Original Correspondence.

Original Correspondence .

" FREEMASONRY : —ITS SYMBOLISM , RELIGIOUS NATURE , AND LAW OF PERFECTION . "

To the Editor of the Freemason . Dear Sir and Brother , — Will you permit me to say a few words in your paper with reference to a review which appeared in the November number of the Masonic Magazine , of my recently published

work , " Freemasonry : its Symbolism , Religious Nature , and Law of Perfection . " I do not complain of the review , I am far from having any reason to do so . If it had been a severe cutting up of my book , I would not have complained , unless in case of manifest unfairness .

But this is far from being the case . The review is evidently written in a fair and brotherly spirit , and I have to thank the writer of it for a meed oi praise even beyond my expectation . But although , perhaps , the reviewer may be right in thinking that I have undertaken too wide a field ,

I cannot agree with him in deeming the Relig ious Nature of Freemasonry and its Law of perfection subjects not cognate to that of Masonic Symbolsim , which occupies the greater portion of the work , nor in thinking that Jewish Symbolism is a subject not much to the point in a Masonic

treatise on Masonic Symbolism . According to the tradition of our Order , wc derive our Freemasonry from the ancient Jews ; and many of the most familiar Masonic symbols have referenca to things Jewish , so that it seemedand still seems to me , that some account of Jewish Symbolism

is a proper introduction to the study of Masonic Symbolism . But this is of little consequence . If I have erred in making the book a little larger than it needed to have been , by a few chapters on a subject which it was not necessary for me to treat of , the reader who does not care lor it may

pass them over . As to the religious nature of Freemasonry , I hold that subject to be most intimately connected with its symbolism , for the doctrines of religion are inwrought into the whole system of Masonic Symbolism . And as fo the Masonic Law of Perfection , that physical

perfection which is required in candidates for admission into the Masonic Order , is itself symbolical of the moral perfection which it is the great aim of Freemasonry to promote . Thus in writing of Masonic Symbolism , I felt it impossible to avoid these subjects .

1 must beg leave also to say that I cannot admit the soundness of my reviewer ' s criticism of my explanation of the Pentalpha , when he says " He confounds the Pentalpha or Pentacle as it is sometimes called , " ( Pentacle , I suspect being a misprint for Pentaugh , ) " with

Solomon ' s Seal , though afterwards adopted by the Christians , and Solomon ' s Seal , was the double triangle , the well known symbol of our Royal Arch . " I have not confounded the Pentalpha with Solomon ' s Seal , but have merely mentioned the old legend of its having been the

device engraved on Solomon ' s Seal , and also on the foundation stone of his Temple , without expressing any opinion as to its truth . When the reviewer goes on to say , " it is somewhat strange that Bro . Pa ton apparently altogether ignores the double triangle , though it is really one of the

earliest of our Masonic Symbols , and was even used as a Mark , " I must say that I differ from him as to its having ever been used as a mark . Every Freemason knows that a Masonic mark must have an odd number of points , as the Pentalpha has , whereas the double triangle has

an even number , six . And however early may have been the use of the double triangle as a Masonic Symbol , it has never , that I am aware , been received as a symbol of Craft Masonry , which alone is acknowledged by the Grand Lodge of Scotland , and universally throughout

the world . It is a symbol of Royal Arch Masonry , but as the reader will find stated in my book , I have strictly limited myself , in my explanation of Masonic Symbols , to those of Craft Masonry .

I cannot conclude without again expressing mysm-eof the kind treatment which I have recehed from the reviewer of my book , for the acknow . edgment ofthe book as the fullest work on Masjnic Symbolism which has yet appeared ,

Original Correspondence.

as well as of the encouragement the reviewer gives me to proceed in a design , which I have long entertained , of pursuing the subject through that department of which he points out the omission , the History or Archaeology of Masonic Symbolism . But I know that the subject is a

difficult one , and that much laborious research would be necessary . If I can find time for the work , I hope to enter upon it . I am Dear Sir and Brother , Yours fraternally , CHALMERS I . PATON .

Spiritualism.

SPIRITUALISM .

To the Editor of the Freemason . Dear Sir and Brother , — Bro . Keet , has an easy way of disposing of facts of which he happens to be uncognisant , and which he therefore deems incredible . He assumes the thing in disnute , and concludes

that he has disposed of it . Shakespere has made Hamlet speak of the " undiscovered country" as " that bourne whence no traveller returns . " Is Bro . Keet willing to take Shakspeare as arbitrator > Will he , on this and on all other questions , take the authority of

Shakspearian against all other authorities , and against the individual experience , and recorded testimony of millions of persons , who , if not , Shaksperes , include some of the greatest scientists of Europe and America ; and does he believe that any one who dissents from that

authority has " fallen into the grave of superstition ? " But if Shaksperian authority is enough , we claim it on our behalf . That Shakspere believed in Spiritual manifestations is testified to by many passages in his writings ; nay , Hamlet himself is not made to believe that the

undiscovered country is " that bourne whence no traveller returns , " for he had previously been satisfied that he had seen and conversed with the disembodied spirit of his father . He was satisfied that it was no illusion , for he exclaims , on the ghost ' s parting injunction to remember

him" remember thee r yes , from the table of my memory I'll wipe away all trivial fond records , all saws of books , all forms , all pressures past that youth and observation copied there , and thy commandment all alone shall live within the book and volume of my brain , unmixed

with baser matter . yes , by Heaven ! " The truth seems to be , that Hamlet is made to appear so far the victim of prejudice , that he occasionally resists the evidence of his senses , and utters thoughts which his reason repudiates . There are Hamlets in these our days , as sceptical and

as inconsistent as was thc Prince : of Denmark . As I do not pretend , like Bro . Keet , to possess 'knowledge of all things " possible , " I shall not presume to discuss with him , whether " spirits in the flesh , can communicate

from one part of the earth to another , " without an electric cable . I am ready to accept any new discoveiy , on adequate evidence , but not to pronounce a thing , of which I know nothing , to be " more possible" than something which I do know .

Will Bro . Keet kindl y inform me where I can I find it recorded , that investigations into spiritualism which have taken place have produced no satisfactory result , simply , according to the spiritualists , because the persons present were sceptical ? WILLIAM CARPENTER .

Provincial Grand Lodge Of Fife.

PROVINCIAL GRAND LODGE OF FIFE .

CONSECRATION OI- A LOIJUEAT CROSSGATES . A meeting of the Provincial Grand Lodge of Fife and Kinross was held at Crossgates , by Dunfermline , on the >; th inst ., for the purpose of consecrating the Lodge of St . John , Crossgates ,

No . 540 . Il is only of recent date that the spirit of Freemasonry began to show itself in the locality ; but the increase of membership has been so rapid that already even the local Order is regarded as an " institution , " and with a view oi

giving eclat to this occasion , business seemed , as it were , for the nonce suspended . The brethren belonging to Crossgates a--semb , ed about ten o ' clock , and walked in procession to the station to await the arrival of the trains bearing deputations , invited from such lodges in

Provincial Grand Lodge Of Fife.

Edinburgh , Perth , and Dundee , & c , as mi ght make it convenient to attend . The various trains having arrived , it was evident that the Fraternit y from other quarters was to be well represented , and that , with the crowd which had assembled the display altogether would be worth witnessing '

The procession having been formed under the direction of Wm . Bryce , Tyler of the Grand Lodge of Scotland , took its way to M'Lean ' s Hall , in the village , where the business of the day was to be transacted . All along the route large groups were assembled here and there

who lustily cheered as the procession passed along . Having reached the place of meeting which was neatly decorated with Masonic emblems and mottoes , enhancing the effect of the glittering costumes of the brethren themselves , no time was lost in putting the local

lodge and deputations in working order A raised platform at one end of the room was . occupied by the following members of the Grand and Provincial Grand Lodges : —John Wh yte-Melville , P . G . M . ; J . T . Oswald , S . P . G . M . ; Captain Lindsay , Acting S . P . G . W . ; Rev ' .

David Rose , Ferryport-on-Craig , Acting Grand Chaplain ; P . H . Pagan , P . G . Secretary ; and W . M . Bryce , Acting P . G . Tyler . The other lodges represented , giving the names of the Right Worshipful Masters , or their deputies , were : —No , 5 . Leith and Canongate ( vice versa ) ,

Wm . Kelly and R . Wooley . No . 19 , St . John ' s Cupar , John Hood , R . W . M . No 26 , St . John ' s Dunfermline ; R . Lindsay , R . W . M . No . 250 , Union , Dunfermline ; John Stewart , R . W . M . 400 , Duncarn , Burntisland ; T . Hutchison , R . W . M . ; No . 468 , Oswald of

Dunnikier , A . Galloway , R . W . M . No . 532 , Rothes , Leslie ; and other visiting brethren from Innerkeithing , and even No . 382 , Kirkwall Kilwinning , which , with the members of the local lodge , increased the number of Freemasons present to close on 300 .

The Provincial Grand Lodge having been opened in due form , and Bro . Whyte-Melville , thc P . G . M ., on whom the duty of consecrating the lodge devolved , having stated why he had called the present lodge , the charter granted by the Grand Lodge was read by the P . G . Secretary ,

which , having been considered , was sustained ; and after all the usual and necessary forms , ceremonies , and solemnities , the Lodge St . John , Crossgates , was declared regularly consecrated . The various office-bearers were then installed as follows : —Henry Cook , R . W . M . ; John Paterson ,

S . W . ; Thomas Muir Long , D . M ; Thomas Campbell , S . W . ; Alex . M'Lean , J . W . ; Waiter Beveridge , Treasurer ; Andrew W . Cowen , Sec ; William Reid , S . D . ; Wm . Sharp , J . D . ; Andrew Campbell , Inner Guard ; David Robertson , Tyler ; W . Snence , S . S . D .: Tames Brand ,

Chaplain , kc . Each office-bearer having been invested with the jewel of his office , and the P . G . M . having complimented them on the progress they had made , Bro . Cook , R . W . M ., in appropriate terms , warmly acknowledged the obligation his lodge and himself were under to

the R . W . P . M ., and the various officers of Grand Lodge , for their attendance , and ihe admirable and impressive manner in which the consecration had been conducted , and the several office-bearers installed . He also thanked the deputations for their attendance .

The lodge was then duly closed , and the principal business of the day having thus been accomplished , the brethren were again marshalled by Bro . Bryce , who handed some of the jewels and " valuables" belonging to GranJ Lodge to the most deserving office-bearers , in

token of the progress they had made in tins " ancient , high , and honourable art , " and tlie whole body again walked in procession throng '' the village and neighbourhood . After perambulating the . place to the lively strains of the band for fully an hour , the company returned to the hall , where a Masonic

banquet was held in honour of the occasionthe P . G . M . presiding . After doing amp le justice to the repast , numerous appropriate and complimentary toasts weie given and responded to . Loyalty was duly expressed , as was also patriotism ; and the other toasts were much of the usual post-prandial character . Having spent a harmonious and happy afternoon , the company separated after the manner of Freemasons—