Table Of Contents.

TABLE OF CONTENTS .

PAGE F REEMASONRY IN IRELAND 291 R ELIGIOUS ASPECTS OF FREEMASONRY ... .,. 291 " THE RELATION OF ST . TOHN THE EVANGELIST

TO FREEMASONRY " 292 THE BIBLE , THE GREAT LIGHT OF FREEMASONRY 292 KNIGHT TEMPLARISM AND MASONRY 293 ROYAL MASONIC INSTITUTION FOR BOYS ... 293 CONSECRATION OF THE ST . CLEMENTS DANE ' ¦

LODGE , NO . 1351 293 C ONSECRATION OF THE SANDEMAN LODGE , INDIA 293 CONSECRATION OF A NEW MARK LODGE 294 THE CRAFTMetropolitan 294 Provincial 294 & 295

ROYAL ARCH 295 MARK MASONRYMetropolitan ... ... ... 205 Provincial ... ... ... ... ... ... 295 GRAND CHAPTER 295 STUDY 295

BIRTHS , MARRIAGES , AND DEATHS 296 ANSWERS TO CORRESPONDENTS 296 ORDERS OF CHIVALRY 296 THE GRAND LODGE OF QUEBEC 296 M . ULTUM IN PARVO 297 ROYAL MASONIC INSTITUTION FOR GIRLS 297 , 2980 : 299

THEATRICAL 299 OBITUARY—Bro . John Kissling 299 ORIGINAL C ORRESPONDENCEQualification for the Mark Chair 300 The 1717 Theory 300 Proxy Commissions to Grand Lodge of Scotland 300

" Palmam Qui Meruit Ferat 301 On L subordination in the Higher Degrees ... 301 J ERUSALI ; CHAPTER OF ANTIQUITY , MANI ' ESTER , H . M . K . H 301 POETRY— ¦

The Mason ' s Reliance 302 Ben Cruachan 302 MASONIC M EETINGS FOR NEXT WEEK 302 THE FREEMASONS' LIFE BOAT 302 SCOTLAND 303 ADVERTIS ' MENTS 289 , 290 , 303 , & 304

Free Masonry In Ireland.

FREE MASONRY in IRELAND .

BY BRO . WILLIAM J AMES HUGHAN . ( Continuedfrom page 1 Z 2 .. ) An edition of the Constitutions was published by order of the Grand Lodge A . D . 1817 . We regret not having a copy , but

in the circular issued by the Grand Lodge of Ireland A . D . 1825 several about that date are alluded to , likewise a copy of the letter sent to the Masters of lodges

respecting the holding of Masonic meetings , which we alluded to in THE FREEMASON some little time since in our series of articles entitled " Masonic Curiosities . "

GRAND LODGE OF IRELAND .

7 th April , 1825 . Sir and Brother , —With the warmest feelings of congratulation , the Grand Lodge addresses their most respected brethren of the most Ancient and Honourable Society of Free and Accepted Masons of Ireland .

The Legislature having recently been most graciously pleased to recognise societies instituted without religious distinction for the advancement of science and public or private charity , no doubt remains that Masonic meetings , conducted in strict conformity with the rules and principles of the Order ,

will be protected . Masters and Past Masters of lodges will therefore perceive the propriety and necessity of attending to the late circular of Grand Lodge , and forthwith congregate the members , resume their Masonic labours , and disseminate friendship ,

charity , and brotherly love . The Grand Lodge enjoins and commands a steady adherence to the ancient charge , " That no subject of a political or religious nature shall be introduced or discussed at any meeting of the Craft . " Any deviation from this Order shall cause the warrant of the transgressors to be immediately

withdrawn . The Grand Lodge having directed the Committee of Charity and Inspection to re-commence the dispensing of relief in cases of urgent necessity , confidently [ hopes that the June returns will enable them to extend it generally to all

deserving applicants as heretofore . Lodges are required to make the usual returns on or before St . John ' s Day , 24 th June , 1825 . Any warrants in arrcar to the Charitable Fund of the Grand Lodge , beyond the period allowed by the " Ahiman Rezon , " will be called in . A list will then be printed , containing the names of the

Free Masonry In Ireland.

Masters , Wardens , and places of meeting of all the lodges on the establishment . J . WILLIAM HORT , Grand Secretary . WILLIAM FRANCIS GRAHAM , D . G . Sec . Abstract of rules to be observed : — Whereas a practice has long prevailed of Masters

of lodges holding the office for a number of years , to the injury of the Craft , by repressing emulation in the brethren , rendering them hopeless of advancement , and preventing a succession of persons qualified to conduct those lodges . It is ordered—That from and after the 24 th of

June , 1823 , no brother shall be eligible to hold the office of Master of a lodge for a longer period than two years successively , nor shall he be re-elected at any time afterwards until after an interval of one year from the expiration of his former Mastership , unless by the special permission of the Grand

Lodge ; and any lodge sending an incorrect return of officers , to evade the purport of this law , shall for the first offence be suspended during the pleasure of the Grand Lodge , and if the offence is repeated , the warrant shall be withdrawn . Any lodge making an incorrect return of

members , knowingly or wilfully , shall be subject to the same penalties . Masters of lodges are to take notice that they are not authorised to summon other lodges to attend them on St . John ' s Days , the Grand Lodge will not allow any other notice to be sent than an

invitation , which will be optional to the parties to attend or not . No lodge under the sanction of the Grand Lodge of Ireland is permitted to make Masons for a lesser admission fee than one guinea and a half , under a penalty of a fine of one guinea for each offence ; and

every person so unlawfully made , cannot receive benefit from the Charitable Fund , or enjoy any of the rights of Masonry , until authorised by the Grand Lodge on memorial . All communications from the Grand Lodge to private lodges shall be read in open lodge , and

deposited in the lodge chest , to be referred to on lodge meetings ; any Master refusing or neglecting to comply herewith shall be disqualified to act in such office . No application for reduction of dues or arrear of dues by individual lodges shall be received by this

Grand Lodge , and the Secretary is ordered to return all such applications . All cases of suspension or expulsion sent for confirmation , the cause of such sentence shall be fully stated , and the report signed by the Master , Senior and Junior Wardens , and Secretary , with the lodge seal affixed .

No brother being the proprietor of a housejof entertainment in which a Masonic lodge holds its meetings shall be eligible to hold the office of Master of such lodge during the time it meets in his house , and any lodge electing such brother as their Master , shall have the warrant thereof

suspended during the pleasure of the Grand Lodge . It is recommended , that when a brother is proposed to become a member of a lodge , who has been initiated in another , that he shall ( previous to admission ) produce a certificate from the Grand Lodge establishment of the country in which he

was initiated , in order to insure the lodje admitting such candidate that he comes from a regular lodge , and also that he has withdrawn from it in a proper manner ; after admission he is to be transferred to the lodge he has joined on the Grand Lodge books .

Whereas doubts have arisen respecting members of lodges desirous of or having obtained certificates from the Grand Lodge , be it understood that a brother obtaining a Grand Lodge certificate is not thereby exempted from the regular duties of his lodge while he continues a member thereof , or until he withdraws his name from its books in the usual

and regular manner ; and it is also to be understood that when a brother has so withdrawn or discontinued his support and attendance on his lodge , he is not entitled to interfere in its concerns in any manner , unless his advice or assistance be required by the Master thereof on a particular case .

If any candidate is proposed for admission into the Order , who is in any manner defective , the lodge wherein proposed shall not initiate without special leave obtained of the Grand Master or Grand Lodge , to be applied for by memorial , wherein the defect shall be clearly specified , under

penalty of two pounds ten shillings , or such suspension as the Grand Lodge may award , on a case of transgression being proved . Lodges inreturninc » list of members are to insert nil those then on the lodge books who have obtained the third degree .

i ' lie Grand Lodge will permit the exchange of warrants under the regulation of December , 1816 , until further orders . No petition for charity can pe presented to the Grand Lodge unless vouched and recommended by the Master and seals of three regular lodges . ( Tt > be ctntinued . )

Religious Aspects Of Freemasonry.

RELIGIOUS ASPECTS OF FREEMASONRY .

LETTERS BY BROTHERS HUGHAN AND NORTON .

I have carefully read the long and wellwritten communication from Ero . Jacob Norton in THE FREEMASON for May 6 th , 1871 , and beg to thank him for it . Bro . Norton wishes to avoid an " interminable

discussion , " and so do I ; and as our opinions on the subject have been fairly ventilated , and , moreover , as it is my intention to refer to the " Religious Aspects of Freemasonry , " No . 2 , ere long , I think it advisable not" to

continue the present discussion any longer . Bro . Norton has pointed out wherein we agree and disagree , and the numerous

readers of THE FREEMASON are no doubt familiar with the arguments and facts we have adduced in support of our positions in reference to the " volume of the Sacred

Law , " or "no law at all , " but the "Book of Constitutions" being open in a lodge , or used at the O . B . of neophytes . I fully admit with Bro . Norton that Freemasonry

is not sectarian at the present time ; but is an institution open to the worthy votaries of all religions without respect to colour , politics , or country .

I also acknowledge that there are difficulties connected with my theory in regard to the " volume of the Sacred Law , " but at the same time beg to remark that there are also obstacles to the reception of Bro .

Norton ' s views on the subject . These we have made known , and each having had an opportunity to ventilate the matter , we can now cease disputing for the time , and endeavour to digest what we have read and advocated .

It is an important question to consider , and one that affects very materially the universality of our glorious and' ancient Fraternity , and I am free to admit we are as yet but on the threshold of Masonic

enquiry . We live , Masonically ( as well as generally ) , in an investigating age , and whatever cannot stand the test of scrutiny , and the rigid application of the facts of history in our traditions and customs , must

stand aside , and be thrown over amongst the rubbish of rejected and illogical statements of bygone days . We have , undoubtedly , been deceived in the past , let us therefore , be more wary in the future .

Before cencluding my remarks , allow me to express my approval of the fraternal manner in which Bro . Norton has criticized

my article on " Religions Aspects of Free masonry . "

W . J AMES HUGHAN .

SIR WILLIAM J ENNER was examined before the Vaccination Committee on Tuesday week . No evil effects from vaccination had ever , he said , come under his notice ; and as the father of six children he should consider himself wanting in his duty had he neglected to have them vaccinated .

MR . GOSCHEN ON UNIVERSITY EDUCATION . — On the evening of Wednesday se ' nnight the Right Hon . G . J . Goschen , M . P ., distributed certificates' ' and diplomas to the successful candidates at the University Local Examinations in Brighton . In the course of his address he said he rejoiced at the

fact of the Universities extending their privileges to the people in their own homes . He considered this system preferable to that of taking a solitary boy here and there , in a distant part of the country , and sending him to the University . It was highly important that the inhabitants of large townsshould realise the great work which the Universities were

engaged in , thus connecting themselves with the progress of education throughout the kingdom . In reference to the teaching of Latin and Greek , the right hon . gentleman said it was the mental training wnich the study of these languages imparted which rendered them so important as a branch of education .