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  • Dec. 10, 1870
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  • ORIGIN OF MASONRY.
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The "Rectangular Review," On " Freemasonry : Its Use And Abuse."

principal intention of the article was to attack the active members of the committee of Boys' and Girls' Schools , and to charge them with a misapplication of the funds , " cannot be devised . They must , however , as the result of investigation , " return to plague the inventor . "

Angry at the exposure of injustice and unfairness , our worthy " Editor " says that I have " evidently forgotten the true Masonic secretsilence . " For his own reputation ' s sake , I would he had remembered it . Has he forgotten the

three great principles upon which , we are told , our Order is founded ? If so , let me remind him that of these the third is Truth . For myself , I would rather forget a secret than sacrifice a principle .

Let us now turn our attention to another section ( 13 ) of " Freemasonry : its Use and Abuse , " headed " Misapplication of Funds , " which commences thus : " As an instance of misapplication of money subscribed for educational and charitable purposes , and the arbitrary

and irresponsible action of committees , we may mention that , to our own personal knowledge , in the course of the present year very large sums have been awarded to artists , musicians , and other professionals , out of the funds which the donors certainly had no intention should be

applied to such a purpose . In one instance where the brother , unknown to fame , received several hundred pounds , the recipient ( notice the fact ) was himself a member of the committee that made the grant . " Well , here is language unmistakeably plain and vigorous—no hinting

an idea , or hesitating a suspicion ; but " mark how plain a tale shall set him down . " Not one shilling from "funds subscribed for educational and charitable purposes " has been awarded to " musicians and other professionals . " Such payments , as before observed , came from the

funds contributed by Stewards for festival purposes . To au artist , money has been paid from the funds of the Boys' and C »! . s Schools , and to this , of course , our " Editor" refers in his letter when he asks , " What right had these gentlemen to vote £ 240 for a purpose not

intended by the donors ? " and when he pleasingly states that , " It would be better for those who ' kissed the beauty' to pay for the pleasure out of their own pockets . " The basis for this , almost , vituperative indignation is this : Bro . B . Bond Cabbell—whose name is a household word

in the charitable world—held the office of Treasurer to' the Boys' School 2 2 years , from 1847 , and also to the Girls' School 30 years , from 1839 . I" 1 S 6 9 Bro . Cabbell resigned , having during the whole of his lengthy Masonic career taken an active interest in the

management of both Institutions , and having year by year been a liberal contributor to their funds . So highly were his services and generosity appreciated , that it was thought desirable to perpetuate their remembrance by placing a portrait in each Institution . The subject was

mooted in General Committee ( of which all Life-Governors are members ) considered , discussed at subsequent meetings until formal notice wasgiven , and published in the advertisement convening the Quarterly General Court ofthe whole ofthe Subscribers , which appeared in three daily papers ,

and in the Masonic publications . At the Quarterly Court of each school , a resolution sanctioning the necessary outlay , worded in deservedly complimentary terms , was unanimously adopted , and Bro . Rosenthal was commissioned to paint two portraits , full-length , of

life size . Bro . Rosenthal undertook the commission on the very reduced terms of 120 guineas for each portrait , and spontaneously offered to return out of this sum 50 guineas to the funds of each school , so that the outlay so strongly condemned amounts to the gross sum of 140

guineas , instead of . £ 240 . Bro . Cabbell , happily ' , still survives , and it would be bad taste to defend this expenditure by a public acknowledgment of his long and valuable services . Of the artist selected—the"brotherunknown to fame" —a few

words will not be out of place . Bro . Rosenthal , it is true , is one of hundreds who by virtue of their liberality have qualified themselves as members of the General Committee . He never took part in any discussion on the subject of the

The "Rectangular Review," On " Freemasonry : Its Use And Abuse."

portraits , and was proposed as the painter in his absence . So far from being " unknown to fame , " he has an extended reputation , and has received the patronage of crowned heads , his portraits being universally considered highly meritorious both as works of art and as faithful

embodiments ofthe "form and fashion" of those whose figures live and glow on his canvas . In justice to the Committee , as well as to Bro . Rosenthal , who has fallen under the editorial lash , I quote the following from the Illustrated Times , of 26 th October , 1867 : — " I have just paid a visit to

Red Lion-square to the studio of Mr . Rosenthal , one of the few portrait-painters whose ability has maintained the position of that branch of art in this country . Amongst several pictures remarkable for their faithful execution and marvellous finish , were portraits of Alderman Sir AVilliam

Rose , Alderman Lawrence , Karl Verner , the celebrated German artist , Mdlle . Titiens , Mdlle . Adelina Patti , and other celebrities . The great attraction , however , was the portrait ofthe Queen , which is about to be sent to India , where it will occupy a place in the Viceregal Palace . Her Majesty is represented in all the splendour of

her earlier years , seated on the throne , wearing the crown , and regally attired in a robe of white satin and a mantle of purple velvet . The brilliant colouring and exquisite finish of tbe picture cannot be surpassed ,- and its masterly treatment must enhance the reputation of the artist . "

Enough for the present . I am truly sorry to intrude at such length upon the pages of THE FREEMASON , but " the matter being Masonic and the subject charity , " and so much misrepresentation having been publicly disseminated ,

I cannot refrain from doing what in me lies to disabuse the minds of those to whom we have to appeal for sympathy and assistance , and who would feel themselves .. justified in withholding both were such statements as those under discussion allowed to pass unrefuted .

Origin Of Masonry.

ORIGIN OF MASONRY .

BY BRO . W . P . BUCHAN . The following remarks , & c , have been called forth by a perusal of the " Origin of Masonry , " written by Bro . G . W . Steinbrenner and published by Macoy and Sickels , of New York .

At page 16 , the author very sensibly says : — "Yet even at this day ( 1864 ) the most confused , absurd , and discordant opinions prevail regarding the origin of tlie Fraternity . In very many instances , Masonic authors , blinded by a foolish

vanity and by a desire of proving the vast antiquity of the Institution , have strenuously combated the idea that the Fraternity was derived from the operative masons , or have allowed themselves to be deceived and led into error by the

pecuharsymbolic representations and ceremonies of our present rituals , and their striking resemblance to those ofthe ancient mysteries . Instead of endeavouring to ascertain how and when these forms , symbols , and ceremonies were introduced

into our present system , they leap at once to the conclusion that these are derived directly from the religious mysteries ofthe ancients . Each fancied resemblance or agreement with some symbol or alleged custom of these ancient mysteries is

seized upon as a sure and reliable indication of a direct connection ; and , thus , they not unfrequcntly involve themselves in matters which have not the slightest bearing on the subject in question . "

Page 26 : " Nothing more can be understood- by its origin than that period when its principles were systematized and the Institution organised by mutual association . " Taking the author ' s view of the meaning of the word

" origin , " I would almost be inclined to say that our " present system " had its origin in London in A . D . 1717 . However , in order to save dispute as to the meaning of " origin" I put it that our " present system" was instituted and inaugurated in 1717 .

At page 29 he says : "Intelligent and impartial brethren place their reliance only on the authentic records and history of their Fra-

Origin Of Masonry.

ternity , and maintain that nursery tales must henceforth be confined to the nursery . " At page 33 he alludes to a work , " The Secret History of Freemasonry : London , 1725 , " and afterwards proceeds to analyse its evidence . At page 46 : " In comparing the social

organisation , customs , and doctrines of Freemasonry with those of the mediaeval building associations , we find indications of a close historical connection (?) existing between the two institutions . For example , we find that the following peculiar usages and customs were cqmmon to the

Fraternity of Freemasons of the present day and to that of the ' Steinmetzen '—stone-masons , stonecutters—of Germany . ( Why say ' of Germany ' par excellence 1 ) 1 . The division or classification of their members into Masters , Fellow-Crafts , and Apprentices . "

Now , before going any further , I object to the words " historical connection " being used , the reality being merely an intentional manufactured close resemblance in many things , especially in words ; and as for the old Masters , Fellow-Crafts , and Apprentices , these were different classes of

men , working together and mixing among each other , and with " secrets" common to all , whereas our Masterships , Fellow-Craftships , and Apprenticeships are simply degrees of initiation . In certain Scottish sixteenth-century statutes we read that Apprentices were bound to he present

at the admission of all Masters and Fellows ; hence , they would see whatever simple ceremony was done . He also asserts that " The form of opening and closing their assemblies " was the same among the old operative Masons as now among us ; as also that" The ritual of

initiation or reception into the Fraternity" was the same some centuries ago as now . Now , I deny both of these last assertions , and at least challenge proof . I am inclined to believe that the customs of the old ( in or before the sixteenth century ) masons at their meetings were merely

similar to those of other trades . 1 he opened box was generally the sign of the opened meeting , and the ceremony at the admission of new members very simple , and without any of the symbolic system manufactured when our present system was inaugurated in 1717 . However , a " book " was sometimes used before 1717 , when

females were admitted as well as men , which latter circumstance especially shows a similarity to other co-existing guilds or sodalities ; Pages 52 and 53 , about the old monks and their works , are worthy of much further elucidation and examination , so that what is said may be reliable , and our knowledge of the works of these , in many respects , worthy men extended .

At page ss he begins to give the Germans the credit of originating the Pointed Gothic , and of carrying it to perfection I but I am much afraid his views there anent are , to say the least , purely imaginary , and only to be excused upon the plea that the writer is himself a German , and

therefore wishes to hand over to his Fatherland the credit of whatever is great and good . The German Pointed Gothic was copied from France in the thirteenth century . And just as Germany copied Gothic Masonry from France in the thirteenth century , so did it copy or adopt

Speculative Masonry from England m the eighteenth , and in both instances to mar it . For as the great beauty of true Freemasonry is its universality , so the German Masonic statute which excludes the Jew is a great blot upon the Order . More especially , when we consider

what we all owe to the Jews . While the soil of Germany and England was trodden by rude and untutored men , the Jew was acting as the pioneer of the highest intellectual progress . More than three thousand years ago we find the Jew addressing the Great Architect ofthe Universe Himself ,

in language which is still unsurpassed for sublimity and beauty . While many of his neighbours worshipped the thing created . he addressed the Creator Himself . Both France and England were much ahead of Germany in that matter ,

then , and the remains of the Pointed Gothic of either is much superior to German . In fact , instead of Germans carrying the art to perfection , they degraded it They were first taugh the art by French workmen in the thirteenth century , and then did the very opposite of

“The Freemason: 1870-12-10, Page 2” Masonic Periodicals Online, Library and Museum of Freemasonry, 1 Aug. 2025, django:8000/periodicals/fvl/issues/fvl_10121870/page/2/.
  • List
  • Grid
Title Category Page
TABLE OF CONTENTS. Article 1
FREEMASONRY IN ENGLAND. Article 1
The "RECTANGULAR REVIEW," on " Freemasonry : its Use and Abuse." Article 1
ORIGIN OF MASONRY. Article 2
"The RELATION of St. JOHN the EVANGELIST to FREEMASONRY." Article 3
ROYAL MASONIC INSTITUTION FOR BOYS. Article 3
GRAND LODGE OF ENGLAND. Article 4
Reports of Masonic Meetings. Article 4
ROYAL ARCH. Article 5
ORDERS OF CHIVALRY. Article 5
Untitled Ad 6
Untitled Article 6
Answers to Correspondents. Article 6
Untitled Article 6
Untitled Article 6
Untitled Article 6
A MASONIC LIFE-BOAT. Article 6
Multum in Parbo, or Masonic Notes and Queries. Article 7
Masonic Miscellanea. Article 8
Original Correspondence. Article 8
FESTIVAL of the EMULATION LODGE of IMPROVEMENT. Article 9
THE FREEMASONS' LIFE BOAT. Article 9
SCOTLAND. Article 9
Poetry. Article 11
METROPOLITAN MASONIC MEETINGS Article 11
ANCIENT & ACCEPTED RITE. Article 12
INSTRUCTION. Article 12
Untitled Ad 12
Untitled Ad 12
Untitled Ad 12
Untitled Ad 12
Untitled Ad 12
Untitled Ad 12
Untitled Ad 12
Untitled Ad 12
Untitled Ad 12
Untitled Ad 12
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Page 1

4 Articles
Page 2

Page 2

4 Articles
Page 3

Page 3

4 Articles
Page 4

Page 4

3 Articles
Page 5

Page 5

5 Articles
Page 6

Page 6

9 Articles
Page 7

Page 7

3 Articles
Page 8

Page 8

4 Articles
Page 9

Page 9

4 Articles
Page 10

Page 10

3 Articles
Page 11

Page 11

4 Articles
Page 12

Page 12

13 Articles
Page 2

Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.

The "Rectangular Review," On " Freemasonry : Its Use And Abuse."

principal intention of the article was to attack the active members of the committee of Boys' and Girls' Schools , and to charge them with a misapplication of the funds , " cannot be devised . They must , however , as the result of investigation , " return to plague the inventor . "

Angry at the exposure of injustice and unfairness , our worthy " Editor " says that I have " evidently forgotten the true Masonic secretsilence . " For his own reputation ' s sake , I would he had remembered it . Has he forgotten the

three great principles upon which , we are told , our Order is founded ? If so , let me remind him that of these the third is Truth . For myself , I would rather forget a secret than sacrifice a principle .

Let us now turn our attention to another section ( 13 ) of " Freemasonry : its Use and Abuse , " headed " Misapplication of Funds , " which commences thus : " As an instance of misapplication of money subscribed for educational and charitable purposes , and the arbitrary

and irresponsible action of committees , we may mention that , to our own personal knowledge , in the course of the present year very large sums have been awarded to artists , musicians , and other professionals , out of the funds which the donors certainly had no intention should be

applied to such a purpose . In one instance where the brother , unknown to fame , received several hundred pounds , the recipient ( notice the fact ) was himself a member of the committee that made the grant . " Well , here is language unmistakeably plain and vigorous—no hinting

an idea , or hesitating a suspicion ; but " mark how plain a tale shall set him down . " Not one shilling from "funds subscribed for educational and charitable purposes " has been awarded to " musicians and other professionals . " Such payments , as before observed , came from the

funds contributed by Stewards for festival purposes . To au artist , money has been paid from the funds of the Boys' and C »! . s Schools , and to this , of course , our " Editor" refers in his letter when he asks , " What right had these gentlemen to vote £ 240 for a purpose not

intended by the donors ? " and when he pleasingly states that , " It would be better for those who ' kissed the beauty' to pay for the pleasure out of their own pockets . " The basis for this , almost , vituperative indignation is this : Bro . B . Bond Cabbell—whose name is a household word

in the charitable world—held the office of Treasurer to' the Boys' School 2 2 years , from 1847 , and also to the Girls' School 30 years , from 1839 . I" 1 S 6 9 Bro . Cabbell resigned , having during the whole of his lengthy Masonic career taken an active interest in the

management of both Institutions , and having year by year been a liberal contributor to their funds . So highly were his services and generosity appreciated , that it was thought desirable to perpetuate their remembrance by placing a portrait in each Institution . The subject was

mooted in General Committee ( of which all Life-Governors are members ) considered , discussed at subsequent meetings until formal notice wasgiven , and published in the advertisement convening the Quarterly General Court ofthe whole ofthe Subscribers , which appeared in three daily papers ,

and in the Masonic publications . At the Quarterly Court of each school , a resolution sanctioning the necessary outlay , worded in deservedly complimentary terms , was unanimously adopted , and Bro . Rosenthal was commissioned to paint two portraits , full-length , of

life size . Bro . Rosenthal undertook the commission on the very reduced terms of 120 guineas for each portrait , and spontaneously offered to return out of this sum 50 guineas to the funds of each school , so that the outlay so strongly condemned amounts to the gross sum of 140

guineas , instead of . £ 240 . Bro . Cabbell , happily ' , still survives , and it would be bad taste to defend this expenditure by a public acknowledgment of his long and valuable services . Of the artist selected—the"brotherunknown to fame" —a few

words will not be out of place . Bro . Rosenthal , it is true , is one of hundreds who by virtue of their liberality have qualified themselves as members of the General Committee . He never took part in any discussion on the subject of the

The "Rectangular Review," On " Freemasonry : Its Use And Abuse."

portraits , and was proposed as the painter in his absence . So far from being " unknown to fame , " he has an extended reputation , and has received the patronage of crowned heads , his portraits being universally considered highly meritorious both as works of art and as faithful

embodiments ofthe "form and fashion" of those whose figures live and glow on his canvas . In justice to the Committee , as well as to Bro . Rosenthal , who has fallen under the editorial lash , I quote the following from the Illustrated Times , of 26 th October , 1867 : — " I have just paid a visit to

Red Lion-square to the studio of Mr . Rosenthal , one of the few portrait-painters whose ability has maintained the position of that branch of art in this country . Amongst several pictures remarkable for their faithful execution and marvellous finish , were portraits of Alderman Sir AVilliam

Rose , Alderman Lawrence , Karl Verner , the celebrated German artist , Mdlle . Titiens , Mdlle . Adelina Patti , and other celebrities . The great attraction , however , was the portrait ofthe Queen , which is about to be sent to India , where it will occupy a place in the Viceregal Palace . Her Majesty is represented in all the splendour of

her earlier years , seated on the throne , wearing the crown , and regally attired in a robe of white satin and a mantle of purple velvet . The brilliant colouring and exquisite finish of tbe picture cannot be surpassed ,- and its masterly treatment must enhance the reputation of the artist . "

Enough for the present . I am truly sorry to intrude at such length upon the pages of THE FREEMASON , but " the matter being Masonic and the subject charity , " and so much misrepresentation having been publicly disseminated ,

I cannot refrain from doing what in me lies to disabuse the minds of those to whom we have to appeal for sympathy and assistance , and who would feel themselves .. justified in withholding both were such statements as those under discussion allowed to pass unrefuted .

Origin Of Masonry.

ORIGIN OF MASONRY .

BY BRO . W . P . BUCHAN . The following remarks , & c , have been called forth by a perusal of the " Origin of Masonry , " written by Bro . G . W . Steinbrenner and published by Macoy and Sickels , of New York .

At page 16 , the author very sensibly says : — "Yet even at this day ( 1864 ) the most confused , absurd , and discordant opinions prevail regarding the origin of tlie Fraternity . In very many instances , Masonic authors , blinded by a foolish

vanity and by a desire of proving the vast antiquity of the Institution , have strenuously combated the idea that the Fraternity was derived from the operative masons , or have allowed themselves to be deceived and led into error by the

pecuharsymbolic representations and ceremonies of our present rituals , and their striking resemblance to those ofthe ancient mysteries . Instead of endeavouring to ascertain how and when these forms , symbols , and ceremonies were introduced

into our present system , they leap at once to the conclusion that these are derived directly from the religious mysteries ofthe ancients . Each fancied resemblance or agreement with some symbol or alleged custom of these ancient mysteries is

seized upon as a sure and reliable indication of a direct connection ; and , thus , they not unfrequcntly involve themselves in matters which have not the slightest bearing on the subject in question . "

Page 26 : " Nothing more can be understood- by its origin than that period when its principles were systematized and the Institution organised by mutual association . " Taking the author ' s view of the meaning of the word

" origin , " I would almost be inclined to say that our " present system " had its origin in London in A . D . 1717 . However , in order to save dispute as to the meaning of " origin" I put it that our " present system" was instituted and inaugurated in 1717 .

At page 29 he says : "Intelligent and impartial brethren place their reliance only on the authentic records and history of their Fra-

Origin Of Masonry.

ternity , and maintain that nursery tales must henceforth be confined to the nursery . " At page 33 he alludes to a work , " The Secret History of Freemasonry : London , 1725 , " and afterwards proceeds to analyse its evidence . At page 46 : " In comparing the social

organisation , customs , and doctrines of Freemasonry with those of the mediaeval building associations , we find indications of a close historical connection (?) existing between the two institutions . For example , we find that the following peculiar usages and customs were cqmmon to the

Fraternity of Freemasons of the present day and to that of the ' Steinmetzen '—stone-masons , stonecutters—of Germany . ( Why say ' of Germany ' par excellence 1 ) 1 . The division or classification of their members into Masters , Fellow-Crafts , and Apprentices . "

Now , before going any further , I object to the words " historical connection " being used , the reality being merely an intentional manufactured close resemblance in many things , especially in words ; and as for the old Masters , Fellow-Crafts , and Apprentices , these were different classes of

men , working together and mixing among each other , and with " secrets" common to all , whereas our Masterships , Fellow-Craftships , and Apprenticeships are simply degrees of initiation . In certain Scottish sixteenth-century statutes we read that Apprentices were bound to he present

at the admission of all Masters and Fellows ; hence , they would see whatever simple ceremony was done . He also asserts that " The form of opening and closing their assemblies " was the same among the old operative Masons as now among us ; as also that" The ritual of

initiation or reception into the Fraternity" was the same some centuries ago as now . Now , I deny both of these last assertions , and at least challenge proof . I am inclined to believe that the customs of the old ( in or before the sixteenth century ) masons at their meetings were merely

similar to those of other trades . 1 he opened box was generally the sign of the opened meeting , and the ceremony at the admission of new members very simple , and without any of the symbolic system manufactured when our present system was inaugurated in 1717 . However , a " book " was sometimes used before 1717 , when

females were admitted as well as men , which latter circumstance especially shows a similarity to other co-existing guilds or sodalities ; Pages 52 and 53 , about the old monks and their works , are worthy of much further elucidation and examination , so that what is said may be reliable , and our knowledge of the works of these , in many respects , worthy men extended .

At page ss he begins to give the Germans the credit of originating the Pointed Gothic , and of carrying it to perfection I but I am much afraid his views there anent are , to say the least , purely imaginary , and only to be excused upon the plea that the writer is himself a German , and

therefore wishes to hand over to his Fatherland the credit of whatever is great and good . The German Pointed Gothic was copied from France in the thirteenth century . And just as Germany copied Gothic Masonry from France in the thirteenth century , so did it copy or adopt

Speculative Masonry from England m the eighteenth , and in both instances to mar it . For as the great beauty of true Freemasonry is its universality , so the German Masonic statute which excludes the Jew is a great blot upon the Order . More especially , when we consider

what we all owe to the Jews . While the soil of Germany and England was trodden by rude and untutored men , the Jew was acting as the pioneer of the highest intellectual progress . More than three thousand years ago we find the Jew addressing the Great Architect ofthe Universe Himself ,

in language which is still unsurpassed for sublimity and beauty . While many of his neighbours worshipped the thing created . he addressed the Creator Himself . Both France and England were much ahead of Germany in that matter ,

then , and the remains of the Pointed Gothic of either is much superior to German . In fact , instead of Germans carrying the art to perfection , they degraded it They were first taugh the art by French workmen in the thirteenth century , and then did the very opposite of

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