State Of Freemasonry In Spain.

Supreme Council in 1808 . This what is claimed , hut it is only proved by their own writings . They term them selves Escoce . * , and claim that they have Grand Lodges , but as tho Pres'drn ' s assume tho title of Grand Commanders and as tho Patct . ts of tho Symbolic degrees and

theso of tho Chapters are expedited by tho samo authorities without numerical variation , it is demonstrable thafc the Craft and high-grades are con founded . The first of thca- * Orients is presided ov i * by tho illustrious Brother Jose

Maria Pantoja as successor of tho Illustiious Brother thc Marquis do Scoane . The second body is presided over Ivy Brother Francisco Rispa as the successor of Brother thc Viscount del llos , bufc that ho was so without justification was shown in 1888 in srivinsr himself the title of Grand

Commander . We have , therefore , tho " National" of Pantoja , which shows a numerical catalogue of Lodges created approaching 300 or perhaps more , but of which wo believe not more than 100 are active or effective .

Tho " Nacional" of Rispa took at tho beginning of this year the title of Oriente Iberique . Its catalogue of "Lodge ? is not exact since thoso of tho two Nationals are confounded , bufc ifc is considered the body has about 70

Lodges , moro or less . The proceedings of this body is exactly tho same as the other , the symbolic grades , in each Oriente , as well as those of the Chapters are granted by one and the same authority termed Escoces .

Then follows a third body entitled Grand Oriente Espanoe under the presidency of Brother Mignel Moray ta , established from the two other Orients and some detached Lodges . It terms itself Escoces and has the same proceedings as the two others , and was born , created , and

authorised by its members ; its origin being an excitement between fche Viscount del Ros , ancl Monsiera Miguel Morayta . This body has also confused the numerical register of its Lodges , bufc we can say that it has about 80 Lodges .

These three Orients have established the Escoces Rite of 33 degrees , but , in general , all they know of its customs are obtained from the works of Mons ' our Kassard . Though terming themselves Grand Orients they aro little able to define their own denominations , since one considers

itself to follow those inspirations which accept the supposed constitutions of Frederick of Prussia , whilst the other , says that it adjusted itself to thafc which was concerted at the Paris Convention of 1889 . In Cuba there exists a body entitled Consejo de Colon y

Cuba , also appropriating the title of Escoces and Supreme Council , and giving 30 degrees . For the symbolic degrees they have a Grand Lodge which governs tho 1 st , 2 nd , and 3 rd degrees denominated Blue-Masonry . They had recently 40 Lodges .

Following this , a Grand Lodgo was created afc Seville in 1871 under the name of Independente Espanol , which has constituted over 25 Lodges , of which there remains at present not more than 10 . It was created for tho defence

of symbolism , bnt as it soon formed a compact of friendship with tho Orient Pantoja and accepted the Chapter grades , this was , without doubt , sufficient to arrest its progress , and cause its decline .

There is also a Gran Lodgia Regional in Galicia and an Independente in Andalusia . The first has five and the second eleven Lodges . Both are termed Symbolic , but nse the 33 degrees ofthe Scottish Rite . We leave for the close of our remarks on Freemasonry

in Spain the Oriental Rite , because this body from its appearance merits special attention from its progressive and rapid march . Orientalism in Spain had its origin in intention in the year 1887 , and as a matter of fact on the 10 th January 1889 . A medal embodying thc c dates has

been struck , and accepted by a few English ancl Irish Masons . The introducers of this Rite into Spain proceeded in its pre-eminence the Oriente National Panto ] * , aud the Oriente de Espana Becarra-Arias . Far from presenting itsoir as an excitement , it denies plagiarism nnd usurpation

of names and jurisdiction . A body of Craffc Masons purchased from the head of the Rito at Naples a Charter which constituted them tho only body existing in Spain under a regular Patent . The Rite takes the name of

Soberano Qrani Consejo General Iberiro ; which governs , administers , and rules the grades from the 4 th to the 33 rd degree by-means respectively of Chambers , Chapters , and Philosophic , properly authorised . The Craft degrees , 1 st , 2 nd , and 3 rd , and Pasfc Master , are governed , administered , and ruled , by a Gran Lodgia

State Of Freemasonry In Spain.

Snnuolira , which is * sovereign and independent , as independent and sovereign as is tho Chapter of the Boyal Arch for Past Masters or Masters who have passed the ohair of a Craft Lodge . This Grand Lodge and this Chapter of the Royal "Arch havo jurisdictions perfectly

determined , and in their attribute- ' , their labours , nnd their administration , are ? ie * . * rr confounded with the Councils of 4 th to 33 rd de-Tree . The President takes tho title of Illustrious Grand Master , nud tho office is rxercised by a different person from the one who is Grand Master

General of the t . onuci ' . In four years , or less , it has established two Grand Lndij-s- R " i jia : iabs , 21 Gran Lodgi'i Provinciates , and 1 * 23 Symbolic Lc ) lt \< i-. Tho two first work their functions with all regularity . From ! ho second 16 and 80 of tho Symbolic . Each hieratic organisation

has a different order , and its own functions which is expressed clearly in the legislation of Aliinvtii Rezon . Tho Oriental organisation is considered to be solid and perfect in Spain as worked from the-Craft basis ; and is detached in the pursuits unrolled in the two bodies , since

according to its opinion ifc was good policy to detach Symbolic Masonry from thc Capitular ; notwithstanding which the two bodies , tho Grand Council and the Grand

Lodge Symbolic , aro attached to each other h y a pact of solid friendship , which converts them into a true Fiatornity , bufc with absolute independence and separation in their government and in their administration ;

Masonry's Grandeur And Goodness.

MASONRY'S GRANDEUR AND GOODNESS .

MASONRY A TEMPLE—A SYMBOL—A SCIENCE OF EMBLEMS AND SYMBOLS—A SOCIETY OF RITUAL AND OF IDEALS .

An Address by Rev . James Byron Murray , Grand Chaplain , before the Grand Jloyal Arch Chapter of New York , 8 th February 1 S 93 . ' ¦ STANDING ont from the Campagna ns over the waves of an undefined sea , lifting its dome seemingly above

Monte Maria , which lies against tho horizon , is the superb temple , the Cathedral of St . Peter ' s at Rome . In its carved and massive strength it is a symbolized history of the ancient and mecliteval city , the visible form of a

thousand thoughts and aspnvuions , tho expression of the noblest ideals , the embodiment of force ancl splendour , of religious sentiment and law . From rock foundations to the pinnacles which quiver in tho tremulous sunbeam , from the curve of its colonnades to the cross which crowns

its dome , it passes on the heart and vision as humanity s offering * to the Creator of all , as the Temple for the worship of the universal race . Beneath its poised roof there is a wealth of glory and light , the beauty of which appeals to the heart of mankind , to its most aspiring hope and to fche loftiness of faith . The tumults and sounds of the

world without are hushed or heard only as thc murmur of a farther ocean in the hollows of the sea shell . They break not the serene stillness ; they jar not the pulseless calm which broods as a summer cloud within . An atmosphere rises ancl fills the temple as with the incense of

spirituality . Genius wrought into marble , gold blending with sculptured stone , art expressing its sacred passion in brilliant mosaic , luster , magnificence abidingness are homed within ita walls . The ascending swell of its cupoln , elevating the mind , carries on the vision to thoughts ef

boundless space until it seems a spiritual dome risingabovo this great earth and making the marble house the majestic symbol of what is great in aspiration , of . what is worthy , so far as human places can be worthy , for the worship of God and communion of the spirit of man with Him who cannot bo confined in temples made with hands .

So stands Masonry , a temple of morality in the Great Republic of States and in the great world of civilization . It is not indeed thc august Temple of Divine worship iu the imperial city . No robed processions may sweep through its spaces with anthemed song , no chanted adoration may rise and fill tho church of the living God with the breath

of spirituality or higher festival . Bufc it is a Temple where Faith , Hope ancl Charity are homed within its walls ; a shrine where temperance , justice ancl truth are its ceaseless processions , and where the incense which rises and fills the moral structure is the incense of brotherly