Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Contents.
CONTENTS .
LEADERS 487 The Revised Constitutions 4 S 8 Consecration of the ElHin Mark Lodge at Carnarvon 491 Australia 491
CORRESPONDENCEThe Status of Past Masters 492 Uro . VV . J . Hughan 493 History of Freemasonry in Wiltshire 493 The "Antient and Primitive Rite of Masonry—Memphis and Mizraim . " ... 493 Reviews 494 Notes and Queries 494 Provincial Grand Lodge of Cheshire 494
Provincial Grand Lodge of Cumberland and Westmorland 495 Provincial Grand Mark Lodge of Cheshire 496 REPORTS UF MASONIC MEETINGSCraft Masonry 49 C Instruction 497
Royal Arch 497 Mark Masonry 497 Ancient and Accepted Rite 497 Obituary 497 South Africa 49 S The Theatres 49 S Masonic and General Tidings 499 Lodge Meetings for Next Week 500
Ar00101
LET us hope that when we all meet in December the question of the " Status of Past Masters" may be discussed fully and calmly , without heat . " We feel bound to say this , that some of the letters we have published do not manifest the best possible form , nor exhibit a very profound appreciation either of old constitutional law , or of the vast extent of the change . The argument seems to be , " it is to be , because it is to be , "
that is to say , on account of the strong opinion of certain worthy brethren , not among the oldest or most experienced of our Order , and really and truly in defiance of the fact , which is a fact , that . it is more than doubtful if a majority of provincial brethren approve or desiderate , the change . We are struck bv the result of almost unfettered discussion in our pages so far , fit may alter before December ) , that the opinions are equally divided , and
that actually the preponderance of opinion so far seems to us in favour of " leaving well alone . " We have always regarded the matter as purely a constitutional one , to be decided by the matured judgment of the Craft . We can quite understand that those who are unable to do more intellectually than look upon the surface of thing ; who prefer what is convenient to what is constitutional , and that which seems to please the multitude to what
appeals to the entire experience of the more thoughtful , may find fault with the course we have pursued . But that course was dictated by a sense of duty to the Craft , whose true interests the Freemason has humbly attempted to serve , and by a long and careful study of the Book of Constitutions alike in its letter and its spirit . We appeal to all who have pored over that too
often unstudied book , whether the change proposed is not a crucial and vital one and must seriously affect for good and evil , the forward progress and future condition of English Freemasonry . And as it is only for educated and thoughtful Freemasons , ' that we write ; we neither care for applause or dispraise , the complaints of the . heated , or the disapproval of the mere partizan . * #
* THE visit of our Royal GRAND MASTER to Copenhagen , and the remarkable gathering of the Royal Family there , as well as other attendant circumstances , was pretty sure to attract the attention of the press , and provoke utterances from those ingenious gentlemen who are always seeking , and specially at this dull season of the year , to " spot , " to use a young man's word
not merely the abnormal " gooseberry " or the unprecedented " calf , " but strange political combinations and alarming cosmopolitan contingencies . The assembly at Copenhagen , we may rest assured , was merely a family one , and without reference to political engagements or international compacts . It was a humble attempt for rest to those who are among the most laboriously employed and the most anxiously tried among mankind .
» « WOULD it not be well if an official statement of what our actual property is in and about Freemasons' Hall was put forth ? The most contradictory statements are made , and the most opposite opinions prevail . If our property extends to both sides and to the rear of Freemasons' Hall , would it not be better that the whole " idea " of reconstruction , & c , should be carefully
reconsidered ? If we are to stay in Great Queen-street for another generation or so , had we riot better make our Great Home of English Masonry in all respects complete ? It is not to be feared that we are again onl y going to " patch up , " and that erelong the imperative needs of a still increasing Order will demand fresh enlargements , fresh adaptations , fresh accommodation 1 * # #
A SUGGESTION has been made to us , that the time has come to think whether it is wise to enforce the continuation of our head quarters in Great Queen-street , and whether it would not be more wise and far seeing to seek at a reasonable price a site elsewhere and build ! Our answer to this question is this , that practically Grand Lodge has decided that matter , and secondly that we cannot , whether for good or evil we say nothing ,
disassociate ourselves from " Freemasons' Tavern . " It is quite clear that if we are removed elsewhere some provision must be made for the " Social Circle . " There is a great objection to leaving the hall where we meet , and whether in fine or bad weather going out in quest of club accommodation ! Some have suggested that this result might be achieved by a club , but no club that could be found could undertake with almost any staff to supply its own members , and night by night and week by week for many months in the
year , accommodate lodges and chapters . We apprehend that Great Queenstreet must still continue the locale for Freemasons' Hall , and that the Freemasons' Tavern must still continue to minister to the social wants of the Craft . Our only effort should be , without favourite " fads " of any kind , to make a thorough work , to carry out a reasonable and sensible restoration , based only and solely on this , and on no other consideration whatever , the comfort of the Craft . Personal idiosyncrasies and individual interests fade absolutely away as before
Ar00102
the emergent ovcrwelming consideration of what will accomm odate Grand Lodge , what will best advance the happiness , and suit the convenience of English Freemasonry . Let us trust that the " wisdom of Grand Lodge , " so often appealed to and alluded to , will find a solution of all these difficult questions suitable and satisfactory to all , and that in 18 S 3 , the "
" outcome " of this effort of Grand Lodgemay redound to the honour of the English Brotherhood , the sagacity of our officially , and tend materially to increase the pacification and augment the satisfaction of all who anxiously and eagerly assemble for work , of all who slowly and reluctantly gather for refreshment , either in . ' the venerable walls of Freemasons Hall , or the well-known " salons" of Freemasons' Tavern .
* * # THE preparations for the School Elections continue , and many are the appeals and numerous are the circulars . The patience ol our good brethren must sometimes be sorely tried by the persistence of the urgent and the fervourof the unsatisfied . They must often find adifficulty in decidingbetwecn conflicting cases and importunate claimants . We think that the greatest
" kudos " is due both to their normal courtesy and consideration , the warm interest they display for their " proteges , " and the unwearying efforts they make to ensure success . It is said that voting , especially for the Boys ' School , owing to the "double votes , " will run abnormally high . Some go so far as to say no candidate under 3000 ( Boys ) can be elected . We venture to think this estimate exaggerated , though the polling will undoubtedly
be very , very high , and no one intrusted with a candidate can look for anything but very hard work and very high numbers . For the Girls' School the voting will also range very high , higher far probably than usual . This time the value of votes is equal for the two Schools , as , though a " corner ' may seek to make a difference and establish a " margin of value , " every
circumstance connected with the election must convince us lhat Boys' votes and Girls' votes are equal , and that relatively even , if anything , Girls ' votes have the " preference . " We have always protested against the absurd system of " exchange value , " created and fostered , as we know , by a " select circle , " but which is unfair to all alike , unfair to the subscribers , unfair to the Charities , and , above all , most unfair to the candidates .
* IT is often said what a good thing it would be if lodges had Masonic Halls of their own . So it is in the abstract ; but is it always so in the concrete' ! In our days of youth and fervour we also thought so . And yet we know now that the result has been often to create a large debt , to burden the lodge with a heavy annual payment , and those who first built the hall have
received but a portion of their capital . They paid and laboured , and others have " entered " into their payments and labours . Perhaps it is always so more or less in life and the world , but still , nevertheless , it is unjust for the individual and injurious for the body aggregate . In London , as a rule , the tendency is for economy , convenience , and comfort to select certain well-known hostelries , and there establish our lodges . Masonic halls have
been tried and failed . And this feeling is shown in the fact that with all the advantages of Freemasons' Hall so many lodges seek a " local habitation " elsewhere , either in public rooms well-known for their social accommodation , or in some house of long established notoriety for catering for the creature comforts of our weak and frail humanity . Undoubtedly this system is unfavourable to the cultivation of Masonic literature , or the
creation of libraries and museums , and the general spread of Masonic restheticism . It is so much more convenient to meet in a hired lodge room , and adjourn to a comfortable and well arranged "symposium , " that it is not considered needful or desirable to collect books , to encourage art collections , to make provision for students or a museum . In the provinces , where Freemasonry requires different hours , and other arrangements , several noble
Masonic Halls abound ! Some have , we believe , proved a financial success , some have not ; and theoretically a very great deal may be said for them . The present system has certainly not encouraged the literary and cultivated side of Freemasonry , and Masonic science in this country owes little to lodges , as of course , with their present system of casual meeting in rooms hired for the night , it is impossible either to give lectures or to collect books . And while
we say this , and regret those "happy go lucky" arrangements , which too often characterize the normal character of English lodge life , we are not insensible to the . financial and other difficulties of the case , which in the metropolis especially render the meeting ! of lodges in private halls or houses , the necessary exception to the prevailing rule . We should be glad to hear from others their experience and what they think and feel in the matter . ~
# **¦ * * . THE rejection of Bro . Alderman HADLEY , P . A . G . D . C , by the Aldermanic body of the City of London as the Lord Mayor in the natural sequence of candidates , ancl after unanimous election by the Livery , isa very serious matter , and may have some very unforeseen consequences . We , of course , must presume that the Court of Aldermen had some reason for the rejection of his
name and the unexpected choice of Mr . Alderman FOWLER . We ought not to suppose that they acted arbitrarily or without a full sense of their duty and responsibility . But outsiders cannot understand the reason of the selection , unless this explanation be the true one , that in the struggle impending the Corporation wishes to have its LORD
MAYOR in the House of Commons ; otherwise the general body of the public , and the Masonic body especially , must think Bro . Alderman HADLEY very ill-used , and the outcome of it all may be a serious blow to the " prestige " and even existence of the Corporation , if the " Livery " continues in its present state of excitement and indignation , as we read in many of our contemporaries .
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Contents.
CONTENTS .
LEADERS 487 The Revised Constitutions 4 S 8 Consecration of the ElHin Mark Lodge at Carnarvon 491 Australia 491
CORRESPONDENCEThe Status of Past Masters 492 Uro . VV . J . Hughan 493 History of Freemasonry in Wiltshire 493 The "Antient and Primitive Rite of Masonry—Memphis and Mizraim . " ... 493 Reviews 494 Notes and Queries 494 Provincial Grand Lodge of Cheshire 494
Provincial Grand Lodge of Cumberland and Westmorland 495 Provincial Grand Mark Lodge of Cheshire 496 REPORTS UF MASONIC MEETINGSCraft Masonry 49 C Instruction 497
Royal Arch 497 Mark Masonry 497 Ancient and Accepted Rite 497 Obituary 497 South Africa 49 S The Theatres 49 S Masonic and General Tidings 499 Lodge Meetings for Next Week 500
Ar00101
LET us hope that when we all meet in December the question of the " Status of Past Masters" may be discussed fully and calmly , without heat . " We feel bound to say this , that some of the letters we have published do not manifest the best possible form , nor exhibit a very profound appreciation either of old constitutional law , or of the vast extent of the change . The argument seems to be , " it is to be , because it is to be , "
that is to say , on account of the strong opinion of certain worthy brethren , not among the oldest or most experienced of our Order , and really and truly in defiance of the fact , which is a fact , that . it is more than doubtful if a majority of provincial brethren approve or desiderate , the change . We are struck bv the result of almost unfettered discussion in our pages so far , fit may alter before December ) , that the opinions are equally divided , and
that actually the preponderance of opinion so far seems to us in favour of " leaving well alone . " We have always regarded the matter as purely a constitutional one , to be decided by the matured judgment of the Craft . We can quite understand that those who are unable to do more intellectually than look upon the surface of thing ; who prefer what is convenient to what is constitutional , and that which seems to please the multitude to what
appeals to the entire experience of the more thoughtful , may find fault with the course we have pursued . But that course was dictated by a sense of duty to the Craft , whose true interests the Freemason has humbly attempted to serve , and by a long and careful study of the Book of Constitutions alike in its letter and its spirit . We appeal to all who have pored over that too
often unstudied book , whether the change proposed is not a crucial and vital one and must seriously affect for good and evil , the forward progress and future condition of English Freemasonry . And as it is only for educated and thoughtful Freemasons , ' that we write ; we neither care for applause or dispraise , the complaints of the . heated , or the disapproval of the mere partizan . * #
* THE visit of our Royal GRAND MASTER to Copenhagen , and the remarkable gathering of the Royal Family there , as well as other attendant circumstances , was pretty sure to attract the attention of the press , and provoke utterances from those ingenious gentlemen who are always seeking , and specially at this dull season of the year , to " spot , " to use a young man's word
not merely the abnormal " gooseberry " or the unprecedented " calf , " but strange political combinations and alarming cosmopolitan contingencies . The assembly at Copenhagen , we may rest assured , was merely a family one , and without reference to political engagements or international compacts . It was a humble attempt for rest to those who are among the most laboriously employed and the most anxiously tried among mankind .
» « WOULD it not be well if an official statement of what our actual property is in and about Freemasons' Hall was put forth ? The most contradictory statements are made , and the most opposite opinions prevail . If our property extends to both sides and to the rear of Freemasons' Hall , would it not be better that the whole " idea " of reconstruction , & c , should be carefully
reconsidered ? If we are to stay in Great Queen-street for another generation or so , had we riot better make our Great Home of English Masonry in all respects complete ? It is not to be feared that we are again onl y going to " patch up , " and that erelong the imperative needs of a still increasing Order will demand fresh enlargements , fresh adaptations , fresh accommodation 1 * # #
A SUGGESTION has been made to us , that the time has come to think whether it is wise to enforce the continuation of our head quarters in Great Queen-street , and whether it would not be more wise and far seeing to seek at a reasonable price a site elsewhere and build ! Our answer to this question is this , that practically Grand Lodge has decided that matter , and secondly that we cannot , whether for good or evil we say nothing ,
disassociate ourselves from " Freemasons' Tavern . " It is quite clear that if we are removed elsewhere some provision must be made for the " Social Circle . " There is a great objection to leaving the hall where we meet , and whether in fine or bad weather going out in quest of club accommodation ! Some have suggested that this result might be achieved by a club , but no club that could be found could undertake with almost any staff to supply its own members , and night by night and week by week for many months in the
year , accommodate lodges and chapters . We apprehend that Great Queenstreet must still continue the locale for Freemasons' Hall , and that the Freemasons' Tavern must still continue to minister to the social wants of the Craft . Our only effort should be , without favourite " fads " of any kind , to make a thorough work , to carry out a reasonable and sensible restoration , based only and solely on this , and on no other consideration whatever , the comfort of the Craft . Personal idiosyncrasies and individual interests fade absolutely away as before
Ar00102
the emergent ovcrwelming consideration of what will accomm odate Grand Lodge , what will best advance the happiness , and suit the convenience of English Freemasonry . Let us trust that the " wisdom of Grand Lodge , " so often appealed to and alluded to , will find a solution of all these difficult questions suitable and satisfactory to all , and that in 18 S 3 , the "
" outcome " of this effort of Grand Lodgemay redound to the honour of the English Brotherhood , the sagacity of our officially , and tend materially to increase the pacification and augment the satisfaction of all who anxiously and eagerly assemble for work , of all who slowly and reluctantly gather for refreshment , either in . ' the venerable walls of Freemasons Hall , or the well-known " salons" of Freemasons' Tavern .
* * # THE preparations for the School Elections continue , and many are the appeals and numerous are the circulars . The patience ol our good brethren must sometimes be sorely tried by the persistence of the urgent and the fervourof the unsatisfied . They must often find adifficulty in decidingbetwecn conflicting cases and importunate claimants . We think that the greatest
" kudos " is due both to their normal courtesy and consideration , the warm interest they display for their " proteges , " and the unwearying efforts they make to ensure success . It is said that voting , especially for the Boys ' School , owing to the "double votes , " will run abnormally high . Some go so far as to say no candidate under 3000 ( Boys ) can be elected . We venture to think this estimate exaggerated , though the polling will undoubtedly
be very , very high , and no one intrusted with a candidate can look for anything but very hard work and very high numbers . For the Girls' School the voting will also range very high , higher far probably than usual . This time the value of votes is equal for the two Schools , as , though a " corner ' may seek to make a difference and establish a " margin of value , " every
circumstance connected with the election must convince us lhat Boys' votes and Girls' votes are equal , and that relatively even , if anything , Girls ' votes have the " preference . " We have always protested against the absurd system of " exchange value , " created and fostered , as we know , by a " select circle , " but which is unfair to all alike , unfair to the subscribers , unfair to the Charities , and , above all , most unfair to the candidates .
* IT is often said what a good thing it would be if lodges had Masonic Halls of their own . So it is in the abstract ; but is it always so in the concrete' ! In our days of youth and fervour we also thought so . And yet we know now that the result has been often to create a large debt , to burden the lodge with a heavy annual payment , and those who first built the hall have
received but a portion of their capital . They paid and laboured , and others have " entered " into their payments and labours . Perhaps it is always so more or less in life and the world , but still , nevertheless , it is unjust for the individual and injurious for the body aggregate . In London , as a rule , the tendency is for economy , convenience , and comfort to select certain well-known hostelries , and there establish our lodges . Masonic halls have
been tried and failed . And this feeling is shown in the fact that with all the advantages of Freemasons' Hall so many lodges seek a " local habitation " elsewhere , either in public rooms well-known for their social accommodation , or in some house of long established notoriety for catering for the creature comforts of our weak and frail humanity . Undoubtedly this system is unfavourable to the cultivation of Masonic literature , or the
creation of libraries and museums , and the general spread of Masonic restheticism . It is so much more convenient to meet in a hired lodge room , and adjourn to a comfortable and well arranged "symposium , " that it is not considered needful or desirable to collect books , to encourage art collections , to make provision for students or a museum . In the provinces , where Freemasonry requires different hours , and other arrangements , several noble
Masonic Halls abound ! Some have , we believe , proved a financial success , some have not ; and theoretically a very great deal may be said for them . The present system has certainly not encouraged the literary and cultivated side of Freemasonry , and Masonic science in this country owes little to lodges , as of course , with their present system of casual meeting in rooms hired for the night , it is impossible either to give lectures or to collect books . And while
we say this , and regret those "happy go lucky" arrangements , which too often characterize the normal character of English lodge life , we are not insensible to the . financial and other difficulties of the case , which in the metropolis especially render the meeting ! of lodges in private halls or houses , the necessary exception to the prevailing rule . We should be glad to hear from others their experience and what they think and feel in the matter . ~
# **¦ * * . THE rejection of Bro . Alderman HADLEY , P . A . G . D . C , by the Aldermanic body of the City of London as the Lord Mayor in the natural sequence of candidates , ancl after unanimous election by the Livery , isa very serious matter , and may have some very unforeseen consequences . We , of course , must presume that the Court of Aldermen had some reason for the rejection of his
name and the unexpected choice of Mr . Alderman FOWLER . We ought not to suppose that they acted arbitrarily or without a full sense of their duty and responsibility . But outsiders cannot understand the reason of the selection , unless this explanation be the true one , that in the struggle impending the Corporation wishes to have its LORD
MAYOR in the House of Commons ; otherwise the general body of the public , and the Masonic body especially , must think Bro . Alderman HADLEY very ill-used , and the outcome of it all may be a serious blow to the " prestige " and even existence of the Corporation , if the " Livery " continues in its present state of excitement and indignation , as we read in many of our contemporaries .