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Article CORRESPONDENCE. Page 1 of 1 Article CORRESPONDENCE. Page 1 of 1 Article CONSECRATION OF THE PAXTON LODGE, No. 1686. Page 1 of 2 →
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Correspondence.
CORRESPONDENCE .
We do not Tiold ourselves responsible for the opinions of our Correspondents . We cannot undertake to return rejected communications . All Letters must bear the name and address of the Writer , not necessarily for publication , but as a guarantee of good faith . REGALIA .
To the Editor of THE FREEMASON ' CHRONICLE . DEAR SIR AND BROTHER , —There are two points in " R . S . Y . O . S . ' s " letter , which seem open to objection . I do not , in the first place , think the question what jewels may or may not be worn is governed solely by the ^ interpretation of the word " consistent" in the law quoted . The Constitutions lay it down absolutely that no jewel
shall be worn " which shall not appertain to or be consistent with those degrees , " & c , & c . That is , as I take it , all jewels which , on the one hand , do not appertain to , or , on the other hand , are inconsistent with , the degrees of our Grand Lodge , are forbidden to be worn . There are , I consider , two categories of jewels which must not be worn in Craft Lodges , namely : ( a ) those which do not appertain
to the recognised degrees , iu which is included the Royal Arch ; ( b ) those which are not consistent with such degrees . The Christian degrees may be perfectly consistent with the Craft and Arch degrees , for Christianity is not inconsistent with Freemasonry ; but that is raising a false issue . The question is not whether certain degrees ontside the pale of pure and ancient Freemasonry as defined
by onr Constitutions are , or are not , consistent with what is inside it ; but whether certain jewels worn by certain Craftsmen , who have taken certain degrees , which are admittedly outside the limits of pure and ancient Freemasonry as defined by the Constitutions , shall or shall not be worn in Craft Lodges . In other words , it is the consistency of the jewel with the degrees of pure and ancient Masonry whioh has
to bo determined , not the consistency therewith of certain outside or high degrees . " R . S . Y . C . S . " must be able to show that this or that jewel or emblem appertains to , or is consistent with " those degrees which are recognised and acknowledged by , and are under the control of the Grand Lodge , as part of pure and ancient Masonry , " before he can be legally entitled to wear it in a Craft Lodge . The law is precise
as to what are the recognised degrees in pure and ancient Masonry , and no jewel pertaining to , or consistent with any unrecognised degree , may legally be worn in onr Grand Lodge , or any Lodge within its jurisdiction . The other statement to whioh , in my humble judgment , exoeption may justly be taken will be foand in the last paragraph of his letter
in whioh he suggests that if , as I have striven to show , his opinion about the jewels is wrong , then " the badge of any Order , be it the Bath , St . Michael and St . George , or any other British or Foreign Order or Society , cannot be legal in a Masonic Lodge , " I do not recognise the justice of this remark . The law very properly is limited to defining what are tho Masonic jewels and emblems which
may legally be worn in the Grand Lodge or any subordinate Lodge . It is wisely silent as to the rest of a brother ' s apparel , and the decotions he may bo entitled to wear for honourable service to his conntry . No one in his senses could possibly mistake the invignia of one of our Orders of Knighthood for Masonic emblems , and no one is forbidden to wear such insignia , if he is so minded , in a Lodge of Freemasons .
It is absolutely necessary a line should be drawn showing , on the one hand , what degrees are recognised as forming part and parcel of pure and ancient Masonry , and on the other , what are not so recognised ; and the reason of this necessity is , that many of the unrecognised degrees claim to be part and parcel of pure and ancient Masonry , which they are not . But the orders of the Garter , the Bath , the
Golden Fleece , the Thistle , & c . & o ., have never claimed to be Masonio . But I will adopt R . S . Y . O . S . ' s argument , not , as he has done , as regards part only of our law , but as regards the whole . If the law in its definition of Regalia " is intended to exclude all jewels and emblems , not only those which do not appertain to , or are not consistent with the recognised degrees of pure and ancient Masonry
bnt , likewise , those which are essentially non-Masonic ; then , in order to do complete justice to this line of argument , I must carry it to its logical conclusion , and I have no option but to declare that the only clothing and insignia whioh may legally be worn in Grand Lodge , or any subordinate Lodge , is that prescribed by the Constitutions . In other words , the only apparel which a brother is permitted to wear in a Lodge is his apron , collar , and jewels . These form the " clothing
and insignia" of a Mason , and nothing else . I have heard of the full dress aboriginal Africans and South Sea Islanders consisting variously of a plume of feathers , a few beads , perhaps a necklace aud anklets . I yet cannot think that R . S . Y . C . S . contemplates our attendance in Lodge in such complete dishabille " , though this wonld be the result if the strict letter of the law , thus interpreted , were carried out . However , it will not do for me to trespass further on your valuable space . I hare said my say , and submit myself , Fraternally yours ,
THE COMMEMORATION LIFEBOATS . To the Editor O / T HE FREEMASON ' CHRONICLE . SIR , —As an old Mason , living in the neighbourhood of Hope , where one of onr thankofferings is to be placed , I am constantly asked what the Freemasons will do when the Lifeboat is launched ? aud I confess I always feel ashamed to have to say , " I don's know j" nor can I obtain any information from the W . M . of Dnncombe Lodge . Now , 1 am informed the Life Boat Institution are preparing for the occasion ,
Correspondence.
and it does seem to me that the Freemasons of South Devon , at least , ought to know in time what they will do , so that all may hare fair warning . The Devonshire Association ( of whioh Bro . Archdeacon Earle is President ) , will hold its annual meeting this year in Kingsbridge , in
the beginning of August , wonld not this be a good time to launch the Lifeboat ? If you can give any information on this subject you will confer a favour on many of your readers in Devonshire , and especially on , Yours fraternally , PHOTOPHILTJS . July 4 th 1877 .
OUR INSTITUTIONS . To the Editor of THE FREEMASON ' CHRONICLE . SIR , —It is very pleasing to all members of the Craft to see each interest taken iu tbe Institutions by new Lodges , as mentioned in yonr last issue , but I cannot allow it to be thought that the new Lodges are doing a 11 the work , and beg to hand you the following items as having been subscribed by the members of No . 12 , Fortitude and Old Cumberland ( limited to 40 members ) : —
Bro . W . B . Kidder W . M . ) Steward R . M . B . I . - $ £ 163 11 0 „ R . M . I . G . - ) Bro . Geo . Angold I . P . M . \ „ 1 ft 1 ,, Steward R . M . I . B . - j * iU 1 ll ° £ 255 8 0
Further , onr Brother Clever , No . 12 , collected , in No . 12 Chapter , composed mostly of members of the Lodge , £ 42 , which , with the £ 255 8 s , makes a total subscribed of £ 297 8 s . Yours obediently , F . C .
Consecration Of The Paxton Lodge, No. 1686.
CONSECRATION OF THE PAXTON LODGE , No . 1686 .
IT seems to us only the other day that we were invited by a dear old friend—who has since gone to his last resting place—to aocom . pany him to witness the consecration of a new Lodge . We pleaded as an excuse that our business duties were heavy just then , and , with his usual pertinacity , he rejoined that it was an opportunity that shonld not be lost , as Lodges were not consecrated every day ; indeed ,
he added , you may never have the chance of witnessing so interesting a ceremony again . Thus urged , we accompanied onr dear brother , and felt ourselves adequately recompensed for the timo we reluctantly were induced to expend . Since then times hare changed , and scarcely a week passes but we are invited to attend the consecration of a new Lodge . On Saturday last we visited the Crvstal Palace at
Sydenham , which has been fixed up . jn for the head quarters of the Paxton , aud where arrangements had been made for the inauguration of this Lodge , one of the latest on the muster-roll of the Grand Lodge of England . W . Bro . H . E . Frances P . M ., P . P . S . G . D . Surrey , bad been aui horised by the M . W . D . G . M ., Lord Skelmersdale , to perform the c i > mony of consecration , and he had secured the valuable services of
our esteemed brother the Rev . R . J . Simpson , P . G . Cnaplain , as his assistant on the occasion . The brethren assembled at four o ' clock , in tho Grand Saloon Dining Room , which had been tastefully arranged for the occasion . Bro . Frances took the chair , and appointed Bro . Magnus Ohren P . M ., P . P . J . G . W . Surrey , S . W ., and Bro . W . J . Foster , J . W . of No . 19 , J . W . The Lodge was then opened in the three
degrees , and Bro . Frances addressed the brethren as to the motive of their assembling . After prayer by the Chaplain , Rev . K . J . Simpson , the acting Secretary , Bro . Jonathan Taylor P . M . 933 , read the Petition and Warrant of the Lodge , aud the brethren having given their assent to the officers there enumerated , the Consecrating Officer called on the Chaplain to give an oiaiion . Bro . Simpson said
he had accepted their kind invitation to be present that day with a great deal of pleasure . He thanked the brethren for their kindness in permitting him to officiate . He looked at the situation of the Lodge , and he saw many old friends around him . He regretted that he could not stay with them , but he had explained the reason to the W . M . designate . He did not wonder that the Lodge called by the
name of one who was known to many who were present , as also to himself , should be associated with the great building in which they were assembled . Paxton was a self-made made , the architect of his own fortune , and had made his mark in the generation in which he lived . You , brethren , who know him will confirm what I say , when I tell you he did his work with all the zeal and energy he could
throw into what he took iu hand . Honours never spoilt him ; he was the same man till his death as he was when he was but tho gardener at Chatsworth . I shall not dilate further upon this subject . We are all , under God , selt ' -nwle men ; doing a certain duty in this life , ere passing to another . Our beautiful system supplies us with illustrations in the implements with which we work . The
twentyfour inch gauge teaches us our duty to God , to our neighbour , aud to ourselves . A part of our day is to be dedicated to our religious duties , a part to labour , and we are also taught that wo are bound to do our duty in whatsoever station of life we , may be placed . The chisel reminds ns of education , which is one of the chief labours of mau . I am induced here to record the remark of an ex-Lord
Chancellor , one who is still living : "I think that the education which my father gave me has been , under God , the means which has led me to this high position ; and I am more thankful for that than if he had left me a hundred thousand ounds . " I am inclined to think that the man who is the architect of his own fortnne is more likely to use well those gifts than the man who has inherited them from others . By this I mean to imply the labour of education , Wa
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Correspondence.
CORRESPONDENCE .
We do not Tiold ourselves responsible for the opinions of our Correspondents . We cannot undertake to return rejected communications . All Letters must bear the name and address of the Writer , not necessarily for publication , but as a guarantee of good faith . REGALIA .
To the Editor of THE FREEMASON ' CHRONICLE . DEAR SIR AND BROTHER , —There are two points in " R . S . Y . O . S . ' s " letter , which seem open to objection . I do not , in the first place , think the question what jewels may or may not be worn is governed solely by the ^ interpretation of the word " consistent" in the law quoted . The Constitutions lay it down absolutely that no jewel
shall be worn " which shall not appertain to or be consistent with those degrees , " & c , & c . That is , as I take it , all jewels which , on the one hand , do not appertain to , or , on the other hand , are inconsistent with , the degrees of our Grand Lodge , are forbidden to be worn . There are , I consider , two categories of jewels which must not be worn in Craft Lodges , namely : ( a ) those which do not appertain
to the recognised degrees , iu which is included the Royal Arch ; ( b ) those which are not consistent with such degrees . The Christian degrees may be perfectly consistent with the Craft and Arch degrees , for Christianity is not inconsistent with Freemasonry ; but that is raising a false issue . The question is not whether certain degrees ontside the pale of pure and ancient Freemasonry as defined
by onr Constitutions are , or are not , consistent with what is inside it ; but whether certain jewels worn by certain Craftsmen , who have taken certain degrees , which are admittedly outside the limits of pure and ancient Freemasonry as defined by the Constitutions , shall or shall not be worn in Craft Lodges . In other words , it is the consistency of the jewel with the degrees of pure and ancient Masonry whioh has
to bo determined , not the consistency therewith of certain outside or high degrees . " R . S . Y . C . S . " must be able to show that this or that jewel or emblem appertains to , or is consistent with " those degrees which are recognised and acknowledged by , and are under the control of the Grand Lodge , as part of pure and ancient Masonry , " before he can be legally entitled to wear it in a Craft Lodge . The law is precise
as to what are the recognised degrees in pure and ancient Masonry , and no jewel pertaining to , or consistent with any unrecognised degree , may legally be worn in onr Grand Lodge , or any Lodge within its jurisdiction . The other statement to whioh , in my humble judgment , exoeption may justly be taken will be foand in the last paragraph of his letter
in whioh he suggests that if , as I have striven to show , his opinion about the jewels is wrong , then " the badge of any Order , be it the Bath , St . Michael and St . George , or any other British or Foreign Order or Society , cannot be legal in a Masonic Lodge , " I do not recognise the justice of this remark . The law very properly is limited to defining what are tho Masonic jewels and emblems which
may legally be worn in the Grand Lodge or any subordinate Lodge . It is wisely silent as to the rest of a brother ' s apparel , and the decotions he may bo entitled to wear for honourable service to his conntry . No one in his senses could possibly mistake the invignia of one of our Orders of Knighthood for Masonic emblems , and no one is forbidden to wear such insignia , if he is so minded , in a Lodge of Freemasons .
It is absolutely necessary a line should be drawn showing , on the one hand , what degrees are recognised as forming part and parcel of pure and ancient Masonry , and on the other , what are not so recognised ; and the reason of this necessity is , that many of the unrecognised degrees claim to be part and parcel of pure and ancient Masonry , which they are not . But the orders of the Garter , the Bath , the
Golden Fleece , the Thistle , & c . & o ., have never claimed to be Masonio . But I will adopt R . S . Y . O . S . ' s argument , not , as he has done , as regards part only of our law , but as regards the whole . If the law in its definition of Regalia " is intended to exclude all jewels and emblems , not only those which do not appertain to , or are not consistent with the recognised degrees of pure and ancient Masonry
bnt , likewise , those which are essentially non-Masonic ; then , in order to do complete justice to this line of argument , I must carry it to its logical conclusion , and I have no option but to declare that the only clothing and insignia whioh may legally be worn in Grand Lodge , or any subordinate Lodge , is that prescribed by the Constitutions . In other words , the only apparel which a brother is permitted to wear in a Lodge is his apron , collar , and jewels . These form the " clothing
and insignia" of a Mason , and nothing else . I have heard of the full dress aboriginal Africans and South Sea Islanders consisting variously of a plume of feathers , a few beads , perhaps a necklace aud anklets . I yet cannot think that R . S . Y . C . S . contemplates our attendance in Lodge in such complete dishabille " , though this wonld be the result if the strict letter of the law , thus interpreted , were carried out . However , it will not do for me to trespass further on your valuable space . I hare said my say , and submit myself , Fraternally yours ,
THE COMMEMORATION LIFEBOATS . To the Editor O / T HE FREEMASON ' CHRONICLE . SIR , —As an old Mason , living in the neighbourhood of Hope , where one of onr thankofferings is to be placed , I am constantly asked what the Freemasons will do when the Lifeboat is launched ? aud I confess I always feel ashamed to have to say , " I don's know j" nor can I obtain any information from the W . M . of Dnncombe Lodge . Now , 1 am informed the Life Boat Institution are preparing for the occasion ,
Correspondence.
and it does seem to me that the Freemasons of South Devon , at least , ought to know in time what they will do , so that all may hare fair warning . The Devonshire Association ( of whioh Bro . Archdeacon Earle is President ) , will hold its annual meeting this year in Kingsbridge , in
the beginning of August , wonld not this be a good time to launch the Lifeboat ? If you can give any information on this subject you will confer a favour on many of your readers in Devonshire , and especially on , Yours fraternally , PHOTOPHILTJS . July 4 th 1877 .
OUR INSTITUTIONS . To the Editor of THE FREEMASON ' CHRONICLE . SIR , —It is very pleasing to all members of the Craft to see each interest taken iu tbe Institutions by new Lodges , as mentioned in yonr last issue , but I cannot allow it to be thought that the new Lodges are doing a 11 the work , and beg to hand you the following items as having been subscribed by the members of No . 12 , Fortitude and Old Cumberland ( limited to 40 members ) : —
Bro . W . B . Kidder W . M . ) Steward R . M . B . I . - $ £ 163 11 0 „ R . M . I . G . - ) Bro . Geo . Angold I . P . M . \ „ 1 ft 1 ,, Steward R . M . I . B . - j * iU 1 ll ° £ 255 8 0
Further , onr Brother Clever , No . 12 , collected , in No . 12 Chapter , composed mostly of members of the Lodge , £ 42 , which , with the £ 255 8 s , makes a total subscribed of £ 297 8 s . Yours obediently , F . C .
Consecration Of The Paxton Lodge, No. 1686.
CONSECRATION OF THE PAXTON LODGE , No . 1686 .
IT seems to us only the other day that we were invited by a dear old friend—who has since gone to his last resting place—to aocom . pany him to witness the consecration of a new Lodge . We pleaded as an excuse that our business duties were heavy just then , and , with his usual pertinacity , he rejoined that it was an opportunity that shonld not be lost , as Lodges were not consecrated every day ; indeed ,
he added , you may never have the chance of witnessing so interesting a ceremony again . Thus urged , we accompanied onr dear brother , and felt ourselves adequately recompensed for the timo we reluctantly were induced to expend . Since then times hare changed , and scarcely a week passes but we are invited to attend the consecration of a new Lodge . On Saturday last we visited the Crvstal Palace at
Sydenham , which has been fixed up . jn for the head quarters of the Paxton , aud where arrangements had been made for the inauguration of this Lodge , one of the latest on the muster-roll of the Grand Lodge of England . W . Bro . H . E . Frances P . M ., P . P . S . G . D . Surrey , bad been aui horised by the M . W . D . G . M ., Lord Skelmersdale , to perform the c i > mony of consecration , and he had secured the valuable services of
our esteemed brother the Rev . R . J . Simpson , P . G . Cnaplain , as his assistant on the occasion . The brethren assembled at four o ' clock , in tho Grand Saloon Dining Room , which had been tastefully arranged for the occasion . Bro . Frances took the chair , and appointed Bro . Magnus Ohren P . M ., P . P . J . G . W . Surrey , S . W ., and Bro . W . J . Foster , J . W . of No . 19 , J . W . The Lodge was then opened in the three
degrees , and Bro . Frances addressed the brethren as to the motive of their assembling . After prayer by the Chaplain , Rev . K . J . Simpson , the acting Secretary , Bro . Jonathan Taylor P . M . 933 , read the Petition and Warrant of the Lodge , aud the brethren having given their assent to the officers there enumerated , the Consecrating Officer called on the Chaplain to give an oiaiion . Bro . Simpson said
he had accepted their kind invitation to be present that day with a great deal of pleasure . He thanked the brethren for their kindness in permitting him to officiate . He looked at the situation of the Lodge , and he saw many old friends around him . He regretted that he could not stay with them , but he had explained the reason to the W . M . designate . He did not wonder that the Lodge called by the
name of one who was known to many who were present , as also to himself , should be associated with the great building in which they were assembled . Paxton was a self-made made , the architect of his own fortune , and had made his mark in the generation in which he lived . You , brethren , who know him will confirm what I say , when I tell you he did his work with all the zeal and energy he could
throw into what he took iu hand . Honours never spoilt him ; he was the same man till his death as he was when he was but tho gardener at Chatsworth . I shall not dilate further upon this subject . We are all , under God , selt ' -nwle men ; doing a certain duty in this life , ere passing to another . Our beautiful system supplies us with illustrations in the implements with which we work . The
twentyfour inch gauge teaches us our duty to God , to our neighbour , aud to ourselves . A part of our day is to be dedicated to our religious duties , a part to labour , and we are also taught that wo are bound to do our duty in whatsoever station of life we , may be placed . The chisel reminds ns of education , which is one of the chief labours of mau . I am induced here to record the remark of an ex-Lord
Chancellor , one who is still living : "I think that the education which my father gave me has been , under God , the means which has led me to this high position ; and I am more thankful for that than if he had left me a hundred thousand ounds . " I am inclined to think that the man who is the architect of his own fortnne is more likely to use well those gifts than the man who has inherited them from others . By this I mean to imply the labour of education , Wa