Uniformity Of Ritual.

UNIFORMITY OF RITUAL .

There is a good deal at first sight taking and p leasant in the idea of Uniformity of Ritual , but when we come carefully to look into the areruments pro and con , we see how specious rather than important , shallow rather than deep , all of them are , and that an the whole the evils clearly

counterbalance the advantages , the proposed " remedy " mig ht be worse actually than the alleged "disease . " In the first place , to the student and archaeologist the slight discrepancies of rituals are proofs of the antiquity of Freema sonry , and point alike to its early date , and to

the wide-spread net-work of its system and its lodges . For it is quite clear that these very differences , altogether unimportant really as they are , not only agree with the known facts of history , but seem to demonstrate the existence of a common origin , if slightly divergent usages . What

the condition or the system of the lodges which Ashmole was initiated in and attended was , is not at present known to us , but the earliest traces we have of rituals bespeak in our opinion a preiSth-centnrv existence . What the exact working of the Grand Lodge of York was , is also

not quite clear yet , for Dermott s system had nothing to do with York , and therefore , we may assume that in the last century there were three great systems in use . in England , with provincal modifications , the York , the Ancient , and that of the Grand Lodgeof 171 7 . We do not fancy

that there was any very material difference , except that the system of Dermott seems to have been more definitely Christian in teaching and symbolism . The successive emendations of the ritual by Desaguliers , Anderson , Dunckerley , Clare , Preston , Hemmings , Williams , left us in

1813 with one system for the United Grand Lodge . But , as we know , that very system has still provincial modifications , and two slightly varied systems are presented by the Lodge of Emulation and the Lodge of Stability in London . One or two private lodges have slight

peculiarities of their own , and we therefore are prepared to contend to-day that on the whole , the present system is wisely tolerant , and that we had better allow those slight differences , inasmuch as they do no harm , and are very interesting to the Masonic antiquary . But there is

one great objection to an uniformity of ritual , namely , that it must lead to the weakening of the oral system . We say this advisedly , that whenever the ora l system is departed from , then Freemasonry seems to deviate also from its real end , and the energy

of the brethren becomes expended on hurtful topics and unmasonic questions . Masonry is well worth a little labour , a little self-sacrifice , a little personal exertion , and no system is good for anything , or can long endure , about which its members take no trouble , or repeat ,

parrotlike , certain stereotyped formulae without heart , without dignity , and without effect . And if it be true , that in all oral systems , owing to the weakness of the individual memory , certain accretions and substitutions occur in the lapse of time , these can always be rectified by " bright , "

by expert Masons , who , as we often hear , lend to their delivery of our admirable ritual , everything that chastened dignity can impart , or fervent appreciation of its beauty and meaning can suggest . On all these grounds we do resist , and always shall resist , 'any interference with tha

slight actual discrepancies and independent coincidences of our ritual , believing that under the present system , far better than under an iron rule of stern uniformity , Freemasonry flourishes amongst us in England , in power , in proficiency , and in life .

What Next, Indeed?

WHAT NEXT , INDEED ?

Many are the prejudices against Freemasonry , many the false estimates of its meaning and work . Among the most absurd of any such similar hindrances and injustice to our good order , we have to call attention to the recent unwise words and acts of the Poplar District Board ,

which appear in another column . We could hardl y believe our eyes , when we read the following passage , in the report of the proceedings of the Board , in the Tower Hamlets Independent ot March 2 nd : — "The General Purposes Committee recom-

What Next, Indeed?

mend that the use ofthe hall belonging to the Board , be granted , pursuant to certain conditions , for the purpose of the meetings of the All Saint ' s Poplar , Lodge of Freemasons . " Mr . Edgecumbe opposed the recommendation , on the ground that it would be opening the

door to a reprehensible practice , and if the use of it were granted to Masons , why not to Odd Fellows , Buffaloes , & c . ? ( Laughter . ) " Mr . Langdon seconded the motion , observing that the offices of the Board were different

to the Town Hall . The latter might be said to be for the purposes of the ratepayers , but the former was for the use of the representatives of the district and should , in his opinion , be kept for that purpose . If the Beard ' s offices were let to the Freemasons he feared that it would be

the means of giving the members of that body a preponderating influence on the board . ' ' Can it be believed that in 1878 any such ignorance exists ofthe real aims and great benefits of Freemasonry exists , even in the mind of a Poplar vestryman ' It is simply a ridiculous

libel on the efforts and teaching of our benevolent Order . In fact , the matter is beneath contempt , ancTwe can well afford to laugh at it , but that a public board , by fifteen votes to ten , on such ridiculous grounds , can refuse the ha '! for the

meeting of the All Saints Lodge , is a burlesque on every profession of liberal-mindedness and fair play amongst us , and is alike discreditable to the common sense and kindly feeling of an English vestry .

Original Correspondence.

Original Correspondence .

[ Wc do riGtholel ourselves responsible lor , or even as approving of the opinions expressed by our correspondents , but we wish , in a spirit of fair play to all , to permit—within certain necessary limits—free discussion . —En . l

KENNING'S MASONIC CYCLOP-EDfA . Dear Bro . Kenning , — As complaints are repeated , and little blots are found in respect of your publication and my editorial labours , I beg lo remind my criiic < , once for all , that from the letters S to Z we hael , in consequence of many letters to make up our minds to hurry the work to a

close , and depart from oOr original programme . It will bc seen that the system adopted under these letters is altogether different , and far less satisfactory , than under the preceding ones . For instance , few Masonic books are mentioned , hardly any Masonic authors . This defect we can only hope to remedy in a second edition , but the fault is not ours , but that of many of our kind and impatient friends . To the great hulk of our

subscribers we tender once again our best thanks . I lad it not been for the kindness of Bro . W . J . Hughan , who proffered his invaluable help , we should not noiv have had the Cyclopaedia ready . When the great Doering issued his invaluable edition of Horace , the third , in 1824 ( the original edition was of 1803 ) he uses these most effective words , which I , too , can truly make my own to-iay , in all their fulness of meaning and application , as addressed to Masonic and fraternal

critics : — " Cteterum noli quoeso , humanissm' -. lector , peccata , quibus obnoxia est humana imb-. cilitas , oculis lvnceis , rimari , specular ! , investigare et investigata mente , iniquA cxagitare . Peccata veniam poscenti te dare fas est . " " But be unwilling , I intreat thee , O most humane reader , to pry into with lynx eyes , to note , t : > investigate the faults for

which human weakness is responsible , and when investigated to discuss with unjust mind . It is lawful for thee to grant parelon for his offences to one asking it of thee . " Let numerous friendly writers lay these , pleasant words to heart . At the same time I heartily welcome all kindly criticism and timely suggestions . I ara , dear Bro . Kenning , yours fraternally , THE EOITOII of YOUR CYCLOPAEDIA ..

THE GRAND ORIENT OF FRANCE . To the Editor of the " Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , — I have been reading the proceedings in Grand Lodge , and I heartily concur in the result of the last ( Quarterly Communication , the report of the Committee , and the result arrrived at . I am one of those who know a

little of what has been going on in Paris , and I have no hesitation in saying that the recent foolish and puerile proceedings of the Grand Orient of France are inspired by a political faction , those who sympathize , secretly or openly , with the detestable acts of the Commune . One should have thought that Freemasonry had been degraded sufficiently by its temporary connection with those savage

barbarians . For though it is true that the Grand Orient had nothing to do with the disgraceful exhibition made by a large body of the Masons of Paris , in fact , it practically collapsed in a sort of Masonic revolution , yet the stigma of those disgraceful doings still adheres to French Freemasonry . No wonder , then , that the whole civilized

Masonic world looks aghast at proceedings , which under the Jesuitical cry of toleration are but the completion of the revolutionary programme of Massol , the development of the inflated egotism of some fifth rate agitators . Bro . Caubet has threatened us with French Charters in England . So be it . It will simply lead to the entire ex-

Original Correspondence.

clusion of the followers of the Grand Orient , ( which will then be identified with a mischievous revolutionary party , the fomentors of disturbance , the friends of barbarism , and the agents of social anarchy , ) from every Anglo-Saxon lodge . Wc have only to note the proceedings of the " Philadelphes" in London , knowing of whom it is composed , to realize the outcome of the violent words of

Bro . Caubet , Grimaux , and others , to understand what it all means . However , we may wish to palliate the fact , or disguise the truth , it is this " ruck '' of a faction , as Bro . Hubert has it , which , as it disgraced humanity and degraded France , is now acting on French Freemasonry both to its present discredit and eventual destruction . Absolute

toleration is the s pectous cry , the " entire animal ' of revolution , the pratical result . We in England have done as we always , thank God , do do—our eluty . To those of us , who are inclined to take for instance a sentimental or careless view of the doings of the French Commune , and of the " dirt" into which French Freemasonry was dragged by it , we would

recommend for their opportune consideration the following extract from "Les convulsions de Paris , par Jl . Maxime du Camp . " I have told only the truth , but I have not told the whole truth . The latter was occasionally so exceptionally monstrous , it revealed acts of ferocity , or debauchery , of perversion so frightful , that often I have been compelled to

keep silence out of respect both for the reader and for myself . The whole menagerie of evil passions broke loose from the cage during the Commune , and , for two lone months , wallowed in the full licence of bestiality amidst the most extravagant moral subversion history has ever ha < l to record . There is no reproach to be cast at the Commune on the score of hypocrisy ; it was no dissimulator ; its frankness was unquestionable . Like a

shameless person , it exposed everything , and left behind astonishment at the ulcers which gnawed into its vitals . What it was , it would be again ; for it was the production of the vice which 'is that of humanity , par excellence—envy I Its date is far off , for it goes back to our very origin ; its great ancestor was the elder son of the first man , and his name was Cain . " I am , dear Sir and Brother yours fraternally , LOYAL .

THE GRAND INSTALLATION ENGRAVING . To the Editor ofthe "Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , — I have much pleasure in adding my testimony to the many that have already been offered as to the merits of Bro . Harty's Installation Engraving . As yet only the ten guinea subscription copies have been issued , but I

understand that the delivery of the seven guinea impressions will bc commenced from the second week in March , and the five guinea impressions early i . i April , those in order of issue following soon afterwards , until the least in value will be ready in May . I have had a considerable correspondence with the artist about the date of issue of

the different values , and the foregoing substantially conveys his reply . I le also informs mc that there are about eighty of the ten guineas , seventy of the seven guineas , 100 ofthe five guineas , 120 of the three guineas , and 200 of the two guineas still unsubscribed for of the total to be issued , after which the p late will positively be destroyed , and all orders will he : refused .

There are several brethren who are desirous of knowing if they can have copies at the subscription prices , and the answer to this query is " Yes , so long as there are any of the scries unissued . " On the completion of the last qualityit will then be a question whether the artist will allow the remaining copies to bc sold at the present prices , because it is expected that by then , the engraving

111 either of the stages of printing will be at a premium . Bro . Harty would then be fully justified in asking an advance for copies , especially as he tells us the cost of production will bc considerably over £ 2500 . Then comes the question of the " key , " for which many of us are now looking forward to most anxiously , as , of course , few brethren can recognise over 100 of the many

faces which greet them wherever the eye travels over the granil picture , and many , excepting by name , would be unknown to the most of us , who are able to attend Grand Lodge only occasionally . I suggest that a little extra expense be put about this valuable addenda to the picture , and that the list of subscribers bc carefull y compiled in alphabetical order , or according to rank , in a form

admitting of binding , the frontispiece being the picture in reduced facsimile ( skeleton ) . I do not think any subscriber would mind a few shillings for such a book , containing as it will nearly 700 names of brethren who took part in the proceedings . As to the picture , I am more than pleaseel with it , and without an exception all my friends who have seen and

examined it arc lavish in their praises of the engraving . I saw it , first cf all , unframed , a friend having sent his copy to be framed in my city , but when mine airived , framed most artistically , according to Bro . Harty ' s design , the opinion that 1 had formed before was changeu from pleasure to great admiration and positive delight . I failed , as I expected , out of so many hundreds of faces to

recognise more than about fifty or so , but , doubtless , when the " key " arrives , and we have time to carefully study the various heads , I shall succecel in locating the positions of some hundreds of members of the Craft , the difficulty at present being that one is lost , so to speak , amielstsuch a numerous assembly , antl the eye fails to concentrate on

any one face for special study . The M . W . Grand Master on the throne is most happily depicted , but I do not think Lord Carnarvon , as Pro G . M ., is quite so successful . Sir Albert W . Woods , as G . D . C , is proclaiming the many titles of H . R . H . the Prince of Wales , and near him are the Grand Secretary , Grand Registrar , Grand Chaplain , and other prominent officers well known to us all . Bro . loshua