Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Multum In Parbo, Or Masonic Notes And Queries.
Multum in Parbo , or Masonic Notes and Queries .
THE SCHISM . With reference to Bro . Yarker's observations in No . 81 , page 465 , of THE FREEMASON , I have no hesitation in explaining that I believe the
socalled Ancients , or seceders , were chiefly Operative Masons , from the fact that Dermott himself , in the preface to his Ahiman Rezon , facetiously contrasts the usages of the " Gentlemen Masons" with those of the brethren ranged
under his own banner . I have lent my copy , and cannot therefore quote the passage , which is , however , familiar to all who have read the Ahiman Rezon . Dermott's assertions are borne out by entries in the earliest minutes of the
" Athol" Masons , which prove that most of the members were handi-craftsmen , a " gentleman " or an " esquire" being a vara avis before 1754 . I adhere to my statement that the " Royal Arch Order " as it is now called , was " first worked as
a separate section of Freemasonry in i 738 , "forthe simple reason that there is not a particle of evidence either in the records of the " Grand Lodge of all England " at York , or in those of the two London Grand Lodges to prove the contrary .
I do not say that it was invented in 1738 , but hold it was then first promulgated as something beyond the Craft degrees . I shall be glad ,
however , to find that evidence exists to disprove this theory , and hope Bro . Yarker will soon bring forth the proof now in his possession . THE SON OF SALATHIEL .
RED CROSS OF ROME AND CONSTANTINE . We are very glad to notice the publication of " one of the documents relating to the Red Cross Order which were found in the Archives of the Grand Lodge of England , " and hope soon to
see all inserted in THE FREEMASON , that are suitable to be known by the Fraternity in general . We believe the excellent sketch of the aims and character of this Masonic chivalric degree , which
appeared in these pages on Oct . 8 th , is by a former Grand Master of the Order . If so , it is all the more valuable as an authorised epitome of the intentions of the promoters of that degree . W . TAMES HUGHAN .
A considerable time has elapsed since your readers were informed that the annual report of this Masonic degree would contain particulars of certain MSS . which had been found in thearchives of the Grand Lodge of England . I have not had the
advantage of seeing the report in question , but I conclude your notice , at p . 497 , contains an extract of all that is material from the document , ( apparently without date or authority , ) which was thus to be put forward as sustaining the then
claims of this degree to be the only legitimate branch in existence of the Ancient Order , the title of which it had assumed . These claims , your readers are well aware , I successfully controverted , and shortly afterwards
a lucid sketch ( by R . 33 ° ) of the Ancient Constantinian Order was published in a contemporary magazine . During my share in the discussion ,
I referred to the existence of a Masonic Red Cross Degree of old date , and said that I would not be surprised to hear that the present Red Cross of Rome ancl Constantine claimed to
originate from Masons who were alleged to have attended the Crusades . We now find that the document , which seems to have been guarded with so much mystery , belongs to the old Red Cross Degree to which
I have referred , and that it did claim to originate in the Crusades ; and yet my conjecture ( accurate as it was ) was treated by the possessors of the document at the time , as a myth . The distinction ( badge ) of the members of the Order to
which the document relates was that of the Crusaders , which is well known to have been a plain red cross , precisely of the kind I have before described as worn by a venerable brother
of the old Red Cross Order , who had possessed his decoration for more than half a century . The document contains plain proof that it has no reference whatever to the Ancient Constantinian
Multum In Parbo, Or Masonic Notes And Queries.
Order , and it is equally clear , from what we have been told by the promoters of the Red Cross of Rome and Constantine , that their new Masonic degree has no claim to the document now put forward .
I refrain from observations upon the other portions of the MS ., as ourbrethren will estimate for themselves how far the character of our ancient Craft has deserved the imputations which are there put on record . LUPUS .
TEMPLAR PRECEDENCY . I am obliged to R . W . L . for sending me the very interesting document regarding the "Mount Calvary . " However , it by no means proves the time-immemorial antiquity of that respectable
Encampment , even in 1842 . The name , "Early Grand , " is believed to be of Irish origin ; that nationality introduced the name into Scotland , and it existed in Lancashire about 1820-30 ; and
the Encampments were composed chiefly of Scottish and Irish Masons . All their proceedings were disavowed by the regular Encamp .-ments of England , and their members had to be re-installed before they could join other
Encampments . If this is all the " Mount Calvary " has got to show , I must ask , by what principle of justice
they have obtained a position above the Jerusalem Encampment , which has worked legitimately since 1786 ? Perhaps Bro . Tinkler can inform me . J YARKER .
MASONIC APPAREL . White gloves should always be worn in lodge , because white is the emblem of innocence and purity . Lavender kids , though greatly affected by gentlemen at evening parties , are utterly out of place in a Masonic lodge . X .
THE KNIGHTS TEMPLARS IN IRELAND . The j > rincipal seat of the Templars in Ireland was at a village called Kilmainham , in the vicinity of Dublin , where the prior resided with the leading Chapter of Knights .
On the site of this ancient priory a home or hospital for old soldiers has long stood , and at the Kilmainham entrance is placed a curious old gate tower which formerly commanded the approaches to the city at the Barrack Bridge , or
" Bloody Bridge as it is sometimes called , on account of certain dismal memories of rebels having been suspended therefrom in troublous times . The Knights Templars of Ireland were finally suppressed in 1311 .
A QUERY . Is there any degree now given in England in which the attempted re-edification of the Temple by J ulian the Apostate is commemorated ? [ Yes ; in the third point of the Order of
K . H . S . You cannot , however , obtain this degree without first becoming a member of the Red Cross Order , and even then it is restricted to a chosen few , who can best understand its spiritual affinity to the mysteries of the Royal Arch Degree . ]—ED . F .
FREEMASONRY IN 1717 AND AFTERWARDS . Speculative Freemasonry in 1717 may be compared to a ship newly launched , which although complete in all essentials , yet contains considerable space for adornment , which
adornment in the shape of extra ornamental painting , guilding , & c , can be afterwards added at leisure , or otherwise , as the owner desires . Or , again , our Speculative Masonry , or " Craft Masonry " as it is sometimes craftily designated , in 1717
may be compared to some mediaeval church which has just been erected , which although complete in all essentials—with its basement floor , triforium , and clerestory—yet affords scope for adornment , and was so constructed as to admit
of that adornment ; there are the rude or roughly cut stones in situ out of which beautifully carved capitals have yet to be formed ; the walls have to be properly decorated , and so on , thus leaving
scope for some able artist to set his mark upon it and prove himself a thorough " Master-Mason . " So with our Speculative Freemasonry , the structure is the same now as it was when first erected
Multum In Parbo, Or Masonic Notes And Queries.
in 1717 , only it has had some decorations added to it since then , in fact we sometimes perceive these decoration , or otherwise , just as the " guide " may happen to point them out , or omit them . Taking into consideration the object they had
m view , we must allow that Desaguliers and Anderson ( " Desaguliers and Co . " is not meant in disparagment , but sometimes used because
it comes handy ) were not only successful , but also able architects , and likewise showed considerable knowledge of the workings of human nature . W . P . BUCHAN .
RENDER AN ACCOUNT OF THY STEWARDSHIP . A very pertinent enquiry by one of your contributors as to the disposal of a large sum of money collected in Scotland to assist in educating the daughters of decayed Masons , gives
rise to the question—What has become of the moneys subscribed by English lodges and brethren for a Masonic Lifeboat ? and which sums were sent to a brother in Salisbury-street , Strand ? No detailed account of the total amount
received by this gentleman has ever been published , nor has the money—beyond a sum of fifty guineas—apparently found its way into the coffers of the National Lifeboat Society . I shall be glad of some information on this point ,
inasmuch as I transmitted a guinea from a lodge to the Masonic Lifeboat Fund and hold an informal acknowledgment of its due receipt from a Mr . Rust on behalf of " W . Smith . " Does the
^ 52 10 s . represent full amount subscribed ? if so , let it be stated at once , and the brethren can then support the movement originated by Bros . Harris , Gottheil , and other zealous Masons . ONE WHO WRITES FOR INFORMATION .
HOSPITALITY . The white stone mentioned in the Apocalypse appears to bear some relation to a particular custom among the ancients , with which they commenced and perpetuated a refined
friendship . For this purpose the contracting parties took a small piece of bone , ivory , or stone , and dividing it into equal and similar parts , one of
the persons wrote his name on one of these and his friend upon the other , and they made a mutual exchange . This little ticket or " keepsake " was retained as a sacred pledge and
remembrancer of an attachment the most sacred and inviolable , entire and permanent , that could be found . Including the word , sign , and token of an endeared fraternity , it was the means of ascertaining the heart's affections after many
year ' s absence , and of securing for him a welcome to the privileges , and a share in the endearments , of hospitality and love . Of course the token was carefully preserved . Though , in itself , considered of the smallest worth , yet as the
memorial of a highly-esteemed friend , as it renewed those kind emotions of which he was the object , and called up a history on which the heart delighted to dwell , its value became
inestimable , and lest some one else should take the advantage of it , the possessor kept it with privacy , and cautiously concealed from every one the name or mark engraved upon it . — Harris .
HARODIM . The mysteries of this Order are peculiar to the institution itself ; while the lectures of the Chapter include every branch of the Masonic system , and represent the art of Masonry in a finished
and complete form , different classes are established , and particular lectures restricted to each class . The lectures are divided into sections , ancl thc sections into clauses . The sections are annually assigned by the Chief Harod to a
certain number of skilful companions in each class , who are denominated Sectionists ; and they are empowered to distribute the clauses of their respective sections , with the approbation of the Chief Harod and the General Director ,
among the private Companions of the Chapter , who are denominated clauseholders . Such Companions as by assiduity become possessed of all the sections of the lecture , are called lecturers ; and out of these the General Director is always chosen .
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Multum In Parbo, Or Masonic Notes And Queries.
Multum in Parbo , or Masonic Notes and Queries .
THE SCHISM . With reference to Bro . Yarker's observations in No . 81 , page 465 , of THE FREEMASON , I have no hesitation in explaining that I believe the
socalled Ancients , or seceders , were chiefly Operative Masons , from the fact that Dermott himself , in the preface to his Ahiman Rezon , facetiously contrasts the usages of the " Gentlemen Masons" with those of the brethren ranged
under his own banner . I have lent my copy , and cannot therefore quote the passage , which is , however , familiar to all who have read the Ahiman Rezon . Dermott's assertions are borne out by entries in the earliest minutes of the
" Athol" Masons , which prove that most of the members were handi-craftsmen , a " gentleman " or an " esquire" being a vara avis before 1754 . I adhere to my statement that the " Royal Arch Order " as it is now called , was " first worked as
a separate section of Freemasonry in i 738 , "forthe simple reason that there is not a particle of evidence either in the records of the " Grand Lodge of all England " at York , or in those of the two London Grand Lodges to prove the contrary .
I do not say that it was invented in 1738 , but hold it was then first promulgated as something beyond the Craft degrees . I shall be glad ,
however , to find that evidence exists to disprove this theory , and hope Bro . Yarker will soon bring forth the proof now in his possession . THE SON OF SALATHIEL .
RED CROSS OF ROME AND CONSTANTINE . We are very glad to notice the publication of " one of the documents relating to the Red Cross Order which were found in the Archives of the Grand Lodge of England , " and hope soon to
see all inserted in THE FREEMASON , that are suitable to be known by the Fraternity in general . We believe the excellent sketch of the aims and character of this Masonic chivalric degree , which
appeared in these pages on Oct . 8 th , is by a former Grand Master of the Order . If so , it is all the more valuable as an authorised epitome of the intentions of the promoters of that degree . W . TAMES HUGHAN .
A considerable time has elapsed since your readers were informed that the annual report of this Masonic degree would contain particulars of certain MSS . which had been found in thearchives of the Grand Lodge of England . I have not had the
advantage of seeing the report in question , but I conclude your notice , at p . 497 , contains an extract of all that is material from the document , ( apparently without date or authority , ) which was thus to be put forward as sustaining the then
claims of this degree to be the only legitimate branch in existence of the Ancient Order , the title of which it had assumed . These claims , your readers are well aware , I successfully controverted , and shortly afterwards
a lucid sketch ( by R . 33 ° ) of the Ancient Constantinian Order was published in a contemporary magazine . During my share in the discussion ,
I referred to the existence of a Masonic Red Cross Degree of old date , and said that I would not be surprised to hear that the present Red Cross of Rome ancl Constantine claimed to
originate from Masons who were alleged to have attended the Crusades . We now find that the document , which seems to have been guarded with so much mystery , belongs to the old Red Cross Degree to which
I have referred , and that it did claim to originate in the Crusades ; and yet my conjecture ( accurate as it was ) was treated by the possessors of the document at the time , as a myth . The distinction ( badge ) of the members of the Order to
which the document relates was that of the Crusaders , which is well known to have been a plain red cross , precisely of the kind I have before described as worn by a venerable brother
of the old Red Cross Order , who had possessed his decoration for more than half a century . The document contains plain proof that it has no reference whatever to the Ancient Constantinian
Multum In Parbo, Or Masonic Notes And Queries.
Order , and it is equally clear , from what we have been told by the promoters of the Red Cross of Rome and Constantine , that their new Masonic degree has no claim to the document now put forward .
I refrain from observations upon the other portions of the MS ., as ourbrethren will estimate for themselves how far the character of our ancient Craft has deserved the imputations which are there put on record . LUPUS .
TEMPLAR PRECEDENCY . I am obliged to R . W . L . for sending me the very interesting document regarding the "Mount Calvary . " However , it by no means proves the time-immemorial antiquity of that respectable
Encampment , even in 1842 . The name , "Early Grand , " is believed to be of Irish origin ; that nationality introduced the name into Scotland , and it existed in Lancashire about 1820-30 ; and
the Encampments were composed chiefly of Scottish and Irish Masons . All their proceedings were disavowed by the regular Encamp .-ments of England , and their members had to be re-installed before they could join other
Encampments . If this is all the " Mount Calvary " has got to show , I must ask , by what principle of justice
they have obtained a position above the Jerusalem Encampment , which has worked legitimately since 1786 ? Perhaps Bro . Tinkler can inform me . J YARKER .
MASONIC APPAREL . White gloves should always be worn in lodge , because white is the emblem of innocence and purity . Lavender kids , though greatly affected by gentlemen at evening parties , are utterly out of place in a Masonic lodge . X .
THE KNIGHTS TEMPLARS IN IRELAND . The j > rincipal seat of the Templars in Ireland was at a village called Kilmainham , in the vicinity of Dublin , where the prior resided with the leading Chapter of Knights .
On the site of this ancient priory a home or hospital for old soldiers has long stood , and at the Kilmainham entrance is placed a curious old gate tower which formerly commanded the approaches to the city at the Barrack Bridge , or
" Bloody Bridge as it is sometimes called , on account of certain dismal memories of rebels having been suspended therefrom in troublous times . The Knights Templars of Ireland were finally suppressed in 1311 .
A QUERY . Is there any degree now given in England in which the attempted re-edification of the Temple by J ulian the Apostate is commemorated ? [ Yes ; in the third point of the Order of
K . H . S . You cannot , however , obtain this degree without first becoming a member of the Red Cross Order , and even then it is restricted to a chosen few , who can best understand its spiritual affinity to the mysteries of the Royal Arch Degree . ]—ED . F .
FREEMASONRY IN 1717 AND AFTERWARDS . Speculative Freemasonry in 1717 may be compared to a ship newly launched , which although complete in all essentials , yet contains considerable space for adornment , which
adornment in the shape of extra ornamental painting , guilding , & c , can be afterwards added at leisure , or otherwise , as the owner desires . Or , again , our Speculative Masonry , or " Craft Masonry " as it is sometimes craftily designated , in 1717
may be compared to some mediaeval church which has just been erected , which although complete in all essentials—with its basement floor , triforium , and clerestory—yet affords scope for adornment , and was so constructed as to admit
of that adornment ; there are the rude or roughly cut stones in situ out of which beautifully carved capitals have yet to be formed ; the walls have to be properly decorated , and so on , thus leaving
scope for some able artist to set his mark upon it and prove himself a thorough " Master-Mason . " So with our Speculative Freemasonry , the structure is the same now as it was when first erected
Multum In Parbo, Or Masonic Notes And Queries.
in 1717 , only it has had some decorations added to it since then , in fact we sometimes perceive these decoration , or otherwise , just as the " guide " may happen to point them out , or omit them . Taking into consideration the object they had
m view , we must allow that Desaguliers and Anderson ( " Desaguliers and Co . " is not meant in disparagment , but sometimes used because
it comes handy ) were not only successful , but also able architects , and likewise showed considerable knowledge of the workings of human nature . W . P . BUCHAN .
RENDER AN ACCOUNT OF THY STEWARDSHIP . A very pertinent enquiry by one of your contributors as to the disposal of a large sum of money collected in Scotland to assist in educating the daughters of decayed Masons , gives
rise to the question—What has become of the moneys subscribed by English lodges and brethren for a Masonic Lifeboat ? and which sums were sent to a brother in Salisbury-street , Strand ? No detailed account of the total amount
received by this gentleman has ever been published , nor has the money—beyond a sum of fifty guineas—apparently found its way into the coffers of the National Lifeboat Society . I shall be glad of some information on this point ,
inasmuch as I transmitted a guinea from a lodge to the Masonic Lifeboat Fund and hold an informal acknowledgment of its due receipt from a Mr . Rust on behalf of " W . Smith . " Does the
^ 52 10 s . represent full amount subscribed ? if so , let it be stated at once , and the brethren can then support the movement originated by Bros . Harris , Gottheil , and other zealous Masons . ONE WHO WRITES FOR INFORMATION .
HOSPITALITY . The white stone mentioned in the Apocalypse appears to bear some relation to a particular custom among the ancients , with which they commenced and perpetuated a refined
friendship . For this purpose the contracting parties took a small piece of bone , ivory , or stone , and dividing it into equal and similar parts , one of
the persons wrote his name on one of these and his friend upon the other , and they made a mutual exchange . This little ticket or " keepsake " was retained as a sacred pledge and
remembrancer of an attachment the most sacred and inviolable , entire and permanent , that could be found . Including the word , sign , and token of an endeared fraternity , it was the means of ascertaining the heart's affections after many
year ' s absence , and of securing for him a welcome to the privileges , and a share in the endearments , of hospitality and love . Of course the token was carefully preserved . Though , in itself , considered of the smallest worth , yet as the
memorial of a highly-esteemed friend , as it renewed those kind emotions of which he was the object , and called up a history on which the heart delighted to dwell , its value became
inestimable , and lest some one else should take the advantage of it , the possessor kept it with privacy , and cautiously concealed from every one the name or mark engraved upon it . — Harris .
HARODIM . The mysteries of this Order are peculiar to the institution itself ; while the lectures of the Chapter include every branch of the Masonic system , and represent the art of Masonry in a finished
and complete form , different classes are established , and particular lectures restricted to each class . The lectures are divided into sections , ancl thc sections into clauses . The sections are annually assigned by the Chief Harod to a
certain number of skilful companions in each class , who are denominated Sectionists ; and they are empowered to distribute the clauses of their respective sections , with the approbation of the Chief Harod and the General Director ,
among the private Companions of the Chapter , who are denominated clauseholders . Such Companions as by assiduity become possessed of all the sections of the lecture , are called lecturers ; and out of these the General Director is always chosen .