The Technical Language Of Freemasonry.

THE TECHNICAL LANGUAGE OF FREEMASONRY .

THE technical language of Freemasonry must be preserved . It ia not possible to convey the information most importont to be taught to the Craft unless strict adherence is maintained to the exact words that have been from the earliest periods used to express what is essential to be known by every intelligent Mason .

Therefore it was that R . W . I . T . Desaguliers Deputy Grand Master of Freemasons of England , in the year 1723 , prepared by " order of the Grand Master , His Grace the Duke of Montague , the Constitution of the Freemasons

and the History , Charges , Regulation , & c ., of that most Ancient and Right Worshipful Fraternity . " These were collected from their general rOvjorda and their faithful traditions of many ages .

To correct tho errors , corrupted by false spelling , miserably mangled , the labour of Brother Desaguliers was devoted . It is a most interesting book . From it we learn that the work ordered in the regulations , as used now , is

most wonderfully accurate . The technical Janguago is often , through the length of time and the ignorance of transcribers in the dark illiterate ages , almost obscured . Tet with carefnl study of Masonic Btudents of to-day , it is made clear what was intended to be made obligatory .

The false spelling , in the illiterate ages , did much to cause confusion in the language . The traditions were , however , in no wise impaired . So even now , from these traditions , there is a solution of the difficulties . The technical language as it related to objects , signs and

symbolic lessons , was preserved from the false spelling , in the general lauguage of the Ahiman Bezon , and the regulations . It is wonderful , as the student advances in this line of investigation , how the light shines in tbe obscured teachings .

Yet in modern , very modern days , words are found in the Ahiman Iiezon and the regulations ( remember the written language is only now mentioned , for what never

could be written is excluded from present consideration ) , which have crept into the ritual and have miserably corrupted the force of the language . But it is manifest that the essential , elemental truths

have never been imparied , lost or corrupted . The technical words are only mistranslated by the thoughtlessness of untaught Masonic teachers . It would not be possible in this wise to explain the defects . What these words are cannot be written . The

Masonic student , if he will , can learn them in a tyled Lodge , and only there . If the ancient written charges are examined it will be found that aa they are used to-day , they were used in the

earliest days . Brother Desaguliers in his book is so very careful not to violate the prohibition , that he frequently writes , " further information in this way is precluded as violation of a landmark . "

It is not uncommon in our Lodges now to find words cited that are but more surplusage . They are in themselves of no moment except that they have come into use by the conversational , rather than the technical style of speaking . This is a blemish on the otherwise pure style

of Lodge work . It would be a very interesting subject for examination as to the process by which this language has been adopted

in many Lodges . It is best explained by the consideration of the lack of thoughtful preparation by those who have the ritual and ceremonial to administer for the exact performance of the duty devolved upon them .

To take for granted that the words and sentences that are accepted are proper is not the suro mode of learning the technical language . 16 does not at all events prevent the " miserable mangling" which Brother Desaguliers deplores . It is so easy in the work of a Lodge for the

Worshipful Master to use words he at the time thinks are suitable to express what he seeks to convey . When the mere memorising of words is adopted as better or easier than the careful study of the technical words that belong to

the ancient work , it is always doubtful if their correctness is possible . In the Ahiman Bezon now in use , there are printed words that have been into the text that owe their presence there to the very causes noticed .

These words , and indeed some of the language , are both but mangled expressions that for want of strict examination have inadvertently come into the text of our

The Technical Language Of Freemasonry.

Constitution and regulations . True , they are in one sense unimportant , but they are blemishes on the style of so signal a Masonic written authoritative instrument that they ought to be eliminated from its pages . There is no earnest , sincere , loyal Freemason who would

for a single moment consent to any alteration in the ancient work of his Craft , neither could he himself perform such a crime , nor permit another to do it . To this all trne Masons will unite to prevent ; yes , and will prevent , the effort being made .

But the subject now considered has not tho least relation to the ancient work , ritual or ceremonial of Ancient York Freemasonry . All that is hero suggestod is that the blemishes or tho style of Masonio language should be

removed and the technical , ancient , appropriate style , as established in the past ages of the history of Freemasonry , be made what it was intended ever to be , the exact covering of the esoteric teaching of the Fraternity .

If it so be that some of the Brethren may be induced to follow these suggestions by time devoted to their consideration , then when tho technical language shall be

reasserted and placed where it belongs thoy will only commend it os wise , and not be frightened into a fear of innovations in the body of Masonry . That caunot be , because the landmark makes it impossible . —Keystone .

subsequent banquet , were presided over by the Worshipful Master ( Bro . 0 . T . Penny ) , who during the evening conferred the third degree on a candidate , the ceremony being rendered in snch a manner as to given entiro satisfaction to the Provincial Master . The toast of the visitors was responded to by the Mayor of Southampton ( Bro . J . Lemon P . P . G . S . W . ) .

The Provincial Grand Master of Hampshire and the Isle of Wight ( Bro . W . W . B . Beach , M . P . ) , accompanied by his Deputy ( Bro . J . E .-Le Feuvre ) and the Provincial Officers , honoured the Royal Gloucester Lodge with a visit on the 12 th inst . A large and influential gathering , and

Ad01002

CRITERION GRAND HALL . THE SP 1 ERP 0 N ORCHESTRA . THIS WEEK Miss CISSIE TURNER , Vocalist . rawIPS . ta . rnm AT AT 5 K & 7 J-, 41-, 6 to 9 * 30 . 11 to 1230 . NO CHARGE FOR ATTENDANCE . SEPARATE TABLES . LIFT FROM GRAND VESTIBULE TO GRAND HALL Iconstantly Varied Programme aud Musical Novelties .