The Development Of Speculative Masonry.

symbolism of Masonry ever remains the same—a deathless code for man ' s instruction ; a book of wisdom for all who choose to learn . Let us , therefore , ponder more

and more its teachings , and illustrate its deep and mystic meaning ; convinced that in the end Ave shall attain to such an exalted perception of truth as was rarely vouchsafed even to the seers of old .

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The English Craft , and we may add the Craft throughout the world , will gladly learn that the M . W . Grand Master of England , the Earl de Grey and Ripon ,

K . G ., has been raised to the rank of Marquis , in recognition of his eminent services as Lord High Commissioner during the recent negotiations at Washington .

Without being undue panegyrists of his lordship , Ave may safely add that never was reward more Avorthily bestowed , for a better type of the true , hard-Avorking , intellectual

statesman of England could not be found . The only matter for regret Avith us is that the dear , familiar title of " De Grey " has

not been retained by the Grand Master as his future appellation—the transition would then have been easy . .

We are also pleased , indeed , to hear that Bro . Lord Tenterden becomes a Companion of the Bath . He ought to be made at least a K . C . B .

Reviews.

Reviews .

» The " Westminster Papers " for June are to hand , and we have great pleasure in recommending this periodical to those of our readers—and

we presume amongst the Fraternity their name is legion—who are fond of the noble game of chess . The problems are admirable , and highly instructive . The articles on Fossil Chess are

unique , and well worth studying . AVe give this " Paper " our unqualified approbation , and wish the editor every success . We have also received the following : — Bailey ' s series of Practical Masonry , comprising

" The AV . M . ' s Special Help ; " " The Secretary ' s Special Help ; " " The Senior Deacon ' s Special Help . " Bailey , Chicago , Illinois . " Piper on Poultry ; " " Piper on Pigeons ;" " Carving Made Easy . " Groombridge , 5 ,

Paternoster-row " The Cricket Calendar . " Virtue and Co ., Ivylane , Paternoster-row . " Notes and Queries about Newcomen . " By

Bro . T . Lidstone . " The River Plate ; " " Emigration to the River Plate . " Bates , Hendy and Co ., 4 , Old Jewry , E . C . " Annual Report of the Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution . " These we reserve for future notice .

The American K.T. Tourists.

THE AMERICAN K . T . TOURISTS .

THE Knights Templar , from forty to sixty in number , are expected to arrive at Qucenstown on the 12 th instant , and Mr . John M . Cook will go to meet them , and conduct them through Ireland , and to Glasgow , where we expect to meet them , and from thence to accompany them through the best

parts of Scotland . They are to be at Alton Towers , by request of the Earl of Shrewsbury , on the 4 th of July , where they will celeoratc their favourite anniversary of American Independence . They will then visit London , and , after a few days , then proceed to the Rhine , Italy . and Switzerland , all under personal

arrangements . —Cook's Excursionist . [ We are glad to state that the Knights Templar arrived safely at Qucenstown on Monday last , on board the Oceanic , having made the passage from New York in nine days , one of the most rapid on record . ]

Multum In Parbo, Or Masonic Notes And Queries.

Multum in Parbo , or Masonic Notes and Queries .

THE RED CROSS OF CONSTANTINE . AVill Bro . " Lupus " favour one Avho appreciates his talents with an explanation of the

terms " Old Masonic Red Cross Order " used in his contribution at page 345 of THE FREEMASON ? The only Red Cross Orders with which I am acquainted

are—1 . The Babylonish Pass or Red Cross of Babylon ; given in Scotland by authority of the Grand R . A . Chapter , and also , I believe , at Rochdale . 2 . The American Red Cross , which is

somewhat similar to the above , and also modelled upon the 15 th degree of the A . and A . Rite , called " Knight of the East or Sword . " 3 . The Red Cross of Constantine . 4 . The Red Cross of Palestine , which is only

another name for the old degree of " Knight of the Sepulchre , " and used to distinguish them from the AVhite Cross Knights of St . John or Malta . To which or these Orders , or to what others ,

if any such existed , do Bro . " Lupus s remarks apply ? I may add , that I quite agree with Bro . " Lupus " in the belief that none of these Orders have any history apart from their

connection with the Masonic Craft , ancl that the legends upon which their origin is based are now generally accepted by all thinking men for what they are worth , and no more . NEMO .

I deprecate as much as any man the introduction of " personalities" into discussions , whether they be Masonic or otherwise , but as Sir P . Colquhoun ' s notion of argument seems to be , like an auctioneer ' s hammer . on the "knock ' em

down " principle , I would ask by what authority he gave notice of a question , or , ventured to present himself in Grand Lodge , he having , as I am credibly informed , lost his qualification as a

P . M . years ago by having ceased to subscribe to a lodge ? The conspicuous absence of his name from the lists of donors to our charities is also being made the subject of unfavourable

comment . A " REAL " MEMBER OK GRAND LODGE .

RECORDS OF OLD LODGES . AVe shall be glad to hear from any brethren who possess , or have access to , lodge records before 1716 , ancl which have hitherto been unpublished . It probable there are some such

minutes extant which have not been made known . Only lately we have had extracts sent us of lodge meetings in A . D . 1714 , which are most valuable and interesting . AV . J AMES HUGHAN .

BRO . HUGHAN ON " SYSTEM . " At page 356 , Bro . Hughan observes : " It cannot be said that any ' system ' is adopted by our Grand Lodge , ... as there are practically two systems of work in London , and in

the country their number is legion I Now , I venture to assert that that is a mistake , for all the lodges above referred to , I have no reason to believe , do otherwise than work tlie same " system . " The leading characteristics or "

landmarks " of all are the same—there may be differences in detail , or modifications in the working out of the system , yet that does not show a difference in the system itself , that is only an example of variety in unity , e . g ., a man is

equally a man whether he be black or white , tall or short , thin or stout . So with our mediawal architects of tlie same period—although no two churches were exactly the same in detail , yet

the " style " in which they worked was the same Bro . Hughan must remember that local peculiarities are one thing , the " style " or " system , " as such and as a whole , is another . AV . P . BUCHAN .

IS MASONRY A RELIGION ? ( p . 349 . ) In connection with this subject , permit me to quote my own opinion as given elsewhere about nine months ago , viz . : —By religion we under-

Multum In Parbo, Or Masonic Notes And Queries.

stand the worship of God for the salvation of the soul of man ; hence the manner or system in which a man worships God for that object is his religion . Freemasonry , however , not being a system by which God is worshipped for the

salvation of the soul of the Freemason , but a system which , while acknowledging God as the Father of all , was formed as a " centre of union , and the means of conciliating true friendship among persons that must have remained at a perpetual

distance , " is not , therefore , a religion , but a philanthropic society . The objects of religion are spiritual , and point to the next world ; the objects of Freemasonry are carnal , and point to this world . Or , if I may so express it , the great

object of Freemasonry is peace on earth—the great object of religionis peace in heaven . May God , in His all-wise and omnipotent providence , order both to His glory and the good of mankind . - AV . P . BUCHAN .

Is a AA ' . M . obliged to put a motion , duly seconded , to the vote of the lodge , if he , in his judgment , thinks it against the interest of the lodge ? For instance , our by-laws have just been sanctioned , giving honorary members ( of

which I am one ) all privileges , and now a brother moves for an alteration in the said by-laws , to prohibit them having any other privilege than voting for an initiate . Does my authority allow

me to prevent this motion going to the vote ? and should it have a retrospective effect on the by-laws already made ?—AN HON . MEMBER . [ An honorary member has no status in a lodge . —ED . F . ]

Count Bielfeld , the friend of Frederick the Great , paid a visit to the Grand Lodge of England on the 19 th March , 174 T . At that time an

intimate alliance existed between the English and German Masons—several Provincial Grand Lodges in Germany being held under the jurisdiction of England . VIATOR .

THE ROYAL ORDER OF SCOTLAND AND ITS ANTIQUITY ( p . 345 ) . Regarding the antiquity of the Royal Order of Scotland , the member must have been very dull who could not observe many proofs in the bosom

of the Order that take it further back than the date lo which he ascribes it . The facts related to every one on his admission are , that " King Robert Bruce , immediately after the battle of Bannockburn , founded the Royal Order of

Heredom of Kilwinning , reserving to himself and his successors on the throne of Scotland the office and title of Grand Master , " and in all meetings of this Order a chair is still placed as for the sovereign , which no one else ever

occupies , and which the sovereign , if present , would take by right as his own . Perhaps " X . Y . Z . " will say where he received the Order , and proofs satisfactory may be given after then . AN EDINBURGH MEMBER OF THE ORDER .

Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution.

ROYAL MASONIC BENEVOLENT INSTITUTION .

The committee meeting of this Institution was held on AA ' ednesday , the 14 th instant , at Freemasons' Hall , Great Queen-street , Bro . John Hervey , V . P ., in the chair . Others present : Bros . J . Smith , J . Brett , J . Ruclcer , B . Head , AV .. Young , S . May , E . J . Eraser , N . AVingfield , G .

Bolton , IL AV . Hemsworth , F . AValters , H . M . Levy , AV . H . Farnficld , T . Cubitt , & c . Bro . AV . Farnfiekl , Secretary , read' the list of names on the committee for the ensuing year . The minutes of meeting held on 10 th May were also read and confirmed .

The deaths of the following annuitants were announced : —Bros . John Brown , of Huddersfield ; and AV . D . Hughes , P . M . 73 , London ; ancl Mrs E . Simmons , of Southsea .

lhe I ' inance Committee was then elected , and tlie report of the Surveyor read , after which a committee was formed to carry out the suggestions made by the Surveyor ancl medical officer , and report thereon to the General Committee . The usual vote of thanks to the chairman closed the meeting .