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Article BLUNDERING SECTARIAN SYMBOLMONGERS. ← Page 2 of 2 Article SHALL I BE A MASON ? Page 1 of 1 Article SHALL I BE A MASON ? Page 1 of 1 Article THE WEST LANCASHIRE MASONIC EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTION. Page 1 of 1
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Blundering Sectarian Symbolmongers.
found , and aivfnlly learned . For instance , we have had a Hutchinson , an Oliver , a Maekay . We have the great Rob Morris , and , above all , we have the author of " The Threefold Division of the Temple , " who beats all the rest in every kind of scholarship ; who discovered among other things
that " The Ark of the Covenant was a symbolical coffin . In short , each of fche said luminaries was supplied with pounds of learning , but unfortunately they lacked the necessary ounce of common sense . The author of the "
Threefold Division of the Temple , " gives this as an additional proof that Solomon was a Trinitarian . Now , assuming that Solomon was the author of our Masonic ritual , with all the threes therein , including our three degrees , and that he divided the Temple into three parts , what then
?—Why ! about fifty years ago , the rabbis and the beadles in the London synagogues used to wear three-cornered hats , but yet , I know that the three-cornered hats did not make them believers in a trinity , and , in like manner , the
three degrees , and other threes , do not necessarily prove that Solomon believed in a trinity . Again , had Solomon believed in a Triune God , he would not have conveyed his belief to Masons only in such vague
hints , that no one found it out before the appearance in the lasfc century of Masonic Symbol-mongers . The facfc thafc he never publicly made his Trinitarianism known , is sufficient proof that Solomon was not a Trinitarian . But I go further ;
I do not believe that any man in the days of Solomon was a Trinitarian . I am aware thafc theological luminaries have persuaded themselves that because in some of the old religions they had three Gods , therefore ( say they ) there
must have been a primeval revelation about the Trinity , & c . Bufc Professor George Rawlinson—who in addition to pounds of learning was supplied wifch common sense ( which our Masonic luminaries lack)—well , in the first chapter of his Religion of tbe Ancients , Professor
Rawlinson explodes thafc nonsense , and proves that Trinitarianism was unknown to the old pagans . Nay , more ; I do not believe that Sfc . Paul knew anything about a Trinity . I have carefully read all the letters ascribed to the pen of
Paul ; herein I find that he believed in the existence of Satan , in the crucifixion and resurrection of Christ , & c , but not a word about the Trinity . Now if Paul hacl thought
thafc belief in the Trinity was essential to salvation , he would have made it known , once at least , but as he did nothing of tho kind , who can tell whether Paul ever heard of a Triune God ?
With regard to Solomon ' s temple accounts are conflicting ; thus the Bible gives to it three chambers or galleries , ancl Josephus says that it was divided into two
parts , and was surrounded with thirty chambers . I think ifc also had a court for women , and another for gentiles . It is , therefore , absurd to symbolise four or five chambers into a Trinity .
And with regard to our three degrees , I am sure that Solomon knew nothing about Masonic degrees ; and I am also sure that no one else knew about three Masonic degrees before 1717 . Such is the opinion of D . M . Lyon , W . J . Hughan , R . F . Gould , G . W . Speth ; and if I am not
mistaken , such is also the opinion of Bro . S . H . Clerke , the Grand Secretary of England . BOSTON , U . S ., 6 th June 1888 .
Shall I Be A Mason ?
SHALL I BE A MASON ?
Translated from the French of Bro . P . Temples , by Bro . G . W . Speth . DO nofc offer yourself without due consideration . Bead a history of Masonry : there is no lack of them . Eead tho libels
published against Masons ; the Bulls of Excommunication ; examine the charges made . Eead some earnest work on its tenets , for example , " Morals and Dogma , " by the learned and Venerable Bro . Pike . Do not present yourself out of mere puerile curiosity •you will only be disappointed .
Do not join the Craft except with a firm resolntion to study the Institution . Ifc partakes of the nature of certain natural phenomena , of certain masterpieces of art , of the genius of certain men . The first view destroys the illusion ; one mnst study them to comprehend them .
If , combined with the love of the true and the good , you have not also a slight mental attraction toward the poetry resident in all thiugs , and a judgment tempered by feeling and sentiment , enter not , you will be bored . He who , with the culture of progress , combines that of old memories ; who , whilst pursuing exact science can
yet understand all the charm of a venerable myth •who loves custom because it is old , antique forms becanse they are beautiful , even prejudice , because it is at the root of human history , such a one will find full play for his instincts as an archaeologist . But , should you inquire how it will benefit your pocket , or influence the elections—go not in !
Shall I Be A Mason ?
If , in religious matters , you start wifch fche assumption fch * t your opponent ia a fool or a kuave , venture nofc to approach . But , if you , respect every sincere opinion , or if , being of a religious tempera , ment , you can bear with those who are not so , or rath r , are so differently from yourself , then go ; no one will wound your susceptibilities , and you will hurt no one .
If , as regards God and your soul , you appreciate the majesty of the issue , whilst possibly of the opinion that the science of some does nofc differ greatly from the agnosticism of others , your aspiration may probably encounter comforting support . If , as a physician or lawyer , a tradesman or morchanfc , ofBoi-il or
clerk , you seek to find there either client * or parius , you will b <* grievously disappointed . As an official you wool ! inpire the i ** "odhumoured contempt of the minister , were he a M am , and his successor would , perhaps , send you about your business . As a merchant you would cause both your Masonry and your merchandise to be
regarded with suspicion . If , being ambitious , you have capabilities equal to your ambition , go ; many will learn to know you thoroughly . But if you merely seek to acquire stilts for your too diminutive legs , keep aloof ; and for the very same reason .
As a politician , do not dream of making partisans in a Lodge : you will only prevail with those who already follow yonj and you will possibly lose them and have to endure their reproach that yon have imported discord within the sacred precincts : your success will be short-lived .
If you hold opinions which possess you rather than you them , if your disposition be such as to render yon too prone to blame others , or if you have no pride in your birthright ; independence in all matters
that concern yourself , the education of your children , the actions of your religious , civil or family life , you will never possess the requisite Masonio qualifications , you will never understand those who do .
If you be entirely absorbed by your profession , your associations , your position in society , approach not ! Why should you undertake obligations which will be onerous to you P If you owe aU your time and resources to your family , abstract nothing from a duty which is above all others . The Lodge is
an incentive to outlay . You would either regret not being able to do even as the others , or you would violate our statutes in consecrating to yourpleasure that whioh is justly claimed elsewhere . If you be a hypochondriac , keep away ; bufc if you love a word in
season and a merry jest , enter in . And cherish no illusions ! Do not allow yourself to be carried away by the idea that you owe a sacrifice to humanity , to progress and all the rest P Masons are apt to laugh at high-flown notions of self-sacrifice .
Join the Masons only if yon desire ifc for your own sake ; whoever you be , they can get on excellently well without you . —Transactions of Lodge Quatuor Coronati .
The West Lancashire Masonic Educational Institution.
THE WEST LANCASHIRE MASONIC EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTION .
UNDER the presidency of Bro . Councillor W . J . Lunt P . P . G . Trea ., a special meeting of the court of governors of the above named institution was held on the 15 th inst ., at the Masonio Hall ,
Hopestreet , Liverpool . The minutes of the General Committee with reference fco the resignation of Bro . R . Martin , one of the honorary secretaries , and the appointment of Bios . T . H . W . Walker P . M ., and Captain J . Macnab S . W . W . M . elect , as secretaries , in conjunction with Bro . G . Broadbridge , were unanimously confirmed . Several
children , recommended by the General Committee , were elected on the foundation of the institution , involving an additional outlay of about £ 100 a year . It was reported in the oourse of the proceedings thafc the invested capital of the charity , which in 1881 was £ 16 , 840 , had now reached £ 20 , 345 . The annual income in 1881 was £ 1 , 584 : in
1887 £ 2 , 633 ; and the annual outlay on behalf of children in the former period was £ 1 , 212 , which had increased to £ 1 , 792 in 1887 . The number of children on the foundation of the institution in 1881 was 165 ; in 1887 203 , of whom 20 were on the combined fund , which includes their entire maintenance and education . A vote of thanks to Bro . Lunt for presiding closed the proceedings .
THE ALPASS BENEVOLENT INSTITUTION .
THE progressive nature of Freemasonry in West Lancashire within recent years has been amply illustrated by the success of its three charitable institutions , the " West Lancashire , " the " Hamer , " and the " Alpass . " The last named is the youngest of the three , and fche annual report shows gratifying prosperity . The second
report states that the income from Lodges , Chapters , and private individuals dnring the past year had reached the & um of £ 840 18 ? . The great success attendant upon the efforts on behalf of the institution had been attained without detriment or injury to the sister institutions of the province , for , according to the report issued , the
capital of the Hamer Benevolent Fund had been greatly increased , and the income of fche educational institution from Lodges and Chapters had been about doubled , thereby proving there was ample
room for an institntion of this character , which was evidently highly appreciated by the brethren . There had already been five annnitanta elected on the foundation , and there were five more applicants for tho three vacancies declared . The annnal festival was held afc
Southport in October lasfc , when the Stewards lists amounted to £ 782 16 s , the Hartington Lodge ( 1021 ) heading the amount with the handsome sum of £ 58 , the Lodge of Prudence ( 2114 ) coming next with £ 31 . As the demands upon the funds are increasing each year , the
committee earnestly solicit a continuance of the support hitherto so kindly given , in order that the institution may be placed on a footing of equality with the sister institutions of the province , which have been enabled to elect every eligible applicant on their foundation . — Liverpool Mercury .
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Blundering Sectarian Symbolmongers.
found , and aivfnlly learned . For instance , we have had a Hutchinson , an Oliver , a Maekay . We have the great Rob Morris , and , above all , we have the author of " The Threefold Division of the Temple , " who beats all the rest in every kind of scholarship ; who discovered among other things
that " The Ark of the Covenant was a symbolical coffin . In short , each of fche said luminaries was supplied with pounds of learning , but unfortunately they lacked the necessary ounce of common sense . The author of the "
Threefold Division of the Temple , " gives this as an additional proof that Solomon was a Trinitarian . Now , assuming that Solomon was the author of our Masonic ritual , with all the threes therein , including our three degrees , and that he divided the Temple into three parts , what then
?—Why ! about fifty years ago , the rabbis and the beadles in the London synagogues used to wear three-cornered hats , but yet , I know that the three-cornered hats did not make them believers in a trinity , and , in like manner , the
three degrees , and other threes , do not necessarily prove that Solomon believed in a trinity . Again , had Solomon believed in a Triune God , he would not have conveyed his belief to Masons only in such vague
hints , that no one found it out before the appearance in the lasfc century of Masonic Symbol-mongers . The facfc thafc he never publicly made his Trinitarianism known , is sufficient proof that Solomon was not a Trinitarian . But I go further ;
I do not believe that any man in the days of Solomon was a Trinitarian . I am aware thafc theological luminaries have persuaded themselves that because in some of the old religions they had three Gods , therefore ( say they ) there
must have been a primeval revelation about the Trinity , & c . Bufc Professor George Rawlinson—who in addition to pounds of learning was supplied wifch common sense ( which our Masonic luminaries lack)—well , in the first chapter of his Religion of tbe Ancients , Professor
Rawlinson explodes thafc nonsense , and proves that Trinitarianism was unknown to the old pagans . Nay , more ; I do not believe that Sfc . Paul knew anything about a Trinity . I have carefully read all the letters ascribed to the pen of
Paul ; herein I find that he believed in the existence of Satan , in the crucifixion and resurrection of Christ , & c , but not a word about the Trinity . Now if Paul hacl thought
thafc belief in the Trinity was essential to salvation , he would have made it known , once at least , but as he did nothing of tho kind , who can tell whether Paul ever heard of a Triune God ?
With regard to Solomon ' s temple accounts are conflicting ; thus the Bible gives to it three chambers or galleries , ancl Josephus says that it was divided into two
parts , and was surrounded with thirty chambers . I think ifc also had a court for women , and another for gentiles . It is , therefore , absurd to symbolise four or five chambers into a Trinity .
And with regard to our three degrees , I am sure that Solomon knew nothing about Masonic degrees ; and I am also sure that no one else knew about three Masonic degrees before 1717 . Such is the opinion of D . M . Lyon , W . J . Hughan , R . F . Gould , G . W . Speth ; and if I am not
mistaken , such is also the opinion of Bro . S . H . Clerke , the Grand Secretary of England . BOSTON , U . S ., 6 th June 1888 .
Shall I Be A Mason ?
SHALL I BE A MASON ?
Translated from the French of Bro . P . Temples , by Bro . G . W . Speth . DO nofc offer yourself without due consideration . Bead a history of Masonry : there is no lack of them . Eead tho libels
published against Masons ; the Bulls of Excommunication ; examine the charges made . Eead some earnest work on its tenets , for example , " Morals and Dogma , " by the learned and Venerable Bro . Pike . Do not present yourself out of mere puerile curiosity •you will only be disappointed .
Do not join the Craft except with a firm resolntion to study the Institution . Ifc partakes of the nature of certain natural phenomena , of certain masterpieces of art , of the genius of certain men . The first view destroys the illusion ; one mnst study them to comprehend them .
If , combined with the love of the true and the good , you have not also a slight mental attraction toward the poetry resident in all thiugs , and a judgment tempered by feeling and sentiment , enter not , you will be bored . He who , with the culture of progress , combines that of old memories ; who , whilst pursuing exact science can
yet understand all the charm of a venerable myth •who loves custom because it is old , antique forms becanse they are beautiful , even prejudice , because it is at the root of human history , such a one will find full play for his instincts as an archaeologist . But , should you inquire how it will benefit your pocket , or influence the elections—go not in !
Shall I Be A Mason ?
If , in religious matters , you start wifch fche assumption fch * t your opponent ia a fool or a kuave , venture nofc to approach . But , if you , respect every sincere opinion , or if , being of a religious tempera , ment , you can bear with those who are not so , or rath r , are so differently from yourself , then go ; no one will wound your susceptibilities , and you will hurt no one .
If , as regards God and your soul , you appreciate the majesty of the issue , whilst possibly of the opinion that the science of some does nofc differ greatly from the agnosticism of others , your aspiration may probably encounter comforting support . If , as a physician or lawyer , a tradesman or morchanfc , ofBoi-il or
clerk , you seek to find there either client * or parius , you will b <* grievously disappointed . As an official you wool ! inpire the i ** "odhumoured contempt of the minister , were he a M am , and his successor would , perhaps , send you about your business . As a merchant you would cause both your Masonry and your merchandise to be
regarded with suspicion . If , being ambitious , you have capabilities equal to your ambition , go ; many will learn to know you thoroughly . But if you merely seek to acquire stilts for your too diminutive legs , keep aloof ; and for the very same reason .
As a politician , do not dream of making partisans in a Lodge : you will only prevail with those who already follow yonj and you will possibly lose them and have to endure their reproach that yon have imported discord within the sacred precincts : your success will be short-lived .
If you hold opinions which possess you rather than you them , if your disposition be such as to render yon too prone to blame others , or if you have no pride in your birthright ; independence in all matters
that concern yourself , the education of your children , the actions of your religious , civil or family life , you will never possess the requisite Masonio qualifications , you will never understand those who do .
If you be entirely absorbed by your profession , your associations , your position in society , approach not ! Why should you undertake obligations which will be onerous to you P If you owe aU your time and resources to your family , abstract nothing from a duty which is above all others . The Lodge is
an incentive to outlay . You would either regret not being able to do even as the others , or you would violate our statutes in consecrating to yourpleasure that whioh is justly claimed elsewhere . If you be a hypochondriac , keep away ; bufc if you love a word in
season and a merry jest , enter in . And cherish no illusions ! Do not allow yourself to be carried away by the idea that you owe a sacrifice to humanity , to progress and all the rest P Masons are apt to laugh at high-flown notions of self-sacrifice .
Join the Masons only if yon desire ifc for your own sake ; whoever you be , they can get on excellently well without you . —Transactions of Lodge Quatuor Coronati .
The West Lancashire Masonic Educational Institution.
THE WEST LANCASHIRE MASONIC EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTION .
UNDER the presidency of Bro . Councillor W . J . Lunt P . P . G . Trea ., a special meeting of the court of governors of the above named institution was held on the 15 th inst ., at the Masonio Hall ,
Hopestreet , Liverpool . The minutes of the General Committee with reference fco the resignation of Bro . R . Martin , one of the honorary secretaries , and the appointment of Bios . T . H . W . Walker P . M ., and Captain J . Macnab S . W . W . M . elect , as secretaries , in conjunction with Bro . G . Broadbridge , were unanimously confirmed . Several
children , recommended by the General Committee , were elected on the foundation of the institution , involving an additional outlay of about £ 100 a year . It was reported in the oourse of the proceedings thafc the invested capital of the charity , which in 1881 was £ 16 , 840 , had now reached £ 20 , 345 . The annual income in 1881 was £ 1 , 584 : in
1887 £ 2 , 633 ; and the annual outlay on behalf of children in the former period was £ 1 , 212 , which had increased to £ 1 , 792 in 1887 . The number of children on the foundation of the institution in 1881 was 165 ; in 1887 203 , of whom 20 were on the combined fund , which includes their entire maintenance and education . A vote of thanks to Bro . Lunt for presiding closed the proceedings .
THE ALPASS BENEVOLENT INSTITUTION .
THE progressive nature of Freemasonry in West Lancashire within recent years has been amply illustrated by the success of its three charitable institutions , the " West Lancashire , " the " Hamer , " and the " Alpass . " The last named is the youngest of the three , and fche annual report shows gratifying prosperity . The second
report states that the income from Lodges , Chapters , and private individuals dnring the past year had reached the & um of £ 840 18 ? . The great success attendant upon the efforts on behalf of the institution had been attained without detriment or injury to the sister institutions of the province , for , according to the report issued , the
capital of the Hamer Benevolent Fund had been greatly increased , and the income of fche educational institution from Lodges and Chapters had been about doubled , thereby proving there was ample
room for an institntion of this character , which was evidently highly appreciated by the brethren . There had already been five annnitanta elected on the foundation , and there were five more applicants for tho three vacancies declared . The annnal festival was held afc
Southport in October lasfc , when the Stewards lists amounted to £ 782 16 s , the Hartington Lodge ( 1021 ) heading the amount with the handsome sum of £ 58 , the Lodge of Prudence ( 2114 ) coming next with £ 31 . As the demands upon the funds are increasing each year , the
committee earnestly solicit a continuance of the support hitherto so kindly given , in order that the institution may be placed on a footing of equality with the sister institutions of the province , which have been enabled to elect every eligible applicant on their foundation . — Liverpool Mercury .