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Scotland.
emergency meeting would be held on Saturday , 12 th June , [ or the dispatch of business , and also that a meeting for harmony would take place on the 24 th , to celebrate the Summer Festival of St . John . This brought the labours of a hard night ' s work to a most satisfactory close , a ' nd reflected much credit upon the energetic perseverance of Bro . D . Reid , the much respected R . W . M . of this lodge .
GLASGOW . —LODGE ST . VINCENT ( -553 ) . —The regular meeting of this lodge was held on Thursday thc 3 rd inst . jjro . Malcolm Stark , D . M ., in the unavoidable absence of Bro . R . McDougale , R . W . M ., occupied the chair ; Bro . Hunter , S . W ., Bro . Stevens , J . W ., with a large attendance of members and visiting brethren . On thc lodge being opened by Bro . Stark , he read applications from thc
following gentlemen for admission into Freemasonry , vizp . Mclndoe and J . Groves , which were duly received and 110 objections offered . They were duly initiated , Bro . John Monro , R . W . M ., Lodge Commercial No . 3 60 , performing the ceremony in his usual masterly style . Bro . Stark then read a letter from Bro . R . McDougall , R . W . M ., apologizing for his absence that evening , regretting that he was not
able to be with them . Bro . Stark said he was sure that Bro . McDougale would doubly regret his absence that night when he informed him of the distinguished and very worthy brothers that had honoured them by their visit on this occasion : he assured them in behalf of thc R . W . M . and Lodge St . Vincent that he was very thankful to them , and hoped they would cften come amongst them . They
were not very comfortable in their present temporary quarter , but they were about to get a hall of their own , and then they would be more comfortable ; and before setting down he would again thank the visitors for their company on this occasion . Bro . Stark soid that it was rather unusual , at the close of the proceedings , for the minutes to be read , but on this occasion it was most suitable . The
Secretary , Bro . J . Hally , then proceeded to read thc minutes of previous meeting which was confirmed . Bro . Hunter , S . W ., said before closing the lodge he had one duty to perform—that of proposing a hearty vote of thanks to Bro . Monro , R . W . M ,, of Lodge Commercial No . 3 60 , for his kindness in consenting , also the very able manner he had instructed the candidates in thc E . A . degree that night : lie was sure that the lodge , also the candidates were very
much indebted to Bro . Monro , and he would move that it be recorded in the minutes . This proposition , ' also the vote of thanks , were received with acclamation . The lodge was thereafter closed in due form , and the brethren for a short time adjourned for refreshment , and with thc usual loyal toasts , together with that of the visiting brethren and the newly-initiated , ivhich was most ably replied to . The brethren , after spending a most pleasant evening , and the last toast being given—Happy to meet , & c . —dispersed .
GLASGOW . —COMMERCIAL CHAPTER ( NO . 70 ) . —The regular monthly meeting of this chapter was held in the Masonic Hall , 30 , Hope-street , on Friday , 28 th ult . A lodge of Excellent Masters was opened , and Bros . James M . Duncan and John McRobbie , who had received the degree of Mark Masters at last meeting , were admitted and advanced to that of Excellent Masters . The ledge being
r dosed and a H . R . A . Chapter opened , they were readmitted and exalted to that sublime degfce . Comps , J ulius Brode ' , Z . ; Dobbie , P . Z . 119 , acting H . ; Duthie , Z . 67 , acting J . ; J . M . Oliver , E . 6 9 , acting E . ; Ronald , First Soj . C 7 , acting First Soj ., & c . Before closing the chapter , a hearty vote of thanks was accorded to the visiting companions for
their assistance on the occasion , and as a further mark of appreciation for their services Comps . Colin McKenzie and David Donald , First Sojourners respectively of Chapters 50 and 6 7 , were affiliated honorary members of the' chapter . There being no further business , the chapter was closed in due and ancient form .
GLASGOW . —CATHEDRAL CHAPTER ( No . 6 7 ) met at 22 , Struthers-strcct , Calton , on thc 25 th May . Visiting Comps . present : Comps . Phillips , Z . 87 , and Russell , Scribe E . 87 . A lodge of Past Masters was opened , Comp . J . Duthie in the chair , Comps . ^ Phillip , Junior Warden , Ronald , Senior Warden , with a number of well qualified brethren . Applications were read from Bro . Smythe ,
3 l , and Bro . Barnard , of 55 6 , which were approved of , and ooth being duly prepared they were conducted into the lodge and instructed in the mysteries of thc degree by the W . Mark Master . The lodge was then closed and opened in the Excellent Master Degree . Thc two brothers being led in were instructed in this degree , and the lodge was closed . Thc Royal Arch Chapter was then formed :
Comps . Duthie , M . E . P . Z . ; Wood , H . ; Taylor , J . ; French , Scribe , E . ; McLauren , Scribe , N . ; Wood , Treas . ; Ronald , First Soj . ; Nagle , Second Soj . ; Beckie , Third Soj ; and a full meeting of companions lo constitute and hold thc chapter , it being opened in due form by the three Principals . Bros . Smyth and Barnard
were led into the chapter and were exalted , and received as regular Royal Arch Companions , the M . E . First Principal ; Comp . Duthie , officiating . The minutes of thc former meeting were then read and confirmed . Thechapter was then closed in due and ancient form by the three I ' rincipals , all companions standing to order .
A memorial tablet , on which is the following inscription , "ow marks the spot in Westminster Abbey where the regains of Dr . Livingstone are deposited : — " Brought by faithful hands over land and sea , here rests David Livingstone , missionary , traveller , philanthropist . Born . March ' ?• 1813 ; died May 1 , 1873 , at Chitambo's Village , Ulala .
'or thirty years his life was spent in an unwearied effort to evan gelise thc native races , to explore the undiscovered secrets , to abolish the desolating slave trade of Central Africa , and where , with his last words , he wrote— ' All I W'l add in my solitude is , may Heaven ' s rich blessing cwiie down on every one—American , English , or Turk—Who will help to heal this open sore of tt * e > orl 4 I "
Original Correspondence.
Original Correspondence .
[ We do not hold ourselves responsible for , or even as approving oftlie opinions expressed by our correspondents , but we wish , in a spirit of fair play to ail , to permit—within certain necessary limits—free discussion . —ED . ]
HIS HOLINESS AND THE MOST WORSHIPFUL . To Iht Editor of the Freemason . Dear Sir and Brother , — " The Pope , he leads a happy life , " is one of those poetic fictions which contrast sadly with the sterner realities of His Holiness ' s sublunar pilgrimage , and when we read " one of those strange tricks , " as Cleopatra ' s maid says ,
" which sorrow shoots out o' his mind , " in his epistle of the 7 th January last , we are led to a very startling inference . It is a saying , founded on the deepest study of human nature , that no man is a hero to his valet , and wc should be very much surprised if His Holiness should appear a Christian—we say this advisedly—to the keeper , whoever
that may be , of his conscience . Indeed , it is difficult lo believe that an Italian , trained lo all thc arts of priestcraft , can be much short of a pagan himself , and it is a curious circumstance how . inadvertently , as it were . His I-Inlincnc , in his epistle just referred to against thc Masonic brotherhood , betrays the symbolism of a Pythagorean . Why " three priests " and " three communions daily , " as His
Holiness recommends , should exasperate a God of love against an eminently pacific institution , such as Masonry , whose fundamental principles ace charity in its widest sense , and liberality in its theological , is indeed passing strange . But to the archa-ological Freemason , the secret thought thus oozing out is very significant of the faith really held by
the Pontiff in the " sanctum sanctorum " of bis heart , if indeed one so exalted possesses so commonplace an organ , but does not rather place his hand , when oppressed by the Masonic dread , upon " that aching spot where beats the human heart , " but which is something more , or perhaps less . The truth is , all enlightened Roman Catholics > vho read for themselves , and draw knowledge from the fountain
head , and not the brackish stuff so called through another , are not blind to the fact that the power of the priesthood droops at the headquarters of thc sect , and that education and travel altogether destroy its oppressive and pernicious influence—just as in India railways are gradually undermining Brahminism . But the analogy might be pointed still more sharply were wc not cautious of giving offence to those brethren who may still have a lingering feeling or superstition in favour of a Church in which they have been
reared . Freemasonry may well pardon the unseemly violence and hatred of " the old man , " with something of Lear ' s " hysterica passio . " He stands condemned by his ownpretcnsioiis , and it is in vain that he opposes thc charity and liberality of Freemasons with vituperation , attempted oppression , malice ,
conspiracy , and all thc wecpons of Jesuitism . We know him by his works— " Can a' -clesn thing gome out of an unclean : " His Holiness knows more than he ought , or wc are very much mistaken . He appears to look upon Freemasonry as a rival house , drawing off custom from himself . On close examination thc decimal system ( mystic of course )
will be found at the bottom of all this Papal exasperation ; and as His Holiness is said to be infallible we will take him at his word , that " no human power ( not even thc spiritual ) is capable of struggling against" us . But we will not condescend to bandy words with His Holiness . He is welcome to his keys and to his strong
box . The world is large enough surely for us all , but should His Holiness require change of air , let him by all means pay a friendly untheological visit to the Great Llama , for " The Most Worshipful" cannot put him up , or put uy > with him , at present—this being the season when other engagements are pressing . ItA 111 :.
THE -717 ASSERTION . To the Editor of the Freemason . Dear Sirand Brother , — In to-day ' s Freemason there appears a letter from Bro . " Lupus" in reference to myself , which would be simply amusing were it not for its unniasonic tone , and certain statements contained in it . He tells us that I at
one time challenged him in reference to the use of thc word " speculative" in the middle ages , and that he got a certain old MS , examined by some one to see if that word was really in it . He published the result of this examination , and , as he tells us , the result was that Bro . Buchan " said not a word afterwards , but retreated into defeated silence . " Now , we shall at once sec the
untruthfulness of this assertion by referring to the back numbers of thc Freemason . From pages 20 and 27 of the Freemason for January , 1871 , 1 think it will be seen that it wan " An American Freemason , " hailing from Cincinnati , O ., who was at loggerheads with Bro . " Lupus " about" speculative . " Then , if we take the Freemason , for April 15 th , 1871 , pp . 233 and 234 , we find " Lupus" stating upon
the authority of some unnamed individual that " speculatyf" really occurs in some old MS ., and upon the very same leaf wc find Bro . Buchan making the same statement , and naming as his authority Mr . Bond , thc keeper of thc MSS . in the British Museum I Further on again , viz ., at p . 300 of thc Freemason for May 13 th , 1871 , we
find Bro . Buchan giving Bro . " Lupus" the benefit of a column and a half of remarks . Then at p . 316 , May 20 th , we find Bro . " Lupus" telling us he has had enough of it , his opening remark being , " I have no intention to prolong this discussion . " Bro . Buchan , at pp . 333 , 344 of the Freemason ( or May 27 th , „ i 87 i , replied , and so the friendly correspondence closed . Now , how all this can be
Original Correspondence.
shown to be Bro . Buchan ' s " retreat into defeated silence " I cannot imagine . Possibly , however , Bro . " Lupus " will be able to show . For my part , I fear it can only be that the wish was father to the thought ; or , again , if he is fond of a glass of good old port now and then , some one has unfortunately happened to touch his toe while thc
gout was troubling him , and he , being earnestly engaged reading the Freemason at the time , just where Bro . Buchan ' s name occurred , up goes the walking stick , and poor Bro , Buchan . gets the benefit . I am , fraternally yours , W . P . BUCHAN .
Glasgow , June 5 th , 187- ; . P . S . —As to the remarks about white aprons and gloves having to be provided for the Masons in the time of Henry VI ., I beg' to be allowed to refer to p . 442 of thc Freemason for July 15 th , 1871 ; and also to the valuable old 1670
statutes of the Aberdeen Lodge , which appeared at pp . 501 and 550 of the Freemason tor August 12 th and September 2 nd , 1871 . Possibly Bro . " Lupus" imagines it was he who sent these contributions to the Freemason . It so , he had better look again . —W . P . B .
To the Editor oftlie Freemason . Dear Sir and Brother , — I ani obliged to Bro . " Lupus " for his kind communication , and his interest on my behalf , but at present there does not seem much difficulty as to my offer being carried out , and it is better to give evidence for our theories ,
assertions , and beliefs in full , in order that the question at issue may be settled at once and for ever , than to decline the controversy , for the " 1717 theory" is not the pet notion of " one Mason only , " and indeed for my part I am convinced that many both in and outside the Masonic society have a fancy that our claim to antiquity is a portion of
our fabulous history . When time permits I am quite content to abide by my offer , and , with a clearly defined object to be attained , and only three as short letters as possible from my friend Bro . Buchan , and the same number in reply by me , I hope we
shall arrive at an agreement on the subject . At present , however , I am not quite clear as to what the " 1717 theory" really means . Yours fraternally , WULIAM J AMES HUGHAN' .
PRECEDENCE . To the Editor of the Freemason . Dear Sir and Brother , — Will you favour me with your opinion in the following case in an early number of the Freemasons ' A lodge was formed and a brother became a joining
member just before any were initiated . The W . M . elect states his intention to advance the first initiate of the lodge ( who is both able and willing to serve ) to the vacancy created by the rise of the officers . On this , because he refused to appoint the joining member instead of the initiate , a brother proposed the non-ccinnrmation of that part of the
minutes , electing- the S . W . to be W . M . Which has the greater claim to the office , the joining member or thc initiate ? I am , dear Sir and Brother , yours fraternally , HADLEY .
[ As a general rule thc actual bona-fide member of the lodge , the initiate , in fact , though any member of the lodge is available for office . In this case the initiate and joining brother became members of the lodge about the same time , so it is a most difficult question to decide .- — ED . ]
THE MARK DEGREE . To the Editor of the Freemason . Dear Sir and Brother , — Allow me space in your columns to thank Bro . W . J . Hughan for his valuable letter ofthe lOth January , In re the Mark Degree , and to heartily return his fraternal
greeting . Thc information conveyed is valuable from its plain and concise statement , but doubly so when emanating from a brother so well versed in Masonic lore as Bro . Hughan . My thanks are equally due to our distinguished Bro . Binckes for his able and exhaustive letter on the subject .
As he very properly observes , it is almost impossible to discuss the propositions in public , otherwise there are yet several important points I should like to draw his attention to . In the meantime , however , I hope , and believe , that our correspondence ( short as it is ) has been of some service
to my companions of the Mark . Trusting these zealous and able brethren may be long spared to the Craft , I am , dear Sir and Brother , yours fraternally , WALTER HILL , P . M . 49 , E . C . Wellington , New Zealand , April nth , 1875 .
BELGIAN BENEVOLENT SOCIETY . To the Editor ofthe Freemason . Dear Sir and Brother , — The Belgian Benevolent Society for the relief of distressed Belgians in this country holds a banquet in aid of . the funds on Saturday , 10 th June , at Willis ' s
Rooms . Probably some of those who were entertained by the Belgian brethren at Liege and other places a few years ago may be glad of this opportunity of giving a trifle to a charity so consonant with true Freemasonry .
Any sum sent to me shall be properly applied and duly acknowledged . I am , yours fraternally , THOMAS PRESTON , D . C . Great City Lodge . 6 . Westminster Chambers , S . Wf |
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Scotland.
emergency meeting would be held on Saturday , 12 th June , [ or the dispatch of business , and also that a meeting for harmony would take place on the 24 th , to celebrate the Summer Festival of St . John . This brought the labours of a hard night ' s work to a most satisfactory close , a ' nd reflected much credit upon the energetic perseverance of Bro . D . Reid , the much respected R . W . M . of this lodge .
GLASGOW . —LODGE ST . VINCENT ( -553 ) . —The regular meeting of this lodge was held on Thursday thc 3 rd inst . jjro . Malcolm Stark , D . M ., in the unavoidable absence of Bro . R . McDougale , R . W . M ., occupied the chair ; Bro . Hunter , S . W ., Bro . Stevens , J . W ., with a large attendance of members and visiting brethren . On thc lodge being opened by Bro . Stark , he read applications from thc
following gentlemen for admission into Freemasonry , vizp . Mclndoe and J . Groves , which were duly received and 110 objections offered . They were duly initiated , Bro . John Monro , R . W . M ., Lodge Commercial No . 3 60 , performing the ceremony in his usual masterly style . Bro . Stark then read a letter from Bro . R . McDougall , R . W . M ., apologizing for his absence that evening , regretting that he was not
able to be with them . Bro . Stark said he was sure that Bro . McDougale would doubly regret his absence that night when he informed him of the distinguished and very worthy brothers that had honoured them by their visit on this occasion : he assured them in behalf of thc R . W . M . and Lodge St . Vincent that he was very thankful to them , and hoped they would cften come amongst them . They
were not very comfortable in their present temporary quarter , but they were about to get a hall of their own , and then they would be more comfortable ; and before setting down he would again thank the visitors for their company on this occasion . Bro . Stark soid that it was rather unusual , at the close of the proceedings , for the minutes to be read , but on this occasion it was most suitable . The
Secretary , Bro . J . Hally , then proceeded to read thc minutes of previous meeting which was confirmed . Bro . Hunter , S . W ., said before closing the lodge he had one duty to perform—that of proposing a hearty vote of thanks to Bro . Monro , R . W . M ,, of Lodge Commercial No . 3 60 , for his kindness in consenting , also the very able manner he had instructed the candidates in thc E . A . degree that night : lie was sure that the lodge , also the candidates were very
much indebted to Bro . Monro , and he would move that it be recorded in the minutes . This proposition , ' also the vote of thanks , were received with acclamation . The lodge was thereafter closed in due form , and the brethren for a short time adjourned for refreshment , and with thc usual loyal toasts , together with that of the visiting brethren and the newly-initiated , ivhich was most ably replied to . The brethren , after spending a most pleasant evening , and the last toast being given—Happy to meet , & c . —dispersed .
GLASGOW . —COMMERCIAL CHAPTER ( NO . 70 ) . —The regular monthly meeting of this chapter was held in the Masonic Hall , 30 , Hope-street , on Friday , 28 th ult . A lodge of Excellent Masters was opened , and Bros . James M . Duncan and John McRobbie , who had received the degree of Mark Masters at last meeting , were admitted and advanced to that of Excellent Masters . The ledge being
r dosed and a H . R . A . Chapter opened , they were readmitted and exalted to that sublime degfce . Comps , J ulius Brode ' , Z . ; Dobbie , P . Z . 119 , acting H . ; Duthie , Z . 67 , acting J . ; J . M . Oliver , E . 6 9 , acting E . ; Ronald , First Soj . C 7 , acting First Soj ., & c . Before closing the chapter , a hearty vote of thanks was accorded to the visiting companions for
their assistance on the occasion , and as a further mark of appreciation for their services Comps . Colin McKenzie and David Donald , First Sojourners respectively of Chapters 50 and 6 7 , were affiliated honorary members of the' chapter . There being no further business , the chapter was closed in due and ancient form .
GLASGOW . —CATHEDRAL CHAPTER ( No . 6 7 ) met at 22 , Struthers-strcct , Calton , on thc 25 th May . Visiting Comps . present : Comps . Phillips , Z . 87 , and Russell , Scribe E . 87 . A lodge of Past Masters was opened , Comp . J . Duthie in the chair , Comps . ^ Phillip , Junior Warden , Ronald , Senior Warden , with a number of well qualified brethren . Applications were read from Bro . Smythe ,
3 l , and Bro . Barnard , of 55 6 , which were approved of , and ooth being duly prepared they were conducted into the lodge and instructed in the mysteries of thc degree by the W . Mark Master . The lodge was then closed and opened in the Excellent Master Degree . Thc two brothers being led in were instructed in this degree , and the lodge was closed . Thc Royal Arch Chapter was then formed :
Comps . Duthie , M . E . P . Z . ; Wood , H . ; Taylor , J . ; French , Scribe , E . ; McLauren , Scribe , N . ; Wood , Treas . ; Ronald , First Soj . ; Nagle , Second Soj . ; Beckie , Third Soj ; and a full meeting of companions lo constitute and hold thc chapter , it being opened in due form by the three Principals . Bros . Smyth and Barnard
were led into the chapter and were exalted , and received as regular Royal Arch Companions , the M . E . First Principal ; Comp . Duthie , officiating . The minutes of thc former meeting were then read and confirmed . Thechapter was then closed in due and ancient form by the three I ' rincipals , all companions standing to order .
A memorial tablet , on which is the following inscription , "ow marks the spot in Westminster Abbey where the regains of Dr . Livingstone are deposited : — " Brought by faithful hands over land and sea , here rests David Livingstone , missionary , traveller , philanthropist . Born . March ' ?• 1813 ; died May 1 , 1873 , at Chitambo's Village , Ulala .
'or thirty years his life was spent in an unwearied effort to evan gelise thc native races , to explore the undiscovered secrets , to abolish the desolating slave trade of Central Africa , and where , with his last words , he wrote— ' All I W'l add in my solitude is , may Heaven ' s rich blessing cwiie down on every one—American , English , or Turk—Who will help to heal this open sore of tt * e > orl 4 I "
Original Correspondence.
Original Correspondence .
[ We do not hold ourselves responsible for , or even as approving oftlie opinions expressed by our correspondents , but we wish , in a spirit of fair play to ail , to permit—within certain necessary limits—free discussion . —ED . ]
HIS HOLINESS AND THE MOST WORSHIPFUL . To Iht Editor of the Freemason . Dear Sir and Brother , — " The Pope , he leads a happy life , " is one of those poetic fictions which contrast sadly with the sterner realities of His Holiness ' s sublunar pilgrimage , and when we read " one of those strange tricks , " as Cleopatra ' s maid says ,
" which sorrow shoots out o' his mind , " in his epistle of the 7 th January last , we are led to a very startling inference . It is a saying , founded on the deepest study of human nature , that no man is a hero to his valet , and wc should be very much surprised if His Holiness should appear a Christian—we say this advisedly—to the keeper , whoever
that may be , of his conscience . Indeed , it is difficult lo believe that an Italian , trained lo all thc arts of priestcraft , can be much short of a pagan himself , and it is a curious circumstance how . inadvertently , as it were . His I-Inlincnc , in his epistle just referred to against thc Masonic brotherhood , betrays the symbolism of a Pythagorean . Why " three priests " and " three communions daily , " as His
Holiness recommends , should exasperate a God of love against an eminently pacific institution , such as Masonry , whose fundamental principles ace charity in its widest sense , and liberality in its theological , is indeed passing strange . But to the archa-ological Freemason , the secret thought thus oozing out is very significant of the faith really held by
the Pontiff in the " sanctum sanctorum " of bis heart , if indeed one so exalted possesses so commonplace an organ , but does not rather place his hand , when oppressed by the Masonic dread , upon " that aching spot where beats the human heart , " but which is something more , or perhaps less . The truth is , all enlightened Roman Catholics > vho read for themselves , and draw knowledge from the fountain
head , and not the brackish stuff so called through another , are not blind to the fact that the power of the priesthood droops at the headquarters of thc sect , and that education and travel altogether destroy its oppressive and pernicious influence—just as in India railways are gradually undermining Brahminism . But the analogy might be pointed still more sharply were wc not cautious of giving offence to those brethren who may still have a lingering feeling or superstition in favour of a Church in which they have been
reared . Freemasonry may well pardon the unseemly violence and hatred of " the old man , " with something of Lear ' s " hysterica passio . " He stands condemned by his ownpretcnsioiis , and it is in vain that he opposes thc charity and liberality of Freemasons with vituperation , attempted oppression , malice ,
conspiracy , and all thc wecpons of Jesuitism . We know him by his works— " Can a' -clesn thing gome out of an unclean : " His Holiness knows more than he ought , or wc are very much mistaken . He appears to look upon Freemasonry as a rival house , drawing off custom from himself . On close examination thc decimal system ( mystic of course )
will be found at the bottom of all this Papal exasperation ; and as His Holiness is said to be infallible we will take him at his word , that " no human power ( not even thc spiritual ) is capable of struggling against" us . But we will not condescend to bandy words with His Holiness . He is welcome to his keys and to his strong
box . The world is large enough surely for us all , but should His Holiness require change of air , let him by all means pay a friendly untheological visit to the Great Llama , for " The Most Worshipful" cannot put him up , or put uy > with him , at present—this being the season when other engagements are pressing . ItA 111 :.
THE -717 ASSERTION . To the Editor of the Freemason . Dear Sirand Brother , — In to-day ' s Freemason there appears a letter from Bro . " Lupus" in reference to myself , which would be simply amusing were it not for its unniasonic tone , and certain statements contained in it . He tells us that I at
one time challenged him in reference to the use of thc word " speculative" in the middle ages , and that he got a certain old MS , examined by some one to see if that word was really in it . He published the result of this examination , and , as he tells us , the result was that Bro . Buchan " said not a word afterwards , but retreated into defeated silence . " Now , we shall at once sec the
untruthfulness of this assertion by referring to the back numbers of thc Freemason . From pages 20 and 27 of the Freemason for January , 1871 , 1 think it will be seen that it wan " An American Freemason , " hailing from Cincinnati , O ., who was at loggerheads with Bro . " Lupus " about" speculative . " Then , if we take the Freemason , for April 15 th , 1871 , pp . 233 and 234 , we find " Lupus" stating upon
the authority of some unnamed individual that " speculatyf" really occurs in some old MS ., and upon the very same leaf wc find Bro . Buchan making the same statement , and naming as his authority Mr . Bond , thc keeper of thc MSS . in the British Museum I Further on again , viz ., at p . 300 of thc Freemason for May 13 th , 1871 , we
find Bro . Buchan giving Bro . " Lupus" the benefit of a column and a half of remarks . Then at p . 316 , May 20 th , we find Bro . " Lupus" telling us he has had enough of it , his opening remark being , " I have no intention to prolong this discussion . " Bro . Buchan , at pp . 333 , 344 of the Freemason ( or May 27 th , „ i 87 i , replied , and so the friendly correspondence closed . Now , how all this can be
Original Correspondence.
shown to be Bro . Buchan ' s " retreat into defeated silence " I cannot imagine . Possibly , however , Bro . " Lupus " will be able to show . For my part , I fear it can only be that the wish was father to the thought ; or , again , if he is fond of a glass of good old port now and then , some one has unfortunately happened to touch his toe while thc
gout was troubling him , and he , being earnestly engaged reading the Freemason at the time , just where Bro . Buchan ' s name occurred , up goes the walking stick , and poor Bro , Buchan . gets the benefit . I am , fraternally yours , W . P . BUCHAN .
Glasgow , June 5 th , 187- ; . P . S . —As to the remarks about white aprons and gloves having to be provided for the Masons in the time of Henry VI ., I beg' to be allowed to refer to p . 442 of thc Freemason for July 15 th , 1871 ; and also to the valuable old 1670
statutes of the Aberdeen Lodge , which appeared at pp . 501 and 550 of the Freemason tor August 12 th and September 2 nd , 1871 . Possibly Bro . " Lupus" imagines it was he who sent these contributions to the Freemason . It so , he had better look again . —W . P . B .
To the Editor oftlie Freemason . Dear Sir and Brother , — I ani obliged to Bro . " Lupus " for his kind communication , and his interest on my behalf , but at present there does not seem much difficulty as to my offer being carried out , and it is better to give evidence for our theories ,
assertions , and beliefs in full , in order that the question at issue may be settled at once and for ever , than to decline the controversy , for the " 1717 theory" is not the pet notion of " one Mason only , " and indeed for my part I am convinced that many both in and outside the Masonic society have a fancy that our claim to antiquity is a portion of
our fabulous history . When time permits I am quite content to abide by my offer , and , with a clearly defined object to be attained , and only three as short letters as possible from my friend Bro . Buchan , and the same number in reply by me , I hope we
shall arrive at an agreement on the subject . At present , however , I am not quite clear as to what the " 1717 theory" really means . Yours fraternally , WULIAM J AMES HUGHAN' .
PRECEDENCE . To the Editor of the Freemason . Dear Sir and Brother , — Will you favour me with your opinion in the following case in an early number of the Freemasons ' A lodge was formed and a brother became a joining
member just before any were initiated . The W . M . elect states his intention to advance the first initiate of the lodge ( who is both able and willing to serve ) to the vacancy created by the rise of the officers . On this , because he refused to appoint the joining member instead of the initiate , a brother proposed the non-ccinnrmation of that part of the
minutes , electing- the S . W . to be W . M . Which has the greater claim to the office , the joining member or thc initiate ? I am , dear Sir and Brother , yours fraternally , HADLEY .
[ As a general rule thc actual bona-fide member of the lodge , the initiate , in fact , though any member of the lodge is available for office . In this case the initiate and joining brother became members of the lodge about the same time , so it is a most difficult question to decide .- — ED . ]
THE MARK DEGREE . To the Editor of the Freemason . Dear Sir and Brother , — Allow me space in your columns to thank Bro . W . J . Hughan for his valuable letter ofthe lOth January , In re the Mark Degree , and to heartily return his fraternal
greeting . Thc information conveyed is valuable from its plain and concise statement , but doubly so when emanating from a brother so well versed in Masonic lore as Bro . Hughan . My thanks are equally due to our distinguished Bro . Binckes for his able and exhaustive letter on the subject .
As he very properly observes , it is almost impossible to discuss the propositions in public , otherwise there are yet several important points I should like to draw his attention to . In the meantime , however , I hope , and believe , that our correspondence ( short as it is ) has been of some service
to my companions of the Mark . Trusting these zealous and able brethren may be long spared to the Craft , I am , dear Sir and Brother , yours fraternally , WALTER HILL , P . M . 49 , E . C . Wellington , New Zealand , April nth , 1875 .
BELGIAN BENEVOLENT SOCIETY . To the Editor ofthe Freemason . Dear Sir and Brother , — The Belgian Benevolent Society for the relief of distressed Belgians in this country holds a banquet in aid of . the funds on Saturday , 10 th June , at Willis ' s
Rooms . Probably some of those who were entertained by the Belgian brethren at Liege and other places a few years ago may be glad of this opportunity of giving a trifle to a charity so consonant with true Freemasonry .
Any sum sent to me shall be properly applied and duly acknowledged . I am , yours fraternally , THOMAS PRESTON , D . C . Great City Lodge . 6 . Westminster Chambers , S . Wf |