A Lecture On The Three Epochs Of Freemasonry.

Alexandria had perished in the flames , and thus narrowed the compass of my classical studies . The lost books of Livy never caused me nearly so much pain as those which had been preserved . But whatever our feelings as schoolboys may have been , we owe , as Masons , a great debt of gratitude to the Monks of old . Learning of all kinds is vastly indebted to those who studied within

cloistered walls—walls which in times of turbulent warfare preserved the knowledge and the arts of peace . The Monks were our brother Masons . To them we owe our fine ecclesiatical buildings , our cathedrals . Their work survives and speak to us Moderns of the grandeur of conception , design , and workmanship of those ancient brethren . For instance , the capitals of early Norman

columns have in some cases a cross of peculiar form sculptured on them , and which is instantly recognised by those brethren who have taken the R . A . Degree . One such is engraved in the introduction to "Parker ' s Gothic Architecture . It is pleasant to linger lovingly over those bygone days of our Craft . However pleasant it may be to indulge a somewhat rerial flight amid the shadows of the far past ; however

conservative—if I can use the word without a political meaning—it may be to rejoice in being members of one of the oldest aristocracies in existence , it will yet be my aim this evening to allude to one or two historical facts so near our own time that for this reason they may be thought less romantic , but perhaps none the less useful . The first is what is commonly called the Revival . The very word

revival imp'ies a previous condition cf deadness , almost death . Freemasonry did , indeed , almost expire . Two hundred years ago , in 16 S 5 , our G . M . was no less a man than Sir Christopher Wren . 1 know that the exact connection of Sir C Wren with Masonry is a point recently discussed , but Dr . Oliver tells us that the reason he gave up Masonry was as follows : When George the First came to

the throne he superseded this great man in favour of Bro . W . Benson , and so disgusted him with the world that he declined public assemblies , and amongst the rest relinquished his connection with Masonry . The Craft refused to meet or hold any communication with the new G . M ., and Masonry languished till it became almost extinct . Even Masonry has not been free from that

saddest spectacle , a quarrel amongst the gods . The way in which Dr . Desaguliers , who revived Masonry , became acquainted with its tenets is very curious . He was a fellow of the Royal Society , and deeply interested in scientific researches . He came across a pamphlet published by Simeon Townsend in 1712 , which triumphed in the decline of Freemasonry . The remarks made in it excited his curiosity , and he was made

a Mason in the old Lodge of the Goose and Gridiron in St . Paul ' s Churchyard . The peculiar principles of the Craft struck him as eminently calculated to benefit humanity if they could be re-directed into the channel from which they had been diverted by the retirement of Sir Christopher Wren . He paid a vis t to this veteran Freemason , and the conversation of the Past Grand Master so excited his enthusiasm that he determined to revive the Order . This

is a fact well to be remembered , because there were some who , in their reaction from the traditional school , would try and persuade us that Freemasonry really dates simply from 1717 . This is not so , and the correspondence of Dr . Desaguliers with Sir C Wren appears to me to mark an important epoch in Masonry . It was a revival , not a new creation . Dr . Desaguliers found himself supported by an

able body of brethren—Sayer , Payne , Elliott , and others , who weie the Masters and Wardens of the four old lodges ., the Goose and Gridiron , the Appletree , the Crown , and the Rummer and Grapes . They tormed themselves into a Grand Lodge and resumed the quarterly communications , and then replanted the tree , which soon ' extended its stately

branches to all quarters of the globe . Dr . Desaguliers did much to raise the tone of the lodges of the period . The vice of swearing , as the literature of the time bears witness , was a very common one . Dean Swift observes : " For now-a-days men change their oaths As often as they change their clothes . "

One of the by-laws ran thus : " Forbidding all cursing , swearing , and whispering , all religious and political disputes , together with all irreligious and profane conversation . " It is on record that Dr . Desaguliers , being appealed to by a lord newly initiated , and who strengthened his appeal with his usual oaths , reproved him with great dignity . And once again to another peer addicted to the reigning vice he

remarked , " My lord , if you thought you were honouring God you would not swear so furiously . " VVe cannot wonder that Masonry revived undtr such a fearless Grand Master . The epoch of the revival cannot be left without the mention of the name of Dr . Anderson , who zealously sought for all the Masonic literature then in existence , and whose published work on Freemasonry , printed in 1723 ,

insured the triumph of the Craft . The number of pamphlets of various kinds and the articles in the papers of the day directed against Freemasonry is simply astonishing , and the absurd imputations thrown upon the Masonic body are , at any rate at this distance of time , highly amusing . One writer asserted that those who hanged Capt Porteous in Edinburgh were Masons . His argument

ran thus . Those who hanged Capt . Porteous have never been found out . The Freemasons understand how to keep a secret , therefore the Freemasons hanged Capt . Porteous . All these attacks were answered by an admirable pamphlet by Dr . Anderson , called "A Defence of Masonry , " 1730 . These things are surely worth recalling , as they show us that Masonry , like anything else in the world that

has any good it , is sure to have numerous enemies , VVe hear it reviled now-a-days by some . One old ground on which it was attacked is still made use of , namely , that Masons are not wiser , more temperate , or religious than other men , in spite of their high professions . Let us remember that this ground can only be cut away from under our opponents' feet in one way ,

namely , by each brother of the Craft acting more consistently upon its noble piinciples , and only introducing those of credit . If we are true descendants of Desauguliers and Anderson , the revival of Masonry will be no mere epoch in the past but a perennial spring , whose vivifyino

waters will never stagnate or corrupt . ( 2 ) . The second important epoch I would notice is The Schism , which , though lamentable at the time , really brought about good in the end . It was conducive to a spirit of enquiry which would never otherwise have been aroused . The schism arose in this manner . Certain brethren who had

been guilty of irregularities were suspended and expelled from Grand Lodge . The ultimate result was that in 1755 Grand Lodge passediunanimously the resolution erasing the

A Lecture On The Three Epochs Of Freemasonry.

lodge held at Ben Jonson s Head , to which these brethren belonged , from the list of lodges , and declaiing that brethren who attended their regular meetings there should not be admitted into Grand Lodge . 'They formed themselves into a rival Grand Lodge , calling themselves the Ancients , and stigmatising the regular Grand Lodge as Modern They were also called the Athol Lodge . Even in this

dispute we find the Masonic virtue of moderation was not altogether lost s'ght of , and the result was that the two Grand Lodges proceeded en their respective careers with more peace , harmony , and brotherly love than might have been expected . ( 3 ) . It is pleasant to turn from strife to peace , from discord to union . Discord amongst Masons makes us ask a question in

old , las the time of Virgil" Tantcene animisCcelestibusirae . " The leading difference between the two hodies of Masons was that while Grand Lodge held to the Ancient landmarks and decided that pure Masonry consisted of three Degrees , and three only , the Athol Masons had adopted four Degrees , the fourth Degree being Ramsay ' s R . A . During the earlier years of the present century the leading Masons of

both Bodies tried to find a common point at which they could meet without loss of dignity on either side . Matters on both sides were approaching a settlement , which was thus at length brought about in 1813 . After many preliminary steps , into which I cannot now enter , the Duke of Kent was elevated to the throne of Grand Master , and articles of Union were signed at Kensington Palace . The

tide of Masonic energy was enabled once more to flow in one channel , one ever widening river of Charity and harmony , dispensing blessings right and left . At the present time there are only 339 lodges whose warrants carry us back to the date of Union , 126 of which belonged to the Athol section , which was gradually becoming more and more numerous . It was therefore a great act

of wisdom on the part of Grand Lodge to effect a reconciliation , and the greatest proof of that wisdom is seen in the vast increase of Masonry since that date . The Revival , the Schism , and the Reunion may well be called important epochs in Masonry . I have briefly touched on three epochs—the Revival , Schism , and Reunion . They have been repeated since then , and the lessons they teach must

never be forgotten . There has been a revival of Masonry in many directions . There have been at times schisms in provinces and in lodges , resulting as schism ever must—in weakness and loss of prestige . There have been reunions —restoring prestige and power . It is the old story of the bundle of sticks—united no one can break it , but each

taken by itself is soon broken . What greater proof of union can we have , VV . M ., than such a lodge as this over which you so ably preside ? What pleasanter reunions can we have than such meetings as this , when those separated by distance from each other can from time to time meet together within its walls to cement their Masonic fellowship , and go forth stronger in truth , in prudence , and in virtue ?

The Theatres.

THE THEATRES .

Those who have read—and who is there who has not read ?—Mrs . Harriet Beecher Stowe's slave story , must feel inlerested at seeing it the subject of a dramatic work . Miss Hawthorne , in arrangement with an American Company , has put on her stage at the Princess ' s a piece entitled " Uncle Tom's Cabin , " wherein the hair-breadth escapes of George and Eliza Harris , the suffeiing of poor old Uncle Tom , the villanies of Legree , the crass ignorance of

Topsy , the love of little Eva , and the general doings of slaves on a Mississippi plantation , are depicted in all their reality as they once were . Of course in the playbill many portions of the book are not represented , but there is enough to recognise the old familiar book , and to amuse everyone for a whole evening , though it would be impossible to say that the performance takes the character of an intellectual entertainment .

* # Mr . Buchanan ' s " Fascination , " recently produced at the ill-fated Novelty , has now been transferred to the Vaudeville , the cast being entirely new , with the exception of Miss Harriet Jay , who plays the chief part , and is responsible for a share in the writing of the play . It is well to call it an " improbable " comedy ; this word ought

to be printed in large letters on the play-bills , so that the audience may sit down expecting to see something which they know cannot happen . It is its improbability which makes us doubt , however clever otherwise the piece may be , whether it can hope to hold the boards long . Would it not have been better to have termed it straight away an impossible comedy ? And yet there is much that is striking

in 'Fascination , and we will even say fascinating , but it is so jumbled up that one rises at the end partially dissatisfied . We thought it would make either a good strong comedy or a screaming farce had it been put in other hands ; now it is neither fish , flesh , fowl , or good red herring . Lady Madge Slashton is engaged to Lord Islay , but has reason to believe he is not true to her . She disguises herself in

man's attire and meets her swain in the house of Mrs . Delamere , an adventuress . Lady Madge , who passes herself off as young Marlowe , just back from Jamaica , is not recognised by Lord Islay , although she is by the Rev . Mr . Colley , the curate of her parish , in the country . This is certainly improbable , as are also Marlowe's influence over Mrs . Delamere and his conduct

to the guests . Count Le Grange wishes to win Lady Madge , and schemes with Mrs . Delamere , making the latter , by supplying her with money , promise to get from Islay a ring which Lady Madge has given her lover . Mrs . Delamere , on the pretence of borrowing the ring wherewith to seal a letter , puts it on her own finger , and when Lord Islay denounces her as a thief before the company she persuades them that he gave her the ring . We will

only add that Islay returns to his old love , not having , after all , being so treacherous as she thought , but having been like many other men , through the fascination of a bad women , under some spell , which he throws off when a good woman comes to the rescue . Miss Harriet Jay is Lady Madge Slashton , and plays the part with much skill . Miss Vane , who is the adventuress , looks very fine , and never descends to any coarseness . In other hands this might be made obnoxious to the audience , but Miss Vane deserves

all praise for her careful playing . Bro . Trios . Thome is the Rev . Mr . Colley , a part which he makes entirely amusing , without at the same time degrading the effice , although we hope there are not many such curates as Mr . Colley . Bro . H . B . Conway is the Lord Islay , but he seems frightened at the part he has to play . Bro . Conway could net play badly , but we have never seen

him act so unsatisfactorily . Mrs . Canninge has , as the Duchess of Hurlingham , very little—too little—scope for her sourness of speech . Bro . Fred Thome , as the Duke , does a very good bit of character acting . Mr . Scott Buist makes a manly and healthy Lord Jack Slashton ,

" Fascination " is a play we are very glad to have seen , there is so much that is fascinating in it , ytt we do not know that we could recommend a friend to go and see it , yet its very improbability may be its success , for if one goes to the Vaudeville expecting to see that which cannot be , one must be interested .

" A Scrap of Paper , " which will last to all lime , has been revived at St . James's , and is likely to be one of the most popular of the series of plays with which the partnership between Messrs . Hare and Kendal during the next few months is to close . Mr . Palgrave Simpson has adapted M . Sardou ' s comedy to suit English tastes to

a nicety . Wherever and whenever it is played it is welcomed , but nowhere with such zest as at the St . James ' s Theatre . The story is so familiar to every play-goer that we shall not weary our readers with a recapitulation . It would be difficult to mention a character so admirably suited to Mrs . Kendal as her present idle of Susan Hartley , not even her Lady Clancarty , which we all know is the

perfection of acting . She seems to revel in the part , never missing a point , and illustrating with faithfulness the diplomatic woman the author intended . Bro . Kendal ' s Colonel Blake is even a more finished study than we have been accustomed to at the hands of this popular actor . We have had the pleasure of seeing Bro . Kendal in this character on several occasions , but have not enjoyed it before so much as we do

now . His make up is admirable , and in the scenes , particularly with Archie and Susan Hartley , in the second act , Bro . Kendal seemed to surpass all previous experiences . Mr . Hare , as the beetle-hunter , whose proceedings contribute largely and give a new impetus to the ever-green comedy , plays with great force and humour . As a type of " old men , " Mr . Hare is

unsurpassable . He has scored many successes , but none greater than his Dr . Penguin . Mrs . Beerbohm Tree now plays Lady Ingram with a rendering quite her own , and , considering the part does not afford great scope , it is all the more creditable to Mrs . Tree for achieving so much success . Her gowns are the admiration of the fair sex . VVe liked Miss Blanche Horlock as Lucy Franklin much

better than in her character in " Lady Clancarty . " She makes an extremely pretty and graceful lover of Archie Hamilton , excellently rendered by Mr . Burleigh . Mr . Waring ' s Sir John Ingram is another careful study j whilst dear old Mrs . Gaston Murray as Mrs . Penguin again delights everyone with her highly-finished acting . For the following reasons , we venture to siy it is almost

imperative for every one who goes to a theatre not to fail a speedy visit to the St . James ' s . 1 . This is the last season of the Hare and Kendal management . 2 . "A Scrap of Paper " and other revivals can never be played again by a more highly-talented company . 3 . Mr . Hare returns to the stage from which he has been far too long absent . 4 . Mrs . Kendal is seen in one of her vtry best comedy parts , in which she always keeps touch with her

audience . 5 . Bro . W . H . Kendal is in nothing more at home than in his Colonel Blake . 6 . The cast all round is so efficient that it cannot ever be better . 7 . The stage mounting is so superb that one might fancy the run of the piece was for a whole season . S . The play is so pure that no one need hesitate for a moment taking the most innocent to see it . 9 . Having been present at a performance , one goes away more than satisfied .

Obituary.

Obituary .

BRO . GRIFFITHS SMITH , P . A . G . D . C Very general regret will be felt at the death of Bro . Griffiths Smith , who during the greater part of the period he was associated with Masonry played a conspicuous part in the conduct of its affairs . Our deceased brother was initiated in the Emulation Lodge , No . 21 , on the 27 th July , 1 S 63 , and in 1 S 72 filled the chair as Master , and represented it on the Board of Grand Stewards . He was a

member of the Fitzroy Lodge from 1870 to 1 S 80 , and its W . M , in 1 S 75 , and , having joined the Grand Stewards ' Lodge in 1872 , would , no doubt , have presided over it as VV . M . had his life been prolonged . He was exalted to the Royal Arch Degree in Cyrus Chapter , No . 21 , on 2 Sth January , 1 S 68 , and was installed First Principal in 187 S , in which year also he served as a Special Steward at the

installation , in the Royal Albert Hall , of the Prince of Wales as M . W . G . M . In 1 SS 4 he was rewarded with the collar of Assistant Grand Director of Ceremonies , and a few days later was appointed 3 rd Grand Std . Br . of Supreme Grand Chapter . He was a member of the Board of General Purposes , and one of its Finance Committee from 1 S 72 to 1875 ; was appointed Vice-President of the Colonial

Board in 187 C , and retained the office for several years , and for some five years was an elected member of the Board of Benevolence . His labours in connection with the Committees of several Charitiable Institutions had been also very considerable , while as a contributor towards their funds he may be said to have stood in the first rank , being a Vice-Patron of the Girls' School , for which he had served 10 Stewardships , a Life Governor and Past Steward of the

Boys' School , and a Life Governor and Past Steward , as well as a former member of the Committee of Management , of the Benevolent Institution . He had also constituted Mrs . Griffiths Smith a Vice-Patron , and two of his daughters Life Governors , of the Girls' School . In shoit , the 25 years of his Masonic career were spent in the loyal discharge of his obligations to the Craft , and , though his place will know him no longer , the record of his devoted services will remain .

BRO . HERBERT CUFF . We regret to record the death , at the age of 39 , of Bro . Herbert >_ uff from cancer of the tongue . Our deceased brother was a P . M . of the Panmure Lodge , No . 715 , and P . Z . of the Lion and Lamb Chapter , No . 192 .