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 .
e NATIONAL MONUMENT TO DR . CHALMERS . It is proposed to erect a national monument to the late Bro . Dr . Chalmers in the metropolis of Scotland . The Craft throughout the world
will be pleased to know that he was a member of our Ancient and Honourable Order . A bast of him has for many years been placed in a niche in the Lodge Journeymen , _ To . S , Edinburgh . CHALMERS I . PATON .
SACRED OR ODD NUMBERS . In the system of Pythagoras , odd numbers were symbols of perfection . The sacred numbers of Freemasonry are all odd . They are i , 3 , 5 , 7 , 9 , X S , 2 7 > 33 , and 81 . CHALMERS I . PATON .
Will Bro . Paton enlighten the English Brotherhood with the history of the Patron Saint of England , as he has given so able an account of St . John as the Patron Saint of Freemasonry , and St . Andrew , the Patron Saint of Scotland ? ST . GEORGE .
THE HEREDITARY GRAND MASTER OF SCOTLAND . Were Bro . Chalmers I . Paton to prefix his remarks at top of page 175 with the word " imaginary , " I should be more satisfied—that is
to say , " Imaginary history relates the following . " Then , pray , what " Order " was any Baron of Roslin " Grand Master" of in the time of James II . ? I can ' t remember any just at present . LEO .
BRO . EUCIIAN AND THE 1717 THEORY ( pages 164 and 175 ) . Bro . " Edinburgh " at page 176 informs us that certain Scottish lodges which claim date before 1717 , also claim " to having continued to work
111 a similar way as they at present do . Now that latter " claim , " like many other Masonic claims , is simply a mistake , as is proved by their own minutes . They never worked " as they at
present do "before 1717 ; and the way " they at present do / ' is an adoption of the English Freemasonry , first instituted in London in A . D . 1717 , and thereafter adopted by " Freemasons all over the -world" " AV . P . B .
ENGLISH GILDS . I am able to inform Bro . Buchan that M . Toulmin Smith ' s book on " English Gilds " was published early in the present year by Trtibner and Co ., 6 o , Paternoster-row , for the Early
English Text Society . I had the pleasure to render the learned author some little assistance as fur as the information relating to my own locality is concerned , and regret his decease shortly before the publication of this his last work . The book
contiins the original Ordinances of more than one hundred early Gilds , as well as the ancient laws of several cities . An elaborate
introduction , and an essay on tlie origin of these ancient societies , occupy 199 pages , and the remainder of the book occupies 483 . It is published at a guinea . LUPUS .
AFFILIATION AND BRO . C . I . PATON . It is to be regretted that under the English rule the method of obligating brethren who are joining members from other jurisdictions does not prevail generally as in Scotland . There
ought to be some recognised form for such an event , as also on tlie visitation by a brother unknown to any of the members of tlie lodge , but who comes prepared to undergo an examination ; and produces his certificate , & c .
A satisfactory examination , and the usual means taken to identify the certificate with the possessor of it , are not sufficient grounds to claim admission into a Craft Lodge when the brother is personally unknown to any of the members .
For what they know , he may be under expulsion , not a subscribing member under the English constitutional though so formerly , and have visited
the lodge before during the year when once only is allowed ; or there may be other sufficient reasons why he should not be allowed to visit any lodge . I hope Bro . Paton ' s letter will draw
Multum In Parbo, Or Masonic Notes And Queries.
attention to this matter , and lead to a more general adoption of a uniform affirmation or obligation to be taken by visitors who are strangers . W . J . HUGHAN .
GRAND MASTERS PRIOR TO I 717 . England can boast of fifty-one Grand Masters prior to r 717 . PYTHAGORAS . THE " RED CROSS" ORDER .
Brother Hughan " to the rescue ! " I think , however , that our good brother , a most careful Mason , has departed a little from his usual cautious practice . He generally gives us reasonable deductions , supported by some authorities ,
aided by close reasoning ; but on this occasion he favours us with two communications which , to the surprise and disappointment , as I believe , of all your readers , will be found utterly deficient in Brother Hughan ' s usual excellent characteristics , proof and logic .
1 . He says it is very clear that the Order has produced quite as unequivocal evidence of its connection -with Freemasonry during the latter part of the past century as any other of the chivalric degrees . When was this evidence produced ? What and
where is it ? What has the connection with Freemasonry to do with being " thc only legitimate reprcscntaline of the Order in the -world T ' And how can a comparison with any other degrees help the claims of an Order which has such high-sounding pretentions ?
2 . Probably the Duke of Sussex -was the Grand Master of a Masonic Red Cross Order upon the expiring , or expired , remains of which the present " only legitimate" &_ ., was built , perhaps four years since . Even if the Duke ' s
Order was identical with the present one , His Grace ' s presidency does not confer upon it a very ancient flavour . Thc Articles of 1813 do not say a work about Constantine . 3 . Brother Hughan says : " Tlie present ' Red Cross of Rome and Constantine ' is the revived
original Alasonic Order of the last century . AVhat original Masonic Order I Tlie Masonic Order called Constantine did not exist in thc last century . Even in "time immemorial" in Scotland the Order has no mention in the Templar Statutes of 30 years since . How could " one
or more of thc members of thc old body " create Knights Grand Cross ? And how could " one or more " have any authority to set up " the oulv Icjii / iuafc , " Szc , ? What is the " old body / " The only old Masonic Red Cross Orders of which I , or any other Brother to my knowledge , has seen any
evidence , are certainly not of tlie Constantinian Orders . Surely Bro . Hughan , with his acute and analytical reasoning , must know and feel that the theory which is put forward is an impossibility and a myth . He surely cannot have been deluded " by magic numbers and persuasive sound . "
Upon Brother Hughan ' s second communication , I would ask : What is " the evidence at present in the hands of a few only ' : " ¦ And why such reticence on the part of thc happy few ? Truly they are as reticent as Giustiniani and Eusebius , and guard their treasures with more care than did tlie classic sisters of old . Here
again , I observe , Brother Hughan carefully alludes only to the connection with Freemasonry which no body doubts . We want to know what connection it has with anything else . How by
any possibility , however remote , it claims to be " the only legitimate" & c ., wilh which in February . 1 S 6 9 , it " never boasted any connection !" Brother Hughan concludes by an allusion to the documents discovered at Freemasons' Hall .
of which we have no information , and says that they are " after all not tlie only evidence" of the degree before 1813 , as " conclusive information on tliis important point" is contained in tlie history of the Order by Brother Little . AVhat does our brother here mean ? Af / cr all ! After what ? We have had no evidence
yet earlier than tne venerable French book of 1838 . What is the conclusive information in Brother Little ' s history ? I will do that brother the justice to say that in the 19 pages which contain his memoir of the Order he has made
Multum In Parbo, Or Masonic Notes And Queries.
no allusion whatever to its being called " Constantine ; " and I can safely state that no information , conclusive or otherwise , there appears on the subject . R . AV . L . was kind enough to approve of the question I put at page 151 . I therefore repeat it . Can it be shown that tlie Masonic Red Cross Order has been allied with the
Constantinian name more than a few years ? I also ask another question . AVhat shadow of claim has the Masonic Order to pretend to any alliance with the ancient and historic Order of the Holy Sepulchre , at this moment a public foreign Order ?
I observe in the Freemasons Magazine an article by Brother Matier which refers to the Red Cross Order , in which he alludes to a large source of information not at my command . I have addressed myself to the subject as an archaeologist , and as taking an historic interest
in tlie Chivalric Orders of Europe ; an interest which induces me to view with jealousy great pretentions in which nobody attempts to show me any foundation ; they write and tell me it is conclusive , but they show me nothing from which to conclude . I shall be glad to see the information which Brother Matier promises . LUPUS .
MASONIC MARKS ON ANCIENT BUILDINGS . In one of Dr . Oliver ' s works ( I forget which ) I found the following remarks on this subject , and I should feel deeply obliged to any brother who will tell me any church or building where I can find an example . I have looked diligently ,
but with no success . " It appears that the stones both inside and outside many of our ancient buildings have a symbol or mark , evidently the work of the original builders . Godwin says ( in a work on the subject ) , ' that in his opinion these marks ,
if collected and compared , might assist in connecting the various bands of operatives who , under the protection of the church , and mystically united , spread themselves over Europe during tlie middle ages , and were known as Freemasons . ' In length these marks vary from 2 to
7 inches , and consist chiefly of crosses , double triangles , the trowel , the square , etc ., etc . " So far Dr . Oliver and Godwin , but I cannot think the latter is quite right in his statement of the Freemasons being "bands of operatives " during the middle ages . Where does he . find anv mention of the fact ?
Anything connected with Masonry possesses the deepest interest for me , it being a subject on which I cannot learn too much , and which has not very long possessed my heart as it does at present . Therefore , I shall be truly grateful
for answers to my query , cither published in THE FREEMASON , or sent through the kindness of the Editor to mv own address , which he has . ______V . c .
THK EUROPEAN ASSURANCE SOCIETY . —The post of General Manager of this society has just been filial by ihe Directorate , in favour of Bro . H . 15 . Parmintcr . Thcappointmcnt , wc believe , will give great satisfaction to the district agents , and will tend largely to develop the business of thc socic ' y , wiiich lias recently been inakiiigconsiclerablcprogress
A CONCERT 111 aid of the Metropolitan Police Orphanage will take place on Wednesday , April 20 th , al St . James's Hall , Piccadilly , under the patronage , and with the permission of , Col . Henderson , CIS . One of thc great features of attraction will be the celebrated band of the A division . Artistes of well known celebrity have given their valuable services
gratuitously to further this praiseworthy object . No publicity is given , it being entirely local , and to one of the most hard-working class , who risk their health in thc service of thc public . It is to be hoped that a large sum will accrue towards that excellent object . Tickets can be obtained at Bro . Austin ' s ticket-office , St . James ' s Hall , and also of Bros . J ,
Mott , Dunlop , Hayes , & c . BREAKFAST . — FITS ' COCOA . — Grateful and Comforting . —The very agreeable character of lllis preparation his rendered it a general favourite . The Civil Seii ' ce Gazette rem wks : ' * !! y a thorough knowledge of the natural laws which . govern the operations of digestion
ami nulriii'in , : v \ . \ \> y a careful applicalion of the fine properties of well-selec ' el cocoa , Mr . Kpps has provided our breakfast tables u ill ) a delicately-flavoured beverage which may save us many heavy doctors' bills . " Made simply with boiling water or milk . Sold only in tin-lined packets , labelled J AMKS Kl'l'S & Co ., Homceopathie Chemists , London , —[ Advt . l
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 .
e NATIONAL MONUMENT TO DR . CHALMERS . It is proposed to erect a national monument to the late Bro . Dr . Chalmers in the metropolis of Scotland . The Craft throughout the world
will be pleased to know that he was a member of our Ancient and Honourable Order . A bast of him has for many years been placed in a niche in the Lodge Journeymen , _ To . S , Edinburgh . CHALMERS I . PATON .
SACRED OR ODD NUMBERS . In the system of Pythagoras , odd numbers were symbols of perfection . The sacred numbers of Freemasonry are all odd . They are i , 3 , 5 , 7 , 9 , X S , 2 7 > 33 , and 81 . CHALMERS I . PATON .
Will Bro . Paton enlighten the English Brotherhood with the history of the Patron Saint of England , as he has given so able an account of St . John as the Patron Saint of Freemasonry , and St . Andrew , the Patron Saint of Scotland ? ST . GEORGE .
THE HEREDITARY GRAND MASTER OF SCOTLAND . Were Bro . Chalmers I . Paton to prefix his remarks at top of page 175 with the word " imaginary , " I should be more satisfied—that is
to say , " Imaginary history relates the following . " Then , pray , what " Order " was any Baron of Roslin " Grand Master" of in the time of James II . ? I can ' t remember any just at present . LEO .
BRO . EUCIIAN AND THE 1717 THEORY ( pages 164 and 175 ) . Bro . " Edinburgh " at page 176 informs us that certain Scottish lodges which claim date before 1717 , also claim " to having continued to work
111 a similar way as they at present do . Now that latter " claim , " like many other Masonic claims , is simply a mistake , as is proved by their own minutes . They never worked " as they at
present do "before 1717 ; and the way " they at present do / ' is an adoption of the English Freemasonry , first instituted in London in A . D . 1717 , and thereafter adopted by " Freemasons all over the -world" " AV . P . B .
ENGLISH GILDS . I am able to inform Bro . Buchan that M . Toulmin Smith ' s book on " English Gilds " was published early in the present year by Trtibner and Co ., 6 o , Paternoster-row , for the Early
English Text Society . I had the pleasure to render the learned author some little assistance as fur as the information relating to my own locality is concerned , and regret his decease shortly before the publication of this his last work . The book
contiins the original Ordinances of more than one hundred early Gilds , as well as the ancient laws of several cities . An elaborate
introduction , and an essay on tlie origin of these ancient societies , occupy 199 pages , and the remainder of the book occupies 483 . It is published at a guinea . LUPUS .
AFFILIATION AND BRO . C . I . PATON . It is to be regretted that under the English rule the method of obligating brethren who are joining members from other jurisdictions does not prevail generally as in Scotland . There
ought to be some recognised form for such an event , as also on tlie visitation by a brother unknown to any of the members of tlie lodge , but who comes prepared to undergo an examination ; and produces his certificate , & c .
A satisfactory examination , and the usual means taken to identify the certificate with the possessor of it , are not sufficient grounds to claim admission into a Craft Lodge when the brother is personally unknown to any of the members .
For what they know , he may be under expulsion , not a subscribing member under the English constitutional though so formerly , and have visited
the lodge before during the year when once only is allowed ; or there may be other sufficient reasons why he should not be allowed to visit any lodge . I hope Bro . Paton ' s letter will draw
Multum In Parbo, Or Masonic Notes And Queries.
attention to this matter , and lead to a more general adoption of a uniform affirmation or obligation to be taken by visitors who are strangers . W . J . HUGHAN .
GRAND MASTERS PRIOR TO I 717 . England can boast of fifty-one Grand Masters prior to r 717 . PYTHAGORAS . THE " RED CROSS" ORDER .
Brother Hughan " to the rescue ! " I think , however , that our good brother , a most careful Mason , has departed a little from his usual cautious practice . He generally gives us reasonable deductions , supported by some authorities ,
aided by close reasoning ; but on this occasion he favours us with two communications which , to the surprise and disappointment , as I believe , of all your readers , will be found utterly deficient in Brother Hughan ' s usual excellent characteristics , proof and logic .
1 . He says it is very clear that the Order has produced quite as unequivocal evidence of its connection -with Freemasonry during the latter part of the past century as any other of the chivalric degrees . When was this evidence produced ? What and
where is it ? What has the connection with Freemasonry to do with being " thc only legitimate reprcscntaline of the Order in the -world T ' And how can a comparison with any other degrees help the claims of an Order which has such high-sounding pretentions ?
2 . Probably the Duke of Sussex -was the Grand Master of a Masonic Red Cross Order upon the expiring , or expired , remains of which the present " only legitimate" &_ ., was built , perhaps four years since . Even if the Duke ' s
Order was identical with the present one , His Grace ' s presidency does not confer upon it a very ancient flavour . Thc Articles of 1813 do not say a work about Constantine . 3 . Brother Hughan says : " Tlie present ' Red Cross of Rome and Constantine ' is the revived
original Alasonic Order of the last century . AVhat original Masonic Order I Tlie Masonic Order called Constantine did not exist in thc last century . Even in "time immemorial" in Scotland the Order has no mention in the Templar Statutes of 30 years since . How could " one
or more of thc members of thc old body " create Knights Grand Cross ? And how could " one or more " have any authority to set up " the oulv Icjii / iuafc , " Szc , ? What is the " old body / " The only old Masonic Red Cross Orders of which I , or any other Brother to my knowledge , has seen any
evidence , are certainly not of tlie Constantinian Orders . Surely Bro . Hughan , with his acute and analytical reasoning , must know and feel that the theory which is put forward is an impossibility and a myth . He surely cannot have been deluded " by magic numbers and persuasive sound . "
Upon Brother Hughan ' s second communication , I would ask : What is " the evidence at present in the hands of a few only ' : " ¦ And why such reticence on the part of thc happy few ? Truly they are as reticent as Giustiniani and Eusebius , and guard their treasures with more care than did tlie classic sisters of old . Here
again , I observe , Brother Hughan carefully alludes only to the connection with Freemasonry which no body doubts . We want to know what connection it has with anything else . How by
any possibility , however remote , it claims to be " the only legitimate" & c ., wilh which in February . 1 S 6 9 , it " never boasted any connection !" Brother Hughan concludes by an allusion to the documents discovered at Freemasons' Hall .
of which we have no information , and says that they are " after all not tlie only evidence" of the degree before 1813 , as " conclusive information on tliis important point" is contained in tlie history of the Order by Brother Little . AVhat does our brother here mean ? Af / cr all ! After what ? We have had no evidence
yet earlier than tne venerable French book of 1838 . What is the conclusive information in Brother Little ' s history ? I will do that brother the justice to say that in the 19 pages which contain his memoir of the Order he has made
Multum In Parbo, Or Masonic Notes And Queries.
no allusion whatever to its being called " Constantine ; " and I can safely state that no information , conclusive or otherwise , there appears on the subject . R . AV . L . was kind enough to approve of the question I put at page 151 . I therefore repeat it . Can it be shown that tlie Masonic Red Cross Order has been allied with the
Constantinian name more than a few years ? I also ask another question . AVhat shadow of claim has the Masonic Order to pretend to any alliance with the ancient and historic Order of the Holy Sepulchre , at this moment a public foreign Order ?
I observe in the Freemasons Magazine an article by Brother Matier which refers to the Red Cross Order , in which he alludes to a large source of information not at my command . I have addressed myself to the subject as an archaeologist , and as taking an historic interest
in tlie Chivalric Orders of Europe ; an interest which induces me to view with jealousy great pretentions in which nobody attempts to show me any foundation ; they write and tell me it is conclusive , but they show me nothing from which to conclude . I shall be glad to see the information which Brother Matier promises . LUPUS .
MASONIC MARKS ON ANCIENT BUILDINGS . In one of Dr . Oliver ' s works ( I forget which ) I found the following remarks on this subject , and I should feel deeply obliged to any brother who will tell me any church or building where I can find an example . I have looked diligently ,
but with no success . " It appears that the stones both inside and outside many of our ancient buildings have a symbol or mark , evidently the work of the original builders . Godwin says ( in a work on the subject ) , ' that in his opinion these marks ,
if collected and compared , might assist in connecting the various bands of operatives who , under the protection of the church , and mystically united , spread themselves over Europe during tlie middle ages , and were known as Freemasons . ' In length these marks vary from 2 to
7 inches , and consist chiefly of crosses , double triangles , the trowel , the square , etc ., etc . " So far Dr . Oliver and Godwin , but I cannot think the latter is quite right in his statement of the Freemasons being "bands of operatives " during the middle ages . Where does he . find anv mention of the fact ?
Anything connected with Masonry possesses the deepest interest for me , it being a subject on which I cannot learn too much , and which has not very long possessed my heart as it does at present . Therefore , I shall be truly grateful
for answers to my query , cither published in THE FREEMASON , or sent through the kindness of the Editor to mv own address , which he has . ______V . c .
THK EUROPEAN ASSURANCE SOCIETY . —The post of General Manager of this society has just been filial by ihe Directorate , in favour of Bro . H . 15 . Parmintcr . Thcappointmcnt , wc believe , will give great satisfaction to the district agents , and will tend largely to develop the business of thc socic ' y , wiiich lias recently been inakiiigconsiclerablcprogress
A CONCERT 111 aid of the Metropolitan Police Orphanage will take place on Wednesday , April 20 th , al St . James's Hall , Piccadilly , under the patronage , and with the permission of , Col . Henderson , CIS . One of thc great features of attraction will be the celebrated band of the A division . Artistes of well known celebrity have given their valuable services
gratuitously to further this praiseworthy object . No publicity is given , it being entirely local , and to one of the most hard-working class , who risk their health in thc service of thc public . It is to be hoped that a large sum will accrue towards that excellent object . Tickets can be obtained at Bro . Austin ' s ticket-office , St . James ' s Hall , and also of Bros . J ,
Mott , Dunlop , Hayes , & c . BREAKFAST . — FITS ' COCOA . — Grateful and Comforting . —The very agreeable character of lllis preparation his rendered it a general favourite . The Civil Seii ' ce Gazette rem wks : ' * !! y a thorough knowledge of the natural laws which . govern the operations of digestion
ami nulriii'in , : v \ . \ \> y a careful applicalion of the fine properties of well-selec ' el cocoa , Mr . Kpps has provided our breakfast tables u ill ) a delicately-flavoured beverage which may save us many heavy doctors' bills . " Made simply with boiling water or milk . Sold only in tin-lined packets , labelled J AMKS Kl'l'S & Co ., Homceopathie Chemists , London , —[ Advt . l