Births, Marriages, And Deaths.

Births , Marriages , and Deaths .

MARRIAGE . ALPASS . —TONGE . —October 7 , at Bidston Church , by the Rev . C . A . Graham , Bro . II . S . Alpass , of Liverpool , Prov . G . See . for West Lancashire , to Caroline , daugher of the late Daniel Tonge , Esq ., Woodlands , Birkenhead .

DEATH . ADAMS . —On 7 th inst ., at Kirkgate , Cockermouth , Bro . John Adams , lato Tyler of Skiddaw Lodge , 1002 , aged 70 .

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All communications for TIIK FREEMASON should be written legibly , on one side of the paper only , and , if intended for insertion in the current number must be received not later than 10 o ' clock a . m . on Thursdays , unless in very special cases . The name and address of eveiy writer must be sent to us in confidence .

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% \ t Jreemasflit , SATURDAY , OCTOBER 16 , 1869 .

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THB FRBHMASON is published on Saturday Mornings in timo for the early trains . The price of T UB PEEKMisoy is Twopence per week ; quarterly subscription ( including postage ) 3 s . 3 d . Annual Subscription , 12 s . Subscriptions payable in advance . All communications , letters , & c , to be addressed to tho EDITOB , 3 & 4 , Little Britain , E . CJ . The Editor will pay careful attention to all MSS . entrusted to him , but cannot undertake to return them unless accompanied by postage stamps .

Freemasonry And Modern Fanaticism.

FREEMASONRY AND MODERN FANATICISM .

MYSTERIES have ever possessed a strange and potent influence over the minds of men . But this influence , like the face of Janus , has two aspects , and like a two-edged sword cuts both ways . "While educated men compare and analyze ,

the vulgar stare and wonder and fear . It is probable that this feeling dates its origin from the occult and sacred rites practised by the priests of ancient creeds , because it is known as an historical fact that the weird and awe-inspiring

ceremonies of the Indian , Egyptian , and Grecian mysteries sank deeply into the hearts of the initiates : and the reflex of this solemn and speechless awe was found in the mute , unquestioning belief of the multitude . When

Christianity arose in strengh , after an unparalleled probation of blood and tears , many of the primitive superstitions retained their hold upon the imaginations of the people and it will be an everlasting reproach to the so-called shepherds

of the Christian flock in the early ages of the Church , that instead of trying to eradicate thoso semi-pagan prejudices and practices , they merely sought to make themselves " all things to all men , " and suffered ignorance and fanaticism to

prevail where the pure light of the Gospel should have filled mankind with the enduring splendour of wisdom , truth , and justice . Christendom at large has reaped tho bitter fruits of this pusillanimous complaisance—this

base trifling with thc intellect of man—this fatal abandonment of his hi ghest and holiest ri ghts . As a result , we have seen corruption overspreading the doctrines of true reli gion wo have seen persecution upreai-ing its detested head : wc have

found that the name of the Creator of all worlds has beeu used as tho rallying-point for bloodsheddcrs , and haters of their fellow-men . All who dared to differ from the dogmatic utterances of Rome were doomed beyond appeal . Jews and

heretics alike suffered from the insensate wrath of the priest-led persecutors . And it is a curious phase of this blind intolerance that the most incredible rumours were set afloat to intensif y tho opposition of thc mob to all who thought for

themselves . Every Israelite was looked upon as a devourer of yojmg children in thoso days , and ifc was generally believed that no Passover could be duly celebrated without a holocaust of infants stolen from the Christian community . The Albigenses were , in a similar manner , accused of

Freemasonry And Modern Fanaticism.

awful crimes . The Waldenses , though pure m life and action , were credited with offences happily rare in the worst ages of the world . Every city , every plain , had its legend of the " devil's children , " and the arts of ancient astrologers and

magicians pale into insignificance when compared with the deeds attributed to men who simply worshipped God after the fashion of their forefathers . Yet , wonderful to relate , and wise as we are in the nineteenth century , it seems that

we have some of this old leaven of persecution left . If the story of the Minotaur and of his tributary victims were quoted now as a grave and absolute fact , how many smiles it would provoke amongst the wiseacres of our boasted

civilisation , how many " Impossibles from fche sceptical youth of the present day ! Truth , however , is stranger than fiction , and there are realities transpiring every moment around us which corroborate the truism that man's nature is the

same in all ages . History reproduces itself as the revolving cycles of time roll on . The Anglo-Saxon of to-day is the Athenian of antiquity . The Norwegian of the present is the unconscious image of the

Boeotian of the past . It is true that Scandinavia is especially fertile in superstition , in legends , and in mysteries her peasants suck in with their mother ' s milk fearful memories and ghastly recollections of demons , of

dwarfs , and of demigods . When the Norsemen swept the seas , scenes of blood and conquest were familiar to the bold and sturdy race which may be said to garrison . the North of Europe , and tradition has carried down to our own times

the fame of many a fierce old Runic hero and victorious Viking . Patriotism , the true love of country , is welded into the singular mental organism of the Scandinavian peasant , and he revels in the recital of the sanguinary deeds of

his yellow-haired and strong-limbed ancestors , Many of these legends are full of u quaint simplicity , and bear the rugged impress of their Northern origin others , as we have stated , teem with records of slaughter and terror . A remarkable instanco of the influence these tales retain

over the minds of thc populace has occurred at Christiana , the capital of Norway , within the last month . It appears that ninong the lower classes of Norwegians a belief prevails that one of the secret duties of the Freemasons is to supply

a human tribute to the Grand Turk— "Trynetyrken , " or swine-snout , as thoy irreverently call His Sublimity , being supposed to be partial to roast maiden , varied with a steak or two oft' a plump boy flavoured with Worcestershire sauce .

A perfect panic scorns to have arisen latel y in consequence of the time having arrived , according to the popular notions , for tho despatch of the septennial victims to thc modern Minotaur . The youth of both sexes were afraid to venture

out utter dark , and yet the delusion spread that an unknown but enormous number of young women and lads had disappeared and wero in transitu to the Sultan ' s pantry . Fourteen bakers and ono tailor were also kidnapped and sent oil

as live stock to tho shambles , and at last tho frenzy of tbo people rose to such a height that they attacked the Freemasons' Hull in tho town , and a scene of riot ensued which was only quelled by placing tho military under arms . In another

column will be found a more detailed account of the transaction , and it reveals a state of affairs by no means creditable to the education and intelligence of the hardy Norwegians . Why the Sublime Porte should have a penclumt for bakers

it is not for us to say , but there must bo a plethora of bread-makers in tho Norwegian capital , when so many can be spared for His

Imperial Majesty ' s delectation . Only ono tailor appears to have been caught , a circumstance which redounds to tho reputation for caution which his fellow-craftsmen possess . Wo are also

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thankful to see that there was no editor among the victims possibly knights of the pen are scarce in Christiana , although we believe it boasts an university , and must , therefore , contain a few men of letters . In all sober earnestnsss , however , it is sad to think that such a lamentable

delusion should exist in the midst of a civilised people at the present day , despite the manifold efforts made by the apostles of progress to spread fche benefits of education in every land . Let us hope that before the expiration of another seven years—when the time for paying the supposed tribute to the Turk shall have again

arrivedthe commotion which took place in 1869 will be remembered as the last act of a comedy which but for the forbearance of those in power , might have had a tragical termination ; and by that time , let us also trust , the citizens of Christiana will have learned enough of the true principles of Freemasonry to prevent the recurrence of a similar demonstration in future .

Foreign Notes By The Editor.

FOREIGN NOTES BY THE EDITOR .

A sad occurrence is reported from New Zealand . Brother James Cameron , formerly of the Morning Advertiser , and since then connected with the New Zealand Herald , had attended his lodge afc Auckland for the purpose of taking his third degree , and on returning home appears to

have inadvertently left a light burning which set fire to the house , and , melancholy to relate , he perished in the flames . From the Proceedings of the Grand Lodge of Maine we glean that there are 43 Grand Lodges in fche United States , with . a total of 435 , 068

subscribing members—fche rate of increase being nearly 50 , 000 per annum . It is further stated that , " making proper allowance for lodges not making returns , for the increase since the returns up to the present time , and for the non-affiliates , it is safe to say there are over 500 , 000 Masons in the United States and the Dominion of Canada . "

New York heads the list with 70 , 000 members , aud the Grand Lodge of Idalio is at the bottom with 225 . Sixteen States hive over 10 , 000 brethren in each . The Proceedings of American Grand Lodges generally are compiled with great care , and though voluminous will well repay perusal .

Remarkable Delusion.

REMARKABLE DELUSION .

Freemasonry in Norway , although warmly patronised by the reigning monarch and his son , the Crown Prince , and conferring privileges on its members in a manner unknown to this country , seems to be the subject of a strange delusion in the minds of the lower orders of Norwegians . Their quiet capital has lately

been subject to a popular commotion of a most extraordinary character . For several days previous to the 17 th of last month , the Freemasons' Hall , in Christiana was the centre of continued riotous demonstrations ; numerous arrests were made by the police , and at night the military were placed under arms . Similar

scenes have been witnessed before , and they arc thc outburst of curious and deplorable superstition . Among the lower class there is a belief that once in seven years the Freemasons have to discharge one of their secret duties at the expense of their fellow-citizens , by supplying a few plump human bodies to tickle tho

palate of the Grand Turk— " Trynetyrken , " or swincsnouted Turk , as he is irreverently denominated in tho vernacular . Under the present panic , which is precisely similar to that described by the popular poet Wergcland more than twenty years ago , young people of the poorer classes and servants refused to move out of doors

after dusk , and are the subjects of unfeigned terror . The most extraordinary stories prevail of " suitable persons" having been carried olf by force in broad daylight , and it is generally believed that tho city authorities assist in procuring this Turkish tribute . The people arrested in open warfare against the

freemasons' state specifically that fourteen bakers have disappeared , and one tailor , and an unknown but enormous number of young women and boys are supposed to be on their transit to the Sultan ' s pantry . The magistrates have tried to allay tho popular frenzy by issuing a caution to householders requiring them to keep young people out of the way , and pointing out

the stupid character of the panic . Iho Aftenpost , in commenting on this strange commotion , ascribes it to the fact that many persons emigrate to America without apprising their friends of their intention , and says that this circumstance , brought into connection with an exaggerated historical tradition handed down from the time when European nations paid tribute to the piratical states of Tripoli and Tunis , accounts for th & whole affair .