Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Correspondence.
they worshipped . Shall I venture to assume thafc all these havo been wrong , and that the few who now propound tho dogma " thero is BO God , " are right ? I know tho views of a majority are not necessarily the truth , bufc when I find the sages of ancient Egypt , Greece , Rome , & o ., of Judaism , of Christianity , all conspiring together , with the Brahmins , the Buddhists , the Fire-worshippers ,
tho followers of Confucius , the untutored North American Indians , as they are called , the Aztecs , & o ., & c . ; and proclaiming there is a God , whom men must worship , I set this concurrent testimony against the laboured arguments of tho atheist , as I should tho sworn evidence of trustworthy witnesses against the rhetoric of the pleader ; and I aide with tho majority , not because it is a majority , bnt becanso
it eeems to me this concurrent testimony , being thafc of all the wisest and best men who havo ever lived , is overwhelmingly in favour of the views they enunciate . Why should I advocate a change in the character of Freemasonry , which , as far as I can make out , is as unseetarian as it can possibly bo ? I exclude no one from its fold who is worthy of being admitted . I do not say thafc every word of every
lino of its formularies is the best which human wisdom could have supplied , bub I do say that a better vehicle for bringing together on one platform men of all nations and creeds has not been found hitherto . I am far from claiming for it perfection , but I think wo may go farther and fare worse ; or , rather , thafc we may go on with onr alterations to suit first one party and then another , until , as
in the case of the owner of the house , ifc is found thafc thero is nothing of the original structure left , and thafc tho new building is far less commodious . If we alter or modify to please tho infidel , we shall displease the deist . If we incline more than at present in any particular direction , wo give offence in the opposite direction . As far as we have gone , we havo fairly well satisfied all , and had bettor ,
therefore , be content with pursuing the same course . The differences which have broken out among us have been , for the most part neither religious nor political—a sufficient proof to my mind that , as I have just said , Freemasonry has thus far formed the best means for men of all creeds , and all political -views also , meeting and working together harmoniously . If we attempt more , wo shall
destroy the very temple we have been at such pains to erect . As to uniformity of ritual , I am in favour of ib as regards matters of observance . I think we shonld havo our ceremonies carried out as nearly as possible in the same manner everywhere , but I should strenuously oppose any and every attempt to secure this uniformity , if I thought there wero the slightest chance of the principles of Freemasonry being thereby endangered . Fraternally yours , PETER .
BEDFORDSHIRE . To the Editor of the FREEMASON ' S GABON rets . DEAR SIR AND BROTHER . — -How and why is ifc that we never hear of any representative in the person of a Steward for either of our Charities from this County ? I think ifc is not far to seek for an answer . In my opinion ib is because it is not a province , and
consequently without a Masonic chief ; and while this state of things exists I fear that Beds will always be conspicuous by its absence . I am given to understand that of the five Lodges in this County , two are opposed to having—while three are very anxious to have—a ruler over them . I note that although they do nofc support our Institutions
they are very glad to receive its benefits . A case for the Boys' School was recently submitted to me , and my Tote solicited , by no less than twelve members of Lodge No . 475 , attached " to ifc . I should like to know how many of those twelve , are , or ever were , subscribers to the Institntion ?
I merely quote this case as an example , but do they know that a boy's education costs for six years—seeing tho applicant is only ten years of age—from £ 250 to £ 270 in round figures ? A good man and true can easily be found to fill the P . G . Mastership , and the appointment would be hailed with enthnsiasm by all sincere Masons , nofc only
in Bedfordshire bufc oufc of it . We should then in all probability see an increase in the number of its Lodges , and the Province well represented afc tho Festivals . Our new Grand Secretary could not better inaugurate his term of office than by placing the case before our Royal
Grand Master , and submitting that Bedfordshire be constituted as a Province . Their meetings would then be of real practical use , while at present , for the good they do , they are little better than convivial gatherings .. I am , Dear Sir and Brother ,
Yours fraternally , OBSERVER [ We think the suggestion a very good one , and no time should be lost in acting npon it . The comparative paucity of the Lodges should
be no obstacle , as Cambridgeshire and Herefordshire , with only four Lodges each , are both Masonic Provinces . Moreover , Colonel Stuart , formerly M . P . for Bedford , would be just tho " right man" for a Provincial chief . —ED . F . C . ]
Tho Etonian Lodge , No . 209 , in sending out its annual list of members havo adopted a very good idea , and one which wo feel sure would prove a great benefit to tho Charities if universally adopted . They have attached a trio of columns in which appear the qualifications of each member as regards the three Charitable Institutions , with a result that must be pronounced most gratifiying , thero are however some
ugly gaps , which , now that they are so prominently pointed out , may bo remedied before another return is issued , but what could be said in this respect of many other Lodges we are almost afraid to think . We fihould like to seo tho day when every Lodgo would thus pride itself on tho work of its members , wo should nofc then hear of so many absentees , or havo to record so long a list of " unsuccessful candidates . "
Review.
REVIEW .
All Books intended for Review should be addressed to tho Editor of The Freemason ' s Chronicle , 23 Gt . Queen St ., W . C . The Atholl Lodges : their Authentic History . Being a Memorial of the Grand Lodge of England " according to tho old Institutions . " Compiled from official sources . By Robert Freko Gould , author of "tho Four Old Lodges . " London : Spencer ' s Masonio Depdfc , opposite Freemasons' Hall . 1879 .
( Continued from page 149 . ) IT appears to have been no uncommon practice to initiate , pass , and raise candidates on ono and tho samo evening—and that without any previous proposal . Thus wo read at p . 21 , under present Lodge No . 90 , formerly No . 113 , "Ancients , " " 18 th November , 1812 : The Warrant suspended by the Stewards * Lodcre from all its rights and
privileges dnring the space of six months , various irregularities having bef n proved , including a constant practice of passing persons through all threo degrees in a single evening , without any previous proposal of thorn as candidates . " Asraiu at p 46 , under No . 213—¦ present No . 184— " 20 th January . 1796 : Bros . Hubbart , Wolfington , and Owen M'Carthv , on the complaint of Nos . 243 and 291 , Chatham ,
against Bro . David Davis , attended . Resolved , that Bro . D . Davis in making Thos . Hammnnd in the manner in which he was made , viz . —Proposed , Made , Past , and liaised in on « night , and under a Dormant 'Warrant , should receive the censure of this Committee , the parties being called in and acquainted with the samo . —S . L . Min . " This same Bro . D . Davis , who was first Master of tho Lodsre of Israel ,
formerly No . 280 , now No . 205 , had the knack , or misfortune , of being continually in hot water with the authorities . Thus , " loth Feb . 1797 , Warrant of No . 280 cancelled , the Lodgo having admitted Abraham Theyes into Masonry for tho small and nnworthy consideration of 5 s . 19 th April 1797 ; Bro . David Davis attended according to the order of the last Royal Arch Chapter , and delivered up the paper
signed Thos . Harper , London , 1 st April , 1796 ; under which ib had been alledged that the said D . Davis had acted and summoned the Lodges in tho Country to meet , contrary to regulation or any authority given bj' said appointment to Bro . Davis and after tho expiration of his being appointed to act as ono of the Excellent Masters for tho year 1795 and 1796 . —S . L . Min . " Considerable
laxity seems to have prevailed as to the admission of candidates , nofc only in the foregoing matter of granting all tho degrees in one night ; hut in other respects . Thus as regards No . 49 , now No . 53 , it seems thafc , on the 15 th December 1773 , the Grand Secretary was ordered not to deliver up tho Warrant of No . 49 , as tho peoplo that purchased ifc from Bro . Kearncv had " indulged" in irregular pro .
ceedings . Again ifc was ordered by Grand Lodge on 4 fch Feb . 1807 , that tho Warrant of No . 53 , now No . 57 , of Liverpool , bo withdrawn , the grounds of the said withdrawal being the " Complaint of tho fivo Lodges of Liverpool" against such Warrant for the very un-Masonic conduct by the improper and indiscriminate admission of persons made in said Lodge No . 53 , Liverpool , and under said Warrant to the
great injury and disgrace of Masonry , 4 of whom was lately convicted for felony , " & c . "In the case of No . 157—now No . 119—very nn-Masonic proceedings " are reported to have taken place under the Warrant of that Lodge and it was withdrawn and given up to the respectable section thereof , and with the consent and approbation of No . 154 held in the same town—Whitehaven . In July 1791 , ifc
seems the then No . 163—now No . 121—was reported to be " in a declining and irregular condition . " Present Domatic , No . 177 , to whose irregularities we referred last week , was , as No . 234 , ordered on 19 th September , 1810 , to deliver up its Warrant to the D . G . M . " for admitting a ' Modern' Mason of Lodge 352 , without previously initiating him , " bnt it was subsequently restored " on due submission being
made . " On tho 21 sfc November of the same year , tho W . Master of this Lodge , Bro . Thos . Banbury , was expelled , for vilifying Bro . Harper , D . G . M . Bro . Jacob Sarratt , previously Master of No . 240 , no longer in existence , was , on 20 th July 1796 , " suspended from his privileges as a Mason for various irregularities , including his passing Uro . John White to the degree of a R . A . Mason , after having had
notice that the said Bro . White was not a registered Mason . " On tho 16 th Nov . 1808 , this Lodge and No . 245 , wero brought before the Stewards for initiating " Blacks . " Ou tho 3 rd July 1803 , John Shury and Charles Valentine , of No . 215 , now No . 186 , were expelled for various irregularities , " including the taking the Warrant of said Lodge to a society called ' Modern Masons . '" Lastly comes under
this head No . 261—now No . 194—which on 22 nd September 1791 , was ordered by G . L . to refund Michael Davis £ 1 , " being money obtained by tho Lodge under pretence of making M . D . a Mason , being , in fact , a very unfit person . " As may bo imagined references are more than once made to tho "Union of 1813 , and various attempts to bring ifc about . Thus , as far
back as December 1797 , a resolution in favour of a Union of the two Grand Lodges was moved by Bro . Moreton , of the then , and now , No . 63 . On 6 th September 1809 , and also subsequently , Bro . Jeremiah Cranfield P . M . 255 , now No . 190 , " brought forward his renewed motion ( withdrawn on tho 7 th Juno last , ) that a Committee be appointed from this Graud Lodgo to consider of , and adopt , such prompt and
effectual measures for accomplishing so desirable an object as a Masonio Union . " Bufc the Deputy G . Master Harper " peremptorily refused to admit tho motion , and afterwards closed and adjonrned tho Grand Lodge , past 12 o ' clock afc night . " Again , nnder No . 273 , we read an excerpt from the Grand Lodge Minntes of 1 st September 1813 , to the effect thafc a letter was read " from oar Royal Brother , tho Duko
of Kent , accepting tho appointment of this G . L . to confer ( in conjunction with three othur brothers , to be named ) with H . R . H . the Duko of Sussex on tho Union of the two Societies , " the three other brothers being Thomas Harper Depnty G . Master , and James Perry and James Agar , Past Depnty G . Masters , all threo being likewise Past Masters of Graud Master's Lodge , No . 1 on the Ancient and United Roll .
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Correspondence.
they worshipped . Shall I venture to assume thafc all these havo been wrong , and that the few who now propound tho dogma " thero is BO God , " are right ? I know tho views of a majority are not necessarily the truth , bufc when I find the sages of ancient Egypt , Greece , Rome , & o ., of Judaism , of Christianity , all conspiring together , with the Brahmins , the Buddhists , the Fire-worshippers ,
tho followers of Confucius , the untutored North American Indians , as they are called , the Aztecs , & o ., & c . ; and proclaiming there is a God , whom men must worship , I set this concurrent testimony against the laboured arguments of tho atheist , as I should tho sworn evidence of trustworthy witnesses against the rhetoric of the pleader ; and I aide with tho majority , not because it is a majority , bnt becanso
it eeems to me this concurrent testimony , being thafc of all the wisest and best men who havo ever lived , is overwhelmingly in favour of the views they enunciate . Why should I advocate a change in the character of Freemasonry , which , as far as I can make out , is as unseetarian as it can possibly bo ? I exclude no one from its fold who is worthy of being admitted . I do not say thafc every word of every
lino of its formularies is the best which human wisdom could have supplied , bub I do say that a better vehicle for bringing together on one platform men of all nations and creeds has not been found hitherto . I am far from claiming for it perfection , but I think wo may go farther and fare worse ; or , rather , thafc we may go on with onr alterations to suit first one party and then another , until , as
in the case of the owner of the house , ifc is found thafc thero is nothing of the original structure left , and thafc tho new building is far less commodious . If we alter or modify to please tho infidel , we shall displease the deist . If we incline more than at present in any particular direction , wo give offence in the opposite direction . As far as we have gone , we havo fairly well satisfied all , and had bettor ,
therefore , be content with pursuing the same course . The differences which have broken out among us have been , for the most part neither religious nor political—a sufficient proof to my mind that , as I have just said , Freemasonry has thus far formed the best means for men of all creeds , and all political -views also , meeting and working together harmoniously . If we attempt more , wo shall
destroy the very temple we have been at such pains to erect . As to uniformity of ritual , I am in favour of ib as regards matters of observance . I think we shonld havo our ceremonies carried out as nearly as possible in the same manner everywhere , but I should strenuously oppose any and every attempt to secure this uniformity , if I thought there wero the slightest chance of the principles of Freemasonry being thereby endangered . Fraternally yours , PETER .
BEDFORDSHIRE . To the Editor of the FREEMASON ' S GABON rets . DEAR SIR AND BROTHER . — -How and why is ifc that we never hear of any representative in the person of a Steward for either of our Charities from this County ? I think ifc is not far to seek for an answer . In my opinion ib is because it is not a province , and
consequently without a Masonic chief ; and while this state of things exists I fear that Beds will always be conspicuous by its absence . I am given to understand that of the five Lodges in this County , two are opposed to having—while three are very anxious to have—a ruler over them . I note that although they do nofc support our Institutions
they are very glad to receive its benefits . A case for the Boys' School was recently submitted to me , and my Tote solicited , by no less than twelve members of Lodge No . 475 , attached " to ifc . I should like to know how many of those twelve , are , or ever were , subscribers to the Institntion ?
I merely quote this case as an example , but do they know that a boy's education costs for six years—seeing tho applicant is only ten years of age—from £ 250 to £ 270 in round figures ? A good man and true can easily be found to fill the P . G . Mastership , and the appointment would be hailed with enthnsiasm by all sincere Masons , nofc only
in Bedfordshire bufc oufc of it . We should then in all probability see an increase in the number of its Lodges , and the Province well represented afc tho Festivals . Our new Grand Secretary could not better inaugurate his term of office than by placing the case before our Royal
Grand Master , and submitting that Bedfordshire be constituted as a Province . Their meetings would then be of real practical use , while at present , for the good they do , they are little better than convivial gatherings .. I am , Dear Sir and Brother ,
Yours fraternally , OBSERVER [ We think the suggestion a very good one , and no time should be lost in acting npon it . The comparative paucity of the Lodges should
be no obstacle , as Cambridgeshire and Herefordshire , with only four Lodges each , are both Masonic Provinces . Moreover , Colonel Stuart , formerly M . P . for Bedford , would be just tho " right man" for a Provincial chief . —ED . F . C . ]
Tho Etonian Lodge , No . 209 , in sending out its annual list of members havo adopted a very good idea , and one which wo feel sure would prove a great benefit to tho Charities if universally adopted . They have attached a trio of columns in which appear the qualifications of each member as regards the three Charitable Institutions , with a result that must be pronounced most gratifiying , thero are however some
ugly gaps , which , now that they are so prominently pointed out , may bo remedied before another return is issued , but what could be said in this respect of many other Lodges we are almost afraid to think . We fihould like to seo tho day when every Lodgo would thus pride itself on tho work of its members , wo should nofc then hear of so many absentees , or havo to record so long a list of " unsuccessful candidates . "
Review.
REVIEW .
All Books intended for Review should be addressed to tho Editor of The Freemason ' s Chronicle , 23 Gt . Queen St ., W . C . The Atholl Lodges : their Authentic History . Being a Memorial of the Grand Lodge of England " according to tho old Institutions . " Compiled from official sources . By Robert Freko Gould , author of "tho Four Old Lodges . " London : Spencer ' s Masonio Depdfc , opposite Freemasons' Hall . 1879 .
( Continued from page 149 . ) IT appears to have been no uncommon practice to initiate , pass , and raise candidates on ono and tho samo evening—and that without any previous proposal . Thus wo read at p . 21 , under present Lodge No . 90 , formerly No . 113 , "Ancients , " " 18 th November , 1812 : The Warrant suspended by the Stewards * Lodcre from all its rights and
privileges dnring the space of six months , various irregularities having bef n proved , including a constant practice of passing persons through all threo degrees in a single evening , without any previous proposal of thorn as candidates . " Asraiu at p 46 , under No . 213—¦ present No . 184— " 20 th January . 1796 : Bros . Hubbart , Wolfington , and Owen M'Carthv , on the complaint of Nos . 243 and 291 , Chatham ,
against Bro . David Davis , attended . Resolved , that Bro . D . Davis in making Thos . Hammnnd in the manner in which he was made , viz . —Proposed , Made , Past , and liaised in on « night , and under a Dormant 'Warrant , should receive the censure of this Committee , the parties being called in and acquainted with the samo . —S . L . Min . " This same Bro . D . Davis , who was first Master of tho Lodsre of Israel ,
formerly No . 280 , now No . 205 , had the knack , or misfortune , of being continually in hot water with the authorities . Thus , " loth Feb . 1797 , Warrant of No . 280 cancelled , the Lodgo having admitted Abraham Theyes into Masonry for tho small and nnworthy consideration of 5 s . 19 th April 1797 ; Bro . David Davis attended according to the order of the last Royal Arch Chapter , and delivered up the paper
signed Thos . Harper , London , 1 st April , 1796 ; under which ib had been alledged that the said D . Davis had acted and summoned the Lodges in tho Country to meet , contrary to regulation or any authority given bj' said appointment to Bro . Davis and after tho expiration of his being appointed to act as ono of the Excellent Masters for tho year 1795 and 1796 . —S . L . Min . " Considerable
laxity seems to have prevailed as to the admission of candidates , nofc only in the foregoing matter of granting all tho degrees in one night ; hut in other respects . Thus as regards No . 49 , now No . 53 , it seems thafc , on the 15 th December 1773 , the Grand Secretary was ordered not to deliver up tho Warrant of No . 49 , as tho peoplo that purchased ifc from Bro . Kearncv had " indulged" in irregular pro .
ceedings . Again ifc was ordered by Grand Lodge on 4 fch Feb . 1807 , that tho Warrant of No . 53 , now No . 57 , of Liverpool , bo withdrawn , the grounds of the said withdrawal being the " Complaint of tho fivo Lodges of Liverpool" against such Warrant for the very un-Masonic conduct by the improper and indiscriminate admission of persons made in said Lodge No . 53 , Liverpool , and under said Warrant to the
great injury and disgrace of Masonry , 4 of whom was lately convicted for felony , " & c . "In the case of No . 157—now No . 119—very nn-Masonic proceedings " are reported to have taken place under the Warrant of that Lodge and it was withdrawn and given up to the respectable section thereof , and with the consent and approbation of No . 154 held in the same town—Whitehaven . In July 1791 , ifc
seems the then No . 163—now No . 121—was reported to be " in a declining and irregular condition . " Present Domatic , No . 177 , to whose irregularities we referred last week , was , as No . 234 , ordered on 19 th September , 1810 , to deliver up its Warrant to the D . G . M . " for admitting a ' Modern' Mason of Lodge 352 , without previously initiating him , " bnt it was subsequently restored " on due submission being
made . " On tho 21 sfc November of the same year , tho W . Master of this Lodge , Bro . Thos . Banbury , was expelled , for vilifying Bro . Harper , D . G . M . Bro . Jacob Sarratt , previously Master of No . 240 , no longer in existence , was , on 20 th July 1796 , " suspended from his privileges as a Mason for various irregularities , including his passing Uro . John White to the degree of a R . A . Mason , after having had
notice that the said Bro . White was not a registered Mason . " On tho 16 th Nov . 1808 , this Lodge and No . 245 , wero brought before the Stewards for initiating " Blacks . " Ou tho 3 rd July 1803 , John Shury and Charles Valentine , of No . 215 , now No . 186 , were expelled for various irregularities , " including the taking the Warrant of said Lodge to a society called ' Modern Masons . '" Lastly comes under
this head No . 261—now No . 194—which on 22 nd September 1791 , was ordered by G . L . to refund Michael Davis £ 1 , " being money obtained by tho Lodge under pretence of making M . D . a Mason , being , in fact , a very unfit person . " As may bo imagined references are more than once made to tho "Union of 1813 , and various attempts to bring ifc about . Thus , as far
back as December 1797 , a resolution in favour of a Union of the two Grand Lodges was moved by Bro . Moreton , of the then , and now , No . 63 . On 6 th September 1809 , and also subsequently , Bro . Jeremiah Cranfield P . M . 255 , now No . 190 , " brought forward his renewed motion ( withdrawn on tho 7 th Juno last , ) that a Committee be appointed from this Graud Lodgo to consider of , and adopt , such prompt and
effectual measures for accomplishing so desirable an object as a Masonio Union . " Bufc the Deputy G . Master Harper " peremptorily refused to admit tho motion , and afterwards closed and adjonrned tho Grand Lodge , past 12 o ' clock afc night . " Again , nnder No . 273 , we read an excerpt from the Grand Lodge Minntes of 1 st September 1813 , to the effect thafc a letter was read " from oar Royal Brother , tho Duko
of Kent , accepting tho appointment of this G . L . to confer ( in conjunction with three othur brothers , to be named ) with H . R . H . the Duko of Sussex on tho Union of the two Societies , " the three other brothers being Thomas Harper Depnty G . Master , and James Perry and James Agar , Past Depnty G . Masters , all threo being likewise Past Masters of Graud Master's Lodge , No . 1 on the Ancient and United Roll .