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Article NORTHMEN LIGHTS.—No. I. ← Page 2 of 2 Article BRO. CAUBET ON A RECENT SPEECH BY OUR GRAND SECRETARY. Page 1 of 1 Article BRO. CAUBET ON A RECENT SPEECH BY OUR GRAND SECRETARY. Page 1 of 1 Article THE DRAMA. Page 1 of 1
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Northmen Lights.—No. I.
are too often left untouched , and how much light he threw on what otherwise would have been but dim obscurity . Happily for the Craft in general , our R . W . brother is still young , and will , no doubt , in years to come , add to his
already great Masonic services . That theso havo been appreciated is proved , not only by his present position as Prov . G . M ., but also by his having filled the exalted office of Grand Mark Master Mason of England .
In the outer world he is as popular as within the inner circle of Freemasonry . Heir to princely estates , he is beloved by his tenantry , from the highest to the lowest ; and the interest he takes in the welfare of the vast army of the labouring classes dwelling about him , and the efforts he is
continually making to improve their intellectual and sanitary condition , by identifying himself with every movement of real progress , indicates him as one who will infallibly make his mark in the history of this great
Empire . In the House of Commons , no member creates a more favourable or lasting impression , or commands greater attention and respect to any subject he speaks on . Proud indeed , and with just cause , are tho brethren of Northumberland of their Provincial Grand Master .
Bro. Caubet On A Recent Speech By Our Grand Secretary.
BRO . CAUBET ON A RECENT SPEECH BY OUR GRAND SECRETARY .
IT will be within the recollection of our readers that » last month , at the Consecration of the Cricbton Lodge , our respected Grand Secretary , Bro . Hervey , in his speech as Consecrating Officer , referred pointedly to the recent action of the Grand Orient of France , and the contemplated elision from Article I . of its Constitutions of so much as
contained a declaration of belief in tho existence of God and the immortality of the soul . Bro . Hervey further expressed his opinion , not officially , but as an individual member of Grand Lodge , that the time might not be far distant when tho Grand Lodge of England would find it
necessary to impose certain restrictions as to the admission of foreign Masons into the Lodges under its jurisdiction , so far at least , as to exclude nil such as did not believe in tho existence of a Supreme Being . In reference to this Consecration and the speech of Bro . Hervey , Le Bien Public
of the 17 th ult ., appears to have drawn attention to the remarks of the speaker as illustrating tho sense of disquiet entertained in England , at what it decribes " as in some measure the anti-religious movement" among our French brethren , and the probability that it may sap the very
foundation of the fundamental principles of Universal Freemasonry . In the current number of Le Monde Maconnique occurs an article by Bro . Caubet , one of the secretaries of the Council of the Grand Orient , in which he comments on this statement , and the event which gave rise to
it . This article being an apology for the present conduct of French Freemasonry , or perhaps we should say , an explanation of the particular amendment proposed during the last Session of the Grand Orient , we feel it to be our duty to reproduce it in extenso .
" We cannot , " says Bro . Caubet , " at the moment when the Lodges under the jurisdiction of the Grand Orient are on tho eve of taking into their consideration the proposed revision of Article I . of our Constitutions permit the foregoing statement , " in Le Bien Public , " to pass without
rectification . The suppression , or rather the contemplated suppression of the second paragraph of Article I . can in nowise be described as the outcome of any anti-religious movement . Freemasonry—we have repeated it a thousand times , and shall only cease repeating it when everbody sees
it clearly , and it has become stale news—Freemasonry is a society purely moral in its character , in which may be admitted all free and reputable men , whatever their opinions , political , religious or philosophical , may be . It is not a narrow-minded sect , but , on the contrary , the highest and
noblest expression of perfect liberty of conscience . Now , the second paragraph of Article I . of the Constitutions , which declares that Freemasonry has for its fundamental principle the existence of God and the belief in the immortality of the soul , has again and again served as a pretext
for manifestations of opinion essentially sectarian . In some Lodges free and reputable men have been rejected on the sole ground that they did not resolutely affirm these articles of faith . The reception into the bosom of our Society of a man who is one of the noblest of our
Bro. Caubet On A Recent Speech By Our Grand Secretary.
country and of the present age , the reception of the illustrious Bro . Littre has aroused numberless protestations , because , in the extreme rectitude of his conscience , Bro . Littre
would only affirm and proclaim what he knew was true and demonstrable , and because he maintains a respectful reserve on all hypothetical questions about beginning and end .
" Such protestations were not only a scandal , but likewise exhibited an utter contempt for tho true spirit of our Institution . It is to put an end to these that the proposed modification of Article I . was taken into consideration at the last General Assembly of the Grand Orient of France .
Tho question is not one involving any anti-religious Manifestation , for Freemasonry would not lend itself to such a proceeding ; it is simply one of assuring and guaranteeing , within the limits of our Association , absolute respect for liberty of conscience . It is also a question
having for aim to assure the peace of our Society by removing every pretext for theological or metaphysical discussions , which only divide us , as is super-abundantly proved by the discussions that arose in the Scotch Rite , after the Lausanne Congress , by reason of the definition laid
down by that assembly of the attributes of the Great Architect of the Universe , and now again by the speech delivered at the consecration of the English Lodge Crichton by Bro . Hervey , which our readers will have noted in a previous page . Intolerant people , who consider
every manifestation of liberty of conscience is but an outrage on their faith , will assuredly exclaim loudly against our purpose ; but what matter ? Formerly , they abused our mystic formula , now they reproach ns because
we wish to suppress them from our ritual . But , again , what matters it ? We have nothing in common with them , and their bitterest criticisms in no wise affect us . It were impossible to be , at one and tho same time , of the opinions expressed by our brethren and by liberal-minded
organs . That our English brethren should be mistaken as to our intentions afflicts us most profoundly ; but that is in a
measure explained , the moral atmosphere in which they live being essentially different from ours , and their conception of liberty of conscience being generally limited by such interpretations as the Bible affords .
" As for those journals which are truly liberal in their views , we should deeply regret to see them fall into any misunderstanding on this point , and unconsciously allow themselves to become nothing more than mere echoes of
those numerous and angry recriminations in which our eternal enemies indulge . Under these circumstances we cannot too strongly advise them to distrust appearances , and notto launch intopolemics till they have obtained a thorough knowledge of the subject in dispute . "
The Drama.
THE DRAMA .
Christinas Programmes—Covent Garden . AN unusual number of novelties have been crowded round tne Christmas season this year . To be sure , some of them are nofc of the highest order of merit , and others are only qnasi-noveltiesrevivals of pieces that had almost been forgotten . Si Slocum afc the OLYMPIC may bo taken as a specimen of tho first class , and Hunted Down and The Invisible Prince at the GLOBE as samples of tho second . Si Slocum strikes one as being more suited for a circus
than a theatre . The Frayne family aro very clever , and their speech is of the purest American order , but , as the late Mr . Tomlins remarked on a memorable occasion , " This is not the drama . " Mr . Edgar Bruce deserves our thanks for tho revival of Planohe ' s burlesque , especially as it affords that excellent actress Miss Jennie Lee a further opportunity for the display of her talents . The theatres
which have retained their programmes unchanged are tho HAY - MARKET ( Dan'l Druce ) , tho PRINCE OF WALES ' S ( Peril ) , tho ST . JAMES ' S ( London Assurance ) , and the ADELPHI ( Shaughraun ) . COVENT GARDEN , of course , heads the list of Pantomimes . In magnificence of effects , in heartiness of fun , aud in excellence of acting , Mr . Rice ' s production merits tho first place . The subject of the
pantomime , which by the way , is the work of Mr . McArdle , is our old friend Robinson Crusoe . Considerable liberties have been taken with the story as related by Defoe , but the result is a thoroughly amusing piece , with plenty of ludicrous situations and laughter-promoting lines . Amongst other absurd incidents , we may mention ono that occurs on board Crusoe ' s ship . The sailors take to fishing , and succeed in landing an enormous shark . From the maw of this
voracious beast , a number of extraordinary things are produced , amongst them the missing Gainsborough and Crusoe ' s wife . The pantomime is capitally acted by Messrs . Wallace , Farneaux , Cook , Augustus Glover , and Mesdames Pauline Markham , Nelly Bouverie and Bosalli ; the scenery of Mr . Telbin is beyond all praise . Wo will conclude our remarks on tho Christmas novelties next week .
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Northmen Lights.—No. I.
are too often left untouched , and how much light he threw on what otherwise would have been but dim obscurity . Happily for the Craft in general , our R . W . brother is still young , and will , no doubt , in years to come , add to his
already great Masonic services . That theso havo been appreciated is proved , not only by his present position as Prov . G . M ., but also by his having filled the exalted office of Grand Mark Master Mason of England .
In the outer world he is as popular as within the inner circle of Freemasonry . Heir to princely estates , he is beloved by his tenantry , from the highest to the lowest ; and the interest he takes in the welfare of the vast army of the labouring classes dwelling about him , and the efforts he is
continually making to improve their intellectual and sanitary condition , by identifying himself with every movement of real progress , indicates him as one who will infallibly make his mark in the history of this great
Empire . In the House of Commons , no member creates a more favourable or lasting impression , or commands greater attention and respect to any subject he speaks on . Proud indeed , and with just cause , are tho brethren of Northumberland of their Provincial Grand Master .
Bro. Caubet On A Recent Speech By Our Grand Secretary.
BRO . CAUBET ON A RECENT SPEECH BY OUR GRAND SECRETARY .
IT will be within the recollection of our readers that » last month , at the Consecration of the Cricbton Lodge , our respected Grand Secretary , Bro . Hervey , in his speech as Consecrating Officer , referred pointedly to the recent action of the Grand Orient of France , and the contemplated elision from Article I . of its Constitutions of so much as
contained a declaration of belief in tho existence of God and the immortality of the soul . Bro . Hervey further expressed his opinion , not officially , but as an individual member of Grand Lodge , that the time might not be far distant when tho Grand Lodge of England would find it
necessary to impose certain restrictions as to the admission of foreign Masons into the Lodges under its jurisdiction , so far at least , as to exclude nil such as did not believe in tho existence of a Supreme Being . In reference to this Consecration and the speech of Bro . Hervey , Le Bien Public
of the 17 th ult ., appears to have drawn attention to the remarks of the speaker as illustrating tho sense of disquiet entertained in England , at what it decribes " as in some measure the anti-religious movement" among our French brethren , and the probability that it may sap the very
foundation of the fundamental principles of Universal Freemasonry . In the current number of Le Monde Maconnique occurs an article by Bro . Caubet , one of the secretaries of the Council of the Grand Orient , in which he comments on this statement , and the event which gave rise to
it . This article being an apology for the present conduct of French Freemasonry , or perhaps we should say , an explanation of the particular amendment proposed during the last Session of the Grand Orient , we feel it to be our duty to reproduce it in extenso .
" We cannot , " says Bro . Caubet , " at the moment when the Lodges under the jurisdiction of the Grand Orient are on tho eve of taking into their consideration the proposed revision of Article I . of our Constitutions permit the foregoing statement , " in Le Bien Public , " to pass without
rectification . The suppression , or rather the contemplated suppression of the second paragraph of Article I . can in nowise be described as the outcome of any anti-religious movement . Freemasonry—we have repeated it a thousand times , and shall only cease repeating it when everbody sees
it clearly , and it has become stale news—Freemasonry is a society purely moral in its character , in which may be admitted all free and reputable men , whatever their opinions , political , religious or philosophical , may be . It is not a narrow-minded sect , but , on the contrary , the highest and
noblest expression of perfect liberty of conscience . Now , the second paragraph of Article I . of the Constitutions , which declares that Freemasonry has for its fundamental principle the existence of God and the belief in the immortality of the soul , has again and again served as a pretext
for manifestations of opinion essentially sectarian . In some Lodges free and reputable men have been rejected on the sole ground that they did not resolutely affirm these articles of faith . The reception into the bosom of our Society of a man who is one of the noblest of our
Bro. Caubet On A Recent Speech By Our Grand Secretary.
country and of the present age , the reception of the illustrious Bro . Littre has aroused numberless protestations , because , in the extreme rectitude of his conscience , Bro . Littre
would only affirm and proclaim what he knew was true and demonstrable , and because he maintains a respectful reserve on all hypothetical questions about beginning and end .
" Such protestations were not only a scandal , but likewise exhibited an utter contempt for tho true spirit of our Institution . It is to put an end to these that the proposed modification of Article I . was taken into consideration at the last General Assembly of the Grand Orient of France .
Tho question is not one involving any anti-religious Manifestation , for Freemasonry would not lend itself to such a proceeding ; it is simply one of assuring and guaranteeing , within the limits of our Association , absolute respect for liberty of conscience . It is also a question
having for aim to assure the peace of our Society by removing every pretext for theological or metaphysical discussions , which only divide us , as is super-abundantly proved by the discussions that arose in the Scotch Rite , after the Lausanne Congress , by reason of the definition laid
down by that assembly of the attributes of the Great Architect of the Universe , and now again by the speech delivered at the consecration of the English Lodge Crichton by Bro . Hervey , which our readers will have noted in a previous page . Intolerant people , who consider
every manifestation of liberty of conscience is but an outrage on their faith , will assuredly exclaim loudly against our purpose ; but what matter ? Formerly , they abused our mystic formula , now they reproach ns because
we wish to suppress them from our ritual . But , again , what matters it ? We have nothing in common with them , and their bitterest criticisms in no wise affect us . It were impossible to be , at one and tho same time , of the opinions expressed by our brethren and by liberal-minded
organs . That our English brethren should be mistaken as to our intentions afflicts us most profoundly ; but that is in a
measure explained , the moral atmosphere in which they live being essentially different from ours , and their conception of liberty of conscience being generally limited by such interpretations as the Bible affords .
" As for those journals which are truly liberal in their views , we should deeply regret to see them fall into any misunderstanding on this point , and unconsciously allow themselves to become nothing more than mere echoes of
those numerous and angry recriminations in which our eternal enemies indulge . Under these circumstances we cannot too strongly advise them to distrust appearances , and notto launch intopolemics till they have obtained a thorough knowledge of the subject in dispute . "
The Drama.
THE DRAMA .
Christinas Programmes—Covent Garden . AN unusual number of novelties have been crowded round tne Christmas season this year . To be sure , some of them are nofc of the highest order of merit , and others are only qnasi-noveltiesrevivals of pieces that had almost been forgotten . Si Slocum afc the OLYMPIC may bo taken as a specimen of tho first class , and Hunted Down and The Invisible Prince at the GLOBE as samples of tho second . Si Slocum strikes one as being more suited for a circus
than a theatre . The Frayne family aro very clever , and their speech is of the purest American order , but , as the late Mr . Tomlins remarked on a memorable occasion , " This is not the drama . " Mr . Edgar Bruce deserves our thanks for tho revival of Planohe ' s burlesque , especially as it affords that excellent actress Miss Jennie Lee a further opportunity for the display of her talents . The theatres
which have retained their programmes unchanged are tho HAY - MARKET ( Dan'l Druce ) , tho PRINCE OF WALES ' S ( Peril ) , tho ST . JAMES ' S ( London Assurance ) , and the ADELPHI ( Shaughraun ) . COVENT GARDEN , of course , heads the list of Pantomimes . In magnificence of effects , in heartiness of fun , aud in excellence of acting , Mr . Rice ' s production merits tho first place . The subject of the
pantomime , which by the way , is the work of Mr . McArdle , is our old friend Robinson Crusoe . Considerable liberties have been taken with the story as related by Defoe , but the result is a thoroughly amusing piece , with plenty of ludicrous situations and laughter-promoting lines . Amongst other absurd incidents , we may mention ono that occurs on board Crusoe ' s ship . The sailors take to fishing , and succeed in landing an enormous shark . From the maw of this
voracious beast , a number of extraordinary things are produced , amongst them the missing Gainsborough and Crusoe ' s wife . The pantomime is capitally acted by Messrs . Wallace , Farneaux , Cook , Augustus Glover , and Mesdames Pauline Markham , Nelly Bouverie and Bosalli ; the scenery of Mr . Telbin is beyond all praise . Wo will conclude our remarks on tho Christmas novelties next week .