Masonic History And Historians.

MASONIC HISTORY AND HISTORIANS .

BY MASONIC STUDENT . PRICE ' S PATENT . By the courtesy of Bro . Jacob Norton , I have been favoured with a copy of the " Proceedings of the Grand Lodge of Massachussets for 1872 , " and as those Proceedings contain a very able abstract of the original

history of that Grand Lodge , by F . G . M . Gardner , I have thought it well to place upon record in the Freemason , having given to the matter long and careful consideration , my humble view of the facts of the case , as they affect our good brethren in Massachussets , on the one hand , and general Masonic history on the other .

1 . I have myself not the least doubt of the validity and genuineness of Price ' s Patent , and such , also , I may remark in passing , was Bro . John Hervey ' s distinct opinion on the subject , despite one or two apparent difficulties in the way . The reasons which have led some modern Masonic writers to doubt the reality of that document are , ( a ) the mistake about " Montacute "; ( b ) the non-mention of Price in the English Grand Lodge records until a much later date ; ( c ) the non-recognition equally of Price in any way until 1768 ; ( rf ) the want of the original document .

But as it appears to me , all these points are susceptible of simple and satisfactory explanation . ( a ) Price is not the only Masonic writer who calls Montague Montacute . Entick does so , and other illustrations might be given of the ' sarffe name-use , though the variation of name is to my mind of no actual moment whatever . ( 6 ) There is admittedly no mention of Price in English Grand Lodge

records , so far as is at present ascertained , until May 12 , 176 S , the date of the Duke of Beaufort ' s appointment of Rowe . There is , indeed , an old memorandum book in our Grand Lodge records , containing a list of Provincial Grand Masters , in which Henry Price is mentioned as " one who resigns in favour of Mr . Rowe , May 12 , 1768 . " The word " resigns " here seems to cover Price's previous resignations in favour of Tomlinson , Seward , Gridley , Rowe , and to which point we shall allude later .

( c ) The point of non-mention officially is explained so fully by Grand Secretary French ' s letter , of date Nov . 29 , 1768 , assuming the letter to be genuine , of which there seems to be no possible doubt , that it seems a waste of time to accumulate more evidence on this head . For Bro . French distinctly recognizes Price ' s original appointment , and the still valid authority of his Patent . He mentions that some "loose papers" in " his possession " alluded to John Rowe , & c , and we may

therefore , after this lapse of time , fairly and charitably assume that we have here the true explanation of seeming incongruities of statement , and of any apparent doubt or difficulty . The business of the Grand Secretary's office was , we apprehend , done in a very "loose way" in those days , whether in recording of documents , or even receiving money , andso late as 1792 the Grand Secretary only attended at Freemasons' Hall on Tuesday and Saturday nights for the " business of the Society . "

2 . It is quite clear , I venture to think , that until 1768 no question had ever arisen as to the validity of Price ' s original Patent , that it was assumed both in England and America to be a true and good patent , and that he was the original Prov . Grand Master of N . America . It is to be noted that in all the "interregnums " and vacancies he is called upon to take the chair as P . G . M ., and when Bro . Gridley died , in 1767 , on October 23 , Price is specially called on lo " reassume the office of G . M ., as he had done heretofore on like occasions . "

I may observe that in 1757 Price was present at a great gathering at the Concert Hall , Boston , when the Earl of Loudoun , P . G . M . of England , and then Commander-in-Chief in America , was a guest of the Massachussets brethren . Lord Loudoun had originally granted Tomlinson's Patent . Rowe was installed by Price , November 23 , 1768 , and if any doubt could exist as to the validity of Price ' s Patent it is set aside by the clear words of the Duke of Beaufort's Patent to Rowe , and we have there an official

statement and recognition of the correctness of Price ' s allegation , and an explanation of official silence until 1768 . Price had evidently always made a distinction in his own mind , the difference between a general Provincial Grand Mastership and a local ofie , and this idea is upheld by Grand Secretary French , so that he still retained his pre-eminence , and this fact accounts for the position given to Price by the English Grand Lodge records and Masonic historians subsequently to 1768 . i y

Price seems to have attended for the last time the Grand Lodge January 2 Sth , 1774 , having been present at twelve quarterly meetings after Rowe's appointment . He died about 17 S 0 . 3 . I leave out of consideration all other " side issues , " such as the fact that if Price's Patent be a forgery , his life was a living lie , and that he equally deceive all contemporary English and American brethren .

I think this point has hardly had justice done to it in the controversy . But I also venture to add , that if in default of earl y distinct official records " quoad " the original patent , and in regard of a silence no doubt somewhat peculiar , which may have , however , arisen either from official ' " laches , " or the carelessness of the times , the actual testimony , Masonic

and non-Masonic , direct and indirect , circumstantial and inferential , which may be adduced in favour of Price ' s Patent , that Patent be questioned , I confess I hardl y know , on the laws of common and satisfactory evidence , what document in the world can stand , or endure , the criticism of a subsequent age ?

Masonic Numismatics.

MASONIC NUMISMATICS .

T . B . WHYTEHEAD . I have just received through the hands of Bro . Hughan in } ' copy of the two first parts of " Marvin's Masonic Medals , " which henceforth will be the standard work of reference on the subject . The book when complete will be a perfect livrede luxe , and its typography and engraving leave nothing to be ^ sired . The first two parts consist of 144 quarto pages , illustrated by twelve

"" -page engravings , figuring the most curious and rare of the 368 medals csenbed . There is a short preface , giving a history of former attempts at "milar works , and Bro . Marvin tells us at once that he has used all availoJe sources , both published works , fugitive papers , assistance of collectors , mp ' ri ' i the com P ilation 0 I" his book - Several notable collections of Masonic ieaals are in existence , and their respective owners seem to have exercised inoroughl y Masonic spirit in giving Bro . Marvin every facility for in-

Masonic Numismatics.

vestigation . The oldest known Masonic medal , according to our author , is one in silver , struck in 1733 , to commemorate the founding of a lodge at Florence by Lord Charles Sackville . The oldest English medal is probably 1 755 . One of the best' collections of Masonic medals is that of the Lodge Pythagoras , in Brooklyn . The largest cabinet known is that of the Provincial Grand Lodge of Mecklenburg , at Rostock

which contains over 300 specimens . There are in America several considerable private collections . We all know the value of the study of numismatics in the compilation of history to be most valuable , and in the tracing back of the career of Masonic bodies , medals struck in commemoration of remarkable events in their history are , of course , of the greatest service . It is , probably , on this account that Bro . Marvin has both figured and described a good many badges , principally struck by commanderies of

Knights Templar in America , which can scarcely be fairly classed as medals . In a work intended to be a standard authority it was , no doubt , requisite to do this in order to secure perfection , but I should have thought the engraving of such modern productions was hardly necessary , and should have been disposed to have devoted the space and outlay to the figuring of rare and old medals . Bro . Marvin ' s descriptions are most lucid , and his thorough knowledge of heraldry , and the science of numismatics generally , has stood him in good stead throughout .

Masonic Statistics.

MASONIC STATISTICS .

GERMANY . By an interesting report of the Grand Master ( Von Ziegler ) of the "Grossen Landesloge , " Berlin , kindl y forwarded to us by Bro . Count Von Watersleben , we find the following statistical " facts . " There are in Germany 42 , 120 Freemasons , belonging to the following

bodies : — The Grand Lodge of the Three Globes , Berlin - 13 , 512 Grand Landes Loge ... . 9 = 163 Grand Lodge Royal York of Friendshi p - - 6215 Grand Lodge of Hamburgh - - - 3179

Grand Lodge of Saxony - 3659 Grand Eclectic Lodge , Franckfort , A . M . - - 2218 Grand Lodge at the ' Sun , Bayreuth - - 1806 Grand Lodge of Darmstadt ... 872

Archimedes Lodge , Altenburg ... 244 Archimedes , Gera - 176 Karl , & c , in Hildburghausen ... eg Minerva zu den drei Palmen , Leipsic - - 435 Balduin zur Linde , Leipsic ... .: <

43 . 39 HUNGARY . The Grand Lodge of Hungary has , it seems , twenty-two lodges and 1104 members .

DENMARK . Under the Grand Lodge of Denmark arc nine lodges and 3112 members , of whom 2260 are Master Masons , 386 Fellow Cra ' ft , and 466 Entered Apprentices .

Ideal And Practical Masonry.

IDEAL AND PRACTICAL MASONRY .

" There is an ideal and a practical Masonry . Much in its passive aspect never reached avove the ideal , yet much of the apparent ideal is susceptible of a practical shape , and , at least , to a certain extent , is within the means of attainment . Masonry is in accord with the teachings of common sense , for its principle is based upon that high morality which is the common law of the soul , in the recognition of man as a moral , rational being . Its severe when set forth b

truths , y men of sense and reflection , dispel by their own force and delusions of prejudice , obstinacy and ignorance . In its support and enforcement of moral teaching , it harmonises with reli gion without avowal of creed or party , and in the encouragement of virtue and honesty , and in the denunciation of hypocrisy , it enlarges the simpler and purer enjoyments of life . But its dearest characteristics are a warmhuman

, sympathy as opposed to intolerance and selfishness , and a tenderness which rises above every other quality . In its vitality and durability , it is capable of a progress to which no limit can be placed . " ..... " Of what use is Masonry , unless it is made practical ? Why expend time , labour , and money in perpetuating the impracticable ? Practical Masonry is the application of its knowledge to the experiences of life , to our

surroundings , to our social , business , and civic relations . The term " Brotherhood , " is meaningless , unless associated with charity , and charity is but half developed when restricted to the human duty of almsgiving . Masonic charity , in its broad , unselfish sense , is to do unto others as we would wish they . should do unto us . It is the charity thatseeks fortruth , honesty , and respect for the rights of others , thatfosters knowledge , freedom and toleration

, , and searches and strives after the good . It is the absence of this charity that is the chief cause of personal difficulties , arising from special and local agencies , by wrangling , discussion , passionate accusation , petty selfishness , and intolerant opinion , all producing a bitterness which sooner or later affects the fraternal relations within the lodge , and in the sapping and mining of its harmony impairs , if not destroys , its effectiveness and usefulness . This

is not imagined or unrealised but is too frequently an actual , experienced condition , a great and grievous fault . When brothers are burdened with defects of their own , they should exercise charity [ towards the failings of others ; they should not distress the mind when they themselves stand in need of many things ; they should not forget the law of human interdependence , and should not pass a sevcreness of iudsrment whr-n rr . o-. nrrI

ing another s failings through a medium discoloured or distorted Coldheartedness and self-regarding ought to be supplanted by kindness and se f-repression , and in the practice of self-command , passion , pride , and self-love , give way to a chivalrous courtesy , which will elevate both the giver and the receiver . Brothers ought to remember that ' a word snokert

and a stone thrown never return ; ' that they cannot be Masonicaliy just if they are not kind-hearted ; and that if they will entertain faith and experience , have sympathy and be charitabl y considerate , with a desire to help one another , their own characters for prudence , and conduct , and integrity will be enlarged and extended . " —Address , G . M . California , 1879 .