Masonic Jurisprudence.

Masonic Jurisprudence .

In England physical defects or deformities are no bar to the admission of candidates whose moral character is sound . All good men and true are justly regarded as fit material to be employed in the construction of a spiritual temple whose pillars are

Brotherly Love , Relief , and Truth . In the United States the strict letter of the ancient operative law is still enforced , to the exclusion of maimed candidates , however worthy . This is at variance with the princip les of Freemasonry as a speculative institution , and ought to be modified or abolished .

"A Mason ' s Lodge is a Mason ' s Church , " said the late Duke of Sussex , and all are freo to enter therein who are known to be brethren , or upon whose reputation no serious stain of dishonour exists . ^ Thc utmost caution should , however , be exercised in the examination of strangers , and the rules of the Grand Lodge as to production of certificate should be faithfully observed .

During the absence of a Master from the country , or during his illness or incapacity to attend , the S . AV . rules the lodge , nor can meetings other than named in the bye-laws be called without his knowledge and consent . A P . M . must , however , occupy tlie chair and perform the work of the lodge , although it was formerly customary for AA ardens to confer degrees , and the legality of their claim to do so is even now a moot point .

Past Masters of Scottish , Irish , or foreign lodges are ineli g ible as candidates for the chair of an English lodge until they have served as AA arden for one year in the usual way . Regularly installed Masters under any jurisdiction are , however , permitted to assist at an English Board of I . M . 's . Scotch P . M . 's are inadmissible , as they know nothing of the secrets restricted to the chair .

Multum In Parbo, Or Masonic Notes And Queries.

Multum in Parbo , or Masonic Notes and Queries .

—?—The first Masonic periodical on record was published at Leipzig , on the 4 th January , 1738 . It was called " Der Freymaurer " ( Tho Freemason ) , and existed about a year . Bro . Findel now edits " Die Bauhiitte , " at the same place . —L . AV . R .

His Royal Hig hness Francis , Duke of Lorrain , afterwards Emperor of Germany , was initiated in tho Grand . Lodge of England ^ l . th May , 1731 , and received thc 2 nd degree on the same night . — VIATOK .

The Mallet used by King Charles If . when he laid the foundation stone of St . Paul's Cathedral is now in the possession of the Lodge of Antiquity , No . 2 , to which Sir Christopher AA ren , the architect , then belonged . This curious relic was also used by the Earl of Zetland at a similar ceremoniy , in lSG-i , in connection with the New Buildings at Freemasons ' Hall . —ANTIQUAIUUS .

Red Crosi of Rnme and Constantine . —As it is correct that this Degree possesses records dating its far back as the same decade of the eighteenth century as the Masonic Templars do , why should not it receive as much support as the latter degree of Masonic ICnig hthood ?—RKS NON VKIUIA .

Ancient and Accepted Rite . — What 'is thc earliest record known that refers to the veritable Rose Croix of Freemasonry ; or , in fact , to any degree under the jurisdiction of the "Ancient and Accepted RitcY" AVe hear that the late S . G . Commander Dr . Leeson possesses a warrant derived from the Pretender

of A . D . 1721 , conferring authority to give the Rose Croix degree ! AA ould the learned Mason , Dr . Leeson , kindly make this warrant public , so that its nature may be known ? Ho would confer another benefit on the Craft by so doing , and few are better qualified to speak on the matter than he is . My impression is that no such warrant is in existence , but of course I am open to conviction . —ROSE Citoix .

Antiquity Lodge No . 1 . —Cannot some qualified Brother in London favour us with reliable information relative to this lodge before the revival of A . D . 1717 ? Such matter is sadly wanted by intelligent Masons everywhere , and yet neither in " Preston ' s Illustrations" nor in any other work can wo find any

quotation from its ancient records . 1 Jeel persuaded that it requires but a respectful application to the . members to secure much that would provo valuable to the Masonic historian . A \' o hear also that at this time the lodge owns an ancient manuscript ? Of what date is it ? andof what nature is it?—questions , I know , easily put , but much wanted by Masonic students to be answered .--AV . J . IIuoiiAX .

Masonic Antiquities, Records, And Bibliography.

Masonic Antiquities , Records , and Bibliography .

SPECIMENS FROM A MASONIC QUARRY . BY AVM . JAMES HUGHAN , P . M ., No . 131 TRURO , Author of "History of Freemasonry in , Cornwall . " "Sparks from a Mason '& A noil , " „ c . ; Mnsonic Correspondent of " 'The Voice of Freemasonry , " for Fmj and ; Corresponding Member of "German Masonic Union" $ c .

SPKCIJIKX NO . 1 . —OPERATIVE M ASOXIC LODGES . The importance of the records of Operative Lodges anterior to the formation of Grand Lodges cannot be overestimated , seeing that from such minutes we learn the nature and objects of the fraternity from which the present Free aud Accepted Masonic Body is derived .

' Foremost among the operative lodges is the ancient "Mother Kilwinning" of Ayrshire , Scotland , which until recently possessed records as far back as the sixteenth century ; and although , now , an accident has deprived its members of so precious a volume , thoy have still one , of a century later , of great interest , and

invaluable as evidence or what Alasonry consisted some two hundred and fifty years ago . Its history has been immortalized by the -lasonic historian , Bro . Lyon , of Ayr ; and so eagerly has the Craft desired authentic details of this famous and ancient , parent of Masonry in Scotland that already the work has been translated into other tongues , for the benefit of

Masonry universal ; and not only so , but we are glad to state that Bro . Lyon himself is now engaged in preparing a second edition , which will soon be pub - fished and no doubt rapidly "bought up . " That being the ease , we shall leave Mother Kilwinning in able hands , and take upon ourself the pleasing duty of looking after lodges that have not had thc powerful aid of such an accomplished historian .

In Scotland , the-t . Andrew ' s Lodge , Banff , No . 52—although it is dated A . D . 173 G in the " Universal Masonic Calendar" —has minutes from A . D . 1703 , before a Grand Lodge was formed anywhere . These records refer to older documents , which are now , alas , unknown , but evidently the lodge itself has existed for a very long period Banff holds a peculiarly prominent position in Scotland , from the fact that the resident members of the Masonic body have been

connected with the working of the Masonic Knights Templars and other degrees , including the Royal Arch and the Mark Master , for upwards of a century . Before A . . 1720 only two degrees are ever mentioned , the Fellow Craft ( the second ) being questionable as to its being a degree after all . Of course the o /// cc of Master Mason was recognised , but never as a degree , before the influence of the Revivalists of A . D . 1717 was

felt in thc North . In the other lodge held in the town , called "St John ' s Operative , " No . !) 2 , warranted A . D . 1701 , the Royal Arch has flourished since A . D . 1705 , and it is believed to have been one of the earliest working chapters in the world , and certainl y few , if any , possess minute books of the degree before it . AVe intend referring to this lodge again , but on returning to "St . Andrews" we find that it remained true to pure and unadulterated Craft Masonry until

A . D 1787 . Not like "Mother Kilwinning " though , which from the earliest , period to the present year has never given more than three degrees , including the choice of the Mark . Under the old system , before modern Freemasonry arose as a p huaiix from its ashes , the distinction was always carefully drawn between " operative ' ' and " geometrical " Masons . The latter consisted of gentlemen who had to pay some fifty per cent , more in dues , in conseiiiieneeof not being

operatives , or craftsmen . It is nonsense to talk of the Craft being only operative before A . D , 1717 , and that none but bona fide workmen were admitted into its ranks ! There is no record before the Revival , but what will prove the fact of the -lasonic Craft being then , as now , spcenlalicc as well as operative .

AA e have ( through the kindness of Bro . Stenhousc Bairnsfather , P . M ., whose accuracy may be relied on ) been favoured with a number of excerpts from the minutes of this ancient lodge . One of the earliest of these commences December 27 , 170 S , in which it is stated

that" In presence of Alexr . JI ill , Mr . for the ensuing year , and Alexr . Forsyth , AVarden for the said year , Patric Leslyc , Johne Anderson , Andrew Ilussall , James llcnnot , Laclan Jeniison , James Faith , and Alexr . Forsyth , yiinger , the foresaid number being Jlcasous , heave resolved to pay iu four sh . Scots each of them and the rest of thc Ir . iid , to a box which is to be paid for tha use , commencing from [ part torn out ]

at tlio end ol cvcrie year , and tlie box delivered to Alexr . Forsyth , elder , with two pound fortcin shil . Scots , and an bond for four pound fors'd , anil James Alexr . and John Alurliid vests tlicr yearlio contrabution ; mid the meeting orduus al the members concerned to cess thc meetings under the payment of four sh . Scots , and ordains the nioiiie ill the box yc bond to be lent out upon hit rest from Candhnes next headvice . "

According to usage , the senior AA arden of thc lodge was permitted to act as Master iu the absence of the regular officer . It was resolved that—• 'No Master of the Lodge of Band'shall employ a Cowan , unless he make it appear it was a case of necessity : other-

Masonic Antiquities, Records, And Bibliography.

wise he is liable to the cognizance of the next general meeting . " ( 7 th Jan . 1773 . ) No Brother who was not raised to the degree of a Master Mason was allowed to " undertake or come on

work" even so late as A . D . 1774 , showing how curiously the operative was still blended with the modern system . But we must look up our notes again , and present a sketch of the " Operative Lodge , " which has enjoyed the benefits of Masonry in a practical sense for more than one hundred years .

Poetry.

Poetry .

ODE TO THE SPIRIT OF FREEMASONRY BY BRO . R . AVENTWOKTII LITTLE , P . M . & P . Z ., 975 .

I . STROPHE . Like one who trembles in the breathless dark Of midni ght , overcome with solemn fears—I gazed upon the wrecks of rolling years AVith awe , till I beheld a wondrous Ark

Floating in peace o ' er Life ' s tempestuous sea , And guided by a Form whose glory shone Through the surrounding g loom— "Come thou to me , " The Spirit cried , " And stand before my throne , And minister within my sanctuary—Be thou a Priest of Lig ht ! " Then I arose From bended knee , and sought the sacred shrine AAliere truth abides in Strength , and Wisdom grows In Beauty , like a flower in fields divine .

II . ANTISTROPIIE . O radiant Presence ! fairer than the dawn—To THEE I chant this feebly-uttered psalm , Not vainly to thy courts havo I withdrawn Nor vainly sought to share thy holy calm . Jf to thine altar I can only bring One votive wreath , ' tis well—for hast thou not Limitless empire over mighty Thought ,

And mightier Action f Ihou dost strongly sway Thy secret world , liko that immortal King AVho rules the ceaseless course of night and day . And though around me rise those motes of time , The ghosts of hours with duties unfulfilled—And though I tremble at the task sublime , Th } ' temple in my heart I fain would build .

III . EPODE . It is no dream—it cannot be a dream , For high above the surge of Life we see A home for all who worship the Supreme—A haven which is called " Freemasonry ! " AudstillthatmysticA ^ oicc cries , "Brethren , come to me ! ' *'

Masonic Ode.

MASONIC ODE .

By Bro . Ron MORRIS , P . G . M ., Kentucky . Aut— "Auld Lang Syne . "

One hour with 3-011 , one hour with you—No doubt , nor care , nor strife—Is worth a weary year of woe In all that lightens life . One hour with you , and you , and you , Bright links in mystic chain—Oh , may we oft these joys renew , And often meet again .

Your eyes with love ' s own language free , Your hand-grips strong and true , Yonr voice , your heart do welcome me To spend an hour with you . One hour with you , & c .

I come when morning skies are bright To work my Mason ' s due ; To labour is my chief delight , And spend an hour with you . One hour with you , & c .

J go when evening gilds the west , I breathe the fond adieu , And hope again , by fortune blest , To spend an hour with you . One hour with you , & e . Western Freemason .

AVe understand that thc Testimonial to the Grand Master will take a form which cannot fail to be acceptable to the Craft at large , his lordship having decided in favour of instituting " Zetland Annuities " for distinguished Masons , tho power of nomination to be vested in the Grand Master for the time being . Thc details of the arrangement are as yet , however , not finally completed .

There are now 1255 Lodges under the jurisdiction of thc Grand Lodgo of England , in addition to which' there are 370 R . A . Chapters attached to lodges . Templars'Encampments number 108 ; Mark Judges , 101 ; Rose Croix Cliapters , 29 ; and Red Cross Conclaves , 14 .