Settlement Of The Ritual.

not the sole language of Freemasonry , and that the ceremony may be just as effective in English , French , Swedish , Portuguese , or Polish , Avhen the same words cannot be used . One great difficulty is to obtain a competent

tribunal . The Board of General Purposes , chosen as an administrative body , is not chosen as a literary academy , and any meddling on its part Avith the ritual would be ill-advised . A reference to the Masonic instructors and other proficients in

reciting the ritual is equally unsatisfactory , for they are not necessarily judges of what they recite . A revision of the ritual , much desired , might be the means of exposing Freemasonry to ridicule at a time when it behoves us all to show the greatest care and prudence .

The Haughfoot Lodge And Speculative Masonry.

THE HAUGHFOOT LODGE AND SPECULATIVE MASONRY .

If Speculative Masonry was noivhero till Grand Lodges , Grand Officers , & c , were instituted , then I certainly am as one with Bros . Buchan , Hughan , and others who hold that it had no existence prior to A . D . 1717 , and at most the "bone of

contention " is only a matter of a few years less or more —but this is simply the point I would like to see clearly defined . No doubt the absence of ritual ( at least the present ritual ) office-bearers , & c , brings the old

lodge at Haughfoot within the range of an Operative lodge as classified by Bro . Hughan in your MAGAMSE , page 190 , while at the same time I conceive the marked absence of any reference to Operative or Craft pursuits , brings it to the same

extent , at least Avithin the Speculative range . I believe both Bro . Buchan and Bro . Hughan ' s ideas go as far as this . I regret that in the meantime , it is beyond my power to give Bro . Buchan a look at the old minute-book , but to meet the

wishes of Bro . Hughan , and , perhaps , Bro . Buchan ' s to some extent , I subjoin some extracts from the old records , so that our talented brethren may judge for themselves on the point at issue .

That the lodge was not altogether without a ritual , I gather from a fragment of minute on page 11—the first in the book , the preceding pages having been removed evidentl y because they had contained a fuller reference to their mode of

working , and which , of course , to prevent being seen by any uninitiated , had been torn out . The fragment also answers Bro . Hughan ' s query relating to the date of " word and grip . "

extract . " Dec . 22 , 1702 . " of entrie as the apprentices did , leaving out [ the common judge ] . " They then whisper the word as before , and the Master Mason grips his hand in the ordinary

way . " What the words in brackets mean I cannot say . Then follows the minutes of proceedings given at page 109 of the MAGAZINE . The next sedurant

dates"Haughfoot , 14 th Jan ., 1704 years . " Mett John Hoppringle of yt ilk , James Pringle , his brother , Andrew Thomson , in Galashiels , David Murray in Philiphaugh , John Pringle Wright , Robert LoAvrie in Stow , and

James Pringle in Haughfoot conform to the appointment made by the said John Hoppringle for A't end .

"William Cairncross , Mason , in Stockbridge gave in his petition desiring liberty to associate himself with this lodge , which being considered , and he being examined before the meeting , they were fully satisfied of his being a true entered

apprentice and fellow craft , and therefore admitted him into their society as a member thereof in all tyine coming , upon his solemn promise in the terms of the society , anent Avhich he accordingly

gave . " The meeting also continued John Hoppringle of yt ilk Master Mason , till St . John ' s clay next , and elected Andrew Thomson , box master , till that tyme . " They also gave power to any five of their

numbers to admit and enter such qualified persons as should apply to them , into the society of this lodge , either as apprentice or fellowcraft , and this commission to continue till St . John ' s day . George Cairncross , son to the said William , and James

Frier , in Galashiel , having given in their petition to be admitted into the society both as apprentice and fellowcraft . Their petition being considered and agreed to , they were formally admitted George Cairncross ( because of '( . his father being

formerly a Mason , and now a member of this lodge ) gratis , and James Frier was ordered to pay into the box master one pund Scotts . "They gave commission to the said John Hoppringle to appoint a general meeting of the

lodge any tyme he thinks necessary or convenient for the affairs of the society , and cause the youngest Mason give intimation yr of to all con-