Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Contents.
CONTENTS .
LEADERS 4 ? r Provincial Grand Lodge of Durham 472 Provincial Grand Lodge of North and East Yorkshire 473 . CORREo ' . 'ONDENCEA Suggestion 475 A Masonic Archaeological Association ... 475
The Preparatory School for Hoys 47 s Masonic Arch _ eological Society 475 A Masonic Charity Sunday 47 s A Caution 475 The Craft Abroad 475 Reviews 47 6 Notes and Queries 476 West Lancashire Masonic Educational Institution 477
REPORTS OF MASONWC MEETINGSCraft Masonry 457 Instruction ' 478 Royal Arch 478 Cryptic Masonry 479 Red Cross of Constantine 479 Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution 470
Royal Masonic Institution for Boys 479 The Boys' School Election 479 The Girls' School Election 479 Consecration of the Kendrick Lodge , No . 2034 , Reading 479 The Craft Abroad 479 Obituary joo Masonic and General Tidings 500 Lodge Meetings for Next Week Cover .
Ar00100
THE attack on Freemasonry , whether the " output" of a sane or insane personality , which we published last week , suggests some serious , some amusing thoughts , which we may not do amiss to try and realize to-day . It is trying , no doubt , to feel and to know that in 188 4 in some minds , weak or strong , in a healthy or unhealthy state , there still lingers a childish distrust ,
an unworthy suspicion of the real meaning and true objects of Anglo-Saxon Freemasonry , at any rate . We 333 ' Anglo-Saxon because , owing to the peculiarly unsatisfactory position of some foreign jurisdictions at the present moment ; for just as it is almost impossible to include them within our safer lines of defence and thought , so it is
hard on ourselves to find ourselves fighting the common battle with allies whose formation and tactics we utterly disapprove of . Yes ; indeed how hard it is for us who adhere to the vital teaching and Cosmopolitan message of Freemasonry to find ourselves to-day the subject of the Allocution of Popes and the " mandemens" of foreign Bishops and
Archbishops , without number , and to realize the fact that there are many persons who still affect to doubt our professions and dislike our practices . Our loyal , and reverent , and religious , and benevolent Order is complained of as revolutionary and destructive , antagonistic to morals and religion , all in the same breath . We are still alleged to be the offshoot of Illuminati or
an affiliation of Jesuits ; to have occult lore and pernicious aims ; and to be intent , despite our peaceful avowals , on ends subversive of law and order , society and religion , altogether . It is in vain we plead that we never trouble ourselves about relig ion or politics j it is useless to point with justifiable pride to the works of Charity we maintain and carry on . The fatal fiat has
gone forth from a body which contains within its bosom the greatest and darkest secret society in the world , and say what we will , do what we may , with many the very name oi Freemason is synonymous with all that is base , all that is dangerous , all that is revolutionary in the world , all that is inimical , in fact , to the safe progress of mankind , and the
conservation and upholding of society and public and private life . No doubt there are some secret societies to-day alive and at work , which create anxiety and inspire dread . But we think that their power and numbers are greatly overrated ; still , they do exist . But with them true Freemasonry has nothing in common . It may be true , as
Lord C ARNARVON said , that some foreign Freemasons have been lured away from their safer ground of pure neutrality in all matters of religious , political , and social questions , and are now almost " mixed up " with secret societies , but of these again our Freemasonry proper knows nothingnothing whatever . We have no connexion with Fenians or Peep o'Day Boys ,
or Temp lars or Carbonari , Maryane or Madre Natura . We specially guard ourselves against all " plots and conspiracies against the State , " and no loyal Freemason can belong to any secret society whose aims are destructive , whose outcome is rebellion , anarchy , plunder and revolution . We can only hope that as time passes on , despite the anathemata of so-called
relig ious bodies and authorities , the loyalty of Anglo-Saxon Freemasonry will be admitted , its utility allowed , and its benefits realized . If such prejudices be still many , perverse , and serious , at the same time they yet serve to lighten up what we may not inaptly terms the " dark ages " of intolerance , obscurantism , and persecution and seem to point to the dawn of
a brighter day , when all these paltry and idle animosities shall be forgotten and disowned . As respects the more amusing attacks on Freemasonry which ignorance or " chaff " may put forth , we can afford to disregard them
altogether , and pass them smilingly by . The mystic Goat may still be discussed with grave anxiety ; the red hot Poker may still be alluded to in terms of belief , credulity , or scepticism . Absurd ceremonies and childish practical jokes may still be held to be characteristic of Masonic initiation ,
Ar00101
and the Apporeta of our world-wide Order . But we have this consolation , Freemasonry is progressing , must progress , and will progress . Let us all hope that , true to its ancient maxims , it will never desert its older teaching ,
but still continue in the years to come as in the epochs that have passed , both a religious , a tolerant , a benevolent , and a sympathetic Fraternity , intent on doing good , and aiding to maintain and advance the peace , tho civilization , the social happiness of mankind .
* * HAVE we not heard enough of the last great Papal blunder , that portentous ( Irish ?) Bull which the Curia has last thought fit to issue and indite ? We confess we arc alarmed by the last American deliverance on the subject by our illustrious Bro . ALBERT PIKE , which it is almost impossible to read ,
from its serious and unprecedented length . Life almost seems too short for even such magnificent deliverances . The mind grows weary and alarmed at the elaboration of the periods and the involution of ideas . The document seems interminable and overwhelming alike in its crushing complaint and florid utterance , its ceaseless flow of
argument and assertion , dissertation and denunciation alternately . VVe think that all has been said by way of protest which need bc advanced by us as Freemasons , and thus and there we are desposed to leave the whole matter . We consign the Bull most willingly to the limbo of " prohibited writings" and forgotten absurdities . We think Bro . PIKE ' S
undoubtedly able if lengthy " Allocution " is " slaying the twice slain . " It seems unwise for us to exaggerate the effect of the Bull in any way . Practically it has fallen on contemporary literature , society ,, and on public and private life , unheeded . It is an old song too often sung , and neither very harmonious nor very edifying . We have heard those old stories over and over again .
As Bro . DANIEL O CONNELL once said , the " donkey's head and jawbones " so frequently paraded , don ' t touch us or alarm us in the least . So let it all " slide , " pass away , and be forgotten , a childish and painful chapter in the contemporary annals of our race . When our excellent Bro . ALBERT PIKE talks of the last Papal Bull as declaring war against humanity , he piles up
the agony too severely , and falls into needless exaggeration . Rome is " semper eadem , " Rome adheres to the old adage , Roma locuta est , causa finita esc . " Rome only repeats in 1884 , what Rome asserted in 1738 , with a little variation in the treatment of the sameold subject , and a fuller grouping and manipulation of contemporary realities . It is not so much the secret
societies that Rome is anxious about—that is the ostensible cause , —but quite another matter . CLEMENT betrayed it in 1778 , LEO reproduces it in 18 S 4 . It is that abominable fact of a development of a quasi " honesue religionis , " to use the words of the first Bull , which Roman Catholics and Protestants dare to profess in common , and
which leads them to join together in the bonds of fraternal union , sympathy , and good will , and to extend and promulgate benevolence , charity , and toleration among their fellow men and creatures . Rome ' s action has always been based on the ancient formula , " Extra ecclesiam nulla salus , " and on that vile system of persecution and punishment which
no Roman Catholic writer can safely apologise or defend , which , we repeat , has , in ages past and gone , Rome has alike proscribed and burned philosophers and Protestants , Jews and Freemasons , indeed , one and all who were " obstinate heretics . " Our best and safest course as Freemasons is therefore to avoid all exaggeration and anger in the untoward combat
forced on us by some maladroit Scribes at Rome , and simply , unfurling our broad banner of loyalty and charity , toleration and sympathy for all , to move boldly and unitedly forwards , no one daring to seek to bar the
way , none succeeding in meeting us abroad . Under the preservation and protection of T . G . A . O . T . U . we can afford to laugh at puny attacks , just as we can utterly disregard the oft repeated incriminations of ignorance , malevolence , and fanaticism combined .
* WE are very glad to be permitted to call attention to a circular of the Grand Lodge of Scotland elsewhere , and beg to congratulate that distinguished body on this seasonable and befitting movement towards a most desirable end . We also must specially call attention to the zeal and energy
displayed by our able and meritorious Bro . D . M . LYON , who , having happily brought the financial affairs of the Grand Lodge once in mournful confusion , to order and prosperity , will truly rejoice at being the official medium of this appeal , both to increase the means for charitable purposes ,
and bring into commendable activity a Scottish system of needful and careful Charity , becoming the " honour and dignity " of the Grand Lodge of Scotland , and illustrating fitly the warmth and kind-heartedness which always distinguish our Scottish brethren .
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Contents.
CONTENTS .
LEADERS 4 ? r Provincial Grand Lodge of Durham 472 Provincial Grand Lodge of North and East Yorkshire 473 . CORREo ' . 'ONDENCEA Suggestion 475 A Masonic Archaeological Association ... 475
The Preparatory School for Hoys 47 s Masonic Arch _ eological Society 475 A Masonic Charity Sunday 47 s A Caution 475 The Craft Abroad 475 Reviews 47 6 Notes and Queries 476 West Lancashire Masonic Educational Institution 477
REPORTS OF MASONWC MEETINGSCraft Masonry 457 Instruction ' 478 Royal Arch 478 Cryptic Masonry 479 Red Cross of Constantine 479 Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution 470
Royal Masonic Institution for Boys 479 The Boys' School Election 479 The Girls' School Election 479 Consecration of the Kendrick Lodge , No . 2034 , Reading 479 The Craft Abroad 479 Obituary joo Masonic and General Tidings 500 Lodge Meetings for Next Week Cover .
Ar00100
THE attack on Freemasonry , whether the " output" of a sane or insane personality , which we published last week , suggests some serious , some amusing thoughts , which we may not do amiss to try and realize to-day . It is trying , no doubt , to feel and to know that in 188 4 in some minds , weak or strong , in a healthy or unhealthy state , there still lingers a childish distrust ,
an unworthy suspicion of the real meaning and true objects of Anglo-Saxon Freemasonry , at any rate . We 333 ' Anglo-Saxon because , owing to the peculiarly unsatisfactory position of some foreign jurisdictions at the present moment ; for just as it is almost impossible to include them within our safer lines of defence and thought , so it is
hard on ourselves to find ourselves fighting the common battle with allies whose formation and tactics we utterly disapprove of . Yes ; indeed how hard it is for us who adhere to the vital teaching and Cosmopolitan message of Freemasonry to find ourselves to-day the subject of the Allocution of Popes and the " mandemens" of foreign Bishops and
Archbishops , without number , and to realize the fact that there are many persons who still affect to doubt our professions and dislike our practices . Our loyal , and reverent , and religious , and benevolent Order is complained of as revolutionary and destructive , antagonistic to morals and religion , all in the same breath . We are still alleged to be the offshoot of Illuminati or
an affiliation of Jesuits ; to have occult lore and pernicious aims ; and to be intent , despite our peaceful avowals , on ends subversive of law and order , society and religion , altogether . It is in vain we plead that we never trouble ourselves about relig ion or politics j it is useless to point with justifiable pride to the works of Charity we maintain and carry on . The fatal fiat has
gone forth from a body which contains within its bosom the greatest and darkest secret society in the world , and say what we will , do what we may , with many the very name oi Freemason is synonymous with all that is base , all that is dangerous , all that is revolutionary in the world , all that is inimical , in fact , to the safe progress of mankind , and the
conservation and upholding of society and public and private life . No doubt there are some secret societies to-day alive and at work , which create anxiety and inspire dread . But we think that their power and numbers are greatly overrated ; still , they do exist . But with them true Freemasonry has nothing in common . It may be true , as
Lord C ARNARVON said , that some foreign Freemasons have been lured away from their safer ground of pure neutrality in all matters of religious , political , and social questions , and are now almost " mixed up " with secret societies , but of these again our Freemasonry proper knows nothingnothing whatever . We have no connexion with Fenians or Peep o'Day Boys ,
or Temp lars or Carbonari , Maryane or Madre Natura . We specially guard ourselves against all " plots and conspiracies against the State , " and no loyal Freemason can belong to any secret society whose aims are destructive , whose outcome is rebellion , anarchy , plunder and revolution . We can only hope that as time passes on , despite the anathemata of so-called
relig ious bodies and authorities , the loyalty of Anglo-Saxon Freemasonry will be admitted , its utility allowed , and its benefits realized . If such prejudices be still many , perverse , and serious , at the same time they yet serve to lighten up what we may not inaptly terms the " dark ages " of intolerance , obscurantism , and persecution and seem to point to the dawn of
a brighter day , when all these paltry and idle animosities shall be forgotten and disowned . As respects the more amusing attacks on Freemasonry which ignorance or " chaff " may put forth , we can afford to disregard them
altogether , and pass them smilingly by . The mystic Goat may still be discussed with grave anxiety ; the red hot Poker may still be alluded to in terms of belief , credulity , or scepticism . Absurd ceremonies and childish practical jokes may still be held to be characteristic of Masonic initiation ,
Ar00101
and the Apporeta of our world-wide Order . But we have this consolation , Freemasonry is progressing , must progress , and will progress . Let us all hope that , true to its ancient maxims , it will never desert its older teaching ,
but still continue in the years to come as in the epochs that have passed , both a religious , a tolerant , a benevolent , and a sympathetic Fraternity , intent on doing good , and aiding to maintain and advance the peace , tho civilization , the social happiness of mankind .
* * HAVE we not heard enough of the last great Papal blunder , that portentous ( Irish ?) Bull which the Curia has last thought fit to issue and indite ? We confess we arc alarmed by the last American deliverance on the subject by our illustrious Bro . ALBERT PIKE , which it is almost impossible to read ,
from its serious and unprecedented length . Life almost seems too short for even such magnificent deliverances . The mind grows weary and alarmed at the elaboration of the periods and the involution of ideas . The document seems interminable and overwhelming alike in its crushing complaint and florid utterance , its ceaseless flow of
argument and assertion , dissertation and denunciation alternately . VVe think that all has been said by way of protest which need bc advanced by us as Freemasons , and thus and there we are desposed to leave the whole matter . We consign the Bull most willingly to the limbo of " prohibited writings" and forgotten absurdities . We think Bro . PIKE ' S
undoubtedly able if lengthy " Allocution " is " slaying the twice slain . " It seems unwise for us to exaggerate the effect of the Bull in any way . Practically it has fallen on contemporary literature , society ,, and on public and private life , unheeded . It is an old song too often sung , and neither very harmonious nor very edifying . We have heard those old stories over and over again .
As Bro . DANIEL O CONNELL once said , the " donkey's head and jawbones " so frequently paraded , don ' t touch us or alarm us in the least . So let it all " slide , " pass away , and be forgotten , a childish and painful chapter in the contemporary annals of our race . When our excellent Bro . ALBERT PIKE talks of the last Papal Bull as declaring war against humanity , he piles up
the agony too severely , and falls into needless exaggeration . Rome is " semper eadem , " Rome adheres to the old adage , Roma locuta est , causa finita esc . " Rome only repeats in 1884 , what Rome asserted in 1738 , with a little variation in the treatment of the sameold subject , and a fuller grouping and manipulation of contemporary realities . It is not so much the secret
societies that Rome is anxious about—that is the ostensible cause , —but quite another matter . CLEMENT betrayed it in 1778 , LEO reproduces it in 18 S 4 . It is that abominable fact of a development of a quasi " honesue religionis , " to use the words of the first Bull , which Roman Catholics and Protestants dare to profess in common , and
which leads them to join together in the bonds of fraternal union , sympathy , and good will , and to extend and promulgate benevolence , charity , and toleration among their fellow men and creatures . Rome ' s action has always been based on the ancient formula , " Extra ecclesiam nulla salus , " and on that vile system of persecution and punishment which
no Roman Catholic writer can safely apologise or defend , which , we repeat , has , in ages past and gone , Rome has alike proscribed and burned philosophers and Protestants , Jews and Freemasons , indeed , one and all who were " obstinate heretics . " Our best and safest course as Freemasons is therefore to avoid all exaggeration and anger in the untoward combat
forced on us by some maladroit Scribes at Rome , and simply , unfurling our broad banner of loyalty and charity , toleration and sympathy for all , to move boldly and unitedly forwards , no one daring to seek to bar the
way , none succeeding in meeting us abroad . Under the preservation and protection of T . G . A . O . T . U . we can afford to laugh at puny attacks , just as we can utterly disregard the oft repeated incriminations of ignorance , malevolence , and fanaticism combined .
* WE are very glad to be permitted to call attention to a circular of the Grand Lodge of Scotland elsewhere , and beg to congratulate that distinguished body on this seasonable and befitting movement towards a most desirable end . We also must specially call attention to the zeal and energy
displayed by our able and meritorious Bro . D . M . LYON , who , having happily brought the financial affairs of the Grand Lodge once in mournful confusion , to order and prosperity , will truly rejoice at being the official medium of this appeal , both to increase the means for charitable purposes ,
and bring into commendable activity a Scottish system of needful and careful Charity , becoming the " honour and dignity " of the Grand Lodge of Scotland , and illustrating fitly the warmth and kind-heartedness which always distinguish our Scottish brethren .