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  • Dec. 4, 1875
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  • MASONIC LITERATURE.
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Masonic Literature.

MASONIC LITERATURE .

MORE than once have we drawn attention to the question whether a periodical literature is , or is not beneficial to the Craft . We return to it now , because it has been brought somewhat conspicuously before us in a work of the late Dr . Oliver , recently published , and a

review of which will be found in another part of our columns . Now , there are few men to whose opinions on matters of interest to the Craft we attach greater value . We are very far from accepting all his theories , but no one ever doubted his enthusiasm , and in the case now

before us , whether a Masonic press is or is not desirable , his views are entitled to the greatest respect . He , himself , was a most voluminous author , and as his love for Masonry was undoubted , it is in the last degree improbable that he would have issued any Masonic publication ,

had he imagined there was the slightest danger from publicity . Nor must we overlook the fact that when the Lincoln Testimonial was presented to him , the numerous works he had written were pointedly referred to as establishing his claims to the respect and love of all

Freemasons . But though the most enlightened members of our Order are in favour of a Masonic press , there is , unfortunately , an immense amount of apathy on the subject among the general body of Masons , and not a few who are bigoted enough to oppose anything like the

printing and publication of the most ordinary Masonic news . It is within our own experience that there are still among us brethren who follow the example , quoted in one of the works of this very Dr . Oliver , of the Mason who declared himself opposed to Masonic literature , though he confessed

to never having read a single line of any Masonic work , and was , therefore , incompetent to say whether they were beneficial or baneful . Now , let us hear what . Dr . Oliver says in his posthumous work , The Discrepancies of Freemasonry , on the subject of Masonic literature generally , and

a Masonic press in particular . The work is written in the form of a dialogue . As in the well known work Friends in Council , by the late Sir Arthur Help , so here , a number of Masonic friends meet together at the house of one of their number , and spend a week in discussing Masonry in all its

bearings , its government , organisation , and dissemination , whether any , and if so , what improvements can be safely made in its ritual , and generally by what means the cause of Masonry may be most effectually promoted . In comparing Masonry in the United States and in England , one

of these " Masonic Friends in Council , " Bro . Nis Petersen , known also as " The Skipper , " in explaining how Masonry has made such rapid strides in the former country , mentions , among other reasons , that " their Grand Lodges encourage the dissemination from the press of general

philosophy of the craft , provided the recondite secrets be not profaned , " adding further , "Formal treatises , periodical works , and prize essays , abound in every State in which the genuine principles of Masonry are embodied and unfolded ; and thus it becomes an

accessible pursuit , and , in common with all other sciences , sustains a rank commensurate with its real value , even amongst those who have not been initiated , or who , by sex or age , are excluded from a participation in

its mysteries . " " The Vicar , " taking up the conversation , expresses an opinion , that if the example of our American brethren were followed in this country , the Order would be doubled as regards numbers , in a quarter of a century , while its character would be raised " by the

Masonic Literature.

adhesion of men whose talents have already distinguished them in the walks of learning and science , and who would thus be induced to make Freemasonry their study , for the pleasure such a pursuit is certain to convey to their minds . " Thereupon Bro . Gilkes , another of the friends , pursues

the theme and gives utterance to the following : " Mankind now entertain a more favourable opinion of our pursuits , because the general principles of the Order are no longer a sealed book , but have been explained over and over again on scientific principles . If this course had not

been pursued , it is doubtful whether Freemasonry would have been able to maintain its position . We hear no more of' the devil dancing in a circle' during our celebrations , nor of the red-hot poker , or any other of the absurdities bequeathed to us by the cowans of the last century ;

and the ridicule formerly attached to the character of a Freemason is now entirely forgotten . " A few pages further on we read : " And I have often wondered , " said the Rector , " why Freemasonry has no authorised periodical , as an organ of the Craft , and a medium of

communication for the brethren . While every other class , into which Society is divided , has its magazine , whether literary , scientific , peaceful , or warlike , how does it happen that Freemasonry should be without some such useful vehicle for the record of Masonic intelligence ? " And then is ,

quoted in a foot-note to this passage , the following announcement , which appeared in the "Freemason ' s Quarterly Review , " 1839 , which had then been established only five years : ' This publication will continue to issue , in its quarterly form , provided its circulation he donhled . The manner in which this can be done is not difficult . Let

every subscriber take two copies , and find a friend to take one off his hands ; let every Lodge take one copy This , however , we must know beforehand . We , therefore , suggest that a note should be addressed to us , or to our publishers , stating additional

subscribers , and this will finally determine our course . Should we , unfortunately , be deceived in this matter , the number for December 1840 , may issue if we live , but our editorial labours will then close ; and even this extension of time is only permitted in justice to our brethren

in the East and West Indies , who might otherwise justly complain of a want of courtesy . " However , we need hardly pursue the subject much further . Suffice it that all the guests who are assembled under the hospitable roof of " The Surgeon , " and take part in this dialogue , concur

in the view that a Masonic press must be beneficial to the Order , and that it should receive the hearty support of members . When this was written , the Freemason ' s Quarterly Iievieiu was in existence , but the support it received was evidently not such as it deserved , or we should

not have had the announcement we have just quoted from its editor . That it did good service , however , admits of no doubt whatever . Many years have passed since Dr . Oliver wrote these Discrepancies of Freemasonry . The Order has vastly increased in point of numbers , and is almost

universally popular . Yet the Masons in the United Kingdom , as compared with those in the United States , are hardly less apathetic in supporting the Masonic periodicals of the day now than formerly . It is estimated there are over a hundred thousand Masons ranged under the banners of the

Grand Lodges of England , Ireland , and Scotland . Three periodicals exist , viz ., a monthly and two weeklies , which contain the Masonic news of the day , and in which are discussed those questions principally interesting to the Craft . In the United States there are more than half a million of the brethren and , Masonically speak-

“The Freemason's Chronicle: 1875-12-04, Page 1” Masonic Periodicals Online, Library and Museum of Freemasonry, 6 July 2025, django:8000/periodicals/fcn/issues/fcn_04121875/page/1/.
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Title Category Page
MASONIC LITERATURE. Article 1
MASONIC PORTRAITS (No. 5). A CORNER STONE. Article 2
MASONIC STUDIES. Article 2
GRAND LODGE. Article 3
CHARGES OF A FREEMASON. Article 4
ROYAL ARCH MASONRY. Article 5
CORRESPONDENCE. Article 5
REVIEWS. Article 6
THE MASON'S VOYAGE AFTER TRUTH. Article 7
PROVINCIAL GRAND CHAPTER OF LANARKSHIRE. Article 7
NEW ZEALAND. Article 7
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NOTICES OF MEETINGS. Article 10
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Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.

Masonic Literature.

MASONIC LITERATURE .

MORE than once have we drawn attention to the question whether a periodical literature is , or is not beneficial to the Craft . We return to it now , because it has been brought somewhat conspicuously before us in a work of the late Dr . Oliver , recently published , and a

review of which will be found in another part of our columns . Now , there are few men to whose opinions on matters of interest to the Craft we attach greater value . We are very far from accepting all his theories , but no one ever doubted his enthusiasm , and in the case now

before us , whether a Masonic press is or is not desirable , his views are entitled to the greatest respect . He , himself , was a most voluminous author , and as his love for Masonry was undoubted , it is in the last degree improbable that he would have issued any Masonic publication ,

had he imagined there was the slightest danger from publicity . Nor must we overlook the fact that when the Lincoln Testimonial was presented to him , the numerous works he had written were pointedly referred to as establishing his claims to the respect and love of all

Freemasons . But though the most enlightened members of our Order are in favour of a Masonic press , there is , unfortunately , an immense amount of apathy on the subject among the general body of Masons , and not a few who are bigoted enough to oppose anything like the

printing and publication of the most ordinary Masonic news . It is within our own experience that there are still among us brethren who follow the example , quoted in one of the works of this very Dr . Oliver , of the Mason who declared himself opposed to Masonic literature , though he confessed

to never having read a single line of any Masonic work , and was , therefore , incompetent to say whether they were beneficial or baneful . Now , let us hear what . Dr . Oliver says in his posthumous work , The Discrepancies of Freemasonry , on the subject of Masonic literature generally , and

a Masonic press in particular . The work is written in the form of a dialogue . As in the well known work Friends in Council , by the late Sir Arthur Help , so here , a number of Masonic friends meet together at the house of one of their number , and spend a week in discussing Masonry in all its

bearings , its government , organisation , and dissemination , whether any , and if so , what improvements can be safely made in its ritual , and generally by what means the cause of Masonry may be most effectually promoted . In comparing Masonry in the United States and in England , one

of these " Masonic Friends in Council , " Bro . Nis Petersen , known also as " The Skipper , " in explaining how Masonry has made such rapid strides in the former country , mentions , among other reasons , that " their Grand Lodges encourage the dissemination from the press of general

philosophy of the craft , provided the recondite secrets be not profaned , " adding further , "Formal treatises , periodical works , and prize essays , abound in every State in which the genuine principles of Masonry are embodied and unfolded ; and thus it becomes an

accessible pursuit , and , in common with all other sciences , sustains a rank commensurate with its real value , even amongst those who have not been initiated , or who , by sex or age , are excluded from a participation in

its mysteries . " " The Vicar , " taking up the conversation , expresses an opinion , that if the example of our American brethren were followed in this country , the Order would be doubled as regards numbers , in a quarter of a century , while its character would be raised " by the

Masonic Literature.

adhesion of men whose talents have already distinguished them in the walks of learning and science , and who would thus be induced to make Freemasonry their study , for the pleasure such a pursuit is certain to convey to their minds . " Thereupon Bro . Gilkes , another of the friends , pursues

the theme and gives utterance to the following : " Mankind now entertain a more favourable opinion of our pursuits , because the general principles of the Order are no longer a sealed book , but have been explained over and over again on scientific principles . If this course had not

been pursued , it is doubtful whether Freemasonry would have been able to maintain its position . We hear no more of' the devil dancing in a circle' during our celebrations , nor of the red-hot poker , or any other of the absurdities bequeathed to us by the cowans of the last century ;

and the ridicule formerly attached to the character of a Freemason is now entirely forgotten . " A few pages further on we read : " And I have often wondered , " said the Rector , " why Freemasonry has no authorised periodical , as an organ of the Craft , and a medium of

communication for the brethren . While every other class , into which Society is divided , has its magazine , whether literary , scientific , peaceful , or warlike , how does it happen that Freemasonry should be without some such useful vehicle for the record of Masonic intelligence ? " And then is ,

quoted in a foot-note to this passage , the following announcement , which appeared in the "Freemason ' s Quarterly Review , " 1839 , which had then been established only five years : ' This publication will continue to issue , in its quarterly form , provided its circulation he donhled . The manner in which this can be done is not difficult . Let

every subscriber take two copies , and find a friend to take one off his hands ; let every Lodge take one copy This , however , we must know beforehand . We , therefore , suggest that a note should be addressed to us , or to our publishers , stating additional

subscribers , and this will finally determine our course . Should we , unfortunately , be deceived in this matter , the number for December 1840 , may issue if we live , but our editorial labours will then close ; and even this extension of time is only permitted in justice to our brethren

in the East and West Indies , who might otherwise justly complain of a want of courtesy . " However , we need hardly pursue the subject much further . Suffice it that all the guests who are assembled under the hospitable roof of " The Surgeon , " and take part in this dialogue , concur

in the view that a Masonic press must be beneficial to the Order , and that it should receive the hearty support of members . When this was written , the Freemason ' s Quarterly Iievieiu was in existence , but the support it received was evidently not such as it deserved , or we should

not have had the announcement we have just quoted from its editor . That it did good service , however , admits of no doubt whatever . Many years have passed since Dr . Oliver wrote these Discrepancies of Freemasonry . The Order has vastly increased in point of numbers , and is almost

universally popular . Yet the Masons in the United Kingdom , as compared with those in the United States , are hardly less apathetic in supporting the Masonic periodicals of the day now than formerly . It is estimated there are over a hundred thousand Masons ranged under the banners of the

Grand Lodges of England , Ireland , and Scotland . Three periodicals exist , viz ., a monthly and two weeklies , which contain the Masonic news of the day , and in which are discussed those questions principally interesting to the Craft . In the United States there are more than half a million of the brethren and , Masonically speak-

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