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Articles/Ads
Ad Untitled Page 1 of 1 Ad Untitled Page 1 of 1 Ad Untitled Page 1 of 1 Ad Untitled Page 1 of 1 Ad Untitled Page 1 of 1 Ad Untitled Page 1 of 1 Ad Untitled Page 1 of 1 Ad Untitled Page 1 of 1 Ad Untitled Page 1 of 1 Article To Correspondents. Page 1 of 1 Article Untitled Page 1 of 1 Article Original Correspondence. Page 1 of 1 Article Masonic Notes and Queries. Page 1 of 1 Article GOULD'S HISTORY OF FREEMASONRY. VOL. III. Page 1 of 2 →
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Ad00702
MEMORY . —The LOISETTIAN SCHOOL of PHYSIOLOGICAL MEMORY , the instantaneous art of never forgetting , uses none of the " localities , " " keys , " " pegs , " " links , " or " associations , " of mnemonics . Prospectus post free , giving opinions from actual study of the system of Mr . RICHARD A . PROCTOR , Dr . ANDREW WILSON , and others . Any book learned in one reading . Day and evening classes in " Never Forgetting " and for cure of" Mind-Wandering . " Taught thoroughly by post . —Professor Loisette , 37 , New Oxford-street ( opposite Mudie's library ) .
Ad00703
SPECIALLY INTERESTING TO FREEMASONS . GEORGE MACKEY , 49 A , Union Passage , Birmingham , at the request of many Masons , has now published his most remarkable Masonic Illumination . The size of the original is 4 S by 3 6 inches , and is probably one of the most beautiful Specimensof Pen and Ink Etching ever produced . Detailed particulars sent on receipt of stamped directed envelope . Copyright Photographs , Cabinet size 2 s . Ditto _ ditto 15 by 12 inch 5 s . The ori g inal can be seen at any time at above address ; also a choice and large collection of all varieties of Fine Art firoperty , China , Weapons , Old Plate , Antique Jewellery , vory Carvings , Old Carved Oak and other Furniture , and Bric-a-brac of every description .
Ad00704
TJ ^ REE GRANTS OF LAND IN CANADA . 160 acres in Manitoba and the North-West Territories . 100 to aoo acres in the other Provinces . IMI'ROVED FARMS AT REASONABLE PRICES IX TIIF . MARITIME PROVINCES , QUEIJEC , ONTARIO , AND MANITOBA . Assisted passages . Special facilities for domestic servants . Apply for Pamphlets ( sent gratis and post free ) containing full i nformation respecting the in \ cstinent of capital , advantages oilercd to fanners , land regulations , demand for labour , rates of wages , cost of living , assisted passages , Sic , to J . G . Colmer , Secretary of the Ollice of the High Commissioner for Canada , o , Victoria Chambers , London , S . W . ; or to John Dyke , Agent of the Canadian Govern , inent , 1 ; , Water Street , Liverpool .
Ad00706
TO Lodges , Chapters , Encampments , & c . —FOR SALE ( quite new ) two Town-made Brass Candelabra , each nine lights , with plate glass fittings ; one Brass Curtain Pole , lOft . 6 in . long , with Hooks and Rings complete ; one Polished Oak Reading Stand . —Apply , VJ . U . Q ., Freemason Office , 16 , Great Queen-street , W . C .
Ad00705
( Enucattonal . D ~~ ULWICH HOUSE SCHOOL , VICTORIA ROAD , UPPER NORWOOD , S . E . ( Within seven minutes' of the Crystal Palace ) . PRINCIPAL : Mr . J . K . BARNES , LONDON UNIVKRSITV . ( Late Upper Fifth-Form Master , Bedford Modern School , Harpur Foundation . ) RESIDENT STAFF : Classics : Mr . VV . P . EVANS , M . A . ( 2 nd Class Classical Tripos , 1877 . ) ( Late Foundation Scholar , Sidney Sussex College , Cambridge . ) English Language and Literature : The PRINCIPAL . Mathematics and Science : P . I . ROUND , B . A . ( Mathematical Tripos , 1 SS 2 . ) ( Late Scholar St . Katharine's College , Cambridge . ) Modern Languages : The PRINCIPAL . VISITING STAFF : Modern Languages : Monsieur EUGENE FASNACHT . ( Late Senior Modern Language Master , Bedford Modern School . Editor of Macmillan ' s Foreign Classics . ) Science : Rev . j . G . WOOD , M . A ., F . L . S ., and Prof . C . P . MORRIS , Geology and Phys . Geog . ; and such other qualified and experienced Masters as the requirements of the Pupils may demand . References kindly permitted to Rev . R . B . Poole , B . D ., Bed . Mod . School , Bedford . Alex . Waugh Young , M . A ., Tettenhall College , Staffordshire . G . M . Hicks , M . A ., 5 , South-row , Blackheath , S . E . E . F . Ashworth Briggs , M . A ., L . L . M ., 15 , New Street , Davcntry . , Rev . A . Lloyd , M . A ., Norton Rectory , Bury St . Edmunds . C . L . Peel , Esq ., C . B ., Woodcraft , Cuckficld , Sussex . Major Ed . Green , St . Mary's , Bedford . J . D . Rodger , Esq ., College Lawn , Cheltenham . C . P . Mason , B . A ., F . C . P ., Dukesell , Streatham Hill , S . E .
Ad00707
HIGH-CLASS PRIVATE SCHOOL THEOBALD'S PARK , WALTHAM CROSS , LONDON , N . PRINCIPAL : Rev . J . OSWALD JACKSON , Assisted by Five Masters . Limited number of Gentlemen ' s Sons ; motherly care for delicate pupils ; individual teaching for backward ones ; playground of six acres . . First Class Honours gamed _ at last Cambridge Local Examinations , with Distinction in Mathematics . References kindly permitted to Rev . Dr . Reynolds , Principal of Cheshunt College , Herts . Rev . Charles E . Mayo , M . A ., Nottingham . Sir Thomas Chambers , M . P ., Recorder of London . Richard Toller , Esq ., Solicitor , Leicester . George Kenning , Esq ., Little Britain .
Ad00708
AN IMPORTANT FACT ! / TA and upwards carefully invested JJQ J _ \ J in Options on Stocks and Shares is the safest and most popular way of rapidly making money on the Stock Exchange by the non-liability system . Explanatory Book ( new edition ) g iving full . details , gratis and post free . — Address , GEORGE EVANS and Co ., Sworn Brokers , Gresham House , London , E . C .
Ad00709
MACKEY'S LEXICON OF FREEMASONRY . Messrs . CHARLES GRIFFIN & CO ., Publishers of Mackey's Lexicon of Freemasonry , think it right to caution Freemasons and others against giving orders for this work to any persons representing themselves as their Agents . Messrs . GRIFFIN & Co . have given no authority to any person to collect moneys for them for the above work . CHARLES GRIFFIN & CO ., 12 , EXETER-STREET , STRAND , LONDON .
Ad00710
BACON'S CENTRAL HOTEL , ADJOINING FREEMASONS' H ALL , GREAT OUEEN STREET , LINCOLN'S INN FIELDS , LONDON , W . C . BRO . THOMAS BACON begs to solicit the kind patronage of Brethren visiting London . The Craft is aware that it was supposed that the Grand Lodge would purchase the lease of his hotel , a statement to which effect was inserted in all the leading newspapers . He is sorry to say the report is operating much against his business , as many of his friends and the public , thinking his hotel closed , have gone elsewhere . He therefore trusts that his Brother Freemasons in the country will support him , and the more so as he has been a tenant of Grand Lodge for half-a-century .
To Correspondents.
To Correspondents .
The following communications have been received , but are not inserted in this issue owing to want of space : — Translation of the Pope ' s Encyclical letter— " De Sccta Massonum . " CORRESPONDENCE—I . P . M . 731 . CRAFT LODGES—Mariners , IOS ; St . John ' s , 2 S 0 ( S . C . );
fattison , 913 ; Amnurst , 1223 ; oavilc , 1231 ; t'rincc Leopold , 1445 ; Sir Charles Bright , 1793 ; Mozart , 1929 ; Raymond Thrupp , 2024 . LODGES OF INSTRUCTION—Faith , 141 ; Wcslbournc , 733 .
HOOKS RECEIVED , & c . ''Canadian Craftsman , " " New York Daily News , " " New York Dispatch , " "Natal Mercury , " "Court Circular , " •¦ City Press , " " Droad Arrow , " " CHi / en , " " Voice of Masonry , " " Hull Packet , " " Masonic Chronicle , " " Jewish Chronicle , " " Time , " " Tricycling lournal , " " Die llauhiitte , " " Forbes' Directory ; and Bulletin " ' ( Rome ! , " Washington Chronicle , " "La Cliainc d'Union , " " El Taller , " " Kneph , " "Allen ' s Indian Mail , " "Victorian Masonic Journal , " " Keystone , " " Melbourne Argus , "" Northampton Mercury . "
Ar00713
j S ^^^^ B ^ Sa SATURDAY , MAY IO , 1884 .
Original Correspondence.
Original Correspondence .
[ We do not hold ourselves responsible for , or even approving of , the opinionsexpressed by ourcorrcspondents , hut we wish in a spirit of fair play to all to permit—within certain necessary limits—free discussion . ] ——
RE-NUMBERING OF LODGES . To the Editor of the "Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , Allow me space to say how grateful 1 feel for Bro . VV . J . Hughan ' s answer to a letter by Bro . J . VV . Turner ,
ot Huddershcld . Had I answered that letter , I fear it would scarcely have been in the same courteous and suitable manner ; it seems to me so exceedingly absurd any one going out of his way to cause trouble and annoyance . Those who remember , as I do , the years it took us to
become accustomed to the new numbers of lodges , will agree with Bro . Hughan it requires some stronger reason than the advocate has given for such a disturbance of our Masonic memories . It is positively mischievious unless necessary . I cannot quote figures , but I am ready to admit that in 1 SG 3 it had become desirable , and I am prepared to say at present there is not the slightest necessity for renumbering lodges . —Yours fraternally , HENRY SMITH , Prov . G . Sec . West Yorks .
THE BOYS' SCHOOL ELECTION . To the Editor of the " Freemason . " Sir , —I should be g lad to avail myself of your columns as the medium by which to convey my sincere thanks to all those members of the Masonic Order , and others , who by their votes or personal efforts have helped the candidature of my son , Edward , in the late election for the Boy ' s School , and thereby contributed to bring to a successful
issue a cause which at hrst , on account of the shortness of time in which to work it , did not promise so satisfactory a result . Such a result , indeed , could not have been obtained save by the most untiring exertions of those who so kindly and so warml y interested themselves for me . Many of those kind friends , being personally unknown to me , I cannot thank individually ; to them then , especially , I would offer these few lines , in the hope that they may be
accepted as the expression of deep gratitude for the services so readily rendered me . —I am , Sir , yours obediently , M . A . GREEN . Portsmouth , May 1 .
THE LATE BRO . GEORGE BUCKLAND . To the Editor of the "Freemason . " Sir , —I am requested by the Committee to inform you that the entertainment given at St . George ' s Hall , on
20 th March last , proved most successful , the gross receipts being £ 343 14 s . 6 d ., which , after deducting the cost of advertising , & c , viz ., £ 37 10 s . 4 d ., leaves a sum of £ 306 4 s . 2 d . for the benefit of the widow . —I am , Sir , yours obediently , JOSEPH D . LANGTON , Hon . Sec .
Masonic Notes And Queries.
Masonic Notes and Queries .
335 ] THE CESTRIAN LODGE . Can anyone move the VV . M . and brethren of the Ccstrian Lodge to have a search made amid their papers , as it is just possible something may still be there about the " Wren MS . " ? Can Bro . Whytehead help us ? I know he will if he can . MASONIC STUDENT .
33 C ] SIR CHRISTOPHER WREN . With reference to * ' P . S . W . 302 's" note , I looked in at Mr . E . VV . Stibbs's , 30 , Museum-street , on Saturday , and found that in " Knight ' s London " the passage referred to occurs . A Mr . Weir writes therein an account ot the Building of St . Paul ' s , and mentions that Herder ( not Heider ) in
one of his "fugitive pieces" states that Sir Christopher Wren was member of a convivial society , with forms of secresy and initiation , and rules of regulation , and hence the true origin of " St . John ' s Masonry . " This meeting is said to have taken place at a tavern in St . Paul ' s Churchyard . Is not this a " find " for our worthy Bro . Gould ?
337 ] ANTIOU 1 TY . CAGLIOSTRO'S HISTORY OF FREEMASONRY . In the " Maconnerie Egyptienne du Grand Cophte " the following legend of Masonic history occurs , which I hope Masonic students will note : " Freemasonry has for its fathers Enoch and Elias ( Elijah ) . After having been invested with sublime power , which was granted them by the
Divinity , they implored His goodness and His mercy in favour of their neighbours , and that they might be permitted to make known to other men His greatness and the power He has accorded to men over all the beings who surround His throne . Having obtained this , they formed 12 subjects , whom they termed Elect of God , one of whom , known to you , was called Solomon . This king philosopher ,
himself inspired , sought to imitate and to walk in the steps of his two masters by forming a society of men proper to preserve and propagate that sublime knowledge which they had acquired . He succeeded by conciliating the other Elect , and agreeing to select each two subjects , of whom they formed 24 companions , the first being Boaz . These 24 companions had afterwards the liberty ol each electing
three , whom they named apprentices , which made two Supreme Chiefs , 12 Masters or Elect of God , 24 Companions , and 72 Apprentices . From these last the Templars arc descended , and from one of these Templars , a fugitive in Scotland , the Freemasons , who were in the beginning of the number of 13 , afterwards became 33 . Such
arc the origin and affiliation of Masonry . Wc may some of us smile at this extraordinary mixture of anachronism and absurdity ; but 1 quote it mainly to prove to others the radical audacity and knavery of Joseph Balsamo , and the trash which was positively once accepted by educated men , and still apparently finds dupes and believers . MASONIC STUDENT .
Gould's History Of Freemasonry. Vol. Iii.
GOULD'S HISTORY OF FREEMASONRY . VOL . III .
FOURTH NOTICE . Uv MASONIC STUDENT . Before I go on , I wish to call attention to an admitted duty of recognition and gratitude , namely , in respect of the illustrations of Bro . Gould ' s work . They are very effective indeed ; and as 1 notice the name of Bro . W . II . Rylands , 1 am giad to call attention to this , among other proofs of
the great promise of this rising young archaeologist , as well in Freemasonry as in Egyptology . One of the most important chapters in Bro . Gould ' s third volume is that which deals with the Guild Legends . We owe to a non-Mason , llalliwcll Phillips , in 1 S 40 , the introduction to a scientific and critical treatment of the Masonic Poem , and from that time to the present the enquiry and study have
gone on , beginning with the additional MS . ( Bro . Matthew Cooke ) , continued with Bro . Uughan ' s invaluable "Old Charges , " and ending for the present with that now long list which appears in Bro . Gould's history . Bro . Gould has quoted certain " canons " of textual criticism , bearing mainly on Scriptural MSS ., and has sought to apply them to our now lengthened collection of Guild Legends .
It is here where I lirst diverge and dissent respectfully from Bro . Gould ' s method of classification and treatment of this most important subject . In the abstract the idea seems very good and sound ; in the concrete we soon discover that we cannot fully , perfectly , or safely apply such canons to our Guild Legends without soon lindinc ourselves in a happy state of doubt and difficulty .
If Bro . Gould ' s tests of historical value and textual soundness are accepted , wc shall lose perforce some of our most characteristic legends . "Lodge possession" is an clement no doubt in testing the value of a MS ., but it is not the only one , and is probably a very deceptive one at the best . For , at this moment , with the exception of a certain and select number , we know not of most of the lodge MSS . how they came into the possession of the lodge or when ;
and _ in the case of some , the lodge or Grand Lodge possession is quite modern , and previously the history of the MS . becomes again that of private possession . Though the " canon " be good as a rule , it must have its exceptions , as all rules have , and must not be pressed too closely , or used too dogmatically . We may assume that from 1 GS 6 at any rate , MSS . legends , as Anderson pointed out , have been known to
Freemasons , and probably our own Grand Lodge has always had one or two , but we must not even rely on this fact too much , as the argument may be turned both ways . I say this , because the " private possession " view is held to tell so strongly against the Harlcian 1942 , for instance ; whereas with very few exceptions all the present known MSS . go back to "private possession , " and the time when any
became the property of a Grand Lodge or a private lodge , if uncertain , as is really the case , proves nothing . I may observe now that the " roll" form would seem the oldest form of the Constitutions and probably used at the admission of members . It is the " Pergamentum Mcmbranaceum" doubtless of Ashmole and Plot . But yet , strange to say , the oldest known forms are not rolls , but books . Of the 31 legends to which it is necessary now to
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Ad00702
MEMORY . —The LOISETTIAN SCHOOL of PHYSIOLOGICAL MEMORY , the instantaneous art of never forgetting , uses none of the " localities , " " keys , " " pegs , " " links , " or " associations , " of mnemonics . Prospectus post free , giving opinions from actual study of the system of Mr . RICHARD A . PROCTOR , Dr . ANDREW WILSON , and others . Any book learned in one reading . Day and evening classes in " Never Forgetting " and for cure of" Mind-Wandering . " Taught thoroughly by post . —Professor Loisette , 37 , New Oxford-street ( opposite Mudie's library ) .
Ad00703
SPECIALLY INTERESTING TO FREEMASONS . GEORGE MACKEY , 49 A , Union Passage , Birmingham , at the request of many Masons , has now published his most remarkable Masonic Illumination . The size of the original is 4 S by 3 6 inches , and is probably one of the most beautiful Specimensof Pen and Ink Etching ever produced . Detailed particulars sent on receipt of stamped directed envelope . Copyright Photographs , Cabinet size 2 s . Ditto _ ditto 15 by 12 inch 5 s . The ori g inal can be seen at any time at above address ; also a choice and large collection of all varieties of Fine Art firoperty , China , Weapons , Old Plate , Antique Jewellery , vory Carvings , Old Carved Oak and other Furniture , and Bric-a-brac of every description .
Ad00704
TJ ^ REE GRANTS OF LAND IN CANADA . 160 acres in Manitoba and the North-West Territories . 100 to aoo acres in the other Provinces . IMI'ROVED FARMS AT REASONABLE PRICES IX TIIF . MARITIME PROVINCES , QUEIJEC , ONTARIO , AND MANITOBA . Assisted passages . Special facilities for domestic servants . Apply for Pamphlets ( sent gratis and post free ) containing full i nformation respecting the in \ cstinent of capital , advantages oilercd to fanners , land regulations , demand for labour , rates of wages , cost of living , assisted passages , Sic , to J . G . Colmer , Secretary of the Ollice of the High Commissioner for Canada , o , Victoria Chambers , London , S . W . ; or to John Dyke , Agent of the Canadian Govern , inent , 1 ; , Water Street , Liverpool .
Ad00706
TO Lodges , Chapters , Encampments , & c . —FOR SALE ( quite new ) two Town-made Brass Candelabra , each nine lights , with plate glass fittings ; one Brass Curtain Pole , lOft . 6 in . long , with Hooks and Rings complete ; one Polished Oak Reading Stand . —Apply , VJ . U . Q ., Freemason Office , 16 , Great Queen-street , W . C .
Ad00705
( Enucattonal . D ~~ ULWICH HOUSE SCHOOL , VICTORIA ROAD , UPPER NORWOOD , S . E . ( Within seven minutes' of the Crystal Palace ) . PRINCIPAL : Mr . J . K . BARNES , LONDON UNIVKRSITV . ( Late Upper Fifth-Form Master , Bedford Modern School , Harpur Foundation . ) RESIDENT STAFF : Classics : Mr . VV . P . EVANS , M . A . ( 2 nd Class Classical Tripos , 1877 . ) ( Late Foundation Scholar , Sidney Sussex College , Cambridge . ) English Language and Literature : The PRINCIPAL . Mathematics and Science : P . I . ROUND , B . A . ( Mathematical Tripos , 1 SS 2 . ) ( Late Scholar St . Katharine's College , Cambridge . ) Modern Languages : The PRINCIPAL . VISITING STAFF : Modern Languages : Monsieur EUGENE FASNACHT . ( Late Senior Modern Language Master , Bedford Modern School . Editor of Macmillan ' s Foreign Classics . ) Science : Rev . j . G . WOOD , M . A ., F . L . S ., and Prof . C . P . MORRIS , Geology and Phys . Geog . ; and such other qualified and experienced Masters as the requirements of the Pupils may demand . References kindly permitted to Rev . R . B . Poole , B . D ., Bed . Mod . School , Bedford . Alex . Waugh Young , M . A ., Tettenhall College , Staffordshire . G . M . Hicks , M . A ., 5 , South-row , Blackheath , S . E . E . F . Ashworth Briggs , M . A ., L . L . M ., 15 , New Street , Davcntry . , Rev . A . Lloyd , M . A ., Norton Rectory , Bury St . Edmunds . C . L . Peel , Esq ., C . B ., Woodcraft , Cuckficld , Sussex . Major Ed . Green , St . Mary's , Bedford . J . D . Rodger , Esq ., College Lawn , Cheltenham . C . P . Mason , B . A ., F . C . P ., Dukesell , Streatham Hill , S . E .
Ad00707
HIGH-CLASS PRIVATE SCHOOL THEOBALD'S PARK , WALTHAM CROSS , LONDON , N . PRINCIPAL : Rev . J . OSWALD JACKSON , Assisted by Five Masters . Limited number of Gentlemen ' s Sons ; motherly care for delicate pupils ; individual teaching for backward ones ; playground of six acres . . First Class Honours gamed _ at last Cambridge Local Examinations , with Distinction in Mathematics . References kindly permitted to Rev . Dr . Reynolds , Principal of Cheshunt College , Herts . Rev . Charles E . Mayo , M . A ., Nottingham . Sir Thomas Chambers , M . P ., Recorder of London . Richard Toller , Esq ., Solicitor , Leicester . George Kenning , Esq ., Little Britain .
Ad00708
AN IMPORTANT FACT ! / TA and upwards carefully invested JJQ J _ \ J in Options on Stocks and Shares is the safest and most popular way of rapidly making money on the Stock Exchange by the non-liability system . Explanatory Book ( new edition ) g iving full . details , gratis and post free . — Address , GEORGE EVANS and Co ., Sworn Brokers , Gresham House , London , E . C .
Ad00709
MACKEY'S LEXICON OF FREEMASONRY . Messrs . CHARLES GRIFFIN & CO ., Publishers of Mackey's Lexicon of Freemasonry , think it right to caution Freemasons and others against giving orders for this work to any persons representing themselves as their Agents . Messrs . GRIFFIN & Co . have given no authority to any person to collect moneys for them for the above work . CHARLES GRIFFIN & CO ., 12 , EXETER-STREET , STRAND , LONDON .
Ad00710
BACON'S CENTRAL HOTEL , ADJOINING FREEMASONS' H ALL , GREAT OUEEN STREET , LINCOLN'S INN FIELDS , LONDON , W . C . BRO . THOMAS BACON begs to solicit the kind patronage of Brethren visiting London . The Craft is aware that it was supposed that the Grand Lodge would purchase the lease of his hotel , a statement to which effect was inserted in all the leading newspapers . He is sorry to say the report is operating much against his business , as many of his friends and the public , thinking his hotel closed , have gone elsewhere . He therefore trusts that his Brother Freemasons in the country will support him , and the more so as he has been a tenant of Grand Lodge for half-a-century .
To Correspondents.
To Correspondents .
The following communications have been received , but are not inserted in this issue owing to want of space : — Translation of the Pope ' s Encyclical letter— " De Sccta Massonum . " CORRESPONDENCE—I . P . M . 731 . CRAFT LODGES—Mariners , IOS ; St . John ' s , 2 S 0 ( S . C . );
fattison , 913 ; Amnurst , 1223 ; oavilc , 1231 ; t'rincc Leopold , 1445 ; Sir Charles Bright , 1793 ; Mozart , 1929 ; Raymond Thrupp , 2024 . LODGES OF INSTRUCTION—Faith , 141 ; Wcslbournc , 733 .
HOOKS RECEIVED , & c . ''Canadian Craftsman , " " New York Daily News , " " New York Dispatch , " "Natal Mercury , " "Court Circular , " •¦ City Press , " " Droad Arrow , " " CHi / en , " " Voice of Masonry , " " Hull Packet , " " Masonic Chronicle , " " Jewish Chronicle , " " Time , " " Tricycling lournal , " " Die llauhiitte , " " Forbes' Directory ; and Bulletin " ' ( Rome ! , " Washington Chronicle , " "La Cliainc d'Union , " " El Taller , " " Kneph , " "Allen ' s Indian Mail , " "Victorian Masonic Journal , " " Keystone , " " Melbourne Argus , "" Northampton Mercury . "
Ar00713
j S ^^^^ B ^ Sa SATURDAY , MAY IO , 1884 .
Original Correspondence.
Original Correspondence .
[ We do not hold ourselves responsible for , or even approving of , the opinionsexpressed by ourcorrcspondents , hut we wish in a spirit of fair play to all to permit—within certain necessary limits—free discussion . ] ——
RE-NUMBERING OF LODGES . To the Editor of the "Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , Allow me space to say how grateful 1 feel for Bro . VV . J . Hughan ' s answer to a letter by Bro . J . VV . Turner ,
ot Huddershcld . Had I answered that letter , I fear it would scarcely have been in the same courteous and suitable manner ; it seems to me so exceedingly absurd any one going out of his way to cause trouble and annoyance . Those who remember , as I do , the years it took us to
become accustomed to the new numbers of lodges , will agree with Bro . Hughan it requires some stronger reason than the advocate has given for such a disturbance of our Masonic memories . It is positively mischievious unless necessary . I cannot quote figures , but I am ready to admit that in 1 SG 3 it had become desirable , and I am prepared to say at present there is not the slightest necessity for renumbering lodges . —Yours fraternally , HENRY SMITH , Prov . G . Sec . West Yorks .
THE BOYS' SCHOOL ELECTION . To the Editor of the " Freemason . " Sir , —I should be g lad to avail myself of your columns as the medium by which to convey my sincere thanks to all those members of the Masonic Order , and others , who by their votes or personal efforts have helped the candidature of my son , Edward , in the late election for the Boy ' s School , and thereby contributed to bring to a successful
issue a cause which at hrst , on account of the shortness of time in which to work it , did not promise so satisfactory a result . Such a result , indeed , could not have been obtained save by the most untiring exertions of those who so kindly and so warml y interested themselves for me . Many of those kind friends , being personally unknown to me , I cannot thank individually ; to them then , especially , I would offer these few lines , in the hope that they may be
accepted as the expression of deep gratitude for the services so readily rendered me . —I am , Sir , yours obediently , M . A . GREEN . Portsmouth , May 1 .
THE LATE BRO . GEORGE BUCKLAND . To the Editor of the "Freemason . " Sir , —I am requested by the Committee to inform you that the entertainment given at St . George ' s Hall , on
20 th March last , proved most successful , the gross receipts being £ 343 14 s . 6 d ., which , after deducting the cost of advertising , & c , viz ., £ 37 10 s . 4 d ., leaves a sum of £ 306 4 s . 2 d . for the benefit of the widow . —I am , Sir , yours obediently , JOSEPH D . LANGTON , Hon . Sec .
Masonic Notes And Queries.
Masonic Notes and Queries .
335 ] THE CESTRIAN LODGE . Can anyone move the VV . M . and brethren of the Ccstrian Lodge to have a search made amid their papers , as it is just possible something may still be there about the " Wren MS . " ? Can Bro . Whytehead help us ? I know he will if he can . MASONIC STUDENT .
33 C ] SIR CHRISTOPHER WREN . With reference to * ' P . S . W . 302 's" note , I looked in at Mr . E . VV . Stibbs's , 30 , Museum-street , on Saturday , and found that in " Knight ' s London " the passage referred to occurs . A Mr . Weir writes therein an account ot the Building of St . Paul ' s , and mentions that Herder ( not Heider ) in
one of his "fugitive pieces" states that Sir Christopher Wren was member of a convivial society , with forms of secresy and initiation , and rules of regulation , and hence the true origin of " St . John ' s Masonry . " This meeting is said to have taken place at a tavern in St . Paul ' s Churchyard . Is not this a " find " for our worthy Bro . Gould ?
337 ] ANTIOU 1 TY . CAGLIOSTRO'S HISTORY OF FREEMASONRY . In the " Maconnerie Egyptienne du Grand Cophte " the following legend of Masonic history occurs , which I hope Masonic students will note : " Freemasonry has for its fathers Enoch and Elias ( Elijah ) . After having been invested with sublime power , which was granted them by the
Divinity , they implored His goodness and His mercy in favour of their neighbours , and that they might be permitted to make known to other men His greatness and the power He has accorded to men over all the beings who surround His throne . Having obtained this , they formed 12 subjects , whom they termed Elect of God , one of whom , known to you , was called Solomon . This king philosopher ,
himself inspired , sought to imitate and to walk in the steps of his two masters by forming a society of men proper to preserve and propagate that sublime knowledge which they had acquired . He succeeded by conciliating the other Elect , and agreeing to select each two subjects , of whom they formed 24 companions , the first being Boaz . These 24 companions had afterwards the liberty ol each electing
three , whom they named apprentices , which made two Supreme Chiefs , 12 Masters or Elect of God , 24 Companions , and 72 Apprentices . From these last the Templars arc descended , and from one of these Templars , a fugitive in Scotland , the Freemasons , who were in the beginning of the number of 13 , afterwards became 33 . Such
arc the origin and affiliation of Masonry . Wc may some of us smile at this extraordinary mixture of anachronism and absurdity ; but 1 quote it mainly to prove to others the radical audacity and knavery of Joseph Balsamo , and the trash which was positively once accepted by educated men , and still apparently finds dupes and believers . MASONIC STUDENT .
Gould's History Of Freemasonry. Vol. Iii.
GOULD'S HISTORY OF FREEMASONRY . VOL . III .
FOURTH NOTICE . Uv MASONIC STUDENT . Before I go on , I wish to call attention to an admitted duty of recognition and gratitude , namely , in respect of the illustrations of Bro . Gould ' s work . They are very effective indeed ; and as 1 notice the name of Bro . W . II . Rylands , 1 am giad to call attention to this , among other proofs of
the great promise of this rising young archaeologist , as well in Freemasonry as in Egyptology . One of the most important chapters in Bro . Gould ' s third volume is that which deals with the Guild Legends . We owe to a non-Mason , llalliwcll Phillips , in 1 S 40 , the introduction to a scientific and critical treatment of the Masonic Poem , and from that time to the present the enquiry and study have
gone on , beginning with the additional MS . ( Bro . Matthew Cooke ) , continued with Bro . Uughan ' s invaluable "Old Charges , " and ending for the present with that now long list which appears in Bro . Gould's history . Bro . Gould has quoted certain " canons " of textual criticism , bearing mainly on Scriptural MSS ., and has sought to apply them to our now lengthened collection of Guild Legends .
It is here where I lirst diverge and dissent respectfully from Bro . Gould ' s method of classification and treatment of this most important subject . In the abstract the idea seems very good and sound ; in the concrete we soon discover that we cannot fully , perfectly , or safely apply such canons to our Guild Legends without soon lindinc ourselves in a happy state of doubt and difficulty .
If Bro . Gould ' s tests of historical value and textual soundness are accepted , wc shall lose perforce some of our most characteristic legends . "Lodge possession" is an clement no doubt in testing the value of a MS ., but it is not the only one , and is probably a very deceptive one at the best . For , at this moment , with the exception of a certain and select number , we know not of most of the lodge MSS . how they came into the possession of the lodge or when ;
and _ in the case of some , the lodge or Grand Lodge possession is quite modern , and previously the history of the MS . becomes again that of private possession . Though the " canon " be good as a rule , it must have its exceptions , as all rules have , and must not be pressed too closely , or used too dogmatically . We may assume that from 1 GS 6 at any rate , MSS . legends , as Anderson pointed out , have been known to
Freemasons , and probably our own Grand Lodge has always had one or two , but we must not even rely on this fact too much , as the argument may be turned both ways . I say this , because the " private possession " view is held to tell so strongly against the Harlcian 1942 , for instance ; whereas with very few exceptions all the present known MSS . go back to "private possession , " and the time when any
became the property of a Grand Lodge or a private lodge , if uncertain , as is really the case , proves nothing . I may observe now that the " roll" form would seem the oldest form of the Constitutions and probably used at the admission of members . It is the " Pergamentum Mcmbranaceum" doubtless of Ashmole and Plot . But yet , strange to say , the oldest known forms are not rolls , but books . Of the 31 legends to which it is necessary now to