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Article REVIEW OF LITERATURE, &c. Page 1 of 3 →
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Review Of Literature, &C.
REVIEW OF LITERATURE , & c .
The History of Initiation . By the Rev . Geo . Oliver , D . D . History of Freemasonry from 1829 to 1840 . R . Spencer . —The first of these publications is a new edition of a previous work that has been already received with the highest gratification by the Order;—it has undergone much careful revision , and contains valuable and important additions . The expected revelations of those truths with ivhich the author has stored his ifted mind have been fullrealisedAs a literary
composig y . tion , the present volume is polished and elegant ; as a Masonic illustration , it is plain yet vigorous . We observe ivith much admiration the vast number of learned authorities which have been consulted , not merely as proving the great extent of the author ' s research , but as comprising the value of a course of study which thereby saves the Masonic reader a vast deal of trouble—enables him with less difficulty to comprehend those mysteries which unite morality ivith science—deduces the
origin of Freemasonry—conducts the examination through every system of philosophy—explains errors—and leaves no opportunity for the sceptic or the casuist to exercise his vocation . It is a work good for all men , and a text-book for Masonic Lodges . The second publication is by the same author , and contains an account of Masonic transactions during the past eleven years , a period most eventful in the history of the Craft . Dr . Oliver has evidently examined carefullinto circumstance
very y every , and noted each with strict fidelity , so as to leave no doubt of the impartiality which has directed the record . Iu the author ' s opinion , that with the general advancement of science the moral economy of Freemasonry is expected to keep at least an equal pace , we perfectly concur ; and our readers will agree with us , that the continuation of the Illustrations of Masonry was absolutely necessary ; in completing his task Dr . Oliver has gracefully cherished the memory of the late Brother Preston .
The Freemasons Calendar and Pocket Book for 1841 . —At length we can compliment the Craft upon some improvement , or rather additions to the Masonic department of the Diary , which will be found chiefly in the introduction of the list of the Grand Stewards , the Board of General Purposes , the library , the list of Royal Arch Chapters , and the Grand Lodges of Scotland and Ireland , of Prussia and Hamburgh . Why the two Grand Lodges of Paris , as well as all other Grand Lodges
are omitted , we cannot explain , unless that the compiler or editor is not aware of their existence . The reduction to one shilling in these times of economy is also prudent ; yet taking all matter into account , sixpence would have been a sufficient charge . We hope the sale ivill show a profit to the account of " CHARITY . " The Calendar now professes to give nothing but Masonic information , except a few moveable feasts , and sundry lessons of the church of England .
To compare the present Calendar ivith the earlier numbers , ivould be so greatly to the credit of former clays , that we shall altogether refrain from the attempt ; with general information of all kinds , and of Masonic matters in particular , the charge was then as it is now , " one shilling . " We haye noted the additions—ivill the reader believe that some six years ago , nearly all the present amendments were moved , and copies VOL . VII . 4 15
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Review Of Literature, &C.
REVIEW OF LITERATURE , & c .
The History of Initiation . By the Rev . Geo . Oliver , D . D . History of Freemasonry from 1829 to 1840 . R . Spencer . —The first of these publications is a new edition of a previous work that has been already received with the highest gratification by the Order;—it has undergone much careful revision , and contains valuable and important additions . The expected revelations of those truths with ivhich the author has stored his ifted mind have been fullrealisedAs a literary
composig y . tion , the present volume is polished and elegant ; as a Masonic illustration , it is plain yet vigorous . We observe ivith much admiration the vast number of learned authorities which have been consulted , not merely as proving the great extent of the author ' s research , but as comprising the value of a course of study which thereby saves the Masonic reader a vast deal of trouble—enables him with less difficulty to comprehend those mysteries which unite morality ivith science—deduces the
origin of Freemasonry—conducts the examination through every system of philosophy—explains errors—and leaves no opportunity for the sceptic or the casuist to exercise his vocation . It is a work good for all men , and a text-book for Masonic Lodges . The second publication is by the same author , and contains an account of Masonic transactions during the past eleven years , a period most eventful in the history of the Craft . Dr . Oliver has evidently examined carefullinto circumstance
very y every , and noted each with strict fidelity , so as to leave no doubt of the impartiality which has directed the record . Iu the author ' s opinion , that with the general advancement of science the moral economy of Freemasonry is expected to keep at least an equal pace , we perfectly concur ; and our readers will agree with us , that the continuation of the Illustrations of Masonry was absolutely necessary ; in completing his task Dr . Oliver has gracefully cherished the memory of the late Brother Preston .
The Freemasons Calendar and Pocket Book for 1841 . —At length we can compliment the Craft upon some improvement , or rather additions to the Masonic department of the Diary , which will be found chiefly in the introduction of the list of the Grand Stewards , the Board of General Purposes , the library , the list of Royal Arch Chapters , and the Grand Lodges of Scotland and Ireland , of Prussia and Hamburgh . Why the two Grand Lodges of Paris , as well as all other Grand Lodges
are omitted , we cannot explain , unless that the compiler or editor is not aware of their existence . The reduction to one shilling in these times of economy is also prudent ; yet taking all matter into account , sixpence would have been a sufficient charge . We hope the sale ivill show a profit to the account of " CHARITY . " The Calendar now professes to give nothing but Masonic information , except a few moveable feasts , and sundry lessons of the church of England .
To compare the present Calendar ivith the earlier numbers , ivould be so greatly to the credit of former clays , that we shall altogether refrain from the attempt ; with general information of all kinds , and of Masonic matters in particular , the charge was then as it is now , " one shilling . " We haye noted the additions—ivill the reader believe that some six years ago , nearly all the present amendments were moved , and copies VOL . VII . 4 15