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Article ACACIA LODGE, No. 1314. ← Page 2 of 2 Article ACACIA LODGE, No. 1314. Page 2 of 2 Article ACACIA LODGE, No. 1314. Page 2 of 2 Article ANTIQUITY OF FREEMASONRY. Page 1 of 2 →
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Acacia Lodge, No. 1314.
ACACIA LODGE , No . 1314 .
This new Kent lodge met on Tuesday at the Bell , Bromley , for the second time for business since its consecration on the 15 th June . Owing to the unfortunate illness of the W . M ., Bro . Alfred Avery , the P . M ., Bro . James Avery , presided , having Bro .
Deering acting as S . W ., in the place of Bro . Harling . The other officers who were in their places were , Bros . T . Knott , J . W . ; R . H . Williams , Treas . ; E . Coste , Sec . ; Saul Wells , S . D . ; AV . Manger , J . D . ; W . Seaman , I . G . ; and a full lodge . Five gentlemen were initiated : Mr . James Bell ,
Lewisham ; Mr . James Savill , Norwood ; Mr . B . N . Smith , Notting-hill ; Mr . R . AVyatt , Moorgate-street ; and Mr . H . A . Lovett , King AVilliain-strect . Four brethren were passed , Bros . Wyer , T . C . Girdwood , H . W . Cattlin , and C . W . Jordan ; and all the work was clone in an exemplary manner . The Permanent
Committee having reported that it was expedient to alter the day of meeting from , the first to the second Tuesday in every alternatemonth , themotionmadein the lodge that the recommendation be confirmed was carried unanimously . The lodge was then closed , and the brethren sat down to an excellent banquet
provided by Bro . Sutton , and spent one of the most delightful evenings imaginable in each other's society , enlivened by some superior singing by Bros . Deering , Buller , Stevens and Pope , assisted at the pianoforte by Bro . Jordan , the organist of the lodge . At the removal of the cloth , Bro . J . AVERY
proposed the customary loyal and Masonic toasts with a brevity for which he is remarkable , and thebe having been duly honoured the others were given in regular order . The first was that of "The W . M ., " in proposing which , Bro . J . AVERY said it was with very much
regret for the circumstances under which he did it . Three hours ago he received a telegram from Deal , stating the W . M . ' s inability to attend on account of illness . From private information , he was able to assure the brethren that the W . M . was very ill ; but ill as he was he would be sorry when he heard how
comfortable they had all been , and how much they had missed him that he was absent . It would be , however , a source of gratification to him that in his absence they had not forgotten him . Bro . J . AVERY next proposed "The Initiates , " a toast which he was sure would meet with a hearty
response . The brethren liked initiates , who were to all intents and purposes the bone , marrow and sinew of Freemasonry , and without whom Freemasonry would soon become defunct . When he look round and saw the intellectuality of the five initiates they had instructed that day , they might
pride themselves on having ever since the lodge was instituted some of the most gentlemanly and kind feeling of men among them—men who it was no mere figure of speech to say ought to be Masons . The Acacia Lodge was strictly limited as to numbers , so that it might be entirely composed of those
who by virtue of being the founders of it wished to bring only their immediate friends into it . The initiates therefore had a greater claim on their consideration , seeing that they came with such an introduction . He believed he could exhaust Johnson , Barclay , Webster and other dictionaries in
expressing his feelings of pleasure in having these gentlemen in the lodge ; but as time would not admit of his going through those large volumes he would leave the toast in the brethren ' s hands , feeling satisfied that witJi the same kind feelings as he proposed it they would receive it . He knew the
initiates would strive to follow the example of all those brethren who were older Masons than themselves , and that each in his heart had fully determined before many years had passed away to fill the W . M . 's chair . Bro . WYATT thanked the brethren for the very
kind and generous way in which they had greeted the initiates into the glorious system of Freemasonry . He could not help feeling a little nervous , but what he said he meant , and he was very proud of having joined the Order , of which he hoped to be an ornament .
Bro . JAS . BKI . I , had hoped to saddle all the responsibility of responding on Bro . Wyalt , but us he was called upon to say a few words he would only hope to be at some future lime a worthy member of the lodge and of the Craft . Bro . SAVII . I . hardly knew how to express his
feelings . Like Bro . Wyatt , he was nervous ; but he thanked the brethren for allowing him to become a member of the Fraternity which it should be his best endeavour never to disgrace , and of which he hoped one clay to be a useful member . Bro . B . N . SMITH could only reiterate the expressions used by his bis fellow-initiates , and desire
to become a worthy member of this society . Bro . LOVETT felt deeply indebted for the favour which had been bestowed on him , and for the kind expressions of the Master and their reciprocation by the brethren he returned his best thanks . Bro . E . COSTE rose with diffidence lo propose the P . M . ' s health . The way in which he had worked the ceremonies that evening was a great
Acacia Lodge, No. 1314.
treat to the lodge . Those who had been in Masonry years would have been glad to see how he went through his work . It was no easy task , when there were five gentlemen to initiate and four brethren to pass ; it entailed a vast amount of labour , and the way in which it had been
performed that evening deserved the greatest praise . Bro . J AMES AVERY , in responding , said , after thanking the brethren , that he felt somewhat identified with the Acacia Lodge , seeing that it emanated from a few brethren who were in the habit of assembling for instruction in Freemasonry
in a little room at his house . What could he say that would meet with their approbation ? It had many times fallen to him to return thanks . All he could do was to promise that , as long as the Acacia Lodge was in existence , he would be there , and would endeavour to create among those who did
not know him the same feelings that had been evinced by the brethren that did know him . The jewel , which , a short time back , the brethren who assembled at his house had presented to him , he was sure they would not have given him had it not been for the kind feelings they entertained towards
him . As expressive of such feelings he received it . On many occasions he had had jewels presented to him , but those he had earned , as Masters generally did , by going through the chair . Whether they werequalified to receive them or not , they got them . But when an assemblage of men testified their
friendship for an individual by presenting him with a little token cf respect , he thought the recipient of that token ought to look on it as the greatest and purest specimen of true and disinterested friendship that it was possible for one man to receive from another . He had not had an opportunity of
expressing himself on this subject before . On the night the jewel was given him it was given under peculiar circumstances ; he need not here enter into the particularities of the affair . He did not know beforehand this it was going to be presented to him ; but as he had not yet had an opportunity of
thanking the presenters as he ought , as they were all now present , and were all members of the Acacia Lodge , he sincerely thanked them on this occasion for their great kindness . As long as he was a member of that lodge , he hoped his conduct would be such that the brethren would continue to
respect him . There was a brother present who knew him when he was in pinafores—a man of the right sort , whose friendship had been cemented , and had lasted up to now . It had afforded him much pleasure to propose and receive him as a member of this lodge , and all the brethren were
equally pleased at having among them a brother so distinguished as Bro . Laskcy , for his kind and genial disposition . Bro . Avery concluded by hoping that in future the brethren would not propose the P . M . ' s health , as he was not de facto a P . M . of this lodge , but only took the office at the wish of the
brethren . He then proposed , in the kindest and most complimentary terms , the toast of " The Visitors , " to which each visitor was called upon to respond . Bro . F . DEERING replied for "The Officers , " and in doing said that this lodge was a lodge of friends pure et simple . It was a thoroughly delightful thing
to meet as they met there , and to fill an office in that lodge was a double honour . He had filled an office that night , it was the office of a waiter ; he had presided at a dish , and it had afforded him much satisfaction , inasmuch as he had had it in his power to make some brethren comfortable . The brethren then separated .
In the course of the evening Bro . BULLER sang the following song , entitled , A MASONIC" A B C , " Which ti' . is wi- ' en by himself , and -teas much applauded .
Now give me your attention , and listen unto me , I'll do my best to sing you my Masonic " A 11 C . " A stands for the Acacia , lhe latest pet in Kent , Also for Alfred Avery , who to govern well is bent B stands for the Brethren , who helped to round the lodge , And C stands for Coste , the Secretary , who is up to every dodge .
D stands for Bro . Deering , who to all of us is dear , And E for his L ' ncrey when officiating here ; F stands for the Friendship that animates each Biother , And G Tor the Good we get by knowing one another . II stands lor l / ar / iu ;/ , your Senior Warden there , And I for the Inkling he has got towards lhe chair ; J for lhe foiiiiiig Members we all are proud 10 meet , . And K for Bro . Knoll , who so very ably fills his seat .
L stands for the Light the Initiates got to-day , And M for Bro . Manger , who helped them on their way , N stands for . Votoriet y , so enviable iu most , And O for our Organist , who is in himself a host . P stands for the Past Master—we'll have move before
we ve done — And ( , ) stands for the Quality lhat is there rolled into one ; R stands for the Real good , furniture we ' ve gol , And S the Satisfactory way that Williams made the lot .
Acacia Lodge, No. 1314.
T stands for the Taste our Treasurer has shown , And U the Universal ] oy we know he ' s all our own ; V stands for all the Virtues that in our Master teem , And W for our Bro . Wells , whom to know is to esteem X stands for his EXcrtions in all he undertakes ,
And Y his Youthfulness we hope he'll keep for all our sakes ; Z is a puzzler , but as I must conclude , I hope my Zeal is pardoned , and trust I ' ve not been rude .
The following is the complete list of the bethren who were present , and the officiating W . M ., when the party broke up , observed that this was the onl y lodge he had ever attended in which all the brethren had stayed for the last train to London : — Bros . J . W . Avery , F . Deering , T . Knott , R . H Williams , E . Coste , S . Wells , W . Manger , W
Seaman , R . Buller , H . AV . Cattlin , J . Wyer , T . C Girwood , J . J . Barrett , J . J . Laskey , J . Savill , | J . Bell , R . Wyatt , H . A . Lovett , B . N . Smith , A . Allen ( 55 ) , F . K . Stevens ( 9 ) , J . Pope , jun . ( 9 ) , and H . Masscy ( 619 ) . The latest addition to the furniture of the lodge is a capacious snuff-box , manufactured of acacia wood by Bro . R . H . Williams , the Treasurer .
Antiquity Of Freemasonry.
ANTIQUITY OF FREEMASONRY .
BY BRO . AV . P . BUCHAN . ( Continued from page 425 . J I was much amused at an article wliicli appeared in the Daily Telegraph for May 16 th , 1870 , and which was intended to be a very smart hit at the Masonic Fraternity ; but , sad to tell , the newspaper wilh the "largest
circulation in the world , seems to have miscalculated the abilities of its writer ; for the Solomonic seasoning introduced spoilt the flavour of the concoction entirely . The unnecessary and unpardonable ignorance displayed in the words , " Considering that the secret , whatever it may be , has been known to millions for some scores of centuries ! " is , at this date , quite inexcusable , and does not at all come
up to the sensible remarks in other portions of the article . But for a genuine Munchausen production , commend me to the Liverpool Leader of April 30 th ( it should have been April 1 st !) and following numbers . It commences with " The state of Masonry from the creation to the flood , " inter alia , we read " How Adam exercised himself in that noble science in his paradisaical state does not appear , " & c ,
again "God commanded Noah to build the great ark or floating castle , and his three sons assisted like Deputy and two Wardens . . . . From these Masons , or four Grand Officers , the whole present race of mankind arc descended , " & c . Moses , we are told , was a "Grand
Master , " and had Joshua for his Deputy ; and Aholiahand Bezaleel for Grand AA ' ardens . A lot of nonsense is then related about the skill of the Israelites in geometry and architecture . Thereafter , Solomon , in all his imaginary Masonic glory , is made to pass before us , and so on . There was one assertion of Bro . Paton ' s which I had
almost overlooked , viz ., "Dr . Anderson , for many years Chaplain to the Grand Lodge of England . " Now , I am not aware of this , and desire proof of that assertion , for at page 237 of Preston ' s " Illustrations of Masonry , " we read that on May 1 st , 1775 , " the office of Grand Chaplain was first instituted . " Now that was fifty-eight years after 1717 , and would make Dr . Anderson a pvelty old man by
that time . More , when lie wrote tlie Constitutions of 1723 , he appended his name thereto as Master of a lodge , not as a Grand Chaplain . If I am not mistaken , the fust Grand Chaplain was the Rev . Dr . Dodd , who died suddenly in 1777 . Consequently , I am afraid , that this Andersonian Grand Chaplainship is another Patonian mistake ; as is also the idea lhat because Drs . Dcsagulier
ami Anderson ( who lived in the , in certain respects , rather murky atmosphere of the first half of the eighteenth century ) were clever men , they were therefore incapable of countenancing , or practising a little dodging or finesse while setting their new system agoing . Another fault of Bro . Paton in this discussion is his non-reference to old printed worksand old Masonic MS . His silence on these
, subjects proves lo me his entire inability to grapple with the 1717 theory . I could say many things which it is unnecessary to do here , and shall conical myself with the following quotation from an old 15 th century 1 R prose work wliich lies in the British Museum , No . 2319 8 , viz ., " The Sherifl of the country , or the Mayor or the city , or Aldermanofthc town , in which the congregations ishoklcn ,
shall be fellow and associate to the master of the congregation , /;; help of him against rebels , and for the upbearing oft / ieri < j / ilof the realm . " ( The spelling is modernised ) . This shows that the Operative Masons of the period were apt to be rather obstreperous at their gatherings , ana the presence of such Speculative ( I ) Masons as the Sheriff , Mayor , or Alderman , was simply for the purpose of
preserving the peace , or to act as policemen , not for the purpurpose of taking part in the ceremonies of Speculative Masonry . Inordertounderstandtliehistoi-yof Masonry inany country properly , we must not--as Freemasons seem to have been doing—merely confine ourselves to that subject per se , but also take into consideration the general history ollhc
country . The neglect or this had led to many mistakes . Although the foregoing remarks may not be so well up W the mark in some points as 1 would wish , yet they arc tne result of a careful examination of the subject . I " * had the honour of consulting with some or the be * scholars in lhe countryand each the point oil wlucu IlKlllll cviuim iili kii - j
, upon .-IV , . III LI IV- , . " « -.--HJ . J-... l-, i he was most qualified to give an opinion . I liave ais had the privilege of waiting personally upon several wetknown authors iu regard to certain statements in tW wor ! . s , and received their explanations , ece . 1 hav- nl *' ' through the kind courtesy of AVilllain Kwing , Esq ., »¦
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Acacia Lodge, No. 1314.
ACACIA LODGE , No . 1314 .
This new Kent lodge met on Tuesday at the Bell , Bromley , for the second time for business since its consecration on the 15 th June . Owing to the unfortunate illness of the W . M ., Bro . Alfred Avery , the P . M ., Bro . James Avery , presided , having Bro .
Deering acting as S . W ., in the place of Bro . Harling . The other officers who were in their places were , Bros . T . Knott , J . W . ; R . H . Williams , Treas . ; E . Coste , Sec . ; Saul Wells , S . D . ; AV . Manger , J . D . ; W . Seaman , I . G . ; and a full lodge . Five gentlemen were initiated : Mr . James Bell ,
Lewisham ; Mr . James Savill , Norwood ; Mr . B . N . Smith , Notting-hill ; Mr . R . AVyatt , Moorgate-street ; and Mr . H . A . Lovett , King AVilliain-strect . Four brethren were passed , Bros . Wyer , T . C . Girdwood , H . W . Cattlin , and C . W . Jordan ; and all the work was clone in an exemplary manner . The Permanent
Committee having reported that it was expedient to alter the day of meeting from , the first to the second Tuesday in every alternatemonth , themotionmadein the lodge that the recommendation be confirmed was carried unanimously . The lodge was then closed , and the brethren sat down to an excellent banquet
provided by Bro . Sutton , and spent one of the most delightful evenings imaginable in each other's society , enlivened by some superior singing by Bros . Deering , Buller , Stevens and Pope , assisted at the pianoforte by Bro . Jordan , the organist of the lodge . At the removal of the cloth , Bro . J . AVERY
proposed the customary loyal and Masonic toasts with a brevity for which he is remarkable , and thebe having been duly honoured the others were given in regular order . The first was that of "The W . M ., " in proposing which , Bro . J . AVERY said it was with very much
regret for the circumstances under which he did it . Three hours ago he received a telegram from Deal , stating the W . M . ' s inability to attend on account of illness . From private information , he was able to assure the brethren that the W . M . was very ill ; but ill as he was he would be sorry when he heard how
comfortable they had all been , and how much they had missed him that he was absent . It would be , however , a source of gratification to him that in his absence they had not forgotten him . Bro . J . AVERY next proposed "The Initiates , " a toast which he was sure would meet with a hearty
response . The brethren liked initiates , who were to all intents and purposes the bone , marrow and sinew of Freemasonry , and without whom Freemasonry would soon become defunct . When he look round and saw the intellectuality of the five initiates they had instructed that day , they might
pride themselves on having ever since the lodge was instituted some of the most gentlemanly and kind feeling of men among them—men who it was no mere figure of speech to say ought to be Masons . The Acacia Lodge was strictly limited as to numbers , so that it might be entirely composed of those
who by virtue of being the founders of it wished to bring only their immediate friends into it . The initiates therefore had a greater claim on their consideration , seeing that they came with such an introduction . He believed he could exhaust Johnson , Barclay , Webster and other dictionaries in
expressing his feelings of pleasure in having these gentlemen in the lodge ; but as time would not admit of his going through those large volumes he would leave the toast in the brethren ' s hands , feeling satisfied that witJi the same kind feelings as he proposed it they would receive it . He knew the
initiates would strive to follow the example of all those brethren who were older Masons than themselves , and that each in his heart had fully determined before many years had passed away to fill the W . M . 's chair . Bro . WYATT thanked the brethren for the very
kind and generous way in which they had greeted the initiates into the glorious system of Freemasonry . He could not help feeling a little nervous , but what he said he meant , and he was very proud of having joined the Order , of which he hoped to be an ornament .
Bro . JAS . BKI . I , had hoped to saddle all the responsibility of responding on Bro . Wyalt , but us he was called upon to say a few words he would only hope to be at some future lime a worthy member of the lodge and of the Craft . Bro . SAVII . I . hardly knew how to express his
feelings . Like Bro . Wyatt , he was nervous ; but he thanked the brethren for allowing him to become a member of the Fraternity which it should be his best endeavour never to disgrace , and of which he hoped one clay to be a useful member . Bro . B . N . SMITH could only reiterate the expressions used by his bis fellow-initiates , and desire
to become a worthy member of this society . Bro . LOVETT felt deeply indebted for the favour which had been bestowed on him , and for the kind expressions of the Master and their reciprocation by the brethren he returned his best thanks . Bro . E . COSTE rose with diffidence lo propose the P . M . ' s health . The way in which he had worked the ceremonies that evening was a great
Acacia Lodge, No. 1314.
treat to the lodge . Those who had been in Masonry years would have been glad to see how he went through his work . It was no easy task , when there were five gentlemen to initiate and four brethren to pass ; it entailed a vast amount of labour , and the way in which it had been
performed that evening deserved the greatest praise . Bro . J AMES AVERY , in responding , said , after thanking the brethren , that he felt somewhat identified with the Acacia Lodge , seeing that it emanated from a few brethren who were in the habit of assembling for instruction in Freemasonry
in a little room at his house . What could he say that would meet with their approbation ? It had many times fallen to him to return thanks . All he could do was to promise that , as long as the Acacia Lodge was in existence , he would be there , and would endeavour to create among those who did
not know him the same feelings that had been evinced by the brethren that did know him . The jewel , which , a short time back , the brethren who assembled at his house had presented to him , he was sure they would not have given him had it not been for the kind feelings they entertained towards
him . As expressive of such feelings he received it . On many occasions he had had jewels presented to him , but those he had earned , as Masters generally did , by going through the chair . Whether they werequalified to receive them or not , they got them . But when an assemblage of men testified their
friendship for an individual by presenting him with a little token cf respect , he thought the recipient of that token ought to look on it as the greatest and purest specimen of true and disinterested friendship that it was possible for one man to receive from another . He had not had an opportunity of
expressing himself on this subject before . On the night the jewel was given him it was given under peculiar circumstances ; he need not here enter into the particularities of the affair . He did not know beforehand this it was going to be presented to him ; but as he had not yet had an opportunity of
thanking the presenters as he ought , as they were all now present , and were all members of the Acacia Lodge , he sincerely thanked them on this occasion for their great kindness . As long as he was a member of that lodge , he hoped his conduct would be such that the brethren would continue to
respect him . There was a brother present who knew him when he was in pinafores—a man of the right sort , whose friendship had been cemented , and had lasted up to now . It had afforded him much pleasure to propose and receive him as a member of this lodge , and all the brethren were
equally pleased at having among them a brother so distinguished as Bro . Laskcy , for his kind and genial disposition . Bro . Avery concluded by hoping that in future the brethren would not propose the P . M . ' s health , as he was not de facto a P . M . of this lodge , but only took the office at the wish of the
brethren . He then proposed , in the kindest and most complimentary terms , the toast of " The Visitors , " to which each visitor was called upon to respond . Bro . F . DEERING replied for "The Officers , " and in doing said that this lodge was a lodge of friends pure et simple . It was a thoroughly delightful thing
to meet as they met there , and to fill an office in that lodge was a double honour . He had filled an office that night , it was the office of a waiter ; he had presided at a dish , and it had afforded him much satisfaction , inasmuch as he had had it in his power to make some brethren comfortable . The brethren then separated .
In the course of the evening Bro . BULLER sang the following song , entitled , A MASONIC" A B C , " Which ti' . is wi- ' en by himself , and -teas much applauded .
Now give me your attention , and listen unto me , I'll do my best to sing you my Masonic " A 11 C . " A stands for the Acacia , lhe latest pet in Kent , Also for Alfred Avery , who to govern well is bent B stands for the Brethren , who helped to round the lodge , And C stands for Coste , the Secretary , who is up to every dodge .
D stands for Bro . Deering , who to all of us is dear , And E for his L ' ncrey when officiating here ; F stands for the Friendship that animates each Biother , And G Tor the Good we get by knowing one another . II stands lor l / ar / iu ;/ , your Senior Warden there , And I for the Inkling he has got towards lhe chair ; J for lhe foiiiiiig Members we all are proud 10 meet , . And K for Bro . Knoll , who so very ably fills his seat .
L stands for the Light the Initiates got to-day , And M for Bro . Manger , who helped them on their way , N stands for . Votoriet y , so enviable iu most , And O for our Organist , who is in himself a host . P stands for the Past Master—we'll have move before
we ve done — And ( , ) stands for the Quality lhat is there rolled into one ; R stands for the Real good , furniture we ' ve gol , And S the Satisfactory way that Williams made the lot .
Acacia Lodge, No. 1314.
T stands for the Taste our Treasurer has shown , And U the Universal ] oy we know he ' s all our own ; V stands for all the Virtues that in our Master teem , And W for our Bro . Wells , whom to know is to esteem X stands for his EXcrtions in all he undertakes ,
And Y his Youthfulness we hope he'll keep for all our sakes ; Z is a puzzler , but as I must conclude , I hope my Zeal is pardoned , and trust I ' ve not been rude .
The following is the complete list of the bethren who were present , and the officiating W . M ., when the party broke up , observed that this was the onl y lodge he had ever attended in which all the brethren had stayed for the last train to London : — Bros . J . W . Avery , F . Deering , T . Knott , R . H Williams , E . Coste , S . Wells , W . Manger , W
Seaman , R . Buller , H . AV . Cattlin , J . Wyer , T . C Girwood , J . J . Barrett , J . J . Laskey , J . Savill , | J . Bell , R . Wyatt , H . A . Lovett , B . N . Smith , A . Allen ( 55 ) , F . K . Stevens ( 9 ) , J . Pope , jun . ( 9 ) , and H . Masscy ( 619 ) . The latest addition to the furniture of the lodge is a capacious snuff-box , manufactured of acacia wood by Bro . R . H . Williams , the Treasurer .
Antiquity Of Freemasonry.
ANTIQUITY OF FREEMASONRY .
BY BRO . AV . P . BUCHAN . ( Continued from page 425 . J I was much amused at an article wliicli appeared in the Daily Telegraph for May 16 th , 1870 , and which was intended to be a very smart hit at the Masonic Fraternity ; but , sad to tell , the newspaper wilh the "largest
circulation in the world , seems to have miscalculated the abilities of its writer ; for the Solomonic seasoning introduced spoilt the flavour of the concoction entirely . The unnecessary and unpardonable ignorance displayed in the words , " Considering that the secret , whatever it may be , has been known to millions for some scores of centuries ! " is , at this date , quite inexcusable , and does not at all come
up to the sensible remarks in other portions of the article . But for a genuine Munchausen production , commend me to the Liverpool Leader of April 30 th ( it should have been April 1 st !) and following numbers . It commences with " The state of Masonry from the creation to the flood , " inter alia , we read " How Adam exercised himself in that noble science in his paradisaical state does not appear , " & c ,
again "God commanded Noah to build the great ark or floating castle , and his three sons assisted like Deputy and two Wardens . . . . From these Masons , or four Grand Officers , the whole present race of mankind arc descended , " & c . Moses , we are told , was a "Grand
Master , " and had Joshua for his Deputy ; and Aholiahand Bezaleel for Grand AA ' ardens . A lot of nonsense is then related about the skill of the Israelites in geometry and architecture . Thereafter , Solomon , in all his imaginary Masonic glory , is made to pass before us , and so on . There was one assertion of Bro . Paton ' s which I had
almost overlooked , viz ., "Dr . Anderson , for many years Chaplain to the Grand Lodge of England . " Now , I am not aware of this , and desire proof of that assertion , for at page 237 of Preston ' s " Illustrations of Masonry , " we read that on May 1 st , 1775 , " the office of Grand Chaplain was first instituted . " Now that was fifty-eight years after 1717 , and would make Dr . Anderson a pvelty old man by
that time . More , when lie wrote tlie Constitutions of 1723 , he appended his name thereto as Master of a lodge , not as a Grand Chaplain . If I am not mistaken , the fust Grand Chaplain was the Rev . Dr . Dodd , who died suddenly in 1777 . Consequently , I am afraid , that this Andersonian Grand Chaplainship is another Patonian mistake ; as is also the idea lhat because Drs . Dcsagulier
ami Anderson ( who lived in the , in certain respects , rather murky atmosphere of the first half of the eighteenth century ) were clever men , they were therefore incapable of countenancing , or practising a little dodging or finesse while setting their new system agoing . Another fault of Bro . Paton in this discussion is his non-reference to old printed worksand old Masonic MS . His silence on these
, subjects proves lo me his entire inability to grapple with the 1717 theory . I could say many things which it is unnecessary to do here , and shall conical myself with the following quotation from an old 15 th century 1 R prose work wliich lies in the British Museum , No . 2319 8 , viz ., " The Sherifl of the country , or the Mayor or the city , or Aldermanofthc town , in which the congregations ishoklcn ,
shall be fellow and associate to the master of the congregation , /;; help of him against rebels , and for the upbearing oft / ieri < j / ilof the realm . " ( The spelling is modernised ) . This shows that the Operative Masons of the period were apt to be rather obstreperous at their gatherings , ana the presence of such Speculative ( I ) Masons as the Sheriff , Mayor , or Alderman , was simply for the purpose of
preserving the peace , or to act as policemen , not for the purpurpose of taking part in the ceremonies of Speculative Masonry . Inordertounderstandtliehistoi-yof Masonry inany country properly , we must not--as Freemasons seem to have been doing—merely confine ourselves to that subject per se , but also take into consideration the general history ollhc
country . The neglect or this had led to many mistakes . Although the foregoing remarks may not be so well up W the mark in some points as 1 would wish , yet they arc tne result of a careful examination of the subject . I " * had the honour of consulting with some or the be * scholars in lhe countryand each the point oil wlucu IlKlllll cviuim iili kii - j
, upon .-IV , . III LI IV- , . " « -.--HJ . J-... l-, i he was most qualified to give an opinion . I liave ais had the privilege of waiting personally upon several wetknown authors iu regard to certain statements in tW wor ! . s , and received their explanations , ece . 1 hav- nl *' ' through the kind courtesy of AVilllain Kwing , Esq ., »¦