Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Contents.
CONTENTS .
LEADERS 525 Consecration of thc Prudence Lodge , No . 2060 , at Leeds 326 Provincial Grand Lodge of Leicestershire and Rutland 527 Bro . Tew ' s Address at the Provincial Grand * Lodceof West Yorkshire sis
Grand Lodge of Scotland 528 Some Ancient York Masons and their Early * Haunts ( Continued ) £ 20 "Perfect" Masons J 2 „
CORRESPONDENCETuscarora Indiansand Masonic hmblems i % i A Masonic Charity Sunday 531 Masonic impostors 531 An Appeal 531 Hughan Testimonial Fund 531
Reviews 53-Lorincrs at the Mansion House 532 Notes and Queries 532 REPORTS OF MASONIC MEETINGS — Craft Masonry 532 Instruction 53 ^ Rovai Arch \ i .
Mark Masonry . ' 535 Knights Templar 535 The Marquis of Londonderry , K . P ., P . G . M . Durham " £ 33 Royal Masonic Institution for Girls 535 Royal Masonic Institution for Bovs c «
Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution 535 Provincial Grand Mark Lodge of the Mediterranean $$$ Masonic and General Tidings 536 Lodge Meetings for Next Week 536
Ar00100
MASONIC life has begun again amongst us in London with great activity . Our lodges are gathering fast , and Work , Charity , and Sociality are going on hand in hand . In our opinion , in the present disjointed state of society , contrasted opinions , and bitter severances , nothing too much can be said in favour of the healing and soothing graces of Masonic sympathy , friendship ,
and fraternity . We may be divided without the lodge , we are at peace and harmony within . Society may be riven and even convulsed by " burning questions" and irreconcilable views on this or that ; but in Freemasonry , unity , concord , amity , and agreement reign supreme , sublime in their very reality . How good it is for us all to find a neutral ground , a breathing
space so to say , amid our prevailing outcome of social discords and party questions , where we can alike forget our " fads " and our " vanities , " where we can be equally agreeing and agreeable , tolerant and tolerating . What to us are all those vexed questions which so ruffle , agitate , and disturb society ? Freemasonry bids us lay aside prejudices and prepossessions , differences .
and divisions , and unites in the grand design of being happy and kindly ourselves , and promoting the happiness and comfort , and kindliness of others . And hence it is that English Anglo-Saxon Freemasonry is so attractive to the man of science and the citizen of the world , the hard-headed man of
business , and the most distinguished in rank , position , and society , the professional man and the educated student . It is a neutral ground for us all * in which discord and contention are unknown , where we meet and part in the earnest sympathy and cultured tastes of friends , brethren , and
gentlemen-* # * WE call special attention to the report of the consecration of the Prudence Lodge , —a Temperance lodge , —at Leeds , elsewhere . This has been one of
the most important gatherings in favour of the ! question involved , and the speeches of our distinguished Bro . T . W . TEW , D . P . G . M ., and our worthy Bro . WOODHOUSE , the well-known Mayor of Leeds , deserve the careful perusal of all our readers . * *
IT is remarkable to note how thc English Grand Lodge is increasing in universal actuality , how it is advancing in prestige and popularity . We ourselves never have chimed in with the cry that Freemasonry is too rapidly extending . We have , indeed , always entered into the wise solicitude of our Supreme Authority , that just as there is a ' * reason in roasted eggs , " so
there should be a valid ground for a new charter . It is not sufficient because a few brethren ^ wish to start a new lodge that , therefore , their prayer should be conceded . There is a fitness in all things . And it is always a sound and valid question , by those who have to decide on such applications—is the lodge needed P is it a reasonable claim ? a sound
petition ? There are numerous lodges whose promotfon is all but impossible . There is an eager crowd of younger Masons asking for employment and craving prestige . We must all bear in mind that though there is a great evil in too hasty advancement , for many brethren are no doubt for various reasons , good or bad , or no reasons at all , too hastily pushed forward into
high rank , yet that after all it is a very difficult thing indeed to interfere with or control the responsibility of Worshipful Masters and the free choice of lodges . It often occurs to us probably in Masonry , and as often happens in the world , that when we see brethren too rashly and hastily brought to the fore , and hear their utterances and note their work , the old saying
is realized quickly by us , " how we apples swim . " And we cannot deny that there is a hurtful tendency just now for brethren to be •' set forward" very quickly , without much of previous service to Freemasonry , and then for them to be eager for further promotion , for even the highest honours . In all these cases there are " promotions and promotions , "
and " the purple and the purple , " but as a rule , we feel bound to say , great care is taken ; n the selection of our lodge officers , and the working of to-day is , in our humble opinion , superior to what is was a
generation ago . Therefore , we hail the increase of lodges , within proper limits of course , and on safe and reasonable grounds , as we feel convinced ourselves that Masonic lodges are good for the community and the age in which -we live , and that under efficient presidency and effective
Ar00101
management , they may be made centres of light , utility , kindness , and charity wherever their tent is pitched , their tabernacle set up among men .
* * * A GOOD deal is said just now about separate lodges for Temperance , and they seem to be increasing amongst us . Like all distinctive and special movements , much , no doubt , may be advanced on both sides . In the great toleration of Freemasonry there is clearly and undoubtedly room for
those who approve , and those who do not , of the principle in question . We wish , however , to point , out that we must always be on our guard in true Masonic philosophy and teaching against exaggeration , undue protrusion of even first principles of thought and action . Masonic sociality is a good thing in itself , and has been the cause of much pleasant fellowship , and
many friendly sentiments , many long and active friendships . But , like all good things , Masonic sociality may be overdone , and , no doubt , a question comes in , —whether a little less might not be devoted to the social needs of our Masonic community , and a little more done for Masonic culture , literature , and Charity . It is , however , a very difficult question admittedly , and
we do not wish in any sense to seem to speak dogmatically , or discourage in any sense the honest efforts of well-meaning and serious brother Masons . We only put in a little friendly word of caution . Temperance is a Masonic virtue of the highest importance , need , and good . Our present sociality is far more enlightened and less exacting than of old times , and very little
fault indeed can now be found with those agreeable reunions , where brother meets brother , where interest is quickened , and sympathy warmed each for each , and with a happy commentary the great cnt features of true Masonic life , Work , Sociality , and Charity , speed on and flourish in happy harmony and Masonic fellowship . There is , however , one question which
has often occurred to us , —Is it necessary always to follow work with refreshment ? Would it not be well if we sometimes dispensed with a long and expensive dinner , and if the time and money thus imperatively demanded
were devoted to some needful and pressing claim of Masonic intellectuality , on the one hand , of active personal benevolence on the other V But we speak hesitatingly and suggestively , only rather inviting , the views of others than laying down conclusions of our own .
*«* WE have often expressed our deep regret at the untoward position the Belgian Freemasons have placed themselves in by their foolish and servile imitation of the unwise and revolutionary proceedings of the Grand Orient of France . We have always wished well to the Belgian Freemasons , and
we still wish them well , despite the unfortunate severance that has necessarily taken place between English and Belgian Freemasonry . We are therefore rejoiced lo hear that some of the more enlightened of the Belgian Freemasons are fully sensible of the " error of their ways , " and are seeking and are wishful to retrace their steps . Their object should be to place Belgian
Freemasonry in a thoroughly independent position , and make it revert to even a higher status of agreement with English Freemasonry , from which it originally sprang . Nothing can be worse than the state of things in French Freemasonry , and it is to be feared that Belgian Freemasonry is very little better .
Its great and distinguishing feature is , unfortunately , an abject denial of T . G . A . O . T . U . on the one hand , and an interference in political questions on the other . We wish , therefore , all success to those , the more enlightened of the Belg ian Freemasons , who are seeking to improve the present very unreasonable and unbecoming position of affairs .
# IN the Times of Monday appears the following paragraph : " The Press Association learns that the decision of the Grand Lodge of England not to admit to their meetings Freemasons belonging to the Grand Orient of France has been recently under the consideration of the Conseil Supreme
of the latter body , and a determination has been arrived at to tender full explanations of their exact position to the Grand Lodge of England . In the event of the explanations not being accepted by the Grand Lodge o England , it is probable that immediate action will be taken in the nature of an appeal to English public opinion on the subject . " As far as we are
concerned in England , the exact position of the Grand Orient of France is well known , and unless most satisfactory explanations are tendered , the ground for which , we fear , does not exist , there is little likelihood of the Grand Lodge oi England altering their present resolution on the subject . Not only does the old grave course of complaint exist , but others have been superadded .
For it is a well-known fact , too well-known to need discussion , that extreme political tendencies have been manifested by a large portion of the lodges in France and Belgium , so much so that many respectable Freemasons have retired from the lodges , and many have expressed their entire
disapproval of the existing state of feeling among the French Freemasons in respect of the Cosmopolitan princip les of Freemasonry . We wish it were otherwise . But until the French Grand Orient openly retraces its steps English Freemasons and French Freemasons are not and cannot be as one .
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Contents.
CONTENTS .
LEADERS 525 Consecration of thc Prudence Lodge , No . 2060 , at Leeds 326 Provincial Grand Lodge of Leicestershire and Rutland 527 Bro . Tew ' s Address at the Provincial Grand * Lodceof West Yorkshire sis
Grand Lodge of Scotland 528 Some Ancient York Masons and their Early * Haunts ( Continued ) £ 20 "Perfect" Masons J 2 „
CORRESPONDENCETuscarora Indiansand Masonic hmblems i % i A Masonic Charity Sunday 531 Masonic impostors 531 An Appeal 531 Hughan Testimonial Fund 531
Reviews 53-Lorincrs at the Mansion House 532 Notes and Queries 532 REPORTS OF MASONIC MEETINGS — Craft Masonry 532 Instruction 53 ^ Rovai Arch \ i .
Mark Masonry . ' 535 Knights Templar 535 The Marquis of Londonderry , K . P ., P . G . M . Durham " £ 33 Royal Masonic Institution for Girls 535 Royal Masonic Institution for Bovs c «
Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution 535 Provincial Grand Mark Lodge of the Mediterranean $$$ Masonic and General Tidings 536 Lodge Meetings for Next Week 536
Ar00100
MASONIC life has begun again amongst us in London with great activity . Our lodges are gathering fast , and Work , Charity , and Sociality are going on hand in hand . In our opinion , in the present disjointed state of society , contrasted opinions , and bitter severances , nothing too much can be said in favour of the healing and soothing graces of Masonic sympathy , friendship ,
and fraternity . We may be divided without the lodge , we are at peace and harmony within . Society may be riven and even convulsed by " burning questions" and irreconcilable views on this or that ; but in Freemasonry , unity , concord , amity , and agreement reign supreme , sublime in their very reality . How good it is for us all to find a neutral ground , a breathing
space so to say , amid our prevailing outcome of social discords and party questions , where we can alike forget our " fads " and our " vanities , " where we can be equally agreeing and agreeable , tolerant and tolerating . What to us are all those vexed questions which so ruffle , agitate , and disturb society ? Freemasonry bids us lay aside prejudices and prepossessions , differences .
and divisions , and unites in the grand design of being happy and kindly ourselves , and promoting the happiness and comfort , and kindliness of others . And hence it is that English Anglo-Saxon Freemasonry is so attractive to the man of science and the citizen of the world , the hard-headed man of
business , and the most distinguished in rank , position , and society , the professional man and the educated student . It is a neutral ground for us all * in which discord and contention are unknown , where we meet and part in the earnest sympathy and cultured tastes of friends , brethren , and
gentlemen-* # * WE call special attention to the report of the consecration of the Prudence Lodge , —a Temperance lodge , —at Leeds , elsewhere . This has been one of
the most important gatherings in favour of the ! question involved , and the speeches of our distinguished Bro . T . W . TEW , D . P . G . M ., and our worthy Bro . WOODHOUSE , the well-known Mayor of Leeds , deserve the careful perusal of all our readers . * *
IT is remarkable to note how thc English Grand Lodge is increasing in universal actuality , how it is advancing in prestige and popularity . We ourselves never have chimed in with the cry that Freemasonry is too rapidly extending . We have , indeed , always entered into the wise solicitude of our Supreme Authority , that just as there is a ' * reason in roasted eggs , " so
there should be a valid ground for a new charter . It is not sufficient because a few brethren ^ wish to start a new lodge that , therefore , their prayer should be conceded . There is a fitness in all things . And it is always a sound and valid question , by those who have to decide on such applications—is the lodge needed P is it a reasonable claim ? a sound
petition ? There are numerous lodges whose promotfon is all but impossible . There is an eager crowd of younger Masons asking for employment and craving prestige . We must all bear in mind that though there is a great evil in too hasty advancement , for many brethren are no doubt for various reasons , good or bad , or no reasons at all , too hastily pushed forward into
high rank , yet that after all it is a very difficult thing indeed to interfere with or control the responsibility of Worshipful Masters and the free choice of lodges . It often occurs to us probably in Masonry , and as often happens in the world , that when we see brethren too rashly and hastily brought to the fore , and hear their utterances and note their work , the old saying
is realized quickly by us , " how we apples swim . " And we cannot deny that there is a hurtful tendency just now for brethren to be •' set forward" very quickly , without much of previous service to Freemasonry , and then for them to be eager for further promotion , for even the highest honours . In all these cases there are " promotions and promotions , "
and " the purple and the purple , " but as a rule , we feel bound to say , great care is taken ; n the selection of our lodge officers , and the working of to-day is , in our humble opinion , superior to what is was a
generation ago . Therefore , we hail the increase of lodges , within proper limits of course , and on safe and reasonable grounds , as we feel convinced ourselves that Masonic lodges are good for the community and the age in which -we live , and that under efficient presidency and effective
Ar00101
management , they may be made centres of light , utility , kindness , and charity wherever their tent is pitched , their tabernacle set up among men .
* * * A GOOD deal is said just now about separate lodges for Temperance , and they seem to be increasing amongst us . Like all distinctive and special movements , much , no doubt , may be advanced on both sides . In the great toleration of Freemasonry there is clearly and undoubtedly room for
those who approve , and those who do not , of the principle in question . We wish , however , to point , out that we must always be on our guard in true Masonic philosophy and teaching against exaggeration , undue protrusion of even first principles of thought and action . Masonic sociality is a good thing in itself , and has been the cause of much pleasant fellowship , and
many friendly sentiments , many long and active friendships . But , like all good things , Masonic sociality may be overdone , and , no doubt , a question comes in , —whether a little less might not be devoted to the social needs of our Masonic community , and a little more done for Masonic culture , literature , and Charity . It is , however , a very difficult question admittedly , and
we do not wish in any sense to seem to speak dogmatically , or discourage in any sense the honest efforts of well-meaning and serious brother Masons . We only put in a little friendly word of caution . Temperance is a Masonic virtue of the highest importance , need , and good . Our present sociality is far more enlightened and less exacting than of old times , and very little
fault indeed can now be found with those agreeable reunions , where brother meets brother , where interest is quickened , and sympathy warmed each for each , and with a happy commentary the great cnt features of true Masonic life , Work , Sociality , and Charity , speed on and flourish in happy harmony and Masonic fellowship . There is , however , one question which
has often occurred to us , —Is it necessary always to follow work with refreshment ? Would it not be well if we sometimes dispensed with a long and expensive dinner , and if the time and money thus imperatively demanded
were devoted to some needful and pressing claim of Masonic intellectuality , on the one hand , of active personal benevolence on the other V But we speak hesitatingly and suggestively , only rather inviting , the views of others than laying down conclusions of our own .
*«* WE have often expressed our deep regret at the untoward position the Belgian Freemasons have placed themselves in by their foolish and servile imitation of the unwise and revolutionary proceedings of the Grand Orient of France . We have always wished well to the Belgian Freemasons , and
we still wish them well , despite the unfortunate severance that has necessarily taken place between English and Belgian Freemasonry . We are therefore rejoiced lo hear that some of the more enlightened of the Belgian Freemasons are fully sensible of the " error of their ways , " and are seeking and are wishful to retrace their steps . Their object should be to place Belgian
Freemasonry in a thoroughly independent position , and make it revert to even a higher status of agreement with English Freemasonry , from which it originally sprang . Nothing can be worse than the state of things in French Freemasonry , and it is to be feared that Belgian Freemasonry is very little better .
Its great and distinguishing feature is , unfortunately , an abject denial of T . G . A . O . T . U . on the one hand , and an interference in political questions on the other . We wish , therefore , all success to those , the more enlightened of the Belg ian Freemasons , who are seeking to improve the present very unreasonable and unbecoming position of affairs .
# IN the Times of Monday appears the following paragraph : " The Press Association learns that the decision of the Grand Lodge of England not to admit to their meetings Freemasons belonging to the Grand Orient of France has been recently under the consideration of the Conseil Supreme
of the latter body , and a determination has been arrived at to tender full explanations of their exact position to the Grand Lodge of England . In the event of the explanations not being accepted by the Grand Lodge o England , it is probable that immediate action will be taken in the nature of an appeal to English public opinion on the subject . " As far as we are
concerned in England , the exact position of the Grand Orient of France is well known , and unless most satisfactory explanations are tendered , the ground for which , we fear , does not exist , there is little likelihood of the Grand Lodge oi England altering their present resolution on the subject . Not only does the old grave course of complaint exist , but others have been superadded .
For it is a well-known fact , too well-known to need discussion , that extreme political tendencies have been manifested by a large portion of the lodges in France and Belgium , so much so that many respectable Freemasons have retired from the lodges , and many have expressed their entire
disapproval of the existing state of feeling among the French Freemasons in respect of the Cosmopolitan princip les of Freemasonry . We wish it were otherwise . But until the French Grand Orient openly retraces its steps English Freemasons and French Freemasons are not and cannot be as one .