Notes On Our English Ritual

pursue a topic on which 1 could say a good deal , as the more I sec of it ancl the more I study it , thc more I am convinced of its antiquity , its value , its appropriateness , and its beauty . . . . „ In 1 S 25 , when Richard Carlilc was in prison in Dorchester Gaol for a vile libel , he published in the Republican , in six- letters addressed to Wm . Williams , M . P ., P . G . M .

for Dorset ( the eminent brother who drew up thc Constitutions of iSii , and completed Hemming ' s form in two letters , to H . R . H . the Duke of Sussex , and in two more to H . R . H . thc Duke of York ) , what he professed to call and consider " An Exposure of Freemasonry . " Anything that Carhle wrote would probably bc repudiated prima facie by all

"honest and upright men of strict morals and sound juclgment , " and I , for ' one , deeply lament the degradation which ensues from either studying or quoting thc words of this infidel accuser of Freemasonry . 'The only proper course to take is to leave his "Exposure" in its worthlessness and vileness to the contempt of the honourable , and the condemnation of the loval and the iust .

There have been several so-called explanations , or assumed infallible forms of pretended Masonic ritual , hawked about , and we ourselves can recall spurious and surreptitious works issuing from the press , whether as reprinted edition of "Jachin and Boaz , " or other compilation which some of us may have seen . I am using thc language of a very distinguished Preccpto r of

of the present day , whose admirable rendering our ritual we all have o ' ften cause greatly to admire , when I say that they are all equally unsafe , and unsound , and untrue , and that the onl y proper course for Masons to follow , who wish to be "bright Masons , " and rise to distinction as "experts" and "Preceptors , " is to attend a good lodge of instruction , and there to perfect themselves , not by the use

of " cribs" and " crams , " in the ritual , lectures , symbolism , and mysteries of our Order . * I have ventured to put these " Notes " before my brethren because I have often seen the most mistaken theories and the most unguarded language used respecting our ritual . Much respecting it can only properly he explained in our lodges of instruction ! and of work , and f , for one ,

deprecrate greatly all those discussions , which , descending into minute points , would even lay bare our most cherished "arcana" before the curiosity and sarcasm of thc "profane , " the unfair , and the malevolent . Some recent remarks in a modern English journal will give point to all that I can say on this head , reflecting , as my words might fairly be allowed to do , the indignation of

all loyal Masons and all educated gentlemen , lint here I stop to-day , having finished my task , I know , crudely and imperfectly at the best . But the difficulties attendant on such " Notes " as they are are many and obvious to all English Masons . Abroad they do not regard matters from our more serious and reverential point of view , and in too many jurisdictions the great evil of a " printed ritual " seems to have

superinduced in the Masonry of "that limitt" a want of interest and regard forthe old ritual of their useful brotherhood . In England we shall happily adhere to the " traditions of our fathers , " and long may we do so , in all of Masonic loyalty , reverence , faithfulness , and content . I may add that almost all the foreign rituals arc reproductions or adaptations of our English ritual , and when it

is departed from there seems at once to commence a reign of chaos and change , a desire of innovation , a love of paradox . I know most foreign rituals , and none , in my humble opinion , can compare with thc width , toleration , simplicity , beauty , and , above all , thc " archaisms" of our English ritual . 1 may " supplement" these " Notes" with a fourth paper nextweek .

Freemasonry In The Isle Of Man.

FREEMASONRY IN THE ISLE OF MAN .

Thcrcare four Masonic lodges in the Isle of Man—two , thc Athol and the Tynwald , located in Douglas , the chief town of thc island ; one , thc St . Manghold , held in Ramsey ; and one in Castletown—thc metropolis—the Lodge of Mona . Of these the first three are under thc Grand Lodge of England , while the last is 212 on the registry of thc Grand

Lodge of Ireland . All the lodges arc in a flourishing conditiein , and the work is well and carefully done . 'The lio'iglas lodges have very handsome rooms at the Masonic Hall " on Loch Parade , while the Manghold Lodge has nearly completed a Masonic Hall , which , as will bc seen from the subjoined report , is likely to prove both handsome and convenient . Brethren that visit this beautiful spot in

Her Majesty ' s dominions are always welcomed in a truly Masonic spirit , as those who are well acquainted with " thc island " can testify . 'The 'Tynwald Lodge had a very successful re-union on the evening of thc 20 th ult ., when considerably more than one hundred brethren and their friends were present . Dancing commenced at nine o ' clock , ancl was kept up with great spirit till four the next morning . The large room of

the Masonic Hall was beautifully decorated with flowers and flags , and was in capital condition for dancing . This reunion is the first of its kind , and no doubt from its success will be succeeded by others equally successful . The guests were received on arrival by Bro . Broadbent , the W . M ., who , after supper , in a few well-chosen and lucid terms explained the origin of the meeting , and again very heartily

welcomed the visitors . Amongst those present were the W . M . ' s of the Athol , Tonbridge , and Mona Lodges , the officers of thc lodge , and Past Masters Bawdcn , Heron , Brown , Clarke , Brearlev , and others . The St . Manghold Lodge held its ordinary monthly meeting on Tuesday , 20 th of April , in their temporary rooms , Albert-street . The brethren present were Bros .

C . II . Nelson , W . M . ; W . M . Laughlin , P . M . ; 'I homas Allen , P . M . ; ] . W . Wood . S . W . ; [ nines M . Cruickshank , I . W . ; Fred . Saundersnn , Secretary ; E . C . Kerr , 'Treasurer ; and W . M . Corkhill , 'T yler . A raising , which formed part nf the evening's work , was postponed until the brethren are able to meet in the * , handsome and convenient lodge which is being prepared for them in Mona-strec-t . 'The present temporary quarters of the Fraternity arc- small , and

ill adapted to the growing needs of Masonry in Ramsey . An address , which had hee-n taste-fully composed for the occasion , was re-ad and signed by the Master and Wardens . It is to be presented to Brn . P . M . Al tired Dumbe-ll on his elevation to the bench as Deemster or Judge- for the north of the island . The financial position nl the- loilge was discussed , and it wars found that , in spite of heavy current expenses , and heavier ones in store , caused by thc erection of

Freemasonry In The Isle Of Man.

and the removal to the lodge ' s new premises , the Treasurer ' s account of moneys in hand , and to be had on demand , show that the brethren of the mystic tie in Ramsey have no need to bc cast down . 'The Athol Lodge had its usual meeting on

Wednesday , April 21 st . Amongst the brethren present were " Bros . H . Brearley , " W . M . ; Johnson , S . W . ; Hanney , J . W . ; John Woodruff , S . D . ; G . C . Heron , P . M ., Treasurer ; John Holden , I . G . ; and P . M . ' s Turner and Mayle ; and Bros . Miller , Jones , Lofthouse , and J . Jollic Pattisson , W . M . 1 O 7 S ( visitor ) . The lodge was opened in due form , and Bro . J . Oldham was passed to the Second Degree by the W . M ., after which Bro . R . C . Turner , I . P . M ., raised to the Sublime Degree of a Master Mason Bro . G . L . Trustrum . All the work was done in a very efficient manner . After the closing of the

lodge thc brethren adjourned ; to supper , which was served in one of the rooms adjoining the lodge . After the usual loyal toasts "The Health of the Visitors" was proposed b y the W . M . in very complimentary terms . Bro . Pattisson , in reply , expressed his hearty thanks to the W . M . and brethren for thc cordial way in which he had again

heen received by thc brethren , not only of his old lodge , the Lodge of Mona , but also by those of the Athol and Tynwald Lodges . The Lodge of Mona met on Monday , April 2 Gth . Thc lodge was duly opened by the W . M ., Bro . Geo . H . Quayle , and as there was no business to bc transacted it was adjourned till the next ordinary meeting .

St. John's Lodge, Bolton.

ST . JOHN'S LODGE , BOLTON .

Our good friend , Bro . Brockbank has invited us to write an introduction to his history of St . John's Lodge , Bolton , and thc following is our fraternal response thereto . During the last century there were at one time four Grand Lodges at work in England , viz : 1 . " "The Grand Lodge of England . " ( London . ) 2 . "The Grand Lodgeof All England . " ( York . )

3 . "Thc Grand Lodge of England according to the old institutions . " ( London . ) 4 . "The Grand Lodge of England and South of thc Trent . " ( London . ) The first , thc Premier Grand Lodge of the World , was established in London , 1717 . * Before then there were no Grand lodges , but " Assemblies " were occasionally held .

The second Grand Lodge was started in \ ork , 1725 , being the offspring of the old 'Time Immemorial Lodge of that city . 'The third was originated hy a number of seceders from the first-mentioned , about 1750 , anel thc fourth was founded by the York Grand Lodge in answer to thc wishes of many members of the Lodge of Antiquity , London , in 1779 . " Its career was very brief , as it terminated in 1790 , on the difficulties being adjusted between that ancientlodge ( now No . 2 ) and the regular Grand Lodge . The fourth of the scries ceased to exist on the advent of the present

century . All lodges now on the roll and warranted prior to 1 S 14 obtained their authority cither from thc first or thc third of these Grand Lodges , both held in London , and known respectively by Masonic students as " Moderns" and "Ancients . " 1 twill be seen that these titles are not indicativcof the relative antiquity of these bodies . 'They are also termed thc "Regular Masons , " and the"Ancients" or

( "Atholl Masons ' . " ) Happily in December , 1 S 13 , these two rivals "joined hands ancl hearts , " their title after then being "The United Grand Lodge of England , " since which period the Craft has heard no more of secessions . For particulars as to the Articles of Union ancl the numerical position of the lodges on the United Roll we must refer enquirers to the t ' "Masonic Register" ancl the "Atholl Lodges . " In 1 S 14 there were 3 S 6 lodges of thc " Moderns "

and 2 G 0 of the "Ancients" placed on the Roll , and as the first lodge of the latter body was successful in drawing the "lot" for No . 1 , the 'Time Immemorial Lodge of Antiquity of the premier Grand Lodge had to he content with the position of No . 2 , in accordance with the agreement . The other lodges belonging to the two rivals were numbered alternately * as provided for . The St . John's Lodge , Bolton , before the Union was

numbered 303 , but immediately afterwards became 3 SG . In 1 S 32 it was altered to 26 S , and from 1 S 63 has been 221 . Its career from 1797 has been carefully sketched by Bro . Brockbank in the following pages , ancl that of its sister Lodge Antiquitv , No . 14 G , has been duly noted by an earnest fellow worker ( Bro . James Newton ) . At the present time under the wing of the East Lancashire Province

there are eleven Ancient Lodges , numbered , & c , as follows : 44 , Friendship , Manchester . 54 , Hope , Rochdale . ( 12 , Social , Manchester . 12 S , Prince Edwin , Bury . 14 6 , Antiquity , Bolton . 152 , Virtue , Manchester . J 04 , Caledonian , Manchester . 210 , Duke of Athol , Denton . 215 , Commerce , Haslingden . 221 , St . John's , Bolton .

22 G , Benevolence , Little-borough . Although "St . John ' s , " No . 221 , is the tenth on this list , it is not lis a lodge much inferior in point of antiquity to most of the- others , as several work from revived or renewed warrants , whereas that of No . 221 has apparentlypreservcd its continuity throughout . Its warrant was granted under the rule of the M . W . Bro . the 4 th Duke of Athol , who was the seventh Grand Master of the "Ancients . " The D . G . M ., Bro . William Dickey , was once the third of thc

G . Secretaries , having served in the latter capacity 1771-G . 'The Grand Sec . Leslie held that office from 1790 to the consummation of the Union . We . in * inch-hied to our indefatigable Bro . John Constable-, P . M . 1 S 5 , for a transcript of the warrant ( completed in MS ., portions being deficient ) , who in this and many other ways has done much to aid in the critie- ; il study of the " Ancients . " Although the records ol St . John's Lodge are not so important , comparatively speaking , as many of the older

* For Ihe hislni * y of this the oldest and largest Grand Lodge- in the world , and its descendants vide : Bro . R . Gould ' s "Four Old Lodges . " t The " Masonic and Medallic Register of Lodges , " _ by Bin . \ V . ] . Iliighnn . ( George Kenning , London . ) 'The "Atholl Lodges , ' their authentic History , " by Bro . R . F . Gould .

St. John's Lodge, Bolton.

lodges , yet they are decidedly worthy of reproduction and publication , especially in the concise and handy form adopted by Bro . Brockbank , who has done his part carefully and well . The minutes arc in many respects very suggestive , and evidently the younger members are much indebted to their seniors for the present prosperous and happy condition of the lodge .

As it is impossible to write a complete history of Freemasonry in England until the records of all the last century lodges have been duly examined and their special features made known , we hail each fresh appearance of a lodge history with satisfaction , and consider the author , who has devoted time to its preparation , has become a benefactor to the Craft and done his part to render an authentic account

of our Society possible . In evidence that the junior lodges ofthe "Ancients " may furnish some curious particulars , and even facts of consequence , we may cite those of No . 221 , and particularly thc Bye-Law No . 4 : — " Every subscribing brother shall wearon his breast that mark of distinction that is worn by Ancient Masons on regular meeting nights . " We have so far failed to discover to what this rule refers andshall be glad if any one can enlighten us . The old medals occasionally

met with are generally unique in style , emblems , & c . Wc do not remember any two being exactly alike , so it is not probable that the mark of distinction referred to was of a medallic character . The subject is a curious one , and we are not aware of another such regulation . In conclusion , we trust that the example set by Bro . George Parker Brockbank and several other brethren , by the compilation of their Lod ge Histories , will prove to be the heralds of many more similar and valuable productions . WILLIAM JAMES HUGHAN . Truro , April 7 th , 1 SS 0 .

Communique.

COMMUNIQUE .

Wc have read a special address emanating from the Boys School office , with equal astonishmentand amusement . One portion of this address has already appeared in our columns , the second portion , which we print to-day , was for some reason unaccountably kept back . 'That any one , be he who he mav , ran venture to tell any portion of the

brotherhood that the Boys' School has not received thc earnest support of the Freemason , on all occasions , and under all circumstances , is so palpable a misstatement that he can only be writing under the exaggeration of excitement , or must see everything though a distorted coup cl ' ieil . " 'The Freemason has been foremost and consistent from thc first time of its foundation in

, * ' ™ rm ar ; d zealous support it has given to all thc Masonic Charities . 'True it is , that it has never pandered fo a party , or been the organ of an oflice , but it has always , as it does to-day , warml y supported our excellent Institutions . It knows of no personality , ancl cs chews the petty intrigues of insignificant maligncrs , or contemptible cliques . The Freemason has flourished , and flourishes , despite even thc dislike nnd opposition of some . As week b y week it is now read by many thousands of "Masons all matters relative to

, the Schools lind their best advertisement and advocacy in its ever ready and friendly pages . 'That Bro . Binckes should admit what thc Freemason has felt and said to be true , namely , that the present system is too onerous for the Secretaries , and hurtful , therefore , to thc Charities , is a full justification for thc previous remarks of thc Freemason , which seem to have given so much and such unnecessary offence .

We believe that the proprietor of this paper himself suggested to Bro . Binckes some time back the advisability of impressing cin all new lodges the formation of a bye-law making a Stewardship annually . 'That thc Freemason , which has so zealously supported the Charities and thc Boys ' School , should thus be animadverted upon by the Secretary of the Boys' School in a public circular , is a course of procedure which wc are bound to characterise as undignified and unfair in thc highest degree .

Royal Masonic Institution For Boys.

ROYAL MASONIC INSTITUTION FOR BOYS .

( Continnatto'i of Bro . Binckes ' s Circular . ) The festivals of the other Institutions have been celebrated with unprecedented success , and there appears no reason why the festival of this Institution should not bc , at least , equally successful , though not so fortunate as the sister Institution in the approving advocacy of a portion of

thc Masonic press . But it has its own intrinsic merits to recommend itzealously ancl earnestl y supported by many good friends and representatives , official and otherwise . It can point to most satisfactory results , physically , sanitary , educational , and financial . In twenty-live years there have not been ten deaths . The average number in the Infirmary weekly does not exceed two , and these arc generally sufferers from slight ailments or unimportant casualties .

I-rom 1 SG 7 to 1 S 7 S , eighty-three boys have passed in honours at thc University Local Examination , ancl fiftyseven have gained certificates . One has passed thc Matriculation Examination , ist class , at London University , and cine has held an Exhibition at the University of Cambridge . I he result of the Local Examination , 1 S 79 , is appended .

I lie income for the last seven years , exclusive of dividends , & c , has averaged , ( . ' , 76 , 1 Gs . Gd . 1457 boys—including those elected on 12 th April lasthave receiveel the benefits of the Institution . With all this , I am e-m .-our .-g -d to hope * for a large- extension of support ill cunne'Ct ' on with the ensuing Festival , feelingconstrained tnnvail myself of this special opportunity

to earnestly commend to your favourable consideration the cause of "Our Boys , " ' more- especially as after nearly twenty years constant exertions 1 maybe compelled , through failing powers of endurance , to adopt a course described as quiet and "dignified , " and certainly mure in accordance with the- wish for repose so urgently needed . FREDERICK BINCKES , V . Pies . ( P . O . Stwd ) , Sec ,, and Hon . Sec . Board of Stewards .

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