-
Articles/Ads
Article Original Correspondence. ← Page 2 of 3 Article Original Correspondence. Page 2 of 3 Article Original Correspondence. Page 2 of 3 →
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Original Correspondence.
our charities will be our ruin . " Am I to regard this sta ' ement with " amazement" or " sorrow ? " I never expressed or implied such an opinion , nor did I say that "to aid tbe orphan , the widow , and the aged , " will ruin ns . What I did say was , briefly , this , " If our institutions want new wings to their buildings let them be built ; if they want additions to their funds let them
be supplied . But if our charities are to become the * all-engrossing objects , ancl the sole outlets of our Masonic sympathies , —if the enrichment of these charities is to be considered the highest aim of the Order , and the sole criterion of Masonic excellence , then Freemasonry must inevitably become a benefit society , and thus " cur charities will bc our ruin . " I say
nothing in disparagement or in disrespect of benefit societies . They are admirable institutions , but Freemasonry is in nq sense akin to them . Besides which , to care for the needy , the sick , and the aged , to provide for the fatherless and the widow , is not exclusively a Masonic attribute . It is a natural instinct , common to all who arc not debased and degraded . Whereas the dignity and
high value of Freemasonry is to promote brotherly love and spread a true Masonic spirit throughout our dealings with each other . The other instance of Bro . Simpson ' s plausibility is as follows : — " No amount of eloquence or historical research could in the eyes of plain Englishmen alter these facts ( i ) , that it was proposed to grant a sum of £ 2000 to two
churches belonging to a particular religious body , & c . " This is true as far as words go , but " plain Englishmen " love fair dealing , and it is utterly false as far as the intention of the grant was concerned , and consequently it is a very unfair statement . Call the Church of England " a particular religious body ! " Why , it is the national church ! I suppose the Rev . Bro . Simpson will not deny
that , and therefore the proposal of Bro . Havers was to give £ 2000 , not " to two churches belonging to a particular religious body , " but to that which was national as well as Masonic . It is this national element which removes from the grant its denominational aspect , to quote Bro . Havers ' s own words , in thc eloquent speech in which he proposed his resolution , as far as I can remember .
"As well might Grand Lodge be called denominational because our Grand Chaplains are always clergymen of the Church of England . As well might thc whole Craft be called denominational because the children in our schools are educated in the principles of the Church of England , and because whenever we did attend a religious service , which in thc provinces was a constant practice , we always attended thc parish churcli . "
Of course , in one sense of the word , the Church of En - gland is denominational , but only in the sense in which it would be used by the sectarian , the illiterate , and the unpatriotic . Those who would deny that the Church of England is thc national church might as well deny that Her Most Gracious Majesty Queen Victoria is Queen of England because amongst her subjects there are those who would prefer a Republic to a Monarchy .
As Masons we are cosmopolitan and unscctanan , but we do not cease to be thc subjects of the country in which we were born , and one of the duties most strongly urged upon every brother on his admission to the Order is " never to forget the allegiance which is due to the Sovereign of his native land ; and the sacred and indissoluble attachment which binds him to the country from whence he derived his birth . " The return of the M . W . G . M . vv . is an event both
national and Masonic . A memorial to celebrate that event should have that double feature , and I know not howbetter that object could have been attained than by carrying out Bro . Havers ' s resolution . Whatever rejoinder this communication may elicit , I
shall not again address you on this subject . I thank you for your courtesy in inserting my letters , and trust Bro . Simpson will forgive nic if I again subscribe myself , Yours fraternally , A PROVINCIAL GHANU OFFICER . July 3 rd , 18 7 6 .
To Ihe Editor if Ihe Freemason . Dear Sir and Brother , — " Thc winner takes his bite , and the loser gets * Sis bark . " I trust , therefore , that the opponents of Bro . Havers's motion , whilst enjoying their victory , will not think out of place a few parting lamentations , over that , which from the minority ' s point of view , seems to have
become a lost opportunity . We sought to do , as in other countries , wc believe would have been done , under precisely similar circumstances , by brethren of all creeds , had the restoration or embellishment of such representative edifices as Notre Dame , St . Peters , the Mosque of St . Sophia , or the Taj Mahal been suggested by them , as presenting the happiest embodiment of thc loyal , patriotic , Masonic , and withal
religious sentiments , which combined to render a thankoffering desirable . The chief argument used against us , was the superior claim of the charities upon thc bounty of Grand Lodge , and as to this , some extracts from the speech of our late Grand Master , Lord Ripon , on March nth , 1874 , when presiding at the Boys' School festival , are a good deal in point .-
—" But you must remember that wc freemasons have a habit , especially when wc assemble together upon public occasions , of boasting exceedingly of our charitable institutions , and of telling those who are not Masons that in those institutions may be found the proof of what are thc
principles and the result of the Craft . Well , in one sense that is true ; but there is another sense in which it is far less true than J shou ) d desire . I have become increasingly impressed with thc conviction that the burden of their support falls much too much year after year upon the same shoulders . 1 have heard an estimate made that
Original Correspondence.
after all there is not above onc- « i : ; tli of the members of the Craft who are subscribers to these institutions . What I want to impress upon you to-night is this , that it is far better that these institutions should be supported by small subscriptions from large numbers , than that they should be supported by large subscriptions from a few . You who can subscribe and do not , have no right lo say that
the Boys' school is a credit to Freemasonry ; // is 11 credit to its suhci'ihers ; il is no credit , hut ,: discredit , to those ii'ho do not siil'scrihc . A great many small subscriptions will in tbe end come , as you well know , to a great deal more than a few large ones , and what you want is , that these institutions should rest upon the widest possible basis , that they should be truly representatives of the spirit
of this ancient fraternity , that what wc say after dinner wc may say deliberately at all times without fear of contradiction , that thc spirit of the Craft is to be judged by the fruits which it bears in institutions like this , because these institutions do not rest upon thc generosity of the few , but because they are founded upon the broad and staple basis of the general support of the Craft . "
" Sectarian prejudice " was an expression freely used by the majority , and several speakers were quite apologetic , for opposing thc restoration of national monuments , connected with the faith which they individually professed . Now it seemed to thc minority , that , resting ** the claims of
"St . Paul's" and "St . Alban ' s" entirely upon their Masonic and national character , thc accident of their being connected with the religion of thc state , so far ( in our judgment ) from rendering less appropriate the proposed tribute of respect to the future head of Church and State , produced in thc minds of those of us who were members of tbe Es .
tabhshed Church , a deep feeling of satisfaction , that by a happy coincidence , the monumental restoration our project comprised , vvould give pleasure to our co-religionists without thc pale of the Order , thus , within these limits , blending , as it were , thc rejoicings of the Craft with those of the nation , whilst an additional grace , we conceived would adorn thc form of our thank-offering , from its meeting with the hearty approval of him who ( though differing
as to details ) we one and all were delighted to honour . Thc Churchmen amongst us saw , therefore , no reason to apologize for constituting , as ( in that capacity ) we believed we did , thc majority of Grand Lodge . vVe entertained , and still entertain , a very earnest conviction , that our Jewish brethren , instc . id of disapproving the motion , as was contended , vvould have considered the employment of Grand Lod" * e funds in the restoration of two celebrated
I ' . nghsh Churches to have been dictated by equally highminded and beneficent motives , with those which have prompted the devotion of moneys , contributed otherwise than by members of the Hebrew faith , towards recent excavations at Jerusalem , and thc better exploration of the Holy Land . Yours fraternally , R . F . GOILII , W . M . 92 ; P . M . i ! , 3 , 570 , 743 .
RUBBISH . To the Editor of the Freemason . Dear Sir and Brother , — How can you admit such "rubbish" as Bro . B . Langley has thought fit to send to you about the emblems , & c , in Church Architecture ? Were it not all so essentially absurd , and so utterly
beneath notice critically , arclin * t > logically , and Masonically , I vvould protest , as a membe : of the tolerant Church of England , against such unseemly remarks , and such needless outrage on the feelings of thousands of good men and honest members of the Order , poor Christians though they be . If this is thc " outcome " of modern intellectual studies , God help us all !
It only shews how extremes meet , and how Ultramonlanes and ultra-liberal in religious speculations ( I say nothing of politics ) arc equally intolerant But that is nothing new . 1 wonder that it did not occur to Bio . B . Langley that when he brings in this childish illustration he was transgressing thc Masonic canon , which forbids allusion to thc
religious tenets or sympathies of others . Were thc asseition not a proof in itself of the ignorance of the writer on thc subject he affects so complacently to handle . I would say a good deal more , but " mole ruit sua , " it is self-destructive , cither of his capacity to throw new light on the matter , or even of his having realized the true teaching of Frcemasony , in any respect .
Anything more sad than this outbreak of denominational venom I have never seen , and it really makes an old Mason blush for shame to think of the inconsistency of those , who for years have glibly talked of brotherly love and unsectarian kindness . But I will not trespass or your pages , over crowded as they are , but I hope you will never aga ' m allow such a passage as that to which 1 have adverted to pass your editorial censorship .
Yours fraternally , A FREEMASON AND A MEMBER or THE Ciiiucii OF ENGLAND . [ We entirely agree with our correspondent . We always wish to be " fair . " Wc have erred in allowing such a paragraph to appear . It will not occur again , nor any discussion upon it . It is indeed a sad commentary on Masonic profession . —ED . ]
CORRECT MASONRY—WHAT IS Ii *? To the Editor of the Freemason , Dear Sir and Brother , — A letter appears in the columns of July ist , signed I' . Robertson , Lennoxtown , in reply to mine of
June 17 th , where I draw attention to a report appearing in Ihe " Freemason " of the 10 th ult ., informing your readers that the Grand Lodge of Freemasons of the Province of Norththamptonshire and Huntingdonshire on June 2 nd , laid the foundation stone of the new aisle which is to be added to thc Church of St . Mary at Peterborough ,
Original Correspondence.
and that His Grace the Duke of Manchester ( the I . P . M . ) pronounced the . stone well and duly- laid , in the name of the Father , Son , and Holy Ghost . Having an idea that the invocation of the Trinity was foreign to our Order , and thinking that information on thc subject vvould be accep . table to many brethren as well as mjself , I sought it through your world wide columns , and am informed by
Bro . P . Robertson , that the Scottish Constitution isi lxin and clear on the subject , that the stone is laid according to thc rules of Masonry , and that thc Almighty Architect of the Universe is implored to . look down with benignitv upon the undertaking . Scottish procedure is therefore ex ' - plicit . Will some brother or brethren now give informa . tion with respect to the English form of laying a
foundation stone ? Should English and Scottish Masonry , in this point , be alike ? In order to make thc subject a universal one , may I again ask—Correct Masonry—What is it ? Is it the introduction of distinctive doctrines or dogmas , some of which vvould scar thc feelings of many of our brethren ? I think not . It is the propagation of that broad and radiant light , the belief in God the
Glorious Architect of Heaven and Earth . In the latter brethren of all creeds and nationalities can take part , in the former some feel it their duty to hold aloof . Therefore , if the Trinity is not cqnnected with our Order , many of our readers vvould like to know why an innovation at
a public Masonic ceremony , an innovation which as Bro . Robertson remarks , is from a Masonic standpoint an error , which materially affects the cosmopolitan character of our institution . Yours fraternally , J . E . I ., 78 , 145 S . Manchester , July 3 rd , 18 7 6 .
AN EDITORIAL SLIP . 7 * the Editor ofthe Freemuson . Dear Sir and Brother , — Surely a little passage in Bro . B . Langley's last letter escaped your editorial supervision ? It is singularlyoffensive even to us poor benighted members of the Church of England , Freemasons though we bc . I had expected better things of you . Yours very fraternally ,
A CLERICAL BROTHER . [ We plead " guilty , and throw ourselves on the mercy " of our readers . We ought not to have allowed the passage to appear , but in our wish to be fair we have unintentionally offended the conscientious convictions of others . It only shows how very perverse has been the " denominational cry , " and how un-Masonic . —En . ] "
MASONIC JEWELS . To the Editor 0 / Ihe Freemason . Dear Sir and Brother , — Will you kindly inform me whether the Mark Master's jewel may be worn in a Craft Lodge ? In the Book of Constitutions , under the head " Private Lodges , " § 22 , it is forbidden to wear any jewel except such " as
shall bc consistent with those degrees recognised by the Grand Ledges as part of ancient Freemasonry , " and it is declared by the Act of Union of 1813 , that " pure ancient Masonry consists of three degrees and no more , viz ., those of the E . A ., the F . C , and the M . M ., including thc Supreme Order of thc Holy Royal Arch . " Taking these extracts together , I have been surprised to hear the ruling of a P . M . of my lodge , that any brother is at liberty to wear
either tht Mark or any other jewel . I should be glad to know whit is the practice elsewhere , as well as ihe law on the subject . Another matter is the wearing of the Craft apron in a Mark Lodge . Is not this contrary to the " "Mark " Constitutions ? For though 1 conclude that a candidate for advancement , being as is necessary a M . M-., may wear his Craft apron , a brother advanced is bound to wear the Mark apron . I shall be glad to be put right on these
matters . I am , yours fraternally , M . M . and M . M . M . [ In our decided opinion a Mark jewel cannot be worn in a Craft lodge , neither can a Craft apron be worn in a Mark lodge . Thc P . M . who gives such a " dictum" as our correspondent mentions , must be utterly , ignorant of the Book of Constitutions . —En . ]
A STATEMENT . To the Editor if the Freemason . D ^ ar Sir and Brother , — Will you kindly peruse the following statement , and if convenient let mc hear your opinion and advice . I am a M . M ., Royal Arch Mason , and Knight Templar , and belong to Thos . J . Turner , Lodge 400 , Washington
Chapter 43 , and Chicago Commandery 19 , all of the City of Chicago , U . S . of North America , I was in the employ of an American firm , when I came to this country for the purpose of buying goods for their account in England France , and Germany . However , on my arrival , or shortly after thc house failed , and the house in Hamburg , upon whom I was to draw for travelling funds , refused to
accept my drafts , consequently I was left high and dry in a foreign country without money or friends . I started out at once to find employment but was unsuccessful for a time , and while looking about for a situation , I thought I should visit a lodge , hoping tn meet with some brother who might possibly be able to assist me in finding employment . Accordingly I went one evening to thc Masonic Hall , and gave ray name , lodge , & c , to thc Ty ler ,
who , however , informed me that unless I had " papers I could not bc admitted . I stated my case to him and asked to be examined , but all to no purpose . On my return home I ransacked my papers , and found , I may say , accidently , a document from my commandery , which I ha ve had occasion to use in the States in order to obtain admission into a commandery when travelling . The reason took this paper some time ago was that I had just take"
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Original Correspondence.
our charities will be our ruin . " Am I to regard this sta ' ement with " amazement" or " sorrow ? " I never expressed or implied such an opinion , nor did I say that "to aid tbe orphan , the widow , and the aged , " will ruin ns . What I did say was , briefly , this , " If our institutions want new wings to their buildings let them be built ; if they want additions to their funds let them
be supplied . But if our charities are to become the * all-engrossing objects , ancl the sole outlets of our Masonic sympathies , —if the enrichment of these charities is to be considered the highest aim of the Order , and the sole criterion of Masonic excellence , then Freemasonry must inevitably become a benefit society , and thus " cur charities will bc our ruin . " I say
nothing in disparagement or in disrespect of benefit societies . They are admirable institutions , but Freemasonry is in nq sense akin to them . Besides which , to care for the needy , the sick , and the aged , to provide for the fatherless and the widow , is not exclusively a Masonic attribute . It is a natural instinct , common to all who arc not debased and degraded . Whereas the dignity and
high value of Freemasonry is to promote brotherly love and spread a true Masonic spirit throughout our dealings with each other . The other instance of Bro . Simpson ' s plausibility is as follows : — " No amount of eloquence or historical research could in the eyes of plain Englishmen alter these facts ( i ) , that it was proposed to grant a sum of £ 2000 to two
churches belonging to a particular religious body , & c . " This is true as far as words go , but " plain Englishmen " love fair dealing , and it is utterly false as far as the intention of the grant was concerned , and consequently it is a very unfair statement . Call the Church of England " a particular religious body ! " Why , it is the national church ! I suppose the Rev . Bro . Simpson will not deny
that , and therefore the proposal of Bro . Havers was to give £ 2000 , not " to two churches belonging to a particular religious body , " but to that which was national as well as Masonic . It is this national element which removes from the grant its denominational aspect , to quote Bro . Havers ' s own words , in thc eloquent speech in which he proposed his resolution , as far as I can remember .
"As well might Grand Lodge be called denominational because our Grand Chaplains are always clergymen of the Church of England . As well might thc whole Craft be called denominational because the children in our schools are educated in the principles of the Church of England , and because whenever we did attend a religious service , which in thc provinces was a constant practice , we always attended thc parish churcli . "
Of course , in one sense of the word , the Church of En - gland is denominational , but only in the sense in which it would be used by the sectarian , the illiterate , and the unpatriotic . Those who would deny that the Church of England is thc national church might as well deny that Her Most Gracious Majesty Queen Victoria is Queen of England because amongst her subjects there are those who would prefer a Republic to a Monarchy .
As Masons we are cosmopolitan and unscctanan , but we do not cease to be thc subjects of the country in which we were born , and one of the duties most strongly urged upon every brother on his admission to the Order is " never to forget the allegiance which is due to the Sovereign of his native land ; and the sacred and indissoluble attachment which binds him to the country from whence he derived his birth . " The return of the M . W . G . M . vv . is an event both
national and Masonic . A memorial to celebrate that event should have that double feature , and I know not howbetter that object could have been attained than by carrying out Bro . Havers ' s resolution . Whatever rejoinder this communication may elicit , I
shall not again address you on this subject . I thank you for your courtesy in inserting my letters , and trust Bro . Simpson will forgive nic if I again subscribe myself , Yours fraternally , A PROVINCIAL GHANU OFFICER . July 3 rd , 18 7 6 .
To Ihe Editor if Ihe Freemason . Dear Sir and Brother , — " Thc winner takes his bite , and the loser gets * Sis bark . " I trust , therefore , that the opponents of Bro . Havers's motion , whilst enjoying their victory , will not think out of place a few parting lamentations , over that , which from the minority ' s point of view , seems to have
become a lost opportunity . We sought to do , as in other countries , wc believe would have been done , under precisely similar circumstances , by brethren of all creeds , had the restoration or embellishment of such representative edifices as Notre Dame , St . Peters , the Mosque of St . Sophia , or the Taj Mahal been suggested by them , as presenting the happiest embodiment of thc loyal , patriotic , Masonic , and withal
religious sentiments , which combined to render a thankoffering desirable . The chief argument used against us , was the superior claim of the charities upon thc bounty of Grand Lodge , and as to this , some extracts from the speech of our late Grand Master , Lord Ripon , on March nth , 1874 , when presiding at the Boys' School festival , are a good deal in point .-
—" But you must remember that wc freemasons have a habit , especially when wc assemble together upon public occasions , of boasting exceedingly of our charitable institutions , and of telling those who are not Masons that in those institutions may be found the proof of what are thc
principles and the result of the Craft . Well , in one sense that is true ; but there is another sense in which it is far less true than J shou ) d desire . I have become increasingly impressed with thc conviction that the burden of their support falls much too much year after year upon the same shoulders . 1 have heard an estimate made that
Original Correspondence.
after all there is not above onc- « i : ; tli of the members of the Craft who are subscribers to these institutions . What I want to impress upon you to-night is this , that it is far better that these institutions should be supported by small subscriptions from large numbers , than that they should be supported by large subscriptions from a few . You who can subscribe and do not , have no right lo say that
the Boys' school is a credit to Freemasonry ; // is 11 credit to its suhci'ihers ; il is no credit , hut ,: discredit , to those ii'ho do not siil'scrihc . A great many small subscriptions will in tbe end come , as you well know , to a great deal more than a few large ones , and what you want is , that these institutions should rest upon the widest possible basis , that they should be truly representatives of the spirit
of this ancient fraternity , that what wc say after dinner wc may say deliberately at all times without fear of contradiction , that thc spirit of the Craft is to be judged by the fruits which it bears in institutions like this , because these institutions do not rest upon thc generosity of the few , but because they are founded upon the broad and staple basis of the general support of the Craft . "
" Sectarian prejudice " was an expression freely used by the majority , and several speakers were quite apologetic , for opposing thc restoration of national monuments , connected with the faith which they individually professed . Now it seemed to thc minority , that , resting ** the claims of
"St . Paul's" and "St . Alban ' s" entirely upon their Masonic and national character , thc accident of their being connected with the religion of thc state , so far ( in our judgment ) from rendering less appropriate the proposed tribute of respect to the future head of Church and State , produced in thc minds of those of us who were members of tbe Es .
tabhshed Church , a deep feeling of satisfaction , that by a happy coincidence , the monumental restoration our project comprised , vvould give pleasure to our co-religionists without thc pale of the Order , thus , within these limits , blending , as it were , thc rejoicings of the Craft with those of the nation , whilst an additional grace , we conceived would adorn thc form of our thank-offering , from its meeting with the hearty approval of him who ( though differing
as to details ) we one and all were delighted to honour . Thc Churchmen amongst us saw , therefore , no reason to apologize for constituting , as ( in that capacity ) we believed we did , thc majority of Grand Lodge . vVe entertained , and still entertain , a very earnest conviction , that our Jewish brethren , instc . id of disapproving the motion , as was contended , vvould have considered the employment of Grand Lod" * e funds in the restoration of two celebrated
I ' . nghsh Churches to have been dictated by equally highminded and beneficent motives , with those which have prompted the devotion of moneys , contributed otherwise than by members of the Hebrew faith , towards recent excavations at Jerusalem , and thc better exploration of the Holy Land . Yours fraternally , R . F . GOILII , W . M . 92 ; P . M . i ! , 3 , 570 , 743 .
RUBBISH . To the Editor of the Freemason . Dear Sir and Brother , — How can you admit such "rubbish" as Bro . B . Langley has thought fit to send to you about the emblems , & c , in Church Architecture ? Were it not all so essentially absurd , and so utterly
beneath notice critically , arclin * t > logically , and Masonically , I vvould protest , as a membe : of the tolerant Church of England , against such unseemly remarks , and such needless outrage on the feelings of thousands of good men and honest members of the Order , poor Christians though they be . If this is thc " outcome " of modern intellectual studies , God help us all !
It only shews how extremes meet , and how Ultramonlanes and ultra-liberal in religious speculations ( I say nothing of politics ) arc equally intolerant But that is nothing new . 1 wonder that it did not occur to Bio . B . Langley that when he brings in this childish illustration he was transgressing thc Masonic canon , which forbids allusion to thc
religious tenets or sympathies of others . Were thc asseition not a proof in itself of the ignorance of the writer on thc subject he affects so complacently to handle . I would say a good deal more , but " mole ruit sua , " it is self-destructive , cither of his capacity to throw new light on the matter , or even of his having realized the true teaching of Frcemasony , in any respect .
Anything more sad than this outbreak of denominational venom I have never seen , and it really makes an old Mason blush for shame to think of the inconsistency of those , who for years have glibly talked of brotherly love and unsectarian kindness . But I will not trespass or your pages , over crowded as they are , but I hope you will never aga ' m allow such a passage as that to which 1 have adverted to pass your editorial censorship .
Yours fraternally , A FREEMASON AND A MEMBER or THE Ciiiucii OF ENGLAND . [ We entirely agree with our correspondent . We always wish to be " fair . " Wc have erred in allowing such a paragraph to appear . It will not occur again , nor any discussion upon it . It is indeed a sad commentary on Masonic profession . —ED . ]
CORRECT MASONRY—WHAT IS Ii *? To the Editor of the Freemason , Dear Sir and Brother , — A letter appears in the columns of July ist , signed I' . Robertson , Lennoxtown , in reply to mine of
June 17 th , where I draw attention to a report appearing in Ihe " Freemason " of the 10 th ult ., informing your readers that the Grand Lodge of Freemasons of the Province of Norththamptonshire and Huntingdonshire on June 2 nd , laid the foundation stone of the new aisle which is to be added to thc Church of St . Mary at Peterborough ,
Original Correspondence.
and that His Grace the Duke of Manchester ( the I . P . M . ) pronounced the . stone well and duly- laid , in the name of the Father , Son , and Holy Ghost . Having an idea that the invocation of the Trinity was foreign to our Order , and thinking that information on thc subject vvould be accep . table to many brethren as well as mjself , I sought it through your world wide columns , and am informed by
Bro . P . Robertson , that the Scottish Constitution isi lxin and clear on the subject , that the stone is laid according to thc rules of Masonry , and that thc Almighty Architect of the Universe is implored to . look down with benignitv upon the undertaking . Scottish procedure is therefore ex ' - plicit . Will some brother or brethren now give informa . tion with respect to the English form of laying a
foundation stone ? Should English and Scottish Masonry , in this point , be alike ? In order to make thc subject a universal one , may I again ask—Correct Masonry—What is it ? Is it the introduction of distinctive doctrines or dogmas , some of which vvould scar thc feelings of many of our brethren ? I think not . It is the propagation of that broad and radiant light , the belief in God the
Glorious Architect of Heaven and Earth . In the latter brethren of all creeds and nationalities can take part , in the former some feel it their duty to hold aloof . Therefore , if the Trinity is not cqnnected with our Order , many of our readers vvould like to know why an innovation at
a public Masonic ceremony , an innovation which as Bro . Robertson remarks , is from a Masonic standpoint an error , which materially affects the cosmopolitan character of our institution . Yours fraternally , J . E . I ., 78 , 145 S . Manchester , July 3 rd , 18 7 6 .
AN EDITORIAL SLIP . 7 * the Editor ofthe Freemuson . Dear Sir and Brother , — Surely a little passage in Bro . B . Langley's last letter escaped your editorial supervision ? It is singularlyoffensive even to us poor benighted members of the Church of England , Freemasons though we bc . I had expected better things of you . Yours very fraternally ,
A CLERICAL BROTHER . [ We plead " guilty , and throw ourselves on the mercy " of our readers . We ought not to have allowed the passage to appear , but in our wish to be fair we have unintentionally offended the conscientious convictions of others . It only shows how very perverse has been the " denominational cry , " and how un-Masonic . —En . ] "
MASONIC JEWELS . To the Editor 0 / Ihe Freemason . Dear Sir and Brother , — Will you kindly inform me whether the Mark Master's jewel may be worn in a Craft Lodge ? In the Book of Constitutions , under the head " Private Lodges , " § 22 , it is forbidden to wear any jewel except such " as
shall bc consistent with those degrees recognised by the Grand Ledges as part of ancient Freemasonry , " and it is declared by the Act of Union of 1813 , that " pure ancient Masonry consists of three degrees and no more , viz ., those of the E . A ., the F . C , and the M . M ., including thc Supreme Order of thc Holy Royal Arch . " Taking these extracts together , I have been surprised to hear the ruling of a P . M . of my lodge , that any brother is at liberty to wear
either tht Mark or any other jewel . I should be glad to know whit is the practice elsewhere , as well as ihe law on the subject . Another matter is the wearing of the Craft apron in a Mark Lodge . Is not this contrary to the " "Mark " Constitutions ? For though 1 conclude that a candidate for advancement , being as is necessary a M . M-., may wear his Craft apron , a brother advanced is bound to wear the Mark apron . I shall be glad to be put right on these
matters . I am , yours fraternally , M . M . and M . M . M . [ In our decided opinion a Mark jewel cannot be worn in a Craft lodge , neither can a Craft apron be worn in a Mark lodge . Thc P . M . who gives such a " dictum" as our correspondent mentions , must be utterly , ignorant of the Book of Constitutions . —En . ]
A STATEMENT . To the Editor if the Freemason . D ^ ar Sir and Brother , — Will you kindly peruse the following statement , and if convenient let mc hear your opinion and advice . I am a M . M ., Royal Arch Mason , and Knight Templar , and belong to Thos . J . Turner , Lodge 400 , Washington
Chapter 43 , and Chicago Commandery 19 , all of the City of Chicago , U . S . of North America , I was in the employ of an American firm , when I came to this country for the purpose of buying goods for their account in England France , and Germany . However , on my arrival , or shortly after thc house failed , and the house in Hamburg , upon whom I was to draw for travelling funds , refused to
accept my drafts , consequently I was left high and dry in a foreign country without money or friends . I started out at once to find employment but was unsuccessful for a time , and while looking about for a situation , I thought I should visit a lodge , hoping tn meet with some brother who might possibly be able to assist me in finding employment . Accordingly I went one evening to thc Masonic Hall , and gave ray name , lodge , & c , to thc Ty ler ,
who , however , informed me that unless I had " papers I could not bc admitted . I stated my case to him and asked to be examined , but all to no purpose . On my return home I ransacked my papers , and found , I may say , accidently , a document from my commandery , which I ha ve had occasion to use in the States in order to obtain admission into a commandery when travelling . The reason took this paper some time ago was that I had just take"