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  • The Freemasons' Monthly Magazine
  • Feb. 14, 1863
  • Page 10
  • THE GRAND LODGE OF SCOTLAND.
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The Freemasons' Monthly Magazine, Feb. 14, 1863: Page 10

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    Article THE GRAND LODGE OF SCOTLAND. ← Page 2 of 2
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The Grand Lodge Of Scotland.

obtained . Indeed , the office-bearers of the lodge in question seem to have some doubt as to the legality of their proceedings during the year 1862 , in consequence of the non-receipt of the " Avorking certificate" applied for , and paid for , twelve months ago . I am a young Mason , and should shrink from any

pretension to judge the conduct of my Masonic superiors ; but I simply wish to ask if such delay , neglect , and contemptuous silence on the part of Bro . Grand Secretary Laurie is Masonic or not ? I am perfectly assured that such Avant of courtesy and attention to the ordinary rules of correspondence in unmasonic circles Avould be visited rather severely the offender .

upon There are several other brethren iu the same plight as myself , ivho are ready to endorse my statement ; and I am convinced that it Avill be evident to your superior Masonic knowledge , that such proceedings on the part of the Grand Secretary of the Grand Lodge of Scotland are not only in direct opposition to Masonic usuage , but are calculated to prevent the dissemination of the benefits

of Masonry , and to bring discredit on the Craft . I am assured by the W . M . of Lodge St . Paul that all fees due to the Grand Lodge have been regularly paid up ; all laws obeyed ; that their charter is but three years old ; and finally , that no cause known to him exists for such neglect . I am induced to trouble in this matter from the

you fact that the columns of your journal afford me ample evidence of your readiness to give ear to and instruct your brother Masons . I am , Sir and Brother , yours obediently and fraternally , C . B . FOWLER , Army Schoolmaster attached to H . M . 12 nd Highlanders . Mhow , near Indore , Bombay , Dec . 26 , 1862 .

Antiquity Of Masonic Degrees.

ANTIQUITY OF MASONIC DEGREES .

" Great is truth , and mighty above all things . " TO THE EBITOE OP TnE PEEEMASONS' MAGAZINE AND MASONIC MIKEOE . DEAR SIR AND BROTHER , —I had not again intended to trespass upon your space , but the interest attaching to so important a subject , and a hope that others , more able to elucidate this matter , may yet be induced to join in the discussionmust be my excuse for again seeking

, your indulgence in reply to our Bro . " Ebor . " Previously even to my initiation , nine years ago , which I sought as soon as my age rendered me eligible , I commenced a course of zealous inquiry into the antiquities of the Order , for the purpose of satisfying myself , that Masonry , ceremonially , Avas no imposture ; Avhich , if I adopt the theory of " Ebor , " as unconnected Avith

the knightly orders , I must , in my OAvn mind , unhesitatingly , assume it to be . I firmly believe that there is no choice , Masonry is Templar }' , or our three first ceremonies are the invention of the 18 th century . The latter , hoAvever , I do not for one moment believe . It appears to me that your correspondent and myself differ in our Masonic pedi as Ave trace through

gree , profession , or ceremonies . I hold that Ave are as equally - —according to his reasoning—entitled to represent the Herald ' s College / as the Operative Freemasons . There can be no * doubt , Avhatcver , the ceremonies of the Operative Freemasons ( all honour to them ) have been preserved to us , but it has been in the ancient charges , and theMark Master ' s degree . This opinion is

founded , chiefly , on the claims of the degree itself and the accounts of the old operative lodges , Avhich have , from time to time , appeared . A poetical extract of the 15 th century , given by Bro . Matthew Cooke some months since , in your pages , and beautifully shoAving the system of the working masters ; and still more important to evidence of the ancient Operative Charges , catechisms , signs , * words , & c , Avhich as given in many old Mark

lodges , before the present improved ceremonies were adopted , differed but slightly from those of the Craft . Freemason ' s lodges , as alluded to . It is evident I cannot , go beyond this statement in writing . What then Avei-e the ceremonies of the Grand Lodge of 1717 , allowing the latter claim , which I doubt of itsoperative foundationevidentlfrom contemporary

testi-, y mony ^ and those of the Templars and Rosicrucians . f Their imperfect cer-emonies appear to have been gradually improved , as better instructed Masons ( from Mesouraneor or used previously ?) about London . joined the new Grand Lodge . Why Avere the second and third degrees given in Grand Lodge only ? Clearly because these Operative Masons ( as such ) were unacquainted with those

ceremonies , 'though it Avould appear that , previously to this time , owing to to their growing habit of admitting nonoperative members , there Avas a resemblance in the receptions . If a brother passess the degree of a Craft , he must be a Master , and does not the difference in theceremonies of the ancients and moderns ( the latter noimprovement ) proveas alleged at the timethat the

latter-, , were verbally unacquainted with those of the former ? Symbolically , Avho is the Egyptian Osiris , the Sun ?' Who the Jewish—Masonic Hiram—TJrim , light ? When Avas a locality first assigned ? under the Essenes , or

the-Templars ? One thing is certain ; the present circumstantial relation is the invention of the Graft Masons of " 1717 , and founded on the dramatic representation of the-. York rite . Ebor will , I fear , ; vainly seek , as I have done , for proof of our higher ceremonial observances , amongst , the English Craft Freemasons as a body . The paragraph of Aubrey's cited by me , respecting Ashmole , proves

that Speculative and Operative Masonry , Avere then distinct ; societies . I have not a copy of Anderson ' s Constitutions at hand , but he admits that they Avere distinct in the 15 th century , and mentions sacred , ciA'il , and military Masonry . Tho Craft Freemasons might admit , " Speculative" Masons amongst them , but speakinggenerally they were assuredlnot soin the present

y , meaning of term . Ashmole , hoAvever , Ave know to havebeen also a Rosicrucian , Avherever he obtained themysteries . The instances cited by " Ebor " of courseapply only to the making , or entered apprentice . Does heintend us to ignore all beyond , if not Avhere are his ; proofs of our present second and third degrees ? Let . him find these previouslto the 12 th centuryand the

y , thing is for ever settled . There are many things which Avould lead one to believe that much of the third degreeoriginally belonged to the second degree , and the lost , secrets the Master ' s part .

As to the origin of our present ceremonies , I believe the Avhole truth of the thing to be , that the Templars obtained Masonry in the East , as pointed out in our genuine traditions , that the nine " poor felloAV soldiers of Jesus-Christ" were , in fact , a military lodge . That the system originally , as preserved in the north , through the special favours SIIOAVU to theorder by Archbishop Grenesfield ,.

^ and in the south , by the Templars , Avho joined the-Knights of Malta , A . F . M . S . of the E . and Sanhedrim ,. H . R . D . M . and Kadosh Templar , including the priestly degree of Melchisedech . . Our mysteries , having been neglected in the south , were reorganised by a few Masters , AA'ho , following the opinions of the time , and

the profession of many of their members , Avere inclined to deduce its origin from the Operative Freemasons , and were either ignorant or opposed on conscientious principles , to the higher degrees . These formed the first grand lodge and managed the ceremonies as already shoivn . The dissatisfied leaven returned to the old ceremonies , but finding the advantage of the operative constitution , partially retained it , and perhaps

“The Freemasons' Monthly Magazine: 1863-02-14, Page 10” Masonic Periodicals Online, Library and Museum of Freemasonry, 3 July 2025, django:8000/periodicals/mmr/issues/mmr_14021863/page/10/.
  • List
  • Grid
Title Category Page
THE ANTIQUITY OF MASONIC DEGREES. Article 1
NEW MATERIALS FOR THE LIFE OF JOHN FLAXMAN, R.A. Article 1
TO CORRESPONDENTS. Article 2
GRAND LODGE PROPERTY. Article 2
THE ANTIQUITY OF MASONIC DEGREES. Article 3
NEW MATERIALS FOR THE LIFE OF JOHN FLAXMAN, R.A. Article 3
MASONIC NOTES AND QUERIES. Article 5
CORRESPONDENCE. Article 8
MR. HALLIWELL NO COWAN. Article 9
THE GRAND LODGE OF SCOTLAND. Article 9
ANTIQUITY OF MASONIC DEGREES. Article 10
WHAT HAS ST. JOHN THE DIVINE TO DO WITH ENGLISH MASONRY. Article 11
NATIONAL SONG FOR THE PRINCE OF WALES. Article 11
THE MASONIC MIRROR. Article 12
METROPOLITAN. Article 12
PROVINCIAL. Article 13
INDIA. Article 18
ROYAL ARCH. Article 20
THE WEEK. Article 21
TO CORRESPONDENTS. Article 22
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Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.

The Grand Lodge Of Scotland.

obtained . Indeed , the office-bearers of the lodge in question seem to have some doubt as to the legality of their proceedings during the year 1862 , in consequence of the non-receipt of the " Avorking certificate" applied for , and paid for , twelve months ago . I am a young Mason , and should shrink from any

pretension to judge the conduct of my Masonic superiors ; but I simply wish to ask if such delay , neglect , and contemptuous silence on the part of Bro . Grand Secretary Laurie is Masonic or not ? I am perfectly assured that such Avant of courtesy and attention to the ordinary rules of correspondence in unmasonic circles Avould be visited rather severely the offender .

upon There are several other brethren iu the same plight as myself , ivho are ready to endorse my statement ; and I am convinced that it Avill be evident to your superior Masonic knowledge , that such proceedings on the part of the Grand Secretary of the Grand Lodge of Scotland are not only in direct opposition to Masonic usuage , but are calculated to prevent the dissemination of the benefits

of Masonry , and to bring discredit on the Craft . I am assured by the W . M . of Lodge St . Paul that all fees due to the Grand Lodge have been regularly paid up ; all laws obeyed ; that their charter is but three years old ; and finally , that no cause known to him exists for such neglect . I am induced to trouble in this matter from the

you fact that the columns of your journal afford me ample evidence of your readiness to give ear to and instruct your brother Masons . I am , Sir and Brother , yours obediently and fraternally , C . B . FOWLER , Army Schoolmaster attached to H . M . 12 nd Highlanders . Mhow , near Indore , Bombay , Dec . 26 , 1862 .

Antiquity Of Masonic Degrees.

ANTIQUITY OF MASONIC DEGREES .

" Great is truth , and mighty above all things . " TO THE EBITOE OP TnE PEEEMASONS' MAGAZINE AND MASONIC MIKEOE . DEAR SIR AND BROTHER , —I had not again intended to trespass upon your space , but the interest attaching to so important a subject , and a hope that others , more able to elucidate this matter , may yet be induced to join in the discussionmust be my excuse for again seeking

, your indulgence in reply to our Bro . " Ebor . " Previously even to my initiation , nine years ago , which I sought as soon as my age rendered me eligible , I commenced a course of zealous inquiry into the antiquities of the Order , for the purpose of satisfying myself , that Masonry , ceremonially , Avas no imposture ; Avhich , if I adopt the theory of " Ebor , " as unconnected Avith

the knightly orders , I must , in my OAvn mind , unhesitatingly , assume it to be . I firmly believe that there is no choice , Masonry is Templar }' , or our three first ceremonies are the invention of the 18 th century . The latter , hoAvever , I do not for one moment believe . It appears to me that your correspondent and myself differ in our Masonic pedi as Ave trace through

gree , profession , or ceremonies . I hold that Ave are as equally - —according to his reasoning—entitled to represent the Herald ' s College / as the Operative Freemasons . There can be no * doubt , Avhatcver , the ceremonies of the Operative Freemasons ( all honour to them ) have been preserved to us , but it has been in the ancient charges , and theMark Master ' s degree . This opinion is

founded , chiefly , on the claims of the degree itself and the accounts of the old operative lodges , Avhich have , from time to time , appeared . A poetical extract of the 15 th century , given by Bro . Matthew Cooke some months since , in your pages , and beautifully shoAving the system of the working masters ; and still more important to evidence of the ancient Operative Charges , catechisms , signs , * words , & c , Avhich as given in many old Mark

lodges , before the present improved ceremonies were adopted , differed but slightly from those of the Craft . Freemason ' s lodges , as alluded to . It is evident I cannot , go beyond this statement in writing . What then Avei-e the ceremonies of the Grand Lodge of 1717 , allowing the latter claim , which I doubt of itsoperative foundationevidentlfrom contemporary

testi-, y mony ^ and those of the Templars and Rosicrucians . f Their imperfect cer-emonies appear to have been gradually improved , as better instructed Masons ( from Mesouraneor or used previously ?) about London . joined the new Grand Lodge . Why Avere the second and third degrees given in Grand Lodge only ? Clearly because these Operative Masons ( as such ) were unacquainted with those

ceremonies , 'though it Avould appear that , previously to this time , owing to to their growing habit of admitting nonoperative members , there Avas a resemblance in the receptions . If a brother passess the degree of a Craft , he must be a Master , and does not the difference in theceremonies of the ancients and moderns ( the latter noimprovement ) proveas alleged at the timethat the

latter-, , were verbally unacquainted with those of the former ? Symbolically , Avho is the Egyptian Osiris , the Sun ?' Who the Jewish—Masonic Hiram—TJrim , light ? When Avas a locality first assigned ? under the Essenes , or

the-Templars ? One thing is certain ; the present circumstantial relation is the invention of the Graft Masons of " 1717 , and founded on the dramatic representation of the-. York rite . Ebor will , I fear , ; vainly seek , as I have done , for proof of our higher ceremonial observances , amongst , the English Craft Freemasons as a body . The paragraph of Aubrey's cited by me , respecting Ashmole , proves

that Speculative and Operative Masonry , Avere then distinct ; societies . I have not a copy of Anderson ' s Constitutions at hand , but he admits that they Avere distinct in the 15 th century , and mentions sacred , ciA'il , and military Masonry . Tho Craft Freemasons might admit , " Speculative" Masons amongst them , but speakinggenerally they were assuredlnot soin the present

y , meaning of term . Ashmole , hoAvever , Ave know to havebeen also a Rosicrucian , Avherever he obtained themysteries . The instances cited by " Ebor " of courseapply only to the making , or entered apprentice . Does heintend us to ignore all beyond , if not Avhere are his ; proofs of our present second and third degrees ? Let . him find these previouslto the 12 th centuryand the

y , thing is for ever settled . There are many things which Avould lead one to believe that much of the third degreeoriginally belonged to the second degree , and the lost , secrets the Master ' s part .

As to the origin of our present ceremonies , I believe the Avhole truth of the thing to be , that the Templars obtained Masonry in the East , as pointed out in our genuine traditions , that the nine " poor felloAV soldiers of Jesus-Christ" were , in fact , a military lodge . That the system originally , as preserved in the north , through the special favours SIIOAVU to theorder by Archbishop Grenesfield ,.

^ and in the south , by the Templars , Avho joined the-Knights of Malta , A . F . M . S . of the E . and Sanhedrim ,. H . R . D . M . and Kadosh Templar , including the priestly degree of Melchisedech . . Our mysteries , having been neglected in the south , were reorganised by a few Masters , AA'ho , following the opinions of the time , and

the profession of many of their members , Avere inclined to deduce its origin from the Operative Freemasons , and were either ignorant or opposed on conscientious principles , to the higher degrees . These formed the first grand lodge and managed the ceremonies as already shoivn . The dissatisfied leaven returned to the old ceremonies , but finding the advantage of the operative constitution , partially retained it , and perhaps

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