of the allusion to the Freemasons . We arc amused to note " en passant , " that the printers of the Times . like other printers , have made a "hash " of the Latin . What the writer says of the
" Freemasons" is clearly historically incorrect . In the first NAPOLEONS time the French Freemasons , who were recovering from the " Slough of Despond " of the French Revolution , had very little power in France , and never were high in favour with NAPOLEON himself , though he allowed them
to meet and put first CA . MBACERES , and then his brother J OSEPH , at their head . In the last NAPOLEON ' S reign the Freemasons were latterly at open war with the Government , in our opinion most unwisely ; and the theory that at any time the \ ' area political power in a State is fatal to the genius and
mission of Freemasonry , and , as far as France is concerned , is indeed a " myth of myths . " It may flatter the vanity of some , that love of public discussion which is the bane of true Freemasonry , and in which our French brethren too much indulge , but as Freemasonry has suffered equally from
" panegyrists and calumniators , each equally mendacious , " ( these are Mr . HALLAM ' S words , not ours ) , wc think it well to protest to-day against a mis-reading of Masonic history in France , which may do much harm . The other remarks apply to an eminent French Statesman , M . ROUIIER , on his avowed retirement from miblic life .
* * THE train of thought into which the foregoing article has led us is this—that we may rejoice to think that wc English Freemasons have nothing to do with either political , or religious discussions . So far , happily , our Order has been
kept free—truly free , perfectly free—from the excitement of political discussions , or the outflow of acrimonious controversies ; and long may this " golden age " for us as Masons continue . In public life wc are often worried and jostled angrily by heated combatants and unreasoning
controversialists , but in a Masonic lodge all is peace and calm , mutual consideration , and fraternal respect for others . We " honour all men , " and so long as our brother is neither a stupid Atheist nor an irreligious libertine wc forbear all questions as to his creed , and welcome him as a brother of our Order . We
are absolutely so far exempt from the untoward knowledge or discussion of sectarian differences , and any one who hastily lightens any torch of discord or throws down a gauntlet of animosity in our midst is not fit to remain
in our peaceful , tolerant , charitable , and kindly Order . We see every now and then " loose words , " and read apathetic statements on this vital principle of Freemasonry , and we think it right to raise our humble note ol friendl y warning and sympathetic concern .
A LETTER we published last week , signed "A Rough Ashlar , " raises a very serious question . Undoubtedly since 1813 we in England must honestly
Ar00102
admit that the teachings and proclamations of the Grand Lodge have been non-denominational , and the entire ritual has been simply Theistic , though there has remained in our midst , and probably always will remain , a limited Johannite School , which finds Christian symbolism in Freemasonry , In
Scotland and Ireland Christian prayers can be used ; but the general use in England ( though there is no rule , it is said , without an exception ) , since-1813 , has been what maybe fairly termed " universal , " in opposition to " particular . " Of late on several occasions we have noted that Christian prayers
have been used ; and we presume that the instance referred to by our correspondent is one of these cases . Remembering J EREMY TAYLOR ' S eloquent and indignant claim for " liberty of prophesying , " we are not ourselves inclined to take much notice of such little deviations from our well-known
formularies , and we often think that about such matters , and many more like them , the old proverb still holds good emphatically— " The least said , the soonest mended . " Still , our correspondent was in " his right " in calling attention to the fact .
* * WE have always boasted that Freemasonry knew neither political prepossessions nor sectarian controversies . It seems , however , that some worthy brethren , under the Scottish Constitution , in New Zealand , from a
paragraph in last Freemason , are about to prove the incorrectness of such constant declarations by the formation of a political lodge . We can hardly believe the statement , and think that it must be an Antipodean
" canard . " But we know enough of the Masonic principles and spirit of the Grand Lodge of Scotland to feel persuaded that any such perverse parody on Masonic teaching will at once be repudiated and condemned by its distinguished authorities .
* * WE are pleased to note that the Everton Lodge , No . S 23 , added to the pleasure of its annual recreation gathering by making an excursion to Llandudno . This is a most sensible proceeding , and one to be imitated by other lodges .
* * WE have heard , though we can hardly credit the report , that Grand Lodge is again to be distressed and annoyed by some absurd personal
questions , arising out of some petty matters in the Committees of the Girls School . We beg to express our hope that steps may be taken in some way or other officially , to put a stop to proceedings which make Freemasonry a subject of ridicule to all outsiders . It is a little too bad .
* * VERY soon on the Victoria Embankment the bronze Sphinxes will flank "yon stately obelisk , " to its manifest improvement , and we are forcibly reminded whenever we see it of the patriotic munificence of our esteemed Bro .
ERASMUS WILSON , whose zeal both for Masonry and philanthropy is well known , and , in our opinion , highly commendable . The noble work which he is so liberally carrying on at the Sea Bathing Infirmary , Margate , is one entirely characteristic of himself , and is certain in every way to be a lasting aid and blessing to our common and suffering humanity .
* * WE are much struck by the number of good brethren and true who transact the routine , but needful , work of " Masonry" while every one is " out of
town . " We think especial praise is due to our GRAND TREASURER , always ready for duty , and who certainly deserves the sympathy and regard of all his brethren for what he does so zealously and consistently for the welfare in every way of our Ancient Craft .
WE have often said that we arc but at the threshold of our Masonic studies , and we repeat the assertion to-day . The fact alluded to by " Masonic Student" in regard to ASHMOLE ' S initiation opens out many questions ,
and suggests numerous considerations . So far from investigation upholding the so-called 1717 theory , it entirely upsets it , and we feel assured that present investigation will result in the certainty of an existing Freemasonry in the 17 th century in this country , entirely akin to the revival of 1717 .