The " Record " On Freemasonry

appeared in Kilwinning , in Scotland ; aud although it Avas not till 1725 that tho first French Lodgo Avas formed , they aro reported as having existed in Franco iu the sixteenth century . The Grand Lodge of Ireland dates from 1730 , and iu 1731 another Avas formed for Holland at the Hagne ; in 1735 tho German Lodgo Avas established , Avhilst in 1736 tho Grand Lodge of Scotland took a now start after

the last Baron of Rosslyn , having no sons , surrendered the hereditary office of Grand Master , which ho and his ancestors had held by grant from King James the Second of Scotland , as associated Avith tho beautiful chapel of Rosslyn , Avhich is still an object of attraction to English tourists . Somo of tho mediawal Popes seem to havo even encouraged

Freemasonry for tho sako of thoir rcsthotio architecture . But in 1738 , when its various Lodges were spreading over Enrope , Popo Clement XII . issued a Papal Bull of Excommunication against all Freemasons . More recently Freemasonry has been denounced by various Popes along Avith Bible sooietics , as if their secret organisation Avas perilous to tho Church as well ns the Stato . These Papal bulls havo not at

all tendered to damago Freemasonry in this country , and it has beeu always regarded as politically a very innocent and oven charitable institution , aud , at all events , not more objectionablo than other clubs as alike holding out temptation to convivial intemperance . Tho wellknoAvu Freoniasons' Tavern , in Great Queen-street , Lincoln ' s-innfields , Avas orected in 1786 , and about tho samo time the charity for

female children Avas instituted in connection Avith it . In the hall of this great and famous tavern , which was rebuilt a few years ago , tho Bible and Missionary Societies for many years held their Meotings , until they migrated to tho more commodious but not moro comfortablo edifices erected in the Strand and Piccadilly . It is but a few years since the Marquis of Ripon had to resign the

Grand Mastership of England on his perversion to Rome , and his vacant seat was accepted by H . R . H . the Princo of Wales . Wo believo that the change then effected was the last occasion on which the doings of tho Freemasons attracted moro than a passing notice . But a recent Atheistical movement on the part of the Grand Orient of France has stirred the leaders of the English Grand Lodge , and

given rise to a counter protest against holding any communion with Freemasons Avho eliminate from their ritnal " the name of the Great Architect of the Universe . " In this counter movement tho Earl of Carnarvon , acting as Pro Grand Master , has taken the lead , and in another column there appears a report of tho Committee appointed at the last Grand Lodge " to inquire into tho circumstances relativo

to the elimination of the name of the Great Architect of tho Universe from its ritnal by the Grand Orient of France . " Lord Carnarvon , as Pro Grand Master , in the absence of the Princo of Wales , before introducing the Report , requested the Grand Secretary to read the old and the new regulations of tho Grand Orient of France . The Grand

Secretary read the old regulations , which declared that the " principles of the Order are the existenco of God , the immortality of the soul , and human solidarity , " and it excluded no person on account of his bolief . Iu tho altered regulations tho Avoids regarding the existenco of God and the immortality of tho soul were eliminated , and there Avere substituted the AA'ords " absolute freedom of

conscience . The Pro Grand Master then said the Committee , having regard to the circumstances of the case , proposed four Resolutions , one stating that the Grand Lodge viewed with profound regret tho steps taken by tho Grand Orient of France in thus removing from tho regnlations its foundation upon the existence of God and the belief in the

immortality of the sonl . This removal Avas declared to be opposed to all the history aud traditions of Freemasonry from the earliest times to the present date . This Resolution Avas received Avith unanimous cheers . Tho second Resolutiou was that tho Euglish Graud Lodge , while most anxious , in tho most fraternal spirit , to greet brethren from Foreign Lodges initiated in Lodges Avhero the trne aud genuine

principles were adopted , could not admit thoso initiated in Lodges Avhich denied or ignored the belief in the existence of God . It would therefore be necessary to state , that no brother from a Lodge could be admitted unless his certificate shoAved that he had been initiated in a Lodgo Avhero the landmark of the Order was observed , or was vouched for as ono so initiated , and also that he admitted his belief

in the Great Architect of the Universe to bo an essential landmark of the Order . The fourth Resolution was to give effect to the other three by transmitting them to all Lodges Avorking under tho Grand Lodge of England , to the sister Grand Lodges of Scotland and Ireland , and to all Grand Lodges in connection with this Grand Lodge .

The Earl of Carnarvon then formally moved the adoption of these Resolutions , Avhich sever tho English Grand Lodge from the Grand Orient of France , so long as it professes Atheism . He did so Avith expressions of deep regret , but considered that a rejection of the acknowledgment of the Great Creator of the Universe , struck at the root of tho Order of Freemasons . Tho motion was seconded by tho

Earl of Sherborne , and unanimously adopted in one of the largest gatherings of the Grand Lodgo ever held . We think that this lay demonstration against the rising tido of infidelity in this country , coming as it does from snch an nnlooked for quarter , ought to encourage our Bishops and other dignitaries of the Church to assert some % vhat more boldly tho truth of God ' s

Word Avrittcn , and not alloAv tho crude assertions of " modern criticism " to be accepted as a sufficient call to surrender one by one the citadels of the faith once delivered to the saints , and so overturn , il it Avere possible , " Tho Rock of Ages . " The Archbishop of Canterbury has iv , his published letter condemned " the exaggerated candour exhibited in admitting the force of the reasoning of sceptical Avriters ;"

and his Grace has not hesitated to declare that " ordinary readers may natnrally bo startled and unsettled by the apparent readiness " with which tho statements of sceptical Avriters are accepted " as proved" in tho Argument from Prophecy . But this is not tho only specimen of tho mischievous tendencies of the series of tracts entitled " Scepticism and Faith , " as tho Rev . Charles Bullock has fnlly demonstrated in his able letter to the Record . And we , there-

The " Record " On Freemasonry

fore , do not Avonder that tho question is often asked , whether something more is not required from the twenty-seven Bishops , under Avhose presidency these books and tracts appear ? Is not the example of the lay Grand Master of tho Freemasons of England in defence of tho faith one which might be advantageously followed by the Archbishops and Bishops of tho Church of England ? Do not the solomn obligations of thoir high and holy offico impose

on them tho duty of publicly defending from insult aud attack tho integrity of "Moses and tho Prophets , " Avith tho rest of " God ' s Word Avritton ? " If the " exaggerated candour" of books Avritten nnder their nominal patronage , bo , according to the Most Rovorend Primate ' s admission , calculated to " startle and unsottlo" ordinary readers , aro not tho peoplo entitled to look for explanation and defence to those lvho are recognised as their "Right Reverend Fathers in God ?"

Royal Masonic Institution For Girls.

ROYAL MASONIC INSTITUTION FOR GIRLS .

¥ n have much pleasure in informing our readers that tho Right Hon . the Earl of Carnarvon , M . W . Pro Grand Master , has kindly consented to preside at the Ninetieth

Anniversary Festival of tho above Institution , which will take place on Friday , the lOfch May next , tho clay being altered from the 8 bh to the 10 th to suit the convenience of his Lordship .

Iho Freemasons'' Manual and Official Director g of the Provincial Grand Lodge and Provincial Grand Chapter of Kent , edited by Bro . Thomas S . Warne , Rochester , P . M .

No . 20 , and Past Prov . Assist . G . Secretary of Kent , & c , & c , contains a rare amount of useful information , or , we should say , of information which must be invaluable to members of the Province . After a nominal list of the

Officers of Grand Lodge England , and Provincial Grand Lodgo Kent , there follows a roll of Lodges , with dates of Constitution , and localities Avhere held , a list of towns iu Avhich they are situated , and a list of days on which they severally meet . Then aro given , in numerical order , the

several Lodges , Avith tho names of Past and Present Masters , and of the other Officers , Avith dato of installation and other useful details . Then folloAv similar particulars relating to R . A . Masonry , and then the bye-laws of the Prov . Grand Lodge and Prov . Grand Chapter ; the whole

concluding Avith a list of the ( Officers of the Provincial G . Mark Lodge , Avith roll of Lodges , and Officers of each Lodge , as far as it was possible to obtain them . The Avork has been carefully compiled , and tho Editor has exercised the needful supervision in arranging bis information . He

merits tho thanks of tho brethren in his Province , as well as of all outside its limits , who take an interest in the history and distribution of the Craft throughout the different parts of the country . Wo heartily thank Bro .

Warne for the copy he has forwarded to us , and we rejoice to hear that it is in contemplation to publish this useful work annually . Credit is also due to the printer , W . T . Wildish , Journal Office , Banks , Rochester , for the manner in Avhich he has fulfilled his part .

During Lent , Special Services will be held at St . Anne ' s , Westminster . Bach ' s Passion Sfc . John Avill be sung every Friday evening , at 8 o ' clock , under direction of Mr . Barnby ,

Avith full orchestral accompaniment . Admission by Tickets , AA'hich can bo had ( free ) of the Churchwardens , Bro . S . Webb 432 , Oxford-street , W ., and Bro . J . E . Shand , 2 Albert Mansions , Victoria street , S . W .

The installation ceremony -will bo worked at the Constitutional Lodge of Instruction ( No . 55 ) , Avhich meets at the Bedford Hotel , Southampton-buildings , Holborn , on Tuesday , 20 th March , by Bro . W . H . Marston W . M . 1599 . Lodgo Avill bo opened at 7 p . m . precisely .

HO * . T . OAVAY ' OixTitKjfT AXD PILLS . —Coughs , Influenza . —The soothing TW . pertios of Uicsc inctliramo ; it . 5 render tbom well worthy of trial i-. i nil rbscu-J .. of tho respiratory organs . In common colds and nfluonza the Pills t-ikon internally , and the Ointment rubbed over tho chest and throat , are cxceodin ^ Uelllencious . When influenza is epidemic , this treatment is easiest , sv . vt , « a ' i surest

. Hoiloway ' s Pills purify tho blood , remove all obstacles to its fr 33 circulation through tho lungs , reliOA'C tho over-gorged air tubas , and render resri-ration freo , Avithout reducing tho strength , irritating the nerves , or rlr—ro- ' ring tho _ spirits , such arc tho ready moans of saving suffering when ar . v o : io S afflicted Avith cold , cougha , bronchitis , and other chest complaints , by which so many persons are seriously antl permanently afflicted in most countries ,