The Masonic Year 1875.

achieved distinction in the political Avorld , Ave must not pass over , without a brief tribute of respect to their memory , Bro . AndreAV Johnson , President of the United States , and Bro . Wilson , President of the United States Senate and Vice-President of the Union . One other matter of

interest to the student of Masonic history deserves to be recorded . In the memorial volume , published in commemoration of the opening and dedication , in the autumn of 1874 , of the New Masonic Temple at Philadelphia , very strong evidence is adduced in favour of Pennsylvania being the

oldest Masonic Province in the United States . It is stated that the precept issued to Bro . Daniel Cox , under date of 5 th June 1730 , by tho Duke of Norfolk , M . W . G . M . of England , was acted upon , and that a Provincial Grand Lodge Avas actually constituted , contemporary evidence of

a highly important character being derived from the Pennsylvania Gazette—a neAVspaper printed by the celebrated Benjamin Franklin—of the 8 th December 1730 , and the 26 th June 1732 . This evidence is very strong , though perhaps , the Grand Lodge of Boston may not accept it as quite conclusive .

One other item of foreign neAvs relates to the persecution of Masons in the Island of Porto Rico . This being a colony of Spain , a Roman Catholic country , the news perhaps is not surprising . Certain Avorthy members of the community have been sentenced , some to four , and

others to two years imprisonment , merel y for the supposed crime of being Freemasons . We have it on the authorit y of Le Monde Ma (; onniqne that an appeal has been lodged against this sentence , but the result , as yet , is not known .

If the sentence be confirmed , AVC trust the good offices of Grand Lodge of England may be brought to hear , and that our unfortunate Pcrio Wean brethren may be restored to liberty , even if the authorities think it Avise to forbid Masonic meetings in the Island .

We have now concluded this necessarily someAvhat imperfect record of the Masonic doings of the year . It remains for us to add a feAv Avords as to the progress made in literature during this period , and a few concluding remarks . As regards our literary progress , Ave cannot say much , but

Avhat little Ave have to say , is mostly favourable . It is in tho United States where Masonry finds the strongest amount of literary support . Thus , as Ave have already said , Avithin the jurisdiction of nearly every Grand Lodge , the interests of the Craft are strenuously advocated , by one

or more periodicals . These , as far as Ave have been able to gather , have either made substantial progress , or at all events maintained their ground , Avith but one or two exceptions . Besides these , the proceedings of the several Grand Lodges arc before the Masonic public , while the

Dedication Memorial Volume , already referred to , in honour of the new Masonic Temple at Philadelphia , is a very valuable contribution to the history of the Craft . A new magazine , entitled The New England Freemason , made its appearance late in 1874 , under the joint editorship of

Bros . Sereno D . Nickerson , A . M ., aud Charles H . Titus , A . M . This periodical is well edited , and contains invariabl y a good selection of Masonic articles , with a choice selection of Masonic news . In Canada , there appeared another new magazine , The Canadian . Masonic News , which , like the

preceding , is both well edited , and Furnished Avith Avell written and interesting matter . In Scotland , the opening of the new year witnessed the appearance of the first number of The Scottish Freemasons' Magazine , a bimonthly , which , however , lapsed after a brief existence

of a few months only . It promised well , and contained some good matter , but we imagine it must have failed through lack of support . There has also appeared a pictorial volume , prepared under the auspices of Bro . Dr . Loth , illustrating the emblems of the thirty-three degrees

of the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Tide . In England , there have appeared , quite recently , two posthumous Avorks by the late Dr . Oliver , published by Bro . Hogg and Co ., of Paternoster-row , and there is now appearing , monthly , a Masonic Cydopmlia , by Bro . Kenneth , " Cryptonymus , "

published by the same firm . Wo may also mention that the Rev . Bro . Woodford ' s Defence of Freemasonry Avas published in the early part of the year . Of this work we may say that its aim is good , but it would have been far more efivetive had the writer adopted a more vigorous

sty le of writing . Of course the sale of the great Spencer Library is an item of literary news which cannot be passed by in silenee . r i'his Library contained a number of rare and valuable works , collected from such important Masonic libraries as that of the late Duke of Sussex and other eminent

The Masonic Year 1875.

brethren , together with several unpublished MSS ., by Dr , Oliver , and other Masonic writers . Several of the most valuable lots realised considerable prices . The last literary item concerns ourselves . We launched the frail bark of the FREEMASON ' CiiROxrcr . E on the 2 nd January 1875 , and

we have at least the gratification of feeling that our career has not been unworthy of the honourable ambition Avhich has animated us from the very outset . We have striven earnestly , and to the best of curability , to promote the highest interests of the Craft . In matters controversial , we have

striven to observe a strict impartiality . We have placed our columns at the service of the Brethren for arguing moot questions , and offering neAV suggestions . We have striven earnestly to do our duty , and if we have not always satisfied the expectations formed of us by our friends and supporters ,

we at least may enjoy the pleasant sense of having left no stone unturned in order to make our journal a success . We trust AVC may not have a less agreeable delivery of our conscience at the end of the year 1876 . HoAvever , AVC have

referred to ourselves elsewhere at greater length , and it hardl y becomes us to be egotistical in two places at once . We are thankful for the support thus far accorded us , and hope by , if possible , still greater efforts in the future , to command the respect of the Craft generally .

In the foregoing sketch we have necessarily omitted several matters , Avhich , to many , no doubt will seem quite as interesting , and therefore noteworthy . Had we , however , attempted to introduce all tho important events that have occurred , wo should never have accomplished the intense

task . It only remains for us now to say just a feAv Avords in conclusion , and by way of hearty congratulation , on the present condition of the Craft . In the United Kingdom , the Heir Apparent is Grand Master of the Grand Lodge , England , and Patron of Grand Lodge , both in

Ireland aud Scotland ; in Sweden , the Ivmg is Grand Master ; in Denmark , the Crown Prince is ruler ; in Holland , the King ' s Uncle has been Grand Master for nearly sixty years ; in the Empire of Germany , the foremost Mason , the protector of the three Grand

Lodges in Berlin , is no less important a personage than the Emperor William himself , Avhile his son , the Imperial Crown Prince , is second in Masonic rank onl y to his father . In the United States , some of the most eminent

public men are either simple members or rulers in our beloved Order . In every country , in fact , in both hemispheres , wherever Masonry flourishes , there will be found some of the ablest and best members of the

communit y enrolled in our Order . Yet , in face of these facts , which are undeniable , some laugh , some sneer , some denounce our sacred mysteries . Of course Ave can afford to treat the people who act thus towards us , Avith indifference . We doubt not , however , that in good time

they will , like sensible people , see the error of their Avays , and encourage instead of oppressing and denouncing the cause of Masonry . This consummation devoutl y to be Avished may not be realised this year , or even for some years to come , but its realisation is only a question of time . Day by day ,

the acts of Masonry are made public , and the quaint terror at our secret Avorking is hardly ever felt by men of sense . Under these circumstances Ave can afford to wait patiently , in the firm conviction that the more that is said of us the more highly and more widely shall we be appreciated . "

May the year that is coming prove as prosperous as that which is noAv about to close ! M ; y our Grand Master return from India in health , and with increased strength

to fulfil the arduous duties of his high position ' . May he and his ever enjoy the favour of tlie G . A . O . T . U . ! And may the Craft render him that cheerful obedience which has ever animated all srood and true brethren ! Nor must we

pass , without mention , the ladies , Avhose interest in our Avelfare has grown with our growth . We Avish them all the happiness they can desire , both in this world and hereafter . Let them not be over-curious , but content themselves Avith a firm belief in the truth and honour of Masonry . Let them

bear in mind the old saying , that " A good Mason nmst be a good man . " The faith we profess , if acted up to strictly , renders it impossible he should be otherwise . Thus women are , or should be , our best friends , and as such they have

our most cordial good Avishes for their present and future happiness . In fine , while cherishing with a loving care the pleasant memories of the past , may we ever keep before us a firm faith in the glorious future of our Order .