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Article ANCIENT MASONIC HISTORY. Page 1 of 1 Article ANCIENT MASONIC HISTORY. Page 1 of 1 Article THE IDEAL AND THE ACTUAL. Page 1 of 2 →
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Ancient Masonic History.
ANCIENT MASONIC HISTORY .
WITHIN the last few clays notices have appeared , in the general press of the country , referring to two matters of ancient history with which the Craft of Freemasonry is claimed to he intimately associated ,
and which will , perhaps , arouse some amount of enthusiasm among the increasing hand who make a study of archaeological matters so far as they are connected with the Masonic Order .
In the one case a discovery has been made , by Mr . C . E . Rivington , Clerk of the Stationers' Company , of London , who , in a letter to the City Press , says , " In looking over the registers of the Company , I observe that the title of ' Freemason' occurs as early as 1578 . In June of that ' ycare Richard
Wylde , sonne of Thomas "Wylde , late cityzen and freemason of London , deceased , was bound apprentice to Christopher Barker . ' " In the other case , reference is made to the discoverv . a few vears back , at Bradinsr .
in the Isle of Wight , of some Roman remains , and in regard to which it is now stated , that every probability exists that the building was originally a Masonic Lodge . As it dates from A . D . 150 , says the Hampshire Tclcqmph , "it is probably therefore one of the oldest
in the world , " a supposition which , if it can be maintained , is " probably " correct . Our contemporary speaks of a paper written upon the subject by Colonel Crease , C . B ., Royal Marine Artillery , which was read
before a "learned Masonic Society in London , " and remarks that if the conclusions drawn therein be correct , there seems to be little doubt but that the Roman villa in question was what he states it to have
been . It is very curious , continues the writer , that all the Mosaic pavements have clear Masonic meanings , which Col . Crease has very plainly deciphered . The Whole matter . nhsprvAS thp Ti'lcarrmh . is rvnfi nf tliA
very deepest interest to all Masons , inasmuch as no written Masonic records go back beyond 1717 . '' This Roman record , therefore , written as it is
in stone , becomes of immense importance , and carries Masonry back at once fifteen and a half centuries , to the times in fact when the Romans occupied Britain , about two hundred years after Julius Cnesav ' s
Jist invasion . " We shall no doubt hear further of these matters in course of time , but whatever the result of future investigation may be , it must be admitted there is ample food for reflection in the two
Hems which have so recently come under our notice . Ine earlier one may , perhaps , prove to be a myth , or jouncled upon a somewhat slender basis , but in regard Jo tho other—which takes us , or at least the word
freemason , " as far back as 1578 , it must be admitted t 1 7 1 ( lence . identity , & c , is ample to secure for it ne fullest inquiry and consideration . Concluding eir remarks on the Roman remains subject , the
contemporary from whom Ave have already quoted hi ' " ^ v 6 ry cul'ious points ; amongst others , have ue en alluded to by Colonel Crease , the ' first that
Ancient Masonic History.
Gonstantine the Great was born at York , and there succeeded his father Gonstantine , and made his first entry into public life ; the second , that the early Christian ' position ' was in the west , and not in the east , as it is at present : the eastern position in those
days being considered as idolatrous and appertaining to the heathen . " The association of this latter subject with that of Freemasonry may be regarded by some as direct evidence that the matter has no connection with Freemasonrv , but such a
consideration need have no force when we look back so many years . If Freemasonry then existed it was very different to anything we can imagine , judging it from a nineteenth century standpoint , but the whole matter
is so lar beyond the scope of ordinary discussion that we may safely leave it to the tender mercies of those who feel a pleasure and a delight in attempting to unravel the mysteries of the past . The question of
the 1578 reference to the title of "Freemasonry" is of a widely different character . Here there is reliable data to work upon , and more trustworthy opinions can be formed , as we have no doubt they will be before a very long period has been allowed to elapse .
The Ideal And The Actual.
THE IDEAL AND THE ACTUAL .
IN the application of Freemasonry there is a wide difference between the ideal and the actual . Masonic principles and teachings point to a condition of harmonious intercourse and cooperation among brethren , and the expression of individual character in noblest and most
attractive form . In neither of these respects is the ideal realised . Masonic organizations do not always work together in a peaceable and fraternal spirit . Disturbing questions concerning authority , jurisdiction , methods , & c ,
arise ; these are discussed with acrimony , and the result is seen in bitter feeling and open strife . The dissensions among bodies bearing the Masonic name have , frequently brought reproach on the Institution . And when we take into account individual character and conduct we can but
notice many of the same sharp contrasts between what is called for by Freemasonry and what is produced in the lives of its followers . Alas that there should be such a divergence between theory and practice—between ideal and applied Masonry .
Not long ago a keen observer , not a Mason , said to the writer of this article-: " Why is it that Masonic fruitage is not of better character ? " He was not an unfriendly critic , for he admitted the worth of bur Institution and the general respectability of its members , but he thought that
more might be expected than was shown in the products of the Fraternity . " Freemasonry , " said he , " ought to give the world a class of perfect men ; why does it not do this ? " That Masons are not all full formed , strong , symmetrical men , models of excellence in every respect ,
goes without saying . The perfect type of character is rarely shown , however much its attainment may be desired and sought for . Freemasonry contributes some important aids towards realizing such a character , but it cannot do everything . It is charged with no magical
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Ancient Masonic History.
ANCIENT MASONIC HISTORY .
WITHIN the last few clays notices have appeared , in the general press of the country , referring to two matters of ancient history with which the Craft of Freemasonry is claimed to he intimately associated ,
and which will , perhaps , arouse some amount of enthusiasm among the increasing hand who make a study of archaeological matters so far as they are connected with the Masonic Order .
In the one case a discovery has been made , by Mr . C . E . Rivington , Clerk of the Stationers' Company , of London , who , in a letter to the City Press , says , " In looking over the registers of the Company , I observe that the title of ' Freemason' occurs as early as 1578 . In June of that ' ycare Richard
Wylde , sonne of Thomas "Wylde , late cityzen and freemason of London , deceased , was bound apprentice to Christopher Barker . ' " In the other case , reference is made to the discoverv . a few vears back , at Bradinsr .
in the Isle of Wight , of some Roman remains , and in regard to which it is now stated , that every probability exists that the building was originally a Masonic Lodge . As it dates from A . D . 150 , says the Hampshire Tclcqmph , "it is probably therefore one of the oldest
in the world , " a supposition which , if it can be maintained , is " probably " correct . Our contemporary speaks of a paper written upon the subject by Colonel Crease , C . B ., Royal Marine Artillery , which was read
before a "learned Masonic Society in London , " and remarks that if the conclusions drawn therein be correct , there seems to be little doubt but that the Roman villa in question was what he states it to have
been . It is very curious , continues the writer , that all the Mosaic pavements have clear Masonic meanings , which Col . Crease has very plainly deciphered . The Whole matter . nhsprvAS thp Ti'lcarrmh . is rvnfi nf tliA
very deepest interest to all Masons , inasmuch as no written Masonic records go back beyond 1717 . '' This Roman record , therefore , written as it is
in stone , becomes of immense importance , and carries Masonry back at once fifteen and a half centuries , to the times in fact when the Romans occupied Britain , about two hundred years after Julius Cnesav ' s
Jist invasion . " We shall no doubt hear further of these matters in course of time , but whatever the result of future investigation may be , it must be admitted there is ample food for reflection in the two
Hems which have so recently come under our notice . Ine earlier one may , perhaps , prove to be a myth , or jouncled upon a somewhat slender basis , but in regard Jo tho other—which takes us , or at least the word
freemason , " as far back as 1578 , it must be admitted t 1 7 1 ( lence . identity , & c , is ample to secure for it ne fullest inquiry and consideration . Concluding eir remarks on the Roman remains subject , the
contemporary from whom Ave have already quoted hi ' " ^ v 6 ry cul'ious points ; amongst others , have ue en alluded to by Colonel Crease , the ' first that
Ancient Masonic History.
Gonstantine the Great was born at York , and there succeeded his father Gonstantine , and made his first entry into public life ; the second , that the early Christian ' position ' was in the west , and not in the east , as it is at present : the eastern position in those
days being considered as idolatrous and appertaining to the heathen . " The association of this latter subject with that of Freemasonry may be regarded by some as direct evidence that the matter has no connection with Freemasonrv , but such a
consideration need have no force when we look back so many years . If Freemasonry then existed it was very different to anything we can imagine , judging it from a nineteenth century standpoint , but the whole matter
is so lar beyond the scope of ordinary discussion that we may safely leave it to the tender mercies of those who feel a pleasure and a delight in attempting to unravel the mysteries of the past . The question of
the 1578 reference to the title of "Freemasonry" is of a widely different character . Here there is reliable data to work upon , and more trustworthy opinions can be formed , as we have no doubt they will be before a very long period has been allowed to elapse .
The Ideal And The Actual.
THE IDEAL AND THE ACTUAL .
IN the application of Freemasonry there is a wide difference between the ideal and the actual . Masonic principles and teachings point to a condition of harmonious intercourse and cooperation among brethren , and the expression of individual character in noblest and most
attractive form . In neither of these respects is the ideal realised . Masonic organizations do not always work together in a peaceable and fraternal spirit . Disturbing questions concerning authority , jurisdiction , methods , & c ,
arise ; these are discussed with acrimony , and the result is seen in bitter feeling and open strife . The dissensions among bodies bearing the Masonic name have , frequently brought reproach on the Institution . And when we take into account individual character and conduct we can but
notice many of the same sharp contrasts between what is called for by Freemasonry and what is produced in the lives of its followers . Alas that there should be such a divergence between theory and practice—between ideal and applied Masonry .
Not long ago a keen observer , not a Mason , said to the writer of this article-: " Why is it that Masonic fruitage is not of better character ? " He was not an unfriendly critic , for he admitted the worth of bur Institution and the general respectability of its members , but he thought that
more might be expected than was shown in the products of the Fraternity . " Freemasonry , " said he , " ought to give the world a class of perfect men ; why does it not do this ? " That Masons are not all full formed , strong , symmetrical men , models of excellence in every respect ,
goes without saying . The perfect type of character is rarely shown , however much its attainment may be desired and sought for . Freemasonry contributes some important aids towards realizing such a character , but it cannot do everything . It is charged with no magical