-
Articles/Ads
Article OPERATIVE AND SPECULATIVE. ← Page 2 of 2 Article OPERATIVE AND SPECULATIVE. Page 2 of 2
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Operative And Speculative.
suffering from cold and hunger ; and that she had come with the only piece of money she had left to purchase mediVine . At hearing this tale of sorrow and distress , the physician gave orders for the proper medicine to be put up and charged to his account . As soon as the lady obtained thpm sho returned to the market , found her bnsket emptied of bones , filled with the best the market afforded .
and a servant waiting ^ to carry it to her house ; and when she arrived there she found a man throwing off a load of wood at her door , and another engaged in sawing it up and carrying it in . From that timo all her needs , so far as possible , were supplied . This is , or should be , tho Operative Masonry of to-day , — "To visit the widow and tho fatherless in their ntniotion ; " to snpplv their needs , comfort them in
their distresses , and "biing peace to their troubled minds —these are the grand aims we have in view , this is the genuine Operativ Masonry of to-day—though it may be under the gniso of Speculative . Allow me one more illustration of what Speculative Masonry is , and what Operative Masonry should be . at present . —indeed the world has
little use now for any other . The story I had from the lips of a Mason , a Templar , and one in possession of all the grades of the Scottish Ere , and I made a note of it at the time . He was , though a citizen of one of the Northern States , an actor in the 3 cenes he described . Years ago he passed his rest , and
" No sound can awake him to glory again *" About the year 1823 a furious war was raging in Columbia , South Amprica , between tbe Rovalist forces under Morilla , and the Patriot army , in command of General Bolivar . Morilla was a villain who ignored all the claims of humanity and the usages of civilised warfare by mnrdering in cold blood tho prisoners ho capturod ,
" without regard to ago , sex , or condition . Bolivar had tried every means in his power to terminate this mode of warfare , but without avail . At length the City of Cucnta was captured by a night attack of the Royalists , the inhabitants put to the sword , while Bolivar ' s commissioners were captured and murdered . Bolivar was naturallv humane , but this last atrocity rendered him furious , and he declared
the blood-stained Royalists should be paid in their own coin—blood for blood ! Soon after this a Royalist battalion of Spanish Lancers , under the command of Colonel La Harza , was captured by the Patriot forces , and sent to Pnerlo Cabello , at which place onr informant was then stationed . Tho fate of these prisoners depended on the result of the
Convention at Cucuta , but their future was now sealed—they must die . Bnt now Masonry comes to the rescue . Bolivnr was a Mason , and had been knighted in France in 1807 . Colonel La Harza was admitted to tbe same Order in the same Asylum in 1819 , while attnched to the Sparish Embassy . Tho discovery of a common vow , at this particular juncture , had an unexpected effect , at a most critical moment .
Bolivar had finally determined upon a system of retaliation—life for life . Accordingly the prisoners were ordered out into a public square for execution . The last moment had arrived , and every one waited for the order to proceed . Jnst then Colonel Rosas camp spnrring through the rnnks , and requested a private audipnce with Bolivar . The rpqupst was courtpouslv granted , though the chief was
not in the hnmour to grant favours . Fifteen anxious minutes passed ; Colonel Rosas returned , the prisoners were remanded to the castle , and the next , morning embarked for the Island of Marsaritta , where they were discharged from captivity , while their officer , Colonel La Harza , remained a voluntary inmate of Bolivar ' s family . The surprise of the officers and troops at tho turn things had taken
was great , but they did not know by what mystery the consummation had been reached . Our informant , however , comprehended thp reison ; the unsullied hononr of a Templar was pledged "this command shonld not again , during the war , cam' arms against the Patriot forces , " and this had saved eight hundred men from slaughter ! So much for Speculative Masonry , even in the darkest
hours of human history , when freedom and life are both at stake . And now , suppose we summarise the question , and present a brief view of it in its entirety . Operative Masonry was simply the work of erecting large buildings for public nses . The builders were a separate and distinct association of men , for a given purpose , and governed by special mips . Some of those rules have sent their
echoes down through the ages until they have reached our own times . It is true they come with lessons of high import , but we have no * .-those lessons from still clearer and higher authority . No need now of echoes from the dim and distant past , for the light streams from our altars of to-day , and the great truths are written in characters so distinct that all may read and understand them . There is no
longer use for mythical instruction ; piles of old ruins and crumbling walls may be interesting to look at , but their langnage and their lessons are but mystical , while we now have the clear unclouded noon-day sun to point the path of duty and cheer us in the discharge of our obligations to God and to man . But while I would not forget the benefits Masonry derives from its
assumed connection with ancient bnilding associations , yet the more practical and valuable of Masonry belongs to the present , while Speculative Masonry is of infinitely greater importance to itself , nnd the world as well . The real , genuine , old-fashioned Speculative Masonry , I fear , is almost forgotten amid the pressure of new inventions and constant changes . The "learned works" written in latr
years are full of descriptions of old Operative Masonry , while the Speculative is almost forgotten , or passed over with few words and fewer deeds . Is there no way to recover our lost gronnd ? Can wp not lay aside , at least in a -measure , the practice of delving among old ruins and building tip theories which are only nsefn ' ¦ when made incentives to feeding the hungry and clothing the naked ?
There are other causes which tend to shadow Speculative Masonry , and compel the real to give place to the ideal . We almost fear t <> refer to them in connection with this subject , and yet to mention them is needful , as wounds sometimes need probing to secure a health y condition . We are delighted with the beautiful degrees of
Operative And Speculative.
tho Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite , when properly worked ; wo vield to none in onr admiration of the Order of tho Red Cross and of Knight Templar ; while wo regard the Royal Aroh as needful to fill a vacancy or fnrnish explanations ; but we would not permit any of theso , or all of them , to snpersede tho beautifully impressive and practical degrees in the old and invaluable Speculative Masonry . Yet
in many cases the Lodge is forgotton while the Commandery absorbs the general attention . If tho social olemnnt is to bo cultivated , it is rarely that a Lodge is at tho fore , but tho Commandery . The old Masonic feast days are yet , nominally , in our calendar , bnt practically they aro ignored . Hugh de Payeus has taken tho place of John the Baptist , while the
name of Jacques do Molay has superseded that of the Evangelist . The sword and the chapean have crowded tho whito apron aud blue sash from our ranks ; while a singlo outfit of Templar costume will cost as much as tho fuel and food for a needy family during a cold and cheerless winter 1 Yet a dollar is sometimes grudgingly given to a sick hrother or his family , while fifty dollars is willingly paid for
attractive costumes ! In noticing a reference to the celebration of St . John's Day , recently , it is said that Commandery made a trip to , and were the guests of Commandery ; nnd that Commandery visited Commandery for a picnic and social reunion , which was participated in by the families of tho Knights . Not one word , however , about
Masons or Masonry . One would think there was no Masonry at this day . It is all absorbed in a form of modern knighthood ; genuine oldfashioned Masonry is almost forgotton . Oh for the good , simple , practical Freemasonry again , with its reverence for the patrons of the Order , its lambskin aprons , its large-hearted benevolence , its
" friendship , morality , and brotherly love ! The modern displays are all right , the exhibition is beautiful , the contest for pre-eminence in drill and discipline may be indulged in ; but while all this is attended to , the first and most important of all should not be neglected . Speculative Masonry with its simple forms , its blessed charities , and its social unions should not be forgotten or neglected .
The brethren of the Frederick Lodge of Unity , No . 452 , had a very agreeable meeting on Tuesday last . This Lodge now holds its assemblies in a private building , which has been named the Croydon Freemasons' Hall , and is situate No . 105 High Street . Here we may anticipate the
members of this and the other Lodges which purpose holding meetings here will have many sociable gatherings , as the place is admirably adapted for Masonic purposes . The W . M ., Bro . Frederick Manning , opened his Lodge at 4 * 30 , when he was supported by Past Masters James Robins
( Treasurer ) , Magnus Ohren P . G . A . D . C . ( Secretary ) , Cbas . Pawley , Rhodes , and the Officers and Members of tbe Lodge . The feature of the evening ' s proceedings was the presentation to the W . Bro . Magnus Ohren , in accordance with the recommendation of the Standing Committee of
8 th June , unanimously approved by the Lodge 21 st June , and confirmed on the 19 th July , of a very artistically painted portrait . Bro . Manning spoke in eloquent terms of praise of the zeal displayed by Bro . Ohren in the fulfilment of his duties , and expressed the exceeding
gratification it afforded him to be the medium through which the Lodge desired to do honour to the many sterling qualities displayed by Bro . Magnus Ohren in tbe fulfilment of tbe Masonic dnties he was so deeply engaged in . Bro . Ohren ' s qualities were not only recognised and appreciated by the
members of this Lodge , but by Masons throughout the length and breadth of the land . After the gift bad been suitably acknowledged by Bro . Ohren , who briefly reviewed the history of the Lodge since he had been associated with it , Lodge was closed and the brethren partook of a banquet ,
wbicb was excellently served by tbe proprietor of the Masonic Hall . The after proceedings were pleasantly diversified with toasts , music and songs , and the evening passed with every satisfaction . The portrait , which is a
speaking likeness of our esteemed Bro . Ohren , is tbe work of Bro . James Ricks , S . W . of the Britannic Lodge , No . 33 , of 120 Adelaide Road , N . W ., and is a most creditable production of that artist's pencil .
The Earl of Bective , Provincial Grand Master of Cumberland and Westmoreland , has arranged that the annual meeting of his Provincial Grand Lodge shall take place on the 8 th October , at Workington , under tbe auspices of the Sun and Sector Lodge , No , 1 ) 62 , of that town .
A complimentary dinner will shortly be given to Bro . D . Sherwill , the new caterer of the Royal Brighton Aquarium , by his numerous friends in London .
We understand the Earl of Breadalbane has subscribed £ 100 towards the Hutchison Ben Nevis Memorial Observatory .
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Operative And Speculative.
suffering from cold and hunger ; and that she had come with the only piece of money she had left to purchase mediVine . At hearing this tale of sorrow and distress , the physician gave orders for the proper medicine to be put up and charged to his account . As soon as the lady obtained thpm sho returned to the market , found her bnsket emptied of bones , filled with the best the market afforded .
and a servant waiting ^ to carry it to her house ; and when she arrived there she found a man throwing off a load of wood at her door , and another engaged in sawing it up and carrying it in . From that timo all her needs , so far as possible , were supplied . This is , or should be , tho Operative Masonry of to-day , — "To visit the widow and tho fatherless in their ntniotion ; " to snpplv their needs , comfort them in
their distresses , and "biing peace to their troubled minds —these are the grand aims we have in view , this is the genuine Operativ Masonry of to-day—though it may be under the gniso of Speculative . Allow me one more illustration of what Speculative Masonry is , and what Operative Masonry should be . at present . —indeed the world has
little use now for any other . The story I had from the lips of a Mason , a Templar , and one in possession of all the grades of the Scottish Ere , and I made a note of it at the time . He was , though a citizen of one of the Northern States , an actor in the 3 cenes he described . Years ago he passed his rest , and
" No sound can awake him to glory again *" About the year 1823 a furious war was raging in Columbia , South Amprica , between tbe Rovalist forces under Morilla , and the Patriot army , in command of General Bolivar . Morilla was a villain who ignored all the claims of humanity and the usages of civilised warfare by mnrdering in cold blood tho prisoners ho capturod ,
" without regard to ago , sex , or condition . Bolivar had tried every means in his power to terminate this mode of warfare , but without avail . At length the City of Cucnta was captured by a night attack of the Royalists , the inhabitants put to the sword , while Bolivar ' s commissioners were captured and murdered . Bolivar was naturallv humane , but this last atrocity rendered him furious , and he declared
the blood-stained Royalists should be paid in their own coin—blood for blood ! Soon after this a Royalist battalion of Spanish Lancers , under the command of Colonel La Harza , was captured by the Patriot forces , and sent to Pnerlo Cabello , at which place onr informant was then stationed . Tho fate of these prisoners depended on the result of the
Convention at Cucuta , but their future was now sealed—they must die . Bnt now Masonry comes to the rescue . Bolivnr was a Mason , and had been knighted in France in 1807 . Colonel La Harza was admitted to tbe same Order in the same Asylum in 1819 , while attnched to the Sparish Embassy . Tho discovery of a common vow , at this particular juncture , had an unexpected effect , at a most critical moment .
Bolivar had finally determined upon a system of retaliation—life for life . Accordingly the prisoners were ordered out into a public square for execution . The last moment had arrived , and every one waited for the order to proceed . Jnst then Colonel Rosas camp spnrring through the rnnks , and requested a private audipnce with Bolivar . The rpqupst was courtpouslv granted , though the chief was
not in the hnmour to grant favours . Fifteen anxious minutes passed ; Colonel Rosas returned , the prisoners were remanded to the castle , and the next , morning embarked for the Island of Marsaritta , where they were discharged from captivity , while their officer , Colonel La Harza , remained a voluntary inmate of Bolivar ' s family . The surprise of the officers and troops at tho turn things had taken
was great , but they did not know by what mystery the consummation had been reached . Our informant , however , comprehended thp reison ; the unsullied hononr of a Templar was pledged "this command shonld not again , during the war , cam' arms against the Patriot forces , " and this had saved eight hundred men from slaughter ! So much for Speculative Masonry , even in the darkest
hours of human history , when freedom and life are both at stake . And now , suppose we summarise the question , and present a brief view of it in its entirety . Operative Masonry was simply the work of erecting large buildings for public nses . The builders were a separate and distinct association of men , for a given purpose , and governed by special mips . Some of those rules have sent their
echoes down through the ages until they have reached our own times . It is true they come with lessons of high import , but we have no * .-those lessons from still clearer and higher authority . No need now of echoes from the dim and distant past , for the light streams from our altars of to-day , and the great truths are written in characters so distinct that all may read and understand them . There is no
longer use for mythical instruction ; piles of old ruins and crumbling walls may be interesting to look at , but their langnage and their lessons are but mystical , while we now have the clear unclouded noon-day sun to point the path of duty and cheer us in the discharge of our obligations to God and to man . But while I would not forget the benefits Masonry derives from its
assumed connection with ancient bnilding associations , yet the more practical and valuable of Masonry belongs to the present , while Speculative Masonry is of infinitely greater importance to itself , nnd the world as well . The real , genuine , old-fashioned Speculative Masonry , I fear , is almost forgotten amid the pressure of new inventions and constant changes . The "learned works" written in latr
years are full of descriptions of old Operative Masonry , while the Speculative is almost forgotten , or passed over with few words and fewer deeds . Is there no way to recover our lost gronnd ? Can wp not lay aside , at least in a -measure , the practice of delving among old ruins and building tip theories which are only nsefn ' ¦ when made incentives to feeding the hungry and clothing the naked ?
There are other causes which tend to shadow Speculative Masonry , and compel the real to give place to the ideal . We almost fear t <> refer to them in connection with this subject , and yet to mention them is needful , as wounds sometimes need probing to secure a health y condition . We are delighted with the beautiful degrees of
Operative And Speculative.
tho Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite , when properly worked ; wo vield to none in onr admiration of the Order of tho Red Cross and of Knight Templar ; while wo regard the Royal Aroh as needful to fill a vacancy or fnrnish explanations ; but we would not permit any of theso , or all of them , to snpersede tho beautifully impressive and practical degrees in the old and invaluable Speculative Masonry . Yet
in many cases the Lodge is forgotton while the Commandery absorbs the general attention . If tho social olemnnt is to bo cultivated , it is rarely that a Lodge is at tho fore , but tho Commandery . The old Masonic feast days are yet , nominally , in our calendar , bnt practically they aro ignored . Hugh de Payeus has taken tho place of John the Baptist , while the
name of Jacques do Molay has superseded that of the Evangelist . The sword and the chapean have crowded tho whito apron aud blue sash from our ranks ; while a singlo outfit of Templar costume will cost as much as tho fuel and food for a needy family during a cold and cheerless winter 1 Yet a dollar is sometimes grudgingly given to a sick hrother or his family , while fifty dollars is willingly paid for
attractive costumes ! In noticing a reference to the celebration of St . John's Day , recently , it is said that Commandery made a trip to , and were the guests of Commandery ; nnd that Commandery visited Commandery for a picnic and social reunion , which was participated in by the families of tho Knights . Not one word , however , about
Masons or Masonry . One would think there was no Masonry at this day . It is all absorbed in a form of modern knighthood ; genuine oldfashioned Masonry is almost forgotton . Oh for the good , simple , practical Freemasonry again , with its reverence for the patrons of the Order , its lambskin aprons , its large-hearted benevolence , its
" friendship , morality , and brotherly love ! The modern displays are all right , the exhibition is beautiful , the contest for pre-eminence in drill and discipline may be indulged in ; but while all this is attended to , the first and most important of all should not be neglected . Speculative Masonry with its simple forms , its blessed charities , and its social unions should not be forgotten or neglected .
The brethren of the Frederick Lodge of Unity , No . 452 , had a very agreeable meeting on Tuesday last . This Lodge now holds its assemblies in a private building , which has been named the Croydon Freemasons' Hall , and is situate No . 105 High Street . Here we may anticipate the
members of this and the other Lodges which purpose holding meetings here will have many sociable gatherings , as the place is admirably adapted for Masonic purposes . The W . M ., Bro . Frederick Manning , opened his Lodge at 4 * 30 , when he was supported by Past Masters James Robins
( Treasurer ) , Magnus Ohren P . G . A . D . C . ( Secretary ) , Cbas . Pawley , Rhodes , and the Officers and Members of tbe Lodge . The feature of the evening ' s proceedings was the presentation to the W . Bro . Magnus Ohren , in accordance with the recommendation of the Standing Committee of
8 th June , unanimously approved by the Lodge 21 st June , and confirmed on the 19 th July , of a very artistically painted portrait . Bro . Manning spoke in eloquent terms of praise of the zeal displayed by Bro . Ohren in the fulfilment of his duties , and expressed the exceeding
gratification it afforded him to be the medium through which the Lodge desired to do honour to the many sterling qualities displayed by Bro . Magnus Ohren in tbe fulfilment of tbe Masonic dnties he was so deeply engaged in . Bro . Ohren ' s qualities were not only recognised and appreciated by the
members of this Lodge , but by Masons throughout the length and breadth of the land . After the gift bad been suitably acknowledged by Bro . Ohren , who briefly reviewed the history of the Lodge since he had been associated with it , Lodge was closed and the brethren partook of a banquet ,
wbicb was excellently served by tbe proprietor of the Masonic Hall . The after proceedings were pleasantly diversified with toasts , music and songs , and the evening passed with every satisfaction . The portrait , which is a
speaking likeness of our esteemed Bro . Ohren , is tbe work of Bro . James Ricks , S . W . of the Britannic Lodge , No . 33 , of 120 Adelaide Road , N . W ., and is a most creditable production of that artist's pencil .
The Earl of Bective , Provincial Grand Master of Cumberland and Westmoreland , has arranged that the annual meeting of his Provincial Grand Lodge shall take place on the 8 th October , at Workington , under tbe auspices of the Sun and Sector Lodge , No , 1 ) 62 , of that town .
A complimentary dinner will shortly be given to Bro . D . Sherwill , the new caterer of the Royal Brighton Aquarium , by his numerous friends in London .
We understand the Earl of Breadalbane has subscribed £ 100 towards the Hutchison Ben Nevis Memorial Observatory .