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Random Notes And Reflections

RANDOM NOTES AND REFLECTIONS

ALTHOUGH not an old Lodge , the Dnke of Clarence has its home in the ancient and pictnresqne little town of Clare . Last week we announced , npon the authority of a Suffolk paper , that H . R . H . the Dnke of Albany had been elected to , and had accepted , the post

of Worshipful Master of this Lodge for the ensning year . There is a fitness in the choice , and there is graciousness in the acceptance of the office of "W . M . by onr Royal brother . Clare was a borough as early as 1088 , bat before the Conquest there was a fortress there , and in it a

chapel , dedicated to St . John the Baptist . The town takes its name from the Clare family , and the title of Duke of Clarence and the name County Clare , Ireland , are derived from this House . Strongbow , the conqueror of Ireland , was the grandson of the first Gilbert de Clare . Edmund

Mortimer , another historic character , was buried in Clare Church , a ^ quaint looking edifice . Another fact in connection with this pretty little place is worth recording . When excavating for the railway in 1866 , a small gold crucifix and chain were found within the precincts of the

ancient bailey . The plate , which can be removed , bears the figure of the Saviour , and inside the cross are two minute fragments of wood and one of stone , supposed to be relics . This interesting memento of centuries ago is in the possession of Her Majesty . There are few places iu

the Kingdom that can boast of such associations as surround Clare . It is worth a visit for the sake of the remains that still exist of where the old Castle stood , and of those that are standing of the old Priory in the valley of the Stonr . These are within sight and an easy distance of the

keep , which rises to the height of a hundred feet , on the summit of which is the remnanb of an old wall , circular within and buttressed without . The mound is covered with brushwood , and from the top a charming view can be had of the undulating country around . We find that

H . R . H . the Dnke of Albany has appointed Bro . Major-General Cecil Ives , of Moyns Park , as his Deputy . Moyns Park is in Essex ; it is a fine old Tudor mansion , and Murray says the property has been in the family of the Gents for 800 years .

Various causes have contributed to the development of a spirit of inquiry which now , more that ever , seems to prevail ; one of them is undoubtedly the Masonic Press . In America the Craft and cognate literature has grown to an enormous extent in comparison with our own ; even the

Colonies outstrip ns in some particulars . But , while admitting this to be true , it should be borne in mind that the Order is more conservative in England than elsewhere , and that what we have done in the way of disseminating Masonic news , stimulating inquiry , and contributing to the

solution of occult matters has met with the respect , if not always with the sanction and acquiescence , of the best members of the Craffc in this and other countries . The Grand Lodge of England , notwithstanding the contention of Bro . Neilson , is the premier Masonic body of the world ,

not only m pomt of age and standing , but also in point of authority . Its members are among the foremost confcri butors to Masonic science and history , and through them a very wholesome spirit of inquiry has been kept alive and stimulated . Without going into details of the various

subjects that have been discussed , we may mention the issue of a portion of Bro . Gould ' s book as one of the most memorable events of the year . In connection with , and apart from this work , questions of a most important esoteric character have arisen , and the Jearniug and

research that have been displayed augur well for the future of Masonic progress ancl historical truth . There haT been a " sifting of Masonic documents " hitherto , perhaps , unexampled , and if the result appears at present rather chaotic , materials have been and are being got together out of "which may , most probably will , arise canons that shall be

Random Notes And Reflections

future and unquestioned guides . One of the most wonderful features in Freemasonry is that ifc is over developing some new fact , upsetting shibboleths of the past , but all leading to a higher and a nobler conception of the Craft . We trust this desire to look deep into the

mysteries of the Fraternity will not only continue bnt increase , and that in order to cultivate inquiry facilities will be granted by Grand Lodge for the study of the library they have already collected , for its growth , and the perfecting of a museum worthy of its position and the

traditions of the Craffc in England . We believe the Grand Secretary , Bro . Col . Shadwell H . Gierke , has done something in this direction , bnt his efforts need the active support of tho brethren , so thafc a library and museum at Great Queen Street shall be an honour to the Order and a

grand means of education to the brethren generally . No more appropriate time than the the present for carrying on fche good work begun by the Grand Secretary could be possible . The minds of Masonic students are now active , and no effort should he spared to secure accommodation for library and museum , and for those who wish to study both .

Philadelphia is called the " City of Brotherly Love . " How far it is worthy of the name , we do not pretend to judge . So far as the Craffc is concerned , anything bufc a brotherly spirit is very often manifested . The Anti-Masons of America are a noisy , if not a formidable , body ,

and they sometimes indulge in charges the grotesqneness of which is amusing , although not creditable to their intelligence and love of truth . One of the charges , made by a so-called " Head Centre " of this very curious body of Anti-Masons , was that the Craffc were fche cause of Garfield ' s

death . As far as we have been able to gather the facts , Bro . Garfield loved the Order , and was beloved too well in return by tho brethren for them to harbour fche slightest design against his person or family . They might have killed him by kindness ; that is the only weapon they would be likely to have used against one they esteemed so highly .

This " Head Centre " went on to say that the 542 , 072 members of the Masonic Lodges in the United States were more powerful than the Christian Church . This is

praise indeed . We trusfc the Christian Church in America will take this facfc to heart , and learn of the Freemasons how they accomplish the maximum of good whioh this enemy says they effect .

We think ifc is recorded of Tom Hood that he asked for bread and was given a stone . The opponents of Freemasonry in America have for many years been asking for the remains of the notorious William Morgan , but , as in

the case of the hnmourisfc , they have to be content with a stone . The story goes that one Peter Tower , before he died , four years ago , stated thafc he had dragged the bottom of the Niagara river ( he did not go near fche spot where

poor Webb was drowned , thafc is certain ) for the alleged remains of William Morgan . He was unsuccessful , but he found a stone , which he said he was satisfied was fastened to the body of Morgan . The age of credulity never seems

to end , but we should say that among the most benighted of our peasants it would be difficult to find one who would believe such a tale , and ashamed to be seen going to a show

where this said stone has been exhibited . Why , Joe Smith s story of the origin of Mormonism is gospel compared with this ludicrous display of silly spite .

There is nothing in Freemasonry that is incompatible with the discharge of civil , moral or religious duties ; in all these it is universal . It has nothing to do with creeds or parties , and has no political signification whatever . Bro .

Sir John Bennett has sent us a letter entitled " Municipal London . " He asks to be heard through us , and we readily comply with his request . Alluding to the " rapidity with which great public questions become ripe for legislation "

in these days , he says the time has come when fche business of deciding what form a great Municipality for London shall take musfc be taken in hand . As a contribution to the solution of the question , ho points to Paris where he says :

" Instead of going from the centre of our four millions of people throiio-h committees to the cirenraference , Paris begins from the circumference , founded npon universal suffrage nnder the ballot , and cuts the city into twenty arrondiasements of about one hundred thousand each . For these divisions separate bodies control all fche