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Article THE ANTIQUITY OF MASONRY. ← Page 2 of 2 Article CORRESPONDENCE. Page 1 of 1
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
The Antiquity Of Masonry.
art and Craft were kept by oral tradition , and protected by sacred obligations ; and yet they were so free and liberal as often to admit high dignitaries of Church and State , whose taste in art they were desirous of cultivating , into the mysteries of their Fraternity , which in truth was the only school for art in Europe . Like the Masons of Hiram of yore , these were travelling bodies , moving from one scene
of labour to another , aud , as they chose to contract , being in the direct employ of Church or State , they were enabled to secure rare and valuable privileges indicated to the thoughtful by the name of Freemasons . I cannot , indeed , claim for them , as for their Egyptian predecessors , that they were of priestly caste , yet they held like relations to
Church and State ; for kings and bishops then rejoiced to be of the Masonic Craft , and still seek their Lodges with flattering alacrity . Let mo cite some mediaeval illustrations , drawn from the reviewer in the London Quarterly , before referred to : — " Benedict Abbott , of Warmouth , in A . D . 676 , crossed tho ocean to Gaul , and brought back with him stone masons to make a church
after the Roman fashion . " "In A . D . 1174 , by the just but occult judgment of God , the church of Christ at Canterbury was consumed by fire . " The monks took counsel with tho English and French Masons , and finally committed the work to William of Sens , " a man active and ready , and , as a workman , skilful both in wood and stone , " who " went on
preparing all things needful for tho work , either of himself or by tho agency of others . " Thus also in the reign of Henry III ., Bishop Grosstete describes the duty of the master : " In all kinds of workmanship the master of the works and workmen has the full power , as indeed it is his duty , to investigate , and examine , " etc . ; " and this he should do ,
not only through others , but when it is needful with his own hands . " Hope says , " Many ecclesiastics of the highest rank conferred additional weig ht on the Order of Freemasons by becoming its members . " "In 1442 King Henry VI . became a Mason . Afterwards , in conjunction with Thirske , Master Mason of the chapel of King Henry V .,
tho king laid out the plan of his own sepulchre . " Investigations have cumulated instances of gentlemen of quality that were crafted members of Masonic Lodges in Great Britain elsewhere then at York , during more than a century prior to the London organisation of 1717 . Gov . Belcher , of Massachusetts , states he was admitted in 1704 ; Elias Ashmole , in his diary , says he
and Col . Mainwaring were so made in 1646 in England ; and the records in Scotland , cited by Lyon aud by Hughan , among many others , show Boswcll , of Auchinleck , was present as a member in 1600 , and made his Masonic mark on the record of Edinburgh Lodge . Tho records of Kilwinning and of the Lodge at Aberdeen show numerous earls , lords , ministers , lawyers , merchants , etc ., were
members in that century . * I forbear further citations , nor shall I attempt to toll you when or how these Masons absorbed the speculative parts of their royal art , which we , their successors , yet practise under the landmarks of their Ancient Constitutions . There was something elevated in the esoteric doctrines of these travelling Lodges , that drew to them not merely the
learned and generous among tho great , but also the few believers in human progress , and the scattered but earnest seekers after tho deep truths occulted in nature ' s laboratory , long before Freemasonry ceased to be a manual art . With the renaissance , came in vogue tho separation of tho duties of an architect from those of a Master Mason ; but we have copies
of Constitutions , written earlier than this , which show that modern Freemasonry descended from the cathedral-building craft , whoso Master Masons wore men of science as well as of manual skill . Conscious that I have merely begun to collect the available materials to illustrate my subject , I should apologise for presenting an unfinished labour to your attention , were my object other than to
arrest hasty conclusions , by showing that candour requires this broad field for explorations should be fairly exhausted before the annalist or the Craft aro entitled to sit in judgment on tho question of the origin of the royal art , or to demand that this , which now rests in tradition , an open question , shall be relegated into the field of established truth . Late historians , elucidating early records , havo
wrought confusion on many disparagers of the early history of our organisation , and I trust to bo pardoued for thinking that even traditions are capable of receiving much light , when their credibility is examined with a catholic spirit by appropriate tests . The accumulated evidence of descent of many designs , symbols , decorations , tools and usages now in use , their conventional character , the
similarity of organization of the Craft , the liberal knowledge possessed by its Masters , the broad scope of the science of Masonry from tho first , and the mystic flavour it seems always to have drawn from its exterior connections , have deeply impressed my mind . The Masonic student alone can collate evidence from these sources with success . Tho darkness comprehended not the light , and I m ; iy conclude by quoting the language of one who seems to have known the light
in the sixteenth century : — " And though our structure should be seen by a hundred thousand men , it will ever remain untouched , uninjured , unseen , and even hidden in all eteruity to the Godless world , Sub umbra , alarum tuam Jehovah , until that millennial epoch when that which is now known to few , and portrayed secretly in pictures and symbols , shall fill the whole earth , and be loudly and freely announced . "
O . TJH HOUSE PIATISO CARDS . —Mogul Quality , picked Is 3 d per pack , Ms Jjr dozen packs . Do . seconds Is per mck , lis per dozon packs . If by cost \\ A per pack extra . Cnrflr . for linnet , Be > , in , ne , T 3 cnrto \ & p „ Mogu / Q . u'ity MM pot pack , 8 s per dozen packs , —In . ndoti i W , W , Morg . m . JSoMoan , E . C ,
Correspondence.
CORRESPONDENCE .
We do not hold ourselves responsible for the opinions of our Correspondents . We cannot undertake to return rejected communications . All Letters must bear the name and address of the Writer , not necessarily for publication , but as a guarantee of good faith .
MASONIC JURISPRUDENCE . To the Editor of THE FREEMASON ' CHRONICLE . DEAR SIR AND BROTHER , —Will some of your readers , who are versed in Masonic jurisprudence , kindly give me information on the following point ? A catch motion has been passed in my Lodge by a majority whipped '
up for the purpose . Shall I bo justified in proposing that tho minutes , as far as they relate to the motion in question , be not confirmed , so as to give the Lodge an opportunity of reconsidering the question before finally committing themselves to the obnoxious resolution ?
I may add that the two P . M . ' s present , the W . M ., J . W . and the S . D . voted against the motion . The S . W . and J . D . were unavoidably absent , or they would have voted with their brother officers .
I am , dear Sir and Brother , Fraternally yours , 10 th December 1875 . W . M .
A SUGGESTION TO OUR JEWISH BRETHREN . To the Editor of THE FREEMASON ' CIIUONICT . K . DEAR SIR AND BROTHER , —Whatever may have been the case at tho time when our charitable institutions were first established , and before Freemasonry at last became true to its principles by deserting the ranks of sectarian prejudices , and exerted its beneficent influences in favour of justice and religions toleration , it will not he
denied that , especially in these comparatively latter years of freedom of opinion and conscience , the Jewish brethren have not been behind-hand in giving large and liberal support to the Charities . It is also a fact that , hitherto , tho orphan children of tho Ancient Faith havo been unable to participate in the benefits of either of them . Not but what tho Institutions arc open to them as much ns to the
children of any other community ; they cannot , however , avail themselves of the privilege , unless certain exceptional conditions aro inaugurated . The object of this letter is to ascertain the feasibility of a plan being adopted whereby Jewish children might not be prevented from entering the lists of candidates on account of religions scruples . Tho method once found , the discussion of details might be
left to a committee especially formed for the purpose of seeing the matter carried into effect . There are , undoubtedly , difficulties in tho path , and perhaps formidable obstacles bar the way , but practical men , possessing resolnte will , arc not generally deterred from pursuing their course by any inconvenience they may have to suffer . Now there are four Jewish Lodges in tho capital ,
and , I believe , some in the provinces . One of the London Lodges boasts a Benevolent Fund Annuity of nearly . £ 12 , 000 , another nearly £ 700 . 1 have no knowledge what tho other Lodges possess , but the inherent benevolent disposition and naturally chc . ritable instinct of the true Israelite warrants tv ; u conclusion that , in this respect , they have not been neglectful . From these
accumulations a sufficient amount might bo granted to form a nucleus for ii fund , to be enlarged by subscriptions from individuals , the interest from which to cover the extra expenses arising from the additional outlay necessary to procure tho attention and instruction requisite in the education of a . Jewish Masonic orphan . If the matter were taken in hand by competent men , I venture to assert that not onlv
Jewish , but many Christian brethren would cheerfully give practical aid , and exert their influence in the promotion of ; i work which must commend itself to the right-thinking and justice-loring mind . For there are many of our Jewish brethren who , perhaps , from no fault of their own , havo left families totally unprovided for . The substantial relief and care bestowed upon them bv the Jewish
community is well known and proverbial . Nevertheless , I think it the duty of the Jewish members of the Craft to take some , at least , of these orphans under their especial care , and thus utilise moneys which , for any practical purpose , might as well never havo been collected . The call upon these funds is nnfreqnent , and comparatively
insignificant ; twenty , thirty , or at most one hundred pounds is the amount generally bestowed ; the rest remains unproductive , and is of no benefit to anybody . Trusting these remarks may elicit discussion , as the opinion of others upon the subject would bo most gratifying to Yours fraternally , E . GOTTHEIL .
KOM . OW . IT ' I ' IM . S : W INTF . K SrRcmrs — All can estimate the disadvantages to tho human system from breathing foul air , Mich as must , Tieira ^ irilybo inhaled during our winters . The f-al ' est correctives and best purifiers of the l . lood are Holioway ' s IJalsamio I'ill . % which aro too well known and . too hightv i rcmim commendation nei
c-rcccmeu U 'O . nesmes cleansing the system , they improve tho appetite , render digestion nerfcet . admirably regulate the liver , iueroflf- the sueitiiiuii of tho kidneys ; they inidiy yet offectilallv act upon the howels , without griping or enu « ing any inconvrn eti * o . So long ns human nature remains what it is , every person will now and a'rain-re luirc ro < j-. i' - > rinn nl'nnliin . < , llhwril . crfii ! ' . ' V il'l ' iii- Ml " . ! i , > r ( . , ; . ) yvnevrni ? V ' vir . iv . iii ,, I I ' " jfj i't : t \ . potation * ,
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
The Antiquity Of Masonry.
art and Craft were kept by oral tradition , and protected by sacred obligations ; and yet they were so free and liberal as often to admit high dignitaries of Church and State , whose taste in art they were desirous of cultivating , into the mysteries of their Fraternity , which in truth was the only school for art in Europe . Like the Masons of Hiram of yore , these were travelling bodies , moving from one scene
of labour to another , aud , as they chose to contract , being in the direct employ of Church or State , they were enabled to secure rare and valuable privileges indicated to the thoughtful by the name of Freemasons . I cannot , indeed , claim for them , as for their Egyptian predecessors , that they were of priestly caste , yet they held like relations to
Church and State ; for kings and bishops then rejoiced to be of the Masonic Craft , and still seek their Lodges with flattering alacrity . Let mo cite some mediaeval illustrations , drawn from the reviewer in the London Quarterly , before referred to : — " Benedict Abbott , of Warmouth , in A . D . 676 , crossed tho ocean to Gaul , and brought back with him stone masons to make a church
after the Roman fashion . " "In A . D . 1174 , by the just but occult judgment of God , the church of Christ at Canterbury was consumed by fire . " The monks took counsel with tho English and French Masons , and finally committed the work to William of Sens , " a man active and ready , and , as a workman , skilful both in wood and stone , " who " went on
preparing all things needful for tho work , either of himself or by tho agency of others . " Thus also in the reign of Henry III ., Bishop Grosstete describes the duty of the master : " In all kinds of workmanship the master of the works and workmen has the full power , as indeed it is his duty , to investigate , and examine , " etc . ; " and this he should do ,
not only through others , but when it is needful with his own hands . " Hope says , " Many ecclesiastics of the highest rank conferred additional weig ht on the Order of Freemasons by becoming its members . " "In 1442 King Henry VI . became a Mason . Afterwards , in conjunction with Thirske , Master Mason of the chapel of King Henry V .,
tho king laid out the plan of his own sepulchre . " Investigations have cumulated instances of gentlemen of quality that were crafted members of Masonic Lodges in Great Britain elsewhere then at York , during more than a century prior to the London organisation of 1717 . Gov . Belcher , of Massachusetts , states he was admitted in 1704 ; Elias Ashmole , in his diary , says he
and Col . Mainwaring were so made in 1646 in England ; and the records in Scotland , cited by Lyon aud by Hughan , among many others , show Boswcll , of Auchinleck , was present as a member in 1600 , and made his Masonic mark on the record of Edinburgh Lodge . Tho records of Kilwinning and of the Lodge at Aberdeen show numerous earls , lords , ministers , lawyers , merchants , etc ., were
members in that century . * I forbear further citations , nor shall I attempt to toll you when or how these Masons absorbed the speculative parts of their royal art , which we , their successors , yet practise under the landmarks of their Ancient Constitutions . There was something elevated in the esoteric doctrines of these travelling Lodges , that drew to them not merely the
learned and generous among tho great , but also the few believers in human progress , and the scattered but earnest seekers after tho deep truths occulted in nature ' s laboratory , long before Freemasonry ceased to be a manual art . With the renaissance , came in vogue tho separation of tho duties of an architect from those of a Master Mason ; but we have copies
of Constitutions , written earlier than this , which show that modern Freemasonry descended from the cathedral-building craft , whoso Master Masons wore men of science as well as of manual skill . Conscious that I have merely begun to collect the available materials to illustrate my subject , I should apologise for presenting an unfinished labour to your attention , were my object other than to
arrest hasty conclusions , by showing that candour requires this broad field for explorations should be fairly exhausted before the annalist or the Craft aro entitled to sit in judgment on tho question of the origin of the royal art , or to demand that this , which now rests in tradition , an open question , shall be relegated into the field of established truth . Late historians , elucidating early records , havo
wrought confusion on many disparagers of the early history of our organisation , and I trust to bo pardoued for thinking that even traditions are capable of receiving much light , when their credibility is examined with a catholic spirit by appropriate tests . The accumulated evidence of descent of many designs , symbols , decorations , tools and usages now in use , their conventional character , the
similarity of organization of the Craft , the liberal knowledge possessed by its Masters , the broad scope of the science of Masonry from tho first , and the mystic flavour it seems always to have drawn from its exterior connections , have deeply impressed my mind . The Masonic student alone can collate evidence from these sources with success . Tho darkness comprehended not the light , and I m ; iy conclude by quoting the language of one who seems to have known the light
in the sixteenth century : — " And though our structure should be seen by a hundred thousand men , it will ever remain untouched , uninjured , unseen , and even hidden in all eteruity to the Godless world , Sub umbra , alarum tuam Jehovah , until that millennial epoch when that which is now known to few , and portrayed secretly in pictures and symbols , shall fill the whole earth , and be loudly and freely announced . "
O . TJH HOUSE PIATISO CARDS . —Mogul Quality , picked Is 3 d per pack , Ms Jjr dozen packs . Do . seconds Is per mck , lis per dozon packs . If by cost \\ A per pack extra . Cnrflr . for linnet , Be > , in , ne , T 3 cnrto \ & p „ Mogu / Q . u'ity MM pot pack , 8 s per dozen packs , —In . ndoti i W , W , Morg . m . JSoMoan , E . C ,
Correspondence.
CORRESPONDENCE .
We do not hold ourselves responsible for the opinions of our Correspondents . We cannot undertake to return rejected communications . All Letters must bear the name and address of the Writer , not necessarily for publication , but as a guarantee of good faith .
MASONIC JURISPRUDENCE . To the Editor of THE FREEMASON ' CHRONICLE . DEAR SIR AND BROTHER , —Will some of your readers , who are versed in Masonic jurisprudence , kindly give me information on the following point ? A catch motion has been passed in my Lodge by a majority whipped '
up for the purpose . Shall I bo justified in proposing that tho minutes , as far as they relate to the motion in question , be not confirmed , so as to give the Lodge an opportunity of reconsidering the question before finally committing themselves to the obnoxious resolution ?
I may add that the two P . M . ' s present , the W . M ., J . W . and the S . D . voted against the motion . The S . W . and J . D . were unavoidably absent , or they would have voted with their brother officers .
I am , dear Sir and Brother , Fraternally yours , 10 th December 1875 . W . M .
A SUGGESTION TO OUR JEWISH BRETHREN . To the Editor of THE FREEMASON ' CIIUONICT . K . DEAR SIR AND BROTHER , —Whatever may have been the case at tho time when our charitable institutions were first established , and before Freemasonry at last became true to its principles by deserting the ranks of sectarian prejudices , and exerted its beneficent influences in favour of justice and religions toleration , it will not he
denied that , especially in these comparatively latter years of freedom of opinion and conscience , the Jewish brethren have not been behind-hand in giving large and liberal support to the Charities . It is also a fact that , hitherto , tho orphan children of tho Ancient Faith havo been unable to participate in the benefits of either of them . Not but what tho Institutions arc open to them as much ns to the
children of any other community ; they cannot , however , avail themselves of the privilege , unless certain exceptional conditions aro inaugurated . The object of this letter is to ascertain the feasibility of a plan being adopted whereby Jewish children might not be prevented from entering the lists of candidates on account of religions scruples . Tho method once found , the discussion of details might be
left to a committee especially formed for the purpose of seeing the matter carried into effect . There are , undoubtedly , difficulties in tho path , and perhaps formidable obstacles bar the way , but practical men , possessing resolnte will , arc not generally deterred from pursuing their course by any inconvenience they may have to suffer . Now there are four Jewish Lodges in tho capital ,
and , I believe , some in the provinces . One of the London Lodges boasts a Benevolent Fund Annuity of nearly . £ 12 , 000 , another nearly £ 700 . 1 have no knowledge what tho other Lodges possess , but the inherent benevolent disposition and naturally chc . ritable instinct of the true Israelite warrants tv ; u conclusion that , in this respect , they have not been neglectful . From these
accumulations a sufficient amount might bo granted to form a nucleus for ii fund , to be enlarged by subscriptions from individuals , the interest from which to cover the extra expenses arising from the additional outlay necessary to procure tho attention and instruction requisite in the education of a . Jewish Masonic orphan . If the matter were taken in hand by competent men , I venture to assert that not onlv
Jewish , but many Christian brethren would cheerfully give practical aid , and exert their influence in the promotion of ; i work which must commend itself to the right-thinking and justice-loring mind . For there are many of our Jewish brethren who , perhaps , from no fault of their own , havo left families totally unprovided for . The substantial relief and care bestowed upon them bv the Jewish
community is well known and proverbial . Nevertheless , I think it the duty of the Jewish members of the Craft to take some , at least , of these orphans under their especial care , and thus utilise moneys which , for any practical purpose , might as well never havo been collected . The call upon these funds is nnfreqnent , and comparatively
insignificant ; twenty , thirty , or at most one hundred pounds is the amount generally bestowed ; the rest remains unproductive , and is of no benefit to anybody . Trusting these remarks may elicit discussion , as the opinion of others upon the subject would bo most gratifying to Yours fraternally , E . GOTTHEIL .
KOM . OW . IT ' I ' IM . S : W INTF . K SrRcmrs — All can estimate the disadvantages to tho human system from breathing foul air , Mich as must , Tieira ^ irilybo inhaled during our winters . The f-al ' est correctives and best purifiers of the l . lood are Holioway ' s IJalsamio I'ill . % which aro too well known and . too hightv i rcmim commendation nei
c-rcccmeu U 'O . nesmes cleansing the system , they improve tho appetite , render digestion nerfcet . admirably regulate the liver , iueroflf- the sueitiiiuii of tho kidneys ; they inidiy yet offectilallv act upon the howels , without griping or enu « ing any inconvrn eti * o . So long ns human nature remains what it is , every person will now and a'rain-re luirc ro < j-. i' - > rinn nl'nnliin . < , llhwril . crfii ! ' . ' V il'l ' iii- Ml " . ! i , > r ( . , ; . ) yvnevrni ? V ' vir . iv . iii ,, I I ' " jfj i't : t \ . potation * ,