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Article Multum in Parbo, or Masonic Notes and Queries. Page 1 of 1 Article Multum in Parbo, or Masonic Notes and Queries. Page 1 of 1 Article Original Correspondence. Page 1 of 1
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Multum In Parbo, Or Masonic Notes And Queries.
Multum in Parbo , or Masonic Notes and Queries .
I shall be happy to exchange copies of Bylaws ( duplicates ) with any brother so interested , as I am forming a collection , and shall be glad of assistance .
I shall also be pleased to purchase ( or exchange for other Masonic works , being duplicates ) copies of the Constitutions of Grand Lodge of England for 1769 , 1776 , and 17 S 4 . . W . J AMES HUGHAN , Truro , Cornwall .
THE 1717 THEORA . May I suggest that some support to those who hold that the present system of Freemasonry existed long before 1717 , may be found amongst the records and papers of old churches , & c , or
those records belonging to parishes which contain such churches . To mention a case in point , St . Mary , Redclyffe , Bristol , would he a very likely p lace to reward an inquirer into the matter ; also several other churches and towns in the
" West countree , " which would seem to be more rich than other parts of England in Masonic buildings . I cannot enter the lists against those who uphold the 1717 theory , but I would ask , is such
a thing possible that Speculative Masonry could so suddenly have arisen , without mention being made of it in some papers , Masonic or otherwise ? Nothing seems to be really known , nothing can be brought forward to substantiate the opinion
held by some , that Speculative Masonry sprang into life then . All its ritual points to a very remote age , and until lately it has been the pride of the Fraternity that it did so . They now seek to destroy this belief ! If the 1717 theory is
proved to be true , what becomes of the said ritual ? Why commemorate H . A ., unless we consider that Masonry has existed since it almost began , in him , our revered Master ; for viewed by ordinary minds , he is a comparatively unknown
character in ancient or Bible history , and what is more unlikely than that his name and life should have been selected in 1717 . Still , I and many others , would like to have
decided proofs , with which to uphold that belief which we were taught , and these proofs I believe will be found in some such old papers as I now suggest . F . S . V . C .
DEMOLISHING OK SCOTTISH CATHEDRALS , ADI ! EA S , & C . The cathedrals and abbeys of Scotland are year by year demolishing . We see " restoration " in England , but the opposite in Scotland , and
one of the most notable features connected with the " demolishing " is the smallness of the sums of money expended in any way on the work of endeavouring to keep them from going to decay ; and deserving of censure is the carelessness in
any attempt at " restoration . " What do Freemasons in Scotland exist for ? It is not altogether charity , for Scotland cannot boast of this to any great extent—a paltry stun of ^ 200 given away in one year by the Scottish Masonic Benevolent
Fund ( representing the entire Scottish Fraternity ) is nothing to entitle them to the name of a charitable Order ? Look at the example given by the Freemasons of Bristol and the neighbourhood , a few weeks ago , in " restoring , " at great
cost , The Lady Chapel , St . Mary ' s , Rcdcliffe , Bristol . Let the Scottish Craft awake from their slumbers , and live for , and do something to gain for themselves , an honourable position in the estimation of all . CHALMERS I . PATON .
ELECTING OFFICERS . In most lodges the election of officers takes place upon , or near to , St . John ' s Day , when either new officers are chosen , or the old ones are re-elected . He who aspires to fill any of
the chief oflices of the lodge must not only possess the necessary Masonic knowledge to enable him to assist in carrying on the lodge work with order and harmony , but he must be a man whose general knowledge , skill , and experience has gained the esteem and conlidcnce
Multum In Parbo, Or Masonic Notes And Queries.
of his brethren ; rank , titles , and riches should never be taken into account , unless the possessor is also endowed with the former qualifications . Nor , on the other hand , should any brother be elected whose situation in life will
not allow him to devote the necessary time to the duties of the lodge without injury to himself , his family , or connections . Should the election have fallen upon any brother who feels himself unable to perform the important duties
which would devolve upon him , it is his duty immediately to decline the proffered honour . The welfare of the lodge should be his sole
object , and if he feels that he is not able to promote that object so well as he ought to do as an officer , it is much more creditable to him to continue to do his utmost as a private member .
ELEMENTS . The three elements , water , fire , and air , signify three F . C . ' s , which conduct us , and are so necessary for our preservation that our life is at an end the moment they quit the body . Diseases
are generally caused by a revolution in these elements . The force of one being increased appears to destroy the body . If the element of fire becomes unnaturally strong , it causes inflammation and fever . If it be the element of
water which increases in strength , other diseases , equally dangerous , are brought on . When death takes place , the three elements are again represented by the burning taper , the basin of water ,
and towels , which are generally placed beside a dead body , and which also represent the three wicked F . C . ' s who have destroyed their master . —Rosenberg .
ENTERED APPRENTICE . Our brethren of the eighteenth century seldom advanced beyond the first degree ; few were passed , and fewer still were raised to the third . The Master ' s degree appears to have been much
less comprehensive than at present ; and for some years after the revival of Masonry , the third degree was unapproachable to those who lived at a distance from London ; for by the
laws of the Grand Lodge it was ordered that " Apprentices must he admitted Fellow Crafts and Masters only here ( in Grand Lodge ) , unless by a dispensation from the Grand Master . "
FEES . No lodge shall make a Mason for a less consideration than three guineas , exclusive of the registering fee , nor on any pretence remit or defer the payment of any part of this sum ; the
member who proposes any candidate must be responsible to the lodge for all the fees payable on account of his initiation . All monies payable for register fees , certificates , or quarterage ,
shall be deposited in the hands of the Master , to be kept distinct from the funds of the lodge ; and shall be remitted , with proper lists , at least once a year if in the country , and twice a year if in London . —Constitutions .
GOLDEN CANDLESTICK , This utensil was made by Moses for the service of the Temple . It consisted wholly of pure gold , and had seven branches ; that is , three on each side , and one in the centre . These branches
were at equal distances , and each one was adorned with flowers like lilies , gold nobs , after the form of an apple , and similar ones resembling an almond . Upon the extremities of the branches were seven golden lamps , which were fed with
pure olive oil , and lighted every evening by the priests on duty . The candlestick was placed in the Holy Place , and served to illuminate the altar of incense and the table of shewbread , which stood in the same chamber . —Calmct .
Mr . E . L . ELLIOT , the well-known draper at 334 , IJcthnal Green-road , writes , July 9 , IS 6 <) : — "I found your Pain Killer in universal use in California , particularly for diarrhoea , dysentery , & c , and 1 never knew it to fail in these diseases . On one
occasion , working 111 the mines , I had the misfortune to tear nearly all the flesh from one of my lingers . I wrapped it up as well as I could in a cloth saturated with your Pain Killer , and was able three days afterwards to resume my work .- —To Perry Davis & Son , London , W . C 7 '
Original Correspondence.
Original Correspondence .
The Editor is not responsible for the opinions expressed by Correspondents . "A COUNTRY W . M . " "SCOTCH v .
ENGLISH FREEMASONRY . " ( To the Editor of The Freemason . ) DEAR SIR AND BROTHER , —I write at once to express my regret to hear of such a flagrant violation of the Prov . Grand Lodge of West Yorkshire ' s
Regulations as the one mentioned by "A Country W . M . " I hope lie will not allow the matter to rest simply by his making the breach of the law known , and as he may not be aware of the Regulation so violated , I append to this note a copy of the same for his information .
Whatever may be the recklessness" of lodges in England , the Provincial Grand Lodge of West Yorkshire is evidently not to blame in the case recorded , as the initiation of strangers is specially provided for , and not allowed on any account , to take place without due inquiry before the ballot is
taken . This being " a recent occurrence , " and " not a solitary instance , " that this important clause was directly and shamefully violated , I take it that " A Country W . M . " should forward the name of the offending lodge to the Provincial Grand Secretary , that the subject may be enquired into and the
members punished as the law provides . It is to be hoped that the authorities' attention will be called to the startling statement in THE FREEMASON of August 27 th , ' as a more Masonic province than West Yorkshire I do not know in England , and for its credit I trust it will deal with the charge as it deserves . Really , unless well vnnrlird fnr T rnnnnf rrprlif th ,- > ctnlpmpnf
W . JAMES HUGHAN , Prov . G . Sec . Cornwall . Truro , Cornwall , Sept . 3 , 1870 . "By-Laws . — Province oj West Yorkshire . —Dnosbury , 1 S 67 , page 28 . " In case any person resident in any town or place where a lodge is established shall become a candidate for admission into any lodge established elsewhere within this
province , it shall be incumbent on the Master of the lodge wherein he so seeks admission , to make inquiry in writing of the Master of the lodge established in the town or place wherein the candidate resides , touching the character and moral fitness of such candidate . And it shall be incumbent on the brother from whom such inquiry shall be
made , if within the province , to make prompt reply thereto , in writing , and to set forth any ground of objection within his knowledge to the admission of such candidate into Masonry ; and the purport of such reply shall be made known to the brethren of the lodge into which the candidate seeks admission before the ballot takes place . "
SCOTCH MASONRY .
( To Hie Editor of The Freemason . ) DEAR SIR AND BROTHER , —In common with many other Masons who have the true interest of the Craft at heart , I was very glad to sec in a late number of THE FREEMASON , the very temperate and sensible letter from a " Brother in England to
a Brother in Scotland . " The writer of that letter has detected the weak point in the course pursued at present by those who have the management of affairs . I am sorry to have to say it , but I know well that it is thp conviction of many zealous and hard-working brethren , that the s \ 'stem of elevating
over rapidly to the highest dignities those who may be endowed with extraneous advantages is gradually tending to the decay of true Masonry . Not only does the plan pursued discourage many eager and worthy brethren who do not happen to be possessed of worldly rank or title , but it has the even more
lamentable effect of degrading our noble Craft in the eyes of the outside world . It is not unnatural that when the public is made aware of the elevation of some noble brother to office of high responsibility , some few months only after his initiation , the high opinion which has been and ought to be entertained
of the Craft should be shaken . And these ill effects are by no means counterbalanced by the argument , that the clevapon of such persons tend to advance and spread the principles of Masonry amongst men . It is true we desire to include as many as possible in the bonds of our fraternal love , but on the other
hand , we do not and may not endeavour to bring into our fellowship whomever chance may send . AA ' e desire only those to join us whose hearts arc ready to receive our " Grand Principles , " and whose minds are qualified to embrace our system . Let but the brethren make it generally known that their feeling is more to reward by high office those
who have deserved such by work and intelligence , than those who happen to possess rank , and I feel sure that the good feeling of those at high quarters , and the love which we all believe them to possess for the Craft , will induce them to distribute their dignities in a more equitable manner . I am , yours fraternally , A .- F . V .
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Multum In Parbo, Or Masonic Notes And Queries.
Multum in Parbo , or Masonic Notes and Queries .
I shall be happy to exchange copies of Bylaws ( duplicates ) with any brother so interested , as I am forming a collection , and shall be glad of assistance .
I shall also be pleased to purchase ( or exchange for other Masonic works , being duplicates ) copies of the Constitutions of Grand Lodge of England for 1769 , 1776 , and 17 S 4 . . W . J AMES HUGHAN , Truro , Cornwall .
THE 1717 THEORA . May I suggest that some support to those who hold that the present system of Freemasonry existed long before 1717 , may be found amongst the records and papers of old churches , & c , or
those records belonging to parishes which contain such churches . To mention a case in point , St . Mary , Redclyffe , Bristol , would he a very likely p lace to reward an inquirer into the matter ; also several other churches and towns in the
" West countree , " which would seem to be more rich than other parts of England in Masonic buildings . I cannot enter the lists against those who uphold the 1717 theory , but I would ask , is such
a thing possible that Speculative Masonry could so suddenly have arisen , without mention being made of it in some papers , Masonic or otherwise ? Nothing seems to be really known , nothing can be brought forward to substantiate the opinion
held by some , that Speculative Masonry sprang into life then . All its ritual points to a very remote age , and until lately it has been the pride of the Fraternity that it did so . They now seek to destroy this belief ! If the 1717 theory is
proved to be true , what becomes of the said ritual ? Why commemorate H . A ., unless we consider that Masonry has existed since it almost began , in him , our revered Master ; for viewed by ordinary minds , he is a comparatively unknown
character in ancient or Bible history , and what is more unlikely than that his name and life should have been selected in 1717 . Still , I and many others , would like to have
decided proofs , with which to uphold that belief which we were taught , and these proofs I believe will be found in some such old papers as I now suggest . F . S . V . C .
DEMOLISHING OK SCOTTISH CATHEDRALS , ADI ! EA S , & C . The cathedrals and abbeys of Scotland are year by year demolishing . We see " restoration " in England , but the opposite in Scotland , and
one of the most notable features connected with the " demolishing " is the smallness of the sums of money expended in any way on the work of endeavouring to keep them from going to decay ; and deserving of censure is the carelessness in
any attempt at " restoration . " What do Freemasons in Scotland exist for ? It is not altogether charity , for Scotland cannot boast of this to any great extent—a paltry stun of ^ 200 given away in one year by the Scottish Masonic Benevolent
Fund ( representing the entire Scottish Fraternity ) is nothing to entitle them to the name of a charitable Order ? Look at the example given by the Freemasons of Bristol and the neighbourhood , a few weeks ago , in " restoring , " at great
cost , The Lady Chapel , St . Mary ' s , Rcdcliffe , Bristol . Let the Scottish Craft awake from their slumbers , and live for , and do something to gain for themselves , an honourable position in the estimation of all . CHALMERS I . PATON .
ELECTING OFFICERS . In most lodges the election of officers takes place upon , or near to , St . John ' s Day , when either new officers are chosen , or the old ones are re-elected . He who aspires to fill any of
the chief oflices of the lodge must not only possess the necessary Masonic knowledge to enable him to assist in carrying on the lodge work with order and harmony , but he must be a man whose general knowledge , skill , and experience has gained the esteem and conlidcnce
Multum In Parbo, Or Masonic Notes And Queries.
of his brethren ; rank , titles , and riches should never be taken into account , unless the possessor is also endowed with the former qualifications . Nor , on the other hand , should any brother be elected whose situation in life will
not allow him to devote the necessary time to the duties of the lodge without injury to himself , his family , or connections . Should the election have fallen upon any brother who feels himself unable to perform the important duties
which would devolve upon him , it is his duty immediately to decline the proffered honour . The welfare of the lodge should be his sole
object , and if he feels that he is not able to promote that object so well as he ought to do as an officer , it is much more creditable to him to continue to do his utmost as a private member .
ELEMENTS . The three elements , water , fire , and air , signify three F . C . ' s , which conduct us , and are so necessary for our preservation that our life is at an end the moment they quit the body . Diseases
are generally caused by a revolution in these elements . The force of one being increased appears to destroy the body . If the element of fire becomes unnaturally strong , it causes inflammation and fever . If it be the element of
water which increases in strength , other diseases , equally dangerous , are brought on . When death takes place , the three elements are again represented by the burning taper , the basin of water ,
and towels , which are generally placed beside a dead body , and which also represent the three wicked F . C . ' s who have destroyed their master . —Rosenberg .
ENTERED APPRENTICE . Our brethren of the eighteenth century seldom advanced beyond the first degree ; few were passed , and fewer still were raised to the third . The Master ' s degree appears to have been much
less comprehensive than at present ; and for some years after the revival of Masonry , the third degree was unapproachable to those who lived at a distance from London ; for by the
laws of the Grand Lodge it was ordered that " Apprentices must he admitted Fellow Crafts and Masters only here ( in Grand Lodge ) , unless by a dispensation from the Grand Master . "
FEES . No lodge shall make a Mason for a less consideration than three guineas , exclusive of the registering fee , nor on any pretence remit or defer the payment of any part of this sum ; the
member who proposes any candidate must be responsible to the lodge for all the fees payable on account of his initiation . All monies payable for register fees , certificates , or quarterage ,
shall be deposited in the hands of the Master , to be kept distinct from the funds of the lodge ; and shall be remitted , with proper lists , at least once a year if in the country , and twice a year if in London . —Constitutions .
GOLDEN CANDLESTICK , This utensil was made by Moses for the service of the Temple . It consisted wholly of pure gold , and had seven branches ; that is , three on each side , and one in the centre . These branches
were at equal distances , and each one was adorned with flowers like lilies , gold nobs , after the form of an apple , and similar ones resembling an almond . Upon the extremities of the branches were seven golden lamps , which were fed with
pure olive oil , and lighted every evening by the priests on duty . The candlestick was placed in the Holy Place , and served to illuminate the altar of incense and the table of shewbread , which stood in the same chamber . —Calmct .
Mr . E . L . ELLIOT , the well-known draper at 334 , IJcthnal Green-road , writes , July 9 , IS 6 <) : — "I found your Pain Killer in universal use in California , particularly for diarrhoea , dysentery , & c , and 1 never knew it to fail in these diseases . On one
occasion , working 111 the mines , I had the misfortune to tear nearly all the flesh from one of my lingers . I wrapped it up as well as I could in a cloth saturated with your Pain Killer , and was able three days afterwards to resume my work .- —To Perry Davis & Son , London , W . C 7 '
Original Correspondence.
Original Correspondence .
The Editor is not responsible for the opinions expressed by Correspondents . "A COUNTRY W . M . " "SCOTCH v .
ENGLISH FREEMASONRY . " ( To the Editor of The Freemason . ) DEAR SIR AND BROTHER , —I write at once to express my regret to hear of such a flagrant violation of the Prov . Grand Lodge of West Yorkshire ' s
Regulations as the one mentioned by "A Country W . M . " I hope lie will not allow the matter to rest simply by his making the breach of the law known , and as he may not be aware of the Regulation so violated , I append to this note a copy of the same for his information .
Whatever may be the recklessness" of lodges in England , the Provincial Grand Lodge of West Yorkshire is evidently not to blame in the case recorded , as the initiation of strangers is specially provided for , and not allowed on any account , to take place without due inquiry before the ballot is
taken . This being " a recent occurrence , " and " not a solitary instance , " that this important clause was directly and shamefully violated , I take it that " A Country W . M . " should forward the name of the offending lodge to the Provincial Grand Secretary , that the subject may be enquired into and the
members punished as the law provides . It is to be hoped that the authorities' attention will be called to the startling statement in THE FREEMASON of August 27 th , ' as a more Masonic province than West Yorkshire I do not know in England , and for its credit I trust it will deal with the charge as it deserves . Really , unless well vnnrlird fnr T rnnnnf rrprlif th ,- > ctnlpmpnf
W . JAMES HUGHAN , Prov . G . Sec . Cornwall . Truro , Cornwall , Sept . 3 , 1870 . "By-Laws . — Province oj West Yorkshire . —Dnosbury , 1 S 67 , page 28 . " In case any person resident in any town or place where a lodge is established shall become a candidate for admission into any lodge established elsewhere within this
province , it shall be incumbent on the Master of the lodge wherein he so seeks admission , to make inquiry in writing of the Master of the lodge established in the town or place wherein the candidate resides , touching the character and moral fitness of such candidate . And it shall be incumbent on the brother from whom such inquiry shall be
made , if within the province , to make prompt reply thereto , in writing , and to set forth any ground of objection within his knowledge to the admission of such candidate into Masonry ; and the purport of such reply shall be made known to the brethren of the lodge into which the candidate seeks admission before the ballot takes place . "
SCOTCH MASONRY .
( To Hie Editor of The Freemason . ) DEAR SIR AND BROTHER , —In common with many other Masons who have the true interest of the Craft at heart , I was very glad to sec in a late number of THE FREEMASON , the very temperate and sensible letter from a " Brother in England to
a Brother in Scotland . " The writer of that letter has detected the weak point in the course pursued at present by those who have the management of affairs . I am sorry to have to say it , but I know well that it is thp conviction of many zealous and hard-working brethren , that the s \ 'stem of elevating
over rapidly to the highest dignities those who may be endowed with extraneous advantages is gradually tending to the decay of true Masonry . Not only does the plan pursued discourage many eager and worthy brethren who do not happen to be possessed of worldly rank or title , but it has the even more
lamentable effect of degrading our noble Craft in the eyes of the outside world . It is not unnatural that when the public is made aware of the elevation of some noble brother to office of high responsibility , some few months only after his initiation , the high opinion which has been and ought to be entertained
of the Craft should be shaken . And these ill effects are by no means counterbalanced by the argument , that the clevapon of such persons tend to advance and spread the principles of Masonry amongst men . It is true we desire to include as many as possible in the bonds of our fraternal love , but on the other
hand , we do not and may not endeavour to bring into our fellowship whomever chance may send . AA ' e desire only those to join us whose hearts arc ready to receive our " Grand Principles , " and whose minds are qualified to embrace our system . Let but the brethren make it generally known that their feeling is more to reward by high office those
who have deserved such by work and intelligence , than those who happen to possess rank , and I feel sure that the good feeling of those at high quarters , and the love which we all believe them to possess for the Craft , will induce them to distribute their dignities in a more equitable manner . I am , yours fraternally , A .- F . V .