Tradition And History In Masonry.

the present day . * So firmly convinced are the believers in this theory of its truth , that the brand of heterodoxy is placed upon all who deny or doubt it . The disciples of the latter school whoso scepticism is as excessive as the credulity of the others , reject as fabulous everything that tends to connect Freemasonry with the Solomonic Temple . To the King of

Israel , himself , thoy refuse all honor , and repudiate with contempt all his claims to the position of a Masonic dignitary . One of these Pyrrhonists has recently gone so far in his disdain for legendary lore as to load the Jewish monarch with unnecessary and unmerited abuse . Between these two parties , each of which is actuated by an internperate zeal , come the iconoclasts , scholars , who calmly and

dispassionately seek for truth only . These disavow , it is true , the authenticity of the temple legend in its present form . They deny that thero is any proof , which a historian could , by the rules of criticism , admit as evidence that Freemasonry was organized at the building of the temple , and hence they look for its origin at some other period and under different circumstances . But they do not reject the temple and

the myth connected with it as wholly unworthy of consideration . On the contary , they respect this legend as a symbol , and one whose importance cannot bo over estimated . They trace its rise in the Old Constitutions ; they find it plainly and significantly alluded to in the Legend of the Craft ; and they follow it in its full development in tho modern rituals . They thus recognize the influence that the story of

the temple and its builders—feeble though it may be—has exerted in the construction of the Order , and thus they feel no disposition to treat the legend with contumely . Knowing what an important part the legends and symbols of Masonry have played in the progress of the Institution , and how much its philosophic character is indebted to these myths and symbols for

all that is peculiar to itself , they devote their literary energies , not to the expurgation of this legend of tho temple , but to the investigation of how aud when it arose , and to what is its real meaning as a symbol . And thus they are enabled to add an important item to the mass of true Masonic history which they have been accumulating . How tho researches of these iconoclastic scholars have been

conducted , and to what results they have led , are matters not precisely germane to the present article , and which for their proper consideration would demand au independent essay . So of the legend of Princo Edwin , whom the Old Constitutions make a son of King Athelstan , and tho theory of a York Grand Lodge , each of which has been able considered by those true iconoclasts

Woodford and Hughan . We may say that these laborious scholars have eliminated tho fabulous from the true , and , without rejecting the whole of tho legends , they have shown us how they have sprung up out of the true history of the Order , and how they may be explained without charging the framers of the old Masonic legends with any greater fault than that of a confusion of dates , of persons and of

circumstances . In short , the theory of the iconoclastic school , is that truth and authenticity must always and in the first place be sought ; that nothing must be accepted as historical which has not the internal and external evidences of historical verity : and that , in treating legends , of almost

every one of which we may say se turn e vero , e ben trovato , — ' it it is not true , at least it has been well invented "—we are not to reject them as altogether fabulous , but as having somo hidden and occult meaning , which , a 3 in the case of other symbols , we are diligently to seek to discover .

Prov. Grand Lodge Of Devonshire.

PROV . GRAND LODGE OF DEVONSHIRE .

OPENING OF A LODGE AT OKEHAMPTON .

THE Grand Lodge of Freemasons of the Province oi Devon was held on the 26 th inst . at Okehampton , and tho featnre of the meeting was the constitution and consecration of the Lodge of Obedience No . 1753 . For some time past a number of Freemasons liviDg in Okehampton and the neighbourhood , have ielt the want of a Lodge for tho district , and a few set about to get the desired object ,

the result being that a Lodge was opened with the usual ceremony aud honours , and Bro . William Brodie P . M . 1254 was installed its first Master . The day was observed in Okehampton as a general holiday , and the pleasant festivities will live in the recollection of thoso who took a prominent part in tho day ' s proceedings . Heavy showers fell during the clay , but though it marred the enjoyment of

individuals , it did not seriously interfere with the ceremonies . Brethren attended from great distances to take part in the duties of the Provincial Grand Lodge , and the procession was witnessed by a large number of inhabitants and visitors . Fortunately , no rain fell during the march of the procession , which was headed by the band of the First Devon Militia , under the couuuotorship of Bro . George

James . The band also played during the banquet , between tne showers , iu tho square in trout of the White Hart Hotol . The Committee of Pot . tions met at tho Town Hall at 10 . 30 , by the courtesy of tho Mayor , W . Ponsford , Esq ., aud tho representatives of the various Lodges attended for the purpose of discussing and deciding on tho different claims apou the fuuds . £ 85 was voted , on

Prov. Grand Lodge Of Devonshire.

recommendation , for apportionment to Masonic , Charities . On the motion of Bro . S . Jones P . M . 112 P . P . G . S . D , the sum of fifty guineas was granted from tho funds of Provincial Grand Lodgo to the Eoyal Masonic Institution for Girls , and it was agreed that the sum should be added to Bro . S . Jones ' s list , as Steward ; and the sum of £ 50 was voted to the Fortescue Annuity Fund . The Provincial Graud Lodge met at the Schoolroom , North-lane , at

12 . 30 , and the following Provincial Grand Officers amougst others were present : —Bros . Eev . John Huyshe P . G . C . P . G . M ., L . P . Metham D . P . G . M ., Fredk . W . Williams P . S . G . W ., Walter Hylton-Joliffo P . G . J . W . 1205 , J . Edward Curteis P . M . 189 P . Prov . S . G . W ., W . Hyne-Haycock P . Prov . G . S . D . P . M . 164 , 109 , 13 , Samuel Jones P . P . G . S . D . St . George 112 , John B . Gover P . P . G . A . D . C . St . John 70 , Vincent Bird P . P . G . Treasurer 954 , Leonard D . Westcott

P . M . 70 P . P . G . S . Wks ., W . Whittley W . M . 156 P . P . G . C , William Thomas Maynarcl P . P . G . Treasurer 106 , John H . Tonkin P . M . 282 P . P . G . A . D . C , H . W . Hooper P . M . 444 , 1251 , P . P . G . E ., J . F . Long P . M . 39 P . G . S ., John E . Nankivell P . M . 1332 P . P . G . C , Philip Williams 112 P . G . C , J . H . Westlake P . M . 666 P . P . G . P ., H . B . Stark 106

P . P . G . O ., Thomas Dancl P . M . 39 P . P . G . S . B ., J . Eeayatt 1212 P . P . G . A . D . C , George W . Smales 312 P . P . G . S . W ., Dr . Henry Hopkins P . P . G . S . W . for Warwickshire 41 P . M . 43 , 958 , & c , & c . The Lodges having been assembled under their respective banners , it was notified to the Provincial Grand Master and his Officers that the P . G . Lodge was duly formed , and , on his entering from the robing-room , the P . G . M . was received by the brethren with the

customary Masonic honours . The Lodge having been opened , the P . G . Secretary announced to the P . G . Master that the W . M . and members of the Lodge of Obedience , No . 1753 , desired to bo constituted and consecrated in ancient form . The P . G . Secretary read the warrant from the Most Worshipful the Grand Master of England , H . E . H . Prince of Wales , by whom the warrant was signed , and the P . G . M . called on tho brethren of the new Lodge to signify their assent to the Officers named in the warrant .

The Deputy Provincial Grand Master—Bro . L . P . Methamdelivered the usual oration : —Brethren , —Tho word " Oration , " a 3 applied to tho address I am about , in obedience to the command of our revered Provincial Graud Master , to make , implies greater preparation and study than I havo been able to devote to it . Neither do I proposo to speak at all on the general question of Freemasonry ,

but to confine myself simply to consider the important duties and obligations which the founders of this Lodgo will , from to-day , be called upon to discharge , if they are really and truly the sincere Masons they profess to be . We welcome our new sister , the Lodge of Obedience , into our family circle , and congratulate the brethren on the so far successful issue of their efforts . Brethren of Lodgo

Obedience , —The selection of tho name by which your Lodge will hereafter be known to you foreshadows your desiro and intention to obey the Constitutions of the Order , and to bo guided by the principles so constantly poured into your ears and instilled into your minds by the pure teaching of Freemasonry . Be true to those principles , and we shall ever look back to the ceremony

of to-day with pride aud pleasure , —I leave you to consider what will bo our feelings if you are unfaithful to them . Worshipful Master Elect , —On your selection to-day of officers to assist you iu governing your Lodge , and on your own conduct , not only iu the chair , but out of it , for the coming year depends its success or failure . You have no errors of predecessors to undo or to be the excuse for neglect or

shortcoming . The first page of the minute-book will bear your signature ; take care that nothing recorded there shall ever bring the blush of shame to your own cheeks , or those of your members and successors . To you is committed the guardianship of the honour of the Craft , not only in Devon , but throughout the world . See that you protect it , and hand it unsullied to your successors . Be careful

—most careful—that your officers are men of probity , intelligence , and of true Masonic f eeliug . Admit none to participate in our secrets , whose antecedents will not bear the strictest investigation , or who are not of a genial , kindly disposition , so that no unseemly wrangles may be introduced into the Lodge . Take care that none are admitted who have only curiosity or a convivial spirit to plead as a reason .

Take care , too , that every candidate is above the suspicion of being actuated by selfish or mercenary motives ; that the initiation fee ia truly his own after the payment of his just debts and due provision mado for all who are dependent upon him . To do otherwise would be to connive at fraud , aud also be a cruel robbery of defenceless women and children . In the decision of every trespass against

our rules , yon will remember that " it is not meet that every nice offence should bear its comment , " therefore you will judge with candour , admonish with friendship , and reprehend with mercy . But you must be firm to mark what is done amiss in every matter which really merits reprobation , or which is likely to bring disgrace on your Lodgo or the Craft at large . Be zealous to defend a brother if

unjustly assailed , and consider the interests of the Craft to be inseparably connected with your own . " Whatever your hand lindeth to do , do it with all your might ; " be diligent aud upright in business , and in all that concerns your duty as a citizen . Be prompt to obey the voice of charity , uot only in alms-giving , but in extending com . fort , counsel and consolation to every oue of your fellow-creatures in

ihe hour of need and affliction . Thus will yon exact and receive from the outer world reverence and regard for our noble Institution , and furnish the best answer to thoso who question the need for its existence . Thus will you paraphrase the words of a great living statesman : — " Our Brotherhood is no meau heritage , but it i 3 not an heritago that can only be enjoyed ; it must be maintained , aud it can only bo maintained by the same qualities that created it — by

courage , by discipline , by patience , by determination to do and to defend the right . " The P . G . M . pledged tho Master and members of the new Lodge to obey the laws and constitution of the Grand Lodge , and the P . G . M . then declared the Lodge of Obedience , No . 1 , 753 , to bo a regular and duly constituted Lodge . Bro . Brooks R . A . M ., Torquay , presided » $ the organ .