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  • Feb. 14, 1863
  • Page 11
  • NATIONAL SONG FOR THE PRINCE OF WALES.
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The Freemasons' Monthly Magazine, Feb. 14, 1863: Page 11

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    Article ANTIQUITY OF MASONIC DEGREES. ← Page 2 of 2
    Article WHAT HAS ST. JOHN THE DIVINE TO DO WITH ENGLISH MASONRY. Page 1 of 1
    Article NATIONAL SONG FOR THE PRINCE OF WALES. Page 1 of 1
Page 11

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Antiquity Of Masonic Degrees.

for the first time , styled the S . of the E . the Royal Arch , rejecting only such matter as might not accord with their vieAvs , and perhaps adding others . The old Arch , OB . as I have heard it given , was a military one . What possible grounds , then , can Ave have for claiming to represent the operative lodges and guilds ? I am

unaware of any . proof of the old London lodges having been operative , as the term is understood , though many of their members were undoubtedly such . So far from our traditions being swept away by such a theory , I believe it to be the only one which can establish them . Here , in the opinion of the promoters , were to be united the ceremonies and practices of . twor

distinct bodies , a speculative and an operative one , each originally having separate traditions and ceremonies , from which a third ensued , like the latter , though in a less degree , combining both , shameful preference being g iven to the ceremonies of the " moderns " at the union in 1813 . As a profession , a very small portion might claim , from the Freemasons ; as a mysteryin my

, humble opinion , entirely through the Templars . I am not the exponent of the Ancient and Accepted Rite ; it has plenty of able ones ; one thing is certain , the Rose Croix degree of that Rite , as given in the 15 th century on the Continent , is one and the same with Heredom of the Temple , stationed at York and elsewhere under its banner . Its more marked traces have been

gradually erased since 1851 , and an encampment stationed within 100 miles of " Ebor , " only abandoned them some two years ago at the complaint of members of a neighbouring Rose Croix Chapter . Others did so at once on the appearance of the new ritual , whilst generally , the Maltese ritual of the Athol Masons prevailed . Templary has never claimed to be the precursor of

Masonry , but it has claimed as the purpose of its institution , the preservation of Masonry in its pristine purity . It could not claim more than this , for we well know that the Masonic system was knoAvn in the East before 1118 , and we shall do well to follow our own traditions of its descent , in preference to the opinion of Von Hammer and other learned Orientalists .

By the bye , the author of the MS . edited by Bro . MattheAV Cooke , makes Speculative Masonry or the ceremonies of the ancient priests and geometricians , * of which he had a knowledge , as practised in the York monasteries , entirely distinct from those of the Operatives , who had not then commenced to trace their establishment from that city , as they did at a later period . I believe I am correct in stating that the first

mention of York in these constitutions , is about 1600 , my copy of 1500 being with a friend . It is quite possible that , as originally derived from Egypt , the ceremonies and constitutions of the operative builders , and those of the priestly geometricians , Avere much the same , but that the latter have been better preserved . We are informed by Masonic Avriters , that the Dionisian

Architectural mysteries , entitled their possessors to be present at the priestly mysteries . The later and the middle ages , ( under the Templars , ) do not afford the first proof of a connection between Speculative and Operative Masonry , they were intimately connected under the Maccabees , as Avell as under the Egyptian priests . I am very far from satisfied Avith "Ebor ' s "

explanation of the " unlaAvful" ceremonies cf the Templars , because in England , " the son of a Templar had peeped through the slits of the door into the chapter room , and seen a new member put to death (?) for hesitating to deny Christ . Long afterwards , being asked by his father to become a Templar , he refused ^ telling what he had seen : his father instantly slew him . " ( Secret Societies of the Middle Ages . ) I remain , dear Sir and Brother , ' yours fraternally , . A

What Has St. John The Divine To Do With English Masonry.

WHAT HAS ST . JOHN THE DIVINE TO DO WITH ENGLISH MASONRY .

TO TnE EDITOE OP TnE PEEEMASONS' MAGAZINE AND MASONIC MIEEOE . DEAR SIR AND BROTHER , —Appended to the report of the meeting of the Tower Hamlets Lodge ( No . 1204 ) , in your M AGAZINE of the 31 st of January last , is the following editorial note " What has St . John the Divine to do with English Masonry ?" I have no intention to occupy your columns with a lengthened essay upon this question , contenting myself

with the following extract from the FREEMASONS MAGAZINE for December , 1857 , which will fully satisfy the brethren of 1204 , answering your question too , if I mistake not , in your OAVU words : — " In no part of either Craft Masonry or the holy Royal Arch , as practised in England , is the name of St . John introduced , excepting that in some lodges , on the occasions of the

installations of the W . M ., it is mentioned that the annual election takes place as near the feast of St . John the Evangelist as possible . Prior to the uinon in 1813 , Ave believe most , if not all , lodges were dedicated to St . John the Evangelist , and the reason assigned for the above practice has been thus stated : — From the building of the first Temple to the Babylonish captivity , lodges were dedicated to King Solomon , after that time to Zerubbabel ; and after the destruction of the second . Temple by Titus , to John the Baptist . It is said that Masonry

was then on the decline for want of a Grand Master , and a deputation Avas sent to St . John the Evangelist , then residing at Ephesus , requesting him to accept the office . Although St . John Avas then above ninety years of age , he returned for answer , that as he had been initiated into the Order in early life and desired to see its extension , he Avould take upon himseif the office ; and from that time all Christian lodges were dedicated to him . This assumption is merely traditional , the more plausible theory ,

we think , is to be found in the customs of the annual installations of the W . M ., and festivals of all lodges , taking place at or near the summer or winter solstice ; the 21 st of June being the Festival of St . John the Baptist , the 21 st of December that of St . John the Evangelist . The Knights of St . John and the Templars , who still preserve the memory of St . John the Evangelist in their ceremonial , doubtless aided , if they did not oriinatethe use of the name of the ' beloved disciple' as the

g , , patron of the Order . " * * * * The above extract , I think , fully justifies your reporter in alluding to the Festival of St . John the Divine , or Evangelist ( which ever you please ) and also the refrain of the old Masonic ditty : — " St . John the Divine tells us wine , Cheers the body and soul . "

I am , dear Sir and Brother , yours fraternally , WM . WIGGINGTON , W . M . 1204 , P . Prov . G . Dir . of Cers , Worcestershire . [ The St . John ' s have not been acknowledged * in English Masonry , since the union of 1813 . — -ED . ]

National Song For The Prince Of Wales.

NATIONAL SONG FOR THE PRINCE OF WALES .

MUSIC AND WOEDS BAT GEOKGE LINLEY . Heav ' n crown his path with glory , And guide with mighty hand , The youthful Albert Edward , The Prince of our brave land . If kingly pow ' r await him Prom God , who reigns above ,

Oh ! may he rule his subjects With justice , truth , and love . Heav ' n crown his path , & c . His banner float the highest , On the forest of the sea , Before the throne of mercy , May he the humblest be .

A nation ' s prayers are rising To God , the King of all , If he be our foundation , The sceptre cannot fall . Heav ' n crown his path , & c .

“The Freemasons' Monthly Magazine: 1863-02-14, Page 11” Masonic Periodicals Online, Library and Museum of Freemasonry, 1 July 2025, django:8000/periodicals/mmr/issues/mmr_14021863/page/11/.
  • 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.

Antiquity Of Masonic Degrees.

for the first time , styled the S . of the E . the Royal Arch , rejecting only such matter as might not accord with their vieAvs , and perhaps adding others . The old Arch , OB . as I have heard it given , was a military one . What possible grounds , then , can Ave have for claiming to represent the operative lodges and guilds ? I am

unaware of any . proof of the old London lodges having been operative , as the term is understood , though many of their members were undoubtedly such . So far from our traditions being swept away by such a theory , I believe it to be the only one which can establish them . Here , in the opinion of the promoters , were to be united the ceremonies and practices of . twor

distinct bodies , a speculative and an operative one , each originally having separate traditions and ceremonies , from which a third ensued , like the latter , though in a less degree , combining both , shameful preference being g iven to the ceremonies of the " moderns " at the union in 1813 . As a profession , a very small portion might claim , from the Freemasons ; as a mysteryin my

, humble opinion , entirely through the Templars . I am not the exponent of the Ancient and Accepted Rite ; it has plenty of able ones ; one thing is certain , the Rose Croix degree of that Rite , as given in the 15 th century on the Continent , is one and the same with Heredom of the Temple , stationed at York and elsewhere under its banner . Its more marked traces have been

gradually erased since 1851 , and an encampment stationed within 100 miles of " Ebor , " only abandoned them some two years ago at the complaint of members of a neighbouring Rose Croix Chapter . Others did so at once on the appearance of the new ritual , whilst generally , the Maltese ritual of the Athol Masons prevailed . Templary has never claimed to be the precursor of

Masonry , but it has claimed as the purpose of its institution , the preservation of Masonry in its pristine purity . It could not claim more than this , for we well know that the Masonic system was knoAvn in the East before 1118 , and we shall do well to follow our own traditions of its descent , in preference to the opinion of Von Hammer and other learned Orientalists .

By the bye , the author of the MS . edited by Bro . MattheAV Cooke , makes Speculative Masonry or the ceremonies of the ancient priests and geometricians , * of which he had a knowledge , as practised in the York monasteries , entirely distinct from those of the Operatives , who had not then commenced to trace their establishment from that city , as they did at a later period . I believe I am correct in stating that the first

mention of York in these constitutions , is about 1600 , my copy of 1500 being with a friend . It is quite possible that , as originally derived from Egypt , the ceremonies and constitutions of the operative builders , and those of the priestly geometricians , Avere much the same , but that the latter have been better preserved . We are informed by Masonic Avriters , that the Dionisian

Architectural mysteries , entitled their possessors to be present at the priestly mysteries . The later and the middle ages , ( under the Templars , ) do not afford the first proof of a connection between Speculative and Operative Masonry , they were intimately connected under the Maccabees , as Avell as under the Egyptian priests . I am very far from satisfied Avith "Ebor ' s "

explanation of the " unlaAvful" ceremonies cf the Templars , because in England , " the son of a Templar had peeped through the slits of the door into the chapter room , and seen a new member put to death (?) for hesitating to deny Christ . Long afterwards , being asked by his father to become a Templar , he refused ^ telling what he had seen : his father instantly slew him . " ( Secret Societies of the Middle Ages . ) I remain , dear Sir and Brother , ' yours fraternally , . A

What Has St. John The Divine To Do With English Masonry.

WHAT HAS ST . JOHN THE DIVINE TO DO WITH ENGLISH MASONRY .

TO TnE EDITOE OP TnE PEEEMASONS' MAGAZINE AND MASONIC MIEEOE . DEAR SIR AND BROTHER , —Appended to the report of the meeting of the Tower Hamlets Lodge ( No . 1204 ) , in your M AGAZINE of the 31 st of January last , is the following editorial note " What has St . John the Divine to do with English Masonry ?" I have no intention to occupy your columns with a lengthened essay upon this question , contenting myself

with the following extract from the FREEMASONS MAGAZINE for December , 1857 , which will fully satisfy the brethren of 1204 , answering your question too , if I mistake not , in your OAVU words : — " In no part of either Craft Masonry or the holy Royal Arch , as practised in England , is the name of St . John introduced , excepting that in some lodges , on the occasions of the

installations of the W . M ., it is mentioned that the annual election takes place as near the feast of St . John the Evangelist as possible . Prior to the uinon in 1813 , Ave believe most , if not all , lodges were dedicated to St . John the Evangelist , and the reason assigned for the above practice has been thus stated : — From the building of the first Temple to the Babylonish captivity , lodges were dedicated to King Solomon , after that time to Zerubbabel ; and after the destruction of the second . Temple by Titus , to John the Baptist . It is said that Masonry

was then on the decline for want of a Grand Master , and a deputation Avas sent to St . John the Evangelist , then residing at Ephesus , requesting him to accept the office . Although St . John Avas then above ninety years of age , he returned for answer , that as he had been initiated into the Order in early life and desired to see its extension , he Avould take upon himseif the office ; and from that time all Christian lodges were dedicated to him . This assumption is merely traditional , the more plausible theory ,

we think , is to be found in the customs of the annual installations of the W . M ., and festivals of all lodges , taking place at or near the summer or winter solstice ; the 21 st of June being the Festival of St . John the Baptist , the 21 st of December that of St . John the Evangelist . The Knights of St . John and the Templars , who still preserve the memory of St . John the Evangelist in their ceremonial , doubtless aided , if they did not oriinatethe use of the name of the ' beloved disciple' as the

g , , patron of the Order . " * * * * The above extract , I think , fully justifies your reporter in alluding to the Festival of St . John the Divine , or Evangelist ( which ever you please ) and also the refrain of the old Masonic ditty : — " St . John the Divine tells us wine , Cheers the body and soul . "

I am , dear Sir and Brother , yours fraternally , WM . WIGGINGTON , W . M . 1204 , P . Prov . G . Dir . of Cers , Worcestershire . [ The St . John ' s have not been acknowledged * in English Masonry , since the union of 1813 . — -ED . ]

National Song For The Prince Of Wales.

NATIONAL SONG FOR THE PRINCE OF WALES .

MUSIC AND WOEDS BAT GEOKGE LINLEY . Heav ' n crown his path with glory , And guide with mighty hand , The youthful Albert Edward , The Prince of our brave land . If kingly pow ' r await him Prom God , who reigns above ,

Oh ! may he rule his subjects With justice , truth , and love . Heav ' n crown his path , & c . His banner float the highest , On the forest of the sea , Before the throne of mercy , May he the humblest be .

A nation ' s prayers are rising To God , the King of all , If he be our foundation , The sceptre cannot fall . Heav ' n crown his path , & c .

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