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Correspondence.
to perpetuate all the ancient ritual among themselves . That there were brethren professing these Christian doctrines among them at that period , I think will not admit of a doubt , inasmuch as the vestiges of the Christian Order of the Templars are found frequently in the cemeteries , the graves—the symbols on the monuments , the sanctuaries , & o . Tho fact of discovering the " Small Whito Stone " in old Templar graves beside the skeletons , is enough in itself to establish this assertion .
The quotation by me , concerning the " Cross-legged Masons , " is made , aa far as I can recollect , from Addison's early history of the Knights Templar , and from Lawrie ' s history of Freemasonry , last edition , but from the loss last year by tho fire whioh destroyed my residence , and nearly all my valuable Masonio books of reference and copious manuscript notes , I am now frequently at a loss and cannot
quote positively . " Mesaouraneo " was the word intended . The clerical error in the final letters arose ( with many others ) from the printer not sending proof iu time for correction before the meeting of Great Priory . From this word , hence the term " Masonry , " tho very namo of our Institution , appears to have been a source of error as extensive as the
English language . Why ? it has been asked , are we styled " Mason " or " Builders , " if architecture was not at least our principal employment ? _ We answer that the word " Mason" and " Masonry" are but corruptions of other words having no relation to edifices . [ See Daloha's Ahiman Rezon , page 143 . ] " Mason" is by some derived from the Greek words mai and isan ,
[ query saloum , iamire —\\ ie and salvation ] , and is supposed to allude to the situation of the candidate dnring some part of the ancient ceremonies . The term " Masonry" seems but a slight variation of the Greek " Mesaouraneo" [ esse in medio call—to be in the midst of heaven . ] There are others , however , who derive the modem term " Mason" from the ancient Mcw-son , a devotee of the goddess of
Justice , or of the oreative power . With the Greeks Maio , was the Deity of perfect rectitude and eternal wisdom of that "Wisdom " who presided in the creation of the universe . It is probable that it was in France that the term Mayson was applied to the worshippers of Maio , the first cause . In view of either of these derivations , a
Mason may be regarded as an aspirant after immortality , and a devoted worshipper of the God of Wisdom and of Truth , whose throne is in the centre of heaven . [ See Greenleaf ' s Lectures on Masonry , 1820 j Hutohinson ' s Spirit of Masonry , page 15 ; Rees ' Cyclopaedia Art Mayo and the German work , " Usder die Free Maueran ord , " 1700 , or thereabouts .
Greenleaf observes at page 17 , " That there is nothing to be found in ancient Masonry that has any relation to Monkish legends , nor to chivalry , nor to crusading . It teaches another spirit . Its traditions have no exclusive and necessary reference to war nor to the second building of Thomas' Temple . They are more easilv and naturallv
referred to the religions ceremonies of earlier ages . " Greanleaf was of Danish connections and a highly cultivated man . He held the office of District Deputy Grand Master of the State of Massachusetts in 1815 to 1820 , when he published his lectures to the Craft , whioh WBTB at that time esteemed the best that had been delivered in the United States of America .
Masonic Student" has taken a great liberty with the character of a highly cultivated scholar , the late Bishop Muriter of Copenhagen , who was the spiritual director of a large and numerous relig ? ons sect , and was esteemed to be among the most learned men ofthat kingdom . He was intimately associated with the reigning Kirn * and with Professor Phiugor , Prince Karl , of Philipstodb , and many others
of like character and attainments , and most highly honoured by all who were acquainted with him . His work upon the Templar Order was pronounced to be a very able one . He is long since dead , as well as many others who were associated with him in the earlier period of the present century . Who the learned German editor "Masonic Student" speaks of is I do not know , but presnme him to be of a like
rationalistic nature with himself , " who believe in just what they can see with their eyes and handle with their hands . " His strictures on the valuable work of Bishop Muriter , as a literary fabrication , are not critically sound or historically correct . I cannot help remarking the general features of the review on my allocution by " Masonic Student , " is , in its tone , unkind and
dictatorial in the extreme , underlying far too much in the "knock down " style of argument . With all due respect for the antiqnarian researches and ' Masonic knowledge evinced by " Masonio Student , " and with which he has so frequently and profitably enlightened the numerous readers of the Freemason , I think they would be far more ap . predated if less of the attempts at ridiculefor the opinions of others .
, unfriendly slang expressions , were indulged in ; the terms " fads , " " will o' the wisp , " applied to the views brought forward in an earnest desire to court inquiry by fraternal co-operation and sowgestive thoughts , are quite unworthy of ono whose zeal and historical Masonic attainments are fully acknowledged , and by none more than myself .
I am , Dear Sir and Brother , Fraternally yours , W . J . B . McL . MOORE , St . Johns , 11 th Oct . 1883 . Great Prior of Canada
As the time is drawing near for the election of Grand Treasurer , the supporters of Mr . Allcroft and the supporters of Mr . Horace brooks Marshall are exerting themselves to draw all their forces together . Whether their zeal is guided by discretion it may , perhaps , not be worth while to discuss , but no doubt there wilt be a sharp
contest between the two contending parties , and the sympathies of the majority will most likely go with the new candidate . The brethren seem resolved to adhere to the principle of havin ° - a new Grand Treasurer every year , and the principle apppars to bo a Wholesome one . —Evening News .
Reviews.
REVIEWS .
Thoughts on the Threshold . Being an attempt to traco the Land , marks of Masonio History . Addressed to the Brethren of No . 425 , the Cestrian Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons , by Charles William Duncan , now Worshipful Master of tho Lodge . Chester : Printed by Edward Thomas , Pepper Street , 1883 .
IT may be taken as the sign of an unusually healthy vitality when a Lodge is at tho pains of encouraging the study of some branch or portion of Masonio History . Thero aro few Lodges which , if they wero so minded , could not easily fiud an hour or so for the consideration of matters outside the ordinary rango of Masonic labour . Unfortunately there are , likewise , very few Lodges which seem to
concern themselves about much else than tho transaction of their regular business . They take kindly enongh to tho working of the various ceremonies . They are nob unmindful of tbo nocessity for studying the Lectures . But as to anything outside the sacred limits wo have indicated , they appear to enhibit a certain laugour which it is somewhat diffioult to account for when we remomber that Masonry is hold
to be a progressive science , and that oven members of onr Mystic Craft cannot be expected to make any appreciable amount of progress unless they occasionally devote some part of their leisure time to study . It is diffioult to say if the experiment which Bro . Duncan , of the Cestrian Lodge , has attempted is likely to endure muoh beyond tho term of his Mastership , but it may with safety be afiirmed that it is au
experiment whioh deserves to become an established practice . We may or may not agree with his theories , but it is impossible to question the wisdom of a policy which would devote the time that might otherwise be used unprofitably to the discussion of subjects whioh ought to awaken interest in the mind of every Craftsman . We are not going to loso sight of the fact that our Lodge Meetings are
intended as a mean 3 to promote social enjoyment , but this is not their sole aim and purpose . It is no doubt true enongh that " all work and no play makes Jack a dull boy , " but the converse proposition is not equally true that all play and no work makes a bright fellow of him . We have no wish to see the social element struck out of the programme of our usual Masonic gatherings , but it occurs to
us that , in the absence of work that is imperative , our social enjoyment will be increased rather than diminished if the way is prepared for it by the delivery of a well-considered lecture on some question of general or special interest . Thus , in our humble opinion at all events , Bro . Duncan has done wisely by introducing au occasional lecture on some Masonic subject into the programme of his Lodge
business , when it may be done without inconvenience to the brethren and without trenching on the regular labour of the Lodge . But if it is wise to have these occasional lectures , it does not follow in all oases that the subjects may be wisely chosen , and still less that they shonld be wisely dealt with . Bro . Duncan , however , is certainly to be congratulated on the wisdom of his choice , and if he is
not quite as successful in his attempt to traoe the landmarks of our history as might have been wished , his achievement , if only a parLial snccess , must be ascribed to the inherent difficulty of his subject . No ono can read his lecture , and we feel sure none of the members of his Lodge can have listened to it without deriving from it both pleasure and profit . The manner in which he handles his subject is worthy
of all praise , but to some of the opinions to which ho gives expression not a few will take exception . As regards ^ his style , the following may be given as a fair specimen . His point is that it would be wrong " to maintain that because you cannot give evidence of the existence of a fact , therefore it is no fact at all ; " and , to pass from the argument in general terms to a particular application ,
that because " hardly even the name of a single ancient Architect is preserved to us , " therefore no ancient Architect ever existed . On this he says : "In all other arts and sciences , in all other pursuits which noble minds can follow , we have a deathless roll of genius and success . In Music , in Painting , in Sculpture , in the various branches of Philosophy , we can recall name after name of the mighty ones of yore . But the designers of these marvellous temples and palaces
and tombs , which were and are the wonder of the whole earth—who were they f Who erected the giant cities of Bashan ? Who planned the pyramids of Egypt ? Who traced the foundations of the Great Wall of China ? Who designed the temples of Nineveh and Babylon ? Who drew the plans for those noble palaces of Tadmor , whose columns still stand , lone and beautiful in the wilderness ? Who laid the lines and superintended the building of the four thousand palaces of Alexandria—of the Parthenon of Athens—of the Porticoes of
Corinth—of the Capitol of Rome ? Nay , in quite recent times , who designed those mighty monuments of medizeval art , the Cathedrals which adorn our own . and other Christian lands ? We cannot tell 1 " The point is a good one and admirably put , but his attempt to trace Masonry back through the ages is not as successful , and , as in the case of his attempt to connect it with Templary , will not always bear
strict investigation . But though this may be so , and his lecture , therefore , as an attempt to make clear the more obscure portions of onr history in this respect is not a completo success , it possesses merits which place it above the class of historical disquisitions with which we are favoured from time to timo . At all events , it is better the members of our Lodges should have occasional opportunities of hearing the opinions of well-read brethren on difficult questions , even
though such opinions may not be unassailable , than that even tho existence of such questions should be ignored altogether . If a few more Lodges wero to follow the example set them by the Cestriau ifc would be well . A spirit of enquiry , once aroused amongst U 3 , would lead to discussion , and in time discussion might bring us some steps nearer the settlement of matters respecting which ifc is no heresy to sav we shonld be all tho better for some further illumination . We
thank Bro . Duncan for having afforded us an hour s very agreeable reading , and we trust it will not be the last time we shall have an opportunity of studying hia opinions on moot points in Masonic history .
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Correspondence.
to perpetuate all the ancient ritual among themselves . That there were brethren professing these Christian doctrines among them at that period , I think will not admit of a doubt , inasmuch as the vestiges of the Christian Order of the Templars are found frequently in the cemeteries , the graves—the symbols on the monuments , the sanctuaries , & o . Tho fact of discovering the " Small Whito Stone " in old Templar graves beside the skeletons , is enough in itself to establish this assertion .
The quotation by me , concerning the " Cross-legged Masons , " is made , aa far as I can recollect , from Addison's early history of the Knights Templar , and from Lawrie ' s history of Freemasonry , last edition , but from the loss last year by tho fire whioh destroyed my residence , and nearly all my valuable Masonio books of reference and copious manuscript notes , I am now frequently at a loss and cannot
quote positively . " Mesaouraneo " was the word intended . The clerical error in the final letters arose ( with many others ) from the printer not sending proof iu time for correction before the meeting of Great Priory . From this word , hence the term " Masonry , " tho very namo of our Institution , appears to have been a source of error as extensive as the
English language . Why ? it has been asked , are we styled " Mason " or " Builders , " if architecture was not at least our principal employment ? _ We answer that the word " Mason" and " Masonry" are but corruptions of other words having no relation to edifices . [ See Daloha's Ahiman Rezon , page 143 . ] " Mason" is by some derived from the Greek words mai and isan ,
[ query saloum , iamire —\\ ie and salvation ] , and is supposed to allude to the situation of the candidate dnring some part of the ancient ceremonies . The term " Masonry" seems but a slight variation of the Greek " Mesaouraneo" [ esse in medio call—to be in the midst of heaven . ] There are others , however , who derive the modem term " Mason" from the ancient Mcw-son , a devotee of the goddess of
Justice , or of the oreative power . With the Greeks Maio , was the Deity of perfect rectitude and eternal wisdom of that "Wisdom " who presided in the creation of the universe . It is probable that it was in France that the term Mayson was applied to the worshippers of Maio , the first cause . In view of either of these derivations , a
Mason may be regarded as an aspirant after immortality , and a devoted worshipper of the God of Wisdom and of Truth , whose throne is in the centre of heaven . [ See Greenleaf ' s Lectures on Masonry , 1820 j Hutohinson ' s Spirit of Masonry , page 15 ; Rees ' Cyclopaedia Art Mayo and the German work , " Usder die Free Maueran ord , " 1700 , or thereabouts .
Greenleaf observes at page 17 , " That there is nothing to be found in ancient Masonry that has any relation to Monkish legends , nor to chivalry , nor to crusading . It teaches another spirit . Its traditions have no exclusive and necessary reference to war nor to the second building of Thomas' Temple . They are more easilv and naturallv
referred to the religions ceremonies of earlier ages . " Greanleaf was of Danish connections and a highly cultivated man . He held the office of District Deputy Grand Master of the State of Massachusetts in 1815 to 1820 , when he published his lectures to the Craft , whioh WBTB at that time esteemed the best that had been delivered in the United States of America .
Masonic Student" has taken a great liberty with the character of a highly cultivated scholar , the late Bishop Muriter of Copenhagen , who was the spiritual director of a large and numerous relig ? ons sect , and was esteemed to be among the most learned men ofthat kingdom . He was intimately associated with the reigning Kirn * and with Professor Phiugor , Prince Karl , of Philipstodb , and many others
of like character and attainments , and most highly honoured by all who were acquainted with him . His work upon the Templar Order was pronounced to be a very able one . He is long since dead , as well as many others who were associated with him in the earlier period of the present century . Who the learned German editor "Masonic Student" speaks of is I do not know , but presnme him to be of a like
rationalistic nature with himself , " who believe in just what they can see with their eyes and handle with their hands . " His strictures on the valuable work of Bishop Muriter , as a literary fabrication , are not critically sound or historically correct . I cannot help remarking the general features of the review on my allocution by " Masonic Student , " is , in its tone , unkind and
dictatorial in the extreme , underlying far too much in the "knock down " style of argument . With all due respect for the antiqnarian researches and ' Masonic knowledge evinced by " Masonio Student , " and with which he has so frequently and profitably enlightened the numerous readers of the Freemason , I think they would be far more ap . predated if less of the attempts at ridiculefor the opinions of others .
, unfriendly slang expressions , were indulged in ; the terms " fads , " " will o' the wisp , " applied to the views brought forward in an earnest desire to court inquiry by fraternal co-operation and sowgestive thoughts , are quite unworthy of ono whose zeal and historical Masonic attainments are fully acknowledged , and by none more than myself .
I am , Dear Sir and Brother , Fraternally yours , W . J . B . McL . MOORE , St . Johns , 11 th Oct . 1883 . Great Prior of Canada
As the time is drawing near for the election of Grand Treasurer , the supporters of Mr . Allcroft and the supporters of Mr . Horace brooks Marshall are exerting themselves to draw all their forces together . Whether their zeal is guided by discretion it may , perhaps , not be worth while to discuss , but no doubt there wilt be a sharp
contest between the two contending parties , and the sympathies of the majority will most likely go with the new candidate . The brethren seem resolved to adhere to the principle of havin ° - a new Grand Treasurer every year , and the principle apppars to bo a Wholesome one . —Evening News .
Reviews.
REVIEWS .
Thoughts on the Threshold . Being an attempt to traco the Land , marks of Masonio History . Addressed to the Brethren of No . 425 , the Cestrian Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons , by Charles William Duncan , now Worshipful Master of tho Lodge . Chester : Printed by Edward Thomas , Pepper Street , 1883 .
IT may be taken as the sign of an unusually healthy vitality when a Lodge is at tho pains of encouraging the study of some branch or portion of Masonio History . Thero aro few Lodges which , if they wero so minded , could not easily fiud an hour or so for the consideration of matters outside the ordinary rango of Masonic labour . Unfortunately there are , likewise , very few Lodges which seem to
concern themselves about much else than tho transaction of their regular business . They take kindly enongh to tho working of the various ceremonies . They are nob unmindful of tbo nocessity for studying the Lectures . But as to anything outside the sacred limits wo have indicated , they appear to enhibit a certain laugour which it is somewhat diffioult to account for when we remomber that Masonry is hold
to be a progressive science , and that oven members of onr Mystic Craft cannot be expected to make any appreciable amount of progress unless they occasionally devote some part of their leisure time to study . It is diffioult to say if the experiment which Bro . Duncan , of the Cestrian Lodge , has attempted is likely to endure muoh beyond tho term of his Mastership , but it may with safety be afiirmed that it is au
experiment whioh deserves to become an established practice . We may or may not agree with his theories , but it is impossible to question the wisdom of a policy which would devote the time that might otherwise be used unprofitably to the discussion of subjects whioh ought to awaken interest in the mind of every Craftsman . We are not going to loso sight of the fact that our Lodge Meetings are
intended as a mean 3 to promote social enjoyment , but this is not their sole aim and purpose . It is no doubt true enongh that " all work and no play makes Jack a dull boy , " but the converse proposition is not equally true that all play and no work makes a bright fellow of him . We have no wish to see the social element struck out of the programme of our usual Masonic gatherings , but it occurs to
us that , in the absence of work that is imperative , our social enjoyment will be increased rather than diminished if the way is prepared for it by the delivery of a well-considered lecture on some question of general or special interest . Thus , in our humble opinion at all events , Bro . Duncan has done wisely by introducing au occasional lecture on some Masonic subject into the programme of his Lodge
business , when it may be done without inconvenience to the brethren and without trenching on the regular labour of the Lodge . But if it is wise to have these occasional lectures , it does not follow in all oases that the subjects may be wisely chosen , and still less that they shonld be wisely dealt with . Bro . Duncan , however , is certainly to be congratulated on the wisdom of his choice , and if he is
not quite as successful in his attempt to traoe the landmarks of our history as might have been wished , his achievement , if only a parLial snccess , must be ascribed to the inherent difficulty of his subject . No ono can read his lecture , and we feel sure none of the members of his Lodge can have listened to it without deriving from it both pleasure and profit . The manner in which he handles his subject is worthy
of all praise , but to some of the opinions to which ho gives expression not a few will take exception . As regards ^ his style , the following may be given as a fair specimen . His point is that it would be wrong " to maintain that because you cannot give evidence of the existence of a fact , therefore it is no fact at all ; " and , to pass from the argument in general terms to a particular application ,
that because " hardly even the name of a single ancient Architect is preserved to us , " therefore no ancient Architect ever existed . On this he says : "In all other arts and sciences , in all other pursuits which noble minds can follow , we have a deathless roll of genius and success . In Music , in Painting , in Sculpture , in the various branches of Philosophy , we can recall name after name of the mighty ones of yore . But the designers of these marvellous temples and palaces
and tombs , which were and are the wonder of the whole earth—who were they f Who erected the giant cities of Bashan ? Who planned the pyramids of Egypt ? Who traced the foundations of the Great Wall of China ? Who designed the temples of Nineveh and Babylon ? Who drew the plans for those noble palaces of Tadmor , whose columns still stand , lone and beautiful in the wilderness ? Who laid the lines and superintended the building of the four thousand palaces of Alexandria—of the Parthenon of Athens—of the Porticoes of
Corinth—of the Capitol of Rome ? Nay , in quite recent times , who designed those mighty monuments of medizeval art , the Cathedrals which adorn our own . and other Christian lands ? We cannot tell 1 " The point is a good one and admirably put , but his attempt to trace Masonry back through the ages is not as successful , and , as in the case of his attempt to connect it with Templary , will not always bear
strict investigation . But though this may be so , and his lecture , therefore , as an attempt to make clear the more obscure portions of onr history in this respect is not a completo success , it possesses merits which place it above the class of historical disquisitions with which we are favoured from time to timo . At all events , it is better the members of our Lodges should have occasional opportunities of hearing the opinions of well-read brethren on difficult questions , even
though such opinions may not be unassailable , than that even tho existence of such questions should be ignored altogether . If a few more Lodges wero to follow the example set them by the Cestriau ifc would be well . A spirit of enquiry , once aroused amongst U 3 , would lead to discussion , and in time discussion might bring us some steps nearer the settlement of matters respecting which ifc is no heresy to sav we shonld be all tho better for some further illumination . We
thank Bro . Duncan for having afforded us an hour s very agreeable reading , and we trust it will not be the last time we shall have an opportunity of studying hia opinions on moot points in Masonic history .