Origin Of The Word Freemason.

ORIGIN OF THE WORD FREEMASON .

A VERT complimentary notice of the Masonio organization appeared in a recent number of the English Churchman , published in London , England . Besides expressing commendation of our Fraternity , the writer of the

article to which we refer gave his opinion respecting tho derivation of the word Freemason , which he assigns to a Hebrew origin . He states that " mas " in Hebrew means

" tribute , levy , tributaries , and so we have the compound word " task-masters" as used in the Mosaic writings—a word equivalent to " lords of tributary services . " The writer in the Qhurchmnn also shows that " mas" was

anciently applied to those persons in Israel who were set apart to perform some distinct work , as king Solomon is said to have raised a tribute of select men—a " mas "—and placed them tinder the superintendence of Adonirara when

a great undertaking was to be engaged in . The thirty thousand men thus selectel belonged to a superior class and were associated together by some peculiar bond . They constituted a body of comparatively free men of the " mas , "

and received honours aud preferment thereby . The writer from whom we quote says that these selected Israelites formed " a distinguished class , and remained a select and distinguished class , rich in instruction , culture and

refinement , and proud of their distinction as ' mas , by which collective name they may have formed a respected and respectable Brotherhood in Israel . Hence the Brotherhood

of Masun or Mason , or Masoni , or Macons , or Masons , aa they variously were called at their spreading over the various civilised countries of the world .

The origin of the word as thus given is by no means so fanciful as are some of the sources to which the term Mason , or Freemason , has been traced . Indeed , when we consider

the strongly marked Hebrew character of the Masonic system , there seems to be considerable ' presumpfcive evidence in favour of such an etymology of fche distinguishing appellatiou of the Craffc . Certainly it is supposable—a proper influence in the nature of things—thafc the word Mason was

primarily used in reference to some class , or association , having a resemblance to that great Brotherhood to which the name now applies . It might thus properly come from the Hebrew source designated .

Then as to the term Freemason . In the middle ages the word Mason applied fco an operative Craftsman , and the prefix probably come into use to designate such an operative who was free of his Guild—or whatever might be the Society in which he had membership . A Free Mason in

mediaeval times was a superior sort of workman , entitled to special privileges , and most likely a worker in free-stone . Now we have the one word Freemason to designate the members of a great Fraternity , ancl , however we may trace

the origin of the term , it is of chief importance thafc we keep in mind its practical import as at present applied . Ifc stands for a class of men selected and set apart—a class united together by very close bonds of mutual sympathy and

helpfulness—a class that ought to illustrate the qualities of both mental and moral superiority . Freemasons of to-day ought to be free of pettv prejudices and gross passions—free of

all entangling alliances wifch thafc which is base and corrupting . They ought to be skilful workers upon that best material of inner life , doing their best to mould and perfect human character . —Freemasons' Repository .

The first Festival of the Grand Master ' s Lodge of Instruction for Mark Master Masons was held on Wednesday , at the Masonic Hall , Red Lion Square , Holborn . The Lodge was opened with the following brethren acting as Officers : Bros . Lord J . W . Taylour P . G . W . W . M ., J . L . Mather S . W ., R . Berridge G . D . C . J . W ., C . F . Hogard

P . G . S . M . O ., G . Cooper P . G . D . S . O ., Ramsey J . O ., A . Williams P . G . D . I . P . M ., 0 . F . Matier P . G . W . Secretary , and S . B . Wilson P . G . L of W . I . G . The usual formalities having been observed , the resignation of Bro . F . Binckes ( Grand Secretary ) , the Treasurer of the Lodge of

Instruction , was announced , and was formally received with general expressions of regret . Brother A . Williams was unanimously chosen to fill the vacancy . Lord Taylour and Bros . Hogard , Cooper . Wilson , Mother , Berridge ,

Driver , Richardson , Hoare , Ramsey , Moon , and Tisley were elected members of the Permanent Committee , and Brother Matier Secretary . Brother Poore then gave the lecture on the tracing board , and a vote of thanks was

Origin Of The Word Freemason.

unanimously passed to him for so doing , he also being elected an honorary member of the Lodge . Fifteen propositions for joining were handed , in , and in due course the Lodgo was closed . A banquet followed afc fche Holborn

Restaurant , Lord J . W . Taylour presiding . He first proposed , the toast of the Queen and Mark Masonry , and this having been honoured , he followed wifch the M . W . the Grand M . M . M . the Earl of Kintore . He spoke wifch

satisfaction—which he felfc every Mark Mason would endorse—of the great progress the Mark Degree had made dnring tho past few years . Any one who could remember it , as he could , twenty-two years back , could but marvel at its present position . He coupled with the toast the name

of the Prince of Wales , Grand Master elect , and felt thafc under his rule the progress of the Degree would be aa great , if nofc greater , than it had been under any of his predecessors . The toasfc of the Deputy Grand Master and other Grand Officers followed , and in proposing ifc the Chairman said thafc fche success of Mark Masonrv was due

fco the efforts of the brethren who had ruled it in years gone by . Brother Davison replied . He felfc there was no fear of interest in the Mark Degree lessening while they had such brethren as their present Chairman ready to help whenever their services were required . Brother Williams

proposed the health of the Chairman , who , he said , had come specially from the Isle of Wight to preside . Lord Taylour thanked the brethren for the high honour they

had conferred on him in asking him to preside over the meeting . It had been one of the pleasantest days he had ever spent in Masonry , aud had fully repaid him for any little trouble he had been put to in attending . Other

toasts were , the Permanent Committee , the Mark Benevolent Fund , the Visitors , Brofcher Poore , and , finally , that of the

Tyler . Bros . Berridge , Matier , Dr . Morris , and Poore severally responded . Brofcher Matier , speaking to the toast of . the Mark Benevolent Fund , regretted the absence of his official chief , Brother Binckes , who could have

responded in a much more able manner than he was capable to do . Brother Matier recounted the present position of the Fund , and said that there were the names of ninety-five brethren on the list of Stewards for the corning Festival . £ 1700 was subscribed last year , and he hoped this year ' s total would be even in excess of that amount .

The ball given by the Selwyn Lodge , No . 1901 , at the Peckham Ptiblic Hall , on Friday , the 5 fch instant ; , proved a very great success . The Worshipful Master and members

of the Lodge fully entered into the spirit of the scheme , and , under their directions , a numerous company of lady and other visitors most thoroughly enjoyed themselves . Nor

was fche entertainment confined to dancing , there being singing and instrumental music ancl recitations in certain rooms sefc aparfc for fche purpose . A capital supper was provided , and the different rooms were very prettily and tastefully decorated . Brother R . W . Powles W . M . and

Brother A . J . Bellis P . M ., Hon . Secretary of the Stewards ' Committee , are to be congratulated on the admirable manner in which everything was carried out .

The installation meeting of the Wallington Lodge , No-1892 , was held on Thursday , at the Public Hall , Carshalton , Brother Alfred Bishop being installed as Worshipful Master . We shall give a report of the meeting in our next issue .

The Companions of fche North London Chapter of Improvement held their weekly Convocation on Thursday , afc the Alwyne Castle Tavern , St . Paul ' s-road , Canonbury , Comps . Edmonds ME . Z ., Struenell H ., Brasted j ., Sheffield S . E ., Dean S . N ., Radcliffe P . S . The ceremony of exaltation was ably rehearsed .

A Committee of Fromo Masons has been appointed , with a view to considering what will be the most advisable steps to take in order to secure greater accommodation than is provided by the present hall , and the cost thereof . The report was to be delivered afc an adjourned meeting of the brethren .

HOLLOWAY ' S OINTMEST AND PILLS . —Rheumatism and Neuralgia . —Though the former disease remorselessly attacks persona of all ages , and the latter ruthlessly select * its victims from tho weak ancl delicate , the persevering m-e of these rempdie * will infallibly cure both complaints . After the affected parts have been diligently fomented with hot brine , ancl tbo skin thoroughly dried , Holloway ' s Ointment , mnst be rubbed in firmly and evenly for a few minu'es , twice a cUy , and his Pills taken according to the pri ' -tcii directions wrapped round each box of his medicine . Both Ointment and Pills are accompanied by instruction .: ) designed for the public at large , and DO invalid , who attentively reacts them , can now be at any loss how to doctor himself successfully .