Uniformity Of Ritual

UNIFORMITY OF RITUAL

To the Editor of The Freemason . DEAR SIR AND BROTHER , —I have been anxiously watching for thedevelopment of the movementoriginated by Bro . Stevens in your columns , and have been weekly expecting to see seme notification of the holding ofthe propositi ' " Conference . " It appears , however , from

the letter of " Sigma , " in your last week ' s impression , that Bro . Stevens' idea has passed from a mere suggestion to an already accomplished fact , that the ritual is already revised , and has even been authoritatively worked in open lodge in its revised form . The name of the lodge and of the new Preceptor are unfortunately

not given . Will not some of those who have so rapidly worked out so extensive and important a reform favour us with a few particulars , as to when and by whom tho ritual has been revised , and from whom we are to seek instruction therein ? Yours fraternally ,

DELTA . INELIGIBILITY OF BASTARDS AS FREEMASONS .

( To the Editor of The Freemason . ) DEAR SIR AND BROTHER , —A strong nor ' -easter seems to be setting in just now from certain quarters upon our Masonic kingdom ; we find it blowing and blustering away not only in your columns , but also at the same time in those of your contemporary . It

is terribly cold and dry ; not a single drop of Christian love or Alasonic sympathy to be seen or felt throughout the whole expanse . The man whom some accident has bereft of an arm , we are . told by some would- be Alasonic " light , " is incapable of being a Freemason , even although he be of good moral character .

Just as if Freemasonry was made up of arms and legs I I dare say there would bc no use mentioning that this one-ann'd candidate may possibly work better at many things with his remaining arm than many other men with two . As such remarks might not be listened to , however , the custom of making men minus an arm or leg , has been often formally sanctioned by the Grand

Lodgo , of Scotland , when the characters ofthe candidates could stand scrutiny . So our would-be " northern light , " is in this instance simply "darkness visible . " I consider that tlus un-Masonic spirit is the same as that which would keep out " men of colour , " but as I gladly see by your remarks at page 6 , Alay 22 , you " side at onco with the men of colour . "

To come to the subject more immediately before us , viz ., as to bastards being Freemasons , which is alluded to at paire Go , I beg to say that I entirely differ from the dictum of "Cipes" ; further his last article ( page 65 ) , is full of mistakes and is also most illogical . Iu his first article , page 8 , June 12 , he talks very much

upon " the landmarks , " but I am afraid that he does not very well know what the real landmarks of Freemasonry , or Spcculal ' w : Alasonry , are . I may therefore be allowed to state that these arc Brotherly Love , Relief , and Truth . The pretended _ " ancient landmarks , " as he reads them , are , I consider , both a lie

and au imposition ; further , whatever Operative Masonry might do in the 17 th , or former centuries , Speculative Masonry , 1 trust , is not going to take its light from the dark and dim rays of ancient Jewish or Mosaic times . No ! true Freemasonry takes its light , and I glory in saying it , from such doctrines and

teachings as I lis who said , " Whatsoever ye would that men should do unto you , do ye even so to them , " or other golden sentence , "love thy neighbour as thyself . " Who then is our neighbour ? Is not the bastard , especially if he be a good and true man himself , our neighbour ? certainly , say I , and let him" that is

without sin , first cast the stone . " Again I ask , are the gates of Heaven shut against the good and true , who may happen to he bastards ? No I Shall then the doors of an earthly lodgo presume to shut out what the Grand Lodge above admits ? Surely not ! Viewed in the glorious lijrht ot Christianity , and in keeping

with the inarch of modern civilization , true l ' reemasonry will find something better to do than examining into a man ' s pedigree . What , I would ask , have we to do with any man ' s parents ? It is not them we deal with , it is the , man himself . If he be a good man per se , we have no ri <_ : ht to inquire what took

place before ho was born ; he is not answerable for the faults of his parents ; it is punishment enough for him to know the fact ; and it is only the unthinking or cowardly in my opinion , who would throw such a circumstance in any man ' s face . One honest bastard , in my opinion , is worth a hundred lawfully born , or

presumably lawfull y born , but dishonestly acting specimens of humanity . It is an entirely mistaken and spurious view of the S pirit of Freemasonry , which would . nek-out any honest bastard—a remnant of old Jewish legalism and selfish pride . A few words now as to the remarks of "Cipes "

upon our esteemed and talented brother and Alasonic scholar D . Murray Lyon . " Cipes" says > ' Bro . Lyon is almost unknown in the Grand Lodge of Scotland . " that is untrue , as Bro . Lyon is not only an officebearer of said Grand Lodge , but is also well-known there , more especially by such brethren as take an interest in the Order ; besides , the name of Bro . D . AI .

Uniformity Of Ritual

Lyon is a household word among all students of Alasonic literature ; and for any Scottish Freemason to say he never heard of Bro . Lyon is tantamount to saying that he is entirely ignorant of the Alasonic literature or history of his own country . Therefore as to " a Glasgow Lodge numbering nearly 800

members , " in which " when his name was mentioned a few days ago , it appeared that nobody had ever heard of him before , " I am ashamed to read such a statement ; for if true , it clearly shows how little real Masonic li g ht or knowledge is to be gained by attending it . I trust that this is not an exemplification of the old saying , " a prophet has no honour in his own country . "

Bro . Lyon is an honour to Scottish Alasonry , and I am proud to hail him as a brother and as a most indedefatigable co-worker in the field of Masonic research , and until I know who the " authorities in Freemasonry "

are , to whom " Cipes alludes , in the 23 towns he mentions , I am inclined to take Bro . Lyon ' s opinion before theirs , just as I prefer a silver florin to 23 copper pennies . I am , yours fraternally , LEO .

P . S I may inform " Cipes " that many Scots object to be calkd " Scotchmen , " they prefer the designation " Scotsmen ; " b y attending to this •' Cipes " may ward off a s-eotching . [ We entirely agree with the remarks of Bro . " Leo ,, ' and desire to explain that the paper signed bv " Cipes , " was inserted during our temporary

absence from town . We have the highest opinion of Bro . D . Alurray Lyon ' s literary abilities , and likewise of his character as an honourable man , and we may state once for all that we will not permit the columns of the THE FREEMASON to be made a vehicle for personal attacks upon any individual . Fair comments will never be excluded . ]—ED . F .

Prov. Grand Lodge Of South Wales

PROV . GRAND LODGE OF SOUTH WALES

( EASTERN DIVISION ) . The annual meeting of the Graud Lodge of this province , was held at Neath , on Thursday , the 5 th instant . The attendance of brethren on the whole was good , although in point of numbers , far below the attendance expected , looking at the central position

of p lace where the meeting was held , aud the great facilities of communication afforded . The various lodges were all , with one exception , represented , but it was a matter of general regret that with its great resources and its very close proximity , Swansea should have contributed so few to swell the numbers ; the Cardiff lodges also were very inadequately represented as far as numbers

went . The Neath brethren , with the earnestness and zeal which distinguishes them on all these occasions , had laboured most successfully , to receive and entertain the Prov . Grand Lodge with the utmost eclat ; the Alasonic Hall iu which the meetings of

the Cambrian Lodge are usually held , being considered uot sufficiently capacious , it was determined to hold the Provincial Grand Lodge in the Town Hall , which was most kindly placed at the disposal of the brethren for the occasion . It was suitably fitted up with raised dais , and every convenience , aud most

tastefully decorated with banners flowers and choice p lants . The Prov . Grand officers and other brethren assembled in good time , in the rooms set apart for their use . Among those present were : —Bros . It . F . Langlev , P . Prov . S . G . W . ; F . D . MLehaell , P . Prov . S . G . W " ; Charles Bath , P . Prov . S . G . W . ; James

G . Hall , P . Prov . J . G . W . ; P . II . Rowland , P . Prov . J . G . W . Rowland Thomas , P . Prov . J . G . W . ; Revs . John Davies , David Thomas , and T . B . Hosken , P . Prov . G . Chaplains ; A . B . Allan , P . Prov . -G . Treas . ; 11 . AI . Rees , Prov . G . Tivas . ; Philip Bird , Prov . G . Reg . ; Al . Tennant , P . Prov . G . Rug . ; John

Jones jun , Prov . G . Sec ; Walter Whittington , John Fulton , and David Williams P . Pi \> v . G . Sees . ; T . B . Bell , P . Prov . J . G . D . ; E . I . Thomas , Thomas Powell , P . Donaldson , aud Evan Jones , P . Prov . G . D . C's . ; I . A . F . Sucad , and F . A . Hopwood , P . G . S . B' 3 . ; Richard Eva , and W . II . Bell , P . G .

Burst ' s . ; Laurence Tullocii , J . Jones-Harrison , Geo . Causick , R . Webb , J . T . Nettell , Geo . Bradford , Edwin Pole , P . Prov . G . Stewards . Among the distinguished visitors present were the R . W . the District Grand Master for China , Bro . Henry Alurray , the V . W . the G . Chap , the Rev .

Charles J . Martyn , J . J . Homfray , Prov . J . G . W ., Alonmouth ; G . T . Smith , Prov . G . Sec . South Wales , W . D . ; Johu Vaughau , Prov . G . S . Works , South Wales , W . D . ; Frederick Binckes , Sec . Royal Alasonic Institution for Boys ; E . A . Aloore , P . Prov . G . Reg . ; & c , & c . The Provincial Grand Lodge was opened at

halfpast 12 o ' clock by tho R . W . the Provincial Grand Alaster Bro . Theodore Alansel Talbot who conducted the business of the day , with the ability which he invariably displays . He was supporte I by the W . the Dep . Prov . Grand Alaster Bro . Edward James Morris , the R . W . the District Grand Master of China , the V . W . Bro .

Prov. Grand Lodge Of South Wales

Martynr , Grand Chap . ; and by the Prov . Grand officers aud other brethren . The minutes of the last Prov . G . Lodge held at Merthy Tydfil , on the 3 rd September , 1868 , wer « read by the Prov . G . Sec , and confirmed . The Prov . G . Treasurer ' s accounts for the past year were then presented , and on the motion of Bro .

D . Williams , P . Prov . G . Sec , seconded by Bro . Philip Bird , Prov . G . Reg ., were received and adopted , printed statements of same being freely circulated among the brethren . On the proposition of Bro Rowland Thomas , P . Prov . J . G . W ., seconded by Bro . James G . Hall , P . Prov . J . G . W . Bro . William Morgan Rees was unanimously re-elected Prov . G . Treas ., for the

ensuing year . The R . W . the Prov . G . Master then appointed the following brethren as Prov . G . Officers for the ensuing year , viz : — Bro . Thomas Bruce , B . M P . M . 960 , ' S . G . W . „ George Browne Brock .. .. W . AI . 237 , J . G . W . „ Thomas Butteifd Iloskcu .. AV . M . 651 , G . Chap .

„ David Thomas W . M . 833 , G . Chap . „ William Morgan Rees .. .. P . M . 364 , G . Treas . „ Edward Stock Hill .. .. W . M . 36 , G . Regis . „ James Trepanning Nettle .. 337 , G . Sec . „ Howel Cutlibertson .. .. P . M . 364 , S . G . D .

„ William Edward Jones .. W . M . 110 , J . G . D . „ Geo . Robertson 36 , G . SuptWk * „ William Williams .. .. W . AI . 960 , G . D . C . „ David Longdon 833 , G . D . C .

„ Laurence Tull .-cli .. .. 237 , G . S . B . „ Leonard Medilleson .. .. 364 , G . Organist . „ James Williams Got , G Purst . „ James Danes 960 , G . Tyler .

„ Charles i'ogge 364 1 „ RobertWrentmoreThomas .. 364 ( „ Stwda . „ Albeit Harries 110 f „ William Phillips 237 ) The report of the Provincial Grand Lodge Committee , which was a very t . satisfactory one •was

presented . The adoption of the report was moved by the W . the Dep . Frov . G . AL , seconded by Bro . G . B . Brock , Prov . J . G . W ., and unanimously agreed to . The next business on the Agenda paper was the presentation of the Charity Jewel of Grand Lodge to Bro . H . L . Prichard , P . Prov . J . G . W ., but in consequence of the indisposition of this Worshipful Bro . he was unable to attend to receive his well earned

decoration . Bro . CHARLES BATH , P . Prov . S . G . W ., then moved the usual usual vote of twenty guineas to each of the Masonic Schools , which being seconded by Bro . R . F . Langley , P . Prov . S . G . W ., was unanimously carried . Bro . Frederick BincXes ally responding ou behalf ot both tho schools . On the proposition of Bro . P . H . ROWLAND , P

Prov . J . G . W ., seconded by Bro . Thomas Powell , P . Prov . P . D . C ., a vote of five guineas was unanimously agreed to , towards the funds of Alderman Danes * Schools for the education of poor children . The usual collection for charity was then made amounting to £ (> 7 s . 9 , 1 ., which in conformity with custom , was ordered to be placed in the hands ofthe Rector of Neath , for distribution among the poor . The lodge was then closed in due form .

THH BANQUET was served in the National School rooms , which had been most elaborately decorated , the walls were newly colored for the occasion , light stone with purple panue . 'liiig ; the various lodges , Chapters , and encampments were represented by new and tasteful banners bearing their respective names .

and each bani . cr was surrounded by a group of flags , these were connected by ( estoons of evergreens and ( lowers ; betwe ; n the groups of banners , and in the centre of the festoons , were shields bearing various Alasonic emblems , but couspicious . amongst them were the quarterings of the Grand Lodge . At the

head of tlie room and immediately uehind tho Provincial Grand Alaster ' s chair were three steps and a platform nearly the wholu length of the school room , covered with crimson cloth , upon which were arranged witli great taste , a most eleqant assortment of ( lowers , shrubs , and ferns . Upon

the platform were placed two Corinthian Columns , connectiiigwliich was au arch bearing the inscription "Cambrian Lodge" in silver letters ou a pale blue ground , this was surmounted by the banner of the Cambrian Lodge and groups of flags . A crimson damask curtain formed a biickirrouud to the deskm .

iu front of which was a marble bust of the Earl of Zetland , AI . W . G . AI . The effect of the decorations was complete , and reflected the highest possible credit upon every member of the Craft . The ' •Queen and the Craft " being duly honored , and "The Alost Worshipful the Grand Alaster " having been , as usual , enthusiastically received ,

then followed "The Health of the R . W . Tho Deputy Grand Alaster and the Graud Officers , " coupled with the name of Bro . Martyn , Grand Chaplain . Bito . AIAUTVN , G . C , responded in an amusing speech on behalf of the Right Worshipful the Deputy Graud Alaster and the Graud Olliceis , and in doing so fully endorsed all that had been said by Bro .