Original Correspondence.

Original Correspondence .

[ The Editor is not responsible for the opinions expressed by-Correspondents . ] PAST MASTERS AS PRECEPTORS .

( To the Editor of the Freemason . ) DEAR SIR AND BROTHER , —I am pleased to have it in my power to inform yourself and correspondents that the proposal put forward under the above heading is obtaining that support which might have been expected from brethren of high standing in the Craft .

and that the Conference of Past Masters which I have suggested will be held in London between the 24 th and 30 th of this month . The exact date and p lace of meeting will be announced by circular , and also by a letter which I shall ask you to publish in your impression of the 15 th or 22 nd inst . The more numerously attended this conference may

be , the more important will be its results , and I have therefore to ask for further communications from such Past Masters as may desire to associate themselves with the movement . If your correspondents , Brother Ilughan , "P . M . 200 , " and "Delta , " would be disposed to assist , I should be obliged by their sending me their respective addresses , that circulars might be forwarded

to them in due course . The arguments already put forth in favour of the proposed memorial are weak as compared with _ those which it is thought politic to reserve from public discussion , but these will be brought forward at the conference and there fully debated . It is the desire of

those who have originated this movement that every point of detail affecting the question of uniformity of ritual and ceremony should be calmly and earnestly considered , and the more numerously the conference is attended , the more certainty there will be of securing

that result . Again soliciting the further support of the brethren by personal communication , I remain , dear Sir and Brother ,

Yours truly and fraternally , JAMES STEVENS , P . M ., P . Z ., & c . Clapham-common , May 4 th , 1869 .

( To the Editor of the Freemason . ) DEAR SIR AND BROTHER , —In my former letter under the above heading , I used the words , "In a ritual preserved , as that of Masonry is , by tradition only . " Your correspondent , " Leo " ( writing on a

wholly different subject ) , after quoting my words says , " I deny that . Delta should either say nothing or tell the truth . " I pass over the graceful manner of Leo's correction , and proceed to consider whether any correction at all was necessary . I need hardly premise that my

observation applied only to Blue or Craft Masonry , which alone formed the subject of my letter ; and subject to this limitation , I think it will appear that my words were strictly correct . I am perfectly aware , aud never dreamt of denying , that there are in existence numerous catchpenny publications

professing to disclose the whole art and mystery of Freemasonry . I am also aware that there aro in the hands of members of the Craft , both in print and MS ., versions of our ritual bona fide intended to be correct . These , however , are held by Masonic authorities to bo entirely contraband and illegal , and

even the most correct of them only represent a particular brother ' s recollection of the traditionary working , as practised in his day . A tradition may be committed to writing twenty times in a century , but unless promulgated in a written form will still remain a tradition . If the writing is published , or

preserved in any authentic form for purposes of reference , the legend will be transmitted orally no longer , or , in other words , can no longer be said to be " preserved by tradition only . " But this is precisely what never does , and under the present system never can , happen with respect to Masonry . If a

Mason procures a written ritual , or is painstaking enough to compile ono for himself , it will be only useful just so far as it happens to correspond with the actual working in use for the time being . AVherecver there is a discrepancy no one dreams of correcting the lodge working by the book , but the book is , matter of

as a course , held of less authority than thc lodgo working—in other words , the tradition of the day . The fact that unauthorised and contraband written versions do exist , is au additional reason in support of my suggestion that what I may call the " commonplace " portion of tho ritual should be

authoritatively printed for thc use of the Craft . I am informed ( whether correctly or not I cannot say ) that in France this is actually done , under the sanction of the Grand Orient . Perhaps some of your correspondents can give useful information on this point . At present there is a great and undesirable

uncertainty as to how far the Masonic obligation of secresy ( as to ritual ) really extends . I have heard it maintained by earnest and conscientious brethren that it is unlawful even to put upon paper for one ' s

Original Correspondence.

own private study the smallest portion of the ritual from beginning to end . On the other hand , the great Masonic authority , the lamented Dr . Oliver , quotes with approbation the words of an American writer , Ward , who says , " The secrets of Masonry are her signs / words , and tokens ; these the oath regards , and of in

no more . The common language Masons conversation on the subject of Masonry is a proof that this is the opinion of the Fraternity in respect to the application of the oaths . " This is the view which Dr . Oliver appears himself to have taken , inasmuch as he quotes freely in his works both from the ceremonies and lectures .

A division of opiuion upon such a subject is a manifest evil . AVe should surely know precisely what is lawful , and what is unlawful ; and in no way could this object so well be attained as by a publication of what ' I may call a skeleton ritual , comprising the prayers , explanation of tools , moral illustrations , & c , and leaving only the really special and esoteric portions to be learned from oral teaching . I remain , dear Sir and Brother , Very fraternally yours , DELTA .

( To the Editor of the Freemason . ) DEAR SIR AND BROTHER , —In reading the letters in THE FREEMASON on the subject of some method of acquiring uninformity of working the ceremonies , & c , of the Craft , I believe if some system could be devised and adopted that would lead to such a

desirable end , it would be hailed with pleasure and satisfaction by many of the brethren . Allow me to throw out another suggestion : that the M . AV . G . M . appoint a brother expert in the craft to visit the various lodges for the purpose of instructing the

brethren ; that the brother so appointed be the paid agent of Grand Lodge ; and that the lodge asking for his instruction should be called upon to pay the travelling and hotel expenses of such agent . Trusting to see other ideas on this important subject , I am , yours fraternally , P . M ., 208 .

CHAIR DEGREE . ( To the Editor of the Freemason . ) DEAR Sin AND BROTHER , —Am I right in inferring from the Scotch Constitutions that as the Scotch Grand Lodge only recognises three degrees in Masonry , therefore Arch Masonry is ignored , and any brother presenting himself at a Scotch lodge wearing a Royal Arch jewel may be required to remove it ?

Further , if only three degrees are recognised in Scotland , how docs that agree with the statement of certain Mark Masons , when they requested our Grand Lodge to recognise them , that they were recognised by the Grand Lodge of Scotland ? Yours fraternally , London , May 3 , 1869 . SILEX .

To the Editor of the Freemason . DEAR SIR AND BROTHER , —Permit me to Inform " Leo " that I know perfectly well that the Mark is part of the degrees recognised by the Grand Lodge of Scotland , I did not refer to Mark but chair . " Leo " put words in the mouth of the Old Scottish

Lodges that were never uttered or thought of except in the wanderings of such as himself ; viz .: —your Royal Arch ideas are a new creation merely of last century , whereas we were in existence long before . Query how long ? Let him read the last clause of his answer to " Cryptonymus . " " Leo " should take

to himself the advice he gives to " Delta , " cither say nothing or tell the truth . AVhere did the ritual exist previous to the 150 years ago , that " Leo " finds as the date of the degrcce of M . M . ' ( In , tradition . AVhat does he think of the Masonry that existed at the building of Solomons Temple , or the

Masonic Marks on tho Great Pyramid of Cheops at Ghizeh , as discovered by General Howard Vyse . Iu answer to your other correspondent , Bro . Snodgrass says that there are few lodges in Scotland , but work tho Chair degree although agaiust the positive instructions of Grand Lodge , I am aware of that , I

was in the same position as Bro . S ., and received it in the same lodge . AVhat I intended in my remarks on the chair degree were , that no lodgo has a right to use the Charter granted by Grand Lodge , in working that degree , as the Grand Lodge expressly stipulates in the granting of said Charter , and

also in Grand Lod ge Laws , cap , xxi . sec . i . " All lodges holding of the Grand Lodge of Scotland , are strictly prohibited and discharged from holding any other meeting than those of the three orders , viz ., Apprentice , Fellow-craft , and Master Mason ( denominated St . John ' s Masonry—the Mark forming part of the second degree ); and from giving any

countenance , as a body , to any other order of Masonry , " & c . I think this speaks for itself . Is not every candidate bound by his OB . to obey the laws of Grand Lodge 1 is it obeying them in using tho charter for working a degree strictly prohibited by Grand Lodge ? The R . W . M ., administering the O . B . to a candidate in the Chair Degree

Original Correspondence.

on a G . L . Charter , not only breaks , directly , his O . B . to Grand Lodge , but binds the candidate that he will not be present at the , & c , & o , except a just and lawful charter , & c , <& c , he well knowing that

there is no charter present at the time for working that degree . As I asserted in my last letter , they have an equal right to work the R . A . K . T . or any other order on the Grand Lodge Charter . AMMI .

THE TtOMISH ANTI-MASONIC BOGLE .

( To the Editor of The Freemason . ) DEAR SIR AND BROTHER , —As I perceived from your columns lately , an individual of the Roman hierarchy—Cardinal Cullen—issued a manifesto inter dieting the presence of anyone , under his jurisdiction , at the grand Masonic assembly in Dublin , and , as

dutiful children his subjects obeyed . The worthy cardinal treats them as bairns , but we are sorry to se . e them acting as such . He seems to remember his schoolboy days , when an awful effect could be produced by tying two brooms together crosswise , and dressing them up with an old shirt ; possibly , he yet

remembers the effect produced upon himself when going into his bedroom one nig ht he saw the terrible apparition full before him , when the moon ' s rays shining through the window lighted it up with a ghostly glare . Profiting by the lesson , the now cardinal thinks that if a bogle can be made to frighten

little boys , so also may one be equally easily made and stuck up to frighten men , alias big boys . His eminence , therefore , constructs his bogle in the shape of a manifesto , or anti-Masonic-ball-interdict , which being duly stuck up , the effect is at once seen by an universal skedaddle—the cardinal , no doubt , enjoying the

ruse immensely . One would have thought in this advanced age of railways , electric telegraphs , & c , there would have existed sufficient discrimination to have seen through the make-up , but such seems not to have boon the case . Three centuries and a half ago , one at

AVittemberg had the manly courage to pay due respect to a pope ' s foolish bull ; but now , in this advanced era , A . D . 1869 , where , in Dublin , was the Luther who had the sensible courage to light his pipe with a cardinal's possibly more foolish interdict . All honour lo the pioneers of freedom , wherever

they are found . If men would only think , the days when such needlessly foolish manifestos would produce any practical effect would soon be numbered , and if cardinals would eat they would have to find some more profitable work than composing interdicts , or anti-Masonic manifestos . The success , however , of the cardinal's present

effort deserves some acknowledgment , and I would suggest that a crest be granted him of two broomsticks , tied together a la latini crucis , covered with a white shirt a la hominis , the whole surmounted with an old night cap , the motto being "' Boh ! " I am , yours fraternally , ANTI-HUMBUG .

A CORRECTION .

( To the Editor of The J-rccmason . ) DEAR SIR , —Allow me to correct an error which has inadvertently appeared in your impression of Saturday last . In returning thanks for the " Grand Lodges of Scotland and Ireland , " I am reported to have said " that I came from what some

persons had called an unfortunate country . " I alluded to Ireland , on the occasion of the Inauguration of the Grand Hall having been called an " unhappy " not " unfortunate " country , and I said I was certain that the Irish brethren would do all in

their power to make any English Brethren " happy and welcome , should they visit Ireland , and I hoped some would do so at the Inauguration of thc New Masonic Hall in Dublin , which I thought would take place about July next . I remain yours very truly ,

FRANCIS BURDETT , P . M ., P . S . G . AV ., Rep . from G . L . Ireland , at G . L . England . Ancaster House , Richmond , May 5 , 18 G 9 .

A Hymn.

A HYMN .

We seek one port beyond the mam , AVe journey on one tide ; Then , Father , let no question vain Thy children here divide . The streams by various names we call Flow on to one bright sea ; Thy sun of Love shines on them all—They all flow on to Thee .

So , as upon the streams the skies Their shade of glory throw , Let Heaven's light sulfuse our eyci And fill our breasts below .

And when our lives like sere leaves fall , AVhatever stream it be On which thoy fall , oh ! deign to call Those withered leaves to Thee . ALEXANDER HUME BUTLER .