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Contents . PAGE . Freemasonry—Past and Present—By Bro . "W . J . Hughan 321 An Initiation in Paris—By LI . W . L 322 Old Freemasonry before Grand Lodge 323 Masonic Discipline and the Ritual—Bv Crux 325 Lodge Minutes—By Bvo . W . P . Buchan 326 History of Voting by Ballot 327

Masonic Notes and Queries 329 Correspondence 331 Masonic Mems 332 Royal Masonic Institution for Boys 832 Royal Masonic Institution for Girls 332 CRAFT LODGE MEETINGS : — Metropolitan 333 Provincial 335

Channel Islands 337 Scotland 337 Ireland 337 Royal Arch 337 Mark Masonry 338 Reviews 338 Presentation to Bro . Colley 339 List of Lodge , & c , Meetings for ensuing week 340 To Correspondents 340

Freemasonry—Past And Present.

FREEMASONRY—PAST AND PRESENT .

. LONDON , SATURDAY , OCTOBER 23 , 1869 .

By Bro . W . J . HUGHAN . Perhaps the best way to consider the advantages of the discussion of late in the FBEEMASONS ' MAGAZINE respecting the antiquity of Freemasonry , as also to do justice to our own views , is to write

a short description of our opinions on the subject , and instead of answering any objections by per-, sonalities and un-Masonic phrases , to really respond to the queries started as to the accuracy of our statements without particularising more

names than positively needful to render our intentions clear and our explanations satisfactory . We have lately received a printed letter from Bro . Charles Purton Cooper , late P . M . Grand Master for Kent , and a well-known Mason ( London 1869 ) , in which that learned brother appeals to us on behalf of several litterateurs in France

who are anxious to hear more of what they are pleased to term the " Hughan Theory , " or the " new German Theory , " and Bro . Cooper states that , encouraged by what they have read , and by what they know of their Bro . Hughan , they

venture to hope that he will some day find it not inconvenient to give the information which they so much desire , through the medium of " our usei ' nl periodical , the FREEMASONS 5 MAGAZINE . So that our engagements permit , we will do our

best to explain our views on the origin of the Craft , and as , these brethren state , they are familiar with our sketch entitled " An Analysis of Ancient and Modern Freemasonry , " we shall no doubt find the effort ; comparatively easy .

The great difficulty is , to say what is needful in a short article , when the subject is such an extensive one . In the FKEEMASONS' MAGAZINE for Oct . 16 th , a friend states that "Bro . Hughan has toprove that Speculative Masonry existed

before-1717 , while Bro . Buchan has to show that other trades had secrets , and words , and grips , as well as Masons . " It is some consolation in the midst of

so much labour , and such little time , to be assigned the easier work of the two , and , fortunately , in attending to the one fraternal request we shall be virtually answering the other . Another writer informs ns in No . 536 , p . 284 ,

that he is personally " quite content to take Masonry as it is , a great powerful , and wide-spread . society , by which great good is effected , " and in consequence is evidently opposed to any " who--would throw doubts on our most honoured

traditions . " Well , our doctrine is , m Masonry , to examine what evidence exists for certain statements respecting its origin and character ; if these are doubtful , we withdraw our approval of them , and wait their confirmation ; but if facts are opposed

to them , we disbelieve them , and seek to induce others to do the same . Our opinion of Freemasonry is so exalted , that we would desire all unhistorical statements respecting the institution to be at once and for ever erased from its records , and nothing but what was absolutely or probably true should ever find entrance within its sacred

portals . Mr . Halliwell , the noted antiquarian , observes truly that he is aware " how much yet remains to be done , and how much may be done by a zealous investigator—one who is initiated in the mysteries of the Craft , and who does not cling

to the romantic ideas of its too willing votaries . Let him turn a . way for a moment from the mummery which envelopes the real good , and take a rational view of the facts of the case . To me it appears as incredible , as it does to Mr .

Halliwell , that a body of men of all ranks and all professions uniting in a circle of love and friendship , and aiming at the accomplishment of the summum oor . um of a Christian life , should so far forget their acknowledged importance as to wish

for proofs of a pedigree from Moses , Aaron or Adam . Another new feature has been introduced to us

by the author of " Old Freemasonry before Grand Lodge" ( FEEEJIIASONS MAGAZINE , Oct . 16 th ) in which it is stated that " had the ancient system been continued in England down to 1717 , or even