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Article CORRESPONDENCE. ← Page 2 of 2 Article CORRESPONDENCE. Page 2 of 2 Article COMBERMERE LODGE, No. 605. Page 1 of 2 →
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Correspondence.
did not , it must be due to this oversight on their part , that snch privileges are no longer enjoyed by tho surviving Lodges of the four . But there is no question that when they met together for the purpose of constituting the Grand Lodge , sundry of the most gifted amon ; : the '" , to wit , Bros . Payne , Anderson , Desaguliers , and others , enunr- > l certain princip les as the basis of Freemasonry . Theso
prini- pies have been denominated " Landmarks , " but had they been denominated " broomsticks" or " buttonhooks , " they would have been just as worthy of our respect . Modifications of those landmarks may have been made—they may even in the courso of time have been found imperative—but their main features are still worthy of respect and observance . I see nothing to be gaiued by sneering at
landmarks . They may be antique in their character , and possibly even old-womanish , but roverence for age is , or ought to be , a fundamental principle of Freemasonry , as it is of other human institutions . Tbe world is all tho better , when due respect is paid to the original basis of existing institutions . I know perfectly how much truth—or rather how little—there is in the mythical history of Rome , and how
tho qnaint story about Romulus and Remus , bow they were reared pretornaturally , how the former slew the latter in a passion , and how after a protracted reign of close on forty years , he was carried up to heaven in a cloud , is a myth , yet I feel as much respect for these mythical personages when I read of their presumed exploits now when I am verging on fifty years of age , as when I first learned abont
them in my school-boy days . Under no ciroumstances would I remove the myth of these founders of Imperial Rome from the page of history , though to use the classic language of Bro . Norton , it may bo all "bosh , " or '' moonshine . " With tho " landmarks" of Freemasonry it is different . They may not be exactly what have been handed down to us , but in the main they iuculcate certain principles
of which we Freemasons of the latter portion of this nineteenth century have every renson to be proud . Therefore , I think it is our duty to respect them . If it will advantage Freemasonry to remove them , then , say 1 , by all means lot them be removed ; but Bro . Norton , though he is ever ready to criticise what is or has been , is not so ready in pointing out what ought to be . He is eminently a
destructive , who lacks either the will or the ability to supply the place of that which he destroys with something likely to commend itself more satisfactorily to the minds of his fellows . All that he says abont landmarks may be perfectly true , and yet their removal will make little , if any , difference to the Craft , while their retention will
be a source of gratification to thonsands of Freemasons . Wo have suffered no injury as yet from what Bro . Norton is pleased to describe as " the landmark nonsense , " and Freemasonry , as far as I can judge , will be none the better for its removal , as it has been none the worse for its retention . Fraternally youra , " Q- "
MORE THINGS ONE WOULD LIKE TO KNOW
To the Editor of the FREEMASON ' S CHRONICLE . DEAR SIR AND BROTHER , I would like to ask the opinion of some of your ablo correspondents whether ifc is or it is not necessary when proposing a brother as a snbsciibing member of a Lodge that hia
address and occupation be stated , as well as his name and the name and number of the Lodge he was last connected with , and all these particulars inserted in the summons for the next regular meetings , I have read the Constitutions on the subject , but ask in order to set at rest the minds of some of my brethren who seem doubtful . Yours fraternally , A J . W . 14 th January 1879 .
To the Editor of Tin : FREEMASON ' S CHRONICLE . DEAR SIR AND BROTHER , — In what Masonic attire should a Provincial Grand Officer , whether present or past , appear when visiting a Lodgo out of the Proviuce in which he ranks P I am led to the conclusion that there is not any settled rule us to this from having observed the variations in visitors' Masonic clothing . Some appenr in
Provincial Grand Lodge clothing , apron , collar , and gauntlets ; some in undress , but wearing collar of office ; others iu Grand cloth , ing minus tho gauntlets , and others wearing a Provincial apron only . Accordiug to my reading of the Book of Constitutions , a P . G . Officer takes rauk only in the Province for which he is appointed and
as the collar denotes the wearer as holding office , the apron only should be worn . I should be glad to know the opinion of youi readers on this subject . FORTE . 21 st January 1879 .
HONORARY MEMBERS .
To the Editor of the FREEMASON ' S CHRONICLE . DEAR SIR AND BROTHER , —I think that Brother Smallpeice ' f statement that " honorary members of Lodges have no legal existence whatever" is reconcilable with the fact that Lodges are—I was going to say almost every day—electicg worthy brethren to bi honorary ir embers . This may seem to be a paradox , but it is not
so . The Constitutions recognise no Fuch persons , but very man \ Lodges aro permitted by their bye-laws , as constitutional !) sanctioned , to pay distinguished brethren or those they cousidei have rendered them some service , the compliment of honorary membership . Bro . Smallpeice , I tako it , means that a brother by virtu of his honorary membership has uo legal status whatever outside thc
Correspondence.
Lodge which has conferred npon him that honour , while inside that particular Lodge ho has no voice in the election of 0 fficers , or in the administration of their Funds , or , in short , in the transaction of any of that bnsinoss which must necessarily belong to the subscribing members . He may be present iu the Lodge , aud at the banquet without invitation : that I think being the sum total of this
privilege . I never read in your columns the report of the consecration of a new Lodge but I find some , if not all , of the consecrating Officers have tho compliment paid them of honorary membership , but thi * gives them no legal status in the Craft , and I question very much if they could retain even this honorary membership in the event of their ceasing to be subscribing members of some Lodge . This is a
point that may bo argued , but as far as the discussion has gone , at strikes me Bro . Smallpeice ' s exposition is correct . Concerning "J . K . P . ' s" letter , I think as Honorary Secretary to a Lodge of lustructiou he would be entitled to tho full privil g * of membership , just as tho Secretary of a Lodge is , according to th Constitutions , considered a subscribing member , his " service * being
equivalent to subscription " —see Constitutions p 99— and th-it he is not " disqualified from obtaining assistance from the Fund of Benevolence . " The latter clause does not of course apply to tho Secretary of a Lodge of Instruction , but that brother's services are certainly equivalent to a subscription , and he ought to enjoy the full privileges of a subscribing member . I have seen th bye-laws of somo Lodges of Instruction in which ifc is expressly laid down that the
Preceptor , Treasurer , and Secretary shall be deemed honorary members , bnt with the privileges of subscribing members . Thus " J . K . P ., " ifc seems to me , has a grievance to be adjusted , as I do not beliovo the ruling of Grand Lodge could possibly havo been intended to apply to his and similar cases . I am an honorary member of a Lodge of Instruction , but then I hold uo office , and render uo services which could be deemed equivalent to subscription . Faithfully and fraternally yours , HON . MEMBER .
Combermere Lodge, No. 605.
COMBERMERE LODGE , No . 605 .
THE Festival of St . John was celebrated at the usual monthly meeting of this Lodge , at tho Seacombe Hotel , Seacombo , on Thursday , the 17 th inst . Present—Bros . Charles Staley W . M ., Thomas Shaw I . P . M ., Thomas Gregory- S . W ., R . Ffonlkes as J . W ., J . R . Simm Sec , Joseph Sillitoe P . M . P . P . J . G . D . Treas ., A . E . Coveney S . D ., G . J . Davis J . D ., M . Bielby as I . G ., J . H . Holtaway
P . G . T . Tyler . Past Masters—Bros . W . Lea P . P . G . Superintendent of Works , M . McNearney P . G . Steward , R . C . Mellor P . P . J . G . D . North Wales and Salop , T . Ambler , John Jones W . M . 1576 , George Grant , Paul Evans , T . Evans , A . Moore , A . Judd , Jame 3 Clark , William Egerton , 0 . Jones , T . J . Clarkson , D . Davies , T . Gatnlin , & o . Visitors—J . P . Piatt P . M . 537 P . P . J . G . W ., Samuel Jones P . M . 477 ,
Donald Eraser P . M . and Treas . 4 , 77 , J . Dntton P . M . 477 , J . G . Adams P . M . 477 , William Bennett W . M . 477 , C . Petty 477 , W . Simms 477 , K . Gardiner J . W . 477 , T . Dixon 477 , C . Berry 477 , D . Henderson 477 , J . I ' enin 477 , R . Hamilton 477 , George Lloyd 477 , T . C . Jonghin 477 , W . H . Fordo 477 , Henry Bulley P . G . Sword Bearer England P . P . G . J . W ., John Little 1505 , J . 11 . Bottomly S . W . 1 ( 573 , T . J . Luya
667 , H . Mathews S . W . 1276 , A . Morison 241 , J . Ridehalgh P . M . 1276 , J . Lambert P . M . 537 , R . Carruthers 1350 , J . Taylor ' P . M . 1276 , W . Price W . M . 1276 , H . Skinner W . M . 1276 , J . P . Wright W . M . 786 , S . W . Davies FKKEMASON ' S CHRONICLE , & e ., & c . The Lodge was opened in due and ancient form abont 4 p . m ., after which the minutes of previous meeting were read and ratified . Bro . Piatt who on this occasion acted as Installing Master , intimated his
readiness to proceed with the important event of the day , consequently W . Bros . Shaw and McNearney introduced Bros . Thomas Gregory W . M . elect to tho Installing Mestcr , who gave the usual address , and requested that the questions might bo answered . Bro . Gregory fulfilled every requisition , and w : is solemnly obligated . Tho Lodge was raised to the third degree , and at the proper time
Bro . Gregory was invested , installed , and proclaimed the Worshipful Master of the Combermere Lodge , No . G 05 , for the ensuin . ' twelve months , and as such received the salutations of the brethren . The Worshipful Master , with the assistance of Bro . Piatt , invested bis Officers as follow : —Charles Staley I . P . M ., John Jones W . M . 1576 S . W ., Robert Ffoulkes J . W ., J . Sillitoe P . M . P . P . G . J . D . reappointed
Treas ., Joseph It . Simm reappointed Sec , Albert E . Coveney S . D ., George J . Davis J . D ., Monkham Bielby I . G ., R . C . Mellor P . M . P . P . G . J . D . D . C , Owen Jones S . S ., Alexander Moore J . S ., J . H . Holtaway P . G . T . reappointed Tyler . Ou the termination of the ceremony , which was very ably performed by Bro . Piatt , the W . M . in very appropriate and appreciative terms oreseuted a beautiful Past
Master s jewel , in the name of the Lodge , to Bro . Staley I . P . M ., and Bro . Staley—who we regret to say was suffering from a very severe cold—returned thanks for such an unmistakable mark of appreciation of his government of the Lodge during his year of office . Bro . Shaw P . M . moved that a cordial vote of thanks be ten . dered to Bro . Sillitoe Treasnrer and Bro . Simm Secretary , for the
able services rendered the Lodge during the past year , and a recird of the same to be entered on the minutes . Bro . Staley I . P . M . v « ry promptly seconded the motion , which was carriod unanimously . The Treasurer ' s financial report was taken as read , and accepted nnanj . monsly . The business of the evening being ended , thu W . Ma-ter received the hearty good wishes of the Visitors , and W . Bro . Gregory
adjourned the Lodge from labour to banquet . After an excellent menu had been discussed , the cloth was removed , and previmifco the customary toasts being introduced , the Treasurer , by command of the W . M ., made his annnal Appeal to tbe brethren on beha f of the Cheshire Masonic Educational Institution . A Brothe ' ' round to receive contributions , we trust with satisf , cf <> r < The W > M . on rising proposed . " the Qaeen , " which , ^ as auiy houoaroa
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Correspondence.
did not , it must be due to this oversight on their part , that snch privileges are no longer enjoyed by tho surviving Lodges of the four . But there is no question that when they met together for the purpose of constituting the Grand Lodge , sundry of the most gifted amon ; : the '" , to wit , Bros . Payne , Anderson , Desaguliers , and others , enunr- > l certain princip les as the basis of Freemasonry . Theso
prini- pies have been denominated " Landmarks , " but had they been denominated " broomsticks" or " buttonhooks , " they would have been just as worthy of our respect . Modifications of those landmarks may have been made—they may even in the courso of time have been found imperative—but their main features are still worthy of respect and observance . I see nothing to be gaiued by sneering at
landmarks . They may be antique in their character , and possibly even old-womanish , but roverence for age is , or ought to be , a fundamental principle of Freemasonry , as it is of other human institutions . Tbe world is all tho better , when due respect is paid to the original basis of existing institutions . I know perfectly how much truth—or rather how little—there is in the mythical history of Rome , and how
tho qnaint story about Romulus and Remus , bow they were reared pretornaturally , how the former slew the latter in a passion , and how after a protracted reign of close on forty years , he was carried up to heaven in a cloud , is a myth , yet I feel as much respect for these mythical personages when I read of their presumed exploits now when I am verging on fifty years of age , as when I first learned abont
them in my school-boy days . Under no ciroumstances would I remove the myth of these founders of Imperial Rome from the page of history , though to use the classic language of Bro . Norton , it may bo all "bosh , " or '' moonshine . " With tho " landmarks" of Freemasonry it is different . They may not be exactly what have been handed down to us , but in the main they iuculcate certain principles
of which we Freemasons of the latter portion of this nineteenth century have every renson to be proud . Therefore , I think it is our duty to respect them . If it will advantage Freemasonry to remove them , then , say 1 , by all means lot them be removed ; but Bro . Norton , though he is ever ready to criticise what is or has been , is not so ready in pointing out what ought to be . He is eminently a
destructive , who lacks either the will or the ability to supply the place of that which he destroys with something likely to commend itself more satisfactorily to the minds of his fellows . All that he says abont landmarks may be perfectly true , and yet their removal will make little , if any , difference to the Craft , while their retention will
be a source of gratification to thonsands of Freemasons . Wo have suffered no injury as yet from what Bro . Norton is pleased to describe as " the landmark nonsense , " and Freemasonry , as far as I can judge , will be none the better for its removal , as it has been none the worse for its retention . Fraternally youra , " Q- "
MORE THINGS ONE WOULD LIKE TO KNOW
To the Editor of the FREEMASON ' S CHRONICLE . DEAR SIR AND BROTHER , I would like to ask the opinion of some of your ablo correspondents whether ifc is or it is not necessary when proposing a brother as a snbsciibing member of a Lodge that hia
address and occupation be stated , as well as his name and the name and number of the Lodge he was last connected with , and all these particulars inserted in the summons for the next regular meetings , I have read the Constitutions on the subject , but ask in order to set at rest the minds of some of my brethren who seem doubtful . Yours fraternally , A J . W . 14 th January 1879 .
To the Editor of Tin : FREEMASON ' S CHRONICLE . DEAR SIR AND BROTHER , — In what Masonic attire should a Provincial Grand Officer , whether present or past , appear when visiting a Lodgo out of the Proviuce in which he ranks P I am led to the conclusion that there is not any settled rule us to this from having observed the variations in visitors' Masonic clothing . Some appenr in
Provincial Grand Lodge clothing , apron , collar , and gauntlets ; some in undress , but wearing collar of office ; others iu Grand cloth , ing minus tho gauntlets , and others wearing a Provincial apron only . Accordiug to my reading of the Book of Constitutions , a P . G . Officer takes rauk only in the Province for which he is appointed and
as the collar denotes the wearer as holding office , the apron only should be worn . I should be glad to know the opinion of youi readers on this subject . FORTE . 21 st January 1879 .
HONORARY MEMBERS .
To the Editor of the FREEMASON ' S CHRONICLE . DEAR SIR AND BROTHER , —I think that Brother Smallpeice ' f statement that " honorary members of Lodges have no legal existence whatever" is reconcilable with the fact that Lodges are—I was going to say almost every day—electicg worthy brethren to bi honorary ir embers . This may seem to be a paradox , but it is not
so . The Constitutions recognise no Fuch persons , but very man \ Lodges aro permitted by their bye-laws , as constitutional !) sanctioned , to pay distinguished brethren or those they cousidei have rendered them some service , the compliment of honorary membership . Bro . Smallpeice , I tako it , means that a brother by virtu of his honorary membership has uo legal status whatever outside thc
Correspondence.
Lodge which has conferred npon him that honour , while inside that particular Lodge ho has no voice in the election of 0 fficers , or in the administration of their Funds , or , in short , in the transaction of any of that bnsinoss which must necessarily belong to the subscribing members . He may be present iu the Lodge , aud at the banquet without invitation : that I think being the sum total of this
privilege . I never read in your columns the report of the consecration of a new Lodge but I find some , if not all , of the consecrating Officers have tho compliment paid them of honorary membership , but thi * gives them no legal status in the Craft , and I question very much if they could retain even this honorary membership in the event of their ceasing to be subscribing members of some Lodge . This is a
point that may bo argued , but as far as the discussion has gone , at strikes me Bro . Smallpeice ' s exposition is correct . Concerning "J . K . P . ' s" letter , I think as Honorary Secretary to a Lodge of lustructiou he would be entitled to tho full privil g * of membership , just as tho Secretary of a Lodge is , according to th Constitutions , considered a subscribing member , his " service * being
equivalent to subscription " —see Constitutions p 99— and th-it he is not " disqualified from obtaining assistance from the Fund of Benevolence . " The latter clause does not of course apply to tho Secretary of a Lodge of Instruction , but that brother's services are certainly equivalent to a subscription , and he ought to enjoy the full privileges of a subscribing member . I have seen th bye-laws of somo Lodges of Instruction in which ifc is expressly laid down that the
Preceptor , Treasurer , and Secretary shall be deemed honorary members , bnt with the privileges of subscribing members . Thus " J . K . P ., " ifc seems to me , has a grievance to be adjusted , as I do not beliovo the ruling of Grand Lodge could possibly havo been intended to apply to his and similar cases . I am an honorary member of a Lodge of Instruction , but then I hold uo office , and render uo services which could be deemed equivalent to subscription . Faithfully and fraternally yours , HON . MEMBER .
Combermere Lodge, No. 605.
COMBERMERE LODGE , No . 605 .
THE Festival of St . John was celebrated at the usual monthly meeting of this Lodge , at tho Seacombe Hotel , Seacombo , on Thursday , the 17 th inst . Present—Bros . Charles Staley W . M ., Thomas Shaw I . P . M ., Thomas Gregory- S . W ., R . Ffonlkes as J . W ., J . R . Simm Sec , Joseph Sillitoe P . M . P . P . J . G . D . Treas ., A . E . Coveney S . D ., G . J . Davis J . D ., M . Bielby as I . G ., J . H . Holtaway
P . G . T . Tyler . Past Masters—Bros . W . Lea P . P . G . Superintendent of Works , M . McNearney P . G . Steward , R . C . Mellor P . P . J . G . D . North Wales and Salop , T . Ambler , John Jones W . M . 1576 , George Grant , Paul Evans , T . Evans , A . Moore , A . Judd , Jame 3 Clark , William Egerton , 0 . Jones , T . J . Clarkson , D . Davies , T . Gatnlin , & o . Visitors—J . P . Piatt P . M . 537 P . P . J . G . W ., Samuel Jones P . M . 477 ,
Donald Eraser P . M . and Treas . 4 , 77 , J . Dntton P . M . 477 , J . G . Adams P . M . 477 , William Bennett W . M . 477 , C . Petty 477 , W . Simms 477 , K . Gardiner J . W . 477 , T . Dixon 477 , C . Berry 477 , D . Henderson 477 , J . I ' enin 477 , R . Hamilton 477 , George Lloyd 477 , T . C . Jonghin 477 , W . H . Fordo 477 , Henry Bulley P . G . Sword Bearer England P . P . G . J . W ., John Little 1505 , J . 11 . Bottomly S . W . 1 ( 573 , T . J . Luya
667 , H . Mathews S . W . 1276 , A . Morison 241 , J . Ridehalgh P . M . 1276 , J . Lambert P . M . 537 , R . Carruthers 1350 , J . Taylor ' P . M . 1276 , W . Price W . M . 1276 , H . Skinner W . M . 1276 , J . P . Wright W . M . 786 , S . W . Davies FKKEMASON ' S CHRONICLE , & e ., & c . The Lodge was opened in due and ancient form abont 4 p . m ., after which the minutes of previous meeting were read and ratified . Bro . Piatt who on this occasion acted as Installing Master , intimated his
readiness to proceed with the important event of the day , consequently W . Bros . Shaw and McNearney introduced Bros . Thomas Gregory W . M . elect to tho Installing Mestcr , who gave the usual address , and requested that the questions might bo answered . Bro . Gregory fulfilled every requisition , and w : is solemnly obligated . Tho Lodge was raised to the third degree , and at the proper time
Bro . Gregory was invested , installed , and proclaimed the Worshipful Master of the Combermere Lodge , No . G 05 , for the ensuin . ' twelve months , and as such received the salutations of the brethren . The Worshipful Master , with the assistance of Bro . Piatt , invested bis Officers as follow : —Charles Staley I . P . M ., John Jones W . M . 1576 S . W ., Robert Ffoulkes J . W ., J . Sillitoe P . M . P . P . G . J . D . reappointed
Treas ., Joseph It . Simm reappointed Sec , Albert E . Coveney S . D ., George J . Davis J . D ., Monkham Bielby I . G ., R . C . Mellor P . M . P . P . G . J . D . D . C , Owen Jones S . S ., Alexander Moore J . S ., J . H . Holtaway P . G . T . reappointed Tyler . Ou the termination of the ceremony , which was very ably performed by Bro . Piatt , the W . M . in very appropriate and appreciative terms oreseuted a beautiful Past
Master s jewel , in the name of the Lodge , to Bro . Staley I . P . M ., and Bro . Staley—who we regret to say was suffering from a very severe cold—returned thanks for such an unmistakable mark of appreciation of his government of the Lodge during his year of office . Bro . Shaw P . M . moved that a cordial vote of thanks be ten . dered to Bro . Sillitoe Treasnrer and Bro . Simm Secretary , for the
able services rendered the Lodge during the past year , and a recird of the same to be entered on the minutes . Bro . Staley I . P . M . v « ry promptly seconded the motion , which was carriod unanimously . The Treasurer ' s financial report was taken as read , and accepted nnanj . monsly . The business of the evening being ended , thu W . Ma-ter received the hearty good wishes of the Visitors , and W . Bro . Gregory
adjourned the Lodge from labour to banquet . After an excellent menu had been discussed , the cloth was removed , and previmifco the customary toasts being introduced , the Treasurer , by command of the W . M ., made his annnal Appeal to tbe brethren on beha f of the Cheshire Masonic Educational Institution . A Brothe ' ' round to receive contributions , we trust with satisf , cf <> r < The W > M . on rising proposed . " the Qaeen , " which , ^ as auiy houoaroa