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is : _ "I am inclined to think that the chief design of the establishment is to rectify the heart , inform the mind , and promote the moral and social virtues of humanity , decency , and good order , as much as possible in the world . " Among other items of interest in the book I find that St . Alban formed the first Grand Lodge in Britain in A . D . 2 S 7 . In 926 Prince Edwin formed a Grand Lodge at York , and though through a long vista of years there is little
recorded of the Order , it seems to have been growing in power , for in 1425 Masons ' assemblies were prohibited by Parliament . Tivi nly-five years later Henry VI . was initiated into Masonry , and in 1690 the secrets of the Ordcv were revealed to William III . privately . The Freemasons iraugurattd the building of St . Paul's Cathedral , London , in 1657 , and complited it in 1713 . The office of Grand Secretary for England was first established in 1723 , and
the following year a Grand Treasurer was appointed . It was in the two succeeding years that a " general fund for distressed Masons" was proposed , and a " Committee of Charity" appointed , who founded a system which has grown till now it has assumed proportions of great magnitude . Indeed , so firm a hold has it obtained , that , at a meeting held recently in London , over , £ 50 , 00 : was subscribed by those present for Masonic charitable purposes . The plans
for a Freemasons' Hall in London were approved by Grand Lodge of England in 1769 , but it is not till four years later that any definite steps seem to have been taken . A Hall Committee was appointed in 1773 , and the year following a site for the building was purchased . The first stone of this building was laid in 1775 , and the same year . £ 5 , 000 towards the building of the hall was raised by means of a tontine . The hall was dedicated in 1776 , and the
following year the anniversary of the dedication was ordered to be kept . It was not always merry with the Mason , however . It is recorded that in 1757 fourteen persons were expelled the Order for irregularities , and that in 1762 several others shared the same fate . In 1777 several Masons had to submit to the indignity of imprisonment at Naples , but on what pretence it does not appear . His Royal Highness the Duke of Cumberland was elected Grand
Master in 1782 , and during his tenure of office ( 1788 ) the Royal Cumberland Freemason School was instituted . At his death in 1790 , H . R . H . lhe Prince of Wales , initiated in 17 S 7 , was elected to the vacancy . It is worthy of note that at the date on which the book was published ( 1 S 09 ) , H . R . H . George Augustus Frederick , the then Prince of Wales , filled the office of Grand Master of England , a position which is held in this year of grace , 18 S 9 , by Albeit Edward , Prince of Wales . —IK E . Fish .
* * * If education has no religious tendency , then is our civilisation a failure , and all instruction goes for naught . Better for man to remain in slavery and degradation than to use the forces of education which result in nothing but barren hopes and fruitless endeavor . Happily we experience a different result . The forces of education have elevated man to the moral and
intellectual being of to day . Among these forces we recognise Masonic knowledge , which has participated in this great work , until now we find the test of true Masonic character applied to the highest type of developed manhood . Unmasonic conduct must , therefore , be the resultant operation of an impure mind —a soul devoid of true manhood , and influenced by unholy desires and passions . —Grand Master of West Virginia , U . S . A .
* * * The relationship between Freemasonry and other societies , whether secret or public , is a question that in some localities seems to be very little understood . In the first place , Freemasonry , dating back to the hoary ages of the long-buried past , hears the echoes of its voice reverberating along the endless corridors of time , and to a point where we can no longer trace the footfalls
of human institutions . Baptised at the fountain of remotest antiquity , and bearing upon its person all the secret marks of mysteries , dead and living , it has brought down to us to-day the evidences of aggregation of the poor , the good , and the true of all ages . It does not claim to be the only original secret society ; but it does claim to be the only surviving one of the originals which existed so many centuries ago ; and being founded upon the noblest
principles of a Godhead , and imbued with the holiest aspirations of a pure and unselfish brotherhood , it has brought into the world of to-day all the grand elements of society , relief and vindication of the truth . Friendly association and assistance is a primary element of human nature ; hence , secret societies are rather an outgrowth of human wants , than from any other idea , yet Freemasonry , to a certain extent , is the mother from whose womb
has been born nearly all the benevolent associations of the world , for the reason that its teachings give an impulse to acthe charity , education , and mutual support . While this is all true , it must be borne in mind that Freemasonry proper—namely , the first three degrees—is no part or parcel of any other institution on the face of the earth . It is sovereign and independent in itself , and is by law , usage , and tradition , free from all entangling alliances of every nature and character . It is not and cannot be identified with any church , party , or society in the world , either for or against ; hence it cannot act with any . —E . P . Ncivson .
* * * We have somewhere seen the statement that the word Tyler is given to that Masonic Officer because he covers or seals in the Lodge as if with tiles , closes it Irom the outside , the idea being also a Masonic one ; he completes the
Masonic building by tiling it , as a roof covcrs-in , protects , and completes the house . It may seem strange , but it is nevertheless t \ . e fact , that the two words "Tyler" and "Detective" come from the same root ; not that the word Tyler means a detective , though the Tyler detects impostors seeking admission . The prefix de prevents that interpretation . The word "detective" conies from the Latin root trgerc , to cover ; while dc / egerc is to uncover or detect . Tile comes from lire same root , tegere , but by way of the Gothic or
German , and Anglo-Saxon , whence our ancestors got it . One of its meanings is to cover , but a more prominent one is to protect , presumably to protect by covering—not in the sense that we roof or protect a house by covering it with tiles or covers , but in the sense in which the word is used when we say that we cover a man with a pistol , or when a man is said lo cover another with his body—that is , stands between him and the danger , and so protects him . The
Tyler is not the finisher of the complete Masonic structure . He is not furnished with a roofer ' s kit , as working tools or emblems of his authority . He is the protector of the Masonic body , as his drawn sword would imply . — Henry Adlard .
* * Who that has had an experience in the affairs of life but must come to the conclusion that the practice of justice or righteousness is what every man in his heart respects and loves in his neighbor , however little he follows it himself ; that in his home , in society , in his country , and in every relation of life , the virtue is indispensable to the happiness of mankind—nay , to the security
of property and life ? Justice is an attribute of God , and it is from this source that we intuitively derive our ideal of what is just and right to our fellow man . It is this which cements , as well as adorns , the human cdifier , and gives men that mutual trust in each other without which society could not long hold together . There cannot be a greater proof of the value of this cardinal virtue than the fact that the security of the brightest jewel in the British Crown- the
Indian Empire—has been held in its allegiance by the inflexible justice whicli has pre-eminently characterised British rule . Need I say how important a factor it is , and how high a position it holds in the administration of our Masonic Order . Many and various are the occasions on which just consideration and decision are required to the calming of sensitive minds , the allaying of stormy passions , and the fearless uprooting of palpable and sometimes
longlived corruptions . May we always have amongst us men of lvgh principle and good courage , who will brave any personal odium rather than stand by to see flagrant injustice perpetrated , and unscrupulous effrontery triumphant , whose two mottoes shall be— " Be just and fear not , " and "Fiat Justitia , ruat Ccelumi . " Love mercy . "The quality of mercy is not strained . It dropped ] as the gentle dew from Heaven . " Poet , philosopher , philanthropist , men of all religious views , and though last , not least , Freemasons , vie with each other in generous rivalry to sing the
prarses of mercy . Mercy is to be found in every clime , and amongst every race t . nder Heaven . Yea , even amongst those who arc still classed among the uncivilised and the savage . It was but the other day that the barbarous chief and people of Samoa , lushed , at the risk of life , into the surging sea , to save the lives of their drowning enemies . Yes , companions , it is a delightful thought that God has written on the heart of man the name of mercy , in characters distinct , though , alas , often obliterated by passion , vice , or supposed
self-interest ; and not a day of our lives passes that we have not some opportunity , great or small , of showing mercy or loving kindness amongst our fellows—in serving a friend , in forgiving a foe , in providing for the poor and needy , in assuaging the troubles of the distressed , in mitigating human suffering , and in pitiful consideration for everything that has the gift of life . In all such cases we can quit us like true men , like the sons of God , and like poor
erring beings who need mercy now , and who will hereafter have to plead for mercy at the judgment-seat of a pure and holy God , and of whom it is written by the Royal Psalmist— "His Mercy is overall His Works , " and that that " Mercy endureth for ever . " There is much significance and true philosophy in an anecdote recorded of Dr . Daitdridge , who , on saying to his little child one day— " How is it that everybody loves
you ? " —received for answer— " I know not , except it is that I love everybody . " Masons pre-eminently love mercy and charity . It is one of the foundationstones of our glorious Temple , and it is to be found enshrined in many an emblem , associated with many a ceremony , and illustrated in our three noble Institutions . But I trust it is also to be discovered in our lives and conversations , and in that brotherly love which forms so distinguishing a characteristic of the true Mason . Linked with these two noble
attributes of men and Masons is , the " Walking humbly with our God . ' Companions , the day in which we live is , I regret to say , not one specially marked by humility—particularly by that humility which bows before the Majesty of God , and adopts the Divine lesson taught to the great Lawgiver at the burning bush— " Put off thy shoes from off thy feet , for the place on which thou standest is Holy ground . " This reverence for the Great Creator and Ruler of the Universe is inculcated by the Sacred
writings , and in many a touching precept and command in our beautiful and expressive ritual . Reverence for His name , His word , His will . His works are peculiarly impressed on a Mason's heart and mind , while in all our Lodges and Chapters the Volume of His Sacred Law holds the most prominent place as the guide to our faith and the rule of all our actions . Whatever other men may do or say , as for us and our Masonic Order ,
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Gathered Chips.
is : _ "I am inclined to think that the chief design of the establishment is to rectify the heart , inform the mind , and promote the moral and social virtues of humanity , decency , and good order , as much as possible in the world . " Among other items of interest in the book I find that St . Alban formed the first Grand Lodge in Britain in A . D . 2 S 7 . In 926 Prince Edwin formed a Grand Lodge at York , and though through a long vista of years there is little
recorded of the Order , it seems to have been growing in power , for in 1425 Masons ' assemblies were prohibited by Parliament . Tivi nly-five years later Henry VI . was initiated into Masonry , and in 1690 the secrets of the Ordcv were revealed to William III . privately . The Freemasons iraugurattd the building of St . Paul's Cathedral , London , in 1657 , and complited it in 1713 . The office of Grand Secretary for England was first established in 1723 , and
the following year a Grand Treasurer was appointed . It was in the two succeeding years that a " general fund for distressed Masons" was proposed , and a " Committee of Charity" appointed , who founded a system which has grown till now it has assumed proportions of great magnitude . Indeed , so firm a hold has it obtained , that , at a meeting held recently in London , over , £ 50 , 00 : was subscribed by those present for Masonic charitable purposes . The plans
for a Freemasons' Hall in London were approved by Grand Lodge of England in 1769 , but it is not till four years later that any definite steps seem to have been taken . A Hall Committee was appointed in 1773 , and the year following a site for the building was purchased . The first stone of this building was laid in 1775 , and the same year . £ 5 , 000 towards the building of the hall was raised by means of a tontine . The hall was dedicated in 1776 , and the
following year the anniversary of the dedication was ordered to be kept . It was not always merry with the Mason , however . It is recorded that in 1757 fourteen persons were expelled the Order for irregularities , and that in 1762 several others shared the same fate . In 1777 several Masons had to submit to the indignity of imprisonment at Naples , but on what pretence it does not appear . His Royal Highness the Duke of Cumberland was elected Grand
Master in 1782 , and during his tenure of office ( 1788 ) the Royal Cumberland Freemason School was instituted . At his death in 1790 , H . R . H . lhe Prince of Wales , initiated in 17 S 7 , was elected to the vacancy . It is worthy of note that at the date on which the book was published ( 1 S 09 ) , H . R . H . George Augustus Frederick , the then Prince of Wales , filled the office of Grand Master of England , a position which is held in this year of grace , 18 S 9 , by Albeit Edward , Prince of Wales . —IK E . Fish .
* * * If education has no religious tendency , then is our civilisation a failure , and all instruction goes for naught . Better for man to remain in slavery and degradation than to use the forces of education which result in nothing but barren hopes and fruitless endeavor . Happily we experience a different result . The forces of education have elevated man to the moral and
intellectual being of to day . Among these forces we recognise Masonic knowledge , which has participated in this great work , until now we find the test of true Masonic character applied to the highest type of developed manhood . Unmasonic conduct must , therefore , be the resultant operation of an impure mind —a soul devoid of true manhood , and influenced by unholy desires and passions . —Grand Master of West Virginia , U . S . A .
* * * The relationship between Freemasonry and other societies , whether secret or public , is a question that in some localities seems to be very little understood . In the first place , Freemasonry , dating back to the hoary ages of the long-buried past , hears the echoes of its voice reverberating along the endless corridors of time , and to a point where we can no longer trace the footfalls
of human institutions . Baptised at the fountain of remotest antiquity , and bearing upon its person all the secret marks of mysteries , dead and living , it has brought down to us to-day the evidences of aggregation of the poor , the good , and the true of all ages . It does not claim to be the only original secret society ; but it does claim to be the only surviving one of the originals which existed so many centuries ago ; and being founded upon the noblest
principles of a Godhead , and imbued with the holiest aspirations of a pure and unselfish brotherhood , it has brought into the world of to-day all the grand elements of society , relief and vindication of the truth . Friendly association and assistance is a primary element of human nature ; hence , secret societies are rather an outgrowth of human wants , than from any other idea , yet Freemasonry , to a certain extent , is the mother from whose womb
has been born nearly all the benevolent associations of the world , for the reason that its teachings give an impulse to acthe charity , education , and mutual support . While this is all true , it must be borne in mind that Freemasonry proper—namely , the first three degrees—is no part or parcel of any other institution on the face of the earth . It is sovereign and independent in itself , and is by law , usage , and tradition , free from all entangling alliances of every nature and character . It is not and cannot be identified with any church , party , or society in the world , either for or against ; hence it cannot act with any . —E . P . Ncivson .
* * * We have somewhere seen the statement that the word Tyler is given to that Masonic Officer because he covers or seals in the Lodge as if with tiles , closes it Irom the outside , the idea being also a Masonic one ; he completes the
Masonic building by tiling it , as a roof covcrs-in , protects , and completes the house . It may seem strange , but it is nevertheless t \ . e fact , that the two words "Tyler" and "Detective" come from the same root ; not that the word Tyler means a detective , though the Tyler detects impostors seeking admission . The prefix de prevents that interpretation . The word "detective" conies from the Latin root trgerc , to cover ; while dc / egerc is to uncover or detect . Tile comes from lire same root , tegere , but by way of the Gothic or
German , and Anglo-Saxon , whence our ancestors got it . One of its meanings is to cover , but a more prominent one is to protect , presumably to protect by covering—not in the sense that we roof or protect a house by covering it with tiles or covers , but in the sense in which the word is used when we say that we cover a man with a pistol , or when a man is said lo cover another with his body—that is , stands between him and the danger , and so protects him . The
Tyler is not the finisher of the complete Masonic structure . He is not furnished with a roofer ' s kit , as working tools or emblems of his authority . He is the protector of the Masonic body , as his drawn sword would imply . — Henry Adlard .
* * Who that has had an experience in the affairs of life but must come to the conclusion that the practice of justice or righteousness is what every man in his heart respects and loves in his neighbor , however little he follows it himself ; that in his home , in society , in his country , and in every relation of life , the virtue is indispensable to the happiness of mankind—nay , to the security
of property and life ? Justice is an attribute of God , and it is from this source that we intuitively derive our ideal of what is just and right to our fellow man . It is this which cements , as well as adorns , the human cdifier , and gives men that mutual trust in each other without which society could not long hold together . There cannot be a greater proof of the value of this cardinal virtue than the fact that the security of the brightest jewel in the British Crown- the
Indian Empire—has been held in its allegiance by the inflexible justice whicli has pre-eminently characterised British rule . Need I say how important a factor it is , and how high a position it holds in the administration of our Masonic Order . Many and various are the occasions on which just consideration and decision are required to the calming of sensitive minds , the allaying of stormy passions , and the fearless uprooting of palpable and sometimes
longlived corruptions . May we always have amongst us men of lvgh principle and good courage , who will brave any personal odium rather than stand by to see flagrant injustice perpetrated , and unscrupulous effrontery triumphant , whose two mottoes shall be— " Be just and fear not , " and "Fiat Justitia , ruat Ccelumi . " Love mercy . "The quality of mercy is not strained . It dropped ] as the gentle dew from Heaven . " Poet , philosopher , philanthropist , men of all religious views , and though last , not least , Freemasons , vie with each other in generous rivalry to sing the
prarses of mercy . Mercy is to be found in every clime , and amongst every race t . nder Heaven . Yea , even amongst those who arc still classed among the uncivilised and the savage . It was but the other day that the barbarous chief and people of Samoa , lushed , at the risk of life , into the surging sea , to save the lives of their drowning enemies . Yes , companions , it is a delightful thought that God has written on the heart of man the name of mercy , in characters distinct , though , alas , often obliterated by passion , vice , or supposed
self-interest ; and not a day of our lives passes that we have not some opportunity , great or small , of showing mercy or loving kindness amongst our fellows—in serving a friend , in forgiving a foe , in providing for the poor and needy , in assuaging the troubles of the distressed , in mitigating human suffering , and in pitiful consideration for everything that has the gift of life . In all such cases we can quit us like true men , like the sons of God , and like poor
erring beings who need mercy now , and who will hereafter have to plead for mercy at the judgment-seat of a pure and holy God , and of whom it is written by the Royal Psalmist— "His Mercy is overall His Works , " and that that " Mercy endureth for ever . " There is much significance and true philosophy in an anecdote recorded of Dr . Daitdridge , who , on saying to his little child one day— " How is it that everybody loves
you ? " —received for answer— " I know not , except it is that I love everybody . " Masons pre-eminently love mercy and charity . It is one of the foundationstones of our glorious Temple , and it is to be found enshrined in many an emblem , associated with many a ceremony , and illustrated in our three noble Institutions . But I trust it is also to be discovered in our lives and conversations , and in that brotherly love which forms so distinguishing a characteristic of the true Mason . Linked with these two noble
attributes of men and Masons is , the " Walking humbly with our God . ' Companions , the day in which we live is , I regret to say , not one specially marked by humility—particularly by that humility which bows before the Majesty of God , and adopts the Divine lesson taught to the great Lawgiver at the burning bush— " Put off thy shoes from off thy feet , for the place on which thou standest is Holy ground . " This reverence for the Great Creator and Ruler of the Universe is inculcated by the Sacred
writings , and in many a touching precept and command in our beautiful and expressive ritual . Reverence for His name , His word , His will . His works are peculiarly impressed on a Mason's heart and mind , while in all our Lodges and Chapters the Volume of His Sacred Law holds the most prominent place as the guide to our faith and the rule of all our actions . Whatever other men may do or say , as for us and our Masonic Order ,