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Article MASONIC HISTORY AND HISTORIANS. Page 1 of 1 Article FREEMASONRY IN SPAIN. Page 1 of 1 Article THE LATE BRO. ALBERT MACKAY. Page 1 of 1 Article THE LATE BRO. ALBERT MACKAY. Page 1 of 1 Article THE MORGAN AFFAIR. Page 1 of 1
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Masonic History And Historians.
MASONIC HISTORY AND HISTORIANS .
BY MASONIC STUDENT . It is quite clear by this time that Masonic Historians require a good deal of sifting , and Masonic History rewriting , in order to satisfy the requirements of our critical age . Many questions have yet to be settled , and many curious points disposed of , before we can hope to meet the cavils of ^ some , or remove
the hesitation of others . Some Masonic writers are much to blame for the easy credence they have given to unverified statements , for the " sheep walking " they have complacently indulged in , and for the uncritical readiness with which they have assumed doubtful chronology and unhistoric annals to be receivable and reliable .
Even now it is very difficult to get rid of these old ways , and we still give way far too readily to " fads " and theories , and preconceived notions of what Masonic history ought to be . Not only this , but haying started a " little vanity " of our own , we proceed to " square " real history , and to dovetail in with it the most recondite speculations and the most unsafe authorities . But on the other hand we must not too easily accept any one notion of what Masonic history ought to be , and give up " con amore " all that seems
lo antagonize it . There is much ground that has to be gone over anew before we can be in a position to pronounce positively one way or the other . Indeed , there are many points which must be left in doubt , and on which it is impossible and hopeless to speak decidedly and dogmatically . In a London paper we noticed the following remarks a short " time back , in which we fully concur , and commend them to the notice of our readers : —
The ancient Etruscans have some points of analogy with the modern Freemasons . This last familiar and yet mysterious body seems to let the outer world know everything about itself except what it is . We have read various books by Freemasons about Freemasonry , about its history , its constitution , its forms . On all these points they seem to give us the fullest particulars . VVe have only to complain that the historical partis a little vague and its evidence a little uncertain . We should not like rashly to decide whether Freemasonry was already ancient in the days of Solomon , or whether it
cannot be traced with certainty any further back than the eighteenth century . But we know the exact duties of a Tyler , and we know that at the end of a Masonic prayer we should answer not "Amen , " but "So mote it be . " Still what Freemasonry is , how a man becomes a Freemason , or really what distinguishes a Freemason from other people are points about which the Masonic books leave us wholly in the dark . So it is with the Etruscans . We seem to know everything about them except who they were . As far as we can know a people from their arts and monuments , there is no people whom we
seem to know better . We have full and clear monumental evidence as to the people themselves , as to many points in their ways , thoughts , and belief . VVe know how they built , carved , and Dainted , and their buildings , sculptures , and paintings tell us in many points how they lived and what was their faith and worship . VVe have , indeed , no Etruscan books , but their language still lives—at least , it abides—in endless inscriptions . But who the Etruscans were and what their language was remain unsolved puzzles . — Fall Mall Gazette .
Freemasonry In Spain.
FREEMASONRY IN SPAIN .
BRO . H . ECROVfo . Continued from p . 301 of No . 643 . Bro . Ortiz likewise brought in , and successfully passed through the Cortes , in the face of the most determined opposition , thc well-known "Article of the Constitution , " which gave not merely tolorancia , but full " Libertad de Cultos" ( freedom of conscience , and freedom of public worship ) to every one in Spain .
Such notable services , rendered , not only to his country , but to the cause of universal liberty and progress , will not be soon forgotten ; and it redounds most especially to the honour of our brother that he has been able so wisely to fashion his political career as to preserve the esteem , and wc may say the confidence , of the moderate Conservative party , on the onc hand , and of the advanced Democrats on the other . Bro . Ortiz is not a party
politician ; whatever he can do to promote the cause of liberty and progress , that he ¦ mill do j but he is not a man who believes " that the end justifies the means " and oefore all he is a dynastic Liberal , and loyal to his King . He will be found in the future leading the great cause of liberty , fraternity , and equality , before the law , and only within the law and Constitution , and subject to the maintenance of the constitutional rights of King
Alfonso XII ., and his dynasty . Bro . Antonio Romero Ortiz is President of the Society of Spanish Authors and Artists . He is a well-known archolaiogist , and his magnificent museum is one of the sights of Madrid . He has represented his native province in las Cortes ( the Spanish " House of Commons" ) in no less than eleven Parliaments . First elected in 1854 , he was subsequently unsealed , but since the year 1 S 69 he has held his seat uninterruptedly up to the present
lime . Such is a sketch of the public career of the newly-elected Grand Master and Sovereign Grand Commander , who now presides over our Frccmasonic brethren in Spain . May the Great Architect of the Universe prosper the hour to our Spanish
brethren , and give their distinguished Chief both health , and strength , ami leisure , to govern his Orient wilh that firm yet gentle hand which alone can keep down faction , conciliate conflicting interests , and ( above everything else ) preserve its members from the slightest taint of political partisanships . ( To be continucdj-
The Late Bro. Albert Mackay.
THE LATE BRO . ALBERT MACKAY .
By a communication from our esteemed Bro . W . J . Hughan elsewhere it will be seen that Masonic Archeology has sustained an irreparable loss in the somewhat premature death of Bro . A . Mackay , the well-known and able author of that most valuable work " Mackey ' s Cyclopaedia of Freemasonry . " We sincerely regret to receive this saddening communication , a regret in which wc know full well many of our readers will share , as Bro . Mackay was
not only a brother of eminent worth and ability , but his great work will long endure , a speaking witness of his learning , his research , his fairness , and his Masonic zeal . As an earnest and intellectual brother , one of the little band of true Masonic students of the honourable Masonic Guild of trulhscekers , he will be , indeed , a " missed man amongst us . " All Masonic students owe him a great debt of gratitude and admiration .
I he Philadelphia Keystone has the following notice of Bro . Mackey : It is our painful duty to announce to the Cralt the death , on Monday last , June 20 , 1881 , of Bro . Albert G . Mackey , M . D ., Past General Grand High Priest of lhe Genera ] Grand Chapter of thc United States , and . Secretary
The Late Bro. Albert Mackay.
General of thc Supreme Council of the A . and A . Rite for the southern jurisdiction of the United Stales . In the death of Bro . Mackey we mourn both an eminent Freemason and a personal friend . We do his character but simple justice when we state , that at the time of his death he was the ablest , and the most scholarly and accomplished , of American Freemasons . His fame was world-wide—the productions of his pen are read and admired in every Masonic jurisdiction on the globe . He was not only a volumioous writer of Masonic books , but also a dilligent contributor to the Masonic
press . In the earlier years of the Keystone he was a frequent writer for our columns , and he has occasionally favoured our readers with his finished articles until a comparatively recent * date . He died full of years and full of
honours , at thc ripe age of 74 . On'Ihursday of last week he went to Fortress Monroe , to recuperate his rapidly failing health . On his arrival there he was so weak that he had to be carried to the Hygiea Hotel , and was temporarily improved in health . One week later , however , he suffered a relapse , and passed peacefully away , on Monday of the present week .
Bro . Mackey ' s Masonic works are full of superior excellence , and one of them- the " Encyclopaedia of Freemasonry , " is without a peer for fullness and authority—a monument , indeed , of scholarly research , literary ability , and Masonic wisdom . This book is a library in itself . The Mason of onc book should possess " Mackey's Encyclopaedia . " His other works are , " Manual of the Lodge , " "Book of the Chapter , " " Symbolism of
Freemasonry , " "History of Freemasonry in South Carolina , " "Lexicon of Freemasonry , " " Text-Book of Masonic Jurisprudence , and " Masonic Parliamentary ' , ; Law . " All of these works are of superior worth , and of authority in thc Craft . Dr . Mackey ' s opinions were never shallow , nor his sentences slip-shod . His culture was both broad and deep . The Masonic newspapers and magazines of America are especially indebted to him for
his scholarly contributions to their pages . He was an exceedingly prolific writer . Hc had edited several Craft monthlies . The ablest was his own , " Mackey ' s National Freemason , " issued for three years from Washington , D . C , ending in 1 S 74 . The suspension of that magazine was a great and permanent loss to the Fraternity , since its standard of excellence was so high , and so uniformly attained .
But our Bro . Mackey is no more . Never again jon earth shall we behold the brilliant splendour of his eyes , or feel the warm fraternal clasp of his hand . He has gone over to the majority , and ere this has been received and welcomed by tiic Grand Master of the Universe . Let us emulate his virtues , and cherish his memory , for he was a true and faithful brother among us , and deservedly ranked at the head of the Masonic students and authors of America , if not of the world .. His work was finished , and now he has gone to his exceeding great reward .
The Morgan Affair.
THE MORGAN AFFAIR .
The anti-Masons , last month , started a movement to raise a monument over thc supposed bones of William Morgan . They must be considerably puzzled now , in View of . recent events . In October , 1827 , the body of a man was found at the mouth of Oak Orchard Creek , Lake Ontario , and taken to Batavia , where many persons , although it was badly decomposed , and bore scarcely any resemblance to a human body , came to
the conclusion that it was the remains of Morgan , and it was buried as such . Shortly after thc clolhes were identified by a Mrs . Monroe , as those of her husband , Timothy Monroe , who had been drowned at the mouth of the Niagara River . A coroner ' s jury then declared that it was not the body of William Morgan , but very many of the citizens of Batavia still believe that it was . This , however , is not the end of thc puzzle . On Tuesday of
the present week , the town of Batavia has again been excited over the alleged discovery of other bones of Wiliam Morgan . By and by he will be as great a man as John the Baptist , whose head is in no less than four of the monastries of Europe ! The last bones at Pembroke , eleven miles west of Batavia , in Genessec county , together , it is stated , with a silver ring bearing the initials W . M ., and a piece of paper , in an old tin tobacco box , on which
had been decicphcrsd the words , " Masons , " "liar , " " prison / & c . In view of the further facts that Morgan has been proved to have been alive in Australia , and several other places , twenty years after his alleged takingoff , hadn ' t the anti-Masons better postpone raising that monument ? lt would be scarcely fair treatment of any decent man ' s bones to raise over them a monument to onc of Morgan ' s character . But then , thc monument isn't raised yet—the money has to be raised first . —Keystone , June 25 th .
LECTURES , THE . —The Lectures of Freemasonry form a most important feature in ceremonial instruction , and are very interesting to all Freemasons who wisli to be " bright , " or seek to rise in the lodge . There are lectures peculiar to each Degree , and they are orally delivered . Their history is peculiar and curious , both to the Masonic student and the Masonic arch . cologist . It is very difficult to say what was the exact form of the lecture in use .
Desaguliers and Anderson arc stated by Oliver to have revised them . 1 he so-called Lectures of Henry VI . and of Sir Christopher Wren's time , which Oliver fancied he had verified , turn out to be clearly only portions of thc Sloane MS . 3329 , of the Grand Mystery , or of Essex ' s MS . If , indeed , the actual antiquity of the Sloane MS . be ascertained , which Mr . Waibran fixed , from internal verbiage , at about 1640 , though its date of transcription
is early iSth , we have probably the lectures in use in thc 17 th century ; though if the date cannot be carried beyond early 18 th , we still have in the Sloane MS ., probably the earliest form of Masonic catcchital instruction . Of 15 th century or 16 th century we need hardly add that so far there is no question , as no such theory can be maintained . — Sec Sloane MS . — Martin Clare is said to have revised the Lectures again in 1732 . In 1770 , or
thereabouts , Dunckerley again remodelled Clare's system , and about 1775 Preston improved on his predecessors , and some say incorporated in his Preslonian Lectures the views and even verbiage of William Hutchinson . In 1813 , at thc Union , Dr . Hemming was entrusted with the duty of revising the Lectures once more , for the purpose of uniting the ancient and the modern teaching—though the essential differences do not appear
to have been great—which was subsequently perfected by Bro . Williams , and is the recognised working of thc " Emulation Lodge of Improvement . " There arc some Masons who have always preferred the older working , and the Preslonian system has always had a large number of advocates . The American system , which is founded mainly on Webb ' s , is , no doubt , to a great extent , Preslonian . It has been said that Dermott established a system of lectures of his own , but we are not aware of any actual authority for the statement . — Kenning ' s Cyclopaedia of Freemasonry .
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Masonic History And Historians.
MASONIC HISTORY AND HISTORIANS .
BY MASONIC STUDENT . It is quite clear by this time that Masonic Historians require a good deal of sifting , and Masonic History rewriting , in order to satisfy the requirements of our critical age . Many questions have yet to be settled , and many curious points disposed of , before we can hope to meet the cavils of ^ some , or remove
the hesitation of others . Some Masonic writers are much to blame for the easy credence they have given to unverified statements , for the " sheep walking " they have complacently indulged in , and for the uncritical readiness with which they have assumed doubtful chronology and unhistoric annals to be receivable and reliable .
Even now it is very difficult to get rid of these old ways , and we still give way far too readily to " fads " and theories , and preconceived notions of what Masonic history ought to be . Not only this , but haying started a " little vanity " of our own , we proceed to " square " real history , and to dovetail in with it the most recondite speculations and the most unsafe authorities . But on the other hand we must not too easily accept any one notion of what Masonic history ought to be , and give up " con amore " all that seems
lo antagonize it . There is much ground that has to be gone over anew before we can be in a position to pronounce positively one way or the other . Indeed , there are many points which must be left in doubt , and on which it is impossible and hopeless to speak decidedly and dogmatically . In a London paper we noticed the following remarks a short " time back , in which we fully concur , and commend them to the notice of our readers : —
The ancient Etruscans have some points of analogy with the modern Freemasons . This last familiar and yet mysterious body seems to let the outer world know everything about itself except what it is . We have read various books by Freemasons about Freemasonry , about its history , its constitution , its forms . On all these points they seem to give us the fullest particulars . VVe have only to complain that the historical partis a little vague and its evidence a little uncertain . We should not like rashly to decide whether Freemasonry was already ancient in the days of Solomon , or whether it
cannot be traced with certainty any further back than the eighteenth century . But we know the exact duties of a Tyler , and we know that at the end of a Masonic prayer we should answer not "Amen , " but "So mote it be . " Still what Freemasonry is , how a man becomes a Freemason , or really what distinguishes a Freemason from other people are points about which the Masonic books leave us wholly in the dark . So it is with the Etruscans . We seem to know everything about them except who they were . As far as we can know a people from their arts and monuments , there is no people whom we
seem to know better . We have full and clear monumental evidence as to the people themselves , as to many points in their ways , thoughts , and belief . VVe know how they built , carved , and Dainted , and their buildings , sculptures , and paintings tell us in many points how they lived and what was their faith and worship . VVe have , indeed , no Etruscan books , but their language still lives—at least , it abides—in endless inscriptions . But who the Etruscans were and what their language was remain unsolved puzzles . — Fall Mall Gazette .
Freemasonry In Spain.
FREEMASONRY IN SPAIN .
BRO . H . ECROVfo . Continued from p . 301 of No . 643 . Bro . Ortiz likewise brought in , and successfully passed through the Cortes , in the face of the most determined opposition , thc well-known "Article of the Constitution , " which gave not merely tolorancia , but full " Libertad de Cultos" ( freedom of conscience , and freedom of public worship ) to every one in Spain .
Such notable services , rendered , not only to his country , but to the cause of universal liberty and progress , will not be soon forgotten ; and it redounds most especially to the honour of our brother that he has been able so wisely to fashion his political career as to preserve the esteem , and wc may say the confidence , of the moderate Conservative party , on the onc hand , and of the advanced Democrats on the other . Bro . Ortiz is not a party
politician ; whatever he can do to promote the cause of liberty and progress , that he ¦ mill do j but he is not a man who believes " that the end justifies the means " and oefore all he is a dynastic Liberal , and loyal to his King . He will be found in the future leading the great cause of liberty , fraternity , and equality , before the law , and only within the law and Constitution , and subject to the maintenance of the constitutional rights of King
Alfonso XII ., and his dynasty . Bro . Antonio Romero Ortiz is President of the Society of Spanish Authors and Artists . He is a well-known archolaiogist , and his magnificent museum is one of the sights of Madrid . He has represented his native province in las Cortes ( the Spanish " House of Commons" ) in no less than eleven Parliaments . First elected in 1854 , he was subsequently unsealed , but since the year 1 S 69 he has held his seat uninterruptedly up to the present
lime . Such is a sketch of the public career of the newly-elected Grand Master and Sovereign Grand Commander , who now presides over our Frccmasonic brethren in Spain . May the Great Architect of the Universe prosper the hour to our Spanish
brethren , and give their distinguished Chief both health , and strength , ami leisure , to govern his Orient wilh that firm yet gentle hand which alone can keep down faction , conciliate conflicting interests , and ( above everything else ) preserve its members from the slightest taint of political partisanships . ( To be continucdj-
The Late Bro. Albert Mackay.
THE LATE BRO . ALBERT MACKAY .
By a communication from our esteemed Bro . W . J . Hughan elsewhere it will be seen that Masonic Archeology has sustained an irreparable loss in the somewhat premature death of Bro . A . Mackay , the well-known and able author of that most valuable work " Mackey ' s Cyclopaedia of Freemasonry . " We sincerely regret to receive this saddening communication , a regret in which wc know full well many of our readers will share , as Bro . Mackay was
not only a brother of eminent worth and ability , but his great work will long endure , a speaking witness of his learning , his research , his fairness , and his Masonic zeal . As an earnest and intellectual brother , one of the little band of true Masonic students of the honourable Masonic Guild of trulhscekers , he will be , indeed , a " missed man amongst us . " All Masonic students owe him a great debt of gratitude and admiration .
I he Philadelphia Keystone has the following notice of Bro . Mackey : It is our painful duty to announce to the Cralt the death , on Monday last , June 20 , 1881 , of Bro . Albert G . Mackey , M . D ., Past General Grand High Priest of lhe Genera ] Grand Chapter of thc United States , and . Secretary
The Late Bro. Albert Mackay.
General of thc Supreme Council of the A . and A . Rite for the southern jurisdiction of the United Stales . In the death of Bro . Mackey we mourn both an eminent Freemason and a personal friend . We do his character but simple justice when we state , that at the time of his death he was the ablest , and the most scholarly and accomplished , of American Freemasons . His fame was world-wide—the productions of his pen are read and admired in every Masonic jurisdiction on the globe . He was not only a volumioous writer of Masonic books , but also a dilligent contributor to the Masonic
press . In the earlier years of the Keystone he was a frequent writer for our columns , and he has occasionally favoured our readers with his finished articles until a comparatively recent * date . He died full of years and full of
honours , at thc ripe age of 74 . On'Ihursday of last week he went to Fortress Monroe , to recuperate his rapidly failing health . On his arrival there he was so weak that he had to be carried to the Hygiea Hotel , and was temporarily improved in health . One week later , however , he suffered a relapse , and passed peacefully away , on Monday of the present week .
Bro . Mackey ' s Masonic works are full of superior excellence , and one of them- the " Encyclopaedia of Freemasonry , " is without a peer for fullness and authority—a monument , indeed , of scholarly research , literary ability , and Masonic wisdom . This book is a library in itself . The Mason of onc book should possess " Mackey's Encyclopaedia . " His other works are , " Manual of the Lodge , " "Book of the Chapter , " " Symbolism of
Freemasonry , " "History of Freemasonry in South Carolina , " "Lexicon of Freemasonry , " " Text-Book of Masonic Jurisprudence , and " Masonic Parliamentary ' , ; Law . " All of these works are of superior worth , and of authority in thc Craft . Dr . Mackey ' s opinions were never shallow , nor his sentences slip-shod . His culture was both broad and deep . The Masonic newspapers and magazines of America are especially indebted to him for
his scholarly contributions to their pages . He was an exceedingly prolific writer . Hc had edited several Craft monthlies . The ablest was his own , " Mackey ' s National Freemason , " issued for three years from Washington , D . C , ending in 1 S 74 . The suspension of that magazine was a great and permanent loss to the Fraternity , since its standard of excellence was so high , and so uniformly attained .
But our Bro . Mackey is no more . Never again jon earth shall we behold the brilliant splendour of his eyes , or feel the warm fraternal clasp of his hand . He has gone over to the majority , and ere this has been received and welcomed by tiic Grand Master of the Universe . Let us emulate his virtues , and cherish his memory , for he was a true and faithful brother among us , and deservedly ranked at the head of the Masonic students and authors of America , if not of the world .. His work was finished , and now he has gone to his exceeding great reward .
The Morgan Affair.
THE MORGAN AFFAIR .
The anti-Masons , last month , started a movement to raise a monument over thc supposed bones of William Morgan . They must be considerably puzzled now , in View of . recent events . In October , 1827 , the body of a man was found at the mouth of Oak Orchard Creek , Lake Ontario , and taken to Batavia , where many persons , although it was badly decomposed , and bore scarcely any resemblance to a human body , came to
the conclusion that it was the remains of Morgan , and it was buried as such . Shortly after thc clolhes were identified by a Mrs . Monroe , as those of her husband , Timothy Monroe , who had been drowned at the mouth of the Niagara River . A coroner ' s jury then declared that it was not the body of William Morgan , but very many of the citizens of Batavia still believe that it was . This , however , is not the end of thc puzzle . On Tuesday of
the present week , the town of Batavia has again been excited over the alleged discovery of other bones of Wiliam Morgan . By and by he will be as great a man as John the Baptist , whose head is in no less than four of the monastries of Europe ! The last bones at Pembroke , eleven miles west of Batavia , in Genessec county , together , it is stated , with a silver ring bearing the initials W . M ., and a piece of paper , in an old tin tobacco box , on which
had been decicphcrsd the words , " Masons , " "liar , " " prison / & c . In view of the further facts that Morgan has been proved to have been alive in Australia , and several other places , twenty years after his alleged takingoff , hadn ' t the anti-Masons better postpone raising that monument ? lt would be scarcely fair treatment of any decent man ' s bones to raise over them a monument to onc of Morgan ' s character . But then , thc monument isn't raised yet—the money has to be raised first . —Keystone , June 25 th .
LECTURES , THE . —The Lectures of Freemasonry form a most important feature in ceremonial instruction , and are very interesting to all Freemasons who wisli to be " bright , " or seek to rise in the lodge . There are lectures peculiar to each Degree , and they are orally delivered . Their history is peculiar and curious , both to the Masonic student and the Masonic arch . cologist . It is very difficult to say what was the exact form of the lecture in use .
Desaguliers and Anderson arc stated by Oliver to have revised them . 1 he so-called Lectures of Henry VI . and of Sir Christopher Wren's time , which Oliver fancied he had verified , turn out to be clearly only portions of thc Sloane MS . 3329 , of the Grand Mystery , or of Essex ' s MS . If , indeed , the actual antiquity of the Sloane MS . be ascertained , which Mr . Waibran fixed , from internal verbiage , at about 1640 , though its date of transcription
is early iSth , we have probably the lectures in use in thc 17 th century ; though if the date cannot be carried beyond early 18 th , we still have in the Sloane MS ., probably the earliest form of Masonic catcchital instruction . Of 15 th century or 16 th century we need hardly add that so far there is no question , as no such theory can be maintained . — Sec Sloane MS . — Martin Clare is said to have revised the Lectures again in 1732 . In 1770 , or
thereabouts , Dunckerley again remodelled Clare's system , and about 1775 Preston improved on his predecessors , and some say incorporated in his Preslonian Lectures the views and even verbiage of William Hutchinson . In 1813 , at thc Union , Dr . Hemming was entrusted with the duty of revising the Lectures once more , for the purpose of uniting the ancient and the modern teaching—though the essential differences do not appear
to have been great—which was subsequently perfected by Bro . Williams , and is the recognised working of thc " Emulation Lodge of Improvement . " There arc some Masons who have always preferred the older working , and the Preslonian system has always had a large number of advocates . The American system , which is founded mainly on Webb ' s , is , no doubt , to a great extent , Preslonian . It has been said that Dermott established a system of lectures of his own , but we are not aware of any actual authority for the statement . — Kenning ' s Cyclopaedia of Freemasonry .