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Article Original Correspondence. ← Page 2 of 2 Article Reviews. Page 1 of 1 Article Reviews. Page 1 of 1 Article Masonic Notes and Queries. Page 1 of 1 Article PROVINCIAL GRAND LODGE OF LINCOLNSHIRE. Page 1 of 3 →
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Original Correspondence.
The subject is a very interesting one , and , therefore , must apologize for trespassing so much on your space . Y ° ' LEX LATOMSCA .
A QUERY . To the Editor of the " Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , — Can any of your readers inform an inquirer what customs prevail in connection with deceased members of
our Craft ? Is it the practice for the Secretary to summon the members of the lodge to attend the interment , or to inform the brethren of the loss of the member ; and is it understood—as a preliminary lo this—that such matters should be brought to the notice of the officers of thc lodge sustaining a loss by death ? I , fortunately , am a member of a lodge within the range of which no loss by death has
occurred , but , considering the uncertainty of life , itappears to me that some provision should be made to show respect to departed brethren . My attention lias been drawn to this matter by witnessing the loyalty and reverence with which members of friendly societies , & c , exhibit towards members lost to them by death . Information will oblige . A SECRETARY .
June 25 th . BRO . CREED ON MASONIC MARKS . To the Editor of the " Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , — Referring to your notice of the Cumberland and Westmorland Archreological Association ' s Transactions ,
containing a paper on Masons' marks in Carlisle Cathedral , it may interest you and all Freemasons to know that the compiler of thc said paper jis one of ourselves . Furthermore , I had the honour to advance Bro . Creed to the honourable Degree of a Mark Master , in March last , in Cumberland Lodge , No . 60 , Carlisle ; and it was then that
our talented brother intimated his intention to prepare his very interesting paper , which , 1 may add , is well worth perusal and consideration by all thinking taembcrs of the Mark Degree . Might I suggest the propriety of its reproduction in the " Masonic Magazine . " Fraternally yours , W . F . LAMONBY , ; P . G . Ser . Cumberland and Westmorland . Cockermouth , June 29 th .
Reviews.
Reviews .
LA CHAINE D'UNION for May . Pans . Edited by Bro . Hubert . This is a very interesting , full of matter , and certainly a very first-class , Masonic serial for French Freemasons . We hope it receives adequate support from the members of the Gallican Fraternity . It is just possible that " its views " are not" ouis , " and would hardly " go down" in our
peaceable , unexcitable jurisdiction . But , then , we must remember in fairness that the "tension of the position is rather strong " just now as between French and English Masons , and we can only hope for " better days . " Bro . Hubert tells us a good story in this serial as evidence of the proof of the way in which some persons , for their own purposes , " discount" Freemasonry . Many of our readers have
heard of Emile Girardin , well known in other days in the French Press and in French politics . He is now "in retrace , " and so , in his old age , thinks it well to " cast a stone at Freemasonry . " In his paper—the Journal de France—appears an extract from an article of M . Oscar de Poli in the " Civilisation , " which tells a wonderful story of a refuges Italian Freemason , who refused a poor widow
money to bury her husband , unless she gave up the religious ceremony . We know that there is a great deal to us of painful and senseless animosity on this " point" in some countries abroad , but like , Bro . Hubert , we utterly disbelieve the anecdote . Toleration is still happily " the badge of all our tribe , " and we will never credit the allegation , that any brother Mason could so far forget the ever sacred dictates of benevolence , toleration , and charity .
AMERICAN MASONIC JOURNALS AND REVIEWS . " The Keystone , " an old friend , is , as usual , most interesting , and the " Masonic Advocate" is very readable . "The Voice of Masonry" is most full of interesting matter . " The Masonic Age " is very carefully edited . The American Masonic journals and serials will have
plenty to " exercise " them " in re Morgan , " but we fancy that they will treat the last developcinent of unreasoning fanaticism with silent contempt . We note that some irrepressible and agitated reporter has had an interview with Thurlow Weed , who is , we believe , yo , and who in his old age affects to believe the hateful falsehoods of long years aWo . Surely there is a limit even to human malevolence
and vindictivcness . The Masonic body in America are second to none in character and respectability , and one should have thought that they had " lived down '" unblushing mendacity . But weare on the event' the season of wonderful " calves" and big " gooseberries ; " and American reporters like others we wot of , have a special weakness often for " gooseberry fool . " But this is " on the square , " please to observe .
JACOUES BALMAT ; THE FIRST ASCENT OF MONT BLANC . By TIIARIS VALE v . Kerby and Er . dean , ujo , Oxford-street , W . Thc story of Jacques I 3 alm . it will commend itself not only to the members of thc " Alpine Club , " bill to all who love adventure by " field and fell . " Wc have read it with
interest , and can safely recommend to many now about to " make tracks" for Switzerland for a summer's holiday to put it in their " bag , " to read under the shadow of tlie " Monarch of Mountains . " Of late years Alpine adventures and mountain ascents have become the fancy of the day , for youth , " fresh and fair , " from our Universities , for eallant officers of the army andnavv . for barristers and
Reviews.
adventurous , young men generally , and even for our young ladies . " Perhaps there is some . danger in reading such little " annals of adventurous striving ; " but still we will risk thc danger , and recommend the work as a good little book , " slipped in anywhere , " for holiday reading .
A GLANCE AT THE CHARACTER AND REIGN OF THE EMPEROR ALEXANDER II . By T . R . OXLEY . Translated from " Le Contemporaire . " Kerby and Endean , 190 , Oxford-street . This is " a well executed translation of an article in " Le Contemporaire , " of April , 1 SS 1 . It is undoubtedly w-cll written , but hardly does justice " scion nous , " to the
lifelong struggle and noble character , per se , of the Emperor so ruthlessly murdered by that degraded and insane conspiracy of a small portion of the people ^ he had ruled over so sagely and so well . It is a French view , and is necessarily modified by feelings " and views which do not , and need not , enter into other contemporary criticism . We doubt , however , if the time has yet come when the true history of the Emperor Alexander's reign can be
written . It is not too much to say that in that awful act of dire and unhallowed criminality , those who effected it in their insanity and ingratitude threw back the peaceful progress of Russia for many j'ears to come . Well as Mr . Oxley has performed his part of the work , so that the essay is worth reading , as a contribution to an important portion of contemporary history—the " coup d'ceil of the writer in " Le Contempoiairc " is eminently unjust , wc repeat to the late Emperor .
Masonic Notes And Queries.
Masonic Notes and Queries .
EUGEN 1 US PHILALETHES . In an old volume of sermons , " London , printed in the year 1710 , " I find some "Modest Animadversions and reflections upon a Sermon , " & c , byEugenius Philalethes . Is this our old friend " Robert Sarober , " unearthed by Bro . Gould ?
RAMSAY . As the point is of some importance 1 give the two letters from him to Cardinal Fleury , first noted by " Daruty" in 1 S 79 , in his work on the Ancient and Accepted Rite , and taken from P . E . Lemontey ' s " Histoire de la Regence et de la Minorite de Louis XV ., " & c . This work , Daruty tells us , is now " very rare . " At p . 202 , etseq ., appear the
following two letters , which I have translated . LETTER OF THE 20 m MARCH , 1737 . " Deign , Monscigneur , to support the Society of ' Freemasons , ' ( Free Masons is in English in the original , a point to be noted ) in thc great views which they propose to themselves , and your eminence will render your name even more glorious bv this protection than Richelieu made his
by the foundation of the French Academy . The objects of the one is much greater than are those of the other . To encourage a Society which only tends to reunite all nations by the love of truth and the true arts , is an action worthy ol a great minister , of a father of the church , and of a
holy pontiff . As I have to read my discourse in a General Assembly of the Order tOrmorrow , and to give it on Monday to the 'Examinersof the Chaneeliere , ' I beg your eminence to return it to me to-morrow , before midday , by an express . You will thus infinitely oblige a man who is heartily devoted to your service . "
LETTER OF THE 22 ND MARCH , 1737 . " 1 understand that the assemblies of the ' Freemasons ' displease your eminence . 1 have only frequented them in the view of spreading there those maxims which , little by litt ' e , would have rendered incredulity ridiculous , vice odious , and ignorance shameful . I am persuaded lhat were wise persons , selected by your eminence , introduced at the
head of these assemblies they would become very useful to religion , to the State , and to letters . This is which I believe to be able to convince your eminence of , if you will deign to accord me a short interview at Issy . Awaiting that happy moment , I beg your eminence to be good enough to let me know if I ought to return to these assemblies , and I will conform myself to the will of your eminence with a docility without limit . " Bro . Daruty adds : " Cardinal Fleury has written on the
margin some words in pencil , of which the sense is , ' Le Roi ne vent pas qu'on s ' assemble . ' The King does not wish that they should assemble . " Such seems to be the close of Ramsa 3 ' 's Masonic career until his death in 1743 . And if it be true that the famous " Discours d'un Grand Maitrc " was printed at the Hague in 173 S , this would confirm the theory that the famous address was really delivered March 21 , 1737 . MASONIC STUDENT .
MARTIN LUTHER , A MASON . Bro . W . 11 . Scott , Grand Master ol Illinois , says that Martin Luther was a Mason , and adds , " i had it from the late Dr . Slater , of Memphis , Tennessee . 1 give you his language as published by him in . \ . n . 1 S 64 . On the night of Christinas , 1520 , Martin Luther was made a Mason , just fifteen days after he had burned the Pope ' s
Bull . He said to himself , ' A helper will be raised up for me ; I will have faith in this my darkest hour . ' Three members of 'the Guild' came to offer him its protection . He relates : ' My three companions conducted me to the Guild Hall , where 1 was , with many and ancient ceremonies , introduced among the brethren of thc mystic tic . Judge my delight and surprise , when the first thing I beheld in the room was a copy of the Holv Bible , the book which I
ever acknowledged the rule for our faith . I was then told that that volume lies ever open in thc hall to bc consulted by the brethren . Rapidly was I advanced from step to step , until / reached the grade which entitled me to wear this medal and know the meaning of its mystic inscription . ' The brotherhood of the Mark conveyed him 1 * 5 VVartburg , and sheltered him until ( lie danger was overpast , and thus saved tbe great Reformer's life , and preserved for us the great boon ot religions liberty . "—Keystone .
GERMAN MASONIC WORKS . Can any French brother inform me whether the works of Kloss , Krause , Fallon , and VVinzer have been republished in France ? I am _ ry anxious to see a complete list of French Masonic bo <' .:-, translation , as well as originals . R . F . GOULD .
Provincial Grand Lodge Of Lincolnshire.
PROVINCIAL GRAND LODGE OF LINCOLNSHIRE .
LAYING THE FOUNDATION STONE OF THE CHURCH OF ST . JOHN THE DIVINE AT . GAINSBOROUGH .
Monday the 20 th ult ., was made noticeable by such a circumstance and such a gathering of people as has not taken place locally within the memory of man . The members of the Mystic Brotherhood have indulged the inhabitants of the ancient town , and a host of visitors attracted by the occasion , with one of those magnificent and peculiar public ceremonials for which the Craft is famous . The
occasion selected was the laying of the foundation stone of the new church of St . John the Divine , and the object , as a matter of course , was the augmentation of the church building fund . The annual Provincial Grand Lodge of Lincolnshire having been arranged to be held at Gainsborough during the month of Juue , it was suggested that if the principal donor
( Sir H . B . Bacon ) did not desire to lay thc foundation stone the Masonic brethren might do considerable service to the funds of the new church by laying it on the Provincial Grand Lodge day with full Masonic ceremonial . Sir Hickman Bacon was therefore communicated with , and his reply was received . In accordance with the tenour of that reply , the-Provincial Grand Master of Lincolnshire , Bro . Major
Smyth , B . L ., was invited by the W . M . and brethren or the Yarborough Lodge to lay the foundation stone , the trustees of the new church having also expressed themselves in favour of the scheme . The R . W . Prov . Grand Master graciously acceded to the invitation , and the result was the interesting proceedings now recorded . But not only to members " of the Craft and of the
religious community referred to did Monday present itself as an auspicious day ; to a large section of the townspeople and farmers of the district a source of congratulation was the return to Gainsborough , after long absence , of Sir H . B . Bacon , Bart , the Lord of the Manor . At 10 . 30 a . m . on Monday , the 20 th ult ., the brethren of the Yarborough Lodge , No . 422 , opened a lodge in the old
hall , in the Ihree Degrees , at 11 a . m . The R . W . Prov . Grand Master and his Prov . Grand Officers were announced and admitted , and Prov . Grand Lodge op ' ened in due form . Among those present were R . W . Bro . W . H . Smyth , Prov . Grand Master ; VV . Bros . T . H . Oidman , 422 , P . P . G . S . W ., as Deputy Prov . Grand Master ; T . M . Wilkinson , 297 , Prov . Grand Senior Warden ; G . M . Lowe , M . D ., 1386 ,
Prov . Grand Junior Warden ; Bro . Rev . W . P . Jones , 1294 , Prov . Grand Chaplain ; VV . Bros . C . M . Nesbitt , 712 , Prov . Grand Treasurer ; H . Watson , 297 , Prov . Grand Registrar ; F . D . Marsden , 712 , Prov . Grand Secretary ; T , C . Johnson , 1 G 00 , Prov . Grand Senior Deacon ; S . G . Gamble , 362 , Prov . Grand Superintendent of Works ; H . H . Roberts , 792 , Prov . Grand Director of Ceremonies ; T . VV . Palmer , 83 S , Prov . Grand Assistant Director of
Ceremonies ; 1 * . B . Su-allow , 1447 , Prov . Grand S . B . ; J . Laughton , 422 , Prov . Grand Pursuivant ; VV . Rainforth , 138 ( 1 , VV . Cocking , 12 S 6 ; H . T . Seels , jun ., 42 C and 1 S 93 , J . R . Dudding , 12 S 2 , VV . Gray , 1447 , and C . F . Liversidge , 422 , Prov . Grand Stewards ; VV . Bro . T . P . Dick ' enson , Prov . Grand Standard Bearer ; and Bro . B . Box , Prov . Grand Tyler . The whole of tlie Provincial Grand Officers , with but two exceptions , were present . Among other distinguished provincial brethren present
were Past Prov . Grand Senior Wardens—VV . Bros . R . J . Ward , 297 ; Jas . Fowler , 712 ; VV . Pigott , 12 S 2 ; and Thos . Slator , S 3 S . Past Prov . Grand Junior Wardens—VV . Bros . D . Mackinder , M . D ., 422 ; " VV . Snart , 272 ; Jos . Bellamy , 58 S ; H . Sharp , 1304 ; VV . IL Sissons , 14 . 17 , P . G . Charity Stwd .
" Smyth " Scholarship Fund . Past Prov , Grand Chaplains—W . Bros . Rev . G . VV . Lowe , 272 ; and Rev . S . P . Hodgson , 1262 ( Oxon ) . Past Prov . Grand Registrar—VV . Bro . T . Sissons , 1447 and 1010 ( North and East Yorks ) . Past Prov . G . Sec—W . Brn . S . F . Hood , 297 ( Oxon ) . Past Prov . Grand Senior Deacons—VV . Bros . G . Ford ,
12 S 6 ( Line ) , 271 ( Sussex ); Thos . Fryer , 12 S 2 ; and Wm Finlay , 1232 . Past Prov . Grand Junior Deacons—VV . Bros . J . Moxon , 422 ; H . Shepherd , S 3 S ; and J . Robinson , 4 G 9 . Past Prov . Grand Superintendent of Works—VV . Bro E . Chamberlain , 1232 . Past Prov . Grand Assistant Director of
Ceremonies—VV . Bro . VV . E . Hewlett , 422 . Past Prov . Grand Organists—VV . Bros . J . C . Osborne , 1304 ; G . IL Porter , 712 ; Bro . G . Robinson , 422 ; and VV . Bro . A . VV . Lambert , 5 SS . Past Prov . Grand Pursuivant *— VV . Bro . A . Kirk , 422 . Past Masters—W . Bros . G . Horsham , 422 ; VV . M . Green , 422 ; R . Goodman , 422 ; D . Swanston , 422 ; P
Newbould , 426 ; J . Woodward , 4 ( 19 ; J . Mawer , 712 ; VV . Marshall , 792 ; J . Fergusson , S 3 S ; "j . Allen , jun ., S 3 S ; T . Harrison , 1232 ; T . Cleugh , 12 S 2 ; VV . Ilcnson , 12 S 6 ; VV . Cocking , 128 ( 1 ; J . Ward , 1304 ; and F . Higgins , 1 G 00 . W . M . 's of the province—VV . Bros . VV . R . Fowler , 272 ; J . S . Codd , 297 _ ; Rev . J . R . U . Elliott , 422 ; John Benncr , 4 6 9 ; J . ' G . Tupholmc , 712 ; A . S . Stcffenscn , 792 ; G . Mager , S 3 S ; ) . Stow , 12 . 32 ; J . R . Dudding ,
12 S 2 ; ) . Casteiton , 128 * 3 ; T . Mountain , 1204 ; j-Willson ' , 1304 ; ) . J . Allott , 13 SO ; M . Woodall , 1447 ; W . G . Winter , 14 S 2 ; II . T . Seels , jun ., 1 S 93 ; also a large attendance of Wardens and other brethren of the province , 1 S 5 having signed the attendance sheet . The R . W . P . G . M . was alro honoured by the presence of the following visiting brethren : W . Bros . | . S .
Cumberland , 1 G 11 , P . P . G . S . W . N . and E . Yorks ; T . Markham , P . M . 12 G 5 ; Bros . J . Baker , 5 S 5 ; J . A . Hirst , ] . D . 1 S 02 ; T . Walker , 1 S 02 ; arte * Morris , $ S _ . Letters of apology wcre received from several brethren , and of regret for inability to attend from \ V . Bros . F . Binckes , Sec H . M . I . P . , and P . 1 * . W . Holrcs . Sec . R . M . I . G .
The roll call showed that every ledge except one , Alexandra , 9 S 5 , was represented . The minutes of the last Annual P . G . Lodge held at Lincoln , June 24 th , 1 SS 0 , having been " taken as read , " ' the P . G . SECRETARY read the minutes of an especial P . G . Lodge , called April 21 st , 1 S 81 , for the purpose of constituting and dedicating the Lumley Lodge , No . 1 S 93 , at Skegness .
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Original Correspondence.
The subject is a very interesting one , and , therefore , must apologize for trespassing so much on your space . Y ° ' LEX LATOMSCA .
A QUERY . To the Editor of the " Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , — Can any of your readers inform an inquirer what customs prevail in connection with deceased members of
our Craft ? Is it the practice for the Secretary to summon the members of the lodge to attend the interment , or to inform the brethren of the loss of the member ; and is it understood—as a preliminary lo this—that such matters should be brought to the notice of the officers of thc lodge sustaining a loss by death ? I , fortunately , am a member of a lodge within the range of which no loss by death has
occurred , but , considering the uncertainty of life , itappears to me that some provision should be made to show respect to departed brethren . My attention lias been drawn to this matter by witnessing the loyalty and reverence with which members of friendly societies , & c , exhibit towards members lost to them by death . Information will oblige . A SECRETARY .
June 25 th . BRO . CREED ON MASONIC MARKS . To the Editor of the " Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , — Referring to your notice of the Cumberland and Westmorland Archreological Association ' s Transactions ,
containing a paper on Masons' marks in Carlisle Cathedral , it may interest you and all Freemasons to know that the compiler of thc said paper jis one of ourselves . Furthermore , I had the honour to advance Bro . Creed to the honourable Degree of a Mark Master , in March last , in Cumberland Lodge , No . 60 , Carlisle ; and it was then that
our talented brother intimated his intention to prepare his very interesting paper , which , 1 may add , is well worth perusal and consideration by all thinking taembcrs of the Mark Degree . Might I suggest the propriety of its reproduction in the " Masonic Magazine . " Fraternally yours , W . F . LAMONBY , ; P . G . Ser . Cumberland and Westmorland . Cockermouth , June 29 th .
Reviews.
Reviews .
LA CHAINE D'UNION for May . Pans . Edited by Bro . Hubert . This is a very interesting , full of matter , and certainly a very first-class , Masonic serial for French Freemasons . We hope it receives adequate support from the members of the Gallican Fraternity . It is just possible that " its views " are not" ouis , " and would hardly " go down" in our
peaceable , unexcitable jurisdiction . But , then , we must remember in fairness that the "tension of the position is rather strong " just now as between French and English Masons , and we can only hope for " better days . " Bro . Hubert tells us a good story in this serial as evidence of the proof of the way in which some persons , for their own purposes , " discount" Freemasonry . Many of our readers have
heard of Emile Girardin , well known in other days in the French Press and in French politics . He is now "in retrace , " and so , in his old age , thinks it well to " cast a stone at Freemasonry . " In his paper—the Journal de France—appears an extract from an article of M . Oscar de Poli in the " Civilisation , " which tells a wonderful story of a refuges Italian Freemason , who refused a poor widow
money to bury her husband , unless she gave up the religious ceremony . We know that there is a great deal to us of painful and senseless animosity on this " point" in some countries abroad , but like , Bro . Hubert , we utterly disbelieve the anecdote . Toleration is still happily " the badge of all our tribe , " and we will never credit the allegation , that any brother Mason could so far forget the ever sacred dictates of benevolence , toleration , and charity .
AMERICAN MASONIC JOURNALS AND REVIEWS . " The Keystone , " an old friend , is , as usual , most interesting , and the " Masonic Advocate" is very readable . "The Voice of Masonry" is most full of interesting matter . " The Masonic Age " is very carefully edited . The American Masonic journals and serials will have
plenty to " exercise " them " in re Morgan , " but we fancy that they will treat the last developcinent of unreasoning fanaticism with silent contempt . We note that some irrepressible and agitated reporter has had an interview with Thurlow Weed , who is , we believe , yo , and who in his old age affects to believe the hateful falsehoods of long years aWo . Surely there is a limit even to human malevolence
and vindictivcness . The Masonic body in America are second to none in character and respectability , and one should have thought that they had " lived down '" unblushing mendacity . But weare on the event' the season of wonderful " calves" and big " gooseberries ; " and American reporters like others we wot of , have a special weakness often for " gooseberry fool . " But this is " on the square , " please to observe .
JACOUES BALMAT ; THE FIRST ASCENT OF MONT BLANC . By TIIARIS VALE v . Kerby and Er . dean , ujo , Oxford-street , W . Thc story of Jacques I 3 alm . it will commend itself not only to the members of thc " Alpine Club , " bill to all who love adventure by " field and fell . " Wc have read it with
interest , and can safely recommend to many now about to " make tracks" for Switzerland for a summer's holiday to put it in their " bag , " to read under the shadow of tlie " Monarch of Mountains . " Of late years Alpine adventures and mountain ascents have become the fancy of the day , for youth , " fresh and fair , " from our Universities , for eallant officers of the army andnavv . for barristers and
Reviews.
adventurous , young men generally , and even for our young ladies . " Perhaps there is some . danger in reading such little " annals of adventurous striving ; " but still we will risk thc danger , and recommend the work as a good little book , " slipped in anywhere , " for holiday reading .
A GLANCE AT THE CHARACTER AND REIGN OF THE EMPEROR ALEXANDER II . By T . R . OXLEY . Translated from " Le Contemporaire . " Kerby and Endean , 190 , Oxford-street . This is " a well executed translation of an article in " Le Contemporaire , " of April , 1 SS 1 . It is undoubtedly w-cll written , but hardly does justice " scion nous , " to the
lifelong struggle and noble character , per se , of the Emperor so ruthlessly murdered by that degraded and insane conspiracy of a small portion of the people ^ he had ruled over so sagely and so well . It is a French view , and is necessarily modified by feelings " and views which do not , and need not , enter into other contemporary criticism . We doubt , however , if the time has yet come when the true history of the Emperor Alexander's reign can be
written . It is not too much to say that in that awful act of dire and unhallowed criminality , those who effected it in their insanity and ingratitude threw back the peaceful progress of Russia for many j'ears to come . Well as Mr . Oxley has performed his part of the work , so that the essay is worth reading , as a contribution to an important portion of contemporary history—the " coup d'ceil of the writer in " Le Contempoiairc " is eminently unjust , wc repeat to the late Emperor .
Masonic Notes And Queries.
Masonic Notes and Queries .
EUGEN 1 US PHILALETHES . In an old volume of sermons , " London , printed in the year 1710 , " I find some "Modest Animadversions and reflections upon a Sermon , " & c , byEugenius Philalethes . Is this our old friend " Robert Sarober , " unearthed by Bro . Gould ?
RAMSAY . As the point is of some importance 1 give the two letters from him to Cardinal Fleury , first noted by " Daruty" in 1 S 79 , in his work on the Ancient and Accepted Rite , and taken from P . E . Lemontey ' s " Histoire de la Regence et de la Minorite de Louis XV ., " & c . This work , Daruty tells us , is now " very rare . " At p . 202 , etseq ., appear the
following two letters , which I have translated . LETTER OF THE 20 m MARCH , 1737 . " Deign , Monscigneur , to support the Society of ' Freemasons , ' ( Free Masons is in English in the original , a point to be noted ) in thc great views which they propose to themselves , and your eminence will render your name even more glorious bv this protection than Richelieu made his
by the foundation of the French Academy . The objects of the one is much greater than are those of the other . To encourage a Society which only tends to reunite all nations by the love of truth and the true arts , is an action worthy ol a great minister , of a father of the church , and of a
holy pontiff . As I have to read my discourse in a General Assembly of the Order tOrmorrow , and to give it on Monday to the 'Examinersof the Chaneeliere , ' I beg your eminence to return it to me to-morrow , before midday , by an express . You will thus infinitely oblige a man who is heartily devoted to your service . "
LETTER OF THE 22 ND MARCH , 1737 . " 1 understand that the assemblies of the ' Freemasons ' displease your eminence . 1 have only frequented them in the view of spreading there those maxims which , little by litt ' e , would have rendered incredulity ridiculous , vice odious , and ignorance shameful . I am persuaded lhat were wise persons , selected by your eminence , introduced at the
head of these assemblies they would become very useful to religion , to the State , and to letters . This is which I believe to be able to convince your eminence of , if you will deign to accord me a short interview at Issy . Awaiting that happy moment , I beg your eminence to be good enough to let me know if I ought to return to these assemblies , and I will conform myself to the will of your eminence with a docility without limit . " Bro . Daruty adds : " Cardinal Fleury has written on the
margin some words in pencil , of which the sense is , ' Le Roi ne vent pas qu'on s ' assemble . ' The King does not wish that they should assemble . " Such seems to be the close of Ramsa 3 ' 's Masonic career until his death in 1743 . And if it be true that the famous " Discours d'un Grand Maitrc " was printed at the Hague in 173 S , this would confirm the theory that the famous address was really delivered March 21 , 1737 . MASONIC STUDENT .
MARTIN LUTHER , A MASON . Bro . W . 11 . Scott , Grand Master ol Illinois , says that Martin Luther was a Mason , and adds , " i had it from the late Dr . Slater , of Memphis , Tennessee . 1 give you his language as published by him in . \ . n . 1 S 64 . On the night of Christinas , 1520 , Martin Luther was made a Mason , just fifteen days after he had burned the Pope ' s
Bull . He said to himself , ' A helper will be raised up for me ; I will have faith in this my darkest hour . ' Three members of 'the Guild' came to offer him its protection . He relates : ' My three companions conducted me to the Guild Hall , where 1 was , with many and ancient ceremonies , introduced among the brethren of thc mystic tic . Judge my delight and surprise , when the first thing I beheld in the room was a copy of the Holv Bible , the book which I
ever acknowledged the rule for our faith . I was then told that that volume lies ever open in thc hall to bc consulted by the brethren . Rapidly was I advanced from step to step , until / reached the grade which entitled me to wear this medal and know the meaning of its mystic inscription . ' The brotherhood of the Mark conveyed him 1 * 5 VVartburg , and sheltered him until ( lie danger was overpast , and thus saved tbe great Reformer's life , and preserved for us the great boon ot religions liberty . "—Keystone .
GERMAN MASONIC WORKS . Can any French brother inform me whether the works of Kloss , Krause , Fallon , and VVinzer have been republished in France ? I am _ ry anxious to see a complete list of French Masonic bo <' .:-, translation , as well as originals . R . F . GOULD .
Provincial Grand Lodge Of Lincolnshire.
PROVINCIAL GRAND LODGE OF LINCOLNSHIRE .
LAYING THE FOUNDATION STONE OF THE CHURCH OF ST . JOHN THE DIVINE AT . GAINSBOROUGH .
Monday the 20 th ult ., was made noticeable by such a circumstance and such a gathering of people as has not taken place locally within the memory of man . The members of the Mystic Brotherhood have indulged the inhabitants of the ancient town , and a host of visitors attracted by the occasion , with one of those magnificent and peculiar public ceremonials for which the Craft is famous . The
occasion selected was the laying of the foundation stone of the new church of St . John the Divine , and the object , as a matter of course , was the augmentation of the church building fund . The annual Provincial Grand Lodge of Lincolnshire having been arranged to be held at Gainsborough during the month of Juue , it was suggested that if the principal donor
( Sir H . B . Bacon ) did not desire to lay thc foundation stone the Masonic brethren might do considerable service to the funds of the new church by laying it on the Provincial Grand Lodge day with full Masonic ceremonial . Sir Hickman Bacon was therefore communicated with , and his reply was received . In accordance with the tenour of that reply , the-Provincial Grand Master of Lincolnshire , Bro . Major
Smyth , B . L ., was invited by the W . M . and brethren or the Yarborough Lodge to lay the foundation stone , the trustees of the new church having also expressed themselves in favour of the scheme . The R . W . Prov . Grand Master graciously acceded to the invitation , and the result was the interesting proceedings now recorded . But not only to members " of the Craft and of the
religious community referred to did Monday present itself as an auspicious day ; to a large section of the townspeople and farmers of the district a source of congratulation was the return to Gainsborough , after long absence , of Sir H . B . Bacon , Bart , the Lord of the Manor . At 10 . 30 a . m . on Monday , the 20 th ult ., the brethren of the Yarborough Lodge , No . 422 , opened a lodge in the old
hall , in the Ihree Degrees , at 11 a . m . The R . W . Prov . Grand Master and his Prov . Grand Officers were announced and admitted , and Prov . Grand Lodge op ' ened in due form . Among those present were R . W . Bro . W . H . Smyth , Prov . Grand Master ; VV . Bros . T . H . Oidman , 422 , P . P . G . S . W ., as Deputy Prov . Grand Master ; T . M . Wilkinson , 297 , Prov . Grand Senior Warden ; G . M . Lowe , M . D ., 1386 ,
Prov . Grand Junior Warden ; Bro . Rev . W . P . Jones , 1294 , Prov . Grand Chaplain ; VV . Bros . C . M . Nesbitt , 712 , Prov . Grand Treasurer ; H . Watson , 297 , Prov . Grand Registrar ; F . D . Marsden , 712 , Prov . Grand Secretary ; T , C . Johnson , 1 G 00 , Prov . Grand Senior Deacon ; S . G . Gamble , 362 , Prov . Grand Superintendent of Works ; H . H . Roberts , 792 , Prov . Grand Director of Ceremonies ; T . VV . Palmer , 83 S , Prov . Grand Assistant Director of
Ceremonies ; 1 * . B . Su-allow , 1447 , Prov . Grand S . B . ; J . Laughton , 422 , Prov . Grand Pursuivant ; VV . Rainforth , 138 ( 1 , VV . Cocking , 12 S 6 ; H . T . Seels , jun ., 42 C and 1 S 93 , J . R . Dudding , 12 S 2 , VV . Gray , 1447 , and C . F . Liversidge , 422 , Prov . Grand Stewards ; VV . Bro . T . P . Dick ' enson , Prov . Grand Standard Bearer ; and Bro . B . Box , Prov . Grand Tyler . The whole of tlie Provincial Grand Officers , with but two exceptions , were present . Among other distinguished provincial brethren present
were Past Prov . Grand Senior Wardens—VV . Bros . R . J . Ward , 297 ; Jas . Fowler , 712 ; VV . Pigott , 12 S 2 ; and Thos . Slator , S 3 S . Past Prov . Grand Junior Wardens—VV . Bros . D . Mackinder , M . D ., 422 ; " VV . Snart , 272 ; Jos . Bellamy , 58 S ; H . Sharp , 1304 ; VV . IL Sissons , 14 . 17 , P . G . Charity Stwd .
" Smyth " Scholarship Fund . Past Prov , Grand Chaplains—W . Bros . Rev . G . VV . Lowe , 272 ; and Rev . S . P . Hodgson , 1262 ( Oxon ) . Past Prov . Grand Registrar—VV . Bro . T . Sissons , 1447 and 1010 ( North and East Yorks ) . Past Prov . G . Sec—W . Brn . S . F . Hood , 297 ( Oxon ) . Past Prov . Grand Senior Deacons—VV . Bros . G . Ford ,
12 S 6 ( Line ) , 271 ( Sussex ); Thos . Fryer , 12 S 2 ; and Wm Finlay , 1232 . Past Prov . Grand Junior Deacons—VV . Bros . J . Moxon , 422 ; H . Shepherd , S 3 S ; and J . Robinson , 4 G 9 . Past Prov . Grand Superintendent of Works—VV . Bro E . Chamberlain , 1232 . Past Prov . Grand Assistant Director of
Ceremonies—VV . Bro . VV . E . Hewlett , 422 . Past Prov . Grand Organists—VV . Bros . J . C . Osborne , 1304 ; G . IL Porter , 712 ; Bro . G . Robinson , 422 ; and VV . Bro . A . VV . Lambert , 5 SS . Past Prov . Grand Pursuivant *— VV . Bro . A . Kirk , 422 . Past Masters—W . Bros . G . Horsham , 422 ; VV . M . Green , 422 ; R . Goodman , 422 ; D . Swanston , 422 ; P
Newbould , 426 ; J . Woodward , 4 ( 19 ; J . Mawer , 712 ; VV . Marshall , 792 ; J . Fergusson , S 3 S ; "j . Allen , jun ., S 3 S ; T . Harrison , 1232 ; T . Cleugh , 12 S 2 ; VV . Ilcnson , 12 S 6 ; VV . Cocking , 128 ( 1 ; J . Ward , 1304 ; and F . Higgins , 1 G 00 . W . M . 's of the province—VV . Bros . VV . R . Fowler , 272 ; J . S . Codd , 297 _ ; Rev . J . R . U . Elliott , 422 ; John Benncr , 4 6 9 ; J . ' G . Tupholmc , 712 ; A . S . Stcffenscn , 792 ; G . Mager , S 3 S ; ) . Stow , 12 . 32 ; J . R . Dudding ,
12 S 2 ; ) . Casteiton , 128 * 3 ; T . Mountain , 1204 ; j-Willson ' , 1304 ; ) . J . Allott , 13 SO ; M . Woodall , 1447 ; W . G . Winter , 14 S 2 ; II . T . Seels , jun ., 1 S 93 ; also a large attendance of Wardens and other brethren of the province , 1 S 5 having signed the attendance sheet . The R . W . P . G . M . was alro honoured by the presence of the following visiting brethren : W . Bros . | . S .
Cumberland , 1 G 11 , P . P . G . S . W . N . and E . Yorks ; T . Markham , P . M . 12 G 5 ; Bros . J . Baker , 5 S 5 ; J . A . Hirst , ] . D . 1 S 02 ; T . Walker , 1 S 02 ; arte * Morris , $ S _ . Letters of apology wcre received from several brethren , and of regret for inability to attend from \ V . Bros . F . Binckes , Sec H . M . I . P . , and P . 1 * . W . Holrcs . Sec . R . M . I . G .
The roll call showed that every ledge except one , Alexandra , 9 S 5 , was represented . The minutes of the last Annual P . G . Lodge held at Lincoln , June 24 th , 1 SS 0 , having been " taken as read , " ' the P . G . SECRETARY read the minutes of an especial P . G . Lodge , called April 21 st , 1 S 81 , for the purpose of constituting and dedicating the Lumley Lodge , No . 1 S 93 , at Skegness .