The Massachusetts Lodge, 1770—1895.

then read of AD . 1770 , being in facsimile , by authority of the Grand Lodge , the original haviig been destroyed by fire , April 5 th , 1864—a fate that overtockthe Mar onx Temple scon afier this eventful meeting . The Chaplain offered prayer prior to this reading , and the "Myron \ V . Whitney Quartette" was in request during certain parts of the proceedings , and they also sang the Ode composed for the occasion by Bro . W ,

T . Adams ( " Oliver Optic , " ) who al * o wrote the Centenary Poem for the Si ' me lodge . The W . M . then introduced the W . Bro . Samuel Walley Creech , jun . ( W . M .. 1 S 77-S ) , who delivered the Historical Oration . I should like to quote from this able p'oduction , but cannot make up my mind to take jt 10 pieces , or to divide it up in any way , for as a Commemorative Address , it is as near perfection as possible . There was no lack of material to select

from , and amid lhe embarassing riches oi Records and suggestive surroundirgs , the orator skilfully dovetailed the several interesting portions into a mo homogeneous and attractive whole . The lodge first assembled in the historic Green Dragon Tavern , the home of the famous St . Andrew ' s Lodge , of A . D . 1756 , in which hall " the meetings were held of the citizens who listened to the counsel of those who

were the leading spirits in the struggle for independence . " At that time " The few watchman of the town carried tin lanterns , which shed but a flickering light from the feeble candles enclosed , and after the ringing of the curfew , the outside world was still and in darkness . " The Grand Master in 1770 was the revered General Joseph Warren , who often visited the Iodge , and in such stirring times the names of those heroes

who graced the Iodge roll would alone furnish abundance of facts and suggestions for several orations . Bro . Creech concluded with this wish for the members , to which I add So m He it be"May they have faith in the Supreme Being , hope in immortality , and may their charity in good words and works extend to all mankind as long as time shall last . "

The Grand Master ' s address then followed , and was an eloquent tribute to the Iodge for " its work done , its Charity dispensed , its loyalty shown to the principles of Masonry and to the Grand Lodge , and the character of its membership , " which M . W . Bro . Edwin B . Holmes aptly described as " a precious memory . "

Of course , the inevitable banquet was subsequently served , twice " 125 participating , and finally the brethren adjourned to Egyptian Hall , when the lodge was closed in peace and harmony at 10 . 30 p . m ., the proceedings from first to lastoccupying nearly six hours . Thus ended one of thegrandest celebrations in connection with the Craft .

Bro . Creech has added a number of historical notes and biographical sketches , which considerabl y increase the value of the volume , and the code of by-laws being printed , and complete lists of the Past Masters and members supply what else might fairly be looked for in such a volume . The numerous portraits of departed and present worthies and other

illustrations are special features of this artistic production , and , for these and other reasons , I much appreciate the gift of this beautiful book from the esteemed historian and orator , Bro . S . W . Creech , jun ., whose services the lodge doubtless will long most gratefully remember . WM . Js . HUGHAN .

Laying The Foundation Stone Of A New Masonic Hall At Ilkley.

LAYING THE FOUNDATION STONE OF A NEW MASONIC HALL AT ILKLEY .

On Saturday afternoon , the 15 th inst ., the laying of the foundation-stone of new Masonicrooms took place . It is over 21 years since the Olicana Lodge was constituted , and for the greater part of that period the brethren have met in a room in the yard of the Crescent Hotel , Ilkley . Of late years , however , the membership has increased until it had become absolutely necessary to have more commodious

and better adapted premises . Plans were therefore prepared by Bros . E . Critchley and A . Adkin for the erection of Masonic-rooms on a piece of land in Cunlifferoad , which is very central . The brethren of the Olicana Lodge , together with representatives of the Provincial and other lodges , assembled on Saturday in the Crescent Yard , and walked in procession to the site of the new building . Several of the Past Masters bore the implements and vessels necessary for the ceremonial yhich was of an impressive character , and was witnessed by a large gathering of " > e general public . In addition to the W . M ., officers , and brethren of Lode-e n-22 . inere

was a good number of visiting brethren , among whom were : Bros . 1 Scnckrnan , P . P . G . D . C : J . Matthewman , P . A . G . Sec . ; A . T . Akeroyd , P . P . A . G . D . C il « , M ' P * P * GD i Watson , P . P . G . S . of W .: W . H . Bradfield , P . P . G . D . ; U M -Wilson , P . P . G . R . ; A . Scarth , P . P . G . D . ; D . Salmond , P . P . G . S . of W . G

A ' ,., 'man Wood , 1522 ; A . Riley , 2330 ; Chris . Cooper , 1108 ; H . Woodhead , J » 4 -J . h .. Fox , 917 , and others . corr-V 0- h - ' Monckman > P * M - P . P-G . D . C , directed the ceremonies , which R ' * 1 " o w 'th the singing of the 100 th psalm , followed by a prayer by Bro . the K * v rton Smith , Vicar of St . Margaret ' s , Ilkley . „ Un behalf of the Past Mat-rpr .-nf \ . nA < r * « - > R ™ in . r ,, ,.,,.,., „„™ , „ . . J JVllH iluiTUlll dt

, „ , IStO IP !*\ ~~ wfav 'a ,- * -, » - »»** . jl ... > « .- » -. CU wilh 0 , . ? * l * *> " -P . G . D ., to lay the stone , for which purpose he was presented Pl ' cV f ™ -s tr 0 Wel ' Superintendent of Works ( Bro . W . Watson , P . M ., tlie ' to ' P'aced the plate in position . Bro . Gaunt then proceeded to lay ruj e ' ne . j thodox fashion , Bro . Johnstone proving its position by the plumb , Were I , ft ¦ ; quare - According to ancient custom , gold coins for the workmen u u Pon the stone .

. . . benefit . ! W ° Rsnn * i ** ui . MASTER then delivered an address on the antiquity and icer . ee of Freemasonry . atthe r M * Jj 'Jt £ also Spoke ' substquently the brethren banquettcd together Patul-. t ! on Hote ' i when the usual Masonic toasts were honoured and con"" ory speeches delivered .

Christianity And Freemasonry.

CHRISTIANITY AND FREEMASONRY .

Pr eerna ' ^ time ag ° Was su " ? K estcd that a gathering of clerical and lay Con gress ° m ' ght We " bC included amon 8 * informal functions of the Church ^ ill he " ^' " ' ° " kn 0 , v whether the suggestion has been taken up and lav r * . carr 'ed into effect . But if it is . this catherin- ? of influential cleri .-al ** nd

Chri st ^ ° ^ '" ' by a curious coincidence , fall at about the same time that our ^ sonicV bre " " Continent wiil be holding their first International Anti' -ongress , at Trent in the Tyrol . The Conpr < - « is being organised by

Christianity And Freemasonry.

committees in Paris , Turin , Lisbon , Valencia , and other great cities , and the opening and concluding ceremonies will take place in the Cathedral of Trent . The coincidence of these two events will doubtless suggest anew to many minds a question which has already puzzled them for some time , and which seems to have a special urgency now that Reunion questions are to the front . Is it advisable , or even allowable , for Catholics in England to be Freemasons ?

Continental Freemasonry is well-known to be the rallying-point of all those forces which are hostile to Christianity , and is rightly and naturally under the ban of the Church in those countries which own allegiance to the Roman see . It is avowedly connected with those manifestations of Anti-Christ whic ' i have for some time existed in France and other countries , —those obscure and obscene

sects of which the members actually worship the devil , and are known as Lueiferians , Palladists , and Satanists , who are pledged to keep the priests from their families , and who do not scruple to steal consecrated hosts for their impious rites . Continental Freemasonry is the focus of all that which , under the name of Liberalism , strives to overthrow the Church . In a word , it is Anti-Christian in the fullest and widest sense .

Of course , it is to be freely admitted that English Freemasonry is totally different in spirit from Continental . Among us it appears as a harmless , if somewhat ludicrous , society , patronised by Royalty , and , therefore , fashionable , given to the exercise of rites guarded with portentous secrecy , and derived in some measure from Benedictine sources ; a society which combines benevolence with conviviality , to which many clergy belong , and for which human curiosity is probably the most powerful recruiting agent . We are told , moreover , that it is

theistic , and , at least in the higher grades of Mark Masonry , Christian , and that it has excommunicated the atheistic Grand Orient Lodge of France . But we may still be pardoned for asking whether the separation between English and Continental Freemasonry is more than merely nominal . Granted that the Grand Orient is excommunicated by English lodges , are all the atheistic lodges ol the Continent under the same ban ? And have the Welsh lodges followed the example of the English ? One hears that some at least have not . And even if they have repudiated the atheistic lodges , is the separation so complete that an English

Mason would not be bound to recognise and assist a Continental Mason ? Masons are went to boast that Masonry is one fraternity all the world over . And if this is so , even in a limited sense , then the accession of an individual to Masonry in England is again to the strength of Masonry all the world over ; and the Christian who is admitted to an English lodge is indirectly aiding and abetting the anti-Christian forces of the Continent . Unless it can be shewn that no fraternity or obligation of any kind exists between English and Continental Masons , either as lodges or as individuals , then Masonry is an institution which the English Catholic is bound to combat on every possible occasion , and by every means .

But even if it be proved that Continental Masonry is repudiated and abhorred of English Masons , it is by no means proved that English Masonry is to be countenanced by the Church . In its best aspect it is a philanthropic fraternity . But every Christian is already bound by a stronger obligation than any which Freemasonry can enforce to assist a brother in distress . There are , moreover , cases in which the performance of Christian duty would certainly conflict with the

observance of Masonic obligation . For example , a Christian Mason is able to render aid to one only of two equally necessitous persons , who have asked his aid , the one as a Freemason ( non-Christian ) , the other as a Christian . Here is the material for a very pretty dilemma . He is constrained to sin , or to break his Masonic obligation . Other cases of a different kind will suggest themselves , in connection with the confessional .

Innocent as English Masonry may be ( it is a secret society , and we have therefore no absolute certainty that it actually is ) I submit that English Catholics who become Masons assume a very grave moral responsibility . At the least they scandalize their fellow-Christians on the Continent , and raise another obstacle to Reunion . The general sense , in some countries the explicit condemnationof the

, Church is against secret societies ; her wisdom has already been more than justified by the history of Masonry . And all English Churchmen would surely do well to refuse to countenance it in the slightest degree . That there are already good Catholics in the fraternity is a hindrance to the Faith . —Church Times , OKFEIRIAD .

Freemasonry A Power.

FREEMASONRY A POWER .

The Masonic organisation combines manifold elements of enduring strength . In its system , and plans , and expression it represents a social and moral force in the world . As a Fraternity it has attained a position of prominence , and is recognised as a potent factor in educating and helping humanity . It is established in all parts of the civilised world , having a fellowship among its members which

passes the lines of all local and social limitations . It is everywhere represented by men of ability , having the confidence of the communities with whose interests they are respectively identified , and it has material resources which are by no means small in the aggregate , while it bears the touch of an ancient prestige which is greatly to its advantage .

Freemasonry is a power . Its claims to be such will not be questioned by those who give careful scrutiny to the Masonic Institution as it now presents itself But just at this point there is need to guard the statement here made , lest it should be assumed that more is claimed for Freemasonry than is intended . Some one has said that Freemasonry is an influence rather than a power , and though such a distinction may not at the first appear plain , its purport is clearly evident . Freemasonry is not a " power " in the ordinary acceptation of the word , as having an

objective aim in politics or in social reforms . It does not undertake to make itself felt in revolutions or other movements which may mark the progress of civilisation ; it does not enter the field as a political party in any land , nor does it anywhere reach out for the dominion which belongs to the government of State or Church . It has power , however , or rather that influence already indicated , by which it makes itself felt in the most progressive communities on the face of the earth , helping forward great interests and enterprises , and thus blessing the world by a ministry whose force and extent are almost beyond estimate .

This immense influence rests upon no determinate policy or prescribed action , but rather belongs to the Masonic system as it is illustrated and enforced in its many declared truths and in its rich symbolism . The truths which Freemasonry has in charge , and which it enunciates in ways most significant , relate to most important subjects and bear upon the whole theory and practice of related life . They have to do with questions of responsibility and duty as they are presented to the good citizen , the reformer , and whoever believes in the everlasting verities

of God and heaven . Freemasonry exerts an influence—is a power , thereforebecause of these principles and teachings ; because it is not trivial , frivolous , or superficial , but is a science in itself , a productive source of philosophy and morals , and so moulds human character , and touches the springs of action in society and the world . And then the Masonic system is permeated by that love which is the

greatest thing in all the universe—that love which is the crowning element of a noble life , as it is the bud of perfectness and the fulfilling of the law . Freemasonry has power because ofthe great and sublime principles which areenwrought in its system , and not less because of that love toward God and man to which it exhorts with earnestness , and which it illustrates in some measure , at least , by word and by deed . —Freemasons' Repository ,