Multum In Parbo, Or Masonic Notes And Queries.

sufficiently shown by the care with which he guards himself from misinterpretation , in making improbable or incredible statements , by remarks such as " this was believed firmly by the old Fraternity , " "the ancient Constitutions affirm

this strongly , " & c . The Andersonian history of Masonry , if divested of its fabulous and traditional character , may be considered as a not altogether unimportant contribution to the history of architecture ; and although it contains some

slight chronological errors , yet many of its statements are confirmed by later works on architecture . From many passages of his history it is apparent , not only that he compiled it from architectural works , but that he had some

personal experience in the technical knowledge of the builder's art . This would , in his case at least , seem to account in a very natural way for his entrance into the guild or company of Masons . The short space of time in which he completed

the work he was commissioned to execute , renders it probable that the history of the fraternity of which he was a member , had already

previously engaged his attention , and that it was merely necessary for him to select from the materials he had collected in order to submit his work to the inspection of the committee .

" A SPIRITUAL AND MOST PRECIOUS PEARL , By Otho Wermullerus . ( Wm . Tegg , 1870 . ) The first English edition of this book was translated by Bishop Miles Coverdale at the request of Protector Somerset , whose

preface to the Christian reader begins in royal style , " Edward , by the grace of God , Duke of Somerset , greeting . " Wermullerus was a preacher in a city which the printer calls " Tigyrie , " but which few ordinary English

readers will recognise as Zurich . We think that if such old books are printed they ought to be edited , and not loosely turned off without note or even preface . The drift of the book is that all affliction comes from

God , and is the sign of His Fatherly mind toward the afflicted , and we believe that many troubled persons will find more relief and help from the reading of this quaint and believing old treatise than from some

more ambitious and modern books . The critical reader will find a few curiosities in it not unworthy his attention , as , for instance , " God , the Heavenly Freemason " ( for

Architect ); " an whole multitude , the use of the word " only ; " " God viartyrcth and utterly subdueth in us our sins . " He •' yoketh " us as " the foreman his horses . "

Original Correspondence.

Original Correspondence .

The Editor is not responsible for the opinions expressed 1 > j Correspondents , QUALIFICATIONS OF VISITORS TO LODGES .

( To the Editor of The Freemason . ) DEAR SIR AND BROTHER , —A difference of opinion exists amongst the Past Masters of a lodge to which I belong as to the qualifications necessary to entitle a visiting brother to claim admission into a lodge . Will you kindly give your own opinion ,

or obtain that of sonic of the many experienced P . M . ' s amongst your readers , on the following points : — 1 . In the case of an individual , who is a perfect stranger , presenting himself as a visitor for admission into a lodge , is it sufficient qualification

for him to pass a satisfactory examination ; or is it essential that he should , in addition , produce his Grand Lodge certificate ? 3 . What definite meaning is to be attached to the word " vouchers" in the following , among the Ancient Charges , to which every W . M . has to give

his assent on his installation ? : — " You promise hat no visitor shall be received into your lodge without due examination , and producing propel vouchers of his having been initiated in a iwgitlai lodge . "

The " Book of Constitutions , under the head of " Visitors" ( pocket edition , p . 89 ) , is very vague , no mention being made of the visitor's certificate ; but Dr . Oliver , in his " Masonic Jurisprudence" ( page 124 ) , says : " No visitor . . can be admitted unless he be known to , or / ouched for , by some member

Original Correspondence.

of the lodge ; or , if lie be a perfect stranger , lie must produce his Grand Lodge certificate , and submit to the usual examination , of which no specification has been prescribed , but it is commonly left to the discretion of the proper officer . "

In many lodges great looseness exists in the examination and admission of visitors , whilst in others great caution is exercised , It would be well that the " Book of Constitutions should clearly define the qualifications of visitors for the proper guidance of lodges . I am , dear Sir and Brother , Yours fraternally , AN OLD P . M .

" BALD STATEMENTS . " ( To the Editor of The Freemason . ) DEAR SIR AND BROTHER , — I regret to have to take up the space in your paper , which might be so much better employed than replying to " Enquiring Brother ; " but his illbred remarks on you as editor

and on myself demand an answer , and cannot be passed over in silence . In the first place , if he will look at No . 90 of THE FREEMASON , he will find that I stated the " Encyclopedia Metropolitana , " not the " Encyclopedia Britannica . " Secondly , it is to be found in Oliver ' s " Landmarks , " vol . I

page 344 . Any one with common justice will allow that , if I have been anywise to blame , it has been in copying better authors than myself . Again , as to wishing to establish a fraternal connection between K . Templars and Masons , I have no motive for such an act .

To conclude this disagreeable letter , the next time "Enquiring Brother" attacks any of the contributors to THE FREEMASON , who are working for no profit , and ( to many ) little honour , and falls into any blunder through his overhaste , he will not only give his name , but a few words of apology . I remain yours fraternally .

CHARLES G . FORSYTH , 1194 , England , and 333 , Scotland . Hamilton , Jan . 9 th , 1871 .

THE "RECTANGULAR REVIEW" ON

"FREEMASONRY ; ITS USE AND ABUSE . " ( To the Editor of The Freemason . ) SIR AND BROTHER , —WC would have been glad to have concluded this correspondence by allowing Bro . Binckes the last word , but his letter in your last week ' s paper is so vague that we are compelled

again to make a few comments . We have referred to page 21 of annual report , published March , 1 S 70 , where we find the building account dealing with a total sum of upwards of , £ 46 , 000 ; but as no dates are given , it is impossible for the uninitiated to say what portion of that

amount belongs to the year 1 S 69-70 . Regarding the large sum of nearly , £ 2 , 000 paid for architect ' s fee , we should like to know who the architect was who pocketed such a handsome amount , and whether he also acted as surveyor , which involved another / 200 . It would seem also

that there was also still due to architect and surveyor about , £ 450 , in addition to the above amount paid , making altogether about , £ 2 . 650 for that item . Bro . Binckes includes in the cost of the establishment at Wood Green £ 926 expended at the Hall .

about half of which to Secretary and Collector , who again figure in the special expenditure for a considerable amount . Greater detail and simplicity in the accounts would enable us to take a clearer view of the position of the institution . Perhaps the next report , soon to be published , will

prove more satisfactory in this way . Referring to "J . O . ' s " letter in your last week ' s number , we may say that wc have already served " the honourable office of Steward" at many chanty festivals , including all the Masonic : and it

was the result of our observations on these occasions that led us to inquire for a detailed account of the Stewards' fees , which , in the case of the Boys' Institution , Bro . Binckes declined to give ( or the information of the Craft . Yours truly and fratcrnallv ,

THE EDITOR "RECTANGULAR REVIEW . " London . Jan . 10 th , 1 S 71 .

ANCIENT MANUSCRIPTS . ( To the lulilor of The Freemason . ) SIR , —When I glance through your paper and read the remarks of some of your correspondents , I am templed to ask myself : Do those brethren ever read any history of Freemasonry ? Now , there is votir correspondent " Lupus , " in Tin : FREEMASON

for December 3 , who tenns the discussion going on in that paper about the antiquity of the gloves and apron a " small discussion " ; and after congratulating the opponents of the 1717 theory , he Hies off to Bro . Matthew Cooke ' s B . M . manuscript to prove that Prince Edwin , son of Athclstan , was a Speculative Mason , because "he wist well that hand-craft

Original Correspondence.

had the practice of geometry so well as masons , wherefore he drew him to council and learned the practice of that science to his speculative , for of speculative he was a master , and he loved well masonry and masons , and he gave them charges and names , " & c . ; and this Bro . " Lupus " decides

to be—and emphasises the decision in cursive characters— " a clear and unmistakeable distinction between Speculative and Operative Masonry" ! Now , the word " speculative , " and to which Bro . Lupus attaches so much importance , was , I believe , as we Freemasons understand it , first applied to

Masonry by Wm . Preston , when he improved the " work" or ritual from that of Martin Clare , and its signification in this connection is thus set forth in a passage of Section IV . of Preston ' s " Illustrations of Masonry , " which at the present day is so familiar to Freemasons that it would preclude the necessity

of me here quoting it , but to put it in apposition with Bro . Lupus ' s quotation from Bro . Cooke ' s old manuscript , and which I here do : — " Masonry passes under two denominations — operative and speculative . By the former we allude to a proper application of the useful rules of

architecture , whence a structure derives figure , strength and beauty , and whence result a due proportion and a just correspondence in all its parts . By the latter we learn to govern the passions and tonge , maintain secresy , and practise charity . Speclative Masonry is so far interwoven with religion as to lay us under

the strongest obligations to pay that rational homage to Deity which at once constitutes our duty and happiness . It leads the contemplative to view with reverence and admiration the glorious works of creation , and inspires them with the most exalted ideas of the perfection of the divine Creator .

Operative Masonry furnishes us with dwellings and convenient shelters from the inclemencies of the seasons ; and while it displays the effects of human wisdom , as well in the choice as in the arrangement of the materials of which an edifice is composed , it demonstrates that a fund of science and industry

is implanted in man for the best , most salutary , and beneficent purposes . " Now , if any brother can see any family likeness between the " speculative" of Edwin and the " speculative" of Preston , as herein both are given , he can do more than certainly I can .

But Bro . Lupus proceeds to assert that the language of the old MSS ., according to Bro . Cooke ' s and Mr . Halliwell's transcripts , " is inapplicable to a guild that knew nothing but hewing of stone and spreading of mortar , " because " one of those MSS . recognises ' Speculative' Masonry by name . " I do

not know that Bro . Buchan , or any other supporter of the 1717 theory ever asserted that the operative Masons only knew how to hew stones and spread mortar . In common with the operative Armorers , the operative Carpenters and Joiners , or the operative Tailors , they were , to the extent of the master

workmen at least , equally allowed the privilege of designing their work ; and that a knowledge of geometry , or the science of measurement as applied to solids , surfaces , lines and angles , should be generally known among the overseers at least of operative builders , whether masons or carpenters—workers in iron , wood , or stone—every candid Brother must admit .

Besides , the very title of the Halliwell MS . shows plainly that it refers to the teachings of the science of geometry , according to Euclid , and the lines 471-476 are headed "Another adaptation of the Art of Geometry ; " while in that MS . transcribed by Bro . Cooke , Freemasonry is designated as the " Science of Geometry . "

In the same number of your paper Brother Newnham candidly acknowledges that the original authority for his extract as to gloves and aprons , as worn regularly by Freemasons , is Mackey ' s Lexicon . Now , it is well known to the Masonic student that all of Mackey ' s Lexicon not extracted—some would call it stolen , as in but the fewest instances is there

credit given—from French and German works of a somewhat similar character , is Mackey ' s own , written so because he desired to so represent the matters therein represented . Had Bro . Newnham given the authority beyond Mackey's Lexicon , it would be better , as we could then estimate the value of it .

To return to tiic MSS . herein mentioned as choice authority for Bro . Lupus . In the Gentleman's Magazine for June of the year 1815 , the passage from the Legends of the Craft , rendered as he has given it by Bro . Cooke , appears in the following words , to wit : —

" Right soonc after the decease of Saint Albone there came divers wars into the reahnc of England of divers Nations , soe that the good rule of Masonrye was destroyed unto tyme of Kinge Atlielstone ' s days that was a worthy Kinge of England , and

brought this land into good rest and peace ; and builded many great works of Abbyes and Towres , and other many divers buildings ; and loved well Masons . And he had a sonn that hight Edwinnc , and he loved Masons much more than his father did . And he was a great practiser in Geometry ;