Freemasonry—Past And Present.

members as for the study of architecture , and in all probability very much more . We allude now to such lodg'es of whose character we may be certain of by the minutes of their proceedings still extant . We are not aware of any lodges before the

"Revival" having worked the Master Masons ' degree in any sense as it has been worked since as a degree . No records before A . D . 1717 mention three distinct and separate degrees , although without doubt such degrees were arranged by brethren

well versed in the ancient order , who , while incorporating the old landmarks into the new system , carefully preserved the customs of operative Masonry , and the ceremonies of the lodges before the " Revival / ' and who , from having been

admitted members of the Institution of former years , had a just claim to be considered the legitimate representatives and descendants of the operative Masons of the past , and the originators of that peculiar system of modern Freemasonry which was

J n fact a developement or out growth of mostly operative aud partly speculative Masonry of previous centuries .

We may say that the highest authority on the character of old lodge records we know of ( Bro . David Murray Lyon ) supports these views , and has most intelligently written much on this subject that will be valued so long as operative masonry

is believed to be the parent of English Freemasonry . The history of Freemasonry seems at present bound to be far from complete , although much that is valuable has been collected of late , and

most carefully published by Bro . Findel , of Leipzig , who has just completed the second edition of his important work , and proved himself to be the best general Masonic historian of the day . Since the issue of any trustworty history of the

Craft , the early minutes of the lodge formerly held at Haughfoot , Scotlaud , have been published in these pages by your contributor , R . S ., and although they are mainly in accord with other lodge meetings held about the same period , it is desirable

to remember their precise nature . Those preserved commence Dec . 22 nd , 1702 , when they whispered the word as before and the Master * Mason grips his hand in the ordinary way . " Several candidates petitioned " to be admitted into the society of Masons and Fellow Crafts / '

consisting of Sir James Scott and others , who on being received were charged such fees as corresponded with their stations in life . No part of the records , which ex tend over a period of sixt y years , exhibit any special connection with

operative masonry , ( in which respect , this lodge differs from most other old lodges ) and its funds were applied for the relief of sick or distressed members and their dependants . Five members were allowed to admit qualified persons " to the society

of Apprentices and Fellow Crafts , " on the 27 th Dec . 1704 , aud for many years subsequently , any infraction of this law was visited with fines . It was also made a rule , A . D . 1707 ( 27 th December ) that " ane year at least should intervene betwixt

any being admitted Apprentice and his being entered Fellow Craft" "The word" generally describes the ceremony at admission , and is all that is vouchsafed to us of their mode of initiation , These minutes say nothing of three degrees according to the trustworthy account of the lodge by

your contributor , and as the same can be said of the other records dating long before those of this lodge , we take it that it cannot be established that three seiJarate and distinct degrees were worked before A . D . 1716 , although that number

subsequently contained what was ancient as well as what was modern of Freemasonry . No records allude to Grand Masters , Grand Lodges , Provincial Grand Lodges , or any such titles or designations before the last century , notwithstanding this

fact however , lodges were instituted by several old lodges that virtually exercised a similar authority to that now vested in our Grand Lodges . Of such the " Mother Lodge Kilwinning " is the most notable example of Masonry . From the

16 th century , the "Revival" was chiefly operative , generally promoted for its usefulness either as a benefit society , a means of fraternity , or for purposes immediately connected with the trade of masonry , and was invariably of a simple and unpretentious character .

Bro . Hyde Clarke , a learned Mason , says he knows " little about Masonry , except in its morals , for most of the data have yet to bo collected . Until we have facts it is of little use to build up theories . " With him we cordiall y

coincide , aud in so doing , at once utter the doom of the " Ashmole " and other theories . We are told in " Chamber ' s Encyclopasdia" that modern Freemasonry is an innocent , mystification , unconnected either with the building art or with archi-