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Article To Correspondents. Page 1 of 1 Article TRUE PHILANTHROPY. Page 1 of 1 Article Untitled Page 1 of 1 Article MASONIC RESEARCH. Page 1 of 1 Article MASONIC RESEARCH. Page 1 of 1 Article MASONIC BELIEF. Page 1 of 1 Article MASONIC BELIEF. Page 1 of 1 Article TRUE PHILANTHROPY. Page 1 of 2 →
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
To Correspondents.
To Correspondents .
The following Reports , & c , stand over for want of space : —Prince Alfred Lodge , No . 1218 , Manchester ; Royal Arch Chapter of Instruction , Manchester ; Truro Cathedral and the Freemasons ; Manchester Lodge of Instruction ; Duke of Cannaught Lodge of Instruction ; Faith Lodge , 141 ; St . Leonard Lodge , No . 1766 ; P . M . No . 1 ; Provincial Grand Lodge of Mark Masons , Lancashire .
BOOKS , & c , RECEIVED . " Bolctin Masinico de la Republica Fominicuna , " "Brief , " "Keystone , " "New York Sunday Times , " " The Freemasons' Monthly , " "Hull Packet , " "Royal Record of Western
Cornwall Gazette , " "The Masonic India , " " DcrTriangel , " " Keltt-Oricnt , " "The Masonic Newspaper , " " Die New Yorker Bundes Presse , " " Hebrew Leader , " "The Masonic Eclectic , " "Masonic Token , " " Broad Arrow . "
True Philanthropy.
TRUE PHILANTHROPY .
[ The charge is 2 s . 6 d . for announcements not exceeding Four Lines under this heading . ] BIRTHS . STONE . —On the 7 th ult ., at East Dulwich , the wife of Bro . D . Stone , of a daughter . WniGiiT . —On the 2 nd inst ., at the Red House , Ripon , the wife of Mr . J . W . Wright , of a son .
MARRIAGE . TURNER—TIIACKEII . —On the 3 rd inst ., at St . Jude ' s , Southsea , by the Rev . J .. S . Blake , Vicar , Gencial Frank Turner , C . B ., Royal Artillery , to Harriett Emiline , daughter of Major J . Wilton , late Madias Army , and widow of Major-General S . Thacker , Bombay Staff Corps .
DEATHS . HOPKINSO . V . —On the 31 st ult ., at Wansfurd , Mary Ann , wife of the late William Hopkinson , in htr 79 th year . WILLIAMS . —On the 2 nd inst ., at Edith-road , W ., Herbert , son of the late Lieutenant David Williams .
Ar00607
THE FREEMASON . SATURDAY , NOVEMBER 8 , 1879 .
Masonic Research.
MASONIC RESEARCH .
It seems well for us from time to time to nole and to report on tho progress of Masonic research in England . Time has made rapid strides since a few students first began in the older " Freemasons' Magazine , " and the Freemason subsequently , those discussions and those
contributions which have led to such remarkable results . For let us compare the intellectual and archa : ological position of English Freemasonry now with that of say twenty-five years ago . For a long time the whole of our Masonic investigations had been weig hed down by the romantic and uncritical
school of Oliver . For instance , when we first turned our attention to Masonic studies we could iind no authority but Oliver . If it be true , as the careful and intelligent Masonic student of today well knows , that we may find casual contributions downwards from 1723 towards a sounder
criticism and a true Masonic history—if it would be ungrateful , amid obvious shortcomings , to forget the labours of Anderson , Entick , Northouck and Hutchinson , and specially William Preston ; as well as the essays of Ashe , Calcott , Harris , and others—yet we must confess that in
the earlier portion of this century they were all overshadowed by the voluminous works of Oliver—and , unfortunately for Oliver , he ignored , or he was ignorant , of the German labours of the end of the last century , and the continuous contributions of this . Hence , to tho German
mind Oliver , as a writer , represents " uncriticism , " if we may use such a word in its hi ghest and most deliberate phasis , and despite his zeal , his learning , his wish to impart information , and his actual honesty both of labour and compilation , we fear that future Masonic students will
be no more satisfied than we can profess to be to-day , with his safe guidance in Masonic history and archaeology . About 18 59 a lecture was delivered before the Britannia Lodge , Sheffield , which advocated the Guild theory . This lecture
attracted the attention of Bro . Findel , and shortly after that it was openly propounded by others . About the same time a search began for Masonic Constitutions , in which Mr . Sims , of the British Museum , largely aided , and Bro . Matthew Cooke
Masonic Research.
called attention to his collation of the Masonic Constitutions in the British Museum . He subsequently published the earliest prose Constitutions , Mr . H alii well , a non-Mason , publishing the cailiest one , the Masonic Poem , even so far back as 1842 . If any of
our readers possess the old volumes of the " Freemasons' Magazine'' from 186 : to 1868 , or that of the Freemason for 1869 and 1870 , they will see how far the discussion had then proceeded . About this time—Bro . Hughan will correct us if we are in error—he began those
invaluable contributions on the evidences , which have served so greatly to advance Masonic archaeology . At that time , certainly not more , ( we speak with a margin of memory ) , than twenty MS . Constitutions were known to exist of all sorts . What is the number
now ? In 1872 Bro . Kughan published a list of thirty-two , and since that time others have been found or verified , making the list thirty-seven or thirty-eight . Only quite lately Bro . Hughan announced the discovery of two , and even now we have not exhausted possible or probable
" finds . " The original of Dowiand s has yet to turnup ; Ashmole ' s may yet be verified . We feel quite certain that MS . " rolls" or Constitutions may yet be found in forgotten lodge chests , and when such a completed list of MS . Constitutions is published we shall note , we feel
sure , a much larger "total " of " legends of the Craft . " What the effect nil such researches have upon contemporaneous Freemasonry is too wide a subject to be treated on to-day . We reserve our remarks for a subsequent Freemason ,
but we think it well to point out certain " landmarks " in respect of Masonic research , which , valuable to the Masonic student of to-day and of to-morrow , deserve to be carefully noted and thankfully remembered .
Masonic Belief.
MASONIC BELIEF .
It is refreshing and interesting to note how clearly , both in the United States , Canada , and Great Britain , the question of Masonic belief is received in its true light , and regarded in its deep importance . Indeed , in our opinio ;) , on this fact depends , more than on any other , the
safe progress and legitimate continuance of Freemasonry in the world , as looked kindly on by the ruling powers and favourably appreciated by the public . For it is this reverent acknowledgment of the Most High and the practical development of the Divine law of charity , which
have served so greatly to cement Freemasonry in its interior and adorn it in its' exterior organization , and have , above all , satisfied the critical and somewhat doubting curiosity of an extern and hesitating world . For a secret society which professes no religion or avows no belief is
pretty sure to fall under suspicion and arouse fear . If it be still true that many people hold ever " omne ignotum pro magnifico , " the very secresy of Freemasonry invests it alike with exaggerated terrors and imaginary terrors to the timid or the antagonistic . So that a society
which professes to have no religion and to avow no God must not be surprised if its enemies ridicule its statements , if even its friends grow cold when it is accused of . revolutionary purposes or atheistic principles . If any of us want to know to what length a vivid imagination will
lead those who are ignorant of the true princi ples of Freemasonry , let them peruse the opening chapter in Alexander Dumas ' s " Joseph Balsamo , " when he surrounds our peaceful , and loyal , and religious Order , ( and peaceful , and loyal , and religious it was then in France ) , with
all the attributes of revolutionary unbelievers and insane "Illumines . " But then history repeats itself , and wherever Freemasons are today who discard the venerable , and reverent , and loyal , and old-fashioned principles of true Freemasonry , there too we find it proscribed and persecuted , exposed to the vulgar calumny of
the Ultramontane , and even doubted and undervalued by good men and orderly citizens . We < lo not say that , even where as with us—Freemasonry has now the Prince of Wales at its head—where its loyalty is alike unquestioned and unquestionable , it is free from rancour and calumny , from idle gossip or malignant
Masonic Belief.
slander . That is not so ! But what we do say is , that when it is supported by the ' - ' mens conscia recti , " when its professions " and practice are alike consistent and honest , when it stands by its ancient landmarks and abides by its own goodly teaching — such-is the excellence of
freemasonry , that it rises to its own level in the struggles of the world and smiles at petty assailants , just as it contemns insidious calumny . But then it must stand firm on its one sure and safe foundation , or else its building will crumble to decay , whether owing to the opposition of
man or the encroaching hand of time . And what is that sure and safe foundation ? does any one ask in the Freemason . Then we reply , belief in T . G . A . O . T . U ., belief in the Fatherhood of God , the Brotherhood of Man , and the goodlymission of Freemasonry .
True Philanthropy.
TRUE PHILANTHROPY .
There are many ways , no doubt , in which wealth and power can confer happiness on men , but , as our exalted Bro . H . R . H . Prince Leopold said the other day , the very possession of riches is rendered more enjoyable by the sense of being able to do good to others ; and certainly to no
other better purpose can wealth be devoted , for no truer end can it be ofrered ,. than the relief of the sufferings of our commonhuinanity , the mitigation of its burdens , the progress of civilizing culture , or the happy and peaceful developement of intellectual powers or scientific studies . Our
age has been distinguished by numerous great and philanthropic gifts of the large-hearted and the truly liberal , of the sincere philanthropist , of the unpretending benefactor of society and of mankind . We need not particularize gifts which have been remarkable , or mention
donors whose names are recorded as imperishable " footprints" on the great sands of time 3 " Footprints whii . li , perhaps , another Struggling on life's stormy main , A foilom and shipwrecked brother Seeing , may take heart again . "
Our attention has been specially and forcibly called to an announcement , which will be fouud elsewhere in our present impression , which tells us in striking and most gratifying manner of a most munificent gift on the part of a very distinguished brother of our Order ,
and Past Grand Officer , Professor Erasmus Wilson . He is well and favourably known outside : his own great profession of which he is a very leading member , by that most patriotic act , which transferred at his own sole cost the obelisk which now graces the Embankment , fiom
the sands of Egypt , where it had long lain prostrated and uncared for . Few of those crowds who pass along the Embankment daily sufficiently realize , perhaps , what they ically owe to tho patriotic sympathies and manly liberality of Bro . Erasmus Wilson . It is well , then , ever to keep
before us the fact—a fact creditable to the metropolis wc inhabit , ihe age we live in . and , above all , to the man and the Mason , who , with princely mind , grudged no expense to adorn for long , distant generations , let us trust , that great metropolis of ours , around which lie centred , as far as
human pen can pierce into the coming clouds of future years , the hopes of peace and progress , prosperity and vital civilization , in this great warring and troubled world of ours . There is at Margate a most admirable institution—the Sea Bathing Infirmary—specially applicable to
those thousands of the humble classes , who , toilin ? in our large towns , in reeking alleys and ill-ventilated rooms , either inherit the dreadful taint of scrofula , or have its incipient stages extended and developed by insufficient food and foul atmosphere . The wants of this modest ,
but moit useful institution , most curative and healing in its treatment and results , have outgrown its means . A new wing is required , and our distinguished brother comes forward of his " own fiee will and accord , " like a good Mason and true
philanthropist , oilers to build this new wing , together with a chapel , at his own cost , without throwing any of the expenditure on the much-needed funds of this truly benevolent infirmary . We are informed that the cost of tha new wing is estimated at not less than £ -2 , 0 , 000 , and that it will include a swimming bath , and dormitories ,
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
To Correspondents.
To Correspondents .
The following Reports , & c , stand over for want of space : —Prince Alfred Lodge , No . 1218 , Manchester ; Royal Arch Chapter of Instruction , Manchester ; Truro Cathedral and the Freemasons ; Manchester Lodge of Instruction ; Duke of Cannaught Lodge of Instruction ; Faith Lodge , 141 ; St . Leonard Lodge , No . 1766 ; P . M . No . 1 ; Provincial Grand Lodge of Mark Masons , Lancashire .
BOOKS , & c , RECEIVED . " Bolctin Masinico de la Republica Fominicuna , " "Brief , " "Keystone , " "New York Sunday Times , " " The Freemasons' Monthly , " "Hull Packet , " "Royal Record of Western
Cornwall Gazette , " "The Masonic India , " " DcrTriangel , " " Keltt-Oricnt , " "The Masonic Newspaper , " " Die New Yorker Bundes Presse , " " Hebrew Leader , " "The Masonic Eclectic , " "Masonic Token , " " Broad Arrow . "
True Philanthropy.
TRUE PHILANTHROPY .
[ The charge is 2 s . 6 d . for announcements not exceeding Four Lines under this heading . ] BIRTHS . STONE . —On the 7 th ult ., at East Dulwich , the wife of Bro . D . Stone , of a daughter . WniGiiT . —On the 2 nd inst ., at the Red House , Ripon , the wife of Mr . J . W . Wright , of a son .
MARRIAGE . TURNER—TIIACKEII . —On the 3 rd inst ., at St . Jude ' s , Southsea , by the Rev . J .. S . Blake , Vicar , Gencial Frank Turner , C . B ., Royal Artillery , to Harriett Emiline , daughter of Major J . Wilton , late Madias Army , and widow of Major-General S . Thacker , Bombay Staff Corps .
DEATHS . HOPKINSO . V . —On the 31 st ult ., at Wansfurd , Mary Ann , wife of the late William Hopkinson , in htr 79 th year . WILLIAMS . —On the 2 nd inst ., at Edith-road , W ., Herbert , son of the late Lieutenant David Williams .
Ar00607
THE FREEMASON . SATURDAY , NOVEMBER 8 , 1879 .
Masonic Research.
MASONIC RESEARCH .
It seems well for us from time to time to nole and to report on tho progress of Masonic research in England . Time has made rapid strides since a few students first began in the older " Freemasons' Magazine , " and the Freemason subsequently , those discussions and those
contributions which have led to such remarkable results . For let us compare the intellectual and archa : ological position of English Freemasonry now with that of say twenty-five years ago . For a long time the whole of our Masonic investigations had been weig hed down by the romantic and uncritical
school of Oliver . For instance , when we first turned our attention to Masonic studies we could iind no authority but Oliver . If it be true , as the careful and intelligent Masonic student of today well knows , that we may find casual contributions downwards from 1723 towards a sounder
criticism and a true Masonic history—if it would be ungrateful , amid obvious shortcomings , to forget the labours of Anderson , Entick , Northouck and Hutchinson , and specially William Preston ; as well as the essays of Ashe , Calcott , Harris , and others—yet we must confess that in
the earlier portion of this century they were all overshadowed by the voluminous works of Oliver—and , unfortunately for Oliver , he ignored , or he was ignorant , of the German labours of the end of the last century , and the continuous contributions of this . Hence , to tho German
mind Oliver , as a writer , represents " uncriticism , " if we may use such a word in its hi ghest and most deliberate phasis , and despite his zeal , his learning , his wish to impart information , and his actual honesty both of labour and compilation , we fear that future Masonic students will
be no more satisfied than we can profess to be to-day , with his safe guidance in Masonic history and archaeology . About 18 59 a lecture was delivered before the Britannia Lodge , Sheffield , which advocated the Guild theory . This lecture
attracted the attention of Bro . Findel , and shortly after that it was openly propounded by others . About the same time a search began for Masonic Constitutions , in which Mr . Sims , of the British Museum , largely aided , and Bro . Matthew Cooke
Masonic Research.
called attention to his collation of the Masonic Constitutions in the British Museum . He subsequently published the earliest prose Constitutions , Mr . H alii well , a non-Mason , publishing the cailiest one , the Masonic Poem , even so far back as 1842 . If any of
our readers possess the old volumes of the " Freemasons' Magazine'' from 186 : to 1868 , or that of the Freemason for 1869 and 1870 , they will see how far the discussion had then proceeded . About this time—Bro . Hughan will correct us if we are in error—he began those
invaluable contributions on the evidences , which have served so greatly to advance Masonic archaeology . At that time , certainly not more , ( we speak with a margin of memory ) , than twenty MS . Constitutions were known to exist of all sorts . What is the number
now ? In 1872 Bro . Kughan published a list of thirty-two , and since that time others have been found or verified , making the list thirty-seven or thirty-eight . Only quite lately Bro . Hughan announced the discovery of two , and even now we have not exhausted possible or probable
" finds . " The original of Dowiand s has yet to turnup ; Ashmole ' s may yet be verified . We feel quite certain that MS . " rolls" or Constitutions may yet be found in forgotten lodge chests , and when such a completed list of MS . Constitutions is published we shall note , we feel
sure , a much larger "total " of " legends of the Craft . " What the effect nil such researches have upon contemporaneous Freemasonry is too wide a subject to be treated on to-day . We reserve our remarks for a subsequent Freemason ,
but we think it well to point out certain " landmarks " in respect of Masonic research , which , valuable to the Masonic student of to-day and of to-morrow , deserve to be carefully noted and thankfully remembered .
Masonic Belief.
MASONIC BELIEF .
It is refreshing and interesting to note how clearly , both in the United States , Canada , and Great Britain , the question of Masonic belief is received in its true light , and regarded in its deep importance . Indeed , in our opinio ;) , on this fact depends , more than on any other , the
safe progress and legitimate continuance of Freemasonry in the world , as looked kindly on by the ruling powers and favourably appreciated by the public . For it is this reverent acknowledgment of the Most High and the practical development of the Divine law of charity , which
have served so greatly to cement Freemasonry in its interior and adorn it in its' exterior organization , and have , above all , satisfied the critical and somewhat doubting curiosity of an extern and hesitating world . For a secret society which professes no religion or avows no belief is
pretty sure to fall under suspicion and arouse fear . If it be still true that many people hold ever " omne ignotum pro magnifico , " the very secresy of Freemasonry invests it alike with exaggerated terrors and imaginary terrors to the timid or the antagonistic . So that a society
which professes to have no religion and to avow no God must not be surprised if its enemies ridicule its statements , if even its friends grow cold when it is accused of . revolutionary purposes or atheistic principles . If any of us want to know to what length a vivid imagination will
lead those who are ignorant of the true princi ples of Freemasonry , let them peruse the opening chapter in Alexander Dumas ' s " Joseph Balsamo , " when he surrounds our peaceful , and loyal , and religious Order , ( and peaceful , and loyal , and religious it was then in France ) , with
all the attributes of revolutionary unbelievers and insane "Illumines . " But then history repeats itself , and wherever Freemasons are today who discard the venerable , and reverent , and loyal , and old-fashioned principles of true Freemasonry , there too we find it proscribed and persecuted , exposed to the vulgar calumny of
the Ultramontane , and even doubted and undervalued by good men and orderly citizens . We < lo not say that , even where as with us—Freemasonry has now the Prince of Wales at its head—where its loyalty is alike unquestioned and unquestionable , it is free from rancour and calumny , from idle gossip or malignant
Masonic Belief.
slander . That is not so ! But what we do say is , that when it is supported by the ' - ' mens conscia recti , " when its professions " and practice are alike consistent and honest , when it stands by its ancient landmarks and abides by its own goodly teaching — such-is the excellence of
freemasonry , that it rises to its own level in the struggles of the world and smiles at petty assailants , just as it contemns insidious calumny . But then it must stand firm on its one sure and safe foundation , or else its building will crumble to decay , whether owing to the opposition of
man or the encroaching hand of time . And what is that sure and safe foundation ? does any one ask in the Freemason . Then we reply , belief in T . G . A . O . T . U ., belief in the Fatherhood of God , the Brotherhood of Man , and the goodlymission of Freemasonry .
True Philanthropy.
TRUE PHILANTHROPY .
There are many ways , no doubt , in which wealth and power can confer happiness on men , but , as our exalted Bro . H . R . H . Prince Leopold said the other day , the very possession of riches is rendered more enjoyable by the sense of being able to do good to others ; and certainly to no
other better purpose can wealth be devoted , for no truer end can it be ofrered ,. than the relief of the sufferings of our commonhuinanity , the mitigation of its burdens , the progress of civilizing culture , or the happy and peaceful developement of intellectual powers or scientific studies . Our
age has been distinguished by numerous great and philanthropic gifts of the large-hearted and the truly liberal , of the sincere philanthropist , of the unpretending benefactor of society and of mankind . We need not particularize gifts which have been remarkable , or mention
donors whose names are recorded as imperishable " footprints" on the great sands of time 3 " Footprints whii . li , perhaps , another Struggling on life's stormy main , A foilom and shipwrecked brother Seeing , may take heart again . "
Our attention has been specially and forcibly called to an announcement , which will be fouud elsewhere in our present impression , which tells us in striking and most gratifying manner of a most munificent gift on the part of a very distinguished brother of our Order ,
and Past Grand Officer , Professor Erasmus Wilson . He is well and favourably known outside : his own great profession of which he is a very leading member , by that most patriotic act , which transferred at his own sole cost the obelisk which now graces the Embankment , fiom
the sands of Egypt , where it had long lain prostrated and uncared for . Few of those crowds who pass along the Embankment daily sufficiently realize , perhaps , what they ically owe to tho patriotic sympathies and manly liberality of Bro . Erasmus Wilson . It is well , then , ever to keep
before us the fact—a fact creditable to the metropolis wc inhabit , ihe age we live in . and , above all , to the man and the Mason , who , with princely mind , grudged no expense to adorn for long , distant generations , let us trust , that great metropolis of ours , around which lie centred , as far as
human pen can pierce into the coming clouds of future years , the hopes of peace and progress , prosperity and vital civilization , in this great warring and troubled world of ours . There is at Margate a most admirable institution—the Sea Bathing Infirmary—specially applicable to
those thousands of the humble classes , who , toilin ? in our large towns , in reeking alleys and ill-ventilated rooms , either inherit the dreadful taint of scrofula , or have its incipient stages extended and developed by insufficient food and foul atmosphere . The wants of this modest ,
but moit useful institution , most curative and healing in its treatment and results , have outgrown its means . A new wing is required , and our distinguished brother comes forward of his " own fiee will and accord , " like a good Mason and true
philanthropist , oilers to build this new wing , together with a chapel , at his own cost , without throwing any of the expenditure on the much-needed funds of this truly benevolent infirmary . We are informed that the cost of tha new wing is estimated at not less than £ -2 , 0 , 000 , and that it will include a swimming bath , and dormitories ,