A Search For Light.

A SEARCH FOR LIGHT .

SOME people have a weakness for giving reasons in spite of the dictum once uttered , we believe , to a jury by an eminent judge . Others are equally ready to make admissions . We strive , as far as in ns lies , to avoid either

of these weaknesses , bnt we feel it incumbent on us , at this moment , to admit three things : ( a . ) the early history of Masonry is a marvellous concatenation of myths ; ( b . ) a faithful history of our Order has yet to be written ; ( c . ) whoever undertakes that task will meet with obstacles well

nigh insuperable , for the materials for such a chronicle are difficult to get at . Much has been clone of late years . We are gradually arriving at a correct appreciation of the

terrible disorder in which all that relates to the career of Freemasonry is involved . We are beginning to see the necessity for drawing a line somewhere between the beauties of fiction and the realities of fact . The latest

researches show that prior to the last two or three centuries , there is not even the smallest shred of a skin of parchment which can possibly throw light upon our history . There may have existed such , but there is no satisfactory evidence of its existence . There may have been

antediluvian pillars , with all the secrets of Masonry inscribed thereon , but there is no authentic evidence of there having been any , nor do they now exist . Geologists , perhaps , might tell us if Masonic memorials are ever found in the earth ' s strata , in the shape of pre-historic asses-skins , or

whatever was in use in those extremely remote ages , but no such evidence is forthcoming . Occasionally we read of wonderful stones , with Masons' marks on them , being found on desert islands ; and straightway , some painstaking sciolist writes an elaborate paper for the purpose of proving

that Masonry has existed always from the period of the Creation , and everywhere , even in parts which no human being ever visited till lately . It is said that given a single bone , and the learned Professor Owen will compose a skeleton that shall be complete in all its parts and correctly

representative of some early member of the animal kingdom . Our Masonic historians have achieved even greater wonders . They have traced a circumstantial history of Freemasonry from the Creation till now , with not a single particle of

evidence to guide them for the first five thousand six hundred years or thereabouts . Latterly , we repeat , we have begun to see the folly of all this assumption . We are rather more inclined than we were to be curious about

the nature and authenticity of the evidence that is brought under our notice . We have something in us of the critic , and are careful not too readily to jump at conclusions . We no longer assume as indisputable facts what exists or has existed only in the exuberant imagination of our fellows ,

past or present . We analyse a little . We are still as circumstantial as ever , but the circumstances Ave appeal to , or rely upon , are , or have been , existent . We know tlie moral system which Freemasonry propounds has always endured since Communities were first formed , but we no

longer clothe it in all the paraphernalia of a specious history . We are content with a comparatively brief existence as an organised society . We have no reason to doubt that similarly organised societies of men existed before ours , their object being the same as oursnamely :

, the teaching and tradition of pure morals . We may even venture to assert a connection , traceable through succeeding ages , and in different countries , between the ethical system of the earliest sages of Egypt and India , and that of the speculative Masons of the last two or three

A Search For Light.

centuries . But while we accept and believe thus much , we are becoming daily more and more inclined to ridicule the wonderful history which certain enthusiastic brethren have so elaborately built up for us . Wo are a little ashamed , in these practical clays , of being " chaffed " about

our Grand Master Adam , Grand Master Noah , Grand Master Solomon , and the other brilliant lights of our Order . Hence some few among us have carefully ancl critically examined such records as wo know exist , and more than one brother—such as Bros . Findel and Lyon—has compiled

a history which may compare with the histories of other societies . Others again , like Bro . Hughan , have confined their efforts within narrower limits , and have striven to collect whatever they could in the shape of authentic materials , on which to found a more complete history than

any that has yet been published . His Memorials of the Union is one of the most important Masonic publications of the day . It is impossible to gauge the amount of his labour by the result that is apparent to the ordinary reader of his book . To mention only the long list of names and dates

it contains ; presented in tabular form , this does not convey to the eye the idea that any excessive amount of work was necessary in its compilation . Yet every date , every fact recorded in that list had to be most carefully verified ; and

considering the meagrencss and untrustvvorthiness of much of the material he must have consulted , it is surprising this list of Lodges should have been so accurately numbered and dated . But while Bro . Huo-han ' s Roll of Loclrres

records much , it leaves much likewise unrecorded . Thus , the dates of constitution are omitted in the case of all Lodges that held under the Grand Lodge " Ancients , " as it was commonly known before 1813 . From an announcement we publish elsewhere in our columns , it will be seen

that we invite the co-operation of the Craft in supplying , as far as possible , this omission , so that Bro . Hughan ' s Roll may become a complete tabular sketch of the rise ancl spread of Masonry throughout England and its Colonies and possessions , from the Revival to the Union . What we

desire to have furnished are certified copies of the original Warrants granted by the Ancient Grand Lodge . Such copies would be not only interesting , but would contain valuable information which might , and probably would , lead on to the discovery of other important matters connected

with our history during the last hundred and twenty years or so . And once tho inquiry started , there is no placing a limit to the information that may result . Masters , or other members of such Lodges may take a pleasure in promoting further researches ; and material , from these sources , at least ,

and of . a perfectly authentic character , may be collected , which some such industrious ancl learned Craftsman as Bro . Hughan may find it possible to weld together with known existing records , to the ultimate enlightenment of the whole

of Masonry . We trust , therefore , our invitation to furnish these copies , and whatever else may seem to possess special interest , will meet with a cordial response from those brethren who have it in their nower to accede to it . No matter

how small the contribution in the way of knowledge they may be able to offer , it will prove most acceptable , not only to ns who prefer the request , but to others who-may have time and a desire to make strai ghter and less complicated the crooked and somewhat intricate paths of our history .

Nor in England only will this information bo received with gladness . The enthusiasm for historic research is as great among American Craftsmen as it is here . A German brother has already published one of the completest and most accurate histories of Freemasonry . To a Scotch Craftsman we are indebted for an equally valuable work ,