Masonic Notes And Queries.

Masonic Notes and Queries .

o , 1 MASONIC SERMONS . I have stumbled upon some old Masonic sermons lately whicb may have an interest for the book collector . One is a sermon preached by the Rev . Dame Turner , in 178 S , on St . John ' s Day , before the Worshipful Masters Wardens , wooiwcn 1

and brethren of the lodges at . o . .... v .. .. « the author of that very effective Ode to Masonry , written by him for the dedicationof freemasons Half 177 C , and sung on that occasion , beginning "What sacred sounds on / . ion's tops were heardj" He is the " member „ f ffc „ Alfrprl T-nrW . Oxford , " alluded to in Noorthouck s

17 S 7 Constitutions . The music was by Dr . Hsher . Ihe other sermon is by Bro John Penn LL . D vicar of Broughton , Norfolk , and was preached by him in the parisE church of Beccles , Suffolk , June co , 1704 , on the constitution of the Apollo Lodge . The sermon is

dedicated to the then Prince of Wales . Both sermons arc uaseo on the purely Johannite or Christian view ^ reeraaMjry „ -i PIO NONO . " The question , Was Wren a Freemason or not . - * is a very pretty quarrel as it stands ; but it seems to ~ e ™ hwre a similar and less remote one on hand , which should stand a better chance of being cleaved up , viz ., Was the late Pope = l . * fP „ MS ,. n or not ? In a contemporary _ q f the Sih inst . I

, find a cutting from the " Exchange , " which sets to th--First , that Mastai Ferret ! ( i . e ., Pius IX . ) was made at Palermo ; secondly , that in consequence of his proceedings he was summoned to attend said odge in 1 SC 5 , and defend his conduct , but vouchsafed neither reply nor attendance ; thWI .. that thereafter , on the 27 th March , iS 60 , Grand

Lodge of Italy , sitting at Palermo , expelled him tor perjury ; fourthly , that Victor Emanuel , King and 1 Grand Master of Italy , signed thedecreeof expulsion ; and , fifthly , that said decree was published in the " official Masonic paper at Cologne , " preceded by the minutes of the lodge in which he was initiated . If we admit that No . 3 . > s true ( and unless it reallv did occur we can hardly imagine any paper

having the hardihood to insert the above account ) , iNos . 4 and .- . ' follow as matters of course ; and even No . 2 becomes possible of belief ; although we can with difhculty conceive the sublime fact that a private lodge actually summoned the Pope to its bar . Granting any one of these four statements , we are bound to admit that m iSfij a belief existed in Italy that the Pope was a Mason , and that this belief was tne suuscuucui

so strong as to almost , justify H '"* - - ~> - "'" S " ; I sav almost , because , in my opinion , nothing short of actual proof of membership could justify the action of Italian Grand Lodge . Statement No . 1 asserts , as a fact , that he was made at Palermo , but brings forward no proof , not even the name or number of the lodge Now , I am anxious to know-does such a proof exist ? was it produced in Grand Lodge - is or was the late Pope ' s name on the register of Grand Lodge . If so . ot nis 111111

what was the date ancl all particulars u . a-. u . Surelv these thintrs exist or they do not—if they do not , then Grand Lodge merely acted on common report and belief ; if they do exist , let us have them in black and white I venture to assert that such a paragraph as that of the F . C . is enoug h to inspire a firm belief in every reader that Pio Nono was a Freemason ; and yet 1 have seen it stated ( I forget where ) with equal pos . t . veness , that ! , » n „„„ rw . is made , but that in his youth the late Pope had ,

indeed , joined the Carbonari , which fact gave rise to the belief in his Masonic status . Now do let us have this matter settled once for all before it is too late . If not , and wc let it drift , like the Wren question , for a couple of centuries , we shall have Lord Macauley ' s New / ealanders in hot controversy over the point , and addling their brains to discover the rights of it . As a first step , I venture to

ask—What is the title of the Cologne paper or isi > 5 J wnan the date of this particular number ; and what is the tex ^ t of the Palermo minutes referred to in statement 5 .- * Can Hro . Breitlimr , who is now in Germany , settle thisr or is this nartirnlSr naner in the British Museum .- Perhaps the

PiWim Lodge possesses a copy . - I want to get at thc printed copy of this minute to begin " * J , th * WM ^ pKVH ( The initiation of Pio Nono is not an admitt . ed . fact at all . The alleged evidences , so far , are all" pious frauds . He was probably a Carbonari . —ED . P . M .

, c , \ LEON OF MODENA . . " Leo , or Leon , of Modena , whose name is also termed Jacob lehudah , and also named in the English Picart "the learned Rabbi , " seems also to he termed Judah Aneh . He appears to have been an Italian rabbi , or Spanish , more probably , one of thc " Sephardim " and , s said to have been born in 1571 , and to have died about 1 G 54 . But this alter date seems very uncertain . . He is credited with the follmvinc * works : " Bihlia Hebraica Rabbinica , " 1 G 10 ; " DUtiCnario Heb et Ital . " . 6 , 2 ; " Historia degl . Pit ,

. , Hehraici , " 16-, 7 , and which appears to be incorporated in Gaffarelli ' s " Curiosities , " & c . He also wrote in Spanish two tractates on the Tabernacle , if * 53 * 654 * then , curiously , a Dutch work on the Tabernacle , and then seemingly an English translation , though perhaps an original work as published in 1 C 47 , and an Eng ish translation in ifo ,. which synchronises with his alleged visit to London about that date with his model of the Temp le . Another English work , apparently a translation , ^ LoNlc ' sTUDENT .

.., * : BRO . BOWER'S LIBRARY . " Can Bro . Hughan tell me and your readers anything about the probable sale of this pemarkablcccgcctian ^

THE ALPHA LODGE , No . 15 . In our report last week of thc Alpha Lodge and the subsequent banquet , at which H . R . H the Prince of Wales was present , we omitted the names of Bros . Captain I hilips , P G D . and also Captain Stanley Clarke , in attendance on His Royal Highness , who were both present at the lodge and banquet . Bro . the Rev . C . J . Martyn , P . G . Chaplain , was not present , in consequence of a domestic bereavement .

Summer Outing Of The Bedford Lodge No. 157.

SUMMER OUTING OF THE BEDFORD LODGE No . 157 .

On Friday , thc 7 th inst , there assembled at Liverpoolstreet Station a goodly number of gentlemen , with the intention of journey ing to Broxbourne in specially reserved first-class carriages , to enjoy the scenery of the district and the catering of Bro . Beningfield , at the well-known Crown Hotel . The party arrived about 4 p . m ., and spent a very pleasant hour wandering through the beautiful gardens and grounds , now in their summer beauty ; a few

arrived earlier in the day and a few drove down . At five precisely the party sat down to one of those spreads , so well-known and appreciated by the members of the " old Bedford . " Bro . John Cox , W . M . of the lodge occupied the chair , supported by his Wardens , and on his right hand by Bros . Edgar Bowyer , P . G . S . W . Herts ; Fredk . Binckes , Sec . R . M . I . B . ; Dickinson , C . C ;

Mr . Herman C . Merivale ; and on his left hand he was supported by Bros . Joseph Lavender , father of the lodge ; Thomas Cubitt , P . G . Purst . ; Samuel Millis , and several other Past Masters of the lodge , the number of members and friends reaching the goodly numberof thirty-three . After ample justice had been done to the splendid repast , the CHAIRMAN rose , and gave the toast of " Her Majesty the Oueen and Devotion to the Craft , " to which a hearty

response was given . The CHAIRMAN then gave in a very feeling manner "The Visitors , " when many responded in very kindly terms . We cannot in this short notice do full justice to the eloquent speech delivered by Bro . F . Binckes in his reply to this toast . The hig h eulogium he paid to the character and writings of one of the non-brethren , Herman C . Merivale , Esq ., will never be forgotten by those present ,

the speech being much applauded . Upon Mr . MERIVALE rising to respond , it was evident that he was quite taken aback by the great compliment paid him ; and in a few well-chosen sentences , delivered with much emotion , he thanked his dear friend , W . Liddall , as being the means of spending so very pleasant an afternoon , and the pleasure was greatly enhanced by the flattering speech of Mr . Binckes ( who up to this afternoon

was a total stranger to him ) and the hearty applause of those present . Bro . J OSEPH L AVENDER then gave "The Bedford Lodge , " " coupling it with the name of the Worshipful Master , who replied in one of his happiest speeches . After a quiet cigar in thc grounds the party returned to town , arriving before 10 o'clock at Liverpool-street ,

having enjoyed an exceedingly pleasant reunion of old acquaintances . Nothing now remains to add save that the weather was all that could be desired . Host Bro . Beningfield gave his personal attention , and was highly complimented on the excellence of the dinner in every respect ; and the thanks of all were warmly given to Bro . VV . Liddall , the Secretary , for attending to their creature comforts .

Annual Banquet Of The Temperance In The East Lodge Of Instruction. No. 898.

ANNUAL BANQUET OF THE TEMPERANCE IN THE EAST LODGE OF INSTRUCTION . No . 898 .

One of those agreeable gatherings , which diversify , in so pleasant a manner , thc sober yet useful character of l ^ odge of Instruction meetings , was celebrated on the 5 th inst ., under HIP able oresidency of Bro . S . T . Finch , P . M ., SoS , and

the esteemed Preceptor of the above flourishing Lodge of Instruction . Our brother was ably supported by the followinsr members of the mother lodge : Bros . Chapman , VV . M ., Gravely , S . W ., Pulsford , J . W ., C . Scrutton , P . M . ( the indefatigable Secretary ) , Butcher , S . D . Byford , Past Masters , Newell , Cooper , Stewart and Wilson and many nther * . The ncirrhbouring lodges were well represented by

Bros . W . Millington , VV . M ., 1382 ; Carnaby , P . M ., and Treasurer , 13 S 2 ; Turquand , P . M ., 781 ; J . Charlton , 1259 ; and others . . The banquet having been disposed of and given great satisfaction , the usual loyal and Masonic toasts were duly proposed and enthusiastically received . Bro . CHAPMAN , VV M ., SoS , proposed the health of the presiding Master ,

and spoke in hig h terms of Bro . V . Master l-mcn ' s -proficiency as a worker and a teacher . The latter being abundantly testified toby the great number of the brethren , who had received that sound knowledge at his hands to enable them to arrive at and acquit themselves of the highest honours to be gained in the lodge . After a suitable reply in response to the health ot

the visitors ( most cordially given and received ) Bro . TUROUAND , P . M ., impressed upon all the brethren , especially the younger brethren , the necessity and importance of a regular attendance at Lodges of Instruction whenever time would admit . „ „ The remarks of Bro . lurquand were especially well

received , speaking as he does as an old and experienced Preceptor . . , The proceedings were enlivened by song and mirth , Bros . Butcher , Stewart , and Dixon giving a good account of their vocal abilities , and a highly successful evening was passed . ^^

Summer Outing Of The Upton Lodge, No. 1227.

SUMMER OUTING OF THE UPTON LODGE , No . 1227 .

The annual summer banquet and ladies' day of the above lodge was celebrated on the sth inst ., at the Ship Hotel , Halliford . A perfectl y elaborated programme for the whole of the time at the disposal of the party was at ; ranged . 'The banquet was served in a comfortable sallc 11 The annual summer banquet and ladies' day of the above lodge was celebrated on the sth inst ., at the Ship Hotel , Halliford . A perfectl y elaborated programme for the whole of the time at the disposal of the party was at ; ranged . 'The banquet was served in a comfortable sallc 11 htful

manger , p leasantly overlooking a most delig expanse of verdant landscape . . At thc conclusion of the repast ( which gave general satisfaction ) the VV . M ., Bro . ADOLPHUS CLARK , gave , in brief and telling words , the usual loyal toasts , which were severally received in the manner usual in an assemblage of English ladies and gentlemen .

„ ,,., „ ,. Bro ? LYON , as I . P . M . gave the health of the W . M . in appropriate terms , a toast which was received in a manner bespeaking that brother ' s popularity , and was fittingly coupled with " Prosperity to the Upton Lodge , No . 1227 . Bro Cr ARK indulged thc brethren with one of his characteristic brief replies , pledging himself to do in the future as in the past—his utmost for the good of the mother lodge ot which they were all so proud .

Summer Outing Of The Upton Lodge, No. 1227.

The W . M . next gave the important toast of " The Ladies , " on whose behalf the days' proceedings were mainly undertaken .

Bro . 1-ORD , a visitor , gave a humorous verbal response , concluding with a capital song . "The Visitors "were then honoured , Bro . CLARK saying that although few in number they were those who had been well known at the mother lodge , and were especially so at the summer banquet , where he trusted all present had enjoyed themselves . The W . M . requested a hearty response to the toast of " The Visitors , " and coupled the

name of Bro . Stephens to reply . Bro . STEPHENS in replying to the above toast expressed the gratification which the visitors felt at the hearty and kind manner in which Bro . Clark had g iven the toast and with which it had been received . Having been present at many similar gatherings , lie was particularly struck with the handsomeness and completeness of the arrangements which had been made by their esteemed W . M ., Bro . Clark ,

assisted by the indefatigable Secretary , Bro . Rowe , and the Banquet Committee . On behalf of the Visitors he wished the Secretary every success , and had no doubt but what these annual visits to some sylvan resort would have a strong tendency to render it so , and cause the ladies to take a greater interest in thc lodge to which their spouses belonged . ( Cheers . ) " The Past Masters " were next honoured , fn noticing

that only two of that body were present , Bro . CLARK announced that Bro . A . W . Fenner , I . P . M ., was prevented attending in consequence of ill health , and Bro . Picking , P . M ., had met with a serious accident . Bro . Clark claimed for the P . M . ' s of the Upton that they wcre as good as could be found . Bro . Lyons was not very often able to be present at the lodge of late , but was constantly with them at their summer outings . The VV . M . coupled the toast with the

name of Bro . P . M . J . Andrews . Bro . ANDREWS expressed the pleasure he had derived in being present that day , he had been to seven or eight summer outings and he . could not remember having enjoyed himself more upon any similar occasion . "The Treasurer and Secretary" were then honoured . Bro . Wayland , the W . M . said , was an old and tried officer of the lodge ever since its formation , and had been honored

with the confidence of the brethren as their Treasurer for many years . Bro . Clark had no doubt but what , so 1 ong * as Bro . Wayland was pleas ed to continue to discharge his duties so efficiently , the brethren would be glad to have the benefit of his services , and re-elect him to the responsible and honorable position of Treasurer of the Upton Lodge . As to Bro . Rowe , their Secretary , although comparatively new to the duties , the brethren would all agree Bro . Rowe

had brought a large amount of zeal to bear upon his work , and had performed his duties in an eminently satisfactory manner , and thereby won their appreciation of his labors . Bro . WAYLAND expressed himself deeply sensible of thc kind manner in which his name had been mentioned and received . Bro . ROWE sincerely thanked the W . M . and brethren also . Whatever of praise had fallen from thc VV . M . and Bro . Stephens he assured them his desire had been to do

his duty and serve the lodge in the best possible manner . " The Officers" were next honoured , Bro . CLARK saying he should have been pleased to see more of them present . Hoiyever , in Bro . Pearcey , S . VV ., they had a brother well up to his work and capable of taking the position he ( Bro . Clark ) would shortly vacate . Bro . Gieseke , S . D ., was also a hardworking officer , and was by attending their Lodge of Instruction , fitting himself for the discharge of hi gher duties .

Bro . PEARCEY , in reply , regretted more of his brother officers were unable to be present . He felt very pleased the VV . M . had expressed himself satisfied with the officers of the Upton Lodge , all of whom he was sure were resolved to do their duty to the lodge . The W . M . next gave , in appreciative terms , the toast of "Tbe Press , " coupled with the name of Bro . G . H . Stephens , of the Freemason .

Bro . STEPHENS , in view of the swiftly passing time , briefly returned thanks for the appreciative remarks of the VV . M . As Bro . Clark had said so many kind things of the Freemason paper , he would be content to say a few words suggested by the presence of the ladies , and which he ( Bro . Stephens ) thought a great feature in the history of the lodge . In recognising the toast of the Press , the brethren were honouring one of the greatest agencies by which the condition of

mankind had been and was being improved . Their present gathering that day , graced as it was by the presence of ladies , was an evidence of the vast improvement in thought and habit upon those of ages ago . And to what was the present improved appreciation of woman ' s proper place in society as a partner and helpmeet to man due if not to the humanising influence of civilisation ? a result of the spread of education by the instrumentality of the printing press .

( Cheers . ) The party then adjourned from the banqueting-room to enjoy the pleasures of the surrounding country . On their return the room had been cleared for dancing , all necessary details being arranged by the Stewards , Bros . Clark , W . M ., Pearcey , S . VV ., and G . VV . Rowe , Sec . Bro . Sherwin , Organist , provided the music , and dancing was heartily indulged in , Bro . G . H . Stephens acting , by request , as Director of Ceremonies . During an interval for vocal

music , Miss Clark and Miss Dagleish favoured the company with some excellent pianoforte selections . The company left b y the last train to town , where they all arrived safely , having spent a memorable and highlyenjoyable day . Among those present were Bro . A . Clark , W . M ., and Mrs . and Miss Clark , Miss Dagleish , Mr . A . C . Clark ,

Bro . R . W . Pearcey , S . W ., Bro . Ford , Bro . Pratt , Mr . Overy , Bro . J . Wayland , Treas ., Bro . G . W . Rowe , Sec , and Mrs . Rowe , Bro . B . Lyons , P . M ., Bro . J . Andrews , P . M ., and Mrs . Andrews , Mr . and Mrs . 'Thos . Andrews , Bro . C . Gieseke , S . D ., and Mrs . Gieseke , Bro . Jones and Miss Poole , Bro . and Mrs . Lane , Bro . and Mrs . Hambach , Bro . Patrick , Bro . Doerr , Bro . Sherwin , Organist , Bro . G . H . Stephens ( Freemason ) , and others .

Her Roy ; il Highness the Princess Beatrice has forwarded , through General Sir Henry Ponsonby , K . C . B ., a handsome present to the Free Library , London-street , Bethnal Geeen , E . The University of Oxford and the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty have made large grants of their publications to the above institution , whicb is supported entirely by voluntary contributions .