Correspondence.

are and must be ever distinctions of society , that it has its inequalities of necessity , and that nothing can alter them . " The poor ye have always with you" is an averment of a positive fact and a perpetual commendation of them to the hel p and succour of the well circumstanced .

Masonry educates the ignorant , clothes the naked , and feeds the hungry , and , instead of upsetting the minds of the people by false and cruel delusions which can never be realised , because they are contrary to nature and experience , it accepts the inevitable inequalities from which they cannot help themselves

though they may fret and fume against them . It seeks at the same time to mitigate the evils of ignorance , poverty , and want by the onl y known means which commend themselves to matured judgment—knowledge of the world and common sense . The charges of infidelity and socialism are founded upon a complete and

total misapprehension of Freemasonry . Some years back , the lodges of France erased from their title deeds and charters the affirmation of the immortality of the soul and a belief in a Supreme God . And on that occasion the Grand Lodge of England , without one dissentient voice , broke off all communion with the

trench lodges ; and some time after our Grand Lodge passed a second resolution , in which , while it did not deny that meetings for political and seditious purposes have in some countries been held under the pretence of their being Masonic lodges , expressed its astonishment

and regret that English Freemasons should , by some strange misapprehension of facts , be included in this sweeping charge , which the law , practices , and traditions of the Order , as well as the position of its rulers , clearly prove to be utterly without foundation .

4 . The prayers of its formularies are un-Christian , i . e ., not offered in the name of Jesus , our Lord . " There are Christian Degrees , but the three chief Degrees of Masonry are founded on Deism . Long before the sun of ri ghteousness arose with healing on His wings there was a conviction of the human heart ,

a voice as it were crying in the wilderness for li ght , sympathy , order , and power . Masons at the present day represent many generations of thoughtful men who have felt the same . Masonry brushes aside the surface distinctions which separate us one from another , and goes down to the central identities in which we are all

alike . The Fatherhood of God and the Brotherhood of Humanity are resigned . With respect to un-Christian formularies , Masonry professes to enhance all _ who acknowledge the existence of God , the immortality of the soul , and the obligation of the moral law . Is this an unworthy , immoral , or irreli gious

requirement ? I myself am an English churchman , I believe the Church in this land to be the appointed means under Her Divine Head for the spread of God ' s truth , that he has lodged His commission with Her and stored within Her the sacred gifts of His Holy Spirit . But there are many who repudiate such claims , and who

differ widel y from my views . This does not , however , prevent my working with them on common lines of Christian philanthropy and reformation . Again , I believe in Jesus Christ , God and man , as my Saviour , propitiation , and atonement . I look to Him as my Redeemer and Mediator with the Father

, and the one and only hope for myself and the world . But this would not hinder me from working in the cause of charitable , philanthropic , and benevolent objects with those who will not give to Christ the crown I would ever place upon His head . It is true . that "Creed and test vanish beneath the

unreserved embrace of Catholic humanity , " and when sectarian bitterness is seen around us in all its sad and angry developments , when political strife is so hot and fierce , when the ostentation and publicit y of religious enterprises is so asserting and grievous , it is something to find a place where these considerations

do not enter a neutral ground ; where , without any unreality or compromise , man may meet his fellowman and learn to know him apart from the inevitable differences which separate us in other respects . This we can do in Masonry , and many consider it an advantage to meet in that kind and friendly spirit of

social or benevolent intercourse , which does not sanction the intrusion of one uncharitable thought , or demand the compromise of one sincere conviction . The wiser and more tolerant spirit of modern Christianity ^ recognises the wisdom of endeavouring to maintain kindly relations with those who will not

accept its faith , and with the scientific spirit which rejects and attacks it . I have already trespassed too far on your space , or I might point out how Freemasonry in the middle ages was the handmaid of Christianity ; how the Operative Craftsmen travelled over Europe and through England , almost exclusivel y

engaged in building those grand cathedrals , churches , and abbeys which are the wonder and admiration of all who view them ; and how we find at the present day thousands of members of the Masonic Craft , earnest Churchmen , active Christians , engaged in every branch of Church work and Christian effort in the land . If

our formularies are un-Christian , they certainly do not hinder Christian men from the practice inculcated b y their creed . And the great doctrines which the Catholic Church of Christ has taught for nearly 2000 years have derived wonderful support from the independent witness of the Masonic Craft . Faith in the Trinity , in the

Incarnation , in the immortality of the soul , in the power of prayer are all to be gathered and deduced from the symbolism and allegorical teachings of the Craft ; and Charity , which St . Paul counts above faith and the martyr ' s crown , is the mainspring and centre of the whole system .

Correspondence.

" In Faith and Hope the world will disagree , But all mankind ' s concern is Charity . " In conclusion , may I advise Canon Knowles to be more circumspect and less sweeping in his denunciations of a great Society of venerable antiquity , ruled by uprig ht and honourable men , and guided by moral

and benevolent principles . If he desires to understand thoroughly the motives and springs of Masonic conduct , let him join the ranks and become free of our guild . If he does so , I am sure he will be the first to acknowledge the honesty and sincerity of our members , and that he will not continue

to prejudice the students of his college against an Institution of which he must necessarily be deficient in cognizance . When he understands our Constitution , laws , and practices , and the genius of the Order , he will no longer utter the stern denunciation" Spare ye not her young men ,

Destroy ye utterly all her hostbut he will be constrained to say— " Touch her not ; for she is a blessing in the midst of the land . "—I am yours ,

E . BIGOE BAGOT , P . M ., P . G . Chaplain of East Lancashire , P . P . G . Chaplain of Cheshire , Bishop Lee Memorial Rectory . November 11 . ROYAL MASONIC INSTITUTION FOR BOYS .

To the Editor of " The Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , Referring to the " Masonic Notes" of your issue of the 23 rd inst , I desire to say that in my letter

to you of the 13 th inst . I never meant to infer thatthe Provisional Management Committee were incompetent to perform the duties which have been entrusted to them , nor do I think my letter is open to such an inference .

Your argument would appear to be that because there are eminent legal men on the Committee , theretore the legal aspect of every proposition issuing from that Committee must have been judicially considered . If this be so , it would be of great advantage to have such judgment published , but such a theory would be

quite consistent with the legal , element being in a minority , and adverse to the proposition . But this theory breaks down in two places . First , common experience shows it is not true ; many Boards of Directors contain legal members , and yet resolutions are often passed without a discussion on their legal

aspect , such members not being present for the purpose of exercising their legal functions . In fact , the logical extension of your argument would be that every lawyer in his personal life judicially considers the legal complexion of every act he is about to commit , and , therefore , no one else of a lower legal standing may

question the legality of such act . Secondly , judgments are usually delivered after argument . If in a Court of Law counsel were only allowed to state facts , and were forbidden to argue any question of law because judges should always know the law , the work of the judges would be far more arduous and less satisfactory .

If , as I said before , the eminent legal gentlemen on the Committee will kindly step forward and state that they have considered the legal aspects of this particular question in all its bearings , and are against my contention , I shall be the first to acknowledge the weight of such an opinion .

I am obliged to you for pointing out an ambiguity in my letter . The sentence referred to certainly does not unfold the idea of thought I was expressing in dictating the words . I meant the resolution which the supporters claimed to be already passed , would , if confirmed and carried into effect , be a breach of faith towards all those who have subscribed for those objects

only which are set out in Law 2 . As to the more personal part of your notes , I do not see why if any subscriber has an opinion he should not express it as freely as the holders of the contrary opinion are permitted to do , including , if you will pardon me , Mr . Editor , yourself . —I am , yours faithfully and fraternally , STANLEY J . ATTENBOROUGH . November 28 th .

Bro . Lord Brooke , M . P ., has been elected President of the Essex Agricultural Society for 1890 . A Masonic musical service will be held in the Cathedral , Manchester , on Monday evening , the gth prox ., at 7 o'clock , by the kind permission of the Very Rev . the Dean of Manchester . The offertory will be devoted to the East Lancashire Systematic Masonic Educational and Benevolent

Institution . A sermon will be preached by Bro . the Rev . T . Barton Spencer , M . A ., Vicar of St . James ' , Preston ,. Grand Chaplain of England , and the Very Rev . the Dean has kindly promised to take part in the service . The musical arrangements will be under the direction of Bro . J . Kendrick Pyne , Organist of the Cathedral and Town Hall ,. Manchester , assisted by the Cathedral Choir and other vocal

and instrumental friends , who have kindly consented to give their services . A dispensation has been obtained to wear Craft clothing . The Prov . Grand Officers will meet at the Mitre Hotel , and enter the Cathedral at the south door ; other brethren at the Cathedral Hotel , Fennel-street , and enter at the Derby Chapel door . The friends of the

brethren are cordially invited . 1 lckets may be obtained at the Freemasons' Hall , Cooper-street , Manchester ; from Bro . J . J . W . Abbott , 7 , Fennel-street , Manchester ; or from Bro . E . W . Irving , P . M ., P . P . G . Stwd ., Sec , Portico , Manchester , which will admit brethren at the north door , Fennelstreet , up to 6 . 45 p . m ., after which the public will be admitted .

Masonic Notes And Queries.

Masonic Notes and Queries .

WBBBSSm * ¦! ^ 5 r 860 ] PICART'S CEREMONIES . Mrs . M . L . Bennett , of 232 , Hig h Holborn , W . C , the famous antiquarian bookseller , has just acquired an edition of the " Ceremonies et Coutumes Religieuses de Tous Les Peuples Du Monde , Representees par des Figures Dessinees de la Main DE BERNARD PICART , et Autres ; Aves des Explications Historiques- et des

dissertations curieuses . Nouvelle Edition , Entierement conforme a celle de Hollande , & c , & c . Paris : L . Prudhomme , Editeur . MDCCCV 1 L—IX ., " and has kindly forwarded me vols . iv . and x . to examine . There are 10 volumes in all , bound in 11 , folio panelled calf , red edges , with 26 7 magnificent plates ( many double size

and folded ) , this fine copy being equal to new and for the period , in choice condition . It is the first time I have been able to look carefully over this edition , having come across more copies of the earlier , and in that sense , more valuable issues . In Tome iv ., the text relative to the Free Masons is similar to the original Amsterdam

edition ( vol . iv . 1736 ) , to which Bro . John Lane refers at length in his new work , " Handy Book to the Lists 1723-1814 " ( which , like his previous volume , " Masonic Records 1717-1886 , " is a monument of research and fidelity ) . The plate also is the same as the early one , g iving all the lodges from 1 to 129 , being in facta

reproduction of an engraved list of lodges 1735 , of which not even a single copy is known to exist at the present time . The figures , signs , & c , run from left to right , whereas in a later edition they appear exactly in reverse order . I believe the edition which g ives the numbers thus reversed is vol . iv ., 174 1 , and I have also

met with plates , separate from the work , but not dated , which are so distinguished . Bro . J . S . Cumberland , when resident at York , obligingly gave me a photograph taken from another plate of the same kind . I am anxious to see such in a volume of this noted work , and shall be glad of reports from any who have been

more fortunate in that respect than the writer . Possibly they are represented in the British Museum , but those seen by me in that grand collection were in the ordinary style . The indefatigable Mrs . Bennett reported an edition the other day to me , but , alas , the plate in question had been removed from the volume previously .

It is more than likely this energetic book buyer and bookseller ( who , though a lady , is termed the " best man in the trade " ) will yet discover a volume for me , with the figures and signs of the lodges , & c , running from right to left , but meanwhile 1 shall be grateiul for information from any other source . "X . Y . Z ., " in

a number of the Freemason , has a capital article on the subject , the author stating that the plate , with the lodge " signs , " numbers , & c , of 174 1 ( by Rollin ) . had been re-engraved , and even the coat of arms , of Lord Weymouth were reversed , as also in the English edition of 1737 vol . vi ., the latter , however , not reproducing

, the long account of the Fraternity which is in the orig inal work . The value of the present set ( which Mrs . Bennett has for sale at the very reasonable price of £ 3 15 s . the 11 volumes ) is in the important fact that the well-known plate of the English lodges is the same as that published in the first issue at Amsterdam ,

1723-37 , of which vol . iv . relates to the Craft . Bro . Lane and I , after a careful examination , agree that it has probabl y been printed from the plate of 173 6 , as it has all the peculiarities of that engraving . ^ I see in one of my notes that the nine volumes'edition of I 74 i , & c , cost its owner 20 guineas , and that 30 guineas even is

the price asked in a London bookseller ' s catalogue , those extraordinary volumes being in much request . The library of the Grand Lodge of England has a fine and complete set of the orig inal edition , Amsterdam , 1723-37 , and that of the " Supreme Council , 33 ° " has one noted in its catalogue of 1739 . The " Bower

Masonic Library" ( Grand Lodge of Iowa ) owns one of the London edition , 1733-39 , and Bro . Carson has one of the same and also another—same as Mrs . Bennett's—only in his valuable bibliography he describes it as 1807-10 , of 12 volumes , folio . The supplemental matter is not in the premier edition ,

that additional portion in the one now under consideration , having over 130 pages entirely devoted to the " Histoire Critique de la Maconnerie , Son Origine en Angleterre , en Ecosse , en France , en Allemagne , " & c , the title-page of this special part being long , curious , and suggestive . The history is based on the "

Encyclopedie" ( English ) of the year 1795 ; the Abbe Grandidier ' s letter to Madame de . . . on the Origin of Freemasonry in Germany ; the Origin of Freemasonry in France , by M . de Lalande ; " Maconnerie Adonhiramite ; " and various works , recognised and spurious , from 1730 , many of which are given in this volume

( No . x . ) , such as Prichard's " Masonry Dissected , & c . There are six plates in this Tome , as Bro . Carson , of Cincinnati ( the able Masonic bibliographer ) , says , but onl y four are Masonic , the third and last of the series being entirely new tome , and exceedingly striking in character . The two Surveillants ( Wardens ) in plate 3 are placed in the N . W . and S . W . as first and

second respectively . I beg again to thank Mrs . Bennett for her courtesy , and I trust that this valuable set of Picart that she has for sale will be obtained fur one of our English Masonic libraries . I also hope that brethren in want of old works and MSS . of all kinds will not fail to have their names entered in Mrs . Bennett ' s Register for copies of her catalogues , issued frequentl y , as they are really worth having . W . J . HUGHAN .