The "Stanley Ms."

LODGE OK HOI-E , NO . 302 , BRADFORD . The Hope MS . 16 S 0 circa . Hughan ' s "Old Charges" and West York . Reprints . PROBITY LODGE , NO . 61 , HALIFAX . probitv MS 1736 , or earlier ... West York . Reprints . THE YORK . MSS . ( YORK LODGE , No . 236 ) . York MS ., No . r ... 1600 circa ... Hughan ' s " Old Charges . "

York MS ., No . 5 ... 17 th Century ... Hughan ' s Reprints . York MS ., No . 6 ... 17 th Century ... Hughan ' s Reprints . York MS ., No . 4 ... A . D . 16 93 ... Hughan ' s Masonic Sketches . York MS-, No .- ' ... A . D . 1 704 ... Hughan ' s Masonic Sketches . The whole of the West Yorkshire reprints have been published at the , -oIe cost and under the auspices of R . W . Bro . Tew , and in the course of

their distribution I have forwarded , at his desire , a presentation copy of each to every lodge in his province . I Signed by ] WILLIAM WATSON , Leeds . Hon . Librarian Prov . G . Lodge of West Yorkshire . The text of the Stanley MS . will appear next week .

An Intellectual Phase Of Freemasonry.

AN INTELLECTUAL PHASE OF FREEMASONRY .

That there is an intellectual phase of Freemasonry not sufficiently considered may be asserted without contradiction . Many reasons exist for this neglect . To devote time and thought to this subject is often a task that not

many of the brethren are witling to perform . Opportunity and access to required sources of information do not frequently combine . How often the desire presents itself which , if not encouraged , gives ground for postponing the work , and so it is abandoned .

But energy is necessary to accomplish what is accepted as needful . It requires to begin , to succeed . There are so many brethren who would be pleased lo carry out any reasonable plan , if only they could be shown the basis of a promised success . In order to awaken the desire alluded to , and indicate a method of

procedure that is practicable , reference is made to a lodge which has achieved most signal progress in this line of duty . There is a lodge in London called " Lodge Quatuor Coronati , No . 2076 . " It was warranted on November , 28 th , 1884 . The purpose of its organisation was to provide a centre and bond of union for Masonic students , and to attract intelligent

Masons to its meetings in order to imbue them with . 1 love for Masonic research ; to submit the discoveries or conclusions of students to the judgment and criticism of their fellows by means of papers read in lodge ; to tabulate concisely in the printed transactions of the lodge the progress of the Craft throughout the world ; to acquire permanent premises and form a

Masonic library and museum . These are some of the ordained purposes of this lodge . While it is admitted that there are not many localities where the Craft arc numerous enough to establish a lodge on the methods of Lodge No . 2076 , yet it may he that , if a few of the Freemasons in a Masonic district would meet to discuss the subject , great benefits might result and a nucleus be fixed for

extended efforts . At all events it would appear if there were brethren , it may be if only a very few , who would cheerfully dedicate some of their time and talents to the consideration of what could be done for the intellectual phase of Freemasonry , the way might be made clear for efforts to attain some results that would animate other brethren and at last bring forth commendable presentations of the achievements of time and thought expended in these efforts .

It should be known that these proceedings are of an historical character , to gather up whatever belongs to past records of lodges , or individual brethren of the past time . Here and there a paper , or a certificate , or an original minute book might be obtained , A copy of an old , or original Ahiman Rezon could possibly be found by some brother in a search , or some

inquiry , that would be of great interest . Surely in the jurisdiction of Pennsylvania , there are papers of Masonic interest that have been in days past " put away" by their owners , and lorgotten , that a little search might discover . Now let it be fully understood that this lodgeNo . 2076 is only engaged in research and inquiry as

, , t '' -Masonic history . It has nothing whatever to do with the proceedings of 'IK Grand Lodge of England or in any way engaged , directly or indirectly , i" interfering with the regular , orderly business which exclusivel y belongs to ' irand Lod ge . Wtih the present time it has no concern . Only so far as 11 can bring to light what interests , or may interest the Masonic student , or

c M'lain matters that are doubtful , does lodge No . 2076 devote its attention . This Lodge Quatuor Coronati , No . 2076 , has enrolled on its Correspondence Circle over thirteen hundred associates . Of course in such a centre ¦¦ s London every opportunity is afforded to secure aid , and gather brethren *™ can devote some time to the purposes of the lodge . 1

lerc there are but a few brethren who would be likely to engage in the ob jects which animate the members of Lodge No . 207 G . lut remember , " sands make the mountain , " and if ever so few brethren ¦ * ° uld be induced to consider , if it was possible to interest even one or two , " ¦ beginning mav be made that will be the first step in orirrinatin . ra collection

"' Vlasonic material that must be of value to the Masonic student . At all " cuts whatever else might come out of these suggestions , it would at least wo'T'i ) nS " rate tliat t , lere is an mle"' * 'ctual phase of Freemasonryjthat would be s , ' v 0 I the best efforts of even the two or three of our brethren who "irtcd on the way of developing its existence . ., }\ will hardlv be considered that time and effort so r-mnlovi-d is wasted .

his * W 1 " il be w '"' n £ y confessed that this great historic ancient Craft J , j mtell . ectual phase , but rests only on physical forms . The fact that t | n ,. | ?? y ' " " the inherent characteristic of ancient Masonry must prove sh ' -uMi " "* " l , 1 , ' sym , "ology there is a reservoir of philosophical teaching that lP studied by the true Masonic student . ,, „( , , . ' mos t unfortunate that idle and superficial speculations as to historical '' ¦ rcst l * ' ' - al arc ! iu fe ' ? ¦ '' tec , hy t , lc unintelligent members of lodges , often there ! , on " J * '' "" sc 1 llef ofttiines arises from this cause . It ought , serioi , ' \ ° be at Ieasl a co , 're '' t've > if some investigation was given to the A ' , ¦ ,,, /'' jcets of historic study in the field of ancient Freemasonry . —

A Call For Progress.

A CALL FOR PROGRESS .

Ah extract from an oration by Bro . A . F . Maberry , Grand Orator , before the Grand Lodge of Freemasons in Arkansas , at Little Rock ; November 15 th , 1892 . The Spirit of Freemasonry is truly one of peace and tranquility among men ; and , in the lessons taught by the solemn ceremonies of our openings

and closings , we are earnestly admonished to be true and faithful and to do good unto all men , and let our light shine as upon a hill . This is indeed the spirit of moderation and forbearance which has characterised it through all of its trials and tribulations which it has possessed down the tide of time ; and , brethren , it is through this principle that the Order has been enabled to extend its unbroken fraternal chain of brotherhood over the entire

inhabitable globe , and erects its altars and propagates its principles in every land beneath the sun . In evidence of the justice of these principles we have indicted in our Constitution : " All men have a natural and indefeasible right to worship Almighty God according to the dictates of their own consciences . "

1 his idea of a personal responsibility to God , and the right of each individual soul to meet it in its own simplicity and sincerity of purpose , lies at the foundation of all human progress and civilisation ; for the fact is potent at a glance at the history of the race , that as long as the mind of man was held in the thralldom of priestly censorship , ignorance , superstition and mental darkness hung like a blinding and impenetrable vapour over all the

world ; and that the moment the great master spirit of national liberty and intellectual freedom , about the end of the middle ages , began to strike out in rebellion against the forces by which they were bound , fettered , and harrassed , then the era of enlightenment began . Hence we are forcibly driven to the conclusion that it was simply for the teachings and encouragement which Masonry in those ages gave to

this great movement for the unqualified emancipation of mankind that the anathemas of the Roman Church were hurled against it , and to that fact may justly be attributed that enmity and proscription which she has ever sought occasion to manifest against the Order . The lessons of secrecy which we of the faith so much admire , alone seems so repugnant and repulsive to the Roman Church , which feeling it seems comes down the order of

time from the days of the great intsructor Pythagoras . History informs us that this great man taught his disciples for the first live years secrecy and silence alone . The five years novitiate of the candidate was passed in total silence , during which time he learned to repress his curiosity and employ his thoughts on God . Of this one and only living God , Masonry in all its ages has ever been a worshiper . " This , " a noted historian says , " was the corner

stone on which our originators thought it advisable to place the foundation of Masonry . " While the world was polluted with sun worshipers and animal-worship and all of the absurdities of polytheism , Masonry even in its spurious forms , as the ancient mysteries have appropriately been styled , was alone occupied in raising altars to the one I Am . VVith this , why should not the spirit of Masons be proud ?

This , my brethren , being the history and teaching of the Order to which wc have united ourselves , we need have no fear of its present integrity or for its future destinies . These are fixed and assured , and no hostility or malignity from our enemies without will ever materially impede its grand

and triumphant career ; and only when human reason refuses to abdicate its throne ; and if honour , love and virtue remain among the sons of men , so will it grow and flourish like the green bay tree , and blossom like the beautiful rose , so long as this terrestrial globe shall roll on in its course beneath the great king of day .

Mv brethren , let us see ourselves for a few minutes , if not as others see us , as we truly are . As we sit here enjoying the many beauties and comforts of our new home , and while our hearts are filled to overflowing with grateful gratitude to the pioneers of the movement that has produced this wonderful effect , let us , my brethren , realise that even with all of this , not half of our duties have yet been done ; that the field of labour is just prepared for us to work where we can do so to effect . The next most important movement is

the commencement and completion of a Home for the widows and orphans of deceased brother Master Masons , where the loved ones of our deceased brethren may be housed , educated , and provided for in a manner that shall make their widows happy and their children good , honourable , and useful men and women , to go forth in the world as Jiving monuments ol the great , good , and noble charity taught and practiced by our beautiful and beloved Ordnr .

My brethren , this brings to my mind an occasion which I look back to with much pleasure , considering it as the most pleasant and impressive visit of any of my life . Some years ago it was my good fortune , together with a number of brethren , to be entertained by the Masonic Fraternity of Louisville , Kentucky , for a day . One of the many pleasures they had in store for us was a visit to their " Widows and Orphans' Home , " where we

were pleasantly entertained for one hour . There we found that 17 widows of deceased Master Masons , together with their entire families , lived . Also about 300 orphan children of deceased brother Masons were educated , both for literary and mechanical purposes , preparing them to go forth in the world and enter the stage of action as monuments of the goodness of God loving and God serving men , who have pledged themselves as only Masons do .

Let us arouse ourselves , my brothers , from centre to circumference , and keep on with the spirit of the times , the progress of the age , and never stop or halt to rest or refresh ourselves until we have erected within the borders of our great and progressive State a Home for widows and orphans of Master Masons . The voice of those that are seeking wisdom comes from every nook and corner of our land asking for assistance ; then again comes

in thundering tones the appeal of the poor indignent and distressed brother Master Masons' widows and orphans , who comes to us seeking " Relief and Truth . " Then , my brethren , how can we tarry , how dare we procrastinate upon this , their just and righteous demand ? Where is the brother that would dare raise his voice in opposition to the movement , or stay his hand in the effort to extract from his purse a contribution for the

cause ? Let us make the start and begin at once , for once well begun , ' tis half done , and show to the world by our acts that Arkansas Alasonry is abreast of the times ; leave a monument to that , the sweetest of all virtues , that virtue that lives fur ever and extends beyond the grave alone , which is Charity ; that by it future ages may pin their Faith , and rest , assured by the anchor of Hope , upon which they may rely for their eternal rest and future happiness . — Voice of Masonry .