Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Correspondence.
any other high-grades , and tho neglect of genuine Craft Masonry for them . In most cases it will assuredly end in disappointment ; all brethren havo not the necessary time and ability to develope the great truths found in many systems , and the A . and P . Eite courts not profane curiosity , and , when once properly established , will be made difficult of access . Yours truly and fraternally , JOHN YARKER .
P . S . —It would bo interesting to know at what time the W . M . or Past Master of a Speculative Lodge diverged from the Master of the Operative Lodge . In extensive works the Master of tho actual Lodge at work would be tho W . M . of tho Speculative Lodge , but he
Avoukl often , no doubt , havo qualified Masters working for him as journeymen . Evidently , in London , this matter had been separated at some distance of time from 1717 . Iu Aberdeen tho secrets of tho two grades are given as those of tho M . M . Brevet P . M . rank would not arise till after the Grand Lodge of 1717 , I should think .
DINING AS A FINE ART . To the Editor of THE FREEMASON ' S CHRONICLE . DEAR Sru AND BRO ., —I have read your article , " Dining as a Fine Art , " with infinite pleasure , and concur in tho opinion that the success of a meeting , and particularly the comfort of visitors , materially depend upon the chairman . Now , as the characteristics of a gentleman possessing taste and discrimination are indispensable
qualifications for so honourable a post , how incumbent is it upon Masons , particularly , to see those virtues exemplified before thoy elect their W . M . We havo frequently heard of late of numerous applications for warrants , rarely refused , evincing the marvellous craving for Freemasonry . It is evident that the proclamation , " I'm a , Mason , " will still be heard , since it is fashionable to be enrolled ,
tho stimulus being the accession of H . E . H . to the Grand Mastership ; but a question arises , —Who are these votaries daring publicly to inform the world at large of thoir connection with an Order whoso boast it is to hide its principles and virtues from tho unapprcciativo ? I havo had many opportunities of witnessing tho arrogance of this type of the Craft , in Lodge and elsewhere , and hope ere long to hear
that Grand Lodge has framed a rule that no member shall bo elected as Master of a Lodge unless he can prove himself—both by his efficiency in the work and gentle bearing—fib to preside as the head of so august an assemblage as we proudly acknowledge a Freemason ' s Lodgo to be . It should be instilled into tho mind of every Mason , and every
man desirous to become one , that ours is not a benefit society , although we acknowledge " Relief" one of its grand principles , neither has it been founded to promote trade and business ; higher teaching is ours , but tho present thirst for gold , and the knowledge of fraternal ties has , and will continue , to assert its influence , hence it is necessary to ignore applications for admission of members until
their position of life , viewed from every aspect , shall have been favourably reported . It is not numbers we require , but an improved status . There aro breakers ahead , and our Fund of Benevolence will become a wreck unless wiser discretion is adopted in the introduction of members .
It is particularly distasteful to many true Masons to find Masonic emblems greeting them at every corner of this vast metropolis , emblazoned in every colour of the rainbow over tho shops of tinkers , tailors , bakers , shoemakers , & c . These facts proclaim an amount of ignorance it would be well to diminish , not augment by indiscriminate ballot . Yours fraternally , PURSER .
PRESENTATIONS TO RETIRING MASTERS . To the Editor of THE FREEMASON ' CHRONICLE . DKAR SIR AND BROTHER , —In a report of Lodge No . 1326 , published in your issue of 21 th July last , I sec that tho W . M . expressed a wish on retiring from the chair that the money so kindly voted by tho brethren " should bo applied to the purchase of a life
governorship of ono of the charities instead of a P . M . ' s jewel . " I have waited iu the hope that some ono of those brethren who , so to speak , live for the charities would take up the matter , but as they have not done so I shall feel obliged by your inserting this letter .
Iu my own case , I am a Past Master of three Lodges , and iu each case have had a jewel presented to me on retiring from office ; now , although I very much appreciate the spirit which induced tho members of those Lodges to make the presentations , I personally question the utility of the three jewels ; it may be . said , why did you not think of this before tho presentations were made , aud do tho
same as the W . M . did to whom you refer ? My only excuse can bo forgotfulness , or I might say that the idea did not occur to mo until I read tho report referred to . I think if tiio mat tor v . 'cre brought before the brethren wo should see the money applied to charitable purposes as a rule , and not , as I have found it , exceptionally . If a P . M . wishes to show somo mark of
office , I would propose that a special bar be introduced for that pur-Pose , and I feel sure that our charity secretaries might be left to arrange this . Certainly half the Lodges in the kingdom present their retiring Masters with jewels during tho yc . ir , and if only a part of tho amount thus expended could be divert " into tho channel I pro-Pose , it would make a perceptible difference in tho amount annually returned as devoted to CHARITY .
D . E LA RCE ' IsTiEEiriTioirAi , PIA-TINO CARDS . —Portraits of tho Royalty of Europe , Post free , 2 s 6 d . W . \ V , Morgan , 07 Barbican , Loudon , E . C .
Reviews.
REVIEWS .
All Books intended for Eeview should be addressed to tho Editor of The Freemason ' s Chronicle , 67 Barbican , E . C . La Francmaconnerie . Lettre a Mgr . L'Eveqno D'Orleans . ParCaubot , Directeur dn journal le Monde Marmmique . Paris , Anx Bureaux dn Monde Maqonnujue , 16 , Rue de Seine , A la Librairie Mnconniquo do A Teissier , 37 , Eno Jean . Jacques Eousseau ; et chez les principaux Libraires . 1 S 75 .
THIS is a very ablo vindication of Freemasonry from tho recent bitter attack on it by the very revei'end the Bishop of Orleans . Some of our readers , perhaps , who havo not seen thelatter ' s pamphlet , having only gleaned a slight knowledge of it from these pages , or from some contemporary , will bo at a certain disadvantage in noting the course of argument which M . Caubet has adopted in his efforts to refute tho
foul aspersions of the Bishop , but enough is quoted to show their real character . It is always better , of course , to have the rival pamphlets side by side , bnt in the case before us , perhaps , it is of less importance . Tho Bishop ' s onslaught rested iu the main ou the bold assertions of a bigot , who had not even the merit of knowing what it was he Avas attacking ' . M . Caubet , on the other hand , knows well
what he is defending , and is prepared with a whole armoury of reasoning with which ho has little difficulty in repelling his adversary ' s attack . It is hardly , indeed , a fair duello , any more than could be a combat where one of the antagonists was blindlold , tho other not ; only tho blindfold man must not grumble at tho hard knocks he gets , for he it was who commenced the fray . Mgr . Dupanloup went
out of his way to attack the Order of which M . Caubet is so great an ornament , and the latter ' s resolute defence is not only creditable , but is justifiable . M . Caubet begins by pointing out that ordinarily ho would havo preferred to remain silent , leaving Freemasonry to vindicate itself by its acts . But he points out that people will ascribe importance to
the utterances of one in the position of the Bishop , Not only is Mgr . Dupanloup a prince of the Church and a pastor of souls , ho is also a representative of tho people , elected into the Assembly by his fellowcitizens , a member of the French Academy , a chevalier of tho Legion of Honour , aud many folk will take him Jto bo right in all circumstances , believing it impossible that he could deceive himself . Hence
the need there is that some competent person should take upon himself tho duty of replying , and M . Caubet volunteers accordingly to fulfil this duty . The competency of the writer will bo apparent as ho is followed in his argument , for , as we have stated already , tho letter or pamphlet before ns is a most successful vindication of our Order . M . Caubet then notes how inconsistent is the tifclo of tho Bishop ' s
pamphlet , " Etude sur la Francmaconnerie , " which implies Masonry in its entirety , whereas its contents deal only with a fraction of tho Order . How , for instance , suggests tho writer , could I properly describe a study of mine as a study of Christianity , if I had inquired into only one of tho thousand branches which compose Protestantism ; or how describe that as a study of the National Assembly which was
limited to only one of its smallest sections . Why then , m a general study of Freemasonry , has the Bishop confined his attention to Belgian and French Freemasonry ? Tho answer to this question , thinks M . Caubet , is simple enough . The Bishop is more anxious to find arguments against the Order than to analyse its true sentiments . Belgian Freemasonry , writes M . Caubet , numbers somo fifteen or
sixteen Lodges ; French , somo three hundred and fifty ; but in England , Ireland and Scotland , there are over two thousand Lodges , and in the United States , ovor eig ht thousand . Yet tho Bishop has not dared to describe Anglo-Saxon Freemasonry , " si correcte , si profondement penetrce des sentiments rel . igieuv , si conservatrice , " as revolutionary or irreligious . Moreover , the Bishop has sought to
make tho whole of French Freemasonry responsible for the act of a , single Lodge , an act moreover for which that Lodge has been condemned by tho Grand Orient of France . M . Caubet passes no opinion whatever on the act referred to , but ho points out several errors into which the Bishop has allowed himself to be entrapped in his zeal to abuse Freemasonry . The writer , next proceeds
to show how the Bishop has utterly misquoted a passage that appeared some years since in the Monde Maconnique , giving the passage as quoted by Mgr . Dupanlolup , and as it actually appeared in that Masonic journal . The difference is very striking-, and cannot fail to prove to our readers , if any proof were needed , that tho Bishop , as M . Caubet says , is far more anxious to fashion arguments
than to trouble himself about the inner life of Masonry . Then , as to the comparison instituted by his adversary between tho official declarations to be found in tho Constitutions respecting freedom of conscience , and the acts and declarations of members , as well as the speeches in open Lodgo by the chiefs of tho Order , M . Caubet points out that the declaration by M . Felix Pyat is of no value whatever .
Felix Pyat , far from being a chief in Freemasonry , had somo diffi - culty in being initiated , and remained always an irregular and inactive Mason . Had tho Bishop bub glanced at the lines that followed tho declaration by M . Pyat , as quoted by tho PMppel from Le Monde Maeonnique , he might havo satisfied himself of this fact . As to the statement that the real rulers of Fi ' ei . ' . ii . wmry : u \ : kept coucv .-uvxl
from tho general body , and that the kings and princes who belong to it aro not members of the higher grades , tho writer instances Frederick the Great of Prussia , who so far from beiugoxcluded from tho higher grades or ignorant of their existence , "fat , selon las iitcc ; oiis EcossaiSfOrganisalcnr el le reformateur de leur hitrarchie en , trentetrois dc . aris ; " tho Kin"' of Sweden , who alone possesses tho twelfth
degree in the Swedish rite , that of'Maitre regnant , " " qui couronne et domine tout le regime de la Maconncrie Suedoise ; " and tho Prince of Wales , who before his installation as Grand Master of tho Grand Lodgo of England was already protector of all tho Orders of Masonic Knighthood in England , that is to say of all the high degrees . Into the able defence of tho true principles of our Order , it is needless for ns to enter , Most of the arguments
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Correspondence.
any other high-grades , and tho neglect of genuine Craft Masonry for them . In most cases it will assuredly end in disappointment ; all brethren havo not the necessary time and ability to develope the great truths found in many systems , and the A . and P . Eite courts not profane curiosity , and , when once properly established , will be made difficult of access . Yours truly and fraternally , JOHN YARKER .
P . S . —It would bo interesting to know at what time the W . M . or Past Master of a Speculative Lodge diverged from the Master of the Operative Lodge . In extensive works the Master of tho actual Lodge at work would be tho W . M . of tho Speculative Lodge , but he
Avoukl often , no doubt , havo qualified Masters working for him as journeymen . Evidently , in London , this matter had been separated at some distance of time from 1717 . Iu Aberdeen tho secrets of tho two grades are given as those of tho M . M . Brevet P . M . rank would not arise till after the Grand Lodge of 1717 , I should think .
DINING AS A FINE ART . To the Editor of THE FREEMASON ' S CHRONICLE . DEAR Sru AND BRO ., —I have read your article , " Dining as a Fine Art , " with infinite pleasure , and concur in tho opinion that the success of a meeting , and particularly the comfort of visitors , materially depend upon the chairman . Now , as the characteristics of a gentleman possessing taste and discrimination are indispensable
qualifications for so honourable a post , how incumbent is it upon Masons , particularly , to see those virtues exemplified before thoy elect their W . M . We havo frequently heard of late of numerous applications for warrants , rarely refused , evincing the marvellous craving for Freemasonry . It is evident that the proclamation , " I'm a , Mason , " will still be heard , since it is fashionable to be enrolled ,
tho stimulus being the accession of H . E . H . to the Grand Mastership ; but a question arises , —Who are these votaries daring publicly to inform the world at large of thoir connection with an Order whoso boast it is to hide its principles and virtues from tho unapprcciativo ? I havo had many opportunities of witnessing tho arrogance of this type of the Craft , in Lodge and elsewhere , and hope ere long to hear
that Grand Lodge has framed a rule that no member shall bo elected as Master of a Lodge unless he can prove himself—both by his efficiency in the work and gentle bearing—fib to preside as the head of so august an assemblage as we proudly acknowledge a Freemason ' s Lodgo to be . It should be instilled into tho mind of every Mason , and every
man desirous to become one , that ours is not a benefit society , although we acknowledge " Relief" one of its grand principles , neither has it been founded to promote trade and business ; higher teaching is ours , but tho present thirst for gold , and the knowledge of fraternal ties has , and will continue , to assert its influence , hence it is necessary to ignore applications for admission of members until
their position of life , viewed from every aspect , shall have been favourably reported . It is not numbers we require , but an improved status . There aro breakers ahead , and our Fund of Benevolence will become a wreck unless wiser discretion is adopted in the introduction of members .
It is particularly distasteful to many true Masons to find Masonic emblems greeting them at every corner of this vast metropolis , emblazoned in every colour of the rainbow over tho shops of tinkers , tailors , bakers , shoemakers , & c . These facts proclaim an amount of ignorance it would be well to diminish , not augment by indiscriminate ballot . Yours fraternally , PURSER .
PRESENTATIONS TO RETIRING MASTERS . To the Editor of THE FREEMASON ' CHRONICLE . DKAR SIR AND BROTHER , —In a report of Lodge No . 1326 , published in your issue of 21 th July last , I sec that tho W . M . expressed a wish on retiring from the chair that the money so kindly voted by tho brethren " should bo applied to the purchase of a life
governorship of ono of the charities instead of a P . M . ' s jewel . " I have waited iu the hope that some ono of those brethren who , so to speak , live for the charities would take up the matter , but as they have not done so I shall feel obliged by your inserting this letter .
Iu my own case , I am a Past Master of three Lodges , and iu each case have had a jewel presented to me on retiring from office ; now , although I very much appreciate the spirit which induced tho members of those Lodges to make the presentations , I personally question the utility of the three jewels ; it may be . said , why did you not think of this before tho presentations were made , aud do tho
same as the W . M . did to whom you refer ? My only excuse can bo forgotfulness , or I might say that the idea did not occur to mo until I read tho report referred to . I think if tiio mat tor v . 'cre brought before the brethren wo should see the money applied to charitable purposes as a rule , and not , as I have found it , exceptionally . If a P . M . wishes to show somo mark of
office , I would propose that a special bar be introduced for that pur-Pose , and I feel sure that our charity secretaries might be left to arrange this . Certainly half the Lodges in the kingdom present their retiring Masters with jewels during tho yc . ir , and if only a part of tho amount thus expended could be divert " into tho channel I pro-Pose , it would make a perceptible difference in tho amount annually returned as devoted to CHARITY .
D . E LA RCE ' IsTiEEiriTioirAi , PIA-TINO CARDS . —Portraits of tho Royalty of Europe , Post free , 2 s 6 d . W . \ V , Morgan , 07 Barbican , Loudon , E . C .
Reviews.
REVIEWS .
All Books intended for Eeview should be addressed to tho Editor of The Freemason ' s Chronicle , 67 Barbican , E . C . La Francmaconnerie . Lettre a Mgr . L'Eveqno D'Orleans . ParCaubot , Directeur dn journal le Monde Marmmique . Paris , Anx Bureaux dn Monde Maqonnujue , 16 , Rue de Seine , A la Librairie Mnconniquo do A Teissier , 37 , Eno Jean . Jacques Eousseau ; et chez les principaux Libraires . 1 S 75 .
THIS is a very ablo vindication of Freemasonry from tho recent bitter attack on it by the very revei'end the Bishop of Orleans . Some of our readers , perhaps , who havo not seen thelatter ' s pamphlet , having only gleaned a slight knowledge of it from these pages , or from some contemporary , will bo at a certain disadvantage in noting the course of argument which M . Caubet has adopted in his efforts to refute tho
foul aspersions of the Bishop , but enough is quoted to show their real character . It is always better , of course , to have the rival pamphlets side by side , bnt in the case before us , perhaps , it is of less importance . Tho Bishop ' s onslaught rested iu the main ou the bold assertions of a bigot , who had not even the merit of knowing what it was he Avas attacking ' . M . Caubet , on the other hand , knows well
what he is defending , and is prepared with a whole armoury of reasoning with which ho has little difficulty in repelling his adversary ' s attack . It is hardly , indeed , a fair duello , any more than could be a combat where one of the antagonists was blindlold , tho other not ; only tho blindfold man must not grumble at tho hard knocks he gets , for he it was who commenced the fray . Mgr . Dupanloup went
out of his way to attack the Order of which M . Caubet is so great an ornament , and the latter ' s resolute defence is not only creditable , but is justifiable . M . Caubet begins by pointing out that ordinarily ho would havo preferred to remain silent , leaving Freemasonry to vindicate itself by its acts . But he points out that people will ascribe importance to
the utterances of one in the position of the Bishop , Not only is Mgr . Dupanloup a prince of the Church and a pastor of souls , ho is also a representative of tho people , elected into the Assembly by his fellowcitizens , a member of the French Academy , a chevalier of tho Legion of Honour , aud many folk will take him Jto bo right in all circumstances , believing it impossible that he could deceive himself . Hence
the need there is that some competent person should take upon himself tho duty of replying , and M . Caubet volunteers accordingly to fulfil this duty . The competency of the writer will bo apparent as ho is followed in his argument , for , as we have stated already , tho letter or pamphlet before ns is a most successful vindication of our Order . M . Caubet then notes how inconsistent is the tifclo of tho Bishop ' s
pamphlet , " Etude sur la Francmaconnerie , " which implies Masonry in its entirety , whereas its contents deal only with a fraction of tho Order . How , for instance , suggests tho writer , could I properly describe a study of mine as a study of Christianity , if I had inquired into only one of tho thousand branches which compose Protestantism ; or how describe that as a study of the National Assembly which was
limited to only one of its smallest sections . Why then , m a general study of Freemasonry , has the Bishop confined his attention to Belgian and French Freemasonry ? Tho answer to this question , thinks M . Caubet , is simple enough . The Bishop is more anxious to find arguments against the Order than to analyse its true sentiments . Belgian Freemasonry , writes M . Caubet , numbers somo fifteen or
sixteen Lodges ; French , somo three hundred and fifty ; but in England , Ireland and Scotland , there are over two thousand Lodges , and in the United States , ovor eig ht thousand . Yet tho Bishop has not dared to describe Anglo-Saxon Freemasonry , " si correcte , si profondement penetrce des sentiments rel . igieuv , si conservatrice , " as revolutionary or irreligious . Moreover , the Bishop has sought to
make tho whole of French Freemasonry responsible for the act of a , single Lodge , an act moreover for which that Lodge has been condemned by tho Grand Orient of France . M . Caubet passes no opinion whatever on the act referred to , but ho points out several errors into which the Bishop has allowed himself to be entrapped in his zeal to abuse Freemasonry . The writer , next proceeds
to show how the Bishop has utterly misquoted a passage that appeared some years since in the Monde Maconnique , giving the passage as quoted by Mgr . Dupanlolup , and as it actually appeared in that Masonic journal . The difference is very striking-, and cannot fail to prove to our readers , if any proof were needed , that tho Bishop , as M . Caubet says , is far more anxious to fashion arguments
than to trouble himself about the inner life of Masonry . Then , as to the comparison instituted by his adversary between tho official declarations to be found in tho Constitutions respecting freedom of conscience , and the acts and declarations of members , as well as the speeches in open Lodgo by the chiefs of tho Order , M . Caubet points out that the declaration by M . Felix Pyat is of no value whatever .
Felix Pyat , far from being a chief in Freemasonry , had somo diffi - culty in being initiated , and remained always an irregular and inactive Mason . Had tho Bishop bub glanced at the lines that followed tho declaration by M . Pyat , as quoted by tho PMppel from Le Monde Maeonnique , he might havo satisfied himself of this fact . As to the statement that the real rulers of Fi ' ei . ' . ii . wmry : u \ : kept coucv .-uvxl
from tho general body , and that the kings and princes who belong to it aro not members of the higher grades , tho writer instances Frederick the Great of Prussia , who so far from beiugoxcluded from tho higher grades or ignorant of their existence , "fat , selon las iitcc ; oiis EcossaiSfOrganisalcnr el le reformateur de leur hitrarchie en , trentetrois dc . aris ; " tho Kin"' of Sweden , who alone possesses tho twelfth
degree in the Swedish rite , that of'Maitre regnant , " " qui couronne et domine tout le regime de la Maconncrie Suedoise ; " and tho Prince of Wales , who before his installation as Grand Master of tho Grand Lodgo of England was already protector of all tho Orders of Masonic Knighthood in England , that is to say of all the high degrees . Into the able defence of tho true principles of our Order , it is needless for ns to enter , Most of the arguments